Relapse, associated with therapy resistance, is a major clinical problem in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), yet little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Using genome wide gene expression profiling on 11 paired samples from diagnosis and relapse, we show that the expression of a substantial number of genes was altered in a highly consistent manner between these disease stages. Furthermore, the relapse associated gene expression profile was significantly enriched for leukemia stem cell (LSC) genes, indicating that recurring AML is characterized by increased stemness, and supporting the concept that it is due to the outgrowth of chemotherapy resistant LSCs.
A gene expression profile associated with relapse of cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia is enriched for leukemia stem cell genes.
Sex, Age
View SamplesCancer stem cells (CSCs) display plasticity and self-renewal properties reminiscent of normal tissue stem cells, but the events responsible for their emergence remain obscure. We recently identified CSCs in Ewing sarcoma family tumors (ESFTs) and showed that they retain mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) plasticity. In the present study, we addressed the mechanisms that underlie ESFT CSC development. We show that the EWS-FLI-1 fusion gene, associated with 85%-90% of ESFTs and believed to initiate their pathogenesis, induces expression of the embryonic stem cell (ESC) genes OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG in human pediatric MSCs (hpMSCs) but not in their adult counterparts. Moreover, under appropriate culture conditions, hpMSCs expressing EWS-FLI-1 generate a cell subpopulation displaying ESFT CSC features in vitro. We further demonstrate that induction of the ESFT CSC phenotype is the result of the combined effect of EWS-FLI-1 on its target gene expression and repression of microRNA-145 (miRNA145) promoter activity. Finally, we provide evidence that EWS-FLI-1 and miRNA-145 function in a mutually repressive feedback loop and identify their common target gene, SOX2, in addition to miRNA145 itself, as key players in ESFT cell differentiation and tumorigenicity. Our observations provide insight for the first time into the mechanisms whereby a single oncogene can reprogram primary cells to display a CSC phenotype.
EWS-FLI-1 modulates miRNA145 and SOX2 expression to initiate mesenchymal stem cell reprogramming toward Ewing sarcoma cancer stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesRecent advances in single-cell transcriptomic profiling have provided unprecedented access to investigate cell heterogeneity during tissue and organ development. Here, we utilized massively parallel single-cell RNA sequencing to define cell heterogeneity within the zebrafish kidney marrow, constructing a comprehensive molecular atlas of definitive hematopoiesis and functionally-distinct renal cells found in adult zebrafish. Because our method analyzed blood and kidney cells in an unbiased manner, our approach was useful in characterizing immune cell deficiencies within prkdcD3612fs, il2rgaY91fs and double homozygous mutant fish, identifying blood cell losses in T, B, and natural killer cells within specific genetic mutants. Our analysis also uncovered novel cell types including two classes of natural killer immune cells, classically-defined and erythroid-primed hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, mucin secreting kidney cells, and kidney stem/progenitor cells. In total, our work provides the first comprehensive single cell transcriptomic analysis of kidney and marrow cells in the adult zebrafish. Overall design: The goal of our study is to establish the transcriptional profiles of hematopoietic and kidney cell lineages residing in the zebrafish whole kidney marrow. Firstly, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing by a modified Smart-seq2 protocol on sorted single cells from fluorescent transgenic zebrafish lines, which label distinct blood cell types (n = 246 cells total). Secondly, we utilized droplet-based single-cell RNA sequencing (inDrop) to investigate unmarked, comprehensive hematopoietic lineage structure within wild-type, casper-strain zebrafish (N=3 animals, n=3,782 cells total). From this, we identified ten distinct hematopoietic groups of blood and immune identities. Thirdly, we confirmed blood lineage interpretations by comparing hematopoietic lineages within wild-type fish with mutant zebrafish with known immunodeficiencies, including prkdc(D3612fs) (N=3 animals, n=3,201 cells), il2rga(Y91fs) (N=2 animals, n=2,068 cells) and prkdc(D3612fs), il2rga(Y91fs) double compound mutant fish (N=2 animals, n=2,276 cells). Lastly, we identified seven structural and functional cell lineages of kidney identities in the whole kidney marrow (n=1,699 kidney cells).
