In Rspondin-based 3D cultures, Lgr5 stem cells from multiple organs form ever-expanding epithelial organoids that retain their tissue identity. We report the establishment of tumor organoid cultures from 20 consecutive colorectal (CRC) patients. For most, organoids were also generated from adjacent normal tissue. The organoids closely resemble the original tumor. The spectrum of genetic changes observed within the 'living biobank' agrees well with previous large-scale mutational analyses of CRC. Gene expression analysis indicates that the major CRC molecular subtypes are represented. Tumor organoids are amenable to robotized, high-throughput drug screens allowing detection of gene-drug associations. As an example, a single organoid culture was exquisitely sensitive to Wnt secretion (porcupine) inhibitors and carried a mutation in the negative Wnt feedback regulator RNF43 (rather than in APC). Organoid technology may fill the gap between cancer genetics and patient trials, complement cell line- and xenograft-based drug studies and allow personalized therapy design.
Prospective derivation of a living organoid biobank of colorectal cancer patients.
Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage, Subject
View SamplesGenomic instability predisposes cells to malignant transformation, however the molecular mechanisms that allow for the propagation of cells with a high-degree of genomic instability remains unclear. Here we report that miR-181a is able to transform fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells- the precursor cell type for the majority of high-grade serous ovarian cancers- through the inhibition of RB1 and simultaneously drives a cell protective inhibition of the stimulator-of-interferon-genes (STING) in order to maintain a microenvironment conducive to the propagation of cells with a high-degree of genomic instability. We found that miR-181a inhibition of RB1 leads to profound nuclear defects, genomic instability, and nuclear rupture resulting in a persistence of genomic material in the cytoplasm. While normally, this persistence of genomic material in the cytoplasm induces interferon response through STING to drive cell death, miR-181a directly downregulates STING and prevents apoptosis. The most common mechanism by which oncogenic miRNAs promote tumorigenesis is through the direct inhibition of tumor suppressor genes, however our studies highlight a new mechanism of oncomiR transformation through the combination of tumor suppressor gene inhibition and abrogation of immune surveillance that initiates and propagates tumor cell survival. Importantly, we found that miR-181a induction in ovarian patient tumors is tightly associated with decreased IFNg response and downregulation of lymphocyte infiltration amd leukocyte fraction. To date, DNA oncoviruses are the only known inhibitors of STING that allow for cellular transformation thus, our findings are the first to identify a genetic factor, miR-181a, that can downregulate STING expression, suppress activation of the immunosurveillance machinery, and impair signaling in cancer cells creating a survival advantage. Our studies support the notion that the induction of STING-mediated signaling in cancer cells could lead directly to cancer cell death however these effects are abrogated by miR-181a. Given the recent interest in the development of STING agonists as a strategy to harness the immune system to treat cancer, this study introduces novel patient selective biomarker as well as potent therapeutic target for development of the most effective combination treatments.
miR-181a initiates and perpetuates oncogenic transformation through the regulation of innate immune signaling.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Infection with hepatitis C virus depends on TACSTD2, a regulator of claudin-1 and occludin highly downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesOur study identifies TACSTD2 as a novel regulator of two major HCV entry factors, CLDN1 and OCLN, which is strongly downregulated in malignant hepatocytes. These results provide new insights into the complex process of HCV entry into hepatocytes and may assist in the development of more efficient cellular systems for HCV propagation in vitro.
