NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

20040111607 Texas Univ., Houston, TX
The Role of Sigma Receptor in Breast Cancer
Pusztai, Lajos; Apr. 2004; 34 pp.; In English; Original contains color illustrations
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-02-1-0456
Report No.(s): AD-A425685; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
We have completed specific tasks #1 and #2. Sigma 1 receptor (Sig 1 R) mRNA expression was examined in 109 human
tissue specimens including normal breast, hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ, and invasive cancer. We have also screened
breast cancer cell lines for expression of Sig 1 and examined the effect of sigma ligands on cell growth and sensitivity to
chemotherapy. These findings are presented in the manuscript, Expression of sigma 1 Receptor in Human Breast Cancer.
DTIC
Cancer; Mammary Glands
20040111608 Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Isolation and Analysis of Human Kekkon-Like Molecules a Family of Potential Inhibitors of ERbB Receptor Tyrosine
Kinases
Kockel, Lutz R.; Perrimon, Norbert; Apr. 2004; 12 pp.; In English
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-02-1-0401
Report No.(s): AD-A425686; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
Identification and characterization of proteins involved in intrinsic negative feedback loops autoregulating the
transforming c-ErbB2/EGF Receptor activity in vivo. Scope: Receptor Tyronsine Kinase (RTK) activation trigger two distinct
signal transduction cascades: Mitogenic Ras dependent NAP Kinase activation and P13 Kinase dependent Akt/PKB survival
signaling. To date, the regulatory circuits in the Ras signaling pathway are well described. In contrast, no genes involved in
the feedback regulating of the PI3K - Akt/PKB signaling branch are known so far. To this end, a cell based genome wide screen
employing double stranded RNA interference (dsRNAi) as well as an analysis of Akt mediated transcriptional response using
DNA microarrays covering the whole genome have been initiated. Progress: A cuantitative assay to measure amounts of
phosphorylated ("active") Akt has been established. The description and analysis of regulatory feedback regulation
within the Akt signal transduction pathway using dsRNAi, chemical inhibitors and metabolic perturbation ahs been
accomplished. The first genome wide dsRNAi screen for activators of Akt has been completed in replicates. Secondary screens
to retest the results form the high-throughput efforts are developed. The data analysis is ongoing.
DTIC
Inhibitors; Isolation; Molecules; Transcription (Genetics); Tyrosine
20040111609 Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Research to Develop Biomedical Applications of Free Electron Laser Technology
Parrish, John A.; Mar. 2004; 27 pp.; In English
Contract(s)/Grant(s): F49620-01-1-0014; Proj-0483
Report No.(s): AD-A425688; AFRL-SR-AR-TR-04-0432; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
Specific Aim 1: Develop and test plaque characterization criteria based on bireftingence. Coronary artenes were obtained
at autopsy and imaged with the existing OCT system in our laboratory. The specimens were opened and imaged at normal
body temperature (37-C) in saline. To ensure proper registration of OCT images with histolog the image location was marked
with ink viewable on the OCT image and in the histology section. Routine histologic processing was performed using H&E,
Elastic and Movat’s pentachrome stains. Trichrome was used for fibrous tissue identification. Individual images were oriented
and scaled to match histology. In the OCT images, the axial periodicity of the birefringence banding was measured using
image processing software. A set of 20 correlated OCT and histology pairs were used to identify characterization criteria basal
on birefringence. Our results indicated that fibrous plaque provides a strong birefringence as measured by OCT while lipid
rich and calcific plaques can be identified by a complete loss of birefringenee.
DTIC
Biomedical Data; Birefringence; Free Electron Lasers; Laser Applications; Medical Science
20040111612 Yale Univ., New Haven, CT
Tissue Microarray Based Investigation of Stat3 Signaling Pathway in Breast Cancer
Dolled-Filhart, Marisa; May 2004; 47 pp.; In English
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-03-1-0349
Report No.(s): AD-A425703; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
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