CD99 regulates neural differentiation of Ewing sarcoma cells through miR-34a-Notch-mediated control of NF-κB signaling

Oncogene. 2016 Jul 28;35(30):3944-54. doi: 10.1038/onc.2015.463. Epub 2015 Nov 30.

Abstract

Sarcomas are mesenchymal tumors characterized by blocked differentiation process. In Ewing sarcoma (EWS) both CD99 and EWS-FLI1 concur to oncogenesis and inhibition of differentiation. Here, we demonstrate that uncoupling CD99 from EWS-FLI1 by silencing the former, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling is inhibited and the neural differentiation program is re-established. NF-κB inhibition passes through miR-34a-mediated repression of Notch pathway. CD99 counteracts EWS-FLI1 in controlling NF-κB signaling through the miR-34a, which is increased and secreted into exosomes released by CD99-silenced EWS cells. Delivery of exosomes from CD99-silenced cells was sufficient to induce neural differentiation in recipient EWS cells through miR-34a inhibition of Notch-NF-κB signaling. Notably, even the partial delivery of CD99 small interfering RNA may have a broad effect on the entire tumor cell population owing to the spread operated by their miR-34a-enriched exosomes, a feature opening to a new therapeutic option.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 12E7 Antigen / physiology*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • NF-kappa B / physiology*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / physiology
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1 / physiology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Protein EWS / physiology
  • Receptors, Notch / physiology*
  • Sarcoma, Ewing / pathology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • 12E7 Antigen
  • CD99 protein, human
  • EWS-FLI fusion protein
  • MIRN34 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • NF-kappa B
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RNA-Binding Protein EWS
  • Receptors, Notch