This SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Stability of gene expression and epigenetic profiles highlights the utility of patient-derived paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia xenografts for investigating molecular mechanisms of drug resistance.
Sex
View SamplesBackground: Patient-derived tumour xenografts are an attractive model for preclinical testing of anti-cancer drugs. Insights into tumour biology and biomarkers predictive of responses to chemotherapeutic drugs can also be gained from investigating xenograft models. As a first step towards examining the equivalence of epigenetic profiles between xenografts and primary tumours in paediatric leukaemia, we performed genome-scale DNA methylation and gene expression profiling on a panel of 10 paediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL) tumours that were stratified by prednisolone response. Results: We found high correlations in DNA methylation and gene expression profiles between matching primary and xenograft tumour samples with Pearsons correlation coefficients ranging between 0.85 and 0.98. In order to demonstrate the potential utility of epigenetic analyses in BCPALL xenografts, we identified DNA methylation biomarkers that correlated with prednisolone responsiveness of the original tumour samples. Differential methylation of CAPS2, ARHGAP21, ARX and HOXB6 were confirmed by locus specific analysis. We identified 20 genes showing an inverse relationship between DNA methylation and gene expression in association with prednisolone response. Pathway analysis of these genes implicated apoptosis, cell signalling and cell structure networks in prednisolone responsiveness. Conclusions: The findings of this study confirm the stability of epigenetic and gene expression profiles of paediatric BCP-ALL propagated in mouse xenograft models. Further, our preliminary investigation of prednisolone sensitivity highlights the utility of mouse xenograft models for preclinical development of novel drug regimens with parallel investigation of underlying gene expression and epigenetic responses associated with novel drug responses.
Stability of gene expression and epigenetic profiles highlights the utility of patient-derived paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia xenografts for investigating molecular mechanisms of drug resistance.
Sex
View SamplesWe used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression in the fetal lung late in gestation, from mothers that had been fed normal chow, high fibre, or acetate in the drinking water. The experiment was designed to examine the hypothesis that metabolites of the mother i.e. acetate could cross the placenta and influence gene transcription in the fetus. Diets used were "Normal chow" (NC) (8720310), or "High-fiber" (SF11-025) (Specialty feeds, Perth, Australia. Acetate (200 mM) was provided in the drinking water and refreshed three times per week.
Evidence that asthma is a developmental origin disease influenced by maternal diet and bacterial metabolites.
Specimen part
View SamplesDupuytren's disease (DD) is a classic example of pathological fibrosis which results in a debilitating disorder affecting a large sector of the human population. It is characterized by excessive local proliferation of fibroblasts and over-production of collagen and other components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the palmar fascia. The fibrosis progressively results in contracture of elements between the palmar fascia and skin causing flexion deformity or clawing of the fingers and a severe reduction in hand function. While much is known about the pathogenesis and surgical treatment of DD, little is known about the factors that cause its onset and progression, despite many years of research. Gene expression patterns in DD patients now offers the potential to identify genes that direct the pathogenesis of DD.
Genome-wide analysis using exon arrays demonstrates an important role for expression of extra-cellular matrix, fibrotic control and tissue remodelling genes in Dupuytren's disease.
Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesBreast cancer metastasis to bone is a critical determinant of long-term survival after treatment of primary tumors. We used a mouse model of spontaneous bone metastasis to determine new molecular mechanisms. Differential transcriptome comparisons of primary and metastatic tumor cells revealed that a substantial set of genes suppressed in bone metastases were highly enriched for promoter elements for the type I interferon (IFN) regulatory factor, Irf7, itself suppressed in mouse and human metastases. The critical function of the Irf7 pathway was demonstrated by restoration of exogenous Irf7 or systemic interferon administration, which significantly reduced bone metastases and prolonged metastasis-free survival. Using mice deficient in the type I receptor (Ifnar1-/-) or mature B, T and NK cell responses (NOD Scid IL-2r-/- mice), we demonstrated that Irf7-driven suppression of metastasis was reliant on IFN signaling to host immune cells. Metastasis suppression correlated with decreased accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and increased CD4++, CD8 T cells and NK cells in the peripheral blood and was reversed by depletion of CD8+ cells and NK cells. Clinical importance of our findings was demonstrated as increased primary tumor Irf7 expression predicted prolonged bone and lung metastasis-free survival. Thus we report for the first time, a novel innate immune pathway, intrinsic to breast cancer cells, whose suppression in turn restricts systemic immunosurveillance to enable metastasis. This pathway may constitute a novel therapeutic target for restricting breast cancer metastases.
Silencing of Irf7 pathways in breast cancer cells promotes bone metastasis through immune escape.
Specimen part
View SamplesMetastasis to lymph nodes is an early and prognostically important event in the progression of many human cancers, and is associated with expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D). Changes to lymph node vasculature occur during metastasis, and may establish a metastatic niche capable of attracting and supporting tumor cells.
A role for bone morphogenetic protein-4 in lymph node vascular remodeling and primary tumor growth.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesMouse ES cells were differentiated for 6 days. Undifferentiated cells (d0) were compared to cells harvested at 24 hour timepoints (d1-d6).
Transcriptional profiling of mouse and human ES cells identifies SLAIN1, a novel stem cell gene.
Age, Specimen part, Cell line, Time
View SamplesUndifferentiated cells of different passage numbers (p19 and p128) were compared to cells differentiated in hanging drops for 5 days (d5 embryoid bodies) or expanded on gelatin coated dishes for a further 9 days (d14 embryoid bodies).
Transcriptional profiling of mouse and human ES cells identifies SLAIN1, a novel stem cell gene.
Age, Specimen part, Cell line, Time
View SamplesThe purpose of this study was to characterize the transcriptional effects induced by subcutaneous IFN-beta-1b treatment (Betaferon, 250 g every other day) in patients with relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Long-term genome-wide blood RNA expression profiles yield novel molecular response candidates for IFN-beta-1b treatment in relapsing remitting MS.
Sex
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
No associated publication
Specimen part
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