Exploring the Role of Fibroblasts in Promoting Neuroblastoma Cell Migration and Invasion

Abstract

Neuroblastoma, the most common pediatric extracranial solid tumor, arises from the malignant transformation of neural crest progenitors in the peripheral nervous system. Its clinical and genetic heterogeneity poses significant challenges, especially in high-risk patients with metastatic disease. Two plastic neuroblastoma cell phenotypes, adrenergic (ADR) and mesenchymal (MES), have been identified. Notably, MES neuroblastoma cells exhibit increased migration and chemoresistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment further promote tumor aggressiveness by enhancing cancer cell proliferation, extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis and metastasis. This study explored the role of non-activated fibroblasts in ADR and MES neuroblastoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that MES and ADR neuroblastoma cells influenced fibroblast activation into CAFs differently, with MES cells promoting a more invasive environment leading to tumor spread. These findings enhance our understanding of how ADR and MES phenotypes contribute to the formation of a pro-metastatic niche by activating fibroblasts in CAFs. This insight could inform new therapeutic strategies targeting the tumor microenvironment to prevent neuroblastoma metastasis.