During activation, T cells integrate multiple signals from APCs and cytokine milieu. The blockade of these signals can have clinical benefits as exemplified by CTLA4-Ig, which blocks interaction of B7 co-stimulatory molecules on APCs with CD28 on T cells. Variants of CTLA4-Ig, abatacept and belatacept are FDA approved as immunosuppressive agents in arthritis and transplantation whereas murine studies suggested that CTLA4-Ig can be beneficial in a number of other diseases. However, detailed analysis of human CD4 cell hyporesponsivness induced by CTLA4-Ig has not been performed. Herein, we established a model to study effect of CTLA4-Ig on the activation of human naïve T cells in a human mixed lymphocytes system. Comparison of human CD4 cells activated in the presence or absence of CTLA4-Ig, showed that co-stimulation blockade during TCR activation does not affect NFAT signaling but results in decreased activation of NF-kB and AP-1 transcription factors followed by profound decrease in proliferation and cytokine production. The resulting T cells become hyporesponsive to secondary activation and, although capable of receiving TCR signals, fail to proliferate or produce cytokines, demonstrating properties of anergic cells. However, unlike some models of T cell anergy, these cells did not possess increased levels of TCR signaling inhibitor CBLB. Rather, the CTLA4-Ig induced hyporesponsiveness was associated with an elevated level of p27kip1 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. Overall design: Time series. Human resting and activated T cell dUTP mRNA-Seq profiles were generated on Illumina HiSeq2500
Functional characterization of human T cell hyporesponsiveness induced by CTLA4-Ig.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesGametogenesis is dependent on the expression of germline-specific genes. However, it remains unknown how the germline epigenome is distinctly established from that of somatic lineages. Here we show that genes commonly expressed in somatic lineages and spermatogenesis-progenitor cells undergo repression in a genome-wide manner in late stages of the male germline and identify underlying mechanisms. SCML2, a germline-specific subunit of a Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), establishes the unique epigenome of the male germline through two distinct antithetical mechanisms. SCML2 works with PRC1 and promotes RNF2-dependent ubiquitination of H2A, thereby marking somatic/progenitor genes on autosomes for repression. Paradoxically, SCML2 also prevents RNF2-dependent ubiquitination of H2A on sex chromosomes during meiosis, thereby enabling unique epigenetic programming of sex chromosomes for male reproduction. Our results reveal divergent mechanisms involving a shared regulator by which the male germline epigenome is distinguished from that of the soma and progenitor cells. Overall design: RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analyses using wild-type and Scml2-KO spermatogenic cells
Poised chromatin and bivalent domains facilitate the mitosis-to-meiosis transition in the male germline.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe extract RNA from mouse implantation sites (IS) on D8 of pregnancy. Mice were treated with or without PRT4165, an inhibitior of PRC1. Total RNAs were analyzed by RNA sequncing. Overall design: There are four samples to be analyzed:Control group 1) "D8ISCOT-1" and 2) "D8ISCOT-2” ; PRT4165 treated groups 3) "D8ISPRT4165-1", 4)”D8ISPRT4165-2”
Polycomb repressive complex 1 controls uterine decidualization.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesMicroarray analysis of purified pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Each stage was examined in wild type and RNF8 knockout mice in two biological replicates.
RNF8 regulates active epigenetic modifications and escape gene activation from inactive sex chromosomes in post-meiotic spermatids.
Specimen part
View SamplesTo identify regulators of homeostatic eosinophilopoiesis in mice, we took a global approach to identify genome-wide transcriptome and epigenome changes that occur during homeostasis at critical developmental stages, including eosinophil-lineage commitment (eosinophil progenitor [EoP] compared to granulocyte-monocyte progenitor [GMP]) and lineage maturation (eosinophil compared to EoP). Our analyses revealed markedly greater transcriptome alterations associated with eosinophil maturation (1199 genes) compared to eosinophil-lineage commitment (490 genes), highlighting the greater transcriptional investment necessary for differentiation. Our analyses also delineated a 976 gene eosinophil-lineage transcriptome that included a repertoire of 56 transcription factors, many of which have never previously been associated with eosinophils. Epigenomic studies revealed that genes that were specifically induced with eosinophil-lineage commitment in EoPs were “poised” with active chromatin marks in GMPs, despite not being expressed in GMPs. In contrast, a majority of the genes that were highly and specifically induced with maturation in eosinophils was not associated with poised chromatin, suggesting distinct epigenetic regulation between genes induced with lineage commitment compared to genes induced with cell maturation during eosinophil development. Overall design: RNA Seq and H3K4me3 distribution of GMPs, EoPs and eosinophils sorted from Balb/c bone marrow. RNA Seq libraries were prepared from 2 independent sorts of each cell type (GMP, EoPs, Eosinophils [Eos]). ChIP Seq was performed with chromatin from one sort of each cell type.
Transcription Factor Repertoire of Homeostatic Eosinophilopoiesis.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesEosinophils are major effector cells in type 2 inflammatory responses and become activated in response to IL-4 and IL-33, yet the molecular mechanism remains unclear. We examined the direct effect of these cytokines on eosinophils and demonstrated that murine eosinophils respond to IL-4 and IL-33 by phosphorylation of STAT-6 and NFkB, respectively. RNA sequencing analysis of murine eosinophils indicated that IL-33 regulates 519 genes, whereas IL-4 regulates only 28 genes, including 19 IL-33-regulated genes. Interestingly, IL-33 induced eosinophil activation via two distinct mechanisms, IL-4 independent and IL-4 secretion/auto-stimulation dependent. Anti-IL-4 or anti-IL-4Ra antibody-treated eosinophils, as well as Il4- or Stat6-deficient eosinophils, had attenuated protein secretion of a subset of IL-33-induced genes, including Retnla and Ccl17. However, the induction of most IL-33-regulated transcripts (e.g. Il6 and Il13) was IL-4 independent and blocked by NFkB inhibition. Indeed, IL-33 induced the rapid release of pre-formed IL-4 protein from eosinophils by an NFkB-dependent mechanism. Thus, we have identified a novel activation pathway in murine eosinophils that is induced by IL-33 and differentially dependent upon IL-4. These data suggest that IL-4 plays a critical role in auto-amplification of IL-33-induced eosinophil activation and could be a potential target for therapeutic approaches in IL-33-related eosinophil-associated diseases. Overall design: Low density bone marrow derived murine eosinophils were generated in culture over the period of 14 days. Eosinophils were activated by either IL-33 or IL-4 at 10 ng/ml for 1hr and 4hr. RNA was collected and subjected to next generation sequencing.
