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Andreas Bosio

Publications and source records attributed to Andreas Bosio.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Enhanced expression levels of IL-31 correlate with IL-4 and IL-13 in atopic and allergic contact dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: IL-31 is produced by activated T lymphocytes, preferentially by TH2 cells. Transgenic mice overexpressing IL-31 have a phenotype resembling allergic dermatitis in human subjects. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the potential importance of IL-31 in the pathogenesis of human T cell-mediated skin diseases. METHODS: We analyzed total RNA taken from 149 skin biopsy specimens from patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), or psoriasis in comparison with specimens taken from patients with healthy skin (n = 13) by using quantitative real-time PCR for the expression of TH1/TH2 cytokines. RESULTS: We found statistically increased mRNA levels of IL-31 in biopsy specimens taken from patients with AD, irrespective of the severity of the disease and serum IgE levels. Moreover, IL-31 mRNA levels were strongly increased in many biopsy specimens taken from patients with ACD. However, no increased transcription of IL-31 could be detected in biopsy specimens taken from psoriatic plaques. A comparison of mRNA levels of IL-31 with TH1 or TH2 cytokines demonstrates a correlation of the expression of IL-31 with IL-4 and IL-13 but not with IFN-gamma. No significant increase of IL-31 receptor mRNA could be detected in any disease, whereas the second receptor subunit of IL-31, the oncostatin M receptor, seems to be enhanced transcribed in patients with psoriasis. CONCLUSION: IL-31 expression is not only increased in patients with AD but also in those with ACD, 2 pruritic skin disorders. In both types of eczema, expression of IL-31 is associated with the expression of the TH2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: IL-31 might contribute not only to the development of AD but also to ACD-provoked skin inflammation.

Dermatitis, Allergic Contact↗
PubMed2006

Glial conversion of SVZ-derived committed neuronal precursors after ectopic grafting into the adult brain.

In the adult mouse forebrain, large numbers of neuronal precursors, destined to become GABA- and dopamine-producing interneurons of the olfactory bulb (OB), are generated in the subventricular zone (SVZ). Although this neurogenic system represents a potential reservoir of stem and progenitor cells for brain repair approaches, information about the survival and differentiation of SVZ-derived cells in ectopic brain regions is still fragmentary. We show here that ectopic grafting of SVZ tissue gave rise to two morphologically distinguishable cell types displaying oligodendrocytic or astrocytic characteristics. Since SVZ tissue contains neuronal and glial progenitors, we used magnetic cell sorting to deplete A2B5+ glial progenitors from the dissociated SVZ and to positively select cells that express PSA-NCAM. This procedure allowed the purification of neuronal precursors expressing TUJ1, DCX and GAD65/67. Transplantation of these cells led again to the generation of the same two glial cell types, showing that committed interneuron precursors undergo glial differentiation outside their normal environment.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Identification of CD70 as a diagnostic biomarker for clear cell renal cell carcinoma by gene expression profiling, real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

The underlying molecular mechanisms of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are poorly understood and more reliable markers for early diagnosis are needed. Hence, alternative strategies for biomarker discovery with appropriate validation technologies have to be performed. To elucidate genesis and progression of RCC we used high parallel chip based gene expression profiling comparing normal and tumour tissues. We compared corresponding control and tumour tissue samples from 10 patients with clear cell RCC. We isolated RNA from histologically well characterised tissue sections and performed reverse transcription, labelling and linear RNA amplification. Samples were hybridised on microarrays containing 642 human cDNAs. Of the 352 differentially expressed genes found, CD70 and FRA2 were selected for further evaluation by real-time RT-PCR. The analysis all showed a high potential to discriminate between normal and tumour tissue. Moreover, increased CD70 mRNA expression in tumour cells could be correlated to its expression at the protein level. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed very strong expression of CD70 in all tumour samples but no expression in adjacent normal kidney tissue. With our combined approach we were able to identify CD70 as a new marker for RCC, which may be useful in the future for improved immunohistochemical diagnosis.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2005

Substantial sex-dependent differences in the response of human scalp hair follicles to estrogen stimulation in vitro advocate gender-tailored management of female versus male pattern balding.

In this study, it was investigated how estrogens (17-beta-estradiol, E2) affect the estrogen receptor (ER) expression and gene regulation of male versus female human scalp hair follicles in vitro. Anagen VI follicles from frontotemporal scalp skin were microdissected and organ-cultured for up to 9 d in the presence of E2 (1-100 nm). Immunohistochemistry was performed for ERbeta-expression, known to be predominant in human scalp hair follicles, and for TGF-beta2-expression (as negative key hair growth modulator), and E2-responsive genes in organ-cultured human scalp hair follicles (48 h, 10 nM) were explored by cDNA microarray, using a commercial skin focus chip (Memorec, Cologne, Germany). The distribution pattern of ERbeta and TGF-beta2-immunoreactivity differed between male and female hair follicles after 48 h culture. Of 1300 genes tested, several genes were regulated sex-dependent differently. The study reveals substantial sex-dependent differences in the response of frontotemporal human scalp hair follicles to E2. Recognition and systematic dissection of the E2-dependent gene regulation will be crucial for the development of more effective, gender-tailored management strategies for female versus male pattern balding.

