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Published on: January 9, 2019
The Role of Id2 Protein in Neuroblatoma in Children
Aleksandra Wieczorek1, Walentyna Balwierz
1Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Polish-American Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland, a.wieczorek@uj.edu.pl.
Abstract:
Id (DNA binding and/or differentiation) proteins occur physiologically during ontogenesis and negatively regulate the activity of other helix-loop-helix (HLH) proteins. Id2 protein causes block of cells differentiation in the S phase of the cell cycle and regulates the activity of Rb protein. The role of Id2 protein in physiological cell cycle progression and in neuroblastoma (NBL) pathogenesis was proposed by Lasorella. The aim of the study was evaluation of Id2 expression and its prognostic significance in NBL cells coming from primary tumors and evaluation of its prognostic significance, and correlation of Id2 expression with known prognostic factors. Sixty patients with primary NBL treated from 1991 to 2005 were included in the analysis. We found 50 patients with high and 10 patients with low intensity of Id2 expression. The median percentage of NBL cells with Id2 expression was 88 %. We found no correlation between the number of NBL cells or the intensity of Id2 expression and OS and DFS. In patients with stage 4 NBL, almost all patients had high expression of Id2 and it was significantly more common than in other disease stages (p = 0,03). We found no correlation between Id2 expression and other known prognostic factor in NBL patients. We assume that Id2 is not prognostic factor. However, due to its abundant expression in most of NBL cells and its role in cell cycle, it may be potential therapeutic target. Exact knowledge of expression time may be helpful in explaining mechanisms of oncogenesis.
Insights
Id2 protein, involved in cell differentiation and the cell cycle, is highly expressed in most neuroblastoma (NBL) tumors. Despite its abundance, Id2 expression does not correlate with patient outcomes or known prognostic factors in NBL.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Id proteins, including Id2, are helix-loop-helix (HLH) proteins that regulate cell differentiation.
- Id2 protein specifically inhibits cell differentiation in the S phase of the cell cycle and influences Rb protein activity.
- The role of Id2 in normal cell cycle progression and neuroblastoma (NBL) pathogenesis has been previously suggested.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Id2 expression in primary NBL tumors.
- To determine the prognostic significance of Id2 expression in NBL patients.
- To correlate Id2 expression with established prognostic factors in NBL.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Id2 expression intensity and percentage in NBL cells from 60 primary tumor samples.
- Statistical correlation of Id2 expression with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).
- Comparison of Id2 expression across different NBL disease stages and with other prognostic factors.
Main Results:
- High Id2 expression was observed in 50 out of 60 NBL patients (median 88% of cells).
- No significant correlation was found between Id2 expression levels (intensity or percentage) and OS or DFS.
- High Id2 expression was significantly more prevalent in stage 4 NBL compared to other stages (p=0.03).
Conclusions:
- Id2 protein is abundantly expressed in most NBL tumors.
- Id2 expression does not appear to be a prognostic factor for NBL patients in this cohort.
- Id2's role in cell cycle regulation suggests potential as a therapeutic target in NBL, warranting further investigation into its role in oncogenesis.
