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	<title>bioRxiv Channel: NF Open Science Initiative</title>
	<link>https://biorxiv.org</link>
	<description>
	This feed contains articles for bioRxiv Channel "NF Open Science Initiative"
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	<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/833467v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Distinctive epigenomic alterations in NF1-deficient cutaneous and plexiform neurofibromas drive differential MKK/P38 signaling 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/833467v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors are the clinical hallmark of Neurofibromatosis Type 1. They account for substantial morbidity in NF1 and are difficult to manage. Cutaneous (CNF) and plexiform neurofibromas (PNF) share identical histology, but maintain different growth rates and risk of malignant conversion. The reasons for their disparate clinical behavior are not well explained on the basis of recent genome or transcriptome profiling studies. We hypothesized that CNFs and PNFs are epigenetically distinct tumor types that exhibit differential signaling due to genome-wide and site-specific methylation events. We interrogated the methylation profiles of 45 CNFs and 17 PNFs (Illumina EPIC 850K) using normal tissue controls from NF1 subjects. Based on these profiles, we confirm that CNFs and PNFs are epigenetically distinct tumors with broad differences in higher order chromatin states, and specific methylation events altering genes involved in key biological and cellular processes such as inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP channels, RAS/MAPK signaling, actin cytoskeleton rearrangement, and oxytocin signaling. Based our identification of 2 separate DMRs associated with alternative leading exons in MAP2K3, we demonstrate differential RAS/MKK3/P38 signaling between CNFs and PNFs. Epigenetic reinforcement of RAS/MKK/P38 was a defining characteristic of CNFs leading to pro-inflammatory signaling and chromatin conformational changes, whereas PNFs signaled predominantly through RAS/ERK. Tumor size also correlated with specific CpG methylation events. Taken together, these findings confirm that epigenetic regulation of RAS signaling fates accounts for observed differences in CNF and PNF clinical behavior. CNFs may also respond differently than PNFs to RAS-targeted therapeutics raising the possibility of targeting P38-mediated inflammation for CNF treatment.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Grit, J. L.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Johnson, B. K.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Essenburg, C. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Dischinger, P. S.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Campbell, S.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Triche, T. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Graveel, C. R.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Steensma, M. R.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2019-12-02</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/833467</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Distinctive epigenomic alterations in NF1-deficient cutaneous and plexiform neurofibromas drive differential MKK/P38 signaling]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2019-12-02</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.02.03.479021v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Therapeutic vulnerability to ATR inhibition in concurrent NF1 and ATRX-deficient high-grade solid tumors 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.02.03.479021v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Subsets of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)-associated solid tumors have been shown to display high frequencies of ATRX mutations and presence of alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). In addition, a potential biologic vulnerability of ALT-positive cancer cells is ATR inhibition, a regulator of homologous recombination. We studied the phenotype of combined NF1 and ATRX deficiency in malignant solid tumors. For these experiments, cell lines derived from NF1-deficient sporadic glioblastomas (U251, SF188), a NF1-associated ATRX mutant glioblastoma cell line (JHH-NF1-GBM1), a NF1-derived sarcoma cell line (JHH-CRC65), and two NF1-deficient MPNST cell lines (ST88-14, NF90.8) were utilized. Cancer cells were treated with ATR inhibitors (AZD6738 and VE-822), in vitro, with or without a MEK inhibitor (AZD6244, selumetinib) or temozolomide. In contrast to the glioma cell line SF188, combined ATRX knockout (KO) and TERC KO led to ALT-like properties and sensitized U251 glioma cells to ATR inhibition (AZD6738 and VE-822) in vitro and in vivo. In addition, ATR inhibitors sensitized U251 cells to temozolomide, but not MEK inhibition (AZD6244), irrespective of ATRX level manipulation; whereas, the JHH-NF1-GBM1 cell line (ATRX loss/ALT-positive) demonstrated sensitivity to ATR inhibition (AZD6738), but not temozolomide. Similar effects were noted using the MPNST cell line NF90.8 after combined ATRX knockdown and TERC KO; however, not in the MPNST cell line ST88-14. Taken together, our study supports the feasibility of targeting the ATR pathway in subsets of NF1-deficient and associated tumors. Tumors with pre-existing ALT, or that subsequently develop ALT after ATRX downregulation, are particularly vulnerable to this therapeutic approach.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Yuan, M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Eberhart, C. G.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Pratilas, C. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Blakeley, J. O.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Davis, C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Stojanova, M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Reilly, K.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Meeker, A. K.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Heaphy, C. M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Rodriguez, F. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2022-02-03</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2022.02.03.479021</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Therapeutic vulnerability to ATR inhibition in concurrent NF1 and ATRX-deficient high-grade solid tumors]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2022-02-03</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.04.29.490078v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Ex vivo to in vivo model of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors for precision oncology 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.04.29.490078v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are aggressive soft tissue sarcomas that often develop in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1-MPNST), but can occur sporadically. Through a multi-institution collaboration, we have developed 13 NF1-associated MPNST patient-derived xenografts (PDX). Genomic analysis of the PDX-tumor pairs identified somatic mutations in NF1 (61%), SUZ12 (61%), EED (15%), and TP53 (15%), and chromosome 8 (Chr8) gain (77%), consistent with published data. Pre-clinical models that capture this molecular heterogeneity are needed to identify and prioritize effective drug candidates for clinical translation. Here, we describe the successful development of a medium-throughput ex vivo 3D microtissue model with several advantages over 2D cell line growth, which can be utilized to predict drug response in vivo. Herein, we present proof-of-principle of this PDX-to-microtissue system, using four genomically representative MPNST and three drugs. This work highlights the development of a novel ex vivo to in vivo preclinical platform in MPNST that successfully captures the genomic diversity observed in patients and represents a resource to identify future therapeutic strategies.