Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA is a mechanism that increases the protein diversity of a single gene by differential exon inclusion during post-transcriptional processing. While alternative splicing is established to occur during lymphocyte activation, little is known about the role it plays during the immune response. Our study is among the first reports of a systematic genome-wide analysis using whole exon DNA microarrays integrating alternative splicing and differential gene expression. Purified human CD2+ T or CD19+ B cells were activated using protocols to model the early events in post-transplant allograft immunity and sampled as a function of time during the process of immune activation. Here we show that 3 distinct classes of alternatively spliced and/or differentially expressed genes change in an ordered manner as a function of immune activation. We mapped our results to function-based canonical pathways and demonstrated that some are populated by only one class of genes, like integrin signaling, while other pathways, such as purine metabolism and T cell receptor signaling, are populated by all three classes of genes. Our studies augment the current view of T and B cell activation in immunity that has been based exclusively upon differential gene expression by providing evidence for a large number of molecular networks populated as a function of time and activation by alternatively spliced genes, many of which are constitutively expressed.
Genome-wide analysis of immune activation in human T and B cells reveals distinct classes of alternatively spliced genes.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesDespite significant improvements in life expectancy of kidney transplant patients due to advances in surgery and immunosuppression, Chronic Allograft Nephropathy (CAN) remains a daunting problem. A complex network of cellular mechanisms in both graft and peripheral immune compartments complicates the non-invasive diagnosis of CAN, which still requires biopsy histology. This is compounded by non-immunological factors contributing to graft injury. There is a pressing need to identify and validate minimally invasive biomarkers for CAN to serve as early predictors of graft loss and as metrics for managing long-term immunosuppression.
Biomarkers for early and late stage chronic allograft nephropathy by proteogenomic profiling of peripheral blood.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesOur previous study using nude rats revealed that the parental JDCaP xenografts predominantly expressed full-length androgen receptor (AR) whereas the relapsed JDCaP xenografts after castration acquired AR splice variants including AR-V7 and ARv567es. To understand molecular mechanisms underlying the acquisition of AR splice variants in the JDCaP model, we performed microarray analysis using RNA samples of the xenografts without castration (Parent), the relapsed xenografts overexpressing full-length AR and AR-V7 (ARhiV7hi), and the relapsed xenografts expressing ARv567es (ARv567es).
The RNA helicase DDX39B and its paralog DDX39A regulate androgen receptor splice variant AR-V7 generation.
Specimen part
View SamplesGlobal DNA hypomethylation and DNA hypermethylation of promoter regionsincluding tumor suppressor genesare frequently detected in human cancers. Although many studies have suggested a contribution to carcinogenesis, it is still unclear whether the aberrant DNA hypomethylation observed in tumors is a consequence or a cause of cancer. We found that overexpression of Stella (also known as PGC7, Dppa3), a maternal factor required for the maintenance of DNA methylation in early embryos, induced global DNA hypomethylation and transformation in NIH3T3 cells. This hypomethylation was due to the binding of Stella to Np95 (also known as Uhrf1, ICBP90) and the subsequent impairment of Dnmt1 localization. In addition, enforced expression of Stella enhanced the metastatic ability of B16 melanoma cells through the induction of metastasis-related genes by inducing DNA hypomethylation of their promoter regions. Such DNA hypomethylation itself causes cellular transformation and metastatic ability. These data provide new insight into the function of global DNA hypomethylation in carcinogenesis.
Global DNA hypomethylation coupled to cellular transformation and metastatic ability.
Cell line
View SamplesAtrial specific knockout of Nkx2-5 results in hyperplastic atria with ASD and conduction defects. To examine how Nkx2-5 regulates cardiac proliferation at late gestational stages, RNA-seq was performed. Overall design: Examination of expression profile of 2 Nkx2-5-null atria and 3 controls
Nkx2-5 suppresses the proliferation of atrial myocytes and conduction system.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesC-C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) plays pivotal roles in tumor formation, progression, and metastasis. Although CCL2 expression has been found to be dependent on the nuclear factor (NF)B signaling pathway, the regulation of CCL2 production in tumor cells has remained unclear. We have identified a noncanonical pathway for regulation of CCL2 production that is mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) but independent of NF-B. Multiple phosphoproteomics approaches identified the transcription factor forkhead box K1 (FOXK1) as a downstream target of mTORC1. Activation of mTORC1 induces dephosphorylation of FOXK1 resulting in transactivation of the CCL2 gene. Inhibition of the mTORC1-FOXK1 axis attenuated insulin-induced CCL2 production as well as the accumulation of tumor-associated monocytes-macrophages and tumor progression in mice. Our results suggest that FOXK1 directly links mTORC1 signaling and CCL2 expression in a manner independent of NF-B, and that CCL2 produced by this pathway contributes to tumor progression.
