Project description:To further explore the expression of circular RNAs in keloid,we have completed the Arraystar Human circRNA Array V2 analysis of the 8 samples,including 4 patients-derived keloid dermal fibroblasts and 4 normal dermal fibroblasts.
Project description:Keloid is a dermal fibroproliferative disease with various etiologies and unclear pathogenesis. Recent studies have revealed that circular RNAs (circRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exerted regulatory functions through a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) pathway in keloid progression. However, the expression profiles of circRNAs and lncRNAs in keloid dermal tissues (KDTs) remain unknown. This study aimed to identify differentially expressed circRNAs, lncRNAs and genes in KDTs.
Project description:This study investigated the effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidty on gene expression patterns in normal dermal fibroblasts (NDFs) and keloid dermal fibroblasts (KDFs). Cells were cultured on collagen coated polyacrylamide hydrogels with elastic moduli mimicking normal skin (8 kPa) or keloid scar tissue (214 kPa), and changes in gene expression were profiled using next-generation RNA-sequencing. Differential gene expression analysis identified overall significant differences in gene expression between the NDF and KDF populations. Despite high levels of inter-patient heterogeneity in the KDF samples, further principal components analysis revealed a subset of genes (PC5) that were specifically regulated by ECM rigidity. Gene set enrichment analysis of the PC5 genes identified classic pathways associated with mechanotransduction, including Hippo Signalling and Regulation of the Actin Cytoskeleton, as well as genes associated with the Autophagy pathway. Additional in vitro studies and human tissue staining confirmed the biomechanical regulation of autophagic flux in NDFs and KDFs and differential remodelling of the lysosome in KDFs and keloid scars. Together, these findings implicate autophagy and lysosomal remodelling as biomechanically dysregulated pathways in keloid fibroblasts, and these mechanisms may contribute to scar pathogenesis.
Project description:Keloids are benign dermal tumors that arise from abnormal wound healing processes following skin lesions. Postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) is a clinically effective measure to reduce recurrence rates of keloid. We used single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seg) to analyze the different of primary keloid fibroblasts treated with various radiation modalities.
Project description:Keloids are benign tumors of the dermis that form during a protracted wound healing process. Susceptibility to keloid formation occurs predominantly in people of African and Asian descent. The key alteration(s) responsible for keloid formation has not been identified and there is no satisfactory treatment for this disorder. The altered regulatory mechanism is limited to dermal wound healing, although several diseases characterized by an exaggerated response to injury are prevalent in individuals of African ancestry. We have observed a complex pattern of phenotypic differences in keloid fibroblasts grown in standard culture medium or induced by hydrocortisone. In this study Affymetrix-based microarray was performed on RNA obtained from fibroblasts cultured from normal scars and keloids grown in the absence and presence of hydrocortisone. We observed differential regulation of approximately 500 genes of the 38,000 represented on the Affymetrix chip. Of particular interest was increased expression of several IGF-binding and IGF-binding related proteins and decreased expression of a subset of Wnt pathway inhibitors and multiple IL-1-inducible genes. Increased expression of CTGF and IGFBP-3 was observed in keloid fibroblasts only in the presence of hydrocortisone. These findings support a role for multiple fibrosis-related pathways in the pathogenesis of keloids Keywords: cell-type comparison, drug treatment comparison Cell cultures were initiated from human biopsy material from normal dermal scars and keloids of adult males and females. Experimental cultures were derived from the first passage of cells thawed from liquid nitrogen. Cultures of fibroblasts from samples were grown with or without 1.5 micromolar hydrocortisone. RNA from each cell strain was isolated from three independent cell cultures and pooled, then run on an Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 GeneChip.
Project description:Keloids are benign tumors of the dermis that form during a protracted wound healing process. Susceptibility to keloid formation occurs predominantly in people of African and Asian descent. The key alteration(s) responsible for keloid formation has not been identified and there is no satisfactory treatment for this disorder. The altered regulatory mechanism is limited to dermal wound healing, although several diseases characterized by an exaggerated response to injury are prevalent in individuals of African ancestry. We have observed a complex pattern of phenotypic differences in keloid fibroblasts grown in standard culture medium or induced by hydrocortisone. In this study Affymetrix-based microarray was performed on RNA obtained from fibroblasts cultured from normal scars and keloids grown in the absence and presence of hydrocortisone. We observed differential regulation of approximately 500 genes of the 38,000 represented on the Affymetrix chip. Of particular interest was increased expression of several IGF-binding and IGF-binding related proteins and decreased expression of a subset of Wnt pathway inhibitors and multiple IL-1-inducible genes. Increased expression of CTGF and IGFBP-3 was observed in keloid fibroblasts only in the presence of hydrocortisone. These findings support a role for multiple fibrosis-related pathways in the pathogenesis of keloids Keywords: cell-type comparison, drug treatment comparison
Project description:In an RNAseq analysis, we have identified circGLIS3 with high levels acute wound dermis compared to skin. The biological function of circGLIS3 in human dermal fibroblasts during wound repair has not been studied. To study the genes regulated by circGLIS3, we transfected siRNA or plasmid into human dermal fibroblasts to knockdown or overexpress circGLIS3. We performed a global transcriptome analysis of fibroblasts upon circRNA knockdown or overexpression using Affymetrix arrays.
Project description:Keloids are wounding-induced fibroproliferative human tumor–like skin scars of complex genetic makeup and poorly defined pathogenesis. Fibroblasts are the principal mediator of fibroproliferative disorders. To reveal dynamic epigenetic and transcriptome changes of keloid fibroblasts, a vertical study from RNA-seq and ATAC-seq analyses followed by in vivo confirmation of candidate molecule expression and subsequent functional testing was carried out using an early passage, freshly isolated keloid fibroblast cell strain and its paired normal control. These keloid fibroblasts produce keloid-like scars in a plasma clot-based skin equivalent humanized keloid animal model. RNA-seq analysis reveals that Hepatic fibrosis is the most significant pathway followed by Wnt–b-catenin signaling, TGF-b signaling, regulation of the EMT pathway, the STAT3 pathway, and adherens junction signaling. ATAC-seq analysis shows that STAT3 signaling is the most active pathway in keloid fibroblasts, followed by Wnt signaling (Wnt5) and regulation of the EMT pathway. Immunohistochemistry confirms that activated STAT3, (Tyr705 phospho-STAT3) and/or b-catenin are upregulated in dermal fibroblasts of keloid clinical specimens and mature keloid skin equivalent implants from the humanized mouse model compared to the normal control. The effect of STAT3 signaling on keloid fibroblast collagen expression was further tested in plasma clot-based skin equivalents using Cucurbitacin I, a selective JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor. A non-linear dose response of Cucurbitacin I was observed in collagen type I expression indicating a likely role of STAT3 signaling pathway in keloid pathogenesis. This work also demonstrates the utility of the recently established humanized keloid mouse model in exploring the mechanism of keloid formation.
Project description:Keloids are scars that extend beyond original wounds and are resistant to treatment. In order to improve understanding of the molecular basis of keloid scarring, we have assessed the genomic profiles of keloid fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Skin and scar tissues were obtained for isolation of primary keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Keloid scars were excised from patients undergoing scar excision surgery, normal skin samples were isolated from patients undergoing elective plastic surgery. Primary culters were prepared for keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and were harvested for analysis up to passage three. Nine keloid scars, for adjacent non-lesional keloid skin samples, and three normal skin samples were obtained and cultured. RNA was isolated using RNeasy, and quality verified using an Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. Labeling and hybridization to Affymetrix Human Gene 1.0 ST microarray chips was performed by the Vanderbilt Genome Sciences Resource at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.