Co-culture of Glioblastoma Stem-like Cells on Patterned Neurons to Study Migration and Cellular Interactions

J Vis Exp. 2021 Feb 24:(168). doi: 10.3791/62213.

Abstract

Glioblastomas (GBMs), grade IV malignant gliomas, are one of the deadliest types of human cancer because of their aggressive characteristics. Despite significant advances in the genetics of these tumors, how GBM cells invade the healthy brain parenchyma is not well understood. Notably, it has been shown that GBM cells invade the peritumoral space via different routes; the main interest of this paper is the route along white matter tracts (WMTs). The interactions of tumor cells with the peritumoral nervous cell components are not well characterized. Herein, a method has been described that evaluates the impact of neurons on GBM cell invasion. This paper presents an advanced co-culture in vitro assay that mimics WMT invasion by analyzing the migration of GBM stem-like cells on neurons. The behavior of GBM cells in the presence of neurons is monitored by using an automated tracking procedure with open-source and free-access software. This method is useful for many applications, in particular, for functional and mechanistic studies as well as for analyzing the effects of pharmacological agents that can block GBM cell migration on neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Communication* / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement* / drug effects
  • Cell Tracking
  • Coculture Techniques / methods*
  • Glioblastoma / pathology*
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Laminin / pharmacology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / pathology*
  • Rats
  • Spheroids, Cellular / drug effects
  • Spheroids, Cellular / pathology

Substances

  • Laminin