1
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Rajan ARD, Huang Y, Stundl J, Chu K, Irodi A, Yang Z, Applegate BE, Bronner ME. Generation of a zebrafish neurofibromatosis model via inducible knockout of nf2. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.23.590787. [PMID: 38712289 PMCID: PMC11071375 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.23.590787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF-2) is a dominantly inherited genetic disorder that results from mutations in the tumor suppressor gene, neurofibromin 2 (NF2) gene. Here, we report the generation of a conditional zebrafish model of neurofibromatosis established by an inducible genetic knockout of nf2a/b, the zebrafish homolog of human NF2. Analysis of nf2a and nf2b expression reveals ubiquitous expression of nf2b in the early embryo, with overlapping expression in the neural crest and its derivatives and in the cranial mesenchyme. In contrast, nf2a displays lower expression levels. Induction of nf2a/b knockout at early stages increases the proliferation of larval Schwann cells and meningeal fibroblasts. Subsequently, in adult zebrafish, nf2a/b knockout triggers the development of a spectrum of tumors, including vestibular schwannomas, spinal schwannomas, meningiomas, and retinal hamartomas, mirroring the tumor manifestations observed in patients with NF-2. Collectively, these findings highlight the generation of a novel zebrafish model that mimics the complexities of the human NF-2 disorder. Consequently, this model holds significant potential for facilitating therapeutic screening and elucidating key driver genes implicated in NF-2 onset.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuanyun Huang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Jan Stundl
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Katelyn Chu
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Anushka Irodi
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Zihan Yang
- University of Southern California, Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brian E. Applegate
- University of Southern California, Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- University of Southern California, Alfred Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marianne E. Bronner
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
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2
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Atsoniou K, Giannopoulou E, Georganta EM, Skoulakis EMC. Drosophila Contributions towards Understanding Neurofibromatosis 1. Cells 2024; 13:721. [PMID: 38667335 PMCID: PMC11048932 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a multisymptomatic disorder with highly variable presentations, which include short stature, susceptibility to formation of the characteristic benign tumors known as neurofibromas, intense freckling and skin discoloration, and cognitive deficits, which characterize most children with the condition. Attention deficits and Autism Spectrum manifestations augment the compromised learning presented by most patients, leading to behavioral problems and school failure, while fragmented sleep contributes to chronic fatigue and poor quality of life. Neurofibromin (Nf1) is present ubiquitously during human development and postnatally in most neuronal, oligodendrocyte, and Schwann cells. Evidence largely from animal models including Drosophila suggests that the symptomatic variability may reflect distinct cell-type-specific functions of the protein, which emerge upon its loss, or mutations affecting the different functional domains of the protein. This review summarizes the contributions of Drosophila in modeling multiple NF1 manifestations, addressing hypotheses regarding the cell-type-specific functions of the protein and exploring the molecular pathways affected upon loss of the highly conserved fly homolog dNf1. Collectively, work in this model not only has efficiently and expediently modelled multiple aspects of the condition and increased understanding of its behavioral manifestations, but also has led to pharmaceutical strategies towards their amelioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Atsoniou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Athens, Greece; (K.A.); (E.G.)
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Giannopoulou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Athens, Greece; (K.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Eirini-Maria Georganta
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Athens, Greece; (K.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Efthimios M. C. Skoulakis
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Athens, Greece; (K.A.); (E.G.)
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3
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de Blank P, Nishiyama A, López-Juárez A. A new era for myelin research in Neurofibromatosis type 1. Glia 2023; 71:2701-2719. [PMID: 37382486 PMCID: PMC10592420 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Evidence for myelin regulating higher-order brain function and disease is rapidly accumulating; however, defining cellular/molecular mechanisms remains challenging partially due to the dynamic brain physiology involving deep changes during development, aging, and in response to learning and disease. Furthermore, as the etiology of most neurological conditions remains obscure, most research models focus on mimicking symptoms, which limits understanding of their molecular onset and progression. Studying diseases caused by single gene mutations represents an opportunity to understand brain dys/function, including those regulated by myelin. Here, we discuss known and potential repercussions of abnormal central myelin on the neuropathophysiology of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Most patients with this monogenic disease present with neurological symptoms diverse in kind, severity, and onset/decline, including learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, motor coordination issues, and increased risk for depression and dementia. Coincidentally, most NF1 patients show diverse white matter/myelin abnormalities. Although myelin-behavior links were proposed decades ago, no solid data can prove or refute this idea yet. A recent upsurge in myelin biology understanding and research/therapeutic tools provides opportunities to address this debate. As precision medicine moves forward, an integrative understanding of all cell types disrupted in neurological conditions becomes a priority. Hence, this review aims to serve as a bridge between fundamental cellular/molecular myelin biology and clinical research in NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter de Blank
- Department of Pediatrics, The Cure Starts Now Brain Tumor Center, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Akiko Nishiyama
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Alejandro López-Juárez
- Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, Texas, USA
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4
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Yuan P, Teng D, de Groot E, Li M, Trousil S, Shen CH, Roszik J, Davies MA, Gopal YV, Zheng B. Loss of AMPKα2 promotes melanoma tumor growth and brain metastasis. iScience 2023; 26:106791. [PMID: 37213225 PMCID: PMC10197146 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a critical cellular energy sensor at the interface of metabolism and cancer. However, the role of AMPK in carcinogenesis remains unclear. Here, through analysis of the TCGA melanoma dataset, we found that PRKAA2 gene that encodes the α2 subunit of AMPK is mutated in ∼9% of cutaneous melanomas, and these mutations tend to co-occur with NF1 mutations. Knockout of AMPKα2 promoted anchorage-independent growth of NF1-mutant melanoma cells, whereas ectopic expression of AMPKα2 inhibited their growth in soft agar assays. Moreover, loss of AMPKα2 accelerated tumor growth of NF1-mutant melanoma and enhanced their brain metastasis in immune-deficient mice. Our findings support that AMPKα2 serves as a tumor suppressor in NF1-mutant melanoma and suggest that AMPK could be a therapeutic target for treating melanoma brain metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Yuan
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Da Teng
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Evelyn de Groot
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Man Li
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Sebastian Trousil
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Che-Hung Shen
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Jason Roszik
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael A. Davies
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Y.N. Vashisht Gopal
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bin Zheng
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
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5
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Preclinical Models of Neuroendocrine Neoplasia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225646. [PMID: 36428741 PMCID: PMC9688518 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasia (NENs) are a complex and heterogeneous group of cancers that can arise from neuroendocrine tissues throughout the body and differentiate them from other tumors. Their low incidence and high diversity make many of them orphan conditions characterized by a low incidence and few dedicated clinical trials. Study of the molecular and genetic nature of these diseases is limited in comparison to more common cancers and more dependent on preclinical models, including both in vitro models (such as cell lines and 3D models) and in vivo models (such as patient derived xenografts (PDXs) and genetically-engineered mouse models (GEMMs)). While preclinical models do not fully recapitulate the nature of these cancers in patients, they are useful tools in investigation of the basic biology and early-stage investigation for evaluation of treatments for these cancers. We review available preclinical models for each type of NEN and discuss their history as well as their current use and translation.
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Kanellopoulos D, Karagianni D, Pergialiotis V, Nikiteas N, Lazaris AC, Iliopoulos D. The effect of endometriosis on fertility in an animal model. J Med Life 2022; 15:1170-1175. [PMID: 36415526 PMCID: PMC9635238 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2021-0391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The present experimental model aimed to investigate the possible effect of endometriosis on ovarian function by altering follicular maturation and development. This single-blind, randomized study included twenty-four female Sprague Dawley mice, 2.5 months old, weighing 160-200 grams. The animals were randomly separated into four groups on the day of the surgery. Each group consisted of 6 mice. The first group (A) consisted of healthy female mice (control group). The second group (B) consisted of mice subjected to surgical insertion of ovarian endometrioma. The third group (C) consisted of mice subjected to surgically induced diffuse intraperitoneal endometriosis, and the fourth group (D) consisted of mice subjected to surgically induced extraperitoneal endometriosis. According to our experimental model, endometriosis may affect ovarian function by increasing the number of luteinized unruptured follicles (follicles that have undergone luteinization without prior rupture).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kanellopoulos
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Karagianni
- 1 Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilios Pergialiotis
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Nikiteas
- 2 Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas C Lazaris
- 1 Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Iliopoulos
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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7
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Zebrafish Models of Paediatric Brain Tumours. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179920. [PMID: 36077320 PMCID: PMC9456103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Paediatric brain cancer is the second most common childhood cancer and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Despite significant advancements in the treatment modalities and improvements in the 5-year survival rate, it leaves long-term therapy-associated side effects in paediatric patients. Addressing these impairments demands further understanding of the molecularity and heterogeneity of these brain tumours, which can be demonstrated using different animal models of paediatric brain cancer. Here we review the use of zebrafish as potential in vivo models for paediatric brain tumour modelling, as well as catalogue the currently available zebrafish models used to study paediatric brain cancer pathophysiology, and discuss key findings, the unique attributes that these models add, current challenges and therapeutic significance.
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8
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Miller AH, Halloran MC. Mechanistic insights from animal models of neurofibromatosis type 1 cognitive impairment. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:276464. [PMID: 36037004 PMCID: PMC9459395 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal-dominant neurogenetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene neurofibromin 1 (NF1). NF1 predisposes individuals to a variety of symptoms, including peripheral nerve tumors, brain tumors and cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive deficits can negatively impact patient quality of life, especially the social and academic development of children. The neurofibromin protein influences neural circuits via diverse cellular signaling pathways, including through RAS, cAMP and dopamine signaling. Although animal models have been useful in identifying cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate NF1-dependent behaviors, translating these discoveries into effective treatments has proven difficult. Clinical trials measuring cognitive outcomes in patients with NF1 have mainly targeted RAS signaling but, unfortunately, resulted in limited success. In this Review, we provide an overview of the structure and function of neurofibromin, and evaluate several cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurofibromin-dependent cognitive function, which have recently been delineated in animal models. A better understanding of neurofibromin roles in the development and function of the nervous system will be crucial for identifying new therapeutic targets for the various cognitive domains affected by NF1. Summary: Neurofibromin influences neural circuits through RAS, cAMP and dopamine signaling. Exploring the mechanisms underlying neurofibromin-dependent behaviors in animal models might enable future treatment of the various cognitive deficits that are associated with neurofibromatosis type 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew H Miller
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Mary C Halloran
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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9
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Antonica F, Aiello G, Soldano A, Abballe L, Miele E, Tiberi L. Modeling Brain Tumors: A Perspective Overview of in vivo and Organoid Models. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:818696. [PMID: 35706426 PMCID: PMC9190727 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.818696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are a large and heterogeneous group of neoplasms that affect the central nervous system and include some of the deadliest cancers. Almost all the conventional and new treatments fail to hinder tumoral growth of the most malignant brain tumors. This is due to multiple factors, such as intra-tumor heterogeneity, the microenvironmental properties of the human brain, and the lack of reliable models to test new therapies. Therefore, creating faithful models for each tumor and discovering tailored treatments pose great challenges in the fight against brain cancer. Over the years, different types of models have been generated, and, in this review, we investigated the advantages and disadvantages of the models currently used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Antonica
- Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Brain Disorders and Cancer, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Aiello
- Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Brain Disorders and Cancer, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Alessia Soldano
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Luana Abballe
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Evelina Miele
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Tiberi
- Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Brain Disorders and Cancer, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- *Correspondence: Luca Tiberi,
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10
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Cascallar M, Alijas S, Pensado-López A, Vázquez-Ríos AJ, Sánchez L, Piñeiro R, de la Fuente M. What Zebrafish and Nanotechnology Can Offer for Cancer Treatments in the Age of Personalized Medicine. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092238. [PMID: 35565373 PMCID: PMC9099873 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer causes millions of deaths each year and thus urgently requires the development of new therapeutic strategies. Nanotechnology-based anticancer therapies are a promising approach, with several formulations already approved and in clinical use. The evaluation of these therapies requires efficient in vivo models to study their behavior and interaction with cancer cells, and to optimize their properties to ensure maximum efficacy and safety. In this way, zebrafish is an important candidate due to its high homology with the human genoma, its large offspring, and the ease in developing specific cancer models. The role of zebrafish as a model for anticancer therapy studies has been highly evidenced, allowing researchers not only to perform drug screenings but also to evaluate novel therapies such as immunotherapies and nanotherapies. Beyond that, zebrafish can be used as an “avatar” model for performing patient-derived xenografts for personalized medicine. These characteristics place zebrafish in an attractive position as a role model for evaluating novel therapies for cancer treatment, such as nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cascallar
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.C.); (S.A.); (A.J.V.-R.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (L.S.)
| | - Sandra Alijas
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.C.); (S.A.); (A.J.V.-R.)
| | - Alba Pensado-López
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (L.S.)
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine & Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Abi Judit Vázquez-Ríos
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.C.); (S.A.); (A.J.V.-R.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- DIVERSA Technologies S.L., 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (L.S.)
- Preclinical Animal Models Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Roberto Piñeiro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María de la Fuente
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.C.); (S.A.); (A.J.V.-R.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- DIVERSA Technologies S.L., 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-981-955-704
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11
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Somatilaka BN, Sadek A, McKay RM, Le LQ. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor: models, biology, and translation. Oncogene 2022; 41:2405-2421. [PMID: 35393544 PMCID: PMC9035132 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02290-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive, invasive cancer that comprise around 10% of all soft tissue sarcomas and develop in about 8-13% of patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1. They are associated with poor prognosis and are the leading cause of mortality in NF1 patients. MPNSTs can also develop sporadically or following exposure to radiation. There is currently no effective targeted therapy to treat MPNSTs and surgical removal remains the mainstay treatment. Unfortunately, surgery is not always possible due to the size and location of the tumor, thus, a better understanding of MPNST initiation and development is required to design novel therapeutics. Here, we provide an overview of MPNST biology and genetics, discuss findings regarding the developmental origin of MPNST, and summarize the various model systems employed to study MPNST. Finally, we discuss current management strategies for MPNST, as well as recent developments in translating basic research findings into potential therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bandarigoda N. Somatilaka
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, 75390-9069, USA
| | - Ali Sadek
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, 75390-9069, USA
| | - Renee M. McKay
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, 75390-9069, USA
| | - Lu Q. Le
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, 75390-9069, USA,Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, 75390-9069, USA,UTSW Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Clinic, University of
Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, 75390-9069, USA,Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine,
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas,
75390-9069, USA,O’Donnell Brain Institute, University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, 75390-9069, USA
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12
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zMADM (zebrafish mosaic analysis with double markers) for single-cell gene knockout and dual-lineage tracing. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2122529119. [PMID: 35197298 PMCID: PMC8892518 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122529119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The transparent body of the larval zebrafish makes it an excellent vertebrate model for studying both developmental and disease processes in real time. However, the difficulty of genetic manipulation of zebrafish has greatly hindered its full power in biological studies. To overcome these hurdles, we establish a genetic system called zebrafish mosaic analysis with double markers (zMADM). zMADM has three unique advantages: First, it can achieve conditional knockout of genes residing on the zMADM-bearing chromosome without the need to generate floxed alleles, which is highly challenging and time consuming in the zebrafish; second, it allows the fate mapping of two sibling lineages; and third, it enables cell autonomous phenotypic analysis at single-cell resolution with sibling wild-type cells as internal control. As a vertebrate model organism, zebrafish has many unique advantages in developmental studies, regenerative biology, and disease modeling. However, tissue-specific gene knockout in zebrafish is challenging due to technical difficulties in making floxed alleles. Even when successful, tissue-level knockout can affect too many cells, making it difficult to distinguish cell autonomous from noncell autonomous gene function. Here, we present a genetic system termed zebrafish mosaic analysis with double markers (zMADM). Through Cre/loxP-mediated interchromosomal mitotic recombination of two reciprocally chimeric fluorescent genes, zMADM generates sporadic (<0.5%), GFP+ mutant cells along with RFP+ sibling wild-type cells, enabling phenotypic analysis at single-cell resolution. Using wild-type zMADM, we traced two sibling cells (GFP+ and RFP+) in real time during a dynamic developmental process. Using nf1 mutant zMADM, we demonstrated an overproliferation phenotype of nf1 mutant cells in comparison to wild-type sibling cells in the same zebrafish. The readiness of zMADM to produce sporadic mutant cells without the need to generate floxed alleles should fundamentally improve the throughput of genetic analysis in zebrafish; the lineage-tracing capability combined with phenotypic analysis at the single-cell level should lead to deep insights into developmental and disease mechanisms. Therefore, we are confident that zMADM will enable groundbreaking discoveries once broadly distributed in the field.
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13
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Cerrizuela S, Vega-Lopez GA, Méndez-Maldonado K, Velasco I, Aybar MJ. The crucial role of model systems in understanding the complexity of cell signaling in human neurocristopathies. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1537. [PMID: 35023327 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Animal models are useful to study the molecular, cellular, and morphogenetic mechanisms underlying normal and pathological development. Cell-based study models have emerged as an alternative approach to study many aspects of human embryonic development and disease. The neural crest (NC) is a transient, multipotent, and migratory embryonic cell population that generates a diverse group of cell types that arises during vertebrate development. The abnormal formation or development of the NC results in neurocristopathies (NCPs), which are characterized by a broad spectrum of functional and morphological alterations. The impaired molecular mechanisms that give rise to these multiphenotypic diseases are not entirely clear yet. This fact, added to the high incidence of these disorders in the newborn population, has led to the development of systematic approaches for their understanding. In this article, we have systematically reviewed the ways in which experimentation with different animal and cell model systems has improved our knowledge of NCPs, and how these advances might contribute to the development of better diagnostic and therapeutic tools for the treatment of these pathologies. This article is categorized under: Congenital Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Congenital Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Congenital Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Neurological Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Cerrizuela
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO, CONICET-UNT), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Guillermo A Vega-Lopez
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO, CONICET-UNT), Tucumán, Argentina.,Instituto de Biología "Dr. Francisco D. Barbieri", Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Karla Méndez-Maldonado
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular - Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.,Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Iván Velasco
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular - Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.,Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular del Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM en el Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Manuel J Aybar
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO, CONICET-UNT), Tucumán, Argentina.,Instituto de Biología "Dr. Francisco D. Barbieri", Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
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14
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Shu L, Xiao N, Qin J, Tian Q, Zhang Y, Li H, Liu J, Li Q, Gu W, Wang P, Wang H, Mao X. The Role of Microtubule Associated Serine/Threonine Kinase 3 Variants in Neurodevelopmental Diseases: Genotype-Phenotype Association. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:775479. [PMID: 35095415 PMCID: PMC8790505 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.775479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To prove microtubule associated serine/threonine kinase 3 (MAST3) gene is associated with neurodevelopmental diseases (NDD) and the genotype-phenotype correlation.Methods: Trio exome sequencing (trio ES) was performed on four NDD trios. Bioinformatic analysis was conducted based on large-scale genome sequencing data and human brain transcriptomic data. Further in vivo zebrafish studies were performed.Results: In our study, we identified four de novo MAST3 variants (NM_015016.1: c.302C > T:p.Ser101Phe; c.311C > T:p.Ser104Leu; c.1543G > A:p.Gly515Ser; and c.1547T > C:p.Leu516Pro) in four patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) separately. Clinical heterogeneities were observed in patients carrying variants in domain of unknown function (DUF) and serine-threonine kinase (STK) domain separately. Using the published large-scale exome sequencing data, higher CADD scores of missense variants in DUF domain were found in NDD cohort compared with gnomAD database. In addition, we obtained an excess of missense variants in DUF domain when compared autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) cohort with gnomAD database, similarly an excess of missense variants in STK domain when compared DEE cohort with gnomAD database. Based on Brainspan datasets, we showed that MAST3 expression was significantly upregulated in ASD and DEE-related brain regions and was functionally linked with DEE genes. In zebrafish model, abnormal morphology of central nervous system was observed in mast3a/b crispants.Conclusion: Our results support the possibility that MAST3 is a novel gene associated with NDD which could expand the genetic spectrum for NDD. The genotype-phenotype correlation may contribute to future genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Shu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory for Birth Defect Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China
