14970 results for "cancer studies using rna-seq"

in 27.16 milliseconds.

• An integrative model of pathway convergence in genetically heterogeneous blast crisis chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

  Targeted therapies against the BCR-ABL1 kinase have revolutionized treatment of chronic phase (CP) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In contrast, management of blast crisis (BC) CML remains challenging because BC cells acquire complex molecular alterations that confer stemness features to progenitor populations and resistance to BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Comprehensive models of BC transformation have proved elusive because of the rarity and genetic heterogeneity of BC, but are important for developing biomarkers predicting BC progression and effective therapies. To better understand BC, we performed an integrated multiomics analysis of 74 CP and BC samples using whole-genome and exome sequencing, transcriptome and methylome profiling, and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing. Employing pathway-based analysis, we found the BC genome was significantly enriched for mutations affecting components of the polycomb repressive complex (PRC) pathway. While transcriptomically, BC progenitors were enriched and depleted for PRC1- and PRC2-related gene sets respectively. By integrating our data sets, we determined that BC progenitors undergo PRC-driven epigenetic reprogramming toward a convergent transcriptomic state. Specifically, PRC2 directs BC DNA hypermethylation, which in turn silences key genes involved in myeloid differentiation and tumor suppressor function via so-called epigenetic switching, whereas PRC1 represses an overlapping and distinct set of genes, including novel BC tumor suppressors. On the basis of these observations, we developed an integrated model of BC that facilitated the identification of combinatorial therapies capable of reversing BC reprogramming (decitabine+PRC1 inhibitors), novel PRC-silenced tumor suppressor genes (NR4A2), and gene expression signatures predictive of disease progression and drug resistance in CP.

  Study EGAS00001001751

• Genome wide association study on coronary heart disease in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia

  Mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene cause familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a disorder characterized by coronary heart disease (CHD) at young age. We aimed to apply an extreme sampling method to enhance the statistical power to identify novel genetic risk variants for CHD in individuals with FH. We selected cases and controls with an extreme contrast in CHD risk from 17 000 FH patients from the Netherlands, whose functional LDLR mutation was unequivocally established. The genome-wide association (GWA) study was performed on 249 very young FH cases with CHD and 217 old FH controls without CHD (above 65 years for males and 70 years of age for females) using the Illumina HumanHap 550K chip. In the next stage, two independent samples (one from the Netherlands and one from Italy, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom) of FH patients were used as replication samples. In the initial GWA analysis we identified 29 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with suggestive associations with premature CHD (p<1×10-4). We examined the association of these SNPs with CHD risk in the replication samples. After Bonferroni correction, none of the SNPs either replicated or reached genome-wide significance after combining the discovery and replication samples. Therefore, we conclude that the genetics of CHD risk in FH is complex and even applying an ‘extreme genetics’ approach we did not identify new genetic risk variants. Most likely, this method is not as effective in leveraging effect size as anticipated, and may therefore not lead to significant gains in statistical power. (NB submitten and conditionally accepted at European Journal of Human Genetics-please use abstract only for internal review until submission complete)

  Study EGAS00001000734

• Genetic heritage of the Baphuthi highlights an over-ethnicised notion of 'Bushman' in the Maloti-Drakensberg, southern Africa

  Using contemporary people as proxies for ancient communities is a contentious but necessary practice in anthropology. In southern Africa, the distinction between the Cape KhoeSan and eastern KhoeSan remains unclear as ethnicity labels have been changed through time and most communities were decimated if not extirpated. The eastern KhoeSan may have had genetic distinctions from neighbouring communities who speak Bantu languages and KhoeSan further away, alternatively the identity may not have been tied to any notion of biology, instead denoting communities with a nomadic 'lifeway' distinct from African agro-pastoralism. The Baphuthi of the 1800s in the Maloti-Drakensberg, southern Africa had a substantial KhoeSan constituency and a lifeway of nomadism, cattle raiding, and horticulture. Baphuthi heritage could provide insights into the history of the eastern KhoeSan. We examine genetic affinities of 23 Baphuthi to discern whether the narrative of KhoeSan descent reflects distinct genetic ancestry. Genome-wide SNP data (Illumina GSA) were merged with 52 global populations, for 160K SNPs. Genetic analyses show no support for a unique eastern KhoeSan ancestry distinct from other KhoeSan or southern Bantu-speakers. The Baphuthi have strong affinities with early-arriving southern Bantu-speaking (Nguni) communities, as the later-arriving non-Nguni show strong evidence of recent African admixture possibly related to Late-Iron Age migrations. The references to communities as 'San',and 'Bushman' in historic literature has often been misconstrued as notions of ethnic/biological distinctions. The terms may have reflected ambiguous references to non-sedentary polities instead, as seems to be the case for the eastern ‘Bushman’ heritage of the Baphuthi.

  Study EGAS00001007080

• Ultra-fast deep-learned pediatric CNS tumor classification.

