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Gao J, Zhao Y, Wang Z, Liu F, Chen X, Mo J, Jiang Y, Liu Y, Tian P, Li Y, Deng K, Qi X, Han D, Liu Z, Yang Z, Chen Y, Tang Y, Li C, Liu H, Li J, Jiang T. Single-cell transcriptomic sequencing identifies subcutaneous patient-derived xenograft recapitulated medulloblastoma. Animal Model Exp Med 2024. [PMID: 38477441 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most common malignant brain tumors that mainly affect children. Various approaches have been used to model MB to facilitate investigating tumorigenesis. This study aims to compare the recapitulation of MB between subcutaneous patient-derived xenograft (sPDX), intracranial patient-derived xenograft (iPDX), and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) at the single-cell level. METHODS We obtained primary human sonic hedgehog (SHH) and group 3 (G3) MB samples from six patients. For each patient specimen, we developed two sPDX and iPDX models, respectively. Three Patch+/- GEMM models were also included for sequencing. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed to compare gene expression profiles, cellular composition, and functional pathway enrichment. Bulk RNA-seq deconvolution was performed to compare cellular composition across models and human samples. RESULTS Our results showed that the sPDX tumor model demonstrated the highest correlation to the overall transcriptomic profiles of primary human tumors at the single-cell level within the SHH and G3 subgroups, followed by the GEMM model and iPDX. The GEMM tumor model was able to recapitulate all subpopulations of tumor microenvironment (TME) cells that can be clustered in human SHH tumors, including a higher proportion of tumor-associated astrocytes and immune cells, and an additional cluster of vascular endothelia when compared to human SHH tumors. CONCLUSIONS This study was the first to compare experimental models for MB at the single-cell level, providing value insights into model selection for different research purposes. sPDX and iPDX are suitable for drug testing and personalized therapy screenings, whereas GEMM models are valuable for investigating the interaction between tumor and TME cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Gao
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, China
| | - Yahui Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziwei Wang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- BGI-Wuhan, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Radiotherapy, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Chen
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jialin Mo
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifei Jiang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yongqiang Liu
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peiyi Tian
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanong Li
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Radiotherapy, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Kaiwen Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Radiotherapy, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xueling Qi
- Department of NeuroPathology, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dongming Han
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zijia Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengtao Yang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yixi Chen
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yujie Tang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunde Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hailong Liu
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Radiotherapy, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Chinese Institute for Medical Research, Beijing, China
| | | | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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2
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Wang D, Ritz C, Pierce A, Brunt B, Luo Y, Dahl N, Venkataraman S, Danis E, Kuś K, Mazan M, Rzymski T, Veo B, Vibhakar R. Transcriptional Regulation of Protein Synthesis by Mediator Kinase in MYC-driven Medulloblastoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.08.584103. [PMID: 38559100 PMCID: PMC10979852 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.08.584103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
MYC-driven medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly aggressive cancer type with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Through CRISPR-Cas9 screening across MB cell lines, we identified the Mediator-associated kinase CDK8 as the top dependence for MYC-driven MB. Loss of CDK8 markedly reduces MYC expression and impedes MB growth. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that CDK8 depletion suppresses ribosome biogenesis and mRNA translation. CDK8 regulates occupancy of phospho-Polymerase II at specific chromatin loci facilitating an epigenetic alteration that promotes transcriptional regulation of ribosome biogenesis. Additionally, CDK8-mediated phosphorylation of 4EBP1 plays a crucial role in initiating eIF4E-dependent translation. Targeting CDK8 effectively suppresses cancer stem and progenitor cells, characterized by increased ribosome biogenesis activity. We also report the synergistic inhibition of CDK8 and mTOR in vivo and in vitro . Overall, our findings establish a connection between transcription and translation regulation, suggesting a promising therapeutic approach targets multiple points in the protein synthesis network for MYC-driven MB.
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3
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Sheng H, Li H, Zeng H, Zhang B, Lu Y, Liu X, Xu Z, Zhang J, Zhang L. Heterogeneity and tumoral origin of medulloblastoma in the single-cell era. Oncogene 2024; 43:839-850. [PMID: 38355808 PMCID: PMC10942862 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-02967-9] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is one of the most common malignant pediatric brain tumors derived from posterior fossa. The current treatment includes maximal safe surgical resection, radiotherapy, whole cranio-spinal radiation and adjuvant with chemotherapy. However, it can only limitedly prolong the survival time with severe side effects and relapse. Defining the intratumoral heterogeneity, cellular origin and identifying the interaction network within tumor microenvironment are helpful for understanding the mechanisms of medulloblastoma tumorigenesis and relapse. Due to technological limitations, the mechanisms of cellular heterogeneity and tumor origin have not been fully understood. Recently, the emergence of single-cell technology has provided a powerful tool for achieving the goal of understanding the mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Several studies have demonstrated the intratumoral heterogeneity and tumor origin for each subtype of medulloblastoma utilizing the single-cell RNA-seq, which has not been uncovered before using conventional technologies. In this review, we present an overview of the current progress in understanding of cellular heterogeneity and tumor origin of medulloblastoma and discuss novel findings in the age of single-cell technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Sheng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Haotai Li
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Han Zeng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yu Lu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xixi Liu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhongwen Xu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Liguo Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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4
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Yang Y, Valdés-Rives SA, Liu Q, Li Y, Tan J, Tan Y, Koch CA, Rong Y, Houser SR, Wei S, Cai KQ, Cheng SY, Curran T, Wechsler-Reya R, Yang ZJ. Thyroid Hormone Suppresses Medulloblastoma Progression Through Promoting Terminal Differentiation of Tumor Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.13.580111. [PMID: 38405864 PMCID: PMC10888774 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.13.580111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Hypothyroidism is commonly detected in patients with medulloblastoma (MB). A possible link between thyroid hormone (TH) signaling and MB pathogenicity has not been reported. Here, we find that TH plays a critical role in promoting tumor cell differentiation. Reduction in TH levels frees the TH receptor, TRα1, to bind to EZH2 and repress expression of NeuroD1, a transcription factor that drives tumor cell differentiation. Increased TH reverses EZH2-mediated repression of NeuroD1 by abrogating the binding of EZH2 and TRα1, thereby stimulating tumor cell differentiation and reducing MB growth. Importantly, TH-induced differentiation of tumor cells is not restricted by the molecular subgroup of MB. These findings establish an unprecedented association between TH signaling and MB pathogenicity, providing solid evidence for TH as a promising modality for MB treatment.
