The pretreatment karyotype of leukemic blasts is currently the key determinant in therapy decision-making in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, approximately fifty percent of AML patients, often carrying a normal karyotype, are currently unclassifiable based these established methods. Gene expression profiling has proven to be valuable for risk stratification of AML.
Prediction of molecular subtypes in acute myeloid leukemia based on gene expression profiling.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can be cured with combination chemotherapy in over 75% of children, but the cause of treatment failure in the remaining patients is unknown. We determined the sensitivity of ALL cells to individual antileukemic agents in 441 patients, and used a genome-wide approach to identify 45 genes differentially expressed in ALL exhibiting cross-resistance to prednisolone, vincristine, asparaginase and daunorubicin. We also identified a distinct phenotype of discordant resistance to asparaginase and vincristine and 139 genes whose expression was associated with this novel phenotype. The expression of these genes discriminated treatment outcome in two independent patient populations, identifying a subset of patients with a markedly inferior outcome (37%13% 5-year DFS).
Identification of genes associated with chemotherapy crossresistance and treatment response in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesHuman lymphoid tissues harbor, in addition to CD56bright and CD56dim natural killer (NK) cells, a third NK cell population: CD69+CXCR6+ lymphoid tissue (lt)NK cells. The function and development of ltNK cells remain poorly understood. In this study we performed RNA sequencing on the CD56bright and CD56dim NK cells (from bone marrow and blood), and the ltNK cells (from bone marrow). In addition, the blood derived CD56dim, and bone marrow derived ltNK cells were further subdivided into a NKG2A+ and NKG2A- fraction. Paired blood and bone marrow samples of 4 healthy donors were included. When comparing the NKG2A fractions, only 3 genes (of 9382 genes included) had a significantly differential expression. Therefore, we pooled the expression data proportionally from the NKG2A+ and NKG2A- fractions in subsequent analyses. In ltNK cells, 1353 genes were differentially expressed compared to circulating NK cells. Several molecules involved in migration were downregulated in ltNK cells: S1PR1, SELPLG and CD62L. By flow cytometry we confirmed that the expression profile of adhesion molecules (CD49e-, CD29low, CD81high, CD62L-, CD11c-) and transcription factors (Eomeshigh, Tbetlow) of ltNK cells differed from their circulating counterparts. LtNK cells were characterized by enhanced expression of inhibitory receptors TIGIT and CD96 and low expression of DNAM1 and cytolytic molecules (GZMB, GZMH, GNLY). Their proliferative capacity was reduced compared to the circulating NK cells. By performing gene set enrichment analysis we identified DUSP6 and EGR2 as potential regulators of the ltNK cell transcriptome. Remarkably, comparison of the ltNK cell transcriptome to the published human spleen-resident memory CD8+ T (Trm) cell transcriptome revealed an overlapping gene signature. Moreover, the phenotypic profile of ltNK cells resembled that of CD8+ Trm cells in bone marrow. Together, we provide a comprehensive molecular framework of the conventional CD56bright and CD56dim NK cells as well as the tissue-resident ltNK cells and provide a core gene signature which might be involved in promoting tissue-residency. Overall design: mRNA sequencing of NK cell populations isolated from blood: CD56bright, NKG2A+ CD56dim and NKG2A- CD56dim, and bone marrow: CD56bright, CD56dim, NKG2A+ ltNK, and NKG2A- ltNK. Each sample has 4 biological replicates.
Human Bone Marrow-Resident Natural Killer Cells Have a Unique Transcriptional Profile and Resemble Resident Memory CD8<sup>+</sup> T Cells.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesPioneering studies within the last few years have allowed the in vitro expansion of tissue-specific adult stem cells from a variety of endoderm-derived organs, including the stomach, small intestine and colon. Here we derived organoids from mouse gallbladder tissue (gallbladder organoids), from mouse liver (including the extrahepatic biliary ducts and gallbladder; liver organoids) and from mouse small intestine tissue (intestinal organoids). RNA was prepared from these organoids and used to assay expression of 21,258 genes using Affymetrix gene expression arrays. RNA was also prepared from mouse gallbladder, liver and small intestine tissues and used to assay gene expression in these tissues. Finally, gallbladder organoids were induced to differentiate by removing R-spondin 1 and noggin from the culture media and subjected to gene expression array analysis.
R-spondin 1 and noggin facilitate expansion of resident stem cells from non-damaged gallbladders.
Specimen part
View SamplesProfiling of the transcriptome of FITChigh/FSCdim and FITCdim/FSChigh sub-populations. Three biological replicates were profiled for each cell type. Overall design: Profiling of the transcriptome of FITChigh/FSCdim and FITCdim/FSChigh sub-populations. Three biological replicates were profiled for each cell type.
An autofluorescence-based method for the isolation of highly purified ventricular cardiomyocytes.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesDiminishment of colonic health is associated with various age-related pathologies. Calorie restriction (CR) is an efficient strategy to increase healthy lifespan, although underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Here we report the effects of lifelong CR on markers of colonic health in aging mice. We show that 30% energy reduction, as compared to a control (C) and moderate-fat (MF) diet, is associated with attenuated immune-related gene expression and lower levels of bile acids in the colon. Pronounced shifts in microbiota composition, together with lowered plasma levels of interleukin 6, in mice exposed to CR are in line with these findings. Furthermore, expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism was higher upon CR as compared to C and MF, pointing towards efficient regulation of energy metabolism. Switching from CR to an ad libitum MF diet at old age revealed remarkable phenotypic plasticity, although expression of a small subset of genes remained CR-associated. This research demonstrates that CR beneficially affects markers of colonic health in aging mice and as such may attenuate the progressive age-related decline in health.
Lifelong calorie restriction affects indicators of colonic health in aging C57Bl/6J mice.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesDiminished colonic health is associated with various age-related pathologies. In this study, we applied an integrative approach to reveal potential interactions between determinants of colonic health in aging C57BL/6J mice. Analysis of gut microbiota composition revealed an enrichment of various potential pathobionts, including Desulfovibrio spp., and a decline of the health-promoting Akkermansia spp. and Lactobacillus spp. during aging. Intraluminal concentrations of various metabolites varied between ages and we found evidence for an increased gut permeability at higher age. Colonic gene expression analysis suggested that during the early phase of aging (between 6 and 12 months), expression of genes involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and (re)organization of the extracellular matrix were increased. Differential expression of these genes was strongly correlated with Bifidobacterium spp. During the later phase of aging (between 12 and 28 months), gene expression profiles pointed towards a diminished antimicrobial defense and were correlated with an uncultured Gastranaerophilales spp. This study demonstrates that aging is associated with pronounced changes in gut microbiota composition and colonic gene expression. Furthermore, the strong correlations between specific bacterial genera and host gene expression may imply that orchestrated interactions take place in the vicinity of the colonic wall and potentially mediate colonic health during aging.
Integrative analysis of gut microbiota composition, host colonic gene expression and intraluminal metabolites in aging C57BL/6J mice.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesNatural Killer (NK) cells are the first lymphocyte population to reconstitute early after non myelo-ablative and T cell-replete haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (h-HSCTs) with post-transplant infusion of cyclophosphamide. The present study characterizes the transient and predominant expansion starting from the 2nd week after h-HSCT of a donor-derived unconventional subset of CD56dim/CD16neg (uCD56dim) NK cells expressing remarkable high levels of NKG2A and low levels of NKp46. Both transcription and phenotypic profiles indicated that uCD56dim NK cells are a distinct NK cell subpopulation with features of late differentiation, yet retaining proliferative capability and functional plasticity to generate conventional CD56bright/CD16pos NK cells in response to IL-15 plus IL-18. uCD56dim NK cells represent by far the largest NK cell subset detectable in the following 7 weeks after h-HSCT and they also express high levels of the activating receptors NKGD and NKp30 as well as of the lytic granules Granzyme-B and Perforin. Nonetheless, uCD56dim NK cells displayed a defective cytotoxicity that could be reversed by blocking the inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A. These data open new important perspectives to better understand the ontogenesis/homeostasis of human NK cells and to develop a novel immune-therapeutic approach by targeting the inhibitory NKG2A check point, thus enhancing NK cell alloreactivity early after h-HSCT.
The early expansion of anergic NKG2A<sup>pos</sup>/CD56<sup>dim</sup>/CD16<sup>neg</sup> natural killer represents a therapeutic target in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Specimen part
View SamplesTranslation and mRNA decay are intimately connected processes, and translational inhibition often precedes and stimulates transcript degradation. Here, we have focused on methods that allow determination of mRNA stability on a transcriptome-wide scale. We describe experimental and computational methods for the two most commonly used approaches (transcriptional inhibition and metabolic labeling), and we discuss associated caveats. Overall design: Metabolic labeling time courses (1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 hr) using 4SU were performed in HEK293.
Determining mRNA half-lives on a transcriptome-wide scale.
Treatment, Subject
View SamplesPro-inflammation triggered by microbial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) through Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 in the presence of interferon (IFN)-g induces cytokine secretion in dendritic cells (DCs) tightly regulated by a defined differentiation program. This DC differentiation is characterized by a dynamic immune activating but also tolerance inducing phenotype associated with irreversible down-modulation of cytokines. CD40L on activated T cells further modifies DC differentiation. Using DNA micro arrays we showed down-regulated mRNA levels of TLR signaling molecules while CD40/CD40L signaling molecules were up-regulated at a time when LPS/IFN-g activated DCs have ceased cytokine expression. Accordingly we demonstrated that CD40/CD40L but not TLR4 or TLR3 signaling mediated by LPS or poly (cytidylic-inosinic) acid (poly I:C) and dsRNA re-established the capacity to secret interleukin (IL)-12 in LPS/IFN-g activated DCs, which have exhausted their potential for cytokine secretion. This resulting TH1 polarizing DC phenotype which lacked accompanying secretion of the crucial immune suppressive IL-10 - enhanced activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). We therefore conclude that immune modulation is restricted to a secondary T-cell mediated stimulus at an exhausted DC state which prevents an immune tolerant DC phenotype. These findings impacts on the rational design of TLR activated DC-based cancer vaccines for the induction of anti-tumoral CTL responses.
CD40 ligation restores type 1 polarizing capacity in TLR4-activated dendritic cells that have ceased interleukin-12 expression.
No sample metadata fields
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