Mouse Glioma Cells Research Articles

Microglia-Derived Olfactomedin-like 3 Promotes Pro-Tumorigenic Microglial Function and Malignant Features of Glioma Cells.

Under the influence of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ), glioma-associated microglia produce molecules that promote glioma growth and invasion. Olfactomedin-like 3 (Olfml3), a novel, secreted glycoprotein, is known to promote several non-CNS cancers. While it is a direct TGFβ1 target gene in microglia, the role of microglia-derived OLFML3 in glioma progression is unknown. Here, we tested the hypotheses that microglial Olfml3 is integral to the pro-tumorigenic glioma-associated microglia phenotype and promotes glioma cell malignancy. Using an Olfml3 knockout microglial cell line (N9), we demonstrated that Olfml3 is a direct target gene of all TGFβ isoforms in murine microglia. Moreover, loss of Olfml3 attenuated TGFβ-induced restraint on microglial immune function and production of cytokines that are critical in promoting glioma cell malignancy. Importantly, microglia-derived OLFML3 directly contributes to glioma cell malignancy through increased migration and invasion. While exposure to conditioned medium (CM) from isogenic control microglia pre-treated with TGFβ increased mouse glioma cell (GL261) migration and invasion, this effect was abolished with exposure to CM from TGFβ-treated Olfml3-/- microglia. Taken together, our data suggest that Olfml3 may serve as a gatekeeper for TGFβ-induced microglial gene expression, thereby promoting the pro-tumorigenic microglia phenotype and glioma cell malignancy.

EXTH-36. ELECTROCONVULSIVE SEIZURE-INDUCED CHANGES IN THE TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT PROMOTE SURVIVAL IN GLIOMA-BEARING MICE

Abstract PURPOSE Growing evidence indicates that the neurotransmitters dysregulated in psychiatric disorders are similarly dysregulated in glioblastoma (GBM) biology. GBM cells are dependent on bountiful neuronal glutamate, utilize elevated dopamine receptor expression to augment progression, and catabolize serotonin to drive proliferation and inhibit anti-tumor immunity. The clinical induction of seizure, known as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), has been used by psychiatrists since the 1930s to correct these dysregulations and can additionally improve medication blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetrance. We hypothesized that seizure-induced changes in the glioma microenvironment occur with ECT, slowing tumor progression, increasing BBB permeability, and prolonging overall survival in glioma-bearing mice. METHODS C57BL6 mice were orthotopically injected with CT-2A-Luc mouse glioma cells. Mice were randomized to receive ECT via ear-clip electrodes or sham treatment daily up to five times per week. Intracranial progression was monitored via bioluminescent signal from CT-2A-Luc xenografts. BBB permeability was assessed by subjecting mice to ECT or sham treatment immediately following intravenous injection of sodium fluorescein. RESULTS Intracranial progression was maximally reduced in ECT-treated mice relative to sham-treated mice after 17 ECT treatments (ECT radiance 2.6 x 109 photons/second versus sham 4.7 x 109 photons/second, p=0.013), which was further confirmed by both decreased tumor weight and tumor size on histologic evaluation. This translated into an improvement in overall survival from median 29 days in sham-treated mice to 38 days in ECT-treated mice (p=0.0018). Mean seizure duration was 41.8 seconds and positively correlated with overall survival (Pearson coefficient r=0.63, p=0.028). Brain parenchymal uptake of sodium fluorescein was significantly higher in ECT-treated mice (mean relative increase in ECS to sham radiance of 1.47, p< 0.05). CONCLUSION Repeated ECT slows tumor progression and prolongs overall survival in C57BL6 mice bearing CT-2A-Luc xenografts. The BBB is compromised immediately following ECT. ECT merits further oncologic investigation as a potential therapeutic in GBM.

EXTH-77. POLIO VIROTHERAPY OF MURINE BRAIN TUMORS INDUCES MICROGLIA PROLIFERATION AND INFLAMMATION THAT IS POTENTIATED BY IMMUNE CHECKPOINT BLOCKADE