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5
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Gold MP, Ong W, Masteller AM, Ghasemi DR, Galindo JA, Park NR, Huynh NC, Donde A, Pister V, Saurez RA, Vladoiu MC, Hwang GH, Eisemann T, Donovan LK, Walker AD, Benetatos J, Dufour C, Garzia L, Segal RA, Wechsler-Reya RJ, Mesirov JP, Korshunov A, Pajtler KW, Pomeroy SL, Ayrault O, Davidson SM, Cotter JA, Taylor MD, Fraenkel E. Developmental basis of SHH medulloblastoma heterogeneity. Nat Commun 2024; 15:270. [PMID: 38191555 PMCID: PMC10774283 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44300-0] [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: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Many genes that drive normal cellular development also contribute to oncogenesis. Medulloblastoma (MB) tumors likely arise from neuronal progenitors in the cerebellum, and we hypothesized that the heterogeneity observed in MBs with sonic hedgehog (SHH) activation could be due to differences in developmental pathways. To investigate this question, here we perform single-nucleus RNA sequencing on highly differentiated SHH MBs with extensively nodular histology and observed malignant cells resembling each stage of canonical granule neuron development. Through innovative computational approaches, we connect these results to published datasets and find that some established molecular subtypes of SHH MB appear arrested at different developmental stages. Additionally, using multiplexed proteomic imaging and MALDI imaging mass spectrometry, we identify distinct histological and metabolic profiles for highly differentiated tumors. Our approaches are applicable to understanding the interplay between heterogeneity and differentiation in other cancers and can provide important insights for the design of targeted therapies.
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Grants
- R35 NS122339 NINDS NIH HHS
- U01 CA253547 NCI NIH HHS
- U24 CA220341 NCI NIH HHS
- R01 NS089076 NINDS NIH HHS
- R01 CA255369 NCI NIH HHS
- P50 HD105351 NICHD NIH HHS
- R01 NS106155 NINDS NIH HHS
- R01 CA159859 NCI NIH HHS
- P30 CA014089 NCI NIH HHS
- U01 CA184898 NCI NIH HHS
- EIF | Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C)
- The Pediatric Brain Tumour Foundation, The Terry Fox Research Institute, The Canadian Institutes of Health Research, The Cure Search Foundation, Matthew Larson Foundation (IronMatt), b.r.a.i.n.child, Meagan’s Walk, SWIFTY Foundation, The Brain Tumour Charity, Genome Canada, Genome BC, Genome Quebec, the Ontario Research Fund, Worldwide Cancer Research, V-Foundation for Cancer Research, and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research through funding provided by the Government of Ontario, Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute Impact grant, a Cancer Research UK Brain Tumour Award, and the Garron Family Chair in Childhood Cancer Research at the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto. We also thank Yoon-Jae Cho, John Michaels, Koei Chin, Joe Gray, Connie New, and Ali Abdullatif for their help with the manuscript. Additionally, we appreciate support from the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center Translational Pathology Core (P30CA014089), the Pediatric Research Biorepository at CHLA, and the Histology Core at the Koch Institute at MIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell P Gold
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Winnie Ong
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew M Masteller
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David R Ghasemi
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neuro-oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julie Anne Galindo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Noel R Park
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Nhan C Huynh
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aneesh Donde
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Veronika Pister
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Raul A Saurez
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maria C Vladoiu
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Grace H Hwang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tanja Eisemann
- Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Laura K Donovan
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adam D Walker
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joseph Benetatos
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Christelle Dufour
- Department of Child and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- INSERM U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Livia Garzia
- Cancer Research Program, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- MUHC Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Rosalind A Segal
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert J Wechsler-Reya
- Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jill P Mesirov
- Department of Medicine, Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andrey Korshunov
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology (B300), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kristian W Pajtler
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neuro-oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Scott L Pomeroy
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Olivier Ayrault
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, Orsay, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay, France
| | - Shawn M Davidson
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jennifer A Cotter
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Hematology-Oncology Section, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics - Hematology/Oncology and Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ernest Fraenkel
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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An Y, Talwar CS, Park KH, Ahn WC, Lee SJ, Go SR, Cho JH, Kim DY, Kim YS, Cho S, Kim JH, Kim TJ, Woo EJ. Design of hypoxia responsive CRISPR-Cas9 for target gene regulation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16763. [PMID: 37798384 PMCID: PMC10556097 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43711-9] [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: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas9 system is a widely used gene-editing tool, offering unprecedented opportunities for treating various diseases. Controlling Cas9/dCas9 activity at specific location and time to avoid undesirable effects is very important. Here, we report a conditionally active CRISPR-Cas9 system that regulates target gene expression upon sensing cellular environmental change. We conjugated the oxygen-sensing transcription activation domain (TAD) of hypoxia-inducing factor (HIF-1α) with the Cas9/dCas9 protein. The Cas9-TAD conjugate significantly increased endogenous target gene cleavage under hypoxic conditions compared with that under normoxic conditions, whereas the dCas9-TAD conjugate upregulated endogenous gene transcription. Furthermore, the conjugate system effectively downregulated the expression of SNAIL, an essential gene in cancer metastasis, and upregulated the expression of the tumour-related genes HNF4 and NEUROD1 under hypoxic conditions. Since hypoxia is closely associated with cancer, the hypoxia-dependent Cas9/dCas9 system is a novel addition to the molecular tool kit that functions in response to cellular signals and has potential application for gene therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan An
