The Controversial Role of Microglia in Malignant Gliomas

Malignant gliomas contain stroma and a variety of immune cells including abundant activated microglia/macrophages. Mounting evidence indicates that the glioma microenvironment converts the glioma-associated microglia/macrophages (GAMs) into glioma-supportive, immunosuppressive cells; however, GAMs c...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jun Wei, Konrad Gabrusiewicz, Amy Heimberger
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2013-01-01
Series:Clinical and Developmental Immunology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/285246
Description
Summary:Malignant gliomas contain stroma and a variety of immune cells including abundant activated microglia/macrophages. Mounting evidence indicates that the glioma microenvironment converts the glioma-associated microglia/macrophages (GAMs) into glioma-supportive, immunosuppressive cells; however, GAMs can retain intrinsic anti-tumor properties. Here, we review and discuss this duality and the potential therapeutic strategies that may inhibit their glioma-supportive and propagating functions.
ISSN:1740-2522
1740-2530