The multi-ligand Receptor for AGE (RAGE) contributes to atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein (ApoE) null mice in both the non-diabetic and diabetic states. Previous studies using soluble RAGE, the extracellular ligand-binding domain of RAGE, or homozygous RAGE null mice showed that blockade or deletion of RAGE resulted in marked reduction in atherosclerotic lesion area and complexity compared to control animals. In parallel, significant down-regulation of inflammatory mediators and matrix metalloproteinases was evident in ApoE null mice aortas devoid of RAGE compared to those of ApoE null RAGE-expressing mice. Although these findings suggested that RAGE triggered pro-atherogenic mechanisms via regulation of inflammatory gene expression, these studies did not reveal the broader pathways by which RAGE contributed to atherosclerosis in ApoE null mice.
Activation of the ROCK1 branch of the transforming growth factor-beta pathway contributes to RAGE-dependent acceleration of atherosclerosis in diabetic ApoE-null mice.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of antibodies to self-nucleic acids, immune complex deposition and tissue inflammation such as glomerulonephritis. Innate recognition of molecular complexes containing self-DNA and RNA and the ensuing production of type I interferons (IFN) contribute to SLE development. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) have been proposed as a relevant source of pathogenic IFN in SLE; however, their net contribution to the disease remains unclear. We addressed this question using haplodeficiency of the pDC-specific transcription factor E2-2 (Tcf4), which causes a specific impairment of pDC function in otherwise normal animals. We report that Tcf4+/- animals were significantly protected from SLE-like disease caused by the overexpression of the endosomal RNA sensor Tlr7. The protection was also observed after the monoallelic deletion of Tcf4 specifically in the dendritic cell lineage. Furthermore, Tcf4 haplodeficiency in the B6.Sle1.Sle3 multigenic model of SLE ameliorated key disease manifestations including anti-DNA antibody production, immune activation and glomerulonephritis. These results provide genetic evidence that pDCs are critically involved in SLE pathogenesis, confirming their potential utility as therapeutic targets in the disease.
Genetic evidence for the role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesGain-of-function mutations in exon 3 of beta-catenin (CTNNB1) are specific for Wilms' tumors that have lost WT1, but 50% of WT1-mutant cases lack such "hot spot" mutations. To ask whether stabilization of beta-catenin might be essential after WT1 loss, and to identify downstream target genes, we compared expression profiles in WT1-mutant versus WT1 wild-type Wilms' tumors. Supervised and nonsupervised hierarchical clustering of the expression data separated these two classes of Wilms' tumor. The WT1-mutant tumors overexpressed genes encoding myogenic and other transcription factors (MOX2, LBX1, SIM2), signaling molecules (TGFB2, FST, BMP2A), extracellular Wnt inhibitors (WIF1, SFRP4), and known beta-catenin/TCF targets (FST, CSPG2, CMYC). Beta-Catenin/TCF target genes were overexpressed in the WT1-mutant tumors even in the absence of CTNNB1 exon 3 mutations, and complete sequencing revealed gain-of-function mutations elsewhere in the CTNNB1 gene in some of these tumors, increasing the overall mutation frequency to 75%. Lastly, we identified and validated a novel direct beta-catenin target gene, GAD1, among the WT1-mutant signature genes. These data highlight two molecular classes of Wilms' tumor, and indicate strong selection for stabilization of beta-catenin in the WT1-mutant class. Beta-Catenin stabilization can initiate tumorigenesis in other systems, and this mechanism is likely critical in tumor formation after loss of WT1.
CTNNB1 mutations and overexpression of Wnt/beta-catenin target genes in WT1-mutant Wilms' tumors.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe used an integrated computational/experimental systems biology approach to identify upstream protein kinases that regulate gene expression changes in kidneys of HIV-1 transgenic mice (Tg26), which have significant tubulo-interstitial fibrosis (TIF) and glomerulosclerosis (GS). We identified the homeo-domain interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) as a key regulator of TIF and GS. HIPK2 was upregulated in kidneys of Tg26 and patients with various kidney diseases. HIV infection increased the protein level of HIPK2 by promoting oxidative stress, which inhibited Siah1-mediated proteasomal degradation of HIPK2.
A systems approach identifies HIPK2 as a key regulator of kidney fibrosis.
Sex, Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesHuman Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) associated nephropathy (HIVAN) is characterized clinically by both nephrosis and by rapidly progressive kidney dysfunction. HIVAN is characterized histologically by both collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and prominent tubular damage. Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) is known to be rapidly expressed in distal segments of the nephron at the onset of different types of acute kidney injury, but few studies have examined NGAL in chronic kidney disease models. We found that urinary NGAL (uNGAL) was highly expressed by patients with biopsy proven HIVAN, whereas HIV+ patients without HIVAN demonstrated lower levels. uNGAL was also highly expressed in the TgFVB mouse model of HIVAN, which demonstrated NGAL gene expression in dilated, microcystic segments of the nephron. These data show that NGAL is markedly upregulated in the setting of HIVAN, and suggest that uNGAL levels may provide a non-invasive screening test to detect HIVAN related tubular disease.