  The primary treatment of CNS tumors starts with a neurosurgical resection in order to obtain tumor tissue for diagnosis and to reduce tumor load and mass effect. The neurosurgeon has to decide between radical resection versus a more conservative strategy to prevent surgical morbidity. The prognostic impact of a radical resection varies between tumor types. However due to a lack of pre-operative tissue-based diagnostics, limited knowledge of the precise tumor type is available at the time of surgery. Current standard practice includes preoperative imaging and intraoperative histological analysis, but these are not always conclusive. After surgery, histopathological and molecular tests are performed to diagnose the precise tumor type. The results may indicate that an additional surgery is needed or that the initial surgery could have been less radical. Using rapid Nanopore sequencing, a sparse methylation profile can be directly obtained during surgery, making it ideally suited to enable intraoperative diagnostics. We developed a state-of-the-art neural-network approach called Sturgeon, to deliver trained models that are lightweight and universally applicable across patients and sequencing depths. We demonstrate our method to be accurate and fast enough to provide a correct diagnosis with as little as 20 to 40 minutes of sequencing data in 45 out of 49 pediatric samples, and inconclusive results in the other four. In four intraoperative cases we achieved a turnaround time of 60-90 minutes from sample biopsy to result; well in time to impact surgical decision making. We conclude that machine-learned diagnosis based on intraoperative sequencing can assist neurosurgical decision making, allowing neurological comorbidity to be avoided or preventing additional surgeries.

  Study EGAS00001007475

• Molecular subtypes of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors mutated in MEN1/DAXX/ ATRX explain biological variability

  Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (PanNETs) most probably arise from the islets of Langerhans, although direct evidence is still lacking. About 40% of non-functioning (NF) PanNETs harbour mutations in MEN1, often in conjunction with alterations in DAXX/ATRX. Despite the homogeneous genetic background, the ADM (mutation in DAXX/ATRX and MEN1) group is heterogeneous regarding molecular features and response to treatment. To explore the molecular and clinical heterogeneity within this group, we integrated transcriptomic and DNA methylation data from 36 and 93 samples, respectively. Using a multi-omic approach we described a two-level hierarchy separating PanNET subtypes mutated in MEN1, DAXX and ATRX. First, DNA methylation discriminates ADM-PanNET from PanNET mutated in MEN1 only (α-like). Compared to α-like, all ADM tumors exhibit DNA methylation changes at enhancer and lowly methylated regions as well as at peri-centromeric and telomeric regions, associated with alternative lengthening of telomeres, increased chromosomal instability, and enhanced proliferative capacity. At a second level, transcriptomic analysis revealed three distinct ADM subtypes: ADM hypoxic, ADM NST (No Special Type), and ADM immunosuppressive. The ADM hypoxic subtype is characterized by strong hypoxia signature, likely regulated epigenetically. The ADM NST subtype appears to be primarily driven by epigenetic changes that promote proliferation. The ADM immunosuppressive is highly enriched in immune component and strong metastasis-like signature. While all the three subtypes are highly associated with liver metastasis formation and invasion, the ADM immunosuppressive are significantly smaller (<2.5 cm p.value=0.023) despite displaying aggressive molecular features. By defining these three novel ADM subtypes, our study provides a refined framework for understanding PanNET heterogeneity. This classification underscores potential diagnostic markers and highlights distinct biological vulnerabilities that may inform the development of subtype-tailored therapeutic strategies.

  Study EGAS00001008272

• Genomic and epigenomic characterization of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML)

  Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is an aggressive myeloproliferative disorder of early childhood. While some cases show spontaneous remission, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains the only curative treatment option for the majority of patients, however, the 5-year event-free survival reaches only about 50%. Hyperactive RAS signaling is assumed to be the main driving event in JMML. It is caused by genetic alterations in CBL, KRAS, NF1, NRAS, or PTPN11 in about 90% of patients. So far, there is no clear understanding of how RAS pathway mutations relate to the heterogeneous disease biology and variable clinical outcome seen in JMML patients. As a consequence, established clinical and genetic markers fail to fully represent the observed disease heterogeneity. We hypothesized that DNA methylation profiling, either alone or in combination with genetic alterations, might provide a molecular basis for disease classification. Genome wide DNA methylation analysis using the HumanMethylation450 Bead Chip array was performed in a discovery cohort of 20 patients (19 JMML, 1 Noonan syndrome). The clinical relevance of our findings was assessed in an unselected sample set consisting of 147 consecutive patients with JMML (n=129) or Noonan syndrome (n=18) associated myeloproliferative disorder (n=18) registered in the EWOG-MDS 1998 & 2006 trials. Data integration was performed in a subset of patients with available exome sequencing (n=50) and expression profiling (n=15) data. This integrated approach identified three JMML subgroups characterized by distinct clinical and biological features. This analysis further suggested a molecular mechanism by which additional genetic events, presumably further activating the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway, mediate DNA hypermethylation via up-regulation of DNMTs in more aggressive JMML cases.

  Study EGAS00001002511

• The Human Phenotype Project (HPP) is a large-scale deep-phenotype prospective longitudinal and ethnically diverse cohort

  The Human Phenotype Project (HPP) is a large-scale deep-phenotype prospective longitudinal and ethnically diverse cohort and biobank that we established. To date, approximately 28,000 participants have enrolled in the study, with over 13,000 having completed their initial visit. The project is aimed at identifying novel molecular signatures with diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic value, and at developing AI-based predictive models for disease onset and progression. A unique feature of the HPP is its deep and longitudinal profiling that includes medical history, lifestyle and nutritional habits, vital signs, anthropometrics, blood tests, continuous glucose and sleep monitoring, imaging modalities and molecular profiling of the transcriptome, genetics, gut, vaginal and oral microbiome, metabolome and immune system. For several of these modalities, the HPP is the first or largest cohort of its kind. Our analyses of this data provide novel insights into the variation of phenotypes with age and ethnicity, highlighting the importance of having ethnically diverse cohorts and the need for establishing age-dependent norms. We demonstrate how the HPP can be used to unravel personalized molecular signatures of disease by comparison to patient-specific and disease-specific matched healthy controls. Leveraging the extensive dietary and lifestyle HPP data, we systematically identify associations between lifestyle factors and health outcomes. Finally, we present a multi-modal foundation AI model that is trained using self-supervised learning on diet and CGM data and outperforms existing methods in predicting future onset of disease. We extend this AI framework to integrate all data modalities of each subject as a continuous sequence of diverse medical events, creating a digital twin that can simulate interventions and predict health trajectories and outcomes.

  Study EGAS00001008040

• Post_Mortem_Tissue_COVID19_RNA

  Single cell analysis of post mortem tissue samples from SARS-CoV2-infected patients We aim to directly identify the human cell types infected by SARS-CoV-2 and measure the cellular response to COVID19 infection across 20 different tissues from infected patient autopsies. We have examined the expression pattern of viral entry receptors across healthy human tissues to predict several candidate target cell types across the airway and heart. In addition, high prevalence of cardiac failure and abnormal renal function in COVID19 patients implicates heart and kidney involvement, but the pathogenesis of organ specific damage - whether via a direct cytopathic mechanism or an indirect inflammatory response - remains unknown . Currently, we lack confirmation of target cell types and cellular processes in infected tissues as autopsies are discouraged in most countries due to health and safety risks. Our collaborators Drs Michael Osborn and Brian Hanley (Imperial College) have outlined guidelines to perform post-mortem in COVID19 patients (Hanley et al., 2020) and have established a programme of autopsies for research to be performed in a high-risk facility at Westminster Public Mortuary. Here, we propose to identify infected cell types and aberrant molecular pathologies in this precious tissue resource using single cell and spatial genomics. We will prioritise three organ systems: the human airway, heart and the kidney. We will directly examine the cellular identities of SARS-CoV-2 infected cell types and identify the cellular responses to infection across these organs. This fundamental knowledge will help guide future treatment choices for COVID19. 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 EGAS00001004442

• 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

• Post_Mortem_Tissue_COVID19_spatial

  Single cell analysis of post mortem tissue samples from SARS-CoV2-infected patients We aim to directly identify the human cell types infected by SARS-CoV-2 and measure the cellular response to COVID19 infection across 20 different tissues from infected patient autopsies. We have examined the expression pattern of viral entry receptors across healthy human tissues to predict several candidate target cell types across the airway and heart. In addition, high prevalence of cardiac failure and abnormal renal function in COVID19 patients implicates heart and kidney involvement, but the pathogenesis of organ specific damage - whether via a direct cytopathic mechanism or an indirect inflammatory response - remains unknown . Currently, we lack confirmation of target cell types and cellular processes in infected tissues as autopsies are discouraged in most countries due to health and safety risks. Our collaborators Drs Michael Osborn and Brian Hanley (Imperial College) have outlined guidelines to perform post-mortem in COVID19 patients (Hanley et al., 2020) and have established a programme of autopsies for research to be performed in a high-risk facility at Westminster Public Mortuary. Here, we propose to identify infected cell types and aberrant molecular pathologies in this precious tissue resource using single cell and spatial genomics. We will prioritise three organ systems: the human airway, heart and the kidney. We will directly examine the cellular identities of SARS-CoV-2 infected cell types and identify the cellular responses to infection across these organs. This fundamental knowledge will help guide future treatment choices for COVID19. 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 EGAS00001004441

• Immune microenvironment and lineage tracing help deciphering Rosette-forming GlioNeuronal Tumors: a multi-omic analysis of 9 cases

  Rosette-forming GlioNeuronal Tumor (RGNT) is a rare central nervous system neoplasm containing two components, glial and neuronal. The delineation of histological diagnosis of RGNT from similar low-grade tumors such as pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) and ganglioglioma (GG) may be challenging. We performed here a comprehensive molecular analysis of a cohort of tumors with same histology features to identify molecular characteristics of RGNT. A cohort of 9 rosette-forming tumors histologically-diagnosed were analyzed at molecular level using multimodal approaches as Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), RNAseq and methylome. In our cohort, 3 tumors were plotted within the Methylation Class-RGNT (MC-RGNT) characterized by FGFR1 mutation associated with PIK3CA or NF1 mutations. Transcriptome analysis was performed in 7 cases. RNAseq identified a “Hot” and a “Cold” transcriptomic group; the latter includes the 3 MC-RGNT and 1 MC-Pilocytic Astrocytoma and exhibited a “Cold” immune tumor microenvironment in comparison with the “Hot” group. The distinct immune cell content of both groups was confirmed by quantitative immunostainings. Get Set Enrichment Analysis showed that the “Cold” group had upregulated NOTCH pathway and mainly oligodendrocyte precursor cell and neuronal phenotypes while the “Hot” group exhibited predominantly astrocytic and neural stem cell phenotypes. In silico deconvolution identified the cerebellar granule cell lineage as a putative origin and as the cell context to understand the effects of genetic alterations and NOTCH signaling. Histological diagnosis of rosette-forming tumors encompasses heterogeneous tumor entities. Our study identified distinct tumor cell contexts and microenvironments as key features to better understand and manage these neoplasms.

  Study EGAS00001006502

• IL7-receptor expression is frequent in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and predicts sensitivity to JAK-inhibition

  T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematological malignancy with a dismal prognosis related to refractory/relapsing diseases, raising the need for new targeted-therapies. Activating mutations of the IL7-receptor pathway genes (IL7Rp) play a proven leukemia-supportive role in T-ALL. JAK-inhibitors such as ruxolitinib have recently demonstrated preclinical efficacy. However, prediction markers for sensitivity to JAK-inhibitors are still lacking. Herein, we show that IL7R (CD127) expression is more frequent (~70%) than IL7Rp-mutations in T-ALL (~30%). We compared the so-called non-expressers (no IL7R-expression/IL7Rp-mutation), expressers (IL7R-expression without IL7Rp-mutation) and mutants (IL7Rp-mutations). Integrative multi-omics analysis outlined IL7R-deregulation in virtually all T-ALL subtypes, at the epigenetic-level in non-expressers, genetic-level in mutants, and post-transcriptional level in expressers. Ex-vivo data using primary-derived xenografts support that IL7Rp is functional whenever the IL7R is expressed, regardless of the IL7Rp mutational status. Consequently, ruxolitinib impaired T-ALL survival in both expressers and mutants. Interestingly, we show that expressers displayed ectopic IL7R-expression and IL7Rp-addiction conferring a deeper sensitivity to ruxolitinib. Conversely, mutants were more sensitive to venetoclax than expressers. Overall, combination of ruxolitinib and venetoclax resulted in synergistic effects in both groups. We illustrate the clinical relevance of this association by reporting achievement of complete remission in two patients with refractory/relapsed-T-ALL. This provides proof of concept for translation of this strategy into clinics as bridge to transplant. Altogether, IL7R-expression can be used as a biomarker for sensitivity to JAK-inhibition, thereby expanding the fraction of T-ALL patients eligible to ruxolitinib up to nearly ~70% of T-ALL.

  Study EGAS00001007144

• Regenerative effects of MSC treatment on busulfan-induced small intestine damaged organoids.

  Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative treatment for leukemia and a range of non-malignant disorders. The success of the therapy is hampered by occurrence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD); an inflammatory response damaging recipient organs, with gut, liver, and skin being the most susceptible. Intestinal GvHD injury is often a life-threatening complication in patients unresponsive to steroid treatment. Second-line available therapies are immunosuppressants or mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSC) infusions. Data from our institution and others demonstrate rescue of approximately 40-50% of patients suffering from aGvHD with mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) and minor side effects. Although promising, the better understanding of MSC mode of action and patient response to MSC-based therapy is essential to improve this lifesaving treatment. Here, we developed a novel 3D co-culture model of human small intestinal organoids and MSCs, which allows to study the regenerative effects of MSCs on intestinal epithelium in a more physiologically relevant setting than existing in vitro systems. Using this model we mimicked chemotherapy-mediated damage of the intestinal epithelium. The treatment with busulfan, the chemotherapeutic commonly used as conditioning regiment before the HSCT, affected pathways regulating EMT, proliferation, and apoptosis in small intestinal organoids, as shown by transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. The co-culture of busulfan treated intestinal organoids with MSCs reversed the effects of busulfan on the transcriptome and proteome of intestinal epithelium, which we also confirmed by functional evaluation of proliferation and apoptosis. Collectively, we demonstrate that our novel in vitro co-culture system is a new valuable tool to facilitate the investigation of the molecular mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of MSCs on damaged intestinal epithelium.

  Study EGAS00001007432

• Dynamics of circulating tumor DNA in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who undergo allogeneic transplantation

  Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is the only curative option for many patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). With the increasing use of non-myeloablative conditioning regimens, it is widely assumed that the cytotoxic conditioning itself does not eradicate all leukemia cells. Instead, the donor-derived immune cells are believed to eliminate residual leukemia cells over time. This so-called graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) is postulated to be the primary mechanism by which allo-HCT achieves sustained remissions in patients with AML. However, the precise quantification of GvL effects and its contribution to leukemia eradication has not yet been demonstrated by sequential, highly sensitive measurements of residual disease at various time points following allo-HCT. In the current study, we employed a novel, highly sensitive and specific plasma-based assay to track mutations in the leukemia cells of 14 patients before and after allo-HCT. If the primary therapeutic benefit of allo-HCT is truly mediated through a GvL effect, we hypothesized that leukemia cells would persist following cytotoxic conditioning and would often be reduced after post-transplant immunosuppression was discontinued. In the majority of patients (11 of 14, 79%), the conditioning used for allo-HCT did not eradicate the leukemia cells. In seven of these 11 patients, the leukemia cells persisted until immunosuppression was discontinued, at which time the persistent leukemia cells were reduced or eradicated. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a dynamic marker of GvL as well as minimal residual disease for patients with AML undergoing alloHCT, and have substantial implications for their management.

  Study EGAS00001007969

• Genomic Basis of Phenotypic Variability of Complex Disorders

  The 520-kbp deletion on chromosome 16p12.1 is associated with multiple neurodevelopmental outcomes, including intellectual disability/developmental delay (ID/DD), schizophrenia, autism, and epilepsy. This variant is inherited in >95% of cases from carrier parents manifesting neuropsychiatric features, while affected children with the deletion were more likely to carry another large Copy Number Variation (CNV) or rare deleterious mutation elsewhere in the genome, or "second-hits", compared to carrier parents. Thus, while the 16p12.1 deletion confers significant risk for a range of disorders, the ultimate phenotypic trajectory is determined by "second-hit" variants in the genetic background. However, outstanding questions remain about the genetic background in these disorders, including the functional effects of "second-hit" variants towards gene expression or developmental phenotypes, the full spectrum of "second-hit" variants, and the mechanisms driving accumulation of these variants.In version 1, we performed deep clinical phenotyping, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), SNP microarray analysis, and RNA-sequencing of lymphoblastoid cell lines of 32 individuals in five large families with the 16p12.1 deletion. We found that specific classes of rare single-nucleotide and structural variants in coding and non-coding regions contributed towards expression changes in affected children based on their inheritance patterns, including a subset of variants that acted synergistically with the deletion to alter expression. We further found that rare variant-mediated expression changes contribute to specific developmental phenotypes in the carrier children, suggesting a potential genetic mechanism for variable expressivity of the deletion.In version 2, we additionally analyzed genetic and phenotypic data from individuals with 16p12.1 deletion and their spouses to assess the role of assortative mating modulating phenotypic outcomes of the 16p12.1 deletion. We identified significant within- and cross- disorder phenotypic correlations between spouses, but observed no significant genetic correlations between spouses, in line with expectations.

  Study phs002450

• Genomic profiling of paediatric high grade gliomas from the HERBY clinical trial

  The HERBY trial was a phase-II open-label, randomised, multicentre trial evaluating bevacizumab in patients with newly-diagnosed non-brainstem high grade glioma (HGG) between the ages of 3-18yrs. 121 patients were randomised with 1yr event-free survival as the primary end-point. Confirmation of HGG diagnosis by reference pathology was mandatory before randomisation, followed by review with five independent expert neuropathologists. We collected specimens from 89 patients consenting to translational research, and performed Sanger sequencing for H3F3A, Illumina 450K BeadArray methylation profiling, and whole exome sequencing and RNA sequencing where possible. 7/89 patients (8%) harboured H3F3A G34R/V mutations, whilst 24/89 (27%) harboured H3F3A K27M, the latter reflecting a high proportion of the novel entity recognised in the 2016 WHO classification of diffuse midline glioma with H3K27M mutation. Both histone mutations conferred a significantly shorter progression-free (p=0.0104) and overall survival (p=0.00159). 450K methylation subtyping additionally identified a number of subgroups in histone wild-type cases. These included infrequent (4/86, 4.6%) cases with IDH1 mutation in older children, further categorised into astrocytic ATRX-mutant (n=3) or 1p19q co-deleted with TERT promoter mutation (n=1). 9/74, (12%) of cases were classified as biologically resembling pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) by methylation profiling, with 5/9 harbouring BRAF V600E mutations and epithelioid histology, and 3/9 NF1 mutation and giant cell features. Three cases had methylation profiles more closely resembling low grade gliomas, though were morphologically high grade, and harboured MAPK dysregulation in two cases, with the third part of an additional infant (<3yrs) cohort. Finally, four cases had a mutational burden several orders of magnitude higher than the rest, with (2197-5332) somatic coding variants/sample reflecting a hypermutator phenotype. These data provide an important insight into the wide biological diversity of ‘HGG’ found in the paediatric age group and allow for a profound refinement of clinical trial interpretation.

  Study EGAS00001002328

• A circulating biomarker for severity of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

  Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a prevalent, incurable skeletal myopathy. Clinical trials for FSHD are hindered by heterogeneous biomarkers poorly associated with clinical severity, requiring invasive muscle biopsy. Macroscopically FSHD presents with slow fatty replacement of muscle, rapidly accelerated by inflammation. Mis-expression of the transcription factor DUX4 is currently accepted to underlie FSHD pathogenesis and mechanisms including PAX7 target gene repression have been proposed. Here we perform RNA-sequencing on MRI guided inflamed (n=24) and isogenic non-inflamed (n=24) muscle biopsies from the same clinically characterised FSHD patients, alongside isogenic peripheral blood mononucleated cells from a subset of patients (n=13), and unaffected controls. We employ multivariate models to evaluate the clinical associations of 5 published FSHD transcriptomic biomarkers. We demonstrate that PAX7 target gene repression can discriminate control, inflamed and non-inflamed FSHD muscle independently of age and sex (p<0.013), while the discriminatory power of DUX4 target genes is limited to distinguishing FSHD muscle from control. Importantly, the level of PAX7 target gene repression in non-inflamed muscle associates with clinical assessments of FSHD severity (p=0.04). DUX4 target gene biomarkers in FSHD muscle show associations with lower limb fat fraction and D4Z4 array length, but not clinical assessment. Lastly, PAX7 target gene repression in FSHD muscle correlates with the level in isogenic peripheral blood mononucleated cells (p=0.002). A refined PAX7 target gene biomarker comprising 143/601 PAX7 target genes computed in peripheral blood (the FSHD muscle-blood biomarker) associates with clinical severity in FSHD patients (p<0.036). Our new circulating biomarker validates as a classifier of clinical severity in an independent data set of 54 FSHD patient blood samples, with improved power in older patients (p=0.03). In summary, we present the minimally invasive FSHD muscle-blood biomarker of FSHD clinical severity valid in patient muscle and blood, with potential utility in routine disease monitoring and clinical trials.

  Study EGAS00001007350

• IFN-γ and TNF-α drive a CXCL10+ CCL2+ Macrophage Phenotype Expanded in Severe COVID-19 Lungs and Inflammatory Diseases with Tissue Inflammation

  We explored how the human macrophages response to different inflammatory factors, focusing particularly on the effects of antiviral interferons (IFN-β and IFN-γ), pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, and other mediators like IL-4. Co-cultured fibroblasts were a component in some conditions to generate factors produced by resident stroma. We used a single-cell antibody-based hashing strategy to multiplex samples from different stimulatory conditions in one sequencing run. This macrophage transcriptomic data reveals distinct macrophage activation states and polarizations shaped by different tissue-related inflammatory conditions at single-cell resolution. We further performed an unbiased integration between tissue-level macrophages and this stimulated human blood-derived macrophages, which pinpoint an IFN-γ and TNF-α synergistically driven inflammatory macrophage phenotype expanded in severe COVID-19 lungs and other inflamed disease tissues.

  Study phs002780

• A Multimodal Atlas of Human Brain Cell Types

  "A multimodal atlas of human brain cell types" includes sample data targeting two cell types that show species differences between mouse and human. First, it includes a detailed transcriptomic, morphological, and electrophysiological characterization of cell types in layer 1 of human middle temporal gyrus, focusing primarily on different inhibitory cell types. This project also includes gene expression data collected from nuclei in layer 5 of human fronto-insula, with a goal of identifying transcriptomic signatures of Von Economo neurons. Control samples collected as part of the same experiment are also included in the data set. This study was conducted as part of a collaboration between the Allen Institute for Brain Science, the University of Szeged, and the J. Craig Venter Institute. Collaborators request that publications resulting from these data cite their original publication: Transcriptomic and morphophysiological evidence for a specialized human cortical GABAergic cell type (PMID: 30150662).

  Study phs001791

• Anaplastic oligodendroglioma exome and RNA sequencing data

  Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (AOs) are rare primary brain tumors which are generally incurable, with heterogeneous prognosis and few treatment targets identified. Most oligodendrogliomas have chromosome 1p/19q co-deletion and IDH mutation. We analyzed 51 AOs by whole-exome sequencing, identifying previously reported frequent somatic mutations in CIC and FUBP1. We also identified recurrent mutations in TCF12 and in an additional series of 83 AO. Overall 7.5% of AO are mutated for TCF12, which encodes an oligodendrocyte-related transcription factor. 80% of TCF12 mutations identified were in either the bHLH domain, which is important for TCF12 function as a transcription factor, or were frame shift mutations leading to TCF12 truncated for this domain. We show that these mutations compromise TCF12 transcriptional activity and are associated with a more aggressive tumor type. Our analysis provides further insights into the unique and shared pathways driving AO.

  Study EGAS00001001209

• RNA sequencing CYLD cutaneous syndrome

  Patients with CYLD cutaneous syndrome (CCS; syn. Brooke-Spiegler syndrome) carry germline mutations in the tumor suppressor CYLD and develop multiple skin tumors with diverse histophenotypes. We comprehensively profiled the genomic landscape of 42 benign and malignant tumors across 13 individuals from four multigenerational families. Novel recurrent mutations were found in epigenetic modifiers DNMT3A and BCOR in 29% of benign tumors. Multi-level and microdissected sampling strikingly reveal that many clones with different DNMT3A mutations exist in these benign tumors, suggesting that intra-tumor heterogeneity is common. Integrated genomic, methylation and transcriptomic profiling in selected tumours suggest that isoform specific DNMT3A2 mutations are associated with dysregulated Wnt/ß-catenin pathway signaling. Phylogenetic and mutational signature analyses confirm cylindroma pulmonary metastases from primary skin tumours. These findings add novel dimensions to existing paradigms of cutaneous tumorigenesis and metastasis.

  Study EGAS00001003841

• Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT-BioLINCC)

  Available DataThe available data include all elements of the previously released SPRINT Primary Outcome Paper (SPRINT-POP) data, the full SPRINT clinical data including the MRI and MIND data, and select ancillary study data (Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring, APOL1, Acute Kidney Injury, ASK, Heart, FAST, PWV, Renal Resistance, Biomarkers, Plasma AD).ObjectiveThe Systolic Blood Pressure Trial (SPRINT) was conducted to test the hypothesis that treating systolic blood pressure to a target of less than 120 mm Hg, as compared to a target of less than 140 mm Hg, would reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease.BackgroundHypertension is a highly prevalent condition among adults and is a leading risk factor for myocardial infarction and stroke. Further, isolated systolic hypertension is the most common form of hypertension in adults over 50 years of age. Observational studies have shown a monotonic increase in cardiovascular risk with systolic blood pressures above 115 mm Hg; however, general population clinical trials have only documented the benefits of lowering systolic blood pressure to a target of 150 mm Hg. A 2007 expert panel sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute designated the hypothesis that lowering the systolic blood pressure goal to a level SubjectsA total of 9361 participants were enrolled, with 4,678 randomized to the intensive-treatment group and 4,683 randomized to the standard-treatment group.DesignSPRINT was a randomized, single blinded (outcome adjudicators were blinded to treatment assignment) treatment trial with participants randomized to a systolic blood-pressure target of either less than 140 mm Hg (the standard-treatment group) or less than 120 mm Hg (the intensive-treatment group). Following randomization, baseline hypertensive regimens were adjusted in accordance with study treatment algorithms established for each group. The study formulary included all major classes of antihypertensive agents. Investigators could prescribe other antihypertensive medications, but the use of drug classes with the strongest evidence for reduction in cardiovascular outcomes was encouraged. This included thiazide-type diuretics as the first-line agent, loop diuretics for participants with advanced chronic kidney disease, and beta-adrenergic blockers for participants with coronary artery disease. Medications for participants in the intensive-treatment group were adjusted on a monthly basis to target a systolic blood pressure of less than 120 mm Hg. Medications for participants in the standard-treatment group were adjusted to target a systolic blood pressure of 135 to 139 mm Hg, and the dose was reduced if systolic blood pressure was less than 130 mm Hg on a single visit or less than 135 mm Hg on two consecutive visits. Lifestyle modification was encouraged as part of the management strategy.Participants were seen monthly for the first 3 months and every 3 months thereafter. Demographic data were collected at baseline. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained at baseline and every 3 months thereafter. A structured interview was used in both groups every 3 months to obtain self-reported cardiovascular disease outcomes. Medical records and electrocardiograms were obtained for documentation of events. Incidences of hypotension, syncope, injurious falls, electrolyte abnormalities, and bradycardia that were evaluated in an emergency department were included in adverse event reporting. Occurrences of acute kidney injury or acute renal failure requiring hospitalization were also monitored. The primary outcome was a composite outcome of myocardial infarction, other acute coronary syndromes, stroke, heart failure, or death from cardiovascular causes.ConclusionsThe blood pressure intervention was stopped in August of 2015 (median follow-up of 3.26 years) after the cardiovascular outcome results exceeded the boundary for efficacy at two consecutive time points. Compared with a systolic blood pressure target of less than 140 mm Hg, an intensive systolic blood pressure target of 120 mm Hg resulted in lower rates of fatal and nonfatal major cardiovascular events and death from any cause. Significantly higher rates of some adverse events were observed in the intensive-treatment group.

