<p>Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal tumors comprised of >70 subtypes. An important question is how the cell of origin and the pathways to tumor development shape the broad array of STS subtypes. By forcing identical tumor-promoting mutations to different cell types in Genetically Engineered Mouse Models (GEMMs) of STS, I have a unique model system to investigate this question. In the process of performing these experiments I observed that genetic mutations are necessary, but not sufficient for rapid sarcoma formation. However, tissue injury dramatically accelerates sarcoma formation in our GEMM of STS. For my thesis, I have worked to understand how cell of origin affects sarcoma subtype and how the microenvironment in our models promotes transformation. I have observed that cell of origin plays an important, but not the only, role in defining STS subtype. Additionally, I have concluded that the microenvironment, and specifically the HGF/c-MET signaling pathway play a crucial role in promoting sarcoma development after acute tissue injury.</p> / Dissertation

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Androgens are the main regulators of human hair growth stimulating larger, terminal hair development e.g. beard and causing scalp balding, androgenetic alopecia. Hair disorders cause psychological distress but are poorly controlled. Androgens probably act by altering regulatory paracrine factors produced by the mesenchyme-derived dermal papilla. This study aimed to investigate paracrine factors involved in androgen-regulated alopecia, particularly hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) family members, by investigating their in vivo status. Balding and non-balding scalp hair follicles and their component tissues were isolated and analysed by molecular biological methods (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative PCR and DNA microarray analysis), cell culture and immunohistochemistry. Scalp follicles expressed a range of paracrine messenger genes. The dermal papilla, cultured dermal papilla cells and dermal sheath expressed several HGF family genes, while matrix cells only produced the receptor RON suggesting autocrine roles for HGF and MSP, but a paracrine route only for MSP. Comparing balding and non-balding follicles from the same individuals revealed the expected reduction in several keratin and keratin-related protein genes supporting this approach's validity. There were also significant differences in paracrine factors previously implicated in androgen action by in vitro studies. Several factors believed to increase during androgen stimulation of larger, darker follicles, e.g. IGF-I and SCF, were lowered in balding follicles, while putative inhibitory factors, e.g. TGFß-1, were increased. HGF and MSP and their receptors, c-Met and RON, were significantly reduced. These results increase our understanding of androgen action in human hair follicles; this could lead to better treatments for hair disorders.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Stem Cells, and Development) -- University of Colorado Denver, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-114). Free to UCD Anschutz Medical Campus. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

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Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:49:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-12-31 / Objetivo: Avaliar o significado prognóstico do marcador tumoral c-met/HGF, através da técnica imuno-histoquímica, em doentes portadores de adenocarcinoma colorretal submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de 286 doentes,portadores de adenocarcinoma colorretal, atendidos e operados no Hospital do Câncer de Barretos, de 1993 a 2002. A expressão tissular do marcador tumoral foi avaliada utilizando-se o anticorpo monoclonal antiproteína c-met/HGF, com a técnica da estreptavidina-biotina-peroxidase. A análise da positividade do marcador foi feita de maneira semiquantitativa e a leitura das lâminas, realizada por três patologistas, de forma independente e sem prévio conhecimento dos dados clínicos e histopatológicos dos doentes. Resultados: Do total de 286 doentes analisados, o marcador foi positivo em 236 (78,8%) e negativo em 50 (21,2%). Houve diferença, estatisticamente significante (p=0.004), entre os estádios l e lV, na sobrevida global (p=0.009) e no coeficiente de mortalidade por câncer (p=0.022), porém não se identificou associação do marcador com a ocorrência de recidivas (p=0.89) e o intervalo livre de doença (p=0.91). Conclusão: O marcador tumoral c-met/HGF demonstrou significância estatística, em relação à sua expressão, nos estádios l e lV da doença, na sobrevida global e no coeficiente de mortalidade por câncer, porém não se associou de forma significante com as outras variáveis prognósticas estudadas. / Objective: To evaluate the prognostic meaning of the c-met/HGF tumoral marker, through the immunohistochemical technique, in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma who have been subjected to surgical treatment. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of 286 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma, who have been seen and operated at Barretos Cancer Hospital, from 1993 to 2002. The tissular expression of the tumoral marker was evaluated using the cmet/ HGF anti-protein monoclonal antibody through the estreptavidin-biotinperoxidase technique. The positivity analysis of the marker was semiquantitative, and plate reading was independently carried out by three pathologists with no previous knowledge on clinical and histopathological data of patients. Results: Out of a total of 286 patients, the marker was positive in 236 (78.8%) and negative in 50 (21.2%). It was found statistically significant difference (p=0.004) between stages l and lV, at global life span (p=0.009), and at cancer mortality rate (p=0.022); however, there was no association between the marker and recurrence (p=0.89) or the marker and disease-free period (p=0.91). Conclusion: c-met/HGF has shown significance as a tumoral marker in stages l and lV of the disease, at global life span, and at cancer mortality rate; however, there was no significant association with the remaining prognostic variables that have been studied. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

As neoplasias de glândula salivar (NGS) são tumores raros que despertam interesse por sua diversidade histopatológica e comportamento clínico. A compreensão da patobiologia assim como, dos mecanismos envolvidos no comportamento invasivo destas lesões é necessária para melhor entender a biologia das NGS e posteriormente delinear novas estratégias terapêuticas. A presente tese foi dividida em dois artigos. O objetivo do primeiro estudo foi descrever os dados demográficos, clinicopatológicos e de prognóstico das NGS diagnosticados em um centro de atenção terciário. Para tal, foi realizada uma análise retrospectiva utilizando os dados de arquivos e de prontuários. Foram identificados 109 casos de NGS cuja média de idade dos pacientes foi de 46.47 anos e a relação homens:mulheres foi de 0.94:1. As glândulas salivares maiores foram mais acometidas (75.2%) e os tumores benignos os mais prevalentes (75.2%) sendo o adenoma pleomórfico o tumor benigno mais comum e o carcinoma adenóide cístico o principal maligno. O objetivo do segundo estudo foi analizar o padrão de expressão da via de sinalização do HGF/c-Me/PI3K em NGS e correlacionar com o perfi proliferativo e desfechos clínicos das lesões. Foram construídos microarranjos de tecido (TMAs) de 93 casos de NGs e as lâminas foram submetidas a análise imunoistoquímica para HGF, p-Met, p-Akt e Ki67. Foi observada maior expressão de HGF nos tumores benignos (p=0.04), enquanto que as protínas p-Met (p=0.03), p-Akt (p=0.00) e Ki-67 (p=0.00) foram mais expressas nos tumores malignos. Nas neoplasias malignas houve maior ativação da via HGF observada pela maior expressão do seu receptor fosforilado (p-Met) bem como, maior ativação da via do PI3k pela fosforilação de Akt (p-Akt) resultando em um maior perfil proliferativo. Pode-se concluir que a via de sinalização do HGF/c-Met/PI3k parece estar ativa nas NGS regulando a proliferação especialmente nas neoplasias malignas. / Salivary gland tumors (SGT) are rare yet interesting neoplasms due to their histopatological diversity and clinical behavior. Understanding the pathobiology as well as the mechanisms involved in the invasive behavior of these lesions is needed to better comprehend the biology of SGT and further delineate new therapeutic strategies. This thesis was divided in two papers. The aim of the first study was to describe the demographic, clincopathological and prognostic data of SGT diagnosed in a tertiary care center. For this purpose, a retrospective analysis using data from the archives and records was performed. One hundred and nine cases of SGT were identified. The patients mean age was 46.47 years and the male:female ratio was 0.91:1. The major salivary glands were the most affected (75.2%) and the benign SGT were more prevalent (78%) being pleomorphic adenoma the most common benign tumor and adenoid cystic carcinoma the most common malignant tumor. The objective of the second study was to analyze the expression pattern of HGF/c-Met/PI3K signaling pathway in SGT and correlate the findings with the proliferative profile and clinical outcomes of cases. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) of 93 cases of SGT were constructed; the slides were submitted to immunohistochemical analysis for HGF, p-Met, p-Akt and Ki-67. Increased expression of HGF was observed in benign tumors (p = 0.04), while p-Met (P = 0.03), p-Akt (p = 0:00) and Ki-67 (p = 0:00) were most expressed in malignant tumors. In salivary glands carcinomas there was a higher activation of the HGF pathway observed by the higher expression of its phosporylated receptor (p-Met) as well as the higher activation of PI3k pathway through Akt (p-Akt) phosphorilation, resulting in a higher proliferative profile. It can be concluded that HGF/c-Met/PI3K signaling pathway appears to be active in SGT regulating the proliferation specially in malignant tumors.