- Department of School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Neng Xiao
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Chenzhou First People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, China
| | - Jiong Qin
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Tian
- Department of Medical Genetics, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Yanghui Zhang
- Medical Genetics Center, Jiangmen Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Jiangmen, China
| | - Haoxian Li
- Medical Genetics Center, Jiangmen Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Jiangmen, China
| | | | - Qinrui Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weiyue Gu
- Chigene (Beijing) Translational Medical Research Center Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Pengchao Wang
- Chigene (Beijing) Translational Medical Research Center Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory for Birth Defect Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China
- Hua Wang,
| | - Xiao Mao
- Department of Medical Genetics, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory for Birth Defect Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao Mao,
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15
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Neely SA, Lyons DA. Insights Into Central Nervous System Glial Cell Formation and Function From Zebrafish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:754606. [PMID: 34912801 PMCID: PMC8666443 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.754606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The term glia describes a heterogenous collection of distinct cell types that make up a large proportion of our nervous system. Although once considered the glue of the nervous system, the study of glial cells has evolved significantly in recent years, with a large body of literature now highlighting their complex and diverse roles in development and throughout life. This progress is due, in part, to advances in animal models in which the molecular and cellular mechanisms of glial cell development and function as well as neuron-glial cell interactions can be directly studied in vivo in real time, in intact neural circuits. In this review we highlight the instrumental role that zebrafish have played as a vertebrate model system for the study of glial cells, and discuss how the experimental advantages of the zebrafish lend themselves to investigate glial cell interactions and diversity. We focus in particular on recent studies that have provided insight into the formation and function of the major glial cell types in the central nervous system in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Neely
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Lyons
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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16
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Armando F, Pigoli C, Gambini M, Ghidelli A, Ghisleni G, Corradi A, Passeri B, Caniatti M, Grieco V, Baumgärtner W, Puff C. Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors Resembling Human Atypical Neurofibroma in Goldfish ( Carassius auratus, Linnaeus, 1758). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092621. [PMID: 34573587 PMCID: PMC8467327 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In animals, especially in fish, dermal neoplasms are a common finding. A distinction between peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) and other spindle cell tumors (SCTs) is not always possible when relying exclusively on routine cytological and histopathological findings. The current study aims to determine a minimal subset of stains required to correctly identify PNSTs in goldfish and describes, in detail, six dermal nodules that resemble atypical neurofibroma in humans. Interestingly, muscular and fibroblastic tumors were excluded using Azan trichrome staining, while Alcian blue and Gomori’s reticulin stains revealed the presence of intratumoral areas of mucins and basement membrane fragments, respectively. In addition, PAS and PAS with diastase pretreatment confirmed the latter finding and revealed intra- and extracellular glycogen granules. Immunohistochemistry displayed reactivity for S100 protein, CNPase, and phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated neurofilament-positive axons. Altogether, these findings suggested that Azan trichrome staining, Gomori’s reticulin staining, and immunohistochemistry for S100 protein and CNPase represent a useful set of stains to identify and characterize PNSTs in goldfish. Abstract Skin spindle cell tumors (SSTs) frequently occur in fishes, with peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) being the most commonly reported neoplasms in goldfish. However, distinguishing PNSTs from other SCTs is not always possible when relying exclusively on routine cytological and histopathological findings. Therefore, the aim of this study is to characterize six skin nodules, resembling atypical neurofibromas in humans, found in six cohabiting goldfish (Carassius auratus), and to determine a minimal subset of special stains required to correctly identify PNSTs in this species. Routine cytology and histopathology were indicative of an SCT with nuclear atypia in all cases, with randomly distributed areas of hypercellularity and loss of neurofibroma architecture. Muscular and fibroblastic tumors were excluded using Azan trichrome staining. Alcian blue and Gomori’s reticulin stains revealed the presence of intratumoral areas of glycosaminoglycans or mucins and basement membrane fragments, respectively. PAS and PAS–diastase stains confirmed the latter finding and revealed intra- and extracellular glycogen granules. Immunohistochemistry displayed multifocal, randomly distributed aggregates of neoplastic cells positive for S100 protein and CNPase, intermingled with phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated neurofilament-positive axons. Collectively, these findings are consistent with a PNST resembling atypical neurofibroma in humans, an entity not previously reported in goldfish, and suggest that Azan trichrome staining, reticulin staining, and immunohistochemistry for S100 protein and CNPase represent a useful set of special stains to identify and characterize PNSTs in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Armando
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (F.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.)
- Pathology Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (A.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Claudio Pigoli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.P.); (G.G.); (M.C.); (V.G.)
- Laboratorio di Istologia, Sede Territoriale di Milano, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna (IZSLER), 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Matteo Gambini
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (F.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.P.); (G.G.); (M.C.); (V.G.)
| | - Andrea Ghidelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Ghisleni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.P.); (G.G.); (M.C.); (V.G.)
- Biessea Laboratorio Analisi Veterinarie, Via Amedeo D’Aosta 7, 20129 Milano, Italy
| | - Attilio Corradi
- Pathology Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (A.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Benedetta Passeri
- Pathology Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (A.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Mario Caniatti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.P.); (G.G.); (M.C.); (V.G.)
| | - Valeria Grieco
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.P.); (G.G.); (M.C.); (V.G.)
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (F.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Christina Puff
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (F.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.)
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17
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Shahzad U, Taccone MS, Kumar SA, Okura H, Krumholtz S, Ishida J, Mine C, Gouveia K, Edgar J, Smith C, Hayes M, Huang X, Derry WB, Taylor MD, Rutka JT. Modeling human brain tumors in flies, worms, and zebrafish: From proof of principle to novel therapeutic targets. Neuro Oncol 2021; 23:718-731. [PMID: 33378446 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, cell biologists and cancer researchers have taken advantage of non-murine species to increase our understanding of the molecular processes that drive normal cell and tissue development, and when perturbed, cause cancer. The advent of whole-genome sequencing has revealed the high genetic homology of these organisms to humans. Seminal studies in non-murine organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Danio rerio identified many of the signaling pathways involved in cancer. Studies in these organisms offer distinct advantages over mammalian cell or murine systems. Compared to murine models, these three species have shorter lifespans, are less resource intense, and are amenable to high-throughput drug and RNA interference screening to test a myriad of promising drugs against novel targets. In this review, we introduce species-specific breeding strategies, highlight the advantages of modeling brain tumors in each non-mammalian species, and underscore the successes attributed to scientific investigation using these models. We conclude with an optimistic proposal that discoveries in the fields of cancer research, and in particular neuro-oncology, may be expedited using these powerful screening tools and strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uswa Shahzad
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael S Taccone
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sachin A Kumar
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hidehiro Okura
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stacey Krumholtz
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Joji Ishida
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Coco Mine
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kyle Gouveia
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Julia Edgar
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Christian Smith
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Madeline Hayes
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Xi Huang
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - W Brent Derry
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - James T Rutka
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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18
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Kobar K, Collett K, Prykhozhij SV, Berman JN. Zebrafish Cancer Predisposition Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:660069. [PMID: 33987182 PMCID: PMC8112447 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.660069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer predisposition syndromes are rare, typically monogenic disorders that result from germline mutations that increase the likelihood of developing cancer. Although these disorders are individually rare, resulting cancers collectively represent 5-10% of all malignancies. In addition to a greater incidence of cancer, affected individuals have an earlier tumor onset and are frequently subjected to long-term multi-modal cancer screening protocols for earlier detection and initiation of treatment. In vivo models are needed to better understand tumor-driving mechanisms, tailor patient screening approaches and develop targeted therapies to improve patient care and disease prognosis. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a robust model for cancer research due to its high fecundity, time- and cost-efficient genetic manipulation and real-time high-resolution imaging. Tumors developing in zebrafish cancer models are histologically and molecularly similar to their human counterparts, confirming the validity of these models. The zebrafish platform supports both large-scale random mutagenesis screens to identify potential candidate/modifier genes and recently optimized genome editing strategies. These techniques have greatly increased our ability to investigate the impact of certain mutations and how these lesions impact tumorigenesis and disease phenotype. These unique characteristics position the zebrafish as a powerful in vivo tool to model cancer predisposition syndromes and as such, several have already been created, including those recapitulating Li-Fraumeni syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, RASopathies, inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, and several other pathogenic mutations in cancer predisposition genes. In addition, the zebrafish platform supports medium- to high-throughput preclinical drug screening to identify compounds that may represent novel treatment paradigms or even prevent cancer evolution. This review will highlight and synthesize the findings from zebrafish cancer predisposition models created to date. We will discuss emerging trends in how these zebrafish cancer models can improve our understanding of the genetic mechanisms driving cancer predisposition and their potential to discover therapeutic and/or preventative compounds that change the natural history of disease for these vulnerable children, youth and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Kobar
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Keon Collett
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jason N. Berman
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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19
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Li S, Yeo KS, Levee TM, Howe CJ, Her ZP, Zhu S. Zebrafish as a Neuroblastoma Model: Progress Made, Promise for the Future. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030580. [PMID: 33800887 PMCID: PMC8001113 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
For nearly a decade, researchers in the field of pediatric oncology have been using zebrafish as a model for understanding the contributions of genetic alternations to the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma (NB), and exploring the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie neuroblastoma initiation and metastasis. In this review, we will enumerate and illustrate the key advantages of using the zebrafish model in NB research, which allows researchers to: monitor tumor development in real-time; robustly manipulate gene expression (either transiently or stably); rapidly evaluate the cooperative interactions of multiple genetic alterations to disease pathogenesis; and provide a highly efficient and low-cost methodology to screen for effective pharmaceutical interventions (both alone and in combination with one another). This review will then list some of the common challenges of using the zebrafish model and provide strategies for overcoming these difficulties. We have also included visual diagram and figures to illustrate the workflow of cancer model development in zebrafish and provide a summary comparison of commonly used animal models in cancer research, as well as key findings of cooperative contributions between MYCN and diverse singling pathways in NB pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (S.L.); (K.S.Y.); (T.M.L.); (C.J.H.); (Z.P.H.)
| | - Kok Siong Yeo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (S.L.); (K.S.Y.); (T.M.L.); (C.J.H.); (Z.P.H.)
| | - Taylor M. Levee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (S.L.); (K.S.Y.); (T.M.L.); (C.J.H.); (Z.P.H.)
| | - Cassie J. Howe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (S.L.); (K.S.Y.); (T.M.L.); (C.J.H.); (Z.P.H.)
| | - Zuag Paj Her
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (S.L.); (K.S.Y.); (T.M.L.); (C.J.H.); (Z.P.H.)
| | - Shizhen Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (S.L.); (K.S.Y.); (T.M.L.); (C.J.H.); (Z.P.H.)
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
- Correspondence:
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20
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Abstract
Zebrafish are rapidly becoming a leading model organism for cancer research. The genetic pathways driving cancer are highly conserved between zebrafish and humans, and the ability to easily manipulate the zebrafish genome to rapidly generate transgenic animals makes zebrafish an excellent model organism. Transgenic zebrafish containing complex, patient-relevant genotypes have been used to model many cancer types. Here we present a comprehensive review of transgenic zebrafish cancer models as a resource to the field and highlight important areas of cancer biology that have yet to be studied in the fish. The ability to image cancer cells and niche biology in an endogenous tumor makes zebrafish an indispensable model organism in which we can further understand the mechanisms that drive tumorigenesis and screen for potential new cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia M. McConnell
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Haley R. Noonan
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Leonard I. Zon
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
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21
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Luo J, Liu P, Lu C, Bian W, Su D, Zhu C, Xie S, Pan Y, Li N, Cui W, Pei DS, Yang X. Stepwise crosstalk between aberrant Nf1, Tp53 and Rb signalling pathways induces gliomagenesis in zebrafish. Brain 2021; 144:615-635. [PMID: 33279959 PMCID: PMC7940501 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular pathogenesis of glioblastoma indicates that RTK/Ras/PI3K, RB and TP53 pathways are critical for human gliomagenesis. Here, several transgenic zebrafish lines with single or multiple deletions of nf1, tp53 and rb1 in astrocytes, were established to genetically induce gliomagenesis in zebrafish. In the mutant with a single deletion, we found only the nf1 mutation low-efficiently induced tumour incidence, suggesting that the Nf1 pathway is critical for the initiation of gliomagenesis in zebrafish. Combination of mutations, nf1;tp53 and rb1;tp53 combined knockout fish, showed much higher tumour incidences, high-grade histology, increased invasiveness, and shortened survival time. Further bioinformatics analyses demonstrated the alterations in RTK/Ras/PI3K, cell cycle, and focal adhesion pathways, induced by abrogated nf1, tp53, or rb1, were probably the critical stepwise biological events for the initiation and development of gliomagenesis in zebrafish. Gene expression profiling and histological analyses showed the tumours derived from zebrafish have significant similarities to the subgroups of human gliomas. Furthermore, temozolomide treatment effectively suppressed gliomagenesis in these glioma zebrafish models, and the histological responses in temozolomide-treated zebrafish were similar to those observed in clinically treated glioma patients. Thus, our findings will offer a potential tool for genetically investigating gliomagenesis and screening potential targeted anti-tumour compounds for glioma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanjuan Luo
- Neuroscience Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Neuroscience Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Chunjiao Lu
- Neuroscience Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Wanping Bian
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Dongsheng Su
- Neuroscience Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Chenchen Zhu
- Neuroscience Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Shaolin Xie
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Yihang Pan
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Ningning Li
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Life Science and Biopharmaceutical of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - De-Sheng Pei
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Correspondence may also be addressed to: De-Sheng Pei, PhD Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Chongqing 400714, China E-mail:
| | - Xiaojun Yang
- Neuroscience Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
- Correspondence to: Xiaojun Yang, PhD Neuroscience Center, Shantou University Medical College Shantou 515041, China E-mail:
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22
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Reimunde P, Pensado-López A, Carreira Crende M, Lombao Iglesias V, Sánchez L, Torrecilla-Parra M, Ramírez CM, Anfray C, Torres Andón F. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Glioblastoma and Zebrafish Models for the Discovery of New Treatments. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1087. [PMID: 33802571 PMCID: PMC7961726 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common of all brain malignant tumors; it displays a median survival of 14.6 months with current complete standard treatment. High heterogeneity, aggressive and invasive behavior, the impossibility of completing tumor resection, limitations for drug administration and therapeutic resistance to current treatments are the main problems presented by this pathology. In recent years, our knowledge of GBM physiopathology has advanced significantly, generating relevant information on the cellular heterogeneity of GBM tumors, including cancer and immune cells such as macrophages/microglia, genetic, epigenetic and metabolic alterations, comprising changes in miRNA expression. In this scenario, the zebrafish has arisen as a promising animal model to progress further due to its unique characteristics, such as transparency, ease of genetic manipulation, ethical and economic advantages and also conservation of the major brain regions and blood-brain-barrier (BBB) which are similar to a human structure. A few papers described in this review, using genetic and xenotransplantation zebrafish models have been used to study GBM as well as to test the anti-tumoral efficacy of new drugs, their ability to interact with target cells, modulate the tumor microenvironment, cross the BBB and/or their toxicity. Prospective studies following these lines of research may lead to a better diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Reimunde
- Department of Medicine, Campus de Oza, Universidade da Coruña, 15006 A Coruña, Spain
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti, 27003 Lugo, Spain
| | - Alba Pensado-López
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Campus de Lugo, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (M.C.C.); (V.L.I.); (L.S.)
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Martín Carreira Crende
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Campus de Lugo, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (M.C.C.); (V.L.I.); (L.S.)
| | - Vanesa Lombao Iglesias
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Campus de Lugo, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (M.C.C.); (V.L.I.); (L.S.)
| | - Laura Sánchez
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Campus de Lugo, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (M.C.C.); (V.L.I.); (L.S.)
| | - Marta Torrecilla-Parra
- IMDEA Research Institute of Food and Health Sciences, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.-P.); (C.M.R.)
| | - Cristina M. Ramírez
- IMDEA Research Institute of Food and Health Sciences, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.-P.); (C.M.R.)
| | - Clément Anfray
- IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Via A. Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy;
| | - Fernando Torres Andón
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Via A. Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy;
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23
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Nebbioso M, Moramarco A, Lambiase A, Giustini S, Marenco M, Miraglia E, Fino P, Iacovino C, Alisi L. Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Ocular Electrophysiological and Perimetric Anomalies. Eye Brain 2020; 12:119-127. [PMID: 33117026 PMCID: PMC7585783 DOI: 10.2147/eb.s255184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a multisystemic disease caused by the mutation of Nf1 gene located on chromosome 17q11.2. The mutation determines the loss of function of the protein neurofibromin with consequent uncontrolled cellular proliferation. Patients are characterized by a wide range of dermatological, neurological, and ophthalmological symptoms. PURPOSE The aim of the study was to evaluate, through pattern visual evoked potentials (p-VEPs) and frequency doubling technology (FDT) Matrix perimetry, the objective and psychophysical functionality of the optic pathways in a group of NF1 patient. METHODS The study group consisted of 26 patients affected by NF1 and 17 healthy controls. Each patient underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, p-VEPs with the evaluation of amplitude and latency of the P100 wave, and FDT perimetry, with the evaluation of central sensitivity (CS), mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD) and glaucoma hemifield test (GHT). RESULTS NF1 patients showed a statistically significant alteration in the transmission of visual impulse. P-VEPs results highlighted a reduced amplitude and an increased latency of the P100 wave, suggesting an involvement of the visual pathway. Visual field analysis showed a significant reduction in all the observed parameters as well (CS, MD, PSD, and GHT). CONCLUSION The present study showed, in NF1 patients, a qualitative and quantitative alteration in the conduction of stimuli through the visual pathways. The observed alterations are present, although, only at a subclinical level. None of the patients included in the study showed any manifest visual deficit nor had any concomitant pathology that might have affected the outcome of the study. In conclusion, electrophysiological exams and computer perimetry may take part, alongside a wider array of exams, in the differential diagnosis and later monitoring of NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Nebbioso
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Sandra Giustini
- Department of Dermatology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Marenco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Fino
- Department of Dermatology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Iacovino
- Department of Dermatology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovico Alisi
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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24
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Oppel F, Ki DH, Zimmerman MW, Ross KN, Tao T, Shi H, He S, Aster JC, Look AT. suz12 inactivation in p53- and nf1-deficient zebrafish accelerates the onset of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors and expands the spectrum of tumor types. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm.042341. [PMID: 32651197 PMCID: PMC7473648 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.042341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is an epigenetic regulator of gene expression that possesses histone methyltransferase activity. PRC2 trimethylates lysine 27 of histone H3 proteins (H3K27me3) as a chromatin modification associated with repressed transcription of genes frequently involved in cell proliferation or self-renewal. Loss-of-function mutations in the PRC2 core subunit SUZ12 have been identified in a variety of tumors, including malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). To determine the consequences of SUZ12 loss in the pathogenesis of MPNST and other cancers, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt the open reading frame of each of two orthologous suz12 genes in zebrafish: suz12a and suz12b. We generated these knockout alleles in the germline of our previously described p53 (also known as tp53)- and nf1-deficient zebrafish model of MPNSTs. Loss of suz12 significantly accelerated the onset and increased the penetrance of MPNSTs compared to that in control zebrafish. Moreover, in suz12-deficient zebrafish, we detected additional types of tumors besides MPNSTs, including leukemia with histological characteristics of lymphoid malignancies, soft tissue sarcoma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which were not detected in p53/nf1-deficient control fish, and are also contained in the human spectrum of SUZ12-deficient malignancies identified in the AACR Genie database. The suz12-knockout tumors displayed reduced or abolished H3K27me3 epigenetic marks and upregulation of gene sets reported to be targeted by PRC2. Thus, these zebrafish lines with inactivation of suz12 in combination with loss of p53/nf1 provide a model of human MPNSTs and multiple other tumor types, which will be useful for mechanistic studies of molecular pathogenesis and targeted therapy with small molecule inhibitors. Summary: In p53- and nf1-deficient zebrafish, onset of MPNSTs, as well as diverse other tumors, is accelerated by loss of the suz12 tumor suppressor, accompanied by global reduction in H3K27me3 marks and increased Ras-Mapk signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Oppel
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dong H Ki
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mark W Zimmerman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kenneth N Ross
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ting Tao
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shuning He
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jon C Aster
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - A Thomas Look
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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25
