SCO-spondin oligopeptide inhibits angiogenesis in glioblastoma

Isthmin-A Multifaceted Protein Family

Isthmin (ISM) is a secreted protein family with two members, namely ISM1 and ISM2, both containing a TSR1 domain followed by an AMOP domain. Its broad expression pattern suggests diverse functions in developmental and physiological processes. Over the past few years, multiple studies have focused on the functional analysis of the ISM protein family in several events, including angiogenesis, metabolism, organ homeostasis, immunity, craniofacial development, and cancer. Even though ISM was identified two decades ago, we are still short of understanding the roles of the ISM protein family in embryonic development and other pathological processes. To address the role of ISM, functional studies have begun but unresolved issues remain. To elucidate the regulatory mechanism of ISM, it is crucial to determine its interactions with other ligands and receptors that lead to the activation of downstream signalling pathways. This review provides a perspective on the gene organization and evolution of the ISM family, their links with developmental and physiological functions, and key questions for the future.

The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane as an experimental model to study in vivo angiogenesis in glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents the most aggressive form of glioma with an extremely poor prognosis, and is characterized by an intense and aberrant angiogenesis. Among the in vivo models to study tumor angiogenesis, the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) has been used to implant several tumor types as well as malignant cell lines to study their growth rate, angiogenic potential and metastatic capability. The aim of this article is to review the literature data concerning the use of the chick embryo CAM assay to study angiogenesis and metastatic potential in GBM. Different studies have been conducted in the past to investigate the angiogenic and metastatic potential of GBM cell lines and GBM bioptic specimens implanted onto the CAM surface or injected in the CAM circulation. Moreover, it is also possible to investigate the anti-angiogenic potential of different molecules used as anti-angiogenic drugs in the adjuvant treatment of GBM. All these studies have confirmed the utility and versatility of the CAM assay to study tumor progression of human glioblastoma. The CAM assay allows to obtain useful results that can be extrapolate to the biologic behavior of human glioblastoma.

The chorioallantoic membrane as a bio-barrier model for the evaluation of nanoscale drug delivery systems for tumour therapy

In 2010, the European Parliament and the European Union adopted a directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The directive aims to protect animals in scientific research, with the final goal of complete replacement of procedures on live animals for scientific and educational purposes as soon as it is scientifically viable. Furthermore, the directive announces the implementation of the 3Rs principle: "When choosing methods, the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement should be implemented through a strict hierarchy of the requirement to use alternative methods." The visibility, accessibility, and the rapid growth of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) offers a clear advantage for various manipulations and for the simulation of different Bio-Barriers according to the 3R principle. The extensive vascularisation on the CAM provides an excellent substrate for the cultivation of tumour cells or tumour xenografts which could be used for the therapeutic evaluation of nanoscale drug delivery systems. The tumour can be targeted either by topical application, intratumoural injection or i.v. injection. Different application sites and biological barriers can be examined within a single model.