Abstract Immunotherapy with polio:rhinovirus recombinant (PVSRIPO) has shown evidence of efficacy in a phase I clinical trial for recurrent GBM, resulting in durable radiographic responses and 21% long-term survival at 36 months. Ongoing research aims to enhance the clinical response rate by resolving the mechanisms of action and therapy resistance in vivo, thereby devising more effective therapies. Mouse glioma (CT2A) cells were intracranially implanted (day 0) in transgenic mice carrying poliovirus receptor CD155, and treated with intratumor PVSRIPO (5×105 pfu; day 6) to dissect early and late events following therapy. A blinded pathological review of 45 post-treatment tumors was performed. On day 8, a histological response, featured by tumor dissociation and shrinkage, with inflammation and microglia enrichment in the treated hemisphere, was common in PVSRIPO group (6/7) compared to controls (0/4). However, the response rate fell over time (7/12 on day 12; 1/7 on day 15) and the therapy was overcome by aggressive tumor regrowth. RNAseq was performed and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis of the tumor microenvironment revealed an acute type-I interferon (IFN)-related inflammation, correlating with the histological findings of profound proinflammatory engagement of microglia (Iba1+) widespread in the treated hemisphere. Microglia proliferation (Ki67+) was observed in the treated hemisphere, likely resulting from PVSRIPO infection, in CT2A and B16 intracranial models. This suggests an association of adaptive antitumor immunity—elicited by immediate intratumor type-I IFN-dominant inflammation—with tumor regression. Thus, buttressing type-I IFN directed antitumor CD8+T cell immunity, e.g. with blockade of the PD1:PD-L1 immune checkpoint, might contribute to tumor remission. Indeed, combination therapy with αPD-L1 antibody in the CT2A model showed longer median survival and higher long-term remission rate compared to monotherapy alone; CD8 T cell depletion can completely abrogate this efficacy with this therapy combination, confirming the role of anti-tumor immunity in this approach.

TAMI-50. PATHWAYS ACTIVATION IN GL261 MICE GLIOMA CELLS BY HIV-1 GLYCOPROTEIN GP120

Abstract Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are more prone to developing cancers, including glioblastomas (GBMs). The median survival for GBM patients with HIV is significantly shorter than for HIV-negative GBM patients, even though they receive the same treatments. This difference indicates that HIV infection is associated with more aggressive tumor behavior and with treatment resistance. Earlier we demonstrated that gp120, a main glycoprotein in the HIV shell, stimulates glycolysis and protein synthesis in glioma cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the underlying gp120 dependent signaling mechanism in glioma cell. Mouse glioma cells GL-261 were continuously cultured for 7 days in medium with and without soluble gp120 Bal III (100ng/ml) and collected for Western blot and Cell cycle assays. Western blot analysis presented an increase in phosphorylation of Proline-rich tyrosine kinase (Pyk2(Y402)), p38(YT100/Y182) and p70s6(T421/S424), the key proteins of the Pyk2 pathway, along with the increased levels of Akt(S473) and Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3b (GSK3b (S9)) phosphorylation. Flow cytometry analysis of Cell Cycle revealed an increase of G2/M phase in cells cultured in gp120 Bal III when compared to control cells. Furthermore, GL-261 cells with knock-out of Pyk2 via CRISPR Cas 9 gene editing showed no significant change in cell cycle regulation when cultured with gp120 Bal III.Overall, these results demonstrate that gp120 triggers activation of Pyk2/MAPK and Akt/GSK3b pathways and alter cell cycle regulation in GBM. This research was made possible by NIH grant number 1SC1GM122691.

Characterizing Seizure-Induced Changes in the Glioma Microenvironment

Growing evidence indicates that the neurotransmitters dysregulated in psychiatric disorders are similarly dysregulated in glioblastoma (GBM) biology. Patients with psychiatric disorders are classically thought of having excessive glutamate (major depression, bipolar depression), excessive dopamine (mania, psychosis), and/or insufficient serotonin (major depression, anxiety). Analogously, GBM cells are dependent on bountiful neuronal glutamate, utilize elevated dopamine receptor expression to activate the hypoxic response and augment progression, and catabolize serotonin to drive proliferation. The clinical induction of seizure, known as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), has been used by psychiatrists since the 1930s to treat severe cases of depression, mania, psychosis, and catatonia. ECT has been shown to decrease extracellular glutamate and glutamate receptor expression in vivo and increase blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. ECT, then, may have previously unexplored oncologic value. We hypothesized that seizure-induced changes in the glioma microenvironment occur with ECT, increasing permeability of the BBB, slowing tumor progression, and prolonging overall survival in glioma-bearing mice.C57BL6 mice were orthotopically injected with CT-2A-Luc mouse glioma cells. Mice were randomized to receive ECT via ear-clip electrodes or sham treatment daily up to five times per week until survival endpoints were reached. Seizure duration and rates of tonic hindlimb extension were recorded. Intracranial progression was monitored via bioluminescent signal from CT-2A-Luc xenografts. BBB permeability was assessed by subjecting mice to ECT or sham treatment immediately following tail vein injection of sodium fluorescein. Mice were saline perfused and brains were harvested for fluorescent spectroscopy.Intracranial progression was maximally reduced in ECT-treated mice relative to sham-treated mice after 17 treatments (mean sham radiance 4.7 × 109 photons/s versus mean ECT radiance 2.6 × 109 photon/s, P = 0.013). This translated into an improvement in overall survival from median 29 days in sham-treated mice to 34.5 days in ECT-treated mice (P = 0.0018). Mean seizure duration was 41.8 seconds and positively correlated with overall survival (Pearson coefficient r = 0.63, P = 0.028). Tonic hindlimb extension occurred in 68% of seizures and positively correlated with overall survival (Pearson coefficient r = 0.72, P = 0.0078). Brain parenchymal uptake of sodium fluorescein was significantly higher in ECT-treated mice, with a mean relative increase in ECS to sham radiance of 1.47 (P < 0.05).Repeated ECT slows tumor progression and prolongs overall survival in C57BL6 mice bearing CT-2A-Luc xenografts. The BBB is compromised immediately following ECT. ECT merits further oncologic investigation as a potential therapeutic in GBM.T. Sita: None. L. Hurley: None. C. Dussold: None. S. Sachdev: None. R. Stupp: Research Grant; CarThera, Paris. Consultant/ad hoc advisor for research protocol development; GT Medical Technologies, Insightec; Northwest Biotherapeutics. Scientific Advisory Board; CranioVation, TriAct, Hemispherian. IDMC of an ongoing clinical trial; Celularity. A. Stegh: None.

