Search Results - EGA European Genome-Phenome Archive

Systems biology of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in both males and females, and it is perhaps the best understood of all epithelial tumors in terms of its molecular origin. Yet, despite large amount of work that has concentrated on understanding of colon tumorigenesis, we still do not know the full complement of molecular lesions that are individually necessary – and together sufficient – to cause colorectal cancer. Neither do we understand why some specific mutations that are relatively rare in other tumors (e.g. loss of the APC tumor suppressor) are extremely common in colorectal cancer. We propose here to use the tools of systems biology to develop a quantitative and comprehensive model of colorectal tumorigenesis. The model will include identification of cell-type specific and oncogenic pathways that contribute to colon tumorigenesis, and explain in molecular detail how a genotype of an individual CRC leads to activation of downstream genes that drive uncontrolled cell growth. This model will subsequently be used to find novel therapeutic targets, to guide genetic screening to identify individuals with elevated risk for developing CRC, and to classify patients into molecular subgroups to select the treatment combination that is optimal for each patient (personalized medicine). The specific objectives of the SYSCOL project are: 1. Identify genetic markers for individual risk using genotyping and sequencing of constitutional DNA from sporadic and familial CRC cases and controls 2. Identify genes and regulatory elements that contribute to colorectal cancer cell growth 3. Use data from Aims 1-2 to develop a quantitative model for colorectal tumorigenesis 4. Apply the model for identification of high-risk individuals, for molecular classification of the disease, and for identification of novel molecular treatment targets

Study EGAS00001000854

Gene copy number variation in pediatric mental illness in a general population

We assessed the relationship of gene copy number variation (CNV) in mental health/neurodevelopmental traits and diagnoses, physical health, and cognitive biomarkers in a community sample of 7,100 unrelated European, and East Asian children and youth (Spit for Science). Diagnoses of mental health disorders were found in 17.5% of participants and 27.6% scored in the highest 10% on either or both ADHD and OCD trait measures. Clinically relevant CNVs were present in 3.9% of participants and were associated with elevated scores on a continuous measure of ADHD (p=5.0×10-3), on a cognitive biomarker of mental health (response inhibition (p=1.0×10-2)), and on prevalence of mental disorders (p=1.9×10-6, odds ratio: 3.09). With a rise of mental illness, our data establishes a baseline for delineating genetic contributors in paediatric-onset conditions.

Study EGAS00001006659

A mutation in VPS15 (PIK3R4) causes a ciliopathy and affects IFT20 release from the cis-Golgi

VPS15 is known as a VPS34-associated protein that functions in intracellular trafficking and autophagy. Here the authors identify a role for VPS15 in cilopathy and ciliary phenotypes, and show that it interacts with GM130 and functions in IFT20-dependent cis-Golgi to cilium trafficking.

Study EGAS00001002075

Epigenomics Studies in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) remains a clinical challenge since most patients diagnosed with AML will die from the disease. Some patients harbor treatment-refractory disease and many others relapse with disease that in many cases is resistant to treatments. Our study was designed to understand the molecular basis of disease progression in AML through assessing genomics signatures in patient specimens collected through an international collaboration which assembled samples from 138 AML patients which experienced disease relapse and normal hematopoietic cells (n=15). It is hoped that this resource will help researchers understand mechanisms of disease relapse in AML and contribute to the general pool of data available for analyses for this disease and general research use.

Study phs001027

Improved Detection and Identification of Microsatellite Instability Features in Colorectal Cancer

In this study, we analyzed a series of colorectal cancers using a new sequencing technology that sequences more than 200 microsatellite regions in parallel. With this technology, we evaluated mono-, di- , tri- and tetranucleotide repeats to provide a broad spectrum of microsatellite instability (MSI) events. This deep sequencing technology provides greater than 2000X coverage and eliminates the need for PCR amplification. Because every read corresponds to a single DNA molecule, we eliminated artifacts introduced by PCR that obscured true MSI events. Also included in our analysis is a new method for detection of somatic copy number changes in 83 cancer genes, with which we can infer chromosomal instability (CIN) status.

Study phs001914

CpG methylation changes associated with hyperglycemia in type 1 diabetes occur at angiogenic glomerular and retinal gene loci.

Retinal and glomerular microangiopathy, and cardiovascular disease, contribute to the morbidity and mortality observed in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). While the level and duration of hyperglycemia are primary factors influencing these complications, the underlying molecular mechanisms behind glucose-induced organ damage remain poorly understood. In this study, blood samples from young T1D patients at diagnosis and three years later in average were analyzed for DNA methylation using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing. Significant DNA methylation changes in critical angiogenic gene loci were associated with HbA1c, a direct hallmark of chronic hyperglycemia. This finding may offer novel epigenetic insights for a better understanding of T1D complications.

Study EGAS50000000370

Disease specific alterations in the olfactory mucosa of patients with Alzheimer’s disease

OOlfactory dysfunction manifests early in several neurodegenerative disorders. Olfaction is orchestrated by olfactory mucosal cells located in the upper nasal cavity. However, it is unclear how this tissue reflects key neurodegenerative features in Alzheimer’s disease. Here we report that Alzheimer´s disease olfactory mucosal cells secrete toxic amyloid-beta. We detail cell-type-specific gene expression patterns, unveiling 147 differentially expressed disease-associated genes compared to the cognitively healthy controls, and 5 distinct populations in globose basal cell -, myofibroblast-, and fibroblast/ stromal – like cells in vitro. Overall, coordinated alteration of RNA and protein metabolism, inflammatory processes and signal transduction were observed in multiple cell populations, suggesting a key role in pathophysiology. Our results demonstrate the potential of olfactory cell cultures in modelling Alzheimer´s disease. Moreover, for the first time we provide single cell data on olfactory mucosa in Alzheimer´s disease for investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with the disease.

Study EGAS00001006019

Best Practices for DACs

Best Practices Data access committees (DACs) are institutional safeguards responsible for ensuring a balance between data protection and accessibility. However, there are no procedural standards that apply across DACs, which can lead to inconsistencies in their reviews and compromise their quality and effectiveness. Standardising DAC processes can foster trust and mutual recognition, paving the way for greater coordination, collaboration, and delegation between DACs and other oversight bodies to improve the efficiency of data access without sacrificing protection. To provide guidance, the following are suggestions for actions a DAC might take upon receiving a data access request: Aim to respond to all initial requests in less than 2 weeks. Failure to do so may result in follow-up emails from the EGA, journals, and ultimately dataset withdrawal. First, check that the data/EGAD number is consistent with your data submission. In other words, ensure that the requester has contacted the correct DAC. Verify that the user will be using the data within the terms of consent by asking them to sign up to the terms within the DAA. Ensure that data users who are granted access to the data comply with the terms of a Data Access Agreement (DAA) and to use the data only in approved ways. Look for an institutional email address for the requester. Search for evidence that the requester is "appropriately qualified/bona fide" for using the data, for example on PubMed, Research Gate, LinkedIn, etc. Confirm that the affiliated organisation is real and that the requester still works there. Inquire with the requester about who should have accounts created at the EGA under the terms of the agreement. If a negative decision is made, promptly communicate it to the requester and support it with the terms of the Data Access Policy that the requester has not met or cannot meet. Keep the information in the DAC up to date. If you leave your institution and are unable to manage data access requests on their behalf, you should add your replacement as a new contact in the DAC. Assist with data access requests for any further questions related to your data. The EGA can only check information that has been deposited in the repository. If the user has a specific question that the EGA cannot answer, we will redirect the user to the DAC. All the EGA studies and datasets referenced in a publication under your DAC must be publicly searchable on the EGA website before the paper is released. If possible, describe the permitted purposes for subsequent research projects, including associated limits and conditions, for all resources hosted in a repository using a common ontology, such as the GA4GH Data Use Ontology (DUO). It is considered best practice to try and release data only to those with an institutional email address. This gives reassurance to the EGA, research participants, and the general public that an appropriate individual is accessing and using the data. To prevent potential data breaches and ensure adherence to GDPR regulations, it is essential that the European Genome-Phenome Archive (EGA) is informed via the Helpdesk team of any changes to the Data Access Committee (DAC). This should be done in addition to any changes being made on the DAC portal. Data Controllers (as per the definition in the DPA) are also responsible for notifying the previous DAC of any modifications. Without proper notification, changes might not be automatically updated in our system, leading to the risk of incorrect permissions being applied and potential data access issues. Therefore, it is imperative that all Data Controllers follow this protocol to maintain data integrity and security.

