The role of microglia and macrophages in glioma maintenance and progression.

Abstract

There is a growing recognition that gliomas are complex tumors composed of neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells, which each individually contribute to cancer formation, progression and response to treatment. The majority of the non-neoplastic cells are tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), either of peripheral origin or representing brain-intrinsic microglia, that create a supportive stroma for neoplastic cell expansion and invasion. TAMs are recruited to the glioma environment, have immune functions, and can release a wide array of growth factors and cytokines in response to those factors produced by cancer cells. In this manner, TAMs facilitate tumor proliferation, survival and migration. Through such iterative interactions, a unique tumor ecosystem is established, which offers new opportunities for therapeutic targeting.

• Authors: Dolores Hambardzumyan, David H Gutmann, Helmut Kettenmann
• Journal: Nature neuroscience (Nat Neurosci) Vol. 19 Issue 1 Pg. 20-7 (Jan 2016) ISSN: 1546-1726 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26713745 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Review)

Topics

• Animals
• Central Nervous System Neoplasms (immunology, metabolism, pathology)
• Disease Progression
• Glioma (immunology, metabolism, pathology)
• Humans
• Macrophages (immunology, metabolism, pathology)
• Microglia (immunology, metabolism, pathology)