Identification of a SOX2-dependent subset of tumor- and sphere-forming glioblastoma cells with a distinct tyrosine kinase inhibitor sensitivity profile

Neuro Oncol. 2011 Nov;13(11):1178-91. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/nor113. Epub 2011 Sep 22.

Abstract

Putative cancer stem cells have been identified in glioblastomas and are associated with radio- and chemo-resistance. Further knowledge about these cells is thus highly warranted for the development of better glioblastoma therapies. Gene expression analyses of 11 high-grade glioma cultures identified 2 subsets, designated type A and type B cultures. The type A cultures displayed high expression of CXCR4, SOX2, EAAT1, and GFAP and low expression of CNP, PDGFRB, CXCL12, and extracellular matrix proteins. Clinical significance of the 2 types was indicated by the expression of type A- and type B-defining genes in different clinical glioblastoma samples. Classification of glioblastomas with type A- and type B-defining genes generated 2 groups of tumors composed predominantly of the classical, neural, and/or proneural subsets and the mesenchymal subset, respectively. Furthermore, tumors with EGFR mutations were enriched in the group of type A samples. Type A cultures possessed a higher capacity to form xenograft tumors and neurospheres and displayed low or no sensitivity to monotreatment with PDGF- and IGF-1-receptor inhibitors but were efficiently growth inhibited by combination treatment with low doses of these 2 inhibitors. Furthermore, siRNA-induced downregulation of SOX2 reduced sphere formation of type A cultures, decreased expression of type A-defining genes, and conferred sensitivity to monotreatment with PDGF- and IGF-1-receptor inhibitors. The present study thus describes a tumor- and neurosphere-forming SOX2-dependent subset of glioblastoma cultures characterized by a gene expression signature similar to that of the recently described classical, proneural, and/or neural subsets of glioblastoma. The findings that resistance to PDGF- and IGF-1-receptor inhibitors is related to SOX2 expression and can be overcome by combination treatment should be considered in ongoing efforts to develop novel stem cell-targeting therapies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Brain Neoplasms / classification
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Glioblastoma / classification
  • Glioblastoma / drug therapy
  • Glioblastoma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Spheroids, Cellular / pathology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • SOX2 protein, human
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors