A key requisite for the success of a dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccine in treating malignancies is the capacity of the DCs to attract immune effector cells for further interaction and activation, considering crosstalk with DCs is partially regulated by cell-contact-dependent mechanisms. Although critical for therapeutic efficacy, immune cell recruitment is a largely overlooked aspect regarding optimization of DC therapy. In this paper we examine if the so-called interleukin (IL)-15 DC vaccine provides a favorable chemokine milieu for recruiting T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and gamma delta () T cells, in comparison with the IL-4 DCs used routinely for clinical studies, as well as the underlying mechanisms of immune cell attraction by IL-15 DCs. Chemokine signaling is studied both at the RNA level, using microarray data of mature DCs, and functional level, by means of a transwell chemotaxis assay. Important to note, the classic IL-4 DC vaccine falls short to attract the required immune effector lymphocytes, whereas the IL-15 DCs provide a favorable chemokine milieu for recruiting all cytolytic effector cells. The elevated secretion of the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4 (CCL4), also known as macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1), by IL-15 DCs underlies the enhanced migratory responsiveness of T cells, NK cells and T cells. Namely, neutralizing its receptor CCR5 resulted in a significant drop in migration of the aforementioned effector cells towards IL-15 DCs. These findings should be kept in mind in the design of future DC-based cancer vaccines.
Desirable cytolytic immune effector cell recruitment by interleukin-15 dendritic cells.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesMycosis fungoides (MF), the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), is a malignancy of mature, skin-homing T cells. Szary syndrome (Sz) is often considered to represent a leukemic phase of MF. In this study the pattern of numerical chromosomal alterations in MF tumor samples was defined using array-based CGH; simultaneously gene expression was analyzed using microarrays. Highly recurrent chromosomal alterations in MF include copy number gain of 7q36, 7q21-7q22 and loss of 5q13 and 9p21. This pattern characteristic of MF differs markedly from chromosomal alterations observed in Sz. Integration of data from array-based CGH and gene expression analysis yielded several candidate genes with potential relevance in the pathogenesis of MF. We confirmed that the FASTK and SKAP1 genes, residing in loci with recurrent gain, demonstrated increased expression. The RB1 and DLEU1 tumor suppressor genes showed diminished expression associated with loss. In addition, it was found that presence of chromosomal alterations on 9p21, 8q24 and 1q21-1q22 was associated with poor prognosis in patients with MF. This study provides novel insight into genetic alterations underlying MF. Furthermore, our analysis uncovered genomic differences between MF and Sz, which suggest that the molecular pathogenesis and therefore therapeutic requirements of these CTCLs may be distinct.
Oncogenomic analysis of mycosis fungoides reveals major differences with Sezary syndrome.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes the chemokine receptor US28 that exhibits constitutive activity. NIH-3T3 cells stably transfected with US28 present a pro-angiogenic and transformed phenotype both in vitro and in vivo.
The human cytomegalovirus-encoded chemokine receptor US28 promotes angiogenesis and tumor formation via cyclooxygenase-2.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe compared the transcriptomes of EpiSCs maintained in the presence or absence of Wnt pathway inhibitor IWP2. We screened also our gene expression data for potential markers for genuine EpiSCs, maintained in the presence of Wnt inhibition and compared with ESC expression data. We compared the transcriptomes of EpiSCs maintained in the presence or absence of IWP2. The high level of Wnt-induced differentiation occurring in conventional EpiSC cultures may have interfered with the analysis of their characteristics. By applying Wnt inhibitors we are now able to establish the properties of genuine EpiSCs.
Endogenous WNT signals mediate BMP-induced and spontaneous differentiation of epiblast stem cells and human embryonic stem cells.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesWe used RNA-Seq to analyse the interactions between Bmp4 and Wnt at a genome-wide level in EpiSCs treated for 48 hrs with Bmp4 and/or Wnt3a in the presence of Activin and bFGF. Overall design: Control EpiSC were cultured in the presence of IWP2 for 48h. Cells were cultured with BMP4 with or without IWP2; Wnt3a and Wnt3a with BMP4 for 48h.
