Stella Melana, PhD Email Stella Melana
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- Position
- ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology
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- Language
- English
Education
MSci, University of Buenos Aires
PhD, University of Buenos Aires
Post-doctoral, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Language
English
New topic
We detected DNA sequences of a retrovirus called Human Mammary Tumor Virus (HMTV), which is 90-98% homologous to Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (the etiological agent of mammary tumors in mice), in 38% of breast cancer specimens of 594 American women studied. These sequences did not have significant homology to any human gene or endogenous retrovirus (HERV).
In addition, HMTV viral particles with betaretroviral characteristics have been isolated from metastatic breast cancer cells. Expression of HMTV proteins has been observed by western blot, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis and immunofluorescence assays in metastatic breast cancer cells but not in normal mammary epithelial cells.
Recently, it was shown that HMTV isolated from metastatic breast cancer cells is able to infect primary cultures of human mammary epithelial cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, dendritic cells of healthy donors and the following cell lines: MCF10A, MCF10F, 293T cells,Jurkat and Ramos cells.
Epithelial Mesenchymal transition is observed when healthy breast epithelial cells become neoplastic cells. In HMTV infected MCF10F cells, expression of proteins characteristic of epithelial cells decreases and the expression of proteins characteristic of mesenchymal cells increased. These changes are similar to those occurring during the EMT process in breast malignancy.
The focus of our investigation is the role of this retrovirus in human pathogenesis.
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Dr.Melana did not report having any of the following types of financial relationships with industry during 2019 and/or 2020: consulting, scientific advisory board, industry-sponsored lectures, service on Board of Directors, participation on industry-sponsored committees, equity ownership valued at greater than 5% of a publicly traded company or any value in a privately held company. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
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