Liu RZ, Choi WS, Jain S, Xu X, Elsherbiny ME, Glubrecht DD, Tessier AG, Easaw JC, Fallone BG, Godbout R. Stationary-to-migratory transition in glioblastoma stem-like cells driven by a fatty acid-binding protein 7-RXRα neurogenic pathway.
Neuro Oncol 2023;
25:2177-2190. [PMID:
37499046 PMCID:
PMC10708933 DOI:
10.1093/neuonc/noad134]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Glioblastoma (GBM) stem-like cells (GSCs) are crucial drivers of treatment resistance and tumor recurrence. While the concept of "migrating" cancer stem cells was proposed a decade ago, the roles and underlying mechanisms of the heterogeneous populations of GSCs remain poorly defined.
METHODS
Cell migration using GBM cell lines and patient-derived GSCs was examined using Transwell inserts and the scratch assay. Single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis were used to map GSC drivers to specific GBM cell populations. Xenografted mice were used to model the role of brain-type fatty acid-binding protein 7 (FABP7) in GBM infiltration and expansion. The mechanism by which FABP7 and its fatty acid ligands promote GSC migration was examined by gel shift and luciferase gene reporter assays.
RESULTS
A subpopulation of FABP7-expressing migratory GSCs was identified, with FABP7 upregulating SOX2, a key modulator for GBM stemness and plasticity, and ZEB1, a prominent factor in GBM epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasiveness. Our data indicate that GSC migration is driven by nuclear FABP7 through activation of RXRα, a nuclear receptor activated by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).
CONCLUSION
Infiltrative progression in GBM is driven by migratory GSCs through activation of a PUFA-FABP7-RXRα neurogenic pathway.
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