About
Articles by Amer
Activity
-
My top VBC takeaways from United's earnings call on Tuesday. 1) "In '23, we developed a three-year plan to manage through v28. Medical cost…
My top VBC takeaways from United's earnings call on Tuesday. 1) "In '23, we developed a three-year plan to manage through v28. Medical cost…
Liked by Amer Alnajar
-
this offers real promise - decision support embedded within EHR's that are within a workflow "Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC…
this offers real promise - decision support embedded within EHR's that are within a workflow "Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC…
Liked by Amer Alnajar
Experience & Education
Licenses & Certifications
-
Medical Doctor
-
Publications
-
The LIM-Only Protein FHL2 Attenuates Lung Inflammation during Bleomycin-Induced Fibrosis
PLOS ONE
Fibrogenesis is usually initiated when regenerative processes have failed and/or chronic inflammation occurs. It is characterised by the activation of tissue fibroblasts and dysregulated synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins. FHL2 (four-and-a-half LIM domain protein 2) is a scaffolding protein that interacts with numerous cellular proteins, regulating signalling cascades and gene transcription. It is involved in tissue remodelling and tumour progression. Recent data suggest that FHL2 might…
Fibrogenesis is usually initiated when regenerative processes have failed and/or chronic inflammation occurs. It is characterised by the activation of tissue fibroblasts and dysregulated synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins. FHL2 (four-and-a-half LIM domain protein 2) is a scaffolding protein that interacts with numerous cellular proteins, regulating signalling cascades and gene transcription. It is involved in tissue remodelling and tumour progression. Recent data suggest that FHL2 might support fibrogenesis by maintaining the transcriptional expression of alpha smooth muscle actin and the excessive synthesis and assembly of matrix proteins in activated fibroblasts. Here, we present evidence that FHL2 does not promote bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis, but rather suppresses this process by attenuating lung inflammation. Loss of FHL2 results in increased expression of the pro-inflammatory matrix protein tenascin C and downregulation of the macrophage activating C-type lectin receptor DC-SIGN. Consequently, FHL2 knockout mice developed a severe and long-lasting lung pathology following bleomycin administration due to enhanced expression of tenascin C and impaired activation of inflammation-resolving macrophages.
-
Expression and regulation of nicotine receptor and osteopontin isoforms in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Histology and Histopathology
Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phospho-protein that confers on cancer cells a migratory phenotype. We have recently shown that nicotine, a risk factor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), induces an alpha7-nicotine acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR)-mediated increase of OPN in PDA cells. In this study, we tested nicotine's effect on the expression of OPN splice variants (OPNa, b, c) in PDA cells. We also analyzed the correlation between patients' smoking history with OPN and α7-nAChR…
Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phospho-protein that confers on cancer cells a migratory phenotype. We have recently shown that nicotine, a risk factor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), induces an alpha7-nicotine acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR)-mediated increase of OPN in PDA cells. In this study, we tested nicotine's effect on the expression of OPN splice variants (OPNa, b, c) in PDA cells. We also analyzed the correlation between patients' smoking history with OPN and α7-nAChR levels. RT-PCR and UV-light-illumination of ethidium-bromide staining were used to examine the mRNA expression in tissue and PDA cells treated with or without nicotine (3-300 nM). Localization of total OPN, OPNc and α7-nAChR was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and their mRNA tissue expression levels were correlated with the patients' smoking history. PDA cells expressed varying levels of OPNa, OPNb, and α7-nAChR. Nicotine treatment selectively induced denovo expression of OPNc and increased α7-nAChR expression levels. In PDA tissue, OPNc was found in 87% of lesions, of which 73% were smokers. OPNc and total OPN levels were correlated in the tissue from patients with invasive PDA. Nicotine receptor was expressed in the invasive and premalignant lesions without clear correlation with smoking history. We show here for the first time that α7-nAChR is expressed in PDA cells and tissues and is regulated by nicotine in PDA cells. This, together with our previous findings that α7-nAChR mediates the metastatic effects of nicotine in PDA, suggest that combined targeting of α7-nAChR and OPNc could be a valid novel therapeutic strategy for invasive PDA, especially in the smoking population.
