Tumor epithelial cells develop within a microenvironment consisting of extracellular matrix, growth factors, and cytokines produced by non-epithelial stromal cells. In response to paracrine signals from tumor epithelia, stromal cells modify the microenvironment to promote tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we identify interleukin (IL)-33 as an epithelial cell-derived regulator of stromal cell activation and mediator of intestinal polyposis. IL-33 expression was elevated in the tumors and serum of colorectal cancer patients and induced in the adenomatous polyps of ApcMin/+ mutant mice. Genetic and antibody suppression of IL-33 signaling in ApcMin/+ mice inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis, and suppressed angiogenesis in polyps, which reduced both tumor number and size. In ApcMin/+ polyps, IL-33 expression localized to tumor epithelial cells and expression of the IL-33 receptor, IL1RL1, associated with two stromal cell types, namely subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs) and mast cells, whose activation was previously associated with polyposis. In vitro IL-33 stimulation of human SEMFs induced the expression of extracellular matrix components and growth factors associated with intestinal tumor progression. IL-33 deficiency reduced mast cell accumulation in ApcMin/+ polyps and expression of mast cell-derived proteases and cytokines known to promote polyposis. Together, our results suggest that IL-33 is a tumor epithelial cell-derived paracrine signal that promotes polyposis through the coordinated activation of stromal cells and the formation of a reactive stroma microenvironment. Overall design: Six T-75 flasks of CCD-18Co cells were grown to 80% confluency; three were treated with rhIL-33, three were given vehicle control; cells were trypsinized and split in two--half of each flask used for sequencing and half for qPCR validation post-sequencing
IL-33 activates tumor stroma to promote intestinal polyposis.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesAbout 10% of all NSCLC patients respond to gefitnib treatment and all of these patients will acquire resistance to the EGFR TKI.
Rapidly acquired resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in NSCLC cell lines through de-repression of FGFR2 and FGFR3 expression.
Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesAlternative RNA splicing analysis in Hep3B cell cultured under 21% (N1,3,5) or 1.2% (H2,4,6) oxygen
Hypoxia regulates alternative splicing of HIF and non-HIF target genes.
Cell line
View SamplesAnalysis of kidneys from 12 week BPH/2J hypertensive and age matched normotensive BPN/3J controls - males and females. The results provide insights into the genes that are involved in hypertension in both males and females, as well as highlight mechanisms that underlye sex differences in hypertension.
Identification of genes with altered expression in male and female Schlager hypertensive mice.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesA conserved molecular pathway has emerged controlling endoderm formation in Xenopus zebrafish and mice. Key genes in this pathway include Nodal ligands and transcription factors of the Mix-like paired homeodomain class, Gata4-6 zinc finger factors and Sox17 HMG domain proteins. While a linear epistatic pathway has been proposed, the precise hierarchical relationships between these factors and their downstream targets are largely unresolved. Here we used a combination of microarray analysis and loss-of-function experiments to examine the global regulatory network controlling Xenopus endoderm formation. We identified over 300 transcripts enriched in the gastrula endoderm, including most of the known endoderm regulators as well as over a hundred uncharacterized genes. Surprisingly only 10% of the endoderm transcriptome is regulated as predicted by the current linear model. We find that Nodals, Mixer and Sox17 have both shared and distinct sets of downstream targets and that a number of unexpected autoregulatory loops exist between Sox17 and Gata4-6, Sox17 and Bix1, 2, 4 and between Sox17 and Xnr4. We find that Mixer does not function primarily via Sox17 as previously proposed. This data provides a new insight into the complexity of endoderm formation and will serve as valuable resource for establishing a complete endoderm gene regulatory network.
