Biology subjects

Hasselblatt, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Hasselblatt, M..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Spatial dissection of ADC/RPT targets defines therapeutic opportunities inrhabdoid tumors

Rhabdoid tumors (RT) are among the most aggressive pediatric malignancies, characterized by early onset, loss of SWI/SNF complex members (SMARCB1 or SMARCA4), and dismal outcomes despite multimodal therapy. Refractory and relapsing RT remain almost uniformly fatal, and targeted or immune-based approaches have yet to demonstrate clinical benefit. To explore novel therapeutic vulnerabilities, we systematically investigated the expression of clinically actionable surface proteins that could serve as targets for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT), or cellular immunotherapies. Based on large-scale transcriptomic analyses, we prioritized FAP, CXCR4, and IL13RA2 and performed comprehensive protein-level validation by immunohistochemistry in an unprecedented cohort of 60 rhabdoid tumors spanning all molecular subgroups (ATRT-TYR, ATRT-SHH, ATRT-MYC, and eMRT). Integrating these data with spatial and single-nucleus transcriptomic profiling, we identified subgroup- and cell-type-specific expression patterns, including heterogeneous FAP distribution between stromal and tumor compartments and a distinct IL13RA2-positive rhabdoid cell population with melanosomal and stem-like features. These findings define a set of biologically and clinically relevant surface targets in RT and provide a translational blueprint for rational ADC and RPT target discovery in pediatric cancer.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Local B cell maturation and mast cell regulation of choroid plexus function in early life.

Postnatal development is a critical period for the maturation of the nervous and immune systems. The choroid plexus (CP) within the brain ventricles guides brain development through the production of cerebrospinal fluid and responds to stimuli from its local immune microenvironment. Here, using single-cell sequencing, we chart the establishment of the immune niche within the CP from birth to adulthood. We demonstrate that the CP is an active site for the development of B cells from early pro-B cells to mature B cells. We also characterize a transient population of CP mast cells that is highly abundant in the perinatal period. Single activation of these cells shortly after birth led to activation of serotonin-dependent secretion from the CP epithelial cells and resulted in cognitive impairment later in life. Our findings highlight the crucial nature of the CP as a neuroimmune interface, where cellular crosstalk regulates key functions of CP activity, thereby guiding brain development.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2025

Multiple FGFR1 mutations modulate tumorigenic mechanisms in glioneuronal tumors.

FGFR1 genetic alterations are associated with human diseases, including brain tumors. We reported multiple FGFR1 mutations in familial and sporadic cases of low-grade glioneuronal tumors, suggesting intrinsic mechanisms of selective pressure toward FGFR1 multiple events arising in the context of a quiet genome. To decipher the molecular mechanisms triggered by multiple FGFR1 mutations, we have mapped the proximal interactome of wild-type, single-and double-mutant FGFR1 proteins through a BioID-MS approach. Our data reveals novel oncogenic functionality for the two hotspots N546K and K656E, linked to evasion of lysosomal degradation. We identified a modulatory role played by the susceptibility variant R661P, which hampers the oncogenic potential of both hotspot mutations by rescuing receptor degradation and reducing N546K affinity for the downstream effector PLC{gamma}. The R661P variant alone abolished the self-renewal capacity of oligodendroglioma cells and showed downregulation of genes involved in neurodevelopment and neuro-glial cell fate decisions, both aspects overcome in the double mutants. This study sheds light on the oncogenic effects associated with FGFR1 alterations and their recurrence in low-mutation burden and therapy naive tumors.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Distribution of GOPC:ROS1 and other ROS1 fusions in glioma types

The ROS proto-oncogene 1 (ROS1) gene is rearranged in various cancers. The translated fusion protein presents an attractive therapeutic target, since specific inhibitors have been approved for several tumor types. In glioma, ROS1 fusions are frequent within infantile hemispheric glioma, and single case reports on occurrences in other glioma types exist. However, a comprehensive analysis spanning the full width of glioma types and subtypes is lacking. We here assessed the spectrum and distribution of ROS1 fusions by screening >20,000 glioma cases for typical chromosomal alterations, with subsequent RNA-sequencing for confirmation of candidate cases. ROS1 fusions were identified in 16 cases, from low grade pilocytic astrocytoma WHO grade 1 to glioblastoma, IDH wildtype WHO grade 4. Thus, despite being enriched in some tumor types, ROS1 fusions are not pathognomonic for specific glioma types and may consitute a relevant target in a variety of cases.

genomics↗