microRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by targeting specific mRNAs. Altered expression of circulating miRNAs have been associated with age-related diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Although we and others have found an age-dependent decrease in miRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), little is known about the role of circulating miRNAs in human aging. Here, we examined miRNA expression in human serum from young (mean age 30 years) and old (mean age 64 years) individuals using next generation sequencing technology and real-time quantitative PCR. Of the miRNAs that we found to be present in serum, three were significantly decreased in 20 older individuals compared to 20 younger individuals: miR-151a-5p, miR-181a-5p and miR-1248. Consistent with our data in humans, these miRNAs are also present at lower levels in the serum of elderly rhesus monkeys. In humans, miR-1248 was found to regulate the expression of mRNAs involved in inflammatory pathways and miR-181a was found to correlate negatively with the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNFa and to correlate positively with the anti-inflammatory cytokines TGFb and IL-10. These results suggest that circulating miRNAs may be a biological marker of aging and could also be important for regulating longevity. Identification of stable miRNA biomarkers in serum could have great potential as a noninvasive diagnostic tool as well as enhance our understanding of physiological changes that occur with age. Overall design: Examination of microRNAs isolated from human serum from 11 young (mean age 30 yrs) and 11 old (mean age 64 yrs) individuals and from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from one young (30 yr) and one old (64 yr) individual.
Age-related changes in microRNA levels in serum.
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View SamplesCirculating extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) are potential biomarkers of disease. We thus hypothesized that age-related changes in exRNAs can identify age-related processes. We profiled both large and small RNAs in human serum to investigate changes associated with normal aging. exRNA was sequenced in 13 young (30-32 yrs.) and 10 old (80-85 yrs.) African American women to identify all RNA transcripts present in serum. We identified age-related differences in several RNA biotypes, including mitochondrial transfer RNAs, mitochondrial ribosomal RNA, and unprocessed pseudogenes. Age-related differences in unique RNA transcripts were further validated in an expanded cohort. Pathway analysis revealed that EIF2 signaling, oxidative phosphorylation, and mitochondrial dysfunction were among the top pathways shared between young and old. Protein interaction networks revealed distinct clusters of functionally-related protein-coding genes in both age-groups. These data provide timely and relevant insight into the exRNA repertoire in serum and its change with aging. Overall design: Profiling of extracellular RNA (exRNA) from human serum in 13 young (30.9 ± 0.60 yrs) and 10 old (81.8 ± 1.87 yrs) individuals.
Extracellular RNA profiles with human age.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesWe report that AUF1 modulates global mRNA stability and translation, in turn promoting the maintenance of DNA integrity. Overall design: Please see individual series. For AUF1 PAR-CLIP, the four isoforms of AUF1 (p37, p40, p42, and p45) tagged with a Flag epitope were expressed in HEK293 cells. For total RNA-Seq HEK293 cells were transfected with Control siRNA, AUF1 siRNA, Empty Vector, Flag-AUF1 p37, p40, p42, or p45 as well as WI-38 cells were collected at PDL 15 and 55 and also transfected with Control siRNA, AUF1 siRNA, HuR siRNA. For Ribo-Seq HeLa cells were transfected with Control siRNA, AUF1 siRNA, or HuR siRNA.
PAR-CLIP analysis uncovers AUF1 impact on target RNA fate and genome integrity.
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View SamplesWe report that AUF1 modulates global mRNA stability and translation, in turn promoting the maintenance of DNA integrity. Overall design: Please see individual series. In short, for AUF1 PAR-CLIP, the four isoforms of AUF1 (p37, p40, p42, and p45) tagged with a Flag epitope were expressed in HEK293 cells. For total RNA-Seq HEK293 cells were transfected with Control siRNA, AUF1 siRNA, Empty Vector, Flag-AUF1 p37, p40, p42, or p45 as well as WI-38 cells were collected at PDL 15 and 55 and also transfected with Control siRNA, AUF1 siRNA, HuR siRNA. For Ribo-Seq HeLa cells were transfected with Control siRNA, AUF1 siRNA, or HuR siRNA.
PAR-CLIP analysis uncovers AUF1 impact on target RNA fate and genome integrity.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe cell of origin of hepatoblastoma in humans and mice (HB) is unknown; it has been hypothesized to be a transformed hepatocyte, an oval cell, or a multipotent hepatic progenitor cell. In mice, the current dogma is that HBs arise within hepatocellular neoplasms as a result of further transformation from a neoplastic hepatocyte. However, there is little evidence in the literature to support a direct relationship between these two cell types. Furthermore, due to differences in etiology and development of hepatoblastoma between mice and humans, many have questioned the relevance of these tumors in hazard identification and risk assessment. In order to better understand the relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatoblastoma, as well as better determine the molecular similarities between mouse and human hepatoblastoma, global gene expression analysis and targeted Hras and Ctnnb1 mutation analysis were performed using concurrent hepatoblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and associated normal adjacent liver (in the context of vehicle control liver) samples from a recent National Toxicology Program chronic bioassay. The data from this study provides a better understanding of the origins of hepatoblastoma in the B6C3F1 mice and the relevance of mouse hepatoblastoma to humans when considering chemical exposures of potential human cancer risk.
Genomic Profiling Reveals Unique Molecular Alterations in Hepatoblastomas and Adjacent Hepatocellular Carcinomas in B6C3F1 Mice.
