Oct-4+/Tenascin C+ neuroblastoma cells serve as progenitors of tumor-derived endothelial cells.

ABSTRACT: Neuroblastoma (NB)-associated endothelial microvessels (EMs) may be lined by tumor-derived endothelial cells (TECs), that are genetically unstable and chemoresistant. Here we have addressed the identification of TEC progenitors in NB by focusing on Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct-4) as a putative marker. Oct-4(+) cells were detected in primary NB samples (n = 23), metastatic bone marrow aspirates (n = 10), NB cell lines (n = 4), and orthotopic tumors (n = 10) formed by the HTLA-230 NB cell line in immunodeficient mice. Most Oct-4(+) cells showed a perivascular distribution, with 5% of them homing in perinecrotic areas. All Oct-4(+) cells were tumor-derived since they shared amplification of MYCN oncogene with malignant cells. Perivascular Oct-4(+) cells expressed stem cell-rela

SUBMITTER: Pezzolo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3193450 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature