Microglia-mediated Drug Substance Transfer Promotes Chemoresistance in Brain Tumors: Insights from an in Vitro Co-culture Model Using GCV/Tk Prodrug System

Overview

Journal Cancer Cell Int

Publisher Biomed Central

Date 2024 Jan 18

PMID 38238749

Authors

Sheng-Yan Wu

Wen-Jui Yu

Ting-Yi Chien

Yu-An Ren

Chi-Shuo Chen

Chi-Shiun Chiang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: It is well known that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play essential roles in brain tumor resistance to chemotherapy. However, the detailed mechanisms of how TAMs are involved in brain tumor resistance are still unclear and lack a suitable analysis model.

Methods: A BV2 microglial cells with ALTS1C1 astrocytoma cells in vitro co-culture system was used to mimic the microglia dominating tumor stroma in the tumor invasion microenvironment and explore the interaction between microglia and brain tumor cells.

Results: Our result suggested that microglia could form colonies with glioma cells under high-density culturing conditions and protect glioma cells from apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic drugs. Moreover, this study demonstrates that microglia could hijack drug substances from the glioma cells and reduce the drug intensity of ALTS1C1 via direct contact. Inhibition of gap junction protein prevented microglial-glioma colony formation and microglia-mediated chemoresistance.

Conclusions: This study provides novel insights into how glioma cells acquire chemoresistance via microglia-mediated drug substance transferring, providing a new option for treating chemo-resistant brain tumors.

Citing Articles

Distinct roles of small extracellular vesicles from resident and infiltrating macrophages on glioma growth and mobility.

Chen C, Hsu S, Yu W, Chiang C, Yu C J Cancer. 2025; 16(3):969-981.

PMID: 39781357 PMC: 11705045. DOI: 10.7150/jca.103595.

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