Page 81 - Annual report 2021-22

Annual Report 2021-22 |

Kalrn protein coding gene which is nuclear localized and selectively enriched in sub-regions of the
brain and ovary.

Beena Pillai’s lab also participates in a consortium of scientists with the broad aim of identification of
biomarkers for disease progression and immune/viral control in HIV patients. The specific goal of the
lab, within the consortium is to carry out whole blood transcriptomics. Isolation of total RNA from
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PBMC and serum of human blood samples was done. The variability of expression arising from
handling errors has been minimized through trial and error. PBMCs from 54 volunteers were received.
Currently, the sample processing and data collection has been initiated.

This lab has previously shown that in a neuronal cellular model where polyglutamine-TBP was over-
expressed, mouse neuronal cells showed over-expression of interferon signalling. These cells also
showed formation of large protein aggregates and cell death. Beena’s lab also studied the effect of
polyglutamine TBP aggregation in a stable cell line wherein signature of interferon induced signaling,
in the form of STAT1 upregulation was seen. When replicated in an inducible, stably integrated model
of polyglutamine TBP in the human derived neuronal cell line, SH-SY5Y, however, these cells show no
interferon pathway activation. Since both models show cell death, they speculate that polyglutamine
toxicity may operate through multiple, cell-type dependent pathways.

Repeated culture of iPSCs allow de novo mutations and selection of mutations that confer a growth
advantage, which in turn is potentially dangerous in stem cell therapy. Efforts are on to develop assays
to assess purity and genomic integrity of cells for transplantation.

“A glimpse of this wonder can be the reward of a lifetime.” — Chien-
Shiung Wu