2832 results

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• High-resolution, patient-level dissection of IL-23 blockade in cutaneous psoriasis

  Psoriasis vulgaris and other chronic inflammatory diseases improve markedly with therapeutic blockade of IL-23 signaling in T cells, but the genetic mechanisms of response remain poorly understood. We single-cell transcriptomically profiled CD45+ immune cells isolated from lesional psoriatic skin before and after IL-23 blockade. In clinically responsive patients, a psoriatic transcriptional signature in skin-resident memory T cells was sharply attenuated. In contrast, poorly responsive patients were distinguished by enduring T17 cell activation, a mechanism distinct from alternative cytokine signaling or downstream resistance. Spatial transcriptomic analysis suggests that successful IL-23 blockade requires dampening of > 90% of IL-17-induced signaling in lymphocyte-adjacent keratinocytes, an unexpectedly high threshold. We also detected a subset of persistent, disease-specific T17 abnormalities in responsive patients, revealing an irreversible cell identity that may necessitate ongoing IL-23 inhibition. Collectively, our data establishes a patient-level paradigm for dissecting response to immunomodulatory treatments.

  Study EGAS00001007373

• Atypical B cells and impaired SARS-CoV-2 neutralisation following heterologous vaccination in the elderly

  Age is a major risk factor for hospitalization and death after SARS-CoV-2 infection, even in vaccinees. Suboptimal responses to a primary vaccination course have been reported in the elderly, but there is little information regarding the impact of age on responses to booster third doses. Here we show that individuals 70 or older who received a primary two dose schedule with AZD1222 and booster third dose with mRNA vaccine achieved significantly lower neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudotyped virus compared to those below 70 at one month post booster. Neither the concentration of serum binding anti spike IgG antibody, nor the frequency of spike- specific B cells showed differences by age grouping. Impaired neutralization potency and breadth post-third dose in the elderly was associated with enrichment of circulating “atypical” spike-specific B cells expressing CD11c and FCRL5. Presence of these atypical B cells was confirmed by scRNA seq. However, when considering individuals who received three doses of mRNA vaccine, we did not observe statistically significant differences in neutralization or enrichment in atypical B cells by age grouping following dose 3. Together, our data reveal impaired neutralising antibody responses in the elderly after heterologous vaccination with AdV followed by mRNA booster dose, but not in homologous three dose mRNA vaccination highlighting that different vaccine formats differentially instruct the memory B cell response.

  Study EGAS00001007385

• AT2 COPD Transcriptomics

  We generated transcriptomes of primary human lung AT2 cells isolated from distal parenchyma of ex-smoker controls and COPD patients, with both mild and severe disease.

  Study EGAS00001007387

• scRNAsequencing of in vitro expanded limbal stem cells of aniridia donors

  Identifying potential heterogeneity and expression differences within Aniridia limbal stem cells.

  Study EGAS00001007397

• Cohesin Mutations in AML

  Cohesin shapes the nuclear chromatin architecture, including enhancer-promoter interactions, and its components, of which especially STAG2 and RAD21, are frequently mutated in myeloid malignancies. To elucidate mechanisms of leukemogenesis associated with cohesin mutations in humans, we comprehensively characterized genetic, epigenetic, transcriptional, and chromatin conformational changes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To corroborate our findings, we performed complementary siRNA-mediated depletion of STAG2, its paralogue STAG1 or RAD21 in cord blood-derived CD34+ primary human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). We show that STAG2 mutations consistently lead to the loss of STAG2 protein and are associated with a specific set of co-occurring mutations, while STAG1 was never mutated in AML. Loss of STAG2 was frequently compensated by STAG1. Still, specific loci displayed altered cohesin occupancy, gene expression and corresponding changes in local chromatin activation as measured by H3K27ac enrichment and chromatin accessibility. High-throughput chromosome conformation capture (in-situ Hi-C) revealed significantly altered chromatin looping in cohesin-mutated AMLs, including weakened enhancer-promoter contacts with reduced, cohesin-dependent promoter activity. In HSPCs, we detected transcriptomic and epigenetic effects overlapping STAG2-mutant AML-specific changes following STAG2 knockdown (KD), that were not invoked by the depletion of STAG1. We also found that STAG2 loss in cultured HSPCs impaired the differentiation capacity, especially erythroid colony formation which maintained HSPC-like gene expression. This work establishes STAG2 as a key regulator of cohesin-associated chromatin architecture, gene expression and differentiation in the human hematopoietic system and identifies candidate target genes that may be implicated in leukemogenesis.

  Study EGAS00001007405

• Effective reprogramming of patient-derived M2-polarized glioblastoma-associated microglia/macrophages by treatment with GW2580

  Purpose: Targeting immunosuppressive and pro-tumorigenic glioblastoma-associated macrophages and microglial cells (GAMs) has great potential to improve patient outcomes. Colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R) has emerged as a promising target for reprogramming anti-inflammatory M2-like GAMs. However, treatment data on patient-derived, tumor-educated GAMs and their influence on the adaptive immunity are lacking. Experimental Design: CD11b+-GAMs freshly isolated from patient tumors were treated with CSF1R-targeting drugs PLX3397, BLZ945, and GW2580. Phenotypical changes upon treatment were assessed using RNAseq. Changes in GAM activation were confirmed in a complex patient-derived 3D tumor organoid model serving as a tumor avatar. Results: The most effective reprogramming of GAMs was observed upon GW2580 treatment, which led to the downregulation of M2-related markers, IL-6, and IL-10, ERK1/2 and MAPK signaling pathways, while M1-like markers and gene set enrichment indicating activated MHC-II presentation were substantially increased. Moreover, treatment of patient-derived glioblastoma organoids with GW2580 confirmed successful reprogramming.

  Study EGAS00001007466

• Epithelioid haemangioendothelioma (EHE) case series from the Stafford Fox Rare Cancer Program

  Nine EHE cases with comprehensive histologic and molecular profiling from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Stafford Fox Rare Cancer Program were collated via nation-wide referral to the Australian Rare Cancer Portal. Molecular analysis of RNA, DNA or both was possible in seven of nine cases. Survival was highly variable and unrelated to molecular profile. DNA sequences for two cases are deposited here.

  Study EGAS00001007474

• Immune landscape of oncohistone-mutant gliomas reveals diverse myeloid populations and tumor-promoting behavior

  Histone H3-mutant gliomas are deadly brain tumors characterized by a dysregulated epigenome and stalled differentiation. In contrast to the extensive datasets available on tumor cells, limited information exists on their tumor microenvironment (TME), including the immune infiltrate. Here, we characterize the TME of H3.3K27M and G34R/V-mutant gliomas, and multiple H3.3K27M mouse models, using transcriptomic and proteomic, including spatial single-cell approaches. Resolution of immune lineages indicates uniform high-infiltration of H3-mutant gliomas with diverse myeloid populations, high-level expression of immune checkpoints, and scarce lymphoid cells, findings uniformly reproduced in all H3.3K27M models tested. We show these myeloid populations communicate with H3-mutant cells mediating immunosuppression and sustaining tumor formation and maintenance. Dual inhibition of myeloid cells and immune checkpoints showed significant therapeutic benefit in pre-clinical syngeneic models. Our findings provide valuable characterization of the TME of oncohistone-mutant gliomas, and insights into means to modulate the myeloid infiltrate for the benefit of patients.

  Study EGAS00001007510

• Optimizing single-cell transcriptomic discrimination of atopic dermatitis versus psoriasis vulgaris

  Optimizing single-cell transcriptomic discrimination of atopic dermatitis versus psoriasis vulgaris

  Study EGAS00001007487

• Massively parallel functional dissection of schizophrenia associated non-coding genetic variants

  Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe mental disorder affecting 1% of the world population. SCZ is characterized by an underlying genetic architecture that is highly polygenic. Genome wide association studies have identified thousands of genetic variants that are statistically linked to the disease. However, the translation of these associations into insights on the pathomechanisms has been challenging because the causal genetic variants, their molecular function, and their target genes remain largely unknown. To address these questions, we combined induced pluripotent stem cell technology with a massively parallel variant annotation pipeline (MVAP) to functionally characterize 35,000 SCZ associated non-coding genetic variants. This approach identified a set of 620 (1.7%) single nucleotide polymorphisms as functional on the molecular level in a highly cell type and condition specific fashion. Subsequent multi-modal integration of epigenomic data combined with CRISPR screening in human neurons enabled us to systematically translate SCZ variant associations into target genes, biological processes, and ultimately alterations of neuronal physiology. These results provide a new high-resolution map of functional variant-gene combinations and offer comprehensive biological insights into the developmental context and stimulus dependent molecular processes modulated by SCZ genetic variation beyond statistical association.

  Study EGAS00001007542

• Oxidative phosphorylation is a key ontogenetic feature of monocyte immunometabolism promoting myeloid differentiation after birth

  Neonates primarily rely on innate immunity, yet their inflammatory responses to microbes, particularly those of monocytes, are usually restricted compared to adults. This is controversially interpreted as immaturity increasing the risk of sepsis or essential programming allowing immune adaptation after birth. Which changes the cellular immunometabolism undergoes after birth and its role in these concepts are poorly defined. Here, we applied transcriptomic, metabolic, and immunological approaches and found that monocytes exhibit an inverse ontogenetic balance of immunometabolism. Our data show that glycolysis in monocytes increases within the first year of life and fuels their inflammatory responsiveness. In contrast, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is high in neonatal monocytes supporting myeloid differentiation but declines only gradually during the first five years of life. Treatment of neonatal monocytes with lipopolysaccharide induces an adult-like immunometabolic phenotype. Ketogenic diet restricts glycolysis in adult monocytes, but cannot reactivate OXPHOS and revive a neonatal-like immunometabolic phenotype, suggesting that neonatal metabolism is hardwired and cannot be restored by simple dietary changes. Transcriptional network and population-wide human variation analyses identified E2F1, MYB, STAT1 and FLI1 as important regulators of age-dependent cell functions and related energy demands in human monocytes. Collectively, our findings show that restricted glycolysis and increased OXPHOS are a physiological programming in neonatal monocytes. Premature switching to an adult-like metabolism could untimely enhance inflammatory responses and disrupt important myeloid differentiation, whereas microbial challenges accumulating during childhood seem to induce an essential gradual metabolic switch.

  Study EGAS00001007555

• Immune and clinicopathological features predict HER2-positive breast cancer prognosis in the neoadjuvant NeoALTTO and CALGB 40601 trials

  The identification of prognostic drivers in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy is crucial for treatment optimization in HER2-positive breast cancer, with the immune microenvironment being a key factor. Here, we investigated the complexity of B and T cell receptor (BCR and TCR) repertoires, reflecting antigen-specific immune response, in the context of two phase III trials, namely NeoALTTO and CALGB 40601, evaluating neoadjuvant paclitaxel with trastuzumab and/or lapatinib in women affected by HER2-positive breast cancer. BCR/TCR features were heterogeneous, and BCR measures describing clonal expansion demonstrated independent prognostic value. A model developed in NeoALTTO and validated in CALGB 40601 predicted event-free survival (EFS) by integrating hormone receptor and clinical nodal status, treatment response (breast pCR)breast pathological complete response (pCR) as well as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and BCR evenness, measuring the equality of BCR clonal distribution. The HER2-EveNT score derived from the model allows the identification of patients with 5-year EFS > 90%, and, in those not achieving pCR, of a subgroup of immune-enriched tumors with an excellent outcome despite residual disease.

  Study EGAS00001007563

• A clinically applicable connectivity signature for glioblastoma includes the tumor network driver CHI3L1

  Tumor microtubes (TMs) connect glioma cells to a network with considerable relevance for tumor progression and therapy resistance. The determination of TM-interconnectivity in individual tumors has been challenging and the impact on patient survival unresolved. Here, a connectivity signature from single-cell RNA-sequenced (scRNA-Seq) xenografted primary glioblastoma (GB) cells has been established using a dye uptake methodology, confirmed with recording of cellular calcium epochs and validated with clinical correlations. Astrocyte-like and mesenchymal-like GB cells have the highest connectivity signature scores in scRNA-sequenced patient-derived xenografts and patient samples. In large GB cohorts, network connectivity correlated with the mesenchymal subtype and dismal patient survival. CHI3L1 has been identified and validated as a robust molecular marker of connectivity with functional relevance. The connectivity signature allows novel insights into brain tumor biology, provides a proof-of-principle that tumor cell TM-connectivity is relevant for patients’ prognosis, and serves as a robust prognostic biomarker.

