Ossifying Fibroma Tumor Stem Cells Are Maintained by Epigenetic Regulation of a TSP1/TGF-beta/SMAD3 Autocrine Loop.

Publication Year:

2013

Authors:

Haiyan Qin, Cunye Qu, Takayoshi Yamaza, Ruili Yang, Xia Lin, Xue-Yan Duan, Kentaro Akiyama, Yi Liu, Qunzhou Zhang, Chider Chen, Yibu Chen, Hank Heng Qi, Xin-Hua Feng, Anh D Le, Songtao Shi

PubMed ID:

24209761

Funding Grants:

Public Summary:

In conclusion, our work establishes a human stem-cell-based benign OF tumor model with a functional phenotype regulated by JHDM1D/TSP1/TGF-β/SMAD3 autocrine-mediated hyperactive TGF-β signaling. Blockage of TGF-β signaling and its autocrine components in OFMSCs can rescue osteogenic deficiency and suppress stromal growth, therefore providing a unique therapy for OF lesions.

Scientific Abstract:

Abnormal stem cell function makes a known contribution to many malignant tumors, but the role of stem cells in benign tumors is not well understood. Here, we show that ossifying fibroma (OF) contains a stem cell population that resembles mesenchymal stem cells (OFMSCs) and is capable of generating OF-like tumor xenografts. Mechanistically, OFMSCs show enhanced TGF-beta signaling that induces aberrant proliferation and deficient osteogenesis via Notch and BMP signaling pathways, respectively. The elevated TGF-beta activity is tightly regulated by JHDM1D-mediated epigenetic regulation of thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), forming a JHDM1D/TSP1/TGF-beta/SMAD3 autocrine loop. Inhibition of TGF-beta signaling in OFMSCs can rescue their abnormal osteogenic differentiation and elevated proliferation rate. Furthermore, chronic activation of TGF-beta can convert normal MSCs into OF-like MSCs via establishment of this JHDM1D/TSP1/TGF-beta/SMAD3 autocrine loop. These results reveal that epigenetic regulation of TGF-beta signaling in MSCs governs the benign tumor phenotype in OF and highlight TGF-beta signaling as a candidate therapeutic target.