Screening small molecules and drugs for activity to modulate alternative splicing, we found that amiloride, distinct from four other intracellular pH-affecting analogues, could normalize the splicing of BCL-X, HIPK3 and RON/MISTR1 transcripts in human hepatocellular carcinoma Huh-7 cells. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, our proteomic analyses of amiloride-treated cells detected hypo-phosphorylation of splicing factor SF2/ASF and also decreased levels of SRp20 and two un-identified SR proteins. We further observed decreased phosphorylation of AKT, ERK1/2 and PP1, while increased phosphorylation of p38 and JNK, suggesting that amiloride treatment down-regulated kinases and up-regulated phosphatases in the signal pathways known to affect the splicing factor protein phosphorylation. The amiloride effects of splicing factor protein hypo-phosphorylation andnormalizedoncogenic RNA splicing were both abrogated by pre-treatment with a PP1 inhibitor. We then performed global exon array analysis of Huh-7 cells treated with amiloride for 24 hours. Using gene array chips (Affymetrix GeneChip Human Exon 1.0 ST Array of >518000 exons of 42974 genes) for exon array analysis (set parameters of correlation coefficient 0.7, splicing index -1.585 , and log2 ratio -1.585), we found that amiloride influenced the splicing patterns of 551 genes involving at least 584 exons, which included 495 known protein-coding genes involving 526 exons, many of which play key roles in functional networks of ion transport, extracellular matrix, cytoskeletons and genome maintenance. Cellular functional analyses revealed subsequent invasion and migration defects, cell cycle disruption, cytokinesis impairment, and lethal DNA degradation in amiloride-treated Huh-7 cells. This study thus provides mechanistic underpinnings for exploiting small molecule modulation of abnormal RNA splicing for cancer therapeutics.
Small molecule amiloride modulates oncogenic RNA alternative splicing to devitalize human cancer cells.
Cell line
View SamplesFor most multigenic disorders, clinical manifestation (penetrance) and presentation (expressivity) are likely to be an outcome of genetic interaction between multiple susceptibility genes. Here, using gene knockouts in mice we evaluated genetic interaction between loss of Ret and loss of Sema3d, two Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) susceptibility genes. We intercrossed Ret and Sema3d double null heterozygotes to generate mice with the nine possible genotypes and assessed survival by counting various genotypes, myenteric plexus development by acetylcholinesterase (AchE) staining and embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) gut transcriptome by RNA-sequencing. Survival rates of Ret wildtype, null heterozygote and null homozygote mice at E12.5, birth and weaning were not influenced by the genotypes at Sema3d locus and vice-versa. Loss of myenteric plexus was observed only in all Ret null homozygotes, irrespective of the genotypes at Sema3d locus, and Sema3d null heterozygote and homozygote mice had normal gut innervation. As compared to wildtype mice gut gene expression, loss of Ret in null homozygotes led to differential expression of ~300 genes, whereas loss of Sema3d in null homozygotes had no major consequence and there was no evidence supporting major interaction between the two genes influencing gut transcriptome. Overall, given the null alleles and phenotypic assays used, we did not find evidence for genetic interaction between Ret and Sema3d affecting survival, myenteric plexus formation or gut transcriptome. Overall design: poly-A RNA-seq in embryonic day 12.5 mouse gut from 3 wildtype males, 3 wildtype females, 3 Ret null homozyogote males, 3 Ret null homozyogote females, 3 Sema3d null homozyogote males, 3 Sema3d null homozyogote females, 3 Ret-Sema3d double null homozyogote males, 3 Ret-Sema3d double null homozyogote females
Testing the Ret and Sema3d genetic interaction in mouse enteric nervous system development.
Sex, Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesThe tumor suppressor genes EAF2 and p53 are frequently dysregulated in prostate cancers. Recently, we reported that concurrent p53 nuclear staining and EAF2 downregulation were associated with high Gleason score. Combined loss of EAF2 and p53 in a murine model induced prostate tumors, and concurrent knockdown of EAF2 and p53 in prostate cancer cells enhanced proliferation and migration, further suggesting that EAF2 and p53 could functionally interact in the suppression of prostate tumorigenesis. Here, RNA-seq analyses identified differentially regulated genes in response to concurrent knockdown of p53 and EAF2. Several of these genes were associated with the STAT3 signaling pathway, and this was verified by significantly increased p-STAT3 immunostaining in the Eaf2-/-p53-/- mouse prostate. STAT3 knockdown abrogated the stimulation of C4-2 cell proliferation by concurrent knockdown of EAF2 and p53. Furthermore, immunostaining of p-STAT3 was increased in human prostate cancer specimens with EAF2 downregulation and/or p53 nuclear staining. Our findings suggest that simultaneous inactivation of EAF2 and p53 can act to activate STAT3 and drive prostate tumorigenesis. Overall design: C4-2 prostate cancer cells treated with siEAF2 and/or sip53 mRNA profiles were generated by deep sequencing, using Illumina HiSeq 2000.
