Project description:Air-liquid interface (ALI) model using the immortalized Calu-3 cells has been used to model lung diseases. From submerged to ALI culture condition, Calu-3 cells polarize and change to a ciliary mucus-producing cell. Polarized Calu-3 molecular and phenotypic similarity with primary cells has been proven; however, no studies have been focused on the pathways differentially expressed in ALI vs. submerged conditions. In this study, we profiled the proteome and transcriptome of Calu-3 cells from submerged (non-polarized, NP) to ALI (polarized, P) culture conditions and in the omics data we observed an increase in cell replication in the non-polarized condition while polarized Calu-3 cells presented higher activation of cellular energy production, protein maturation and recycle and expression of immune active molecules. Moreover, the omics findings showed upregulation of different biological processes related to protein quality control system and antigen processing presentation in polarized Calu-3 cells. Immunoblot and fluorescence microscopy confirmed increased expression of bronchial epithelium integrity components like mucus and tight junctions in polarized Calu-3 and revealed a characteristic protein expression and cellular organization found in normal lung epithelial tissue. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 infection of polarized cells revealed higher cell death due to higher viral entry associated with higher apical membrane expression of ACE2 receptor. The differences observed in this study give us a better understanding of how ALI can mimic the human bronchial-epithelial cells and its applications in different contexts of lung diseases.
Project description:A collection of cell-type specific constraint-based metabolic models of Calu-3 cells (a human lung epithelial cancer cell line) infected with SARS-CoV-2 based that were generated based on gene-expression data.
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.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of human mesenchymal stem cells comparing normoxic MSCs cells with hypoxic MSCs cells. Hypoxia may inhibit senescence of MSCs during expansion. Goal was to determine the effects of hypoxia on global MSCs gene expression. Two-condition experiment, Normoxic MSCs vs. Hypoxic MSCs.
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.