The role of Neuro-Immuno-Vascular Unit in growth and invasion of Glioma

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18433
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56010:Neurosurgery-related
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Uekawa Ken 熊本大学, 大学院生命科学研究部(医), 助教 (40448535)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 腫瘍免疫 / 腫瘍微小環境 / ミクログリア / マクロファージ / 血管新生 / 悪性神経膠腫 / CD36/NADPH oxidase / 殺腫瘍作用

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Tumor growth and invasion is associated to immune cell migration and angiogenesis or vascular disruption in malignant glioma. To elucidate the role of tumor/immune cell/vasculature interaction in growth and invasion of malignant glioma, we performed the immunohistochemistry staining with sections from patients. We evaluated distribution and morphology of immune cells including activated microglia and macrophage (M1 and M2), and vasculatures. A large number of macrophages and activated microglia are shown in tumor tissue, some of which are CD36 positive, suggesting that the immune cells exert anti-tumor effect via CD36/NADPH oxidase pathway. The anti-tumor effect via CD36/NADPH on brain immune cells may be a promising mechanism to develop the new strategy for malignant glioma.

Free Research Field

悪性脳腫瘍

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

患者腫瘍組織内にマクロファージとミクログリアを含む免疫細胞が多数確認され、内因性免疫受容体CD36が陽性であり、CD36/NADPH oxidase経路を介した殺腫瘍作用をしてしている可能性が示唆された。今後、この殺腫瘍作用を利用した、新たな治療法確立を目指す。この研究によって悪性神経膠腫の増大・浸潤機序が明らかになり、化学放射線療法に耐性例に対する新治療法確立の基盤となることが期待される。また、上記の手法を下垂体腺腫や髄膜腫、転移性脳腫瘍などの脳腫瘍にも応用し各疾患の治療法の確立を目指す。