The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a polarized cell layer that is critical for photoreceptor function and survival. Its unique relationship to the photoreceptors and its specific physiology makes the RPE a critical determinant of human vision. Therefore we performed global expression profiling of native and cultured human fetal and adult RPE and determined a unique set of highly-expressed genes (called the signature set) by comparing the observed RPE gene profiles to the Novartis expression database (SymAtlas: http://wombat.gnf.org/index.html) of 78 tissues.
Transcriptome analysis and molecular signature of human retinal pigment epithelium.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesPurpose: The outer blood-retina barrier is established through the coordinated terminal maturation of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), fenestrated choroid endothelial cells (ECs) and Bruch’s membrane, a highly organized basement membrane that lies between both cell types. Here we study the contribution of choroid ECs to this process by comparing their gene expression profile before (P5) and after (P30) the critical postnatal period when mice acquire mature visual function. Methods: ECs from P5 and P30 mice were labeled in vivo by retro-orbital injection of fluorescently-labeled anti-VE-Cadherin. After 10 minutes, mice were euthanized, eyeballs were enucleated and the anterior segment was discarded. After removal of the neural retina, RPE/choroid was mechanically dissected from the sclera and digested. ECs were isolated by flow cytometry and processed immediately for RNA extraction. Results: Transcriptome analyses show that whereas P5 choroid EC transcriptome is preferentially enriched in cell cycle- and chromosome-related transcripts, reflecting an immature phenotype, the transcriptome of adult (P30) choroid ECs is enriched in genes encoding proteins involved in ‘biological adhesion’, including a variety of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes. Conclusion: these results strongly suggest that mature choroid ECs actively participate in extracellular matrix assembly and regulation. Overall design: Transcriptome of choroid ECs isolated from P5 and P30 mice (3 independent isolations, 7 animals per isolation) was determined using the Illumina HiSeq2000 platform. Upon quality control using FastQC, raw reads were aligned to the mouse genome (mm9) using TopHat with default parameters. CuffLinks with GC and upper quartile normalization was then used to calculate normalized expression levels.
Concerted regulation of retinal pigment epithelium basement membrane and barrier function by angiocrine factors.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesPleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1) encodes a transcription factor involved in cancer and growth. We study the role of PLAG1 in preimplantation embryos using STRT RNA-seq of single embryos from wild type and knockout mothers (both mated with wild type studs). The lack of maternal Plag1 led to delayed mouse 2-cell stage embryo development, compensatory expression of Plag1 from the paternal allele, and dysregulation of 1,089 genes. Half of these genes displayed a pattern of delayed activation and play roles in ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis. These mouse genes further showed a significant overlap with human EGA genes with similar ontology, and an enrichment of the PLAG1 de novo motif. We conclude that Plag1 affects EGA through retrotransposons influencing ribosomes and protein synthesis, a mechanism that might also explain its roles in cancer and growth Overall design: Single wild type and maternal Plag1 knockout embryos at MII, 2-cell and 8-cell stage development in 14-16 biologicla replicas per developmental stage and genotype.
Pleomorphic Adenoma Gene 1 Is Needed For Timely Zygotic Genome Activation and Early Embryo Development.
Subject
View SamplesThe goal of the study was to identify the effects of TGF-beta on primary human macrophages maturated under different conditions.
Activation of a TGF-beta-specific multistep gene expression program in mature macrophages requires glucocorticoid-mediated surface expression of TGF-beta receptor II.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesMedulloblastoma is a malignant brain tumor that occurs predominantly in children. Current risk stratification based on the clinical parameters is inadequate for accurate prognostication. In order to get a better understanding of medulloblastoma biology, miRNA profiling of medulloblastomas was carried out in parallel with the expression profiling of protein- coding genes.
Distinctive microRNA signature of medulloblastomas associated with the WNT signaling pathway.
Sex
View SamplesThe v-erbA oncogene belongs to a superfamily of transcription factors called nuclear receptors, which includes the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) responsible for mediating the effects of retinoic acid (RA). Nuclear receptors bind to specific DNA sequences in the promoter region of target genes and v-erbA is known to exert a dominant negative effect on the activity of the RARs. The repressor activity of v-erbA has been linked to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a mouse model. We have used microarray analysis to identify genes differentially expressed in hepatocytes in culture (AML12 cells) stably transfected with v-erbA and exposed to RA. We have found that v-erbA can affect expression of RA-responsive genes. We have also identified a number of v-erbA-responsive genes that are known to be involved in carcinogenesis and which may play a role in the development of HCC.
Modulation of expression of RA-regulated genes by the oncoprotein v-erbA.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesTranscription factors that regulate quiescence, proliferation, and homing of lymphocytes are critical for effective immune system function. In the present study, we demonstrated that the transcription factor ELF4 directly activates the tumor suppressor KLF4 downstream of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling to induce cell cycle arrest in nave CD8+ T cells. Elf4- and Klf4-deficient mice accumulated CD8+CD44hi T cells during steady-state conditions and generated more memory T cells after immunization. The homeostatic expansion of CD8+CD44hi T cells in Elf4-null mice resulted in a redistribution of cells to non-lymphoid tissue due to reduced expression of the transcription factor KLF2, and the surface proteins CCR7 and CD62L. This work describes the combinatorial role of lymphocyte-intrinsic factors in the control of T cell homeostasis, activation and homing.
Transcription factor ELF4 controls the proliferation and homing of CD8+ T cells via the Krüppel-like factors KLF4 and KLF2.
Specimen part
View SamplesEpilepsy is a common cause of morbidity affecting approximately one third of patients with primary brain tumors. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the tumor induced epileptogenesis is poorly understood. The alteration in peritumoral microenvironments is believed to play a significant role in inducing epileptogenesis.
Transcriptomic profiling of human peritumoral neocortex tissues revealed genes possibly involved in tumor-induced epilepsy.
Sex, Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesM端ller cells (MCs) play a crucial role in the retina, and cultured MC lines are an important tool with which to study MC function. Transformed MC lines have been widely used; however, the transformation process can also lead to unwanted changes compared to the primary cells from which they were derived. A monoclonal spontaneously immortalized rat M端ller cell line, SIRMu-1, was derived from primary rat MCs and characterized by RNA-sequencing (in addition to immunofluorescence and western blotting) in comparison to primary MCs and the SV40-immortalized MC line, rMC-1. Overall design: RNA-seq was performed on enriched polyA RNA from primary M端ller cells (4 biological replicates of passage numbers 3-4), SIRMu-1 cells (5 biological replicates of passage numbers 6-20, two of which were cultured in the presence of the antibiotic gentamicin and the antifungal amphotericin B to match the culture conditions of the primary MCs), and rMC-1 cells (3 biological replicates of passage numbers 23-26).
RNA sequencing data of cultured primary rat Müller cells, the spontaneously immortalized rat Müller cell line, SIRMu-1, and the SV40-transformed rat Müller cell line, rMC-1.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesLoss of muscle mass occurs in a variety of diseases including cancer, chronic heart failure, AIDS, diabetes and renal failure, often aggravating pathological progression. Preventing muscle wasting by promoting muscle growth has been proposed as a possible therapeutic approach. Myostatin is an important negative modulator of muscle growth during myogenesis and myostatin inhibitors are attractive drug targets. However, the role of the myostatin pathway in adulthood and the transcription factors involved in the signaling are unclear. Moreover recent results confirm that other TGF members control muscle mass. Using genetic tools we perturbed this pathway in adult myofibers, in vivo, to characterize the downstream targets and their ability to control muscle mass. Smad2 and Smad3 are the transcription factors downstream of myostatin/TGF and induce an atrophy program which is MuRF1 independent and requires FoxO activity. Furthermore Smad2/3 inhibition promotes muscle hypertrophy independent of satellite cells but partially dependent of mTOR signalling. Thus myostatin and Akt pathways cross-talk at different levels. These findings point to myostatin inhibitors as good drugs to promote muscle growth during rehabilitation especially when they are combined with IGF1-Akt activators.
Smad2 and 3 transcription factors control muscle mass in adulthood.
Specimen part, Time
View Samples