SETMAR est un gène chimérique constitué d’un domaine SET (codant des fonctions d’histone méthylase) et du domaine MAR (ayant conservé certaines fonctions de la transposase HsMAR1). Des études ont montré que les deux domaines sont biologiquement actifs et sont impliqués dans la stabilité et/ou dans la régulation de l’expression du génome humain. La littérature suggère que l’expression de SETMAR est plus forte dans les cellules cancéreuses que dans les cellules saines. Notre hypothèse de travail est que la protéine SETMAR est surexprimée en conditions pathologiques, permettant aux cellules de franchir les points de contrôle du cycle cellulaire, contribuant ainsi à augmenter l’instabilité génétique. Notre objectif est d’étudier la régulation de l’expression de SETMAR et son implication dans l’oncogenèse, gliale en particulier. / SETMAR is a chimeric gene consisting of a SET domain (encoding methylase histone functions) and a MAR domain (having retained some of the of the HsMAR1 transposase functions). Studies have shown that the two domains are biologically active and are involved in the stability and / or in the regulation of the human genome expression. The literature suggests that SETMAR expression is higher in cancer cells than in normal cells. Our working hypothesis is that SETMAR protein is overexpressed in pathological conditions, allowing cells to overcome the cellular cycle checkpoints, helping to increase the genetic instability. Our goal is to study the regulation of the SETMAR expression and its involvement in oncogenesis, glial in particular.

O glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) é uma neoplasia do sistema nervoso central (SNC), caracterizada por uma elevada capacidade proliferativa e migratória. O desenvolvimento do tumor provoca uma remodelação da matriz extracelular (MEC) que facilita a migração tumoral. Eicosanóides são moléculas lipídicas importantes na carcinogênese e a sua síntese está correlacionada com o grau de desenvolvimento do tumor. As prostaglandinas são eicosanóides envolvidas na estimulação da angiogênese, na adesão celular e proliferação celular. Este estudo tem por objetivo avaliar in vitro o efeito da PGE2 na expressão moléculas da MEC e das moléculas de adesão envolvidas na migração, em células U87MG e U251MG. As células U251MG e U87MG foram tratadas com PGE2 (10µM) e Ibuprofeno (25µM), por um período 48hs. As proteínas da MEC foram analisadas por RT-qPCR após o tratamento. Foram realizadas reações de imunohistoquímica para as moléculas da MEC. As alterações foram encontradas na expressão de laminina, fibronectina, colágeno tipo IV e as integrinas αv , α3 e α5 para células U87MG . Observamos imunomarcação nas linhas celulares para colágeno tipo IV, laminina e fibronectina. Concluímos que o tratamento com IBU e PGE2, afeta a expressão gênica de moléculas de MEC. / Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a neoplasm of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by a high proliferative and migratory capacity. Tumor development leads to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and facilitating the migration of these cells. Eicosanoids are important lipid molecules in carcinogenesis, and their synthesis often correlates with the degree of tumor development. Prostaglandins are eicosanoids involved in the stimulation of angiogenesis, cell adhesion and cell proliferation. This study is aimed to evaluate the expression of several ECM molecules involved in migration after altering the concentration of prostaglandins, using human glioma cell lines as an in vitro model. The cell lines U87MG and U251MG were treated with PGE2 (10µM) and Ibuprofen (25µM), for a predetermined period of 48hs. Proteins involved in extracellular matrix were analyzed by RT-qPCR after treatment in vitro. Immunohistochemical reactions were also performed for the ECM molecules. Changes were found in the expression of laminin, fibronectin, type IV collagen and αv, α3 and α5 integrins in cells U87MG. We observed immunostaining in cell lines to type IV collagen, laminin and fibronectin. In conclusion, Ibuprofen and PGE2, affects gene expression of ECM molecules.

No description available.

6-Diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON, 1) is a non-standard amino acid with proven antitumor activity found in soil bacteria of the genus Streptomyces. However, due to the considerable systemic toxicity manifested mainly in the gastrointestinal tract, DON alone is not a suitable clinical candidate for the treatment of cancer. One of the ways to solve the problem of its toxicity is the reversible structural modification of this molecule by protecting both its amino group and carboxyl functional group, by preparing the so-called prodrug of DON. The prepared prodrug may suitably alter the distribution of DON in the body and at the same time increase its permeability to brain tissue. Due to this structural modification, its side effects can be eliminated and a substance for the treatment of brain tumors, such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), can potentially be formed. In my dissertation, five strategies for the specific delivery of DON to the brain using different types of its prodrugs are discussed. The new prodrugs are designed to be either capable of spontaneous penetration across the blood-brain barrier or of being a substrate for one of its influx transporters. At the same time, these prodrugs should be stable in other metabolically active organs and blood plasma in order to sufficiently reduce the...

No description available.

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive brain tumor with poor clinical outcome. Identification and development of new markers could be beneficial for the diagnosis and prognosis of GBM patients. Deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) is involved in GBM. Therefore, we attempted to identify and develop specific miRNAs as prognostic and predictive markers for GBM patient survival.Methods: Expression profiles of miRNAs and genes and the corresponding clinical information of 480 GBM samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset were downloaded and interested miRNAs were identified. Patients' overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) associated with interested miRNAs and miRNA-interactions were performed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The impacts of miRNA expressions and miRNA-interactions on survival were evaluated by Cox proportional hazard regression model. Biological processes and network of putative and validated targets of miRNAs were analyzed by bioinformatics.Results: In this study, 6 interested miRNAs were identified. Survival analysis showed that high levels of miR-326/miR-130a and low levels of miR-323/miR-329/miR-155/miR-210 were significantly associated with long OS of GBM patients, and also showed that high miR-326/miR-130a and low miR-155/miR-210 were related with extended PFS. Moreover, miRNA-323 and miRNA-329 were found to be increased in patients with no-recurrence or long time to progression (TTP). More notably, our analysis revealed miRNA-interactions were more specific and accurate to discriminate and predict OS and PFS. This interaction stratified OS and PFS related with different miRNA levels more detailed, and could obtain longer span of mean survival in comparison to that of one single miRNA. Moreover, miR-326, miR-130a, miR-155, miR-210 and 4 miRNA-interactions were confirmed for the first time as independent predictors for survival by Cox regression model together with clinicopathological factors: Age, Gender and Recurrence. Plus, the availability and rationality of the miRNA-interaction as predictors for survival were further supported by analysis of network, biological processes, KEGG pathway and correlation analysis with gene markers.Conclusions: Our results demonstrates that miR-326, miR-130a, miR-155, miR-210 and the 4 miRNA-interactions could serve as prognostic and predictive markers for survival of GBM patients, suggesting a potential application in improvement of prognostic tools and treatments.

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive brain tumor with poor clinical outcome. Identification and development of new markers could be beneficial for the diagnosis and prognosis of GBM patients. Deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) is involved in GBM. Therefore, we attempted to identify and develop specific miRNAs as prognostic and predictive markers for GBM patient survival.Methods: Expression profiles of miRNAs and genes and the corresponding clinical information of 480 GBM samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset were downloaded and interested miRNAs were identified. Patients' overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) associated with interested miRNAs and miRNA-interactions were performed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The impacts of miRNA expressions and miRNA-interactions on survival were evaluated by Cox proportional hazard regression model. Biological processes and network of putative and validated targets of miRNAs were analyzed by bioinformatics.Results: In this study, 6 interested miRNAs were identified. Survival analysis showed that high levels of miR-326/miR-130a and low levels of miR-323/miR-329/miR-155/miR-210 were significantly associated with long OS of GBM patients, and also showed that high miR-326/miR-130a and low miR-155/miR-210 were related with extended PFS. Moreover, miRNA-323 and miRNA-329 were found to be increased in patients with no-recurrence or long time to progression (TTP). More notably, our analysis revealed miRNA-interactions were more specific and accurate to discriminate and predict OS and PFS. This interaction stratified OS and PFS related with different miRNA levels more detailed, and could obtain longer span of mean survival in comparison to that of one single miRNA. Moreover, miR-326, miR-130a, miR-155, miR-210 and 4 miRNA-interactions were confirmed for the first time as independent predictors for survival by Cox regression model together with clinicopathological factors: Age, Gender and Recurrence. Plus, the availability and rationality of the miRNA-interaction as predictors for survival were further supported by analysis of network, biological processes, KEGG pathway and correlation analysis with gene markers.Conclusions: Our results demonstrates that miR-326, miR-130a, miR-155, miR-210 and the 4 miRNA-interactions could serve as prognostic and predictive markers for survival of GBM patients, suggesting a potential application in improvement of prognostic tools and treatments.

Die Immunabwehr des Patienten stellt eine Schlüsselrolle bei der spontanen Tumorregression dar. Bisher zählten zytotoxische CD8-positive T Zellen und natürliche Killerzellen zu den wichtigsten zellulären Vertretern der Tumorkontrolle. Im Tierversuch konnte jedoch kein signifikanter Einfluss dieser Zellen auf die spontane Regression nachgewiesen werden. Allerdings fand sich eine hohe Anzahl an Makrophagen im Tumorgewebe. In vorangegangenen Untersuchungen zeigte sich bei der Depletion der Makrophagen mittels Clodronate im Tiermodell der Ratte ein deutlich gesteigertes Tumorwachstum. In der hier durchgeführten Versuchsreihe wurde nun der Einfluss von Makrophagen auf das Tumorwachstum orthotop implantierter C6-Glioblastomsphäroide betrachtet. Dabei wurden die Makrophagen durch den Granulozyten-Makrophagen Kolonie-stimulierenden Faktor (rhGM-CSF, Leukine) aktiviert. 29 SD-Ratten wurden C6-Gliom-Sphäroide orthotop implantiert. 20 der Tiere wurden jeden zweiten Tag mit 1µg/100g Körpergewicht rhGSM-CSF s. c. behandelt. Neun Tiere dienten als Kontrollgruppe. Zur Verlaufsbeurteilung wurden an den Tagen 7, 14, 21, 28, 32 und 42 nach Implantation MRT-Untersuchungen (T1, T2 und 3D CISS-Sequenzen) durchgeführt. Die Tumorvolumina wurden mit Hilfe dieser MRT-Untersuchungen ermittelt. Die histologische Aufarbeitung beinhaltete HE-, CD68-Makrophagen-, CD8-positive T Zellen- sowie Ki-67 Proliferations- Färbungen in Paraffinschnitten von Gehirn, Tumor und Milz. In 15 der 20 behandelten Tiere entwickelten sich solide Tumoren. Am Tag 7 konnte lediglich bei zwei Tieren mittels MRT ein minimales Tumorwachstum nachgewiesen werden. In der Kontrollgruppe war bereits bei drei von neun Tieren minimales Tumorwachstum zu verzeichnen. Am Tag 14 zeigten sich bei 11 von 17 (65%) Tieren der Versuchsgruppe solide Tumoren. Drei der verbleibenden 15 Tiere zeigten am Tag 21 erstmalig Tumorwachstum. Im Gegensatz dazu konnte in der Kontrollgruppe bereits an Tag 14 bei allen Tieren ein Tumorwachstum nachgewiesen werden. In der GM-CSF Gruppe entwickelten sich die Tumoren später und erreichten mit einem Median von 134mm³ ein geringeres Volumen als in der Kontrollgruppe (262mm³). Das mediane Überleben war mit 35 Tagen in der Gruppe der behandelten Tiere signifikant länger als in der Kontrollgruppe mit 24 Tagen. Zudem wurden in der histologischen Aufarbeitung der Tumoren signifikant mehr Makrophagen im Tumorgewebe nachgewiesen. Die Stimulation der Makrophagen durch GM CSF im orthotopen C6 Glioblastommodell der Ratte führte zu einem beachtlich reduzierten und verzögerten Tumorwachstum. Die behandelten Tiere überlebten signifikant länger als die Tiere der Kontrollgruppe. Die aktuelle Datenlage bestätigt die bedeutende Rolle der angeborenen Immunabwehr durch Makrophagen in der Kontrolle des Tumorwachstums bei experimentellen Glioblastomen. Die Aktivierung der Makrophagen hatte einen deutlichen Einfluss auf das Tumorwachstum, wohingegen eine T Zell-Depletion nur einen geringen Einfluss darauf hatte. Makrophagen als Vertreter des angeborenen Immunsystems wurden bisher in ihrer Rolle der Tumorkontrolle unterschätzt. Es bedarf noch weiterer Untersuchungen, ob die Makrophagen in Zukunft, ohne die körpereigenen Zellen anzugreifen, zur wirkungsvollen Tumorbekämpfung herangezogen werden könnten. / The patient's immune defense represents a key role in spontaneous tumor regression. Until now, cytotoxic CD8-positive T cells and natural killer cells were considered to be one of the most important cellular representatives of tumor control. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of macrophages on tumor growth of orthotopically implanted C6 glioma spheroids. Macrophages were activated by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF, Leukine). 29 Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted C6 glioma spheroids orthotopically. 20 of the animals were treated with 1μg/100g rhGSM-CSF s. c. every other day. Nine animals served as the control group. MRI examinations (T1, T2, and 3D CISS sequences) were performed on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 32, and 42 after implantation. Tumor volumes were determined using these MRI examinations. Histologic workup included HE, CD68, CD8, and Ki-67 staining in sections of brain and spleen. Tumors developed later and reached with a median of 126 mm³ a smaller size in the GM-CSF series compared to the controls with 150 mm³. Median survival was significantly longer in the treated group (35 days) compared with the control group (24 days). In addition, histological workup of the tumors showed significantly more macrophages in the tumor tissue. Stimulation of macrophages by GM-CSF in the rodent C6 glioma model resulted in reduced and delayed tumor growth. Treated animals survived significantly longer than in the control group. The current data confirm the important role of innate immune defense by macrophages in the control of tumor growth in experimental gliomas. Macrophage activation had a marked effect on tumor growth. Macrophages as representatives of the innate immune system have been underestimated in their role of tumor control.

