Get The Role Of Microglia And Macrophages In Glioma Maintenance And ... - Nfcenter Wustl

Gliomas are brain tumours associated with the three types of glial cells in the brain, which include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and the ependymal cells. Glial cells make up the supportive tissue of the brain and, unlike neurons, don't conduct electrical impulses.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the key cells that create an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) by producing cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and triggering the inhibitory immune checkpoint proteins release in T cells.

Neuron–microglia communication is mediated by receptor–ligand interactions as well as by various soluble factors. Microglia are equipped with a group of surface receptors, which trigger signals and regulate specific microglia function like phagocytosis, motility and viability.

Microglia cells are the resident macrophages in the central nervous system (CNS) and could respond to tumorigenesis signaling by producing chemokines and cytokines that favor tumor progression (1, 13, 14). Glioma-associated microglia/macrophages (GAMs) are abundant in the tumor mass and favor tumor progression (15–17).

Glioblastomas are the most common and lethal primary brain tumors. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, survey their environment and respond to pathogens, toxins, and tumors. Glioblastoma cells communicate with microglia, in part by releasing extracellular vesicles (EVs).

Microglia are parenchymal macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS); as professional phagocytes they are important for maintenance of the brain's physiology. These cells are generated through primitive hematopoiesis in the yolk sac and migrate into the brain rudiment after establishment of embryonic circulation.

Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) play an important role in the development of tumors, modulation of neoangiogenesis, immune suppression, and metastasis. High infiltration of macrophages in the tumor is also correlated with poor prognosis in several cancer types.

Glioma associated microglia/macrophages (GAMs) constitute the largest proportion of tumor infiltrating cells. They are less abundant in low grade gliomas, but constitute up to 30% of the entire tumor mass in glioblastoma (IV grade glioma).

One part of microglia's job is devouring the corpses of dead brain and nervous system cells via a process known as phagocytosis. Microglia (blue) are more than just a cleanup crew. They actually help maintain a healthy life cycle of neurons (green).