ZBTB4 is a mammalian transcription factor with Zinc fingers and a BTB/POZ domain, which can bind methylated CpGs, as well as certain unmethylated consensus sequences. ZBTB4 is frequently downregulated in human cancers, but it is unclear whether this is a cause or consequence of transformation. To investigate the role of ZBTB4 in normal and pathological conditions, we generated Zbtb4-/- mice
Loss of the Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein ZBTB4 Alters Mitotic Checkpoint, Increases Aneuploidy, and Promotes Tumorigenesis.
Specimen part
View SamplesAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies which may be sensitive to the natural killer (NK) cell anti-tumor response. However, NK cells are frequently defective in AML. Here, we found in an exploratory cohort (n = 46) that NK-cell status at diagnosis of AML separated patients in two groups with a different clinical outcome. Patients with a deficient NK-cell profile, including reduced expression of some activating NK receptors (e.g. DNAM-1, NKp46 and NKG2D) and decreased IFN-g production, had a significantly higher risk of relapse (P = 0.03) independently of cytogenetic classification in multivariate analysis. Patients with defective NK cells showed a profound gene expression decrease in AML blasts for cytokine and chemokine signaling (e.g. IL15, IFNGR1, IFNGR2, CXCR4), antigen processing (e.g. HLA-DRA, HLA-DRB1, CD74) and adhesion molecule pathways (e.g. PVR, ICAM1). A set of 388 leukemic classifier genes defined in the exploratory cohort was independently validated in a multicentric cohort of 194 AML patients. In total, these data evidenced the interplay between NK-cells and AML blasts at diagnosis allowing an immune-based stratification of AML patients independently of clinical classifications.
Defective NK Cells in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients at Diagnosis Are Associated with Blast Transcriptional Signatures of Immune Evasion.
Disease, Subject
View SamplesAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies which may be sensitive to the natural killer (NK) cell anti-tumor response. However, NK cells are frequently defective in AML. Here, we found in an exploratory cohort (n = 46) that NK-cell status at diagnosis of AML separated patients in two groups with a different clinical outcome. Patients with a deficient NK-cell profile, including reduced expression of some activating NK receptors (e.g. DNAM-1, NKp46 and NKG2D) and decreased IFN-g production, had a significantly higher risk of relapse (P = 0.03) independently of cytogenetic classification in multivariate analysis. Patients with defective NK cells showed a profound gene expression decrease in AML blasts for cytokine and chemokine signaling (e.g. IL15, IFNGR1, IFNGR2, CXCR4), antigen processing (e.g. HLA-DRA, HLA-DRB1, CD74) and adhesion molecule pathways (e.g. PVR, ICAM1). A set of 388 leukemic classifier genes defined in the exploratory cohort was independently validated in a multicentric cohort of 194 AML patients. In total, these data evidenced the interplay between NK-cells and AML blasts at diagnosis allowing an immune-based stratification of AML patients independently of clinical classifications.
Defective NK Cells in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients at Diagnosis Are Associated with Blast Transcriptional Signatures of Immune Evasion.
Age, Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesObjective: We performed whole-blood transcriptomic profiling for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who received rituximab (RTX). We aimed to identify a molecular signature that could predict the clinical response to RTX and transcriptomic changes after RTX therapy.
No associated publication
Treatment
View SamplesPulmonary endothelial dysfunction plays an integral role in mediating the initiation and progression of pulmonary vascular remodelling, an important feature of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Our aim was to decipher the gene expression program of endothelial cells derived from circulating endothelial progenitor (EPCs) to gain insight into the pathological process of PAH associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc), which is the most extreme vascular phenotype of this disease.
No associated publication
Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesHematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) are at the basis of the hematopoietic hierarchy. Their ability to self-renew and differentiate is strictly controlled by molecular signals produced by their surrounding micorenvironments composed of stromal cells. HSPCs first emerge in the AGM (Aorta Gonads Mesonephros) region, amplify in the fetal liver (FL) and are maintained in the adult bone marrow (BM). To further characterize the molecular program of the HSPC niches, we have compared the global transcriptome of HSPC-supportive and non/less-supportive stromal clones established from the AGM, FL and BM.
A systems biology approach for defining the molecular framework of the hematopoietic stem cell niche.
Specimen part
View SamplesPrimary liver tumours include hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), cholangiocarcinomas (CC) and a group of rare tumours exhibiting biliary and hepatocytic differentiation called combined hepatocholangiocarcinomas (cHCC-CC). To better define this latter group, we take advantage of a series of these tumours based on their morphological characteristics and we performed transcriptional analysis allowing thereafter global comparison with published data. We show that most cHCC-CCs express progenitor cell traits, are committed to biliary lineage and are mainly associated to the activation of Wnt/beta-catenin and TGFbeta signalling pathways. Wnt/beta-catenin pathway activation in cHCC-CC is evidenced by the expression of both its direct targets such as LEF1 and EPCAM. In addition, extracellular matrix (ECM) genes and ECM-remodelling genes which are upon the control of TGF profibrotic program were found up-regulated in cHCC-CC. Interestingly, we show that CC and most cHCC-CC share characteristics associated to a subtype of poorly differentiated HCC suggesting that these tumours could originate from a stem/progenitor cell. The plasticity of these cells may explain the phenotypical heterogeneity of these tumors with the maintenance of some hepatocellular differentiation features such as albumin expression. Interestingly, this is shared by at least one third of CC, raising the hypothesis of a potential continuum between CC, cHCC-CC and poorly differentiated HCC.
Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinomas exhibit progenitor features and activation of Wnt and TGFβ signaling pathways.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesOxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) can result in vascular liver lesions such as sinusoidal dilatations. Physiopathology remains unclear and variability between patients suggests that there is individual susceptibility. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of oxaliplatin liver toxicity may allow to identification of biomarkers and adaptation of chemotherapy delivery.
No associated publication
Specimen part
View SamplesThe organization and dynamics of chromatin within the in vivo interphase nucleus and the latter's relationship with transcriptional regulation are still not fully understood. To better understand these relationships, we studied a natural example of chromosomal disorganization: aneuploidy due to trisomies 13, 18 and 21. We hypothesized that the presence of an extra copy of one chromosome alters the CT distribution in the nucleus, which in turn perturbs transcriptional activity.
No associated publication
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesWe used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression in human macrophages infected in vitro with HIV-1 and then subjected to phagocytic stimuli; we identified distinct classes of differentially regulated genes during this process
No associated publication
Specimen part
View Samples