Transcriptomic profiling of liver in 4 and 52-week old Bhmt-null mice and wild type controls
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ABSTRACT: We asked whether there were any expression changes in liver genes associated with loss of betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) function and how do they relate across time, at 4 and 52 weeks. We computed the robust multichip average (RMA) normalized expression of 34,472 genes available for analysis.
Project description:The expression of CTAs is normally restricted to gametogenic tissue but is often reactivated in the tumorigenic setting. This tumorigenic reactivation is thought to be due to global demethylation events during tumorigenesis. To test this, we employed an affymetrix microarray in the hypermethylated colorectal carcinoma tumor-derived cell line, HCT116, following 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment. We used microarray analysis to uncover genes whose expression is modulated by DNA methylation in the colorectal carcinoma tumor derived cell line, HCT116. HCT116 cells were exposed to 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine for 72 hours. Total RNA was isolated and hybridized on to Affymetrix microarrays.
Project description:We found that the cancer testis antigen, ZNF165, is required for viability and can modulate TGFβ-induced gene expression in mesenchymal, Claudin-Low, TNBC. We employed the Affymetrix microarray platform to uncover transcriptionally modulated genes following ZNF165 depletion and TGFβ stimulation using the Claudin-low TNBC tumor-derived cell lines, SUM159 as a model. Our results provide insight into how ZNF165 globally modulates TGFβ signaling. We used microarray analysis to uncover the transcriptional network controlled by ZNF165 and clarify the role of ZNF165 in global TGFβ signaling SUM159 and WHIM12 cells were reverse transfected with either non-targeting or ZNF165 siRNA. For SUM159 cells, sixty hours post-transfection, cells were exposed to TGFβ for 3 hours. For WHIM12, forty eight hours post-transfection, cells were exposed to TGFβ for 3 hours. Total RNA was isolated and hybridized on to Affymetrix microarrays. Each experiment was repeated three times.
Project description:Background & Aims: Overnutrition is one of the major causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its advanced form non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Besides the quantity of consumed calories, distinct dietary components are increasingly recognized as important contributor to the pathogenesis of NASH. We aimed to develop and characterize a hitherto missing murine model which resembles both the pathology and nutritional situation of NASH-patients in Western societies. Methods: We developed a NASH-inducing diet (ND) enriched with sucrose, cholesterol and a high concentration of fats rich in saturated fatty acids in a composition which mimics Western food. C57Bl6/N mice were fed with the ND or control chow for 12 weeks. Biochemical, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western Blot and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to characterize systemic and hepatic changes induced by ND-feeding. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess c-Jun levels and activation in 110 human NAFLD and control liver specimens applying tissue micro array technology. Results: ND-fed mice showed significant body weight gain, impaired glucose tolerance, elevated fasting blood glucose levels as well as decreased adiponectin and increased leptin serum levels compared to control mice. In the liver, ND-feeding led to marked steatosis, enhanced cholesterol levels, distinct signs of oxidative stress, hepatocellular damage, inflammation, activation of hepatic stellate cells, and beginning fibrosis. Transcriptome-wide hepatic gene expression analysis comparing ND-fed mice and control mice indicated main alterations in lipid metabolism and inflammatory processes. Search for over-represented transcription factor target sites among the differentially expressed genes identified AP-1 as the most likely factor to cause the transcriptional changes in ND-livers. Combining differentially expressed gene and protein-protein interaction network analysis identified c-Jun (a component of the AP-1 complex) as hub in the largest connected deregulated sub-network in ND-livers. In accordance, ND-livers revealed c-Jun-phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Moreover, hepatic c-Jun RNA and protein expression was enhanced in ND-fed compared to control mice. Also NAFLD-patients showed enhanced hepatic c-Jun levels, which correlated with inflammation, and notably, with the degree of hepatic steatosis. Conclusions: The new dietary mouse-model shows important pathological changes also found in human NASH and indicates c-jun/AP-1 activation as critical regulator of hepatic alterations. Abundance of c-jun in NAFLD likely facilitates development and progression of NASH, and thus, c-jun appears as attractive prognostic and therapeutic target of NAFLD progression. 14-weeks old male C57BL/6N mice were fed with either regular diet or a newly designed NASH-inducing diet for 12 weeks. Hepatic gene expression levels were measured thereafter.
Project description:Df16(A)+/- mice line is a model of human 22q11 microdeletion syndrome. We conducted an unbiased evaluation of the transcriptional difference in the prefrontal cortex between mutant and wild type animals at exon level. These mice were generated by chromosomal engineering and carry a microdeltion of ~1.3Mb in the mouse locus syntenic to the human 22q11.1 The reasoning behind this expression profiling is that consistent alterations in transcriptional programs reflect either downstream (immediate or remote) effects of the deficiency or reactive (compensatory) changes, and can thus point to affected biological processes and molecular functions. Df(16)A+/- mice line is a model of human 22q11 microdeletion syndrome. Adult mutant mice and their wild type littermate were selected. Prefrontal cortex tissues were dissected, total RNA were extracted, processed and hybridized on Affymetrix microarrays. We sought to obtain difference of expression profiles between mutant and wild mice at exon level.
Project description:Different fibroblast cells (eight in total) with different inhibitory capacity were analyzed and compared for their gene expression profile by whole genome microarray. Different fibroblast cells (eight in total) were analyzed with Affymetrix Whole Target (WT) Assay (GeneTitan plate format Gene ST 1.1) in order to find out gene expression differences.
Project description:Two clones (Whirly and Crossy) of human BJhTERT (human foreskin cell line) cells with different inhibitory capacity were analyzed and compared for their gene expression profile by whole genome microarray. Two clones (Whirly and Crossy) of human BJhTERT (human foreskin cell line) cells were analyzed with Affymetrix Whole Target (WT) Assay (GeneTitan plate format Gene ST 1.1) in order to find out gene expression differences.
Project description:Clone (Whirly) of human BJhTERT (human foreskin cell line) cells exposed to PC3 mRFP cells Clones (Whirly) of human BJhTERT (human foreskin cell line) cells exposed to PC3 mRFP cells were analyzed with Affymetrix Whole Target (WT) Assay (GeneTitan plate format Gene ST 1.1)
Project description:Here, we characterize the RIX line CC(032x013)F1, which serves as a mouse model of chronic WNV infection. While studies using C57BL/6 mice have shown that WNV RNA can persist in the CNS up to 3 months post infection in a limited fraction of mice (Appler et al., 2010), to date there is a lack of a robust mouse model of chronic West Nile virus infection that can be used to elucidate the immune responses associated with this viral persistence and chronicity of symptoms described in human patients. Here, we characterize this line in comparison with lines showing either no disease symptoms or significant disease, and suggest a mechanism by which WNV infection can become chronic through alterations in immune responses. Microarrays were performed on spleen samples from mice collected at days 7,12,21,28 post-infection with west nile virus or from time-matched mock-infected animals.
Project description:Background: COPD is currently the fourth leading cause of death worldwide and predicted to rank third by 2020. Statins are commonly used lipid lowering agents with documented benefits on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and have also been shown to have pleiotropic effects including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity. Objective: Identify a gene signature associated with statin use in the blood of COPD patients, and identify molecular mechanisms and pathways underpinning this signature that could explain any potential benefits in COPD. Methods: Whole blood gene expression was measured on 168 statin users and 452 non-users from the ECLIPSE (Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate Endpoints) study. Gene expression was measured using the Affymetrix Human Gene 1.1 ST microarray chips. Factor Analysis for Robust Microarray Summarization (FARMS) was used to process the expression data and to filter out non-informative probe sets. Differential gene expression analysis was undertaken using the Linear Models for Microarray data (Limma) package adjusting for propensity score and employing a surrogate variable analysis. Similarity of the expression signal with published gene expression profiles was performed in ProfileChaser. Results: 18 genes were differentially expressed between statin users and non-users at a false discovery rate of 10%. Top genes included LDLR, ABCA1, ABCG1, MYLIP, SC4MOL, and DHCR24. The 18 genes were significantly enriched in pathways and biological processes related to cholesterol homeostasis and metabolism, and were enriched for transcription factor binding sites for sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP-2). The resulting gene signature showed correlation with Huntington disease, Parkinson’s disease and acute myeloid leukemia. Conclusion: Statins gene signature was not enriched in any pathways related to respiratory diseases, beyond the drug’s effect on cholesterol homeostasis. Study subjects were a subset of those with COPD from the Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate Endpoints (ECLIPSE) study (Vestbo et al.), funded by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK Study No. SCO104960, NCT00292552). ECLIPSE is a non-interventional, observational, multicentre, three-year study in people with COPD. Blood was collected in PAXGene tubes and frozen at -80oC. In this work we have looked at the effect of statins on gene expression in 620 subjects of whom 168 were statin users. ECLIPSE study was described in: Vestbo J, Anderson W, Coxson HO, et al.: Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate End-points (ECLIPSE). Eur Respir J. 2008;31(4):869-73
Project description:Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV) is among the deadliest known human pathogens, causing severe hemorrhagic fever with high case fatality rates ranging from 70-90%. The lack of effective vaccines or treatment available for ZEBOV renders this pathogen as a significant global biodefense threat, as evidenced by the current, highly lethal outbreak of a novel ZEBOV variant in western Africa. Existing mouse models of lethal ZEBOV infection do not reproduce hallmark symptoms of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) including prolonged blood coagulation, acute hepatitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and death from hemorrhagic shock, thus restricting pathogenesis studies to non-human primates (NHP). This has prevented rapid evaluation of countermeasures in outbreak scenarios, and impeded a comprehensive understanding of how host responses to infection contribute to severe EHF disease. Here we demonstrate that mice from the Collaborative Cross (CC), a panel of reproducible, recombinant inbred animals that span the genetic breadth of three murine subspecies, are susceptible to a spectrum of disease phenotypes following ZEBOV infection. In contrast to C57Bl6/J mice, which develop lethal disease without symptoms of EHF, CC recombinant inbred intercrossed (CC-RIX) lines develop either complete resistance to lethal disease or severe EHF characterized by prolonged coagulation times and 100% mortality. Disease resistance and survival is not dependent on viral tropism, as both resistant and EHF-susceptible lines show similar inflammation and cytopathic effect in target organs. Transcriptomics reveal potential mechanisms for both induction of severe hemorrhage in EHF mediated by IL-6 and vascular activation, and resistance to lethal infection by induction of lymphocyte differentiation and cellular adhesion. These data demonstrate that host responses specific to unique genetic backgrounds determine susceptibility to hemorrhagic syndrome independent of virus replication. The CC represents a novel mouse model for studying EHF pathogenesis, and we anticipate that it will be applied immediately to developing and evaluating therapeutic countermeasures. Microarrays were performed on liver and spleen samples from mice collected at days 1, 3, and 5 post-infection with mouse adapted Zaire ebolavirus or from time-matched mock-infected animals.