Project description:To uncover molecular mechanisms specifically involved in the pathogenesis of colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC), we studied tumorigenesis in experimental models of CAC and sporadic CRC that mimic characteristics of human CRC. Using comparative whole genome expression profiling, we observed differential expression of epiregulin (Ereg) in mouse models of colitis-associated, but not sporadic colorectal cancer. Similarly, highly significant upregulation of Ereg expression was found in cohorts of patients with colitis-associated cancer in inflammatory bowel disease but not in sporadic colorectal cancer. Furthermore, tumor-associated fibroblasts were identified as major source of Ereg in colitis-associated neoplasias. Functional studies showed that Ereg-deficient mice, although more prone to colitis, are strongly protected from colitis-associated tumors, and data from serial endoscopic studies revealed that Ereg promotes growth rather than initiation of tumors.
Project description:To uncover molecular mechanisms specifically involved in the pathogenesis of colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC), we studied tumorigenesis in experimental models of CAC and sporadic CRC that mimic characteristics of human CRC. Using comparative whole genome expression profiling, we observed differential expression of epiregulin (Ereg) in mouse models of colitis-associated, but not sporadic colorectal cancer. Similarly, highly significant upregulation of Ereg expression was found in cohorts of patients with colitis-associated cancer in inflammatory bowel disease but not in sporadic colorectal cancer. Furthermore, tumor-associated fibroblasts were identified as major source of Ereg in colitis-associated neoplasias. Functional studies showed that Ereg-deficient mice, although more prone to colitis, are strongly protected from colitis-associated tumors, and data from serial endoscopic studies revealed that Ereg promotes growth rather than initiation of tumors. 4 samples of individual distal colitis-associated tumors (CAC) from 4 mice, 2 samples of tumor-free distal colon epithelium with a pool of 5 mice per sample (CAC contr), 5 samples of individual Apcmin/+ tumors from the distal colorectum of 5 mice (sporCRC) and 3 samples of tumor-free distal colon epithelium (pool of 4 mice per sample) (sporCRC contr). Colitis-associated tumorigenesis was performed by intraperitoneal injection of Azoxymethane (10mg/kg) (Sigma) into C57BL/6J wildtype mice followed by 3 cycles of Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS) in drinking water. Each DSS-cycle was composed of DSS (2.5% (w/v) (MP Biomedicals) in drinking water for 7 days, followed by a recovery phase with regular drinking water for 14 days. Sporadic tumors were from C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+/J mice. All tumors were obtained from the from the lower 6th of the large intestine and they had the same size covering between ¼ and up to ½ of the colonic circumferenc as evaluated by mini-endoscopy.
Project description:Human Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by chronic colonic inflammation and has been associated with an increased risk of colorectal carcinoma. Gene and protein expression profiles of ABCB1/MDR1 have been shown to be dysregulated in UC and sporadic colorectal cancer. We demonstrated that in a murine model of colitis-associated tumorigenesis, MDR1A KO mice showed reduced tumor load when compared to wildtype (WT) mice. The aim of this study was to identify gene alterations in colitis-associated tumors in the context of MDR1A deficiency. We used microarrays to assess gene expression profiles of colitis-associated colonic tumors from WT or MDR1A KO mice.
Project description:Gene expression profiling has discriminated between sporadic microsatellite instable (MSI) and microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancers (CRCs), whereas the expression pattern of familial colorectal cancer type X (FCCTX) and Lynch syndrome (LS) associated CRCs remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to use gene expression profiling of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor specimens from FCCTX, LS and sporadic CRC as a control to detect expression patterns and to identify signaling pathways differing between FCCTX and LS tumors.
Project description:transcriptional profiling (miRNAs) of human biopsies of colorectal cancer tumors (Lynch Sindrome, Sporadic old, Sporadic young and normal mucosa)
Project description:Gene expression profiling has discriminated between sporadic microsatellite instable (MSI) and microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancers (CRCs), whereas the expression pattern of familial colorectal cancer type X (FCCTX) and Lynch syndrome (LS) associated CRCs remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to use gene expression profiling of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor specimens from FCCTX, LS and sporadic CRC as a control to detect expression patterns and to identify signaling pathways differing between FCCTX and LS tumors. RNA extracted from 132 FFPE specimens (40 FCCTX, 42 LS, 50 sporadic) were profiled for differential gene expression by the whole genome cDNA-mediated annealing, selection, extension, and ligation (WG-DASL) assay containing 18626 genes.
Project description:Introgressed variants from other species can be an important source of genetic variation because they may arise rapidly, can include multiple mutations on a single haplotype, and have often been pretested by selection in the species of origin. Although introgressed alleles are generally deleterious, several studies have reported introgression as the source of adaptive alleles-including the rodenticide-resistant variant of Vkorc1 that introgressed from Mus spretus into European populations of Mus musculus domesticus. Here, we conducted bidirectional genome scans to characterize introgressed regions into one wild population of M. spretus from Spain and three wild populations of M. m. domesticus from France, Germany, and Iran. Despite the fact that these species show considerable intrinsic postzygotic reproductive isolation, introgression was observed in all individuals, including in the M. musculus reference genome (GRCm38). Mus spretus individuals had a greater proportion of introgression compared with M. m. domesticus, and within M. m. domesticus, the proportion of introgression decreased with geographic distance from the area of sympatry. Introgression was observed on all autosomes for both species, but not on the X-chromosome in M. m. domesticus, consistent with known X-linked hybrid sterility and inviability genes that have been mapped to the M. spretus X-chromosome. Tract lengths were generally short with a few outliers of up to 2.7 Mb. Interestingly, the longest introgressed tracts were in olfactory receptor regions, and introgressed tracts were significantly enriched for olfactory receptor genes in both species, suggesting that introgression may be a source of functional novelty even between species with high barriers to gene flow.
Project description:We collected whole genome testis expression data from hybrid zone mice. We integrated GWAS mapping of testis expression traits and low testis weight to gain insight into the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility.