Soluble VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1) acts both as a decoy receptor for VEGFs and as an extracellular matrix protein for 51 integrin. A sVEGFR-1-derived peptide that interacts with 51 integrin promotes angiogenesis. However, canonical signal downstream integrin activation is not induced, resulting into lack of focal adhesion maturation. We performed a gene expression profile of endothelial cells adhering on sVEGFR-1 compared to that of cells adhering on fibronectin, the principal 51 integrin ligand. Three protein kinase-C substrates, adducin, MARCKS, and radixin were differently modulated. Adducin and MARCKS were less phosphorylated whereas radixin was higher phosphorylated in sVEGFR-1 adhering cells, the latter leading to prolonged small GTPase Rac1 activation and induction of a pathway involving the heterotrimeric G protein 13. Altogether, our data indicated endothelial cell acquisition of an highly motile phenotype when adherent on sVEGFR-1. Finally, we indicated radixin as accountable for the angiogenic effect of 51 integrin interaction with sVEGFR-1 that in turn depends on an active VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 signaling.
Endothelial cell adhesion to soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 triggers a cell dynamic and angiogenic phenotype.
Specimen part
View SamplesRecessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a genodermatosis characterized by fragile skin forming blisters that heal invariably with scars. It is due to mutations in the COL7A1 gene encoding type VII collagen, the major component of anchoring fibrils connecting the cutaneous basement membrane to the dermis. Identical COL7A1 mutations often result in inter- and intra-familial disease variability, suggesting that additional modifiers contribute to RDEB course. Here, we studied a monozygotic twin pair with RDEB presenting markedly different phenotypic manifestations, while expressing similar amounts of collagen VII. Genome-wide expression analysis in twins' fibroblasts showed differential expression of genes associated with TGF- pathway inhibition. In particular, decorin, a skin matrix component with anti-fibrotic properties, was found to be more expressed in the less affected twin. Accordingly, fibroblasts from the more affected sibling manifested a profibrotic and contractile phenotype characterized by enhanced -smooth muscle actin and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 expression, collagen I release and collagen lattice contraction. These cells also produced increased amounts of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Both TGF- canonical (Smads) and non-canonical (MAPKs) pathways were basally more activated in the fibroblasts of the more affected twin. The profibrotic behaviour of these fibroblasts was suppressed by decorin delivery to cells. Our data show that the amount of type VII collagen is not the only determinant of RDEB clinical severity, and indicate an involvement of TGF- pathways in modulating disease variability. Moreover, our findings identify decorin as a possible anti-fibrotic/inflammatory agent for RDEB therapeutic intervention.
Monozygotic twins discordant for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa phenotype highlight the role of TGF-β signalling in modifying disease severity.
Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesSequencing of a pool of 9 bulls of varying conception rate (CR) scores from -2.9 to 3.5.
Cryopreserved bovine spermatozoal transcript profile as revealed by high-throughput ribonucleic acid sequencing.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesUpstream of N-ras (UNR) is a conserved RNA-binding protein that regulates mRNA translation and stability by binding to sites generally located in untranslated regions (UTRs). In Drosophila, sex-specific binding of UNR to msl2 mRNA and the non-coding RNA roX plays key roles in the control of X-chromosome dosage compensation in both sexes. In order to investigate broader sex-specific functions of UNR, we have identified its RNA targets in adult male and female flies by high-throughput RNA binding and transcriptome analysis. Here we show that UNR binds to a large set of protein-coding transcripts and to a smaller set of non-coding RNAs in a sex-specific fashion. Overall design: Two replicates of UNR IP were performed in D.melanogaster adult males and females, and enrichment in either sex was compared with IgG IP as control. To correlate sex-specific UNR binding with sex-specific transcription and splicing we performed RNA-Seq experiments in males and females.
Widespread generation of alternative UTRs contributes to sex-specific RNA binding by UNR.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesWe have previously observed that expression of HLA genes associate with histology of adrenocortical tumors (PMID 17234769).
Prognostic Significance of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Expression in Pediatric Adrenocortical Tumors: A St. Jude and Children's Oncology Group Study.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe have previously observed that expression of HLA genes associate with histology of adrenocortical tumors (PMID 17234769).
Prognostic Significance of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Expression in Pediatric Adrenocortical Tumors: A St. Jude and Children's Oncology Group Study.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesPediatric adrenocortical tumors (ACT) are rare and often fatal malignancies; little is known regarding their etiology and biology. To provide additional insight into the nature of ACT, we determined the gene expression profiles of 24 pediatric tumors (five adenomas, 18 carcinomas, and one undetermined) and seven normal adrenal glands. Distinct patterns of gene expression, validated by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, were identified that distinguish normal adrenal cortex from tumor. Differences in gene expression were also identified between adrenocortical adenomas and carcinomas. In addition, pediatric adrenocortical carcinomas were found to share similar patterns of gene expression when compared with those published for adult ACT. This study represents the first microarray analysis of childhood ACT. Our findings lay the groundwork for establishing gene expression profiles that may aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of pediatric ACT, and in the identification of signaling pathways that contribute to this disease.
Gene expression profiling of childhood adrenocortical tumors.
Sex
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Integrated ordination of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles.
Specimen part
View SamplesSeveral studies have shown that negative and positive miRNA-mRNA correlations are symmetrically distributed. While negative correlations are consistent with a faster degradation of miRNA targets, the presence of positive correlations suggests bidirectional interactions between the two classes of molecules. However, a comprehensive study of miRNA and mRNA correlations is lacking. A homogeneous map of miRNA and mRNA relationships was obtained by multidimensional scaling (MDS) applied to a single matrix including both heterologous (miRNA-mRNA) and homologous (miRNA-miRNA and mRNA-mRNA) correlations.
Integrated ordination of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles.
Specimen part
View SamplesGlucagon supports glucose homeostasis by stimulating hepatic gluconeogenesis, in part by promoting the uptake and conversion of amino acids into gluconeogenic precursors. Genetic disruption or pharmacologic inhibition of glucagon signaling results in elevated plasma amino acids, and compensatory glucagon hypersecretion involving expansion of pancreatic a-cell mass. Regulation of pancreatic a- and ß-cell growth has drawn a lot of attention because of potential therapeutic implications. Recent findings indicate that hyperaminoacidemia triggers pancreatic a-cell proliferation via an mTOR-dependent pathway. We confirm and extend these findings by demonstrating that glucagon pathway blockade selectively increases expression of the sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter Slc38a5 in a subset of highly proliferative a-cells, and that Slc38a5 is critical for the pancreatic response to glucagon pathway blockade; most notably, mice deficient in Slc38a5 exhibit markedly decreased a-cell hyperplasia to glucagon pathway blockade-induced hyperaminoacidemia. These results show that Slc38a5 is a key component of the feedback circuit between glucagon receptor signaling in the liver and amino acid-dependent regulation of pancreatic a-cell mass in mice. Overall design: Examination of the transcriptomes of pancreatic islets of mice treated with GCGR-antibody and an isotype control antibody.
Amino Acid Transporter Slc38a5 Controls Glucagon Receptor Inhibition-Induced Pancreatic α Cell Hyperplasia in Mice.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View Samples