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Cui XW, Ren JY, Gu YH, Li QF, Wang ZC. NF1, Neurofibromin and Gene Therapy: Prospects of Next-Generation Therapy. Curr Gene Ther 2020; 20:100-108. [PMID: 32767931 DOI: 10.2174/1566523220666200806111451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 [NF1] is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder affecting multiple organs. NF1 is well known for its various clinical manifestations, including café-au-late macules, Lisch nodules, bone deformity and neurofibromas. However, there is no effective therapy for NF1. Current therapies are aimed at alleviating NF1 clinical symptoms but not curing the disease. By altering pathogenic genes, gene therapy regulates cell activities at the nucleotide level. In this review, we described the structure and functions of neurofibromin domains, including GAP-related domain [GRD], cysteine-serine rich domain [CSRD], leucine-rich domain [LRD] and C-terminal domain [CTD], which respectively alter downstream pathways. By transfecting isolated sequences of these domains, researchers can partially restore normal cell functions in neurofibroma cell lines. Furthermore, recombinant transgene sequences may be designed to encode truncated proteins, which is functional and easy to be packaged into viral vectors. In addition, the treatment effect of gene therapy is also determined by various factors such as the vectors selection, transgene packaging strategies and drug administration. We summarized multiple NF1 gene therapy strategies and discussed their feasibility from multiple angles. Different protein domains alter the function and downstream pathways of neurofibromin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Wei Cui
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jie-Yi Ren
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yi-Hui Gu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Qing-Feng Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Zhi-Chao Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
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26
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Raby L, Völkel P, Le Bourhis X, Angrand PO. Genetic Engineering of Zebrafish in Cancer Research. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2168. [PMID: 32759814 PMCID: PMC7464884 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an excellent model to study a wide diversity of human cancers. In this review, we provide an overview of the genetic and reverse genetic toolbox allowing the generation of zebrafish lines that develop tumors. The large spectrum of genetic tools enables the engineering of zebrafish lines harboring precise genetic alterations found in human patients, the generation of zebrafish carrying somatic or germline inheritable mutations or zebrafish showing conditional expression of the oncogenic mutations. Comparative transcriptomics demonstrate that many of the zebrafish tumors share molecular signatures similar to those found in human cancers. Thus, zebrafish cancer models provide a unique in vivo platform to investigate cancer initiation and progression at the molecular and cellular levels, to identify novel genes involved in tumorigenesis as well as to contemplate new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pierre-Olivier Angrand
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277–CANTHER–Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (L.R.); (P.V.); (X.L.B.)
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27
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Patterson VL, Burdine RD. Swimming toward solutions: Using fish and frogs as models for understanding RASopathies. Birth Defects Res 2020; 112:749-765. [PMID: 32506834 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The RAS signaling pathway regulates cell growth, survival, and differentiation, and its inappropriate activation is associated with disease in humans. The RASopathies, a set of developmental syndromes, arise when the pathway is overactive during development. Patients share a core set of symptoms, including congenital heart disease, craniofacial anomalies, and neurocognitive delay. Due to the conserved nature of the pathway, animal models are highly informative for understanding disease etiology, and zebrafish and Xenopus are emerging as advantageous model systems. Here we discuss these aquatic models of RASopathies, which recapitulate many of the core symptoms observed in patients. Craniofacial structures become dysmorphic upon expression of disease-associated mutations, resulting in wider heads. Heart defects manifest as delays in cardiac development and changes in heart size, and behavioral deficits are beginning to be explored. Furthermore, early convergence and extension defects cause elongation of developing embryos: this phenotype can be quantitatively assayed as a readout of mutation strength, raising interesting questions regarding the relationship between pathway activation and disease. Additionally, the observation that RAS signaling may be simultaneously hyperactive and attenuated suggests that downregulation of signaling may also contribute to etiology. We propose that models should be characterized using a standardized approach to allow easier comparison between models, and a better understanding of the interplay between mutation and disease presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L Patterson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Rebecca D Burdine
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
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28
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Casey MJ, Stewart RA. Pediatric Cancer Models in Zebrafish. Trends Cancer 2020; 6:407-418. [PMID: 32348736 PMCID: PMC7194396 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric cancer is a leading cause of death in children and adolescents. Improvements in pediatric cancer treatment that include the alleviation of long-term adverse effects require a deeper understanding of the genetic, epigenetic, and developmental factors driving these cancers. Here, we review how the unique attributes of the zebrafish model system in embryology, imaging, and scalability have been used to identify new mechanisms of tumor initiation, progression, and relapse and for drug discovery. We focus on zebrafish models of leukemias, neural tumors and sarcomas - the most common and difficult childhood cancers to treat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattie J Casey
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Rodney A Stewart
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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29
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Nix JS, Blakeley J, Rodriguez FJ. An update on the central nervous system manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 139:625-641. [PMID: 30963251 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-02002-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that presents with variable phenotypes as a result of mutations in the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene and subsequently, abnormal function of the protein product, neurofibromin. Patients with NF1 are at increased risk for central nervous system (CNS) manifestations including structural, functional, and neoplastic disease. The mechanisms underlying the varied manifestations of NF1 are incompletely understood, but the loss of functional neurofibromin, resulting in sustained activation of the oncoprotein RAS, is responsible for tumorigenesis throughout the body, including the CNS. Much of our understanding of NF1-related CNS manifestations is from a combination of data from animal models and natural history studies of people with NF1 and CNS disease. Data from animal models suggest the importance of both Nf1 mutations and somatic genetic alterations, such as Tp53 loss, for development of neoplasms, as well as the role of the timing of the acquisition of such alterations on the variability of CNS manifestations. A variety of non-neoplastic structural (macrocephaly, hydrocephalus, aqueductal stenosis, and vasculopathy) and functional (epilepsy, impaired cognition, attention deficits, and autism spectrum disorder) abnormalities occur with variable frequency in individuals with NF1. In addition, there is increasing evidence that similar appearing CNS neoplasms in people with and without the NF1 syndrome are due to distinct oncogenic pathways. Gliomas in people with NF1 show alterations in the RAS/MAPK pathway, generally in the absence of BRAF alterations (common to sporadic pilocytic astrocytomas) or IDH or histone H3 mutations (common to diffuse gliomas subsets). A subset of low-grade astrocytomas in these patients remain difficult to classify using standard criteria, and occasionally demonstrate morphologic features resembling subependymal giant cell astrocytomas that afflict patients with tuberous sclerosis complex ("SEGA-like astrocytomas"). There is also emerging evidence that NF1-associated high-grade astrocytomas have frequent co-existing alterations such as ATRX mutations and an alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) phenotype responsible for unique biologic properties. Ongoing efforts are seeking to improve diagnostic accuracy for CNS neoplasms in the setting of NF1 versus sporadic tumors. In addition, MEK inhibitors, which act on the RAS/MAPK pathway, continue to be studied as rational targets for the treatment of NF1-associated tumors, including CNS tumors.
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30
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Uthoff J, Larson J, Sato TS, Hammond E, Schroeder KE, Rohret F, Rogers CS, Quelle DE, Darbro BW, Khanna R, Weimer JM, Meyerholz DK, Sieren JC. Longitudinal phenotype development in a minipig model of neurofibromatosis type 1. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5046. [PMID: 32193437 PMCID: PMC7081358 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61251-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a rare, autosomal dominant disease with variable clinical presentations. Large animal models are useful to help dissect molecular mechanisms, determine relevant biomarkers, and develop effective therapeutics. Here, we studied a NF1 minipig model (NF1+/ex42del) for the first 12 months of life to evaluate phenotype development, track disease progression, and provide a comparison to human subjects. Through systematic evaluation, we have shown that compared to littermate controls, the NF1 model develops phenotypic characteristics of human NF1: [1] café-au-lait macules, [2] axillary/inguinal freckling, [3] shortened stature, [4] tibial bone curvature, and [5] neurofibroma. At 4 months, full body computed tomography imaging detected significantly smaller long bones in NF1+/ex42del minipigs compared to controls, indicative of shorter stature. We found quantitative evidence of tibial bowing in a subpopulation of NF1 minipigs. By 8 months, an NF1+/ex42del boar developed a large diffuse shoulder neurofibroma, visualized on magnetic resonance imaging, which subsequently grew in size and depth as the animal aged up to 20 months. The NF1+/ex42del minipig model progressively demonstrates signature attributes that parallel clinical manifestations seen in humans and provides a viable tool for future translational NF1 research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Uthoff
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jared Larson
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Takashi S Sato
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Emily Hammond
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Dawn E Quelle
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Benjamin W Darbro
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jill M Weimer
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | | | - Jessica C Sieren
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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31
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Hason M, Bartůněk P. Zebrafish Models of Cancer-New Insights on Modeling Human Cancer in a Non-Mammalian Vertebrate. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10110935. [PMID: 31731811 PMCID: PMC6896156 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a valuable non-mammalian vertebrate model widely used to study development and disease, including more recently cancer. The evolutionary conservation of cancer-related programs between human and zebrafish is striking and allows extrapolation of research outcomes obtained in fish back to humans. Zebrafish has gained attention as a robust model for cancer research mainly because of its high fecundity, cost-effective maintenance, dynamic visualization of tumor growth in vivo, and the possibility of chemical screening in large numbers of animals at reasonable costs. Novel approaches in modeling tumor growth, such as using transgene electroporation in adult zebrafish, could improve our knowledge about the spatial and temporal control of cancer formation and progression in vivo. Looking at genetic as well as epigenetic alterations could be important to explain the pathogenesis of a disease as complex as cancer. In this review, we highlight classic genetic and transplantation models of cancer in zebrafish as well as provide new insights on advances in cancer modeling. Recent progress in zebrafish xenotransplantation studies and drug screening has shown that zebrafish is a reliable model to study human cancer and could be suitable for evaluating patient-derived xenograft cell invasiveness. Rapid, large-scale evaluation of in vivo drug responses and kinetics in zebrafish could undoubtedly lead to new applications in personalized medicine and combination therapy. For all of the above-mentioned reasons, zebrafish is approaching a future of being a pre-clinical cancer model, alongside the mouse. However, the mouse will continue to be valuable in the last steps of pre-clinical drug screening, mostly because of the highly conserved mammalian genome and biological processes.
