Multiple approaches converge on three biological subtypes of meningioma and extract new insights from published studies [RNA-Seq]
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ABSTRACT: Purpose: Clustering of meningiomas using DNA methylation and RNA-sequencing data yields groups which predict clinical behavior than the current clinical standard of histopathologic grading. Both techniques segregate many common genomic features seen in meningiomas similarly, raising the question of whether they were identifying the same underyling groups. Methods: DNA methylation profiling (EPIC 850K array) and RNA-sequencing of 110 primary meningiomas was performed. Unsupervised clustering was performed using each type of data, followed by computational modeling which explored correlations of promoter methylation and copy number variation (CNV) with gene expression. Results: We performed unsupervised clustering of the DNA methylation data and gound three clusters to be optimal. These clusters aligned closely with our prior transcriptional classification (Patel et al. PNAS 2019). These groups also closely aligned with groups defined by large-scale cytogenetic changes and merlin expression/genomic instability, suggesting the presence of three biologic groups of meningioma that can be identified by multiple methods. Computational modeling demonstrated that both promoter methylation and CNV correlated closely with gene expression differences seen in meningioma and our biologic groups, although cytogenetic changes (particularly chr 1p loss) was predominant in the clinically aggressive tumors. Conclusions: Our anaylsis suggests the presence of three biologic groups of meningioma (MenG A, B, and C) which can be accurately identified through DNA methylation, RNA-seq, and cytogenetic profiling.
Project description:Purpose: Clustering of meningiomas using DNA methylation and RNA-sequencing data yields groups which predict clinical behavior than the current clinical standard of histopathologic grading. Both techniques segregate many common genomic features seen in meningiomas similarly, raising the question of whether they were identifying the same underyling groups. Methods: DNA methylation profiling (EPIC 850K array) and RNA-sequencing of 110 primary meningiomas was performed. Unsupervised clustering was performed using each type of data, followed by computational modeling which explored correlations of promoter methylation and copy number variation (CNV) with gene expression. Results: We performed unsupervised clustering of the DNA methylation data and gound three clusters to be optimal. These clusters aligned closely with our prior transcriptional classification (Patel et al. PNAS 2019). These groups also closely aligned with groups defined by large-scale cytogenetic changes and merlin expression/genomic instability, suggesting the presence of three biologic groups of meningioma that can be identified by multiple methods. Computational modeling demonstrated that both promoter methylation and CNV correlated closely with gene expression differences seen in meningioma and our biologic groups, although cytogenetic changes (particularly chr 1p loss) was predominant in the clinically aggressive tumors. Conclusions: Our analysis suggests the presence of three biologic groups of meningioma (MenG A, B, and C) which can be accurately identified through DNA methylation, RNA-seq, and cytogenetic profiling.
Project description:Meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumor. Though typically benign with a low mutational burden, histopathologic analysis has poor predictive value for malignant behavior and there are no proven chemotherapies. Although DNA methylation patterns distinguish subgroups of meningiomas and have higher predictive value for tumor behavior than histologic classification, little is known about differences in DNA methylation between meningiomas and surrounding normal dura tissue. Using multimodal studies of meningioma/dura pairs, we identified 4 distinct DNA methylation patterns. Diffuse DNA hypomethylation of malignant meningiomas readily facilitated their identification from lower grade tumors by unsupervised clustering. All clusters and 12/12 meningioma-dura pairs exhibited hypomethylation of the gene promoters of a module associated with the craniofacial patterning transcription factor FOXC1 and its upstream lncRNA FOXCUT. Furthermore, we identified an epigenetic continuum of increasing hypermethylation of polycomb repressive complex target promoters with increased histopathologic grade suggesting progressive epigenetic dysregulation is associated with increasing tumor aggressiveness. These findings are a starting point for future investigations of the role of epigenetic dysregulation of FOXC1 and cranial patterning genes in early stages of meningioma formation as well as studies of the utility of polycomb inhibitors for treatment of aggressive meningiomas.
Project description:Meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumor. Though typically benign with a low mutational burden, histopathologic analysis has poor predictive value for malignant behavior and there are no proven chemotherapies. Although DNA methylation patterns distinguish subgroups of meningiomas and have higher predictive value for tumor behavior than histologic classification, little is known about differences in DNA methylation between meningiomas and surrounding normal dura tissue. Using multimodal studies of meningioma/dura pairs, we identified 4 distinct DNA methylation patterns. Diffuse DNA hypomethylation of malignant meningiomas readily facilitated their identification from lower grade tumors by unsupervised clustering. All clusters and 12/12 meningioma-dura pairs exhibited hypomethylation of the gene promoters of a module associated with the craniofacial patterning transcription factor FOXC1 and its upstream lncRNA FOXCUT. Furthermore, we identified an epigenetic continuum of increasing hypermethylation of polycomb repressive complex target promoters with increased histopathologic grade suggesting progressive epigenetic dysregulation is associated with increasing tumor aggressiveness. These findings are a starting point for future investigations of the role of epigenetic dysregulation of FOXC1 and cranial patterning genes in early stages of meningioma formation as well as studies of the utility of polycomb inhibitors for treatment of aggressive meningiomas.
Project description:We report RNA sequencing of 185 meningiomas, which are used to interrogate the biology underlying DNA methylation groups of meningioma.
