The main cell of origin of the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) subgroup of medulloblastoma (MB) is granule cell precursors (GCPs), a SHH-dependent transient amplifying population in the developing cerebellum. SHH-MBs can be further subdivided based on molecular and clinical parameters, as well as location since SHH-MBs occur preferentially in the lateral cerebellum (hemispheres). Our analysis of adult patient data suggests that tumors with Smoothened (SMO) mutations form more specifically in the hemispheres than those with Patched 1 (PTCH1) mutations. Using sporadic mouse models of SHH-MB with the two mutations commonly seen in adult MB, constitutive activation of Smo (SmoM2) or loss-of-Ptch1, we found that regardless of timing of induction or type of mutation, tumors developed primarily in the hemispheres with SmoM2-mutants indeed showing a stronger specificity. We further uncovered that GCPs in the hemispheres are more susceptible to high level SHH signaling compared to GCPs in the medial cerebellum (vermis), as more SmoM2 or Ptch1-mutant hemisphere cells remain undifferentiated and show increased tumorigenicity when transplanted. Finally, we identified location-specific GCP gene expression profiles, and found that deletion of the genes most highly expressed in the hemispheres (Nr2f2) or vermis (Engrailed1) showed opposing effects on GCP differentiation. Our studies thus provide new insights into intrinsic differences within GCPs that impact on SHH-MB progression.
Lateral cerebellum is preferentially sensitive to high sonic hedgehog signaling and medulloblastoma formation.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe translocation t(7;12)(q36;p13) occurs in infants and very young children with AML and usually has a fatal prognosis. Whereas the transcription factor ETV6, located at chromosome 12p13, has largely been studied in different leukemia types, the influence of the translocation partner HB9 (chr. 7q36), is still unknown. This is particularly surprising as ectopic expression of HB9 is the only recurrent molecular hallmark of translocation t(7;12) AML. We investigated the influence of HB9 as a potential oncogene on cell proliferation and cell cycle in vitro, as well as on hematopoietic stem cell differentiation in vivo using murine and human model systems. We show, that HB9 induces premature senescence in human HT1080 and murine NIH3T3 cells, providing for the first time evidence for an oncogenic potential of HB9. Furthermore, HB9-transduced primary murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells underwent a profound differentiation arrest and accumulated at the megakaryocyte/erythrocyte progenitor stage, resulting in a premalignant myeloid cell population in vivo. Concomitantly, HB9 expression upregulates erythropoiesis-related genes in primary human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and enriches gene expression profiles for cell cycle and mitosis-related biological processes. In summary, the novel findings of HB9 dependent premature senescence and perturbed hematopoietic differentiation shed light on the oncogenic properties of HB9 in translocation t(7;12) AML and offer novel targets for therapeutic intervention. Overall design: CD34+ cells were transduced with either GFP or HB9
The homeobox transcription factor HB9 induces senescence and blocks differentiation in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
Specimen part, Subject
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The G protein α subunit Gαs is a tumor suppressor in Sonic hedgehog-driven medulloblastoma.
Specimen part
View SamplesMedulloblastoma, the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, is highly heterogeneous with distinct molecular subtypes and cellular origins. Although current treatments improve survival rates, patients suffer severe treatment-related side effects and often relapse of tumors carrying resistance mutations, underscoring an urgent need for alternative targeted therapies. Currently, the genetic alterations underlying this disease are not fully understood. Here we identify GNAS, encoding the G-protein Gs-alpha, as a potent tumor suppressor gene in medulloblastoma. GNAS specifically defines a subset of aggressive Sonic Hedgehog (Shh)-group medulloblastomas. Gnas loss-of-function in distinct lineage progenitors of the developing hindbrain suffices to initiate medulloblastoma. We find that Gs-alpha is highly enriched at primary cilia of granule neuron precursors and suppresses Shh signaling not only by regulating classic cAMP-dependent pathway but also controlling ciliary trafficking of Smoothened. Concurrent cAMP elevation and Smoothened inhibition robustly arrests tumor cell growth in Gnas mutants. We further reveal oligodendrocyte progenitors as a novel cellular origin for anatomically-distinct Shh-associated medulloblastomas. Together, we identify a previously unrecognized tumor suppressor function of Gs-alpha in medulloblastoma partially mediated through inhibiting Shh signaling, and uncover Gs-alpha as a molecular link across disparate cells of origin among Shh-group medulloblastomas, pointing to G- protein modulation as a potential therapeutic avenue.
The G protein α subunit Gαs is a tumor suppressor in Sonic hedgehog-driven medulloblastoma.
