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Thomaz A, Jaeger M, Brunetto AL, Brunetto AT, Gregianin L, de Farias CB, Ramaswamy V, Nör C, Taylor MD, Roesler R. Neurotrophin Signaling in Medulloblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2542. [PMID: 32906676 PMCID: PMC7564905 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins are a family of secreted proteins that act by binding to tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) or p75NTR receptors to regulate nervous system development and plasticity. Increasing evidence indicates that neurotrophins and their receptors in cancer cells play a role in tumor growth and resistance to treatment. In this review, we summarize evidence indicating that neurotrophin signaling influences medulloblastoma (MB), the most common type of malignant brain cancer afflicting children. We discuss the potential of neurotrophin receptors as new therapeutic targets for the treatment of MB. Overall, activation of TrkA and TrkC types of receptors seem to promote cell death, whereas TrkB might stimulate MB growth, and TrkB inhibition displays antitumor effects. Importantly, we show analyses of the gene expression profile of neurotrophins and their receptors in MB primary tumors, which indicate, among other findings, that higher levels of NTRK1 or NTRK2 are associated with reduced overall survival (OS) of patients with SHH MB tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Thomaz
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90050-170, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariane Jaeger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, RS, Brazil
| | - Algemir L. Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, RS, Brazil
| | - André T. Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, RS, Brazil
| | - Lauro Gregianin
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- Pediatric Oncology Service, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, RS, Brazil
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON 17-9702, Canada; (V.R.); (C.N.); (M.D.T.)
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Carolina Nör
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON 17-9702, Canada; (V.R.); (C.N.); (M.D.T.)
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Michael D. Taylor
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON 17-9702, Canada; (V.R.); (C.N.); (M.D.T.)
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90050-170, RS, Brazil
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OTX1 and OTX2 Genes in Medulloblastoma. World Neurosurg 2019; 127:e58-e64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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MRI Phenotype of RELA-fused Pediatric Supratentorial Ependymoma. Clin Neuroradiol 2018; 29:595-604. [PMID: 30027327 DOI: 10.1007/s00062-018-0704-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Epigenetic profiling has recently identified clinically and molecularly distinct subgroups of ependymoma. The 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) classification recognized supratentorial ependymomas (ST-EPN) with REL-associated protein/p65 (RELA) fusion as a clinicopathological entity. These tumors represent 70% of pediatric ST-EPN characterized by recurrent C11orf95-RELA fusion transcripts, which lead to pathological activation of the nuclear factor 'kappa-light-chain-enhancer' of activated B-cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) inactivation has also been reported to correlate with poor prognosis. Here, we systematically describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of RELA-fused ST-EPN, with respect to CDKN2A deletion status. METHODS Our cohort of patients with ST-EPN (n = 57) was obtained from the database of the German Brain Tumor Reference Center of the German Society for Neuropathology and Neuroanatomy (DGNN), and tumors were diagnosed according to the 2016 WHO classification. Molecular characterization identified 47 RELA-fused tumors. We analyzed the preoperative MRI according to standardized criteria, and comparison was performed between CDKN2A altered (n = 21) and CDKN2A wild type (n = 26) tumors. RESULTS The RELA-fused ST-EPN showed a spectrum of predominantly hemispheric tumors with cysts and necrosis. Statistical analysis on CDKN2A status revealed significant differences in terms of younger manifestation age (p =0.002) and more intratumoral hemorrhage in T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) (p =0.010) in wild type tumors; however, the location was not a parameter for differentiation. CONCLUSION This study first provides comprehensive MRI data for RELA-fused ST-EPN as a distinct entity, with further interest on CDKN2A genomic status. Patient stratification by morphological MRI alone seems difficult at present. The results may support ongoing research in ST-EPN within the framework of the radiogenomics concept.
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El-Ayadi M, Egervari K, Merkler D, McKee TA, Gumy-Pause F, Stichel D, Capper D, Pietsch T, Ansari M, von Bueren AO. Concurrent IDH1 and SMARCB1 Mutations in Pediatric Medulloblastoma: A Case Report. Front Neurol 2018; 9:398. [PMID: 29971034 PMCID: PMC6018091 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) is a driver gene in several cancers including brain tumors such as low-grade and high-grade gliomas. Mutations of SMARCB1 were described in atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors and to date have not been associated with the pathogenesis of medulloblastoma. We report concurrent IDH1 and SMARCB1 mutations in a medulloblastoma patient. We searched the catalog of somatic mutations in cancer (COSMIC) database and other mutation databases and -to our knowledge- this is the first reported case of medulloblastoma harboring both mutations together. Our patient is a 13-year-old male presenting with headache and vomiting at diagnosis. MRI revealed left cerebellar expansive lesion with no evidence of metastasis. A histopathological diagnosis of desmoplastic/nodular medulloblastoma was made after complete resection of the tumor. Immunophenotypic characterization and methylation profiling suggested a medulloblastoma with SHH activation. Next generation sequencing of a panel of 400 genes revealed heterozygous somatic IDH1(p.R132C), SMARCB1(p.R201Q), and CDH11(p.L625T) mutations. The patient was treated according to the HIT-SIOP PNET 4 protocol. He is in complete remission more than 2 years after diagnosis. In conclusion, increasing use of high throughput sequencing will certainly increase the frequency with which rare mutations or mutation combinations are identified. The exact frequency of this mutation combination and whether it has any particular therapeutic implications or prognostic relevance requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moatasem El-Ayadi
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
- CANSEARCH Research Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Children Cancer Hospital of Egypt, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Kristof Egervari
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Doron Merkler
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thomas A. McKee
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Gumy-Pause
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
- CANSEARCH Research Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Damian Stichel
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Capper
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Partner Site Berlin, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Torsten Pietsch
- Institute of Neuropathology, Brain Tumor Reference Center, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neuropathologie und Neuroanatomie, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc Ansari
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
- CANSEARCH Research Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - André O. von Bueren
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
- CANSEARCH Research Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Kumar V, Kumar V, McGuire T, Coulter DW, Sharp JG, Mahato RI. Challenges and Recent Advances in Medulloblastoma Therapy. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2017; 38:1061-1084. [PMID: 29061299 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common childhood brain tumor, which occurs in the posterior fossa. MB tumors are highly heterogeneous and have diverse genetic make-ups, with differential microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles and variable prognoses. MB can be classified into four subgroups, each with different origins, pathogenesis, and potential therapeutic targets. miRNA and small-molecule targeted therapies have emerged as a potential new therapeutic paradigm in MB treatment. However, the development of chemoresistance due to surviving cancer stem cells and dysregulation of miRNAs remains a challenge. Combination therapies using multiple drugs and miRNAs could be effective approaches. In this review we discuss various MB subtypes, barriers, and novel therapeutic options which may be less toxic than current standard treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinod Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Virender Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Timothy McGuire
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Donald W Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - John G Sharp
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Ram I Mahato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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Tropomyosin receptor kinase C (TrkC) expression in medulloblastoma: relation to the molecular subgroups and impact on treatment response. Childs Nerv Syst 2017; 33:1463-1471. [PMID: 28695340 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-017-3506-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE High messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of the tropomyosin receptor kinase C gene (TrkC) has been associated with favorable survival in medulloblastoma patients. Untested is whether it plays a role through modulating the response to therapy or whether it might be a surrogate marker for a favorable molecular subgroup. METHODS The medulloblastoma-derived cell line DAOY was stably transfected to overexpress TrkC (clone DAOY-TrkC) and compared to a control (clone DAOY-EV, empty vector transfected). Cell viability (MTS assay) was tested after irradiation or incubation with chemotherapeutic drugs. Neuroradiologic response to postoperative chemotherapy or craniospinal irradiation (CSI) of medulloblastoma patients aged 3-21 years with postoperative residual disease treated within the consecutive trials HIT'91/HIT2000 was compared to TrkC mRNA expression in their tumor samples. Five well-characterized independent expression-profiling studies covering together 686 medulloblastoma patients were analyzed for TrkC levels according to the molecular subgroups. RESULTS Cell viability of DAOY-TrkC compared to DAOY-EV was not different after exposure to increasing doses of irradiation, cisplatin, etoposide, or vincristine. While TrkC mRNA expression tended to be higher in non-responders (n = 5/19) to postoperative CSI (p = 0.03, ratio 15.5, 95% CI 9-267), this was the case in responders (n = 23/43) to chemotherapy (p = 0.04, ratio 6.1, 95% CI 1.1-35), both analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test (not significant after Bonferroni adjustment). The highest TrkC mRNA levels were found in the SHH subgroup across all expression-profiling studies. CONCLUSIONS High TrkC mRNA expression appears to be frequent in the SHH subgroup and seems not to have a major effect on therapy responsiveness in medulloblastoma patients.
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Huang CJ, Lee CL, Liu CY, Huang SH, Hou JW, Chen YH, Chien CC, Ho CM, Lo WC, Hung KL. Detection of lower levels of SNAP25 using multiple microarray systems and its functional significance in medulloblastoma. Int J Mol Med 2017; 39:1195-1205. [PMID: 28339008 PMCID: PMC5403484 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.2925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric malignant brain tumor and patients with high-risk or recurrent MB respond poorly to current therapies, and have a higher related mortality. For this reason, potential molecules related to MB need be identified in order to develop targets for the development of novel therapeutics. In the present study, we compared MB microarray data obtained using different microarray systems and significant targets were selected by gene annotation and enrichment analysis. Genes for soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) annotated with the function 'vesicle' were identified and one of these proteins, synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP25), was found to have significantly lower expression levels in MB. In addition, SNAP25 was detected in a very low number of MB cells as shown by western blot analysis and immunohistochemical analyses of archived and formalin-fixed/paraffin-embedded human MB specimens. We found that SNAP25 altered the morphology and the chemotherapeutic effects of arabinofuranosyl cytidine (Ara-C) on SNAP25-expressing MB cells. On the whole, our data indicate that the expression of SNAP25 is crucial for dendrite formation and is associated with the effects of targeted chemotherapy. The detection of SNAP25 expression in MB cells may thus be essential for the chemotherapeutic application of Ara-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Jung Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chia-Long Lee
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chih-Yi Liu
- Department of Pathology, Sijhih Cathay General Hospital, New Taipei 22174, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Shih-Hung Huang
- Department of Pathology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei 10630, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Jia-Woei Hou
- Department of Pediatrics, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei 10630, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yi-Hou Chen
- Department of Medical Research, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei 10630, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chih-Cheng Chien
- Department of Medical Research, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei 10630, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chih-Ming Ho
- Department of Medical Research, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei 10630, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wen-Cheng Lo
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Kun-Long Hung
- Department of Pediatrics, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei 10630, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Integrated Proteomic and Transcriptomic-Based Approaches to Identifying Signature Biomarkers and Pathways for Elucidation of Daoy and UW228 Subtypes. Proteomes 2017; 5:proteomes5010005. [PMID: 28248256 PMCID: PMC5372226 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes5010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. Patient survival has remained largely the same for the past 20 years, with therapies causing significant health, cognitive, behavioral and developmental complications for those who survive the tumor. In this study, we profiled the total transcriptome and proteome of two established MB cell lines, Daoy and UW228, using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and label-free nano-LC-MS/MS-based quantitative proteomics, coupled with advanced pathway analysis. While Daoy has been suggested to belong to the sonic hedgehog (SHH) subtype, the exact UW228 subtype is not yet clearly established. Thus, a goal of this study was to identify protein markers and pathways that would help elucidate their subtype classification. A number of differentially expressed genes and proteins, including a number of adhesion, cytoskeletal and signaling molecules, were observed between the two cell lines. While several cancer-associated genes/proteins exhibited similar expression across the two cell lines, upregulation of a number of signature proteins and enrichment of key components of SHH and WNT signaling pathways were uniquely observed in Daoy and UW228, respectively. The novel information on differentially expressed genes/proteins and enriched pathways provide insights into the biology of MB, which could help elucidate their subtype classification.
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Shackleford GM, Shi XH, Swanson KS, Mahdi MY, Gonzalez-Gomez I, Asgharzadeh S, D’Apuzzo M, Erdreich-Epstein A, Moats RA. BarTeL, a Genetically Versatile, Bioluminescent and Granule Neuron Precursor-Targeted Mouse Model for Medulloblastoma. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156907. [PMID: 27310018 PMCID: PMC4911170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastomas are the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor and have been divided into four major molecular subgroups. Animal models that mimic the principal molecular aberrations of these subgroups will be important tools for preclinical studies and allow greater understanding of medulloblastoma biology. We report a new transgenic model of medulloblastoma that possesses a unique combination of desirable characteristics including, among others, the ability to incorporate multiple and variable genes of choice and to produce bioluminescent tumors from a limited number of somatic cells within a normal cellular environment. This model, termed BarTeL, utilizes a Barhl1 homeobox gene promoter to target expression of a bicistronic transgene encoding both the avian retroviral receptor TVA and an eGFP-Luciferase fusion protein to neonatal cerebellar granule neuron precursor (cGNP) cells, which are cells of origin for the sonic hedgehog (SHH) subgroup of human medulloblastomas. The Barhl1 promoter-driven transgene is expressed strongly in mammalian cGNPs and weakly or not at all in mature granule neurons. We efficiently induced bioluminescent medulloblastomas expressing eGFP-luciferase in BarTeL mice by infection of a limited number of somatic cGNPs with avian retroviral vectors encoding the active N-terminal fragment of SHH and a stabilized MYCN mutant. Detection and quantification of the increasing bioluminescence of growing tumors in young BarTeL mice was facilitated by the declining bioluminescence of their uninfected maturing cGNPs. Inclusion of eGFP in the transgene allowed enriched sorting of cGNPs from neonatal cerebella. Use of a single bicistronic avian vector simultaneously expressing both Shh and Mycn oncogenes increased the medulloblastoma incidence and aggressiveness compared to mixed virus infections. Bioluminescent tumors could also be produced by ex vivo transduction of neonatal BarTeL cerebellar cells by avian retroviruses and subsequent implantation into nontransgenic cerebella. Thus, BarTeL mice provide a versatile model with opportunities for use in medulloblastoma biology and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M. Shackleford
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Radiology, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Xiang-He Shi
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Kimberly S. Swanson
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Radiology, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Min Y. Mahdi
- Department of Radiology, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Ignacio Gonzalez-Gomez
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Massimo D’Apuzzo
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, United States of America
| | - Anat Erdreich-Epstein
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Rex A. Moats
- Department of Radiology, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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Doron O, Zauberman J, Feldman Z. A medulloblastoma showing an unusually long doubling time: reflection of its singular nature. Childs Nerv Syst 2016; 32:1153-6. [PMID: 26738874 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-015-2997-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION In this paper, we present a case of a 4-year-old male diagnosed with a desmoplastic, SHH-type medulloblastoma. Retrospectively, we discovered that the patient underwent an MRI scan at 21 months for reasons unrelated, revealing a T1-enhanced lesion at the vermis, later recognized as the source of the tumor. This unique case provides us with a glimpse into the natural history of this tumor. Our ability to measure tumor volume at two defined time points, 31 months apart, enabled us to deduce the tumor's doubling time. This is defined as the time of one cell cycle divided by the amount of cycling cells, multiplied by cell loss factor. Potential doubling time (Tpot) and actual doubling time (Td), calculated using the Gompertzian model, are the most clinically relevant with regard to a tumor's response to radiotherapy. Here, we show an actual doubling-time (Td) of 78 days, and an extrapolated tumor diameter at the time of birth of 0.25 mm. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These results both support the medulloblastoma's embryonic origin, and indicating a threefold longer actual doubling time when compared to previous studies. Taking into account the reported range of medulloblastoma potential doubling time, we deduced a cell loss factor of between 48.9 and 95.5 %. These percentages fall in line with other malignant tumors. Although limited due to the obvious reliance on only two points in time and using the Gompertzian model to complete the remainder, to the best of our knowledge, this is the longest follow-up period reported for medulloblastoma. We have described how a unique turn of events enabled us to get a glimpse into the in situ development of a medulloblastoma over a 31-month period. Regarded sometimes as an idiosyncratic tumor comprised of an array of molecular changes, the complexity of medulloblastoma is displayed here, by revealing for the first time an actual doubling time three- to fourfold the previously known length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer Doron
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sheba Tel-Hashomer Hospital, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University Sackler Medical School, Sheba Rd. 2, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
| | - Jacob Zauberman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sheba Tel-Hashomer Hospital, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University Sackler Medical School, Sheba Rd. 2, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Ze'ev Feldman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sheba Tel-Hashomer Hospital, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University Sackler Medical School, Sheba Rd. 2, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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Siegfried A, Bertozzi AI, Bourdeaut F, Sevely A, Loukh N, Grison C, Miquel C, Lafon D, Sevenet N, Pietsch T, Dufour C, Delisle MB. Clinical, pathological, and molecular data on desmoplastic/nodular medulloblastoma: case studies and a review of the literature. Clin Neuropathol 2016; 35:106-13. [PMID: 26857864 PMCID: PMC4910646 DOI: 10.5414/np300205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2009] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to better define the clinical and biopathological features of patients with desmoplastic/nodular medulloblastoma (DNMB) and to further characterize this subgroup. 17 children aged < 5 years, with initial DNMB treated according to the HIT-SKK protocol, were evaluated. A retrospective central radiological review, a pathological and immunohistochemical study, and array-CGH and sequencing of germline SUFU and PTCH1 genes were performed. 15 histologically reviewed cases were confirmed as DNMB including three cases of medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity. Median age at diagnosis was 26 months. Radiology showed five cases with a vermis location and one with T2 hyperintensity. All cases showed a SHH immunoprofile. A 9q deletion was found in 6 cases, a MYCN-MYCL amplification in 1 case, and a SUFU germline mutation in 1 case (/9). The presence of SUFU and PTCH1 germline mutations agreed with previous reports. At 3 years, progression-free survival and overallsurvival rates were 72 ± 15% and 85 ± 10%, respectively. The rate of recurrence was relatively high (4 patients). This may have been because chemotherapy was delayed in two cases. Age > 3 years, and residual tumor may also have been an explanation for recurrence.
