Role of Redox Status in Development of Glioblastoma

Article type: Review Article

Keywords: glioblastoma, gliomagenesis, redox status, DNA damage, tumor microenvironment

Authors: Aleli Salazar-Ramiro, Daniela Ramírez-Ortega, Verónica Pérez de la Cruz, Norma Y. Hérnandez-Pedro, Dinora Fabiola González-Esquivel, Julio Sotelo, Benjamín Pineda

Affiliations: Neuroimmunology and Neuro-Oncology Unit, National Neurology and Neurosurgery Institute (INNN), Mexico City, Mexico; Neurochemistry Unit, National Neurology and Neurosurgery Institute (INNN), Mexico City, Mexico; Experimental Oncology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Mexico City, Mexico

License: Copyright © 2016 Salazar-Ramiro, Ramírez-Ortega, Pérez de la Cruz, Hérnandez-Pedro, González-Esquivel, Sotelo and Pineda. CC BY 4.0 This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Article links: DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00156  |  PubMed: 27199982  |  PMC: PMC4844613

Relevance: Moderate: mentioned 3+ times in text

Full text: PDF (710 KB)

Introduction

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the most common neoplasia in pediatric patients under 19 years old. In adults, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common aggressive tumor of the CNS. In Mexico, GBM represents 28% of all gliomas and 9% of all neoplasms (ref. 1). High intra- and intertumor heterogeneity, diffuse brain infiltration, necrosis, high rate of cell proliferation, and resistance to current treatments characterize these tumors (ref. 2, ref. 3).

Glioblastoma multiforme has two origins: tumors arising de novo, called primary GBM that represent 90–95% of all GBMs; they are usually diagnosed between the sixth and seventh decades of life. The remaining 5–10% of them (named secondary) arise from lower grade tumors through several genetic mutations, such as retinoblastoma protein (RB), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), and other mutations, which finally lead to p53 inhibition, overexpression of platelet-derived growth factor A receptor-α (PDGFA/PDGFRα) and amplified cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) (ref. 4, ref. 5). Secondary GBM is commonly diagnosed around the fourth decade of life. Despite multiple advances in diagnosis and treatment, prognosis for GBM is poor; survival for untreated tumors is about 5 months. Even the best available current therapy (which includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy) works only as a palliative and median survival does not extend beyond 14 months (ref. 6).

Although several reports have established the existence of cancer stem cells-like populations within the GBM and several experimental models have demonstrated that transformed neural stem/precursor cells are probably the origin cell of those tumors, conclusive evidence remains missing (ref. 3, ref. 7–ref. 9).

The genesis, development, and progression of GBM and its resistance to standard treatments remains obscure; however, it is thought that GBM cell mechanisms involve clonal and sub-clonal populations from both the subventricular zone (SVZ) cell population that includes carcinogenic stem cells (CSC) and a mixture of tumor mass population, which in turn includes astrocytes, microglia, non-differentiated cells, and partially differentiated cells (ref. 10). Some authors have agreed that it involves a multistep process including a series of mutations and activation of several oncogenes. These cell populations might suffer genetic alterations caused by different factors such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation (IR), carcinogens, and oxidative stress (ref. 11).

Gliomagenesis

Gliomagenesis is a multistep process where genetic alterations on normal cells may lead to malignant derivatives (secondary glioblastoma) or to highly malignant transformed cells (primary glioblastoma) (ref. 4) when multiple mutations are involved. There are several hypotheses about the onset of gliomas and their progression through glioblastoma. Histopathologic features of primary and secondary GBMs are indistinguishable; nevertheless, molecular genetic abnormalities are associated with each subtype.

Primary GBMs exhibit epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification, PTEN mutation, and loss of chromosome 10, while P53 mutations are common in secondary GBMs (ref. 12). These mutations affect the redox balance in the tumor environment. For instance, ligation of EGFR by EGF induces endogenous production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and H₂O₂ in cancer cell lines (ref. 13, ref. 14). In response to ligation, EGFR forms homo and heterodimers activating several intracellular signal pathways, such as phosphatidylinositol 3′ kinase (PI3K)/Akt and Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), leading to increase in DNA synthesis (ref. 13). Also high levels of H₂O₂ (200 pM) significantly increase the Tyr autophosphorylation by EGFR, leading to generation of ROS (ref. 13).

Phosphatase and tensin homolog is known by acting as a tumor suppressor, negatively regulating PI3K/Akt pathway (ref. 15, ref. 16). This protein plays an important role in the regulation of metabolism, apoptosis, cell proliferation, and survival, being affected by redox status, specifically by H₂O₂, which can oxidize the protein, inducing the formation of a disulfide bond between Cys71 and Cys124 in the N-terminal phosphatase domain (ref. 17). As a result, this leads to alterations in its interaction with signaling and regulatory proteins (ref. 17–ref. 19). Then, it is possible that overexpression of EGFR might conduce to an increase in H₂O₂ levels, disturbing several signaling pathways and stimulating cell survival and proliferation.

Tumor protein P53 (P53) is a protein that regulates the energetic metabolism and the genes involved in the redox regulation, such as mitochondrial superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) (ref. 20), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) (ref. 21), and the aldehyde dehydrogenase 4 family member A1 (ALDH4A1) (ref. 22). P53 may be affected by several mutations that change its structure and function. Patients with Germline mutations in TP53 and pR337H show higher levels of oxidant stress (ref. 23).

This genetic heterogeneity separates GBM subtypes and is defined by gene expression analysis. Novel therapeutic alternatives are now focused to increase the immune recognition and immune response (ref. 24, ref. 25), to block metabolism pathways (ref. 26), to knock genes (ref. 27), and to modulate cellular redox status (ref. 28).

Chronic inflammation in various tissues is a critical component of tumor development (ref. 29). In the case of brain tumor malignancy, no conclusive links have been found between glioma and smoking, diet, mobile phones, or electromagnetic fields. Only IR has been accepted as the risk factor (ref. 30) due to its ability to induce DNA damage response and repair (DDR/R) (ref. 31). When the cell is damaged by IR, it can inherit to its offspring several mutations or enter to apoptosis or to a senescence status (ref. 31). Apoptotic bodies and senescence cells are phagocyted by the mononuclear phagocyte system (ref. 32). One of the main effectors of the DDR/R pathway is P53 that also plays a key role in the induction of the proinflammatory response (ref. 33). DNA damage induced by radiation allows the release of damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) (ref. 34). Also, some viral infections, such as JC virus, BK virus, simian virus 40 (ref. 35), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Measles virus (recently postulated) (ref. 36, ref. 37), have been implicated in the genesis of brain tumors. Therefore, it is postulated that some tumors may arise from tissues that were damaged by infections or chronic inflammation (ref. 38). Virus have the ability to cause lytic infection in permissive cells and to remain in latency in other cell types, such as astrocytes, neurons, myeloid progenitor cells, and/or lymphocytes. Besides, they are candidates to produce persistent cell infection, activating, and modulating immune response, either through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) or by additional mechanisms of activation of TLRs, inducing endogenous inflammatory DAMPs mediators that also participate in the immune response (ref. 39) against pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). DAMPs are nuclear and cytosolic proteins, nucleotides, and extracellular molecules (ref. 40). TLR’s activation by PAMPs and DAMPs causes overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and costimulatory molecules involved in the generation of the immune response (ref. 41). Infections can also activate the DDR/R pathway and induce the release of IFNα/β, activating p53 and inducing apoptosis, which is relevant for an adequate antiviral immune response and tumor suppression (ref. 42). Also, DAMPs and PAMPs activate NFκB, PI3K/AKT, and Ras/MAPK signaling, favoring cell proliferation (ref. 43), allowing TNF-α and IL-6 release and perpetuating tissue damage due to inflammation (ref. 44). The activation of DDR/R as response to viral infection is ROS dependent (ref. 45, ref. 46). All these processes lead to changes in the interstitial microenvironment as a result of infections or sustained inflammation; thus, it seems possible that they can drive to tumor initiation and progression via the release of ROS by activated immune cells (ref. 40).

It is difficult to know which event is the first to trigger gliomagenesis, whether there is a DNA alteration as result of an imbalance in the redox homeostasis or if the imbalance in the redox state involves alterations in key genes that promote gliomagenesis. However, chronic inflammatory process could also result in the development of GBM (ref. 47), Moreover, it is recognized that inflammation is linked to redox modulation; tumor cells are under pro-oxidant redox environment due to an increased production of ROS (ref. 48). TNF-α is a cytokine released during the inflammatory processes, induced by microorganisms or IR and is the prime mediator of inflammation; its signaling can activate signaling pathways pro- and anti-apoptotic and is elevated in GBM. In glioblastoma cells, TNF-α increases the ROS production (ref. 49). Among the signaling pathways that are activated by TNF-α, is the PI3K/Akt (involved in regulating cell growth and apoptosis resistance), but is unregulated in GBM (ref. 50), leading to cell proliferation and survival. Akt phosphorylation is redox state-dependent (ref. 51) and has been shown that GBM human cells exposed to TNF-alpha produced significant increases in AKT activation, leading to actin cytoskeletal reorganization in a redox sensitive manner (ref. 52). AKT plays a role in cytoskeletal reorganization, which promotes invasion and migration of GBM cells (ref. 53) (Figure 1).

In summary, there is an intrinsic relationship between GBM, tissue microenvironment, and gliomagenesis. GBM microenvironment mainly comprises reactive immune-related cells, together with microglia, astrocytes, endothelial cells, pericytes, neural stem cells, and monocyte macrophages; the last are abundant together with microglia, constituting around 30% of tumor mass (ref. 54). These monocyte infiltrations into GBM result in a proinflammatory microenvironment that leads to alterations in redox homeostasis, promoting finally gliomagenesis (ref. 55). For this reason, some of the new therapeutic alternatives are focused on the development of new agents able to modulate redox status in the GBM microenvironment, alone or combined with agents that stimulate ROS production (ref. 56).

Cellular Redox Environment

Cellular redox status is described as the net physiologic balance between inter-convertible oxidized and reduced equivalents within subcellular compartments that remain in dynamic equilibrium. Under normal physiological conditions, ROS are produced constantly during cellular respiration and mediates the stimulation of various signaling pathways according to environmental conditions (ref. 57). Mitochondria are the major active site of ROS production due to incomplete coupling of electrons and H⁺ with oxygen in the electron transport chain (ref. 58, ref. 59). During electron transfer through the respiratory chain, mitochondria generate large portion of ROS, such as superoxide, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide, into the matrix and intermembrane space (ref. 60). The formation of superoxide occurs via the transfer of a free electron to molecular oxygen. Complex I (NADH dehydrogenase) and III (ubisemiquinone) of the electron transport chain produce most of the superoxide (ref. 61, ref. 62). Superoxide is catalyzed to H₂O₂ by manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in the mitochondrial matrix or copper/zinc-SOD (Cu/Zn-SOD) in the cytosol. Then, H₂O₂ is degraded to oxygen and water by the reaction with catalase, peroxiredoxin and GSH peroxidase (mitochondria). However, when the balance between oxidants and antioxidants is broken, superoxide can react with nitric oxide producing peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻), and H₂O₂ reacts with reduced transition metals giving hydroxyl radical. The consequence of high ROS contents and Ca²⁺ overloading is that the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore is open, which leads to disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c and proapoptotic molecules, from the inner membrane space of mitochondria to the cytosol (ref. 63), increasing even more ROS production.

Another important organelle that can mediate the cellular redox homeostasis is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the major site of calcium storage, where the folding of proteins and formation of disulfide bonds occur. The lumen of ER, in contrast to the cytosol, has a highly oxidizing environment, which facilitates disulfide bond formation and prevents the aggregation or accumulation of unfolded proteins. With this process, ER contributes to 25% of ROS generated by cell (ref. 64, ref. 65); the lumen of ER also contains high ratio of GSSG/GSH. Protein folding is a energetically demanding process where ATP is required and the conditions that alert this tightly regulated environment, as glucose deprivation and alteration in the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), can cause an imbalance in the ER protein folding, leading to accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER lumen, condition named as ER stress. Accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER provoke Ca²⁺ leakage into the cytosol, activating MPT pore, which affects mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to ATP depletion and increasing ROS production in the mitochondria (ref. 66, ref. 67). Also, it is important to mention that mitochondria and ER are linking organelles due to their close proximity and their capability to modulate calcium levels in the cytosol, which initiates a sequence of events where oxidative stress increases and the redox homeostasis is lost (ref. 68).

Many other enzymes, such as NADPH oxidase (ref. 69), xanthine oxidase (ref. 47), α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, d-amino acid oxidases, and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (ref. 70), and other flavoproteins also produce ROS along the normal metabolism, although in lower concentrations.

Reactive species of oxygen are beneficial for the cell in low concentrations and play a key in role signal transduction, enzyme activation, gene expression, and disulfide bond formation, during the folding of new proteins in the ER, and control of caspase activity during apoptosis (ref. 71). They also have a role in the normal functioning of immune response, proliferation of T cells and activation of immunological peptides, as well as in the response in the regulation of various cell activities. ROS keep under control the balance between self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation of normal stem cells and progenitor cells, either in hematopoietic or neuronal compartments (ref. 72, ref. 73).

Reactive species of oxygen production is inhibited by endogenous antioxidants as SOD, catalase (CAT), glutathione, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (Table 1), among others, which can prevent the generation of scavenging molecules and inactivate the already formed oxidants. Glutathione (GSH) redox cycle and thioredoxin represent the major cellular redox buffer (ref. 74, ref. 75). In this context, GSH is a relevant low-molecular-weight thiol in cells, essential for normal redox signaling (ref. 76). During the oxidative stress, its oxidized form (GSSG) may accumulate, leading to deleterious consequences for metabolic regulation, cellular integrity and homeostasis. GSH status is maintained in reduced state by GSH peroxidase and GSSH reductase system, which are coupled to the oxidized and reduced nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate (NADP/NADPH) redox pair. These antioxidants provide essential information on cellular redox state and affect the expression of genes associated with stress responses to maximize homeostasis.

When the cellular redox homeostasis is disturbed and the balance between cellular pro-oxidants and antioxidants is broken in favor of pro-oxidants, the cell enters into oxidative stress. During oxidative stress, ROS [superoxide $\left({\text{O}}_2^{•-}\right)$, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), hydroxyl radical (OH^⋅)], reactive nitrogen species (RNS) [nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻)], reactive sulfur species (RSS), and reactive chloride species (RCS) are produced (ref. 77). ROS can react with the most relevant macromolecules, such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids (ref. 78), leading to cell damage and DNA alterations. DNA oxidation by these reactive species generates 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, which may induce DNA mutations, generating mutagenesis and disruptions of genomic stability, in a process that enhances aging and cancer development (ref. 79). Those variations in ROS concentrations do not only affect genomic DNA but also produce alterations in DNA mitochondrial due to their proximity to the electron transport chain. As was mentioned before, depending on the ROS levels, different redox-sensitive factors are activated and distinct biological responses are produced. When ROS levels are low, Nrf2, a transcription factor considered as a ROS receptor in mammals, is activated, which involves the transactivation of gene coding for antioxidant enzymes (ref. 80). However, when the levels of ROS are high, perturbation occurs in calcium homeostasis leading to MPT pore perturbation, disruption of the electron transfer chain, lipase activation, induction of inflammatory response, trough the activation on NF-κB and AP-1, all these outcomes in apoptosis o necrosis (ref. 81).

The nervous tissue is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress due its high demand for oxygen and its inefficient defense mechanisms against free radicals, together with a high concentration of metal ions (e.g., iron and copper) involved in redox reactions (ref. 82). This complicated scenery within CNS has been related to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson and it seems possible to various tumors in the brain (ref. 83, ref. 84). It has been described that other ROS generators also contribute to tumor development. In this context, NADPH oxidases activate redox signaling pathways leading to angiogenesis (ref. 85, ref. 86); mutant Ras can modulate NADPH causing increase in ROS, DNA damage, and cell transformations (ref. 87, ref. 88); thus, cells that overexpress the oncogenic Ras display increased mitochondrial mass and ROS accumulation.

Redox Environment Alteration in Glioblastoma

Cells are constantly exposed to oxidant damage, either by exogenous (X or γ rays, α particles, oxidant products, or UV) or by endogenous agents (cell signaling, metabolic and inflammatory processes) (ref. 89–ref. 92). These agents induce DNA changes producing complex DNA damage, i.e., double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) and non-DSB generates clustered DNA lesions (OCDLs). Even low doses of IR (0.03 Gy) are enough to induce DNA mutations (ref. 93–ref. 95). Chronic exposure to viral infections can be also a source of free radicals that decrease the production of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, as well as high levels of hydroxyl radicals (ref. 96).

Reactive nitrogen species and ROS are the main effectors of oxidant damage (ref. 97); although ROS have relatively brief periods of life, they can induce local DNA damage. H₂O₂ is another oxidant species with a longer period of life that may induce cell damage in distant sites to its niche (ref. 98). It is known that ROS have specific targets such as *OH·y ¹O₂, which react with DNA and proteins, while H₂O₂ use Fe²⁺ to promote the Fenton reaction (ref. 99).

The most common modifications induced by ROS in the DNA are -oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoGua) and 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine, which lead to the production of apurinic/apyrimidinic (abasic) DNA sites, to oxidized purines and pyrimidines and to single-strand DNA breaks (SSBs) and DSBs (ref. 89, ref. 100), finally inducing genetic instability and the possible emergence of brain tumors (ref. 89).

Cellular redox imbalance has been found in GBM (Table 2). ROS can exert different effects according to the basal metabolic rate of the cells. The CNS has high metabolic activity and fatty acids content, reasons why is particularly sensible to oxidant damage by ROS. Within CNS, astrocytes and neurons have antioxidant systems such as the GSSG–GSH system that protects these cells of oxidant damage; however, the expression of mRNA for SOD and catalase enzyme is high in astrocytes. These differences in the expression of antioxidant enzymes make astrocytes particularly sensitive to damage induced by ROS, leading to genetic instability when the redox balance is lost.

Cancer cells show high basal levels of ROS, necessary for their increased proliferative rate (ref. 48). Recent studies have shown that high levels of ROS in cancer cells are the result of increased basal metabolic activity, mitochondrial dysfunction, due to hypoxia or mitophagy, peroxisomes activity, uncontrolled growth factors of cytokine signaling, oncogene activity, as well as enhanced activity of known ROS sources, such as NADPH oxidase, cyclooxygenases, or lipoxygenases (ref. 132–ref. 134) in cancer cells. The alteration on redox homeostasis is involved in the beginning, progression and regression of neoplasm. As was mentioned, reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions that generate ROS, including ${\text{O}}_2^{•-}$, H₂O₂, and OH^⋅, have been reported as important chemical mediators in the regulation of signal transduction. Due to the high levels of ROS, cancer cells also stimulate the antioxidant system, such as MnSOD, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, to eliminate ROS (ref. 135) (Table 1). Conversely, ROS can also stimulate intracellular signal events, promoting activation in tumor cells, due to the capacity to stimulate kinases and small G proteins such as c-Src, Ras, and ERK1/2 (ref. 136, ref. 137), leading to cell proliferation. In the same way, negative regulation of SOD-1, as well as the addition of TNF-α to GBM cells, generate increase in the ROS production, leading to SOD-1 decline in a exposure time-dependent manner, and to rise the phosphorylation of AKT in a redox status-dependent manner, which induces the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton (ref. 52).

