1
|
Bak A, Koch H, van Loo KMJ, Schmied K, Gittel B, Weber Y, Ort J, Schwarz N, Tauber SC, Wuttke TV, Delev D. Human organotypic brain slice cultures: a detailed and improved protocol for preparation and long-term maintenance. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 404:110055. [PMID: 38184112 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.110055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
The investigation of the human brain at cellular and microcircuit level remains challenging due to the fragile viability of neuronal tissue, inter- and intra-variability of the samples and limited availability of human brain material. Especially brain slices have proven to be an excellent source to investigate brain physiology and disease at cellular and small network level, overcoming the temporal limits of acute slices. Here we provide a revised, detailed protocol of the production and in-depth knowledge on long-term culturing of such human organotypic brain slice cultures for research purposes. We highlight the critical pitfalls of the culturing process of the human brain tissue and present exemplary results on viral expression, single-cell Patch-Clamp recordings, as well as multi-electrode array recordings as readouts for culture viability, enabling the use of organotypic brain slice cultures of these valuable tissue samples for basic neuroscience and disease modeling (Fig. 1).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aniella Bak
- Department of Epileptology, Neurology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Henner Koch
- Department of Epileptology, Neurology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Karen M J van Loo
- Department of Epileptology, Neurology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany; Department of Neurosurgery, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Katharina Schmied
- Department of Epileptology, Neurology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Birgit Gittel
- Department of Epileptology, Neurology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Yvonne Weber
- Department of Epileptology, Neurology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jonas Ort
- Department of Neurosurgery, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Niklas Schwarz
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simone C Tauber
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas V Wuttke
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Delev
- Department of Neurosurgery, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Neurosurgical Artificial Intelligence Laboratory Aachen (NAILA), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Watanabe F, Hollingsworth EW, Bartley JM, Wisehart L, Desai R, Hartlaub AM, Hester ME, Schiapparelli P, Quiñones-Hinojosa A, Imitola J. Patient-derived organoids recapitulate glioma-intrinsic immune program and progenitor populations of glioblastoma. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae051. [PMID: 38384384 PMCID: PMC10879747 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly lethal human cancer thought to originate from a self-renewing and therapeutically-resistant population of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). The intrinsic mechanisms enacted by GSCs during 3D tumor formation, however, remain unclear, especially in the stages prior to angiogenic/immunological infiltration. In this study, we performed a deep characterization of the genetic, immune, and metabolic profiles of GBM organoids from several patient-derived GSCs (GBMO). Despite being devoid of immune cells, transcriptomic analysis across GBMO revealed a surprising immune-like molecular program, enriched in cytokine, antigen presentation and processing, T-cell receptor inhibitors, and interferon genes. We find two important cell populations thought to drive GBM progression, Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2+) and homeodomain-only protein homeobox (HOPX+) progenitors, contribute to this immune landscape in GBMO and GBM in vivo. These progenitors, but not other cell types in GBMO, are resistant to conventional GBM therapies, temozolomide and irradiation. Our work defines a novel intrinsic immune-like landscape in GBMO driven, in part, by SATB2+ and HOPX+ progenitors and deepens our understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms utilized by GSCs in early GBM formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fumihiro Watanabe
- Laboratory of Neural Stem Cells and Functional Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, UConn Health Brain and Spine Institute, 5 Munson Road, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- Departments of Neuroscience, Neurology, Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Ethan W Hollingsworth
- Laboratory of Neural Stem Cells and Functional Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, UConn Health Brain and Spine Institute, 5 Munson Road, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- Departments of Neuroscience, Neurology, Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | | | - Lauren Wisehart
- Laboratory of Neural Stem Cells and Functional Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, UConn Health Brain and Spine Institute, 5 Munson Road, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Rahil Desai
