Gene expression profiling is an important tool in the development of medical countermeasures against chemical warfare agents (CWAs). Non-human primates (NHPs), specifically the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), the cynomologus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and the African green monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), are vital models in the development of CWA prophylactics, therapeutics, and diagnostics. However, gene expression profiling of these NHPs is complicated by the fact their genomes are not completely sequenced, and that no commercially available oligonucleotide microarrays (genechips) exist. We, therefore, sought to determine whether gene expression profiling of NHPs could be performed using human genechips. Whole blood RNA was isolated from each species and used to generate genechip probes. Hybridization of the NHP samples to human genechips (Affymetrix Human U133 Plus 2.0) resulted in comparable numbers of transcripts detected compared with human samples. Statistical analysis revealed intraspecies reproducibility of genechip quality control metrics; interspecies comparison between NHPs and humans showed little significant difference in the quality and reproducibility of data generated using human genechips. Expression profiles of each species were compared using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering to determine the similarity of the expression profiles within and across the species. The cynomologus group showed the least intraspecies variability, while the human group showed the greatest intraspecies variability. Intraspecies comparison of the expression profiles identified probesets that were reproducibly detected within each species. Each NHP species was found to be dissimilar to humans; the cynomologus group was the most dissimilar. Interspecies comparison of the expression profiles revealed probesets that were reproducibly detected in all species examined. These results show that human genechips can be used for expression profiling of NHP samples and provide a foundation for the development of tools for comparing human and NHP gene expression profiles.
Comparison of non-human primate and human whole blood tissue gene expression profiles.
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View SamplesRDX (Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) is a synthetic, high-impact, relatively stable explosive that has been in use since WWII. Exposure to RDX can occur either occupationally or through ordnance that lays unexploded on training ranges. The toxicology of RDX is dominated by acute tonic-clonic seizures at high doses, which remit when exposure is removed and internal RDX levels decrease. Sub-chronic studies have revealed few other toxic effects. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a single oral dose of RDX on global gene expression in the mammalian brain and liver, using a rodent model.
Global gene expression in rat brain and liver after oral exposure to the explosive hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX).
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View SamplesCarbonyl chloride (phosgene) is a toxic industrial compound (TIC) widely used in industry for the production of synthetic products, such as polyfoam rubber, plastics, and dyes. Exposure to phosgene results in a latent (1-24 hr), potentially life-threatening pulmonary edema and irreversible acute lung injury. A genomic approach was utilized to investigate the molecular mechanism of phosgene-induced lung injury. CD-1 male mice were exposed whole-body to either air or a concentration x time (c x t) amount of 32 mg/m3 (8 ppm) phosgene for 20 min (640 mg x min/m3). Lung tissue was collected from air- or phosgene-exposed mice at 0.5, 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hr post-exposure. RNA was extracted from the lung and used as starting material for the probing of oligonucleotide microarrays to determine changes in gene expression following phosgene exposure. The data were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) to determine the greatest sources of data variability. A three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) based on exposure, time, and sample was performed to identify the genes most significantly changed as a result of phosgene exposure. These genes were rank ordered by p-values and categorized based on molecular function and biological process. Some of the most significant changes in gene expression reflect changes in glutathione synthesis and redox regulation of the cell, including upregulation of glutathione S-transferase alpha-2, glutathione peroxidase 2, and glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit (also known as -glutamyl cysteine synthetase). This is in agreement with previous observations describing changes in redox enzyme activity after phosgene exposure. We are also investigating other pathways that are responsive to phosgene exposure to identify mechanisms of toxicity and potential therapeutic targets.
Genomic analysis of murine pulmonary tissue following carbonyl chloride inhalation.
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View SamplesThe purpose of this project was to elucidate gene expression in the peripheral whole blood of acute ischemic stroke patients to identify a panel of genes for the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. Peripheral blood samples were collected in Paxgene Blood RNA tubes from stroke patients who were >18 years of age with MRI diagnosed ischemic stroke and controls who were non-stroke neurologically healthy. The results suggest a panel of genes can be used to diagnose ischemic stroke, and provide information about the biological pathways involved in the response to acute ischemic stroke in humans.
Genomic biomarkers and cellular pathways of ischemic stroke by RNA gene expression profiling.
Sex, Age, Race
View SamplesSoman (O-Pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate) is a potent neurotoxicant. Acute exposure to soman causes profound inhibition of the critical enzyme acetylcholinesterase, resulting in excessive levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Excessive acetylcholine levels cause convulsions, seizures, and respiratory distress. The initial cholinergic crisis can be overcome by rapid anti-cholinergic therapeutic intervention, resulting in increased survival. However, conventional treatments do not protect the brain from seizure-related damage, and thus neurodegeneration of soman-sensitive areas of the brain is a potential post-exposure outcome. We performed gene expression profiling of rat hippocampus following soman exposure to gain greater insight into the molecular pathogenesis of soman-induced neurodegeneration.
Gene expression profiling of rat hippocampus following exposure to the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor soman.
Sex
View SamplesSulfur mustard (HD) is a vesicating agent that targets the eyes, skin, and lungs, producing skin burns, conjunctivitis, and compromised respiratory function.
Acute Gene Expression Profile of Lung Tissue Following Sulfur Mustard Inhalation Exposure in Large Anesthetized Swine.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesThe complexity of the mature adult brain is a result of both developmental processes and experience-dependent circuit formation. One way to look at the process of brain development is to examine gene expression changes, and previous studies have used microarrays to address this in a global manner. However, the transcriptome is more complex than gene expression levels alone, as both alternative splicing and RNA editing occur to generate a more diverse set of mature transcripts. The aim of the current study was to develop a high-resolution transcriptome dataset of mouse cortical development using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), thus assaying exon usage and RNA editing as well as overcoming some of the inherent limitations of microarrays. We found a large number of differentially expressed genes, but also altered splicing and RNA editing between embryonic and adult cerebral cortex. Each dataset was validated both technically and biologically, and in each case tested we found our RNA-Seq observations to have high predictive validity. We propose this dataset, and the accompanying analysis, to be a helpful resource in the understanding of changes in gene expression during development. Overall design: Three young adult cerebral cortices four embryonic cerebral cortices
mRNA expression, splicing and editing in the embryonic and adult mouse cerebral cortex.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesMale Sprague-dawley rats were exposed to saline, isopropyl alcohol, 1mg/kg, 3mg/kg or 6 mg/kg sulfur mustard for 30 min, 1 hr, 3 hr, 6 hr, or 24 hr before analysis of lung tissue by oligonucleotide array analysis.
Genomic analysis of rodent pulmonary tissue following bis-(2-chloroethyl) sulfide exposure.
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View SamplesTotal RNA was isolated from proliferating and senescent IMR90 cells to compare gene-expression to the changes in nucleolus-association in proliferating and senescent IMR90 cells.
Nucleolus association of chromosomal domains is largely maintained in cellular senescence despite massive nuclear reorganisation.
Specimen part
View SamplesA fundamental challenge in the post-genome era is to understand and annotate the consequences of genetic variation, particularly within the context of human tissues. We describe a set of integrated experiments designed to investigate the effects of common genetic variability on DNA methylation, mRNA expression and microRNA (miRNA) expression in four distinct human brain regions. We show that brain tissues may be readily distinguished based on methylation status or expression profile. We find an abundance of genetic cis regulation mRNA expression and show for the first time abundant quantitative trait loci for DNA CpG methylation. We observe that the largest magnitude effects occur across distinct brain regions. We believe these data, which we have made publicly available, will be useful in understanding the biological effects of genetic variation.
Abundant quantitative trait loci exist for DNA methylation and gene expression in human brain.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
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