Single-nucleus RNA sequencing reveals a preclinical model for the most common subtype of glioblastoma
Different glioblastoma (GBM) subtypes have been identified based on the tumor microenvironment (TME). The discovery of new therapies for these hard-to-treat tumors requires a thorough characterization of preclinical models, including their TME, to apply preclinical results to the most similar GBM subtype. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), we characterized the tumor and TME in an immunocompetent mouse model with intracranially implanted GBM stem cells at different stages and treatments. Visium spatial transcriptomics confirmed the location of annotated cells. This model exhibits GBM targets related to integration into neural circuits - Grik2, Nlgn3, Gap43 or Kcnn4-, immunoevasion - Nt5e, Cd274 or Irf8- and immunosuppression - Csf1r, Arg1, Mrc1 and Tgfb1. The landscape of cytokines, checkpoint ligands and receptors uncovered Mrc1, PD-L1, TIM-3 or B7-H3, among the immunotherapy targets that can be addressed in this model. The comparison with human GBMs unveiled crucial similarities with TME<sup>Med</sup> GBM, the most frequent subtype.
Authors
- Angela M. Detweiler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7026-5467)
- Andrea Álvarez-Vázquez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8626-8926)
- Sheryl Paul (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7063-2026)
- Yuxin Ding (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1384-7967)
- Arantxa Tabernero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6302-6134)
- Raúl González-Sánchez
- Laura García-Vicente (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8746-1050)
- Raquel Flores-Hernández (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4697-5180)
- Aaron McGeever (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1596-207X)
- Michael Borja (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4527-3370)
- Norma Neff (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7141-5420)
- Vanessa Tran (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6955-5483)
- Yang Joon Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1742-5657)
- Honey Mekonen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7959-1151)
- Angela Oliveira Pisco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0142-2355)
- Alejandro A. Granados (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6275-9800)
- María Martínez-Fernández (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7800-2407)
Institutions
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (United States) (US)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Communications Biology
- Published
- 2025-04-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08092-x
- Citations
- 7
- Primary Topic
- Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.64
Funders
- European Commission
- Junta de Castilla y León
- European Regional Development Fund
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación