9948 results for "cancer rna-seq"

in 45.33 milliseconds.

• Genome‐wide postnatal changes in immunity following fetal inflammatory response

  The fetal inflammatory response (FIR) increases the risk of perinatal brain injury, particularly in extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs, < 28 weeks of gestation). One of the mechanisms contributing to such a risk is a postnatal intermittent or sustained systemic inflammation (ISSI) following FIR. The link between prenatal and postnatal systemic inflammation is supported by the presence of well‐established inflammatory biomarkers in the umbilical cord and peripheral blood. However, the extent of molecular changes contributing to this association is unknown. Using RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry proteomics, we profiled the transcriptome and proteome of archived neonatal dried blood spot (DBS) specimens from 21 ELGANs. Comparing FIR‐affected and unaffected ELGANs, we identified 782 gene and 27 protein expression changes of 50% magnitude or more, and an experiment‐wide significance level below 5% false discovery rate. These expression changes confirm the robust postnatal activation of the innate immune system in FIR‐affected ELGANs and reveal for the first time an impairment of their adaptive immunity. In turn, the altered pathways provide clues about the molecular mechanisms triggering ISSI after FIR, and the onset of perinatal brain injury.

  Study EGAS00001003635

• SINGLE-CELL RNA SEQUENCING Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on 13 ‘mild-moderate’ and 10 ‘critical’ COVID19 PBMC samples

  Summary Epidemiological and clinical reports have indicated that SARS-CoV-2 virulence hinges upon the triggering of an aberrant host immune response, more so than on direct virus-induced cellular damage. To elucidate the immunopathology underlying COVID-19 severity, we performed cytokine and multiplex immune profiling in mild-moderate and critically ill COVID-19 patients. Hypercytokinemia in COVID-19 differed from the IFN-γ-driven cytokine storm in macrophage activation syndrome, and was more pronounced in critical versus mild-moderate COVID-19. Systems modelling of cytokine levels paired with deep-immune profiling showed that classical monocytes drive this hyper-inflammatory phenotype and that a reduction in T-lymphocytes correlates with disease severity, with CD8+ cells being disproportionately affected. Expression of antigen presenting machinery was also reduced in critical disease. Furthermore, we found that neutrophils contributed to disease severity and local tissue damage by amplification of hypercytokinemia and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. Together these findings suggest a myeloid-driven immunopathology, in which hyperactivated neutrophils and an ineffective adaptive immune system act as mediators of COVID-19 disease severity.

  Study EGAS00001005039

• Germline biallelic mutation affecting the transcription factor Helios causes pleiotropic defects of immunity

  We studied a patient with recurrent respiratory infections and hypogammaglobulinemia and identified a germline homozygous missense mutation in IKZF2 encoding Helios (p.Ile325Val). We show that HeliosI325V retains DNA-binding and dimerization properties, but loses interaction with several partners, including epigenetic remodelers HDAC1, HDAC3 and the ATAC complex. Single-cell RNA-sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed gene expression signatures indicative of a shift towards pro-inflammatory, effector-like status in the patient’s T cells. We observed an upregulation of the anti-inflammatory gene, TSC22D3, encoding the glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ), whose expression was reported to increase upon IL-2 deprivation. We validated this finding in primary T cells, where we observed a pronounced reduction in IL-2 production upon their stimulation, together with a defect in their ability to proliferate, rendering them more anergic. Collectively, we identify a novel germline-encoded inborn error of immunity and define a role for Helios in conventional T cells, whereby interactions with specific binding partners is necessary to mediate the transcriptional programs that enable T-cell homeostasis in health and disease.

  Study EGAS00001005675

• BARIA baseline first 100 individuals transcriptomes

  Prevalence of obesity and associated diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are increasing. Underlying mechanisms, especially in humans, are unclear. Bariatric surgery provides the unique opportunity to obtain biopsies and portal vein blood-samples. Methods The BARIA Study aims to assess how microbiota and their metabolites affect transcription in key tissues and clinical outcome in obese subjects and how baseline anthropometric and metabolic characteristics determine weight loss and glucose homeostasis after bariatric surgery. We phenotype patients undergoing bariatric surgery (predominantly laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass), before weight loss, with biometrics, dietary and psychological questionnaires, mixed meal test (MMT) and collect fecal-samples and intra-operative biopsies from liver, adipose tissues and jejunum. We aim to include 1500 patients. A subset (approximately 25%) will undergo intra-operative portal vein blood-sampling. Fecal-samples are analyzed with shotgun metagenomics and targeted metabolomics, fasted and postprandial plasma-samples are subjected to metabolomics, and RNA is extracted from the tissues for RNAseq-analyses. Data will be integrated using state-of-the-art neuronal networks and metabolic modeling. Patient follow-up will be ten years.

  Study EGAS00001005704

• Identification of Germline Monoallelic Mutations in IKZF2 in Patients with Immune Dysregulation.

  Helios, encoded by IKZF2, is a member of the Ikaros family of transcription factors with pivotal roles in T-follicular helper, NK- and T-regulatory cell physiology. Somatic IKZF2 mutations are frequently found in lymphoid malignancies. Although germline mutations in IKZF1 and IKZF3, encoding Ikaros and Aiolos, have recently been identified in patients with phenotypically similar immunodeficiency syndromes, the effect of germline mutations in IKZF2 on human hematopoiesis and immunity remains enigmatic. We identified germline IKZF2 mutations (one nonsense (p.R291X)- and 4 distinct missense variants) in six patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, immune thrombocytopenia or EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Patients exhibited hypogammaglobulinemia, decreased number of T-follicular helper and NKcells. Single-cell RNA sequencing of PBMCs from the patient carrying the R291X variant revealed upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes associated with T-cell receptor activation and T-cell exhaustion. Functional assays revealed the inability of HeliosR291X to homodimerize and bind target DNA as dimers. Moreover, proteomic analysis by proximity-dependent Biotin Identification revealed aberrant interaction of 3/5 Helios mutants with core components of the NuRD complex conveying HELIOS mediated epigenetic and transcriptional dysregulation.

  Study EGAS00001005874

• An alternative splicing modulator decreases mutant HTT and improves the molecular fingerprint in Huntington’s disease patient neurons

  Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by poly-Q expansion in the Huntingtin (HTT) protein. Here, we delineate elevated mutant HTT (mHTT) levels in patient-derived cells including fibroblasts and iPSC derived cortical neurons using a GLP approved HTT assay. HD patients’ fibroblasts and cortical neurons recapitulate aberrant alternative splicing as a molecular fingerprint of HD. Branaplam is a splicing modulator currently tested in a phase II study in HD (NCT05111249). The drug lowers total HTT (tHTT) and mHTT levels in fibroblasts, iPSC, cortical progenitors, and neurons in a dose dependent manner at an IC50 consistently below 10nm without inducing cellular toxicity. Branaplam promotes inclusion of non-annotated novel exons. Amongst, a 115bp frameshift-inducing exon in the HTT transcript in Branaplam treated cells from Ctrl and HD patients leading to a profound reduction of HTT RNA and protein levels. Importantly, Branaplam ameliorates aberrant alternative splicing in HD patients’ fibroblasts and cortical neurons. These findings highlight the applicability of splicing modulators in the treatment of CAG repeat disorders and decipher their molecular effects associated with the pharmacokinetic and -dynamic properties in patient-derived cellular models.

  Study EGAS00001006289

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

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

  Study EGAS00001006864

• Oncoprint GSCCs

  Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most malignant primary brain tumor, with a median survival rarely exceeding 2 years. Tumor heterogeneity and an immunosuppressive microenvironment are key factors contributing to the poor response rates of current therapeutic approaches. GBM-associated macrophages (GAMs) often exhibit immunosuppressive features that promote tumor progression. However, their dynamic interactions with GBM tumor cells remain poorly understood. Here, we used patient-derived GBM stem cell cultures and combined single-cell RNA sequencing of GAM-GBM co-cultures and real-time in vivo monitoring of GAM-GBM interactions in orthotopic zebrafish xenograft models to provide insight into the cellular, molecular, and spatial heterogeneity. Our analyses revealed substantial heterogeneity across GBM patients in GBM-induced GAM polarization and the ability to attract and activate GAMs – features that correlated with patient survival. Differential gene expression analysis, immunohistochemistry on original tumor samples, and knock-out experiments in zebrafish subsequently identified LGALS1 as a primary regulator of immunosuppression. Overall, our work highlights that GAM-GBM interactions can be studied in a clinically relevant way using co-cultures and avatar models, while offering new opportunities to identify promising immune-modulating targets.

