3413 results for "*geneti*"

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• Genome-Wide Association Study of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

  Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an unpredictable, potentially catastrophic adverse effect resulting from an immune response to platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin complexes. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) with positive functional assay as the outcome. Genetic associations were investigated in a cohort of functional assay-confirmed HIT cases, antibody-positive (function assay-negative) controls, and antibody negative controls. Both PF4-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and serotonin release assay (SRA) were positive in every HIT case. GWAS genotyping was performed at the Laboratory for Genotyping Development, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS). All samples in the discovery and replication cohorts were genotyped using the lllumina® Infinium HumanOmniExpressExome BeadChip, which contains 958,497 markers, including 273,000 functional exonic markers. Quality control was accomplished using sample and marker call rate ≥98%, sex mismatch, duplicate concordance, and removal of related samples through identity by descent. Genomic imputation was performed for samples using Minimac4 and the phase3 v5 reference panel data from the 1000 genomes project. The primary GWAS analysis used multivariable logistic regression assuming an additive genetic model with functional assay-confirmed case status as the outcome. Both PF4/heparin antibody negative and antibody positive controls were considered controls in the primary analysis. Logistic regressions were used to generate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) after adjustment for age, sex, and first three principal components.

  Study phs002863

• Circulating Genomic Determinants of Treatment Failure in Hodgkin Lymphoma

  In this study, we show that the plasma representation of mutations exceeds the bulk tumor representation in most cases, making classic Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) particularly amenable to noninvasive profiling. Leveraging single-cell transcriptional profiles of cHL tumors, we demonstrate hazard ratios (HRs) circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) shedding to be shaped by DNASE1L3, whose increased tumor microenvironment-derived expression drives high ctDNA concentrations. Using this insight, we comprehensively profile 366 patients, revealing two distinct cHL genomic subtypes with characteristic clinical and prognostic correlates, as well as distinct transcriptional and immunological profiles. Furthermore, we identify a novel class of truncating IL4R-mutations that are dependent on IL13 signaling and therapeutically targetable with IL4R blocking antibodies. Finally, we demonstrate the clinical value of pre- and on-treatment ctDNA levels for longitudinally refining cHL risk prediction, and for detection of radiographically occult minimal residual disease. Collectively, these results support the utility of noninvasive strategies for genotyping and dynamic monitoring of cHL as well as capturing molecularly distinct subtypes with diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential.Methods utilized include a) targeted genotyping of baseline plasma samples, b) whole exome sequencing (WES) of baseline plasma samples, c) epigenetic expression inference from cell-free DNA-sequencing (EPIC-Seq) to infer gene expression from cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentation profiles, d) ctDNA tracking in on-treatment samples, e) RNA-Sequencing, and f) Phased variant Enrichment and Detection Sequencing (PhasED-Seq).All patients were treated at cancer centers across Europe and North America between 2011 and 2020. The following 3 cancer centers, Stanford (CA, USA), Bellinzona [Confoederatio Helvetica (CH) or Switzerland], and Leuven (Belgium), were included. The 6 clinical trial collectives included in this study are the Phase III trial AHOD1331 trial (NCT02166463) and the Phase II cHOD17 study (NCT03755804) for enrolled pediatric patients, the Phase III AHL2011 (NCT01358747), the Phase II BREACH trial (NCT02292979), a pilot study evaluating concurrent Pembrolizumab with AVD (Doxorubicin, also known as Adriamycin, Vinblastine, and Dacarbazine; NCT03331341), and a Phase II study evaluating PVAB (Prednisone, Vinblastine, Doxorubicin and Bendamustine; NCT02414568) in older patients (61 years and older). In addition, lymph node specimens from a biorepository at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (TN, USA) were included.

  Study phs003435

• The Melbourne Urological Research Alliance (MURAL) Collection of Patient-Derived Models of Prostate Cancer

