[PDF][PDF] Coexpression of normally incompatible developmental pathways in retinoblastoma genesis

J McEvoy, J Flores-Otero, J Zhang, K Nemeth… - Cancer cell, 2011 - cell.com
J McEvoy, J Flores-Otero, J Zhang, K Nemeth, R Brennan, C Bradley, F Krafcik…
Cancer cell, 2011cell.com
It is widely believed that the molecular and cellular features of a tumor reflect its cell of origin
and can thus provide clues about treatment targets. The retinoblastoma cell of origin has
been debated for over a century. Here, we report that human and mouse retinoblastomas
have molecular, cellular, and neurochemical features of multiple cell classes, principally
amacrine/horizontal interneurons, retinal progenitor cells, and photoreceptors. Importantly,
single-cell gene expression array analysis showed that these multiple cell type-specific …
Summary
It is widely believed that the molecular and cellular features of a tumor reflect its cell of origin and can thus provide clues about treatment targets. The retinoblastoma cell of origin has been debated for over a century. Here, we report that human and mouse retinoblastomas have molecular, cellular, and neurochemical features of multiple cell classes, principally amacrine/horizontal interneurons, retinal progenitor cells, and photoreceptors. Importantly, single-cell gene expression array analysis showed that these multiple cell type-specific developmental programs are coexpressed in individual retinoblastoma cells, which creates a progenitor/neuronal hybrid cell. Furthermore, neurotransmitter receptors, transporters, and biosynthetic enzymes are expressed in human retinoblastoma, and targeted disruption of these pathways reduces retinoblastoma growth in vivo and in vitro.
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