Molecular analyses of glioblastoma stem-like cells and glioblastoma tissue

PLoS One. 2020 Jul 7;15(7):e0234986. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234986. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Glioblastoma is a common, malignant brain tumor whose disease incidence increases with age. Glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs) are thought to contribute to cancer therapy resistance and to be responsible for tumor initiation, maintenance, and recurrence. This study utilizes both SNP array and gene expression profiling to better understand GSCs and their relation to malignant disease. Peripheral blood and primary glioblastoma tumor tissue were obtained from patients, the latter of which was used to generate GSCs as well as a CD133pos./CD15pos. subpopulation. The stem cell features of GSCs were confirmed via the immunofluorescent expression of Nestin, SOX2, and CD133. Both tumor tissue and the isolated primary cells shared unique abnormal genomic characteristics, including a gain of chromosome 7 as well as either a partial or complete loss of chromosome 10. Individual genomic differences were also observed, including the loss of chromosome 4 and segmental uniparental disomy of 9p24.3→p21.3 in GSCs. Gene expression profiling revealed 418 genes upregulated in tumor tissue vs. CD133pos./CD15pos. cells and 44 genes upregulated in CD133pos./CD15pos. cells vs. tumor tissue. Pathway analyses demonstrated that upregulated genes in CD133pos./CD15pos. cells are relevant to cell cycle processes and cancerogenesis. In summary, we detected previously undescribed genomic and gene expression differences when comparing tumor tissue and isolated stem-like subpopulations.

MeSH terms

  • AC133 Antigen / analysis
  • Cell Separation / methods
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Glioblastoma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lewis X Antigen / analysis
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Specimen Handling
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • AC133 Antigen
  • Lewis X Antigen

Grants and funding

LIFE (Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases) provided support in the form of a salary for HK. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section. No additional external funding received for this study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.