Project description:Immune responses within barrier tissues are regulated, in part, by nociceptors, specialized peripheral sensory neurons that detect noxious stimuli. Previous work has shown that nociceptor ablation not only alters local responses at peripheral sites of immune challenge, but also within draining lymph nodes (LNs). The mechanism and significance of nociceptor-dependent modulation of LN homeostasis are unknown. Indeed, although sympathetic innervation of LNs is well documented, it has been unclear whether the LN parenchyma itself is innervated by sensory neurons. Here, using a combination of high-resolution imaging, retrograde viral tracing, optogenetics, and single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-seq), we describe a sensory neuro-immune circuit that is preferentially located in the outermost cortex of skin-draining LNs. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that sensory neurons that innervate LNs are composed of at least four discrete subsets with a predominance of peptidergic nociceptors, an innervation pattern that is distinct from that in the surrounding skin. To identify potential LN-resident communication partners for LN-innervating sensory neurons, we employed scRNA-seq to generate an atlas of all murine LN cells and, based on receptor-ligand expression patterns, nominated candidate target populations among stromal and immune cells. We experimentally validated these inferred connections by comparing scRNA-seq signatures before and after selective optogenetic stimulation of LN-innervating axons. Acute neuronal activation triggered rapid transcriptional changes preferentially in endothelium and other nodal stroma cells, as well as in several innate leukocyte populations. Thus, LNs are monitored by a unique population of sensory neurons that possess profound immunomodulatory potential.
Project description:Immune responses within barrier tissues are regulated, in part, by nociceptors, specialized peripheral sensory neurons that detect noxious stimuli. Previous work has shown that nociceptor ablation not only alters local responses at peripheral sites of immune challenge, but also within draining lymph nodes (LNs). The mechanism and significance of nociceptor-dependent modulation of LN homeostasis are unknown. Indeed, although sympathetic innervation of LNs is well documented, it has been unclear whether the LN parenchyma itself is innervated by sensory neurons. Here, using a combination of high-resolution imaging, retrograde viral tracing, optogenetics, and single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-seq), we describe a sensory neuro-immune circuit that is preferentially located in the outermost cortex of skin-draining LNs. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that sensory neurons that innervate LNs are composed of at least four discrete subsets with a predominance of peptidergic nociceptors, an innervation pattern that is distinct from that in the surrounding skin. To identify potential LN-resident communication partners for LN-innervating sensory neurons, we employed scRNA-seq to generate an atlas of all murine LN cells and, based on receptor-ligand expression patterns, nominated candidate target populations among stromal and immune cells. We experimentally validated these inferred connections by comparing scRNA-seq signatures before and after selective optogenetic stimulation of LN-innervating axons. Acute neuronal activation triggered rapid transcriptional changes preferentially in endothelium and other nodal stroma cells, as well as in several innate leukocyte populations. Thus, LNs are monitored by a unique population of sensory neurons that possess profound immunomodulatory potential.
Project description:Comparison of total RNA isolated from ASML and ASML CD44v knockdown exosomes; and RNA from untreated B12 lymph node stroma cells vs. cells treated for 24h with ASML wt or ASML CD44v kd exosomes The array consists of 12 samples. Samples 1-3 consist of total RNA from exosomes derived from ASML cells; samples 4-6 : total RNA from exosomes derived from ASML CD44v knockdown cell; samples 7,8 are total RNA from untreated B12 lymph node stroma cells; samples 9,10 are RNA from B12 cells treated for 24h with ASML wt exosomes and samples 11, 12 are RNA from B12 cells treated with ASML CD44v kd exosomes
Project description:Comparison of total RNA isolated from ASML and ASML CD44v knockdown exosomes; and RNA from untreated B12 lymph node stroma cells vs. cells treated for 24h with ASML wt or ASML CD44v kd exosomes
Project description:Purpose: Lymph node invasion is a hallmark of breast cancer disease progression, but current treatment strategies lack guidance from lymph node biomarkers. We investigated JAGGED1 (JAG1) as a promoter of lymph node metastasis and a prognostic biomarker in metastatic lymph node specimens. Experimental Design: We used mouse models to assess the role of JAG1 expression in human and mouse breast cancer cells on lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastatic potential, transcriptional profiles, and tumor interactions with lymphatic endothelium. We examined breast and lymph node samples from 284 breast cancer patients to determine the correlative and prognostic value of tumoral JAG1 expression in the lymph node. Results: In matched human breast tumor and lymph node samples, tumor cells that invaded lymph nodes showed higher JAG1 expression than their associated primary tumors (P value < 0.0001). In multiple models, breast cancer cells with high JAG1 expression showed increased lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymph node metastatic outgrowth, and migration through lymphatic endothelium. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that tumoral JAG1 regulates both juxtacrine and paracrine signaling pathways that induce inflammatory and pro-metastatic genes in lymphatic endothelium. When examining patients with identical surgical treatments, patients with lymph node JAG1 H-scorelow showed increased 5-year recurrence free survival rates than patients with lymph node JAG1 H-scorehi (87% vs 70%, P=0.016). Conclusions: JAG1 expression promotes lymphovascular invasion and lymph node metastasis in murine models. In patients, high expression of JAG1 in tumor cells in lymph node metastases predicts reduced recurrence free survival.
