Project description:Oxidation products of 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol-2-phosphatidylcholine (PAPC), referred to as OxPAPC, accumulate in atherosclerotic lesions and regulate over 1000 genes in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). We previously demonstrated that OxPAPC covalently binds to a number of proteins in HAEC. The goal of these studies was to gain insight into the binding mechanism and determine if binding regulates activity. In whole cells N-acetylcysteine inhibited gene regulation by OxPAPC, and blocking cell cysteines with N-ethylmaleimide strongly inhibited OxPAPC binding. Using MS, we demonstrate that most of the binding of OxPAPC to cysteine is mediated by PEIPC. We also show that OxPAPC binds to a model protein, H-Ras, at cysteines previously shown to regulate activity in response to 15dPGJ2. This binding was observed with recombinant protein and in cells overexpressing H-Ras. 15dPGJ2 and OxPAPC increased H-Ras activity at comparable concentrations. Using microarray analysis, we demonstrate a considerable overlap of gene regulation by OxPAPC and 15dPGJ2 in HAEC, suggesting that some effects attributed to 15dPGJ2 may also be regulated by OxPAPC since OxPAPC lipids and 15dPGJ2 both accumulate in inflammatory sites. Overall, we provide evidence for the importance of OxPAPC-cysteine interactions in regulating HAEC function. Control, OxPAPC, and 15dPGJ2-treated HAECs Samples. 'Control' is media (1%FBS, 99%M199)-only treated HAECs. 15dPGJ2 and OxPAPC are treated with those respective compounds in media.
Project description:Oxidation products of 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol-2-phosphatidylcholine (PAPC), referred to as OxPAPC, accumulate in atherosclerotic lesions and regulate over 1000 genes in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). We previously demonstrated that OxPAPC covalently binds to a number of proteins in HAEC. The goal of these studies was to gain insight into the binding mechanism and determine if binding regulates activity. In whole cells N-acetylcysteine inhibited gene regulation by OxPAPC, and blocking cell cysteines with N-ethylmaleimide strongly inhibited OxPAPC binding. Using MS, we demonstrate that most of the binding of OxPAPC to cysteine is mediated by PEIPC. We also show that OxPAPC binds to a model protein, H-Ras, at cysteines previously shown to regulate activity in response to 15dPGJ2. This binding was observed with recombinant protein and in cells overexpressing H-Ras. 15dPGJ2 and OxPAPC increased H-Ras activity at comparable concentrations. Using microarray analysis, we demonstrate a considerable overlap of gene regulation by OxPAPC and 15dPGJ2 in HAEC, suggesting that some effects attributed to 15dPGJ2 may also be regulated by OxPAPC since OxPAPC lipids and 15dPGJ2 both accumulate in inflammatory sites. Overall, we provide evidence for the importance of OxPAPC-cysteine interactions in regulating HAEC function.
Project description:We have sequenced miRNA libraries from human embryonic, neural and foetal mesenchymal stem cells. We report that the majority of miRNA genes encode mature isomers that vary in size by one or more bases at the 3’ and/or 5’ end of the miRNA. Northern blotting for individual miRNAs showed that the proportions of isomiRs expressed by a single miRNA gene often differ between cell and tissue types. IsomiRs were readily co-immunoprecipitated with Argonaute proteins in vivo and were active in luciferase assays, indicating that they are functional. Bioinformatics analysis predicts substantial differences in targeting between miRNAs with minor 5’ differences and in support of this we report that a 5’ isomiR-9-1 gained the ability to inhibit the expression of DNMT3B and NCAM2 but lost the ability to inhibit CDH1 in vitro. This result was confirmed by the use of isomiR-specific sponges. Our analysis of the miRGator database indicates that a small percentage of human miRNA genes express isomiRs as the dominant transcript in certain cell types and analysis of miRBase shows that 5’ isomiRs have replaced canonical miRNAs many times during evolution. This strongly indicates that isomiRs are of functional importance and have contributed to the evolution of miRNA genes
Project description:Analysis of ex vivo isolated lymphatic endothelial cells from the dermis of patients to define type 2 diabetes-induced changes. Results preveal aberrant dermal lymphangiogenesis and provide insight into its role in the pathogenesis of persistent skin inflammation in type 2 diabetes. The ex vivo dLEC transcriptome reveals a dramatic influence of the T2D environment on multiple molecular and cellular processes, mirroring the phenotypic changes seen in T2D affected skin. The positively and negatively correlated dLEC transcripts directly cohere to prolonged inflammatory periods and reduced infectious resistance of patients´ skin. Further, lymphatic vessels might be involved in tissue remodeling processes during T2D induced skin alterations associated with impaired wound healing and altered dermal architecture. Hence, dermal lymphatic vessels might be directly associated with T2D disease promotion. Global gene expression profile of normal dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (ndLECs) compared to dermal lymphatic endothelial cells derived from type 2 diabetic patients (dLECs).Quadruplicate biological samples were analyzed from human lymphatic endothelial cells (4 x diabetic; 4 x non-diabetic). subsets: 1 disease state set (dLECs), 1 control set (ndLECs)
Project description:We have sequenced miRNA libraries from human embryonic, neural and foetal mesenchymal stem cells. We report that the majority of miRNA genes encode mature isomers that vary in size by one or more bases at the 3’ and/or 5’ end of the miRNA. Northern blotting for individual miRNAs showed that the proportions of isomiRs expressed by a single miRNA gene often differ between cell and tissue types. IsomiRs were readily co-immunoprecipitated with Argonaute proteins in vivo and were active in luciferase assays, indicating that they are functional. Bioinformatics analysis predicts substantial differences in targeting between miRNAs with minor 5’ differences and in support of this we report that a 5’ isomiR-9-1 gained the ability to inhibit the expression of DNMT3B and NCAM2 but lost the ability to inhibit CDH1 in vitro. This result was confirmed by the use of isomiR-specific sponges. Our analysis of the miRGator database indicates that a small percentage of human miRNA genes express isomiRs as the dominant transcript in certain cell types and analysis of miRBase shows that 5’ isomiRs have replaced canonical miRNAs many times during evolution. This strongly indicates that isomiRs are of functional importance and have contributed to the evolution of miRNA genes Sequence library of miRNAs from a single sample of human foetal mesenchymal stem cells. Results tested and confirmed by northern blotting. Please note that only raw data files are available for the embryonic and neual samples and thus, directly submitted to SRA (SRX547311, SRX548700, respectively under SRP042115/PRJNA247767)