CXCL12/CXCR4 promotes motility and proliferation of glioma cells

• Published in: Cancer biology & therapy Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 56 - 65
• Main Authors: Carmo, Anália do, Patricio, I., Cruz, M.T., Carvalheiro, H., Oliveira, C.R., Lopes, M.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 01-01-2010
• Subjects: Binding; Biology; Bioscience; Brain Neoplasms - genetics; Calcium; Cancer; Cell; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement - genetics; Cell Proliferation; Chemokine CXCL12 - genetics; Chemokine CXCL12 - metabolism; Chemotaxis; Cycle; Glioblastoma - pathology; Glioma - genetics; Humans; Landes; Organogenesis; Proteins; Receptors, CXCR4 - genetics; Receptors, CXCR4 - metabolism
• ISSN: 1538-4047; 1555-8576
• DOI: 10.4161/cbt.9.1.10342

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and malignant brain tumor. Recent studies indicated that glioma samples are characterized by increased expression of CXCR4, the CXCL12/SDF-1 chemokine receptor. To better understand the role of CXCR4 in GBM biology we performed an integrated study where we simultaneously evaluate the contribution of the CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling pathway to the proliferation, survival and motility of a human GBM cell line. Our results indicated that CXCR4/CXCL12 axis induced an increase in cell proliferation and in cell motility. The blockage of CXCR4 induced a significant increase of apoptosis. Together, our results indicated that CXCR4/CXCL12 signalling pathway may contribute to GBM development and emphasize the therapeutic potential of this pathway in patients with GBM.