CD133+ and Nestin+ Glioma Stem-Like Cells Reside Around CD31+ Arterioles in Niches that Express SDF-1α, CXCR4, Osteopontin and Cathepsin K

Poor survival of high-grade glioma is at least partly caused by glioma stem-like cells (GSLCs) that are resistant to therapy. GSLCs reside in niches in close vicinity of endothelium. The aim of the present study was to characterize proteins that may be functional in the GSLC niche by performing immunohistochemistry on serial cryostat sections of human high-grade glioma samples. We have found nine niches in five out of five high-grade glioma samples that were all surrounding arterioles with CD31(+) endothelial cells and containing cellular structures that were CD133(+) and nestin(+). All nine niches expressed stromal-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1 alpha), its receptor C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), osteopontin and cathepsin K. SDF-1 alpha plays a role in homing of CXCR4(+) stem cells and leukocytes, whereas osteopontin and cathepsin K promote migration of cancer cells and leukocytes. Leukocyte-related markers, such as CD68, macrophage matrix metalloprotease-9, CD177 and neutrophil elastase were often but not always detected in the niches. We suggest that SDF-1 alpha is involved in homing of CXCR4(+) GSLCs and leukocytes and that cathepsin K and osteopontin are involved in the migration of GSLCs out of the niches.