3931 results for "*geneti*"

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• Immunogenomic landscape of hematological malignancies

  We integrated over 8,000 transcriptomes and over 2,000 samples with multilevel genomic data of hematological cancers to investigate how immunological features are linked to cancer subtypes, genetic and epigenetic alterations, and patient survival. For more detailed follow-up analyses in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on 8 AML bone marrow samples at diagnosis to profile the phenotypes of blasts and infiltrating immune cells in different disease subtypes.

  Study EGAS00001004444

• Associations between APOE status and cognitive ability across the lifecourse

  The association between APOE genotype and cognitive function suggests a positive role for the e2 allele and a negative role for the e4 allele. Both alleles have relatively low frequencies in the general population, hence meta-analyses have been based on many small, heterogeneous studies. Here we report the APOE-cognition associations in the largest single analysis to date. APOE status and cognitive ability were measured in 18,337 participants from the Generation Scotland study between 2006 and 2011. The age range was 18-94 years with a mean of 47 (SD 15). Four cognitive domains were assessed: verbal declarative memory (paragraph recall), processing speed (digit symbol substitution), verbal fluency (phonemic verbal fluency), and vocabulary (Mill Hill synonyms). Linear regression was used to assess the associations between APOE genetic status and cognition. Possession of the e4 allele was associated with lower scores on the measures of memory and processing speed in subjects aged >60. Across all age ranges, the e4 allele was linked to better verbal fluency scores. In younger subjects (≤60 years) the e4 allele was linked to higher vocabulary scores. There were no associations between the e2 allele and cognitive ability. As seen in previous meta-analyses, the APOE e4 allele is linked to poorer cognitive performance in the domains of memory and processing speed. By contrast, positive associations were seen between the e4 allele and measures of verbal fluency and vocabulary. All associations were relatively small and, in many cases, nominally significant despite the very large sample size.

  Study EGAS00001001235

• Prenatal lead exposure is associated with decreased cord blood DNA methylation of the glycoprotein VI gene involved in platelet activation and thrombus formation

  Early-life lead exposure impairs neurodevelopment and later exposure affects the cardiovascular system. Lead has been associated with reduced global 5-methylcytosine DNA methylation, suggesting that lead toxicity acts through epigenetic mechanisms. The objective of this study is to clarify how early life lead exposure alters DNA methylation of specific genes, using an epigenomic approach. We measured lead concentrations in urine (gestational week, GW, 8) and erythrocytes (GW 14), using ICP-MS, for 127 pregnant mothers recruited in the MINIMat food and supplementation cohort in rural Bangladesh. Cord blood DNA methylation was analyzed with the Infinium HumanMethylation450K BeadChip and top sites were validated by methylation-sensitive high-resolution melt curve analysis. Maternal urinary lead concentrations (divided into quartiles) showed significant (after adjustment for FDR) inverse associations with methylation at nine CpGs. Three of these sites were in the 5’ end, including the promoter, of glycoprotein IV (GP6); cg18355337 (q=0.029, β=-0.30), cg25818583 (q=0.041, β=-0.18) and cg23796967 (q=0.047, β=-0.17). The methylation in another CpG site in GP6 was close to significant (cg05374025, q=0.057, β=-0.23). The erythrocyte lead concentrations (divided into quartiles) were also inversely associated with CpG methylation in GP6, although this was not statistically significant after FDR-adjustments. Eight CpG sites in GP6 constituted a differentially methylated region in relation to urinary lead (p=0.005, q=0.48) and erythrocyte lead (p=0.007, q=0.46). In conclusion, we found that moderate prenatal lead exposure appear to epigenetically affect GP6, a key component of platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, suggesting a novel link between early lead exposure and cardiovascular disease later in life.

  Study EGAS00001001575

• Uterine leiomyoma: DNA methylation, chromatin activity and gene expression

  In this study, we observed the effects of different uterine leiomyoma driver mutations to tumor DNA methylation, chromatin activity and gene expression, to form a comprehensive view on the epigenetic consequences of the mutations.

  Study EGAS00001004499

• UK10K NEURO UKSCZ

  In the UK10K project we propose a series of complementary genetic approaches to find new low frequency/rare variants contributing to disease phenotypes. These will be based on obtaining the genome wide sequence of 4000 samples from the TwinsUK and ALSPAC cohorts (at 6x sequence coverage), and the exome sequence (protein coding regions and related conserved sequence) of 6000 samples selected for extreme phenotypes. Our studies will focus primarily on cardiovascular-related quantitative traits, obesity and related metabolic traits, neurodevelopmental disorders and a limited number of extreme clinical phenotypes that will provide proof-of-concept for future familial trait sequencing. We will analyse directly quantitative traits in the cohorts and the selected traits in the extreme samples, and also use imputation down to 0.1% allele frequency to extend the analyses to further sample sets with genome wide genotype data. In each case we will investigate indels and larger structural variants as well as SNPs, and use statistical methods that combine rare variants in a locus or pathway as well as single-variant approaches. These samples have been collected from throughout the UK and Ireland. The samples fall into two main categories, approximately 500 have a full diagnostic work up. A proportion of these are cases with a positive family history of schizophrenia, either collected as sib-pairs or from multiplex kindred's. The second group consist mainly of >300 samples that have been systematically collected within South Wales and in addition to full diagnostic work up have undergone detailed cognitive testing. All samples have obtained a DSM IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.For further information on this cohort please contact Michael Owen (OwenMJ@cardiff.ac.uk).

  Study EGAS00001000123

• DNA methylation and somatic mutations converge on cell cycle and define similar evolutionary histories in brain tumors

  The evolutionary history of tumor cell populations can be reconstructed from patterns of genetic alterations. In contrast to the stability of genetic events, epigenetic states are reversible and sensitive to the microenvironment, prompting the question whether epigenetics can be similarly used to discover tumor phylogeny. We examined the spatial and temporal dynamics of DNA methylation in a cohort of low-grade gliomas and their patient-matched recurrences. Genes upregulated through promoter hypomethylation during malignant progression to high-grade glioblastoma were enriched in cell cycle function, evolving in parallel with genetic alterations that deregulate the G1/S cell cycle checkpoint. Moreover, phyloepigenetic relationships robustly recapitulated phylogenetic patterns inferred from somatic mutations. These findings highlight widespread co-dependency of genetic and epigenetic events throughout brain tumor evolution.

  Study EGAS00001001255

• Institut Curie Neuroblastoma Whole Genome Sequencing Diagnosis Relapse

  Neuroblastoma, a clinically heterogeneous pediatric cancer, is characterized by distinct genomic profiles but few recurrent mutations. As neuroblastoma is expected to have high degree of genetic heterogeneity, study of neuroblastoma's clonal evolution with deep coverage whole-genome sequencing of diagnosis and relapse samples will lead to a better understanding of the molecular events associated with relapse. Samples were included in this study if sufficient DNA from constitutional, diagnosis and relapse tumors was available for WGS. Whole genome sequencing was performed on trios (constitutional, diagnose and relapse DNA) from eight patients using Illumina Hi-seq2500 leading to paired-ends (PE) 90x90 for 6 of them and 100x100 for two. Expected coverage for sample NB0175 100x100bp was 30X for tumor and constitutional samples. For the seven other patients expected coverage was 80X for tumor samples with PE 100x100, 100X in the other tumor samples and 50X for all constitutional samples (see table 1). Following alignment with BWA (Li et al., Oxford J, 2009 Jul) allowing up to 4% of mismatches, bam files were cleaned up according to the Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK) recommendations (Van der Auwera et al., Current Protocols in Bioinformatics, 2013, picard-1.45, GenomeAnalysisTK-2.2-16). Variant calling was performed in parallel using 3 variant callers: GenomeAnalysisTK-2.2-16, Samtools-0.1.18 and MuTect-1.1.4 (McKenna et al., Genome Res, 2010; Li et al., Oxford J, 2009 Aug; Cibulskis et al., Nature, 2013). Annovar-v2012-10-23 with cosmic-v64 and dbsnp-v137 were used for the annotation and RefSeq for the structural annotation. For GATK and Samtools, single nucleotide variants (SNVs) with a quality under 30, a depth of coverage under 6 or with less than 2 reads supporting the variant were filter out. MuTect with parameters following GATK and Samtools thresholds have been used to filter our irrelevant variants. .SNVs within and around exons of coding genes overlapping splice sites.. Then,variants reported in more than 1% of the population in the 1000 genomes (1000gAprl_2012) or Exome Sequencing Project (ESP6500) have been discarded in order to filter polymorphisms. Finally, synonymous variants were filtered out. MuTect focuses on somatic by filtering with constitutional sample. Mpileup comparison between constitutional and somatic DNAs allowed us to focus also on tumor specific SNVs with GATK and Samtools. Finally, every SNV called by our pipeline and also supported in any constitutional samples were filtered our in order to prevent putative constitutional DNA coverage deficiency. Then we analyzed CNVs (copy number variants) with HMMcopy-v0.1.1 (Gavin et al., Genome Res, 2012) and control-FREEC-v6.7 (Boeva et al., Bioinformatics 2011) with a respective window of 2000bp and 1000 bp, and auto-correction of normal contamination of tumor samples for Control-FREEC. Finally we explored Structural variants (SVs) including deletions, inversions, tandem duplications and translocations using DELLY-v0.5.5 with standard parameters (Rausch et al., Oxford J, 2012). In tumors, at least 10 supporting reads were required to make a call and 5 supporting reads for the sample NB0175 with a coverage of only 40X (see table 2). To predict SVs in constitutional samples for subsequent somatic filtering, only 2 supporting reads were required in order not to miss one. To identify somatic events, all the SVs in each normal sample were first flanked by 500 bp in both directions and any SVs called in a tumor sample which was in the combined flanked regions of respective normal sample was removed (see graph 1). Deletions with more than 5 genes impacted or larger than 1Mb and inversions or tandem duplications covering more than 4 genes, were removed. We focused on exonic and splicing events for deletions, inversions, and tandem duplications. For translocation, we keep all SVs that occurred in intronic, exonic, 5'UTR, upstream or splicing regions. Bioinformatics detection of variations with Deep sequencing approach Once PE reads merged and adaptors trimmed by SeqPrep with default parameters, merged reads were aligned via the BWA (Li H. and Durbin R. 2009 PMID 19451168) allowing up to 1 differences in the 22-base-long seeds and reporting only unique alignments. Only reads having a mapping quality 20 or more have been further analysed. Variant calling software was not used, since we aimed to predict variations at low frequencies, observed in less than 1% of reads. Such variants require a custom approach. Using DepthOfCoverage functions of the Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK) v2.13.2 (McKenna A, et al., 2010 Genome Research PMID: 20644199), we focused on high quality coverage of bases A, C, G and T at the targeted variant position. Depth of coverage of each base following a mapping quality higher than 20 and a base quality higher than 10 have been taken into account in order to focus only on high quality data. Aiming to determine the background level of variability at the studied regions, 10 control samples were included in the analysis. The same approach and filtering criteria have been applied as introduced above over the entire amplicons. In order to highlight variants, for each sample the frequencies of each bases at each amplicon position were then compared to those observed in the set of controls. Statistical analyses were performed with the R statistical software (http://www.R-project.org). Fisher’s exact two-sided tests with a Bonferroni correction were performed to compare percentages of bases between the data sets, i.e. for a given base between a case and the controls. Finally, significant variations were filtered-in once (i) a significant increase in the percentage of avariant base and (ii) a significant decrease in the percentage of it's reference base following our p.values criteria was observed (p.val < 0.05).

  Study EGAS00001001184

• MutWP5__CRUK_Mutographs_of_Cancer__Breast__Reduction_Mammoplasty___Exome__Novaseq_

  Cancer is a genetic disease caused by an accumulation of mutations, however many of these mutations have been identified in pathologically normal tissue. We aim to use laser-capture microscopy (LCM) to sample individual clones from breast tissue to identify whether cancer-associated mutations appear in this normal tissue, assess the mutational burden present, and identify the mutational processes causing these mutations. We will sample from a wide age range of individuals (<20 to >60 years old) to determine whether these processes differ in pre- and post-menopausal women. We will also be comparing the tissue from healthy individuals (samples from breast reduction surgery) to those at elevated risk of breast cancer (mastectomy from BRCA1/2 patients) and those who have breast cancer (adjacent normal, distal normal, and tumour tissue from mastectomy). This will allow us to determine how these processes are different between these groups of individuals, and gain insight into the earliest stages of tumor development.

  Study EGAS00001003527

• Super enhancers define regulatory subtypes and cell identity in neuroblastoma - RNA-seq

  Half of the children diagnosed with neuroblastoma have high-risk disease, disproportionately contributing to overall childhood cancer-related deaths. In addition to recurrent gene mutations, there is increasing evidence supporting the role of epigenetic deregulation in disease pathogenesis. Yet, comprehensive cis-regulatory network descriptions from neuroblastoma tissues are lacking. Here, using genome-wide H3K27ac profiles across 60 neuroblastomas, covering the different clinical and molecular subtypes, we identified four major super enhancer-driven epigenetic subtypes and their underlying master regulatory networks. Three of these subtypes recapitulated known clinical groups, namely MYCN amplified, MYCN non-amplified high-risk and MYCN non-amplified low-risk neuroblastomas. The fourth subtype, exhibiting mesenchymal characteristics, shared features with multipotent Schwann cell precursors, was induced by RAS activation and enriched in relapsed disease. Notably, CCND1, a disease essential gene, was regulated by both mesenchymal and adrenergic regulatory networks converging on distinct super-enhancer modules. Together, this reveals subtype-specific super-enhancer regulation in neuroblastoma.

