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• The application of RNA sequencing for the diagnosis and genomic classification of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy, and implementation of risk-adapted therapy has been instrumental in the dramatic improvements in clinical outcomes. A key to risk-adapted therapies includes the identification of genomic features of individual tumors, including chromosome number (for hyper- and hypodiploidy) and gene fusions, notably ETV6-RUNX1, TCF3-PBX1 and BCR-ABL1 in B-cell ALL (B-ALL). RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) of large ALL cohorts has expanded the number of recurrent gene fusions recognized as drivers in ALL, and identification of these new entities will contribute to refining ALL risk stratification. We used RNA-seq on 126 ALL patients from our clinical service to test the utility of including RNA-seq in standard of care diagnostic pipelines to detect gene rearrangements and IKZF1 deletions. RNA-seq identified 86% of rearrangements detected by standard of care diagnostics. KMT2A-rearrangements (MLL), whilst usually identified, were the most commonly missed by RNA-seq as a result of low expression. RNA-seq identified rearrangements that were not detected by standard of care testing in nine patients. These were found in patients who were not classifiable using standard molecular assessment. We developed an approach to detect the commonest IKZF1 deletion from RNA-seq data and validated this using a RQ-PCR assay. We applied an expression classifier to identify Ph-like B-ALL patients. T-ALL proved a rich source of novel gene fusions which have clinical implications or provide insights into disease biology. Our experience shows that RNA-seq can be implemented within an individual clinical service to enhance the current molecular diagnostic risk classification of ALL.

  Study EGAS00001004212

• Targeted Gene Panel for 171 PTCLs

  Mature T-cell lymphomas, including peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL), represent a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas with dismal outcomes and limited treatment options. To determine the extent of involvement of the JAK/STAT pathway in this malignancy, we performed targeted capture sequencing of 188 genes in this pathway in 171 PTCL and NKTL cases. A total of 272 nonsynonymous somatic mutations in 101 genes were identified in 73% of the samples, including 258 single-nucleotide variants and 14 insertions or deletions. Recurrent mutations were most frequently located in STAT3 and TP53 (15%), followed by JAK3 and JAK1 (6%) and SOCS1 (4%). A high prevalence of STAT3 mutation (21%) was observed specifically in NKTL. Novel STAT3 mutations (p.D427H, E616G, p.E616K, and p.E696K) were shown to increase STAT3 phosphorylation and transcriptional activity of STAT3 in the absence of cytokine, in which p.E616K induced programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression by robust binding of activated STAT3 to the PD-L1 gene promoter. Consistent with these findings, PD-L1 was overexpressed in NKTL cell lines harboring hotspot STAT3 mutations, and similar findings were observed by the overexpression of p.E616K and p.E616G in the STAT3 wild-type NKTL cell line. Conversely, STAT3 silencing and inhibition decreased PD-L1 expression in STAT3 mutant NKTL cell lines. In NKTL tumors, STAT3 activation correlated significantly with PD-L1 expression. We demonstrated that STAT3 activation confers high PD-L1 expression, which may promote tumor immune evasion. The combination of PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies and STAT3 inhibitors might be a promising therapeutic approach for NKTL, and possibly PTCL.

  Study EGAS00001002740

• Targeting FGFR1 for treatment of soft-tissue sarcoma (H021)

  Purpose: Altered FGFR1 signaling has emerged as therapeutic target in various epithelial malignancies. In contrast, the role of FGFR1 in soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) has not been established. Prompted by the detection and subsequent therapeutic inhibition of amplified FGFR1 in a patient with metastatic leiomyosarcoma, we investigated the oncogenic properties and potential as drug target of FGFR1 in STS.Experimental Design: The frequency of FGFR1 amplification and overexpression, as assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization and mRNA expression profiling, SNP array profiling, and RNA sequencing, was determined in three independent patient cohorts. The sensitivity of STS cell lines with or without FGFR1 alterations to genetic and pharmacologic FGFR1 inhibition and the signaling pathways engaged by FGFR1 were investigated using short-term viability assays, long-term colony formation assays, and biochemical analysis.Results: Increased FGFR1 copy number was detected in 74 of 190 (38.9%; Cohort 1), 13 of 79 (16.5%; Cohort 2), and 80 of 254 (31.5%; Cohort 3) patients. FGFR1 overexpression occurred in 16 of 79 (20.2%, Cohort 2) and 39 of 254 (15.4%; Cohort 3) patients. Targeting of FGFR1 by short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown and different small-molecule inhibitors (PD173074, AZD4547, BGJ398) revealed that the requirement for FGFR1 signaling in STS cells is primarily dictated by FGFR1 expression levels, and identified the MAPK-ERK1/2 axis as critical FGFR1 effector pathway.Conclusion: These data identify FGFR1 as driver gene in multiple STS subtypes and support FGFR1 inhibition, guided by patient selection according to FGFR1 expression and monitoring of MAPK-ERK1/2 signaling, as therapeutic option in this challenging group of diseases.H021

  Study EGAS00001001844

• Functional Mapping of AKT Signaling and Biomarkers of Response From the FAIRLANE Trial of Neoadjuvant Ipatasertib Plus Paclitaxel for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

  Purpose: Despite extensive genomic and transcriptomic profiling, it remains unknown how signaling pathways are differentially activated and how tumors are differentially sensitized to certain perturbations. Here, we aim to characterize AKT signaling activity and its association with other genomic or immunohistochemistry-based PI3K/AKT pathway biomarkers as well as the clinical activity of ipatasertib (AKT inhibitor) in the FAIRLANE trial. Experimental Design: In FAIRLANE, 151 patients with early triple-negative breast cancer were randomized 1:1 to receive paclitaxel with ipatasertib or placebo for 12 weeks prior to surgery. Adding ipatasertib did not increase pathologic complete response rate and numerically improved overall response rate by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We used reverse-phase protein microarrays (RPPA) to examine the total level and/or phosphorylation states of over 100 proteins in various signaling or cell processes including PI3K/AKT and mTOR signaling. 125 baseline and 127 on-treatment samples were evaluable by RPPA, with 110 paired samples at both time points. Results: Tumors with genomic/protein alterations in PIK3CA/AKT1/PTEN were associated with higher levels of AKT phosphorylation. In addition, phosphorylated(p)AKT levels exhibited a significant association with enriched clinical benefit of ipatasertib, and identified patients who received benefit in the absence of PIK3CA/AKT1/PTEN alterations. Ipatasertib treatment led to a down-regulation of AKT/mTORC1 signaling, which was more pronounced among the tumors with PIK3CA/AKT1/PTEN alterations or among the responders to the treatment. Conclusions: We showed that the high baseline pAKT levels are associated with the alterations of PI3K/AKT pathway components and enriched benefit of ipatasertib in TNBC.

  Study EGAS00001005892

• HCA_Adrenal_Foetal_WSSS_RNA_SB

  The Human Cell Atlas initiative is an ambitious global research effort which aims to describe every cell in the human body across all developmental stages to generate a reference map to accelerate progress in science and medicine particularly relating to human development and disease. The initiative is led by investigators based at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and funding support from the Wellcome and NIH. This specific project will assess human development. We aim to interrogate the cellular composition and molecular regulators underpinning development and maturation through single cell RNA-sequencing/spatial transcriptomics and computational algorithms to predict cellular developmental trajectories and cell-cell interactions. We will subsequent validate these findings in situ using allied imaging technologies e.g. immunohistochemistry and RNAscope and in vitro culture of human intestinal organoids (HIOs). 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 EGAS00001004089

• Comprehensive spatial landscape and plasticity of immunosuppressive fibroblasts in breast cancer

  Although immunosuppressive and pro-metastatic functions of FAP+ Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAF) are well-established, their plasticity and spatial distribution remain poorly understood. Here, we analyze trajectory inference, deconvolute spatial transcriptomics at single-cell level and perform functional assays to generate an integrative high-resolution map of breast cancer (BC), focusing particularly on the different subpopulations within inflammatory and myofibroblastic (iCAF/myCAF) FAP+ CAF. We identify 10 spatially-organized FAP+ CAF-related cellular niches, called EcoCellTypes, which are precisely localized within tumors. Consistent with their spatial organization, we identify DPP4- and YAP1-dependent mechanisms, by which cancer cells drive the transition of the detoxification-associated inflammatory FAP+ CAF cluster (Detox-iCAF) towards immunosuppressive extracellular matrix (ECM)-producing myofibroblasts (ECM-myCAF). In turn, ECM-myCAF polarize TREM2+ macrophages and regulatory NK cells to induce immunosuppressive EcoCellTypes. FAP+ CAF subpopulations accumulate differently depending on the invasive BC status and predict invasive recurrence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which could help in identifying low-risk DCIS patients eligible for therapeutic de-escalation.

  Study EGAS50000000220

• International Cancer Proteogenomics Consortium (ICPC): Proteogenomics of East-Asian Breast Cancer

  The incidence of invasive breast cancer is rapidly increasing in East Asia, enriching in younger patients and luminal disease. We presented a deep proteogenomic landscape of a prospectively enrolled early-stage cohort in Taiwan to uncover the etiology, age-related subtype and oncogenic vulnerabilities underlying the heterogeneous disease. Multilayer proteogenomic architecture revealed distinct endogenous and environmental carcinogen-associated mutagenesis, linking APOBEC (apolipoprotein-B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like) cytidine deaminase and DBAC (dibenz[a,j] acridine) signatures to significantly elevated hormone biosynthesis and chemical carcinogenesis in younger patients, and identifying a novel subset of high mutation burden and immune escape potentially beneficial from combined epigenetic therapy and immunotherapy. A proteomics-informed classification resolves luminal heterogeneity, defines high-risk recurrent luminal disease and nominates biomarkers and actionable druggable pathways. Furthermore, proteogenomics profile distinguished a young luminal population susceptible to exogenous carcinogen and having DNA repair deficiency. This study illuminates the age-related molecular subtypes and oncogenic vulnerabilities, providing a proteogenomics-transformative guide for patient stratification and precision therapeutics beyond clinical staging.

  Study phs003150

• Chromoanasynthesis as a Cause of Jacobsen Syndrome

  Jacobsen syndrome (OMIM #147791) is a rare multisystem genomic disorder involving craniofacial abnormalities, intellectual disability, other neurodevelopmental defects and terminal truncation of chromosome 11q, typically deleting ~170 to >340 genes. We describe the first case of Jacobsen syndrome caused by congenital chromoanasynthesis, an extreme form of complex chromosomal rearrangement. Six duplications and five deletions occurred on one copy of chromosome 11q with microhomology signatures in the breakpoint junctions, indicating an all-at-once replication-based rearrangement mechanism in a gametocyte or early post-zygotic cell. Eighteen genes were deleted from the Jacobsen region, including KIRREL3, which is associated with intellectual disability. Patients of any age with abnormal immune function who have recurrent or unusual infections, whose blood tests show evidence of immune dysfunction, or who have GVHD, XSCID, CGD or LAD may be eligible for this study. Patients' parents, siblings, grandparents, children, aunts, uncles and first cousins of any age also may be included. Healthy normal volunteers between 18 and 85 years of age are recruited as controls.

  Study phs002036

• Gut microbiome profiles according to sex, body mass index and dietary fiber intake

  Findings from recent studies suggest that the community of microbes residing in the human body is important in disease etiology; however, it remains unclear whether personal factors modulate human microbial composition. Studies based on animal models indicate that differences in composition might be attributed to sex-mediated effects. We analyzed the relationship of sex, adiposity, and dietary fiber intake with gut microbial composition using fecal samples from human subjects. We explored the associations of these factors with metrics of community composition and specific taxon abundances. We found that men and women had significantly different microbial community composition and that women had reduced abundance of a major phylum. Adiposity was associated with gut microbiome composition and specifically in women but not in men. Fiber from fruits and vegetables and fiber from beans were each associated with increased abundance of specific bacterial taxa. These findings provide initial indications that sex, adiposity, and dietary fiber might play important roles in influencing the human gut microbiome. Better understanding of these factors may have significant implications for gastrointestinal health and disease prevention.

  Study phs000884

• eMERGE Genome-Wide Association Studies of Obesity (Metabochip)

  The Geisinger eMERGE Genome Wide Association Studies of Obesity (Metabochip) Project is a genetic study of a cohort of primarily Caucasian patients with extreme obesity who have undergone bariatric surgery. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, in which intestinal anatomy is altered, dramatically ameliorates and/or eliminates Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) in 50-80% of patients within hours to days following surgery, well before significant weight loss, in contrast to other types of bariatric surgeries, such as gastric banding, that attenuate insulin resistance as a result of substantial weight loss that occurs over months to years. The molecular mechanism by which RYGB exerts this clinical phenomenon is not known. The goal of this project was to conduct a genome wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic variants associated with amelioration in T2D defined by medication independence. Identifying genetic variants that influence the dramatic resolution of T2D from RYGB may identify novel targets for pharmacological T2D therapies and/or identify patients in whom RYGB may not be effective.

