Project description:To test the contribution of distinct ST-DC populations to either autoimmunity and inflammation or sustained disease remission, we evaluated the phenotypes of their blood precursors in a human model of disease flare following treatment withdrawal in RA patients in disease remission (the BioRRA study, (Baker et al., 2019)). We investigated the frequency and phenotype of PB DC2 and PB-DC3 of RA patients (n=12) in sustained clinical and ultrasound remission achieved with cDMARDs (Baker et al., 2019) by carrying out, and analysing single cell sequencing data at baseline remission levels, and upon endpoint after treatment withdrawal. We identified that PB DCs differ transcriptionally, but not proportionally, at the baseline of patients who sustain remission, versus those who go on to flare, and at endpoint. We propose that the transcriptomic profile of these peripheral blood DCs could be used as a biomarker of flare in remission RA patients.
Project description:The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak started on December 2019 in China and rapidly spread worldwide. Clinical manifestations of Coronavirus-disease 2019 (COVID-19) vary broadly, ranging from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory failure and death, yet the underlying mechanisms and predictive biomarkers for this high variability are still unknown. Emerging evidence has shown that circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) and extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) are functionally involved in a number of physiologic and pathologic processes. To test the hypothesis that these extracellular components are a key determinant of severity in COVID-19, we collected 31 serum samples from mild COVID-19 patients at admission in single center. After standard therapy without corticosteroids, 9 of 31 patients became severe COVID-19. We analyzed exRNA profiles from the 31 serums and 10 healthy controls for predicting COVID-19 severity value.
Project description:Genomic DNA from 191 asy1/+ Col x Ler F2 individuals was extracted using CTAB and used to generate sequencing libraries as described (Lawrence et al, 2019 Current Biology). Sequencing data was analysed to identify crossovers using the TIGER pipeline as previously described (Rowan et al, 2015 G3 (Bethesda); Yelina et al, 2015 Genes & Dev; Lawrence et al, 2019 Current Biology).