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Branco F, Cunha J, Mendes M, Vitorino C, Sousa JJ. Peptide-Hitchhiking for the Development of Nanosystems in Glioblastoma. ACS NANO 2024. [PMID: 38861272 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c01790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the epitome of aggressiveness and lethality in the spectrum of brain tumors, primarily due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that hinders effective treatment delivery, tumor heterogeneity, and the presence of treatment-resistant stem cells that contribute to tumor recurrence. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been used to overcome these obstacles by attaching targeting ligands to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Among these ligands, peptides stand out due to their ease of synthesis and high selectivity. This article aims to review single and multiligand strategies critically. In addition, it highlights other strategies that integrate the effects of external stimuli, biomimetic approaches, and chemical approaches as nanocatalytic medicine, revealing their significant potential in treating GBM with peptide-functionalized NPs. Alternative routes of parenteral administration, specifically nose-to-brain delivery and local treatment within the resected tumor cavity, are also discussed. Finally, an overview of the significant obstacles and potential strategies to overcome them are discussed to provide a perspective on this promising field of GBM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Branco
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Cunha
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Mendes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Institute of Molecular Sciences - IMS, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carla Vitorino
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Institute of Molecular Sciences - IMS, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João J Sousa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Institute of Molecular Sciences - IMS, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
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Pećina-Šlaus N, Hrašćan R. Glioma Stem Cells-Features for New Therapy Design. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1557. [PMID: 38672638 PMCID: PMC11049195 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
On a molecular level, glioma is very diverse and presents a whole spectrum of specific genetic and epigenetic alterations. The tumors are unfortunately resistant to available therapies and the survival rate is low. The explanation of significant intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity and the infiltrative capability of gliomas, as well as its resistance to therapy, recurrence and aggressive behavior, lies in a small subset of tumor-initiating cells that behave like stem cells and are known as glioma cancer stem cells (GCSCs). They are responsible for tumor plasticity and are influenced by genetic drivers. Additionally, GCSCs also display greater migratory abilities. A great effort is under way in order to find ways to eliminate or neutralize GCSCs. Many different treatment strategies are currently being explored, including modulation of the tumor microenvironment, posttranscriptional regulation, epigenetic modulation and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nives Pećina-Šlaus
- Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Reno Hrašćan
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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3
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Yoshida K, Chambers JK, Uchida K. The relationships of platelet-derived growth factor, microvascular proliferation, and tumor cell proliferation in canine high-grade oligodendrogliomas: Immunohistochemistry of 45 tumors and an AFOB-01 xenograft mouse model. Vet Pathol 2024:3009858241241793. [PMID: 38577818 DOI: 10.1177/03009858241241793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
High-grade oligodendroglioma (HGOG) is the most common type of glioma in dogs and expresses platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFR-α). Microvascular proliferation is often observed in HGOG. Therefore, the present study investigated the functional relationships between PDGFR-α, microvascular proliferation, and tumor cell proliferation in canine HGOG. The expression of PDGFR-α and PDGF-subunit A (PDGF-A) in tumor cells, as well as endothelial cells and pericytes of tumor-associated microvascular proliferations, in 45 canine HGOGs were examined immunohistochemically. Microvascular proliferation was observed in 24/45 cases (53%). PDGFR-α expression in tumor cells and microvascular proliferations was observed in 45/45 (100%) and 2/24 cases (8%), respectively. Furthermore, PDGF-A expression in tumor cells and microvascular proliferations was detected in 13/45 (29%) and 24/24 cases (100%), respectively. In vitro, stimulation of the canine HGOG cell line AOFB-01 with PDGF-A showed that the doubling time of AOFB-01 cells was significantly shorter with PDGF-A than without PDGF-A. Crenolanib (a PDGFR inhibitor) inhibited AOFB-01 cell proliferation. In vivo, the AOFB-01 xenograft mouse model was treated with crenolanib. Tumor xenografts were smaller in crenolanib-treated mice than in untreated control mice. PDGFR-α expression in tumor cells and PDGF-A expression in microvascular proliferations and tumor cells suggest autocrine and paracrine effects of PDGF-A in canine HGOG. The results of in vitro assays indicate that canine HGOG expresses functional PDGFR-α, which responds to PDGF-A. Therefore, PDGF-A produced by microvascular proliferations and tumor cells may promote the proliferation of PDGFR-α-expressing tumor cells in canine HGOG. PDGFR-α signaling has potential as a therapeutic target.