  Study phs003483

• Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT-Imaging)

  Available DataSystolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial, SPRINT-Imaging, provides access to ECG signals data from the SPRINT clinical trial. The clinical phenotyping and outcomes data from the trial are associated with SPRINT-BioLINCC, phs003483.ObjectiveThe Systolic Blood Pressure Trial (SPRINT) was conducted to test the hypothesis that treating systolic blood pressure to a target of less than 120 mm Hg, as compared to a target of less than 140 mm Hg, would reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease. BackgroundHypertension is a highly prevalent condition among adults and is a leading risk factor for myocardial infarction and stroke. Further, isolated systolic hypertension is the most common form of hypertension in adults over 50 years of age. Observational studies have shown a monotonic increase in cardiovascular risk with systolic blood pressures above 115 mm Hg; however, general population clinical trials have only documented the benefits of lowering systolic blood pressure to a target of 150 mm Hg. A 2007 expert panel sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute designated the hypothesis that lowering the systolic blood pressure goal to a level SubjectsA total of 9361 participants were enrolled, with 4,678 randomized to the intensive-treatment group and 4,683 randomized to the standard-treatment group. DesignSPRINT was a randomized, single blinded (outcome adjudicators were blinded to treatment assignment) treatment trial with participants randomized to a systolic blood-pressure target of either less than 140 mm Hg (the standard-treatment group) or less than 120 mm Hg (the intensive-treatment group). Following randomization, baseline hypertensive regimens were adjusted in accordance with study treatment algorithms established for each group. The study formulary included all major classes of antihypertensive agents. Investigators could prescribe other antihypertensive medications, but the use of drug classes with the strongest evidence for reduction in cardiovascular outcomes was encouraged. This included thiazide-type diuretics as the first-line agent, loop diuretics for participants with advanced chronic kidney disease, and beta-adrenergic blockers for participants with coronary artery disease. Medications for participants in the intensive-treatment group were adjusted on a monthly basis to target a systolic blood pressure of less than 120 mm Hg. Medications for participants in the standard-treatment group were adjusted to target a systolic blood pressure of 135 to 139 mm Hg, and the dose was reduced if systolic blood pressure was less than 130 mm Hg on a single visit or less than 135 mm Hg on two consecutive visits. Lifestyle modification was encouraged as part of the management strategy. Participants were seen monthly for the first 3 months and every 3 months thereafter. Demographic data were collected at baseline. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained at baseline and every 3 months thereafter. A structured interview was used in both groups every 3 months to obtain self-reported cardiovascular disease outcomes. Medical records and electrocardiograms were obtained for documentation of events. Incidences of hypotension, syncope, injurious falls, electrolyte abnormalities, and bradycardia that were evaluated in an emergency department were included in adverse event reporting. Occurrences of acute kidney injury or acute renal failure requiring hospitalization were also monitored. The primary outcome was a composite outcome of myocardial infarction, other acute coronary syndromes, stroke, heart failure, or death from cardiovascular causes. ConclusionsThe blood pressure intervention was stopped in August of 2015 (median follow-up of 3.26 years) after the cardiovascular outcome results exceeded the boundary for efficacy at two consecutive time points. Compared with a systolic blood pressure target of less than 140 mm Hg, an intensive systolic blood pressure target of 120 mm Hg resulted in lower rates of fatal and nonfatal major cardiovascular events and death from any cause. Significantly higher rates of some adverse events were observed in the intensive-treatment group.

  Study phs003566

• Heart Failure: A Controlled Trial Investigating Outcomes of Exercise Training (HF-ACTION-BioLINCC)

