Journal Article DKFZ-2026-00565

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Multidimensional profiling of heterogeneity in supratentorial ependymomas.

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2026
Nature Publ. Group London [u.a.]

Nature nn, nn () [10.1038/s41586-026-10214-2]
 GO

Abstract: Supratentorial ependymomas are aggressive childhood brain cancers that retain features of neurodevelopmental cell types1 and segregate into molecularly and clinically distinct subgroups2,3, suggesting different developmental roots. The developmental signatures, as well as microenvironmental factors, underlying aberrant cellular transformation and behaviour across each supratentorial ependymoma subgroup are unclear. Here we integrated single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, as well as in vitro and in vivo live-cell imaging, to define supratentorial ependymoma cell states, spatial organization and dynamic behaviour within the neural microenvironment. We find that individual tumour subgroups have two distinct progenitor-like cell states-neuroepithelial-like and embryonic-like-that are reminiscent of early human brain development and diverge in the extent of their neuronal or ependymal differentiation. We further identify several modes of spatial organization of these tumours, including a high-order architecture that is influenced by mesenchymal and hypoxia signatures, and local neighbourhood structures. Finally, we identify a role for brain-resident cells in shifting supratentorial ependymoma cellular heterogeneity towards neuronal-like cells that co-opt immature neuronal morphology and migratory mechanisms, and a subset of neuroepithelial-like cells that are both proliferative and highly migratory. Collectively, these findings provide a multidimensional framework to integrate transcriptional and phenotypic characterization of tumour heterogeneity in supratentorial ependymoma and its potential clinical implications.

Classification:

Note: #EA:B062#LA:B320# / #DKTKZFB26# / #NCTZFB26# / epub

Contributing Institute(s):
  1. B062 Pädiatrische Neuroonkologie (B062)
  2. DKTK HD zentral (HD01)
  3. KKE Neuroonkologie (B320)
  4. KKE Neuropathologie (B300)
  5. Koordinierungsstelle NCT Heidelberg (HD02)
Research Program(s):
  1. 312 - Funktionelle und strukturelle Genomforschung (POF4-312) (POF4-312)

Appears in the scientific report 2026
Database coverage:
Medline ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Chemical Reactions ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DEAL Nature ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 60 ; Index Chemicus ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record
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 Record created 2026-03-12, last modified 2026-03-13



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