  Study EGAS00001004552

• Genomic characterization of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma reveals critical genes underlying tumorigenesis and poor prognosis

  The genetic mechanisms underlying the poor prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are not well understood. In this study, we comprehensively characterized somatic mutations, copy number alterations (SCNAs)/structural variants (SVs) found in ESCC from sequencing 10 whole-genome and 57 whole-exome matched tumor-normal pairs. We identified multiple somatic mutations seen previously in known cancer pathways and identified candidate genes for ESCC including VANGL1 and MIR4707. A survival analysis based on the expression profiles of 321 ESCC individuals indicated that the somatically altered genes we found were significantly associated with ESCC poorer survival. Subsequently, we performed functional studies to validate the roles of the altered genes in tumor proliferation and metastasis.

  Study EGAS00001001723

• HipSci HumanExome BeadChip analysis-Rare_BBS

  The HipSci project brings together diverse constituents in genomics, proteomics, cell biology and clinical genetics to create a UK national iPS cell resource and use it to carry out cellular genetic studies. In this sub-study we performed Genotyping analysis using the Infinium HumanExome BeadChip on iPS cells generated from skin biopsies or blood samples from rare disease patients diagnosed with Bardet-Biedl syndrome.

  Study EGAS00001001272

• Induced Pluripotent Cells Derived from Differentiated Rod Photoreceptors Undergo Efficient Retinogenesis in Three-Dimensional Cultures

  "Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are used to study lineage-specific differentiation in culture. We developed a standardized quantitative protocol called STEM-RET to compare eye field specification, optic cup formation, and retinal differentiation across stem cell populations. We reprogrammed individual rod photoreceptors into iPSCs by inducible expression of Oct3/4, Klf4, Sox2, and Myc. We also developed ESC lines from rods by somatic cell nuclear transfer. Using the STEM-RET protocol, we compared the abilities of ESCs, fibroblast-derived iPSCs (f-iPSCs), rod photoreceptor-derived iPSCs (r-iPSCs), and rod photoreceptorderived ESCs to form retinae using STEM-RET. r-iPSCs were the most efficient at producing differentiated retina. Retinae derived from f-iPSCs lacked an inner nuclear layer (INL) and had a concomitant reduction in amacrine cells and other INL cell populations. The INL-specific LIM homeobox gene, Lhx9, was hypermethylated in fiPSCs and concomitantly downregulated in retinae derived from those stem cells. ChIP-seq analysis for H3K36me3, H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K9/14Ac, H3K27me3, H3K9me3, CTCF and 5 hydroxymethyl cytosine showed that the major difference between the r-iPSCs and the f-iPSCs were in the genes marked by the CTCF insulator protein. Importantly, CTCF binding enrichment at rod photoreceptor specific genes was at least 10-fold higher in r-iPSCs relative to f-iPSCs. Taken together, our data suggest that both inhibitory and permissive epigenetic marks important for retinal development can be retained in iPSCs and such marks can be exploited to select the most favorable stem cell population to study retinal development or produce photoreceptor precursors for cell transplantation."

  Study EGAS00001001288

• Epigenome and transcriptome profiling of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients

  Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by substantial clinical heterogeneity, despite relatively few genetic alterations. To provide a basis for studying epigenome deregulation in CLL, we established genome-wide chromatin accessibility maps for 88 CLL samples from 55 patients using the ATAC-seq assay, and we also performed ChIPmentation and RNA-seq profiling for ten representative samples. Based on the resulting dataset, we devised and applied a bioinformatic method that links chromatin profiles to clinical annotations. Our analysis identified sample-specific variation on top of a shared core of CLL regulatory regions. IGHV mutation status – which distinguishes the two major subtypes of CLL – was accurately predicted by the chromatin profiles, and gene regulatory networks inferred for IGHV-mutated vs. IGHV-unmutated samples identified characteristic differences between these two disease subtypes. In summary, we discovered widespread heterogeneity in the chromatin landscape of CLL, established a community resource for studying epigenome deregulation in leukemia, and demonstrated the feasibility of chromatin accessibility mapping in cancer cohorts and clinical research.

  Study EGAS00001001821

• A reference map of potential determinants for the human serum metabolome

  The collection of metabolites circulating in the human blood, termed the serum metabolome, contains a plethora of biomarkers and causative agents. Although the origin of specific compounds is known, we have a poor understanding of the key determinants of most metabolites. Here, we measured the levels of 1251 circulating metabolites in serum samples from a healthy human cohort of 491 individuals, and devised machine learning algorithms to predict their levels in held-out subjects based on a comprehensive profile consisting of host genetics, gut microbiome, clinical parameters, diet, lifestyle, anthropometric measurements and medication data. Notably, we obtained statistically significant predictions for over 76% of the profiled metabolites. Despite using the strict out-of-sample prediction metric, which is a lower bound for the explained variance, diet and microbiome each explained hundreds of metabolites, with over 50% of the variance explained in some metabolites. We further validated the robustness of the microbiome related associations by showing a high replication rate in two geographically independent cohorts that were not available to us when developing the algorithms. We also demonstrate that some of these interactions are causal, as some metabolites we predicted to be positively associated with bread increased in level following a randomized clinical trial of bread intervention. Microbiome-explained metabolites were enriched with unnamed metabolites, and we devised an algorithm that accurately predicts their biological pathway, finding that they mainly include food components, aromatic amino acids and secondary bile acid derivatives. Overall, our results unravel potential determinants of over 800 metabolites, paving the way towards mechanistic understanding of alterations in metabolites under different conditions and to designing interventions for manipulating circulating metabolite levels.

  Study EGAS00001004512

• Tumor-derived cell lines as pharmacogenomic models to predict therapeutic vulnerabilities in hepatocellular carcinoma

  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous aggressive malignancy with low efficacy of current therapies at advanced stages. We integrated molecular and pharmacological profiling of a large panel of liver cancer cell lines (LCCL) to assess their clinical relevance as HCC preclinical models and identify new effective therapies and biomarkers of response. We performed multi-omic analysis including whole-exome, RNA and miRNA sequencing and quantification of 126 proteins in a series 34 LCCL coupled with a screening of 29 anti-cancer agents. Molecular profiles of LCCL and primary HCC were compared and we searched for molecular features associated with drug response. Our panel of LCCL faithfully recapitulated the most aggressive molecular "proliferation class" of HCC. Genomic alterations of the RAS-MAPK pathway correlated with trametinib sensitivity that was more potent than FGFR4 inhibitors in tumor cells depending on the FGF19/FGFR4 pathway. Moreover, we showed that FGF19 amplification was only functional in tumor cells that retained a hepatocyte differentiation program with expression of FGFR4, KLB and NR1H4 highlighting the complex interplay between the genomic and transcriptomic context in drug response. We also identified drugs/combination that could target efficiently the transcriptomic "progenitor subclass of HCC", as well as specific genetic contexts such as inactivating mutations in TSC1/TSC2 and TP53 associated with higher sensitivity to the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and the AURKA inhibitor alisertib, respectively. LCCL represent relevant preclinical models for drug-biomarker discovery in HCC and enabled to identify molecular contexts linked with particular therapeutic vulnerabilities that may be useful to stratify patients in future clinical trials

  Study EGAS00001003536

• Targeting FGFR1 for treatment of soft-tissue sarcoma (H021)

  Purpose: Altered FGFR1 signaling has emerged as therapeutic target in various epithelial malignancies. In contrast, the role of FGFR1 in soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) has not been established. Prompted by the detection and subsequent therapeutic inhibition of amplified FGFR1 in a patient with metastatic leiomyosarcoma, we investigated the oncogenic properties and potential as drug target of FGFR1 in STS.Experimental Design: The frequency of FGFR1 amplification and overexpression, as assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization and mRNA expression profiling, SNP array profiling, and RNA sequencing, was determined in three independent patient cohorts. The sensitivity of STS cell lines with or without FGFR1 alterations to genetic and pharmacologic FGFR1 inhibition and the signaling pathways engaged by FGFR1 were investigated using short-term viability assays, long-term colony formation assays, and biochemical analysis.Results: Increased FGFR1 copy number was detected in 74 of 190 (38.9%; Cohort 1), 13 of 79 (16.5%; Cohort 2), and 80 of 254 (31.5%; Cohort 3) patients. FGFR1 overexpression occurred in 16 of 79 (20.2%, Cohort 2) and 39 of 254 (15.4%; Cohort 3) patients. Targeting of FGFR1 by short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown and different small-molecule inhibitors (PD173074, AZD4547, BGJ398) revealed that the requirement for FGFR1 signaling in STS cells is primarily dictated by FGFR1 expression levels, and identified the MAPK-ERK1/2 axis as critical FGFR1 effector pathway.Conclusion: These data identify FGFR1 as driver gene in multiple STS subtypes and support FGFR1 inhibition, guided by patient selection according to FGFR1 expression and monitoring of MAPK-ERK1/2 signaling, as therapeutic option in this challenging group of diseases.H021

  Study EGAS00001001844

• Tumor suppressor miR-133a modulates the prostate cancer epigenome by repressing BAZ2A

  Our study revealed a new subgroup of prostate tumors defined by the expression of a novel prognostic marker, BAZ2A, and the first time to show the establishment of CIMP via an microRNA-epigenetic interaction in prostate tumors.

  Study EGAS00001000568

• UK10K_RARE_THYROID

  In the UK10K project we propose a series of complementary genetic approaches to find new low frequency/rare variants contributing to disease phenotypes. These will be based on obtaining the genome wide sequence of 4000 samples from the TwinsUK and ALSPAC cohorts (at 6x sequence coverage), and the exome sequence (protein coding regions and related conserved sequence) of 6000 samples selected for extreme phenotypes. Our studies will focus primarily on cardiovascular-related quantitative traits, obesity and related metabolic traits, neurodevelopmental disorders and a limited number of extreme clinical phenotypes that will provide proof-of-concept for future familial trait sequencing. We will analyse directly quantitative traits in the cohorts and the selected traits in the extreme samples, and also use imputation down to 0.1% allele frequency to extend the analyses to further sample sets with genome wide genotype data. In each case we will investigate indels and larger structural variants as well as SNPs, and use statistical methods that combine rare variants in a locus or pathway as well as single-variant approaches.Two cohorts of subjects are being analysed: Individuals with Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) due either to dysgenesis or dyshormonogenesis; Patients with Resistance to Thyroid hormone (RTH), a disorder characterized by elevated thyroid hormones and variable tissue refractoriness to hormone action. The CH cohort has been enriched for genetic aetiologies by recruiting cases that are familial, on a consanguineous background or syndromic. The RTH cohort consists of cases in which candidate gene analyses have been negative.For further information with regard to this cohort please contact Krishna Chatterjee (kkc1@medschl.cam.ac.uk).

  Study EGAS00001000131

• Integrated Genomic Analysis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

  Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a frequent and heterogeneous disease whose genetic alterations determining the clinicobiological behaviour are not fully understood. Here, we describe a comprehensive evaluation of the genomic landscape of 452 CLLs and 54 monoclonal B-lymphocytosis (MBL), a precursor disorder. This study provides an integrated portrait of the genomic landscape of CLL, identifies new recurrent mutations acting as drivers of the disease, and suggests clinical interventions which may improve the management of patients with this neoplasia. The data here included was described in the ICGC-CLL manuscript published by Puente et al (Nature 2015). Note that complementary RNA-seq data generated within the IGCG-CLL can be found in EGAS00001000374.

  Study EGAS00001001306

• Chromosomal copy number heterogeneity predicts survival rates across cancers

  Survival rates of cancer patients vary widely within and between malignancies. While genetic aberrations are at the root of all cancers, individual genomic features cannot explain these distinct disease outcomes. In contrast, intra-tumour heterogeneity (ITH) has the potential to elucidate pan-cancer survival rates and the biology that drives cancer prognosis1,2. Unfortunately, a comprehensive and effective framework to measure ITH across cancers is missing3. Here, we introduce a scalable measure of chromosomal copy number heterogeneity that predicts patient survival across cancers. We show that the level of ITH can be derived from a single-sample copy number profile. Using gene-expression data we demonstrate that ongoing chromosomal instability underlies the observed heterogeneity. Analysing 11,534 primary cancer samples from 35 different malignancies, we find that copy number heterogeneity can be accurately deduced and predicts cancer survival across tissues of origin and stages of disease. Our results provide a unifying molecular explanation for the different survival rates observed between cancer types.

  Study EGAS00001004702

• Phylogenetic evolution of metastatic melanoma.

  To explore molecular factors associated with evolution and resistance in melanoma evolution, we multi-lesion sequenced primary and metastatic sites collected from autopsy in seven patients.

