TY - JOUR
T1 - Cancer-related gene expression profiles in NF1-associated pilocytic astrocytomas
AU - Li, Jun
AU - Perry, Arie
AU - James, C. David
AU - Gutmann, David H.
PY - 2001/4/10
Y1 - 2001/4/10
N2 - Background: Individuals affected with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) develop juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas (JPA) at an increased frequency, suggesting that the NF1 gene product, neurofibromin, functions as a negative growth regulator for astrocytes. Previously, the authors demonstrated that NF1-associated astrocytomas exhibit deletions and loss of NF1 gene expression on the DNA and protein levels. However, little is known about additional genetic events in clinically and radiographically progressive NF1-associated pilocytic astrocytomas. Objective/methods: To understand the potential role of cooperating genetic events in the development of these low-grade tumors, the authors used immunohistochemistry and selected confirmatory Western blots to examine nine symptomatic NF1-associated pilocytic astrocytomas for gene products whose expression patterns are altered in fibrillary astrocytomas. Results: The authors demonstrate that p53, p16, retinoblastoma (RB), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGF-A) and PDGF receptor α (PDGF-Rα) protein expression profiles are not altered in NF1-associated pilocytic astrocytomas. Similar to their sporadic counterparts, NF1-associated JPA also strongly expressed PEN5, a marker of post-O2A stage oligodendroglial precursor cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that NF1-associated pilocytic astrocytomas lack the genetic changes typically associated with the more clinically aggressive fibrillary astrocytomas and lay the foundation for future studies to identify NF1 JPA-specific alterations.
AB - Background: Individuals affected with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) develop juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas (JPA) at an increased frequency, suggesting that the NF1 gene product, neurofibromin, functions as a negative growth regulator for astrocytes. Previously, the authors demonstrated that NF1-associated astrocytomas exhibit deletions and loss of NF1 gene expression on the DNA and protein levels. However, little is known about additional genetic events in clinically and radiographically progressive NF1-associated pilocytic astrocytomas. Objective/methods: To understand the potential role of cooperating genetic events in the development of these low-grade tumors, the authors used immunohistochemistry and selected confirmatory Western blots to examine nine symptomatic NF1-associated pilocytic astrocytomas for gene products whose expression patterns are altered in fibrillary astrocytomas. Results: The authors demonstrate that p53, p16, retinoblastoma (RB), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGF-A) and PDGF receptor α (PDGF-Rα) protein expression profiles are not altered in NF1-associated pilocytic astrocytomas. Similar to their sporadic counterparts, NF1-associated JPA also strongly expressed PEN5, a marker of post-O2A stage oligodendroglial precursor cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that NF1-associated pilocytic astrocytomas lack the genetic changes typically associated with the more clinically aggressive fibrillary astrocytomas and lay the foundation for future studies to identify NF1 JPA-specific alterations.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0035836665&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1212/WNL.56.7.885
DO - 10.1212/WNL.56.7.885
M3 - Article
C2 - 11294925
AN - SCOPUS:0035836665
SN - 0028-3878
VL - 56
SP - 885
EP - 890
JO - Neurology
JF - Neurology
IS - 7
ER -