During vertebrate limb development, Hoxd genes are regulated following a bimodal strategy involving two topologically associating domains (TADs) located on either side of the gene cluster. These regulatory landscapes alternatively control different subsets of Hoxd targets, first into the arm and, subsequently, into the digits. We studied the transition between these two global regulations, a switch that correlates with the positioning of the wrist, which articulates these two main limb segments. We show that the HOX13 proteins themselves help switch off the telomeric TAD, likely through a global repressive mechanism. At the same time, they directly interact with distal enhancers to sustain the activity of the centromeric TAD, thus explaining both the sequential and exclusive operating processes of these two regulatory domains. We propose a model whereby the activation of Hox13 gene expression in distal limb cells both interrupts the proximal Hox gene regulation and re-enforces the distal regulation. In the absence of HOX13 proteins, a proximal limb structure grows without any sign of wrist articulation, likely related to an ancestral fish-like condition. Overall design: RNA-seq analysis of proximal and distal forelimbs from E12.5 wt or Hoxa13-/-;Hoxd13-/- mutant embryos
A role for HOX13 proteins in the regulatory switch between TADs at the HoxD locus.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Integrative "-Omics" Analysis in Primary Human Hepatocytes Unravels Persistent Mechanisms of Cyclosporine A-Induced Cholestasis.
Specimen part, Treatment, Time
View SamplesCyclosporine A (CsA), is an endecapeptide with strong immunosuppressant activities and has contributed significantly towards clinical progress in organ transplantation. Furthermore, it has various toxic effects in the kidney and especially in the liver where it may induce cholestasis. The CsA drug-induced cholestasis (DIC) pathway includes important genes involved in the uptake, synthesis, conjugation and secretion of bile acids, which can be verified also in hepatic models in vitro. However, whether changes in CsA-induced cholestasis pathway induced in vitro are persistent thus presenting important biomarkers for repeated dose toxicity, has not yet been investigated. We therefore performed multiple -omics analyses, including whole genome analysis of DNA methylation, gene expression and microRNA expression in primary human hepatocytes (PHH) cultured in sandwich configuration, during and after terminating CsA treatment. For this, cells were exposed to a non-cytotoxic dose of 30 M CsA daily for 3 and 5 days. To investigate the persistence of induced changes upon terminating the CsA exposure of 5 days, a subset of PHH was subjected to a washout period (WO-period) of three days. DNA methylation (using NimbleGen 2.1 deluxe promoter arrays), transcriptomic (using Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 arrays) and microRNA (using Agilent Sureprint G3 Unrestricted Human miRNA V16 8 60 K microarrays) analyses were performed on days 3, 5 and 8. Identification of differentially methylated genes (DMGs), differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and differentially expressed microRNAs (DE-miRs) was performed using several R packages. DMGs, DEGs and DE-miRs were found after CsA treatment of PHH for 3 and 5 days as well after the WO-period. Interestingly, 828 persistent DEGs and 6 persistent DE-miRs, but no persistent DMGs, were found after the WO-period. These persistent DEGs and DE-miRs showed concordance for 22 genes (13 genes upregulated in gene expression and downregulated in microRNA expression; 9 genes downregulated in gene expression and upregulated in microRNA expression). Some of the persistent transcriptomic changes as well as DE-miRs could be successfully mapped onto the DIC pathway, while epigenetic changes not. Furthermore, 29 persistent DEGs in vitro showed changes in the same direction as observed in livers from cholestasis patients. None of those 29 DEGs were present in the DIC pathway or cholestasis adverse outcome pathway. We have for the first time demonstrated a persistent impact of gene expression and microRNA expression related to DIC after repeated dose administration of CsA in vitro.
Integrative "-Omics" Analysis in Primary Human Hepatocytes Unravels Persistent Mechanisms of Cyclosporine A-Induced Cholestasis.
Specimen part, Treatment, Time
View SamplesInverse and erythrodermic psoriasis are rare subtypes of psoriasis. Whereas the former is characterized by shiny erythematous non-scaly plaques in the body folds, the latter has widespread redness with fine scale, covering over 80% of the body-surface area, and can be life-threatening. Both are considered to be clinical subtypes of chronic plaque psoriasis, and often co-exist or evolve from plaque psoriasis (Boyd and Menter, 1989; Omland and Gniadecki, 2015), but the pathogenic mechanisms involved are unknown, and current treatments are frequently unsatisfactory. To assess shared and unique processes between chronic plaque, inverse, and erythrodermic psoriasis we analyzed archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsies of clinically and histologically confirmed chronic plaque (n=12), inverse (n=40) and erythrodermic psoriasis cases (n=30) and healthy control skin (n=20) using Affymetrix ST 2.1 Arrays. Compared with healthy skin, psoriatic plaque lesions yielded 2450 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (FDR, p<0.05), inverse psoriasis lesions yielded 408 DEGs (FDR, p<0.05) and erythrodermic psoriasis lesions yielded 447 DEGs (FDR, p<0.05). In total 294 genes were found to be shared among the three disease subtypes (FDR, p<0.05). While the overlap only accounted for 12% of the DEGs in chronic plaque psoriasis, it accounted for 66% and 72% of DEGs in erythrodermic and inverse psoriasis respectively.