  Study EGAS00001003582

• Carcinoma of the oral tongue (OTSCC) genomic landscape characterisation

  Carcinoma of the oral tongue (OTSCC) is the most common malignancy of the oral cavity, characterized by frequent recurrence and poor survival. The last three decades has witnessed a change in the OTSCC epidemiological profile, with increasing incidence in younger patients, females and never-smokers. Here, we sought to characterize the OTSCC genomic landscape and to determine factors that may delineate the genetic basis of this disease, inform prognosis and identify targets for therapeutic intervention.

  Study EGAS00001001329

• Genetic dysregulation of gene expression and splicing during a ten-year period of human aging in the PIVUS study

  We performed RNA sequencing in whole-blood from the same individuals from the PIVUS study at ages 70 and 80 to quantify how gene expression, alternative splicing, and their genetic regulation are altered during this 10-year period of advanced aging.

  Study EGAS00001003583

• Somatic_Genetics_of_lesions_from_a_POT1_patient

  In this project we will use exome sequencing to identify somatic mutations in lesions from a patient with a germline mutation in the protection of telomeres 1 gene (POT1).

  Study EGAS00001001343

• Prognostic and therapeutic significance of leukemia subtypes and minimal residual disease measurements in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with contemporary risk-directed trial: a cohort study

  Background Genomic analyses to identify leukemia subtypes and refinement of minimal residual disease (MRD) determination are two recent advances that would have substantial impact on the management of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, the combined application of these two approaches to determine the prognostic and therapeutic significance of MRD measurement and full spectrum of leukemia subtypes in the context of contemporary risk-directed therapy has not been studied comprehensively.MethodsBetween October 29, 2007 and March 26, 2017, 598 consecutive children with newly diagnosed ALL were enrolled in a clinical trial at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Patients were provisional classified according to the presenting clinical and laboratory features including immunophenotype and cytogenetics. Patients with ETV6-RUNX1 and high hyperdiploid B-progenitor ALL were provisionally included in the low-risk groups; those with TCF3-PBX1, hypodiploidy and T-cell ALL in the standard (intermediate)-risk group; and patients with BCR-ABL1, KMT2A and early T-cell precursor ALL in the high-risk group. Final risk assignment was based primarily on MRD levels measured by flow cytometry on Day 15 (≥1%) and Day 42 (<0.01% or ≥1%) of remission induction. Using genomic classification based on cytogenetics and genomic analysis (single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis and transcriptome, exome, and genome sequencing), patients were classified into 17 subtypes. The primary aim was to determine the event-free survival, overall survival and cumulative risk of relapse according to specific leukemia subtypes and MRD levels on Days 8, 15 and 42 of remission induction. This clinical trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00549848.FindingsPatients with ETV6-RUNX1, high hyperdiploidy and DUX4-rearranged B-ALL all received low- or standard-risk therapy, and had the highest 5-year event-free survival rates: 98.4% (95% CI, 95.9-100), 95.3% (91.2-99.4), and 95.0% (84.2-100), respectively. All 142 patients with Day 8 MRD<0.01%, except two with KMT2A-rearranged ALL and one with TCF3-PBX1, were in continuous complete remission. The TCF3-PBX1, PAX5alt, T-cell, early T-cell precursor, iAMP21 and hypodiploid ALL had intermediate outcome with 5-year event-free survival rates ranging from 80.0% (39.4-100) to 88.2% (71.7-100). Patients with KMT2A-rearranged, BCR-ABL1, BCR-ABL1-like and ETV6-RUNX1-like ALL had the worst outcomes, with 5-year event-free survival rates between 64.1% (43.9-84.3) and 76.2% (51.9-100), despite most patients receiving standard- or high-risk therapy. Treatment intensification based on MRD and genotype improved outcome. Relapse did not occur in any of the patients with ETV6-RUNX1, DUX4-rearranged, TCF3-PBX1, iAMP21, ZNF384-rearranged, hypodiploid, or BCR-ABL1-like B-ALL who had day 15 MRD≥1% and received standard-risk therapy. However, day 42 MRD<0.01% did not preclude relapse in patients with intermediate-risk or unfavorable subtypes including TCF3-PBX1, PAX5alt, T-cell, iAMP21, BCR-ABL1, BCR-ABL1-like, ETV6-RUNX1-like, KMT2A-rearranged, and MEF2D-rearranged ALL, despite intensified treatment in the standard- or high-risk arms. InterpretationContemporary risk-directed treatment based on genotypes and MRD can cure virtually all patients with ETV6-RUNX1, hyperdiploid>50 and DUX4-rearranged ALL. While intensified treatment improve outcome for patients with high MRD during induction, substantial proportions of patients with intermediate-risk or unfavorable subtypes would still relapse even achieving negative MRD status at the end of induction and require novel therapeutics to improve outcome.

  Study EGAS00001004739

• Whole Genome Sequencing of 317 individuals from the Pacific region

  Although genetic studies of modern Oceanians have revealed varying levels of admixture with populations of East Asian ancestry, attributed to the Austronesian expansion, the early peopling history of Oceania remains poorly characterized. Additionally, it is currently unknown whether and how the settlement of the Pacific was accompanied by genetic adaptation to island environments, and if archaic introgression facilitated this process in Oceanians, who present the highest worldwide levels of combined Neanderthal and Denisovan ancestry. This study reports the first whole genome-based survey that addresses a wide range of questions related to the demographic and adaptive history of Pacific populations.

  Study EGAS00001004540

• Genetic ancestry contributes to somatic mutations in lung cancers from admixed Latin American populations

  Inherited lung cancer risk, particularly in non-smokers, is poorly understood. Genomic and ancestry analysis of 1,153 lung cancers from Latin America revealed striking associations between Native American ancestry and their somatic landscape, including tumor mutational burden (TMB), and specific driver mutations in EGFR, KRAS, and STK11. A local Native American ancestry risk score predicted EGFR and KRAS mutation frequency more strongly than global ancestry, suggesting that germline genetics (rather than environmental exposure) underlie these disparities.

  Study EGAS00001004752

• TRAIP promotes DNA damage response during genome replication and is mutated in primordial dwarfism

  DNA lesions encountered by replicative polymerases threaten genome stability and cell cycle progression. Here we report the identification of mutations in TRAIP, encoding an E3 RING ubiquitin ligase, in patients with microcephalic primordial dwarfism/Seckel syndrome. We establish that TRAIP relocalizes to sites of DNA damage where it is required for optimal phosphorylation of H2AX and RPA2 during S-phase in response to UV irradiation, as well as fork progression through UV-induced DNA lesions. TRAIP is necessary for efficient cell cycle progression and mutations in TRAIP therefore limit cellular proliferation, providing a potential mechanism for microcephaly and dwarfism phenotypes. Human genetics thus identifies TRAIP as a novel component of the DNA damage response to replication-blocking DNA lesions.

