Blood Gene Expression Profiles Research Articles

Defining imaging sub-phenotypes of psoriatic arthritis: integrative analysis of imaging data and gene expression in a PsA patient cohort.

To define imaging sub-phenotypes in patients with PsA; determine their association with whole blood gene expression and identify biological pathways characterizing the sub-phenotypes. Fifty-five patients with PsA ready to initiate treatment for active disease were prospectively recruited. We performed musculoskeletal ultrasound assessment of the extent of inflammation in the following domains: synovitis, peritenonitis, tenosynovitis and enthesitis. Peripheral whole blood was profiled with RNAseq, and gene expression data were obtained. First, unsupervised cluster analysis was performed to define imaging sub-phenotypes that reflected the predominant tissue involved. Subsequently, principal component analysis was used to determine the association between imaging-defined sub-phenotypes and peripheral blood gene expression profile. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed to identify underlying mechanisms that characterize individual sub-phenotypes. Cluster analysis revealed three imaging sub-phenotypes: (i) synovitis predominant [n = 31 (56%)]; (ii) enthesitis predominant [n = 13 (24%)]; (iii) peritenonitis predominant [n = 11 (20%)]. The peritenonitis-predominant sub-phenotype had the most severe clinical joint involvement, whereas the enthesitis-predominant sub-phenotype had the highest tender entheseal count. Unsupervised clustering of gene expression data identified three sub-phenotypes that partially overlapped with the imaging sub-phenotypes suggesting biological and clinical relevance of these sub-phenotypes. We therefore characterized enriched differential pathways, which included: immune system (innate system, B cells and neutrophil degranulation), complement system, platelet activation and coagulation function. We identified three sub-phenotypes based on the predominant tissue involved in patients with active PsA. Distinct biological pathways may underlie these imaging sub-phenotypes seen in PsA, suggesting their biological and clinical importance.

Peripheral Blood Transcriptome in Breast Cancer Patients as a Source of Less Invasive Immune Biomarkers for Personalized Medicine, and Implications for Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Simple SummaryTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive and heterogeneous breast cancer (BC) type which is difficult to treat and accompanied by disease recurrence. A better understanding of TNBC and the identification of novel biomarkers is needed to facilitate clinical decisions. Immune-related biomarkers are of particular interest, since immune responses play an important role in BC outcome. Transcriptome studies of peripheral blood cells can help us to understand the systemic immune responses to cancer cells and the mechanisms underlying cancer initiation and progression. They enable the identification of novel immune biomarkers for early cancer detection and personalized BC management and may bring forward new immunotherapy options. Recent transcriptome analyses of peripheral blood cells have delineated novel BC-patient immune subgroups. This categorization has implications for cancer prognosis, the identification of patients likely to benefit from immunotherapy, and treatment efficacy monitoring. Additionally, transcriptome studies have identified TNBC-enriched blood transcriptional signatures that can differentiate TNBC from other classical BC subtypes.Transcriptome studies of peripheral blood cells can advance our understanding of the systemic immune response to the presence of cancer and the mechanisms underlying cancer onset and progression. This enables the identification of novel minimally invasive immune biomarkers for early cancer detection and personalized cancer management and may bring forward new immunotherapy options. Recent blood gene expression analyses in breast cancer (BC) identified distinct patient subtypes that differed in the immune reaction to cancer and were distinct from the clinical BC subtypes, which are categorized based on expression of specific receptors on tumor cells. Introducing new BC subtypes based on peripheral blood gene expression profiles may be appropriate, since it may assist in BC prognosis, the identification of patients likely to benefit from immunotherapy, and treatment efficacy monitoring. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive, heterogeneous, and difficult-to-treat disease, and identification of novel biomarkers for this BC is crucial for clinical decision-making. A few studies have reported TNBC-enriched blood transcriptional signatures, mostly related to strong inflammation and augmentation of altered immune signaling, that can differentiate TNBC from other classical BC subtypes and facilitate diagnosis. Future research is geared toward transitioning from expression signatures in unfractionated blood cells to those in immune cell subpopulations.

