Abstract
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), a uniformly lethal stage IV astrocytoma, is currently treated with a combination of surgical and radiation therapy as well as Temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. Resistance toTMZ is rapidly acquired by GBM cells and overcoming this resistance has been an area of significant research. GBM ‘cancer stem cells’ (CSC) also known as ‘cancer initiating cells’ are often positively selected by CD133 expression andTMZresistance. In this project, we selected GBMCSC from two cell lines based on CD133 expression. CD133+ and CD133 GBM cells showed comparable cell cycle status. The expression of genes within the Sonic Hedgehog Signaling pathway, PTCH1 (SHH receptor/basal signaling repressor) and Gli1 (effector transcription factor) were increased. The recent literature indicated a decreased in PTCH expression by miRNA and this was independent of SHH expression. We analyzed 5 potential PTCH-targeting miRNA and identified an increase in miRNA-9-2. The CD133+ cells showed an increase in the Multiple Drug Resistance 1 gene (MDR1). Knockdown of Gli1 and MDR1 with siRNA enhanced TMZ induced cell death. Taken together, these studies show CD133+ GBM CSCs expressed greater levels of miR-9 and activation of the SHH/PTCH1/MDR1 axis. This axis has been shown to impart TMZ resistance. In the case of the CD133+ cells, the resistance is not acquires but seems to be inherent. Identification of this pathway as well as the identification of miR-9 may allow for the development of miRNA-targeted approach to Cancer Stem Cell therapy in GBM.