Project description:Here, we investigated changes of the VSMC transcriptome by utilizing 3D human vascular organoids organized as a core of VSMCs enclosed by a monolayer of ECs. Unbiased microarray-based analyses indicated that interaction with ECs for 48 hours down-regulates the VSMC expression of genes controlling rate-limiting steps of the cholesterol biosynthesis such as HMGCR, HMGCS1, DHCR24 and DHCR7. Protein analyses revealed a decrease in the abundance of 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase and lower cholesterol levels in VSMCs co-cultured with ECs. On the functional level, the blockade of the DHCR24 activity impaired spreading, migration and proliferation of VSMCs. Collectively, these findings indicate that ECs have the capacity to instruct VSMCs to shut down the expression of DHCR24 thereby limiting their capacity for cholesterol biosynthesis which may support their functional steady state.
Project description:Spheroids are 3D multi-cell aggregates formed in non-addherent culture conditions. In ovarian cancer (OC), they serve as a vehicle for cancer cell dissemination in the peritoneal cavity. We investigated genes and networks upregulated in three dimensional (3D) versus two-dimensional (2D) culture conditions by Affymetrix gene expression profiling and identified ALDH1A1, a cancer stem cell marker as being upregulated in OC spheroids. Network analysis confirmed ALDH1A1 upregulation in spheroids in direct connection with elements of the beta-catenin pathway. A parallel increase in the expression levels of beta-catenin and ALDH1A1 was demonstrated in spheroids vs. monolayers an in successive spheroid generations by using OC cell liness and primary OC cells. The percentage of Aldefluor positive cells was significantly higher in spheroids vs. monolayers in IGROV1, A2780, SKOV3, and primary OC cells. B-catenin knock-down decreased ALDH1A1 expression and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that beta-catenin directly binds to the ALDH1A1 promoter. Both siRNA mediated beta-catenin knock-down and a novel ALDH1A1 small molecule enzymatic inhibitor described here for the first time, decreased the number of OC spheroids (p<0.001) and cell viability. These data strongly support the role of beta-catenin regulated ALDH1A1 in the maintenance of OC spheroids and of a stem cell phenotype and propose new ALDH1A1 inhibitors targeting this cell population. Different gene profiles were observed in ovarian cancer spheroids versus ovarian cancer monolayers. Nine samples were analyzed in triplicate. Each group is a reference.
Project description:Comparison of mRNA expression in human EPC vs. HUVEC vs. human monocytes. Cell-type specific gene expression under basal cell culture conditions (no stimulation). The hybridization was performed with three samples of EPC vs. three samples of HUVEC vs. 3 samples of CD14+ monocytes. • The origin of the biological sample: Human endothelial progenitor cells (EPC): EPC were ex vivo cultivated from human peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMC were isolated by density gradient centrifugation from healthy human volunteers as previously described (Dimmeler et al., 2001). Pooled human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were purchased from Cambrex (Verviers, Belgium). CD14+ monocytes were purified from PBMC by positive selection with anti-CD14-microbeads (Miltenyi Biotec, Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany). Purity assessed by FACS analysis was greater than 95%. • Manipulation of biological samples and protocols used: for example, growth conditions, treatments, separation techniques: EPC: 8000000 PBMC/ml were plated on human fibronectin (Sigma, Taufkirchen, Germany) and maintained in endothelial basal medium (Cambrex) with EGM SingleQuots and 20% fetal calf serum (FCS). After 3 days, nonadherent cells were removed and adherent cells were incubated in fresh medium for 24 h before starting experiments. HUVEC: HUVEC were cultured in endothelial basal medium (Cambrex) supplemented with hydrocortisone, bovine brain extract, gentamicin, amphotericin B, epidermal growth factor, and 10% FCS until the third passage according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. CD14+ monocytes: No culture. • Protocol for preparing the hybridization extract: for example, the RNA or DNA extraction and purification protocol. Total RNA was extracted from EPC, HUVEC, and CD14+ monocytes using the RNeasy cleanup system (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) according to the manufacturer's protocol. Quantity and quality of total RNA was analyzed by the 2100 Bioanalyzer system (Agilent Technologies, Waldbronn, Germany) and agarose gel electrophoresis. • Labeling protocol(s): The detailed protocol for the sample preparation and microarray processing is available from Affymetrix (Santa Clara, CA). Briefly, 10 µg of purified total RNA was reverse transcribed by Superscript II reverse transcriptase (Life Technologies, Grand Island, NY) using T7-(dT)24 primer containing a T7 RNA polymerase promoter. After