.<\/p>\n
In their latest research, scientists of the Max Delbr\u00fcck
\n Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch,
\nGermany, have demonstrated how the brain\u2019s own
\nstem cells and precursor cells control the growth of
\n glioblastomas. Of all brain tumors, glioblastomas are
\namong the most common and most aggressive. Dr.
\nSridhar Reddy Chirasani, Professor Helmut Kettenmann
\n and Dr. Rainer Glass (all MDC) and Dr. Michael
\nSynowitz (Charit\u00e9 \u2013 Universit\u00e4tsmedizin Berlin) have
\n now shown in cell culture and mouse model
\nexperiments just how the body\u2019s own protective
\nmechanism they identified in an earlier study, actually
\nworks (Brain, July 6, 2010).
\n.
\nGlioblastomas are brain tumors that are most common
\n in adults in their mid-fifties or early sixties. The causes
\nfor developing the disease are not yet known. Researchers
\nassume that misdirected neural stem cells \/ precursor cells
\n mutate into cancer cells and can form glioblastomas.
\n.
\nSeveral years ago the MDC and Charit\u00e9 researchers were
\n able to show that normal stem cell\/ precursor cells of the
\nbrain attack the tumor. Apparently, the tumor itself entices
\n these stem cells to migrate over relatively long distances
\n from the stem cell niches of the brain. Why this is so is
\n unclear. Moreover, the researchers still do not know which
\n substance attract the stem cells to the tumor. However,
\nnow they have discovered how the stem cells keep the
\ntumor in check.
\n.
\nStem cell protein induces signaling in glioblastoma cells
\nThe scientists showed that the neural stem cells and
\nneural precursor cells release a protein that belongs to
\nthe family of the BMP proteins (bone morphogenetic
\nprotein). This protein received its name for its ability to
\ninduce bone and cartilage tissue formation, the first
\ncharacteristic that was known about it. However, BMP
\nis active in the entire organism \u2013 even in the brain.
\n.
\nNeural stem cells release BMP-7 in the brain in the
\n vicinity of the glioblastoma cells. The protein influences
\n a small population of cancer cells, the so-called tumor
\n stem cells. The current consensus of researchers is that
\n these tumor stem cells are the actual cause for the
\n continuous tumor self-renewal in the brain. A small
\n quantity of these cells is sufficient to form new tumors
\nagain even after surgery. BMP-7 induces signaling in the
\ntumor stem cells, causing them to differentiate. This
\n means that they are no longer tumor stem cells.
\n.
\nHowever, the activity of stem cells in the brain and thus
\nof the body\u2019s own protective mechanism against
\n glioblastomas diminishes with increasing age. This
\ncould explain why the tumors usually develop in older
\n adults and not in children and young people.
\n.<\/p>\n
Aim \u2013 the destruction of tumor stem cells
\nThe discovery of the tumor stem cells has led to new
\nconcepts in the therapy of glioblastomas. \u201cNormal
\ncancer cells\u201d can be destroyed using conventional
\n therapies (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy), which
\nare seldom successful in tumor stem cells. The aim is
\n therefore to develop therapy concepts to destroy
\nthese tumor stem cells. The findings from the mouse
\n experiments of the researchers in Berlin could point
\n to a new approach: reprogramming tumor stem cells
\n into less harmful cells, which could then be destroyed
\n with a therapy. <\/p>\n
.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
. In their latest research, scientists of the Max Delbr\u00fcck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch, Germany, have demonstrated how the brain\u2019s own stem cells and precursor cells control the growth of glioblastomas. Of all brain tumors, glioblastomas are among the most common and most aggressive. Dr. Sridhar Reddy Chirasani, Professor Helmut Kettenmann and Dr. … <\/p>\n