16467 results for "sec+and+unspecified+malignant+neoplasm"

in 43.99 milliseconds.

• Stromal-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition induces drug resistance in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  Bone marrow (BM) microenvironment-induced drug resistance in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is thought to be mediated by intercellular interaction of leukemic cells with BM niches, but the mechanistic basis of resistance is poorly understood. Here, we genomic and functional analyses, we show that ALL-BM mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) interactions encompass direct cell-cell adhesion via integrin α4β1, uni-directional secretion of soluble factors from MSC to ALL, and bidirectional transfer of cellular vesicles through tunneling nanotubes. We show that this crosstalk drives an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like program in ALL cells adhering to MSC, thereby triggering stem cell-like features including drug resistance and survival advantage. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing of cell line and primary ALL samples identified a hybrid cell state derived from B-ALL adhered to MSC, that exhibits both B-ALL and MSC gene signatures that are orchestrated by an EMT-like program. Multiple EMT-activating pathways including WNT/β-catenin, cytokine/STAT3, TGFβ, NOTCH1, and NF-κB-dependent signaling pathways are activated in MSC-adherent ALL cells; however, only the inhibition of either WNT/β-catenin or cytokine/STAT3 pathway could attenuate the survival and drug resistance of ALL cells adherent to MSC. Notably, we identified that this hybrid cell state exhibited elevated WNT/β-catenin-mediated transcriptional activity. Finally, we show that blocking of the interaction of β-catenin and CBP interaction abrogates the survival and drug resistance of ALL cells adhered to MSC, indicating that targeting of an EMT-like program is potential therapeutic regimen in targeting cell extrinsically acquired drug resistance in ALL.

  Study EGAS00001006120

• Tracing the origin of disseminated tumor cells in breast cancer using single-cell sequencing

  Background Single-cell micro-metastases of solid tumors often occur in the bone marrow. These disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) may resist therapy and lay dormant or progress to cause overt bone and visceral metastases. The molecular nature of DTCs remains elusive, as well as when and from where in the tumor they originate. Here, we apply single-cell sequencing to identify and trace the origin of DTCs in breast cancer. Results We sequence the genomes of 63 single cells isolated from six non-metastatic breast cancer patients. By comparing the cells DNA copy number aberration (CNA) landscapes with those of the primary tumors and lymph node metastasis, we establish that 53% of the single cells morphologically classified as tumor cells are DTCs disseminating from the observed tumor. The remaining cells represent either non-aberrant ‘normal’ cells or aberrant cells of unknown origin that have CNA landscapes discordant from the tumor. Further analyses suggest that the prevalence of aberrant cells of unknown origin is age-dependent, and that at least a subset is hematopoietic in origin. Evolutionary reconstruction analysis of bulk tumor and DTC genomes enables ordering of CNA events in molecular pseudo-time and traced the origin of the DTCs to either the main tumor clone, primary tumor subclones, or subclones in an axillary lymph node metastasis. Conclusions Single-cell sequencing of bone marrow epithelial-like cells, in parallel with intra-tumor genetic heterogeneity profiling from bulk DNA, is a powerful approach to identify and study DTCs, yielding insight into metastatic processes. A heterogeneous population of CNA-positive cells is present in the bone marrow of non-metastatic breast cancer patients, only part of which are derived from the observed tumor lineages.

  Study EGAS00001002102

• The Genomic Landscape of Response to EGFR Blockade in Colorectal Cancer

  Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer world-wide with 1.2 million patients diagnosed yearly. In late stage CRC, the most commonly used targeted therapies are monoclonal antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab, which inactivate EGFR. Recent studies have identified alterations in KRAS and other genes as likely mechanisms of primary and secondary resistance to anti-EGFR antibody therapy. Despite these efforts, additional mechanisms of resistance to EGFR blockade are thought to be present in CRC and little is known about determinants of sensitivity to this therapy. To examine the effect of somatic genetic changes in CRC on response to anti-EGFR antibody therapy, we performed complete exome sequence and copy number analyses of 129 patient-derived tumorgrafts and targeted genomic analyses of 55 patient tumors, all of which were KRAS wild-type. We analyzed the response of tumors to anti-EGFR antibody blockade in tumorgraft models or in clinical settings. In addition to previously identified genes, we detected mutations in ERBB2, EGFR, FGFR1, PDGFRA, and MAP2K1 as potential mechanisms of primary resistance to this therapy. Novel alterations in the ectodomain of EGFR were identified in patients with acquired resistance to EGFR blockade. Amplifications and sequence changes in the tyrosine kinase receptor adaptor gene IRS2 were identified in tumors with increased sensitivity to anti-EGFR therapy. Therapeutic resistance to EGFR blockade could be overcome in tumorgraft models through combinatorial therapies targeting actionable genes. These analyses provide a systematic approach to evaluate response to targeted therapies in human cancer, highlight new mechanisms of responsiveness to anti-EGFR therapies, and provide new avenues for intervention in the management of CRC.

  Study EGAS00001001305

• Enhanced detection of circulating tumor DNA by fragment size analysis

  Existing methods to improve detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) have focused on sensitivity for detecting genomic alterations but have rarely considered the biological properties of plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA). We hypothesized that differences in fragment lengths of circulating DNA could be exploited to enhance sensitivity for detecting the presence of ctDNA and for non-invasive genomic analysis of cancer. We surveyed ctDNA fragment sizes in 344 plasma samples from 200 cancer patients using low-pass whole-genome sequencing (0.4×). To establish the size distribution of mutant ctDNA, tumor-guided personalized deep sequencing was performed in 19 patients. We detected enrichment of ctDNA in fragment sizes between 90–150 bp, and developed methods for in vitro and in silico size selection of these fragments. Selecting fragments between 90–150 bp improved detection of tumor DNA, with more than 2-fold median enrichment in >95% of cases, and more than 4-fold enrichment in > 10% of cases. Analysis of size-selected cfDNA identified clinically actionable mutations and copy number alterations that were otherwise not detected. Identification of plasma samples from patients with advanced cancer was improved by predictive models integrating fragment length and copy number analysis of cfDNA, with AUC> 0.99 compared to AUC < 0.80 without fragmentation features. Increased identification of cfDNA from patients with glioma, renal, and pancreatic cancer was achieved with AUC > 0.91, compared to AUC < 0.5 without fragmentation features. Fragment size analysis and selective sequencing of specific fragment sizes can boost ctDNA detection. This could reduce the required depth of cfDNA sequencing for clinical applications, earlier diagnosis and study of tumor biology.

  Study EGAS00001003258

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

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

  Study EGAS00001000734

• Transcriptional_profiling_of_tauopathies_in_human_IPS_derived_neurons

  This project is a pilot study, in collaboration with Maria Grazia Spillantini and Mariangela Iovino (Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair), to investigate the utility of IPS-derived neurons for the study of neurodegenerative disorders. Our aim is to characterise the transcriptional consequences of tauopathies using neurons derived from differentiated IPSCs as a model system. We will use IPS cells derived from six individuals, four with known mutations in the tau protein, 2 without. RNA will be extracted at Day 0 and Day 65 of differentiation by which time the neuronal tauopathy is apparent. RNA will be extracted and the transcriptome of each line characterised using RNAseq. We will then search for genes that are differentially expressed between the transcriptomes of individuals with tau mutations versus those in controls. My lab will analyse the RNAseq data, comparing both affected and controls and both time-points, to establish candidate genes. Darren Logan’s lab, along with our collaborators, will experimentally verify and further investigate these genes in additional lines and animal models. From this analysis we will generate a list of candidate genes that are differentially expressed between cases and controls. This study will not only help us understand the molecular basis of tauopathies, but also identify gene candidates for biomarkers of neurodegenerative disease. It will serve as a proof of principle for future planned studies into generating and transcriptomically analysing an allelic series of Tau mutations in IPSCs with a controlled genetic background.This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/

  Study EGAS00001000382

• Altered oligodendrocyte heterogeneity in Multiple sclerosis revealed by single nuclei RNA sequencing

  This study is currently hosted by the European Nucleotide Archive. To access the data contained within the Study please follow the link below: https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/browser/view/PRJEB39323 Oligodendrocyte (OL) pathology is increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, as they are involved in metabolic support of axons and functional cross-talk with other brain cells. Rodent OLs are heterogeneous, with developmental and biological differences, but the extent of heterogeneity in the normal human brain and its contribution to any changes to disease remains unknown. Here we performed single nuclei RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) from white matter (WM) areas of post mortem human brain both in control (Ctr) and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. We identified several sub-clusters of oligodendroglia in the Ctr human WM, some similar to those in mouse, and defined new markers for these cell states. Strikingly, some of these sub-clusters were under-represented in MS tissue, while others were more prevalent than in controls. We found a lack of OL precursor cells (OPCs) and an OL subcluster in an intermediate stage of differentiation in MS lesions and in normal appearing white matter (NAWM), suggesting either depletion by the disease or by a regenerative response. The differences in mature OL sub-clusters indicate different functional states of OLs in MS tissue and, as this is similar in NAWM to lesions, that MS is a more diffuse brain disease than the focal demyelinating lesions suggest. We were also able to identify new putative markers of different MS lesion subtypes. Our findings of an altered heterogeneity of oligodendroglia in MS may have an important contribution to our understanding of disease progression and may alter therapeutic approaches to MS.

  Study EGAS00001003412

• Persistence of circulating tumor DNA in breast cancer patients during neoadjuvant treatment is a significant predictor of poor tumor response

  Purpose:Accurate assessment of response during neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) poses a major clinical challenge. Therefore, a minimally-invasive assessment of tumor response based on cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) may be beneficial to guide treatment decisions.Experimental Design: We profiled 93 genes in tissue from 193 early breast cancer patients. Patient-specific assays were designed to track ctDNA during NST from 145 patients with available plasma. ctDNA presence and levels were correlated with complete pathological response (pCR) and residual cancer burden (RCB) as well as with clinicopathologic characteristics of the tumor to identify potential proxies for ctDNA release. Moreover, we tested the predictive value of driver events identified in the tumor.Results:At baseline, ctDNA could be detected in 63/145 (43.4%) patients and persisted in 25/63 (39.7%) patients at mid-therapy (MT) and 15/63 (23.8%) patients at the end of treatment. ctDNA detection at MT was significantly associated with higher RCB (OR 0.062, 95% CI 0.01-0.48, P=0.0077). Out of 31 patients with detectable ctDNA at MT, 30 patients (96.8%) were non-responders (RCB II, n=8; RCB III, n=22) and only one patient responded to the treatment (RCB I). Considering all 145 patients with baseline (BL) plasma, none of the patients with RCB 0 and only 6.7% of patients with RCB I had ctDNA detectable at MT, while 30.6% and 29.6% of patients with RCB II/III, respectively, had a positive ctDNA result. Conclusion:Overall, our results demonstrate that the detection and persistence of ctDNA at mid-therapy may have the potential to negatively predict response to neoadjuvant treatment and identify patients who will not achieve pCR or be classified with RCB II/III.

  Study EGAS00001005798

• Profiling the unique protective properties of intracranial arterial endothelial cells

  Cardiovascular disorders, like atherosclerosis and hypertension, are increasingly known to be associated with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). In particular, intracranial atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of VCI, although plaque development occurs later in time and is structurally different compared to atherosclerosis in extracranial arteries. Recent data suggest that endothelial cells (ECs) that line the intracranial arteries may exert anti-atherosclerotic effects due to yet unidentified pathways. To gain insights into underlying mechanisms, we isolated post-mortem endothelial cells from both the intracranial basilar artery (BA) and the extracranial common carotid artery (CCA) from the same individual (total of 15 individuals) with laser capture microdissection. RNA sequencing revealed a distinct molecular signature of the two endothelial cell populations of which the most prominent ones were validated by means of qPCR. Our data reveal for the first time that intracranial artery ECs exert an immune quiescent phenotype. Secondly, genes known to be involved in the response of ECs to damage (inflammation, differentiation, adhesion, proliferation, permeability and oxidative stress) are differentially expressed in intracranial ECs compared to extracranial ECs. Finally, Desmoplakin (DSP) and Hop Homeobox (HOPX), two genes expressed at a higher level in intracranial ECs, and Sodium Voltage-Gated Channel Beta Subunit 3 (SCN3B), a gene expressed at a lower level in intracranial ECs compared to extracranial ECs, were shown to be responsive to shear stress and/or hypoxia. With our data we present a set of intracranial-specific endothelial genes that may contribute to its protective phenotype, thereby supporting proper perfusion and consequently may preserve cognitive function. Deciphering the molecular regulation of the vascular bed in the brain may lead to the identification of novel potential intervention strategies to halt vascular associated disorders, such as atherosclerosis and vascular cognitive dysfunction.

  Study EGAS00001004479

• BCR Signaling in human BM PC

  The functions of bone marrow plasma cells (BMPC) beyond antibody production are not fully elucidated and distinct subsets of BMPC suggest potential different functions. Phenotypic differences were identified for human BMPC depending on CD19 expression. Since CD19 is a co-stimulatory molecule of the B-cell-receptor (BCR), and IgA+ and IgM+ BMPC express the BCR on their surface, we here studied whether CD19 expression affects cellular responses, such as BCR signaling and the expression of checkpoint molecules. We analyzed 132 BM samples from individuals undergoing routine total hip arthroplasty. We found that both CD19+ and CD19- BMPC expressed BCR signaling molecules. Notably, the BCR-associated kinase spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) including pSYK was higher expressed in CD19+BMPC compared to CD19- BMPC. BCR stimulation also resulted in increased kinase phosphorylation downstream of the BCR while expression of CD19 remained stable afterwards. Interestingly, the BCR response was restricted to IgA+ BMPC independently of CD19 expression. With regard to the expression of checkpoint molecules, CD19- BMPC expressed higher levels of co-inhibitory molecule programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) than CD19+ BMPC. IgA+ BMPC characteristically upregulated PD-1 upon BCR stimulation in contrast to other PC subsets and inhibition of the kinase SYK abrogated PD-1 upregulation. In contrast, expression of PD-1 ligand, B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) and CD28 did not change upon BCR activation of IgA+ BMPC. Here, we identify a distinct functiotype of IgA+ BMPC that is independent of the phenotypic heterogeneity of the subsets according to their CD19 expression. The data suggest that IgA+ BMPC underlie different regulatory principles and/or exert distinct regulatory functions.

  Study EGAS00001004948

• Whole genome sequencing of tumor samples from advanced pre-treated NSCLC patients recruited in a phase I/II single-arm trial utilising CVA21, an oncolytic coxsackie virus, in combination with pembrolizumab.

  Acquired or de novo resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors occurs in the majority of advanced non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). There is an unmet need to improve outcomes for patients with this condition. Oncolytic viruses represent an attractive treatment approach due to their dual activity in inducing tumor cell lysis directly and potentially augmenting anti-tumor immunity. Here, we present the safety, efficacy and translational findings from a phase I/II single-arm trial utilising CVA21, an oncolytic coxsackie virus, in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced pre-treated NSCLC. We performed paired biopsies pre- and post-treatment in 10 patients who received intravenous CVA21 and pembrolizumab, 8 of whom had prior treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Whole genome sequencing and spatial proteomics were performed to comprehensively characterise the response to CVA21. Combination CVA21/pembrolizumab (anti PD-1) therapy was well tolerated with no serious treatment-related adverse events. Partial responses were seen in two patients with prior acquired anti-PD-1 resistance and disease stabilisation in 6 patients, giving a clinical benefit rate of 80%. High baseline tumor mutational burden and PD-L1 expression were observed in patients with better response to treatment. Interestingly, an increase in antigen presentation and CD8+ T cell infiltration was observed on treatment compared with baseline in patients with better progression-free survival. This study demonstrates the potential of CVA21 to modulate the immunogenicity of tumor cells and remodelling the tumor microenvironment, providing novel insights for patient selection for trials involving novel immunotherapeutic approaches.

  Study EGAS00001008258

• Single-cell decoding of drug induced transcriptomic reprogramming in triple negative breast cancers

  Background The encoding of cell intrinsic drug resistance states in breast cancer reflects the contributions of genomic and non-genomic variations and requires accurate estimation of clonal fitness from co-measurement of transcriptomic and genomic data. Somatic copy number (CN) variation is the dominant mutational mechanism leading to transcriptional variation and notably contributes to platinum chemotherapy resistance cell states. Here, we deploy time series measurements of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) single-cell transcriptomes, along with co-measured single-cell CN fitness, identifying genomic and transcriptomic mechanisms in drug associated transcriptional cell states. Results We present scRNA-seq data (53,641 filtered cells) from serial passaging TNBC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) experiments spanning 2.5 years, matched with genomic single-cell CN data from the same samples. Our findings reveal distinct clonal responses within TNBC tumors exposed to platinum. Clones with high drug fitness undergo clonal sweeps and show subtle transcriptional reversion, while those with weak fitness exhibit dynamic transcription upon drug withdrawal. Pathway analysis highlights convergence on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cytokine signaling, associated with resistance. Furthermore, pseudotime analysis demonstrates hysteresis in transcriptional reversion, indicating generation of new intermediate transcriptional states upon platinum exposure. Conclusions Within a polyclonal tumor, clones with strong genotype-associated fitness under platinum remained fixed, minimizing transcriptional reversion upon drug withdrawal. Conversely, clones with weaker fitness display non-genomic transcriptional plasticity. This suggests CN-associated and CN-independent transcriptional states could both contribute to platinum resistance. The dominance of genomic or non-genomic mechanisms within polyclonal tumors has implications for drug sensitivity, restoration and re-treatment strategies.

  Study EGAS00001007242

• SLCO1B1 Variants and Methotrexate Clearance

  Methotrexate plasma concentration is related to its clinical effects. To identify the genetic basis of interindividual variability in methotrexate pharmacokinetics in children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we performed a genome-wide analysis (GWAS) of 500,568 germline single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 434 children with ALL who received 3,014 courses of methotrexate at 2 to 5 g/m2. SNPs were validated in an independent cohort of 206 patients. Adjusting for age, race, sex, and methotrexate regimen, the most significant associations were with SNPs in the organic anion transporter polypeptide, SLCO1B1 (rs11045879 (P = 1.7 x 10-10) and rs4149081 (P = 1.7 x 10-9) (Trevino et al, PMID: 19901119). To test whether rare variants in SLCO1B1 could alter its function, we genotyped SLCO1B1 exons in a slightly larger group of 699 children with ALL who received methotrexate and identified 93 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We found several common and rare non-synonymous (NS) SNPs associated with methotrexate clearance. NS SNPs predicted to be functionally damaging (common or rare) were more likely to be found among patients with the lowest adjusted methotrexate clearance (lowest 10%) than patients with high clearance (highest 10%). Four SLCO1B1 haplotypes were associated with reduced methotrexate clearance and we verified that these haplotypes have lower function with in vitro transport assays. We were able to quantitatively account for a third of the population variability in clearance of methotrexate with clinical and genetic covariates. This data set includes the dependent variable of methotrexate clearance and all of the SNP data available from arrays, sequencing, and genotyping.

  Study phs000426

• Center for Common Disease Genomics [CCDG] - Neuropsychiatric: Victorian Collaborative AuTism Study (CATS): Family and Community Study of the Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorder

  In this study, we address the enormous challenges common complex diseases pose for genomic analysis and the enormous opportunities surmounting them offers for advancing healthcare. The common genetic disorders proposed for study here are believed to have extreme locus heterogeneity, requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples to comprehensively identify the genomic variants underlying them. We propose that a combination of deep population studies and joint analysis of SNPs, indels, and structural variants both in coding and noncoding regions will provide the next level of understanding of common genetic disorders. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be critical to this next-generation approach to the genomics of complex disease. WGS will need to be accompanied by the technical ability to generate and handle very large data sets, a particular focus and strength of NYGC. WGS will also need to be accompanied by new statistical tools and algorithms, which will be developed by the strong core group committed to this proposal. An overarching goal of this proposal, one that capitalizes on the power of WGS, is to identify disease-associated variants at the individual nucleotide level. In many cases pathogenic mutations fall in noncoding regions of the genome, which can only be fruitfully explored with WGS. A major effort was put into building new computational strategies to functionally annotate noncoding transcribed sequences, and to build new datasets to enable such strategies, opening new frontiers of understanding of disease-related regulatory variants.

  Study phs002044

• ILyAD (Indolent Lymphoma And vitamin D)

  Indolent non-Hodgkin lymphomas are incurable diseases, and require intermittent and often morbid and expensive therapy during their prolonged natural history. Lower intensity and better-tolerated, cost-effective treatment strategies are needed for these patients. Low vitamin D levels at diagnosis of indolent lymphomas are strongly associated with inferior outcomes to treatment. Standard therapy for low tumor burden, indolent lymphoma includes a single agent monoclonal antibody (rituximab). In our double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial we evaluated if vitamin D supplementation with 2000IU oral cholecalciferol daily for three years improved the progression-free survival of patients with indolent lymphoma treated with single agent rituximab. Stratification factors for randomization included histology and Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FL-IPI) prognostic score. The primary endpoint of the trial was progression-free survival over three years; secondary endpoints included response at 13 weeks, and overall survival. Eligible participants were adults with biopsy proven follicular lymphoma (grades 1-3a), small lymphocytic lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma and mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue with no prior anti-lymphoma systemic therapy. Participants had Ann Arbor stage II or greater, measurable disease defined by Lugano criteria. Participants with osteoporosis requiring prescription treatment, symptomatic primary hyperthyroidism, hypercalcemia, creatinine greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal or a history of calcium-related kidney stones were excluded. Germline DNA was isolated from saliva samples obtained from participants at baseline. Whole exome sequencing was performed and SNPs were analyzed using the Agilent SureSelectXT Human All Exon V6 +UTR array. SNP data from 185 participants are available through dbGaP.

  Study phs003503

• Single Cell and Spatial Transcriptomic Profiling of Haemophilus ducreyi Infection

  We investigated the immune response in end-point pustules formed by Haemophilus ducreyi in volunteers using an experimental infection model. Six volunteers were infected in the skin of the upper arm at three sites with 41-85 CFU of H. ducreyi loaded on an allergy testing device; a sham-inoculated (e.g., wound) site was also performed. Five volunteers (4 men and 1 woman; 2 Asians and 3 Whites; aged 27-46 years) formed pustules 6-8 days post infection; 1 volunteer spontaneously resolved all sites. If a volunteer formed pustules, biopsies were performed to collect their pustule and wound sites. Biopsy pairs for all 5 pustule formers were subjected to single cell (sc) RNA-seq. Sequencing libraries were prepared using the 10X Genomics Single-cell 3' RNA-seq kit. Spatial transcriptomics was performed on biopsy pairs from 4 of the 5 pustule formers. Ten micron sections were placed on 10X Genomics Visium slides for fresh-frozen tissue, and libraries were prepared with the 10X Genomics Visium spatial 3' gene expression kit. All samples were sequenced on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000. Count tables were produced with CellRanger and SpaceRanger, respectively, and Seurat was used to analyze the data. We identified 13 major cell types by scRNA-seq; the proportion of some immune cell subsets was increased in pustules compared to wound sites. We also localized the major cell types within the tissue by using the scRNA-seq data to deconvolve the spatial transcriptomic data. The FASTQ files and count tables from CellRanger and SpaceRanger are provided.

  Study phs003754

• Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA): Smoke Screen and Exome Sequencing

  This is a family study of alcoholism, in which the subjects have been drawn from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA), a large, ongoing family-based study that includes subjects from seven sites around the US. COGA has gathered detailed, standardized data on study participants, including diagnostic and neurophysiological assessments. This project has already proved successful in identifying several genes that influence the risk for alcoholism and neurophysiological endophenotypes, which have been independently replicated. COGA data were included as part of two Genetic Analysis Workshops, and the phenotypes are familiar to the genetics community. Alcoholic probands were recruited from treatment facilities, assessed by personal interview, and after securing permission, other family members were also assessed. A set of comparison families was drawn from the same communities as the families recruited through an alcoholic proband. Assessment involved a detailed personal interview developed for this project, the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA), which gathers detailed information on alcoholism related symptoms along with other drugs and psychiatric symptoms. Many participants also came to the laboratories for electroencephalographic studies. Neurophysiological features that have been shown to be useful endophenotypes for which we have linkage and in some cases association results are included on a subset of the case-control sample: the beta power of the resting electroencephalogram (EEG), the P3(00) amplitude of the visual event-related potential (ERP), and the theta and delta event-related oscillations (EROs) underlying the P3.

  Study phs001208

• Whole-genome and transcriptome versus panel sequencing in precision oncology: A translational-clinical comparison

  Precision oncology offers new cancer treatment options. While the use of whole-genome (WGS) and transcriptome (TS) sequencing remains often confined to specific clinical programs, molecular analysis with gene panels is more common clinical practice. Methods: Twenty patients with rare or advanced tumors sequenced by WGS/TS within the DKFZ/NCT/DKTK-MASTER program from 2015 to 2020 (MASTER 1) were additionally sequenced with the TSO500 DNA and TST170 RNA Assay by Illumina. Original Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) therapy recommendations (TR) were juxtaposed with TR from NGS panel data analysis (comparison 1). To mitigate temporal differences between the two sequencings, WGS/TS was bioinformatically reanalyzed (MASTER 2), and new TR were again compared (comparison 2). Results: In comparison 1, 47.1% of the MASTER 1’s TR and 62.8% of the panel’s TR were identical, as were 45.9% of the TR of MASTER 2 and 54.9% of the panel in comparison 2. In both MASTER 1 and MASTER 2, 26.5% and 36.1% of TR, respectively, relied on Biomarkers (BM) which were not covered by the panel. Eight of the ten MTB-derived therapy implementations were also supported in the panel, the two remaining ones being based on BM absent from the panel. Conclusions: About half of the TR in WGS/TS and panel sequencing were identical. Around a third of TR issued by WGS/TS were based on BM which are not covered by the panel, leading to therapy implementations. The presented data underscores the clinical value of comprehensive molecular analyses in individuals with advanced cancers.

