Search Results - EGA European Genome-Phenome Archive

Human inflammatory cardiomyopathies following SARS-CoV2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination

Title: The cellular and molecular responses in human inflammatory cardiomyopathies following SARS-CoV2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination. Abstract: Abstract: Myocarditis is a cardiac disorder with multiple etiologies characterised by inflammatory cell infiltration and can occur after SARS-CoV-2 infection or rarely following mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms driving these pathologies remain poorly understood.Here we performed single-nucleus-RNA-sequencing in left ventricular endomyocardial biopsies from patients with Non-COVID-19 myocarditis, following SARS-CoV-2 infection (Post-COVID-19) and COVID-19 vaccination (Post-Vaccination). We detected specific cytokine expression patterns highlighting a particular role of interferon-γ in Post-COVID-19 and upregulated IL16 and IL18 expression as a Post-Vaccination hallmark. While the myeloid response was similar between groups, CD4+T-cell proportions were higher in Post-Vaccination and cytotoxic CD8+T and NK cells expanded in Post-COVID-19. Endothelial cells showed gene expression changes suggestive of vascular barrier function deficiency in Post-COVID-19 and angiogenesis response to cardiac inflammation in all groups. Together, our results illuminate shared and distinct cellular and molecular architectures of Non-COVID-19, Post-COVID-19 and Post-Vaccination associated myocardial inflammation in human hearts.

Study EGAS50000000769

Use of new methodologies to achieve a thorough molecular characterization in pediatric acute leukemia

In childhood leukemia, a better genetic characterization is needed to define new clinic-biological entities, refine the risk-stratification of patients and help to reduce the toxicity by applying a risk-directed therapy. This project aims to obtain information that will allow us to personalize the management of pediatric patients with leukemia as much as possible, so that we can offer a complete diagnosis, a sensitive follow-up and a more targeted treatment to the real risk of each case. The use of massive genome analysis technologies such as transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Sequencing) will allow a comprehensive biological characterization of pediatric leukemia patients, especially those cases that we have not been able to characterize by conventional diagnostic techniques. We believe that the RNA-Seq technique will allow us to identify new biomarkers that will be useful for: 1) defining new biological entities with their own clinical behavior; 2) refining the stratification of patients into risk groups; 3) finding targets for a better follow-up of MRD and 4) identifying therapeutic targets for the application of targeted therapies to reduce toxicity. PI: Camós-Guijosa, Mireia; Vega-García, Nerea Funding: PI21/00213 Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)

Study EGAS50000000701

Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI): Pediatric In Vivo Testing Program –Sarcoma, Kidney, and Liver Cancers

The goal was to complete whole exome sequencing (WES) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) on patient derived xenograft samples. Cancer in children is rare with approximately 15,700 new cases diagnosed annually in children 21 years or younger in the U.S. Through use of multimodality therapy (surgery, radiation therapy, and aggressive chemotherapy), 70% of patients will be 'cured' of their disease, and 5-year Event-Free Survival (EFS) exceeds 80%. Consequently, the number of patients that can be enrolled in phase I/II clinical trials is small, and most patients will have been extensively treated, hence drug/radiation resistant. Thus, preclinical studies that accurately translate into effective clinical therapy are an essential component of pediatric drug development. Our group has contributed to studies in the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program (PPTP) and Pediatric Preclinical Testing Consortium (PPTC) that have led to clinical studies through Children's Oncology Group (COG). Of importance, we have developed and characterized over 330 Patient Derived Xenografts (PDX), developed from tumors both at diagnosis and relapse, that can be used to facilitate pediatric drug development as directed by FDA under the Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity for Children Act (RACE for Children Act).