  Study phs000380

• The Genetic Basis of Progression in Multiple Sclerosis

  This study examined the genetic determinants of multiple sclerosis (MS) severity in an international cohort of people with MS assembled by the International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (IMSGC) and the MultipleMS Consortium. A total of 12,584 people with MS of European ancestry were included in the main genome-wide association study (GWAS). Participants were enriched for older individuals with longer disease duration (mean age 51.7 years and mean disease duration 18.2 years). All individuals were whole-genome genotyped on the Illumina Global Screen Array (GSAMD-24v2-0). Imputation was performed using the Haplotype Reference Consortium reference panel. The primary outcome was the age-related MS severity score. All individuals had at least 1 expanded disability status scale (EDSS) measure. When multiple EDSS scores were available, the last one was selected to calculate the age-related MS severity score.Of those 12,584 people with MS, this data release includes 4,623 participants recruited from non-European sites in the US, Canada and Australia. This release includes individual-level genotype and phenotype files necessary to replicate our GWAS of MS severity, including covariates.

  Study phs002929

• Base Editing Reduces Misfolded Protein Accumulation and Toxicity in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficient Patient iPSC-Hepatocytes

  This study evaluates the efficiency and biological consequences of base editing of the single base “Z” mutation in the SERIPNA1 gene responsible for causing misfolding of the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein that leads to the clinical disease “alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency". Samples on which the editing is performed are patient-derived iPSCs from a single PiZZ patient. The iPSC line is named “PiZZ-1”. To evaluate possible off-target editing, 5 samples underwent whole genome sequencing. These samples include: 1) PiZZ-1 patient iPSCs at passage 34 (“ZZ p34”); 2) PiZZ-1 patient iPSCs at passage 42 (“ZZ p42”); 3) PiZZ-1 patient iPSCs that underwent nucleofection but not base editing at passage 34, and then were passaged until passage 42 (“ZZ nucleofected”); 4) PiZZ-1 patient iPSCs that underwent base editing of a single allele (“MZ”), and analyzed at passage 42; and 5) PiZZ-1 patient iPSCs that underwent base editing of both alleles (“MM”), and analyzed at passage 42.

  Study phs002471

• The spectrum of somatic mutations in high-risk acute myeloid leukemia with -7/del(7q)

  Patients with myeloid malignancies bearing high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities lack effective therapies and have a poor overall survival. -7/del(7q) is identified in half of high-risk myeloid neoplasms. We recently identified CUX1 to be a haploinsufficient myeloid tumor suppressor gene located within the commonly deleted segment of 7q22. Here we identify the spectrum of somatic mutations that co-occur with loss of CUX1 and chromosome 7 in patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or a therapy-related myeloid neoplasm. -7/del(7q) leukemias have a distinct mutational profile characterized by low frequencies of alterations in major leukemogenic pathways, including genes encoding transcription factors, cohesin, and DNA-methylation-related proteins. In contrast, RAS pathway activating mutations occurred in 40% of -7/del(7q) samples, a significantly higher frequency than other AMLs and higher than previously reported. As targeted therapeutics advance, our data provide guidance for which pathways are most relevant in the treatment of adverse-risk myeloid leukemia.

  Study phs000759

• Induction of HIV-1 Env-Specific Peripheral Blood Plasmablasts and Clonal Persistence as Bone Marrow Plasma Cells Following Vaccination in Humans

  Induction of persistent HIV-1 Envelope (Env) specific antibody (Ab) is a primary goal of HIV vaccine strategies, however, it is unclear if HIV Env immunization in humans induces bone marrow plasma cells, the presumed source of long-lived systemic Ab. To define the features of Env-specific plasma cells after vaccination, samples were obtained from HVTN 105, a phase I trial testing the same gp120 protein immunogen, AIDSVAX B/E, as used in RV144, along with a DNA immunogen in various prime/boost strategies. Boosting regimens that included AIDSVAX B/E induced robust peripheral blood plasmablast responses. The Env-specific immunoglobulin repertoire of the plasmablasts was dominated by VH1 gene usage and targeting of the V3 region. Numerous plasmablast-derived immunoglobulin lineages persisted in the bone marrow greater than eight months after immunization, including in the CD138+ long-lived plasma cell compartment. These findings identify a cellular linkage for the development of sustained Env-specific Ab following vaccination in humans.

  Study phs002027

• Genomic Analysis of Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma

  Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC) is a very rare and distinct subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma that occurs in the previously healthy livers of adolescents and young adults. The low incidence rate has kept FL-HCC an understudied cancer, thus the list of FL-HCC markers is limited and the genetic alterations driving its growth have remained unknown. In order to gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying FL-HCC initiation and progression, we performed an in-depth genomic analyses of one tumor followed by immunohistochemistry validation on seven other tumors. We showed the expression of neuroendocrine markers in FL-HCC. In addition, DNA/RNA sequencing revealed that common cancer pathways are not visibly altered in FL-HCC but identified two novel structural variants, both resulting in fusion transcripts. Through in vitro studies, we demonstrated the oncogenic properties of these fusion transcripts. These experiments further highlight the tumorigenic role of gene fusions in the etiology of pediatric solid tumors and identify both candidate biomarkers and possible therapeutic targets for this lethal pediatric disease.

  Study phs000828

• Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer: Aromatase Inhibitor Response Study

  Highly variable outcomes are observed in patients with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer who undergo preoperative estrogen deprivation therapy with aromatase inhibitors (AI). In this study, 46 baseline tumor and normal genomes and 31 baseline tumor/normal exomes of participants selected from two clinical trials of neoadjuvant AI therapy on ER+ breast cancer were sequenced to identify somatic alterations that correlate with response to AI, to screen for therapeutic targets and to elucidate the genetic landscape of ER+ breast cancer. From the same set of patients we later performed deep genomic characterization of a subset of matched primary tumors after four months of AI therapy, generating comprehensive information about the range of changes that occur when ER+ breast cancers are subjected to estrogen deprivation. This data includes whole genome sequence and transcriptome data. To better understand tumor heterogeneity and the evolution of resistance to estrogen-deprivation therapy, a subset of these tumours, along with 38 additional cases were sequenced to greater depth using targeted capture with a gene panel.

  Study phs000472

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Heart Healthy Lenoir (HHL) Genomics Study

  The HHL genomics study uses a systems approach to develop models integrating clinical and genomic data. Previously we developed and tested an approach known as the SAMARA (Supporting A Multidisciplinary Approach to Research in Atherosclerosis) project that applied recent advances in biomedical and computational sciences at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to develop a deeper understanding of human cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Heart-Healthy Lenoir Project expands these studies into the community, using this methodology to: 1) determine the prevalence of genomic risk signatures in high-risk community populations using genome-wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) analysis; 2) develop novel genomic models incorporating high-risk features in this population; and 3) determine whether genomic signatures can be used to predict responsiveness to interventions that underlie CVD disparities. DNA was obtained from participants enrolled in two of the HHL clinical trials, 1) Improving Care for Patients With High Blood Pressure (NCT01425515) or 2) Heart-Healthy Lenoir Lifestyle Study (NCT01433484). Participants could enroll in both trials concurrently.

  Study phs001471

• ARRA - NHLBI Lung Cohorts Sequencing Project: Genetic modifiers of

  The major goal of this project is to apply second generation resequencing technology to identify disease causing variants influencing pediatric and adult lung diseases in a collection of two longitudinal population cohorts of cystic fibrosis patients that have been well characterized for a comprehensive set of clinical traits. In Phase I, exome sequencing was performed on 43 cystic fibrosis patients with early Pa infection and 48 cystic fibrosis patients with late Pa infection to identify variants influencing the time to onset of Pa infection. In Phase II, additional exomes were added to the study, to reach a total of 91 individuals with early Pa infection and 96 with late Pa infection. The majority of the 340 subjects of Phase II do not have a Pa infection phenotype, but instead have a pulmonary function phenotype (121 severe vs. 124 mild impairment) as determined by the survival corrected Kulich FEV percentile of Corey et al. A small minority have intermediate phenotypes and/or show severe decline in lung function during childhood.

  Study phs000254

• Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 (CIMBA) - OncoArray Genotypes

  The data come from 40 studies participating in the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 (CIMBA). CIMBA recruits individuals with pathogenic mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2. The majority of carriers were recruited through cancer genetics clinics offering genetic testing, and were enrolled into national or regional studies. The remainder were identified by population-based sampling of cases, or community recruitment. Eligibility to participate is restricted to carriers of pathogenic BRCA1/2 mutations who were 18 years or older at recruitment. Information collected included amongst other variables: age at recruitment; ages at breast and ovarian cancer diagnosis; and estrogen receptor (ER) status. Samples were genotyped using the Illumina OncoArray beadchip 500K SNP custom array. Details of the genotyping process and sample selection are included in Phelan et al, Identification of twelve new susceptibility loci for different histotypes of epithelial ovarian cancer, Nat Genet. 2017 May;49(5):680-691 (PMID:28346442), and Milne et al, Identification of ten variants associated with risk of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer, Nat Genet (in press).

  Study phs001321

• Tissue and Fluid Analysis in Ocular Inflammatory Disease

  Granulomas are found in multiple infectious and non-infectious human diseases, yet the pathogenic drivers of granulomatous disease are still poorly understood. To enrich for pathologic inflammatory cells, we leveraged the intrinsic immunologic isolation of the eye by examining granulomatous uveitis, a form of ocular inflammation. We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing to obtain an unbiased gene expression survey of ocular immune cells in the anterior chamber of four live human donors with granulomatous uveitis. We paired this with antigen-receptor sequence analysis to identify clonally expanded lymphocytes. Each individual had robust clonal expansion arising from a single T or B cell lineage, suggesting distinct pathogenic processes in each patient. This variability in clonal expansion was mirrored by individualized combinations of TH1, TH1/TH17, and Tregs in ocular CD4 T cells. In contrast, ocular CD8 T cells were more transcriptionally similar across donors. Finally, clonally expanded, activated B cells displayed evidence of plasmablast differentiation and class-switching within the ocular microenvironment. Collectively, our study identified conserved and individualized features of granulomatous inflammation, illuminating parallel pathophysiologic mechanisms.

  Study phs002449

• Myocardial Infarction Genetics Exome Sequencing Consortium: Italian Atherosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology

  Italian Atherosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology study is a prospective, nationwide, case-control study involving 125 coronary care units in Italy. The cases were patients who were hospitalised for a first MI before the age of 45 years and underwent coronary angiography. Acute MI was defined as resting chest pain lasting more than 30 minutes, accompanied by persistent electrocardiographic changes, and confirmed by an increase in total creatine kinase or in the MB fraction to more than twice the upper normal limits. The controls were healthy subjects without a history of thromboembolic disease who were unrelated to the patients, but individually matched with them by age, gender and geographical origin. They were enrolled from among the blood donors or staff of the same participating hospitals. Recruitment of cases and controls took place between 1994 and 2007. All exome sequencing was performed at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT; samples sequence capture was performed using Agilent SureSelect Human All Exon Kit v2 and sequencing was performed on an Illumina HiSeq 2000 or 2500.

  Study phs000814

• Whole-Genome Sequencing Analysis of Extrachromosomal DNA with Amplicon Architect

  The study is related to our manuscript entitled "Single-cell genetic heterogeneity linked to immune infiltration in glioblastoma". Using multiplexed FISH analysis of 3-4 tumor cores from 17 glioblastoma formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumors, we identified two classes of tumors based on single cell co-occurrence of EGFR and CDK4 amplification. Tumors with a low odds ratio for finding EGFR and CDK4 amplified in the same cell (ORlow tumors) had higher EGFR copy number and higher diversity of copy number in cells harboring EGFR amplification. This suggested that in ORlow tumors EGFR is likely present on extrachromosomal DNA. To test this hypothesis, we performed whole genome sequencing on DNA extracted from FFPE slides from 3 ORlow samples and 3 ORhigh samples and used AmpliconArchitect to investigate the structure of the EGFR amplicon. We found multiple breakpoints and high complexity structure in the 3 tested ORlow samples, but not in the ORhigh samples, supporting the possibility of an extrachromosomal nature of EGFR amplification in the first group.

  Study phs003100

• Juvenile Sjogren's Syndrome (JSS) Transcriptome Study

  Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a systemic autoimmune disorder with major clinical manifestations of dryness in the eyes and mouth, fatigue, and joint pain. Our interdisciplinary experts in SjD at the University of Florida newly discovered and established a cohort of SjD in children. Many of these patients with childhood SjD (cSjD) demonstrated a prominent feature of recurrent parotitis (RP). To understand the immunopathogenesis of childhood SjD (cSjD) for the first time in the field, we profiled the transcriptome of five groups of four PBMC samples by unbiased, high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq): cSjD (n=4), non-cSjD (n=4), biopsy-positive non-cSjD (BP, n=4), biopsy-positive non-cSjD with RP (BPRP, n=4), and healthy controls (HC, n=4). In this study, RNA sequencing data, as well as all barcodes.tsv.gz, features.tsv.gz, and matrix.mtx.gz that may be used to create a Seurat object in R, will be availableTo protect the confidentiality of subjects, certain data were not assessed or collected in the subject phenotype dataset, such as race, age, height, weight, and education.

  Study phs003048

• The Immune Microenvironment Shapes Transcriptional and Genetic Heterogeneity in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

  Tumor microenvironment (TME) and somatic mutations drive progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Integrated bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of paired peripheral blood (PB) and lymph node (LN) samples from patients with treatment-naïve CLL showed upregulation of oncogenic processes in LN attributable to a minor population of activated tumor cells. A 10-gene tumor signature derived from this population was positively correlated with activated CD4+ T cells and M2 macrophages in the TME. Whole exome sequencing of paired PB and LN samples showed subclonal expansion in LN in some patients. In remaining patients with clonal stability between PB and LN, a T-cell inflamed TME was detected by RNA-seq. These data connect the TME with molecular events in the evolution of CLL.This cohort was later augmented with whole exome sequencing for 15 additional CLL samples. In an integrative analysis of genetic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic data, including the data from this study, we built new models to improve CLL patient prognostication.

  Study phs002297

• Barrett's and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Genetic Susceptibility Study (BEAGESS)

  BEAGESS is a genome-wide association study (GWAS) which takes advantage of the extensive data collected by investigators in the Barrett's and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Consortium (BEACON, http://beacon.tlvnet.net), representing many of the high-quality population-based and other epidemiologic studies of BE and EA in the world. The overall goal of our research is to evaluate the influence of genetic susceptibility on risk of EA and its main precancerous condition, BE. The primary aims of the study are to identify tagSNPs most strongly associated with risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) and Barrett's esophagus (BE). In the secondary aims we will evaluate the extent to which the most significant associations vary according to key environmental and host factors for these conditions, including gender, obesity and cigarette smoking. These results will guide additional exploratory analyses examining ways in which individual SNP results might be aggregated to shed light in the importance of specific pathways relevant to the etiology of BE and EA, and to identify possible epistatic effects.

  Study phs000869

• CD4+ cell transcriptional profiling by RNA sequencing

  We use next generation sequencing to investigate the different transcriptomes of closely related CD4+ T-cells from healthy human donors to elucidate the genetic programs that underlie their specialized immune functions. Six cell types were included: Regulatory T-cells (CD25hiCD127low/neg with >95% FOXP3+ purity), regulatory T-cells activated using PMA/ionomycin, CD25-CD45RA+ ('naive' helper T-cells), CD25-CD45RO+ ('memory' helper T-cells), activated Th17 cells (>98% IL17A+ purity) and activated IL17-CD4+ T-cells (called 'ThPI'). Poly-T capture beads were used to isolate mRNA from total RNA, and fragment sizes of ~200 were sequenced from both ends on Illumina's genome analyzer. We confirm many of the canonical signature genes of T-cell populations, but also discover new genes whose expression is limited to specific CD4 T-cell lineages, including long non-coding RNAs. Additionally, we find that genes encoded at loci linked to multiple human autoimmune diseases are enriched for preferential expression upon T-cell activation, suggesting that an aberrant response to T-cell activation is fundamental to pathogenesis.

  Study phs000626

• Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab Response in Breast Cancer

  HER2 (ERBB2) gene amplification and overexpression are present in 15-30% of invasive breast cancers. While HER2-targeted agents such as trastuzumab are effective treatments, therapeutic resistance remains a concern in HER2-positive breast cancer with 40-50% of patients having residual disease after neoadjuvant treatment with chemotherapy and trastuzumab. To investigate features that may make it possible to predict at diagnosis which cancers will be responsive to trastuzumab and chemotherapy, 48 tumor/normal DNA pairs extracted from pretreatment tumor biopsies and blood of HER2-positive breast cancer cases treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and trastuzumab were sequenced. Whole genome and exome sequence from tumor (average depth 49x and 71x) and normal (average depth 33x and 69x) DNA are included here as well as RNAseq data for 42 of the tumors. The study cohort was equally divided between patients who experienced pathological complete response and those with residual disease. Samples were obtained from the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z1041 trial (NCT00513292) and a local single-institution study (NCT00353483).

  Study phs001291

• Functionally Active Copy Number Variants Associated with Prostate Cancer Risk

  Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in males throughout the world and has the largest estimated effect of heritability among the most common tumor types. Copy Number Variants (CNVs) are a recently recognized class of human germline polymorphisms (Iafrate AJ, et al. (2004) Nat Genet 36, 949-951; Sebat J, et al. (2004) Science 305, 525-528.) and are associated with a variety of human diseases, including cancer. This study characterized 1,903 individuals from the Tyrol Early Prostate Cancer Detection Program (Bartsch G, et al. (2008) BJU Int 101, 809-816) using a computational framework (Banerjee S, et al. (2011) PLoS One 29;6(3)). The study results establish non-coding and coding germline CNVs as significant risk factors for prostate cancer susceptibility and implicate their role in disease development and progression. The study "Identification of functionally active, low frequency copy number variants at 15q21.3 and 12q21.31 associated with prostate cancer risk," Demichelis F, Setlur SR, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Apr 24;109(17):6686-91.

  Study phs000487

• Spatiotemporal Evolution of the ccRCC Microenvironment Links Intra-Tumoral Heterogeneity to Immune Escape CINOMA

  We utilize temporal multi-regional multi-omics profiling to uncover the mechanisms of immune escape in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) in 29 patients including 17 patients from a neoadjuvant nivolumab clinical trial. We observe that tumors can be broadly categorized into intra-tumoral heterogeneity (ITH) high and low, which correlates across genomic, transcriptomic, immune and tumor microenvironment (TME) landscapes. We identify several genetic alterations associated with ITH that correlate with a myeloid high and effector T cell low TME. Namely, ITH high tumors are enriched for mutations in SETD2, PBRM1, CDKN2A/B somatic copy number loss and HLA loss of heterozygosity, and they demonstrate the characteristics of immune escape. ITH high tumors demonstrate reduced peripheral blood TCR diversity which is associated with neoantigen depletion. Moreover, we identify a link between neoantigen depletion and immune escape through myeloid activation. A transcriptomic signature associated with neoantigen depletion is strongly associated with response to ICI treatment and targeted therapies in several independent clinical trial cohorts.

  Study phs003079

• Whole Exome Sequencing Study of TGFΒ Pathway Genes in HCV Liver Fibrosis

  Despite the astonishing progress in treating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with direct-acting antiviral agents, liver fibrosis remains a major health concern in HCV infected patients, in particular due to the treatment cost and insufficient HCV screening in many countries. Only a fraction of patients with chronic HCV infection develop liver fibrosis. While there is evidence that host genetic factors are involved in the development of liver fibrosis, the common variants identified so far, in particular by genome-wide association studies, were found to have limited effects. Here, we conducted an exome association study in 88 highly selected HCV-infected patients with and without fibrosis. A strategy focusing on TGF-β pathway genes revealed an enrichment in rare variants of the endoglin gene (ENG) in fibrosis patients. Replication studies in additional cohorts (617 patients) identified one specific ENG variant, Thr5Met, with an overall odds ratio for fibrosis development in carriers of 3.04 (1.39-6.69). Our results suggest that endoglin, a key player in TGF-β signaling, is involved in HCV-related liver fibrogenesis.

  Study phs001902

• eMERGE Genome-Wide Association Studies of Obesity

  The Geisinger eMERGE Genome-Wide Association Studies of Obesity Project is a genetic study of a cohort of primarily Caucasian patients with extreme obesity who have undergone bariatric surgery. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, in which intestinal anatomy is altered, dramatically ameliorates and/or eliminates Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) in 50-80% of patients within hours to days following surgery, well before significant weight loss, in contrast to other types of bariatric surgeries, such as gastric banding, that attenuate insulin resistance as a result of substantial weight loss that occurs over months to years. The molecular mechanism by which RYGB exerts this clinical phenomenon occurs is not known. The goal of this project was to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic variants associated with amelioration in T2D defined by medication independence. Identifying genetic variants that influence the dramatic resolution of T2D from RYGB may identify novel targets for pharmacological T2D therapies and/or identify patients in whom RYGB may not be effective.

  Study phs000408

• CPTAC: Molecular Dissection of Chemotherapy Response in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

  Sporadic Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) represents 10-15% of breast cancers (BC) worldwide. Non-specific chemotherapy remains the standard of care as there are no targeted agents. In 50% of cases, pathological complete response (pCR) is not achieved, and these individuals experience poor survival. Predictive markers for chemotherapy have proved elusive, and patients can receive up to five different chemotherapy agents to optimize outcomes. Microscaled proteogenomics (PMID: 31988290) is a discovery technique that integrates DNA and RNA sequencing with mass spectrometry based proteomics. This approach was applied to snap-frozen biopsies obtained before TNBC treatment on a clinical trial of carboplatin and docetaxel. Proteogenomic profiling included whole exome sequencing (WES), RNA-seq, and tandem mass tag based proteomics and phosphoproteomics.The study was approved by the IRB at both participating sites: Washington University in St. Louis and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), and followed the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice guidelines. The protocol and informed consent documents were approved by Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) and BCM.

  Study phs002505

• Analysis of Epigenomes and Genome Topology in Colorectal Cancer

  When diagnosing cancer, pathologists use nuclear morphology as a hallmark of tumor cells, but the topological changes linked to alterations in the shape of the nucleus were poorly understood. To uncover the molecular changes that occur in the 3D structure of cancer genomes, we integrated topological maps for colon tumors and normal colon tissues with epigenetic, transcriptional, and imaging data. We characterized tumor-associated changes in chromatin loops, topologically associated domains (TADs), and large-scale compartments. We found that chromatin loop rewiring contributes to oncogenic gene expression programs. Whereas TAD structures are largely stable, the spatial partitioning of the open and closed genome compartments is compromised in tumors and is accompanied by hypomethylation and histone mark rearrangements. We also identified a compartment that is reorganized in tumors and is at the interface between the canonical A and B compartments. Similar changes were evident in non-malignant cells that had accumulated excessive cellular divisions. Our analyses suggest that these compartment changes repress stemness and invasion programs while inducing immunity genes, and they may therefore restrain malignant progression.

  Study phs002288

• Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing of Human Prostatectomy Tissue

  The tissue microenvironment in prostate cancer is profoundly altered. How prostate cancer cells and their precursors mediate those changes is unclear, in part due to the inability to longitudinally study the disease evolution in human tissues. To overcome this limitation, we performed extensive single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to assess the transcriptional profiles of the tissue microenvironment in prostate tissues from prostatectomies from men diagnosed with prostate cancer. For each subject, benign-enriched and tumor-enriched tissues were collected from the peripheral zone of the prostate. Our studies of human tissues revealed that cancer cell-intrinsic activation of MYC signaling was the top up-regulated pathway in human cancers, representing a common denominator across the well-known molecular and pathological heterogeneity of human prostate cancer. Numerous non-malignant cell states in the tumor microenvironment (TME), including non-cancerous epithelial, immune, and fibroblast cell compartments, were conserved across individuals, suggesting that these cell types may be a sequelae of the convergent MYC activation in the cancer cells.

  Study phs003480

• Multi-Omic Profiling of Glioma Patient Tumors and Patient-Derived Model Systems

  We have created a resource of transcriptomic (RNAseq), genomic (whole-exome seq), and lipidomic (untargeted shotgun) profiling data from over 175 molecularly diverse glioma tumors and derivative models in orthotopic mouse xenografts and gliomasphere cultures from over 110 unique patient tumor lines. Provided in this dataset are matched bulk RNA and whole-exome paired-end sequencing data from resected gliomas and derived model systems performed on Illumina HiSeq and NovaSeq sequencing instruments. This comprehensive dataset powers multiple studies aiming to derive molecular signatures of intertumoral heterogeneity and perturbation responses in glioma. Through integrative multi-omic analyses in Minami, et al., 2023, PMID: 37236196, we identified that CDKN2A deletion remodels the GBM lipidome and consequently primes CDKN2A-deleted tumors for ferroptosis. Lipidomics data related to this study are publicly available here. In another study, we used a combination of molecular profiling and functional profiling of apoptotic potential to stratify patients into groups with differential vulnerability to the current standard-of-care in gliomas, and in combination with drugs targeting intrinsic apoptosis, largely informed but not limited to TP53 mutation status.

  Study phs003286

• WES in HCCOs with varying Doxorubicin resistance

  We aimed to identify somatic mutations that could explain the resistance to Doxorubicin. Therefor, we purified Exomes from liver biopsies and HCC organoids using Agilent SureSelectXT (clinical research exome, HS2 V8, or Human all Exon V6 Cosmic) and performed WES. Matched non-tumoral liver biopsies served as the control for germline mutations. 12 of these samples were previously reported. Sequence reads were aligned to the reference human genome GRCh38 using Burrows-Wheeler Aligner (BWA, v0.7.17). Duplicate removal, base quality adjustment, mutation calling (Mutect2, intervals: SureSelectXT_HS_V8_S33266340, germline-recourse: gnomad.exomes.r2.1.1.sites.liftover_grch38, Panel-of-Normal: 1000g_pon.hg38), filtering of Mutect calls, and functional annotation (Funcotator, funcotator_dataSources.v1.7.20200521g) were performed using the Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK, v4.4) according to the Broad Institute best practices in Somatic short variant discovery workflows. Mutations with a functional annotation of Deletion, Insertion, Non-stop, Splice-Site, Start-Codon and Missense mutations were kept. A list of 43 commonly mutated genes in HCC was analyzed in the HCC organoids [TCGA, Comprehensive and Integrative Genomic Characterization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cell, 2017. 169(7): p. 1327-1341.e23].

