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Establishment of IL-7 Expression Reporter Human Cell Lines, and Their Feasibility for High-Throughput Screening of IL-7-Upregulating Chemicals. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161899. [PMID: 27589392 PMCID: PMC5010243 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a cytokine essential for T cell homeostasis, and is clinically important. However, the regulatory mechanism of IL-7 gene expression is not well known, and a systematic approach to screen chemicals that regulate IL-7 expression has not yet been developed. In this study, we attempted to develop human reporter cell lines using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technology. For this purpose, we designed donor DNA that contains an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) gene, drug selection cassette, and modified homologous arms which are considered to enhance the translation of the eGFP reporter transcript, and also a highly efficient single-guide RNA with a minimal off-target effect to target the IL-7 start codon region. By applying this system, we established IL-7 eGFP reporter cell lines that could report IL-7 gene transcription based on the eGFP protein signal. Furthermore, we utilized the cells to run a pilot screen campaign for IL-7-upregulating chemicals in a high-throughput format, and identified a chemical that can up-regulate IL-7 gene transcription. Collectively, these results suggest that our IL-7 reporter system can be utilized in large-scale chemical library screening to reveal novel IL-7 regulatory pathways and to identify potential drugs for development of new treatments in immunodeficiency disease.
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Gridley DS, Mao XW, Stodieck LS, Ferguson VL, Bateman TA, Moldovan M, Cunningham CE, Jones TA, Slater JM, Pecaut MJ. Changes in mouse thymus and spleen after return from the STS-135 mission in space. PLoS One 2013; 8:e75097. [PMID: 24069384 PMCID: PMC3777930 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous results with flight (FLT) mice showed abnormalities in thymuses and spleens that have potential to compromise immune defense mechanisms. In this study, the organs were further evaluated in C57BL/6 mice after Space Shuttle Atlantis returned from a 13-day mission. Thymuses and spleens were harvested from FLT mice and ground controls housed in similar animal enclosure modules (AEM). Organ and body mass, DNA fragmentation and expression of genes related to T cells and cancer were determined. Although significance was not obtained for thymus mass, DNA fragmentation was greater in the FLT group (P<0.01). Spleen mass alone and relative to body mass was significantly decreased in FLT mice (P<0.05). In FLT thymuses, 6/84 T cell-related genes were affected versus the AEM control group (P<0.05; up: IL10, Il18bp, Il18r1, Spp1; down: Ccl7, IL6); 15/84 cancer-related genes had altered expression (P<0.05; up: Casp8, FGFR2, Figf, Hgf, IGF1, Itga4, Ncam1, Pdgfa, Pik3r1, Serpinb2, Sykb; down: Cdc25a, E2F1, Mmp9, Myc). In the spleen, 8/84 cancer-related genes were affected in FLT mice compared to AEM controls (P<0.05; up: Cdkn2a; down: Birc5, Casp8, Ctnnb1, Map2k1, Mdm2, NFkB1, Pdgfa). Pathway analysis (apoptosis signaling and checkpoint regulation) was used to map relationships among the cancer–related genes. The results showed that a relatively short mission in space had a significant impact on both organs. The findings also indicate that immune system aberrations due to stressors associated with space travel should be included when estimating risk for pathologies such as cancer and infection and in designing appropriate countermeasures. Although this was the historic last flight of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program, exploration of space will undoubtedly continue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daila S. Gridley
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Xiao Wen Mao
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Louis S. Stodieck
- BioServe Space Technologies, Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Virginia L. Ferguson
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Ted A. Bateman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Maria Moldovan
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Christopher E. Cunningham
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Tamako A. Jones
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Jerry M. Slater
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Pecaut
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
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