The objective of the overall study was to determine the effects of oral vitamin D supplementation on alveolar macrophages from human subjects. In this substudy, subjects treated with vitamin D (intervention group) in paired analysis had small, but significant effects on immune-related differential gene expression pre versus post supplementation.
Effects of vitamin D supplementation on alveolar macrophage gene expression: preliminary results of a randomized, controlled trial.
Specimen part, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesCigarette smoking is the leading cause of emphysema in the United States. Alveolar macrophages play a critical role in the inflammation-mediated remodeling of the lung parenchyma in emphysema. However, the exact gene pathways and the role of DNA methylation in moderating this pathological transformation are not known. In order to more exactly understand this process, we compared genome-wide expression and methylation signatures of alveolar macrophages isolated from heavy smokers with those isolated from non-smoking controls. We found enrichment of differential methylation in genes from immune system and inflammatory pathways as determined by standard pathway analysis. Consistent with recent findings, significant methylation changes were particularly enriched in the areas flanking CpG islands (CpG shores). Analysis of matching gene expression data demonstrated a parallel enrichment for changes in immune system and inflammatory pathways. We conclude that alveolar macrophages from the lungs of smokers demonstrate coordinated changes in DNA methylation and gene expression that link to inflammation pathways. We suggest that further studies of DNA methylation in immune and inflammation-related gene expression are needed to understand the pathogenesis of emphysema and other smoking-related diseases.
Coordinated DNA methylation and gene expression changes in smoker alveolar macrophages: specific effects on VEGF receptor 1 expression.
Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesAlveolar macrophages from never smokers and active smokers were isolated by bronchoalveolar lavage and gene expression was measured. Chronic cigarette smoke exposure, as occurs in smoker's lungs, leads to significant changes in gene expression. Of note, RNA was isolated immediately following bronchoscopy. Alveolar macrophage levels were >95%.
Cigarette smoking decreases global microRNA expression in human alveolar macrophages.
Specimen part
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Interferon-γ Inhibits Ebola Virus Infection.
Specimen part
View SamplesEpisodic Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreaks, such as the current one in West Africa, emphasize the critical need for novel antivirals against this highly pathogenic virus. Here, we demonstrate that interferon gamma (IFN) prevents morbidity and mortality associated with EBOV infection when administered to mice either 24 hours prior to or 2 hours following EBOV infection. Microarray studies with IFN-stimulated human macrophages identified novel interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that inhibit EBOV infection upon ectopic expression. IFN treatment reduced viral RNA levels in macrophages to a similar degree as cells treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, suggesting that IFN treatment inhibits genome replication. As IFN treatment robustly protects mice against EBOV infection, we propose that this FDA-approved drug may serve as a useful prophylactic or therapeutic strategy during EBOV outbreaks, contributing to the currently limited arsenal of filovirus antivirals.
Interferon-γ Inhibits Ebola Virus Infection.
Specimen part
View SamplesEpisodic Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreaks, such as the current one in West Africa, emphasize the critical need for novel antivirals against this highly pathogenic virus. Here, we demonstrate that interferon gamma (IFN) prevents morbidity and mortality associated with EBOV infection when administered to mice either 24 hours prior to or 2 hours following EBOV infection. Microarray studies with IFN-stimulated human macrophages identified novel interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that inhibit EBOV infection upon ectopic expression. IFN treatment reduced viral RNA levels in macrophages to a similar degree as cells treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, suggesting that IFN treatment inhibits genome replication. As IFN treatment robustly protects mice against EBOV infection, we propose that this FDA-approved drug may serve as a useful prophylactic or therapeutic strategy during EBOV outbreaks, contributing to the currently limited arsenal of filovirus antivirals.
Interferon-γ Inhibits Ebola Virus Infection.
Specimen part
View SamplesAnalysis of wig-1 pathways via suppression of Wig-1 by antisense oligonucleotides
Genomic analysis of wig-1 pathways.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesOriginal patient tumor is directly implanted in mice xenografts. Tumor is propagated to multiple mice for conduct of 6 arm treatment trials and control. Therapies are selected based on T0 and F0 genomic profiles.
Using a rhabdomyosarcoma patient-derived xenograft to examine precision medicine approaches and model acquired resistance.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesUterine double conditional inactivation of Smad2 and Smad3 in mice results in endometrial dysregulation, infertility, and uterine cancer. Smad2/3 cKO mice demonstrate abnormal expression of genes involved in inflammation, cell-cycle checkpoint, migration, steroid biosynthesis, and SMAD1/5-driven genes. We performed RNA-sequencing to identify the gene expression differences between the uterine epithelium of control and Smad2/3 cKO. To control for estrous cycle variations, the uterine epithelium was collected from mice at 0.5 dpc. Global gene expression profiles of Smad2/3 cKO versus control mice was analyzed. Our RNA sequencing analysis was performed at 6 weeks of life and already showed significant differences in migratory (Agr2,Slit2) and inflammatory (Ccl20, Crispld2) markers between Smad2/3 cKO and control mice. Overall design: Two group comparison: uterine epithelium of control and Smad2/3 cKO mice. We generated a conditional knockout of Smad2/3 in the uterus and demonstrated that Smad2/3 plays a critical role in the endometrium, with disruption resulting in pubertal-onset uterine hyperplasia and ultimately fatal uterine cancer.
Uterine double-conditional inactivation of <i>Smad2</i> and <i>Smad3</i> in mice causes endometrial dysregulation, infertility, and uterine cancer.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesBy utilizing mast cells lacking Dnmt3a, we found that this enzyme is involved in restraining mast cell responses to stimuli, both in vitro and in vivo.
<i>Dnmt3a</i> restrains mast cell inflammatory responses.
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment
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