A comprehensive omic, computational, and physiological approach was employed to examine the (previously unexplored) role of microRNAs (miRNAs) as regulators of IAS smooth muscle contractile phenotype and basal tone. MicroRNA profiling, genome wide expression, validation and network analyses were employed to assess changes in mRNA and miRNA expression in IAS smooth muscles from young vs. aging rats. Multiple miRNAs, including rno-miR-1, rno-miR-340-5p, rno-miR-185, rno-miR-199a-3p, rno-miR-200c, rno-miR-200b, rno-miR-31, rno-miR-133a and rno-miR-206 were found to be up-regulated in aging IAS. qRT-PCR confirmed the up-regulated expression of these miRNAs and down regulation of multiple, predicted targets (Eln, Col3a1, Col1a1, Zeb2, Myocd, SRF, Smad1, Smad2, RhoA/ROCK2, Fn1, Sm22-v2, Klf4, and Acta2) involved in regulation of SM contractility. Subsequent studies demonstrated an aging-associated increase in the expression of miR-133a, corresponding decreases in RhoA, ROCK2, MYOCD, SRF and SM22 protein expression, RhoA-signaling, and a decrease in basal and agonist (U-46619 (thromboxane A2 analog))-induced increase in the IAS tone. Moreover, in vitro transfection of miR-133a caused a dose-dependent increase of IAS tone in strips, which was reversed by anti-miR-133a. Lastly, in vivo perianal injection of anti-miR-133a reversed the loss of IAS tone associated with age. This work establishes the important regulatory effect of miRNA-133a on basal and agonist-stimulated IAS tone. Moreover, reversal of age-associated loss of tone via anti-miR delivery strongly implicates miR dysregulation as a causal factor in the aging-associated decrease in IAS tone, and suggests miR-133a is feasible therapeutic target in aging-associated rectoanal incontinence.
Aging-associated changes in microRNA expression profile of internal anal sphincter smooth muscle: Role of microRNA-133a.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Specificity and heterogeneity of terahertz radiation effect on gene expression in mouse mesenchymal stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe report that terahertz (THz) irradiation of mouse mesenchymal stem cells with a pulsed broadband (centered at 10 THz) source, or a single-frequency, 2.52 THz, (SF) laser source, both with weak average power (<1mW/cm2), results in specific heterogenic changes in gene expression. The insignificant differential expression of heat shock and stress related genes as well as our temperature measurements imply a non-thermal response. The microarray survey and RT-PCR experiments demonstrate that at different irradiation conditions distinct groups of genes are activated. Stem cells irradiated for 12 hours with the broadband THz source exhibit an accelerated differentiation toward adipose phenotype, while the 2-hour (broadband or SF) irradiation affects genes transcriptionally active in pluripotent stem cells. Phenotypic and gene expression differences suggest that the THz effect depends on irradiation parameters such as duration and type of THz source, and on the level of stem cell differentiation. Computer simulations of the core promoters of two pluripotency markers reveal association between gene upregulation and propensity for DNA breathing. We propose that THz radiation has potential for non-contact control of cellular gene expression.
Specificity and heterogeneity of terahertz radiation effect on gene expression in mouse mesenchymal stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe report that terahertz (THz) irradiation of mouse mesenchymal stem cells with a pulsed broadband (centered at 10 THz) source, or a single-frequency, 2.52 THz, (SF) laser source, both with weak average power (<1mW/cm2), results in specific heterogenic changes in gene expression. The insignificant differential expression of heat shock and stress related genes as well as our temperature measurements imply a non-thermal response. The microarray survey and RT-PCR experiments demonstrate that at different irradiation conditions distinct groups of genes are activated. Stem cells irradiated for 12 hours with the broadband THz source exhibit an accelerated differentiation toward adipose phenotype, while the 2-hour (broadband or SF) irradiation affects genes transcriptionally active in pluripotent stem cells. Phenotypic and gene expression differences suggest that the THz effect depends on irradiation parameters such as duration and type of THz source, and on the level of stem cell differentiation. Computer simulations of the core promoters of two pluripotency markers reveal association between gene upregulation and propensity for DNA breathing. We propose that THz radiation has potential for non-contact control of cellular gene expression.
