Project description:We performed genome-wide profiling of miRNA expression in the airway epithelial compartment in asthma to identify miRNA pathways associated with epithelial abnormalities using miRNA microarrays and real-time PCR. We also sought to identify the effect of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on airway epithelial miRNA expression Samples were obtained from airway epithelial cells by bronchoscopic brushing from three groups of subjects: Healthy Controls ( N=12), Steroid Naïve Asthma (N=16), Steroid-requiring Asthma (N=19).
Project description:We performed genome-wide profiling of miRNA expression in the airway epithelial compartment in asthma to identify miRNA pathways associated with epithelial abnormalities using miRNA microarrays and real-time PCR. We also sought to identify the effect of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on airway epithelial miRNA expression
Project description:We have sequenced miRNA libraries from human embryonic, neural and foetal mesenchymal stem cells. We report that the majority of miRNA genes encode mature isomers that vary in size by one or more bases at the 3’ and/or 5’ end of the miRNA. Northern blotting for individual miRNAs showed that the proportions of isomiRs expressed by a single miRNA gene often differ between cell and tissue types. IsomiRs were readily co-immunoprecipitated with Argonaute proteins in vivo and were active in luciferase assays, indicating that they are functional. Bioinformatics analysis predicts substantial differences in targeting between miRNAs with minor 5’ differences and in support of this we report that a 5’ isomiR-9-1 gained the ability to inhibit the expression of DNMT3B and NCAM2 but lost the ability to inhibit CDH1 in vitro. This result was confirmed by the use of isomiR-specific sponges. Our analysis of the miRGator database indicates that a small percentage of human miRNA genes express isomiRs as the dominant transcript in certain cell types and analysis of miRBase shows that 5’ isomiRs have replaced canonical miRNAs many times during evolution. This strongly indicates that isomiRs are of functional importance and have contributed to the evolution of miRNA genes
Project description:Airway inflammation is the hallmark of asthma and suggests a dysregulation of homeostatic mechanisms. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression, necessary for the proper function of cellular processes. We used miRNA microarrays to compare the profiles of human bronchial epithelial cells from healthy and asthmatic donors
Project description:Airway inflammation is the hallmark of asthma and suggests a dysregulation of homeostatic mechanisms. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression, necessary for the proper function of cellular processes. We used miRNA microarrays to compare the profiles of human bronchial epithelial cells from healthy and asthmatic donors Human bronchial epithelial cells were isolated from healthy and asthmatic donors. RNA was extracted and miRNA expression was analyzed on Affymetrix miRNA microarrays. We sought to utilize miRNA expression as a tool for understanding underlying biological differences in BECs from healthy and asthmatic donors.
Project description:We have sequenced miRNA libraries from human embryonic, neural and foetal mesenchymal stem cells. We report that the majority of miRNA genes encode mature isomers that vary in size by one or more bases at the 3’ and/or 5’ end of the miRNA. Northern blotting for individual miRNAs showed that the proportions of isomiRs expressed by a single miRNA gene often differ between cell and tissue types. IsomiRs were readily co-immunoprecipitated with Argonaute proteins in vivo and were active in luciferase assays, indicating that they are functional. Bioinformatics analysis predicts substantial differences in targeting between miRNAs with minor 5’ differences and in support of this we report that a 5’ isomiR-9-1 gained the ability to inhibit the expression of DNMT3B and NCAM2 but lost the ability to inhibit CDH1 in vitro. This result was confirmed by the use of isomiR-specific sponges. Our analysis of the miRGator database indicates that a small percentage of human miRNA genes express isomiRs as the dominant transcript in certain cell types and analysis of miRBase shows that 5’ isomiRs have replaced canonical miRNAs many times during evolution. This strongly indicates that isomiRs are of functional importance and have contributed to the evolution of miRNA genes Sequence library of miRNAs from a single sample of human foetal mesenchymal stem cells. Results tested and confirmed by northern blotting. Please note that only raw data files are available for the embryonic and neual samples and thus, directly submitted to SRA (SRX547311, SRX548700, respectively under SRP042115/PRJNA247767)
Project description:Background: Aberrant expression of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs), in particular microRNAs (miRNAs) and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) define several pathological processes. Asthma is characterized by airway hyper-reactivity, chronic inflammation and airway wall remodeling. Asthma-specific miRNA profiles were reported for bronchial epithelial cells, but no information on sncRNA expression in asthmatic bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) cells is available. Objective: To determine whether primary BSM sncRNA expression profile is altered in asthma and identify targets of differentially expressed sncRNAs. Methods: SmallRNA sequencing was used for sncRNA profiling in BSM cells (8 asthma, 6 non-asthma). sncRNA identification and differential expression analysis was performed with iMir, . experimentally validated miRNA targets were identified with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and putative piRNA targets with miRanda. Results: Asthmatic BSM cells showed abnormal expression of 32 sncRNAs (26 miRNAs, 5 piRNAs, and 1 snoRNA). Target prediction for deregulated miRNAs and piRNAs revealed experimentally validated and predicted mRNA targets expressed in the BSM cells. 38 of these mRNAs represent major targets for deregulated miRNAs and may play important roles in the pathophysiology of asthma. Interestingly, 6 such miRNAs were previously associated with asthma and/or considered as novel therapeutic targets for treatment of this disease. Signaling pathway analysis revealed involvement of these sncRNAs in increased cell proliferation via PTEN and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Conclusions: BSM cells from asthma patients are characterized by aberrant sncRNA expression that recapitulates multiple pathological phenotypes of these cells. Implications: sncRNA expression profiling performed in this study further improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying asthma-associated processes in lungs.