Project description:Background: Trisomy 21 causes Down syndrome (DS), but the mechanisms by which the extra chromosome leads to deficient intellectual and immune function are not well understood. Results: Here, we profile CpG methylation in DS and control cerebral and cerebellar cortex of adults and cerebrum of fetuses. We purify neuronal and non-neuronal nuclei and T-lymphocytes and find biologically relevant genes with DS-specific methylation (DS-DM) in brain cells. Some genes show brain-specific DS-DM, while others show stronger DS-DM in T cells. Both 5-methyl-cytosine and 5-hydroxy-methyl-cytosine contribute to the DS-DM. Thirty percent of genes with DS-DM in adult brain cells also show DS-DM in fetal brains, indicating early onset of these epigenetic changes, and we find early maturation of methylation patterns in DS brain and lymphocytes. Some, but not all, of the DS-DM genes show differential expression. DS-DM preferentially affected CpGs in or near specific transcription factor binding sites, implicating a mechanism involving altered transcription factor binding. Methyl-seq of brain DNA from mouse models with sub-chromosomal duplications mimicking DS reveals partial but significant overlaps with human DS-DM and shows that multiple chromosome 21 genes contribute to the downstream epigenetic effects. Conclusions: These data point to novel biological mechanisms in DS and have general implications for trans effects of chromosomal duplications and aneuploidies on epigenetic patterning. Bisulfite converted DNA from 119 samples from Down syndrome patients and controls were hybridised to the Illumina Infinium 450k Human Methylation Beadchip. In addition, we re-analyzed 6 Down syndrome and 6 control cerebellum DNA samples on the 450K BeadChips using an adaptation of the Illumina probe preparation protocol (TrueMethyl kit; Cambridge Epigenetics, CEGX), in which parallel analyses of bisulfite and oxidative bisulfite DNA for each sample allows assessment of the relative contributions of 5mC and 5hmC to net methylation.
Project description:Patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) have experienced little improvement in overall survival, and standard treatment has not advanced beyond platinum-based combination chemotherapy, during the past 30 years. To understand the drivers of clinical phenotypes better, here we use whole-genome sequencing of tumour and germline DNA samples from 92 patients with primary refractory, resistant, sensitive and matched acquired resistant disease. We show that gene breakage commonly inactivates the tumour suppressors RB1, NF1, RAD51B and PTEN in HGSC, and contributes to acquired chemotherapy resistance. CCNE1 amplification was common in primary resistant and refractory disease. We observed several molecular events associated with acquired resistance, including multiple independent reversions of germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations in individual patients, loss of BRCA1 promoter methylation, an alteration in molecular subtype, and recurrent promoter fusion associated with overexpression of the drug efflux pump MDR1. Genomic DNA (500ng) was bisulfite converted using EZ DNA methylation Kit (Zimo Research) following the manufacturer’s protocol with modification for Illumina Infinium Methyaltion arrays. Samples were hybridized to Infinium Human Methylation 450K BeadChips (Illumina) according to the manufacturer’s protocol. Arrays were scanned on Iscan (Illumina). Data was background corrected, normalized to internal controls and QC was performed at the probe and sample level. COMBAT was used to remove batch effects (Johnson et al., 2007). Contributor: The Australian Ovarian Cancer Study Group
Project description:Background and Aims Small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (SINETs) are the commonest malignancy of the small intestine; however underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly characterised. Whole genome and exome sequencing has demonstrated that SINETs are mutationally quiet with the most frequent known mutation in the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1B gene (CDKN1B) occurring in only ~8% of tumours, suggesting that alternative mechanisms may drive tumourigenesis. The aim of this study is to perform genome-wide molecular profiling of SINETs in order to identify pathogenic drivers based on molecular profiling. This study represents the largest unbiased integrated genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic analysis undertaken in this tumour type. Methods Here we present data from integrated molecular analysis of SINETs (n=97) including whole exome or targeted CDKN1B sequencing (n=29), HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (Illumina) array profiling (n=69), methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (n=16), copy number variance analysis (n=47) and Whole Genome-DASL (Illumina) expression array profiling (n=43). Results Based on molecular profiling SINETs can be classified in to three groups which demonstrate significantly