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Le Goff A, Louvel S, Boullier H, Allard P. Toxicoepigenetics for Risk Assessment: Bridging the Gap Between Basic and Regulatory Science. Epigenet Insights 2022; 15:25168657221113149. [PMID: 35860623 PMCID: PMC9290111 DOI: 10.1177/25168657221113149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxicoepigenetics examines the health effects of environmental exposure associated with, or mediated by, changes in the epigenome. Despite high expectations, toxicoepigenomic data and methods have yet to become significantly utilized in chemical risk assessment. This article draws on a social science framework to highlight hitherto overlooked structural barriers to the incorporation of toxicoepigenetics in risk assessment and to propose ways forward. The present barriers stem not only from the lack of maturity of the field but also from differences in constraints and standards between the data produced by toxicoepigenetics and the regulatory science data that risk assessment processes require. Criteria and strategies that frame the validation of knowledge used for regulatory purposes limit the application of basic research in toxicoepigenetics toward risk assessment. First, the need in regulatory toxicology for standardized methods that form a consensus between regulatory agencies, basic research, and the industry conflicts with the wealth of heterogeneous data in toxicoepigenetics. Second, molecular epigenetic data do not readily translate into typical toxicological endpoints. Third, toxicoepigenetics investigates new forms of toxicity, in particular low-dose and long-term effects, that do not align well with the traditional framework of regulatory toxicology. We propose that increasing the usefulness of epigenetic data for risk assessment will require deliberate efforts on the part of the toxicoepigenetics community in 4 areas: fostering the understanding of epigenetics among risk assessors, developing knowledge infrastructure to demonstrate applicability, facilitating the normalization and exchange of data, and opening the field to other stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Le Goff
- The Institute for Society and Genetics and The EpiCenter, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Séverine Louvel
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Sciences Po Grenoble, PACTE, Grenoble, France and Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Henri Boullier
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, IRISSO, Université Paris-Dauphine-PSL, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Allard
- The Institute for Society and Genetics and The EpiCenter, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
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2
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Watson ER, Taherian Fard A, Mar JC. Computational Methods for Single-Cell Imaging and Omics Data Integration. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 8:768106. [PMID: 35111809 PMCID: PMC8801747 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.768106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrating single cell omics and single cell imaging allows for a more effective characterisation of the underlying mechanisms that drive a phenotype at the tissue level, creating a comprehensive profile at the cellular level. Although the use of imaging data is well established in biomedical research, its primary application has been to observe phenotypes at the tissue or organ level, often using medical imaging techniques such as MRI, CT, and PET. These imaging technologies complement omics-based data in biomedical research because they are helpful for identifying associations between genotype and phenotype, along with functional changes occurring at the tissue level. Single cell imaging can act as an intermediary between these levels. Meanwhile new technologies continue to arrive that can be used to interrogate the genome of single cells and its related omics datasets. As these two areas, single cell imaging and single cell omics, each advance independently with the development of novel techniques, the opportunity to integrate these data types becomes more and more attractive. This review outlines some of the technologies and methods currently available for generating, processing, and analysing single-cell omics- and imaging data, and how they could be integrated to further our understanding of complex biological phenomena like ageing. We include an emphasis on machine learning algorithms because of their ability to identify complex patterns in large multidimensional data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Atefeh Taherian Fard
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jessica Cara Mar
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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3
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King J, Patel M, Chandrasekaran S. Metabolism, HDACs, and HDAC Inhibitors: A Systems Biology Perspective. Metabolites 2021; 11:792. [PMID: 34822450 PMCID: PMC8620738 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11110792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are epigenetic enzymes that play a central role in gene regulation and are sensitive to the metabolic state of the cell. The cross talk between metabolism and histone acetylation impacts numerous biological processes including development and immune function. HDAC inhibitors are being explored for treating cancers, viral infections, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic disorders. However, how HDAC inhibitors impact cellular metabolism and how metabolism influences their potency is unclear. Discussed herein are recent applications and future potential of systems biology methods such as high throughput drug screens, cancer cell line profiling, single cell sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics, and computational modeling to uncover the interplay between metabolism, HDACs, and HDAC inhibitors. The synthesis of new systems technologies can ultimately help identify epigenomic and metabolic biomarkers for patient stratification and the design of effective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob King
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Maya Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Sriram Chandrasekaran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.K.); (M.P.)
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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4
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Mehrmohamadi M, Sepehri MH, Nazer N, Norouzi MR. A Comparative Overview of Epigenomic Profiling Methods. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:714687. [PMID: 34368164 PMCID: PMC8340004 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.714687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, assays that profile different aspects of the epigenome have grown exponentially in number and variation. However, standard guidelines for researchers to choose between available tools depending on their needs are lacking. Here, we introduce a comprehensive collection of the most commonly used bulk and single-cell epigenomic assays and compare and contrast their strengths and weaknesses. We summarize some of the most important technical and experimental parameters that should be considered for making an appropriate decision when designing epigenomic experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahya Mehrmohamadi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Naghme Nazer
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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5
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Stein-O'Brien GL, Ainsile MC, Fertig EJ. Forecasting cellular states: from descriptive to predictive biology via single-cell multiomics. CURRENT OPINION IN SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2021; 26:24-32. [PMID: 34660940 PMCID: PMC8516130 DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
As the single cell field races to characterize each cell type, state, and behavior, the complexity of the computational analysis approaches the complexity of the biological systems. Single cell and imaging technologies now enable unprecedented measurements of state transitions in biological systems, providing high-throughput data that capture tens-of-thousands of measurements on hundreds-of-thousands of samples. Thus, the definition of cell type and state is evolving to encompass the broad range of biological questions now attainable. To answer these questions requires the development of computational tools for integrated multi-omics analysis. Merged with mathematical models, these algorithms will be able to forecast future states of biological systems, going from statistical inferences of phenotypes to time course predictions of the biological systems with dynamic maps analogous to weather systems. Thus, systems biology for forecasting biological system dynamics from multi-omic data represents the future of cell biology empowering a new generation of technology-driven predictive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve L Stein-O'Brien
- Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Michaela C Ainsile
- Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Applied Mathematics & Statistics, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
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6
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Rocha RA, Fox JM, Genever PG, Hancock Y. Biomolecular phenotyping and heterogeneity assessment of mesenchymal stromal cells using label-free Raman spectroscopy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4385. [PMID: 33623051 PMCID: PMC7902661 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81991-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Easy, quantitative measures of biomolecular heterogeneity and high-stratified phenotyping are needed to identify and characterise complex disease processes at the single-cell level, as well as to predict cell fate. Here, we demonstrate how Raman spectroscopy can be used in the difficult-to-assess case of clonal, bone-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to identify MSC lines and group these according to biological function (e.g., differentiation capacity). Biomolecular stratification is achieved using high-precision measures obtained from representative statistical sampling that also enable quantified heterogeneity assessment. Application to primary MSCs and human dermal fibroblasts shows use of these measures as a label-free assay to classify cell sub-types within complex heterogeneous cell populations, thus demonstrating the potential for therapeutic translation, and broad application to the phenotypic characterisation of other cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Rocha
- Department of Physics, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
- Federal University of Technology-Paraná, Campus Dois Vizinhos, Paraná, 85660-000, Brazil
| | - J M Fox
- Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - P G Genever
- Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Y Hancock
- Department of Physics, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
- York Cross-disciplinary Centre for Systems Analysis, University of York, Heslington, York, YO30 5GG, UK.
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, SE19RT, UK.
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7
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Piña-Sánchez P, Chávez-González A, Ruiz-Tachiquín M, Vadillo E, Monroy-García A, Montesinos JJ, Grajales R, Gutiérrez de la Barrera M, Mayani H. Cancer Biology, Epidemiology, and Treatment in the 21st Century: Current Status and Future Challenges From a Biomedical Perspective. Cancer Control 2021; 28:10732748211038735. [PMID: 34565215 PMCID: PMC8481752 DOI: 10.1177/10732748211038735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the second half of the 20th century, our knowledge about the biology of cancer has made extraordinary progress. Today, we understand cancer at the genomic and epigenomic levels, and we have identified the cell that starts neoplastic transformation and characterized the mechanisms for the invasion of other tissues. This knowledge has allowed novel drugs to be designed that act on specific molecular targets, the immune system to be trained and manipulated to increase its efficiency, and ever more effective therapeutic strategies to be developed. Nevertheless, we are still far from winning the war against cancer, and thus biomedical research in oncology must continue to be a global priority. Likewise, there is a need to reduce unequal access to medical services and improve prevention programs, especially in countries with a low human development index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Piña-Sánchez
- Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico
| | | | - Martha Ruiz-Tachiquín
- Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Vadillo
- Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico
| | - Alberto Monroy-García
- Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico
| | - Juan José Montesinos
- Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico
| | - Rocío Grajales
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncology Hospital, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico
| | - Marcos Gutiérrez de la Barrera
- Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico
- Clinical Research Division, Oncology Hospital, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico
| | - Hector Mayani
- Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico
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8
