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Published on: January 1, 2018
Epigenetic reprogramming and re-differentiation of a Ewing sarcoma cell line
Joseph B Moore1, David M Loeb2, Kyung U Hong3
1Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Cardiology, University of Louisville Louisville, KY, USA.
Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells were generated from Ewing sarcoma (EWS) cells, creating a model for studying cancer drug resistance. These EWS-iPS cells retained drug resistance but regained sensitivity upon differentiation, offering insights into oncogenesis and metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells offer a model for studying diseases, including cancer.
- Establishing cell lines from primary patient samples can be challenging.
- Cancer-derived iPS cells can model disease initiation and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To developmentally reprogram a metastatic Ewing sarcoma (EWS) cell line into a pluripotent state.
- To characterize the resulting EWS-iPS cells for their molecular and phenotypic features.
- To assess the utility of EWS-iPS cells as a disease model for oncogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance.
Main Methods:
- Developmental reprogramming of a metastatic EWS cell line.
- Characterization of EWS-iPS cells for pluripotency markers and gene expression (EWS-FLI1).
- Assessment of drug resistance profiles in EWS-iPS cells and their differentiated progeny.
- In vivo tumor formation assays and in vitro re-differentiation studies.
Main Results:
- EWS cells were reprogrammed to a meta-stable ES-like state (EWS-iPS cells).
- EWS-iPS cells exhibited persistent EWS-FLI1 expression and pronounced drug resistance, including to targeted therapies.
- EWS-iPS cells formed tumors in vivo with characteristic Ewing histopathology.
- In vitro re-differentiation of EWS-iPS cells restored sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents.
Conclusions:
- EWS-iPS cells provide an expandable model for studying Ewing sarcoma.
- This model can investigate mechanisms of drug resistance, oncogenesis, and metastasis.
- EWS-iPS cells offer a platform for understanding EWS pathogenesis and developing targeted therapies.
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