Dendritic cells are the initiators of the adaptive immune response, therefore its gene expression allow us to predict the responses to vaccination. We used bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDC) to analyze the gene expression that result from the exposure to adjuvants. We use model antigen OVA and cyclic di-AMP (CDA) as an adjuvant in order to characterize the genes involved in the activation of dendritic cells by CDA alone or when the antigen is present.
Type I IFN and not TNF, is Essential for Cyclic Di-nucleotide-elicited CTL by a Cytosolic Cross-presentation Pathway.
Treatment, Time
View SamplesAlthough mast cells elicit proinflammatory and type I IFN responses upon VSV infection, in response to L.monocytogenes (L.m) or S. Typhimurium (S.t), such cells elicit a transcriptional program devoid of type I IFN response.
Mast cells elicit proinflammatory but not type I interferon responses upon activation of TLRs by bacteria.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe investigated at which stage of maturation commitment to a stable Foxp3-expressing phenotype takes place. We assessed stability of Foxp3 expression in thymic Foxp3+ Treg subsets of different maturity, defined by CD24 expression. Next we compared gene expression profiles of Foxp3+ Treg subsets (+) of different maturity (24lo, 24int, 24hi) and could identify a set of genes that were specifically up or downregulated in Foxp3+ Tregs, but not in Foxp3- conventional T cells, in a maturation-dependent manner.
Active demethylation of the Foxp3 locus leads to the generation of stable regulatory T cells within the thymus.
Specimen part
View SamplesGoals and objectives of this study: to identify genes preferentially induced in human CD4+CD25hi Treg cells following T-cell activation with potential role for stabililization & maintenance of the regulatory program.
GARP: a key receptor controlling FOXP3 in human regulatory T cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe concept of immune regulation/suppression has been well-established. With thymus-derived CD4 CD25 regulatory T (TR) cells, it became clear that a variety of additional peripherally induced TR cells play vital roles in protection from many harmful immune responses including intestinal inflammation. In the present study, we have analyzed in vivo-induced Ag-specific CD4 TR cells with respect to their molecular and functional phenotype. By comparative genomics we could show that these Ag-specific TR cells induced by chronic Ag stimulation in vivo clearly differ in their genetic program from naturally occurring thymus-derived CD4 CD25 TR cells. This distinct population of induced TR cells express neither CD25 nor the TR-associated transcription factor Foxp3. Strikingly, CD25 is not even up-regulated upon stimulation. Despite the lack in Foxp3 expression, these in vivo-induced CD25 TR cells are able to interfere with an Ag-specific CD8 T cell-mediated intestinal inflammation without significant increase in CD25 and Foxp3 expression. Thus, our results demonstrate that in vivo-induced Ag-specific TR cells represent a distinct population of Foxp3 CD25 TR cells with regulatory capacity both in vitro and in vivo.
Chronic antigen stimulation in vivo induces a distinct population of antigen-specific Foxp3 CD25 regulatory T cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe ts-p53 E285K protein is a rare p53 mutant with temperature-sensitive (ts) loss of function characteristics. In cancer cells, which express ts-p53 E285K intriniscally, endogenous wild type p53 activity is reconstituted by appropriate cultivation temperature (permissive condition). At non-appropriate cultivation temperature (restrictive condition) this p53 mutant is inactive. The present study took advantage of this mechanism and employed IPH-926 lobular breast cancer cells and BT-474 ductal breast cancer cells, which both harbor endogenous ts-p53 E285K, for the transcriptional profiling of p53-responsive genes. This new approach eliminated the need for genetic modification or cytotoxic stimulation to achive a p53 response in the cells being investigated .
IPH-926 lobular breast cancer cells harbor a p53 mutant with temperature-sensitive functional activity and allow for profiling of p53-responsive genes.
Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesReduction in the cellular levels of the cyclin kinase inhibitor p27kip1 are frequently found in many human cancers and correlate directly with patient prognosis. Specifically ubiquitin dependent proteasomal turnover has been shown to cause reduced p27 expression in many human cancers. We recently demonstated that expression of a stabilized version of p27kip1 (p27kip1T187A) in a genetically modified mouse significantly reduced the number of intestinal adenomatous polyps which progressed to invasive carcinomas. Based on this work we set out to identify compounds which lead to a re-expression of p27 in cancer tissues. In this work we identify Argyrin A a compound derived from myxobacterium archangium gephyra as a potent inducer of p27kip1 expression. Argyrin A induces apoptosis in human colon cancer xenografts and tumor vasculature in vivo leading to a profound reduction in tumor size at well tolerated levels. Argyrin A functions are strictly dependent on the expression of p27kip1 as neither tumor cells nor endothelial cells which do not express p27kip1 respond to this compound. Surprisingly the molecular mechanism by which Argyrin A exerts its p27 dependent biological function is through a potent inhibition of the 20S proteasome.
Argyrin a reveals a critical role for the tumor suppressor protein p27(kip1) in mediating antitumor activities in response to proteasome inhibition.
Specimen part
View SamplesThis experiment aims to study transcriptional alterations induced by reconstitution of wild type E-cadherin expression in human lobular breast cancer cells harbouring deleterious, somatic CDH-1 mutations
No associated publication
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesUterine macrophages are thought to play an important regulatory role at the maternal-fetal interface. We report here a unique gene expression pattern intrinsic of first trimester decidual monocytes/macrophages, but not of their blood counterparts. The micro-array data comprises approximately 14,000 genes. Some of the key findings were confirmed by real time PCR or secreted protein measurements. A large number of regulated genes were found to be functionally related to immunomodulation and tissue remodelling, corroborating polarization patterns of differentiated macrophages of M2 phenotype. These include M2 markers such as CCL-18, CD209, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, mannose receptor c type (MRC)-1 and fibronectin-1. Further, the selective up-regulation of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-2, alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) and prostaglandin D2 synthase (PGDS) provides new insights into the regulatory function of decidual macrophages in pregnancy. In addition, a large number of regulated genes in the micro-array analysis were related to cell cycle regulation. Taken together, molecular characterization of decidual macrophages presents a unique transcriptional profile replete with important components for fetal immunoprotection.
Gene expression profiling of human decidual macrophages: evidence for immunosuppressive phenotype.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is an arthropod-borne disease present in several countries of Africa and Middle East. It is caused by RVF virus which can infect both humans and animals. In humans, it leads to various manifestations including hepatitis, encephalitis and death, while in domestic animals it usually causes miscarriage in pregnant females and it is often fatal for the newborn. Not all people or animal infected by the virus present the same disease. Some patients exhibit unapparent or moderate febrile reactions, while others develop severe symptoms. This observation suggests that host genetic factors play a role in controlling the outcome of infection. In this work, we compare the response of two different inbred strains of mice, MBT/Pas and BALB/cByJ, to infection with RVF virus. These strains exhibit different profiles of susceptibility to RVF virus infection. Indeed, MBT/Pas mice rapidly develop high viraemia and die soon after infection, while BALB/cByJ mice have a lower viraemia and die later. Interestingly, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) obtained from MBT/Pas foetuses allows higher viral production than BALB/cByJ MEFs.
No associated publication
Specimen part
View Samples