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Wen J, Liu F, Cheng Q, Weygant N, Liang X, Fan F, Li C, Zhang L, Liu Z. Applications of organoid technology to brain tumors. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:2725-2743. [PMID: 37248629 PMCID: PMC10493676 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Lacking appropriate model impedes basic and preclinical researches of brain tumors. Organoids technology applying on brain tumors enables great recapitulation of the original tumors. Here, we compared brain tumor organoids (BTOs) with common models including cell lines, tumor spheroids, and patient-derived xenografts. Different BTOs can be customized to research objectives and particular brain tumor features. We systematically introduce the establishments and strengths of four different BTOs. BTOs derived from patient somatic cells are suitable for mimicking brain tumors caused by germline mutations and abnormal neurodevelopment, such as the tuberous sclerosis complex. BTOs derived from human pluripotent stem cells with genetic manipulations endow for identifying and understanding the roles of oncogenes and processes of oncogenesis. Brain tumoroids are the most clinically applicable BTOs, which could be generated within clinically relevant timescale and applied for drug screening, immunotherapy testing, biobanking, and investigating brain tumor mechanisms, such as cancer stem cells and therapy resistance. Brain organoids co-cultured with brain tumors (BO-BTs) own the greatest recapitulation of brain tumors. Tumor invasion and interactions between tumor cells and brain components could be greatly explored in this model. BO-BTs also offer a humanized platform for testing the therapeutic efficacy and side effects on neurons in preclinical trials. We also introduce the BTOs establishment fused with other advanced techniques, such as 3D bioprinting. So far, over 11 brain tumor types of BTOs have been established, especially for glioblastoma. We conclude BTOs could be a reliable model to understand brain tumors and develop targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wen
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Fangkun Liu
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Nathaniel Weygant
- Academy of Integrative MedicineFujian University of Traditional Chinese MedicineFuzhouFujianChina
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine in GeriatricsFujian University of Traditional Chinese MedicineFuzhouFujianChina
| | - Xisong Liang
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Fan Fan
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Chuntao Li
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Liyang Zhang
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Zhixiong Liu
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
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2
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Wang X, Sun Y, Zhang DY, Ming GL, Song H. Glioblastoma modeling with 3D organoids: progress and challenges. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 2:kvad008. [PMID: 38596241 PMCID: PMC10913843 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvad008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive adult primary brain tumor with nearly universal treatment resistance and recurrence. The mainstay of therapy remains maximal safe surgical resection followed by concurrent radiation therapy and temozolomide chemotherapy. Despite intensive investigation, alternative treatment options, such as immunotherapy or targeted molecular therapy, have yielded limited success to achieve long-term remission. This difficulty is partly due to the lack of pre-clinical models that fully recapitulate the intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity of GBM and the complex tumor microenvironment. Recently, GBM 3D organoids originating from resected patient tumors, genetic manipulation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived brain organoids and bio-printing or fusion with non-malignant tissues have emerged as novel culture systems to portray the biology of GBM. Here, we highlight several methodologies for generating GBM organoids and discuss insights gained using such organoid models compared to classic modeling approaches using cell lines and xenografts. We also outline limitations of current GBM 3D organoids, most notably the difficulty retaining the tumor microenvironment, and discuss current efforts for improvements. Finally, we propose potential applications of organoid models for a deeper mechanistic understanding of GBM and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yusha Sun
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel Y Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Guo-li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- GBM Translational Center of Excellence, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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3
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Luo J, Li P. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived brain organoids as in vitro models for studying neural disorders and cancer. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:99. [PMID: 34049587 PMCID: PMC8161602 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00617-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The sheer complexities of brain and resource limitation of human brain tissue greatly hamper our understanding of the brain disorders and cancers. Recently developed three-dimensional (3D) brain organoids (BOs) are self-organized and spontaneously differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in vitro, which exhibit similar features with cell type diversity, structural organization, and functional connectivity as the developing human brain. Based on these characteristics, hPSC-derived BOs (hPDBOs) provide new opportunities to recapitulate the complicated processes during brain development, neurodegenerative disorders, and brain cancers in vitro. In this review, we will provide an overview of existing BO models and summarize the applications of this technology in modeling the neural disorders and cancers. Furthermore, we will discuss the challenges associated with their use as in vitro models for disease modeling and the potential future direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Luo
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Peng Li
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
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4
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Poh B, Koso H, Momota H, Komori T, Suzuki Y, Yoshida N, Ino Y, Todo T, Watanabe S. Foxr2 promotes formation of CNS-embryonal tumors in a Trp53-deficient background. Neuro Oncol 2021; 21:993-1004. [PMID: 30976792 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Embryonal tumors in the central nervous system (CNS) are primary, aggressive, and poorly differentiated pediatric brain tumors. We identified forkhead box R2 (Foxr2) as an oncogene for medulloblastoma through a transposon-based insertional mutagenesis screen. Foxr2 translocation has been identified in a subset of human embryonal tumors of the CNS, designated as CNS neuroblastoma with Foxr2 activation (CNS NB-Foxr2); however, the in vivo functions of Foxr2 remain elusive. METHODS We analyzed the effect of Foxr2 overexpression in the mouse brain by generating a transgenic strain that expresses Foxr2 in the entire brain under a transformation related protein 53 (Trp53)-deficient background. We performed histological analysis of tumors and characterized tumor-derived sphere-forming cells. We investigated gene expression profiles of tumor-derived cells. RESULTS Foxr2 and Trp53 loss promoted tumor formation in the olfactory bulb (OB) and brainstem (BS). The tumors showed the common morphological features of small round blue cell tumors, exhibiting divergent, mainly neuronal and glial, patterns of differentiation, which corresponds to the definition of CNS-embryonal tumors. Importantly, all mice developed CNS-embryonal tumors. In the OB, early proliferative lesions consisting of oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (Olig2+) cells were observed, indicating that Foxr2 expression expanded Olig2+ cells in the OB. Tumor-derived cells formed spheres in vitro and induced tumors that recapitulated the parental tumor upon transplantation, indicating the presence of tumor-initiating cells. Gene expression profiling revealed that OB and BS tumor cells were enriched for the expression of the genes specific to CNS NB-Foxr2. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrate that Foxr2 plays a causative role in the formation of CNS-embryonal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boonmin Poh
- Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideto Koso
- Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Momota
- Division of Innovative Cancer Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Komori
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metoropolitan Neurologial Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Yoshida
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ino
- Division of Innovative Cancer Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoki Todo
- Division of Innovative Cancer Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sumiko Watanabe
- Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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5
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Down-regulation of 14-3-3zeta reduces proliferation and
increases apoptosis in human glioblastoma. Cancer Gene Ther 2019; 27:399-411. [DOI: 10.1038/s41417-019-0097-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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6
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Abstract
In the originally published paper, the "before" image for the afatinib condition in Fig. 6c was incorrect. Instead of an image displaying a GBM-3 neoplastic organoid before afatinib treatment, this panel showed an image from the GBM-2 control (DMSO) group before treatment. This error has now been corrected in the HTML and PDF versions of the article; the "before, afatinib" panel in Fig. 6c now shows a representative image from the indicated experiment. The color of all error bars in Fig. 6 has also been changed to black, for consistency. All statistical analysis and all conclusions presented in the article are unaffected by this error. Nevertheless, we apologize for the mistake.
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7
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Genetically engineered cerebral organoids model brain tumor formation. Nat Methods 2018; 15:631-639. [PMID: 30038414 PMCID: PMC6071863 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-018-0070-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Brain tumours are among the most lethal and devastating cancers. Their study is limited by genetic heterogeneity and the incompleteness of available laboratory models. Three-dimensional organoid culture models offer innovative possibilities for modelling human disease. Here, we establish a 3D in vitro model, named neoplastic cerebral organoid (neoCOR), in which we recapitulate brain tumorigenesis by introducing oncogenic mutations in cerebral organoids via transposon- and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis. By screening clinically-relevant mutations identified in cancer genome projects, we define mutation combinations that result in glioblastoma-like and central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumour (CNS-PNET)-like neoplasms. We demonstrate that neoCORs are suitable to study aspects of tumour biology such as invasiveness, and to evaluate the effect of drugs in the context of specific DNA aberrations. neoCORs will provide a valuable complement to current basic and preclinical models for studying brain tumour biology.
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8
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Mao F, Li J, Luo Q, Wang R, Kong Y, Carlock C, Liu Z, Elzey BD, Liu X. Plk1 Inhibition Enhances the Efficacy of BET Epigenetic Reader Blockade in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:1554-1565. [PMID: 29716963 PMCID: PMC6030429 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), a crucial regulator of cell-cycle progression, is overexpressed in multiple types of cancers and has been proven to be a potent and promising target for cancer treatment. In case of prostate cancer, we once showed that antineoplastic activity of Plk1 inhibitor is largely due to inhibition of androgen receptor (AR) signaling. However, we also discovered that Plk1 inhibition causes activation of the β-catenin pathway and increased expression of c-MYC, eventually resulting in resistance to Plk1 inhibition. JQ1, a selective small-molecule inhibitor targeting the amino-terminal bromodomains of BRD4, has been shown to dramatically inhibit c-MYC expression and AR signaling, exhibiting antiproliferative effects in a range of cancers. Because c-MYC and AR signaling are essential for prostate cancer initiation and progression, we aim to test whether targeting Plk1 and BRD4 at the same time is an effective approach to treat prostate cancer. Herein, we show that a combination of Plk1 inhibitor GSK461364A and BRD4 inhibitor JQ1 had a strong synergistic effect on castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cell lines, as well as in CRPC xenograft tumors. Mechanistically, the synergistic effect is likely due to two reasons: (i) Plk1 inhibition results in the accumulation of β-catenin in the nucleus, thus elevation of c-MYC expression, whereas JQ1 treatment directly suppresses c-MYC transcription; (ii) Plk1 and BRD4 dual inhibition acts synergistically in inhibition of AR signaling. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(7); 1554-65. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyi Mao
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Qian Luo
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Ruixin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Yifan Kong
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Colin Carlock
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Zian Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Bennet D Elzey
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Xiaoqi Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
- Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
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9
