The Roles of MiRNA in Glioblastoma Tumor Cell Communication: Diplomatic and Aggressive Negotiations
Overview
Chemistry
Molecular Biology
Authors
Affiliations
Glioblastoma (GBM) consists of a heterogeneous collection of competing cellular clones which communicate with each other and with the tumor microenvironment (TME). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) present various exchange mechanisms: free miRNA, extracellular vesicles (EVs), or gap junctions (GJs). GBM cells transfer miR-4519 and miR-5096 to astrocytes through GJs. Oligodendrocytes located in the invasion front present high levels of miR-219-5p, miR-219-2-3p, and miR-338-3p, all related to their differentiation. There is a reciprocal exchange between GBM cells and endothelial cells (ECs) as miR-5096 promotes angiogenesis after being transferred into ECs, whereas miR-145-5p acts as a tumor suppressor. In glioma stem cells (GSCs), miR-1587 and miR-3620-5p increase the proliferation and miR-1587 inhibits the hormone receptor co-repressor-1 () after EVs transfers. GBM-derived EVs carry miR-21 and miR-451 that are up-taken by microglia and monocytes/macrophages, promoting their proliferation. Macrophages release EVs enriched in miR-21 that are transferred to glioma cells. This bidirectional miR-21 exchange increases STAT3 activity in GBM cells and macrophages, promoting invasion, proliferation, angiogenesis, and resistance to treatment. miR-1238 is upregulated in resistant GBM clones and their EVs, conferring resistance to adjacent cells via the CAV1/EGFR signaling pathway. Decrypting these mechanisms could lead to a better patient stratification and the development of novel target therapies.
Tight junction proteins in glial tumors development and progression.
Moskal J, Michalak S Front Cell Neurosci. 2025; 19:1541885.
PMID: 39963115 PMC: 11830821. DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2025.1541885.
MicroRNA-219 in the central nervous system: a potential theranostic approach.
Shamaeizadeh N, Mirian M Res Pharm Sci. 2025; 19(6):634-655.
PMID: 39911893 PMC: 11792714. DOI: 10.4103/RPS.RPS_163_23.
Unveiling cell-type-specific microRNA networks through alternative polyadenylation in glioblastoma.
Cihan M, Schmauck G, Sprang M, Andrade-Navarro M BMC Biol. 2025; 23(1):15.
PMID: 39838429 PMC: 11752630. DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-02104-8.
da Silva K, Lima I, Dos Santos C, Nonaka C, Souza B, David J Molecules. 2025; 30(1.
PMID: 39795214 PMC: 11721753. DOI: 10.3390/molecules30010158.
Tsai H, Shen A Biomicrofluidics. 2025; 18(6):064106.
PMID: 39742343 PMC: 11686958. DOI: 10.1063/5.0228901.