Project description:This study reports clinical, genetic, epigenetic, gene expression, and cellular features distinguishing meningioma DNA methylation subgroups within meningioma DNA methylation groups. We present these data in the context of molecular and clinical models predicting postoperative outcomes across 565 meningiomas with comprehensive clinical follow-up from independent discovery and validation institutions. By discovering meningioma DNA methylation subgroups within meningioma DNA methylation groups, we provide an opportunity to resolve inconsistencies in the recent literature. In doing so, our study establishes an architecture that unifies opposing biological theories for the most common primary intracranial tumor
Project description:We report DNA methylation profiling on 565 meningiomas integrated with genetic, transcriptomic, biochemical, proteomic, and single-cell approaches to show meningiomas are comprised of 3 groups with distinct clinical outcomes, biological drivers, and therapeutic vulnerabilities. Merlin-intact meningiomas have the best outcomes and are distinguished by NF2/Merlin regulation of glucocorticoid signaling, apoptosis, and susceptibility to cytotoxic therapy. Immune-enriched meningiomas have intermediate outcomes and are distinguished by immune infiltration, HLA expression, and lymphatic vessels. Hypermitotic meningiomas have the worst outcomes and are distinguished by convergent genetic and epigenetic mechanisms driving the cell cycle and resistance to cytotoxic therapy. Our results establish a framework for understanding meningioma biology, and provide a foundation for new meningioma treatments.
Project description:Multiple stereotatically separate sites from human meningioma were processed for methlyation profiling Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors, but the molecular drivers of meningioma tumorigenesis are poorly understood. We hypothesized that investigating intratumor heterogeneity in meningiomas would elucidate biologic drivers and reveal new targets for molecular therapy. To test this hypothesis, we performed multiplatform molecular profiling of 86 spatially-distinct samples from 13 human meningiomas. Our data reveal that regional alterations in chromosome structure underlie clonal transcriptomic, epigenomic, and histopathologic signatures in meningioma. Stereotactic co-registration of sample coordinates to preoperative magnetic resonance images further demonstrated that high apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) distinguished meningioma regions with proliferating cells enriched for developmental gene expression programs. To understand the function of these genes in meningioma, we developed a human cerebral organoid model of meningioma and validated the high ADC marker genes CDH2 and PTPRZ1 as potential targets for meningioma therapy using live imaging, single cell RNA sequencing, CRISPR interference, and pharmacology.
Project description:Meningiomas, named for their cell of origin, are the most common intracranial tumors in adults, representing 39% of all primary adult central nervous system tumors. These tumors originate in the meninges, which are the outer three layers of tissue between the skull and the brain that cover and protect the brain just under the skull. Most meningioma tumors (85-90 percent) are categorized as benign, with the remaining 10-15 percent being atypical meningioma or malignant meningioma (cancerous). The word “benign” can be misleading for meningiomas. Depending on location and growth rate, a benign meningioma brain tumor may impinge on vital nerves or compress the brain, causing disability. They may even become life threatening. We describe transcriptional signatures of four most common groups of benign meningiomas. Each subgroup of meningiomas displayed a unique gene expression program identifying signaling pathways potentially implicated in the tumorigenesis. These findings will improve our understanding of meningioma tumorigenesis. Objective: To define gene expression signatures of the most common subtypes of meningiomas to better understand cellular processes and signaling pathways specific for each tumor genotype.
Project description:Meningiomas are common brain tumors that are classified into three World Health Organization grades (Grade I: benign, Grade II: atypical and Grade III: malignant) and are molecularly ill-defined tumors. The purpose of this study was identify microRNA (miRNA) molecular signatures unique to the different grades of meningiomas correlating them to prognosis. We have used a miRNA expression microarray to show that meningiomas of all three grades fall into two main molecular groups designated “benign” and “malignant” meningiomas. While all typical meningiomas fall into the benign group and all anaplastic meningiomas fall into the malignant group, atypical meningiomas distribute into either one of these groups. We have identified a miRNA signature that distinguishes benign meningiomas from malignant meningiomas. We studied the gene expression profiles of 340 mammalian miRNAs in 37 primary meningioma tumors by means of DNA microarrays.
Project description:Background: Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial neoplasms, with highly variable patient outcomes. While most meningiomas are benign, a significant subset recurs postoperatively, presenting substantial treatment challenges. BAP1 gene inactivation has been suggested as a marker for aggressive meningiomas, although its precise molecular and clinical roles remain poorly understood. Methods: To comprehensively investigate BAP1-altered meningiomas, we used six meningiomas with known BAP1 alterations as a discovery set. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of these samples, along 11,151 reference meningiomas, identified a distinct molecular cluster (n = 42) using unsupervised visualization approaches. These tumors were further characterized by DNA/RNA sequencing, histopathological examination, and a retrospective review of clinical data, compared to reference meningioma cohorts, providing a thorough characterization of this rare tumor subtype. Results: Our integrative analysis revealed BAP1-altered meningiomas as a distinct CNS tumor subtype, characterized by recurrent loss of chromosome 3p21 and driven by various BAP1-inactivating alterations. Although rhabdoid morphology is present in some cases, it is not exclusive and should not be used as a grading criterion. Progression-free survival analysis showed a median of 21 months (95% CI: 12-NA), with a 2-year overall survival rate of 79% (95% CI: 60%-100%), highlighting the aggressive nature of these tumors. Gene expression profiling revealed upregulation of PRC target genes, dysregulated Polycomb signaling, and elevated expression in several cellular and growth factor pathways. Conclusions: BAP1-altered meningiomas represent a distinct and aggressive CNS tumor subtype associated with PRC dysregulation and recurrent 3p chromosome loss. These findings support the designation "meningioma, BAP1-altered."