This research explores how microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, interact with glioblastoma cells at the far infiltration zone to facilitate cancer invasion. Using advanced 3-photon microscopy in a mouse model, scientists observed a biphasic response where microglia initially increase surveillance in areas with few tumor cells but become suppressed as the tumor density grows. The study identifies distinct microglial subsets that migrate toward the tumor, revealing that their behavior is highly dependent on spatial proximity. Furthermore, researchers found that the chemokine receptor CX3CR1 and the growth factor receptor CSF1R are vital regulators of this relationship. Manipulating these pathways or depleting microglia significantly reduced tumor microtube plasticity and slowed the overall spread of the cancer. Ultimately, the findings highlight that microglia are active participants in glioblastoma dissemination and represent a promising target for future therapies.

References:

• Nebeling F C, Fuhrmann F, Mittag M, et al. Microglia-glioblastoma crosstalk mediates glioblastoma invasion at the far infiltration zone[J]. Immunity, 2026.