Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified dozens of genomic loci, whose single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) predispose to prostate cancer (PCa). However, the biological functions of these common genetic variants and the mechanisms to increase disease risk are largely unknown. We integrated chromatin-IP coupled sequencing (ChIP-seq) and microarray expression profiling in the TMPRSS2-ERG gene rearrangement positive DuCaP cell model with the NHGRI GWAS PCa risk SNPs catalog, in an attempt to identify disease susceptibility SNPs localized within functional androgen receptor binding sites (ARBSs). Among the 48 GWAS index SNPs and 2,702 linked SNPs defined by the 1000G project 104 were found to be localized in the AR ChIP-seq peaks. Of these risk SNPs, rs11891426 T/G in the 7th intron of its host gene melanophilin (MLPH) was found located within a putative auxiliary ARE motif, which we found enriched in the neighborhood of canonical ARE motifs. Exchange of T to G attenuated the transcriptional activity of the MLPH-ARBS in a reporter gene assay. The expression of MLPH protein in tissue samples from prostate cancer patients was significantly lower in those with the G compared to the T allele. Moreover, a significant positive correlation of AR and MLPH protein expression levels was also confirmed in tissue samples. These results unravel a hidden link between AR and a functional PCa risk SNP rs11891426, whose allele alteration affects androgen regulation of its host gene MLPH. This study shows the power of integrative studies to pin down functional risk SNPs and justifies further investigations.
Putative Prostate Cancer Risk SNP in an Androgen Receptor-Binding Site of the Melanophilin Gene Illustrates Enrichment of Risk SNPs in Androgen Receptor Target Sites.
Cell line, Treatment, Time
View SamplesTo identify genes regulated by BRD4 and to provide insight into new mechanisms de-regulated by BRD4, such as the response to oxidative stress, we integrated BRD4-binding regions with BRD4 gene expression data. For this analysis we performed BRD4 chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments and BRD4 knock down experiments followed by RNA-Seq analyses. By integration of both gene lists we identified top candidate genes regulated by BRD4. Overall design: HEK cells have been investigated for genomewide BRD4 binding sites and expression changes after knock down of BRD4. Illumina sequencing was used to gather data of the type ChIP Seq and mRNA Seq.
The bromodomain protein BRD4 regulates the KEAP1/NRF2-dependent oxidative stress response.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesKRAS mutations occur in approximately 25% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They account for the therapy resistance to EGFR inhibitors and are suggested to be difficult to target by specific drugs. Therefore, new therapies for KRAS mutant NSCLC are urgently needed. The histone H3K4 and H3K9 di/mono-demethylase KDM1A is a key epigenetic writer, aberrantly upregulated in many cancer types, including NSCLC. In order to understand the functional role of KDM1A in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma, KDM1A expression profiles were analysed in tissue microarrays (TMAs) including 182 lung adenocarcinoma. KDM1A expression correlated with high grade and metastasized tumor. To investigate the impact of KDM1A in lung adenocarcinoma development, we used the KRAS mutated A549 cell line to establish a shRNA-mediated stable KDM1A knockdown cell clone. Unexpectedly, KDM1A knockdown had only a slight effect on retardation of cell growth. However, cell invasion and self-renewal capability was significantly decreased by KDM1A inhibition. KDM1A knockdown in A549 cell resulted in a dramatic change in the transcriptome profile as determined by RNA-Seq. Interestingly, genes involved in the KRAS signature and lung epithelial marker genes were significantly affected upon KDM1A knockdown. Ingenuity pathway analysis also suggested that the alternative integrin ß3-KRAS signaling axis, which is involved in stem cell like properties, is abrogated upon KDM1A knockdown. Indeed, Integrin ß3 and its non-canonical ligand galectin-3 were strongly downregulated and their downstream NF-?B activity was decreased upon KDM1A knockdown. Finally, correlation of KDM1A to the Integrin ß3 level was validated in TMAs. Overall design: Determining the role of KDM1A in A549 cells, mRNA profiles of control and knockdown samples of A549 cells, generated by deep sequencing, in triplicate, using Illumina HiSeq 2500.
LSD1 modulates the non-canonical integrin β3 signaling pathway in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesComplex three-dimensional (3D) in vitro model systems that recapitulate human tumor biology are essential to better understand the pathophysiology of the disease and to aid in the discovery of novel anti-cancer therapies. 3D organotypic cultures exhibit intercellula communication, nutrient and oxygen gradients, and cell polarity that is lacking in traditional two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cultures. In the present study, we could demonstrate that 2D and 3D cancer models exhibit different drug sensitivities towards both targeted inhibitors of EGFR signaling and broad acting cytotoxic agents. Changes in the kinase activities of Erb family members and differential expression of apoptosis- and survival-associated genes before and after drug treatment may account for the differential drug sensitivities. Importantly, EGFR oncoprotein addiction was evident only in the 3D cultures mirroring the effect of EGFR inhibition in the clinic. Furthermore, targeted drug efficacy was strongly increased when incorporating cancer-associated fibroblasts into the 3D cultures. Taken together, we could provide conclusive evidence that complex 3D cultures are more predictive of the clinical outcome than their 2D counterparts. In the future, 3D cultures will be instrumental for understanding the mode of action of drugs, identifying genotype-drug response relationships and developing patient-specific and personalized cancer treatments.
