Abstract 4344: Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase-mediated pro-invasive properties of neuroblastoma initiating cells
Authors: Nyalendo Carine , Hadj-Mimoune Sarah , Cournoyer Sonia , Beaunoyer Mona , Benoît Alexandre , Addioui Anissa , Teira Pierre , Haddad Elie , Momparler Richard L. , Sartelet Hervé 
Published: June 2012

Introduction. Neuroblastoma is the most common and deadly extracranial solid tumour of childhood. Unlike localized neuroblastomas which have generally good prognosis, metastatic stages are associated with poor outcome. In this context, increasing evidences suggest that neuroblastoma may contain tumor-initiating cells (TICs) that cause relapse and metastasis. Our recent work indicates that CD133, a putative marker of TICs in various cancers, is associated with chemoresistance and poor outcome in neuroblastoma. In addition, we and others have demonstrated that membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is associated with neuroblastoma progression and metastasis.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to characterize the tumor-initiating properties of CD133high neuroblastoma cells and determinate the role of MT1-MMP in pro-invasive properties of these cells.

Methods/Results. Following CD133high cells selection from neuroblastoma cell lines (SK-N-DZ, SK-N-FI, SK-N-SH and SJ-NB10) with FACSAria cell sorter, we have examined their tumor-initiating features with neurosphere-forming assay in serum-free medium, colony-forming assay in soft agar and orthotopic transplantation into the adrenal gland (major site of primary neuroblastoma) of severe immunocompromised NOD/SCID/IL2Rγ- mice (NSG). Contrary to their counterpart CD133low, CD133high cells formed more colonies in soft agar and develop more neurospheres. Interestingly, orthotopic transplantation of as few as 500 CD133high cells into NSG mice resulted in tumor formation into the adrenal gland and dissemination to liver, lungs, brain and bone marrow, while matched control CD133low presented no tumor, suggesting that CD133high cells are TICs in neuroblastoma. Further western blot analyses of neuroblastoma cell lines revealed that CD133 expression correlated with that of MT1-MMP. In addition, CD133high cells growth within three-dimensional type I collagen matrices was markedly higher than CD133low cells and was significantly reduced by anti-MT1-MMP neutralizing antibodies. In the same vein, we performed cell migration assay in Boyden chamber and observed that CD133high cells exhibit more migratory abilities that CD133low cells, this migration being inhibited by anti-MT1-MMP neutralizing antibodies.

Conclusions. Altogether, these findings strongly suggest that CD133-expressing TICs of neuroblastoma exhibit high pro-invasive capacities, requiring the involvement of MT1-MMP. Targeting pro-invasive capacities of neuroblastoma TICs with MMPs-activaed pro-drugs in combination with conventional therapy, represents an attractive therapeutic strategy aimed at eliminating both neuroblastoma TICs and the bulk of the tumour.

Acknowledgment. Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4344. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4344