Project description:Small-molecule inhibitors of AKT signaling are being in evaluated in patients with various cancer types, but have so far proven therapeutically disappointing for reasons that remain unclear. Here, we treat cancer cells with sub-therapeutic doses of Akti-1/2, an allosteric small molecule AKT inhibitor, in order to experimentally model pharmacologic inhibition of AKT signaling in vitro. We then apply a combined RNA, protein, and metabolite profiling approach to develop an integrated, multi-scale, molecular snapshot of this â??AKTlowâ?? cancer cell state. We find that AKT-inhibited cancer cells suppress thousands of mRNA transcripts, and proteins related to the cell cycle, ribosome, and protein translation. Surprisingly, however, these AKT-inhibited cells simultaneously up-regulate a host of other proteins and metabolites post-transcriptionally, reflecting activation of their endo-vesiculo-membrane system, secretion of inflammatory proteins, and elaboration of extracellular microvesicles. Importantly, these microvesicles enable rapidly proliferating cancer cells of various types to better withstand different stress conditions, including serum deprivation, hypoxia, or cytotoxic chemotherapy in vitro and xenografting in vivo. These findings suggest a model whereby cancer cells experiencing a partial inhibition of AKT signaling may actually promote the survival of neighbors through non-cell autonomous communication. Secreted protein profiles of MCF7 and HCT116 Akti-1/2 treated cells and MCF7 and HCT116 vehicle (i.e. DMSO) treated cells were generated using antibody arrays.
Project description:Small-molecule inhibitors of AKT signaling are being in evaluated in patients with various cancer types, but have so far proven therapeutically disappointing for reasons that remain unclear. Here, we treat cancer cells with sub-therapeutic doses of Akti-1/2, an allosteric small molecule AKT inhibitor, in order to experimentally model pharmacologic inhibition of AKT signaling in vitro. We then apply a combined RNA, protein, and metabolite profiling approach to develop an integrated, multi-scale, molecular snapshot of this âAKTlowâ cancer cell state. We find that AKT-inhibited cancer cells suppress thousands of mRNA transcripts, and proteins related to the cell cycle, ribosome, and protein translation. Surprisingly, however, these AKT-inhibited cells simultaneously up-regulate a host of other proteins and metabolites post-transcriptionally, reflecting activation of their endo-vesiculo-membrane system, secretion of inflammatory proteins, and elaboration of extracellular microvesicles. Importantly, these microvesicles enable rapidly proliferating cancer cells of various types to better withstand different stress conditions, including serum deprivation, hypoxia, or cytotoxic chemotherapy in vitro and xenografting in vivo. These findings suggest a model whereby cancer cells experiencing a partial inhibition of AKT signaling may actually promote the survival of neighbors through non-cell autonomous communication. Secreted protein profiles of MCF7 and HCT116 Akti-1/2 treated cells and MCF7 and HCT116 vehicle (i.e. DMSO) treated cells were generated using antibody arrays.
Project description:Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiologic agent of primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). All PEL cell lines are infected with KSHV, and 70% are co-infected with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). KSHV reactivation from latency requires promoter-specific transactivation by the KSHV Rta protein through interactions with RBP-Jk (CSL), the cellular DNA binding component of the Notch signal transduction pathway. EBV transformation of primary B cells requires EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA)-2 to interact with RBP-Jk to direct the latent viral and cellular gene expression program. Although KSHV Rta and EBV EBNA-2 both require RBP-Jk for transactivation, previous studies have suggested that RBP-Jk-dependent transactivators do not function identically. We have found that the EBV latent protein LMP-1 is expressed in less than 5% of KSHV+/EBV+ PEL cells, but is induced in an Rta-dependent fashion when KSHV reactivates. KSHV Rta transactivates the EBV latency promoters in an RBP-Jk-dependent fashion and forms a ternary complex with RBP-Jk on the promoters. In B cells that are conditionally transformed by EBV alone, we show that KSHV Rta complements a short-term EBNA2 growth deficiency in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Complementaton of EBNA2-deficiency by Rta depends on RBP-Jk and LMP-1, and Rta transactivation is required for optimal growth of KSHV+/EBV+ PEL lines. Our data suggest that Rta can contribute to EBV-driven cellular growth by transactivating RBP-Jk-dependent EBV latency genes. However, our data also suggest that EBNA2 and Rta induce distinct alterations in the cellular proteomes that contribute to growth of infected cells. EREB2-5 cells were transfected and grown in the presence or absence of β-estradiol, as described. Seven days post-transfection, protein extracts were prepared, and 200 ugs. of each were analyzed using the RayBio Human Apoptosis Antibody Array Kit (RayBiotech) as per manufacturers suggestions. The membranes were exposed to autoradiography film for different times to detect the chemiluminescent signals. Images with signals in linear range were quantitated using the program ImageJ [59]. For each membrane, signals from the negative control spots were averaged, and then subtracted from each of the other spots. A signal was considered valid if its value exceeded both its average local background, and the average of all valid negative control values. Valid signals were normalized using the positive control spots (for cellular BID protein). Fold change in signals for each spot were quantitated by dividing by the valid signals for each corresponding spot on the minus β-estradiol membrane. Average fold change, and standard deviation, were calculated for each protein.
