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Published on: December 3, 2019
Single-cell transcriptomics reveals MAFB-driven macrophage reprogramming and immune divergence in recurrent
Yijing He1,2, Jiaming Yu3, Meng Huang4
1Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
BMC Cancer
|June 29, 2026
Summary
Recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) features a distinct CXCL3⁺ tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) population regulated by MAFB. Targeting this MAFB-driven macrophage program may offer new therapeutic strategies for aggressive brain tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Immunology
- Genomics
Background:
- Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain tumor with poor outcomes.
- Mechanisms of GBM recurrence are not well understood.
- Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) influence GBM growth and immune suppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate immune microenvironmental changes in recurrent GBM.
- To define the role of TAMs in GBM recurrence.
- To identify therapeutic targets for GBM.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell transcriptomic data integration.
- Regulatory network analysis.
- Immunohistochemistry and multiplex immunofluorescence.
- In vivo MAFB depletion studies.
Main Results:
- Recurrent GBM exhibits immune microenvironmental divergence with a distinct CXCL3⁺ TAM population.
- These TAMs display pro-inflammatory profiles and associate with poor survival.
- MAFB is identified as a key regulator of this TAM state, upregulated in recurrent GBM.
- MAFB depletion reduces tumor growth and improves survival in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Significant immune remodeling occurs in primary and recurrent GBM.
- A MAFB-driven CXCL3⁺ macrophage program shapes the recurrent GBM immune landscape.
- This MAFB-macrophage axis presents a potential therapeutic target for GBM microenvironmental reprogramming.
