Open Access

Activated KRAS reprograms neural progenitor cells to glioma stem cell‑like phenotype

  • Authors:
    • Zixi Qin
    • Weiye Liang
    • Zixuan Zhang
    • Peiwen Li
    • Tianyu Wang
    • Qianyu Chen
    • Baoyin Guo
    • Ying Zhong
    • Hui Kang
    • Lihui Wang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 16, 2023     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2023.5536
  • Article Number: 88
  • Copyright: © Qin et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Glioma is the most common primary brain tumor. Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are the origin of gliomagenesis and may develop from normal neural progenitor cells (NPCs). However, how neoplastic transformation occurs in normal NPCs and the role of the Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway in NPC transformation is unclear. The present study generated NPCs from human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) carrying gene alterations in the Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway. The CCK‑8 proliferation, single‑cell clonal expansion, cell migration, RT‑qPCR, immunofluorescence staining, western blotting, transcriptome and Seahorse analyses, and intracranial implantation assay were performed to identify the characterization of transformed NPCs in vitro and in vivo. Brain organoids were used to verify the phenotypes transforming in NPCs. KRAS‑activated NPCs exhibited increased proliferation and migration in vitro. KRAS‑activated NPCs showed atypical morphology and formed aggressive tumors in immunodeficient mice. At the molecular level, KRAS‑activated NPCs displayed neoplasm‑associated metabolic and gene expression profiles. Moreover, activation of KRAS led to substantial cell proliferation and abnormal structure in ESC‑derived brain organoids. The present study showed that activated KRAS transformed normal NPCs to GSC‑like cells and established a simple cellular model to investigate gliomagenesis.
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July-2023
Volume 63 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Qin Z, Liang W, Zhang Z, Li P, Wang T, Chen Q, Guo B, Zhong Y, Kang H, Wang L, Wang L, et al: Activated <em>KRAS</em> reprograms neural progenitor cells to glioma stem cell‑like phenotype. Int J Oncol 63: 88, 2023
APA
Qin, Z., Liang, W., Zhang, Z., Li, P., Wang, T., Chen, Q. ... Wang, L. (2023). Activated <em>KRAS</em> reprograms neural progenitor cells to glioma stem cell‑like phenotype. International Journal of Oncology, 63, 88. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2023.5536
MLA
Qin, Z., Liang, W., Zhang, Z., Li, P., Wang, T., Chen, Q., Guo, B., Zhong, Y., Kang, H., Wang, L."Activated <em>KRAS</em> reprograms neural progenitor cells to glioma stem cell‑like phenotype". International Journal of Oncology 63.1 (2023): 88.
Chicago
Qin, Z., Liang, W., Zhang, Z., Li, P., Wang, T., Chen, Q., Guo, B., Zhong, Y., Kang, H., Wang, L."Activated <em>KRAS</em> reprograms neural progenitor cells to glioma stem cell‑like phenotype". International Journal of Oncology 63, no. 1 (2023): 88. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2023.5536