Chronic infections by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) appear to be the most significant causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aberrant promoter methylation is known to be deeply involved in cancer, including HCC. In this study, we analyzed aberrant promoter methylation on genome-wide scale in 6 HCCs including 3 HBV-related and 3 HCV-related HCCs, 6 matched noncancerous liver tissues and 3 normal liver tissues by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation-on-chip analysis. Candidate genes with promoter methylation were detected more frequently in HCV-related HCC. Candidate genes methylated preferentially to HBV-related or HCV-related HCCs were detected and selected, and methylation levels of the selected genes were validated using 125 liver tissue samples, including 61 HCCs (28 HBV-related HCCs and 33 HCV-related HCCs) and matched 59 matched noncancerous livers, and 5 normal livers, by quantitative methylation analysis using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Among analyzed genes, preferential methylation in HBV-related HCC was validated in 1 gene only. However, 15 genes were found methylated preferentially in HCV-related HCC, which was independent from age. Hierarchical clustering of HCC using these 15 genes stratified HCV-related HCC as a cluster of frequently methylated samples. The 15 genes included genes inhibitory to cancer-related signaling such as RAS/RAF/ERK and Wnt/b-catenin pathways. It was indicated that genes methylated preferentially in HCV-related HCC exist, and it was suggested that DNA methylation might play an important role in HCV-related HCC by silencing cancer-related pathway inhibitors.
Identification of genes preferentially methylated in hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesSharpin (Shank-associated RH domain-interacting protein, also known as SIPL1) is a multifunctional molecule that participates in various biological settings, including nuclear factor-B signaling activation and tumor suppressor gene inhibition. Sharpin is upregulated in various types of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and is implicated in tumor progression. However, the exact roles of Sharpin in tumorigenesis and tumor progression remain largely unknown. Here, we report novel mechanisms of HCC progression through Sharpin overexpression. Sharpin was upregulated in human HCC tissues. Increased Sharpin expression enhanced hepatoma cell invasion, whereas decrease in Sharpin expression by RNA interference inhibited invasion. Microarray analysis identified that versican, a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan that plays crucial roles in tumor progression and invasion, was also upregulated in stably Sharpin-expressing cells. Versican expression increased in the majority of HCC tissues and knocking down of versican greatly attenuated hepatoma cell invasion. Sharpin expression resulted in a significant induction of versican transcription synergistically with Wnt/-catenin pathway activation. Furthermore, Sharpin overexpressing cells had high tumorigenic properties in vivo. These results demonstrate that Sharpin promotes versican expression synergistically with the Wnt/-catenin pathway, potentially contributing to HCC development. A Sharpin/versican axis could be an attractive therapeutic target for this currently untreatable cancer.
Sharpin promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via transactivation of Versican expression.
Specimen part
View SamplesTo identify the molecular targets of orosomucoid (Orm1) during liver regeneration, GeneChip analysis was performed at 48 h after partial hepatectomy (PH) in regenerating mouse liver treated with siControl or siOrm. A total of 180 differentially expressed genes in Orm1 konckdown mouse liver by comparing with siControl were identified with a fold change more than 2. Then, pathway analysis performed on the altered gene expression profiles using Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) program revealed that cell cycle, Toll-like receptor and TGF-beta receptor signaling pathways were under control of Orm1 in regenerating mouse livers.
Transcriptome Analysis Uncovers a Growth-Promoting Activity of Orosomucoid-1 on Hepatocytes.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesAcquisition of the lower jaw (mandible) was evolutionarily important for jawed vertebrates. In humans, syndromic craniofacial malformations often accompany jaw anomalies. Hand2 is involved in coordinating the developmental network of mandibles and the oral apparatus through Hand2-downstream genes and is therefore a major determinant of jaw identity.
Specification of jaw identity by the Hand2 transcription factor.
Specimen part
View SamplesInfliximab (IFX) has been reported as the further therapy in intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG)-resistant Kawasaki disease (KD) patients. IFX is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, but how IFX affect KD vasculitis is unknown. We investigated expression profiling of whole blood cells to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the effectiveness of IFX therapy and to find characteristic biomarker and an important target in refractory KD. Methods: Refractory KD patients who failed to respond to repeated intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) infusions had received a single infusion of IFX as third therapy. To validate specifically transcripts abundance for IFX therapy, we detected the altered transcripts expression and signaling pathways of whole blood mRNA in these IFX-responsive patients (n=8) using Affymetrix array, comparing initial IVIG-responsive patients (n=6).Results: A total of 1,388 transcripts abundance were significantly altered before and after IFX treatment. These transcripts abundance in IFX had Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain pathway that play a role in activation of NFB and IL-1 signaling pathway outside the field of TNF- signaling pathway. Fifty transcripts including Peptidase inhibitor-3 (PI3), Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP8), Chemokine (C-C motif) receptor-2 (CCR2) and Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) were significantly down-regulated in IFX. Conclusion: We demonstrated that the inhibition of TNF- by IFX have affected various molecular mechanism materially for IVIG-resistant KD patients.
Transcriptional regulation by infliximab therapy in Kawasaki disease patients with immunoglobulin resistance.
Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesWe are daily exposed to a multitude of health hazardous airborne particulate matter with notable deposition in the fragile alveolar region of our lungs. Hence, there is a great need for identification and prediction of material-associated diseases, currently hindered due to the lack of in-depth understanding of causal relationships, in particular between acute exposures and chronic symptoms. By applying advanced microscopies and omics to in vitro and in vivo systems, together with in silico molecular modelling, we have here determined that the long-lasting response to a single exposure can originate from the interplay between the newly discovered nanomaterial quarantining and nanomaterial cycling between different lung cell types. This new insight finally allows us to predict the spectrum of lung inflammation associated with materials of interest using only in vitro measurements and in silico modelling potentially relating outcomes to material properties for large number of materials thus boosting safe-by-design-based material development. Because of its profound implications for animal-free predictive toxicology, our work paves the way to a more efficient and hazard-free introduction of numerous new advanced materials into our lives.
Prediction of Chronic Inflammation for Inhaled Particles: the Impact of Material Cycling and Quarantining in the Lung Epithelium.
Cell line
View SamplesClinical score and transcript abundance patterns identify Kawasaki disease patients who may benefit from addition of methylprednisolone.
Clinical score and transcript abundance patterns identify Kawasaki disease patients who may benefit from addition of methylprednisolone.
Specimen part, Treatment, Subject, Time
View SamplesMemory helper T cells provide long-lasting host defeMemory helper T cells provide long-lasting host defense against microbial pathogens, while distinct subpopulations of memory T cells drive chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma. Asthma is a chronic allergic inflammatory disease with airway remodeling including fibrotic changes. The immunological mechanisms that induce airway fibrotic changes in allergic inflammation remain unknown. We found that Interleukin-33 (IL-33) enhanced Amphiregulin production by the IL-33 receptor, ST2hi memory T helper-2 (Th2) cells. Amphiregulin-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated signaling directly reprogramed eosinophils to an inflammatory state with enhanced production of Osteopontin, a key profibrotic immunomodulatory protein. IL-5-producing memory Th2 cells and Amphiregulin-producing memory Th2 cells appeared to cooperate to establish lung fibrosis. The analysis of polyps from patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis revealed fibrosis with accumulation of Amphiregulin-producing CRTH2hiCD161hiCD45RO+CD4+ Th2 cells and Osteopontin-producing eosinophils. Thus, the IL-33-Amphiregulin-Osteopontin axis directs fibrotic responses in eosinophilic airway inflammation and is a potential target for the treatment of fibrosis induced by chronic allergic disorders. against microbial pathogens, while distinct subpopulations of memory T cells drive chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma. Asthma is a chronic allergic inflammatory disease with airway remodeling including fibrotic changes. The immunological mechanisms that induce airway fibrotic changes in allergic inflammation remain unknown. We found that Interleukin-33 (IL-33) enhanced Amphiregulin production by the IL-33 receptor, ST2Â hi memory T helper-2 (Th2) cells. Amphiregulin-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated signaling directly reprogramed eosinophils to an inflammatory state with enhanced production of Osteopontin, a key profibrotic immunomodulatory protein. IL-5-producing memory Th2 cells and Amphiregulin-producing memory Th2 cells appeared to cooperate to establish lung fibrosis. The analysis of polyps from patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis revealed fibrosis with accumulation of Amphiregulin-producing CRTH2hiCD161hiCD45RO+CD4+ Th2 cells and Osteopontin-producing eosinophils. Thus, the IL-33-Amphiregulin-Osteopontin axis directs fibrotic responses in eosinophilic airway inflammation and is a potential target for the treatment of fibrosis induced by chronic allergic disorders. Overall design: Amphiregulin producing cells, eosinophils and lung treated with HDM are assessed by RNA-seq.
Amphiregulin-Producing Pathogenic Memory T Helper 2 Cells Instruct Eosinophils to Secrete Osteopontin and Facilitate Airway Fibrosis.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesWe have tried to identify molecules associated with lymph node ratio expression by microarray. Expression microarray data prioritized gene candidates according to average expression ratio and its frequency.
Identification of EGFR expression status association with metastatic lymph node density (ND) by expression microarray analysis of advanced gastric cancer.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesThe intestine is an organ with exceptionally high rate of cell turnover and perturbations in this process can lead to disease such as cancer or intestinal atrophy. Nutrition is a key factor regulating the intestinal cell turnover and has a profound impact on intestinal volume and cellular architecture. However, how the intestinal equilibrium is maintained in fluctuating dietary conditions is insufficiently understood. By utilizing the Drosophila midgut as a model, we reveal a novel nutrient sensing mechanism coupling stem cell metabolism with stem cell extrinsic growth signal. Our results show that intestinal stem cells (ISCs) employ the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) to monitor nutritional status and energy metabolism. Elevated activity of the HBP promotes Warburg effect-like metabolic reprogramming, which is required for the reactivation of ISCs from calorie restriction-induced quiescence. Furthermore, the HBP activity is an essential facilitator for insulin signaling-induced intestinal growth. In conclusion, intestinal stem cell intrinsic nutrient sensing regulates metabolic pathway activities, and defines the stem cell responsiveness to niche-derived growth signals. Overall design: Intestinal mRNA profiles of 7 days old mated females of UAS-mCD8::GFP, hsFLP; tub-GAL4/+; FRT82B tub-GAL80/FRT82B genotype kept in calorie-restriction +/- 0.1M D-acetylglucosamine for 24h.
Stem Cell Intrinsic Hexosamine Metabolism Regulates Intestinal Adaptation to Nutrient Content.
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment, Subject
View Samples