“Distinct myeloid-derived suppressor cell populations in human glioblastoma” (2025), by Christina Jackson et al. Immunology and Microbiology research paper. Original abstract below, unchanged. A free PDF is available.

Distinct myeloid-derived suppressor cell populations in human glioblastoma

Christina Jackson, Christopher Cherry, Sadhana Bom et al. · January 16, 2025 · Immunology and Microbiology

Abstract

The role of glioma-associated myeloid cells in tumor growth and immune evasion remains poorly understood. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing of immune and tumor cells from 33 gliomas, identifying two distinct myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) populations in isocitrate dehydrogenase-wild-type (IDT-WT) glioblastoma: an early progenitor MDSC (E-MDSC) population with up-regulation of metabolic and hypoxia pathways and a monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC) population. Spatial transcriptomics demonstrated that E-MDSCs geographically colocalize with metabolic stem-like tumor cells in the pseudopalisading region. Ligand-receptor analysis revealed cross-talk between these cells, where glioma stem-like cells produce chemokines attracting E-MDSCs, which in turn produce growth factors for the tumor cells. This interaction is absent in IDH-mutant gliomas, associated with hypermethylation and repressed gene expression of MDSC-attracting chemokines. Our study elucidates specific MDSCs that may facilitate glioblastoma progression and mediate tumor immunosuppression.

Free PDF DOI: 10.1126/science.abm5214