Publications by authors named "Winston Walters"

Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins are therapeutic targets in several cancers including the most common malignant adult brain tumor glioblastoma (GBM). Multiple small molecule inhibitors of BET proteins have been utilized in preclinical and clinical studies. Unfortunately, BET inhibitors have not shown efficacy in clinical trials enrolling GBM patients.

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CD97, an adhesion G-protein coupled receptor highly expressed in glioblastoma (GBM), consists of two noncovalently bound domains: the N-terminal fragment (NTF) and C-terminal fragment. The C-terminal fragment contains a GPCR domain that couples to Gα, while the NTF interacts with extracellular matrix components and other receptors. We investigated the effects of changing CD97 levels and its function on primary patient-derived GBM stem cells (pdGSCs) in vitro and in vivo.

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The current prognosis for glioblastoma is dismal. Treatment-resistant glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) and the failure of most drugs to reach therapeutic levels within the tumor remain formidable obstacles to successful treatment. Chalcones are aromatic ketones demonstrated to reduce malignant properties in cancers including glioblastoma.

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High-risk neuroblastoma (NB) portends very poor prognoses in children. Targeting tumor metabolism has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy. High levels of nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD+) are required for rapid cell proliferation.

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Purpose: Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most lethal primary brain tumors in children and adults. Targeting tumor metabolism has emerged as a promising-targeted therapeutic strategy for GBM and characteristically resistant GBM stem-like cells (GSCs).

Methods: Gene expression data was obtained from the online patient-histology database, GlioVis.

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Glioblastoma (GBM) has a dismal prognosis and successful elimination of GBM stem cells (GSCs) is a high-priority as these cells are responsible for tumor regrowth following therapy and ultimately patient relapse. Natural products and their derivatives continue to be a source for the development of effective anticancer drugs and have been shown to effectively target pathways necessary for cancer stem cell self-renewal and proliferation. We generated a series of curcumin inspired bis-chalcones and examined their effect in multiple patient-derived GSC lines.

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Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults, and despite optimized treatment options, median survival remains dismal. Contemporary evidence suggests disease recurrence results from expansion of a robustly radioresistant subset of GBM progenitor cells, termed GBM stem cells (GSCs). In this study, we utilized transmission electron microscopy to uncover ultrastructural effects on patient-derived GSC lines exposed to supratherapeutic radiotherapy levels.

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Article Synopsis
  • Glioblastoma (GBM) is a serious brain tumor that mainly affects adults, and patients typically live around 14 months after diagnosis.
  • Scientists have created a new tool called SynergySeq to find the best combinations of existing drugs to treat GBM, using genetic data to help them.
  • By looking at how genes behave in GBM patients and combining this with drug information, researchers hope to discover new ways to help treat this tough disease in the future.
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Background: Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal form of primary brain tumor in adults. Following standard treatment of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, patients are expected to survive 12-14 months. Theorized cause of disease recurrence in these patients is tumor cell repopulation through the proliferation of treatment-resistant cancer stem cells.

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Patients suffering from neuropathic pain have a higher incidence of mood disorders such as depression. Increased expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been reported in neuropathic pain and depressive-like conditions and most of the pro-inflammatory effects of TNF are mediated by the TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). Here we sought to investigate: (1) the occurrence of depressive-like behavior in chronic neuropathic pain and the associated forms of hippocampal plasticity, and (2) the involvement of TNFR1-mediated TNF signaling as a possible regulator of such events.

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Peripheral myelination is a dynamic process orchestrated by axons and Schwann cells. Although the signaling mechanisms governing myelination are not fully understood, NF-κB activation in Schwann cells has been implicated as a key regulator in vitro. Using a mouse model, we show that nuclear factor κB activation in Schwann cells is not required for myelination in vivo.

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The transcription factor NF-kappaB plays an important role in both physiological and pathological events in the central nervous system. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of NF-kappaB-mediated regulation of gene expression, and the signaling molecules participating in the NF-kappaB pathway in the central nervous system are, to date, poorly understood. To identify such molecules, we conducted a yeast two-hybrid screen of a human brain cDNA library using NIK as bait.

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NF-kappaB-inducing kinase (NIK) has been implicated as an essential component of NF-kappaB activation. However, the regulatory mechanism of NIK signaling remains elusive. We have identified a novel NIK interacting protein, TNAP (for TRAFs and NIK-associated protein).

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High-affinity excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are essential to terminate glutamatergic neurotransmission and to prevent excitotoxicity. To date, five distinct EAATs have been cloned from animal and human tissues: GLAST (EAAT1), GLT-1 (EAAT2), EAAC1 (EAAT3), EAAT4, and EAAT5. EAAT1 and EAAT2 are commonly known as glial glutamate transporters, whereas EAAT3, EAAT4, and EAAT5 are neuronal.

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Nogo is a potent inhibitor of regeneration following spinal cord injury. To develop a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for regenerative failure we used a yeast two-hybrid approach to try and identify proteins that interact with Nogo. We identified a novel mitochondrial protein designated Nogo-interacting mitochondrial protein (NIMP) in a screen of an adult human brain cDNA library.

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