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Liu D, Tian H, Li H, Nie J, Han Z, Tang G, Gao P, Cheng H, Dai X. Radiotherapy Resistance of 3D Bioprinted Glioma via ITGA2/p-AKT Signaling Pathway. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2303394. [PMID: 38288911 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Due to the inherent radiation tolerance, patients who suffered from glioma frequently encounter tumor recurrence and malignant progression within the radiation target area, ultimately succumbing to treatment ineffectiveness. The precise mechanism underlying radiation tolerance remains elusive due to the dearth of in vitro models and the limitations associated with animal models. Therefore, a bioprinted glioma model is engineered, characterized the phenotypic traits in vitro, and the radiation tolerance compared to 2D ones when subjected to X-ray radiation is assessed. By comparing the differential gene expression profiles between the 2D and 3D glioma model, identify functional genes, and analyze distinctions in gene expression patterns. Results showed that 3D glioma models exhibited substantial alterations in the expression of genes associated with the stromal microenvironment, notably a significant increase in the radiation tolerance gene ITGA2 (integrin subunit A2). In 3D glioma models, the knockdown of ITGA2 via shRNA resulted in reduced radiation tolerance in glioma cells and concomitant inhibition of the p-AKT pathway. Overall, 3D bioprinted glioma model faithfully recapitulates the in vivo tumor microenvironment (TME) and exhibits enhanced resistance to radiation, mediated through the ITGA2/p-AKT pathway. This model represents a superior in vitro platform for investigating glioma radiotherapy tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Haotian Tian
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Huaixu Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Jianyu Nie
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Zhenyu Han
- Department of Medical Imaging Technology, the First Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Guozhang Tang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, the Second Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Peng Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Hongwei Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Xingliang Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
- Department of Research & Development, East China Institute of Digital Medical Engineering, Shangrao, Jiangxi, 334000, China
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5
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Hawly J, Murcar MG, Schcolnik-Cabrera A, Issa ME. Glioblastoma stem cell metabolism and immunity. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024:10.1007/s10555-024-10183-w. [PMID: 38530545 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10183-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Despite enormous efforts being invested in the development of novel therapies for brain malignancies, there remains a dire need for effective treatments, particularly for pediatric glioblastomas. Their poor prognosis has been attributed to the fact that conventional therapies target tumoral cells, but not glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are characterized by self-renewal, tumorigenicity, poor differentiation, and resistance to therapy. These characteristics represent the fundamental tools needed to recapitulate the tumor and result in a relapse. The mechanisms by which GSCs alter metabolic cues and escape elimination by immune cells are discussed in this article, along with potential strategies to harness effector immune cells against GSCs. As cellular immunotherapy is making significant advances in a variety of cancers, leveraging this underexplored reservoir may result in significant improvements in the treatment options for brain malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Hawly
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Dekouaneh, Lebanon
| | - Micaela G Murcar
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | | | - Mark E Issa
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.
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Chakraborty A, Yang C, Kresak JL, Silver A, Feier D, Tian G, Andrews M, Sobanjo OO, Hodge ED, Engelbart MK, Huang J, Harrison JK, Sarkisian MR, Mitchell DA, Deleyrolle LP. KR158 spheres harboring slow-cycling cells recapitulate GBM features in an immunocompetent system. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.26.577279. [PMID: 38501121 PMCID: PMC10945590 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.26.577279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) poses a significant challenge in clinical oncology due to its aggressive nature, heterogeneity, and resistance to therapies. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a critical role in GBM, particularly in treatment-resistance and tumor relapse, emphasizing the need to comprehend the mechanisms regulating these cells. Also, their multifaceted contributions to the tumor-microenvironment (TME) underline their significance, driven by their unique properties. 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, demonstrated sphere forming ability, self-renewing capacity, positive tumorigenicity, enhanced stemness and resistance to chemotherapy. Together, our findings validate the KR158 murine model as a framework to investigate GSCs and SCCs in GBM-pathology, and explore specifically the SCC-immune system communications, understand their role in disease progression, and evaluate the effect of therapeutic strategies targeting these specific connections.
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Zimmer N, Trzeciak ER, Müller A, Licht P, Sprang B, Leukel P, Mailänder V, Sommer C, Ringel F, Tuettenberg J, Kim E, Tuettenberg A. Nuclear Glycoprotein A Repetitions Predominant (GARP) Is a Common Trait of Glioblastoma Stem-like Cells and Correlates with Poor Survival in Glioblastoma Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5711. [PMID: 38136258 PMCID: PMC10741777 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) is notoriously resistant to therapy. GB genesis and progression are driven by glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs). One goal for improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes is targeting GSCs. Currently, there are no universal markers for GSCs. Glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP), an anti-inflammatory protein expressed by activated regulatory T cells, was identified as a possible marker for GSCs. This study evaluated GARP for the detection of human GSCs utilizing a multidimensional experimental design that replicated several features of GB: (1) intratumoral heterogeneity, (2) cellular hierarchy (GSCs with varied degrees of self-renewal and differentiation), and (3) longitudinal GSC evolution during GB recurrence (GSCs from patient-matched newly diagnosed and recurrent GB). Our results indicate that GARP is expressed by GSCs across various cellular states and disease stages. GSCs with an increased GARP expression had reduced self-renewal but no alterations in proliferative capacity or differentiation commitment. Rather, GARP correlated inversely with the expression of GFAP and PDGFR-α, markers of astrocyte or oligodendrocyte differentiation. GARP had an abnormal nuclear localization (GARPNU+) in GSCs and was negatively associated with patient survival. The uniformity of GARP/GARPNU+ expression across different types of GSCs suggests a potential use of GARP as a marker to identify GSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Zimmer
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany (P.L.)
| | - Emily R. Trzeciak
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany (P.L.)
| | - Andreas Müller
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurooncology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Philipp Licht
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany (P.L.)
| | - Bettina Sprang
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurooncology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Petra Leukel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Volker Mailänder
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany (P.L.)
- Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Clemens Sommer
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Florian Ringel
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jochen Tuettenberg
- Department of Neurosurgery, SHG-Klinikum Idar-Oberstein, 55743 Idar-Oberstein, Germany;
| | - Ella Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurooncology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Andrea Tuettenberg
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany (P.L.)
- Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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Ntafoulis I, Kleijn A, Ju J, Jimenez-Cowell K, Fabro F, Klein M, Chi Yen RT, Balvers RK, Li Y, Stubbs AP, Kers TV, Kros JM, Lawler SE, Beerepoot LV, Kremer A, Idbaih A, Verreault M, Byrne AT, O'Farrell AC, Connor K, Biswas A, Salvucci M, Prehn JHM, Lambrechts D, Dilcan G, Lodi F, Arijs I, van den Bent MJ, Dirven CMF, Leenstra S, Lamfers MLM. Ex vivo drug sensitivity screening predicts response to temozolomide in glioblastoma patients and identifies candidate biomarkers. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:1327-1338. [PMID: 37620410 PMCID: PMC10575865 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02402-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient-derived glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) have become the gold-standard in neuro-oncological research; however, it remains to be established whether loss of in situ microenvironment affects the clinically-predictive value of this model. We implemented a GSC monolayer system to investigate in situ-in vitro molecular correspondence and the relationship between in vitro and patient response to temozolomide (TMZ). METHODS DNA/RNA-sequencing was performed on 56 glioblastoma tissues and 19 derived GSC cultures. Sensitivity to TMZ was screened across 66 GSC cultures. Viability readouts were related to clinical parameters of corresponding patients and whole-transcriptome data. RESULTS Tumour DNA and RNA sequences revealed strong similarity to corresponding GSCs despite loss of neuronal and immune interactions. In vitro TMZ screening yielded three response categories which significantly correlated with patient survival, therewith providing more specific prediction than the binary MGMT marker. Transcriptome analysis identified 121 genes related to TMZ sensitivity of which 21were validated in external datasets. CONCLUSION GSCs retain patient-unique hallmark gene expressions despite loss of their natural environment. Drug screening using GSCs predicted patient response to TMZ more specifically than MGMT status, while transcriptome analysis identified potential biomarkers for this response. GSC drug screening therefore provides a tool to improve drug development and precision medicine for glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Ntafoulis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anne Kleijn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jie Ju
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kevin Jimenez-Cowell
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Federica Fabro
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Michelle Klein
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Romain Tching Chi Yen
- Information Technologies for Translational Medicine, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Rutger K Balvers
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Yunlei Li
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Andrew P Stubbs
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Trisha V Kers
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Johan M Kros
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sean E Lawler
- Dept of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Laurens V Beerepoot
- Department of Internal Medicine, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | - Andreas Kremer
- Information Technologies for Translational Medicine, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Ahmed Idbaih
- DMU Neurosciences, Service de Neurologie 2-Mazarin, Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Maite Verreault
- Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute-ICM, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, APHP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Annette T Byrne
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alice C O'Farrell
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kate Connor
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Archita Biswas
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Manuela Salvucci
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jochen H M Prehn
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Diether Lambrechts
- Department of Human Genetics, Laboratory for Translational Genetics, KU Leuven, and VIB Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gonca Dilcan
- Department of Human Genetics, Laboratory for Translational Genetics, KU Leuven, and VIB Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca Lodi
- Department of Human Genetics, Laboratory for Translational Genetics, KU Leuven, and VIB Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ingrid Arijs
- Department of Human Genetics, Laboratory for Translational Genetics, KU Leuven, and VIB Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Martin J van den Bent
- Department of Neurology, Brain Tumor Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Clemens M F Dirven
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sieger Leenstra
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martine L M Lamfers
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
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Franco P, Camerino I, Merlino F, D’Angelo M, Cimmino A, Carotenuto A, Colucci-D’Amato L, Stoppelli MP. αV-Integrin-Dependent Inhibition of Glioblastoma Cell Migration, Invasion and Vasculogenic Mimicry by the uPAcyclin Decapeptide. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4775. [PMID: 37835469 PMCID: PMC10571957 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the deadliest human cancers is glioblastoma (GBM) for which new treatment approaches are urgently needed. Here, the effects of the cyclic decapeptide, uPAcyclin, are investigated using the U87-MG, U251-MG, and U138-MG human GBM and C6 rat cell models. All GBM cells express the αV-integrin subunit, the target of uPAcyclin, and bind specifically to nanomolar concentrations of the decapeptide. Although peptide exposure affects neither viability nor cell proliferation rate, nanomolar concentrations of uPAcyclin markedly inhibit the directional migration and matrix invasion of all GBM cells, in a concentration- and αV-dependent manner. Moreover, wound healing rate closure of U87-MG and C6 rat glioma cells is reduced by 50% and time-lapse videomicroscopy studies show that the formation of vascular-like structures by U87-MG in three-dimensional matrix cultures is markedly inhibited by uPAcyclin. A strong reduction in the branching point numbers of the U87-MG, C6, and U251-MG cell lines undergoing vasculogenic mimicry, in the presence of nanomolar peptide concentrations, was observed. Lysates from matrix-recovered uPAcyclin-exposed cells exhibit a reduced expression of VE-cadherin, a prominent factor in the acquisition of vascular-like structures. In conclusion, these results indicate that uPAcyclin is a promising candidate to counteract the formation of new vessels in novel targeted anti-GBM therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Franco
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “A. Buzzati Traverso” (IGB-ABT), National Research Council of Italy, 80131 Naples, Italy; (P.F.); (I.C.); (M.D.); (A.C.)
| | - Iolanda Camerino
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “A. Buzzati Traverso” (IGB-ABT), National Research Council of Italy, 80131 Naples, Italy; (P.F.); (I.C.); (M.D.); (A.C.)
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Francesco Merlino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Margherita D’Angelo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “A. Buzzati Traverso” (IGB-ABT), National Research Council of Italy, 80131 Naples, Italy; (P.F.); (I.C.); (M.D.); (A.C.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Naples, Italy
| | - Amelia Cimmino
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “A. Buzzati Traverso” (IGB-ABT), National Research Council of Italy, 80131 Naples, Italy; (P.F.); (I.C.); (M.D.); (A.C.)
| | - Alfonso Carotenuto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Luca Colucci-D’Amato
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy
- InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences (CIRN), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Patrizia Stoppelli
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “A. Buzzati Traverso” (IGB-ABT), National Research Council of Italy, 80131 Naples, Italy; (P.F.); (I.C.); (M.D.); (A.C.)
- UniCamillus—Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy
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10
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Cell-Population Dynamics in Diffuse Gliomas during Gliomagenesis and Its Impact on Patient Survival. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010145. [PMID: 36612140 PMCID: PMC9818344 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse gliomas continue to be an important problem in neuro-oncology. To solve it, studies have considered the issues of molecular pathogenesis from the intratumoral heterogeneity point. Here, we carried out a comparative dynamic analysis of the different cell populations' content in diffuse gliomas of different molecular profiles and grades, considering the cell populations' functional properties and the relationship with patient survival, using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, multiparametric fluorescent in situ hybridization, polymerase chain reaction, and cultural methods. It was shown that an increase in the IDH-mutant astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas malignancy is accompanied by an increase in stem cells' proportion and mesenchymal cell populations' appearance arising from oligodendrocyte-progenitor-like cells with cell plasticity and cells' hypoxia response programs' activation. In glioblastomas, malignancy increase is accompanied by an increase in both stem and definitive cells with mesenchymal differentiation, while proneuronal glioma stem cells are the most likely the source of mesenchymal glioma stem cells, which, in hypoxic conditions, further give rise to mesenchymal-like cells. Clinical confirmation was a mesenchymal-like cell and mesenchymal glioma stem cell number, and the hypoxic and plastic molecular programs' activation degree had a significant effect on relapse-free and overall survival. In general, we built a multi-vector model of diffuse gliomas' pathogenetic tracing up to the practical plane.
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