1 Introduction

A curative treatment option for high-grade gliomas is currently not available. Gliomas are highly heterogeneous and proliferate invasively, making therapeutic approaches difficult. Glioma stem cells (GCSs) can develop glial tumors of varying heterogeneity with a high potential for self-renewal [1,2,3]. This is a critical consideration, as GCSs show greater intrinsic tolerance to therapies due to inherent characteristics and adaptive pathways of resistance than cells without stem cell properties and, thus, promote tumor recurrence [4]. As GCSs are located in all glioma areas, molecular differences can occur within a single tumor. The interaction between tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor (stem) cells significantly influences the highly invasive tumor growth and molecular heterogeneity. Many different actors such as microglial cells, macrophages, neuronal precursor cells, vascular cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells such as dendritic cells, leukocytes, or natural killer cells take part in the TME, inter alia for steering of tumor characteristics like growth and diffusion but also therapy resistance [5,6,7]. These non-malignant cells of the circular and the lymphatic system influence the tumor neogenesis through diverse interactions such as immunological cytokine receptors exploited by the tumor cell to evade immune surveillance in TME. This “hijacking” of pro-tumor-immune cells is mediated immunologically by interleukins (IL) such as IL-6 [8], platelet-derived growth factors [9], notch-signaling pathways [10], vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [11], or epidermal growth factor (EGFR) [12]. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by the tumor cells have been shown to support the tumor modus operandi, to conquer the TME; additionally, cancer stem cell-derived EVs aid the reshaping of TME and influence non-stem cells in a variety of ways [13].

In addition to tumor intrinsic and extrinsic factors, hypoxia plays a crucial role in the brain tumor microenvironment. Upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) has been shown to result in an aggressive and resistant phenotype of high-grade gliomas [14]. Mitochondria are the key cellular organelle to support the low oxygen availability, by switching on the oxidative phosphorylation channels. Therefore, inhibiting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation channels from blocking the cycle of oxygen supply in TME could be an attractive therapeutic strategy to impede tumor invasion and improve radiation response [15]. In the past 10 years, the knowledge about TME has increased significantly. However, details about the functions of the TME are not entirely understood. This also explains why the routine WHO Glioma Classification 2016 [16] will have to be further revised, as it is based on histomorphology and molecular properties only. To grade glioma for potential therapeutic decisions is of clinical relevance since differences in the composition of glioma (microenvironment) do exist between patients despite the same tumor grade, suggesting that different individual therapeutic strategies may be achieved for patients. Analyzing these complex interactions between the TME and the gliomas’ molecular properties is essential for the prognosis of individual patients.

The molecular heterogeneity of gliomas and additional extracellular factors released by glioma cells proves to be a major hurdle for therapeutic approaches [17, 18]. Neural stem cells, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and immune cells are significant heterogeneous cell populations considered to interact with TME and favor tumor survival under therapy by altering invasiveness, plasticity, gene expression profile, and response towards growth factors [19], as distinct areas of the TME exhibit varying morphologically and metabolic characteristics (Fig. 1) impact tumor heterogeneity and survival [20, 21]. The tumor stem cells seem to take advantage of this altered environment, which promotes them to invade normal areas of the glioma physiologically [22].

Fig. 1
figure 1

The niches of GBM niches and molecular landscape. a Overview of the TME of glioblastomas, with immunological players, and the three main niches that show a certain presence of specific molecular profiles. b The vascular niche: This niche is characterized by pronounced angiogenesis with a correspondingly increased VEGF. Here tumor macrophages are accumulated. Cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-8 are increased. Likewise, PTEN leads to increased matrix cross-linking proteins, resulting in accelerated angiogenesis. c The hypoxic niche contributes to glioma growth and resistance. PTEN is increased, and HIF contributes to the upregulation of VEGF and IL-8 and supports stem cell presence indicated via increased CD133. Via tyrosine hydroxylase activity, inflammatory cytokines are reduced. d The invasive niche: This nice is marked by a normal vessel distribution and the transition to normal brain tissue. Stem cells are associated with the vessel structure, glioma cells and microglia go along in tumor growth, and glioma stem cells are associated with endothelial cells via CXCL12/CXCR4. The cellular matrix also supports invasive tumor growth (details in text). Abbreviations: CD133, CD133–prominin 1, PROM1, is a transmembrane protein; CXCL12. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12; CXCR4, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4; EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor; HIF-1α, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha; HIF-2α, hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha; IL-6, interleukin (6); INFy, interferon gamma; MGMT, O6-methylguanine–DNA methyltransferase; PD-L1, programmed death-ligand 1; PTEN, phosphatase and tensin homolog; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-alpha; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor

Full size image

2 Molecular signatures and interactions with TME

During tumor growth, cell-intrinsic properties are in constant exchange with the surrounding tumor microenvironment. This interaction takes place not only through direct cell–cell communication but also through transmitters, chemokines, cytokines, or extracellular vesicles. This not only promotes tumor progression and invasion, as well as immune evasion, but also resistance to therapy. These interactions are summarized in relation to specific interaction mechanisms (Table 1).

