Lyme disease is challenging to diagnose, as clinical manifestations are variable and current tools to detect nucleic acid or antibody responses from Borrelia burgdorferi infection have low sensitivity. Here we conducted the first study of the global transcriptome of patients with Lyme disease to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers. Twenty-nine patients were enrolled and compared to 13 healthy controls at three time points after infection. Fifteen publicly available transcriptome datasets from patients in vivo or infection models in vitro were used to assess specificity of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We found that Lyme disease results in profound and sustained changes in the patient transcriptomes, with a specific signature that shares =44% DEGs with other infections. Overall design: Gene expression profile from peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMC) of Lyme disease patients against healthy controls was undertaken. A total of 29 Lyme disease patients were sampled at 3 time points: acute Lyme pre-treatment (V1), 3 weeks later, immediately following completion of a standard course of antibiotics (V2), and 6 months following treatment completion (V5). 13 healthy controls were also sampled at one time point. Total RNA was extracted from 10e7 PBMC, followed by mRNA purification, paired-end barcode library preparation and sequencing on an Illumina Hiseq 2000.
Longitudinal Transcriptome Analysis Reveals a Sustained Differential Gene Expression Signature in Patients Treated for Acute Lyme Disease.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesInterrogation and control of cellular fate and function using optogenetics is providing revolutionary insights into biology. Optogenetic control of cells is achieved by coupling genetically encoded photoreceptors to cellular effectors and enables unprecedented spatiotemporal control of signaling processes. Here, a fast and reversibly switchable photoreceptor is used to tune the mechanical properties of polymer materials in a fully reversible, wavelength-specific, and dose- and space-controlled manner. By integrating engineered cyanobacterial phytochrome 1 into a polyethylene glycol matrix, hydrogel materials responsive to light in the cell-compatible red/far-red spectrum are synthesized. These materials are applied to study in human mesenchymal stem cells how different mechano-signaling pathways respond to changing mechanical environments, and to control the migration of primary immune cells in 3D. This optogenetics-inspired matrix allows addressing fundamental questions of how cells react to dynamic mechanical environments. Further, remote control of such matrices could create new opportunities for tissue engineering or provide a basis for optically stimulated drug depots. Overall design: Analysis of global gene expression changes due to differences in the mechanical properties of the phytochrome-based hydrogels
Phytochrome-Based Extracellular Matrix with Reversibly Tunable Mechanical Properties.
Subject
View SamplesFundamental research and drug development for personalized medicine necessitates cell cultures from defined genetic backgrounds. However, providing sufficient numbers of authentic cells from individuals poses a challenge. Here, we present a new strategy for rapid cell expansion that overcomes current limitations. Using a small gene library, we expanded primary cells from different tissues, donors and species. Cell type specific regimens that allow the reproducible creation of cell lines were identified. In depth characterization of a series of endothelial and hepatocytic cell lines confirmed phenotypic stability and functionality. Applying this technology enables rapid, efficient and reliable production of unlimited numbers of personalized cells. As such, these cell systems support mechanistic studies, epidemiological research and tailored drug development.
Expansion of functional personalized cells with specific transgene combinations.
Specimen part
View SamplesDrosophila eye specification an development relies on a collection of transcription factors termed the retinal determination gene network (RDGN). Two members of this network, Eyes absent (EYA) and Sine oculis (SO), form a transcriptional complex in which EYA provides the transactivation function while SO provides the DNA binding activity. EYA also function as a protein tyrosine phosphatase, raising the question of whether transcriptional output is dependent or independent of phosphatase activity. To explore this, we used microarrays together with binding site analysis, quantitative real-time PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation, genetics, and in vivo expression analysis to identify new EYA-SO targets. In parallel, we examined the expression profiles of tissue expressing phosphatase mutant eya and found that reducing phosphatase activity did not globally impair transcriptional output. Among the targets identified by our analysis was the cell cycle regulatory gene, string (stg), suggesting that EYA and SO may influence cell proliferation through transcriptional regulation of stg. Future investigation into the regulation of stg and other EYA-SO targets identified in this study will help elucidate the transcriptional circuitries whereby output from the RDGN integrates with other signaling inputs to coordinate retinal development.
Identification of transcriptional targets of the dual-function transcription factor/phosphatase eyes absent.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe have recently demonstrated that mycobacterial ligands engage Toll like receptor 2 (TLR2) on CD4+ T cells and up-regulate T-cell receptor (TCR) triggered- Th1 responses in vitro and in vivo.