As neoplasias de glândula salivar (NGS) são tumores raros que despertam interesse por sua diversidade histopatológica e comportamento clínico. A compreensão da patobiologia assim como, dos mecanismos envolvidos no comportamento invasivo destas lesões é necessária para melhor entender a biologia das NGS e posteriormente delinear novas estratégias terapêuticas. A presente tese foi dividida em dois artigos. O objetivo do primeiro estudo foi descrever os dados demográficos, clinicopatológicos e de prognóstico das NGS diagnosticados em um centro de atenção terciário. Para tal, foi realizada uma análise retrospectiva utilizando os dados de arquivos e de prontuários. Foram identificados 109 casos de NGS cuja média de idade dos pacientes foi de 46.47 anos e a relação homens:mulheres foi de 0.94:1. As glândulas salivares maiores foram mais acometidas (75.2%) e os tumores benignos os mais prevalentes (75.2%) sendo o adenoma pleomórfico o tumor benigno mais comum e o carcinoma adenóide cístico o principal maligno. O objetivo do segundo estudo foi analizar o padrão de expressão da via de sinalização do HGF/c-Me/PI3K em NGS e correlacionar com o perfi proliferativo e desfechos clínicos das lesões. Foram construídos microarranjos de tecido (TMAs) de 93 casos de NGs e as lâminas foram submetidas a análise imunoistoquímica para HGF, p-Met, p-Akt e Ki67. Foi observada maior expressão de HGF nos tumores benignos (p=0.04), enquanto que as protínas p-Met (p=0.03), p-Akt (p=0.00) e Ki-67 (p=0.00) foram mais expressas nos tumores malignos. Nas neoplasias malignas houve maior ativação da via HGF observada pela maior expressão do seu receptor fosforilado (p-Met) bem como, maior ativação da via do PI3k pela fosforilação de Akt (p-Akt) resultando em um maior perfil proliferativo. Pode-se concluir que a via de sinalização do HGF/c-Met/PI3k parece estar ativa nas NGS regulando a proliferação especialmente nas neoplasias malignas. / Salivary gland tumors (SGT) are rare yet interesting neoplasms due to their histopatological diversity and clinical behavior. Understanding the pathobiology as well as the mechanisms involved in the invasive behavior of these lesions is needed to better comprehend the biology of SGT and further delineate new therapeutic strategies. This thesis was divided in two papers. The aim of the first study was to describe the demographic, clincopathological and prognostic data of SGT diagnosed in a tertiary care center. For this purpose, a retrospective analysis using data from the archives and records was performed. One hundred and nine cases of SGT were identified. The patients mean age was 46.47 years and the male:female ratio was 0.91:1. The major salivary glands were the most affected (75.2%) and the benign SGT were more prevalent (78%) being pleomorphic adenoma the most common benign tumor and adenoid cystic carcinoma the most common malignant tumor. The objective of the second study was to analyze the expression pattern of HGF/c-Met/PI3K signaling pathway in SGT and correlate the findings with the proliferative profile and clinical outcomes of cases. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) of 93 cases of SGT were constructed; the slides were submitted to immunohistochemical analysis for HGF, p-Met, p-Akt and Ki-67. Increased expression of HGF was observed in benign tumors (p = 0.04), while p-Met (P = 0.03), p-Akt (p = 0:00) and Ki-67 (p = 0:00) were most expressed in malignant tumors. In salivary glands carcinomas there was a higher activation of the HGF pathway observed by the higher expression of its phosporylated receptor (p-Met) as well as the higher activation of PI3k pathway through Akt (p-Akt) phosphorilation, resulting in a higher proliferative profile. It can be concluded that HGF/c-Met/PI3K signaling pathway appears to be active in SGT regulating the proliferation specially in malignant tumors.

