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Deshpande K, Martirosian V, Nakamura BN, Das D, Iyer M, Reed M, Shao L, Bamshad D, Buckley NJ, Neman J. SRRM4-mediated REST to REST4 dysregulation promotes tumor growth and neural adaptation in breast cancer leading to brain metastasis. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:309-322. [PMID: 37716001 PMCID: PMC10836770 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effective control of brain metastasis remains an urgent clinical need due a limited understanding of the mechanisms driving it. Although the gain of neuro-adaptive attributes in breast-to-brain metastases (BBMs) has been described, the mechanisms that govern this neural acclimation and the resulting brain metastasis competency are poorly understood. Herein, we define the role of neural-specific splicing factor Serine/Arginine Repetitive Matrix Protein 4 (SRRM4) in regulating microenvironmental adaptation and brain metastasis colonization in breast cancer cells. METHODS Utilizing pure neuronal cultures and brain-naive and patient-derived BM tumor cells, along with in vivo tumor modeling, we surveyed the early induction of mediators of neural acclimation in tumor cells. RESULTS When SRRM4 is overexpressed in systemic breast cancer cells, there is enhanced BBM leading to poorer overall survival in vivo. Concomitantly, SRRM4 knockdown expression does not provide any advantage in central nervous system metastasis. In addition, reducing SRRM4 expression in breast cancer cells slows down proliferation and increases resistance to chemotherapy. Conversely, when SRRM4/REST4 levels are elevated, tumor cell growth is maintained even in nutrient-deprived conditions. In neuronal coculture, decreasing SRRM4 expression in breast cancer cells impairs their ability to adapt to the brain microenvironment, while increasing SRRM4/RE-1 Silencing Transcription Factor (REST4) levels leads to greater expression of neurotransmitter and synaptic signaling mediators and a significant colonization advantage. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our findings identify SRRM4 as a regulator of brain metastasis colonization, and a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krutika Deshpande
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA)
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Brooke N Nakamura
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Diganta Das
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mukund Iyer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Max Reed
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ling Shao
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Daniella Bamshad
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Noel J Buckley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Saatian B, Deshpande K, Herrera R, Sedighi S, Eisenbarth R, Iyer M, Das D, Julian A, Martirosian V, Lowman A, LaViolette P, Remsik J, Boire A, Sankey E, Fecci PE, Shiroishi MS, Chow F, Hurth K, Neman J. Breast-to-brain metastasis is exacerbated with chemotherapy through blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and induces Alzheimer's-like pathology. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:1900-1913. [PMID: 37787045 PMCID: PMC10769085 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Control of breast-to-brain metastasis remains an urgent unmet clinical need. While chemotherapies are essential in reducing systemic tumor burden, they have been shown to promote non-brain metastatic invasiveness and drug-driven neurocognitive deficits through the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), independently. Now, in this study, we investigated the effect of chemotherapy on brain metastatic progression and promoting tumor-mediated NFT. Results show chemotherapies increase brain-barrier permeability and facilitate enhanced tumor infiltration, particularly through the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB). This is attributed to increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) which, in turn, mediates loss of Claudin-6 within the choroid plexus cells of the BCSFB. Importantly, increased MMP9 activity in the choroid epithelium following chemotherapy results in cleavage and release of Tau from breast cancer cells. This cleaved Tau forms tumor-derived NFT that further destabilize the BCSFB. Our results underline for the first time the importance of the BCSFB as a vulnerable point of entry for brain-seeking tumor cells post-chemotherapy and indicate that tumor cells themselves contribute to Alzheimer's-like tauopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Saatian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California
| | - K Deshpande
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California
| | - R Herrera
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California
| | - S Sedighi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California
| | - R Eisenbarth
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California
| | - M Iyer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
| | - D Das
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
| | - A Julian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California
| | - V Martirosian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California
| | - A Lowman
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin
| | - P LaViolette
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin
| | - J Remsik
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
| | - A Boire
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
| | - E Sankey
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine
| | - PE Fecci
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine
| | - MS Shiroishi
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
| | - F Chow
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California
| | - K Hurth
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California
| | - J Neman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California
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Neman J, Saatian B, Herrera R, Martirosian V, Eisenbarth R, Iyer M, Julian A, Lowman A, LaViolette P, Remsik J, Boire A, Sankey E, Fecci PE, Shiroishi M, Chow F, Hurth K. BSCI-12 BREAST TO BRAIN METASTASIS IS EXACERBATED WITH CHEMOTHERAPY THROUGH BLOOD-CEREBRAL SPINAL FLUID-BARRIER AND INDUCES ALZHEIMER’S-LIKE PATHOLOGY. Neurooncol Adv 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdac078.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Control of breast to brain metastasis remains an urgent unmet clinical need. While chemotherapies are essential in reducing systemic tumor burden, they have also shown to promote non-brain metastatic invasiveness and drug-driven neurocognitive deficits through formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) independently. Now, in this study we investigated the effect of chemotherapy on brain metastatic progression and promoting tumor-mediated NFT. Results show chemotherapies promote increased brain-barrier permeability and facilitate enhanced tumor infiltration, particularly through the blood-cerebrospinal fluid-barrier (BCSFB). This is attributed to increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) which, in turn, mediates loss of Claudin-6 within the choroid plexus cells of the BCSFB. Importantly, increased MMP9 activity in the choroid epithelium following chemotherapy results in cleavage of Tau released from breast cancer cells. This cleaved Tau forms tumor-derived NFT that further destabilize the BCSFB. Our results underline for the first time the importance of the BCSFB as a vulnerable point of entry for brain-seeking tumor cells post-chemotherapy and indicate that tumor cells themselves contribute to Alzheimer’s-like tauopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jan Remsik
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York, NY , USA
| | - Adrienne Boire
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York, NY , USA
| | - E Sankey
- Duke University , Durham, NC , USA
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Wedemeyer MA, Muskens I, Strickland BA, Aurelio O, Martirosian V, Wiemels JL, Weisenberger DJ, Wang K, Mukerjee D, Rhie SK, Zada G. Epigenetic dysregulation in meningiomas. Neurooncol Adv 2022; 4:vdac084. [PMID: 35769412 PMCID: PMC9234763 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdac084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumor. Though typically benign with a low mutational burden, tumors with benign histology may behave aggressively and there are no proven chemotherapies. Although DNA methylation patterns distinguish subgroups of meningiomas and have higher predictive value for tumor behavior than histologic classification, little is known about differences in DNA methylation between meningiomas and surrounding normal dura tissue. Methods Whole-exome sequencing and methylation array profiling were performed on 12 dura/meningioma pairs (11 WHO grade I and 1 WHO grade II). Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping and methylation array profiling were performed on an additional 19 meningiomas (9 WHO grade I, 5 WHO grade II, 4 WHO grade III). Results Using multimodal studies of meningioma/dura pairs, we identified 4 distinct DNA methylation patterns. Diffuse DNA hypomethylation of malignant meningiomas readily facilitated their identification from lower-grade tumors by unsupervised clustering. All clusters and 12/12 meningioma-dura pairs exhibited hypomethylation of the gene promoters of a module associated with the craniofacial patterning transcription factor FOXC1 and its upstream lncRNA FOXCUT. Furthermore, we identified an epigenetic continuum of increasing hypermethylation of polycomb repressive complex target promoters with increasing histopathologic grade. Conclusion These findings support future investigations of the role of epigenetic dysregulation of FOXC1 and cranial patterning genes in meningioma formation as well as studies of the utility of polycomb inhibitors for the treatment of malignant meningiomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Wedemeyer
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California San Francisco, Benioff Children’s Hospitals, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ivo Muskens
- Children’s Cancer Research Laboratory, Center of Genetic Epidemiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ben A Strickland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Oscar Aurelio
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Joseph L Wiemels
- Children’s Cancer Research Laboratory, Center of Genetic Epidemiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Daniel J Weisenberger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Debraj Mukerjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Suhn K Rhie
- Suhn K. Rhie, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA ()
| | - Gabriel Zada
- Corresponding Authors: Gabriel Zada, MD, MS, Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1200 N State Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA ()
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Chow FE, Kang I, Yin J, Farrell A, Martirosian V, Jayachandran P, Roussos Torres ET, Lu JM, Lenz HJ, Ma CX, McArthur HL, Basho RK, Spetzler D, Neman J. Interplay between B cell and GABA metabolism (GABAm) and association with immune evasion in breast carcinoma (BC). J Clin Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.1097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
1097 Background: GABAergic signaling has been reported to play a pivotal role in breast cancer (BC) tumorigenesis and metastasis, however, its role in immune modulation remains unclear. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies (Zhang et al., Nature, 2021) report the role of B cell-derived GABA metabolites in promoting anti-inflammatory macrophages (MM), thus limiting anti-tumor immunity. In this study, we aim to characterize the interplay between B cells and the GABAm pathway, as well as their associated immune infiltrates and cytokines. Methods: BC tumors (n = 9455) were analyzed by next generation sequencing (NextSeq, 592 Genes and WES, NovaSEQ) and whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS, NovaSeq) at Caris Life Sciences. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) scores were used for GABAm pathway activity (GMPA). IFN score to test the likelihood of a tumor’s response to anti PD1 therapy and Immune cell fraction (quanTIseq) were assessed by mRNA analysis. Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was applied (p without, q with multiple comparison correction). Correlation coefficients were calculated using spearman correlation. Results: GMPA demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation with B cells fraction (r = 0.24, p < 0.0001). When stratified by classical molecular subtypes, the positive correlations were exclusive to HR+ and HER2+ BC, and absent in TNBC. GMPA was the most enriched in HR+ BC, followed by HER2+ and TNBC. BC tumors with high B cell infiltration were then grouped into GMPA-high (B+G+, cutoff > median for both) or GMPA-low (B+/G-), which likely represented tumors with B cell-derived high and low GMPA group, respectively. The GMPA-high group demonstrated significantly less fractions of MM1 (2.8 vs 3.7) and CD8+ T cells (0.8 vs 1.2) but greater MM2 (5.3 vs 4.9). mRNA levels of the MM2 marker IL10, a proposed marker of immune evasion, was significantly overexpressed in the B+/G+ group compared to the B+/G- group (fold change, FC = 1.39). mRNA levels of GAD1, a GABA-generating enzyme, were higher in B+/G+ than B+/G- (FC = 7.19). B+/G+ group had notably less IFN score than B+/G- group (-0.37 vs -0.27). When further stratified into molecular subtypes, concurrent more MM2 (5.4 vs 5.2) and less CD8+ T cell (0.74 vs 0.91) fractions were found in B+/G+ compared to B+/G- in HR+ tumors, but not in HER2+ or TNBC tumors. B+/G+ group also demonstrated a lower IFN score (-0.38 vs -0.32) in HR+ tumors. Additionally, IL10 and GAD1 were consistently overexpressed in B+/G+ regardless of subtype, reaching FC 7.9 in HR+ tumors. q < 0.0001 for all comparisons. Conclusions: Our study is the largest clinical dataset to demonstrate the association of interplay between B cell and GABAm with immunogenicity. Our results support the potential role of B cell-derived GABAm metabolites in immune modulation in BC in a subtype-specific manner. Targeting small metabolites to modulate immune evasion in BC warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances Elaine Chow
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Southern California, Norris Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Irene Kang
- Division of Oncology, USC Keck School of Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jun Yin
- Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Heinz-Josef Lenz
- Division of Medical Oncology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Cynthia X. Ma
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | | | | | | | - Josh Neman
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
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Herrera RA, Deshpande K, Martirosian V, Saatian B, Julian A, Eisenbarth R, Das D, Iyer M, Neman J. Cortisol promotes breast-to-brain metastasis through the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2022; 5:e1351. [PMID: 33635590 PMCID: PMC9124512 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elevated basal cortisol levels are present in women with primary and metastatic breast cancer. Although cortisol's potential role in breast-to-brain metastasis has yet to be sufficiently studied, prior evidence indicates that it functions as a double-edged sword-cortisol induces breast cancer metastasis in vivo, but strengthens the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) to protect the brain from microbes and peripheral immune cells. AIMS In this study, we provide a novel examination on whether cortisol's role in tumor invasiveness eclipses its supporting role in strengthening the CNS barriers. We expanded our study to include the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB), an underexamined site of tumor entry. METHODS AND RESULTS Utilizing in vitro BBB and BCSFB models to measure barrier strength in the presence of hydrocortisone (HC). We established that lung tumor cells migrate through both CNS barriers equally while breast tumors cells preferentially migrate through the BCSFB. Furthermore, HC treatment increased breast-to-brain metastases (BBM) but not primary breast tumor migratory capacity. When examining the transmigration of breast cancer cells across the BCSFB, we demonstrate that HC induces increased traversal of BBM but not primary breast cancer. We provide evidence that HC increases tightness of the BCSFB akin to the BBB by upregulating claudin-5, a tight junction protein formerly acknowledged as exclusive to the BBB. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate, for the first time that increased cortisol levels facilitate breast-to-brain metastasis through the BCSFB-a vulnerable point of entry which has been typically overlooked in brain metastasis. Our study suggests cortisol plays a pro-metastatic role in breast-to-brain metastasis and thus caution is needed when using glucocorticoids to treat breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Herrera
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Krutika Deshpande
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Behnaz Saatian
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alex Julian
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Rachel Eisenbarth
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Diganta Das
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Mukund Iyer
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurological SurgeryKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Physiology and NeuroscienceKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer CenterKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Brain Tumor CenterKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
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Deshpande K, Martirosian V, Nakamura BN, Iyer M, Julian A, Eisenbarth R, Shao L, Attenello F, Neman J. Neuronal exposure induces neurotransmitter signaling and synaptic mediators in tumors early in brain metastasis. Neuro Oncol 2021; 24:914-924. [PMID: 34932815 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain metastases (BM) are responsible for neurological decline and poor overall survival. Although the pro-metastatic roles of glial cells, and the acquisition of neuronal attributes in established BM tumors have been described, there are no studies that investigate the initial interplay between neurons and brain-seeking tumor cells. The aim of this study was to characterize early tumor-neuron interactions and the induced CNS-adaptive changes in tumor cells prior to macro-colonization. METHODS Utilizing pure neuronal cultures and brain-naïve and patient-derived BM tumor cells, we surveyed the early induction of mediators of neurotransmitter (NT) and synaptic signaling in breast and lung tumor cells. Reliance on microenvironmental GABA in breast-to-brain metastatic cells (BBMs) was assessed in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Co-culture with neurons induces early expression of classical NT receptor genes (HTR4, GRIA2, GRIN2B, GRM4, GRM8, DRD1) and neuronal synaptic mediators (CNR1, EGR2, ARC, NGFR, NRXN1) in breast and lung cancer cells. NT-dependent classification of tumor cells within the neuronal niche shows breast cancer cells become GABAergic responsive brain metastases (GRBMs) and transition from relying on autocrine GABA, to paracrine GABA from adjacent neurons; while autocrine Dopaminergic breast and lung tumor cells persist. In vivo studies confirm reliance on paracrine GABA is an early CNS-acclimation strategy in breast cancer. Moreover, neuronal contact induces early resurgence in Reelin expression in tumor cells through epigenetic activation, facilitating CNS adaptation. CONCLUSION Tumor-neuron interactions allow for CNS-adaptation early in the course of brain metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krutika Deshpande
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brooke Naomi Nakamura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mukund Iyer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alex Julian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rachel Eisenbarth
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ling Shao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Frank Attenello
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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8
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Martirosian V, Deshpande K, Zhou H, Shen K, Smith K, Northcott P, Lin M, Stepanosyan V, Das D, Remsik J, Isakov D, Boire A, De Feyter H, Hurth K, Li S, Wiemels J, Nakamura B, Shao L, Danilov C, Chen T, Neman J. Medulloblastoma uses GABA transaminase to survive in the cerebrospinal fluid microenvironment and promote leptomeningeal dissemination. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109475. [PMID: 34320362 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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9
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Martirosian V, Deshpande K, Lin M, Jarvis C, Yuan E, Chen TC, Zada G, Giannotta SL, Attenello FJ, Chow F, Neman J. Utilization of Discarded Surgical Tissue from Ultrasonic Aspirators to Establish Patient-Derived Metastatic Brain Tumor Cells: A Guide from the Operating Room to the Research Laboratory. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e140. [PMID: 34170630 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Patient-derived cells from surgical resections are of paramount importance to brain tumor research. It is well known that there is cellular and microenvironmental heterogeneity within a single tumor mass. Thus, current established protocols for propagating tumor cells in vitro are limiting because resections obtained from conventional singular samples limit the diversity in cell populations and do not accurately model the heterogeneous tumor. Utilization of discarded tissue obtained from cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) of the whole tumor mass allows for establishing novel cell lines in vitro from the entirety of the tumor, thereby creating an accurate representation of the heterogeneous population of cells originally present in the tumor. Furthermore, while others have described protocols for establishing patient tumor lines once tissue has arrived in the research lab, a primer from the operating room (OR) to the research lab has not been described before. This is integral, as basic research scientists need to understand the surgical environment of the OR, including the methods utilized to obtain a patient's tumor resection, in order to more accurately model cancer biology in laboratory. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Establishment of brain tumor cell lines from patient-derived CUSA samples: processing brain tumor sample from the OR to the lab Support Protocol 1: Sterilization of microsurgical tools in preparation for dissection Support Protocol 2: Collagen coating of tissue culture flasks Basic Protocol 2: Selection of tumor cells in vitro Support Protocol 3: FACS sorting tumor sample to isolate cancer cells from heterogeneous cell population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California.,USC Brain Tumor Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Krutika Deshpande
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michelle Lin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California
| | - Casey Jarvis
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California
| | - Edith Yuan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California
| | - Thomas C Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center of USC, Los Angeles, California.,USC Brain Tumor Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Gabriel Zada
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center of USC, Los Angeles, California.,USC Brain Tumor Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Steven L Giannotta
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center of USC, Los Angeles, California.,USC Brain Tumor Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Frank J Attenello
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center of USC, Los Angeles, California.,USC Brain Tumor Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Frances Chow
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center of USC, Los Angeles, California.,USC Brain Tumor Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California.,USC Brain Tumor Center, Los Angeles, California
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10
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Martirosian V, Deshpande K, Zhou H, Shen K, Smith K, Northcott P, Lin M, Stepanosyan V, Das D, Remsik J, Isakov D, Boire A, De Feyter H, Hurth K, Li S, Wiemels J, Nakamura B, Shao L, Danilov C, Chen T, Neman J. Medulloblastoma uses GABA transaminase to survive in the cerebrospinal fluid microenvironment and promote leptomeningeal dissemination. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109302. [PMID: 34192534 PMCID: PMC8848833 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant pediatric brain tumor arising in the cerebellum. Although abnormal GABAergic receptor activation has been described in MB, studies have not yet elucidated the contribution of receptor-independent GABA metabolism to MB pathogenesis. We find primary MB tumors globally display decreased expression of GABA transaminase (ABAT), the protein responsible for GABA metabolism, compared with normal cerebellum. However, less aggressive WNT and SHH subtypes express higher ABAT levels compared with metastatic G3 and G4 tumors. We show that elevated ABAT expression results in increased GABA catabolism, decreased tumor cell proliferation, and induction of metabolic and histone characteristics mirroring GABAergic neurons. Our studies suggest ABAT expression fluctuates depending on metabolite changes in the tumor microenvironment, with nutrient-poor conditions upregulating ABAT expression. We find metastatic MB cells require ABAT to maintain viability in the metabolite-scarce cerebrospinal fluid by using GABA as an energy source substitute, thereby facilitating leptomeningeal metastasis formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Krutika Deshpande
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Hao Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Keyue Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Kyle Smith
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Paul Northcott
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Michelle Lin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Vazgen Stepanosyan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Diganta Das
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jan Remsik
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Department of Neuro-Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Danielle Isakov
