Investigation of the role of human Cytomegalovirus in the resistance of glioblastoma cells to chemotherapy in vitro

• Grant number: 13/14215-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2013
• End date: February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Cristina Carlan da Silva
• Grantee: Maria Cristina Carlan da Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Carolina Santos de Souza Galvão

Abstract

The Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous infectious agent of high prevalence worldwide. In healthy individuals, the infection is normally asymptomatic, however, in cases of immunosuppression the virus can be a life threatening agent. Recent findings demonstrate a relationship between HCMV and cancer. The virus has been detected in different cancer types, especially in glioblastoma, the most malignant kind of glial tumors. The HCMV infection alters molecular cellular mechanisms such as: cell proliferation, cell differentiation, angiogenesis and apoptosis. These alterations can increase the tumor cell malignancy and cellular resistance to chemotherapy. This study aims to investigate the role of HCMV in the resistance of tumor cells to anti-cancer drugs. The dada generated can increase the knowledge about HCMV and tumor malignancy and contribute in the development of therapies against glioblastoma. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

STANGHERLIN, LUCAS M.; DE PAULA, FELIPE N.; ICIMOTO, MARCELO Y.; RUIZ, LEONARDO G. P.; NOGUEIRA, MAURICIO L.; BRAZ, ANTONIO S. K.; JULIANO, LUIZ; DA SILVA, MARIA C. C.. Positively Selected Sites at HCMV gB Furin Processing Region and Their Effects in Cleavage Efficiency. FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY, v. 8, MAY 23 2017. (13/14215-9)

STANGHERLIN, LUCAS MATHEUS; FERREIRA CASTRO, FABIANE LUCY; SCORTEGAGNA MEDEIROS, RAPHAEL SALLES; GUERRA, JULIANA MARIOTTI; KIMURA, LIDIA MIDORI; SHIRATA, NEUZA KAZUMI; NONOGAKI, SUELY; DOS SANTOS, CLAUDIA JANUARIO; CARLAN SILVA, MARIA CRISTINA. Human Cytomegalovirus DNA Quantification and Gene Expression in Gliomas of Different Grades. PLoS One, v. 11, n. 7, JUL 26 2016. (13/14215-9)