Project description:In human, the 39 coding HOX genes and 18 referenced non-coding antisense transcripts are arranged in four genomic clusters named HOXA, B, C, and D. This highly conserved family belongs to the homeobox class of genes that encode transcription factors required for normal development. Therefore, HOX gene deregulation might contribute to the development of many cancer types. Here, we study HOX gene deregulation in adult glioma, a common type of primary brain tumor. We performed extensive molecular analysis of tumor samples, classified according to their isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) gene mutation status, and of glioma stem cells. We found widespread expression of sense and antisense HOX transcripts only in aggressive (IDHwt) glioma samples, although the four HOX clusters displayed DNA hypermethylation. Integrative analysis of expression-, DNA methylation- and histone modification signatures along the clusters revealed that HOX gene upregulation relies on canonical and alternative bivalent CpG island promoters that escape hypermethylation. H3K27me3 loss at these promoters emerges as the main cause of widespread HOX gene upregulation in IDHwt glioma cell lines and tumors. Our study provides the first comprehensive description of the epigenetic changes at HOX clusters and their contribution to the transcriptional changes observed in adult glioma. It also identified putative "master" HOX proteins that might contribute to the tumorigenic potential of glioma stem cells.
Project description:DIPG is a paediatric brainstem glioma with no cure. Cellular immunotherapy approaches require specific targeting of unique and tumour specific cell surface antigens, however, there is a paucity of known targets for DIPG. In this study we have used a proteomics approach to interrogate an array of patient derived DIPG cell lines to identify potential immunotherapy targets
Project description:This study investigated mechanisms of acquired resistance to FGFR inhibitor therapy in RAS/RAF–wild-type colorectal cancer (CRC). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from 47 RAS/RAF-wild-type colorectal cancer stem-cell (CRC-SC) spheroid lines previously deposited under GSE205787 were integrated with newly generated RNA-seq data from 31 additional RAS/RAF-wild-type CRC-SC spheroid lines and seven FGFR inhibitor-resistant CRC-SC derivatives. The resistant derivatives were established from parental CRC-SC spheroid lines by continuous exposure to erdafitinib or futibatinib. Comparative transcriptomic analysis between matched parental and resistant lines revealed consistent upregulation of EGFR and downregulation of PTPROt, a truncated isoform of PTPRO, in resistant derivatives. Gene set enrichment analysis further indicated activation of EGFR-related signaling pathways in FGFR inhibitor-resistant spheroids. In addition, the integrated RNA-seq dataset comprising 78 RAS/RAF-wild-type CRC-SC lines was used to validate the inverse correlation between EGFR and PTPRO mRNA expression, supporting the involvement of PTPROt downregulation and EGFR pathway activation in acquired resistance to FGFR inhibition.