Expression data in 4T1 cells after co-culture with murine PI/AI BMDM macrophages

Macrophages can exert both pro- and anti-tumorigenic features. Interaction between tumour-associated macrophages and tumour cells trigger signalling mechanisms affecting gene expression patterns in both cells. Changes in tumor gene expression affect essential physiological processes such as metabolism, proliferation or adhesion that can lead to an increased invasive and metastatic potential. We used microarrays to detail the global program of gene expression in tumour cells after pro-inflammatory (anti-tumorigenic, M1 or PI) or anti-inflammatory (pro-tumorigenic, M2 or AI) and identified distinct classes of down-regulated genes during this process. Murine macrophages were differentiated after bone marrow extraction (BMDM) and polarised towards a PI or AI phenotype. Macrophages were then co-cultured for 24 hours with 4T1 (triple negative breast cancer mouse cells). Both populations were separated and RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays was performed on the tumour fraction. 3 biological replicates (macrophages derived from individual mice) were used in the experiment.