Bioinformatics analysis of PSAT1 loss identifies downstream pathways regulated in EGFR mutant NSCLC and a selective gene signature for predicting the risk of relapse.

The majority of malignant tumors exhibit an altered metabolic phenotype that ultimately provides the required energy and molecular precursors necessary for unregulated cell division. Within this, phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1) is involved in serine biosynthesis and its activity promotes various biochemical processes, including one-carbon metabolism. It also directly generates α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), a Kreb cycle intermediate and epigenetic-regulating metabolite.

Single-Cell Immune Mapping of Melanoma Sentinel Lymph Nodes Reveals an Actionable Immunotolerant Microenvironment.

Purpose: Improving our understanding of the immunologic response to cancer cells within the sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) of primary tumors is expected to identify new approaches to stimulate clinically meaningful cancer immunity.

Experimental Design: We used mass cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF), flow cytometry, and T-cell receptor immunosequencing to conduct simultaneous single-cell analyses of immune cells in the SLNs of patients with melanoma.

Results: We found increased effector-memory αβ T cells, TCR clonality, and γδ T cells selectively in the melanoma-bearing SLNs relative to non-melanoma-bearing SLNs, consistent with possible activation of an antitumor immune response.

The Rapid Assessment of Aggregated Wastewater Samples for Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 on a City-Wide Scale.

Throughout the course of the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic there has been a need for approaches that enable rapid monitoring of public health using an unbiased and minimally invasive means. A major way this has been accomplished is through the regular assessment of wastewater samples by qRT-PCR to detect the prevalence of viral nucleic acid with respect to time and location. Further expansion of SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring efforts to include the detection of variants of interest/concern through next-generation sequencing has enhanced the understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.

Induction of interferon response by high viral loads at early stage infection may protect against severe outcomes in COVID-19 patients.

Key elements for viral pathogenesis include viral strains, viral load, co-infection, and host responses. Several studies analyzing these factors in the function of disease severity of have been published; however, no studies have shown how all of these factors interplay within a defined cohort. To address this important question, we sought to understand how these four key components interplay in a cohort of COVID-19 patients.

Age-related transcriptome changes in melanoma patients with tumor-positive sentinel lymph nodes.

Age is an important factor for determining the outcome of melanoma patients. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) status is also a strong predictor of survival for melanoma. Paradoxically, older melanoma patients have a lower incidence of SLN metastasis but a higher mortality rate when compared with their younger counterparts.

Whole Transcriptome Analysis Reveals That Modulates TNFα-Stimulated MAPK Activation in Human Neutrophils.

Periodontitis is an irreversible, bacteria-induced, chronic inflammatory disease that compromises the integrity of tooth-supporting tissues and adversely affects systemic health. As the immune system's first line of defense against bacteria, neutrophils use their microbicidal functions in the oral cavity to protect the host against periodontal disease. However, periodontal pathogens have adapted to resist neutrophil microbicidal mechanisms while still propagating inflammation, which provides essential nutrients for the bacteria to proliferate and cause disease.

Transcriptomic Profiling Identifies Differentially Expressed Genes in Palbociclib-Resistant ER+ MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells.

Acquired resistance to cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibition in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer remains a significant clinical challenge. Efforts to uncover the mechanisms underlying resistance are needed to establish clinically actionable targets effective against resistant tumors. In this study, we sought to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with acquired resistance to palbociclib in ER+ breast cancer.

Dataset for dose and time-dependent transcriptional response to ionizing radiation exposure.

Exposure to ionizing radiation associated with highly energetic and charged heavy particles is an inherent risk astronauts face in long duration space missions. We have previously considered the transcriptional effects that three levels of radiation (0.3 Gy, 1.

Comparative gene expression analysis in melanocytes driven by tumor cell-derived exosomes.

Abundant with organelle-like membranous structures, the tumor microenvironment is composed of cancer cells that secrete exosomes. Studies have shown that these secreted exosomes transport RNA and active molecules to other cells to reshape the tumor microenvironment and promote tumor growth. In fact, we found that exosomes derived from melanoma cells drive pre-malignant transition in primary melanocytes.

Enhancement of the gut barrier integrity by a microbial metabolite through the Nrf2 pathway.