  Accessing Data Please refer to “Authorized Access” below regarding accessing data through the BioData Catalyst ecosystem. The data from this accession is not available for download through dbGaP.ObjectivesThe HF-ACTION study examined whether exercise training reduces a composite endpoint of all-cause mortality or all-cause hospitalization for patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and heart failure symptoms. Background Heart failure (HF) is a major and growing cardiovascular syndrome that is the end result of many cardiovascular disorders. Although evidence-based drug and device therapies decrease mortality, hospitalizations, and HF symptoms and improve quality of life, many patients treated with these regimens often remain burdened by dyspnea and fatigue, diminished exercise tolerance, reduced quality of life, recurrent hospitalizations, and early mortality. Whereas rest was traditionally recommended for HF patients, there has been evidence that physical deconditioning may play a key role in the progression of symptoms and poor outcomes. Previous studies have shown positive effects of exercise training on exercise capacity, quality of life, and biomarkers and suggest that exercise training might improve survival and decrease HF hospitalizations. Nonetheless, there remains a safety concern regarding exercise training in HF and a large scale, multicenter, controlled clinical trial was needed to provide definitive clinical outcome data. Participants A total of 2,331 participants were randomized. 2,130 consented to share data with non-commercial entities, and 1,753 consented to share for commercial purposes. Design All participants underwent baseline cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Test results were reviewed by investigators to identify significant arrhythmias or ischemia that would prevent safe exercise training, to determine appropriate levels of exercise training, and to establish training heart rate ranges. Demographics, socioeconomic status, past medical history, current medications, physical exam, and the most recent laboratory tests were obtained prior to randomization. All participants received detailed self-management educational materials which included information on medications, fluid management, symptom exacerbation, sodium intake, and physical activity. Participants randomized to the exercise training arm first participated in a structured, group-based, supervised exercise program, with a goal of 3 sessions per week for a total of 36 sessions in 3 months. The primary exercises were walking, treadmill, or stationary cycling. Exercise was initiated at 15 to 30 minutes per session at a heart rate corresponding to 60% of heart rate reserve, and was increased after 6 sessions to 30 to 35 minutes duration and 70% of heart rate reserve. Participants began home-based exercise after completing 18 supervised sessions and were to fully transition to home exercise after 36 supervised sessions. The target training regimen for home exercise was 5 times per week for 40 minutes at a heart rate of 60% to 70% of heart rate reserve. Participants randomized to the usual care group were not provided with a formal exercise prescription. To provide comparable levels of attention from study personnel, all participants were called every 2 weeks for the first 9 months, monthly until 24 months of follow-up, and quarterly thereafter. Participants returned for clinic visits every 3 months for the first 2 years of participation and yearly thereafter for up to 4 years. Follow-up assessments included cardiopulmonary exercise testing, a 6-minute walk test, and a physical activity questionnaire. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality or all-cause hospitalization. Secondary end points included all-cause mortality, the composite of cardiovascular mortality or cardiovascular hospitalization, and the composite of cardiovascular mortality or HF hospitalization. Conclusions After adjustment for highly prognostic predictors of the primary end point, exercise training was associated with modestly significant reductions for both all-cause mortality or hospitalization and cardiovascular mortality or heart failure hospitalization.

  Study phs003599

• Acute Respiratory Distress Network Early Versus Delayed Enteral Feeding to Treat People with Acute Lung Injury or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDSNet EDEN-BioLINCC)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the “Authorized Access” section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions. Biospecimens: Access to Biospecimens is through the NHLBI Biologic Specimen and Data Repository Information Coordinating Center (BioLINCC). Biospecimens from ARDSNet-EDEN include bronchial lavage, plasma, DNA, and urine. Please note that use of biospecimens in genetic and non-genetic research is subject to a tiered consent. Objectives: To determine if initial lower-volume trophic enteral feeding would increase ventilator-free days (VFDs) and decrease gastrointestinal intolerances compared with initial full enteral feeding. Background: Mechanically ventilated patients cannot eat normally and if not fed for long periods become malnourished. Because malnutrition is associated with poor outcomes in critically ill patients, artificial nutrition is often provided, especially in those with acute lung injury (ALI) and with expected longer duration of mechanical ventilation. When feasible, enteral nutrition targeting full caloric needs has been advocated over parenteral nutrition. However, feeding intolerance and common care practices often serve as practical barriers to reaching recommended goals. Although confounded by indication and severity of illness, several observational studies have shown improved clinical outcomes, including fewer infections, shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, and lower mortality for patients receiving a higher percentage of calculated caloric needs. Nonetheless, the best timing, formulation, and amount of enteral nutrition remain unknown. Participants: A total of 1,000 participants were enrolled. Design: Participants were randomized, stratified by site and presence of shock at enrollment, to receive either trophic or full enteral feeding for the first 6 days of mechanical ventilation. The initial 272 patients were also simultaneously randomized to a separate trial (the OMEGA study) comparing a nutritional supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants with an isocaloric, isovolemic control in a 2 × 2 factorial design.The designated feeding strategy was initiated within 6 hours of randomization and continued until death, extubation, or day 6. The care of mechanically ventilated patients still receiving enteral feedings after day 6 was managed according to the full feeding strategy in both groups. In extubated patients who then required reintubation, enteral nutrition was restarted and managed according to the study protocol.In the full-feeding group, enteral nutrition was initiated at 25 mL/h and advanced to goal rates as quickly as possible. Gastric residual volumes were checked every 6 hours while enteral feeding was increased. Patients randomized to the initial trophic-feeding group had enteral nutrition initiated at 10 mL/h (10-20 kcal/h) for the first 272 patients who also received the omega-3 or control supplement (240 mL volume per day). After the data and safety monitoring board stopped the OMEGA portion of the factorial design, the initial trophic feeding rate was changed to 20 kcal/h to approximate the calories that had been delivered in the OMEGA study. Gastric Residual Volumes (GRVs) were checked every 12 hours during trophic feeding. In patients randomized to trophic feeding, enteral nutrition was advanced to full-energy feeding rates following the same protocol used for the full-feeding group if they were still receiving mechanical ventilation at 144 hours. Conclusions: There was no difference between groups with regard to the primary end point, VFDs to day 28. There also were no differences in 60-day mortality, organ failure−free days, ICU-free days, or the incidence of infection between groups. Similarly, there were no differences between groups in VFDs or survival when analyzed by body mass index category or when subsets of patients with shock or more severe lung injury (acute respiratory distress syndrome) were examined.JAMA. 2012 Feb 22;307(8):795-803

  Study phs004168