# Single cell spatial profiling of the matrisome identifies region-specific adhesion and signaling networks in glioblastoma

## TL;DR

This study uses spatial transcriptomics to map ECM gene expression in brain tumors, revealing region-specific adhesion and signaling patterns in glioblastoma.

## Contribution

The study introduces a spatial atlas of matrisome gene expression in glioblastoma at single-cell resolution.

## Key findings

- Four distinct GBM cell populations with unique ECM expression profiles were identified.
- ECM components show non-overlapping expression in stromal cell types like endothelial cells and microglia.
- Novel ECM ligand-receptor networks between GBM and stromal cells were uncovered.

## Abstract

The human brain contains a milieu of extracellular matrix (ECM) components that promote normal development and physiology. ECM signaling pathways are often dysregulated in brain pathologies including the malignant cancer glioblastoma (GBM). Here, we used single-cell spatial transcriptomic platforms to map the expression of nearly 400 ECM genes in matching non-cancerous brain and GBM samples. At least four different GBM cell populations have been identified that show unique ECM expression profiles and spatial enrichment in distinct intratumor regions. Spatial mapping demonstrates largely non-overlapping expression signatures of ECM components in GBM stromal cell types, particularly in vascular endothelial cells and microglia/macrophages. Comparisons of GBM versus lower grade astrocytoma samples identifies differential expression of key ECM components. Computational analysis reveals novel ECM ligand-receptor networks between GBM and stromal cells. This spatial atlas provides new insights into ECM control of brain tumor initiation and progression and identifies potential targets for therapy in GBM.

Using spatial transcriptomics, this study profiled the expression of hundreds of matrisome genes at single-cell resolution in human brain tumors, revealing targetable adhesion and signalling components in glioblastoma and lower-grade gliomas.