Laminin-associated integrins mediate Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma infiltration and therapy response within a neural assembloid model

Extracellular matrix dynamics in tumor immunoregulation: from tumor microenvironment to immunotherapy

The extracellular matrix (ECM), closely linked to the dynamic changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), plays a critical role in modulating tumor immunity. The dual role of the ECM in tumor progression, encompassing both promotion and inhibition, is attributed to its components influencing immune cell activation, migration, and infiltration. This mechanism is intricately connected with the efficacy of immunotherapies. Currently, there is limited understanding of how ECM remodeling spatially and temporally coordinates with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) or adoptive cell therapies. Furthermore, strategies to selectively target pathological ECM components while preserving their homeostatic functions urgently require systematic investigation. In this review, we summarize current findings on the interplay between ECM and tumor immune regulation, with a particular focus on how key ECM components contribute to immune modulation. Furthermore, we discuss emerging strategies targeting ECM-related mechanisms to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapies, including approaches that remodel the ECM to improve immune infiltration and strategies that synergize with existing immunotherapies. By integrating these insights, we provide a perspective on leveraging ECM-targeted interventions to overcome immune evasion and optimize cancer immunotherapy outcomes.

Engineering Recombinant Chimeric Proteins That Deliver Therapies to the Brain

To engineer biotherapeutics that can specifically target glioma, a highly lethal and recurrent type of brain tumor, we created a class of recombinant chimeric proteins containing multiple functional modules, such as a blood-brain barrier (BBB)-penetrating domain and an immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) agent, PD-L1 nanobody, through fusion protein engineering. The recombinant proteins that could prolong circulation time, cross the BBB, target brain tumors, penetrate cell membranes, and release PD-L1 nanobody were demonstrated. Further, by covalently linking doxorubicin (DOX), an inducer of immunogenic cell death (ICD), to the recombinant proteins, we endow the recombinant protein-drug conjugates (RPDCs) with a combining capacity to induce ICD and block immune checkpoints in cancer cells, achieving significant inhibition of glioma growth and prolonging the survival time of orthotopic glioma-bearing mice by enhancing intratumoral dendritic cell maturation and T-cell activation. In addition, the RPDC also improves the intratumoral immune-suppressive microenvironment, reduces excess extracellular matrix, and alleviates tumor hypoxia. Our work not only offers a new opportunity for glioma treatment but also establishes the groundwork for the design of multifunctional and multitargeting protein-based therapeutics.

Basic mechanism of mobilizing cell movement during invasion of glioblastoma and target selection of targeted therapy

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma (GBM), also known as glioblastoma multiforme, is a rapidly growing and highly invasive malignant tumor. Due to the inability to clearly distinguish between glioblastoma and normal tissue, surgery cannot achieve safe resection, often leading to poor patient prognosis and inevitable tumor recurrence. According to previous studies, GBM invasion is related to intercellular adhesion, matrix degradation, extracellular matrix and its related adhesion molecules, as well as the molecular matrix of protein hydrolases in the microenvironment of GBM cells and stromal cells.

AIM OF REVIEW

The aim is to enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying GBM invasion and to advance research on targeted therapies for inhibiting GBM invasion.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

This article describes the protein hydrolases that may affect GBM cell invasion, changes in the cytoskeleton during motility, and the regulatory mechanisms of intracellular signaling pathways in GBM invasion. In addition, we also explored the possibility of targeted therapy against invasion related molecules in GBM.

Glioblastoma-derived migrasomes promote migration and invasion by releasing PAK4 and LAMA4

Almost all high-grade gliomas, particularly glioblastoma (GBM), are highly migratory and aggressive. Migrasomes are organelles produced by highly migratory cells capable of mediating intercellular communication. Thus, GBM cells may produce migrasomes during migration. However, it remains unclear whether migrasomes can influence GBM migration and invasion. In this study, we observed the presence and formation of migrasomes in GBM cells. We found that expression levels of key migrasome formation factor, tetraspanin 4 (TSPAN4), correlated positively with pathological grade and poor prognosis of GBM based on the databases and clinical samples analysis. Subsequently, we knocked down TSPAN4 and found that GBM cell migration and invasion were significantly inhibited due to the reduced formation of migrasomes. We further confirmed that migrasomes are enriched in extracellular matrix (ECM)-related proteins such as p21-activating kinase 4 (PAK4) and laminin alpha 4 (LAMA4). Our experimental results suggest that migrasomes promote GBM cells migration by releasing such proteins into the extracellular space. Overall, we identified migrasomes in GBM and the molecular mechanisms by which they regulate them, providing potential targets for treating GBM.

Glioma actively orchestrate a self-advantageous extracellular matrix to promote recurrence and progression

The intricate interplay between cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment has emerged as a critical factor driving the aggressive progression of various malignancies, including gliomas. Among the various components of this dynamic microenvironment, the extracellular matrix (ECM) holds particular significance. Gliomas, intrinsic brain tumors that originate from neuroglial progenitor cells, have the remarkable ability to actively reform the ECM, reshaping the structural and biochemical landscape to their advantage. This phenomenon underscores the adaptability and aggressiveness of gliomas, and highlights the intricate crosstalk between tumor cells and their surrounding matrix.In this review, we delve into how glioma actively regulates glioma ECM to organize a favorable microenvironment for its survival, invasion, progression and therapy resistance. By unraveling the intricacies of glioma-induced ECM remodeling, we gain valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies aimed at disrupting this symbiotic relationship and curbing the relentless advance of gliomas within the brain.