Author(s):
Matias, Diana ; Balça-Silva, Joana ; da Graça, Grazielle C. ; Wanjiru, Caroline M. ; Macharia, Lucy W. ; Nascimento, Carla Pires ; Roque, Natalia R. ; Coelho-Aguiar, Juliana M. ; Pereira, Cláudia M. ; Dos Santos, Marcos F. ; Pessoa, Luciana S. ; Lima, Flavia R. S. ; Schanaider, Alberto ; Ferrer, Valéria P. ; Moura-Neto, Vivaldo
Date: 2018
Persistent ID: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/107602
Origin: Estudo Geral - Universidade de Coimbra
Subject(s): glioblastoma; astrocytes; microglia; crosstalk; cytokines; molecular mechanisms; microenvironmental factors; communication mechanisms
Description
In recent years, the functions of glial cells, namely, astrocytes and microglia, have gained prominence in several diseases of the central nervous system, especially in glioblastoma (GB), the most malignant primary brain tumor that leads to poor clinical outcomes. Studies showed that microglial cells or astrocytes play a critical role in promoting GB growth. Based on the recent findings, the complex network of the interaction between microglial/astrocytes cells and GB may constitute a potential therapeutic target to overcome tumor malignancy. In the present review, we summarize the most important mechanisms and functions of the molecular factors involved in the microglia or astrocytes-GB interactions, which is particularly the alterations that occur in the cell's extracellular matrix and the cytoskeleton. We overview the cytokines, chemokines, neurotrophic, morphogenic, metabolic factors, and non-coding RNAs actions crucial to these interactions. We have also discussed the most recent studies regarding the mechanisms of transportation and communication between microglial/astrocytes - GB cells, namely through the ABC transporters or by extracellular vesicles. Lastly, we highlight the therapeutic challenges and improvements regarding the crosstalk between these glial cells and GB.
This study was supported by the Brazilian Agencies Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), and Pró-Saúde Associação Beneficente de Assistência Social e Hospitalar and Cancer Foundation.