SLIT2/ROBO signaling in tumor-associated microglia and macrophages drives glioblastoma immunosuppression and vascular dysmorphia.

SLIT2 is a secreted polypeptide that guides migration of cells expressing Roundabout 1 and 2 (ROBO1 and ROBO2) receptors. Herein, we investigated SLIT2/ROBO signaling effects in gliomas. In patients with glioblastoma (GBM), SLIT2 expression increased with malignant progression and correlated with poor survival and immunosuppression. Knockdown of SLIT2 in mouse glioma cells and patient-derived GBM xenografts reduced tumor growth and rendered tumors sensitive to immunotherapy. Tumor cell SLIT2 knockdown inhibited macrophage invasion and promoted a cytotoxic gene expression profile, which improved tumor vessel function and enhanced efficacy of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Mechanistically, SLIT2 promoted microglia/macrophage chemotaxis and tumor-supportive polarization via ROBO1- and ROBO2-mediated PI3K-γ activation. Macrophage Robo1 and Robo2 deletion and systemic SLIT2 trap delivery mimicked SLIT2 knockdown effects on tumor growth and the tumor microenvironment (TME), revealing SLIT2 signaling through macrophage ROBOs as a potentially novel regulator of the GBM microenvironment and immunotherapeutic target for brain tumors.

The Novel Protein, Olfactomedin‐like 3, Alters Microglia Biology and May Contribute to Glioma Progression

Despite decades of research, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains a uniformly lethal brain tumor. Transforming growth factor-, in concert with glioma associated microglia (GAMS), promotes GBM growth and invasion. Although TGF- has a significant role in GBM progression, failed clinical trials suggest a complex role in GBM pathogenesis similar to non-CNS cancer. Thus, an improved understanding of the TGF- /GAM axis is critical to refine the therapeutic approach toward precise molecular targets. Olfactomedin-like 3 (OLFML3), a novel secreted glycoprotein, is elevated 9-fold in GBM. Although poorly studied within the context of GBM, OLFML3 contributes to non-CNS tumor progression via increased angiogenesis and cell growth pathways. Importantly, Olfml3 has been identified in mice as a direct target gene of TGF- in microglia. Therefore,we hypothesized that microglia-derived Olfml3 polarizes microglia cells toward a pro-tumorigenic phenotype and promotes tumor cell growth kinetics. We first demonstrated that Olfml3is a direct target gene of all three TGF- isoforms in microglia, but not a mouse glioma cell line (GL261). Using CRISPR/Cas9, we generated an Olfml3-knockout (Olfml3-/-) microglial cell line. Loss of Olfml3 altered microglial production of several pro-tumorigenic molecules. Most notably, secretion of key pro-tumorigenic molecules GM-CSF, IL-6, and CSF-1, was attenuated in Olfml3-/- microglia. Additionally, loss of Olfml3 attenuated microglia chemotaxis. Importantly, the effects of OLFML3 were non-cell autonomous. Following 48-hour treatment with increasing concentrations of rOLFML3, we observed a linear increase in migration of GL261. However, only a single concentration of rOLFML3 increased GL261 invasion, suggesting a concentration-dependent cellular response. In conclusion, Olfml3 is a direct target gene of TGF- in microglia, but not in glioma cells, suggesting that increased OLFML3 in human GBM may be microglia-derived. OLFML3 supports glioma progression via pro-tumorigenic microglia gene expression and promotion of glioma cell malignant phenotype. Further studies aim to elucidate microglia derived OLFML3 and its role in GBM progression in vivo.

HDAC6 Signaling at Primary Cilia Promotes Proliferation and Restricts Differentiation of Glioma Cells.

Simple SummaryGlioblastoma is the most common and lethal brain tumor in adults because it becomes resistant to virtually every treatment. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6), which is located primarily in the cytoplasm, has a unique role in promoting the disassembly of cells’ primary cilium, a non-motile “antenna” that must be broken down before cells can progress through the cell cycle. The role of HDAC6 and its function in gliomas have not been investigated with respect to tumor cell cilia. We have found that inhibitors of HDAC6 cause rapid and specific changes inside glioma cilia, reducing tumor cell proliferative capacity and promoting cell differentiation. Importantly, the HDAC6 inhibitors did not affect the proliferation or differentiation of glioma cells that we genetically modified unable to grow cilia. Our findings reveal a conserved and critical role for HDAC6 in glioma growth that is dependent on cilia.Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is an emerging therapeutic target that is overexpressed in glioblastoma when compared to other HDACs. HDAC6 catalyzes the deacetylation of alpha-tubulin and mediates the disassembly of primary cilia, a process required for cell cycle progression. HDAC6 inhibition disrupts glioma proliferation, but whether this effect is dependent on tumor cell primary cilia is unknown. We found that HDAC6 inhibitors ACY-1215 (1215) and ACY-738 (738) inhibited the proliferation of multiple patient-derived and mouse glioma cells. While both inhibitors triggered rapid increases in acetylated alpha-tubulin (aaTub) in the cytosol and led to increased frequencies of primary cilia, they unexpectedly reduced the levels of aaTub in the cilia. To test whether the antiproliferative effects of HDAC6 inhibitors are dependent on tumor cell cilia, we generated patient-derived glioma lines devoid of cilia through depletion of ciliogenesis genes ARL13B or KIF3A. At low concentrations, 1215 or 738 did not decrease the proliferation of cilia-depleted cells. Moreover, the differentiation of glioma cells that was induced by HDAC6 inhibition did not occur after the inhibition of cilia formation. These data suggest HDAC6 signaling at primary cilia promotes the proliferation of glioma cells by restricting their ability to differentiate. Surprisingly, overexpressing HDAC6 did not reduce cilia length or the frequency of ciliated glioma cells, suggesting other factors are required to control HDAC6-mediated cilia disassembly in glioma cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that HDAC6 promotes the proliferation of glioma cells through primary cilia.

Microglial Exosome miR-7239-3p Promotes Glioma Progression by Regulating Circadian Genes

Glioma-associated microglial cells, a key component of the tumor microenvironment, play an important role in glioma progression. In this study, the mouse glioma cell line GL261 and the mouse microglia cell line BV2 were chosen. First, circadian gene expression in glioma cells co-cultured with either M1 or M2 microglia was assessed and the exosomes of M2-polarized and unpolarized BV-2 microglia were extracted. Subsequently, we labeled the exosomes with PKH67 and treated GL261 cells with them to investigate the exosome distribution. GL261 cell phenotypes and related protein expression were used to explore the role of M2 microglial exosomes in gliomas. Then a specific miR-7239-3p inhibitor was added to verify miR-7239-3p functions. Finally, the mouse subcutaneous tumorigenic model was used to verify the tumorigenic effect of M2 microglial exosomes in vivo. Our results showed that in gliomas co-cultured with M2 microglia, the expression of the BMAL1 protein was decreased (P < 0.01), while the expression of the CLOCK protein was increased (P < 0.05); opposite results were obtained in gliomas co-cultured with M1 microglia. After treatment with M2 microglial exosomes, the apoptosis of GL261 cells decreased (P < 0.001), while the viability, proliferation, and migration of GL261 cells increased. Increased expression of N-cadherin and Vimentin, and decreased E-cadherin expression occurred upon treatment with M2 microglial exosomes. Addition of an miR-7239-3p inhibitor to M2 microglial exosomes reversed these results. In summary, we found that miR-7239-3p in the glioma microenvironment is recruited to glioma cells by exosomes and inhibits Bmal1 expression. M2 microglial exosomes promote the proliferation and migration of gliomas by regulating tumor-related protein expression and reducing apoptosis.

Radiation-induced bystander effects may contribute to radiation-induced cognitive impairment

Purpose Despite being a major treatment modality for brain cancer due to its efficiency in achieving cancer control, radiotherapy has long been known to cause long-term side effects, including radiation-induced cognitive impairment (RICI). Neurogenesis inhibition due to radiation-induced damage in neural stem cells (NSCs) has been demonstrated to be an important mechanism underlying RICI. Radiation-induced bystander effects (RIBEs) denote the biological responses in non-targeted cells after their neighboring cells are irradiated. We have previously demonstrated that RIBEs could play an important role in the skin wound healing process. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether RIBEs contribute to RICI in this study. Materials and methods The transwell co-culture method was used to investigate bystander effects in mouse NSCs induced by irradiated GL261 mouse glioma cells in vitro. The proliferation, neurosphere-forming capacity and differentiation potential of NSCs were determined as the bystander endpoints. The exosomes were extracted from the media used to culture GL261 cells and were injected into the hippocampus of C57BL/6 mice. Two months later, the neurogenesis of mice was assessed using BrdU incorporation and immunofluorescence microscopy, and cognitive function was evaluated by the Morris Water Maze. Results After co-culture with GL261 glioma cells, mouse NSCs displayed inhibited proliferation and reduced neurosphere-forming capacity and differentiation potential. The irradiated GL261 cells caused greater inhibition and reduction in NSCs than unirradiated GL261 cells. Moreover, adding the exosomes secreted by GL261 cells into the culture of NSCs inhibited NSC proliferation, suggesting that the cancer cell-derived exosomes may be critical intercellular signals. Furthermore, injection of the exosomes from GL261 cells into the hippocampus of mice caused significant neurogenesis inhibition and cognitive impairment two month later, and the exosomes from irradiated GL261 cells induced greater inhibitory effects. Conclusion RIBEs mediated by the exosomes from irradiated cancer cells could contribute to RICI and, therefore, could be a novel mechanism underlying RICI.