Infection with hepatitis C virus depends on TACSTD2, a regulator of claudin-1 and occludin highly downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesGlucocorticoids (GCs) are commonly used to treat patients suffering from lymphoid malignancies i.e. leukemia and multiple myeloma. Although GCs are known to be strong inducers of apoptosis in lymphoid cells, the molecular determinants of GC therapy resistance are poorly understood. Although GC treatment triggers important changes in gene expression, few studies have addressed the regulatory role of small regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) in GC therapy response. Only recently, aberrant microRNA expression has been linked to the development of haematological malignancies and microRNAs have become master regulators of drug resistance. We identified GC inducible mRNA and microRNA transcription profiles in GC sensitive MM1S as compared to GC resistant MM1R cells. Transcriptome analysis revealed that GCs regulate multiple genes involved in cell cycle control, cell organization and cell death in MM1S, which remain unaffected in MM1R cells. Correspondingly, GCs selectively trigger cell death in MM1S but not in MM1R. Out of 32 microRNAs responsive to GC in MM1S cells but not in MM1R cells, mir-150 was identified as the most persistent GC responsive microRNA. Furthermore, Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) revealed that ectopic transfection of a synthetic mir-150 mimics GC therapy response in MM1S cells, associated with selective changes in mRNA levels of typical GR transactivated and transrepressed target genes. Although mir-150 largely mirrors GC responsive changes in gene expression of the transcription factor Myb, GR chaperone FKBP5, cell cycle modulator proteins (IL23A, SKP2, CDKN1A), chemokine signaling proteins (CXCR4, CX3CR1, CCL3) and mTOR/UPR stress related proteins (DDIT4, TXNIP), we also observed mir-150 selective effects on transcription factors (NR3C2 (MR), Myb, Fos, Jun, C/EBP-beta, IRF4, NFE2L1, ATF3, ATF4,), chaperone molecules HSPA8, HSP90AB1), the sodium channel SCNN1G and UPR stress proteins (TRIB3, DDIT3). Remarkably, mir-150 overexpression was not able to overcome GC therapy resistance, since we could not detect GC like effects of mir-150 in GR (NR3C1) deficient MM1R cells. Altogether GC-inducible mir-150 adds a novel complex layer of regulation for fine tuning GC specific therapeutic responses in multiple myeloma.
Ectopic microRNA-150-5p transcription sensitizes glucocorticoid therapy response in MM1S multiple myeloma cells but fails to overcome hormone therapy resistance in MM1R cells.
Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesOur study identifies TACSTD2 as a novel regulator of two major HCV entry factors, CLDN1 and OCLN, which is strongly downregulated in malignant hepatocytes. These results provide new insights into the complex process of HCV entry into hepatocytes and may assist in the development of more efficient cellular systems for HCV propagation in vitro.
Infection with hepatitis C virus depends on TACSTD2, a regulator of claudin-1 and occludin highly downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Cell line
View SamplesSOX2 is a transcription factor essential for pluripotent stem cells, and development and maintenance of squamous epithelium. We previously reported SOX2 an oncogene subject to highly recurrent genomic amplification in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs)1. Here we demonstrate in SCCs that SOX2 interacts with another master squamous transcription factor p63, and through ChIP-seq show that genomic occupancy of SOX2 overlaps with that of p63 at a large number of loci and that they cooperatively regulate gene expression including ETV4, which we find essential for SOX2-amplified SCC cell survival. Furthermore, SOX2 binds to distinct genomic loci in SCCs than in embryonic stem cells and the SOX2-p63 coordinate binding is unique to SCC. In addition, a subset of SOX2 genomic binding sites in SCC that lack p63 co-occupancy are co-occupied by the AP-1 transcriptional complex. These demonstrate that SOX2’s actions in SCC differ substantially from its role in pluripotency and identify novel SOX2 interactions that will enable deeper characterization of SOX2’s function in SCC. Overall design: KYSE70 cells with stable expression of either pLKO-Tet-Op-shSOX2 or pLKO-Tet-Op-shTp63 were treated with 50ng/ml of doxycyline for 4 days. Total RNA was extracted, polyA+ selected, reverse transcribed, library constructed and sequencing was performed with Illumina HiSeq 2000. Differencial gene expression between the stable cell lines with Dox-induced and non-Dox treated was analyzed to determine the effects by suppression of either SOX2 or TP63 in KYSE70 cells.
SOX2 and p63 colocalize at genetic loci in squamous cell carcinomas.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesWe obtained gene experssion profiles of 52 newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
Molecular subtypes of diffuse large B cell lymphoma are associated with distinct pathogenic mechanisms and outcomes.
Specimen part
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 SamplesHuman Glioblastoma Multiforme tumors taken before dendritic cell vaccination, the recurrent tumors taken after vaccination and control GBM tumors from non vaccinated patients.
T cells enhance stem-like properties and conditional malignancy in gliomas.
No sample metadata fields
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