Single-cell atlas of the developing brain to investigate the cellular origins of pediatric brain tumors
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
PROVIDER: EGAS00001003368 | EGA |
REPOSITORIES: EGA
Similar Datasets
Project description:Gene expression is finely regulated during development, and deregulation can lead to disease. In pediatric brain tumors (PBT), disruption of neurodevelopmental gene regulation programs are suspected to drive oncogenesis. However, the transcriptional landscape and genetic regulation processes of the healthy developing brain are not fully characterized, limiting our investigation of these tumors. We used single-cell RNA-sequencing to generate a transcriptomic atlas of >65,000 cells in the developing forebrain and pons in human and mouse, two regions where PBT commonly arise. We projected bulk RNA-seq profiles for a cohort of 198 PBT onto these cell types, followed by focused analysis of three PBT subtypes by single-cell profiling: WNT medulloblastoma, embryonal tumors with multilayered rosettes (ETMR), and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (ATRT). Altogether, we pinpoint stalled differentiation during developmental programs as a common etiological mechanism of PBT, providing a valuable resource to aid modeling and therapeutics.
2019-11-19 | GSE133531 | GEO
Project description:Intraocular medulloepithelioma (IO-MEPL) is a rare embryonal ocular neoplasm, prevalently occurring in children. IO-MEPL share histomorphological features with CNS embryonal tumors with multilayered rosettes (ETMR), referred to as intracranial medulloepitheliomas. While Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and WNT signaling pathways are crucial for ETMR pathogenesis, the impact of these pathways on human IO-MEPL development is unclear. Gene expression analyses of human embryonal tumor samples revealed similar gene expression patterns and significant overrepresentation of SHH and WNT target genes in both IO-MEPL and ETMR. In order to unravel the function of Shh and Wnt signaling for IO-MEPL pathogenesis in vivo, both pathways were activated in retinal precursor cells in a time point specific manner. Shh and Wnt co-activation in early Sox2- or Rax- expressing precursor cells resulted in infiltrative ocular lesions that displayed extraretinal expansion. Histomorphological, immunohistochemical and molecular features showed a strong concordance with human IO-MEPL. We demonstrate a relevant role of WNT and SHH signaling in IO-MEPL and report the first mouse model to generate tumor-like lesions with features of IO-MEPL. The presented data may be fundamental for comprehending IO-MEPL initiation and developing targeted therapeutic approaches.
2022-02-15 | PXD028697 | Pride
Project description:Medulloblastoma encompasses a collection of clinically and molecularly diverse tumor subtypes that together comprise the most common malignant childhood brain tumor. These tumors are thought to arise within the cerebellum, with approximately 25% originating from granule neuron precursor cells (GNPCs) following aberrant activation of the Sonic Hedgehog pathway (hereafter, SHH-subtype). The pathological processes that drive heterogeneity among the other medulloblastoma subtypes are not known, hindering the development of much needed new therapies. Here, we provide evidence that a discrete subtype of medulloblastoma that contains activating mutations in the WNT pathway effector CTNNB1 (hereafter, WNT-subtype), arises outside the cerebellum from cells of the dorsal brainstem. We found that genes marking human WNT-subtype medulloblastomas are more frequently expressed in the lower rhombic lip (LRL) and embryonic dorsal brainstem than in the upper rhombic lip (URL) and developing cerebellum. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intra-operative reports showed that human WNT-subtype tumors infiltrate the dorsal brainstem, while SHH-subtype tumors are located within the cerebellar hemispheres. Activating mutations in Ctnnb1 had little impact on progenitor cell populations in the cerebellum, but caused the abnormal accumulation of cells on the embryonic dorsal brainstem that included aberrantly proliferating Zic1+ precursor cells. These lesions persisted in all mutant adult mice and in 15% of cases in which Tp53 was concurrently deleted, progressed to form medulloblastomas that recapitulated the anatomy and gene expression profiles of human WNT-subtype medulloblastoma. We provide the first evidence that subtypes of medulloblastoma have distinct cellular origins. Our data provide an explanation for the marked molecular and clinical differences between SHH and WNT-subtype medulloblastomas and have profound implications for future research and treatment of this important childhood cancer. A total of 16 samples are analyzed, repsresenting 4 experimental groups: Ctnnb1 medulloblastoma (3 samples); Ptch1 medulloblastoma (6 samples); embryonic dorsal brainstem (4 samples); and postnatal granule neuron precursor cells (3 samples). Every sample was prepared from a different mouse.
2010-11-01 | E-GEOD-24628 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Gene expression data from this ETMR cell line was compared with gene expression data from primary ETMR tumors to search for potential drug targets in ETMR tumors.