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Zhu D, Osuka S, Zhang Z, Reichert ZR, Yang L, Kanemura Y, Jiang Y, You S, Zhang H, Devi NS, Bhattacharya D, Takano S, Gillespie GY, Macdonald T, Tan C, Nishikawa R, Nelson WG, Olson JJ, Van Meir EG. BAI1 Suppresses Medulloblastoma Formation by Protecting p53 from Mdm2-Mediated Degradation. Cancer Cell 2018; 33:1004-1016.e5. [PMID: 29894688 PMCID: PMC6002773 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (ADGRs) encompass 33 human transmembrane proteins with long N termini involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. We show the ADGRB1 gene, which encodes Brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (BAI1), is epigenetically silenced in medulloblastomas (MBs) through a methyl-CpG binding protein MBD2-dependent mechanism. Knockout of Adgrb1 in mice augments proliferation of cerebellar granule neuron precursors, and leads to accelerated tumor growth in the Ptch1+/- transgenic MB mouse model. BAI1 prevents Mdm2-mediated p53 polyubiquitination, and its loss substantially reduces p53 levels. Reactivation of BAI1/p53 signaling axis by a brain-permeable MBD2 pathway inhibitor suppresses MB growth in vivo. Altogether, our data define BAI1's physiological role in tumorigenesis and directly couple an ADGR to cancer formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhu
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Satoru Osuka
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Zhaobin Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Liquan Yang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Yonehiro Kanemura
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Clinical Research, Osaka National Hospital, National Hospital Organization, 2-1-14 Hoenzaka, Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-0006, Japan
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Shuo You
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Hanwen Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Narra S Devi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Debanjan Bhattacharya
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Shingo Takano
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - G Yancey Gillespie
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Tobey Macdonald
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, 1365C Clifton Road N.E, C5078, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Chalet Tan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Ryo Nishikawa
- Department of Neuro-Oncology/Neurosurgery, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - William G Nelson
- Johns Hopkins University, 401 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Olson
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, 1365C Clifton Road N.E, C5078, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Erwin G Van Meir
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, 1365C Clifton Road N.E, C5078, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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10
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Shannon ML, Fame RM, Chau KF, Dani N, Calicchio ML, Géléoc GS, Lidov HGW, Alexandrescu S, Lehtinen MK. Mice Expressing Myc in Neural Precursors Develop Choroid Plexus and Ciliary Body Tumors. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2018; 188:1334-1344. [PMID: 29545198 PMCID: PMC5971223 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Choroid plexus tumors and ciliary body medulloepithelioma are predominantly pediatric neoplasms. Progress in understanding the pathogenesis of these tumors has been hindered by their rarity and lack of models that faithfully recapitulate the disease. Here, we find that endogenous Myc proto-oncogene protein is down-regulated in the forebrain neuroepithelium, whose neural plate border domains give rise to the anterior choroid plexus and ciliary body. To uncover the consequences of persistent Myc expression, MYC expression was forced in multipotent neural precursors (nestin-Cre:Myc), which produced fully penetrant models of choroid plexus carcinoma and ciliary body medulloepithelioma. Nestin-mediated MYC expression in the epithelial cells of choroid plexus leads to the regionalized formation of choroid plexus carcinoma in the posterior domain of the lateral ventricle choroid plexus and the fourth ventricle choroid plexus that is accompanied by loss of multiple cilia, up-regulation of protein biosynthetic machinery, and hydrocephalus. Parallel MYC expression in the ciliary body leads also to up-regulation of protein biosynthetic machinery. Additionally, Myc expression in human choroid plexus tumors increases with aggressiveness of disease. Collectively, our findings expose a select vulnerability of the neuroepithelial lineage to postnatal tumorigenesis and provide a new mouse model for investigating the pathogenesis of these rare pediatric neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan L Shannon
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ryann M Fame
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kevin F Chau
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Neil Dani
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Monica L Calicchio
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gwenaelle S Géléoc
- Department of Otolaryngology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; F.M. Kirby Center for Neurobiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hart G W Lidov
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sanda Alexandrescu
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maria K Lehtinen
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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11
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Chau KF, Shannon ML, Fame RM, Fonseca E, Mullan H, Johnson MB, Sendamarai AK, Springel MW, Laurent B, Lehtinen MK. Downregulation of ribosome biogenesis during early forebrain development. eLife 2018; 7:36998. [PMID: 29745900 PMCID: PMC5984036 DOI: 10.7554/elife.36998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Forebrain precursor cells are dynamic during early brain development, yet the underlying molecular changes remain elusive. We observed major differences in transcriptional signatures of precursor cells from mouse forebrain at embryonic days E8.5 vs. E10.5 (before vs. after neural tube closure). Genes encoding protein biosynthetic machinery were strongly downregulated at E10.5. This was matched by decreases in ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis, together with age-related changes in proteomic content of the adjacent fluids. Notably, c-MYC expression and mTOR pathway signaling were also decreased at E10.5, providing potential drivers for the effects on ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis. Interference with c-MYC at E8.5 prematurely decreased ribosome biogenesis, while persistent c-MYC expression in cortical progenitors increased transcription of protein biosynthetic machinery and enhanced ribosome biogenesis, as well as enhanced progenitor proliferation leading to subsequent macrocephaly. These findings indicate large, coordinated changes in molecular machinery of forebrain precursors during early brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin F Chau
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Morgan L Shannon
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Ryann M Fame
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Erin Fonseca
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Hillary Mullan
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Matthew B Johnson
- Division of Genetics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Anoop K Sendamarai
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Mark W Springel
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Benoit Laurent
- Division of Newborn Medicine and Epigenetics Program, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Maria K Lehtinen
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
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12
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El Nagar S, Zindy F, Moens C, Martin L, Plassard D, Roussel MF, Lamonerie T, Billon N. A new genetically engineered mouse model of choroid plexus carcinoma. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 496:568-574. [PMID: 29339161 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.11.192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Choroid plexus carcinomas (CPCs) are highly malignant brain tumours predominantly found in children and associated to poor prognosis. Improved therapy for these cancers would benefit from the generation of animal models. Here we have created a novel mouse CPC model by expressing a stabilised form of c-Myc (MycT58A) and inactivating Trp53 in the choroid plexus of newborn mice. This induced aberrant proliferation of choroid plexus epithelial cells, leading to aggressive tumour development and death within 150 days. Choroid plexus tumours occurred with a complete penetrance in all brain ventricles, with prevalence in the lateral and fourth ventricles. Histological and cellular analysis indicated that these tumours were CPCs resembling their human counterparts. Comparison of gene expression profiles of CPCs and non-neoplastic tissues revealed profound alterations in cell cycle regulation and DNA damage responses, suggesting that dysregulation of cell division and DNA checkpoint pathways may represent key vulnerabilities. This novel animal model of CPC provides an invaluable tool to elucidate the mechanism of CPC formation and to develop successful therapies against this devastating paediatric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frederique Zindy
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Charlotte Moens
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, iBV, Nice, France; Present address: Institut des sciences de la vie, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-neuve, Belgium
| | - Luc Martin
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, iBV, Nice, France
| | | | - Martine F Roussel
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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13
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Jenkins NC, Rao G, Eberhart CG, Pedone CA, Dubuc AM, Fults DW. Somatic cell transfer of c-Myc and Bcl-2 induces large-cell anaplastic medulloblastomas in mice. J Neurooncol 2015; 126:415-24. [PMID: 26518543 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-015-1985-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A highly aggressive subgroup of the pediatric brain tumor medulloblastoma is characterized by overexpression of the proto-oncogene c-Myc, which encodes a transcription factor that normally maintains neural progenitor cells in an undifferentiated, proliferating state during embryonic development. Myc-driven medulloblastomas typically show a large-cell anaplastic (LCA) histological pattern, in which tumor cells display large, round nuclei with prominent nucleoli. This subgroup of medulloblastoma is therapeutically challenging because it is associated with a high rate of metastatic dissemination, which is a powerful predictor of short patient survival times. Genetically engineered mouse models have revealed important insights into the pathogenesis of medulloblastoma and served as preclinical testing platforms for new therapies. Here we report a new mouse model of Myc-driven medulloblastoma, in which tumors arise in situ after retroviral transfer and expression of Myc in Nestin-expressing neural progenitor cells in the cerebella of newborn mice. Tumor induction required concomitant loss of Tp53 or overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Like Myc-driven medulloblastomas in humans, the tumors induced in mice by Myc + Bcl-2 and Myc - Tp53 showed LCA cytoarchitecture and a high rate of metastatic dissemination to the spine. The fact that Myc - Tp53 tumors arose only in Tp53(-/-) mice, coupled with the inefficient germline transmission of the Tp53-null allele, made retroviral transfer of Myc + Bcl-2 a more practical method for generating LCA medulloblastomas. The high rate of spinal metastasis (87% of brain tumor-bearing mice) will be an asset for testing new therapies that target the most lethal aspect of medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah C Jenkins
- Department of Neurosurgery and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, 175 North Medical Drive East, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - Ganesh Rao
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Charles G Eberhart
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carolyn A Pedone
- Department of Neurosurgery and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, 175 North Medical Drive East, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - Adrian M Dubuc
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel W Fults
- Department of Neurosurgery and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, 175 North Medical Drive East, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA.
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14
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Wang G, Wang J, Zhao H, Wang J, Tony To SS. The role of Myc and let-7a in glioblastoma, glucose metabolism and response to therapy. Arch Biochem Biophys 2015; 580:84-92. [PMID: 26151775 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Revised: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is thought to result from an imbalance between glucose metabolism and tumor growth. The Myc oncogene and lethal-7a microRNA (let-7a miRNA) have been suggested to cooperatively regulate multiple downstream targets leading to changes in chromosome stability, gene mutations, and/or modulation of tumor growth. Here, we review the roles of Myc and let-7a in glucose metabolism and tumor growth and addresses their future potential as prognostic markers and therapeutic tools in GBM. We focus on the functions of Myc and let-7a in glucose uptake, tumor survival, proliferation, and mobility of glioma cells. In addition, we discuss how regulation of different pathways by Myc or let-7a may be useful for future GBM therapies. A large body of evidence suggests that targeting Myc and let-7a may provide a selective mechanism for the deregulation of glucose metabolic pathways in glioma cells. Indeed, Myc and let-7a are aberrantly expressed in GBM and have been linked to the regulation of cell growth and glucose metabolism in GBM. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Targeting alternative glucose metabolism and regulate pathways in GBM cells for future glioblastoma therapies".
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200235, China; Hubei University of Medicine, No. 30 People South Road, Shiyan City, Hubei Province 442000, China.
| | - JunJie Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200235, China; Hubei University of Medicine, No. 30 People South Road, Shiyan City, Hubei Province 442000, China
| | - HuaFu Zhao
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shing Shun Tony To
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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15
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Salaroli R, Ronchi A, Buttarelli FR, Cortesi F, Marchese V, Della Bella E, Renna C, Baldi C, Giangaspero F, Cenacchi G. Wnt activation affects proliferation, invasiveness and radiosensitivity in medulloblastoma. J Neurooncol 2014; 121:119-27. [PMID: 25261924 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-014-1621-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2013] [Accepted: 09/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastomas (MBs) associated with the Wnt activation represent a subgroup with a favorable prognosis, but it remains unclear whether Wnt activation confers a less aggressive phenotype and/or enhances radiosensitivity. To investigate this issue, we evaluated the biological behavior of an MB cell line, UW228-1, stably transfected with human β-catenin cDNA encoding a nondegradable form of β-catenin (UW-B) in standard culture conditions and after radiation treatment. We evaluated the expression, transcriptional activity, and localization of β-catenin in the stably transfected cells using immunofluorescence and WB. We performed morphological analysis using light and electron microscopy. We then analyzed changes in the invasiveness, growth, and mortality in standard culture conditions and after radiation. We demonstrated that (A) Wnt activation inhibited 97 % of the invasion capability of the cells, (B) the growth of the UW-B cells was statistically significantly lower than that of all the other control cells (p < 0.01), (C) the mortality of irradiated UW-B cells was statistically significantly higher than that of the controls and their nonirradiated counterparts (p < 0.05), and (D) morphological features of neuronal differentiation were observed in the Wnt-activated cells. In tissue samples, the Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was lower in β-catenin-positive samples compared to non-β-catenin positive ones. The Ki-67 LI median (LI = 40) of the nuclear β-catenin-positive tumor samples was lower than that of non-nuclear β-catenin-positive samples (LI = 50), but the difference was not statistically significant. Overall, our data suggest that activation of the Wnt pathway reduces the proliferation and invasion of MBs and increases the tumor's radiosensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Salaroli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, "Alma Mater Studiorum" University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
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16
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Marshall GM, Carter DR, Cheung BB, Liu T, Mateos MK, Meyerowitz JG, Weiss WA. The prenatal origins of cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2014; 14:277-89. [PMID: 24599217 PMCID: PMC4041218 DOI: 10.1038/nrc3679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The concept that some childhood malignancies arise from postnatally persistent embryonal cells has a long history. Recent research has strengthened the links between driver mutations and embryonal and early postnatal development. This evidence, coupled with much greater detail on the cell of origin and the initial steps in embryonal cancer initiation, has identified important therapeutic targets and provided renewed interest in strategies for the early detection and prevention of childhood cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn M Marshall
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick 2031, New South Wales, Australia; and the Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2031, Australia
| | - Daniel R Carter
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2031, Australia
| | - Belamy B Cheung
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2031, Australia
| | - Tao Liu
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2031, Australia
| | - Marion K Mateos
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick 2031, New South Wales, Australia; and the Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Lowy Cancer Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2031, Australia
| | - Justin G Meyerowitz
- Department of Neurology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - William A Weiss
- Department of Neurology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
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Abstract
Glioma and medulloblastoma represent the most commonly occurring malignant brain tumors in adults and in children, respectively. Recent genomic and transcriptional approaches present a complex group of diseases and delineate a number of molecular subgroups within tumors that share a common histopathology. Differences in cells of origin, regional niches, developmental timing, and genetic events all contribute to this heterogeneity. In an attempt to recapitulate the diversity of brain tumors, an increasing array of genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) has been developed. These models often utilize promoters and genetic drivers from normal brain development and can provide insight into specific cells from which these tumors originate. GEMMs show promise in both developmental biology and developmental therapeutics. This review describes numerous murine brain tumor models in the context of normal brain development and the potential for these animals to impact brain tumor research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik J. Swartling
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-75185, Sweden
| | - Sanna-Maria Hede
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-75185, Sweden
| | - William A. Weiss
- University of California, Depts. of Neurology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Research Center and Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco CA 94158, USA
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18
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Adult primitive neuroectodermal tumors: the prognostic value of supratentorial location. J Neurooncol 2013; 114:141-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s11060-013-1163-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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19
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The role of the WNT/β-catenin pathway in central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumours (CNS PNETs). Br J Cancer 2013; 108:2130-41. [PMID: 23591193 PMCID: PMC3670474 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumours (CNS PNETs) are embryonal tumours occurring predominantly in children. Current lack of knowledge regarding their underlying biology hinders development of more effective treatments. We previously identified WNT/β-catenin pathway activation in one-third of CNS PNETs, which was potentially linked to a better prognosis. In this study, we have extended our cohort, achieving a statistically significant correlation with prognosis. We additionally investigated the biological effects of WNT/β-catenin pathway activation in tumour pathogenesis. Methods: A total of 42 primary and 8 recurrent CNS PNETs were analysed for WNT/β-catenin pathway status using β-catenin immunohistochemistry. Genomic copy number and mRNA expression data were analysed to identify a molecular profile linked to WNT/β-catenin pathway activation. Results: Pathway activation was seen in 26% of CNS PNETs and was significantly associated with longer overall survival. Genes displaying a significant difference in expression levels, between tumours with and without WNT/β-catenin pathway activation, included several involved in normal CNS development suggesting aberrant pathway activation may be disrupting this process. Conclusion: We have identified WNT/β-catenin pathway status as a marker, which could potentially be used to stratify disease risk for patients with CNS PNET. Gene expression data suggest pathway activation is disrupting normal differentiation in the CNS.
