Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a class of fatty acids found in beef and dairy products, has been shown to inhibit tumorigenesis in a variety of cancer model systems. Based on previously well-documented anti-tumor activity of CLA in rodent models of breast cancer, a pilot study was initiated to examine the effect of dietary CLA in a well-established transgenic model of breast cancer. Western blots were performed for the detection of AKT, c-Src, ERK1/2, and Cdc24. CLA significantly increased tumor burden (p<0.1) independent of an increase in oncogenic signaling. Mammary gland whole mounts indicated a loss of mammary adipose and extensive epithelial expansion in CLA-treated animals. Microarray analysis indicated a significant reduction in cytoskeletal related genes with at least a two-fold decrease in five out of six CLA-fed animals compared to untreated controls. Reduction of Cdc42, a key regulator of cell adhesion and cytoskeletal arrangements, was confirmed at the protein level by western blot (p<0.01). These findings suggest that dietary CLA may advance the malignant phenotype by promoting a loss of cell polarity and adhesion in the mammary gland epithelium. This action may have serious clinical implications for a subset high-risk population and warrants further investigation.
Pilot study on the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on tumorigenesis and gene expression in PyMT transgenic mice.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesEvidence from mouse chronic viral infection models suggests that CD8+ T cell subsets characterized by distinct expression levels of the receptor PD-1 diverge in their state of exhaustion and potential for reinvigoration by PD-1 blockade. However, it remains unknown whether T cells in human cancer adopt a similar spectrum of exhausted states based on PD-1 expression levels. We compared transcriptional, metabolic, and functional signatures of intratumoral CD8+ T lymphocyte populations with high (PD-1T), intermediate (PD-1N) and no PD-1 expression (PD-1-) from non-small cell lung cancer patients. We observed that, PD-1T T cells show a markedly different transcriptional and metabolic profile as compared to PD-1N and PD-1- lymphocytes, as well as an intrinsically high capacity for tumor recognition. Furthermore, while PD-1T lymphocytes are impaired in classical effector cytokine production, they produce CXCL13 that mediates immune cell recruitment to tertiary lymphoid structures. Strikingly, the presence of PD-1T cells was strongly predictive for both response and survival in a small cohort of non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with PD-1 blockade. The characterization of a distinct state of tumor-reactive, PD-1 bright lymphocytes in human cancer, which only partially resembles that seen in chronic infection, provides novel potential avenues for therapeutic intervention. Overall design: Intratumoral CD8+ T cells from 11 non-small cell lung cancer patients that were sub-sorted into PD1-high (PD-1T), PD1-intermediate (PD-1N) and PD1-negative (PD-1-) cells, were sequenced using Illumina HiSeq4000. In addition, peripheral blood effector memory T cells from 4 healthy donors were sequenced using Illumina HiSeq4000.
A transcriptionally and functionally distinct PD-1<sup>+</sup> CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell pool with predictive potential in non-small-cell lung cancer treated with PD-1 blockade.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesTissue-specific differentiation and inflammatory programmes are thought to independently contribute to disease. The orphan nuclear receptor NR5A2 is a key regulator of pancreas differentiation, and SNPs in and near the human gene are associated with risk of pancreatic cancer. In mice, Nr5a2 heterozygosity sensitizes the pancreas to damage, impairs regeneration, and cooperates with mutant Kras in tumor progression. Through transcriptomic analysis, we uncovered a basal pre-inflammatory state in the pancreas of heterozygous mice that is reminiscent of pancreatitis-induced inflammation and is conserved in histologically normal human pancreata with reduced Nr5a2 mRNA expression. In mice, Nr5a2 undergoes a dramatic transcriptional switch from tissue-specific to inflammatory loci, which promotes AP-1-dependent inflammatory gene transcription. Deletion of c-Jun in the pancreas of Nr5a2+/- mice rescues the pre-inflammatory phenotype and the defective regenerative response to damage. These findings provide compelling evidence that the same transcriptional networks supporting homeostasis in normal tissue can be subverted to foster inflammation upon genetic or environmental constraints. Overall design: A mild acute pancreatitis was induced by seven hourly injections of the CCK analog caerulein (Bachem) at 50 ug/kg. Briefly, animals were weighted before the beginning of the procedure and caerulein was administered i.p. Mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation 8h, 24h,and 48h after the first injection. Three animals of each genotype and timepoint were analysed.
Transcriptional regulation by NR5A2 links differentiation and inflammation in the pancreas.
Specimen part, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesGene expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from SPARKS CHARMS juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) cohort pre and post methotrexate therapy. This is the first study to our knowledge, to evaluate gene expression profiles in children with JIA before and after MTX, and to analyze genetic variation in differentially expressed genes. We have identified a gene, which may contribute to genetic variability in MTX response in JIA.
Generation of novel pharmacogenomic candidates in response to methotrexate in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: correlation between gene expression and genotype.
Specimen part, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesBone development and regeneration is associated with the Wnt signaling pathway that, according to literature, can be modulated by lithium ions (Li+). The aim of this study was to evaluate the gene expression profile during peri-implant healing of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) implants with incorporated Li+, while PLGA without Li+ was used as control, and a special attention was then paid to the Wnt signaling pathway. The implants were inserted in rat tibia for 7 or 28 days and the gene expression profile was investigated using a genome-wide microarray analysis. The results were verified by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Histomorphometry was used to evaluate the possible effect of Li+ on bone regeneration. The microarray analysis revealed a large number of significantly differentially regulated genes over time within the two implant groups. The Wnt signaling pathway was significantly affected by Li+, with approximately 34% of all Wnt-related markers regulated over time, compared to 22% for non-Li+ containing (control; Ctrl) implants. Functional cluster analysis indicated skeletal system morphogenesis, cartilage development and condensation as related to Li+. The downstream Wnt target gene, FOSL1, and the extracellular protein-encoding gene, ASPN, were significantly upregulated by Li+ compared with Ctrl. The presence of -catenin, FOSL1 and ASPN positive cells was confirmed around implants of both groups. Interestingly, a significantly reduced bone area was observed over time around both implant groups. The presence of periostin and calcitonin receptor-positive cells was observed at both time points. This study is to the best of the authors knowledge the first report evaluating the effect of a local release of Li+ from PLGA at the fracture site. The present study shows that during the current time frame and with the present dose of Li+ in PLGA implants, Li+ is not an enhancer of early bone growth, although it affects the Wnt signaling pathway.
Gene expression profiling of peri-implant healing of PLGA-Li+ implants suggests an activated Wnt signaling pathway in vivo.
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment, Time
View SamplesWe use time series RNA-seq to conduct a genome-wide survey of the temporal transcriptome response of human embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) exposed to lead. Overall design: NPCs were derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) with a modified protocol from a previously reported protocol (Chambers et al. 2009) (Methods). We used lead acetate to treat NPCs at two different concentrations, 3 µM and 30 µM.
RNA-Seq of Human Neural Progenitor Cells Exposed to Lead (Pb) Reveals Transcriptome Dynamics, Splicing Alterations and Disease Risk Associations.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesHuman induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have previously been derived from somatic cells using viral vectors that integrate transgenes into the genome. Genomic integration, however, can allow persistent leaky expression of the transgenes and can create insertional mutations, thus limiting the utility of these cells for both research and clinical applications. Here, we describe the derivation of human iPS cells free of vector and transgene sequences using non-integrating oriP/EBNA1-based episomal vectors. The resulting iPS cells are similar to human embryonic stem (ES) cells in both proliferative and developmental potential. These results demonstrate that reprogramming of human somatic cells does not require genomic integration or the continued presence of exogenous reprogramming factors, and removes one important obstacle to the clinical applications of these cells.
Human induced pluripotent stem cells free of vector and transgene sequences.
Specimen part
View SamplesHuman induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have previously been derived from somatic cells using viral vectors that integrate transgenes into the genome. Genomic integration, however, can allow persistent leaky expression of the transgenes and can create insertional mutations, thus limiting the utility of these cells for both research and clinical applications. Here, we describe the derivation of human iPS cells free of vector and transgene sequences using non-integrating oriP/EBNA1-based episomal vectors. The resulting iPS cells are similar to human embryonic stem (ES) cells in both proliferative and developmental potential. These results demonstrate that reprogramming of human somatic cells does not require genomic integration or the continued presence of exogenous reprogramming factors, and removes one important obstacle to the clinical applications of these cells.
Human induced pluripotent stem cells free of vector and transgene sequences.
Specimen part
View SamplesHuman induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have previously been derived from somatic cells using viral vectors that integrate transgenes into the genome. Genomic integration, however, can allow persistent leaky expression of the transgenes and can create insertional mutations, thus limiting the utility of these cells for both research and clinical applications. Here, we describe the derivation of human iPS cells free of vector and transgene sequences using non-integrating oriP/EBNA1-based episomal vectors. The resulting iPS cells are similar to human embryonic stem (ES) cells in both proliferative and developmental potential. These results demonstrate that reprogramming of human somatic cells does not require genomic integration or the continued presence of exogenous reprogramming factors, and removes one important obstacle to the clinical applications of these cells.
Human induced pluripotent stem cells free of vector and transgene sequences.
Specimen part
View SamplesHeterologous expression of the fungal pathogen Cladosporium fulvum Avr2 in Arabidopsis plants.
The Cladosporium fulvum virulence protein Avr2 inhibits host proteases required for basal defense.
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