Here, we show that functional loss of a single gene is sufficient to confer constitutive milk protein production and protection against mammary tumor formation. Caveolin-3 (Cav-3), a muscle-specific caveolin-related gene, is highly expressed in striated and smooth muscle cells. We demonstrate that Cav-3 is also expressed in myoepithelial cells within the mammary gland. To determine if genetic ablation of Cav-3 expression affects adult mammary gland development, we next studied the phenotype(s) of Cav-3 (-/-) null mice. Interestingly, detailed analysis of Cav-3 (-/-) virgin mammary glands shows dramatic increases in ductal thickness, side-branching, and the development of extensive lobulo-alveolar hyperplasia, akin to the changes normally observed during pregnancy and lactation. Analysis by genome-wide expression profiling reveals the upregulation of gene transcripts associated with pregnancy/lactation, mammary stem cells, and human breast cancers, consistent with a constitutive lactogenic phenotype. The expression levels of three key transcriptional regulators of lactation, namely Elf5, Stat5a, and c-Myc are also significantly elevated. Experiments with pregnant mice directly show that Cav-3 (-/-) mice undergo precocious lactation. Finally, using orthotopic implantation of a transformed mammary cell line (known as Met-1), we demonstrate that virgin Cav-3 (-/-) mice are dramatically protected against mammary tumor formation. Interestingly, Cav-3 (+/-) mice also show similar protection, indicating that even reductions in Cav-3 levels are sufficient to render these mice resistant to tumorigenesis. Thus, Cav-3 (-/-) mice are a novel preclinical model to study the protective effects of a constitutive lactogenic microenviroment on mammary tumor onset and progression. Our current studies have broad implications for using the lactogenic micro-environment as a paradigm to discover new therapies for the prevention and/or treatment of human breast cancers. Most importantly, a lactation-based therapeutic strategy would provide a more natural and nontoxic approach to the development of novel anti-cancer therapies.
Loss of caveolin-3 induces a lactogenic microenvironment that is protective against mammary tumor formation.
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View SamplesThe apical junctional complex (AJC), composed of tight junctions and adherens junctions, is essential for maintaining epithelial barrier function. Since cigarette smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the major smoking-induced disease, are both associated with increased lung epithelial permeability, we hypothesized that smoking alters the transcriptional program regulating AJC integrity in the small airway epithelium (SAE), the primary site of pathological changes in COPD. Transcriptome analysis revealed a global down-regulation of physiological AJC gene expression in the SAE of healthy smokers (n=53) compared to healthy nonsmokers (n=59), an observation associated with changes in molecular pathways regulating epithelial differentiation such as PTEN signaling and accompanied by induction of cancer-related AJC genes. Genome-wide co-expression analysis identified a smoking-sensitive AJC transcriptional network. The overall expression of AJC-associated genes was further decreased in COPD smokers (n=23). Exposure of human airway epithelial cells to cigarette smoke extract in vitro resulted in down-regulation of several AJC-related genes, accompanied by decreased transepithelial resistance. Thus, cigarette smoking alters the AJC gene expression architecture in the human airway epithelium, providing a molecular basis for the dysregulation of airway epithelial barrier function during the development of smoking-induced lung disease.
Cigarette smoking reprograms apical junctional complex molecular architecture in the human airway epithelium in vivo.
Sex, Age
View SamplesPurpose: study the role of MALT1 auto-proteolysis in T cell receptor mediated activation of NF-kB. Methods: Jurkat cells were generated that express wild type MALT1, the auto-cleavage deficient MALT1-R149A mutant, the catalytic inactive MALT1-C464A mutant or the R149A-C464A double mutant (RACA). Expression of endogenous MALT1 was inactivated using TALEN technology for the Jurkat cells expressing MALT1-R149A (JDM-RA) and MALT1-C464A (JDM-CA). Illumina HISeq 2000 deep sequencing was performed to determine the mRNA profiles for MALT1, JDM-RA, JDM-CA and RACA cells in unstimulated conditions or after treatment with 75ng/ml PMA and 150 ng/ml ionomycin for 3 or 18 hrs. Results: PMA ionomycin stimulation of the MALT1 auto-cleavage defective JDM-RA cells fails to activate NF-kB-dependent transcription like for the MALT1 catalytic inactive JDM-CA cells and the double RACA mutant cells. Conclusion: MALT1 autoproteolysis is essential for transcription of NF-kB target genes Overall design: mRNA profiles of Jurkat expressing MALT1, MALT1-R149A, MALT1-C464A and MALT1-R149A-C464A after 0, 3 and 18 hours of stimulation with PMA and Ionomycin were generated by deep sequencing, in duplicate, using Illumina HISeq 2000
MALT1 auto-proteolysis is essential for NF-κB-dependent gene transcription in activated lymphocytes.
