Mesenchymal differentiation mediated by NF-κB promotes radiation resistance in glioblastoma

Cancer Cell. 2013 Sep 9;24(3):331-46. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2013.08.001. Epub 2013 Aug 29.

Abstract

Despite extensive study, few therapeutic targets have been identified for glioblastoma (GBM). Here we show that patient-derived glioma sphere cultures (GSCs) that resemble either the proneural (PN) or mesenchymal (MES) transcriptomal subtypes differ significantly in their biological characteristics. Moreover, we found that a subset of the PN GSCs undergoes differentiation to a MES state in a TNF-α/NF-κB-dependent manner with an associated enrichment of CD44 subpopulations and radioresistant phenotypes. We present data to suggest that the tumor microenvironment cell types such as macrophages/microglia may play an integral role in this process. We further show that the MES signature, CD44 expression, and NF-κB activation correlate with poor radiation response and shorter survival in patients with GBM.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cluster Analysis
  • DNA Methylation
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Glioblastoma / genetics*
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism*
  • Glioblastoma / mortality
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / genetics
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / metabolism
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / genetics*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2
  • Prognosis
  • Radiation Tolerance / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcriptome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • NF-kappa B
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • OLIG2 protein, human
  • Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE49009