Similar to embryo-derived stem cells, application of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is limited by our understanding of lineage specification. Here, we demonstrate the ability to generate progenitors and mature cells of the hematopoietic fate directly from human dermal fibroblasts without establishing pluripotency. POU domain activation of hematopoietic transcription factors by ectopic expression of Oct-4, together with specific cytokine treatment, allowed generation of cells expressing the pan-leukocyte marker CD45. These unique fibroblast-derived cells gave rise to granulocytic, monocytic, megakaryocytic, and
Direct conversion of human fibroblasts to multilineage blood progenitors.
Sex, Specimen part, Time
View SamplesMedulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant primary pediatric brain tumor and is currently divided into 4 subtypes based on different genomic alterations, gene expression profiles and response to treatment: WNT, Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), Group 3 and Group 4. The extensive heterogeneity has made it difficult to assess the relevance of genes to malignant progression. For example, expression of the transcription factor, OTX2, is frequently dysregulated in multiple MB variants; however, it's role may be subtype specific. Here, we utilized human embryonic stem cell-derived neural precursors to determine the role of OTX2 in MB tumor progression using gain and loss of function studies.
OTX2 exhibits cell-context-dependent effects on cellular and molecular properties of human embryonic neural precursors and medulloblastoma cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe investigated the effects of a single pulse of growth hormone on the transcriptional activation of STAT5 target genes in hypophysectomized male mouse liver. This GEO series is part of a larger study, where we investigated the impact of a single pulse of GH given to hypophysectomized mice on local liver chromatin accessibility [DNase hypersensitive site analysis], transcription rates [hnRNA analysis], and gene expression [quantitative PCR and RNA-Seq] determined 30, 90 or 240 min later. The STAT5-dependent but sex-independent early GH response genes Igf1 and Cish showed rapid, GH pulse-induced increases in chromatin accessibility and gene transcription, reversing the effects of hypophysectomy. Rapid increases in liver chromatin accessibility and transcriptional activity were also induced in hypophysectomized male mice for some (Ces2b, Ugt2b38) but not for other liver STAT5-dependent male-biased genes (Cyp7b1). Moreover, in pituitary-intact male mice, Igf1, Cish, Ces2b and Ugt2b38 all showed remarkable cycles of chromatin opening and closing, and associated cycles of induced gene transcription, which closely followed each endogenous pulse of liver STAT5 activity. Thus, the endogenous rhythms of male plasma GH pulsation dynamically open and then close liver chromatin at discrete, localized regulatory sites in temporal association with transcriptional activation of Igf1, Cish and a subset of STAT5-dependent male-biased genes. Overall design: Liver RNA was isolated from hypophysectomized male mice that were untreated, or were treated with a single pulse of GH and euthanized 30, 90 or 240 minutes later. 8 Individual RNA samples were pooled to make 2 biological replicates per condition for RNA-seq analysis.
Activation of Male Liver Chromatin Accessibility and STAT5-Dependent Gene Transcription by Plasma Growth Hormone Pulses.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesWe investigated the effects of a single pulse of growth hormone on the transcriptional activation of STAT5 target genes in hypophysectomized male mouse liver. This GEO series is part of a larger study, where we investigated the impact of a single pulse of GH given to hypophysectomized mice on local liver chromatin accessibility [DNase hypersensitive site analysis], transcription rates [hnRNA analysis], and gene expression [quantitative PCR and RNA-Seq] determined 30, 90 or 240 min later. The STAT5-dependent but sex-independent early GH response genes Igf1 and Cish showed rapid, GH pulse-induced increases in chromatin accessibility and gene transcription, reversing the effects of hypophysectomy. Rapid increases in liver chromatin accessibility and transcriptional activity were also induced in hypophysectomized male mice for some (Ces2b, Ugt2b38) but not for other liver STAT5-dependent male-biased genes (Cyp7b1). Moreover, in pituitary-intact male mice, Igf1, Cish, Ces2b and Ugt2b38 all showed remarkable cycles of chromatin opening and closing, and associated cycles of induced gene transcription, which closely followed each endogenous pulse of liver STAT5 activity. Thus, the endogenous rhythms of male plasma GH pulsation dynamically open and then close liver chromatin at discrete, localized regulatory sites in temporal association with transcriptional activation of Igf1, Cish and a subset of STAT5-dependent male-biased genes. Overall design: Liver RNA was isolated from untreated hypophysectomized male mice and from hypophysectomized male mice treated with a single pulse of GH and euthanized 30, 90 or 240 minutes later. 8 Individual RNA samples were pooled to make 2 biological replicates per condition for RNA-seq analysis.
