Fig. 1

Tenascin C (TNC) is Overexpressed in Pediatric Glioma Tissue: TNC expression patterns were evaluated in pediatric glioma tumor and normal brain tissue specimens. a Western blot analysis of protein extract from DIPG tumor tissue and paired normal brain tissue from the same patient demonstrates increased TNC expression in tumor relative to normal specimens. Densitometry analysis of western blot signal intensity confirms statistical significance of TNC overexpression in tumor tissues (*p = 0.0388, paired two-tailed t-test). Data depicted in histogram, with error bars representing standard error of the mean, and in dot plot, with horizontal bars representing mean protein expression levels. Y-axis: Normalized TNC protein expression relative to GAPDH. b Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of mouse glioma xenograft tumor and normal brain tissue demonstrates TNC staining of the plasma membrane and extracellular matrix in tumor specimens. Scale bar = 50 μm. c IHC staining was strongest in high-grade and midline glioma tissue, compared to low grade glioma and normal brainstem tissue. Scale bar = 100 μm. d H-score semi-quantification of pediatric glioma TNC staining demonstrating correlation with tumor histological grade. Y-axis: TNC H-score from 0 to 300. Horizontal bars represent the mean H-score. e & f Kaplan–Meier estimates of overall survival (e) and progression-free survival (f) stratified by 75% (240) TNC H-score. Higher TNC expression is associated with worse overall and progression-free survival (p = 0.041 and 0.034, respectively; log-rank test)