- Division of Biomedical Research, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
- Division of Animal, Horticultural and Food Sciences, Graduate School of Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Chandana S Talwar
- Division of Biomedical Research, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Hyun Park
- Division of Biomedical Research, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Chan Ahn
- Division of Biomedical Research, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Jin Lee
- Division of Biomedical Research, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Ryeong Go
- Division of Biomedical Research, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hwa Cho
- Division of Biomedical Research, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Yon Kim
- Division of Biomedical Research, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Sam Kim
- Division of Biomedical Research, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
| | - Sayeon Cho
- Laboratory of Molecular and Pharmacological Cell Biology, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Hoon Kim
- Division of Biomedical Research, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Jip Kim
- Division of Animal, Horticultural and Food Sciences, Graduate School of Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eui-Jeon Woo
- Division of Biomedical Research, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-333, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Chen P, Sun C, Wang H, Zhao W, Wu Y, Guo H, Zhou C, He Y. YAP1 expression is associated with survival and immunosuppression in small cell lung cancer. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:636. [PMID: 37752152 PMCID: PMC10522695 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06053-y] [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: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is considered a major breakthrough in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), although its anti-tumor efficacy is limited. With a high degree of malignancy and high heterogeneity, SCLC is difficult to treat in the clinic. A new combination strategy is urgently needed to further improve the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with SCLC. By immunofluorescence, 100 SCLC patients in a local cohort were classified into the SCLC-A (high ASCL1 expression; n = 36), SCLC-N (high NEUROD1 expression; n = 32), SCLC-P (high POU2F3 expression; n = 14), and SCLC-Y (high YAP1 expression; n = 18) subtypes. Each SCLC molecular subtype represented different prognoses, tumor microenvironment traits, and immunotherapy sensitivities. Analysis of both the local and public cohorts suggested that the SCLC-Y subtype exhibited the worst clinical outcome (p < 0.05) when compared with other subtypes. SCLC with high YAP1 expression was characterized by high PD-L1 expression, high stromal score, T-cell functional impairment, and a close relationship with immune-related pathways. YAP1 upregulated PD-L1 expression and suppressed T cell activation, thus leading to immune evasion. In in vitro experiments, blockade of YAP1 promoted cancer cell apoptosis, immune cell proliferation, T-cell activation, and cytotoxic T-cell infiltration, thus further potentiating the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with the SCLC-Y subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peixin Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
- Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenglong Sun
- Radiotherapy Department, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, 230041, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
- Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Wencheng Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
- Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoyue Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
- Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Caicun Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yayi He
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Xiong W, Zhang X, Peng B, Zhu H, Huang L, He S. Pan-glioma analyses reveal species- and tumor-specific regulation of neuron-glioma synapse genes by lncRNAs. Front Genet 2023; 14:1218408. [PMID: 37693314 PMCID: PMC10484416 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1218408] [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: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are highly heterogeneous and aggressive. Malignant cells in gliomas can contact normal neurons through a synapse-like structure (called neuron-to-glioma synapse, NGS) to promote their proliferation, but it is unclear whether NGS gene expression and regulation show species- and tumor-specificity. This question is important in that many anti-cancer drugs are developed upon mouse models. To address this question, we conducted a pan-glioma analysis using nine scRNA-seq datasets from humans and mice. We also experimentally validated the key element of our methods and verified a key result using TCGA datasets of the same glioma types. Our analyses revealed that NGS gene expression and regulation by lncRNAs are highly species- and tumor-specific. Importantly, simian-specific lncRNAs are more involved in NGS gene regulation than lncRNAs conserved in mammals, and transgenic mouse gliomas have little in common with PDX mouse models and human gliomas in terms of NGS gene regulation. The analyses suggest that simian-specific lncRNAs are a new and rich class of potential targets for tumor-specific glioma treatment, and provide pertinent data for further experimentally and clinically exmining the targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiong
- Bioinformatics Section, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuecong Zhang
- Bioinformatics Section, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Peng
- Bioinformatics Section, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Zhu
- Bioinformatics Section, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lijin Huang
- Neurosurgery Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sha He
- Bioinformatics Section, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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9
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Lowenstein ED, Cui K, Hernandez-Miranda LR. Regulation of early cerebellar development. FEBS J 2023; 290:2786-2804. [PMID: 35262281 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The study of cerebellar development has been at the forefront of neuroscience since the pioneering work of Wilhelm His Sr., Santiago Ramón y Cajal and many others since the 19th century. They laid the foundation to identify the circuitry of the cerebellum, already revealing its stereotypic three-layered cortex and discerning several of its neuronal components. Their work was fundamental in the acceptance of the neuron doctrine, which acknowledges the key role of individual neurons in forming the basic units of the nervous system. Increasing evidence shows that the cerebellum performs a variety of homeostatic and higher order neuronal functions beyond the mere control of motor behaviour. Over the last three decades, many studies have revealed the molecular machinery that regulates distinct aspects of cerebellar development, from the establishment of a cerebellar anlage in the posterior brain to the identification of cerebellar neuron diversity at the single cell level. In this review, we focus on summarizing our current knowledge on early cerebellar development with a particular emphasis on the molecular determinants that secure neuron specification and contribute to the diversity of cerebellar neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ke Cui
