Classically (M1) and alternatively activated (M2) macrophages play distinct roles in various physiological and disease processes. Understanding the gene transcription programs that contribute to macrophage polarization along the M1/M2 spectrum may lead to new tools to detect and therapeutically manipulate macrophage phenotype. Here, we define the M1 and M2 macrophage signature through mRNA microarray. The M1 macrophage signature was defined by 629 up-regulated and 732 down-regulated genes while the M2 macrophage signature was formed by 388 up-regulated and 425 down-regulated genes. While a subset of probes was common to both M1 and M2 cells, others were exclusive to each macrophage subset. The common M1/M2 pathways were characterized by changes in various transcriptional regulators and signaling partners, including increases in Kruppel-like Factor (Klf) 4, but decreases in Klf2. To identify M1 and M2 biomarkers that help discriminate these populations, we selected genes that were increased during M1 or M2 differentiation but decreased in the opposite population. Among top novel M1-distinct genes, we identified CD38, G-protein coupled receptor 18 (Gpr18) and Formyl peptide receptor 2 (Fpr2). Among top M2 genes, we found early growth response protein 2 (Egr2) and Myc. We validated these genes by Real-Time PCR and developed a CD38/Egr2-based flow cytometry assay that discriminates between M1 and M2 macrophages. Overall, this work defines the M1 and M2 signature and identifies several novel M1 and M2 genes that may be used to distinguish and manipulate M1 and M2 macrophages.
Novel Markers to Delineate Murine M1 and M2 Macrophages.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesThe liver X receptors (LXRs) are ligand-activated nuclear receptors with established roles in the maintenance of lipid homeostasis in multiple tissues. LXRs exert additional biological functions as negative regulators of inflammation, particularly in macrophages. However, the transcriptional responses controlled by LXRs in other myeloid cells, such as dendritic cells (DC), are still poorly understood. Here we used gain- and loss-of-function models to characterize the impact of LXR deficiency on DC activation programs. Our results identified an LXR-dependent pathway that is important for DC chemotaxis. LXR-deficient mature DCs are defective in stimulus-induced migration in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we show that LXRs facilitate DC chemotactic signaling by regulating the expression of CD38, an ectoenzyme important for leukocyte trafficking. Pharmacological or genetic inactivation of CD38 activity abolished LXR-dependent induction of DC chemotaxis. Using the LDLR-/- mouse model of atherosclerosis, we also demonstrated that hematopoietic CD38 expression is important for the accumulation of lipid-laden myeloid cells in lesions, suggesting that CD38 is a key factor in leukocyte migration during atherogenesis. Collectively, our results demonstrate that LXRs are required for efficient emigration of DCs in response to chemotactic signals during inflammation.
LXR nuclear receptors are transcriptional regulators of dendritic cell chemotaxis.
Specimen part
View SamplesMouse BMDCs were differentiated from bone marrow by GM-CSF and IL-4 for 9 days.
LXR nuclear receptors are transcriptional regulators of dendritic cell chemotaxis.
Specimen part
View SamplesIdentification of intrathymic Eomes+ natural Th1 cells creates a novel idea that there is more than one way for the generation of innate CD4 T cells. To more deeply characterize this type of innate T cells, we compared the gene expression profile between nTh1 cells generated in CIITAtg mice and classic Th1 cells differentiated from naive CD4 T cells in Th1-polarizing condition.
Thymic low affinity/avidity interaction selects natural Th1 cells.
Age, Specimen part
View SamplesTerahertz (THz) technology has emerged for biomedical applications such as scanning, molecular spectroscopy, and medical imaging. However, the biological effect of THz radiation is not fully understood. Non-thermal effects of THz radiation were investigated by applying a femtosecond-terahertz (fs-THz) pulse to mouse skin. Analysis of the genome-wide expression profile in fs-THz-irradiated skin indicated that wound responses were predominantly through NFB1- and Smad3/4-mediated transcriptional activation. Repeated fs-THz radiation delayed the closure of mouse skin punch wounds due to up-regulation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-). These findings suggest that fs-THz radiation provokes a wound-like signal in skin with increased expression of TGF- and activation of its downstream target genes, which perturbs the wound healing process in vivo.
High-power femtosecond-terahertz pulse induces a wound response in mouse skin.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesTo determine the genes potentially responsible for the lactate-mediated gene expression regulation in hepatocellular carcinoma, we performed RNA-seq analyses on parental HepG2, HepG2/metR and oxamate-treated HepG2/metR cells. To gain mechanistic insights into the lactate-induced pro-migratory phenotypes, we established a cell model that acquired a resistance to metformin while producing lactate at a high level by selecting HepG2 cells that survived a chronic exposure to metformin for more than 5 months (HepG2/metR). In HepG2/metR cells, glycolysis rates were increased by more than 3 folds compared with parental cells, and consequently, lactate production was also highly enhanced. To clarify the gene expression regulation between the lactate level in the HepG2/metR model, we treated the cells with oxamate, an inhibitor of lactate dehydrogenase, and found that it significantly. Using a 2-fold change cut-off value in transcriptome, we selected 1,757 genes significantly up-regulated in HepG2/metR vs parental HepG2 cells. 690 genes were down-regulated by oxamate treatment in HepG2/metR cells. Eventually, we selected 136 genes that are common in the two gene sets, which may directly respond to lactate signaling Overall design: mRNA profiles of HepG2 cells, HepG2/metR (hyper-glycolytic cell model), oxamate treated HepG2/metR (decreased lactate concentration cell) were generated by deep sequencing using Illumina Nextseq 500
Lactate Activates the E2F Pathway to Promote Cell Motility by Up-Regulating Microtubule Modulating Genes.
Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesWe used RNA-seq to investigate gene expression variation in Malpighian tubules, which have a function analogous to that of human kidneys. In order to characterize population differentiation, we sequenced the Malpighian tubule transcriptomes of flies derived from two populations, one from sub-Saharan Africa (Zimbabwe) and one from Europe (the Netherlands). Males and females were examined separately. Overall, we found a high amount of differential expression between sexes (2,308 genes) and populations (2,474 genes). Although most of the differentially expressed genes were consistent between sexes and populations, there were 615 genes showed sex-biased expression in only one population and 557 genes showed population-biased expression in only one sex. Overall design: mRNA expression profiles of Drosophila melanogaster Malpighian tubules from adult males and females from a European and an African population (2 biological replicates per sex and population)
Population- and sex-biased gene expression in the excretion organs of Drosophila melanogaster.
Sex, Subject
View SamplesTime-course analysis of adipocyte gene expression profiles response to high fat diet. The hypothesis tested in the present study was that in diet-induced obesity, early activation of TLR-mediated inflammatory signaling cascades by CD antigen genes, leads to increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, resulting in chronic low-grade inflammation. Early changes in collagen genes may trigger the accumulation of ECM components, promoting fibrosis in the later stages of diet-induced obesity. New therapeutic approaches targeting visceral adipose tissue genes altered early by HFD feeding may help ameliorate the deleterious effects of a diet-induced obesity.
Time-course microarrays reveal early activation of the immune transcriptome and adipokine dysregulation leads to fibrosis in visceral adipose depots during diet-induced obesity.
Age, Specimen part, Treatment, Time
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Characterization of gene expression and activated signaling pathways in solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm of pancreas.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesSolid-pseudopapillary neoplasm of pancreas(SPN), ductal adenocarcinoma(PCA), neuroendocrine tumor(NET) and non-neoplastic pancreas.
Characterization of gene expression and activated signaling pathways in solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm of pancreas.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View Samples