Project description:Monocytes are central for atherosclerotic vascular inflammation. The human non-classical, patrolling subtype, which expresses high levels of CD16 and fractalkine receptor CX3CR1, strongly associates with cardiovascular events. Compared to classical CD14+ monocytes or transwell cocultures, CD16+ monocytes enhanced endothelial STAT1 and NFκB p65 phosphorylation, upregulated expression of CX3CL1 and IL-1β, numerous CCL and CXCL chemokines and molecules promoting leukocyte patrolling and adhesion such as ICAM1 and VCAM1.
Project description:We sought to evaluate in an unbiased way the heterogeneity of lung interstitial macrophages and their relationship with alveolar macrophages, lung Ly-6Chi classical monocytes and Ly-6Clo patrolling monocytes, by single cell RNA-Seq.
Project description:In the present study, we demonstrate that NOD2 receptor triggering by muramyl dipeptide converts blood inflammatory Ly6Chigh monocytes into patrolling Ly6Clow monocytes. Muramyl dipeptide administration to Nr4a1-/- mice, which lack Ly6Clow monocytes, and to Ly6Clow-depleted mice leads to the emergence of blood patrolling monocytes expressing phenotypic profile of typical Ly6Clow monocytes, including high expression of CX3CR1 and LFA1. Furthermore using intravital microscopy in live animal models of inflammatory diseases, we observed that converted Ly6Chigh monocytes are capable of patrolling the endothelium of blood vessels and their presence contributes to reduce the inflammatory response following muramyl dipeptide injection.
Project description:We collected whole genome testis expression data from hybrid zone mice. We integrated GWAS mapping of testis expression traits and low testis weight to gain insight into the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility.
Project description:To characterize the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility in detail, we used a systems genetics approach, integrating mapping of gene expression traits with sterility phenotypes and QTL. We measured genome-wide testis expression in 305 male F2s from a cross between wild-derived inbred strains of M. musculus musculus and M. m. domesticus. We identified several thousand cis- and trans-acting QTL contributing to expression variation (eQTL). Many trans eQTL cluster into eleven ‘hotspots,’ seven of which co-localize with QTL for sterility phenotypes identified in the cross. The number and clustering of trans eQTL - but not cis eQTL - were substantially lower when mapping was restricted to a ‘fertile’ subset of mice, providing evidence that trans eQTL hotspots are related to sterility. Functional annotation of transcripts with eQTL provides insights into the biological processes disrupted by sterility loci and guides prioritization of candidate genes. Using a conditional mapping approach, we identified eQTL dependent on interactions between loci, revealing a complex system of epistasis. Our results illuminate established patterns, including the role of the X chromosome in hybrid sterility.
