Chondrocytes are mesenchymally derived cells that reportedly acquire some epithelial characteristics; however, whether this is a progression through a mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) during chondrosarcoma development is still a matter of investigation. We observed that chondrosarcoma cells acquired the expression of four epithelial markers, E-cadherin,desmocollin 3, maspin, and 14-3-...

The aberrant epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) plays a major role during carcinogenesis and regaining these dormant functions by engineering of sequence-specific epigenome editing tools offers a unique opportunity for targeted therapies. However, effectively normalizing the expression and regaining tumor suppressive functions of silenced TSGs by artificial transcription fact...

In the present study, we investigated the role of UHRF1 (ubiquitin-like protein containing PHD and RING finger domains 1) in proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer cells, and the potential mechanisms were also explored. Cell proliferation was examined by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were evaluate...

Angela Russo Delineating and rationally perturbing signaling mechanisms involved in metastasis (Under the direction of Drs. Metastasis is the dissemination of tumor cells from the primary locus of formation to other organs. During migration from the primary tumor, tumor cells need to traverse the vasculature, a process termed extravasation. Extravasation is a critical step in the metastatic cas...

Transcription factor ATF-2 is a nuclear target of stress-activated protein kinases, such as p38, which are activated by various extracellular stresses, including UV light. Here, we show that ATF-2 plays a critical role in hypoxia- and high-cell-density-induced apoptosis and the development of mammary tumors. Compared to wild-type cells, Atf-2(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were more re...

Psoriasis is an HLA-Cw6-associated T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of the skin that is often triggered by streptococcal angina. To identify keratinocyte proteins, which may become psoriatic autoantigens as the result of an immune response against streptococci, rabbits were immunized with heat-killed Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococcal immunization induced Ab formation against various human...

Myoepithelial cells, which surround ducts and acini of glandular organs, form a natural border separating proliferating epithelial cells from basement membrane and underlying stroma. Myoepithelial cells in situ and in vitro constitutively express high amounts of proteinase inhibitors that include tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1, protease nexin-II, alpha-1 antitrypsin, and maspin. Human ...

Prostate cancer (PCa) progression is an intricate step-wise process, starting from malignant transformations in the benign prostatic epithelium. The hallmark of PCa is the long period of its development from premalignant transformations in the benign prostatic epithelium towards clinically active carcinoma. Along with the age, inflammation, race and genetics, which are well-recognized risk fact...