Project description:We identified a family with a novel chromosome 13 microdeletion associated with a syndromic form of corneal opacification. In order to determine which genes in/around the microdeletion were contributing to the constellation of phenotypes, a corneal epithelial sample was obtained during a superficial keratectomy of the proband's 9-year-old brother.
Project description:Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) accounts for 5-8% of all congenital heart defects. CoA can be detected in up to 20% of patients with Ullrich-Turner syndrome (UTS), in which a part or all of one of the X chromosomes is absent. The etiology of non-syndromic CoA is poorly understood. In the present work, we test the hypothesis that rare copy number variation (CNV) especially on the gonosomes, contribute to the etiology of non-syndromic CoA. We performed high-resolution genome-wide CNV analysis using the Affymetrix SNP 6.0 microarray platform for 13 individuals from 3 families with familial CoA.
Project description:Corneal endothelium is composed of a monolayer of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) in the inner layer of cornea, which is essential for maintaining corneal transparency. In order to better characterize CECs in different developmental stages, we profiled mRNA transcriptomes in human fetal and adult corneal endothelium with the goal to identify novel molecular markers in these cells. By comparing CECs with 12 other types of tissues, we identified 245 and 284 signature genes that are highly expressed in fetal and adult CECs, respectively. Functionally, these genes are characteristic of CECs, involving in cell adhesion, proteoglycan and sulfur metabolic process. Importantly, several of these genes are disease target genes in hereditary corneal dystrophies, consistent with their functional significance in CEC physiology. By comparing fetal and adult CECs, we also identified stage-specific markers associated with CEC maturation, such as the activation of the Wnt pathway genes in fetal, but not in adult CECs. Lastly, by immunohistochemistry of ocular tissues, we further confirmed the unique protein expression patterns for Wnt5a, S100A4, S100A6, and IER3, the four novel markers for either fetal or adult CECs. The identification of a new panel of molecular markers for fetal and mature CECs would be very useful for characterizing and quality controlling CECs through ex vivo expansion or stem cell differentiation for cell replacement therapy. mRNA profile between adult and fetal CECs by high-throughput sequencing
Project description:BACKGROUND:Interstitial 4q deletions are rare chromosomal alterations. Most of the previously reported deletions involving the 4q13.3 region are large chromosomal alterations with a common loss of band 4q21 resulting in marked growth restriction, severe intellectual disability, and absent or severely delayed speech. A microdeletion of 4q13.3 hasn't been previously reported. We discuss the involvement of genes and the observed phenotype, comparing it with that of previously reported patients. CASE PRESENTATION:We report on a 4q13.3 microdeletion detected in three affected individuals of a Lithuanian family. The clinical features of two affected children and their affected mother are very similar and include short stature, congenital heart defect, skeletal anomalies, minor facial anomalies, delayed puberty, and intellectual disability. Whole genome SNP microarray analysis of one child revealed an interstitial 4q13.3 microdeletion, 1.56?Mb in size. FISH analysis confirmed the deletion in the proband and identified the same deletion in her affected sib and mother, while it was not detected in a healthy sib. Deletion includes ADAMTS3, ANKRD17, COX18, GC, and NPFFR2 protein-coding genes. CONCLUSIONS:Our findings suggest that 4q13.3 microdeletion is a cause of a recognizable phenotype of three affected individuals. The detected microdeletion is the smallest interstitial deletion in 4q13. We highlight ADAMTS3, ANKRD17 and RNU4ATAC9P as candidate genes for intellectual disability, growth retardation and congenital heart defect.