Toll like Receptor 2 engagement on CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells promotes TH9 differentiation and function.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesDeveloping osteoblasts undergo a sequence of three consecutive phases: cell proliferation, extracellular matrix maturation, and mineralization. We investigated pH effects on these phases using the osteoblast-like cell line MC3T3-E1.
MC3T3 osteoblast-like cells cultured at alkaline pH: Microarray data (Affymetrix GeneChip Mouse 2.0 ST).
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesWe screened for differentially expressed genes in the developing notochord using the Affymetrix microarray system in Xenopus laevis. At late gastrula, we dissected four regions from the embryo, anterior mesoderm, posterior mesoderm, notochord and presomitic mesoderm. Three types of comparison were carried out to generate a list of predominantly notochord expressed genes: (1) Posterior mesoderm vs. anterior mesoderm; notochord genes are expected to be increased since the notochord is located in the posterior mesoderm. (2) Posterior mesoderm vs. whole embryos; notochord genes are expected to be increased. (3) Notochord vs. somite. This comparison sub-divided the group of posterior mesodermal genes identified in (1) and (2). All tissues are dissected using tungsten needles. We first dissected dorsal tissue above the archenteron from late gastrula to early neurula. To loosen tissue, we treated the dissected dorsal explant in a 1% cysteine solution (pH 7.4) and removed the neuroectodermal layer. Anterior mesoderm was dissected corresponding to about the anterior one-third of the archenteron roof, and the rest was collected as posterior mesoderm. The posterior mesodermal explant was dissected into notochord and somites, following a clearly visible border between the two tissues. The accuracy of all dissection was confirmed by RT-PCR of marker genes.
Coordinated activation of the secretory pathway during notochord formation in the Xenopus embryo.
Specimen part
View SamplesStudies on the early embryonic development of Xenopus laevis contributed much to the understanding of vertebrate patterning. Gastrula stages are of particular interest because establishment of the axis and germ layer formation take place during these stages. While many genes belonging to several signaling pathways including FGF, Wnt and TGF-beta, have been implicated in patterning the gastrula embryo, the hierarchical interactions between these factors are incompletely known. To study this question, we took advantage of microarray technology to create a regional gene expression profile for the Xenopus gastrula.
Coordinated activation of the secretory pathway during notochord formation in the Xenopus embryo.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe presence of unspliced transcripts in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and the proposed association of CREBBP with the constitutive production of unspliced RNA and with pre-mRNA processing prompted us to examine more closely an anomaly we had noted in microarray-based gene expression studies but had previously attributed to experimental noise. We noticed that more than half of the probe sets down-regulated in Crebbp+/- fetal liver HSCs (FLHSCs) relative to wild-type (WT) mapped entirely within introns, rather than detecting exonic or spliced sequences. We therefore set out to test whether this might be evidence that reduced CREBBP levels selectively alter the generation of full-length, unspliced pre-mRNA. We also asked whether this process might be associated with differentiation since self-renewal and lineage commitment are the both responses for which HSCs are primed.
Inactivation of a single copy of Crebbp selectively alters pre-mRNA processing in mouse hematopoietic stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesIn obesity an increase in -cell mass occurs to cope with the rise in insulin demand. This -cell plasticity is essential to avoid the onset of hyperglycemia, although the molecular mechanisms that regulate this process remain unclear. This study analyzed the role of adipose tissue in the control of -cell replication. Using a diet-induced model of obesity, we obtained conditioned media from three different white adipose tissue depots. Only in the adipose tissue depot surrounding the pancreas did the diet induce changes that led to an increase in INS1E cells and the islet replication rate. To identify the factors responsible for this proliferative effect, adipose tissue gene expression analysis was conducted by microarrays and quantitative RT-PCR. Of all the differentially expressed proteins, only the secreted ones were studied. IGF binding protein 3 (Igfbp3) was identified as the candidate for this effect. Furthermore, in the conditioned media, although the blockage of IGFBP3 led to an increase in the proliferation rate, the blockage of IGF-I receptor decreased it. Taken together, these data show that obesity induces specific changes in the expression profile of the adipose tissue depot surrounding the pancreas, leading to a decrease in IGFBP3 secretion. This decrease acts in a paracrine manner, stimulating the -cell proliferation rate, probably through an IGF-I-dependent mechanism. This cross talk between the visceral-pancreatic adipose tissue and -cells is a novel mechanism that participates in the control of -cell plasticity. (Endocrinology 153: 177187, 2012)
Role of IGFBP-3 in the regulation of β-cell mass during obesity: adipose tissue/β-cell cross talk.
Specimen part
View Samples