[Expression of apoptosis-related gene products in human brain tumors and apoptosis-inducing therapy]

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K Tabuchi1, T Shiraishi, K Toda

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Saga Medical School.

Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine
|July 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

This study investigates apoptosis mechanisms in brain tumors, identifying key genes like Fas and Bcl-2 family members. It shows activated immune cells can induce apoptosis in glioblastoma cells via the Fas ligand/Fas pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Neuro-oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Apoptosis is crucial in tumorigenesis.
  • Understanding apoptosis in brain tumors is vital for treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate apoptosis mechanisms in brain tumors.
  • To analyze apoptosis-related gene expression in glioma cells and tumor specimens.
  • To investigate the role of OK-432 activated mononuclear cells in glioblastoma cell apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of apoptosis-related gene products (Fas, Bcl-2 family, ICE family).
  • Culturing glioma cells and analyzing biopsied brain tumor specimens.
  • Co-culturing T98G glioblastoma cells with OK-432 activated mononuclear cells.

Main Results:

  • Fas, Bcl-2 family (Bcl-2, Bcl-x, Bax), and ICE family (ICE, Ich-1) genes are implicated in brain tumor development.
  • OK-432 activated mononuclear cells induce apoptosis in T98G glioblastoma cells.
  • The Fas ligand/Fas system mediates the apoptotic killing of glioblastoma cells.

Conclusions:

  • Specific apoptosis-related genes play a role in brain tumor pathogenesis.
  • The Fas ligand/Fas pathway is a key mechanism for immune-mediated apoptosis in glioblastoma.
  • Targeting the Fas pathway could be a therapeutic strategy for brain tumors.

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