This study demonstrates that arthritis and heart valve stenosis comorbidity, the most common condition among RA and SpA patients, share common mesenchymal requirements converging in the pathogenic activation of resident mesenchymal origin fibroblasts in the Tnf?ARE mouse model. TNFR2 signaling, in this context, orchestrates the molecular mechanisms underlying arthritis and heart valve stenosis manifestation by regulating fibroblasts pathogenic activation status, cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory milieu. Finally this work highlights the complexity of TNFR2 functions since mesenchymal signaling is detrimental, whereas systemic TNFR2 provides protective signals that contain both pathologies Overall design: 3' RNA-Seq (QuantSeq) profiling of 2 cell types (SFs,VICs) in two different genotypes (TNF-DeltaARE, ColVIp75f/f-TNF-DeltaARE) and Wild type as control. 3 replicates per group.
Mesenchymal TNFR2 promotes the development of polyarthritis and comorbid heart valve stenosis.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesGenetic predisposition and environmental components contribute to an individuals non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) susceptibility. Therefore, we compared phenotypic variations of mouse strains extensively used in biomedical research during induction of high-fat diet (HFD)-mediated NAFLD and assessed transcriptional alterations in livers. In a time-resolved fashion we determined a wide spectrum of physiological parameters in C3HeB/FeJ (C3H), C57BL/6NTac, C57BL/6J, and 129P2/OlaHsd (129) males during a 7, 14, or 21 days HFD challenge and performed gene transcription analyses in steatotic livers.
Phenotypic comparison of common mouse strains developing high-fat diet-induced hepatosteatosis.
Sex, Age, Treatment
View SamplesSeveral functions have been suggested for the interferon induced transmembrane protein 1 (Iftitm1) gene in mammals. Originally it was identified as a member of a gene family that is highly inducible by type I and type II inteferons. Based on its expression during primordial germ CELl (PGC) specification it was suggested to be required for normal PGC migration. Ifitm1 targeted knockdown experiments in mouse embryos provided evidence that the gene might be necessary for normal somitogenesis. Finally, the complete deletion of the Ifitm gene cluster on mouse chromosome 7 revealed that the five deleted Ifitm1 genes are not essential for PCG migration and fertility. Here, we generated a novel targeted knockin allele of the Ifitm1 gene by replacing its coding region with a lacZ reporter gene to systematically reassess the suggested functions of this gene.
In vivo functional requirement of the mouse Ifitm1 gene for germ cell development, interferon mediated immune response and somitogenesis.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesThe human growth hormone (hGH) minigene used for transgene stabilization in mice has been recently identified to be locally expressed in the tissues where transgenes are active and associated with phenotypic alterations. Here we extend these findings by analyzing the effect of the hGH minigene in TgC6hp55 transgenic mice which express the human TNFR1 under the control of the mesenchymal cell-specific CollagenVI promoter. These mice displayed a fully penetrant phenotype characterized by growth enhancement accompanied by perturbations in metabolic, skeletal, histological and other physiological parameters. Notably, this phenotype was independent of TNF-TNFR1 signaling since the genetic ablation of either Tnf or Tradd did not rescue the phenotype. Further analyses showed that the hGH minigene was expressed in several tissues, also leading to increased hGH protein levels in the serum. Pharmacological blockade of GH signaling prevented the development of the phenotype. Our results indicate that the unplanned expression of the hGH minigene in CollagenVI expressing mesenchymal cells can lead through local and/or systemic mechanisms to enhanced somatic growth followed by a plethora of primary and/or secondary effects such as hyperphagia, hypermetabolism, disturbed glucose homeostasis, altered hematological parameters, increased bone formation and lipid accumulation in metabolically critical tissues.
