Medical Cell Biology Commons^™

Negative Regulation Of Urokinase Receptor Activity By A Gpi-Specific Phospholipase C In Breast Cancer Cells., Michiel Van Veen, Elisa Matas-Rico, Koen Van De Wetering, Daniela Leyton-Puig, Katarzyna M. Kedziora, Valentina De Lorenzi, Yvette Stijf-Bultsma, Bram Van Den Broek, Kees Jalink, Nicolai Sidenius, Anastassis Perrakis, Wouter H. Moolenaar

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

The urokinase receptor (uPAR) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein that promotes tissue remodeling, tumor cell adhesion, migration and invasion. uPAR mediates degradation of the extracellular matrix through protease recruitment and enhances cell adhesion, migration and signaling through vitronectin binding and interactions with integrins. Full-length uPAR is released from the cell surface, but the mechanism and significance of uPAR shedding remain obscure. Here we identify transmembrane glycerophosphodiesterase GDE3 as a GPI-specific phospholipase C that cleaves and releases uPAR with consequent loss of function, whereas its homologue GDE2 fails to attack uPAR. GDE3 overexpression depletes uPAR from distinct basolateral membrane domains in …

Mdm2 Is Required For Survival And Growth Of P53-Deficient Cancer Cells., Kyle P Feeley, Clare M. Adams, Ramkrishna Mitra, Christine M. Eischen

Department of Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

p53 deletion prevents the embryonic lethality of normal tissues lacking Mdm2, suggesting that cells can survive without Mdm2 if p53 is also absent. Here we report evidence challenging this view, with implications for therapeutically targeting Mdm2. Deletion of Mdm2 in T-cell lymphomas or sarcomas lacking p53 induced apoptosis and G₂ cell-cycle arrest, prolonging survival of mice with these tumors. p53^-/- fibroblasts showed similar results, indicating that the effects of Mdm2 loss extend to pre-malignant cells. Mdm2 deletion in p53^-/- cells upregulated p53 transcriptional target genes that induce apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest. Mdm2 deletion also increased levels of …

Fibulin-4 Is Essential For Maintaining Arterial Wall Integrity In Conduit But Not Muscular Arteries., Carmen M. Halabi, Thomas J. Broekelmann, Michelle Lin, Vivian S. Lee, Mon-Li Chu, Robert P. Mecham

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in fibulin-4 (FBLN4) lead to autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 1B (ARCL1B), a multisystem disorder characterized by significant cardiovascular abnormalities, including abnormal elastin assembly, arterial tortuosity, and aortic aneurysms. We sought to determine the consequences of a human disease-causing mutation in FBLN4 (E57K) on the cardiovascular system and vascular elastic fibers in a mouse model of ARCL1B. Fbln4^E57K/E57K mice were hypertensive and developed arterial elongation, tortuosity, and ascending aortic aneurysms. Smooth muscle cell organization within the arterial wall of large conducting vessels was abnormal, and elastic fibers were fragmented and had a moth-eaten appearance. …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Paris System And Institutional Reporting System For Urine Cytology In Upper Tract Urothelial Specimens, Kim Hookim, Md, James P. Casey, Md, Rossitza Draganova-Tacheva, Md, Marluce Bibbo, Md, Charalambos C. Solomides, Md

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Posters

The authors of this abstract have no conflicts of interest

Introduction

Cytology is integral in the assessment of urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC). However, upper urinary tract (UUT) specimens are cytologically challenging due to limited tissue and reactive atypia. At our institution UUT biopsies are processed as cell blocks (CB). We compared our institution’s reporting system (IRS) with the recently proposed Paris System for Reporting Urine Cytology (PRS) (Table 1) in UUT specimens and correlated the findings with CB and follow-up resections.

Increased Density Of Axonal Spheroids In The Nucleus Gracilis Of The Lower Brainstem In Diabetic Versus Non-Diabetic Patients, Tiffany Morrison, Msiv, Lawrence C. Kenyon, Md, Phd

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Posters

Abstract

The presence of axonal spheroids is unusual in the absence of a clinical history of CNS injury. Nevertheless, increased numbers of axonal spheroids in the lower brainstem have been consistently observed in autopsied diabetic patients. A prospective comprehensive investigation of the density, size, and distribution of axonal spheroids in the brainstem and spinal cord was undertaken in 22 patients and correlated with comorbidities, age, and gender. In most cases, an increased density of axonal spheroids was identified within the nucleus gracilis of the lower brainstem. Moreover, the highest densities (p = 0.013) and circumferences (p = 0.002) of axonal …