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View SamplesThe initiation of the mucosal immune response in Peyers patch (PP) relies on the sampling, processing and efficient presentation of foreign antigens by dendritic cells (DC). PP DC encompass five subsets, among which CD11b+ conventional DC (cDC) and LysoDC have distinct progenitors and functions but share many cell surface markers. This has previously led to confusion between these two subsets. In addition, another PP DC subset, termed double-negative (DN), remains poorly characterized. Here, we have studied the genetic relatedness of the different subsets of PP cDC at steady state and under TLR7 ligand stimulation. We also provide the transcriptional profiles of subepithelial TIM-4- and interfollicular TIM-4+ macrophages.
Distribution, location, and transcriptional profile of Peyer's patch conventional DC subsets at steady state and under TLR7 ligand stimulation.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesWe have undertaken a screen of mouse limb tendon cells in order to identify molecular pathways involved in tendon development. Mouse limb tendon cells were isolated based on Scleraxis (Scx) expression at different stages of development: E11.5, E12.5 and E14.5
Transcriptomic analysis of mouse limb tendon cells during development.
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View SamplesThe identification of the most appropriate T-cell subset to ensure optimal persistence and anti-tumor activity is a major goal of cancer immunotherapy. We identified a novel post-mitotic CD45RA+CD62L+ T cell subpopulation (TTN), generated in vitro upon activation of nave T (TN) cells with beads conjugated to anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies. This cell population is highly proliferative, produces low levels of IFNg and cytotoxic molecules, and requires IL-7 and IL-15 for in vitro expansion.
IL-7 and IL-15 instruct the generation of human memory stem T cells from naive precursors.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe unique metabolic profile of most cancers (aerobic glycolysis) might confer apoptosis-resistance and be therapeutically targeted. Compared to normal cells, several human cancers have high mitochondrial membrane potential and low expression of the K+ channel Kv1.5, both contributing to apoptosis-resistance. Dichloroacetate (DCA), an inhibitor of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), shifts metabolism from glycolysis to glucose oxidation, decreases mitochondrial membrane potential, increases mitochondrial-H2O2 and activates Kv channels in all cancer, but not normal cells; DCA upregulates Kv1.5 by an NFAT1-dependent mechanism. DCA induces apoptosis, decreases proliferation and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, without apparent toxicity. Molecular inhibition of PDK2 by siRNA mimics DCA. The mitochondria-NFAT-Kv axis and PDK are important therapeutic targets in cancer; the orally available DCA is a novel selective anticancer agent.
A mitochondria-K+ channel axis is suppressed in cancer and its normalization promotes apoptosis and inhibits cancer growth.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesMammalian nephrons are the physiological subunits of mammalian kidneys which consist of different highly apicobasally polarized epithelial cell types. In epithelial cells polarization is controlled by evolutionary conserved CRB, PAR, or SRIB complexes. Here, we focused on the role of Pals1/Mpp5 in the nephron. Pals1, a core component of the apical membrane determining CRB complex, is highly expressed in renal tubular epithelial and glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes). Surprisingly, haplo-deficient mice, lacking one Pals1/Mpp5 allele in the nephron developed a strong phenotype, accompanied by cyst formation and severe renal filtration barrier defects, which subsequently lead to death after 6-8 weeks. Supporting studies in Drosophila nephrocytes, and epithelial cell culture models elucidated the role of Pals1 as a dose dependent upstream regulator of the crosstalk between Hippo- and TGF-signaling during nephrogenesis.
Pals1 Haploinsufficiency Results in Proteinuria and Cyst Formation.
Specimen part
View SamplesParkinsons Disease is a multi-system, disabling progressive neurodegenerative condition. Clinical progression is highly heterogeneous and, thus far, there are not available biomarkers to accurately predict the rate of disease progression. Thus, identifying molecular signatures that allow discriminating between different progression rates might significantly assist the therapeutic strategy, and enable improved outcomes in clinical trials.
Gene Expression Differences in Peripheral Blood of Parkinson's Disease Patients with Distinct Progression Profiles.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesPrimary human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) were infected with wild-type simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) strain 17 at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10. Newly transcribed RNA was labelled by adding 500µM 4-thiouridine (4sU) to the cell culture media for 1h. Total cellular RNA was isolated using Trizol. Newly transcribed RNA was purified following the protocol described in Raedle et al. JoVE 2013. Overall design: Newly transcribed RNA was labelled in one hour intervals during the first eight hours of HSV-1 infection. All nine 4sU-RNA samples as well as total cellular RNA of every second hour of infection were sent for sequencing. Two independent biological replicates were analysed.
Prediction of Poly(A) Sites by Poly(A) Read Mapping.
No sample metadata fields
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