The mature CNS contains PDGFRA+ oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC) which may remain quiescent, proliferate, or differentiate into oligodendrocytes. In human gliomas, rapidly proliferating Olig2+ cells resembling OPCs are frequently observed. We sought to identify, in vivo, candidate pathways uniquely required for OPC differentiation or quiescence. Using the bacTRAP methodology, we generated and analyzed mouse lines for translational profiling the major cells types (including OPCs), in the normal mouse brain. We then profiled oligodendoglial (Olig2+) cells from a mouse model of Pdgf-driven glioma. This analysis confirmed that Olig2+ tumor cells are most similar to OPCs, yet, it identified differences in key progenitor genes - candidates for promotion of differentiation or quiescence.
Candidate pathways for promoting differentiation or quiescence of oligodendrocyte progenitor-like cells in glioma.
Specimen part
View SamplesTo identify the activity-induced gene expression programs in inhibitory and excitatory neurons, we analyzed RNA extracted from cultured E14 mouse MGE- and CTX-derived neurons (DIV 10) after these cultures were membrane-depolarized for 0, 1 and 6 hrs with 55mM extracellular KCl. To identify the gene programs regulated in these cells by the activity-induced early-response transcription factor Npas4, we repeated the same experiment in the MGE- and CTX-cultures lacking Npas4 (Npas4-KO).
Npas4 regulates excitatory-inhibitory balance within neural circuits through cell-type-specific gene programs.
Specimen part, Treatment, Time
View SamplesImmortalized, amelanotic melanocytes isolted from skin of Balb/c express enzymatically-inactive tyrosinase due to a homozygous point mutation (TGT->TCT) in tyrosinase gene, resulting in a lack of melanin . To serve as a control cell line, pigmentation was restored in these cells by correcting the point mutation using an RNA-DNA oligonucleotide (kingly gift from Dr. Alexeev Y. Vitali).
Melanocyte-secreted fibromodulin promotes an angiogenic microenvironment.
Specimen part
View Samples