12405 results for ""non-traditional+communal+storytelling+approach"+novel+segment+noted+in+critical+commentary"

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• Genetic regulation of gene expression in human brain cell types

  We leveraged single nuclei RNA-seq from 192 human brain samples to map cis-eQTLs in 8 brain cell types. We found extensive cell-type specific genetic effect on gene expression and integrated our results with GWAS to identify putative novel risk genes for brain disorders and the cell types in which the disease mechanisms are likely active.

  Study EGAS00001006345

• T cell landscape definition by multi-omics identifies galectin-9 as novel immunotherapy target in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

  Failure of immunotherapy after applying checkpoint inhibitors or CAR-T cells is linked to T cell exhaustion. Here, we explored the T cell landscape in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) by single-cell omics analyses of blood, bone marrow and lymph node samples of patients and spleen samples of a CLL mouse model. By single-cell RNA- sequencing, mass cytometry (CyTOF), and multiplex image analysis of tissue microarrays, we defined the spectrum of phenotypes and transcriptional programs of T cells and and their differentiation state trajectories. We identified disease-specific accumulation of distinct regulatory T cell subsets and T cells harboring an exhausted phenotype exclusively in the CLL lymph node tissue. Integration of TCR data revealed a clonal expansion of CD8+ precursor exhausted T cells, suggesting their reactivity for CLL cells. Interactome analyses identified the TIM3 ligand Galectin-9 as novel immunoregulatory molecule in CLL. Blocking of Galectin-9 in CLL-bearing mice slowed down disease development and reduced the number of TIM3 expressing T cells. Galectin-9 expression correlated with shorter survival of CLL patients. Thus, Galectin-9 contributes to immune escape in CLL and represents a novel target for immunotherapy.

  Study EGAS00001006864

• Exome sequencing reveals pathogenic variants in known and novel candidate genes for severe sperm motility disorders

  STUDY QUESTION: What are the causative genetic variants in patients with male infertility due to severe sperm motility disorders? SUMMARY ANSWER: We identified high confidence disease-causing variants in multiple genes previously associated with severe sperm motility disorders in 9 out of 21 patients (43%). We also identified variants in novel candidate genes in 8 additional patients (38%). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Severe sperm motility disorders are a form of male infertility characterised by vital, but immotile sperm often in combination with a spectrum of structural abnormalities of the sperm flagellum. Examples of this spectrum of disorders include dysplasia of the fibrous sheath / multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (DFS-MMAF) and severe forms of asthenozoospermia associated to non-specific structural defects. These disorders frequently recur in families and may include chronic respiratory disease. As such, genetic causes are suspected and many genes have recently been reported. Currently, depending on the clinical sub-categorisation, up to 50% of causality in patients with severe sperm motility disorders can be explained by pathogenic variants in at least 21 known genes. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We performed exome sequencing in patients with severe sperm motility disorders from two different clinics, aiming to identify the underlying genetic defects and establishing a diagnostic yield in both. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHOD: Two groups of infertile men, one from Argentina (n= 9) and one from Australia (n=12), with clinically defined sperm motility disorders were included. All patients in the Argentine cohort were diagnosed with DFS-MMAF, based on transmission electron microscopy. Exome sequencing was performed in all 21 patients and variants with an allele frequency of <1% in the gnomAD population were prioritised and interpreted. MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE: In 9/21 patients (43%), we identified pathogenic variants in known sperm motility disorder genes: CFAP43 (3 patients); CFAP44 (2 patients), QRICH2 (2 patients), DNAH1 (1 patient) and DNAH6 (1 patient). The diagnostic rate did not differ markedly between the Argentinian and the Australian cohort (44% and 42%, respectively). Furthermore, we identified patients with variants in the novel candidate sperm motility genes CFAP58, DNAH12, DRC1, MDC1, PACRG, SSPL2C and TPTE2. One patient presented with two possibly damaging variants in four candidate genes and it remains unclear which variants were responsible for the severe sperm motility defect in this patient. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: In this study, we described patients with potential bi-allelic variants in known and novel candidate genes for severe sperm motility disorders. Due to unavailability of parental DNA, we have not assessed de novo or maternally inherited dominant variants and could not phase the mutations to establish in all cases that the mutations occur on both alleles. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our results confirm an important role for five known genes for sperm motility and we demonstrate that exome sequencing is an effective method to diagnose patients with severe sperm motility defects (9/21 diagnosed; 43%). Furthermore, our analysis revealed seven novel candidate genes for severe sperm motility disorders. Genome-wide sequencing of additional patient cohorts and re-analysis of exome data of currently unsolved cases may reveal additional variants in these novel candidate genes.

  Study EGAS00001005018

• Simultaneous Trimodal Single Cell Measurement of Transcripts, Epitopes, and Chromatin Accessibility Using TEA-Seq

  Single-cell measurements of cellular characteristics have been instrumental in understanding the heterogeneous pathways that drive differentiation, cellular responses to signals, and human disease. Recent advances have allowed paired capture of protein abundance and transcriptomic state, but a lack of epigenetic information in these assays has left a missing link to gene regulation. Using the heterogeneous mixture of cells in human peripheral blood as a test case, we developed a novel scATAC-seq workflow that increases signal-to-noise and allows paired measurement of cell surface markers and chromatin accessibility: Integrated Cellular Indexing of Chromatin Landscape and Epitopes (ICICLE-seq). We extended this approach using a droplet-based multiomics platform to develop a trimodal assay that simultaneously measures Transcriptomics (scRNA-seq), Epitopes, and chromatin Accessibility (scATAC-seq) from thousands of single cells, which we term TEA-seq. Together, these multimodal single-cell assays provide a novel toolkit to identify type-specific gene regulation and expression grounded in phenotypically defined cell types.

  Study phs002316

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

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

  Study phs001952

• THE GENOMIC LANDSCAPE OF ACTINIC KERATOSIS

  Actinic keratoses (AK) are lesions of epidermal keratinocyte dysplasia and are pre-cursor lesions to invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Identifying the specific genomic alterations driving the progression of normal skin to AK and invasive cSCC is challenging due to the massive, ultraviolet radiation-induced mutational burden characteristic to these lesions. Here, we present the largest whole exome sequencing study to date on AK with matched cSCC and demonstrate that AK and cSCC are almost indistinguishable at the genomic level, in terms of mutational burden, patterns of driver gene mutations and copy number alterations. We identified 44 significantly mutated AK driver genes through our established bioinformatics pipeline and demonstrate these genes are similarly mutated in cSCC. We also identified mutational signature-32 exclusively in AK from patients exposed to azathioprine, providing further, compelling evidence for this drug’s role in keratinocyte carcinogenesis, likely through its blocking of transcription coupled repair. We demonstrated that cSCC had higher levels of intra-sample heterogeneity than AK and that several signaling pathways, including immune-related signaling and TGF-beta signaling were significantly more mutated in cSCC. Integrating our findings with independent gene expression data confirms that dysregulated TGF-beta signaling may represent the critical pathway in the progression from AK to cSCC.

  Study EGAS00001004243

• Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the mesangial identity and species diversity of glomerular cell transcriptomes

  Molecular characterization of the individual cell types in human kidney as well as model organisms are critical in defining organ function and understanding translational aspects of biomedical research. Previous studies have uncovered gene expression profiles of several kidney glomerular cell types, however, important cells, including mesangial (MCs) and glomerular parietal epithelial cells (PECs), were missing or incompletely described, and a systematic comparison between mouse and human kidney is lacking. To this end, we used Smart-seq2 to profile 4332 individual glomerulus-associated cells isolated from human living donor renal biopsies and mouse kidney. The analysis revealed genetic programs for all four glomerular cell types (podocytes, glomerular endothelial cells, MCs and PECs) as well as rare glomerulus-associated macula densa cells (MDCs). Importantly, we detected heterogeneity in glomerulus-associated Pdgfrb-expressing cells, including bona fide intraglomerular MCs with the functionally active phagocytic molecular machinery, as well as a unique mural cell type located in the central stalk region of the glomerulus tuft. Furthermore, we observed remarkable species differences in the individual gene expression profiles of defined glomerular cell types that highlight translational challenges in the field and provide a guide to design translational studies.

  Study EGAS00001004943

• Susceptibility to Respiratory Infections Due to Autosomal Recessive IFIH1 Mutations

  We studied a child with life-threatening and recurrent respiratory tract infections, caused by multiple viruses including rhinovirus, influenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We identified in her a homozygous missense mutation in IFIH1 that encodes MDA5 by Whole Exome Sequencing. MDA5-deficiency is a novel inborn error of innate immunity that results in impaired dsRNA-sensing, reduced IFN induction, and susceptibility to the common cold virus.

  Study phs001235

• Single Cell Analysis of Healthy and Diseased Temporomandibular Joint Synovial Fluid

  Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs) are a set of complex, poorly understood painful conditions that negatively affect many children and adults in the US. In this study, we establish a protocol to utilize irrigation fluid from TMJ arthrocentesis to perform single-cell RNA sequencing on cells contained in TMJ synovial fluid. Our results should help investigators better understand these conditions and identify novel therapeutic options.

  Study phs003645

• Targeted replication of LVOTO genes

  Non-syndromic cases of congenital heart defects (CHD) exhibit variable modes of inheritance (Mendelian and non-Mendelian). Several studies have identified strong candidates in humans by taking a candidate gene approach as well as by using whole exome next generation sequencing (NGS). So far these studies could only explain a minor fraction of the observed phenotype in humans, most of them in syndromic cases and no single study has focused on the subset of cases with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). To discover novel disease-causing genes a large cohort of patients with LVOTO, approximately 100 cases, 25 families and 100 trios have been exome sequenced. This study based on NGS sequencing data yielded several known and novel compelling candidate genes, such as MYH6, NR2F2 and MYH11, but also novel ones, such as ITGB4. To evaluate the significance of our findings in a replication cohort we assembled another 1614 cases with an LVOTO phenotype from our collaborators in Toronto, Berlin and Amsterdam. Targeted resequencing in this additional cohort will help to find additional cases with mutations in the identified candidate genes to strengthen genotype-phenotype association. We will use control data from the INTERVAL project for case/control analyses The pulldowns will be performed as 24-plex ISC with 192 or greater indexes, and the sequencing will be performed with 192 samples per lane, requiring 9 lanes of sequencing.

  Dataset EGAD00001002212