Person: Benoist, Christophe
Loading...
Email Address
AA Acceptance Date
Birth Date
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Job Title
Last Name
Benoist
First Name
Christophe
Name
Benoist, Christophe
20 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 20
Publication Rapid, high efficiency isolation of pancreatic ß-cells(Nature Publishing Group, 2015) Clardy, Susan M.; Mohan, James F.; Vinegoni, Claudio; Keliher, Edmund J.; Iwamoto, Yoshiko; Benoist, Christophe; Mathis, Diane; Weissleder, RalphThe ability to isolate pure pancreatic ß-cells would greatly aid multiple areas of diabetes research. We developed a fluorescent exendin-4-like neopeptide conjugate for the rapid purification and isolation of functional mouse pancreatic β-cells. By targeting the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor with the fluorescent conjugate, β-cells could be quickly isolated by flow cytometry and were >99% insulin positive. These studies were confirmed by immunostaining, microscopy and gene expression profiling on isolated cells. Gene expression profiling studies of cytofluorometrically sorted β-cells from 4 and 12 week old NOD mice provided new insights into the genetic programs at play of different stages of type-1 diabetes development. The described isolation method should have broad applicability to the β-cell field.Publication The Human Cell Atlas(eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd, 2017) Regev, Aviv; Teichmann, Sarah A; Lander, Eric; Amit, Ido; Benoist, Christophe; Birney, Ewan; Bodenmiller, Bernd; Campbell, Peter; Carninci, Piero; Clatworthy, Menna; Clevers, Hans; Deplancke, Bart; Dunham, Ian; Eberwine, James; Eils, Roland; Enard, Wolfgang; Farmer, Andrew; Fugger, Lars; Göttgens, Berthold; Hacohen, Nir; Haniffa, Muzlifah; Hemberg, Martin; Kim, Seung; Klenerman, Paul; Kriegstein, Arnold; Lein, Ed; Linnarsson, Sten; Lundberg, Emma; Lundeberg, Joakim; Majumder, Partha; Marioni, John C; Merad, Miriam; Mhlanga, Musa; Nawijn, Martijn; Netea, Mihai; Nolan, Garry; Pe'er, Dana; Phillipakis, Anthony; Ponting, Chris P; Quake, Stephen; Reik, Wolf; Rozenblatt-Rosen, Orit; Sanes, Joshua; Satija, Rahul; Schumacher, Ton N; Shalek, Alex; Shapiro, Ehud; Sharma, Padmanee; Shin, Jay W; Stegle, Oliver; Stratton, Michael; Stubbington, Michael J T; Theis, Fabian J; Uhlen, Matthias; van Oudenaarden, Alexander; Wagner, Allon; Watt, Fiona; Weissman, Jonathan; Wold, Barbara; Xavier, Ramnik; Yosef, NirThe recent advent of methods for high-throughput single-cell molecular profiling has catalyzed a growing sense in the scientific community that the time is ripe to complete the 150-year-old effort to identify all cell types in the human body. The Human Cell Atlas Project is an international collaborative effort that aims to define all human cell types in terms of distinctive molecular profiles (such as gene expression profiles) and to connect this information with classical cellular descriptions (such as location and morphology). An open comprehensive reference map of the molecular state of cells in healthy human tissues would propel the systematic study of physiological states, developmental trajectories, regulatory circuitry and interactions of cells, and also provide a framework for understanding cellular dysregulation in human disease. Here we describe the idea, its potential utility, early proofs-of-concept, and some design considerations for the Human Cell Atlas, including a commitment to open data, code, and community.Publication A multiple redundant genetic switch locks in the transcriptional signature of T regulatory cells(2013) Fu, Wenxian; Ergun, Ayla; Lu, Ting; Hill, Jonathan A.; Haxhinasto, Sokol; Fassett, Marlys S.; Gazit, Roi; Adoro, Stanley; Glimcher, Laurie; Chan, Susan; Kastner, Philippe; Rossi, Derrick; Collins, James J.; Mathis, Diane; Benoist, ChristopheThe transcription factor FoxP3 partakes dominantly in the specification and function of FoxP3+CD4+ T regulatory cells (Tregs), but is neither strictly necessary nor sufficient to determine the characteristic Treg signature. Computational network inference and experimental testing assessed the contribution of other transcription factors (TF). Enforced expression of Helios or Xbp1 elicited specific signatures, but Eos, Irf4, Satb1, Lef1 and Gata1 elicited exactly the same outcome, synergizing with FoxP3 to activate most of the Treg signature, including key TFs, and enhancing FoxP3 occupancy at its genomic targets. Conversely, the Treg signature was robust to inactivation of any single cofactor. A redundant genetic switch thus locks-in the Treg phenotype, a model which accounts for several aspects of Treg physiology, differentiation and stability.Publication The transcriptional landscape of αβ T cell differentiation(2013) Mingueneau, Michael; Kreslavsky, Taras; Gray, Daniel; Heng, Tracy; Cruse, Richard; Ericson, Jeffrey; Bendall, Sean; Spitzer, Matt; Nolan, Garry; Kobayashi, Koichi; von