Study phs003160

National Cancer Institute (NCI) Early Onset Malignancies Initiative (EOMI): Molecular profiling of Breast, Colon, Kidney, Liver, Multiple Myeloma, and Prostate among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Populations

The Early Onset Malignancies Initiative (EOMI) is focused on collecting specimens from racially and ethnically diverse population groups with six different types of cancer (breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney, and multiple myeloma). This initiative is a partnership between the Center for Research Strategy, the Center for Cancer Genomics and the Division of Cancer (DCP). DCP's NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) is a critical partner. The acquisition of the cancer and matching normal biospecimens in this initiative are from newly diagnosed early onset cancer patients who identify as Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, or Non-Hispanic White. The Minority/Underserved NCORPs sites will collect the samples for this project. By carrying out this initiative in the NCORP's national network of investigators, cancer care providers, and research institutions, the EOMI will harness the community-based partnerships to improve participation among these racial/ethnic groups. The NCORP investigators, as participants in NCI's clinical trials network, will annotate the biologic samples with clinical information that will enhance the ability to answer questions about molecular determinants of early disease, treatment response, and/or prognosis. The EOMI will be a step forward in addressing racial/ethnic disparities and in understanding cancer in underserved populations.

Study phs001952

Single-Cell Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of the Aging Human Brain

We studied human brain aging using single-cell whole genome sequencing and single-nucleus RNA sequencing of the pre-frontal cortex from 19 donors ranging in age from 0.4 years to 104 years. All donors were free of neuropathology and none received a clinical neurological diagnosis prior to death. snRNA-seq libraries were prepared in batches that always included old and young donors to mitigate batch effects in the preparations. Neurons for single-cell WGS were collected from the same tissue region as the snRNA-seq for each donor but represent independent cells. Multiplexed error-robust fluorescent in-situ hybridization (MERFISH) data was also collected from pre-frontal cortex samples of a subset of the 19 donors. Transcriptomic results identified infant-specific cell clusters, and common-down regulation of cell-essential genes involved in ribosomes, transport, homeostasis and metabolism during aging, across all cell types. scWGS identified two-age associated mutational signatures, as well as gene-length and expression-level dependent somatic mutation rates in neurons. Raw sequencing data in fastq format for single-nucleus RNA-seq and single-cell DNA-seq, as well as cell and gene count matrix, transcript metadata, and cell metadata for MERFISH will be available in dbGaP.

Study phs003445

Examination of Engineered LINE-1 Integration Events in HeLa Cells

Long Interspsesed Element-1 (LINE1 or L1) encodes two proteins (ORF1p and ORF2p) required for its mobilization (i.e. retrotransposition) in the human genome. Human ORF2p, a 150kDa protein, has endonuclease (EN) and reverse transcriptase (RT) activities. L1 EN is classified as apurinic/apyrimidin-like endonuclease (APE) and is responsible for initiating target-site primer reverse transcription (TPRT) during the L1 retrotransposition cycle. During canonical TPRT, the L1 EN activity makes a single-strand endonucleolytic nick at a double-strand DNA target sequence in genomic DNA. The endonucleolytic nick is typically made at an L1 EN degnerate consensus cleavage sequence (5'-TTTT/A-3') exposing a free 3' hydroxy group that can be used as a primer by the ORF2p L1 RT activity to reverse transcribe the associated L1 RNA. Here, we characterized over 21,000 de novo engineered L1 retrotransposition events in HeLa cells to determine if L1 exhibits overt integration preferences in the human genome. Bru-seq of HeLa cells to determine actively transcribed regions of the genome was also performed. This Bru-seq data was used to determine if engineered L1 integration events preferentially integrate into transcribed regions of the genome, and to determine which strand during transcription may present itself as preferential during L1 retrotransposition.

Study phs001669

Transcriptome sequencing of human colon organoid after co-cultivation with Bifidobacterium longum

The large intestine has a dense milieu of indigenous bacteria, generating a complex ecosystem with crosstalk between individual bacteria and host cells. In vitro host cell modeling and bacterial interactions at the anaerobic interphase have elucidated the crosstalk molecular basis. Although classical cell lines derived from patients with colorectal cancer including Caco-2 cells are used, whether they adequately mimic normal colonic epithelial physiology is unclear. To address this, we performed transcriptome profiling of Caco-2 and Monolayer cells derived from healthy Human Colonic Organoid (MHCO) cultured hemi-anaerobically. Coculture with the anaerobic gut bacteria, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum differentiated the probiotic effects of test cells from those of physiologically normal intestinal and colorectal cancer cells. We cataloged non- or overlapping gene signatures where gene profiles of Caco-2 cells represented absorptive cells in the small intestinal epithelium, and MHCO cells showed complete colonic epithelium signature, including stem/progenitor, goblet, and enteroendocrine cells colonocytes. Characteristic gene expression changes related to lipid metabolism, inflammation, and cell-cell adhesion were observed in cocultured live Bifidobacterium longum and Caco-2 or MHCO cells. B. longum-stimulated MHCO cells exhibited barrier-enhancing characteristics, as demonstrated in clinical trials. Our data represent a valuable resource for understanding gut microbe and host cell communication.

Study JGAS000740

Hematopoietic Tet2 inactivation enhances the response to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy

Somatic mutations inactivating TET2 are among the most common drivers of clonal hematopoiesis (CH). While TET2 inactivation is associated with monocyte-derived inflammation and improved chimeric antigen-receptor-T cell function, its impact on immunotherapy response is unknown. In murine models, hematopoietic Tet2 mutation enhanced the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) response via the combined presence of phagocytes, CD4 and CD8 T cells. This effect was lost with myeloid- or T-cell restricted Tet2 inactivation, or in mice with 20% Tet2-mutant hematopoiesis. Mechanistically, in Tet2-mutant tumor-infiltrating leukocytes (TILs), ICB preferentially restricted cell states linked to tumor progression while inducing anti-tumor states. Tet2-mutant monocytes activated costimulatory programs, while Tet2-mutant T cells showed enhanced T cell memory signatures, alongside decreased exhaustion and regulatory phenotypes. This murine data was clinically relevant, since tumors from colorectal cancer and melanoma patients with TET2 driver mutation-CH (TET2-CH) showed enhanced immune infiltration, inflammation, and T cell activation. In melanoma patients treated with ICB, TET2-CH was associated with 6-fold greater odds of clinical benefit. Collectively, we demonstrate that hematopoietic Tet2 inactivation primes leukocytes for anti-tumor states associated with immunotherapy response and provides a potential biomarker for personalized therapy.

Study EGAS50000001191

Recurrent intra-tumour heterogeneity is a hallmark of metastatic prostate cancer

The evolution of cancers from low grade to metastatic disease is a major determinant of cancer mortality. Cancer evolution involves a complex interplay between cell intrinsic genetics and transcriptional alterations and the extrinsic microenvironment. To define the key mechanisms underpinning metastatic development, we focused on the most lethal form of prostate cancer, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and employed single-cell multi-omics and whole-genome sequencing to deeply profile 34 metastatic lesions from 9 patients obtained from rapid autopsy. We found that intra-tumour heterogeneity is an indicator of key evolutionary processes, characterised by recurrent tumour populations acting as critical functional components of the tumour ecosystem, irrespective of clonal and microenvironmental backgrounds. Unexpectedly, microenvironments across metastatic sites played a limited role while clonal evolution primarily promoted transcriptional noise. Intra-patient functional convergence of tumour ecosystems was observed across metastatic sites, pointing towards system-level selection pressures that drive the heterogeneity landscape of mCRPC. Our findings reveal functional evolutionary convergence of metastatic disease into units of intra-tumour heterogeneity identifying critical determinants of metastatic progression for therapeutic targeting. Note: matched WGS for some tumour single-cell experiments, as well as germline WGS for patients CA0027, CA0034, CA0035, CA0043, and CA0076, can be found in EGAS00001006598.

Study EGAS50000001312

Comprehensive gene analysis of colorectal cancer cases

Colorectal cancer is the third most common morbidity and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the world.To characterize the mutation profiles of colorectal cancer with liver metastasis,we performed both whole-exosome sequencing and RNA sequencing for 12 cases of colorectal cancer with liver metastasis (group A) and 16 cases of colorectal cancer without liver metastasis (group B). As a result of driver mutation search by Mutsig pipeline, PTEN was identified as a significant mutant gene in group A alone.ADAMTS10,NELL1 and RXFP3 were identified as candidate genes for metastasis by MuTect,SID and VarScan pipeline.Furthermore, in all samples, the copy number of chromosomes 1p,4,7,8,13,15, 17p,18,20 and 22q were significantly abnormal. Chromosomes 1p,4,15,18,17p,22q were deleted and chromosomes 7, 8,13 and 20 were amplified by CNV.Pathway analysed revealed Wnt/Ca2+ and PCP pathway was involved in metastasis of cl cancer.9 kinds of fusion genes were identified in deFuse pipeline. Among them, ADAP1 fusion genes were identified in 2 samples, and ADAP1 fusion genes were further identified in 3 samples by our in-house algorithm. It is suggested that new fusion genes present in such multiple samples may be involved in the development of colorectal cancer.

Study JGAS000128

Rapid detection of expanded short tandem repeats in personal genomics using hybrid sequencing.

Long expansions of short tandem repeats (STRs); i.e., DNA repeats of 2-6 nucleotides, are associated with some genetic diseases. Cost-efficient high throughput sequencing can quickly produce billions of short reads that would be useful for uncovering disease-associated STRs. However, enumerating STRs in short reads remains largely unexplored because of the difficulty in elucidating STRs much longer than 100 bp, the typical length of short reads. We propose ab initio procedures for sensing and locating long STRs promptly by utilizing the frequency distribution of all STRs and paired-end read information. We validated the reproducibility of this method using biological replicates and used it to locate an STR associated with a brain disease (SCA31). Subsequently, we sequenced this STR site in eleven SCA31 samples using SMRT? sequencing (Pacific Biosciences), determined 2.3-3.1 kb sequences at nucleotide resolution, and revealed that (TGGAA)- and (TAAAATAGAA)-repeat expansions determined the instability of the repeat expansions associated with SCA31. Our method could also identify common STRs, (AAAG)- and (AAAAG)-repeat expansions, which are remarkably expanded at four positions in an SCA31 sample. This is the first proposed method for rapidly finding disease-associated long STRs in personal genomes using hybrid sequencing of short and long reads.

Study JGAS000002

BHD-associated kidney cancer

Background Birt-Hogg-Dub? (BHD) syndrome is a hereditary kidney cancer syndrome, which predisposes patients to develop kidney cancer, cutaneous fibrofolliculomas and pulmonary cysts. The responsible gene, FLCN is a tumor suppressor for kidney cancer which plays an important role for energy homeostasis through the regulation of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. However, how FLCN-deficiency leads to renal tumorigenesis is unclear. Results Whole-exome sequencing analysis of BHD-associated kidney cancer revealed that copy number variations (CNV) of BHD-associated kidney cancer are considerably different from those already reported in sporadic cases. Somatic mutation analysis revealed BHD-associated kidney cancer has quite few common mutations in specific genes; however, chromatin remodeling genes in total were frequently mutated in BHD-associated kidney cancer (17/29 tumors, 59%). Metabolite analysis revealed that glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway and lipid metabolism were upregulated whereas the rate of beta oxydation and TCA cycle is decreased in BHD-associated kidney cancer compared to normal adjacent kidney. Conclusions BHD-associated kidney cancer displays a unique molecular characteristics which is totally different from that of sporadic kidney cancer, providing the mechanistic insight into tumorigenesis under FLCN deficiency as well as the foundation for the development of novel therapeutics for kidney cancer.

Study JGAS000115

Genomic and Genetic Analysis of Brain Tumors and Analysis of Their Clinicopathological Significance

The treatment outcome of glioma patients remains disappointing, and more studies are needed to improve therapeutic strategies. In particular, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms underlying resistance to treatment and malignant transformation, as well as the intratumoral heterogeneity and interaction of tumor cells and host immunity. Recent advances in omics analysis techniques, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), have enabled us to obtain omics data more easily and accelerated our ability to integrate this information and precisely characterize cases. In our project, we have already collected more than 100 pairs of human glioma/normal tissue samples, of which some are multiple specimens collected from initial and recurrent tumors, and some include multiple specimens collected from different regions within a single tumor. We used our in-house algorithms, composed of alignment and variant calling programs, to analyze omics data from multiple platforms, such as whole-exome sequencing (WES), RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and methylation array, with our original cohort of glioma patients. Using several informatics tools, the information about genetic and epigenetic status and expression signatures were analyzed. Those data are expected to provide key information for investigating the mechanisms discussed above. Through this project, we hope to improve strategies for personalized therapy based on comprehensive omics data.

