Besides symptoms caused by central nervous system (CNS) lesions, the majority of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) also exhibit gastrointestinal dysfunction that has frequently been noted, but was not directly linked to the autoimmune etiology of the disease.We studied the enteric nervous system (ENS) in a murine model of MS by histology and electron microscopy. Serum IgG against enteric neurons and enteroglia was measured by ELISA and binding to the ENS was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Target antigens were identified by mass spectrometry. Gastrointestinal dysfunction was determined by measuring dye transit time. RNA expression profiling was conducted with small intestines of MP4-immunized and control-immunized mice. Data from the mouse model were confirmed in MS patients by immunohistochemistry of the ENS in bowel resectates. In addition, ELISA was performed on plasma samples to detect antibodies against four specific target antigens as identified in the mouse model. ENS degeneration was evident already before the onset of clinical disease in the mouse model. Pathology was predominantly antibody-mediated and caused a significant decrease in gastrointestinal transit, which was associated with severe gliosis of the ENS. Unlike the dense infiltrates that developed in the perivascular compartments of the CNS of MP4-immunized mice, the infiltrates in the ENS consisted of single cells scattered throughout the tissue. RNA expression profiling could support these results, as the expression of inflammatory markers in the small intestine was similar between MP4-immunized and HEL-immunized mice. We identified four specific target antigens derived from enteric neurons and/or enteroglia. Antibodies against all four target antigens were present in MS patients. MS patients also showed gliosis and signs of ENS degeneration in the small intestine. For the first time, this study establishes a pathomechanistic link between the well-established autoimmune attack on the CNS and the ENS in MS. The presence of ENS pathology prior to CNS degeneration introduces entirely novel ways to explain MS etiology and immunopathogenesis.
The enteric nervous system is a potential autoimmune target in multiple sclerosis.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe individually examined the ability of human ARGFX, DPRX, LEUTX, and TPRX1 to regulate gene expression by ectopically expressing these proteins in fibroblasts. Overall design: Each gene along with an empty control vector were transfected individually to drive ectopic expression in human dermal fibroblasts, in triplicate.
Evolutionary origin and functional divergence of totipotent cell homeobox genes in eutherian mammals.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesWhile blood transcriptional profiling has improved diagnosis and understanding of disease pathogenesis of adult tuberculosis (TB), no studies applying gene expression profiling of children with TB have been described so far. In this study, we have compared whole blood gene expression in childhood TB patients, as well as in healthy latently infected (LTBI) and uninfected (HC) children in a cohort of Warao Amerindians in the Delta Amacuro in Venezuela. We identified a 116-gene signature set by means of random forest analysis that showed an average prediction error of 11% for TB vs. LTBI and for TB vs. LTBI vs. HC in our dataset. Furthermore, a minimal set of only 9 genes showed a significant predictive value for all previously published adult studies using whole blood gene expression, with average prediction errors between 17% and 23%. Additionally, a minimal gene set of 42 genes with a comparable predictive value to the 116-gene set in both our dataset and the previously published literature cohorts for the comparsion of TB vs. LTBI vs. HC was identified. In order to identify a robust representative gene set that would hold stand among different ethnic populations, we selected ten genes that were highly discriminative between TB, LTBI and HC in all literature datasets as well as in our dataset. Functional annotation of these ten genes highlights a possible role for genes involved in calcium signaling and calcium metabolism as biomarkers for active TB. These ten genes were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in an additional cohort of 54 Warao Amerindian children with LTBI, HC and non-TB pneumonia. Decision tree analysis indicated that five of the ten genes were sufficient to diagnose 78% of the TB cases correctly with 100% specificity. We conclude that our data justify the further exploration of our signature set as biomarkers to diagnose childhood TB. Furthermore, as the identification of different biomarkers in ethnically distinct cohorts is apparent, it is important to cross-validate newly identified markers in all available cohorts.
A predictive signature gene set for discriminating active from latent tuberculosis in Warao Amerindian children.
Sex, Age
View SamplesLRF, which is encoded by the ZBTB7A gene and formerly known as POKEMON (POK erythroid myeloid ontogenic factor), was originally identified as a PLZF (promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger) homologue interacting with BCL6 (B-cell lymphoma 6). LRF is a transcription factor that is broadly expressed in hematopoietic lineage cells, but its expression is particularly high in erythroblasts and germinal center (GC) B-cells. The goal of this study is to assess the effect of LRF loss on the LT-HSC transcriptome. Nine days after injection of adult mice with polyinosinic polycytidylic acid (pIpc) to activate Cre, total RNAs were isolated from double-sorted LT-HSCs from LRF Flox/+ Mx1-Cre+ and LRF Flox/Flox Mx1-Cre+ mice and processed for microarray analysis.
LRF-mediated Dll4 repression in erythroblasts is necessary for hematopoietic stem cell maintenance.
Age, Specimen part, Time
View SamplesB cells are indispensable for humoral immunity, as they ultimately give rise to antibody-secreting plasma cells. During T cell-dependent antibody responses, naive B cells form germinal centers (GCs), a distinct histologic structure found in secondary lymphoid organs. Naive B cells become activated upon interaction with T cells and antigen presenting cells, and begin to rapidly proliferate and form the characteristic GC structure.
The LRF transcription factor regulates mature B cell development and the germinal center response in mice.
Age, Specimen part
View SamplesWe previously showed that severe liver diseases are characterized by expansion of liver progenitor cells (LPC), which correlates with disease severity. However, the origin and role of LPC in liver physiology and in the hepatic response to injury remains a contentious topic. We have now used genetic lineage tracing of Hnf1-expressing biliary duct cells to assess their contribution to LPC expansion and hepatocyte generation during normal liver homeostasis, and following different types of liver injury. We found that ductular reaction cells in human cirrhotic livers express HNF1. However, HNF1 expression was not present in newly generated EpCAM-positive hepatocytes. Using a tamoxifen-inducible Hnf1CreER/R26RYFP/LacZ mouse, we show that there is no contribution of the biliary epithelium to hepatocyte turnover during liver homeostasis in healthy mice. Moreover, after loss of liver mass, Hnf1+ LPC did not contribute to hepatocyte regeneration. We also assessed the contribution of Hnf1+ cells following acute and repeated liver injury. All animal models showed expansion of LPC, as assessed by immunostaining and gene expression profile of sorted YFP-positive cells. A contribution of Hnf1+ LPC to hepatocyte generation was not detected in animal models of liver injury with preserved hepatocyte regenerative potential such as acute acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride injury, or chronic diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-collidin (DDC)-diet. However, in mice fed with choline-deficient ethionine-supplemented (CDE)-diet, which causes profound hepatocyte damage and arrest, a small number of hepatocytes were derived from Hnf1+ cells. Conclusion: Hnf1+ cells do not participate in hepatocyte turnover in the healthy liver or during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. After liver injury, LPC arise from the biliary duct epithelium, which gives rise to a limited number of hepatocytes only when hepatocyte regeneration is compromised.
The biliary epithelium gives rise to liver progenitor cells.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesVariant FhlA133 (Q11H, L14V, Y177F, K245R, M288K, and I342F) had eight- fold higher hydrogen production than FhlA wild-type under 30 min of anaerobic incubation in modified-complex 20 mM formate at 37C. The mechanism by which the FhlA133 mutations increase hydrogen production is by increasing the transcription of all of the genes activated by the native FhlA (FHL complex).
Protein engineering of the transcriptional activator FhlA To enhance hydrogen production in Escherichia coli.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesTocopherols (vitamin E) are lipid-soluble antioxidants produced by all plants and algae, and many cyanobacteria, yet their functions in these photosynthetic organisms are still not fully understood. We have previously reported that the vitamin E deficient 2 (vte2) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana is sensitive to low temperature (LT) due to impaired transfer cell wall (TCW) development and photoassimilate export, associated with massive callose deposition in transfer cells of the phloem. To further understand the roles of tocopherols in LT induced TCW development we compared the global transcript profiles of vte2 and wild type leaves during LT treatment.
Role of callose synthases in transfer cell wall development in tocopherol deficient Arabidopsis mutants.
Specimen part
View SamplesCD74, a Type II membrane glycoprotein and MHC class II chaperone (Ii), is normally expressed by cells associated with the immune system. CD74 also forms heterodimers with CD44 to generate receptors to macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a proinflammatory cytokine. Following targeted Cre-mediated deletion of Ikk in IkkDeltaHep mice (a strain highly susceptible to chemically-induced hepatotoxicity and hepatocarcinogenesis), CD74 is abundantly expressed by hepatocytes throughout liver acini (as detected by specific Western blots and immunohistochemical stains); it is not observed in either control IkkF/F hepatocytes or embryonic fibroblasts from Ikk-/- mice. Constitutive CD74 expression in IkkDeltaHep hepatocytes is also accompanied by significantly augmented expression of CD44 and genes associated with antigen processing and host defense. These observations suggest that IkkDeltaHep hepatocytes might directly respond to MIF signaling, accounting partly for the enhanced susceptibility of IkkDeltaHep mice to hepatotoxins and hepatocarcinogens, and also might exhibit unusual immunological properties including antigen presentation.
Targeted deletion of hepatocyte Ikkbeta confers growth advantages.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe Escherichia coli quorum-sensing regulator, SdiA, belongs to the LuxR family of transcriptional regulators and is responsible for detecting signals from other bacteria. Previously we found that SdiA is necessary for E. coli to control its biofilm formation with indole just as SdiA is necessary for E. coli to alter its biofilm formation in the presence of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). Here we engineered SdiA by random mutagenesis to further control biofilm formation in the presence of indole and AHLs. After screening of 477?? mutants with indole and two AHLs (N-butyryl-DL-homoserine lactone, and N-(3-oxooctanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone, C6HSL), five SdiA variants were obtained that altered biofilm with and without signals of indole and AHLs. Two truncation variants (1E11 and 14C3) lacking the C-terminal DNA-binding domain of SdiA showed the reduction of biofilm formation by 5-fold and 10-fold in LB and LB glu, respectively. DNA microarrays show that the evolved SdiA (1E11) compared to wild-type SdiA influences indole synthesis genes, AI-2 uptake genes, acid-resistance genes, motility related genes, cold-shock protein genes, and several regulatory protein genes. Corroborating DNA microarrays, SdiA variants produced various amounts of indole which led to different survivals in low pH and influenced swimming motility and final cell density. Also, an AHL sensitive variant (2D10) 2-fold increased biofilm formation in the presence of C6HSL, while another variant (6B12) lowered biofilm formation in the presence of C6HSL. Hence, the results clearly showed that mutation of SdiA itself directly controls biofilm formation and SdiA variants could be further recognized by the inter-species signal AHLs. This is the first random protein engineering to control biofilm formation.
Reconfiguring the quorum-sensing regulator SdiA of Escherichia coli to control biofilm formation via indole and N-acylhomoserine lactones.
No sample metadata fields
View Samples