EAF2 and p53 Co-Regulate STAT3 Activation in Prostate Cancer.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesAlternative splicing is a mechanism for increasing the protein variety of a limited number of genes. Studies have shown that aberrant regulations of the alternative splicing of apoptotic gene transcripts may contribute to the development of cancer. In this study, we isolated 4ß-Hydroxywithanolide E (4bHWE) from the traditional herb Physalis peruviana, and analyzed its biological effects in cancer cells. The results demonstrated that 4bHWE modulates the alternative splicing of apoptotic genes (e.g., HIPK3, SMAC/DIABLO, and SURVIVIN), changes the expression level of splicing factors (e.g., hnRNP C1/C2, ASF/SF2, SRp20, and SRp55), and induces histone tail posttranslational modifications (e.g., H3K27me1, H3K27me2, H3K36me3, and H3K79me1). Pretreatment with okadaic acid to inhibit protein phosphatase-1 could partly relieve the effects of 4bHWE on the alternative splicing of HIPK3 and SMAC/DIABLO transcripts, as well as on the dephosphorylation of ASF/SF2. Genome-wide detection of alternative splicing further indicated that several other apoptosis-related genes are also regulated by 4bHWE, including APAF1, CARP-1, and RIPK1. Moreover, we extended our study to apoptosis-associated molecules, detecting an increasing level of CASPASE-3 activity and cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase in 4bHWE-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that the treatment of tumor-bearing mice with 4bHWE resulted in a marked decrease of tumor size and weight. Taken together, this study is the first to show that 4bHWE affects alternative splicing through the modulations of splicing factors, providing a novel view of the antitumor mechanism of 4bHWE. Overall design: Examination of the global genes with altered alternative splicing in 4bHWE-treated Huh-7 cells.
4β-Hydroxywithanolide E Modulates Alternative Splicing of Apoptotic Genes in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Huh-7 Cells.
Specimen part, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesHuman Whartons jelly stem cells (hWJSCs) are derived ethically in large amounts from the umbilical cord matrix. Besides their differentiation capabilities, WJSCs also display a notable lack of ability to form teratoma. hWJSCs have been shown to exert immunomodulatory effects and have recently been reported to kill or diminish cancer cell growth. These characteristics are important considerations for their use in cell therapy. In this transcriptome analysis, hWJSCs were profiled using Affymetrix DNA microarrays and compared to a panel of human stem cells and stromal cells. Although hWJSCs are multipotent, they expressed very low levels of the majority of stem cell markers, including POU5F1, NANOG, SOX2 and LIN28. BIRC5 has recently been shown to be required for teratoma formation in SCID mice. The lower levels of BIRC5 expression in hWJSCs compared to hESCs and the very low levels of stem cell markers might account for hWJSCs inability to form teratomas. IL12A which is known to be associated with the induction of apoptosis, was amongst the several cytokines identified to be significantly upregulated in hWJSCs. The ability of hWJSCs to compliment the host immune responses was further highlighted with the GO Biological Process analysis showing high association with immune system, chemotaxis and cell death. The ability to modulate immune responses confers hWJSCs an additional advantage in stem cell therapy and potentially allows hWJSCs as a form of treatment for cancer and immune disorders. In summary, the transcriptome profile of hWJSCs has provided indications on the genetic basis for their biological characteristics in immunomodulatory response, anti-cancer effects, and the lack of teratoma formation.