  Study EGAS50000000431

• Singel-cell RNA sequencing and CUT&RUN sequencing of human RUNX2-deficient osteoblasts

  Runx2 is a master regulator of bone formation, and its dysfunction causes cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) in humans. When iPS cells were generated from patients with CCD and Runx2-deficient iPS cells were generated using gene-editing techniques, abnormal laminopathy-like nuclei were observed. Runx2-deficient cells showed reduced Lamin A/C expression, but not protein levels. However, in Runx2-deficient cells, both the gene expression and protein levels of Nesprin-1 were reduced, perinuclear actin fibers were sparser, and nuclear stiffness was reduced. Forced expression of Lamin A/C increased nuclear stiffness but did not improve nuclear morphology. In contrast, the induction of Nesprin-1 expression alone normalized nuclear stiffness and restored nuclear morphology and perinuclear actin distribution. In Runx2-null cells, mechanical stress-induced phosphorylation of emerin was not observed. In contrast, forced expression of nesprin-1 in Runx2-null cells resulted in phosphorylation of emerin, indicating the restoration of intracellular tension. These observations were confirmed by atomic force microscopy. Therefore, the intracellular tension was inferred to pull the nuclear membrane into its normal shape. CUT&RUN assay and single RNA-seq analysis showed that an aberrant nuclear membrane caused loss of nuclear lamina gene regulation machinery, making the progression of normal osteogenic differentiation impossible; however, supplementation with Nesprin-1 restored gene regulation mechanisms and promoted pre-osteoblast formation with normal nuclear morphology. Nesprin-1 expression induced by Runx2 is essential for epigenetic regulation of the nuclear lamina. We propose CCD as a new type of laminopathy involving defective expression of Nesprin-1 regulated by Runx2.

  Study JGAS000663

• Biallelic tumor suppressor loss and DNA repair defects in de novo small cell prostate cancer

  Small cell prostatic carcinoma (SCPC) is an aggressive pathology that is managed similar to small cell lung cancer. SCPC can evolve from prostatic adenocarcinoma in response to androgen deprivation therapy but in rare cases is present at initial cancer diagnosis. The molecular etiology of de novo SCPC is incompletely understood due to the scarcity of tumor tissue and the brief life expectancy of patients. Through a retrospective search of our regional oncology pharmacy database, we identified 18 patients diagnosed with de novo SCPC between 2004 and 2017. Ten patients had pure SCPC pathology and the remainder had some admixed adenocarcinoma foci, but all were treated with first line platinum-based chemotherapy. Median overall survival was 28 months. We performed targeted DNA sequencing, whole exome sequencing and mRNA profiling on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded archival tumor tissue. We observed frequent biallelic deletion and/or mutation of tumor suppressors TP53, RB1 and PTEN, similar to treatment related SCPC. Indeed, at the RNA level pure de novo SCPC closely resembled treatment-related SCPC. However, five patients had biallelic loss of DNA repair genes including BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM and MSH2/6: potentially underlying the high genomic instability of this rare disease variant. Two patients with pure de novo SCPC harbored ETS gene rearrangements to androgen-driven promoters, consistent with evolution of de novo SCPC from an androgen-driven ancestor. Overall, our results reveal a highly aggressive molecular landscape underlies this unusual pathologic variant, and propose opportunities for targeted therapy strategies in a disease with few treatment options.

  Study EGAS00001003007

• Single-cell DNA amplicon sequencing reveals clonal heterogeneity and evolution in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive leukemia that is most frequent in children and is characterized by the presence of few chromosomal rearrangements and 10 to 20 somatic mutations in protein-coding regions at diagnosis. The majority of T-ALL cases harbor activating mutations in NOTCH1 together with mutations in genes implicated in kinase signaling, transcriptional regulation or protein translation. To obtain more insight in the level of clonal heterogeneity at diagnosis and during treatment, we used single-cell targeted DNA sequencing with the Tapestri platform. We designed a custom ALL panel and obtained accurate single-nucleotide variant and small insertion-deletion mutation calling for 305 amplicons covering 110 genes in about 4400 cells per sample and time point. A total of 108,188 cells were analyzed for 25 samples of 8 T-ALL patients. We typically observed a major clone at diagnosis (>35% of the cells) accompanied by several minor clones of which some were less than 1% of the total number of cells. Four patients had >2 NOTCH1 mutations some of which present in minor clones, indicating a strong pressure to acquire NOTCH1 mutations in developing T-ALL cells. By analyzing longitudinal samples, we detected the presence and clonal nature of residual leukemic cells as well as clones with a minor presence at diagnosis that evolved to clinically relevant major clones at later disease stages. Single-cell DNA amplicon sequencing is a sensitive assay to detect clonal architecture and evolution in T-ALL.

  Study EGAS00001004440

• Transcriptional profiling of ovarian tumours and cell lines

  Purpose: Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) play a role in a variety of biological processes, including embryogenesis and cancer. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi)-induced ERV expression triggers interferon responses in ovarian cancer cells via the viral sensing machinery. Baseline expression of ERVs also occurs in cancer cells, though this process is poorly understood and previously unexplored in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Here, the prognostic and immunomodulatory consequences of baseline ERV expression was assessed in EOC. Experimental Design: ERV expression was assessed using EOC transcriptional data from TCGA and from an independent cohort (HH), as well as from untreated or DNMTi-treated EOC cell lines. LASSO logistic regression defined an ERV expression score to predict patient prognosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was conducted on the HH cohort. Combination of DNMTi treatment with γδ T cells was tested in vitro, using EOC cell lines and patient-derived tumor cells. Results: ERV expression was found to define clinically relevant subsets of EOC patients. An ERV prognostic score was successfully generated in TCGA and validated in the independent cohort. In EOC patients from this cohort, a high ERV score was associated with better survival (log-rank p=0.0009) and correlated with infiltration of CD8+PD1+ T cells (r=0.46, p=0.0001). In vitro, baseline ERV expression dictates the level of ERV induction in response to DNMTi. Manipulation of ERV expression by DNMTi resulted in improved EOC cell killing by cytotoxic immune cells. Conclusions: These findings uncover the potential for baseline ERV expression to robustly inform EOC patient prognosis, influence tumor immune infiltration and affect anti-tumor immunity.

  Study EGAS00001004814

• Novel optineurin frameshift insertion causing familial frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism without amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

  Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is a common cause of Young Onset Dementia and has diverse clinical manifestations involving behaviour, executive function, language and motor function, including parkinsonism. Up to 50% of FTD patients report a positive family history, supporting a strong genetic basis, particularly in cases with both FTD and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD-ALS). Mutations in three genes are associated with the majority of familial FTD (fFTD) cases - microtubule associated protein tau gene (MAPT), progranulin gene (PGRN), and hexanucleotide repeat expansions in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72), whilst mutations in other genes such as optineurin (OPTN) have rarely been reported. Mutations in OPTN have been reported mostly in familial and sporadic cases of ALS, or in rare cases of FTD-ALS, but not in association with pure or predominant FTD and/or parkinsonian phenotype. Here, we report for the first time, a family from the Philippines with 4 affected members harbouring the same OPTN frameshift insertion, presenting with FTD-related phenotypes, including one sibling with predominant parkinsonism resembling corticobasal syndrome. Notably, none of the affected members showed any evidence of motor neuron disease or ALS at the time of writing, both clinically and on electrophysiological testing, expanding the phenotypic spectrum of OPTN mutations. Close follow-up of mutation carriers for the development of new clinical features and wider investigation of additional family members with further genetic analyses will be conducted to investigate the possibility of other genetic modifiers in this family which could explain phenotypic heterogeneity.

  Study EGAS00001005220

• Center for Common Disease Genomics (CCDG) Neuropsychiatric: Multimodal Developmental Neurogenetics of Females

  In this study, we address the enormous challenges common complex diseases pose for genomic analysis and the enormous opportunities surmounting them offers for advancing healthcare. The common genetic disorders proposed for study here are believed to have extreme locus heterogeneity, requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples to comprehensively identify the genomic variants underlying them. We propose that a combination of deep population studies and joint analysis of SNPs, indels, and structural variants, both in coding and noncoding regions, will provide the next level of understanding of common genetic disorders. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be critical to this next-generation approach to the genomics of complex disease. WGS will need to be accompanied by the technical ability to generate and handle very large data sets, a particular focus and strength of NYGC. WGS will also need to be accompanied by new statistical tools and algorithms, which will be developed by the strong core group committed to this proposal. An overarching goal of this proposal, one that capitalizes on the power of WGS, is to identify disease-associated variants at the individual nucleotide level. In many cases, pathogenic mutations fall in noncoding regions of the genome, which can only be fruitfully explored with WGS. A major effort was put into building new computational strategies to functionally annotate noncoding transcribed sequences, and to build new datasets to enable such strategies, opening new frontiers of understanding of disease-related regulatory variants.