2020-02-15 | GSE94985 | GEO
Project description:Embryonal tumors with multilayered rosettes (ETMR) are rare malignant embryonal brain tumors. The prognosis of ETMR is poor and novel therapeutic approaches are desperately needed. Comprehension of ETMR tumor biology is based on only few previous molecular studies, which mainly relied on the analyses of nucleic acids. In this study, we explored integrated ETMR proteomics with the aim to identify novel therapeutic vulnerabilities in these deadly tumors. Using mass spectrometry, proteome data were acquired from FFPE tissue of 40 embryonal brain tumors (16 ETMR, 9 atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT), 15 medulloblastomas (MB)) and integrated with case-matched global DNA methylation data, publicly available transcriptome data, and proteome data of further pediatric brain tumors. Proteome-based cluster analyses grouped ETMR samples according to histomorphology, separating neuropil-rich tumors with neuronal signatures from primitive tumors with signatures relating to stemness and chromosome organization. Microdissection analyses highlighted the close relationship of ETMR histomorphology and proteome profiles, regardless of intra- or intertumoral comparisons. Integrated proteomics showcased that ETMR harbor proteasome regulatory proteins in abundancy, implicating their strong dependency on the proteasome machinery to safeguard proteostasis. Respectively, in vitro cell culture viability assays using embryonal brain tumor cell lines BT183 (ETMR), BT16 (AT/RT), and D283 (MB) highlighted that ETMR cells were highly vulnerable towards treatment with the CNS penetrant proteasome inhibitor Marizomib. In summary, histomorphology stipulates the proteome signatures of ETMR. Pervasive and histomorphology-independent abundancy of proteasome regulatory proteins in ETMR indicates a strong proteasome dependency throughout these tumors. As validated in cell culture experiments, proteasome inhibition poses a promising therapeutic option in ETMR.
2024-01-08 | PXD045268 | Pride
Project description:We examined the transformation susceptibility of different cerebellar stem/progenitors by developing several new Group3 medulloblastoma murine models using orthotopic transplantation and in utero electroporation (EP)-based in vivo gene transfer with Cre/LoxP-mediated conditional Myc gene activation and loss of Trp53 function. We used microarrays to compared the transcriptome of these novel Group3 medulloblastoma mouse models to existing mouse models of medulloblastoma subgroups and used cross-species analysis to compare these models to human medulloblastoma subgroups This study aimed to investigate the cell of origin of Group3 MB using our orthotopical MYC model followed by a novel electroporation approach. Orthotopic cell-lineage specific MYC tumors were generated by enforced Myc expression in P6 GNPs isolated from P0-1 tamoxifen treated [Atoh1-CreER;Trp53fl/-] and [Prom1-CreER;Trp53fl/-] mice followed by cortical implants in immunocompromised mice. These tumors are referred to as Atoh1ER-MYC [dka072-075], Prom1-CreER [dka077-081]. The first Group3 MB models in which tumors developed in situ were generated by electroporation of plasmids containing Myc and dominant negative Trp53 flanked by loxP sites into the fourth ventricle of E13.5 Blbp-Cre [dka081, 087, 089, 090, 091 and blm121], Gad2-IRES-Cre [blm128-130 and blm134] and Ptf1a-Cre [blm135-137] mouse embryos. The gene expression profile of these tumors were compared to our previously published Group3 MB model as well as SHH and WNT models of medulloblastoma. For SHH subgroup medulloblastoma, [dka001-005, 009, 033 and 034] and [dka050-057], spontaneous medulloblastomas from [Cdkn2c-/-; Trp53Fl/Fl; Nestin-Cre] and [Cdkn2c-/-; Ptch1+/-] (Uziel et al.,2005 Genes Dev) were used, respectively. For Group3 medulloblastomas, [dka013-16, 049 and 065-067], in which Myc was overexpressed in Cdkn2c-/-, Trp53-/- cerebellar cells and implanted into the cortices of immunocompromised nude mice prior to tumor isolation. For WNT subgroup medulloblastomas [pgr003, 016 and 066], spontaneously developed tumors from CTNNB1+/lox (ex3); BLBP-Cre; Trp53Fl/Fl (Gibson et al., 2010, Nature) were removed for RNA extraction.
2015-02-13 | E-GEOD-65888 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Medulloblastoma encompasses a collection of clinically and molecularly diverse tumor subtypes that together comprise the most common malignant childhood brain tumor. These tumors are thought to arise within the cerebellum, with approximately 25% originating from granule neuron precursor cells (GNPCs) following aberrant activation of the Sonic Hedgehog pathway (hereafter, SHH-subtype). The pathological processes that drive heterogeneity among the other medulloblastoma subtypes are not known, hindering the development of much needed new therapies. Here, we provide evidence that a discrete subtype of medulloblastoma that contains activating mutations in the WNT pathway effector CTNNB1 (hereafter, WNT-subtype), arises outside the cerebellum from cells of the dorsal brainstem. We found that genes marking human WNT-subtype medulloblastomas are more frequently expressed in the lower rhombic lip (LRL) and embryonic dorsal brainstem than in the upper rhombic lip (URL) and developing cerebellum. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intra-operative reports showed that human WNT-subtype tumors infiltrate the dorsal brainstem, while SHH-subtype tumors are located within the cerebellar hemispheres. Activating mutations in Ctnnb1 had little impact on progenitor cell populations in the cerebellum, but caused the abnormal accumulation of cells on the embryonic dorsal brainstem that included aberrantly proliferating Zic1+ precursor cells. These lesions persisted in all mutant adult mice and in 15% of cases in which Tp53 was concurrently deleted, progressed to form medulloblastomas that recapitulated the anatomy and gene expression profiles of human WNT-subtype medulloblastoma. We provide the first evidence that subtypes of medulloblastoma have distinct cellular origins. Our data provide an explanation for the marked molecular and clinical differences between SHH and WNT-subtype medulloblastomas and have profound implications for future research and treatment of this important childhood cancer.
2010-11-01 | GSE24628 | GEO
Project description:Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of many cancers, including medulloblastoma and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In this study, using neonatally irradiated Ptch1+/- mice as a model of Hh-dependent tumors, we investigated the in vivo effects of MK-4101, a novel SMO antagonist, for treatment of medulloblastoma and BCC. Results clearly demonstrate a robust antitumor activity of MK-4101, achieved through the inhibition of proliferation and induction of extensive apoptosis in tumor cells. Of note, beside antitumor activity on transplanted tumors, MK-4101 was highly efficacious against primary medulloblastoma and BCC developing in the cerebellum and skin of Ptch1+/- mice. By identifying the changes induced by MK-4101 in gene expression profiles in tumors, we also elucidate the mechanism of action of this novel, orally administrable compound. MK-4101 targets the Hh pathway in the tumor cells, showing the maximum inhibitory effect on Gli1 activity. MK-4101 also induced deregulation of cell cycle and block of DNA replication in tumors. Members of the IGF and Wnt signaling pathways , were among the most highly deregulated genes by MK-4101, suggesting that the interplay among Hh, IGF and Wnt is crucial in Hh-dependent tumorigenesis. Altogether, the results of this preclinical study support a therapeutic opportunity for MK-4101 in the treatment of Hh-driven cancers, also providing useful information for combination therapy with drugs targeting pathways cooperating with Hh oncogenic activity. Gene expression data was generated (in replicates) from Medulloblastoma allografts collected at various time points and following low (40mpk) or high (80 mpk) or vehicle single dose (QD) or mutiple dose (BID) treatment with a SHH pathway inhibitor.
2016-03-14 | E-GEOD-77042 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Embryonal Tumors with Multilayered Rosettes (ETMRs) have recently been described as a new entity of rare pediatric brain tumors with fatal outcome. We show here that ETMRs are characterized by a parallel activation of Shh- and Wnt-signaling. Co-activation of these pathways in murine neural precursors is sufficient to induce ETMR-like tumors in vivo that resemble their human counterparts based on histology and global gene expression analyses, and point to apical radial glia cells as the possible tumor cell-of-origin. Overexpression of LIN28A, which is a hallmark of human ETMRs, augments Sonic Hedgehog (Shh)- and Wnt-signaling in these precursor cells through downregulation of let7-miRNA, and LIN28A/let7a interaction with the Shh-pathway was detected at the level of Gli mRNA. Finally, human ETMR cells that were transplanted into immunocompromised host mice were responsive to the Shh-inhibitor Arsenic trioxide (ATO). Our findings provide a novel mouse model to study this tumor type, demonstrate the driving role of Wnt- and Shh-activation in the growth of ETMRs and propose downstream inhibition of Shh-signaling as a therapeutic option for patients with ETMRs. Gene expression data of hGFAP-cre::Ctnnb1(ex3)Fl/+SmoM2Fl/+ , hGFAP-cre::SmoM2Fl/+ , hGFAP-cre::Ctnnb1(ex3)Fl/+ and Control mice
2017-09-11 | GSE103348 | GEO
Project description:Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) are highly lethal childhood brain tumors. Their unique genetic makeup, pathological heterogeneity, and brainstem location all present challenges to treatment. Developing mouse models that accurately reflect each of these distinct features will be critical to advance our understanding of DIPG development, progression, and therapeutic resistance. The aim of this study was to generate new mouse models of DIPG, and characterize the role of specific oncogenic combinations in DIPG pathogenesis. We used in utero electroporation (IUE) to transfect neural stem cells in the developing brainstem with PiggyBac DNA transposon plasmids. Combinations of PDGFB or PdgfraD842V, dominant negative Trp53 (DNp53), and H3.3K27M expression induced fully penetrant brainstem gliomas. IUE enabled the targeted transfection of brainstem neural stem cells. PDGFB + DNp53 induced the rapid development of grade-IV gliomas. PdgfraD842V + DNp53 produced slower forming grade-III gliomas. Addition of H3.3K27M only significantly accelerated PdgfraD842V DIPG development. Glioma subgroup molecular signatures were associated with differences in bulk PDGFB and PdgfraD842V tumor composition. H3.3K27M induced both overlapping and unique gene expression changes in PDGFB and PdgfraD842V tumors. Paracrine effects of PDGFB promote disruption of pericyte-endothelial interactions and angiogenesis in PDGFB DIPG mouse models. Brainstem targeted in utero electroporation provides a rapid and flexible system to generate diverse DIPG mouse models. Using IUE to investigate mutation and pathohistological heterogeneity of DIPG will provide a valuable tool for future genetic and preclinical studies.
2019-11-14 | GSE128807 | GEO