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Gessi M, Goschzik T, Dörner E, Söldner K, Schupp C, Pietsch T. Medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity: a tumour exclusively of infancy? Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2016; 43:267-270. [DOI: 10.1111/nan.12322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gessi
- Institute of Neuropathology; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Tobias Goschzik
- Institute of Neuropathology; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Evelyn Dörner
- Institute of Neuropathology; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | | | | | - Torsten Pietsch
- Institute of Neuropathology; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
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13
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Liang L, Aiken C, McClelland R, Morrison LC, Tatari N, Remke M, Ramaswamy V, Issaivanan M, Ryken T, Del Bigio MR, Taylor MD, Werbowetski-Ogilvie TE. Characterization of novel biomarkers in selecting for subtype specific medulloblastoma phenotypes. Oncotarget 2015; 6:38881-900. [PMID: 26497209 PMCID: PMC4770744 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Major research efforts have focused on defining cell surface marker profiles for characterization and selection of brain tumor stem/progenitor cells. Medulloblastoma is the most common primary malignant pediatric brain cancer and consists of 4 molecular subgroups: WNT, SHH, Group 3 and Group 4. Given the heterogeneity within and between medulloblastoma variants, surface marker profiles may be subtype-specific. Here, we employed a high throughput flow cytometry screen to identify differentially expressed cell surface markers in self-renewing vs. non-self-renewing SHH medulloblastoma cells. The top 25 markers were reduced to 4, CD271/p75NTR/NGFR, CD106/VCAM1, EGFR and CD171/NCAM-L1, by evaluating transcript levels in SHH tumors relative to samples representing the other variants. However, only CD271/p75NTR/NGFR and CD171/NCAM-L1 maintain differential expression between variants at the protein level. Functional characterization of CD271, a low affinity neurotrophin receptor, in cell lines and primary cultures suggested that CD271 selects for lower self-renewing progenitors or stem cells. Moreover, CD271 levels were negatively correlated with expression of SHH pathway genes. Our study reveals a novel role for CD271 in SHH medulloblastoma and suggests that targeting CD271 pathways could lead to the design of more selective therapies that lessen the broad impact of current treatments on developing nervous systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Liang
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Christopher Aiken
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Robyn McClelland
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Ludivine Coudière Morrison
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Nazanin Tatari
- Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Marc Remke
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre and Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre and Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Timothy Ryken
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Marc R. Del Bigio
- Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba and Manitoba Institute of Child Health, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Michael D. Taylor
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre and Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tamra E. Werbowetski-Ogilvie
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Expression Profile of Sonic Hedgehog Pathway Members in the Developing Human Fetal Brain. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:494269. [PMID: 26266257 PMCID: PMC4523658 DOI: 10.1155/2015/494269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Revised: 03/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway plays a central role in the developing mammalian CNS. In our study, we aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal SHH pathway expression pattern in human fetal brains. We analyzed 22 normal fetal brains for Shh, Patched, Smoothened, and Gli1-3 expression by immunohistochemistry. In the telencephalon, strongest expression of Shh, Smoothened, and Gli2 was found in the cortical plate (CP) and ventricular zone. Patched was strongly upregulated in the ventricular zone and Gli1 in the CP. In the cerebellum, SHH pathway members were strongly expressed in the external granular layer (EGL). SHH pathway members significantly decreased over time in the ventricular and subventricular zone and in the cerebellar EGL, while increasing levels were found in more superficial telencephalic layers. Our findings show that SHH pathway members are strongly expressed in areas important for proliferation and differentiation and indicate a temporal expression gradient in telencephalic and cerebellar layers probably due to decreased proliferation of progenitor cells and increased differentiation. Our data about the spatiotemporal expression of SHH pathway members in the developing human brain serves as a base for the understanding of both normal and pathological CNS development.
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15
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Ganeshan V, Ashton J, Schor NF. p75NTR: an enhancer of fenretinide toxicity in neuroblastoma. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2013; 71:777-87. [PMID: 23314735 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-013-2071-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 12/31/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neuroblastoma is a common, frequently fatal, neural crest tumor of childhood. Chemotherapy-resistant neuroblastoma cells typically have Schwann cell-like ("S-type") morphology and express the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR). p75NTR has been previously shown to modulate the redox state of neural crest tumor cells. We, therefore, hypothesized that p75NTR expression level would influence the effects of the redox-active chemotherapeutic drug fenretinide on neuroblastoma cells. METHODS Transfection and lentiviral transduction were used to manipulate p75NTR expression in these cell lines. Sensitivity to fenretinide was determined by concentration- and time-cell survival studies. Apoptosis incidence was determined by morphological assessment and examination of cleavage of poly-ADP ribose polymerase and caspase-3. Generation and subcellular localization of reactive oxygen species were quantified using species- and site-specific stains and by examining the effects of site-selective antioxidants on cell survival after fenretinide treatment. Studies of mitochondrial electron transport employed specific inhibitors of individual proteins in the electron transport chain. RESULTS Knockdown of p75NTR attenuates fenretinide-induced accumulation of mitochondrial superoxide and apoptosis. Overexpression of p75NTR has the opposite effects. Pretreatment of cells with 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone or dehydroascorbic acid uniquely prevents mitochondrial superoxide accumulation and cell death after fenretinide treatment, indicating that mitochondrial complex II is the likely site of fenretinide-induced superoxide generation and p75NTR-induced potentiation of these phenomena. CONCLUSION Modification of expression of p75NTR in a particular neuroblastoma cell line modifies its susceptibility to fenretinide. Enhancers of p75NTR expression or signaling could be potential drugs for use as adjuncts to chemotherapy of neural tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veena Ganeshan
- Center for Neural Development and Disease, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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Bartlett F, Kortmann R, Saran F. Medulloblastoma. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2013; 25:36-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2012.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2012] [Revised: 08/04/2012] [Accepted: 08/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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17
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Matsuda K, Sakurada K, Sato S, Nakazato Y, Kayama T. Gliomatosis cerebelli, an infantile cerebellar neoplasm that exhibited diffuse infiltration without forming a mass. Brain Tumor Pathol 2012; 30:180-4. [PMID: 23142847 DOI: 10.1007/s10014-012-0121-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenichiro Matsuda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Yamagata, Japan.
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18
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Abstract
Recent evidence argues that the oncogenesis and growth of CNS tumors occurs through dysregulated molecular and cellular mechanisms of neural development. New insights have emerged that have had a significant impact on both research and treatment of these cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott L Pomeroy
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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WNT/β-catenin pathway activation in Myc immortalised cerebellar progenitor cells inhibits neuronal differentiation and generates tumours resembling medulloblastoma. Br J Cancer 2012; 107:1144-52. [PMID: 22929883 PMCID: PMC3461168 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2012.377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant childhood brain tumour. Aberrant activation of the WNT/β-catenin pathway occurs in approximately 25% of medulloblastomas. However, its role in medulloblastoma pathogenesis is not understood. Methods: We have developed a model of WNT/β-catenin pathway-activated medulloblastoma. Pathway activation was induced in a Myc immortalised cerebellar progenitor cell line through stable expression of Wnt1. In vitro and in vivo analysis was undertaken to understand the effect of pathway activation and identify the potential cell of origin. Results: Tumours that histologically resembled classical medulloblastoma formed in vivo using cells overexpressing Wnt1, but not with the control cell line. Wnt1 overexpression inhibited neuronal differentiation in vitro, suggesting WNT/β-catenin pathway activation prevents cells terminally differentiating, maintaining them in a more ‘stem-like’ state. Analysis of cerebellar progenitor cell markers demonstrated the cell line resembled cells from the cerebellar ventricular zone. Conclusion: We have developed a cell line with the means of orthotopically modelling WNT/β-catenin pathway-activated medulloblastoma. We provide evidence of the role pathway activation is playing in tumour pathogenesis and suggest medulloblastomas can arise from cells other than granule cell progenitors. This cell line is a valuable resource to further understand the role of pathway activation in tumorigenesis and for investigation of targeted therapies.
