Neuroblastoma is an embryonal neoplasm that remains of dramatic prognosis in its aggressive forms. Activating mutations of the ALK tyrosine kinase receptor have been identified in sporadic and familial cases of this cancer. We generated knock-in mice carrying the two most frequent Alk mutations observed in neuroblastoma patients. We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying the impact of ALK mutations on neuroblastoma formation in a MYCN amplified background.
Activated Alk triggers prolonged neurogenesis and Ret upregulation providing a therapeutic target in ALK-mutated neuroblastoma.
Specimen part
View SamplesBrain development requires a massive increase in brain lipogenesis and accretion of the essential omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Brain acquisition of DHA is primarily mediated by the transporter Major Facilitator Superfamily Domain containing 2a (Mfsd2a) expressed in the endothelium of the blood-brain barrier. Mfsd2a transports DHA and other polyunsaturated fatty acids esterified to lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC-DHA). However, the function of Mfsd2a and DHA in brain development is incompletely understood. Using vascular endothelial-specific (2aECKO) and inducible vascular endothelial-specific (2aiECKO) deletion of Mfsd2a in mice, we found Mfsd2a to be uniquely required postnatally at the blood-brain barrier for normal brain growth and DHA accretion, with DHA deficiency preceding the onset of microcephaly. Gene expression profiling analysis of these DHA deficient brains indicated that Srebp-1 and Srebp-2 pathways were highly elevated.
The lysolipid transporter Mfsd2a regulates lipogenesis in the developing brain.
Specimen part
View SamplesEye photoreceptor membrane discs in outer rod segments are highly enriched in the visual pigment rhodopsin and the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenote (DHA). The eye acquires DHA from blood, but transporters for DHA uptake across the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) or retinal pigment epithelium have not been identified. Mfsd2a is a newly described sodium-dependent lysophosphatidylcholine symporter expressed at the BRB.
Mfsd2a Is a Transporter for the Essential ω-3 Fatty Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Eye and Is Important for Photoreceptor Cell Development.
Specimen part
View SamplesRationale: Despite shortening vasopressor use in shock, hydrocortisone administration remains controversial, with potential harm on the immune system. Few studies assessed hydrocortisone impact on the transcriptional response in shock, and we are lacking data in burns. Objectives: To assess the hydrocortisone-induced transcriptional modulation in severe burn shock, particularly on the immune response. Methods: We collected whole blood samples (n= 117) during a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of hydrocortisone administration on burn shock. Using whole genome microarrays, we first compared burn patients from the placebo group (n=15) to healthy volunteers (n=13) to describe the transcriptional modulation induced by burn shock over the first week. Then we compared burn patients randomized for either hydrocortisone administration (n=15) or placebo (n=15) to assess hydrocortisone-induced modulation. Measurements and Main Results: Study groups were similar in terms of severity and major outcomes, but shock duration (significantly reduced in the hydrocortisone group). Many genes (n=2250) were differentially expressed between burn patients and healthy volunteers, with 85% of them exhibiting a profound and persistent modulation over seven days. Interestingly, we showed that hydrocortisone enhanced the shock-associated repression of adaptive, but also innate immunity. Conclusions: We found that the initial host response to burn shock encompasses a wide and persistent modulation of gene expression, with profound modulation of pathways associated with metabolism and immunity. Importantly, hydrocortisone administration may worsen the immunosuppression associated with severe injury. These data should be taken into account in the risk ratio of hydrocortisone administration in patients with inflammatory shock.
