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Schuster M, Braun FK, Chiang DML, Ludwig C, Meng C, Grätz C, Kirchner B, Proescholdt M, Hau P, Steinlein OK, Pfaffl MW, Riemenschneider MJ, Reithmair M. Extracellular vesicles secreted by 3D tumor organoids are enriched for immune regulatory signaling biomolecules compared to conventional 2D glioblastoma cell systems. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1388769. [PMID: 38726003 PMCID: PMC11079215 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1388769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Newer 3D culturing approaches are a promising way to better mimic the in vivo tumor microenvironment and to study the interactions between the heterogeneous cell populations of glioblastoma multiforme. Like many other tumors, glioblastoma uses extracellular vesicles as an intercellular communication system to prepare surrounding tissue for invasive tumor growth. However, little is known about the effects of 3D culture on extracellular vesicles. The aim of this study was to comprehensively characterize extracellular vesicles in 3D organoid models and compare them to conventional 2D cell culture systems. Methods Primary glioblastoma cells were cultured as 2D and 3D organoid models. Extracellular vesicles were obtained by precipitation and immunoaffinity, with the latter allowing targeted isolation of the CD9/CD63/CD81 vesicle subpopulation. Comprehensive vesicle characterization was performed and miRNA expression profiles were generated by smallRNA-sequencing. In silico analysis of differentially regulated miRNAs was performed to identify mRNA targets and corresponding signaling pathways. The tumor cell media and extracellular vesicle proteome were analyzed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Results We observed an increased concentration of extracellular vesicles in 3D organoid cultures. Differential gene expression analysis further revealed the regulation of twelve miRNAs in 3D tumor organoid cultures (with nine miRNAs down and three miRNAs upregulated). MiR-23a-3p, known to be involved in glioblastoma invasion, was significantly increased in 3D. MiR-7-5p, which counteracts glioblastoma malignancy, was significantly decreased. Moreover, we identified four miRNAs (miR-323a-3p, miR-382-5p, miR-370-3p, miR-134-5p) located within the DLK1-DIO3 domain, a cancer-associated genomic region, suggesting a possible importance of this region in glioblastoma progression. Overrepresentation analysis identified alterations of extracellular vesicle cargo in 3D organoids, including representation of several miRNA targets and proteins primarily implicated in the immune response. Conclusion Our results show that 3D glioblastoma organoid models secrete extracellular vesicles with an altered cargo compared to corresponding conventional 2D cultures. Extracellular vesicles from 3D cultures were found to contain signaling molecules associated with the immune regulatory signaling pathways and as such could potentially change the surrounding microenvironment towards tumor progression and immunosuppressive conditions. These findings suggest the use of 3D glioblastoma models for further clinical biomarker studies as well as investigation of new therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Schuster
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Frank K. Braun
- Department of Neuropathology, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Dapi Meng-Lin Chiang
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Division of Animal Physiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Christina Ludwig
- Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry (BayBioMS), School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Chen Meng
- Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry (BayBioMS), School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Christian Grätz
- Division of Animal Physiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Benedikt Kirchner
- Division of Animal Physiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Martin Proescholdt
- Department of Neurosurgery, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Hau
- Department of Neurology and Wilhelm Sander Neuro-Oncology Unit, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ortrud K. Steinlein
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael W. Pfaffl
- Division of Animal Physiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | | | - Marlene Reithmair
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Pournajaf S, Afsordeh N, Pourgholami MH. In vivo C6 glioma models: an update and a guide toward a more effective preclinical evaluation of potential anti-glioblastoma drugs. Rev Neurosci 2024; 35:183-195. [PMID: 37651618 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0067] [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: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor with a poor prognosis and few therapeutic choices. In vivo, tumor models are useful for enhancing knowledge of underlying GBM pathology and developing more effective therapies/agents at the preclinical level, as they recapitulate human brain tumors. The C6 glioma cell line has been one of the most widely used cell lines in neuro-oncology research as they produce tumors that share the most similarities with human GBM regarding genetic, invasion, and expansion profiles and characteristics. This review provides an overview of the distinctive features and the different animal models produced by the C6 cell line. We also highlight specific applications of various C6 in vivo models according to the purpose of the study and offer some technical notes for more convenient/repeatable modeling. This work also includes novel findings discovered in our laboratory, which would further enhance the feasibility of the model in preclinical GBM investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safura Pournajaf
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 1411713116, Iran
| | - Nastaran Afsordeh
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 1411713116, Iran
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3
