Microglia Induce PDGFRB Expression in Glioma Cells to Enhance Their Migratory Capacity

• Published in: iScience Vol. 9; pp. 71 - 83
• Main Authors: Wallmann, Tatjana, Zhang, Xing-Mei, Wallerius, Majken, Bolin, Sara, Joly, Anne-Laure, Sobocki, Caroline, Leiss, Lina, Jiang, Yiwen, Bergh, Jonas, Holland, Eric C., Enger, Per Ø., Andersson, John, Swartling, Fredrik J., Miletic, Hrvoje, Uhrbom, Lene, Harris, Robert A., Rolny, Charlotte
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier 30.11.2018
• Subjects: Immunology; Molecular Mechanism of Behavior; Pathophysiology; Cancer
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.10.011

High-grade gliomas (HGGs) are the most aggressive and invasive primary brain tumors. The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling pathway drives HGG progression, and enhanced expression of PDGF receptors (PDGFRs) is a well-established aberration in a subset of glioblastomas (GBMs). PDGFRA is expressed in glioma cells, whereas PDGFRB is mostly restricted to the glioma-associated stroma. Here we show that the spatial location of TAMMs correlates with the expansion of a subset of tumor cells that have acquired expression of PDGFRB in both mouse and human low-grade glioma and HCGs. Furthermore, M2-polarized microglia but not bone marrow (BM)-derived macrophages (BMDMs) induced PDGFRB expression in glioma cells and stimulated their migratory capacity. These findings illustrate a heterotypic cross-talk between microglia and glioma cells that may enhance the migratory and invasive capacity of the latter by inducing PDGFRB.