Exosomes-mediated crosstalk between glioma and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment

Abstract

Gliomas are the most common primary malignant tumors in the central nervous system. However, conventional treatments, such as surgical resection and postoperative combined chemo- and radio-therapy, are ineffective in improving patients' long-term survival. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of stromal cells, tumor components, and innate and acquired immune cells, and these cells, along with the extracellular matrix, regulate and communicate intercellularly to promote TME formation. The immune microenvironment plays a vital role in the development of glioma. Exosomes, which are extracellular vesicles (EVs), facilitate intercellular communication and regulation within the TME. Tumor cells can release exosomes to transmit messages, induce macrophage polarization, and inhibit immune cell activity, ultimately promoting metastasis and immune evasion. Moreover, immune cells can regulate tumorigenesis and progression through exosomes. This review summarized the biological properties of exosomes and their effects on the tumor microenvironment and provides an overview of the interactions between glioma cells and immune cells.

Keywords: exosomes; glioma; immune cells; immunotherapy; tumor microenvironment.