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Liguori GL. Challenges and Promise for Glioblastoma Treatment through Extracellular Vesicle Inquiry. Cells 2024; 13:336. [PMID: 38391949 PMCID: PMC10886570 DOI: 10.3390/cells13040336] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) is a rare but extremely aggressive brain tumor that significantly impacts patient outcomes, affecting both duration and quality of life. The protocol established by Stupp and colleagues in 2005, based on radiotherapy and chemotherapy with Temozolomide, following maximum safe surgical resection remains the gold standard for GB treatment; however, it is evident nowadays that the extreme intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity, as well as the invasiveness and tendency to recur, of GB are not compatible with a routine and unfortunately ineffective treatment. This review article summarizes the main challenges in the search for new valuable therapies for GB and focuses on the impact that extracellular vesicle (EV) research and exploitation may have in the field. EVs are natural particles delimited by a lipidic bilayer and filled with functional cellular content that are released and uptaken by cells as key means of cell communication. Furthermore, EVs are stable in body fluids and well tolerated by the immune system, and are able to cross physiological, interspecies, and interkingdom barriers and to target specific cells, releasing inherent or externally loaded functionally active molecules. Therefore, EVs have the potential to be ideal allies in the fight against GB and to improve the prognosis for GB patients. The present work describes the main preclinical results obtained so far on the use of EVs for GB treatment, focusing on both the EV sources and molecular cargo used in the various functional studies, primarily in vivo. Finally, a SWOT analysis is performed, highlighting the main advantages and pitfalls of developing EV-based GB therapeutic strategies. The analysis also suggests the main directions to explore to realize the possibility of exploiting EVs for the treatment of GB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna L Liguori
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) "Adriano Buzzati-Traverso", National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, 80131 Naples, Italy
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4
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Davidson CL, Vengoji R, Jain M, Batra SK, Shonka N. Biological, diagnostic and therapeutic implications of exosomes in glioma. Cancer Lett 2024; 582:216592. [PMID: 38092145 PMCID: PMC10832613 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Despite therapeutic advances, overall survival in glioblastoma is dismal. To optimize progress, a more detailed understanding of glioma's molecular, cellular, and intercellular pathophysiology is needed. Recent investigation has revealed a vital role for exosomes in inter-cellular signaling, tumor cell support, and regulation of the tumor microenvironment. Exosomes carry miRNAs, lncRNAs, mRNAs, proteins, immune regulatory molecules, nucleic acids, and lipids; however, the composition of exosome cargo is variable depending on the cell of origin. Specific exosomal miRNA contents such as miR-21, miR-301a, miR-151a, miR-148a, and miR-5096 are altered in high-grade glioma. Unique proteomic, genomic, and miRNA signatures of tumor exosomes have been associated with disease pathobiology, temozolomide resistance, immunosuppression, and tumor proliferation. Exosomes hold promise for tissue diagnostic glioma diagnosis and monitoring response to therapy. This review summarizes the current understanding of exosomes, their crucial role in glioma pathology, and future directions for their use in diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: The MEDLINE/PubMed database was reviewed for papers written in English and publication dates of 1981-2023, using the search string "Exosome", "Extracellular vesicles", "Glioma", "Exosomes in glioma".
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline L Davidson
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Raghupathy Vengoji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Nicole Shonka
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA.
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Musatova OE, Rubtsov YP. Effects of glioblastoma-derived extracellular vesicles on the functions of immune cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1060000. [PMID: 36960410 PMCID: PMC10028257 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1060000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive variant of glioma, the tumor of glial origin which accounts for 80% of brain tumors. Glioblastoma is characterized by astoundingly poor prognosis for patients; a combination of surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy used for clinical treatment of glioblastoma almost inevitably results in rapid relapse and development of more aggressive and therapy resistant tumor. Recently, it was demonstrated that extracellular vesicles produced by glioblastoma (GBM-EVs) during apoptotic cell death can bind to surrounding cells and change their phenotype to more aggressive. GBM-EVs participate also in establishment of immune suppressive microenvironment that protects glioblastoma from antigen-specific recognition and killing by T cells. In this review, we collected present data concerning characterization of GBM-EVs and study of their effects on different populations of the immune cells (T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells). We aimed at critical analysis of experimental evidence in order to conclude whether glioblastoma-derived extracellular vesicles are a major factor in immune evasion of this deadly tumor. We summarized data concerning potential use of GBM-EVs for non-invasive diagnostics of glioblastoma. Finally, the applicability of approaches aimed at blocking of GBM-EVs production or their fusion with target cells for treatment of glioblastoma was analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oxana E. Musatova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yury P. Rubtsov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, RAS, Moscow, Russia
- N.N.Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
- *Correspondence: Yury P. Rubtsov,
