In many forms of retinal degenerative diseases in human, microglia relocate to and accumulate in the subretinal space. However, the roles of microglia in retinal degeneration are poorly understood. By leveraging single cell RNA-seq, we identified a distinct microglia subtype in the subretinal space. These microglia underwent transcriptional reprogramming characterized by reduced expression of homeostatic checkpoint genes and upregulation of injury-responsive genes. Importantly, this transition is associated with protection of the retinal pigment epithelium from damage caused by disease. Therefore, our data demonstrated microglial heterogeneity in retinal degeneration and may provide important implications for developing new strategies to prevent loss of vision. Overall design: Transcriptional profiling of Cx3cr1+ single cells from the mouse model of light-induced retinal degeneration with matched control, generated from single cell RNA-sequencing of over 10,000 cells.
Microglial Function Is Distinct in Different Anatomical Locations during Retinal Homeostasis and Degeneration.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesInterleukin-15 (IL-15) and IL-2 possess distinct immunological functions despite both signaling through IL-2Rß and the common cytokine receptor ?-chain, ?c, We find that in the IL-15/IL-15Ra/IL-2Rß/?c quaternary complex structure, IL-15 heterodimerizes IL-2Rß and ?c identically to the IL-2/IL-2Ra/IL-2Rß/?c complex, despite differing receptor-binding chemistries. IL-15Ra dramatically increases the affinity of IL-15 for IL-2Rß, and this allostery is required for IL-15 trans-signaling versus IL-2 cis-signaling. Consistent with the identical IL-2Rß/?c dimer geometry, IL-2 and IL-15 exhibited similar signaling properties in lymphocytes, with any differences resulting from disparate receptor affinities. Thus, IL-15 and IL-2 induce similar signals, and the cytokine-specificity of IL-2Ra versus IL-15Ra determines cellular responsiveness. These results provide important new insights for specific development of IL-15- versus IL-2-based immunotherapeutics. Overall design: RNA-Seq is conducted in mouse CD8+ T cells, not treated or treated with IL2 or IL15 for indicated concentrations (1nM or 500nM) and times (4hr or 24hr).
Mechanistic and structural insight into the functional dichotomy between IL-2 and IL-15.
Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesParvin-beta is a focal adhesion protein downregulated in human breast cancer cells. Loss of Parvin-beta contributes to increased integrin-linked kinase activity, cell-matrix adhesion, and invasion through the extracellular matrix in vitro. The effect of ectopic Parvin-beta expression on the transcriptional profile of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, which normally do not express Parvin-beta was evaluated. Particular emphasis was placed upon propagating MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in three-dimensional culture matrices. Gene expression profiles of vector control and Parvin-beta transfected MDA-MB-231 cells cultured on (A) monomeric type I collagen coated plastic, (B) embedded in a type I collagen gel, and (C) embedded in basement membrane (growth factor reduced Matrigel), were compared. Interestingly, Parvin-beta re-expression in MDA-MB-231 cells increased the mRNA expression, serine 82 phosphorylation (mediated by CDK9), and activity of the nuclear hormone receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and a concomitant increase in lipogenic gene expression as a downstream effector of PPARgamma. Importantly, Parvin-beta suppressed breast cancer growth in vivo with associated decreased proliferation. These data suggest that Parvin-beta might influence breast cancer progression..
Parvin-beta inhibits breast cancer tumorigenicity and promotes CDK9-mediated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 1 phosphorylation.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesGene expression data from 21 triple negative breast cancer samples treated with cisplatin & bevacizumab in the neoadjuvant setting as part of a clinical trial.
Overexpression of BLM promotes DNA damage and increased sensitivity to platinum salts in triple-negative breast and serous ovarian cancers.
Specimen part
View SamplesIntestinal health is sustained by cooperation between diverse cell types, including epithelial cells, immune cells and stromal cells. Colonic stromal cells provide critical structural support but also regulate mucosal immunity, tolerance and inflammatory responses. Although mucosal stromal cells display substantial variability and plasticity, a paucity of unique genetic markers has precluded the identification of distinct stromal populations and functions. We used single-cell RNA-sequencing to uncover heterogeneity and subtype-specific markers of individual colonic stromal cells in health and ulcerative colitis (UC). Marker-free transcriptional clustering revealed four distinct stromal populations in healthy colon, corresponding to myofibroblasts and three previously unknown distinct subsets of fibroblasts. These fibroblast subsets were substantially remodeled in UC compared to healthy colon: inflamed UC colon was depleted for a healthy fibroblast subpopulation associated with epithelial cell homeostasis, and enriched for a novel disease-associated subtype expressing pro-inflammatory genes. Thus, we have discovered new, molecularly distinct colonic stromal cell subtypes that are altered in human disease. Overall design: Colonic lamina propria mesenchymal cells from 3 healthy donors. 183 single cell libraries, 6 bulk controls, 3 empty well controls. Individual donors processed as separate batches with Fluidigm C1 IFCs and pooled for sequencing (2 x Illumina HiSeq 2500 lanes).
Structural Remodeling of the Human Colonic Mesenchyme in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesIntestinal health is sustained by cooperation between diverse cell types, including epithelial cells, immune cells and stromal cells. Colonic stromal cells provide critical structural support but also regulate mucosal immunity, tolerance and inflammatory responses. Although mucosal stromal cells display substantial variability and plasticity, a paucity of unique genetic markers has precluded the identification of distinct stromal populations and functions. We used single-cell RNA-sequencing to uncover heterogeneity and subtype-specific markers of individual colonic stromal cells in health and ulcerative colitis (UC). Marker-free transcriptional clustering revealed four distinct stromal populations in healthy colon, corresponding to myofibroblasts and three previously unknown distinct subsets of fibroblasts. These fibroblast subsets were substantially remodeled in UC compared to healthy colon: inflamed UC colon was depleted for a healthy fibroblast subpopulation associated with epithelial cell homeostasis, and enriched for a novel disease-associated subtype expressing pro-inflammatory genes. Thus, we have discovered new, molecularly distinct colonic stromal cell subtypes that are altered in human disease. Overall design: Ulcerative colitis colonic lamina propria mesenchymal cells from 3 donors. 178 single cell libraries, 7 bulk controls, 7 empty well controls. Individual donors processed as separate batches on Fluidigm C1 IFCs and pooled for sequencing (1 x Illumina HiSeq 4000 lane).
Structural Remodeling of the Human Colonic Mesenchyme in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Disease, Subject
View SamplesIntestinal health is sustained by cooperation between diverse cell types, including epithelial cells, immune cells and stromal cells. Colonic stromal cells provide critical structural support but also regulate mucosal immunity, tolerance and inflammatory responses. Although mucosal stromal cells display substantial variability and plasticity, a paucity of unique genetic markers has precluded the identification of distinct stromal populations and functions. We used single-cell RNA-sequencing to uncover heterogeneity and subtype-specific markers of individual colonic stromal cells in health and ulcerative colitis (UC). Marker-free transcriptional clustering revealed four distinct stromal populations in healthy colon, corresponding to myofibroblasts and three previously unknown distinct subsets of fibroblasts. These fibroblast subsets were substantially remodeled in UC compared to healthy colon: inflamed UC colon was depleted for a healthy fibroblast subpopulation associated with epithelial cell homeostasis, and enriched for a novel disease-associated subtype expressing pro-inflammatory genes. Thus, we have discovered new, molecularly distinct colonic stromal cell subtypes that are altered in human disease. Overall design: Colonic epithelial cells from 3 healthy donors. 92 single cell libraries, 3 bulk controls, 1 empty well control. Individual donors processed as separate batches on Fluidigm C1 IFCs and pooled for sequencing (1 x Illumina HiSeq 2500 lane).
Structural Remodeling of the Human Colonic Mesenchyme in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Disease, Subject
View SamplesImmune checkpoint blockade has shown tremendous anti-tumor potential in the clinic. However, these therapies are only effective in a subset of patients, so identification of additional immunomodulatory molecules that enhance the anti-tumor activity of these treatments may expand their clinical utility. In particular, identifying small molecules that complement existing immunotherapies has been relatively unexplored, so we performed a small molecule screen to identify compounds that can enhance co-inhibitory molecule blockade, to improve the anti-tumor adaptive immune response. Our unbiased screen identified inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6), including the FDA-approved palbociclib, as a class of small molecule compounds that exhibited significant immunostimulatory activity in vitro. In accordance with our in vitro finding of enhanced NFAT signaling, single-cell RNA-sequencing confirmed that in vivo exposure to CDK4/6 inhibitors enhanced NFAT signaling in tumor infiltrating T cells. Moreover, our results revealed that CDK4/6 inhibition up-regulated activation molecules and down-regulated suppressive molecules in these cells. CDK4/6 inhibition also increased the number of T cells with activated TCR (T cell receptor) signaling, as well as factors that are important for signal transduction downstream of TCR signaling. In summary, the impact of CDK4/6i on cell cycle progression and T cell proliferation are balanced favorably towards increased T cell recruitment and enhanced effector cell function, mediated in part by activation of the NFAT family of transcription factors. Further, our results demonstrate that CDK4/6i enhances PD-1 blockade through increased T-cell effector function and inhibition of immune suppressive cytokine production. While prolonged CDK4/6i treatment could be immunosuppressive due to adverse effects on lymphocyte proliferation, properly timed/sequenced CDK4/6i may potentiate the clinical impact of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies. As palbociclib is FDA-approved and multiple other CDK4/6 inhibitors are in clinical trials, we expect that this hypothesis will undergo rapid testing in humans. Overall design: Single-cell comparison of control and CDK4/6 inhibitor treated tumor infiltrating T cells
CDK4/6 Inhibition Augments Antitumor Immunity by Enhancing T-cell Activation.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesC3H10T1/2 stem cells are committed to the adipocyte lineage by treatment with BMP-4 and grown to postconfluence. When subjected to our standard differentiation protocol, the committed cells differentiate into adipocytes in a manner indistinguishable from that of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In contrast, C3H10T1/2 cells not committed with BMP-4 remain undifferentiated despite treatment with differentiation inducers. The molecular basis of the commitment process, however, has not been elucidated. Since postconfluent uncommitted and committed C3H10T1/2 cells respond differently to the differentiation inducers, it was reasoned that the two cell types differed at the gene expression level. Therefore, we undertook microarray gene expression profiling to detect changes between the two cell populations at postconfluence to identify expressed genes that may be responsible for the dramatic change in phenotype.
BMP-4 treatment of C3H10T1/2 stem cells blocks expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesFlaviviruses, particularly Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and West Nile virus (WNV), are important causes of virus-induced central nervous system (CNS) disease in humans. We used microarray analysis to identify cellular genes that are differentially regulated following infection of the brain with JEV (P3) or WNV (New York 99). Gene expression data for these flaviviruses was compared to that induced following infection of the brain with reovirus (Type 3 Dearing), an unrelated neurotropic virus. Although several studies have described gene expression changes following virus infection of the brain, this report is the first to directly compare large-scale gene expression data from different viruses. We found that a large number of genes were up-regulated in common to infections with all 3 viruses (fold change > 2, P < 0.001), including genes associated with interferon signaling, the immune system, inflammation and cell death/survival signaling. In addition, genes associated with glutamate signaling were down-regulated in common to infections with all 3 viruses (fold change > 2, P < 0.001). These genes may serve broad spectrum therapeutic targets for virus-induced CNS disease. A distinct set of genes were up-regulated following flavivirus-infection, but not following infection with reovirus. These genes were associated with tRNA charging and may serve as therapeutic targets for flavivirus-induce CNS disease.
Virus-induced transcriptional changes in the brain include the differential expression of genes associated with interferon, apoptosis, interleukin 17 receptor A, and glutamate signaling as well as flavivirus-specific upregulation of tRNA synthetases.
Specimen part, Treatment
View Samples