In March 2006, murine Bone Marrow Stromal Cells (BMSC) were flown in the Soyuz 12S to the International Space Station to investigate the effects of microgravity on their osteogenic potential in a three-dimensional environment. BMSC were grown in porous bioceramic Skelite disks ( 9 mm x T 1.2 mm). The constructs were exposed to microgravity for ca. 8 days, then fixed for RNA extraction. While the flight experiment was performed in fully automated hardware inside the KUBIK incubator, one group of control samples were incubated inside manually operated hardwares (flight control), and the other control group was incubated under routine laboratory conditions (lab control). The altered gene expression profile was analyzed by Mouse Gene 1.0 ST array (Affymetrix) representing whole-transcript coverage. Each one of the 28853 genes is represented on the array by approximately 26 probes spread across the full length of the gene, providing a more complete and more accurate picture of gene expression than the 3 based expression array design.
Activation of nervous system development genes in bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells following spaceflight exposure.
Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesThe classical concept of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC), intended as a uniform, broad potent population, is progressively being substituted by the idea that the bone marrow harbors heterogeneous populations of non-hematopoietic stem cells. This in vivo heterogeneity is also amplified by the different experimental strategies used to isolate/culture them. Among the exogenous factors described to affect MSC in vitro growth, basic-fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is one of the most common growth factors used to expand stem cells. Moreover, it has been reported that its signaling is associated with the mainteinance of stemness of a variety of stem cells, included MSC. Using an ectopic model of bone regeneration, we have previously described that the implantation of cells with different commitment levels, differentially influences the capacity to recruit host cells, activating endogenous regenerative mechanisms. Due to its properties, we here demonstrate that the addition of bFGF to primary BM cultures, leads to the selection of specific subpopulations able to induce a different host regenerative response, when in vivo implanted in association with suitable ceramic scaffolds. Moreover, taking advantage of a multiparametric and comparative genomic and proteomic approach, it has been evaluated how different culture conditions combine to bring about appreciable changes in the secretome of the cells, that consequently influence their in vivo regenerative behaviour. The full comprehension of the regulatory mechanisms that rule the host response depending on the type and differentiative stage of the transplanted cells could help us to develop novel clinical strategies where host cells could directly contribute to regenerate the appropriate tissue.
The role of bFGF on the ability of MSC to activate endogenous regenerative mechanisms in an ectopic bone formation model.
Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesDemethyl fructiculin A is a diterpenoid quinone component of the exudates from Salvia corrugata (SCO-1) leafes. SCO-1 was recently reported to induce anoikis in mammalian cell lines via a molecular mechanism involving the presence of the membrane scavenging receptor CD36. However, experiments performed with cells lacking CD36, showed that SCO-1 was able to induce apoptosis also via alternate pathways. To contribute to a better characterization of the molecular mechanisms underlining the cytotoxic activity of SCO-1, we decided to pursue an unbiased pharmacogenomic approach by generating the gene expression profile of GBM TICs subjected to the administration of SCO-1 and comparing it with that of control cells exposed to the solvent. With this strategy we hypothesized to highlight those pathways and biological processes unlashed by SCO-1.
Demethyl fruticulin A (SCO-1) causes apoptosis by inducing reactive oxygen species in mitochondria.
Time
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
View SamplesIn order to establish a list of candidate direct COUP-TFI gene targets in the inner ear, we analyzed the differential gene expression profiles of the wild-type and the COUP-TFI/ P0 inner ears.
Genome-wide analysis of binding sites and direct target genes of the orphan nuclear receptor NR2F1/COUP-TFI.
Specimen part
View SamplesDioxygenases of the TET family impact genome functions by converting 5-methylcytosine in DNA to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, but the individual contribution of the three family members to differentiation and function of myeloid cells is still incompletely understood. Using cells with a deletion in the Tet2 gene, we show that TET2 contributes to the regulation of mast cell differentiation, proliferation and effector functions. The differentiation defect observed in absence of TET2 could be however completely rescued or further exacerbated by modulating TET3 activity, and it was primarily linked to dysregulated expression of the C/EBP family of transcription factors. In contrast, hyper-proliferation induced by the lack of TET2 could not be modified by TET3. Together, our data indicate the existence of both overlapping and unique roles of individual TET proteins in regulating myeloid cell gene expression, proliferation and function. Overall design: Total mRNA of FACS-sorted Kit+ FceRIa+ populations of primary bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) from Tet2-/- and Tet2+/+ animals was extracted and subjected to multiparallel sequencing.