Current Tolerance-Associated Peripheral Blood Gene Expression Profiles After Liver Transplantation Are Influenced by Immunosuppressive Drugs and Prior Cytomegalovirus Infection

Spontaneous operational tolerance to the allograft develops in a proportion of liver transplant (LTx) recipients weaned off immunosuppressive drugs (IS). Several previous studies have investigated whether peripheral blood gene expression profiles could identify operational tolerance in LTx recipients. However, the reported gene expression profiles differed greatly amongst studies, which could be caused by inadequate matching of clinical parameters of study groups. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to validate differentially expressed immune system related genes described in previous studies that identified tolerant LTx recipients after IS weaning. Blood was collected of tolerant LTx recipients (TOL), a control group of LTx recipients with regular IS regimen (CTRL), a group of LTx recipients with minimal IS regimen (MIN) and healthy controls (HC), and groups were matched on age, sex, primary disease, time after LTx, and cytomegalovirus serostatus after LTx. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to determine expression of twenty selected genes and transcript variants in PBMCs. Several genes were differentially expressed between TOL and CTRL groups, but none of the selected genes were differentially expressed between HC and TOL. Principal component analysis revealed an IS drug dosage effect on the expression profile of these genes. These data suggest that use of IS profoundly affects gene expression in peripheral blood, and that these genes are not associated with operational tolerance. In addition, expression levels of SLAMF7 and NKG7 were affected by prior cytomegalovirus infection in LTx recipients. In conclusion, we found confounding effects of IS regimen and prior cytomegalovirus infection, on peripheral blood expression of several selected genes that were described as tolerance-associated genes by previous studies.

Blood transcriptional signatures of gallstone pathogenesis in patients with cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis Running Title: Blood gene expression gallstone

Objective Disease-specific molecular signalling in peripheral blood has the potential to inform on pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases. Here, we aimed to investigate the blood-based gene expression profiles that reflect disease-specific pathogenic mechanisms of gallstones, such as antioxidant defence, heat-shock responses, DNA damage and repair, ABC pump mechanisms, mucin signals, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in patients with Cholelithiasis (CHL) and Choledocholithiasis (CHDL) Materials and Methods The relative fold-change in the mRNA expression levels of 73 genes were analysed using a gallstone-related qRT-PCR array in 10 control individuals, 24 CHL patients and 23 CHDL patients. Serum malondialdehyde levels was determined by thiobarbituric-acid reactive substance assays, and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine levels was determined by ELISA assays. Results Our results showed that peripheral whole blood gene expression profile strongly reflects tissue specific molecular signalling in gallstone pathogenesis. The present findings of altered gene expressions including antioxidant defence (CuZn-SOD, CAT), heat shock protein (HSP70), DNA repair (MLH1 and RAD18), pro-apoptotic (P53, BAX, Cyt-c and Caspase 3), ABC transporter (ABCB1, ABCC2, and LRP1) and Mucin signals (MUCIN4, MUCIN5AC and MUCIN5B) point out to DNA damages via oxidative stress as well as deteriorating ABC types pump mechanisms and mucin signals in CHL and CHDL patients. Our findings may also suggest that activation of mitophagy activator, DRP1/hFIS1/PINK1 axis induced by oxidative stress and DNA damage may have a role in the pathogenesis of CHL and CHDL. Conclusions Our results indicate that a blood-based gene expression signature has promising accuracy for monitorize pathogenesis of disease in CHL patients, CHDL patients and unaffected controls.

Evaluation of blood cell viability rate, gene expression, and O-GlcNAcylation profiles as indicative signatures for fungal stimulation of salmonid cell models

Fungal diseases of fish are a significant economic problem in aquaculture. Using high-throughput expression analysis, we identified potential transcript markers in primary head kidney and secondary embryonic cells from salmonid fish after stimulation with the inactivated fungi Mucor hiemalis and Fusarium aveneacium and with purified fungal molecular patterns. The transcript levels of most of the 45 selected genes were altered in head-kidney cells after 24 h of stimulation with fungal antigens. Stimulation with the inactivated fungus M. hiemalis induced the most pronounced transcriptional changes, including the pathogen receptor-encoding genes CLEC18A and TLR22, the cytokine-encoding genes IL6 and TNF, and the gene encoding the antimicrobial peptide LEAP2. In parallel, we analyzed the total GlcNAcylation status of embryonic salmonid cells with or without stimulation with inactivated fungi. O-GlcNAcylation modulates gene expression, intracellular protein, and signal activity, but we detected no significant differences after a 3-h stimulation. A pathway analysis tool identified the "apoptosis of leukocytes" based on the expression profile 24 h after fungal stimulation. Fluorescence microscopy combined with flow cytometry revealed apoptosis in 50 % of head-kidney leukocytes after 3 h stimulation with M. hiemalis, but this level decreased by > 5% after 24 h of stimulation. The number of apoptotic cells significantly increased in all blood cells after a 3-h stimulation with fungal molecular patterns compared to unstimulated controls. This in vitro approach identified transcript-based parameters that were strongly modulated by fungal infections of salmonid fish.

An interferon-related signature characterizes the whole blood transcriptome profile of insulin-resistant individuals\u2014the CODAM study

BackgroundWorldwide, the prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance has grown dramatically. Gene expression profiling in blood represents a powerful means to explore disease pathogenesis, but the potential impact of inter-individual differences in a cell-type profile is not always taken into account. The objective of this project was to investigate the whole blood transcriptome profile of insulin-resistant as compared to insulin-sensitive individuals independent of inter-individual differences in white blood cell profile.ResultsWe report a 3% higher relative amount of monocytes in the insulin-resistant individuals. Furthermore, independent of their white blood cell profile, insulin-resistant participants had (i) higher expression of interferon-stimulated genes and (ii) lower expression of genes involved in cellular differentiation and remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton.ConclusionsWe present an approach to investigate the whole blood transcriptome of insulin-resistant individuals, independent of their DNA methylation-derived white blood cell profile. An interferon-related signature characterizes the whole blood transcriptome profile of the insulin-resistant individuals, independent of their white blood cell profile. The observed signature indicates increased systemic inflammation possibly due to an innate immune response and whole-body insulin resistance, which can be a cause or a consequence of insulin resistance. Altered gene expression in specific organs may be reflected in whole blood; hence, our results may reflect obesity and/or insulin resistance-related organ dysfunction in the insulin-resistant individuals.

Developing a blood‐derived gene expression biomarker specific for Alzheimer’s disease

AbstractBackgroundEarly detection, monitoring, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) will require measurement of easily accessible and reliable fluid biomarkers. We compared brain and blood gene and pathway expression analyses to identify core features for discriminating AD from controls. The brain gene expression profile was generated using a dataset (GSE33000) from post‐mortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex isolated from 624 AD patients and genotype‐matched control samples, while blood gene expression profiles were generated using GSE63060 (n=329) and GSE63061 (n=388) datasets derived from peripheral blood samples of two case‐controlled studies of the AddNeuroMed consortium.MethodThe gene expression datasets were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Limma linear models were used to compute moderated T‐statistics and identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the AD condition. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA, applying the Piano R package to moderated T‐statistics from DEG analysis) was employed to identify significantly differentially regulated REACTOME and KEGG pathways. Comparison of the brain and blood‐derived analyses provided a common set of pathways modulated in AD patients.ResultDEG analysis revealed 680, 116, and 21 upregulated genes and 136, 160, and 45 downregulated genes in GSE33000 (Brain), GSE63060, and GSE63061 (Blood) datasets, respectively (FDR < 0.05; upregulated: FC > 1.15, downregulated: FC < 0.8). Differential pathway expression analysis using GSEA (FDR < 0.05) yielded 218, 196, and 202 REACTOME and 151, 69, and 125 KEGG pathways in GSE33000, GSE63060, and GSE63061 datasets, respectively.Notably, 21/115 and 56/103 up‐ and downregulated REACTOME pathways respectively, in the brain‐derived dataset were shared with the blood‐derived dataset (FDR < 0.05). Strikingly, 52.4% and 23.8% of the upregulated pathways were dominated by immune system and hemostasis, respectively. Meanwhile, 42.9% and 10.7% of the downregulated pathways included cell cycle and signal transduction pathways, respectively.ConclusionSystematic analysis of genes and pathways differentially expressed in AD samples across brain and blood identified common signatures reproducible across studies and showed potential for distinguishing between AD and control patients. Our results suggest the potential of employing a blood‐based gene expression panel for early diagnosis and disease monitoring of AD.

Transcriptomic score: A biomarker index of Alzheimer’s risk and resilience

AbstractBackgroundOne definition of resilience is the absence of disease despite high levels of risk. And in most cases, risk itself is best quantified by a multivariate profile rather than a single risk factor. Thus, multivariate risk profiles may be most appropriate for defining risk and resilience. RNA expression may serve as a risk biomarker, but no method has been proposed to build a whole‐transcriptome risk index of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that could identify resilient individuals at the highest transcriptomic risk. Here, we derived a novel method for transcriptome‐wide gene expression data called “transcriptomic risk score” (TRS). We also employed the algorithm to build a “transcriptomic resilience score” (TReS) that offsets that risk.MethodAnalogous to a polygenic risk score, TRS is a weighted rank‐sum statistic that represents a subject’s relative expression level across the transcriptome, where the standardized beta coefficients are used as weights. We leveraged the TRS approach on peripheral blood gene expression profiles of 364 normal controls and 188 AD cases from ADNI and AddNeuroMed batch 1. Using TRSas a means of risk quantification, we then identified resilient normal controls as those with the highest percentiles of risk. High‐risk AD cases with matched TRSs range were retained for comparison. Expression levels of individual transcripts not included in the best‐fit TRS were contrasted between the high‐risk normal controls and high‐risk AD cases using mixed‐effect linear models. A TReS was derived using the residual transcriptomic variation that buffers against the transcriptomic risk. The association between TReS and case status was evaluated using a logistic regression model.ResultThe derived TReS differentiated resilient subjects (high‐risk normal controls) and high‐risk AD cases in independent replication samples (216 normal controls and 223 AD cases), with significant differentiation seen at all evaluated p‐value bins and a maximum of 3% variance accounted for at a p‐value threshold of 0.1.ConclusionThis analysis indicated that TRS and TReS analysis of blood has the potential of facilitating the understanding of phenotypic variability and improving clinically useful biomarker profiles for AD.

Whole blood transcriptomic analysis reveals PLSCR4 as a potential marker for vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease, a common genetic blood disorder, results from a point mutation in the β-globin gene affecting the configuration of hemoglobin, predisposing to painful vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and multi-organ dysfunctions. There is a huge variation in the phenotypic expressions of SCD and VOC owing to genetic and environmental factors. This study aimed to characterize the whole blood gene expression profile using Microarray technology in Bahraini patients with SCD determining the differentially expressed genes in steady-state (n = 10) and during VOC (n = 10) in comparison to healthy controls (n = 8). Additionally, the study intended to identify potential genetic marker associated with hemolysis. The analysis identified 2073 and 3363 genes that were dysregulated during steady-state and VOC, respectively, compared to healthy controls. Moreover, 1078 genes were differentially expressed during VOC compared to steady state. The PLSCR4 gene was almost 6-fold up-regulated in microarray, 4-fold in polymerase chain reaction, and a mean protein concentration of 0.856 ng/ml was observed in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay during VOC compared to steady-state (0.238 ng/ml) (p < 0.01). Amongst these genes, PLSCR4 is involved in erythrocyte membrane deformity thus, predisposing to hemolysis, adhesion, and thrombosis. In conclusion, PLSCR4 may serve as a potential biomarker for VOC and future large-scale validation are recommended.

An interferon-inducible signature of airway disease from blood gene expression profiling.

The molecular basis of airway remodelling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains poorly understood. We identified gene expression signatures associated with chest computed tomography (CT) scan airway measures to understand molecular pathways associated with airway disease. In 2396 subjects in the COPDGene Study, we examined the relationship between quantitative CT airway phenotypes and blood transcriptomes to identify airway disease-specific genes and to define an airway wall thickness (AWT) gene set score. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify associations of the AWT score with clinical phenotypes, bronchial gene expression and genetic variants. Type 1 interferon (IFN)-induced genes were consistently associated with AWT, square root wall area of a hypothetical airway with 10 mm internal perimeter (Pi10) and wall area percentage, with the strongest enrichment in AWT. A score derived from 18 genes whose expression was associated with AWT was associated with COPD-related phenotypes including reduced lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s percentage predicted β= -3.4; p<0.05) and increased exacerbations (incidence rate ratio 1.7; p<0.05). The AWT score was reproducibly associated with AWT in bronchial samples from 23 subjects (β=3.22; p<0.05). The blood AWT score was associated with genetic variant rs876039, an expression quantitative trait locus for IKZF1, a gene that regulates IFN signalling and is associated with inflammatory diseases. A gene expression signature with IFN-stimulated genes from peripheral blood and bronchial brushings is associated with CT AWT, lung function and exacerbations. Shared genes and genetic associations suggest viral responses and/or autoimmune dysregulation as potential underlying mechanisms of airway disease in COPD.

Adult allergic rhinitis sufferers have unique nasal mucosal and peripheral blood immune gene expression profiles: A case-control study.

BackgroundAllergic rhinitis (AR) is a complex disease involving both mucosal and systemic immune compartments. Greater understanding of the immune networks underpinning AR pathophysiology may assist with further refining disease‐specific biomarkers.ObjectiveTo compare immune gene expression profiles in nasal mucosa and peripheral blood samples between adults with AR and controls without AR.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included 45 adults with moderate‐severe and persistent AR (37.6 ± 12.8 years; mean ± SD) and 24 adults without AR (36.6 ± 10.2). Gene expression analysis was performed using the NanoString nCounter PanCancer Immune profiling panel (n = 730 immune genes) in combination with the panel plus probe set (n = 30 allergy‐related genes) with purified RNA from peripheral blood and cell lysates prepared from combined nasal lavage and nasal brushing.ResultsOne hundred and thirteen genes were significantly differentially expressed in peripheral blood samples between groups (p < .05). In contrast, 14 genes were differentially expressed in nasal lysate samples between groups (p < .05). Upregulation of allergy‐related genes in nasal mucosa samples in the AR group was observed. Namely, chemokines CCL17 and CCL26 are involved in the chemotaxis of key effector cells and TPSAB1 encodes tryptase, an inflammatory mediator released from activated mast cells and basophils. Six differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were in common between the nasal mucosa and blood samples. In addition, counts of specific DEGs in nasal mucosa samples were positively correlated with eosinophil and dust mite‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) counts in blood.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceDistinct gene expression profiles in blood and nasal mucosa samples were observed between AR sufferers and controls. The results of this study also provide evidence for a close interaction between the local site and systemic immunity. The genes identified in this study contribute to the current knowledge of AR pathophysiology and may serve as biomarkers to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment regimens, or as targets for drug discovery.

Effects of Deoxynivalenol and Fumonisins Fed in Combination to Beef Cattle: Immunotoxicity and Gene Expression.

We evaluated the effects of a treatment diet contaminated with 1.7 mg deoxynivalenol and 3.5 mg fumonisins (B1, B2 and B3) per kg ration on immune status and peripheral blood gene expression profiles in finishing-stage Angus steers. The mycotoxin treatment diet was fed for a period of 21 days followed by a two-week washout period during which time all animals consumed the control diet. Whole-blood leukocyte differentials were performed weekly throughout the experimental and washout period. Comparative profiles of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, along with bactericidal capacity of circulating neutrophils and monocytes were evaluated at 0, 7, 14, 21 and 35 days. Peripheral blood gene expression was measured at 0, 7, 21 and 35 days via RNA sequencing. Significant increases in the percentage of CD4−CD8+ T cells were observed in treatment-fed steers after two weeks of treatment and were associated with decreased CD4:CD8 T-cell ratios at this same timepoint (p ≤ 0.10). No significant differences were observed as an effect of treatment in terms of bactericidal capacity at any timepoint. Dietary treatments induced major changes in transcripts associated with endocrine, metabolic and infectious diseases; protein digestion and absorption; and environmental information processing (inhibition of signaling and processing), as evaluated by dynamic impact analysis. DAVID analysis also suggested treatment effects on oxygen transport, extra-cellular signaling, cell membrane structure and immune system function. These results indicate that finishing-stage beef cattle are susceptible to the immunotoxic and transcript-inhibitory effects of deoxynivalenol and fumonisins at levels which may be realistically encountered in feedlot situations.

