Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent form of secondary arterial hypertension. Mutations in different genes increase aldosterone production in PA, but additional mechanisms may contribute to increased cell proliferation and aldosterone producing adenoma (APA) development. We performed transcriptome analysis in APA and identified retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) signaling as a central molecular network involved in nodule formation. To understand how RARα modulates adrenal structure and function, we explored the adrenal phenotype of male and female Rarα knockout mice. Inactivation of Rarα in mice led to major structural disorganization of the adrenal cortex in both sexes, with increased adrenal cortex size in female mice and increased cell proliferation in males. Abnormalities of vessel architecture and extracellular matrix were due to decreased Vegfa expression and modifications in extracellular matrix components. On the molecular level, Rarα inactivation leads to inhibition of non-canonical Wnt signaling, without affecting the canonical Wnt pathway nor PKA signaling. Our study suggests that Rarα contributes to the maintenance of normal adrenal cortex structure and cell proliferation, by modulating Wnt signaling. Dysregulation of this interaction may contribute to abnormal cell proliferation, creating a propitious environment for the emergence of specific driver mutations in PA.
Retinoic acid receptor α as a novel contributor to adrenal cortex structure and function through interactions with Wnt and Vegfa signalling.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesThe ability to generate defined null mutations in mice revolutionized the analysis of gene function in mammals. However, gene-deficient mice generated by using 129-derived embryonic stem (ES) cells may carry large segments of 129 DNA, even when extensively backcrossed to reference strains, such as C57BL/6J, and this may confound interpretation of experiments performed in these mice. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), encoded by the PLAT gene, is a fibrinolytic serine protease that is widely expressed in the brain. A large number of neurological abnormalities have been reported in tPA-deficient mice. The studies here compare genes differentially expressed in the brains of Plat-/- mice from two independent Plat-/- mouse derivations to wild-type C57BL/6J mice. One strain denoted “Old” was constructed in ES cells from a 129 mouse and backcrossed extensively to C57BL/6J, and one denoted “New” Plat-/- mouse was constructed using zinc finger nucleases directly in the C57BL/6J-Plat-/- mouse strain. We identify a significant set of genes that are differentially expressed in the brains of Old Plat-/- mice that preferentially cluster in the vicinity of Plat on chromosome 8, apparently linked to more than 20 Mbp of DNA flanking Plat being of 129 origin. No such clustering is seen in the New Plat-/- mice. Overall design: Whole-transcriptome profiling of the cerebral cortex of wild-type control C57BL/6J mice and two independent Plat-/- mice strains on the C57BL/6J background.
Passenger mutations and aberrant gene expression in congenic tissue plasminogen activator-deficient mouse strains.
Age, Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesWe are investigating the transcriptional response of yeast to treatment with enediynes or gamma radiation, which generate different extents of double or single strand breaks in DNA.
The DNA-damage signature in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is associated with single-strand breaks in DNA.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe are investigating the transcriptional response of Anc1 deficient yeast under basal and MMS exposed conditions
Anc1, a protein associated with multiple transcription complexes, is involved in postreplication repair pathway in S. cerevisiae.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe have investigated whether gene expression signatures can be used to predict inter-individual responses to DNA damaging agents
Genomic predictors of interindividual differences in response to DNA damaging agents.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe report genome-wide expression changes that occur in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells upon treatment with CytoD cytoskeletal drug. mRNA-Seq analysis shows that CytoD-treated samples cluster together. In addition, we also see that cells treated with CytoD show upregulation of osteogenic markers, epiregulators, and a number of key molecular function pathways including extracellular matrix, cell membrane gene expression. Overall design: Adipose MSCs were cultured in Advanced-MEM base (Life Technologies), 5% platelet lysate, and 1% non-essential amino acids (Life Technologies), and 2U/ml heparin. Cells used for experiments were of passage 6. Adipose MSCs were seeded at 3,000 cells per cm2 in maintenance medium in 6-well plates and incubated under standard culture conditions for 24 hours before being changed to osteogenic medium containing vehicle (DMSO) or 0.1 µg/ml cytochalasin D (Sigma). Osteogenic medium maintenance media supplemented with 10 nM dexamethasone, 25 µg/ml ascorbic acid, and 10 mM ß-glycerophosphate. Cells in culture were prepared for RNA isolation by lysing with Qiazol. Purified RNA was then submitted for RNA-sequencing.
Osteogenic Stimulation of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Using a Fungal Metabolite That Suppresses the Polycomb Group Protein EZH2.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesWe are investigating the transcriptional response of mice infected with Helicobacter hepaticus and links to liver cancer
Genetic susceptibility to chronic hepatitis is inherited codominantly in Helicobacter hepaticus-infected AB6F1 and B6AF1 hybrid male mice, and progression to hepatocellular carcinoma is linked to hepatic expression of lipogenic genes and immune function-associated networks.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe report genome-wide expression changes that occur in mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells treated in triplicate for 24 hours with or without Cytochalasin D and/or CK666. mRNA-Seq analysis shows that both cell surface and the nucleus undergo phenotypic changes. Cytochalasin D enhanced expression of genes involved in pathways known to regulate osteoblast differentiation, including genes involved in development and cell signaling, including calcium ion binding, WNT and PI3K/AKT pathway. In summary, RNA-seq data reveal that the CytoD activates genes linked to osteogenesis, while CK666stimulates adipogenic genes. Overall design: Bone marrow-derived MSCs were maintained in MEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 100 µg/ml penicillin/streptomycin. For experiments, the cells were plated at a density of 10,000 cells/cm2 in 6-well culture plates and cultured for 1 day prior to application of treatments. Cells were treated with CytochalasinD and/or CK666 for 24h followed by preparation for RNA isolation. Purified RNA was then submitted for RNA-sequencing.
Intranuclear Actin Structure Modulates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesWe report genome-wide expression changes that occur in H9-iMSCs frozen with different freezing methods that include DMSO and non-DMSO experimental solutions such as SGC (sucrose-glycerol-creatinine, SMC (sucrose-mannitol-creatinine), and SGI (sucrose-mannitol-isoleucine). mRNA-Seq analysis shows that DMSO samples cluster with fresh samples in the same clade, while all samples using the experimental solutions cluster together. In addition, we also see that cells frozen using experimental solutions have upregulation of a number of key molecular function pathways including extracellular matrix structural genes, receptor binding, and growth factor expression. Overall design: H9 MSCs were cultured in alpha-MEM base (Life Technologies), 10% FBS (qualified), and 1% non-essential amino acids (Life Technologies). Culture flasks were coated with 0.01% porcine gelatin (Fisher) for a minimum of 2 hours before H9 MSC seeding. H9 MSCs were seeded in gelatin-coated flasks at a density of approximately 2500 cells/cm2. Cells were split when they reached 70% confluence and were used for experiments only from passages 8 to 12. Control cells in media were similarly combined stepwise with DMSO at a 1:1 final volume ratio. Each of these vials was incubated at room temperature for 0, 1, or 2 hours. Experimental solutions were frozen using a 3°C/min cooling rate while DMSO solutions were frozen using a 1°C/min cooling rate. Samples were submerged in a 37ºC bath to just under cap level, and agitated until only a small ice crystal was present. The cells were combined with acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) and enumerated using a hemocytometer. Samples were diluted, centrifuged and supernatant was aspirated, followed by preparation for RNA isolation. Purified RNA was then submitted for RNA-sequencing.
Improved Post-Thaw Function and Epigenetic Changes in Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Cryopreserved Using Multicomponent Osmolyte Solutions.
Cell line, Subject
View SamplesWe are investigating the transcriptional response of newborns in response to prenatal arsenic exposure
Activation of inflammation/NF-kappaB signaling in infants born to arsenic-exposed mothers.
No sample metadata fields
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