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Baek M, Chang JT, Echeverria GV. Methodological Advancements for Investigating Intra-tumoral Heterogeneity in Breast Cancer at the Bench and Bedside. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2020; 25:289-304. [PMID: 33300087 PMCID: PMC7960623 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-020-09470-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a major need to overcome therapeutic resistance and metastasis that eventually arises in many breast cancer patients. Therapy resistant and metastatic tumors are increasingly recognized to possess intra-tumoral heterogeneity (ITH), a diversity of cells within an individual tumor. First hypothesized in the 1970s, the possibility that this complex ITH may endow tumors with adaptability and evolvability to metastasize and evade therapies is now supported by multiple lines of evidence. Our understanding of ITH has been driven by recent methodological advances including next-generation sequencing, computational modeling, lineage tracing, single-cell technologies, and multiplexed in situ approaches. These have been applied across a range of specimens, including patient tumor biopsies, liquid biopsies, cultured cell lines, and mouse models. In this review, we discuss these approaches and how they have deepened our understanding of the mechanistic origins of ITH amongst tumor cells, including stem cell-like differentiation hierarchies and Darwinian evolution, and the functional role for ITH in breast cancer progression. While ITH presents a challenge for combating tumor evolution, in-depth analyses of ITH in clinical biopsies and laboratory models hold promise to elucidate therapeutic strategies that should ultimately improve outcomes for breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mokryun Baek
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jeffrey T Chang
- Department of Pharmacology and Integrative Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Gloria V Echeverria
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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9
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Leung JY, Chia K, Ong DST, Taneja R. Interweaving Tumor Heterogeneity into the Cancer Epigenetic/Metabolic Axis. Antioxid Redox Signal 2020; 33:946-965. [PMID: 31841357 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2019.7942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Significance: The epigenomic/metabolic landscape in cancer has been studied extensively in the past decade and forms the basis of various drug targets. Yet, cancer treatment remains a challenge, with clinical trials exhibiting limited efficacy and high relapse rates. Patients respond differently to therapy, which is fundamentally attributed to tumor heterogeneity, both across and within tumors. This review focuses on the interactions between the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME) and the epigenomic/metabolic axis in cancer, as well as the emerging technologies under development to aid heterogeneity studies. Recent Advances: Interlinks between epigenetics and metabolism in cancer have been reported. Emerging studies have unveiled interactions between the TME and cancer cells that play a critical role in regulating epigenetics and reprogramming cancer metabolism, suggesting a three-way cross talk. Critical Issues: This cross talk accentuates the multiplex nature of cancer, and the importance of considering tumor heterogeneity in various epigenomic/metabolic cancer studies. Future Directions: With the advancement in single-cell profiling, it may be possible to identify cancer subclones and their unique vulnerabilities to develop a multimodal therapy. Drugs targeting the TME are currently being studied, and a better understanding of the TME in regulating cancer epigenetics and metabolism may hold the key to identifying novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yu Leung
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kimberly Chia
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Derrick Sek Tong Ong
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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10
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Waylen LN, Nim HT, Martelotto LG, Ramialison M. From whole-mount to single-cell spatial assessment of gene expression in 3D. Commun Biol 2020; 3:602. [PMID: 33097816 PMCID: PMC7584572 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01341-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Unravelling spatio-temporal patterns of gene expression is crucial to understanding core biological principles from embryogenesis to disease. Here we review emerging technologies, providing automated, high-throughput, spatially resolved quantitative gene expression data. Novel techniques expand on current benchmark protocols, expediting their incorporation into ongoing research. These approaches digitally reconstruct patterns of embryonic expression in three dimensions, and have successfully identified novel domains of expression, cell types, and tissue features. Such technologies pave the way for unbiased and exhaustive recapitulation of gene expression levels in spatial and quantitative terms, promoting understanding of the molecular origin of developmental defects, and improving medical diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa N Waylen
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute and Systems Biology Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Hieu T Nim
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute and Systems Biology Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Transcriptomics and Bioinformatics Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Luciano G Martelotto
- Single Cell Core Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Department of System Biology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mirana Ramialison
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute and Systems Biology Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
- Transcriptomics and Bioinformatics Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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11
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Ma A, McDermaid A, Xu J, Chang Y, Ma Q. Integrative Methods and Practical Challenges for Single-Cell Multi-omics. Trends Biotechnol 2020; 38:1007-1022. [PMID: 32818441 PMCID: PMC7442857 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Fast-developing single-cell multimodal omics (scMulti-omics) technologies enable the measurement of multiple modalities, such as DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility, RNA expression, protein abundance, gene perturbation, and spatial information, from the same cell. scMulti-omics can comprehensively explore and identify cell characteristics, while also presenting challenges to the development of computational methods and tools for integrative analyses. Here, we review these integrative methods and summarize the existing tools for studying a variety of scMulti-omics data. The various functionalities and practical challenges in using the available tools in the public domain are explored through several case studies. Finally, we identify remaining challenges and future trends in scMulti-omics modeling and analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjun Ma
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43235, USA
| | - Adam McDermaid
- Imagenetics, Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Dakota, Virmillion, SD 57069, USA
| | - Jennifer Xu
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43235, USA; Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yuzhou Chang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43235, USA
| | - Qin Ma
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43235, USA.
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12
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de Vries NL, Mahfouz A, Koning F, de Miranda NFCC. Unraveling the Complexity of the Cancer Microenvironment With Multidimensional Genomic and Cytometric Technologies. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1254. [PMID: 32793500 PMCID: PMC7390924 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancers are characterized by extensive heterogeneity that occurs intratumorally, between lesions, and across patients. To study cancer as a complex biological system, multidimensional analyses of the tumor microenvironment are paramount. Single-cell technologies such as flow cytometry, mass cytometry, or single-cell RNA-sequencing have revolutionized our ability to characterize individual cells in great detail and, with that, shed light on the complexity of cancer microenvironments. However, a key limitation of these single-cell technologies is the lack of information on spatial context and multicellular interactions. Investigating spatial contexts of cells requires the incorporation of tissue-based techniques such as multiparameter immunofluorescence, imaging mass cytometry, or in situ detection of transcripts. In this Review, we describe the rise of multidimensional single-cell technologies and provide an overview of their strengths and weaknesses. In addition, we discuss the integration of transcriptomic, genomic, epigenomic, proteomic, and spatially-resolved data in the context of human cancers. Lastly, we will deliberate on how the integration of multi-omics data will help to shed light on the complex role of cell types present within the human tumor microenvironment, and how such system-wide approaches may pave the way toward more effective therapies for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasja L. de Vries
- Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Ahmed Mahfouz
- Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Delft Bioinformatics Laboratory, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
- Leiden Computational Biology Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Frits Koning
- Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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13
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de Anda-Jáuregui G, Hernández-Lemus E. Computational Oncology in the Multi-Omics Era: State of the Art. Front Oncol 2020; 10:423. [PMID: 32318338 PMCID: PMC7154096 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the quintessential complex disease. As technologies evolve faster each day, we are able to quantify the different layers of biological elements that contribute to the emergence and development of malignancies. In this multi-omics context, the use of integrative approaches is mandatory in order to gain further insights on oncological phenomena, and to move forward toward the precision medicine paradigm. In this review, we will focus on computational oncology as an integrative discipline that incorporates knowledge from the mathematical, physical, and computational fields to further the biomedical understanding of cancer. We will discuss the current roles of computation in oncology in the context of multi-omic technologies, which include: data acquisition and processing; data management in the clinical and research settings; classification, diagnosis, and prognosis; and the development of models in the research setting, including their use for therapeutic target identification. We will discuss the machine learning and network approaches as two of the most promising emerging paradigms, in computational oncology. These approaches provide a foundation on how to integrate different layers of biological description into coherent frameworks that allow advances both in the basic and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo de Anda-Jáuregui
- Computational Genomics Division, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Mexico City, Mexico
- Cátedras Conacyt Para Jóvenes Investigadores, National Council on Science and Technology, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Enrique Hernández-Lemus
- Computational Genomics Division, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Mexico City, Mexico
- Center for Complexity Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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14
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Mishra R, Haldar S, Suchanti S, Bhowmick NA. Epigenetic changes in fibroblasts drive cancer metabolism and differentiation. Endocr Relat Cancer 2019; 26:R673-R688. [PMID: 31627186 PMCID: PMC6859444 DOI: 10.1530/erc-19-0347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Genomic changes that drive cancer initiation and progression contribute to the co-evolution of the adjacent stroma. The nature of the stromal reprogramming involves differential DNA methylation patterns and levels that change in response to the tumor and systemic therapeutic intervention. Epigenetic reprogramming in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts are robust biomarkers for cancer progression and have a transcriptional impact that support cancer epithelial progression in a paracrine manner. For prostate cancer, promoter hypermethylation and silencing of the RasGAP, RASAL3 that resulted in the activation of Ras signaling in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts. Stromal Ras activity initiated a process of macropinocytosis that provided prostate cancer epithelia with abundant glutamine for metabolic conversion to fuel its proliferation and a signal to transdifferentiate into a neuroendocrine phenotype. This epigenetic oncogenic metabolic/signaling axis seemed to be further potentiated by androgen receptor signaling antagonists and contributed to therapeutic resistance. Intervention of stromal signaling may complement conventional therapies targeting the cancer cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Mishra
- Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Subhash Haldar
- Department of Biotechnology, Brainware University, Kolkata, India
| | - Surabhi Suchanti
- Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Neil A Bhowmick
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Research, Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to N A Bhowmick:
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15
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Emerging epigenomic landscapes of pancreatic cancer in the era of precision medicine. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3875. [PMID: 31462645 PMCID: PMC6713756 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11812-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic studies have advanced our understanding of pancreatic cancer at a mechanistic and translational level. Genetic concepts and tools are increasingly starting to be applied to clinical practice, in particular for precision medicine efforts. However, epigenomics is rapidly emerging as a promising conceptual and methodological paradigm for advancing the knowledge of this disease. More importantly, recent studies have uncovered potentially actionable pathways, which support the prediction that future trials for pancreatic cancer will involve the vigorous testing of epigenomic therapeutics. Thus, epigenomics promises to generate a significant amount of new knowledge of both biological and medical importance. In pancreatic cancer, the epigenomic landscape can strongly impact the disease phenotype. Here, the authors discuss recent advances in our understanding of pancreatic cancer epigenomics, and how this knowledge can integrate with precision medicine approaches in this lethal disease.
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16
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Carter B, Ku WL, Kang JY, Hu G, Perrie J, Tang Q, Zhao K. Mapping histone modifications in low cell number and single cells using antibody-guided chromatin tagmentation (ACT-seq). Nat Commun 2019; 10:3747. [PMID: 31431618 PMCID: PMC6702168 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11559-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Modern next-generation sequencing-based methods have empowered researchers to assay the epigenetic states of individual cells. Existing techniques for profiling epigenetic marks in single cells often require the use and optimization of time-intensive procedures such as drop fluidics, chromatin fragmentation, and end repair. Here we describe ACT-seq, a streamlined method for mapping genome-wide distributions of histone tail modifications, histone variants, and chromatin-binding proteins in a small number of or single cells. ACT-seq utilizes a fusion of Tn5 transposase to Protein A that is targeted to chromatin by a specific antibody, allowing chromatin fragmentation and sequence tag insertion specifically at genomic sites presenting the relevant antigen. The Tn5 transposase enables the use of an index multiplexing strategy (iACT-seq), which enables construction of thousands of single-cell libraries in one day by a single researcher without the need for drop-based fluidics or visual sorting. We conclude that ACT-seq present an attractive alternative to existing techniques for mapping epigenetic marks in single cells. The authors introduce ACT-seq: a Tn5-based method for rapidly profiling epigenetic marks in bulk-cell and single-cell samples. ACT-seq avoids many laborious or time-consuming steps required for similar techniques including chromatin fragmentation and end repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Carter
- Laboratory of Epigenome Biology, Systems Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Wai Lim Ku
- Laboratory of Epigenome Biology, Systems Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jee Youn Kang
- Laboratory of Epigenome Biology, Systems Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gangqing Hu
- Laboratory of Epigenome Biology, Systems Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan Perrie
- Laboratory of Epigenome Biology, Systems Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Qingsong Tang
- Laboratory of Epigenome Biology, Systems Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Keji Zhao
- Laboratory of Epigenome Biology, Systems Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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17
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Tracy S, Yuan GC, Dries R. RESCUE: imputing dropout events in single-cell RNA-sequencing data. BMC Bioinformatics 2019; 20:388. [PMID: 31299886 PMCID: PMC6624880 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-019-2977-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Single-cell RNA-sequencing technologies provide a powerful tool for systematic dissection of cellular heterogeneity. However, the prevalence of dropout events imposes complications during data analysis and, despite numerous efforts from the community, this challenge has yet to be solved. RESULTS Here we present a computational method, called RESCUE, to mitigate the dropout problem by imputing gene expression levels using information from other cells with similar patterns. Unlike existing methods, we use an ensemble-based approach to minimize the feature selection bias on imputation. By comparative analysis of simulated and real single-cell RNA-seq datasets, we show that RESCUE outperforms existing methods in terms of imputation accuracy which leads to more precise cell-type identification. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results suggest that RESCUE is a useful tool for mitigating dropouts in single-cell RNA-seq data. RESCUE is implemented in R and available at https://github.com/seasamgo/rescue .
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Tracy
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Guo-Cheng Yuan
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Ruben Dries
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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