Project description:Innate-like gd T effector subsets are exported from the thymus as “memory-like” cells prewired for rapid, specialized function. Previously, we showed that emergent gd subsets distinguished by TCRg and TCRd usage in the fetal and adult thymus possess distinct global transcriptomes and the subset-specific combinatorial expression of High Mobility Group box transcription factors (HMG TFs) shown as a primary determinant of gd effector differentiation. While the detailed mechanism of HMG TFs cooperativity and counter-regulations are not fully understood, a key feature for IL-17 producing gd T effectors (Tgd17) is predicted to be context-dependent interactions between SOX13 and TCF1 that result in diversified target gene regulation. More SOX13 allow more TCF1 dockings on DNA. TCF1 chromatin occupancy in the Tgd17 gene cluster (V2 set) mimics when the amount of SOX13 is enhanced like the Sox13 transgenic system. Globally 75% of SOX13 binding is overlapped with TCF1 binding and V2 set-specifically 85% of SOX13 targets are overlapped with TCF1 targets. Mostly V2 sets are H3K4me3 (79%) and the genome wide analysis between TCF1 and SOX13 indicate cooperative and active SOX13-dependent-TCF1-modulations on V2 sets.
Project description:Innate-like gd T effector subsets are exported from the thymus as “memory-like” cells prewired for rapid, specialized function. Previously, we showed that emergent gd subsets distinguished by TCRg and TCRd usage in the fetal and adult thymus possess distinct global transcriptomes and the subset-specific combinatorial expression of High Mobility Group box transcription factors (HMG TFs) shown as a primary determinant of gd effector differentiation. While the detailed mechanism of HMG TFs cooperativity and counter-regulations are not fully understood, a key feature for IL-17 producing gd T effectors (Tgd17) is predicted to be context-dependent interactions between SOX13 and TCF1 that result in diversified target gene regulation. More SOX13 allow more TCF1 dockings on DNA. TCF1 chromatin occupancy in the Tgd17 gene cluster (V2 set) mimics when the amount of SOX13 is enhanced like the Sox13 transgenic system. Globally 75% of SOX13 binding is overlapped with TCF1 binding and V2 set-specifically 85% of SOX13 targets are overlapped with TCF1 targets. The genome-wide analysis between TCF1 and SOX13 indicates cooperative and active SOX13-dependent-TCF1-modulations on V2 sets.
Project description:Innate-like gd T effector subsets are exported from the thymus as “memory-like” cells prewired for rapid, specialized function. Previously, we showed that emergent gd subsets distinguished by TCRg and TCRd usage in the fetal and adult thymus possess distinct global transcriptomes and the subset-specific combinatorial expression of High Mobility Group box transcription factors (HMG TFs) shown as a primary determinant of gd effector differentiation. While the detailed mechanism of HMG TFs cooperativity and counter-regulations are not fully understood, a key feature for IL-17 producing gd T effectors (Tgd17) is predicted to be context-dependent interactions between SOX13 and TCF1 that result in diversified target gene regulation. More SOX13 allow more TCF1 dockings on DNA. TCF1 chromatin occupancy in the Tgd17 gene cluster (V2 set) mimics when the amount of SOX13 is enhanced like the Sox13 transgenic system. Globally 75% of SOX13 binding is overlapped with TCF1 binding and V2 set-specifically 85% of SOX13 targets are overlapped with TCF1 targets. The genome-wide analysis between TCF1 and SOX13 indicates cooperative and active SOX13-dependent-TCF1-modulations on V2 sets.