  Study EGAS00001007611

• Unraveling mutagenic processes influencing the tumor mutational patterns of individuals with Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency

  Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD), caused by bi-allelic germline variants in one of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes, is a childhood cancer predisposition syndrome that often results in the development of multiple tumors early in life. A better understanding of mutational processes driving subsequent CMMRD tumors could advance optimal treatment. Therefore, we performed a genomic characterization of 41 tumors from 17 individuals with CMMRD. Mutational patterns in these tumors were found to be influenced by multiple factors, including the affected MMR genes, tumor types and somatic polymerase proofreading mutations. Temozolomide treatment left prominent mutational signatures in two second primary hematologic malignancies. Furthermore, a novel indel signature was found in 54% of the tumors, characterized by one base pair cytosine insertions in cytosine homopolymers. In conclusion, the analysis of sequential tumors in individuals with CMMRD reveals diverse mutational patterns influenced by the underlying mutated MMR gene, tumor type and treatment history.

  Study EGAS00001007660

• NOTCH1 fusion genes in pediatric T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma hallmark a common high-risk subgroup with blood TARC levels as possible biomarker

  T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) is a common pediatric malignancy accounting for approximately 20% of the non-Hodgkin lymphomas during childhood. Survival rates of T-LBL are ~80%, but outcome after relapse is dismal, with salvage rates reaching only ~15. Considering the extremely poor prognosis after relapse and absence of clinically relevant high-risk genetics, there is an urgent need for the identification of molecular risk factors and new prognostic biomarkers in T-LBL, as well as identification of new therapeutic strategies. In this study we present a novel entity of high-risk pediatric T-LBL patients characterized by previously unknown NOTCH1 gene fusions and highly elevated blood TARC levels

  Study EGAS00001007703

• Myeloid-specific KDM6B inhibition sensitizes Glioblastoma to PD1 blockade

  Glioblastoma (GBM) tumors are enriched in immune-suppressive myeloid cells and are refractory to immune checkpoint therapy (ICT). Targeting epigenetic pathways to reprogram the functional phenotype of immune-suppressive myeloid cells to overcome resistance to ICT remains unexplored. Single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analyses of human GBM tumors demonstrated high expression of an epigenetic enzyme - histone 3 lysine 27 demethylase (KDM6B) in intra-tumoral immune-suppressive myeloid cell subsets. Importantly, myeloid-cell specific Kdm6b deletion enhanced pro-inflammatory pathways and improved survival in GBM tumor-bearing mice. Mechanistic studies elucidated that the absence of Kdm6b enhances antigen-presentation, interferon response and phagocytosis in myeloid cells by inhibiting mediators of immune suppression including Mafb, Socs3 and Sirpa. Further, pharmacological inhibition of KDM6B mirrored the functional phenotype of Kdm6b deleted myeloid cells and enhanced anti-PD1 efficacy. Thus, this study identified KDM6B as an epigenetic regulator of the functional phenotype of myeloid cell subsets and a potential therapeutic target to improve response to ICT.

  Study EGAS00001007002

• The University of Hong Kong Intestinal Metaplasia Organoids Study

  Background: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) is a pre-cancerous stage spanning a morphological spectrum that is poorly represented by human cell line models. Objective: We aim to establish and characterize human IM cell models to better understand IM progression along the cancer spectrum. Design: A large human gastric IM organoid (IMO) cohort (n=28), their clonal derivatives and normal gastric organoids (n=42) for comparison were established. Comprehensive multi-omics profiling and functional characterization were performed. Results: Single-cell transcriptomes revealed IMO cells spanning a spectrum from hybrid gastric/intestinal to advanced intestinal differentiation. Their lineage trajectories connected different cycling and quiescent stem and progenitors, highlighting differences in gastric to IM transition and the potential origin of IM from STMN1 cycling isthmus stem cells. Hybrid IMOs showed impaired differentiation potential, high lineage plasticity beyond gastric or intestinal fates, and reactivation of a fetal gene program. Cell populations in gastric IM and cancer tissues were highly similar to those derived from IMOs and exhibited a fetal signature. Genomically, IMOs showed elevated mutation burden, frequent chromosome 20 gain, and epigenetic de-regulation of many intestinal and gastric genes. Functionally, IMOs were FGF10 independent and showed downregulated FGFR2. Several IMOs exhibited a cell-matrix adhesion independent (CMi) subpopulation that displayed chromosome 20 gain but lacked key cancer driver mutations, potentially representing the earliest neoplastic precursor of IM-induced gastric cancer. Conclusions: Overall, our IM organoid biobank captured the heterogeneous nature of IM, revealing mechanistic insights on IM pathogenesis and progression, offering an ideal platform for studying early gastric neoplastic transformation and chemoprevention.

  Study EGAS00001007899

• Multi-Layered Molecular Profiling Informs the Diagnosis and Targeted Therapy of Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor

  Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an ultra-rare soft tissue sarcoma with dismal prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Here, we identified individual therapeutic targets in a cohort of 30 DSRCT patients by use of multilayered molecular profiling (genomic, transcriptomic, and (phospho-)proteomic analyses) within the DKFZ NCT DKTK MASTER program. 28 of the 30 patients received at least one personalized treatment recommendation. In line with the observation that DSRCTs are an entity with a low mutational load, most of the treatment recommendations were based on target gene or -protein expression. 13 patients received a recommended therapy, resulting in four partial responses, four stable diseases, and five progressive diseases. Eight of 13 patients received the multi tyrosine kinase inhibitor pazopanib, with mixed response. Based on high ERBB2 expression levels, two patients received the antibody drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), showed exceptional, long-lasting responses and are currently (8/2024) still on treatment and progression-free. We detected high ERBB2 protein expression in all DSRCT samples with proteome data (n = 9), which suggests that ERBB2 may be a particularly useful therapeutic target for DSRCT patients. For one of the two exceptional responders we did not detect a substantial ERBB2/HER2 overexpression, which may indicate that T-DXd could also be efficacious in DSRCT patients with low levels of HER2, as also described for breast cancer patients. In conclusion, multi-omic molecular profiling revealed personalized therapeutic targets in patients with DSRCT with HER2 targeting, with T-DXd as a promising therapeutic option for this ultra-rare and difficult-to-treat tumor entity.

  Study EGAS00001007934

• MECOM represses myeloid differentiation through CEBPA downregulation in AML

  Transcription factor MECOM, located at 3q26, is essential for hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in healthy individuals. Enhancer translocations, due to 3q26 rearrangements, drive out-of-context MECOM expression in an aggressive subtype of leukemia (AML). Aberrantly expressed MECOM is essential for the survival and immature phenotype of these leukemia cells. Direct depletion of MECOM using an endogenous auxin-inducible degron rapidly upregulates expression of myeloid differentiation factor CEBPA. MECOM depletion is also accompanied by a severe loss of CD34 expression and gain of mature myeloid cell surface marker CD15. MECOM exerts its inhibitory effect on differentiation by binding to the +42kb CEBPA enhancer, which is essential for neutrophil development. This is partially dependent on the interaction between MECOM and its essential co-repressor CTBP2, a potential target in this type of AML. We demonstrate that CEBPA overexpression can bypass the MECOM-mediated block of differentiation. In addition, AML patients with MECOM overexpression through enhancer hijacking show significantly reduced CEBPA. Our study provides insight into the mechanism by which MECOM maintains the stem cell state in AML. Furthermore, CEBPA levels are an important read-out for successful targeting of MECOM in 3q26-rearranged AML.

