Endothelial-like malignant glioma cells in dynamic three dimensional culture identifies a role for VEGF and FGFR in a tumor-derived angiogenic response.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Recent studies have observed that cells from high-grade glial tumors are capable of assuming an endothelial phenotype and genotype, a process termed 'vasculogenic mimicry' (VM). Here we model and manipulate VM in dynamic 3-dimensional (3D) glioma cultures.

Methods

The Rotary Cell Culture System (RCCS) was used to derive large macroscopic glioma aggregates, which were sectioned for immunohistochemistry and RNA extracted prior to angiogenic array-PCR.

Results

A 3D cell culture induced microenvironment (containing only glial cells) is sufficient to promote expression of the endothelial markers CD105, CD31 and vWF in a proportion of glioma aggregates in vitro. Many pro-angiogenic genes were upregulated in glioma aggregates and in primary explants and glioma cells wer

SUBMITTER: Smith SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4673156 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature