CT-2A neurospheres-derived high-grade glioma in mice: a new model to address tumor stem cells and immunosuppression

Abstract

Background Recently, several promising treatments for high-grade gliomas (HGGs) failed to provide significant benefit when translated from the preclinical setting to patients. Improving the animal models is fundamental to overcome this translational gap. To address this need, we developed and comprehensively characterized a new in-vivo model based on the orthotopic implantation of CT-2A cells cultured in neurospheres (NS/CT-2A). Methods Murine CT-2A methylcholanthrene-induced HGG cells (C57BL/6 background) were cultured in monolayers (ML) or NS and orthotopically inoculated in syngeneic animals. ML/CT-2A and NS/CT-2A tumors’ characterization included the analysis of tumor growth, immune microenvironment, glioma stem cells (GSCs), vascularization and metabolites. The immuno-modulating properties of NS/CT-2A and ML/CT-2A cells on splenocytes were tested in-vitro. Results Mice harboring NS/CT-2A tumors survived shorter than those harboring ML/CT-2A tumors (p=0.0033). Compared to standard ML/CT-2A tumors, NS/CT-2A tumors showed more abundant GSCs (p=0.0002 and 0.0770 for Nestin and CD133, respectively) and regulatory T cells (Tregs, p=0.0074), and a strong tendency towards an increased vascularization (p=0.0503). There were no significant differences in metabolites’ composition between NS/ and ML/CT-2A tumors. In-vitro, NS were able to drive splenocytes towards a more immunosuppressive status by reducing CD8+ T cells (p=0.0354) and by promoting Tregs (p=0.0082), macrophages (MF, p=0.0019) and their M2 subset (p=0.0536). Conclusions Compared to standard ML/CT-2A tumors, NS/CT-2A tumors show a more aggressive phenotype with increased immunosuppression and GSCs proliferation. Because of these specific features, the NS/CT-2A model represents a clinically relevant platform for the search of new HGG treatments aimed at reducing immunosuppression and eliminating GSCs.