Gene expression studies comparing IFNg+ Tregs versus IFNg- Tregs from human peripheral blood
AKT isoforms modulate Th1-like Treg generation and function in human autoimmune disease.
Specimen part
View SamplesBRAF oncogene is mutated in ~50% of human cutaneous melanomas. The BRAF V600E mutation leads to constitutive activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway fuelling cancer growth. The inhibitors of BRAF V600E (BRAFi), lead to massive and high response rate. However, BRAFi-resistant cells that operate as a cellular reservoir for relapses severely limits the duration of the clinical response. The recent depiction of these resistant cells did not identify druggable targets to ensure long-term survival under BRAFi. Here, we identify the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) as a target to eradicate resistant cells. We show that BRAFi bind to AhR on a new site, named beta-pocket, and reprogram gene expression independently of its partner ARNT. beta-pocket activation induces a pigmentation signature, which is associated to BRAFi-induced cell death of sensitive BRAF V600E melanoma cells and tumour shrinkage. Intriguingly, in resistant cells, BRAFi does not induced a pigmentation signature since these cells display another AhR program; AhR-ARNT dependant. By this way, AhR directs several key BRAFi-resistant genes. At single cell level, this constitutive activation of AhR-ARNT is identified in rare cells before BRAFi-treatment of melanoma tumours and an enrichment of these alpha-cells is observed under BRAFi. Our data strongly suggest that an endogenous AhR ligand activates AhR-ARNT via the canonical AhR pocket (alpha-pocket), thus favouring BRAFi-resistant gene expression. Importantly, we identify the clinically compatible AhR antagonist, the resveratrol (RSV), able to abrogate the deleterious constitutive activation of AhR and to reduce the cellular reservoir for the relapse. Taken together, this work reveals that constitutive AhR signalling drives BRAFi resistance and constitutes a therapeutic target to achieve long-term patient survival under BRAFi. More broadly, the constitutive activation of AhR by endogenous ligands is in line with the ability of UV radiations to generate potent AhR ligands and to favour melanoma onset. Overall design: Total RNA isolated from 12 human melanoma cell lines (501Mel) after different treatments was subjected to multiplexed RNA-sequencing using Illumina NextSeq500 sequencing tehnology.
Sustained activation of the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor transcription factor promotes resistance to BRAF-inhibitors in melanoma.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesAntisense long non-coding (aslnc)RNAs represent a substantial part of eukaryotic transcriptomes that are, in yeast, controlled by the Xrn1 exonuclease. Nonsense-Mediated Decay (NMD) destabilizes the Xrn1-sensitive aslncRNAs (XUT), but what determines their sensitivity remains unclear. We report that 3’ single-stranded (3’-ss) extension mediates XUTs degradation by NMD, assisted by the Mtr4 and Dbp2 helicases. Single-gene investigation, genome-wide RNA analyses and double-stranded (ds)RNA mapping revealed that 3''-ss extensions discriminate the NMD-targeted XUTs from stable lncRNAs. Ribosome profiling showed that XUT are translated locking them for NMD activity. Interestingly, mutants of the Mtr4 and Dbp2 helicases accumulated XUTs, suggesting that dsRNA unwinding is a critical step for degradation. Indeed, expression of anti-complementary transcripts protects cryptic intergenic lncRNAs from NMD. Our results indicate that aslncRNAs form dsRNA that are only translated and targeted to NMD if dissociated by Mtr4 and Dbp2. We propose that NMD buffers genome expression by discarding pervasive regulatory transcripts. Overall design: Strand-specific transcriptome analysis of biological replicates (1) of WT and xrn1-delta cells of the S288C, W303 and SK1 (n & 2n) genetic background of S. cerevisiae; (2) of WT, dcp2-7 and upf1-delta cells; (3) of WT, xrn1-delta and dcp2-7 cells upon treatment of total RNA with Terminator 5''-Phosphate-Dependent Exonuclease. This record also contains CAGE-Seq analysis in wild-type and decapping-deficient cells of the budding yeast S. cerevisiae.
Nonsense-Mediated Decay Restricts LncRNA Levels in Yeast Unless Blocked by Double-Stranded RNA Structure.
Subject
View SamplesNeural stem cells were sorted according to their activated or quiescent state by flow cytometry using a set of 3 markers (LeX, CD24 and EGFR)
Distinct Molecular Signatures of Quiescent and Activated Adult Neural Stem Cells Reveal Specific Interactions with Their Microenvironment.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesIn the current study, we used exon arrays and clinical samples from a previous trial (SAKK 19/05) to investigate the expression variations at the exon-level of 3 genes potentially playing a key role in modulating treatment response (EGFR, KRAS, VEGFA).
EGFR exon-level biomarkers of the response to bevacizumab/erlotinib in non-small cell lung cancer.
Sex, Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage, Treatment
View SamplesHuman Whartons jelly stem cells (hWJSCs) are derived ethically in large amounts from the umbilical cord matrix. Besides their differentiation capabilities, WJSCs also display a notable lack of ability to form teratoma. hWJSCs have been shown to exert immunomodulatory effects and have recently been reported to kill or diminish cancer cell growth. These characteristics are important considerations for their use in cell therapy. In this transcriptome analysis, hWJSCs were profiled using Affymetrix DNA microarrays and compared to a panel of human stem cells and stromal cells. Although hWJSCs are multipotent, they expressed very low levels of the majority of stem cell markers, including POU5F1, NANOG, SOX2 and LIN28. BIRC5 has recently been shown to be required for teratoma formation in SCID mice. The lower levels of BIRC5 expression in hWJSCs compared to hESCs and the very low levels of stem cell markers might account for hWJSCs inability to form teratomas. IL12A which is known to be associated with the induction of apoptosis, was amongst the several cytokines identified to be significantly upregulated in hWJSCs. The ability of hWJSCs to compliment the host immune responses was further highlighted with the GO Biological Process analysis showing high association with immune system, chemotaxis and cell death. The ability to modulate immune responses confers hWJSCs an additional advantage in stem cell therapy and potentially allows hWJSCs as a form of treatment for cancer and immune disorders. In summary, the transcriptome profile of hWJSCs has provided indications on the genetic basis for their biological characteristics in immunomodulatory response, anti-cancer effects, and the lack of teratoma formation.