different progression-free survival after resection of primary tumour (not reached at 10 years vs 56 months vs 21 months, p=0.04). Epimutations were found at a recurrence rate of up to 85% and 21 epigenetically dysregulated genes were identified, including CDX1 (86%), CELSR3 (84%), FBP1 (84%) and GIPR (74%). Conclusions This is the first comprehensive integrated molecular analysis of SINETs. We have demonstrated that these tumours are highly epigenetically dysregulated. Furthermore, we have identified novel molecular subtypes with significant impact on progression free survival. Background and Aims Small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (SINETs) are the commonest malignancy of the small intestine; however underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly characterised. Whole genome and exome sequencing has demonstrated that SINETs are mutationally quiet with the most frequent known mutation in the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1B gene (CDKN1B) occurring in only ~8% of tumours, suggesting that alternative mechanisms may drive tumourigenesis. The aim of this study is to perform genome-wide molecular profiling of SINETs in order to identify pathogenic drivers based on molecular profiling. This study represents the largest unbiased integrated genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic analysis undertaken in this tumour type. Methods Here we present data from integrated molecular analysis of SINETs (n=97) including whole exome or targeted CDKN1B sequencing (n=29), HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (Illumina) array profiling (n=69), methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (n=16), copy number variance analysis (n=47) and Whole Genome-DASL (Illumina) expression array profiling (n=43). Results Based on molecular profiling SINETs can be classified in to three groups which demonstrate significantly different progression-free survival after resection of primary tumour (not reached at 10 years vs 56 months vs 21 months, p=0.04). Epimutations were found at a recurrence rate of up to 85% and 21 epigenetically dysregulated genes were identified, including CDX1 (86%), CELSR3 (84%), FBP1 (84%) and GIPR (74%). Conclusions This is the first comprehensive integrated molecular analysis of SINETs. We have demonstrated that these tumours are highly epigenetically dysregulated. Furthermore, we have identified novel molecular subtypes with significant impact on progression free survival. This study included 97 tumour samples from 85 individuals, this included both primary and metastatic tumour samples. 25 normal small intestinal samples were analysed.
Project description:We undertook a comprehensive clinical and biological investigation of serial medulloblastoma biopsies obtained at diagnosis and relapse. Combined MYC gene family amplifications and P53 pathway defects commonly emerged at relapse, and all patients in this molecular group died of rapidly progressive disease post-relapse. To study this genetic interaction, we investigated a transgenic model of MYCN-driven medulloblastoma and found spontaneous development of Trp53 inactivating mutations. Abrogation of Trp53 function in this model produced aggressive tumors that mimicked the characteristics of relapsed human tumors with combined P53-MYC dysfunction. Restoration of p53 activity, genetic and therapeutic suppression of MYCN all reduced tumor growth and prolonged survival. Our findings identify P53–MYC interactions which emerge at medulloblastoma relapse as biomarkers of clinically aggressive disease that may be targeted therapeutically. Using this dataset, assignation of medulloblastoma molecular subgroup by Illumina 450k microarray was performed for diagnostic and relapsed medulloblastoma samples to compare subgroup membership at diagnosis and relapse. We investigated the DNA methylation profiles of 18 diagnostic and 22 relapsing samples (including 15 diagnostic / relapse pairs) using the Illumina 450k methylation microarray
Project description:Smoothened (SMO)-inhibitors recently entered clinical trials for sonic-hedgehog driven medulloblastoma (SHH-MB). Clinical response appears highly variable. To understand the mechanism(s) of primary resistance and to identify pathways co-operating with aberrant SHH-signaling, we sequenced a large cohort of SHH-MBs across all age groups by sequencing, DNA methylation and expression profiling. Our data show that most adults but only half of the pediatric patients with SHH-MB will respond to SMO inhibition as predicted by molecular analysis of the primary tumor and tested in the SHH-xenografts, demonstrating that the next generation of SMO-inhibitor trials should be based on these predictive biomarkers. To further dissect the biological differences between the different age groups within SHH medulloblastomas, we looked at the DNA methylation profiles of SHH medulloblastoma samples. We investigated the DNA methylation profiles of 46 SHH medulloblastomas across all age groups using the Illumina 450k methylation array.
