Oral communication, iL17

Official XXIst International Pigment Cell Conference website - 21-24 Sept 2011, Bordeaux - France | updated: September 04 2011

Neural crest stem cells and melanoma formation: a likely connection

Human melanoma is composed of distinct cell types reminiscent of neural crest derivatives. We have recently shown that this heterogeneity is established by multipotent cells expressing the neural crest stem cell (NCSC) marker CD271. When isolated from solid tumors using a method that leaves intact cell surface epitopes, these NCSC-like cells, but not CD271-negative cells, form tumors upon xenotransplantation that mirror the heterogeneity of the parental melanoma. Moreover, even upon transplantation into fully immunocompromized mice, presence of CD271-positive cells is required for long-term tumor expansion in vivo. These data indicate a role of stem cell-like cells in tumorigenesis. To further address this issue, we made use of a mouse melanoma model, in which NrasQ61K-oncogene expression in the melanocytic lineage consistently leads to formation of melanoma. Similar to human melanoma, these tumors are composed of various cell types expressing markers of neural crest derivatives. Importantly, tumor initiation in these mice is associated with melanocyte stem cell expansion and emergence of melanoblasts from the stem cell niche, resulting in skin hyperpigmentation and tumorigenesis. Thus, oncogene-mediated activation of melanocyte stem cells is a crucial event in melanoma formation.

Advertisement from our sponsor: