Project description:Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infection is the primary cause of death in Cystic Fibrosis (CF). During early infection P. aeruginosa produces multiple virulence factors, which cause acute pulmonary disease and are largely regulated by quorum sensing (QS) intercellular signalling networks. Longitudinal clinical studies have observed the loss, through adaptive mutation, of QS and QS-related virulence in late chronic infection. Although the mechanisms are not understood, infection with QS mutants has been linked to a worse outcome for CF patients. By comparing QS-active and QS-inactive P. aeruginosa CF isolates, we have identified novel virulence factors and pathways associated with QS disruption. In particular, we noted factors implicating increased intra-phagocyte survival. Our data present novel targets as candidates for future CF therapies. Some of these targets are already the subject of drug development programmes for the treatment of other bacterial pathogens and may provide cross-over benefit to the CF population. Refer to individual Series. This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE25128: Gene expression data from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from cystic fibrosis lung infections GSE25129: Comparative genomic hybridisation data from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from cystic fibrosis lung infections
Project description:Production of functional proteins requires multiple steps including gene transcription and post-translational processing. MicroRNAs (miRNA) can regulate individual stages of these processes. Despite the importance of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel for epithelial anion transport, how its expression is regulated remains uncertain. We discovered that microRNA-138 regulates CFTR expression through its interactions with the transcriptional regulatory protein SIN3A. Treating airway epithelia with a miR-138 mimic increased CFTR mRNA and also enhanced CFTR abundance and transepithelial Cl- permeability independently of elevated mRNA levels. A miR-138 anti-miR had the opposite effects. Importantly, miR-138 altered the expression of many genes encoding proteins that associate with CFTR and may influence its biosynthesis. The most common CFTR mutation, M-NM-^TF508, causes protein misfolding, degradation, and cystic fibrosis. Remarkably, manipulating the miR-138 regulatory network also improved biosynthesis of CFTR-M-NM-^TF508 and restored Cl- transport to cystic fibrosis airway epithelia. This novel miRNA-regulated network directs gene expression from the chromosome to the cell membrane, indicating that an individual miRNA can control a cellular process broader than previously recognized. This discovery also provides new therapeutic avenues for restoring CFTR function to cells affected by the most common cystic fibrosis mutation. 12 samples of Calu-3 cells representing different interventions.
Project description:Our laboratory has held a long interest in the glycosylation changes seen on the surface of airway epithelia of patients with the disease cystic fibrosis (CF). Experiments from our laboratory have detailed a CF glycosylation phenotype of increased Fuca1,3/4 and decreased Fuca1,2 and sialic acid on the surfaces of immortalized and primary CF cells compared to non-CF cells. Further, we have shown that gene transfer and subsequent expression of a wild type CF plasmid in CF airway cells results in correction or reversal of this glycosylation phenotype. We hypothesize that the changes in glycosylation seen in CF cells are key in the pathophysiology of the cystic fibrosis airway disease. For example, it has been shown that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that has a predilection for colonizing CF airways, adheres to asialylated glycolipids and glycoconjugates with terminal Fuca1,3/4. One focus of our laboratory is to elucidate the etiology of the glycosylation changes seen in CF cells and the mechanism by which these changes are reversed by wild type CFTR gene transfer. We propose to study the gene expression of immortalized and primary CF and non-CF airway epithelial cells: 1. CF/T43 vs. BEAS-2B cells. These are two widely used immortalized airway cell lines that we have used extensively in the past. 2. C38 cells; C38 cells are IB3 cells expressing wtCFTR. The experimental focus is to elucidate the etiology of the glycosylation changes seen in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) cells and the mechanism by which these changes are reversed by wild type CFTR gene transfer. To do so, the gene expression of immortalized and primary CF and non-CF airway epithelial cells were compared and studied. Cell lines used were CF/T43 and BEAS-2B, both widely used immortalized airway cell lines. Other cell lines studied included C38 cell lines (clonal derivatives of IB3 cells expressing wtCFTR).
Project description:<p>The purpose of this longitudinal study protocol is to define age-related prevalence of phenotypic characteristics and the progression of key features of lung disease in participants with one of these disorders, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). In PCD, the abnormal structure and function of cilia results in impaired clearance of secretions and consequent obstruction and chronic recurrent infection in the airways, sinuses and middle ears. Although it seems likely that the onset of PCD airway disease occurs early in childhood, as has been reported for cystic fibrosis (CF), the clinical course of PCD lung disease is not well defined, nor, is the time course of emergence of specific microbial pathogens, or the age of onset and rate of progression of airway disease and bronchiectasis. This longitudinal study is designed to define the rate of progression of PCD lung function in participants between 5-18 years of age using spirometry which tracks well with lung impairment and prognosis in other disorders of the airways such as cystic fibrosis. This longitudinal protocol will also systematically track other specific outcomes, including pathogens infecting the airways (assessed by respiratory cultures), and age at onset and progression of airway damage and bronchiectasis (assessed by high-resolution computerized tomography, HRCT, of the chest).</p> <p>Blood will be collected for DNA to test for genetic mutations. The blood samples will be processed to establish a cell line (lymphocyte transformation) for a source of DNA for future genetic studies, in participants with disease. For participants unable to provide a blood sample, a buccal sample will be obtained for DNA.</p>
Project description:The goal of this study was to examine changes in gene expression over time in healthy and cystic fibrosis (CF) human airway epithelia infected with RSV.