Regulation of cancer cell phenotype by the tumor microenvironment has motivated further investigation into how microenvironmental factors could contribute to tumor initiation, development, and therapeutic resistance. Analyzing how the microenvironment drives tumor development and cancer cell heterogeneity is particularly important in cancers such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) that have no known risk factors and are characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity. GBM patients have a median survival of 15 months and therefore are in great need of more effective therapeutic options. The goal of this research is to generate in vitro models of the heterogeneous brain tumor microenvironment, with a focus on vascular dynamics, to probe the impact of microenvironmental cues on tumor progression and to integrate the tumor models with highly sensitive analytical tools to characterize the epigenome of discrete phenotypic subpopulations that contribute to intratumoral cellular heterogeneity. As GBM tumors are characterized by a dense vasculature, we delved into microenvironmental factors that may be promoting angiogenesis. The correlations emerging between inflammation and cancer led to analysis of the inflammatory molecule lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We utilized 3D micro-tissue models to simulate vascular exposure to ultra-low chronic inflammatory levels of LPS and observed an increase in vascular formation when brain endothelial cells were exposed to ultra-low doses of LPS. We also utilized our micro-tissue models to analyze histone methylation changes across the epigenome in response to microenvironmental cues, namely culture dimensionality and oxygen status. The H3K4me3 modification we analyzed is associated with increased gene transcription, therefore the alterations we observed in H3K4me3 binding across the genome could be a mechanism by which the tumor microenvironment is regulating cancer cell phenotype. Lastly, we developed a microfluidic platform in which vascular dynamics along with microenvironmental heterogeneities can be modeled in a more physiologically relevant context. We believe the studies presented in this dissertation provide insight into how vasculature primed by chronic inflammation and epigenetic alterations in tumor cells could both contribute to enhanced tumor development. Modeling these biological processes in our advanced microfluidic platform further enables us to better understand microenvironmental regulation of tumor progression, uncovering new potential therapeutic targets. / PHD

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor and is comprised of transcriptionally heterogeneous cells and a complex microenvironment. Despite decades of research effort, few treatments significantly benefit clinical outcomes. This may be, in part, due to the lack of tools to directly measure functional responses of these heterogeneous cell types under therapy. This thesis aims to advance the understanding of cell type-specific therapeutic response by the development and application of integrated single cell imaging and RNA sequencing technology. Chapter 1 provides an overview of GBM and its heterogeneity, how investigation of cell type-specific phenotypes would benefit the development of GBM treatments, and current sequencing and imaging technologies to examine cell phenotypes with single-cell resolution. Chapter 2 presents a new microfluidic technology for joint single cell imaging and RNA sequencing that can link imaging-based phenotypes and transcriptional identity of the same individual cells with high throughput, molecular capture efficiency, linking accuracy, and user-friendliness. Chapters 3 and 4 present applications of this technology in investigating cell type-specificities of GBM treatments. Chapter 3 focuses on the specificities of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), an FDA approved fluorogenic agent, used in fluorescence guided surgery and reveals 5-ALA labeling is not specific to transformed glioma cells, which encourages further studies to systematically compare its performance with potential alternatives. Chapter 4 focuses on the specificities of drug responses by presenting a functional drug screening approach that directly links cell states measured by apoptosis indicators with transcriptional states, which greatly enhances the interpretability of single cell-resolved drug perturbation assays.