  Study EGAS50000000043

• Evolutionary trajectories of IDH-mutant astrocytoma identify molecular grading markers related to cell cycling

  To study the evolutionary processes that drive malignant transformation in IDH-mutant astrocytomas, we performed multi-omics on a large cohort of matched initial and recurrent tumor samples. We find that genome-wide DNA-methylation levels decreased over time, mainly in patients with high-grade recurrences. DNA-demethylation was lifted from specific loci associated with DNA replication, and was associated with upregulation of cell cycling associated genes. Upregulation of cell cycling genes occurred predominantly in proliferating tumor cells, and was associated with tumor grade. Temporal DNA-demethylation and upregulation of cell cycling were hardly affected by chemo- and/or radiotherapy, indicating treatment does not affect the course of disease. Further, we defined a DNA-methylation based signature associated with tumor grade and poor prognostic genetic events, with a prognostic power stronger than CDKN2A/B deletion. We validated its prognostic power on primary tumor samples of patients included in the CATNON randomized phase 3 clinical trial. Therefore this model can serve as a molecular grading marker for IDH-mutant astrocytomas.

  Study EGAS00001007527

• CD8-targeted IL-2 unleashes tumor-specific immunity in human cancer tissue by reviving the dysfunctional T cell pool

  Tumor-specific CD8+ T cells are key effectors of antitumor immunity but are often rendered dysfunctional in the tumor microenvironment. Immune checkpoint blockade can restore antitumor T cell function in some patients, however most do not respond to this therapy, often despite T cell infiltration in their tumors. We here explored a CD8-targeted IL-2 fusion molecule (CD8-IL2) to selectively reactivate intratumoral CD8+ T cells in patient-derived tumor fragments. Treatment with CD8-IL2 broadly armed intratumoral CD8+ T cells with enhanced effector capacity, thereby specifically enabling reinvigoration of the dysfunctional T cell pool to elicit potent immune activity. Notably, the revival of dysfunctional T cells to mediate effector activity by CD8-IL2 depended on simultaneous antigen recognition and was quantitatively and qualitatively superior to that achieved by PD-1 blockade. Finally, CD8-IL2 was able to functionally reinvigorate T cells in tumors resistant to anti-PD-1, underscoring its potential as a novel treatment strategy for cancer patients.

  Study EGAS00001007712

• Cancer cell and tumor microenvironment biomarkers associated with disease-free survival with adjuvant nivolumab in the phase 3 CheckMate 274 trial

  In the CheckMate 274 trial, adjuvant nivolumab versus placebo demonstrated an improvement in the primary endpoint of disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma after radical resection. An extensive analysis of tumor biomarkers, including their associations with DFS, was performed. Analysis of genome-wide differential gene expression and known gene signatures found that immune-related genes and pathways, in particular an IFNγ signature, were predictive of DFS in nivolumab-treated patients. Predictive and prognostic associations, respectively, were found for tumor-infiltrating CD4 and CD8 T cells. Analysis of a composite predictive model suggested that CD4 gene expression and tumor cell PD-L1 expression had the greatest contributions to predicting outcomes in nivolumab-treated patients. These results reinforce recent studies establishing the importance of biomarkers of adaptive immunity, and in particular CD4 T cells, in influencing response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and establish the potential predictive rather than solely prognostic nature of such findings.

  Study EGAS50000000560

• Long-read-transcriptome-sequencing of CLL and MDS patients uncovers common molecular effects of SF3B1 mutations

  Mutations in SF3B1 occur frequently in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and a full-length transcriptome approach can expand our current knowledge on SF3B1 mutation effects on RNA splicing. We applied long-read-transcriptome-sequencing (LRTS) to 44 MDS and CLL patients with and without SF3B1 mutations and found a large fraction (>60%) of novel isoforms. Furthermore, we revealed that mutation effects on alternative splicing were largely common in both cancer types and specifically altered the usage of introns as well as 3’-splice-sites. We combined the LRTS with genome-wide SF3B1-RNA binding maps and show multimodal binding at 3’-splice-sites highlighting a window of 12-21nt upstream of the canonical 3’-splice-site in which a dynamic switch in splice site usage is observable in patients carrying SF3B1 mutations. Our work presents the hitherto most complete LRTS study in CLL and MDS and provides a resource for further research on aberrant splicing in cancer.

  Study EGAS50000000053

• Altered enhancer-promoter interaction leads to MNX1 expression in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia with t(7;12)(q36;p13)

  Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with the t(7;12)(q36;p13) translocation occurs only in very young children and has a poor clinical outcome. The expected oncofusion between breakpoint partners (MNX1 and ETV6) has only been reported in a subset of cases. However, a universal feature is the strong transcript and protein expression of MNX1, a homeobox transcription factor that is normally not expressed in hematopoietic cells. Here, we map the translocation breakpoints on chromosomes 7 and 12 in affected patients to a region proximal to MNX1 and either introns 1 or 2 of ETV6. The frequency of MNX1 overexpression in pediatric AML (n=1556, own and published data) is 2.4% and occurs predominantly in t(7;12)(q36;p13) AML. Chromatin interaction assays in a t(7;12)(q36;p13) iPSC cell line model unravel an enhancer-hijacking event that explains MNX1 overexpression in hematopoietic cells. Our data suggest that enhancer-hijacking is a more common and overlooked mechanism for structural rearrangement-mediated gene activation in AML.

  Study EGAS50000000130

• Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

  Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a neurological disorder of aging that is characterized by enlarged cerebral ventricles, gait difficulty, incontinence and dementia. It is a common disorder that occurs almost exclusively after the age of 60. About 1.3% of patients over the age of 65 and 9-14% of nursing home residents are thought to have iNPH. Unfortunately, more than 90% of these patients remain misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, in part because the symptoms of iNPH resemble the symptoms of other neurodegenerative diseases, and in part because many health care practitioners are unfamiliar with this disorder. The etiology of iNPH is not known. Scattered reports of familial cases of iNPH suggest a genetic origin, but the genes involved are unknown. To investigate this matter, we have used exome sequencing to look for genetic factors associated with iNPH. We find recurrent heterozygous mutations in 10 genes, nearly all of which show increased expression in the ciliated ventricular epithelium and/or choroid plexus. Many have previously been associated with the function of cilia. 

  Study phs002296

• Loss of SDHB promotes dysregulated iron homeostasis, oxidative stress and sensitivity to ascorbate

  Succinate dehydrogenase is a key enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the electron transport chain. All four subunits of succinate dehydrogenase are tumor suppressor genes predisposing to paraganglioma, but only mutations in the SDHB subunit are associated with increased risk of metastasis. Here we generated an Sdhd knockout chromaffin cell line and compared it to Sdhb-deficient cells. Both cell types exhibited similar SDH loss of function, metabolic adaptation, and succinate accumulation. In contrast, Sdhb-/- cells showed hallmarks of mesenchymal transition associated with increased DNA hypermethylation and a stronger pseudo-hypoxic phenotype compared to Sdhd-/- cells. Loss of SDHB specifically led to increased oxidative stress associated with dysregulated iron and copper homeostasis in the absence of NRF2 activation. High-dose ascorbate exacerbated the increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, leading to cell death in Sdhb-/- cells. These data establish a mechanism linking oxidative stress to iron homeostasis that specifically occurs in SDHB deficient cells and may promote metastasis. They also highlight high-dose ascorbate as a promising therapeutic strategy for SDHB-related cancers.

  Study EGAS00001005279

• Transcriptome profiling of patient derived neural stem cells highlights the importance of CTNND2 and WNT signaling in early neuralization

  Loss of CTNND2/δ-catenin function is implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders, including Cri-du-chat syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. CTNND2, the encoded protein, is crucial for the cadherin-catenin cell adhesion complex in the brain. However, the specific impact on neurodevelopment remains unclear. To investigate, we used neuroepithelial stem cells (NESCs) derived from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with loss of CTNND2. In monolayer cultures, we observed abnormal neural rosette formation and failure to establish stable neural stem cells. 3D organoid cultures confirmed delayed neurogenesis and slower growth in patient-derived iPSC lines. We have built a transcriptomic catalog and observed a dysregulation of the WNT signaling pathway linked to our observed cellular phenotypes. To validate we excluded the WNT activator CHIR99021 from the media, which partially rescued the transcriptomic and morphological phenotype of the patient neural induction. This study enhances our understanding of how CTNND2 loss affects early neurogenesis and neuronal maturation in patient specific cells.

  Study EGAS50000000323

• CALGB 40601: Randomized Phase III Trial of Paclitaxel Combined With Trastuzumab, Lapatinib, or Both As Neoadjuvant Treatment of HER2-Positive Primary Breast Cancer

  This randomized phase III trial studies paclitaxel and trastuzumab with or without lapatinib to see how well they work in treating patients with stage II or stage III breast cancer that can be removed by surgery. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as paclitaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Lapatinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving paclitaxel with trastuzumab and/or lapatinib before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed. It is not yet known which regimen is more effective in treating patients with breast cancer.

  Study phs001570

• Whole Genome Sequencing Consortium on Frontotemporal Dementia With Underlying TDP-43 Pathology

  Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is one of the leading causes of dementia in individuals younger than 65 years. The FTLD symptoms of most patients are not yet explained by mutations in the known FTLD genes (C9orf72, GRN, MAPT). Identifying genetic risk associated with the disease is key for developing disease models and new therapeutic avenues. We performed short-read whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on 19 neuropathologically normal individuals and 560 patients with FTLD, including 171 pathologically confirmed FTLD patients, 352 clinically diagnosed FTLD patients, and 37 autosomal dominant FTLD patients. Pathologically confirmed FTLD patients include FTLD with TDP43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP) and FTLD with FUS inclusions (FTLD-FUS), autosomal dominant FTLD patients include GRN (FTLD-TDP GRN) and C9ORF72 (FTLD-TDP C9ORF72) mutation carriers, clinically diagnosed patients include behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), frontotemporal dementia with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD-ALS), frontotemporal dementia with corticobasal syndrome (FTD-CBS), semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), and non-fluent variant of primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA).

  Study phs003309

• Synthetic - FEGA Sweden Heilsa synthetic dataset December 2023

  Synthetic - This submission contains a subset of a synthetic dataset derived from the project Heilsa Tryggvedottir - a Nordic collaboration on sharing sensitive human data. Heilsa Tryggvedottir is funded by the Nordic e-Infrastructure Collaboration (NeIC), the ELIXIR nodes of Finland, Norway, and Sweden, Computerome in Denmark, and the Estonian Scientific Computing Infrastructure (ETAIS). In the synthetic data creation process, it was attempted to strike a fine balance between the usability of the datasets (e.g. technical FEGA development, testing, user training, and basic bioinformatics) and compliance with GDPR. File names and file content (e.g. headers in fastq) are anonymized. Moreover, the X, Y, and mitochondrial sequences have been discarded from the original data since these data can be used for maternal, paternal, or ethnic origin tracing. The dataset does not follow natural haplotype distribution (inherent to imputation panels). The only inputs derived from real sequence data are variant distribution density per chromosome and learning sequencing error models. The synthetic dataset consists of two fastq files, a cram file, a vcf file, and two index files.

  Study EGAS50000000086

• Characterization of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Subtypes via Single-Cell and Spatial-Transcriptomics Profiling

  We measured gene expression in single-cell RNA sequencing samples from patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), for a study on improving HGSOC subtype definition by taking into account varying cell type proportions within tumors. The initial dataset (added October, 2020) contains 3 samples (3 individuals). The next dataset (added November, 2022) contains 34 samples from 8 individuals. The samples in the second dataset were sequenced in five different ways: 1) rRNA depletion and bulk RNA sequencing of tumor chunks, 2) rRNA depletion and bulk RNA sequencing of dissociated cells, 3) poly-A capture and bulk RNA sequencing of dissociated cells, 4) poly-A capture and scRNA sequencing of dissociated cells, 5) barcoding and pooling cells and scRNA sequencing (2 pools of 4 samples each). The third dataset (added June, 2024) contains data from one spatially resolved transcriptomics experiment (4 samples, one per Visium capture area, describing one tumor from one individual) and scRNA sequencing on 5 samples (5 individuals).

  Study phs002262

• Linked-Read Whole Genome Sequencing Profiles Structural Variant Landscape of Gliomas with Barcode-Level Evidence

  Structural variants (SVs) play essential roles in glioma oncogenesis and offer prognostic insights, yet the SV landscape of gliomas has not been completely characterized due to previous technological limitations. To comprehensively profile the SV landscape of gliomas, we performed linked-read whole genome sequencing (LR-WGS) on 31 tumour samples from 20 glioma patients. Using barcode-level evidence, we validated known SVs and identified the presence of extrachromosomal DNA containing the EGFR sequence, which correlates with elevated EGFR expression. Additionally, we uncovered rare SVs affecting genes typically mutated by single nucleotide variants (SNVs), including those in the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. Our analysis also reveals selective chromosomal vulnerabilities to SVs, highlighting certain chromosomes as hotspots for SV accumulation. Collectively, our results demonstrate the utility of LR-WGS in accurately detecting SVs and thoroughly profiling SV landscapes using barcode-level evidence. The insights gained into the synergistic effects of SNVs and SVs on oncogenes further underscore the importance of integrating SV analysis when examining mutations in gliomas.

  Study EGAS50000000947

• 10x Multiome from Human Fetal Heart

  We hope to uncover the genetic basis of congenital heart disease by examining how genetic variants, especially those in non-coding regions, influence heart development. To achieve this goal, our research team created a single-cell atlas of human fetal heart development. The study population consists of 41 structurally normal fetal hearts spanning 6 to 22 weeks post-conception. We profiled close to 750,000 using single-cell RNA sequencing and ATAC sequencing technologies via the 10x Genomics Multiome platform.The molecular technologies employed allowed for simultaneous analysis of gene expression and chromatin accessibility at the single-cell level. This approach identified numerous distinct cell types and states within the developing heart, offering detailed insights into gene activity and enhancer usage during critical stages of heart development.Principal findings include the characterization of diverse cell populations and the identification of specific gene expression patterns and regulatory elements active during heart formation. This high-resolution atlas provides valuable insights into how genetic variants may disrupt normal heart development, particularly those in non-coding regions that affect gene regulation.

  Study phs003778

• Health Information National Trends Survey-SEER (HINTS-SEER)

  HINTS-SEER is a cross-sectional survey that sampled cancer survivors from three different SEER cancer registries. Sampling frames of survivors from each registry were stratified by time since diagnosis and race/ethnicity, with non-malignant tumors and non-melanoma skin cancers excluded. Respondents who consented completed a self-administered questionnaire sent through the mail and resulted in a total sample of 1,234 respondents. The goal of HINTS-SEER was to better understand the communication needs and practices, information preferences, risk behaviors and cancer knowledge of cancer survivors using a modified version of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) specifically designed for cancers survivors. Demographic information on the survivors showed that over 60% of the sample was 10 or more years since diagnosis with the most common cancers being male reproductive (24.6%), female breast (23%) and melanoma (9.6%) and gastrointestinal (8.6%). De-identified data is available in SAS, SPSS, and STATA formats, as part of a data package that also includes a history document, methodology report, data analysis recommendations, and a codebook.

  Study phs004065

• Spatial transcriptomics analysis of triple negative breast cancers

  While triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known to be heterogeneous at the genomic and transcriptomic levels, spatial information on tumor organization and cell composition is still lacking. Here, we investigated TNBC tumor architecture including its microenvironment using spatial transcriptomics on a series of 92 patients. We performed an in-depth characterization of tumor and stroma organization and composition using an integrative approach combining histomorphological and spatial transcriptomics. Furthermore, a detailed molecular characterization of tertiary lymphoid structures led to identify a gene signature strongly associated to disease outcome and response to immunotherapy in several tumor types beyond TNBC. A stepwise clustering analysis identified nine TNBC ecotypes, further validated in external datasets. Several ecotypes were associated with disease outcome and characterized by potentially actionable features. In this work, we provideThis is the largest TNBC series providing a comprehensive insight into the complexity of TNBC ecosystem with potential clinical relevance, opening avenues for treatment tailoring including immunotherapy. All the processed data needed to replicate the results from the publication (counts, images, clinical data, etc) are available on Zenodo: https://zenodo.org/records/14204217

  Study EGAS50000000475

• Response​ to Tagraxofusp in Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm

  Tagraxofusp is a CD123-targeted therapy comprised of a recombinant human interleukin-3 (IL-3) fused to a truncated diphtheria toxin (DT) payload. It is the first approved treatment specifically for patients with Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN). In order to identify biomarkers of response, bone marrow samples from 12 BPDCN patients who were treated with tagraxofusp in the pivotal phase II trial (NCT02113982) were profiled longitudinally using gene panel and/or single-cell RNA sequencing. Durable responders had either wildtype or missense TET2 mutations while transient and non-responders had at least one truncating TET2 mutation. Those who had progression at any one point during the treatment course (transient responders) and non-responders had enrichment of the chemokines CCL3, CCL4, and CCL5. Residual tumor cells following tagraxofusp treatment were identified in all patients, whose resistance may be due to their lower levels of TXNRD1 possibly preventing the potentiation of tagraxofusp. Thus, response to tagraxofusp may be related to culmination of intrinsic TET2 mutations, levels of TXNRD1, and extrinsic effects of chemokines within bone marrow.

  Study phs003895

• Human liver cholangiocyte organoids capture the heterogeneity of in vivo human liver ductal epithelium

  Human liver ductal epithelium is morphologically, functionally and transcriptionally heterogeneous. However, understanding the dynamics within human biliary/ductal epithelium has been hampered by the absence of an in vitro system that fully mimics its complex cellular heterogeneity. Here, we found that the human liver cholangiocyte (ductal-cell) organoids we previously published (Huch et al., 2015) are fairly homogenous and do not retain the cellular heterogeneity of the in vivo human biliary/ductal epithelium. Inspired by the knowledge of the in vivo niche, we refined our previous organoid culture medium to fully capture the cellular heterogeneity of the human ductal epithelium. We employed this refined system to analyse the interactions and relationships between the different human biliary epithelial cell states and discovered that acquiring a bipotent ductal cell state is necessary for differentiating the human ductal epithelium into functional hepatocyte-like cells. Our improved cholangiocyte organoid model represents a new platform to investigate cell plasticity and duct-to-hepatocyte differentiation in human liver.

  Study EGAS50000001000

• Non-invasive human skin transcriptome analysis using mRNA in skin surface lipids

  Non-invasive acquisition of mRNA data from the skin can be extremely useful for understanding skin physiology and diseases. Inspired by the holocrine process, in which the sebaceous glands secrete cell contents into the sebum, we focused on the possible presence of mRNAs in skin surface lipids (SSLs). We found that measurable levels of human mRNAs exist in SSLs, where the sebum protects them from degradation by RNases. The AmpliSeq transcriptome analysis was modified to measure SSL-RNA levels, and our results revealed that the SSL-RNAs predominantly comprised mRNAs derived from sebaceous glands, the epidermis, and hair follicles. Analysis of SSL-RNAs non-invasively collected from patients with atopic dermatitis revealed significantly increased expression of inflammation-related genes and decreased expression of terminal-differentiation���related genes, consistent with the results of previous reports. Further, we found that lipid-synthesis���related genes were downregulated in the sebaceous glands of patients with atopic dermatitis. These results indicate that the analysis of SSL-RNAs is a promising strategy to understand the pathophysiology of skin diseases.

  Study JGAS000416

• Chromatin remodeler CHD7 regulates the stem cell identity of human neural progenitors

  Multiple congenital disorders often present complex phenotypes, but how the mutation of individual genetic factors can lead to multiple defects remains poorly understood. In the present study, we used human neuroepithelial (NE) cells and CHARGE patient-derived cells as an in vitro model system to identify the function of chromodomain helicase DNA-binding 7 (CHD7) in NE?neural crest bifurcation, thus revealing an etiological link between the central nervous system (CNS) and craniofacial anomalies observed in CHARGE syndrome. We found that CHD7 is required for epigenetic activation of superenhancers and CNS-specific enhancers, which support the maintenance of the NE and CNS lineage identities. Furthermore, we found that BRN2 and SOX21 are downstream effectors of CHD7, which shapes cellular identities by enhancing a CNS-specific cellular program and indirectly repressing non- CNS-specific cellular programs. Based on our results, CHD7, through its interactions with superenhancer elements, acts as a regulatory hub in the orchestration of the spatiotemporal dynamics of transcription factors to regulate NE and CNS lineage identities.

  Study JGAS000131

• Single cell RNA seq of breast cancer stem cells

  RNA sequences of breast cancer have been investigated for many patients. Recently it has been shown that there are intra-heterogeneity in tumor tissues. When the tumor cells were sequenced in bulk condition, only the major populations' mRNA will be detected. With respect to breast cancer, it has been also reported that cancer cells can sub-gropued into cancer stem cells and non-cancer stem cells. Although the mRNA expressions' difference between this two groups has been profoundly investigated, whether each group is composed by unique cell or not is yet to be elucidated. Since cancer stem cells are the thought to be the major contributor of metastasis and/or recurrence, we focused on cancer stem cells in this study. We separated cancer cells into cancer stem cells and non-cancer stem cells exploiting cancer stem cell specific surface markers. Thereafter, we sequenced mRNA of cancer stem cells in single cell resolution. From this result, we examined whether these cells can be sub-grouped or not.

  Study JGAS000305

• Impact of germline pathogenic variants in 27 cancer-predisposing genes on the risk of lymphoma

  The application of advanced molecular technology has significantly expanded lymphoma classification, allowing risk stratification and treatment optimization. Limited evidence suggests the presence of a genetic predisposition in lymphoma, indicating the potential for better individualized clinical management based on a novel lymphoma classification. Herein, we examined the impact of germline pathogenic variants in 27 cancer-predisposing genes with lymphoma risk and explored the clinical characteristics of pathogenic variant carriers. This study included 2,066 lymphoma patients and 38,153 cancer-free controls from the Japanese population. Following quality control of sequencing data, samples from 1,982 lymphoma patients and 37,592 controls were further analyzed. Sequencing data of controls were obtained from JGAD000721. Germline pathogenic variants in some cancer-predisposing genes were associated with a high risk of lymphoma. Furthermore, germline pathogenic variants in these genes were especially associated with the higher risk of a certain subtype. These results would provide novel insights concerning monogenic form into lymphoma classification. Some lymphoma patients may benefit from surveillance and targeted treatment like other neoplasms.

  Study JGAS000347

• Non-invasive human skin transcriptome analysis using mRNA in skin surface lipids

  Non-invasive acquisition of mRNA data from the skin can be extremely useful for understanding skin physiology and diseases. Inspired by the holocrine process, in which the sebaceous glands secrete cell contents into the sebum, we focused on the possible presence of mRNAs in skin surface lipids (SSLs). We found that measurable levels of human mRNAs exist in SSLs, where the sebum protects them from degradation by RNases. The AmpliSeq transcriptome analysis was modified to measure SSL-RNA levels, and our results revealed that the SSL-RNAs predominantly comprised mRNAs derived from sebaceous glands, the epidermis, and hair follicles. Analysis of SSL-RNAs non-invasively collected from patients with atopic dermatitis revealed significantly increased expression of inflammation-related genes and decreased expression of terminal-differentiation���related genes, consistent with the results of previous reports. Further, we found that lipid-synthesis���related genes were downregulated in the sebaceous glands of patients with atopic dermatitis. These results indicate that the analysis of SSL-RNAs is a promising strategy to understand the pathophysiology of skin diseases.

  Study JGAS000418

• Non-invasive human skin transcriptome analysis using mRNA in skin surface lipids

  Non-invasive acquisition of mRNA data from the skin can be extremely useful for understanding skin physiology and diseases. Inspired by the holocrine process, in which the sebaceous glands secrete cell contents into the sebum, we focused on the possible presence of mRNAs in skin surface lipids (SSLs). We found that measurable levels of human mRNAs exist in SSLs, where the sebum protects them from degradation by RNases. The AmpliSeq transcriptome analysis was modified to measure SSL-RNA levels, and our results revealed that the SSL-RNAs predominantly comprised mRNAs derived from sebaceous glands, the epidermis, and hair follicles. Analysis of SSL-RNAs non-invasively collected from patients with atopic dermatitis revealed significantly increased expression of inflammation-related genes and decreased expression of terminal-differentiation���related genes, consistent with the results of previous reports. Further, we found that lipid-synthesis���related genes were downregulated in the sebaceous glands of patients with atopic dermatitis. These results indicate that the analysis of SSL-RNAs is a promising strategy to understand the pathophysiology of skin diseases.

  Study JGAS000417

• Myasthenia gravis-specific aberrant neuromuscular gene expression by medullary thymic epithelial cells in thymoma

  Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neurological disease caused by autoantibodies against neuromuscular-associated proteins. While MG is frequently developed in thymoma patients, the etiologic factors for MG are not well understood. Here, by constructing a comprehensive atlas of thymoma using bulk and single-cell RNA-seq, we identified ectopic expression of neuromuscular molecules in MG-associated thymoma (MG-thymoma). These molecules were originated from a distinct subpopulation of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), which we named neuromuscular mTECs (nmTECs). MG-thymoma also exhibited microenvironments dedicated to autoantibody production, including ectopic germinal center formation, T follicular helper cell accumulation, and type 2 conventional dendritic cell migration. Cell-cell interaction analysis also predicted the interaction between nmTECs and T/B cells via CXCL12-CXCR4. The enrichment of nmTECs presenting neuromuscular molecules within MG-thymoma was further confirmed by immunohistochemically and by cellular composition estimation from MG-thymoma transcriptome. Altogether, this study suggests that nmTECs play a significant role in MG pathogenesis via ectopic expression of neuromuscular molecules.

  Study JGAS000482

• High MAPK Activity Leading to Reduced WNT Signaling Drives Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer

  Colorectal cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality due to distant metastases, is driven by activating mutations in the Wnt and MAPK pathways. Understanding the interplay between these crucial pathways during metastatic progression is essential for developing effective treatments. Here we developed an immunocompetent mouse model of metastatic colorectal cancer using in vivo orthotopic passaging. We demonstrate that highly metastatic tumor cells exhibit chromosomal amplifications in MAPK pathway genes, leading to increased MAPK activity, which in turn suppresses Wnt-associated transcriptional programs, including stem cell-associated genes. Inhibiting mutant KrasG12D effectively reversed this metastatic transcriptional state, reducing MAPK-driven gene expression and restoring Wnt activity. Notably, this treatment significantly curtailed lung metastases and reduced liver metastases during early seeding stages. Analysis of CRC patient data revealed that high MAPK activity and the associated metastatic gene signature correlated with poorer survival outcomes. These findings underscore that the plasticity of metastasis-initiating cells in CRC arises from the opposing roles of MAPK and Wnt signaling, despite their synergistic importance in colon tumor initiation.

  Study EGAS50000001231

• Distinct genomic profiles and clinical outcomes in constitutional mismatch repair deficiency-associated high-grade gliomas: insights into mutational signatures and clonal evolution

  Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD) is a rare cancer-predisposition syndrome, yet the mutational processes and clonal evolution of CMMRD-associated high-grade gliomas (HGGs) remain incompletely understood. In this study, mutational signatures and tumor evolution were analyzed in 25 CMMRD-associated HGGs. Germline biallelic mutations were most frequently identified in MSH6 (56.0%), followed by PMS2 (36.0%) and MLH1 (8.0%). Affected patients showed very early disease onset (mean 5.8 years) and poor clinical outcomes, with a mean progression-free survival of 16 months. Distinct genomic and clinical differences were observed between MSH6- and PMS2-associated tumors. MSH6-deficient HGGs were enriched for SBS6, whereas PMS2-deficient tumors showed predominance of SBS21, and these mutational signatures were correlated with prognosis. Clonal evolution analyses revealed early involvement of POLE/POLD1 mutations and persistence of the founding clone at recurrence. Overall, the study highlights the importance of mutational signatures and clonal evolution in shaping tumor behavior and clinical outcomes in CMMRD-associated HGGs.

  Study EGAS50000001506

• TGF-β signaling mediates microglial resilience to spatiotemporally restricted myelin degeneration

  Microglia survey and regulate central nervous system myelination during embryonic development and adult homeostasis. However, whether microglia-myelin interactions are spatiotemporally regulated remains unexplored. By examining spinal cord white matter tracts, we found that myelin degeneration was particularly prominent in the dorsal column (DC) during normal aging. This was accompanied by molecular and functional changes in DC microglia as well as an upregulation of TGF-β signaling. Disrupting TGF-β signaling in microglia led to unchecked microglial responses and myelin loss in the DC, accompanied by neurological deficits exacerbated with aging. snRNA-seq revealed the emergence of a TGF-β signaling-sensitive microglial subset and a disease-associated oligodendrocyte subset, both spatially restricted to the DC. We further discovered that microglia rely on a TGFβ autocrine mechanism to prevent damage of myelin in the DC. These findings demonstrate that TGF-β signaling is indispensable for maintaining microglial resilience to myelin degeneration in the DC during the aging process. This highlights a previously unresolved checkpoint mechanism of TGF-β signaling with regional specificity and spatially restricted microglia-oligodendrocyte interactions.

  Study EGAS50000001413

• Whole Genome Sequencing of Gingivo-buccal Cancer: ICGC-India Project_YR03

  As a part of the ICGC, India has undertaken genomic studies on gingivobuccal cancer of the oral cavity, which is the most prevalent form of cancer among men in India. There are various known environmental (life-style) correlates of this cancer, the most important of which are tobacco chewing and HPV infection. Whole genome sequencing of paired DNA samples – isolated from the tumor tissue and from the blood of twenty five patients – have been performed to catalog germline and somatic mutations. Association between each observed genomic alteration and exposure to environmental risk factors is being explored. Detailed clinical characterization of the patients, collection of data on demographic and environmental exposures, and isolation of DNA samples from blood and tumor tissues collected from each patient are being done at the Advanced Centre for Research, Treatment and Education on Cancer, Mumbai. Whole genome sequencing is being performed at the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani. We have completed whole genome sequencing of paired blood and tumor DNA samples using Illumina HiSeq-2000 and 2500.

  Study EGAS00001001901

• Genomic Analyses Identify Recurrent MEF2D Fusions in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

  Chromosomal rearrangements are initiating events in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Here, using RNA-sequencing (RNAseq) of 560 ALL cases, we identify rearrangements between MEF2D (myocyte enhancer factor 2D) and five genes (BCL9, CSF1R, DAZAP1, HNRNPUL1 and SS18) in 22 B progenitor ALL (B-ALL) cases with a distinct gene expression profile, the most common of which is MEF2D-BCL9. Examination of an extended cohort of 1164 B-ALL cases identified 30 cases with MEF2D rearrangements which include an additional fusion partner, FOXJ2, thus MEF2D-rearranged cases comprise 5.3% of cases lacking recurring alterations. MEF2D-rearranged ALL is characterized by a distinct immunophenotype, DNA copy number alterations at the rearrangement sites, older diagnosis age, and poor outcome. The rearrangements result in enhanced MEF2D transcriptional activity, lymphoid transformation, activation of HDAC9 expression and sensitive to histone deacetylase inhibitors treatment. Thus, MEF2D-rearranged ALL represents a distinct form of high-risk leukemia, for which new therapeutic approaches should be considered.

  Study EGAS00001001952

• Comprehensive analyses of somatic TP53 mutation in tumors with variable mutant allele frequency

  Somatic mutation of the tumor suppressor gene TP53 is reported in at least 50% of human malignancies. Most high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSC) have a mutant TP53 allele. Accurate detection of these mutants in heterogeneous tumor tissue is paramount as therapies emerge to target mutant p53. We used a Fluidigm Access Array™ System with Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) to analyze DNA extracted from 76 serous ovarian tumors. This dataset has been made available to researchers through the European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA). Herein, we present detailed analyses of this dataset using HaplotypeCaller and MuTect2 through the Broad Institute’s Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK). We also present comparisons of the ability to detect TP53 mutation by MPS and Sanger sequencing in these tumors. We anticipate that this TP53 mutation dataset will be useful to researchers developing and testing new software to accurately determine high and low frequency variant alleles in heterogeneous aneuploid tumor tissue. Further, the analysis pipeline we present provides a valuable framework for determining somatic variants more broadly in tumor tissue.

  Study EGAS00001002200

• Population_dynamics_in_abnormal_haematopoiesis

  Background: Our recent study has made direct insight into the clonal dynamics of blood cell production in an unperturbed setting in a human. Using whole genome sequencing to track acquired somatic mutations, we were able to construct a phylogenetic tree of different stem and progenitor cells and used this tree to determine the dynamics of mature blood cell production in longitudinal samples. These data set the baseline for understanding population dynamics in abnormal haematopoiesis, and how malignant clones outcompete their normal counterparts to drive haematological malignancies. Aim: This study will measure population dynamics in abnormal human haematopoiesis in patients with clonal blood stem cell disorders. Methods: From patient bone marrow or peripheral blood, we have isolated colonies grown from single blood stem cells/progenitors. Colony DNA will be analysed by whole-genome sequencing to build (or populate) a phylogenetic tree to determine clonal relationships and track stem cell contribution to mature blood cell production. These data will also reveal disease-associated genomic features (mutational burden and mutational signatures) in haematopoietic cells.

  Study EGAS00001003181

• SNP array files, IDAT files, from 34 members of a Family with a high prevalence of psychosis

  We investigated the genetic causes of major mental disorders (MMDs) including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder I, major depressive disorder, and attention deficit hyperactive disorder, in a large family pedigree from Alpujarras, South of Spain, a region with a high prevalence of psychotic disorders. We applied a systematic genomic approach based on karyotyping (N=4), genotyping by genome-wide SNP array (N=33), whole-exome sequencing (N=4), and whole-genome sequencing (N=12). We performed genome-wide linkage analysis, family-based association analysis, and polygenic risk score estimates. Significant linkage was obtained at chromosome 9 (9q33.1-33.2, LOD score= 4.11), a suggestive region that contains five candidate genes ASTN2, BRINP1, C5, TLR4, and TRIM32, previously associated to MMDs. Comprehensive analysis associated the MMD phenotype with genes of the immune system with dual brain functions. Moreover, the psychotic phenotype was enriched for genes involved in synapsis. These results should be considered once studying the genetics of psychiatric disorders in other families, especially the ones from the same region, since founder effects may be related to the high prevalence.

  Study EGAS00001004592

• Lineage-specific genome architecture links disease variants to target genes

  Long-range interactions between DNA regulatory elements and their target genes play major roles in gene regulation. The vast majority of interactions are uncharted, constituting a major missing link in understanding genome control. Here we use promoter capture Hi-C to identify interacting regions of 31,253 promoters in 17 human primary haematopoietic cell types. We show that long-range promoter interactions are highly cell-type specific, preferentially linking active promoters and enhancers. Patterns of promoter interactions reflect cell lineage relationships of the hematopoietic tree, consistent with dynamic remodeling of nuclear architecture during differentiation. Interacting regions are enriched for expression quantitative trait loci with effects on their interacting target genes. We exploit this rich resource of interactome maps to connect non-coding disease variants to their target promoters, identifying thousands of new disease-candidate genes, and implicating a number of gene pathways in disease susceptibility. Our results demonstrate the power of promoter interactomes from primary cells to reveal insights into genomic regulatory mechanisms underlying common diseases.

  Study EGAS00001001911

• Pancreatic islets PISA RNA-seq samples

  GWAS have identified more than 700 genetic signals associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D). To gain insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms, we created the Translational human pancreatic Islet Genotype tissue-Expression Resource (TIGER), aggregating >500 human islet RNA-seq and genotyping datasets. We imputed genotypes using 4 reference panels and meta-analyzed cohorts to improve coverage of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and developed a method to combine allele-specific expression across samples (cASE). We identified >1 million islet eQTLs (56% novel), of which 53 colocalize with T2D signals (60% novel). Among them, a low-frequency allele that reduces T2D risk by half increases CCND2 expression. We identified 8 novel cASE colocalizations, among which an SLC30A8 T2D associated variant. We make all the data available through the open-access TIGER portal (http://tiger.bsc.es), which represents a comprehensive human islet genomic data resource to elucidate how genetic variation affects islet function and translate this into therapeutic insight and precision medicine for T2D.

  Study EGAS00001005535

• Extensive three-dimensional intratumor proteomic heterogeneity revealed by multiregion sampling in high-grade serous ovarian tumor specimens

  Enriched tumor epithelium, tumor-associated stroma, and whole tissue were collected by laser microdissection from thin sections across spatially separated levels of ten high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas (HGSOCs) and analyzed by mass spectrometry, reverse phase protein arrays, and RNA sequencing. Unsupervised analyses of protein abundance data revealed independent clustering of an enriched stroma and enriched tumor epithelium, with whole tumor tissue clustering driven by overall tumor “purity.” Comparing these data to previously defined prognostic HGSOC molecular subtypes revealed protein and transcript expression from tumor epithelium correlated with the differentiated subtype, whereas stromal proteins (and transcripts) correlated with the mesenchymal subtype. Protein and transcript abundance in the tumor epithelium and stroma exhibited decreased correlation in samples collected just hundreds of microns apart. These data reveal substantial tumor microenvironment protein heterogeneity that directly bears on prognostic signatures, biomarker discovery, and cancer pathophysiology and underscore the need to enrich cellular subpopulations for expression profiling. (Companion proteomic data is available in the ProteomeXchange Consortium, PRIDE: PXD026570).

  Study EGAS00001005786

• Clonal hematopoiesis is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19

  Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is defined as the occurrence of an expanded proportion of mature blood cells derived from a mutant hematopoietic precursor without evidence of hematological malignancies. The principle behind this is that the somatic mutation confers a fitness advantage to the cell in which it arose. Different clinical consequences are linked with this expansion. Early evidence of an association with higher mortality risk was provided. This was not related to higher rates of cancer but was associated in particular with increased cardiovascular mortality. Mechanistically, inflammatory processes are not only related to the development of clonal hematopoiesis, but in turn it is also a driver of inflammation. Besides pulmonary symptoms, COVID-19 evokes complex extra-pulmonary manifestations driving the pathophysiology. Among them, both inflammatory and cardiac-associated mechanisms have been deciphered. With the aim of assessing the impact of clonal hematopoiesis on the pathophysiology of COVID-19, hospitalized patients with severe or critical course were evaluated for the presence of CHIP driver mutations and, more importantly, the association with the clinical picture.

  Study EGAS00001006218

• Mutational analysis reveals the origin and therapy-driven evolution of recurrent glioma

  Tumor recurrence is a leading cause of cancer mortality. Therapies for recurrent disease may fail, at least in part, because the genomic alterations driving the growth of recurrences are distinct from those in the initial tumor. To explore this hypothesis, we sequenced the exomes of 23 initial low-grade gliomas and recurrent tumors resected from the same patients. In 43% of cases, at least half of the mutations in the initial tumor were undetected at recurrence, including driver mutations inTP53, ATRX, SMARCA4, and BRAF; this suggests that recurrent tumors are often seeded by cells derived from the initial tumor at a very early stage of their evolution. Notably, tumors from 6 of 10 patients treated with the chemotherapeutic drug temozolomide (TMZ) followed an alternative evolutionary path to high-grade glioma. At recurrence, these tumors were hypermutated and harbored driver mutations in the RB (retinoblastoma) and Akt-mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathways that bore the signature of TMZ-induced mutagenesis.

  Study EGAS00001000579

• Multiple Myeloma follow-up sequencing study

  A total of 40 Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients at clinical relapse who progressed during Proteasome Inhibitors (PIs) or Immunomodulating Drugs (IMiDs)-based therapies and who are assigned to antiCD38-based salvage treatments, will be enrolled. We will collect bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) samples from patients at specific timepoints: baseline (BM, PB and buccal swab) every 3 month (PB) achievement of response (≥ Very Good Partial Response (VGPR)) (BM and PB) relapse or refractory status to antiCD38-based treatments (BM and PB) Samples will be processed and stored in the "Hematological Laboratory" located in the University of Turin (Italy) for various proposed analyses: at specific time-points CD138+ (Plasma Cells-PCs) awill be immunomagnetically enriched from the BM mononuclear cells and frozen as viable cells in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); PB mononuclear cells (PBMCs) will be isolated from whole blood by density-gradient centrifugation, and frozen as above; plasma fraction from PB and BM will be obtained by centrifugation and stored frozen; Neutrophils will be obtained at the time of enrollment as a source of control germline DNA and stored frozen.

