Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026
Evaluation of Biomarkers in Glioma by Immunohistochemistry on Paraffin-Embedded 3D Glioma Neurosphere Cultures
Published on: January 9, 2019
Integrin α7 Is a Functional Marker and Potential Therapeutic Target in Glioblastoma
Tobias L Haas1, Maria Rita Sciuto2, Lidia Brunetto2
1Institute of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, 00168 Rome, Italy; Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; National Cancer Institute Regina Elena, 00144 Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
Functionally relevant markers of glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs) have potential for therapeutic targeting to treat this aggressive disease. Here we used generation and screening of thousands of monoclonal antibodies to search for receptors and signaling pathways preferentially enriched in GSCs. We identified integrin α7 (ITGA7) as a major laminin receptor in GSCs and in primary high-grade glioma specimens. Analyses of mRNA profiles in comprehensive datasets revealed that high ITGA7 expression negatively correlated with survival of patients with both low- and high-grade glioma. In vitro and in vivo analyses showed that ITGA7 plays a key functional role in growth and invasiveness of GSCs. We also found that targeting of ITGA7 by RNAi or blocking mAbs impaired laminin-induced signaling, and it led to a significant delay in tumor engraftment plus a strong reduction in tumor size and invasion. Our data, therefore, highlight ITGA7 as a glioblastoma biomarker and candidate therapeutic target.
Insights
Integrin alpha7 (ITGA7) is a key receptor in glioblastoma stem cells, driving tumor growth and invasion. Targeting ITGA7 offers a promising therapeutic strategy and biomarker for this aggressive brain cancer.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs) are critical drivers of aggressive brain tumors.
- Identifying specific markers on GSCs is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
- Current therapeutic strategies for glioblastoma have limited efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel receptors and signaling pathways enriched in GSCs.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting identified GSC markers.
- To investigate the role of integrin alpha7 (ITGA7) in glioblastoma progression.
Main Methods:
- Generation and screening of thousands of monoclonal antibodies against GSCs.
- Identification of ITGA7 as a major laminin receptor in GSCs and glioma specimens.
- In vitro and in vivo functional assays to assess ITGA7's role in GSC growth and invasion.
- Analysis of patient mRNA profiles to correlate ITGA7 expression with survival.
Main Results:
- ITGA7 was identified as a major laminin receptor preferentially expressed in GSCs.
- High ITGA7 expression significantly correlates with poor patient survival in both low- and high-grade gliomas.
- ITGA7 plays a critical functional role in GSC growth and invasiveness.
- Targeting ITGA7 with RNAi or blocking antibodies reduced tumor growth, invasion, and delayed engraftment.
Conclusions:
- ITGA7 is a functionally relevant biomarker for glioblastoma.
- ITGA7 represents a promising therapeutic target for glioblastoma treatment.
- Targeting ITGA7 can impede GSC-driven tumor progression and invasion.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
01:15Activation of Integrins
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding...