mRNA profiles of thousands of human tumors are available, but methods to deduce oncogenic signaling networks from these data lag behind. It is especially challenging to identify main-regulatory routes, and to generalize conclusions obtained from experimental models. We designed the bioinformatic platform R2 in parallel with a wet-lab approach of neuroblastoma. Here we demonstrate how R2 facilitates an integrated analysis of our neuroblastoma data. Analysis of the MYCN pathway suggested important regulatory connections to the polyamine synthesis route, the Notch pathway and the BMP/TGF pathway. A network of genes emerged connecting major oncogenes in neuroblastoma. Genes in the network carried strong prognostic values and were essential for tumor cell survival.
Sequencing of neuroblastoma identifies chromothripsis and defects in neuritogenesis genes.
Specimen part
View SamplesHeparan sulfate (HS), a long linear polysaccharide, is implicated in various steps of tumorigenesis, including angiogenesis. We successfully interfered with HS biosynthesis using a peracetylated 4-deoxy analog of the HS constituent GlcNAc and studied the compounds metabolic fate and its effect on angiogenesis. The 4-deoxy analog was activated intracellularly into UDP-4-deoxy-GlcNAc and HS expression was inhibited up to ~96% (IC50 = 16 M). HS chain size was reduced, without detectable incorporation of the 4-deoxy analog, likely due to reduced levels of UDP-GlcNAc and/or inhibition of glycosyltransferase activity. Comprehensive gene expression analysis revealed reduced expression of genes regulated by HS binding growth factors as FGF-2 and VEGF. Cellular binding and signaling of these angiogenic factors was inhibited. Micro-injection in zebrafish embryos strongly reduced HS biosynthesis, and angiogenesis was inhibited in both zebrafish and chicken model systems. All these data identify 4-deoxy-GlcNAc as a potent inhibitor of HS synthesis which hampers pro-angiogenic signaling and neo-vessel formation.
Interfering with UDP-GlcNAc metabolism and heparan sulfate expression using a sugar analogue reduces angiogenesis.
Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesThe human bone marrow (BM) gives rise to all distinct blood cell lineages, including CD1c+ and CD141+ myeloid dendritic cells (DC) and monocytes. These cell subsets are also present in peripheral blood (PB) and lymphoid tissues. However, the difference between the BM and PB compartment in terms of differentiation state and immunological role of DC is not yet known. The BM may represent both a site for development as well as a possible effector site and so far, little is known in this light with respect to different DC subsets. Using genome-wide transcriptional profiling we found clear differences between the BM and PB compartment and a location-dependent clustering for CD1c+ and CD141+ was demonstrated. DC subsets from BM clustered together and separate from the corresponding subsets from PB, which similarly formed a cluster. In BM, a common proliferating and immature differentiating state was observed for the two DC subsets, whereas DC from the PB showed a more immune-activated mature profile. In contrast, BM-derived slan+ non-classical monocytes were closely related to their PB counterparts and not to DC subsets, implying a homogenous prolife irrespective of anatomical localization. Additional functional tests confirmed these transcriptional findings. DC-like functions were prominently exhibited by PB DC. They surpassed BM DC in maturation capacity, cytokine production and induction of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation. This first study on myeloid DC in healthy human BM offers new information on steady-state DC biology and could potentially serve as a starting point for further research on these immune cells in healthy conditions as well as in diseases.
Human Bone Marrow-Derived Myeloid Dendritic Cells Show an Immature Transcriptional and Functional Profile Compared to Their Peripheral Blood Counterparts and Separate from Slan+ Non-Classical Monocytes.
Specimen part
View SamplesAbstract: Human 6-sulfo LacNac (slan)+ cells have been subject to a paradigm debate. They have previously been classified as a distinct dendritic cell (DC) subset. However, evidence has emerged that they may be more related to monocytes than to DC. To gain deeper insight into the functional specialization of slan+ cells, we have compared them with both conventional myeloid DC subsets (CD1c+ and CD141+) in human peripheral blood. Using genome-wide transcriptional profiling as well as extensive functional tests, we clearly show that slan+ cells form a distinct, non-DC-like, population. They cluster away from both DC subsets and their gene expression profile evidently suggests involvement in distinct inflammatory processes. An extensive comparison with existing genomic data sets also strongly confirmed the relationship of slan+ with the monocytic compartment rather than with DC. From a functional perspective, their ability to induce CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation is relatively low. Combined with the finding that antigen presentation by MHC class II is at the top of under-represented pathways in slan+ cells, this points to a minimal role in directing adaptive T cell immunity. Rather, the higher expression of complement receptors on their cell surface, together with their high secretion of IL-1 and IL-6, imply a specific role in innate inflammatory processes, which is consistent with their recent identification as non-classical monocytes. This study extends our knowledge on DC/monocyte subset biology under steady state conditions and contributes to our understanding of their role in immune-mediated diseases and their potential use in immunotherapeutic strategies.
Transcriptional profiling reveals functional dichotomy between human slan<sup>+</sup> non-classical monocytes and myeloid dendritic cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Whole blood transcriptome analysis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A biomarker study.
Sex, Disease
View SamplesTranscriptome-wide analysis of whole blood gene expression profiles of ALS patients, gender- and age-matched controls and patients diagnosed with diseases mimicking ALS at a tertiary referral center for motor neuron diseases.
Whole blood transcriptome analysis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A biomarker study.
Sex, Disease
View SamplesTranscriptome-wide analysis of whole blood gene expression profiles of ALS patients, gender- and age-matched controls and patients diagnosed with diseases mimicking ALS at a tertiary referral center for motor neuron diseases.
Whole blood transcriptome analysis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A biomarker study.
Sex, Disease
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
A NOTCH feed-forward loop drives reprogramming from adrenergic to mesenchymal state in neuroblastoma.
Specimen part, Cell line, Time
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Indian Hedgehog Suppresses a Stromal Cell-Driven Intestinal Immune Response.
Specimen part, Time
View SamplesEwing sarcoma is an aggressive pediatric small round cell tumor that predominantly occurs in bone. Approximately 85% of Ewing sarcomas harbor the EWS/FLI fusion protein, which arises from a chromosomal translocation, t(11:22)(q24:q12). EWS/FLI interacts with numerous lineage-essential transcription factors to maintain mesenchymal progenitors in an undifferentiated state. We previously showed that EWS/FLI binds the osteogenic transcription factor RUNX2 and prevents osteoblast differentiation. In this study, we investigated the role of another Runt-domain protein, RUNX3, in Ewing sarcoma. RUNX3 participates in mesenchymal-derived bone formation and is a context dependent tumor suppressor and oncogene. RUNX3 was detected in all Ewing sarcoma cells examined, whereas RUNX2 was detected in only 73% of specimens. Like RUNX2, RUNX3 binds to EWS/FLI via its Runt domain. EWS/FLI prevented RUNX3 from activating the transcription of a RUNX-responsive reporter, p6OSE2. Stable suppression of RUNX3 expression in the Ewing sarcoma cell line A673 delayed colony growth in anchorage independent soft agar assays and reversed expression of EWS/FLI-responsive genes. These results demonstrate an important role for RUNX3 in Ewing sarcoma. Overall design: RNA-seq to compare transcriptiome of control A673 ewing sarcoma cells stably expression a non-target or RUNX3 shRNA
RUNX3 facilitates growth of Ewing sarcoma cells.
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