L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (levodopa) treatment is the major pharmacotherapy for Parkinson's disease. However, almost all patients receiving levodopa eventually develop debilitating involuntary movements (dyskinesia). While it is known that striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) are involved in the genesis of this movement disorder, the molecular basis of dyskinesia is not understood. In this study, we identify distinct cell-type-specific gene expression changes that occur in sub-classes of SPNs upon induction of a parkinsonian lesion followed by chronic levodopa treatment. We identify several hundred genes whose expression is correlated with levodopa dose, many of which are under the control of AP-1 and ERK signaling. In spite of homeostatic adaptations involving several signaling modulators, AP-1-dependent gene expression remains highly dysregulated in direct pathway SPNs (dSPNs) upon chronic levodopa treatment. We also discuss which molecular pathways are most likely to dampen abnormal dopaminoceptive signaling in spiny projection neurons, hence providing potential targets for antidyskinetic treatments in Parkinson's disease.
Molecular adaptations of striatal spiny projection neurons during levodopa-induced dyskinesia.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesThe Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) is a dual inhibitor of the Raf kinase and the G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2). GRK2 is an indispensable kinase, which exerts a major role in the pathogenesis of heart failure, and inhibition of GRK2 is cardioprotective in experimental models of heart failure. To investigate the cardiac function of RKIP as GRK2 inhibitor, we generated transgenic mice with myocardium-specific expression of RKIP under control of the alpha-MHC promoter. For comparison, mice with myocardium-specific expression of a GRK-specific peptide inhibitor (GRK-Inh) were also generated. Two different transgenic mouse models were established. Transgenic RKIP mice and transgenic GRK-Inh mice were born at Mendelian frequencey and grew to adulthood normally.
Inhibition of G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) triggers the growth-promoting mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesThe fidelity of sound transmission by cochlear implants in patients with sensorineural hearing loss could be greatly improved by increasing the number of frequency channels. This could be achieved by stimulating and guiding neurite outgrowth to reduce the distance between the implant's electrodes and the remnants of the spiral ganglion neurons. However, little is known about signaling pathways, besides those of neurotrophic factors, that are operational in the adult spiral ganglion. To systematically identify neuronal receptors for guidance cues in the adult cochlea, we conducted a genome-wide cDNA microarray screen with two-month-old CBA/CaJ mice. A meta-analysis of our data and those from older mice in two other studies revealed the presence of neuronal transmembrane receptors that represent all four established guidance pathwaysephrin, netrin, semaphorin, and slitin the mature cochlea as late as 15 months. In addition, we observed the expression of all known receptors for the Wnt morphogens, whose neuronal guidance function has only recently been recognized. In situ hybridizations located the mRNAs of the Wnt receptors frizzled 1, 4, 6, 9, and 10 specifically in adult spiral ganglion neurons. Finally, frizzled 9 protein was found in the growth cones of adult spiral ganglion neurons that were regenerating neurites in culture. We conclude from our results that adult spiral ganglion neurons are poised to respond to neurite damage, owing to the constitutive expression of a large and diverse collection of guidance receptors. Wnt signaling, in particular, emerges as a candidate pathway for guiding neurite outgrowth towards a cochlear implant after sensorineural hearing loss.
Expression of Wnt receptors in adult spiral ganglion neurons: frizzled 9 localization at growth cones of regenerating neurites.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesToxin A (TcdA) and Toxin B (TcdB), of the pathogen Clostridium difficile, are virulence factors that cause gross pathologic changes (e.g. inflammation, secretion, and diarrhea) in the infected host, yet the molecular and cellular pathways leading to observed host responses are poorly understood. To address this gap, TcdA and/or TcdB were injected into the ceca of mice and the genome-wide transcriptional response of epithelial layer cells was examined. Bioinformatic analysis of gene expression identified sets of cooperatively expressed genes. Further analysis of inflammation associated genes revealed dynamic chemokine responses.
