Transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into induced Neuronal cells (iNs) by neuronal-specific transcription factors Brn2, Myt1l and Ascl1 is a paradigmatic example of inter-lineage conversion across epigenetically distant cells. Despite tremendous progress on the transcriptional hierarchy underlying transdifferentiation, the enablers of the concomitant epigenome resetting remain to be elucidated. Here we investigated the role of KMT2A and KMT2B, two histone H3 lysine 4 methylases with cardinal roles in development, through individual and combined inactivation. We found that Kmt2b, whose human homologue's mutations cause dystonia, is selectively required for iN conversion through the suppression of the alternative myocyte program and the induction of neuronal maturation genes. Overall design: In order to study the role of KMT2A and KMT2B during transdifferentiation, we employed conditional mouse strains carrying: i) the exon 2 of Kmt2a and/or Kmt2b flanked by LoxP sites; ii) the knock-in of the YFP-coding gene into one Rosa26 allele, downstream of a LoxP-flanked transcription termination cassette (STOP cassette); and iii) the gene coding for the tamoxifen-inducible version of Cre recombinase knocked into the second Rosa26 allele (Glaser et al., 2006; Kranz et al., 2010; Testa et al., 2004). MEFs were derived from Kmt2a (and/or Kmt2b)fl/fl Cre+ YFP+ embryos and from Kmt2a+/+Kmt2b+/+ Cre+ YFP+ or Kmt2afl/+ Cre+ YFP+ for Kmt2a conditional KO (cKO) as controls (Figure 1A), and were subjected to transdifferentiation. After 13 days of BAM treatment, cells were FACS sorted for PSA-NCAM expression, and the transcriptome of positive and negative cells were independently profiled.
KMT2B Is Selectively Required for Neuronal Transdifferentiation, and Its Loss Exposes Dystonia Candidate Genes.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesA key requisite for the success of a dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccine in treating malignancies is the capacity of the DCs to attract immune effector cells for further interaction and activation, considering crosstalk with DCs is partially regulated by cell-contact-dependent mechanisms. Although critical for therapeutic efficacy, immune cell recruitment is a largely overlooked aspect regarding optimization of DC therapy. In this paper we examine if the so-called interleukin (IL)-15 DC vaccine provides a favorable chemokine milieu for recruiting T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and gamma delta () T cells, in comparison with the IL-4 DCs used routinely for clinical studies, as well as the underlying mechanisms of immune cell attraction by IL-15 DCs. Chemokine signaling is studied both at the RNA level, using microarray data of mature DCs, and functional level, by means of a transwell chemotaxis assay. Important to note, the classic IL-4 DC vaccine falls short to attract the required immune effector lymphocytes, whereas the IL-15 DCs provide a favorable chemokine milieu for recruiting all cytolytic effector cells. The elevated secretion of the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4 (CCL4), also known as macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1), by IL-15 DCs underlies the enhanced migratory responsiveness of T cells, NK cells and T cells. Namely, neutralizing its receptor CCR5 resulted in a significant drop in migration of the aforementioned effector cells towards IL-15 DCs. These findings should be kept in mind in the design of future DC-based cancer vaccines.
Desirable cytolytic immune effector cell recruitment by interleukin-15 dendritic cells.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesThe goal of this study was to determine how decreased mitochondrial citrate export influences gene expression in Drosophila larvae. RNA was isolated from Drosopohila sea mutants, which exhibiti decreased mitochondrial citrate transport activity, and a genetically-matched control strain during mid-L3 development. Overall design: Larvae were collected as described in Li, H., Tennessen, J. M. Preparation of Drosophila Larval Samples for Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)-based Metabolomics. J. Vis. Exp. (136), e57847, doi:10.3791/57847 (2018). RNA was purified from staged mid-L3 larvae using a RNeasy Mini Kit (Qiagen). Sequencing was performed using an Illumina NextSeq500 platform with 75 bp sequencing module generating 41 bp paired-end reads. After the sequencing run, demultiplexing was performed with bcl2fastq v2.20.0.422.
A <i>Drosophila</i> model of combined D-2- and L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria reveals a mechanism linking mitochondrial citrate export with oncometabolite accumulation.
Subject
View SamplesCancer cells utilize a unique form of aerobic glycolysis, called the Warburg effect, to efficiently produce the macromolecules required for proliferation. Here we show that a metabolic program related to the Warburg effect is used during normal Drosophila development and regulated by the fly ortholog of the Estrogen-Related Receptor (ERR) family of nuclear receptors. dERR null mutants die as second instar larvae with abnormally low ATP levels, diminished triacylglyceride stores, and elevated levels of circulating sugars. Metabolomic profiling revealed that the pathways affected in these mutants correspond to those used in the Warburg effect. The expression of active dERR protein in mid-embryogenesis triggers a coordinate switch in gene expression that drives a metabolic program supporting the dramatic growth that occurs during larval development. This study suggests that mammalian ERR family members may promote cancer by directing a metabolic state that supports proliferation.
The Drosophila estrogen-related receptor directs a metabolic switch that supports developmental growth.
Specimen part
View SamplesHigh-throughput sequencing of primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (PCFCL), primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCLBCL-LT) and in vitro activated peripheral blood B-cells. We performed high-throughput sequencing analysis on frozen tumor biopsies from 19 cases of PCFCL and PCLBCL-LT to establish microRNA profiles. Cluster analysis of the complete microRNome could not distinguish between the two subtypes, but 16 single microRNAs were found to be differentially expressed. Overall design: Lymphoma miRNA profiles of were generated by deep sequencing, using Illumina Genome Analyzer II.
MicroRNA profiling of primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphomas.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe bone marrow microenvironment is composed of heterogeneous cell populations of non-hematopoietic cells with complex phenotypes and undefined trajectories of maturation. Among them, mesenchymal cells maintain the production of stromal, bone, fat and cartilage cells. Resolving these unique cellular subsets within the bone marrow remains challenging. Here, we used single-cell RNA-sequencing of non-hematopoietic bone marrow cells to define specific subpopulations. Furthermore, by combining computational prediction of the cell state hierarchy with known expression of key transcription factors, we mapped differentiation paths to the osteocyte, chondrocyte, and adipocyte lineages. Finally, we validated our findings using lineage-specific reporter strains and targeted knockdowns. Our analysis reveals differentiation hierarchies for maturing stromal cells, determines key transcription factors along these trajectories, and provides an understanding of the complexity of the bone marrow microenvironment. Overall design: Single-cell mRNA sequencing of stromal cells from mouse bone marrow. Sample Stroma1 represents 948 final filtered single cells. Sample Stroma2 represents 1899 final filtered single cells.
Mapping Distinct Bone Marrow Niche Populations and Their Differentiation Paths.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesMycosis fungoides (MF), the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), is a malignancy of mature, skin-homing T cells. Szary syndrome (Sz) is often considered to represent a leukemic phase of MF. In this study the pattern of numerical chromosomal alterations in MF tumor samples was defined using array-based CGH; simultaneously gene expression was analyzed using microarrays. Highly recurrent chromosomal alterations in MF include copy number gain of 7q36, 7q21-7q22 and loss of 5q13 and 9p21. This pattern characteristic of MF differs markedly from chromosomal alterations observed in Sz. Integration of data from array-based CGH and gene expression analysis yielded several candidate genes with potential relevance in the pathogenesis of MF. We confirmed that the FASTK and SKAP1 genes, residing in loci with recurrent gain, demonstrated increased expression. The RB1 and DLEU1 tumor suppressor genes showed diminished expression associated with loss. In addition, it was found that presence of chromosomal alterations on 9p21, 8q24 and 1q21-1q22 was associated with poor prognosis in patients with MF. This study provides novel insight into genetic alterations underlying MF. Furthermore, our analysis uncovered genomic differences between MF and Sz, which suggest that the molecular pathogenesis and therefore therapeutic requirements of these CTCLs may be distinct.
Oncogenomic analysis of mycosis fungoides reveals major differences with Sezary syndrome.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes the chemokine receptor US28 that exhibits constitutive activity. NIH-3T3 cells stably transfected with US28 present a pro-angiogenic and transformed phenotype both in vitro and in vivo.
The human cytomegalovirus-encoded chemokine receptor US28 promotes angiogenesis and tumor formation via cyclooxygenase-2.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesIdentification of transcriptional profiles stimulated by the complement protein C1q in rat immature neurons associated with the C1q-dependent neuroprotection observed in vitro.
Complement protein C1q-mediated neuroprotection is correlated with regulation of neuronal gene and microRNA expression.
Specimen part
View SamplesNatural Killer (NK) cells are the first lymphocyte population to reconstitute early after non myelo-ablative and T cell-replete haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (h-HSCTs) with post-transplant infusion of cyclophosphamide. The present study characterizes the transient and predominant expansion starting from the 2nd week after h-HSCT of a donor-derived unconventional subset of CD56dim/CD16neg (uCD56dim) NK cells expressing remarkable high levels of NKG2A and low levels of NKp46. Both transcription and phenotypic profiles indicated that uCD56dim NK cells are a distinct NK cell subpopulation with features of late differentiation, yet retaining proliferative capability and functional plasticity to generate conventional CD56bright/CD16pos NK cells in response to IL-15 plus IL-18. uCD56dim NK cells represent by far the largest NK cell subset detectable in the following 7 weeks after h-HSCT and they also express high levels of the activating receptors NKGD and NKp30 as well as of the lytic granules Granzyme-B and Perforin. Nonetheless, uCD56dim NK cells displayed a defective cytotoxicity that could be reversed by blocking the inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A. These data open new important perspectives to better understand the ontogenesis/homeostasis of human NK cells and to develop a novel immune-therapeutic approach by targeting the inhibitory NKG2A check point, thus enhancing NK cell alloreactivity early after h-HSCT.
The early expansion of anergic NKG2A<sup>pos</sup>/CD56<sup>dim</sup>/CD16<sup>neg</sup> natural killer represents a therapeutic target in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Specimen part
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