We report a highly-penetrant form of obesity, initially observed in 31 heterozygous carriers of a 593kb or larger deletion at 16p11.2 from amongst subjects ascertained for cognitive deficits. Nineteen similar deletions were identified from GWAS data in 16053 individuals from 8 European cohorts; such deletions was absent from healthy non-obese controls and accounted for 0.7% of our morbid obesity cases (p = 6.4x10-8, OR = 43). These findings highlight a promising strategy for identifying missing heritability in obesity and other complex traits, in which insights from rare extreme cases can be used to elucidate the basis for more common phenotypes.
A new highly penetrant form of obesity due to deletions on chromosome 16p11.2.
Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesThe goal of this study is to simultaneously interrogate host and parasite gene expression programs in human macrophages infected with the intracellular parasites from the genus Leishmania. We conducted high-resolution sequencing of the transcriptomes of human macrophages infected with Leishmania spp. using an RNA-seq approach. An array of computational tools was applied to map reads to the Leishmania and human genomes and reconstruct full-length transcripts. mRNA abundance was determined for Leishmania and human genes at various time points post-infection, enabling us to identify co-expression patterns that correlate with the biology of the parasite and to obtain a preliminary analysis of the dynamic nature of parasite and host cell gene expression programs in the context of infection. This study provides a solid framework for future functional and genomic studies of leishmaniasis as well as intracellular pathogenesis in general.
Dual Transcriptome Profiling of Leishmania-Infected Human Macrophages Reveals Distinct Reprogramming Signatures.
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View SamplesMacrophages readily change their phenotype in response to exogenous stimuli. In this work, macrophages were stimulated under a variety of experimental conditions, and alterations in mRNA levels were analyzed. We identified three transcriptionally related populations of macrophages with immunoregulatory activity. They were generated by stimulating cells with TLR ligands, in the presence of three different “reprogramming” signals; high density immune complexes (IC), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), or adenosine (Ado). All three of these cell populations produced higher levels of transcripts for IL-10, and growth and angiogenic factors. They also secreted reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1Beta, IL-6, and IL-12. All three macrophage phenotypes could partially rescue mice from lethal endotoxemia, and therefore we consider each to have immunoregulatory activity. This immunoregulatory activity occurred equally well in macrophages from stat6-deficient mice. The lack of STAT6 did not affect macrophages’ ability to reciprocally change cytokine production or to rescue mice from lethal endotoxemia. Furthermore, treatment of macrophages with IL-4 failed to induce similar phenotypic or transcriptional alterations. This work demonstrates that there are multiple ways to generate macrophages with immunoregulatory activity. These immunoregulatory macrophages are transcriptionally and functionally related, and quite distinct from macrophages treated with IL-4.
The generation of macrophages with anti-inflammatory activity in the absence of STAT6 signaling.
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View SamplesCirculating cell-free RNA in the blood provides a potential window into the health, phenotype, and developmental programs of a variety of human organs. We used high-throughput methods of RNA analysis such as microarrays and next-generation sequencing to characterize the global landscape of circulating RNA in human subjects. By focusing on tissue-specific genes, we were able to identify the relative contributions of these tissues to circulating RNA and monitor changes during tissue development and neurodegenerative disease states.
Noninvasive in vivo monitoring of tissue-specific global gene expression in humans.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesCirculating cell-free RNA in the blood provides a potential window into the health, phenotype, and developmental programs of a variety of human organs. We employed high throughput methods of RNA analysis such as microarrays and next-generation sequencing to characterize the global landscape circulating RNA in a cohort of human subjects. By focusing on genes whose expression is highly specific to certain tissues, we were able to identify the relative contributions of these tissues to circulating RNA, and to monitor changes in tissue development and health.
Noninvasive in vivo monitoring of tissue-specific global gene expression in humans.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe pancreatic beta cells are the only cells that can produce insulin in response to prevailing glycemia. The development of beta cells was found to be depending on the activity of a complex genetic network. Overexpression of transcriptional factor MafK in beta cells have resulted in impairment of thier functions and suppressed insulin secretion and increased the severity of beta cell loss resulting in an overt diabetes.
β-Cell-Specific Mafk Overexpression Impairs Pancreatic Endocrine Cell Development.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe goal of this study is to simultaneously examine host and parasite gene expression programs in skin lesions of human patients infected with the intracellular parasite Leishmania. We conducted high-resolution sequencing of the transcriptomes from early and late stage cutaneous leishmaniasis biopsies using an RNA-seq approach. An array of computational tools was applied to map reads to the Leishmania and human genomes and reconstruct full-length transcripts. mRNA abundance was determined for Leishmania and human genes, helping to explain tuning of the immune response to parasite transcriptomic profiles present in the lesion microenvironment. This data provided a deeper look at the transcriptomic profile of the host response in conjunction with a novel look at the parasite transcriptome in human cutaneous lesions. These data also offer the first glimpse of Leishmania gene expression profiles specific to the cutaneous manifestation of disease in human patients. This metatranscriptomic study provides a solid framework for future functional, genomic, and clinical studies of leishmaniasis as well as intracellular pathogenesis in general.
Meta-transcriptome Profiling of the Human-Leishmania braziliensis Cutaneous Lesion.
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View SamplesThe goal of this study is to simultaneously interrogate the gene expression programs in human host cells (human foreskin fibroblasts) infected with the intracellular parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. We conducted high-resolution sequencing of the transcriptomes of T. cruzi and infected human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) using an RNA-seq approach. An array of computational tools was applied to map reads to the T. cruzi and human genomes and reconstruct full-length transcripts. mRNA abundance was determined for T. cruzi genes at at various time points post-infection enabling us to identify co-expression patterns that correlate with the biology of the parasite. We also conducted a time course of infection in host cells to obtain a preliminary analysis of the dynamic nature of parasite and host cell gene expression programs in the context of infection. These data provide the first glimpse of T. cruzi gene expression programs that are uniquely activated in the context of intracellular infection along with the transcriptional response of the human host cell. The study provides a solid framework for future functional and genomic studies of Chagas disease as well as intracellular pathogenesis in general.
Transcriptome Remodeling in Trypanosoma cruzi and Human Cells during Intracellular Infection.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesMicroarray used to detail bulk transcriptomic differences between sorted CD4+CD25+CD127lo/- Treg and CD4+CD25-CD127+ Tconv from adult peripheral blood (APB) and cord blood (CB) after a 14 day expansion period.
Human Regulatory T Cells From Umbilical Cord Blood Display Increased Repertoire Diversity and Lineage Stability Relative to Adult Peripheral Blood.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe conducted a preliminary investigation to determine whether ethanol-induced alterations in placental gene expression may have some utility as a diagnostic indicator of maternal drinking during pregnancy as well as a prognostic indicator of risk for adverse neurobehavioral outcomes in affected offspring.
Effects of moderate drinking during pregnancy on placental gene expression.
Specimen part
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