Project description:Chromatin accessibility plays an essential role in regulating gene expression and cellular identity, and its alterations have been implicated in driving oncogenic processes such as cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis1–4. While genetic aspects of cancer transitions have been explored, the role of epigenetic drivers remains less understood. To investigate the influence of chromatin architecture on cancer transitions, we generated an atlas of single-nucleus chromatin accessibility data (snATAC-seq) from 225 samples and matched single-cell/single-nucleus RNA expression (sc/snRNA-seq) from 206 samples across 11 cancer types. Analyzing over 1 million cells, we identified pan-cancer epigenetic drivers and transcriptional programs associated with transitions (regulatory regions of ABCC1, VEGFA, and GATA6, KLF6 and FOX-family TFs), as well as cancer type specific programs (regulatory regions of FGF19, ASAP2, EN1 and PBX3 TF). Differentially-accessible chromatin regions pinpointed genes and enriched pathways associated with major cancer transitions. For example, TP53, hypoxia, and TNFA signaling were linked to cancer initiation, while estrogen response, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), myogenesis, and apical junction were linked to metastatic transition. We also observed correlations between regulatory regions and genetic drivers across cancer types, suggesting their cooperation in cancer transition programs. This atlas furnishes a valuable resource for further investigation of the role of epigenetic programs in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis.
Project description:Chromatin accessibility is essential in regulating gene expression and cellular identity, and alterations in accessibility have been implicated in driving cancer initiation, progression and metastasis1-4. Although the genetic contributions to oncogenic transitions have been investigated, epigenetic drivers remain less understood. Here we constructed a pan-cancer epigenetic and transcriptomic atlas using single-nucleus chromatin accessibility data (using single-nucleus assay for transposase-accessible chromatin) from 225 samples and matched single-cell or single-nucleus RNA-sequencing expression data from 206 samples. With over 1 million cells from each platform analysed through the enrichment of accessible chromatin regions, transcription factor motifs and regulons, we identified epigenetic drivers associated with cancer transitions. Some epigenetic drivers appeared in multiple cancers (for example, regulatory regions of ABCC1 and VEGFA; GATA6 and FOX-family motifs), whereas others were cancer specific (for example, regulatory regions of FGF19, ASAP2 and EN1, and the PBX3 motif). Among epigenetically altered pathways, TP53, hypoxia and TNF signalling were linked to cancer initiation, whereas oestrogen response, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and apical junction were tied to metastatic transition. Furthermore, we revealed a marked correlation between enhancer accessibility and gene expression and uncovered cooperation between epigenetic and genetic drivers. This atlas provides a foundation for further investigation of epigenetic dynamics in cancer transitions.
Project description:We used microarrays to profile the expression levels of 5 tumour samples Keywords: expression difference of cell types in tumour samples
Project description:Collectin-11 (CL-11) is a recently described soluble C-type lectin, which has distinct roles in embryonic development, host defence, autoimmunity and fibrosis. Here we show that CL-11 also plays an important role in promoting melanoma growth. Colec11 deficient mice engrafted with B16 melanoma cells displayed significantly reduced tumour burden compared with WT mice. Cellular and molecular analyses showed that melanoma tumour in Colec11-/- mice had: i) lower levels of angiogenesis and tumour cell proliferation, ii) less immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment characterised by high lymphocyte to myeloid infiltrate ratio, increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells into the tumour core, high levels of anti-tumour cytokines/chemokines, reprogramming macrophages to M1 phenotype.
Project description:Oncostatin m (OSM) induces potent growth inhibitory and morphogenic responses in several different tumour cell types but the genetic events are not well understood. OSM can signal through two separate heterodimeric receptor complexes, gp130/LIFRα and gp130/OSMRβ. In this investigation we utilised cytokines, oncostatin M, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and LIF receptor antagonist, LIF-05, to help identify patterns of gene expression elicited by the different IL-6 receptor complexes in breast tumour cell line, T47D . We have tried to identify an OSM gene signature common to multiple breast tumour-derived cell lines (T47D, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and identified OSM-gene regulation at time-points which coincide with the onset of OSM-induced biological effects. These findings identify a core transcriptional mechanism specific to the OSMRβ in breast tumour cells. Keywords: Comparative, timecourse, cell line-specific
Project description:Glioblastomas in adult patients are classified into four subtypes, IDH, MES, RTK I, and RTK II, based on DNA-methylation and RNA-expression data. Tumour subtype transitions are common during treatment, and transitions to the mesenchymal (MES) subtype are associated with therapy resistance and adverse prognosis. Here, we present DNA methylome and histone modification data of glioblastoma primary tumours and find that glioblastoma subtypes differ in their enhancer landscapes. Using Core Regulatory Circuitry analysis of chromatin and orthogonal analysis of RNA-derived gene regulatory networks, we identified 38 subtype Master Regulators whose cell population-specific activities we further mapped in single-cell RNA sequencing data. These analyses identified the oligodendrocyte precursor marker and chromatin modifier SRY-Box 10 (SOX10) as a master regulator in RTK I tumours. In vitro functional studies demonstrated that SOX10 loss causes a subtype switch analogous to the proneural-mesenchymal Transition observed in patients at the transcriptomic, epigenetic and phenotypic levels. This subtype transition is dependent on the activity of the SOX10 and enhancer co-factor Bromodomain Containing 4 (BRD4). Sox10 repression in an in vivo syngeneic graft glioblastoma mouse model results in increased tumour invasion, immune cell infiltration and significantly reduced survival, reminiscent of progressive human glioblastoma. These results identify SOX10 as a bona fide master regulator of the RTK I subtype, with both tumour cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental effects, highlighting that both glioblastoma cell plasticity and their tumour-microenvironment interactions are important contributors to tumour phenotypes.
Project description:Glioblastomas in adult patients are classified into four subtypes, IDH, MES, RTK I, and RTK II, based on DNA-methylation and RNA-expression data. Tumour subtype transitions are common during treatment, and transitions to the mesenchymal (MES) subtype are associated with therapy resistance and adverse prognosis. Here, we present DNA methylome and histone modification data of glioblastoma primary tumours and find that glioblastoma subtypes differ in their enhancer landscapes. Using Core Regulatory Circuitry analysis of chromatin and orthogonal analysis of RNA-derived gene regulatory networks, we identified 38 subtype Master Regulators whose cell population-specific activities we further mapped in single-cell RNA sequencing data. These analyses identified the oligodendrocyte precursor marker and chromatin modifier SRY-Box 10 (SOX10) as a master regulator in RTK I tumours. In vitro functional studies demonstrated that SOX10 loss causes a subtype switch analogous to the proneural-mesenchymal Transition observed in patients at the transcriptomic, epigenetic and phenotypic levels. This subtype transition is dependent on the activity of the SOX10 and enhancer co-factor Bromodomain Containing 4 (BRD4). Sox10 repression in an in vivo syngeneic graft glioblastoma mouse model results in increased tumour invasion, immune cell infiltration and significantly reduced survival, reminiscent of progressive human glioblastoma. These results identify SOX10 as a bona fide master regulator of the RTK I subtype, with both tumour cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental effects, highlighting that both glioblastoma cell plasticity and their tumour-microenvironment interactions are important contributors to tumour phenotypes.
Project description:Glioblastomas in adult patients are classified into four subtypes, IDH, MES, RTK I, and RTK II, based on DNA-methylation and RNA-expression data. Tumour subtype transitions are common during treatment, and transitions to the mesenchymal (MES) subtype are associated with therapy resistance and adverse prognosis. Here, we present DNA methylome and histone modification data of glioblastoma primary tumours and find that glioblastoma subtypes differ in their enhancer landscapes. Using Core Regulatory Circuitry analysis of chromatin and orthogonal analysis of RNA-derived gene regulatory networks, we identified 38 subtype Master Regulators whose cell population-specific activities we further mapped in single-cell RNA sequencing data. These analyses identified the oligodendrocyte precursor marker and chromatin modifier SRY-Box 10 (SOX10) as a master regulator in RTK I tumours. In vitro functional studies demonstrated that SOX10 loss causes a subtype switch analogous to the proneural-mesenchymal Transition observed in patients at the transcriptomic, epigenetic and phenotypic levels. This subtype transition is dependent on the activity of the SOX10 and enhancer co-factor Bromodomain Containing 4 (BRD4). Sox10 repression in an in vivo syngeneic graft glioblastoma mouse model results in increased tumour invasion, immune cell infiltration and significantly reduced survival, reminiscent of progressive human glioblastoma. These results identify SOX10 as a bona fide master regulator of the RTK I subtype, with both tumour cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental effects, highlighting that both glioblastoma cell plasticity and their tumour-microenvironment interactions are important contributors to tumour phenotypes.
Project description:Glioblastomas in adult patients are classified into four subtypes, IDH, MES, RTK I, and RTK II, based on DNA-methylation and RNA-expression data. Tumour subtype transitions are common during treatment, and transitions to the mesenchymal (MES) subtype are associated with therapy resistance and adverse prognosis. Here, we present DNA methylome and histone modification data of glioblastoma primary tumours and find that glioblastoma subtypes differ in their enhancer landscapes. Using Core Regulatory Circuitry analysis of chromatin and orthogonal analysis of RNA-derived gene regulatory networks, we identified 38 subtype Master Regulators whose cell population-specific activities we further mapped in single-cell RNA sequencing data. These analyses identified the oligodendrocyte precursor marker and chromatin modifier SRY-Box 10 (SOX10) as a master regulator in RTK I tumours. In vitro functional studies demonstrated that SOX10 loss causes a subtype switch analogous to the proneural-mesenchymal Transition observed in patients at the transcriptomic, epigenetic and phenotypic levels. This subtype transition is dependent on the activity of the SOX10 and enhancer co-factor Bromodomain Containing 4 (BRD4). Sox10 repression in an in vivo syngeneic graft glioblastoma mouse model results in increased tumour invasion, immune cell infiltration and significantly reduced survival, reminiscent of progressive human glioblastoma. These results identify SOX10 as a bona fide master regulator of the RTK I subtype, with both tumour cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental effects, highlighting that both glioblastoma cell plasticity and their tumour-microenvironment interactions are important contributors to tumour phenotypes.