Project description:Corneal endothelium is composed of a monolayer of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) in the inner layer of cornea, which is essential for maintaining corneal transparency. In order to better characterize CECs in different developmental stages, we profiled mRNA transcriptomes in human fetal and adult corneal endothelium with the goal to identify novel molecular markers in these cells. By comparing CECs with 12 other types of tissues, we identified 245 and 284 signature genes that are highly expressed in fetal and adult CECs, respectively. Functionally, these genes are characteristic of CECs, involving in cell adhesion, proteoglycan and sulfur metabolic process. Importantly, several of these genes are disease target genes in hereditary corneal dystrophies, consistent with their functional significance in CEC physiology. By comparing fetal and adult CECs, we also identified stage-specific markers associated with CEC maturation, such as the activation of the Wnt pathway genes in fetal, but not in adult CECs. Lastly, by immunohistochemistry of ocular tissues, we further confirmed the unique protein expression patterns for Wnt5a, S100A4, S100A6, and IER3, the four novel markers for either fetal or adult CECs. The identification of a new panel of molecular markers for fetal and mature CECs would be very useful for characterizing and quality controlling CECs through ex vivo expansion or stem cell differentiation for cell replacement therapy.
Project description:Transparent avascular cornea providing two third refraction to the eye. Restoration of corneal transparency and clear vision in a traumatic eye involves the action of many cytokines and signaling pathways. Out of several factors, stromal keratocytes/fibroblasts (CSFs) play a central role in corneal repair and wound healing. Post trauma, keratocytes/fibroblasts produce myofibroblasts to facilitate wound repair by synthesizing and secreting large extracellular matrix components, collagens, and alpha-smooth muscle actin stress fibers. This study aimed to perform RNASeq data analysis and pathway enrichments to gain a better understanding of gene regulation in corneal fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in corneal wound repair.
Project description:Dr. Panjwani's laboratory is focusing on the mechanism by which galectins-3 and 7 mediate corneal epithelial cell migration. We are currently performing studies to: (i) identify and characterize the corneal epithelial cell surface and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules which serve as counterreceptors of galectin-3 and -7, to establish whether the lectins modulate corneal epithelial cell migration by binding to well known integrins, growth factor receptors, and/or ECM molecules and (ii) determine whether galectin-3 mediates corneal epithelial cell migration indirectly by modulating the expression of key adhesion and/or signal transduction molecules by using small interfering RNA, cDNA microarrays and glycogene arrays. We have prepared three independent preparations of total RNA of corneal epithelial cells from WT mice (total six samples) for analysis of glycogene expression. Samples are Normal Cornea (Left eye) and Laser ablation + 16-18 hours healing (right eye)
Project description:Background: Deletions in the 15q13.3 region are associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism and schizophrenia. Association studies in humans and functional studies in mice have suggested that several genes within the 15q13.3 microdeletion may play a role in neuronal dysfunction, but the intermediate molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Methods: Induced pluripotent stem cells from 3 patients with the 15q13.3 microdeletion and 3 sex-matched controls were generated and converted into induced neurons. We analyzed the genome-wide effects of the 15q13.3 microdeletion on gene expression, DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility, and sensitivity to cisplatin-induced DNA damage. We also evaluated gene expression changes in induced neurons containing CRISPR knockouts of single 15q13.3 microdeletion genes. Results: In both cell types, gene copy number change within the 15q13.3 microdeletion was accompanied by significantly decreased gene expression and no compensatory changes in DNA methylation or chromatin accessibility, supporting the model that haploinsufficiency of genes within the deleted region drives the disorder. Further, we observed global effects of the microdeletion on the transcriptome and epigenome, with disruptions in several neuropsychiatric disorder-associated pathways, such as Wnt signaling, ribosome biogenesis, DNA binding, and cell adhesion. Conclusions: Our multi-omics analyses of the 15q13.3 microdeletion revealed downstream effects in pathways previously associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. This molecular systems analysis can also be applied to other brain relevant chromosomal aberrations to further our etiological understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Project description:MicroRNA profile comparison of the corneal endothelium of young and old mice: implications for senescence of the corneal endothelium We collected the corneal endothelia from 30 mice aged 10-13 weeks and the corneal endothelia from 30 mice aged 2 years. The samples were pooled into six groups (y1, y2, y3 and s1, s2, s3). Each group comprised corneal endothelia from ten mice, and these six groups were used for a genome-wide microRNA microarray study.