- Institut für Zell- and Neurobiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
| | - Luis Rodrigo Hernandez-Miranda
- Institut für Zell- and Neurobiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
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10
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Zunitch MJ, Fisch AS, Lin B, Barrios-Camacho CM, Faquin WC, Tachie-Baffour Y, Louie JD, Jang W, Curry WT, Gray ST, Lin DT, Schwob JE, Holbrook EH. Molecular Evidence for Olfactory Neuroblastoma as a Tumor of Malignant Globose Basal Cells. Mod Pathol 2023; 36:100122. [PMID: 36841178 PMCID: PMC10198888 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100122] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB, esthesioneuroblastoma) is a sinonasal cancer with an underdeveloped diagnostic toolkit, and is the subject of many incidents of tumor misclassification throughout the literature. Despite its name, connections between the cancer and normal cells of the olfactory epithelium have not been systematically explored and markers of olfactory epithelial cell types are not deployed in clinical practice. Here, we utilize an integrated human-mouse single-cell atlas of the nasal mucosa, including the olfactory epithelium, to identify transcriptomic programs that link ONB to a specific population of stem/progenitor cells known as olfactory epithelial globose basal cells (GBCs). Expression of a GBC transcription factor NEUROD1 distinguishes both low- and high-grade ONB from sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, a potential histologic mimic with a distinctly unfavorable prognosis. Furthermore, we identify a reproducible subpopulation of highly proliferative ONB cells expressing the GBC stemness marker EZH2, suggesting that EZH2 inhibition may play a role in the targeted treatment of ONB. Finally, we study the cellular states comprising ONB parenchyma using single-cell transcriptomics and identify evidence of a conserved GBC transcriptional regulatory circuit that governs divergent neuronal-versus-sustentacular differentiation. These results link ONB to a specific cell type for the first time and identify conserved developmental pathways within ONB that inform diagnostic, prognostic, and mechanistic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Zunitch
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Adam S Fisch
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Brian Lin
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - William C Faquin
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yaw Tachie-Baffour
- Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan D Louie
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Woochan Jang
- Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - William T Curry
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stacey T Gray
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Derrick T Lin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - James E Schwob
- Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Eric H Holbrook
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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11
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Zhang J, Yang Y, Li X, Li G, Mizukami T, Liu Y, Wang Y, Xu G, Roder H, Zhang L, Yang ZJ. PDLIM3 supports hedgehog signaling in medulloblastoma by facilitating cilia formation. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:1198-1210. [PMID: 36813922 PMCID: PMC10154305 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01131-2] [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: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevated levels of PDLIM3 expression are frequently detected in sonic hedgehog (SHH) group of medulloblastoma (MB). However, the possible role of PDLIM3 in MB tumorigenesis is still unknown. Here, we found that PDLIM3 expression is necessary for hedgehog (Hh) pathway activation in MB cells. PDLIM3 is present in primary cilia of MB cells and fibroblasts, and such cilia localization is mediated by the PDZ domain of PDLIM3 protein. Deletion of PDLIM3 significantly compromised cilia formation and interfered the Hh signaling transduction in MB cells, suggesting that PDLIM3 promotes the Hh signaling through supporting the ciliogenesis. PDLIM3 protein physically interacts with cholesterol, a critical molecule for cilia formation and hedgehog signaling. The disruption of cilia formation and Hh signaling in PDLIM3 null MB cells or fibroblasts, was significantly rescued by treatment with exogenous cholesterol, demonstrating that PDLIM3 facilitates the ciliogenesis through cholesterol provision. Finally, deletion of PDLIM3 in MB cells significantly inhibited their proliferation and repressed tumor growth, suggesting that PDLIM3 is necessary for MB tumorigenesis. Our studies elucidate the critical functions of PDLIM3 in the ciliogenesis and Hh signaling transduction in SHH-MB cells, supporting to utilize PDLIM3 as a molecular marker for defining SHH group of MB in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yijun Yang
- Cell Signaling and Epigenetics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xinhua Li
- Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Gen Li
- Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Takuya Mizukami
- Molecular Therapeutic Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yanli Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Guoqiang Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Heinrich Roder
- Molecular Therapeutic Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Cell Signaling and Epigenetics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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12
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Zine A, Fritzsch B. Early Steps towards Hearing: Placodes and Sensory Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:6994. [PMID: 37108158 PMCID: PMC10139157 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086994] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most prevalent sensory deficit in humans. Most cases of hearing loss are due to the degeneration of key structures of the sensory pathway in the cochlea, such as the sensory hair cells, the primary auditory neurons, and their synaptic connection to the hair cells. Different cell-based strategies to replace damaged inner ear neurosensory tissue aiming at the restoration of regeneration or functional recovery are currently the subject of intensive research. Most of these cell-based treatment approaches require experimental in vitro models that rely on a fine understanding of the earliest morphogenetic steps that underlie the in vivo development of the inner ear since its initial induction from a common otic-epibranchial territory. This knowledge will be applied to various proposed experimental cell replacement strategies to either address the feasibility or identify novel therapeutic options for sensorineural hearing loss. In this review, we describe how ear and epibranchial placode development can be recapitulated by focusing on the cellular transformations that occur as the inner ear is converted from a thickening of the surface ectoderm next to the hindbrain known as the otic placode to an otocyst embedded in the head mesenchyme. Finally, we will highlight otic and epibranchial placode development and morphogenetic events towards progenitors of the inner ear and their neurosensory cell derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azel Zine