synthesis of the second complementary DNA (cDNA) strand, this product was used in an in vitro transcription reaction to generate biotinylated complementary RNA (cRNA). • The protocol and conditions used during hybridization, blocking and washing: Fifteen micrograms of fragmented, biotinylated cRNA were hybridized to a HG-U95Av2 microarray (Affymetrix Inc.) for 16 hours at 45° C with constant rotation at 60 rpm. This high-density oligonucleotide array targets 9,670 human genes as selected from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Bank database with a total of 12,000 oligonucleotide sets. Each microarray was used to assay a single sample. After hybridization, the microarray was washed and stained on an Affymetrix fluidics station and scanned with an argon-ion confocal laser, with a 488 nm emission and detection at 570 nm. • GeneChip image analysis was performed using the Microarray Analysis Suite 5.0 (Affymetrix, Inc.). Expression data were analyzed utilizing the GeneSpring™ software version 4.2 (Silicon Genetics Inc., San Carlos, CA). Keywords: parallel sample
Project description:Spheroids are 3D multi-cell aggregates formed in non-addherent culture conditions. In ovarian cancer (OC), they serve as a vehicle for cancer cell dissemination in the peritoneal cavity. We investigated genes and networks upregulated in three dimensional (3D) versus two-dimensional (2D) culture conditions by Affymetrix gene expression profiling and identified ALDH1A1, a cancer stem cell marker as being upregulated in OC spheroids. Network analysis confirmed ALDH1A1 upregulation in spheroids in direct connection with elements of the β-catenin pathway. A parallel increase in the expression levels of β-catenin and ALDH1A1 was demonstrated in spheroids vs. monolayers an in successive spheroid generations by using OC cell liness and primary OC cells. The percentage of Aldefluor positive cells was significantly higher in spheroids vs. monolayers in IGROV1, A2780, SKOV3, and primary OC cells. B-catenin knock-down decreased ALDH1A1 expression and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that β-catenin directly binds to the ALDH1A1 promoter. Both siRNA mediated β-catenin knock-down and a novel ALDH1A1 small molecule enzymatic inhibitor described here for the first time, decreased the number of OC spheroids (p<0.001) and cell viability. These data strongly support the role of β-catenin regulated ALDH1A1 in the maintenance of OC spheroids and of a stem cell phenotype and propose new ALDH1A1 inhibitors targeting this cell population.
Project description:Fundamental research and drug development for personalized medicine necessitates cell cultures from defined genetic backgrounds. However, providing sufficient numbers of authentic cells from individuals poses a challenge. Here, we present a new strategy for rapid cell expansion that overcomes current limitations. Using a small gene library, we expanded primary cells from different tissues, donors and species. Cell type specific regimens that allow the reproducible creation of cell lines were identified. In depth characterization of a series of endothelial and hepatocytic cell lines confirmed phenotypic stability and functionality. Applying this technology enables rapid, efficient and reliable production of unlimited numbers of personalized cells. As such, these cell systems support mechanistic studies, epidemiological research and tailored drug development. In these experiments primary HUVEC were compared to immortalized HUVEC with respect to their global gene expression pattern.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) comparing untreated control cells with IL-1-treated cells with or without pre-treatment with DHA. Three condition experiment: DHA treated HUVEC cells (25 µmol/L DHA for 48 hours) vs control; IL-1 treated HUVEC cells (5ng/ml for 3 hours) vs control; HUVEC treated with 25 µmol/L DHA for 48 hours and then stimulated with 5 ng/mL IL-1? for 3 hours. For each condition, 3 replicates
Project description:For definitive endoderm differentiation, iPS cells (day0) were treated with 100 ng ml-1 activin A and 3μM CHIR99021 for 1 day and 100 ng ml-1 activin A for the following two days. Definitive endoderm was subsequently treated with 3uM CHIR99021 and 500ng ml-1 FGF4 for mid/hindgut differentiation. Mid/hindgut floating spheroids (fl; t-Spheroids) were collected from culture medium from day6 to day 8. On day6, mid/hindgut cells were dissociated into single cells and seeded onto EZSPHERE plate to generate suspension spheroids(EZ; s-Spheroids). RNA of fl spheroids and EZ spheroids were extracted using QIAGEN RNeasy kit.
Project description:Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured in serum-free medium with 50 μmol/L ADMA (ADMA group) or without ADMA (NA group ). Asymmetric dimethylarginine is a typical uremic toxin which used to induce HUVEC injury.
Project description:Adenoviral expression of a constitutive active FOXO1 vs. control GFP in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Expression analysis 16 h after transduction.