Project description:We assessed DNA methylation and copy number status of 27,000 CpGs in 149 urothelial carcinomas and integrated the findings with gene expression and mutation data. Methylation was associated with gene expression for 1,332 CpGs, of which 26% showed positive correlation with expression, i.e., high methylation and high gene expression levels. These positively correlated CpGs were part of specific transcription factor binding sites, such as sites for MYC and CREBP1, or located in gene bodies. Furthermore, we found genes with copy number gains, low expression and high methylation levels, revealing an association between methylation and copy number levels. This phenomenon was typically observed for developmental genes, such as HOX genes and tumor suppressor genes. In contrast, we also identified genes with copy number gains, high expression and low methylation levels. This was for instance observed for some keratin genes. Tumor cases could be grouped into four subgroups, termed epitypes, by their DNA methylation profiles. One epitype was influenced by the presence of infiltrating immune cells, two epitypes were mainly composed of non-muscle invasive tumors, and the remaining epitype of muscle invasive tumors. The polycomb complex protein EZH2 that blocks differentiation in embryonic stem cells showed increased expression both at the mRNA and protein levels in the muscle invasive epitype, together with methylation of polycomb target genes and HOX genes. Our data highlights HOX gene silencing and EZH2 expression as mechanisms to promote a more undifferentiated and aggressive state in UC. The study was conducted on genomic DNA from 150 primary fresh-frozen urothelial carcinoma tumors selected to have equal representation of stages Ta, T1 and T2>. The design also included four fully methylated and four unmethylated hybridization controls as well as 7 Normal urothelium samples. One tumor sample (UC_0556_1) was included as a technical replicate in each of four bisulfite treatment batches. The samples were bisulfite treated and hybridized to Illumina Human Methylation27 Bead Chip arrays according to manufacturers instructions at the SCIBLU Genomics Centre at Lund University, Sweden. Note: Illumina methylation data set comprises total of 168 samples (raw data), but 156 samples (processed data), derived from primary urothelial carcinoma samples. See README.txt for details of the 12 samples not included in the final, processed data.
Project description:Through parallel processing of genomic DNA with bisulfite and oxidative bisulfite treatments on Illumina 450K arrays we resolved both 5mC and 5hmC in glioblastoma tissues. We developed and applied a novel technique for estimating 5mC, 5hmC, and unmethylated proportions from array data to glioblastoma tissues and compare with normal brain tissue. Genomic distribution of 5hmC was associated with features of transcription despite the glioblastoma genome being relatively depleted of 5hmC. When integrating 5mC and 5hmC data using a Gaussian finite mixture model approach, we observed significant associations between 5hmC levels and gene-sets involved in immune and RNA regulatory processes. We also observed an enrichment of 5hmC in introns, enhancer regions, and genes that are actively transcribed in glioblastomas from TCGA. Significant differences in patient survival were observed among classes of 5hmC obtained from a recursively partitioned mixture model. Glioblastoma dervied (n=30) DNA was subjected to tandem bisulfite and oxidative bisulfite conversion with an input of 4ug per sample using the TrueMethyl® kit v.1.1 (Cambridge Epigenetix) protocol optimized for Illumina HumanMethylation450 arrays.
Project description:Pilocytic astrocytomas (PA) are the most common brain tumor in pediatric patients and can cause significant morbidity, including chronic neurological deficiencies. They are characterized by activating alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, but little else is known about their development. To map the global DNA methylation profiles of these tumors, we analysed 61 PAs and 6 normal cerebellum samples using Illumina's Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChips. These data revealed two subgroups of PA that separate according to tumor location (infratentorial versus supratentorial), and identified key neural developmental genes that are differentially methylated between the two groups. Integration with transcriptome microarray data highlighted significant expression differences, which were unexpectedly associated with a strong positive correlation between methylation and expression. Differentially methylated probes were often identified within the gene body and/or regions up- or downstream of the gene, rather than at the transcription start site. We also identified a large number of differentially methylated genes between cerebellar PAs and normal cerebellum, which included additional developmental genes. Bisulphite converted DNA from 61 PA tumours (fresh frozen) and 6 normal cerebellum (from commerical sources) were hybridised to the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChips.