Project description:Kilian2024 - Immune cell dynamics in Cue-Induced Extended Human Colitis Model
Single-cell technologies such as scRNA-seq and flow cytometry provide critical insights into immune cell behavior in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, integrating these datasets into computational models for dynamic analysis remains challenging. Here, Kilian et al., (2024) developed a deterministic ODE-based model that incorporates these technologies to study immune cell population changes in murine colitis. The model parameters were optimized to fit experimental data, ensuring an accurate representation of immune cell behavior over time. It was then validated by comparing simulations with experimental data using Pearson’s correlation and further tested on independent datasets to confirm its robustness. Additionally, the model was applied to clinical bulk RNA-seq data from human IBD patients, providing valuable insights into immune system dynamics and potential therapeutic strategies.
Figure 4c, obtained from the simulation of human colitis model is highlighted here.
This model is described in the article:
Kilian, C., Ulrich, H., Zouboulis, V.A. et al. Longitudinal single-cell data informs deterministic modelling of inflammatory bowel disease. npj Syst Biol Appl 10, 69 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41540-024-00395-9
Abstract:
Single-cell-based methods such as flow cytometry or single-cell mRNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) allow deep molecular and cellular profiling of immunological processes. Despite their high throughput, however, these measurements represent only a snapshot in time. Here, we explore how longitudinal single-cell-based datasets can be used for deterministic ordinary differential equation (ODE)-based modelling to mechanistically describe immune dynamics. We derived longitudinal changes in cell numbers of colonic cell types during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from flow cytometry and scRNA-seq data of murine colitis using ODE-based models. Our mathematical model generalised well across different protocols and experimental techniques, and we hypothesised that the estimated model parameters reflect biological processes. We validated this prediction of cellular turnover rates with KI-67 staining and with gene expression information from the scRNA-seq data not used for model fitting. Finally, we tested the translational relevance of the mathematical model by deconvolution of longitudinal bulk mRNA-sequencing data from a cohort of human IBD patients treated with olamkicept. We found that neutrophil depletion may contribute to IBD patients entering remission. The predictive power of IBD deterministic modelling highlights its potential to advance our understanding of immune dynamics in health and disease.
This model was curated during the Hackathon hosted by BioMed X GmbH in 2024.
Project description:Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies with poor outcome. Here we identified a subgroup, PTCL-NOS SMARCB1-, which is characterized by the lack of SMARCB1 protein expression and is more common in young patients under 25 years of age. To investigate the cellular heterogeneity of PTCL-NOS SMARCB1- and the role of its tumor microenvironment, we performed single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) of five patient samples.
Project description:Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) are aggressive and heterogeneous tumors with poor outcome and scarce genetic characterization. We analyzed by immunohistochemistry tumor tissue of adult and pediatric PTCL-NOS patients and discovered frequent loss of SMARCB1 positivity, mostly associated with pediatric cases (45%). Using a genetically engineered mouse model (PTCL-NOSSmarcb1-) and single-cell RNA sequencing, we investigated the transcriptional landscape of this Smarcb1-negative PTCL-NOS tumor and the functional interactions between tumor and tumor microenvironment (TME). We unrevealed an immunosuppressive, exhausted and proinflammatory TME, characterized by high myeloid cell infiltration (predominantly myeloid derived suppressor cells, MDSC) and reduced lymphoid infiltration. In addition, using a multidrug epigenetic screen in vitro, we identified histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) as promising agents against PTCL-NOSSmarcb1-. Treatment of PTCL-NOSSmarcb1- mice with SAHA, a pan-HDACi, triggered TME remodelling, promoting the replenishment of T- and B-cell compartments and the limitation/reversion of the exhaustion phenotype. In conclusion, we have identified a novel PTCL-NOS subtype characterized by the loss of SMARCB1 at pediatric ages, presenting an exhausted and immunosuppressive TME. Administration of SAHA reshaped the TME increasing lymphoid cells recruitment into the tumor bed, turning the tumor from cold to hot. These results provide the rationale for further investigations based on combination therapies.
Project description:Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) are aggressive and heterogeneous tumors with poor outcome and scarce genetic characterization. We analyzed by immunohistochemistry tumor tissue of adult and pediatric PTCL-NOS patients and discovered frequent loss of SMARCB1 positivity, mostly associated with pediatric cases (45%). Using a genetically engineered mouse model (PTCL-NOSSmarcb1-) and single-cell RNA sequencing, we investigated the transcriptional landscape of this Smarcb1-negative PTCL-NOS tumor and the functional interactions between tumor and tumor microenvironment (TME). We unrevealed an immunosuppressive, exhausted and proinflammatory TME, characterized by high myeloid cell infiltration (predominantly myeloid derived suppressor cells, MDSC) and reduced lymphoid infiltration. In addition, using a multidrug epigenetic screen in vitro, we identified histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) as promising agents against PTCL-NOSSmarcb1-. Treatment of PTCL-NOSSmarcb1- mice with SAHA, a pan-HDACi, triggered TME remodelling, promoting the replenishment of T- and B-cell compartments and the limitation/reversion of the exhaustion phenotype. In conclusion, we have identified a novel PTCL-NOS subtype characterized by the loss of SMARCB1 at pediatric ages, presenting an exhausted and immunosuppressive TME. Administration of SAHA reshaped the TME increasing lymphoid cells recruitment into the tumor bed, turning the tumor from cold to hot. These results provide the rationale for further investigations based on combination therapies.
Project description:Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are heterogenous T-cell neoplasms often associated with epigenetic dysregulation. We investigated de novo DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) mutations in common PTCL entities, including angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and novel molecular subtypes identified within PTCL-not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) designated as PTCL-GATA3 and PTCL-TBX21. DNMT3A-mutated PTCL-TBX21 cases showed inferior overall-survival, with DNMT3A mutated residues skewed towards the methyltransferase domain and dimerization motif (S881–R887). Transcriptional profiling demonstrated significant enrichment of activated CD8+ T-cell cytotoxic gene signatures in the DNMT3A-mutant PTCL-TBX21 cases, which was further validated using immunohistochemistry. Genome-wide methylation analysis of DNMT3A-mutant versus wild-type PTCL-TBX21 cases demonstrated hypomethylation in target genes regulating IFN-g, TCR signaling and EOMES, a master transcriptional regulator of cytotoxic effector cells. Similar findings were observed in a murine model of PTCL with Dnmt3a loss (in-vivo) and further validated in-vitro by ectopic expression of DNMT3A-mutants (DNMT3A-R882, -Q886, -V716, versus WT) in CD8+T-cell line, resulting in T-cell activation and EOMES upregulation. Furthermore, stable, ectopic expression of the DNMT3A-mutants in primary CD3+ T-cell cultures resulted in the preferential outgrowth of CD8+ T-cells with DNMT3AR882H mutation. Single-cell-RNA-seq analysis of CD3+ T-cells revealed differential CD8+ T-cell subset polarization, mirroring findings in DNMT3A-mutated PTCL-TBX21 and validating the cytotoxic and T-cell memory transcriptional programs associated with the DNMT3AR882H mutation. Our findings indicate that DNMT3A mutations define a cytotoxic subset in PTCL-TBX21 with prognostic significance, thus may further refine pathological heterogeneity in PTCL-NOS and suggest alternative treatment strategies for this subset.
Project description:Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are heterogenous T-cell neoplasms often associated with epigenetic dysregulation. We investigated de novo DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) mutations in common PTCL entities, including angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and novel molecular subtypes identified within PTCL-not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) designated as PTCL-GATA3 and PTCL-TBX21. DNMT3A-mutated PTCL-TBX21 cases showed inferior overall-survival, with DNMT3A mutated residues skewed towards the methyltransferase domain and dimerization motif (S881–R887). Transcriptional profiling demonstrated significant enrichment of activated CD8+ T-cell cytotoxic gene signatures in the DNMT3A-mutant PTCL-TBX21 cases, which was further validated using immunohistochemistry. Genome-wide methylation analysis of DNMT3A-mutant versus wild-type PTCL-TBX21 cases demonstrated hypomethylation in target genes regulating IFN-g, TCR signaling and EOMES, a master transcriptional regulator of cytotoxic effector cells. Similar findings were observed in a murine model of PTCL with Dnmt3a loss (in-vivo) and further validated in-vitro by ectopic expression of DNMT3A-mutants (DNMT3A-R882, -Q886, -V716, versus WT) in CD8+T-cell line, resulting in T-cell activation and EOMES upregulation. Furthermore, stable, ectopic expression of the DNMT3A-mutants in primary CD3+ T-cell cultures resulted in the preferential outgrowth of CD8+ T-cells with DNMT3AR882H mutation. Single-cell-RNA-seq analysis of CD3+ T-cells revealed differential CD8+ T-cell subset polarization, mirroring findings in DNMT3A-mutated PTCL-TBX21 and validating the cytotoxic and T-cell memory transcriptional programs associated with the DNMT3AR882H mutation. Our findings indicate that DNMT3A mutations define a cytotoxic subset in PTCL-TBX21 with prognostic significance, thus may further refine pathological heterogeneity in PTCL-NOS and suggest alternative treatment strategies for this subset.
Project description:This dataset contains single cell RNA-seq data of stromal cells derived from two PDX models (N = 2 in total) and bulk RNA-seq data of two PDX models treated with gemcitabine and our novel antibody-drug conjugate, C6-EBET (N = 59 in total). Bulk RNA-seq experiments were performed with Agilent SureSelect Strand Specific RNA Library Prep Kit (Agilent). Single cell RNA-seq experiments were performed with Chromium Single Cell 3' Reagent Kits v2 Chemistry (10x Genomics).