Reprogramming of Schwann Cells by LATS1/2-TAZ/YAP Signaling Drives Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumorigenesis
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ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE99040 | GEO | 2018/02/13
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) patients develop benign neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). These incurable peripheral nerve tumors result from loss of NF1 tumor suppressor gene function, causing hyperactive Ras signaling. Activated Ras controls numerous downstream effectors, but specific pathways mediating effects of hyperactive Ras in NF1 tumors are unknown. Cross-species transcriptome analyses of mouse and human neurofibromas and MPNSTs identified global negative feedback of genes that regulate Ras-Raf- MEK- extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling in both species. Nonetheless, activation of ERK was sustained in mouse and human neurofibromas and MPNST. PD0325901, a highly selective pharmacological inhibitor of MEK, was used to test whether sustained Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling contributes to neurofibroma growth in the Nf1fl/fl;Dhh-cre mouse model or in NF1 patient MPNST cell xenografts. PD0325901 treatment reduced aberrantly proliferating cells in neurofibroma and MPNST, prolonged survival of mice implanted with human MPNST cells, and shrank neurofibromas in >80% of mice tested. PD0325901 also caused effects on tumor vasculature. Our data demonstrate that deregulated Ras/ERK signaling is critical for the growth of NF1 peripheral nerve tumors and provide strong rationale for testing MEK inhibitors in NF1 clinical trials. 83 microarrays: Mouse control (15), Mouse neurofibroma (15), Mouse MPNST (18); Human nerve (3), Human neurofibroma (26), Human MPNST (6) We used the same human tumor samples as in series GSE14038 (dNF, pNF and MPNST). However, instead of referencing gene expression changes to the normal human Schwann cell samples (NHSC) as we did in series GSE14038, we generated three (new) normal nerve samples (samples jan-N1-3) and referenced gene expression changes to those samples. Moreover, the analysis of series GSE14038 evaluated changes in expression between NHSC, benign tumor subtypes (dNF and pNF), and malignant tumors (MPNST), while our present submission evaluated changes between normal nerve, benign tumors (combined dNF and pNF),and malignant tumors (MPNST). The Series supplementary 'merged_data.txt' file contains the data for 9,891 transcripts that were statistically different in at least one of the two species and present in both mouse and human data sets.
2012-12-28 | E-GEOD-41747 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) develop benign plexiform neurofibromas that frequently progress to become malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). A genetically engineered mouse model that accurately models plexiform neurofibroma-MPNST progression would facilitate the identification of somatic mutations driving this process. We have previously reported that transgenic mice overexpressing the growth factor neuregulin-1 in Schwann cells (P0-GGF?3 mice) develop MPNSTs. To determine whether P0-GGF?3 mice accurately model neurofibroma-MPNST progression, cohorts of these animals were followed to death and necropsied. 94% of the mice developed multiple neurofibromas, with 70% carrying smaller numbers of MPNSTs; nascent MPNSTs were identified within neurofibromas, suggesting that these sarcomas arise from neurofibromas. Although neurofibromin expression was maintained, P0-GGF?3 MPNSTs, like human NF1-associated MPNSTs, demonstrated Ras hyperactivation. P0-GGF?3 MPNSTs also showed abnormalities in the p16INK4A-cyclin D/CDK4-Rb and p19ARF-Mdm-p53 pathways analogous to their human counterparts. Array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) demonstrated reproducible chromosomal alterations in P0-GGF?3 MPNST cells (including universal chromosome 11 gains) and focal gains and losses affecting 39 genes previously implicated in neoplasia (e.g., Pten, Tpd52, Myc , Gli1, Xiap, Bbc3/PUMA). Array CGH also identified recurrent focal copy number variations affecting genes not previously linked to neurofibroma or MPNST pathogenesis. We conclude that P0-GGF?3 mice represent a robust model of neurofibroma-MPNST progression that can be used to identify novel genes driving neurofibroma and MPNST pathogenesis. Array CGH comparison of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) cells vs non-neoplastic Schwann cells
2012-12-31 | E-GEOD-40212 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Schwann cell (SC) myelination in the peripheral nervous system is essential for motor function, and uncontrolled SC proliferation occurs in cancer. Here, we show that a dual direct role for Hippo effectors TAZ and YAP in regulation of SC proliferation and myelination through modulating G protein expression and interacting with SOX10, respectively. Developmentally-regulated mutagenesis indicates that TAZ/YAP are critical for SC proliferation yet also required for their differentiation and myelination. Genome-wide occupancy mapping and transcriptome profiling reveal that nuclear TAZ and YAP promote SC proliferation by activating cell cycle regulators, while targeting critical differentiation regulators in cooperation with SOX10 for myelination. We further identified that TAZ targets and represses Gnas, encoding Gαs-protein, which opposes TAZ/YAP activities to decelerate proliferation. Gnas deletion expands SC precursor pools and blocks myelination in the sciatic nerve. Thus, our study revealed that the Hippo/TAZ/YAP and Gαs-protein feedback circuit functions as a fulcrum balancing SC proliferation and differentiation, providing insights into molecular programming of SC lineage progression and homeostasis.
2017-04-26 | GSE94990 | GEO
Project description:Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) patients develop benign neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). These incurable peripheral nerve tumors result from loss of NF1 tumor suppressor gene function, causing hyperactive Ras signaling. Activated Ras controls numerous downstream effectors, but specific pathways mediating effects of hyperactive Ras in NF1 tumors are unknown. Cross-species transcriptome analyses of mouse and human neurofibromas and MPNSTs identified global negative feedback of genes that regulate Ras-Raf- MEK- extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling in both species. Nonetheless, activation of ERK was sustained in mouse and human neurofibromas and MPNST. PD0325901, a highly selective pharmacological inhibitor of MEK, was used to test whether sustained Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling contributes to neurofibroma growth in the Nf1fl/fl;Dhh-cre mouse model or in NF1 patient MPNST cell xenografts. PD0325901 treatment reduced aberrantly proliferating cells in neurofibroma and MPNST, prolonged survival of mice implanted with human MPNST cells, and shrank neurofibromas in >80% of mice tested. PD0325901 also caused effects on tumor vasculature. Our data demonstrate that deregulated Ras/ERK signaling is critical for the growth of NF1 peripheral nerve tumors and provide strong rationale for testing MEK inhibitors in NF1 clinical trials.
2012-12-28 | GSE41747 | GEO
Project description:Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are soft-tissue sarcomas that can arise either sporadically or in association with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). These aggressive malignancies confer poor survival, with no effective therapy available. Methods: We generated five patient-derived MPNST orthoxenograft models (three NF1-related and two sporadic) and performed an exhaustive histological and molecular characterization of primary MPNSTs and their corresponding orthoxenografts. Finally, orthoxenografts models were used as an in vivo pre-clinical platform to test several treatment strategies. Results: MPNST orthoxenografts recapitulate the histopathological properties and preserve the genomic and transcriptomic status of their parental primary tumors. Additionally, they mimic distal dissemination properties in mice. Compatible with an origin in a catastrophic event and subsequent stabilization, MPNSTs contained highly altered genomes that remained remarkably stable in orthoxenograft establishment and along passages. Although preliminary, the results presented here point to clear differences between NF1-associated and sporadic MPNSTs. In accordance, mutation frequency in sporadic MPNSTs was an order of magnitude higher than in NF1-associated MPNSTs and unsupervised cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) using a MPNST signature perfectly divided the samples between NF1 and sporadic MPNST. Finally, different therapeutic approaches tested in the validated orthoxenograft MPNST models, reveal that sorafenib, or in combination with doxorubicin or rapamycin caused a great tumor reduction in all models. Conclusion: The development of a well-characterized and standardized preclinical model for MPNSTs has laid the foundations for evaluating novel therapeutic strategies in the clinical setting. Moreover, results obtained strongly support the clinical evaluation of Sorafenib in this subset of patients. Primary MPNSTs were implanted in the sciatic nerve of nude mices to create orthoxenograft MPNST models. Several orthoxenograft passages were created. The primary tumor (when available) and passages 1 and 4 were selected for gene expression profiling to demonstrate that the orthoxenografts closely resemble their primary tumors and are stable along xenograft passages.
2015-04-15 | E-GEOD-60082 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:The diagnosis of Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) can be challenging, but is aided by their characteristic DNA methylation profile (DMP). An MPNST-like group, characterized by retained H3K27me3 expression, was recently recognized. To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of DMP in pediatric/juvenile MPNSTs, we selected pediatric/juvenile malignancies from the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital DMP database. DMP revealed unexpected molecular heterogeneity in histologically homogenous MPNSTs/Atypical neurofibromas, while samples with MPNST-like DMP manifested histological diversity. In conclusion, DMP is useful in diagnosing MPNST, discriminating morphologic mimics classified as MPNST in premolecular era, and investigating the MPNST-like ‘hybrid’ group in pediatrics.
2024-01-29 | GSE246644 | GEO
Project description:The remarkable plasticity of Schwann cells (SCs) is essential for nerve regeneration but also contributes to neuropathies and cancer progression. It has not yet been investigated whether the adaptive potential of SCs is manifested in stromal, tumor associated SCs characteristically found within a benign subtype of neuroblastic tumors (NBTs). We here performed transcriptome profiling of human NBTs, rich and poor in SC stroma, as well as human injured nerves, rich in repair SCs, revealing that stromal SCs exhibit a repair SC characteristic gene expression signature. In turn, primary repair SCs had a pro-differentiating and anti-proliferative effect on NBT cell lines after direct and trans-well co-culture. Within the pool of secreted stromal/repair SC factors, we identified EGFL8, a matricellular protein with so far undescribed function, to induce neuronal differentiation of aggressive NBT cells. EGFL8 expression further correlated with favorable tumor stage and increased patient survival. Our findings suggest that stromal SCs exert nerve repair associated functions in the tumor-environment and underline the therapeutic value of SC-derived factors for aggressive, SC stroma-poor NBTs.