Urinary NGAL marks cystic disease in HIV-associated nephropathy.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesTwo metrics, a rise in serum creatinine concentration and a decrease in urine output, are considered tantamount to the injury of the kidney tubule and the epithelial cells thereof (AKI).Yet neither criterion emphasizes the etiology or the pathogenetic heterogeneity of acute decreases in kidney excretory function. In fact, whether decreased excretory function due to contraction of the extracellular fluid volume (vAKI) or due to intrinsic kidney injury (iAKI) actually share pathogenesis and should be aggregated in the same diagnostic group remains an open question. To examine this possibility, we created mouse models of iAKI and vAKI that induced a similar increase in serum creatinine concentration. Using laser microdissection to isolate specific domains of the kidney, followed by RNA sequencing, we found that thousands of genes responded specifically to iAKI or to vAKI, but very few responded to both stimuli. In fact, the activated gene sets comprised different, functionally unrelated signal transduction pathways and were expressed in different regions of the kidney. Moreover, we identified distinctive gene expression patterns in human urine as potential biomarkers of either iAKI or vAKI, but not both. Hence, iAKI and vAKI are biologically unrelated, suggesting that molecular analysis should clarify our current definitions of acute changes in kidney excretory function. Overall design: Examining transcriptional profiles of two models of "acute kidney injury" (iAKI and pAKI), compared to controls, in different microanatomic regions of the kidney using laser capture microdissection
Unique Transcriptional Programs Identify Subtypes of AKI.
Subject
View SamplesThe NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) is essential for the functioning of microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) monoxygenases. The biological functions of the CPR-dependent enzymes in the intestine are not known, despite the vast knowledge available on the biochemical properties of the various oxygenases. A mouse model with intestinal epithelium (IE)-specific Cpr-knockout (IE-Cpr-null) was recently generated in this laboratory (Zhang et al., Drug Metab. Dispos., 37, 651-657, 2009). The IE-Cpr-null mice did not display any obvious abnormalities in growth, development, or reproduction, and their intestines appeared to have a normal structure. Despite the absence of observable phenotypes, we hypothesized that loss of the enterocyte CPR expression will impact homeostasis of endogenous compounds, and expression of genes, that have critical biological function in the small intestine. In the present study, we have performed genomic analyses for enterocytes from IE-Cpr-null mice and their wild-type littermates, using Affymetrix Mouse Expression Set 430A 2.0 GeneChip Arrays. Our aim was to identify small intestinal gene-expression changes, which may shed light on potential biological roles of CPR and CPR-dependent enzymes in the small intestine. Our analysis revealed significant expression increases in P450s, transporters, cholesterol biosynthesis, and (unexpectedly) antigen presentation/processing. Further genomic and biochemical analyses revealed potential mechanisms linking CPR-dependent enzymes and the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II genes in the small intestine.
Potential biological functions of cytochrome P450 reductase-dependent enzymes in small intestine: novel link to expression of major histocompatibility complex class II genes.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesAppendiceal cancer patients treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) often demonstrate an unpredictable variability in survival outcomes. Biomarkers predictive of CRS/HIPEC efficacy could better guide treatment decisions. In this study we hypothesized that variation in the transcriptional programming of appendiceal tumors might distinguish molecular subtypes with differential outcomes after CRS/HIPEC. The goal of this study was to investigate the potential of a prognostic gene signature to discriminate patients with favorable and unfavorable outcomes in a discovery set of patient (the original tumor series (n=24)), and confirm its prognostic value in a second validation series (the validation cohort (n=39)).
Prognostic Molecular Subtypes of Low-Grade Cancer of the Appendix.
Sex, Age
View SamplesThough obesity is a global epidemic, the physiological mechanisms involved are little understood. Recent advances reveal that susceptibility to obesity can be programmed by maternal and neonatal nutrition. Specifically, a maternal low protein diet during pregnancy causes decreased intrauterine growth, rapid postnatal catch-up growth and increased risk for diet-induced obesity. Given that the synthesis of the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is nutritionally regulated and 5-HT is a trophic factor, we hypothesized that maternal diet influences fetal 5-HT exposure, which then influences central appetite network development and the subsequent efficacy of 5-HT to control energy balance in later life. Consistent with our hypothesis, pregnant low protein fed rat mothers exhibited elevated serum 5-HT, which was also evident in the placenta and fetal brains at E16.5. This increase was associated with reduced hypothalamic expression of 5-HT2CR - the primary 5-HT receptor influencing appetite. As expected, reduced 5-HT2CR expression was associated with impaired sensitivity to 5-HT-mediated appetite suppression. 5-HT primarily achieves effects on appetite via 5-HT2CR stimulation of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) peptides within the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC). We reveal that 5-HT2ARs are also anatomically positioned to influence the activity of ARC POMC and that 5-HT2AR mRNA is increased in the hypothalamus of in utero growth restricted offspring that underwent rapid postnatal catch-up growth. Furthermore, these animals are more sensitive to 5-HT2AR agonist-induced appetite suppression. These findings may not only reveal a 5-HT-mediated mechanism underlying programming of obesity susceptibility but also provide a promising means to correct it, via a 5-HT2AR agonist treatment.
5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors as hypothalamic targets of developmental programming in male rats.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesWe have studied the genes activated in human liver transplantation to identify potential target genes for the prevention or treatment of related injuries.
Wide gene expression profiling of ischemia-reperfusion injury in human liver transplantation.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Subject
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