  Study phs002043

• Male Infertility: Genetics of Spermatogenic Failure

  Spermatogenesis is a complex biological process that requires the coordination of thousands of genes. Perhaps because of the large number of genes involved, spermatogenic failure occurs frequently and affects approximately 1% of men. While environmental and genetic factors likely contribute to this disorder, it is thought that the majority of cases have an underlying genetic basis. The two most common genetic causes are deletions on the Y chromosome and cytogenetic abnormalities (/e.g./ Klinefelter syndrome, XXY), which each account for roughly 10-15% of cases of complete spermatogenic failure. Point mutations in several other genes have also been linked to spermatogenic failure, but their collective prevalence is very low. Thus, for approximately 70% of men with spermatogenic failure, the genetic cause remains unknown. We hypothesize that a disproportionate number of these remaining genetic variants reside on the sex chromosomes because they are hemizygous in males and contain a disproportionate number of genes expressed in the testis. To identify genes that are required for spermatogenesis, we have performed capture-based targeted sequencing in 301 men with azoospermia (complete absence of sperm) and 300 fertile controls. Our sequencing is focused on coding genes and conserved, non-coding sequences of the X and Y chromosomes. In addition, we have targeted ~497 autosomal genes that display exclusive or predominant expression in the testis. The total sequence space targeted is 21.3 Mb, and we require >70% of targets reach an average coverage of 20X.

  Study phs001023

• Center for Common Disease Genomics [CCDG] - Neuropsychiatric: Genomics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (GASD)

  In this study, we address the enormous challenges common complex diseases pose for genomic analysis and the enormous opportunities surmounting them offers for advancing healthcare. The common genetic disorders proposed for study here are believed to have extreme locus heterogeneity, requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples to comprehensively identify the genomic variants underlying them. We propose that a combination of deep population studies and joint analysis of SNPs, indels, and structural variants, both in coding and noncoding regions, will provide the next level of understanding of common genetic disorders. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be critical to this next-generation approach to the genomics of complex disease. WGS will need to be accompanied by the technical ability to generate and handle very large data sets, a particular focus and strength of New York Genome Center (NYGC). WGS will also need to be accompanied by new statistical tools and algorithms, which will be developed by the strong core group committed to this proposal.An overarching goal of this proposal, one that capitalizes on the power of WGS, is to identify disease-associated variants at the individual nucleotide level. In many cases, pathogenic mutations fall in noncoding regions of the genome, which can only be fruitfully explored with WGS. A major effort was put into building new computational strategies to functionally annotate noncoding transcribed sequences, and to build new datasets to enable such strategies, opening new frontiers of understanding of disease-related regulatory variants.

  Study phs002509

• Center for Common Disease Genomics (CCDG) Neuropsychiatric: Homozygosity Mapping Consortium for Autism (HMCA)

  In this study, we address the enormous challenges common complex diseases pose for genomic analysis and the enormous opportunities surmounting them offers for advancing healthcare. The common genetic disorders proposed for study are believed to have extreme locus heterogeneity, requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples to comprehensively identify the genomic variants underlying them. We propose that a combination of deep population studies and joint analysis of SNPs, indels, and structural variants, both in coding and noncoding regions, will provide the next level of understanding of common genetic disorders. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be critical to this next-generation approach to the genomics of complex disease. WGS will need to be accompanied by the technical ability to generate and handle very large data sets, a particular focus and strength of NYGC. WGS will also need to be accompanied by new statistical tools and algorithms, which will be developed by the strong core group committed to this proposal. An overarching goal of this proposal, one that capitalizes on the power of WGS, is to identify disease-associated variants at the individual nucleotide level. In many cases, pathogenic mutations fall in noncoding regions of the genome, which can only be fruitfully explored with WGS. A major effort was put into building new computational strategies to functionally annotate noncoding transcribed sequences, and to build new datasets to enable such strategies, opening new frontiers of understanding of disease-related regulatory variants.

  Study phs001894

• Center for Common Disease Genomics [CCDG] - Neuropsychiatric: Simons Searchlight

  In this study, we address the enormous challenges common complex diseases pose for genomic analysis and the enormous opportunities surmounting them offers for advancing healthcare. The common genetic disorders proposed for study here are believed to have extreme locus heterogeneity, requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples to comprehensively identify the genomic variants underlying them. We propose that a combination of deep population studies and joint analysis of SNPs, indels, and structural variants, both in coding and noncoding regions, will provide the next level of understanding of common genetic disorders. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be critical to this next-generation approach to the genomics of complex disease. WGS will need to be accompanied by the technical ability to generate and handle very large data sets, a particular focus and strength of New York Genome Center (NYGC). WGS will also need to be accompanied by new statistical tools and algorithms, which will be developed by the strong core group committed to this proposal.An overarching goal of this proposal, one that capitalizes on the power of WGS, is to identify disease-associated variants at the individual nucleotide level. In many cases, pathogenic mutations fall in noncoding regions of the genome, which can only be fruitfully explored with WGS. A major effort was put into building new computational strategies to functionally annotate noncoding transcribed sequences, and to build new datasets to enable such strategies, opening new frontiers of understanding of disease-related regulatory variants.

  Study phs002512

• QUANTitative Chest Computed Tomography UnMasking Emphysema Progression in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

  AAT deficiency is a genetic disorder associated with emphysema. Spirometry, the lung function test that measures how well the lungs exhale air, is used to diagnose and track the progression of emphysema. Some studies have suggested that forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) measurements, a type of spirometry test, may lack accuracy in detecting disease progression in cases of severe AAT deficiency. Another method, high resolution chest CT scans, may be more accurate at measuring the progression of emphysema. The purpose of this study is to determine if high resolution CT scans are better at detecting the progression of emphysema than lung function tests. Results from this study may lead to the development of a more accurate way to assess lung tissue loss and may improve the understanding of lung destruction in AAT deficiency. This study will last 4 years and will enroll people with AAT deficiency who have nearly normal lung function test results. Study visits, each lasting about 4 hours, will occur at baseline and months 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36. At each visit, participants will undergo lung function tests, a CT scan, blood collection, and a physical exam. Female participants will have urine collected for a pregnancy test. All participants will also complete questionnaires to assess health status and lung function. Study researchers will call participants every 2 months to collect information on lung disease symptoms and medication changes.

  Study phs000698

• Center for Common Disease Genomics (CCDG) Neuropsychiatric: Autism Center of Excellence (ACE II)

  In this study, we address the enormous challenges common complex diseases pose for genomic analysis and the enormous opportunities surmounting them offers for advancing healthcare. The common genetic disorders proposed for study here are believed to have extreme locus heterogeneity, requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples to comprehensively identify the genomic variants underlying them. We propose that a combination of deep population studies and joint analysis of SNPs, indels, and structural variants, both in coding and noncoding regions, will provide the next level of understanding of common genetic disorders. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be critical to this next-generation approach to the genomics of complex disease. WGS will need to be accompanied by the technical ability to generate and handle very large data sets, a particular focus and strength of NYGC. WGS will also need to be accompanied by new statistical tools and algorithms, which will be developed by the strong core group committed to this proposal. An overarching goal of this proposal, one that capitalizes on the power of WGS, is to identify disease-associated variants at the individual nucleotide level. In many cases, pathogenic mutations fall in noncoding regions of the genome, which can only be fruitfully explored with WGS. A major effort was put into building new computational strategies to functionally annotate noncoding transcribed sequences, and to build new datasets to enable such strategies, opening new frontiers of understanding of disease-related regulatory variants.

  Study phs002042

• Center for Common Disease Genomics (CCDG) Neuropsychiatric: Study of Autism Genetics Exploration (SAGE)

  In this study, we address the enormous challenges common complex diseases pose for genomic analysis and the enormous opportunities surmounting them offers for advancing healthcare. The common genetic disorders proposed for study here are believed to have extreme locus heterogeneity, requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples to comprehensively identify the genomic variants underlying them. We propose that a combination of deep population studies and joint analysis of SNPs, indels, and structural variants both in coding and noncoding regions will provide the next level of understanding of common genetic disorders. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be critical to this next-generation approach to the genomics of complex disease. WGS will need to be accompanied by the technical ability to generate and handle very large data sets, a particular focus and strength of NYGC. WGS will also need to be accompanied by new statistical tools and algorithms, which will be developed by the strong core group committed to this proposal. An overarching goal of this proposal, one that capitalizes on the power of WGS, is to identify disease-associated variants at the individual nucleotide level. In many cases pathogenic mutations fall in noncoding regions of the genome, which can only be fruitfully explored with WGS. A major effort was put into building new computational strategies to functionally annotate noncoding transcribed sequences, and to build new datasets to enable such strategies, opening new frontiers of understanding of disease-related regulatory variants.

  Study phs001740

• The Library of Integrated Network-Based Cellular Signatures (LINCS) - NeuroLINCS

  The NeuroLINCS Center is part of the NIH Common Fund's Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular Signatures (LINCS) program, which aims to characterize how a variety of human cells, tissues and the entire organism respond to perturbations by drugs and other molecular factors. As Part of the LINCS program, the NeuroLINCS study concentrates on human brain cells, which are far less understood than other cells in the body. Our initial focus is to produce diseased motor neurons from patients by utilizing high-quality induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) patients in addition to unaffected normal healthy controls. Using state-of-the-art OMICS methods (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics), we intend to create a wealth of cellular data that is patient-specific in the context of their baseline genetic perturbations and in the presence of other genetic and environmental perturbagens (e.g. endoplasmic reticulum stress). The primary data will be used to build cell signatures that convey the key features that distinguish the state of a cell and determine its behavior. Ultimately, the analysis of these datasets will lead to the identification of a network of unique signatures relevant to each of these motor neuron diseases. The datasets represented in this study are generated from assays interrogating RNA expression (RNA-seq), chromatin accessibility (ATAC-seq) and whole genome sequencing.

  Study phs001231

• Center for Common Disease Genomics (CCDG)-Neuropsychiatric: A Study of the Genetic Causes of Complex Pediatric Disorders (CAG)

  In this study, we address the enormous challenges common complex diseases pose for genomic analysis and the enormous opportunities surmounting them offers for advancing healthcare. The common genetic disorders proposed for study here are believed to have extreme locus heterogeneity, requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples to comprehensively identify the genomic variants underlying them. We propose that a combination of deep population studies and joint analysis of SNPs, indels, and structural variants both in coding and noncoding regions will provide the next level of understanding of common genetic disorders. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be critical to this next-generation approach to the genomics of complex disease. WGS will need to be accompanied by the technical ability to generate and handle very large data sets, a particular focus and strength of NYGC. WGS will also need to be accompanied by new statistical tools and algorithms, which will be developed by the strong core group committed to this proposal. An overarching goal of this proposal, one that capitalizes on the power of WGS, is to identify disease-associated variants at the individual nucleotide level. In many cases pathogenic mutations fall in noncoding regions of the genome, which can only be fruitfully explored with WGS. A major effort was put into building new computational strategies to functionally annotate noncoding transcribed sequences, and to build new datasets to enable such strategies, opening new frontiers of understanding of disease-related regulatory variants.

  Study phs002004

• Center for Common Disease Genomics (CCDG) Neuropsychiatric: Autism Genetic Resource Exchange

  In this study, we address the enormous challenges common complex diseases pose for genomic analysis and the enormous opportunities surmounting them offers for advancing healthcare. The common genetic disorders proposed for study here are believed to have extreme locus heterogeneity, requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples to comprehensively identify the genomic variants underlying them. We propose that a combination of deep population studies and joint analysis of SNPs, indels, and structural variants both in coding and noncoding regions will provide the next level of understanding of common genetic disorders. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be critical to this next-generation approach to the genomics of complex disease. WGS will need to be accompanied by the technical ability to generate and handle very large data sets, a particular focus and strength of NYGC. WGS will also need to be accompanied by new statistical tools and algorithms, which will be developed by the strong core group committed to this proposal. An overarching goal of this proposal, one that capitalizes on the power of WGS, is to identify disease-associated variants at the individual nucleotide level. In many cases pathogenic mutations fall in noncoding regions of the genome, which can only be fruitfully explored with WGS. A major effort was put into building new computational strategies to functionally annotate noncoding transcribed sequences, and to build new datasets to enable such strategies, opening new frontiers of understanding of disease-related regulatory variants.

  Study phs001766

• Whole genome and transcriptome sequencing of lung cancer patients and cell lines at Genentech

  Version 1 Whole genome sequencing was applied to tumor and adjacent normal lung tissue in an individual non-small-cell lung cancer patient. We present an analysis of somatic changes identified throughout the tumor genome, including single-nucleotide variants, copy number variants, and large-scale chromosomal rearrangements. Over 50,000 high-confidence single-nucleotide variants were identified, revealing evidence of substantial smoking-related DNA damage as well as distinct mutational pressures within the tumor resulting in uneven distribution of somatic mutations across the genome. Version 2 Lung cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease in terms of both underlying genetic lesions and response to therapeutic treatments. We performed deep whole genome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing on 19 lung cancer cell lines and 3 lung tumor/normal pairs. Overall, our data show that cell line models exhibit similar mutation spectra to human tumor samples. Smoker and never-smoker cancer samples exhibit distinguishable patterns of mutations. A number of epigenetic regulators are frequently altered by mutations or copy number changes. A systematic survey of splice-site mutations identified over 100 splice site mutations associated with cancer specific aberrant splicing, including mutations in several known cancer-related genes. Differential usages of splice isoforms were also studied. Taken together, these data present a comprehensive genomic landscape of a large number of lung cancer samples and further demonstrate that cancer specific alternative splicing is a widespread phenomenon that has potential utility as therapeutic biomarkers.

  Study phs000299

• Small Intestine Neuroendocrine Tumors (Carcinoid Tumors)

  The diagnosed incidence of small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is increasing. While patients with localized disease can be treated surgically, those with metastatic disease currently have few treatment options. The success of biologically targeted therapies in other malignancies has led to interest in the molecular alterations underlying the pathogenesis of these NETs. To identify genetic aberrations in small intestine NETs, we generated copy number profiles from 31 primary and metastatic tumors and performed whole-exome sequencing on a subset of 29 primary small intestine NETs and 24 metastatic NETs in parallel with normal blood DNA. Whole-genome sequencing data was generated on 15 tumor/normal pairs and 5 primary/metastasis/normal trios. The global genetic landscape of small bowel NETs is relatively quiet. Consistent with previous studies, the overwhelming majority of tumors were characterized by loss of chromosome 18 and, to a lesser extent, other chromosome arm gains and losses. In stark contrast to arm-level alterations, recurrent high-level focal amplifications and deletions were much less prevalent in these tumors. High-throughput mutation screening and exome sequencing revealed similarly low rates of somatic mutation in NETs (median of 0.77 non-silent mutations per megabase (Mb) of coding DNA) compared to other recent cancer exome sequencing efforts. Our analysis of this cohort identified only a single, statistically significant recurrent somatic mutation targeting the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor gene, CDKN1B, encoding p27.

  Study phs000579

• Center for Common Disease Genomics (CCDG) Neuropsychiatric: The Autism Simplex Collection (TASC)

  In this study, we address the enormous challenges common complex diseases pose for genomic analysis and the enormous opportunities surmounting them offers for advancing healthcare. The common genetic disorders proposed for study here are believed to have extreme locus heterogeneity, requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples to comprehensively identify the genomic variants underlying them. We propose that a combination of deep population studies and joint analysis of SNPs, indels, and structural variants both in coding and noncoding regions will provide the next level of understanding of common genetic disorders. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be critical to this next-generation approach to the genomics of complex disease. WGS will need to be accompanied by the technical ability to generate and handle very large data sets, a particular focus and strength of NYGC. WGS will also need to be accompanied by new statistical tools and algorithms, which will be developed by the strong core group committed to this proposal. An overarching goal of this proposal, one that capitalizes on the power of WGS, is to identify disease-associated variants at the individual nucleotide level. In many cases pathogenic mutations fall in noncoding regions of the genome, which can only be fruitfully explored with WGS. A major effort was put into building new computational strategies to functionally annotate noncoding transcribed sequences, and to build new datasets to enable such strategies, opening new frontiers of understanding of disease-related regulatory variants.

  Study phs001741

• A Phase I Study with a Personalized Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine in Melanoma

  Effective anti-tumor immunity in humans has been associated with presence of T cells targeting neoantigens that arise from non-silent tumor-specific mutations. Here we conducted whole-exome sequencing of tumor and normal cells from individual patients to identify mutations. We assessed the expression of mutated alleles by RNA-sequencing of tumor. We demonstrated the feasibility, safety and immunogenicity of a vaccine that targets up to 20 personal neoantigens predicted to be presented by the autologous patient tumor.Antigen-specific CD8+ T cells that can recognize and eliminate cancer cells play a crucial role in anti-tumor immune responses. Here we conducted single-cell sequencing of cells infiltrating melanoma specimens originating from 4 patients and determine the TCR clonality of the CD8+ tumor infiltrating cells. We investigated the relationship between T cell clonality and phenotypic cell states coupling single-cell transcriptome to single-cell TCR seq. The surface expression of a panel of protein was detected in parallel using CITE-Seq antibodies. Sorted tumor and peripheral blood specimens were processed in parallel.In order to discover cancer antigens derived from annotated and unannotated protein-coding regions of the genome, we carried out matched ribosome profiling (Ribo-seq), RNA-sequencing, and whole genome sequencing on one of the patients, as well as Ribo-seq on an additional patient. We used it to discover novel or unannotated open reading frames (nuORFs), their expression levels, as well as somatic mutations within them to predict potential neoantigens.

