Changes in the rheological properties of neutrophils may influence flow in microvessels that are cooled below normal body temperature. We investigated the effects of temperature on the mechanical and adhesive properties of human neutrophils by measuring transit times for individual cells flowing through 8-microm-pores in filters, and adhesion to P-selectin for cells perfused over a monolayer of activated platelets. Pore transit time increased as temperature was decreased from 37 degrees C to 0 degrees C. Upon rapid cooling, there was an instantaneous increase attributable to changes in aqueous viscosity. Interestingly, at 10 degrees C specifically, there was an additional increase in transit time, which was abolished by the inhibitor of actin polymerization, cytochalasin B. This meant that by 15 min, transit time at 10 degrees C was greater than at 0 degrees C. Most adherent cells on P-selectin were rolling, rather than stationary, at 10, 26 or 37 degrees C. The velocity of rolling slowed with decreasing temperature. The total number of adherent cells decreased with increasing wall shear rate, but for a given shear rate there was relatively little effect of temperature on attachment. However, when adhesion at 10, 26 or 37 degrees C was compared at equal shear stress (taking into account fluid viscosity), adhesion was greatest at 10 degrees C. Measurements of immunofluorescence showed that exposure to 10 degrees C gradually increased expression of beta2-integrin CD11b/CD18, but this did not cause transformation to stationary adhesion with time in the flow assay. Thus, neutrophils show an anomalous rheological response around 10 degrees C, which may impair local microcirculation in the cold. On rewarming, "activated" cells might inhibit recovery or become released into the systemic circulation.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major public health concern affecting both females and males. HPV is associated with cervical, anal, head and neck cancers. About 99% of all cervical cancers are related to HPV. HPV vaccines, Gardasil, Cervarix, and Gardasil 9 are used in the primary prevention of HPV related cancers. Gardasil and Gardasil 9 are available for use in both females and males ages 9 to 26, while Cervarix is available for females ages 9 to 25. Gardasil 9 was approved by the FDA for prevention against additional HPV types. Despite the availability of this preventative measure against cervical cancer, the rate of HPV vaccination in the United States remains lower than that of other industrialized nations. The purpose of this study is to elucidate mechanisms to help increase the HPV vaccination rate by using education as a tool; by simplifying the president report so that lay person can understand the information presented in the report. Through the quantitative examination of the data from the states with the lowest and highest vaccination rates, using SPSS statistical analysis; we analyzed several factors involved with the low uptake of the vaccines. The results collected show that socioeconomic status, misconceptions about HPV, and misconceptions about the safety of the vaccines were identified as possible obstacles to the effective uptake of HPV vaccinations. The proposals made by the President’s Cancer Panel to accelerate the uptake of vaccines include, increasing coverage of the vaccines through government-sponsored programs, and the Affordable Care Act; increasing accessibility to vaccines through pharmacies, schools, and clinics; and disseminating more information on HPV to healthcare providers, parents, caregivers, and patients. Allowing greater accessibility to the vaccines for all populations regardless of income, education, and eliminating misconceptions of the vaccines would play a significant role in eliminating cancer.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) high-risk types 16 and 18 are directly associated with approximately 90% incidence of invasive cervical carcinoma. Epithelial cells infected with HPV become transformed and acquire genomic instability. As a result of this transformation, E6 and E7 oncogenes are perpetually expressed. E6 degrades the tumor suppressor p53; E7 inhibits tumor suppressor pRB, leading to disproportionate target cell growth and proliferation. While there have been studies exploring genomic instability induced by HPV oncoproteins E6/E7, the full scope of the genomic damage has not been clearly characterized. Three HPV positive cervical cancer cell lines, HeLa (HPV18), SiHa (HPV16) and CaSki (HPV16), were studied using Spectral Karyotyping (SKY) and Giemsa banding (G-banding). Our results using SKY and G-banding analysis showed HeLa cells exhibited frequent translocations on chromosomes 4 and 11, and deletions on chromosomes 11 and 20. The SiHa cells exhibited translocations primarily on chromosomes 9 and 20, with deletions on chromosome 10. CaSki revealed translocations on chromosomes 10 and 4, with deletions on chromosome 21. All three cell lines gained copies on chromosome 5. The aforementioned aneuploidy is demonstrative of the induced genomic instability acquired from HPV infection, which include tumor suppressor genes; p53 and pRB disruptions caused by E6 and E7 oncoproteins. HeLa cells showed extensive genomic instability on chromosome 11q22-23, where the ATM gene is located. Acquired genomic instability to the ATM chromosome region may further increase the rate of cervical cancer. Citation Format: Karen Tate, Lucy Tran, Melanie Baker, Kamilah Evans, Mechelle Rouse, Seyung Chung, Duy Nguyen, Juri Kim, Enijah Smith-Joe, Jay Vadgama, Mengtao Li, Yu-Ling Lin, Roland Patillo, Eva McGhee. Molecular cytogenetic characterization of HPV types 16 and 18 cervical cancers: Acquired genomic instability by E6 and E7 oncoproteins. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4072.

The association of human papillomavirus (HPV) with cervical cancer, head and neck cancer is well established, but the involvement of HPV E6/E7 oncoproteins in breast cancer is more contentious. Previous studies suggest that high risk HPV E6/E7 oncoproteins inactivate two tumor suppressor proteins p53 and pRb signaling and increase cell proliferation. There is cumulative evidence that high risk HPV 16 E6/E7 oncoproteins may have causal roles in some human breast cancers. Moreover, some studies have identified HPV DNA in breast tissue and breast cancer specimens. Nevertheless, the route of transmission of HPV in breast cells has not been determined, and the mechanisms by which HPV involvement in breast cancer are not known. We used a non-tumorigenic (MCF12A) epithelial breast cell line transfected with HPV 16 to elucidate the role of oncoproteins E6/E7 in pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic signaling pathways. We also used Tamoxifen treatment, which is an antagonist of the estrogen receptor in breast tissues through its active metabolite, 4hydroxytamoxifen. We demonstrate that HPV E6/E7 transfection activates the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) MAPK pathway and Akt/PKB kinase signaling pathways through activating estrogen receptor alpha in MCF12A cells. E6/E7 oncoproteins transfection alone dramatically increases estrogen receptor alpha protein expression. Treatment with tamoxifen, an antagonist of the ER, significantly abolishes E6/E7-increase in ERK and PKB phosphorylation without altering their protein levels, suggesting that the estrogen receptor is a key mediator of HPV E6/E7 mediated ERK and Akt/PKB activation. Our current work show an insightful understanding of the molecular mechanisms of HPV-elicited Akt/PKB activation and its roles in cell proliferation and survival in normal breast epithelial cells. Therefore, these findings indicate that HPV E6/E7 oncoproteins may promote the transforming activities of high-risk HPV E6/E7 proteins and cell proliferation in breast cells. Therefore, suppression of estrogen receptor signaling networks may be used as a therapeutic strategy for HPV associated lesions and cancers such as breast metastasis. Citation Format: Eva McGhee, Lucy Tran, Mengtao Li, Yong Wu, Seyung Chung, Cheryl Araniego, Karen Tate, Melanie Baker, Kamilah Evans, Mechelle Rouse, Jay Vadgama. Estrogen receptor alpha mediates HPV E6/E7 oncoproteins: Induced breast cells proliferation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4588.