Specimen part
View SamplesArgonaute (Ago) proteins, which act in post-transcriptional gene regulation directed by small RNAs, are vital for normal stem cell biology. Here we report the genomic characterization of stable Ago-deficient mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) and determine the direct, primary and system level response to loss of Ago-mediated regulation. We find mESCs lacking all four Ago proteins are viable, do not repress microRNA (miRNA)-targeted cellular RNAs, and show distinctive gene network signatures. Profiling of RNA expression and epigenetic activity in an Ago mutant genetic series indicates that early responses to Ago loss are driven by transcriptional regulatory networks, in particular the Tgf-ß/Smad transcriptional network. This finding is confirmed using a time course analysis of Ago depletion and Ago rescue experiments. Detailed analysis places Tgf-ß/Smad activation upstream of cell cycle regulator activation, such as Cdkn1a, and repression of the c-Myc transcriptional network. The Tgf-ß/Smad pathway is directly controlled by multiple low-affinity miRNA interactions with Tgf-ß/Activin receptor mRNAs and receptor-mediated activation is required for Tgf-ß/Smad target induction with Ago loss. Our characterization reveals the interplay of post-transcriptional regulatory pathways with transcriptional networks in maintaining cell state and likely coordinating cell state transitions. Overall design: mRNA seq from stable genetic Dicer and Dgcr8 mutant mouse embryonic stem cells.
Temporal Control of the TGF-β Signaling Network by Mouse ESC MicroRNA Targets of Different Affinities.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesBackground. Differential gene expression in adipose tissue during diet-induced weight loss followed by a weight stability period is not well characterized. Markers of these processes may provide a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Objective. To identify differentially expressed genes in human adipose tissue during weight loss and weight maintenance after weight loss. Design. RNA from subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue from nine obese subjects was obtained and analyzed at baseline, after weight reduction on a low calorie diet (LCD), and after a period of group therapy in order to maintain weight stability. Results. Subjects lost 18.8 + 5.4% of their body weight during the LCD and maintained this weight during group therapy. Insulin sensitivity (HOMA) improved after weight loss with no further improvement during weight maintenance. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B (CDKN2B) and JAZF zinc finger 1 (JAZF1), associated with type 2 diabetes, were downregulated. We could also confirm the downregulation of candidates for obesity and related traits, such as tenomodulin (TNMD) and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), with weight loss. The expression of other candidates, such as cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector A (CIDEA) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) were upregulated during weight loss but returned to baseline levels during weight maintenance. Conclusion. Genes in the adipose tissue are differentially expressed during weight loss and weight maintenance after weight loss. Genes that show sustained regulation may be of potential interest as markers of the beneficial effects of weight loss whereas others seem to be primarily involved in the process of weight loss itself.
Differential gene expression in adipose tissue from obese human subjects during weight loss and weight maintenance.
Sex, Age
View SamplesThe pathogenic mechanisms of common kidney glomerular diseases, including the vast majority of cases of proteinuria, remain unknown.
Glomerular transcriptome changes associated with lipopolysaccharide-induced proteinuria.
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View SamplesWe identified that downregulation of RNF20/H2Bub1 is involved in HGSOC progression through altering key immune signaling pathways. The goal of this RNA-seq is to analyze gene expression profile in FTSEC cells (FT190 and FT194 cell lines) with RNF20 knockdown (shRNF20) or control shRNA. Integrating the data from ATAC-seq for same samples, we observed that expression of immune signaling pathways have significantly changed by RNF20/H2Bub1 downregulation. Overall design: mRNA profiles of FT190 and FT194 shRNF20 (RNF20 knockdown) or control shRNA cells were generated by deep sequencing using Illumina HiSeq 2500, in triplicate.
Early Loss of Histone H2B Monoubiquitylation Alters Chromatin Accessibility and Activates Key Immune Pathways That Facilitate Progression of Ovarian Cancer.
Subject
View SamplesAt least 30 types of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) send distinct messages through the optic nerve to the brain. Strategies for promoting regeneration of RGC axons following injury act on only some of these types. Here we tested the hypothesis that over-expressing developmentally important transcription factors in adult RGCs could reprogram them to a “youthful” growth-competent state and promote regeneration of other types. From a screen of transcription factors expressed by developing RGCs, we found one, Sox11, that induced substantial axon regeneration. Transcriptome profiling confirmed that Sox11 activates genes involved in cytoskeletal remodeling and axon growth. Remarkably, alpha-RGCs, which preferentially regenerate following treatments such as PTEN deletion, were killed by Sox 11. Thus, Sox 11 promotes regeneration of non-alpha RGCs, which are refractory to PTEN. We conclude that Sox11 can reprogram adult RGCs to a growth-competent state and that different growth-promoting interventions act on distinct neuronal types. Overall design: We compared transcriptomes of retinal ganglion cells between AAV-Control retinas, and retinas treated with AAV-Sox11 overexpression. We then performed optic nerve crush, and 3 days later purified RGCs using FACS. RGCs were marked with Thy1-PE-Cy7 antibody and with live/dead cell staining. We performed sample preparations in full triplicate, and in each replicate we always performed Control and Sox11 on the same day, in alternating order.
Sox11 Expression Promotes Regeneration of Some Retinal Ganglion Cell Types but Kills Others.
Specimen part, Subject
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