Due to the action of flavoproteins, malignant cells constitutively produce high H₂O₂ concentrations. These chronic amounts of H₂O₂ are enough to induce DNA damage without apoptosis induction, nor genetic instability in the nucleus and mitochondrial DNA, in a concentration/intracellular dependent manner. Tumor resistance and malignancy may occur when those punctual mutations are generated in critical genes that control metabolism and cell cycle (ref. 138). Besides, high amounts of H₂O₂ activate several pathways, acting as “second messenger,” increasing the expression of oxidant stress factors and producing a rise in the expression of antioxidant enzymes that protect malignant cells from apoptosis induction (ref. 48, ref. 118, ref. 139).

Additionally, the redox/Fyn/c-Cbl (RFC) pathway plays a key role in the activation of growth factors, involved in cell proliferation. In the RFC pathway, cellular oxidation causes sequential activation of Fyn kinase and c-Cbl ubiquitin ligase, in the oligodendrocyte/type-2 astrocyte progenitor cells (O-2A/OPCs). These activations guide to ubiquitylation and degradation of c-Cbl’s protein targets, such as growth factor and EGFRs (ref. 140), the C-Met hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR) (ref. 140), and the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (ref. 141), among others. In this context, GBM treatment with the antineoplastic 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) (carmustine) may induce DNA crosslinks, inhibition of glutathione reductase, and increase of the intracellular oxidative status, events that bring as consequence the pathway activation without c-Cbl phosphorylation and without reductions in EGFR contents (a c-Cbl target frequently overexpressed in GBMs and other cancers) (ref. 142, ref. 143). In GBM cells, the phosphorylation of c-Cbl in response to BCNU is prevented. This failure causes c-Cbl activation and decreases EGFR levels in GBM cells due to the c-Cbl sequestration by Cool-1 protein (ref. 144) (Figure 1).

Moreover, the high-mobility group 1 (HMGB1) molecule has been associated with progression, invasion, and tumor metastasis; it is abundantly expressed in several tumors and in undifferentiated cells (ref. 145). HMGB1 is a classic DAMP released by necrotic cells and secreted by monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells (DCs) (ref. 146, ref. 147). HMGB1 functions as a sensor of intracellular oxidative status, being released after oxidation of cysteine residues; it induces DNA damage by ROS and promotes genomic instability in neoplastic cells (ref. 148–ref. 150). TLR2, TLR4, TLR9 and RAGE are receptors expressed in macrophages that can bind to HMGB1 and signaling NF-κB, resulting in the release of pro-inflammatory molecules (ref. 151). These tumor-resident macrophages could sustain the inflammatory environment inside the tumor, together with neutrophils, contributing to enhance oxidative status trough the release of high amounts of ROS and activation of NOX2 in response to several DAMPs (for instance, HMGB1; Figure 1) (ref. 151). Tumor cells take advantage of this inflammatory environment to develop, proliferate and produce new tumor endothelial cells to sustain angiogenesis, to release cytokines, growth factors, extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes and angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Bv8, and MMP9 (ref. 152). Besides, tumor cells inhibit the specific immune response (T cell activity) trough IL-10, TGF-β, and ROS production (ref. 29, ref. 153, ref. 154).

Redox Therapeutics on Glioblastoma

Multitude of active substances has been tried for therapy of GBM. As described above, oxidative environment supports the survival of GBM cells inducing healthy cells to produce antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase and SOD, to decrease the raised levels of ROS (ref. 155, ref. 156) (Table 1). Additionally, this environment leads to inactivate the tumor suppressor protein p53, enabling tumor cells to escape apoptosis (ref. 157), therefore inhibiting the therapeutic effects of radio/chemotherapy (ref. 158). As the redox environment plays an important role in the initiation, progression, and regression of a tumor, new alternative redox therapies have been investigated. Here, we described some of these redox therapies designed against GBM (Table 2).

Recently, Singer and coworkers showed that cannabidiol (a cannabinoid) possess anti-tumoral effect in 3832 and 387 GBM cell lines both in vitro and in vivo. The antitumoral effect is partially attributed to ROS production in vitro. The cannabinoid inhibited glioma stem cells viability through ROS production and this effect was abolished by the co-incubation with vitamin E. Additionally, cannabidiol inhibited GBM progression in vivo and increased survival of GBM-bearing mice. However, a subset of glioma stem cells became adapted by activating an extended antioxidant cellular response; in part due to NRF2 transcriptional network as well as to redox system Xc catalytic subunit xCT (SLC7A11).

One of the most important participants in the variability of GBM cells is glucose metabolism, which represents the main route to support their growth, and it is related with chemoresistance. This glycolytic ability is characterized by a shift from OXPHOS toward aerobic glycolysis as the main source of ATP production; this effect is commonly called the Warburg effect (ref. 159) and mitochondrial functions are partially activated in these cells (ref. 160). Due to the importance of glycolysis for GBM cells, several blockers of this metabolic pathway have been tested as anticancer agents, in vitro and in vivo (ref. 161–ref. 163); however, only minor positive results have been obtained. In this context, dichloroacetate, a pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) inhibitor, reverses the Warburg effect by a shift from glycolysis to mitochondrial oxidation, inducing a cytotoxic effect in various human malignant cell lines (ref. 164, ref. 165). The target enzyme of dichloroacetate is highly expressed in GBM cells, inducing cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase of GBM cell cultures, however, it had not effect on non-cancerous cells; dichloroacetate also increases ROS production due to pyruvate participation in mitochondrial oxidation, depolarizes mitochondria, and induces apoptosis in glioblastoma cells. Additionally, the efficacy of radiotherapy was enhanced by dichloroacetate in glioblastoma cells, both strategies worked synergistically, in vivo and in vitro, to elevate mitochondrial ROS levels and γ-H2AX (a hallmark of DNA damage) in GBM cells. Shen and coworkers also observed that the combination of dichloroacetate with temozolamide increases the apoptosis observed with temozolamide alone in GBM stem cells (ref. 125).

Mitochondria are other components that play an important role in glioblastoma cells. They participate in a wide array of cellular processes, particularly confer resistance to apoptosis, considering that glycolysis and energetic metabolism are common factors in glioblastoma. Shen and coworkers have shown that dichloroacetate, restores mitochondrial activity and combined with a mitochondrial toxin enhances synergistically the cytotoxicity of GBM cells. The mechanisms by which these agents lead to apoptosis involve ROS production, considering that the simultaneous incubation with an antioxidant decreased the number of apoptotic cells, as was observed by co-incubation with inhibitors of glycolysis (ref. 125). Another factor that might play a role in twitching aerobic glycolysis back to OXPHOS is rapamycin (mTOR), which is overexpressed in many human tumors (ref. 166). mTOR is a critical regulator of cell proliferation; its dysfunction can transform normal cells into tumor like-cells (ref. 167) and switch the energetic metabolism from OXPHOS to aerobic glycolysis (ref. 168).

Muscarinic receptors are also expressed in glioblastoma cells; the M2 subtype appears relevant for their proliferation and survival (ref. 169). The activation of M2 receptors by arecaidine causes an arrest of the cell cycle and consequent apoptosis (ref. 169). These effects, induced by arecaidine, appear to be mediated by ROS production as the co-incubation with the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine decreases ROS levels and the apoptotic index in U87MG and U251MG GBM cell lines. Additionally, SIRT1, a member of the sirtuin family, and able to activate stress defenses and DNA repair machinery, increases its expression after treatment with arecaidine. The MnSOD expression is also augmented with this activator of M2 receptors. The rise in apoptosis caused by arecaidine could be explained by the simultaneous increase of SIRT1 expression, protein that induces apoptosis when the stress becomes chronic or when the cell damage appears to be irreversible (ref. 118).

