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Thenuwara G, Javed B, Singh B, Tian F. Biosensor-Enhanced Organ-on-a-Chip Models for Investigating Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment Dynamics. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:2865. [PMID: 38732975 PMCID: PMC11086276 DOI: 10.3390/s24092865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma, an aggressive primary brain tumor, poses a significant challenge owing to its dynamic and intricate tumor microenvironment. This review investigates the innovative integration of biosensor-enhanced organ-on-a-chip (OOC) models as a novel strategy for an in-depth exploration of glioblastoma tumor microenvironment dynamics. In recent years, the transformative approach of incorporating biosensors into OOC platforms has enabled real-time monitoring and analysis of cellular behaviors within a controlled microenvironment. Conventional in vitro and in vivo models exhibit inherent limitations in accurately replicating the complex nature of glioblastoma progression. This review addresses the existing research gap by pioneering the integration of biosensor-enhanced OOC models, providing a comprehensive platform for investigating glioblastoma tumor microenvironment dynamics. The applications of this combined approach in studying glioblastoma dynamics are critically scrutinized, emphasizing its potential to bridge the gap between simplistic models and the intricate in vivo conditions. Furthermore, the article discusses the implications of biosensor-enhanced OOC models in elucidating the dynamic features of the tumor microenvironment, encompassing cell migration, proliferation, and interactions. By furnishing real-time insights, these models significantly contribute to unraveling the complex biology of glioblastoma, thereby influencing the development of more accurate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathree Thenuwara
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman Lower, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland; (G.T.); (B.J.)
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
| | - Bilal Javed
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman Lower, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland; (G.T.); (B.J.)
- Nanolab Research Centre, FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Camden Row, D08 CKP1 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Baljit Singh
- MiCRA Biodiagnostics Technology Gateway, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), D24 FKT9 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Furong Tian
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman Lower, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland; (G.T.); (B.J.)
- Nanolab Research Centre, FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Camden Row, D08 CKP1 Dublin, Ireland
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Hasan H, Afzal M, Castresana JS, Shahi MH. A Comprehensive Review of miRNAs and Their Epigenetic Effects in Glioblastoma. Cells 2023; 12:1578. [PMID: 37371047 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain tumor originating from glial cells with a maximum life expectancy of 14.6 months. Despite the establishment of multiple promising therapies, the clinical outcome of glioblastoma patients is abysmal. Drug resistance has been identified as a major factor contributing to the failure of current multimodal therapy. Epigenetic modification, especially DNA methylation has been identified as a major regulatory mechanism behind glioblastoma progression. In addition, miRNAs, a class of non-coding RNA, have been found to play a role in the regulation as well as in the diagnosis of glioblastoma. The relationship between epigenetics, drug resistance, and glioblastoma progression has been clearly demonstrated. MGMT hypermethylation, leading to a lack of MGMT expression, is associated with a cytotoxic effect of TMZ in GBM, while resistance to TMZ frequently appears in MGMT non-methylated GBM. In this review, we will elaborate on known miRNAs linked to glioblastoma; their distinctive oncogenic or tumor suppressor roles; and how epigenetic modification of miRNAs, particularly via methylation, leads to their upregulation or downregulation in glioblastoma. Moreover, we will try to identify those miRNAs that might be potential regulators of MGMT expression and their role as predictors of tumor response to temozolomide treatment. Although we do not impact clinical data and survival, we open possible experimental approaches to treat GBM, although they should be further validated with clinically oriented studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hera Hasan
- Interdisciplinary Brain Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Mohammad Afzal
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Javier S Castresana
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra School of Sciences, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mehdi H Shahi
- Interdisciplinary Brain Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
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Rajabi A, Kayedi M, Rahimi S, Dashti F, Mirazimi SMA, Homayoonfal M, Mahdian SMA, Hamblin MR, Tamtaji OR, Afrasiabi A, Jafari A, Mirzaei H. Non-coding RNAs and glioma: Focus on cancer stem cells. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 27:100-123. [PMID: 36321132 PMCID: PMC9593299 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma and gliomas can have a wide range of histopathologic subtypes. These heterogeneous histologic phenotypes originate from tumor cells with the distinct functions of tumorigenesis and self-renewal, called glioma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are characterized based on multi-layered epigenetic mechanisms, which control the expression of many genes. This epigenetic regulatory mechanism is often based on functional non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). ncRNAs have become increasingly important in the pathogenesis of human cancer and work as oncogenes or tumor suppressors to regulate carcinogenesis and progression. These RNAs by being involved in chromatin remodeling and modification, transcriptional regulation, and alternative splicing of pre-mRNA, as well as mRNA stability and protein translation, play a key role in tumor development and progression. Numerous studies have been performed to try to understand the dysregulation pattern of these ncRNAs in tumors and cancer stem cells (CSCs), which show robust differentiation and self-regeneration capacity. This review provides recent findings on the role of ncRNAs in glioma development and progression, particularly their effects on CSCs, thus accelerating the clinical implementation of ncRNAs as promising tumor biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rajabi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Kayedi
- Department of Radiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shiva Rahimi
- School of Medicine,Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Dashti
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Ali Mirazimi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mina Homayoonfal