The importance of gut microbiota in human health and pathophysiology is undisputable. Despite the abundance of metagenomics data, the functional dynamics of gut microbiota in human health and disease remain elusive. Urolithin A (UroA), a major microbial metabolite derived from polyphenolics of berries and pomegranate fruits displays anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-ageing activities.

Unique Genes in Tumor-Positive Sentinel Lymph Nodes Associated with Nonsentinel Lymph Node Metastases in Melanoma.

Background: Current risk assessment tools to estimate the risk of nonsentinel lymph node metastases after completion lymphadenectomy for a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in cutaneous melanoma are based on clinical and pathologic factors. We identified a novel genetic signature that can predict non-SLN metastases in patients with cutaneous melanoma staged with a SLN biopsy.

Methods: RNA was collected for tumor-positive SLNs in patients staged by SLN biopsy for cutaneous melanoma.

Differentially Expressed mRNA Targets of Differentially Expressed miRNAs Predict Changes in the TP53 Axis and Carcinogenesis-Related Pathways in Human Keratinocytes Chronically Exposed to Arsenic.

Arsenic is a widely distributed toxic natural element. Chronic arsenic ingestion causes several cancers, especially skin cancer. Arsenic-induced cancer mechanisms are not well defined, but several studies indicate that mutation is not the driving force and that microRNA expression changes play a role.

Genome-wide miRNA response to anacardic acid in breast cancer cells.

MicroRNAs are biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer. Anacardic acid (AnAc) is a dietary phenolic lipid that inhibits both MCF-7 estrogen receptor α (ERα) positive and MDA-MB-231 triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell proliferation with IC50s of 13.5 and 35 μM, respectively.

Cell cycle pathway dysregulation in human keratinocytes during chronic exposure to low arsenite.

Background: Arsenic is naturally prevalent in the earth's crust and widely distributed in air and water. Chronic low arsenic exposure is associated with several cancers in vivo, including skin cancer, and with transformation in vitro of cell lines including immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT). Arsenic also is associated with cell cycle dysregulation at different exposure levels in multiple cell lines.

Sentinel Lymph Node Genes to Predict Prognosis in Node-Positive Melanoma Patients.

Purpose: Melanoma patients with a single microscopically-positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) are classified as stage III and are often advised to undergo expensive and substantially toxic adjuvant therapy. However, the 5-year survival rate for these patients, with or without adjuvant therapy, varies from 14 to 85 %, representing a heterogeneous biological population with a variable prognosis. We aimed to identify an SLN gene signature to aid in risk stratification of patients with tumor-positive SLNs.

MIF inhibition reverts the gene expression profile of human melanoma cell line-induced MDSCs to normal monocytes.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are potently immunosuppressive innate immune cells that accumulate in advanced cancer patients and actively inhibit anti-tumor T lymphocyte responses [1]. Increased numbers of circulating MDSCs directly correlate with melanoma patient morbidity and reduced anti-tumor immune responses [2], [3]. Previous studies have revealed that monocyte-derived macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is necessary for the immune suppressive function of MDSCs in mouse models of melanoma [4], [5].

Transcriptional profile of immediate response to ionizing radiation exposure.

Astronauts participating in long duration space missions are likely to be exposed to ionizing radiation associated with highly energetic and charged heavy particles. Previously proposed gene biomarkers for radiation exposure include phosphorylated H2A Histone Family, Member X (γH2AX), Tumor Protein 53 (TP53), and Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A). However, transcripts of these genes may not be the most suitable biomarkers for radiation exposure due to a lack of sensitivity or specificity.

MIF Is Necessary for Late-Stage Melanoma Patient MDSC Immune Suppression and Differentiation.

Highly aggressive cancers "entrain" innate and adaptive immune cells to suppress antitumor lymphocyte responses. Circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) constitute the bulk of monocytic immunosuppressive activity in late-stage melanoma patients. Previous studies revealed that monocyte-derived macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is necessary for the immunosuppressive function of tumor-associated macrophages and MDSCs in mouse models of melanoma.

Identifying mRNA, microRNA and protein profiles of melanoma exosomes.

Background: Exosomes are small membranous vesicles secreted into body fluids by multiple cell types, including tumor cells, and in various disease conditions. Tumor exosomes contain intact and functional mRNAs, small RNAs (including miRNAs), and proteins that can alter the cellular environment to favor tumor growth. Molecular profiling may increase our understanding of the role of exosomes in melanoma progression and may lead to discovery of useful biomarkers.