The advanced development of Cx43 and GAP-43 mediated intercellular networking in IDH1 wildtype diffuse and anaplastic gliomas with lower mitotic rate

Purpose The biologic behavior and the therapeutic resistance of diffuse and anaplastic gliomas varies greatly. This may be explained by differences in cell-to-cell communication, determined by the Cx43-associated junctional activity and the microtubules-defined network, in which GAP-43 is the dominant structural component. We assessed the expression of these crucial communication proteins in samples of patients harboring WHO°II and III gliomas, graded according to the current 4th revised WHO classification. Methods Tissue of adult patients with WHO°II and III gliomas, who underwent surgery between 2014 and 2018, were selected from our institutional biobank. GAP-43 and Cx43 expression was analyzed using IHC. Routine clinical and neuropathological findings were additionally retrieved from our institutional prospective database. Results 43 (57%) males and 33 (43%) females with a median age of 47 (IqR: 35–61) years were selected. IDH1 wildtype tumors showed a significantly higher expression of Cx43 ( p = 0.014) and a tendency for increased GAP-43 production. Advanced Cx43 expression significantly correlated with lower mitosis rate ( p = 0.014): more in IDH1 wildtype ( r = − 0.57, p = 0.003) than in mutated gliomas ( r = − 0.37, p = 0.019). There was no difference in Cx43 or GAP-43 expression in relation to anaplastic phenotype, Gadolinum-contrasted enhancement (CE) on MRI and advanced EGFR or p53 expression. Conclusions Intercellular communication tends to be more relevant in slower proliferating, e.g. lower malignant tumors. They could have more time to establish this network, providing longitudinally acquired resistance against specific oncological therapy. This feature matches the unfavorable IDH1 wildtype status of glioma and supports the noted malignant behavior of these tumors in the upcoming 5th WHO classification of gliomas.