TULANE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE

PATHWAYS
NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear Colleagues: The past six months have proven to be a successful, productive time for the Department, with many positive changes and we continue to grow in many facets. The long-awaited opening of the new Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium Center came to fruition. With the opening, some of our vital laboratories relocated to the Center, including Dr. Erik Flemingtons lab, and Dr. Sean Lees lab. The Bio-Specimen Core Laboratory, a component in the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium (LCRC), codirected by Dr. Krzysztof Moroz, also moved to the new Center. We were pleased to welcome new Associate Professor, Dr. Sean Lee, to the faculty. Dr. Lee joined us from the Genetics and Development of Disease Branch of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Three substantial grants were awarded to our faculty members: Drs. Srikanta Dash, Erik Flemington and Haitao Zhang. The new residents who joined us six months ago continue to grow strong in their learning while our more senior residents and fellows continue to perform excellent work. The clinical work of our faculty remains a constant, positive force in our high standard of patient care. At the beginning of this new year, I would like to thank you for the excellent work and look forward to an even more successful year in 2013.

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LCRC BIO-SPECIMEN CORE LABORATORY

Dr. Krzysztof Moroz (seen RIGHT), a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, is also the co-director of the Biospecimen Core Facility of the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium (LCRC). Ensuring basic and clinical research for members of the Consortium by serving as a tissue repository for research support, the mission of the Facility is to ultimately help find a way to prevent, treat and ultimately cure cancer by gaining greater knowledge and understanding of the molecular components that cause it. The laboratory is likewise codirected by Dr. Andrew Zea. The laboratory, managed by Jennifer Cvitanovic under the supervision of Drs. Moroz and Zea, collects high grade samples of the following to be utilized in research: tumor and tissue cells; plasma; urine; DNA; body fluids; cellular blood components; whole blood components. Combined with pertinent clinical data, the samples are made available to the highly skilled researchers who comprise the membership of the LCRC. Strict adherence to matters of donor anonymity, informed consent and regulations is practiced. The lab team consists of Medical Research Assistants Celeste Faia and Alex Alfortish. The LCRC is, in and of itself, a shared, collaborative effort between Tulane University Health Sciences Center, LSU Health Sciences Center, Xavier University and Ochsner Health Systems. Each institution brings their own unique facets and strengths to the mix that not only complements the ultimate goal, but are essential to achieve it. Representing a wide-reaching field of medical education and research, Tulane and LSU join with Xavier University, an institution rich in the knowledge of Pharmacology, minority health and health disparities. Underscoring a much needed personal dimension to the clinical trials performed by the LCRC, the participation of the Ochsner Health Systems impacts people directly. (Continued next page).

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LCRC BIO-SPECIMEN CORE LABORATORY

(Continued) As part of the LCRC, the Biospecimen Core Laboratory provides the following services: Tissue Procurement that involves an investigator-directed procuring of either malignant or non-malignant tissue (tumor tissue with adjacent or distant non-timorous tissue) that is fresh frozen and embedded in formalinfixed paraffin. Blood Procurement wherein blood and plasma samples are taken from patients with tumors or normal controls. Quality Assurance/Histopathologic Review conducted by Dr. Moroz; each sample is verified by Dr. Moroz, using light microscopy, for the identification of a pathologic process. Performed at the state-of-the-art Clinical Histology Laboratory at Tulane, this results in high standard tissue processing done in compliance with all federal and state regulations. Once verified by Dr. Moroz, the histologic and gross images of either tumoral or nontumoral samples are then digitized as part of the LCRC Biospecimen database accessed via a secure weblink that is available to members. Ms. Cvitanovic and her lab staff use the Thermo Cryoplus Series Liquid Nitrogen Storage system that has a storage capacity of 13,000 vials, and a sub -zero cryostat to freeze tissue. She describes the work in the lab as a bedside bench. Were contributing to a bigger cause, supporting transitional research, she enthusiastically claims. It isnt that microscopes arent important, but its more than just a microscope, because of the wide reaching work we do, its like having actual patient contact. Dr. Moroz is grateful to Dr. Roy Weiner, Associate Director for Clinical Research of the Tulane Cancer Center (TCC) who initiated the LCRC, Dr. Prescott Deininger who now directs the TCC, and Pathology Chairman Dr. Tong Wu for his support. (Continued next page).

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LCRC BIO-SPECIMEN CORE LABORATORY

(Continued) Founded in 2002 under the Louisiana State Legislature, the LCRC focused its vision not only on a cure for cancer, but to pursue a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation. We have a very enthusiastic and young group of people fully devoted, with the best of abilities, who have joined together in this mission, says Dr. Moroz. Working with nurses, residents and patients, people from across all medical fields are joined in an effort that will centralize and streamline the fight against cancer. Especially important are the contributions and complete support shown by the faculty and residents of my own Department. ***********************************************************************************

NEW ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JOINS FACULTY

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is pleased to welcome Dr. Sean B. Lee (BELOW) as our new Associate Professor. Dr. Lee comes to us from the Genetics of Development and Disease Branch of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

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NEW LOCATIONS FOR LABORATORIES

Three Pathology Laboratories now have new locations in the Louisiana Cancer Research Center, all located at 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA. 70112:

Dr. Erik Flemingtons Laboratory is located in Rooms 843 B2, B3, and B4. Phone: 504-988-0568.

Dr. Sean Lees Laboratory is located in Rooms 841, B2, B3, and B4. Phone: 504-988-1331.

The LCRC Bio-Specimen Core Facility is located in Room 828. Phone: 504-988-1065

Tong Wu, M.D., Ph.D, Chairman Byron Crawford, M.D., Vice-Chairman The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

1430 Tulane Avenue Room 6519, SL-79 New Orleans, LA 70112 Phone: 504-988-5224 Fax: 504-988-7862 Editor: Jeanne Frois (jfrois@tulane.edu)

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RESIDENTS AND FELLOWS CORNER

RESIDENCY PROGRAM NEWS

According to Dr. Janet Schmid, Residency Program Director, the recent interview process for new resident positions attracted many fine candidates. The Department is also looking forward to the addition of three new PGY-I residents in the next year.
NEW POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWS

The Pathology Department welcomes two new post-doctoral fellows. Dr. Pauline Ferraris (left) and Dr. Rajesh Panigrahi join the laboratory of Dr. Sriktanta Dash to work in hepatitis C virus and hepatocellular carcinoma research.

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PUBLICATIONS
Zhang JQ, Han C and Wu T. MicroRNA-26a promotes cholangiocarcinoma growth by activating beta-catenin. Gastroenterology. 2012. 143(1): 246-256. [PMID: 22484120] Lu DD, Han C and Wu T. Microsomal prostaglading E synthease-1 (mPHES-1) promotes hepatocarcinogenesis through activation of a novel EGR1/betacatenin signaling axis. Oncogene. 2012, 31(7): 842-57. [PMID: 21743491] Lin Z, Puetter A, Coco J, Xu G, Strong MJ, Wang X, Fewell C, Baddoo M, Taylor C, Flemington EK. Detection of Murine Leukemia Virus in the Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive Human B-Cell Line JY, Using a Computational RNA-Seq-Based Exogenous Agent Detection Pipeline, PARSES. J Virol. 2012 86(6):2970-7. PMID:22238296. Lin Z, Wang X, Strong MJ, Concha M, Baddoo M, Xu G, Baribault C,Fewell C, Hulme W, Hedges D, Taylor CM, Flemington EK. Whole genome sequencing of the Akata and Mutu Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) strains. J Virol. 2012 Nov 14. [Epub ahead ofprint] PubMed PMID: 23152513. Zhang, W, Edwards, A, Fan, W, Flemington, EK, Zhang K. miRNA-mRNA correlation modules in human prostate cancer and the differences between primary and metastatic tumor subtypes. PLoS One 2012;7(6):e40130. Jun 29. PMID: 22768240 Li C, Nguyen HT, Zhuang Y, Lin Z, Flemington EK, Zhuo Y, Kantrow SP, Morris GF, Sullivan DE, Shan B. Comparative profiling of miRNA expression of lung adenocarcinoma cells in two-dimensional and three-dimensional cultures. Gene. 2012 Dec 15;511(2):143-50. O'Keefe SJ, El Hajj II, Wu T, Martin D, Mohammed K, Abu-Elmagd K. Endoscopic evaluation of small intestine transplant grafts. Transplantation. 2012, 94(7):757-62.

Multiple authors for the Banff Working Group on Liver Allograft Pathology. Importance of liver biopsy findings in immunosuppression management: biopsy monitoring and working criteria for patients with operational tolerance. Liver Transpl. 2012, 18(10):1154-70.

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PUBLICATIONS
Concha M, Wang X, Cao S, Baddoo M, Fewell C, Lin Z, Hulme W, Hedges D, McBride J, Flemington EK. Identification of new viral genes and transcript isoforms during Epstein-Barr virus reactivation using RNA-Seq. J Virol. 2012 86 (3):1458-67. Zheng G, Schmieg J, Guan H, Ali SZ. 2012. Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: cytopathologic findings. Acta Cytol, 56(2): 204-208. Shackelford R, Whitling N, McNab P, Shanker Japa S, and Coppola D. KRAS Testing: A Tool for the Implementation of Personalized Medicine. Genes and Cancer, in press, 2012. Abdelbaqi M, Shackelford R, Quigley B, and Ardeshir H. Concurrent Pagets disease and Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Vulva; A Case Report. Int J Clin Exp Pathol 2012;5:592-595. Stolier A, Stone JC, Moroz K, Hanemann CW, McNabb L, Jones SD, Lacey M. A Comparison of Clinical and Pathologic Assessments for the Prediction of Occult Nipple Involvement in Nipple-Sparing Mastectomies. Ann Surg Oncol. 2012 Sep 26. [Epub ahead of print] Gagliardi G, Moroz K, Bellows CF. Immunolocalization of DCAMKL-1, a putative intestinal stem cell marker, in normal colonic tissue. Pathol Res Pract. 2012 Aug 15;208(8):475-9. Anbalagan M, Moroz K, Ali A, Carrier L, Glodowski S, Rowan BG. Subcellular localization of total and activated SRC kinase in African American and Caucasian breast cancer. PLoS One. 2012;7(3):e33017. Chandra PK, Kundu AK, Hazari S, Chandra S, Bao L, Ooms T, Morris GF, Wu T, Mandal TK and Dash S. Inhibition of hepatitis C virus replication by intracellular delivery of multiple siRNAs by nanosomes. Molecular Therapy 2012, 20 (9):1724-36.

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PUBLICATIONS (Continued)
Gunduz F, Aboulnasr FM, Chandra PK, Hazari S, Poat B, Baker DP, Balart LA and Dash S. Free fatty acids induce ER stress and block antiviral activity of interferon alpha against hepatitis C virus in cell culture. Virology Journal, 2012,9:143. (In Press). Kundu Ak, Chandra PK, Hzari S, Pramer YV, Dash S and Mandal TK. Development and optimization of nanosomal formulations for siRNA delivery to the liver. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2012, 80 (2): 257-267. Kundu AK, Chandra PK, Hazari S, Ledet G, Pramer YB, Dash S and Mandal TK. Stability of lyophilized SiRNA-nanosome formulations. Internal J of Pharmacy 2012, 423 (2): 525-534. Pamuja S, Hazari S, Bolden G, Graves RA, Chinta DD, Dash S, Kishore V, Mandal TK. Cellular delivery of Pegylated PLGA nanoparticles. Journal Pharmacy Pharmacology, 2012; 64: 61-67. Bao L, Hazari S, Mehra S, Kaushal D, Moroz K and Dash S. Increased expression of P-glycoprotein and doxorubin chemoresistance of metastatic breat cancer is regulated by miR-298. American Journal of Pathology 2012, 180: 24902503. Hambleton C, Noureldine S, Gill F, Moroz K, Kandil E. Myxofibrosarcoma with metastasis to the lungs, pleura, and mediastinum: a case report and review of literature. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2012;5(1):92-5. Marsden CG, Wright MJ, Carrier L, Moroz K, Pochampally R, Rowan BG. A ovel in vivo model for the study of human breast cancer metastasis using primary breast tumor-initiating cells from patient biopsies. BMC Cancer 2012, 12:10 doi:10.1186/1471-2407-12-10