Project description:Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease that is unresponsive to current therapy. While it carries a median survival of less than 3 years its rate of progression varies widely between patients. We hypothesized that studying the gene expression profiles of physiologically stable patients and those in which the disease progressed rapidly after the initial diagnosis would aid in the search for biomarkers and contribute to the understanding of disease pathogenesis. We generated 12 Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) lung parenchyma SAGE profiles. Initial cluster analysis including 8 other public available lung SAGE libraries verified that the IPF transcriptome is distinct from normal lung tissue and other lung diseases like COPD. In order to identify candidate markers of disease progression we segregated the IPF SAGE profiles in two groups based on clinical parameters regarding lung volume and lung function.
Project description:The mechanisms and molecular pathways underlying interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are poorly understood. Systems biology approaches were used to identify perturbed networks in these disease states to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of disease. Through profiling genes and miRNAs, we found subsets of genes and miRNAs that distinguish different disease stages, ILDs from controls, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) from non-specific interstitial pneumonitis (NSIP). Traditional pathway analysis revealed several disease-associated modules involving genes from the TGF-beta, Wnt, focal adhesion and smooth muscle actin pathways that may be involved in advancing fibrosis. A comprehensively integrative approach was used to construct a global gene regulatory network based on the perturbation of key regulatory elements, transcriptional factors and miRNAs. The data also demonstrated that several subnetworks were significantly associated with key molecules involved in the diseases. We present a broad overview of the disease at a molecular level and discuss several possibly key regulatory molecular circuits that could play central roles in facilitating the progression of ILDs. Lung tissue samples from 23 patients with IPF or related disorders were obtained from the Lung Tissue Research Consortium (www.ltrcpublic.org). 11 samples came from patients who had been diagnosed with usual interstitial pneumonia/ idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (UIP/IPF), 5 samples came from patients with non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), the remaining from patients with uncharacterized fibrosis and from patients with other ILD variants. B. Biopsies from uninvolved lung tissue from lung cancer patients (5 samples) and from one lung transplant patient were used as controls for comparison with the ILD samples.
Project description:The mechanisms and molecular pathways underlying interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are poorly understood. Systems biology approaches were used to identify perturbed networks in these disease states to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of disease. Through profiling genes and miRNAs, we found subsets of genes and miRNAs that distinguish different disease stages, ILDs from controls, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) from non-specific interstitial pneumonitis (NSIP). Traditional pathway analysis revealed several disease-associated modules involving genes from the TGF-beta, Wnt, focal adhesion and smooth muscle actin pathways that may be involved in advancing fibrosis. A comprehensively integrative approach was used to construct a global gene regulatory network based on the perturbation of key regulatory elements, transcriptional factors and miRNAs. The data also demonstrated that several subnetworks were significantly associated with key molecules involved in the diseases. We present a broad overview of the disease at a molecular level and discuss several possibly key regulatory molecular circuits that could play central roles in facilitating the progression of ILDs. Lung tissue samples from thirty patients with IPF or related disorders were obtained from the Lung Tissue Research Consortium (www.ltrcpublic.org). Ten samples came from patients who had been diagnosed with usual interstitial pneumonia/ idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (UIP/IPF), nine samples came from patients with non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), four from patients with uncharacterized fibrosis, and the remaining samples came from patients with other ILD variants. Biopsies from uninvolved lung tissue from lung cancer patients (5 samples) and from one lung transplant patient were used as controls for comparison with the ILD samples.
Project description:Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic progressive lung disease of unknown etiology, is characterized by the expansion of myofibroblasts and abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix in the lung parenchyma. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms that lead to IPF, we analyzed myofibroblasts established from patients with IPF by oligonucleotide microarrays. Gene expression profiles revealed a novel pathophysiologic function of myofibroblasts as a generator of reactive oxygen species, and a self-defense mechanism against oxidative stress of their own generating. Experiment Overall Design: We isolated two myofibroblast cell culture from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Embryonic pulmonary fibroblast was used for the reference.
Project description:Objective: Pulmonary complications in systemic sclerosis (SSc), including pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), are the leading cause of mortality. We compared the molecular fingerprint of SSc lung tissues and matching primary lung fibroblasts to those of normal donors, and patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Methods: Lung tissues were obtained from 33 patients with SSc who underwent lung transplantation. Tissues and cells from a subgroup of SSc patients with predominantly PF or PAH were compared to those from normal donors, patients with IPF, or IPAH. Microarray data was analyzed using Efficiency Analysis for determination of optimal data processing methods. Real time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to confirm differential levels of mRNA and protein, respectively. Results: We identified a consensus of 242 and 335 genes that were differentially expressed in lungs and primary fibroblasts, respectively. Enriched function groups in SSc-PF and IPF lungs included fibrosis, insulin-like growth factor signaling and caveolin-mediated endocytosis. Functional groups shared by SSc-PAH and IPAH lungs included antigen presentation, chemokine activity, and IL-17 signaling. Conclusion: Using microarray analysis on carefully phenotyped SSc and comparator lung tissues, we demonstrated distinct molecular profiles in tissues and fibroblasts of patients with SSc-associated lung disease compared to idiopathic forms of lung disease. Unique molecular signatures were generated that are disease- (SSc) and phenotype- (PF vs PAH) specific. These signatures provide new insights into pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets for SSc lung disease. Lung tissues were obtained from 33 patients with SSc who underwent lung transplantation. Tissues and cells from a subgroup of SSc patients with predominantly PF or PAH were compared to those from normal donors, patients with IPF, or IPAH. Microarray data was analyzed using Efficiency Analysis for determination of optimal data processing methods. Real time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to confirm differential levels of mRNA and protein, respectively.
Project description:Objective: Pulmonary complications in systemic sclerosis (SSc), including pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), are the leading cause of mortality. We compared the molecular fingerprint of SSc lung tissues and matching primary lung fibroblasts to those of normal donors, and patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Methods: Lung tissues were obtained from 33 patients with SSc who underwent lung transplantation. Tissues and cells from a subgroup of SSc patients with predominantly PF or PAH were compared to those from normal donors, patients with IPF, or IPAH. Microarray data was analyzed using Efficiency Analysis for determination of optimal data processing methods. Real time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to confirm differential levels of mRNA and protein, respectively. Results: We identified a consensus of 242 and 335 genes that were differentially expressed in lungs and primary fibroblasts, respectively. Enriched function groups in SSc-PF and IPF lungs included fibrosis, insulin-like growth factor signaling and caveolin-mediated endocytosis. Functional groups shared by SSc-PAH and IPAH lungs included antigen presentation, chemokine activity, and IL-17 signaling. Conclusion: Using microarray analysis on carefully phenotyped SSc and comparator lung tissues, we demonstrated distinct molecular profiles in tissues and fibroblasts of patients with SSc-associated lung disease compared to idiopathic forms of lung disease. Unique molecular signatures were generated that are disease- (SSc) and phenotype- (PF vs PAH) specific. These signatures provide new insights into pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets for SSc lung disease.
Project description:There were similarities in the microRNA expression profiles in sheep model and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) suggest that bleomycin induced lung injuries share similar molecular mechanisms associated with the disease IPF
Project description:Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a specific form of chronic, progressive fibrosing interstitial disease of unknown cause. It remains impractical to conduct early diagnosis and predict IPF progression just based on gene expression information. Moreover, the relationship between gene expression and quantitative phenotypic value in IPF keeps controversial. To identify biomarkers to predict survival in IPF, we profiled protein-coding gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We linked the gene expression level with the quantitative phenotypic variation in IPF, including diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and forced vital capacity (FVC) percent predicted. In silico analyses on the expression profiles and quantitative phenotypic data allowed for the generation of a set of IPF molecular signature that predicted survival of IPF effectively. Total RNA was isolated from PBMCs using standard molecular biology protocols without DNA contamination or RNA degradation. Sample processing (e.g., cDNA generation, fragmentation, end labeling, hybridization to Affymetrix GeneChip Human Exon 1.0 ST arrays) was performed per manufacturer’s instructions. A total of 45 healthy controls and 70 IPF patients were included in the microarray analysis.
Project description:There is microscopic spatial and temporal heterogeneity of pathologic changes in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) lung tissue, which may relate to heterogeneity in pathophysiological mediators of disease and clinical progression. We measured gene expression in samples from lung biopsies or explants in order to assess relationships with pathological features and systemic biomarkers. RNA was extracted directly from lung tissue samples from 40 IPF patients or 8 healthy controls.