Publications by authors named "Indra Mohanam"

Recently, we described a new animal model of CNS primitive neuroectodermal tumors (CNS-PNET), which was generated by orthotopic transplantation of human Radial Glial (RG) cells into NOD-SCID mice's brain sub-ventricular zone. In the current study we conducted comprehensive RNA-Seq analyses to gain insights on the mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis in this mouse model of CNS-PNET. Here we show that the RNA-Seq profiles derived from these tumors cluster with those reported for patients' PNETs.

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Background: Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial pediatric solid tumor. Intermittent hypoxia, which is characterized by cyclic periods of hypoxia and reoxygenation, has been shown to positively modulate tumor development and thereby induce tumor growth, angiogenic processes, and metastasis. Bone is one of the target organs of metastasis in advanced neuroblastoma Neuroblastoma cells produce osteoclast-activating factors that increase bone resorption by the osteoclasts.

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Background: Neuroblastomas are the most common extracranial solid tumors in children. Neuroblastomas are derived from immature cells of the sympathetic nervous system and are characterized by clinical and biological heterogeneity. Hypoxia has been linked to tumor progression and increased malignancy.

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Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) consists of a prodomain, catalytic domain with 3 fibronectin-like type II modules and C-terminal hemopexin-like (PEX) domain. These domains play distinct roles in terms of proteolytic activity, substrate binding and interaction with inhibitors and receptors. To assess the potential of the MMP-9-PEX domain to interfere with tumor progression, we stably transfected human glioblastoma cells with an expression vector containing a cDNA sequence of the MMP-9-PEX.

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The hypoxic microenvironment of solid tumors is associated with malignant progression and it renders tumors more resistant to cancer therapies. Endothelial cell damage may occur following hypoxic conditions and lead to dysfunction; however, endothelial cells in tumors survive hypoxic conditions providing nutrients and oxygen to facilitate tumor growth. In this study, we investigated the effects of tumor-conditioned medium on hypoxia-induced changes in endothelial cell growth, migration and survival.

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