Wu et al. map an Nf1-Stat3-Arid1b/ b-catenin pathway that initiates
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (Nf1) neurofibromas, using unbiased
insertional mutagenesis screening. Stat3 transcriptionally represses Gsk3b and Arid1b, thereby activating b-catenin in Schwann cell precursors and resulting in neurofibroma initiation and maintenance.
Stat3-mediated modification plays a role in early tumorigenesis.