Tissue-Specific Mitochondrial Decoding Of Cytoplasmic Ca(2+) Signals Is Controlled By The Stoichiometry Of Micu1/2 And Mcu., Melanie Paillard, György Csordás, Gergö Szanda, Tünde Golenár, Valentina Debattisti, Adam Bartok, Nadan Wang, Cynthia Moffat, Erin L. Seifert, András Spät, György Hajnóczky

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake through the Ca(2+) uniporter supports cell functions, including oxidative metabolism, while meeting tissue-specific calcium signaling patterns and energy needs. The molecular mechanisms underlying tissue-specific control of the uniporter are unknown. Here, we investigated a possible role for tissue-specific stoichiometry between the Ca(2+)-sensing regulators (MICUs) and pore unit (MCU) of the uniporter. Low MICU1:MCU protein ratio lowered the [Ca(2+)] threshold for Ca(2+) uptake and activation of oxidative metabolism but decreased the cooperativity of uniporter activation in heart and skeletal muscle compared to liver. In MICU1-overexpressing cells, MICU1 was pulled down by MCU proportionally to MICU1 overexpression, suggesting that …

Calcium Uptake Hotspots In The Mitochondria Of Cardiac Muscle At The Interface With Dyadic Sr, Sergio De La Fuente, Celia Fernandez-Sanz, Caitlin Vail, Elorm J. Agra, Kira Holmstrom, Junhui Sun, Jyotsna Mishra, Toren Finkel, Elizabeth Murphy, Suresh K. Joseph, Shey-Shing Sheu, György Csordás

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Posters

Introduction

• Control of the mitochondrial ATP production by SR-derived Ca2+ signals includes local, nanodomain Ca2+ transfer from ryanodine receptors (RyR2) to the mitochondrial matrix (excitation-bioenergetics coupling).

• Ca2+ crosses the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) via the mtCU, a low-affinity Ca2+-activated Ca2+ channel complex.

• The surface area of cardiac IMM is extensively enhanced by cristae folding; however, mitoplast patch clamp studies showed mtCU current density the lowest amongst a range of tissues (Fieni 2012. Nat Commun).

Single-Cell Transcriptional Analysis Reveals Novel Neuronal Phenotypes And Interaction Networks Involved In The Central Circadian Clock., James Park, Haisun Zhu, Sean O'Sullivan, Babatunde A Ogunnaike, David R Weaver, James S. Schwaber, Rajanikanth Vadigepalli

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Single-cell heterogeneity confounds efforts to understand how a population of cells organizes into cellular networks that underlie tissue-level function. This complexity is prominent in the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Here, individual neurons exhibit a remarkable amount of asynchronous behavior and transcriptional heterogeneity. However, SCN neurons are able to generate precisely coordinated synaptic and molecular outputs that synchronize the body to a common circadian cycle by organizing into cellular networks. To understand this emergent cellular network property, it is important to reconcile single-neuron heterogeneity with network organization. In light of recent studies suggesting that transcriptionally heterogeneous cells organize into distinct cellular …

Mirna-145 Increases Therapeutic Sensibility To Gemcitabine Treatment Of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cells., Yong Lin, Xin Ge, Yiyang Wen, Zhu-Mei Shi, Qiu-Dan Chen, Min Wang, Ling-Zhi Liu, Bing-Hua Jiang, Yuan Lu

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the most leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although recent advances provide various treatment options, pancreatic adenocarcinoma has poor prognosis due to its late diagnosis and ineffective therapeutic multimodality. Gemcitabine is the effective first-line drug in pancreatic adenocarcinoma treatment. However, gemcitabine chemoresistance of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells has been a major obstacle for limiting its treatment effect. Our study found that p70S6K1 plays an important role in gemcitabine chemoresistence. MiR-145 is a tumor suppressor which directly targets p70S6K1 for inhibiting its expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, providing new therapeutic scheme. Our findings revealed a new mechanism underlying …

Integrated Live Imaging And Molecular Profiling Of Embryoid Bodies Reveals A Synchronized Progression Of Early Differentiation., Jonathan Boxman, Naor Sagy, Sirisha Achanta, Rajanikanth Vadigepalli, Iftach Nachman

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Embryonic stem cells can spontaneously differentiate into cell types of all germ layers within embryoid bodies (EBs) in a highly variable manner. Whether there exists an intrinsic differentiation program common to all EBs is unknown. Here, we present a novel combination of high-throughput live two-photon imaging and gene expression profiling to study early differentiation dynamics spontaneously occurring within developing EBs. Onset timing of Brachyury-GFP was highly variable across EBs, while the spatial patterns as well as the dynamics of mesendodermal progression following onset were remarkably similar. We therefore defined a 'developmental clock' using the Brachyury-GFP signal onset timing. Mapping snapshot …

Activated Clotting Time (Act): Comparison Of The Hemochron Signature Elite And The Abbott I-Stat, Lilah Evans, Susanne Gallo, Joseph J. Leo, Barbara Goldsmith, Phd, Facb

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Posters

BACKGROUND

ACT is commonly used for heparin anticoagulation monitoring during procedures including cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, coronary angioplasty, and interventional radiology. To prevent thrombosis, moderate to high levels of heparin anticoagulation are required. The Hemochron Signature Elite (HSE, Accriva Diagnostics, formerly ITC, San Diego, CA) was implemented at TJUH as a replacement for the older model Hemochron Response (Accriva/ITC Model HRS.110, San Diego, CA). Operating room (OR) perfusionists reported irreproducible high results using HSE that could not be explained clinically. In consideration of use of i-STAT analyzers (Abbott Point of Care, Princeton, NJ) as an alternative to HSE, we performed a …

Performance Of Creatinine And Chloride On The Epoc Analyzer, Lilah Evans, Susanne Gallo, Stacey K. Mardekian, Barbara Goldsmith, Phd, Facb

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Posters

BACKGROUND

The epoc Blood Analysis System (Alere, Orlando, FL) performs blood gases, electrolytes, and metabolites using a Blood Gas Electrolyte and Metabolite (BGEM) Test Card panel on 92 uL of whole blood. The BGEM test card uses potentiometric sensors to measure sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, pH, pCO2; amperometric sensors to measure pO2, glucose, and lactate; and a conductometric sensor to measure hematocrit. Results are available in 3-10 minutes, depending upon the time between calibration and patient testing. TJUH implemented the epoc in its ICUs in 2012 to provide Point of Care (POC) results. Alere recently added creatinine and chloride sensors …

The Structure And Regulation Of Cullin 2 Based E3 Ubiquitin Ligases And Their Biological Functions., Weijia Cai, Haifeng Yang

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes play a central role in targeting cellular proteins for ubiquitination-dependent protein turnover through 26S proteasome. Cullin-2 is a member of the Cullin family, and it serves as a scaffold protein for Elongin B and C, Rbx1 and various substrate recognition receptors to form E3 ubiquitin ligases.

MAIN BODY OF THE ABSTRACT: First, the composition, structure and the regulation of Cullin-2 based E3 ubiquitin ligases were introduced. Then the targets, the biological functions of complexes that use VHL, Lrr-1, Fem1b, Prame, Zyg-11, BAF250, Rack1 as substrate targeting subunits were described, and their involvement in diseases …

Use Of Propensity Score Matching To Identify A Strong Association Between Strategic Concentration To Mitochondria-Sr Associations Of The Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uniporter: Ca2+ Uptake Hotspots In The Cardiac Mitochondria, Sergio De La Fuente, Caitlin Vail, Elorm J. Agra, Kira Holmstrom, Junhui Sun, Jyotsna Mishra, Toren Kinkel, Elizabeth Murphy, Suresh K. Joseph, Shey-Shing Shen, György Csordás

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Posters

Introduction:

• Control of the mitochondrial ATP production by SR-derived Ca²⁺ signals includes local, nanodomain Ca²⁺ transfer from ryanodine receptors (RyR2) to the mitochondrial matrix (excitation-bioenergetics coupling).
• Ca²⁺ crosses the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) via the mtCU, a low-affinity Ca²⁺-activated Ca²⁺ channel complex.
• The surface area of cardiac IMM is extensively enhanced by cristae folding; however, mitoplast patch clamp studies showed mtCU current density the lowest amongst a range of tissues (Fieni 2012. Nat Commun).

Gaining Competencies During Early Medical Training: Medical Students As Teaching Assistants In Dissection-Based Anatomy Course, Martin T. Brown, Bruce Fenderson, Guiyan Zhang

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Posters

Introduction and Objectives

• In 2002, ACGME identified six ACGME Core Competencies: patient care; medical knowledge; practice-based learning and improvement; interpersonal and communication skills; professionalism; and systems-based practice.
• AAMC recommended lists of similar competencies for the curricula of medical schools. Competency based curricula have been widely implemented in medical schools.
• Effective shifting in the graduate medical educational programs has been reported in various clinical specialties.
• There is a lack of reported efforts and development on competency training in early preclinical years of medical education.

Objectives:

• To explore methods for strengthening medical students’ competency training during preclinical undergraduate medical education.
• To measure …

Micu1 Regulation Of Mitochondrial Ca(2+) Uptake Dictates Survival And Tissue Regeneration., Anil Noronha Antony, Melanie Paillard, Cynthia Moffat, Egle Juskeviciute, Jason Correnti, Brad Bolon, Emanual Rubin, Md, György Csordás, Erin L Seifert, Jan B. Hoek, György Hajnóczky

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake through the recently discovered Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter (MCU) is controlled by its gatekeeper Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake 1 (MICU1). However, the physiological and pathological role of MICU1 remains unclear. Here we show that MICU1 is vital for adaptation to postnatal life and for tissue repair after injury. MICU1 knockout is perinatally lethal in mice without causing gross anatomical defects. We used liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy as a physiological stress response model. Upon MICU1 loss, early priming is unaffected, but the pro-inflammatory phase does not resolve and liver regeneration fails, with impaired cell cycle entry and extensive necrosis. …

Microcystic, Elongated, And Fragmented (Melf) Pattern Invasion In Ovarian Endometrioid Carcinoma: Immunohistochemical Profile And Prognostic Implications, Allison F. Goldberg, Md, Lauren Cooper, Md, D. De Cotiis, Norman G. Rosenblum, Md, Phd, Joanna Chan, Md

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Resident's Posters

BACKGROUND

•Microcystic, Elongated and Fragmented (MELF) is a well-recognized pattern of uterine endometrioid carcinoma (UEC) associated with lymphovascular space invasion and occult lymph node metastasis

•MELF in UEC may be seen with Lynch Syndrome

•MELF in UEC is hypothesized to be histologic evidence of an epithelial mesenchymal transition

•MELF pattern invasion in ovarian endometrioid carcinoma (OEC) was first described at USCAP 2015 •

Current study evaluates MELF in OEC for

•Prognostic implications

•Immunohistochemical (IHC) profile related to

•Lynch Syndrome

•Epithelial mesenchymal transition

DESIGN

•42 consecutive cases of OEC without concurrent UEC (1996-2014) evaluated by 2 pathologists

•MELF defined as at …

Two Separate Colorectal Granular Cell Tumors: A Case Report, Danica N. Giugliano, Md, Danielle Fortuna, Md, Scott D. Goldstein, Md, Benjamin Philllips, Md, Gerald A. Isenberg, Md

Department of Surgery Posters

Introduction, Case Report, Discussion, Conclusion and References.

Microrna Dysregulation And Esophageal Cancer Development Depend On The Extent Of Zinc Dietary Deficiency., Louise Fong, Cristian Taccioli, Ruiyan Jing, Karl Smalley, Hansjuerg Alder, Yubao Jiang, Paolo Fadda, John Farber, Carlo M Croce

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Zinc deficiency (ZD) increases the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and marginal ZD is prevalent in humans. In rats, marked-ZD (3 mg Zn/kg diet) induces a proliferative esophagus with a 5-microRNA signature (miR-31, -223, -21, -146b, -146a) and promotes ESCC. Here we report that moderate and mild-ZD (6 and 12 mg Zn/kg diet) also induced esophageal hyperplasia, albeit less pronounced than induced by marked-ZD, with a 2-microRNA signature (miR-31, -146a). On exposure to an environmental carcinogen, ~16% of moderate/mild-ZD rats developed ESCC, a cancer incidence significantly greater than for Zn-sufficient rats (0%) (P ≤ 0.05), but lower than …

Cells Activated For Wound Repair Have The Potential To Direct Collective Invasion Of An Epithelium., Brigid M Bleaken, A Sue Menko, Janice Walker

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Mechanisms regulating how groups of cells are signaled to move collectively from their original site and invade surrounding matrix are poorly understood. Here we develop a clinically relevant ex vivo injury invasion model to determine whether cells involved in directing wound healing have invasive function and whether they can act as leader cells to direct movement of a wounded epithelium through a three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix (ECM) environment. Similar to cancer invasion, we found that the injured cells invade into the ECM as cords, involving heterotypical cell-cell interactions. Mesenchymal cells with properties of activated repair cells that typically locate to …