- Laboratory of Neural Stem Cells and Functional Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, UConn Health Brain and Spine Institute, 5 Munson Road, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Annalisa M Hartlaub
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
| | - Mark E Hester
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Paula Schiapparelli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Stem Cell Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Stem Cell Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Jaime Imitola
- Laboratory of Neural Stem Cells and Functional Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, UConn Health Brain and Spine Institute, 5 Munson Road, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- Departments of Neuroscience, Neurology, Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ravin R, Suarez-Meade P, Busse B, Blank PS, Vivas-Buitrago T, Norton ES, Graepel S, Chaichana KL, Bezrukov L, Guerrero-Cazares H, Zimmerberg J, Quiñones-Hinojosa A. Perivascular invasion of primary human glioblastoma cells in organotypic human brain slices: human cells migrating in human brain. J Neurooncol 2023; 164:43-54. [PMID: 37490233 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-023-04349-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain cancer. Lack of effective therapy is related to its highly invasive nature. GBM invasion has been studied with reductionist systems that do not fully recapitulate the cytoarchitecture of the brain. We describe a human-derived brain organotypic model to study the migratory properties of GBM IDH-wild type ex vivo. METHODS Non-tumor brain samples were obtained from patients undergoing surgery (n = 7). Organotypic brain slices were prepared, and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled primary human GBM IDH-wild type cells (GBM276, GBM612, GBM965) were placed on the organotypic slice. Migration was evaluated via microscopy and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS After placement, cells migrated towards blood vessels; initially migrating with limited directionality, sending processes in different directions, and increasing their speed upon contact with the vessel. Once merged, migration speed decreased and continued to decrease with time (p < 0.001). After perivascular localization, migration is limited along the blood vessels in both directions. The percentage of cells that contact blood vessels and then continue to migrate along the vessel was 92.5% (- 3.9/ + 2.9)% while the percentage of cells that migrate along the blood vessel and leave was 7.5% (- 2.9/ + 3.9) (95% CI, Clopper-Pearson (exact); n = 256 cells from six organotypic cultures); these percentages are significantly different from the random (50%) null hypothesis (z = 13.6; p < 10-7). Further, cells increase their speed in response to a decrease in oxygen tension from atmospheric normoxia (20% O2) to anoxia (1% O2) (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION Human organotypic models can accurately study cell migration ex vivo. GBM IDH-wild type cells migrate toward the perivascular space in blood vessels and their migratory parameters change once they contact vascular structures and under hypoxic conditions. This model allows the evaluation of GBM invasion, considering the human brain microenvironment when cells are removed from their native niche after surgery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Brad Busse
- Section On Integrative Biophysics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Paul S Blank
- Section On Integrative Biophysics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | | | - Emily S Norton
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, USA
- Regenerative Sciences Training Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, USA
| | - Steve Graepel
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Ludmila Bezrukov
- Section On Integrative Biophysics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | | | - Joshua Zimmerberg
- Section On Integrative Biophysics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
- Brain Tumor Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Neurologic Surgery Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
McKenna M, Shackelford D, Ferreira Pontes H, Ball B, Nance E. Multiple Particle Tracking Detects Changes in Brain Extracellular Matrix and Predicts Neurodevelopmental Age. ACS NANO 2021; 15:8559-8573. [PMID: 33969999 PMCID: PMC8281364 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Brain extracellular matrix (ECM) structure mediates many aspects of neural development and function. Probing structural changes in brain ECM could thus provide insights into mechanisms of neurodevelopment, the loss of neural function in response to injury, and the detrimental effects of pathological aging and neurological disease. We demonstrate the ability to probe changes in brain ECM microstructure using multiple particle tracking (MPT). We performed MPT of colloidally stable polystyrene nanoparticles in organotypic rat brain slices collected from rats aged 14-70 days old. Our analysis revealed an inverse relationship between nanoparticle diffusive ability in the brain extracellular space and age. Additionally, the distribution of effective ECM pore sizes in the cortex shifted to smaller pores throughout development. We used the raw data and features extracted from nanoparticle trajectories to train a boosted decision tree capable of predicting chronological age with high accuracy. Collectively, this work demonstrates the utility of combining MPT with machine learning for measuring changes in brain ECM structure and predicting associated complex features such as chronological age. This will enable further understanding of the roles brain ECM play in development and aging and the specific mechanisms through which injuries cause aberrant neuronal function. Additionally, this approach has the potential to develop machine learning models capable of detecting the presence of injury or indicating the extent of injury based on changes in the brain microenvironment microstructure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael McKenna
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - David Shackelford
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Hugo Ferreira Pontes
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Brendan Ball
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Elizabeth Nance
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- eScience Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Neurotrophins Time Point Intervention after Traumatic Brain Injury: From Zebrafish to Human. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041585. [PMID: 33557335 PMCID: PMC7915547 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains the leading cause of long-term disability, which annually involves millions of individuals. Several studies on mammals reported that neurotrophins could play a significant role in both protection and recovery of function following neurodegenerative diseases such as stroke and TBI. This protective role of neurotrophins after an event of TBI has also been reported in the zebrafish model. Nevertheless, reparative mechanisms in mammalian brain are limited, and newly formed neurons do not survive for a long time. In contrast, the brain of adult fish has high regenerative properties after brain injury. The evident differences in regenerative properties between mammalian and fish brain have been ascribed to remarkable different adult neurogenesis processes. However, it is not clear if the specific role and time point contribution of each neurotrophin and receptor after TBI is conserved during vertebrate evolution. Therefore, in this review, I reported the specific role and time point of intervention for each neurotrophic factor and receptor after an event of TBI in zebrafish and mammals.
Collapse
|
6
|
Self-assembling and self-formulating prodrug hydrogelator extends survival in a glioblastoma resection and recurrence model. J Control Release 2020; 319:311-321. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|
7
|
Lee K, Park TIH, Heppner P, Schweder P, Mee EW, Dragunow M, Montgomery JM. Human in vitro systems for examining synaptic function and plasticity in the brain. J Neurophysiol 2020; 123:945-965. [PMID: 31995449 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00411.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The human brain shows remarkable complexity in its cellular makeup and function, which are distinct from nonhuman species, signifying the need for human-based research platforms for the study of human cellular neurophysiology and neuropathology. However, the use of adult human brain tissue for research purposes is hampered by technical, methodological, and accessibility challenges. One of the major problems is the limited number of in vitro systems that, in contrast, are readily available from rodent brain tissue. With recent advances in the optimization of protocols for adult human brain preparations, there is a significant opportunity for neuroscientists to validate their findings in human-based systems. This review addresses the methodological aspects, advantages, and disadvantages of human neuron in vitro systems, focusing on the unique properties of human neurons and synapses in neocortical microcircuits. These in vitro models provide the incomparable advantage of being a direct representation of the neurons that have formed part of the human brain until the point of recording, which cannot be replicated by animal models nor human stem-cell systems. Important distinct cellular mechanisms are observed in human neurons that may underlie the higher order cognitive abilities of the human brain. The use of human brain tissue in neuroscience research also raises important ethical, diversity, and control tissue limitations that need to be considered. Undoubtedly however, these human neuron systems provide critical information to increase the potential of translation of treatments from the laboratory to the clinic in a way animal models are failing to provide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thomas I-H Park
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter Heppner
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Neurosurgery, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Patrick Schweder
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Neurosurgery, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Edward W Mee
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Neurosurgery, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michael Dragunow
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Johanna M Montgomery
