73 results for ""hydrogenase+cluster"+"metal+ion+uptake"+flanking+aquatic+gamma-proteobacteria"

in 22.12 milliseconds.

• Healthspan and lifespan extension by fecal microbiota transplantation in progeroid mice

  The gut microbiome is emerging as a key regulator of several metabolic, immune and neuroendocrine pathways. Gut microbiome deregulation has been implicated in major conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty acid liver disease or cancer, but its precise role in aging remains to be elucidated. Here, we characterize the gut microbiome profile of accelerated aging and show that its external modulation is sufficient to extend healthspan and lifespan. We found that two different mouse models of progeria present with intestinal dysbiosis, which is characterized, among other alterations, by an increment in proteobacteria, cyanobacteria and a loss in verrucomicrobia, whereas long-lived humans (i.e., centenarians) exhibit a remarkable increase in verrucomicrobia and a reduction in proteobacteria. Fecal microbiota transplantation proved to be effective to enhance healthspan and lifespan in both progeroid mouse models and, more importantly, the solely transplantation with the verrucomicrobia Akkermansia muciniphila was sufficient to exert beneficial effects. Our results demonstrate that intestinal dysbiosis is a phenotype associated with accelerated aging and its correction provides health benefits. Moreover, metabolomic analysis of ileal content points to the restoration of secondary bile acids as a possible mechanism for the beneficial outcome of reestablishing a healthy microbiome. Our results suggest the existence of a link between gut aging and the microbiota, and can help to gain insight into the rationale for microbiome-based interventions against age-related diseases. Mouse sequence data have been deposited in ENA (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena) under accession number PRJEB34214

  Study EGAS00001003656

• JAK Inhibitor Withdrawal Causes a Transient Proinflammatory Cascade: A Potential Mechanism for Major Adverse Cardiac Events

  This is a study of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from salivary glands. The salivary glands were derived from participants who had dry eye or dry mouth symptoms but did not have evidence of systemic autoimmune disease (sicca controls). The aim of the study was to determine the effects of Type I and Type II Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (JAKinibs) withdrawal on these cells in vitro. The MSCs were treated in vitro with a) IFN-gamma (10 ng/mL) for the entire duration, b) IFN-gamma (10 ng/mL) and withdrawal of ruxolitinib (1 µM), c) IFN-gamma (10 ng/mL) and withdrawal CHZ-868 (1 µM), and d) IFN-gamma (10 ng/mL) and ruxolitinib (1 µM) for the entire duration. For the drug (CHZ-868 and ruxolitinib) conditions, after IFN-gamma treatment for 48 hours, we washed the cells with PBS and treated them with standard growth media with 0.01% DMSO, 10 ng/mL IFN-gamma + 0.01% DMSO, or 10 ng/mL IFN-gamma + JAKinib for 48 hours. For withdrawal conditions, we washed the cells twice and then treated them with standard growth media with either 0.01% DMSO or with 10 ng/mL IFN-gamma + 0.01% DMSO for 24 hours before harvest.

  Study phs003915

• Conserved interferon-gamma signaling and decreased immune exclusion programs in responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapy

  We analyzed baseline and on-therapy tumor biopsies from 101 patients with advanced melanoma treated with nivolumab (anti-PD-1) alone or combined with ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4). Analysis of whole transcriptome data showed that T cell infiltration and interferon-gamma signaling signatures corresponded most highly with clinical response to therapy, with a reciprocal decrease in cell cycle and WNT signaling pathways in responding biopsies. Clinical outcome differences were likely not due to differential melanoma cell responses to interferon-gamma, as 57 human melanoma cell lines exposed in vitro to this cytokine showed a conserved interferon-gamma transcriptome response unless they had mutations that precluded signaling from the interferon-gamma receptor. Therefore, the magnitude of the antitumor T cell response and the corresponding downstream interferon-gamma signaling are the main drivers of clinical response or resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

  Study EGAS00001004545

• Effects of interferon-gamma treatment on human small intestinal organoids generated from healthy donors

  The intestine is vulnerable to interferon-gamma as intestinal epithelial stem cells undergo cell death when exposed to interferon-gamma. Here, we developed a novel human intestinal organoid-based 3D model system to study the effects of interferon-gamma-induced intestinal epithelial damage at the RNA level. We treated organoids with 10 ng/mL for either 6 or 18h. Knowledge generated with this dataset is relevant for a variaty of intestinal pathologies with an immune component, for instance graft-versus-host disease.

  Study EGAS50000000083

• Integrated Exome-seq analysis of tumor thrombus

  We prospectively enrolled 83 patients with a renal mass and TT scheduled to undergo surgical resection. To accurately integrate genomic and transcriptomic findings and enable histological co-registration, simultaneous isolation of DNA and RNA was performed from individual samples characterized histologically through immediately flanking sections

  Study EGAS00001005511

• Integrated RNA-seq analysis of tumor thrombus

  We prospectively enrolled 83 patients with a renal mass and TT scheduled to undergo surgical resection. To accurately integrate genomic and transcriptomic findings and enable histological co-registration, simultaneous isolation of DNA and RNA was performed from individual samples characterized histologically through immediately flanking sections

  Study EGAS00001005512

• Conserved interferon-gamma signaling and decreased immune exclusion programs in responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapy_CM38-DNA

  We analyzed baseline and on-therapy tumor biopsies from 101 patients with advanced melanoma treated with nivolumab (anti-PD-1) alone or combined with ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4). Analysis of whole transcriptome data showed that T cell infiltration and interferon-gamma signaling signatures corresponded most highly with clinical response to therapy, with a reciprocal decrease in cell cycle and WNT signaling pathways in responding biopsies. Clinical outcome differences were likely not due to differential melanoma cell responses to interferon-gamma, as 57 human melanoma cell lines exposed in vitro to this cytokine showed a conserved interferon-gamma transcriptome response unless they had mutations that precluded signaling from the interferon-gamma receptor. Therefore, the magnitude of the antitumor T cell response and the corresponding downstream interferon-gamma signaling are the main drivers of clinical response or resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

  Dataset EGAD00001006284

• Conserved interferon-gamma signaling and decreased immune exclusion programs in responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapy_CM38-RNA

  We analyzed baseline and on-therapy tumor biopsies from 101 patients with advanced melanoma treated with nivolumab (anti-PD-1) alone or combined with ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4). Analysis of whole transcriptome data showed that T cell infiltration and interferon-gamma signaling signatures corresponded most highly with clinical response to therapy, with a reciprocal decrease in cell cycle and WNT signaling pathways in responding biopsies. Clinical outcome differences were likely not due to differential melanoma cell responses to interferon-gamma, as 57 human melanoma cell lines exposed in vitro to this cytokine showed a conserved interferon-gamma transcriptome response unless they had mutations that precluded signaling from the interferon-gamma receptor. Therefore, the magnitude of the antitumor T cell response and the corresponding downstream interferon-gamma signaling are the main drivers of clinical response or resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

  Dataset EGAD00001006282

• Effects of interferon-gamma treatment on human small intestinal organoids.

  Intestinal organoids treated with interferon-gamma 1 ng/mL either for 6h or 18h.

  Dataset EGAD50000000115

• RNA-seq dataset for gamma delta (γδ) T-ALL patients

  RNA-seq data for 85 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia expressing the gamma delta T cell receptor (γδ T-ALL)

  Dataset EGAD50000000027

• WGS dataset for gamma delta (γδ) T-ALL patients

  Whole genome sequencing data for 61 samples with acute lymphoblastic leukemia expressing the gamma delta T cell receptor (γδ T-ALL) and 29 germline samples

  Dataset EGAD50000000028

• Macrophage polarisation to M1 and M2 phenotypes

  iPSC-derived macrophages were polarised with LPS/IFN-gamma or IL4 to M1 and M2 phenotypes, respectively.

  Study EGAS50000000820

• Tumor reactive γδ T cells contribute to a complete response to PD-1 blockade in a Merkel cell carcinoma patient

  Single cell RNA and TCR sequencing of gamma delta T cells from two Merkel cell carcinoma patients

  Study EGAS50000000102

• Targeted sequencing of genomic regions of interest in depression and obesity

  This study aimed to further explore the genetic relationship between MD and obesity taking advantage of targeted sequencing strategy. Specifically, we searched for genetic risk variants across the entire frequency spectrum in flanking genomic regions and genes previously associated with MD and obesity, assessed the contribution of those variants to the pathophysiology of comorbid MD and obesity, and provided a general overview of the cellular and molecular pathways mapped by those variants when these complex diseases co-occur.

  Study EGAS50000000330

• LIMES Gamma Delta Data Access Commitee

  Dac EGAC00001003406

• Genomic Analysis of Bevacizumab-induced Hypertension

  Bevacizumab use in the treatment of cancer can lead to the development of hypertension in some patients, and high-grade toxicity can limit therapy or lead to cardiovascular complications. The factors that contribute to interindividual variability in blood pressure rise during bevacizumab treatment are not well understood. In the present study, whole exomes and flanking regulatory regions of candidate genes associated with vasodilation and blood pressure were sequenced in bevacizumab-treated subjects with the objective of identifying genes harboring multiple variants associated with severe, early-onset bevacizumab-induced hypertension.

  Study phs001597

• Genetics of gene expression in human macrophage response to Salmonella

  Understanding how cells sense and respond to their environment, and how these responses are modulated by genetic variation, are fundamental biological problems, particularly for understanding how pathogenic organisms invade and manipulate the cells of the human immune system. Macrophages recognize and respond to many important human pathogens including HIV-1, Mycobacteria tuberculosis and Salmonella. This study will focus on the cellular response of human macrophages to Salmonella infection and how this response is modulated by the genetic bacground of the individual as well as additional pro-inflammatory stimulus (interferon-gamma priming). We will acquire 100 human induced pluripotent stem cell lines from the HipSci project, differentiate the cells in vitro into macrophages and expose them to four environmental conditions: (i) no stimulation, (ii) interferon-gamma (18h), (iii) Salmonella typhimurium SL1344 (5h), (iv) interferon-gamma (18h) + Salmonella (5h).Subsequently, we will isolate RNA from the samples for sequencing.

  Dataset EGAD00001003204

• Identification and characterisation of pathogenic and non-pathogenic FGF14 repeat expansions

  Repeat expansions in FGF14 cause autosomal dominant late-onset cerebellar ataxia (SCA27B) with estimated pathogenic thresholds of 250 (incomplete penetrance) and 300 AAG repeats (full penetrance), but the sequence of pathogenic and non-pathogenic expansions remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that STRling and ExpansionHunter accurately detect FGF14 expansions from short-read genomic data using outlier approaches. By combining long-range PCR and nanopore sequencing in 169 patients with cerebellar ataxia and 802 controls, we compare FGF14 expansion alleles, including interruptions and flanking regions. Uninterrupted AAG expansions are significantly enriched in patients with ataxia from a lower threshold (180-200 repeats) than previously reported based on expansion size alone. Conversely, AAGGAG hexameric expansions are equally frequent in patients and controls. Distinct 5' flanking regions, interruptions and pre-repeat sequences correlate with repeat size. Furthermore, pure AAG (pathogenic) and AAGGAG (non-pathogenic) repeats form different secondary structures. Regardless of expansion size, SCA27B is a recognizable clinical entity characterized by frequent episodic ataxia and downbeat nystagmus, similar to the presentation observed in a family with a previously unreported nonsense variant (SCA27A). Overall, this study suggests that SCA27B is a major overlooked cause of adult-onset ataxia, accounting for 23-31% of unsolved patients. We strongly recommend re-evaluating pathogenic thresholds and integrating expansion sequencing into the molecular diagnostic process.

  Study EGAS50000000481

• Efficacy and Immune Effects of Anakinra Prophylaxis for Neurologic Toxicity and Cytokine Release Syndrome in Patients with Lymphoma Receiving Axicabtagene Ciloleucel

  Chimeric antigen receptor T cells have transformed the treatment of multiple hematologic malignancies, but are limited in application due to treatment-related toxicities. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity (NT) are the primary toxicities associated with these therapies and are thought to be mediated by broad immune activation due to robust T-cell expansion. Current treatment of these toxicities utilize anti-IL-6 directed therapy and/or systemic glucocorticoids to mitigate the consequences of this complex inflammatory cascade. We sought to use anakinra, an IL-1R antagonist, as a prophylactic strategy to prevent clinically meaningful CRS/NT, defined as grade 2 or higher toxicity necessitating clinical intervention. Although our study, in line with others, demonstrated that IL-1R antagonism is insufficient to prevent such toxicities entirely, we were able to gain insight into the molecular immune signaling associated with breakthrough CRS & NT in the presence of anakinra prophylaxis using our scRNA dataset of patients treated with and without IL-1R antagonism. We demonstrate that IL-4 and IL-10 anti-inflammatory pathways in infused CAR-T products of both anakinra and non-anakinra cohorts were negatively associated with grade 2+ toxicities. We also found that expression of IFN-gamma pathways and ligand-receptor activities, as well as cytokine levels of IFN-gamma and CXCL10 in CD14+ monocytes, were significantly enriched in patients with breakthrough toxicity in the anakinra cohort. This correlated with an increase in IFN-gamma in the peripheral blood of patients with breakthrough toxicities, among other cytokines. These data identify IFN-gamma as a potential key mechanism in the development of CAR-T cell-associated toxcities and suggest that this pathway is also targetable and not inhibited by anakinra alone.

  Study phs003655

• Single-Cell Analysis of the Multiple Myeloma Microenvironment after Gamma-Secretase Inhibition and CAR T-Cell Therapy

  We examined the effects of gamma-secretase inhibition (GSI) on the bone marrow microenvironment in multiple myeloma patients before anti-B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CAR T-cell therapy. Single-nuclei RNA and ATAC sequencing revealed significant changes in gene expression and chromatin accessibility, especially in monocytes and tumor cells, following exposure to GSI. The findings suggest that GSI influences not only BCMA signaling but also broader cellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment. De-identified sequencing data from the study is available through dbGaP.

  Study phs003741

• HighIGHG1 CRISPR-Cas9 edited alleles in IGHUND COH-DHL1 HGBCL2-DH-BCL2 cells

  High-throughput sequencing of IGHG1 alleles amplified from genomic DNA and the IGG1 (IGVH-CG1) functional transcript, flanking the gRNA-targeted region, from IGHUND HGBCL-DH-BCL2 COH-DHL1 cell line. IGHG1 targeting gRNAs were cloned into lentiCRISPRv2-Puro lentiviral vector (Addgene #98290). COH-DHL1 transduced cells were selected in Puromycin for 7 days, and expanded for further 17 days in the absence of any antibiotic selection.

  Dataset EGAD50000001525

• POLG data MS-affected co-twins

  paired-end BAM files of the sequencing analysis of the mtDNA polymerase gamma (POLG) gene in the MS-affected co-twins

  Dataset EGAD00001002189

• Genome-wide analysis of HPV integration in human cancers reveals recurrent, focal genomic instability

  Genomic instability is a hallmark of human cancers, including the 5% caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Here we report a striking association between HPV integration and adjacent host genomic structural variation in human cancer cell lines and primary tumors. Whole genome sequencing revealed HPV integrants flanking and bridging extensive host genomic amplifications and rearrangements, including deletions, inversions and chromosomal translocations. We present a model of ³looping² by which HPV integrant-mediated DNA replication and recombination may result in viral-host DNA concatemers, frequently disrupting genes involved in oncogenesis and amplifying HPV oncogenes E6 and E7. Our high-resolution results shed new light on a catastrophic process, distinct from chromothripsis and other mutational processes, by which HPV directly promotes genomic instability.

  Study EGAS00001000599

• Cellular Origins and Genetic Landscape of Cutaneous GD T Cell Lymphoma

  Cutaneous gamma-delta T cell lymphomas are a rare and aggressive subtype of cutaneous lymphoma. In the present study, we analyzed these cancers by DNA and RNA sequencing in order to illuminate the genetic landscape for this rare disease. We obtained tumor samples from multiple institutions, including Northwestern University (Chicago, IL), University of Chicago (Chicago, IL), University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA), and Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA).

  Study phs001969

• Whole Exome Sequencing

  The objective of this study was to better understand the molecular changes occurring in tumors during development of ICB (immune checkpoint blockade) resistance. Here, we performed Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) on biopsies from a cohort of melanoma patients after progression on anti-CTLA4 or anti-PD1 monotherapy and matched normal samples. Genetic alterations of antigen presentation and interferon gamma signaling pathways were observed in approximately 25% of ICB resistant cases.

  Study EGAS50000000259

• RNAseq Iron-Treated iPSC-derived Microglia

  Iron accumulation in microglia has been observed in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders and is thought to contribute to disease progression through various mechanisms including neuroinflammation. To study the interaction between iron accumulation and inflammation, we treated human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia (iPSC-MG) with an increasing concentration of iron, in combination with inflammatory stimuli such as interferon gamma and amyloid β, and performed RNA sequencing.

  Study EGAS00001006112

• The transcription factor GABP selectively binds and activates the mutant TERT promoter in cancer

  Reactivation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression enables cells to overcome replicative senescence and escape apoptosis, fundamental steps in the initiation of human cancer. Multiple cancer types, including up to 83% of glioblastomas (GBM), harbor highly recurrent TERT promoter mutations of unknown function but specific to two nucleotide positions. We identify the functional consequence of these mutations in GBM to be recruitment of the multimeric GABP transcription factor specifically to the mutant promoter. Allelic recruitment of GABP is consistently observed across four cancer types, highlighting a shared mechanism underlying TERT reactivation. Tandem flanking native ETS motifs critically cooperate with these mutations to activate TERT, likely by facilitating GABP heterotetramer binding. GABP thus directly links TERT promoter mutations to aberrant expression in multiple cancers.

  Study EGAS00001001242

• Somatic L1 Retrotransposition in Colorectal Tumors

  The purpose of this study is to ascertain the locations of somatic LINE-1 retrotransposition events in human colon tumor samples by pooling multiple tumor samples from different patients and performing a targeted resequencing assay (Ewing and Kazazian, Genome Research 2010) to sequence the 3' flanking regions of all insertions in the pooled sample. The result is compared to the result of applying the same method to pooled normal samples from the same patients as were used in the pooled tumor sample and selecting sites that show an insertion in the tumor but not in the normaltissue and do not correspond to any known non-reference LINE-1 insertion allele. The selected sites are then validated by site-specific PCR and capillary sequencing to confirm that they represent LINE-1 insertions and to obtain breakpoint sequences.

  Study phs000536

• RB1 Loss Triggers Dependence on ESRRG in Retinoblastoma

  Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a deadly childhood eye cancer that is classically initiated by inactivation of the RB1 tumor suppressor. Clinical management continues to rely on nonspecific chemotherapeutic agents that are associated with treatment resistance and toxicity. Here, we analyzed whole exomes from primary Rb tumors to identify novel Rb dependencies. Several recurrent genomic aberrations implicate estrogen-related receptor gamma (ESRRG) in Rb pathogenesis. ESRRG is an essential mediator of hypoxic adaptation and cell survival in retinoblastoma, representing a promising new therapeutic target.

  Study phs002859

• Targeted Illumina sequencing of 3399 plasma cfDNA samples and 1988 leukocyte DNA samples from 1995 metastatic prostate cancer patients

  Blood samples were collected from eight clinical trials and a British Columbia-based biobank. All plasma cfDNA and leukocyte DNA samples were processed with uniform methodology, and underwent targeted sequencing using a custom hybridization capture panel and Illumina instruments. Four different generations of custom hybridization capture panel were used, all providing coverage of the complete coding regions of 72 prostate cancer genes, and later panel generations also providing exhaustive coverage of the AR locus (including introns and flanking regulatory regions), as well as a genome-wide SNP grid for copy number analysis.

  Dataset EGAD50000001594

• DNA methylation at HBV integrants and flanking host genomes

  Integration of DNA viruses into the human genome plays an important role in various types of tumors, including hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the molecular details and clinical impact of HBV integration on either the human or HBV epigenomes are unknown. Here, we show that methylation of the integrated HBV DNA is related to the methylation status of the flanking human genome. We developed a next-generation sequencing-based method for structural methylation analysis of integrated viral genomes (denoted G-NaVI). This method is a novel approach that enables enrichment of viral fragments for sequencing using unique baits based on the sequence of the HBV genome. We detected integrated HBV sequences in the genome of the PLC/PRF/5 cell line and found variable levels of methylation within the integrated HBV genomes. Allele-specific methylation analysis revealed that the HBV genome often became significantly methylated when integrated into highly methylated host sites. After integration into unmethylated human genome regions such as promoters, however, the HBV DNA remains unmethylated and may eventually play an important role in tumorigenesis. The observed dynamic changes in DNA methylation of the host and viral genomes may functionally affect the biological behavior of HBV. These findings may impact public health given that millions of people worldwide are carriers of HBV. We also believe our assay will be a powerful tool to increase our understanding of the various types of DNA virus-associated tumorigenesis.

  Study JGAS000015

• Resistance to Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in Uganda: Immunologic Profiling

  Despite significant exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), some humans remain uninfected, as defined by persistently negative immune sensitization tests (tuberculin skin test, TST; interferon gamma release assays, IGRA). To explore mechanisms of natural resistance to Mtb infection, we profiled tissues from highly-exposed Mtb contacts from Uganda. The cohort from this submission were household contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis cases who were followed longitudinally over 8 years and maintained negative TST and IGRA testing on serial evaluations. This cohort is well-described (Stein et al. 2019, PMID: 30165605).

  Study phs002445

• Transcriptional effect of 4HTBZ on Caco-2 cells

  This study was performed to investigate the transcriptional effect of the H2S donor 4HTBZ on intestinal epithelial cells upon inflammatory stimulation. Caco-2/TC7 cells were pre-stimulated with interferon gamma (IFNG, 2.5 ng/mL) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF, 10 ng/mL), followed by treatment with 4HTBZ (50 µM) or vehicle (0.1% DMSO) for 72 hours. Total RNA was extracted using the RNeasy Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany), and cDNA libraries were prepared with the QuantSeq 3′ mRNA-Seq Kit (Lexogen, Inc.) and sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq4000 system.

  Study EGAS50000001237

• Identification and targeting of extremely high-risk gamma delta T-ALL in children

  Acute lymphoblastic leukemia expressing the gamma delta T cell receptor (γδ T-ALL) is an uncommon, poorly understood disease. We studied 200 pediatric γδ T-ALL enrolled on clinical trials to understand the clinical and genetic features of this disease, which showed variation in outcome according to age and genetic driver. γδ T-ALL diagnosed in children under three years of age was extremely high-risk and enriched for genetic alterations leading to both LMO2 activation and STAG2 inactivation. Using patient samples and isogenic cell lines, we show that inactivation of STAG2 profoundly perturbs chromatin organization by altering enhancer-promoter looping and results in deregulation of gene expression related to T-cell differentiation. High throughput drug screening identified a vulnerability in DNA repair pathways arising from STAG2 inactivation, which was efficaciously targeted by PARP inhibition. These data provide a diagnostic and therapeutic framework for classification and risk stratification of pediatric γδ T-ALL.

  Study EGAS50000000018

• High-Throughput LINE-1 Retrotransposon Discovery in Humans

  The aim of this study is to discover LINE-1 (L1) insertion sites present in humans that are absent from the reference genome sequence. We use the distinguishing nucleotide characteristics of human-specific L1 elements to resequence the L1 3' flanking regions thus locating the L1 insertion sites whether or not they are present in the reference genome assembly. In doing so, we have uncovered a higher than expected number of non-reference L1 insertions, an average of 152 insertions per individual. In addition, we find that any two individuals differ at an average of 285 sites with respect to presence or absence of L1 insertions in those sites, and use this to estimate the rate of retrotransposition in humans at 1 event per 140 live births (95% c.i. 1/95 to 1/270). We show that individual 'L1 profiles' recapitulate genetic ancestry as expected, and find that dimorphic insertions are more frequent in introns relative to fixed insertions.

  Study phs000273

• Primary Cytotoxic T Cell Lymphomas Harbor Recurrent Targetable Alterations in the JAK-STAT Pathway

  Cytotoxic cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are uncommon but highly aggressive cancers of skin-homing cytotoxic T cells. These include the established World Health Organization (WHO) entity primary cutaneous gamma delta T cell lymphomas (PCGDTLs), the provisional WHO entity primary cutaneous CD8+ aggressive epidermotropic T cell lymphoma (PCAETCL), and samples that do not currently fit into a WHO category, referred to as cytotoxic CTCL-NOS (not otherwise specified). In this study, 35 CTCL cases were examined, and 9 PCAETCL cases were confirmed by CD8 expression and full-thickness epidermotropism. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and bulk RNA sequencing were performed on these samples.  

  Study phs002499

• Effects of tobacco smoking on the tumor immune microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

  This study was designed to measure immune cell differences between HNSCC patients according to smoking history. We measured CD3, CD8, FoxP3, PD-1 and PD-L1 for immune markers and Pancytokeratin to distinguish between tumor and surrounding tissue. We observed that current smokers have significantly lower numbers of immune cells surrounding the tumor than former or never smokers. GSEA analysis of RNAseq data from this cohort suggests that smoking is associated with reduced Interferon (IFN) Alpha and Gamma levels, and also with reduced levels of IFN-response cytokines CXCL9, 10 and 11. These results emphasize the hypothetical benefits of smoking cessation during treatment for HNSCC.

  Study phs001994

• Development and Validation of Patient-Derived Xenografts from Fibrolamellar Carcinoma Human Tissue

  We developed and validated Patient-Derived Xenografts (PDX) of Fibrolamellar Carcinoma human tissue from surgical resections. Human tissues from primary liver tumor, recurrent liver, and liver metastases were implanted into NOD-SCID-Gamma (NSG) mice (Jackson laboratories) and monitored for tumor growth. Some of the original tissues were frozen for further analysis including RNA sequencing. Tumors that grew were then harvested and passaged into additional mice. Some tumor tissues from the PDX samples were frozen for RNA-Seq analysis. The PDX was validated by histologic, transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. The RNA-Seq analysis was performed on original tissue samples including primary liver tumor, recurrent liver, liver metastases, normal liver, and the derived PDX.

  Study phs002435

• Cancer-Restricted Cryptic Antigens Are Targets for T Cell Recognition

  Subjects included patients with pancreatic cancer, at least 18 years of age, who were recruited from outpatient clinics and inpatient units at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital.Bulk and single-cell transcriptomic profiling of human pancreatic cancer patient samples (direct from tumor or profiling of patient-derived organoids) was performed. Patient-derived pancreatic cancer organoids were profiled in the presence or absence of interferon-gamma stimulation. Healthy-donor CD8 T lymphocytes were ex vivo primed and expanded with candidate non-canonical (cryptic) peptide antigens. Single-cell transcriptomic profiling with paired T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing and molecularly-barcoded HLA tetramers enabled deconvolution and identification of cryptic antigen-reactive TCRs.

  Study phs003887

• Dynamics of checkpoint receptors in γδ T cell subsets are associated with clinical responses during anti-PD-1 immunotherapies

  scRNA-seq data from circulating gamma delta T cells derived from healthy donors and patients with stage IV melanoma that either responded or did not respond to anti-PD-1 monotherapy or anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 combination therapy. This dataset includes paired samples from these patients before and 3 months after the start of immunotherapy.

  Dataset EGAD50000001812

• RNAseq Iron-Treated iPSC-derived Microglia

  Iron accumulation in microglia has been observed in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders and is thought to contribute to disease progression through various mechanisms including neuroinflammation. To study the interaction between iron accumulation and inflammation, we treated human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia (iPSC-MG) with an increasing concentration of iron, in combination with inflammatory stimuli such as interferon gamma and amyloid β, and performed RNA sequencing.

  Dataset EGAD00001008660

• Multimodal Profiling of 500,000 Memory T Cells from a Tuberculosis Cohort Identifies Cell State Associations with Demographics, Environment, and Disease

  We conducted CITE-seq to measure whole transcriptome gene expression and surface expression of 31 proteins. We assayed >500K memory T cells from 259 donors from a tuberculosis progression cohort (128 cases: former progressors and 131 controls: non-progresssors/latent infection) >4 years post-infection after returning to immune steady state. We defined 31 memory T cell states influenced by age, sex, genetic ancestry, and season. After correcting for these covariates, we found that one cell state (C-12), resembling the T helper cells Th17s, were depleted in cases compared to controls. When sorted ex vivo, this state responds to polyclonal or Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) peptide antigen stimulation with interleukin-17 (IL-17) or interferon gamma (IFNg).

  Study phs002467

• Resistance to Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in South Africa: Immunologic Profiling

  Despite significant exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), some humans remain uninfected, as defined by persistently negative immune sensitization tests (tuberculin skin test, TST; interferon gamma release assays, IGRA). To explore mechanisms of natural resistance to Mtb infection, we profiled tissues from highly-exposed Mtb contacts from South Africa. The cohort in this submission were gold miners in South Africa who had worked in the mining industry ≥ 15 years with presumed high Mtb exposure, based on extreme tuberculosis incidence rates and high prevalence of latent Mtb infection (Chihota et al. 2022, PMID: 35302992; Ntshiqa et al. 2021, doi: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13191.1). TST and IGRA testing were performed at enrollment of gold miners, some of whom remained available for repeat testing at 12 months.

  Study phs002746

• Bruno et al.: Interferon gamma rebalances immunopathological signatures in Chronic Granulomatous Disease through metabolic rewiring

  Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent life-threatening infections and hyperinflammatory complications. It is caused by mutations in the NADPH oxidase complex and the consequent loss of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Recombinant human interferon gamma (rIFN-γ) prophylaxis reduces the risk of severe infections, but the mechanisms behind its efficacy in CGD are still an open question, as it does not restore NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS production. Here, we show that myeloid innate immune cells of CGD patients are transcriptionally and functionally reprogrammed to a hyperactive inflammatory status, displaying an impaired in vitro induction of trained immunity. CGD monocytes have reduced intracellular amino acids concentrations and profound functional metabolic defects, both at the level of glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration. Ex vivo and in vivo treatment with IFN-γ restored these metabolic defects and reduced excessive IL-1β and IL-6 production in response to fungal stimuli in CGD monocytes. These data suggest that prophylactic rIFNγ modulates the metabolic status of innate immune cells in CGD. These data shed light on the effects of NADPH-derived ROS deficiency to the metabolic programs of immune cells and pose the basis for targeting this immunometabolic axis, potentially beyond CGD, with IFN-γ immunotherapy.

