ArticleCancer cell international2024
Upregulation of MELK promotes chemoresistance and induces macrophage M2 polarization via CSF-1/JAK2/STAT3 pathway in gastric cancer.
Article in Cancer cell international, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.
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14 citing papers in PubMed.
- UTMD Suppresses CSF-1 to Drive Macrophage-Mediated Ferroptosis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.Cancer medicine · 2026Article
- MELK inhibits cuproptosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells via the PI3K/mTOR/S6K-DLAT signaling axis.Molecular and cellular biochemistry · 2026Article
- Dissolvable antimicrobial microneedles loaded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived migrasomes for diabetes wound treatment.Journal of nanobiotechnology · 2026Article
- JAK-STAT signaling pathway in cancer: from molecular mechanisms to clinical intervention.Molecular cancer · 2026Review
- SLAMF8 promotes tumor growth of gastric cancer by enhancing M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages.Journal of translational medicine · 2026Article
- VCAN promotes the progression and recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by remodeling the tumor microenvironment.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- The role of MELK in cancer: mechanisms and therapeutic options.Frontiers in oncology · 2026Review
- Article
- Tumor-derived PRMT1 suppresses macrophage antitumor activity by inhibiting cGAS/STING signaling in gastric cancer cells.Cell death & disease · 2025Article
- Nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group D member 2 induces chemoresistance in ovarian cancer by regulating ferroptosis and immune infiltration.Discover oncology · 2025Article
- Gastric cancer-derived exosomal let-7 g-5p mediated by SERPINE1 promotes macrophage M2 polarization and gastric cancer progression.Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR · 2025Article
- Stachydrine targeting tumor-associated macrophages inhibit colorectal cancer liver metastasis by regulating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025Article
- Ginsenoside Rh7 affects β-catenin nuclear translocation by inhibitingInternational journal of medical sciences · 2025Article
- Reversal of chemotherapy resistance in gastric cancer with traditional Chinese medicine as sensitizer: potential mechanism of action.Frontiers in oncology · 2025Review
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Abstract
backgroundGastric cancer (GC) stands out as one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting the digestive system, characterized by a substantial incidence rate and mortality. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) has been implicated in the advancement of various cancer types and the modulation of the tumor microenvironment. This study aims to delve into the involvement of MELK in chemoresistance and the tumor microenvironment of GC.
methodsThe MELK expression was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Lentiviral transfection was employed to establish stable cell lines with either overexpressed or silenced MELK. The impact of MELK on the chemoresistance of GC cells and the polarization of macrophages was investigated through in vitro and in vivo functional assays. Additionally, the correlation between MELK and the cytokines colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), as well as stromal macrophages, was analysed. The prognostic significance of MELK, CSF-1, and CD206 expression levels in clinical samples was further investigated.
resultsMELK was found to be highly expressed in chemoresistant GC cells and tissues. Furthermore, both in vitro and in vivo assays indicated that MELK overexpression conferred chemoresistance in GC cells. Additionally, MELK overexpression was observed to induce M2 macrophage polarization via the CSF-1/JAK2/STAT3 pathway, thereby contributing to chemoresistance within the tumor microenvironment. The expression of MELK in GC tissues from neoadjuvant chemotherapy patients correlated positively with CSF-1 and CD206. Moreover, patients with higher expression levels of MELK, CSF-1, or CD206 exhibited significantly shorter OS and DFS rates.
conclusionsOur investigation underscores the critical role of MELK in promoting chemoresistance and inducing M2 macrophage polarization in GC. It proposes novel targets and methods for the treatment of GC, as well as prognostic factors for neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
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