WNT/beta-catenin pathway activation in Wilms tumors: a unifying mechanism with multiple entries?

Based on characterization of both genomic and expression status of WT1 and CTNNB1 (beta-catenin) in a series of 60 Wilms tumor samples, combined with genome-wide expression profiling of these tumors, normal mature and fetal kidney controls, we show that WT1/beta-catenin expression was a better classifier than WT1/CTNNB1 mutations. We present molecular data supporting that the WNT pathway is involved in both tumor classes, with and without WT1/beta-catenin alterations. In the tumor class with WT1/beta-catenin alterations, we identified overexpression of 14 previously unreported WNT target genes, including TWIST1.

Molecular cytogenetic anomalies and phenotype alterations in a newly established cell line from Wilms tumor with diffuse anaplasia.

The novel continuous cell line WT-Pe.1 was established in vitro from Wilms tumor with histological features of diffuse anaplasia. The cultures grew as poorly differentiated epithelial-like cells with pleomorphic polygonal shapes and formation of typical monolayers.

Frequent overexpression of cyclin D2/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 in Wilms' tumor.

The expression status of the three cyclin D genes (CCND1, CCND2 and CCND3), the two cyclin D-dependent kinase genes (CDK4 and CDK6) and the p16(INK4a) gene was studied in a series of 47 Wilms' tumors, 16 normal mature kidneys and two fetal kidneys. We showed predominant overexpression of CCND2 and CDK4 compared to CCND1/D3 and CDK6 respectively. We found a specific correlation between relapse and CDK4 overexpression, but not CDK6 overexpression.

Changes in WT1 splicing are associated with a specific gene expression profile in Wilms' tumour.

Wilms' tumour (WT) or nephroblastoma is the most frequent kidney cancer in children. In a previous study, we reported alterations to WT1 transcription in 90% of WT tested, with decreased exon 5 +/- isoform ratio being the most frequent alteration (56% of WT). We now report an approach based on cDNA profiling of tumour pools to identify genes likely to be dysregulated in association with a decreased WT1 exon 5 +/- ratio.