HDAC5 and HDAC9 in medulloblastoma: novel markers for risk stratification and role in tumor cell growth.
OBJECTIVE
Medulloblastomas are the most common malignant brain tumors in childhood. Survivors suffer from high morbidity because of therapy-related side effects. Thus, therapies targeting tumors in a specific manner with small molecules such as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are urgently warranted. This study investigated the expression levels of individual human HDAC family members in primary medulloblastoma samples, their potential as risk stratification markers, and their roles in tumor cell growth.


METHODS
Gene expression arrays were used to screen for HDAC1 through HDAC11. Using quantitative real time reverse transcriptase-PCR and immunohistochemistry, we studied the expression of HDAC5 and HDAC9 in primary medulloblastoma samples. In addition, we conducted functional studies using siRNA-mediated knockdown of HDAC5 and HDAC9 in medulloblastoma cells.


RESULTS
HDAC5 and HDAC9 showed the highest expression in prognostically poor subgroups. This finding was validated in an independent set of medulloblastoma samples. High HDAC5 and HDAC9 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival, with high HDAC5 and HDAC9 expression posing an independent risk factor. Immunohistochemistry revealed a strong expression of HDAC5 and HDAC9 proteins in most of all primary medulloblastomas investigated. siRNA-mediated knockdown of HDAC5 or HDAC9 in medulloblastoma cells resulted in decreased cell growth and cell viability.


CONCLUSIONS
HDAC5 and HDAC9 are significantly upregulated in high-risk medulloblastoma in comparison with low-risk medulloblastoma, and their expression is associated with poor survival. Thus, HDAC5 and HDAC9 may be valuable markers for risk stratification. Because our functional studies point toward a role in medulloblastoma cell growth, HDAC5 and HDAC9 may potentially be novel drug targets.
Milde
Till
T
Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany. t.milde@dkfz.de
Oehme
Ina
I
Korshunov
Andrey
A
Kopp-Schneider
Annette
A
Remke
Marc
M
Northcott
Paul
P
Deubzer
Hedwig E
HE
Lodrini
Marco
M
Taylor
Michael D
MD
von Deimling
Andreas
A
Pfister
Stefan
S
Witt
Olaf
O
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D012306:Risk; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D015854:Up-Regulation
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C404500:HDAC5 protein, human; C486544:HDAC9 protein, human; D006655:Histone Deacetylases