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Department of Neuro-Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Adrienne Boire
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Department of Neuro-Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Henk De Feyter
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Kyle Hurth
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Shaobo Li
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Preventative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Joseph Wiemels
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Preventative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Brooke Nakamura
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Ling Shao
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Camelia Danilov
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Thomas Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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11
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Martirosian V, Deshpande K, Zhou H, Shen K, Stepanosyan V, Remsik J, Boire A, Isakov D, De Feyter H, Hurth K, Nakamura B, Shao L, Northcott P, Wiemels J, Li S, Neman J. TAMI-57. MEDULLOBLASTOMA UTILIZE GABA TRANSAMINASE TO SURVIVE IN THE CEREBROSPINAL FLUID MICROENVIRONMENT AND PROMOTE LEPTOMENINGEAL DISSEMINATION. Neuro Oncol 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa215.944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant pediatric brain tumor. Studies have shown heterogeneous cells amongst the tumor bulk which mirror normal neural cells in various neurodevelopmental stages. To discern exploited mechanisms promoting MB leptomeningeal disease, we drew conclusions from developmental neurobiology. In normal differentiation, the metabolic phenotype in proliferating neural progenitor cells evolves from a glycolysis-dependent to an oxidative phosphorylation-reliant energetic profile in quiescent differentiated neurons. Cancer cells mirror this evolution, which also grants them the capability to utilize alternative nutrients in the microenvironment as an energy source. Considering metastatic cells are typically in a dormant state and primarily utilize oxidative phosphorylation, we hypothesized metastatic MB cells emulate a quiescent neuron-like cellular profile to survive in the cerebrospinal fluid and form leptomeningeal metastases. To examine this, we query the expression of GABA catabolic enzyme GABA transaminase (ABAT) in MB. GABA is found in the cerebellar and leptomeningeal microenvironments, and is utilized by metastatic cancer cells in the CNS as an energy source. We correlate an increase in ABAT expression with neurodevelopment and show heterogeneous expression of this protein in primary MB tumors. MB cells with increased expression of ABAT were slower-dividing, expressed a genetic and metabolic phenotype reminiscent of quiescent neuron-like cells, and had increased capability to metabolize GABA. Conversely, lower expression of ABAT was associated with an increased proliferation rate and correlated with a progenitor-like cellular profile. Transplantation of MB cells into the leptomeningeal compartment decreased proliferative capacity and enhanced ABAT expression. Xenograft models showed MB cells with ABAT knockdown had increased growth in the cerebellar microenvironment. Conversely, MB cells with ABAT overexpression transplanted into the cerebrospinal fluid formed leptomeningeal metastases whereas ABAT knockdown cells could not. These results suggest ABAT expression in MB cells can be modulated by the tumor microenvironment and is required to form leptomeningeal metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hao Zhou
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Keyue Shen
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Jan Remsik
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kyle Hurth
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Ling Shao
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Joe Wiemels
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shaobo Li
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Josh Neman
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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12
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Abstract
Brain metastases (BMs) are responsible for decline in neurological function, reduction in overall quality of life, and mortality from recurrent or untreatable lesions. Advances in diagnostics and imaging have led to increased detection of central nervous system (CNS) metastases in patients with progressive cancers. Improved control of extracranial systemic disease, and the limited ability of current therapeutics to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) also contribute to the increase in incidence of brain metastases, as tumor cells seek refuge in the brain. Surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation (whole-brain radiation therapy and stereotactic radiation surgery [WBRT/SRS]) are a clinically established treatment paradigm for patients with brain metastases. With the advent of genetic and molecular characterization of tumors and their immune microenvironment, clinical trials seek to include targeted drugs into the therapeutic regimen for eligible patients. Several challenges, like treatment of multiple CNS lesions, superior uptake of chemotherapy into the brain, and trials with multidisciplinary approaches, are now being clinically addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krutika Deshpande
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Ian Buchanan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
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13
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Smith SM, Giedzinski E, Angulo MC, Lui T, Lu C, Park AL, Tang S, Martirosian V, Ru N, Chmielewski NN, Liang Y, Baulch JE, Acharya MM, Limoli CL. Functional equivalence of stem cell and stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle transplantation to repair the irradiated brain. Stem Cells Transl Med 2020; 9:93-105. [PMID: 31568685 PMCID: PMC6954724 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.18-0227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cranial radiotherapy, although beneficial for the treatment of brain tumors, inevitably leads to normal tissue damage that can induce unintended neurocognitive complications that are progressive and debilitating. Ionizing radiation exposure has also been shown to compromise the structural integrity of mature neurons throughout the brain, an effect believed to be at least in part responsible for the deterioration of cognitive health. Past work has shown that cranially transplanted human neural stem cells (hNSCs) or their extracellular vesicles (EVs) afforded long-term beneficial effects on many of these cognitive decrements. To provide additional insight into the potential neuroprotective mechanisms of cell-based regenerative strategies, we have analyzed hippocampal neurons for changes in structural integrity and synaptic remodeling after unilateral and bilateral transplantation of hNSCs or EVs derived from those same cells. Interestingly, hNSCs and EVs similarly afforded protection to host neurons, ameliorating the impact of irradiation on dendritic complexity and spine density for neurons present in both the ipsilateral and contralateral hippocampi 1 month following irradiation and transplantation. These morphometric improvements were accompanied by increased levels of glial cell-derived growth factor and significant attenuation of radiation-induced increases in postsynaptic density protein 95 and activated microglia were found ipsi- and contra-lateral to the transplantation sites of the irradiated hippocampus treated with hNSCs or hNSC-derived EVs. These findings document potent far-reaching neuroprotective effects mediated by grafted stem cells or EVs adjacent and distal to the site of transplantation and support their potential as therapeutic agents to counteract the adverse effects of cranial irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Smith
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Erich Giedzinski
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Maria C. Angulo
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Tiffany Lui
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Celine Lu
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Audrey L. Park
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Sharon Tang
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Ning Ru
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | | | - Yaxuan Liang
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Janet E. Baulch
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Munjal M. Acharya
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Charles L. Limoli
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
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14
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Deshpande K, Saatian B, Martirosian V, Lin M, Julian A, Neman J. Isolation of Neural Stem Cells from Whole Brain Tissues of Adult Mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 49:e80. [DOI: 10.1002/cpsc.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Krutika Deshpande
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California
| | - Behnaz Saatian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California
| | - Michelle Lin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California
| | - Alex Julian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California
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15
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Martirosian V, Neman J. Medulloblastoma: Challenges and advances in treatment and research. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2018; 2:e1146. [PMCID: PMC7941576 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Medulloblastoma (MB) is a pediatric brain tumor occurring in the posterior fossa. MB is a highly heterogeneous tumor, which can be grouped into four main subgroups: WNT, SHH, Group 3, and Group 4. Each subgroup is different both in its implicated pathways and pathology, as well as how they are treated in the clinic. Recent Findings Standard protocol for MB treatment consists of maximal safe resection, followed by craniospinal radiation (in patients 3 years and older) and adjuvant chemotherapy. Advances in clinical stratification of this tumor have allowed establishment of treatment de‐escalation trials aimed at reducing long‐term side effects. However, there have been few advances in identifying novel therapeutic strategies for MB patients due to difficulties in creating chemotherapeutics that can bypass the blood‐brain‐barrier—among other factors. On the other hand, with the help of whole genome sequencing technologies, molecular pathways involved in MB pathogenesis have become clearer and have helped drive MB research. Regardless, this advance in research has yet to translate to the clinic, which may be due to the inability of current in vivo and in vitro models to accurately recapitulate this heterogeneous tumor in humans. Conclusions There have been significant advances in knowledge and treatment of medulloblastoma over the last few decades. Whole genome sequencing has helped elucidate clear differences between the subgroups of MB, allowing physicians to better tailor treatments to each patient in an effort to reduce long‐term sequelae. However, there are still many more obstacles to overcome, including less cytotoxic therapies in the clinic and better modeling systems to accurately replicate this disease in the laboratory. Scientists and physicians must work in a more cohesive manner to create translatable results from the laboratory to the clinic—helping improve therapies for medulloblastoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
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16
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Martirosian V, Lin M, Chen TC, Neman J. Abstract 4144: The role of GABA metabolism in medulloblastoma spread. Cancer Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2018-4144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) tumors remain the leading cause of cancer-related childhood mortality. Amongst these, medulloblastoma (MB), a highly malignant cancer originating in the cerebellum, remains the most common pediatric CNS tumor. Patients are clinically stratified by age at diagnosis, extent of resection, and metastatic status. Patients with incomplete tumor resection or leptomeningeal spread at the time of diagnosis are considered high-risk. Standard of care for all patients consists of surgical resection followed by radiation and chemotherapy. MB tumors have recently been molecularly stratified into 4 groups, with each group associated with a particular effected pathway. Group 1 and 2 have deregulated WNT and SHH pathways, respectively. Group 3 and 4, however, are less characterized, but have been shown to be associated with a GABAergic and glutamanergic phenotype, respectively. While Group 1 and 2 MBs have an overall 5-year survival rate of 75%, Group 3 and 4 have a worse prognosis, with survival rates closer to 30-40%. This is correlated with the latter 2 groups having an increased rate of metastasis at diagnosis, as metastatic lesions are more advanced and therapeutically difficult to treat. Therefore, efforts must be made to elucidate mechanisms and treatments of metastasis, as well as finding subgroup specific therapeutic targets.
Although canonical cancer therapy counters the tumors' effects on the surrounding environment, manipulating the effects of the tumor microenvironment on the tumor has also shown promise as a treatment regimen. Given that the cerebellum, the initiation site for MB, has high concentrations of GABA, and Group 3 tumors have upregulation of GABAergic properties, we explored GABA's role in this context. For these studies, we interrogated the GABA shunt pathway - the principal pathway for GABA metabolism - in two Group 3 MB cell lines. We utilized lentivirus mediated gene knockdown of GABA Transaminase (ABAT), the initial protein in the GABA shunt, to deduce phenotypic and genotypic changes in these cells. Cells supplemented with GABA had an increased ability to detach and form spheres. These spheres thrived in GABA supplemented floating conditions, while no similar phenomenon was seen in cells cultured in control medium or GABA supplemented ABAT knockdown cells. Genotypic analysis of these cells using RT-qPCR revealed an increase in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition profile of GABA supplemented spheres as compared to control conditions. To determine if knocking down ABAT changes tumor seeding capabilities in vivo, we transplanted MB cells into the lateral ventricle of athymic nude mice. Control MBL cells regardless of prior exposure to GABA or floating conditions, were able to seed and form tumors; While ABAT KD cells were unable to do so. These findings provide evidence that GABA metabolism in MB metastatic cells may be imperative for survivability in the CSF and leptomeningeal spread.
Citation Format: Vahan Martirosian, Michelle Lin, Thomas C. Chen, Josh Neman. The role of GABA metabolism in medulloblastoma spread [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4144.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michelle Lin
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | | | - Josh Neman
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
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17
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Martirosian V, Deshpande K, Shackelford G, Julian A, Lin M, Erdreich-Epstein A, Chen T, Neman J. MEDU-05. THE ROLE OF GABA METABOLISM IN MEDULLOBLASTOMA. Neuro Oncol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nox083.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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18
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Neman J, Martirosian V. PDTB-01. INDUCTION OF DUAL SPECIFIC PHOSPHATASE SUPPRESSES MEDULLOBLASTOMA PROGRESSION. Neuro Oncol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/now212.621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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19
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Martirosian V, Chen TC, Lin M, Neman J. Medulloblastoma initiation and spread: Where neurodevelopment, microenvironment and cancer cross pathways. J Neurosci Res 2016; 94:1511-1519. [DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine; University of Southern California; Los Angeles California
| | - Thomas C. Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine; University of Southern California; Los Angeles California
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Los Angeles California
| | - Michelle Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine; University of Southern California; Los Angeles California
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine; University of Southern California; Los Angeles California
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Los Angeles California
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20
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Acharya MM, Martirosian V, Chmielewski NN, Hanna N, Tran KK, Liao AC, Christie LA, Parihar VK, Limoli CL. Stem cell transplantation reverses chemotherapy-induced cognitive dysfunction. Cancer Res 2015; 75:676-86. [PMID: 25687405 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-2237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The frequent use of chemotherapy to combat a range of malignancies can elicit severe cognitive dysfunction often referred to as "chemobrain," a condition that can persist long after the cessation of treatment in as many as 75% of survivors. Although cognitive health is a critical determinant of therapeutic outcome, chemobrain remains an unmet medical need that adversely affects quality of life in pediatric and adult cancer survivors. Using a rodent model of chemobrain, we showed that chronic cyclophosphamide treatment induced significant performance-based decrements on behavioral tasks designed to interrogate hippocampal and cortical function. Intrahippocampal transplantation of human neural stem cells resolved all cognitive impairments when animals were tested 1 month after the cessation of chemotherapy. In transplanted animals, grafted cells survived (8%) and differentiated along neuronal and astroglial lineages, where improved cognition was associated with reduced neuroinflammation and enhanced host dendritic arborization. Stem cell transplantation significantly reduced the number of activated microglia after cyclophosphamide treatment in the brain. Granule and pyramidal cell neurons within the dentate gyrus and CA1 subfields of the hippocampus exhibited significant reductions in dendritic complexity, spine density, and immature and mature spine types following chemotherapy, adverse effects that were eradicated by stem cell transplantation. Our findings provide the first evidence that cranial transplantation of stem cells can reverse the deleterious effects of chemobrain, through a trophic support mechanism involving the attenuation of neuroinflammation and the preservation host neuronal architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munjal M Acharya
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | | | - Nevine Hanna
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Katherine K Tran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Alicia C Liao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Lori-Ann Christie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Vipan K Parihar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Charles L Limoli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, California.
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21
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Parihar VK, Allen BD, Tran KK, Chmielewski NN, Craver BM, Martirosian V, Morganti JM, Rosi S, Vlkolinsky R, Acharya MM, Nelson GA, Allen AR, Limoli CL. Targeted overexpression of mitochondrial catalase prevents radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction. Antioxid Redox Signal 2015; 22:78-91. [PMID: 24949841 PMCID: PMC4270160 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2014.5929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Radiation-induced disruption of mitochondrial function can elevate oxidative stress and contribute to the metabolic perturbations believed to compromise the functionality of the central nervous system. To clarify the role of mitochondrial oxidative stress in mediating the adverse effects of radiation in the brain, we analyzed transgenic (mitochondrial catalase [MCAT]) mice that overexpress human catalase localized to the mitochondria. RESULTS Compared with wild-type (WT) controls, overexpression of the MCAT transgene significantly decreased cognitive dysfunction after proton irradiation. Significant improvements in behavioral performance found on novel object recognition and object recognition in place tasks were associated with a preservation of neuronal morphology. While the architecture of hippocampal CA1 neurons was significantly compromised in irradiated WT mice, the same neurons in MCAT mice did not exhibit extensive and significant radiation-induced reductions in dendritic complexity. Irradiated neurons from MCAT mice maintained dendritic branching and length compared with WT mice. Protected neuronal morphology in irradiated MCAT mice was also associated with a stabilization of radiation-induced variations in long-term potentiation. Stabilized synaptic activity in MCAT mice coincided with an altered composition of the synaptic AMPA receptor subunits GluR1/2. INNOVATION Our findings provide the first evidence that neurocognitive sequelae associated with radiation exposure can be reduced by overexpression of MCAT, operating through a mechanism involving the preservation of neuronal morphology. CONCLUSION Our article documents the neuroprotective properties of reducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species through the targeted overexpression of catalase and how this ameliorates the adverse effects of proton irradiation in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipan K. Parihar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Barrett D. Allen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Katherine K. Tran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Nicole N. Chmielewski
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Brianna M. Craver
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Josh M. Morganti
- Departments of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science and Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Susanna Rosi
- Departments of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science and Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Roman Vlkolinsky
- Departments of Radiation Medicine and Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - Munjal M. Acharya
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Gregory A. Nelson
- Departments of Radiation Medicine and Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - Antiño R. Allen
- Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas Medical School, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Charles L. Limoli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
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Acharya MM, Martirosian V, Christie LA, Riparip L, Strnadel J, Parihar VK, Limoli CL. Defining the optimal window for cranial transplantation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cells to ameliorate radiation-induced cognitive impairment. Stem Cells Transl Med 2014; 4:74-83. [PMID: 25391646 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2014-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Past preclinical studies have demonstrated the capability of using human stem cell transplantation in the irradiated brain to ameliorate radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction. Intrahippocampal transplantation of human embryonic stem cells and human neural stem cells (hNSCs) was found to functionally restore cognition in rats 1 and 4 months after cranial irradiation. To optimize the potential therapeutic benefits of human stem cell transplantation, we have further defined optimal transplantation windows for maximizing cognitive benefits after irradiation and used induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hNSCs (iPSC-hNSCs) that may eventually help minimize graft rejection in the host brain. For these studies, animals given an acute head-only dose of 10 Gy were grafted with iPSC-hNSCs at 2 days, 2 weeks, or 4 weeks following irradiation. Animals receiving stem cell grafts showed improved hippocampal spatial memory and contextual fear-conditioning performance compared with irradiated sham-surgery controls when analyzed 1 month after transplantation surgery. Importantly, superior performance was evident when stem cell grafting was delayed by 4 weeks following irradiation compared with animals grafted at earlier times. Analysis of the 4-week cohort showed that the surviving grafted cells migrated throughout the CA1 and CA3 subfields of the host hippocampus and differentiated into neuronal (∼39%) and astroglial (∼14%) subtypes. Furthermore, radiation-induced inflammation was significantly attenuated across multiple hippocampal subfields in animals receiving iPSC-hNSCs at 4 weeks after irradiation. These studies expand our prior findings to demonstrate that protracted stem cell grafting provides improved cognitive benefits following irradiation that are associated with reduced neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munjal M Acharya
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Lori-Ann Christie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Lara Riparip
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jan Strnadel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Vipan K Parihar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Charles L Limoli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE Radiotherapy remains a primary treatment modality for the majority of central nervous system tumors, but frequently leads to debilitating cognitive dysfunction. Given the absence of satisfactory solutions to this serious problem, we have used human stem cell therapies to ameliorate radiation-induced cognitive impairment. Here, past studies have been extended to determine whether engrafted cells provide even longer-term benefits to cognition. MATERIALS AND METHODS Athymic nude rats were cranially irradiated (10 Gy) and subjected to intrahippocampal transplantation surgery 2 days later. Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) or human neural stem cells (hNSC) were transplanted, and animals were subjected to cognitive testing on a novel place recognition task 8 months later. RESULTS Grafting of hNSC was found to provide long lasting cognitive benefits over an 8-month post-irradiation interval. At this protracted time, hNSC grafting improved behavioral performance on a novel place recognition task compared to irradiated animals not receiving stem cells. Engrafted hESC previously shown to be beneficial following a similar task, 1 and 4 months after irradiation, were not found to provide cognitive benefits at 8 months. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that hNSC transplantation promotes the long-term recovery of the irradiated brain, where intrahippocampal stem cell grafting helps to preserve cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munjal M Acharya
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California , Irvine, CA , USA
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Christie LA, Acharya MM, Parihar VK, Nguyen A, Martirosian V, Limoli CL. Impaired Cognitive Function and Hippocampal Neurogenesis following Cancer Chemotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 2012; 18:1954-65. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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