Alopecia↗
PubMed2004

Purification of neuronal precursors from the adult mouse brain: comprehensive gene expression analysis provides new insights into the control of cell migration, differentiation, and homeostasis.

The progeny of neural stem cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the adult mammalian brain consists in polysialylated NCAM-expressing immature neurons (PSA(+) cells), which migrate to the olfactory bulb (OB) to differentiate into GABAergic interneurons. We purified murine PSA(+) cells directly from the adult brain by FACS and analyzed their gene expression profile by SAGE. Comparative analyses led to the identification of precursor-enriched genes, including Survivin, Sox-4, Meis2, Dishevelled-2, C3aR1 and Riken 3110003A17, and many so far uncharacterized transcripts. Cluster analysis showed that groups of genes involved in axon guidance and gene clusters implicated in chemotaxis are strongly upregulated, indicating a role of both cues in the control of cell migration in the adult brain. Furthermore, genes involved in apoptosis and cell proliferation are co-expressed, suggesting that the amount of precursors that is present in the adult brain is a result of an equilibrium of these processes.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The HOPE-technique permits Northern blot and microarray analyses in paraffin-embedded tissues.

There is an increasing demand for tissue samples that, after having been used for conventional histologic examination, are also suited for molecular analyses. As to formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue, the latter applications are very limited. The HOPE (Hepes-Glutamic acid buffer mediated Organic solvent Protection Effect) technique comprises a new protection-solution with an organic buffer, with acetone as the only dehydrating agent, and pure paraffin of 52-54 degrees C melting temperature, allowing for all pathologic routine investigations. In contrast to FFPE tissue, the HOPE-technique allows for the application of molecular methods, such as high molecular DNA and RNA isolation, which can be used for PCR and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). In this study, we investigated whether RNA from HOPE-fixed tissue samples is suitable for Northern blot and microarray analyses. RNAs of two HOPE-fixed breast cancer specimens of different histologic grade were used to carry out an array experiment. It turned out that RNA from HOPE-fixed tissue is of high quality and can be successfully used for array experiments. In addition, by detecting GAPDH and high mobility group protein gene B1 (HMGB1)-specific transcripts, we were able to demonstrate that RNA from HOPE-fixed tissue can also be used for Northern blot hybridization.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed2003

Gene expression profiling in respiratory tissues from rats exposed to mainstream cigarette smoke.

Cigarette smoke (CS) is known to cause cancer and other diseases, but little is known about the global molecular and cellular changes that occur prior to the appearance of clinically detectable symptoms. Using DNA microarrays covering 2031 cDNA probes, we investigated differential gene expression in tissues of the rat respiratory tract, i.e. respiratory nasal epithelium (RNE) and lungs of rats exposed either acutely (3 h) or subchronically (3 h/day, 5 days/week, 3 weeks) to mainstream CS with death either immediately or at 20 h after exposure. Differential gene expression was most evident in RNE of rats exposed once and was characterized by strong up-regulation of genes encoding oxidative stress-responsive and Phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as haem oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, which are all, at least in part, transcriptionally regulated by NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). After 3 weeks of exposure, the strength of expression of this class of genes was markedly reduced, pointing to an adaptive response. The generally lower response in the lungs of exposed rats is indicative of a deposition gradient of active smoke constituents from the upper to the lower respiratory tract. In sharp contrast to the CS-induced expression of oxidative stress and Phase II-responsive genes, induction of the genes encoding the Phase I drug-metabolizing enzymes cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A1 and aldehyde dehydrogenase-3 was not reduced after 3 weeks of exposure and was similarly high in lungs and RNE. Gene expression patterns in rats allowed to recover for 20 h showed that the CS-induced transcriptional changes observed immediately after exposure returned almost completely to normal, even after 3 weeks of repeated CS exposure. In general, these results demonstrate that CS induces a specific differential gene expression pattern in vivo, which may be instrumental in identifying the molecular mechanisms leading to the onset of inflammatory and/or morphological changes.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Differential gene expression in the periprosthetic membrane: lubricin as a new possible pathogenetic factor in prosthesis loosening.

