Connexin 43 inhibitors reduce cell viability in glioblastoma and astrocyte co-culture systems

Glioblastoma accounts for 48.3% of malignant brain tumors, with a median survival of 15 months. Connexin-43 (Cx43), a gap junction protein, is a critical target due to its association with cancer recurrence, metastatic spread, and poor survival. CX43 is aberrantly expressed in glioblastoma, contributing to tumor growth and chemoresistance. Therefore, CX43 inhibition holds immense potential for glioblastoma treatment.

The effects of two Cx43 inhibitors, oleamide and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA), is investigated in both monoculture and astrocyte co-culture systems using A172 and U87-MG glioblastoma cell lines. Cell viability was assessed by MTS assay, and protein expression levels of Cx43, STAT3/pSTAT3, and WNT5a were analyzed by western blotting. Co-culture dynamics and intercellular interactions were evaluated by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy. Combination treatments with TMZ were also explored.

Both Cx43 inhibitors reduced glioblastoma cell viability, with 18β-GA being more potent in monoculture. Interestingly, oleamide exhibited enhanced efficacy in co-culture conditions, indicating a modulatory role of astrocytes. While both inhibitors activated STAT3 signaling, they retained synergistic cytotoxicity when combined with TMZ. Double-positive astrocyte-glioblastoma cell populations were detected, suggesting possible intercellular exchange, although the mechanism requires further validation.

Our results demonstrates that astrocytes modulate the glioblastoma response to CX43 inhibitors, emphasizing the importance of tumor-stroma interactions. While this study provides important insights into the modulatory role of astrocytes on glioblastoma response to Cx43 inhibition, further in vivo and functional validation studies are warranted to better elucidate the mechanistic basis of these interactions and enhance translational relevance.