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Updated: May 5, 2026
Isolation and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Glioma-infiltrating Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Published on: November 28, 2015
Meningeal lymphatic vasculature, a general target for glioblastoma therapy?
Changping Zhou1, Han Xu1, Jincai Luo1
1Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Abstract:
Glioblastoma (GBM) causes nearly universal mortality as a result of the failure of conventional therapies including surgical resection, targeted radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. An increasingly important treatment option is combining immunotherapy with other therapies in both preclinical and clinical studies. The central nervous system (CNS) has been historically considered an immune privileged area, but increasing evidence, including the recent rediscovery of meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs), has overturned this notion. MLVs are populated by multiple immune cells and connect the CNS to the periphery by draining cerebrospinal fluid with soluble CNS antigens and immune cells into cervical lymph nodes. In the past few years, more and more studies have indicated that MLVs are involved in the regulation of inflammation and the immune response in the pathogenesis of various CNS diseases including GBM. Here, we explore the critical interlinkages between MLVs and GBM therapies including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, and propose the meningeal lymphatic vasculature as a general target for GBM therapy.
Insights
Meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs) are newly recognized CNS structures that connect the brain to the immune system. Targeting MLVs may improve glioblastoma (GBM) treatment outcomes by modulating immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Glioblastoma (GBM) remains a fatal brain cancer due to treatment resistance.
- The central nervous system (CNS) was historically considered immune-privileged, but recent discoveries challenge this.
- Meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs) connect the CNS to the periphery, influencing immune cell and antigen transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of MLVs in glioblastoma (GBM) pathogenesis and treatment.
- To investigate the interplay between MLVs and current GBM therapies (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy).
- To propose MLVs as a potential therapeutic target for GBM.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical and clinical studies on MLVs and GBM.
- Analysis of the immunological functions of MLVs in the CNS.
- Exploration of therapeutic strategies targeting MLVs for CNS diseases.
Main Results:
- MLVs are crucial for immune cell trafficking and antigen presentation in the CNS.
- MLVs are implicated in regulating inflammation and immune responses in GBM.
- Evidence suggests MLVs can be modulated to enhance GBM treatment efficacy.
Conclusions:
- MLVs play a significant role in the immune microenvironment of glioblastoma.
- Targeting meningeal lymphatic vasculature presents a novel strategy to improve GBM therapy.
- Further research into MLVs could unlock new avenues for treating brain tumors.
