Project description:Transcriptional profiling of human peripheral blood lymphocyte comparing simulated microgravity for 72 hours with untreated control.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of Homo sapiens inflammatory skin diseases (whole skin biospies): Psoriasis (Pso), vs Atopic Dermatitis (AD) vs Lichen planus (Li), vs Contact Eczema (KE), vs Healthy control (KO) In recent years, different genes and proteins have been highlighted as potential biomarkers for psoriasis, one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases worldwide. However, most of these markers are not psoriasis-specific but also found in other inflammatory disorders. We performed an unsupervised cluster analysis of gene expression profiles in 150 psoriasis patients and other inflammatory skin diseases (atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, contact eczema, and healthy controls). We identified a cluster of IL-17/TNFα-associated genes specifically expressed in psoriasis, among which IL-36γ was the most outstanding marker. In subsequent immunohistological analyses IL-36γ was confirmed to be expressed in psoriasis lesions only. IL-36γ peripheral blood serum levels were found to be closely associated with disease activity, and they decreased after anti-TNFα-treatment. Furthermore, IL-36γ immunohistochemistry was found to be a helpful marker in the histological differential diagnosis between psoriasis and eczema in diagnostically challenging cases. These features highlight IL-36γ as a valuable biomarker in psoriasis patients, both for diagnostic purposes and measurement of disease activity during the clinical course. Furthermore, IL-36γ might also provide a future drug target, due to its potential amplifier role in TNFα- and IL-17 pathways in psoriatic skin inflammation. In recent years, different genes and proteins have been highlighted as potential biomarkers for psoriasis, one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases worldwide. However, most of these markers are not psoriasis-specific but also found in other inflammatory disorders. We performed an unsupervised cluster analysis of gene expression profiles in 150 psoriasis patients and other inflammatory skin diseases (atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, contact eczema, and healthy controls). We identified a cluster of IL-17/TNFα-associated genes specifically expressed in psoriasis, among which IL-36γ was the most outstanding marker. In subsequent immunohistological analyses IL-36γ was confirmed to be expressed in psoriasis lesions only. IL-36γ peripheral blood serum levels were found to be closely associated with disease activity, and they decreased after anti-TNFα-treatment. Furthermore, IL-36γ immunohistochemistry was found to be a helpful marker in the histological differential diagnosis between psoriasis and eczema in diagnostically challenging cases. These features highlight IL-36γ as a valuable biomarker in psoriasis patients, both for diagnostic purposes and measurement of disease activity during the clinical course. Furthermore, IL-36γ might also provide a future drug target, due to its potential amplifier role in TNFα- and IL-17 pathways in psoriatic skin inflammation.
Project description:Microgravity is associated with immunological dysfunction, though the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, using single cell analysis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)s exposed to short term (25 hours) simulated microgravity, we characterize altered genes and pathways across immune cells under basal and stimulated states with a Toll like Receptor-7/8 agonist. At basal state, simulated microgravity altered the transcriptional landscape across immune cells, with monocyte subsets showing most pathway changes. Remarkably, short term simulated microgravity was sufficient to increase endogenous retroviral and mycobacterial transcripts. Under stimulation in simulated microgravity, nearly all immune cells demonstrated differences in functional pathways. Results from single cell analysis were validated against additional PBMC samples, including by RNA sequencing and super-resolution microscopy, and against data from the Inspiration-4 (i4) mission, JAXA6 mission, Twins study, and spleens from mice housed on the international space station. Combined results show significant impacts of microgravity on pathways essential for optimal immunity, including the cytoskeleton, interferon signaling, pyroptosis, temperature-shock, nuclear receptors, IL-6 signaling, HIF1α, and sirtuin signaling. Using machine learning, we identified numerous compounds linking microgravity to immune cell transcription, and demonstrate that the flavonol, quercetin, can reverse most abnormal pathways. These results offer insight into maladaptation of the immune system in microgravity, and provide opportunities to develop countermeasures that maintain normal immunity in space.
Project description:Microgravity is associated with immunological dysfunction, though the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, using single cell analysis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)s exposed to short term (25 hours) simulated microgravity, we characterize altered genes and pathways across immune cells under basal and stimulated states with a Toll like Receptor-7/8 agonist. At basal state, simulated microgravity altered the transcriptional landscape across immune cells, with monocyte subsets showing most pathway changes. Remarkably, short term simulated microgravity was sufficient to increase endogenous retroviral and mycobacterial transcripts. Under stimulation in simulated microgravity, nearly all immune cells demonstrated differences in functional pathways. Results from single cell analysis were validated against additional PBMC samples, including by RNA sequencing and super-resolution microscopy, and against data from the Inspiration-4 (i4) mission, JAXA6 mission, Twins study, and spleens from mice housed on the international space station. Combined results show significant impacts of microgravity on pathways essential for optimal immunity, including the cytoskeleton, interferon signaling, pyroptosis, temperature-shock, nuclear receptors, IL-6 signaling, HIF1α, and sirtuin signaling. Using machine learning, we identified numerous compounds linking microgravity to immune cell transcription, and demonstrate that the flavonol, quercetin, can reverse most abnormal pathways. These results offer insight into maladaptation of the immune system in microgravity, and provide opportunities to develop countermeasures that maintain normal immunity in space.
Project description:au11-03_gravite - action of microgravity on root development - Action of microgravity on root development - Arabidopsis were grown on horizontal or vertical clinostat for 4, 8 or 12 days. Seedlings on horizontal clinostat were in simulated microgravity and seedlings on vertical clinostat are considered as a control. Comparison was made between plants grown on simulated microgravitry and vertical position. 6 dye-swap - treated vs untreated comparison