Project description:Here we investigated the effects of CEBPA transcription factor expression on myeloid NB4 cells. The sequence of rat CEBPA was C-terminally fused to a promiscuous biotin ligase tag (BirA*) and NB4 cell lines were engineered to express the fusion protein under the control of a doxycycline inducible promoter. Three different NB4 cell lines were investigated that expressed (i) BirA* tag alone (ii) full length CEBPA isoform (P42) fused to BirA* (iii) truncated CEBPA isoform (P30) fused to BirA*. Cells were seeded in media supplemented with or without doxycycline.
Project description:Azithromycin has been shown to have anti-fibrotic effects on idiopathic lung fibroblasts (IPF). We thus wanted to investigate involved genes and pathways by microarray analysis. We treated normal human lung fibroblasts with Azithromycin (50uM) for 24h and compared them to non-treated samples.
Project description:Background. MiR-371~373 and miR-302/367 cluster over-expression occurs in all malignant- GCTs, regardless of age (paediatric/adult), site (gonadal/extragonadal), or subtype [seminoma, yolk sac tumour (YST), embryonal carcinoma (EC)]. Six of eight microRNAs from these clusters contain the seed ‘AAGUGC’, determining mRNA targeting. Here we sought to identify the significance of these observations by targeting these microRNAs functionally. Methods. We targeted miR-371~373 and/or miR-302/367 clusters in malignant-GCT cell lines, using CRISPR-Cas9, gapmer primary miR-302/367 transcripts inhibition, and peptide- nucleic-acid (PNA) or locked-nucleic-acid (LNA)-DNA inhibition targeting miR-302a-d-3p, and undertook relevant functional assays. Results. MiR-302/367 cluster microRNAs made the largest contribution to AAGUGC seed abundance in malignant-GCT cells, regardless of subtype (seminoma/YST/EC). Following unsuccessful use of CRISPR-Cas9, gapmer, and PNA systems, LNA-DNA-based targeting resulted in growth inhibition in seminoma and YST cells. This was associated with de- repression of multiple mRNAs targeted by ‘AAGUGC’ seed-containing microRNAs, with pathway analysis confirming predominant disruption of Rho-GTPase signaling, vesicle organization/transport, and cell-cycle regulation, findings corroborated in clinical samples. Further LNA-DNA inhibitor studies confirmed direct cell-cycle effects, with increase of cells in G0/G1-phase and decrease in S-phase. Conclusion. Targeting of specific miR-371~373 and miR-302/367 microRNAs in malignant- GCTs demonstrated their functional significance, with growth inhibition mediated through cell-cycle disruption.
Project description:We have identified a pain insensitive individual carrying a microdeletion in the FAAH-OUT gene and a hypomorphic SNP in FAAH. A punch skin biopsy was taken from the individual and 4 gender matched controls and primary cultures of dermal fibroblasts were passaged. Total RNA was isolated from each cell line and analysed using microarrays to identify dysregulated genes.
Project description:The experiment was carried out to provide insights into biological function of a newly identified long noncoding RNA, PNCTR. HeLa cells were transfected with either a PNCTR-specific GapmeR antisense oligonucleotide or a non-targeting GapmeR control. Total RNAs were extracted at 24 hours post transfection, QC'd and hybridized with oligo(dT) magnetic beads to isolate the poly(A) RNA fraction. Stranded mRNA sequencing libraries were then prepared using the Illumina TruSeq Stranded mRNA Library Kit and sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq 2500 instrument.
Project description:To evaluate the gene expression profiling of peripheral leukocytes in different outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infections, whole blood samples were collected from individuals with positive SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab by RT-PCR (54 patients) and healthy uninfected individuals (12 volunteers). Infected patients were classified into mild, moderate, severe and critical groups according to a modified statement in the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Guideline. Blood were collected into EDTA tubes and the buffy coat samples were stored in TRIzol reagent at -80 °C until use for RNA extraction. Affymetrix Clariom S array was used to perform the high-throughput gene expression profiling. Microarray analyses were performed using APT Affymetrix software, R packages and Bioconductor libraries. This systemic view of SARS-CoV-2 infections through blood transcriptomics will foster the understanding about molecular mechanisms and immunopathological processes involved in COVID-19 disease and its different outcomes.
Project description:In search for factors, overexpression of which in human dermal fibroblasts causes direct conversion to cells similar to keratinocytes, micro RNA expression profiles of human primary keratinocytes and human primary dermal fibroblasts are investigated. Skin samples obtained from 3 different sites of 1 subject were used for establishment of 3 primary keratinocytes and 3 primary dermal fibroblasts. Thus obtained 3 primary keratinocytes and primary dermal fibroblasts underwent micro RNA profiling.
