A new study has revealed how glioma cells exploit normal communication between nerve cells and brain support cells to grow and spread. Researchers found that the protein neuroligin-3, released by active neurons, binds to a receptor called CSPG4 on glioma cells and healthy oligodendrocyte precursor cells. This interaction activates a mechanical signaling pathway involving PIEZO1 and ADAM10, encouraging cancer cells to multiply and invade surrounding brain tissue. When researchers removed CSPG4 or PIEZO1 from glioma cells, tumor growth was dramatically reduced in mice. The findings identify the NLGN3–CSPG4–PIEZO1 pathway as a potential target for future therapies, although scientists must determine whether it can be blocked without disrupting normal brain development and repair.
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