Whole exome sequencing reveals the order of genetic changes during malignant transformation and metastasis in a single patient with NF1-plexiform neurofibroma
Menée à partir de biopsies pratiquées sur un patient atteint d'un neurofibrome plexiforme ayant évolué en une tumeur maligne des gaines des nerfs périphériques de stade métastatique (durée de suivi : 14 ans), ainsi qu'à l'aide d'un modèle murin, cette étude met en évidence l'ordre des événements génétiques somatiques survenus durant la transformation maligne et le processus métastatique
Purpose: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) occur at increased frequency in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), where they likely arise from benign plexiform neurofibroma precursors. While previous studies have employed a variety of discovery approaches to discover genes associated with MPNST pathogenesis, it is currently unclear what molecular events are associated with the evolution of MPNST from plexiform neurofibroma. Experimental Design: Whole exome sequencing was performed on biopsy materials representing plexiform neurofibroma (n=3), MPNST, and metastasis from a single individual with NF1 over a 14-year period. Additional validation cases were used to assess candidate genes involved in malignant progression, while a murine MPNST model was employed for functional analysis. Results:There was an increasing proportion of cells with a somatic NF1 gene mutation as the tumors progressed from benign to malignant, suggesting a clonal process in MPNST development. Copy number variations, including loss of one copy of the TP53 gene, were identified in the primary tumor and the metastatic lesion, but not in benign precursor lesions. A limited number of genes with non-synonymous somatic mutations (beta III-spectrin and ZNF208) were discovered, several of which were validated in additional primary and metastatic MPNST samples. Lastly, increased beta III-spectrin expression was observed in the majority of MPNSTs, and shRNA-mediated knockdown reduced murine MPNST growth in vivo. Conclusions:Collectively, the ability to track the molecular evolution of MPNST in a single individual with NF1 offers new insights into the sequence of genetic events important for disease pathogenesis and progression for future mechanistic study.