Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been linked to cancer progression and metastatic propensity. The 4T1 tumor is a clinically relevant model of spontaneous breast cancer metastasis. Here we characterize 4T1-derived cell lines for EMT, in vitro invasiveness and in vivo metastatic ability. Contrary to expectations, the 67NR cells, which form primary tumors but fail to metastasize, express vimentin and N-cadherin, but not E-cadherin. 4T1 cells, however, express E-cadherin, are highly migratory and invasive, and metastasize to multiple sites. The 66cl4 metastatic cells display mixed epithelial and mesenchymal markers, but are less migratory and invasive than 67NR cells. These findings demonstrate that the metastatic ability of breast cancer cells does not correlate with genotypic and phenotypic properties of EMT per se, and suggest that other processes may govern metastatic capability. Gene expression analysis also has not identified differences in EMT markers, but has identified several candidate genes that may influence metastatic ability.
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is not sufficient for spontaneous murine breast cancer metastasis.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesAcute effects caused by the non-genotoxic carcinogen and peroxisome proliferator (PP) diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) in the mouse liver
Gene ontology mapping as an unbiased method for identifying molecular pathways and processes affected by toxicant exposure: application to acute effects caused by the rodent non-genotoxic carcinogen diethylhexylphthalate.
Sex, Specimen part, Compound, Time
View SamplesDecreased mitochondrial mass and function in muscle of diabetic patients is associated with low PGC-1alpha, a transcriptional coactivator of the mitochondrial gene program. To investigate whether reduced PGC-1alpha and oxidative capacity in muscle directly contributes to age-related glucose intolerance, we compared the genetic signatures and metabolic profiles of aging mice lacking muscle PGC-1alpha. Microarray analysis revealed that a significant proportion of PGC-1alpha-dependent changes in gene expression overlapped with age-associated effects, and aging muscle and muscle lacking PGC-1alpha shared gene signatures of impaired electron transport chain activity and TGFbeta signalling.
No associated publication
Specimen part
View SamplesBMP4 is down-regulated in metastatic human and murine mammary tumours. Here we determined the effect of ectopic mouse Bmp4 re-expression on global gene expression patterns in orthotopic primary mammary tumours in syngeneic Balb/c mice.
BMP4 inhibits breast cancer metastasis by blocking myeloid-derived suppressor cell activity.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesCellular stress responses can be activated following functional defects in organelles such as mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. Mitochondrial dysfunction caused by loss of the serine protease HtrA2 leads to a progressive movement disorder in mice and has been linked to parkinsonian neurodegeneration in humans. Here we demonstrate that loss of HtrA2 results in transcriptional up-regulation of nuclear genes characteristic of the integrated stress response, including the transcription factor CHOP, selectively in the brain. We also show that loss of HtrA2 results in the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the mitochondria, defective mitochondrial respiration and enhanced production of reactive oxygen species that contribute to the induction of CHOP expression and to neuronal cell death. CHOP expression is also significantly increased in Parkinsons disease patients brain tissue. We therefore propose that this brain-specific transcriptional response to stress may be important in the advance of neurodegenerative diseases.
No associated publication
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesFumarate hydratase (FH) mutations cause hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC). We have conditionally inactivated the murine ortholog (Fh1) in renal tubular epithelial cells in order to generate an in vivo model of HLRCC. Fh1 knockout mice recapitulates important aspects of HLRCC including the development of renal cysts that overexpress hypoxia inducible factor alpha (Hifa) and Hif-target genes.
No associated publication
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesDown syndrome is the most common form of genetic mental retardation. How Trisomy 21 causes mental retardation remains unclear and its effects on adult neurogenesis have not been addressed. To gain insight into the mechanisms causing mental retardation we used microarrays to investigate gene expression differences between Ts1Cje (a mouse model of Down syndrome) and C57BL/6 littermate control neurospheres. The neurospheres were generated from neural stem cells and progenitors isolated from the lateral walls of the lateral ventricles from adult mice.
Gene network disruptions and neurogenesis defects in the adult Ts1Cje mouse model of Down syndrome.
Sex, Disease
View SamplesAlthough mast cells elicit proinflammatory and type I IFN responses upon VSV infection, in response to L.monocytogenes (L.m) or S. Typhimurium (S.t), such cells elicit a transcriptional program devoid of type I IFN response.
Mast cells elicit proinflammatory but not type I interferon responses upon activation of TLRs by bacteria.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is an arthropod-borne disease present in several countries of Africa and Middle East. It is caused by RVF virus which can infect both humans and animals. In humans, it leads to various manifestations including hepatitis, encephalitis and death, while in domestic animals it usually causes miscarriage in pregnant females and it is often fatal for the newborn. Not all people or animal infected by the virus present the same disease. Some patients exhibit unapparent or moderate febrile reactions, while others develop severe symptoms. This observation suggests that host genetic factors play a role in controlling the outcome of infection. In this work, we compare the response of two different inbred strains of mice, MBT/Pas and BALB/cByJ, to infection with RVF virus. These strains exhibit different profiles of susceptibility to RVF virus infection. Indeed, MBT/Pas mice rapidly develop high viraemia and die soon after infection, while BALB/cByJ mice have a lower viraemia and die later. Interestingly, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) obtained from MBT/Pas foetuses allows higher viral production than BALB/cByJ MEFs.
A new mouse model reveals a critical role for host innate immunity in resistance to Rift Valley fever.
Specimen part
View SamplesTo acquire more information regarding the local immune events during the different phases of S. aureus infection, gene profiling using microarray technology was used to identify host genes whose expression is substantively altered in the kidneys during the acute (T2) and persistent phase of infection (T28). Genes associated with the distinct transcript profiles were identified by comparing the relative abundance of transcripts at 2 days (acute) and 28 days (persistent) of infection to their abundance in the kidneys of uninfected control animals (CTL).
The dynamics of T cells during persistent Staphylococcus aureus infection: from antigen-reactivity to in vivo anergy.
Specimen part
View Samples