Data on the temporal dynamics of human placental gene expression is scarce. We have completed the first whole-genome profiling of human placental gene expression dynamics (GeneChips, Affymetrix) from early to mid- gestation (10 samples; gestational weeks 5 to 18) and report 154 genes with considerable change in transcript levels (FDR P<0.1). Functional enrichment analysis revealed >200 GO categories that are statistically over-represented among 105 genes with dynamically increasing transcript levels. Analysis in an extended sample (n=43; gestational weeks 5 to 41) conformed a highly significant (FDR P<0.05) expressional peak in mid-gestation placenta for ten genes: BMP5, CCNG2, CDH11, FST, GATM, GPR183, ITGBL1, PLAGL1, SLC16A10, STC1. A central hypothesis of our study states that the aberrant expression of genes characteristic to mid-gestation placenta may contribute to affected fetal growth, maternal preeclampsia (PE) or gestational diabetes (GD). The gene STC1 coding for Stanniocalcin 1 (STC1) was identified with a sharp placental expressional peak in mid-gestation, increased mRNA levels at term and significantly elevated STC1 protein levels in post-partum maternal plasma in all pregnancy complications. The highest STC1 levels were identified in women, who developed simultaneously PE and delivered an SGA baby (median 731 vs 418 pg/ml in controls; P=0.001). CCNG2 and LYPD6 exhibited significantly increased placental mRNA expression and enhanced intensity of immunohistochemistry staining in placental sections all studied in GD and PE cases. Aberrant expression of mid-gestation specific genes in pregnancy complications at term indicates the importance of the fine-scale tuning of the temporal dynamics of transcription regulation in placenta. Observed significantly elevated plasma STC1 in complicated pregnancies warrants further investigations of its potential as a biomarker. Interestingly, a majority of genes with high expression in mid-gestation placenta have also been implicated in adult complex disease. This observation promotes a recently opened discussion on the role of placenta in developmental programming.
Mid-gestational gene expression profile in placenta and link to pregnancy complications.
Specimen part
View SamplesPheochromocytomas (PCC) are mostly benign tumors, amenable to complete surgical resection. However, 1017% of cases can become malignant, and once metastasized, there is no curative treatment for this disease. Given the need to identify effective therapeutic approaches for PCC, we evaluated the antitumor potential of the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 against these tumors. We employed an in vivo model of endogenous PCCs (MENX mutant rats), which closely recapitulate the human tumors. Mutant rats with PCCs were treated with 2 doses of BEZ235 (20 and 30 mg/kg), or with placebo, for 2 weeks. Treatment with BEZ235 induced cytostatic and cytotoxic effects on rat PCCs, which could be appreciated by both staining the tumors ex vivo with appropriate markers, and non-invasively by functional imaging (diffusion weighted-DW-MRI) in vivo.
Targeting PI3K/mTOR signaling exerts potent antitumor activity in pheochromocytoma in vivo.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesWe examined global gene expression patterns in response to PGC-1 expression in cells derived from liver or muscle.
Direct link between metabolic regulation and the heat-shock response through the transcriptional regulator PGC-1α.
Specimen part
View SamplesCell adhesion plays an important role in determining cell shape and function in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological conditions. While links between metabolism and cell adhesion were previously suggested, the exact context and molecular details of such a cross-talk remain incompletely understood.
Inhibition of Adhesion Molecule Gene Expression and Cell Adhesion by the Metabolic Regulator PGC-1α.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesSecreted proteins serve pivotal roles in the development of multicellular organisms, acting as structural matrix, extracellular enzymes and signal molecules. In this study we demonstrate, unexpectedly, that PGC-1, a critical transcriptional co-activator of metabolic gene expression, functions to down-regulate expression of diverse genes encoding secreted molecules and extracellular matrix (ECM) components to modulate the secretome. We show that both endogenous and exogenous PGC-1 down-regulate expression of numerous genes encoding secreted molecules. Mechanistically, results obtained using mRNA stability measurements as well as intronic RNA expression analysis are consistent with a transcriptional effect of PGC-1 on expression of genes encoding secreted proteins. Interestingly, PGC-1 requires the central heat shock response regulator HSF1 to affect some of its targets, and both factors co-reside on several target genes encoding secreted molecules in cells. Finally, using a mass spectrometric analysis of secreted proteins, we demonstrate that PGC-1 modulates the secretome of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs).
Control of Secreted Protein Gene Expression and the Mammalian Secretome by the Metabolic Regulator PGC-1α.
Specimen part
View SamplesERG activity was blocked using YK-4-279 in three subcutaneously implanted ERG+ (LuCaP 23.1, 86.2, and 35) and one ERG- (LuCaP 96) PDX. Tumor volume (TV), body weight (BW), serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), and overall survival (OS) were compared to vehicle treated controls. Changes in gene expression were assessed by RNASeq and tissue microarrays were constructed to assess necrosis, proliferation, apoptosis, microvessel density, and ERG expression. Overall design: RNA sequencing of tumors from from 16 animals (2 control, 2 treated from each of four patient derived xenograft lines) using Illumina HiSeq 2500.
Inhibition of ERG Activity in Patient-derived Prostate Cancer Xenografts by YK-4-279.
Sex, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Medial HOXA genes demarcate haematopoietic stem cell fate during human development.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe derivation of functional, transplantable HSCs from an pluripotent stem cells in vitro holds great promise for clinical therapies, but is unachieved. In order to achieve full functionality of HSCs, it is vital to determine the extent to which PSCs can currently be differentiated to the HSC program in vitro and identify the remaining dysregulated genetic pathways.
Medial HOXA genes demarcate haematopoietic stem cell fate during human development.
Specimen part
View SamplesRA signalling regulated endothelial to hematopoietic transition and HSC generation. Overall design: EB- or FL-derived HSPC were profiled before (d0) or after (d6) 6 days of treatment with 0.2uM AM580 on OP9, and after 6 additional days of expandion of OP9 (d12) without treatment.
Medial HOXA genes demarcate haematopoietic stem cell fate during human development.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesHOXA7 regulates FL-HSPC self-renewal in vitro and in vivo. We profiled EB-HSPCs after HOXA7 overexpression (EB-HOXA7), or with a control vector (EB-CTR), to assess the gene expression programs regulated by HOXA7. Overall design: CD34+CD38-CD43+CD90+ HSPCs were infected with lentiviral FUGW vector either empty (FUGW-GFP) or encoding HOXA7(FUGW-GFP-HOXA7) protein. Cells were expanded on op9 for 15 days and than sorted for GFP HSPC immunophenotype.
Medial HOXA genes demarcate haematopoietic stem cell fate during human development.
No sample metadata fields
View Samples