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The neuropathological basis to the functional role of microglia/macrophages in gliomas
Davide Schiffer1, Marta Mellai2, Enrica Bovio2
1Research Center, Policlinico di Monza Foundation, Via Pietro Micca 29, 13100, Vercelli, Italy. davide.schiffer@unito.it.
Abstract:
The paper wants to be a tracking shot of the main recent acquisitions on the function and significance of microglia/macrophages in gliomas. The observations have been principally carried out on in vitro cultures and on tumor transplants in animals. Contrary to what is deduced from microglia in non-neoplastic pathologic conditions of central nervous system (CNS), most conclusions indicate that microglia acts favoring tumor proliferation through an immunosuppression induced by glioma cells. By immunohistochemistry, different microglia phenotypes are recognized in gliomas, from ramified microglia to frank macrophagic aspect. One wonders whether the functional conclusions drawn from many microglia studies, but not in conditions of human pathology, apply to all the phenotypes recognizable in them. It is difficult to verify in human pathology a prognostic significance of microglia. Only CD163-positive microglia/macrophages inversely correlate with glioma patients' survival, whereas the total number of microglia does not change with the malignancy grade.
Insights
Microglia/macrophages in brain tumors (gliomas) may promote cancer growth by suppressing the immune system. However, only CD163-positive cells show a link to patient survival, not the total microglia count.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia/macrophages are key immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS).
- Their role in non-neoplastic CNS conditions differs from their function in brain tumors (gliomas).
- Recent research focuses on the dual role of these cells in glioma progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on microglia/macrophage function and significance in gliomas.
- To investigate the impact of microglia on tumor proliferation and immunosuppression.
- To explore the prognostic value of different microglia phenotypes in glioma patients.
Main Methods:
- In vitro cell cultures.
- Animal tumor transplant models.
- Immunohistochemistry to identify microglia phenotypes (e.g., ramified, macrophagic).
Main Results:
- Most studies suggest microglia/macrophages favor glioma proliferation via immunosuppression induced by tumor cells.
- Different microglia phenotypes are observed in gliomas.
- A significant inverse correlation was found between CD163-positive microglia/macrophages and glioma patient survival.
- Total microglia numbers did not correlate with glioma malignancy grade.
Conclusions:
- Microglia/macrophages play a complex role in gliomas, often promoting tumor growth.
- The functional relevance of microglia phenotypes observed in experimental models to human glioma pathology requires further investigation.
- CD163-positive microglia/macrophages are potential prognostic biomarkers in glioma patients.
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