Project description:In a study to elucidate the genetic defects in patients with X-linked mental retardation (XLMR) we performed X chromosome-specific BAC-array-CGH and identified a 0.33 Mb inherited recurrent copy number gain at Xq28 in affected males of four unrelated XLMR families. All aberrations segregate with the disease in the families and the carrier mothers show a nonrandom X-inactivation. Tiling Xq28 region-specific oligo-array revealed that all aberrations start at the same position (153.218 Mb) and end between 153.530 and 154.542 Mb. The copy number gain is complex in nature but always included 18 genes of which three, RPL10, ATP6AP1 and GDI1, are highly expressed in brain. From these, the copy number of GDI1 correlated with the severity of clinical features since it was duplicated in one family with nonsyndromic moderate MR, triplicated in males from two families with mild MR and additional features, while in a fourth family with a severe syndromic form of MR, it was present in four copies. Moreover, expression analysis revealed copy number-dependent increased mRNA levels in affected patients compared to control individuals. Interestingly, the breakpoint junction regions suggested a yet unknown recombination mechanism between two adjacent but different sets of low copy repeats. For duplication mapping and exact copy number analysis in all four families, differentially-labeled patient versus male control DNA samples were hybridized onto a custom designed 4x44k oligo-array (Agilent Technologies) that covers the repeat-masked region 152.70 Mb to 153.65 Mb at tiling resolution.
Project description:In a study to elucidate the genetic defects in patients with X-linked mental retardation (XLMR) we performed X chromosome-specific BAC-array-CGH and identified a 0.33 Mb inherited recurrent copy number gain at Xq28 in affected males of four unrelated XLMR families. All aberrations segregate with the disease in the families and the carrier mothers show a nonrandom X-inactivation. Tiling Xq28 region-specific oligo-array revealed that all aberrations start at the same position (153.218 Mb) and end between 153.530 and 154.542 Mb. The copy number gain is complex in nature but always included 18 genes of which three, RPL10, ATP6AP1 and GDI1, are highly expressed in brain. From these, the copy number of GDI1 correlated with the severity of clinical features since it was duplicated in one family with nonsyndromic moderate MR, triplicated in males from two families with mild MR and additional features, while in a fourth family with a severe syndromic form of MR, it was present in four copies. Moreover, expression analysis revealed copy number-dependent increased mRNA levels in affected patients compared to control individuals. Interestingly, the breakpoint junction regions suggested a yet unknown recombination mechanism between two adjacent but different sets of low copy repeats.
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 Homo sapiens inflammatory skin diseases (whole skin biospies): Psoriasis (Pso), vs Atopic Dermatitis (AD) vs Lichen planus (Li), vs Contact Eczema (KE), vs Healthy control (KO) In recent years, different genes and proteins have been highlighted as potential biomarkers for psoriasis, one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases worldwide. However, most of these markers are not psoriasis-specific but also found in other inflammatory disorders. We performed an unsupervised cluster analysis of gene expression profiles in 150 psoriasis patients and other inflammatory skin diseases (atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, contact eczema, and healthy controls). We identified a cluster of IL-17/TNFα-associated genes specifically expressed in psoriasis, among which IL-36γ was the most outstanding marker. In subsequent immunohistological analyses IL-36γ was confirmed to be expressed in psoriasis lesions only. IL-36γ peripheral blood serum levels were found to be closely associated with disease activity, and they decreased after anti-TNFα-treatment. Furthermore, IL-36γ immunohistochemistry was found to be a helpful marker in the histological differential diagnosis between psoriasis and eczema in diagnostically challenging cases. These features highlight IL-36γ as a valuable biomarker in psoriasis patients, both for diagnostic purposes and measurement of disease activity during the clinical course. Furthermore, IL-36γ might also provide a future drug target, due to its potential amplifier role in TNFα- and IL-17 pathways in psoriatic skin inflammation. In recent years, different genes and proteins have been highlighted as potential biomarkers for psoriasis, one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases worldwide. However, most of these markers are not psoriasis-specific but also found in other inflammatory disorders. We performed an unsupervised cluster analysis of gene expression profiles in 150 psoriasis patients and other inflammatory skin diseases (atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, contact eczema, and healthy controls). We identified a cluster of IL-17/TNFα-associated genes specifically expressed in psoriasis, among which IL-36γ was the most outstanding marker. In subsequent immunohistological analyses IL-36γ was confirmed to be expressed in psoriasis lesions only. IL-36γ peripheral blood serum levels were found to be closely associated with disease activity, and they decreased after anti-TNFα-treatment. Furthermore, IL-36γ immunohistochemistry was found to be a helpful marker in the histological differential diagnosis between psoriasis and eczema in diagnostically challenging cases. These features highlight IL-36γ as a valuable biomarker in psoriasis patients, both for diagnostic purposes and measurement of disease activity during the clinical course. Furthermore, IL-36γ might also provide a future drug target, due to its potential amplifier role in TNFα- and IL-17 pathways in psoriatic skin inflammation.