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20
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Swartling FJ, Bolin S, Phillips JJ, Persson AI. Signals that regulate the oncogenic fate of neural stem cells and progenitors. Exp Neurol 2013; 260:56-68. [PMID: 23376224 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2013.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Revised: 01/19/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Brain tumors have frequently been associated with a neural stem cell (NSC) origin and contain stem-like tumor cells, so-called brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs) that share many features with normal NSCs. A stem cell state of BTSCs confers resistance to radiotherapy and treatment with alkylating agents. It is also a hallmark of aggressive brain tumors and is maintained by transcriptional networks that are also active in embryonic stem cells. Advances in reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have further identified genes that drive stemness. In this review, we will highlight the possible drivers of stemness in medulloblastoma and glioma, the most frequent types of primary malignant brain cancer in children and adults, respectively. Signals that drive expansion of developmentally defined neural precursor cells are also active in corresponding brain tumors. Transcriptomal subgroups of human medulloblastoma and glioma match features of NSCs but also more restricted progenitors. Lessons from genetically-engineered mouse (GEM) models show that temporally and regionally defined NSCs can give rise to distinct subgroups of medulloblastoma and glioma. We will further discuss how acquisition of stem cell features may drive brain tumorigenesis from a non-NSC origin. Genetic alterations, signaling pathways, and therapy-induced changes in the tumor microenvironment can drive reprogramming networks and induce stemness in brain tumors. Finally, we propose a model where dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) that normally provide barriers against reprogramming plays an integral role in promoting stemness in brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik J Swartling
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara Bolin
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Joanna J Phillips
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, USA; Department of Pathology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Anders I Persson
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, USA; Department of Neurology, Sandler Neurosciences Center, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
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21
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WNT/β-catenin pathway activation in Myc immortalised cerebellar progenitor cells inhibits neuronal differentiation and generates tumours resembling medulloblastoma. Br J Cancer 2012; 107:1144-52. [PMID: 22929883 PMCID: PMC3461168 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2012.377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant childhood brain tumour. Aberrant activation of the WNT/β-catenin pathway occurs in approximately 25% of medulloblastomas. However, its role in medulloblastoma pathogenesis is not understood. Methods: We have developed a model of WNT/β-catenin pathway-activated medulloblastoma. Pathway activation was induced in a Myc immortalised cerebellar progenitor cell line through stable expression of Wnt1. In vitro and in vivo analysis was undertaken to understand the effect of pathway activation and identify the potential cell of origin. Results: Tumours that histologically resembled classical medulloblastoma formed in vivo using cells overexpressing Wnt1, but not with the control cell line. Wnt1 overexpression inhibited neuronal differentiation in vitro, suggesting WNT/β-catenin pathway activation prevents cells terminally differentiating, maintaining them in a more ‘stem-like’ state. Analysis of cerebellar progenitor cell markers demonstrated the cell line resembled cells from the cerebellar ventricular zone. Conclusion: We have developed a cell line with the means of orthotopically modelling WNT/β-catenin pathway-activated medulloblastoma. We provide evidence of the role pathway activation is playing in tumour pathogenesis and suggest medulloblastomas can arise from cells other than granule cell progenitors. This cell line is a valuable resource to further understand the role of pathway activation in tumorigenesis and for investigation of targeted therapies.
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22
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Künkele A, De Preter K, Heukamp L, Thor T, Pajtler KW, Hartmann W, Mittelbronn M, Grotzer MA, Deubzer HE, Speleman F, Schramm A, Eggert A, Schulte JH. Pharmacological activation of the p53 pathway by nutlin-3 exerts anti-tumoral effects in medulloblastomas. Neuro Oncol 2012; 14:859-69. [PMID: 22591662 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nos115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastomas account for 20% of pediatric brain tumors. With an overall survival of 40%-70%, their treatment is still a challenge. The majority of medulloblastomas lack p53 mutations, but even in cancers retaining wild-type p53, the tumor surveillance function of p53 is inhibited by the oncoprotein MDM2. Deregulation of the MDM2/p53 balance leads to malignant transformation. Here, we analyzed MDM2 mRNA and protein expression in primary medulloblastomas and normal cerebellum and assessed the mutational status of p53 and MDM2 expression in 6 medulloblastoma cell lines. MDM2 expression was elevated in medulloblastomas, compared with cerebellum. Four of 6 medulloblastoma cell lines expressed wild-type p53 and high levels of MDM2. The tumor-promoting p53-MDM2 interaction can be inhibited by the small molecule, nutlin-3, restoring p53 function. Targeting the p53-MDM2 axis using nutlin-3 significantly reduced cell viability and induced either cell cycle arrest or apoptosis and expression of the p53 target gene p21 in these 4 cell lines. In contrast, DAOY and UW-228 cells harboring TP53 mutations were almost unaffected by nutlin-3 treatment. MDM2 knockdown in medulloblastoma cells by siRNA mimicked nutlin-3 treatment, whereas expression of dominant negative p53 abrogated nutlin-3 effects. Oral nutlin-3 treatment of mice with established medulloblastoma xenografts inhibited tumor growth and significantly increased survival. Thus, nutlin-3 reduced medulloblastoma cell viability in vitro and in vivo by re-activating p53 function. We suggest that inhibition of the MDM2-p53 interaction with nutlin-3 is a promising therapeutic option for medulloblastomas with functional p53 that should be further evaluated in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Künkele
- University Children’s Hospital Essen, Pediatric Oncology, Essen, Germany.
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23
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Markant SL, Wechsler-Reya RJ. Personalized mice: modelling the molecular heterogeneity of medulloblastoma. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2012; 38:228-40. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2990.2011.01235.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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24
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Abstract
Myc proteins are often deregulated in human brain tumors, especially in embryonal tumors that affect children. Many observations have shown how alterations of these pleiotropic Myc transcription factors provide initiation, maintenance, or progression of tumors. This review will focus on the role of Myc family members (particularly c-myc and Mycn) in tumors like medulloblastoma and glioma and will further discuss how to target stabilization of these proteins for future brain tumor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik J Swartling
- Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden.
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25
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Park AK, Lee SJ, Phi JH, Wang KC, Kim DG, Cho BK, Haberler C, Fattet S, Dufour C, Puget S, Sainte-Rose C, Bourdeaut F, Grill J, Delattre O, Kim SK, Park WY. Prognostic classification of pediatric medulloblastoma based on chromosome 17p loss, expression of MYCC and MYCN, and Wnt pathway activation. Neuro Oncol 2011; 14:203-14. [PMID: 22090452 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nor196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric medulloblastoma is considered a highly heterogeneous disease and a new strategy of risk stratification to optimize therapeutic outcomes is required. We aimed to investigate a new risk-stratification approach based on expression profiles of medulloblastoma cohorts. We analyzed gene expression profiles of 30 primary medulloblastomas and detected strong evidence that poor survival outcome was significantly associated with mRNA expression profiles of 17p loss. However, it was not supported in independent cohorts from previously published data (n = 100). We speculated that this discrepancy might come from complex conditions of two important prognostic determinants: loss of tumor suppressors (chromosome 17p) and high expression of oncogenes c-myc (MYCC) or N-myc (MYCN). When patients were stratified into 5 or 7 subgroups based on simultaneous consideration of these 2 factors while defining the Wnt group as independent, obviously different survival expectancies were detected between the subgroups. For instance, predicted 5-year survival probabilities ranged from 19% to 81% in the 5 subgroups. We also found that age became a significant prognostic marker after adjusting for 17p, MYCC, and MYCN status. Diminished survival in age <3 years was more substantial in subgroups with high expression of MYCC, MYCN, or 17p loss but not in other subgroups, indicating that poor survival outcome might be synergistically affected by these 3 factors. Here we suggest a more tailored subgrouping system based on expression profiles of chromosome 17p, MYCC, and MYCN, which could provide the basis for a novel risk-stratification strategy in pediatric medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ae Kyung Park
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Korea
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26
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Gessi M, zur Muehlen A, Lauriola L, Gardiman MP, Giangaspero F, Pietsch T. TP53, β-Catenin and c-myc/N-myc status in embryonal tumours with ependymoblastic rosettes. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2011; 37:406-13. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2990.2010.01151.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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27
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Momota H, Narita Y, Matsushita Y, Miyakita Y, Shibui S. p53 abnormality and tumor invasion in patients with malignant astrocytoma. Brain Tumor Pathol 2010; 27:95-101. [PMID: 21046311 DOI: 10.1007/s10014-010-0272-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2010] [Accepted: 06/21/2010] [Indexed: 09/29/2022]
Abstract
Malignant astrocytomas are characterized by diffusely infiltrating nature, and the abnormality of p53 is a cytogenetic hallmark of astrocytic tumors. To elucidate the relationship between p53 abnormality and invasiveness of the tumors, we studied mutation and protein expression of p53 in 48 consecutive patients with malignant astrocytoma (14 anaplastic astrocytomas and 34 glioblastoma multiformes). The tumors were classified into three categories according to the features of magnetic resonance imaging, and 5, 7, and 36 tumors were classified into diffuse, multiple, and single type, respectively. We then examined how these tumor types correlate with MIB-1 staining index, TP53 gene mutation, and p53 protein expression. We found that p53 immunopositivity or TP53 mutation was frequently observed in diffuse and multiple types. These abnormalities of p53 were also associated with high MIB-1 staining index and strong expression of vascular endothelial growth factor. Furthermore, diffuse- and multiple-type tumors were significantly correlated with poor progression-free survival, whereas only multiple-type tumors were significantly correlated with poor overall survival. As diffuse and multiple features on imaging modalities represent invasive characteristics of the tumors, p53 abnormalities may affect the invasive and aggressive nature of malignant astrocytomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Momota
- Neurosurgery Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
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28
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Swartling FJ, Grimmer MR, Hackett CS, Northcott PA, Fan QW, Goldenberg DD, Lau J, Masic S, Nguyen K, Yakovenko S, Zhe XN, Gilmer HCF, Collins R, Nagaoka M, Phillips JJ, Jenkins RB, Tihan T, Vandenberg SR, James CD, Tanaka K, Taylor MD, Weiss WA, Chesler L. Pleiotropic role for MYCN in medulloblastoma. Genes Dev 2010; 24:1059-72. [PMID: 20478998 DOI: 10.1101/gad.1907510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood. Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling drives a minority of MB, correlating with desmoplastic pathology and favorable outcome. The majority, however, arises independently of SHH and displays classic or large cell anaplastic (LCA) pathology and poor prognosis. To identify common signaling abnormalities, we profiled mRNA, demonstrating misexpression of MYCN in the majority of human MB and negligible expression in normal cerebella. We clarified a role in pathogenesis by targeting MYCN (and luciferase) to cerebella of transgenic mice. MYCN-driven MB showed either classic or LCA pathologies, with Shh signaling activated in approximately 5% of tumors, demonstrating that MYCN can drive MB independently of Shh. MB arose at high penetrance, consistent with a role for MYCN in initiation. Tumor burden correlated with bioluminescence, with rare metastatic spread to the leptomeninges, suggesting roles for MYCN in both progression and metastasis. Transient pharmacological down-regulation of MYCN led to both clearance and senescence of tumor cells, and improved survival. Targeted expression of MYCN thus contributes to initiation, progression, and maintenance of MB, suggesting a central role for MYCN in pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik J Swartling
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