  Study phs001451

• Trisomy 21 Dosage Compensation Map (T21DoCoMap)

  Excess gene dosage from human chromosome 21 (HSA21), due to trisomy or translocation of HSA21 material, causes Down syndrome (DS). We derived trisomy 21 (T21) induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) alongside otherwise isogenic euploid controls from mosaic DS fibroblasts (GM00260, first described in Lubiniecki et al., PMID: 225951) of the NIGMS genetic cell repository, to enable analysis of whole-chromosomal and individual gene dosage imbalance in the context of in vitro models of DS development. Virtual karyotyping (by Infinium CytoSNP-850k), and phased genotyping (by linked-read whole-genome sequencing) of the resulting iPSC lines provide a deeply-characterized genomic platform for dissection of HSA21 gene dosage. We apply this highly unique resource to allelic analysis of mRNA sequencing of iPSCs and differentiated neural lineages, and demonstrate its utility in the context of inducible HSA21 dosage compensation. To this end, we equipped one distinct HSA21 copy with a doxycycline-inducible XIST transgene, which endogenously silences one X in 46,XX females. Standard and allele-specific RNA-seq analysis confirms mono-allelic T21 silencing to be virtually complete and irreversible, further supported by DNA methylation data (Infinium methylEPIC). This full-length HSA21 map of phased single-nucleotide and insertion/deletion variants enables allele-specific applications for gene-level dissection T21 dosage effects. Because our XIST remains inducible in post-mitotic T21 neurons and astrocytes, we perform single-nuclei RNA-seq to demonstrate XIST efficiently represses genes even after terminal differentiation.

  Study phs002397

• Prostate Cancer Upgrading Reference Set

  This study aimed to investigate clinical, demographic, and molecular features of men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer [ISUP Grade Group 1 (GG1)] at biopsy who underwent radical prostatectomy, and for whom an increased tumor grade (ISUP Grade Group 2 or above) was subsequently detected in the resected prostate. This phenomenon is termed upgrading. In collaboration with the Early Detection Research Network (EDRN), a blinded reference set was established to facilitate upgrading biomarker detection and validation. A prospective, multi-institutional, cohort of men with the GG1 prostate cancer and intention to undergo prostatectomy was recruited. Biospecimens (blood, urine) were collected and this biorepository comprises the official EDRN Upgrading Reference Set (URS). Recording of case-control status (case = upgrading at prostatectomy, control = no upgrading at prostatectomy) was coordinated by the Data Management and Coordinating Center (DMCC) of the EDRN, who ensured blinding of all participating researchers. A subset of the reference set (n = 192) was chosen to undergo whole genome sequencing (WGS) for the investigation of a germline genomic biomarker of upgrading. Variant calls from all sequenced URS whole genomes are available through dbGaP, with the exception of one sample for which sequencing was not successful. Among investigated clinical features, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density and percent of cancer in pre-prostatectomy positive biopsy cores were significantly associated with upgrading. Two polygenic risk score-based biomarkers were computed in the genetic sub-cohort and tested against case-control status. Neither was predictive of upgrading.

  Study phs003670

• Gut metagenome associations with extensive digital health data in a volunteer-based EstMB cohort second timepoint data

  As part of the Estonian Biobank, we established the Estonian Microbiome Cohort which includes stool, oral and plasma samples from 2,509 participants and is supplemented with multi-omic measurements, questionnaires, and regular linkages to national electronic health records. Out of the 2,509 Estonian Microbiome Project participants, a sub-cohort of over 300 individuals provided an additional stool sample after a median follow-up period of 4.4 years. All participants of the EstMB cohort gave informed consent for the data and samples to be used for scientific purposes. In the second time point, the participants were instructed to send the samples by post immediately after taking the sample and time their sample collection to avoid shipping on the weekends. In the study, by utilising retrospective medication usage data from the electronic health records and the Estonian microbiome cohort shotgun metagenomics data set (n = 2,509), we systematically evaluate the long-term effects of antibiotics and human-targeted medications on the gut microbiome. We show that past usage of medications is associated with the gut microbiome. For example, the effects of antibiotics, psycholeptics, antidepressants, proton pump inhibitors, and beta-blockers are detectable several years after use. Furthermore, by analysing a subcohort (n >300 individuals) from the second time point, we show that similar changes in the gut microbiome occur after treatment initiation or discontinuation, possibly indicating causal effects.

  Study EGAS50000001181

• Characterization of HCV-specific CD4 T cells during DAA-Therapy

  Background: Chronic HCV-infection is characterized by a severe impairment of HCV-specific CD4 T cell help that is driven by chronic antigen stimulation. We aimed to study the fate of HCV-specific CD4 T cells after viral elimination. Methods: HCV-specific CD4 T cell responses were longitudinally analyzed using MHC class II tetramer-technology, multicolor flow cytometry and RNA sequencing in a cohort of chronically HCV-infected patients undergoing therapy with direct-acting antivirals. In addition, HCV-specific neutralizing antibodies and CXCL13 levels were analyzed. Results: We observed that the frequency of HCV-specific CD4 T cells increased within two weeks after initiation of DAA therapy. Multicolor flow cytometry revealed a downregulation of exhaustion and activation markers and an upregulation of memory-associated markers. While cells with a Th1 phenotype were the predominant subset at baseline, cells with phenotypic and transcriptional characteristics of follicular T helper cells increasingly shaped the circulating HCV-specific CD4 T cell repertoire, suggesting antigen-independent survival of this subset. These changes were accompanied by a decline of HCV-specific neutralizing antibodies and the germinal center activity. Conclusion: We identified a population of HCV-specific CD4 T cells with a follicular T helper cell signature that is maintained after therapy-induced elimination of persistent infection and may constitute an important target population for vaccination efforts to prevent re-infection and immunotherapeutic approaches for persistent viral infections.

  Study EGAS00001003950

• Negligible impact on missing heritability of autoimmune-locus rare coding-region variants

  Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified common variants of modest effect size at hundreds of loci for common autoimmune diseases - however a substantial fraction of heritability remains unexplained, and to which rare variants may contribute. To discover rare variants and test them for association with a phenotype, the majority of studies re-sequence a small initial sample size and then genotype the discovered variants in a larger sample set. This approach will fail to analyse a large fraction of the rare variants present in the entire sample set. Here we perform simultaneous amplicon sequencing-based variant discovery and genotyping for coding exons of 25 GWAS risk genes in 41,911 white-European origin UK subjects comprising 24,892 subjects with six autoimmune disease phenotypes and 17,019 controls, and show that rare coding-region variants at known loci play a negligible role in common autoimmune disease susceptibility. These results do not support the rare variant - synthetic genome-wide association hypothesis. Many known autoimmune disease risk loci contain multiple independent common and low frequency variant association signals, and so genes in these loci are a priori stronger candidates to harbor rare coding-region variants than other genes. Our data suggest that the missing heritability for common autoimmune diseases may not lie in the rare coding-region variant portion of the allelic spectrum, but perhaps as others have proposed in very many common variant signals of weak effect.

  Study EGAS00001000476

• The evolutionary history of human colitis-associated colorectal cancer

  Inflammatory bowel disease confers an increased lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), and colitis-associated CRC (CA-CRC) is molecularly distinct from sporadic CRC (S-CRC). Here we have dissected the evolutionary history of CA-CRC using multi-region sequencing. Exome sequencing was performed on fresh-frozen multiple regions of carcinoma, adjacent non-cancerous mucosa and blood from 12 CA-CRC patients (n=55 exomes), and key variants were validated with orthogonal methods. Genome-wide copy number profiling was performed using SNP arrays and low-pass whole genome sequencing on archival non-dysplastic mucosa (n=9), low-grade dysplasia (LGD, n=30), high-grade dysplasia (HGD, n=13), mixed LGD/HGD (n=7) and CA-CRC (n=19). Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed, and evolutionary analysis used to reveal the temporal sequence of events leading to CA-CRC. 10/12 tumors were microsatellite stable with a median mutation burden of 3.0 single nucleotide alterations (SNAs) per Mb, around 20% higher than S-CRC (2.5 SNAs/Mb), and consistent with elevated aging-associated mutational processes. Non-dysplastic mucosa had considerable mutation burden (median 47 SNAs), including mutations shared with the neighboring CA-CRC, indicating a pre-cancer mutational field. CA-CRCs were often near-triploid (42%) or near-tetraploid (21%) and phylogenetic analysis revealed that copy number alterations (CNAs) began to accrue in non-dysplastic bowel, but the LGD/HGD transition often involved a punctuated catastrophic CNA increase.

