Background: In the last decade, much attention has been drawn to probiotic bacteria in the context of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), since the potential of certain strains to attenuate inflammation was demonstrated in several animal experiments and clinical studies. Data in humans elucidating the molecular mechanism of probiotic action are still scarce. To this end, we used an organ culture system of human colon mucosa and investigated the gene expression profiles after treatment with different probiotic bacteria in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/ionomycin (IO)) stimulated samples using whole genome microarrays. Moreover, we analyzed changes occurring in the intestinal explants cultured for 8 hours when compared to fresh, directly frozen mucosa, in order to infer the suitability of the system to study an inflammatory stimulus and likely antiinflammatory responses. Results: Culturing intestinal colon fragments during 8 hours elicited differential gene expression in 283 genes, 229 upregulated and 54 downregulated. Upregulated genes were predominantly related to apoptosis, whereas downregulated genes encoded mitochondrial proteins. No specific enrichment of genes related to inflammation or immune response could be detected, confirming the suitability of the system to further study the inmunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory properties of Lactobacillus casei BL23 (BL23), L.plantarum 299v (LP299v) and L.plantarum 299v (A-) (LP299v (A-)), a mutant strain with reduced adhesive properties to enterocytes. Intestinal explants were stimulated with PMA/IO for 3 hours and subsequently incubated with probiotic bacteria for 4 h. ANOVA analysis (p 0,01) revealed 205 differentially expressed genes between Control, PMA/IO (Inflamed), and the 3 bacterial treatments. Most importantly, a number of PMA/IO induced genes related to immune response and immune system process such as IL-2, IFN-, IL17A and pro-inflammatory cytokines CXCL9 and CXCL11 were downregulated by BL23, LP299v and LP299v (A-). The behaviour of the three Lactobacillus strains was quite similar, although their presence induced differential expression of a small number of genes in a strain dependent manner. Conclusion: The human colon organ culture was found to be a suitable model for the study of inflammatory/anti-inflammatory stimuli, and therefore it constitutes a valuable tool to determine the inmunomodulatory effect of probiotic bacteria. The global transcriptional profile evoked by strains BL23, LP299v and LP299v (A-) in artificially inflamed tissue indicated a clear homeostasis restoring effect, including a decrease of the signals produced by activated T cells.
Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus plantarum strains downregulate proinflammatory genes in an ex vivo system of cultured human colonic mucosa.
Specimen part
View SamplesIdentification of genes and causal mutations regulating growth and fatness traits in pig. Overall design: Transcriptome sequencing of 10 liver samples of two groups of divergent pigs for growth and fatness.
Using RNA-Seq SNP data to reveal potential causal mutations related to pig production traits and RNA editing.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesMultiple myeloma (MM) cells were treated with the BET inhibitor CPI203 alone and in combination with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone in vitro and in vivo (mouse xenograft).
The BET bromodomain inhibitor CPI203 improves lenalidomide and dexamethasone activity in <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> models of multiple myeloma by blockade of Ikaros and MYC signaling.
Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesmicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate virtually all biological processes, but little is known of their role in germinal center (GC) B cells. While the GC reaction is crucial to ensure a competent immune response, GC B cells are also the origin of most human lymphomas. Here we report that miR-217 is specifically upregulated in GC B cells. Gain- and loss-of-function mouse models reveal that miR-217 functions as a positive modulator of the GC response through the regulation of a DNA repair gene network. Moreover, we show that miR-217 overexpression promotes mature B cell lymphomagenesis. Therefore miR-217 provides a novel molecular link between the normal GC response and B cell transformation Overall design: 4 samples were analyzed by RNAseq: 1) naïve (CD19+Fas-GL7-) B cells from miR-217TG, 2) GC (CD19+Fas+GL7+) B cells from miR-217TG, 3) naïve (CD19+Fas-GL7-) B cells from littermate controls and 4) GC (CD19+Fas+GL7+) B cells from littermate controls. Samples were isolated by cell sorting from pooled Peyer’s patches (4-6 animals per genotype). Two independent experiments were performed.
miR-217 is an oncogene that enhances the germinal center reaction.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesHuman umbilical cord Whartons jelly stem cells (WHJSC) are gaining attention as a possible clinical source of mesenchymal stem cells for use in cell therapy and tissue engineering due to their high accessibility, expansion potential and plasticity. However, the cell viability changes that are associated to sequential cell passage of these cells are not known. In this analysis, we have identified the gene expression changes that are associated to cell passage in WHJSC.
Evaluation of the cell viability of human Wharton's jelly stem cells for use in cell therapy.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe tyrosine kinase ErbB2 positive breast tumors have more aggressive tumor growth, poorer clinical outcome, and more resistance to radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. A humanized anti-ErbB2 monoclonal antibody Herceptin and a small molecules inhibitor Lapatinib were developed and approved by FDA to treat patients with ErbB2 amplification and overexpression. Unfortunately, most ErbB2+ breast cancers do not respond to Herceptin and Lapatinib, and the majority of responders become resistant within 12 months of initial therapy (defined as secondary drug resistance). Such differences in response to Lapatinib treatment is contributed by substantial heterogeneity within ErbB2+ breast cancers. To address this possibility, we carried out transcriptomic analysis of mammary tumors from genetically diverse MMTV-ErbB2 mice. This will help us to have a better understanding of the heterogeneous response to ErbB2 targeted therapy and permit us to design better and more individualized (personalized) treatment strategies for human ErbB2 positive breast cancer.
Unraveling heterogeneous susceptibility and the evolution of breast cancer using a systems biology approach.
Specimen part
View SamplesMechanisms of immune regulation may control proliferation of aberrant plasma cells (PCs) in patients with the asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) preventing progression to active multiple myeloma (MM). We investigated the role of CD85j (LILRB1), an inhibitory immune checkpoint for B cell function, in MM pathogenesis.
Loss of the Immune Checkpoint CD85j/LILRB1 on Malignant Plasma Cells Contributes to Immune Escape in Multiple Myeloma.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesThe neural transcription factor SOX11 is overexpressed in aggressive lymphoid neoplasms mainly in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), but its functional role in malignant B-cells is unknown. To identify target genes transcriptionally regulated by SOX11 in malignant lymphoid cells, we have used Gene Expression Profiling (GEP) after SOX11 silencing in MCL cell lines.
SOX11 regulates PAX5 expression and blocks terminal B-cell differentiation in aggressive mantle cell lymphoma.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesThe Myc proteins (N-, L- and c-Myc) are transcription factors involved in many biological functions such as regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, metabolism and apoptosis. A large number of human cancers show enhanced expression of myc family proto-oncogenes as one of their hallmarks. These proteins contain a basic region/helix-loop-helix/leucine zipper (bHLHZip) domain that mediates DNA binding and heterodimerization with its partner Max (Myc/Max heterodimer). Among Myc proteins, c-Myc is the most widely expressed and relevant in primary B lymphocytes. Some reports have implied that c-Myc can perform some functions without Max in different cell contexts. However, the functional interplay in vivo between c-Myc and Max during B lymphocyte differentiation is not well-known. Here we show that c-Myc requires Max. However, key biological processes such as cell differentiation and DNA replication can initially progress without c-Myc/Max heterodimer in primary B lymphocytes. We found that B lymphocytes lacking Myc, Max or both showed upregulation of signalling pathways associated with the B cell receptor. Our data suggest that c-Myc/Max heterodimers are not essential for the initiation of certain biological processes in B lymphocytes. Rather, c-Myc/Max are necessary for fine-tuning the initial response in these cells after activation. Overall design: B cell mRNA profiles of 8-week old control (HET) Myc deficient (MycKO), Max deficient (MaxKO) and double deficient (DKO) mice were generated by deep sequencing, in duplicate, using a HiSeq2500 (Illumina.
Functional interplay between c-Myc and Max in B lymphocyte differentiation.
Age, Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesRole of CTCF in activated B cells. Overall design: Transcriptome profiling of CTCF deficient and proficient activated in vitro B cells.
CTCF orchestrates the germinal centre transcriptional program and prevents premature plasma cell differentiation.
Specimen part, Subject
View Samples