Project description:To compare the different immunological mechanisms between aquaporin 4 antibody-associated optic neuritis (AQP4-ON) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated optic neuritis (MOG-ON) based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of whole blood.
Project description:Optic neuritis (ON) is a common manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS); it appears as the presenting symptom in about 25% of MS patients and occurs in 30–70% of patients with MS during the course of their illness Purpose. To evaluate the molecular pathways that operate in the early phase of acute ON by studying gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) subpopulations including CD19+ B cells, CD14+ macrophages, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. High throughput gene expression analysis was performed on periferal mononuclear blood cells (PBMC) samples from 6 patients within 96 hours of the acute onset of the first demyelinating event of optic neuritis and 9 age matched healthy subjects using Affymetrix Inc. technology
Project description:Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is characterized by acute immune-mediated peripheral neuropathy, which may result in rapidly progressive paralysis and fatal respiratory failure. As the underlying pathological mechanisms of GBS are unclear, we surveyed the transcriptome of rats with experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN), a model of GBS. Briefly, sciatic nerves on both sides were collected from 8–10-week-old Lewis rats during early (10 days post-induction), peak (19 days), and late neuritis (30 days). Total RNA was sequenced to identify differentially expressed genes. Compared to control rats without induced neuritis, 33 genes were differentially expressed in the early phase (14 upregulated and 19 downregulated), with an adjusted P-value < 0.05 and |log2 fold-change| > 1, as were 137 genes in the peak phase (126 upregulated and 11 downregulated) and 60 genes in the late phase (58 upregulated and 2 downregulated). Eleven of these genes were common to all stages, suggesting their crucial roles throughout the disease course. Analysis of protein-protein interactions revealed Fos, Ccl2, Itgax and C3 as node genes at different stages. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes identified biological processes and pathways that are activated as neuritis progresses. This is the first genome-wide gene expression study of peripheral nerves in experimental autoimmune neuritis model. Dynamic gene expression and significantly altered biological functions were detected in different phases of the disease, increasing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying EAN and highlighting potential targets for its diagnosis and treatment.
Project description:The aim of this study was to examine retinal transcriptomic changes associated with optic neuritis and identify those that are reversed upon targeted expression of SIRT1 in RGCs. Conceptually, identification of transcriptional differences between SIRT1-treated and non-treated retinas will help identify genes correlating with resilience and resistance to neurodegeneration and/or the molecular pathways affected by SIRT1 overexpression. To achieve this, we used a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)-induced optic neuritis, a commonly used model of multiple sclerosis, in which myelin oligodendrocyte-specific immune responses are induced by injecting myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide (MOG35-55) . EAE mice develop an autoimmune demyelinating reaction characteristic of multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis which include optic nerve inflammation, axon demyelination, and loss of RGCs and visual acuity.Using this disease model and bulk RNA sequencing, we identified genes whose expression is affected by constitutive ubiquitous SIRT1 expression in SIRT1 knock-in mice, and in wild-type mice upon either targeted adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated SIRT1 expression in RGCs or oral gavage with resverotrol (RSV), a SIRT1 activator.
Project description:Carotenoids have been demonstrated to be indispensable plant secondary metabolites that are involved in photosynthesis, antioxidation, and phytohormone biosynthesis. Carotenoids are likely involved in other biological functions that have yet to be discovered. In this study, we utilized genomic expression investigation to gain a deep insight into the carotenoid-related biological processes in the citrus calli overexpressing CrtB. Abortive ovule embryogenic calli from four citrus genotypes were used in this study. They were derived from Star Ruby grapefruit (C. paradise Macf.), Marsh grapefruit (C. paradise Macf.), and Sunburst mandarin [Citrus reticulata Blanco M-CM-^W (C. paradisi Macf. M-CM-^W C. reticulata)], designated as RB, M, and SBT, respectively. Engineered cell models (ECMs) were established by over-expressing 35S::CrtB (tpM-bM-^@M-^SrbcSM-bM-^@M-^SCrtB) [CrtB protein, phytoene synthase from Erwinia herbicola (now known as Pantoea agglomerans), containing a Pea rbcS transit peptide] in citrus embryogenic calli. Twenty-day-old calli were harvested and used for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays.