Project description:While multiple myeloma patient prognosis has improved over the past decade, research towards discovery of new therapeutic avenues is important, and could lead to a cure for this chronic plasma cell malignancy. Data analysis from a myeloma patient database shows that the CD28-CD86 signaling module may provide a survival advantage in myeloma cells that negatively impacts patient outcome. Here we show that blocking the CD28-CD86 pathway, by silencing or with CTLA-4-Ig, leads to myeloma cell death. Blockade of this pathway leads to downregulation of nutrient transporters, integrins, and IRF4, a known myeloma survival factor. Our data also indicate that CD86, the canonical "ligand" in this pathway, is mediating a pro-survival signal via the cytosolic domain that has not been previously described. These findings indicate that blockade of this pathway is a promising therapeutic avenue for myeloma, as it leads to modulation of different processes important in cell viability.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of human mesenchymal stem cells comparing normoxic MSCs cells with hypoxic MSCs cells. Hypoxia may inhibit senescence of MSCs during expansion. Goal was to determine the effects of hypoxia on global MSCs gene expression.
Project description:Gene methylation profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells comparing HPV E6/E7-transfected MSCs cells with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)- and HPV E6/E7-transfected MSCs. hTERT may increase gene methylation in MSCs. Goal was to determine the effects of different transfected genes on global gene methylation in MSCs.
