Gene Expression Profiles Predict Infliximab Treatment Response in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression
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ABSTRACT: To further explore predictors and targets of response to infliximab, differential gene expression was examined at baseline and after 6 and 24 hours and 2 weeks after the first infusion of infliximab in TRD patients who were infliximab responders versus nonresponders, and compared to placebo-treated patients. In a recent clinical trial, the TNF antagonist infliximab was found to reduce depressive symptoms compared to placebo but only in patients with increased inflammation as reflected by a CRP >5 mg/L. To further explore predictors and targets of response to infliximab, differential gene expression was examined at baseline and after 6 and 24 hours and 2 weeks after the first infusion of infliximab in TRD patients who were infliximab responders versus nonresponders, and compared to placebo-treated patients.
Project description:While the paradigm that genetic predisposition and environmental exposures interact to shape development and function of the human brain and ultimately the risk of psychiatric disorders has drawn wide interest, the corresponding molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated yet. Here we show that a functional polymorphism altering chromatin interaction between the transcription start site and long range enhancers in the FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5) gene, an important regulator of the stress hormone system, increases the risk of developing stress-related psychiatric disorders in adulthood by allele-specific, childhood trauma-dependent DNA demethylation in functional glucocorticoid response elements (GREs) of FKBP5. This demethylation is linked to increased stress-dependent gene transcription followed by a long-term dysregulation of the stress hormone system and a global impact on the function of immune cells and brain areas associated with stress regulation. This first identification of molecular mechanisms of genotype-directed long-term environmental reactivity will also critically contribute to designing more effective treatment strategies for stress-related disorders. Effects of FKBP5 rs1360780 genotype x environment interaction on peripheral blood mRNA expression of GR responsive genes, as measured by gene expression arrays, were explored in 129 individuals (child abuse/risk allele carrier N = 40, child abuse/protective allele carrier N = 15; and no child abuse/risk allele carrier N = 60, no child abuse/protective allele carrier N = 14). In all 129 individuals, 1627 transcripts showed a significant correlation with plasma cortisol concentrations, suggesting their GR responsiveness. The correlation of 76 of these transcripts with cortisol plasma levels showed significant differences when stratifying by FKBP5 genotype in individuals with child abuse (Fisher z score ≥ 1.96) For these 76 transcripts, the mean absolute correlation coefficient with plasma cortisol was R = 0.23 in the risk allele carriers with child abuse, that is those exhibiting a demethylation of FKBP5 intron 7 as compared to R = 0.74 in the carriers of the protective genotype with child abuse where intron 7 methylation remains largely stable. This indicates a relative GR-resistance in the trauma exposed FKBP5 risk allele vs. protective genotype carriers. These 76 transcripts did not show a genotype-dependent difference in correlation coefficients in non-trauma exposed individuals suggesting that exposure to early trauma enhances FKBP5 genotype-dependent effect of GR sensitivity, most likely by epigenetic mechanisms. These findings suggest that the combination of FKBP5 risk allele carrier status and early trauma exposure alters the stress hormone-dependent regulation of several genes in peripheral blood cells, and might thereby enhance the reported association of early trauma with immune and inflammatory dysregulation, further promoting system-wide symptoms of stress-related disorders.
Project description:Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease with several recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities. Despite genomics and transcriptomics profiling efforts to understand AML’s heterogeneity, studies focused on the proteomic profiles associated with pediatric AML cytogenetic features remain limited. Furthermore, the majority of biological functions within cells are operated by proteins (i.e., enzymes) and most drugs target the proteome rather than the genome or transcriptome, thus, highlighting the significance of studying proteomics.
Project description:Along with the inherent complexities of seed and dormancy, the use of different genotypes or mutants to study the molecular mechanisms underlying seed dormancy leads to potential biases and data misinterpretation. To provide a comprehensive insight into the actual protein activities involved in seed dormancy establishment, a SWATH-MS proteomics was performed on dormant and non-dormant developing seeds of Xanthium strumarium at five consecutive time intervals including three, 10, 20, and 30 days after burr emergence and full maturation. The amount of approximately 3.5% differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) with a ~94% stage-specificity supports considerable proteome overlap in the two seed types. More than 38% of all differentially abundant proteins were observed at the first stage, supporting the importance of this stage of seed development for seed fate determination. Rapid overrepresentation of proteins responsible for cell wall biosynthesis, cytokinesis, and seed development were detected for non-dormant seed at the first stage, while dormancy-associated proteins showed less abundance. In the middle of seed development, we identified DAPs involved in seed maturation and ABA signaling. Interestingly, higher abundant proteins in the mature non-dormant seed were mainly involved in the facilitation of seed germination. Taken together, the temporal pattern of the accumulated proteins demonstrated a delay in the initiation of active cell division, enriched response to ABA, and defect in the seed maturation in developing dormant seeds. Moreover, stored proteins in the mature dormant seed are responsible for delaying germination but not dormancy induction. Finally, assume that dormancy may be established at a stage of seed development earlier than previously thought.
Project description:Semilunar valve leaflets have a well-described trilaminar histoarchitecture with a sophisticated elastic fiber network. It was previously proposed that elastin-containing fibers play a subordinate role in early human cardiac valve development; however, this assumption was based on data obtained from mouse models and human second and third trimester tissues. Here, we systematically analyzed tissues from human fetal first (4-12 weeks) and second (13-18 weeks) trimester, adolescent (14-19 years) and adult (50-55 years) hearts to monitor the temporal and spatial distribution of elastic fibers, focusing on semilunar valves. Global gene expression analyses revealed that the transcription of genes essential for elastic fiber formation starts early within the first trimester. These data were confirmed by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry employing antibodies that recognize fibronectin, fibrilin-1, -2 and -3, EMILIN-1, fibulin-4 and fibulin-5, which were all expressed at the onset of cardiac cushion formation (~week 4 of development). Tropoelastin/ elastin protein expression was first detectable in leaflets of 7-week hearts. We revealed that immature elastic fibers are organized in early human cardiovascular development, and mature elastin-containing fibers first evolve in semilunar valves when blood pressure and heartbeat accelerate. Our findings provide a conceptual framework with the potential to lead to novel hypotheses in human cardiac valve development and disease. Total RNA obtained from fetal cardiac valve cushions, developed fetal heart valves, adolescent heart valves, and adult heart valves.
Project description:Anterior foregut endoderm (AFE) gives rise to many tissue types of interest for therapeutic research including the esophagus, salivary glands, lung, thymus, parathyroid and thyroid. Despite its importance, only few reports describe the generation of AFE from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) by directed differentiation. Here, we describe a novel protocol to derive a subdomain of AFE, identified by expression of Pax9, from PSCs using small molecules and chemically defined conditions. Generation of a reporter PSC line allows isolation and characterization of Pax9+ AFE cells. When transplanted in vivo, Pax9+ AFE can form several distinct types of complex anterior foregut epithelia including mucosal glands and stratified squamous epithelium. Finally, we show that the directed differentiation protocol can be used to generate AFE from DiGeorge Syndrome patient-specific human induced PSCs, thus creating a platform to produce anterior foregut derivatives for therapy and to enable the study of disorders of the AFE. Total RNA obtained from FACS purified from in vitro dervied mouse definitive endoderm, anterior foregut and ES cells. AFE cells were derived from a 129X1/SvJ background, DE cells from 129X1/SvJ x 129S1/SV-+p+Tyr- cKitlSl-J/+ (R1 ES cells) and non reporter ES cells from a 129P2/OlaHsd background.
Project description:to study the effect of induced expression of TBX3 within the atrium of the heart Background: Treatment of congenital or acquired disorders of the sinus node or atrioventricular node requires insight into the molecular mechanisms for the development and homeostasis of these pacemaker tissues. In the developing heart, transcription factor TBX3 is required for pacemaker and conduction system development. Here, we explore the role of TBX3 in the adult heart and investigate whether TBX3 is able to reprogram terminally differentiated working cardiomyocytes into pacemaker cells. This would be an attractive approach in biological pacemaker formation. Methods and results: TBX3 expression was ectopically induced in cardiomyocytes of adult transgenic mice. Expression analysis revealed an efficient switch from the working myocardial expression profile to that of the pacemaker myocardium. This included suppression of genes encoding gap junction subunits (Cx40, Cx43), the cardiac Na+ channel (NaV1.5; INa) and inwardly rectifying K+ ion channels (Kir-genes; IK1). Concordantly, we observed conduction slowing in these hearts, and reductions in INa and IK1 in cardiomyocytes isolated from these hearts. The reduction in IK1 resulted in a more depolarized maximum diastolic potential, thus enabling spontaneous diastolic depolarization. Neither ectopic pacemaker activity nor pacemaker current, If, were observed. Lentiviral expression of TBX3 in ventricular cardiomyocytes resulted in conduction slowing and development of heterogeneous phenotypes, including depolarized and spontaneously active cardiomyocytes. Conclusions: TBX3 partially reprograms terminally differentiated working cardiomyocytes into pacemaker-like cells and induces important pacemaker properties. The ability of TBX3 to reduce intercellular coupling to overcome current-to-load mismatch and the ability to reduce IK1 density to enable diastolic depolarization, are very promising TBX3 characteristics for biological pacemaker formation strategies. 5 TBX3 expressing left atrial appendage samples (Tamoxifen-treated Myh6MCM;CTBX3 adult male mice) and 6 controls ((Tamoxifen-treated Myh6MCM adult male mice)
Project description:To identify early predictive biomarkers for postpartum depression using peripheral blood gene expression profiles RNA was isolated from peripheral blood collected in Tempus RNA tubes (Applied Biosystems, Darmstadt, Germany) at all three investigated time points for each woman in the discovery sample. RNA was isolated using the Versagene kit (Gentra Systems, Minneapolis, U.S.A.), quantified using the Nanophotometer and quality checks were performed on the Agilent Bioanalyzer.