  Study EGAS00001005463

• APOL1 Risk Variants Induce Metabolic Reprogramming of Podocytes in Patient-Derived Kidney Organoids

  Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) high-risk genotypes G1 and G2 are responsible for the increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the African-American population, especially in the presence of interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Here, we applied single cell transcriptomics on kidney organoids generated from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to model human APOL1 nephropathy. iPSCs were generated from fibroblasts of two patients with APOL1 nephropathy homozygous for G1 or G2 risk variants, and an isogenic control (G0) was created by gene correction. Kidney organoids were generated according to previously published protocol (Takasato M et al. Nat. Protoc. 2016) and treated with IFN-γ for two days to induce APOL1. Twenty-four hours after IFN-γ removal, treated organoids from all three lines that were cultured in parallel were harvested for single cell transcriptomics.

  Study EGAS50000001223

• Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Parkinson Disease-P20

  Increasing evidence supports the role of brain and systemic inflammation in the etiology of Parkinson disease (PD). We used gene expression profiling (RNA-seq) to examine the activation state of peripheral blood monocytes in 18 patients with early, untreated PD and 16 healthy control (HC) subjects. Monocytes were isolated by negative selection, and gene expression studied by RNA-seq and gene set enrichment analysis. A computational model that incorporated case/control status, sex, and the interaction between case/control status and sex was utilized. We found that there was a striking effect of sex on monocyte gene expression. There was inflammatory activation of monocytes in females with PD, with enrichment of gene sets associated with interferon gamma stimulation. In males, the activation patterns were more heterogeneous. These data point to the importance of systemic monocyte activation in PD, and the importance of studies which examine the differential effects of sex on pathophysiology of the disease.

  Study phs002063

• Anti-TIGIT antibody tiragolumab improves PD-L1 blockade via myeloid and Treg cells

  Tiragolumab, an anti-TIGIT antibody with an active IgG1/kappa Fc, demonstrated improved outcomes in the phase 2 CITYSCAPE trial (NCT03563716) when combined with atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) versus atezolizumab alone1. However, there remains little consensus on the mechanism(s) of response with this combination2. We found that high baseline intratumoral macrophages and Tregs were associated with better outcomes in patients treated with atezolizumab plus tiragolumab but not with atezolizumab alone. Serum sample analysis revealed that macrophage activation was associated with clinical benefit in patients receiving the combination treatment. In mouse tumor models, tiragolumab surrogate antibodies inflamed tumor-associated macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells through Fc gamma receptors (FcɣR), in turn driving anti-tumor CD8+ T cells from an exhausted effector-like state to a more memory-like one. These results uncover a mechanism of action by which TIGIT checkpoint inhibitors can remodel immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments, and suggest that FcɣR engagement is an important consideration in anti-TIGIT antibody development.

  Study EGAS50000000251

• Epigenomic priming of immune genes implicates oligodendroglia in multiple sclerosissusceptibility

  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by a targeted attack on oligodendroglia (OLG)and associated myelin by immune cells, which are thought to be the main drivers of MS susceptibility. Assessing chromatin accessibility and the transcriptome simultaneously at the single cell level, we found that immune genes exhibit a primedchromatin state in mouse and human OLG in a non-disease context, compatible withrapid transitions to immune-competent states in MS. We identified transcription factors as BACH1 and STAT1 involved in immune gene regulation in oligodendrocyteprecursor cells (OPCs). A subset of immune genes present bivalency of H3K4me3/H3K27me3 in OPCs, with Polycomb inhibition leading to their increased activation upon interferon-gamma (IFNg) treatment. Some MS susceptibility single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) overlap with these regulatory regions in mouse andhuman OLG, and treatment of mouse OPCs with IFNg leads to chromatin architecture remodeling at these loci and altered expression of interacting genes. Our data indicates that susceptibility for MS may involve OLG, which therefore constitute novel targets for immunological-based therapies for MS.

  Study EGAS00001005911

• Epigenetic and metabolomic data from type 2 diabetes adolescents

  Objective: Rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) among adolescents are on the rise. Epigenetic changes could be associated with the metabolic alterations in adolescents with T2D. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional integrated analysis of DNA methylation data from peripheral blood mononuclear cells with serum metabolomic data from First Nation adolescents with T2D and controls participating in the Improving Renal Complications in Adolescents with type 2 diabetes through REsearch (iCARE) cohort study, to explore the molecular changes in adolescents with T2D. Results: Our analysis showed that 43 serum metabolites and 36 differentially methylated regions (DMR) were associated with T2D. Several DMRs were located near the transcriptional start site of genes with established roles in metabolic disease and associated with altered serum metabolites (e.g. glucose, leucine, and gamma-glutamylisoleucine). These included the free fatty acid receptor-1 (FFAR1), upstream transcription factor-2 (USF2), and tumor necrosis factor-related protein-9 (C1QTNF9), among others. Conclusions: We identified DMRs and metabolites that merit further investigation to determine their significance in controlling gene expression and metabolism which could define T2D risk in adolescents.

  Study EGAS00001003816

• Dynamics of checkpoint receptors in γδ T cell subsets are associated with clinical responses during anti-PD-1 immunotherapies

  Gamma delta (γδ) T cells are innate-like lymphocytes with potent anti-tumor properties. Herein, we show that immune checkpoint receptors (ICRs) display differential expression and regulation by the JAK-STAT pathway in Vδ1 and Vδ2 cells and identify constitutive (e.g. TIGIT, PD-1) and inducible (e.g. TIM-3, LAG-3, CTLA-4) ICRs. In melanoma, all γδ T cell subsets downregulated AP-1 transcription factors, but Vδ1 cells specifically expressed high levels of ICR, TOX and inhibitory killer Ig-like receptor (KIR) transcripts, reminiscent of exhaustion. However, patient-derived cells were functionally competent, although induction of LAG-3 and CTLA-4 was impaired. During anti-PD-1 monotherapy, Vδ1 cells specifically bound high levels of therapeutic antibody but only in patients who responded to treatment, revealing a potential new prognostic marker for evaluating the efficacy of IC blockade (ICB) therapy. Finally, expression of KIR genes in Vδ1 cells was downregulated in response to successful ICB therapy. Collectively, our data indicate an intricate relationship between ICRs and γδ T cells and reveal novel approaches by which these cells can be harnessed in order to discern or improve cancer immunotherapy.

  Study EGAS50000001270

• Genome Studies in Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

  Next-generation sequencing technology is opening up new opportunities to rethink the way we identify disease causing genetic variation. An early application, whole exome sequencing, has now been established by a small number of research labs, including ours. Exome sequencing allows obtaining a near complete set of protein coding genomic variation in single individuals for less than $5,000. Promising targets for exome sequencing studies are Mendelian diseases, such as hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP). HSP comprise a genetically very heterogeneous set of neurological disorders with currently 39 different HSP chromosomal loci being reported; yet, the identified genes explain only 60% of the genetic effect at best. Traditional methods of gene identification require linkage analysis of large families, but face increasing difficulties to identify such extended pedigrees for rare HSP forms. However, the innovative approach described in this application will overcome some of these limitations and utilize relatively small pedigrees for highly effective gene identification. We will apply exome sequencing, which will characterize all coding changes and flanking exonic variation in two individuals of a family. We have developed a multi-tiered strategy to reduce the number of identified novel variants to the very causative change in an individual family. We propose to study at least 60 HSP families, which are too small to yield conclusive results with linkage analysis. If the developing technology permits we will consider a larger sample or perform whole genome sequencing. Beyond the important benefit to genetics of HSP, this study will allow us to further establish this new method, which will benefit a large range of additional disease studies.

  Study phs001080

• Genesis of Two Most Prevalent Variants Causing Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency in 21 Populations

  Two variants (c.[301_302delAG];[301_302delAG] and c.[150delA];[150delA]) in the PROP1 gene are the most common genetic causes of recessively inherited combined pituitary hormones deficiency (CPHD). Our objective was to analyze in detail the origin of the two most prevalent variants. In the multicentric study were included 237 patients with CPHD and their 15 relatives carrying c.[301_302delAG];[301_302delAG] or c.[150delA];[150delA] or c.[301_302delAG];[ 150delA]. They originated from 21 different countries worldwide. We genotyped 21 single nucleotide variant markers flanking the 9.6Mb region around the PROP1 gene that are not in mutual linkage disequilibrium in the general populations - a finding of a common haplotype would be indicative of ancestral origin of the variant. Haplotypes were reconstructed by Phase and Haploview software, and the variant age was estimated using an allelic association method. We demonstrated ancestral origin of both variants: c.[301_302delAG] was carried on 0.2Mb-long haplotype in a majority of European patients arising approximately 101 generations ago (confidence interval 90.1-116.4). Patients from the Iberian Peninsula displayed a different haplotype which was estimated to have emerged 23.3 (20.1-29.1) generations ago. Subsequently, the data indicated that both haplotypes were transmitted to Latin American patients approximately 13.8 (12.2-17.0) and 16.4 (14.4-20.1) generations ago, respectively. The c.[150delA] variant that was carried on a haplotype spanning about 0.3Mb was estimated to appear 43.7 (38.4-52.7) generations ago. We present strong evidence that the most frequent variants in the PROP1 gene are not a consequence of variant hot-spots as previously assumed, but are founder variants.

  Study EGAS00001001165

• Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN) Lipidomics Study

  The GOLDN study was initiated to assess how genetic factors interact with environmental (diet and drug) interventions to influence blood levels of triglycerides and other atherogenic lipid species and inflammation markers (registered at clinicaltrails.gov, number NCT00083369). The study recruited Caucasian participants primarily from three-generational pedigrees from two NHLBI Family Heart Study (FHS) field centers (Minneapolis, MN and Salt Lake City, UT). Only families with at least two siblings were recruited and only participants who did not take lipid-lowering agents (pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals) for at least 4 weeks prior to the initial visit were included. A total of 1048 GOLDN participants were included in the diet intervention. The diet intervention followed the protocol of Patsch et al. (1992). The whipping cream (83% fat) meal had 700 Calories/m2 body surface area (2.93 MJ/m2 body surface area): 3% of calories were derived from protein (instant nonfat dry milk) and 14% from carbohydrate (sugar). The ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fat was 0.06 and the cholesterol content of the average meal was 240 mg. The mixture was blended with ice and flavorings. Blood samples were drawn immediately before (fasting) and at 3.5 and 6 hours after consuming the high-fat meal. For the GOLDN lipidomics study, sterols and fatty acids were measured from stored plasma (-80 degrees Celsius) collected at fasting and 3.5 hours after the diet intervention using TrueMass Panels from Lipomics (West Sacramento, CA). A total of 11 sterols were quantified in nmols/gram of sample including total cholesterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, desmosterol, lanosterol, lathasterol, cholestanol, coprostanol, beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol. A total of 35 fatty acids were quantified in nmols/gram of sample inlcuding myristic acid (14:0); pentadecanoic acid (15:0); palmitic acid (16:0); stearic acid (18:0); arachidic acid (20:0); behenic acid (22:0); lignoceric acid (24:0); myristoleic acid (14:1n5); palmitoleic acid (16:1n7); palmitelaidic acid (t16:1n7); oleic acid (18:1n9); elaidic acid (t18:1n9); vaccenic acid (18:1n7); linoleic acid (18:2n6); gamma-linolenic acid (18:3n6); alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n3); stearidonic acid (18:4n3); eicosenoic acid (20:1n9); eicosadienoic acid (20:2n6); mead acid (20:3n9); di-homo-gamma-linolenic acid (20:3n6); arachidonic acid (20:4n6); eicsoatetraenoic acid (20:4n3); eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n3); erucic acid (22:1n9); docosadienoic acid (22:2n6); adrenic acid (22:4n6); docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n6); docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n3); docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3); nervonic acid (24:1n9); and plasmalogen derivatives of 16:0, 18:0, 18:1n9, and 18:1n7.

  Study phs000741

• Exploring the role of mtDNA variation in Multiple Sclerosis in a large cohort of discordant monozygotic twins

  Several lines of evidence indicate that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants might predispose to multiple sclerosis (MS). We examined this in 49 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs clinically discordant for MS at study entry. Since the nuclear DNA of MZ twins is identical, our study provides a unique setting to functionally associate unique mtDNA variants and skewed heteroplasmy with MS development. In order to identify mtDNA variants in the twin cohort, we deeply sequenced the mitochondrial genome in blood of all 49 MZ twin pairs using next generation sequencing (Illumina, HiSeq or MiSeq) with an average coverage depth of ~25,000 sequences per base. Heteroplasmic variants were validated using targeted deep sequencing (TDS) (Illumina, MiSeq) in DNA isolated from blood and buccal swabs. In addition, whole blood was also available of 5 additional MS-affected or healthy siblings and 1 dizygotic twin pair discordant for MS, comprising in total 6 non-identical sib pairs. Moreover, all cases were screened for pathogenic mtDNA polymerase gamma (POLG) mutations. The data provides valuable insights in the possible involvement of mtDNA variants in the pathogenesis of MS, and gives information on the segregation of heteroplasmic variants within MZ twins and non-identical siblings and across different tissues.

  Study EGAS00001001240

• Identification of intronic sequences promoting natural skipping of ABCA4 exon 15 using long-read transcriptomics and midigene assays

  Stargardt disease is an inherited retinal disease that leads to progressive loss of vision, and is caused by biallelic variants in the ABCA4 gene. A significant proportion of ABCA4 variants of variable penetrance affect pre-mRNA splicing. Previously, we observed the exclusion of certain ABCA4 exons into the final transcript in the absence of any disease-causing variants. In this study, we explored this phenomenon that we coined natural exon skipping (NES) for the entire ABCA4 transcript, using targeted RT-PCR analysis as well as long-read transcriptome sequencing of control retina samples. For the most abundant NES event, which is skipping of ABCA4 exon 15, overlapping ABCA4 deletion constructs were employed to identify responsible cis-regulatory sequence motifs. Subsequently, antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) were designed and tested to reverse NES and restore fully-spliced ABCA4 mRNA. We identified intronic regions on each side of exon 15 that, when deleted, increased the inclusion of exon 15 in the final transcripts. Interestingly, these motifs appear to work in a synergistic manner. Further fine-mapping of these regions revealed several cis-regulatory motifs that may be responsible for inducing NES, on each side of the exon. AONs targeting these motifs unfortunately did not decrease the skipping of exon 15. In conclusion, we discovered an intriguing phenomenon that, in the absence of disease-causing variants, results in the skipping of one or more exons in the ABCA4 transcript. These NES events appear to be regulated by cis-regulatory motifs within the flanking introns. This work captured the extend of NES throughout ABCA4 transcript and the role of cis-regulatory motifs in pre-mRNA splicing.. The use of AONs targeting cis-regulatory motifs is an innovative strategy for splicing modulation, suitable for complementing future variant-specific splicing modulation therapies in ABCA4 retinopathies.

  Study EGAS50000000071

• Chromatin remodeling enhances MAP3K8 expression in HAM: a key pathogenesis for therapeutic intervention

  Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy (HAM) is a debilitating neuroinflammatory disease with no available effective treatments. A hallmark of HAM is the transformation of HTLV-1-infected cells into T helper type 1 (Th1)-like cells, characterized by excessive interferon (IFN)-gamma production that drives chronic inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms fuel this aberrant Th1-like transformation and sustained inflammation remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that HAM-characteristic chromatin remodeling plays a pivotal role in the overexpression of key genes driving inflammatory pathogenesis. Using transcriptomic analysis, chromatin accessibility profiling, and biomarker evaluations across HTLV-1-related diseases, we identify MAP3K8 as a key gene that defines the unique inflammatory profile of HAM. MAP3K8 overexpression promotes Th1-like differentiation and constitutively activates the MEK-ERK signaling pathway. Furthermore, we elucidate the mechanism by which HTLV-1 Tax, Fosl2, and c-Jun collaboratively induce HAM-characteristic chromatin remodeling at the enhancer region of the MAP3K8 locus. Crucially, we demonstrate that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors effectively suppress the MAP3K8-MEK signaling cascade and significantly mitigated inflammatory pathogenesis in an ex vivo culture assay. Our findings provide critical insights into the virus-host interactions underpinning HAM and propose the MAP3K8-MEK-ERK axis as a promising therapeutic target for this challenging condition.

  Study JGAS000835

• Comprehensive Genomic Characterization of Gene Therapy-Induced T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (H007)

  Six out of ten patients in a hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy (GT) trial for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) developed T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) associated with gamma-retroviral vector integration at the LMO2 locus. We hypothesized that detailed molecular analysis of T-ALL driven by temporally defined first deregulation of LMO2 might offer valuable insights into the pathogenesis of GT-associated and sporadic T-ALL (HIPO project 007). In all six patients whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing demonstrated that in addition to oncogenic chromosomal translocations involving the T-cell receptor loci, retrovirally induced leukemias faithfully recapitulated secondary genomic events observed in sporadic T-ALL. Multiple genetic events culminated in the development of a rapidly proliferating leukemic clone and onset of clinical manifestation at 1.3 to 5 years after infusion of the gene corrected transplant. These genetic alterations affected NOTCH1 and PI3K signaling, cell cycle regulation as wells as T-cell transcription factors LEF1 and TCF1. Two of the six cases displayed a phenotype reminiscent of early immature T-ALLs, and lacked additional T-ALL typical alterations. Our analysis shows that insertional mutagenesis involving the LMO2 locus triggers T-ALL development due to diverse genetic alterations in large parts, but not exclusively, in known T-ALL driver genes, demonstrating the molecular diversity of GT-associated T-ALL.

  Study EGAS00001003870

• Combination pembrolizumab and radiotherapy induces systemic anti-tumor immune responses in immunologically-cold non-small cell lung cancer

  The abscopal effects of radiation may sensitize immunologically “cold” tumors to immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). We investigated the immunostimulatory effects of radiotherapy leveraging multi-omic analyses of serial tissue and blood biospecimens (n=293) from a phase 2 clinical trial of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) followed by pembrolizumab in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; NCT02492568). Patients with immunologically-cold tumors (low tumor mutation burden, null PD-L1 expression, WNT-pathway mutated) in the SBRT arm had significantly longer progression-free survival compared to ICI alone (P<0.05). Induction of interferon-gamma, interferon-alpha, and antigen processing and presentation gene sets was significantly enriched post SBRT in non-irradiated tumor sites (FDR adjusted P<0.01). Significant on-therapy expansions of new and pre-existing TCR clones in both the tumor and blood compartments were noted in the SBRT arm (P<0.05). These findings support the systemic anti-tumor effects of immuno-radiotherapy and may open a therapeutic window of opportunity to overcome resistance to ICI.

  Dataset EGAD50000000404

• Addiction of Primary Cutaneous Gamma-Delta T-cell Lymphomas to JAK-STAT Signaling

  Primary cutaneous &#947;&#948; T-cell lymphoma (PCGDTL) is a mature T-cell lymphoma (TCL) of the skin with a median survival of 31 months and no effective therapies. PCGDTLs frequently possess mutations in the JAK/STAT pathway, including in JAK1, JAK3, STAT3, STAT5B, and SOCS1. We hypothesized that single-agent JAK inhibition may be effective in PCGDTLs, particularly those with targetable JAK/STAT pathway mutations. Herein, we demonstrate the near-complete response of two PCGDTL cases to single-agent JAK inhibitors, ruxolitinib or cerdulatinib. However, both patients eventually relapsed with acquired mutations in JAK1, JAK3, or STAT5B.

  Study phs003837

• Massively parallel nanowell-based single-cell gene expression profiling

  Technological advances have enabled transcriptome characterization of cell types at the single-cell level providing new biological insights. New methods that enable simple yet high-throughput single-cell expression profiling are highly desirable. Here we report a novel nanowell-based single-cell RNA sequencing system, ICELL8, which enables processing of thousands of cells per sample. The system employs a 5184-nanowell-containing microchip to capture ~1300 single cells and process them. Each nanowell contains preprinted oligonucleotides encoding poly-d(T), a unique well barcode, and a unique molecular identifier. The ICELL8 system uses imaging software to identify nanowells containing viable single cells and only wells with single cells are processed into sequencing libraries. Here, we report the performance and utility of ICELL8 using samples of increasing complexity from cultured cells to mouse solid tissue samples. Our assessment of the system to discriminate between mixed human and mouse cells showed that ICELL8 has a low cell multiplet rate (&lt; 3%) and low cross-cell contamination. We characterized single-cell transcriptomes of more than a thousand cultured human and mouse cells as well as 468 mouse pancreatic islets cells. We were able to identify distinct cell types in pancreatic islets, including alpha, beta, delta and gamma cells. Overall, ICELL8 provides efficient and cost-effective single-cell expression profiling of thousands of cells, allowing researchers to decipher single-cell transcriptomes within complex biological samples.

  Study EGAS00001002320

• Loss of IFN-gamma Signaling in Tumor Cells Associates with Primary Resistance to Anti-CTLA-4 Therapy

  Antibody blockade of the inhibitory CTLA-4 pathway has led to clinical benefit in a subset of patients with metastatic melanoma. Anti-CTLA-4 enhances T cell responses, including production of IFN-&#947;, which is a critical cytokine for host immune responses. However, the role of IFN-&#947; signaling in tumor cells in the setting of anti-CTLA-4 therapy remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that, based upon exome sequencing data, patients identified as non-responders to anti-CTLA-4 (ipilimumab) harbor a much higher genomic defects in the IFN-&#947; pathway genes than melanoma patients who had clinical response to ipilimumab therapy.

  Study phs001257

• Phase 1/2 Study of the Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 Inhibitor Linrodostat Mesylate Combined With Nivolumab or Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in Advanced Solid Tumors or Hematologic Malignancies

  Purpose: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and biomarker data of linrodostat mesylate, a selective, oral indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitor, combined with nivolumab ± ipilimumab in advanced solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Patients and Methods: In this phase 1/2 study, patients received once-daily (QD) linrodostat (part 1 [escalation], 25-400 mg; part 2 [expansion], 100 or 200 mg) plus nivolumab (480 mg every [Q] 4 weeks [W] or 240 mg Q2W) or triplet therapy (part 3, linrodostat 20-100 mg QD; nivolumab 360 mg Q3W or 480 mg Q4W; ipilimumab 1 mg/kg Q6W or Q8W). Endpoints included safety and efficacy (co-primary; parts 2, 3), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, biomarkers, and efficacy (part 1). Results: Fifty-five, 494, and 41 patients were enrolled in parts 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Linrodostat exposures exceeded predicted therapeutic target concentrations starting at 50 mg. Rates of grade 3/4 adverse events were 50.1%-63.4%. The maximum tolerated linrodostat dose was 200 mg; dose-limiting toxicities were primarily immune related. Responses were observed across different cohorts, study parts, and tumor types, particularly in immunotherapy-naive patients. Kynurenine decreased with linrodostat + nivolumab, regardless of response. In contrast, interferon gamma (IFN-γ) gene expression signature was associated with response; in nonmelanoma patients, a composite of low tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) gene expression plus high IFN-γ signature was associated with response. Conclusions: Linrodostat + nivolumab ± ipilimumab demonstrated a manageable safety profile. Kynurenine changes supported IDO1 pathway inhibition but did not correlate with response. A composite biomarker of low TDO2 expression plus high IFN-γ gene expression may predict response to linrodostat + nivolumab.

  Study EGAS50000000710

• MethylationEPIC BeadChip samples of pre- and post-5ZA-treated head and neck cancer patients refractory to anto-PD-1 therapy

  Background Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is an effective treatment in a subset of patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, most patients are refractory. Methods In a non-randomized, open-label phase 1b clinical trial, participants with recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) HNSCC were treated with low-dose 5’azacytidine (5’aza) daily for either 5- or 10-days in combination with fixed doses of durvalumab and tremelimumab after progression on ICB therapy. The primary objective was to assess the biologically effective dose of 5’aza as determined by molecular changes in paired baseline and on-treatment tumor biopsies; the secondary objective was safety. Results Thirty-eight percent (3/8) of participants with evaluable paired tissue samples had a greater than 2-fold increase from baseline in interferon-gamma (IFN-ɣ) signature and CD274 (programmed cell death protein 1 ligand, PD-L1) expression within the tumor microenvironment (TME), which was associated with increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and decreased infiltration of CD4+ T regulatory cells. The mean neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) decreased by greater than 50%, from 14.2 (SD 22.6) to 6.9 (SD 5.2). Median overall survival (OS) was 16.3 months (95% CI 1.9, NA) and 2-year OS rate was 24.7% (95% CI: 4.5%, 53.2%) with 58% (7/12) of treated participants demonstrated prolonged OS of greater than 12 months. Conclusion Our findings suggest that low-dose 5’aza can reprogram systemic host immune responses and the local TME to increase IFN-ɣ and PD-L1 expression. The increased expression of these established biomarkers correlated with prolonged OS upon re-challenge with ICB.

  Study EGAS00001007998

• DNA Methylation Analysis of Prostate Cancer Cell Lines and Tissues Using Next Generation Sequencing

  Aberrant DNA methylation changes are known to occur during prostate cancer progression beginning with precursor lesions. Utilizing fifty nanograms of genomic DNA in Methylplex-Next Generation Sequencing (M-NGS) we mapped the global DNA methylation patterns in prostate tissues (n=17) and cells (n=2). Peaks were located from mapped reads obtained in each sequencing run using a Hidden Markov Model (HMM)-based algorithm previously used for Chip-Seq data analysis(http://www.sph.umich.edu/csg/qin/HPeak). The total methylation events in intergenic/intronic regions between benign adjacent and cancer tissues were comparable. Promoter CGI methylation gradually increased from -12.6% in benign samples to 19.3% and 21.8% in localized and metastatic cancer tissues and approximately 20% of all CpG islands (CGIs) (68,508) were methylated in tissues. We observed distinct patterns in promoter methylation around transcription start sites, where methylation occurred directly on the CGIs, flanking regions and on CGI sparse promoters. Among the 6,691 methylated promoters in prostate tissues, 2481 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) are cancer specific and several previously studied targets were among them. A novel cancer specific DMR in WFDC2 promoter showed 77% methylation in cancer (17/22), 100% methylation in transformed prostate cell lines (6/6), none in the benign tissues (0/10) and normal PrEC cells. Integration of LNCaP DNA methylation and H3K4me3 data suggested a role for DNA methylation in alternate transcription start site utilization. While methylated promoters containing CGIs had mutually exclusive H3K4me3 modification, the histone mark was absent in CGI sparse promoters. Finally, we observed difference in methylation of LINE-1 elements between transcription factor ERG positive and negative cancers. The comprehensive methylome map presented here will further our understanding of epigenetic regulation of the prostate cancer genome. Overall Design: We mapped the global DNA methylation patterns in prostate tissues (n=17) and cells (n=2) from fifty nanograms of genomic DNA using Methylplex-Next Generation Sequencing (M-NGS). For replicate analysis in cell lines, a total of 4 runs were completed for PrEC prostate normal cell line, and 5 runs were completed for LNCaP prostate cancer cell line. For tissue samples, 2 benign prostate samples were sequenced twice on Illumina next generation sequencing platform to access overall repeatability of M-NGS.

  Study phs000597

• A Case-Controlled Study for Genotype-Phenotype Associations in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

  This is a multi-centre, case-controlled study to develop a dataset containing 1000 MS cases and 1000 matched controls and to associate DNA sequence (allelic) variations with MS phenotypes. Study subjects were enrolled through a prospective effort initiated in 2003. Three MS clinical centres were involved in subject recruitment and biological specimen collection using identical inclusion/exclusion criteria, two in Europe (Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam; and University Hospital Basel) and one in the US (University of California San Francisco). This study recruited subjects of northern-European ancestry with a diagnosis of MS (McDonald et al., 2001), with dissemination in time and space. Patients with Clinically Isolated Syndromes (CIS) were also included if they fulfilled 3 of the 4 Barkhof criteria for dissemination in space as per application of the McDonald criteria (McDonald et al., 2001). While recruitment predominantly included subjects with a relapsing onset of MS, individuals with all clinical subtypes of the disease participated, including clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS), primary progressive MS (PPMS), and progressive relapsing MS (PRMS). The control group consisted of unrelated individuals, primarily spouses/partners, friends, and other volunteers. Control subjects were of northern-European ancestry and matched as a group, proportionally with cases according to age (&#177;5 years) and gender. A familial history or current diagnosis of MS as well as a relation to another case or control subject were considered exclusionary for this group. Protocols were approved by the Committees on Human Research at all Institutions and informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to participation in the study. Primary Study Objective:To identify DNA sequence variations (genotype) and flanking sequences that are associated with clinical factors (phenotype) which differ between study subjects with and without MS. Secondary Study Objectives: To develop a clinical dataset including quantitative measures of 1000 well-characterized cases with MS, and 1000 ethnically matched controls. To identify other genotype-phenotype associations in MS study subjects such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of disease burden and/or severity. To identify or confirm candidate surrogate markers of neurodegeneration using a variety of techniques including biochemical assays, blood transcriptome analysis, plasma proteomics and MRI*. GenotypingGenotyping of the complete dataset was performed at the Illumina facilities using the Sentrix&#174; HumanHap550 BeadChip. *MRI results are not available on dbGaP.

  Study phs000171

• Integrating molecular imaging and transcriptomic profiling in advanced HER2-positive breast cancer receiving trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1): an analysis of the ZEPHIR clinical trial

  Purpose: The ZEPHIR clinical trial evaluated the role of [89Zr]trastuzumab-PET/CT (HER2-PET/CT) and 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET/CT ([18F]FDG-PET/CT) in predicting outcomes in patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer treated with trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1). Here, we combined molecular/metabolic imaging and transcriptomic data to investigate the biological processes associated with [89Zr]trastuzumab and [18F]FDG uptake, and to dissect the mechanisms involved in T-DM1 resistance. Experimental design: RNA was extracted from metastasis biopsies obtained at study inclusion in the ZEPHIR trial. HER2-PET/CT and [18F]FDG-PET/CT imaging data of biopsied lesions were integrated with RNA sequencing data. Lesions were compared based on the level of [89Zr]trastuzumab uptake (dichotomized into high/low classes) as well as on the presence/absence of metabolic response, defined comparing baseline and on-treatment [18F]FDG-PET/CT. Results: We analyzed matched transcriptomic and molecular/metabolic imaging data for 24 metastases (one lesion/patient). Pathways involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, glycosylphosphatidylinositol synthesis, and collagen formation were enriched in lesions presenting low [89Zr]trastuzumab uptake. [18F]FDG uptake at baseline correlated with proliferation and immune-related processes. Hypoxia and ECM-related processes were enriched in lesions that showed no metabolic response to T-DM1. Interestingly, immune-related processes (e.g., Fc gamma receptor activation, complement cascade) were associated with high [89Zr]trastuzumab uptake and metabolic response. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study represents the first correlative analysis between [89Zr]trastuzumab tumor uptake and gene expression profiling in humans. Our findings point toward a role of ECM in impairing [89Zr]trastuzumab tumor uptake and T-DM1 metabolic response in advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, and highlight the potential of molecular imaging to depict tumor microenvironment features.

  Study EGAS50000000470

• OpACIN-neo – A Multicenter Phase 2 Study to identify the Optimal neo-Adjuvant Combination scheme of Ipilimumab and Nivolumab – Whole exome sequencing

  The outcome of patients with macroscopic stage III melanoma is poor. Neoadjuvant treatment with ipilimumab plus nivolumab at the standard dosing schedule induced pathological responses in a high proportion of patients in two small independent early-phase trials. However, toxicity of the standard ipilimumab plus nivolumab dosing schedule was high, preventing its broader clinical use. The aim of the OpACIN-neo study (NCT02977052) to identify a dosing schedule of ipilimumab plus nivolumab that is less toxic but equally effective. 86 patients with macroscopic stage III melanoma were randomised to one of three dosing schedules: arm A, two cycles of ipilimumab 3 mg/kg plus nivolumab 1 mg/kg once every 3 weeks; arm B, two cycles of ipilimumab 1 mg/kg plus nivolumab 3 mg/kg once every 3 weeks; or arm C, two cycles of ipilimumab 3 mg/kg once every 3 weeks directly followed by two cycles of nivolumab 3mg/kg once every 2 weeks. Within the first 12 weeks, grade 3–4 immune-related adverse events were observed in 12 (40%) of 30 patients in group A, six (20%) of 30 in group B, and 13 (50%) of 26 in group C. Pathological responses occurred in 24 (80%) patients in group A, 23 (77%) in group B, and 17 (65%) in group C. The 2-year estimated relapse-free survival was 84% for all patients, 97% for patients achieving a pathologic response and 36% for nonresponders (p&lt;0.001). High tumor mutational burden (TMB) and high interferon-gamma-related gene expression signature score (IFN-γ score) were associated with pathologic response and low risk of relapse; pathologic response rate (pRR) was 100% in patients with high IFN-γ score/high TMB, patients with high IFN-γ score/low TMB or low IFN-γ score/high TMB had pRRs of 91% and 88%; while patients with low IFN-γ score/low TMB had a pRR of only 39%. These data demonstrate long-term benefit in patients with a pathologic response and show the predictive potential of TMB and IFN-γ score.

  Study EGAS00001004832

• OpACIN-neo – A Multicenter Phase 2 Study to identify the Optimal neo-Adjuvant Combination scheme of Ipilimumab and Nivolumab – RNA sequencing

  The outcome of patients with macroscopic stage III melanoma is poor. Neoadjuvant treatment with ipilimumab plus nivolumab at the standard dosing schedule induced pathological responses in a high proportion of patients in two small independent early-phase trials. However, toxicity of the standard ipilimumab plus nivolumab dosing schedule was high, preventing its broader clinical use. The aim of the OpACIN-neo study (NCT02977052) to identify a dosing schedule of ipilimumab plus nivolumab that is less toxic but equally effective. 86 patients with macroscopic stage III melanoma were randomised to one of three dosing schedules: arm A, two cycles of ipilimumab 3 mg/kg plus nivolumab 1 mg/kg once every 3 weeks; arm B, two cycles of ipilimumab 1 mg/kg plus nivolumab 3 mg/kg once every 3 weeks; or arm C, two cycles of ipilimumab 3 mg/kg once every 3 weeks directly followed by two cycles of nivolumab 3mg/kg once every 2 weeks. Within the first 12 weeks, grade 3–4 immune-related adverse events were observed in 12 (40%) of 30 patients in group A, six (20%) of 30 in group B, and 13 (50%) of 26 in group C. Pathological responses occurred in 24 (80%) patients in group A, 23 (77%) in group B, and 17 (65%) in group C. The 2-year estimated relapse-free survival was 84% for all patients, 97% for patients achieving a pathologic response and 36% for nonresponders (p&lt;0.001). High tumor mutational burden (TMB) and high interferon-gamma-related gene expression signature score (IFN-γ score) were associated with pathologic response and low risk of relapse; pathologic response rate (pRR) was 100% in patients with high IFN-γ score/high TMB, patients with high IFN-γ score/low TMB or low IFN-γ score/high TMB had pRRs of 91% and 88%; while patients with low IFN-γ score/low TMB had a pRR of only 39%. These data demonstrate long-term benefit in patients with a pathologic response and show the predictive potential of TMB and IFN-γ score.

  Study EGAS00001004833

• University of Miami Study on Genetics of Autism and Related Disorders (AutismDisorders)

  Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental in origin and characterized by impairments in reciprocal social interaction and communication accompanied by restricted and repetitive patterns of interest or behavior. With improved surveillance and a broadening of the diagnostic criteria, the most recent prevalence studies suggest that ASD may affect as many as 1/166 children in the US. Treatments are limited resulting in little impact on the profound morbidity. Little is known about the etiology of ASD, but there is a strong genetic component. Genetic studies over the past decade have failed to identify definitive ASD genes, but have clearly shown that the underlying genetics are more complex than anticipated with the likelihood that multiple genes are acting independently and/or interactively. With this realization the field of ASD genetics is at a critical juncture. To move forward we must embrace new and creative paradigms to successfully dissect the genetic etiology of this disease. Specifically the current study will: Extend our ascertainment to the full range of ASD. We will increase our ASD dataset by collecting 600 families who meet clinical diagnostic criteria for the three most common ASDs: autism (AUT), Asperger disorder (ASP) and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-NOS (PDD-NOS). Phenotype assessment will be expanded to include the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and detailed seizure data. Ascertainment will focus on parent-child trios. Further characterize the ASD-associated variations in the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) receptor (GABR) subunits. We will complete our GABR subunit variant analysis, including coding, UTR, regulatory, and conserved intronic sequence, concentrating on GABRA4 and GABRB1. We will also investigate the role of variation in other GABR subunits. All AUT specific findings will be examined in the entire ASD dataset. Identify the chromosome 19p ASD gene. Multiple genome-wide screens have provided significant evidence for linkage to Chromosome 19p and we have found evidence for significant association in the linked families within an ~3 Mb region. We will genotype 768 SNPs spaced at ~4 kb to refine the candidate region and delineate specific candidate genes for further testing. We will screen the strongest associated candidate genes for additional variants and evaluate evidence for association in the entire ASD dataset (SA5). Develop and apply the Phenotypic Homogeneity Distinction (PHD) algorithm for identification of the phenotypic signature of linkage and/or association signals. The PHD algorithm identifies phenotypic covariates that discriminate a target sample subset (e.g. the positively linked families or families carrying the associated risk allele) from its complement. The resulting PHD discriminators will define a homogeneous subset from our newly-ascertained ASD dataset to use, as a confirmatory dataset and for localization within genes under study in our other aims. Test for gene-gene interactions. To fully explain the spectrum of autism risk, we will test for interactions between genetic variations associated with ASD (such as those in GABR subunit genes). We will build upon our experience using the MDR method and extend our analyses across biological pathways using the entire ASD data set.

  Study phs000436

• Cell and Circuit-Specific Exploration of HIV Neurogenomics in Context of Opiate and Cocaine Misuse

  Utilizing frozen postmortem brain tissue from the Manhattan HIV Brain Bank, we performed cell-type-specific, genome-wide sequencing of three different types: 1) single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq), 2) in situ Hi-C, and 3) HIV integration site sequencing (IS-seq). We assayed tissue from three different donor types: 1) HIV-uninfected control (HIV-), HIV-infected (HIV+), and HIV-infected with HIV encephalitis (HIVE), who served as a positive control for active CNS viral infection. The diagnosis of HIVE was made by a board-certified neuropathologist on routine histopathology, based on the presence of a microglial nodule encephalitis with characteristic multinucleated syncytial cells and staining for HIV p24 antigen. Other HIV-infected individuals (the HIV+ group) did not have this histologic evidence of active HIV brain replication, and were variable with regard to cART status and virologic control prior to death. Donor characteristics, including ante-mortem plasma HIV loads, CD4 counts, and cART status, were documented. Quality controls were used for each assay: For snRNA-seq we applied filters to remove low quality nuclei from analysis and performed experiments in which mouse tissue was mixed with human tissue to determine a reliable HIV read count threshold. For Hi-C, we used paired HIV- and HIVE samples and processed all samples in parallel, at the same time. Correlation analysis was used to ensure biological replicates were aligned. For IS-seq, each time the assay was run, a positive and negative control were included. This allowed us to ensure a lack of contamination in IS-seq libraries and that, when a particular sample failed to yield library, this was due to low levels of HIV rather than a failure of the assay. Altogether, we built an integrative dataset from 79 sequencing files, including snRNA-seq, and cell type specific Hi-C, IS-seq, and ChIP-seq datasets. Human autopsy brain samples were collected by the Manhattan HIV Brain Bank (MHBB, U24MH100931), using protocols under the supervision of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) Institutional Review Board. Written informed consent was obtained either from decedents or their primary next of kin. Major Findings: Reorganization of open/repressive (A/B) compartment structures in HIVE microglia encompassing 6.4% of the genome was linked to transcriptional activation of interferon (IFN) signaling and cell migratory pathways and was partially recapitulated by IFN-gamma stimulation of cultured microglia. In contrast, decreased expression and repressive compartmentalization of genes regulating neuronal health and signaling was seen in both HIVE and HIV+ microglia. IS-seq recovered 1,221 integration sites in the brain that displayed distinct genomic patterns as compared to peripheral lymphocyte integration and were enriched for chromosomal domains newly mobilized into a permissive chromatin environment in HIVE microglia. Viral transcription occurred in a subset of highly activated microglia comprising 0.003% of all nuclei in HIVE brain. Our findings point to a disruption of microglia-neuronal interactions in the HIV infected brain and an interrelation of retroviral integration and expression with interferon-associated remodeling of the microglial 3D genome during progression to HIVE. Search terms: HIV, postmortem brain, microglia, substance abuse, viral integration, chromosomal conformation capture, Hi-C, chromatin, single nuclei RNA-seq, Irf8, NeuN, HIV encephalitis, neuron-microglia interaction, cytokine

  Study phs003080

• Genes and Blood Clotting Study (GABC)

  Objectives: Use genome-wide approaches to identify genetic variants that influence common thrombosis and hemostasis factors, as well as selected common human traits. Design/Methods: The GABC study was a prospective sibling cohort design. Siblings were recruited by targeted email to the undergraduate and graduate student email lists at the University of Michigan. Healthy persons between 14 and 35 years old who had healthy siblings within the same age restriction were able to participate. Study participants agreed to an online informed consent and subsequently completed a 52-question online survey describing their specific bleeding traits as well as many common human traits. Fifty milliliters of blood was collected into a citrate-dextrose solution (ACD) from each participant. An aliquot of whole blood was used for an automated complete blood count analysis and the remainder was processed into platelet poor plasma and buffy coat portions. Plasma and buffy coat aliquots were snap frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen for future studies. 1189 individuals representing 507 sibships were collected between 06/26/2006 and 01/30/2009. Phenotyping Survey Details: To characterize individual bruising and bleeding history, the online survey recorded answers to questions based on a modified von Willebrand Disease (VWD) screening questionnaire. To characterize a collection of participant&#39;s common human traits, the survey recorded answers to questions about height, weight, presence of skin tags, history of acne, eye color, hair color, hair line characteristics, skin sunburn sensitivity, skin tanning ability, natural skin color, freckling, cheek dimpling, earlobe shape, shoe size, foot arch characteristics, hand fifth digit morphology, history of dyslexia, history of migraine headaches, history of seasonal allergies, history of apthous ulcers, tendency to sneeze while walking into a bright sunny place, history of dental caries, need for corrective eye lenses, handedness and like or dislike of strongly flavored foods. Biochemical phenotyping: Assays for plasma Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) antigen were performed using ELISA and "Alphalisa" techniques. Automated complete blood count analysis was performed on a Bayer Advia 120 on all participants (including WBC differential, RBC indices, and platelet count.) For the dbGaP v2 update, new biochemical phenotypes have been submitted and include von Willebrand Factor, von Willebrand Factor propeptide, plasminogen, gamma prime fibrinogen, ADAMTS 13, antithrombin III, protein C, and protein S. All new phenotypes were obtained using "Alphalisa" techniques. Genotyping Details: SNP genotyping was performed using genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood at the Broad Institute, (MIT/Harvard). Genotyping was performed on the Illumina Omni-1 quad chip at the Broad Institute. For the dbGaP v2 update, genotyping data from the Illumina Human Exome was deposited. This study is part of the Gene Environment Association Studies initiative (GENEVA, http://www.genevastudy.org) funded by the trans-NIH Genes, Environment, and Health Initiative (GEI). The overarching goal is to identify novel genetic factors that contribute to blood clotting through large-scale genome-wide association studies of siblings. Genotyping was performed at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, a GENEVA genotyping center. Data cleaning and harmonization was performed by the primary investigators at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and at the GEI-funded GENEVA Coordinating Center at the University of Washington. This study serves as a resource for investigators who are interested in the genetic determinants of specific plasma proteins in a healthy population. The sibling cohort design allows for linkage analysis in addition to association studies. Analysis of thrombosis and hemostasis related traits should help elucidate specific biochemical and genetic networks that maintain hemostasis. We hope to identify specific genetic determinants of VWF levels in order to better understand the factors that influence the development of VWD.

  Study phs000304

• Natural Killer Cell Therapies for Hematologic Malignancies

  The "Natural Killer Cell Therapies for Hematologic Malignancies" study is an umbrella repository for data pertaining to multiple related clinical trials that aim to assess NK cell therapies as part of treatment strategies for a range of hematologic malignancies. Here, data from two trials, NCT03068819 and NCT02782546, are presented.Cytokine Induced Memory-like NK Cell Adoptive Therapy for Relapsed AML after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant in Children and Adults (NCT03068819)Pediatric and young adult (YA) patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) have extremely poor prognosis. Standard salvage chemotherapy and donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) have little curative potential. Previous studies showed that natural killer (NK) cells can be stimulated ex vivo with interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-15, and IL-18 to generate memory-like (ML) NK cells with enhanced anti-leukemia responses. We treated nine pediatric/YA patients with post-HCT relapsed AML with donor ML NK cells on a phase I trial. Patients received fludarabine, cytarabine, and filgrastim followed two weeks later by infusion of DLI and ML NK cells from the original HCT donor. ML NK cells were successfully generated from haploidentical, matched-related and matched-unrelated donors. Following infusion, donor-derived ML NK cells expanded and maintained ML multidimensional mass cytometry phenotype for over 3 months. Furthermore, ML NK cells exhibited persistent functional responses as evidenced by leukemia-triggered IFN-gamma production. Following DLI and ML NK cell adoptive transfer, 4 of 8 evaluable patients achieved complete remission at day 28. Two patients maintained a durable remission for over 3 months with one patient in remission for greater than two years. No significant toxicity was experienced. This study demonstrates that in a compatible immune environment post-HCT, donor ML NK cells robustly expand and persist with potent anti-leukemic activity in the absence of exogenous cytokines. ML NK cells in combination with DLI present a novel immunotherapy platform for AML that has relapsed after allogeneic HCT. This trial was registered at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03068819.A Phase II Study of Cytokine Induced Memory-like NK Cell Adoptive Therapy after Haploidentical Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (NCT02782546)Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that eliminate cancer cells, produce cytokines, and are being investigated as a nascent cellular immunotherapy. Impaired NK cell function, expansion, and persistence remain key challenges for optimal clinical translation. One promising strategy to overcome these challenges is cytokine-induced memory-like (ML) differentiation, whereby NK cells acquire enhanced anti-tumor function following stimulation with IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18. Here, reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) for HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) was augmented with same-donor ML NK cells on Day 7 and 3 weeks of N-803 (IL-15 superagonist) to treat patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the clinical trial (NCT02782546). In 15 patients, donor ML NK cells were well-tolerated and 87% of patients achieved a composite complete response at Day 28, which corresponded with clearing high-risk mutations, including TP53 variants. NK cells were the major blood lymphocytes for two months post-HCT with prolific expansion (1104-fold) over 1-2 weeks. Multidimensional mass cytometry and CITE-seq identified donor ML NK cells as distinct from conventional NK cells and persisting for over two months. ML NK cells expressed CD16, CD57, and high granzyme B and perforin, along with a unique transcription factor profile. ML NK cells differentiated in patients had enhanced ex vivo function compared to conventional NK cells from both patient and healthy donors. Overall, same-donor ML NK cell therapy with 3 weeks of N-803 support safely augmented RIC haplo-HCT for AML, with ML NK cells demonstrating enhanced in vivo persistence and functionality, overcoming barriers in the field.

  Study phs002681

• ARDSNet 07-08: Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Center Trial of Omega-3 Fatty Acid, Gamma-Linolenic Acid, and Antioxidants in Acute Lung Injury or ARDS (OMEGA) (ARDSNet-Omega-BioLINCC)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the &#8220;Authorized Access&#8221; section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions. Biospecimens: Access to Biospecimens is through the NHLBI Biologic Specimen and Data Repository Information Coordinating Center (BioLINCC). Biospecimens from ARDSNet-Omega include bronchial lavage, plasma, urine, and DNA. Please note that use of biospecimens in genetic research is subject to a tiered consent.Objectives: To determine if dietary supplementation of omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, &#947;-linolenic acid and antioxidants to participants with acute lung injury would increase ventilator-free days to study day 28.Background: Early acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by neutrophilic lung inflammation, permeability, and intravascular and alveolar fibrin deposition. The type and inflammatory activity of eicosanoids liberated during inflammation depends on the membrane phospholipid composition: omega 6 (n-6) fatty acid arachidonate yields highly reactive and inflammatory dienoic prostaglandins and series 4 leukotrienes, whereas omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids favor production of less active and potentially anti-inflammatory trienoic prostaglandins and series 5 leukotrienes. Participants at risk of developing ALI have n-3 levels approximately 25% of normal and those with established ALI have n-3 levels as low as 6% of normal, suggesting a potential role for n-3 dietary supplementation in participants with ALI.Three randomized controlled studies, conducted in participants with ALI or sepsis-induced respiratory failure, demonstrated an association between the administration of an enteral formula enriched in n-3 fatty acids, GLA, and antioxidants and improved oxygenation and respiratory physiology compared with an unenriched, high-fat formula. However, interpretation of these results is limited by the small sample sizes and as-treated analyses of only those participants who tolerated full enteral nutrition. Participants: The total number of participants in the study was 272.Design: Participants were stratified by hospital and the presence of shock at baseline and then randomized to receive either twice-daily enteral supplementation of n-3 fatty acids, GLA, and antioxidants (n-3 supplement) or an isocaloric-isovolemic carbohydrate-rich control. Participants were also simultaneously randomized to a separate ongoing trial (the EDEN study) comparing low- vs full-calorie enteral nutrition in a 2&#215;2 factorial design.The n-3 or control supplement was administered enterally as twice-daily boluses of 120 mL beginning within 6 hours of randomization. Dosing continued until the earliest of 21 days, 48 hours of unassisted breathing, or extubation. The energy provided by the boluses supplemented that provided by each primary physician's choice of standard continuous non&#8211;n-3-enriched enteral formula. The rate of continuous enteral feeding was managed by a protocol with an algorithm for gastrointestinal intolerances. The supplement was administered even if enteral nutrition was interrupted, as long as the patient was tolerating enteral medications. Conclusions: The study was stopped by the DSMB for futility at the first interim analysis after 143 participants had been randomized to receive the n-3 supplement and 129 to receive the isocaloric control. Despite an 8-fold increase in plasma eicosapentaenoic acid levels, participants receiving the n-3 supplement had fewer ventilator-free days, intensive care unit&#8211;free days, and nonpulmonary organ failure-free days.

  Study phs003744