Project description:The aim of the study was to investigate the apoptotic process in psoriatic keratinocytes. UV radiation was used as apoptosis stimuli. Restults provide insights into the role of UV radiation and apoptosis induction on cultured psoriatic keratinocytes compared to healthy controls.
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:Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by airway inflammation and remodeling. The role of 15-oxo-5Z,8Z,11Z,13E-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-oxoETE), a 15-HETE metabolite catalyzed by 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), has been relatively unexplored in asthma. In this study, we used RNA-seq to explore the effect of 15-KETE on the transcriptome of airway epithelial cells, aiming to identify its potential downstream targets and mechanisms of action.
Project description:The psoKC (psoriatic keratinocyte) model is represnting the behavour of keratinocytes in the later or chronic stage of psoriasis in response to the main cytokines that constitute the characteristic cytokine milieu, namely IFNg and TNFa (mainly derived by Th1 cells), and IL-17 and IL-22 (mainly derived by Th17 cells).
Additionally, the model explores the role of exogenous PGE2 through the activation of EP4 receptor signaling. The response to the aforementioned stimuli was not only limited to the cell fate decisions of keratinocytes (proliferation, apoptosis or differentiation) but also include their effect on the psoriatic environment with respect to the secretion of ligands and intercellular-acting stimuli.
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 microRNA expression in keratinocytes by relative quantification (RQ) using the comparative Ct method. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis of microRNA in keratinocytes or reconstituted epidermis exposed to IL-22, LPS or UV radiation or a small molecule drug.
Project description:Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precancerous, UV-induced skin lesion that can progress to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). While UV radiation is known to drive mutations and immunosuppression in the skin, keratinocyte-intrinsic responses to chronic, low-dose solar UV exposure have been insufficiently studied in AK. We established a patient-derived in vitro model using primary keratinocytes from AK lesions and age-matched, sun-exposed skin to investigate how repeated low-dose UV irradiation shapes keratinocyte stress responses. Integrating high-content morphological profiling, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) quantification and bulk RNA sequencing, we observed pronounced morphological remodeling and persistent DNA damage in AK keratinocytes despite activation of DNA repair and unfolded protein response pathways. Transcriptomic analyses revealed constitutive and UV-enhanced interferon signaling in AK cells, including upregulation of innate DNA sensing and ISGylation genes. Meta-analysis of five independent datasets confirmed interferon pathway activation as a conserved feature of AK, and IFN-α exposure further sensitized AK keratinocytes to UV-induced CPD formation. Our primary model thus uncovers sustained interferon signaling and attenuated DNA damage repair as key keratinocyte-intrinsic features of AK, suggesting that chronic interferon responses may modulate UV-induced damage and contribute to early photocarcinogenic processes.