The embryonic stem cell microenvironment inhibits mouse glioma cell proliferation by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

BackgroundGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant tumor of the central nervous system, accounting for 48.6% of malignant tumors. The current standard treatment plan includes the widest range of safe surgical resection, supplemented by local brain radiotherapy and temozolomide concurrent chemotherapy; this can cause serious side effects. Even so, the median survival time of GBM patients is only 8 months, and the 5-year survival rate is only 5.5%. It is imminent to find new treatments. Early studies have shown that chicken and zebrafish embryos can reprogram cancer cells into a non-tumorigenic phenotype through the embryonic microenvironment. However, the effect of embryonic stem cell microenvironment on GBM and its possible mechanism are not clear.MethodsIn this study, the glioblastoma cell line, U118, in the brain was investigated. There were four experimental groups: GB, GE, GA and GT. U118 cells were harvested after culturing for 72 hours. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined using vasculogenic mimicry assays, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR), western blotting (WB) and flow cytometry. The differences in the biological function of U118 cells and the PI3K/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway were compared between the groups.ResultsCompared with the GB control group, the GE co-culture group and GT chemotherapy group showed reduced cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, increased ROS, as well as decreased or inhibited vasculogenic mimicry. Expressions of cyclin B1 and cyclin D1 were also notably reduced, while that of Bax, Bcl-2, p53, Caspase-3, GSK-3β, p21, and p27 were significantly increased. Moreover, the expression of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR were markedly decreased, whereas expression of PTEN increased considerably. Also, the expression of positive regulatory factors significantly increased, however negative regulatory factors decreased in the GA group compared to the GE group.ConclusionsThe ESC microenvironment reverses glioma malignancy, partially via inhibition of the PI3K signaling pathway. Our study may have a significant impact and important clinical implications for cell therapy in the treatment of glioma.

Versatile Role of Rab27a in Glioma: Effects on Release of Extracellular Vesicles, Cell Viability, and Tumor Progression.

Introduction: Glioma cells exert influence over the tumor-microenvironment in part through the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs), membrane-enclosed structures containing proteins, lipids, and RNAs. In this study, we evaluated the function of Ras-associated protein 27a (Rab27a) in glioma and evaluated the feasibility of assessing its role in EV release in glioma cells in vitro and in vivo.Methods: Rab27a was knocked down via a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) stably expressed in mouse glioma cell line GL261, with a scrambled shRNA as control. EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and quantified with Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) and Tunable Resistive Pulse Sensing (TRPS). CellTiter-Glo viability assays and cytokine arrays were used to evaluate the impact of Rab27a knockdown. GL261.shRab27a cells and GL261.shControl were implanted into the left striatum of eight mice to assess tumor growth and changes in the tumor microenvironment.Results: Knockdown of Rab27a in GL261 glioma cells decreased the release of small EVs isolated at 100,000 × g in vitro (p = 0.005), but not the release of larger EVs, isolated at 10,000 × g. GL261.shRab27a cells were less viable compared to the scramble control in vitro (p < 0.005). A significant increase in CCL2 expression in shRab27a GL261 cells was also observed (p < 0.001). However, in vivo there was no difference in tumor growth or overall survival between the two groups, while shRab27a tumors showed lower proliferation at the tumor borders. Decreased infiltration of IBA1 positive macrophages and microglia, but not FoxP3 positive regulatory T cells was observed.Conclusion: Rab27a plays an important role in the release of small EVs from glioma cells, and also in their viability and expression of CCL2 in vitro. As interference in Rab27a expression influences glioma cell viability and expression profiles, future studies should be cautious in using the knockdown of Rab27a as a means of studying the role of small EVs in glioma growth.

