Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
Evaluation of Biomarkers in Glioma by Immunohistochemistry on Paraffin-Embedded 3D Glioma Neurosphere Cultures
Published on: January 9, 2019
NG2 expression in glioblastoma identifies an actively proliferating population with an aggressive molecular signature
M Talal F Al-Mayhani1, Richard Grenfell, Masashi Narita
1Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK.
Abstract:
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of primary brain tumor and a highly malignant and heterogeneous cancer. Current conventional therapies fail to eradicate or curb GBM cell growth. Hence, exploring the cellular and molecular basis of GBM cell growth is vital to develop novel therapeutic approaches. Neuroglia (NG)-2 is a transmembrane proteoglycan expressed by NG2+ progenitors and is strongly linked to cell proliferation in the normal brain. By using NG2 as a biomarker we identify a GBM cell population (GBM NG2+ cells) with robust proliferative, clonogenic, and tumorigenic capacity. We show that a significant proportion (mean 83%) of cells proliferating in the tumor mass express NG2 and that over 50% of GBM NG2+ cells are proliferating. Compared with the GBM NG2- cells from the same tumor, the GBM of NG2+ cells overexpress genes associated with aggressive tumorigenicity, including overexpression of Mitosis and Cell Cycling Module genes (e.g., MELK, CDC, MCM, E2F), which have been previously shown to correlate with poor survival in GBM. We also show that the coexpression pattern of NG2 with other glial progenitor markers in GBM does not recapitulate that described in the normal brain. The expression of NG2 by such an aggressive and actively cycling GBM population combined with its location on the cell surface identifies this cell population as a potential therapeutic target in a subset of patients with GBM.
Insights
Neuroglia (NG)-2 identifies a highly proliferative glioblastoma (GBM) cell population. Targeting these NG2+ GBM cells may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for this aggressive brain cancer.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Pathology
Background:
- Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly malignant primary brain tumor.
- Conventional therapies are insufficient for eradicating GBM cells.
- Understanding GBM cell growth mechanisms is crucial for developing new treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a specific GBM cell population with high proliferative capacity.
- To investigate the potential of NG2 as a biomarker for aggressive GBM cells.
- To explore NG2+ GBM cells as a novel therapeutic target.
Main Methods:
- Utilized NG2 as a biomarker to identify and isolate GBM cell populations.
- Assessed proliferative, clonogenic, and tumorigenic capacities of GBM cells.
- Analyzed gene expression profiles, focusing on cell cycling and aggressive tumorigenicity markers.
Main Results:
- Identified a GBM cell population (GBM NG2+ cells) with significant proliferative, clonogenic, and tumorigenic potential.
- Found that 83% of proliferating cells in GBM tumors express NG2, with over 50% of GBM NG2+ cells actively cycling.
- GBM NG2+ cells overexpress genes linked to aggressive tumorigenicity and poor survival, such as MELK, CDC, MCM, and E2F.
Conclusions:
- NG2 marks an aggressive, actively cycling GBM cell population.
- The expression pattern of NG2 in GBM differs from that in the normal brain.
- Targeting NG2+ GBM cells presents a potential therapeutic strategy for a subset of GBM patients.