Human Wharton's jelly stem cells have unique transcriptome profiles compared to human embryonic stem cells and other mesenchymal stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesPitx1, critical regulator of a limited hindlimb-specific gene network, targets the limb development program common to both fore- and hindlimbs in order to implement hindlimb-specific limb morphology. Overall design: The gene regulatory networks governing forelimb vs. hindlimb development in mouse were investigated using expressing profiling of morphologically stage-matched e10.5 forelimbs and e11.0 hindlimbs, ChIPseq of chromatin marks, and ChIPseq of limb-specific transcription factors Pitx1 and Tbx5. The makeup of the Pitx1-directed components of the hindlimb gene network were investigated using expression profiling of Pitx1 null hindlimbs at two stages (e11.0 and e11.5).
Regulatory integration of Hox factor activity with T-box factors in limb development.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesHuman Whartons jelly stem cells (hWJSCs) are derived ethically in large amounts from the umbilical cord matrix. Besides their differentiation capabilities, WJSCs also display a notable lack of ability to form teratoma. hWJSCs have been shown to exert immunomodulatory effects and have recently been reported to kill or diminish cancer cell growth. These characteristics are important considerations for their use in cell therapy. In this transcriptome analysis, hWJSCs were profiled using Affymetrix DNA microarrays and compared to a panel of human stem cells and stromal cells. Although hWJSCs are multipotent, they expressed very low levels of the majority of stem cell markers, including POU5F1, NANOG, SOX2 and LIN28. BIRC5 has recently been shown to be required for teratoma formation in SCID mice. The lower levels of BIRC5 expression in hWJSCs compared to hESCs and the very low levels of stem cell markers might account for hWJSCs inability to form teratomas. IL12A which is known to be associated with the induction of apoptosis, was amongst the several cytokines identified to be significantly upregulated in hWJSCs. The ability of hWJSCs to compliment the host immune responses was further highlighted with the GO Biological Process analysis showing high association with immune system, chemotaxis and cell death. The ability to modulate immune responses confers hWJSCs an additional advantage in stem cell therapy and potentially allows hWJSCs as a form of treatment for cancer and immune disorders. In summary, the transcriptome profile of hWJSCs has provided indications on the genetic basis for their biological characteristics in immunomodulatory response, anti-cancer effects, and the lack of teratoma formation.
Human Wharton's jelly stem cells have unique transcriptome profiles compared to human embryonic stem cells and other mesenchymal stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesHuman Whartons jelly stem cells (hWJSCs) are derived ethically in large amounts from the umbilical cord matrix. Besides their differentiation capabilities, WJSCs also display a notable lack of ability to form teratoma. hWJSCs have been shown to exert immunomodulatory effects and have recently been reported to kill or diminish cancer cell growth. These characteristics are important considerations for their use in cell therapy. In this transcriptome analysis, hWJSCs were profiled using Affymetrix DNA microarrays and compared to a panel of human stem cells and stromal cells. Although hWJSCs are multipotent, they expressed very low levels of the majority of stem cell markers, including POU5F1, NANOG, SOX2 and LIN28. BIRC5 has recently been shown to be required for teratoma formation in SCID mice. The lower levels of BIRC5 expression in hWJSCs compared to hESCs and the very low levels of stem cell markers might account for hWJSCs inability to form teratomas. IL12A which is known to be associated with the induction of apoptosis, was amongst the several cytokines identified to be significantly upregulated in hWJSCs. The ability of hWJSCs to compliment the host immune responses was further highlighted with the GO Biological Process analysis showing high association with immune system, chemotaxis and cell death. The ability to modulate immune responses confers hWJSCs an additional advantage in stem cell therapy and potentially allows hWJSCs as a form of treatment for cancer and immune disorders. In summary, the transcriptome profile of hWJSCs has provided indications on the genetic basis for their biological characteristics in immunomodulatory response, anti-cancer effects, and the lack of teratoma formation.
Human Wharton's jelly stem cells have unique transcriptome profiles compared to human embryonic stem cells and other mesenchymal stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesDeployment of a cell-specifying enhancer repertoire by the pioneer factor Pax7 The establishment and maintenance of cell identity depends on implementation of stable cell-specific chromatin landscapes. Pioneer transcription factors establish new cell fate competences by triggering chromatin remodeling during development. Here, we used pituitary cell specification to define the salient features of pioneer action. Comparison of purified pituitary cells of different lineages showed that chromatin accessibility differs at enhancers rather than promoters. The pioneer factor Pax7 specifies one pituitary lineage identity by opening a specific repertoire of enhancers that are distinct from the myogenic targets of Pax7. Pax7 binds its pioneer targets rapidly and days before chromatin remodeling and gene activation. Finally, enhancers opened by Pax7-dependent chromatin remodeling exhibit loss of DNA methylation and they acquire long term epigenetic memory. The present work identifies enhancer pioneering as a critical feature for cell fate specification and maintenance. Overall design: RNA extraction followed by high throughput sequencing (RNA-seq)
Pioneer factor Pax7 deploys a stable enhancer repertoire for specification of cell fate.
Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment, Subject
View Samples