The zebrafish as a model for studying neuroblastoma.
Neuroblastoma is a tumor arising in the peripheral sympathetic nervous system and is the most common cancer in childhood. Since most of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuroblastoma onset and progression remain unknown, the generation of new in vivo models might be appropriate to better dissect the peripheral sympathetic nervous system development in both physiological and disease states. This review is focused on the use of zebrafish as a suitable and innovative model to study neuroblastoma development. Here, we briefly summarize the current knowledge about zebrafish peripheral sympathetic nervous system formation, focusing on key genes and cellular pathways that play a crucial role in the differentiation of sympathetic neurons during embryonic development. In addition, we include examples of how genetic changes known to be associated with aggressive neuroblastoma can mimic this malignancy in zebrafish. Thus, we note the value of the zebrafish model in the field of neuroblastoma research, showing how it can improve our current knowledge about genes and biological pathways that contribute to malignant transformation and progression during embryonic life.
Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Pediatric Research Institute, Città della Speranza, 35127 Padua, Italy.
Diana
D
Corallo
Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences, (DISTAV), University of Genova, C.so Europa 26, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
Simona
S
Candiani
Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, S.S.12 Abetone e Brennero 4, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
Michela
M
Ori
Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Pediatric Research Institute, Città della Speranza, 35127 Padua, Italy.
Sanja
S
Aveic
Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Pediatric Research Institute, Città della Speranza, 35127 Padua, Italy.
Gian Paolo
GP
Tonini
Chromaffin cells; Embryonic development; Neural crest; Neuroblastoma; Peripheral sympathetic nervous system; Sympathoadrenal cells; Zebrafish