Expression of Cathepsins B, D and G in WHO Grade I Meningioma

Authors: Rosanna M. A. Rahman, Bede van Schaijik, Helen D. Brasch, Reginald W. Marsh, Agadha C. Wickremesekera, Reuben Johnson, Kelvin Woon, Swee T. Tan and Tinte Itinteang

Frontiers in Surgery (2019). doi:10.3389/fsurg.2019.00006 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2019.00006/full

One of the most common primary tumours of the central nervous system is meningioma. While surgery is the standard approach for treatment, it is not achievable in 50% of the cases. A better method of management is therefore required.

The Gillies McIndoe Research Institute and collaborators have characterised stem cells in meningioma and demonstrated the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)  within these cells. This system is known to promote tumour growth as well as regulate blood pressure.

The RAS can be activated by classical methods involving renin and the prorenin receptor or by an alternative process involving a group of protease enzymes called cathepsins. This paper establishes that two of these cathepsins (cathepsins B and D) are localised to the stem cells in meningioma while cathepsin G is present in cells in the matrix.

We conclude that, if the RAS is to be the basis of a therapy for meningioma, inhibition of these enzymes will need to be part of the treatment.