About 10% of hip endoprostheses will loosen after 10 years. Prosthesis loosening is caused by two different pathomechanisms: aseptic loosening (AL) and septic loosening (SL). This study evaluated differences in gene expression in AL and SL. Eight hybridizations were performed on PIQOR cDNA arrays. Objects of the study were periprosthetic interface tissue samples from two patients with SL and three patients with AL. Tissue parts directly adjacent to the site of RNA isolation were analyzed immuno/histopathologically in order to overcome the problem of tissue heterogeneity. Thirty-three genes were found constantly differentially expressed, among which were cd11b, cd18, cd68, osteopontin and ferritin heavy-chain upregulated in AL and collagen types 1alpha-1, 3alpha-1, integrin alpha-1, thrombospondin2 and nidogen upregulated in SL. The most striking finding was the strong upregulation (from 20-fold to 323-fold) of megakaryocyte stimulating factor (msf) in all aseptic cases and one of the two septic cases, which was confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In this study, msf is linked to prosthesis loosening for the first time. The upregulation in AL suggests an important pathogenetic role: the msf splice product lubricin is responsible for the lubrication of healthy joints, but its excellent lubrication ability may disturb the tight interaction between bone and prosthesis and thereby contribute to prosthesis loosening.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Control of pelage hair follicle development and cycling by complex interactions between follistatin and activin.

Members of the transforming growth factor beta/bone morphogenetic protein (TGF-beta/BMP) family are involved in the control of hair follicle (HF) morphogenesis and cycling. The activities of several members of this family activins and BMP-2, -4, -7, and -11) are controlled by antagonists such as follistatin. Because follistatin-deficient mice show abnormalities in vibrissae development, we explored the role of follistatin and activin in pelage HF development and cycling. We show here that during HF development follistatin mRNA was prominently expressed by hair matrix and outer root sheath keratinocytes as well as by interfollicular epidermal cells, whereas activin betaA mRNA was mainly expressed in dermal papilla cells. Compared with age-matched wild-type controls, both follistatin knockout mice and activin betaA transgenic mice showed a significant retardation of HF morphogenesis. Treatment of wild-type embryonic skin explants with follistatin protein stimulated HF development. This effect was inhibited by addition of recombinant activin A protein. Activin betaA transgenic mice demonstrated retardation of catagen entry, down-regulation of BMP-2, and up-regulation of expression of its antagonist matrix GLA protein. These observations suggest that follistatin and activin interaction plays an important role in both HF development and cycling, possibly in part by regulating expression of BMP-2 and its antagonist.

Activin Receptors↗
PubMed2003

An extracellular matrix-specific microarray allowed the identification of target genes downstream of discoidin domain receptors.

The two discoidin domain receptors, DDR1 and DDR2, are tyrosine kinases that are activated by collagen and are essential regulators of cell-matrix communication. However, the target genes downstream of activated DDRs and their physiological significance are largely unknown. Here, we describe a novel method to dissect signaling pathways induced by extracellular matrix (ECM) receptors. Using the doxycycline-inducible repression system (tet-off), we generated human fibrosarcoma and mouse fibroblast cell lines over-expressing DDR1 or DDR2. These cell lines were employed for gene expression analysis using microarrays specific for human and mouse genes coding for ECM proteins or ECM-interacting factors. We found that approximately 10% of the genes studied were up- or down-regulated more than twofold in response to signals generated by over-expressing DDRs. A common event downstream of DDR1 and DDR2 in human and mouse cells was the up-regulation of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand. Key target genes repressed upon DDR activation were agrin, syndecan-1 and alpha3 integrin. ECM-specific microarrays were found a valuable tool to dissect gene expression changes induced by collagen-receptor signaling pathways.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Kinetics of gene expression profiling in Swiss 3T3 cells exposed to aqueous extracts of cigarette smoke.

Previous studies from different laboratories have demonstrated that cigarette smoke (CS) harbours a strong oxidative stress potential, which broadly impacts exposed cells. Many of these studies have been devoted to identifying differentially expressed genes in exposed cells. Emerging DNA microarray techniques provide a sophisticated tool to characterize gene expression on a more comprehensive basis. Here, we report on kinetic studies performed to characterize gene expression profiles in Swiss 3T3 cells exposed to aqueous extracts of CS ('smoke-bubbled phosphate-buffered saline') up to 24 h through glass chips containing 513 different cDNA probes. The results obtained display a distinct expression pattern of up regulated and repressed genes, which was most evident after 4-8 h of exposure. The CS-related stress response involves mainly antioxidant response genes coding for, e.g. haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1), metallothionein 1/2 (MT1/2) and heat shock proteins (HSPs); genes coding for transcription factors, e.g. JunB and CAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP); cell cycle-related genes, e.g. gadd34 and gadd45; and notably, genes described as mediators of an inflammatory/immune-regulatory response, e.g. st2, kc and id3. From a kinetic perspective, the stress response is characterized by the synchronized up regulation of antioxidant pathways, e.g. as reflected by the co-ordinated expression of ho-1 and ferritin. This expression pattern is obviously orchestrated by stress-responsive transcription factors, as exemplified by the early and strong expression of junB and c/ebp. Interestingly, among the 10 most up regulated genes are five which are known to counteract stress brought about by peroxynitrite. Altogether, these results demonstrate that CS induces a distinct signature of differential gene expression in exposed cells.

3T3 Cells↗