Project description:PURPOSE: To provide a detailed gene expression profile of the normal postnatal mouse cornea. METHODS: Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was performed on postnatal day (PN)9 and adult mouse (6 week) total corneas. The expression of selected genes was analyzed by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: A total of 64,272 PN9 and 62,206 adult tags were sequenced. Mouse corneal transcriptomes are composed of at least 19,544 and 18,509 unique mRNAs, respectively. One third of the unique tags were expressed at both stages, whereas a third was identified exclusively in PN9 or adult corneas. Three hundred thirty-four PN9 and 339 adult tags were enriched more than fivefold over other published nonocular libraries. Abundant transcripts were associated with metabolic functions, redox activities, and barrier integrity. Three members of the Ly-6/uPAR family whose functions are unknown in the cornea constitute more than 1% of the total mRNA. Aquaporin 5, epithelial membrane protein and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) omega-1, and GST alpha-4 mRNAs were preferentially expressed in distinct corneal epithelial layers, providing new markers for stratification. More than 200 tags were differentially expressed, of which 25 mediate transcription. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to providing a detailed profile of expressed genes in the PN9 and mature mouse cornea, the present SAGE data demonstrate dynamic changes in gene expression after eye opening and provide new probes for exploring corneal epithelial cell stratification, development, and function and for exploring the intricate relationship between programmed and environmentally induced gene expression in the cornea. Keywords: other
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:Gamma delta T (gdT) cells with distinct properties develop in the embryonic and adult thymus and have been identified as critical players in a broad range of infections, antitumor surveillance, autoimmune diseases and tissue homeostasis. Despite their potential value for immunotherapy, differentiation of gdT cells in the thymus is incompletely understood. Here, we establish a high-resolution map of gdT cell differentiation from the fetal and adult thymus using single-cell RNA-sequencing. We reveal novel sub-types of immature and mature gdT cells and identify an unpolarized thymic population which is expanded in the blood and lymph nodes. Our detailed comparative analysis reveals remarkable similarities between the gene networks active during fetal and adult gdT cell differentiation. By performing a combined single-cell analysis of Sox13, Maf and Rorc knockout mice, we demonstrate sequential activation of these factors during IL-17-producing gdT cell (gdT17) differentiation. These findings substantially expand our understanding of gdT cell ontogeny in fetal and adult life. Our experimental and computational strategy provides a blueprint for comparing immune cell differentiation across developmental stages.
Project description:Regulatory T (Treg) cells are important regulators of the immune system and have versatile functions for the homeostasis and repair of tissues. They express the forkhead box transcription factor Foxp3 as a lineage-defining protein. In mature Treg cells, the Foxp3 core promoter is unmethylated indicating that this area could harbor a transcription factor complex to initiate or repress gene expression, respectively. We used an unbiased method to identify Foxp3-promoter-binding transcription factors (TFs) by inverted chromatin immunoprecipitation (IP) followed by quantitative mass spectrometry. We identified several candidate factors which showed Foxp3-promoter suppressive capacity, one of which was T-cell factor 1 (Tcf1). Using viral overexpression and CRISPR/Cas knockout studies, we identified Tcf1 as a repressor of Foxp3 expression in primary conventional CD4 T cells (Tconv). In Tcf1-deficient animals, increased levels of Foxp3intermediateCD25negative T cells were identified in secondary lymphoid tissues, implicating that Tcf1 protects Foxp3-negative T cells from inadvertent Foxp3 expression.
Project description:Translational research is commonly performed in the C57B6/J mouse strain, chosen for its genetic homogeneity and phenotypic uniformity. Here, we evaluate the suitability of the white-footed deer mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) as a model organism for aging research, offering a comparative analysis against C57B6/J and diversity outbred (DO) Mus musculus strains. Our study includes comparisons of body composition, skeletal muscle function, and cardiovascular parameters, shedding light on potential applications and limitations of P. leucopus in aging studies. Notably, P. leucopus exhibits distinct body composition characteristics, emphasizing reduced muscle force exertion and a unique metabolism, particularly in fat mass. Cardiovascular assessments showed changes in arterial stiffness, challenging conventional assumptions and highlighting the need for a nuanced interpretation of aging-related phenotypes. Our study also highlights inherent challenges associated with maintaining and phenotyping P. leucopus cohorts. Behavioral considerations, including anxiety-induced responses during handling and phenotyping assessment, pose obstacles in acquiring meaningful data. Moreover, the unique anatomy of P. leucopus necessitates careful adaptation of protocols designed for Mus musculus. While showcasing potential benefits, further extensive analyses across broader age ranges and larger cohorts are necessary to establish the reliability of P. leucopus as a robust and translatable model for aging studies.