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Child's Nervous System
Published in: Child's Nervous System 6/2013

01-06-2013 | Original Paper

Identification of thymosins β4 and β10 in paediatric craniopharyngioma cystic fluid

Authors: Claudia Desiderio, Claudia Martelli, Diana Valeria Rossetti, Concezio Di Rocco, Luca D’Angelo, Massimo Caldarelli, Gianpiero Tamburrini, Federica Iavarone, Massimo Castagnola, Irene Messana, Tiziana Cabras, Gavino Faa

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 6/2013

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Abstract

Background

Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma is the third most recurrent paediatric brain tumour. Although histologically benign, it behaves aggressively as a malignant tumour due to invasion of the hypothalamus and visual pathways. Surgery is still the first and almost the only mode of treatment, although serious damage can occur as a consequence of tumour localization. The proteomic characterization of the intracystic tumoural fluid could contribute to the comprehension of the tumorigenesis processes and to the development of therapeutic targets to reduce cyst volume, allowing less invasive surgery and/or delay of the radical resection of the tumour mass and the collateral serious effects.

Methods

Intracystic fluid was analysed by a LC-ESI-IT-MS top-down platform after acidification, deproteinization and chloroform liquid/liquid extraction.

Findings

Thymosin β4 and β10 peptides were for the first time identified in the intracystic fluid of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma by low- and high-resolution MS analysis coupled with LC. The two peptides showed the same distribution trend in the analysed samples. Thymosin β4 and β10 were present in 77 % of the analysed samples. These peptides were not found in the cerebrospinal fluid available for two patients.

Interpretation

The presence of β-thymosins in the intracystic fluid of the tumour confirmed the secretion of these proteins in the extracellular environment. Due to their G-actin-sequestering activity and antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties, these peptides could be strictly involved in both tumour progression and cyst development and growth.
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Metadata
Title
Identification of thymosins β4 and β10 in paediatric craniopharyngioma cystic fluid
Authors
Claudia Desiderio
Claudia Martelli
Diana Valeria Rossetti
Concezio Di Rocco
Luca D’Angelo
Massimo Caldarelli
Gianpiero Tamburrini
Federica Iavarone
Massimo Castagnola
Irene Messana
Tiziana Cabras
Gavino Faa
Publication date
01-06-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 6/2013
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-013-2069-9

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