Glioma-neuronal circuit remodeling induces regional immunosuppression

Abstract

Neuronal activity-driven mechanisms impact glioblastoma cell proliferation and invasion1-7, and glioblastoma remodels neuronal circuits8,9. Distinct intratumoral regions maintain functional connectivity via a subpopulation of malignant cells that mediate tumor-intrinsic neuronal connectivity and synaptogenesis through their transcriptional programs8. However, the effects of tumor-intrinsic neuronal activity on other cells, such as immune cells, remain unknown. Here we show that regions within glioblastomas with elevated connectivity are characterized by regional immunosuppression. This was accompanied by different cell compositions and inflammatory status of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment. In preclinical intracerebral syngeneic glioblastoma models, CRISPR/Cas9 gene knockout of Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1/Thbs1), a synaptogenic factor critical for glioma-induced neuronal circuit remodeling, in glioblastoma cells suppressed synaptogenesis and glutamatergic neuronal hyperexcitability, while simultaneously restoring antigen-presentation and pro-inflammatory responses. Moreover, TSP-1 knockout prolonged survival of immunocompetent mice harboring intracerebral syngeneic glioblastoma, but not of immunocompromised mice, and promoted infiltrations of pro-inflammatory TAMs and CD8+ T-cells in the tumor microenvironment. Notably, pharmacological inhibition of glutamatergic excitatory signals redirected tumor-associated macrophages toward a less immunosuppressive phenotype, resulting in prolonged survival. Altogether, our results demonstrate previously unrecognized immunosuppression mechanisms resulting from glioma-neuronal circuit remodeling and suggest future strategies targeting glioma-neuron-immune crosstalk may open up new avenues for immunotherapy.