- LBN, Laboratory of Bioengineering and Nanoscience, University of Montpellier, 34193 Montpellier, France
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, CLAS, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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13
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Cleveland AH, Malawsky D, Churiwal M, Rodriguez C, Reed F, Schniederjan M, Velazquez Vega JE, Davis I, Gershon TR. PRC2 disruption in cerebellar progenitors produces cerebellar hypoplasia and aberrant myoid differentiation without blocking medulloblastoma growth. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:8. [PMID: 36635771 PMCID: PMC9838053 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01508-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
We show that Polycomb Repressive Complex-2 (PRC2) components EED and EZH2 maintain neural identity in cerebellar granule neuron progenitors (CGNPs) and SHH-driven medulloblastoma, a cancer of CGNPs. Proliferating CGNPs and medulloblastoma cells inherit neural fate commitment through epigenetic mechanisms. The PRC2 is an epigenetic regulator that has been proposed as a therapeutic target in medulloblastoma. To define PRC2 function in cerebellar development and medulloblastoma, we conditionally deleted PRC2 components Eed or Ezh2 in CGNPs and analyzed medulloblastomas induced in Eed-deleted and Ezh2-deleted CGNPs by expressing SmoM2, an oncogenic allele of Smo. Eed deletion destabilized the PRC2, depleting EED and EZH2 proteins, while Ezh2 deletion did not deplete EED. Eed-deleted cerebella were hypoplastic, with reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis, and inappropriate muscle-like differentiation. Ezh2-deleted cerebella showed similar, milder phenotypes, with fewer muscle-like cells and without reduced growth. Eed-deleted and Ezh2-deleted medulloblastomas both demonstrated myoid differentiation and progressed more rapidly than PRC2-intact controls. The PRC2 thus maintains neural commitment in CGNPs and medulloblastoma, but is not required for SHH medulloblastoma progression. Our data define a role for the PRC2 in preventing inappropriate, non-neural fates during postnatal neurogenesis, and caution that targeting the PRC2 in SHH medulloblastoma may not produce durable therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail H. Cleveland
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Cancer Cell Biology Training Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Daniel Malawsky
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA ,grid.10306.340000 0004 0606 5382Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Mehal Churiwal
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Claudia Rodriguez
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Frances Reed
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Matthew Schniederjan
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Jose E. Velazquez Vega
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Ian Davis
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Timothy R. Gershon
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA ,grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Children’s Center for Neurosciences Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
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14
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Azimnasab-Sorkhabi P, Soltani-Asl M, Kfoury JR, Algenstaedt P, Mehmetzade HF, Hashemi Aghdam Y. The impact of leptin and its receptor polymorphisms on type 1 diabetes in a population of northwest Iran. Ann Hum Biol 2022; 49:317-322. [PMID: 36218419 DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2022.2134453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes comprises a serious disease with significant growth in the number of cases in recent years. Here, we cover the gap in information between leptin (LEP) and type 1 diabetes in the Iranian population. AIM To recognise LEP G2548A and LEP receptor Q223R polymorphisms in Iranian people and their association with type 1 diabetes susceptibility. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Characteristics such as fasting blood sugar (FBS) were measured in 80 control non-diabetic individuals and 89 diabetic patients. Moreover, LEP G2548A and LEP receptor Q223R polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. RESULTS The frequency of the A allele was nearly three times greater in diabetes patients than in the control group. In addition, in the diabetes group, the AA genotype was five times greater than in the control group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, AA and AA + AG genotype models had higher FBS levels than the GG + AG and GG genotype models, respectively (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION The LEP G2548A polymorphism could be related to type 1 diabetes susceptibility, but not LEPR Q223R polymorphism in the Iranian population. Importantly, further studies are essential to examine the impact of LEP G2548A and LEPR Q223R polymorphisms in the endocrinology area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parviz Azimnasab-Sorkhabi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Iran.,Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maryam Soltani-Asl
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Iran.,Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Kfoury
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Petra Algenstaedt
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic of University of Hamburg, Eppendorf University, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Yashar Hashemi Aghdam
- Department of Traumatology, Spine and Orthopedic Surgery, Asklepios Hospital Altona, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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15
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Yi J, Kim B, Shi X, Zhan X, Lu QR, Xuan Z, Wu J. PRC2 Heterogeneity Drives Tumor Growth in Medulloblastoma. Cancer Res 2022; 82:2874-2886. [PMID: 35731926 PMCID: PMC9388591 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-4313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Intratumor epigenetic heterogeneity is emerging as a key mechanism underlying tumor evolution and drug resistance. Epigenetic abnormalities frequently occur in medulloblastoma, the most common childhood malignant brain tumor. Medulloblastoma is classified into four subtypes including SHH medulloblastoma, which is characterized by elevated sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling and a cerebellum granule neuron precursor (CGNP) cell-of-origin. Here, we report that the histone H3K27 methyltransferase polycomb repressor complex 2 (PRC2) is often heterogeneous within individual SHH medulloblastoma tumors. In mouse models, complete deletion of the PRC2 core subunit EED inhibited medulloblastoma growth, while a mosaic deletion of EED significantly enhanced tumor growth. EED is intrinsically required for CGNP maintenance by inhibiting both neural differentiation and cell death. Complete deletion of EED led to CGNP depletion and reduced occurrence of medulloblastoma. Surprisingly, medulloblastomas with mosaic EED levels grew faster than control wild-type tumors and expressed increased levels of oncogenes such as Igf2, which is directly repressed by PRC2 and has been demonstrated to be both necessary and sufficient for SHH medulloblastoma progression. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) mediated the oncogenic effects of PRC2 heterogeneity in tumor growth. Assessing clones of a human medulloblastoma cell line with different EED levels confirmed that EEDlow cells can stimulate the growth of EEDhigh cells through paracrine IGF2 signaling. Thus, PRC2 heterogeneity plays an oncogenic role in medulloblastoma through both intrinsic growth competence and non-cell autonomous mechanisms in distinct tumor subclones. SIGNIFICANCE The identification of an oncogenic function of PRC2 heterogeneity in medulloblastoma provides insights into subclone competition and cooperation during heterogeneous tumor evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqing Yi
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - BongWoo Kim
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xuanming Shi
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xiaoming Zhan
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Q. Richard Lu
- Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Zhenyu Xuan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Jiang Wu
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA,Correspondence: Jiang Wu, PhD, , Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. Dallas TX 75390-9040, Phone: 214-648-1824
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16
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Lewis NA, Klein RH, Kelly C, Yee J, Knoepfler PS. Histone H3.3 K27M chromatin functions implicate a network of neurodevelopmental factors including ASCL1 and NEUROD1 in DIPG. Epigenetics Chromatin 2022; 15:18. [PMID: 35590427 PMCID: PMC9121554 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-022-00447-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The histone variant H3.3 K27M mutation is a defining characteristic of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG)/diffuse midline glioma (DMG). This histone mutation is responsible for major alterations to histone H3 post-translational modification (PTMs) and subsequent aberrant gene expression. However, much less is known about the effect this mutation has on chromatin structure and function, including open versus closed chromatin regions as well as their transcriptomic consequences. Results Recently, we developed isogenic CRISPR-edited DIPG cell lines that are wild-type for histone H3.3 that can be compared to their matched K27M lines. Here we show via ATAC-seq analysis that H3.3K27M glioma cells have unique accessible chromatin at regions corresponding to neurogenesis, NOTCH, and neuronal development pathways and associated genes that are overexpressed in H3.3K27M compared to our isogenic wild-type cell line. As to mechanisms, accessible enhancers and super-enhancers corresponding to increased gene expression in H3.3K27M cells were also mapped to genes involved in neurogenesis and NOTCH signaling, suggesting that these pathways are key to DIPG tumor maintenance. Motif analysis implicates specific transcription factors as central to the neuro-oncogenic K27M signaling pathway, in particular, ASCL1 and NEUROD1. Conclusions Altogether our findings indicate that H3.3K27M causes chromatin to take on a more accessible configuration at key regulatory regions for NOTCH and neurogenesis genes resulting in increased oncogenic gene expression, which is at least partially reversible upon editing K27M back to wild-type. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13072-022-00447-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichole A Lewis
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.,Genome Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.,Institute of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Rachel Herndon Klein
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.,Genome Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.,Institute of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Cailin Kelly
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.,Genome Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.,Institute of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Jennifer Yee
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.,Genome Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.,Institute of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Paul S Knoepfler
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA. .,Genome Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA. .,Institute of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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17
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Inhibiting ALK2/ALK3 Signaling to Differentiate and Chemo-Sensitize Medulloblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092095. [PMID: 35565225 PMCID: PMC9102092 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092095] [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] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Many cancers re-emerge after treatment, despite the sensitivity of the bulk of tumor cells to treatments. This observation has led to the ‘cancer stem cell’ (CSCs) hypothesis, stating that a subpopulation of cancer cells survive therapy and lead to tumor relapse. However, the lack of universal markers to target CSCs is the main constraint to fully eradicate the CSC pool. Differentiation therapy (DT) might in principle suppress tumorigenesis through conversion of undifferentiated cancer cells of high malignancy into differentiated cells of low tumorigenic potential. Here, we provide evidence that CSCs of medulloblastoma can be forced to resume their differentiation potential by inhibiting the BMP4–ALK2/3 axis, providing a new entry point for medulloblastoma treatment. Abstract Background: Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant pediatric brain tumor, and it represents the leading cause of death related to cancer in childhood. New perspectives for therapeutic development have emerged with the identification of cancer stem cells (CSCs) displaying tumor initiating capability and chemoresistance. However, the mechanisms responsible for CSCs maintenance are poorly understood. The lack of a universal marker signature represents the main constraints to identify and isolate CSCs within the tumor. Methods: To identify signaling pathways promoting CSC maintenance in MB, we combined tumorsphere assays with targeted neurogenesis PCR pathway arrays. Results: We showed a consistent induction of signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of CSCs in all the screened MB cells. BMP4 signaling was consistently enriched in all tumorsphere(s) independently of their specific stem-cell marker profile. The octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), an important regulator of embryonic pluripotency, enhanced CSC maintenance in MBs by inducing the BMP4 signaling pathway. Consistently, inhibition of BMP4 signaling with LDN-193189 reduced stem-cell traits and promoted cell differentiation. Conclusions: Our work suggests that interfering with the BMP4 signaling pathway impaired the maintenance of the CSC pool by promoting cell differentiation. Hence, differentiation therapy might represent an innovative therapeutic to improve the current standard of care in MB patients.
