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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
Isolation and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Glioma-infiltrating Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Published on: November 28, 2015
Decreasing expression of the interleukin-13 receptor IL-13Ralpha2 in treated recurrent malignant gliomas
Oliver Bozinov1, Jens-Martin Kalk, Niklaus Krayenbühl
1Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland. oliver.bozinov@usz.ch
Abstract:
The IL-13Ralpha2 gene encodes for a 65 kDa protein that forms one of the subunits of the interleukin-13 (IL-13) receptor. This gene is highly expressed in various types of human tumors including malignant gliomas. The expression level of IL-13Ralpha2 was examined in a total of 45 tissue samples of anaplastic astrocytomas (AAs) World Health Organization (WHO) grade III, glioblastomas (GBMs) WHO grade IV, and first-recurrent glioblastomas (frGBMs) after treatment with radiation and chemotherapy. IL-13Ralpha2 expression was detected by semiquantitative reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using ABI PRISM 7700 and Qiagen QuantiTect SYBR Green PCR kits. The expression level of IL-13Ralpha2 (15 fold) was significantly reduced in frGBMs compared to the primary GBMs (p = 0.014), and significantly reduced by more than 15 fold (p = 0.003) in all untreated malignant astrocytomas (AAs and GBMs) compared with treated frGBMs. Expression of IL-13Ralpha2 seems to be lower in frGBMs compared to GBMs. The promising antitumor effect of IL-13 cytotoxin could be greatly reduced in frGBM or only achievable with higher amounts of cytotoxin, due to the significantly lower expression of the cytotoxin's target structure.
Insights
Interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL-13Ralpha2) expression is significantly lower in recurrent glioblastomas. This reduced IL-13Ralpha2 expression may limit the efficacy of IL-13 cytotoxin therapies in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL-13Ralpha2) is a key component of the IL-13 receptor.
- IL-13Ralpha2 exhibits high expression in various human tumors, including malignant gliomas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of IL-13Ralpha2 in different grades of malignant astrocytomas.
- To compare IL-13Ralpha2 expression between primary glioblastomas and first-recurrent glioblastomas.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 45 tissue samples including anaplastic astrocytomas (WHO grade III), glioblastomas (WHO grade IV), and first-recurrent glioblastomas.
- Quantitative assessment of IL-13Ralpha2 gene expression using semiquantitative reverse transcription real-time PCR.
Main Results:
- IL-13Ralpha2 expression was significantly reduced (15-fold) in first-recurrent glioblastomas compared to primary glioblastomas (p=0.014).
- Expression was significantly lower (over 15-fold) in untreated malignant astrocytomas compared to treated first-recurrent glioblastomas (p=0.003).
Conclusions:
- IL-13Ralpha2 expression is notably lower in first-recurrent glioblastomas.
- Reduced IL-13Ralpha2 levels in recurrent tumors may diminish the therapeutic potential of IL-13 cytotoxin treatments, potentially requiring higher doses for efficacy.
