We have developed a microfluidics-based in vitro model of the human gut allowing co-culture of human and microbial cells and subsequent multi-omic assessment of the effect of the co-culture on the host transcriptome.
A microfluidics-based in vitro model of the gastrointestinal human-microbe interface.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesDespite accepted health benefits of dietary fiber, little is known about the mechanisms by which fiber deprivation impacts the gut microbiota and alters disease risk. Using a gnotobiotic model, in which mice were colonized with a synthetic human gut microbiota, we elucidated the functional interactions between dietary fiber, the gut microbiota and the colonic mucus barrier, which serves as a primary defence against pathogens. We show that during chronic or intermittent dietary fiber deficiency, the gut microbiota resorts to host-secreted mucus glycoproteins as a nutrient source, leading to erosion of the colonic mucus barrier. Dietary fiber deprivation promoted greater epithelial access and lethal colitis by the mucosal pathogen, Citrobacter rodentium, but only in the presence of a fiber-deprived microbiota that is pushed to degrade the mucus layer. Our work reveals intricate pathways linking diet, gut microbiome and intestinal barrier dysfunction, which could be exploited to improve health using dietary therapeutics.
A Dietary Fiber-Deprived Gut Microbiota Degrades the Colonic Mucus Barrier and Enhances Pathogen Susceptibility.
Specimen part
View SamplesThis experiment aims to identify the biological pathways and diseases associated with the cytokine Interleukin 13 (IL-13) using gene expression measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Overall design: The experiment comprised of samples obtained from 3 healthy donors. The expression profiles of in vitro IL-13 stimulation were generated using RNA-seq technology for 3 PBMC samples at 24 hours. The transcriptional profiles of PBMCs without IL-13 stimulation were also generated to be used as controls. An IL-13R-alpha antagonist (Redpath et al. Biochemical Journal, 2013) was introduced into IL-13 stimulated PBMCs and the gene expression levels after 24h were profiled to examine the neutralization of IL-13 signaling by the antagonist.
Combining multiple tools outperforms individual methods in gene set enrichment analyses.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesInner ear auditory and vestibular tissues differ in their responses to mechanical stimuli.
Distinct energy metabolism of auditory and vestibular sensory epithelia revealed by quantitative mass spectrometry using MS2 intensity.
Specimen part
View SamplesFrom preliminary experiments, HSP70 deficient MEF cells display moderate thermotolerance to a severe heatshock of 45.5 degrees after a mild preshock at 43 degrees, even in the absence of hsp70 protein. We would like to determine which genes in these cells are being activated to account for this thermotolerance.
Microarray analysis of cellular thermotolerance.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesPrevious studies have suggested that CD133+ cells isolated from human kidney biopsies have the potential to ameliorate injury following intravenous (IV) administration in rodent models of kidney disease by integrating into damaged renal tissue and generating specialised renal cells. However, whether renal engraftment of CD133+ cells is prerequisite for ameliorating injury has not yet been unequivocally resolved. Here, we have established a cisplatin-induced nephropathy model in immunodeficient rats to assess the efficacy of CD133+ human kidney cells in restoring renal health, and to determine the fate of these cells after systemic administration. Specifically, following IV administration, we evaluated the impact of the CD133+ cells on renal function by undertaking longitudinal measurements of the glomerular filtration rate using a novel transcutaneous device. Furthermore, using histological assays, we assessed whether the human kidney cells could promote renal regeneration, and if this was related to their ability to integrate into the damaged kidneys. Our results show that both CD133+ and CD133- cells improve renal function and promote renal regeneration to a similar degree. However, this was not associated with engraftment of the cells into the kidneys. Instead, after IV administration, both cell types were exclusively located in the lungs, and had disappeared by 24 hours. Our data therefore indicate that renal repair is not mediated by CD133+ cells homing to the kidneys and generating specialised renal cells. Instead, renal repair is likely to be mediated by paracrine or endocrine factors.
Human Kidney-Derived Cells Ameliorate Acute Kidney Injury Without Engrafting into Renal Tissue.
Specimen part, Disease stage
View SamplesNewly diagnosed chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients with a major cytogenetic response (MCyR) after 12 months of imatinib therapy have an excellent long-term outcome, while patients without MCyR have a high progression risk. Since patients with primary cytogenetic resistance may benefit from more intensive therapy up-front, we sought to identify biomarkers to predict MCyR.
A gene expression signature of CD34+ cells to predict major cytogenetic response in chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with imatinib.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThirty-eight tumors from 17 patients treated with BRAF inhibitor (n=12) or combination BRAF/MEK inhibitors (n=5) with known PD-L1 expression were analyzed. RNA expression arrays were performed on all pre-treatment (PRE, n=17), early during treatment (EDT, n=8) and progression (PROG, n=13) biopsies. HLA-A/HLA-DPB1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of PRE, EDT and PROG melanomas revealed that transcriptome signatures indicative of immune cell activation were strongly positively correlated with PD-L1 staining. In contrast, MAPK signaling and canonical Wnt/--catenin activity were negatively associated with PD-L1 melanoma expression. The expression of PD-L1 and immune activation signatures did not simply reflect the degree or type of immune cell infiltration, and was not sufficient for tumor response to MAPK inhibition.
PD-L1 Expression and Immune Escape in Melanoma Resistance to MAPK Inhibitors.
Specimen part
View SamplesDatabase of gene expression in different haematopoietic cell types at haemosphere.org Overall design: Comparison of gene expression in different haematopoietic cell types
Haemopedia RNA-seq: a database of gene expression during haematopoiesis in mice and humans.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesG-CSF is a hemopoietic growth factor that has a role in steady state granulopoiesis, as well as in mature neutrophil activation and function. We developed a neutralizing monoclonal antibody to the murine G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR), which antagonizes binding of murine G-CSF and inhibits G-CSFR signalling. Anti-G-CSFR rapidly halts the progression of established disease in collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAbIA). Neutrophil accumulation in joints is inhibited, without rendering animals neutropenic, suggesting an effect on homing to inflammatory sites. Neutrophils in the blood and arthritic joints of anti-G-CSFR treated mice show alterations in cell adhesion receptors, while anti-G-CSFR suppresses local production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines known to drive tissue damage. Our aim in this study was to use differential gene expression analysis of joint and blood neutrophils to more thoroughly understand the effect of G-CSFR blockade on the inflammatory response following anti-G-CSFR therapy in CAbIA.
Therapeutic Targeting of the G-CSF Receptor Reduces Neutrophil Trafficking and Joint Inflammation in Antibody-Mediated Inflammatory Arthritis.
Sex, Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage, Treatment
View Samples