HIF-2alpha maintains an undifferentiated state in neural crest-like human neuroblastoma tumor-initiating cells

Alexander Pietras, Loen M Hansford, A Sofie Johnsson, Esther Bridges, Jonas Sjölund, David Gisselsson, Matilda Rehn, Siv Beckman, Rosa Noguera, Samuel Navarro, Jörg Cammenga, Erik Fredlund, David R Kaplan, Sven Påhlman

113 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

High hypoxia-inducible factor-2alpha (HIF-2alpha) protein levels predict poor outcome in neuroblastoma, and hypoxia dedifferentiates cultured neuroblastoma cells toward a neural crest-like phenotype. Here, we identify HIF-2alpha as a marker of normoxic neural crest-like neuroblastoma tumor-initiating/stem cells (TICs) isolated from patient bone marrows. Knockdown of HIF-2alpha reduced VEGF expression and induced partial sympathetic neuronal differentiation when these TICs were grown in vitro under stem cell-promoting conditions. Xenograft tumors of HIF-2alpha-silenced cells were widely necrotic, poorly vascularized, and resembled the bulk of tumor cells in clinical neuroblastomas by expressing additional sympathetic neuronal markers, whereas control tumors were immature, well-vascularized, and stroma-rich. Thus, HIF-2alpha maintains an undifferentiated state of neuroblastoma TICs. Because low differentiation is associated with poor outcome and angiogenesis is crucial for tumor growth, HIF-2alpha is an attractive target for neuroblastoma therapy.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Vol/bind106
Udgave nummer39
Sider (fra-til)16805-10
Antal sider6
ISSN0027-8424
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 29 sep. 2009
Udgivet eksterntJa

Fingeraftryk

Dyk ned i forskningsemnerne om 'HIF-2alpha maintains an undifferentiated state in neural crest-like human neuroblastoma tumor-initiating cells'. Sammen danner de et unikt fingeraftryk.

Citationsformater