Project description:Sequencing studies of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have identified hundreds of recurrently altered genes. However, it remains largely unknown whether and how these mutations may contribute to lymphomagenesis, either individually or in combination. Existing strategies to address this problem predominantly utilize cell lines, which are limited by their initial characteristics and subsequent adaptions to prolonged in vitro culture. Here, we describe a co-culture system that enables the ex vivo expansion and viral transduction of primary human germinal center B cells. Incorporation of CRISPR/Cas9 technology enables high-throughput functional interrogation of genes recurrently mutated in DLBCL. Using a backbone of BCL2 with either BCL6 or MYC, we identify co-operating genetic alterations that promote growth or even full transformation into synthetically engineered DLBCL models. The resulting tumors can be expanded and sequentially transplanted in vivo, providing a scalable platform to test putative cancer genes and to create mutation-directed, bespoke lymphoma models.
Project description:High-grade gliomas (HGGs) and glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most aggressive and lethal brain tumors. The current standard of care (SOC) includes gross safe surgical resection followed by chemoradiotherapy. The main chemotherapeutic agents are the DNA-alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) and adjuvants. Due to the outdated therapeutic protocols and lack of specific treatments, there is an urgent and rising need to improve our understanding of tumor biology and design more effective therapeutic strategies. In vitro models are essential for investigating glioma biology and testing novel therapeutic approaches. While using commercially available and patient-derived glioma cell lines for in vitro studies is common practice, they exhibit several limitations, including failing to maintain the genetic and phenotypic diversity of primary tumors, undergo genetic drift over time, and often lacking the invasive and stem-like characteristics of patient tumors. These limitations can lead to inconsistent and non-reproducible results, hampering translational research progress. In this study, we established a novel primary murine HGG cell line, isolated from an immunocompetent HGG-bearing RCAS/T-va mouse. We characterized the transcriptome and phenotype to ensure that this cell line resembles the nature of HGGs and retains the ability to reprogram primary murine T lymphocytes.
Project description:The use of stem cells for regenerative medicine has captured the imagination of the public, with media attention contributing to rising expectations of clinical benefits. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are the best model for capital investment in stem cell therapy and there is a clear need for their robust genetic characterization before scaling-up cell expansion for that purpose. We have to be certain that the genome of the starting material is stable and normal, but the limited resolution of conventional karyotyping is unable to give us such assurance. Advanced molecular cytogenetic technologies such as array comparative genomic hybridization for identifying chromosomal imbalances, and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis for identifying ethnic background and loss of heterozygosity should be introduced as obligatory diagnostic tests for each newly derived hESC line before it is deposited in national stem cell banks. If this new quality standard becomes a requirement, as we are proposing here, it would facilitate and accelerate the banking process, since end-users would be able to select the most appropriate line for their particular application, thus improving efficiency and streamlining the route to manufacturing therapeutics. The pharmaceutical industry, which may use hESC-derived cells for drug screening, should not ignore their genomic profile as this may risk misinterpretation of results and significant waste of resources.
Project description:Mature NK and T-cell lymphomas are occasionally encountered in Asia but are very rare in Western populations. In part due to its rarity, little is known about this group of neoplasms, and despite being rather different disease entities, they are all treated similarly but with diverse clinical outcomes. Novel biomarkers (at both the genetic and protein levels) are needed to resolve diagnostic difficulties, improve prognostication and develop targeted therapies. To rectify this deficiency, we interrogated the transcriptome of several NK and mature T-cell lymphomas by whole-genome expression profiling for new markers that may further stratify this diverse group of conditions. Our initial efforts have identified a promising candidate marker that appears to differentiate NKTL lymphoma from other forms of T-cell neoplasms, and this finding has been validated by immunohistochemistry on archival material in a large number of patient cases.