EXTH-41. THE microRNA miR-138 MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE EFFECTS OF METABOLIC KETOSIS ON MALIGNANT GLIOMA

Abstract We and others have demonstrated that altering metabolism through the use of a ketogenic diet (KD) has numerous effects in mouse models of malignant glioma including slowed growth, reduced hypoxia and angiogenesis, enhanced survival and potentiation of the effects of radiation and chemotherapy. These effects are recapitulated in vitro when the ketone β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is added to mouse and human malignant glioma cells grown under high glucose conditions. BHB has been demonstrated to be an epigenetic modifier, providing a potential mechanism for the pluripotent effects of ketones even in the presence of high glucose. Therefore, we have analyzed alterations in microRNA (miRNA) expression in tumors and cells treated with a KD or BHB, respectively. MicroRNAs are short, single-stranded, noncoding RNAs that posttranscriptionally control gene expression. Each miRNA can affect the expression of many genes and they are implicated in all hallmarks of cancer. We found a number of miRNAs deregulated in tumor tissue from mice fed a KD, particularly mmu-miR-138 which was increased over 30-fold relative to tumors from mice fed a standard diet. MiR-138 is involved in a variety of anti-tumor effects that correlate with our data from KD treated gliomas. We have shown that ketones radiosensitize glioma cells, potentially through a reduction in DNA damage repair. MiR-138 has been shown to reduce the expression of H2AX which plays a key role in sensing and repairing DNA damage. Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is also a target of miR-138, and we have demonstrated a reduction in hypoxia, angiogenesis and the expression of HIF-1α in tumors from mice fed a KD. Furthermore, when we genetically engineered tumor cells to express miR-138 and injected them into mice, only necrotic tumor foci were found. Thus, we suggest that miR-138 is an important regulatory mechanism for the anti-tumor actions of metabolic ketosis in glioma.

CBIO-10. REDUCED IRON EXPORT FUNCTIONS IN A CELL INTRINSIC MANNER TO DRIVE GLIOBLASTOMA GROWTH

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, is characterized by invasive growth and poor prognosis. Iron is a critical regulator of many cellular processes, and GBM tumor cells have been shown to modulate expression of iron-associated proteins to enhance iron uptake from the surrounding microenvironment, driving tumor initiation and growth. While iron uptake has been the central focus of previous investigations, additional mechanisms of iron regulation, such as compensatory iron efflux, have not been explored in the context of GBM. The hemochromatosis (HFE) gene encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein that aids in iron homeostasis by limiting cellular iron release, resulting in a sequestration phenotype. We find that HFE is upregulated in GBM tumors compared to non-tumor brain and that expression of HFE increases with tumor grade. Furthermore, HFE mRNA expression is associated with significantly reduced survival specifically in female patients with GBM. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that GBM tumor cells upregulate HFE expression to augment cellular iron loading and drive proliferation, ultimately leading to reduced survival of female patients. To test this hypothesis, we generated Hfe knockdown and overexpressing mouse glioma cell lines. We observed significant alterations in the expression of several iron handling genes with Hfe knockdown or overexpression, suggesting global disruption of iron homeostasis. Additionally, we show that knockdown of Hfe in these cells increases apoptosis and leads to a significant impairment of tumor growth in vivo. These findings support the hypothesis that Hfe is a critical regulator of cellular iron status and contributes to tumor aggression. Future work will include further exploration of the mechanisms that contribute to these phenotypes as well as interactions with the tumor microenvironment. Elucidating the mechanisms by which iron effulx contributes to GBM may inform the development of next-generation targeted therapies.

IMMU-18. INTERPLAY BETWEEN IDH1 AND ATRX MUTATIONS GOVERN INNATE IMMUNE RESPONSES IN GLIOMAS

Abstract Innate-based immunotherapies are becoming increasingly important for treating brain tumor patients. About 50% of WHO grade II and III gliomas carry mutations in IDH1 and ATRX genes. Mutant IDH1 results in the production of 2-hydroxyglutarate, an oncometabolite that promotes global metabolic and epigenetic alterations. ATRX is a SWI-SNF chromatin remodeling protein that is involved in cell cycle regulation and maintenance of genomic stability. Both IDH1 and ATRX mutations have been implicated in dysfunctional immune signaling in cancer cells. However, the interplay between these mutations in mediating innate immune responses has not been investigated in gliomas. We have derived human and mouse glioma cell lines carrying mutations in IDH1 (IDH1R132H) and/or ATRX, which we then used to generate both immune competent and nude mice models. Treating the ATRX knockout (KO) cell lines with dsRNA-based innate stimuli led to an early induction in phospho-IRF3, and late induction in phospho-STAT1 and ISG15, suggesting that ATRX deletion may enable a potent activation of type I interferon production and sensitize glioma cells to dsRNA-based innate stimuli. Our syngeneic murine glioma models confirm a survival advantage for mice carrying ATRX-KO tumors. These tumors also exhibit enhanced infiltration of T-cells and expression of activated macrophage markers. On the other hand, presence of IDH1R132H led to a suppression in baseline expression of key innate immune players, which could be rescued by the mutant IDH1 inhibitor, BAY-1436032. Cells harboring IDH1R132H and ATRX-KO retained sensitivity to dsRNA indicating that IDH1R132H does not dampen the ATRX KO-mediated sensitivity to dsRNA. Our models are under evaluation with a combination of BAY-1436032 and clinically relevant dsRNA-based innate therapies. Our data indicates the presence of an interplay between IDH1 and ATRX mutations that may regulate innate signaling in gliomas. Understanding the mechanisms governing this interplay may aid in designing therapies that exploit this interplay.

