Tumor associated macrophages show signs of both, classical pro-inflammatory as well as alternative macrophage activation. The aim of this study was to compare TAMs across tumor types, to characterize their phenotype in detail and to identify the signaling nodules involved regulating classical and alternative activation traits.
Myeloid-derived suppressor activity is mediated by monocytic lineages maintained by continuous inhibition of extrinsic and intrinsic death pathways.
Specimen part
View SamplesCockayne syndrome (CS) is an inherited neurodevelopmental disorder with progeroid features. Although the genes responsible for CS have been implicated in a variety of DNA repair- and transcription-related pathways, the nature of the molecular defect in CS remains mysterious. We sought to define this defect by expression analysis of cells lacking functional CSB, a SWI/SNF-like ATPase that is responsible for most CS cases.
Cockayne syndrome group B protein (CSB) plays a general role in chromatin maintenance and remodeling.
Subject
View SamplesMicroglia are resident CNS immune cells that are active sensors in healthy brain and versatile effectors under pathological conditions. Cerebral ischemia induces a robust neuroinflammatory response that includes marked changes in the gene expression and phenotypic profile of a variety of endogenous CNS cell types (astrocytes, neurons, microglia) as well as an influx of leukocytic cells (neutrophils, macrophages, T-cells) from the periphery. Many molecules and conditions can trigger a transformation of resting (or surveying) microglia to an activated (alerted/reactive) state. Here we review recent developments in the literature that relate to microglial activation in the experimental setting of in vitro and in vivo ischemia. We also present new data from our own laboratory demonstrating the direct effects of in vitro ischemic conditions on the microglial phenotype and genomic profile. Emphasis is placed on the role of specific molecular signaling systems such as hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) in regulating the microglial response in this setting. We then review histological and recent novel radiological data that confirms a key role for microglial activation in the setting of ischemic stroke in humans. We discuss recent progress in the pharmacological and molecular targeting of microglia in acute ischemic stroke. Finally, we explore how recent studies on ischemic preconditioning have increased interest in preemptively targeting microglial activation in order to reduce stroke severity.
Microglia in ischemic brain injury.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe murine model of Lyme disease provides a unique opportunity to study the localized host response to similar stimulus, B. burgdorferi, in the joints of mice destined to develop severe arthritis (C3H) or mild disease (C57BL/6). Pathways associated with the response to infection and the development of Lyme arthritis were identified by global gene expression patterns using oligonucleotide microarrays. A robust induction of IFN responsive genes was observed in severely arthritic C3H mice at one week of infection, which was absent from mildly arthritic C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, infected C57BL/6 mice displayed a novel expression profile characterized by genes involved in epidermal differentiation and wound repair, which were decreased in the joints of C3H mice. These expression patterns were associated with disease state rather than inherent differences between C3H and C57BL/6 mice, as C57BL/6-IL10-/- mice infected with B. burgdorferi develop more severe arthritis that C57BL/6 mice and displayed an early gene expression profile similar to C3H mice. Gene expression profiles at two and four weeks post infection revealed a common response of all strains that was likely to be important for the host defense to B. burgdorferi and mediated by NF-kB-dependent signaling. The gene expression profiles identified in this study add to the current understanding of the host response to B. burgdorferi and identify two novel pathways that may be involved in regulating the severity of Lyme arthritis.
Gene expression profiling reveals unique pathways associated with differential severity of lyme arthritis.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesPlac1 is an X-linked (Xq26) trophoblast gene expressed at high levels in the placenta, at low levels in the testis, but not in other normal somatic tissues. However, it is re-expressed in several malignancies, including breast, colon, lung, gastric, liver and endometrial cancers as well as in most human cancer cell lines. Plac1 contains HLA-A2-restricted epitopes capable of eliciting a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against human breast cancer cells, and colorectal cancer patients with a Plac1-specific CTL response demonstrate long-term survival. To explore the role of Plac1 in cancer, mouse mammary tumor E0771 cells expressing high levels of Plac1 were transduced with a lentivirus expressing a Plac1 shRNA (E0771/shPlac1).
Plac1 Is a Key Regulator of the Inflammatory Response and Immune Tolerance In Mammary Tumorigenesis.
Cell line
View SamplesGene expression profile of joint tissue from C3H and interval specific congenic mouse lines (ISCL) following infection with Borrelia burgdorferi
Interval-specific congenic lines reveal quantitative trait Loci with penetrant lyme arthritis phenotypes on chromosomes 5, 11, and 12.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe report the genome-wide RNA sequencing of bone marrow derived macrophages after sequential TLR agonist stimulation. Overall design: Examination of sequential TLR agonist stimulation. Bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) were prepared from male animals 6-12 weeks of age. Cells were isolated from femurs and tibias. The bone marrow cells were and grown in macrophage growth medium (RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% FBS (Gibco), 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Gibco), 2 mM L-glutamine (Gibco), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco), 0.01 M HEPES (AmericanBio), and 30% L929-conditioned media as a source of CSF-1), and plated on petri dishes. Macrophage growth medium was supplemented on day 3. Cells were plated for use on day 6. For sequential stimuli, cells were first stimulated with, PBS, 100 ng/mL Poly I:C (InvivoGen), or 5 ng/mL LPS derived from Escherichia coli 055:B5 (Sigma-Aldrich). 24 hours after the initial stimulation, the media was removed and cells were washed twice with warmed macrophage growth media, and then the media was replaced with Poly I:C or LPS.
Specific sequences of infectious challenge lead to secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-like disease in mice.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesPrevious studies indicate that the triterpene glycoside actein from the herb black cohosh inhibits growth of human breast cancer cells. This study seeks to identify genes altered in human breast cancer cells by treatment with actein, using gene expression analysis. We treated MDA-MB-453 human breast cancer cells with actein at 2 doses, 20 or 40 g/mL, for 6 or 24 h. We identified 5 genes that were activated after each of the treatments that are known to play a role in cellular responses to diverse stresses, including the DNA damage and unfolded protein responses. In addition, four genes that mediate the integrated stress response (ISR), including activating transcription factor 4, were induced under at least one of the 4 treatment conditions. We used hierarchical clustering to define clusters comprising patterns of gene expression. Two ISR genes, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) and DNA damage- inducible transcript 3, and lipid biosynthetic genes were activated after exposure to actein at 40 g/mL for 6 h, whereas the cell cycle genes cyclin E2 and cell division cycle 25A were repressed. Our results suggest that actein induces 2 phases of the ISR, the survival phase and the apoptotic phase, depending on the dose and duration of treatment. We confirmed the results of gene expression analysis with real-time RT-PCR for 18 selected genes and Western blot analysis for ATF3. Since actein activated transcription factors that enhance apoptosis, and repressed cell cycle genes, it may be useful in the prevention and therapy of breast cancer.
The growth inhibitory effect of actein on human breast cancer cells is associated with activation of stress response pathways.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesDistinct processes govern the transition from myometrial quiescence to activation during both term and preterm labor. We sought the specific gene sets responsible for initiating term and preterm labor, along with a core set of effector genes necessary for labor independent of gestational age and the underlying trigger. The Effector Gene Set consisted of 49 genes present in both preterm and term labor but absent from non-labor samples. 122 genes were specific to preterm labor (Preterm Initiator Set) and 229 to term labor (Term Initiator Set). The Term Initiator and the Effector Sets reflected predominantly inflammatory processes. Surprisingly, the Preterm Initiator Gene Set reflected molecular and biological events almost exclusive of inflammation. Preterm and term labor differ dramatically in their unique, initiator gene profiles, suggesting alternative pathways underlie these events. Inflammatory processes are ubiquitous to the Term Initiator and the Effector Gene Sets, supporting the idea term parturition is an inflammatory process. The absence of inflammatory processes in the Preterm Initiator Set suggests inflammation is secondary to processes triggering spontaneous preterm birth, and could explain the lack of therapeutic efficacy associated with anti inflammatory/antibiotic regimens.
Human effector/initiator gene sets that regulate myometrial contractility during term and preterm labor.
Specimen part
View SamplesGenomic microarray analysis of adrenergic-deficient (Dbh-/-) vs. wild-type control (Dbh+/+) mouse heart expression at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5).
Physiological and genomic consequences of adrenergic deficiency during embryonic/fetal development in mice: impact on retinoic acid metabolism.
Specimen part
View Samples