Humans ; Child ; Glioma/pathology* ; Brain Neoplasms/pathology* ; Central Nervous System/pathology* ; World Health Organization ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology* ; Mutation

Glioma is the most common and lethal intrinsic primary tumor of the brain. Its controversial origins may contribute to its heterogeneity, creating challenges and difficulties in the development of therapies. Among the components constituting tumors, glioma stem cells are highly plastic subpopulations that are thought to be the site of tumor initiation. Neural stem cells/progenitor cells and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells are possible lineage groups populating the bulk of the tumor, in which gene mutations related to cell-cycle or metabolic enzymes dramatically affect this transformation. Novel approaches have revealed the tumor-promoting properties of distinct tumor cell states, glial, neural, and immune cell populations in the tumor microenvironment. Communication between tumor cells and other normal cells manipulate tumor progression and influence sensitivity to therapy. Here, we discuss the heterogeneity and relevant functions of tumor cell state, microglia, monocyte-derived macrophages, and neurons in glioma, highlighting their bilateral effects on tumors. Finally, we describe potential therapeutic approaches and targets beyond standard treatments.
Humans ; Glioma/metabolism* ; Neuroglia/metabolism* ; Carcinogenesis/pathology* ; Neural Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Brain Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Tumor Microenvironment

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether miRNA-128-3p regulates malignant biological behavior of glioma cells by targeting KLHDC8A. METHODS: Dual-luciferase reporter assays, qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to verify the targeting of miRNA-128-3p to KLHDC8A. Edu assay, flow cytometry, Transwell assay and would healing assay were used to determine the effects of changes in miRNA-128-3p and KLHDC8A expression levels on malignant behavior of glioma cells. Rescue experiment was carried out to verify that miRNA-128-3p regulated glioma cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration by targeting KLHDC8A. RESULTS: The expression level of KLHDC8A was significantly increased in high-grade glioma tissue and was closely related to a poor survival outcome of the patients. Overexpression of KLHDC8A promoted glioma cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and miRNA-128-3p overexpression inhibited proliferative and metastatic capacities of glioma cells. Mechanistically, KLHDC8A expression was directly modulated by miRNA-128-3p, which, by targeting KLHDC8A, inhibited malignant behavior of glioma cells. CONCLUSION Upregulation of miRNA-128-3p inhibits uncontrolled growth of glioma cells by negatively regulating KLHDC8A expression and its downstream effectors, suggesting that the miRNA-128-3p-KLHDC8A axis may serve as a potential prognostic indicator and a therapeutic target for developing new strategies for glioma treatment.
Humans ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glioma/pathology* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Up-Regulation

Detailed characterizations of genomic alterations have not identified subtype-specific vulnerabilities in adult gliomas. Mapping gliomas into developmental programs may uncover new vulnerabilities that are not strictly related to genomic alterations. After identifying conserved gene modules co-expressed with EGFR or PDGFRA (EM or PM), we recently proposed an EM/PM classification scheme for adult gliomas in a histological subtype- and grade-independent manner. By using cohorts of bulk samples, paired primary and recurrent samples, multi-region samples from the same glioma, single-cell RNA-seq samples, and clinical samples, we here demonstrate the temporal and spatial stability of the EM and PM subtypes. The EM and PM subtypes, which progress in a subtype-specific mode, are robustly maintained in paired longitudinal samples. Elevated activities of cell proliferation, genomic instability and microenvironment, rather than subtype switching, mark recurrent gliomas. Within individual gliomas, the EM/PM subtype was preserved across regions and single cells. Malignant cells in the EM and PM gliomas were correlated to neural stem cell and oligodendrocyte progenitor cell compartment, respectively. Thus, while genetic makeup may change during progression and/or within different tumor areas, adult gliomas evolve within a neurodevelopmental framework of the EM and PM molecular subtypes. The dysregulated developmental pathways embedded in these molecular subtypes may contain subtype-specific vulnerabilities.