In vivo physiological and transcriptional profiling reveals host responses to Clostridium difficile toxin A and toxin B.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesFull title: Prepubertal Human Spermatogonia and Mouse Gonocytes Share Conserved Gene Expression of Germline Stem Cell Regulatory Molecules
Prepubertal human spermatogonia and mouse gonocytes share conserved gene expression of germline stem cell regulatory molecules.
Age
View SamplesDiabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are one of the major complications in type II diabetes patients and can result in amputation and morbidity. Although multiple approaches are used clinically to help wound closure, many patients still lack adequate treatment. Here we show that IL-20 subfamily cytokines are upregulated during normal wound healing. While there is a redundant role for each individual cytokine in this subfamily in wound healing, mice deficient in IL-22R, the common receptor chain for IL-20, IL-22, and IL-24, display a significant delay in wound healing. Furthermore, IL-20, IL-22 and IL-24 are all able to promote wound healing in type II diabetic db/db mice. When compared to other growth factors such as VEGF and PDGF that accelerate wound healing in this model, IL-22 uniquely induced genes involved in reepithelialization, tissue remodeling and innate host defense mechanisms from wounded skin. Interestingly, IL-22 treatment showed superior efficacy compared to PDGF or VEGF in an infectious diabetic wound model. Taken together, our data suggest that IL-20 subfamily cytokines, particularly IL-20, IL-22, and IL-24, might provide therapeutic benefit for patients with DFU.
IL-22R Ligands IL-20, IL-22, and IL-24 Promote Wound Healing in Diabetic db/db Mice.
Treatment, Time
View SamplesWe compared Agilent custom made expression microarrays with Illumina deep sequencing for RNA analysis of zebrafish embryos 5 days post fertilization, showing as expected a high degree of correlation of expression of a common set of 15,927 genes for untreated fish. The transcriptomes were also compared for fish injected in the yolk with Mycobacterium marinum Overall design: This RNA deep sequencing study was designed to determine the gene expression profile of zebrafish embryos 5 days post fertilization. We also have compared expression with embryos that were injected with Mycobacterium marinum in the yolk at 2 hours post fertilization. After injections embryos were transferred into fresh egg water and incubated at 28°C. 150 embryos of mock-injected embryos or 200 embryos injected with 12 CFU bacteria were snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and total RNA was isolated using TRIZOL reagent.
Analysis of RNAseq datasets from a comparative infectious disease zebrafish model using GeneTiles bioinformatics.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesActivated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling appears to be an obligate event in the development of cancer. The highly related members of the mammalian FoxO transcription factor family, FoxO1, FoxO3, and FoxO4, represent one of several effector arms of PI3K-AKT signaling, prompting genetic analysis of the role of FoxOs in the neoplastic phenotypes linked to PI3K-AKT activation. While germline or somatic deletion of up to five FoxO alleles produced remarkably modest neoplastic phenotypes, broad somatic deletion of all FoxOs engendered a progressive cancer-prone condition characterized by thymic lymphomas and hemangiomas, demonstrating that the mammalian FoxOs are indeed bona fide tumor suppressors. Transcriptome and promoter analyses of differentially affected endothelium identified direct FoxO targets and revealed that FoxO regulation of these targets in vivo is highly context-specific, even in the same cell type. Functional studies validated Sprouty2 and PBX1, among others, as FoxO-regulated mediators of endothelial cell morphogenesis and vascular homeostasis.
FoxOs are lineage-restricted redundant tumor suppressors and regulate endothelial cell homeostasis.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe aimed to identify genes that are regulated by FGFR1 in brown adipose tissues of adult male ob/ob mice by injecting 1 mg/kg anti-FGFR1 agonistic antibody.
Amelioration of type 2 diabetes by antibody-mediated activation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesThe gene expression of bone marrow cells of mice enriched for
Gremlin 1 identifies a skeletal stem cell with bone, cartilage, and reticular stromal potential.
Sex, Specimen part
View Samples