  Study EGAS00001001501

• Survival Benefit and Genetic Profile of Pemetrexed as Initial Chemotherapy in Selected Chinese Patients with Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma

  We retrospectively collected patients (n=1047) enrolled in the Chinese Patient Assistance Program from multiple centers who received pemetrexed alone or combined with platinum as initial chemotherapy and continued pemetrexed maintenance therapy for advanced lung adenocarcinoma from November 2014 to June 2017. The outcomes were duration of treatment (DOT) and overall survival (OS). Clinical features were analyzed for their influence on the treatment effect and prognosis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to identify genetic biomarkers associated with the efficacy of pemetrexed. The median DOT was 9.1 months (95% CI: 8.5-9.8), and the median OS was 26.2 months (95% CI: 24.2-28.1). OS was positively correlated with DOT (r=0.403, P<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that smoking status and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) were independently associated with DOT; smoking status, ECOG PS, targeted therapy, and EGFR/ALK/ROS1 status were independently associated with OS. NGS in 22 patients with available samples showed genes with high mutation rates were: TP53 (54.5%), EGFR (50.0%), MYC (18.2%), PIK3CA (13.6%). When grouped based on progression-free survival (PFS) reported in the PARAMOUNT study, the DOT >6.9 months set was associated with PIK3CA, ALK, BRINP3, CDKN2A, CSMD3, EPHA3, KRAS, and RB1 mutations, while ERBB2 mutation was observed only in the DOT ≤6.9 months set. This study shows that initial chemotherapy with pemetrexed is an effective regimen for advanced lung adenocarcinoma in selected Chinese patients. There is no specific genetic profile predicting the benefit of pemetrexed found by NGS. Biomarkers predicting the efficacy of pemetrexed need further exploration.

  Study EGAS00001004546

• Whole exome sequencing of germline DNA was performed and subsequent polymorphisms in genes known and putatively involved in the innate immune response to fungi were identified

  Disease can be conceptualized as the result of interactions between infecting microbe and holobiont, the combination of a host and its microbial communities. It is likely that genomic variation in the host, infecting microbe, and commensal microbiota are key determinants of infectious disease clinical outcomes. However, until recently, simultaneous, multiomic investigation of infecting microbe and holobiont components has rarely been explored. Herein, we characterized the infecting microbe, host, micro- and mycobiomes leading up to infection onset in a leukemia patient that developed invasive mucormycosis. We discovered that the patient was infected with a strain of the recently described Mucor velutinosus species which we determined was hypervirulent in a Drosophila challenge model and has a predisposition for skin dissemination. After completing the infecting M. velutinosus genome and genomes from four other Mucor species, comparative pathogenomics was performed and assisted in identifying 66 M. velutinosus-specific putatively secreted proteins, including multiple novel secreted aspartyl proteinases which may contribute to the unique clinical presentation of skin dissemination. Whole exome sequencing of the patient revealed multiple non-synonymous polymorphisms in genes critical to control of fungal proliferation, such as TLR6 and PTX3. Moreover, the patient had a non-synonymous polymorphism in the NOD2 gene and a missense mutation in FUT2, which have been linked to microbial dysbiosis and microbiome diversity maintenance during physiologic stress, respectively. In concert with host genetic polymorphism data, the micro- and mycobiome analyses revealed that the infection developed amid a dysbiotic microbiome with low α-diversity, dominated by staphylococci. Additionally, longitudinal mycobiome data showed that M. velutinosus DNA was detectable in oral samples preceding disease onset. Our genome-level study of the host-infecting microbe-commensal triad extends the concept of personalized genomic medicine to the holobiont-infecting microbe interface thereby offering novel opportunities for using synergistic genetic methods to increase understanding of infectious diseases pathogenesis and clinical outcomes.

  Study EGAS00001001542

• PSCP_mutation_analysis_in_hESCs

  Many studies over the past 10 years, culminating in the recent report of the International Stem Cell Initiative (ISCI, 2011) have shown that hPSC acquire genetic and epigenetic changes during their time in culture. Many of the genetic changes are non-random and recurrent, probably because they provide a selective growth advantage to the undifferentiated cells. Some are shared by embryonal carcinoma cells, the malignant counterparts of ES cells. The origins of these growth advantages are poorly understood, but may come from altered cell cycle dynamics, resistance to apoptosis or altered patterns of differentiation. Less is known about the nature and consequences of epigenetic changes, but it is likely that these similarly affect hPSC behaviour; e.g., enhanced expression of DLK1, an imprinted gene, is associated with altered hPSC growth (Enver et al 2005). Inevitably, these genetic and epigenetic changes will impact on our ability to use hPSC for regenerative medicine, either because malignant transformation of the undifferentiated cells or their differentiated derivatives to be used for transplantation compromises safety, or because they impede the function of those differentiated derivatives, or because they affect the efficiency with which the undifferentiated cells can be expanded and differentiated into desired cell types. Focusing initially upon the existing clinical grade hESC lines, later moving to iPSC, we will Consolidate and extend knowledge of the rate, type and functional impact of the genetic variations that occur during hPSC culture. We will use whole genome and exome sequencing as well as SNP arrays, together with clonal analysis and other cytogenetics techniques. Common changes will be compared with those found in the normal human population, at low frequency in the original cell population or observed during iPSC generation in the HIPSCI project currently based at the WTSI. These studies will provide a better understanding of the range of genetic changes that occur in hPSC beyond the CNVs already identified. In conjunction with cancer genome resources and expertise at WTSI, bioinformatic analyses of these hPSC data will allow us to assess potential impact on hPSC behaviour pertinent to applications in regenerative medicine, notably the likelihood that specific changes arising in undifferentiated PSC cultures may be associated with potential malignant transformation of differentiated progeny. This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shred by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/

  Study EGAS00001001561

• The_genetic_evolution_of_precursor_lesions_in_pancreatic_cancer

  Mapping genetic evolution of pancreatic cancer precursor lesions such as IPMNs and PanINs.

  Study EGAS00001001573

• Super enhancers define regulatory subtypes and cell identity in neuroblastoma

  Half of the children diagnosed with neuroblastoma have high-risk disease, disproportionately contributing to overall childhood cancer-related deaths. In addition to recurrent gene mutations, there is increasing evidence supporting the role of epigenetic deregulation in disease pathogenesis. Yet, comprehensive cis-regulatory network descriptions from neuroblastoma tissues are lacking. Here, using genome-wide H3K27ac profiles across 60 neuroblastomas, covering the different clinical and molecular subtypes, we identified four major super enhancer-driven epigenetic subtypes and their underlying master regulatory networks. Three of these subtypes recapitulated known clinical groups, namely MYCN amplified, MYCN non-amplified high-risk and MYCN non-amplified low-risk neuroblastomas. The fourth subtype, exhibiting mesenchymal characteristics, shared features with multipotent Schwann cell precursors, was induced by RAS activation and enriched in relapsed disease. Notably, CCND1, a disease essential gene, was regulated by both mesenchymal and adrenergic regulatory networks converging on distinct super-enhancer modules. Together, this reveals subtype-specific super-enhancer regulation in neuroblastoma.

