Differentiated neuroblastoma cells remain epigenetically poised for de-differentiation to an immature state

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood and accounts for a significant share of childhood cancer deaths. Prior studies utilizing RNA sequencing of bulk tumor populations showed two predominant cell states characterized by high and low expression of neuronal genes. Although cells respond to treatment by altering their gene expression, it is unclear whether this reflects shifting balances of distinct subpopulations or plasticity of individual cells. Using neuroblastoma cell lines lacking MYCN amplification, we show that the antigen CD49b distinguishes these subpopulations. CD49b expression marks proliferative cells with an immature gene expression program, while CD49b-negative cells express differentiated neuronal marker genes and are quiescent. Sorted populations spontaneously switch between CD49b expression states in culture, and CD49b-negative cells can generate rapidly growing, CD49b-positive tumors in mice. We profiled H3K27ac to identify enhancers and super enhancers that are specifically active in each population and find that CD49b-negative cells maintain the priming H3K4me1 mark at elements that are active in CD49b-high cells. Improper maintenance of primed enhancer elements thus may underlie cellular plasticity in neuroblastoma, representing potential therapeutic targets for this lethal tumor. Summary Statement This study demonstrates that neuroblastoma cells can interconvert between a state characterized by expression of neuronal genes and a de-differentiated state.