We used a whole genome approach to identify major functional gene categories (including xenobiotic transporters and metabolizing enzymes) whose expression depends on gestational age. STUDY DESIGN: We compared gene expression profiles of 1st (45-59 days) and 2nd trimester (109-115 days), and C-section term placentae. RESULTS: In 1st trimester placentae, genes related to cell cycle, DNA, aminoacids and carbohydrate metabolism were significantly overrepresented, while genes related to signal transduction were downregulated. In the organism defense category, we identified genes involved in chemical response, metabolism, and transport. Analysis of signal transduction pathways suggested, and subsequently confirmed independently, that the Wnt pathway was regulated by gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: Our study will serve as a reference database to gain insight into the regulation of gene expression in the developing placentae and, thus, allow comparisons with placentae from complicated pregnancies such as those in women experiencing gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and teratogenic sequelae.
Profiling gene expression in human placentae of different gestational ages: an OPRU Network and UW SCOR Study.
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View SamplesIn an accompanying paper we found specific localization of diabetogenic T cells only to islets of Langerhans bearing the specific antigen. Instrumental in the specific localization was the presence of intra-islet dendritic cells bearing the -cell-peptide-MHC complex. Here we report that the entry of diabetogenic CD4 T cells very rapidly triggered inflammatory gene expression changes in islets and vessels by up-regulating chemokines and adhesion molecules. VCAM-1 expression was notable in blood vessels and so was ICAM-1. ICAM-1 was also found on -cells. These expression changes induced the entry of non-specific T cells that otherwise did not localize to the islets. In contrast to the entry of diabetogenic CD4 T cells, the entrance of non-specific T cells required a chemokine response and VCAM-1 expression by the islets. Interferon-gamma was important for the early gene expression changes in the islets. By microarray analysis we detected up-regulation of a group of interferon-inducible genes as early as 8 hours post T cell transfer. These studies provide a baseline to examine the development of therapeutics that can modulate islet localization of diabetogenic T cells to control this autoimmune disease.
Entry of diabetogenic T cells into islets induces changes that lead to amplification of the cellular response.
Specimen part
View SamplesType 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease triggered by T cell reactivity to protein antigens produced by the -cells. Here we present a chronological compendium of transcriptional profiles from islets of Langerhans isolated from non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice ranging from 2 wks up to diabetes and compared to controls. Parallel analysis was made of cellular components of the islets. Myeloid cells populated the islets early during development in all mouse strains. This was followed by a type I interferon signature detectable at 4-6 wks of age only in diabetes susceptible mice. Concurrently, CD4 T cells were found within islets, many in contact with intra-islet antigen presenting cells. Early cellular signs of islet reactivity were detected by six wks. By 8 wks, NOD islets contained all major leukocytes populations and an inflammatory gene signature. This work establishes the natural transcriptional signature of T1D and provides a resource for future research.
Defining the transcriptional and cellular landscape of type 1 diabetes in the NOD mouse.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe demonstrate diverse roles of interferongamma (IFN-) in the induction and regulation of immune-mediated inflammation using a transfer model of autoimmune diabetes. The diabetogenic CD4+BDC2.5 (BDC) T cell clone upon transfer into NOD.scid mice induced destruction of islets of Langerhans leading to diabetes. Administration of a neutralizing antibody to IFN- (H22) resulted in long term protection (LTP) from diabetes, with inflammation but persistence of a significant, albeit decreased numbers of -cells. BDC T cells were a mixture of cells expressing high, intermediate and low levels of the T cell receptor. Clonotype-low BDC T cells were required for LTP. Furthermore, islet infiltrating leukocytes in the LTP mice contained Foxp3+CD4 T cells. Islet inflammation in both diabetic and LTP mice was characterized by heavy infiltration of macrophages. Gene expression profiles indicated that macrophages in diabetic mice were M1-type, while LTP mice contained M2-differentiated. The LTP was abolished if mice were treated with either an antibody depleting CD4 T cells, or a neutralizing antibody to CTLA-4, in this case, only at a late stage. Neutralization of IL-10, TGF-, GITR or CD25 had no effect. Transfer of only clonotype-high expressing BDC T cells induced diabetes but in contrast, H22 antibodies did not inhibit diabetes. While clonotype high T cells induced diabetes even when IFN- was neutralized, paradoxically, there was reduced inflammation and no diabetes if host myeloid cells lacked IFN- receptor. Hence, using monoclonal CD4 T cells, IFN- can have a wide diversity of roles, depending on the setting of the immune process.
IFN-gamma-dependent regulatory circuits in immune inflammation highlighted in diabetes.
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View SamplesNOD mice deficient in the transcription factor Batf3 never develop diabetes. The goal of this study was to determine if NOD.Batf3-/- mice islets had any inflammatory signature associated with type 1 diabetes. Islets of Langerhans were isolated from NOD, NOD.Batf3-/-, and NOD.Rag1-/- and then compared to determine inflammatory gene profiles. At 6 and 8 weeks of age, NOD.Batf3-/- islets had an absence of inflammatory gene expression and were almost identical to uninflamed NOD.Rag1-/- islets. This work shows that absence of the Batf3 transcription factor is sufficient to prevent all the inflammatory sequelae of autoimmune diabetes.
A minor subset of Batf3-dependent antigen-presenting cells in islets of Langerhans is essential for the development of autoimmune diabetes.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesWe examined the transcriptional profiles of macrophages that reside in the islets of Langerhans of NOD, NOD.Rag1-/-, and B6.g7 mice at three weeks of age. Islet macrophages expressed an activation signature with high expression of Tnf, Il1b, and MHC-II both at the transcript and protein levels. These features are common with barrier macrophages of the lung and gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, injection of lipopolysaccharide induced a rapid inflammatory gene expression, indicating that blood stimulants are accessible to the macrophages and that these macrophages can sense them. In NOD mice, the autoimmune process imparted an increased inflammatory signature, including elevated expression of chemokines, chemokine receptors, and an oxidative response. The elevated inflammatory signature indicates that the autoimmune program was active at the time of weaning. Thus, the macrophages of the islets of Langerhans are poised to mount an immune response even at steady state, while the presence of the adaptive immune system elevates their activation state. Overall design: We examined the transcriptional profiles of macrophages that reside in the islets of Langerhans of NOD, NOD.Rag1-/-, and B6.g7 mice at three weeks of age. Lung macrophages and pancreatic LN dendritic cells of NOD mice were also examined.
The islet-resident macrophage is in an inflammatory state and senses microbial products in blood.
Age, Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesICR-derived glomerulonephritis (ICGN) mice is a novel inbred strain of mice with a hereditary nephrotic syndrome. Deletion mutation of tensin 2 (Tns2), a focal adhesion molecule, has been suggested to be responsible for nephrotic syndrome in ICGN mice, however, existence of other associative factors has been suggested. To identify additional associative factors and to better understand onset mechanism of nephrotic syndrome in ICGN mice, comprehensive gene expression analysis using DNA microarray was conducted. Immune-related pathways were markedly altered in ICGN mice kidney as compared with ICR mice. Furthermore, gene expression level of complement component 1, s subcomponent (C1s), whose human homologue has been reported to associate with lupus nephritis, was markedly low in ICGN mice kidney.
Gene expression analysis detected a low expression level of C1s gene in ICR-derived glomerulonephritis (ICGN) mice.
Age, Specimen part
View SamplesThe glomerular filtration barrier prevents large serum proteins from being lost into the urine. It is not known, however, why the filter does not routinely clog with large proteins that enter the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Here we provide evidence that an active transport mechanism exists to remove immunoglobulins that accumulate at the filtration barrier. We found that FcRn, an IgG and albumin transport receptor, is expressed in podocytes and functions to internalize IgG from the GBM. Mice lacking FcRn accumulated IgG in the GBM as they aged and tracer studies showed delayed clearance of IgG from the kidneys of FcRn deficient mice. Supporting a role for this pathway in disease, saturating the clearance mechanism potentiated the pathogenicity of nephrotoxic sera. These studies support the idea that podocytes play an active role in removing proteins from the GBM and suggest that genetic or acquired impairment of the clearance machinery is likely to be a common mechanism promoting glomerular diseases.
Podocytes use FcRn to clear IgG from the glomerular basement membrane.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe most common form of senile dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is characterized by Aß plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the CNS. AD genetic studies have identified high-risk hypomorphic variants in TREM2, a myeloid cell surface receptor that enables concerted microglial responses to Aß plaques and neuronal cell death, including proliferation, survival, clustering and phagocytosis. How TREM2 promotes these responses is not known. Here, we demonstrate that TREM2 drives mTOR signaling, which maintains high ATP levels, supports biosynthetic pathways and suppresses AMPK phosphorylation and autophagy. In vitro, TREM2-deficient macrophages undergo dramatically increased autophagy and die in response to growth factor limitation or ER stress. Excessive autophagy is also evident in microglia from Trem2-/- 5XFAD mice and in post-mortem specimens from AD patients carrying TREM2 risk variants. Metabolic derailment, autophagy and cell death can be circumvented by engaging alternative energy production pathways. Thus, restoring microglial energetic and anabolic levels may be a future therapeutic avenue for TREM2-associated neurological disease. Overall design: Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from WT and Trem2–/– mice were cultured in either 0.5% or 10% LCCM overnight in complete RPMI. Some samples cells were stimulated with 10 ng/ml LPS for 4 hours.
TREM2 Maintains Microglial Metabolic Fitness in Alzheimer's Disease.
Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment, Subject
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