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Sonic hedgehog-associated medulloblastoma arising from the cochlear nuclei of the brainstem. Acta Neuropathol 2012; 123:601-14. [PMID: 22349907 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-012-0961-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is a malignant brain tumor of childhood that comprises at least four molecularly distinct subgroups. We have previously described that cerebellar granule neuron precursors may give rise to the subgroup with a molecular fingerprint of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling. Other recent data indicate that precursor cells within the dorsal brain stem may serve as cellular origins for Wnt-associated medulloblastomas. To see whether Shh-associated medulloblastomas are also able to develop in the dorsal brainstem, we analyzed two lines of transgenic mice with constitutive Shh signaling in hGFAP- and Math1-positive brainstem precursor populations, respectively. Our results show that in both of these lines, medulloblastomas arise from granule neuron precursors of the cochlear nuclei, a derivative of the auditory lower rhombic lip. This region is distinct from derivatives of precerebellar lower rhombic lip where medulloblastomas arise in mice with constitutive-active Wnt signaling. With respect to their histology and the expression of appropriate markers, Shh tumors from the murine cochlear nuclei perfectly resemble human Shh-associated medulloblastomas. Moreover, we find that in a series of 63 human desmoplastic medulloblastomas, 21 (33%) have a very close contact to the cochlear nuclei on MR imaging. In conclusion, we demonstrate that precursors of the murine rhombic lip, which either develop into cerebellar or into cochlear granule neurons, may give rise to Shh-associated medulloblastoma, and this has important implications for the cellular origin of human medulloblastomas.
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21
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Rausch T, Jones DTW, Zapatka M, Stütz AM, Zichner T, Weischenfeldt J, Jäger N, Remke M, Shih D, Northcott PA, Pfaff E, Tica J, Wang Q, Massimi L, Witt H, Bender S, Pleier S, Cin H, Hawkins C, Beck C, von Deimling A, Hans V, Brors B, Eils R, Scheurlen W, Blake J, Benes V, Kulozik AE, Witt O, Martin D, Zhang C, Porat R, Merino DM, Wasserman J, Jabado N, Fontebasso A, Bullinger L, Rücker FG, Döhner K, Döhner H, Koster J, Molenaar JJ, Versteeg R, Kool M, Tabori U, Malkin D, Korshunov A, Taylor MD, Lichter P, Pfister SM, Korbel JO. Genome sequencing of pediatric medulloblastoma links catastrophic DNA rearrangements with TP53 mutations. Cell 2012; 148:59-71. [PMID: 22265402 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 630] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2011] [Revised: 12/06/2011] [Accepted: 12/07/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Genomic rearrangements are thought to occur progressively during tumor development. Recent findings, however, suggest an alternative mechanism, involving massive chromosome rearrangements in a one-step catastrophic event termed chromothripsis. We report the whole-genome sequencing-based analysis of a Sonic-Hedgehog medulloblastoma (SHH-MB) brain tumor from a patient with a germline TP53 mutation (Li-Fraumeni syndrome), uncovering massive, complex chromosome rearrangements. Integrating TP53 status with microarray and deep sequencing-based DNA rearrangement data in additional patients reveals a striking association between TP53 mutation and chromothripsis in SHH-MBs. Analysis of additional tumor entities substantiates a link between TP53 mutation and chromothripsis, and indicates a context-specific role for p53 in catastrophic DNA rearrangements. Among these, we observed a strong association between somatic TP53 mutations and chromothripsis in acute myeloid leukemia. These findings connect p53 status and chromothripsis in specific tumor types, providing a genetic basis for understanding particularly aggressive subtypes of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Rausch
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstr. 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
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Haldipur P, Bharti U, Govindan S, Sarkar C, Iyengar S, Gressens P, Mani S. Expression of Sonic hedgehog during cell proliferation in the human cerebellum. Stem Cells Dev 2011; 21:1059-68. [PMID: 21732818 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2011.0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulation of cell proliferation in the external granular layer (EGL) of the developing cerebellum is important for its normal patterning. An important signal that regulates EGL cell proliferation is Sonic hedgehog (Shh). Shh is secreted by the Purkinje cells (PC) and has a mitogenic effect on the granule cell precursors of the EGL. Deregulation of Shh signaling has been associated with abnormal development, and been implicated in medulloblastomas, which are tumors that arise from the cerebellum. Given the importance of the Shh pathway in cerebellum development and disease, there has been no systematic study of its expression pattern during human cerebellum development. In this study, we describe the expression pattern of Shh, its receptor patched, smoothened, and its effectors that belong to the Gli family of transcription factors, during normal human cerebellum development from 10 weeks of gestational age, and in medulloblastomas that represents a case of abnormal cell proliferation in the cerebellum. This expression pattern is compared to equivalent stages in the normal development of cerebellum in mouse, as well as in tumors. Important differences between human and mouse that reflect differences in the normal developmental program between the 2 species are observed. First, in humans there appears to be a stage of Shh signaling within the EGL, when the PC are not yet the source of Shh. Second, unlike in the postnatal mouse cerebellum, expression of Shh in the PC in the postnatal human cerebellum is downregulated. Finally, medulloblastomas in the human but not in patched heterozygote mouse express Shh. These results highlight cross-species differences in the regulation of the Shh signaling pathway.
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Rutkowski S, von Hoff K, Emser A, Zwiener I, Pietsch T, Figarella-Branger D, Giangaspero F, Ellison DW, Garre ML, Biassoni V, Grundy RG, Finlay JL, Dhall G, Raquin MA, Grill J. Survival and prognostic factors of early childhood medulloblastoma: an international meta-analysis. J Clin Oncol 2010; 28:4961-8. [PMID: 20940197 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2010.30.2299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the prognostic role of clinical parameters and histology in early childhood medulloblastoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Clinical and histologic data from 270 children younger than age 5 years diagnosed with medulloblastoma between March 1987 and July 2004 and treated within prospective trials of five national study groups were centrally analyzed. RESULTS Two hundred sixty children with medulloblastoma and specified histologic subtype were eligible for analysis (median age, 1.89 years; median follow-up, 8.0 years). Rates for 8-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 55% and 76%, respectively, in 108 children with desmoplastic/nodular medulloblastoma (DNMB) or medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity (MBEN); 27% and 42%, respectively, in 145 children with classic medulloblastoma (CMB); and 14% and 14%, respectively, in seven children with large-cell/anaplastic (LC/A) medulloblastoma (P < .001). Histology (DNMB/MBEN: hazard ratio [HR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.64; LC/A medulloblastoma: HR, 2.27; 95% CI, 0.95 to 5.54; P < .001 compared with CMB), incomplete resection and metastases (M0R1: HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.29 to 2.80; M+: HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.50 to 3.46; P < .001 compared with M0R0), and national group were independent prognostic factors for EFS, and OS. The HRs for OS ranged from 0.14 for localized M0 and DNMB/MBEN to 13.67 for metastatic LC/A medulloblastoma in different national groups. CONCLUSION Our results confirm the high frequency of desmoplastic variants of medulloblastomas in early childhood and histopathology as a strong independent prognostic factor. A controlled de-escalation of treatment may be appropriate for young children with DNMB and MBEN in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Rutkowski
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hamburg, Germany.
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Childhood medulloblastoma: novel approaches to the classification of a heterogeneous disease. Acta Neuropathol 2010; 120:305-16. [PMID: 20652577 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-010-0726-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2010] [Revised: 07/12/2010] [Accepted: 07/12/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Increasing recognition of pediatric medulloblastoma as a heterogeneous disease, with histopathological and molecular variants that have distinct biological behaviors, will impact how the disease is classified and treated. A combination of clinicopathological evaluation and assays based on molecular subgroups of disease will allow stratification of patients into risk groups and a more tailored approach to therapy. Patients with low-risk disease could be treated with de-escalated adjuvant therapy to maximize cure while reducing long-term adverse effects, and novel therapies could be sought for patients with high-risk disease. My review encompasses a brief overview of the clinical landscape, the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification of medulloblastoma, the status of molecular subgroups, and how potential stratification schemes might impact pathologists and their practice.
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25
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Küchler J, Hartmann W, Waha A, Koch A, Endl E, Wurst P, Kindler D, Mikeska T, Waha A, Goodyer CG, Büttner R, Schilling K, Pietsch T. p75NTR induces apoptosis in medulloblastoma cells. Int J Cancer 2010; 128:1804-12. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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26
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Swartling FJ, Grimmer MR, Hackett CS, Northcott PA, Fan QW, Goldenberg DD, Lau J, Masic S, Nguyen K, Yakovenko S, Zhe XN, Gilmer HCF, Collins R, Nagaoka M, Phillips JJ, Jenkins RB, Tihan T, Vandenberg SR, James CD, Tanaka K, Taylor MD, Weiss WA, Chesler L. Pleiotropic role for MYCN in medulloblastoma. Genes Dev 2010; 24:1059-72. [PMID: 20478998 DOI: 10.1101/gad.1907510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood. Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling drives a minority of MB, correlating with desmoplastic pathology and favorable outcome. The majority, however, arises independently of SHH and displays classic or large cell anaplastic (LCA) pathology and poor prognosis. To identify common signaling abnormalities, we profiled mRNA, demonstrating misexpression of MYCN in the majority of human MB and negligible expression in normal cerebella. We clarified a role in pathogenesis by targeting MYCN (and luciferase) to cerebella of transgenic mice. MYCN-driven MB showed either classic or LCA pathologies, with Shh signaling activated in approximately 5% of tumors, demonstrating that MYCN can drive MB independently of Shh. MB arose at high penetrance, consistent with a role for MYCN in initiation. Tumor burden correlated with bioluminescence, with rare metastatic spread to the leptomeninges, suggesting roles for MYCN in both progression and metastasis. Transient pharmacological down-regulation of MYCN led to both clearance and senescence of tumor cells, and improved survival. Targeted expression of MYCN thus contributes to initiation, progression, and maintenance of MB, suggesting a central role for MYCN in pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik J Swartling
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
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27
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Blom T, Roselli A, Häyry V, Tynninen O, Wartiovaara K, Korja M, Nordfors K, Haapasalo H, Nupponen NN. Amplification and overexpression of KIT, PDGFRA, and VEGFR2 in medulloblastomas and primitive neuroectodermal tumors. J Neurooncol 2009; 97:217-24. [PMID: 19779861 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-009-0014-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2009] [Accepted: 09/14/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastomas (MB) and primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) are the most common malignant brain tumors in children. These two tumor types are histologically similar, but have different genetic backgrounds and clinical outcomes. Other brain tumors, such as gliomas, frequently have coamplification and overexpression of receptor tyrosine kinases KIT, platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). We investigated protein expression and gene copy numbers of KIT, PDGFRA, and VEGFR2 in 41 MB and 11 PNET samples by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). KIT and PDGFRA expression was detected in both MBs and PNETs, whereas VEGFR2 expression was weak in these tumors. KIT, PDGFRA, and VEGFR2 amplifications were all present in 4% of MBs/PNETs, and KIT amplification was associated with concurrent PDGFRA and VEGFR2 amplifications (P <or= 0.001). Most strikingly, increased gene copy number of PDGFRA was associated with poor overall survival (P = 0.027). We suggest that coamplification of PDGFRA or VEGFR2 with KIT may be clinically useful novel molecular markers in MBs and PNETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Blom
- Molecular Cancer Biology Program, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, P.O. Box 63, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland.
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MicroRNA-199b-5p impairs cancer stem cells through negative regulation of HES1 in medulloblastoma. PLoS One 2009; 4:e4998. [PMID: 19308264 PMCID: PMC2656623 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2008] [Accepted: 02/23/2009] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Through negative regulation of gene expression, microRNAs (miRNAs) can function in cancers as oncosuppressors, and they can show altered expression in various tumor types. Here we have investigated medulloblastoma tumors (MBs), which arise from an early impairment of developmental processes in the cerebellum, where Notch signaling is involved in many cell-fate-determining stages. MBs occur bimodally, with the peak incidence seen between 3–4 years and 8–9 years of age, although it can also occur in adults. Notch regulates a subset of the MB cells that have stem-cell-like properties and can promote tumor growth. On the basis of this evidence, we hypothesized that miRNAs targeting the Notch pathway can regulated these phenomena, and can be used in anti-cancer therapies. Methodology/Principal Findings In a screening of MB cell lines, the miRNA miR-199b-5p was seen to be a regulator of the Notch pathway through its targeting of the transcription factor HES1. Down-regulation of HES1 expression by miR-199b-5p negatively regulates the proliferation rate and anchorage-independent growth of MB cells. MiR-199b-5p over-expression blocks expression of several cancer stem-cell genes, impairs the engrafting potential of MB cells in the cerebellum of athymic/nude mice, and of particular interest, decreases the MB stem-cell-like (CD133+) subpopulation of cells. In our analysis of 61 patients with MB, the expression of miR-199b-5p in the non-metastatic cases was significantly higher than in the metastatic cases (P = 0.001). Correlation with survival for these patients with high levels of miR-199b expression showed a positive trend to better overall survival than for the low-expressing patients. These data showing the down-regulation of miR-199b-5p in metastatic MBs suggest a potential silencing mechanism through epigenetic or genetic alterations. Upon induction of de-methylation using 5-aza-deoxycytidine, lower miR-199b-5p expression was seen in a panel of MB cell lines, supported an epigenetic mechanism of regulation. Furthermore, two cell lines (Med8a and UW228) showed significant up-regulation of miR-199b-5p upon treatment. Infection with MB cells in an induced xenograft model in the mouse cerebellum and the use of an adenovirus carrying miR-199b-5p indicate a clinical benefit through this negative influence of miR-199b-5p on tumor growth and on the subset of MB stem-cell-like cells, providing further proof of concept. Conclusions/Significance Despite advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of MB, one-third of these patients remain incurable and current treatments can significantly damage long-term survivors. Here we show that miR-199b-5p expression correlates with metastasis spread, identifying a new molecular marker for a poor-risk class in patients with MB. We further show that in a xenograft model, MB tumor burden can be reduced, indicating the use of miR199b-5p as an adjuvant therapy after surgery, in combination with radiation and chemotherapy, for the improvement of anti-cancer MB therapies and patient quality of life. To date, this is the first report that expression of a miRNA can deplete the tumor stem cells, indicating an interesting therapeutic approach for the targeting of these cells in brain tumors.
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Brandes AA, Franceschi E, Tosoni A, Reni M, Gatta G, Vecht C, Kortmann RD. Adult neuroectodermal tumors of posterior fossa (medulloblastoma) and of supratentorial sites (stPNET). Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2009; 71:165-79. [PMID: 19303318 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2009.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2008] [Revised: 01/28/2009] [Accepted: 02/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma and supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors are rare diseases in adults. Due to this rarity, few prospective clinical trials have been conducted on medulloblastoma in adults, investigations being based exclusively on retrospective studies; the populations considered in literature are small, and the different treatments given span decades, during which diagnostic procedures, neurosurgical skills and radiotherapy techniques have changed. Unlike pediatric patients, adult medulloblastoma patients have been treated according to risk-adapted therapeutic strategies in only a few series and despite risk-tailored treatments, 20-30% of patients experience recurrence. Although patients could respond to second line treatments, the prognosis of relapsed patients remains dismal. An important challenge for the future will be the biological characterization of medulloblastoma, with the identification of specific genetic patterns of patients with a better or a worse prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba A Brandes
- Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda USL-Bellaria-Maggiore Hospital Bologna, Italy.
