Glioblastoma CD105+ cells define a SOX2- cancer stem cell-like subpopulation in the pre-invasive niche.

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Li J, Ek F, Olsson R, Belting M, Bengzon J

Acta Neuropathol Commun 10 (1) 126 [2022-08-29; online 2022-08-29]

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and most aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Glioma stem like cells (GSC) represent the highest cellular hierarchy in GBM and have a determining role in tumor growth, recurrence and patient prognosis. However, a better definition of GSC subpopulations, especially at the surgical resection margin, is warranted for improved oncological treatment options. The present study interrogated cells expressing CD105 (CD105+) specifically within the tumor front and the pre-invasive niche as a potential GSC subpopulation. GBM primary cell lines were generated from patients (n = 18) and CD105+ cells were isolated and assessed for stem-like characteristics. In vitro, CD105+ cells proliferated and enriched in serum-containing medium but not in serum-free conditions. CD105+ cells were characterized by Nestin+, Vimentin+ and SOX2-, clearly distinguishing them from SOX2+ GCS. GBM CD105+ cells differentiated into osteocytes and adipocytes but not chondrocytes. Exome sequencing revealed that GBM CD105+ cells matched 83% of somatic mutations in the Cancer cell line encyclopedia, indicating a malignant phenotype and in vivo xenotransplantation assays verified their tumorigenic potential. Cytokine assays showed that immunosuppressive and protumorigenic cytokines such as IL6, IL8, CCL2, CXCL-1 were produced by CD105+ cells. Finally, screening for 88 clinical drugs revealed that GBM CD105+ cells are resistant to most chemotherapeutics except Doxorubicin, Idarubicin, Fludarabine and ABT-751. Our study provides a rationale for targeting tumoral CD105+ cells in order to reshape the tumor microenvironment and block GBM progression.

Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden (CBCS) [Collaborative]

Clinical Genomics Lund [Service]

PubMed 36038950

DOI 10.1186/s40478-022-01422-8

Crossref 10.1186/s40478-022-01422-8

pmc: PMC9426031
pii: 10.1186/s40478-022-01422-8