Apigenin and other flavonoids induce apoptosis in human glioblastoma T98G and U87MG cells through various pathways: increase of ROS production, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, activation of the redox-sensitive c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1, downregulated expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and activation of the anti-apoptotic kinase Akt, as well as by suppressing the expression of inflammatory factors (NF-κB and COX-2) and activation of death receptor and mitochondrial pathways (ref. 111). Other studies show that quercetin (a flavonoid) possess anticancer effects, inhibiting significantly the proliferation of U373MG cells in a concentration-dependent manner, by cell death through apoptosis, as is evidenced by the increased number of cells in the sub-G1 phase (ref. 170). Also, when quercetin was combined with temozolomide (TMZ), the current chemotherapeutic agent used in T98G GBM cells treatment, induced apoptosis which correlated with caspase 3 and 9 activation, cytochrome c release from the mitochondria and decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (ref. 108, ref. 171, ref. 172).

Recently, it was reported that melatonin inhibits HIF-1α protein and suppress the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and VEGF by means of its antioxidant activity, reducing the invasion and migration mediated by hypoxia, of U251 and U87 glioblastoma cells (ref. 173). Additionally, alantolactone, a sesquiterpene lactone compound, induces GSH depletion, inhibits growth and triggers apoptosis of glioblastoma cells. These effects induced by alantolactone can be directly related to ROS generation due to N-acetyl-l-cysteine – an antioxidant that prevents apoptosis and GSH depletion (ref. 121). In addition, GSH synthesis inhibitors potentiate the TMZ effect (ref. 174).

Another strategy to modulate the redox environment in GBM is the use of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a potent blocker of glutathione synthesis through inhibition of γ-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase. BSO shows to enhance the cytotoxic effect of various drugs in cancer cell (ref. 175–ref. 177). Specifically in human glioblastoma cell lines (T98G, U87MG), BSO increased their sensitivity against platinum compounds (ref. 130) and hydrogen peroxide (ref. 131). BSO represents a viable strategy to explore in the future for glioblastoma therapy, considering that astrocytes have higher contents of GSH and GSH intermediates than neurons (ref. 178, ref. 179), but also because glioblastoma cell lines (T98G, U87MG) possess more intracellular GSH than other malignant cells as human myelogenous leukemic cells (HL-60).

Ascorbate (vitamin C) has also been used as an anticancer treatment. Studies made in LN18 GBM cell line, mouse astrocytoma cell line GL261, and untransformed astrocyte cell line C8D1A have shown that ascorbate increases radiation sensitivity in a dose-dependent manner and interferes with the cell cycle progression (ref. 180). Another study in human cancer cells showed that 55% of the human cancer cell lines were susceptible to the oxidative stress mediated by ascorbic acid through the production of hydrogen peroxide (ref. 127). Various agents, such as the antiglycolytic bromopyruvate, xanthohumol, and berberine, induce cell death in glioblastoma cell lines through ROS production (Table 2) (ref. 122, ref. 128, ref. 129). All the drugs described here involve an alternative strategy to modulate redox in the GBM environment. However, most of these drugs give insights about the involved mechanism and offer novel routes to facilitate discovery cancer-specific therapies.

Concluding Remarks

There are various theories about the origin of GBM; one of them indicates that inflammatory processes, together with redox alterations are common factors in the origin of several neoplasias, generating alterations that promote an abnormal circle between oxidant environment, chromosomal and mitochondrial instability and inflammation, which are factors that contribute to the malignancy and proliferation of GBM. Little is known about the direct influence of ROS in the intra and extra signaling pathways of GBM cells and how these substances participate in the cellular metabolism, contributing in a high degree in proliferation and resistance. Is important to develop new therapeutic alternatives focused on the peculiar cellular redox environment of gliomagenesis; these novel approaches might increase the efficacy, supporting therapeutic interventions focused to improve the cellular redox homeostasis and induce apoptosis of abnormal cells, in order to reduce their proliferation rate and provoke differentiation.

Author Contributions

All the authors provided the information of Glioblastoma, besides to help with the search of information of reactive species of oxygen and their role in the tumor microenvironment.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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