An Ets2-specific transcriptional program in tumor-associated macrophages promotes metastasis

Macrophages have been implicated in breast cancer progression and metastasis, but relatively little is known about the genes and pathways that are involved. Using a conditional allele of Ets2 in the mouse, we have identified Ets2 as a critical gene in tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) that specifically promotes mammary tumor metastasis. Loss of Ets2 in TAMs decreased the frequency and size of lung metastases without impacting primary tumor burden. Expression profiling of isolated tumor macrophages established that Ets2 deficiency resulted in the de-repression of a defined set of anti-angiogenic genes.

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Zabuawala T, Taffany DA, Sharma SM, Merchant A, Adair B, Srinivasan R, Rosol TJ, Fernandez S, Huang K, Leone G, Ostrowski MC