Documentation access/data-access-committee/best-practices

Exome sequencing reveals pathogenic variants in known and novel candidate genes for severe sperm motility disorders

STUDY QUESTION: What are the causative genetic variants in patients with male infertility due to severe sperm motility disorders? SUMMARY ANSWER: We identified high confidence disease-causing variants in multiple genes previously associated with severe sperm motility disorders in 9 out of 21 patients (43%). We also identified variants in novel candidate genes in 8 additional patients (38%). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Severe sperm motility disorders are a form of male infertility characterised by vital, but immotile sperm often in combination with a spectrum of structural abnormalities of the sperm flagellum. Examples of this spectrum of disorders include dysplasia of the fibrous sheath / multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (DFS-MMAF) and severe forms of asthenozoospermia associated to non-specific structural defects. These disorders frequently recur in families and may include chronic respiratory disease. As such, genetic causes are suspected and many genes have recently been reported. Currently, depending on the clinical sub-categorisation, up to 50% of causality in patients with severe sperm motility disorders can be explained by pathogenic variants in at least 21 known genes. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We performed exome sequencing in patients with severe sperm motility disorders from two different clinics, aiming to identify the underlying genetic defects and establishing a diagnostic yield in both. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHOD: Two groups of infertile men, one from Argentina (n= 9) and one from Australia (n=12), with clinically defined sperm motility disorders were included. All patients in the Argentine cohort were diagnosed with DFS-MMAF, based on transmission electron microscopy. Exome sequencing was performed in all 21 patients and variants with an allele frequency of <1% in the gnomAD population were prioritised and interpreted. MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE: In 9/21 patients (43%), we identified pathogenic variants in known sperm motility disorder genes: CFAP43 (3 patients); CFAP44 (2 patients), QRICH2 (2 patients), DNAH1 (1 patient) and DNAH6 (1 patient). The diagnostic rate did not differ markedly between the Argentinian and the Australian cohort (44% and 42%, respectively). Furthermore, we identified patients with variants in the novel candidate sperm motility genes CFAP58, DNAH12, DRC1, MDC1, PACRG, SSPL2C and TPTE2. One patient presented with two possibly damaging variants in four candidate genes and it remains unclear which variants were responsible for the severe sperm motility defect in this patient. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: In this study, we described patients with potential bi-allelic variants in known and novel candidate genes for severe sperm motility disorders. Due to unavailability of parental DNA, we have not assessed de novo or maternally inherited dominant variants and could not phase the mutations to establish in all cases that the mutations occur on both alleles. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our results confirm an important role for five known genes for sperm motility and we demonstrate that exome sequencing is an effective method to diagnose patients with severe sperm motility defects (9/21 diagnosed; 43%). Furthermore, our analysis revealed seven novel candidate genes for severe sperm motility disorders. Genome-wide sequencing of additional patient cohorts and re-analysis of exome data of currently unsolved cases may reveal additional variants in these novel candidate genes.

Study EGAS00001005018

Genome-wide association analysis on five isolated populations - Erasmus Rucphen Family (ERF) Study

ERF is embedded in the Genetic Research in Isolated Population (GRIP) program. Genealogy of GRIP is available from its founding (1600-1650). For ERF, we selected 22 related (first and second degree, non-consanguineous) couples living in GRIP between 1850-1900, and having at least six children baptized in the community church. All living descendants of those couples were invited to participate in ERF1. About 4,000 relatives included in the study form a very complex pedigree, which consists of more than 23,000 members. The participants aged between 18-20 years constitute a unique single family spanning over 23 generations. Around 3,000 individuals have been extensively phenotyped for several psychiatric and somatic traits. All phenotyped individuals are genotyped on genome-wide genotyping arrays.

Study EGAS00001001134

MGMT genomic rearrangements contribute to chemotherapy resistance in gliomas

Temozolomide (TMZ) is an oral alkylating agent used for the treatment of glioblastoma and is now becoming a chemotherapeutic option in patients diagnosed with high-risk low-grade gliomas. The O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is responsible for the direct repair of the main TMZ-induced toxic DNA adduct, the O6-Methylguanine lesion. MGMT promoter hypermethylation is currently the only known biomarker for TMZ response in glioblastoma patients. Here we show that a subset of recurrent gliomas carry MGMT genomic rearrangements that lead to MGMT overexpression, independently from changes in its promoter methylation. By leveraging the CRISPR/Cas9 technology we generated some of these MGMT rearrangements in glioma cells and demonstrated that they lead to TMZ resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Lastly we showed that such fusions can be detected in tumor-derived exosomes and could potentially represent an early detection marker of tumor recurrence in a subset of patients treated with TMZ.

