3D heterotypic models of glioblastoma reveal the impact of microglia on cellular organization and the production of a distinct secretome

TL;DR

This study shows that microglia in glioblastoma tumors help cancer cells grow more and resist drugs, by forming protective structures and promoting immune evasion.

Contribution

The study introduces a 3D heterotypic model showing how microglia influence glioblastoma growth and drug resistance through structural and secretory changes.

Findings

Heterotypic spheroids with microglia showed increased proliferation and drug resistance compared to homotypic spheroids.

A core-shell structure formed in heterotypic spheroids, with microglia creating a protective shell around glioma cells.

Heterotypic spheroids induced monocyte migration and M2 polarization, enhancing immune evasion.

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a deadly brain tumor with a very poor prognosis. Development of new therapeutics is hindered by the lack of appropriate preclinical models that reflect the complexity of the tumor microenvironment, especially the crucial role of microglia. In this study, we investigated the impact of microglia on GBM models using humanized 3D spheroids. Homotypic and heterotypic spheroids were created out of a GBM-derived cell line (DKMG) or patient-derived glioma stem cells (GB22-13), along with a microglia cell line (HMC3). Heterotypic glioma-HMC3 spheroids exhibited increased proliferation and greater drug resistance to chemotherapy drug Temozolomide compared with homotypic spheroids. Heterotypic spheroids also grew larger, developed multinucleated structures within 7 days, and had a greater invasive potential. Additionally, a distinct core-shell structure emerged in the heterotypic spheroids, with glioma cells concentrated in the core and a surrounding layer of microglia forming a protective shell that appeared to hinder drug penetration to the tumor core. Further, heterotypic cells were able to induce migration and polarization of peripheral blood monocytes (THP-1) towards M2 phenotypes, increasing immune evasion. These findings highlight the critical role of microglia in GBM development and progression, demonstrating their contribution to both reduced drug diffusion and increased tumor growth.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-37395-0.

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