Boehmer, Harald; Mathis, Diane; Benoist, ChristopheαβT cell differentiation from thymic precursors is a complex process, explored here with the breadth of ImmGen expression datasets, analyzing how differentiation of thymic precursors gives rise to transcriptomes. After surprisingly gradual changes though early T commitment, transit through the CD4+CD8+ stage involves a shutdown or rare breadth, and correlating tightly with MYC. MHC-driven selection promotes a large-scale transcriptional reactivation. We identify distinct signatures that mark cells destined for positive selection versus apoptotic deletion. Differential expression of surprisingly few genes accompany CD4 or CD8 commitment, a similarity that carries through to peripheral T cells and their activation, revealed by mass cytometry phosphoproteomics. The novel transcripts identified as candidate mediators of key transitions help define the “known unknown” of thymocyte differentiation.Publication Regulatory T cells control NK cells in an insulitic lesion by depriving them of IL-2(The Rockefeller University Press, 2013) Sitrin, Jonathan; Ring, Aaron; Garcia, K. Christopher; Benoist, Christophe; Mathis, DianeRegulatory T (T reg) cells control progression to autoimmune diabetes in the BDC2.5/NOD mouse model by reining in natural killer (NK) cells that infiltrate the pancreatic islets, inhibiting both their proliferation and production of diabetogenic interferon-γ. In this study, we have explored the molecular mechanisms underlying this NK–T reg cell axis, following leads from a kinetic exploration of gene expression changes early after punctual perturbation of T reg cells in BDC2.5/NOD mice. Results from gene signature analyses, quantification of STAT5 phosphorylation levels, cytokine neutralization experiments, cytokine supplementation studies, and evaluations of intracellular cytokine levels collectively argue for a scenario in which T reg cells regulate NK cell functions by controlling the bioavailability of limiting amounts of IL-2 in the islets, generated mainly by infiltrating CD4+ T cells. This scenario represents a previously unappreciated intertwining of the innate and adaptive immune systems: CD4+ T cells priming NK cells to provoke a destructive T effector cell response. Our findings highlight the need to consider potential effects on NK cells when designing therapeutic strategies based on manipulation of IL-2 levels or targets.Publication Epigenetic modulation of type-1 diabetes via a dual effect on pancreatic macrophages and β cells(eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd, 2014) Fu, Wenxian; Farache, Julia; Clardy, Susan M; Hattori, Kimie; Mander, Palwinder; Lee, Kevin; Rioja, Inmaculada; Weissleder, Ralph; Prinjha, Rab K; Benoist, Christophe; Mathis, DianeEpigenetic modifiers are an emerging class of anti-tumor drugs, potent in multiple cancer contexts. Their effect on spontaneously developing autoimmune diseases has been little explored. We report that a short treatment with I-BET151, a small-molecule inhibitor of a family of bromodomain-containing transcriptional regulators, irreversibly suppressed development of type-1 diabetes in NOD mice. The inhibitor could prevent or clear insulitis, but had minimal influence on the transcriptomes of infiltrating and circulating T cells. Rather, it induced pancreatic macrophages to adopt an anti-inflammatory phenotype, impacting the NF-κB pathway in particular. I-BET151 also elicited regeneration of islet β-cells, inducing proliferation and expression of genes encoding transcription factors key to β-cell differentiation/function. The effect on β cells did not require T cell infiltration of the islets. Thus, treatment with I-BET151 achieves a ‘combination therapy’ currently advocated by many diabetes investigators, operating by a novel mechanism that coincidentally dampens islet inflammation and enhances β-cell regeneration. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04631.001Publication Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) Protects against High Fat Diet Induced Inflammation and Islet Hyperplasia in Pancreas(Public Library of Science, 2016) Singhal, Garima; Fisher, FFolliott; Chee, Melissa; Tan, Tze Guan; El Ouaamari, Abdelfattah; Adams, Andrew C.; Najarian, Robert M.; Kulkarni, Rohit N.; Benoist, Christophe; Flier, Jeffrey; Maratos-Flier, EleftheriaFibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an important endocrine metabolic regulator expressed in multiple tissues including liver and adipose tissue. Although highest levels of expression are in pancreas, little is known about the function of FGF21 in this tissue. In order to understand the physiology of FGF21 in the pancreas, we analyzed its expression and regulation in both acinar and islet tissues. We found that acinar tissue express 20-fold higher levels than that observed in islets. We also observed that pancreatic FGF21 is nutritionally regulated; a marked reduction in FGF21 expression was noted with fasting while obesity is associated with 3–4 fold higher expression. Acinar and islet cells are targets of FGF21, which when systemically administered, leads to phosphorylation of the downstream target ERK 1/2 in about half of acinar cells and a small subset of islet cells. Chronic, systemic FGF21 infusion down-regulates its own expression in the pancreas. Mice lacking FGF21 develop significant islet hyperplasia and periductal lymphocytic inflammation when fed with a high fat obesogenic diet. Inflammatory infiltrates consist of TCRb+ Thy1+ T lymphocytes with increased levels of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Increased levels of inflammatory cells were coupled with elevated expression of cytokines such as TNFα, IFNγ and IL1β. We conclude that FGF21 acts to limit islet hyperplasia and may also prevent pancreatic inflammation.Publication Aire controls gene expression in the thymic epithelium with ordered stochasticity(2015) Meredith, Matthew; Zemmour, David; Mathis, Diane; Benoist, ChristopheAire controls immunologic tolerance by inducing the ectopic thymic expression of many tissue-specific genes, acting broadly by removing stops on the transcriptional machinery. To better understand Aire’s specificity, we performed single-cell RNAseq and DNA methylation analysis in Aire-sufficient and -deficient medullary epithelial cells (mTECs). Each of Aire’s target genes was induced in only a minority of mTECs, independently of DNA methylation patterns, as small inter-chromosomal gene clusters activated in concert in a proportion of mTECs. These microclusters differed between individual mice, and thus suggest an organization of the DNA or of the epigenome that results from stochastic determinism, but is bookmarked and stable through mTEC divisions, ensuring more effective presentation of self-antigens, and favoring diversity of self-tolerance between individuals.Publication PPARγ is a Major Driver of the Accumulation and Phenotype of Adipose-Tissue \(T_{reg}\) Cells(Nature Publishing Group, 2012) Cipolletta, Daniela; Feuerer, Markus; Li, Amy; Kamei, Nozomu; Lee, Jongsoon; Shoelson, Steven; Benoist, Christophe; Mathis, DianeObesity and type-2 diabetes have increased markedly over the past few decades, in parallel. One of the major links between these two disorders is chronic, low-grade inflammation. Prolonged nutrient excess promotes the accumulation and activation of leukocytes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and ultimately other tissues, leading to metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes and fatty-liver disease. Although invasion of VAT by pro-inflammatory macrophages is considered to be a key event driving adipose-tissue inflammation and insulin resistance, little is known about the roles of other immune system cell types in these processes. A unique population of VAT-resident regulatory T \((T_{reg})\) cells was recently implicated in control of the inflammatory state of adipose tissue and, thereby, insulin sensitivity. Here we identify peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, the ‘master regulator’ of adipocyte differentiation, as a crucial molecular orchestrator of VAT \(T_{reg}\) cell accumulation, phenotype and function. Unexpectedly, PPAR-γ expression by VAT \(T_{reg}\) cells was necessary for complete restoration of insulin sensitivity in obese mice by the thiazolidinedione drug pioglitazone. These findings suggest a previously unknown cellular mechanism for this important class of thiazolidinedione drugs, and provide proof-of-principle that discrete populations of \(T_{reg}\) cells with unique functions can be precisely targeted to therapeutic ends.Publication Early window of diabetes determinism in NOD mice, dependent on the complement receptor CRIg, identified by noninvasive imaging(2012) Fu, Wenxian; Wojtkiewicz, Gregory; Weissleder, Ralph; Benoist, Christophe; Mathis, DianeAll juvenile NOD mice exhibit insulitis, but there is substantial variation in their progression to diabetes. We demonstrate that a patient-validated magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) strategy to non-invasively visualize local effects of pancreatic-islet inflammation can predict diabetes onset in NOD mice. MRI signals acquired during a narrow early time-window allowed pre-sorting into disease-progressors and -nonprogressors and an estimate of time-to-diabetes. We exploited this capability to identify novel elements correlated with disease protection, including CRIg (complement receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily), which marked a subset of macrophages associated with diabetes resistance. Administration of CRIg-Fc depressed MRI signals and diabetes incidence. In addition to identifying regulators of disease progression, this study shows that diabetes is set at an early age in NOD mice.