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The Association of Human Herpesvirus 8 and a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the gp130 Signaling Receptor in Prostate Cancer

Montgomery, Jill Deann (2008) The Association of Human Herpesvirus 8 and a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the gp130 Signaling Receptor in Prostate Cancer. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

We have previously demonstrated a significant association between human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) seroprevalence among men with prostate cancer in the Caribbean island of Tobago compared to cancer free men. HHV-8 DNA has been detected in semen and prostatic tissues in some, but not all reports. I have performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) on prostate tissues from HHV-8 seropositive men from the United States and Tobago with prostate cancer for the expression of viral proteins and determined if expression of these proteins are associated with increased inflammation. My results demonstrate the presence of viral proteins in prostates from seropositive men and among tissues expressing these viral proteins, there is increased inflammation as measured by macrophage infiltrate. I have also looked for the presence of polymorphisms in several genes previously associated with increased risk of prostate cancer to determine if there was a genetic link with the greater risk for prostate cancer in Tobago. We have found single nucleotide polymorphism in the IL-6 gp130 signaling receptor that is associated with increased prostate cancer risk among HHV-8 seropositive men. The public health relevance observed by these results suggests an interaction between HHV-8 infection, increased inflammation and genetic polymorphisms resulting in increased prostate cancer risk. I hypothesize that HHV-8 is a cofactor for prostate cancer in Tobago by establishing a chronic infection which leads to chronic inflammation and ultimately prostate cancer.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Montgomery, Jill Deannmontgomery.jd@gmail.com
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairJenkins, Frank J.fjenkins@pitt.eduFJENKINS
Committee MemberBunker, Clareann H.bunkerc@edc.pitt.eduBUNKERC
Committee MemberNelson, Joel B.nelsonjb@upmc.eduJBN3
Committee MemberReinhart, Todd A.reinhar@pitt.eduREINHAR
Date: 28 September 2008
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 29 May 2008
Approval Date: 28 September 2008
Submission Date: 11 June 2008
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: IL-6; Prostate Cancer; Human Herpesvirus 8; KSHV
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-06112008-145438/, etd-06112008-145438
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 19:46
Last Modified: 19 Dec 2016 14:36
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8076

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