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Amin Mahdian
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Michael R. Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa
| | - Omid Reza Tamtaji
- Electrophysiology Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Afrasiabi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ameneh Jafari
- Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Proteomics Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
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Rodriguez SMB, Staicu GA, Sevastre AS, Baloi C, Ciubotaru V, Dricu A, Tataranu LG. Glioblastoma Stem Cells-Useful Tools in the Battle against Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094602. [PMID: 35562993 PMCID: PMC9100635 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) are cells with a self-renewal ability and capacity to initiate tumors upon serial transplantation that have been linked to tumor cell heterogeneity. Most standard treatments fail to completely eradicate GSCs, causing the recurrence of the disease. GSCs could represent one reason for the low efficacy of cancer therapy and for the short relapse time. Nonetheless, experimental data suggest that the presence of therapy-resistant GSCs could explain tumor recurrence. Therefore, to effectively target GSCs, a comprehensive understanding of their biology and the survival and developing mechanisms during treatment is mandatory. This review provides an overview of the molecular features, microenvironment, detection, and targeting strategies of GSCs, an essential information required for an efficient therapy. Despite the outstanding results in oncology, researchers are still developing novel strategies, of which one could be targeting the GSCs present in the hypoxic regions and invasive edge of the glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Mara Baez Rodriguez
- Neurosurgical Department, Clinical Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.M.B.R.); (V.C.); (L.G.T.)
| | - Georgiana-Adeline Staicu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (G.-A.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Ani-Simona Sevastre
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Carina Baloi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (G.-A.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Vasile Ciubotaru
- Neurosurgical Department, Clinical Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.M.B.R.); (V.C.); (L.G.T.)
| | - Anica Dricu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (G.-A.S.); (C.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ligia Gabriela Tataranu
- Neurosurgical Department, Clinical Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.M.B.R.); (V.C.); (L.G.T.)
- Department 6—Clinical Neurosciences, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
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Sun R, Kim AH. The multifaceted mechanisms of malignant glioblastoma progression and clinical implications. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2022; 41:871-898. [PMID: 35920986 PMCID: PMC9758111 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-022-10051-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
With the application of high throughput sequencing technologies at single-cell resolution, studies of the tumor microenvironment in glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and invasive of all cancers, have revealed immense cellular and tissue heterogeneity. A unique extracellular scaffold system adapts to and supports progressive infiltration and migration of tumor cells, which is characterized by altered composition, effector delivery, and mechanical properties. The spatiotemporal interactions between malignant and immune cells generate an immunosuppressive microenvironment, contributing to the failure of effective anti-tumor immune attack. Among the heterogeneous tumor cell subpopulations of glioblastoma, glioma stem cells (GSCs), which exhibit tumorigenic properties and strong invasive capacity, are critical for tumor growth and are believed to contribute to therapeutic resistance and tumor recurrence. Here we discuss the role of extracellular matrix and immune cell populations, major components of the tumor ecosystem in glioblastoma, as well as signaling pathways that regulate GSC maintenance and invasion. We also highlight emerging advances in therapeutic targeting of these components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Sun
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Albert H. Kim
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA ,The Brain Tumor Center, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
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Tang X, Zuo C, Fang P, Liu G, Qiu Y, Huang Y, Tang R. Targeting Glioblastoma Stem Cells: A Review on Biomarkers, Signal Pathways and Targeted Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:701291. [PMID: 34307170 PMCID: PMC8297686 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.701291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most lethal and common primary brain tumor, even after treatment with multiple therapies, such as surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation. Although great advances in medical development and improvements in therapeutic methods of GBM have led to a certain extension of the median survival time of patients, prognosis remains poor. The primary cause of its dismal outcomes is the high rate of tumor recurrence, which is closely related to its resistance to standard therapies. During the last decade, glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) have been successfully isolated from GBM, and it has been demonstrated that these cells are likely to play an indispensable role in the formation, maintenance, and recurrence of GBM tumors, indicating that GSCs are a crucial target for treatment. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge regarding GSCs, their related signaling pathways, resistance mechanisms, crosstalk linking mechanisms, and microenvironment or niche. Subsequently, we present a framework of targeted therapy for GSCs based on direct strategies, including blockade of the pathways necessary to overcome resistance or prevent their function, promotion of GSC differentiation, virotherapy, and indirect strategies, including targeting the perivascular, hypoxic, and immune niches of the GSCs. In summary, targeting GSCs provides a tremendous opportunity for revolutionary approaches to improve the prognosis and therapy of GBM, despite a variety of challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejia Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Pharmacy, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chenghai Zuo
- Department of Neurosurgery and Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Pengchao Fang
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guojing Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongyi Qiu
- Department of Neurosurgery, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Rongrui Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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