Transcriptome profiling tumor cells-of-origin from Nf1 and Nf1-Arf null murine model of Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are the leading cause of premature death for patients with Neurofibromatosis type 1 and no approved targeted therapies are available. Transformation from Nf1-null benign plexiform neurofibromas is driven by the loss of the Cdkn2a (Arf) locus. Here, genetically engineered mouse models with floxed Nf1 and combined Nf1 and Arf alleles were used. Schwann cell precursor cells (the tumor cell-of-origin) were isolated from the nerve root (dorsal root ganglia) of embryos at day 13.5. These cells, termed DRG/nerve root neurosphere cells (DNSCs) were established, and either control adenoviral infection (GFP) was performed, or adenoviral Cre-GFP infection used to conditionally ablate Nf1 or Nf1-Arf. mRNA sequencing was performed using Nf1 (control, GFP infected or “GFP”), Nf1 (Cre-GFP infected or “CRE”), or Nf1-Arf (Cre-GFP infected or “ARF”) to evaluate the effects on the transcriptome. Overall design: mRNA sequencing was performed using Nf1 (control, GFP infected or “GFP”), Nf1 (Cre-GFP infected or “CRE”), or Nf1-Arf (Cre-GFP infected or “ARF”) Schwann cell precursor cells to evaluate effects on the transcriptome.