Cartilage plays a fundamental role in the development of the human skeleton. Early in embryogenesis, mesenchymal cells condense and differentiate to chondrocytes to shape the early skeleton. Subsequently, the cartilage anlagen differentiate to form the growth plates, which are responsible for linear bone growth, and the articular chondrocytes, which facilitate joint function. However, despite the multiplicity of roles of cartilage during human fetal life, surprisingly little is known about its transcriptome. To address this, a whole genome microarray expression profile was generated using RNA isolated from 18-22 week human distal femur fetal cartilage and compared with a database of control normal human tissues aggregated at UCLA, termed CELSIUS. From the wealth of data, 161 cartilage-selective genes were identified, defined as genes significantly expressed in cartilage with low expression and little variation across a panel of 34 non-cartilage tissues. Among these 161 genes were cartilage-specific genes such as collagen genes and 25 genes which have been associated with skeletal phenotypes in humans and/or mice. Many of the other cartilage-selective genes do not have established roles in cartilage or are novel, unannotated genes. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the unique pattern of gene expression observed by microarray analysis. Defining the gene expression pattern for cartilage has identified new genes that may contribute to human skeletogenesis as well as provided further candidate genes for skeletal dysplasias. The data suggest that fetal cartilage is a complex and transcriptionally active tissue and demonstrate that the set of genes selectively expressed in the tissue has been greatly underestimated.
Cartilage-selective genes identified in genome-scale analysis of non-cartilage and cartilage gene expression.
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View SamplesSubtypes of innate lymphoid cells (ILC), defined by effector function and transcription factor expression, have recently been identified. In the adult, ILC derive from common lymphoid progenitors in bone marrow, although transcriptional regulation of the developmental pathways involved remains poorly defined. TOX is required for development of lymphoid tissue inducer cells, a type of ILC3 required for lymph node organogenesis, and NK cells, a type of ILC1. We show here that production of multiple ILC lineages requires TOX, as a result of TOX-dependent development of common ILC progenitors. Comparative transcriptome analysis demonstrated failure to induce various aspects of the ILC gene program in the absence of TOX, implicating this nuclear factor as a key early determinant of ILC lineage specification. Overall design: TOX KO vs. wild tyype
The development of innate lymphoid cells requires TOX-dependent generation of a common innate lymphoid cell progenitor.
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View SamplesTo assess how the TOX3 nuclear protein can modulate gene expression in luminal epithelial cells, MCF7 cells were transfected with a TOX3 expression vector or vector control. In both instances, GFP was coexpressed, allowing isolation of transfected cells by flow cytometry before transcriptome analysis. Experiments were carried out under estrogen depleted conditions, and cells isolated 48 hours after transfection.
TOX3 is expressed in mammary ER(+) epithelial cells and regulates ER target genes in luminal breast cancer.
Cell line
View SamplesIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal interstitial lung disease causing alveolar remodeling, inflammation, and fibrosis. We utilized single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-Seq) to identify epithelial cell types and associated biological processes involved in the pathogenesis of IPF. Transcriptomic analysis of epithelial cells from normal human lung defined gene expression patterns associated with highly differentiated alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells, indicated by enrichment of RNAs critical for surfactant homeostasis. In contrast, scRNA-seq of IPF cells identified three distinct subsets of epithelial cell types with characteristics of conducting airway basal and goblet cells and, an additional atypical "transitional" cell that contribute to pathological processes in IPF. Individual IPF cells frequently co-expressed alveolar AT1, AT2, and conducting airway selective markers, demonstrating "indeterminate" states of differentiation not seen in normal lung development. Pathway analysis predicted aberrant activation of canonical signaling via TGF-ß, HIPPO/YAP, P53, and AKT-PI3 Kinase. Immunofluorescence confocal microscopy identified the disruption of alveolar structure and loss of the normal proximal-peripheral differentiation of pulmonary epithelial cells. Single cell transcriptomic analyses of respiratory epithelial cells identified loss of normal epithelial cell identities and unique contributions of epithelial cells to the pathogenesis of IPF. Present scRNA-seq transcriptomic analysis of normal and IPF respiratory epithelial cells provides a rich data source to further explore lung health and disease. Overall design: Dissociated single-cell preparations from peripheral lung of IPF patients (n = 3) and controls (n = 3) from cohort 2 were enriched for AT2 epithelial cells by FACS for CD326 (CD326) double positive, CD45 (hematopoietic) negative, CD31 (endothelial) negative cells, and HTII-280 after dissociation by proteases.
Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies diverse roles of epithelial cells in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage, Subject
View SamplesThe identity of cells that establish the hematopoietic microenvironment (HME) in human bone marrow (BM), and of skeletal ("mesenchymal") stem cells (SSCs) found in BM stroma, have long remained elusive. We show that MCAM/CD146-expressing, subendothelial cells in human BM stroma are both the self-renewing SSCs and the cells that transfer the HME at heterotopic sites upon transplantation.
Self-renewing osteoprogenitors in bone marrow sinusoids can organize a hematopoietic microenvironment.
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View SamplesFoxp3+Tregcells are essential modulators of immune responses but under specific conditions can acquire inflammatory properties and potentially contribute to disease pathogenesis. Here we show that the transcription factor Blimp1 is a critical regulator of Foxp3+Treg functional plasticity. The intrinsic expression of Blimp1 was required to prevent Treg from producing Th17-associated cytokines and acquiring an inflammatory phenotype while preserving Foxp3 expression. Mechanistically, Blimp1 acts as a direct repressor of the Il17a/Il17f genes in Foxp3+Treg and binding of Blimp1 at this locus is associated with altered chromatin status, reduced binding the co-activator p300, unaltered binding of the Th17-asssociated transcription factor RORt and more abundant binding of IRF4, which was required for the production of IL17A in Blimp1-deficient Foxp3+Tregcells, as shown by IRF4 siRNA-mediated knockdown. Consistent with their capacity to produce inflammatory cytokines, Blimp1-deficient Foxp3+Treg exacerbate Th17-mediated inflammation in vivo indicating that Blimp1 is required to prevent Treg cells from acquiring pathogenic properties
Differential regulation of Effector and Regulatory T cell function by Blimp1.