  Study EGAS00001008005

• Three-dimensional patient-derived models of glioblastoma retain intra-tumoral heterogeneity

  The intra- and inter- tumoral heterogeneity of glioblastoma represents a significant therapeutic challenge, as well as difficulty in generating reliable models for in vitro studies. Here, we quantify the tumor cell composition from matched patient-derived neurospheres (PDN) and organoids (PDO) established from the same primary tumor using a series of multi-omic interrogations, relative to primary tissue

  Study EGAS00001008023

• Brain_Disease_Wellcome_Leap_Delta_Tissue_ATAC

  Single cell and spatial multi-omic atlas of glioblastoma

  Study EGAS00001008083

• Patient-derived tumoroids from CIC::DUX4 rearranged sarcoma identify MCL1 as a therapeutic target

  High-risk sarcomas, such as metastasized and relapsed Ewing and CIC-rearranged sarcomas, currently lack effective curative systemic treatment options. Precision medicine approaches offer hope and among them ex vivo drug response profiling of patient-derived tumor cells emerges as a promising novel tool to identify effective drugs for individual patients. Here, we established ex vivo culture conditions to propagate Ewing and CIC::DUX4-sarcomas as tumoroids in a co-clinical manner. These models retained their original molecular and functional characteristics, including recurrent ARID1A mutations, and serve as tumor avatars suitable for large-scale drug testing. Indeed, screening a large drug library on a small living biobank of such tumors not only revealed distinct response differences between the two entities, but also identified an exceptional dependency of CIC::DUX4-sarcoma cells on MCL1. Mechanistically. MCL1 was identified as a direct target gene of the CIC::DUX4 fusion protein. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of MCL1 induced rapid apoptosis in CIC::DUX4-sarcoma cells and inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft model. Thus, MCL1 represents a potential novel therapeutic target for CIC::DUX4-sarcoma. Overall, our study highlights the feasibility of co-clinical drug response profiling for individual sarcoma cases and suggests that prospective tests, to evaluate its clinical benefit are highly warranted.

  Study EGAS00001008039

• Selective targeting of TBXT with DARPins identifies regulatory networks and therapeutic vulnerabilities in chordoma

  The embryonic transcription factor TBXT (brachyury) drives chordoma, a spinal neoplasm without effective drug therapies. TBXT’s regulatory network is poorly understood, and strategies to disrupt its activity for therapeutic purposes are lacking. We developed designed ankyrin repeat proteins that block TBXT-DNA binding (T-DARPins). In chordoma cells, T-DARPins reduced cell cycle progression, spheroid formation, and tumor growth in mice and induced signs of senescence and differentiation. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identified gene networks involved in cell cycle regulation, embryonic cell identity, and interferon response and revealed features of regulome components, such as druggability for future translational studies and the fine-tuning of TBXT downstream effectors through IGFBP3. Finally, we found high interferon signaling in chordoma cell lines and patient tumors, which was promoted by TBXT and associated with sensitivity to JAK2 inhibitors. These findings demonstrate the potential of DARPins for probing nuclear proteins to understand the regulatory networks of transcription factor-driven cancers, including entry points for therapies that warrant testing in patients.

  Study EGAS00001008140

• Cross-species Comparison Reveals Therapeutic Vulnerabilities Halting Glioblastoma Progression

  The growth of a tumor is tightly linked to the distribution of its cells along a continuum of activation states. Here, we systematically decode the activation state architecture (ASA) in a glioblastoma (GBM) patient cohort through comparison to adult murine neural stem cells. Modelling of these data forecast how tumor cells organize to sustain growth and identifies rate of activation as the main predictor of growth. Accordingly, patients with a higher quiescence fraction exhibit improved outcomes. Further, DNA methylation arrays enable ASA- related patient stratification. Comparison of healthy and malignant gene expression dynamics reveals dysregulation of the Wnt- antagonist SFRP1 at the quiescence to activation transition. SFRP1 overexpression renders GBM quiescent and increases overall survival of tumor-bearing mice. Surprisingly, it does so through reprogramming the tumor’s stem-like methylome into an astrocyte- like one. Our findings offer a framework for patient stratification with prognostic value, biomarker identification, and therapeutic avenues to halt GBM progression.

  Study EGAS00001008155

• RNAseq of Soft Tissue Sarcomas

  Exon capture RNAseq of 25 soft tissue sarcomas.

  Study EGAS00001007221