Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Glioma: Friend or Foe?

摘要: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) contribute substantially to the tumor mass of gliomas and have been shown play a major role in creation microenvironment that promotes progression. Shortcomings attempts at antiglioma immunotherapy may result from failure adequately address these effects. Emerging evidence supports an independent categorization glioma TAMs as alternatively activated M2-type macrophages, contrast classically proinflammatory M1-type macrophages. These exert glioma-supportive effects through reduced anti-tumor functions, increased expression immunosuppressive mediators, nonimmune promotion trophic invasion-facilitating substances. Much our work has demonstrated features TAMs, together with supporting literature will be reviewed here. Additionally, dynamics cell-TAM interaction over course development remain poorly understood; efforts elucidate are summarized. Finally, molecular pathways which underlie TAM polarization gene similarly require further investigation, present most potent targets for immunotherapeutic intervention. Highlighting recent implicating transcription factor STAT3 tumorigenic we advocate array-based approaches identify yet unappreciated regulators effector molecules important function within microenvironment.