Endocrine therapy is the main therapeutic option for patients with estrogen receptor alpha positive (ER+) breast cancer. Nevertheless, most of them become estrogen-independent and relapse after the treatment. Ret is a tyrosine kinase receptor that shows elevated expression levels in ER+ human breast tumors. In this study, we demonstrate that activation of the Ret receptor promotes proliferation as well as cell migration irrespective of endocrine therapy. Microarray data show that Ret activation involves changes in the expression of inflammatory- and motility-related genes. In vivo treatment with a Ret pathway inhibitor in a ER+/Ret+ mouse mammary cancer model, reduces tumor growth and lung metastasis even after endocrine therapy. Additionally, we show a connection between Ret and inflammatory pathways. The pro-inflamatory cytokine IL6 lies at the core of this regulation, which involves a positive feedback loop with IL6 and the Ret pathway reciprocally stimulating each other to further leading metastasis risk. Our findings provide insight into endocrine resistance mechanism and point at the Ret pathway as a potential target for future therapies.
Ret inhibition decreases growth and metastatic potential of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells.
Cell line, Treatment, Time
View SamplesBackground and aims: The transcription factor Stat3 has been considered to promote progression and metastasis of intestinal cancers.
Stat3 is a negative regulator of intestinal tumor progression in Apc(Min) mice.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesTcl1 tg mice develop a chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) -like disease. To investigate the contribution of the adhesion molecule CD44 to CLL pathophysiology, we developed a CD19Cre CD44flox/flox Tcl1 tg mouse with a B cell specific CD44 deficiency (CD44B Tcl1 tg).
Microenvironment-induced CD44v6 promotes early disease progression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Specimen part
View SamplesSeveral functions have been suggested for the interferon induced transmembrane protein 1 (Iftitm1) gene in mammals. Originally it was identified as a member of a gene family that is highly inducible by type I and type II inteferons. Based on its expression during primordial germ CELl (PGC) specification it was suggested to be required for normal PGC migration. Ifitm1 targeted knockdown experiments in mouse embryos provided evidence that the gene might be necessary for normal somitogenesis. Finally, the complete deletion of the Ifitm gene cluster on mouse chromosome 7 revealed that the five deleted Ifitm1 genes are not essential for PCG migration and fertility. Here, we generated a novel targeted knockin allele of the Ifitm1 gene by replacing its coding region with a lacZ reporter gene to systematically reassess the suggested functions of this gene.
In vivo functional requirement of the mouse Ifitm1 gene for germ cell development, interferon mediated immune response and somitogenesis.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesPrimary pneumocytes from KRas;Atg5fl/+ and KRas;Atg5fl/fl littermates were cultured for 48 hours and infected with AdCre-GFP to induce expression of the KrasG12D oncogene and concomitant Atg5 deletion. The transcriptional profile of those cells was determined by mRNA sequencing and uncovered differential expression in cellular movement, inflammatory response and oxidative stress response. Overall design: Comparison of transcriptomes from KRas;Atg5fl/+ and KRas;Atg5fl/fl pneumocytes
A dual role for autophagy in a murine model of lung cancer.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesColorectal cancer is treated with antibodies blocking epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) but therapeutic success is limited. EGF-R is stimulated by soluble ligands, which are derived from transmembrane precursors by ADAM17-mediated proteolytic cleavage. In mouse intestinal cancer models in the absence of ADAM17, tumorigenesis was almost completely inhibited and the few remaining tumors were of low grade dysplasia. RNA-Seq analysis demonstrated downregulation of STAT3 and Wnt pathway components. Since EGF-R on myeloid cells, but not on intestinal epithelial cells is required for intestinal cancer and IL-6 is induced via EGF-R stimulation, we analyzed the role of IL-6 signaling. Tumor formation was equally inhibited in IL-6 -/- and sgp130Fc transgenic mice, in which only trans-signaling via soluble IL-6R is abrogated. ADAM17 is needed for EGF-R-mediated induction of IL-6 synthesis, which via IL-6 trans-signaling induces ß-catenin dependent tumorigenesis. Our data reveal the possibility of a novel strategy for treatment of colorectal cancer, which could circumvent intrinsic and acquired resistance to EGF-R blockade. Overall design: RNA sequencing of tumor tissue and surrounding unaffected tissue of Apc Min/+ and Apc Min/+ ::ADAM17 ex/ex