Project description:Purpose: Lymph node invasion is a hallmark of breast cancer disease progression, but current treatment strategies lack guidance from lymph node biomarkers. We investigated JAGGED1 (JAG1) as a promoter of lymph node metastasis and a prognostic biomarker in metastatic lymph node specimens. Experimental Design: We used mouse models to assess the role of JAG1 expression in human and mouse breast cancer cells on lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastatic potential, transcriptional profiles, and tumor interactions with lymphatic endothelium. We examined breast and lymph node samples from 284 breast cancer patients to determine the correlative and prognostic value of tumoral JAG1 expression in the lymph node. Results: In matched human breast tumor and lymph node samples, tumor cells that invaded lymph nodes showed higher JAG1 expression than their associated primary tumors (P value < 0.0001). In multiple models, breast cancer cells with high JAG1 expression showed increased lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymph node metastatic outgrowth, and migration through lymphatic endothelium. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that tumoral JAG1 regulates both juxtacrine and paracrine signaling pathways that induce inflammatory and pro-metastatic genes in lymphatic endothelium. When examining patients with identical surgical treatments, patients with lymph node JAG1 H-scorelow showed increased 5-year recurrence free survival rates than patients with lymph node JAG1 H-scorehi (87% vs 70%, P=0.016). Conclusions: JAG1 expression promotes lymphovascular invasion and lymph node metastasis in murine models. In patients, high expression of JAG1 in tumor cells in lymph node metastases predicts reduced recurrence free survival.
Project description:Purpose: Lymph node invasion is a hallmark of breast cancer disease progression, but current treatment strategies lack guidance from lymph node biomarkers. We investigated JAGGED1 (JAG1) as a promoter of lymph node metastasis and a prognostic biomarker in metastatic lymph node specimens. Experimental Design: We used mouse models to assess the role of JAG1 expression in human and mouse breast cancer cells on lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastatic potential, transcriptional profiles, and tumor interactions with lymphatic endothelium. We examined breast and lymph node samples from 284 breast cancer patients to determine the correlative and prognostic value of tumoral JAG1 expression in the lymph node. Results: In matched human breast tumor and lymph node samples, tumor cells that invaded lymph nodes showed higher JAG1 expression than their associated primary tumors (P value < 0.0001). In multiple models, breast cancer cells with high JAG1 expression showed increased lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymph node metastatic outgrowth, and migration through lymphatic endothelium. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that tumoral JAG1 regulates both juxtacrine and paracrine signaling pathways that induce inflammatory and pro-metastatic genes in lymphatic endothelium. When examining patients with identical surgical treatments, patients with lymph node JAG1 H-scorelow showed increased 5-year recurrence free survival rates than patients with lymph node JAG1 H-scorehi (87% vs 70%, P=0.016). Conclusions: JAG1 expression promotes lymphovascular invasion and lymph node metastasis in murine models. In patients, high expression of JAG1 in tumor cells in lymph node metastases predicts reduced recurrence free survival.