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32
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Mechanisms underlying synergy between DNA topoisomerase I-targeted drugs and mTOR kinase inhibitors in NF1-associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Oncogene 2019; 38:6585-6598. [PMID: 31444410 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0965-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are soft-tissue sarcomas that frequently arise in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Most of these tumors are unresectable at diagnosis and minimally responsive to conventional treatment, lending urgency to the identification of new pathway dependencies and drugs with potent antitumor activities. We therefore examined a series of candidate agents for their ability to induce apoptosis in MPNST cells arising in nf1/tp53-deficient zebrafish. In this study, we found that DNA topoisomerase I-targeted drugs and mTOR kinase inhibitors were the most effective single agents in eliminating MPNST cells without prohibitive toxicity. In addition, three members of these classes of drugs, either AZD2014 or INK128 in combination with irinotecan, acted synergistically to induce apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. In mechanistic studies, irinotecan not only induces apoptosis by eliciting a DNA damage response, but also acts synergistically with AZD2014 to potentiate the hypophosphorylation of 4E-BP1, a downstream target of mTORC1. Profound hypophosphorylation of 4E-BP1 induced by this drug combination causes an arrest of protein synthesis, which potently induces tumor cell apoptosis. Our findings provide a compelling rationale for further in vivo evaluation of the combination of DNA topoisomerase I-targeted drugs and mTOR kinase inhibitors against these aggressive nerve sheath tumors.
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33
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Haraoka Y, Akieda Y, Ishitani T. [Live-imaging Analyses Using Small Fish Models Reveal New Mechanisms That Regulate Primary Tumorigenesis]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2019; 139:733-741. [PMID: 31061343 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.18-00185-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Since the 1980s, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have been used as a valuable model system to investigate developmental processes because they: 1) grow outside their mothers; 2) are transparent during the embryonic stage; and 3) have organs similar to those in humans. Recently, zebrafish have emerged as a powerful model animal for studying not only developmental biology but also human diseases, especially cancer. Owing to the significant advantages of zebrafish, such as low-cost breeding, high efficiency of transgenesis, and ease of in vivo imaging and oncogenic/tumor cell induction, zebrafish offer a unique opportunity to unveil novel mechanisms of cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis. In addition, the small size of zebrafish larvae enables high-throughput chemical screening, and this advantage contributes to generating useful platforms for antitumor drug discovery. Owing to these various merits, which other model animals (such as fly, mouse, and rat) do not possess, zebrafish could achieve a unique status in cancer research. In this review, we discuss the availability of zebrafish for studying cancer and introduce recent cancer studies that have used zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukinari Haraoka
- Laboratory of Integrated Signaling Systems, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University.,Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University
| | - Yuki Akieda
- Laboratory of Integrated Signaling Systems, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University
| | - Tohru Ishitani
- Laboratory of Integrated Signaling Systems, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University.,Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University
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Randlett O, Haesemeyer M, Forkin G, Shoenhard H, Schier AF, Engert F, Granato M. Distributed Plasticity Drives Visual Habituation Learning in Larval Zebrafish. Curr Biol 2019; 29:1337-1345.e4. [PMID: 30955936 PMCID: PMC6545104 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.02.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Habituation is a simple form of learning where animals learn to reduce their responses to repeated innocuous stimuli [1]. Habituation is thought to occur via at least two temporally and molecularly distinct mechanisms, which lead to short-term memories that last for seconds to minutes and long-term memories that last for hours or longer [1, 2]. Here, we focus on long-term habituation, which, due to the extended time course, necessitates stable alterations to circuit properties [2-4]. In its simplest form, long-term habituation could result from a plasticity event at a single point in a circuit, and many studies have focused on identifying the site and underlying mechanism of plasticity [5-10]. However, it is possible that these individual sites are only one of many points in the circuit where plasticity is occurring. Indeed, studies of short-term habituation in C. elegans indicate that in this paradigm, multiple genetically separable mechanisms operate to adapt specific aspects of behavior [11-13]. Here, we use a visual assay in which larval zebrafish habituate their response to sudden reductions in illumination (dark flashes) [14, 15]. Through behavioral analyses, we find that multiple components of the dark-flash response habituate independently of one another using different molecular mechanisms. This is consistent with a modular model in which habituation originates from multiple independent processes, each adapting specific components of behavior. This may allow animals to more specifically or flexibly habituate based on stimulus context or internal states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen Randlett
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Martin Haesemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Greg Forkin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hannah Shoenhard
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alexander F Schier
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Engert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Michael Granato
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Loss of atrx cooperates with p53-deficiency to promote the development of sarcomas and other malignancies. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008039. [PMID: 30970016 PMCID: PMC6476535 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The SWI/SNF-family chromatin remodeling protein ATRX is a tumor suppressor in sarcomas, gliomas and other malignancies. Its loss of function facilitates the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway in tumor cells, while it also affects Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) silencing of its target genes. To further define the role of inactivating ATRX mutations in carcinogenesis, we knocked out atrx in our previously reported p53/nf1-deficient zebrafish line that develops malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors and gliomas. Complete inactivation of atrx using CRISPR/Cas9 was lethal in developing fish and resulted in an alpha-thalassemia-like phenotype including reduced alpha-globin expression. In p53/nf1-deficient zebrafish neither peripheral nerve sheath tumors nor gliomas showed accelerated onset in atrx+/- fish, but these fish developed various tumors that were not observed in their atrx+/+ siblings, including epithelioid sarcoma, angiosarcoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma and rare types of carcinoma. These cancer types are included in the AACR Genie database of human tumors associated with mutant ATRX, indicating that our zebrafish model reliably mimics a role for ATRX-loss in the early pathogenesis of these human cancer types. RNA-seq of p53/nf1- and p53/nf1/atrx-deficient tumors revealed that down-regulation of telomerase accompanied ALT-mediated lengthening of the telomeres in atrx-mutant samples. Moreover, inactivating mutations in atrx disturbed PRC2-target gene silencing, indicating a connection between ATRX loss and PRC2 dysfunction in cancer development. Somatic mutations in genes coding for epigenetic regulators such as ATRX are found across a diverse group of cancer types, suggesting their broad relevance in tumor induction and progression. However, tumors that have been linked to these chromatin remodelers can arise in many different molecular and cellular contexts, requiring studies with new experimental models to understand the extent and mechanisms of tumor development mediated by these regulatory proteins. Thus, we analyzed the tumor suppressive role of atrx in zebrafish that already harbored inactivating mutations of p53 and nf1. Homozygous deletion of atrx was lethal in developing fish, whereas the partial loss of this gene (atrx+/-) within the p53/nf1-deficient background led to a diverse spectrum of tumors not observed in animals that were wildtype for atrx, including epithelioid sarcoma, angiosarcoma, and rare carcinomas. Most of the cancer types we identified correspond to human tumors in the ATRX-mutant tumor sample cohort within the AACR Genie database, attesting to the relevance of our findings to human cancer. Further analysis revealed downregulation of telomerase during the lengthening of the telomeres through the ALT pathway, and disturbed function of the polycomb repressive complex 2 as key mechanistic components underlying atrx-linked tumorigenesis. These results demonstrate how a p53/nf1 compromised genetic background combined with ATRX haploinsufficiency leads to a broad spectrum of sarcomas and carcinomas associated with loss of this chromatin modulator.
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Tajan M, Paccoud R, Branka S, Edouard T, Yart A. The RASopathy Family: Consequences of Germline Activation of the RAS/MAPK Pathway. Endocr Rev 2018; 39:676-700. [PMID: 29924299 DOI: 10.1210/er.2017-00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Noonan syndrome [NS; Mendelian Inheritance in Men (MIM) #163950] and related syndromes [Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (formerly called LEOPARD syndrome; MIM #151100), Noonan-like syndrome with loose anagen hair (MIM #607721), Costello syndrome (MIM #218040), cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (MIM #115150), type I neurofibromatosis (MIM #162200), and Legius syndrome (MIM #611431)] are a group of related genetic disorders associated with distinctive facial features, cardiopathies, growth and skeletal abnormalities, developmental delay/mental retardation, and tumor predisposition. NS was clinically described more than 50 years ago, and disease genes have been identified throughout the last 3 decades, providing a molecular basis to better understand their physiopathology and identify targets for therapeutic strategies. Most of these genes encode proteins belonging to or regulating the so-called RAS/MAPK signaling pathway, so these syndromes have been gathered under the name RASopathies. In this review, we provide a clinical overview of RASopathies and an update on their genetics. We then focus on the functional and pathophysiological effects of RASopathy-causing mutations and discuss therapeutic perspectives and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mylène Tajan
- INSERM UMR 1048, Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases (I2MC), University of Toulouse Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Romain Paccoud
- INSERM UMR 1048, Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases (I2MC), University of Toulouse Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Sophie Branka
- INSERM UMR 1048, Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases (I2MC), University of Toulouse Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Thomas Edouard
- Endocrine, Bone Diseases, and Genetics Unit, Children's Hospital, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Armelle Yart
- INSERM UMR 1048, Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases (I2MC), University of Toulouse Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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Ignatius MS, Hayes MN, Moore FE, Tang Q, Garcia SP, Blackburn PR, Baxi K, Wang L, Jin A, Ramakrishnan A, Reeder S, Chen Y, Nielsen GP, Chen EY, Hasserjian RP, Tirode F, Ekker SC, Langenau DM. tp53 deficiency causes a wide tumor spectrum and increases embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma metastasis in zebrafish. eLife 2018; 7:37202. [PMID: 30192230 PMCID: PMC6128690 DOI: 10.7554/elife.37202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The TP53 tumor-suppressor gene is mutated in >50% of human tumors and Li-Fraumeni patients with germ line inactivation are predisposed to developing cancer. Here, we generated tp53 deleted zebrafish that spontaneously develop malignant peripheral nerve-sheath tumors, angiosarcomas, germ cell tumors, and an aggressive Natural Killer cell-like leukemia for which no animal model has been developed. Because the tp53 deletion was generated in syngeneic zebrafish, engraftment of fluorescent-labeled tumors could be dynamically visualized over time. Importantly, engrafted tumors shared gene expression signatures with predicted cells of origin in human tissue. Finally, we showed that tp53del/del enhanced invasion and metastasis in kRASG12D-induced embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS), but did not alter the overall frequency of cancer stem cells, suggesting novel pro-metastatic roles for TP53 loss-of-function in human muscle tumors. In summary, we have developed a Li-Fraumeni zebrafish model that is amenable to large-scale transplantation and direct visualization of tumor growth in live animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myron S Ignatius
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center of Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, Massachusetts.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Madeline N Hayes
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center of Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, Massachusetts.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Finola E Moore
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center of Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, Massachusetts.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Qin Tang
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center of Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, Massachusetts.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sara P Garcia
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Patrick R Blackburn
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States
| | - Kunal Baxi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Long Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Alexander Jin
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ashwin Ramakrishnan
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sophia Reeder
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yidong Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Gunnlaugur Petur Nielsen
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center of Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, Massachusetts
| | - Eleanor Y Chen
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Robert P Hasserjian
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center of Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, Massachusetts
| | - Franck Tirode
- Department of Translational Research and Innovation, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Stephen C Ekker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States
| | - David M Langenau
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center of Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, Massachusetts.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
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38
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Dard L, Bellance N, Lacombe D, Rossignol R. RAS signalling in energy metabolism and rare human diseases. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2018; 1859:845-867. [PMID: 29750912 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The RAS pathway is a highly conserved cascade of protein-protein interactions and phosphorylation that is at the heart of signalling networks that govern proliferation, differentiation and cell survival. Recent findings indicate that the RAS pathway plays a role in the regulation of energy metabolism via the control of mitochondrial form and function but little is known on the participation of this effect in RAS-related rare human genetic diseases. Germline mutations that hyperactivate the RAS pathway have been discovered and linked to human developmental disorders that are known as RASopathies. Individuals with RASopathies, which are estimated to affect approximately 1/1000 human birth, share many overlapping characteristics, including cardiac malformations, short stature, neurocognitive impairment, craniofacial dysmorphy, cutaneous, musculoskeletal, and ocular abnormalities, hypotonia and a predisposition to developing cancer. Since the identification of the first RASopathy, type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1), which is caused by the inactivation of neurofibromin 1, several other syndromes have been associated with mutations in the core components of the RAS-MAPK pathway. These syndromes include Noonan syndrome (NS), Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (NSML), which was formerly called LEOPARD syndrome, Costello syndrome (CS), cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (CFC), Legius syndrome (LS) and capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation syndrome (CM-AVM). Here, we review current knowledge about the bioenergetics of the RASopathies and discuss the molecular control of energy homeostasis and mitochondrial physiology by the RAS pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Dard
- Bordeaux University, 33000 Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1211, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - N Bellance
- Bordeaux University, 33000 Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1211, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - D Lacombe
- Bordeaux University, 33000 Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1211, 33000 Bordeaux, France; CHU de Bordeaux, Service de Génétique Médicale, F-33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - R Rossignol
- Bordeaux University, 33000 Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1211, 33000 Bordeaux, France; CELLOMET, CGFB-146 Rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux, France.
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Gonzalez PP, Kim J, Galvao RP, Cruickshanks N, Abounader R, Zong H. p53 and NF 1 loss plays distinct but complementary roles in glioma initiation and progression. Glia 2018; 66:999-1015. [PMID: 29392777 PMCID: PMC7808243 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 12/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Malignant glioma is one of the deadliest types of cancer. Understanding how the cell of origin progressively evolves toward malignancy in greater detail could provide mechanistic insights and lead to novel concepts for tumor prevention and therapy. Previously we have identified oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) as the cell of origin for glioma following the concurrent deletion of p53 and NF1 using a mouse genetic mosaic system that can reveal mutant cells prior to malignancy. In the current study, we set out to deconstruct the gliomagenic process in two aspects. First, we determined how the individual loss of p53 or NF1 contributes to aberrant behaviors of OPCs. Second, we determined how signaling aberrations in OPCs progressively change from pre-malignant to transformed stages. We found that while the deletion of NF1 leads to mutant OPC expansion through increased proliferation and decreased differentiation, the deletion of p53 impairs OPC senescence. Signaling analysis showed that, while PI3K and MEK pathways go through stepwise over-activation, mTOR signaling remains at the basal level in pre-transforming mutant OPCs but is abruptly up-regulated in tumor OPCs. Finally, inhibiting mTOR via pharmacological or genetic methods, led to a significant blockade of gliomagenesis but had little impact on pre-transforming mutant OPCs, suggesting that mTOR is necessary for final transformation but not early progression. In summary, our findings show that deconstructing the tumorigenic process reveals specific aberrations caused by individual gene mutations and altered signaling events at precise timing during tumor progression, which may shed light on tumor-prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillippe P Gonzalez
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1340 Jefferson Park Ave, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Jungeun Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1340 Jefferson Park Ave, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Rui Pedro Galvao
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1340 Jefferson Park Ave, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Nichola Cruickshanks
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1340 Jefferson Park Ave, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Roger Abounader
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1340 Jefferson Park Ave, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Hui Zong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1340 Jefferson Park Ave, Charlottesville, Virginia
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Völkel P, Dupret B, Le Bourhis X, Angrand PO. [The zebrafish model in oncology]. Med Sci (Paris) 2018; 34:345-353. [PMID: 29658479 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20183404016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although cell culture and mouse models will remain a cornerstone of cancer research, the unique capabilities of the zebrafish outline the potential of this model for shedding light on cancer biology in vivo. Zebrafish develops cancers spontaneously, after chemical mutagenesis or through genetic manipulations. Furthermore, zebrafish cancers are similar to human tumors at the histological and molecular levels allowing the study of tumor initiation, progression and heterogeneity. Xenotransplantation of human cancer cells in embryos or adult zebrafish presents the advantage of following cancer cell behavior in vivo. Finally, zebrafish embryos are used in molecule screens and contribute to the identification of novel anti-cancer therapeutic strategies. Here, we review different involvements of the zebrafish model in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Völkel
- CNRS Lille, Inserm U908, Université de Lille, Bâtiment SN3, Cité Scientifique, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Babara Dupret
- Inserm U908, Université de Lille, Bâtiment SN3, Cité Scientifique, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Xuefen Le Bourhis
- Inserm U908, Université de Lille, Bâtiment SN3, Cité Scientifique, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Pierre-Olivier Angrand
- Inserm U908, Université de Lille, Bâtiment SN3, Cité Scientifique, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
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Chia K, Mazzolini J, Mione M, Sieger D. Tumor initiating cells induce Cxcr4-mediated infiltration of pro-tumoral macrophages into the brain. eLife 2018; 7:e31918. [PMID: 29465400 PMCID: PMC5821457 DOI: 10.7554/elife.31918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
It is now clear that microglia and macrophages are present in brain tumors, but whether or how they affect initiation and development of tumors is not known. Exploiting the advantages of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model, we showed that macrophages and microglia respond immediately upon oncogene activation in the brain. Overexpression of human AKT1 within neural cells of larval zebrafish led to a significant increase in the macrophage and microglia populations. By using a combination of transgenic and mutant zebrafish lines, we showed that this increase was caused by the infiltration of peripheral macrophages into the brain mediated via Sdf1b-Cxcr4b signaling. Intriguingly, confocal live imaging reveals highly dynamic interactions between macrophages/microglia and pre-neoplastic cells, which do not result in phagocytosis of pre-neoplastic cells. Finally, depletion of macrophages and microglia resulted in a significant reduction of oncogenic cell proliferation. Thus, macrophages and microglia show tumor promoting functions already during the earliest stages of the developing tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelda Chia
- Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Julie Mazzolini
- Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Marina Mione
- Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Dirk Sieger
- Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
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42
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Zebrafish as a model to study neuroblastoma development. Cell Tissue Res 2017; 372:223-232. [PMID: 29027617 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2702-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric solid tumor arising from embryonic neural crest progenitor cells that normally generate the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. As such, the location of neuroblastoma tumors is correlated with the distribution of major post-ganglionic clusters throughout the sympathetic chain, with the highest incidence in the adrenal medulla or lumbar sympathetic ganglia (~65%). Neuroblastoma is an enigmatic tumor that can spontaneously regress with minimal treatment or become highly metastatic and develop resistance to aggressive treatments, including radiation and high-dose chemotherapy. Age of diagnosis, stage of disease and cellular and genetic features often predict whether the tumor will regress or advance to metastatic disease. Recent efforts using molecular and genomic technologies have allowed more accurate stratification of patients into low-, intermediate- and high-risk categories, thereby allowing for minimal intervention in low-risk patients and providing potential new therapeutic targets, such as the ALK receptor tyrosine kinase, for high-risk or relapsed patients. Despite these advances, the overall survival of high-risk neuroblastoma patients is still less than 50%. Furthermore, next-generation sequencing has revealed that almost two-thirds of neuroblastoma tumors do not contain obvious pathogenic mutations, suggesting that epigenetic mechanisms and/or a perturbed cellular microenvironment may heavily influence neuroblastoma development. Understanding the mechanisms that drive neuroblastoma, therefore, will likely require a combination of genomic, developmental and cancer biology approaches in whole animal systems. In this review, we discuss the contributions of zebrafish research to our understanding of neuroblastoma pathogenesis as well as the potential for this model system to accelerate the identification of more effective therapies for high-risk neuroblastoma patients in the future.
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Zebrafish in Translational Cancer Research: Insight into Leukemia, Melanoma, Glioma and Endocrine Tumor Biology. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8090236. [PMID: 28930163 PMCID: PMC5615369 DOI: 10.3390/genes8090236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past 15 years, zebrafish have emerged as a powerful tool for studying human cancers. Transgenic techniques have been employed to model different types of tumors, including leukemia, melanoma, glioblastoma and endocrine tumors. These models present histopathological and molecular conservation with their human cancer counterparts and have been fundamental for understanding mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression. Moreover, xenotransplantation of human cancer cells in embryos or adult zebrafish offers the advantage of studying the behavior of human cancer cells in a live organism. Chemical-genetic screens using zebrafish embryos have uncovered novel druggable pathways and new therapeutic strategies, some of which are now tested in clinical trials. In this review, we will report on recent advances in using zebrafish as a model in cancer studies—with specific focus on four cancer types—where zebrafish has contributed to novel discoveries or approaches to novel therapies.
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44
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Kirchberger S, Sturtzel C, Pascoal S, Distel M. Quo natas, Danio? -Recent Progress in Modeling Cancer in Zebrafish. Front Oncol 2017; 7:186. [PMID: 28894696 PMCID: PMC5581328 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, zebrafish has proven to be a powerful model in cancer research. Zebrafish form tumors that histologically and genetically resemble human cancers. The live imaging and cost-effective compound screening possible with zebrafish especially complement classic mouse cancer models. Here, we report recent progress in the field, including genetically engineered zebrafish cancer models, xenotransplantation of human cancer cells into zebrafish, promising approaches toward live investigation of the tumor microenvironment, and identification of therapeutic strategies by performing compound screens on zebrafish cancer models. Given the recent advances in genome editing, personalized zebrafish cancer models are now a realistic possibility. In addition, ongoing automation will soon allow high-throughput compound screening using zebrafish cancer models to be part of preclinical precision medicine approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Kirchberger
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Innovative Cancer Models, Vienna, Austria
| | - Caterina Sturtzel
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Innovative Cancer Models, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susana Pascoal
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Innovative Cancer Models, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Distel
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Innovative Cancer Models, Vienna, Austria
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45
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Meshalkina DA, Kizlyk MN, Kysil EV, Collier AD, Echevarria DJ, Abreu MS, Barcellos LJ, Song C, Kalueff AV. Understanding zebrafish cognition. Behav Processes 2017; 141:229-241. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2016.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Reilly KM, Kim A, Blakely J, Ferner RE, Gutmann DH, Legius E, Miettinen MM, Randall RL, Ratner N, Jumbé NL, Bakker A, Viskochil D, Widemann BC, Stewart DR. Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Associated MPNST State of the Science: Outlining a Research Agenda for the Future. J Natl Cancer Inst 2017; 109:4004723. [PMID: 29117388 PMCID: PMC6057517 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djx124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma for which the only effective therapy is surgery. In 2016, an international meeting entitled "MPNST State of the Science: Outlining a Research Agenda for the Future" was convened to establish short- and long-term research priorities. Key recommendations included the: 1) development of standardized, cost-efficient fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging guidelines to evaluate masses concerning for MPNST; 2) development of better understanding and histologic criteria for the transformation of a plexiform neurofibroma to MPNST; 3) establishment of a centralized database to collect genetic, genomic, histologic, immunohistochemical, molecular, radiographic, treatment, and related clinical data from MPNST subspecialty centers in a standardized manner; 4) creation of accurate mouse models to study the plexiform neurofibroma-to-MPNST transition, MPNST metastasis, and drug resistance; 5) use of trial designs that minimize regulatory requirements, maximize availability to patients, consider novel secondary end points, and study patients with newly diagnosed disease. Lastly, in order to minimize delays in developing novel therapies and promote the most efficient use of research resources and patient samples, data sharing should be incentivized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlyne M. Reilly
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
| | - AeRang Kim
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
| | - Jaishri Blakely
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
| | - Rosalie E. Ferner
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
| | - David H. Gutmann
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
| | - Eric Legius
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
| | - Markku M. Miettinen
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
| | - R. Lor Randall
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
| | - N. L. Jumbé
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
| | - Annette Bakker
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
| | - David Viskochil
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
| | - Brigitte C. Widemann
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
| | - Douglas R. Stewart
- Affiliations of authors: Rare Tumor Initiative (KMR), Laboratory of Pathology (MMM), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (BCW), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC (AK); Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (JB); Neurofibromatosis Center, Department of Neurology Guy's Hospital London, London, UK (REF); Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (DHG); Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (EL); Hunstman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (RLR, DV); Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (NR); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA (NLJ); Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY (AB); Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD (DRS)
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Hayes MN, Langenau DM. Discovering novel oncogenic pathways and new therapies using zebrafish models of sarcoma. Methods Cell Biol 2017; 138:525-561. [PMID: 28129857 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2016.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Sarcoma is a type of cancer affecting connective, supportive, or soft tissue of mesenchymal origin. Despite rare incidence in adults (<1%), over 15% of pediatric cancers are sarcoma. Sadly, both adults and children with relapsed or metastatic disease have devastatingly high rates of mortality. Current treatment options for sarcoma include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy; however, significant limitations exist with respect to the efficacy of these strategies. Strong impetus has been placed on the development of novel therapies and preclinical models for uncovering mechanisms involved in the development, progression, and therapy resistance of sarcoma. Over the past 15 years, the zebrafish has emerged as a powerful genetic model of human cancer. High genetic conservation when combined with a unique susceptibility to develop sarcoma has made the zebrafish an effective tool for studying these diseases. Transgenic and gene-activation strategies have been employed to develop zebrafish models of rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, Ewing's sarcoma, chordoma, hemangiosarcoma, and liposarcoma. These models all display remarkable molecular and histopathological conservation with their human cancer counterparts and have offered excellent platforms for understanding disease progression in vivo. Short tumor latency and the amenability of zebrafish for ex vivo manipulation, live imaging studies, and tumor cell transplantation have allowed for efficient study of sarcoma initiation, growth, self-renewal, and maintenance. When coupled with facile chemical genetic approaches, zebrafish models of sarcoma have provided a strong translational tool to uncover novel drug pathways and new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M N Hayes
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - D M Langenau
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA, United States
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Animal Models in Glioblastoma: Use in Biology and Developing Therapeutic Strategies. ADVANCES IN BIOLOGY AND TREATMENT OF GLIOBLASTOMA 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-56820-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Hamilton L, Astell KR, Velikova G, Sieger D. A Zebrafish Live Imaging Model Reveals Differential Responses of Microglia Toward Glioblastoma Cells In Vivo. Zebrafish 2016; 13:523-534. [PMID: 27779463 PMCID: PMC5124743 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2016.1339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and deadliest form of brain cancer. Glioblastomas are infiltrated by a high number of microglia, which promote tumor growth and surrounding tissue invasion. However, it is unclear how microglia and glioma cells physically interact and if there are differences, depending on glioma cell type. Hence, we have developed a novel live imaging assay to study microglia-glioma interactions in vivo in the zebrafish brain. We transplanted well-established human glioblastoma cell lines, U87 and U251, into transgenic zebrafish lines with labelled macrophages/microglia. Our confocal live imaging results show distinct interactions between microglia and U87, as well as U251 glioblastoma cells that differ in number and nature. Importantly these interactions do not appear to be antitumoral as zebrafish microglia do not engulf and phagocytose the human glioblastoma cells. Finally, xenotransplants into the irf8-/- zebrafish mutant that lacks microglia, as well as pharmacological inhibition of the CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R) on microglia, confirm a prominent role for zebrafish microglia in promoting human glioblastoma cell growth. This new model will be an important tool for drug screening and the development of future immunotherapeutics targeting microglia within glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lloyd Hamilton
- Centre for Neuroregeneration, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Katy R Astell
- Centre for Neuroregeneration, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Gergana Velikova
- Centre for Neuroregeneration, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Sieger
- Centre for Neuroregeneration, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Overexpression of PDGFRA cooperates with loss of NF1 and p53 to accelerate the molecular pathogenesis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Oncogene 2016; 36:1058-1068. [PMID: 27477693 PMCID: PMC5332555 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive, frequently metastatic sarcomas that are associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a prominent inherited genetic disease in humans. Although loss of the NF1 gene predisposes to MPNST induction, relatively long tumor latency in NF1 patients suggests that additional genetic or epigenetic abnormalities are needed for the development of these nerve sheath malignancies. To study the molecular pathways contributing to the formation of MPNSTs in NF1 patients, we used a zebrafish tumor model defined by nf1 loss in a p53-deficient background together with the overexpression of either wild-type or constitutively activated PDGFRA (platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α) under control of the sox10 neural crest-specific promoter. Here we demonstrate the accelerated onset and increased penetrance of MPNST formation in fish overexpressing both the wild-type and the mutant PDGFRA transgenes in cells of neural crest origin. Interestingly, overexpression of the wild-type PDGFRA was even more potent in promoting transformation than the mutant PDGFRA, which is important because ~78% of human MPNSTs have expression of wild-type PDGFRA, whereas only 5% harbor activating mutations of the gene encoding this receptor. Further analysis revealed the induction of cellular senescence in zebrafish embryos overexpressing mutant, but not wild-type, PDGFRA, suggesting a mechanism through which the oncogenic activity of the mutant receptor is tempered by the activation of premature cellular senescence in an NF1-deficient background. Taken together, our study suggests a model in which overexpression of wild-type PDGFRA associated with NF1 deficiency leads to aberrant activation of downstream RAS signaling and thus contributes importantly to MPNST development-a prediction supported by the ability of the kinase inhibitor sunitinib alone and in combination with the MEK inhibitor trametinib to retard MPNST progression in transgenic fish overexpressing the wild-type receptor.
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