ADAM17 is required for EGF-R-induced intestinal tumors via IL-6 trans-signaling.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesPurpose: The population of muscle-derived stem cells called MuStem cells is presented as promising candidate for cell-based therapy of muscle diseases. To validate if this agent can be really presented as therapeutic product and so to be eligible to a future clinical use, it is now required to demonstrate beforehand an efficacy with cells prepared in compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMPs). The aim of the current study was to evaluate the use of two xeno-free blood derivatives corresponding to human serum (HS) and human platelet lysate (hPL) as alternatives to controverted but until now used fetal bovine serum (FBS) for isolation and expansion of human MuStem (hMuStem) cells. Methods: A comparative study was performed with hMuStem cells isolated and in vitro expanded by using commercially available HS and hPL to determine its impact on their proliferation rates, clonogenicity, myogenic commitment level and oligopotency with regard to results obtained under FBS-based medium. Also, their respective phenotype and global gene expression patterns were investigated by flow cytometry and high throughput 3' digital gene expression RNA-sequencing in order to define a possible differential impact of the human nutrients tested. Results: Comparatively to FBS-based medium, use of HS- and hPL-supplemented ones efficiently supported long-term proliferation of hMuStem cells and enhanced clonogenicity, without main modification of their expression profile and allowing besides limiting the supplementation in growth factors. In vitro differentiation assay combined to transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1)-depletion experiments showed a lower myogenic commitment level as well as fusion ability of hMuStem cells when cultured with hPL-based medium according to a TGF-ß1-independent process. Use of hPL-derived 3D hydrogel or fibrinogen-depleted hPL demonstrated that heparin-free hPL derivatives maintain consequent myogenic differentiation potential. In addition, the reduced myogenicity was shown to be rapidly reversible following replacement of hPL by HS or fibrinogen-depleted hPL. Conclusions: All together, our original findings position HS and hPL as efficient and suitable alternatives to FBS for preparation of hMuStem cell batch in compliance with GMPs. Overall design: mRNA profile of hMuStem cells cultured in hPL was compared to the mRNA profile of hMuStem cells cultured in HS. The profiles were generated in triplicates using the 3''DGE-Seq technology.
Human serum and platelet lysate are appropriate xeno-free alternatives for clinical-grade production of human MuStem cell batches.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesWNT-induced secreted protein 1 (WISP1/CCN4), a member of the CCN protein family, acts as a downstream factor of the canonical WNT-signaling pathway. A dysregulated expression of WISP1 often reflects its oncogenic potential by inhibition of apoptosis, a necessary form of cell death that protect cell populations for transformation into malignant phenotypes. WISP1-signaling is also known to affect proliferation and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), which are fundamental for the constitution and maintenance of the musculoskeletal system. Our study emphasizes the importance of WISP1-signaling for cell survival of primary human cells. Therefore, we established a successful down-regulation of endogenous WISP1 transcripts through gene silencing in hMSCs. We were able to demonstrate the consequence of cell death immediately after WISP1 down-regulation took place. Bioinformatical analyses of subsequent performed microarrays from WISP1 down-regulated vs. control samples confirmed this observation. We uncovered several clusters of differential expressed genes important for cellular apoptosis induction and immuno-regulatory processes, thereby indicating TRAIL-induced and p53-mediated apoptosis as well as IFNbeta-signaling. Since all of them act as potent inhibitors for malignant cell growth, in vitro knowledge about the connection with WISP1-signaling could help to find new therapeutic approaches concerning cancerogenesis and tumor growth in musculoskeletal tissues.
WISP 1 is an important survival factor in human mesenchymal stromal cells.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesIn this study we analyzed the myeloma cell contact-mediated changes on the transcriptome of skeletal precursor cells. Therefore, human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and osteogenic precursor cells (OPC) were co-cultured with the representative myeloma cell line INA-6 for 24 h. Afterwards, MSC and OPC were separated from INA-6 cells by fluorescence activated cell sorting. Total RNA of MSC and OPC fractions was used for whole genome array analysis.
Contact of myeloma cells induces a characteristic transcriptome signature in skeletal precursor cells -Implications for myeloma bone disease.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Disease stage
View SamplesRecently, the p53-miR-34a network was identified to play an important role in tumorigenesis. As in acute myeloid leukemia with complex karyotype (CK-AML) TP53 alterations are the most common known molecular lesion, we further analyzed the p53-miR-34a axis in CK-AML with known TP53 status. Clinically, low miR-34a expression and TP53 alterations predicted for chemotherapy resistance and inferior outcome. Notably, in TP53unaltered CK-AML high miR-34a expression predicted for inferior overall survival (OS), whereas in TP53biallelic altered CK-AML high miR-34a expression pointed to better OS.
Altered miRNA and gene expression in acute myeloid leukemia with complex karyotype identify networks of prognostic relevance.
Disease
View Samples