During development of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), neurons and glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) are generated from common neural precursor cells (NPCs). However, neurogenesis precedes gliogenesis, which normally commences at later stages of fetal telencephalic development. Astrocyte differentiation of mouse NPCs at embryonic day (E) 14.5 (relatively late gestation) is induced by activation of the transcription factor STAT3, whereas at E11.5 (mid-gestation) NPCs do not differentiate into astrocytes even when stimulated by STAT3-activating cytokines such as leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). This can be explained in part by the fact that astrocyte-specific gene promoters are highly methylated in NPCs at E11.5, but other mechanisms are also likely to play a role. We therefore sought to identify genes involved in the inhibition of astrocyte differentiation of NPCs at midgestation. We first examined gene expression profiles in E11.5 and E14.5 NPCs, using Affymetrix GeneChip analysis, applying the Percellome method to normalize gene expression level. We then conducted in situ hybridization analysis for selected genes found to be highly expressed in NPCs at midgestation. Among these genes, we found that N-myc and high mobility group AT-hook 2 (Hmga2) were highly expressed in the E11.5 but not the E14.5 ventricular zone of mouse brain, where NPCs reside. Transduction of N-myc and Hmga2 by retroviruses into E14.5 NPCs, which normally differentiate into astrocytes in response to LIF, resulted in suppression of astrocyte differentiation. However, sustained expression of N-myc and Hmga2 in E11.5 NPCs failed to maintain the hypermethylated status of an astrocyte-specific gene promoter. Taken together, our data suggest that astrocyte differentiation of NPCs is regulated not only by DNA methylation but also by genes whose expression is controlled spatio-temporally during brain development.
Identification of genes that restrict astrocyte differentiation of midgestational neural precursor cells.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe performed a microarray experiment to compare gene expression profiles of neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) with different culture conditions.
Identification of genes associated with the astrocyte-specific gene Gfap during astrocyte differentiation.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesGene expression in wild-type and p38a-knockout keratinocytes were compared. Keratinocytes were isolated from newborn mice, and left unirradiated (0 h) and irradiated (4 h) with ultraviolet-B (UVB).
Loss of epidermal p38α signaling prevents UVR-induced inflammation via acute and chronic mechanisms.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe performed a microarray experiment to compare gene expression profiles of neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) isolated form E11.5, E14.5 and E18.5 mouse brain and differentiated cells such as neurons and glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes).
DNA Methylome Analysis Identifies Transcription Factor-Based Epigenomic Signatures of Multilineage Competence in Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesPrenatal exposure to valproic acid, an established anti-epileptic drug, has been reported to impair postnatal cognitive function of children from epileptic mothers. Nevertheless, its pathology and proper treatment to minimize the effects remain unknown. In mice, we found that the postnatal cognitive function impairment was mainly caused by a reduction of adult neurogenesis and abnormal neuronal features in the hippocampus, which could be ameliorated by voluntary running.
Reduced Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Cognitive Impairments following Prenatal Treatment of the Antiepileptic Drug Valproic Acid.
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment
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Chromatin remodeler CHD7 regulates the stem cell identity of human neural progenitors.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesCHARGE syndrome is a congenital disorder caused by mutations in Chromodomain Helicase DNA-binding domain 7 (CHD7) gene. We performed single cell RNA-seq analysis in CTRL and CHD7-knockdown lt-NES cells. Overall design: Single cell RNA-Seq profiling of control (shCTRL) and CHD7-knockdown (sh410 or sh411) cells.
Chromatin remodeler CHD7 regulates the stem cell identity of human neural progenitors.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesWe performed a microarray experiment to analyze the transcriptional profile of human iPSC-derived neural stem/progenitor cells to identify CHD7 target genes
Chromatin remodeler CHD7 regulates the stem cell identity of human neural progenitors.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesCHARGE syndrome is caused by heterozygous mutations in a chromatin remodeler CHD7 and characterized by a set of malformations historically postulated to arise from defects in the neural crest formation during embryogenesis. To better delineate neural crest defects in CHARGE syndrome, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from two patients with typical syndrome manifestations, and characterized neural crest cells differentiated in vitro from these iPSCs (iPSC-NCCs). We found that expression of genes associated with cell migration was altered in CHARGE iPSC-NCCs as compared to control iPSC-NCCs. Consistently, CHARGE iPSC-NCCs showed defective delamination, migration and motility in vitro, and their transplantation in ovo revealed overall defective migratory activity in the chick embryo. Altogether, our results support the historical inference that CHARGE syndrome patients have defects in neural crest migration and provide the first successful application of patient-derived iPSCs in modeling craniofacial disorders.
CHARGE syndrome modeling using patient-iPSCs reveals defective migration of neural crest cells harboring CHD7 mutations.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe gastrointestinal (GI) tract can have significant impact on the regulation of the whole body metabolism and may contribute to the development of obesity and diabetes. To systemically elucidate the role of the GI tract in obesity, we performed a transcriptomic analyses in different parts of the GI tract of two obese mouse models: ob/ob and high-fat diet (HFD) fed mice. Compared to their lean controls, both obese mouse groups had significant amount of gene expression changes in the stomach (ob/ob: 959; HFD: 542), much more than the number of changes in the intestine. Despite the difference in genetic background, the two mouse models shared 296 similar gene expression changes in the stomach. Among those genes, some had known associations to obesity, diabetes and insulin resistance. In addition, the gene expression profile strongly suggested an increased gastric acid secretion in both obese mouse models, probably through an activation of the gastrin pathway. In conclusion, our data reveal a previously unknown dominant connection between the stomach and obesity.
Significant obesity-associated gene expression changes occur in the stomach but not intestines in obese mice.
Specimen part
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