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18
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Riemondy KA, Venkataraman S, Willard N, Nellan A, Sanford B, Griesinger AM, Amani V, Mitra S, Hankinson TC, Handler MH, Sill M, Ocasio J, Weir SJ, Malawsky DS, Gershon TR, Garancher A, Wechsler-Reya RJ, Hesselberth JR, Foreman NK, Donson AM, Vibhakar R. Neoplastic and immune single-cell transcriptomics define subgroup-specific intra-tumoral heterogeneity of childhood medulloblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2022; 24:273-286. [PMID: 34077540 PMCID: PMC8804892 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma (MB) is a heterogeneous disease in which neoplastic cells and associated immune cells contribute to disease progression. We aimed to determine the influence of neoplastic and immune cell diversity on MB biology in patient samples and animal models. METHODS To better characterize cellular heterogeneity in MB we used single-cell RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and deconvolution of transcriptomic data to profile neoplastic and immune populations in patient samples and animal models across childhood MB subgroups. RESULTS Neoplastic cells cluster primarily according to individual sample of origin which is influenced by chromosomal copy number variance. Harmony alignment reveals novel MB subgroup/subtype-associated subpopulations that recapitulate neurodevelopmental processes, including photoreceptor and glutamatergic neuron-like cells in molecular subgroups GP3 and GP4, and a specific nodule-associated neuronally differentiated subpopulation in the sonic hedgehog subgroup. We definitively chart the spectrum of MB immune cell infiltrates, which include subpopulations that recapitulate developmentally related neuron-pruning and antigen-presenting myeloid cells. MB cellular diversity matching human samples is mirrored in subgroup-specific mouse models of MB. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide a clearer understanding of the diverse neoplastic and immune cell subpopulations that constitute the MB microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kent A Riemondy
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Nicholas Willard
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Anandani Nellan
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Bridget Sanford
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Andrea M Griesinger
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Vladimir Amani
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Siddhartha Mitra
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Todd C Hankinson
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Michael H Handler
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Martin Sill
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jennifer Ocasio
- Department of Neurology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Seth J Weir
- Department of Neurology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Daniel S Malawsky
- Department of Neurology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Timothy R Gershon
- Department of Neurology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alexandra Garancher
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Robert J Wechsler-Reya
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jay R Hesselberth
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Nicholas K Foreman
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Andrew M Donson
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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19
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Maurya A, Patel UK, Yadav JK, Singh VP, Agarwal A. Challenges and Recent Advances of Novel Chemical Inhibitors in Medulloblastoma Therapy. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2423:123-140. [PMID: 34978695 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1952-0_13] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is a common term used for the juvenile malignant brain tumor, and its treatment is exciting due to different genetic origins, improper transportation of drug across the blood-brain barrier, and chemo-resistance with various side effects. Currently, medulloblastoma divided into four significant subsections (Wnt, Shh, Group 3, and Group 4) is based on their hereditary modulation and histopathological advancement. In this chapter, we tried to combine several novel chemical therapeutic agents active toward medulloblastoma therapy. All these compounds have potent activity to inhibit the medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Maurya
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Upendra Kumar Patel
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Jitendra Kumar Yadav
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Virender Pratap Singh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Alka Agarwal
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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20
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Garzia L. Faraway, so close: intratumoral heterogeneity of medulloblastoma subgroups. Neuro Oncol 2021; 24:287-288. [PMID: 34865140 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Livia Garzia
- Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, McGill University, Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Montreal, QC
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21
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NeuroD1 promotes tumor cell proliferation and tumorigenesis by directly activating the pentose phosphate pathway in colorectal carcinoma. Oncogene 2021; 40:6736-6747. [PMID: 34657129 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02063-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Tumor metabolic reprogramming ensures that cancerous cells obtain sufficient building blocks, energy, and antioxidants to sustain rapid growth and for coping with oxidative stress. Neurogenic differentiation factor 1 (NeuroD1) is upregulated in various types of tumors; however, its involvement in tumor cell metabolic reprogramming remains unclear. In this study, we report that NeuroD1 is positively correlated with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), the rate-limiting enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), in colorectal cancer cells. In addition, the regulation of G6PD by NeuroD1 alters tumor cell metabolism by stimulating the PPP, leading to enhanced production of nucleotides and NADPH. These, in turn, promote DNA and lipid biosynthesis in tumor cells, while decreasing intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Mechanistically, we showed that NeuroD1 binds directly to the G6PD promoter to activate G6PD transcription. Consequently, tumor cell proliferation and colony formation are enhanced, leading to increased tumorigenic potential in vitro and in vivo. These findings reveal a novel function of NeuroD1 as a regulator of G6PD, whereby its oncogenic activity is linked to tumor cell metabolic reprogramming and regulation of the PPP. Furthermore, NeuroD1 represents a potential target for metabolism-based anti-tumor therapeutic strategies.
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22
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Modulating cell differentiation in cancer models. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1803-1816. [PMID: 34436513 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210230] [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: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer has been traditionally viewed as a disease characterised by excessive and uncontrolled proliferation, leading to the development of cytotoxic therapies against highly proliferating malignant cells. However, tumours frequently relapse due to the presence of slow-cycling cancer stem cells eluding chemo and radiotherapy. Since these malignant stem cells are largely undifferentiated, inducing their lineage commitment has been proposed as a potential intervention strategy to deplete tumours from their most resistant components. Pro-differentiation approaches have thus far yielded clinical success in the reversion of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL), and new developments are fast widening their therapeutic applicability to solid carcinomas. Recent advances in cancer differentiation discussed here highlight the potential and outstanding challenges of differentiation-based approaches.
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23
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Weterings SDC, van Oostrom MJ, Sonnen KF. Building bridges between fields: bringing together development and homeostasis. Development 2021; 148:270964. [PMID: 34279592 PMCID: PMC8326920 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite striking parallels between the fields of developmental biology and adult tissue homeostasis, these are disconnected in contemporary research. Although development describes tissue generation and homeostasis describes tissue maintenance, it is the balance between stem cell proliferation and differentiation that coordinates both processes. Upstream signalling regulates this balance to achieve the required outcome at the population level. Both development and homeostasis require tight regulation of stem cells at the single-cell level and establishment of patterns at the tissue-wide level. Here, we emphasize that the general principles of embryonic development and tissue homeostasis are similar, and argue that interactions between these disciplines will be beneficial for both research fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja D C Weterings
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marek J van Oostrom
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Katharina F Sonnen
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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24
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Guo D, Wang Y, Cheng Y, Liao S, Hu J, Du F, Xu G, Liu Y, Cai KQ, Cheung M, Wainwright BJ, Lu QR, Zhao Y, Yang ZJ. Tumor cells generate astrocyte-like cells that contribute to SHH-driven medulloblastoma relapse. J Exp Med 2021; 218:212465. [PMID: 34254999 PMCID: PMC8282281 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20202350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes, a major glial cell type in the brain, play a critical role in supporting the progression of medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. Through lineage tracing analyses and single-cell RNA sequencing, we demonstrate that astrocytes are predominantly derived from the transdifferentiation of tumor cells in relapsed MB (but not in primary MB), although MB cells are generally believed to be neuronal-lineage committed. Such transdifferentiation of MB cells relies on Sox9, a transcription factor critical for gliogenesis. Our studies further reveal that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) stimulate the transdifferentiation of MB cells by inducing the phosphorylation of Sox9. Pharmacological inhibition of BMP signaling represses MB cell transdifferentiation into astrocytes and suppresses tumor relapse. Our studies establish the distinct cellular sources of astrocytes in primary and relapsed MB and provide an avenue to prevent and treat MB relapse by targeting tumor cell transdifferentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duancheng Guo
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA.,Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Shengyou Liao
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Information Processing, Advanced Computer Research Center, Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Hu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Fang Du
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Gang Xu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Yongqiang Liu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kathy Q Cai
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Martin Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Brandon J Wainwright
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Q Richard Lu
- Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Yi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Information Processing, Advanced Computer Research Center, Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
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25
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Shiraishi R, Kawauchi D. Epigenetic regulation in medulloblastoma pathogenesis revealed by genetically engineered mouse models. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:2948-2957. [PMID: 34050694 PMCID: PMC8353939 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant cerebellar tumor in children. Recent technological advances in multilayered ’omics data analysis have revealed 4 molecular subgroups of medulloblastoma (Wingless/int, Sonic hedgehog, Group3, and Group4). (Epi)genomic and transcriptomic profiling on human primary medulloblastomas has shown distinct oncogenic drivers and cellular origin(s) across the subgroups. Despite tremendous efforts to identify the molecular signals driving tumorigenesis, few of the identified targets were druggable; therefore, a further understanding of the etiology of tumors is required to establish effective molecular‐targeted therapies. Chromatin regulators are frequently mutated in medulloblastoma, prompting us to investigate epigenetic changes and the accompanying activation of oncogenic signaling during tumorigenesis. For this purpose, we have used germline and non‐germline genetically engineered mice to model human medulloblastoma and to conduct useful, molecularly targeted, preclinical studies. This review discusses the biological implications of chromatin regulator mutations during medulloblastoma pathogenesis, based on recent in vivo animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Shiraishi
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo, Japan.,Department of NCNP Brain Physiology and Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kawauchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo, Japan
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26
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Tutukova S, Tarabykin V, Hernandez-Miranda LR. The Role of Neurod Genes in Brain Development, Function, and Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:662774. [PMID: 34177462 PMCID: PMC8221396 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.662774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation is essential for the correct functioning of cells during development and in postnatal life. The basic Helix-loop-Helix (bHLH) superfamily of transcription factors is well conserved throughout evolution and plays critical roles in tissue development and tissue maintenance. A subgroup of this family, called neural lineage bHLH factors, is critical in the development and function of the central nervous system. In this review, we will focus on the function of one subgroup of neural lineage bHLH factors, the Neurod family. The Neurod family has four members: Neurod1, Neurod2, Neurod4, and Neurod6. Available evidence shows that these four factors are key during the development of the cerebral cortex but also in other regions of the central nervous system, such as the cerebellum, the brainstem, and the spinal cord. We will also discuss recent reports that link the dysfunction of these transcription factors to neurological disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Tutukova
- Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.,Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Cell- and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor Tarabykin
- Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.,Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Cell- and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luis R Hernandez-Miranda
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Cell- and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
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27
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Yang Y, Qu Y, Cheng Y, Guo D, Fan Q, Yang ZJ. Purification of differentiated tumor cells from medulloblastoma for transplantation into mouse cerebellum. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100409. [PMID: 33870218 PMCID: PMC8039855 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This protocol provides the procedures for isolating differentiated tumor cells from medulloblastoma (MB) in mice. Procedures for transplantation into cerebella are also included to examine the tumorigenesis of differentiated MB cells. This protocol outlines the detailed steps required for (1) isolation of tumor cells from mouse MB, (2) purification of differentiated tumor cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and (3) transplantation of tumor cells into cerebella. This protocol is useful to purify differentiated tumor cells for investigating mechanisms underlying MB progression. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Cheng et. al. (2020). Procedures for isolating tumor cells from mouse medulloblastoma Purification of differentiated medulloblastoma cells by FACS Technical details for injecting live tumor cells into mouse cerebella
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Yang
- Cancer biology program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yanghui Qu
- Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Cancer biology program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Duancheng Guo
- Cancer biology program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qianhai Fan
- Cancer biology program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Cancer biology program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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28
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Custers L, Paassen I, Drost J. In vitro Modeling of Embryonal Tumors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:640633. [PMID: 33718380 PMCID: PMC7952537 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.640633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A subset of pediatric tumors affects very young children and are thought to arise during fetal life. A common theme is that these embryonal tumors hijack developmental programs, causing a block in differentiation and, as a consequence, unrestricted proliferation. Embryonal tumors, therefore typically maintain an embryonic gene signature not found in their differentiated progeny. Still, the processes underpinning malignant transformation remain largely unknown, which is hampering therapeutic innovation. To gain more insight into these processes, in vitro and in vivo research models are indispensable. However, embryonic development is an extremely dynamic process with continuously changing cellular identities, making it challenging to define cells-of-origin. This is crucial for the development of representative models, as targeting the wrong cell or targeting a cell within an incorrect developmental time window can result in completely different phenotypes. Recent innovations in in vitro cell models may provide more versatile platforms to study embryonal tumors in a scalable manner. In this review, we outline different in vitro models that can be explored to study embryonal tumorigenesis and for therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Custers
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Irene Paassen
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jarno Drost
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
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29
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Guo D, Qu Y, Yang Y, Yang ZJ. Medulloblastoma cells resemble neuronal progenitors in their differentiation. Mol Cell Oncol 2020; 7:1810514. [PMID: 33235914 PMCID: PMC7671073 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2020.1810514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) often originate from cerebellar granule neuron precursors (GNPs). We recently found that medulloblastoma cells undergo differentiation as GNPs. Differentiated MB cells have permanently lost their proliferative capacity and tumorigenicity. The differentiation of MB cells is driven by the transcription factor NeuroD1 (Neurogenic differentiation 1), and NeuroD1 expression in MB cells is repressed by EZH2-mediated H3K27me3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duancheng Guo
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanghui Qu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yijun Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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