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View SamplesPluripotent stem cells are being actively studied as a cell source for regenerating damaged liver. For long term survival of engrafting cells in the body, not only do the cells have to execute liverspecific function but also withstand the physical strains and invading pathogens. The cellular innate immune system orchestrated by the interferon (IFN) pathway provides the first line of defense against pathogens. The objective of this study is to assess the innate immune function as well as to systematically profile the IFN-induced genes during hepatic differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. To address this objective, we derived endodermal cells (day 5 postdifferentiation), hepatoblast (day 15) and immature hepatocytes (day 21) from human embryonic stem cells (hESC). Day 5, 15 and 21 cells were stimulated with IFN-a and subjected to IFN pathway analysis. Transcriptome analysis was carried out by RNA sequencing. The results showed that the IFN-a treatment activated STAT-JAK pathway in differentiating cells. Transcriptome analysis indicated stage specific expression of classical and non-classical IFNstimulated genes (ISGs). Subsequent validation confirmed the expression of novel ISGs including RASGRP3, CLMP and TRANK1 by differentiated hepatocytes upon IFN treatment. Hepatitis C virus replication in hESC-derived hepatic cells induced the expression of ISGs – LAMP3, ETV7, RASGRP3, and TRANK1. The hESC-derived hepatic cells contain intact innate system and can recognize invading pathogens. Besides assessing the tissue-specific functions for cell therapy applications, it may also be important to test the innate immune function of engrafting cells to ensure adequate defense against infections and improve graft survival. Overall design: 12 samples total, 4 samples in each time point (day 5, day 15, day 21). Each group of 4 within each time point has 2 control and 2 treatment samples in which the cells were stimulated with human interferon-alpha A (R and D Systems) at a concentration of 5000 IU for 6 hours.
Characterization of type I interferon pathway during hepatic differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells and hepatitis C virus infection.
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View SamplesA widely shared view reads that 'MSCs' are ubiquitous in human connective tissues, can be defined by a common in vitro phenotype, share a skeletogenic potential as assessed by in vitro differentiation assays, and coincide with the ubiquitous 'pericytes.' Using stringent in vivo differentiation assays and transcriptome analysis, we show here that human cell populations from different anatomical sources, which would all be regarded as 'MSCs' based on these criteria and assumptions, actually differ widely in their transcriptomic signature and in vivo differentiation potential. In contrast, they share the capacity to guide the assembly of functional microvessels in vivo, regardless of their anatomical source, or in situ identity as perivascular or circulating cells. This analysis further reveals that muscle 'pericytes,' which are not spontaneously osteo-chondrogenic as previously claimed, may indeed coincide with an ectopic perivascular subset of committed myogenic cells similar to satellite cells. Cord blood-derived stromal cells, on the other hand, display the unique capacity to form cartilage in vivo spontaneously, in addition to an assayable osteogenic capacity. These data suggest the need to revise current misconceptions on the origin and function of so-called 'MSCs,' with important applicative implications. The data also support the view that rather than a uniform class of 'MSCs,' different mesoderm derivatives include distinct classes of tissue-specific committed progenitors, likely of different developmental origin.
No Identical "Mesenchymal Stem Cells" at Different Times and Sites: Human Committed Progenitors of Distinct Origin and Differentiation Potential Are Incorporated as Adventitial Cells in Microvessels.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe TNF family member TL1A (TNFSF15) co-stimulates several T helper subsets and promotes T cell-dependent models of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and allergic lung disease. TL1A polymorphisms confer susceptibility to IBD and have been associated with disease severity. In this study, we identified TL1A as a strong inducer of TH9 cell differentiation in vitro. Mechanistically, TL1A induced NF-?B signaling and down-stream STAT6 activation and facilitated cooperative binding of BATF, BATF3, and IRF4 to the Il9 promoter. In vivo, utilizing an adoptive T cell transfer model we demonstrated that TL1A promoted IL-9-dependent, TH9 cell-induced intestinal and lung inflammation and blocking anti-IL-9 antibodies attenuated TL1A-driven mucosal inflammation. Our results demonstrate that TL1A promotes TH9 cell differentiation and function and define a role for IL-9 in TL1A-induced mucosal inflammation. Overall design: 4 samples (2x2)
A role for BATF3 in T<sub>H</sub>9 differentiation and T-cell-driven mucosal pathologies.
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View SamplesHuman diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) are an aggressive form of pediatric brain tumors that arise in the pons in young children thus resulting in significant morbidity and very poor survival. Recent data suggest that mutations in the histone H3.3 variant are often found in these tumors, though the mechanism of their contribution to oncogenesis remains to be elucidated. Here we report that the combination of constitutive PDGFRA activation and p53 suppression as well as expression of the K27M mutant form of the histone H3.3 variant leads to neoplastic transformation of hPSC-derived neural precursors. Our study demonstrates that human ES cells represent an excellent platform for the modeling of human tumors in vitro and in vivo, which could potentially lead to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying neoplastic transformation and the identification of novel therapeutic targets.
Use of human embryonic stem cells to model pediatric gliomas with H3.3K27M histone mutation.
Specimen part
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