Project description:Etrolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively binds the b7 subunit of the heterodimeric integrins a4b7 and aEb7, is currently in development for patients with moderate-to-severely active UC. Integrin aE forms a heterodimer with b7; and aEb7 interacts with E-cadherin to mediate retention of aEb7+ cells in the intestinal epithelium. Baseline integrin aE levels have been identified as a potential predictive biomarker for etrolizumab response. Additional markers, including granzyme A, have also been identified and are being developed in partnership with Roche Molecular as potential predictive biomarkers for etrolizumab along with integrin aE. Extensive work has been done to characterize gut aE+ T cells by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and qPCR. We hope to use this project to validate differences between aE+ and aE- cell populations using CD4, CD8 and granzyme A expression as controls. The results from this project will be used to pilot single cell sequencing of CD3+aE+ cells isolated from the gut mucosa to identify cellular heterogeneity within aE+ cells under normal and inflammatory conditions. Materials and methods: Mucosal lymphocytes were isolated using a collagenase digestion from surgical specimens taken during routine gastrointestinal resections of diverticulitis and ulcerative colitis patients. CD45+TCRab+TCRgd- cells were sorted into aE+ and aE- groups.
Project description:Evaluation of all human miRNAs in HIV positive and negative individuals. Used to validate RNA extraction from serum. Also used to determine which miRNAs were present in the serum of HIV+ individuals.
Project description:Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) poses a significant clinical challenge due to its high morbidity and mortality, coupled with a lack of effective targeted therapies. Here, utilizing single-cell transcriptomic analysis, we identified integrin and CD44 as markedly upregulated in injured alveolar type II cells and myofibroblasts, highlighting their potential as pathological delivery targets in AE-IPF. Based on these findings, we developed a dual-targeted liposomal nanoplatform (ND-RHL) co-encapsulating nintedanib and dexamethasone, specifically engineered to exploit integrin/CD44 overexpression for pulmonary precise drug delivery and synergistic anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects. ND-RHL exhibited favorable physicochemical characteristics, efficient dual-drug loading, and selective accumulation in integrin/CD44-high cells both in vitro and in vivo. In a murine model of AE-PF, intratracheal administration of ND-RHL markedly improved survival, mitigated lung inflammation and fibrosis, and preserved pulmonary architecture, with minimal systemic toxicity. Mechanistically, transcriptomic profiling and immune phenotyping demonstrated that ND-RHL reversed AE-induced gene expression patterns and inhibited pivotal signaling pathways, including PI3K–AKT–mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin, and NF-κB–PPARγ, thereby orchestrating the remodeling of both immune and extracellular matrix microenvironments. This study presents ND-RHL as a mechanistically informed, cell-targeted nanotherapeutic with robust therapeutic potential and translational promise for the treatment of AE-IPF and related fibrotic lung diseases.
Project description:TAF1 is essential for AE driven leukemogenesis. Depletion of TAF1 impairs the recruitment of AE to its target genes, interfereing with its control of gene expression. The bromodomains of TAF1 associate with K43 acetylated AE and this association plays a role in the proliferationof AE expressing AML cells.
Project description:TAF1 is essential for AE driven leukemogenesis. Depletion of TAF1 impairs the recruitment of AE to its target genes, interfering with its control of gene expression. The bromodomains of TAF1 associate with K43 acetylated AE and this association plays a role in the proliferation of AE expressing AML cells.
Project description:TAF1 is essential for AE driven leukemogenesis. Depletion of TAF1 impairs the recruitment of AE to its target genes, interfering with its control of gene expression. The bromodomains of TAF1 associate with K43 acetylated AE and this association plays a role in the proliferation of AE expressing AML cells.