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Bhatia^, H.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Larsson^, A. T.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Calizo^, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Pollard, K.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Zhang, X.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Conniff, E.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Tibbitts, J. F.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Osum, S. H.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Williams, K. B.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Crampton, A. L.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Jubenville, T.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Schefer, D.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Yang, K.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Lyu, Y.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Bade, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Pino, J. C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Gosline, S. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Pratilas, C. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Largaespada, D. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Wood, D. K.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Hirbe, A. C.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2022-05-02</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2022.04.29.490078</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Ex vivo to in vivo model of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors for precision oncology]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2022-05-02</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.01.13.904771v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Integrative analysis identifies candidate tumor microenvironment and intracellular signaling pathways that define tumor heterogeneity in NF1 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.01.13.904771v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a monogenic syndrome that gives rise to numerous symptoms including cognitive impairment, skeletal abnormalities, and growth of benign nerve sheath tumors. Nearly all NF1 patients develop cutaneous neurofibromas (cNFs), which occur on the skin surface, while 40-60% of patients develop plexiform neurofibromas (pNFs) which are deeply embedded in the peripheral nerves. Patients with pNFs have a [~]10% lifetime chance of these tumors becoming malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). These tumors have a severe prognosis and few treatment options other than surgery. Given the lack of therapeutic options available to patients with these tumors, identification of druggable pathways or other key molecular features could aid ongoing therapeutic discovery studies. In this work, we used statistical and machine learning methods to analyze 77 NF1 tumors with genomic data to characterize key signaling pathways that distinguish these tumors and identify candidates for drug development. We identified subsets of latent gene expression variables that may be important in the identification and etiology of cNFs, pNFs, other neurofibromas, and MPNSTs. Furthermore, we characterized the association between these latent variables and genetic variants, immune deconvolution predictions, and protein activity predictions.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Banerjee, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Allaway, R. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Taroni, J. N.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Baker, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Zhang, X.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Moon, C. I.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Blakeley, J. O.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Guinney, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Hirbe, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Greene, C. S.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Gosline, S. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2020-01-14</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2020.01.13.904771</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Integrative analysis identifies candidate tumor microenvironment and intracellular signaling pathways that define tumor heterogeneity in NF1]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2020-01-14</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2019.12.19.871897v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
A clinically and genomically annotated nerve sheath tumor biospecimen repository. 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2019.12.19.871897v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Nerve sheath tumors occur as a heterogeneous group of neoplasms in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The malignant form represents the most common cause of death in people with NF1, and even when benign, these tumors can result in significant disfigurement, neurologic dysfunction, and a range of profound symptoms. Lack of human tissue across the peripheral nerve tumors common in NF1 has been a major limitation in the development of new therapies. To address this unmet need, we have created an annotated collection of patient tumor samples, patient-derived cell lines, and patient-derived xenografts, and carried out high-throughput genomic and transcriptomic characterization to serve as a resource for further biologic and preclinical therapeutic studies. In this work, we release genomic and transcriptomic datasets comprised of 55 tumor samples derived from 23 individuals, complete with clinical annotation. All data are publicly available through the NF Data Portal and at http://synapse.org/jhubiobank.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Pollard, K.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Banerjee, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Doan, X.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Wang, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Guo, X.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Allaway, R. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Langmead, S.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Slobogean, B.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Meyer, C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Loeb, D.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Morris, C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Belzberg, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Blakeley, J. O.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Rodriguez, F.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Guinney, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Gosline, S. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Pratilas, C. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2019-12-19</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2019.12.19.871897</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[A clinically and genomically annotated nerve sheath tumor biospecimen repository.]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2019-12-19</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.05.03.490481v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Genomic patterns of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) evolution correlate with clinical outcome and are detectable in cell-free DNA 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.05.03.490481v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is an aggressive soft-tissue sarcoma that arises in peripheral nerves. MPNST occurs either sporadically or in people with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a common cancer predisposition syndrome caused by germline pathogenic variants in NF1. Although MPNST is the most common cause of death and morbidity for individuals with NF1, the molecular underpinnings of MPNST pathogenesis remain unclear. Here, we report the analysis of whole-genome sequencing, multi-regional exome sequencing, transcriptomic and methylation profiling data for 95 MPNSTs and precursor lesions (64 NF1-related; 31 sporadic) from 77 individuals. Early events in tumour evolution include biallelic inactivation of NF1 followed by inactivation of CDKN2A and in some cases also TP53 and polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) genes. Subsequently, both sporadic and NF1-related MPNSTs acquire a high burden of somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs). Our analysis revealed distinct pathways of tumour evolution and immune infiltration associated with inactivation of PRC2 genes and H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) status. Tumours with loss of H3K27me3 evolve through extensive chromosomal losses with retention of chromosome 8 heterozygosity followed by whole genome doubling and chromosome 8 amplification. These tumours show lower levels of immune cell infiltration with low cytotoxic activity and low expression of immune checkpoints. In contrast, tumours with retention of H3K27me3 evolve through extensive genomic instability in the absence of recurrent alterations and exhibit an immune cell-rich phenotype. Specific SCNAs detected in both tumour samples and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) act as a surrogate for loss of H3K27me3 and immune infiltration, and predict prognosis. Our results suggest that SCNA profiling of tumour or cfDNA could serve as a biomarker for early diagnosis and to stratify patients into prognostic and treatment-related subgroups.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Cortes-Ciriano, I.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Steele, C. D.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Piculell, K. G.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Al-Ibraheemi, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Eulo, V.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Bui, M. M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Chatzipli, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Dickson, B. C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Borcherding, D. C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Feber, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Galor, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Hart, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Jones, K. B.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Jordan, J. T.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Kim, R. H.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Lindsay, D.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Miller, C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Nishida, Y.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Proszek, P.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Serrano, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Sundby, R. T.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Szymanski, J. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Ullrich, N. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Viskochil, D.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Wang, X.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Snuderl, M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Park, P. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Flanagan, A. M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Hirbe, A. C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Pillay, N.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Miller, D. T.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2022-05-05</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2022.05.03.490481</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Genomic patterns of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) evolution correlate with clinical outcome and are detectable in cell-free DNA]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2022-05-05</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2021.05.03.442481v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
A genetic mouse model with postnatal Nf1 and p53 loss recapitulates the histology and transcriptome of human malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2021.05.03.442481v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
BackgroundMalignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are aggressive sarcomas. Somatic inactivation of NF1 and cooperating tumor suppressors, including CDKN2A/B, PRC2, and p53, is found in most MPNST. Inactivation of the LATS1/2 kinases of the Hippo pathway was recently shown to cause tumors resembling MPNST histologically, although Hippo pathway mutations are rarely found in MPNST. Because existing genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models of MPNST do not recapitulate some of the key genetic features of human MPNST, we aimed to establish a mouse MPNST model that recapitulated the human disease genetically, histologically, and molecularly.

MethodsWe combined two genetically modified alleles, an Nf1;Trp53 cis-conditional allele and an inducible Plp-CreER allele (NP-Plp), to model the somatic, possibly postnatal, mutational events in human MPNST. We also generated conditional Lats1;Lats2 knockout mice. We performed histopathologic analysis of mouse MPNST models and transcriptomic comparison of mouse models and human nerve sheath tumors.

ResultsPostnatal Nf1;Trp53 cis-deletion resulted in GEM-MPNST that was histologically more similar to human MPNST than the widely used germline Nf1;Trp53 cis-heterozygous (NPcis) model and showed partial loss of H3K27me3. At the transcriptome level, Nf1;p53-driven GEM-MPNST were distinct from Lats-driven GEM-MPNST and resembled human MPNST more closely than do Lats-driven tumors.

ConclusionsThe NP-Plp model recapitulates human MPNST genetically, histologically, and molecularly.

Key PointsO_LIPostnatal Nf1;p53 cis-deletion in NP-Plp mice results in tumors similar to MPNST.
C_LIO_LIThe transcriptomes of Nf1;p53-driven and Lats-driven MPNST models are distinct.
C_LIO_LINP-Plp model resembles human MPNST genetically, histologically, and molecularly.
C_LI

Importance of the StudyMalignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are aggressive sarcomas with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Existing genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models of MPNST do not recapitulate some of the key genetic features of human MPNST. To model the somatic, possibly postnatal, mutational events seen in MPNST patients, we generated a GEM-MPNST model by combining two genetically modified alleles, an Nf1;Trp53 cis-conditional allele and a Plp-CreER allele. Our histologic and transcriptomic analyses showed that this NP-Plp model resembles human MPNST genetically, histologically, and molecularly--more so than the widely used NPcis model and the recently published Lats-driven model. The NP-Plp model is genetically simple, making it easy to maintain and an ideal platform for preclinical studies. Given its tamoxifen-inducible nature, this model can be used to study the time/stage dependency of the tumorigenic potential of Schwann cells.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Inoue, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Janke, L. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Gudenas, B. L.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Jin, H.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Fan, Y.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Pare, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Clay, M. R.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Northcott, P. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Hirbe, A. C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Cao, X.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2021-05-04</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2021.05.03.442481</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[A genetic mouse model with postnatal Nf1 and p53 loss recapitulates the histology and transcriptome of human malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2021-05-04</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.05.07.491026v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
A detailed landscape of genomic alterations in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor cell lines challenges the current MPNST diagnosis 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.05.07.491026v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
BackgroundMalignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are soft tissue sarcomas that arise from the peripheral nervous system. Half of the tumors develop in the context of the genetic disease Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and the rest are sporadic sarcomas. MPNSTs have a dismal prognosis due to their aggressiveness and tendency to metastasize, and new treatment options are needed. The diagnosis of MPNSTs can be challenging, especially outside of the NF1 context since specific histological criteria have not been completely established. Genomic analysis may both facilitate differential diagnoses and suggest precision medicine strategies.

MethodsWe generated a complete genomic resource of a set of widely used human NF1-related and sporadic MPNST cell lines by applying ploidy analysis, whole genome and whole exome sequencing and SNP-array analysis, complemented by methylome-based classification and immunofluorescence of cell identity markers (SOX9, SOX10, S100B).

ResultsNF1 MPNST cell lines faithfully recapitulated the genomic copy number profile of primary MPNSTs. Structural variants were key players in the complete inactivation of most recurrently altered tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) (NF1, CDKN2A, SUZ12/EED), while small variants played a minor role in the NF1 context, both concerning TSG inactivation and due to the absence of gain-of-function mutations. In clear contrast, the sporadic cell lines (STS-26T, HS-Sch-2, HS-PSS) did not recapitulate the copy number profile of primary MPNSTs. They carried different TSG inactivation and exhibited gain-of-function mutations by predicted kinase activation or generation of fusion genes. Mutational frequencies and signatures emerged as promising informative tools for aiding in MPNST differential diagnosis. Due to the multiple genomic differences exhibited, we complemented their characterization using a methylome-based classifier. All NF1-related cell lines were assigned within the MPNST group, while sporadic cell lines clustered either with melanomas or with an uncertain MPNST-like sarcoma group. The staining of cell identity markers reinforced the idea of a potential misdiagnose of the MPNSTs used to derive the sporadic cell lines analyzed.

ConclusionsDeep genomic analysis, together with methylome-based sarcoma classification and cell identity marker analysis, challenged the MPNST identity of sporadic cell lines. Results presented here open an opportunity to revise MPNST differential diagnosis and classification.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Magallon-Lorenz, M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Terribas, E.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Fernandez, M. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Requena, G.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Rosas, I.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Mazuelas, H.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Uriarte, I.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Negro, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Castellanos, E.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Blanco, I.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>DeVries, G.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Kawashima, H.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Legius, E.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Brems, H.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Mautner, V.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Kluwe, L.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Ratner, N.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Wallace, M. R.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Fernandez-Rodriguez, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Lazaro, C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Fletcher, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Reuss, D.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Carrio, M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Gel, B.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Serra, E.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2022-05-08</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2022.05.07.491026</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[A detailed landscape of genomic alterations in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor cell lines challenges the current MPNST diagnosis]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2022-05-08</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/199026v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Oncogenic RAS-MET signal interactions are modulated by P53 status in NF1-related MPNSTs 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/199026v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
We previously reported that cooperative RAS-MET signaling drives disease progression in NF1-related MPNSTs, and that MET inhibition results in downstream inhibition of RAS/MAPK in the context of MET amplification. This study revealed that response to MET inhibition appeared to be modulated by P53 gene status. It is currently unclear how P53 function affects kinome signaling and response to kinase inhibition. Here we utilized genetically engineered mouse models with variable levels of Met and Hgf amplification and differential p53 status (NF1fl/KO;lox-stop-loxMETtg/+;Plp-creERTtg/+; NF1+/KO;p53R172H;Plp-creERTtg/+; and NF1+/KO;Plp-creERTtg/+t). These NF1-MPNST models were used to assess a novel MET/MEK (i.e. RAS-MET) inhibition strategy and investigate the adaptive kinome response to MET and MEK inhibition. We demonstrate that combination MET (capmatinib) and MEK (trametinib) inhibition fully suppresses MET, RAS/MAPK, and PI3K/AKT activation in P53 wild type tumors, whereas P53-mutant tumors demonstrated sustained CRAF, BRAF, and AKT activation in the presence of combined MET and MEK inhibition. Interestingly, trametinib therapy alone strongly activates MET signaling in MET and HGF-amplified tumors regardless of P53 status, an effect that was abrogated by the addition of capmatinib. We conclude that P53 alters RAS-MET signaling interactions that drive therapy resistance in NF1-related MPNSTs.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Pridgeon, M. G.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Tovar, E. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Essenburg, C. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Madaj, Z.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Boguslawski, E. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Dischinger, P. S.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Peacock, J. D.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Maina, F.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Dono, R.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Winn, M. E.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Graveel, C. R.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Steensma, M. R.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2017-10-05</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/199026</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Oncogenic RAS-MET signal interactions are modulated by P53 status in NF1-related MPNSTs]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2017-10-05</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/199000v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Genomic MET amplification occurs early in NF1-related malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) progression and is a potent therapeutic target 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/199000v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNSTs) are highly resistant sarcomas that occur in up to 13% of individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Genomic analysis of longitudinally collected tumor samples in a case of MPNST disease progression revealed early hemizygous microdeletions in NF1 and TP53, with concomitant amplifications of MET, HGF, and EGFR. To examine the role of MET in MPNST progression, we developed mice with enhanced MET expression and NF1 ablation (NF1fl/KO;lox-stop-loxMETtg/+;Plp-creERTtg/+; referred to as NF1-MET). NF1-MET mice express a robust MPNST phenotype in the absence of additional mutations. A comparison of NF1-MET MPSNTs with MPNSTs derived from NF1KO/+;p53R172H;Plp-creERTtg/+ (NF1-P53) and NF1KO/+;Plp-creERTtg/+ (NF1) mice revealed unique Met, Ras, and PI3K signaling patterns. To investigate the therapeutic potential of MET inhibition among tumorgrafts derived from the respective MPNST models, we tested the highly selective MET inhibitor, capmatinib. NF1-MET MPNSTs were uniformly sensitive to MET inhibition whereas only a small subset of NF1-P53 and NF1 MPNSTs were inhibited. These results confirm that MET activation is sufficient for Schwann cell dedifferentiation into MPNSTs in the context of NF1 deficiency. RAS-MET signal interactions may be an important driver of MPSNT disease progression.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Peacock, J. D.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Pridgeon, M. G.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Tovar, E. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Essenburg, C. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Bowman, M. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Madaj, Z.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Koeman, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Grit, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Dodd, R. D.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Cardona, D. M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Chen, M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Kirsch, D.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Maina, F.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Dono, R.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Winn, M. E.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Graveel, C. R.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Steensma, M. R.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2017-10-05</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/199000</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Genomic MET amplification occurs early in NF1-related malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) progression and is a potent therapeutic target]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2017-10-05</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/495358v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Sex-dependent differences in pain and sleep in a porcine model of Neurofibromatosis type 1 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/495358v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder resulting from germline mutations in the NF1 gene, which encodes neurofibromin. Patients experience a variety of symptoms, but pain in the context of NF1 remains largely underrecognized. Here, we characterize nociceptive signaling and pain behaviors in a miniswine harboring a disruptive NF1 mutation (exon 42 deletion). We explore these phenotypes in relationship to collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2), a known interactor of neurofibromin. Mechanistically, we found two previously unknown phosphorylated residues of CRMP2 in NF1+/ex42del pig dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and replicated increased voltage-gated calcium channel currents in NF1+/ex42del pig DRGs previously described in rodent models of NF1. We present the first characterization of pain-related behaviors in a pig model of NF1, identifying unchanged agitation scores, lower tactile thresholds (allodynia), and decreased response latencies to thermal laser stimulation (hyperalgesia) in the NF1 mutant animals; NF1+/ex42del pigs demonstrated sexually dimorphic behaviors. NF1+/ex42del pigs showed reduced sleep quality and increased resting, two health-related quality of life symptoms found to be comorbid in people with NF1 pain. Finally, we show decreased depolarization-evoked calcium influx in both wildtype and NF1+/ex42del pig DRGs treated with CRMP2 phosphorylation inhibitor (5)-lacosamide. Our data supports use of NF1+/ex42del pigs as an ideal model for studying NF1-associated pain and are a better model for understanding the pathophysiology of NF1 compared to rodents. Moreover, our findings demonstrate that interfering with CRMP2 phosphorylation might be a promising therapeutic strategy for NF1-related pain management.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Khanna, R.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Moutal, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>White, K.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Chefdeville, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Negrao de Assis, P.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Cai, S.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Swier, V. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Bellampalli, S. S.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Giunta, M. D.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Darbro, B. W.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Quelle, D. E.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Sieren, J. C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Wallace, M. R.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Rogers, C. S.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Meyerholz, D. K.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Weimer, J. M.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2018-12-20</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/495358</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Sex-dependent differences in pain and sleep in a porcine model of Neurofibromatosis type 1]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2018-12-20</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2021.09.24.461701v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Purinergic receptor P2RY14 cAMP signaling regulates EGFR-driven Schwann cell precursor self-renewal and nerve tumor initiation in neurofibromatosis. 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2021.09.24.461701v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder characterized by nerve tumors called neurofibromas, in which Schwann cells (SCs) lack NF1 and show deregulated RAS signaling. NF1 is also implicated in regulation of cAMP. Gene expression profiling and protein expression identified P2RY14 in SCs and SC precursors (SCPs) implicating P2RY14 as a candidate upstream regulator of cAMP in EGF-dependent SCP. We found that SCP self-renewal was reduced by genetic or pharmacological inhibition of P2RY14. In NF1 deficient SCs and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) cells, P2RY14 inhibition decreased EGFR-driven phospho-Akt and increased cAMP signaling. In a neurofibroma mouse model, genetic deletion of P2RY14 increased mouse survival, delayed neurofibroma initiation and rescued cAMP signaling. Conversely, elevation of cAMP diminished SCP number in vitro and diminished SC proliferation in neurofibroma bearing mice in vivo. These studies identify the purinergic receptor P2RY14 as a critical G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) in NF1 mutant SCPs and SCs and suggest roles for EGFR-GPCR crosstalk in facilitating SCP self-renewal and neurofibroma initiation via cAMP and EGFR-driven phospho-Akt.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Patritti-Cram, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Wu, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Kuninaka, S.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Coover, R. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Hennigan, R. F.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Rizvi, T. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Chaney, K. E.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Ravindran, R.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Cancelas, J. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Spinner, R. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Ratner, N.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2021-09-24</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2021.09.24.461701</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Purinergic receptor P2RY14 cAMP signaling regulates EGFR-driven Schwann cell precursor self-renewal and nerve tumor initiation in neurofibromatosis.]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2021-09-24</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2021.12.20.473481v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Synthetic lethal screening identifies existing drugs with selective viability effects on Neurofibromatosis type-1 model systems 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2021.12.20.473481v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder associated with various symptoms including the formation of benign tumors along nerves. Drug treatments are currently limited. The MEK inhibitor selumetinib is used for a subset of cases but is not always effective and can cause side effects. Therefore, there is a clear need to discover new drugs to target NF1-deficient tumor cells. Using a Drosophila cell model of NF1, we performed synthetic lethal screens to identify novel drug targets. We identified 54 candidates, which were validated with variable dose analysis as a secondary screen. Five candidates could be targeted using existing drugs, with autophagy inhibitors (chloroquine (CQ) and bafilomycin A1) showing the greatest potential for selectively killing NF1-deficient Drosophila cells. When further investigating autophagy-related genes, we found that 14 out of 30 genes tested had a synthetic lethal interaction with NF1. These 14 genes are involved in the regulation of all aspects of the autophagy pathway and can be targeted with additional autophagy drugs, although none were as effective as CQ. The lethal effect of autophagy inhibitors was conserved in a panel of human NF1-deficient Schwann cell lines, highlighting their translational potential. The effect of CQ was also conserved in a Drosophila NF1 in vivo model and in a xenografted NF1-deficient tumor cell line in mice, with CQ treatment resulting in a more significant reduction in tumor growth than selumetinib treatment. Furthermore, combined treatment with CQ and selumetinib resulted in a further reduction in NF1-deficient cell viability. In conclusion, NF1-deficient cells are vulnerable to disruption of the autophagy pathway. This pathway represents a promising therapeutic target for NF1-associated tumors, and CQ was identified as a promising candidate drug for the treatment of NF1 tumors.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Wang, Y.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Stevens, M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Mandigo, T. R.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Bouley, S. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Sharma, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Sengupta, S.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Housden, A. E.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Perrimon, N.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Walker, J. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Housden, B. E.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2021-12-20</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2021.12.20.473481</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Synthetic lethal screening identifies existing drugs with selective viability effects on Neurofibromatosis type-1 model systems]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2021-12-20</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.03.04.482984v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Loss of NF1 causes tactile hypersensitivity and impaired synaptic transmission in a Drosophila model of autism spectrum disorder 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.03.04.482984v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition in which the mechanisms underlying its core symptomatology are largely unknown. Studying animal models of monogenic syndromes associated with ASD, such as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), can offer insights into its aetiology. Here, we show that loss of function of the Drosophila NF1 ortholog results in larval tactile hypersensitivity, paralleling the sensory abnormalities observed in individuals with ASD. Mutant larvae also exhibit synaptic transmission deficits at the glutamatergic neuromuscular junction (NMJ), with increased spontaneous but reduced evoked release. Diminished expression of NF1 specifically within central cholinergic neurons induces both excessive neuronal firing and tactile hypersensitivity, suggesting the two may be linked. Furthermore, both impaired synaptic transmission and behavioural deficits are fully rescued via knockdown of Ras proteins. These findings validate NF1-/- Drosophila as a tractable model of ASD with the potential to elucidate important pathophysiological mechanisms.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Dyson, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Garg, S.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Evans, G.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Baines, R.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2022-03-04</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2022.03.04.482984</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Loss of NF1 causes tactile hypersensitivity and impaired synaptic transmission in a Drosophila model of autism spectrum disorder]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2022-03-04</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.12.31.424999v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Cellular mechanisms of heterogeneity in NF2-mutant schwannoma 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.12.31.424999v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Schwannomas are common sporadic nervous system tumors and diagnostic features of familial neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) that develop predominantly on cranial and spinal nerves and cause severe neurological deficits and significant morbidity. Virtually all schwannomas result from inactivation of the NF2 tumor suppressor gene with few, if any, cooperating mutations. Despite their genetic uniformity schwannomas exhibit remarkable clinical and therapeutic heterogeneity, which has impeded the success of early rational therapies. An understanding of how heterogeneity develops in NF2-mutant schwannomas is critically needed to improve therapeutic options for these patients. We have found that loss of the membrane:actin cytoskeleton-associated NF2 tumor suppressor protein, merlin, yields unstable intrinsic polarity and enables Nf2-/- Schwann cells to adopt distinct programs of coordinated ErbB ligand production and polarized signaling, suggesting a self-generated model of schwannoma heterogeneity. We validated the heterogeneous distribution of biomarkers of these programs in human schwannoma tissue and took advantage of the synchronous development of multiple lesions in a well-studied mouse model to establish a quantitative pipeline that can be used to study how schwannoma heterogeneity evolves and impacts nerve function and therapeutic response in mouse, and ultimately human schwannomas. Our studies inform a mounting appreciation that intrinsic mechanisms are major contributors to heterogeneity across many human cancers.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>MacKenzie, C. C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Liu, C. H.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Vitte, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Giovannini, M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>McClatchey, A. I.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2021-01-03</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2020.12.31.424999</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Cellular mechanisms of heterogeneity in NF2-mutant schwannoma]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2021-01-03</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.03.18.533004v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Schwann cells modulate nociception in neurofibromatosis 1 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.03.18.533004v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Pain of unknown etiology is frequent in individuals with the tumor predisposition syndrome Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), even when tumors are absent. Schwann cells (SC) were recently shown to play roles in nociceptive processing, and we find that chemogenetic activation of SCs is sufficient to induce afferent and behavioral mechanical hypersensitivity in mice. In mouse models, animals show afferent and behavioral hypersensitivity when SC, but not neurons, lack Nf1. Importantly, hypersensitivity corresponds with SC-specific upregulation of mRNA encoding glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), independent of the presence of tumors. Neuropathic pain-like behaviors in the NF1 mice were inhibited by either chemogenetic silencing of SC calcium or by systemic delivery of GDNF targeting antibodies. Together, these findings suggest that Nf1 loss in SCs causes mechanical pain by influencing adjacent neurons and, data may identify cell-specific treatment strategies to ameliorate pain in individuals with NF1.

Graphical AbstractGDNF released from Schwann cells acts on sensory neurons leading to mechanical hypersensitivity and pain-like behaviors in preclinical models of NF1.



