Purpose: A major component of cells in tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) consists of bystander macrophages responding to CSF1 that is overproduced by a small number of neoplastic cells with a... Show morePurpose: A major component of cells in tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) consists of bystander macrophages responding to CSF1 that is overproduced by a small number of neoplastic cells with a chromosomal translocation involving the CSF1 gene. An autocrine loop was postulated where the neoplastic cells would be stimulated through CSF1R expressed on their surface. Here, we use single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate cellular interactions in TGCT. Experimental Design: A total of 18,788 single cells from three TGCT and two giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) samples underwent scRNA-seq. The three TGCTs were additionally analyzed using long-read RNA sequencing. Immunofluorescence and IHC for a range of markers were used to validate and extend the scRNA-seq findings.Results: Two recurrent neoplastic cell populations were identi-fied in TGCT that are highly similar to nonneoplastic synoviocytes. We identified GFPT2 as a marker that highlights the neoplastic cells in TCGT. We show that the neoplastic cells themselves do not express CSF1R. We identified overlapping MAB features between the giant cells in TGCT and GCTB. Conclusions: The neoplastic cells in TGCT are highly similar to nonneoplastic synoviocytes. The lack of CSF1R on the neoplastic cells indicates they may be unaffected by current therapies. High expression of GFPT2 in the neoplastic cells is associated with activation of the YAP1/TAZ pathway. In addition, we identified expression of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor in the neoplastic cells. These findings suggest two additional pathways to target in this tumor. Show less
Cleven, A.H.G.; Sannaa, G.A. al; Briaire-de Bruijn, I.; Ingram, D.R.; Rijn, M. van de; Rubin, B.P.; ... ; Bovee, J.V.M.G. 2016
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) are aggressive soft tissue tumours that occur either sporadically or in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. The malignant transformation of... Show moreMalignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) are aggressive soft tissue tumours that occur either sporadically or in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. The malignant transformation of the benign neurofibroma to MPNST is incompletely understood at the molecular level. We have determined the gene expression signature for benign and malignant PNSTs and found that the major trend in malignant transformation from neurofibroma to MPNST consists of the loss of expression of a large number of genes, rather than widespread increase in gene expression. Relatively few genes are expressed at higher levels in MPNSTs and these include genes involved in cell proliferation and genes implicated in tumour metastasis. In addition, a gene expression signature indicating p53 inactivation is seen in the majority of MPNSTs. Subsequent microRNA profiling of benign and malignant PNSTs indicated a relative down-regulation of miR-34a in most MPNSTs compared to neurofibromas. In vitro studies using the cell lines MPNST-14 (NF1 mutant) and MPNST-724 (from a non-NF1 individual) show that exogenous expression of p53 or miR-34a promotes apoptotic cell death. In addition, exogenous expression of p53 in MPNST cells induces miR-34a and other miRNAs. Our data show that p53 inactivation and subsequent loss of expression of miR-34a may significantly contribute to the MPNST development. Collectively, our findings suggest that deregulation of miRNAs has a potential role in the malignant transformation process in peripheral nerve sheath tumours. Copyright (C) 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Show less