  1. Low-Dose Carboplatin Modifies the Tumor Microenvironment to Augment CAR T Cell Efficacy in Human Prostate Cancer ModelsSingle-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to analyze the transcriptional modifications in the tumor microenvironment of prostate cancer patient-derived xenografts (PDX). The analyzed PDX tumor was PDX-287R from the MURAL collection of PDXs (PMID: 34413304). Mice harboring PDX tumors were treated with the carboplatin chemotherapy, and tumors were harvested 3 weeks later. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to define immune and non-immune cell populations and anti-tumor innate immune signaling within the tumor microenvironment.To investigate the response of tumor cells to carboplatin treatment in more detail, RNA-Seq was performed on FACs-isolated tumor cells from PDX-287R at one week post-treatment. Gene set enrichment analysis showed an enrichment for apoptotic pathways, with significantly increased expression of the pro-apoptotic genes FAS, BAX, BBC3, IFI6, and JUN. Previously, carboplatin has been shown to activate the cGAS/STING pathway, and here we also found an increase in STING signaling, with an enrichment for the cytosolic DNA sensing pathway and increased expression of STING1, STAT1 and STAT2. There was also a significant increase in the expression of genes involved in T cell chemotaxis, including CXCL10, CXCL11, and CCL20. Collectively, carboplatin-induced cell death in tumor cells likely initiated a pro-inflammatory phenotype in prostate cancer PDXs.2. Co-Targeting BET, CBP, and p300 Inhibits Neuroendocrine Signaling in Androgen Receptor-Null Prostate CancerThe landscape of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is characterized by a multitude of phenotypes, among which neuroendocrine disease holds a prominent position, each displaying unique responses to therapeutic interventions. The efficacy of inhibitors targeting BET and CBP/p300 in prostate cancer treatment is widely acknowledged, primarily due to their ability to attenuate androgen receptor (AR) signaling. However, the effectiveness of these inhibitors in prostate cancers devoid of AR remains uncertain.This investigation sought to elucidate the role of BRD4, CBP, and p300, which are co-expressed in both AR-positive and AR-null prostate cancer. Our study revealed that a compound targeting all three proteins, NEO2734, exhibited efficacy in suppressing the growth of organoids from both AR-positive and AR-null tumors, as evidenced by alterations in viability, size, and cellular composition. Furthermore, NEO2734 treatment consistently led to transcriptional downregulation of cell cycle pathways across various models. In the context of neuroendocrine prostate cancer, NEO2734 demonstrated notable efficacy. Treatment with NEO2734 resulted in decreased expression of ASCL1 and other neuroendocrine markers, accompanied by a reduction in tumor growth in vivo. These findings collectively underscore the potential of epigenome-targeted inhibitors in impeding the growth of neuroendocrine prostate cancer, by disrupting lineage regulators in a phenotype-dependent manner. In this study, we examined the impact of NEO2734 treatment on 6 organoids (treated for 24 hrs) and 2 patient-derived xenografts (at two time points) using bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). These results are available through this dbGaP submission. The implications of these results warrant further exploration and development of compounds possessing similar activities for clinical applications. The ability of NEO2734 to mitigate the growth of both AR-positive and AR-null prostate cancer underscores its potential as a versatile therapeutic agent. Moreover, its efficacy in targeting neuroendocrine phenotypes offers promising avenues for addressing a subtype of CRPC that poses significant clinical challenges. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the intricate interplay between epigenetic regulators and prostate cancer phenotypes. The observed effects of NEO2734 on growth inhibition and phenotype-specific disruption highlight the importance of continued research into compounds with similar epigenome-targeting mechanisms for advancing precision medicine approaches in the treatment of prostate cancer.3. Defining Focal Neuroendocrine Differentiation as a Transcriptionally Distinct Form of Prostate Cancer Pathology Characterized by the Expression of Androgen Receptors.The study aimed to understand the transcriptional differences among different neuroendocrine pathologies of prostate cancer. The study hypothesized that the diverse neuroendocrine pathology observed in prostate might be attributable to differences in transcriptional level that remain hidden in bulk RNA-Seq data. To investigate, we employed scRNA-seq to generate gene expression profiles of 18,632 individual tumor cells from 9 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models representing five distinct neuroendocrine pathologies of prostate cancer. Our analysis identified 3-8 transcriptionally distinct sub-populations per PDX. The expression of key oncogenic signaling pathways and master regulator activity varied across in neuroendocrine pathologies, with each type of pathology displaying a unique set of transcriptional sub-populations. We discovered that, like the amphicrine pathology, focal neuroendocrine differentiation (focal NED) cells maintain androgen receptor (AR) signaling. However, the expression profiles of focal NED cells differed from the other pathologies, indicating it should be considered as a distinct type of neuroendocrine pathology in prostate cancer. Analysis of copy number alterations suggested little clonal divergence between focal NED cells and neighboring adenocarcinoma cells, emphasizing the transcriptional distinctiveness of focal NED.Overall, the findings suggest potential differences in treatment approaches for tumors from prostate cancer patients showing neuroendocrine pathology, especially focal NED.