Activation of Male Liver Chromatin Accessibility and STAT5-Dependent Gene Transcription by Plasma Growth Hormone Pulses.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesTriple Negative Breast cancer accounts for some of the most aggressive types of breast cancer. By interrogating clinical datasets, we found that the activities of p63 and Hypoxia-Inducible-Factors (HIFs), two master regulators of the invasive and metastatic cancer cell phenotype are linked in TNBC through the p63-target Sharp1. Mechanistically, Sharp1 promotes HIF-1/HIF-2 proteasomal degradation by serving as HIFs presenting factor to the proteasome independently from oxygen levels and prior ubiquitination.
SHARP1 suppresses breast cancer metastasis by promoting degradation of hypoxia-inducible factors.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesHIF-1 plays a crucial role in sustaining glioblastoma (GBM) cell growth and the maintenance of their undifferentiated phenotype. However, HIF-1 has been suggested to interplay with Wnt signaling components, thus activating a neuronal differentiation process in both GBM and normal brain. Here, we show that a -catenin/TCF1/HIF-1 complex directly controls the transcription of neuronal differentiation genes in hypoxia. Conversely, at higher oxygen levels, the increased expression of TCF4 exerts a transcriptional inhibitory function on the same genomic regions, thus counteracting differentiation. Moreover, we demonstrate the existence of a positive correlation between HIF-1, TCF1 and neuronal phenotype in GBM tumors, accompanied by the over-expression of several Wnt signaling components, finally impacting on patient prognosis. In conclusion, we unveil a mechanism by which TCF1 and HIF-1 induce a reminiscent neuronal differentiation of hypoxic GBM cells, which is hampered, in normoxia, by high levels of TCF4, thus de facto sustaining cell aggressiveness.
HIF-1α/Wnt signaling-dependent control of gene transcription regulates neuronal differentiation of glioblastoma stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesAlthough intensification of chemotherapy approaches considerably increased the outcome of pediatric T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) patients, a subgroup of them still experience treatment failure and relapse. In this context, we hypothesized that the Nrf2 signalling and its downstream effectors could be involved in sustain therapy resistance in T-ALL, as previously reported in other cancers. Indeed, in this study we identified the Aldo-Keto Reductase (AKR) enzymes AKR1C1-3, as over-expressed in T-ALL samples from therapy-resistant patients, demonstrating their fundamental role in the control of the response to vincristine (VCR) treatment. In particular, we evidence that the modulation of AKR1C1-3 gene expression and activity is sufficient to strongly affect the sensitivity of T-ALL cell lines and primary cells to VCR treatment, but not to daunorubicin, cytarabine or L-asparaginase. Moreover, we found a correlation between the degree of VCR response and the amount of AKR1Cs expression in patient-derived T-ALL xenografts. Interestingly, we show that daunorubicin and cytarabine are able to induce the over-activation of AKR1C enzymes, thus establishing a potential resistance loop generated by the combination of these drugs during T-ALL treatment.
AKR1C enzymes sustain therapy resistance in paediatric T-ALL.
Specimen part, Disease stage
View SamplesGlioblastoma (GBM) is the most devastating tumour of the brain, endowed with a fatal prognosis. Indeed, the complete eradication of cancer cell disseminated outside the GBM mass still remains a crucial issue. Given the reported strong association existing between Annexin 2A (ANXA2) expression and cell dissemination in many cancers, we evaluated the effects exerted by the modulation of ANXA2 levels in GBM cells and assessed its potential in predicting patient outcome. Here, we show that expression of ANXA2 positively correlates with metastatic gene signatures and demonstrates to be prognostic by itself. Indeed, we prove that ANXA2 is involved in cell migration, invasion, cytoskeletal remodeling and proliferation in GBM cells. Moreover, we were able to construct a gene signature representative of ANXA2 inhibition, which showed a significant prognostic potential in different GBM patient cohorts.
Annexin 2A sustains glioblastoma cell dissemination and proliferation.
Specimen part
View Samplesphenotypic reprogramming ability of teh zebtafish brain microenviroment on GBM derived cells controlled by the activation of endogenous Wnt pathway
Wnt activation promotes neuronal differentiation of glioblastoma.
Specimen part, Time
View SamplesZXDC1 augments the expression of various markers of monocyte/macrophage differentiation when over-expressed in the U937 cell line treated with the phorbol ester PMA. Likewise, knockdown of ZXDC1 restricts the induced expression of these markers. We sought to identify specfic gene targets of ZXDC1 during the process of monocyte/macrophage differentiation in U937 by performing gene expression profiling in cells exhibiting reduced expression of ZXDC1 compared to controls.
The zinc finger transcription factor ZXDC activates CCL2 gene expression by opposing BCL6-mediated repression.
Specimen part, Cell line
View Samples