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• CAGE Profiling of ncRNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Reveals a Strong Activation of Retroviral LTR Promoters in Virus-Induced Tumors

  The ncRNA transcriptome of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is largely unexplored. We used CAGE to characterize transcription start sites across different etiologies of human HCCs with emphasis on ncRNAs. Here we report that retroviral LTR promoters, expressed in healthy tissues such as testis and placenta but not liver, are widely activated in HCC. Despite HCC heterogeneity, a subset of LTR-derived ncRNAs were more than 10-fold up-regulated in the vast majority of samples. HCCs with a high LTR activity mostly had a viral etiology, were less differentiated and showed higher risk of recurrence. CAGE enabled us to build a promoter map for HCC, which uncovers a new layer of complexity in HCC genomics.

  Study phs000885

• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) Wu Lab/Avicenne CLL RNA-Seq Study

  Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a hematological malignancy characterized by accumulation of CD5+ B cells in peripheral lymphoid organs, bone marrow and blood. Recently, the advent of large-scale whole-exome sequencing of hundreds of CLL samples has led to gain a comprehensive understanding of the mutational landscape of this clonal B cell malignancy, but the functional effects of the putative driver mutations thus discovered are largely unknown. In this study, we analyze RNA-seq data from CLL patients to characterize dysregulated biological pathways regarding the presence of recurrent mutations. Source of tumor is patients' PBMC isolated from peripheral blood using the Ficoll method. Purity was confirmed using flow cytometry flow (>80% in all cases).

  Study phs002335

• Chromatin Accessibility Landscape of Human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)

  Therapeutic options in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are largely limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy without the benefit of molecular markers predicting response. By ATAC-seq analyses of EpCAM+ PDAC malignant epithelial cells sorted from 54 freshly resected human tumors, we discovered a signature of 1092 chromatin loci displaying differential accessibility between patients with disease-free survival (DFS) < 1 year and patients with DFS > 1 year. Using this signature, we further develop a chromatin accessibility microarray methodology termed “ATAC-Array”, an easy-to-use platform obviating the time and cost of next-generation sequencing. PDAC prognosis can be predicted by ATAC-array, which represents a low-cost, clinically feasible technology for assessing chromatin accessibility profiles.

  Study phs002394

• Natural Genetic Variation in the Human Genome

  In this study, we used existing whole genome sequencing data from the TOPMed Amish and Jackson Heart Study, as well as the GTEx study, to identify mobile element insertions in the genomes of these individuals.  A total of 1112 TOPMed Amish, 3331 TOPMed Jackson Heart Study, and 698 GTEx individuals were examined.  We used the Mobile Element Locator Tool (MELT) developed previously by our lab, along with a Cloud-based version of MELT (CloudMELT), to discover non-reference mobile element insertions (MEIs) in these genomes.  We discovered Alu, L1, SVA, and HERV-K MEIs and produced genotypes in individual genomes.  Build hg19 bams were used for the TOPMed samples, and build GRCh37 bams were used for the GTEx samples in this study.

  Study phs002463

• Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program in Whole Genome Sequencing of African and Asian Orofacial Clefts Case-Parent Triads

  The Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (Kids First) is a trans-NIH effort initiated in response to the 2014 Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act and supported by the NIH Common Fund. This program focuses on gene discovery in pediatric cancers and structural birth defects and the development of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Data Resource (Kids First Data Resource). All of the WGS and phenotypic data from this study are accessible through dbGaP and kidsfirstdrc.org, where other Kids First datasets can also be accessed. The focus of this study is to identify novel risk variants for OFC in Africa and Asian OFC case-parent triads through analysis of Whole Genome Sequencing data.

  Study phs001997

• Whole Exome Sequencing for Familial Intracranial Aneurysm (FIA I-II) Study

  The goal of this study is to identify the genes underlying the risk of intracranial aneurysm (IA). The FIA Study initially recruited families appropriate for linkage analysis. Therefore, the recruitment focus was not only on probands with a family history of IA but also required that biological samples be obtained for at least two affected family members. Family members underwent detailed interviews for medical, social and family history, and provided blood samples for DNA extraction. Over 400 multiplex IA families were recruited and enrolled. The whole exome sequencing project aims to identify novel and rare (in the general population) genetic variants that are enriched in seven extended multiplex families with a strong familial aggregation of intracranial aneurysms.

  Study phs000636

• Analysis of Recurrently Protected Genomic Regions in Urine Cell-Free DNA

  This study investigated fragmentation patterns in urine and plasma cell-free DNA and evaluated the relevance of such analysis for cancer diagnostics using urine samples. Specifically, we performed whole-genome sequencing at variable depths and evaluated genome-wide coverage in urine and plasma samples, relative to known genome annotation features. Tumor/germline exome sequencing data included was used to identify genome-wide copy number changes and their effect on cfDNA fragmentation in corresponding genomic regions in urine samples. Data included in this submission is whole-genome sequencing of urine and/or plasma cell-free DNA from healthy volunteers and/or cancer patients, and whole-exome sequencing of tumor DNA and germline DNA (peripheral blood cells) from cancer patients. 

  Study phs002273

• BPH Tissues for Cell Culture and Analysis - A Patient-Derived Xenograft Model Using Benign Prostatic Tissues

  Our goal was to establish and characterize a patient-derived xenograft model for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using human benign prostatic tissues. Characterization of the model was done by histology, immunohistochemistry, proteomics, and transcriptome analysis (RNAseq). The RNAseq data will be deposited in dbGaP. Subjects were undergoing prostatectomy for prostate or bladder cancer, with concurrent BPH, and consented to the use of surplus tissue for research studies. The RNAseq studies included 6 patients. Phenotypic data include patient age, sex, prostate size, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and international prostate symptom score (IPSS). Sequencing was done on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000, and data were analyzed using Kallisto. Data are submitted as raw sequencing (fastq) files.

  Study phs003692

• Genomics of Glomerular Disorders

  The purpose of the "Genomics of Glomerular Disorders" study is to identify genetic contributions to primary glomerulopathies. This repository includes a total of N = 4,238 patients with a kidney biopsy diagnosis of a primary glomerular disorder across the following categories: focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS, N = 583), Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN, N = 403), IgA nephropathy (IgAN, N = 1,555), membranous nephropathy (MN, N = 1,003), and minimal change disease (MCD, N = 694). The dataset includes a total of 2,290 patients recruited into the Cure Glomerulonephropathy (CureGN) study and another 1,948 patients from the Columbia University CKD Biobank (i.e., non-CureGN patients). The sample sizes by phenotype are counted based on enrollment diagnoses. The repository includes 3,958 WGS samples and 2,129 RNA-seq samples.

  Study phs002480

• RNAseq samples of patients with anti-PD-1 resistant HNSCC from a non-randomized, open-label phase 1b clinical trial

  Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is an effective treatment for a subset of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, the majority remain refractory. In a nonrandomized, open-label Phase 1b clinical trial, participants with recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) HNSCC who had progressed on ICB were treated with low-dose 5-azacytidine (5-aza) daily for either 5 or 10 days, in combination with durvalumab and tremelimumab. The primary objective was to determine the biologically effective dose of 5-aza. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on baseline and on-treatment samples from eight participants, and transcriptomic changes were analyzed to assess the impact of low-dose 5-aza treatment.

  Study EGAS50000000728

• WES samples of patients with anti-PD-1 resistant HNSCC from a non-randomized, open-label phase 1b clinical trial

  Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is an effective treatment for a subset of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, the majority remain refractory. In a nonrandomized, open-label Phase 1b clinical trial, participants with recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) HNSCC who had progressed on ICB were treated with low-dose 5-azacytidine (5-aza) daily for either 5 or 10 days, in combination with durvalumab and tremelimumab. The primary objective was to determine the biologically effective dose of 5-aza. In this study, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on baseline samples from 12 participants, and genomic alterations were analyzed to access the genetic background of these participants.

  Study EGAS50000000729

• Multi-omics profiling identifies two epithelioid sarcoma molecular subtypes with distinct signaling and immune characteristics

  Epithelioid sarcoma (EpS) is an aggressive sarcoma, characterized by the loss of SMARCB1 expression. EpS is traditionally classified as distal or proximal according to clinicopathological features, but its molecular characteristics remain largely unknown. To establish an EpS molecular classification and uncover determinants of inter- and intra-patient heterogeneity in EpS, we used multi-omics profiling and integrated the genomic, transcriptional and methylome landscapes with single-cell RNA sequencing on fresh samples as well as spatial transcriptomics. We identified two molecular subtypes of EpS: “distal-like” and “proximal-like”, which were distinct from the histological subtypes. Distal-like tumors include all morphological distal subtypes and a subset of proximal and hybrid EpS. They express a specific molecular single-cell derived epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition signature, which associates with improved patient survival and includes Desmoglein 2 (DSG2), which we identify as a potential routine immunohistochemical biomarker to improve diagnosis. Distal-like EpS also display increased peri-tumoral CD8+ T cell infiltrates and specific tumor-immune cell interactions. Conversely, proximal-like EpS harbor a higher inter-tumoral molecular heterogeneity with some cases resembling other SMARCB1-deficient tumors by DNA methylation profiling, and increased intra-tumoral pro-tumoral macrophage infiltrates. Our study introduces a novel molecular classification of EpS with prognostic value, associated diagnostic biomarkers and distinct tumor immune microenvironments, which extends beyond traditional clinicopathological classification. This paves the way for precision medicine-based therapeutic strategies for patients with EpS.

  Dac EGAC50000000552

• DCIS Whole Exome & Whole Genome Sequencing Data

  Primary DCIS and recurrent DCIS/IBC (total n=82, ipsilateral n=78 and contralateral n=4) as well as non-recurrent DCIS (n=32) cases were identified through hospital databases from Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), Nottingham City Hospital (UK), the LifePool cohort and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC). All cases were micro-dissected from haematoxylin stained sections (range 4-20 sections) by manual micro-dissection to achieve >50% tumour tissue purity. DNA was extracted using the FFPE AllPrep kit (Qiagen, MD, USA). Depending on the success and timing of DNA extraction (Figure 1), cases were analysed by a targeted sequencing panel (n=46, samples pre-2020), whole exome sequencing (WES, n=67), or low-coverage whole genome sequencing (LCWGS). WES: DNA was processed by the Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF) using the Twist Bioscience Human Comprehensive Exome v1 or v2 (Twist Bioscience HQ, South San Francisco, CA, USA) according to the Twist Target Enrichment Standard Hybridisation Protocol. Sequencing was performed on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 with 150 bp paired-end reads for a median depth of 101.29x, range: 20.39-247x. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS): Libraries for four paired samples with matched stromal DNA were made, processed and sequenced by AGRF using the IDT xGen Kit (USA) according to the manufacturer’s protocol, aiming to achieve 60x depth for tumour DNA and 30x for matched normal. File type: Paired-end FASTQ.

  Dataset EGAD50000001846

• Sampling of multi-centric lower grade glioma influences management and provides insight into gliomagenesis

  Rare multicentric lower-grade gliomas (LGG) represent a unique opportunity to study the heterogeneity between distinct tumor foci in a single patient, and to infer their origins and parallel patterns of evolution. In this study, we integrate clinical features, histology and immunohistochemistry for 4 patients with multicentric LGG, arising both synchronously and metachronously. For 3 patients we analyze the phylogeny of the lesions using exome sequencing, including one case with a total of 8 samples from the two lesions. We show that each tumor in multicentric LGG cases may arise independently or may diverge very early in their development, presenting as genetically and histologically distinct tumors suggesting that comprehensive sampling of these lesions can significantly alter diagnosis and management.

  Study EGAS00001002495

• The 3D evolution of glioma cell populations

  Study description: A detailed understanding of heterogeneity in solid tumors has been limited due to insufficient sampling and a lack of knowledge from where within the tumor the sample was taken from. We present here a novel resource - the 3D Glioma Atlas - in which we record the precise, three-dimensional (3D) coordinate for each of 8-20 spatially-distinct samples obtained from each patient tumor.By revealing how genetic alterations and tumor cell states are patterned in glioma in 3D space, our Atlas shows that genetic diversity is more regionally confined in indolent as compared to aggressive tumors, that recurrent tumors have a greater density of genetic diversity, and that more aggressive tumors have greater tumor-wide transcriptomic heterogeneity.

  Study EGAS00001003710

• Single-cell proteo-genomic reference maps of the human hematopoietic system

  We have generated high content single-cell proteo-genomic reference maps of human blood and bone marrow that quantitatively link the expression of up to 197 surface markers to cellular identities and biological processes across all major hematopoietic cell types in healthy aging and leukemia. Please note raw and integrated gene expression data, cell type annotation, metadata and dimensionality reduction are available as Seurat v3 objects through figshare. Access links are https://figshare.com/s/0fda29b169c719223ee3 (97 surface marker, 9 individuals dataset), https://figshare.com/s/313b5739ff469dac8c01 (197 surface marker, bone marrow and blood dataset), https://figshare.com/s/901bcddb9ee18e226031 (97 surface markers and whole transcriptome dataset) and https://figshare.com/s/24e10bf129fae1918316 (97 surface marker, 15 AML datasets).

  Study EGAS00001005593

• RNA-seq of cultured human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from umblical cord blood in cytokine-rich ex vivo culture conditions following sphingolipid modulation

  To elucidate the biological pathways altered by sphingolipid modulation with N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4HPR) treatment in human HSPC that may contribute to the restraint in proliferation while promoting persistence of HSC self-renewal as well as determine the mechanism of synergy in enhancement of HSC self-renewal with CB CD34+ agonists UM171 and StemRegenin 1 (SR1), we performed RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) of 3 pools of lin-CB cells following 2 or 4 days with DMSO, 4HPR, UM171+SR1 or 3-Factor (4HPR+UM171+SR1). We identified modulation of sphingolipid metabolism regulates self-renewal through activating coordinated stress pathways that coalesce on endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy programs.

  Study EGAS00001003756

• Low_coverage_whole_genome_sequencing_of_samples_from_the__Cretan_Greek_isolate_collection_HELIC_MANOLIS

  Whole-genome sequencing at 1x of samples from the Cretan Greek isolate collection HELIC-MANOLIS. Genome-wide association studies of complex traits have been successful in identifying common variant associations, but a substantial heritability gap remains. The field of complex trait genetics is shifting towards the study of low frequency and rare variants, which are hypothesised to have larger effects. The study of these variants can be empowered by focusing on isolated populations, in which rare variants may have increased in frequency and linkage disequilibrium tends to be extended. This work focuses on an isolated population from Crete, Greece. Sequencing is very efficient in isolated populations, because variants found in a few samples will be shared by others in extended haplotype contexts, supporting accurate imputation.

  Study EGAS00001000392

• STAT5 is a therapeutically targetable vulnerability in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

  Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas represent a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disorders characterized by the infiltration and expansion of mature malignant T-cells into the skin. The disease encompasses distinct variants such as mycosis fungoides a skin resident variant, in which the malignant cells are restricted to skin lesions, and leukemic variant sézary syndrome characterized by circulating malignant T-cells. Here we integrated shallow whole genome sequencing and whole exome sequencing, on samples from four sézary syndrome patients and two advanced mycosis fungoides patients with blood involvement, to characterize genetic alterations and assess their therapeutic actionability. We identified an elevated copy number of 17q, resulting in increased STAT5 expression and activation, as a key factor in the pathophysiology of the disease.

  Study EGAS00001004719

• The transcriptomic response of skeletal muscle in life-long high-level trained and untrained men and women after acute exercise

  To investigate the influence of lifelong exercise training on the response of skeletal muscle to a bout of acute exercise we generated global transcriptomic data from long-term endurance (8 men, 8 women) and strength (8 men, 8 women) trained individuals and healthy age-matched untrained controls (8 men, 8 women). Skeletal muscle biopsies were taken from M. vastus lateralis before, directly after, and after 1h and 3hrs following acute exercise. All subjects completed one bout of acute endurance exercise and one bout of acute resistance exercise, separated by 4-8 weeks. All 384 samples were multiplexed in 4 lanes and sequenced (2x250bp paired end) on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000.

  Study EGAS00001006139

• RNA sequencing on intestinal biopsies from inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with vehicle control, MEK inhibitor, or infliximab

  By investigating an intergenic haplotype on chr21q22, independently linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ankylosing spondylitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and Takayasu’s arteritis, we discover that the causal gene, ETS2, is a master regulator of inflammatory responses in human macrophages and delineate how the risk haplotype increases ETS2 expression. Using a database of cellular signatures, we identified drugs that could modulate this pathway. To validate the anti-inflammatory activity of one class of small molecules ex vivo, we obtained biopsies from patients with active IBD and cultured these biopsies with a selective, non-ATP competitive MEK inhibitor (PD-0325901), infliximab (positive control), or DMSO (vehicle control) for 18 hours, then performed RNA sequencing.

  Study EGAS00001007534

• Clonal tracing with somatic epimutations reveals dynamics of blood aging

  In this study, we generated comprehensive single-cell multi-omic datasets from bone marrow samples collected from 13 donors spanning a wide age range. We applied the scTAMseq protocol to profile DNA methylation and nuclear mutations obtained from 7 total bone marrow aspirates (donors A.1-A.7) and 6 CD34+-enriched bone marrow samples ((donors B.1-B.5 & X.1). Complementary surface marker expression data were acquired by integrating CITE-seq into the scTAMseq workflow (scTAMseq_prot). Targeted RNA sequencing (scTAMARA_rna) was performed alongside scTAMARA_DNA on one CD34+-enriched sample (X.1). Additionally, a dedicated mitochondrial panel (TAMITO_seq) was employed on a peripheral blood sample from a healthy donor (X.2) to assess mitochondrial heterogeneity and facilitate lineage tracing.

  Study EGAS00001008056

• The transition from quiescent to activated states in human hematopoietic stem cells is governed by dynamic 3D genome reorganization

  To elucidate the epigenetic changes which occur when human long-term hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSC) become activated we performed Bulk ATAC-Seq on 13 sorted bulk hematopoietic populations from cord bloodas well as single-cell ATAC-Seq upon CD34+CD38-CD45RA- cells enriched for HSC as well as CD34+/CD38+ progenitor cells both from cord blood. These studies revealed gains of chromatin accessibility around CTCF binding sites during HSPC activation, as such we additionally performed Low-C to directly profile the 3D conformation of human cord-blood derived LT-HSC and Short-term hematopoietic stem cells (ST-HSC), as well as Hi-C , ATAC-Seq and CTCF ChIP-Seq upon the OCIAML-2 cell line in which CTCF sites gained during LT-HSC activation are enriched. Finally we transduced human cord-blood LT-HSC with an shCTCF vector; in-vitro cultured LT-HSC cells harbouring shCTCF were used to perform RNA-Seq, and scATAC-Seq was performed on CD34+/CD38- human CB cells transduced with shCTCF, four weeks post xeno-transplantation into mice. Collectively these studies have helped us demonstrate the role of 3D chromatin conformation changes during human LT-HSC activation.

  Dataset EGAD00001006447

• CRUK-ICGC Prostate DNA Methylation Sequencing Dataset (Prostatectomy Batches 1-6)

  This dataset includes Illumina EPIC Capture Sequencing Data of 376 samples from 188 men with prostate cancer. Samples were taken from primary tissue obtained at prostatectomy, with matched pathologically assessed non-cancer control material. This DNA methylation data includes donors and samples included in previously published WGS datasets (from CRUK-ICGC batches 1 to 3 [EGAD00001001116] and batches 4 to 6 [EGAD00001003225]; including the majority of donors used in Wedge et al, Nature Genetics 2018 [PMID: 29662167]). The targeted DNA methylation sequencing data in this EGA dataset were generated using the Illumina TruSeq methyl capture method (EPICseq), covering over 3.3 million CpGs in the human genome, representing a total targeted hybridisation capture panel of 107Mbp. According to the EPICseq protocol, DNA samples extracted from prostatectomy tissue samples were enriched for target regions using hybridisation capture, prior to bisulfite conversion, amplification and sequencing in pools of 12 samples (150 single end reads over two Illumina HiSeq4000 lanes). This approach generated DNA methylation profiles from prostate cancer and control samples at base-pair resolution across millions of CpGs in the human genome.

  Dataset EGAD00001010184

• Test dataset: Sequence and variant data from public 1000 Genomes Project

  This is a test dataset derived from public data of the 1000 Genomes Project. Its purpose is not to allow for any inference about cohort data or results, but to aid bioinformaticians in the technical development and testing of tools, as well as data consumers in learning how to access information. This dataset consists of 2508 samples from the 1000 Genomes Project (https://www.nature.com/articles/nature15393). Samples' (e.g. NA18534) data can be accessed through the IGSR portal (e.g. https://www.internationalgenome.org/data-portal/sample/NA18534) or their corresponding folder at the 1000 Genomes' FTP site (e.g. http://ftp.1000genomes.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/ftp/data_collections/1000_genomes_project/data/CHB/NA18534/exome_alignment/). There are several different types of data this dataset encompasses: Variant Calling Format (VCF, or its binary counterparts BCF) files, both joint (e.g. ALL_chr22_20130502_2504Individuals.vcf.gz) and split (HG01775.chrY.vcf.gz); exome sequencing CRAM files (e.g. NA18534.GRCh38DH.exome.cram); whole genome sequencing CRAM/BAM files (e.g. NA19239.cram). Additionally, there are multiple files that were sliced to create shorter files, which allows for a quick download, formated as "{FILE-INFO}__{NUMBER-OF-READS}r__{CHR}.{START-COORDINATE}-{END-COORDINATE}.{FILETYPE}" (e.g. "HG01500.GRCh38DH__90r__3.10000-10500__4.10000-10500.cram"). These files can be downloaded directly through the EGA-download-client PyEGA3 (https://github.com/EGA-archive/ega-download-client).

  Dataset EGAD00001003338

• Pediatric Sarcoma PDX whole exome sequencing dataset

  Data access policy to access Pediatric Sarcoma PDX whole exome sequencing dataset

  Dac EGAC50000000051

• OXEL WES DAC

  This DAC controls access to the whole exome sequencing (WES) data from the OXEL pilot study.

  Dac EGAC50000000163

• KDM4A regulates the maternal-to-zygotic transition by protecting broad H3K4me3 domains from H3K9me3 invasion in oocytes

  Study EGAS00001004220

• The transition from normal lung anatomy to minimal and established fibrosis in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

  Study EGAS00001004758

• The Genetic Basis of Preeclampsia in an Andean Population Adapted to High Altitude

  Study EGAS00001004625

• Case Report: early contribution of germline and nevi genetic alterations to a rapidly-progressing Cutaneous Melanoma Patient

  Study EGAS00001006459

• WGSPD Project 3 - Genomic Strategies to Identify High-impact Psychiatric Risk Variants

  Study EGAS00001004838

• Persister cell phenotypes contribute to poor patient outcomes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in PDAC (Hipo_015)

  Study EGAS00001007143

• NIDA Genetic Epidemiology of Opioid Dependence in Bulgaria (GEODB)

  The study was conducted in Bulgaria as a collaboration between the Molecular Medicine Center (Medical University, Sofia), the Bulgarian Addictions Institute (Sofia), the Initiative for Health Foundation (Sofia) and Washington University School of Medicine (Saint Louis, MO, USA). This is a case-population control study. Participants (N=2,499 interviews; N=1,995 with GWAS data) in our study are primarily active heroin users (78%) aged 18 and over, with a median 8.9 years of daily heroin use (minimum of 12 months). Virtually all participants (99.1%) qualified for a lifetime DSM-IV diagnosis of dependence, symptom endorsement probabilities ranging from 77% to 99.3%; and 61% endorsing all symptoms. 85% were heroin injectors and 97% reported using (or having used) heroin daily. Anonymized, population-representative control samples (no phenotypic data, N = 1,062 with GWAS data) were drawn from the MMC repository. Unlike other studies, where samples are clinically ascertained (e.g., from ORT programs), our participants are primarily untreated. PTSD, major depression, suicidality, mania, alcohol, nicotine and substance dependence (separating heroin and opioids) were assessed using the MAGIC (Todd et al., 2003, PMID: 14627881), a broad semi-structured psychiatric assessment tool with good reliability and prospective stability. The onset of (any) illicit drug use in this sample is not particularly remarkable (age~16), but the age of onset of heroin use is much lower than in the USA: 25% by age 16; 50% by age 19, with no differences between ethnicities or gender. This is consistent with findings from other studies in Bulgaria. In contrast, in 2008, SAMHSA estimated an average age of 23.4 for new heroin initiates in the USA. Further, progression from first use to regular use appears to be more rapid, with the majority of participants reporting onset of dependence problems within one year of initiation. Another unique aspect of this study population are the comparatively low levels of polysubstance use (outside of nicotine and alcohol). This early-use, fast-transition and monosubstance heroin pattern stands in sharp contrast to what is reported in many studies in the Western World. In our study, 47% of Ethnic Bulgarians and 66% of Roma used only opioids, even years after the onset of drug use. 15.4% of Ethnic Bulgarians and 66.2% of Roma reported heroin as the very first illicit drug used. Lifetime, 12.5% of Ethnic Bulgarians and 52.8% of Roma report never having used another illicit drug other than heroin more than five times. While both Roma and Ethnic Bulgarians certainly experiment with other drugs, abuse/dependence rates for these drugs are low in Ethnic Bulgarians (from 8.4% for inhalants to 28% for stimulants) and in the Roma population (from 1.3% for hallucinogens to 11.2% for stimulants).

  Study phs001804

• Birth Defects: Moebius Syndrome and Related Congenital Facial Weakness Disorders

  It is estimated that about 1 in every 33 infants in the United States is born with a birth defect. Among these, the subset of birth defect syndromes associated with facial weakness and lack of facial expression can have profound implications for social interactions and psychosocial development. Moebius syndrome is defined by congenital and non-progressive facial weakness and limited eye abduction, and most cases are believed to result from dysfunction of cranial nuclei/nerves VI and VII. Although rare, this syndrome causes significant impairment because of facial weakness and associated intellectual disabilities, autism, hearing loss, difficulty swallowing and breathing, peripheral neuropathy, muscle hypotonia, heart defects, chest wall abnormalities, and limb malformations. The phenotypic spectrum and the associated genetic and environmental factors underlying Moebius syndrome are poorly understood. The goal of this research is to identify causative gene mutations for Moebius syndrome and related conditions, such as Moebius-Poland or -Robin sequence, hereditary congenital facial paresis (HCFP), and oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia (Goldenhar syndrome). This proposal builds on an ongoing collaboration among researchers at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Boston Children's Hospital, NHGRI intramural program, and the Moebius Syndrome Foundation, but aims to greatly extend that work by collaboration with investigators in the NIH Clinical Center (CC). Our groups have already defined a new autosomal dominant syndrome with Moebius syndrome, Kallmann syndrome, cyclic vomiting resulting from a TUBB3 E410K substitution. We have also identified a new autosomal recessive Moebius-related syndrome with bilateral facial palsy, hearing loss, and strabismus resulting from a HOXB1 R207C substitution. Through collaborative efforts of these extramural teams with intramural investigators, whole exome sequencing (WES) has been conducted for four families with Moebius-like features, and data analyses are ongoing. The overall goal of this new grant application will be to conduct extensive phenotype analysis on approximately 24 families per year with Moebius and other undefined syndromes with facial weakness. Studies to be conducted at the CC include neurology, psychiatry, neurocognitive, rehabilitation medicine (muscle strength, speech/language pathology), ophthalmology, audiology, and genetics evaluations; autism screening; electromyography, nerve conduction, and blink reflex studies; videoscopy of quantitative eye movement recordings; 3D-CT craniofacial imaging; MRI of the brain, orbit, internal auditory canals, posterior fossa including brain diffusion tensor imaging for tractography; and genetic counseling. Jointly with the extramural teams, WES analysis and variant confirmation will be performed. A more comprehensive definition of the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of these birth defects will have a significant impact on our understanding of the molecular pathways underlying dysmorphologies, cranial nerve development, and more common childhood disorders such as autism. Thus, this project will lead to strategies for prevention and treatment of birth defects.

  Study phs001383

• National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III)

  The National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III) is a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of the U.S. general population, which was sponsored by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and conducted in 2012-2013. The NESARC-III's target population was the U.S. noninstitutionalized civilian population, 18 years and older, including residents of selected group quarters (e.g., group homes, workers' dormitories). Multistage probability sampling was used to randomly select respondents. Primary sampling units (PSUs) were individual counties or groups of contiguous counties, secondary sampling units (SSU) comprised groups of Census-defined blocks, and tertiary sampling units were households within SSUs. Finally, eligible adults within sampled households were randomly selected. Hispanics, Blacks, and Asians were oversampled and resulted in a total of 36,309 respondents. All respondents provided informed consent for survey participation. Data were adjusted for oversampling and screener - and person-level nonresponse, then weighted through post-stratification to represent the US civilian population based on the 2012 American Community Survey. These weighting adjustments were found to compensate adequately for nonresponse. Interviewer field methods involved initial structured home study, in-person training, ongoing supervision, and random respondent callbacks to verify data. The NESARC-III collected information on alcohol and drug consumption, alcohol use disorder, other substance use disorders (e.g., nicotine, cannabis and opioid), and associated physical and psychiatric adverse consequences. In addition to a full array of sociodemographic characteristics such as race/ethnicity, gender, age, risk and environmental factors including adverse childhood experiences (e.g., sexual, physical abuse and neglect) and family history for alcohol, drug use disorders and other psychiatric disorders (e.g., mood, anxiety, personality disorders and PTSD) were included (phenotypic variables=4,320). As part of the NESARC-III, 22,848 informative samples were genotyped on Affymetrix Axiom Exome Array consisting of 319,283 SNPs and 103,404 custom-selected SNPs Array (refer to the SNP annotation file). The latter array was selected based on the addiction associated genes, the results of 5 GWAS of alcohol and other psychiatric disorders, and animal models with addiction phenotypes. After filtering out poor quality SNPs using the standard Affymetrix pipeline there are 295,218 SNPs in the NESARC-III genetic data. The 22,848 subjects in this study were all deeply and consistently phenotyped via structured diagnostic interview. Controls group can be selected for specific disorders from a pool of all samples. Here are numbers of cases for major DSM-5 mental disorders in NESARC-III genetic data: Alcohol use disorder (7,075); Nicotine use disorder (6,641); Drug use disorder (2,570); Major depressive disorder (5,214); Persistent depression(1,429); Bipolar I (543); Anxiety disorders (4,226); PTSD (1,674); Personality disorders (4,014); Eating Disorders (457).

  Study phs001590

• DATA ACCESS WITH REGARDS TO EXOME-WIDE ASSOCIATION ANALYSIS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA POPULATION

  Dac EGAC00001000420

• The study of response to EGFR Blockade in Colorectal Cancer

  Dataset EGAD00001001628

• The study of response to EGFR Blockade in Colorectal Cancer

  Dataset EGAD00001001674

• OA Functional Genomics

  Functional genomics approaches to understand osteoarthritis

  Dataset EGAD00010001746

• HPRU in Respiratory Infections DAC

  DAC to oversee data owned from the HPRU in Respiratory Infections at Imperial College London

  Dac EGAC50000000307

• RNA sequencing of subchondral bone from patients that underwent a joint replacement surgery due to osteoarthritis.

  Study EGAS00001004476

• Targeted exome DNA sequencing analysis of POETIC Good/Poor Responders to aromatase inhibitors based on change in Ki67

  Study EGAS00001007303

• TFTAK Data Access Committee

  The TFTAK Data Access Committee (TFTAK DAC) oversees access to data generated by TFTAK research projects.

  Dac EGAC50000000885

• Chordoma Extension (known cancer genes)

  Extension analysis to pursue candidate genes of interest in chordoma

  Dataset EGAD00001001239

• Genome-Wide Association Study of Leprosy and Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DHS) in Chinese population

  Leprosy GWAS (1) Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae). Due to M. leprae's narrow host range and an inability to be cultured in vitro, the biological investigation of this disease has been difficult. Host genetic factors have been suggested to play an important role in disease development, but few have been identified. In this study, we attempted to identify the host genetic factors by performing a two-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Chinese population. The initial genome-wide scan was done by genotyping 706 patients and 1225 controls using the Illumina HumanHap610 BeadChip, and the follow-up study was performed by genotyping 93 SNPs in three independent samples consisting of 3254 cases and 5955 controls. We identified significant association (P < 10-10) within six genes CCDC122 (13q14), C13orf31 (13q14), NOD2(16q12), TNFSF15 (9q32), HLA-DR (6p21) and RIPK2 (8q21), and suggestive association (P = 5.68x10-6) within LRRK2 (12q12). We also revealed suggestive evidence for C13orf31, LRRK2, NOD2 and RIPK2 to show stronger association in the multibacillary form than the paucibacillary form of leprosy. Our findings highlight the importance of the innate immune response, particularly NOD2-mediated signaling, in leprosy and suggests a new therapeutic target for leprosy. DHS GWAS Dapsone (DDS), as both an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory agent, has been widely used for preventing and treating pathogen-caused infectious diseases and chronic inflammatory diseases. Currently, about 0.5-3.6% of individuals treated with DDS develop severe dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS) and the mortality rate is up to about 11-13%. However, until now, no tests are available to predict the risk of DHS. To identify the genetic risk factors of DHS, we performed a two-stage GWAS in Chinese population. In this study, the initial genome-wide scan was done by genotyping 39 DHS cases and 833 controls using Illumina Human 660W-Quad Beadchips and imputed human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules. Validation was performed by genotyping 24 SNPs using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform in additional 31 DHS cases and 1,089 controls through genotyping and 32 four-digit HLA-B alleles in an independent series of 37 DHS cases and 201 controls through Roche 454 sequencing. We identified significant association (OR =6.18, P = 3.84x10-13) with SNP rs2844573, which located between the HLA-B and MICA loci. HLA-B*13:01 was confirmed to be a strong risk factor for DHS (OR = 20.53, P = 6.84x10-25) and responsible for the association at rs2844573. The presence of HLA-B*13:01 had a sensitivity of 85.5% and specificity of 85.7% as a predictor for DHS, and its absence can reduce the risk by 7 fold (from 1.4% to 0.2%). HLA-B*13:01 is strongly associated with the development of DHS and can be used as a risk predictor of DHS in the individuals of Chinese and other Asian populations. Leprosy GWAS (2) This is a three-stage GWAS of leprosy in the Chinese population. The genome-wide discovery analysis involved two independent data sets: the new unpublished data set by genotyping 842 leprosy patients and 925 controls from northern and southern China using the Human660w-quad beadchips and a previously published GWAS data set of 706 leprosy cases, 1,225 healthy controls and 4,362 individuals with immune-related diseases as population controls from northern China of Chinese Han descent. Further validation studies were performed in two stages in a total of 6,765 cases and 9,505 controls from Chinese Han and minority descent in multiple areas of China, similar to the discovery stage. From this study, we discovered six new susceptibility loci with a combined P-value from discovery and validation stage surpassing genome-wide significance, including BATF3 at 1q32.3, CDH18 at 5p14.3, DEC1 at 9q32, EGR2 at 10q21.3, CCDC88B at 11q13.1 and CIITA at 16p13.13. Our current study has advanced the genetic understanding of leprosy by substantially increasing the number of confirmed genetic susceptibility loci. Leprosy GWAS (3) To discover additional leprosy susceptibility loci, we carried out a large-scale three-stage GWAS analysis of leprosy in Chinese population. The genome-wide discovery analysis (Stage 1) involved a new GWAS data set of 1,197 leprosy cases and 1,426 controls from northern and southern China conducted by using Illumina Omni Zhonghua chips with 900,015 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), two published GWAS dataset (GWAS2 data set including 706 leprosy cases, 1,225 healthy controls genotyped by Illumina HumanHap610 beadchips, GWAS3 data set including 842 leprosy patients and 925 controls from northern and southern China genotyped by the Human660w-quad beadchips). Further validation studies were performed in two stages in a total of 5,413 cases and 9,771 controls from Chinese Han descent in multiple areas of China. In this study, we identified four novel associations at genome-wide significance (P < 5 x 10-8), all of which can indicate candidate genes within the susceptibility loci, SYN2 (3p25.2), BBS9 (7p14.3), CTSB (8p23.1) and MED30 (8q24.11), through a differential gene expression and eQTL analysis. Altogether, these findings have provided new insight and significantly expanded our understanding of the genetic basis of leprosy. Leprosy GWAS (4) In this study, we attempted to systematically investigate the contribution of protein-coding variants to leprosy susceptibility by performing a three-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) of protein-coding variants in Chinese population. The initial genome-wide scan was done by genotyping 1,670 persons affected by leprosy and 2,321 controls using the Illumina Infinium Human Exome Beadchips (v1.0).The validation study was performed by genotyping 39 SNPs in an additional 3,169 leprosy patients and 9,814 healthy controls from the northern region of China, and the replication study was performed by genotyping eight SNPs in three independent samples from the southern regions of China consisting of 2,231 cases and 2,266 controls. We identified significant association (P < 1.23 x 10-6) within seven genes FLG (Gene ID: 2312), IL23R (Gene ID: 149233), CARD9 (Gene ID: 64170), NCKIPSD (Gene ID: 51517), TYK2 (Gene ID: 7297), SLC29A3 (Gene ID: 55315), IL27 (Gene ID: 246778). Our findings discover novel involvement of skin barrier and endocytosis/phagocytosis/autophagy, besides known innate and adaptive immunity, in the pathogenesis of leprosy, highlight the merits of protein coding variant studies for complex diseases. Here, the summary statistics from the five genome-wide association analyses were published.

  Study phs000217

• Genetic Predictors of Adverse Radiotherapy Effects (Gene-PARE)

  The goal of this study was to identify SNPs and CNPs that are associated with development of normal tissue toxicities resulting from radiotherapy for prostate cancer. The study population includes approximately 1,400 men treated with brachytherapy, external beam radiation therapy, or a combination of the two treatments, and assessed for adverse effects at baseline and following radiotherapy. Three toxicity endpoints were investigated using a two-stage GWAS approach: urinary morbidity, rectal bleeding and erectile dysfunction. The study sample was split into a discovery set (N=367) and a replication set (N=417), and an additional 647 samples, which were not part of this original cohort, were also included as an independent replication set. The replication set was developed via collaboration developed under the framework of the Radiogenomics Consortium (RGC). The long-term goal of this project, and other radiogenomics projects lead by the RGC, is two-fold: 1) Develop an assay capable of predicting which cancer patients are most likely to develop radiation injuries resulting from treatment with a standard RT protocol, and 2) Obtain information to assist with the elucidation of the molecular pathways responsible for radiation-induced normal tissue toxicities. These studies focus on multiple cancer types including prostate, breast, lung, and head and neck cancers.

  Study phs000772

• Joslin Study on the Genetics of Type 2 Diabetes

  Between 1993 and 2003, families were recruited in the Joslin Study on the Genetics of Type 2 Diabetes for the presence of an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance of diabetes. Recruiting and screening of families occurred through probands who were receiving medical care at the Joslin Clinic (Boston, MA). Screening of families included 1) a proband and at least one sibling with type 2 diabetes, 2) diabetes occurring in at least three generations, 3) diabetes inherited on one side of the prospective family. Probands had to have a diabetes diagnosis between the age range from 10 to 60 years. Demographic data, clinical data, and family history were collected from participating family members, along with blood and urine samples. This study includes genetic and phenotypic data from one family examined in Simeone, Wilkerson, et. al. (NPJ Genomic Medicine 2022, PMID: 35869090). Genotype data for 14 family members and whole genome sequencing data for 6 individuals were generated with the goal of identifying a potential genetic cause of disease in this family. To de-identify this family and protect confidentiality, information on sex in phenotype data and variants identified in X, Y, and MT chromosomes have been removed in compliance with IRB guidelines.

  Study phs002959

• Genetics of Human Developmental Brain Disorders

  Developmental brain malformations are at the core of significant neurological diseases affecting many families in the United States and around the world. It is known that epilepsy, specific learning deficits and intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and abnormalities of brain volume can be attributed in many cases to pathological malformations of the cerebral cortex. Although these consequences, such as epilepsy and intellectual disability, might appear broadly in the population as due to complex traits, this study's focus on those associated with cortical malformations highlights individual developmental pathways likely represented by innumerable and rare Mendelian alleles. Research has thus far uncovered dozens of genes responsible for these conditions and dissected the mechanisms underlying early cortical development in animals. However, this progress represents only the dawn of understanding the complex genetic network and neuronal architecture of the uniquely human cerebral cortex. The overall goal of this study is to define the genetic bases of human cerebral cortical development. This is accomplished through (1) the ascertainment of families with disorders of human brain development and malformation, (2) categorizing these using medical, physical and neuroimaging data, and (3) mapping and identifying the gene causing the disorder of cortical development, which can then be investigated for its normal expression and function, and role in human disease.

  Study phs000492

• TNF-induced dynamic regulation of mRNA stabilome in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes

  During rheumatoid arthritis (RA), TNF activates fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) inducing in a temporal order a constellation of genes, which perpetuate synovial inflammation. Although the molecular mechanisms regulating TNF-induced transcription are well characterized, little is known about the impact of mRNA stability on gene expression and the impact of TNF on decay rates of mRNA transcripts in FLS. To address these issues we performed RNA sequencing and genome-wide analysis of the mRNA stabilome in RA FLS. We found that TNF induces a biphasic gene expression program: initially, the inducible transcriptome consists primarily of unstable transcripts but progressively switches and becomes dominated by very stable transcripts. This temporal switch is due to: a) TNF-induced prolonged stabilization of previously unstable transcripts that enables progressive transcript accumulation over days and b) sustained expression and late induction of very stable transcripts. TNF- induced mRNA stabilization in RA FLS occurs during the late phase of TNF response, is MAPK-dependent, and involves several genes with pathogenic potential such as IL6, CXCL1, CXCL3, CXCL8/IL8, CCL2, and PTGS2. These results provide the first insights into genome-wide regulation of mRNA stability in RA FLS and highlight the potential contribution of dynamic regulation of the mRNA stabilome by TNF to chronic synovitis.

  Study phs001371

• Genome-Wide Assessment of DNA Methylation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Related Autoantibodies

  Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can have debilitating effects on multiple organ systems. In SLE, the pivotal immunologic disturbance is the formation of autoantibodies directed against nuclear and cellular antigens. These autoantibodies are associated with specific organ manifestations. Our previous work has shown that certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the production of SLE-related autoantibodies. However, these genetic associations do not completely explain autoantibody development in SLE. Therefore, we examined whether epigenetic factors such as DNA methylation may be associated with the development of SLE-related autoantibodies. In this study, we examined whether differential DNA methylation is associated with anti-dsDNA, anti-SSA/Ro, anti-Smith, and anti-RNP autoantibodies. Using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 Beadchip, over 450,000 DNA methylation sites were characterized in 325 female SLE cases of European descent. Using a multivariable regression analyses, the methylation status of 16 CpG sites in 11 genes was found to be associated with the SLE-related autoantibodies under study. This study shows that epigenetic factors are associated with autoimmune disease phenotypes, and epigenetic studies are a complementary method to genetic association studies for understanding the biologic mechanisms contributing to autoimmune disease.

  Study phs000947

• RNASeq of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer Patients

  Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are a subset of dendritic cells with unique immunophenotypic properties and functions. While their role in antiviral immunity through production of type I interferons is well-established, their contributions to anti-tumor immunity are less clear. While some evidence demonstrates that pDC in the tumor microenvironment (TME) may drive CD4+ T cell to become Foxp3+ T regulatory cells, little is understood about the relationship of pDC with cytotoxic CD8+ T cell, the key player in antitumor immune responses. In this study, we perform comprehensive immunophenotyping and functional analysis of pDC from the TME and draining lymph nodes of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and identify a novel pDC subset characterized by expression of the TNF receptor superfamily member CD134 (OX40). We show that OX40 expression is expressed on intratumoral pDC in both humans and mice in a tumor-model specific fashion and that this subset of pDC enhances tumor associated-antigen (TAA)-specific CD8+ T cell responses. Through transcriptomic profiling of OX40-expressing pDC from the TME, we further characterize gene signatures unique to this pDC subset that support its role as an important immunostimulatory immune population in the TME.

  Study phs001824

• Transcriptomic Profiling of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

  The study is a retrospective transcriptomic profiling of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The pathologic database was queried for squamous cell carcinoma tumors originating from the anatomic oropharynx (tonsil or tongue base) with available samples from surgical archives. This retrospective RNA sequencing cohort included cases dating prior to the routine implementation of p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing at our institution, therefore, p16 status was not required for inclusion in this study. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples were sent to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC) Translational Genomics Lab (TGL) for RNA isolation using the Maxwell 16 MDx Instrument (Promega AS3000) and the Maxwell 16 LEV RNA FFPE Kit (Promega AS1260) following the manufacturer's protocol (Promega 9FB167). After a pathology review of a hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slides to identify tumor area, RNA was extracted from unstained slides using macrodissection. Total RNA quality was measured using a NanoDrop spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific ND-2000C) and a TapeStation 4200 (Agilent G2991AA). Total RNA concentration was quantified using a Qubit 3.0 fluorometer (Life Technologies Q33216). Libraries were prepared with Illumina TruSeq Stranded Total RNA with Ribo-Zero protocol. Libraries were sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq2500 sequencer. Paired end read data, with read lengths of 75 were collected.

  Study phs002935

• Search for Susceptibility Genes for Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 1 Diabetes (GoKinD study participants and parents), NIDDK

  Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes (GoKinD) study is an initiative aimed at identifying susceptibility genes for diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes. A large number of individuals with type 1 diabetes were screened to identify two subsets, one with clear-cut kidney disease and another with normal renal status despite long-term diabetes. Those who met additional entry criteria and consented to participate were enrolled. When possible, both parents were also enrolled to form family trios. Altogether, GoKinD includes 3043 participants comprising 931 cases, 944 singletons, 268 pairs of parents of cases, and 316 pairs of parents of control. Accessible as a GAIN database are 905 of the cases, 890 of the controls, 10 pairs of parents of cases and 10 pairs of parents of controls (dbGaP phs000018 Search for Susceptibility Genes for Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 1 Diabetes (GoKinD study participants), GAIN). The other parents and the remaining cases and controls are available by a separate application process through NIDDK. Interested investigators may request the DNA collection and corresponding clinical data for GoKinD participants using the instructions and application form available at http://www.niddkrepository.org or by contacting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

  Study phs000088

• Search for Susceptibility Genes for Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 1 Diabetes (GoKinD study participants), GAIN

  Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes (GoKinD) study is an initiative aimed at identifying susceptibility genes for diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes. A large number of individuals with type 1 diabetes were screened to identify two subsets, one with clear-cut kidney disease and another with normal renal status despite long-term diabetes. Those who met additional entry criteria and consented to participate were enrolled. When possible, both parents were also enrolled to form family trios. Altogether, GoKinD includes 3043 participants comprising 931 cases, 944 singletons, 268 pairs of parents of cases, and 316 pairs of parents of control. Accessible as a GAIN database are 905 of the cases, 890 of the controls, 10 pairs of parents of cases and 10 pairs of parents of controls. The other parents and the remaining cases and controls are available by a separate application process through NIDDK (dbGaP phs000088 Search for Susceptibility Genes for Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 1 Diabetes (GoKinD study participants and parents), NIDDK). Interested investigators may request the DNA collection and corresponding clinical data for GoKinD participants using the instructions and application form available at Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Consent groups and participant set Diabetic complications only (DCO): 1825 (904 cases, 881 controls, 40 others)

  Study phs000018

• Tandem DNA Repeats Activate hTERT Gene Transcription

  Multiple independent sequence variants of the hTERT locus have been associated with telomere length and cancer risks in genome-wide association studies. Here, we identified an intronic variable number tandem repeat, VNTR2-1, as an enhancer-like element, which activated hTERT transcription in a cell and chromatin-dependent manner. VNTR2-1, consisting of 42-bp repeats with an array of E-boxes, cooperated with the proximal promoter in hTERT regulation by bHLH transcription factors and maintained hTERT expression during embryonic stem cell differentiation. Genomic deletion of VNTR2-1 in MelJuSo melanoma cells markedly reduced hTERT transcription, leading to telomere shortening, cellular senescence, and impairment of xenograft tumor growth. Interestingly, VNTR2-1 lengths varied widely in human populations.  To assess the genetic polymorphism of VNTR2-1 in human populations, we analyzed genomic DNA samples of Caucasian Americans and African Americans enrolled in the Georgia Centenarian Study.  VNTR2-1 in these genomic DNA samples were PCR amplified and subjected to sequencing analysis usinb the PacBio® SMRT method. The result showed that all VNTR2-1 alleles in Caucasian Americans contained 76 or more 42-bp repeats, whereas 32% of VNTR2-1 alleles in African Americans had fewer than 76 repeats.  

  Study phs002428

• NextGen Consortium: Globin Gene Expression in Sickle Cell Genotype-Specific iPS Cells

  Implement an efficient, highly reproducible and 'scalable' system for the production of large numbers of sickle cell anemia-specific iPS cells (iPSC). Derive and characterize a novel, in vitro system for the production of an unlimited supply of erythroid lineage cells from the directed differentiation of 'clinical grade' transgene-free iPS cells; use this system to recapitulate erythroid-lineage ontogeny in vitro with the sequential development of primitive and definitive erythropoiesis, accompanied by the appropriate expression of stage-specific globin genes. Identify developmental gene expression profile differences between erythroid precursors that produce primarily HbF and those that produce primarily HbA or HbS. Determine the effects of the three known HbF major quantitative trait loci (QTL) on globin gene expression in disease-specific iPS cells during in vitro erythropoiesis. Search for novel HbF genetic modifiers associated with markedly elevated HbF levels found in sickle cell anemia patients naturally, or in response to hydroxyurea treatment, by examining gene expression profiles and mRNA sequence of their iPSC-derived erythroid cells. Develop and use a CRISPR-based gene editing platform to study the effect of novel HbF genetic modifiers, explore globin switching, and correct the HbS mutation in sickle iPSC lines.

  Study phs001212

• Whole Genome Association Study of Visceral Adiposity in the Health Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study

  The Health Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study is a NIA-sponsored cohort study of the factors that contribute to incident disability and the decline in function of healthier older persons, with a particular emphasis on changes in body composition in old age. Between 4/15/97 and 6/5/98 the Health ABC study has recruited 3,075 70-79 year old community-dwelling adults (41% African-American), who were initially free of mobility and activities of daily living disability. The key components of Health ABC include a baseline exam, annual follow-up clinical exams, and phone contacts every 6 months to identify major health events and document functional status between clinic visits. The core yearly examination for HEALTH ABC includes measurement of body composition by dual energy x-ray absorptio-metry (DXA), walking ability, strength, an interview that includes self-report of limitations, and a medication survey, weight. At baseline, visceral adiposity was measured by computerized tomography (CT). Provision has been made for banking of blood specimens and extracted DNA (HealthABC repository). The overall goal of this project is to identify genetic determinants of visceral adiposity. Genetic samples from 2932 unrelated participants were evaluated with a genome-wide scan.