  Study EGAS00001007481

• Single-cell profiling of co-cultures of GSCCs and macrophages

  Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most malignant primary brain tumor, with a median survival rarely exceeding 2 years. Tumor heterogeneity and an immunosuppressive microenvironment are key factors contributing to the poor response rates of current therapeutic approaches. GBM-associated macrophages (GAMs) often exhibit immunosuppressive features that promote tumor progression. However, their dynamic interactions with GBM tumor cells remain poorly understood. Here, we used patient-derived GBM stem cell cultures and combined single-cell RNA sequencing of GAM-GBM co-cultures and real-time in vivo monitoring of GAM-GBM interactions in orthotopic zebrafish xenograft models to provide insight into the cellular, molecular, and spatial heterogeneity. Our analyses revealed substantial heterogeneity across GBM patients in GBM-induced GAM polarization and the ability to attract and activate GAMs – features that correlated with patient survival. Differential gene expression analysis, immunohistochemistry on original tumor samples, and knock-out experiments in zebrafish subsequently identified LGALS1 as a primary regulator of immunosuppression. Overall, our work highlights that GAM-GBM interactions can be studied in a clinically relevant way using co-cultures and avatar models, while offering new opportunities to identify promising immune-modulating targets.

  Study EGAS00001007482

• Studies in the Natural History and Pathogenesis of Childhood-Onset and Adult-Onset Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies

  The present study compares transcript and protein regulation in peripheral blood of adult and juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) patients vs. healthy control subjects to identify novel pathways in active patients under treatment. Whole blood data is submitted representing transcript and protein expression, including 14 adult DM and 11 juvenile DM (JDM) patients, and 11 healthy pediatric controls. Whole blood RNA was examined using Affymetrix Human U133 Plus 2.0, and whole blood protein measurements were obtained using SOMAscan Assay v3.2 aptamer-based DNA probes.Expression of 1,124 gene loci were significantly altered at the transcript or protein levels across DM or JDM, with 70 genes shared. A subset of interferon-stimulated genes was elevated. Innate immune markers specific to neutrophil granules and neutrophil extracellular traps were up-regulated in both DM and JDM. Pathway analysis revealed up-regulation of PI3K/AKT, ERK, and p38 MAPK signaling. Up-regulated components shared by DM and JDM included: cytokine:receptor pairs LGALS9:HAVCR2, LTF/NAMPT/S100A8/HSPA1A:TLR4, CSF2:CSF2RA, EPO:EPOR, FGF2/FGF8:FGFR; several Bcl-2 components; and numerous glycolytic enzymes. Pathways unique to DM included sirtuin signaling, aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling, protein ubiquitination, and granzyme B signaling.

  Study phs003270

• Whole Exome and Transcriptome Sequencing in Sporadic ALS

  Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a fatal and devastating neurodegenerative disorder that causes the progressive death of upper and lower motor neurons. Although many efforts have been done to elucidate molecular factors involved in the onset and progression of the disorder, the causes of ALS are yet unknown and undefined. Transcriptome studies, based mostly on microarrays, have revealed multiple perturbations of the motor neuron function, supporting the current idea that several cellular events contribute to the pathobiology of the disease, including mitochondrial dysfunction, enhanced apoptosis, glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, free radical injury, protein misfolding, abnormal calcium metabolism and altered axonal transport. In the present study, we have deeply sequenced the whole transcriptome of ventral horns of the human lumbar spinal cord from matched control and ALS post-mortem donors. Whole exome sequencing from the same donors has also been performed to exclude known genetic variants associated to the familiar form of ALS. In addition, to characterize the ALS transcriptome we have sequenced the RNA fraction at low molecular weight in the same tissues and individuals. Genomic and transcriptomic reads have been generated using the Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencer.

  Study phs000747

• Somatic Mutations in Individual Skin Cells

  Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the primary cause of melanoma through the acquisition of driver mutations in melanocytes. It also plays a significant role in oncogenesis in other skin cells, such as keratinocytes. However, the mutational profiles vary widely among different skin cancers, and the early mutational processes in different cell types from the same skin, is not well understood. Additionally, our preliminary studies also suggest that the mutation burden in different skin cells vary significantly based on risk factors such as the anatomical site and the use of tanning beds. To explore this, we employed innovative Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) tools to perform a site-matched comparison of the genomic landscapes of melanocytes, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts. From 20 biopsies of physiologically normal skin, collected from various anatomical sites across 16 donors, we have performed DNA-sequencing on 106 melanocytes, 78 keratinocytes and 13 fibroblasts. Of these samples, we have also simultaneously performed RNA-sequencing on 78 melanocytes, 46 keratinocytes and 9 fibroblasts. For normal bulk DNA, we also performed targeted (UCSF500; n=9) or exome sequencing (n=8) of skin or saliva samples from the donors.

  Study phs003683

• Ischemia Reperfusion Responses in Human Lung Transplants at the Single Cell Resolution

  Ischemia reperfusion is an unavoidable step of organ transplantation. Development of therapeutics for lung injury during transplantation has proved challenging; understanding lung injury from human data at the single cell resolution is required to accelerate the development of therapeutics. Donor lung biopsies from six human lung transplant cases were collected at the end of cold preservation and 2-hour reperfusion and underwent single cell RNA sequencing. Donor and recipient origin of cells from the reperfusion timepoint were deconvolved. Gene expression profiles were (1) compared between each donor cell type between timepoints and (2) compared between donor and recipient cells. Inflammatory responses from donor lung macrophages were found after reperfusion with upregulation of multiple cytokines and chemokines, especially IL-1 and IL-1. Significant inflammatory responses were found in alveolar epithelial cells (featured by CXCL8) and lung endothelial cells (featured by IL-6 upregulation). Different inflammatory responses were noted between donor and recipient monocytes and CD8+ T cells. The inflammatory signals and differences between donor and recipient cells observed provide insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of ischemia reperfusion induced lung injury. Further investigations may lead to the development of novel targeted therapeutics.

  Study EGAS50000000490

• Harnessing Epigenetic Regulators to improve HSC-based lentiviral gene therapy

  Curative benefits of autologous and allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have been proven for various diseases. However, the low number of true HSCs that can be collected from patients and subsequently in vitro maintenance and expansion of true HSCs for genetic correction remain challenging. Addressing this issue, we here focused on optimizing culture conditions to improve the ex vivo expansion of true HSCs for gene therapy purposes. In particular, we explore the use of epigenetic regulators to enhance the effectiveness of HSC-based lentiviral (LV) gene therapy. The HDAC inhibitor Quisinostat and the bromodomain inhibitor CPI203 each promote ex vivo expansion of functional HSCs, as validated by xenotransplantation assays and single cell RNA-sequencing analysis. We confirmed the stealth effect of LV transduction on the loss of HSC numbers in commonly used culture protocols, while addition of Quisinostat or CPI203 improved expansion of HSCs in transduction protocols. Of note, we demonstrated that addition of Quisinostat improved LV transduction efficiency of HSCs and early progenitors. Our suggested culture conditions highlight the potential therapeutic effect of epigenetic regulators in hematopoietic stem cell biology and their clinical applications to advance HSC-based gene correction.

  Study EGAS50000000175

• MYC Drives Progression of Small Cell Lung Cancer to a Variant Neuroendocrine Subtype with Vulnerability to Aurora Kinase Inhibition

  Loss of the tumor suppressors RB1 and TP53 and MYC amplification are frequent oncogenic events in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). We show that Myc expression cooperates with Rb1 and Trp53 loss in the mouse lung to promote aggressive, highly metastatic tumors, that are initially sensitive to chemotherapy followed by relapse, similar to human SCLC. Importantly, MYC drives a neuroendocrine-low “variant” subset of SCLC with high NEUROD1 expression corresponding to transcriptional profiles of human SCLC. Targeted drug screening reveals that SCLC with high MYC expression is vulnerable to Aurora kinase inhibition, which combined with chemotherapy strongly suppresses tumor progression and increases survival. These data identify molecular features for patient stratification and uncover a novel targeted treatment approach for MYC-driven SCLC.

  Study EGAS00001002115

• Circulating cell-free DNA analysis in Small Cell Lung Cancer

  Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for ~250,000 deaths worldwide each year. Acquisition of adequate tumour biopsies is challenging and liquid biopsies present the best option for patient stratification and response monitoring. We present genome-wide and targeted plasma DNA sequencing data that identifies tumour related changes in 91% of limited (LS-SCLC) and 100% of extensive stage (ES-SCLC) patients. Parallel analysis of circulating tumour cells (CTCs, by CellSearch) based on ≥ 1 CTC/7.5ml blood increased tumour detection frequencies to 98% patients (95% for LS-SCLC) where CTC count and plasma DNA readouts correlated with disease stage and overall survival (OS). Targeted plasma DNA sequencing identified potential therapeutic targets in >50% of patients. This approach will support trials of targeted therapies where improved patients outcomes are urgently required.

  Study EGAS00001003110

• Single cell multi-omics analysis of chromothriptic medulloblastoma highlights genomic and transcriptomic consequences of genome instability

  Chromothripsis is a form of genome instability, whereby a presumably single catastrophic event generates extensive genomic rearrangements of one or few chromosome(s). However, little is known about the heterogeneity of chromothripsis across different clones from the same tumor, as well as changes in response to treatment. We analyzed single-cell genomic and transcriptomic alterations linked with chromothripsis in human p53-deficient medulloblastoma (n=7). We reconstructed the order of somatic events, identified early alterations likely linked to chromothripsis and depicted the contribution of chromothripsis to malignancy. We characterized subclonal variation of chromothripsis and its effects on double-minute chromosomes, cancer drivers and putatively druggable targets. Furthermore, we highlighted the causative role and the fitness consequences of specific rearrangements in neural progenitors.

  Study EGAS00001005410

• Gene expression signatures associated with chronic endometritis revealed by RNA sequencing

  Chronic endometritis (CE) is a persistent inflammatory condition of the endometrium characterized by the infiltration of plasma cells. CD138 immunohistochemistry is considered to improve the CE diagnosis rate. Using the number of CD138-positive cells equal or greater than five as a diagnostic criterion for CE, we identified 24 CE and 33 non-CE cases among women with infertility. We conducted RNA-sequencing analysis for these 57 cases in total as an attempt to elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of CE and to search for new biomarkers for CE. By comparing CE and non-CE groups, we identified 20 genes upregulated in the endometria of CE patients, including 12 immunoglobulin-related genes and eight non-immunoglobulin genes as differentially expressed genes. The eight genes were MUC5AC, LTF, CAPN9, MESP1, ACSM1, TVP23A, ALOX15, and MZB1. By analyzing samples in the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle separately, we also identified four additional non-immunoglobulin genes upregulated in CE endometria: CCDC13 by comparing the samples in the proliferative phase, and OVGP1, MTUS2, and CLIC6 by comparing the samples in the secretory phase. Although the genes upregulated in CE may serve as novel diagnostic markers of CE, many of them were upregulated only in a limited number of CE cases showing an extremely high number of CD138-positive cells near or over one hundred. Exceptionally, TVP23A was upregulated in the majority of CE cases regardless of the number of CD138-positive cells. The upregulation of TVP23A in the endometria of CE cases may reflect the pathophysiology of a cell-type or cell-types intrinsic to the endometrium rather than the accumulation of plasma cells. Our data, consisting of clinical and transcriptomic information for CE and non-CE cases, helped us identify gene expression signatures associated with CE.

  Study JGAS000621

• Study on the proliferation history of colorectal adenomas

  Mismatch repair (MMR) deficient colorectal adenomas are composed of transformed cells that descend from a common founder and progressively accumulate genomic alterations but their proliferation history is still largely unknown. Here we rebuilt the proliferation history of four MMR deficient colorectal adenomas from male individuals by deep sequencing the X chromosome and mapping the somatic mutations that were progressively acquired during tumor growth. We developed a novel method to call high and low frequency mutations, to cluster them according to their frequencies and rebuild the proliferation trees directly from these mutation clusters using a recursive algorithm. The trees of all four lesions were formed of a dominant subclone that coexisted with other genetically heterogeneous subpopulations of cells. Despite this similar hierarchical organization, however, the growth dynamics varied among and within tumors, likely depending on a combination of tumor-specific genetic and environmental factors. Our study provides insights into the biological properties of individual MMR deficient colorectal adenomas that may influence their growth and also the response to therapy. Extended to other solid tumors, our approach could inform on the mechanisms of cancer progression, thus providing insight into the best choice of cancer treatment methods.

  Study EGAS00001000883

• We performed whole-exome sequencing of 20 samples (10 actinic keratosis and 10 cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma) to investigate a potential relationship between DNA methylation-based subtypes and genetic mutation patterns (Rodriguez-Paredes et al., Nat Commun 2017)

  Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common skin cancer type and arises from keratinocytes. Most cSCC progress from a UV-induced precancerous lesion termed actinic keratosis (AK). Despite various efforts to characterize these lesions molecularly, the etiology of AK and its progression to cSCC remain only partially understood. Here we have used Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChips to interrogate the DNA methylation status of about 850.000 CpGs in epidermal preparations from healthy skin, AK and cSCC. Importantly, we found that the premalignant AK samples displayed classical features of cancer methylomes and were highly similar to cSCC methylomes. Further analysis identified typical features of stem cell methylomes, such as a reduced DNA methylation age, non-CpG methylation and stem cell-related keratin and enhancer methylation patterns. Interestingly, this signature was detected only in one half of the AK and cSCC samples, while the other half showed keratin and enhancer methylation patterns that were more closely related to the control epidermis. These findings suggest the existence of two distinct subclasses of AK and cSCC that originate from distinct keratinocyte differentiation stages.

  Study EGAS00001002670

• Gut microbiome modulates response to anti PD1 immunotherapy in metastatic melanoma patients

  There is a growing appreciation of the role of the microbiome in cancer, and evidence in pre-clinical models that the gut microbiome may modulate responses to immune checkpoint blockade though this has not been well-characterized in patients. We analyzed the oral (n=86)and gut (n=43) 16S microbiome in melanoma patients on PD-1 blockade. Significant differences were noted in the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome between responders and non-responders in patients with a fecal microbiome sample, with significantly higher alpha diversity and relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae bacteria) in R. Metagenomic studies (n=25) revealed functional differences in gut bacteria in R including enrichment of anabolic pathways. Immune profiling demonstrated enhanced systemic and anti-tumor immunity in patients with a favorable gut microbiome as well as in germ-free mice receiving fecal transplant from responding patients. Together, these data have important implications for treatment with immune checkpoint blockade in cancer. The fastq files associated with this dataset are stored at ENA under the following accession numbers: PRJEB22894 (Fecal 16S), PRJEB22874 (Oral 16S), PRJEB22895 (Murine 16S), PRJEB22893 (Fecal WGS).

  Study EGAS00001002698

• Residual ANTXR1+ myofibroblasts after chemotherapy inhibit anti-tumor immunity via YAP1 signaling pathway

  Although cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) heterogeneity is well-established, the impact of chemotherapy on CAF populations remains poorly understood. We address this question in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), in which we previously identified 4 CAF populations. While the global content in stroma increases in HGSOC after chemotherapy, the proportion of FAP+ CAF (also called CAF-S1) decreases. Still, maintenance of high residual CAF-S1 content after chemotherapy is associated with reduced CD8+ T lymphocyte density and poor patient prognosis, emphasizing the importance of CAF-S1 reduction upon treatment. Single cell analysis, spatial transcriptomics and immunohistochemistry reveal that the content in the ECM-producing ANTXR1+ CAF-S1 cluster (ECM-myCAF) is the most affected by chemotherapy. Moreover, functional assays demonstrate that ECM-myCAF isolated from HGSOC reduce CD8+ T-cell cytotoxicity through a Yes Associated Protein 1 (YAP1)-dependent mechanism. Thus, efficient inhibition after treatment of YAP1-signaling pathway in the ECM-myCAF cluster is required to enhance CD8+ T-cell cytotoxicity. Altogether, these data pave the way for novel therapy targeting YAP1 in ECM-myCAF in HGSOC.