IL-33 markedly activates murine eosinophils by an NF-κB-dependent mechanism differentially dependent upon an IL-4-driven autoinflammatory loop.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesEven though T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation together with co-stimulation is sufficient for the activation of both na誰ve and memory T cells, the memory cells are capable of producing lineage specific cytokines much more rapidly than the na誰ve cells. The mechanisms behind this rapid recall response of the memory cells are still not completely understood. Here, we performed epigenetic profiling of human resting na誰ve, central and effector memory T cells using ChIP-Seq and found that unlike the na誰ve cells, the regulatory elements of the cytokine genes in the memory T cells are marked by activating histone modifications even in the resting state. Therefore, the ability to induce expression of rapid recall genes upon activation is associated with the deposition of positive histone modifications during memory T cell differentiation. We propose a model of T cell memory, in which immunological memory state is encoded epigenetically, through poising and transcriptional memory. Overall design: Chromatin state of resting Human Naive, Central memory (TCM) and Effector Memory (TEM) T cells was analyzed by ChIP-Seq; Gene expression in resting and activated for 40 min, 150 min and 15hrs Naive, TCM and TEM cells was analyzed by RNA-Seq
Rapid Recall Ability of Memory T cells is Encoded in their Epigenome.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesPurpose: Oxygen (O2) levels in cell culture conditions is typically 2-5 fold higher than the physiological O2 levels that most tissues experience in vivo. The ambient atmospheric O2 (21%) is known to induce cell proliferation defects and cellular senescence in stem cell and primary cell cultures. Therefore, culturing these cells under lower O2 levels (2-9%) is currently a standard practice. However, the non-cancerous immortalized cells and cancer cells, which evade cellular senescence are normally cultured under 21% O2 levels and the effects of higher O2 levels on these cells are not fully understood. Methods: Gene expression (RNA seq transcriptomics) analysis of immortalized human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells cultured at ambient 21% O2 and lower 10% O2 levels for 3 days and 3 weeks. Further the beneficial effects of cuturing cells under lower oxygen tension is evalulated Results: Our results show NF-?B/RelA mediated activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines as a major outcome of cells being cultured 21% O2. Moreover, we demonstrate increased RelA binding at the NF-?B1/RelA target gene promoters at 21% O2. Interestingly, contrary to cells cultutred at 21% O2, external stress induced by H2O2 exposure did not induce inflammatory response in cells grown at 10% O2, suggesting increased ability to handle external stress in cells cultured at lower O2 levels. Overall design: RNA Seq gene expression comparision done in replicates
Nuclear Factor κB1/RelA Mediates Inflammation in Human Lung Epithelial Cells at Atmospheric Oxygen Levels.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesExperimental IgE-mediated food allergy depends on intestinal anaphylaxis driven by interleukin (IL)-9. However, the primary cellular source of IL-9 and the mechanisms underlying the susceptibility to food-induced intestinal anaphylaxis remain unclear. Herein, we have reported the identification of multifunctional IL-9-producing mucosal mast cells (MMC9s) that can secrete prodigious amounts of IL-9 and IL-13 in response to IL-33, and mast cell protease-1 (MCPt-1) in response to antigen and IgE complex crosslinking, respectively. Repeated intragastric antigen challenge induced MMC9 development that required T cells, IL-4, and STAT6 transcription factor, but not IL-9 signals. Mice ablated of MMC9 induction failed to develop intestinal mastocytosis, which resulted in decreased food allergy symptoms that could be restored by adoptively transferred MMC9s. Finally, atopic patients that developed food allergy displayed increased intestinal expression of Il9 and MC-specific transcripts. Thus, the induction of MMC9s is a pivotal step to acquire the susceptibility to IgE-mediated food allergy. Overall design: dUTP mRNA-Seq profiles of indicated hematopoietic cell lineages were generated on Illumina HiSeq2500. Hematopoietic cells were isolated from Balb/C mice that developed food allergy and bone marrow-derived mast cells were generated from naïve Balb/C mice
Induction of Interleukin-9-Producing Mucosal Mast Cells Promotes Susceptibility to IgE-Mediated Experimental Food Allergy.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesParathyroid hormone (PTH) plays an essential role in regulating calcium and bone homeostasis in the adult, but whether PTH is required at all for regulating fetal-placental mineral homeostasis is uncertain. To address this we treated Pth-null mice in utero with 1 nmol PTH (1-84) or saline and examined placental calcium transfer 90 minutes later. It was found that placental calcium transfer increased in Pth-null fetuses treated with PTH as compared to Pth-null fetuses treated with saline. Subsequently, to determine the effect of PTH treatment on placental gene expression, in a separate experiment, 90 minutes after the fetal injections the placentas were removed for subsequent RNA extraction and microarray analysis.
Parathyroid hormone regulates fetal-placental mineral homeostasis.
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment
View Samples