Nanog-driven cell-reprogramming and self-renewal maintenance in Ptch1 +/- granule cell precursors after radiation injury

Sci Rep. 2017 Oct 27;7(1):14238. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-14506-6.

Abstract

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric brain tumor, comprising four distinct molecular variants, one of which characterized by activation of the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway, driving 25-30% of sporadic MB. SHH-dependent MBs arise from granule cell precursors (GCPs), are fatal in 40-70% of cases and radioresistance strongly contributes to poor prognosis and tumor recurrence. Patched1 heterozygous (Ptch1 +/-) mice, carrying a germ-line heterozygous inactivating mutation in the Ptch1 gene, the Shh receptor and negative regulator of the pathway, are uniquely susceptible to MB development after radiation damage in neonatal cerebellum. Here, we irradiated ex-vivo GCPs isolated from cerebella of neonatal WT and Ptch1 +/- mice. Our results highlight a less differentiated status of Ptch1-mutated cells after irradiation, influencing DNA damage response. Increased expression levels of pluripotency genes Nanog, Oct4 and Sal4, together with greater clonogenic potential, clearly suggest that radiation induces expansion of the stem-like cell compartment through cell-reprogramming and self-renewal maintenance, and that this mechanism is strongly dependent on Nanog. These results contribute to clarify the molecular mechanisms that control radiation-induced Shh-mediated tumorigenesis and may suggest Nanog as a potential target to inhibit for adjuvant radiotherapy in treatment of SHH-dependent MB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / radiation effects
  • Carcinogenesis / radiation effects
  • Cell Differentiation / radiation effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Self Renewal / radiation effects*
  • Cellular Reprogramming / radiation effects*
  • DNA Damage
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Medulloblastoma / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Nanog Homeobox Protein / metabolism*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / radiation effects
  • Patched-1 Receptor / deficiency*
  • Patched-1 Receptor / genetics
  • Patched-1 Receptor / metabolism*

Substances

  • Nanog Homeobox Protein
  • Patched-1 Receptor