An unexplored consequence of epigenetic alterations associated with cancer is the ectopic expression of tissue-restricted genes. Here, a new strategy was developed to decipher genome-wide expression data in search for these off-context gene activations, which consisted first, in identifying a large number of tissue-specific genes normally epigenetically silenced in most somatic cells and second, in using them as cancer biomarkers on an on/off basis. Applying this concept to analyze whole-genome transcriptome data in lung cancer, we discovered a specific group of 26 genes whose expression was a strong and independent predictor of poor prognosis in our cohort of 293 lung tumours, as well as in two independent external populations. In addition, these 26 classifying genes enabled us to isolate a homogenous group of metastatic-prone highly aggressive tumours, whose characteristic gene expression profile revealed a high proliferative potential combined to a significant decrease in immune and signaling functions. This work illustrates a new approach for a personalized management of cancer, with applications to any cancer type.
Ectopic activation of germline and placental genes identifies aggressive metastasis-prone lung cancers.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesCD4+ T cell help is critical for optimal CD8+ T cell expansion after priming in many experimental systems. However, a role for CD4+ T cells in regulating the initial steps of CD8+ T cell effector differentiation is not well established. Here we demonstrate that absence of CD4+ T cells at the time of replication-incompetent adenovirus vector immunization of C57BL/6 mice led to immediate CD8+ T cell dysfunction characteristic of exhaustion at the first detectable timepoints as well as impaired expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. The absence of CD4+ T cell help resulted in antigen-specific CD8+ T cells that had reduced ex vivo cytotoxicity and decreased capacity to produce IFN- and TNF-. CD8+ T cells primed in the absence of CD4+ T cells expressed elevated levels of the inhibitory receptors PD-1, LAG-3, and Tim-3, and these cells exhibited transcriptomic exhaustion profiles by gene set enrichment analysis. This dysfunctional state was imprinted within 3 days of immunization and could not be reversed by provision of CD4+ T cell help after priming. Partial rescue of unhelped CD8+ T cell expansion and effector differentiation could be achieved by PD-1 pathway blockade or recombinant IL-2 administration.
Immediate Dysfunction of Vaccine-Elicited CD8+ T Cells Primed in the Absence of CD4+ T Cells.
Specimen part, Time
View SamplesType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multi-factorial disease characterized by the inability of beta-cells in the endocrine pancreas to produce sufficient amounts of insulin to overcome insulin resistance in peripheral tissue. To investigate the function of miRNAs in T2DM, we sequenced the small RNAs of human islets cells from diabetic and non-diabetic organ donors and identified a cluster of miRNAs in an imprinted locus on human chromosome 14 to be dramatically down-regulated in T2DM islets. These miRNAs are highly and specifically expressed in human beta-cells. The down-regulation of this imprinted locus strongly correlates with increased methylation of its promoter in T2DM islets, providing evidence for an epigenetic modification that contributes to the pathogenesis of T2DM. Targets of the Chr 14q32 cluster of miRNAs were identified by high-throughput sequencing of cross-linked and immunoprecipitated RNA (HITS-CLIP) of Argonaute. We have also identified a unique class of sequences, termed chimeric reads, that represent an in vivo ligation of miRNAs and their targets while in complex with Argonaute, and which allow for the direct identification of miRNA:target relationships in vivo. Overall design: There are three experiments in this submission. All are in human islets or islet cell types. The first is a comparison of miRNA levels in sorted alpha versus beta cells. There is one replicate for this experiment. The second experiment is to measure the expression of miRNAs in whole islets as a function of glucose levels. There are three levels and one replicate for each condition. The third exeriment is a comparison of whole islets taken from human donors that were suspected/confirmed Type 2 diabetic or considered controls. There are 3 controls and 4 T2D samples.
Epigenetic regulation of the DLK1-MEG3 microRNA cluster in human type 2 diabetic islets.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex disease characterized by the inability of the insulin-producing ß-cells in the endocrine pancreas to overcome insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. To determine if microRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of human T2DM, we sequenced the small RNAs of human islets from diabetic and non-diabetic organ donors. We identified a cluster of miRNAs in an imprinted locus on human chromosome 14q32 that is highly and specifically expressed in human ß-cells and dramatically down-regulated in islets from T2DM organ donors. The down-regulation of this locus strongly correlates with hyper-methylation of its promoter. Using HITS-CLIP for the essential RISC-component Argonaute, we identified disease-relevant targets of the chromosome 14q32 microRNAs, such as IAPP and TP53INP1 that cause increased ß-cell apoptosis upon over-expression in human islets. Our results support a role for microRNAs and their epigenetic control by DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of T2DM. Overall design: Identification of miRNA-target interaction in human islets using HITS-CLIP, one mRNA library and one miRNA library
Epigenetic regulation of the DLK1-MEG3 microRNA cluster in human type 2 diabetic islets.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesDevelopment of systems allowing the maintenance of native properties of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) is a critical challenge for studying physiological functions of skeletal progenitors, as well as towards cellular therapy and regenerative medicine applications. Conventional stem cell culture in monolayer on plastic dishes (2D) is associated with progressive loss of functionality, likely due to the absence of a biomimetic microenvironment and the selection of adherent populations. Here we demonstrate that 2D MSC expansion can be entirely bypassed by culturing freshly isolated bone marrow cells within the pores of 3D scaffolds in a perfusion-based bioreactor system, followed by enzymatic digestion for cell retrieval. The 3D-perfusion system supported MSC growth while maintaining cells of the hematopoietic lineage, and thus generated a cellular environment mimicking some features of the bone marrow stroma. As compared to 2D-expansion, sorted CD45- cells derived from 3D-perfusion culture after the same time (3 weeks) or a similar extent of proliferation (7-8 doublings) maintained a 4.3-fold higher clonogenicity and exhibited a superior differentiation capacity towards all typical mesenchymal lineages, with similar immunomodulatory function in vitro. Transcriptomic analysis performed on MSC from 5 donors validated the robustness of the process and indicated a reduced inter-donor variability as well as a significant upregulation of multipotency-related gene clusters following 3D-perfusion as compared to 2D expansion. The described system offers a model to study how factors of a 3D engineered niche may regulate MSC function and, by streamlining conventional labor-intensive processes, is prone to automation and scalability within closed bioreactor systems.
Expansion of human mesenchymal stromal cells from fresh bone marrow in a 3D scaffold-based system under direct perfusion.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe performed RNA sequencing to assess changes in gene expression in lung cancer cell lines with MET genetic alterations with or without co-occurrence of JAK2 inactivating mutations. Different treatments have been administrated to activate or inhibit selected pathways in order to define MET signature and IFNg (or JAK/STAT) signature. Overall design: Differential expression analysis of RNA sequencing of 4 different lung cancer cell lines with MET genetic alterations treated with different treatements to activate or inhibit selected pathways
<i>MET</i>-Oncogenic and <i>JAK2</i>-Inactivating Alterations Are Independent Factors That Affect Regulation of PD-L1 Expression in Lung Cancer.
Disease, Disease stage, Cell line, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
SOX2 is an oncogene activated by recurrent 3q26.3 amplifications in human lung squamous cell carcinomas.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) induces cytoprotective genes, but has also been linked to the regulation of hepatic energy metabolism. In order to assess the pharmacological potential of hepatic Nrf2 activation in metabolic disease, Nrf2 was activated over 8 weeks in mice on Western diet using two different siRNAs against kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), the inhibitory protein of Nrf2. Whole genome expression analysis followed by pathway analysis demonstrated that the suppression of Keap1 expression induced genes that are involved in anti-oxidative stress defense and biotransformation, pathways proving the activation of Nrf2 by the siRNAs against Keap1. The expression of neither fatty acid- nor carbohydrate-handling proteins was regulated by the suppression of Keap1. Metabolic profiling of the animals did also not show effects on plasma and hepatic lipids, energy expenditure or glucose tolerance by the activation of Nrf2. The data indicate that hepatic Nrf2 is not a major regulator of intermediary metabolism in mice.
Chronic Activation of Hepatic Nrf2 Has No Major Effect on Fatty Acid and Glucose Metabolism in Adult Mice.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesWe investigated the impact of on miR-H1 and miR-K12-3-3p- on host transcriptome focusing on gingival epithelial cells that are target sites for various HHV.
Herpesvirus-encoded microRNAs detected in human gingiva alter host cell transcriptome and regulate viral infection.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe report the differential gene expression differences between control and Ovol2-deficent newborn keratinocytes Overall design: Two control and two Ovol2-deficent samples were isolated
An Ovol2-Zeb1 transcriptional circuit regulates epithelial directional migration and proliferation.
Specimen part, Subject
View Samples