Phenotypic profile of blood monocytes and tumor-associated macrophages in relation to the expression of galectins 1 and 3 in colorectal cancer

Aim. To identify the features of the subpopulation composition of blood monocytes and tumor macrophages in relation to the plasma concentration and intratumoral expression of galectins 1 and 3 in patients with colorectal cancer.

Materials and methods. A total of 23 patients with colorectal cancer (ICD C18-20) were examined – 5 men and 18 women (average age 63.8 ± 9.4 years). The control group consisted of healthy volunteers; the comparison group encompassed age- and sex-matched patients with colon adenomas. The study materials included whole blood and tumor biopsies. The concentration of galectins 1 and 3 in the blood was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the content of tumor galectin-1⁺ and galectin-3⁺ cells – by immunohistochemistry. Subpopulations of blood monocytes were evaluated by flow cytometry; the macrophage immunophenotypes M1 (CD68⁺ CD80⁺ ) and M2d (CD68⁺ CD206⁺ ) in tumor tissues were determined using immunofluorescence staining. Statistical processing of the research results was performed by the Jamovi 2.3.21 software package for Windows.

Results. In patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), a positive relationship was identified between high plasma concentrations of galectins 1 and 3 and an imbalance of blood monocytes manifested by a decrease in the relative count of classical CD14⁺⁺CD16^- monocytes and, conversely, an increase in the number of non-classical CD14⁺CD16⁺⁺ and intermediate CD14⁺ CD16^- cells. The relative numbers of M1 (CD68⁺CD80⁺) and M2d (CD68⁺CD206⁺) macrophages in CRC tissue samples turned out to be comparable and did not depend on the level of galectins 1 and 3 in the blood and tumor. In patients with colon adenomas, the M2d subpopulation of tumorassociated macrophages was predominant (p = 0.031).

Conclusion. In patients with CRC, galectins 1 and 3 have a modulating effect on the ratio of non-classical CD14⁺CD16⁺⁺, intermediate CD14⁺CD16^- , and classical CD14⁺⁺CD16^- monocytes in the blood and do not affect the M1/M2d expression profile of tumor-associated macrophages.

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