Glioma Cell and Astrocyte Co-cultures As a Model to Study Tumor–Tissue Interactions: A Review of Methods

• Published in: Cellular and molecular neurobiology Vol. 38; no. 6; pp. 1179 - 1195
• Main Authors: Chekhonin, Ivan V., Chistiakov, Dimitry A., Grinenko, Nadezhda F., Gurina, Olga I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.08.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Astrocytes; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cell Biology; Cell culture; Cell interactions; Glioma cells; Gliosis; Neurobiology; Neurosciences; Phenotypes; Review Paper; Reviews; Stem cells; Tumor cells; Tumorigenesis; Glioma; Co-culture; Astrocytes; Periglioma zone
• ISSN: 0272-4340; 1573-6830
• DOI: 10.1007/s10571-018-0588-3

Astrocytes are a dominant cell type that envelopes the glioma bed. Typically, that is followed by formation of contacts between astrocytes and glioma cells and accompanied by change in astrocyte phenotype, a phenomenon known as a ‘reactive astrogliosis.’ Generally considered glioma-promoting, astrocytes have many controversial peculiarities in communication with tumor cells, which need thorough examination in vitro. This review is devoted to in vitro co-culture studies of glioma cells and astrocytes. Firstly, we list several fundamental works which allow understanding the modalities of co-culturing. Cell-to-cell interactions between astrocytes and glioma cells, the roles of astrocytes in tumor metabolism, and glioma-related angiogenesis are reviewed. In the review, we also discuss communications between glioma stem cells and astrocytes. Co-cultures of glioma cells and astrocytes are used for studying anti-glioma treatment approaches. We also enumerate surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiotherapeutic methods assessed in co-culture experiments. In conclusion, we underline collisions in the field and point out the role of the co-cultures for neurobiological studies.