In-Silico Identification Of Prognostically Inversely Correlated Mirnas And Mrnas (Pic’S) In Multiple Cancers, Chirayu Pankaj Goswami, Zi-Xuan Wang

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Posters

Despite numerous methods available to identify potential mRNA targets for miRNAs, prognostic relationship of these molecules in diseases like cancers where deregulation of gene expression is a major pathogenic factor, has not yet been emphasized. We performed in-silico identification of prognostically inversely correlated miRNA - mRNA pairs (PIC’s) in multiple cancers using expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Partners in a PIC show inverse correlation of expression and opposite hazard implication. Using a three step approach, we identified a total of 1,253,443 PIC’s from 23 cancer types, several of which have previously been shown to have a predicted or …

Turn-Around-Time Improvements For Positive Blood Cultures From Incorporation Of Workflow Modifications, Brent Bobik, Allison F. Goldberg, Md, P. Prior, Amity L. Roberts, Phd, D(Abmm)

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Resident's Posters

Background:

Emergence of direct from positive blood culture bottle identification (ID) methods reveal opportunities for improving bacterial ID and select resistance marker detection turn-around-times. Each system has various advantages and disadvantages; each institution must select the method/s that best fit the laboratory and patient needs. Here we elucidate improvements in 24 hour workflow through incorporating multiple rapid technologies for positive blood culture ID into a 24 hour algorithm.

Methods:

MALDI-TOF (Bruker) analysis with sepsityper extraction (aerobic Gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria); MALDI-TOF analysis with serum separator tube concentration (Gram-negative bacteria); and a FilmArray Blood Culture Panel (Biofire) were utilized. MALDI was …

Progtar: A Database Of Prognostically Inversely Correlated Mirnas And Genes (Pics) In Multiple Cancers, Chirayu Pankaj Goswami

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Posters

ABSTRACT

PROGTar is a database of Prognostically Inversely Correlated miRNA-mRNA pairs (PIC’s) in 23 cancer types. Partner miRNA and mRNA in a PIC show inverse correlation of expression and opposite hazards. We analyzed miRNA and mRNA expression data downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) in a 3 step approach to identify PICs in different cancer types. In first step we performed correlation analysis between miRNAs and mRNAs for each cancer type. This was followed by performing hazard analysis separately for miRNAs and mRNAs using expression data and survival related clinical variables. In the third step we merged the correlation …

Comprehensive Profiling Of Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma Reveals Frequent Over-Expression Of Pd-L1, Zoran Gatalica, Upasana Joneja, Md, Anatole Ghazalpour, Jeffrey Swensen, Rebecca Feldman, Fred Cai, Sting Chen, Nick Xiao, Sandeep Reddy, Semir Vranić

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Resident's Posters

Background:

Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is a rare subtype of breast carcinoma less responsive to conventional chemotherapy relative to usual breast carcinomas such as ductal and lobular subtype. In molecular terms, MBC usually clusters with triple negative breast cancers (TNBC), but MBCs portray a worse prognosis in comparison with TNBC. Published studies investigating MBCs for specific biomarkers of therapy response are rare and limited by the methodological approaches.

Methods:

297 samples [MBC (n=75), triple-negative breast cancer of no-special-type (TNBC-NOS, n=106), HER2-positive breast cancers (n=32) and luminal breast cancers (n=84)] were profiled using direct sequencing analysis [Illumina MiSeq Next Generation Sequencing …

T(3;8)(Q26;Q24) With Myc Rearrangement In Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Report, Vandi Ly, Md, Renu Bajaj, Phd, Jerald Z. Gong, Md, Zi-Xuan Wang, Phd, Stephen C Peiper, Md, Guldeep Uppal, Md

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Rearrangements of 3q26 have been described in 5% of de novo or therapy related acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and blast phase of chronic myeloid leukemia. The most common translocations involving 3q26 are t(3;12)(q26;p13), t(3;21)(q26;q22), t(3;3)(q21;q26), t(2;3)(p15∼23;q26∼27) and rarely t(3;7)(q26;q21). However, t(3;8)(q26;q24) with or without monosomy 7 is a rare phenomenon and has been reported in only 10 patients so far. Hereby, we describe a 58 year old patient who was diagnosed with refractory anemia with multilineage dysplasia. Cytogenetic studies revealed monosomy 7. He was then lost to follow-up. A year later he was found to have worsening cytopenias …

Intracellular Information Processing Through Encoding And Decoding Of Dynamic Signaling Features., Hirenkumar K Makadia, James S. Schwaber, Rajanikanth Vadigepalli

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Cell signaling dynamics and transcriptional regulatory activities are variable within specific cell types responding to an identical stimulus. In addition to studying the network interactions, there is much interest in utilizing single cell scale data to elucidate the non-random aspects of the variability involved in cellular decision making. Previous studies have considered the information transfer between the signaling and transcriptional domains based on an instantaneous relationship between the molecular activities. These studies predict a limited binary on/off encoding mechanism which underestimates the complexity of biological information processing, and hence the utility of single cell resolution data. Here we pursue a …

Gsk-3Β Regulates Tumor Growth And Angiogenesis In Human Glioma Cells., Peng Zhao, Qi Li, Zhumei Shi, Charlie Li, Lin Wang, Xue Liu, Chengfei Jiang, Xu Qian, Yongping You, Ning Liu, Ling-Zhi Liu, Lianshu Ding, Bing-Hua Jiang

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Glioma accounts for the majority of primary malignant brain tumors in adults.

METHODS: Glioma specimens and normal brain tissues were analyzed for the expression levels of GSK-3β and p-GSK-3β (Ser9) by tissue microarray analysis (TMA) and Western blotting. Glioma cells over-expressing GSK-3β were used to analyze biological functions both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS: The levels of p-GSK-3β (Ser9), but not total GSK-3β, are significantly up-regulated in glioma tissues compared to normal tissues, and are significantly correlated with the glioma grades. Ectopic expression of GSK-3β decreased the phosphorylation levels of mTOR and p70S6K1; and inhibited β-catenin, HIF-1α and …

Mir-497 Decreases Cisplatin Resistance In Ovarian Cancer Cells By Targeting Mtor/P70s6k1., Shaohua Xu, Guang-Bo Fu, Zhen Tao, Jun Ouyang, Fanfei Kong, Bing-Hua Jiang, Xiaoping Wan, Ke Chen

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

The mechanism of cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer is not clearly understood. In the present investigation, we found that the expression levels of miR-497 were reduced in chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer cells and tumor tissues due to hypermethylation of miR-497 promoter. Low miR-497 expression levels were associated with chemo-resistant phonotype of ovarian cancer. By analyzing the expression levels of miR-497, mTOR and p70S6K1 in a clinical gene-expression array dataset, we found that mTOR and p70S6K1, two proteins correlated to chemotherapy-resistance in multiple types of human cancers, were inversely correlated with miR-497 levels in ovarian cancer tissues. By using an orthotopic ovarian …

The Role Of Perlecan And Endorepellin In The Control Of Tumor Angiogenesis And Endothelial Cell Autophagy., Stephen Douglass, Atul Goyal, Renato V. Iozzo

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

During tumor growth and angiogenesis there is a dynamic remodeling of tissue architecture often accompanied by the release of extracellular matrix constituents full of biological activity. One of the key constituents of the tumor microenvironment is the large heparan sulfate proteoglycan perlecan. This proteoglycan, strategically located at cell surfaces and within basement membranes, is a well-defined pro-angiogenic molecule when intact. However, when partially processed by proteases released during cancer remodeling and invasion, the C-terminal fragment of perlecan, known as endorepellin, has opposite effects than its parent molecule. Endorepellin is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis by exerting a dual receptor antagonism …

Disseminated Histiocytoses Biomarkers Beyond Brafv600e: Frequent Expression Of Pd-L1., Nurija Bilalovic, Juan P. Palazzo, Ryan P Bender, Jeffrey Swensen, Sherri Z Millis, Semir Vranic, Daniel Von Hoff, Robert J Arceci, Zoran Gatalica

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

The histiocytoses are rare tumors characterized by the primary accumulation and tissue infiltration of histiocytes and dendritic cells. Identification of the activating BRAFV600E mutation in Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) and Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) cases provided the basis for the treatment with BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors, but additional treatment options are needed. Twenty-four cases of neoplastic histiocytic diseases [11 extrapulmonary LCH, 4 ECD, 4 extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), 3 follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS), 1 histiocytic sarcoma (HS) and 1 blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN)] were analyzed using immunohistochemical and mutational analysis in search of biomarkers for targeted therapy. BRAF …