Humans ; Brain Neoplasms/pathology* ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/metabolism* ; Glioma/pathology* ; Neural Stem Cells/pathology* ; Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells/pathology* ; Tumor Microenvironment

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, pathological diagnosis and prognosis of diffuse midline glioma (DMG) with H3K27 alteration in adults. Methods: Twenty cases of H3K27-altered adult DMG diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled from 2017 to 2022. All cases were evaluated by clinical and imaging presentations, HE, immunohistochemical staining and molecular genetics; and the relevant literature was reviewed. Results: The ratio of male to female was 1∶1, and the median age was 53 years (range from 25 to 74 years); the tumors were located in the brainstem (3/20, 15%) and non-brainstem (17/20, 85%; three in thoracolumbar spinal cord and one in pineal region). The clinical manifestations were non-specific, mostly dizziness, headache, blurred vision, memory loss, low back pain, limb sensation and/or movement disorders, etc. Microscopically, the tumors showed infiltrative growth, with WHO grade 2 (3 cases), grade 3 (12 cases), and grade 4 (5 cases). The tumors showed astrocytoma-like and oligdendroglioma-like, pilocytic astrocytoma-like and epithelioid-like patterns. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for GFAP, Olig2 and H3K27M, and H3K27me3 expression was variably lost. ATRX expression was lost in four cases, p53 was strongly positive in 11 cases. Ki-67 index was about 5%-70%. Molecular genetics showed p. k27m mutation in exon 1 of H3F3A gene in 20 cases; BRAF mutation in two cases: V600E and L597Q mutation in one case each. Follow up intervals ranged from 1 to 58 months, and the survival time for brainstem (6.0 months) and non-brainstem (30.4 months) tumors was significantly different (P<0.05). Conclusions: DMG with H3K27 alteration is uncommonly found in adults, mostly occurs in non-brainstem, and can present in adults of all ages. Owing to the wide histomorphologic features, mainly astrocytic differentiation, routine detection of H3K27me3 in midline glioma is recommended. Molecular testing should be performed on any suspected cases to avoid missed diagnosis. Concomitant BRAF L597Q mutation and PPM1D mutation are novel findings. The overall prognosis of this tumor is poor, with tumors located in the brainstem showing worse outcome.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Histones/genetics* ; Brain Neoplasms/pathology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/metabolism* ; Glioma/pathology* ; Astrocytoma/pathology* ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of lactic acid-induced upregulation of PLEKHA4 expression on biological behaviors of glioma cells and the possible molecular mechanism. METHODS: GEO database and GEPIA2 website were used to analyze the relationship between PLEKHA4 expression level and the pathological grade of glioma. A specific PLEKHA4 siRNA was transfected in glioma U251 and T98G cells, and the changes in cell proliferation ability were assessed by real-time cell analysis technology and Edu experiment. The colony-forming ability of the cells was evaluated using plate cloning assay, and cell cycle changes and cell apoptosis were analyzed with flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of PLEKHA4 was detected by PCR in glioma samples and controls and in glioma cells treated with lactic acid and glucose. Xenograft mice in vivo was used to detect tumor formation in nude mice; Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of cyclinD1, CDK2, Bcl2, β-catenin and phosphorylation of the key proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway. RESULTS: The results of GEO database and online website analysis showed that PLEKHA4 was highly expressed in glioma tissues and was associated with poor prognosis; PLEKHA4 knockdown obviously inhibited the proliferation and attenuated the clone-forming ability of the glioma cells (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry showed that PLEKHA4 knockdown caused cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and promoted apoptosis of the cells (P < 0.01). PLEKHA4 gene mRNA expression was increased in glioma samples and glioma cells after lactate and glucose treatment (P < 0.01). PLEKHA4 knockdown, tumor formation ability of nude mice decreased; PLEKHA4 knockdown obviously lowered the expression of cyclinD1, CDK2, Bcl2 and other functional proteins, inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and p38 and reduced the expression of β-catenin protein (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION PLEKHA4 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells and promoted apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway and expression of β-catenin. Lactic acid produced by glycolysis upregulates the expression of PLEKHA4 in glioma cells.
Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Up-Regulation ; beta Catenin/metabolism* ; Mice, Nude ; Brain Neoplasms/pathology* ; Lactic Acid ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Glioma/pathology* ; Cell Proliferation ; Apoptosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of atorvastatin (AVT) on biological behaviors and the miR-146a/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in human glioma cells. METHODS: Human glioma U251 cells were treated with 8.0 μmol/L AVT or transfected with a miR-146a inhibitor or a negative control fragment (miR-146a NC) prior to AVT treatment. RT-PCR was used to detect miR-146a expression in the cells, and the changes in cell proliferation rate, apoptosis, cell invasion and migration were detected using MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay. Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in cellular expressions of proteins in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. RESULTS: AVT treatment for 48 h resulted in significantly increased miR-146a expression and cell apoptosis (P < 0.01) and obviously lowered the cell proliferation rate, invasion index, migration index, and expressions of p-PI3K and p-Akt protein in U251 cells (P < 0.01). Compared with AVT treatment alone, transfection with miR-146a inhibitor prior to AVT treatment significantly reduced miR-146a expression and cell apoptosis (P < 0.01), increased the cell proliferation rate, promoted cell invasion and migration, and enhanced the expressions of p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins in the cells (P < 0.01); these effects were not observed following transfection with miR-146a NC group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION AVT can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration and promote apoptosis of human glioma cells possibly by up-regulating miR-146a expression and inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
Apoptosis ; Atorvastatin/pharmacology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Glioma/pathology* ; Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction

Objective: To study the effects of Homeobox C10 (HOXC10) on biological characteristics such as migration, invasion and proliferation of glioma cancer cells and to explore the role of HOXC10 gene in glioma microenvironment. Methods: The expression level of HOXC10 in high grade glioma (glioblastoma) and low grade glioma and its effect on patient survival were analyzed by using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) database. Hoxc10-siRNA-1, HOXC10-siRNA-2 and siRNA negative control (NC) were transfected into U251 cells according to the operation instructions of HOXC10-siRNA transfection. 100 ng/ mL recombinant protein chemokine ligand 2 (reCCL2) was added into the transfection group, and was labeled as HOXC10-siRNA-1+ reCCL2 and HOXC10-siRNA-2+ reCCL2 groups. The expressions of HOXC10 mRNA and target protein in each group was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The proliferation ability of cells in each group was detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) method. The migration ability of cells was detected by Transwell assay and Nick assay, and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of chemokines in each group was detected by multiple factors. Co-incubation assays were performed to determine the role of HOXC10 and chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in recruiting and polarizing tumor-associated macrophages (M2-type macrophages). Results: The median expression level of HOXC10 in high grade gliomas was 8.51, higher than 1.00 in low grade gliomas (P<0.001) in TCGA database. The median expression level of HOXC10 in high grade gliomas was 0.83, higher than 0.00 in low grade gliomas (P=0.002) in CGGA database. The 5-year survival rate of patients with high HOXC10 expression in TCGA database was 28.2%, lower than 78.7% of those with low HOXC10 expression (P<0.001), and the 5-year survival rate of patients with high HOXC10 expression in CGGA database was 20.3%, lower than 58.0% of those with low HOXC10 expression (P<0.001). The numbers of cell migration in HOXC10-siRNA-1 group and HOXC10-siRNA-2 group were (45±3) and (69±4) respectively, lower than (159±3) in NC group (P<0.05). The cell mobility of HOXC10-siRNA-1 group and HOXC10-siRNA-2 group at 48 hours were (15±2)% and (28±4)% respectively, lower than (80±5)% of NC group (P<0.05). The expressions of vimentin in HOXC10-siRNA-1 group and HOXC10-siRNA-2 group were (141 740.00±34 024.56) and (94 655.00±5 687.97), N-cadherin were (76 810.00±14.14) and (94 254.00±701.45), β-catenin were (75 786.50±789.84) and (107 296.50±9 614.53), lower than (233 768.50±34 114.37), (237 154.50±24 715.50) and (192 449.50±24 178.10) of NC group (P<0.05). The A value of HOXC10-siRNA-1 group and HOXC10-siRNA-2 group were (0.44±0.05) and (0.32±0.02) at 96 hours, lower than 0.92±0.12 of NC group (P<0.05). The apoptosis rates of HOXC10-siRNA-1 group and HOXC10 siRNA-2 group were (10.23±1.24)% and (13.81±2.16)%, higher than (4.60±0.07)% of NC group (P<0.05). The expression levels of CCL2 in U251 cells in HOXC10-siRNA-1 and HOXC10-siRNA-2 groups were (271.63±44.27) and (371.66±50.21), lower than (933.93±29.84) in NC group (P<0.05). The expression levels of CCL5 (234.81±5.95 and 232.62±5.72), CXCL10 (544.13±48.14 and 500.87±15.65) and CXCL11 (215.75±15.30 and 176.18±16.49) in HOXC10-siRNA-1 and HOXC10-siRNA-2 groups were higher than those in NC group (9.98±0.71, 470.54±18.84 and 13.55±0.73, respectively, P<0.05). The recruited numbers of CD14(+) THP1 in HOXC10-siRNA-1 and HOXC10-siRNA-2 groups were (159.33±1.15) and (170.67±1.15), respectively, lower than (360.00±7.81) in NC group (P<0.05), while addition of reCCL2 promoted the recruitment of CD14(+) THP1 cells (287.00±3.61 and 280.67±2.31 in HOXC10-siRNA-1+ reCCL2 group and HOXC10-siRNA-2+ reCCL2 group, respectively, P<0.05). The expressions level of M2-type macrophage-related gene TGF-β in HOXC10-siRNA-1 group and HOXC10-siRNA-2 group were (0.30±0.02) and (0.28±0.02), respectively, lower than (1.06±0.10) in NC group (P<0.05). The expressions level of M1-related gene NOS2 in HOXC10-siRNA-1 and HOXC10-siRNA-2 were (11 413.95±1 911.85) and (5 894.00±945.21), respectively, higher than (13.39±4.32) in NC group (P<0.05). Conclusions: The expression of HOXC10 in glioma is high and positively correlated with the poor prognosis of glioma patients. Knockdown of HOXC10 can inhibit the proliferation, migration and metastasis of human glioma U251 cells. HOXC10 may play an immunosuppressive role in glioma microenvironment by promoting the expression of CCL2 and recruiting and polarizing tumor-associated macrophages (M2 macrophages).
Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Homeobox ; Glioma/pathology* ; Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism* ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness/genetics* ; Tumor Microenvironment

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and treatment strategies of pituicytoma. Methods: Twenty-one cases of pituicytoma were collected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, China from 2009 to 2020. The clinical data of 21 pituicytoma patients was retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed. Results: Twenty-one patients aged 4 to 68 years, including 8 males and 13 females. All patients underwent surgical treatment. Histologically, the tumor was consisted almost entirely of elongate, bipolar spindle cells arranged in a fascicular or storiform pattern. Mitotic figures were rare. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were diffusely positive for S-100 protein (21/21), vimentin (15/15) and TTF1 (14/14), while they were weakly or focally positive for GFAP (13/16) and EMA (6/12). CKpan was negative in all cases and Ki-67 proliferation index was low (<5%). Among the 18 patients with follow-up, all survived and 2 relapsed after surgery. Conclusions: Pituicytoma is a rare low-grade glioma of the sellar area. It is easily confused with other sellar tumors. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult. It needs to be confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Microsurgery is the main treatment method at present.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Craniopharyngioma ; Female ; Glioma/pathology* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Neoplasms/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of pediatric diffuse midline glioma with H3K27 alteration and to analyze their relationship with prognosis. Methods: Forty-one cases of childhood diffuse midline glioma with H3K27 alteration were collected at Children's Hospital of Fudan University (39 cases) and Xi'an Children's Hospital (2 cases), from July 2016 to July 2020. The clinical manifestations, imaging data, histopathology, immunohistochemical phenotype and molecular genetics features, tumor size, site and histological grading were evaluated. Results: Among the 41 cases, 21 were males and 20 females, the age of onset was 3-14 years, the average and median age was 7.6 years and 7.0 years, respectively. The tumor sites were brain stem (n=36) and other locations (n=5). The clinical manifestations were dizziness, gait disturbance, and limb weakness, etc. The MRI features were variable. The histology varied from low-grade to high-grade glioma with neuron differentiation. Immunohistochemistry showed that the tumor cells expressed H3K27M, GFAP, and Olig2. Genetic study showed that 76% (16/21) of tumors had H3F3A gene mutation, mostly accompanied by TP53 (62%, 13/21) missense mutation; five tumors (24%, 5/21) had HIST1H3B gene mutation, accompanied by missense mutations in ACVR1 and PI3K pathway-related gene PIK3CA (4/5) and PIK3R1 (1/5) mutations. The prognosis was dismal with only one alive and others died. The average and median overall survival time was 7 months and 4 months, respectively. Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that age, tumor location, radiologically maximum tumor diameter, histologic grading, and surgical methods were not significantly associated with overall survival rate (P>0.05). Conclusions: Pediatric diffuse midline gliomas with H3K27 alteration have unique clinicopathological and genetic characteristics. The prognosis is poor. The tumor location and histopathologic grading are not related to prognosis. New specific drugs and comprehensive treatment are needed to improve the prognosis.
Adolescent ; Brain Neoplasms/genetics* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Glioma/pathology* ; Histones/genetics* ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Prognosis