Targeting WTAP/ROR1/WNT5A‐Mediated Crosstalk Between Glioma Stem Cells and Macrophages to Normalize Tumor Vasculature and Enhance Chemotherapy

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Authors: Xiaoyong Chen, B Pang, Yun Liu, Jiangwei Wang, Lanhui Zheng, Yuzhou Chang, Yingxuan Sun, Haoyuan Sun, H Chen, Jiawei Cai, Zanyi Wu, Qing Chang
+4 more Yongzhi Wang, Dezhi Kang, Tao Jiang, Ruichao Chai
Cited by: 2
References: 41

Abstract

ABSTRACT Glioma stem cells (GSCs) can trans‐differentiate into glioma‐derived endothelial cells (GDECs), contributing to glioblastoma progression and therapy resistance. The molecular basis underpinning GSC‐GDEC differentiation remain incompletely elucidated. Here, ROR1 is identified as a key regulator of GSC‐to‐GDEC differentiation under hypoxia. ROR1 expression is elevated in GDECs across patient‐derived cells, xenografts, and tumor samples, confirmed by single‐cell multiomics, Western blotting, and multiplex staining. Mechanistically, WNT5A, secreted by tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) under hypoxia, activates ROR1‐mediated Wingless‐type MMTV integration site family (WNT) signaling in GSCs, promoting GDEC formation. Interestingly, hypoxia‐induced WTAP not only enhances ROR1 stability through m 6 A modification in a HuR‐dependent manner, but also contributes to WNT5A+TAMs infiltration. Clinically, high ROR1 and WNT5A expression correlates with poor glioblastoma prognosis, and WNT5A may serve as a circulating biomarker. Therapeutically, targeting ROR1 via endothelial‐specific Adno‐Associated Virus (AAV) knockdown or the antibody‐drug conjugate Zilovertamab vedotin (VLS‐101) normalizes vasculature, improves temozolomide delivery, and sensitizes tumors in glioblastoma organoids and xenografts. These findings highlight the ROR1–WNT5A axis as a promising target in glioblastomas treatment.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Immune cells in cancer Glioma Diagnosis and Treatment Hippo pathway signaling and YAP/TAZ

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Science
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
13
Issue
21
Pages
e20661–e20661
Publication date
21 January 2026
Language
EN