Melatonin Receptor 1B and Corticosteroid Receptor Polymorphisms in Infertile Women with Implantation Failure and Miscarriages.

Background: The development of assisted reproductive techniques has significantly improved fertility chances in many women, but recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and miscarriages (RM) might preclude successful pregnancy. Alterations in the intrinsic secretory patterns of melatonin and cortisol influence reproduction in humans, and imperfection of receptor - dependent signaling may additionally compromise the hormonal effects. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the influence of certain melatonin and cortisol receptor polymorphisms in infertile women.

Glioblastoma hijacks neuronal mechanisms for brain invasion.

Glioblastomas are incurable tumors infiltrating the brain. A subpopulation of glioblastoma cells forms a functional and therapy-resistant tumor cell network interconnected by tumor microtubes (TMs). Other subpopulations appear unconnected, and their biological role remains unclear.

Synaptic input to brain tumors: clinical implications.

The recent discovery of synaptic connections between neurons and brain tumor cells fundamentally challenges our understanding of gliomas and brain metastases and shows how these tumors can integrate into complex neuronal circuits. Here, we provide an overview of glutamatergic neuron-to-brain tumor synaptic communication (NBTSC) and explore novel therapeutic avenues. First, we summarize current concepts of direct synaptic interactions between presynaptic neurons and postsynaptic glioma cells, and indirect perisynaptic input to metastatic breast cancer cells.

Glutamatergic synaptic input to glioma cells drives brain tumour progression.

A network of communicating tumour cells that is connected by tumour microtubes mediates the progression of incurable gliomas. Moreover, neuronal activity can foster malignant behaviour of glioma cells by non-synaptic paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. Here we report a direct communication channel between neurons and glioma cells in different disease models and human tumours: functional bona fide chemical synapses between presynaptic neurons and postsynaptic glioma cells.