Intravaginal HIV microbicides could provide women with a self-controlled means for HIV prevention, but results from clinical trials have been largely disappointing. We postulated that unrecognized effects of intravaginal gels on the upper female reproductive tract (FRT) might contribute to the lower-than-expected efficacy of HIV microbicides. In this observational crossover study, 28 healthy female volunteers used no product (control cycle) or used a nightly application of intravaginal nonoxynol-9 gel [N9] as a 'failed' microbicide or the universal placebo gel [UPG] as a 'safe' gel, from the end of menses to the mid-luteal phase (intervention cycles). They then underwent sample collection for measurements of T-cell phenotypes, transcriptional profiling, and protein levels from 3 anatomic sites above the vagina: the cervical transformation zone, the endocervix and the endometrium. We used hierarchical statistical models to estimate mean (95% CI) intervention:control fold-changes in relevant phenotype levels. Exposure to N9 and UPG generated a common 'harm signature' that included transcriptional up-regulation of inflammatory genes CCL20 and IL8 in the cervix, decreased protein concentrations of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor and increased percentages of terminally differentiated CD4+ effector T-cells in the endocervix, and transcriptional up-regulation of inflammatory mediators KIR3DS1, glycodelin-A, and osteopontin in the endometrium. These results underscore the need to consider the effects of microbicide agents and gel excipients on the upper FRT in studies of vaginal microbicides. Given the pro-inflammatory effects of UPG on the upper FRT, it may not be a suitable placebo for microbicide trials.
Unexpected Inflammatory Effects of Intravaginal Gels (Universal Placebo Gel and Nonoxynol-9) on the Upper Female Reproductive Tract: A Randomized Crossover Study.
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View SamplesThe goal of the experiment was to compare the liver transcriptional profile of wild-type and IL-10 knockout mice with colitis. Colitis was induced in 6 week old female wild-type and IL-10-deficient C57BL/6 mice by administration of 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in the drinking water for 7 days.
Intestinal inflammation modulates expression of the iron-regulating hormone hepcidin depending on erythropoietic activity and the commensal microbiota.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesAlzheimers disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Oligomers of Amyloid- peptides (A) are thought to play a pivotal role in AD pathogenesis, yet the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Two major isoforms of A associated with AD are A40 and A42, the latter being more prone to form oligomers and toxic. Humanized yeast models are currently applied to unravel the cellular mechanisms behind A toxicity. Here, we took a systems biology approach to study two yeast AD models which expressed either A40 or A42 in bioreactor cultures. Strict control of oxygen availability and culture pH, strongly affected the chronological lifespan and reduced confounding effects of variations during cell growth. Reduced growth rates and biomass yields were observed upon expression of A42, indicating a redirection of energy from growth to maintenance. Quantitative physiology analyses furthermore revealed reduced mitochondrial functionality and ATP generation in A42 expressing cells, which matched with observed aberrant fragmented mitochondrial structures. Genome-wide expression levels analysis showed that A42 expression triggers strong ER stress and unfolded protein responses (UPR). Expression of A40 induced only mild ER stress, leading to activation of UPR target genes that cope with misfolded proteins, which resulted in hardly affected physiology. The combination of well-controlled cultures and AD yeast models strengthen our understanding of how cells translate different levels of A toxicity signals into particular cell fate programs, and further enhance their role as a discovery platform to identify potential therapies.
Interplay of Energetics and ER Stress Exacerbates Alzheimer's Amyloid-β (Aβ) Toxicity in Yeast.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesSarcolipin (SLN) is a key regulator of SERCA pump in atria. To determine the role of SLN in atrial Ca2+ homeostasis, we have generated a SLN null (sln-/-) mouse model. Ablation of SLN results in increased SR Ca2+ load and Ca2+ transients in atria. Further, loss of SLN results in electrophysiological and strcutural remodeling of atria.
Ablation of sarcolipin results in atrial remodeling.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesClinical Significance: Understanding the differences in colorectal cancer (CRC) aggressiveness and clinical outcomes in relation to tumor stage and different molecular subsets is at most important for designing treatment regimens. However, molecular signatures for specific phenotypic subsets that predict the aggressiveness and clinical outcomes of CRC, specifically in advanced disease stage are lacking. Therefore, for the first time, the current study has identified a set of molecular markers that are associated with aggressive Stage III CRCs that exhibited microsatellite stable and mutant p53 phenotypic features. These findings might aid in designing aggressive treatment regimens and help to provide insights into the development of novel therapeutic targets.
Prognostic significance and gene expression profiles of p53 mutations in microsatellite-stable stage III colorectal adenocarcinomas.
Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesThis study describes the transcriptome profiling of: 1) mouse ES cells in LIF/KSR medium; 2)EpiSCs in bFGF/serum-free (KSR) medium; 3) EpiSCs treated with MM401/LIF KSR at D3 and D6 (P2); 4) rES reverted form EpiSC by MM401/LIF KSR treatment at P6, P30 with or without MM401 . Overall design: RNA-Seq profiling on mouse pluripotent cells. Biological duplicates of each sample are labled as rep1/2.
