Project description:We compared a large panel of human glioblastoma stem-like (GS) cell lines, corresponding primary tumors and conventional glioma cell lines to identify cell lines that preserve the transcriptome of human glioblastomas most closely, thereby allowing identification of shared therapeutic targets. We used Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0 microarrays to compare human glioblastoma stem-like (GS) cell lines, corresponding primary tumors and conventional glioma cell lines. We extracted total RNA from 32 conventional glioma cell lines, 12 GS cell lines (8 in two different passages), 7 clonal sublines derived from two GS lines, 12 original tumors, and 4 monolayer cultures established from the same tumors as GS-lines using standard serum conditions.
Project description:We compared a large panel of human glioblastoma stem-like (GS) cell lines, corresponding primary tumors and conventional glioma cell lines to identify cell lines that preserve the transcriptome of human glioblastomas most closely, thereby allowing identification of shared therapeutic targets. We used Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0 microarrays to compare human glioblastoma stem-like (GS) cell lines, corresponding primary tumors and conventional glioma cell lines.
Project description:<p>We used massively parallel, paired-end sequencing of expressed transcripts (RNA-seq) to detect novel gene fusions in short-term cultures of glioma stem-like cells freshly isolated from nine patients carrying primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The culture of primary GBM tumors under serum-free conditions selects cells that retain phenotypes and genotypes closely mirroring primary tumor profiles as compared to serum-cultured glioma cell lines that have largely lost their developmental identities.</p>
Project description:Glioblastoma represents the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor type in adults. Stem cell regulatory pathways have been shown to be activated in gliomas supporting self-renewal, tumor maintenance and survival under stress. Glioblastoma stem-like phenotype, cell motility and tumor cell heterogeneity are considered significant hurdles to overcome for developing new treatment against these tumors. Transcription factor PROX1 has been associated with stem-like-phenotypes. Here, we overexpressed and suppressed PROX1 in glioma cell lines in order understand the gene expression regulated by this transcription factor.
Project description:The development of multitarget small molecules (MSMs) has emerged as a powerful strategy for the treatment of multifactorial diseases such as cancer. Glioblastoma is the most prevalent and malignant primary brain tumor in adults, which is characterized by poor prognosis and a high heterogeneity. Current standards of treatment present limited effectiveness, as patients develop therapy resistance and recur. In this work, we synthesized and characterized a novel multi-target molecule (named DDI199), which is a polyfunctionalized indole derivative developed by juxtaposing selected pharmacophoric moieties of the parent compounds Contilisant and Vorinostat (SAHA) to act as multifunctional ligands that inhibit histone deacetylases (HDACs), monoamine oxidases (MAOs) and cholinesterases (ChEs), and modulate histamine H3 (H3R) and 5-hydroxytryptamine 6 (5-HT6R) receptors. DDI199 exerts high cytotoxic activity in conventional glioblastoma cell lines and patient-derived glioma stem cells in vitro. Importantly, it significantly reduces tumor growth in vivo, both alone and in combination with temozolomide (TMZ). The comparison with SAHA showed higher target specificity and antitumor activity of the new molecule. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of patient-derived glioma stem cells revealed a deregulation in cell cycle and neurotransmission activity by the treatment with DDI199. In conclusion, our data reveal the efficacy of a novel MSM in glioblastoma pre-clinical setting.
Project description:Glioblastoma harbors frequent alterations in the retinoblastoma (RB1) pathway, providing a genetic rationale for therapeutic targeting with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors. The NOA-20 trial did not reveal a progression-free survival benefit of CDK4/6 inhibition plus radiation therapy in newly diagnosed, MGMT-unmethylated glioblastoma. In fact, a monotherapy with CDK4/6 inhibitors has not demonstrated efficacy in solid tumors. We aimed at discovering response modulators to CDK4/6 inhibition, paving the way for rational combination therapies. We conducted genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens in human glioma cell lines and stem-like cells (LN229, LN18, LNZ308, T98G, and GS-9) under CDK4/6 inhibition, employing knockout (Brunello library) and activation strategies (Calabrese library), followed by genetic and pharmacological validation of selected candidate genes in vitro and ex vivo (primary cultures) as well as the investigation of one functionally-instructed combination therapy in vivo. Loss of AMBRA1 and gain of function of CCNE1 reduced sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibition in glioma cells, whereas disruption of CHEK1 or FAM122A resulted in synthetic lethality in combination with CDK4/6 inhibition. AMBRA1-deficient glioma cells exhibited increased sensitivity to CHK1 inhibition, revealing a context-specific vulnerability. Combined inhibition of CHK1 and CDK4/6 led to synergistic anti-glioma activity in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo.
Project description:Glioblastomas are the most lethal tumors affecting the central nervous system in adults. Simple and inexpensive syngeneic in vivo models that closely mirror human glioblastoma, including interactions between tumor and immune cells, are urgently needed for deciphering glioma biology and developing more effective treatments. Here, we generated mouse glioblastoma cell lines by repeated in-vivo passaging of neural stem cells and tumor tissue of a neural stem cell-specific Pten/p53 double-knockout genetic mouse model. Transcriptome and genome analyses of the cell lines revealed molecular heterogeneity comparable to that observed in human glioblastoma. Upon orthotopic transplantation into syngeneic hosts they formed high-grade gliomas that faithfully recapitulated the histopathological characteristics, invasiveness and infiltration by myeloid cells characteristic of human glioblastoma. These features make our cell lines unique and useful tools to study multiple aspects of glioma pathomechanism and test immunotherapies in syngeneic preclinical models.
Project description:Glioblastomas are the most lethal tumors affecting the central nervous system in adults. Simple and inexpensive syngeneic in vivo models that closely mirror human glioblastoma, including interactions between tumor and immune cells, are urgently needed for deciphering glioma biology and developing more effective treatments. Here, we generated mouse glioblastoma cell lines by repeated in-vivo passaging of neural stem cells and tumor tissue of a neural stem cell-specific Pten/p53 double-knockout genetic mouse model. Transcriptome and genome analyses of the cell lines revealed molecular heterogeneity comparable to that observed in human glioblastoma. Upon orthotopic transplantation into syngeneic hosts they formed high-grade gliomas that faithfully recapitulated the histopathological characteristics, invasiveness and infiltration by myeloid cells characteristic of human glioblastoma. These features make our cell lines unique and useful tools to study multiple aspects of glioma pathomechanism and test immunotherapies in syngeneic preclinical models.
Project description:The DNA methylation profiles of Glioma Stem Cell (GSC) lines were investigated in order to find the stem cell signature associated to glioblastoma (GBM). This goal was achieved through the comparison of GSC methylation data with FFPE-GBM biopsies and human foetal Neural Stem Cell (NSC) lines profiles.
Project description:Recent studies demonstrated that tumor cells with stem cell-like properties can be cultured from human glioblastomas by using conditions that select for the expansion of neural stem cells. We established glioblastoma stem-like (GS-) cell cultures from 9 different glioblastomas, 8 of which generated stably expandable cell lines. Analyzing GS-cell cultures, we discovered two clearly discernable phenotypes. Microarray analysis showed that the 4 GSf cell lines shared expression profiles dominated by genes involved in nervous system development and neuropeptide signaling, while the 5 GSr lines shared expression signatures enriched for extracellular matrix-proteins. Keywords: Cell line comparison