  Study phs003369

• Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI): Genomic Analysis in Pediatric Malignancies

  Pediatric solid tumors are highly heterogeneous, encompassing a large number of histotypes. The genomic landscape of these diseases is characterized by few single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) compared to adult cancers. In contrast, many exhibit a high prevalence of structural or epigenetic changes that alter gene expression, underlining the need for comprehensive genomic approaches such as whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Several studies have specifically addressed the clinical utility of genomic analysis in the pediatric and AYA cancer setting. Review of these studies point to key challenges that must be addressed in order to advance the routine use of genomics in this population. We have established a large collection of solid tumor tissue samples through our biobanking efforts. Where possible, we obtain longitudinal samples from the same patient. These primary patient samples and their corresponding germline have been analyzed using whole genome and whole transcriptome sequencing methods and have been linked to clinical metadata using both manual curation and robust methods for automatic extraction from the electronic health record (EHR). Importantly, research-grade genomic analysis is performed in parallel to our CLIA-grade sequencing (“UCSF500”) efforts for some of the patients in this study cohort and have been submitted as part of the American Association for Cancer Research's project GENIE and/or the National Childhood Cancer Registry. For our sequenced tumor samples, we have retrospective clinical data and ongoing efforts to prospectively record key events throughout the patient's cancer journey. In our solid tumor program, we have developed many patient-derived xenograft models and a number of PDX-derived cell lines. These unique models have been evaluated using genomic and functional approaches including (in some cases) treatment with conventional chemotherapy or investigational agents. Lastly, these samples were collected from a population that is among the most diverse in the nation and includes significant numbers of Asian, Latino, Indigenous and African-American patients, groups that are traditionally underrepresented in many banking efforts.

  Study phs002430

• A Multimodal Atlas of Human Brain Cell Types 2021 Data

  Human neocortical neurons display diverse morphology, physiology and gene expression profiles. We use a method called Patch-seq, where these three data modalities are assayed simultaneously from the same neuron, to understand how the genetic profile of human neocortical neuron types corresponds to their morphological and electrophysiological phenotypes. This dataset consists of transcriptome samples collected during Patch-seq recordings from layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the human middle temporal gyrus.

  Study phs002697

• Binding of Epstein Barr Virus EBNA2 Unifies Multiple Sclerosis Genetic Mechanisms

  This study is focused on multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors; however, the mechanisms contributing to these factors remain poorly understood. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in particular is a well-established environmental risk factor for MS. We have created a computational algorithm that systematically searches for common molecular mechanisms that might be impacted at multiple MS-associated loci. Using this algorithm, we have discovered that over 40% of MS-associated loci contain MS genetic variants that fall within regions of the human genome occupied by the EBV-encoded EBNA2 protein. The same MS-associated variants also impact gene expression levels of MS-associated genes in EBV-infected B cell lines. Our hypothesis is that allele-dependent binding of EBNA2 and its co-factors explains the allele-dependent risk at many MS genetic loci. Importantly, this hypothesis links the genetic associations of MS to the known molecular roles played by EBV and Notch signaling in disease processes.Subjects with and without MS were recruited into an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved protocol through the Cincinnati Autoimmune Registry and Repository. From each subject, DNA from peripheral blood was isolated for whole genome sequencing (WGS). These data will be used to identify genotype-dependent transcriptional regulation in cells assessed from patients and controls. This WGS data was deposited before the full integration of sequence data with other functional genomic data types.From each subject, 90 mL of blood is drawn for isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from which primary B and T cells will be isolated. For each B cell isolation, an EBV-transformed B cell line will be derived.

  Study phs003240

• Collaborative Cohort of Cohorts for COVID-19 Research (C4R): Genetic Epidemiology of COPD Study (COPDGene)

  Cohort Description The Genetic Epidemiology of COPD (COPDGene) study is a non-interventional, multicenter, longitudinal, case-control study at 21 US sites of smokers with a ≥10 pack-year history of smoking, with and without COPD, and healthy never smokers. The initial goal was to characterize disease-related phenotypes and explore associations with susceptibility genes. Data Being Submitted Wave 1 questionnaire data includes 397 variables for up to 3683 COPDGene participants in C4R. Wave 2 questionnaire data includes 447 variables for up to 2191 COPDGene participants in C4R. Dried Blood Spot/Serosurvey data includes 7 variables for up to 1692 COPDGene participants in C4R. Derived data includes 43 variables for up to 4082 COPDGene participants in C4R. Phenotype data includes 113 variables for up to 4082 COPDGene participants in C4R.

  Study phs002910

• Genetics and Functional Studies of Autosomal Recessive Neurological Disorders

  Neurological conditions account for over 6% of the global disease burden. There are more than 600 neurological disorders, and cognitive dysfunction, also referred to as intellectual disability (ID), occupies a prominent position in this list. Cognitive dysfunction arises from the failure of neuronal cells to organize into a complex network and remodel this network in response to learning and experience. It is manifested by deficits in adaptive behaviors in everyday social and practical skills. Due to its high prevalence and the lifetime cost of care per individual, in the range of $1-2 million in United Sates (CDC), it presents a significant health burden. Genetic and functional studies of the genes and protein determinants of ID have helped to elucidate the molecular pathways of human brain development in health and disease. However, the identity of a large number of essential molecular and cellular components still remain elusive. The objectives of our study are to expand the genetic repertoire of causal ID genes and characterize their role in neuronal structure and cognitive function. The rationale is that identification and functional elucidation of causative gene variants that lead to cognitive dysfunction will be essential for understanding brain function and for developing improved diagnostic tools and efficacious preventive and therapeutic agents for neurological disorders, including ID. There are 3 aims of our comprehensive research program: 1) Ascertain and clinically phenotype members of extended families segregating autosomal recessive intellectual disability (ARID); 2) identify new ARID genes and gene products; and 3) determine the functions of prioritized novel ARID genes using multifaceted approaches, including analysis of spatiotemporal expression patterns in mouse brain, targeting in cultured rat hippocampal neurons, effects on cell morphology and synapse abundance, synaptic transmission and plasticity in neuronal cells by electrophysiology and live-cell imaging assays. The project will advantageously combine human clinical assessment, genetic and functional analyses relevant to brain development and function. Impact: Execution of the proposed studies will generate new knowledge that is clinically relevant, with high potential to impact ID molecular diagnosis, prognoses, and identify novel therapeutic targets to slow progression, delay onset, and possibly devising precision medicine approaches for ID.

  Study phs003298

• Genetic Modifiers of Syndromic Orofacial Clefts

  Reduced penetrance and variable expressivity are common, but poorly understood, features of most monogenic diseases. Genetic modifiers are possible factors to contribute to this phenotypic variability and blur the traditional distinction between monogenic and complex disease. This study focuses on the most common orofacial cleft syndrome (Van der Woude syndrome, VWS) and nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (OFCs), which intersect both in phenotype and in genetic etiology, as a model to understand reduced penetrance and variable expressivity. VWS occurs in 1 in 35,000 individuals and accounts for 2% of all OFCs. The features of VWS include an OFC and/or lower lip pits, but 15% of VWS patients present with an isolated OFC, making them indistinguishable from nonsyndromic OFC patients. Mutations in the genes IRF6 or GRHL3 cause VWS, but approximately 20% of VWS patients currently lack a molecular diagnosis. Furthermore, there are few genotype-phenotype correlations for known mutations and patient phenotypes. By contrast, GWAS of nonsyndromic OFCs have identified a number of risk factors, some of which we have shown increase risk for specific types of OFCs or act as modifiers of OFC subtypes. Whole genome sequencing will be used to identify the remaining genetic mutations for VWS, determine the relationship between those genes/regions with nonsyndromic OFCs, and identify rare and common modifiers of VWS and OFC phenotypes. These analyses will provide further insight into the genetic architecture of VWS and OFCs and will serve as a model for exploring links between other Mendelian disorders that share phenotypes with complex traits.

  Study phs002221

• FinaleMe: Predicting DNA Methylation by the Fragmentation Patterns of Plasma Cell-Free DNA

  Analysis of DNA methylation in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) reveals clinically relevant biomarkers but requires specialized protocols and sufficient input material that limits its applicability. Millions of cfDNA samples have been profiled by genomic sequencing. To maximize the gene regulation information from existing datasets, we developed FinaleMe, a non-homogeneous Hidden Markov Model (HMM), to predict DNA methylation of cfDNA and, therefore, tissues of origin directly from plasma whole genome sequencing (WGS). We validated the performance with 80 pairs of deep and shallow coverage WGS and whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) data from both cancer patients and healthy controls.

  Study phs003287

• Temporal Evolution Reveals Bifurcated Lineages in Aggressive Neuroendocrine Small Cell Prostate Cancer Trans-Differentiation

  Trans-differentiation from adenocarcinoma to small cell neuroendocrine (SCN) cancer is an adverse consequence of treatment escape in various cancers, including prostate, lung, and bladder cancers (Balanis and Sheu et al., 2019 Cancer Cell). Expression of dominant negative p53 (TP53DN), myrAkt1, RB1-shRNA, c-Myc, and Bcl2(PARCB forward transformation) using human naïve prostate basal epithelial cells recapitulated both transcriptional and histological characteristics of small cell neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) (Park et al., 2018 Science). To study the temporal transcriptional landscape during this trans-differentiation process, we conducted a time course study using a PARCB model by integrating multi-omics sequencing, including bulk RNA-sequencing and ATAC-sequencing on samples taken at different time point, as well as single cell RNA sequencing on serial xenograft tumors. We found a common SCN pathway that resulted in two distinct end states defined by mutually exclusive expression of ASCL1 and ASCL2. Further investigation using CUT&RUN sequencing identified TFAP4 as a potential epigenetic regulator of both proteins. Our study reveals temporal and transcriptional changes from prostate adenocarcinoma to NEPC trans-differentiation.

  Study phs003230

• Breast Cancer in Blacks: Impact of Genomics, Healthcare Use and Lifestyle on Outcomes (BRIGHT)

  Young Black females bear a disproportionate burden of breast cancer (BC) mortality compared to White females and are underrepresented in clinical studies. It remains critical to understand factors that contribute to the high mortality from BC among young Black females in order to improve outcomes. The higher BC mortality rate among young Black females with breast cancer is partially attributed to the disproportionately higher proportions who develop the aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In addition to biologic factors, timely access to care, and lifestyle factors contribute to this disparity. Consequently, we sought to evaluate the interplay between biologic and non-biologic contributors to BC outcomes (i.e., BC disease-free survival (DFS)), and to better characterize the highly aggressive TNBC among young Black females based on distinct molecular subtypes. Ultimately, it is critical to assess both biologic and non-biologic factors to fully understand and address existing health disparities in this population. Through prior and subsequent recruitment of a population-based study of young Black females diagnosed with invasive breast cancer spanning 2009-2016, we: 1) assessed the contribution of biologic and non-biologic factors on BC-DFS observed among young Black females with BC, and 2) investigated molecular features of the subgroup with TNBC. Through this study, consented participants were asked to provide a saliva sample from which DNA was extracted for germline analyses, including germline inherited cancer genetic testing and Infinium Expanded Multi-Ethnic Genotyping Array. Breast cancer tumor specimens were also collected, and tumor RNA was extracted from viable FFPE tumor samples. Tumor RNA analyses included gene expression profiling through NanoString PAM50.Data that will be available through dbGaP for this study include SNP array data and PAM50 data.

  Study phs003466

• Whole Genome Sequencing of Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Families from Africa: CIDR

  The focus of this study is to identify and test both common and rare genetic variants that elevate risk for CL/P, and to identify genetic variants associated with specific orofacial cleft (OFC) phenotypes in the population that has accumulated the greatest genetic variation in the human race. We hypothesize that bilateral complete cleft lip and palate (BCLP), the most clinically severe form of OFC, is associated with a higher mutation load than less severe forms (cleft lip only and unilateral cleft lip and palate) and focusing on BCLP will facilitate the discovery of novel risk variants.

  Study phs002623

• Kids First: The Genomic Basis of Structural Birth Defects Associated with Chromosome 18 Copy Number Changes

  Chromosome abnormalities are a common cause of structural birth defects. Both childhood cancers and structural birth defects are critical and costly conditions associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Elucidating the underlying genetic etiology of these diseases has the potential to profoundly improve preventative measures, diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions.However, because these genomic copy number changes involve multiple genes and because most of these conditions are individually rare, defining the specific causative genes behind specific phenotypes has been a challenge. We met that challenge by spending the last 28 years enrolling and evaluating anyone with a chromosome 18 abnormality. The cohort now includes over 700 individuals with a wide variety of chromosome 18 copy number changes (CNV), as well as their parents. Because the vast majority of these participants have individually unique CNVs, we have been able to perform extensive genotype-phenotype correlations resulting in 58 publications. Of the 263 genes on chromosome 18, 28 are linked to specific hemizygous phenotypes. However, most have low penetrance. Genomic sequence data could identify variants in the extant allele that are hypermorphic and compensate for hemizygosity, or are hypomorphic and exacerbate hemizygosity. Additionally, there are phenotypes within this cohort that are rare, or an extreme version of one of the more common phenotypes. Genomic sequence data could help discover new biallelic conditions by revealing functional sequence variants of the extant allele. In both of these cases, there could also be variants in other genes on other chromosomes that may be associated with the phenotype that confer susceptibility or resilience. Inclusion of this unique cohort in the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program can advance the goals of the program in several ways. First, by adding known susceptibility loci to the existing Kids First cohorts for the structural birth defects that are also found in our cohort. Second, for those structural birth defects known to be polygenetic, this cohort has a single defined risk factor which can simplify the search for secondary factors. Third, these studies can also bring clarity to people with chromosome 18 conditions and help to make the genotype more accurately predict phenotype. This approach could be a model for understanding the many other rare chromosome abnormalities which collectively are a common cause of structural birth defects.

  Study phs002627

• Extrachromosomal DNA Amplification Contributes to Small Cell Lung Cancer Heterogeneity and is Associated with Worse Outcomes

  Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a very aggressive neuroendocrine lung cancer often associated with oncogenic MYC amplifications, which are known to drive SCLC heterogeneity marked by neuroendocrine (NE) and non-neuroendocrine (non-NE) cell states. The genetic mechanisms of MYC amplification and phenotypic plasticity between cell states is not known. Using data from cell-lines and a few patient-derived samples along with integrated whole-genome sequencing, long-range optical mapping, single-cell DNA sequencing, and fluorescence in situ hybridization, we have attempted to successfully characterize extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) as the primary source of MYC amplifications and driver fusions in SCLC.

  Study phs003190

• Kids First: Whole Genome Sequencing in Recessive Structural Brain Defects

  Almost 5% of all live births in the US (1:20 births) display an inborn defect, including both structural and functional/metabolic abnormalities. These are among the most common causes of Infant mortality in the developed world and underlie nearly half of hospitalizations in the first 3 years of life. Of the 35 major defects observable at birth from the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance Program (www.icbdsr.org, external link), about half involve the nervous system. Many of these result in lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders. Structural Brain Defects (SBDs) result from errors in development of the central nervous system, including defects in the forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. Many SBDs arise as the consequence of a single gene bi-allelic mutation, and for this reason, occur more commonly in populations or communities with elevated consanguinity. Our lab has identified dozens of novel SBD genes using WES/WGS in consanguineous SBD families. Importantly, the genes that we and others have identified in these unique families are then used to advance diagnosis in pediatric SBDs around the world. We have built an enormous cohort of SBD families, including newly recruited families not yet studied genetically, and previous families that were negative for cause following WES analysis. Here we propose to collaborate with the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (X01) to have sequencing performed in individuals from a total of 200 families with genetically undiagnosed SBDs. The Gleeson Lab team of researchers is dedicated to the field of SBDs, with an outstanding track record of high-impact science, and a collaborative approach to discovery. We have 150 newly recruited families that we propose to study by WES by sequencing blood-derived DNA from two affected patients, or the parents and one affected patient. We also have 50 families in which WES was negative, which we propose to study in a multi-omics approach combining WGS from blood-derived DNA. We anticipate that this study will lead to the identification of many new molecular causes of SBDs, as well as uncover new genotype-phenotype correlations and new disease mechanisms, paving the way for future breakthroughs in detection, treatment and prevention.

  Study phs002590

• Experimental and Clinical Studies of Presbycusis

  This study aimed to investigate genes and variants associated with adult-onset progressive hearing loss, a common and complex disease with a strong genetic component.Participants enrolled in an ongoing longitudinal study of age-related hearing loss at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), dating from 1987. Pure tone thresholds at 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 kHz were obtained for each ear of each person, along with questionnaire responses concerning noise exposure history. Based on the audiometry, participants were classified into 5 groups as "Older-Normal", "Metabolic", "Sensory", "Unclassified" and "Unselected" by their hearing loss.Exome sequencing was carried out using the Agilent SureSelect X2 Target Enrichment System (version 5) and the Agilent SureSelect Human All Exon V5 kit, which included 5' and 3' UTRs. DNA was sheared using the Covaris S220 focused ultrasonicator. Libraries were sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq 2500. Variant loads per gene were calculated and compared between groups. Individual variants affecting hearing thresholds were also identified. Analyses were followed up in a second cohort. Several genes and variants were identified as novel candidates associated with both better and worse hearing. Data available through dbGaP include whole exome sequencing (WES) files and audiometric phenotyping.

  Study phs003327

• Epigenetic Changes in Immune Response and Oncogenesis Related Genes Caused by Heavy Metal Long-Term Exposure

  Our study investigated methylation changes in CpG islands located in immune response and oncogenesis related genes in humans induced by long-term environmental heavy metal exposure. We assessed the methylation levels of 654 CpG sites located on NFKB1, CDKN2A, ESR1, APOA5 and IGF2/H19 genes by targeted bisulfite sequencing (target enrichment by 48.48 Access Array Integrated Fluidic Circuit (Fluidigm, USA) in a cohort of 40 subjects living near a metal mining area (the Kapan mining region, Armenia) and 40 unexposed subjects. We performed linear regression on our data to find differentially methylated positions with adjustment for gender, age, BMI class, smoking, and plasma concentrations of 21 essential and non-essential metals detected by ICP-MS. Our study showed hypomethylation of five CpG sites in the NFKB1 promoter region in the exposed group. According to our findings, the methylation changes of CpG sites in NFKB1, CDKN2A, IGF2 and ESR1 genes are associated with multiple and specific metal exposures. Targeted bisulfite sequencing data obtained for 80 subjects who participated in this study are available through dbGaP. The tables contain information about age, sex, BMI, smoking and exposure status, as well as race and ethnicity of the study participants.

  Study phs003392

• PIEZO1 Loss of Function Compound Heterozygous Mutation in the Rare Congenital Human Disorder Prune Belly Syndrome

  Prune Belly Syndrome (PBS) is a rare congenital myopathy that is incompletely understood genetically. In this IRB approved study, one white Non-Hispanic 35 year-old male PBS proband was prospectively enrolled and phenotyped. Blood lymphocyte DNA from the proband underwent paired-end Whole Exome Sequencing using the Illumina SureSelect kit and HiSeq2500 sequencer with data pipeline analysis. We aligned the subject's sequence against the GRCh38/hg19 assembly and variant calling was performed using data training sets from the 1000 Genomes Project, Omni 2.5 M SNP microarray, and HapMap phase 3.3. These variants were filtered for rare minor allele frequency ( 0.9, CADD score > 20, GERP > 4, MutationTaster = “DC”, Mutation Assessor = “M” or “NE”, and Vest > 3.00. Rare and novel candidate functional variants were screened in the ClinVar database for prior association with smooth muscle myopathy (SMM). Only variants that met these criteria were included for further analysis. Confirmed variants had inheritance analysis performed on available samples. Our WES analysis identified novel compound heterozygous variants in the PIEZO1 gene. We conducted an extensive functional analysis of the PIEZO1 PBS variants that revealed loss-of-function characteristics. Thus, PIEZO1 mutations may be causal for PBS. Our WES data will be available through dbGaP.

  Study phs003475

• Enhancing Open Data Sharing for Functional Genomics Experiments: Measures to Quantify Genomic Information Leakage and File Formats for Privacy Preservation

  This study was designed to develop methods that address the privacy risk associated with genetic variants obtained from genomic sequencing experiments. The preponderance of readily available genetic sequencing experiments has enabled the generation of datasets whose target purposes range from the genotyping of individuals for medical and forensic analyses, to the acquisition of molecular information for biological model development. However, by virtue of the experimental procedure, the raw sequences are tagged with small bits of patients' private variant information. In addition, depending on the protocol, these experiments may identify sequences from exogenous species. Raw human and microbial sequences can be analyzed as a whole to learn both general facts about biology, but can also be used to determine sensitive information about an individual. This presents a privacy conundrum for data sharing.To address privacy concerns, we have developed several mathematical and computational approaches to quantify the risk of disclosure of sensitive information from genetic sequence data, and to sanitize the associated reads in a manner that optimally maintains the utility of the data. In addition, we have generated environmental samples containing genetic information from consented individuals to evaluate the risk posed by such data. These samples were then used to assess the efficacy of the computational methods. Human-derived and -associated samples that are damaged or obscured by environmental factors represent the scope of samples used for experimentation in this study. Samples include, but were not limited to, swabs of contacted objects and glass slides coated in saliva from consented individuals. Blood samples were also acquired from the same consented individuals to create gold-standard comparison datasets.

  Study phs003166

• Diabetes Multi-Omic Investigation of Drug Response (DIAMOND)

  The Diabetes Multi-omic Investigation of Drug Response (DIAMOND) cohort is a population-based cohort of individuals with type-2 diabetes (T2D) who receive their care through a large health system serving southeast Michigan and metropolitan Detroit. The cohort represents the diversity of the population from which it was created. Because of their health plan membership, participants have a rich dataset of longitudinal clinical health information related to their care. The intent of the DIAMOND study is to use genomic profiling, drug exposure information, and electronic health record (EHR) derived outcome data to identify genetic predictors of treatment response. Genome-wide genotyping was performed using the AxiomTM Precision Medicine Research Array (ThermoFisher Scientific Inc.).

  Study phs003350

• Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (BioLINCC)

  The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is a study of the characteristics of subclinical cardiovascular disease (disease detected non-invasively before it has produced clinical signs and symptoms) and the risk factors that predict progression to clinically overt cardiovascular disease or progression of the subclinical disease. MESA researchers study a diverse, population-based sample of 6,814 asymptomatic men and women aged 45-84. Thirty-eight percent of the recruited participants are white, 28 percent African-American, 22 percent Hispanic, and 12 percent Asian, predominantly of Chinese descent. Data available for request include phenotypic data previously released on BioLINCC as well as raw images (E.g. Echocardiogram) and raw tracing data files (e.g. Electrocardiogram). These new data are intended to be made available to interested researchers via BioData Catalyst, will include participants irrespective of participation in genetics (i.e. the full MESA cohort), and may be merged with currently posted (to dbGaP) phenotype and molecular datasets (WGS, GWA, RNA Seq, Methylation, Metabolomics, and Proteomics).

  Study phs003288

• Exploring the Genomic Dark Matter of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

  Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) are a group of disorders that typically manifest early in development and may give rise to impaired cognition, communication, adaptive behavior, and psychomotor skills. This study aims to take a more comprehensive view into the genomic landscape of structural variants implicated in NDDs with intellectual disability (ID). We have evaluated the genome of families with a genetically unsolved severe NDD via optical genome mapping. This study identified likely pathogenic or pathogenic structural variants in known NDD genes, including BCL11A, OPHN1, PHF8, SON, and NFIA. Data is available in VCF format, following the standard filtering settings in Bionano Access and available as "variants_combine_filters_inMoleRefine1.vcf" files.

  Study phs002937

• Cell Type-Specific and Disease-Associated eQTL in the Human Lung

  This study was conducted to investigate the genetic control of gene expression in a cell-type and context-specific manner in the human lung. We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of lung tissue from 66 Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) cases and 48 unaffected donors. Employing a pseudo-bulk approach, we mapped expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) across 38 cell types. The scRNA-seq data presented here include previously published (PMID 34262047) and unpublished samples. ILD tissue samples were obtained from lungs removed at the time of lung transplantation at either Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) or the Norton Thoracic Institute (NTI). Control tissue samples were obtained from lungs declined for organ donation either at the Donor Network of Arizona (DNA) or VUMC. The self-reported ethnicities of donors were 66.7% European, 9.6% African American, 17.5% not available (N/A), and 6.1% other. The smoking history includes 46.5% ever smoker, 29.8% never smoker, 23.7% N/A. For genotyping, flash-frozen tissue in DNA/RNA shield was homogenized via a bullet blender. Genomic DNA was extracted using Zymo Quick DNA/RNA microprep plus kit. Library preparation and low-pass Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) were carried out at TGen or by Gencove Inc. At TGen, libraries were prepared using PCR-free Watchmaker kits (Watchmaker Genomics) with 200 ng input. Genomes were sequenced on NovaSeq at low coverage (typically 0.4–1x). The resulting sequence data were processed and imputed using Gencove's imputation platform.

  Study phs003521

• Molecular Characterization of Hemimegalencephaly

  Somatic mutations, in which a fraction of the cells in the body have a deleterious mutation, are well recognized in cancer but only recently appreciated in neurological disease. Given a somatic mutation in a population of progenitor cells, all daughter cells inherit the mutation and are able to express the resultant phenotype as a function of the differentiation program. We recently identified the first de novo somatic mutations in the developing brain in the condition hemimegalencephaly (HME), a catastrophic focal epilepsy condition associated with a malformation of cerebral cortical development (MCD). HME is one of the most severe MCD syndromes, characterized by massive hamartomatous overgrowth of either of the two cerebral hemispheres. Cerebral hemispherectomy is a frequent treatment for refractory epilepsy, allowing the sampling of diseased tissue. By comparing DNA from a diseased brain with DNA from blood/saliva, we identified de novo somatic mutations in PIK3CA, AKT3 or MTOR, part of the mTOR pathway. Mutations were present in 8-40% of sequenced alleles in various brain regions sampled during surgery and in some codons known to activate proteins.• Population informationPatient samples were collected from multiple centers. The population is Caucasian and Hispanic• Molecular technologies employedWhole-exome sequencing• Principal findings of the studyWe were the first to describe mTOR-related and non-mTOR mutations causing hemimegalencephaly, and we described two-hit mutational models to explain the genetic pathogenesis of hemimegalencephaly

  Study phs002156