Project description:Comparison of Tpl-2 small molecule inhibitor (SMI) versus MEK SMI activities in LPS-treated human monocytes will reveal a subset of genes that require Tpl-2 but are independent of MEK. Tpl-2 is a highly conserved (94% human versus mouse) serine-threonine kinase expressed in cells important to the inflammatory response, including monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and B/T cells. The role of Tpl-2 in monocytes and macrophages has been especially well-studied. It has been shown in these cells that Tpl-2 is required for the expression of cytokines in response to Toll-like receptor ligands, including LPS. In resting cells, Tpl-2 forms a complex with p105 and ABIN-2. Upon stimulation, this complex dissociates. Dissociated p105 is processed to p50, which impacts transcription. Dissociated Tpl-2 phosphorylates MEK, which, in turn, phosphorylates ERK. ERK activates the transcription factor AP-1 and its downstream gene targets. An open question in the field is whether Tpl-2 acts solely through MEK to drive gene expression, or does Tpl-2 have any MEK-independent targets. Answering this question is important both for understanding basic Tpl-2 biology as well as its role in disease. Based on published data, Tpl-2 is important for inflammatory cytokine production, and in animal models where these cytokines contribute to disease (septic shock, IBD), blocking Tpl-2 ameliorates disease symptoms. We have a highly selective SMI of Tpl-2 that effectively blocks cytokine production in purified human monocytes. This SMI can block production of the same cytokines that a MEK inhibitor blocks, which is expected given that Tpl-2 lies upstream of MEK. However, the MEK SMI only partially inhibits certain cytokines, while the Tpl-2 SMI fully blocks them, suggesting there are additional factors downstream of Tpl-2 that are not MEK-dependent.
Project description:Tpl-2 is a serine/threonine kinase that has been studied extensively in monocytes. Tpl-2 is believed to phosphorylate MEK1/2, which is upstream of ERK1/2, and regulates inflammatory gene expression in response to TLR and IL-1b receptor signaling. In the course of performing proof-of-concept studies using a small molecule inhibitor (SMI) of Tpl-2, we were surprised to see the inhibitor affect cytokine production in human neutrophils. Unlike human monocytes, which respond at least some degree to both Tpl-2 and MEK inhibitors, neutrophils showed a disconnect between Tpl-2 and MEK. A panel of genes in this cell type can be fully blocked by a Tpl-2 SMI, and yet show no response to a MEK SMI, suggesting Tpl-2 mediates its effect through substrates other than MEK.
Project description:Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by airway inflammation and remodeling. The role of 15-oxo-5Z,8Z,11Z,13E-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-oxoETE), a 15-HETE metabolite catalyzed by 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), has been relatively unexplored in asthma. In this study, we used RNA-seq to explore the effect of 15-KETE on the transcriptome of airway epithelial cells, aiming to identify its potential downstream targets and mechanisms of action.
Project description:RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) protocols and bioinformatic pipelines are designed to streamline downstream analyses on sequences believed to be the most important. Here, we have challenged this dogma by preserving ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in our samples and by lowering the minimal RNA size window of our small RNA-Seq analyses to 8 nt
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of human mesenchymal stem cells comparing normoxic MSCs cells with hypoxic MSCs cells. Hypoxia may inhibit senescence of MSCs during expansion. Goal was to determine the effects of hypoxia on global MSCs gene expression.