Human monocyte-derived macrophages polarized by M-CSF in the presence or absence of 5 micromolar Methotrexate

Macrophage phenotypic and functional heterogeneity derives from tissue-specific transcriptional signatures shaped by the local microenvironment. M-CSF drives the generation of human monocyte-derived macrophages with a potent anti-inflammatory activity upon stimulation. One-carbon metabolism (OCM) is a complex network of biosynthetic pathways that includes de novo biosynthesis of purines and thymidylate, amino acid metabolism, and methylation reactions. We explored the molecular impact of blocking OCM with high-doses of the anti-folate methotrexate (MTX) on the gene expression profile in M-CSF-primed human monocyte derived macrophages. Overall design: mRNA profiles of human macrophages differentiated with M-CSF (M-MØ) from peripheral blood monocytes in the absence or in the presence of high doses of the antifolate methotrexate (MTX). MTX (5 uM) was added once on monocytes inmediatly before the initation of the M-CSF differentiation process.