Ultrastructural characteristics of gap junctions in human glial brain tumors

Abstract

The investigation showed the presence of intercellular GJs with some ultrastructural differences in the samples of low- and high-grade astroglial tumors. According to current data, astrocytomic GJs are able to create a stable self-sustaining network that promotes tumor progression and provides resistance to a therapeutic intervention. At the same time, the noticeable reduction in the number of GJs, which is most pronounced in the oligodendroglioma sample, can accelerate tumor cell migration into the surrounding parenchyma. The investigation of GJs should be, of course, continued using a group of a larger number of glial tumors to confirm the intercellular communication features revealed in this study.

Facets of Communication: Gap Junction Ultrastructure and Function in Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Cells

“…As these studies were detecting the presence versus absence of gap junctions in normal versus cancerogenic tissue, more detailed morphological observations were required. Morphology was for instance addressed in the ultrastructural assessment of brain tumor gap junctions: In astrocytomas, gap junction morphology changed in that gap junctions were shortened in length and showed deformed nexus [74]. The authors discussed that a self-sustaining network of gap junctions with slight differences in ultrastructure might provide for tumor progression and resistance to therapeutic interventions.…”