Dataset EGAD00001006281

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Network (IPFnet) Prednisone, Azathioprine, and N-Acetylcysteine: A Study That Evaluates Response in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPFNet-Panther-IPF-BioLINCC)

Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the "Authorized Access" section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions.Objectives: The initial objective of the PANTHER-IPF study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a drug combination of prednisone, azathioprine, and N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of mild-to-moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) compared to N-acetylcysteine alone or placebo. After interim analysis presented safety concerns regarding the three drug regimen, the protocol was modified to evaluate only N-acetylcysteine effectiveness. Background: IPF is a chronic, progressive lung disease of unknown cause that is characterized by the histopathological or radiologic patterns of usual interstitial pneumonia in a typical clinical setting. The median survival of participants with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis after diagnosis is 2 to 5 years. To date, no pharmacologic therapies have been shown to improve survival. Acetylcysteine has been suggested as a beneficial treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, although data from placebo-controlled studies are lacking.Design: Patients with mild-to-moderate impairment in pulmonary function were randomly assigned to receive a three-drug regimen (prednisone, azathioprine, and acetylcysteine), acetylcysteine alone (plus matched placebos for prednisone and azathioprine), or matched placebos for each of the active therapies. After the planned midpoint interim analysis, the data and safety monitoring board recommended discontinuation of the three-drug regimen because of an excess in the number of deaths, hospitalizations, and serious adverse events among patients in the combination-therapy group, as compared with the placebo group. After NHLBI accepted this recommendation on October 14, 2011, the three-drug regimen was discontinued and patients were recruited for only the acetylcysteine group and the placebo group. Patients were seen at the clinical centers for screening, at baseline, and at 4, 15, 30, 45, and 60 weeks. The primary outcome measure was change in FVC over 60 weeks.Conclusions: As compared with placebo, acetylcysteine offered no significant benefit with respect to the preservation of FVC in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with mild-to-moderate impairment in lung function. In addition, there were no significant differences between the acetylcysteine group and the placebo group in the rates of death or acute exacerbation.

Study phs004071

CentralAfricanCMC_Pemberton

The CentralAfricanCMC_Pemberton dataset encompasses 153,798 SNPs from the Illumina Cardio-MetaboChip (Voight et al. 2012) genotyped in 406 individuals from 19 Central African Populations from Gabon, Cameroon, Centralafrican Republic and Uganda). Individual phenotypic and cultural information at the individual level for this data set encompass gender, lifestyle (hunter-gatherer or farmer), and, when available, stature phenotype (standing height in cm, sitting-height in cm, and weight in kg). Other cultural, linguistic, and geographical location information about the sampled populations can be found in Pemberton et al. , Human Genetics, 2018 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00439-018-1902-3).This dataset can only be accessed and used for non-commercial research purposes with a finality complying with the informed consent provided by Central African donors for the study of human evolutionary history only.

Dataset EGAD00010001584

MYOSEQ

The MYOSEQ project focuses on the application of next generation sequencing, in particular whole exome sequencing (WES), in a large cohort of patients with unexplained limb‐girdle weakness (LGW). Focusing on undiagnosed patients with a clearly defined clinical phenotype enables increased diagnostic rates for known genes (in particular Pompe disease, GNE related pathologies and other known LGMD subtypes) in this cohort, while the use of WES provides scope both for new gene discovery and for additional research into disease modifiers and genotype‐phenotype correlation with substantial cost effectiveness. The LGW patient cohort was collated by Newcastle University in collaboration with clinical centers across Europe. The sequencing was performed at the Broad Institute and jointly analyzed with Newcastle University.

Dataset EGAD00001006158

Pharmacological and genomic profiling identifies NFκB-targeted treatment strategies for mantle cell lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by poor prognosis, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic strategies1. In this study, we employed large-scale pharmacological profiling of 16 pathway inhibitors across more than 100 hematological cell line models to identify novel therapeutic approaches. This screen identified a subset of MCL cell lines that were highly sensitive to the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling inhibitors ibrutinib and sotrastaurin (STN), which are currently in clinical trials2, 3. Sensitive MCL models exhibited chronic activation of the CARD11-BCL10-MALT1 (CBM) complex and dependency on downstream classical NFκB signaling. In contrast, insensitive cell lines displayed activation of the alternative NFκB pathway. Massively parallel transcriptome sequencing identified mutations in negative regulators of the alternative NFκB pathway in ibrutinib-insensitive cell lines. Notably, sequencing of 165 MCL patient samples revealed that components of the alternative NFκB pathway, particularly TRAF2 and BIRC3, are mutated in roughly 15% of MCL patients. Functional analyses of patient-derived BIRC3 mutant alleles indicated that these are loss-of-function mutants that constitutively activate alternative NFκB signaling. While being associated with insensitivity to ibrutinib, genetic lesions in the alternative pathway conferred dependence on NIK, a kinase that mediates signaling downstream of the TRAF2/3-BIRC2/3 complex. Thus, NIK represents a novel therapeutic target for MCL treatment, particularly for tumors refractory to BCR pathway inhibitors. Collectively, these findings reveal a pattern of mutually exclusive activation of the CBM-NFκB or alternative NIK-NFκB pathways in MCL and provide critical insights into patient stratification strategies for NFκB-pathway targeted agents.

Study EGAS00001000622

A Pilot Trial of Complement Inhibition Using Eculizumab to Overcome Platelet Transfusion Refractoriness in HLA Allo-Immunized Patients

Platelet transfusion can be a life-saving procedure in preventing or treating serious bleeding in patients who have low and/or dysfunctional platelets. Heavily transfused patients frequently develop human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allo-immunization resulting in platelet transfusion refractoriness and a high risk for life-threatening thrombocytopenia. Data suggest complement activation leading to the destruction of platelets bound by HLA allo-antibodies may play a pathophysiologic role in platelet refractoriness. We conducted a pilot trial to investigate the use of eculizumab to treat platelet transfusion refractoriness in allo-immunized patients with severe thrombocytopenia. We hypothesized that when we treated patients having platelet refractoriness with eculizumab, platelet counts would increase to higher numbers after platelet transfusions, decreasing the risk of bleeding complications associated with having a low platelet count. The response of the treatment was assessed by the corrected platelet count increment (CCI) 10 - 60 min and 18 - 24 h post transfusion, and any requirement for subsequent platelet transfusions following eculizumab. Reference 1 (PMID: 32086819) contains the main results for this trial.

Study phs003212

CD8+ T-cell exhaustion induced by leukemic cells drives progression in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

In order to shed light on mechanisms that lead to CLL progression, we investigated longitudinal changes in both the genetic and immunological landscapes. For that, we analyzed paired samples obtained from CLL patients at diagnosis and progression before front-line treatment or at diagnosis and long-term asymptomatic follow-up. By whole-exome sequencing (WES), we found that CLL cells displayed limited genetic evolution at progression. Conversely, T cells from progressing patients showed significant immunophenotypical and transcriptional changes over time not observed in patients that did not progress. Specifically, we found that CD8+ T cells at progression were characterized by an increasing terminally exhausted effector phenotype (T-betdim/- Eomeshi PD1hi) with high co-expression of inhibitory receptors (PD1, CD244 and CD160). This exhausted status in CD8+ T cells was induced by progressing leukemic cells mainly through a mechanism dependent on soluble factors, including IL-10. Thus, we demonstrate that immunological changes are of paramount importance for CLL clinical progression, thereby providing a rationale for the use of early immunotherapeutic intervention in this disease.

Study EGAS00001004116

Whole-genome sequencing of rare disease patients in a national healthcare system

Most patients with rare diseases do not receive a molecular diagnosis and the aetiologicalvariants and mediating genes for more than half such disorders remain to be discovered. Weimplemented whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in a national healthcare system to streamlinediagnosis and to discover unknown aetiological variants, in the coding and non-coding regionsof the genome. In a pilot study for the 100,000 Genomes Project, we generated WGS data for13,037 participants, of whom 9,802 had a rare disease, and provided a genetic diagnosis to1,138 of the 7,065 patients with detailed phenotypic data. We identified 95 Mendelianassociations between genes and rare diseases, of which 11 have been discovered since 2015and at least 79 are confirmed aetiological. Using WGS of UK Biobank1, we showed that rarealleles can explain the presence of some individuals in the tails of a quantitative red blood cell(RBC) trait. Finally, we reported 4 novel non-coding variants which cause disease through thedisruption of transcription of ARPC1B, GATA1, LRBA and MPL. Our study demonstrates asynergy by using WGS for diagnosis and aetiological discovery in routine healthcare.

Study EGAS00001004364

Genomics Analysis Reveals Molecular Patterns of Tumorigenesis in HPV-Associated and HPV-Independent Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The goal of this study was to identify molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis in HPV-associated and HPV-independent sinonasal carcinoma using high-throughput sequencing approaches. Whole genome sequencing was performed for HPV-associated samples and whole exome sequencing for HPV-independent samples. Ultimately, we identified distinct molecular patterns of tumorigenesis between HPV-associated and HPV-independent disease. Data from patients for which informed consent allowed public sharing are included here.

Study phs003591

Whole-Exome Sequencing analyses in tamoxifen-associated endometrial cancer

An increased incidence of endometrial cancer has been described for patients that have received tamoxifen to treat breast cancer. Using samples from endometrial tumors, isolated from surgivcal specimens of patients who previously received tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer, we aimed to identify whether there are specific somatic mutations enriched in this population, relative to endometrial tumors from the general population. For this, WES was performed on matched endometrial tumors and healthy tissue (n=21).

Study EGAS00001006453

Gene Expression and Regulatory Networks in Human Leukocytes - Immunological Variation Consortium

Profiling of gene expression with microarrays holds great potential for human health, for illuminating disease pathways or providing biomarkers to monitor disease or its resolution. Using high-throughput approaches for genotyping, immunophenotyping and gene expression analysis, the project will examine the basis for the control of gene expression in human immune cells, and how it is influenced by natural genetic variation or aging. In practice, the project will combine several cross-informative approaches: 1) Building on the established sample/data pipelines and robust protocols of the Immunological Genome (ImmGen) project, and on established cohorts of ethnically diverse healthy volunteers at hand, microarray techniques will be used to generate whole-genome expression profiles from purified naive CD4+ lymphocytes and monocytes from 600 healthy volunteers. A dense genetic map will be established for all donors. The results will elucidate how variation in the human genome affects the expression of immune genes, of key importance in understanding gene variants that bring susceptibility to immune or inflammatory disease. Computational analysis of these rich data will allow the reconstruction of regulatory connections between genes, helping to establish general modules and those specific of a given immune cell type. These data will be complemented by an orthogonal data group, generated from a restricted subset of 10 individuals, in which we will profile a larger set of 28 carefully delineated cell populations that exist in human blood. This work will also benefit from powerful interspecies comparison with similar experiments being performed in mice by ImmGen. 2) In addition, RNA from the same set of 28 defined cell populations will be probed with microarrays that explore other aspects of the transcriptome: i) microRNAs and other non-coding RNAs; ii) exon or splice junction arrays that will establish a map of differential splicing in human blood leukocyte. 3) The composition and reactivity of blood cells from the same donors will be established at the time of sample collection using high-throughput flow cytometry, correlating immune phenotypes with gene expression and genetic variation. 4) Genetic variability conditions the baseline levels of gene expression, but also the responsiveness to activating challenges. With samples from the same donors, NanoString technology for transcript counting will be used to analyze the transcriptional response of defined gene sets, representing response signatures of T or dendritic cells, for a fine-grained dissection of responses to different triggers (different bacterial ligands for dendritic cells, different cytokine environment for T cells). In keeping with the resource aspect of this project, all data and interpretations will be made publicly available rapidly upon curation, allowing public querying and browsing of the data, by using and evolving the existing web architectures of the ImmGen project, of the Broad Institute, and of international repositories. RELEVANCE: Exploration with DNA chips of the genome's expression microarrays holds great potential for human health, to better understand disease and to serve as diagnostic tools. Using a combination of high-throughput genomic techniques and computational biology, we will perform a broad exploration of gene expression in human blood cells across groups of African-American, Asian and European ancestry, asking how these profiles are affected by genetic variation or by age. These results will provide an invaluable reference benchmark for the interpretation of genetic and immunological studies. Additionally, over 90% of genetic variants associated with complex human traits map to non-coding regions, but little is understood about how they modulate gene regulation in health and disease. One possible mechanism is that genetic variants affect the activity of one or more cis-regulatory elements leading to gene expression variation in specific cell types. To identify such cases, in a second study we analyzed ATAC-seq and RNA-seq profiles from stimulated primary CD4+ T cells in up to 105 healthy donors. We found regions of accessible chromatin (ATAC-peaks) are co-accessible at kilobase and megabase resolution. 15% of genetic variants located within ATAC-peaks affected the accessibility of the corresponding peak (ATAC-QTLs). ATAC-QTLs have the largest effects on co-accessible peaks, are associated with gene expression, and are enriched for autoimmune disease variants. Our results provide insights into how natural genetic variants modulate cis-regulatory elements, in isolation or in concert, to influence gene expression. In another study we analyzed RNA-seq profiles from primary CD4+ T cells of two healthy donors at six time points from 0 to 72 hours after stimulation with bead-bound antibodies against CD3 and CD28.

Study phs000815

Whole-Exome Sequencing and Targeted DNA Sequencing of Matched Ocular Melanocytosis and Uveal Melanoma

Ocular melanocytosis is the most important predisposing condition for the eye cancer uveal melanoma (UM). Here we used whole-exome and deep targeted sequencing to identify for the first time a clonal Gq pathway mutation in ocular melanocytosis, which gave rise to UM. Additionally, we elucidated the order in which canonical genetic aberrations were acquired during tumor evolution. These findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the well-known clinical association of ocular melanocytosis with UM, and they provide new insights into UM tumor evolution. Reprinted from: Durante MA, Field MG, Sanchez MI, Covington KR, Decatur CL, Dubovy SR, Harbour JW. Genomic evolution of uveal melanoma arising in ocular melanocytosis, with permission from Cold Spring Harbor Molecular Case Studies.

Study phs001835

Investigation of a method for generating cells for regenerative medicine using comprehensive nucleic acid analysis of iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

Regenerative medicine for heart failure is expected to restore cardiac function by using human iPS cells (hiPSCs). In our laboratory, it was shown that transplantation of cardiomyocytes (CMs) derived from hiPSCs into a pig model of myocardial infarction improves the disease condition. However, the instability of differentiation efficiency and tumorigenicity after transplantation are still issues to be resolved. We attempt to identify and analyze the genes and DNA methylation associated with the induction of differentiation of hiPSCs into CMs with the aim of achieving stable induction of CMs differentiation. Furthermore, we aim to analyze genes involved in tumorigenesis in CMs, and to develop a predictive marker for tumorigenesis to ensure the safety of cells before transplantation.

Study JGAS000665

Cergentis FFPE-TLC

In this study, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded targeted locus capture (FFPE-TLC) sequencing is used as a novel technology for targeted detection of tumor-specific genomic structural variants (SVs) in the primary tumor of 29 colorectal cancer patients with metastatic disease. The tumor region was macrodissected and sequenced for 29 patients, and the "normal" region of the same slide was macrodissected and sequenced for 8 of these patients. SVs were found in the common fragile site (CFS)-associated genes MACROD2, PRKN, FHIT and WWOX as well as SVs caused by three LINE transposable elements. Tumor-specificity of selected SVs was independently verified by droplet digital PCR of tumor tissue DNA and their applicability as plasma circulating tumor DNA biomarkers was demonstrated.

Study EGAS50000000427

Bioinformatic Methods and Bridging of Assay Results for Reliable Tumor Mutational Burden Assessment in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Tumor mutational burden (TMB) has emerged as a predictive biomarker of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Standardization of TMB measurement is essential for implementing diagnostic tools to guide treatment. Here we evaluate bioinformatic TMB analysis by whole exome sequencing (WES) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples. In CheckMate 026, TMB was retrospectively assessed in 312 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (58% of the intent-to-treat population) who received first-line nivolumab treatment or chemotherapy. We examined the sensitivity of TMB assessment to bioinformatic filtering methods and assessed concordance between TMB data derived by WES and the FoundationOne CDx™ assay. TMB scores comprising synonymous, indel, frameshift, and nonsense mutations (all mutations) were 3.1-fold higher than data including missense mutations only, but values were highly correlated (Spearman’s r = 0.99). Scores from CheckMate 026 samples including missense mutations only were similar to those generated from data in The Cancer Genome Atlas, but those including all mutations were generally higher. Using databases for germline subtraction (instead of matched controls) showed a trend for race-dependent increases in TMB scores. Parameter variation can therefore impact TMB calculations, highlighting the need for standardization. Encouragingly, WES and FoundationOne CDx outputs were highly correlated (Spearman’s r = 0.90) and differences could be accounted for by empirical calibration, suggesting that reliable TMB assessment across assays, platforms and centers is achievable.

Dataset EGAD00001005035

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