Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells
09:37

Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells

Published on: August 25, 2021

Nestin expression in central nervous system germ cell tumors

K Sakurada1, M Saino, W Mouri

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Yamagata University School of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan. kasakura@med.id.yamagata-u.ac.jp

Neurosurgical Review
|December 20, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Nestin protein expression in central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors may predict tumor spread. Detecting nestin in these rare pediatric brain tumors could aid in managing dissemination and progression.

Area of Science:

  • Neuro-oncology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors are rare, primarily affecting children and adolescents, originating from displaced primordial germ cells.
  • While treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy have improved outcomes, some CNS germ cell tumors remain refractory.
  • Nestin, an intermediate filament protein, marks undifferentiated cells and is found in CNS tumors, including brain tumor stem cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate nestin expression in various types of CNS germ cell tumors for the first time.
  • To determine the correlation between nestin expression and clinical behavior, specifically tumor dissemination and progression.

Main Methods:

  • Examined nestin protein expression in 19 CNS germ cell tumors, including germinomas, yolk sac tumors, choriocarcinomas, embryonal carcinomas, and teratomas.
  • Correlated nestin expression levels with clinical data on tumor dissemination.

Main Results:

  • Nestin was expressed in 14 out of 19 CNS germ cell tumors.
  • Nestin was not detected in pure germinomas or mature teratomas.
  • Nestin-negative tumors showed no dissemination, while all disseminating tumors strongly expressed nestin.

Conclusions:

  • Nestin expression is a potential biomarker in CNS germ cell tumors.
  • Detecting nestin could serve as an auxiliary predictor for tumor dissemination and progression in CNS germ cell tumors.
  • This finding may assist in the clinical management of these rare pediatric neoplasms.

More Related Videos

Identifying, Diagnosing, and Grading Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors in Genetically Engineered Mouse Models08:57

Identifying, Diagnosing, and Grading Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors in Genetically Engineered Mouse Models

Published on: May 17, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
The Nucleolus02:55

The Nucleolus

The nucleolus is the most prominent substructure of the nucleus. When it was first discovered, it was considered to be an isolated organelle that forms fibrils and granules. In 1931, the relationship between the nucleolus and chromosomes was first described by Heitz. He observed that the appearance and size of nucleolus varies depending on the stage of the cell cycle. He also noticed constricted regions on different chromosomes clustered together at definite cell cycle stages. These regions,...
Insensitive Nuclei Enhanced by Polarization Transfer (INEPT)01:15

Insensitive Nuclei Enhanced by Polarization Transfer (INEPT)

Insensitive Nuclei Enhanced by Polarization Transfer (INEPT) is an advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technique specifically designed to detect and enhance the signals of low-abundance nuclei, such as carbon-13 and nitrogen-15, in small molecules. The fundamental principle behind INEPT is the transfer of polarization from a more abundant and highly polarizable nucleus, typically hydrogen-1, to the low-abundance nucleus of interest. This process effectively boosts the NMR signal of the...