Cntnap4 Signaling in Osteosarcoma Disease Progression
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary skeleton malignancy, and inordinately affects children and young adults. Despite improved outcomes with current multimodal care, the prognosis for patients with metastatic disease is grim with an overall 5 year survival rate <20 percent. Our research group has examined a novel osteogenic differentiation factor, NELL-1, and its potential applications in tissue engineering. Recently, our group has shown that NELL-1 is significantly upregulated across multiple OS cell lines and over 50 human high grade OS samples. Despite many years of research, the precise cell surface receptor which transduces NELL-1 signaling remained elusive. Recently, we have determined that NELL-1 binds to Cntnap4 (Contactin-associated protein-like 4) which propagates downstream signaling pathways responsible for its cellular effects. Collectively, the NELL-1 / Cntnap4 signaling axis has emerged as a novel and targetable pathways in human osteosarcoma. In a comprehensive, in vitro / in vivo proposal, we will now interrogate the role of NELL-1 / Cntnap4 signaling in the positive regulation of osteosarcoma disease progression.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1152425
Entities
People
- Aaron W James
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University