Project description:We aim to analyze the transcriptional profiles of keratinocytes near dermal-epidemal junction during HSV-2 reactivation in humans, including lesion, post healed (4 and 8 weeks post healing) and contra-lateral control biopsies. Since keratinocytes are the main target cells for HSV-2 infection, the goal is to define the intrinsic immunity of keratinocytes during HSV-2 reactivation in humans.
Project description:Deficiency in the protein-tyrosine phosphatase SHP1/PTPN6 is linked with hematological malignancies and chronic inflammatory diseases. Here we exploited the embryonic and larval stages of zebrafish as an animal model to study ptpn6 function in the sole context of innate immunity. We show that ptpn6 knockdown induces a spontaneous inflammation-associated phenotype at the late larval stage, which was microbe-independent and enhanced instead of suppressed by glucocorticoids. When challenged with Salmonella typhimurium or Mycobacterium marinum at earlier stages of development, the innate immune system was hyperactivated to a contra-productive level that impaired the control of these pathogenic bacteria. These results demonstrate the crucial regulatory function of ptpn6 in preventing host-detrimental effects of inflammation by imposing a tight control over the level of innate immune response activation.
Project description:Website for easy exploration of the data: https://rna-seq-browser.herokuapp.com/# For the first time, we here characterize the transcriptional signature of satellite glial cells (SGCs) in a nerve injury-paradigm by isolating SGCs from mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) after peripheral nerve injury followed by next generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). We found that SGCs regulate their gene expression differently at 3 days and 14 days after peripheral nerve injury suggesting that they change their function over time. At both time points, we found downregulation of several genes linked to cholesterol. After 14 days we further detect regulation of genes linked to the immune system (MHC protein complex and leukocyte migration). The SGC RNA-seq data is accompanied by RNA-seq of purified nociceptors from injured (partial sciatic nerve ligation) or sham (ipsi after sham operation or contra after partial sciatic nerve ligation) L3-L5 DRGs.
Project description:CREB-Regulated Transcription Co-activator (CRTC) regulates metabolism in liver where activation by calcineurin regulates gluconeogenic genes. CaN also has roles in pathological cardiac hypertrophy, however cardiac roles for CRTC have not been identified. In Drosophila, CRTC null mutants exhibit severe cardiac restriction, myofibrillar disorganization, cardiac fibrosis, and tachycardia. Cardiac-specific knockdown (KD) of CRTC mimicked the heart defects of CRTC mutants and cardiac-overexpression (OE) of CRTC or calcineurin caused hypertrophy that was reduced in CRTC mutants, suggesting CRTC mediates calcineurin’s effects. RNAseq of CRTC KD or OE hearts revealed contra-regulated genes involved in glucose, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism. Genes with conserved CREB binding sites included the fly ortholog of Sarcalumenin, a Ca2+-binding protein. Cardiac KD of this gene recapitulated CRTC KD restriction and fibrotic phenotypes. KD in zebrafish also caused restriction, indicating a conserved role in cardiomyocyte maintenance, and suggesting CaN-CRTC-Sarcalumenin signaling represents a novel pathway underlying cardiac hypertrophy.
Project description:The cytotoxic effects of thymidylate synthase (TYMS) inhibitors, such as the multitarget antifolate pemetrexed (PMX), are not fully understood. Recent studies suggest that the combination of PMX with histone deacetylase inhibitors may be effective in the treatment of non- small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To investigate this further, A549 NSCLC cells were exposed to various combinations of PMX and the HDAC inhibitor MS275 (entinostat) and Vorinostat (SAHA) and monitored for cell survival, cell cycle alterations and genotoxic markers. MS275 increased PMX sensitivity in A549 cells when added after preincubation with PMX. Both HeLa (p53 negative) and A549 (p53-naïve) exhibited robust activation of γH2AX upon treatment with the combination. Interestingly, CRISPR-Cas9 UNG knockout did not affect γH2AX activation or sensitivity to PMX. Proteomic analysis revealed that MS275 altered expression of known PMX targets, several proteins involved in pyrimidine metabolism, and several DNA repair proteins (RNaseH2, TOP1, RAD51C, PCNA). Contra to the prevailing model of antifolate toxicity mediated by uracil excision and repeated futile repair cycles caused by reincorporation of uracil, we propose that ribonucleotide incorporation in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA is a major contributor to cytotoxicity antifolates such as PMX, and likely also for fluorinated pyrimidine analogs. The DNA lesions induced by these agents and how their processing can be modulated by HDAC inhibition to potentiate cytotoxicity, warrants further investigation in clinical models.