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ravi VM, Joseph K, Wurm J, Behringer S, Garrelfs N, d'Errico P, Naseri Y, Franco P, Meyer-Luehmann M, Sankowski R, Shah MJ, Mader I, Delev D, Follo M, Beck J, Schnell O, Hofmann UG, Heiland DH. Human organotypic brain slice culture: a novel framework for environmental research in neuro-oncology. Life Sci Alliance 2019; 2:2/4/e201900305. [PMID: 31249133 PMCID: PMC6599970 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201900305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
When it comes to the human brain, models that closely mimic in vivo conditions are lacking. Living neuronal tissue is the closest representation of the in vivo human brain outside of a living person. Here, we present a method that can be used to maintain therapeutically resected healthy neuronal tissue for prolonged periods without any discernible changes in tissue vitality, evidenced by immunohistochemistry, genetic expression, and electrophysiology. This method was then used to assess glioblastoma (GBM) progression in its natural environment by microinjection of patient-derived tumor cells into cultured sections. The result closely resembles the pattern of de novo tumor growth and invasion, drug therapy response, and cytokine environment. Reactive transformation of astrocytes, as an example of the cellular nonmalignant tumor environment, can be accurately simulated with transcriptional differences similar to those of astrocytes isolated from acute GBM specimens. In a nutshell, we present a simple method to study GBM in its physiological environment, from which valuable insights can be gained. This technique can lead to further advancements in neuroscience, neuro-oncology, and pharmacotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vidhya M Ravi
- Translational NeuroOncology Research Group, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany .,Neuroelectronic Systems, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Kevin Joseph
- Translational NeuroOncology Research Group, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Julian Wurm
- Translational NeuroOncology Research Group, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Simon Behringer
- Translational NeuroOncology Research Group, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Nicklas Garrelfs
- Translational NeuroOncology Research Group, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Paolo d'Errico
- Department of Neurology, Medical Centre, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Yashar Naseri
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Pamela Franco
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Melanie Meyer-Luehmann
- Department of Neurology, Medical Centre, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Roman Sankowski
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Mukesch Johannes Shah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Irina Mader
- Clinic for Neuropediatrics and Neurorehabilitation, Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Schön Klinik, Vogtareuth, Germany
| | - Daniel Delev
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marie Follo
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Department of Medicine I, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Jürgen Beck
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Oliver Schnell
- Translational NeuroOncology Research Group, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Ulrich G Hofmann
- Neuroelectronic Systems, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Dieter Henrik Heiland
- Translational NeuroOncology Research Group, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany .,Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Qi XR, Verwer RWH, Bao AM, Balesar RA, Luchetti S, Zhou JN, Swaab DF. Human Brain Slice Culture: A Useful Tool to Study Brain Disorders and Potential Therapeutic Compounds. Neurosci Bull 2019; 35:244-252. [PMID: 30604279 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-018-0328-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying brain disorders is a priority if novel therapeutic strategies are to be developed. In vivo studies of animal models and in vitro studies of cell lines/primary cell cultures may provide useful tools to study certain aspects of brain disorders. However, discrepancies among these studies or unsuccessful translation from animal/cell studies to human/clinical studies often occur, because these models generally represent only some symptoms of a neuropsychiatric disorder rather than the complete disorder. Human brain slice cultures from postmortem tissue or resected tissue from operations have shown that, in vitro, neurons and glia can stay alive for long periods of time, while their morphological and physiological characteristics, and their ability to respond to experimental manipulations are maintained. Human brain slices can thus provide a close representation of neuronal networks in vivo, be a valuable tool for investigation of the basis of neuropsychiatric disorders, and provide a platform for the evaluation of novel pharmacological treatments of human brain diseases. A brain bank needs to provide the necessary infrastructure to bring together donors, hospitals, and researchers who want to investigate human brain slices in cultures of clinically and neuropathologically well-documented material.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Rui Qi
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China. .,Department of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, 1105BA, The Netherlands.
| | - Ronald W H Verwer
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, 1105BA, The Netherlands
| | - Ai-Min Bao
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Rawien A Balesar
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, 1105BA, The Netherlands
| | - Sabina Luchetti
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, 1105BA, The Netherlands
| | - Jiang-Ning Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Dick F Swaab
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, 1105BA, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Parker JJ, Lizarraga M, Waziri A, Foshay KM. A Human Glioblastoma Organotypic Slice Culture Model for Study of Tumor Cell Migration and Patient-specific Effects of Anti-Invasive Drugs. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28784966 DOI: 10.3791/53557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) continues to carry an extremely poor clinical prognosis despite surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiation therapy. Progressive tumor invasion into surrounding brain parenchyma represents an enduring therapeutic challenge. To develop anti-migration therapies for GBM, model systems that provide a physiologically relevant background for controlled experimentation are essential. Here, we present a protocol for generating slice cultures from human GBM tissue obtained during surgical resection. These cultures allow for ex vivo experimentation without passaging through animal xenografts or single cell cultures. Further, we describe the use of time-lapse laser scanning confocal microscopy in conjunction with cell tracking to quantitatively study the migratory behavior of tumor cells and associated response to therapeutics. Slices are reproducibly generated within 90 min of surgical tissue acquisition. Retrovirally-mediated fluorescent cell labeling, confocal imaging, and tumor cell migration analyses are subsequently completed within two weeks of culture. We have successfully used these slice cultures to uncover genetic factors associated with increased migratory behavior in human GBM. Further, we have validated the model's ability to detect patient-specific variation in response to anti-migration therapies. Moving forward, human GBM slice cultures are an attractive platform for rapid ex vivo assessment of tumor sensitivity to therapeutic agents, in order to advance personalized neuro-oncologic therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathon J Parker
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Raju ENS, Kuechler J, Behling S, Sridhar S, Hirseland E, Tronnier V, Zechel C. Maintenance of Stemlike Glioma Cells and Microglia in an Organotypic Glioma Slice Model. Neurosurgery 2016; 77:629-43; discussion 643. [PMID: 26308638 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000000891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The therapeutic resistance of gliomas is, at least in part, due to stemlike glioma cells (SLGCs), which self-renew, generate the bulk of tumor cells, and sustain tumor growth. SLGCs from glioblastomas (GB) have been studied in cell cultures or mouse models, whereas little is known about SLGCs from lower grade gliomas. OBJECTIVE To compare cell and organotypic slice cultures from GBs and lower grade gliomas and study the maintenance of SLGCs. METHODS Cells and tissue slices from astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, oligoastrocytomas, and GBs were cultivated in (1) serum-free medium supplemented with the growth factors epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), (2) medium containing 10% serum plus EGF and bFGF (F+GF medium), or (3) medium containing 10% fetal calf serum (F medium). Maintenance of cells and cytoarchitecture was addressed, using several candidate SLGC markers (Nestin, Sox2, CD133, CD44, CD49f/integrin α6, and Notch) as well as CD31 (endothelial cells), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (microglia), and vimentin. Cell vitality was determined. RESULTS SLGCs were present in tissue slices from lower and higher grade gliomas. Preservation of the cytoarchitecture in slices was possible for >3 weeks. Maintenance of SLGCs required the presence of EGF/bFGF in cell and slice cultures, in which F+GF appeared superior to N medium. Constraints were observed regarding the preservation of the microglia but not of the endothelial cells. Maintenance of the microglia was improved by addition of the cytokine macrophage colony-stimulating factor. CONCLUSION Medium supplemented with serum and growth factors EGF, bFGF, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor permits the preservation of SLGCs and non-SLGCs in the original glioma microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E N Sanjaya Raju
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Human brain slices for epilepsy research: Pitfalls, solutions and future challenges. J Neurosci Methods 2015; 260:221-32. [PMID: 26434706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Revised: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Increasingly, neuroscientists are taking the opportunity to use live human tissue obtained from elective neurosurgical procedures for electrophysiological studies in vitro. Access to this valuable resource permits unique studies into the network dynamics that contribute to the generation of pathological electrical activity in the human epileptic brain. Whilst this approach has provided insights into the mechanistic features of electrophysiological patterns associated with human epilepsy, it is not without technical and methodological challenges. This review outlines the main difficulties associated with working with epileptic human brain slices from the point of collection, through the stages of preparation, storage and recording. Moreover, it outlines the limitations, in terms of the nature of epileptic activity that can be observed in such tissue, in particular, the rarity of spontaneous ictal discharges, we discuss manipulations that can be utilised to induce such activity. In addition to discussing conventional electrophysiological techniques that are routinely employed in epileptic human brain slices, we review how imaging and multielectrode array recordings could provide novel insights into the network dynamics of human epileptogenesis. Acute studies in human brain slices are ultimately limited by the lifetime of the tissue so overcoming this issue provides increased opportunity for information gain. We review the literature with respect to organotypic culture techniques that may hold the key to prolonging the viability of this material. A combination of long-term culture techniques, viral transduction approaches and electrophysiology in human brain slices promotes the possibility of large scale monitoring and manipulation of neuronal activity in epileptic microcircuits.
Collapse
|
13
|
Delivery of local therapeutics to the brain: working toward advancing treatment for malignant gliomas. Ther Deliv 2015; 6:353-69. [PMID: 25853310 DOI: 10.4155/tde.14.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant gliomas, including glioblastoma and anaplastic astrocytomas, are characterized by their propensity to invade surrounding brain parenchyma, making curative resection difficult. These tumors typically recur within two centimeters of the resection cavity even after gross total removal. As a result, there has been an emphasis on developing therapeutics aimed at achieving local disease control. In this review, we will summarize the current developments in the delivery of local therapeutics, namely direct injection, convection-enhanced delivery and implantation of drug-loaded polymers, as well as the application of these therapeutics in future methods including microchip drug delivery and local gene therapy.
Collapse
|
14
|
Khan IS, Ehtesham M. Laboratory models for central nervous system tumor stem cell research. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 853:69-83. [PMID: 25895708 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-16537-0_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are complex organ systems comprising of a neoplastic component with associated vasculature, inflammatory cells, and reactive cellular and extracellular components. Research has identified a subset of cells in CNS tumors that portray defining properties of neural stem cells, namely, that of self-renewal and multi-potency. Growing evidence suggests that these tumor stem cells (TSC) play an important role in the maintenance and growth of the tumor. Furthermore, these cells have also been shown to be refractory to conventional therapy and may be crucial for tumor recurrence and metastasis. Current investigations are focusing on isolating these TSC from CNS tumors to investigate their unique biological processes. This understanding will help identify and develop more effective and comprehensive treatment strategies. This chapter provides an overview of some of the most commonly used laboratory models for CNSTSC research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Imad Saeed Khan
- Section of Neurosurgery, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Eugène E, Cluzeaud F, Cifuentes-Diaz C, Fricker D, Le Duigou C, Clemenceau S, Baulac M, Poncer JC, Miles R. An organotypic brain slice preparation from adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. J Neurosci Methods 2014; 235:234-44. [PMID: 25064188 PMCID: PMC4426207 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2014.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2014] [Revised: 07/13/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A long-term in vitro preparation of diseased brain tissue would facilitate work on human pathologies. Organotypic tissue cultures retain an appropriate neuronal form, spatial arrangement, connectivity and electrical activity over several weeks. However, they are typically prepared with tissue from immature animals. In work using tissue from adult animals or humans, survival times longer than a few days have not been reported and it is not clear that pathological neuronal activities are retained. NEW METHOD We modified tissue preparation procedures and used a defined culture medium to make organotypic cultures of temporal lobe tissue obtained after operations on adult patients with pharmaco-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsies. RESULTS Organototypic culture preparation and maintenance techniques were judged on criteria of morphology and the generation of epileptiform activities. Short-duration (30-100 ms) interictal-like population activities were initiated spontaneously in either the subiculum, dentate gyrus or the CA2/CA3 region, but not the cortex, for up to 3-4 weeks in culture. Ictal-like discharges, of duration greater than 10s, were induced by convulsants. Epileptiform activities were modulated by both glutamatergic and GABAergic receptor antagonists. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Our methods now permit the maintenance in organotypic culture of epileptic adult human tissue, generating appropriate epileptiform activity over 3-4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS We have shown that characteristic morphology and pathological activities are maintained in organotypic cultures of adult human tissue. These cultures should permit studies on the effects of prolonged drug treatments and long-term procedures such as viral transduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Eugène
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris6 UMR S1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris 75013, France; INSERM, UMR-839, Paris 75005, France; UPMC Univ Paris, UMR-839, Paris 75005, France; Institut du Fer a Moulin, Paris 75005 France.
| | - Françoise Cluzeaud
- Service Microscopie, Centre de recherche biomedicale, CHU Bichat, Université Paris Diderot, 16 rue Henri Huchard, Paris 75870, France
| | - Carmen Cifuentes-Diaz
- INSERM, UMR-839, Paris 75005, France; UPMC Univ Paris, UMR-839, Paris 75005, France; Institut du Fer a Moulin, Paris 75005 France
| | - Desdemona Fricker
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris6 UMR S1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris 75013, France
| | - Caroline Le Duigou
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris6 UMR S1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris 75013, France
| | - Stephane Clemenceau
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris6 UMR S1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris 75013, France
| | - Michel Baulac
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris6 UMR S1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris 75013, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Poncer
- INSERM, UMR-839, Paris 75005, France; UPMC Univ Paris, UMR-839, Paris 75005, France; Institut du Fer a Moulin, Paris 75005 France
| | - Richard Miles
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris6 UMR S1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris 75013, France.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Smith AM, Dragunow M. The human side of microglia. Trends Neurosci 2014; 37:125-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2013.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
17
|
Viability reduction and Rac1 gene downregulation of heterogeneous ex-vivo glioma acute slice infected by the oncolytic Newcastle disease virus strain V4UPM. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:248507. [PMID: 23586025 PMCID: PMC3622289 DOI: 10.1155/2013/248507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2012] [Accepted: 02/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses have been extensively evaluated for anticancer therapy because this virus preferentially infects cancer cells without interfering with normal cells. Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) is an avian virus and one of the intensively studied oncolytic viruses affecting many types of cancer including glioma. Nevertheless, the capability of NDV infection on heterogeneous glioma tissue in a cerebrospinal fluid atmosphere has never been reported. Recently, Rac1 is reported to be required for efficient NDV replication in human cancer cells and established a link between tumourigenesis and sensitivity to NDV. Rac1 is a member of the Rho GTPases involved in the regulation of the cell migration and cell-cycle progression. Rac1 knockdown leads to significant inhibition of viral replication. In this work, we demonstrated that NDV treatment led to significant reduction of tumour tissue viability of freshly isolated heterogeneous human brain tumour slice, known as an ex vivo glioma acute slice (EGAS). Analysis of gene expression indicated that reduced tissue viability was associated with downregulation of Rac1. However, the viability reduction was not persistent. We conclude that NDV treatment induced EGAS viability suppression, but subsequent downregulation of Rac1 gene may reduce the NDV replication and lead to regrowth of EGAS tissue.