Project description:Keloids are scars that extend beyond original wounds and are resistant to treatment. In order to improve understanding of the molecular basis of keloid scarring, we have assessed the genomic profiles of keloid fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Skin and scar tissues were obtained for isolation of primary keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Keloid scars were excised from patients undergoing scar excision surgery, normal skin samples were isolated from patients undergoing elective plastic surgery. Primary culters were prepared for keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and were harvested for analysis up to passage three. Nine keloid scars, for adjacent non-lesional keloid skin samples, and three normal skin samples were obtained and cultured. RNA was isolated using RNeasy, and quality verified using an Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. Labeling and hybridization to Affymetrix Human Gene 1.0 ST microarray chips was performed by the Vanderbilt Genome Sciences Resource at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Project description:The aim of this study was to analyze the in vitro biological epidermal processes occurring in reconstructed skins using cells from breast skin of African and Caucasian skin type color. A exploration of mRNA expression levels in the epidermis of reconstructed skin was undertaken to elucidate the differential in vitro functions of keratinocytes. The reconstruction of skin models was made with keratinocytes and fibroblasts from four different donors per skin type and experiments were conducted in triplicate for each donor. At the end of culture, the epidermis from reconstructed skin was manually separated from the dermal equivalent part in order to analyse gene expression in keratinocytes only. RNA samples were labelled with biotin and hybridation was performed on Affymetrix Human Genome U133 + PM Array Plates.
Project description:Cultured skin substitutes, prepared using keratinocytes, fibroblasts and biopolymers, can facilitate closure of massive burn wounds by increasing the availability of autologous tissue for grafting. However, because they contain only two cell types, skin substitutes cannot replace all of the functions of native human skin. To better understand the physiological and molecular differences between cultured skin substitutes and native skin, we undertook a comprehensive analysis of gene expression in native skin, cultured keratinocytes, cultured fibroblasts, and skin substitutes using Affymetrix gene chip microarrays. Goals: Our analysis focused on identifying gene signatures that were highly characteristic of each cell and tissue type, and those that are regulated by the formation of cultured skin substitute from the individual components. Normalization: We used a normalization and referencing strategy that consisted of BioConductor/RMA Express RMA processing of the entire series of cel files followed by a per gene normalization in which the median value of expression for each gene was derived from the cultured samples only, and this was used as a reference for all samples including the cultured skin substitute. This approach allowed for the identification of genes that were higher and lower-expressed in the cultured skin relative to the individual cell types that were also expressed strongly or weakly in normal skin relative to the median value established by the three cell types. Results Summary:We identified six major clusters of coordinately regulated genes that were the most differentially expressed between groups. These clusters correspond to biomarker pools representing expression signatures for native skin, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and cultured skin. The expression analysis revealed that entire clusters of genes were either up-regulated or down-regulated upon combination of fibroblasts and keratinocytes in cultured skin grafts. Further, several categories of genes were overexpressed in cultured skin substitutes compared with native skin, including genes associated with hyperproliferative skin or activated keratinocytes. The observed pattern of expression indicates that cultured skin substitutes in vitro, which display a well-differentiated epidermal layer, exhibit skin-like differentiation relative to gene expression patterns in the individual cells. This consists of both the activation of normal skin signature genes and the suppression of keratinocyte and fibroblast signatures. There is also a signature consistent with a hyperproliferative phenotype similar to wounded native skin. Experiment Overall Design: The sample series consists of native human skin (NHS) samples isolated from female donors undergoing reduction mammoplasty (breast skin) or abdominoplasty (abdomen skin). Skin samples from donors that were used to establish cultures of fibroblasts (CF) and keratinocytes (CK) were assigned donor numbers in the order they were processed in the laboratory, for example: 633, 634, etc. An additional human skin sample (C-1-Ref) was used only to make RNA as a standard control, and was therefore not assigned a donor number. Cultured skin substitutes (CSS) were prepared using isogenic CF and CK from each donor, and were cultured for 2 weeks in vitro to permit development of a stratified and cornified epidermal layer (confirmed by histology). For microarray analysis, RNA was isolated from intact NHS, from CF and CK in monolayer cultures, and from CSS. Samples are labeled indicating the sample type and donor number; for example, CF633 represents cultured fibroblasts from donor 633. To control for variation between individuals, four donors (= biological replicates) were used for each sample type: NHS, CF, CK, and CSS. Efforts were made to have complete sets of 4 samples from each donor, but intact RNA was not obtainable from 2 of the NHS samples (donors 634 and 651); these were replaced with NHS RNA from similar donors (donors C-1-Ref and 636). To check the fidelity of the microarray analysis, 2 of the RNA samples (CK639 and CSS651) were analyzed in duplicate (= technical replicates)