Extensive phenotypic characterization of a new transgenic mouse reveals pleiotropic perturbations in physiology due to mesenchymal hGH minigene expression.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesHere we show that oral creatine (Cr) supplementation leads to increased life span in mice. Treated mice showed improved neurobehavioral performance, decreased accumulation of the aging pigment lipofuscin and upregulation of anti-aging genes in brain. As Cr is virtually free of adverse effects, it may be a promising food supplement for healthy aging in man.
Creatine improves health and survival of mice.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWhite adipose tissue is primary involved in the response to insulin after feeding, while brain is not directly sensitive to insulin levels.
eIF6 coordinates insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism by coupling translation to transcription.
Specimen part
View SamplesLiver is primary involved in the response to insulin after feeding. Hepatocytes activates a tightly controlled genetic programme where specific sets of genes are modulates in response to insulin, for activation of the anabolic pathways.
eIF6 coordinates insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism by coupling translation to transcription.
Specimen part
View SamplesAging and neurodegeneration are often accompanied by a functionally impaired ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). In tauopathies and polyglutamine diseases a mutant form of Ubiquitin B, UBB+1, accumulates in disease-specific aggregates. UBB+1 mRNA is generated at low levels in vivo during transcription from the Ubiquitin B locus by molecular misreading. The resulting mutant protein has been shown to inhibit proteasome function. To elucidate causative effects and neuropathological consequences of UBB+1 accumulation, we used a UBB+1 expressing transgenic mouse line, that models UPS inhibition in neurons and exhibits behavioral phenotypes reminiscent of Alzheimers disease (AD). In order to reveal affected organs and functions, young and aged UBB+1 transgenic mice were comprehensively phenotyped for more than 240 parameters. This revealed unexpected changes in spontaneous breathing patterns and an altered response to hypoxic conditions. Our findings point to a central dysfunction of respiratory regulation in transgenic mice in comparison to wildtype littermate mice. Accordingly, UBB+1 was strongly expressed in brainstem regions of transgenic mice controlling respiration. These regions included, for example, the medial part of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius and the lateral subdivisions of the parabrachial nuclei. In addition, UBB+1 was also strongly expressed in these anatomical structures of AD patients (Braak stage #6) and was not expressed in non-demented controls. We conclude that long-term UPS inhibition due to UBB+1 expression causes central breathing dysfunction in a transgenic mouse model of AD. The UBB+1 expression pattern in humans is consistent with the contribution of bronchopneumonia as a cause of death in AD patients.
Long-term proteasomal inhibition in transgenic mice by UBB(+1) expression results in dysfunction of central respiration control reminiscent of brainstem neuropathology in Alzheimer patients.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe used microarrays to investigate differential gene expression in different thyroid hormone receptor beta mouse models. Hypothyroid wild type, TRbeta KO and TRbeta GS mutant mice were treated with T3 or vehicle alone. Microarray analysis revealed that the gene expression pattern in TRbeta GS mutant mice was similar to that in TRbeta KO mice.
Noncanonical thyroid hormone signaling mediates cardiometabolic effects in vivo.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe hormone calcitonin (CT) is primarily known for its pharmacologic action as an inhibitor of bone resorption, yet CT-deficient mice display increased bone formation. These findings raised the question about the underlying cellular and molecular mechanism of CT action. Here we show that either ubiquitous or osteoclast-specific inactivation of the murine CT receptor (CTR) causes increased bone formation. CT negatively regulates the osteoclast expression of Spns2 gene, which encodes a transporter for the signaling lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). CTR-deficient mice show increased S1P levels, and their skeletal phenotype is normalized by deletion of the S1P receptor S1P3. Finally, pharmacologic treatment with the non-selective S1P receptor agonist FTY720 causes increased bone formation in wildtype, but not in S1P3-deficient mice. This study redefines the role of CT in skeletal biology, confirms that S1P acts as an osteoanabolic molecule in vivo, and provides evidence for a pharmacologically exploitable crosstalk between osteoclasts and osteoblasts.
Calcitonin controls bone formation by inhibiting the release of sphingosine 1-phosphate from osteoclasts.
Specimen part, Treatment
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