Many cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and are recognized as relevant therapeutic targets to attenuate inflammation, such as TNF in RA and IFN/ in SLE. To relate the transcriptional imprinting of cytokines in a cell type-specific and disease-specific manner, we generated gene-expression profiles from peripheral monocytes of SLE and RA patients and compared them to in vitro-generated signatures induced by TNF, IFN2a and IFN. Monocytes from SLE and RA patients revealed disease-specific gene-expression profiles. In vitro-generated signatures induced by IFN2a and IFN showed similar profiles that only partially overlapped with those induced by TNF. Comparisons between disease-specific and in vitro-generated signatures identified cytokine-regulated genes in SLE and RA with qualitative and quantitative differences. The IFN-responses in SLE and RA were found to be regulated in a STAT1-dependent and STAT1-independent manner, respectively. Similarly, genes recognized as TNF-regulated were clearly distinguishable between RA and SLE patients. While the activity of SLE monocytes was mainly driven by IFN, the activity from RA monocytes showed a dominance of TNF that was characterized by STAT1 down-regulation. The responses to specific cytokines were revealed to be disease-dependent and reflected the interplay of cytokines within various inflammatory milieus. This study has demonstrated that monocytes from RA and SLE patients exhibit disease-specific gene-expression profiles, which can be molecularly dissected when compared to in vitro-generated cytokine signatures. The results suggest that an assessment of cytokine-response status in monocytes may be helpful for improvement of diagnosis and selection of the best cytokine target for therapeutic intervention.
The multifaceted balance of TNF-α and type I/II interferon responses in SLE and RA: how monocytes manage the impact of cytokines.
Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesAlpha synuclein (SNCA) has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases (synucleinopathies) that include Parkinsons disease (PD). Although the primary neurodegeneration in PD involves nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, more extensive yet regionally selective neurodegeneration is observed in other synucleinopathies. Furthermore, SNCA is ubiquitously expressed in neurons and numerous neuronal systems are dysfunctional in PD. Therefore it is of interest to understand how overexpression of SNCA affects neuronal function in regions not directly targeted for neurodegeneration in PD. To gain a better understanding of the consequences of excessive SNCA expression on basal ganglia function, we performed transcriptome analysis of striatal tissue from male Thy1-aSyn-mice and wt littermates. The present study investigated the consequences of SNCA overexpression on cellular processes and functions in the striatum of mice overexpressing wild-type, human SNCA under the Thy1 promoter (Thy1-aSyn mice) by transcriptome analysis. The analysis revealed alterations in multiple biological processes in the striatum of Thy1-aSyn mice, including synaptic plasticity, signaling, transcription, apoptosis, and neurogenesis.
Analysis of striatal transcriptome in mice overexpressing human wild-type alpha-synuclein supports synaptic dysfunction and suggests mechanisms of neuroprotection for striatal neurons.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesCoexpression of alpha-synuclein and p25alpha in an oligodendroglial cell line elicites a degenerative response that relies on aggregation and phosphorylation of alpha-synuclein at Ser129
Prodegenerative IκBα expression in oligodendroglial α-synuclein models of multiple system atrophy.
Cell line, Time
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Evidence for Alteration of Gene Regulatory Networks through MicroRNAs of the HIV-infected brain: novel analysis of retrospective cases.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a clinically defined entity with little understanding as to the underlying pathological substrate. Biologically, MDD is characterized by disruption of neurotransmitters, especially serotonin and noradrenaline, which are the main targets of antidepressants. We previously demonstrated significant reduction of glial cell number in the cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortical regions. Unfortunately, individuals living with HIV still have very high rates of MDD, despite the fact that mortality rates have fallen sharply with effective antiretroviral treatment. It is possible that in this treatment era, living with chronic HIV infection may result in long-term neuropathological changes that predispose to MDD. For example, it is known that HIV is associated with a range of inflammatory pathologies, neuronal loss, and dendrite-synaptic damage. In HIV, these neurodegenerative changes have been linked to neurocognitive impairments, however it is also possible that these changes potentiate MDD.
Evidence for Alteration of Gene Regulatory Networks through MicroRNAs of the HIV-infected brain: novel analysis of retrospective cases.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesAlternative mRNA splicing is the main reason vast mammalian proteomic complexity can be achieved with a limited number of genes. Splicing is physically and functionally coupled to transcription and the rate of transcript elongation has a profound effect on splicing. As the nascent pre-mRNA emerges from transcribing RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), it is assembled into a messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) particle that represents its functional form, and the composition of which determines the fate of the mature transcript4. However, factors that connect the transcribing polymerase with the mRNP particle and help integrate transcript elongation with mRNA splicing remain obscure. Here, we characterized the interactome of chromatin-associated mRNP particles and thereby identified Deleted in Breast Cancer 1 (DBC1) and a protein we named ZIRD. These proteins are subunits of a novel protein complex, named DBIRD, which binds directly to RNAPII. DBIRD regulates alternative splicing of a large set of exons embedded in A/T-rich DNA, and is present at the affected exons. RNAi-mediated DBIRD depletion results in region-specific decreases in transcript elongation, particularly across areas encompassing affected exons. These data indicate that DBIRD complex acts at the interface between mRNP particles and RNAPII, integrating transcript elongation with regulation of alternative splicing.
DBIRD complex integrates alternative mRNA splicing with RNA polymerase II transcript elongation.
Cell line
View SamplesTo investigate the differences of expression patterns in primary chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) under conditions of contact-inhibition and serum starvation, we undertook a gene profiling study to characterize the transcriptomes of CEFs grown under conditions of contact inhibition, serum starvation or both, in relation to normal growing (cycling) cells.
Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 2 and CHOP Restrict the Expression of the Growth Arrest-Specific p20K Lipocalin Gene to G0.
Specimen part
View SamplesPulmonary alveoli are complex architectural units thought to undergo endogenous or pharmacologically induced programs of regeneration and degeneration. To study the molecular mechanism of alveoli loss mice were calorie restricted at different timepoints. Lungs were harvested and processed for RNA extraction.
Calorie-related rapid onset of alveolar loss, regeneration, and changes in mouse lung gene expression.
Time
View SamplesIt has been shown that dexamethasone (Dex) impairs the normal lung septation that occurs in the early postnatal period. Treatment with retinoic acid (ATRA) abrogates the effects of Dex. To understand the molecular basis for the Dex indiced inhibition of the formation of the alveoli and the ability of ATRA to prevent the inhibition of septation, gene expression was analyzed in 4-day old mice treated with diluent (control), Dex-treated and ATRA+Dex-treated.
DNA microarray analysis of neonatal mouse lung connects regulation of KDR with dexamethasone-induced inhibition of alveolar formation.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe full complement of molecular pathways contributing to Parkinsons disease (PD) pathogenesis remains unknown. Here, to address this issue, we began by using a high-resolution variant of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to pinpoint brainstem regions differentially affected by, and resistant to, the disease. Then, relying on the imaging information as a guide, we profiled gene expression levels of postmortem brain samples and used a factorial statistical model to identify a disease related decrease in the expression of the polyamine enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1). Next, a series of studies were performed to confirm the pathogenic relevance of this finding. First, to test for a causal link between polyamines and -synuclein toxicity, we investigated a yeast model expressing -synuclein. Polyamines were found to enhance the toxicity of -synuclein, and an unbiased genome-wide screen for modifiers of -synuclein toxicity identified Tpo4, a member of a family of proteins responsible for polyamine transport. Second, to test for a causal link between SAT1 activity and PD histopathology we investigated a mouse model expressing -synuclein. DENSPM (N1, N11-diethylnorspermine), a polyamine analog that increases SAT1 activity, was found to reduce PD histopathology, while Berenil (diminazene aceturate), a pharmacological agent that reduces SAT1 activity, worsened the histopathology. Third, we genotyped PD patients and controls and isolated a rare but novel variant in the SAT1 gene, although the functional significance of this genetic variant was not identified. Taken together, the results suggest that the polyamine pathway contributes to PD pathogenesis.
Polyamine pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease.
Sex, Age, Subject
View Samples