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Huse JT, Holland EC. Targeting brain cancer: advances in the molecular pathology of malignant glioma and medulloblastoma. Nat Rev Cancer 2010; 10:319-31. [PMID: 20414201 DOI: 10.1038/nrc2818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 530] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Malignant brain tumours continue to be the cause of a disproportionate level of morbidity and mortality across a wide range of individuals. The most common variants in the adult and paediatric populations - malignant glioma and medulloblastoma, respectively - have been the subject of increasingly intensive research over the past two decades that has led to considerable advances in the understanding of their basic biology and pathogenesis. This Review summarizes these developments in the context of the evolving notion of molecular pathology and discusses the implications that this work has on the design of new treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason T Huse
- Departments of Pathology, 408 East 69th Street (Z1304), New York, NY 10065, USA
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Albihn A, Johnsen JI, Henriksson MA. MYC in oncogenesis and as a target for cancer therapies. Adv Cancer Res 2010; 107:163-224. [PMID: 20399964 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-230x(10)07006-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
MYC proteins (c-MYC, MYCN, and MYCL) regulate processes involved in many if not all aspects of cell fate. Therefore, it is not surprising that the MYC genes are deregulated in several human neoplasias as a result from genetic and epigenetic alterations. The near "omnipotency" together with the many levels of regulation makes MYC an attractive target for tumor intervention therapy. Here, we summarize some of the current understanding of MYC function and provide an overview of different cancer forms with MYC deregulation. We also describe available treatments and highlight novel approaches in the pursuit for MYC-targeting therapies. These efforts, at different stages of development, constitute a promising platform for novel, more specific treatments with fewer side effects. If successful a MYC-targeting therapy has the potential for tailored treatment of a large number of different tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ami Albihn
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Zambelli D, Zuntini M, Nardi F, Manara MC, Serra M, Landuzzi L, Lollini PL, Ferrari S, Alberghini M, Llombart-Bosch A, Piccolo E, Iacobelli S, Picci P, Scotlandi K. Biological indicators of prognosis in Ewing's sarcoma: an emerging role for lectin galactoside-binding soluble 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP). Int J Cancer 2009; 126:41-52. [PMID: 19544526 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Starting from an experimental model that accounts for the 2 most important adverse processes to successful therapy of Ewing's sarcoma (EWS), chemoresistance and the presence of metastasis at the time of diagnosis, we defined a molecular signature of potential prognostic value. Functional annotation of differentially regulated genes revealed 3 major networks related to cell cycle, cell-to-cell interactions and cellular development. The prognostic impact of 8 genes, representative of these 3 networks, was validated in 56 EWS patients. High mRNA expression levels of HINT1, IFITM2, LGALS3BP, STOML2 and c-MYC were associated with reduced risk to death and lower risk to develop metastasis. At multivariate analysis, LGALS3BP, a matricellular protein with a role in tumor progression and metastasis, was the most important predictor of event-free survival and overall survival. The association between LGALS3BP and prognosis was confirmed at protein level, when expression of the molecule was determined in tumor tissues but not in serum, indicating a role for the protein at local tumor microenvironment. Engineered enhancement of LGALS3BP expression in EWS cells resulted in inhibition of anchorage independent cell growth and reduction of cell migration and metastasis. Silencing of LGALS3BP expression reverted cell behavior with respect to in vitro parameters, thus providing further functional validation of genetic data obtained in clinical samples. Thus, we propose LGALS3BP as a novel reliable indicator of prognosis, and we offer genetic signatures to the scientific communities for cross-validation and meta-analysis, which are indispensable tools for a rare tumor such as EWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Zambelli
- Laboratory of Oncologic Research, Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
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Mouse models of CNS embryonal tumors. Brain Tumor Pathol 2009; 26:43-50. [PMID: 19856214 DOI: 10.1007/s10014-009-0253-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2009] [Accepted: 05/01/2009] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) embryonal tumors are devastating cancers in children, consisting of medulloblastomas, CNS primitive neuroectodermal tumors, and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors. One of the reasons that CNS embryonal tumors remain difficult to treat is their rarity, which makes conducting clinical trials for these tumors difficult. Recent advances of molecular biology have led us to identify molecular and genetic causality of brain tumors. Based on the genetic alterations found in humans, multiple models of human CNS embryonal tumors have been generated in genetically engineered mice. These mouse models are valuable tools for understanding brain tumor biology and discovering novel therapeutic targets and drugs. In this article, we review molecular and cytogenetic characteristics of human CNS embryonal tumors and corresponding mouse models that have been developed. These findings indicate that common genetic abnormalities are seen in variants of human CNS embryonal tumors, and multiple histological variants of these tumors can be generated from a single set of genetic abnormalities in mice. These data provide insight into the biology and classification of CNS embryonal tumors.
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33
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Freese JL, Pino D, Pleasure SJ. Wnt signaling in development and disease. Neurobiol Dis 2009; 38:148-53. [PMID: 19765659 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2009.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2009] [Revised: 09/01/2009] [Accepted: 09/10/2009] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway is one of the central morphogenic signaling pathways regulating early vertebrate development. In recent years, it has become clear that the Wnt pathway also regulates many aspects of nervous system development from the patterning stage through the regulation of neural plasticity. In this review, we first present an overview of the components of the Wnt signaling pathway and then go on to discuss the literature describing the multitude of roles of Wnts in nervous system. In the latter portion of the review, we turn to the ways that defects in Wnt signaling lead to neurologic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Freese
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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