Study of breast cancer incidence in patients of lymphangioleiomyomatosis

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10549-016-3737-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized user

PM20D1-Derived treatment decreases amyloid pathology and improves cognitive performance in C. elegans and mouse models of Alzheimer's disease

Resumen del trabajo presentado a la 16th International Conference on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases and related neurological disorders (AP/PD), celebrada en Barcelona (España) del 15 al 20 de marzo de 2022.[Aims]: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex disorder caused by a combination of genetic and non-genetic factors, which are investigated by genome- (GWAS) and epigenome- (EWAS) wide association studies, respectively. Combining the strengths of both type of studies, we have recently identified a new genetic-epigenetic interaction on Peptidase M20 Domain Containing 1 (PM20D1) associated with AD. We showed that PM20D1 expression depends on a haplotype-dependent chromatin loop between PM20D1 enhancer and promoter regions, that PM20D1 expression is increased by AD-like stressors, and that its overexpression improves cognitive performance and reduces AD pathologies. However, the precise mechanism by which PM20D1 exerts its protective role in AD remains largely unknown. PM20D1 facilitates the condensation of fatty acids and amino acids generating a series of compounds named N-acyl amino acids (NAAs). NAAs are present in all tissues, including brain, yet little is known about their function and regulation.[Methods]: To investigate their role in AD, we NAA-treated AD primary cultures, worms and mouse models, and measured AD-related pathologies and cognitive performance. Furthermore, to unveil the underlying mechanisms, we applied snRNA-seq approaches and cell-type specific manipulations.[Results]: Following this approach, we demonstrate that NAAs modify the cellular phase of AD and improves cell survival, amyloid burden and cognitive performance.[Conclusions]: Our results therefore support the use of NAAs as a therapeutic approach for AD.Peer reviewe

MRI reveals reduced microstructural brain integrity in the APP/SEN1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Póster presentado al FENS Forum, celebrado en Paris del 9 al 13 de julio de 2022 y al 19th Christmas Meeting, celebrado en el Instituto de Neurociencias (IN-CSIC-UMH) los días 20 y 21 de diciembre de 2022.Grant PGC2018-101055-B-I00.Peer reviewe

A DNA methylation fingerprint of 1628 human samples

Most of the studies characterizing DNA methylation patterns have been restricted to particular genomic loci in a limited number of human samples and pathological conditions. Herein, we present a compromise between an extremely comprehensive study of a human sample population with an intermediate level of resolution of CpGs at the genomic level. We obtained a DNA methylation fingerprint of 1628 human samples in which we interrogated 1505 CpG sites. The DNA methylation patterns revealed show this epigenetic mark to be critical in tissue-type definition and stemness, particularly around transcription start sites that are not within a CpG island. For disease, the generated DNA methylation fingerprints show that, during tumorigenesis, human cancer cells underwent a progressive gain of promoter CpG-island hypermethylation and a loss of CpG methylation in non-CpG-island promoters. Although transformed cells are those in which DNA methylation disruption is more obvious, we observed that other common human diseases, such as neurological and autoimmune disorders, had their own distinct DNA methylation profiles. Most importantly, we provide proof of principle that the DNA methylation fingerprints obtained might be useful for translational purposes by showing that we are able to identify the tumor type origin of cancers of unknown primary origin (CUPs). Thus, the DNA methylation patterns identified across the largest spectrum of samples, tissues, and diseases reported to date constitute a baseline for developing higher-resolution DNA methylation maps and provide important clues concerning the contribution of CpG methylation to tissue identity and its changes in the most prevalent human disease

