Emerging intersections between neuroscience and glioma biology

• Published in: Nature neuroscience Vol. 22; no. 12; pp. 1951 - 1960
• Main Authors: Jung, Erik, Alfonso, Julieta, Osswald, Matthias, Monyer, Hannah, Wick, Wolfgang, Winkler, Frank
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Nature Publishing Group US 01.12.2019; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 631/378/1689/1690; 631/378/2571; 631/378/368/2431; 631/67/1922; 631/80/304; Animal Genetics and Genomics; Animals; Behavioral Sciences; Biological Techniques; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Brain; Brain cancer; Brain tumors; Cell migration; Cells (biology); Cellular communication; Central nervous system; Central Nervous System - growth & development; Central Nervous System - physiology; Development and progression; Forecasts and trends; Glioma; Glioma - physiopathology; Glioma cells; Gliomas; Growth; Humans; Malignancy; Nervous system; Neural stem cells; Neural Stem Cells - physiology; Neurobiology; Neuroglia - physiology; Neuronal-glial interactions; Neurosciences; Neurotransmitters; Oncology; Physiological aspects; Progenitor cells; Review Article; Signal Transduction - physiology; Signaling; Synaptic Transmission - physiology; Tumor cells; Tumors; Germany
• ISSN: 1097-6256; 1546-1726
• DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0540-y

The establishment of neuronal and glial networks in the brain depends on the activities of neural progenitors, which are influenced by cell-intrinsic mechanisms, interactions with the local microenvironment and long-range signaling. Progress in neuroscience has helped identify key factors in CNS development. In parallel, studies in recent years have increased our understanding of molecular and cellular factors in the development and growth of primary brain tumors. To thrive, glioma cells exploit pathways that are active in normal CNS progenitor cells, as well as in normal neurotransmitter signaling. Furthermore, tumor cells of incurable gliomas integrate into communicating multicellular networks, where they are interconnected through neurite-like cellular protrusions. In this Review, we discuss evidence that CNS development, organization and function share a number of common features with glioma progression and malignancy. These include mechanisms used by cells to proliferate and migrate, interact with their microenvironment and integrate into multicellular networks. The emerging intersections between the fields of neuroscience and neuro-oncology considered in this review point to new research directions and novel therapeutic opportunities. Malignant gliomas recapitulate steps in neurodevelopment to form organ-like structures. Jung et al. review how neuroscience can provide novel insights into glioma biology, and how these insights might be used for future therapeutic approaches.