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Kafka A, Pećina-Šlaus N, Drmić D, Bukovac A, Njirić N, Žarković K, Jakovčević A. SFRP4 protein expression is reduced in high grade astrocytomas which is not caused by the methylation of its promoter. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1398872. [PMID: 38993819 PMCID: PMC11236799 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1398872] [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: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Epigenetics play a vital role in stratifying CNS tumors and gliomas. The importance of studying Secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) in gliomas is to improve diffuse glioma methylation profiling. Here we examined the methylation status of SFRP4 promoter and the level of its protein expression in diffuse gliomas WHO grades 2-4. Methods SFRP4 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and evaluated semi-quantitatively. In the tumor hot-spot area, the intensity of protein expression in 200 cells was determined using ImageJ (National Institutes of Health, United States). The assessment of immunopositivity was based on the IRS score (Immunoreactivity Score). Promoter methylation was examined by methylation specific-PCR (MSP) in fifty-one diffuse glioma samples and appropriate controls. Isolated DNA was treated with bisulfite conversion and afterwards used for MSP. Public databases (cBioPortal, COSMIC and LOVD) were searched to corroborate the results. Results and discussion SFRP4 protein expression in glioblastomas was very weak or non-existent in 86.7% of samples, moderate in 13.3%, while strong expression was not observed. The increase in astrocytoma grade resulted in SFRP4 protein decrease (p = 0.008), indicating the loss of its antagonistic role in Wnt signaling. Promoter methylation of SFRP4 gene was found in 16.3% of cases. Astrocytomas grade 2 had significantly more methylated cases compared to grade 3 astrocytomas (p = 0.004) and glioblastomas (p < 0.001), which may indicate temporal niche of methylation in grade 2. Furthermore, the expression levels of SFRP4 were high in samples with methylated SFRP4 promoter and low or missing in unmethylated cases (Pearson's R = -0.413; p = 0.003). We also investigated the association of SFRP4 changes to key Wnt regulators GSK3β and DKK3 and established a positive correlation between methylations of SFRP4 and GSK3β (Pearson's R = 0.323; p = 0.03). Furthermore, SFRP4 expression was correlated to unmethylated DKK3 (Chi square = 7.254; p = 0.027) indication that Wnt signaling antagonist is associated to negative regulator's demethylation. Conclusion The study contributes to the recognition of the significance of epigenetic changes in diffuse glioma indicating that restoring SFRP4 protein holds potential as therapeutic avenue. Reduced expression of SFRP4 in glioblastomas, not following promoter methylation pattern, suggests another mechanism, possible global methylation, that turns off SFRP4 expression in higher grades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Kafka
- Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nives Pećina-Šlaus
- Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Denis Drmić
- Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anja Bukovac
- Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Niko Njirić
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Center “Zagreb”, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Kamelija Žarković
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Division of Pathology, University Hospital Center “Zagreb”, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Antonia Jakovčević
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Division of Pathology, University Hospital Center “Zagreb”, Zagreb, Croatia
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Zhang HY, Yu HY, Zhao GX, Jiang XZ, Gao G, Wei BJ. Global research trends in immunotherapy for glioma: a comprehensive visualization and bibliometric analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1273634. [PMID: 37867521 PMCID: PMC10585102 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1273634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Glioma is a prevalent and lethal brain malignancy; despite current treatment options, the prognosis remains poor. Therefore, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. However, research trends and hotspots in glioma immunotherapy have not been systematically analyzed. This study aimed to elucidate global research trends and knowledge structures regarding immunotherapy for glioma using bibliometric analysis. Methods Publications related to immunotherapy for glioma from 2000-2023 were retrieved from Web of Science Core Collection database (WoSCC). We conducted quantitative analysis and visualization of research trends using various tools, including VOSviewer (1.6.18), CiteSpace (5.7 R3), Microsoft Charticulator, and the Bibliometrix package in R. Results A total of 4910 publications were included. The number of annual publications exhibited an obvious upward trend since 2019. The USA was the dominant country in terms of publication output and centrality. Frontiers in Immunology published the most articles. Harvard Medical School ranked first in productivity among institutions. Sampson, John H. Ph.D. is the most prolific author in the field with 88 articles and a total of 7055 citations. Clinical Cancer Research has the largest total number and impact factor. Analysis of keywords showed immunotherapy, glioblastoma, immunotherapy, and clinical trials as hot topics. The tumor microenvironment, cell death pathways, chimeric antigen receptor engineering, tumor-associated macrophages, and nivolumab treatment represent indicating shifts in the direction of future glioma immunotherapy development. Conclusion This bibliometric analysis systematically delineated global landscapes and emerging trends in glioma immunotherapy research. This study highlighted the prominence of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T), Programmed Death-1 (PD-1), and nivolumab in current glioma immunotherapy research. The growing emphasis on specific neoantigens and prognostic tumor markers suggests potential avenues for future exploration. Furthermore, the data underscores the importance of strengthened international collaboration in advancing the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-yu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Han-yong Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Guo-xu Zhao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Xin-zhan Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ge Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Bao-jian Wei
- School of Nursing, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong, China
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Wang Z, Yang Z, Jiang J, Shi Z, Mao Y, Qin N, Tao TH. Silk Microneedle Patch Capable of On-Demand Multidrug Delivery to the Brain for Glioblastoma Treatment. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2106606. [PMID: 34618380 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202106606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor. Surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy remains the standard treatment strategy for GBM patients. However, challenges still exist when surgery is difficult or impossible to remove the tumor completely. Herein, the design, fabrication and application of a heterogenous silk fibroin microneedle (SMN) patch is reported for circumventing the blood-brain barrier and releasing multiple drugs directly to the tumor site for drug combination treatment. The biocompatible and biodegradable SMN patch can dissolve slowly over time, allowing the sustained release of multiple drugs at different doses. Furthermore, it can be triggered remotely to induce rapid drug delivery at a designated stage after implantation. In the GBM mouse models, two clinically relevant chemotherapeutic agents (thrombin and temozolomide) and targeted drug (bevacizumab) are loaded into the SMN patch with individually controlled release profiles. The drugs are spatiotemporally and sequentially delivered for hemostasis, anti-angiogenesis, and apoptosis of tumor cells. Device application is non-toxic and results in decreased tumor volume and increased survival rate in mice. The SMN patch with on-demand multidrug delivery has potential applications for the combined administration of therapeutic drugs for the clinical treatment of brain tumors when other methods are insufficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- The Key Laboratory of Resource Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Zhipeng Yang
- Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Jianjuan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
| | - Zhifeng Shi
- Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Ying Mao
- Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Nan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
| | - Tiger H Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- School of Graduate Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- 2020 X-Lab, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Brain-Intelligence Technology, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
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