MLL1 Inhibition Reprograms Epiblast Stem Cells to Naive Pluripotency.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesLow back pain (LBP) is one of the most prevalent conditions which need medical advice and result in chronic disabilities. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common reason for LBP. A lot of researchers think that CEP degeneration play critical roles in the initiation and development of DDD. In recent years, researchers have put interests on cell-based therapies for regenerating disc structure and function. Our research team has isolated cartilage endplate-derived stem cells (CESCs) and validated their chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation ability. Enhanced chondrogenic differentiation and inhibited osteogenic differentiation of CESCs may retard CEP calcification and restore the nutrition supply, possibly regenerating the degenerated discs.
Global Gene Expression Profiling and Alternative Splicing Events during the Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Cartilage Endplate-Derived Stem Cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) are fibrous particulates made up of elemental carbon and a novel nanomaterial known for its variety of industrial applications. It has been shown that lung exposure to CNTs may cause adverse effects inclunding lung inflammation and remodeling in experimental models. We investigated the impact of genetic background on the development of adverse outcomes by comparing several common inbred mouse strains and found that C57Bl/6 and DBA/2 strains were polarized in their sensitivity to adverse changes at 4 weeks following an exposure to 4 mg/kg CNT. Here we compare underlying gene expression profiles which may inform the understanding of lung biology underpinning genetic susceptibility to adverse outcomes following environmental or occupational exposure to CNTs. Overall design: Changes in mRNA profiles were compared between CNT-exposed animals and vehicle-treated controls (n=3/group) of either C57Bl/6 or DBA/2 strains.
Genetic susceptibility to toxicologic lung responses among inbred mouse strains following exposure to carbon nanotubes and profiling of underlying gene networks.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesPulmonary fibrosis (PF) is associated with many chronic lung diseases including Systemic sclerosis (SSc), Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Cystic Fibrosis (CF) which are characterized by the progressive accumulation of stromal cells and formation of scar tissue. Pulmonary fibrosis is a dysregulated response to alveolar injury which causes a progressive decline in lung function and refractory to current pharmacological therapies. Airway and alveolar epithelial cells and stromal cells contribute to pulmonary fibrosis but the cell-specific pathways and gene networks that are responsible for the pathophysiology are unknown. Recent animals models generated in our lab demonstrate clinical phenotypes seen in human fibrotic disease. The mouse model of transforming growth factor-a (TGFa)-induced fibrosis include conditionally expressing TGFa in the lung epithelium under control of the CCSP promoter driving rtTA expression (CCSP/TGFa). This allow the TGFa is only expressed in airway and alveolar epithelial cells and only when mice fed doxycycline (Dox). Similar to PF in humans, TGFa mice on Dox developed a progressive and extensive adventitial, interstitial and pleural fibrosis with a decline in lung mechanics. Thus, the TGFa transgenic mouse is a powerful model to determine lung cell-specific molecular signatures involved in pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we sought to determine changes in the transcriptome during TGFa-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Our results showed that several pro-fibrotic genes increased in the lungs of TGFa mice. This study demonstrates that WT1 network gene changes associated with fibrosis and myfibroblast accumulation and thus may serve as a critical regulator fibrotic lung disease. Overall design: mRNA profiles of CCSP/- and CCSP/TGFalpha mice treated with Dox
Fibrocytes Regulate Wilms Tumor 1-Positive Cell Accumulation in Severe Fibrotic Lung Disease.
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View SamplesInterleukin-31 (IL-31), a T cells derived cytokine which is mainly produced by CD4+ T cells skewed towards Th2 phenotypes. It signals via a heterodimeric receptors composed of IL-31RA and OSMR that is expressed constitutively in epithelial cells and keratinocytes. IL-31 is shown to play a pathogenic role in allergic and inflammatory diseases. Transgenic mice overexpressing IL-31 have a phenotype similar to atopic dermatitis. Here, we studied the role of IL-31 in skin damage by intradermal administration of recombinant IL-31. Notably, IL-31 was sufficient to increase epidermal basal cell proliferation and thickening of the epidermal layer of skin in mice. Analysis of skin transcriptome indicates a significant increase in the transcripts involved in epidermal cell proliferation and pathological skin remodeling. Thus, our study revealed an important role of IL-31 signaling in activating transcriptional programs involved in the pathophysiology of skin diseases. Overall design: mRNA profiles of C57BL/6 mice skin injected with saline and rIL-31 (20µg) via i.d.
IL-31-Driven Skin Remodeling Involves Epidermal Cell Proliferation and Thickening That Lead to Impaired Skin-Barrier Function.
Specimen part, Treatment, Subject
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