This study employed Affymetrix GeneChips to profile transcriptome of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L) treated with PBEFsiRNA to gain insight into transcriptional regulations of PBEF on the endothelial function. We isolated and labeled mRNAs from PBEF siRNA transfected HMVEC-L and hybridized them to Affymetrix GeneChip HG-U133 plus 2. Differentially expressed genes and canonical pathways were analyzed. Expressions of selected genes were validated by RT-PCR or western blotting. Several important themes are emerged from this study. First, PBEF induces the upregulation and downregulation of multiple genes in the endothelium. Expression of 373 genes were increased and 64 genes decreased by at least 1.3 fold in the PBEFsiRNA treated group compared to the control group of PBEFscRNA treated HMVEC-L. Second, the microarray results confirmed some previous reports of PBEF mediated gene expressions in some pathways but provided a more complete repertoire of molecules in those pathways. Third, most of affected canonical pathways or differentially expressed genes in PBEF siRNA treated HMVEC-L over their controls have not previously been reported to be PBEF-responsive. Our first transcriptome analysis of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells treated with PBEFsiRNA has provided important insights into the transcriptional regulation of gene expression in HMVEC-L cells by PBEF. Further in-depth follow-up analysis of the transcriptional regulation reported in this study may shed light on molecular mechanisms underlying PBEF mediated endothelial functions and dysfunctions in the physiology and the pathogenesis of inflammatory conditions, cancer, diabetes, coronary heart disease and provide new leads of therapeutic targets to those diseases.
Pleiotropic functions of pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF) revealed by transcriptomics of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells treated with PBEFsiRNA.
Specimen part
View SamplesThis is the first report characterizing noncoding RNA expression in a congenital heart defect. The striking shift in expression of noncoding RNAs reflects a fundamental change in cell biology, likely impacting expression, transcript splicing and translation of developmentally important genes and possibly contributing to the cardiac defect. The importance of noncoding RNAs (ncRNA), especially microRNAs, for maintaining stability in the developing vertebrate heart has recently become apparent. However, there is little known about the expression pattern of ncRNA in the human heart with developmental anomalies.
Noncoding RNA expression in myocardium from infants with tetralogy of Fallot.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe identified a novel homozygous 15q13.3 microdeletion in a young boy with a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe cerebral visual impairment with additional signs of congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB), congenital hypotonia with areflexia, profound intellectual disability, and refractory epilepsy. The mechanisms by which the genes in the deleted region exert their effect are unclear. In this paper we probed the role of downstream effects of the deletions as a contributing mechanism to the molecular basis of the observed phenotype. We analyzed gene expression of lymphoblastoid cells derived from peripheral blood of the proband and his relatives to ascertain the relative effects of the homozygous and heterozygous deletions.
Genome-wide gene expression in a patient with 15q13.3 homozygous microdeletion syndrome.
Cell line
View SamplesDrug resistance remains a major obstacle to successful cancer treatment. Here we use a novel approach to identify rapamycin as a glucocorticoid resistance reversal agent. A database of drug-associated gene expression profiles was screened for molecules whose profile overlapped with a gene expression signature of glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity/resistance in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) cells. The screen indicated the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin profile matched the signature of GC-sensitivity. We thus tested the hypothesis that rapamycin would induce GC sensitivity in lymphoid malignancy cells, and found that it sensitized cells to glucocorticoid induced apoptosis via modulation of antiapoptotic MCL1. These data indicate that MCL1 is an important regulator of GC-induced apoptosis, and that the combination of rapamycin and glucocorticoids has potential utility in ALL. Furthermore this approach represents a novel strategy for identification of promising combination therapies for cancer.
Gene expression-based chemical genomics identifies rapamycin as a modulator of MCL1 and glucocorticoid resistance.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesHutchinsonGilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic disease with widespread phenotypic features resembling premature aging. HGPS was recently shown to be caused by dominant mutations in the LMNA gene, resulting in the in-frame deletion of 50 amino acids near the carboxyl terminus of the encoded lamin A protein. Children with this disease typically succumb to myocardial infarction or stroke caused by severe atherosclerosis at an average age of 13 years. To elucidate further the molecular
Genome-scale expression profiling of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome reveals widespread transcriptional misregulation leading to mesodermal/mesenchymal defects and accelerated atherosclerosis.
Cell line
View SamplesDrug resistance remains a major obstacle to successful cancer treatment. Here we use a novel approach to identify rapamycin as a glucocorticoid resistance reversal agent. A database of drug-associated gene expression profiles was screened for molecules whose profile overlapped with a gene expression signature of glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity/resistance in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) cells. The screen indicated the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin profile matched the signature of GC-sensitivity. We thus tested the hypothesis that rapamycin would induce GC sensitivity in lymphoid malignancy cells, and found that it sensitized cells to glucocorticoid induced apoptosis via modulation of antiapoptotic MCL1. These data indicate that MCL1 is an important regulator of GC-induced apoptosis, and that the combination of rapamycin and glucocorticoids has potential utility in ALL. Furthermore this approach represents a novel strategy for identification of promising combination therapies for cancer.
Gene expression-based chemical genomics identifies rapamycin as a modulator of MCL1 and glucocorticoid resistance.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesLeukemias and other cancers possess a rare population of cells capable of self-renewal, and eradication of these cancer stem cells is likely necessary for long-term cancer-free survival. Given that both normal and cancer stem cells are capable of self-renewal the extent to which cancer stem cells resemble normal tissue stem cells is a critical issue if targeted therapies are to be developed. We introduced the MLL-AF9 fusion protein encoded by the t(9;11)(p22;q23) found in human acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) into murine committed granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMP). The resultant leukemias contained cells with an immunophenotype similar to normal GMP that were highly enriched for leukemia stem cells (LSC). Detailed gene expression comparisons between normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), committed progenitors, and the LSC population demonstrated the LSC were globally more similar to the normal GMP than any other population. However, a subset of genes highly expressed in normal stem cells was re-activated in the LSC. These data demonstrate LSC can be generated from committed progenitors without widespread reprogramming of gene expression, and a leukemia self-renewal associated signature is activated in the process. Our findings define progression from normal hematopoietic progenitor to leukemia stem cell, and suggest that targeting a self-renewal program expressed in an abnormal context may be possible.
Transformation from committed progenitor to leukaemia stem cell initiated by MLL-AF9.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesLeukemias and other cancers possess a rare population of cells capable of self-renewal, and eradication of these cancer stem cells is likely necessary for long-term cancer-free survival. Given that both normal and cancer stem cells are capable of self-renewal the extent to which cancer stem cells resemble normal tissue stem cells is a critical issue if targeted therapies are to be developed. We introduced the MLL-AF9 fusion protein encoded by the t(9;11)(p22;q23) found in human acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) into murine committed granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMP). The resultant leukemias contained cells with an immunophenotype similar to normal GMP that were highly enriched for leukemia stem cells (LSC). Detailed gene expression comparisons between normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), committed progenitors, and the LSC population demonstrated the LSC were globally more similar to the normal GMP than any other population. However, a subset of genes highly expressed in normal stem cells was re-activated in the LSC. These data demonstrate LSC can be generated from committed progenitors without widespread reprogramming of gene expression, and a leukemia self-renewal associated signature is activated in the process. Our findings define progression from normal hematopoietic progenitor to leukemia stem cell, and suggest that targeting a self-renewal program expressed in an abnormal context may be possible.
Transformation from committed progenitor to leukaemia stem cell initiated by MLL-AF9.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe generated MLL-AF9 mediated murine leukemias that originate either from hematopoietic stem or committed progenitors cells. The luekemia stem cell fraction in these two type of leukemias shared exactly the same immunophenotype but their genetic programs differ.
No associated publication
Specimen part
View SamplesHuman iPS cells derived from normal and Fragile-X fibroblasts in order to assess the capability of Fragile-X iPS cells to be used as a model for different aspects of Fragile-X syndrome. Microarry analysis used to compare global gene expression between human ES cells, the normal and the mutant iPS cells and the original fibroblasts, to demonstrate that the overall reprogramming process succeeded, and that the FX-iPS cells are fully reprogrammed cells.
Differential modeling of fragile X syndrome by human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells.
Specimen part, Disease, Cell line
View Samples