Lymphoblast cells from a patient with Freidriech's Ataxia were incubated with pyrrole-imidazole polyamides targeted to the GAA triplet repeat in the intron 1. The polyamides were shown in cell culture to increase levels of endogenous frataxin mRNA. A normal sibling derived lymphoblast cell line was used as a control.
DNA sequence-specific polyamides alleviate transcription inhibition associated with long GAA.TTC repeats in Friedreich's ataxia.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesTranscriptomic characterization of BDE-47 exposed cultured primary human cytrophoblasts (2nd trimester) undergoing differentiation in vitro.
Genomic Profiling of BDE-47 Effects on Human Placental Cytotrophoblasts.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe p21 RAS subfamily of small GTPases, including KRAS, HRAS, and NRAS, regulates cell proliferation, cytoskeletal organization and other signaling networks, and is the most frequent target of activating mutations in cancer. Activating germline mutations of KRAS and HRAS cause severe developmental abnormalities leading to Noonan, cardio-facial-cutaneous and Costello syndrome, but activating germline mutations of NRAS have not been reported. Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is the most common genetic disease of lymphocyte apoptosis and causes autoimmunity as well as excessive lymphocyte accumulation, particularly of CD4-, CD8- ab T cells. Mutations in ALPS typically affect CD95 (Fas/APO-1)-mediated apoptosis, one of the extrinsic death pathways involving tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily proteins, but certain ALPS individuals have no such mutations. We show here that the salient features of ALPS as well as a predisposition to hematological malignancies can be caused by a heterozygous germline Gly13Asp activating mutation of the NRAS oncogene that does not impair CD95-mediated apoptosis. The increase in active, GTP-bound NRAS augments RAF/MEK/ERK signaling which markedly decreases the pro-apoptotic protein BIM and attenuates intrinsic, nonreceptor-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis. Thus, germline activating mutations in NRAS differ from other p21 Ras oncoproteins by causing selective immune abnormalities without general developmental defects. Our observations on the effects of NRAS activation indicate that RAS-inactivating drugs, such as farnesyl-transferase inhibitors (FTIs) should be examined in human autoimmune and lymphocyte homeostasis disorders.
NRAS mutation causes a human autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesHyper IgE Recurrent Infection Syndrome (HIES or Jobs syndrome), is a rare disorder of immunity and connective tissue, typically manifest with boils, cyst-forming pneumonias, and extremely elevated serum IgE as well as retained primary dentition and bone abnormalities. Inheritance can be autosomal dominant.
STAT3 mutations in the hyper-IgE syndrome.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesMany Gram-negative bacteria employ cell-to-cell communication mediated by N-acyl homoserine lactones (quorum sensing) to control expression of a wide range of genes including, but not limited to, genes encoding virulence factors. Outside the laboratory, the bacteria live in complex communities where signals may be perceived across species. We here present a newly found natural quorum sensing inhibitor, produced by the pseudomonads Pseudomonas sp. B13 and Pseudomonas reinekei MT1 as a blind end in the biodegradation of organochloride xenobiotics, which inhibits quorum sensing in P.aeruginosa in naturally occurring concentrations. This catabolite, 4-methylenebut-2-en-4-olide, also known as protoanemonin, has been reported to possess antibacterial properties, but seems to have dual functions. Using transcriptomics and proteomics, we found that protoanemonin significantly reduced expression of genes and secretion of proteins known to be under control of quorum sensing in P.aeruginosa. Moreover, we found activation of genes and gene products involved in iron starvation response. It is thus likely that inhibition of quorum sensing, as the production of antibiotics, is a phenomenon found in complex bacterial communities.
Protoanemonin: a natural quorum sensing inhibitor that selectively activates iron starvation response.
Compound
View SamplesStaphylococcus aureus has emerged as a significant pathogen causing severe, invasive disease in otherwise healthy people. Despite considerable advances in understanding the epidemiology, resistance mechanisms, and virulence factors produced by the bacteria, there is limited knowledge of the in vivo host immune response to acute, invasive S. aureus infections. Herein, we report that peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with severe S. aureus infections demonstrate a distinctive and robust gene expression profile which is validated in a distinct group of patients and on a different microarray platform. Application of a systems-wide modular analysis framework reveals significant over-expression of innate immunity genes and under-expression of genes related to adaptive immunity. Simultaneous flow cytometry analyses demonstrated marked alterations in immune cell numbers, with decreased central memory CD4 and CD8 T cells and increased number of monocytes. CD14+ monocyte numbers significantly correlated with the gene expression levels of genes related to the innate immune response. These results demonstrate the value of applying a systems biology approach that reveals the significant alterations in the components of circulating blood lymphocytes and monocytes in invasive S. aureus infections.
Enhanced monocyte response and decreased central memory T cells in children with invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections.
Sex, Treatment, Race
View SamplesType I Interferons encompasses a large family of closely related cytokines comprising of at least 13 IFN- isotypes and single IFN-. Both IFN- and IFN- exert their activity through a common receptor IFNAR. Type I Interferons have broad regulatory effects and various subtypes of dendritic cells are influenced by this cytokines. In our study we asked question whether the low, constitutive levels of type I Interferons produced under steady state conditions are important for proper function of splenic conventional dendritic cells.
Absence of IFN-beta impairs antigen presentation capacity of splenic dendritic cells via down-regulation of heat shock protein 70.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesWe treated Arabidopsis seedlings with chitosan and carried out a transcript profiling analysis (GeneChip microarrays) in order to identify genes and transcription factors regulated by chitosan. The results showed that jasmonate and defense responsive genes, camalexin and lignin biosynthetic genes were among genes up-regulated by chitosan. Several transcription factors are also strongly induced by chitosan.
Transcript profiling of chitosan-treated Arabidopsis seedlings.
Age, Treatment
View SamplesWe recently described TRIM8, a nuclear E3 ubiquitin ligase, whose expression inversely correlates with glioma grade. TRIM8 restoration suppresses cell growth and induces a significant reduction of clonogenic potential in both U87MG glioblastoma and patients' primary glioma cell lines. Since E3 ubiquitin ligase proteins regulate carcinogenesis through the timely control of many cellular processes such as DNA damage response, metabolism, transcription, and apoptosis, we reasoned that TRIM8 activity might impact on cell transcriptome patterns, thereby promoting cancer development and progression. Therefore, we profiled the whole transcriptome of normal embryonic neural stem cells (eNSC) infected with a retrovirus expressing FLAG-Trim8 by using RNA-Seq. RNA-Seq revealed 1365 differentially expressed transcripts of 912 genes. 723 of them (corresponding to 648 RefSeq genes) differed significantly of at least 1.5 folds (192 upregulated transcripts of 178 genes and 531 downregulated transcripts of 470 genes). 80 genes, among all differentially expressed genes, resulted to significantly enrich 18 pathways by IPA analysis. 53% of these genes (43 out of 80 genes) are related to cell-morphology, cell death and survival, with a preponderantly representation of signaling pathways related to neurotransmission and to CNS, including axonal guidance, GABA Receptor, ephrin B, synaptic long-term potentiation/depression, and glutamate receptor. Specifically, our results substantiate the role of TRIM8 in the brain functions through the dysregulation of genes involved in different pathways, including JAK-STAT. Finally, we provided additional evidence about the existence of a functional interactive crosstalk between TRIM8 and STAT3 with possible implications in the development and progression of glioma. Overall design: Profiling the transcriptome of TRIM8-expressing primary mouse embryonal neural stem cells using RNA-Seq
TRIM8-driven transcriptomic profile of neural stem cells identified glioma-related nodal genes and pathways.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesHairy cell leukemia (HCL) shows unique clinico-pathological and biological features. HCL responds well to purine analogues but relapses are frequent and novel therapies are required. BRAF-V600E is the key driver mutation in HCL and distinguishes it from other B-cell lymphomas, including HCL-like leukemias/lymphomas (HCL-variant and splenic marginal zone lymphoma). The kinase-activating BRAF-V600E mutation also represents an ideal therapeutic target in HCL. Here, we investigated the biological and therapeutic importance of the activated BRAF-MEK-ERK pathway in HCL by exposing in vitro primary leukemic cells purified from 26 patients to clinically available BRAF (Vemurafenib; Dabrafenib) or MEK (Trametinib) inhibitors. Results were validated in vivo in samples from Vemurafenib-treated HCL patients within a phase-2 clinical trial. BRAF and MEK inhibitors caused, specifically in HCL (but not HCL-like) cells, marked MEK/ERK dephosphorylation, silencing of the BRAF-MEK-ERK pathway transcriptional output, loss of the HCL-specific gene expression signature, downregulation of the HCL markers CD25, TRAP and cyclin-D1, smoothening of leukemic cells' hairy surface, and, eventually, apoptosis. Apoptosis was partially blunted by co-culture with bone marrow stromal cells antagonizing MEK-ERK dephosphorylation. This protective effect could be counteracted by combined BRAF and MEK inhibition. Our results strongly support and inform the clinical use of BRAF and MEK inhibitors in HCL.
BRAF inhibitors reverse the unique molecular signature and phenotype of hairy cell leukemia and exert potent antileukemic activity.
Specimen part, Treatment, Subject
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