Glucose transporter Glut1 controls diffuse invasion phenotype with perineuronal satellitosis in diffuse glioma microenvironment.

BackgroundGliomas typically escape surgical resection and recur due to their “diffuse invasion” phenotype, enabling them to infiltrate diffusely into the normal brain parenchyma. Over the past 80 years, studies have revealed 2 key features of the “diffuse invasion” phenotype, designated the Scherer’s secondary structure, and include perineuronal satellitosis (PS) and perivascular satellitosis (PVS). However, the mechanisms are still unknown.MethodsWe established a mouse glioma cell line (IG27) by manipulating the histone H3K27M mutation, frequently harboring in diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas, that reproduced the diffuse invasion phenotype, PS and PVS, following intracranial transplantation in the mouse brain. Further, to broadly apply the results in this mouse model to human gliomas, we analyzed data from 66 glioma patients.ResultsIncreased H3K27 acetylation in IG27 cells activated glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) expression and induced aerobic glycolysis and TCA cycle activation, leading to lactate, acetyl-CoA, and oncometabolite production irrespective of oxygen and glucose levels. Gain- and loss-of-function in vivo experiments demonstrated that Glut1 controls the PS of glioma cells, that is, attachment to and contact with neurons. GLUT1 is also associated with early progression in glioma patients.ConclusionsTargeting the transporter Glut1 suppresses the unique phenotype, “diffuse invasion” in the diffuse glioma mouse model. This work leads to promising therapeutic and potential useful imaging targets for anti-invasion in human gliomas widely.

PAMs inhibits monoamine oxidase a activity and reduces glioma tumor growth, a potential adjuvant treatment for glioma

BackgroundMonoamine oxidase (MAO) A catalyzes oxidative deamination of monoamine neurotransmitters and dietary amines and regulates brain development and functions. Recently, we showed that MAO A mediates the progression and migration of glioma and MAO A inhibitors reduce glioma cell growth. Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common and most malignant brain tumor which is difficult to treat. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the current standard chemotherapy for glioma, but tumors usually become resistant and recur. So far, no effective therapy for TMZ-resistant glioma is available. Natural plant antimicrobial solution (PAMs) is a Chinese herbal medicine which has been used for decades without toxicity and has multiple medical functions including anti- inflammatory effects. Here, we report the effects of PAMs on glioblastoma growth.MethodsThe growth of TMZ -sensitive (U251S),-resistant (U251R) human glioma cells, and mouse glioma cell line GL-26 were assessed by MTS colorimetric assay, colony formation, and cell migration assays.Male C57BL/6 mice were implanted subcutaneously or intracranial with luciferase-positive mouse glioma GL-26 cells and treated with vehicle; MAO A inhibitor clorgyline (10 mg/kg); TMZ (1 mg/kg); PAMs (48 mg/kg) alone or in combination with TMZ (1 mg/kg) for 14 days. At the end of the treatment, mice were sacrificed, MAO A catalytic activity in tumors was measured, and tumor sizes were determined by imaging and weight.ResultsThese results show that PAMs inhibits MAO A catalytic activity in all three glioma cell lines studied U251S, U251R, and GL-26. PAMs reduced glioma growth and has greater effects in combination with low dose of TMZ than PAMS or TMZ alone in all three cell lines as shown by MTS, colony formation, and cell migration assays. Using the subcutaneous or intracranial GL-26 glioma mouse model, PAMs reduced the tumor growth and MAO A activity, similar to the MAO A inhibitor clorgyline. Combining PAMs with non-toxic dose TMZ increased survival to a greater extent than those of PAMs or TMZ alone.ConclusionsThis is the first study which suggests that PAMs alone or co-administration with low doses of TMZ may be a potential adjuvant to reduce the toxicity of TMZ and to abrogate drug resistance for the effective treatment of glioma.

Abstract 6203: HDAC6 inhibitors may enhance TTFields toxicity to glioma cells by altering primary cilia

