ER–mitochondria contacts control surface glycan expression and sensitivity to killer lymphocytes in glioma stem‐like cells. (10th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bassoy, Esen Yonca; Kasahara, Atsuko; Chiusolo, Valentina; Jacquemin, Guillaume; Boydell, Emma; Zamorano, Sebastian; Riccadonna, Cristina; Pellegatta, Serena; Hulo, Nicolas; Dutoit, Valérie; Derouazi, Madiha; Dietrich, Pierre Yves; Walker, Paul R; Martinvalet, Denis
• Is Part Of: EMBO journal. Volume 36:Number 11(2017)
• Page Start: 1493
• Page End: 1512
• Publication Date: 2017-03-10
• Subjects: cancer cell glycocalyx -- cytotoxic lymphocytes -- ER–mitochondria contacts -- glioma -- glioma stem‐like cells; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; 572.805
• DOI: 10.15252/embj.201695429
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-4189

Abstract

Abstract: Glioblastoma is a highly heterogeneous aggressive primary brain tumor, with the glioma stem‐like cells (GSC) being more sensitive to cytotoxic lymphocyte‐mediated killing than glioma differentiated cells (GDC). However, the mechanism behind this higher sensitivity is unclear. Here, we found that the mitochondrial morphology of GSCs modulates the ER–mitochondria contacts that regulate the surface expression of sialylated glycans and their recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. GSCs displayed diminished ER–mitochondria contacts compared to GDCs. Forced ER–mitochondria contacts in GSCs increased their cell surface expression of sialylated glycans and reduced their susceptibility to cytotoxic lymphocytes. Therefore, mitochondrial morphology and dynamism dictate the ER–mitochondria contacts in order to regulate the surface expression of certain glycans and thus play a role in GSC recognition and elimination by immune effector cells. Targeting the mitochondrial morphology, dynamism, and contacts with the ER could be an innovative strategy to deplete the cancer stem cell compartment to successfully treat glioblastoma. Synopsis: Increased susceptibility of glioma stem‐like cells (GSC) to immune effector cells in brain tumors is caused by enhanced mitochondrial dynamics dictating reduced ER–mitochondria tethering and surface expression of glycans. GSCs possess short and highly dynamic mitochondria compared to their glioma differentiated cell (GDC) counterparts. Fragmentation of mitochondria and the number of ER–mitochondria contacts regulate sialylated glycan surface expression in glioma cells. GSCs exhibit fewer ER–mitochondrial contacts resulting in reduced surface expression of glycans. Diminished glycan surface expression increases glioma cell sensitivity to cytotoxic lymphocytes. Abstract : The increased immune sensitivity of glioma stem‐like cells is linked to mitochondrial morphology and dynamics, which affect presentation of sialylated glycan markers.