IL-17 Responses Are the Dominant Inflammatory Signal Linking Inverse, Erythrodermic, and Chronic Plaque Psoriasis.
Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesGeneralized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, debilitating, and often life-threatening inflammatory disease characterized by episodic infiltration of neutrophils into the skin, pustule development, and systemic inflammation, which can manifest in the presence or absence of chronic plaque psoriasis (PV). Current treatments are unsatisfactory thus a better understanding the pathogenesis of GPP is warranted. To assess the pathophysiological differences between GPP and PV we performed a gene expression study on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsies of GPP (n=30) and PV (n=12) lesions and healthy control (n=20) skin. Compared with healthy skin, GPP lesions yielded 365 and PV 898 differentially expressed genes respectively, with 190 upregulated in both diseases. We detected higher expression of IL-1 and IL-36 cytokines in GPP lesions compared with PV, and this occurred proximal to neutrophils. We show both activated neutrophils and isolated neutrophil proteases can activate IL-36. Diverging from the Th1/Th17 pathophysiology of PV, significantly fewer IL23A, IL17A, IFNG, CXCL9, CXCL10 and MX1 transcripts were detected in GPP lesions. Our data indicate a level of sustained activation of IL-1 and IL-36 in GPP, inducing neutrophil chemokine expression, infiltration and pustule formation, suggesting that the IL-1 and IL-36 inflammatory axes are the main drivers of disease pathology in GPP.
IL-17 Responses Are the Dominant Inflammatory Signal Linking Inverse, Erythrodermic, and Chronic Plaque Psoriasis.
Specimen part
View SamplesBackground: Psoriasis is a chronic disease characterized by the development of scaly red skin lesions and possible co-morbid conditions. The psoriasis lesional skin transcriptome has been extensively investigated, but mRNA levels do not necessarily reflect protein abundance. Methods: Lesional (PP) and uninvolved (PN) skin samples from 14 patients were analyzed using high-throughput complementary DNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results: We identified 4122 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) along with 748 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Global shifts in mRNA were modestly correlated with changes in protein abundance (r = 0.40). We identified similar numbers of increased and decreased DEGs, but 4-fold more increased than decreased DEPs. Ribosomal subunit and translation proteins were elevated within lesions, without a corresponding shift in mRNA expression (RPL3, RPS8, RPL11). We identified 209 differentially expressed genes/proteins (DEGPs) with corresponding trends at the transcriptome and proteomic levels. Most DEGPs were similarly altered in at least one other skin disease. Psoriasis-specific and non-specific DEGPs had distinct cytokine-response patterns, with only the former showing disproportionate induction by IL-17A in cultured keratinocytes. Conclusions: Our findings reveal global imbalance between the number of increased and decreased proteins in psoriasis lesions, consistent with heightened translation. This effect could not have been discerned from mRNA profiling data alone. We have also identified high-confidence DEGPs and shown that only those most specific to psoriasis are enriched with IL-17A targets. Overall design: RNA-seq-based comparison between gene expression in psoriasis lesions and uninvolved skin from 14 patients
Proteogenomic analysis of psoriasis reveals discordant and concordant changes in mRNA and protein abundance.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesDespite accepted health benefits of dietary fiber, little is known about the mechanisms by which fiber deprivation impacts the gut microbiota and alters disease risk. Using a gnotobiotic model, in which mice were colonized with a synthetic human gut microbiota, we elucidated the functional interactions between dietary fiber, the gut microbiota and the colonic mucus barrier, which serves as a primary defence against pathogens. We show that during chronic or intermittent dietary fiber deficiency, the gut microbiota resorts to host-secreted mucus glycoproteins as a nutrient source, leading to erosion of the colonic mucus barrier. Dietary fiber deprivation promoted greater epithelial access and lethal colitis by the mucosal pathogen, Citrobacter rodentium, but only in the presence of a fiber-deprived microbiota that is pushed to degrade the mucus layer. Our work reveals intricate pathways linking diet, gut microbiome and intestinal barrier dysfunction, which could be exploited to improve health using dietary therapeutics.
