Study: How Gliomas Move, Damage Tissue

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have discovered how gliomas migrate in the brain and cause tumors. The findings, recently published online in Nature Communications, show that gliomas disrupt normal neural connections and hijack control of blood vessels. The study provides insight into the mechanisms of how glioma cells spread throughout the brain and potentially offers an opportunity for therapy. The researchers discovered that, as they move, gliomas dislodge astrocytic endfeet. “Glioma cells traveling along blood vessels literally cut the connection of astrocytic endfeet with the vessels and push them out of the way,” said neuroscientist Harald Sontheimer, PhD. “By disrupting this important neural connection, adverse cognitive effects could be expected. Additionally, our study showed that gliomas then take control of the blood vessels for their own ends. And those ends are primarily to obtain nutrients from blood so that they can continue to grow and spread.” To learn more about the study, click here.