2021-01-04 | PXD022217 | Pride
Project description:The remarkable plasticity of Schwann cells (SCs) is essential for nerve regeneration but also contributes to neuropathies and cancer progression. It has not yet been investigated whether the adaptive potential of SCs is manifested in stromal, tumor associated SCs characteristically found within a benign subtype of neuroblastic tumors (NBTs). We here performed transcriptome profiling of human NBTs, rich and poor in SC stroma, as well as human injured nerves, rich in repair SCs, revealing that stromal SCs exhibit a repair SC characteristic gene expression signature. In turn, primary repair SCs had a pro-differentiating and anti-proliferative effect on NBT cell lines after direct and trans-well co-culture. Within the pool of secreted stromal/repair SC factors, we identified EGFL8, a matricellular protein with so far undescribed function, to induce neuronal differentiation of aggressive NBT cells. EGFL8 expression further correlated with favorable tumor stage and increased patient survival. Our findings suggest that stromal SCs exert nerve repair associated functions in the tumor-environment and underline the therapeutic value of SC-derived factors for aggressive, SC stroma-poor NBTs.
2021-01-13 | PXD018267 | Pride
Project description:Human cancer is often caused by dysfunctional developmental pathways, but such mechanisms do not always present clear opportunities for therapeutic intervention. This is exemplified by the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, which is comprised of a kinase module that restrains the function of YAP/TAZ transcriptional coactivators; a pathway that becomes dysregulated in a wide array of human cancers. Hence, YAP/TAZ hyperactivation is a tumorigenic mechanism and a validated therapeutic target in oncology. In this study, we used a paralog co-targeting genetic screening strategy to identify the kinases MARK2/3 as co-dependencies of YAP/TAZ in diverse cancer contexts. We use biochemical and epistasis experiments to show that MARK2/3 phosphorylate and inhibit the activity of Hippo pathway components NF2, MST1/2, and MAP4Ks, which leads to indirect upstream control of LATS1/2 activity. In addition, MARK2/3 directly phosphorylate YAP/TAZ to shield these coactivators from LATS1/2-mediated inhibition. The net consequence of this multi-level regulation is that YAP/TAZ-dependent human cancers have an absolute requirement for MARK2/3 catalytic activity to sustain tumor cell proliferation and viability. To simulate therapeutic targeting of MARK2/3 in vivo, we adapted the EPIYA-repeat region of the CagA protein from H. pylori as a catalytic inhibitor of MARK2/3, which we show exerts potent anti-tumor activity via on-target mechanisms. Together, these findings reveal MARK2/3 as an obligate catalytic requirement for YAP/TAZ function in human cancer; kinase targets that may allow for novel pharmacology that restores Hippo-mediated tumor suppression.
2024-07-25 | PXD054192 | Pride
Project description:Human cancer is often caused by dysfunctional developmental pathways, but such mechanisms do not always present clear opportunities for therapeutic intervention. This is exemplified by the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, which is comprised of a kinase module that restrains the function of YAP/TAZ transcriptional coactivators; a pathway that becomes dysregulated in a wide array of human cancers. Hence, YAP/TAZ hyperactivation is a tumorigenic mechanism and a validated therapeutic target in oncology. In this study, we used a paralog co-targeting genetic screening strategy to identify the kinases MARK2/3 as co-dependencies of YAP/TAZ in diverse cancer contexts. We use biochemical and epistasis experiments to show that MARK2/3 phosphorylate and inhibit the activity of Hippo pathway components NF2, MST1/2, and MAP4Ks, which leads to indirect upstream control of LATS1/2 activity. In addition, MARK2/3 directly phosphorylate YAP/TAZ to shield these coactivators from LATS1/2-mediated inhibition. The net consequence of this multi-level regulation is that YAP/TAZ-dependent human cancers have an absolute requirement for MARK2/3 catalytic activity to sustain tumor cell proliferation and viability. To simulate therapeutic targeting of MARK2/3 in vivo, we adapted the EPIYA-repeat region of the CagA protein from H. pylori as a catalytic inhibitor of MARK2/3, which we show exerts potent anti-tumor activity via on-target mechanisms. Together, these findings reveal MARK2/3 as an obligate catalytic requirement for YAP/TAZ function in human cancer; kinase targets that may allow for novel pharmacology that restores Hippo-mediated tumor suppression.
2024-07-25 | PXD044829 | Pride