Derivation of sarcomas from mesenchymal stem cells via inactivation of the Wnt pathway. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), now termed high-grade undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, is a commonly diagnosed mesenchymal tumor, yet both the underlying molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis and cell of origin remain unidentified. We present evidence demonstrating that human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are the progenitors of MFH. DKK1, a Wnt inhibitor and mediator of hMSC proliferation, is overexpressed in MFH. Using recombinant proteins, antibody depletion, and siRNA knockdown strategies of specific Wnt elements, we show that DKK1 inhibits hMSC commitment to differentiation via Wnt2/beta-catenin canonical signaling and that Wnt5a/JNK noncanonical signaling regulates a viability checkpoint independent of Dkk1. Finally, we illustrate that hMSCs can be transformed via inhibition of Wnt signaling to form MFH-like tumors in nude mice, and conversely, MFH cells in which Wnt signaling is appropriately reestablished can differentiate along mature connective tissue lineages. Our results provide mechanistic insights regarding the cell of origin of MFH, establish what we believe is a novel tumor suppressor role for Wnt signaling, and identify a potential therapeutic differentiation strategy for sarcomas.

publication date

  • November 1, 2007

Research

keywords

  • Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells
  • Signal Transduction
  • Wnt Proteins

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC2030456

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 36049042525

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1172/JCI31377

PubMed ID

  • 17948129

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 117

issue

  • 11