TGFbi (transforming growth factor-beta-induced) is a secreted protein and is capable of binding to both extracellular matrix (ECM) and cells. It thus acts as a bifunctional molecule enhancing ECM and cell interactions, a lack of which results in dysfunction of many cell types. In this study, we investigated the role of TGFbi in the function and survival of islets. Based on DNA microarray analysis followed by qPCR confirmation, the TGFbi gene showed drastic increases in expression in islets after culture. We demonstrated that recombinant TGFbi could preserve the integrity and enhance the function of cultured islets. Such a beneficial effect was mediated via signalling through FAK. Exogenous TGFbi was capable of sustaining high-level FAK phosphorylation in isolated islets, and FAK knockdown by siRNA in islets resulted in compromised islet function. TGFbi Tg islets showed better integrity and insulin release after in vitro culture. In vivo, b-cell proliferation was detectable in Tg but not wild type pancreata. At age above 12 months, Tg pancreata contained giant islets. Tg mice displayed better glucose tolerance than the controls. Tg islets were more potent in lowering blood glucose when transplanted into syngeneic mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, and these transplanted islets also underwent regeneration. Our results indicate that TGFbi is a vital trophic factor promoting islet survival, function and regeneration. At least some of its beneficial effect was mediated by signalling through FAK.
TGF-beta i promotes islet beta-cell function and regeneration.
Specimen part
View SamplesDeletion of the gene encoding Foxa2, a winged helix transcription factor selectively expressed in respiratory epithelial cells, caused spontaneous pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation and goblet cell metaplasia. Loss of Foxa2 induced the recruitment and activation of myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and Th2 cells in the lung, and was associated with the increased production of T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines and chemokines. mRNA microarray analysis demonstrated that deletion of Foxa2 induced the expression of a number of mRNAs regulating pulmonary dendritic cell activation, Th2 mediated inflammation, and goblet cell differentiation. The spontaneous pulmonary inflammation and goblet cell metaplasia caused by loss of Foxa2 was inhibited by treatment of newborn Foxa2/ mice with monoclonal IL-4Ralpha antibody. Expression of Foxa2 in non-ciliated secretory cells (Clara cells) in vivo inhibited goblet cell differentiation induced by pulmonary allergen exposure. The respiratory epithelium plays a central role in the regulation of Th2-mediated inflammation and innate immunity in the developing lung in a process regulated by Foxa2.
Foxa2 programs Th2 cell-mediated innate immunity in the developing lung.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe compared gene expression differences in Lyl-1 knockout vs wildtype LMPPs
The transcription factor Lyl-1 regulates lymphoid specification and the maintenance of early T lineage progenitors.
Specimen part
View SamplesHepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common pediatric liver tumor, and there are no targeted therapies available for children with HB. We have previously developed a murine model of HB which is driven by coactivation of the oncogenes YAP1 and -catenin (CTNNB1) [Tao J, Calvisi D, Ranganathan S, et al. Gastroenterology, 2014 Sep; 147(3): 690701]. We used the Sleeping Beauty transposase system combined with hydrodynamic tail vein injection to deliver plasmids containing mutant activated forms of YAP1 (YAP S127A) and -catenin (N90 -catenin) to a small number of pericentral hepatocytes. We have shown that these few transformed hepatocytes proliferate and dedifferentiate, eventually forming histologically heterogeneous tumors that resemble various subtypes of human HB (which is also highly heterogeneous), including areas of well-differentiated fetal, crowded fetal, embryonal, and blastemal HB. Our goal was to investigate how coactivation of YAP1 and -catenin drive the dedifferentiation of hepatocytes into hepatoblast-like tumor cells over time, leading to HB tumors. In order to measure changes in gene expression during tumorigenesis in our model, we used an Affymetrix microarray to analyze isolated RNA from wild type FVB mouse livers, mouse HB tumor tissue, and non-tumor liver tissue adjacent to HB tumors.
Hepatocyte-Derived Lipocalin 2 Is a Potential Serum Biomarker Reflecting Tumor Burden in Hepatoblastoma.
Age, Specimen part
View SamplesThe goal of this study is to compare the NGS-derived heart transcriptome profiling (RNA-seq) between Tg(hsp70:dn-xBrg1) and wild-type sibling injured hearts. Overall design: Total heart mRNA profiles of Tg(hsp70:dn-xBrg1) and wild-type sibling hearts after heat-shock daily from 5 to 14 dpa were caried out by using Illumina HiSeq 2500
Chromatin-remodelling factor Brg1 regulates myocardial proliferation and regeneration in zebrafish.
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Novel Foxo1-dependent transcriptional programs control T(reg) cell function.
Specimen part
View SamplesCytosine methylation is an epigenetic mark usually associated with gene repression. Despite a requirement for de novo DNA methylation for differentiation of embryonic stem cells, its role in somatic stem cells is unknown. Using conditional ablation, we show that loss of either, or both, Dnmt3a or Dnmt3b, progressively impedes hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) differentiation during serial in vivo passage. Concomitantly, HSC self-renewal is immensely augmented in absence of either Dnmt3, particularly Dnmt3a. Dnmt3-KO HSCs show upregulation of HSC multipotency genes and downregulation of early differentiation factors, and the differentiated progeny of Dnmt3-KO HSCs exhibit hypomethylation and incomplete repression of HSC-specific genes. HSCs lacking Dnmt3a manifest hyper-methylation of CpG islands and hypo-methylation of genes which are highly correlated with human hematologic malignancies. These data establish that aberrant DNA methylation has direct pathologic consequences for somatic stem cell development, leading to inefficient differentiation and maintenance of a self-renewal program.
Dnmt3a is essential for hematopoietic stem cell differentiation.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesWe used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying cardiac development by HDAC2 and identified distinct classes of up-regulated and down-regulated genes during this process.
Hdac2 regulates the cardiac hypertrophic response by modulating Gsk3 beta activity.
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View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
An integrated approach to dissecting oncogene addiction implicates a Myb-coordinated self-renewal program as essential for leukemia maintenance.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesTo explore oncogene addiction programs in a genetically defined leukemia context we developed an AML mouse model driven by a conditional MLL-AF9 allele together with oncogenic Ras, which enabled us to examine the consequences of MLL-AF9 inhibition in established disease. In order to produce a tightly regulated system that was easy to monitor, we constructed two retroviral vectors containing dsRed-linked MLL-AF9 under control of a tetracycline response element promoter, and KrasG12D or NrasG12D linked to the Tet-off tet-transactivator, which activates TRE expression in a doxycycline repressible manner. Leukemias were generated by retroviral cotransduction of both vectors into hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, which were transplanted into syngeneic mice. Cells harboring both constructs induced aggressive myelomonocytic leukemia. Five independent primary leukemia cell lines were established from bone marrow of terminal mice. Treatment of these lines with doxycycline rapidly turned off MLL-AF9 expression, and induced terminal myeloid differentiation and complete disease remission in vivo.
An integrated approach to dissecting oncogene addiction implicates a Myb-coordinated self-renewal program as essential for leukemia maintenance.
Specimen part, Treatment
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