  Study EGAS50000000136

• Stability of gut microbiome after COVID-19 vaccination in healthy and immuno-compromised individuals

  Bidirectional interactions between the immune system and the gut microbiota are key contributors to various physiological functions. Immune-associated diseases such as cancer and auto- immunity, and efficacy of immunomodulatory therapies, have been linked to microbiome variation. Although COVID-19 infection has been shown to cause microbial dysbiosis, it remains understudied whether the inflammatory response associated with vaccination also impacts the microbiota. Here, we investigate the temporal impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the gut microbiome in healthy and immuno-compromised individuals; the latter included patients with primary immunodeficiency and cancer patients on immuno- modulating therapies. We find that the gut microbiome remained remarkably stable postvaccination irrespective of diverse immune status, vaccine response, and microbial composition spanned by the cohort. The stability is evident at all evaluated levels including diversity, phylum, species, and functional capacity. Our results in- dicate the resilience of the gut microbiome to host immune changes triggered by COVID-19 vaccination and suggest minimal, if any, impact on microbiome-mediated processes. These findings en- courage vaccine acceptance, particularly when contrasted with the significant microbiome shifts observed during COVID-19 infection.

  Study EGAS50000000179

• Primary Prostate Tumor Tissue DNA Methylation Profiles

  The study cohort includes 525 Caucasian and African American prostate cancer (PCa) patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) as primary therapy for clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate. These patients were previously enrolled in one of two population-based studies: 1) men 40-64 years of age, diagnosed between January 1993 and December 1996; and, 2) men 35-74 years of age, diagnosed between January 2002 and December 2005. Gleason grade and sum, diagnostic PSA, and pathological tumor stage were obtained from the SEER cancer registry. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded prostate tumor tissue blocks were obtained from RP specimens and used to make hematoxalin and eosin stained slides, which were reviewed by pathologists to confirm the presence/location of adenocarcinoma. For each patient two 1-mm tumor tissue cores from the dominant lesion that were enriched with >=75% tumor cells were taken for DNA purification. The RecoverAll Total Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit (Ambion/Applied Biosciences, Austin, TX) was used to extract DNA, which was then quantified (PicoGreen), aliquoted onto 96-well plates and shipped to Illumina for DNA methylation profiling using the Infinium® HumanMethylation450 BeadChip.

  Study phs001921

• Genome-Wide Association Studies in Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers (Asian)

  This project aims to conduct genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in two anatomically different upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer sites in two populations with distinctly different disease rates and genetic profiles. One population has very high rates for both esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and gastric cancers (GCs) and is comprised of Asians (the "Asian UGI GWAS"), while the other population has low rates of ESCC and GC and includes non-Asians from the Americas, Europe, and Australia (the "Non-Asian UGI GWAS"). Study participants for the Asian UGI GWAS reported here (Illumina 660W Quad chip) were drawn from 2 studies, the Shanxi Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Genetics Project (Shanxi) and the Linxian Nutrition Intervention Trial (NIT), a prospective cohort, and included a total of 1898 ESCCs, 1625 GCs, and 2100 controls. For the 2nd phase (8 TaqMan SNPs), additional subjects from Shanxi and NIT as well as subjects from the Shanghai Men's Health Study (SMHS), the Shanghai Women's Health Study (SWHS), and the Singapore Chinese Health Study (SCHS) were also included (217 ESCCs, 615 GCs, 1202 controls). Altogether 2115 ESCCs, 2240 GCs, and 3302 controls were genotyped in this study.

  Study phs000361