Fig. 8

Graphical summary. The factors secreted by thyroid tumor cells and senescent thyrocytes promote the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages. Among the soluble proteins released, PGE2 is able to promote the switch of differentiated macrophages to a M2-like phenotype, which contribute to thyroid tumor progression. The pharmacological inhibition of the PGE2 producing enzyme COX- 2 inhibits PGE2 secretion and impairs the M2-like polarizing ability of thyroid cells