Project description:Neuroblastoma is an embryonal neoplasm that remains of dramatic prognosis in its aggressive forms. Activating mutations of the ALK tyrosine kinase receptor have been identified in sporadic and familial cases of this cancer. We generated knock-in mice carrying an F1178L Alk mutation corresponding to the ALK F1174L mutation observed in neuroblastoma patients We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying the impact of ALK F1178L mutation on sympathetic nervous system ganglia We selected sympathetic nervous system ganglia (superior cervical and stellate ganglia) for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays. We profiled a total number of 12 Po (4 Wt; 4 Hz; 4 Ho) and 5 P18 (3 Wt; 2 Hz)
Project description:Neuroblastoma is an embryonal neoplasm that remains of dramatic prognosis in its aggressive forms. Activating mutations of the ALK tyrosine kinase receptor have been identified in sporadic and familial cases of this cancer. We generated knock-in mice carrying an F1178L Alk mutation corresponding to the ALK F1174L mutation observed in neuroblastoma patients We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying the impact of ALK F1178L mutation on sympathetic nervous system ganglia
Project description:Neuroblastoma is a neural crest-derived embryonal tumor or the postganglionic sympathetic nervous system. Neuroblastomas show heterogeneous biologic and clinical features and , whereas a subset may undergo spontaneous differentiation or regression with little or no therapy, the majorities are difficult to cure with current modalities. The origin of these tumours remains unknown in most cases, although a number of familial cases have been associated with mutations of the ALK gene. In this study we established both phosphoproteomic and gene expression profiles of ALK activity in neuroblastoma cells exposed to first and third generation ALK TKIs, to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms and identify relevant biomarkers, signaling networks, and new therapeutic targets.
Project description:Neuroblastoma is an embryonic tumor arising from immature sympathetic nervous system progenitor cells. MYCN and ALK are driver oncogenes both of which are specifically expressed during early neurogenesis. This is in line with the assumption that neuroblastoma arises through disruption of normal developmental processes. MYCN has a broad impact on the tumor phenotype; however, the details of the MYCN driven oncogenic program are far from clear. In order to gain further insight into the role of gene expression during neuroblastoma initiation and progression, we evaluated gene expression profiles of hyperplastic ganglia and tumors isolated from MYCN transgenic mice.
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.
Project description:To characterize the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility in detail, we used a systems genetics approach, integrating mapping of gene expression traits with sterility phenotypes and QTL. We measured genome-wide testis expression in 305 male F2s from a cross between wild-derived inbred strains of M. musculus musculus and M. m. domesticus. We identified several thousand cis- and trans-acting QTL contributing to expression variation (eQTL). Many trans eQTL cluster into eleven ‘hotspots,’ seven of which co-localize with QTL for sterility phenotypes identified in the cross. The number and clustering of trans eQTL - but not cis eQTL - were substantially lower when mapping was restricted to a ‘fertile’ subset of mice, providing evidence that trans eQTL hotspots are related to sterility. Functional annotation of transcripts with eQTL provides insights into the biological processes disrupted by sterility loci and guides prioritization of candidate genes. Using a conditional mapping approach, we identified eQTL dependent on interactions between loci, revealing a complex system of epistasis. Our results illuminate established patterns, including the role of the X chromosome in hybrid sterility.
Project description:The sympathetic nervous system innervates peripheral organs to regulate their function and maintain homeostasis, whereas target cells also produce neurotrophic factors to promote sympathetic innervation1,2. The molecular basis of this bi-directional communication is unknown. Here we use thermogenic adipose tissue from mice as a model system to show that T cells, specifically T cells, have a crucial role in promoting sympathetic innervation, at least in part by driving the expression of TGF1 in parenchymal cells via the IL-17 receptor complex (IL-17RC). Ablation of IL-17RC specifically in adipose tissue reduces expression of TGF1 in adipocytes, impairs local sympathetic innervation and causes obesity and other metabolic phenotypes that are consistent with defective thermogenesis; innervation can be fully rescued by restoring TGF1 expression. Ablating cells and the IL-17RC signalling pathway also impairs sympathetic innervation in salivary glands and the lungs. These findings demonstrate coordination between T cells and parenchymal cells to regulate sympathetic innervation.