A distinct microglial subset at the tumor-stroma interface of glioma.

The characterization of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in high grade gliomas (HGG) has generated significant interest in an effort to understand how neoplastic lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) are supported and to devise novel therapeutic targets. The TME of the CNS contains unique and specialized cells, including the resident myeloid cells, microglia. Myeloid involvement in HGG, such as glioblastoma, is associated with poor outcomes.

A Rigorous Quantitative Approach to Analyzing Phagocytosis Assays.

Studying monocytic cells in isolated systems contributes significantly to the understanding of innate immune physiology. Functional assays produce read outs which can be used to measure responses to selected stimuli, such as pathogen exposure, antigen loading, and cytokine stimulation. Integration of these results with high quality models allows for the development of therapeutics which target these cell populations.

BSSE: An open-source image processing tool for miniaturized microscopy.

Single-photon-excitation-based miniaturized microscope, or miniscope, has recently emerged as a powerful tool for imaging neural ensemble activities in freely moving animals. In the meanwhile, this highly flexible and implantable technology promises great potential for studying a broad range of cells, tissues and organs. To date, however, applications have been largely limited by the properties of the imaging modality.

Expression of neuropilin-1 is linked to glioma associated microglia and macrophages and correlates with unfavorable prognosis in high grade gliomas.

High grade gliomas, including glioblastoma (GB), are devastating malignancies with very poor prognosis. Over the course of the last decade, there has been a failure to develop new treatments for GB. Reasons for this failure include the lack of validation of novel molecular targets, which are often characterized in animal models and directly transposed to human trials.

Pifithrin-μ modulates microglial activation and promotes histological recovery following spinal cord injury.

Background: Treatments immediately after spinal cord injury (SCI) are anticipated to decrease neuronal death, disruption of neuronal connections, demyelination, and inflammation, and to improve repair and functional recovery. Currently, little can be done to modify the acute phase, which extends to the first 48 hours post-injury. Efforts to intervene have focused on the subsequent phases - secondary (days to weeks) and chronic (months to years) - to both promote healing, prevent further damage, and support patients suffering from SCI.

Contributions of immune cell populations in the maintenance, progression, and therapeutic modalities of glioma.

Immunotherapies are becoming a promising strategy for malignant disease. Selectively directing host immune responses to target cancerous tissue is a milestone of human health care. The roles of the innate and adaptive immune systems in both cancer progression and elimination are now being realized.

Deletion of Neuropilin 1 from Microglia or Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages Slows Glioma Progression.

Glioma-associated microglia and macrophages (GAM), which infiltrate high-grade gilomas, constitute a major cellular component of these lesions. GAM behavior is influenced by tumor-derived cytokines that suppress initial antitumorigenic properties, causing them to support tumor growth and to convert and suppress adaptive immune responses to the tumor. Mice that lack the transmembrane receptor neuropilin-1 (Nrp1), which modulates GAM immune polarization, exhibit a decrease in glioma volumes and neoangiogenesis and an increase in antitumorigenic GAM infiltrate.