Table 1 Summary of molecular factors significantly affecting TME and thus affecting GBM tumor growth
Full size table

2.1 EGFR can support alkylating agents but also induces cell migration and an immunosuppressive TME via the NF-κB pathway

EGFR is a receptor tyrosine kinase located as a transmembrane protein. It is activated extracellular by ligand binding and intracellular via autophosphorylation of the kinase domain via downstream signaling pathways [26], thereby stimulating cell proliferation and survival. Tyrosine hydroxylase is induced by EGFR as shown in clonal pheochromocytoma cell line [54]; its overexpression leads to decreased interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels as shown for lymphocytes [23], which could be a marker for poor prognosis [55], and activates the xc(-) system [56]. Xc(-) is an amino acid antiporter that regulates the exchange of extracellular l-cysteine and intracellular l-glutamate and regulates oxidative stress in various cell types [57, 58] (Fig. 2). An increased EGFR expression, in turn, leads to an increased glutamate concentration in the TME (Fig. 2), which promotes glioma cells migration via phosphorylation of the COOH terminal (carboxyl-terminus) of GluN2B (glutamate (NMDA) receptor subunit epsilon-2), resulting in increased glutamate-NMDAR-signaling [12]. Conversely, in the presence of the NMDAR-inhibitor MK-801 and sulfasalazine (an inhibitor of xc-), glioma cell migration was not observed [12]. In turn, the active mutation EGFRvIII that is transmitted into the TME from glioma cell EVs [59] acts pro-tumorigenic and supports glioma cell survival, angiogenesis, invasion, and stemness [24]. Notwithstanding, EGFRvIII is associated with increased overall survival in patients, probably caused by inflammatory triggering properties of EGFRvIII [26]. Moreover, it could be recently shown that GBM cell lines expressing endogenous EGFRvIII increased sensitivity to temozolomide in mice, which might be linked to increased DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) mismatch repair proteins [27]. In contrast, however, temozolomide can presumably also exert selection pressure on the molecular properties of the glioma cells. For example, mutations of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) or platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) occur [60], leading to tumor recurrences through a “molecular resistance.” Cooperation between EGFR and EGFRvIII induces macrophage infiltration via elevated chemokine CCL2 (CC-chemokine-ligand-2) [24]. Kirsten rat sarcoma virus gene (KRAS) is involved, a monomeric G-protein and actor in signal transduction pathways for the differentiation and growth of cells. CCL2 is called a “tumor-derived chemotactic factor.” It recruits several classes of immune cells like monocytes, dendritic cells, memory T cells, and natural killer cells (Fig. 2), whereby pro-inflammatory mechanisms are modulated and neo-angiogenesis is increased [61]. Moreover, glioma expressing EGFRvIII secreting IL-6 is associated with high pro-angiogenic IL-8 [62, 63]. IL-6 activates the NF-κB (nuclear factor “kappa-light-chain-enhancer” of activated B-cells) pathway, which makes the cells less sensitive to attenuation of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors [64] and induces the upregulation of programmed death-ligand (PD-L1) on peripheral myeloid cells, which promotes tumor growth in orthotopic mice models [65]. The expression of PD-L1 in high-grade glioma induces PD-L1 receptor expression in microglia, which then causes, immunosuppression in the sense of a negative T-cell response [66]. Additionally, via NF-κB signaling, antioxidant genes are regulated in cooperation with transcriptional coactivators in inflammation [67] (Fig. 2). Thus, via EGFR (vIII), glioma cell migration and survival are supported, as well as a change of the immunological state of TME in terms of a weakened proper immune response. Angiogenesis and stemness are promoted via interleukin mediation. EGFR directly influences a variety of aspects that mediate the glioma process and is a central mediator in glioma cell-TME interaction.

Fig. 2
figure 2

Crossroads between molecular patterns and tumor microenvironment. A diverse mechanism influences the interactions between tumor microenvironment and heterogenous molecular parameters of glioma. In this figure, the basic interactions are shown. A pro-carcinogen tumor microenvironment is promoted by an impairment of NF-gene that leads to microglia recruitment, but also BRAF promotes recruiting via CCL2. EGFR also causes a pro-cancerogenic tumor microenvironment via CCL2 by activating monocytes, whereas the recruitment of T-cells and dendritic cells supports a pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment. EGFRvIII also activates NMDA receptors that support cell migration through glutamate release. Via CCl2 also BRAF induces microglia recruitment. IDH1-mut and ATRX promote IFN-y and CD8+ extracellular and IDH1-mut reduce intracellular PD-L1. In contrast, IDH1-wt promotes cell death. PTEN is crucial for tumor microenvironment composition. Deficiency of PTEN leads to increased matrix cross-linking proteins, which supports angiogenesis (also via VEGF activation) and glioma migration and tumor-infiltrating macrophages. Sufficient PTEN leads to a pro-immunological tumor microenvironment (details in the text). Abbreviations: ATRX, transcriptional regulator ATRX also known as ATP-dependent helicase ATRX (-mut, mutation); BRAF, proto-oncogene B-Raf; CCL(2), CC-chemokine-ligand-(2); EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor (vIII, variant III); IDH1, isocitrate dehydrogenase-(1) (mut, mutation; wt, wild type); HIF-1α, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha; IL-6, interleukin 6; IL-8, interleukin 8; INFy, interferon gamma; NF1, neurofibromatosis type 1; NF-κB, nuclear factor “kappa-light-chain-enhancer” of activated B-cells; NMDA, N-methyl-d-aspartate; PD-L1, programmed death-ligand 1; PTEN, phosphatase and tensin homolog; TME, tumor microenvironment; TNF-(α), tumor necrosis factor (alpha); VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor

Full size image

2.2 Depending on the mutation status, IDH can support an anti-cancerogenic TME

The mutation status (-mut) of the genes encoding isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1/2 is of central importance for the differentiation of low-grade to higher-grade gliomas, as low-grade gliomas present higher IDH-mut rates than high-grade gliomas [68]. IDH1mut is associated with a favorable response to chemotherapy and radiation [69], and 70–90% of low-grade-glioma and secondary glioblastoma present mutations in IDH1 [70]. Non-mut-IDH converts isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate. α-Ketoglutarate is used to catalyze 2-hydroxyglutarate, an oncometabolite, and is common in IDH-mut [71]. The immune system of the TME appears to be different between IDH-mut and IDH-wt-gliomas. More tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are present in the latter, and PD-L1 is expressed higher [28]. Interestingly, the reduced immune situation seems to be associated with an IDH-1 mutation since the expression of the genes for IFN-γ and CD8+ is reduced. Both genes are essential for an antitumor T-cell response [29]. This is astonishing since a weakened immune system results in a molecular subtype that goes hand in hand with a better prognosis. Derived from this, this would mean that IDH-1 wild-type tumors, for instance, most higher-grade gliomas, would be more accessible for immunotherapy. As mentioned, distinguishing low-grade and higher-grade gliomas 1p/19q-status (loss of heterozygosity (LOH)) and IDH-mut is crucial as a co-deletion of 1p/19q is typical for oligondendroglioma and essential for the differentiation against astrocytoma. Furthermore, the co-deletion indicates a better response to chemotherapy. Co-deletion of 1p/19q is mainly associated with IDH-mut, but IDH-mut does not always belong to a 1p/19q deletion [72]. It also appears that the 1p/19q status is related to the expression of integrins. These transmembrane receptors not only play a role in the adhesion of cells with the extracellular matrix but are also involved in processes such as the regulation of induced cell death, intracellular transport mechanisms, or migration in conjunction with growth factors [73]. For over 20 years, it is known that α6β4 integrin has significantly increased in human astrocytomas [74]. Recently, it was reported that in the presence of 1p/19q deletion and IDH1-mut, the expression of integrin beta-1 (ITGB1) was reduced compared to IDH1-mut, but a knockdown of α6β4 integrin in 1p/19q intact glioma cells (in vitro) and patient-derived glioma cells led to a decreased glioma development [75] (Fig. 2). IDH mutation is one of the most important genetic modification in glioma, as it supports early spread of glioma cells and, therefore, is an important early marker and therapeutic target. However, the effect on the immune-tumor microenvironment is also observed by inhibiting the T-cell response and the association with PDL-1.

2.3 ATRX mutation activates macrophages, natural killer cells, and neutrophils via IFN-γ recruitment

ATRX (ATP-dependent helicase) and TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) mutations are usually present together and are essential for further differentiation of gliomas. The mutations are mostly linked to IDH-mut and an increased EGFR presence [76]. A mutation in the TERT promoter is associated with an increased TERT expression. Conversely, (inactivating) mutations for ATRX lead to a reduction of ATRX in glioma cell nuclei, which means that gene regulation via chromatin remodeling is no longer regulated [30], thereby promoting stabilization of the glioma cell. ATRX is entangled in the misregistration of immune signals in tumor cells [31]. For cell lines, it is showed that deletion of ATRX presumably promotes the expression of (type I) interferon. The authors also report better survival time in a xenograft and a syngeneic murine glioma model (ATRX KO cell line) and suspect an interaction between ATRX mutation and immune signaling in glioma cells [31] (Fig. 2). Thus, ATRX is a central player of glioma cell genesis. Depending on the mutation status, there is an influence on the stabilization of tumor cells and the presence of interferon (type I). As an important marker, ATRX is concluded in the WHO Classification 2016 (oligodendroglial vs. astrocytic) and seems to be involved in the mediation of TME immunological parameters.

2.4 KIAA1549-BRAF fusion and decreased NF1 activity promotes microglia recruitment

Clinical therapies have been established with vemurafenib, a selective inhibitor of BRAF (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B) and dabrafenib in treating malignant melanoma, as well as non-small cell bronchial and thyroid carcinoma. BRAF mutations are detectable in various tumors and are encoded on chromosome 7 (7q34). The protein is primarily responsible for controlling cell growth signals, including regulating the MAP kinase signaling pathway. Acquired mutations are primarily involved in the participation in tumor growth [77]. The common BRAF V600E mutation and the KIAA1549-BRAF fusion are present in gliomas [32]. The detection of a fusion gene in combination with an IDH-mut analysis is essential for clinical diagnostics, especially for the differentiation between pilocytic astrocytomas (WHO I) and diffuse astrocytomas (WHO II) [77]. A BRAV V600E mutation is primarily found in pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (approximately 60–70%) and gangliogliomas (about 20%) in diffuse, higher-grade gliomas [78, 79]. However, for pilocytic astrocytomas, it is reported that BRAF activation promotes pro-cancerogenic senescence via a p16 (INK4a) pathway and causes aberrant activation of the protein kinase pathway [32]. The KIAA1549-BRAF fusion creates a pro-cancerogenic TME via the CCL2/CCR2 axis, mediated by NF-κB and microglia recruitment [33] (Fig. 2).

NF1 (neurofibromatosis type 1) is a broad predisposition syndrome for various tumors, also for gliomas and most frequent tumor suppressor syndrome [80, 81], with an incidence of 1/3000 births [81] and a regulator of the RAS signaling pathways, essential for regulating cell differentiation and growth. A loss of neurofibromin expression promotes increased cell growth—as in tumors associated with NF1—via increased RAS-activation [80]. For glioblastoma cells, it has been shown that NF1 incompetence led to a decreased cancer cell homogeneity, enhanced NF1 expression led to diminished microglia activity and vice versa, and NF1 deactivation results in increased macrophage activation [34] (Fig. 2). KIAA1549-BRAF fusion is a central player in achieving cell survival and cell proliferation and is, as described, an important clinical marker for the delimitation of pilocytic astrocytoma. The influence on the CCL2/CCR2 axis described here is important for the interaction with the TME since microglia recruitment occurs and pro-cancerogenic processes are initiated. It seems particularly interesting to decipher the processes that TME mediates on the microglia to pursue new therapeutic approaches and the mechanisms in the glial cells themselves that lead to glioma-like properties. The understanding of the influence of NF1 on glioma properties as a whole and concerning the tumor microenvironment is still minimal. The effect of NF1 to induce decreased microglial activity appears to be an interesting starting point for further research. It can be assumed that immunological processes, mediated by TME, occur here since NF1 deactivation is associated with increased macrophage activation. Immune cell analyses in animal models and in vitro can be a corresponding starting point for researching these processes in more detail.

