The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of progressive weight loss (5, 10, 15% weight loss) on metabolic function such as multi-organ insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in obese people. We conducted microarray analysis to determine the effect of progressive weight loss on adipose tissue gene expression profile.
Effects of Moderate and Subsequent Progressive Weight Loss on Metabolic Function and Adipose Tissue Biology in Humans with Obesity.
Specimen part
View SamplesUremic media calcification is not only driven by systemic factors such as hyperphosphatemia, but also crticially dependent on vascular smooth muscle cells per se. We hypothesized that the different developmental origins of vscular smooth muscle cells might lead to a heterogeneous susceptibility to develop media calcification.
Heterogeneous susceptibility for uraemic media calcification and concomitant inflammation within the arterial tree.
Specimen part
View SamplesTo investigate the roles of Klf3 in B lymphopoiesis, CD19+ B cells were sorted from the spleens of WT and Klf3 KO mice (Molecular and Cellular Biology (2008); 28:39673978).
Impaired B cell development in the absence of Krüppel-like factor 3.
Specimen part
View SamplesPseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes severe health problems. Despite intensive investigation, many aspects of microbial virulence remain poorly understood. We used a high-throughput, high-content, whole-organism, phenotypic screen to identify small molecules that inhibit P. aeruginosa virulence in C. elegans. Approximately half of the hits were known antimicrobials. A large number of hits were non-antimicrobial bioactive compounds, including the cancer chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil. We determined that 5-fluorouracil both transiently inhibits bacterial growth and reduces pyoverdine biosynthesis. Pyoverdine is a siderophore that regulates the expression of several virulence determinants and is critical for pathogenesis in mammals. We show that 5-fluorouridine, a downstream metabolite of 5-fluorouracil, is responsible for inhibiting pyoverdine biosynthesis. We also show that 5-fluorouridine, in contrast to 5-fluorouracil, is a genuine anti-virulent compound, with no bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal activity. To our knowledge, this is the first report utilizing a whole-organism screen to identify novel compounds with antivirulent properties effective against P. aeruginosa.
A High-Content, Phenotypic Screen Identifies Fluorouridine as an Inhibitor of Pyoverdine Biosynthesis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesX chromosome inactivation (XCI) compensates for differences in X-chromosome number between male and female mammals. XCI is orchestrated by Xist RNA, whose expression in early development leads to transcriptional silencing of one X-chromosome in the female. Knockout studies have established a requirement for Xist, with inviability of female embryos that inherit an Xist deletion from the father. Here, we report that female mice lacking Xist RNA can, surprisingly, develop and survive to term. Xist-null females are born at lower frequency and are smaller at birth, but organogenesis is mostly normal. Transcriptomic analysis indicates significant overexpression of hundreds of X-linked genes across multiple tissues. Therefore, Xist-null mice can develop to term in spite of a deficiency of dosage compensation. However, the degree of X-autosomal dosage imbalance was less than anticipated (1.14- to 1.36-fold). Thus, partial dosage compensation can be achieved without Xist, supporting the idea of inherent genome balance. Nevertheless, to date, none of the mutant mice has survived beyond weaning stage. Sudden death is associated with failure of postnatal organ maturation. Our data suggest Xist-independent mechanisms of dosage compensation and demonstrate that small deviations from X-autosomal balance can have profound effects on overall fitness. Overall design: RNA-sequencing of tail-tip fibroblasts (TTFs), spleen, liver and heart tissue from Xist-null and control female mice. Sequencing performed with 50nt read length on Illumina HiSeq2000 or 2500. Data consists of 3 biological replicates for TTFs (6 datasets) and 2 biological replicates for tissues (12 datasets).
Female mice lacking Xist RNA show partial dosage compensation and survive to term.
Sex, Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesAluminum toxicity is one of the major limiting factors for many crops worldwide. The primary symptom of Al toxicity syndrome is the inhibition of root growth, leading to poor water and nutrient absorption. The causes of this inhibition are still elusive, with several biochemical pathways being affected and with a significant variation between species. Most of the work done so far to investigate the genes responsible for Al tolerance used hydroponic culture. Here we evaluated plant responses using soil as substrate, which is a condition closer to the field reality.
Transcriptional profile of maize roots under acid soil growth.
Specimen part
View SamplesPseudomonas aeruginosa is a re-emerging opportunistic pathogen with broad antimicrobial resistance. We have previously reported that the major siderophore pyoverdine from this pathogen disrupts mitochondrial networks and induces a lethal hypoxic response in model host Caernorhabditis elegans. However, the mechanism of such cytotoxicity remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate that pyoverdine translocates into host cells, binding to host ferric iron sources. The reduction of host iron content disrupts mitochondrial function such as NADH oxidation and ATP production and activates mitophagy. This activates a specific immune response that is distinct from colonization-based pathogensis and exposure to downstream pyoverdine effector Exotoxin A. Host response to pyoverdine resembles that of a hypoxic crisis or iron chelator treatment. Furthermore, we demonstrate that pyoverdine is a crucial virulence factor in P. aerguinosa pathogenesis against cystic fibrosis patients; F508 mutation in human CFTR increases susceptibility to pyoverdine-mediated damage.
Pyoverdine, a siderophore from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, translocates into C. elegans, removes iron, and activates a distinct host response.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesDose-dependent duodenal gene expression was examined following repeated exposure (every 4 days for 28 days) to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). These data were used to examine the effect of repeated TCDD exposure on gene expression in the intestinal epithelium of C57BL/6 male mice. Overall design: Three biological replicates for each dose (0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30) of TCDD and sesame oil vehicle
Convergence of hepcidin deficiency, systemic iron overloading, heme accumulation, and REV-ERBα/β activation in aryl hydrocarbon receptor-elicited hepatotoxicity.
Sex, Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesDose-dependent hepatic gene expression was examined following repeated exposure (every 4 days for 28 days) to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). These data were used to examine the effect of repeated TCDD exposure on gene expression in the liver of C57BL/6 male mice. Overall design: Three biological replicates for each dose (0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30) of TCDD and sesame oil vehicle
Convergence of hepcidin deficiency, systemic iron overloading, heme accumulation, and REV-ERBα/β activation in aryl hydrocarbon receptor-elicited hepatotoxicity.
Sex, Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesZnO nanoparticles can elicit a range of perturbed cell responses in vitro. Exposure to topically applied sunscreens containing ZnO particles may or may not elicit a biological effect in mice.
Dermal absorption and short-term biological impact in hairless mice from sunscreens containing zinc oxide nano- or larger particles.
Specimen part
View Samples