Adaptive Changes of Glioblastoma Cells Following Exposure to Hypoxic (1% Oxygen) Tumour Microenvironment

Musah-Eroje, Ahmed; Watson, Sue

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive and malignant primary brain tumour, with a median survival rate of between 15 to 17 months. Heterogeneous regions occur in glioblastoma as a result of oxygen gradients which ranges from 0.1% to 10% in vivo. Emerging evidence suggests that tumour hypoxia leads to increased aggressiveness and chemo/radio resistance. Yet, few in vitro studies have been performed in hypoxia. Using three glioblastoma cell-lines (U87, U251, and SNB19), the adaptation of glioblastoma cells in a 1% (hypoxia) and 20% (normoxia) oxygen microenvironment on proliferation, metabolism, migration, neurosphere formation, CD133 and VEGF expression was investigated. Compared to cells maintained in normoxia (20% oxygen), glioblastoma cells adapted to 1% oxygen tension by reducing proliferation and enhancing metabolism. Both migratory tendency and neurosphere formation ability were greatly limited. In addition, hypoxic-mediated gene upregulation (CD133 and VEGF) was reversed when cells were removed from the hypoxic environment. Collectively, our results reveal that hypoxia plays a pivotal role in changing the behaviour of glioblastoma cells. We have also shown that genetic modulation can be reversed, supporting the concept of reversibility. Thus, understanding the degree of oxygen gradient in glioblastoma will be crucial in personalising treatment for glioblastoma patients.

Citation

Musah-Eroje, A., & Watson, S. (2019). Adaptive Changes of Glioblastoma Cells Following Exposure to Hypoxic (1% Oxygen) Tumour Microenvironment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(9), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20092091

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 24, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Apr 28, 2019
• Publication Date: Apr 28, 2019
• Deposit Date: May 7, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: May 7, 2019
• Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Print ISSN: 1661-6596
• Electronic ISSN: 1422-0067
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 9
• Article Number: 2091
• Pages: 1-16
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20092091
• Keywords: glioblastoma; hypoxia; CD133; tumour microenvironment; personalised treatment
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2026721
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/20/9/2091