The role of the cysteine proteinase cathepsin S in astrocytoma invasion

David Gibson, Thomas Flannery, Karl Mulligan, M Mirakhur, Derek McCormick

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

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Abstract

Introduction: Local tumour invasion gives rise to recurrence after surgical resection, leading to the poor prognosis associated with malignant astrocytomas. Extracellular proteolytic enzymes including cysteine proteinases have been implicated in facilitating tumour cell invasion. The current study was designed to characterize the expression of the cysteine proteinase, cathepsin S and investigate its potential role in the invasive process.Materials and methods: Expression of cathepsin S was investigated in astrocytoma biopsies by immunohistochemistry and in astrocytoma cultures by immunocytochemistry and the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cathepsin S activity assays were also performed on in vitro and in vivo samples. An in vitro Matrigel invasion assay was used to evaluate the effect of selective cathepsin S inactivation, by the inhibitor LHVS, on glioblastoma cell invasion.Results: Cathepsin S immunostaining was restricted to tumour cells in vivo. Cathepsin S transcript, protein and activity were observed within astrocytoma cells in vitro. Extracellular cathepsin S activity was about five-fold higher in cultures from grade IV tumours than in lower grades. Inhibition of cathepsin S with 0.01 µm LHVS significantly inhibited in vitro invasion of the glioblastoma cell line U251 mg by 50% (P <0.0001).Conclusions: It has been demonstrated for the first time that cathepsin S is expressed and secreted by astrocytoma cells and plays a role in astrocytoma invasion, and is therefore a potential therapeutic target.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNeuropathology and Applied Neurobiology
PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Pages156
Number of pages1
Volume28
Edition2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 26 Apr 2002
Event102nd Meeting of the British Neuropathological Society - Institute of Child Health, London
Duration: 1 Jan 2002 → …

Conference

Conference102nd Meeting of the British Neuropathological Society
Period1/01/02 → …

Keywords

  • Astrocytoma
  • Cysteine proteinase
  • tumour invasion

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