Objective      To determine the effect of miR-148b/DUSP1 signaling pathway on the level of cytokine CD206 produced by macrophages and on the growth of hepatocarcinoma cells.       Methods      Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were screened with CD14 microbeads

and then induced to M1 and M2 macrophages with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) respectively. Phenotypes and functions of the obtained polarized monocyte-derived macrophages were identified by CD68 and CD206. ELISA was used to determine the secretion of CD206 by M1 and M2 macrophages. CCK-8 and Transwell assays were used to verify the growth

invasion and migration of hepatoma cells (HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines) after the treatment of the secreted growth factors. Dual luciferase reporter system was used to determine whether DUSP1 was a bona fide target of miR-148b.       Results      Monocyte-derived M1 and M2 macrophage cultures were established successfully. The presence of growth factor CD206 produced by M2 macrophages promoted the proliferation

invasion and migration of hepatoma cell lines. Dual luciferase reporter system indicated that miR-148b functioned to directly suppress DUSP1 gene expression through the miR-148b-binding sequence located at the 3′-UTR of the DUSP1 mRNA. miR-148b/DUSP1 signaling pathway promoted the occurrence and development of hepatoma

and macrophage markers were associated with clinical and pathological features of liver cancer.       Conclusion      miR-148b/DUSP1 signaling pathway affects macrophage-secreted cytokines in promotion of occurrence and development of hepatocarcinoma

and may provide new evidence for targeted therapy of liver cancer.