Comparison of the apoptotic effects of bortezomib using 2D and 3D co-culture models of THP-1 derived macrophage and A549 lung cancer

Abstract

We investigated the fundamental function of the lung cancer tumour microenvironment. Proteasome inhibition has emerged as a clinically successful anti-cancer therapeutic strategy, with the antineoplastic medication bortezomib showing high efficacy against multiple cancers. Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), which migrate to tumour stroma, are known to promote cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis within the lung cancer microenvironment. However, the specific interaction of macrophages, lung cancer cells, and bortezomib are still unclear. Most in vitro cell cultures are traditionally grown in a two-dimensional (2D) culture system, although 3D cultures have demonstrated greater success in terms of drug response, gene expression and viability. Therefore, to elucidate the role of macrophages, we aimed to establish a co-culture model in both 2D and 3D cultures using A549 human lung cancer cells and THP-1 derived macrophages. Apoptotic effects were analysed using the Annexin V-PI method. Since NF-kB and TNF-alpha play important roles in the anti-proliferation and apoptosis pathways, the levels of NF-kB and TNF-alpha mRNA expression were measured. As a result, bortezomib significantly increased cell apoptosis in cells co-cultured with M0 macrophages. IL-1 beta cytokine levels also increased, and NF-kB mRNA expression levels decreased. Understanding the mechanisms that modulate the tumour microenvironment may facilitate the development of novel anticancer therapies. The utilisation of TAMs may improve the successful treatment of lung cancer and warrants further study.