Wasl is crucial to maintain microglial core activities during glioblastoma initiation stages.

Abstract

Microglia actively promote the growth of high-grade gliomas. Within the glioma microenvironment an activated (amoeboid) microglial morphology has been observed, however the underlying causes and the related impact on microglia functions and their tumour promoting activities is unclear. Using the advantages of the larval zebrafish model, we demonstrate that pre-neoplastic glioma cells have an immediate impact on microglial morphology and functions. Overexpression of human HRasV12 in proliferating domains of the larval brain induces an amoeboid morphology of microglia, increases microglial numbers and decreases their motility and phagocytic activity. RNA sequencing analysis revealed lower expression levels of the actin nucleation promoting factor wasla in microglia. Importantly, a microglia specific rescue of wasla expression restores microglial morphology and functions. This results in increased phagocytosis of pre-neoplastic cells and slows down tumour progression. In conclusion, we identified a mechanism that de-activates core microglial functions within the emerging glioma microenvironment.