Level of Notch activation determines the effect on growth and stem cell-like features in glioblastoma multiforme neurosphere cultures.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Brain cancer stem-like cells (bCSC) are cancer cells with neural stem cell (NSC)-like properties found in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and they are assigned a central role in tumor initiation, progression and relapse. The Notch pathway is important for maintenance and cell fate decisions in the normal NSC population. Notch signaling is often deregulated in GBM and recent results suggest that this pathway plays a significant role in bCSC as well. We therefore wished to further elucidate the role of Notch activation in GBM-derived bCSC.

Methods

Human-derived GBM xenograft cells were cultured as NSC-like neurosphere cultures. Notch modulation was accomplished either by blocking the pathway using the γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT or by activating it by transfecting the

SUBMITTER: Kristoffersen K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3742492 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature