Context: Despite the well-recognized clinical features due to insufficient or excessive thyroid hormone (TH) levels in humans, it is largely unknown which genes are regulated by TH in human tissues. objective: To study the effect of TH on human gene expression profiles in whole blood, mainly consisting of TRa-expressing cells. Methods: We performed next-generation RNA sequencing on whole blood samples from 8 athyroid patients (4 females) on and after 4 weeks off levothyroxine replacement. Gene expression changes were analyzed through paired differential expression analysis and confirmed in a validation cohort. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was applied to identify thyroid state-related networks. Results: We detected 486 differentially expressed (DE) genes (fold-change above 1.5; multiple testing corrected P-value <0.05), of which 76 % were positively and 24 % were negatively regulated. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that 3 biological processes were significantly overrepresented of which the process translational elongation showed the highest fold enrichment (7.3 fold, P=1.8 x 10-6). Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed significant overlap with DE-genes in muscle samples upon different thyroid state (1.7-fold enrichment; P=0.02). WGCNA analysis independently identified various gene clusters that correlated with thyroid state. Further GO-analysis suggested that thyroid state regulates platelet function. Conclusions: Changes in thyroid state regulate numerous genes in human whole blood, predominantly TRa-expressing leukocytes. In addition, TH may regulate gene expression in platelets. Whole blood samples might potentially be used as a proxy for other TRa-expressing tissues in humans. Overall design: Transcriptome profiling (RNA-Seq) of 8 thyroidectomized human whole blood samples, sequenced first in hypothyroid state and after levothyroxine supplementation sequenced in a hypothyroid (mild thyreotoxic state) state on a Illumina HiSeq 2500 system.
Thyroid State Regulates Gene Expression in Human Whole Blood.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesBackground and Aims: Inflammasome-mediated caspase-1 activity regulates the maturation and release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-18. Recently, we showed that caspase-1 deficiency strongly reduces high fat diet-induced adiposity although the mechanism is still unclear. We now aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which caspase-1 deficiency reduces modulates resistance to high fat diet-feeding fat accumulation in adipose tissue by focusing on the role of caspase-1 in the regulation of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoprotein metabolism. Methods: Caspase-1 deficient and wild-type mice (both C57Bl/6 background) were used to determine postprandial TG kinetics, intestinal TG absorption, VLDL-TG production as well as TG clearance, all of which strongly contribute to the supply of TG for storage in adipose tissue. Micro-array and qPCR analysis were used to unravel intestinal and hepatic metabolic pathways involved. Results: Caspase-1 deficiency reduced the postprandial response to an oral lipid load, while tissue specific clearance of TG-rich lipoproteins was not changed. Indeed, an oral olive oil gavage containing [3H]TG revealed that caspase-1 deficiency significantly decreased intestinal chylomicron-TG production and reduced the uptake of [3H]TG-derived FA by liver, muscle, and adipose tissue. Similarly, caspase-1 deficiency reduced the hepatic VLDL-TG production without reducing VLDL-apoB production, despite an elevated hepatic TG content. Pathway analysis revealed that caspase-1 deficiency reduces intestinal and hepatic expression of genes involved in lipogenesis. Conclusions: Absence of caspase-1 reduces assembly and secretion of TG-rich lipoproteins, thereby reducing the availability of TG-derived FA for uptake by peripheral organs including adipose tissue. We anticipate that caspase-1 represents a novel link between innate immunity and lipid metabolism.
Caspase-1 deficiency in mice reduces intestinal triglyceride absorption and hepatic triglyceride secretion.
Sex, Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesSparse populations of neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus are causally implicated in the encoding of contextual fear memories. However, engram-specific molecular mechanisms underlying memory consolidation remain largely unknown. Here we perform unbiased RNA sequencing of DG engram neurons 24h after contextual fear conditioning to identify transcriptome changes specific to memory consolidation. DG engram neurons exhibit a highly distinct pattern of gene expression, in which CREB-dependent transcription features prominently (P=6.2x10-13), including Atf3 (P=2.4x10-41), Penk (P=1.3x10-15), and Kcnq3 (P=3.1x10-12). Moreover, we validate the functional relevance of the RNAseq findings by establishing the causal requirement of intact CREB function specifically within the DG engram during memory consolidation, and identify a novel group of CREB target genes involved in the encoding of long-term memory. Overall design: Biological replicates: Fear conditioned: n=14, No shock controls: n=4, Home cage controls:n=3. The contents 10 dVenus+ and 10 dVenus- cells were aspirated from each animal (biological replicate)
Engram-specific transcriptome profiling of contextual memory consolidation.
Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesHematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are generated via a natural transdifferentiation process known as endothelial-to-hematopoietic cell transition (EHT). Due to small numbers of embryonal arterial cells undergoing EHT and the paucity of markers to enrich for hemogenic endothelial cells, the genetic program driving HSC emergence is largely unknown. Here, we use a highly sensitive RNAseq method to examine the whole transcriptome of small numbers of enriched aortic HSCs (CD31+cKit+Ly6aGFP+), hemogenic endothelial cells (CD31+cKit-Ly6aGFP+) and endothelial cells (CD31+cKit-Ly6aGFP-). Overall design: Comparison of mRNA profiles of endothelial cells, hemogenic endothelial cells, and hematopoietic stem cells generated by deep-sequencing of sorted populations from pool of embryos, in triplicate.
Whole-transcriptome analysis of endothelial to hematopoietic stem cell transition reveals a requirement for Gpr56 in HSC generation.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesResponse to allergen was studied in bronchial epithelial cell line H292. Cells were cultured and subsequently exposed to House dust mite or vessel (saline)
Allergen induced gene expression of airway epithelial cells shows a possible role for TNF-alpha.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe identified a tumor signature of 5 genes that aggregates the 156 tumor and normal samples into the expected groups. We also identified a histology signature of 75 genes, which classifies the samples in the major histological subtypes of NSCLC. A prognostic signature of 17 genes showed the best association with post-surgery survival time. The performance of the signatures was validated using a patient cohort of similar size
Gene expression-based classification of non-small cell lung carcinomas and survival prediction.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesResponse to allergen was studied in epithelial cells derived from allergic pantients and from healthy controls. Cells were cultured after isolation from a nasal biopsy. Cells were exposed to Housed dust mite or vessel (saline)
Primary nasal epithelium exposed to house dust mite extract shows activated expression in allergic individuals.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease that is characterized by the presence of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6). Here, we investigated the global molecular effects of Tocilizumab, an approved humanized anti-IL6 Receptor antibody, versus Methotrexate therapy, in synovial biopsy samples collected prospectively in early RA before and 12 weeks after administration of the drug. The results were compared with our previous data, generated in prospective cohorts of Adalimumab- and Rituximab-treated (Methotrexate- and anti-TNF-resistant, respectively) RA patients.
Global molecular effects of tocilizumab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis synovium.
Sex, Age
View SamplesObjective: Rituximab displays therapeutic benefits in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients resistant to TNF blockade. However, the precise role of B cells in the pathogenesis of RA is still unknown. In this study we investigated the global molecular effects of rituximab in synovial biopsies obtained from anti-TNF resistant RA patients before and after administration of the drug.
Rituximab treatment induces the expression of genes involved in healing processes in the rheumatoid arthritis synovium.
Sex, Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage, Treatment
View SamplesTNF antagonists are routinely used in severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who failed conventional DMARD therapy. According to large clinical trials, the three available drugs (adalimumab, infliximab and etanercept) display similar effects in terms of efficacy, tolerability and side effects. These studies also indicate that about 25% of RA patients treated with TNF-antagonists do not display any significant clinical improvement.
Gene expression profiling in the synovium identifies a predictive signature of absence of response to adalimumab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.
Specimen part, Disease
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