Co-culture Interactions Induce Apoptosis and Morphological Alterations in Differentiated Cholinergic SH-SY5Y Cells while Regulating Survival and Proliferation-related Proteins in Glioblastoma Cells

Glioblastoma (GBM), a highly aggressive adult brain tumour, often causes cognitive impairments before diagnosis. GBM cells interact with brain cells, including cholinergic neurons, influencing their behaviour and potentially contributing to these symptoms. This thesis explored the cellular and molecular implications of co-culture interactions towards both GBM and cholinergic cells. The findings revealed that these interactions triggered apoptosis and morphological changes in cholinergic cells while promoting GBM survival and growth progression. Understanding how the co-culture interactions contribute to GBM aggressiveness while inducing cholinergic neuronal damage provides fundamental insights into GBM-induced cognitive impairments, offering potential avenues for improved diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.