The identification of lymphocyte subsets with non-overlapping effector functions has been pivotal to the development of targeted therapies in immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). Yet, despite their key role in disease, it remains unclear whether fibroblast subclasses with non-overlapping functions also exist and are responsible for the wide variety of tissue driven pathologies observed in IMIDs such as inflammation and damage . Here we identify and describe the biology of distinct subsets of fibroblasts responsible for mediating either inflammation or tissue damage in arthritis. We show that deletion of FAPa+ synovial cells suppressed both inflammation and bone erosions in murine models of resolving and persistent arthritis. Single cell transcriptional analysis identified two distinct fibroblast subsets: FAPa+ THY1+ immune effector fibroblasts located in the synovial sub-lining, and FAPa+ THY1- destructive fibroblasts restricted to the synovial lining. When adoptively transferred into the joint, FAPa+ THY1- fibroblasts selectively mediate bone and cartilage damage with little effect on inflammation whereas transfer of FAPa+ THY1+ fibroblasts resulted in a more severe and persistent inflammatory arthritis, with minimal effect on bone and cartilage. Our findings describing anatomically discrete, functionally distinct fibroblast subsets with non-overlapping functions have important implications for cell based therapies aimed at modulating inflammation and tissue damage. Overall design: Serum transfer inflammatory arthritis (STIA) was induced by intravenous injection of 100 µl of arthritogenic KRN serum into naive C57BL/6 mice. From these mice, CD45-ve live Podoplanin (PDPN)+ synovial cells from hind limb joints were sort purified at day 9 (n=3 biological replicates, each comprised of cells from the joints of three animals). Individuals subsets of CD45- PDPN+ cells were further sort puified in the following populations FAP?+ THY1- (n=10 mice); FAP?+ THY+ (n=13 mice); FAP?- THY1+ (n=7 mice) and FAP?- THY1- (n=5 mice). Small bulk RNA sequencing was performed on each of these cell populations with each sample representing a biological replicate comprising of cells isolated from the synovial joints of both hind limbs from a single mouse).
Distinct fibroblast subsets drive inflammation and damage in arthritis.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesIn leukemias and other malignancies of the bone marrow, little is known about the fate of fibroblasts and resident macrophages after normal hematopoietic cells are replaced by neoplastic cells. In the present investigation we used two-stage long-term bone marrow cultures to detect functional stromal cell abnormalities in acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes and multiple myeloma. While fibroblasts from multiple myeloma and macrophages from multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes were functionally indistinguishable from the respective cell types from normal bone marrow, fibroblasts from patients with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes possessed a significantly lower ability to support hematopoiesis originating from co-cultured normal CD34-positive cells than fibroblasts from healthy marrow. Conversely, macrophages from acute myeloid leukemia marrow significantly enhanced the production of blood cells compared with control macrophages. Aberrant function in fibroblasts and macrophages was associated with consistent changes in the expression of genes whose products are involved in hematopoietic stem cell control, such as cytokines and regulators of the Wnt and Notch signalling pathways.
Functional abnormalities and changes in gene expression in fibroblasts and macrophages from the bone marrow of patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
Sex, Disease, Disease stage, Subject
View SamplesThe cellular origin of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is debated. Transcriptome analysis of CLL and normal peripheral blood and splenic B cell subsets displayed highest similarity of CLL to mature CD5+ B cells. We identified a distinct CD5+CD27+ post-germinal center B cell subset, and revealed that immunoglobulin V gene mutated CLL are more similar to mutated CD5+ B cells, whereas unmutated CLL are more related to unmutated CD5+ B cells. Stereotyped immunoglobulin V gene rearrangements were significantly enriched among CD5+ B cells, providing further genetic evidence for a derivation of CLL from CD5+ B cells. Moreover, we identified deregulated expression patterns providing novel insights into the pathophysiology of CLL, including downregulation of EBF1 and KLF family members.
Cellular origin and pathophysiology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Specimen part
View SamplesSPC2996 is a novel locked nucleic acid (LNA) phosphorothioate antisense molecule targeting the mRNA of the Bcl-2 oncoprotein. We investigated the mechanism of action of SPC2996 and the basis for its clinically observed immunostimulatory effects in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Patients with relapsed CLL were treated with a maximum of six doses of SPC2996 (0.2-6mg/ kg) in a multicenter phase I trial. Microarray-based transcriptional profiling of circulating CLL cells was carried out before and after the first infusion of SPC2996 in eighteen patients.
The novel antisense Bcl-2 inhibitor SPC2996 causes rapid leukemic cell clearance and immune activation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Specimen part, Time
View SamplesMicroarrays were used to detail the global programme of gene expression comparing wild-type and RNAi knock-down plants of SPT4-1 and SPT4-2
The transcript elongation factor SPT4/SPT5 is involved in auxin-related gene expression in Arabidopsis.
Age, Specimen part
View SamplesAnalysis of T-cells isolated from CD3+ T-cells of patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). In contrast to other types of cancers, the non-malignant T-cell compartment of B CLL patients is expanded. Results provide insights into the role of T-cells in B-CLL.
Expanded CD8+ T cells of murine and human CLL are driven into a senescent KLRG1+ effector memory phenotype.
Specimen part
View SamplesClonal cellular variance often confounds reproducibility of forward and reverse genetic studies. We developed combinatorial approaches for whole genome saturated mutagenesis using haploid murine ES cells to permit induction and reversion of genetic mutations. Using these systems, we created a biobank with over 100000 individual ES cell lines with repairable and genetically bar coded mutations targeting 16950 genes. This biobank termed “Haplobank” is freely available. In addition, we developed a genetic color coding system for rapid repair of mutations and direct functional validation in sister clones. Using this system, we report functional validation of essential ES cell genes. We also identified phospholipase16G as a key pathway for cytotoxicity of human rhinoviruses, the most frequent cause of the common cold. Moreover, we derived 3D blood vessel organoids from haploid ES cells, combining conditional mutagenesis in haploid ES cells with tissue engineering. We identified multiple novel genes, such as Connexin43/Gja1, in blood vessel formation and tip cell specification in vitro and also in vivo. Taken together, we develop a conditional homozygous ES cell resource for the community to empower controlled genetic studies in murine ES cells and tissues derived from it. Overall design: RNA-Seq was carried out using standard protocols. https://www.haplobank.at/ecommerce/control/haplobank_resource
Comparative glycoproteomics of stem cells identifies new players in ricin toxicity.
Subject
View SamplesCytoplasmic DNA triggers the activation of the innate immune system. While downstream signaling components have been characterized, the DNA sensing components remain largely elusive. We performed a systematic proteomics screen for proteins that associate with DNA, traversed to a screen for IFN--induced transcripts. We identified DSIRE (DNA sensor for the IL-1 response, previously called AIM2) as a candidate cytoplasmic sensor. DSIRE showed a marked selectivity for double-stranded DNA. DSIRE can recruit the inflammasome adaptor ASC and gets redistributed to ASC speckles upon coexpression of ASC. RNAi-mediated reduction of DSIRE expression led to an impairment in IL-1 maturation. Reconstitution of unresponsive cells with DSIRE, ASC, caspase 1 and IL-1 showed that DSIRE is sufficient for inflammasome activation. Overall, our data strongly suggest that DSIRE is a cytoplasmic DNA sensor for the inflammasome.
An orthogonal proteomic-genomic screen identifies AIM2 as a cytoplasmic DNA sensor for the inflammasome.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe identified a novel recurrent genetic lesion in T-LGL. Mutations of the tumour suppressor gene TNFAIP3 causing amino-acid exchanges or protein truncations were seen in 3/39 cases (8%). Overall design: RNA sequencing (Illumina HiSeq 2500) of 5 index patients with paired tumor and non-tumor samples.
Recurrent alterations of TNFAIP3 (A20) in T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesBreast cancer is genetically heterogeneous, and recent studies have underlined a prominent contribution of epigenetics to the development of this disease. To uncover new synthetic lethalities with known breast cancer oncogenes, we screened an epigenome-focused short hairpin RNA library on a panel of engineered breast epithelial cell lines. Here we report a selective interaction between the NOTCH1 signaling pathway and the SUMOylation cascade. Knockdown of the E2-conjugating enzyme UBC9 (UBE2I) as well as inhibition of the E1-activating complex SAE1/UBA2 using ginkgolic acid impairs the growth of NOTCH1-activated breast epithelial cells. We show that upon inhibition of SUMOylation NOTCH1-activated cells proceed slower through the cell cycle and ultimately enter apoptosis. Mechanistically, activation of NOTCH1 signaling depletes the pool of unconjugated small ubiquitin-like modifier 1 (SUMO1) and SUMO2/3 leading to increased sensitivity to perturbation of the SUMOylation cascade. Depletion of unconjugated SUMO correlates with sensitivity to inhibition of SUMOylation also in patient-derived breast cancer cell lines with constitutive NOTCH pathway activation. Our investigation suggests that SUMOylation cascade inhibitors should be further explored as targeted treatment for NOTCH-driven breast cancer. Overall design: We treated MCF10A and NOTCH1 cells with either DMSO or ginkgolic acid 30 uM for 3 days. Two replicates have been analysed for each condition.
NOTCH1 activation in breast cancer confers sensitivity to inhibition of SUMOylation.
No sample metadata fields
View Samples