Scientists at NCCS have developed a novel tumor cell co-culture protocol and system for understanding the role of glioma stem cells (GSC) in mediating tumor functions in Glioblastoma (GBM). GBM is a highly invasive malignant tumor with high incidence of therapy resistance and tumor relapse after surgery. This relapse is due to repopulation of tumor by GSCs and is characterized by existence of GSCs in close proximity with endothelial cells (EC). In order to study the GSC-EC interactions, this innovative self-propagating GSC-EC co-culture system was developed as a highly replicating in-vitro model of GBM. This novel co-culture system is a homogenous system as both GSCs and ECs are derived from same tumor tissue and has the flexibility to be used interchangeably as 2-dimensional adherent monolayers or as 3-dimensional self-propagating neurospheres without loss of any inherent properties of the GSCs.
This patented co-culture system uses a unique flow cytometry based high throughput analysis platform termed as IMAGES (Identification and Multi parametric analysis of GICs-HuGEC subpopulations in glioma) for understanding and quantifying GSC-EC interaction. This analysis method facilitates functional identification of multiple cell populations and understanding of novel niche specific signalling mechanisms in the GBM tumor.
Potential applications include:
- Studying cell-cell interactions,
- Understanding niche specific signaling interactions between GSCs and ECs
- Assessing effects of radio/ chemo therapy on GSCs under perivascular niche conditions and ECs under angiogenic conditions,
- In-vitro and in-vivo identification of inhibitory molecules of GSCs associated with endothelial niche,
- Screening of novel drug candidates in 3-dimensional cell culture,
- Single cell typing,
- Developing personalized GBM therapy and
- Drug Repurposing.
Technology Readiness: TRL B1 (In-vitro efficacy/ results demonstrated)
Technology Status: Patents filed in India.
Technology Availability: Know-how available for transfer/ co-development with partners.