Noncanonical Pathway for Regulation of CCL2 Expression by an mTORC1-FOXK1 Axis Promotes Recruitment of Tumor-Associated Macrophages.
Cell line
View SamplesC-C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) plays pivotal roles in tumor formation, progression, and metastasis. Although CCL2 expression has been found to be dependent on the nuclear factor (NF)B signaling pathway, the regulation of CCL2 production in tumor cells has remained unclear. We have identified a noncanonical pathway for regulation of CCL2 production that is mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) but independent of NF-B. Multiple phosphoproteomics approaches identified the transcription factor forkhead box K1 (FOXK1) as a downstream target of mTORC1. Activation of mTORC1 induces dephosphorylation of FOXK1 resulting in transactivation of the CCL2 gene. Inhibition of the mTORC1-FOXK1 axis attenuated insulin-induced CCL2 production as well as the accumulation of tumor-associated monocytes-macrophages and tumor progression in mice. Our results suggest that FOXK1 directly links mTORC1 signaling and CCL2 expression in a manner independent of NF-B, and that CCL2 produced by this pathway contributes to tumor progression.
Noncanonical Pathway for Regulation of CCL2 Expression by an mTORC1-FOXK1 Axis Promotes Recruitment of Tumor-Associated Macrophages.
Cell line
View SamplesC-C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) plays pivotal roles in tumor formation, progression, and metastasis. Although CCL2 expression has been found to be dependent on the nuclear factor (NF)B signaling pathway, the regulation of CCL2 production in tumor cells has remained unclear. We have identified a noncanonical pathway for regulation of CCL2 production that is mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) but independent of NF-B. Multiple phosphoproteomics approaches identified the transcription factor forkhead box K1 (FOXK1) as a downstream target of mTORC1. Activation of mTORC1 induces dephosphorylation of FOXK1 resulting in transactivation of the CCL2 gene. Inhibition of the mTORC1-FOXK1 axis attenuated insulin-induced CCL2 production as well as the accumulation of tumor-associated monocytes-macrophages and tumor progression in mice. Our results suggest that FOXK1 directly links mTORC1 signaling and CCL2 expression in a manner independent of NF-B, and that CCL2 produced by this pathway contributes to tumor progression.
Noncanonical Pathway for Regulation of CCL2 Expression by an mTORC1-FOXK1 Axis Promotes Recruitment of Tumor-Associated Macrophages.
Cell line
View SamplesPoorly differentiated type synovial sarcoma (PDSS) is a variant of synovial sarcoma characterized by predominantly round or short-spindled cells. Although accumulating evidence from clinicopathological studies suggests a strong association between this variant of synovial sarcoma and poor prognosis, little has been reported on the molecular basis of PDSS. To gain insight into the mechanism(s) that underlie the emergence of PDSS, we analyzed the gene expression profiles of 34 synovial sarcoma clinical samples, including 5 cases of PDSS, using an oligonucleotide microarray. In an unsupervised analysis, the 34 samples fell into 3 groups that correlated highly with histological subtype, namely, monophasic, biphasic, and poorly differentiated types. PDSS was characterized by down-regulation of genes associated with neuronal and skeletal development and cell adhesion, and up-regulation of genes on a specific chromosomal locus, 8q21.11. This locus-specific transcriptional activation in PDSS was confirmed by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR analysis of 9 additional synovial sarcoma samples. Our results indicate that PDSS tumors constitute a distinct genetic group based on expression profiles.
Gene expression profiling of synovial sarcoma: distinct signature of poorly differentiated type.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesHematopoietic cells arise from spatiotemporally restricted domains in the developing embryo. Although studies of non-mammalian animal and in vitro embryonic stem cell models suggest a close relationship among cardiac, endocardial, and hematopoietic lineages, it remains unknown whether the mammalian heart tube serves as a hemogenic organ akin to the dorsal aorta. Here, we examined the hemogenic activity of the developing endocardium. Mouse heart explants generated myeloid and erythroid colonies in the absence of circulation. Hemogenic activity arose from a subset of endocardial cells in the outflow cushion and atria earlier than in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region, and was transient and definitive in nature. Interestingly, key cardiac transcription factors, Nkx2-5 and Isl1, were expressed in and required for the hemogenic activity of the endocardium. Together, these data suggest that a subset of endocardial and yolk sac endothelial cells expressing cardiac markers serve as a de novo source for transient definitive hematopoietic progenitors.
Haemogenic endocardium contributes to transient definitive haematopoiesis.
Specimen part
View Samples