eNAMPT/Ac-STAT3/DIRAS2 Axis Promotes Development and Cancer Stemness in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Enhancing Cytokine Crosstalk Between Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Cancer Cells

The intricate relationship between tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and cancer cells is pivotal for carcinogenesis, with TAMs being integral to the tumor microenvironment (TME). This study explores the novel mechanisms by which TAMs regulate the progression of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) within the TME. Using a co-culture system and methodologies such as cytokine arrays, proteomics, and CRISPR-Cas9, we investigated the crosstalk between TAMs and TNBC cells. We found that high levels of CD163+ TAMs in TNBC tissues correlate with poor prognosis. TNBC cell-conditioned medium induces macrophage polarization towards the M2 phenotype, enhancing TNBC cell migration, invasion, and stemness through the secretion of extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (eNAMPT). eNAMPT binding to CCR5 on TNBC cells activates STAT3, leading to the downregulation of the tumor suppressor DIRAS2 and an increase in CCL2, which promotes a macrophage recruitment loop. Intervention at the eNAMPT/CCR5 or CCL2 level disrupts this loop, mitigating TAM-induced effects. Our findings uncover a cytokine communication mechanism between immune and cancer cells, suggesting potential targets for TNBC detection and treatment.