Three different recombinant forms of CyaA were used to investigate transcriptional responses of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) using Affymetrix Mouse Genome Genechips. These forms were enzymically active, invasive CyaA, nonenzymically active, invasive CyaA (CyaA*) and non-enzymically active, non-invasive CyaA (proCyaA*). BMMs, treated with 20 ng/ml of CyaA for 24 h, showed over 1000 significant changes in gene transcription compared with control cells. CyaA caused an increase in transcription of many inflammatory genes and genes associated with various signalling cascades such as those involved in cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A signalling. Most strikingly, CyaA caused down-regulation of numerous genes involved in cell proliferation. CyaA* at 20 ng/ml significantly up-regulated the transcription of only twelve genes after 24 h whereas proCyaA* at this concentration significantly increased the transcription of only two genes.
Transcriptional responses of murine macrophages to the adenylate cyclase toxin of Bordetella pertussis.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesAnalysis of gene expression in sorted subpopulations of mouse embryonic stem cells. We set out to investigate whether expression of Id1 in Nanog-low cells affected the expression of pluripotency factors and signalling molecules.
No associated publication
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesIntegrins have long been known to have a role in adhesion of neural stem cells within the neuroepithelium, but little is known about their role in regulating stem cell behaviour through signalling. We aimed to investigate the effect of integrin-beta 1 signalling (itgb1) on these cells by transfection of a constitutively active itgb1. This creates a heterogenous pattern of expression allowing the study of cell-autonomous and non-cell autonomous effects.
Integrin signalling regulates the expansion of neuroepithelial progenitors and neurogenesis via Wnt7a and Decorin.
Specimen part
View SamplesGerstmann Strausller Scheinker (GSS) human prion disease homogenate is i.c. inoculated into mice exhibiting a proline to leucine alteration at codon 101 of the murine prion protein gene (101LL). This results in a disease with an incubation period of approximately 291 days. Normal brain homogenate i.c. inoculated into 101LL mice which are aged matched are used as controls.
Distribution of Misfolded Prion Protein Seeding Activity Alone Does Not Predict Regions of Neurodegeneration.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesIn order to study the microglia contribution in neurodegeneration more specifically we established a mouse model of prion disease in which the 79A murine prion strain was introduced by an intraperitoneal route into BALB/cJFms-EGFP/- mice, which express Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) under control of the C-fms operon. Samples were taken at time points during disease progression and histological analysis of the brain and transcriptional analysis of isolated microglia was carried out. The analysis of isolated microglia revealed a disease specific, highly pro-inflammatory signature in addition to an up-regulation of genes associated with metabolism, respiratory stress and DNA repair. This study strongly supports the growing recognition of the importance of microglia within the prion disease process and identifies the nature of the response through gene expression analysis of isolated microglia.
Defining the Microglia Response during the Time Course of Chronic Neurodegeneration.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesThe direct communication between our central nervous and inflammatory signalling systems is a well-recognised, yet poorly understood relationship. To increase our understanding of this relationship, we examined the metabolism of serotonin and its precursor tryptophan in macrophages under inflammatory settings. Both are involved in inflammatory signalling and known to play a major role in mood regulation. Tryptophan depletion by macrophages during inflammation can consequently result in a reduction of serotonin systemically and has been suggested to cause depression. Increased understanding of this system could help overcome the problem of treatment resistant depressed patients. To this end, we treated primary human monocyte derived macrophages with a range of anti-depressant/anti-inflammatory drugs and analysed their transcriptional profile under various inflammatory conditions. In addition to the classic endotoxic driver of inflammation, LPS, we also used IFN which is a constitutive cytokine shown to directly induce depression when administered in high doses. The anti-depressant drugs were not found to have any significant effects on macrophage inflammatory signalling. However, the anti-inflammatories drugs were found to alter components of the serotonin/tryptophan metabolism pathways. This study increases our understanding of the intricacies of immune/mood cross-talk and offers into developing anti-inflammatories as co-treatment for depression.
Effects of anti-inflammatory drugs on the expression of tryptophan-metabolism genes by human macrophages.
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesInfection is a major complication and cause of mortality and morbidity after acute stroke however the mechanisms are poorly understood. After experimental stroke the microarchitecture and cellular composition of the spleen are extensively disrupted resulting in deficits to immune function.
Experimental Stroke Differentially Affects Discrete Subpopulations of Splenic Macrophages.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesThe expression was designed to determine whether exposure to CSF1-Fc has any effect on liver-specific gene expression in pigs.
Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF1) controls monocyte production and maturation and the steady-state size of the liver in pigs.
Specimen part
View SamplesTreatment of mice with daily injections of CSF1-Fc produce a 50% increase in the size of the liver within 5 days. There was extensive proliferation of hepatocytes, similar to that seen following partial hepatectomy.
No associated publication
Specimen part
View SamplesThe expression was designed to determine whether prolonged depletion of Kupffer cells has any effect on liver-specific gene expression.
No associated publication
Specimen part, Treatment
View Samples