Quality control in biobank samples: The impact of pre-freezing storage time and temperature on gene expression of blood collected in EDTA tubes

Blood gene expression profiling is taking hold in research, diagnosis and monitoring of human diseases. Blood is vulnerable to pre-analytical variables that may alter gene expression ex vivo. Although RNA stabilization systems have been shown to reduce such influence, traditional EDTA tubes are still widely used since they are less expensive and enable to study specific leukocyte populations. Nevertheless, studies on the impact of short bench times on gene expression are lacking.

Investigations on Blood Physiology, Tissues Histology and Gene Expression Profile of Fusarium oxysporum Challenged Fish

Labeo rohita was challenged with Fusarium oxysporum to demonstrate a thorough immune response. Significant alterations in hematological parameters viz; erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, packed cell volume, platelets, and leukocytes were observed. Total serum protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase activity, and cholesterol were also altered in the infected fish. Marked histopathological lesions in gills, liver, and kidney (fusion of gill lamella, necrosis, edema, vacuolization, glomerulus congestion, dilated bowman's space and renal tubules alterations) were recorded. Tissue specific gene expression data showed that interleukin was upregulated in infected fish gills, liver, and kidney but was downregulated in blood. Tumor necrosis factor-α expression was upregulated in blood, liver, and kidney and was downregulated in gills. Upregulation of interferon-γ was observed in blood, gills, and kidney but downregulated in liver. All the cellular and molecular findings from this study can be taken as critical biomarkers in the advancement of diagnostic techniques against fungal infections as a part of wide-ranging programs of systematic and comprehensive monitoring of fish health and immune system.

Inflammatory gene expression profiling in peripheral blood from patients with Alzheimer's disease reveals key pathways and hub genes with potential diagnostic utility: a preliminary study.

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease caused by central nervous system disorders. Late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Differences at the expression level of certain genes, resulting from either genetic variations or environmental interactions, might be one of the mechanisms underlying differential risks for developing AD. Peripheral blood genome transcriptional profiling may provide a powerful and minimally invasive tool for the identification of novel targets beyond Aβ and tau for AD research.MethodsThis preliminary study explores molecular pathogenesis of LOAD-related inflammation through next generation sequencing, to assess RNA expression profiles in peripheral blood from five patients with LOAD and 10 healthy controls.ResultsThe analysis of RNA expression profiles revealed 94 genes up-regulated and 147 down-regulated. Gene function analysis, including Gene Ontology (GO) and KOBAS-Kyoto Encyclopedia of DEGs and Genomes (KEGG) pathways indicated upregulation of interferon family (INF) signaling, while the down-regulated genes were mainly associated with the cell cycle process. KEGG metabolic pathways mapping showed gene expression alterations in the signaling pathways of JAK/STAT, chemokines, MAP kinases and Alzheimer disease. The results of this preliminary study provided not only a comprehensive picture of gene expression, but also the key processes associated with pathology for the regulation of neuroinflammation, to improve the current mechanisms to treat LOAD.

Eight-year longitudinal study of whole blood gene expression profiles in individuals undergoing long-term medical follow-up

Blood circulates throughout the body via the peripheral tissues, contributes to host homeostasis and maintains normal physiological functions, in addition to responding to lesions. Previously, we revealed that gene expression analysis of peripheral blood cells is a useful approach for assessing diseases such as diabetes mellitus and cancer because the altered gene expression profiles of peripheral blood cells can reflect the presence and state of diseases. However, no chronological assessment of whole gene expression profiles has been conducted. In the present study, we collected whole blood RNA from 61 individuals (average age at registration, 50 years) every 4 years for 8 years and analyzed gene expression profiles using a complementary DNA microarray to examine whether these profiles were stable or changed over time. We found that the genes with very stable expression were related mostly to immune system pathways, including antigen cell presentation and interferon-related signaling. Genes whose expression was altered over the 8-year study period were principally involved in cellular machinery pathways, including development, signal transduction, cell cycle, apoptosis, and survival. Thus, this chronological examination study showed that the gene expression profiles of whole blood can reveal unmanifested physiological changes.

Whole blood gene expression within days after total-body irradiation predicts long term survival in Gottingen minipigs

Gottingen minipigs mirror the physiological radiation response observed in humans and hence make an ideal candidate model for studying radiation biodosimetry for both limited-sized and mass casualty incidents. We examined the whole blood gene expression profiles starting one day after total-body irradiation with increasing doses of gamma-rays. The minipigs were monitored for up to 45 days or time to euthanasia necessitated by radiation effects. We successfully identified dose- and time-agnostic (over a 1–7 day period after radiation), survival-predictive gene expression signatures derived using machine-learning algorithms with high sensitivity and specificity. These survival-predictive signatures fare better than an optimally performing dose-differentiating signature or blood cellular profiles. These findings suggest that prediction of survival is a much more useful parameter for making triage, resource-utilization and treatment decisions in a resource-constrained environment compared to predictions of total dose received. It should hopefully be possible to build such classifiers for humans in the future.

Analysis of immune cell components and immune-related gene expression profiles in peripheral blood of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

BackgroundType 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune disease caused by severe loss of pancreatic β cells. Immune cells are key mediators of β cell destruction. This study attempted to investigate the role of immune cells and immune-related genes in the occurrence and development of T1DM.MethodsThe raw gene expression profile of the samples from 12 T1DM patients and 10 normal controls was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by Limma package in R. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)—support vector machines (SVM) were used to screen the hub genes. CIBERSORT algorithm was used to identify the different immune cells in distribution between T1DM and normal samples. Correlation of the hub genes and immune cells was analyzed by Spearman, and gene-GO-BP and gene-pathway interaction networks were constructed by Cytoscape plug-in ClueGO. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess diagnostic value of genes in T1DM.ResultsThe 50 immune-related DEGs were obtained between the T1DM and normal samples. Then, the 50 immune-related DEGs were further screened to obtain the 5 hub genes. CIBERSORT analysis revealed that the distribution of plasma cells, resting mast cells, resting NK cells and neutrophils had significant difference between T1DM and normal samples. Natural cytotoxicity triggering receptor 3 (NCR3) was significantly related to the activated NK cells, M0 macrophages, monocytes, resting NK cells, and resting memory CD4+ T cells. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was significantly associated with naive B cell and naive CD4+ T cell. NCR3 [Area under curve (AUC) = 0.918] possessed a higher accuracy than TNF (AUC = 0.763) in diagnosis of T1DM.ConclusionsThe immune-related genes (NCR3 and TNF) and immune cells (NK cells) may play a vital regulatory role in the occurrence and development of T1DM, which possibly provide new ideas and potential targets for the immunotherapy of diabetes mellitus (DM).

Conserved immunomodulatory transcriptional networks underlie antipsychotic-induced weight gain

Although antipsychotics, such as olanzapine, are effective in the management of psychiatric conditions, some patients experience excessive antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG). To illuminate pathways underlying AIWG, we compared baseline blood gene expression profiles in two cohorts of mice that were either prone (AIWG-P) or resistant (AIWG-R) to weight gain in response to olanzapine treatment for two weeks. We found that transcripts elevated in AIWG-P mice relative to AIWG-R are enriched for high-confidence transcriptional targets of numerous inflammatory and immunomodulatory signaling nodes. Moreover, these nodes are themselves enriched for genes whose disruption in mice is associated with reduced body fat mass and slow postnatal weight gain. In addition, we identified gene expression profiles in common between our mouse AIWG-P gene set and an existing human AIWG-P gene set whose regulation by immunomodulatory transcription factors is highly conserved between species. Finally, we identified striking convergence between mouse AIWG-P transcriptional regulatory networks and those associated with body weight and body mass index in humans. We propose that immunomodulatory transcriptional networks drive AIWG, and that these networks have broader conserved roles in whole body-metabolism.

No Evident Systemic Terminal Complement Pathway Activation in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

No Evident Systemic Terminal Complement Pathway Activation in Hidradenitis Suppurativa