Transcriptome modulation by hydrocortisone in severe burn shock: ancillary analysis of a prospective randomized trial.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Disease, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesDevelopment requires the cooperation of tissue-specific and ubiquitously expressed transcription factors, such as Sp-family members. However, the molecular details of how ubiquitous factors participate in developmental processes are still unclear. We previously showed that during the differentiation of embryonic stem cells lacking Sp1 DNA binding activity (Sp1deltaDBD/deltaDBD cells), early blood progenitors are formed. However, gene expression during differentiation becomes progressively deregulated and terminal differentiation is severely compromised. Here we studied the cooperation of Sp1 and its closest paralogue Sp3 in hematopoietic development and demonstrate that Sp1 and Sp3 binding sites largely overlap. Sp3 cooperates with Sp1deltaDBD/deltaDBD but is unable to support hematopoiesis in the complete absence of Sp1. Using single cell gene expression analysis, we show that the lack of Sp1 DNA binding leads to a distortion of cell fate decision timing, indicating that stable chromatin bi nding of Sp1 is required to maintain robust differentiation trajectories. Overall design: RNA-Seq in ESC, Flk, HE1, HE2 and progenitor cells with WT, Sp1deltaDBD or Sp3KO
Robust hematopoietic specification requires the ubiquitous Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesDevelopment requires the cooperation of tissue-specifically and ubiquitously expressed transcription factors, such as Sp-family members. However, the molecular details of how ubiquitous factors participate in developmental processes are still unclear. We previously showed that during the differentiation of embryonic stem cells lacking Sp1 DNA binding activity (Sp1DDBD/DDBD cells), early blood progenitors are formed. However, gene expression during differentiation becomes progressively deregulated and terminal differentiation is blocked. Here we studied the cooperation of Sp1 and its homologue Sp3 in hematopoietic development and demonstrate that Sp1 and Sp3 binding sites largely overlap. Sp3 cooperates with Sp1DDBD/DDBD cells but is unable to support hematopoiesis in the complete absence of Sp1. Using single cell gene expression analysis, we show that the lack of Sp1 DNA binding leads to a distortion of cell fate decision timing, indicating that stable chromatin binding of Sp1 is required to maintain robust differentiation trajectories. Overall design: Chromium 10X - Single-cell RNA-seq of Sp1 wild-type and Sp1 DNA binding domain mutant cells
Robust hematopoietic specification requires the ubiquitous Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesRegulation of carotenoid composition and shoot branching in Arabidopsis by a chromatin modifying histone methyltransferase, SDG8<br></br>Comparison of transcript profiles between wild type Columbia and ccr1 (carotenoid and chloroplast regulatory) mutant, which contains a mutation in At1g77300 (SDG8)
Regulation of carotenoid composition and shoot branching in Arabidopsis by a chromatin modifying histone methyltransferase, SDG8.
Age
View SamplesSeptic shock is the most severe complication of sepsis, associated with high mortality. The patient's response to supportive therapy is very heterogeneous and the underlying mechanisms are still elusive. In order to identify which are the actors (genes and pathways) that play a role in establishing the response, we investigate the whole blood transcriptome in septic shock patients with positive and negative responses to early supportive hemodynamic therapy, assessed by changes in SOFA scores within the first 48 hours from ICU admission. We pinpointed genes and pathways that are differently modulated and enriched respectively within 48hrs between responders and non-responders. Overall design: We analyzed 31 patients (17 Responders and 14 Not Responders to early therapy). For each patient, 2 samples were collected. In particular the first sample (T1) collected within 16 hours from ICU admission whereas the second (T2) collected within 48 hours from ICU admission. Experimental groups (Responders and Not Responders) are defined accordingly with SOFA scores improvements within 48 hours.
Identification of a transcriptome profile associated with improvement of organ function in septic shock patients after early supportive therapy.
Specimen part, Subject, Time
View SamplesBackground: Severe septic syndromes deeply impair innate and adaptive immunity. While neutrophils represent the first line of defense against infection, little is known about their phenotype and functions during sepsis-induced immunosuppression. The objective of this study was thus to perform for the first time a global evaluation of neutrophil alterations in immunosuppressed septic patients based on phenotypic, functional and transcriptomic studies. In addition, the potential association of these parameters and deleterious outcomes was assessed.
Marked alterations of neutrophil functions during sepsis-induced immunosuppression.
Disease
View SamplesMLLT10, a 24 exons gene at 10p12, is known in leukemogenesis as partner of MLL or PICALM and recently NAP1L1. We identified HNRNPH1 and DDX3X, genes involved in RNA processing, as new MLLT10 partners in 2 cases of pediatric NOTCH1 positive T-ALL. HNRNPH1/5q35 encodes for a member of the ubiquitously expressed heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) subfamily of RNA binding protein. DDX3X/Xp11.3, belongs to the big family of RNA helicases with a DEAD box domain.
New MLLT10 gene recombinations in pediatric T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Disease
View Samples