The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and the direct conversion approach provide an invaluable resource of cells for disease modeling, drug screening, and patient-specific cell-based therapy. However, while iPSCs are stable and resemble ESCs in their transcriptome, methylome and function, the vast majority of the directly converted cells represent an incomplete reprogramming state as evident by their aberrant transcriptome and transgene dependency. This raises the question of whether complete and stable nuclear reprogramming can be achieved only in pluripotent cells. Here we demonstrate the generation of stable and fully functional induced trophoblast stem cells (iTSCs) by transient expression of Gata3, Tfap2c and Eomes. Similarly to iPSCs, iTSCs underwent a complete and stable reprogramming process as assessed by transcriptome and methylome analyses and functional assays such as the formation of hemorrhagic lesion and placenta contribution. Careful examination of the conversion process indicated that the cells did not go through a transient pluripotent state. These results suggest that complete nuclear reprograming can be attained in non-pluripotent cells. Overall design: Technical duplicates of 10 samples
Extensive Nuclear Reprogramming Underlies Lineage Conversion into Functional Trophoblast Stem-like Cells.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesDrug resistance invariably limits the clinical efficacy of targeted therapy with kinase inhibitors against cancer. We found that targeted therapy with BRAF, ALK, or EGFR inhibitors induces a complex network of secreted signals in drug-stressed melanoma and lung adenocarcinoma cells. This therapy-induced secretome (TIS) stimulates the outgrowth, infiltration and metastasis of drug-resistant cancer clones in the tumour. Additionally, the TIS supports the survival of drug-sensitive cells, contributing to incomplete tumour regression. We used transcriptomic analysis of sensitive tumour cells and xenograft tumours treated with vehicle, vemurafenib, or crizotinib to identify the transcriptional drivers and to dissect the TIS in melanoma (A375, Colo800, UACC62) and lung adenocarcinoma (H3122). In addition, we utilize cell type–specific mRNA purification by translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) to identify pathways that are up-regulated in resistant cells (A375R) in response to the regressing tumour microenvironment. Overall design: Analysis of the response of drug sensitive melanoma and lung adenocarcinoma cells to pharmacological inhibition of their driver oncogene and gene expression analysis of drug resistant cancer cells responding to different tumor microenvironments.
Therapy-induced tumour secretomes promote resistance and tumour progression.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesTo understand organ (dys)function it is important to have a complete inventory of its cell types and the corresponding markers that unambiguously identify these cell types. This is a challenging task, in particular in human tissues, because unique cell-type markers are typically unavailable, necessitating the analysis of complex cell type mixtures. Transcriptome-wide studies on pancreatic tissue are typically done on pooled islet material. To overcome this challenge we sequenced the transcriptome of thousands of single pancreatic cells from deceased organ donors with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D) allowing in silico purification of the different cell types. We identified the major pancreatic cell types resulting in the identification of many new cell-type specific and T2D-specific markers. Additionally we observed several subpopulations within the canonical pancreatic cell types, which we validated in situ. This resource will be useful for developing a deeper understanding of pancreatic biology and diabetes mellitus. Overall design: Human cadaveric pancreata were used to extract islets of Langerhans, which were kept in culture until single-cell dispersion and FACS sorting. Single-cell transcriptomics was performed on live cells from this mixture using CEL-seq or on cells stained for CD63, CD13, TGFBR3 or CD24 and CD44. The RaceID algorithm was used to identify clusters of cells corresponding to the major pancreatic cell types and to mine for novel cell type-specific genes as well as subpopulations within the known pancreatic cell types.
De Novo Prediction of Stem Cell Identity using Single-Cell Transcriptome Data.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesPaneth cells (PCs) are long-lived secretory cells that reside at the bottoms of small intestinal crypts. Besides serving as niche cells for the neighboring Lgr5-positive stem cells, PCs secrete granules containing a broad spectrum of antimicrobial proteins, including lysozymes and defensins1. Here, we have used single-cell RNA sequencing to explore PC differentiation. We found a maturation gradient from early secretory progenitors to mature PCs, capturing the full maturation path of PCs. Moreover, differential expression of a subset of defensin genes in lysozyme-high PCs, e.g. Defa20, reveals at least two distinct stages of maturation. Overall design: We traced Lgr5+ stem cells from Lgr5-CreERT2 C57Bl6/J mice bred to a Rosa26LSL-YFP reporter mice and sorted YFP+ cells 5 days, 3 weeks and 8 weeks after tamoxifen injection.
