Aberrant FGF signaling promotes granule neuron precursor expansion in SHH subgroup infantile medulloblastoma

Abstract

Mutations in Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway genes, e.g. Suppressor of Fused (SUFU), drive granule neuron precursors (GNP) to form medulloblastomas (MBSHH). However, how different molecular lesions in the Shh pathway drive transformation is frequently unclear, and in particular, SUFU mutations in the cerebellum seem distinct. In this study, we show that fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) signaling is integral for many infantile MBSHH cases. We found that FGF5 expression is uniquely upregulated in infantile MBSHH tumors. Also, in mice carrying loss-of-function SUFU mutations (Sufu-cKO), FGF5 is ectopically expressed specifically along the secondary fissure where GNPs harboring preneoplastic DNA lesions are massively expanded and FGFR signaling is also ectopically activated in this region. Treatment with an FGFR antagonist rescues the severe GNP hyperplasia and restores cerebellar architecture. Thus, direct inhibition of FGF signaling may be a promising and novel therapeutic candidate for infantile MBSHH.