Project description:The main aim of the study was to compare genome-wide gene expression profiles obtained from the two widely used commercially available whole blood RNA collection systems - PAXgeneTM and TempusTM tubes. Comparisons of present call rates, variances, correlations and influence of globin reduction across the two collection systems was performed using in vivo glucocorticoid stimulation in 24 peripheral blood samples from three individuals. Three healthy male volunteers aged 30-35 years with body mass index of 20-25 were enrolled in the study.1.5 mg dexamethasone stimulated peripheral blood samples were drawn 3 hours later. For each sample, duplicate measures of 2.5 ml and 3ml blood was collected in PAXgeneTM tubes (PreAnalytiX GmbH, Hombrechtikon, Switzerland) and TempusTM tubes (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) respectively. The PAXgeneTM and TempusTM tubes were stored for 2.5 hours at room temperature and then transferred to -20°C. Due to the lower RNA yield from the PAXgeneTM tubes, RNA from two PAXgeneTM tubes was pooled together for the experiment . Total RNA was isolated from whole blood stored in PAXgeneTM and TempusTM tubes according to the respective manufacturer's instructions. The PAXgeneTM samples were processed using the PAXgeneTM Blood RNA Kit based on the Quiagen method for column purification of nucleic acids (PreAnalytiX GmbH, Hombrechtikon, Switzerland, catalogue number 762174). The TempusTM samples were isolated using the TempusTM Spin RNA Isolation Kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA, catalogue number 4380204). RNA quality was assessed using an Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer (Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA, USA). The concentration and purity of total RNA was independently assessed by 260/280 UV absorption ratios, respectively (Nanophotometer, Implen, Munich, Germany). RNA samples were divided into non-globin reduced and globin reduced groups. The GLOBINclearTM-Human Kit (Ambion, Inc., Texas, USA, catalogue number #AM1980) was used to remove globin mRNA. Sample amplification and labeling for both globin-reduced and non-reduced samples was performed using the IlluminaR TotalPrep RNA Amplification Kit (Ambion, Inc., Texas, USA, catalogue number AMIL1791). RNA quality, yield and numbers of detected transcripts from the two RNA collection systems was comparable, with no significant differences between the tube types. Globin reduction resulted in a significant increase in present call rates in PAXgeneTM and TempusTM tubes and significant decrease in gene expression variance in both RNA collection tubes . Comparisons of glucocorticoid receptor-stimulated gene expression profiles between the two collection tube systems revealed an overlap of only 17 to 54%, depending on the stringency level of the statistical thresholds. This overlap increased by 1-8% when the RNA samples were processed to remove the globin mRNA. These results indicate that gene expression profiles obtained from PAXgeneTM and TempusTM differ drastically and should not be analyzed together. These data suggest that researchers must exert caution while interpreting expression profiles obtained through different RNA collection tubes.
Project description:Investigation of the molecular effects of myeloid cells on cancer cells. Myeloid cells were shown to promote metastatic liver progression but the mechanisms involved is unknown. Here we examined gene expression changes in cancer cells upon myeloid cell depletion. Total RNA was isolated from FACS sorted MC38 colon cancer cells in tumor bearing livers of CD11bDTR transgenic mice after PBS (control) or DT (depletion) treatments.
Project description:Analysis of DOCK8 deficient animals revealed a novel marker of NKT cell development, the integrin CD103. The role of CD103 was further investigated by RNA microarray comparing CD103 negative versus positive NKT cells. Total RNA was extracted from 3 biological replicates of thymic, CD103positive NKT cells and compared using an Illumina microarray to CD103negative NKT cells.