The Tropism of Pleiotrophin: Orchestrating Glioma Brain Invasion

Cell. 2017 Aug 24;170(5):821-822. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.08.011.

Abstract

The lateral ventricle (LV) is a preferential location for brain tumor spread; however, the instructive cues responsible for this unique tropism were previously unknown. In this issue, Qin et al. elucidate the underlying mechanism, demonstrating that LV-neural progenitors secrete a pleiotrophin (PTN)-containing complex, which attracts glioma cells through ROCK/Rho activation.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Brain
  • Brain Neoplasms
  • Carrier Proteins*
  • Cytokines
  • Glioma*
  • Humans
  • Tropism

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cytokines