CSF1 overexpression promotes high-grade glioma formation without impacting the polarization status of glioma-associated microglia and macrophages

Ishani De, Megan D. Steffen, Paul A. Clark, Clayton J. Patros, Emily Sokn, Stephanie M. Bishop, Suzanne Litscher, Vilena I. Maklakova, John S. Kuo, Fausto J. Rodriguez, Lara S. Collier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Current therapies for high-grade gliomas extend survival only modestly. The glioma microenvironment, including gliomaassociated microglia/macrophages (GAM), is a potential therapeutic target. The microglia/macrophage cytokine CSF1 and its receptor CSF1R are overexpressed in human high-grade gliomas. To determine whether the other known CSF1R ligand IL34 is expressed in gliomas, we examined expression array data of human high-grade gliomas and performed RT-PCR on glioblastoma sphere-forming cell lines (GSC). Expression microarray analyses indicated that CSF1, but not IL34, is frequently overexpressed in human tumors. We found that while GSCs did express CSF1, most GSC lines did not express detectable levels of IL34 mRNA. We therefore studied the impact of modulating CSF1 levels on gliomagenesis in the context of the GFAP-V12Haras- IRESLacZ (Ras∗) model. Csf1 deficiency deterred glioma formation in the Ras∗ model, whereas CSF1 transgenic overexpression decreased the survival of Ras∗ mice and promoted the formation of high-grade gliomas. Conversely, CSF1 overexpression increased GAM density, but did not impact GAM polarization state. Regardless of CSF1 expression status, most GAMs were negative for the M2 polarization markers ARG1 and CD206; when present, ARG1+ and CD206+ cells were found in regions of peripheral immune cell invasion. Therefore, our findings indicate that CSF1 signaling is oncogenic during gliomagenesis through a mechanism distinct from modulating GAM polarization status.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2552-2560
Number of pages9
JournalCancer Research
Volume76
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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