Project description:Metastasis to lymph nodes is an early and prognostically important event in the progression of many human cancers, and is associated with expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D). Changes to lymph node vasculature occur during metastasis, and may establish a metastatic niche capable of attracting and supporting tumor cells. We used microarrays to characterise the molecular profiles of endothelial cells from lymph nodes draining metastatic (VEGF-D-overexpressing) and non-metastatic tumors, and to identify differentially-expressed genes that might have therapeutic or prognostic potential. Draining lymph nodes of metastatic (VEGF-D-overexpressing) or non-metastatic tumors were pooled from 1-5 mice and enzymatically digested. Lymph nodes draining metastatic tumors were included for the analysis only if macroscopically enlarged, indicating the presence of metastatic cells. After digestion, tumor cells and leukocytes were depleted via immunomagnetic selection, and the resulting lymph node stromal cells were cultured briefly. Podoplanin was then used as a positive immunomagnetic selection marker to enrich for lymphatic and other endothelial cells in the lymph node. RNA was isolated from biological duplicate lymph node endothelial cell (LN EC) preparations and analysed by microarray.
Project description:To determine the influence of primary tumors on pre-metastatic lymph nodes, we have employed whole genome microarray expression profiling as a discovery platform to identify gene signatures of B cells from tumor-draining lymph nodes, compared with normal lymph nodes. We subcutaneously inoculated C57BL/6 mice with the 4T1 mammary carcinoma. Two weeks later, tumor-draining lymph nodes were dissociated and B cells (CD19+) were sorted. Lymph nodes B cells from normal mice without tumor bearing were set as controls.
Project description:To determine the influence of primary tumors on pre-metastatic lymph nodes, we have employed whole genome microarray expression profiling as a discovery platform to identify gene signatures of stromal cells from tumor-draining lymph nodes, compared with normal lymph nodes. We subcutaneously inoculated C57BL/6 mice with the 4T1 mammary carcinoma. Two weeks later, tumor-draining lymph nodes were dissociated and stromal cells (CD45-) were sorted. Lymph nodes stromal cells from normal mice without tumor bearing were set as controls.
Project description:Metastasis to lymph nodes is an early and prognostically important event in the progression of many human cancers, and is associated with expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D). Changes to lymph node vasculature occur during metastasis, and may establish a metastatic niche capable of attracting and supporting tumor cells. We used microarrays to characterise the molecular profiles of endothelial cells from lymph nodes draining metastatic (VEGF-D-overexpressing) and non-metastatic tumors, and to identify differentially-expressed genes that might have therapeutic or prognostic potential.
Project description:RNAseq was performed on human memory B cells isolated from lung, lung-draining lymph nodes and PBMCs to identify differentially expressed genes underpinning tissue localisation.
Project description:Background Breast cancer patients who present in the early stage of disease are affected by metastasis to the axillary group of lymph nodes. The first among this group that is affected is called as sentinel lymph node, and metastasis to this lymph node is crucial for the staging of cancer and the quality of surgical intervention. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) that is currently used to assess lymph node metastasis is neither sensitive, nor specific, is time-consuming, thereby necessitating the identification of novel biomarkers that can flag sentinel lymph node metastasis. Methods Breast cancer patients were screened, and those with early stage were recruited in the study. Surgical resection of the breast was followed by identification of sentinel lymph nodes by methylene fluorescent technique. Histo-pathology of fresh frozen section biopsy was used as the gold standard to assign the clinical phenotypes of metastatic (SLNM+) and non-metastatic sentinel lymph nodes (SLNM-). Discovery phase of the experiment included isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ) technique comprising of six comparative experiments coupled with mass spectrometric analysis on Orbitrap Fusion to identify differentially expressed proteins on Proteome Discoverer 2.4. Functional enrichment and pathway analyses of differentially regulated genes was carried out in DAVID functional annotation tool. Validation was done by ELISA and protein concentrations were used to estimate the ROC for computing diagnostic parameters. Results Based on MS/MS spectra there were 2396 unique protein groups and 81 differentially expressed proteins comparing SLNB + and SLNB -. Nineteen proteins up-regulated, and eight proteins that were down regulated in SLNB+ as compared to SLNB-. Bioinformatic analysis showed the implication of extra cellular matrix proteins and ECM-receptor interaction pathways to be implicated in lymph node metastasis. ELISA confirmed the up-regulation of caveolin 1, collagen α-1, desmin, fibrillin-1, and microfibrillar associated glycoprotein 4 in metastatic, as compared to non-metastatic lymph nodes. These proteins are known to be integral in tumorogenesis, cell proliferation, invasion, cell survival and anti-apoptosis. These proteins have 80%-100%, of sensitivity and specificity to differentiate the two clinical phenotypes. Conclusion Identified extra cellular matrix protein biomarkers have requisite diagnostic parameters to be developed as a translational tool to assess the status of sentinel lymph nodes during mastectomy procedure to guide surgical therapy of axillary lymph nodes in early breast oncology.
Project description:We undertook gene expression microarray experiments to identify genes that are differentially expressed in heaves-affected horses versus matched controls. Mediastinal (pulmonary-draining) lymph nodes were sterilely obtained from affected and control horses, dissected, and frozen at -80oC. RNA was extracted from these tissues for downstream applications. These experiments utilized a commercially available Agilent horse array that featured >43,000 probes on a 4x44k array format. Mediastinal lymph node RNA from seven heaves-affected horses was compared to matching RNA from healthy, normal control horses.
Project description:We undertook gene expression microarray experiments to identify genes that are differentially expressed in heaves-affected horses versus matched controls. Mediastinal (pulmonary-draining) lymph nodes were sterilely obtained from affected and control horses, dissected, and frozen at -80oC. RNA was extracted from these tissues for downstream applications. These experiments utilized a commercially available Agilent horse array that featured >43,000 probes on a 4x44k array format.
Project description:Evolution of melanoma from a primary tumor to widespread metastasis is crucially dependent on lymphatic spread. The mechanisms regulating the initial step in metastatic dissemination via regional lymph nodes remain largely unknown. We have previously described a dysfunctional immune profile that precedes evidence of metastasis in the first node draining from the primary tumor, the sentinel lymph node (SLN). Herein, we explore the role of melanoma-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) as mediators of this pre-metastatic niche through cargo-specific polarization of dendritic cells (DCs). Utilizing mass cytometry, pre-metastatic SLNs demonstrate compromised co-stimulatory CD80 expression compared to healthy lymph nodes. Similarly, DCs matured in vitro in the presence of melanoma EVs showed impaired co-stimulation and polarization towards a chronic inflammatory cytokine milieu. Profiling of melanoma EV cargo identified shared proteomic and RNA signatures including the signaling axis S100A8, S100A9 and cognate receptor TLR4. Mechanistically, S100A8 and S100A9 compromised DC maturation, a phenotype which was partially recovered following TLR4 blockade. Early evidence demonstrates similar EVs can be isolated from human afferent lymphatic fluid ex vivo. Taken together, we propose synergistic interactions among melanoma EV cargo are responsible for suppressing DC maturation, potentially explaining the survival of malignant melanocytes metastasizing into seemingly “normal” regional lymph nodes.
Project description:B cell receptor (BCR)-sequencing from 3 donors with prostate cancer. The sources are Peripheral blood B cells (P), tumour draining lymph nodes (S) and non-draining lymph nodes (N).