  Study EGAS00001004551

• International Genetics of Parkinson Disease Progression (IGPP) Consortium GWAS Summary Results

  To characterize how genetic variation influences the progression of Parkinson’s disease to dementia, which is a major determinant for quality of life, we performed a longitudinal genome-wide survival study (GWSS). Risk profile analysis was performed with a novel polygenic hazard score in longitudinal cohorts in the International Genetics of Parkinson Disease Progression (IGPP) Consortium.

  Study EGAS00001005110

• Papuan_Genotyping

  By array based genotyping of indigenous individuals from different areas of Papua New Guinea, this project aims to provide the most comprehensive overview thus far of population structure and history in this part of the world. Papuans represent a key component in the current understanding of human history outside of Africa. Additionally, PNG harbours enormous cultural and linguistic diversity. Genotyping of diverse individuals, combined with previously generated whole-genome sequencing data, will allow the study of general patterns of population structure, the degree of genetic differentiation between groups, the extent of external gene flow into PNG and the genetic relationships to Australian Aboriginals.This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/

  Study EGAS00001001587

• Integrated genomic characterization of IDH1 mutant Glioma malignant progression

  Gliomas represent approximately 30% of all central nervous system tumors, and 80% of malignant brain tumors. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the malignant progression of low-grade Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutant gliomas, we studied paired tumor samples from 41 patients, comparing higher-grade, progressed samples to their lower-grade counterparts. Integrated genomic analyses, including whole-exome sequencing, copy number, gene expression and DNA methylation profiling, demonstrated non-linear clonal expansion of the original tumors and identified oncogenic pathways driving progression. These include activation of the MYC and RTK-RAS-PI3K pathways, up-regulation of the FOXM1- and E2F2-mediated cell cycle transition genes, as well as epigenetic silencing of developmental transcriptional factors bound by Polycomb repressive complex 2 in human embryonic stem cells. Our results not only provide mechanistic insight into the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms driving glioma progression but also identify inhibition of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family as a potential therapeutic approach.

  Study EGAS00001001588

• Epigenetic dynamics of monocyte to macrophage differentiation

  Monocyte to macrophage differentiation involves major biochemical and structural changes in non-dividing cells. In order to elucidate the role of gene regulatory changes during this process, we used high-throughput sequencing to analyze the complete transcriptome and epigenome of human monocytes that were isolated by elutriation and differentiated in vitro by addition of MCSF in serum-free medium. We also investigated the effect of loading the macrophages with modified LDL. We found that many mRNAs and miRNAs were significantly up- or downregulated during differentiation. While there was no correlation between gene expression and DNA methylation changes at transcription start sites, we identified a large number of intra- and intergenic regions that rapidly lost DNA methylation, became nucleosome-free and gained histone marks indicative of active enhancers. Loading of macrophages with modified LDL caused gene expression changes, but no chromatin changes. In summary, our results demonstrate that monocyte to macrophage differentiation is associated with rapid, highly targeted epigenetic changes, whereas lipid uptake mainly affects regulatory circuits of soluble factors.

  Study EGAS00001001595

• Malignant pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas harbor mutations in transport and cell adhesion genes

  One out of ten patients with pheochromocytoma (PCC) and paraganglioma (PGL) develop malignant disease. Today there are no reliable pathological methods to predict malignancy at the time of diagnosis. Tumors harboring mutations in the succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) gene often metastasize but the sequential genetic events resulting in malignant progression are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to identify somatic mutations that contribute to the malignant transformation of PCC/PGL. We performed pair-wise (tumor-normal) whole-exome sequencing to analyze the somatic mutational landscape in five malignant and four benign primary PCC/sympathetic PGL (sPGL), including two biological replicates from each specimen. In total, 225 unique somatic mutations were identified in 215 genes, with an average mutation rate of 0.54 mutations/megabase. Malignant tumors had a significantly higher number of mutations compared to benign tumors (p<0.001). Three novel genes were identified as recurrently mutated; MYCN, MYO5B and VCL, and mutations in these genes were exclusively found in malignant sPGL tumors. Mutations in the MYO5B gene could be verified in two publicly available data sets. A gene ontology analysis of mutated genes showed enrichment of cellular functions related to cytoskeletal protein binding, myosin complex, and motor activity, many of which had functions in Rab and Rac/Rho GTPase pathways. Conclusively, we have identified recurrent mutations in genes related to intracellular transport and cell adhesion, and we have confirmed recurrent mutations of MYO5B in PCC/PGL cases with malignant potential. Our study suggests that deregulated Rab and Rac/Rho pathways may be important in PCC/PGL tumorigenesis.

  Study EGAS00001001601

• Genetic and expression landscape of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

  Exome analyses for the identification of somatic mutation in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia by comparison of tumor and CD3+(germ line control) population in 16 patients. transcription profiling of a series of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia samples

  Study EGAS00001003603

• Exome sequencing of patients with rare neurological disorders

  Exome sequencing of patients and their families with diverse rare neurological disorders. Some families have prior linkage data identifying a specific chromosomal interval or interest, other families do not have linkage data available. Many of these families come from special populations whose demography or preference for consanguineous marriages make them particularly tractable for genetic studies.

  Study EGAS00001000159

• Recapitulation of genetic predisposition to medulloblastoma in human neuroepithelial stem cells

  Human neural stem cell cultures provide progenitor cells that are potential cells of origin for brain cancers. However, the extent to which genetic predisposition to tumor formation can be faithfully captured in stem cell lines is uncertain. Here we evaluated neuroepithelial stem (NES) cells, representative of cerebellar progenitors. We transduced NES cells with MYCN, observing medulloblastoma upon orthotopic implantation in mice. Significantly, transcriptomes and patterns of DNA methylation from xenograft tumors were globally more representative of human medulloblastoma compared to a MYCN-driven genetically engineered mouse model. Orthotopic transplantation of NES cells generated from Gorlin syndrome, patients predisposed to medulloblastoma due to germline mutated PTCH1, also generated medulloblastoma. We engineered candidate cooperating mutations in Gorlin NES cells, with mutation of DDX3X or loss of GSE1 both accelerating tumorigenesis. These findings demonstrate that human NES cells provide a potent experimental resource for dissecting genetic causation in medulloblastoma.

  Study EGAS00001003620

• Targeted sequencing of 12 genes in patients with HLH

  Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rapid-onset, potentially fatal hyperinflammatory syndrome. A prompt molecular diagnosis is crucial for appropriate clinical management. Here, we validated and prospectively evaluated a targeted high-throughput sequencing approach for HLH diagnostics. We have carried out high-throughput sequencing of 12 genes linked to HLH in 58 HLH patients. We achieved a diagnosis in 22 out of 58 patients (38%). Genetically undiagnosed HLH patients had a later age at onset and manifested higher frequencies of known secondary HLH triggers. Rare, putatively pathogenic monoallelic variants were identified in 9 patients. Almost all cases with reduced natural killer (NK) cell function received a diagnosis, but the majority of the prospective cases remain genetically unexplained, highlighting genetic heterogeneity and environmental impact within HLH. A complete understanding of the genetic susceptibility to HLH thus requires further in-depth investigations, including genome sequencing and detailed immunological characterization.

  Study EGAS00001001605

• HipSci___Whole_Exome_sequencing___HSP

  The HipSci project brings together diverse constituents in genomics, proteomics, cell biology and clinical genetics to create a UK national iPS cell resource and use it to carry out cellular genetic studies. In this sub-study we perform whole exome sequencing using Agilent whole exome pulldown method on iPS cells generated from skin biopsies or blood samples from rare disease patients diagnosed with hereditary spastic paraplegia

  Study EGAS00001001979

• HipSci_RNASEQ_Retinitis_Pigmentosa

  The HipSci project brings together diverse constituents in genomics, proteomics, cell biology and clinical genetics to create a UK national iPS cell resource and use it to carry out cellular genetic studies. In this sub-study we perform RNAseq on iPS lines from Retinitis Pigmentosa patients

  Study EGAS00001001996

• HipSci_RNASEQ_Usher syndrome and congenital eye defects

  The HipSci project brings together diverse constituents in genomics, proteomics, cell biology and clinical genetics to create a UK national iPS cell resource and use it to carry out cellular genetic studies. In this sub-study we perform RNAseq on iPS lines from Usher syndrome and congenital eye defects.

  Study EGAS00001001997

• Epigenetic profiling of human CD4+ memory T cells reveals their proliferative history and argues in favor of a progressive differentiation model driven by epigenetically controlled master regulators.

  A key element of adaptive immunity is the development of long-lived memory cells, which protect against recurring infection by providing a highly enriched pool of antigen-specific cells ready to react to the pathogen. Different classes of memory T cells occur upon primary activation of naive T cells, however, their detailed differentiation pathway is not entirely clear. As part of the IHEC consortium, we generated genome-wide epigenetic maps of a number of CD4+ T cell memory (Tmem) stages including rare subsets such as terminally differentiated (TEMRA) and bone marrow-resident Tmem. We found that CD4+ T cells show progressive global DNA demethylation with differentiation into memory stages, which reflects their proliferative history and likely indicates their decline in differentiation and proliferation potential. Furthermore, transcriptomic profiling combined with co-regulation network analyses arranged different Tmem subsets into a successive differentiation pathway. In addition, we identified a number of epigenetically controlled candidate master regulators for Tmem formation, of which we functionally validated a new methylation-sensitive promoter for the known 'naive-keeper' transcription factor Foxp1. Our study highlights the power of epigenomic datasets in the elucidation of the cellular history but also of the functional potential of T cell populations including the identification of epigenetically controlled master regulators.

  Study EGAS00001001624

• HipSci HumanExome BeadChip analysis - Primary immune deficiency

  The HipSci project brings together diverse constituents in genomics, proteomics, cell biology and clinical genetics to create a UK national iPS cell resource and use it to carry out cellular genetic studies. In this sub-study we performed Genotyping analysis using the Infinium HumanExome BeadChip on iPS cells generated from skin biopsies or blood samples from rare disease patients diagnosed with Primary immune deficiency.

  Study EGAS00001002012

• BLUEPRINT DNA Methylation 450K data of mantle cell lymphoma

  We have applied an analytic strategy to decipher the DNA methylome of 86 mantle cell lymphomas (MCL) in light of the methylome of the entire B-cell lineage. In this way, we first identified two MCL subgroups that respectively carry epigenetic imprints of pre- and post-germinal center B cells. Secondly, we observed that pure tumor-specific changes are rare, as most (89-99%) DNA methylation alterations in MCL are within or in close proximity of those regions showing dynamic methylation in normal B cells. Several thousand of these differentially methylated regions in MCL show concurrent changes in enhancer-associated histone modifications, including a region located 650 Kb away from the MCL oncogene SOX11. At the clinical level, epigenetic and genetic changes co-evolve during MCL progression and the magnitude of epigenetic changes is associated with overall survival of the patients.

  Study EGAS00001001637

• HipSci HumanHT 12 Expression BeadChip analysis - Hereditary Cerebellar Ataxias

  The HipSci project brings together diverse constituents in genomics, proteomics, cell biology and clinical genetics to create a UK national iPS cell resource and use it to carry out cellular genetic studies. In this sub-study we performed Expression analysis using the Illumina HumanHT -12 Expression BeadChip on iPS cells generated from skin biopsies or blood samples from rare disease patients diagnosed with Hereditary Cerebellar Ataxias.

  Study EGAS00001002020

• 33 patients with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) had whole exome sequencing performed. Cells were sorted by FACSAria using CD138, CD19 and CD56 to obtain a pure abnormal plasma cell population. Generated somatic variants were compared to a previous study of 463 multiple myeloma patients.

  Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a premalignant precursor of multiple myeloma (MM) with a 1% risk of progression per year. Although targeted analyses have shown the presence of specific genetic abnormalities such as IGH translocations, RB1 deletion, 1q gain, hyperdiploidy or RAS genes mutations, little is known about molecular mechanism of malignant transformation. We have performed whole exome sequencing together with SNP array analysis in 33 flow-cytometry separated abnormal PC samples of MGUS patients to describe somatic gene mutations and chromosome changes at the genome-wide level. Non-synonymous mutations (NS-SNVs) and copy number alterations (CNAs) were present in 97.0% and in 63.6% of cases, respectively. Importantly, the number of somatic mutations was significantly lower in MGUS compared to MM (p<10-4) and we have identified 6 myeloma significantly mutated genes which are KRAS, NRAS, DIS3, HIST1H1E, EGR1 and LTB in the MGUS dataset. We also found a positive correlation with increasing chromosome changes and somatic mutations. IGH translocations were present in 27.3% of cases comprising t(4;14), t(11;14), t(14;16) or t(14;20) and were in a similar frequency to MM, which corresponded with primary lesion hypothesis. Data from this study showed MGUS is a genetically comprehensive disease, however overall genetic instability is significantly lower compared to MM.

  Study EGAS00001001658