Project description:Genome-wide association studies in multiple sclerosis (MS) identified a polymorphism (rs6897932) located in the coding region of the alpha chain of the cytokine receptor interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R) as a component that increases susceptibility to develop the disease. This single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) affects the splicing of the primary transcript leading to genotype-defined transcript ratios encoding either a full length membrane spanning form or a soluble receptor chain. Genotyping at the IL7R locus reveals that the region can be described by four haplotypes. Interestingly, only one out of three haplotypes harbouring the associated SNP is positively associated with MS whereas the other two do not show association. The minor allele containing haplotype shows a reduced susceptibility to develop MS. We hypothesized that additional functional or phenotypic differences exist between individuals homozygous for haplotypes shown to have either positive, negative, or neutral effect, on susceptibility to develop MS. Gene expression profiles of CD4+ T cells from MS individuals before and after stimulation with IL7 were recorded. Haplotype-specific gene signatures were found indicating small alterations in IL7/IL7R signal processing/sensitivity through JAK/STAT and p38/MAPK14. We can not exclude that the obtained signatures result from differences within the CD4+ T cell compartment that, in fact, should be seen as a consequence of systemic haplotype-specific processing of homeostatic and proliferation signals transmitted through IL7/IL7R. Samples of CD4+ cells were obtained from 7 MS patients (homozygous for Hap1 (3), Hap2 (2), Hap3 (2)). CD4+ cells were collected from peripheral blood, frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen. All samples were thawed and CD4+ cells were purified by magnetic bead separation. Purity and viability of cells was analyzed by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS). Total cellular RNA were extracted with TRIzol reagent and analyzed with the Human Gene 1.0 ST Array (affymetrix). IL7R haplotypes and susceptibility to develop MS: Hap1 homozygous <-> Risk <-> positive effect on MS susceptibility Hap2 homozygous <-> Hap2 <-> neutral effect on MS susceptibility Hap3 homozygous <-> Prot <-> neutral effect on MS susceptibility [Note: Haplotype nomenclature subject to revision.]
Project description:Genome-wide association studies in multiple sclerosis (MS) identified a polymorphism (rs6897932) located in the coding region of the alpha chain of the cytokine receptor interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R) as a component that increases susceptibility to develop the disease. This single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) affects the splicing of the primary transcript leading to genotype-defined transcript ratios encoding either a full length membrane spanning form or a soluble receptor chain. Genotyping at the IL7R locus reveals that the region can be described by four haplotypes. Interestingly, only one out of three haplotypes harbouring the associated SNP is positively associated with MS whereas the other two do not show association. The minor allele containing haplotype shows a reduced susceptibility to develop MS. We hypothesized that additional functional or phenotypic differences exist between individuals homozygous for haplotypes shown to have either positive, negative, or neutral effect, on susceptibility to develop MS. Gene expression profiles of CD4+ T cells from MS individuals before and after stimulation with IL7 were recorded. Haplotype-specific gene signatures were found indicating small alterations in IL7/IL7R signal processing/sensitivity through JAK/STAT and p38/MAPK14. We can not exclude that the obtained signatures result from differences within the CD4+ T cell compartment that, in fact, should be seen as a consequence of systemic haplotype-specific processing of homeostatic and proliferation signals transmitted through IL7/IL7R.
Project description:Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) was used to profile the transcriptome of 16,015 nuclei in human adult testis. This dataset includes five samples from two different individuals. This dataset is part of a larger evolutionary study of adult testis at the single-nucleus level (97,521 single-nuclei in total) across mammals including 10 representatives of the three main mammalian lineages: human, chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, gibbon, rhesus macaque, marmoset, mouse (placental mammals); grey short-tailed opossum (marsupials); and platypus (egg-laying monotremes). Corresponding data were generated for a bird (red junglefowl, the progenitor of domestic chicken), to be used as an evolutionary outgroup.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of human mesenchymal stem cells comparing normoxic MSCs cells with hypoxic MSCs cells. Hypoxia may inhibit senescence of MSCs during expansion. Goal was to determine the effects of hypoxia on global MSCs gene expression.