Global analysis of the transcriptional network controlling Xenopus endoderm formation.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe have previously shown that some gefitinib insensitive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines exhibit dominant autocrine fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling. Herein, we deployed a whole genome loss-of-function screen to identify genes whose knockdown potentiated the inhibitory effect of the FGFR inhibitor, AZ12908010, in HNSCC cell lines. Three HNSCC cell lines expressing a genome-wide shRNA library were treated with AZ8010 and the abundance of shRNA sequences was assessed by deep sequencing. Synthetic lethal hits were validated through use of specific inhibitors and independent shRNAs. We found that multiple alternate receptors provided protection from FGFR inhibition, including the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ERBB2) and hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET). We showed that specific knockdown of either ERBB2 or MET in combination with FGFR inhibition led to increased inhibition of growth relative to FGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment alone. These results were confirmed using specific small molecule inhibitors of either ERBB family members or MET. Moreover, the combination of FGFR, MET and ERBB family inhibitors showed the largest inhibition of growth as compared to the double combinations. These results reveal a role for alternate RTKs in maintaining pro-growth and survival signaling in HNSCC cells in the setting of FGFR inhibition. Thus, improved therapies for HNSCC patients could involve rationally designed combinations of TKIs targeting FGFR, ERBB family members and MET. Overall design: Using a genome-wide shRNA library in combination with deep sequencing, we screened for gene targets that were synthetic lethal with the FGFR inhibitor, AZ12908010 in HNSCC cells. Three HNSCC cell lines were screened in triplicate and the abundance of shRNA sequences in drug treated cells was compared to control treated cells.
A receptor tyrosine kinase network composed of fibroblast growth factor receptors, epidermal growth factor receptor, v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2, and hepatocyte growth factor receptor drives growth and survival of head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesWe sought to detect predictive markers related to a Src kinase inhibitor (saracatinib) sensitivity in ovarian cancer. Cell proliferation assays assigned 18 ovarian cancer cell lines to sensitive or resistant to this drug.
PTTG1 Levels Are Predictive of Saracatinib Sensitivity in Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines.
Specimen part
View SamplesDespite initial and often dramatic responses of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-addicted lung tumors to the EGFR-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), gefitinib and erlotinib, nearly all develop resistance and relapse. To explore novel mechanisms mediating acquired resistance, we employed non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines bearing activating mutations in EGFR and rendered them resistant to EGFR-specific TKIs through chronic adaptation in tissue culture. In addition to previously observed resistance mechanisms including EGFR-T790M ''gate-keeper'' mutations and MET amplification, a subset of the seven chronically adapted NSCLC cell lines including HCC4006, HCC2279 and H1650 cells exhibited marked induction of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2 and FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) mRNA and protein. Also, adaptation to EGFR-specific TKIs was accompanied by an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) as assessed by changes in CDH1, VIM, ZEB1 and ZEB2 expression and altered growth properties in Matrigel. In adapted cell lines exhibiting increased FGF2 and FGFR1 expression, measures of growth and signaling, but not EMT, were blocked by FGFR-specific TKIs, an FGF-ligand trap and FGFR1 silencing with RNAi. In parental HCC4006 cells, cell growth was strongly inhibited by gefitinib, although drug-resistant clones progress within 10 days. Combined treatment with gefitinib and AZD4547, an FGFR-specific TKI, prevented the outgrowth of drug-resistant clones. Thus, induction of FGF2 and FGFR1 following chronic adaptation to EGFR-specific TKIs provides a novel autocrine receptor tyrosine kinase-driven bypass pathway in a subset of lung cancer cell lines that are initially sensitive to EGFR-specific TKIs. The findings support FGFR-specific TKIs as potentially valuable additions to existing targeted therapeutic strategies with EGFR-specific TKIs to prevent or delay acquired resistance in EGFR-driven NSCLC. Overall design: Examination of mRNA levels in DMSO and gefitinib-resistant cultures of HCC4006 and HCC827. Each group has two replicates.
A mechanism of resistance to gefitinib mediated by cellular reprogramming and the acquisition of an FGF2-FGFR1 autocrine growth loop.
Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesThe targeting of oncogenic ‘driver’ kinases with small molecule inhibitors has proven to be a highly effective therapeutic strategy in selected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, acquired resistance to targeted therapies invariably arises and is a major limitation to patient care. ROS1 fusion proteins are a recently described class of oncogenic driver, and NSCLC patients that express these fusions generally respond well to ROS1-targeted therapy. In this study, we sought to determine mechanisms of acquired resistance to ROS1 inhibition. To accomplish this, we generated a ROS1 inhibition-resistant derivative of the initially sensitive NSCLC cell line HCC78.
Resistance to ROS1 inhibition mediated by EGFR pathway activation in non-small cell lung cancer.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesA new method for amplification and labeling of RNA is assessed that permits gene expression microarray analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue (i.e. FFPET) samples.
A novel method of amplification of FFPET-derived RNA enables accurate disease classification with microarrays.
Specimen part, Treatment
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