Co-culture models for investigating cellular crosstalk in the glioma microenvironment

Glioma is the most prevalent primary malignant tumor in the central nervous system(CNS).It represents a diverse group of brain malignancies characterized by the presence of various cancer cell types as well as an array of noncancerous cells,which together form the intricate glioma tumor microenvironment(TME).Understanding the interactions between glioma cells/glioma stem cells(GSCs)and these noncancerous cells is crucial for exploring the pathogenesis and development of glioma.To invesigate these interactions requires in vitro co-culture models that closely mirror the actual TME in vivo.In this review,we summarize the two-and three-dimensional in vitro coculture model systems for glioma-TME interactions currently available.Furthermore,we explore common gliomaTME cell interactions based on these models,including interactions of glioma cells/GSCs with endothelial cells/pericytes,microglia/macrophages,T cells,astrocytes,neurons,or other multi-cellular interactions.Together,this review provides an update on the glioma-TME interactions,offering insights into glioma pathogenesis.

Immunomodulatory effects of astragalus polysaccharide on Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells co-cultured with cervical cancer cell lineImmunomodulatory effects of astragalus polysaccharide on Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells co-cultured with cervical cancer cell line

OBJECTIVE:To investigate immunomodulatory effects of Astragalus polysaccharides(APS)on the co-culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)with He La cervical cancer cell line.METHODS:To assess the proliferation of PBMCs,carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester(CFSE)-labeled PBMCs were co-cultured with He La cells and treated with different concentrations of APS.Supernatants of cell culture were collected for cytokines assay via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The impact of APS on the proliferation of PBMCs,induction of regulatory T cells(Tregs),and myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs)was carried out by flow cytometry.RESULTS:It was observed that APS could increase the proliferation of PBMCs co-cultured with He La cells(P<0.05).However,APS had no significant effects on the induction of Tregs and MDSCs in the co-culture assay(P>0.05).Furthermore,ELISA results demonstrated that APS could decrease IL-10 and TGF-βconcentration(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The above-mentioned characteristics showed that APS might be able to modulate immune responses and improve anti-tumor effects through increasing the proliferation of PBMCs and decreasing inhibitory cytokines secretion as critical mediators of immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment.