chondroitin and Brain-Neoplasms

Group IIA secreted phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)-IIA) is the most abundant element in human tissues of a large family of low molecular weight phospholipases A(2), which shows properties different from those displayed by the cytosolic phospholipase A(2) involved in the release of arachidonic acid. sPLA(2)-IIA behaves as a ligand for a group of receptors inside the C-type multilectin mannose receptor family and also interacts with heparan sulfate proteoglycans such as glypican, the dermatan/chondroitin sulfate-rich decorin, and the chondroitin sulfate-rich versican, thus being able to internalize to specific compartments within the cell and producing biological responses. This review provides a short summary of the biological actions of sPLA(2)-IIA on intracellular signaling pathways.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonic Acid; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Chondroitin; Flow Cytometry; Humans; Ligands; Models, Biological; Phospholipases A; Protein Binding; Signal Transduction; Sulfates; Tumor Cells, Cultured

A polyclonal rabbit antiserum was utilized to localize chondroitin sulfate in human gliomas. Tissue sections were digested with chondroitinase ABC to create the antigenic determinant on the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan molecule. Normal CNS tissue showed a positive immunohistochemical staining both in white and gray matter, sparing the cytoplasm of glial and neuronal cells. Differentiated astrocytomas presented the same pattern as the normal CNS. Anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas showed progressive reduction of parenchymal positivity as anaplasia increased. These data suggest that chondroitin sulfate is a character expressed by differentiated CNS cells and that it is lost with dedifferentiation. Vascular structures presented positive material in the adventitia in all the oncotypes. A discontinuous positivity was observed in the basal membrane zone of the vessels.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Chondroitin; Chondroitin Sulfates; Glioma; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Immunologic Techniques

Topics: Brain; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Chondroitin; Chondroitin Sulfates; Glioma; Humans

Topics: Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Membrane; Chondroitin; Glycosaminoglycans; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Myelin Sheath; Neurilemmoma; Oligodendroglioma; Staining and Labeling; Sulfates