Transcriptomes of differentiated cells of the conditionally immortalized mouse podocyte cell line SVI (Schiwek et al., Kidney Int. 66: 91-101, 2004) were determined as described in Warsow et al. (Kidney Int. 84: 104-115, 2013) after application of mechanical stress (Endlich et al., J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 12: 413-422, 2001) as compared to control conditions.
Mechanical stress enhances CD9 expression in cultured podocytes.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesTo characterize gene response in RPE65-/- mouse model of Lebers congenital amaurosis during progression of the disease, we analyzed differential gene expression in retinae early in the development of the disease, namely before and at the onset of photoreceptor cell death in knock-out mice of 2, 4 and 6 months of age.
Biological characterization of gene response in Rpe65-/- mouse model of Leber's congenital amaurosis during progression of the disease.
Age, Specimen part
View SamplesHmx1 is a transcription factor expressed in the developing eye and ear and in some other parts of the nervous system. Dumbo mice are carrying the Hmx1 p.Q64X loss-of-function mutation (Munroe et al., 2009. BMC Developmental Biology). Transcriptomic analyses of this mouse model allows to decipher biological pathways under the control of Hmx1. In our study, we used it to better understand the role of Hmx1 in the retina and to identify several of its target genes.
Identification of HMX1 target genes: a predictive promoter model approach.
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View SamplesWe determined by RNA-seq gene expression changes in mESCs following the induced expression of WT-, KRA- or DEA-CBX2 variants in Cbx2 null cells. Overall design: We generated mRNA profiles from 5 mESC lines (2 WT, 2 KRA, 1 DEA) treated with doxycycline to express similar levels of CBX2, and, from a 6th condition where one of the KRA mESC lines was treated with more doxycycline. Each sample was compared to its own control, which is no doxycycline treatment, to determine the effect of induced CBX2 on gene expression changes. Each sample (with and without doxycycline treatment) was performed with 2 or 3 biological replicates.
Mutation of a nucleosome compaction region disrupts Polycomb-mediated axial patterning.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesChromatin in eukaryotic nuclei is organized at multiple scales, from individual nucleosomes to specific loops between regulatory sequences, to the folding of large genomic regions into topological domains and segregation of whole chromosomes into territories. Many of the chromatin proteins that regulate this architecture, including the essential Polycomb Group (PcG) proteins, are themselves organized into subnuclear structures. Deciphering mechanistic links between protein organization and genome architecture requires precise description and mechanistic perturbations of both. Using super-resolution microscopy, we characterized the nanoscale organization of PcG proteins in Drosophila cells and find hundreds of small protein clusters, distinct from the large PcG bodies present in just a few copies per cell that have been the focus of previous investigations. We manipulated PcG clusters either by disrupting the polymerization activity of the conserved Sterile Alpha Motif (SAM) of the PcG protein Polyhomeotic (Ph) or increasing Ph levels in Drosophila S2 cells. Disrupting clustering using Ph SAM mutations disrupts chromatin interactions on scales from 50kb to 13Mb while increasing Ph levels increases both cluster number and long range chromatin interactions. RNA-seq and qPCR indicate that both perturbations also alter expression levels of many genes. Molecular simulations suggest a model in which PcG cluster formation on chromatin is governed by the kinetics of association between Ph SAMs and PcG cluster size is bounded by the affinity and occupancy of chromatin binding sites. Our results suggest that nanoscale organization of PcG proteins into small, abundant clusters on chromatin through the polymerization activity of Ph SAM shapes genome architecture by mediating numerous long-range chromatin interactions. Overall design: Two biological replicates of three RNA-seq samples from S2 cells, cells overexpresing wild-type Ph, and cells overexpressing polymerization defective Ph-ML
Chromatin topology is coupled to Polycomb group protein subnuclear organization.
Cell line, Subject
View SamplesType II testicular germ cell cancers (GCC) are the most frequently diagnosed tumors in young men (20 - 40 years) and are classified as seminoma or non-seminoma. GCCs are commonly treated by orchiectomy and chemo- or radiotherapy. However, a subset of metastatic non-seminomas display only incomplete remission or relapse and require novel treatment options. Recent studies have shown effective application of the small-molecule inhibitor JQ1 in tumor therapy, which interferes with the function of bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET)-proteins. Here, we demonstrate that upon JQ1 doses 250 nM GCC cell lines and Sertoli cells display compromised survival and induction of cell cycle arrest. JQ1 treated GCC cell lines display upregulation of genes indicative for DNA damage and a cellular stress response. Additionally, downregulation of pluripotency factors and induction of mesodermal differentiation was detected. GCCs xenografted in vivo showed a reduction in tumor size, proliferation and angiogenesis when subjected to JQ1 treatment. The combination of JQ1 and the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin further enhanced the apoptotic effect in vitro and in vivo. Thus, we propose that JQ1 alone, or in combination with romidepsin may serve as a novel therapeutic option for GCCs.
The bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 triggers growth arrest and apoptosis in testicular germ cell tumours in vitro and in vivo.
Specimen part, Cell line, Time
View SamplesMaintenance and maturation of primordial germ cells is controlled by complex genetic and epigenetic cascades, and disturbances in this network lead to either infertility or malignant aberration. Transcription factor Tcfap2c / TFAP2C has been described to be essential for primordial germ cell maintenance and to be upregulated in several human germ cell cancers. Using global gene expression profiling, we identified genes deregulated upon loss of Tcfap2c in primordial germ cell-like cells. We show that loss of Tcfap2c affects many aspects of the genetic network regulating germ cell biology, such as downregulation maturation markers and induction of markers indicative of somatic differentiation, cell cycle, epigenetic remodeling, and pluripotency associated genes. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated binding of Tcfap2c to regulatory regions of deregulated genes (Sfrp1, Dmrt1, Nanos3, c-Kit, Cdk6, Cdkn1a, Fgf4, Klf4, Dnmt3b and Dnmt3l) suggesting that these genes are direct transcriptional targets of Tcfap2c in primordial germ cells. Since Tcfap2c deficient primordial germ cell like cells display cancer related deregulations in epigenetic remodeling, cell cycle and pluripotency control, the Tcfap2c-knockout allele was bred onto 129S2/Sv genetic background. There, mice heterozygous for Tcfap2c develop germ cell cancer with high incidence. Precursor lesions can be observed as early as E16.5 in developing testes displaying persisting expression of pluripotency markers. We further demonstrate, that mice with a heterozygous deletion of the Tcfap2c target gene Nanos3 are also prone to develop teratoma. These data highlight Tcfap2c as a critical and dose-sensitive regulator of germ cell fate.
Transcription factor TFAP2C regulates major programs required for murine fetal germ cell maintenance and haploinsufficiency predisposes to teratomas in male mice.
Specimen part
View SamplesParietal epithelial cells (PECs) are crucially involved in the pathogenesis of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) as well as in focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). In this study, transgenic mouse lines were used to isolate pure, genetically tagged primary cultures of PECs or podocytes using FACsorting. By this approach, the morphology of primary glomerular epithelial cells in culture could be resolved: Primary podocytes formed either large cells with intracytoplasmatic extensions or smaller spindle shaped cells, depending on specific culture conditions. Primary PECs were small and exhibited a spindle-shaped or polygonal morphology. In the very early phases of primary culture, rapid changes in gene expression (e.g. of WT-1 and Pax-2) were observed. However, after prolonged culture primary PECs and podocytes still segregated clearly in a transcriptome analysis - demonstrating that the origin of primary cell cultures is important. Of the classical markers, synaptopodin and podoplanin expression were differentially regulated the most in primary PEC and podocyte cultures. However, no expression of any endogenous gene allowed to differentiate between the two cell types in culture. Finally, we show that the transcription factor WT1 is also expressed by PECs. In summary, genetic tagging of PECs and podocytes is a novel and necessary tool to derive pure primary cultures with proven origin. These cultures will be a powerful tool for the emerging field of parietal epithelial cell biology.
Primary cultures of glomerular parietal epithelial cells or podocytes with proven origin.
Specimen part
View SamplesTranscriptomes of differentiated cells of the conditionally immortalized mouse podocyte cell line SVI (Schiwek et al., Kidney Int. 66: 91-101, 2004) were determined as described in Kabgani et al. (PLoS One 7:e34907, 2012).
Primary cultures of glomerular parietal epithelial cells or podocytes with proven origin.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesJoMa1 cells are pluripotent precursor cells, derived from the neural crest of mice transgenic for tamoxifen-inducible c-Myc. Following transfection with a cDNA encoding for MYCN, cells become immortlized even in the absence of tamoxifen.
MYCN and ALKF1174L are sufficient to drive neuroblastoma development from neural crest progenitor cells.
Specimen part, Cell line
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