Notch信号通路与脑胶质瘤干细胞的niche

Notch signaling pathway and glioma stem cell niche

研究表明极少数量肿瘤干细胞存在于脑胶质瘤中，但在其发生发展中起关键作用。脑胶质瘤干细胞与为其提供结构和功能支持的血管niche关系密切。在脑胶质瘤niche中，血管内皮细胞可以提供Notch配体给肿瘤干细胞，激活Notch信号通路，并与其他信号通路构成串话，维持肿瘤干细胞的自我更新，增加脑肿瘤干细胞对放疗的抵抗性。因此，Notch信号通路被认为是脑胶质瘤新的治疗靶点。

A small fraction of tumor stem cells exist in glioma and play a key role in the tumorigenesis and propagation of glioma. They have a close relationship with their niche that offers structural and functional support. In glioma niche, vascular endothelial cells can provide Notch ligands for cancer stem cells to activate Notch signaling pathway and contact with other signaling pathways, maintaining the tumor stem cell self-renewal and increasing resistance of brain tumor stem cells to radiotherapy. Therefore, Notch signaling pathway is con- sidered to he a new therapeutic target of glioma.