The Notch signaling pathway controls cell fates through interactions between neighboring cells by positively or negatively affecting, in a context-dependent manner, processes of proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis1. It has been implicated in human cancer both as an oncogene and a tumor suppressor2. Here we report, for the first time, novel inactivating mutations in the Notch pathway components in over forty percent of the human bladder cancers examined. Bladder cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed malignancy in the US male population3. Thus far, driver mutations in the FGFR3 and less commonly RAS proteins have been identified4,5. We show that Notch activation in bladder cancer cells suppresses proliferation both in vitro and in vivo by directly upregulating dual specificity phosphatases (DUSPs), thus reducing ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In mouse models, genetic inactivation of Notch signaling leads to ERK1/2 phosphorylation resulting in tumorigenesis in the urinary tract. In recent years, the tumor suppressor role of Notch has been recognized by loss-of-function mutations identified in myeloid cancers6 as well as squamous cell carcinomas of the skin, lung7, and the head and neck8,9. Of the 4 Notch receptors (N1-4), only N1 and 2 have been implicated in human cancer.
A new tumor suppressor role for the Notch pathway in bladder cancer.
Specimen part
View SamplesDendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (MPs) are important for immunological homeostasis in the colon. We found that F4/80hi CX3CR1hi (CD11b+CD103-) cells account for 80% of mouse colonic lamina propria (cLP) MHC-IIhi cells. Both CD11c+ and CD11c- cells within this population were identified as MPs based on multiple criteria, including a MP transcriptome revealed by microarray analysis. These MPs constitutively released high levels of IL-10 at least partially in response to the microbiota via an MyD88-independent mechanism. In contrast, cells expressing low to intermediate levels of F4/80 and CX3CR1 were identified as DCs, based on phenotypic and functional analysis and comprise three separate CD11chi cell populations: CD103+CX3CR1-CD11b- DCs, CD103+CX3CR1-CD11b+ DCs and CD103-CX3CR1intCD11b+ DCs. In non-inflammatory conditions, Ly6Chi monocytes differentiated primarily into CD11c+, but not CD11c- MPs. In contrast, during colitis, Ly6Chi monocytes massively invaded the colon and differentiated into pro-inflammatory CD103-CX3CR1intCD11b+ DCs, which produced high levels of IL-12, IL-23, iNOS and TNF. These findings demonstrate the dual capacity of Ly6Chi blood monocytes to differentiate into either regulatory MPs or inflammatory DCs in the colon, and that the balance of these immunologically antagonistic cell types is dictated by microenvironmental conditions.
Inflammation switches the differentiation program of Ly6Chi monocytes from antiinflammatory macrophages to inflammatory dendritic cells in the colon.
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View SamplesThe undifferentiated state of pluripotent stem cells depends heavily on the culture conditions. We show that a unique combination of small molecules, SMC4, added to culture conditions converts primed pluripotent stem cells to a more nave state. By conducting Affymetix analysis we show of majority of lineage markers are repressed in SMC4 culture.
A novel platform to enable the high-throughput derivation and characterization of feeder-free human iPSCs.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesSir2 is an NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase, and is the founding member of a large, phylogentically conserved, family of such deacetylases called the Sirtuins. The budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, harbors 4 paralogs of Sir2, known as Hst1, Hst2, Hst3, and Hst4. Reducing the intracellular NAD+ concentration is inhibitory for the Sirtuins, and raising the intracellular nicotinamide (NAM) concentration is inhibitory. Microarray gene expression analysis was used to identify novel classes of yeast genes whose expression is altered when either NAD+ concentration is reduced or NAM is elevated. A subset of genes involved in thiamine biosynthesis was identified as being upregulated when Sir2 or Hst1 was inactivated.
Thiamine biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated by the NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase Hst1.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe chronological lifespan (CLS) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is defined as the number days that non-dividing cells remain viable, typically in stationary phase cultures or in water. CLS is extended by restricting glucose in the starting cultures, and is considered a form of caloric restriction (CR). Through a previous genetic screen our lab determined that deleting components of the de novo purine biosynthesis pathway also significantly increased CLS. Significant similarities in gene expression profiles between calorie restricted WT cells and a non-restricted ade4 mutant suggested the possibility of common gene expression biomarkers of all chronologically long lived cells that could also provide insights into general mechanisms of lifespan extension. We have identified additional growth conditions that extend CLS of WT cells, including supplementation of the media with isonicotinamide (INAM), a known sirtuin activator, or by supplementation with a concentrate collected from the expired media of a calorie restricted yeast culture, presumably due to an as yet unidentified longevity factor. Using these varied methods to extend CLS, we compared gene expression profiles in the aging cells (at day 8) to identify functionally relevant biomarkers of longevity. Nineteen genes were differentially regulated in all 4 of the long-lived populations relative to wild type. Of these 19 genes, viable haploid deletion mutants were available for 16 of them, and 12 were found to have a significant impact on CLS.
Functional genomic analysis reveals overlapping and distinct features of chronologically long-lived yeast populations.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesExosomes are vesicles of endocytic origin released by many types of cells into the extracellular environment. In an attempt to further examine the exosome-mediated cellular communication, we show that exosomes from a mouse mast cell line (MC/9), exosomes from primary bone marrow derived mast cells, and exosomes from a human mast cell line (HMC-1) contain RNA but not DNA.
Exosome-mediated transfer of mRNAs and microRNAs is a novel mechanism of genetic exchange between cells.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe mechanisms underlying hepatoblastoma are not well defined. To address this, we generated transcriptomic profiles of normal, background, and hepatoblastoma liver samples from patients aged 0.01 months to 6 years, using RNA-sequencing. Hepatoblasoma was histologically confirmed. Here we focus on the elevation of stem cell markers and the loss of tumor suppressor proteins leading to the development of hepatoblastoma in very young children. Overall design: Hepatic mRNA profiles of normal (n=3), background (n=6), and hepatoblastoma (n=23) tissues were generated through RNAsequencing using the Illumina HiSeq2500.
PARP1 activation increases expression of modified tumor suppressors and pathways underlying development of aggressive hepatoblastoma.
Sex, Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesBackground: Exosomes are nanovesicles of endocytic origin believed to be involved in communication between cells. Recently, it has been shown that mast cell exosomes contain RNA named "exosomal shuttle RNA". The aim of this study was to evaluate whether exosomal shuttle RNA could play a role in the communication between human mast cells and between human mast cells and human CD34 positive progenitor cells. Results: Exosomes from the human mast cell line HMC-1 contain RNA. The exosomes contain no or very little ribosomal RNA compared to their donor cells. The mRNA and microRNA content in exosomes and their donor cells was examined using microarray analyses. We found 116 microRNA in the exosomes and 134 microRNA in the cells, from which some were expressed at different level. DNA microarray experiments revealed the presence of approximately 1800 mRNAs in the exosomes, which represent 15% of the donor cell mRNA content. Transfer experiments revealed that exosomes and their RNA can transfer to other HMC-1 cells and to CD34 positive progenitors. Conclusions: To conclude, HMC-1 exosomes contain mRNA and microRNA that can be transferred to other mast cells and to CD34 progenitors. This shuttle of exosomal RNA may represent a powerful mode of communication between cells where cells send genetic information to other cells over a distance via exosomes.
Characterization of mRNA and microRNA in human mast cell-derived exosomes and their transfer to other mast cells and blood CD34 progenitor cells.
Cell line
View SamplesGenome-wide gene expression analysis of MyoD-infected DMD-specific iPSCs (GM05112-M5.1) on days 0 (untreated), day 3 and day 8 post Dox treatment, human primary myoblasts (undifferentiated and as differentiated myotubes), and undifferentiated iPSCs from healthy donors (iPSCs-1 and iPSCs-2).
Myogenic differentiation of muscular dystrophy-specific induced pluripotent stem cells for use in drug discovery.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe resistance of CML leukemic stem cells (LSC) to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapies targeting BCR-ABL leads to persistence of disease in most cases. We have identified novel putative therapeutic targets that are differentially expressed in CML LSCs compared to normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) by transciptional profiling of stem and progenitor cell populations from CML patients and normal donors.
Genome-wide comparison of the transcriptomes of highly enriched normal and chronic myeloid leukemia stem and progenitor cell populations.
Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage
View Samples