Type II testicular germ cell cancers (GCC) are the most frequently diagnosed tumors in young men (20 - 40 years) and are classified as seminoma or non-seminoma. GCCs are commonly treated by orchiectomy and chemo- or radiotherapy. However, a subset of metastatic non-seminomas display only incomplete remission or relapse and require novel treatment options. Recent studies have shown effective application of the small-molecule inhibitor JQ1 in tumor therapy, which interferes with the function of bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET)-proteins. Here, we demonstrate that upon JQ1 doses 250 nM GCC cell lines and Sertoli cells display compromised survival and induction of cell cycle arrest. JQ1 treated GCC cell lines display upregulation of genes indicative for DNA damage and a cellular stress response. Additionally, downregulation of pluripotency factors and induction of mesodermal differentiation was detected. GCCs xenografted in vivo showed a reduction in tumor size, proliferation and angiogenesis when subjected to JQ1 treatment. The combination of JQ1 and the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin further enhanced the apoptotic effect in vitro and in vivo. Thus, we propose that JQ1 alone, or in combination with romidepsin may serve as a novel therapeutic option for GCCs.
The bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 triggers growth arrest and apoptosis in testicular germ cell tumours in vitro and in vivo.
Specimen part, Cell line, Time
View SamplesMaintenance and maturation of primordial germ cells is controlled by complex genetic and epigenetic cascades, and disturbances in this network lead to either infertility or malignant aberration. Transcription factor Tcfap2c / TFAP2C has been described to be essential for primordial germ cell maintenance and to be upregulated in several human germ cell cancers. Using global gene expression profiling, we identified genes deregulated upon loss of Tcfap2c in primordial germ cell-like cells. We show that loss of Tcfap2c affects many aspects of the genetic network regulating germ cell biology, such as downregulation maturation markers and induction of markers indicative of somatic differentiation, cell cycle, epigenetic remodeling, and pluripotency associated genes. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated binding of Tcfap2c to regulatory regions of deregulated genes (Sfrp1, Dmrt1, Nanos3, c-Kit, Cdk6, Cdkn1a, Fgf4, Klf4, Dnmt3b and Dnmt3l) suggesting that these genes are direct transcriptional targets of Tcfap2c in primordial germ cells. Since Tcfap2c deficient primordial germ cell like cells display cancer related deregulations in epigenetic remodeling, cell cycle and pluripotency control, the Tcfap2c-knockout allele was bred onto 129S2/Sv genetic background. There, mice heterozygous for Tcfap2c develop germ cell cancer with high incidence. Precursor lesions can be observed as early as E16.5 in developing testes displaying persisting expression of pluripotency markers. We further demonstrate, that mice with a heterozygous deletion of the Tcfap2c target gene Nanos3 are also prone to develop teratoma. These data highlight Tcfap2c as a critical and dose-sensitive regulator of germ cell fate.
Transcription factor TFAP2C regulates major programs required for murine fetal germ cell maintenance and haploinsufficiency predisposes to teratomas in male mice.
Specimen part
View SamplesIllumina expression microarray analysis of TCam-2, 2102EP, NCCIT, JAR, MPAF, ARZ and FS1 cells 8 and 16 h after 10 nanomolar romidepsin application. DMSO treated cells were used as controls. These data are part of the article 'A signaling cascade including ARID1A, GADD45B and DUSP1 induces apoptosis and affects the cell cycle of germ cell cancers after romidepsin treatment' (Nettersheim et al., 2016).
A signaling cascade including ARID1A, GADD45B and DUSP1 induces apoptosis and affects the cell cycle of germ cell cancers after romidepsin treatment.
Cell line
View SamplesIllumina expression microarray analysis of shRNA-mediated PRAME knock down TCam-2 cells with and without all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment for 8 days, of TCam-2 cells with and without ATRA (8d) and of in vitro cultivated GCC cell lines TCam-2, 2102EP, NCCIT and JAR. These data are part of the article 'The Cancer / Testis-Antigen PRAME supports the pluripotency network and represses somatic and germ cell differentiation programs in seminomas'.
The cancer/testis-antigen PRAME supports the pluripotency network and represses somatic and germ cell differentiation programs in seminomas.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesJoMa1 cells are pluripotent precursor cells, derived from the neural crest of mice transgenic for tamoxifen-inducible c-Myc. Following transfection with a cDNA encoding for MYCN, cells become immortlized even in the absence of tamoxifen.
MYCN and ALKF1174L are sufficient to drive neuroblastoma development from neural crest progenitor cells.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesCellular reprogramming converts differentiated cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, this process is extremely inefficient, complicating mechanistic studies. Here, we identified and molecularly characterized rare, early intermediates poised to reprogram with up to 100% efficiency, without perturbing additional genes or pathways. Analysis of these cells uncovered transcription factors (e.g., Tfap2c, Bex2), which are critical for reprogramming but dispensable for pluripotency maintenance. Additionally, we observed striking patterns of chromatin hyperaccessibility at pluripotency loci, which preceded gene expression in poised intermediates. Finally, inspection of these hyperaccessible regions revealed a previously unappreciated early wave of DNA demethylation, which is uncoupled from de novo methylation of somatic regions late in reprogramming. Overall, our study underscores the importance of investigating the rare intermediates poised to produce iPSCs, provides novel insights into the mechanisms of reprogramming, and offers a valuable resource for the dissection of transcriptional and epigenetic dynamics intrinsic to cell fate change. Overall design: RNA-seq of reprogramming intermediates (11 cell types in triplicate).
Prospective Isolation of Poised iPSC Intermediates Reveals Principles of Cellular Reprogramming.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesCellular reprogramming converts differentiated cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, this process is extremely inefficient, complicating mechanistic studies. Here, we identified and molecularly characterized rare, early intermediates poised to reprogram with up to 100% efficiency, without perturbing additional genes or pathways. Analysis of these cells uncovered transcription factors (e.g., Tfap2c, Bex2), which are critical for reprogramming but dispensable for pluripotency maintenance. Additionally, we observed striking patterns of chromatin hyperaccessibility at pluripotency loci, which preceded gene expression in poised intermediates. Finally, inspection of these hyperaccessible regions revealed a previously unappreciated early wave of DNA demethylation, which is uncoupled from de novo methylation of somatic regions late in reprogramming. Overall, our study underscores the importance of investigating the rare intermediates poised to produce iPSCs, provides novel insights into the mechanisms of reprogramming, and offers a valuable resource for the dissection of transcriptional and epigenetic dynamics intrinsic to cell fate change. Overall design: RNA-seq of reprogramming intermediates (6 cell types in duplicate).
Prospective Isolation of Poised iPSC Intermediates Reveals Principles of Cellular Reprogramming.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesAnalysis of differential gene expression. The influence of a constitutively activated mutant Kit receptor on gene expression in fetal hematopoietic cells was analyzed. Results provide information of genes and cellular processes that are influenced by Kit signaling.
Kit transduced signals counteract erythroid maturation by MAPK-dependent modulation of erythropoietin signaling and apoptosis induction in mouse fetal liver.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe established a mouse model, in which transcription factor Tcfap2c can be activated in an inducible and reversible manner in somatic tissues, taking advantage of the tetracycline-dependent regulatory system.
Transgenic overexpression of Tcfap2c/AP-2gamma results in liver failure and intestinal dysplasia.
Specimen part
View SamplesBone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) function in virtually all tissues with cell-type specific outcomes. Since there are a relatively small number of BMP receptors this exquisite signaling specificity requires additional molecules to regulate the output of this pathway. We demonstrated that the receptor tyrosine kinase MuSK that is selectively expressed in muscle and plays a critical role in synapse formation and maintenance binds to BMP4 and related BMPs. Since BMPs regulate the transcription of a set of genes, we performed microarrays for wild-type and MuSK null muscle cells to test if MuSK regulates BMP responses in muscle cells.
MuSK is a BMP co-receptor that shapes BMP responses and calcium signaling in muscle cells.
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