O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=181 SRC="FIGDIR/small/533004v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1">
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]]></description>
<dc:creator>Raut, N. G.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Maile, L. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Oswalt, L. M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Mitxelena, I.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Adlakha, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Sprague, K. L.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Rupert, A. R.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Bokros, L.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Hofmann, M. C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Patritti-Cram, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Rizvi, T. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Queme, L. F.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Choi, K.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Ratner, N.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Jankowski, M. P.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2023-03-19</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2023.03.18.533004</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Schwann cells modulate nociception in neurofibromatosis 1]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2023-03-19</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.10.06.510849v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Reciprocal inflammatory signaling in an ex-vivo explant model for neurofibromatosis type 1-related cutaneous neurofibromas 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.10.06.510849v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Cutaneous neurofibromas (CNF) are benign tumors that occur in the dermis of individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF), an inherited tumor predisposition syndrome. CNFs cause disfigurement, pain, burning, and itching, resulting in reduced quality of life in NF patients. However, due to their benign nature there are few in vitro or in vivo models of CNFs, which has limited the research of CNF biology and drug discovery efforts. To address this, we developed a patient derived explant (PDE) ex vivo culture model of CNF tumors and normal skin from NF patients. CNF PDEs remain viable in culture for over 9 days and recapitulate the cellular composition and molecular signaling of CNFs. We identified reciprocal inflammatory signaling in CNF PDEs, in which tumors rely on either prostaglandin or leukotriene mediated signaling pathways. Ex vivo glucocorticoid treatment reduced expression of pro-inflammatory genes, confirming CNF PDEs are a useful model for mechanistic studies and preclinical drug testing.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Grit, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Turner, L.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Essenburg, C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Dischinger, P.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Shurlow, N.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Pate, M.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Graveel, C. R.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Steensma, M. R.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2022-10-06</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2022.10.06.510849</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Reciprocal inflammatory signaling in an ex-vivo explant model for neurofibromatosis type 1-related cutaneous neurofibromas]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2022-10-06</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.02.11.479859v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Antisense oligonucleotides targeting exon 11 are able to partially rescue the Neurofibromatosis Type 2 phenotype in vitro 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.02.11.479859v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant condition caused by loss of function variants in the NF2 gene, which codes for the protein Merlin, and characterized by the development of multiple tumours of the nervous system. The clinical presentation of the disease is variable and related to the type of the inherited germline variant. Here, we tested if PMOs could be used to correct the splice signalling caused by variants at +/-13 within the intron-exon boundary region. Here we show that the PMOs designed for these variants do not constitute a therapeutic approach. Furthermore, we evaluated the use of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) to reduce the severity of the effects of NF2 truncating variants with the aim of generating milder hypomorphic isoforms in vitro through the induction of the in-frame deletion of the exon-carrying variant. We were able to specifically induce the skipping of exons 4, 8 and 11 maintaining the NF2 gene reading frame at cDNA level. Only the skipping of exon 11 produced a hypomorphic Merlin (Merlin-e11), able to partially rescue the observed phenotype in primary fibroblast cultures from NF2 patients, being encouraging for the treatment of patients harbouring truncating variants located in exon 11.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Catasus, N.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Rosas, I.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Bonache, S.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Negro, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Plana, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Salvador, H.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Serra, E.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Blanco, I.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>CASTELLANOS, E.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2022-02-11</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2022.02.11.479859</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Antisense oligonucleotides targeting exon 11 are able to partially rescue the Neurofibromatosis Type 2 phenotype in vitro]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2022-02-11</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.02.02.526674v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
CDK4/6 inhibition enhances SHP2 inhibitor efficacy and is dependent upon restoration of RB function in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors 
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</title>
<link>
https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.02.02.526674v1?rss=1"
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are highly aggressive soft tissue sarcomas with limited treatment options, and novel effective therapeutic strategies are desperately needed. We observe anti-proliferative efficacy of genetic depletion or pharmacological inhibition using the clinically available SHP2 inhibitor (SHP2i) TNO155. Our studies into the signaling response to SHP2i reveal that resistance to TNO155 is partially mediated by reduced RB function, and we therefore test the addition of a CDK4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) to enhance RB activity and improve TNO155 efficacy. In combination, TNO155 attenuates the adaptive response to CDK4/6i, potentiates its anti-proliferative effects, and converges on enhancement of RB activity, with greater suppression of cell cycle and inhibitor-of-apoptosis proteins, leading to deeper and more durable anti-tumor activity in in vitro and in vivo patient-derived models of MPNST, relative to either single agent. Overall, our study provides timely evidence to support the clinical advancement of this combination strategy in patients with MPNST and other tumors driven by loss of NF1.
]]></description>
<dc:creator>Wang, J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Calizo, A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Zhang, L.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Pino, J. C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Lyu, Y.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Pollard, K.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Zhang, X.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Larsson, A. T.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Conniff, E.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Llosa, N.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Wood, D. K.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Largaespada, D. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Moody, S. E.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Gosline, S. J.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Hirbe, A. C.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>Pratilas, C. A.</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2023-02-03</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.1101/2023.02.02.526674</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[CDK4/6 inhibition enhances SHP2 inhibitor efficacy and is dependent upon restoration of RB function in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2023-02-03</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
</rdf:RDF>