A DNA methylation fingerprint of 1628 human samples

Most of the studies characterizing DNA methylation patterns have been restricted to particular genomic loci in a limited number of human samples and pathological conditions. Herein, we present a compromise between an extremely comprehensive study of a human sample population with an intermediate level of resolution of CpGs at the genomic level. We obtained a DNA methylation fingerprint of 1628 human samples in which we interrogated 1505 CpG sites. The DNA methylation patterns revealed show this epigenetic mark to be critical in tissue-type definition and stemness, particularly around transcription start sites that are not within a CpG island. For disease, the generated DNA methylation fingerprints show that, during tumorigenesis, human cancer cells underwent a progressive gain of promoter CpG-island hypermethylation and a loss of CpG methylation in non-CpG-island promoters. Although transformed cells are those in which DNA methylation disruption is more obvious, we observed that other common human diseases, such as neurological and autoimmune disorders, had their own distinct DNA methylation profiles. Most importantly, we provide proof of principle that the DNA methylation fingerprints obtained might be useful for translational purposes by showing that we are able to identify the tumor type origin of cancers of unknown primary origin (CUPs). Thus, the DNA methylation patterns identified across the largest spectrum of samples, tissues, and diseases reported to date constitute a baseline for developing higher-resolution DNA methylation maps and provide important clues concerning the contribution of CpG methylation to tissue identity and its changes in the most prevalent human disease

A DNA methylation fingerprint of 1628 human samples

Most of the studies characterizing DNA methylation patterns have been restricted to particular genomic loci in a limited number of human samples and pathological conditions. Herein, we present a compromise between an extremely comprehensive study of a human sample population with an intermediate level of resolution of CpGs at the genomic level. We obtained a DNA methylation fingerprint of 1628 human samples in which we interrogated 1505 CpG sites. The DNA methylation patterns revealed show this epigenetic mark to be critical in tissue-type definition and stemness, particularly around transcription start sites that are not within a CpG island. For disease, the generated DNA methylation fingerprints show that, during tumorigenesis, human cancer cells underwent a progressive gain of promoter CpG-island hypermethylation and a loss of CpG methylation in non-CpG-island promoters. Although transformed cells are those in which DNA methylation disruption is more obvious, we observed that other common human diseases, such as neurological and autoimmune disorders, had their own distinct DNA methylation profiles. Most importantly, we provide proof of principle that the DNA methylation fingerprints obtained might be useful for translational purposes by showing that we are able to identify the tumor type origin of cancers of unknown primary origin (CUPs). Thus, the DNA methylation patterns identified across the largest spectrum of samples, tissues, and diseases reported to date constitute a baseline for developing higher-resolution DNA methylation maps and provide important clues concerning the contribution of CpG methylation to tissue identity and its changes in the most prevalent human disease

Study of breast cancer incidence in patients of lymphangioleiomyomatosis

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10549-016-3737-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized user

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Biomarkers Linked to Lung Metastatic Potential and Cell Stemness

<div><p>Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung-metastasizing neoplasm caused by the proliferation of smooth muscle-like cells that commonly carry loss-of-function mutations in either the tuberous sclerosis complex 1 or 2 (<i>TSC1</i> or <i>TSC2</i>) genes. While allosteric inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) has shown substantial clinical benefit, complementary therapies are required to improve response and/or to treat specific patients. However, there is a lack of LAM biomarkers that could potentially be used to monitor the disease and to develop other targeted therapies. We hypothesized that the mediators of cancer metastasis to lung, particularly in breast cancer, also play a relevant role in LAM. Analyses across independent breast cancer datasets revealed associations between low <i>TSC1/2</i> expression, altered mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway signaling, and metastasis to lung. Subsequently, immunohistochemical analyses of 23 LAM lesions revealed positivity in all cases for the lung metastasis mediators fascin 1 (FSCN1) and inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (ID1). Moreover, assessment of breast cancer stem or luminal progenitor cell biomarkers showed positivity in most LAM tissue for the aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), integrin-ß3 (ITGB3/CD61), and/or the sex-determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9) proteins. The immunohistochemical analyses also provided evidence of heterogeneity between and within LAM cases. The analysis of <i>Tsc2</i>-deficient cells revealed relative over-expression of FSCN1 and ID1; however, <i>Tsc2</i>-deficient cells did not show higher sensitivity to ID1-based cancer inhibitors. Collectively, the results of this study reveal novel LAM biomarkers linked to breast cancer metastasis to lung and to cell stemness, which in turn might guide the assessment of additional or complementary therapeutic opportunities for LAM.</p></div

Positivity for breast cancer stemness biomarkers in LAM tissue.

<p>Representative positive results for ALDH1, CD61 and SOX9 in two LAM cases. Arrows mark magnified fields shown in the insets.</p