Related Experiment Videos
Macrophage/microglial cell subpopulations in glioblastoma multiforme relapses are differentially altered by
M H Deininger1, S Pater, H Strik
1Institute of Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Medical School, Germany. martin.deininger@uni-tuebingen.de
Abstract:
Following surgical removal of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), radiochemotherapy impedes neoplastic outgrowth and relapse formation. Macrophages/microglial cells are believed to be potent mediators of the host defense system in GBM. However, little is known about their alteration by postsurgical therapies. We have now analyzed expression of LCA (leucocyte common antigen), CD68 (phagocytic cells), HLA-DR, -DP, -DQ (MHC class II), MRP-8 (myeloid-related protein, S100A8), MRP-14 (S100A9), LCF (lymphocyte chemoattractant factor, IL-16) and NOS II (inducible nitric oxide synthase) in macrophages/microglial cells in 39 GBM relapses and their matched primary tumors. Following surgery of the primary tumors, 15 patients received irradiation and chemotherapy, 17 irradiation and 7 no treatment. In irradiated relapses, we observed significantly more macrophages/microglial cells expressing MRP-14 compared to untreated GBM relapses. Furthermore, we observed a significant increase of CD68 expressing macrophages/microglial cells in patients without postsurgical treatment, but not in those with radiochemotherapy. In conclusion, our findings suggest that radiochemotherapy alters the number of MRP-14 expressing cells. The lacking increase of CD68 expressing cells in patients with radiochemotherapy suggests depletion of this cell type by postsurgical therapy.
Insights
Radiochemotherapy alters immune cell responses in glioblastoma (GBM) relapse. Post-surgical treatment increases myeloid-related protein-14 (MRP-14) expressing cells but may deplete CD68 expressing cells in GBM.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) requires postsurgical radiochemotherapy to prevent recurrence.
- Macrophages and microglial cells are key immune responders in GBM.
- The impact of postsurgical therapies on these immune cells remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the alterations in macrophages/microglial cells following GBM surgery and postsurgical therapies.
- To analyze the expression of specific immune markers in relation to treatment protocols.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of macrophage/microglial cell markers (LCA, CD68, HLA-DR/DP/DQ, MRP-8, MRP-14, LCF, NOS II) in 39 GBM relapses and matched primary tumors.
- Comparison of marker expression between patients receiving irradiation/chemotherapy, irradiation alone, and no treatment post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher expression of MRP-14 in macrophages/microglial cells in irradiated relapses compared to untreated relapses.
- A significant increase in CD68 expressing cells in untreated GBM relapses, but not in those treated with radiochemotherapy.
- Radiochemotherapy appears to alter the number of MRP-14 expressing cells and potentially deplete CD68 expressing cells.
Conclusions:
- Postsurgical radiochemotherapy significantly modifies the immune microenvironment in GBM.
- The observed changes in MRP-14 and CD68 expression suggest a complex interplay between treatment and immune cell function in GBM relapse.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms and clinical implications of these alterations.