Specificity and heterogeneity of terahertz radiation effect on gene expression in mouse mesenchymal stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe report that terahertz (THz) irradiation of mouse mesenchymal stem cells with a pulsed broadband (centered at 10 THz) source, or a single-frequency, 2.52 THz, (SF) laser source, both with weak average power (<1mW/cm2), results in specific heterogenic changes in gene expression. The insignificant differential expression of heat shock and stress related genes as well as our temperature measurements imply a non-thermal response. The microarray survey and RT-PCR experiments demonstrate that at different irradiation conditions distinct groups of genes are activated. Stem cells irradiated for 12 hours with the broadband THz source exhibit an accelerated differentiation toward adipose phenotype, while the 2-hour (broadband or SF) irradiation affects genes transcriptionally active in pluripotent stem cells. Phenotypic and gene expression differences suggest that the THz effect depends on irradiation parameters such as duration and type of THz source, and on the level of stem cell differentiation. Computer simulations of the core promoters of two pluripotency markers reveal association between gene upregulation and propensity for DNA breathing. We propose that THz radiation has potential for non-contact control of cellular gene expression.
Specificity and heterogeneity of terahertz radiation effect on gene expression in mouse mesenchymal stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe childhood brain tumour medulloblastoma includes four subtypes with very different prognoses. Here, we show that paracrine signals driven by mutant Beta-Catenin in WNT-medulloblastoma an essentially curable form of the disease induce an aberrant fenestrated vasculature that permits the accumulation of high levels of intra-tumoural chemotherapy and a robust therapeutic response. In contrast, SHH-medulloblastoma a less curable disease subtype contains an intact blood brain barrier, rendering this tumour impermeable and resistant to chemotherapy. Remarkably, the medulloblastoma-endothelial cell paracrine axis can be manipulated in vivo, altering chemotherapy permeability and clinical response. Thus, medulloblastoma genotype dictates tumour vessel phenotype, explaining in part the disparate prognoses among medulloblastoma subtypes and suggesting an approach to enhance the chemoresponsiveness of other brain tumours.
Medulloblastoma Genotype Dictates Blood Brain Barrier Phenotype.
Specimen part
View SamplesCancer types with lower mutational load and a non-permissive tumor microenvironment are intrinsically resistant to immune checkpoint blockade. While the combination of cytostatic drugs and immunostimulatory antibodies constitutes an attractive concept for overcoming this refractoriness, suppression of immune cell function by cytostatic drugs may limit therapeutic efficacy. Here we show that targeted inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK) does not impair dendritic cell-mediated T-cell priming and activation. Accordingly, combining MEK inhibitors (MEKi) with agonist antibodies (Abs) targeting the immunostimulatory CD40 receptor resulted in potent synergistic anti-tumor efficacy. Detailed analysis of the mechanism of action of MEKi GDC-0623 by means of flow cytometric analysis of the tumor immune infiltrate and whole tumor transcriptomics showed that, in addition to its cytostatic impact on tumor cells, this drug exerts multiple pro-immunogenic effects, including the suppression of M2-type macrophages, myeloid derived suppressor cells and CD4+ T-regulatory cells. In addition, MEKi was found to induce tumor-cell intrinsic interferon signaling, which contributed to antigen presentation by tumor cells. Finally, the tumoridical impact of MEKi involves the activation of multiple pro-inflammatory pathways involved in immune cell effector function in the tumor microenvironment. Our data therefore indicate that the combination of MEK inhibition with agonist anti-CD40 Ab is a promising therapeutic concept, especially for the treatment of mutant Kras-driven tumors such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Proimmunogenic impact of MEK inhibition synergizes with agonist anti-CD40 immunostimulatory antibodies in tumor therapy.