  Study phs000169

• Profiling RNA Translation in Pediatric Medulloblastoma

  This study provides RNA-sequencing and ribosome profiling data for patient-derived cell lines and patient tissue samples for children with medulloblastoma. Ribosome profiling is a variant protocol of RNA-sequencing that directly sequences ribosome-bound RNA fragments only. Associated RNA-seq and Ribo-seq data obtained separately for some cancer cell lines can be found on the NCBI SRA as PRJNA957428. Samples were processed for poly-A mRNA sequencing using the Roche Kapa Kit. Ribosome profiling was performed as described in the manuscript referenced below (Hofman et al.) and based on the article by McGlincy et al., Methods (2017). Ribo-seq data were analyzed for sample quality using RiboseQC (Calviello, Nat Struct Mol Biol, 2020). These data were used to quantify P-sites of open reading frames. RNAseq and ribo-seq data were integrated and compared to determine translational efficiency values using TPM (Ribo-seq) over TPM (RNA-seq) as the metric. Ribo-seq data on 14 samples and RNAseq data on 21 samples derived from 16 fresh-frozen surgical samples for medulloblastoma and 5 autopsy samples are available through dbGaP. A second cohort of 4 medulloblastoma samples (RNAseq, Ribo-seq) related to this study can be found on the EGA at EGAS00001007426.

  Study phs003446

• Precision Medicine for Dilated Cardiomyopathy in European and African Ancestry

  The DCM Precision Medicine Study is a multi-site consortium-based cross-sectional study of families with an embedded open-label randomized controlled trial. The aims of the study are to test the hypothesis that dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has a substantial genetic basis and to evaluate the effectiveness of a family communication intervention in improving the uptake of preventive screening and surveillance in at-risk first-degree relatives. The Study goal was to recruit 1,300 individuals (600 non-Hispanic African ancestry, 600 non-Hispanic European ancestry, and 100 Hispanic; 50% female) meeting rigorous diagnostic criteria for idiopathic DCM (probands) and 2,600 of their relatives. The probands were inpatients or outpatients identified by heart failure and cardiac transplant cardiovascular physicians and clinical research personnel in heart failure/heart transplant programs at sites in the DCM Consortium. The DCM phenotype was selected for this study because of its prevalence and its prior inclusion in the development of virtually all pharmacotherapy for non-ischemic heart failure from reduced ejection fraction. Study procedures included obtaining family history, cardiac history, medical record review, surveys, and blood sample collection. Exome data from 1219 idiopathic DCM probands and 127 idiopathic DCM relatives are included in dbGaP.

  Study phs002641

• DEMENTIA-SEQ: WGS in Lewy Body Dementia and Frontotemporal Dementia

  Lewy body dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia, and multiple system atrophy are age-related, neurodegenerative syndromes that are poorly understood. Delineating the genetic risk that is driving the pathophysiology of these neurological diseases is fundamental for understanding disease mechanisms and for developing disease-modifying treatments. In version 1 of the study/dbGaP deposition, we performed a whole-genome sequencing study consisting of 7,403 total samples, including 2,633 genomes from patients with Lewy body dementia, 2,641 frontotemporal dementia patients, and 1,980 neurologically healthy controls. Of these, 6,907 were uploaded to dbGaP as the basis of the DementiaSeq, phs001963 dataset. The data relating to these samples are available on dbGaP. In version 2 of this study/dbGaP deposition, we made much of these data available on Anvil. More specifically, data for 6,254 of these samples were also uploaded to the ALS Compute platform on AnVIL. The data for the remaining 653 samples are only available on dbGaP. The dbGaP/AnVIL Table lists the availability of dbGaP and AnVIL for each individual sample: phd008475.In version 3 of the study/dbGaP deposition, we added whole-genome sequence data generated using DNA samples obtained from 683 patients diagnosed with multiple system atrophy.

  Study phs001963

• Joint-Specific TF Regulation in RA

  The mechanisms responsible for the distribution and severity of joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are not known. To explore whether site-specific fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) biology might be associated with location-specific synovitis and explain the predilection for hand (wrist/metacarpal phalangeal joints) involvement in RA, we generated bulk, whole-genome transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility data from FLS. Samples were matched in age, sex, and were homogeneous in that all had significant joint damage with longstanding disease requiring surgical intervention. Analysis revealed joint-specific patterns of FLS phenotypes, with proliferative, migratory, proinflammatory, and matrix-degrading characteristics observed in resting FLS derived from the hand joints compared with hip or knee. TNF-stimulation amplified these differences, with greater enrichment of proinflammatory and proliferative genes in hand FLS compared with hip and knee FLS. Hand FLS also had the greatest expression of markers associated with an ‘activated' state relative to the ‘resting' state, with the greatest cytokine and MMP expression in TNF-stimulated hand FLS. Predicted differences in proliferation and migration were biologically validated with hand FLS exhibiting greater migration and cell growth than hip or knee FLS. Distinctive joint-specific FLS biology associated with a more aggressive inflammatory response might contribute to the distribution and severity of joint involvement in RA.

  Study phs003633

• Molecular Characterization of Prostate Cancer Specimens by Bulk and Single Cell Analysis

  Version 1: We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of fresh biopsies from metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. Additionally, where available, we performed matched bulk whole exome sequencing (WXS; tumor and normal paired) and whole transcriptome sequencing for the same individuals. We also performed bulk whole exome (WXS) and RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) from FFPE pre-treatment biopsies from patients with clinically localized high-risk prostate cancer.Version 2: We added data from a randomized phase 2 trial of radium-223 with or without pembrolizumab in patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) to bone. After enrollment, study participants underwent bone biopsy and were randomized 2:1 to receive radium-223 at 55 kBq/kg every 4 weeks + pembrolizumab at 200 mg every 3 weeks (Arm A, R223+P) or radium-223 at 55 kBq/kg every 4 weeks alone (Arm B, R223). Stratification factors were alkaline phosphatase ≥220 vs. Data generated includes bulk whole exome sequencing (WXS), ultra-low pass whole genome sequencing (WGS) at 0.1X coverage, and targeted-capture sequencing. The ultra-low pass sequencing was used as part of the selection criteria for the target capture sequencing. Note: Two subjects in this study are linked to phs001577 and phs000915 respectively.

  Study phs001988

• Early Detection of Malignant and Pre-Malignant Peripheral Nerve Tumors Using Cell-Free DNA Fragmentomics

  Early detection of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) associated peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNST) informs clinical decision-making, potentially averting deadly outcomes. Here, we describe a cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentomic approach which distinguishes non-malignant, pre-malignant and malignant forms of NF1 PNST. Using plasma samples from a novel cohort of 101 NF1 patients and 21 healthy controls, we validated that our previous cfDNA copy number alteration (CNA)-based approach identifies malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) but cannot distinguish among benign and premalignant states. We therefore investigated the ability of fragment-based cfDNA features to differentiate NF1-associated tumors including binned genome-wide fragment length ratios, end motif analysis, and non-negative matrix factorization deconvolution of fragment lengths. Fragmentomic methods were able to differentiate pre-malignant states including atypical neurofibromas (AN). Fragmentomics also adjudicated AN cases suspicious for MPNST, correctly diagnosing samples noninvasively, which could have informed clinical management. Overall, this study pioneers the early detection of malignant and premalignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors in NF1 patients using plasma cfDNA fragmentomics. In addition to screening applications, this novel approach distinguishes atypical neurofibromas from benign plexiform neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, enabling more precise clinical diagnosis and management.

  Study phs003712

• Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) - Imaging

  The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) is a prospective study of risk factors for development and progression of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke in people aged 65 years and older. The 5,888 study participants were recruited from four U.S. communities and have undergone extensive clinic examinations for evaluation of markers of subclinical cardiovascular disease. The original cohort, enrolled in 1989-90, totaled 5,201 participants. A supplemental cohort of 687 predominantly African-American participants was enrolled in 1992-93. Clinic examinations were performed at study baseline and at annual visits through 1998-1999, and again in 2005-2006. Examination components included medical and personal history, medication inventory, ECG, blood pressure, anthropometry, assessment of physical and cognitive function, and depression screening. Other components done less frequently included phlebotomy, spirometry, echocardiography, carotid ultrasound, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging, measurement of ankle-brachial index and retinal exam. Participants were contacted by telephone annually between exams to collect information about hospitalizations and potential cardiovascular events. Since 1999, participants have been contacted every six months by phone, primarily to identify cardiovascular events and to assess physical and cognitive health. Standard protocols for the identification and adjudication of events were implemented during follow-up. The adjudicated events are myocardial infarction, angina, heart failure (HF), stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), claudication, and mortality.

  Study phs003639

• Pre-Existing Skin-Resident CD8 and γδ T Cell Circuits Mediate Immune Response in Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Predict Immunotherapy Efficacy

  Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer with a ~50% response rate to immunotherapy. Here, we attempted to identify novel predictive biomarkers of response through extensive and deep multi-omics interrogation of 186 samples from 116 patients. We collectively integrated bulk RNAseq, single-cell RNAseq, multiplex immunofluorescence, and spatial transcriptomics. Importantly, we were also able to study 14 matched pairs of tissue samples from pre- and post-immunotherapy. In non-responders, tumors show evidence of increased tumor cell cycling, expression of neuronal stem cell markers, and IL-1α/β. Responders have evidence of increased type I/II interferon signatures and evidence of pre-existing tissue resident (Trm) CD8 or Vδ1 γδ T cells that functionally converge with overlapping antigen-specific transcriptional programs and clonal expansion of multiple T cell receptors. Spatial transcriptomics demonstrated higher co-localization of T cells with B and dendritic cells in responders, with evidence of expression of chemokines important for co-stimulation. Finally, immunotherapy increased clonal expansion or recruitment of Trm and Vδ1 cells in tumors in responders, further underscoring their therapeutic importance. These data identify potential novel actionable biomarkers and therapeutic targets for MCC.

  Study phs003629

• A neoadjuvant, phase II trial demonstrates efficacy and tolerability of Talimogene laherparepvec in cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (NeoBCC trial)

  We present a single arm, phase II neoadjuvant trial with the oncolytic virus Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) in 18 patients with difficult-to-resect basal cell carcinomas. Six cycles of T-VEC were applied intralesionally. The primary endpoint of the study, defined as the proportion of the patients, who after six cycles of T-VEC (13 weeks) at the time point of surgery, become resectable with primary wound closure without the need for plastic reconstructive surgery like skin flaps or skin grafts, was achieved (9/18 patients; 50.0%). Secondary endpoints also included the relapse free survival rate (100%), overall survival (100%) and biological read outs in the tumor samples. T-VEC led to a significant increase of cytotoxic T cells, B cells and myeloid cells, and a decrease of Tregs within the tumor microenvironment. We observed a potent induction of antitumoral and antiviral T cell clones, as well as a strong humoral immune response. The objective response rate was 55.6% and the complete pathological response rate was 33.3%. Only mild adverse events occurred. Together, neoadjuvant T-VEC represents a viable treatment option for patients with difficult-to-resect BCCs (EudraCT Number 2018-002165-19).

  Study EGAS50000000252

• Single-Cell Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of the Aging Human Brain

  We studied human brain aging using single-cell whole genome sequencing and single-nucleus RNA sequencing of the pre-frontal cortex from 19 donors ranging in age from 0.4 years to 104 years. All donors were free of neuropathology and none received a clinical neurological diagnosis prior to death. snRNA-seq libraries were prepared in batches that always included old and young donors to mitigate batch effects in the preparations. Neurons for single-cell WGS were collected from the same tissue region as the snRNA-seq for each donor but represent independent cells. Multiplexed error-robust fluorescent in-situ hybridization (MERFISH) data was also collected from pre-frontal cortex samples of a subset of the 19 donors. Transcriptomic results identified infant-specific cell clusters, and common-down regulation of cell-essential genes involved in ribosomes, transport, homeostasis and metabolism during aging, across all cell types. scWGS identified two-age associated mutational signatures, as well as gene-length and expression-level dependent somatic mutation rates in neurons. Raw sequencing data in fastq format for single-nucleus RNA-seq and single-cell DNA-seq, as well as cell and gene count matrix, transcript metadata, and cell metadata for MERFISH will be available in dbGaP.

  Study phs003445

• Genome-Wide Association Study of the Taste and Hedonic Ratings of the Low-Calorie Sweetener Acesulfame Potassium

  Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) is a low-calorie sweetener (LCS) widely used as an additive in foods and beverages and an excipient in pediatric medicines. Because genetic variants play a role in individual variation in the taste of Ace-K, we sought to identify genetic contributions to its taste using a genome-wide association study (GWAS). 141 adult panelists rated the taste of an aqueous solution of Ace-K using the general labelled magnitude scale (gLMS) and its palatability using the hedonic gLMS. Genotypes were assayed on the Infinium Global Screening Array. Imputation of genotypes was performed on the Michigan Imputation Server with 1000 Genomes Project phase 3 genotype data as reference. Linear regression was performed to test genetic associations between genotyped and imputed variants with three gLMS ratings (bitterness (square-root-transformed), hedonic, sweetness) of Ace-K using PLINK2, adjusting for standardized age, sex, and the first 10 principal components of genetic ancestry. We identified that a locus spanning several TAS2R (Taste receptor 2) genes was associated with bitterness ratings of Ace-K and a locus within the gene ELMO1 (Engulfment and Cell Motility Protein 1) was associated with hedonic ratings of Ace-K (p-values 40594245).

  Study phs004031

• Drug Development against Tumor Microtube Networks in Glioblastoma

  Glioblastomas are aggressive brain tumors that resist current therapies by hijacking neurodevelopmental programs to invade the brain and form resilient multicellular networks. Tumor Microtubes (TMs), neurite-like processes extended by cancer cells, drive this pathobiology, but TM-inhibiting drugs are lacking. Here we developed a comprehensive, combined in vitro and in vivo drug screening approach, including novel AI-based analysis tools of TM parameters. Two Protein Kinase C (PKC) activators, TPPB and PMA, exhibited robust inhibition of TM formation in cell-based assays. Since unconnected glioblastoma cells exhibit increased sensitivity to cytotoxic therapy in vivo, brain tumor-bearing mice received TPPB, the most consistent TM-inhibiting compound, in combination with radiotherapy. Long-term intravital 2-photon microscopy confirmed anti-TM and anti-tumor effects of the co-treatment. Mechanistically, TPPB treatment inhibited several key molecular and functional components of TM-related glioblastoma cell network communication and decreased the expression of TTYH1, a key driver of invasive TMs. By establishing a novel screening pipeline for anti-TM drug development, our study identifies a druggable TM master regulator pathway and a small molecule with robust anti-TM effects. It provides a proof-of-principle that disrupting TMs and disconnecting tumor networks is a pharmacologically feasible strategy to make therapies against glioblastoma more effective.

  Study EGAS50000000477

• Recurrent intra-tumour heterogeneity is a hallmark of metastatic prostate cancer

  The evolution of cancers from low grade to metastatic disease is a major determinant of cancer mortality. Cancer evolution involves a complex interplay between cell intrinsic genetics and transcriptional alterations and the extrinsic microenvironment. To define the key mechanisms underpinning metastatic development, we focused on the most lethal form of prostate cancer, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and employed single-cell multi-omics and whole-genome sequencing to deeply profile 34 metastatic lesions from 9 patients obtained from rapid autopsy. We found that intra-tumour heterogeneity is an indicator of key evolutionary processes, characterised by recurrent tumour populations acting as critical functional components of the tumour ecosystem, irrespective of clonal and microenvironmental backgrounds. Unexpectedly, microenvironments across metastatic sites played a limited role while clonal evolution primarily promoted transcriptional noise. Intra-patient functional convergence of tumour ecosystems was observed across metastatic sites, pointing towards system-level selection pressures that drive the heterogeneity landscape of mCRPC. Our findings reveal functional evolutionary convergence of metastatic disease into units of intra-tumour heterogeneity identifying critical determinants of metastatic progression for therapeutic targeting. Note: matched WGS for some tumour single-cell experiments, as well as germline WGS for patients CA0027, CA0034, CA0035, CA0043, and CA0076, can be found in EGAS00001006598.

  Study EGAS50000001312

• Bruno et al.: Interferon gamma rebalances immunopathological signatures in Chronic Granulomatous Disease through metabolic rewiring

  Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent life-threatening infections and hyperinflammatory complications. It is caused by mutations in the NADPH oxidase complex and the consequent loss of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Recombinant human interferon gamma (rIFN-γ) prophylaxis reduces the risk of severe infections, but the mechanisms behind its efficacy in CGD are still an open question, as it does not restore NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS production. Here, we show that myeloid innate immune cells of CGD patients are transcriptionally and functionally reprogrammed to a hyperactive inflammatory status, displaying an impaired in vitro induction of trained immunity. CGD monocytes have reduced intracellular amino acids concentrations and profound functional metabolic defects, both at the level of glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration. Ex vivo and in vivo treatment with IFN-γ restored these metabolic defects and reduced excessive IL-1β and IL-6 production in response to fungal stimuli in CGD monocytes. These data suggest that prophylactic rIFNγ modulates the metabolic status of innate immune cells in CGD. These data shed light on the effects of NADPH-derived ROS deficiency to the metabolic programs of immune cells and pose the basis for targeting this immunometabolic axis, potentially beyond CGD, with IFN-γ immunotherapy.

  Study EGAS00001005463

• BHD-associated kidney cancer

  Background Birt-Hogg-Dub? (BHD) syndrome is a hereditary kidney cancer syndrome, which predisposes patients to develop kidney cancer, cutaneous fibrofolliculomas and pulmonary cysts. The responsible gene, FLCN is a tumor suppressor for kidney cancer which plays an important role for energy homeostasis through the regulation of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. However, how FLCN-deficiency leads to renal tumorigenesis is unclear. Results Whole-exome sequencing analysis of BHD-associated kidney cancer revealed that copy number variations (CNV) of BHD-associated kidney cancer are considerably different from those already reported in sporadic cases. Somatic mutation analysis revealed BHD-associated kidney cancer has quite few common mutations in specific genes; however, chromatin remodeling genes in total were frequently mutated in BHD-associated kidney cancer (17/29 tumors, 59%). Metabolite analysis revealed that glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway and lipid metabolism were upregulated whereas the rate of beta oxydation and TCA cycle is decreased in BHD-associated kidney cancer compared to normal adjacent kidney. Conclusions BHD-associated kidney cancer displays a unique molecular characteristics which is totally different from that of sporadic kidney cancer, providing the mechanistic insight into tumorigenesis under FLCN deficiency as well as the foundation for the development of novel therapeutics for kidney cancer.

  Study JGAS000115

• Emergence of oncofetal plasticity is ubiquitous in early colorectal cancers

  Metastasis formation is classically considered a late-stage event in colorectal cancer (CRC) evolution. Yet, the time and patterning by which metastatic competence is acquired remain poorly understood. Here, we show that metastasis-associated oncofetal cell states already emerge at the earliest stages of CRC, concurrent with invasive front formation. However, while necessary for metastasis, we detect them ubiquitously among early non-metastatic cancers, highlighting additional bottlenecks like immune evasion. To understand how oncofetal cells first emerge, we generated multiregional organoid models that reflect successive tumor progression stages within individual early-stage CRCs. Whole-genome sequencing and growth factor-dependency assays exclude tumor cell-intrinsic acquired traits. In contrast, single-cell spatial atlases of the tumor-microenvironment before and after malignant transformation revealed stereotypic patterning of fibroblast subtypes resembling normal tissue architecture, resulting in distinct regional microenvironments. At the onset of malignant growth into the submucosa, the first cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to appear strongly resemble submucosal trophocytes and colocalize with oncofetal cell states at invasive fronts. Functionally, fibroblast-organoid co-cultures confirm that these trophocyte-like CAFs induce plastic transitioning to oncofetal states. Thus, interactions between tumor and submucosal fibroblasts directly following malignant transformation dictate the timing and location at which oncofetal plasticity first occurs during CRC progression.

  Study EGAS50000001532

• Exome sequencing identifies mutation of the ribosome in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy and responds well to therapy in children, but not in adults. We used exome sequencing of 67 T-cell ALL (T- ALL) samples to gain insight in the mutational spectrum and age related differences of these leukemias. We detected protein-altering mutations in 508 genes, with an average of 8.2 mutations in pediatric and 21.0 in adult T-ALL. Based on stringent filtering, we predict 15 of these genes to be drivers, including 7 genes that were not previously implicated in T-ALL. We identify CNOT3 as a new tumor suppressor, as it is mutated in 12.2 % of adult T-ALLs and its knock-down causes de novo tumors in a sensitized drosophila eye tumor model. In addition, we identify mutations in RPL5 and RPL10, proteins of the 60S ribosomal complex2, in 18.2 % of pediatric T-ALLs. Mutation of arginine 98 in the X-linked RPL10 gene was most frequent. Yeast cells expressing the Rpl10 R98S mutant showed a clear ribosome biogenesis defect, excluding that this mutation is a passenger mutation. Our data provide insights in the mutational landscape of pediatric and adult T-ALL and identify the ribosome as a potential oncogenic factor in cancer.

  Study EGAS00001000296

• Finding the way towards the eradication of therapy-related myeloid neoplasms

  Therapy-related neoplasms are directly caused by the drugs used to eradicate a previous cancer. It is well known that a subset of drugs designed to kill cancer cells through DNA-damage-induced apoptosis can intrinsically, as secondary effect, cause DNA-damage in other cells, thus inducing a neoplasm. Those neoplasms have especially bad prognosis. Why are these drugs still in use? Because for many diseases we do not have anything better, at the moment. Approximately 0.5-1% of the kids treated for various types of cancers develop a therapy-related myeloid neoplasm (tMN) as a result of the treatment. Despite having the same origin, their prognostic and molecular features are different from the adult ones, and a complete understanding of the pathogenesis of tMN in children is still missing. A total of 84 paediatrics neoplasms have been profiled by either Whole Genome or Whole Exome sequencing by Jason R. Schwartz and his colleagues, in a collaborative effort guided at the St. Jude Children's hospital, in Memphis. They identified a mean of 28 somatic mutations per patient, a number which is significantly bigger than the number of mutations found in paediatrics primary neoplasms, as depicted in the original paper's figure 1b, shown here. Their sequencing data identified that Ras/MAPK pathway mutations, alterations in RUNX1 or TP53, and KMT2A rearrangements as the most frequent drivers of the disease. Clonal evolution analysis (the comparative study of the behaviour of cells harbouring different mutations) highlighted that, unlike in adults’ tMN, there were not pre-existing leukemic clones, and virtually all mutated cells were found arising as a direct consequence of cytotoxic therapy. This represents yet another important difference between adult and paediatric tMN. This important study have been published in Nature communications in February 2021. The sequencing data have been deposited at EGA under the study number EGAS00001004850. Thanks to this, other researchers around the world could re-use it to uncover more information, integrate and validate their studies. Revealing the molecular features underlying the development of cancers is the only way towards the development of new generation targeted therapies, which will allow us to finally drop the cytotoxic drugs eliciting such unwanted and catastrophic secondary effects as tMN. It is not an overstatement to say that, while improving the treatment of primary tumours, we could entirely eradicate therapy-related neoplasms right from their origin. Looking forward.

  Blog eradication-of-therapy-related-myeloid-neoplasms

• Allele Balance Bias Identifies Systematic Genotyping Errors and False Disease Associations

  In recent years, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) has become a cornerstone of clinical genetics and diagnostics. Many clinical applications require high precision, especially if rare events such as somatic mutations in cancer or genetic variants causing rare diseases need to be identified. Although random sequencing errors can be modeled statistically and deep sequencing minimizes their impact, systematic errors remain a problem even at high depth of coverage. Understanding their source is crucial to increase precision of clinical NGS applications. In this work, we studied the relation between recurrent biases in allele balance (AB), systematic errors and false positive variant calls across a large cohort of human samples analyzed by whole exome sequencing (WES). We have modeled the allele balance distribution for biallelic genotypes in 987 WES samples in order to identify positions recurrently deviating significantly from the expectation, a phenomenon we termed allele balance bias (ABB). Furthermore, we have developed a genotype callability score based on ABB for all positions of the human exome, which detects false positive variant calls that passed state-of-the-art filters. Finally, we demonstrate the use of ABB for detection of false associations proposed by rare variant association studies (RVAS).

  Study EGAS00001003027

• Rare SNPs in receptor tyrosine kinases are negative outcome predictors in multiple myeloma

  Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell disorder that is characterized by a great genetic heterogeneity. Recent next generation sequencing studies revealed an accumulation of tumor-associated mutations in receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) which may also contribute to the activation of survival pathways in MM. To investigate the clinical role of RTK-mutations in MM, we deep-sequenced the coding DNA-sequence of EGFR, EPHA2, ERBB3, IGF1R, NTRK1 and NTRK2 which were previously found to be mutated in MM, in 75 uniformly treated MM patients of the "Deutsche Studiengruppe Multiples Myelom". Subsequently, we correlated the detected mutations with common cytogenetic alterations and clinical parameters. We identified 11 novel non-synonymous SNVs or rare patient-specific SNPs, not listed in the SNP databases 1000 genomes and dbSNP, in 10 primary MM cases. The mutations predominantly affected the tyrosine-kinase and ligand-binding domains and no correlation with cytogenetic parameters was found. Interestingly, however, patients with RTK-mutations, specifically those with rare patient-specific SNPs, showed a significant lower overall, event-free and progression-free survival. This indicates that RTK SNVs and rare patient-specific RTK SNPs are of prognostic relevance and suggests that MM patients with RTK-mutations could potentially profit from treatment with RTK-inhibitors.

  Study EGAS00001001665

• Whole-Genome sequencing of hepatocellular carcinomas

  The French ICGC project on liver tumors is coordinated by Pr Jessica Zucman-Rossi and funded by Inca (French Institute for Cancer). The aim of the present project is to identify the catalog of somatic and germline mutations in liver tumors using whole genome and whole exome sequencing together with CGH-SNP, methylome and transcriptomic profiling. For this purpose, a series of 500 liver tumors are collected through the French National Liver Collection and these samples will be analyzed using the different omics technologies. The data will be deposited in the ICGC and EGA database to be publically available for the scientific community. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for more than 90% of liver cancers, and is a major health problem. It is the 3rd cause of cancer-related mortality. Advances in genomic analyses have formed a comprehensive understanding of different underlying pathobiological layers resulting in hepatocarcinogenesis. Thus, the development of next-generation sequencing technologies has made it possible to generate more comprehensive catalogues of somatic alteration events (single nucleotide substitutions, structural variations, and epigenetic changes) in liver cancer genome than ever before. The dataset will include 50 whole genome sequencing tumor/germline pairs, of which 6 are deposited in February 2014.

  Study EGAS00001000706

• Comparison of structural variations from 10X Genomics linked-reads and conventional Illumina short-reads sequencing

  Structural variations (SVs) are large genomic rearrangements that can drive many diseases. Conventional short-reads whole genome sequencing (cWGS) allows their identification with base-pair resolution, but suffers from high false discovery rate. cWGS taps in short-range information from short-reads while linked-reads sequencing (10XWGS) utilizes long-range information. 10XWGS allows linkage of short-reads originating from the same large DNA molecule with a unique barcode captured in a gel bead in emulsion. This mitigates alignment-based artefacts from cWGS especially in repetitive regions. However, the false discovery rate of this technology is unclear. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of different type and size of SVs predicted from these two technologies. The SVs common between both technologies were found to be highly specific by PCR and Sanger sequencing while validation rate dropped for uncommon events. Further, we propose a novel enrichment approach for filtering out false positive calls from both the technologies independently. To this end, we trained a machine learning model for respective technologies and used it to characterise SVs from MCF7 cell line and a primary breast cancer tumor with high precision. This approach would be valuable in understanding true mechanisms driven by SVs in various diseases.

  Study EGAS00001004093

• Native American gene flow into Polynesia predating Easter Island settlement

  The possibility of voyaging contact between prehistoric Polynesian and Native American populations has long intrigued researchers. Proponents have pointed to the existence of New World crops, such as the sweet potato and bottle gourd, in the Polynesian archaeological record, but nowhere else outside the pre-Columbian Americas while critics have argued that these botanical dispersals need not have been human mediated. The Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl controversially suggested that prehistoric South American populations had an important role in the settlement of east Polynesia and particularly of Easter Island (Rapa Nui). Several limited molecular genetic studies have reached opposing conclusions, and the possibility continues to be as hotly contested today as it was when first suggested. Here we analyse genome-wide variation in individuals from islands across Polynesia for signs of Native American admixture, analysing 807 individuals from 17 island populations and 15 Pacific coast Native American groups. We find conclusive evidence for prehistoric contact of Polynesian individuals with Native American individuals (around AD 1200) contemporaneous with the settlement of remote Oceania. Our analyses suggest strongly that a single contact event occurred in eastern Polynesia, before the settlement of Rapa Nui, between Polynesian individuals and a Native American group most closely related to the indigenous inhabitants of present-day Colombia.

  Study EGAS00001004209

• Single cell transcriptomic landscape of pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: dissection of transcriptional heterogeneity and B-cell developmental state

  Introduction: Genomic analyses of bulk ALL samples have improved our understanding of the genetic basis and risk stratification of B-ALL, but do not directly examine intratumor heterogeneity or enable inference of leukemia developmental state and cell of origin. Methods: We profiled 89 B-ALL samples by single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) (10X Genomics 5’v2) and compared them to a scRNA-seq reference map of normal human B-cell development. Results: Analysis of heterogeneity of inferred DNA copy number alterations at single cell level showed that aneuploid ALL with near haploidy and hyperdiploid harbor chromosomal losses or gains in all blasts, consistent with early, synchronous origin rather than sequential accumulation. Intra-sample heterogeneity was driven by five gene expression signatures: cell cycle, metabolism, differentiation, inflammation, refining leukemic subtyping. An atlas of B cell development was established to map B-ALL samples to specific developmental states. Hyperdiploid samples resembled pro-B cells, while MEF2D-r and TCF3::PBX1 showed high pre-B abundance. Patients with high early lymphoid abundance had poorer outcomes. Conclusions: Understanding variation in transcriptional programs and developmental states of B-ALL blasts by sc transcriptome refines existing clinical and genomic classifications and provides novel prognostic markers.

  Study EGAS00001007512

• Genomic Alterations in Gingivo-buccal Cancer: ICGC-India Project_YR02

  As a part of the ICGC, India has undertaken genomic studies on gingivobuccal cancer of the oral cavity, which is the most prevalent form of cancer among men in India. There are various known environmental (life-style) correlates of this cancer, the most important of which are tobacco chewing and HPV infection. Paired DNA samples – isolated from the tumour tissue and from the blood of fifty six patients – have been analyzed to catalog germline and somatic mutations. Association between each observed genomic alteration and exposure to environmental risk factors is being explored.Detailed clinical characterization of the patients, collection of data on demographic and environmental exposures, and isolation of DNA samples from blood and tumour tissues collected from each patient are being done at the Advanced Centre for Research, Treatment and Education on Cancer, Mumbai. Exome capture and deep resequencing are being performed at the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani. We have analyzed the exomes of paired blood and tumour DNA samples using exome capture by Illumina TrueSeq Exome Enrichment kit followed by sequencing on Illumina HiSeq-2000. Each exome is being sequenced at a mean depth of 70x for Tumour and 40x for Blood. In addition, we have used Illumina Omni 2.5 SNP-chips to generate genotype data.

  Study EGAS00001001028

• P647_Targeted_resequencing_project

  In collaboration with Dr Robert Semple we have identified a family harbouring an autosomal dominant variant, which leads to severe insulin resistance (SIR), short stature and facial dysmorphism. This family is unique within the SIR cohort in having normal lipid profiles, preserved adiponectin and normal INSR expression and phosphorylation. DNA is available for 7 affected and 7 unaffected family members across 3 generations. All 14 samples have been genotyped using microsatellites and the Affymetrix 6.0 SNP chip. Linkage analysis identified an 18.8Mb haplotype on chromosome 19 as a possible location of the causative variant. However, Exome sequencing of 3 affected and 1 unaffected family members has not identified the causative variant suggesting the possibility of an intronic or intergenic variant in this region or elsewhere in the genome. We propose to conduct whole genome sequencing of 5 members of the pedigree at a depth of 20X. The chosen samples are two sets of parents plus one member of an unaffected branch of the pedigree who shares the risk haplotype on chromosome 19. Sequencing of the two sets of parents will be used along with the genome-wide SNP data to impute 4 affected children giving an effect sample size of 6 affected individuals.

  Study EGAS00001000305

• Exploring the role of mtDNA variation in Multiple Sclerosis in a large cohort of discordant monozygotic twins

  Several lines of evidence indicate that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants might predispose to multiple sclerosis (MS). We examined this in 49 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs clinically discordant for MS at study entry. Since the nuclear DNA of MZ twins is identical, our study provides a unique setting to functionally associate unique mtDNA variants and skewed heteroplasmy with MS development. In order to identify mtDNA variants in the twin cohort, we deeply sequenced the mitochondrial genome in blood of all 49 MZ twin pairs using next generation sequencing (Illumina, HiSeq or MiSeq) with an average coverage depth of ~25,000 sequences per base. Heteroplasmic variants were validated using targeted deep sequencing (TDS) (Illumina, MiSeq) in DNA isolated from blood and buccal swabs. In addition, whole blood was also available of 5 additional MS-affected or healthy siblings and 1 dizygotic twin pair discordant for MS, comprising in total 6 non-identical sib pairs. Moreover, all cases were screened for pathogenic mtDNA polymerase gamma (POLG) mutations. The data provides valuable insights in the possible involvement of mtDNA variants in the pathogenesis of MS, and gives information on the segregation of heteroplasmic variants within MZ twins and non-identical siblings and across different tissues.

  Study EGAS00001001240

• A somatic reference standard for cancer genome sequencing with COLO829

  Identification of somatic alterations in cancer has become feasible with the massive adoption of next generation sequencing. However, due to variability in sequencing and informatics pipelines, a common somatic reference is needed. We thus performed paired whole genome sequencing of a metastatic melanoma cell line (COLO829) and a matched lymphoblastoid line (COLO829BL) across three institutions (TGen, Illumina, Genome Sciences Centre at the British Columbia Cancer Agency). We performed a meta-analysis of all data, in combination with the originally reported analysis of these cell lines by Pleasance et al (PMID: 20016485), and report a somatic reference standard based on consensus events. DNA extractions, library preparation, sequencing, and analysis were separately performed at each site. Results were compiled with sequence data previously generated for the cell lines to identify true positive variants, collectively representing a somatic reference standard. Overall, common somatic events include point mutations, small insertion/deletions, and genes affected by concurrent copy number changes. We additionally show divergence of somatic mutations in COLO829 associated with differences in cell line lineage. We present this reference to the community as a standard for enabling interpretation and identification of somatic mutations across institutions and analytical pipelines.

  Study EGAS00001001385

• The HLA-DQβ1 insertion is a strong achalasia risk factor and displays a geospatial north-south gradient among Europeans

  Idiopathic achalasia is a severe motility disorder of the esophagus and is characterized by a failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax due to a loss of neurons in the myenteric plexus. Most recently, we identified an 8 amino acid insertion in the cytoplasmic tail of HLA-DQβ1 as strong achalasia risk factor in a sample set from Central Europe, Italy, and Spain. Here, we tested whether the HLA-DQβ1 insertion also confers achalasia risk in the Polish and Swedish population. We could replicate the initial findings and the insertion shows strong achalasia association in both samples (Poland P = 1.84×10-04, Sweden P = 7.44×10-05). Combining all five European data sets – Central Europe, Italy, Spain, Poland, and Sweden – the insertion is achalasia associated with Pcombined = 1.67×10-35. In addition, we observe that the frequency of the insertion shows a geospatial north-south gradient. The insertion is less common in northern (around 6-7% in patients and 2% in controls from Sweden and Poland) compared to southern Europeans (around 16% in patients and 8% in controls from Italy) and shows a stronger attributable risk (AR) in the southern European population. Our study provides evidence that the prevalence of achalasia may differ between populations.

  Study EGAS00001001515

• Large-scale viral genome analysis identifies novel clinical associations between hepatitis B virus and chronically infected patients

  Despite the high global prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection, datasets covering the whole hepatitis B viral genome from large patient cohorts are lacking, greatly limiting our understanding of the viral genetic factors involved in this deadly disease. We performed deep sequencing of viral samples from patients chronically infected with HBV to investigate the association between viral genome variation and patients’ clinical characteristics. We discovered novel viral variants strongly associated with viral load and HBeAg status. Patients with viral variants C1817T and A1838G had viral loads nearly three orders of magnitude lower than patients without those variants. These patients consequently experienced earlier viral suppression while on treatment. Furthermore, we identified novel variants that either independently or in combination with precore mutation G1896A were associated with the transition from HBeAg positive to negative phase of infection. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that mutation of the HBeAg open reading frame is an important factor driving CHB patient’s HBeAg status. This analysis provides a detailed picture of HBV genetic variation in the largest patient cohort to date and highlights the diversity of plausible molecular mechanisms through which viral variation affects clinical phenotype.

  Study EGAS00001003689

• Extreme phenotypes define epigenetic and metabolic signatures in cardiovascular diseases.

  Improving the understanding of cardiometabolic syndrome pathophysiology and its relationship with thrombosis are ongoing healthcare challenges. Using plasma biomarkers analysis coupled with the transcriptional and epigenetic characterisation of cell types involved in thrombosis, obtained from two extreme phenotype groups (obese and lipodystrophy) and comparing these to lean individuals and blood donors, the present study identifies the molecular mechanisms at play, highlighting patterns of abnormal activation in innate immune phagocytic cells and shows that extreme phenotype groups could be distinguished from lean individuals, and from each other, across all data layers. The characterisation of the same obese group, six months after bariatric surgery shows the loss of the patterns of abnormal activation of innate immune cells previously observed. However, rather than reverting to the gene expression landscape of lean individuals, this occurs via the establishment of novel gene expression landscapes. Netosis and its control mechanisms emerge amongst the pathways that show an improvement after surgical intervention. Taken together, by integrating across data layers, the observed molecular and metabolic differences form a disease signature that is able to discriminate, amongst the blood donors, those individuals with a higher likelihood of having cardiometabolic syndrome, even when not presenting with the classic features.

  Study EGAS00001003780

• A Protein Neddylation Inhibitor MLN4924 Suppresses Patient-Derived Glioblastoma Cells via Inhibition of ERK and AKT Signaling

  Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive and lethal brain tumor, with limited treatment options. Abnormal activation of the neddylation pathway is observed in glioblastoma, and the NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) inhibitor, MLN4924 was previously shown to be effective in glioblastoma cell line models. However, its effect has not been tested in patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells. Immunohistochemistry and public data were analyzed to determine whether NEDD8 pathway proteins are important in glioblastoma development and patient survival. The effects of MLN4924 were evaluated in 4 glioblastoma cell lines and 15 patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells using high content analysis. Immunoblot analysis assessed the NEDD8 pathway proteins and biomarkers. Whole transcriptome analysis identified pathways associated with MLN4924 sensitivity. NAE1 and UBA3 levels increased in glioblastoma patients; high NEDD8 levels were associated with poor clinical outcomes. Glioblastoma cell lines and patient-derived stem cells were highly susceptible to MLN4924, while normal human astrocytes were resistant. Genomic analyses indicated that MLN4924 sensitive cells exhibited enrichment of ERK and AKT signaling. We verified that MLN4924 inhibits ERK and AKT phosphorylation in MLN4924 sensitive cells. Our findings suggest that patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells in the context of ERK and AKT activation are sensitive and highly regulated by neddylation inhibition.

  Study EGAS00001004018

• Adult-type Granulosa Cell Tumour of the Ovary

  A recurrent mutation in FOXL2 (c.402C>G; p.C134W) is present in over 95% of adult-type granulosa cell tumours (AGCTs). In contrast, various loss-of-function mutations in FOXL2 lead to the development of blepharophimosis, ptosis and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). BPES is characterized by an eyelid malformation often accompanied with primary ovarian insufficiency but not granulosa cell tumours. Two recent studies suggest that FOXL2 C402G is a gain or change-of-function mutation with altered DNA-binding specificity. Another study proposes that FOXL2 C402G is selectively targeted for degradation inducing somatic haploinsufficiency suggesting its role as a tumour suppressor. The latter study relies on data indicative of an FOXL2 allelic imbalance in AGCTs. Here we present RNA-seq data as genetic evidence that no real allelic imbalance is observed at the transcriptomic level in AGCTs. Additionally, there is no loss of protein expression in tumours harboring the mutated allele. These data and other features of this mutation as compared to other oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes argue strongly against FOXL2 being a tumour suppressor in this context. Given the likelihood that FOXL2 C402G is oncogenic, targeting the variant protein or its downstream consequences is the most viable path forward to identifying an effective treatment for this cancer.

  Study EGAS00001005414

• Comprehensive Genomic Characterization of Refractory Multiple Myeloma Reveals a Complex Mutational and Structural Landscape Associated with Drug Resistance (H067)

  Outcome of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) refractory to immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs) and proteasome inhibitors (PIs) is still very poor. To elucidate the genetic landscape of relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) we performed whole genome and transcriptome sequencing of 39 heavily pretreated RRMM patients with at least double refractoriness revealing complex structural changes and a high mutational load (H067/K08K). We found a median of 67 structural variants and 116 nonsynonymous exonic mutations per patient. Assessment of oncogenic drivers showed NRAS, BRAF, TP53, KRAS, SLC4A7, FAM46C, DIS3, RB1, KMT2C, MLLT4, EWSR1, HCFC2, and COPS3 as significantly mutated. We found multiple genomic regions with bi-allelic events affecting known tumor suppressor genes, most frequently TP53, RB1, and TRAF3. Supervised analysis of mutational signatures showed a major contribution of Cosmic signature 6 associated with deficiency in DNA mismatch repair and the ‘BRCAness’ signature which coincided with mutations in genes known to confer PARP inhibitor sensitivity. Recurrently mutated gene networks included genes with relevance for PI and IMiD activity, the latter including in particular members of the Cereblon and the COP9 signalosome complex. In conclusion, this comprehensive genomic characterization revealed a complex mutational and structural landscape in RRMM and highlights potential implications for therapeutic strategies.

  Study EGAS00001004363

• The malaria-protective human glycophorin structural variant DUP4 shows somatic mosaicism and association with hemoglobin levels

  Glycophorin A and glycophorin B are red blood cell surface proteins that are both receptors for the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which is the principal cause of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. DUP4 is a complex structural genomic variant that carries extra copies of a glycophorin A - glycophorin B fusion gene, and has a dramatic effect on malaria risk by reducing the risk of severe malaria by up to 40% Using fiber-FISH and Illumina sequencing, we validate the structural arrangement of the glycophorin locus in the DUP4 variant, and reveal somatic variation in copy number of the glycophorin A- glycophorin B fusion gene. By developing a simple, specific, PCR-based assay for DUP4 we show the DUP4 variant reaches a frequency of 13% in a malaria-endemic village in south-eastern Tanzania. We genotype a substantial proportion of that village and demonstrate an association of DUP4 genotype with hemoglobin levels, a phenotype related to malaria, using a family-based association test. Taken together, we show that DUP4 is a complex structural variant that may be susceptible to somatic variation, and show that it is associated with a malarial-related phenotype in a non-hospitalizedlongitudinally-followed population.

  Study EGAS00001003239

• Multi-omics integration reveals only minor long-term molecular and functional sequelae in immune cells of individuals recovered from COVID-19

  The majority of COVID-19 patients experience mild to moderate disease course and recover within a few weeks. An increasing number of studies characterized the long-term changes in the specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune responses, but how COVID-19 shapes the innate and heterologous adaptive immune system after recovery is less well known. To comprehensively investigate the post-SARS-CoV-2 infection sequelae on the immune system, we performed a multi-omics study by integrating single-cell RNA-sequencing, single-cell ATAC-sequencing, genome-wide DNA methylation profiling, and functional validation experiments in convalescent COVID-19 and healthy individuals. We showed that immune responses generally recover without major sequelae after COVID-19. However, subtle differences persist at the transcriptomic level in monocytes, with downregulation of the interferon pathway, while DNA methylation also displays moderate changes in convalescent COVID-19 individuals. However, these differences did not affect the cytokine production capacity of PBMCs upon different bacterial, viral, and fungal stimuli, although baseline release of IL-1RA and IFN?? was higher in convalescent individuals. In conclusion, despite minor differences in epigenetic and transcriptional programs, the immune system of convalescent COVID-19 patients largely recovers to the homeostatic level of healthy individuals.

  Study EGAS00001005529

• Regulatory T cell transcriptomic reprogramming characterizes adverse events by checkpoint inhibitors in solid tumors

  Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), which target immune regulatory pathways to unleash antitumor responses, have revolutionized cancer immunotherapy. Despite the remarkable success of ICI immunotherapy, a significant proportion of patients whose tumors respond to these treatments develop immune-related adverse events (irAEs) resembling autoimmune diseases. Although the clinical spectrum of irAEs is well characterized, their successful management remains empiric. This is in part because the pathogenic mechanisms involved in the break-down of peripheral tolerance and induction of irAEs remain elusive. Herein, we focused on regulatory T cells (Tregs) in individuals with irAEs because these cells are vital for maintenance of peripheral tolerance, appear expanded in the peripheral blood of individuals with cancer and abundantly express checkpoint molecules, hence representing direct targets of ICI immunotherapy. Our data demonstrate an intense transcriptomic reprogramming of CD4+CD25+CD127– Tregs in the blood of individuals with advanced metastatic melanoma who develop irAEs following ICI immunotherapy, with a characteristic inflammatory, apoptotic and metabolic signature. This inflammatory signature was shared by Tregs from individuals with different types of cancer developing irAEs and individuals with autoimmune diseases. Our findings propose an inflammatory Treg reprogramming as a feature of immunotherapy-induced irAEs, that may facilitate translational approaches aiming to induce robust antitumor immunity without disturbing peripheral tolerance.

  Study EGAS00001004694

• Proteogenomics of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

  Cancer heterogeneity at the proteome level may explain differences in therapy response and prognosis beyond the currently established genomic and transcriptomic based diagnostics. The relevance of proteomics for disease classifications remains to be established in clinically heterogeneous cancer entities such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Here, we characterized the proteome and transcriptome in-depth alongside genetic and ex-vivo drug response profiling in a clinically well annotated CLL discovery cohort (n= 68). Unsupervised clustering of the proteome data revealed six subgroups. Five of these proteomic groups were associated with genetic features, while one group was only detectable at the proteome level. This new group was characterized by accelerated disease progression, high spliceosomal protein abundances associated with aberrant splicing, and low B cell receptor signaling protein abundances (ASB-CLL). We developed classifiers to identify ASB-CLL based on its characteristic proteome or splicing signature in two independent cohorts (n= 165, n= 169) and confirmed that ASB-CLL comprises about 20 % of CLL patients. The inferior overall survival observed in ASB-CLL was independent of both TP53- and IGHV mutation status. Our multi-omics analysis refines the classification of CLL and highlights the potential of proteomics to improve cancer patient stratification beyond genetic and transcriptomic profiling. This is the transcriptomics data of the discovery cohort.

  Study EGAS00001005746

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

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

  Study EGAS00001004943

• Host pathogen interaction long read transcriptome

  Our incomplete knowledge of the human transcriptome impairs the detection of disease-causing variants, in particular in transcripts only expressed under certain conditions. These transcripts are often lacking from reference transcript sets, such as Ensembl/GENCODE and RefSeq, and could be relevant for establishing genetic diagnoses. We present SUsPECT (Solving Unsolved Patient Exomes/gEnomes using Custom Transcriptomes), a pipeline based on the Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor (VEP) to predict variant impact on custom transcript sets, such as those generated by long-read RNA-sequencing, for downstream prioritization. Our pipeline predicts the functional consequence and likely deleteriousness scores for missense variants in the context of novel open reading frames predicted from any transcriptome. We demonstrate the utility of SUsPECT by uncovering potential mutational mechanisms of pathogenic variants in ClinVar that are predicted to be benign using the reference transcript annotation. In further support of SUsPECT’s utility, we identified an enrichment of immune-related variants predicted to have a more severe molecular consequence when annotating with a newly generated transcriptome from stimulated immune cells instead of the reference transcriptome. Our pipeline outputs crucial information for further prioritization of potentially disease-causing variants for any disease and will become increasingly useful as more long-read RNA sequencing datasets become available.

  Study EGAS00001006779

• Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumoroids reveal subgroup-specific drug vulnerabilities WGS

  Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) represent a rare, but aggressive pediatric brain tumor entity. They are genetically uniquely defined by alterations in the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex members SMARCB1 or SMARCA4. ATRTs can be further classified in different molecular subgroups based on their epigenetic profiles. Although recent studies suggest that the different subgroups have distinct clinical features, subgroup-specific treatment regimens have not been developed thus far. This is hampered by the lack of pre-clinical in vitro models representative of the different molecular subgroups. Here, we describe the establishment of ATRT tumoroid models from the ATRT-MYC and ATRT-SHH subgroups. We demonstrate that ATRT tumoroids retain subgroup-specific epigenetic and gene expression profiles. High throughput drug screens on our ATRT tumoroids revealed distinct drug sensitivities between and within ATRT-MYC and ATRT-SHH subgroups. Whereas ATRT-MYC universally displayed high sensitivity to multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors, ATRT-SHH showed a more heterogeneous response with a subset showing high sensitivity to Notch inhibitors, which corresponded to high expression of Notch receptors. Our ATRT tumoroids represent the first pediatric brain tumor organoid model, providing a representative pre-clinical model which enables the development of subgroup-specific therapies.

  Study EGAS00001006865

• Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumoroids reveal subgroup-specific drug vulnerabilities RNA-Seq

  Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) represent a rare, but aggressive pediatric brain tumor entity. They are genetically uniquely defined by alterations in the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex members SMARCB1 or SMARCA4. ATRTs can be further classified in different molecular subgroups based on their epigenetic profiles. Although recent studies suggest that the different subgroups have distinct clinical features, subgroup-specific treatment regimens have not been developed thus far. This is hampered by the lack of pre-clinical in vitro models representative of the different molecular subgroups. Here, we describe the establishment of ATRT tumoroid models from the ATRT-MYC and ATRT-SHH subgroups. We demonstrate that ATRT tumoroids retain subgroup-specific epigenetic and gene expression profiles. High throughput drug screens on our ATRT tumoroids revealed distinct drug sensitivities between and within ATRT-MYC and ATRT-SHH subgroups. Whereas ATRT-MYC universally displayed high sensitivity to multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors, ATRT-SHH showed a more heterogeneous response with a subset showing high sensitivity to Notch inhibitors, which corresponded to high expression of Notch receptors. Our ATRT tumoroids represent the first pediatric brain tumor organoid model, providing a representative pre-clinical model which enables the development of subgroup-specific therapies.

  Study EGAS00001006866