[HTML][HTML] EWS/ATF1 expression induces sarcomas from neural crest–derived cells in mice

K Yamada, T Ohno, H Aoki, K Semi… - The Journal of …, 2013 - Am Soc Clin Investig
K Yamada, T Ohno, H Aoki, K Semi, A Watanabe, H Moritake, S Shiozawa, T Kunisada…
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2013Am Soc Clin Investig
Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is an aggressive soft tissue malignant tumor characterized by a
unique t (12; 22) translocation that leads to the expression of a chimeric EWS/ATF1 fusion
gene. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the involvement of
EWS/ATF1 in CCS development. In addition, the cellular origins of CCS have not been
determined. Here, we generated EWS/ATF1-inducible mice and examined the effects of
EWS/ATF1 expression in adult somatic cells. We found that forced expression of EWS/ATF1 …
Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is an aggressive soft tissue malignant tumor characterized by a unique t(12;22) translocation that leads to the expression of a chimeric EWS/ATF1 fusion gene. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the involvement of EWS/ATF1 in CCS development. In addition, the cellular origins of CCS have not been determined. Here, we generated EWS/ATF1-inducible mice and examined the effects of EWS/ATF1 expression in adult somatic cells. We found that forced expression of EWS/ATF1 resulted in the development of EWS/ATF1-dependent sarcomas in mice. The histology of EWS/ATF1-induced sarcomas resembled that of CCS, and EWS/ATF1-induced tumor cells expressed CCS markers, including S100, SOX10, and MITF. Lineage-tracing experiments indicated that neural crest–derived cells were subject to EWS/ATF1-driven transformation. EWS/ATF1 directly induced Fos in an ERK-independent manner. Treatment of human and EWS/ATF1-induced CCS tumor cells with FOS-targeted siRNA attenuated proliferation. These findings demonstrated that FOS mediates the growth of EWS/ATF1-associated sarcomas and suggest that FOS is a potential therapeutic target in human CCS.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation