Neuronal Regulation of Pediatric Brain Tumor Growth
Mentor Name: David Gutmann
Children with the Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) cancer predisposition syndrome are at increased risk of developing brain tumors, particularly low-grade gliomas of the nerve that carries vision from the eye to the brain (optic nerve). These optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) lead to impaired vision in many affected children. As a result, children with NF1-OPGs can have life-long problems with vision, even after successful tumor treatment. In order to identify therapies that block tumor-induced vision loss, we have generated Nf1 genetically engineered mouse strains that form optic gliomas (Nf1-OPG mice) and exhibit impaired vision. Using these unique Nf1-OPG mice, we have previously shown that nerve cells (neurons) in the eye control tumor development and growth through the activation of immune system cells (T lymphocytes). This summer, Lara will work to determine how nerve cells communicate with T lymphocytes to create a microenvironment supportive of childhood brain tumor growth. Understanding the mechanism underlying nerve control of pediatric low-grade glioma growth provides unique opportunities to design therapies that target nerve-immune cell interactions.
