Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent type of adult primary brain tumor and chemotherapy of GBM was limited by drug-resistance. Fraxinellone is a tetrahydro-benzofuranone derivative with various pharmacological activities. However, the pharmacological effects of fraxinellone on GBM remains largely unknown. Here, we found that fraxinellone inhibited the proliferation and growth of GBM cells in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Subsequently, we found that fraxinellone suppressed the migration and induced apoptosis of GBM cells in vitro. Using western blot and immunostaining, we further found that fraxinellone downregulated the expressions of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), a downstream of SIRT3 in GBM cells. Meanwhile, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased in these fraxinellone-treated GBM cells. Interestingly, overexpression of SIRT3 (SIRT3-OE) indeed partially restored the inhibition of both cell proliferation and migration of GBM cells induced by fraxinellone. Finally, we found that fraxinellone could inhibit the growth of GBM in xenograft model through the inactivation of SIRT3 signaling pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that fraxinellone suppressed the growth and migration of GBM cells by downregulating SIRT3 signaling in vitro, and inhibited the tumorigenesis of GBMs in vivo.

For decades, researchers have studied how brain tumors, the immune system, and drugs interact. With the advances in cancer neuroscience, which centers on defining and therapeutically targeting nervous system‐cancer interactions, both within the local tumor microenvironment (TME) and on a systemic level, the subtle relationship between neurons and tumors in the central nervous system (CNS) has been deeply studied. Neurons, as the executors of brain functional activities, have been shown to significantly influence the emergence and development of brain tumors, including both primary and metastatic tumors. They engage with tumor cells via chemical or electrical synapses, directly regulating tumors or via intricate coupling networks, and also contribute to the TME through paracrine signaling, secreting proteins that exert regulatory effects. For instance, in a study involving a mouse model of glioblastoma, the authors observed a 42% increase in tumor volume when neuronal activity was stimulated, compared to controls (p < 0.01), indicating a direct correlation between neural activity and tumor growth. These thought‐provoking results offer promising new strategies for brain tumor therapies, highlighting the potential of neuronal modulation to curb tumor progression. Future strategies may focus on developing drugs to inhibit or neutralize proteins and other bioactive substances secreted by neurons, break synaptic connections and interactions between infiltrating cells and tumor cells, as well as disrupt electrical coupling within glioma cell networks. By harnessing the insights gained from this research, we aspire to usher in a new era of brain tumor therapies that are both more potent and precise.

Yes-associated protein (YAP), the key transcriptional co-factor and downstream effector of the Hippo pathway, has emerged as one of the primary regulators of neural as well as glial cells. It has been detected in various glial cell types, including Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells in the peripheral nervous system, as well as radial glial cells, ependymal cells, Bergmann glia, retinal Müller cells, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia in the central nervous system. With the development of neuroscience, understanding the functions of YAP in the physiological or pathological processes of glia is advancing. In this review, we aim to summarize the roles and underlying mechanisms of YAP in glia and glia-related neurological diseases in an integrated perspective.