Specimen part
View SamplesMedulloblastoma, the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, is highly heterogeneous with distinct molecular subtypes and cellular origins. Although current treatments improve survival rates, patients suffer severe treatment-related side effects and often relapse of tumors carrying resistance mutations, underscoring an urgent need for alternative targeted therapies. Currently, the genetic alterations underlying this disease are not fully understood. Here we identify GNAS, encoding the G-protein Gs-alpha, as a potent tumor suppressor gene in medulloblastoma. GNAS specifically defines a subset of aggressive Sonic Hedgehog (Shh)-group medulloblastomas. Gnas loss-of-function in distinct lineage progenitors of the developing hindbrain suffices to initiate medulloblastoma. We find that Gs-alpha is highly enriched at primary cilia of granule neuron precursors and suppresses Shh signaling not only by regulating classic cAMP-dependent pathway but also controlling ciliary trafficking of Smoothened. Concurrent cAMP elevation and Smoothened inhibition robustly arrests tumor cell growth in Gnas mutants. We further reveal oligodendrocyte progenitors as a novel cellular origin for anatomically-distinct Shh-associated medulloblastomas. Together, we identify a previously unrecognized tumor suppressor function of Gs-alpha in medulloblastoma partially mediated through inhibiting Shh signaling, and uncover Gs-alpha as a molecular link across disparate cells of origin among Shh-group medulloblastomas, pointing to G- protein modulation as a potential therapeutic avenue. Purpose: To known the gene expression profile of Medulloblastoma which drived by Gnas mutation Methods: mRNAs isolated from the cerebellum of control and Gnas mutants Results:Upregulation of Shh Signaling components in tumors Conclusions: The deletion of Gnas in hGFAP and Olig1 possitive cells result in substantial upregulation of shh signaling and formation of Medulloblastoma Overall design: cerebellum mRNA profiles of 3 60-day old wild type (Ctrl) and 8 Olig1Cre driven Gsa conditional knockout or 8 hGFAPCre driven conditional knockout mice were generated by deep sequencing using Illumina Hiseq2000
The G protein α subunit Gαs is a tumor suppressor in Sonic hedgehog-driven medulloblastoma.
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View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Norrin/Frizzled4 signalling in the preneoplastic niche blocks medulloblastoma initiation.
Specimen part
View SamplesMedulloblastoma (MB), a tumor of the cerebellum, is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. One third of all human MB exhibits a gene expression signature of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling. Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitors have shown efficacy in clinical trials for MB, however, tumors develop resistance to these compounds, highlighting the need to identify additional therapeutic targets for treatment. We have identified a role for Norrin signaling in tumor initiation in the Patched (Ptch) mouse model of MB. Norrin is a secreted factor that functions as an atypical Wnt by binding to the Frizzled4 (Fzd4) receptor on endothelial cells to activate canonical beta-catenin-mediated Wnt signaling pathway. In the cerebellum, activation of Norrin/Fzd4 signaling is required for the establishment and maintenance of the blood brain barrier (BBB). We have identified a role for Norrin signaling in the stroma as a potent tumor inhibitory signal. Inactivation of Norrin in Ptch+/- mice significantly shortens latency and increases MB incidence. This phenotype is associated with an increased frequency of pre-tumor lesions and their conversion to malignancy. In this context, loss of Norrin signalling in endothelial cells is associated with an accelerated transition to a pro-tumor stroma characterized by vascular permeability, inflammation and angiogenic remodelling. Accordingly, loss of Ndp significantly alters the stromal gene expression signature of established Ptch MB.
Norrin/Frizzled4 signalling in the preneoplastic niche blocks medulloblastoma initiation.
Specimen part
View SamplesMedulloblastoma (MB), a tumor of the cerebellum, is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. One third of all human MB exhibits a gene expression signature of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling. Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitors have shown efficacy in clinical trials for MB, however, tumors develop resistance to these compounds, highlighting the need to identify additional therapeutic targets for treatment. We have identified a role for Norrin signaling in tumor initiation in the Patched (Ptch) mouse model of MB. Norrin is a secreted factor that functions as an atypical Wnt by binding to the Frizzled4 (Fzd4) receptor on endothelial cells to activate canonical beta-catenin-mediated Wnt signaling pathway. In the cerebellum, activation of Norrin/Fzd4 signaling is required for the establishment and maintenance of the blood brain barrier (BBB). We have identified a role for Norrin signaling in the stroma as a potent tumor inhibitory signal. Inactivation of Norrin in Ptch+/- mice significantly shortens latency and increases MB incidence. This phenotype is associated with an increased frequency of pre-tumor lesions and their conversion to malignancy. In this context, loss of Norrin signalling in endothelial cells is associated with an accelerated transition to a pro-tumor stroma characterized by vascular permeability, inflammation and angiogenic remodelling. Accordingly, loss of Ndp significantly alters the stromal gene expression signature of established Ptch MB.
Norrin/Frizzled4 signalling in the preneoplastic niche blocks medulloblastoma initiation.
Specimen part
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Reduced chromatin binding of MYC is a key effect of HDAC inhibition in MYC amplified medulloblastoma.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesMYC is a driver oncogene in many cancers. Inhibition of MYC promises high therapeutic potential, but specific MYC inhibitors remain unavailable for clinical use. Previous studies suggest that MYC amplified Medulloblastoma cells are vulnerable to HDAC inhibition. Using co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry and ChIP-sequencing we show that HDAC2 is a cofactor of MYC in MYC amplified primary medulloblastoma and cell lines. The MYC-HDAC2 complex is bound to genes defining the MYC-dependent transcriptional profile. Class I HDAC inhibition leads to stabilization and reduced DNA binding of MYC protein inducing a down-regulation of MYC activated genes (MAGs) and up-regulation of MYC repressed genes (MRGs). MAGs and MRGs are characterized by opposing biological functions and distinct E-box distribution. We conclude that MYC and HDAC2 (class I) are localized in a complex in MYC amplified medulloblastoma and drive a MYC-specific transcriptional program, which is reversed by the class I HDAC inhibitor entinostat. Thus, the development of HDAC inhibitors for treatment of MYC amplified medulloblastoma should include HDAC2 in its profile in order to directly target MYC´s trans-activating and trans-repressing function.
Reduced chromatin binding of MYC is a key effect of HDAC inhibition in MYC amplified medulloblastoma.
Specimen part, Treatment
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