Endogenous WNT signals mediate BMP-induced and spontaneous differentiation of epiblast stem cells and human embryonic stem cells.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe TAP transporter is responsible for transferring cytosolic peptides into the ER where they can be loaded onto MHC molecules. Deletion of TAP results in a drastic reduction of MHC surface expression and alters the presented peptide pattern. Using the TAP deficient cell line LCL721.174 and its TAP expressing progenitor cell line LCL721.45, we have identified and quantified more than 160 HLA ligands, 50 out of which were presented TAP independently. Peptides which were predominantly presented on the TAP deficient LCL721.174 cell line had a decreased MHC binding affinity according to their SYFPEITHI and BIMAS score. About half of the identified TAP independently presented peptides were not derived from signal sequences and may partly be generated by the proteasome. Furthermore, we have excluded that different HLA presentation ratios were due to varying expression of the respective protein or due to changes in the antigen loading complex. Features of TAP-independently presented peptides as well as proteasomal contribution to their generation provides an insight into basic immunological mechanisms.
Features of TAP-independent MHC class I ligands revealed by quantitative mass spectrometry.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesExpression analysis of migrating and non-migrating mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) in fetal bone marrow
Nuclear receptors Nur77 and Nurr1 modulate mesenchymal stromal cell migration.
Specimen part
View SamplesPurpose: Presence of pelvic lymph node metastases is the main prognostic factor in early stage cervical cancer patients, primarily treated with surgery. Aim of this study was to identify cellular tumor pathways associated with pelvic lymph node metastasis in early stage cervical cancer.
Involvement of the TGF-beta and beta-catenin pathways in pelvic lymph node metastasis in early-stage cervical cancer.
Age
View SamplesPurpose: Severe late normal tissue damage limits radiotherapy treatment regimens. This study aims to validate -H2AX foci decay ratios and induced expression levels of DNA double strand break (DSB) repair genes, found in a retrospective study, as possible predictors for late radiation toxicity. Methods and Materials: Prospectively, decay ratios (initial/residual -H2AX foci numbers) and genome-wide expression profiles were examined in ex vivo irradiated lymphocytes of 198 prostate cancer patients. All patients were followed 2 years after radiotherapy, clinical characteristics were assembled and toxicity was recorded using the Common Terminology Criteria (CTCAE) v4.0. Results: No clinical factors were correlated with late radiation toxicity. Analysis of -H2AX foci uncovered a negative correlation between the foci decay ratio and toxicity grade. Significantly smaller decay ratios were found in grade3 compared to grade 0 patients (p=0.02), indicating less efficient DNA-DSB repair in radio-sensitive patients. Moreover, utilizing a foci decay ratio threshold determined in our previous retrospective study correctly classified 23 of the 28 grade3 patients (sensitivity, 82%) and 9 of the 14 grade 0 patients (specificity, 64%). Grade of toxicity also correlated with a reduced induction of the homologous recombination (HR) repair gene-set. The difference in average fold induction of the HR gene-set was most pronounced between grade 0 and grade3 patients (p=0.008). Conclusions: Reduced responsiveness of HR repair genes to irradiation and inefficient DSB repair correlate with an increased risk of late radiation toxicity. Using a decay ratio classifier, we could correctly classify 82% of the patients with grade3 toxicity. Additional studies are required to further optimize and validate the foci decay assay and to assess its predictive value for late radiation toxicity in patients prostate cancer
Prostate Cancer Patients with Late Radiation Toxicity Exhibit Reduced Expression of Genes Involved in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair and Homologous Recombination.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesNo description.
MicroRNA sequence and expression analysis in breast tumors by deep sequencing.
No sample metadata fields
View Samples