To identify signature genes associated with increased osteoblastic phenotype in response to co-culture of mesenchymal and neuroblastoma cells
Interaction between bone marrow stromal cells and neuroblastoma cells leads to a VEGFA-mediated osteoblastogenesis.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesEwing sarcoma family tumors (ESFTs) are aggressive tumors of putative stem cell origin for which prognostic biomarkers and novel treatments are needed. We have previously shown that the polycomb gene BMI-1 functions as an oncogene in ESFT. In several human cancers, high expression of BMI-1 is associated with poor outcome. For the current study, we evaluated the significance of variable BMI-1 expression levels in a large cohort of primary ESFT. Immunohistochemical staining of 130 tumors revealed that BMI-1 is over-expressed by the vast majority of ESFT. However, in 20% of cases, BMI-1 levels are low to undetectable. Significantly, although clinical presentation and outcome were found to be similar between BMI-1-high and BMI-1-low tumors, gene expression profiling studies showed marked differences in their respective gene expression profiles. Gene specific enrichment analysis identified that several cancer-associated canonical biologic pathways, including IGF1, mTOR and WNT, are significantly down-regulated in BMI-1-low compared to BMI-1-high tumors. Consistent with these in vivo data, in vitro studies of IGF1-R inhibition showed that the growth inhibitory effects of IGF1-R blockade are diminished in BMI-1-low ESFT cells. ESFT that do not over-express BMI-1 represent a novel subclass with a distinct molecular profile and altered activation of cancer-associated pathways.
Ewing tumors that do not overexpress BMI-1 are a distinct molecular subclass with variant biology: a report from the Children's Oncology Group.
Specimen part
View SamplesStaphylococcus aureus can cause serious skin, respiratory, and other life-threatening invasive infections in humans, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains have been acquiring increasing antibiotic resistance. While MRSA was once mainly considered a hospital-acquired infection, the emergence of new strains, some of which are pandemic, has resulted in community-acquired MRSA infections that often present as serious skin infections in otherwise healthy individuals. Accordingly, defining the mechanisms that govern the activation and regulation of the immune response to MRSA is clinically important and could lead to the discovery of much needed rational targets for therapeutic intervention. Because the cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoetin (TSLP) is highly expressed by keratinocytes of the skin3, we investigated its role in host-defense against MRSA. Here we demonstrate that TSLP acts on neutrophils to increase their killing of MRSA. In particular, we show that both mouse and human neutrophils express functional TSLP receptors. Strikingly, TSLP enhances mouse neutrophil killing of MRSA in both an in vitro whole blood killing assay and an in vivo skin infection model. Similarly, TSLP acts directly on purified human blood neutrophils to reduce MRSA burden. Unexpectedly, we demonstrate that TSLP mediates these effects both in vivo and in vitro by engaging the complement C5 system. Thus, TSLP increases MRSA killing in a neutrophil- and complement-dependent manner, revealing a key connection between TSLP and the innate complement system, with potentially important therapeutic implications for control of MRSA infection. Overall design: mRNA expression analysis. 16 samples are from 2 donors, 8 samples per donor, 2 time points (4hr and 16 hr), and 4 conditions (control, TSLP treated, Heat Killed MRSA treated, and TSLP+HKM treated) .
A TSLP-complement axis mediates neutrophil killing of methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesUsing a mimic miR-200c was restored to an aggressive, Type 2 endometrial cancer cell line, Hec50
MicroRNA-200c mitigates invasiveness and restores sensitivity to microtubule-targeting chemotherapeutic agents.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesNrf2 is an important therapeutic target as activation of this pathway detoxifies harmful insults and reduces oxidative stress. However, the role of Nrf2 in cancer biology is controversial. Protection against oxidative stress and inflammation can confer a survival advantage to tumor cells, leading to a poor prognosis, and constitutive activation of Nrf2 has been detected in numerous tumors. In our study, we examined the role of two clinically relevant classes of Nrf2 activators, the synthetic triterpenoids (CDDO-Im and CDDO-Me) and dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in lung cancer.
Dimethyl fumarate and the oleanane triterpenoids, CDDO-imidazolide and CDDO-methyl ester, both activate the Nrf2 pathway but have opposite effects in the A/J model of lung carcinogenesis.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesTo compare hepatic gene expression in conditional Keap1 knockout (Alb-Cre:Keap1(flox/-)) and genetic control mice. Disruption of Keap1-mediated repression of Nrf2 signaling was expected to result in increased expression of Nrf2-regulated genes.
Genetic or pharmacologic amplification of nrf2 signaling inhibits acute inflammatory liver injury in mice.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is characterized by abundant desmoplasia and poor tissue perfusion. These features are proposed to limit access of therapies to neoplastic cells and blunt treatment efficacy. Indeed, several agents that target the PDA microenvironment promote chemotherapy delivery and improve anti-neoplastic responses in murine models of PDA. Here, we employed the FG-3019 monoclonal antibody directed against the pleiotropic matricellular signaling molecule connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2). FG-3019 treatment increased PDA cell killing and led to a dramatic tumor response without altering gemcitabine delivery. Microarray expression profiling revealed the down-regulation by FG-3019 of several anti-apoptotic transcripts, including the master regulator Xiap, down-regulation of which has been shown to sensitize PDA to gemcitabine. Decreases in XIAP protein by FG-3019 in the presence and absence of gemcitabine were confirmed by immunoblot, while increases in XIAP protein were seen in PDA cell lines treated with recombinant CTGF. Therefore, alterations in survival cues following targeting of tumor microenvironmental factors may play an important role in treatment responses in animal models and, by extension, PDA patients.
CTGF antagonism with mAb FG-3019 enhances chemotherapy response without increasing drug delivery in murine ductal pancreas cancer.
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic fibrosing lung disease that is difficult to diagnose and follows an unpredictable clinical course. The object of this study was to develop a predictive gene signature model of IPF from whole lung tissue. We collected whole lung samples from 11 IPF patients undergoing diagnostic surgical biopsy or transplantation. Whenever possible, samples were obtained from different lobes. Normals consisted of healthy organs donated for transplantation. We measured gene expression on microarrays. Data were analyzed by hierarchical clustering and Principal Component Analysis. By this approach, we found that gene expression was similar in the upper and lower lobes of individuals with IPF. We also found that biopsied and explanted specimens contained different patterns of gene expression; therefore, we analyzed biopsies and explants separately. Signatures were derived by fitting top genes to a Bayesian probit regression model. We developed a 153-gene signature that discriminates IPF biopsies from normal. We also developed a 70-gene signature that discriminates IPF explants from normal. Both signatures were validated on an independent cohort. The IPF Biopsy signature correctly diagnosed 76% of the validation cases (p < 0.01), while IPF Explant correctly diagnosed 78% (p < 0.001). Examination of differentially expressed genes revealed partial overlap between IPF Biopsy and IPF Explant and almost no overlap with previously reported IPF gene lists. However, several overlapping genes may provide a basis for developing therapeutic targets.
Bayesian probit regression model for the diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis: proof-of-principle.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesLow R:FR signaling through phytochromes induces shade avoidance responses, including petiole elongation. Salicylic acid-mediated defense against pathogens is inhibited under these conditions.
Perception of low red:far-red ratio compromises both salicylic acid- and jasmonic acid-dependent pathogen defences in Arabidopsis.
Age, Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesThe hypothalamus has recently emerged as a key regulator of metabolism and aging in mammals. We have examined the impact of targeted disruption of hypothalamic hypophysiotropic peptide: Growth Hormone-releasing Hormone (GHRH) in mice on longevity, and the putative mechanisms of delayed aging. GHRH knockout (KO) mice are remarkably long-lived and in comparison to genetically normal (wild type) animals exhibiting major shifts in the expression of genes related to xenobiotic detoxification, stress resistance, and insulin signaling. These mutant mice also have increased adiponectin levels and alterations in glucose homeostasis consistent with the removal of the counter-insulin effects of GH. While these effects overlap with those of caloric restriction (CR), we show that effects of CR and the GHRH mutation are additive, with lifespan of GHRH-KO mutants further increased by CR. We conclude that GHRH-KO mice feature perturbations in a network of signaling pathways related to stress resistance, metabolic control and inflammation, and therefore provide a new model that can be used to explore links between GHRH repression, downregulation of the somatotropic axis, and extended longevity.
Growth hormone-releasing hormone disruption extends lifespan and regulates response to caloric restriction in mice.
Sex, Specimen part
View Samples