Project description:Fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells (FTSECs) have been suggested to be the source of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). Although several genetic alterations are known to be involved in HGSOC development, the minimal requirements remain unclear. We aimed to identify oncogenic mutations indispensable for HGSOC development in a stepwise model, using immortalized FTSECs. FTSECs were isolated from clinical samples and immortalized by overexpression of cyclin D1, CDK4R24C, and hTERT. Oncogenic mutations in the p53, c-Myc, and RAS/PI3K pathways were mimicked by lentiviral transduction. We found two distinct patterns of gene alteration essential for HGSOC development: p53/KRAS/AKT and p53/KRAS/c-Myc. Dominant-negative p53, alone or combined with oncogenic KRAS (KRASV12), constitutively active AKT (CA-AKT), and c-Myc, did not induce tumorigenesis in immortalized cells; however, overexpression of CA-AKT or c-Myc, along with dominant-negative p53 and KRASV12, conferred tumorigenic potential. Transformed FTSECs formed tumors in nude mice that were grossly, histologically, and immunohistochemically similar to human HGSOCs. Interestingly, mice harboring tumors with c-Myc amplifications displayed extensive metastases, consistent with the increased dissemination in their human counterparts. Thus, aberrant p53/KRASV12/c-Myc or p53/KRASV12/PI3K-AKT signaling was the minimum requirement for FTSEC carcinogenesis. The model based on this evidence could shed light on the early stages of HGSOC development.
Project description:Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and high‑grade glioma (HGG) are distinct entities of the CNS with completely distinct treatments. The treatment of PCNSL is chemotherapy‑based, while surgery is the first choice for HGG. However, the clinical features of the two entities often overlap, and a clear pathological diagnosis is important for subsequent management, especially for the management of PCNSL. Stereotactic biopsy is recognized as one of the minimally invasive alternatives for evaluating the involvement of the CNS. However, in the case of limited tissue materials, the differential diagnosis between the two entities is still difficult. In addition, some patients are too ill to tolerate a needle biopsy. Therefore, combining imaging, histopathology and laboratory examinations is essential in order to make a clear diagnosis as soon as possible. The present study reviews the progress of comparative research on both imaging and laboratory tests based on the pathophysiological changes of the two entities, and proposes an integrative and optimized diagnostic process, with the purpose of building a better understanding for neurologists, hematologists, radiologists and pathologists.
Project description:This screening revealed unique miRNA expression patterns for synovial sarcomas , myxoid liposarcomas, and leiomyosarcomas, and defined unique sets of miRNAs discriminating the different liposarcoma subtypes from non-neoplastic adipose tissue.
Project description:Background: High-grade B-cell lymphoma with 11q aberration (HGBCL-11q) is a rare germinal centre lymphoma with a typical gain/loss pattern on chromosome 11q, but without MYC translocation and with some features resembling Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and HGBCLs or germinal centre derived diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (GCB-DLBCL-NOS). The microRNA expression profile of HGBCL-11q is not characterised. We aim to analyse miRNA expression profile in HGBCL-11q, BL and in GCB-DLBCL-NOS. Methods: Next generation sequencing (NGS)-based microRNA profiling was performed for HGBCL-11q (n=6), BL (n=8), and also GCB-DLBCL-NOS without (n=3) and with MYC rearrangement (MYC-R) (n=7). Results: We identified 39 and 64 miRNAs differentiating HGBCL-11q from BL, and from GCB-DLBCL-NOS without MYC-R, respectively. We found that the expression level of miR-223-3p, miR-193b-3p, miR-29b-3p and miR-146a-5p simultaneously differentiated HGBCL-11q from BL, as well as from GCB-DLBCL-NOS without MYC-R. We found higher miRNA profile heterogeneity in HGBCL-11q than in BL. The analysis of MYC-regulated miRNA showed different profile in HGBCL-11q and in BL but demonstrated separation of HGBCL-11q and BL from GCB-DLBCL-NOS cases. Conclusion: microRNA profile of HGBCL-11q is different than that of BL and of GCB-DLBCL-NOS but more heterogeneous compared to BL.