High-grade glioma-initiating cells derived from normal astrocytes
The transformed astrocytes are obtained from normal mouse astrocytes undergoing gamma irradiation after TGF-alpha treatment. In this in vitro model, transformation causes major losses of astrocyte-specific proteins and functions and the acquisition of metabolic adaptations that favor intermediate metabolites production for increased macromolecule biosynthesis. The cells display all canonical features of cancerous transformation, immortalization, uncontrolled growth, cytogenetic […]
SPARCL1 – a new marker
Researchers at GIGA aim at identifying new protein markers of human glioma progression. For this purpose, they used glial tumors generated orthotopically with T98G and U373 human glioma cells in nude mice. This setup allowed also to discriminate the protein origin, namely, human (tumor) or mouse (host). Extracellular and membrane proteins were selectively purified using […]
COL6A1 – A new potential target
Researchers at GIGA have identified and characterized novel and accessible proteins using an innovative proteomic approach on six human glioblastomas. The corresponding data have been deposited in the PRIDE database identifier PXD001398. Among several clusters of uniquely expressed proteins, they have highlighted collagen-VI-alpha-1 (COL6A1) as a highly expressed tumor biomarker with low levels in most […]
CX30 – a new potential target
Researchers at GIGA and CHU analyzed the tumor suppressive effects of Cx30 in malignant astrocytic gliomas. They demonstrated the growth inhibitory potential in these tumors and dissected the involved signaling cascades. In addition, however, Cx30 protected human gliomas against radiation-induced DNA damage via a heat shock protein (HSP 90–dependent) translocation into the mitochondria favoring ATP production, […]
HDAC7 – a new potential target
To date, the mutational status of EGFR and PTEN has been shown as relevant for favoring pro- or anti-tumor functions of STAT3 in human glioblastoma multiform (GBM). Researchers at GIGA and CHU have screened genomic data from 154 patients and have identified a strong positive correlation between STAT3 and HDAC7 expression. In addition they have […]
Osteopontin – a New potential target
Researchers at GIGA have demonstrated the role of osteopontin in the tumorigenicity of glioblastoma cells and its importance in the maintenance of the stem characters. Their recent studies focused on the potential role of osteopontin in the resistance of glioblastoma cells to radiotherapy and its implication in the initiation of Double Strand Breaks repair mechanism. […]
Orthotopic xenograft mouse model
Orthotopic xenografts of human glioblastoma cells (e.g. by the intracranial transplantation into nude or NOD-SCID mice) provide new in vivo models for the evaluation of tumorigenicity, cancer cell migration, identification of tumor initiating cells and in vivo analyses of therapeutic efficacy of drugs on primary human tumors. Contact [info@b2h.be] us to discuss how these capabilities can forward your projects! […]
Tumor model on CAM
In this model, glioblastoma cells are implanted on chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) at day 11 after fertilization. This implantation results in tumor growth showing an histology similar to glioblastoma multiform in patients, with diffuse pleiomorphic infiltrate of fibrillar and stellate cells, neoangiogenesis, edema, and areas of necrosis. The growth of tumors on CAM provides a […]
CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling
Patients with glioblastoma multiform (GBM) have an overall median survival of 15 months. This catastrophic survival rate is the consequence of systematic relapses that could arise from remaining glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) left behind after surgery. Researchers at GIGA demonstrated that GSCs are able to escape the tumor mass and specifically colonize the adult subventricular […]
Novel pharmaceutical formulations
Researchers at ULg have a broad expertise in the development of novel pharmaceutical formulations to improve the solubility and the bioavailability of compounds and to facilitate drug delivery to brain cells. To test these new formulations, they have also developed a cellular blood brain barrier model using immortalized human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells. For more […]