NR4A3 potentials M1-like macrophage polarization to facilitate anti-tumor immune responses in breast cancer

作者：Yiyu Qian, Ning Jin, Shan‐Shan Rao, Ya Wang, Xin Li, Wen Pan, Pu Huang, Siyuan Wang, Ping-fei Li, Yue Lv, Qinglei Gao, Yu Xia · 发表于：npj Breast Cancer · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1038/s41523-025-00785-0 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：Nuclear Receptors and Signaling、Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor、Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling

Breast cancer (BC) is commonly labeled a "cold tumor" due to its dense population of immunosuppressive cells, particularly M2-like macrophages, which contribute to its resistance to therapy. Thus, there is a pressing need to shift the macrophage polarization towards M1 and revitalize the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) to improve BC prognosis. In this study, we leveraged published RNA-sequencing data and performed multiplex immunohistochemistry on clinical specimens to identify NR4A3 as a promising biomarker for favorable outcomes in BC. High NR4A3 expression correlates with an inflamed TIME, characterized by heightened T-cell infiltration and activation. NR4A3 was preferentially expressed in macrophages and fostered M1-like macrophage polarization through direct binding to p65, thereby enhancing NF-κB transcriptional activity. Overexpression of Nr4a3 in tumor-infiltrating macrophages significantly inhibited the growth of E0771 tumors in a syngeneic mouse model, accompanied by increased T-cell infiltration and elevated production of functional cytokines. Conversely, suppression of Nr4a3 in macrophages compromised T-cell recruitment and diminished their anti-tumor capabilities. Consistent with these findings, co-culture experiments involving human T cells and NR4A3-overexpressing THP1 cells further demonstrated enhanced T-cell functionality. Collectively, our findings uncover a novel role for NR4A3 in macrophage polarization and TIME remodeling, offering a potential bioma...