Organotypic three-dimensional cancer cell cultures mirror drug responses <i>in vivo</i>: lessons learned from the inhibition of EGFR signaling.
Cell line
View SamplesThe transcription factor MEF2C is specifically induced by VEGF in endothelial cells. To delineate target genes of MEF2C in endothelial cells, which might be important during angiogenesis also, MEF2C was overexpressed adenovirally in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) over a period of 8 to 32 hours.
The transcription factor MEF2C negatively controls angiogenic sprouting of endothelial cells depending on oxygen.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesWe sequenced whole adipose tissue from control and LCMV infected mice 6dpi, in control vs T cell-specific IFNAR knockoutmice to understand the transcriptional changes in adipose tissue upon loss of type I IFN-T cell singaling axis, and how it contributes to cachexia. Overall design: inguinal fat pad (after removing iLN) was used for sequencing in control and infected mice (LCMV clone13 2x10^6PFU), this was done in two genotypes (IFNARfl/fl) as controls, vs (IFNARfl/fl-CD4cre/+) as T-cell specific IFNAR knockouts.
CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells induce cachexia during chronic viral infection.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesAngiogenesis is defined as the formation of new capillaries by sprouting from preexisting vessels. It is mainly triggered by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and occurs in the adult primarily in wound healing processes or in pathologic tumor vessel growth. To identify genes specifically triggered by VEGF and involved in the process of angiogenesis, we utilized Affymetrix microarrays hybridized with cRNA of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) stimulated with either the main trigger of angiogenesis, VEGF or a more general mitogenic growth factor, EGF.
The VEGF-induced transcriptional response comprises gene clusters at the crossroad of angiogenesis and inflammation.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesAngiogenesis, the formation of new capillaries by sprouting from preexisting vessels, is mainly induced by VEGF-A. To identify genes which are induced by VEGF-A in endothelial cells, HUVEC were starved and induced by VEGF-A165 for 30, 60 and 150min. RNA of induced and uninduced cells was isolated and subjected to microarray analysis using Affymetrix microarray.
The VEGF-induced transcriptional response comprises gene clusters at the crossroad of angiogenesis and inflammation.
Specimen part, Treatment, Time
View SamplesMiRNAs are discussed as diagnostic and therapeutic molecules. However, effective miRNA drug treatments with miRNAs are so far hampered by the complexity of the miRNA networks. To identify potential miRNA drugs in colorectal cancer, we profiled miRNA and mRNA expression in matching normal, tumor and metastasis tissues of eight patients by Illumina sequencing. We identified miRNA-1 as top candidate differentially expressed in tumor and metastasis. Furthermore, miRNA-1 was de-regulated in 16 additional tumor entities underscoring its central role in tumor pathogenesis. Functional analyses showed an additive effect of miRNA-1 with camptothecin treatment. We used a systems-biology simulation of cellular cancer models implemented in PyBios to investigate miRNA-1 function and assessed the effects of depletion as well as overexpression in terms of miRNA-1 as a potential treatment option. In this system miRNA-1 treatment reverted the disease phenotype with different effectiveness among the patients. Scoring the gene expression changes obtained through mRNA-Seq from the same patients we show that the combination of deep sequencing and systems biological modeling can help to identify patient-specific responses to miRNA treatments. We present this data as guideline for future pre-clinical assessments of new and personalized therapeutic options. Overall design: Examination of miRNA expression values by Illumina sequencing of matched benign, tumor and metastasis tissues of 8 colorectal cancer patients. For 4 of these patients all tissues have been resequenced to obtain mRNA expression values.
High-throughput miRNA and mRNA sequencing of paired colorectal normal, tumor and metastasis tissues and bioinformatic modeling of miRNA-1 therapeutic applications.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage, Subject
View SamplesExtracorporeal shockwave treatment was shown to improve orthopaedic diseases, wound healing and to stimulate lymphangiogenesis in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro shockwave treatment (IVSWT) effects on lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) behavior and lymphangiogenesis. We analyzed migration, proliferation, vascular tube forming capability and marker expression changes of LECs after IVSWT compared with HUVECs. Finally, transcriptome- and miRNA analyses were conducted to gain deeper insight into the IVSWT-induced molecular mechanisms in LECs. The results indicate that IVSWT-mediated proliferation changes of LECs are highly energy flux density-dependent and LEC 2D as well as 3D migration was enhanced through IVSWT. IVSWT suppressed HUVEC 3D migration but enhanced vasculogenesis. Furthermore, we identified podoplaninhigh and podoplaninlow cell subpopulations, whose ratios changed upon IVSWT treatment. Transcriptome- and miRNA analyses on these populations showed differences in genes specific for signaling and vascular tissue. Our findings help to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying shockwave-induced lymphangiogenesis in vivo.
Molecular and cellular effects of in vitro shockwave treatment on lymphatic endothelial cells.
Specimen part
View Samples