Abstract Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) is the most recent FDA-approved therapy that significantly extends overall survival of patients with glioblastoma (GBM). TTFields are high frequency alternating electric fields directed at the tumor which putatively disrupt microtubule polarity and dynamics during mitosis leading to cell death. Combining TTFields with other therapies that further destabilize or alter microtubule dynamics in GBM cells may enhance TTFields efficacy. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is an emerging regulator of glioma cell proliferation, and distinct from other HDACs through its role in deacetylating non-histone proteins such as alpha-tubulin, and promoting disassembly of microtubule-based primary cilia, an event that normally precedes mitosis. It is unclear whether inhibiting HDAC6 could enhance TTFields toxicity of GBM cells, or whether HDAC6 inhibitors have any effect on primary cilia reported in human glioblastoma. To examine this, we treated various human and mouse glioma cell lines in vitro with selective HDAC6 inhibitors (ACY1215 or ACY738) with or without 3 days of continuous 200 kHz TTFields exposure. We analyzed subsequent glioma cell proliferation and characteristics of primary cilia. Consistent with previous reports, ACY1215 and ACY738 significantly decreased glioma proliferation, in part by disrupting the G2/M transition. Notably, we found the number of non-viable human GBM cells labeled with propidium iodide was significantly increased with ACY1215 and TTFields co-treatment compared to either treatment alone. ACY1215 and ACY738 had no effect on primary cilia length, but did increase the percentage of ciliated glioma cells. Although ACY1215 and ACY738 rapidly increased levels of cytosolic acetylated alpha-tubulin, both drugs unexpectedly decreased levels of acetylated alpha- tubulin in glioma cilia which was not attributable to loss of the axoneme microtubule backbone. This indicates that the cytoplasm and cilia respond differently to HDAC6 inhibitors. ACY738 treatment in particular also led to an increase in level of ciliary Arl13b, a GTPase important for cilia stability and signaling, an effect that was not observed in normal neural cultures of mouse glia and neurons. We also observed that primary cilia are not completely ablated by TTFields, and that the viability of GBM cells engineered to lack cilia were unaffected by ACY1215 treatment. Collectively, our data raise the possibility that HDAC6 inhibitors may enhance sensitivity to TTFields therapy in part by interfering with the microtubule status or signaling pathways associated with glioma cilia. Citation Format: Ping Shi, Reemsha Basrai, Alice Cheng, Neil Kalaria, Joseph J. Lebowitz, Habibeh Khoshbouei, Matthew Sarkisian. HDAC6 inhibitors may enhance TTFields toxicity to glioma cells by altering primary cilia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 6203.

Targeting CD146 using folic acid-conjugated nanoparticles and suppression of tumor growth in a mouse glioma model.

Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are responsible for tumor initiation, therapeutic resistance, and recurrence. CD146 is mainly expressed in dividing GSCs and regulates cell cycle progression. However, the evaluation of the efficacy of targeted therapy against CD146 in vivo remains to be investigated. In this study, the authors aimed to develop gene therapy targeting GSCs using chitosan oligosaccharide lactate (COL) nanoparticles (NPs) conjugated with folic acid-polyethylene glycol (FA-PEG-COL NPs) for in vitro and in vivo delivery of CD146 small-interfering RNA (siCD146) and to determine the effect of CD146 knockdown on tumor growth. To examine the uptake of NPs by tumor cells, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and in vivo imaging were performed. The knockdown effect of siCD146 was measured by western blot and water-soluble tetrazolium salt-8 assay in mouse glioma cells. The efficacy of siRNA therapy-targeted GSCs was evaluated by monitoring tumor growth through in vivo imaging and histological analysis. In vivo accumulation of the FA-PEG-COL NPs in subcutaneous and intracranial gliomas following NP administration via a mouse tail vein was observed. Additionally, in vitro delivery of siCD146 ionically cross-linked NPs, reduced CD146 levels, and suppressed growth in the glioma tumor sphere. Evaluation of the in vivo therapeutic effects of siCD146-cross-linked NPs in a mouse glioma model revealed significant suppression of intracranial tumor growth, with complete removal of the tumor observed in some mice on histological examination. Furthermore, delivery of siCD146 significantly reduced the Ki-67 index in residual tumor tissues relative to that in control mice. CD146 is a potential therapeutic target, and folic acid-conjugated NPs delivering siRNA may facilitate gene therapy in malignant gliomas.

In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability and Cytotoxicity of an Atorvastatin-Loaded Nanoformulation Against Glioblastoma in 2D and 3D Models.

Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase of the family of statins have been suggested as therapeutic options in various tumors. Atorvastatin is a statin with the potential to cross the blood-brain barrier; however, the concentrations necessary for a cytotoxic effect against cancer cells exceed the concentrations achievable via oral administration, which made the development of a novel atorvastatin formulation necessary. We characterized the drug loading and basic physicochemical characteristics of micellar atorvastatin formulations and tested their cytotoxicity against a panel of different glioblastoma cell lines. In addition, activity against tumor spheroids formed from mouse glioma and mouse cancer stem cells, respectively, was evaluated. Our results show good activity of atorvastatin against all tested cell lines. Interestingly, in the three-dimensional (3D) models, growth inhibition was more pronounced for the micellar formulation compared to free atorvastatin. Finally, atorvastatin penetration across a blood-brain barrier model obtained from human induced-pluripotent stem cells was evaluated. Our results suggest that the presented micelles may enable much higher serum concentrations than possible by oral administration; however, if transport across the blood-brain barrier is sufficient to reach the therapeutic atorvastatin concentration for the treatment of glioblastoma via intravenous administration remains unclear.