Differentiated neuroblastoma cells remain epigenetically poised for de-differentiation to an immature state.

ABSTRACT: Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood and accounts for a significant share of childhood cancer deaths. Prior studies utilizing RNA sequencing of bulk tumor populations showed two predominant cell states characterized by high and low expression of neuronal genes. Although cells respond to treatment by altering their gene expression, it is unclear whether this reflects shifting balances of distinct subpopulations or plasticity of individual cells. Using mouse and human neuroblastoma cell lines lacking MYCN amplification, we show that the antigen CD49b (also known as ITGA2) distinguishes these subpopulations. CD49b expression marked proliferative cells with an immature gene expression program, whereas CD49b-negative cells expressed differentiated neuronal mark

SUBMITTER: Guyer RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10810560 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature