This SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Combined chromatin and expression analysis reveals specific regulatory mechanisms within cytokine genes in the macrophage early immune response.
Cell line
View SamplesMacrophages play a critical role in innate immunity, and the expression of early response genes orchestrate much of the initial response of the immune system. Macrophages undergo extensive transcriptional reprogramming in response to inflammatory stimuli such as Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To identify gene transcription regulation patterns involved in early innate immune responses, we used two genome-wide approaches - gene expression profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) analysis. We examined the effect of 2 hrs LPS stimulation on early gene expression and its relation to chromatin remodeling (H3 acetylation; H3Ac) and promoter binding of Sp1 and RNA polymerase II phosphorylated at serine 5 (S5P RNAPII), which is a marker for transcriptional initiation. Our results indicate novel and alternative gene regulatory mechanisms for certain proinflammatory genes. We identified two groups of up-regulated inflammatory genes with respect to chromatin modification and promoter features. One group, including highly up-regulated genes such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), was characterized by H3Ac, high CpG content and lack of TATA boxes. The second group, containing inflammatory mediators (interleukins and CCL chemokines), was up-regulated upon LPS stimulation despite lacking H3Ac in their annotated promoters, which were low in CpG content but did contain TATA boxes. Genome-wide analysis showed that few H3Ac peaks were unique to either +/-LPS condition. However, within these, an unpacking/expansion of already existing H3Ac peaks was observed upon LPS stimulation. In contrast, a significant proportion of S5P RNAPII peaks (approx 40%) was unique to either condition. Furthermore, data indicated a large portion of previously unannotated TSSs, particularly in LPS-stimulated macrophages, where only 28% of unique S5P RNAPII peaks overlap annotated promoters. The regulation of the inflammatory response appears to occur in a very specific manner at the chromatin level for specific genes and this study highlights the level of fine-tuning that occurs in the immune response.
Combined chromatin and expression analysis reveals specific regulatory mechanisms within cytokine genes in the macrophage early immune response.
Cell line
View SamplesThe immortalized human urothelial cell line, UROtsa, was transformed in six parallel cultures with continual passaging in1 M Cd+2 until the cells were able to attain the ability to form colonies in soft agar and subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. The gene expression profiles between cadmium-transformed and control samples were compared and the differentially expressed genes were identified.
Variation of keratin 7 expression and other phenotypic characteristics of independent isolates of cadmium transformed human urothelial cells (UROtsa).
Cell line
View SamplesThe expression levels of many genes show wide natural variation among strains or populations. This study investigated the potential for animal strain-related genotypic differences to confound gene expression profiles in acute cellular rejection (ACR). Additional analysis allowed for selection of 49 candidate genes uniquely associated with ACR, but only after accounting for the unexpectedly large effect of animal strain. Studies of ACR that examine gene expression in peripheral blood may be confounded by strain differences. These results indicate the need for study designs that eliminate or control for the large effect of genetic background on the transcriptome of immune cells.
Impact of animal strain on gene expression in a rat model of acute cardiac rejection.
Specimen part
View SamplesInterference with chemoresistance to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutics may be of great utility for cancer therapy. We have identified KINK-1 (Kinase Inhibitor of NF-kappaB-1), a highly selective small-molecule IKKkappa inhibitor, as a potent suppressor of both constitutive and induced NF-kappaB activity in melanoma cells. While KINK-1 profoundly diminished various NF-kappaB-dependent gene products regulating proliferation, cytokine production or anti-apoptotic responses, the compound by itself showed little antiproliferative or pro-apoptotic activity on the cellular level. However, its combination with some cytostatics markedly enhanced their antitumoral activities in vitro, and doxorubicin-induced NF-kappaB activation, a mechanism implicated in chemoresistance, was abrogated by KINK-1. In addition, when KINK-1 was combined with doxorubicin in an in vivo melanoma model, experimental metastasis was significantly diminished as compared to either treatment alone. Induction of chemoresistance by KINK-1 in vivo was not observed. Thus, KINK-1 or related substances might increase the susceptibility of tumors to chemotherapy.
KINK-1, a novel small-molecule inhibitor of IKKbeta, and the susceptibility of melanoma cells to antitumoral treatment.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe hair follicle (HF) is a complex miniorgan that serves as an ideal model system to study stem cell (SC) interactions with the niche during growth and regeneration. Dermal papilla (DP) cells are required for activating SCs during the adult hair cycle, but the signal exchange between niche and SC precursors/transit amplifying progenitor cells (TACs) that regulates HF morphogenetic growth is largely unknown. Here we use six transgenic reporters to isolate 14 major skin and HF cell populations. With next-generation RNA sequencing we characterize their transcriptomes and define unique molecular signatures. SC precursors, TACs and the DP niche express a plethora of known and novel ligands and receptors. Signaling interaction network analysis reveals a birds-eye view of pathways implicated in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Using a systematic tissue-wide approach this work provides a comprehensive platform, linked to an interactive online database, to identify and further explore the SC/TAC/niche crosstalk regulating HF growth. Overall design: FACS was used to isolate specific cell types from P5 mouse back skin
Signaling Networks among Stem Cell Precursors, Transit-Amplifying Progenitors, and their Niche in Developing Hair Follicles.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesWe co-isolated hair follicle placode and dermal condensate cells along with other specific cell types from E14.5 embryonic mouse skin. With next-generation RNA-sequencing we defined gene expression patterns in the context of the entire embryonic skin. Overall design: FACS was used to isolate specific cell types from E14.5 embryonic mouse skin.
An Integrated Transcriptome Atlas of Embryonic Hair Follicle Progenitors, Their Niche, and the Developing Skin.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesUsing Tbx18Cre to target embryonic DP precursors, we ablate Sox2 early and efficiently, resulting in diminished hair shaft outgrowth. Transcriptional profiling of Sox2 null DPs reveals increased Bmp6 and decreased Bmp inhibitor Sostdc1, a direct Sox2 transcriptional target.
Sox2 in the dermal papilla niche controls hair growth by fine-tuning BMP signaling in differentiating hair shaft progenitors.
Specimen part
View SamplesMesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) sense and modulate inflammation and represent potential clinical treatment for immune disorders. However, many details of the bidirectional interaction between MSCs and the innate immune comaprtment are still unsolved. Here we describe an unconventional but functional interaction between pro-inflammatory classically activated macrophages (M1M) and MSCs, with CD54 playing a central role. CD54 was upregulated and enriched specifically at the contact area between M1M and MSCs. Moreover, the specific interaction induced calcium signaling and increased the immunosuppressive capacities of MSCs dependent on CD54 mediation. Our data demonstrate that MSCs can detect an inflammatory microenvironment via a direct and physical interaction with innate immune cells. This finding opens new perspectives for MSC-based cell therapy.
CD54-Mediated Interaction with Pro-inflammatory Macrophages Increases the Immunosuppressive Function of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesBone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are plastic adherent cells that can differentiate into various tissue lineages, including osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes. However, this progenitor property is not shared by all cells within the MSC population. In addition, MSCs vary in their proliferation capacities and expression of markers. Because of heterogeneity of CD146 expression in the MSC population, we compared CD146-/Low and CD146High cells under clonal and non-clonal (sorted MSCs) conditions to determine whether this expression is associated with specific functions. CD146-/Low and CD146High MSCs did not differ in colony-forming unit-fibroblast number, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation or in vitro hematopoietic supportive activity. However, CD146-/Low clones proliferated slightly but significantly faster than did CD146High clones. In addition, a strong expression of CD146 molecule was associated with a commitment towards a vascular smooth muscle cell lineage with upregulation of calponin-1 expression. Thus, within a bone-marrow MSC population, certain subpopulations characterized by high expression of CD146, are committed toward a vascular smooth muscle cell lineage.
CD146 expression on mesenchymal stem cells is associated with their vascular smooth muscle commitment.
Specimen part, Subject
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