Specimen part
View SamplesCancer types with lower mutational load and a non-permissive tumor microenvironment are intrinsically resistant to immune checkpoint blockade. While the combination of cytostatic drugs and immunostimulatory antibodies constitutes an attractive concept for overcoming this refractoriness, suppression of immune cell function by cytostatic drugs may limit therapeutic efficacy. Here we show that targeted inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK) does not impair dendritic cell-mediated T-cell priming and activation. Accordingly, combining MEK inhibitors (MEKi) with agonist antibodies (Abs) targeting the immunostimulatory CD40 receptor resulted in potent synergistic anti-tumor efficacy. Detailed analysis of the mechanism of action of MEKi GDC-0623 by means of flow cytometric analysis of the tumor immune infiltrate and whole tumor transcriptomics showed that, in addition to its cytostatic impact on tumor cells, this drug exerts multiple pro-immunogenic effects, including the suppression of M2-type macrophages, myeloid derived suppressor cells and CD4+ T-regulatory cells. In addition, MEKi was found to induce tumor-cell intrinsic interferon signaling, which contributed to antigen presentation by tumor cells. Finally, the tumoridical impact of MEKi involves the activation of multiple pro-inflammatory pathways involved in immune cell effector function in the tumor microenvironment. Our data therefore indicate that the combination of MEK inhibition with agonist anti-CD40 Ab is a promising therapeutic concept, especially for the treatment of mutant Kras-driven tumors such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Proimmunogenic impact of MEK inhibition synergizes with agonist anti-CD40 immunostimulatory antibodies in tumor therapy.
Specimen part
View SamplesCancer types with lower mutational load and a non-permissive tumor microenvironment are intrinsically resistant to immune checkpoint blockade. While the combination of cytostatic drugs and immunostimulatory antibodies constitutes an attractive concept for overcoming this refractoriness, suppression of immune cell function by cytostatic drugs may limit therapeutic efficacy. Here we show that targeted inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK) does not impair dendritic cell-mediated T-cell priming and activation. Accordingly, combining MEK inhibitors (MEKi) with agonist antibodies (Abs) targeting the immunostimulatory CD40 receptor resulted in potent synergistic anti-tumor efficacy. Detailed analysis of the mechanism of action of MEKi GDC-0623 by means of flow cytometric analysis of the tumor immune infiltrate and whole tumor transcriptomics showed that, in addition to its cytostatic impact on tumor cells, this drug exerts multiple pro-immunogenic effects, including the suppression of M2-type macrophages, myeloid derived suppressor cells and CD4+ T-regulatory cells. In addition, MEKi was found to induce tumor-cell intrinsic interferon signaling, which contributed to antigen presentation by tumor cells. Finally, the tumoridical impact of MEKi involves the activation of multiple pro-inflammatory pathways involved in immune cell effector function in the tumor microenvironment. Our data therefore indicate that the combination of MEK inhibition with agonist anti-CD40 Ab is a promising therapeutic concept, especially for the treatment of mutant Kras-driven tumors such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Proimmunogenic impact of MEK inhibition synergizes with agonist anti-CD40 immunostimulatory antibodies in tumor therapy.
Specimen part
View SamplesCancer types with lower mutational load and a non-permissive tumor microenvironment are intrinsically resistant to immune checkpoint blockade. While the combination of cytostatic drugs and immunostimulatory antibodies constitutes an attractive concept for overcoming this refractoriness, suppression of immune cell function by cytostatic drugs may limit therapeutic efficacy. Here we show that targeted inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK) does not impair dendritic cell-mediated T-cell priming and activation. Accordingly, combining MEK inhibitors (MEKi) with agonist antibodies (Abs) targeting the immunostimulatory CD40 receptor resulted in potent synergistic anti-tumor efficacy. Detailed analysis of the mechanism of action of MEKi GDC-0623 by means of flow cytometric analysis of the tumor immune infiltrate and whole tumor transcriptomics showed that, in addition to its cytostatic impact on tumor cells, this drug exerts multiple pro-immunogenic effects, including the suppression of M2-type macrophages, myeloid derived suppressor cells and CD4+ T-regulatory cells. In addition, MEKi was found to induce tumor-cell intrinsic interferon signaling, which contributed to antigen presentation by tumor cells. Finally, the tumoridical impact of MEKi involves the activation of multiple pro-inflammatory pathways involved in immune cell effector function in the tumor microenvironment. Our data therefore indicate that the combination of MEK inhibition with agonist anti-CD40 Ab is a promising therapeutic concept, especially for the treatment of mutant Kras-driven tumors such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Proimmunogenic impact of MEK inhibition synergizes with agonist anti-CD40 immunostimulatory antibodies in tumor therapy.
Specimen part
View Samples