2.5 Phosphatase PTEN activity leads to a pro-immunological TME, a reduction in macrophage recruitment and angiogenesis

The gene PTEN encodes the protein phosphatase and tensin homolog. Dysregulation of the gene is associated with different types of cancers [82]. A PTEN-deletion occurs in 30–40% of high-grade gliomas, but the impact on overall patient survival is discussed [83]. However, PTEN plays a vital role in preventing immunosuppressive TME and tumor cell evasion [35]. For glioma cells with PTEN mutation or deletion, an immunosuppressive TME evolved: the anti-cancerogenic immunity decreased, and resistance against T-cell lyses developed, together with a PDL-1 enhancement [35, 36]. In human glioblastoma cells, increased T-cell apoptosis could be detected in the presence of PTEN-deficient glioblastoma cells. Along with this, the absence of PTEN led via the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway to an immune resistance [35, 37]. For melanoma, it could be shown that PTEN-deficient cells encourage a resistance to immune infiltration by increased levels of cytokines, such as VEGFR and CCL2, resulting in an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment [84, 85]. In glioma cells, PTEN deficiency fosters activation of yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), which modulates the protein-lysine 6-oxidase (LOX) [38]. As a result, the conversion of molecules into activating aldehydes is induced, which are present in the extracellular matrix, promoting cross-linking of proteins such as elastin and collagen [39]. Tumor-infiltrating macrophages that secrete phosphoprotein 1 (SSP1) were increased via LOX activation, supporting glioma cell growth and angiogenesis. For glioblastoma cells that did not express PTEN, LOX was noticeably reduced and macrophage infiltration and tumor progression took place [38] (Fig. 2). Loss of the tumor progressor is of importance to therapeutic resistance. Still, the imparting of immunological characteristics of TME also seems to support glioma progress, such as the shift to a more immunosuppressive TME or immune resistance in the case of PTEN mutation and deficiency reveals. In addition to immune mediation, functional PTEN also appears to inhibit angiogenesis and the establishment of cross-link proteins and is, therefore, a possible key element of glioma cell stabilization.

3 The hypoxic tumor microenvironment as the driving force for glioma progression

Tumor growth is selectively influenced by certain environmental properties of the tumor microenvironment. A hypoxic tumor microenvironment, which is typical for fast-growing gliomas, supports this selection pressure and establishes adaptive cell-intrinsic properties. HIF-1, for example, a typical player in tumor progression is involved, but MGMT (O-6-methylguanin-DNA-methyltransferase) methylation and the human tumor suppressor p53 are also affected by the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. These mechanisms leading to the critical progression of the tumorigenic process are summarized below (Table 1).

3.1 MGMT activity increases with hypoxic TME and is reduced via Wnt signaling

DNA repair enzymes and proteins such as MGMT, ERCC (DNA excision repair protein), and APNG (alkylpurine-DNA-N-glycosylase) are also likely to be determined by extracellular mechanisms. If MGMT is hypermethylated, alkylating chemotherapy response and more prolonged survival are more likely [41]. MGMT, APNG, and ERCC1 mRNA were increased in microvesicles derived from glioma cells [86]. Understanding these mechanisms seems more important because the DNA repair enzyme MGMT inhibits the efficacy of standard clinical drugs such as temozolomide. A hypoxic TME promotes the expression of MGMT [42] (Fig. 3), and MGMT gene silencing in patients prolonged survival time under treatment temozolomide [87]. MGMT expression also depends on cellular-cellular signaling and was reduced in case of decreased Wnt signaling [43]. This downstream signal transduction pathway works in a canonical/non-canonical matter and is crucial in various diseases [88] (Fig. 3). MGMT status is crucial in the clinical evaluation of glioblastomas, as methylation status is directly associated with the response to alkylating therapies, especially in the elderly. However, a hypoxic tumor microenvironment appears to establish the therapeutically inferior MGMT status. The data on the influence of MGMT on immunological processes is still rudimentary, at least, as we have not been able to determine any valid data on this, but there are already hints that MGMT methylation and the immune response interact. Deciphering these processes is of particular clinical importance since temozolomide has immunosuppressive properties.

Fig. 3
figure 3

Hypoxic glioblastoma tumor microenvironment and molecular interactions. A hypoxic tumor microenvironment TME influences molecular biological processes in the glioma cell on several levels. Methylation of the MGMT, VEGF, and p53-protein are activated, which reduces the effect of alkylating agents and promotes angiogenesis. p53 is also the central regulator of p21 and CDK4/D1, which reduce microglia recruitment. A malfunction of p53 leads to increased glycoprotein concentration in the TME, which supports cell migration and immune evasion, and immunosuppression (details in the text). Abbreviations: BRAF, proto-oncogene B-Raf; CD133, CD133–prominin 1, PROM1, is a transmembrane protein; CDK4/6, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6; D1, cyclin D1 protein; EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor (vIII, variant III); HIF-1α, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha; HIF-2α, hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha; MGMT, O6-methylguanine–DNA methyltransferase; INFy, interferon gamma; mTOR, mechanistic target of rapamycin; P21, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 or CDK-interacting protein 1; P53, tumor protein P53 or tumor suppressor p53; RB1, RB transcriptional corepressor 1; SASP, senescence-associated secretory phenotype; TME, tumor microenvironment; TNF-(α), tumor necrosis factor (alpha); VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; WNT, Wnt signaling pathway; xc−, antiporter system xc−

Full size image

3.2 Dysfunction of cell regulator p53 supports an immunosuppressed TME and immune evasion

p53, a tumor suppressor, induces the arrest of the cell cycle. Thus, a mutation of the gene that encodes the tumor suppressor protein p53 limits the prognosis in cancer [89, 90] and is present in many tumor entities and approximately 30% in glioblastomas [91]. Dysfunction of the tumor suppressor promotes cell invasion and migration of glioma cells and has a protective effect against apoptosis [92]. However, the formation of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) is described to be p53 dependent [93] (Fig. 3), and a loss of p53 could lead to pro-cancerogenic activities of SASP [45]. Interestingly, SASP is more present in high-grade gliomas—as SASP-related genes are in these grades more expressed, and an association with IDH-wt astrocytoma is assumed [72]. SASP is involved in transforming fibroblasts into active inflammatory cells, which support tumor growth [45]. Interestingly, SASP in tumor stroma can have an immunosuppressive effect on the tumor microenvironment [46], but so far, this has only been shown for liver cells [89, 90]. On the other hand, SASP seems to support tumor progression, as it can promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition [46]. Thus, the role of SASP in glioma seems not to be finally elucidated, but it suggests that the effect of SASP is related to p53 activity [94].

Further studies show that so-called gain of function (GOF) influences mutations, which, in turn, causes inflammatory processes in the glioma TME [91] and indicates that misregulation of p53 supports inflammatory processes and also tumor-immune evasion [47, 48] (Fig. 3). Glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM) also appear to interact with p53. In TME with tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, for example, it could be shown that the pharmacological activation of p53 led to an increased anti-cancerogenic immune system and tumor regression, in addition to immune activation through the induction of immune-associated cell death [48]. For astrocytes with a p53 + / − , fibronectin and laminin are more concentrated in the ECM than in the ECM of p53 + / + astrocytes. Astrocytes with a p53 + / − were also less susceptible to apoptosis in vitro [95]. This could be due to a haploinsufficient phenotype of p53 + / − and deduce that higher-grade glioma cells create a dysfunctional TME by the reduced expression of p53 [95]. In other studies, it could be shown that the presence of laminin in the ECM in principle enables better anchoring of the cells in their environment and counteracts cell migration and invasion [96]. However, the interrelationships between glioma and TME are clearly more complex; previous studies showed that both laminin and fibronectin were involved in tumor cell migration in vitro [97]. There is currently no detailed knowledge of the interrelations between ECM proteins and the p53 status in gliomas. With mutations of the p53 gene, many interactions with compartments of the TME seem to enter, which are pro-cancerogenic but also offer approaches for new therapies (Fig. 3). p53 is certainly one of the most important known factors in eukaryotic cells to prevent their degeneration into tumor cells. Conversely, dysregulation has correspondingly many effects on cell metabolism, apoptosis, or the stability of the genome. Interactions with the TME, as we have shown in this paragraph, are also versatile. Cell invasion and migration of glioma cells are promoted in the case of altered p53, as well immunosuppression. As in many other tumors, p53 seems to be a promising starting point for glioma therapies to enable the preservation of an anti-cancerogenic TME.

3.3 CDK4/6 dysfunction drives cell division via RB1 phosphorylation

It has been known for many years that the malfunction of the tumor suppressor protein RB1 (RB transcriptional corepressor 1) is involved in many pro-cancerogenic processes [98], and astrocytomas expression of mutated RB1 is associated with proliferation of tumor cells and is correlated to decreased survival [50]. In non-cancer cells, RB1 is dephosphorylated by the cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) pathway and can bind the transcription factor E2F, which prevents cell division. CDK4/6 dysfunction is common in high-grade glioma [99] and promotes phosphorylation of RB1. As a result, E2F binding fails and glioma cells’ division occurs [49]. Studies using fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed a complete loss of RB1 in about 10% of glioblastoma samples examined [50]. A mutation of the 13q14 gene encoding RB1 exists in approximately 30% of all higher-grade astrocytomas [100]. p21, an inhibitor of a cyclin-dependent kinase, supports a complex between cyclin D1 and CDK4 [51]. p53 controls transcription of p21 [101] is increased by DNA damage or cell stress (for example, through a hypoxic TME) and supports physiological cell cycle arrest in increased expression levels [102]. Cyclin D1, a regulatory subunit of CDK4/6 in turn, is increasingly expressed in glioma cells [103] (Fig. 3). Furthermore, CD1 and CDK4 are critical for both the glioma cell and the TME as the lack of CDK4 prevents glioma cell development, and the absence of CD1 alone had an opposite effect [51]. Interestingly, a combined loss of CD4 and D1 led to reduced microglial activation in the TME. In many cancer entities, the CDK4/RB1 pathway is disturbed and leads to increased cell proliferation. Preclinical therapeutic approaches with inhibitors foster cell cycle arrest of the tumor cells. However, a hypoxic tumor cell environment will affect p53 and p21 as described above. The latter, in turn, influences the proper function of CDK4/6 which, together with cyclin D1, co-determine the phosphorylation status of RB1. As far as we could determine, no direct interaction between (immune-) TME and CDK4/6 is known, but at least via p53/p21 CDK4/6 seems to be indirectly influenced by the conditions of the tumor microenvironment. Consequently, CDK4/6 inhibitors could be of particular interest in glioma patients with a disturbed p53/p21 axis.

4 The TME immune-state is receptive to the molecular heterogeneity of glioma and provides a protective environment for gliomas to survive and expand

Immunotherapy is a promising approach to cure glioma and can be divided into several subtypes according to the compounds applied: checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, cytokines, CAR-T cells (chimeric antigen receptor), and monoclonal antibodies. For glioblastoma, the implementation of immunotherapies is of particular difficulty compared to solid tumors, as they are immunologically shielded by the blood–brain barrier (which can be in part disrupted through glioma growth [104], and there is evidence that the conception of immune privilege has to be reconsidered [105]). However, in principle, the host’s innate and adapted immune system shield against pro-carcinogen immunological activities. Interestingly, glioma patients seem to reveal a systematic immunodeficiency [106], and glioma itself can induce a vast immune response [107]. The prognosis for glioma is associated with the presence of immune cells in the TME [108]; for example, regulatory T cells (Tregs) are reported to be associated with a poor prognosis in cancer [107]. Nevertheless, previous infections seem to aid glioma occurrence, as gliomas, but not normal brain tissue of the same patients, are associated with human cytomegalic virus nucleic acids and proteins [109]. Non-neoplastic immune cells play a critical role in glioma of both residual and infiltrating origin. Tumor-associated macrophages count to ~ 30% of the tumor mass in glioma together with resident microglial cells [110]. The profile of residual and non-residual cells in glioma seems to be associated with distinct molecular properties. For glioma, it is reported that M2 (anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotype) is activated via pro-cancerogenic IL-10 and TGF-beta (transforming growth factor) [111]. Exosomes from glioma cells of the hypoxic niche glioma foster M2 polarization [112]. To make the occurrence of a pro-cancerogenic immune situation even more complex, the glioma immune condition is also determined by interactions with the respective molecular biological status of the tumor. For example, an increased level of tumor-associated macrophages was detectable in the case of NF1 deficiency [113]. For lower-grade glioma, it was shown that mutated EGFR was present together with an upregulated immune response [114], indicating interactions with a prognostic value between the immune microenvironment and the molecular status. Dysfunction of tumor suppressor p53 is widely known to protect tumor cells from apoptosis, and accelerating evidence reveals that dysfunction also leads to inflammatory states and tumor-immune evasion [48]. However, the critical clinical biomarker MGMT is associated with an increased immune response [44], as analyses revealed an upregulation of immune genes in unmethylated glioma. Furthermore, there are further indications that inflammatory pathways influence the molecular properties and can represent biomarkers accordingly. In the presence of the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptors-δ (PTPRD), the interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) mediates, for example, the invasion of glioma cells by supporting the development of neuronal synapses and differentiation of neurons, in vitro [115]. However, the exact interactions between immune TME and the intrinsic properties of the cell, such as the molecular biological status, have not yet been elucidated. Identifying several mechanisms promises an entirely new interpretation of individual gliomas in patients and may lead to personalized therapies to conquer glioma’s immune evasion. This is conceivable in two directions: immunotherapy based on the individual molecular status and, conversely, to modify the molecular status through targeted immunological interventions.

5 Niches of the glioma, glioblastoma stem cells, and association to molecular diversity

5.1 Scherer’s structures and niches model

The invasive growth of glioblastomas is significantly influenced by micro-anatomical areas with unique molecular properties and is crucial for stem cell differentiation, glioma cell invasion, and immune evasion. As early as 1938, the German neuropathologist, Hans Joachim Scherer, characterized the unique growth properties of gliomas concerning the white brain matter and the meninges. However, Scherer especially described perivascular tumor progress outside the Robin-Virchow areas [116]. Three major micro-anatomical niches of glioma TME can be divided, which play an essential role in the metabolic transformation of glioma cells and stem cell differentiation: the invasive, hypoxic, and perivascular niche [52] (Fig. 1). Multiple players are involved in glioma “behavior” as peripheral blood cells such as monocytes differentiate into tumor-associated macrophages and accumulate in the glioma as part of an inflammatory reaction. Furthermore, other immunological players such as inflammatory cytokines also influence glioma growth. As the tumor progresses, the glioma TME changes to an immunosuppressive environment, making immunotherapeutic approaches more difficult.

5.2 Glioma stem cells

In all three niches, GSCs are involved in tumor development and stabilization, as well as resistance to therapies [2]. GSC’s formation and characteristics like self-replication, specialization, proliferation, and tumor induction might depend heavily on its environment. There may be very heterogeneous GSC variants in the TME, even those with glioma cell properties. In the perivascular and invasive niche, GSCs are in close contact with the excessive vascular structures and communicate with normal and aberrant blood vessels [52]. Moreover, GSCs and tumor cells can communicate with each other, thereby stabilizing themselves and supporting processes such as immune evasion that are an obstacle to tumor cell control, whereas the niches themselves appear to be dependent on the tumor entity [52]. The GSC regulation is endogenous and exogenous. In addition to metabolic regulation and genetic determinants, factors of the niches but also parameters of the TME such as the immune system are essential [2]. There are markers for many cancer stem cells, but they are variable. For GSC, the cell surface protein CD133 could be identified and was mainly represented on GSC, which showed a high proliferation [117]. However, the expression of CD133 is from the phase of the cell cycle, so that active GSCs can also display a low surface density of CD133 [2]. Other GSC markers such as integrin CD15/SSEA-1 and CD44α6 are not always reliable indicators of the actual characteristics of GSCs [2]. GSCs play a vital role in all niches for gliomas’ invasive growth, as shown in Fig. 1.

5.3 Vascular niche

The perivascular niche with neuronal progenitor cells is characterized by increased angiogenesis and signaling protein vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is supported by a mutation of the PTEN gene, which, together with EGFR, can induce increased VEGF mRNA levels [40]. However, VEGF is crucial for the enormous vascularity in glioma. It has been shown that brain tumor stem cells with the high expression level of CD133 habit also high VEGF level [118]. GSCs are also critical for tumor differentiation, which decisively influences glioma genesis due to their high differentiation potential. Those who possess the transmembrane protein CD133 contribute to angiogenesis since VEGF is associatively increased [52, 118, 119]. VEGF contributes to the blood–brain barrier breakdown by destroying tight junction proteins [120]. As a result, the brain’s privileged immune situation is lost, and peripheral immunomodulators can enter the central nervous system and the tumor more easily. The pro-inflammatory cytokine and an anti-inflammatory myokine IL-6 are associated with tissue destruction and accompanying inflammatory processes in the sense of an acute-phase reaction induced by TNF-α [121]. The cytokine aid the invasive behavior of high-grade-gliomas via PD-L1 induction via STAT-3 [65, 122], resulting in a negative T cell response. IL-8 is also a marker of pro-cancerogenic processes, supports the invasive properties of glioblastomas, and seems to mediate glioma cells’ plasticity. IL-8 is also attributed to shield glioma cells against a hypoxic environment and protects them from therapeutic stress [123]. A misdirected, IL-6-dependent NF-κB activation is associated with increased IL-8 levels [124].

5.4 Hypoxic niche

Metabolic changes in the niche support the entire process of tumor invasion, survival, and growth. A hypoxic constitution of TME is a vast inductor of multiple pro-carcinogen pathway activities. Stem cells, also known as tumor-initiating cells, seem to adapt remarkably well to the hypoxic, lactate-rich environment, promoting tumor growth [25]. A central component of the regulation associated with HIF 1-alpha and HIF-2 alpha in the hypoxic niche represents angiogenesis and resistance to the acidotic environment, among other things, through the upregulation of VEGF and IL-8 and also supports stem cell presence as well as CD133, which is also increased in cells in hypoxic environments [52, 53]. Crucial pathways such as WNT are also upregulated in cells in a hypoxic environment and are associated with the unmethylated MGMT type, chemotherapeutic resistance, and reduced induction of cell cycle arrest, as described above. The hypoxic environment also leads to increased EGFR activity, which induces mTOR HIF [25]. Therefore, it could be assumed that mTOR-inhibiting chemotherapeutic agents can have a good advantage, especially on glioma cells in a hypoxic environment. Additionally, immunological processes are triggered by hypoxic conditions. The HIF expression induces activation of tyrosine hydroxylase [125], and a reduction of IFN-y and TNF can occur, which has been shown for lymphocytes [23]. A reduction in IFN-y has a pro-cancerogenic effect since it promotes apoptosis, restrains cell proliferation (shown in lung carcinoma), and has an antiproliferative influence on glioblastoma growth in cell lines [126, 127]. In turn, prolyl hydroxylase domain enzymes (PHD), which α-KG and Fe2+ require, are essential for the degradation and hydroxylation of HIF. In IDH-mut cells, there are decreased levels of α-ketoglutaric acid and Fe2+, which would support HIF [68]. In hypoxic TME areas, a glycolytic metabolism is supported, resulting in increased lactate and H+ ion levels. Both acidosis and hypoxia can affect the essential cellular organelle mitochondria by altering glycolysis [22, 128]. Thus, investigation of the exact mechanisms of glioma cell—TME interactions under hypoxic metabolic circuit—might increase the chances of developing new effective therapies.

5.5 Invasive niche

An essential feature of glioblastomas is their highly invasive growth. Glioblastomas do not metastasize through lymphatic systems or vascularly. The spreading occurs along the vessels’ course; here, glioma cells displace the vascular astrocytes regardless of the vessel size [129]. GSCs stimulated by ligands such as notch, angiopeptin, or endocrine are released from vascular endothelial cells [60]. This is supported by the CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CD184), encoded by the CXCR4 and the stromal cell-derived factor 1 (CXCL12). The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis drives cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and glioma invasion. Glioma stem cells are associated with endothelial cells using the CXL12/CXCR4 axis. Mediated by TGF-ß, the transformation to pericytes then takes place. Conversely, eradicating these pericytes inhibits the glioma process along the vessels by reducing neovascularization [130]. A current study showed that the forkhead box protein M1, a transcription factor involved in physiological cell division and cell cycle regulation [131], is increasingly expressed via the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis, thereby increasing resistance to temozolomide [132].

6 Extracellular vesicles: a novel emerging player in the context of glioma TME modulation

EVs are released from cells and, thus, also from cancer cells, carrying functional proteins, small RNAs (ribonucleic acid), and DNA from the donor cells [133]. They are essential for intercellular communication and take part in the regulation of physiological processes. EVs are the heading for exosomes (50–200 nm, apoptotic bodies (50–2.000 nm), microvesicles (< 100–1 μm), and oncosomes (> 1 μm), and are important for cell–cell interactions in TME and via EV communication. Cell properties like phenotype and functions can be influenced and are, thus, involved in building up a pro-cancerogenic environment and resistance to therapy [134]. Tumor suppression signaling such as miR-1, a microRNA precursor, is mediated by EVs. The expression of miR-1 leads to reduced neovascularization and glioma spread [135]. Nevertheless, EVs also stimulate non-cancerogenic astrocytes to switch to a pro-cancerogenic phenotype, achieved via p53 and Myc-gene [136]. A further example, the expression of EGFRvIII alters the expression of genes that regulate EV procession [137] and comprises both the active and not active EGFR variant [59, 138]. Moreover, CSF-derived EV revealed mutations in EGFR [139]. It is likely that through EVs, tumor niches are established, as active VEGFR was shown to be carried in tumor-shed vesicles [140]. However, determining the interactions between EVs and the TME is important for developing new therapeutic strategies and, if necessary, implementing anticancer mechanisms in the TME and glioma cell via EV transfer. As EVs carry the genetic properties of the original cell, they are a valuable diagnostic tool in the sense of a liquid biopsy.