  Study EGAS00001007092

• CPC-GENE Prostate Cancer Heterogeneity Study

  Herein we describe a molecular portrait of potentially curable, Gleason 7 and intermediate risk prostate cancer based on genome-wide CNV profiles of 96 patients, and subsequent whole-genome sequencing of 28 tumours from 10 patients, using DNA quantities that are achievable in diagnostic biopsies (50 ng). We show that Gleason 7 cancer is highly heterogeneous at the SNV, CNV, and intra-chromosomal translocation levels, and is characterized by a very low number of recurrent SNVs but significant structural variation. We identified a novel recurrent MYCL1 amplification, which was strongly associated with TP53 deletion and prognostic for biochemical recurrence in this cohort. Moreover, we identified clear evidence of divergent tumour evolution in multi focal cancer and, in 2/5 cases evaluated, multiple tumours of independent clonal origin. Taken together, these data represent the first systematic evaluation of the differential genomics of potentially curable prostate cancer, and strongly suggest that a more robust understanding of the relationship between genetic heterogeneity and clinical outcomes is required to effectively develop biomarkers of prognosis based on tumour genomics.

  Study EGAS00001000549

• Assessment_of_epigenetic_variation_in_human_iPS_cells_Medip

  n order to progress human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) towards the clinic, several outstanding questions must be addressed. It is possible to reprogram different somatic cell types into hiPSCs and from studies in the mouse, it appears that an epigenetic memory of the starting cell type is carried over to hiPSCs. However a comprehensive comparative study of the characteristics of these hiPSCs has been missing from the literature. Importantly studies which aimed to address these aspects of hiPSCs have used cells from different patients. In order to avoid this important confounding variable and to keep the genetic background constant, tissue samples were procured from the patients and reprogrammed to iPS cells. The methylation status of these iPS cells will be compared.Protocol:Primary cell cultures were generated and reprogrammed to iPS cells. DNA was extracted and immunoprecipitated using anti-methyl cytosine and anti-hydroxymethyl cytosine antibodies.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 EGAS00001000741

• Sequencing_Acute_Myeloid_Leukaemia_

  This project will aim at sequencing and analysing three samples from a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with t(15;17) translocation (acute promyelocytic leukaemia). The patient was treated with standard chemotherapy and samples (blood and bone marrow) taken for minimal residual disease measured during and after chemotherapy. 2-3years later the patient presented a second AML containing inv (16).In this project we will sequence both AML and normal genomes to find associated mutations This will allow unprecedented insights into the dynamics of appearance of secondary AML, since we will be able to use the MRD samples to track the emergence of the inv(16) leukaemia. We will also be able to distinguish whether the 2 leukaemias are clonally related or not. This project will entail sequencing and analysis of three samples (whole genome 30x coverage) using Hi-Seq. The funds from this grant will cover the cost of sequencing 9 lanes from the AML t(15;17) sample, 9 lanes from AML inv(16) sample and 8 lanes from the normal genome.

  Study EGAS00001000035

• Immunogenomics of colorectal cancer response to immune checkpoint blockade

  Molecular and cellular determinants of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors are mostly unknown. Here we use whole exome, RNA and T cell receptor sequencing, imaging mass cytometry, immunohistochemistry and PD1-PDL1 interaction detection to profile 543 regions from 16 colorectal cancers (CRCs) subsequently treated with Pembrolizumab or Nivolumab. Independent of treatment response, CRCs express low levels of PD1 and PDL1 proteins and form less PD1-PDL1 complex than other cancers. Non hypermutated CRCs have no benefit from treatment, show WNT activation and low T cell infiltrates. Among hypermutated CRCs, those with durable benefit have clonal immunogenic alterations, clonally expanded T cells and potential for immune escape through dysfunctional antigen presentation. Responsive tumours are enriched in PD1-expressing cytotoxic and proliferating CD8 T cells and PDL1-expressing antigen presenting macrophages, which form high-density clusters of interacting cells. Our study shows that immune checkpoint inhibitors are most effective in highly infiltrated CRCs where they may release the interactions between macrophages and CD8 T cells thus promoting their priming and expansion in intra-tumour niches.

  Study EGAS00001004438

• Targeted sequencing of Burkitt lymphoma tumour samples from the UK's Haematological Malignancy Research Network

  The UK’s Haematological Malignancy Research Network (www.HMRN.org) was established in 2004 to provide robust generalizable data to inform clinical practice and research. HMRN is a collaboration between researchers in the Epidemiology & Statistics Group (ECSG) at the University of York, a unified Clinical Network operating across 14 hospitals, and an integrated Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (HMDS) in Leeds. Covering a population of around 4 million, HMRN collects detailed information about all patients diagnosed with a haematological malignancy within the HMRN region, accruing around 2,400 new diagnoses each year. The population has a similar socio-demographic profile to the country as a whole, and HMRN’s maturing data present an increasingly valuable resource to address real questions of concern to haematologists, commissioners and health service researchers – locally, nationally and internationally. This study forms part of a larger project employing targeted exome sequencing on tumour samples from patients diagnosed with a variety of both lymphoid and myeloid malignancies. The results for samples collected from 39 Burkitt lymphoma patients, diagnosed within HMRN from 2005 to 2012, are provided.

  Study EGAS00001004649

• Engineering of a promoterless anti-viral RNAi hairpin into an endogenous miRNA locus

  Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression strategies that allow safe and persistent target mRNA knockdown are key to the success of many in vitro or in vivo RNAi applications. Here, we propose a novel solution which is expression of a promoterless miRNA-adapted shRNA (shmiRNA) from an engineered genomic miRNA locus. For proof-of-concept, we genetically “vaccinated” liver cells against a human pathogen, by using TALEns or CRISPR to integrate an anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) shmiRNA into the liver-specific miR-122/hcr gene. Reporter assays and qRT-PCR confirmed anti-HCV shmiRNA expression as well as miR-122 integrity and functionality. Specificity and safety of shmiRNA integration were validated via PCR, cDNA and miRNA profiling, and whole genome sequencing. A subgenomic HCV replicon and a full-length reporter virus, but not a Dengue virus control, were significantly impaired in the modified cells. Our original combination of DNA engineering and RNAi expression technologies should benefit numerous applications, from basic miRNA research, to human cell and gene therapy.

  Study EGAS00001001252

• Gene fusion and transcriptomic landscapes of sarcomas

  Sarcoma represents a highly heterogeneous group of tumors. We report here the first unbiased and systematic search for gene fusions and analysis of transcriptomic profiles in 100 monomorphic sarcomas cases using RNA-sequencing profiling. Fusion genes were detected in two thirds of samples. Similarly to fusion genes such as PAX3/7-FOXO1, EWSR1/FUS-ETS, SS18-SSX, BRD3/4-NUTM1 or EWSR1/FUS/TAF15-NR4A3 characterizing well-defined entities, we show that all sarcomas displaying CIC fusions- whatever their fusion partner (being DUX4, NUTM1 or FOXO4) - form a transcriptionally homogeneous group of tumors. Likewise, tumors with either a BCOR fusion (with CCNB3, MAML3 or ZC3H7B partners) or with a BCOR internal duplication form a single biological entity. We also found that EML4-ALK fusions also characterize a homogeneous infantile fibrosarcoma subgroup. In contrast, fusions like VGLL2-NCOA2/CITED2, TMP3/TRP-NTRK1 or ETV6-NTRK3 are observed in more heterogeneous tumors. Finally, we also describe a new group of bone sarcomas characterized by EWSR1- or FUS-TFCP2 fusions.

  Study EGAS00001002189

• Genomes of Relapsing Neuroblastoma

  Neuroblastoma is a malignancy of the developing sympathetic nervous system that is often lethal when relapse occurs, but the molecular mechanisms behind this process are poorly defined. We here used whole-exome sequencing, mRNA expression, array CGH and DNA methylation analysis to holistically characterize 16 paired samples from neuroblastoma patients at diagnosis and relapse. The mutational burden significantly increased in relapsing tumors accompanied by altered mutational signatures and reduced subclonal heterogeneity. Global allele frequencies at relapse indicated clonal mutation selection during disease progression. Promoter methylation patterns were consistent over disease course and patient-specific. Recurrent alterations at relapse included mutations in the putative CHD5 neuroblastoma tumor suppressor, chromosome 9p losses, DOCK8 mutations, inactivating mutations in PTPN14 and a relapse-specific activity pattern for the PTPN14 target gene, YAP. Recurrent new mutations in HRAS, KRAS, DOCK8 and genes mediating cell-cell interaction in 13/16 relapse tumors also indicate disturbances in signaling pathways mediating mesenchymal transition. Our data shed first light on genetic alteration frequency, identity and evolution in neuroblastoma.

  Study EGAS00001001387

• Drug screening and whole genome sequencing of primary cells and cell lines from ovarian cancer patients to associate genomic aberrations with in vitro drug sensitivities

  Identifying drugs for cancers with poor prognosis like ovarian cancer (OC) is hindered by inappropriate cell models and the limitations of current viability assays. We developed an automated confocal microscopy-based live cell assay (DeathPro) that robustly de-convolves cell death and proliferation over time by employing a specific image processing strategy. Using DeathPro, we screened nine OC patient-derived cell lines and one normal cell line (HOSEpiC) with 22 drugs or combinations. Whole genome was performed to analyze if the cell lines harbor OC-typical genomic aberrations and to relate genomic features to drug sensitivities. Commonly observed alterations in OC patients like TP53 mutations and MYC or PI3KCA amplifications were absent in the normal cell line but frequently detected in the OC cell lines. Moreover, genome-derived homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) scores of the OC cell lines correlated with their responses to carboplatin, olaparib and DNA demethylation drugs. Overall, we propose an imaging-based platform to guide drug development and genome-drug sensitivity analysis.

  Study EGAS00001002239

• This study explored and validated the clinical application of targeted NGS of circulating tumor DNA in identifying tumor-specific mutations and uncovering clinical actionable targets in a variety of solid tumors in large patient cohorts.

  Cancer is a disease of genetic alterations. Comprehensive genetic diagnosis is needed to match each patient to appropriate cancer therapy. However, acquisition of representative tumor samples is invasive and often infeasible. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a promising non-invasive biomarker for cancer mutational profiling. Here we implemented targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) with a customized pan-cancer gene panel on 605 clinical ctDNA samples in multiple cancer types. Overall, tumor-specific mutations were identified in 87% of ctDNA samples, with mutation spectra highly concordant with their matched tumor tissues. 71% of patients have at least one clinical actionable mutation with 76% of which have suggested drugs approved or in clinical trials. In particular, our study reveals a unique mutation spectrum in Chinese lung cancer patients, which could be used to guide treatment decision and monitor the appearance of drug-resistant mutations. Taken together, our study demonstrated the clinical utility of target NGS-based ctDNA mutational profiling to guide cancer treatment decision.

  Study EGAS00001002251

• METABRIC: Data from Pereira et al (2016), The somatic mutation profiles of 2433 breast cancers refine their genomic and transcriptomic landscapes. Nat Comms 7.

  The genomic landscape of breast cancer is complex, and inter- and intra-tumour heterogeneity are important challenges in treating the disease. In this study, we sequence 173 genes in 2433 primary breast tumours that have copy number aberration (CNA), gene expression, and long-term clinical follow-up data. We identify 40 mutation-driver (Mut-driver) genes, and determine associations between mutations, driver CNA profiles, clinical-pathological parameters, and survival. We assess the clonal states of Mut-driver mutations, and estimate levels of intratumour heterogeneity using mutant allele fractions. Associations between PIK3CA mutations and reduced survival are identified in three subgroups of ER-positive cancer (defined by amplification of 17q23, 11q13-14 or 8q24). High levels of intratumour heterogeneity are in general associated with worse outcome, but highly aggressive tumours with 11q13-14 amplification have low levels of intratumour heterogeneity. These results emphasise the importance of genome-based stratification of breast cancer, and have important implications for designing therapeutic strategies.

  Study EGAS00001001753

• Interactions between the tumor and the systemic response of breast cancer patients

  Breast cancer (BC) research has largely focused on the molecular properties of the tumor proper. However, to understand how cancer progresses and ultimately modulates patient outcome, we also require an understanding of the molecular changes in the patient systemic response (SR). Toward this end, we generated and analyzed RNA profiles from tumor and matched blood samples in 173 BC patients. We designed a system (MIxT) to explore and link tightly co-expressed gene sets (modules) across matched tissues. The gene composition of modules, and their expression, largely vary across tissues. Distinct patterns of expression in the SR are predominantly detected in highly immunogenic BC subtypes. We also find that the expression pattern of a module in one tissue is correlated to the expression pattern of a module in the other tissue in a fashion that depends on subtype. For example, systemic immunosuppression is detected in basalL patients in a fashion that is proportional to the level of expression of several tumor modules highlighting immune evasion mechanisms active in these particular cancers.

  Study EGAS00001001804

• reChIP-seq reveals widespread bivalency of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 in CD4+ memory T-Cells

  Identification of genomic loci exhibiting the physical co-localization of two distinct DNA-associated proteins remains a technical challenge. To tackle this challenge we have developed a novel reChIP-seq approach that enriches for two distinct DNA-associated proteins in an unbiased and genome-wide manner. We illustrate the utility of our approach by identifying nucleosomes bivalently modified by H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 in primary human CD4+ central memory T-cells (TCMs). We unravel widespread bivalency of many unmethylated CpG-rich regions in TCMs overlapping with transcriptional start sites of developmental regulators. Furthermore, reChIP-seq uncovers two yet unobserved classes of bivalency, where either H3K4me3 or H3K27me3 is mixed with low but detectable bivalency. We provide evidence that bivalency is established by an interplay between genome and epigenome and thus attains stability. Our described reChIP-seq approach augments conventional ChIP-seq and is broadly applicable in the study of co-localization of DNA-associated proteins to unravel the intricate possibilities of combinatorial action.

  Study EGAS00001001568

• BLUEPRINT DNA methylation profiles of graft donors in allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

  Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative treatment for many hematological conditions. Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a prevalent immune-mediated complication following HSCT. Current diagnostic biomarkers that correlate with aGVHD severity, progression, and therapy response in graft recipients are insufficient. We investigated whether epigenetic marks measured in peripheral blood of healthy graft donors stratify aGVHD severity in HLA-matched sibling recipients prior to HSCT. We measured genome-wide DNA methylation levels in peripheral blood of 91 HSCT donors using Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChips. We showed that epigenetic signatures underlying aGVHD severity in recipients correspond to immune pathways relevant to aGVHD etiology. We identified distinct DNA methylation marks in graft donors that are associated with aGVHD severity status in recipients. Together, our findings suggest that ‘epigenetic matching’ of HSCT donor-recipient pairs in a clinical setting may be used in conjunction with genetic matching to inform both donor selection and transplantation strategy, with the ultimate aim of improving patient outcome.

  Study EGAS00001001287

• Genomic landscape of human diversity across Madagascar

  Although situated ~400 km from the east coast of Africa, Madagascar exhibits cultural, linguistic, and genetic traits from both Southeast Asia and Eastern Africa. The settlement history remains contentious; we therefore used a grid-based approach to sample at high-resolution the genomic diversity (including maternal lineages, paternal lineages, and genome-wide data) across 257 villages and 2704 Malagasy individuals. We find a common Bantu and Austronesian descent for all Malagasy individuals with a limited paternal contribution from Europe and the Middle East. Admixture and demographic growth happened recently, suggesting a rapid settlement of Madagascar during the last millennium. However, the distribution of African and Asian ancestry across the island reveals that the admixture was sex biased and happened heterogeneously across Madagascar, suggesting independent colonization of Madagascar from Africa and Asia rather than settlement by an already-admixed population. In addition, there are geographic influences on the present genomic diversity, independent of the admixture, showing that a few centuries is sufficient to produce detectable genetic structure in human populations.

  Study EGAS00001002549

• Integration of human pancreatic islet genomic data refines regulatory mechanisms at Type 2 Diabetes susceptibility loci

  Human genetic studies have emphasised the dominant contribution of pancreatic islet dysfunction to development of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). However, limited annotation of the islet epigenome has constrained efforts to define the molecular mechanisms mediating the, largely regulatory, signals revealed by Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). We characterised patterns of chromatin accessibility (ATAC-seq, n=17) and DNA methylation (whole-genome bisulphite sequencing, n=10) in human islets, generating high-resolution chromatin state maps through integration with established ChIP-seq marks. We found enrichment of GWAS signals for T2D and fasting glucose was concentrated in subsets of islet enhancers characterised by open chromatin and hypomethylation, with the former annotation predominant. At several loci (including CDC123, ADCY5, KLHDC5) the combination of fine-mapping genetic data and chromatin state enrichment maps, supplemented by allelic imbalance in chromatin accessibility pinpointed likely causal variants. The combination of increasingly-precise genetic and islet epigenomic information accelerates definition of causal mechanisms implicated in T2D pathogenesis.

  Study EGAS00001002592

• The_genetics_of_thinness_compared_to_obesity

  The variation in weight within a shared environment is largely attributable to genetic factors. Whilst many genes/loci confer susceptibility to obesity, little is known about the genetic architecture of thinness. In this study we performed a genome-wide association study of 1,622 persistently thin healthy individuals (STILTS), 1,985 severe childhood onset obesity cases (SCOOP) and 10,433 population based individuals (UKHLS) used as a common set of controls. All participants were genotyped on the Illumina Core Exome array, including 551,839 markers and imputed to the combined UK10K and 1000G (phase3) reference panel. We contrast the genetic architecture of thinness with that of severe early onset obesity and explore whether the genetic loci influencing thinness are the same as those influencing obesity pr whether there are important genetic differences between them. 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 EGAS00001002624

• Whole exome sequencing of longitudinal samples from a melanoma patient receiving MEK plus CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy.

  Combined MEK and CDK4/6 inhibition (MEKi+CDK4i) has shown promising clinical outcomes in NRAS mutant melanoma patients. Here, we interrogated longitudinal biopsies from a patient who initially responded to MEKi+CDK4i therapy but subsequently developed resistance. Whole exome sequencing and functional validation identified an acquired PIK3CAE545K mutation as conferring drug resistance. We demonstrate that PIK3CAE545K pre-existed in a rare subpopulation that was missed by both clinical and research testing, but was revealed upon multi-region sampling due to PIK3CAE545K being non-uniformly distributed. This resistant population rapidly expanded after the initiation of MEKi+CDK4i therapy and persisted in all successive samples even after immune checkpoint therapy and distant metastasis. Functional studies identified activated S6K1 as both a key marker and specific therapeutic vulnerability downstream of PIK3CAE545K-induced resistance. These results demonstrate that comprehensive analysis of pre-treatment samples can reveal rare pre-existing resistant subpopulations and also posit S6K1 as a common downstream therapeutic nexus for the MAPK, CDK4/6, and PI3K pathways.

  Study EGAS00001002846

• Whole-Exome Sequencing of Salivary Gland Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma

  Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common salivary gland malignancy. To explore the genetic origins of MEC, we performed systematic genomic analyses of these tumors.Experimental DesignWhole-exome sequencing and gene copy number analyses were performed for 18 primary cancers with matched normal tissue. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to determine the presence or absence of the MECT1-MAML2 translocation in 17 tumors.ResultsTP53 was the most commonly mutated gene in MEC (28%), and mutations were found only in intermediate- and high-grade tumors. Tumors with TP53 mutations had more mutations overall than tumors without TP53 mutations (p=0.006). POU6F2 was the second most frequently mutated gene, found in three low-grade MECs with the same in-frame deletion. Somatic alterations in IRAK1, MAP3K9, ITGAL, ERBB4, OTOGL, KMT2C, and OBSCN were identified in at least two of the 18 tumors sequenced. FISH analysis confirmed the presence of the MECT1-MAML2 translocation in 15 of 17 tumors (88%).ConclusionsThrough these integrated genomic analyses, MECT1-MAML2 translocation and somatic TP53 and POU6F2 mutations appear to be the main drivers of mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

  Study EGAS00001002811

• Sequencing_component_for_the_whole_genome_methylation_analysis_in_PBMCs_and_cell_subsets__pilot_study_

  DNA methylation has been shown to play a major role in determining cellular phenotype by regulating gene expression. Moreover, dysregulation of differentially methylated genes has been implicated in disease pathogenesis of various conditions including cancer development as well as autoimmune diseases such as systemic Lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Evidence is rapidly accumulating for a role of DNA methylation in regulating immune responses in health and disease. However, the exact mechanisms remain unknown. The overall aim of the project is to investigate the role of epigenetic mechanisms in regulating immunity and their impact on autoimmune disease pathogenesis.The aim of this pilot study is to perform whole genome methylation analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and cell subsets (CD4, CD8, CD14, CD19, CD16 and whole PBMCs) obtained from 6 healthy volunteers. Whole genome methylation analysis will be performed using two methodological approaches, the Infinium Methylation Bead Array K450 (Illumina) and MeDIP-seq. mRNA expression arrays will also be performed in order to correlate DNA methylation with gene expression as well as genotyping on the Illumina OmniExpress chip

  Study EGAS00001000490

• The whole blood of female volunteers and sperm from the male volunteer were used to extract genomic DNA to do whole genome sequencing. Distinguished SNPs between parental genomes were retained to analyze parental allele-specific DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility in scCOOL-seq data.

  DNA methylation, chromatin states, and their interrelationships represent critical epigenetic information, but those are largely unknown in human early embryos. Here, we apply scCOOL-seq (Chromatin Overall Omic-scale Landscape Sequencing) to generate a genome-wide map of DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility at single-cell resolution during human preimplantation development. Unlike in mice, the chromatin of paternal genome is already more open than that of maternal genome at the mid-zygote stage in humans, and this state is maintained until the 4-cell stage. After fertilization, genes with high variations in DNA methylation and those with high variations in chromatin accessibility tend to be two different sets. Furthermore, 1,797 (35%) out of 5,155 widely open chromatin regions in promoters closed when transcription activity was inhibited, indicating a feedback mechanism between transcription and open chromatin maintenance. Our work paves the way for dissecting the complex, yet highly coordinated, epigenetic reprogramming during human preimplantation development.

  Study EGAS00001002987

• Somatic mutations reveal lineage relationships and age-related mutagenesis in human hematopoiesis

  Mutation accumulation during human life can contribute to hematopoietic dysfunction; however, the underlying dynamics are unknown. Somatic mutations in blood progenitors can provide insight into the rate and processes underlying this accumulation, as well as the developmental lineage tree and stem cell division numbers. Here, we catalogue somatic mutations in the genomes of human bone marrow-derived and cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem and multipotent progenitor cells (HSPCs) and find that base substitutions accumulate with approximately 17 base substitutions per year in both populations, while insertions and deletions occur sporadically and at low numbers. The majority of mutations in adult HSPCs were acquired after birth and could be explained by the constant activity of various endogenous processes, which also explains the mutation load in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We construct a developmental lineage tree revealing a polyclonal architecture of the hematopoietic progenitor compartment and providing evidence that developmental clones exhibit multipotency, though lineage biases can be detected. Our approach highlights novel features of human native hematopoiesis and its implications for leukemogenesis.

  Study EGAS00001003068

• Genetic_mechanisms_of_resistance_to_chemotherapy_in_breast_cancer

  Resistance towards chemotherapy is one of the main causes of treatment failure and deathamong breast cancer patients.The main objective of this project is to identify genetic mechanisms causing some breastcancer patients not to respond to a particluar type of chemotherapy (epirubicin) while otherpatients respond very well to the same treatment.In the project we will perform genome / exome sequencing of a selection of breast cancerpatients (n=30). These patients are drawn from a cohort where all patients have recievedtreatment with epirubicin monotherapy before surgical removal of a locally advanced breasttumour, and where all patients have been subjected to objective evaluation of the response tothe therapy.Subsequent to sequencing, we will analyse the data and compare with the clinical data foreach patient (object response to therapy). The main aim being to identify mutations that areassociated with resistance to epirubicin.Identification of mutations with strong predictive value, may have a direct impact on cancertreatment since it opens the possibility for genetic testing of a tumour, and desicion on whichdrug is likely to work best, prior to treatment start.

  Study EGAS00001000276

• Analysis of translatome, truncating mutations, lncRNA, circRNA and microproteins of 80 human DCM cases and controls

  The regulation of gene expression in healthy and diseased human tissues is incompletely understood and has primarily been studied on the transcriptional level. Here, we quantify the impact of translation on gene expression and annotate novel translational events in 80 human hearts. These include 65 tissues from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) - the most common cause of heart transplantation – and 15 unaffected controls. We show that translational regulation modulates disease-associated molecular processes. Further, we evaluate ribosome dynamics at protein truncating variants revealing incomplete termination of translation at titin-truncating variants (TTNtv) that commonly cause DCM. Finally, we identify dozens of unknown microproteins translated from lncRNAs and circRNAs and link these to mitochondrial processes. Several microproteins are expressed from lncRNAs with previously demonstrated function, suggesting a dual coding and noncoding role. This resource will stimulate novel functional investigations into cardiac biology in health and disease and may serve as a blueprint for characterizing the translational landscape of other human tissues.

  Study EGAS00001003263

• Hypertension delays viral clearance and exacerbates airway hyperinflammation in patients with COVID-19

  In coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are major risk factors for critical disease progression. However, the underlying causes and the effects of the main anti-hypertensive therapies-angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)-remain unclear. Combining clinical data (n = 144) and single-cell sequencing data of airway samples (n = 48) with in vitro experiments, we observed a distinct inflammatory predisposition of immune cells in patients with hypertension that correlated with critical COVID-19 progression. ACEI treatment was associated with dampened COVID-19-related hyperinflammation and with increased cell intrinsic antiviral responses, whereas ARB treatment related to enhanced epithelial-immune cell interactions. Macrophages and neutrophils of patients with hypertension, in particular under ARB treatment, exhibited higher expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines CCL3 and CCL4 and the chemokine receptor CCR1. Although the limited size of our cohort does not allow us to establish clinical efficacy, our data suggest that the clinical benefits of ACEI treatment in patients with COVID-19 who have hypertension warrant further investigation.

  Study EGAS00001004772