USP18 regulates the malignant phenotypes of glioblastoma stem cells

Pathol Res Pract. 2023 Jul:247:154572. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154572. Epub 2023 May 25.

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant primary brain tumor. The 5-year survival rate of the patients is poor, and they are prone to relapse and the treatment is limited. Therefore, the search for biological targets is one of the key measures for the treatment and prognosis of GBM. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 18 (USP18) plays a regulatory role in tumorigenesis. In this study, we found that USP18 was up-regulated in GBM, promoted the growth and proliferation of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), affected the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and was associated with poor clinical prognosis of patients. Finally, our findings reveal a critical role for USP18 in GBM malignancy, targeting USP18 may open new avenues for GBM treatment.

Keywords: GSCs; Glioblastoma; Malignant phenotypes; Prognosis; USP18.

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Glioblastoma* / genetics
  • Glioblastoma* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Phenotype
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / genetics

Substances

  • USP18 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase