Project description:We examined the function of miR-150 in T-cell lymphomagenesis. We transfected GFP-control or GFP-miR-150 into several T-cell lymphoma lines and sought which genes were regulated by miR-150. To examine the function of miR-150 in T-cell lymphomagenesis, we first transfected GFP-control (Mock) or GFP-miR-150 into several T-cell lymphoma lines (ATN-1, HUT78, My-La, and HH). To detect genes commonly downregulated among these cells, we used the CodeLinkTM Human Whole Genome Bioarray platform with the criterion that the miR-150/GFP-control ratio must be <0.75 in all 3 CTCL lines.
Project description:Increasing evidences support a potential role for the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (STAT3) as a tumor driver in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). However, the mechanisms leading to STAT3 pathway activation in CTCL and how STAT3 activation contributes to lymphomagenesis remains primarily not enough explored. Recently, we found that miR-124, a known STAT3 regulator in cancer, is robustly silenced in Mycosis Fungoides (MF) tumor-stage and CTCL cell lines and we have herein studied whether deregulation of miR-124 contributes to activate STAT3 pathway in CTCL. Material and Methods: DNA methylation status of miR-124 and its expression levels in response to the DNA-demethylating agent azacitidine were evaluated in CTCL cell lines by pyrosequencing analysis. CTCL cell lines were transient transfected with a lentiviral vector encoding miR-124 and transfected cells were analyzed for phosphorylated STAT3 (P-STAT3) levels. The impact on STAT3 signaling was evaluated using expression microarray on CTCL cell lines in both conditions, miR-124 absent (malignant condition) versus miR-124 expressed (lentiviral transduction). Results: A significant promoter methylation and silencing of miR-124 in MF tumor samples and CTCL cell lines was detected. DNA methylation levels of miR-124 in CTCL cell lines were restored (and subsequently miR-124 were overexpressed) after DNA demethylation. Ectopic lentiviral expression of miR-124 downregulated STAT3 in the different CTCL cell lines. Genes differentially expressed regarding miR-124 regulation in CTCL cell lines indicated impact on known cell survival and function pathways and, particularly, intervention on miR-124 expression modulated different STAT3 pathway components. Conclusions: Our study deciphers a novel epigenetic mechanisms regulating STAT3 pathway in CTCL. This might contribute to a better understanding the molecular basis in CTCL development. Deregulation of STAT3 seems to have a major impact on cell survival in CTCL cell lines indicating the potential interest of targeting STAT3 with specific therapies.
Project description:Gene methylation profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells comparing HPV E6/E7-transfected MSCs cells with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)- and HPV E6/E7-transfected MSCs. hTERT may increase gene methylation in MSCs. Goal was to determine the effects of different transfected genes on global gene methylation in 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.
Project description:We examined the function of miR-150 in T-cell lymphomagenesis. We transfected GFP-control or GFP-miR-150 into several T-cell lymphoma lines and sought which genes were regulated by miR-150.
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: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. One-condition experment, gene expression of 3A6
Project description:Gene methylation profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells comparing HPV E6/E7-transfected MSCs cells with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)- and HPV E6/E7-transfected MSCs. hTERT may increase gene methylation in MSCs. Goal was to determine the effects of different transfected genes on global gene methylation in MSCs. Two-condition experiment, KP MSCs vs. 3A6 MSCs.
Project description:Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is a highly aggressive T-cell malignancy characterized by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection. ATL has a very poor prognosis and lacks satisfactory treatments; therefore, it is critical to identify novel targets in ATL cells in order to develop effective targeted therapeutics. Here we report the identification of two novel oncogenes, AK4 and RHOC, as target genes of miR-455-3p, a tumor suppressive microRNA in ATL patients. Importantly, AK4 and RHOC are highly expressed in ATL and exhibit oncogenic potentials in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, transcriptome and metabolome analyses reveal a functional overlap of AK4 and RHOC, including activating oncogenic pathways such as Myc targets and deregulating lipid metabolism such as enhancing the production of sphingomyelin, a tumor-promoting lipid. In particular, compared to other types of T-cell malignancy such as T-ALL and CTCL, ATL is sensitive to sphingomyelin inhibition and AK4 or RHOC depletion. Altogether, we report a distinct dependency of ATL on newly characterized oncogenes AK4 and RHOC and an oncometabolite sphingomyelin, which together represent novel targetable vulnerabilities of ATL that could be exploited for developing effective therapeutics.
Project description:Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is a highly aggressive T-cell malignancy characterized by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection. ATL has a very poor prognosis and lacks satisfactory treatments; therefore, it is critical to identify novel targets in ATL cells in order to develop effective targeted therapeutics. Here we report the identification of two novel oncogenes, AK4 and RHOC, as target genes of miR-455-3p, a tumor suppressive microRNA in ATL patients. Importantly, AK4 and RHOC are highly expressed in ATL and exhibit oncogenic potentials in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, transcriptome and metabolome analyses reveal a functional overlap of AK4 and RHOC, including activating oncogenic pathways such as Myc targets and deregulating lipid metabolism such as enhancing the production of sphingomyelin, a tumor-promoting lipid. In particular, compared to other types of T-cell malignancy such as T-ALL and CTCL, ATL is sensitive to sphingomyelin inhibition and AK4 or RHOC depletion. Altogether, we report a distinct dependency of ATL on newly characterized oncogenes AK4 and RHOC and an oncometabolite sphingomyelin, which together represent novel targetable vulnerabilities of ATL that could be exploited for developing effective therapeutics.