Project description:Accumulated research has suggested the importance of the adhesion molecules modulation as therapeutic approach for bronchial asthma. Adhesion molecules expression alteration contributes to the pathogenesis of asthma. In order to probe the relationship between expression imbalance of adhesion molecules and asthma pathogenesis, expression profiling of adhesion molecules was performed using cDNA microarray. The results showed that there were various adhesion molecules with abnormal expressions in peripheral blood leucocytes of asthma patients. RNA was extracted from leucocytes in peripheral blood of 4 normal adults and 6 asthma patients by using TRIzol Reagent. Microarray expression studies were performed using the GEArray Q Series Human Extracellular Matrix & Adhesion Molecules Gene Array (SABiosciences Corporation, USA). This microarray profiles the expression of 96 genes key to the functions of cell adhesion. A negative control (PUC18DNA and blank), and the housekeeping genes including β-actin, GAPDH, Cyclophilin A and ribose body protein L13a were spread on each chip.
Project description:The development of transcriptomic tools has allowed exhaustive description of stress responses. These responses always superimpose a general response associated to growth rate decrease and a specific one corresponding to the stress. The exclusive growth rate response can be achieved through chemostat cultivation, enabling all parameters to remain constant except the growth rate. We analysed metabolic and transcriptomic responses of Lactococcus lactis in continuous cultures at different growth rates ranging from 0.09 to 0.47 h-1. Growth rate was conditioned by isoleucine supply. Although the metabolism was constant and homolactic, a widespread transcriptomic response involving 30 % of the genome was observed. The expression of genes encoding physiological functions associated with biogenesis increased with growth rate (transcription, translation, fatty acid and phospholipids metabolism). Many phages, prophages and transposons related genes were down regulated by growth rate suggesting genome plasticity to be involved in the adaptation to slow growth. The growth rate response was compared to carbon and amino-acid starvation transcriptomic responses, revealing constant and significant involvement of growth rate regulations in these two stressful conditions (overlap 26%). Although stringent response mechanism is considered as the one governing growth deceleration in bacteria, the rigorous comparison of the two transcriptomic responses clearly indicated the mechanisms are distinct. Moreover it was established that genes positively regulated by growth rate are preferentially located in the vicinity of replication origin while those negatively regulated are mainly encountered at the opposite. This result demonstrates the often neglected relationship between genes expression and their location on chromosome. Keywords: growth rate impact, continuous cultures Continuous cultivation of Lactococcus lactis IL1403 were carried out on a chemically defined medium and under controlled conditions (30 °C, pH 6.6, nitrogen atmosphere). Cell samples were harvested at steady state. Total RNA was extracted from these samples and radiolabelled cDNA were prepared and hybridized on nylon arrays. 1948 amplicons specific of Lactococcus lactis IL1403 genes were spotted twice on the array. Samples corresponding to various growth rates were analyzed simultaneously and 3 independent repetitions were performed.
Project description:Biomarkers for early detection of chronic kidney disease are needed, as millions of patients suffer from chronic diseases predisposing them to kidney failure. Protein microarrays may hold utility in the discovery of auto-antibodies in other conditions not commonly considered auto-immune diseases. We hypothesized that proteins are released as a consequence of damage at a cellular level during end-organ damage from renal injury, not otherwise recognized as self-antigens, and an adaptive humoral immune response to these proteins might be detected in the blood, as a non-invasive tracker of this injury. The resultant antibodies (Ab) detected in the blood would serve as effective biomarkers for occult renal injury, enabling earlier clinical detection of chronic kidney disease than currently possible, due to the redundancy of the serum creatinine as a biomarker for early kidney injury. To screen for novel autoantibodies in chronic kidney disease, 24 protein microarrays were used to compare serum Ab from patients with chronic kidney disease against matched controls. From a panel of 38 antigens with increased Ab binding, 4 were validated in 71 individuals, with (n=50) and without (n=21) renal insufficiency. Significant elevations in the titer of novel auto-Ab were noted against Angiotensinogen (AGT) and PRKRIP1 in renal insufficiency. Current validation is underway to evaluate if these auto-Ab can provide means to follow the evolution of chronic kidney disease in patients with early stages of renal insufficiency, and if these rising titers of these auto-Ab correlate with the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease. Serum antibodies were profiled for 7 healthy individuals and 17 patients with chronic kidney disease, using the Invitrogen ProtoArray® Human Protein Microarray v3.0 platform (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). This platform contains 5,056 non-redundant human proteins expressed in a baculovirus system, purified from insect cells and printed in duplicate onto a nitrocellulose-coated glass slide. Each protein is spotted twice on each array, to measure the quality of the signal intensity. Details for experiment processing and analysis follow the previous publication from our group (Li et al Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Mar 17;106(11):4148-53). Prospector software was used to retrieve the expression based on immune response profiling of the .gal files.
Project description:Microarray technology has evolved as a powerful tool over the last decade, to identify biomarkers and study the mechanisms of diseases. We propose a novel application of integrated genomics by combining transcriptional levels with serological antibody profiling after kidney transplantation, with the aim of uncovering the relative immunogenicity of seven different renal compartments after allo-transplantation. Thirty-six paired pre- and post-transplant serum samples were examined from eighteen transplant recipients, across 5,056 protein targets on the ProtoArray V3.0 platform. Normal renal compartment-specific gene expression data from a cDNA platform were re-analyzed and both the cDNA and the ProtoArray platforms were re-annotated to most up-to-date NCBI gene identifiers; 3,835 genes/proteins are measured on both platforms. Antibody levels were ranked for individual patients and the hypergeometric enrichment statistic was applied on mapped compartment-specific expression data. We discovered that after transplantation, in addition to HLA and MICA responses, temporal alloimmune responses are seen against non-HLA antigens specific to different compartments of the kidney, with highest level responses noted against renal pelvis and cortex specific antigens. The renal medulla is of low immunogenicity as none of the outer or inner medulla specific targets generated significant post-transplant antibody responses. Immunohistochemistry confirmed pelvis and cortex specific localizations of selected targeted antigens, supporting the robust nature of this discovery. This study provides a road map of renal compartment-specific non-HLA antigenic targets responsible for generating alloimmune responses, opening the door for clinical correlations with post-transplant dysfunctional states to be determined. Keywords: alloimmune response after kidney transplantation Plasma profiling using Protein Microarray: Serum antibodies were profiled using Invitrogen ProtoArray® Human Protein Microarray v3.0 technology (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). This platform contains 5,056 non-redundant human proteins expressed in a baculovirus system, purified from insect cells and printed in duplicate onto a nitrocellulose-coated glass slide. Five mL serum diluted in PBST buffer at 1:150 was applied for 90 minutes onto the Protoarray, after blocking with blocking buffer for 1 hour. The slides were then washed with 5ml fresh PBST buffer, 4 times for 10 minutes each, and probed with secondary antibody (goat anti-human Alexa 647, Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR) for 90 minutes. Finally, after a second washing with PBST buffer, the slides were dried and scanned using a fluorescent microarray scanner (GSI Luminoics Perkin-Elmer scanner). All steps were carried out on a rotating platform at 4 ºC. ProtoArray data acquisition and measurement: The slides were scanned at a PMT gain of 60% with a laser power of 90% and a focus point of 0 μm. Fluorescence intensity data were acquired using GenePix Pro 6.0 software (Molecular devices, Sunnyvale, CA) with the appropriate â.galâ file downloaded from the ProtoArray central portal on the Invitrogen website (http://www.invitrogen.com/protoarray) by submitting the barcode of each ProtoArray slide.
Project description:Background: Studies recently support that non-HLA antigens could be additional targets of injury in organ transplant recipients, and MICA was associated with an increased risk of graft loss. Methods: A ProtoArray platform was used to study 37 serum samples from 22 unique patients (15 renal recipients and 7 healthy controls). Thirty paired pre- and post-transplant serum samples were analyzed for detection of de novo post-transplant antibody responses in the 15 patients (10 acute rejection (AR), 5 Stable). Probes on ProtoArray and cDNA platforms (GSE: 3931) were re-annotated and compartment specific gene lists were analyzed using the integrated genomics method. Normal and transplant kidney IHC were performed for MICA antigen localization. Results: Mean MICA-Ab (antibody) signal intensity was significantly higher in transplant patients compared with healthy controls and de novo MICA-Ab were detected in 73% transplant patients. The mean post-transplant signal intensity of MICA-Ab was the highest in C4d+AR. Detection of MICA-Ab responses did not correlate with time post-transplantation, but significantly correlated with decline in graft function over the subsequent year. Integrative genomics predicted localization of the MICA antigen to the glomerulus. IHC confirmed cytoplasmic MICA staining solely in glomerular podocytes in normal kidney. In the transplant kidney, infiltrating mononuclear lymphocytes (T, B and NK) in AR had additional MICA staining. Conclusions: MICA can be highly detected regardless of graft dysfunction or AR. The intensity signal of the MICA antibody correlates with subsequent decline in graft function. The MICA antigen localizes to the glomerulus and infiltrating mononuclear cells in AR. Pre- and post-transplant serum antibodies were profiled for each patient, using the Invitrogen ProtoArray® Human Protein Microarray v3.0 platform (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). This platform contains 5,056 non-redundant human proteins expressed in a baculovirus system, purified from insect cells and printed in duplicate onto a nitrocellulose-coated glass slide. Each protein is spotted twice on each array, to measure the quality of the signal intensity. Details for experiment processing and analysis follow the previous publication from our group (13). Prospector software was used to retrieve the expression based on immune response profiling of the .gal files.
Project description:Leptospirosis, an emerging zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution, is caused by spirochetes belonging to the genus Leptospira. More than 500,000 cases of severe leptospirosis are reported annually, with .10% of these being fatal. Leptospires can survive for weeks in suitably moist conditions before encountering a new host. Reservoir hosts, typically rodents, exhibit little to no signs of disease but shed large numbers of organisms in their urine. Transmission occurs when mucosal surfaces or abraded skin come into contact with infected urine or urine-contaminated water or soil. In humans, leptospires can cause a variety of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic or mild fever to severe icteric (Weil’s) disease and pulmonary haemorrhage. Currently, little is known about how Leptospira persist within a reservoir host. Prior in vitro studies have suggested that leptospires alter their transcriptomic and proteomic profiles in response to environmental signals encountered during mammalian infection. However, no study has examined gene expression by leptospires within a mammalian host-adapted state. To obtain a more faithful representation of how leptospires respond to host-derived signals, we used RNA-Seq to compare the transcriptome of L. interrogans cultivated within dialysis membrane chambers (DMCs) implanted into the peritoneal cavities of rats with that of organisms grown in vitro. In addition to determining the relative expression levels of ‘‘core’’ housekeeping genes under both growth conditions, we identified 166 genes that are differentially-expressed by L. interrogans in vivo. Our analyses highlight physiological aspects of host adaptation by leptospires relating to heme uptake and utilization. We also identified 11 novel non-coding transcripts that are candidate small regulatory RNAs. The DMC model provides a facile system for studying the transcriptional and antigenic changes associated with mammalian host-adaption, selection of targets for mutagenesis, and the identification of previously unrecognized virulence determinants. Transcriptome analysis of L. interrogans Copenhageni FIOCRUZ L1-130 using RNA from 2 different conditions using RNA-seq. Also, the reproducibility and robustness of data is ensured by three biological replicates from each condition.
Project description:For identification of proteins that associate with Makorin1 (MKRN1) in RNA-dependent and RNA-independent manners, we affinity purified FLAG-tagged Makorin1 (MKRN1) from mouse embryonic stem cells constitutively expressing FLAG:MKRN1. Anti-FLAG control immunoprecipitations were performed from a FLAG vectrol control (FLAG:Ctrl) mouse embryonic stem cell line that did not express FLAG:MKRN1. Following FLAG immunoprecipitation, anti-FLAG beads from FLAG:MKRN1 and FLAG:Ctrl immunoprecipitations were split into separate tubes such that half of the beads were digested with 200Ã∞â≈ Ã≠µg/mL RNase A while the other half of the beads were undigested. RNase A-digested and undigested immunoprecipitates were subjected to LC-MS/MS analysis. Of the 48 RNA-related proteins previously identified to associate with FLAG:MKRN1, L1TD1, PABPC1, PABPC4, YBX1, IGF2BP1 and UPF1 were found to remain associated with FLAG:MKRN1 in the presence of RNase A.