Murine KR158 gliomaspheres recapitulate GBM features in an immunocompetent system with slow-cycling cells exhibiting enhanced malignancy and treatment resistance

This study aimed to characterize glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), specifically slow-cycling cells (SCCs), in an immunocompetent murine GBM model to explore their similarities with their human counterparts. Using the KR158 mouse model, we confirmed that SCCs isolated from this model exhibited key traits and functional properties akin to human SCCs. KR158 murine SCCs, expanded in the gliomasphere assay, demonstratedsphere forming ability, self-renewing capacity, positive tumorigenicity, enhanced stemness and resistance to chemotherapy.