Collapse
|
18
|
Nance EA, Woodworth GF, Sailor KA, Shih TY, Xu Q, Swaminathan G, Xiang D, Eberhart C, Hanes J. A dense poly(ethylene glycol) coating improves penetration of large polymeric nanoparticles within brain tissue. Sci Transl Med 2013; 4:149ra119. [PMID: 22932224 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3003594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 429] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Prevailing opinion suggests that only substances up to 64 nm in diameter can move at appreciable rates through the brain extracellular space (ECS). This size range is large enough to allow diffusion of signaling molecules, nutrients, and metabolic waste products, but too small to allow efficient penetration of most particulate drug delivery systems and viruses carrying therapeutic genes, thereby limiting effectiveness of many potential therapies. We analyzed the movements of nanoparticles of various diameters and surface coatings within fresh human and rat brain tissue ex vivo and mouse brain in vivo. Nanoparticles as large as 114 nm in diameter diffused within the human and rat brain, but only if they were densely coated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Using these minimally adhesive PEG-coated particles, we estimated that human brain tissue ECS has some pores larger than 200 nm and that more than one-quarter of all pores are ≥ 100 nm. These findings were confirmed in vivo in mice, where 40- and 100-nm, but not 200-nm, nanoparticles spread rapidly within brain tissue, only if densely coated with PEG. Similar results were observed in rat brain tissue with paclitaxel-loaded biodegradable nanoparticles of similar size (85 nm) and surface properties. The ability to achieve brain penetration with larger nanoparticles is expected to allow more uniform, longer-lasting, and effective delivery of drugs within the brain, and may find use in the treatment of brain tumors, stroke, neuroinflammation, and other brain diseases where the blood-brain barrier is compromised or where local delivery strategies are feasible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Nance
- Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Alvarez-Palazuelos LE, Robles-Cervantes MS, Castillo-Velazquez G, Rivas-Souza M, Guzman-Muniz J, Moy-Lopez N, Gonzalez-Castaneda RE, Luquin S, Gonzalez-Perez O. Regulation of neural stem cell in the human SVZ by trophic and morphogenic factors. CURRENT SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION THERAPY 2011; 6:320-326. [PMID: 22053150 PMCID: PMC3204663 DOI: 10.2174/157436211797483958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The subventricular zone (SVZ), lining the lateral ventricular system, is the largest germinal region in mammals. In there, neural stem cells express markers related to astoglial lineage that give rise to new neurons and oligodendrocytes in vivo. In the adult human brain, in vitro evidence has also shown that astrocytic cells isolated from the SVZ can generate new neurons and oligodendrocytes. These proliferative cells are strongly controlled by a number of signals and molecules that modulate, activate or repress the cell division, renewal, proliferation and fate of neural stem cells. In this review, we summarize the cellular composition of the adult human SVZ (hSVZ) and discuss the increasing evidence showing that some trophic modulators strongly control the function of neural stem cells in the SVZ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gabriel Castillo-Velazquez
- Department of Neurosurgery. Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugia "Manuel Velasco Suárez" México, DF
| | - Mario Rivas-Souza
- Forensic medicine. Instituto Jalisciense de Ciencias Forenses, Guadalajara, Jalisco
| | - Jorge Guzman-Muniz
- Department of Neuroscience, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara
| | - Norma Moy-Lopez
- Department of Neuroscience, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara
| | | | - Sonia Luquin
- Department of Neuroscience, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara
| | - Oscar Gonzalez-Perez
- Department of Neuroscience, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara ; Laboratory of Neuroscience, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Colima, Colima, Col, México
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Guerrero-Cázares H, Chaichana KL, Quiñones-Hinojosa A. Neurosphere culture and human organotypic model to evaluate brain tumor stem cells. Methods Mol Biol 2009; 568:73-83. [PMID: 19582422 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-280-9_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The brain tumor stem cell (BTSC) hypothesis is based on the premise that there is a subpopulation of cells within tumors with tumorigenic and pluripotent properties. BTSC are believed to be responsible for both the initiation of brain tumors and their resistance to current therapeutic modalities. This new paradigm stresses the need for adequate techniques to culture and characterize this special population of cells. Furthermore, the use of different cell migration assays offers the possibility to evaluate the processes involved in glioma metastasis. In this chapter, we summarize a method to culture, analyze the cellular characteristics, and study the invasion of BTSCs using a neurosphere assay, cryostat sectioning, and human organotypic brain cortex migration assay, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Guerrero-Cázares
- Brain Tumor Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|