Human Wharton's jelly stem cells have unique transcriptome profiles compared to human embryonic stem cells and other mesenchymal stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesHuman Whartons jelly stem cells (hWJSCs) are derived ethically in large amounts from the umbilical cord matrix. Besides their differentiation capabilities, WJSCs also display a notable lack of ability to form teratoma. hWJSCs have been shown to exert immunomodulatory effects and have recently been reported to kill or diminish cancer cell growth. These characteristics are important considerations for their use in cell therapy. In this transcriptome analysis, hWJSCs were profiled using Affymetrix DNA microarrays and compared to a panel of human stem cells and stromal cells. Although hWJSCs are multipotent, they expressed very low levels of the majority of stem cell markers, including POU5F1, NANOG, SOX2 and LIN28. BIRC5 has recently been shown to be required for teratoma formation in SCID mice. The lower levels of BIRC5 expression in hWJSCs compared to hESCs and the very low levels of stem cell markers might account for hWJSCs inability to form teratomas. IL12A which is known to be associated with the induction of apoptosis, was amongst the several cytokines identified to be significantly upregulated in hWJSCs. The ability of hWJSCs to compliment the host immune responses was further highlighted with the GO Biological Process analysis showing high association with immune system, chemotaxis and cell death. The ability to modulate immune responses confers hWJSCs an additional advantage in stem cell therapy and potentially allows hWJSCs as a form of treatment for cancer and immune disorders. In summary, the transcriptome profile of hWJSCs has provided indications on the genetic basis for their biological characteristics in immunomodulatory response, anti-cancer effects, and the lack of teratoma formation.
Human Wharton's jelly stem cells have unique transcriptome profiles compared to human embryonic stem cells and other mesenchymal stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesHuman Whartons jelly stem cells (hWJSCs) are derived ethically in large amounts from the umbilical cord matrix. Besides their differentiation capabilities, WJSCs also display a notable lack of ability to form teratoma. hWJSCs have been shown to exert immunomodulatory effects and have recently been reported to kill or diminish cancer cell growth. These characteristics are important considerations for their use in cell therapy. In this transcriptome analysis, hWJSCs were profiled using Affymetrix DNA microarrays and compared to a panel of human stem cells and stromal cells. Although hWJSCs are multipotent, they expressed very low levels of the majority of stem cell markers, including POU5F1, NANOG, SOX2 and LIN28. BIRC5 has recently been shown to be required for teratoma formation in SCID mice. The lower levels of BIRC5 expression in hWJSCs compared to hESCs and the very low levels of stem cell markers might account for hWJSCs inability to form teratomas. IL12A which is known to be associated with the induction of apoptosis, was amongst the several cytokines identified to be significantly upregulated in hWJSCs. The ability of hWJSCs to compliment the host immune responses was further highlighted with the GO Biological Process analysis showing high association with immune system, chemotaxis and cell death. The ability to modulate immune responses confers hWJSCs an additional advantage in stem cell therapy and potentially allows hWJSCs as a form of treatment for cancer and immune disorders. In summary, the transcriptome profile of hWJSCs has provided indications on the genetic basis for their biological characteristics in immunomodulatory response, anti-cancer effects, and the lack of teratoma formation.
Human Wharton's jelly stem cells have unique transcriptome profiles compared to human embryonic stem cells and other mesenchymal stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe study demontrates differences in the transcriptome ( both of protein coding transcripts and long non-coding RNAs) in the unilateral ureteric obstruction model of renal fibrosis. Overall design: Renal tissue was studied from animals undergoing sham operation (as controls) or right ureteric ligation. Animals were sacrificed 2 and 8 days following ligation and the right kidney tissue was examined.
Whole-transcriptome analysis of UUO mouse model of renal fibrosis reveals new molecular players in kidney diseases.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesWe demonstrate that GLUT4 up-regulation significantly increased cell migration and invasion in lower magligance head and neck cancer cell lines in vitro.
Glucose transporter 4 promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma metastasis through the TRIM24-DDX58 axis.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesMacrophages are a heterogeneous cell population involved in tissue homeostasis, inflammation and in multiple pathologies. Although the major tissue-resident macrophage populations have been extensively studied, interstitial macrophages (IMs) residing within tissue parenchyma remain poorly defined. Here, we studied IMs from murine lung, fat, heart and dermis. We identified two independent IM subpopulations that are conserved across tissues: Lyve1loMHCIIhiCX3CR1hi (Lyve1loMHCIIhi) and Lyve1hiMHCIIloCX3CR1lo (Lyve1hiMHCIIlo) monocyte-derived IMs, with distinct gene expression profiles, phenotypes, functions, and localisation. Using a mouse model of inducible macrophage depletion (SLCO2B1-DTR), we found that the absence of Lyve1hiMHCIIlo IMs exacerbated experimental lung fibrosis. Thus, we demonstrate that two independent populations of IMs exist across tissues and exhibit conserved niche-dependent functional programming. Overall design: Mouse Lung Interstitial Macrophages single cell mRNA profiles
Two distinct interstitial macrophage populations coexist across tissues in specific subtissular niches.
Specimen part, Subject
View Samples