Study JGAS000004

The impact of CCR8+ regulatory T cells on cytotoxic T cell function in human lung cancer

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress the host immune response and maintain immune homeostasis. Tregs also promote cancer progression and are involved in resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments. Recent studies identified selective CCR8 expression on tumor-infiltrating Tregs; CCR8+ Tregs have been indicated as a possible new target of cancer immunotherapy. Here, we investigated the features of CCR8+ Tregs in lung cancer patients. CCR8+ Tregs were highly activated and infiltration of CCR8+ Tregs in tumors was associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. We also investigated their immune suppressive function, especially the influence on cytotoxic T lymphocyte cell function. The Cancer Genome Analysis revealed that CD8 T cell activities were suppressed in high CCR8-expressing tumors. Additionally, depletion of CCR8+ cells enhanced CD8 T cell function in an ex vivo culture of lung tumor-infiltrating cells. Moreover, CCR8+ Tregs, but not CCR8�� Tregs, induced from human PBMCs markedly suppressed CD8 T cell cytotoxicity. Finally, we demonstrated the therapeutic effect of targeting CCR8 in a murine model of lung cancer. These findings reveal the significance of CCR8+ Tregs for immunosuppression in lung cancer, especially via cytotoxic T lymphocyte cell suppression, and suggest the potential value of CCR8-targeted therapy for cancer treatment.

Study JGAS000454

Phylogenetic analysis of paired breast carcinomas identifies genetic events associated with clonal recurrence and invasive progression

Development of ipsilateral breast carcinoma following diagnosis of breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has been assumed to represent recurrence of the primary tumour. However, this may not be the case and it is important to know how often recurrences are new tumours. Ipsilateral primary-recurrence pairs (n=78) were sequenced to test their clonal relatedness. Shared genetic events were identified from whole exome sequencing (n=54 pairs) using haplotype-specific copy number and phylogenetic analysis. The remaining pairs were sequenced by a targeted panel or low-coverage whole genome sequencing. We included 32 non-recurrent DCIS to compare recurrent and non-recurrent disease. We found that 7% of DCIS recurrences were non-clonal by whole exome sequencing, indicative of a new breast carcinoma. Lower resolution methods detected a higher non-clonality rate (29%). Comparing primary DCIS with their recurrences found that evolution of DCIS to invasive disease was associated with increased ploidy and copy number events. TP53 mutations were enriched in DCIS with clonal recurrence compared with non-recurrent DCIS. Our results verify that de novo “recurrent tumours” of independent origin occur in patients who may be at high risk. (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.05.19.594731v2.full)

Study EGAS50000001298

Emergence of oncofetal plasticity is ubiquitous in early colorectal cancers

Metastasis formation is classically considered a late-stage event in colorectal cancer (CRC) evolution. Yet, the time and patterning by which metastatic competence is acquired remain poorly understood. Here, we show that metastasis-associated oncofetal cell states already emerge at the earliest stages of CRC, concurrent with invasive front formation. However, while necessary for metastasis, we detect them ubiquitously among early non-metastatic cancers, highlighting additional bottlenecks like immune evasion. To understand how oncofetal cells first emerge, we generated multiregional organoid models that reflect successive tumor progression stages within individual early-stage CRCs. Whole-genome sequencing and growth factor-dependency assays exclude tumor cell-intrinsic acquired traits. In contrast, single-cell spatial atlases of the tumor-microenvironment before and after malignant transformation revealed stereotypic patterning of fibroblast subtypes resembling normal tissue architecture, resulting in distinct regional microenvironments. At the onset of malignant growth into the submucosa, the first cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to appear strongly resemble submucosal trophocytes and colocalize with oncofetal cell states at invasive fronts. Functionally, fibroblast-organoid co-cultures confirm that these trophocyte-like CAFs induce plastic transitioning to oncofetal states. Thus, interactions between tumor and submucosal fibroblasts directly following malignant transformation dictate the timing and location at which oncofetal plasticity first occurs during CRC progression.

Study EGAS50000001532

Assessing gene expression profiling from FFPE Patient Samples: A Comparison of Two Library Preparation Approaches and Recommendations

Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) has transformed cancer research and clinical practice, with Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) driving advances in mutational profiling and personalized oncology. Yet, transcriptomic signatures remain essential for understanding disease mechanisms, including therapy resistance pathways. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), however, faces unique challenges when dealing with low-input or degraded RNA, as often found in archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Although previous studies have compared library preparation protocols, rapidly evolving technologies call for updated evaluations. Here, we present a direct comparison of two FFPE-compatible stranded RNA-seq library preparation kits: TaKaRa™ SMARTer® Stranded Total RNA-Seq Kit v2 (Kit A) and Illumina Stranded Total RNA Prep Ligation with Ribo-Zero Plus (Kit B). Both kits generated high-quality RNA-seq data, yet important differences emerged. Notably, Kit A achieved comparable gene expression quantification to Kit B while requiring 20-fold less RNA input, a crucial advantage for limited samples, albeit with increased sequencing depth. We critically discuss these results in relation to RNA availability, technical performance, cost-effectiveness, processing time, and automation potential, offering practical guidance for selecting optimal RNA-seq strategies in clinical and translational research settings

Study EGAS50000001066

Microbiomic and immunogenic biomarkers of adjuvant chemotherapy efficacy in stage III colorectal cancer

The standard treatment for stage III colorectal cancer (CRC) is surgery, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). However, the efficacy of AC is limited, and approximately 30% of patients experience recurrence. Therefore, easily assessable molecular biomarkers that can predict response to AC are needed. Here, we aimed to identify predictive biomarkers of response to AC using tumor transcriptomic data. Tumor specimens from 253 patients who underwent surgery for stage III CRC between 1997 and 2019 were analyzed using RNA sequencing. Transcriptional subtyping and analyses of gut microbiome, immune cell fractions, and T-cell receptor (TCR) were performed to identify factors associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients treated with or without AC. Of 253 patients, 118 (46.6%) received AC. Twenty phyla and 799 species of the microbiomes were identified, among which Fusobacteria were identified in 247 patients (97.6%). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis of patients who received AC showed that intratumoral Fusobacterium and M1 macrophage abundance and diversity of TCR alpha and delta (TRAD) were independently associated with RFS. Fusobacterium and M1 macrophage abundance, and TRAD diversity were associated with the response to AC, suggesting that these factors could serve as biomarkers for personalized treatment in stage III CRC.

Study JGAS000875

Shedding light over COVID-19 susceptibility and severity

“One of the most remarkable features of SARS-CoV-2 infection is the variation in consequence ranging from asymptomatic to life-threatening” state the authors of the majestic Nature paper released in accelerated pre-view on July 2021. This variation in consequences represent not only an issue of burning medical relevance, but also a scientific and intellectual challenge for scientists around the globe. Researchers are known to be easily triggered by a challenge, and they recently demonstrated to be even better at double their efforts to focus on an urgent societal need. In this work led and coordinated by the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative (COVID-19 HGI), researchers gathered data from 49,562 cases and two million controls from 46 studies performed worldwide. The majority of the data has been deposited at the EGA, where 29 datasets have been collected under the study number EGAS00001005304. Data gathered from diverse sources conferred a huge robustness to the results. Genetic data from different ancestry origin were included in the analyses, even though data from patients with European origin was highly predominant (approx. 75%). Separated analysis of the different ancestries gave rise to relevant differences in the results, highlighting how important it is to take this aspect in consideration for future studies. Data from the individual studies was compiled into three categories according to COVID-19 severity for a meta-analysis: (a) critically ill cases (b) moderate or severe cases (c) all cases. They were paired with non-COVID-19-reported controls. All three analysis resulted in a total of 13 genetic loci associated with COVID-19 severity. Out of those, 9 loci associated specifically with critical illness, while 6 (a few overlapped) associated with moderated illness. Some genomic position matched previous findings. Interestingly, working with such an enormous amount of data allowed the depth to discriminate association with disease susceptibility vs severity, an issue of large medical relevance. Several loci mapped into biological relevant genes, like TYK2, PPP1R15A and FOXP4, previously implicated in immune response and/or lung functions. Researchers participating in the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative have worked in an unprecedented time-tight collaboration, prioritizing data sharing and collective results to tackle the pandemic affecting the world. The scientific community won’t miss any of the lessons to learn from this, and the EGA is ready to keep working to enable safe data sharing and fruitful collaborations.

Blog covid-19-susceptibility-and-severity

UK10K NEURO ABERDEEN

In the UK10K project we propose a series of complementary genetic approaches to find new low frequency/rare variants contributing to disease phenotypes. These will be based on obtaining the genome wide sequence of 4000 samples from the TwinsUK and ALSPAC cohorts (at 6x sequence coverage), and the exome sequence (protein coding regions and related conserved sequence) of 6000 samples selected for extreme phenotypes. Our studies will focus primarily on cardiovascular-related quantitative traits, obesity and related metabolic traits, neurodevelopmental disorders and a limited number of extreme clinical phenotypes that will provide proof-of-concept for future familial trait sequencing. We will analyse directly quantitative traits in the cohorts and the selected traits in the extreme samples, and also use imputation down to 0.1% allele frequency to extend the analyses to further sample sets with genome wide genotype data. In each case we will investigate indels and larger structural variants as well as SNPs, and use statistical methods that combine rare variants in a locus or pathway as well as single-variant approaches. This sample set comprises cases of schizophrenia with additional cognitive measurements, collected in Aberdeen, Scotland.For further information on the Aberdeen cohort please contact David St Clair (d.stclair@abdn.ac.uk).

Study EGAS00001000109

Single_Cell_Sequencing_of_Sperm__scSperm_

The aim of this project is to genotype and sequence single spermatozoa from two men, one in his twenties and the other in his seventies. The resulting data is used to quantify the mutations that have arisen in the gametes of both individuals in order to better understand the effect of aging on mutation rates and modes.Project Outline. In order to quantify mutations, semen from two individuals are sequenced. 48 single sperm cells are isolated from each individual, and their DNA is extracted. The resulting genomes are amplified using PicoPlex, GenomiPhi MDA, Repli-G MDA, and MALBAC. QC step is applied to check the quality of WGA DNA using standard Sequenom plex (26 SNPs). A subset of 32 amplification products which pass the intiall QC, are genotyped using Affymetrix SNP6 chips. 12 of the genotyped amplification products are also sequenced. In addition, one multi-cell sample per individual is sequenced as a reference and for validation purposes.Altogether, 12 single cell sperm genomes and two multi-cell genomes are sequenced, coming to a total of 14 genomes. Of the single cell sperm genomes, 2 are sequenced to 50x coverage, and the other 10 to 25x coverage. Both multi-cell genomes are sequenced to 25x coverage.

Study EGAS00001000935

The Genomic Landscape of Core-Binding Factor Acute Myeloid Leukemias

Pediatric de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease that can be divided into clinically distinct subtypes based on the presence of specific chromosomal abnormalities or gene alterations. One of the best characterized subtypes of AML involves leukemias with alterations of the core-binding factor (CBF)-complex, which comprises the FAB subtypes M2 and M4Eo and associates with a favorable outcome. Patients with the AML M2 subtype harbor a translocation between chromosomes 8 and 21 [t(8;21)] that yields the chimeric fusion gene RUNX1(AML1)-RUNX1T1(ETO), while patients with AML M4Eo express the chimeric fusion gene CBFβ-SMMHC(MYH11) as a result of an inversion/translocation event of chromosome 16 [inv(16)/t(16;16)]. In an effort to define the total complement of genetic changes in CBF-leukemia, we performed paired-end whole genome sequencing (WGS) on diagnostic leukemia blasts and matched germ line samples from 17 pediatric CBF-leukemia patients using the Illumina platform. Somatic alterations, including single nucleotide variations (SNVs) and structural variations (SVs), including insertions, deletions, inversions, and inter- and intra-chromosomal rearrangements, were detected using complementary analysis pipelines (Bambino, CREST and CONSERTING). Recurrent screening of identified mutations will be performed in a cohort of approximately 94 cases of CBF-leukemias.

Study EGAS00001000349

ERG ALTERATIONS DEFINE A NOVEL SUBTYPE OF ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA

Structural chromosomal alterations are a hallmark of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) yet many patients lack an identifiable abnormality on conventional cytogenetic analysis. Here, using integrated analysis of genome-wide DNA copy number and gene expression data of 1764 childhood and adult ALL cases, including whole-genome, exome and mRNA-sequencing of 72 cases, we report a novel subtype of B-progenitor ALL (B-ALL) representing 4-13% of B-ALL cases characterized by a distinct gene expression profile, and focal deletions of ERG (ETS related gene) in 56% of cases. These cases are characterized by expression of a ERG transcript that utilizes a novel exon in intron 6 of ERG spliced to the canonical reading frame of ERG exons 7-10, encoding a 27 kDa C-terminal ERG protein that retains the ETS and transactivating domains but lacks the N-terminal pointed and regulatory domains. This protein is a competitive inhibitor of wild-type ERG and is leukemogenic in vivo. ERG-altered ALL cases have a favourable outcome despite the presence of alterations associated with poor prognosis in non-ERG ALL, such as deletions of IKZF1. These findings identify a new subtype of leukemia characterized by a novel mechanism of ETS transcription factor dysregulation in cancer.

Study EGAS00001000514

An RCOR1 loss-associated gene expression signature identifies a prognostically significant DLBCL subgroup

Effective treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is plagued by heterogeneous responses to standard therapy, and molecular mechanisms underlying unfavorable outcomes in lymphoma patients remain elusive. Here, we profiled 148 genomes with 91 matching transcriptomes in an R-CHOP-treated DLBCL cohort to uncover molecular subgroups linked to treatment failure. Systematic integration of high-resolution genotyping arrays and RNA-seq data revealed novel deletions in RCOR1 to be associated with unfavorable progression free survival (P = 0.001). Integration of expression data from the clinical samples with data from RCOR1 knockdowns in the lymphoma cell lines KM-H2 and Raji yielded an RCOR1 loss-associated gene signature comprising of 233 genes. This signature identified a subgroup of patients with unfavorable overall survival (OS) (P = 0.023). The prognostic significance of the 233-gene signature for OS was reproduced in an independent cohort comprising of 195 R- CHOP treated patients (P = 0.039). Additionally, we discovered that within the IPI low risk group, the gene signature provides additional prognostic value that was independent of the cell-of-origin phenotype. Taken together, we present a novel and reproducible molecular subgroup of DLBCL, impacting risk-stratification of R- CHOP treated DLBCL patients and revealing a new avenue for therapeutic intervention strategies.

Study EGAS00001001000

Accurate sample assignment in a multiplexed, ultra-sensitive, high-throughput sequencing assay for minimal residual disease

High throughput sequencing (HTS) (next generation sequencing) of the rearranged immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes promises to be cheaper and more sensitive than current methods for monitoring minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, adoption of new approaches by clinical laboratories requires careful evaluation of all potential sources of error and the development of strategies to ensure the highest accuracy. Timely and efficient clinical use of HTS platforms will depend on combining multiple samples (multiplexing) in each sequencing run. Here we examine immunoglobulin heavy chain gene HTS on the Illumina MiSeq platform for MRD (HTS-MRD). We identify errors associated with multiplexing that could potentially impact on the accuracy of MRD analysis. We optimise a strategy combining high purity, sequence-optimised oligonucleotides, dual-indexing and an error-aware demultiplexing approach to minimise errors and maximise sensitivity. We present a probability-based demultiplexing pipeline, Error-Aware Demultiplexer (EAD) - that is suitable for all MiSeq sequencing strategies and accurately assigns samples to the correct identifier without excessive loss of data. Finally using controls quantified by digital PCR, we show that HTS-MRD can accurately detect as few as 1 in 106 copies of specific leukemic MRD.

Study EGAS00001001303

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