Spermatogenesis has been well studied in rodents and invertebrates, but remains poorly understood in humans. As a step towards illuminating human spermatogenesis, we used single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) analysis to analyze neonatal and adult human testes. Clustering analysis of neonatal testes revealed 3 germ subsets, including cells with characteristics of primordial germ cells (PGCs), and more differentiated cells with gene expression profiles similar with adult spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). We identified markers for these neonatal subsets, including protein markers for the PGC-like (PGCL) subset. Clustering analysis of the adult testis revealed 9 germ and 3 somatic cell subsets. Among the germ cell clusters are 4 undifferentiated spermatogonia (SPG) states, each marked by specific genes. One of the SPG states has characteristics suggesting it is enriched for SSCs. We identified protein markers specific for this state, including cell-surface proteins that we used to enrich for these cells. We mapped the timeline of male germ cell development from PGCs through fetal germ cells to differentiating adult SPG stages. We also defined somatic cell subsets in the human testis and traced their developmental trajectories. Together, our data provides a blueprint for understanding the development of the male germline and supporting somatic cells in humans. The germ cell subset markers we identified are candidates to be used for clinical applications, including SSC therapy for treating infertility. Overall design: Single cell sequencing from two neonatal and two adult testicular cells was performed. Cells were either enriched for ITGA6 expression or unfractionated before GEM capture
The Neonatal and Adult Human Testis Defined at the Single-Cell Level.
Age, Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesVery little is known about how intervertebral disc (IVD) is formed or maintained. Members of the TGF- superfamily are secreted signaling proteins that regulate many aspects of development including cellular differentiation. We recently showed that deletion of Tgfbr2 in Col2a expressing tissue results in alterations in development of IVD annulus fibrosus. The results suggested TGF- has an important role in regulating development of the axial skeleton, however, the mechanistic basis of TGF- action in these specialized joints is not known. One of the hurdles to understanding development of IVD is a lack of known markers. To identify genes that are enriched in the developing IVD and to begin to understand the mechanism of TGF- action in IVD development, we undertook a global analysis of gene expression comparing gene expression profiles in developing vertebrae and IVD. We also compared expression profiles in tissues from wild type and Tgfbr2 mutant mice. Lists of IVD and vertebrae enriched genes were generated. Expression patterns for several genes were verified either through in situ hybridization or literature/ database searches resulting in a list of genes that can be used as markers of IVD. Cluster analysis using genes listed under the Gene Ontology terms multicellular organism development and pattern specification indicated that mutant IVD more closely resembled vertebrae than wild type IVD. We propose TGF- has two functions in IVD development: 1) to prevent chondrocyte differentiation in the presumptive IVD and 2) to promote differentiation of annulus fibrosus from sclerotome. We have identified genes that are enriched in the IVD and regulated by TGF- that warrant further investigation as regulators of IVD development.
Molecular profiling of the developing mouse axial skeleton: a role for Tgfbr2 in the development of the intervertebral disc.
Specimen part
View SamplesVery little is known about how intervertebral disc (IVD) is formed or maintained. Members of the TGF- superfamily are secreted signaling proteins that regulate many aspects of development including cellular differentiation. We recently showed that deletion of Tgfbr2 in Col2a expressing tissue results in alterations in development of IVD annulus fibrosus. The results suggested TGF- has an important role in regulating development of the axial skeleton, however, the mechanistic basis of TGF- action in these specialized joints is not known. To understand the mechanism of TGF- action in IVD development, we undertook a global analysis of gene expression comparing gene expression profiles in sclerotome cultures treated with TGF- or BMP4. As expected, treatment with BMP4 resulted in up-regulation of cartilage marker genes including Acan, Sox 5, Sox6, and Sox9. In contrast, treatment with TGF-1 did not regulate expression of cartilage markers but instead resulted in up-regulation of many IVD markers including Fmod and Adamtsl2. We propose TGF- has two functions in IVD development: 1) to prevent chondrocyte differentiation in the presumptive IVD and 2) to promote differentiation of annulus fibrosus from sclerotome. We have identified genes that are enriched in the IVD and regulated by TGF- that warrant further investigation as regulators of IVD development.
Molecular profiling of the developing mouse axial skeleton: a role for Tgfbr2 in the development of the intervertebral disc.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesBovine articular chondrocytes were grown in micromass culture and were either untreated or treated with 5 ng TGF-b1/ml for 8 hours to identify genes regulated by TGF-b.
Altered responsiveness to TGF-β results in reduced Papss2 expression and alterations in the biomechanical properties of mouse articular cartilage.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesWe performed RNAseq with Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells under both transient and steady-state conditions to study the regulation of genes by two pulsatile transcription factors, Msn2 and Mig1. The transient data allowed us to identify combinatorial targets while the steady-state data was used to study target expression dependence on the relative pulse timing between the two TFs. Overall design: For transition experiments, 18 samples (3 different strains x 3 dfferent conditions x 2 biological replicates) were analyzed. For steady-state experiments, one strain was analyzed at 9 different glucose concentrations and the other strain was analyzed at one glucose condition.
Combinatorial gene regulation by modulation of relative pulse timing.
Cell line, Subject
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
WNT5A inhibits metastasis and alters splicing of Cd44 in breast cancer cells.
Cell line
View SamplesA highly metastatic breast cancer cell line, 4T1, was used to generate stable Wnt5a expressing and vector only control cells. Cells were generated using lentivirus infection and selection with blasticidin. Expression of Wnt5a was confirmed using western blot. Cell behaviour was characterized. Wnt5a expressing cells exhibited reduced migration in a transwell assay and reduced metastasis in a tail vein injection assay. Growth was not significantly affected.
WNT5A inhibits metastasis and alters splicing of Cd44 in breast cancer cells.
Cell line
View SamplesTranscriptional profiling of mouse Th17 cells comparing WT Th17 cells with Pten-deficient Th17 cells. Nave CD4 T cells from each mice were cultured Th17 polarizing condition for 3 days.
PTEN drives Th17 cell differentiation by preventing IL-2 production.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesGastric cancer, a leading cause of cancer related deaths, is a heterogeneous disease, with little consensus on molecular subclasses and their clinical relevance. We describe four molecular subtypes linked with distinct patterns of molecular alterations, disease progression and prognosis viz. a) Microsatellite Instable: hypermutated intestinal subtype tumors occurring in antrum, best overall prognosis, lower frequency of recurrence (22%), with liver metastasis in 23% of recurred cases b) Mesenchymal-like: diffuse tumors with worst prognosis, a tendency to occur at an earlier age and highest recurrence (63%) with peritoneal seeding in 64% of recurred cases, low frequency of molecular alterations c) TP53-inactive with TP53 loss, presence of focal amplifications and chromosomal instability d) TP53-active marked by EBV infection and PIK3CA mutations. The key molecular mechanisms and associated survival patterns are validated in multiple independent cohorts, to provide a consistent and unified framework for further preclinical and clinical research.
Molecular analysis of gastric cancer identifies subtypes associated with distinct clinical outcomes.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesPurpose: Age-related degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of blindness in developed countries. The molecular pathogenesis of early events in AMD is poorly understood. We investigated differential gene expression in samples of human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid from early AMD and control maculas using exon-based arrays. Methods: Gene expression levels in nine early AMD and nine control human donor eyes were assessed using Affymetrix Human Exon ST 1.0 arrays. Two controls did not pass quality control and were removed. Differentially expressed genes were annotated using DAVID, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed on RPE-specific and endothelium-associated gene sets. CFH genotype was also assessed and differential expression was analyzed with respect to high AMD risk (YH/HH) and low AMD risk (YY) genotypes. Results: Seventy-five genes were identified as differentially expressed (raw p-value < 0.01; >50% fold change, mean log2 expression level in AMD or control median of all average gene expression values); however, no genes were significant (adj. p-value < 0.01) after correction for multiple hypothesis testing. Of 52 genes with decreased expression in AMD (fold change < 0.5; raw p-value < 0.01), 18 genes were identified by DAVID analysis as associated with vision or neurological processes. GSEA of RPE-associated and endothelium-associated genes revealed a significant decrease in genes typically expressed by endothelial cells in the early AMD group compared to controls, consistent with previous histologic and proteomic studies. Analysis with respect to CFH genotype indicated decreased expression of ADAMTS9 in eyes with high-risk genotypes (fold change = -2.61; raw p-value = 0.0008). Conclusions: GSEA results suggest that RPE transcripts are preserved or elevated in early AMD, concomitant with loss of endothelial cell marker expression. These results are consistent with the notion that choroidal endothelial cell dropout occurs early in the pathogenesis of AMD.
Altered gene expression in dry age-related macular degeneration suggests early loss of choroidal endothelial cells.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
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