7 Importance for therapeutic approaches

The interactions between intrinsic properties of glioma cells and their microenvironment strongly influence the treatment responses. The tumor heterogeneity and immunosuppressive situation listed in this review are crucial for this concern. Although the immunosuppressive TME is important for the growth and evasion of gliomas, they show a calm immune situation compared to other tumors. Gliomas have, for example, only a few tumor-infiltrating T-cells and decreased PD-L1 expression levels [141]. The secretion of several different cytokines and chemokines from the glioma cells themselves can variably influence the immune microenvironment, for example, by altering the macrophage polarization, T-cell and natural killer cell activity, or dendritic cell maturation [142]. This causes immunotherapeutic approaches to become more difficult; however, these approaches are promising. In the last few years, many immunotherapeutic studies have been performed, comprising oncolytic virotherapies (in situ vaccination), dendritic cell vaccines or peptide vaccines (peripheral vaccination), checkpoint inhibitors, and chimeric T-cell receptors. In Table 2, representative clinical trials are listed.

Table 2 Representative clinical trials of immunotherapies for glioblastoma
Full size table

The current guideline to treat glioblastomas is still primarily dependent on histopathological, molecular biological, and clinical/radiological evaluation. The EANO (European Association of Neuro-Oncology) issued new recommendations based on novel studies at the end of 2020 [160]. It is also recommended that steroids, which are widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of edema, should not be given if the patient is asymptomatic or has minimal symptoms. If the administration is required, the medication should be discontinued as soon as possible since immunosuppressive steroids can worsen the immunological properties of the gliomas and may impact the efficacy of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Glioblastomas have so far only responded to a limited extent to immunotherapy. Therefore, according to EANO, immunotherapies are currently not recommended in clinical routine (Table 3). The standard therapy is still temozolomide and/or radiation therapy. Bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody (subtype IGg1) directed against VEGF, can be used in the case of progression or recurrence of glioma [160].

Table 3 Current therapy recommendations according to the EANO (European Association of Neuro-Oncology; 2020) for adult patients with common diffuse gliomas (table adapted to [160])
Full size table

However, the initiation of adaptive immune responses for the treatment of glioblastoma seems promising, as shown in the clinical studies (Table 2). In some cases, longer overall survival rates could be associated with the therapies. Nevertheless, the immunosuppressive TME, in combination with the heterogeneity of the gliomas, seems to have prevented a decisive immunotherapeutic breakthrough so far. To establish new, effective therapeutic approaches, it is even more important to understand the interplay of intrinsic (molecular) properties and the associated immune profiles of TME.

8 Conclusions and future directions

The TME plays a crucial role in glioma initiation, formation, and differentiation, and influences molecular characteristics, as the number of publications and the substantial progress show. Understanding communication processes between TME, GCSs, and developed glioma cells is indispensable to identify new therapeutic targets and treatment regimens against glioma and rethink old therapy strategies. Moreover, it seems evident that genetic sub-variants of gliomas probably require different therapeutic approaches, as pro-cancerogenic processes are promoted via cell-TME-cell interactions. The players involved in TME-glioma are of multiple origins, and, in many cases, it is not possible to assign properties to them that inhibit or promote glioma growth (Fig. 4). At present, the first-line therapy with temozolomide of glioblastoma does not vary between patients, and the vast molecular heterogeneity and prognostic factors, even within a single glioma, are not considered. To offer personalized therapies, it seems inevitable for each patient to decipher the individual molecular peculiarities. The molecular landscape of glioma may not be adequately described by a neuropathological analysis in clinical routine alone, as limited areas of the glioma are examined in tumor samples collected during surgery. However, since molecular differences occur within the glioma, the investigation of circulating tumor DNA and exosomes is a promising starting point for molecular screening, in conjunction with cytokine analyses, to reveal immunological pathways that are influencing disease progression. In addition to therapy optimization, a molecular and inflammatory glioma profile that has been compiled comprehensively in this way can also help to decipher why individual gliomas recur and others do not. Moreover, the use of engineered EVs to activate anti-cancerogenic cell properties is a promising approach to target direct mechanisms that promote glioma growth in distinct glioma heterogeneities, extra- and intracellular. However, knowledge of these dependencies is still very limited. Therefore, current glioma TME research should focus on the composition of TME during various glioma stages and glioma subspecies.

Fig. 4
figure 4

The interactions between TME and glioma cells are complex, as the multiple players of widespread origin show. Intracellular factors, pathways, cytokines, genetic alterations, or environmental properties are involved, and the molecular characteristics of glioma cells are dependent on these parameters. Furthermore, vice versa, the glioma molecular patterns influence the TME composition. The detailed interactions are listed in the text. Abbreviations: 1p19q, combined loss of the short-arm chromosome 1 (i.e., 1p) and the long-arm chromosome 19 (i.e., 19q); ATRX, transcriptional regulator ATRX also known as ATP-dependent helicase ATRX (-mut, mutation); BRAF (human gene that encodes a protein called B-Raf); CCL2, CC-chemokine-ligand-2; CCR2, C–C chemokine receptor type 2; CDK4/6, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6; CD133, CD133–prominin 1, PROM1, is a transmembrane protein; EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor (vIII, variant III); EVs, extracellular vesicles; IDH1, isocitrate dehydrogenase-(1) (mut, mutation; wt, wild type); IL-family, interleukin family; KIAA1549-BRAAF, KIAA1549 (protein-coding gene); LOX, lysyl oxidase, also known as protein-lysine 6-oxidase; MGMT, O6-methylguanine–DNA methyltransferase; mTOR, mechanistic target of rapamycin; NF1, neurofibromatosis type 1; NF-κB, nuclear factor “kappa-light-chain-enhancer” of activated B-cells; P53, tumor protein P53 or tumor suppressor p53; PD-L1, programmed death-ligand 1; PHD, prolyl hydroxylase domain enzymes; PTEN, phosphatase and tensin homolog; RAS, RAS proteins control signaling pathways that are key regulators of normal cell growth and malignant transformation; RB1, RB transcriptional corepressor 1; TME, tumor microenvironment; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; WNT, Wnt signaling pathway; antiporter system xc−

Full size image