Dissecting hematopoietic and renal cell heterogeneity in adult zebrafish at single-cell resolution using RNA sequencing.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesRecent advances in single-cell transcriptomic profiling have provided unprecedented access to investigate cell heterogeneity during tissue and organ development. Here, we utilized massively parallel single-cell RNA sequencing to define cell heterogeneity within the zebrafish kidney marrow, constructing a comprehensive molecular atlas of definitive hematopoiesis and functionally-distinct renal cells found in adult zebrafish. Because our method analyzed blood and kidney cells in an unbiased manner, our approach was useful in characterizing immune cell deficiencies within prkdcD3612fs, il2rgaY91fs and double homozygous mutant fish, identifying blood cell losses in T, B, and natural killer cells within specific genetic mutants. Our analysis also uncovered novel cell types including two classes of natural killer immune cells, classically-defined and erythroid-primed hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, mucin secreting kidney cells, and kidney stem/progenitor cells. In total, our work provides the first comprehensive single cell transcriptomic analysis of kidney and marrow cells in the adult zebrafish. Overall design: The goal of our study is to establish the transcriptional profiles of hematopoietic and kidney cell lineages residing in the zebrafish whole kidney marrow. Firstly, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing by a modified Smart-seq2 protocol on sorted single cells from fluorescent transgenic zebrafish lines, which label distinct blood cell types (n = 246 cells total). Secondly, we utilized droplet-based single-cell RNA sequencing (inDrop) to investigate unmarked, comprehensive hematopoietic lineage structure within wild-type, casper-strain zebrafish (N=3 animals, n=3,782 cells total). From this, we identified ten distinct hematopoietic groups of blood and immune identities. Thirdly, we confirmed blood lineage interpretations by comparing hematopoietic lineages within wild-type fish with mutant zebrafish with known immunodeficiencies, including prkdc(D3612fs) (N=3 animals, n=3,201 cells), il2rga(Y91fs) (N=2 animals, n=2,068 cells) and prkdc(D3612fs), il2rga(Y91fs) double compound mutant fish (N=2 animals, n=2,276 cells). Lastly, we identified seven structural and functional cell lineages of kidney identities in the whole kidney marrow (n=1,699 kidney cells).
Dissecting hematopoietic and renal cell heterogeneity in adult zebrafish at single-cell resolution using RNA sequencing.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesWe identified a rare subset of autoreactive lymphocytes with a hybrid phenotype of T and B cells including coexpression of TCR and BCR and key lineage markers of both cell types (hereafter referred to as dual expressers or DEs). To investigate the dual phenotype of DEs at single cell resolution, we examined their transcriptomes using single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). We sorted individual DEs, Bcon and Tcon cells from PBMCs of one type I diabetes patient and analyzed the transcriptomes of 34 DEs, 20 Bcon , and 23 Tcon using the plate-based SMART-seq2 protocol (Tirosh and Suva, 2018; Tirosh et al., 2016). Our results show that DEs have uniquely expressed genes along with genes encoding lineage markers of T and B cells. Overall design: Examination of the transcriptomes of three cell types, Des (Dual Expressors), Bcon (Conventional B) and Tcon (Conventional T) cells from the PBMCs of one type I diabetes patient
A Public BCR Present in a Unique Dual-Receptor-Expressing Lymphocyte from Type 1 Diabetes Patients Encodes a Potent T Cell Autoantigen.
Specimen part, Disease, Subject
View SamplesNatural Killer cells (NK), a major constituent of innate immune system, have the ability to kill the transformed and infected cells without prior sensitization; can be put to immunotherapeutic use against various malignancies. NK cells discriminate between normal cells and transformed cells via a balance of inhibitory and activating signals induced by interactions between NK cell receptors and target cell ligands. Present study investigates whether expansion of NK cells could augment their anti-myeloma (MM) activity. For NK cell expansion, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors and myeloma patients were co-cultured with irradiated K562 cells transfected with 4-1BBL and membrane-bound IL15 (K562-mb15-41BBL). A genome-wide profiling approach was performed to identify gene expression signature in expanded NK (ENK) cells and non-expanded NK cells isolated from healthy donors and myeloma patients. A specific set of genes involved in proliferation, migration, adhesion, cytotoxicity, and activation were up regulated post expansion, also confirmed by flow cytometry. Exp-NK cells killed both allogeneic and autologous primary MM cells more avidly than non-exp-NK cells in vitro. Multiple receptors, particularly NKG2D, natural cytotoxicity receptors, and DNAM-1 contributed to target lysis, via a perforin mediated mechanism. In summary, vigorous expansion and high anti-MM activity both in vitro and in vivo provide the rationale for testing exp-NK cells in a clinical trial for high risk MM.
Highly activated and expanded natural killer cells for multiple myeloma immunotherapy.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesGene expression in livers of adult male mice subjected to continuous GH infusion using Alzet osmotic minipumps for 1, 4 or 7 days was assayed by RNA-seq, as part of a study of growth hormone regulation of hepatic lincRNAs (PMID:26459762) and protein-coding genes (PMID:28694329). Overall design: RNA isolated from livers obtained from untreated male mice, or from male mice subjected to continuous GH tratment for 1, 4 or 7 days were prepared and used for unstranded RNA-seq.
Feminization of Male Mouse Liver by Persistent Growth Hormone Stimulation: Activation of Sex-Biased Transcriptional Networks and Dynamic Changes in Chromatin States.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesrRNA-depleted RNA isolated from livers of intact male and female mice and from male mice treated with a continuous infusion of growth hormone for either 10 hr or 1 days was analyzed by RNA-seq Overall design: Liver RNA was isolated from 8 week old male mice treated with a continuous GH infusion (cGH) for either 10 hours or 1 day. Sham pump males served as a control. RNA-seq data are compared to untreated adult females to identify genes that show sex differences in liver expression and also respond to cGH. RNA samples were pooled to make 3 biological replicates per condition comprised of 2-4 individuals each.
Feminization of Male Mouse Liver by Persistent Growth Hormone Stimulation: Activation of Sex-Biased Transcriptional Networks and Dynamic Changes in Chromatin States.
Sex, Age, Cell line, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesDiffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a universally fatal malignancy of the childhood central nervous system, with a median overall survival of 9-11 months. We have previously shown that primary DIPG tissue contains numerous tumor-associated macrophages, and substantial work has demonstrated a significant pathological role for adult glioma-associated macrophages. However, work over the past decade has highlighted many molecular and genomic differences between pediatric and adult glioblastomas (GBM). Thus, we directly compared inflammatory characteristics of DIPG and adult GBM. We found that the leukocyte (CD45+) compartment in primary DIPG tissue samples is predominantly composed of CD11b+ macrophages, with very few CD3+ T-lymphocytes. In contrast, T-lymphocytes are more abundant in adult GBM tissue samples. RNA sequencing of macrophages isolated from primary tumor samples revealed that DIPG- and adult GBM-associated macrophages both express gene programs related to ECM remodeling and angiogenesis, but DIPG-associated macrophages express substantially fewer inflammatory factors than their adult GBM counterparts. Examining the secretome of glioma cells, we found that patient-derived DIPG cell cultures secrete markedly fewer cytokines and chemokines than patient-derived adult GBM cultures. Concordantly, bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data indicates low to absent expression of chemokines and cytokines in DIPG. Together, these observations suggest that the inflammatory milieu of the DIPG tumor microenvironment is fundamentally different than adult GBM. The low intrinsic inflammatory signature of DIPG cells may contribute to the lack of lymphocytes and non-inflammatory phenotype of DIPG-associated microglia/macrophages. Understanding the glioma subtype-specific inflammatory milieu may inform the design and application of immunotherapy-based treatments. Overall design: RNA-seq of primary isolated microglia/macrophages from early post-mortem DIPG tissue samples, pediatric normal cortex, and adult GBM tissue samples. Libraries were sequenced on Illumina NextSeq 500, 1x75.
Non-inflammatory tumor microenvironment of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.
Sex, Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesMetabolically active cells require robust mechanisms to combat oxidative stress. The cytoplasmic thioredoxin reductase/thioredoxin (Txnrd1/Txn1) system maintains reduced protein dithiols and provides electrons to some cellular reductases, including peroxiredoxins.
Cytoprotective Nrf2 pathway is induced in chronically txnrd 1-deficient hepatocytes.
Specimen part
View Samples