Individual genetic variation affects gene expression and cell phenotype by acting within complex molecular circuits, but this relationship is still largely unknown. Here, we combine genomic and meso-scale profiling with novel computational methods to detect genetic variants that affect the responsiveness of gene expression to stimulus (responsiveness QTLs) and position them in circuit diagrams. We apply this approach to study individual variation in transcriptional responsiveness to three different pathogen components in the model response of primary bone marrow dendritic cells (DCs) from recombinant inbred mice strains. We show that reQTLs are common both in cis (affecting a single target gene) and in trans (pleiotropically affecting co-regulated gene modules) and are specific to some stimuli but not others. Leveraging the stimulus-specific activity of reQTLs and the differential responsiveness of their associated targets, we show how to position reQTLs within the context of known pathways in this regulatory circuit. For example, we find that a pleiotropic trans-acting genetic factor in chr1:129-165Mb affects the responsiveness of 35 anti-viral genes only during an anti-viral like stimulus. Using RNAi we uncover RGS16 the likely causal gene in this interval, and an activator of the antiviral response. Our approach charts an experimental and analytic path to decipher the mechanisms underlying genetic variation in other complex circuits in primary mammalian cells.
Deciphering molecular circuits from genetic variation underlying transcriptional responsiveness to stimuli.
Age, Specimen part
View SamplesThis experiment aims to identify the biological pathways and diseases associated with the cytokine Interleukin 13 (IL-13) using gene expression measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Overall design: The experiment comprised of samples obtained from 3 healthy donors. The expression profiles of in vitro IL-13 stimulation were generated using RNA-seq technology for 3 PBMC samples at 24 hours. The transcriptional profiles of PBMCs without IL-13 stimulation were also generated to be used as controls. An IL-13R-alpha antagonist (Redpath et al. Biochemical Journal, 2013) was introduced into IL-13 stimulated PBMCs and the gene expression levels after 24h were profiled to examine the neutralization of IL-13 signaling by the antagonist.
Combining multiple tools outperforms individual methods in gene set enrichment analyses.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesRhomboid family protein RHBDF2, an upstream regulator of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor signaling, has been implicated in cutaneous wound healing. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still emerging. Using a gain-of-function mutation in the mouse Rhbdf2 gene (Rhbdf2cub/cub), which shows a regenerative phenotype, we sought to identify the underlying mechanism.
Early induction of NRF2 antioxidant pathway by RHBDF2 mediates rapid cutaneous wound healing.
Specimen part, Treatment, Time
View SamplesDatabase of gene expression in different haematopoietic cell types at haemosphere.org Overall design: Comparison of gene expression in different haematopoietic cell types
Haemopedia RNA-seq: a database of gene expression during haematopoiesis in mice and humans.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesLangerhans cells (LCs) populate the mucosal epithelium, a major entry portal for pathogens, yet their ontogeny remains unclear. In contrast to skin LCs originating from self-renewing radioresistant embryonic precursors, we found that oral mucosal LCs derive from circulating radiosensitive precursors. Mucosal LCs can be segregated into CD103+CD11blow (CD103+LCs) and CD11b+CD103- (CD11b+LCs) subsets. We further demonstrated that similar to non-lymphoid dendritic cells (DCs), CD103+LCs originate from pre-DCs, whereas CD11b+LCs differentiate from both pre-DCs and monocytic precursors. Despite this ontogenetic discrepancy between skin and mucosal LCs, transcriptomic signature and immunological function of oral LCs highly resemble those of skin LCs but not DCs. These findings, along with their epithelial position, morphology and expression of LC-associated phenotype strongly suggest that oral mucosal LCs are genuine LCs. Collectively, in a tissue-dependent manner, murine LCs differentiate from at least three distinct precursors (embryonic, pre-DCs and monocytic) in steady state Overall design: The following cells were isolated from mice (2-4 replicates): Lung DCs, mucosal CD103+ LC, mucosal CD11b+ LC, Skin LC. Transcriptome analysis was performed.
Distinct Murine Mucosal Langerhans Cell Subsets Develop from Pre-dendritic Cells and Monocytes.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesG-CSF is a hemopoietic growth factor that has a role in steady state granulopoiesis, as well as in mature neutrophil activation and function. We developed a neutralizing monoclonal antibody to the murine G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR), which antagonizes binding of murine G-CSF and inhibits G-CSFR signalling. Anti-G-CSFR rapidly halts the progression of established disease in collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAbIA). Neutrophil accumulation in joints is inhibited, without rendering animals neutropenic, suggesting an effect on homing to inflammatory sites. Neutrophils in the blood and arthritic joints of anti-G-CSFR treated mice show alterations in cell adhesion receptors, while anti-G-CSFR suppresses local production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines known to drive tissue damage. Our aim in this study was to use differential gene expression analysis of joint and blood neutrophils to more thoroughly understand the effect of G-CSFR blockade on the inflammatory response following anti-G-CSFR therapy in CAbIA.
Therapeutic Targeting of the G-CSF Receptor Reduces Neutrophil Trafficking and Joint Inflammation in Antibody-Mediated Inflammatory Arthritis.
Sex, Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage, Treatment
View SamplesA systematic survey of the transcriptional status of individual segments of the developing chick hindbrain (r1-5) and the adjacent region of the embryonic midbrain (m) during the HH11 stage of chick development
Transcriptomic analysis of midbrain and individual hindbrain rhombomeres in the chick embryo.
Specimen part
View SamplesD122p53 mice (a model of D133p53 isoform) are tumour prone, have extensive inflammation and elevated serum IL-6. To investigate the role of IL-6 we crossed 122p53 mice with IL-6 deficient mice. Here we show that loss of IL-6 reduced JAK-STAT signalling, tumour incidence, and metastasis. We also show that D122p53 activates RhoA-ROCK signalling leading to tumour cell invasion which is IL-6 dependent and can be reduced by inhibition of JAK-STAT and RhoA-ROCK pathways. Similarly, we show that 133p53 activates the these pathways, resulting in invasive and migratory phenotypes, in colorectal cancer cells. Gene expression analysis of colorectal tumours showed enrichment of GPCR signalling associated with D133TP53 mRNA. Patients with elevated D133TP53 mRNA levels had a shorter disease free survival. Our results suggest that D133p53 promotes tumour invasion by activation of the JAK-STAT and RhoA-ROCK pathways and that patients whose tumours have high D133p53 may benefit from therapies targeting these pathways.
∆133p53 isoform promotes tumour invasion and metastasis via interleukin-6 activation of JAK-STAT and RhoA-ROCK signalling.
Specimen part
View SamplesC. elegans GLD-2 forms an active PAP with multiple RNA-binding partners to regulate diverse aspects of germline and early embryonic development. One GLD-2 partner, RNP-8, was previously shown to influence oocyte fate specification. To identify transcripts selectively associated with both GLD-2 and RNP-8, we employ a genomic approach using the method of RNA immunoprecipitation followed by microarray analysis (RIP-chip).
GLD-2/RNP-8 cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase is a broad-spectrum regulator of the oogenesis program.
Sex, Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesRNA-seq with male and female juvenile and adult spinal cords Overall design: RNA was isolated from 4 week and 8 week spinal cords for sequencing
Age and Sex-Related Changes to Gene Expression in the Mouse Spinal Cord.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
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