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Westphal, M, Pantel K, Ricklefs FL, Maire C, Riethdorf S, Mohme M, Wikman H, Lamszus K. Circulating tumor cells and extracellular vesicles as liquid biopsy markers in neuro-oncology: prospects and limitations. Neurooncol Adv 2022; 4:ii45-ii52. [PMID: 36380859 PMCID: PMC9650476 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For many tumor entities, tumor biology and response to therapy are reflected by components that can be detected and captured in the blood stream. The so called “liquid biopsy” has been stratified over time into the analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTC), extracellular vesicles (EVs), and free circulating components such as cell-free nucleic acids or proteins. In neuro-oncology, two distinct areas need to be distinguished, intrinsic brain tumors and tumors metastatic to the brain. For intrinsic brain tumors, specifically glioblastoma, CTCs although present in low abundance, contain highly relevant, yet likely incomplete biological information for the whole tumor. For brain metastases, CTCs can have clinical relevance for patients especially with oligometastatic disease and brain metastasis in cancers like breast and lung cancer. EVs shed from the tumor cells and the tumor environment provide complementary information. Sensitive technologies have become available that are able to detect both, CTCs and EVs in the peripheral blood of patients with intrinsic and metastatic brain tumors despite the blood brain barrier. In reference to glioblastoma EVs, being shed by tumor cells and microenvironment and being more diffusible than CTCs may yield a more complete reflection of the whole tumor compared to low-abundance CTCs representing only a fraction of the multiclonal tumor heterogeneity. We here review the emerging aspects of CTCs and EVs as liquid biopsy biomarkers in neuro-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Westphal,
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hans-Dietrich Herrmann Laboratory for Brain Tumor Research , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Institute for Tumor Biology, University of Hamburg Medical Center Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Franz L Ricklefs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hans-Dietrich Herrmann Laboratory for Brain Tumor Research , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Cecile Maire
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hans-Dietrich Herrmann Laboratory for Brain Tumor Research , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Sabine Riethdorf
- Institute for Tumor Biology, University of Hamburg Medical Center Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Malte Mohme
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hans-Dietrich Herrmann Laboratory for Brain Tumor Research , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Harriet Wikman
- Institute for Tumor Biology, University of Hamburg Medical Center Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Katrin Lamszus
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hans-Dietrich Herrmann Laboratory for Brain Tumor Research , Hamburg , Germany
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7
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Altered Extracellular Matrix as an Alternative Risk Factor for Epileptogenicity in Brain Tumors. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102475. [PMID: 36289737 PMCID: PMC9599244 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Seizures are one of the most common symptoms of brain tumors. The incidence of seizures differs among brain tumor type, grade, location and size, but paediatric-type diffuse low-grade gliomas/glioneuronal tumors are often highly epileptogenic. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to play a role in epileptogenesis and tumorigenesis because it is involved in the (re)modelling of neuronal connections and cell-cell signaling. In this review, we discuss the epileptogenicity of brain tumors with a focus on tumor type, location, genetics and the role of the extracellular matrix. In addition to functional problems, epileptogenic tumors can lead to increased morbidity and mortality, stigmatization and life-long care. The health advantages can be major if the epileptogenic properties of brain tumors are better understood. Surgical resection is the most common treatment of epilepsy-associated tumors, but post-surgery seizure-freedom is not always achieved. Therefore, we also discuss potential novel therapies aiming to restore ECM function.
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8
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The dual action of glioma-derived exosomes on neuronal activity: synchronization and disruption of synchrony. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:705. [PMID: 35963860 PMCID: PMC9376103 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05144-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Seizures represent a frequent symptom in gliomas and significantly impact patient morbidity and quality of life. Although the pathogenesis of tumor-related seizures is not fully understood, accumulating evidence indicates a key role of the peritumoral microenvironment. Brain cancer cells interact with neurons by forming synapses with them and by releasing exosomes, cytokines, and other small molecules. Strong interactions among neurons often lead to the synchronization of their activity. In this paper, we used an in vitro model to investigate the role of exosomes released by glioma cell lines and by patient-derived glioma stem cells (GSCs). The addition of exosomes released by U87 glioma cells to neuronal cultures at day in vitro (DIV) 4, when neurons are not yet synchronous, induces synchronization. At DIV 7-12 neurons become highly synchronous, and the addition of the same exosomes disrupts synchrony. By combining Ca2+ imaging, electrical recordings from single neurons with patch-clamp electrodes, substrate-integrated microelectrode arrays, and immunohistochemistry, we show that synchronization and de-synchronization are caused by the combined effect of (i) the formation of new neuronal branches, associated with a higher expression of Arp3, (ii) the modification of synaptic efficiency, and (iii) a direct action of exosomes on the electrical properties of neurons, more evident at DIV 7-12 when the threshold for spike initiation is significantly reduced. At DIV 7-12 exosomes also selectively boost glutamatergic signaling by increasing the number of excitatory synapses. Remarkably, de-synchronization was also observed with exosomes released by glioma-associated stem cells (GASCs) from patients with low-grade glioma but not from patients with high-grade glioma, where a more variable outcome was observed. These results show that exosomes released from glioma modify the electrical properties of neuronal networks and that de-synchronization caused by exosomes from low-grade glioma can contribute to the neurological pathologies of patients with brain cancers.
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Pancholi S, Tripathi A, Bhan A, Acharya MM, Pillai P. Emerging Concepts on the Role of Extracellular Vesicles and Its Cargo Contents in Glioblastoma-Microglial Crosstalk. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:2822-2837. [PMID: 35212938 PMCID: PMC10058057 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02752-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common, highly aggressive malignant brain tumor which is marked by highest inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. Despite, immunotherapy, and combination therapies developed; the clinical trials often result into large number of failures. Often cancer cells are known to communicate with surrounding cells in tumor microenvironment (TME). Extracellular vesicles (EVs) consisting of diverse cargo mediates this intercellular communication and is believed to modulate the immune function against GBM. Tumor-associated microglia (TAM), though being the resident innate immune cell of CNS, is known to attain pro-tumorigenic M2 phenotype, and this immunomodulation is aided by extracellular vesicle-mediated transfer of oncogenic, immunomodulatory molecules. Besides, oncogenic proteins, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), are believed to carry oncogenic potential, and therefore, understanding the mechanism leading to microglial dysregulation mediated by GBM-derived extracellular vesicle (GDEV) lncRNAs becomes crucial. This review focuses on current understanding of role of GDEV and lncRNA in microglial dysfunction and its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangati Pancholi
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
| | - Ashutosh Tripathi
- Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston (UT Health), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Arunoday Bhan
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope Medical Centre, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Munjal M Acharya
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Prakash Pillai
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
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Bianconi A, Aruta G, Rizzo F, Salvati LF, Zeppa P, Garbossa D, Cofano F. Systematic Review on Tumor Microenvironment in Glial Neoplasm: From Understanding Pathogenesis to Future Therapeutic Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4166. [PMID: 35456984 PMCID: PMC9029619 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the multidisciplinary management in the treatment of glioblastomas, the average survival of GBM patients is still 15 months. In recent years, molecular biomarkers have gained more and more importance both in the diagnosis and therapy of glial tumors. At the same time, it has become clear that non neoplastic cells, which constitute about 30% of glioma mass, dramatically influence tumor growth, spread, and recurrence. This is the main reason why, in recent years, scientific research has been focused on understanding the function and the composition of tumor microenvironment and its role in gliomagenesis and recurrence. The aim of this review is to summarize the most recent discovery about resident microglia, tumor-associated macrophages, lymphocytes, and the role of extracellular vesicles and their bijective interaction with glioma cells. Moreover, we reported the most recent updates about new therapeutic strategies targeting immune system receptors and soluble factors. Understanding how glioma cells interact with non-neoplastic cells in tumor microenvironment is an essential step to comprehend mechanisms at the base of disease progression and to find new therapeutic strategies for GBM patients. However, no significant results have yet been obtained in studies targeting single molecules/pathways; considering the complex microenvironment, it is likely that only by using multiple therapeutic agents acting on multiple molecular targets can significant results be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bianconi
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.A.); (F.R.); (P.Z.); (D.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Gelsomina Aruta
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.A.); (F.R.); (P.Z.); (D.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.A.); (F.R.); (P.Z.); (D.G.); (F.C.)
| | | | - Pietro Zeppa
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.A.); (F.R.); (P.Z.); (D.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Diego Garbossa
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.A.); (F.R.); (P.Z.); (D.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Fabio Cofano
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.A.); (F.R.); (P.Z.); (D.G.); (F.C.)
- Spine Surgery Unit, Humanitas Gradeningo, 10100 Turin, Italy
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11
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Krapež G, Kouter K, Jovčevska I, Videtič Paska A. Dynamic Intercell Communication between Glioblastoma and Microenvironment through Extracellular Vesicles. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10010151. [PMID: 35052830 PMCID: PMC8773537 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is simultaneously the most common and most aggressive primary brain tumor in the central nervous system, with poor patient survival and scarce treatment options. Most primary glioblastomas reoccur and evolve radio- and chemoresistant properties which make them resistant to further treatments. Based on gene mutations and expression profiles, glioblastoma is relatively well classified; however, research shows that there is more to glioblastoma biology than that defined solely by its genetic component. Specifically, the overall malignancy of the tumor is also influenced by the dynamic communication to its immediate and distant environment, as important messengers to neighboring cells in the tumor microenvironment extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been identified. EVs and their cargo can modulate the immune microenvironment and other physiological processes, and can interact with the host immune system. They are involved in tumor cell survival and metabolism, tumor initiation, progression, and therapy resistance. However, on the other hand EVs are thought to become an effective treatment alternative, since they can cross the blood–brain barrier, are able of specific cell-targeting and can be loaded with various therapeutic molecules.
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