Project description:We established an efficient protocol to generate esophageal epithelial progenitors (EPCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Inhibition of TGFß and BMP signaling is required for the differentiation of hPSCs into EPCs which can be further purified with EPCAM and Integrin ß4. These purified EPCs express human fetal esophageal genes and recapitulate the normal development of the stratified squamous epithelium. We performed global transcriptomic profiling of E12.5 mouse embryonic esophageal epithelia, human fetal esophageal epithelia and human embryonic stem cell RUES2-derived esophageal progenitor cells through RNA sequencing. We found that these cells shared similar expression of NOTCH components including Jag1 and 2, Dll1, 3 and 4, and Notct1, 3, 4. The gene expression profile allows to understand transcriptional program in mouse and human developing esophagus.
Project description:We identified spatially restricted transcription factors and found SOX15 expression confined to stratified esophageal epithelium, with attenuation in Barrett's esophagus. SOX15 binds esophagus-specific loci and its loss in human esophageal cells affected esophagus-specific transcripts
Project description:Samples were obtained from 8 patients with Barrett's associated adenocarcinomas after transhiatal esophagectomy. Samples representative of the normal esophageal epithelium (N), BarrettâÂÂs esophagus (B) and esophageal adenocarcinomas (ADC) were obtained from every patient by experienced GI pathologists. RNA were extracted and samples were profiled for detection of genes differentially expressed in B and ADC relative to N and in ADC relative to B.
Project description:Samples were obtained from 8 patients with Barrett's associated adenocarcinomas after transhiatal esophagectomy. Samples representative of the normal esophageal epithelium (N), Barrett’s esophagus (B) and esophageal adenocarcinomas (ADC) were obtained from every patient by experienced GI pathologists. RNA were extracted and samples were profiled for detection of genes differentially expressed in B and ADC relative to N and in ADC relative to B. Keywords: other
Project description:Tracheoesophageal disorders and diseases are prevalent in humans such that an organoid model of human esophagus could be greatly beneficial. We therefore established a three-dimensional esophageal organoid culture system through the directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). We identified that sequential manipulation of several signaling pathways resulted in patterning of definitive endoderm to dorsal anterior foregut spheroids (dAFGs). Outgrowth of dAFGs for 1-2 months resulted in human esophageal organoids (HEOs) with a stratified squamous epithelium comparable to a late gestation mouse embryonic esophagus. These 1 and 2 month old HEOs were harvested for RNA to transcriptionally profile and compare them to profiles of esophageal tissue biopsies and keratinocytes. We then used HEOs and mouse embryos to identify how SOX2 mediates separation of the esophageal and respiratory lineages and found that loss of endodermal Sox2 results in complete esophageal agenesis. Using a SOX2 CRISPR interference iPS line, we generated dorsal and ventral anterior foregut progenitors (by manipulating BMP signaling) with or without SOX2-knockdown. At the transcriptional level, SOX2 acts to promote esophageal specification in both mice and humans in part by inhibiting Wnt signaling in the dorsal AFG and promoting survival of esophageal epithelium. In addition to this use of hPSC-derived esophageal organoids to study development, HEOs can be used for future studies of esophageal pathologies, such as Barrett’s metaplasia and carcinoma.
Project description:In this study, we used RNA sequencing to characterize esophageal progenitors following activation of the hedgehog (HH) pathway in vivo. We observed two main fates following activation of the HH pathway in the squamous epithelium: one population is in an intermediate state between squamous and columnar epithelium, and another achieves a full columnar conversion. We compared these 2 populations to different FACS sorted epithelial cells from different tissues of the gastro-intestinal tract (adult esophagus, embryonic esophagus, transition epithelium from the stomach, corpus of the stomach and small intestine). Our results suggest a multistep process in which esophageal progenitors first turn on a transcriptomic program that resembles the one from embryonic esophagus, then, a subset of these dedifferentiated cells can turn on a columnar differentiation program that shares similarities with intestinal cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate that some esophageal cells can be reprogrammed to generate columnar cells in vivo.
Project description:We identified spatially restricted transcription factors and found SOX15 expression confined to stratified esophageal epithelium, with attenuation in Barrett's esophagus. SOX15 binds esophagus-specific loci and its loss in human esophageal cells affected esophagus-specific transcripts [RNA-Seq] Total RNA isolated from CPA control cells and CPA cells following SOX15 depletion, samples were prepared for sequencing using the TruSeq RNA Sample Preparation Kit (Illumina) according to the manufacturer's instructions. 75 base pair single-end reads were sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq 500 instrument. The data include 2 independent biological replicates per genotype. [ChIP-Seq] Examine SOX15-chromatin binding in CPA cells.
Project description:Myc is an oncogenic transcription factor frequently dysregulated in human cancer. To identify pathways supporting the Myc oncogenic program, we employed a genome-wide RNAi screen for Myc-synthetic-lethal (MySL) genes and uncovered a role for the SUMO-activating-enzyme (SAE1/2). Loss of SAE1/2 enzymatic activity drives synthetic lethality with Myc. Mechanistically, SAE2 inhibition switches a transcriptional subprogram of Myc from activated to repressed. A subset of these SUMOylation-dependent Myc-switchers (SMS genes) governs mitotic spindle function and is required to support the Myc oncogenic program. comparison of 4 treatments: normal HMEC, High Myc in HMEC, SUMO depleted in HMEC, High Myc+Sumo Depleted in HMEC