(392i) Graduate Student Award Session: Physical Intimacy of Glioblastoma Cells with Astrocytes Elicits Metabolic Reprogramming of Glioma Cells

Graduate Student Award Session: Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most deadly and prolific brain cancer with a median survival time of less than one year after diagnosis. Although numerous targeted therapies have been shown to improve survival of patients with several other types of cancer, no targeted agents have been developed for GBM. Modulation of GBM cell metabolism is attributed to aggressiveness of the tumor, however the underlying mechanisms that are attributed to distinct aspects of GBM metabolism is still unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the physical contact of GBM cells with astrocytes is a potential modulator of metabolic reprogramming in glioma cells. Using an in vitro patterned glioma/astrocytes co-culture model, we find that the presence of astrocytes results in significant upregulation in the energy utilization of glioblastoma cells when grown in co-culture with astrocytes compared to transwell co-culture and glioma cells grown in monoculture. Interestingly, the co-culture model also results in significant upregulation in the transcription of genes involved in energy metabolism. Additionally, glioma cells in co-culture with astrocytes had a higher proliferative index (ki67 expression) indicating more tumor aggressiveness. Our findings show that astrocytes are potent mediators of metabolic reprogramming in glioma cells and might reveal targets to treat GBM patients.