Loss of function mutations in the SCN9a gene encoding voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7 cause congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP) and anosmia in otherwise normal humans and mice, suggesting that this channel may be a good analgesic drug target. Surprisingly, potent selective antagonists of Nav1.7 are weak analgesics. We therefore investigated whether Nav1.7 , as well as contributing to electrical signalling may have an additional function. Here we report that Nav1.7 deletion has profound effects on the sensory neuron transcriptome, leading to dysregulation of a number of transcription factors as well as upregulation of enkephalin precursor PENK mRNA and down regulation of CEACAM10 mRNA, a protein involved in noxious thermosensation. PENK mRNA is transcriptionally upregulated in Nav1.7 null mutant female sensory neurons, resulting in increased enkephalin expression in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. PENK expression is down-regulated by addition of the sodium ionophore monensin, suggesting that sodium may play a role as a second messenger. Application of the opioid antagonist naloxone strongly enhances noxious peripheral input into the spinal cord, and dramatically reduces analgesia in both male and female Nav1.7 null mutant mice, as well as in human Nav1.7 null mutants. These data show that loss of Nav1.7 expression increases opioid drive over the lifetime of mice and humans. They further suggest that Nav1.7 channel blockers alone may not replicate the phenotype of null mutant humans and mice, but should be potentiated with exogenous opioids.
Endogenous opioids contribute to insensitivity to pain in humans and mice lacking sodium channel Nav1.7.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe Mediator complex regulates gene transcription by linking basal transcriptional machinery with DNA-bound transcription factors. The activity of the Mediator complex is mainly controlled by a kinase submodule that is comprised of four proteins, including MED12. Although ubiquitously expressed, Mediator subunits can differentially regulate gene expression in a tissue-specific manner. Here, we report that MED12 is required for normal cardiac function such that mice with conditional cardiac-specific deletion of MED12 display progressive dilated cardiomyopathy. Loss of MED12 perturbs expression of calcium handling genes in the heart, consequently altering calcium cycling in cardiomyocytes and disrupting cardiac electrical activity. We identified transcription factors that regulate expression of calcium-handling genes that are downregulated in the heart in the absence of MED12, and found that MED12 localizes to transcription factor consensus sequences within calcium handling genes. We showed that MED12 interacts with one such transcription factor, MEF2, in cardiomyocytes, and that MED12 and MEF2 co-occupy promoters of calcium handling genes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MED12 enhances MEF2 transcriptional activity and overexpression of both increases expression of calcium handling genes in cardiomyocytes. Our data support a role for MED12 as a coordinator of transcription through MEF2 and other transcription factors. We conclude that MED12 is a regulator of a network of calcium handling genes, consequently “mediating” contractility in the mammalian heart. Overall design: Ventricle mRNA profiles of 1-day old control (CTL, CreNEG) and cardiac-specific Med12 knockout mice (Med12cKO, CrePOS) were generated by deep sequencing, in triplicate, using Illumina.
MED12 regulates a transcriptional network of calcium-handling genes in the heart.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesHuman type 1 diabetes (T1D) arises through autoimmunity towards the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and is modeled by the BioBreeding (BB) rat. Factors associated with islet autoimmunity are dilute and difficult to directly measure in the periphery. Therefore, we previously utilized microarray-based bioassay where human T1D sera were used to induce a disease-specific gene expression signature in unrelated, healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
Identification of a serum-induced transcriptional signature associated with type 1 diabetes in the BioBreeding rat.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe heart requires a continuous supply of energy but has little capacity for energy storage and thus relies on exogenous metabolic sources. We previously showed that cardiac MED13 modulates systemic energy homeostasis in mice. Here we sought to define the extra-cardiac tissue(s) that respond to cardiac MED13 signaling. We show that cardiac over-expression of MED13 in transgenic (MED13cTg) mice confers a lean phenotype that is associated with increased lipid uptake, beta-oxidation and mitochondrial content in white adipose tissue (WAT) and liver. Cardiac expression of MED13 decreases metabolic gene expression and metabolite levels in heart and liver but enhances them in WAT. Although exhibiting increased energy expenditure in the fed state, MED13cTg mice metabolically adapt to fasting. Furthermore, MED13cTg hearts oxidize fuel that is readily available, rendering them more efficient in the fed state. Parabiosis experiments in which circulations of wild-type and MED13cTg mice are joined, reveal that circulating factor(s) in MED13cTg mice promote enhanced metabolism and leanness. These findings demonstrate that MED13 acts within the heart to promote systemic energy expenditure in extra-cardiac energy depots and point to an unexplored metabolic communication system between the heart and other tissues. Overall design: n=3 for each genotype and organ
MED13-dependent signaling from the heart confers leanness by enhancing metabolism in adipose tissue and liver.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesSox2 is required to maintain osteosarcoma cell tumor initiation.Knockdown of Sox2 leads tpo loss of tumorigenic properties. To examine gene expression changes upon Sox2 knockdown, we performed microarray analysis on mouse osteosarcoma cells expressing scrambled or Sox2shRNA. We found that genes upregulated upon Sox2 knockdown included osteoblast diffrentiation genes and genes down regulated included cell cycle and RNA processing genes as well as YAP-TEAD target genes.
Sox2 antagonizes the Hippo pathway to maintain stemness in cancer cells.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesAnaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) makes up approximately 15% of paediatric non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of childhood. The vast majority of them is associated with the t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation that results in the expression of a hybrid oncogenic tyrosine kinase, NPM-ALK. In order to investigate ALCL biological characteristics we used transcriptional profiling approach. Genome-wide gene expression profiling, performed on 23 paediatric ALCL and 12 reactive lymph nodes specimens, showed two novel ALCL subgroups based on their NPM-ALK expression levels (named (ALK low and ALK high). Gene set enrichment analysis revealed, in ALK low samples, a positive enrichment of genes involved in the Interleukin signaling pathway, whereas we found increased expression of genes related to cell cycle progression and division in ALK high tumour samples, such as Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) and B (AURKB). Growth inhibition was observed upon administration of AURKA and AURKB inhibitors Alisertib and Barasertib and it was associated with perturbation of the cell cycle and induction of apoptosis. In conclusion we identified two novel ALCL subgroups, which display unique biological characteristics suggesting sensitivity to distinct targeted therapies.
NPM-ALK expression levels identify two distinct subtypes of paediatric anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesAcute lymphoblastic pediatric leukemia specimens without known genetic hallmarks are examined for hidden genomic aberrancies and related gene expression profiles
Integration of genomic and gene expression data of childhood ALL without known aberrations identifies subgroups with specific genetic hallmarks.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesInfiltrating monocyte derived macrophages (MDMs) and resident microglia dominate CNS injury sites. We show that MDMs and microglia can directly communicate to modulate each others function. Also, the presence of MDMs in CNS injury suppresses microglia-mediated phagocytosis and inflammation. We suggest that macrophages infiltrating the injured CNS provide a mechanism to control acute and chronic microglia-mediated inflammation, which could otherwise drive damage in a variety of CNS conditions.
Peripherally derived macrophages modulate microglial function to reduce inflammation after CNS injury.
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesPatients with metastatic colorectal cancer were enrolled for treatment with cetuximab monotherapy. Transcriptional profiling was conducted on RNA from pre-treatment metastatic site biopsies to identify genes whose expression correlates with best clinical responses.
Expression of epiregulin and amphiregulin and K-ras mutation status predict disease control in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with cetuximab.
Specimen part
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Modulation of microRNA expression in human T-cell development: targeting of NOTCH3 by miR-150.
No sample metadata fields
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