  Study EGAS00001003028

• Preclinical Pediatric Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice (MATCH)

  Purpose: Pediatric solid tumors arise from diverse tissues during development and exhibit a wide range of molecular, cellular and genetic features. This diversity, combined with the low incidence of pediatric cancer makes it increasingly difficult to personalize therapy for individual patients based on the unique features of their tumors. Therefore, well-credentialed preclinical models that capture the diversity and heterogeneity of pediatric solid tumors are essential for identifying molecular targeted therapeutics for precision medicine. Experimental Design: Here, we report 281 orthotopic patient derived xenografts (O-PDXs) from 224 patients representing 24 different types of pediatric solid tumors. We have performed genomic characterization of the O-PDXs and compared them to their corresponding patient tumors. To demonstrate the feasibility and utility of using such a diverse collection of O-PDXs in preclinical studies, we performed a preclinical pediatric precision medicine trial based on the NCI-COG Pediatric MATCH trial enrollment criteria. We also tested molecular targeted therapy for a novel oncogenic fusion recently reported in pediatric melanoma and precision drug delivery using nano-liposomal irinotecan. Results: In the preclinical match study, we identified one specific single agent response to LY3023414 in an osteosarcoma model with a TSC2 variant of unknown significance. Combinations of nano-liposomal irinotecan were effective in treating both Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma xenografts. Conclusion: Our studies demonstrate the value of large, well-credentialed preclinical models for future precision medicine in pediatric oncology using single agents, drug combinations and novel drug formulations.

  Study EGAS00001008011

• Whole genome study of Hurthle cell thyroid carcinoma

  Oncocytic thyroid carcinoma, also known as Hürthle cell thyroid carcinoma, accounts for only a small percentage of all thyroid cancers. However, this malignancy often presents at an advanced stage and poses unique challenges to patients and clinicians. Surgical resection of the tumor accompanied in some cases by radioactive iodine treatment, radiation and chemotherapy are the established modes of therapy. Knowledge of the perturbed oncogenic pathways can provide better understanding of the mechanism of disease and thus opportunities for more effective clinical management. Initially, two oncocytic thyroid carcinomas and their matched normal tissues were profiled using whole genome sequencing. Subsequently, 72 oncocytic thyroid carcinomas, one cell line and 5 Hürthle cell adenomas were examined by targeted sequencing for the presence of mutations in multiple endocrine neoplasia I (MEN1) gene. We report the identification of MEN1 loss-of-function mutations in approximately 7% of patients diagnosed with oncocytic thyroid carcinoma. Whole genome sequence data also revealed large regions of copy number variation encompassing nearly the entire genomes of these tumours. Menin, a ubiquitously expressed nuclear protein, is a well-characterized tumor suppressor whose loss is the cause of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome. Menin is involved in several major cellular pathways such as regulation of transcription, control of cell cycle, apoptosis and DNA damage repair pathways. Mutations of this gene in a subset of Hürthle cell tumors point to a potential role for this protein and its associated pathways in thyroid tumorigenesis.

  Study EGAS00001000940

• GCAT | Genomes for life: cohort study of the genomes of Catalonia

  The GCAT Study have recruited 20 000 participants aged 40–65 years. Participants who agreed to take part in the study completed a self-administered computer-driven questionnaire, and underwent blood pressure, cardiac frequency and anthropometry measurements. For each participant, blood plasma, blood serum and white blood cells are collected at baseline. A total of 5459 genomic profiles have been characterised by comprehensive genotyping. Genome-wide genotypes have been generated using Illumina Infinium SNP-bead array technology. We chose the Multi-Ethnic Global (MEGAEX, V.2) consortium array, a multipurpose, multiethnic genotyping array with two million selected markers (including previously described germline mutations, insertions-deletions (InDels) and SNPs).We have strictly followed the standard manufacturer recommended automated protocol for the Infinium HTS Assay scanned with a HiScan confocal scanner (Illumina, San Diego, California, USA). Genome Studio V.2011.1 has been used for raw data analysis. Genotyping was performed at the Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit of the PMPPC Institute for Health Science Research Germans Trias i Pujol, in Badalona, Spain. Future plans The first follow-up study started in December 2017 and will end by March 2018. Residences of all subjects will be geocoded during the following year. Several genomic analyses are ongoing, and metabolomic and genomic integrations will be performed to identify underlying genetic variants, as well as environmental factors that influence metabolites. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018324

  Study EGAS00001003018

• The Medical Genome Reference Bank: a whole genome data resource of 4,000 healthy elderly individuals.

  Allele frequency data from human reference populations is of increasing value for filtering and assignment of pathogenicity to genetic variants. Aged and healthy populations are more likely to be selectively depleted of pathogenic alleles, and therefore particularly suitable as a reference populations for the major diseases of clinical and public health importance. However, reference studies of the healthy elderly have remained under represented in human genetics. We have developed the Medical Genome Reference Bank (MGRB), a large scale comprehensive whole genome dataset of confirmed healthy elderly individuals, to provide a publicly accessible resource for health related research, and for clinical genetics. It also represents a useful resource for studying the genetics of healthy aging. The MGRB comprises 4,000 healthy, older individuals with no reported history of cancer, cardiovascular disease or dementia, recruited from two Australian community based cohorts. DNA derived from blood samples will be subject to whole genome sequencing. The MGRB will measure genome wide genetic variation in 4,000 individuals, mostly of European decent, aged 60 to 95 years (mean age 75 years). The MGRB has committed to a policy of data sharing, employing a hierarchical data management system to maintain participant privacy and confidentiality, whilst maximizing research and clinical usage of the database. The MGRB will represent a dataset of international significance, broadly accessible to the clinical and genetic research community.

  Study EGAS00001003511

• Prostate cancer ancestral genomic disparity

  Prostate cancer is characterised by significant global disparity; mortality rates in SubSaharan Africa are double to quadruple those in Eurasia. Hypothesising unknown interplay between genetic and non-genetic factors, tumour genome profiling envisages contributing mutational processes. Through whole-genome sequencing of treatment-naïve prostate cancer from 183 ethnically/globally distinct patients (African versus European), we generate the largest cancer genomics resource for Sub-Saharan Africa. Identifying ~2 million somatic variants, Africans carried the greatest burden. We describe a new molecular taxonomy using all mutational types and ethno39 geographic identifiers, including Asian. Defined as Global Mutational Subtypes (GMS) A–D, although Africans presented within all subtypes, we found GMS-B to be ‘African-specific’ and GMS-D ‘African-predominant’, including Admixed and European Africans. Conversely, Europeans from Australia, Africa and Brazil predominated within ‘mutationally-quiet’ and ethnically/globally ‘universal’ GMS-A, while European Australians shared a higher mutational burden with Africans in GMS45 C. GMS predicts clinical outcomes; reconstructing cancer timelines suggests four evolutionary trajectories with different mutation rates (GMS-A, low 0.968/year versus D, highest 1.315/year). Our data suggest both common genetic factors across extant populations and regional environmental factors contributing to carcinogenesis, analogous to gene-environment interaction defined here as a different effect of an environmental surrounding in persons with different ancestries or vice versa. We anticipate GMS acting as a proxy to intrinsic and extrinsic mutational processes in cancers, promoting global inclusion in landmark studies.

  Study EGAS00001006425

• Whole-genome sequencing of normal Singaporean volunteers

  Sleep is associated with various health outcomes. Despite their growing adoption, the potential for consumer wearables to contribute sleep metrics to sleep-related biomedical research remains largely uncharacterized. Here we analyzed sleep tracking data, along with questionnaire responses and multi-modal phenotypic data generated from 482 normal volunteers. First, we compared wearable-derived and self-reported sleep metrics, particularly total sleep time (TST) and sleep efficiency (SE). We then identified demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors associated with wearable-derived TST. Among others, male gender (β = -15.539, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -26.245 - -4.832, p = 0.005), older age (β = -0.493, CI = -0.941 - -0.044, p = 0.032) and manual labor (β = -26.856, CI = -49.715 - -3.997, p = 0.022) were associated with reduced TST, whereas alcohol consumption (β = 19.247, CI = 8.008 - 30.486, p = 8.54x10-04) was associated with increased TST. Multi-modal phenotypic data analysis showed that wearable-derived TST and SE were associated with various cardiovascular disease risk markers such as body mass index (β = -0.006, CI = -0.00 - -0.000, p = 0.040) and waist circumference (β = 0.001, CI = -0.015-0.017, p = 0.893), whereas self-reported measures were not. We then showed that insufficient sleep was associated with premature telomere attrition, using telomere length estimated using whole-genome sequencing (β = 1.275, CI = 0.187 - 2.363, p = 0.023) and quantitative PCR (β = 0.001, CI = 8.318x10-05 - 0.001, p = 0.028). Our study highlights the potential for sleep metrics from consumer wearables to provide novel insights into data generated from population cohort studies.

  Study EGAS00001004007