Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have immunosuppressive capacity in mouse models of cancer. Here we show that the genetic deletion of the microRNA (miRNA)-processing enzyme DICER in TAMs broadly programs them to a CD11c+MRC1-/low M1-like immunostimulatory phenotype characterized by activated interferon-? (IFN-?)/STAT1/IRF signaling. M1-like TAM programming fostered the recruitment of cytotoxic T-cells (CTLs), including tumor-antigen-specific CTLs, inhibited tumor growth, and enhanced the efficacy of PD1 checkpoint blockade. Bioinformatics analysis of TAM transcriptomes identified a limited set of miRNAs putatively involved in TAM programming. Re-expression of Let-7 in Dicer-deficient TAMs was sufficient to partly rescue the M2-like (protumoral) TAM phenotype and abate tumor CTL infiltration. Targeted suppression of DICER activity in TAMs may, therefore, stimulate antitumor immunity and enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Overall design: To explore the role of DICER in the development, activation and immunological functions of TAMs, we crossed homozygous LysM-Cre (Clausen et al., 1999) with Dicerlox/lox (Harfe et al., 2005) mice to obtain mice with myeloid-cell-specific Dicer1 gene deletion (LysM-Cre;Dicer–/–, referred to as D–/–). These mice were then backcrossed to LysM-Cre to obtain the control LysM-Cre; Dicer+/+ mice (referred to as D+/+). Both LysM-Cre and Dicerlox/lox mutations were always homozygous in our experiment. We then inoculated Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells subcutaneously (s.c.) in D–/– and control D+/+ mice. Once the tumors were established, we isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) tumor-associated macrophages (F4/80+ cells).
Suppression of microRNA activity amplifies IFN-γ-induced macrophage activation and promotes anti-tumour immunity.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesPilocytic astrocytomas (PA) are the most common brain tumor in pediatric patients and can cause significant morbidity, including chronic neurological deficiencies. They are characterized by activating alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, but little else is known about their development. To further define their molecular development, we analysed the global DNA methylation profiles of 61 PAs and 6 normal cerebellum samples and integrated this data with transcriptome profiling. These data revealed two subgroups of PA that separate according to tumor location (infratentorial versus supratentorial), and identified key neural developmental genes that are differentially methylated between the two groups. Significant expression differences were identified for the majority of differentially methylated genes, and these were unexpectedly associated with a strong positive correlation between methylation and expression. We also identified a large number of differentially methylated/expressed genes between cerebellar PAs and normal cerebellum, which included additional developmental genes.
Differential expression and methylation of brain developmental genes define location-specific subsets of pilocytic astrocytoma.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesDepletion of immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) or reprogramming towards a pro-inflammatory activation state represent different strategies to therapeutically target this frequent myeloid population. Here we report that inhibition of colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) signaling sensitizes TAM to profound reprogramming in the presence of a CD40 agonist prior to their depletion. Despite the short-lived nature of macrophage hyperactivation, combined CSF-1R/CD40 stimulation of macrophages is sufficient to trigger a productive and durable T cell response in various mouse cancer models. The central role of macrophages in regulating T cell-dependent tumor rejections was substantiated by depletion experiments and transcriptomic analysis of ex vivo sorted TAM. Since CD40 expression on human TAM varies between different tumor types, co-expression of human CSF-1R and CD40 in colorectal adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma can serve as criteria to select these tumor types for clinical development Overall design: Female C57BL/6N mice (6-8 weeks in age, obtained from Charles River) were inoculated with 106 MC38 colorectal adenocarcinoma tumor cells subcutaneously. Tumor growth curves were monitored by caliper measurement and once tumor size reached 250 mm3 in average, groups were allocated for antibody treatment. Ten mice/group were treated with 30 mg/kg IgG1 isotype control antibody clone MOPC-21 (BioXCell), 4 mg/kg anti-CD40 rat IgG2a antibody clone FGK45 (BioXCell), 30mg/kg anti-CSF-1R antibody clone 2G2, 4 mg/kg rat IgG2a control clone 2A3 (BioXCell). For depletion experiments 4mg/kg mouse anti-CD4 antibody clone GK1.5 (Biolegend), 4mg/kg anti-NK1.1 antibody clone PK136 (BioXCell) and 4mg/kg anti-CD8a antibody clone 53-6.7 (BioXCell) were administered when tumor size reached 190mm3 in average. Antibodies were given every second day for four times. In between doses two and three of the depleting antibodies, animals were further treated with vehicle control (0,9% sodium saline), MOPC21, FGK45, 2G2 or combination of FGK45 and 2G2. The anti-CSF-1R antibody or respective IgG1 control antibody were administered weekly until tumors regressed completely or animals reached termination criteria, while the anti-CD40 antibody was only administered once at day 11 simultaneously with the anti-CSF-1R antibody. All antibodies were given intraperitoneally. All procedures were performed in accordance with the National Institutes of Health Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and European Union directives and guidelines.
Rapid activation of tumor-associated macrophages boosts preexisting tumor immunity.
Specimen part, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesThe LEF/TCF family of transcription factors are downstream effectors of the WNT signaling pathway, which drives colon tumorigenesis. LEF/TCFs have a DNA sequence-specific HMG box that binds Wnt Response Elements (WREs). The E tail isoforms of TCFs are alternatively spliced to include a second DNA binding domain called the C-clamp. We show that induction of a dominant negative C-clamp version of TCF1 (dnTCF1E) induces a p21-dependent stall in the growth of DLD1 colon cancer cells. Induction of a C-clamp mutant did not induce p21 or stall cell growth. Microarray analysis revealed that induction of p21 by dnTCF1EWT correlated with a decrease in expression of p21 suppressors that act at multiple levels from transcription (SP5, YAP1, RUNX1), to RNA stability (MSI2), and protein stability (CUL4A). We show that the C-clamp is a sequence specific DNA binding domain that can make contacts with 5-RCCG-3 elements upstream or downstream of WREs. The C-clamp-RCCG interaction was critical for TCF1E mediated transcriptional control of p21-connected target gene promoters. Our results indicate that a WNT/p21 circuit is driven by C-clamp target gene selection.
A WNT/p21 circuit directed by the C-clamp, a sequence-specific DNA binding domain in TCFs.
Specimen part
View SamplesNo description.
MicroRNA sequence and expression analysis in breast tumors by deep sequencing.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Integrative DNA methylation and gene expression analysis in high-grade soft tissue sarcomas.
Sex, Age
View SamplesWe used the Infinium HumanHT-12 platform to profile gene expression in 79 primary, untreated high-grade soft tissue sarcomas, representing eight relevant subtypes, two non-neoplastic fat samples and 13 representative sarcoma cell lines.
Integrative DNA methylation and gene expression analysis in high-grade soft tissue sarcomas.
Sex
View SamplesFetal asphyctic (FA) preconditioning is effective in attenuating brain damage incurred by a subsequent perinatal asphyctic insult. Unraveling mechanisms of this endogenous neuroprotection, activated by FA preconditioning, is an important step towards new clinical strategies for asphyctic neonates. Genomic reprogramming is thought to be, at least in part, responsible for the protective effect of preconditioning. Therefore, we investigated whole genome differential expression in the preconditioned rat brain.
Fetal asphyctic preconditioning alters the transcriptional response to perinatal asphyxia.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesThe effectiveness of new cancer therapies such as checkpoint blockade and adoptive cell transfer of activated anti-tumor T cells requires overcoming immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. We found that the activation of tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells to produce local nitric oxide is a prerequisite for adoptively transferred CD8+ cytotoxic T cells to destroy tumors. These myeloid cells are phenotypically similar to Tip-DCs or nitric oxide- and TNF-producing dendritic cells. The nitric oxide-dependent killing was tempered by coincident arginase 1 expression, which competes with iNOS for arginine, the substrate for nitric oxide production. Depletion of immunosuppressive CSF-1R-dependent arginase 1+ myeloid cells enhanced nitric oxide-dependent tumor killing. Tumor killing via iNOS was independent of the microbiota but dependent on the CD40-CD40L pathway and, in part, lymphotoxin alpha. We extended our findings in mice to uncover a strong correlation between iNOS, CD40 and TNF expression and survival in colorectal cancer patients. Our results identify a network of anti-tumor targets to boost the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies.
T Cell Cancer Therapy Requires CD40-CD40L Activation of Tumor Necrosis Factor and Inducible Nitric-Oxide-Synthase-Producing Dendritic Cells.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe glucocorticoid receptor overexpression in early life is sufficient to alter gene expression patterns for the rest of the animal's life.
Early-life forebrain glucocorticoid receptor overexpression increases anxiety behavior and cocaine sensitization.
Sex, Specimen part
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