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Garrè ML, Cama A, Bagnasco F, Morana G, Giangaspero F, Brisigotti M, Gambini C, Forni M, Rossi A, Haupt R, Nozza P, Barra S, Piatelli G, Viglizzo G, Capra V, Bruno W, Pastorino L, Massimino M, Tumolo M, Fidani P, Dallorso S, Schumacher RF, Milanaccio C, Pietsch T. Medulloblastoma variants: age-dependent occurrence and relation to Gorlin syndrome--a new clinical perspective. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:2463-71. [PMID: 19276247 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-08-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to test the hypothesis that medulloblastoma (MB) variants show a different age distribution and clinical behavior reflecting their specific biology, and that MB occurring at very young age is associated with cancer predisposition syndromes such as Gorlin syndrome (GS). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We investigated the frequency, age distribution, location, response to treatment, outcome, and association with familial cancer predisposition syndromes in a series of 82 cases of MB in patients ages <14 years diagnosed at the Giannina Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, between 1987 and 2004. RESULTS Desmoplastic MB and MB with extensive nodularity (MBEN), were present in 22 of 82 cases (27%) and were more frequent in children ages <or=3 years (13 of 25; 52%). In this age group, MBEN was significantly more frequent than desmoplastic MB and classic MB (P < 0.001) and had a good prognosis. MBEN was associated with GS in 5 of 12 cases. Overall, 8 cases occurred in the context of familial tumor predisposition syndromes (5 GS, 1 each NF1, Li-Fraumeni, and Fragile X) and 7 of these patients were ages <or=3 years at diagnosis. Desmoplastic histology and a more intensive treatment represented independent favorable prognostic factors in multivariate analysis (P = 0.003 and P = 0.0139, respectively). Metastasis was a predictor of bad outcome (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that biologically different MB entities warrant risk-adapted treatment and that MBEN is strongly associated with GS. Patients, ages <or=3 years, with MB and their families should be investigated for tumor predisposition syndromes such as GS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Garrè
- Department of Scientific Direction, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
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Jankowski J, Miething A, Schilling K, Baader SL. Physiological Purkinje Cell Death Is Spatiotemporally Organized in the Developing Mouse Cerebellum. THE CEREBELLUM 2009; 8:277-90. [DOI: 10.1007/s12311-009-0093-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2008] [Accepted: 01/05/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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32
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Osawa H, Smith CA, Ra YS, Kongkham P, Rutka JT. The role of the membrane cytoskeleton cross-linker ezrin in medulloblastoma cells. Neuro Oncol 2008; 11:381-93. [PMID: 19088174 DOI: 10.1215/15228517-2008-110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is a highly malignant brain tumor that occurs predominantly in children. The molecular pathogenesis of medulloblastoma is under investigation. Previously, we used complementary DNA microarray analysis to compare patterns of gene expression in medulloblastoma samples versus normal cerebellum. The cytoskeletal protein ezrin was found to be overexpressed in medulloblastoma compared with normal cerebellum, an observation that was further validated by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR analysis. To assess the role of ezrin in medulloblastoma, we studied ezrin's role in medulloblastoma migration, invasion, and adhesion. Western blotting and immunofluorescence showed high expression of ezrin in four medulloblastoma cell lines, and ezrin was primarily localized to filopodia. Ezrin-specific small interfering RNA suppressed the formation of filopodia and in vitro migration, invasion, and adhesion. We also used a stably transfected medulloblastoma cell line to study the effect of ezrin overexpression. We showed that high expression of ezrin promotes filopodia formation and in vitro invasion. Finally, athymic mice implanted with ezrin-overexpressing DAOY medullo-blastoma cell clones in the cerebellum showed shortened survival compared with controls. These findings suggest that, in addition to other cytoskeletal proteins, ezrin plays an important role in medulloblastoma adhesion, migration, and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirokatsu Osawa
- Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ONM5G 1X8, Canada
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Barnes M, Eberhart CG, Collins R, Tihan T. Expression of p75NTR in fetal brain and medulloblastomas: evidence of a precursor cell marker and its persistence in neoplasia. J Neurooncol 2008; 92:193-201. [PMID: 19066726 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-008-9755-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2008] [Accepted: 11/17/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, and plays a significant role in nervous system development. p75NTR has a dual (proliferative/apoptotic) role in neurogenesis and binds pro-neurotrophins with high affinity. Recent work suggests p75NTR is overexpressed in the developing cerebellum and in nodular/desmoplastic medulloblastomas. We analyzed p75NTR expression in various parts of the fetal and adult human central nervous system, and in 75 patients with medulloblastomas. The expression of p75NTR in the fetal brain was seen solely within the external granular layer with weaker expression in the Purkinje layer, which most likely represents Purkinje cell staining. The staining was present in gestational weeks 20-40, while no staining was identified elsewhere in the fetal brain or within the adult cerebellum. p75NTR positive cells were also positive with the proliferation marker ki-67, but were negative for ret, reelin, CD133, CD34, and cleaved caspase 3. Nine of 75 medulloblastomas (12%) were also showed positive immunostaining for p75NTR. The staining was seen in four classic, two desmoplastic, and three anaplastic medulloblastomas. The persistence of p75NTR in a small group of medulloblastomas raises the possibility that in such tumors, the receptor could be a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Barnes
- Department of Pathology, UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Yang ZJ, Ellis T, Markant SL, Read TA, Kessler JD, Bourboulas M, Schüller U, Machold R, Fishell G, Rowitch DH, Wainwright BJ, Wechsler-Reya RJ. Medulloblastoma can be initiated by deletion of Patched in lineage-restricted progenitors or stem cells. Cancer Cell 2008; 14:135-45. [PMID: 18691548 PMCID: PMC2538687 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2008.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 496] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2008] [Revised: 06/04/2008] [Accepted: 07/07/2008] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children, but the cells from which it arises remain unclear. Here we examine the origin of medulloblastoma resulting from mutations in the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway. We show that activation of Shh signaling in neuronal progenitors causes medulloblastoma by 3 months of age. Shh pathway activation in stem cells promotes stem cell proliferation but only causes tumors after commitment to-and expansion of-the neuronal lineage. Notably, tumors initiated in stem cells develop more rapidly than those initiated in progenitors, with all animals succumbing by 3-4 weeks. These studies suggest that medulloblastoma can be initiated in progenitors or stem cells but that Shh-induced tumorigenesis is associated with neuronal lineage commitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeng-Jie Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Tammy Ellis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Shirley L. Markant
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Tracy-Ann Read
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jessica D. Kessler
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Melissa Bourboulas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 23, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Robert Machold
- Smilow Neuroscience Program and Department of Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Gord Fishell
- Smilow Neuroscience Program and Department of Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - David H. Rowitch
- Institute for Regeneration Medicine and Division of Neonatology, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA
| | - Brandon J. Wainwright
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
- *Correspondence: or
| | - Robert J. Wechsler-Reya
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- *Correspondence: or
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Schüller U, Heine VM, Mao J, Kho AT, Dillon AK, Han YG, Huillard E, Sun T, Ligon AH, Qian Y, Ma Q, Alvarez-Buylla A, McMahon AP, Rowitch DH, Ligon KL. Acquisition of granule neuron precursor identity is a critical determinant of progenitor cell competence to form Shh-induced medulloblastoma. Cancer Cell 2008; 14:123-34. [PMID: 18691547 PMCID: PMC2597270 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2008.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 476] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2008] [Revised: 06/03/2008] [Accepted: 07/10/2008] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Whether the brain tumor medulloblastoma originates from stem cells or restricted progenitor cells is unclear. To investigate this, we activated oncogenic Hedgehog (Hh) signaling in multipotent and lineage-restricted central nervous system (CNS) progenitors. We observed that normal unipotent cerebellar granule neuron precursors (CGNPs) derive from hGFAP(+) and Olig2(+) rhombic lip progenitors. Hh activation in a spectrum of early- and late-stage CNS progenitors generated similar medulloblastomas, but not other brain cancers, indicating that acquisition of CGNP identity is essential for tumorigenesis. We show in human and mouse medulloblastoma that cells expressing the glia-associated markers Gfap and Olig2 are neoplastic and retain features of embryonic-type granule lineage progenitors. Thus, oncogenic Hh signaling promotes medulloblastoma from lineage-restricted granule cell progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Schüller
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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36
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de Bont JM, Packer RJ, Michiels EM, den Boer ML, Pieters R. Biological background of pediatric medulloblastoma and ependymoma: a review from a translational research perspective. Neuro Oncol 2008; 10:1040-60. [PMID: 18676356 DOI: 10.1215/15228517-2008-059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Survival rates of pediatric brain tumor patients have significantly improved over the years due to developments in diagnostic techniques, neurosurgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and supportive care. However, brain tumors are still an important cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Prognosis is still highly dependent on clinical characteristics, such as the age of the patient, tumor type, stage, and localization, but increased knowledge about the genetic and biological features of these tumors is being obtained and might be useful to further improve outcome for these patients. It has become clear that the deregulation of signaling pathways essential in brain development, for example, sonic hedgehog (SHH), Wnt, and Notch pathways, plays an important role in pathogenesis and biological behavior, especially for medulloblastomas. More recently, data have become available about the cells of origin of brain tumors and the possible existence of brain tumor stem cells. Newly developed array-based techniques for studying gene expression, protein expression, copy number aberrations, and epigenetic events have led to the identification of other potentially important biological abnormalities in pediatric medulloblastomas and ependymomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M de Bont