A Dietary Fiber-Deprived Gut Microbiota Degrades the Colonic Mucus Barrier and Enhances Pathogen Susceptibility.
Specimen part
View SamplesSevere malnutrition in young children is associated with signs of hepatic dysfunction such as steatosis and hypoalbuminemia, but its etiology is unknown. To investigate the underlying mechanisms of hepatic dysfunction we used a rat model of malnutrition by placing weanling rats on a low protein or control diet (5% or 20% of calories from protein, respectively) for four weeks. Low protein diet-fed rats developed hypoalbuminemia and severe hepatic steatosis, consistent with the human phenotype. Hepatic peroxisome content was decreased and metabolomic analysis indicated impaired peroxisomal function. Loss of peroxisomes was followed by accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria and decreased hepatic ATP levels. Fenofibrate supplementation restored hepatic peroxisome abundance and increased mitochondrial fatty acid -oxidation capacity, resulting in reduced steatosis and normalization of ATP and plasma albumin levels. These findings provide important insight into the metabolic
Malnutrition-associated liver steatosis and ATP depletion is caused by peroxisomal and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesDepletion of immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) or reprogramming towards a pro-inflammatory activation state represent different strategies to therapeutically target this frequent myeloid population. Here we report that inhibition of colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) signaling sensitizes TAM to profound reprogramming in the presence of a CD40 agonist prior to their depletion. Despite the short-lived nature of macrophage hyperactivation, combined CSF-1R/CD40 stimulation of macrophages is sufficient to trigger a productive and durable T cell response in various mouse cancer models. The central role of macrophages in regulating T cell-dependent tumor rejections was substantiated by depletion experiments and transcriptomic analysis of ex vivo sorted TAM. Since CD40 expression on human TAM varies between different tumor types, co-expression of human CSF-1R and CD40 in colorectal adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma can serve as criteria to select these tumor types for clinical development Overall design: Female C57BL/6N mice (6-8 weeks in age, obtained from Charles River) were inoculated with 106 MC38 colorectal adenocarcinoma tumor cells subcutaneously. Tumor growth curves were monitored by caliper measurement and once tumor size reached 250 mm3 in average, groups were allocated for antibody treatment. Ten mice/group were treated with 30 mg/kg IgG1 isotype control antibody clone MOPC-21 (BioXCell), 4 mg/kg anti-CD40 rat IgG2a antibody clone FGK45 (BioXCell), 30mg/kg anti-CSF-1R antibody clone 2G2, 4 mg/kg rat IgG2a control clone 2A3 (BioXCell). For depletion experiments 4mg/kg mouse anti-CD4 antibody clone GK1.5 (Biolegend), 4mg/kg anti-NK1.1 antibody clone PK136 (BioXCell) and 4mg/kg anti-CD8a antibody clone 53-6.7 (BioXCell) were administered when tumor size reached 190mm3 in average. Antibodies were given every second day for four times. In between doses two and three of the depleting antibodies, animals were further treated with vehicle control (0,9% sodium saline), MOPC21, FGK45, 2G2 or combination of FGK45 and 2G2. The anti-CSF-1R antibody or respective IgG1 control antibody were administered weekly until tumors regressed completely or animals reached termination criteria, while the anti-CD40 antibody was only administered once at day 11 simultaneously with the anti-CSF-1R antibody. All antibodies were given intraperitoneally. All procedures were performed in accordance with the National Institutes of Health Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and European Union directives and guidelines.
Rapid activation of tumor-associated macrophages boosts preexisting tumor immunity.
Specimen part, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesThe forced expression of Yamanaka factors (Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc) reprograms cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) through a series of sequential cell fate conversions. The order and robustness of gene expression changes are highly depended on the Yamanaka factor stoichiometry. We specifically focused on two different reprogramming paths induced by high- and low-Klf4 stoichiometry, which were accomplished by introducing OK+9MS or OKMS polycistronic cassettes, respectively, into mouse embryonic fibroblasts. By comparing these reprograming intermediates with embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and primary keratinocytes, we identified high-Klf4 specific, transiently up-regulated epithelial genes. We found that expression of these epithelial genes was enriched in a TROP2-positive cell population. Moreover, we identified a set of transcription factors which are candidates for the regulation of transiently expressed epithelial genes, and revealed their connection to high-Klf4-specific reprogramming hallmarks.
OVOL1 Influences the Determination and Expansion of iPSC Reprogramming Intermediates.
Specimen part, Treatment
View Samples