STEM-18. STROMAL EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES DRIVE GLIOMA STEM CELL REPROGRAMMING

• Published in: Neuro-oncology (Charlottesville, Va.) Vol. 23; no. Supplement_6; pp. vi24 - vi25
• Main Authors: Adnani, Lata, Meehan, Brian, Kassouf, Jordan, Spinelli, Cristiana, Tawil, Nadim, Rak, Janusz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 12.11.2021
• ISSN: 1522-8517; 1523-5866
• DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab196.092

Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents the most frequent and lethal form of brain tumors originating from glioma stem cells (GSCs). GBM remains lethal because the rate limiting patho-mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this regard, few limitations involve the diversity 'between' cellular states and the molecular/cellular complexity 'within' the tumour mass. Using cell based- and mouse- models, we explored extracellular vesicle (EV) mediated interactions between cancer and stromal cells impacting phenotypes of GSCs as a function of their molecular subtype. EVs are spherical membrane structures that cells release to expel different molecular cargo (lipids, proteins, RNA, DNA), which can be transported across a distance in the brain and taken up by various ‘recipient’ cells resulting in reprogramming of the recipient cell's content and function. In vivo, GSCs altered their pattern of NOTCH signalling and molecular phenotype as a function of proximity to non-transformed host cells in the brain. In vitro stromal EVs altered GSC sphere forming capacity, proteome and expression of mesenchymal markers. Thus, EV mediated tumour-stromal interactions could represent a biological switch and a novel targeting point in the biology of GBM.