Fig. 5.

miR-1226-5p-mediated TGF-β secretion in M2 macrophages enhances the EMT, migratory and invasive capacity of CRC cells. A After overexpressing miR-1226-5p in THP-1-derived macrophages, the mRNA expression levels of cytokines and growth factors were screened by qRT-PCR. B THP-1-derived macrophages were overexpressed with miR-1226-5p and siRNA targeting TGF-β, and the mRNA expression of TGF-β was measured. C-E Conditioned media harvested from THP-1-derived macrophages overexpressing miR-1226-5p and siRNA targeting TGF-β were treated with HCT-116 and SW480 cells, respectively. C Expression of TWIST, SNAIL, N-cadherin, and ZEB1 was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Transwell migration (D) and matrigel-coated invasion assays (E) were applied to the indicated cells. Scale bar 200um. F Schematic diagram showing the mechanism by which radioresistant CRC cell-derived miR-1226-5p induces cancer malignancy by enhancing M2 polarization of macrophages. The experiment was repeated three times and representative Western blot images are shown. The data are presented as the mean ± S.D. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001. One-way ANOVA followed by bonferroni comparison test