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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37
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Abstract
Medulloblastoma and other embronal brain tumors are similar in appearance and differentiation potential to neural stem and progenitor cells. Expression studies performed using human tumor samples, as well as the analysis of murine transgenic models, suggest that both multipotent cerebellar stem cells and lineage-restricted progenitors of the external germinal layer can be transformed into medulloblastoma by genetic alterations. These molecular changes frequently involve constitutive activation of signaling pathways such as Wnt, Hedgehog, and Notch, which play a key role in non-neoplastic neural stem cells. Pharmacologic blockade of the Hedgehog and Notch pathways suppresses the growth of medulloblastoma in culture and in vivo and may prove effective in targeting the small cancer stem-cell subpopulation required for tumor initiation and long-term propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Fan
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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38
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Gilbertson RJ, Ellison DW. The origins of medulloblastoma subtypes. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2008; 3:341-65. [PMID: 18039127 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.pathmechdis.3.121806.151518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Childhood tumors containing cells that are morphologically and functionally similar to normal progenitor cells provide fertile ground for investigating the links between development and cancer. In this respect, integrated studies of normal cerebellar development and the medulloblastoma, a malignant embryonal tumor of the cerebellum, have proven especially fruitful. Emerging evidence indicates that the different precursor cell populations that form the cerebellum and the cell signaling pathways that regulate its development likely represent distinct compartments from which the various subtypes of medulloblastoma arise. Definitive characterization of each medulloblastoma subtype will undoubtedly improve treatment of this disease and provide important insights to the origins of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Gilbertson
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
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Mitchell DA, Xie W, Schmittling R, Learn C, Friedman A, McLendon RE, Sampson JH. Sensitive detection of human cytomegalovirus in tumors and peripheral blood of patients diagnosed with glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2007; 10:10-8. [PMID: 17951512 DOI: 10.1215/15228517-2007-035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been described to be associated with several human malignancies, though the frequency of detection remains controversial. It is unclear whether HCMV plays an active role in malignant tumor progression or becomes reactivated under pathologic conditions that result in chronic inflammation or immunosuppression. In this study, we report on the investigation of detecting HCMV in the tumors and peripheral blood of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and polymerase chain reaction amplification of viral DNA, the detection of HCMV was investigated in tumor and blood specimens from patients with GBM as well as in the peripheral blood of normal volunteers and patients undergoing craniotomy for diagnoses other than GBM. We found that a high percentage (>90%) of GBM tumors, not surrounding normal brain, are associated with HCMV nucleic acids and proteins. Furthermore, a significant proportion of patients (80%) with newly diagnosed GBM have detectable HCMV DNA in their peripheral blood, while sero-positive normal donors and other surgical patients did not exhibit detectable virus, suggesting either a systemic reactivation of HCMV within patients with GBM or shedding of viral DNA from infected tumor cells into the periphery. These results confirm the association of HCMV with malignant gliomas and demonstrate that subclinical HCMV viremia (presence of viral DNA in blood without clinical symptoms of infection) is a previously unrecognized disease spectrum in patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duane A Mitchell
- Duke University Medical Center, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery,Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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40
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Salsano E, Croci L, Maderna E, Lupo L, Pollo B, Giordana MT, Consalez GG, Finocchiaro G. Expression of the neurogenic basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor NEUROG1 identifies a subgroup of medulloblastomas not expressing ATOH1. Neuro Oncol 2007; 9:298-307. [PMID: 17522332 PMCID: PMC1907423 DOI: 10.1215/15228517-2007-014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To gain insight into the lineage of origin of medulloblastomas, the mRNA expression of NEUROG1, a gene encoding a proneural transcription factor transiently detected during nervous system development, was investigated in 27 human medulloblastomas characterized for mRNA expression of ATOH1, a marker of cerebellar granule precursors and corresponding medulloblastomas. Expression of Ngn1, the mouse homolog of NEUROG1, was also analyzed in the mouse cerebellar primordium. In addition, we studied mRNA expression of GLI1 as a marker of the SHH pathway activation, and nuclear beta-catenin staining, beta-catenin mutations, and mRNA expression of MYC as indicators of the WNT pathway status. In 15 cases, we also examined expression of OTX2, a transcription factor recently indicated as a positive marker of medulloblastomas originating from cerebellar granule precursors. The mRNA expression of NEUROG1 and Ngn1 was selectively found in medulloblastomas not expressing ATOH1 and in progenitors of the cerebellar ventricular zone, respectively. GLI1 transcript was expressed in medulloblastomas with ATOH1 transcript, whereas high levels of MYC transcript were unrelated to NEUROG1 or ATOH1 expression. No clear association between MYC overexpression and nuclear beta-catenin staining was found. Finally, OTX2 mRNA was expressed in all medulloblastomas with NEUROG1 transcript, but also in a subset of these malignancies with ATOH1 transcript. These observations may help to define the lineage of origin of medulloblastomas, and support a role for ATOH1 and NEUROG1 in the classification of these malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Salsano
- Unit of Experimental Neuro-Oncology, Carlo Besta Neurological Institute Foundation, via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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Eberhart CG. In search of the medulloblast: neural stem cells and embryonal brain tumors. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2007; 18:59-69, viii-ix. [PMID: 17244554 DOI: 10.1016/j.nec.2006.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastomas have a cellular and molecular phenotype similar in many ways to that of neural stem cells. Indeed, it has long been believed that a medulloblastoma can arise from transformed neural stem cells. Recent analyses of murine transgenic lines has confirmed that cells of the external germinal layer (EGL) can be transformed into a medulloblastoma, generally in association with activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Stem or progenitor cell populations outside the EGL, however, are also likely the cells of origin for a subset of medulloblastomas. Many nonnodular tumors, for example, express markers suggesting that they derive from the ventricular zone germinal layer and show evidence of Wnt pathway activation. Understanding the role of developmental signaling pathways, such as Hedgehog and Wnt, in the initiation and growth of embryonal brain tumors may lead to novel therapies for these highly malignant lesions. In addition, because such pathways are required in neural stem cells, their blockade may prove particularly effective in ablating the stem-like cells within medulloblastomas that are critical for tumor propagation. In support of this concept, inhibition of a third pathway important in stem cells, Notch, seems to deplete the stem-like tumor fraction and block formation of xenografts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles G Eberhart
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Ross Building 558, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Abstract
Although neurotrophins of the nerve growth factor (NGF) family are best known for their neurite outgrowth-inducing and survival-promoting effects on neuronal cells, these are actually pleiotropic growth factors acting physiologically on many different cell types of our body. As for many other growth factors, dysregulation of neurotrophin signal transduction is found in a number of tumors where they can accompany or contribute to malignant transformation. Interestingly, tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk) receptor activation can either support or suppress tumor growth, depending on the tumor type. These same divergent responses have been observed with neurotrophins binding to the p75NTR neurotrophin receptor on tumor cells. This article summarizes the current knowledge on the role of neurotrophins and their receptors in malignancies, with special focus on tumors of neuropathological interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Krüttgen
- Institute for Neuropathology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
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Abstract
Tremendous strides have been made in both the treatment and the biologic understanding of medulloblastoma. Present optimal treatment can cure most medulloblastoma patients. A substantial minority of patients, however, will have recurrent or progressive disease. Recent studies have demonstrated that the success of treatment is not simply a matter of chance, but rather can be predicted based on specific biologic markers. These markers predict outcome independent of clinical staging and make clear that medulloblastomas are a biologically diverse group of tumors with variable clinical behavior. Molecular biologic investigation, including replication of tumorigenesis in transgenic mice, has further elucidated the complex biology of medulloblastoma. Current standard and investigational treatments, however, do not yet make use of biologic markers that predict risk of recurrence. Practical limitations have slowed the pace at which treatment paradigms can be revised to incorporate biologic insights. Mouse medulloblastoma models may provide an important bridge between biologic investigation and the development of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R Gershon
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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Tamber MS, Bansal K, Liang ML, Mainprize TG, Salhia B, Northcott P, Taylor M, Rutka JT. Current concepts in the molecular genetics of pediatric brain tumors: implications for emerging therapies. Childs Nerv Syst 2006; 22:1379-94. [PMID: 16951964 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-006-0187-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2006] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The revolution in molecular biology that has taken place over the past 2 decades has provided researchers with new and powerful tools for detailed study of the molecular mechanisms giving rise to the spectrum of pediatric brain tumors. Application of these tools has greatly advanced our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of these lesions. REVIEW After familiarizing readers with some promising new techniques in the field of oncogenomics, this review will present the current state of knowledge as it pertains to the molecular biology of pediatric brain neoplasms. Along the way, we hope to highlight specific instances where the detailed mechanistic knowledge acquired thus far may be exploited for therapeutic advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandeep S Tamber
- Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
The histological classification of brain tumors currently is based on the morphological appearance and protein expression patterns that reflect specific cell types within the central nervous system. Recent studies have suggested that the cells of origin for brain tumors may persist in the fully formed tumors, and that these "cancer stem cells" might represent the relevant cellular targets for anticancer therapy. In this regard, insights into the developmental neurobiology of brain tumors has significant impact on our understanding of the molecular and cellular pathogenesis of these devastating cancers, as well as the development of new strategies for treating brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy-Ann Read
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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de Haas T, Oussoren E, Grajkowska W, Perek-Polnik M, Popovic M, Zadravec-Zaletel L, Perera M, Corte G, Wirths O, van Sluis P, Pietsch T, Troost D, Baas F, Versteeg R, Kool M. OTX1 and OTX2 Expression Correlates With the Clinicopathologic Classification of Medulloblastomas. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2006; 65:176-86. [PMID: 16462208 DOI: 10.1097/01.jnen.0000199576.70923.8a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OTX1 and OTX2 are transcription factors with an essential role in the development of the cerebellum. We previously described a high OTX2 expression in medulloblastoma. Here, we analyzed amplification and mRNA expression of OTX1 and OTX2 in a series of human medulloblastomas. In addition, OTX2 protein expression was analyzed on tissue arrays. The OTX2 gene was amplified in the medulloblastoma cell line D425 and mRNA and protein data showed expression in 114 of 152 medulloblastomas (75%), but not in postnatal cerebellum. Northern blot (n = 10) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (n = 45) analyses demonstrated that virtually all medulloblastomas expressed OTX1, OTX2, or both. OTX2 mRNA expression correlated with a classic medulloblastoma histology (29 of 34 cases), whereas expression of OTX1 mRNA only was correlated with a nodular/desmoplastic histology (9 of 11 cases). Immunohistochemical analysis of a series of classic medulloblastomas detected OTX2 protein expression in 83 of 107 (78%) cases. The OTX2-positive tumors of this series were preferentially localized in the vermis of the cerebellum, whereas OTX2-negative tumors more frequently occurred in the hemispheres of the cerebellum. In addition, OTX2-positive tumors were mainly found in children, but OTX2-negative tumors occurred in 2 patient groups: very young patients (<5 years) and adults (>20 years). Nodular/desmoplastic medulloblastomas are thought to arise from the external granular layer (EGL). However, it is unclear whether classic medulloblastomas also originate from the EGL or from the ventricular matrix. Analysis of human fetal brain showed OTX2 protein expression in a small number of presumptive neuronal precursor cells of the EGL, but not in precursor cells of the ventricular matrix. Combined with data from rodents, our results therefore suggest that both nodular/desmoplastic and at least part of the classic medulloblastomas originate from cells of the EGL, albeit from different regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talitha de Haas
- Department of Human Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Ehrbrecht A, Müller U, Wolter M, Hoischen A, Koch A, Radlwimmer B, Actor B, Mincheva A, Pietsch T, Lichter P, Reifenberger G, Weber RG. Comprehensive genomic analysis of desmoplastic medulloblastomas: identification of novel amplified genes and separate evaluation of the different histological components. J Pathol 2006; 208:554-63. [PMID: 16400626 DOI: 10.1002/path.1925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Desmoplastic medulloblastoma (DMB) is a malignant cerebellar tumour composed of two distinct tissue components, pale islands and desmoplastic areas. Previous studies revealed mutations in genes encoding members of the sonic hedgehog pathway, including PTCH, SMOH and SUFUH in DMBs. However, little is known about other genomic aberrations. We performed comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis of 22 sporadic DMBs and identified chromosomal imbalances in 20 tumours (91%; mean, 4.9 imbalances/tumour). Recurrent chromosomal gains were found on chromosomes 3, 9 (six tumours each), 20, 22 (five tumours each), 2, 6, 7, 17 (four tumours each) and 1 (three tumours). Recurrent losses involved chromosomes X (eight tumours), Y (six of eleven tumours from male patients), 9, 12 (four tumours each), as well as 10, 13 and 17 (three tumours each). Four tumours demonstrated high-level amplifications involving sequences from 1p22, 5p15, 9p, 12p13, 13q33-q34 and 17q22-q24, respectively. Further analysis of the 9p and 17q22-q24 amplicons by array-based CGH (matrix-CGH) and candidate gene analyses revealed amplification of JMJD2C at 9p24 in one DMB and amplification of RPS6KB1, APPBP2, PPM1D and BCAS3 from 17q23 in three DMBs. Among the 17q23 genes, RPS6KB1 showed markedly elevated transcript levels as compared to normal cerebellum in five of six DMBs and four of five classic medulloblastomas investigated. Finally, CGH analysis of microdissected pale islands and desmoplastic areas showed common chromosomal imbalances in five of six informative tumours. In summary, we have identified several novel genetic alterations in DMBs and provide genetic evidence for a monoclonal origin of their different tissue components.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ehrbrecht
- Institute of Human Genetics, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Wilhelmstrasse 31, D-53111 Bonn, Germany
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Lee CJ, Chan WI, Scotting PJ. CIC, a gene involved in cerebellar development and ErbB signaling, is significantly expressed in medulloblastomas. J Neurooncol 2005; 73:101-8. [PMID: 15981098 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-004-4598-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In children, the majority of brain tumors arise in the cerebellum. Medulloblastomas, the most common of these, are believed to originate from the granule cell lineage. We have recently identified a mammalian gene, capicua (Cic), the ortholog of a Drosophila gene implicated in c-erbB (Egfr) signaling, which is predominantly expressed during mouse granule cell development. Its expression in medulloblastoma is therefore of particular interest. In the present study the expression of human CIC in medulloblastoma was analyzed. In silico SAGE analysis demonstrated that medulloblastomas exhibited the highest level of CIC expression and expression was most common in tumors of the CNS in general. RT-PCR and in situ hybridization verified the expression of CIC in tumor cells, although the level of expression varied between different medulloblastoma subtypes. The expression of CIC did not correlate with other markers, such as neurofilament, GFAP and Mib-1. In postnatally developing cerebellum, in silico analysis and in situ hybridization both indicated a strong correlation between Cic expression and the maturation profile of cerebellar granule cell precursors. Expression of CIC is therefore a feature shared between immature granule cells and the tumors derived from them. Cic has been implicated as a mediator of ErbB signaling and this pathway has been associated with a poor prognosis for medulloblastomas. Therefore, further analysis of the role of Cic is likely to provide valuable insight into the biology of these tumors. Additionally, study of genes such as CIC should provide objective criteria by which, in combination with other markers and clinical data, to categorize these tumors into subgroups that might allow better allocation into specific treatment regimes.
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Fogarty MP, Kessler JD, Wechsler-Reya RJ. Morphing into cancer: the role of developmental signaling pathways in brain tumor formation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 64:458-75. [PMID: 16041741 DOI: 10.1002/neu.20166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Morphogens play a critical role in most aspects of development, including expansion and patterning of the central nervous system. Activating germline mutations in components of the Hedgehog and Wnt pathways have provided evidence for the important roles morphogens play in the genesis of brain tumors such as cerebellar medulloblastoma. In addition, aberrant expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily members has been demonstrated to contribute to progression of malignant gliomas. This review summarizes our current knowledge about the roles of morphogens in central nervous system tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie P Fogarty
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
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Schüller U, Koch A, Hartmann W, Garrè ML, Goodyer CG, Cama A, Sörensen N, Wiestler OD, Pietsch T. Subtype-specific expression and genetic alterations of the chemokinereceptor gene CXCR4 in medulloblastomas. Int J Cancer 2005; 117:82-9. [PMID: 15880586 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.21116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Recent findings indicate that the chemokine receptor Cxcr4 is essential for normal development of the cerebellar cortex. As medulloblastomas (MBs), the most common malignant brain tumors of childhood, are believed to arise from neuronal cerebellar precursors, we asked whether there is a potential role for Cxcr4 in the pathogenesis of MB. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry revealed expression of Cxcr4 in different variants of MBs. Whereas 18/20 classic MBs showed very low levels of CXCR4 mRNA, high amounts were expressed in 17/18 desmoplastic and 6/7 extensively nodular MBs. In addition, a significant correlation of high CXCR4 mRNA levels and presence of the neurotrophin receptor p75NTR or expression of ATOH1 and GLI1 suggests that CXCR4 is a reliable marker for tumors derived from the cerebellar external granular layer. Because Cxcr4 is important for migration and cell cycle control of granular precursors, we screened for mutations in the coding region by SSCP and gene sequencing. In a series of 90 MBs and 8 MB cell lines, we found one germline and one somatic mutation resulting in amino acid substitutions in the first (Ile53Leu) and second (Asp97Asn) transmembrane regions, respectively. These data suggest that Cxcr4 may be involved in the pathogenesis of MBs.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Amino Acid Substitution
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
- Cerebellar Neoplasms/classification
- Cerebellar Neoplasms/genetics
- Cerebellar Neoplasms/metabolism
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- DNA/genetics
- DNA Mutational Analysis
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Infant
- Medulloblastoma/classification
- Medulloblastoma/genetics
- Medulloblastoma/metabolism
- Middle Aged
- Mutation/genetics
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism
- Oncogene Proteins/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins/metabolism
- Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational
- RNA/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor
- Receptors, CXCR4/genetics
- Receptors, CXCR4/metabolism
- Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor/genetics
- Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Trans-Activators
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Schüller
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
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