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.
Project description:Analysis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line HT-29 treated with Sodium Butyrate. Sodium Butyrate, a HDAC inhibitor present in gut, can differentiate the undifferentiated HT-29 to enterocytes by the induction of brush border enzyme alkaline phosphatase. Results provide the transcriptional profiling underlying the butyrate-induced differentiation of CRC.
Project description:To identify Wnt target genes whose expression is differentially modulated by butyrate Doxycycline inducible DN-Tcf4 expression was used to repress Wnt signaling, cells were treated with butyrate or mock treated. Genes differentially regulated by butyrate in the absence of doxycycline but not in its presence (> 2 -fold, P < 0.01) were evaluated.
Project description:Genetic and epigenetic defects in Wnt/ß-catenin signaling play important roles in colorectal cancer progression. Here we identify DACT3, a member of the DACT (Dpr/Frodo) gene family, as a negative regulator of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling that is transcriptionally repressed in colorectal cancer. Unlike other Wnt signaling inhibitors that are silenced by DNA methylation, DACT3 repression is associated with bivalent histone modifications. Remarkably, DACT3 expression can be robustly de-repressed by a pharmacological combination that simultaneously targets both histone methylation and deacetylation, leading to strong inhibition of Dishevelled (Dvl)-mediated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling and massive apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells. Our study identifies DACT3 as an important regulator of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in colorectal cancer and suggests a potential strategy for therapeutic control of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in colorectal cancer. Keywords: Colon cancer cell line
