title: The VIP-receptor system in neuroblastoma cells.
abstract: Neuroblastoma (NB), the most common extracranial tumor during childhood arises from the embryonic sympathetic nervous system. Remarkably, NB can spontaneously regress, even after metastasis, leading to complete remission. Subpopulations of neuroblastic (N-type) and nonneuronal cells coexist in NB. Expression of the high-affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) TrkA receptor in NB is correlated with good prognosis, while MYCN amplification is associated with advanced stages of disease. N-type cells undergo differentiation when treated with different compounds, such as retinoids, phorbol esters, growth and neurotrophic NGF and neuropeptides, especially vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). These substances stabilize proliferation, leading to a more mature neuronal phenotype, neurite outgrowth and induction of expression of sympathetic neuronal markers. Therefore, receptors for these substances and their associated signalling pathways, appear like promising targets for the development of novel NB therapeutics. The aim of the present review is to summarize the quite considerable array of data, concerning production of VIP and related peptides, expression of their receptors in NB and the key regulation exerted by the VIP-receptor system in the control of NB cell behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Physiologie et Biologie Cellulaires, CNRS UMR6187, Université de Poitiers, Pôle Biologie Santé, 40 Avenue du Recteur Pineau, 86022 Poitiers CEDEX, France. jean-marc.muller@univ-poitiers.fr <jean-marc.muller@univ-poitiers.fr>
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Philippe
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chevrier
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Héraud
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alleaume
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chadéneau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018005:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000819:agonists / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D018005:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide