The Wnt gene family is an evolutionarily conserved group of proteins that regulate cell growth, differentiation, and stem cell self-renewal. Aberrant Wnt signaling in human breast tumors has been proposed to be an attractive drug target, especially in the basal-like subtype where canonical Wnt signaling is both enriched and predictive of poor clinical outcomes. The development of effective Wnt based therapeutics, however, has been slowed in part by a limited understanding of the context dependent nature with which these aberrations influence breast tumorigenesis. We recently reported that MMTV-Wnt1 mice, which are an established model for studying Wnt signaling in breast tumors, develop two subtypes of tumors by gene expression classification: Wnt1-EarlyEx and Wnt1-LateEx. Here, we extend this initial observation and show that Wnt1-EarlyEx tumors had high expression of canonical Wnt, non-canonical Wnt, and EGFR signaling pathway signatures. Therapeutically, Wnt1-EarlyEx tumors had a dynamic reduction in tumor volume when treated with an EGFR inhibitor. Wnt1-EarlyEx tumors also had primarily Cd49fpos/Epcamneg FACS profiles, but were unable to be serially transplanted into wild-type FVB female mice. Wnt1-LateEx tumors, conversely, had a bloody gross pathology, which was highlighted by the presence of 'blood lakes' by H&E staining. These tumors had primarily Cd49fpos/Epcampos FACS profiles, but also contained a secondary Cd49fpos/Epcamneg subpopulation. Wnt1-LateEx tumors were enriched for activating Hras1 mutations and were capable of reproducing tumors when serially transplanted into wild-type FVB female mice. This study definitely shows that the MMTV-Wnt1 mouse model produces two phenotypically distinct subtypes of mammary tumors. Importantly, these subtypes differ in their therapeutic response to an EGFR inhibitor, suggesting that a subset of human tumors with aberrant Wnt signaling may also respond to erlotinib. Overall design: Agilent gene expression microarrays were performed comparing RNA from FVB/n MMTV-Wnt1 mammary tumors to a common mouse reference sample. Agilent CGH microarrays were performed comparing DNA from FVB/n MMTV-Wnt1 mammary tumors to DNA from FVB wild-type mice. RNAseq libraries were prepared from FVB/n MMTV-Wnt1 mammary tumors using a TruSeq RNA kit before being submitted to the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Genomics Core to be run on the Illumina HiSeq 2000.
The MMTV-Wnt1 murine model produces two phenotypically distinct subtypes of mammary tumors with unique therapeutic responses to an EGFR inhibitor.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesThe prostate gland mainly contains basal and luminal cells constructed as a pseudostratified epithelium. Annotation of prostate epithelial transcriptomes provides a foundation for discoveries that can impact disease understanding and treatment. Here, we describe a whole-genome transcriptome analysis of human benign prostatic basal and luminal populations by using deep RNA sequencing. Combined with comprehensive molecular and biological characterizations, we show that the differential gene expression profiles account for their distinct functional phenotypes. Strikingly, in contrast to luminal cells, basal cells preferentially express gene categories associated with stem cells, neural and neuronal development and RNA processing. Consistent with their expression profiles, basal cells functionally exhibit intrinsic stem-like and proneural properties with enhanced ribosome RNA (rRNA) transcription activity. Of clinical relevance, the treatment failed castration-resistant and anaplastic prostate cancers molecularly resemble a basal-like phenotype. Therefore, we link the cell-type specific gene signatures to subtypes of prostate cancer development, and identify genes associated with patient clinical outcome. Overall design: Human total RNA profiles of 3 pairs of benign prostatic basal and luminal populations freshly purified from prostate tissues of three prostate cancer patients by deep RNA-seq.
Stem cell and neurogenic gene-expression profiles link prostate basal cells to aggressive prostate cancer.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesTranscriptome study of 2 Saccharomyces cerevisiae W303 derivatives, one carrying GFP (control) and one carrying aSyn-GFP
Different 8-hydroxyquinolines protect models of TDP-43 protein, α-synuclein, and polyglutamine proteotoxicity through distinct mechanisms.