As neoplasias de glândula salivar (NGS) são tumores raros que despertam interesse por sua diversidade histopatológica e comportamento clínico. A compreensão da patobiologia assim como, dos mecanismos envolvidos no comportamento invasivo destas lesões é necessária para melhor entender a biologia das NGS e posteriormente delinear novas estratégias terapêuticas. A presente tese foi dividida em dois artigos. O objetivo do primeiro estudo foi descrever os dados demográficos, clinicopatológicos e de prognóstico das NGS diagnosticados em um centro de atenção terciário. Para tal, foi realizada uma análise retrospectiva utilizando os dados de arquivos e de prontuários. Foram identificados 109 casos de NGS cuja média de idade dos pacientes foi de 46.47 anos e a relação homens:mulheres foi de 0.94:1. As glândulas salivares maiores foram mais acometidas (75.2%) e os tumores benignos os mais prevalentes (75.2%) sendo o adenoma pleomórfico o tumor benigno mais comum e o carcinoma adenóide cístico o principal maligno. O objetivo do segundo estudo foi analizar o padrão de expressão da via de sinalização do HGF/c-Me/PI3K em NGS e correlacionar com o perfi proliferativo e desfechos clínicos das lesões. Foram construídos microarranjos de tecido (TMAs) de 93 casos de NGs e as lâminas foram submetidas a análise imunoistoquímica para HGF, p-Met, p-Akt e Ki67. Foi observada maior expressão de HGF nos tumores benignos (p=0.04), enquanto que as protínas p-Met (p=0.03), p-Akt (p=0.00) e Ki-67 (p=0.00) foram mais expressas nos tumores malignos. Nas neoplasias malignas houve maior ativação da via HGF observada pela maior expressão do seu receptor fosforilado (p-Met) bem como, maior ativação da via do PI3k pela fosforilação de Akt (p-Akt) resultando em um maior perfil proliferativo. Pode-se concluir que a via de sinalização do HGF/c-Met/PI3k parece estar ativa nas NGS regulando a proliferação especialmente nas neoplasias malignas. / Salivary gland tumors (SGT) are rare yet interesting neoplasms due to their histopatological diversity and clinical behavior. Understanding the pathobiology as well as the mechanisms involved in the invasive behavior of these lesions is needed to better comprehend the biology of SGT and further delineate new therapeutic strategies. This thesis was divided in two papers. The aim of the first study was to describe the demographic, clincopathological and prognostic data of SGT diagnosed in a tertiary care center. For this purpose, a retrospective analysis using data from the archives and records was performed. One hundred and nine cases of SGT were identified. The patients mean age was 46.47 years and the male:female ratio was 0.91:1. The major salivary glands were the most affected (75.2%) and the benign SGT were more prevalent (78%) being pleomorphic adenoma the most common benign tumor and adenoid cystic carcinoma the most common malignant tumor. The objective of the second study was to analyze the expression pattern of HGF/c-Met/PI3K signaling pathway in SGT and correlate the findings with the proliferative profile and clinical outcomes of cases. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) of 93 cases of SGT were constructed; the slides were submitted to immunohistochemical analysis for HGF, p-Met, p-Akt and Ki-67. Increased expression of HGF was observed in benign tumors (p = 0.04), while p-Met (P = 0.03), p-Akt (p = 0:00) and Ki-67 (p = 0:00) were most expressed in malignant tumors. In salivary glands carcinomas there was a higher activation of the HGF pathway observed by the higher expression of its phosporylated receptor (p-Met) as well as the higher activation of PI3k pathway through Akt (p-Akt) phosphorilation, resulting in a higher proliferative profile. It can be concluded that HGF/c-Met/PI3K signaling pathway appears to be active in SGT regulating the proliferation specially in malignant tumors.