TET2 Regulates Mast Cell Differentiation and Proliferation through Catalytic and Non-catalytic Activities.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesCD4 T cell help is critical for both the generation and maintenance of germinal centers, and T follicular helper (TFH) cells are the CD4 T cell subset required for this process. SAP (SH2D1A) expression in CD4 T cells is essential for germinal center development. However, SAP-deficient mice have only a moderate defect in TFH differentiation as defined by common TFH surface markers. CXCR5+ TFH cells are found within the germinal center as well as along the boundary regions of T/B cell zones. Here we show that germinal center associated T cells (GC TFH) can be identified by their co-expression of CXCR5 and the GL7 epitope, allowing for phenotypic and functional analysis of TFH and GC TFH populations. Here we show GC TFH are a functionally discrete subset of further polarized TFH cells, with enhanced B cell help capacity and a specialized ability to produce IL-4 in a TH2-independent manner. Strikingly, SAP-deficient mice have an absence of the GC TFH subset and SAP- TFH are defective in IL-4 and IL-21 production. We further demonstrate that SLAM (Slamf1, CD150), a surface receptor that utilizes SAP signaling, is specifically required for IL-4 production by GC TFH. GC TFH cells require IL-4 and IL-21 production for optimal help to B cells. These data illustrate complexities of SAP-dependent SLAM family receptor signaling, revealing a prominent role for SLAM receptor ligation in IL-4 production by germinal center CD4 T cells but not in TFH and GC TFH differentiation.
Germinal center T follicular helper cell IL-4 production is dependent on signaling lymphocytic activation molecule receptor (CD150).
Specimen part
View SamplesCD4 T cell help is critical for both the generation and maintenance of germinal centers, and T follicular helper (TFH) cells are the CD4 T cell subset required for this process. SAP (SH2D1A) expression in CD4 T cells is essential for germinal center development. However, SAP-deficient mice have only a moderate defect in TFH differentiation as defined by common TFH surface markers. CXCR5+ TFH cells are found within the germinal center as well as along the boundary regions of T/B cell zones. Here we show that germinal center associated T cells (GC TFH) can be identified by their co-expression of CXCR5 and the GL7 epitope, allowing for phenotypic and functional analysis of TFH and GC TFH populations. Here we show GC TFH are a functionally discrete subset of further polarized TFH cells, with enhanced B cell help capacity and a specialized ability to produce IL-4 in a TH2-independent manner. Strikingly, SAP-deficient mice have an absence of the GC TFH subset and SAP- TFH are defective in IL-4 and IL-21 production. We further demonstrate that SLAM (Slamf1, CD150), a surface receptor that utilizes SAP signaling, is specifically required for IL-4 production by GC TFH. GC TFH cells require IL-4 and IL-21 production for optimal help to B cells. These data illustrate complexities of SAP-dependent SLAM family receptor signaling, revealing a prominent role for SLAM receptor ligation in IL-4 production by germinal center CD4 T cells but not in TFH and GC TFH differentiation.
Germinal center T follicular helper cell IL-4 production is dependent on signaling lymphocytic activation molecule receptor (CD150).
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesSeveral studies demonstrated IgVH mutation status and ZAP-70 expression as the most relevant prognostic markers in CLL, suggesting the separation of two patient subgroups: with good (MTZAP-70-) and poor prognosis (UMZAP-70+). We determined gene expression of B cells in 112 CLL patients divided into three classes: the first with IgVHMT and ZAP-70-, the second with IgVHUM and ZAP-70+, and the third included both IgVHUM ZAP-70- and IgVHMT ZAP-70+. We found LPL, AGPAT2, MBOAT1, CHPT1, AGPAT4, PLD1 genes encoding enzymes involved in lipid (glycerolipid/glycerophospholipid) metabolism overexpressed in UMZAP-70+. In addition, this study demonstrates the role of ARSD, a gene belonging to the sphingolipid metabolism, as a new gene significantly overexpressed in UMZAP-70+ in respect to MTZAP-70-. ARSD protein was found at significantly higher concentrations in UMZAP-70+ compared to MTZAP-70- CLL B cells and B cells from healthy individuals by Western blotting. Statistical analysis identified a strong correlation between ARSD and IgVH mutation status; ARSD protein level was associated with the requirement of therapy for CLL patients and for this purpose it is as good as IgVH mutational status. Our study highlights ARSD as a promising new prognostic factor in CLL and sphingolipid metabolism as a putative new biological mechanism in CLL.
Gene expression profiling identifies ARSD as a new marker of disease progression and the sphingolipid metabolism as a potential novel metabolism in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Sex, Age, Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesMale patients (n=6, mean age 62 years) with NYHA III-IV and an left ventricular ejection fraction of <35% despite pharmacological therapy received 35 hours of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) over a period of 7 weeks.
Effects of enhanced external counterpulsation on skeletal muscle gene expression in patients with severe heart failure.
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment, Subject
View Samples