Project description:The goal of the study was to find the effect of neural stimulation via DREADDs in a distal site from tumor, then comparing these results to Semaphorin-4F gain of function tumors. Saline treated tumors were used as a control
Project description:The study investigates the role of NF1 mutation and neuronal activity on the initiation of optic pathway glioma, a type of low-grade glioma. the RNAseq dataset investigates mRNA expression profile of human pilocytic astrocytomas (WHO grade I)
Project description:The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an essential role in malignancy and neurons have emerged as a key component of the TME that promotes tumorigenesis across a host of cancers. Recent studies on glioblastoma (GBM) highlight bi-directional signaling between tumors and neurons that propagates a vicious cycle of proliferation, synaptic integration, and brain hyperactivity; however, the identity of neuronal subtypes and tumor subpopulations driving this phenomenon are incompletely understood. Here we show that callosal projection neurons located in the hemisphere contralateral to primary GBM tumors promote progression and widespread infiltration. Using this platform to examine GBM infiltration, we identified an activity dependent infiltrating population present at the leading edge of mouse and human tumors that is enriched for axon guidance genes. High-throughput, in vivo screening of these genes identified Sema4F as a key regulator of tumorigenesis and activity-dependent infiltration. Furthermore, Sema4F promotes the activity-dependent infiltrating population and propagates bi-directional signaling with neurons by remodeling tumor adjacent synapses towards brain network hyperactivity. Collectively, our studies demonstrate that subsets of neurons in locations remote to primary GBM promote malignant progression, while revealing new mechanisms of tumor infiltration that are regulated by neuronal activity.
Project description:<p><strong>INTRODUCTION:</strong> Neuronal activity regulated by synaptic communication exerts an important role in tumorigenesis and progression in brain tumors. Genes for soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) annotated with the function ‘vesicle’ about synaptic connectivity were identified and one of these proteins, synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP25), was found to have discrepant expression levels in neuropathies. However, the specific mechanism and prognostic value of SNAP25 during glioma progression remain unclear. </p><p><strong>METHODS:</strong> Using RNA sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, the differential synaptosis-related genes between LGG and GBM were identified as highly correlated. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and survival analysis indicated that the candidate gene SNAP25 could differentiate the outcome of low- and high-risk patients, and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) cohort was used for validation of the data set. RT-qPCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry assays were performed to examine the expression level of SNAP25 in glioma cells and samples. Functional assays were performed to identify the effects of SNAP25 knockdown and overexpression on cell viability, migration, and invasion. Then, an immunofluorescence assay of the xenograft tissue was applied to evaluate the expression of the neuronal dendron formation marker-MAP2. Liquid chromatography-high re solution mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics approach was presented for identifying crucial metabolic disturbances in glioma cells. In situ mouse xenograft model was used to investigate the role of SNAP25 in vivo.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> SNAP25 was down expressed in glioma tissues and cell lines and low-level SNAP25 indicated an unfavorable prognosis of glioma patients. SNAP25 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and fostered glutamate metabolism of glioma cells, exerting a tumor suppressor role. SNAP25 overexpression expressed lower expression of MAP2, indicating poor neuronal plasticity and connectivity. SNAP25 could interact with glutaminase(GLS)and GLS knockdown could rescue the anti-tumor effect of SNAP25 in glioma cells. Moreover, upregulation of SNAP25 also decreased tumor volume and prolonged the overall survival (OS) of the xenograft mouse.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> SNAP25 inhibited carcinogenesis of glioma via sponging glutamate metabolism by regulating GLS expression, as well as inhibiting dendritic formation, which could be considered as a molecular target for glioma diagnosis and therapy.</p>
Project description:Gliomas are among the most invasive and chemo-resistant cancers, making them challenging to treat. Chronic inflammation is one of the key drivers of glioma progression as it promotes the aberrant activation of inflammatory pathways such as NF-κB signalling which drives cancer cell invasion, angiogenesis and tissue remodelling. NF-κB factors typically dimerize with its own family members, but emerging evidence of their promiscuous interactions with other oncogenic factors have been reported to activate the transcription of new target genes and function. Here, we show that non-canonical NF-κB activation directly regulates p52 at the ETS1 promoter to activate its expression. This in turn impacts the genomic and transcriptional landscape of ETS1 in a glioma-specific manner. We further show that enhanced non-canonical NF-κB signalling promotes the co-localization of p52 and ETS1, resulting in the transcriptional activation of non-κB and/or non-ETS glioma-promoting genes. We conclude that p52-induced ETS1 overexpression in glioma cells remodels the genome-wide regulatory network of p52 and ETS1 to transcriptionally drive cancer progression