De Novo Prediction of Stem Cell Identity using Single-Cell Transcriptome Data.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesLgr5+ adult intestinal stem cells are highly proliferative throughout life. Single Lgr5+ stem cells can be cultured into 3D epithelial organoids containing all cell types at nearnormal ratios. Culture conditions to generate the main cell types have been established previously, but signals inducing the various types of enteroendocrine cells (EECs) have remained elusive. Here we generate quiescent Lgr5+ stem cells in vitro by inhibition of the EGF-receptor (EGFR) and mitogen-associated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in organoids, a state that can be readily reversed. Quiescent Lgr5+ stem cells gain a distinct molecular signature, biased towards EEC differentiation. Indeed, combined inhibition of Wnt, Notch and MAPK pathways efficiently generates a diversity of EEC subtypes in vitro. Our observations uncouple Wnt-dependent stem cell maintenance from EGF-dependent proliferation and cell fate choice, and provide an in vitro approach for the study of the elusive EECs. Overall design: We established a stable culture of quiescent Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells in culture. These highly resemble quiescent secretory precursors, which has high EEC differentiation potential. Following on this lead, we elucidated what signals are required to generate EEC cells of all varieties, and provide a method to produce these EEC cells in large numbers.
Induced Quiescence of Lgr5+ Stem Cells in Intestinal Organoids Enables Differentiation of Hormone-Producing Enteroendocrine Cells.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesLMO2 overexpressing transgenic mouse models suggest an accumulation of immature T-cell progenitors in the thymus as main pre-leukemic event. The effects of LMO2 overexpression on human T-cell development in vivo, however, are unknown. Here we report studies of a humanized mouse model transplanted with LMO2 transduced human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The effects of LMO2 overexpression were confined to the T-cell lineage although initially multipotent cells were transduced. Three effects of LMO2 on human T-cell development were observed: 1) a block at the DN/ISP stage, 2) an accumulation of CD4+CD8+ double positive CD3- cells and 3) an altered CD8/CD4 ratio with enhanced peripheral T lymphocytes
Overexpression of LMO2 causes aberrant human T-Cell development in vivo by three potentially distinct cellular mechanisms.
Specimen part
View SamplesLgr5+ stem cells reside at crypt bottoms of the small and large intestine. Small intestinal Paneth cells supply Wnt3, EGF and Notch signals to neighboring Lgr5+ stem cells. While the colon lacks Paneth cells, Deep Crypt Secretory (DCS) cells are intermingled with Lgr5+ stem cells at crypt bottoms. Here, we report Reg4 as a marker of DCS cells. To investigate a niche function, we eliminated DCS cells using the diphtheria-toxin receptor gene knocked into the murine Reg4 locus. Ablation of DCS cells results in loss of stem cells from colonic crypts and disrupts gut homeostasis and colon mini-gut formation. In agreement, sorted Reg4+ DCS cells promote organoid formation of single Lgr5+ colon stem cells. Stem cells are forced to generate DCS cells in vitro by combined Notch inhibition and Wnt activation. We conclude that Reg4+ DCS cells serve as Paneth cell equivalents in the colon crypt niche. Overall design: To define a global gene expression signature of DCS cells, we performed RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) of sorted Reg4-dsRed+ and Lgr5-GFP+ cells from colonic epithelium. Sorting and RNA-seq library preparation was performed twice, to obtain a biological replicate.
Reg4+ deep crypt secretory cells function as epithelial niche for Lgr5+ stem cells in colon.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesAn increasing amount of evidence suggests that the small intestine may play an important role in the development of metabolic diseases, such as obesity and insulin resistance. The small intestine provides the first barrier between diet and the body. As a result, dysregulation of biological processes and secretion of signal molecules from the small intestine may be of importance in the regulation and dysregulation of whole body metabolic homeostasis. Changes in gene expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism, cell cycle and immune response may contribute to the aetiology of diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. In the current study we present a detailed investigation on the effects a chow diet, low fat diet and high fat diet on gene expression along the proximal-to-distal axis of the murine small intestine. The reported results provide a knowledge base for upcoming studies on the role of the small intestine in the aetiology of diet-induced diseases.
Cross-species comparison of genes related to nutrient sensing mechanisms expressed along the intestine.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesUnderstanding the development and function of an organ requires the characterization of all of its cell types. Traditional methods for visualizing and isolating sub-populations of cells are based on mRNA or protein expression of only few known marker genes. The unequivocal identification of a specific marker gene, however, poses a major challenge, particularly if this cell type is rare. Identifying rare cell types, such as stem cells, short-lived progenitors, cancer stem cells, or circulating tumor cells is crucial to acquire a better understanding of normal or diseased tissue biology. To address this challenge we sequenced the transcriptome of hundreds of randomly selected cells from mouse intestinal organoids, cultured self-organizing epithelial structures that contain all cell lineages of the mammalian intestine. Organoid buds, like intestinal crypts, harbor stem cells that continuously differentiate into a variety of cell types, occurring at widely different abundances. Since available computational methods can only resolve more abundant cell types, we developed RaceID, an algorithm for rare cell type identification in complex populations of single cells. We demonstrate that this algorithm can resolve cell types represented by only a single cell in a population of randomly sampled organoid cells. We use this algorithm to identify Reg4 as a novel marker for enteroendocrine cells, a rare population of hormone producing intestinal cells. Next, we use Reg4 expression to enrich for these rare cells and investigate the heterogeneity within this population. Reassuringly, RaceID confirmed the existence of known enteroendocrine lineages, and moreover, discovered novel subtypes, which we subsequently validated in vivo. Having validated RaceID by this proof-of-principle experiment we then apply the algorithm to ex vivo isolated LGR5 positive cells and their direct progeny and demonstrate homogeneity of the stem cell pool. We envision broad applicability of our method for discovering rare cell types and the corresponding marker genes in healthy and diseased organs. Overall design: Small intestinal crypts were isolated from a single wild-type C57BL/6 mouse, a Reg4-dsRed-knock-in mouse and an Lgr5-GFP-DTR mouse. The crypts were propagated and expanded in culture as organoids. For each experiment, multiple organoids were harvested and dissociated into single cells. Each experiment was done twice, using different passage of the same organoid culture. We also included a pool-and-split control for 96 Reg4-dsRed positive intetsinal cells and a control library with 5 mouse embryonic stem cells (wells 1-5), 5 mouse embryonic fibroblasts (wells 6-10), 75 random organoid cells (wells 11-85), 5 wells without primer and without template (wells 86 and 93-96), and five wells with primer and without template (wells 87-92). We also sequenced two 96 well plates of Lgr5-EGFP positive single cells isolated ex vivo, and Lgr5 progeny collected after five days of lineage tracing. Label induction was performed using an Lgr5-Cre reporter mouse expressing YFP from Rosa26 promoter with a loxP flanked transcriptional road block in between. Five 96 well plates of YFP positive were sequenced. Sample number four also contains also unrelated samples (single cell barcode 49-96), which should be discarded.
Single-cell messenger RNA sequencing reveals rare intestinal cell types.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesNormal pregnancy requires adaptations of the maternal vasculature. During preeclampsia these adjustments are not well established, resulting in maternal hypertension and proteinuria. The effects of preeclampsia on the maternal vasculature are not yet fully understood. We aimed to identify gene expression differences in the aorta between non pregnant, healthy pregnant, and experimental preeclamptic rats using a genome wide approach.
Experimental preeclampsia in rats affects vascular gene expression patterns.
Specimen part
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