A Single-Cell and Spatial Atlas of MVP-PAN Evolution Reveals a Desmoplastic Dependency to Overcome Glioblastoma Resistance
Therapeutic resistance in IDH-wildtype glioblastoma (GBM) is driven by an intricate interplay between cellular plasticity and protective microenvironmental niches. By constructing the GRIT-Atlas—a massive transcriptomic compendium encompassing nearly one million high-quality single cells across 17 cohorts—and cross-analyzing it with 48 independent Visium spatial transcriptomics sections, we discover a recurrent "Spatial Resistance Triad" comprising mesenchymal-like (MES-like) malignant cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and collagen-secreting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). This large-scale spatial integration reveals that the triad physically fortifies microvascular proliferation (MVP) and pseudopalisading necrosis (PAN) niches. To substantiate these findings at true single-cell resolution, we deploy high-plex spatial molecular imaging (CosMx SMI) to map over 400,000 single cells across a clinical validation cohort. This high-resolution architecture firmly validates the triad's geography and, critically, provides structural gradient evidence unmasking a spatiotemporal continuum wherein PAN emerges as a direct functional consequence of MVP advancement and subsequent vascular collapse. Mechanistically, stromal CAF-derived COL6A1 engages CD44 receptors on MES-like cells to accelerate a potent neural stemness cascade within these protective domains. Utilizing a blood-brain barrier (BBB)-penetrant multi-library compound screen, we identify Lacidipine as a multi-modal stromal disruptor that successfully silences CAF activation and halts matrix secretion. Incorporating Lacidipine into the standard chemo-immunotherapy backbone (TMZ + anti-CSF1R) completely dismantles the protective desmoplastic matrix niche, forcing a profound collapse of intracranial tumor burden and dramatically extending overall survival in orthotopic models. Collectively, our study leverages unprecedented single-cell and spatial scale to provide a definitive blueprint of GBM therapeutic evasion, establishing matrix-targeted intervention as a mandatory prerequisite for successful glioblastoma eradication.
Authors
- Fang Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5971-2622)
Institutions
- Soochow University (CN)
- First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
- Published
- 2026-06-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18009413
- Primary Topic
- Glioma Diagnosis and Treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00