Compared to Mo detected in normal brains, Mo detected in PDOXs showed higher expression levels of genes associated with pro-tumorigenic TAMs (e.g., Cxcl13, Ctsd, Ccl4, Apoe) as well as Mg mimicry (e.g., Spp1, Trem2, Cst7, Tyrobp, Additional file 1: Table S6), further confirming an active crosstalk with tumor cells. Here, APOE is linked to neoplasm.