Project description:The Del-Mar 14K chip was used to interrogate differential expression of transcripts in the white isthmus (WI) compared with the adjacent magnum (Mg) and uterine (Ut) segments of the hen oviduct. Differential expression of genes common to both comparisons (WI/Mg and WI/Ut) was detected for 204 annotated proteins. Of these, 58 genes were overexpressed in both WI/Mg and WI/Ut, and are therefore considered to be the most interesting candidates for WI - specific functions. Additionally, general analysis revealed 135 clones hybridizing to overexpressed transcripts (WI/Mg + WI/Ut), and corresponding to 102 NCBI annotatated non-redundant Gallus gallus gene ID~s. This combined analysis revealed that structural proteins highly over-expressed in white isthmus were collagen X (COL10A1), Fibrillin (FBN1) and Cysteine Rich Eggshell Membrane Protein (CREMP). In addition, genes encoding collagen-processing enzymes were over-expressed, as were proteins known to regulate disulfide cross-linking, suggesting that coordinated upregulation of gene networks in the white isthmus is associated with eggshell membrane fibre formation. IPA interactome analysis reinforces the key role of the estrogen receptor and SMAD3 in mediating gene regulation during eggshell membrane synthesis. These results will assist with development of selection strategies to improve eggshell quality and food safety of the table egg. Keywords: Laying hen, eggshell, oviduct, Isthmus expression, cDNA microarray, indirect cDNA labelling, Alexa Fluor dyes Keywords: Expression profiling by array
Project description:A minor population of M cells within the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) of intestinal Peyer’s patches (PP) serves as a major portal for entry of exogenous antigens. Characterization of the mammalian M cells, including identification of M-cell surface molecules used for bacterial uptake, has been hampered by their relative rarity. In contrast, M cells constitute virtually all of the FAE cells in the avian bursa of Fabricius. We therefore performed comparative gene expression profiling of chicken and murine FAE to identify commonly expressed genes by M cells in both species. The comprehensive transcriptome analysis revealed that 28 genes were commonly up-regulated in FAE from both species. In situ hybridization (ISH) revealed that annexin A10 (Anxa10) mRNA was scattered in FAE, and co-localized with Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1(UEA-1) that binds to M cells. Whole-mount immunostaining also revealed that cellular prion protein (PrPC) was expressed on the luminal side of the apical plasma membrane of M cells, and co-localized with grycoprotein2 (GP2) that recognizes only M cells in murine PP. Taken together, we found new M-cell-specific molecules by using comprehensive transcriptome analysis. These molecules conserved in M cells from both species might play critical roles in M-cell function and/or differentiation.
Project description:Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias that significantly impacts the quality of life and prognosis of patients. Sacubitril/valsartan (SV), a commonly prescribed combinatorial medication for heart failure, has shown good clinical efficacy in managing AF, but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. This study used proteomic profiling to investigate the mechanisms underlying the interventional effects of SV using a Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model of AF. Atrial tissues were obtained from the control, AF model, and SV-treated AF model rats and analyzed by ultra-fast proteomic profiling to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) associated with AF and SV-related effects. Bioinformatics tools and experimental validation by ELISA and western blotting were used to determine the signaling pathways and potential mechanisms underlying AF and SV-related effects based on the proteomics data. Proteomic profiling demonstrated distinct protein expression profiles across the control, AF, and SV-treatment groups. Integrated analysis of the DEPs and experimental validation demonstrated that SV treatment alleviated AF in the rats atrium by suppressing activation of the CaMKII and NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby attenuating inflammatory responses in the atrial tissues. Our findings demonstrate that SV mitigates AF in the rat model by suppressing activation of CaMKII and NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby attenuating inflammation. Therefore, sacubitril/valsartan is a promising treatment for AF, but requires further clinical investigations in humans.
Project description:The inner ear utilizes sensory hair cells as mechano-electric transducers for sensing sound and balance. In mammals, these hair cells lack the capacity for regeneration. Unlike mammals, hair cells from non-mammalian vertebrates, such as birds, can be regenerated throughout the life of the organism making them a useful model for studying inner ear genetics pathways. The zinc finger transcription factor GATA3 is required for inner ear development and mutations cause sensory neural deafness in humans. In the avian cochlea GATA3 is expressed throughout the sensory epithelia; however, expression is limited to the striola of the utricle. The striola corresponds to an abrupt change in morphologically distinct hair cell types and a 180° shift in hair cell orientation. We used 3 complimentary approaches to identify potential downstream targets of GATA3 in the avian utricle. Specifically we used microarray expression profiling of GATA3 knockdown by siRNA and GATA3 over-expression treatments as well as direct comparisons of GATA3 expressing cells from the striola and non GATA3 expressing cells from the extra-striola.