Specimen part, Disease, Cell line
View Samplesp63 mutations have been associated with several human hereditary disorders characterized by ectodermal dysplasia such as EEC syndrome, ADULT syndrome and AEC syndrome . The location and functional effects of the mutations that underlie these syndromes reveal a striking genotype-phenotype correlation. Unlike EEC and ADULT that result from missense mutations in the DNA-binding domain of p63, AEC is solely caused by missense mutations in the SAM domain of p63. We report a study on the TAp63a isoform, the first to be expressed during development of the embryonic epithelia, and on its naturally occurring Q540L mutant derived from an AEC patient. To assess the effects of the Q540L mutation, we generated stable cell lines expressing TAp63a wt, DeltaNp63 alpha or the TAp63 alpha-Q540L mutant protein and used them to systematically compare the cell growth regulatory activity of the mutant and wt p63 proteins and to generate, by microarray analysis, a comprehensive profile of differential gene expression. We found that the Q540L substitution impairs the transcriptional activity of TAp63a and causes misregulation of genes involved in the control of cell growth and epidermal differentiation.
The Hay Wells syndrome-derived TAp63alphaQ540L mutant has impaired transcriptional and cell growth regulatory activity.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesDHPM-thiones rescue Ab-mediated toxicity in a metal-dependent manner that strongly synergizes with clioquinol, a known metal-binding and cytoprotective compound. RNA-seq experiments reveal a modest, yet specific effect on metal-responsive genes that do not change with the inactive control compound. Overall design: Treatment of biological replicates with DMSO, 0.8 uM clioquinol, or 20 uM 10{3,3,1} (DHPM-thione) for ~6 hours prior to harvesting of cells and isolation of total RNA.
Dihydropyrimidine-Thiones and Clioquinol Synergize To Target β-Amyloid Cellular Pathologies through a Metal-Dependent Mechanism.
Cell line, Subject
View SamplesHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is ranked second in cancer-associated deaths worldwide. Most cases of HCC are secondary to either a viral hepatitis infection (hepatitis B or C) or cirrhosis (alcoholism being the most common cause of hepatic cirrhosis). It is a complex and heterogeneous tumor due to activation of multiple cellular pathways and molecular alterations.
Exome sequencing of hepatocellular carcinomas identifies new mutational signatures and potential therapeutic targets.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesThe discovery of significant heterogeneity in the self-renewal durability of adult haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has challenged our understanding of the molecules involved in population maintenance throughout life. Gene expression studies in bulk populations are difficult to interpret since multiple HSC subtypes are present and HSC purity is typically less than 50% of the input cell population. Numerous groups have therefore turned to studying gene expression profiles of single HSCs, but again these studies are limited by the purity of the input fraction and an inability to directly ascribe a molecular program to a durable self-renewing HSC. Here we combine single cell functional assays with flow cytometric index sorting and single cell gene expression assays to gain the first insight into the gene expression program of HSCs that possess durable self-renewal. This approach can be used in other stem cell systems and sets the stage for linking key molecules with defined cellular functions. Overall design: single-cell RNA-Seq of haematopoietic stem cells
Combined Single-Cell Functional and Gene Expression Analysis Resolves Heterogeneity within Stem Cell Populations.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesMechanisms of immune regulation may control proliferation of aberrant plasma cells (PCs) in patients with the asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) preventing progression to active multiple myeloma (MM). We investigated the role of CD85j (LILRB1), an inhibitory immune checkpoint for B cell function, in MM pathogenesis.
Loss of the Immune Checkpoint CD85j/LILRB1 on Malignant Plasma Cells Contributes to Immune Escape in Multiple Myeloma.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesIt is well-established that neurons in the adult mammalian central nervous system are terminally differentiated and, if injured, will be unable to regenerate their connections. In contrast to mammals, zebrafish and other teleosts display a robust neuroregenerative response. Following optic nerve crush (ONX), retinal ganglion cells (RGC) regrow their axons to synapse with topographically correct targets in the optic tectum, such that vision is restored in ~21 days. What accounts for these differences between teleostean and mammalian responses to neural injury is not fully understood. A time course analysis of global gene expression patterns in the zebrafish eye after optic nerve crush can help to elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to a successful neuroregeneration.
Time Course Analysis of Gene Expression Patterns in Zebrafish Eye During Optic Nerve Regeneration.
Specimen part
View SamplesBurkitt lymphoma is the commonest cancer in children in Africa. We compared the gene expression profiles of African Burkitt lymphoma patients with those of cases presented in Western countries in both immunocompetent (sporadic Burkitt lymphoma) and HIV-infected patients (immunodeficiency associated Burkitt lymphoma).
Gene expression analysis uncovers similarity and differences among Burkitt lymphoma subtypes.
Specimen part
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