Identification of tumoral glial precursor cells in neuroblastoma

Neuroblastic tumors (NBT) are composed by neuroblasts and Schwannian-like stroma. The origin of these two cell subtypes remains unclear. In this study, we describe, a neuroblastic-like subpopulation in neuroblastoma (NB) coexpressing GD2 and S100A6, neuroblastic and glial lineage markers respectively. The GD2+/S100A6+ neuroblastic subpopulation was found to be enriched in low risk NB, distributed around the perivascular niche. Some stromal bundles showed GD2+/S100A6 costaining. Metastatic bone marrow specimens also showed GD2+/S100A6+ cells. During in vitro retinoic acid induced differentiation of NB cell lines, rare GD2+/S100A6 neuroblatic cells appeared. We conclude that GD2+/S100A6+ neuroblasts may represent a tumoral glial precursor subpopulation in NBT.

► We describe a neuroblastic subpopulation coexpressing neuronal and glial markers. ► The GD2+/S100A6+ subpopulation is more common in low risk neuroblastoma. ► GD2+/S100A6+ neuroblasts populate the perivascular niche. ► GD2+/S100A6+ neuroblasts represent tumor glial precursor cells.