Project description:<p>Transcription factor p63 is a key regulator of epidermal keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Mutations in the p63 DNA-binding domain are associated with Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia Cleft Lip/Palate (EEC) syndrome. Underlying molecular mechanism of these mutations however remain unclear. Here we characterized the transcriptome and epigenome of p63 mutant keratinocytes derived from EEC patients. The transcriptome of p63 mutant keratinocytes deviated from the normal epidermal cell identity. Epigenomic analyses showed an altered enhancer landscape in p63 mutant keratinocytes contributed by loss of p63-bound active enhancers and by unexpected gain of enhancers. The gained enhancers were frequently bound by deregulated transcription factors such as RUNX1. Reversing RUNX1 overexpression partially rescued deregulated gene expression and the altered enhancer landscape. Our findings identify an unreported disease mechanism whereby mutant p63 rewires the enhancer landscape and affects epidermal cell identity, consolidating the pivotal role of p63 in controlling the enhancer landscape of epidermal keratinocytes.</p>
Project description:Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) from neonatal foreskin were cultured in serum-free EpiLife medium with human KC growth supplement (0.2% bovine pituitary extract (v/v), 5ug bovine insulin, 5ug/ml bovine transferrin, 0.5ng/ml human EGF, and 0.18 ug/ml hydrocortisone) from Cascade Biologics. Cultures were treated with recombinant cytokines from R&D Systems. J Immunol. 2007 Feb 15;178(4):2229-40. Keywords: cytokine response
Project description:Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) from neonatal foreskin were cultured in serum-free EpiLife medium with human KC growth supplement (0.2% bovine pituitary extract (v/v), 5ug bovine insulin, 5ug/ml bovine transferrin, 0.5ng/ml human EGF, and 0.18 ug/ml hydrocortisone) from Cascade Biologics. Cultures were treated with recombinant cytokines from R&D Systems. J Immunol. 2007 Feb 15;178(4):2229-40. Experiment Overall Design: NHEK were treated with IL-19, IL20, IL-22, and IL24, with controls untreated, along with IL1b, IFN gamma, and KGF.
Project description:It has long been known that excessive mitotic activity due to H-Ras can block keratinocyte differentiation and cause skin cancer. It is not clear, however, whether there are any innate surveillants that ensure keratinocytes undergoing terminal differentiation, preventing the disease. IKKα induces keratinocyte terminal differentiation and its reduction promotes skin tumor development. However, its nature function in skin cancer is unknown. Here we found that mice with IKKα deletion in keratinocytes or in hair follicle keratinocytes developed a thickened epidermis and spontaneous squamous cell-like carcinomas. Inactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or reintroduction of IKKα inhibited excessive mitosis, induced terminal differentiation, and prevented skin cancer through an EGFR-driven autocrine loop in mice. Thus, IKKα serves as an innate surveillant. Experiment Overall Design: The differences in gene expression profiles of CHUK deleted mouse keratinocytes compared to wild type mouse keratinocytes were analyzed using two dual-channel agilent microarrays in duplicates.
Project description:Our aim was to investigate the interaction between epidermal differentiation and VZV infection. By means of a calcium-induced keratinocyte differentiation model and RNA-seq we show VZV infection has a profound effect on differentiating keratinocytes and hijacks the normal process of epidermal gene expression to generate a signature resembling patterns of gene expression seen in both heritable and acquired skin-blistering disorders. Analysis of the viral transcriptome provides evidence that VZV replication in skin is tightly linked to differentiation and critically, that late viral gene expression is associated with cellular differentiation. The experiment was performed on human primary keratinocytes under four conditions: undifferentiated/uninfected, uninfected/differentiated, VZV-infected/undifferentiated and VZV-infected/differentiated.
Project description:It has long been known that excessive mitotic activity due to H-Ras can block keratinocyte differentiation and cause skin cancer. It is not clear, however, whether there are any innate surveillants that ensure keratinocytes undergoing terminal differentiation, preventing the disease. IKKα induces keratinocyte terminal differentiation and its reduction promotes skin tumor development. However, its nature function in skin cancer is unknown. Here we found that mice with IKKα deletion in keratinocytes or in hair follicle keratinocytes developed a thickened epidermis and spontaneous squamous cell-like carcinomas. Inactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or reintroduction of IKKα inhibited excessive mitosis, induced terminal differentiation, and prevented skin cancer through an EGFR-driven autocrine loop in mice. Thus, IKKα serves as an innate surveillant.