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- Malhotra, Rajeev, et al.
(author)
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HDAC9 is implicated in atherosclerotic aortic calcification and affects vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype
- 2019
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In: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 51:11, s. 1580-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aortic calcification is an important independent predictor of future cardiovascular events. We performed a genome-wide association meta-analysis to determine SNPs associated with the extent of abdominal aortic calcification (n = 9,417) or descending thoracic aortic calcification (n = 8,422). Two genetic loci, HDAC9 and RAP1GAP, were associated with abdominal aortic calcification at a genome-wide level (P < 5.0 × 10−8). No SNPs were associated with thoracic aortic calcification at the genome-wide threshold. Increased expression of HDAC9 in human aortic smooth muscle cells promoted calcification and reduced contractility, while inhibition of HDAC9 in human aortic smooth muscle cells inhibited calcification and enhanced cell contractility. In matrix Gla protein–deficient mice, a model of human vascular calcification, mice lacking HDAC9 had a 40% reduction in aortic calcification and improved survival. This translational genomic study identifies the first genetic risk locus associated with calcification of the abdominal aorta and describes a previously unknown role for HDAC9 in the development of vascular calcification.
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| 2. |
- Spaethling, Jennifer M., et al.
(author)
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Primary Cell Culture of Live Neurosurgically Resected Aged Adult Human Brain Cells and Single Cell Transcriptomics
- 2017
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In: Cell Reports. - : Elsevier BV. - 2211-1247. ; 18:3, s. 791-803
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Investigation of human CNS disease and drug effects has been hampered by the lack of a system that enables single-cell analysis of live adult patient brain cells. We developed a culturing system, based on a papain-aided procedure, for resected adult human brain tissue removed during neurosurgery. We performed single-cell transcriptomics on over 300 cells, permitting identification of oligodendrocytes, microglia, neurons, endothelial cells, and astrocytes after 3 weeks in culture. Using deep sequencing, we detected over 12,000 expressed genes, including hundreds of cell-type-enriched mRNAs, IncRNAs and pri-miRNAs. We describe cell-type-and patient-specific transcriptional hierarchies. Single-cell transcriptomics on cultured live adult patient derived cells is a prime example of the promise of personalized precision medicine. Because these cells derive from subjects ranging in age into their sixties, this system permits human aging studies previously possible only in rodent systems.
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| 3. |
- Binder, Zev A., et al.
(author)
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Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Extracellular Domain Mutations in Glioblastoma Present Opportunities for Clinical Imaging and Therapeutic Development
- 2018
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In: Cancer Cell. - : Elsevier BV. - 1535-6108 .- 1878-3686. ; 34:1, s. 163-177
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We explored the clinical and pathological impact of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) extracellular domain missense mutations. Retrospective assessment of 260 de novo glioblastoma patients revealed a significant reduction in overall survival of patients having tumors with EGFR mutations at alanine 289 (EGFR(A289D/T/V)). Quantitative multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging analyses indicated increased tumor invasion for EGFR(A289D/T/V) mutants, corroborated in mice bearing intracranial tumors expressing EGFR(A289V) and dependent on ERK-mediated expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1. EGFR(A289V) tumor growth was attenuated with an antibody against a cryptic epitope, based on in silico simulation. The findings of this study indicate a highly invasive phenotype associated with the EGFR(A289V) mutation in glioblastoma, postulating EGFR(A289V) as a molecular marker for responsiveness to therapy with EGFR-targeting antibodies.
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