-
Expression of a prometastatic splice variant of osteopontin, OPNC, in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Surgery Journal
Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phosphoprotein that confers on cancer cells a migratory phenotype. We demonstrated recently that nicotine, a major risk factor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), increases OPN expression in PDA cells. An OPN splice variant, OPNc, supports anchorage independence and maybe the most potent OPN isoform to convey metastatic behavior. In this study, we tested the effect of nicotine on OPNc expression and analyzed the correlation between total OPN/OPNc levels…
Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phosphoprotein that confers on cancer cells a migratory phenotype. We demonstrated recently that nicotine, a major risk factor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), increases OPN expression in PDA cells. An OPN splice variant, OPNc, supports anchorage independence and maybe the most potent OPN isoform to convey metastatic behavior. In this study, we tested the effect of nicotine on OPNc expression and analyzed the correlation between total OPN/OPNc levels and patients' smoking history.
-
Induction of osteopontin expression by nicotine and cigarette smoke in the pancreas and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells.
IJC International Journal of Cancer
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal disease with etiological association with cigarette smoking. Nicotine, an important component of cigarettes, exists at high concentrations in the bloodstream of smokers. Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phosphoprotein that confers on cancer cells a migratory phenotype and activates signaling pathways that induce cell survival, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Here, we investigated the potential molecular basis of nicotine's role in PDA…
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal disease with etiological association with cigarette smoking. Nicotine, an important component of cigarettes, exists at high concentrations in the bloodstream of smokers. Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phosphoprotein that confers on cancer cells a migratory phenotype and activates signaling pathways that induce cell survival, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Here, we investigated the potential molecular basis of nicotine's role in PDA through studying its effect on OPN. Nicotine significantly (p < 0.02) increased OPN mRNA and protein secretion in PDA cells through activation of the OPN gene promoter. The OPN mRNA induction was inhibited by the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, mechamylamine. Further, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein inhibited the nicotine-mediated induction of OPN, suggesting that mitogen activated protein kinase signaling mechanism is involved. Nicotine activated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, but not p38 or c-Jun NH2-terminal MAP kinases. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activation reduced the nicotine-induced OPN synthesis. Rats exposed to cigarette smoke showed a dose-dependent increase in pancreatic OPN that paralleled the rise of pancreatic and plasma nicotine levels. Analysis of cancer tissue from invasive PDA patients, the majority of whom were smokers, showed the presence of significant amounts of OPN in the malignant ducts and the surrounding pancreatic acini. Our data suggest that nicotine may contribute to PDA pathogenesis through upregulation of OPN. They provide the first insight into a nicotine-initiated signal transduction pathway that regulates OPN as a possible tumorigenic mechanism in PDA. © 2009 UICC
Languages
-
English
-
-
Arabic
-
More activity by Amer
-
Congratulations to our Vytalize Values Award winners: Daniel Cost, Daniel Harhay, Jason McLean, and Tim O'Brien! Your exceptional support…
Congratulations to our Vytalize Values Award winners: Daniel Cost, Daniel Harhay, Jason McLean, and Tim O'Brien! Your exceptional support…
Liked by Amer Alnajar
-
Cash (flow) is king for Medicare ACOs. In REACH you can get monthly capitation. In MSSP before 2024 there was only 1 transaction, the final…
Cash (flow) is king for Medicare ACOs. In REACH you can get monthly capitation. In MSSP before 2024 there was only 1 transaction, the final…
Liked by Amer Alnajar
-
Fantastic to see payors covering products that consumers not only want but that are proven to create healthy outcomes. I'm liking the direction we're…
Fantastic to see payors covering products that consumers not only want but that are proven to create healthy outcomes. I'm liking the direction we're…
Liked by Amer Alnajar
-
Join us for EmpowerHer: A Series for Women Entrepreneurs Featuring: Zaiba Hasan: D&I Advocate, Corporate/Nonprofit Event Planner Bhatti, Mansoor…
Join us for EmpowerHer: A Series for Women Entrepreneurs Featuring: Zaiba Hasan: D&I Advocate, Corporate/Nonprofit Event Planner Bhatti, Mansoor…
Liked by Amer Alnajar
-
Welcoming a Historic Cohort of Physicians in Training! South Texas Health System, located in McAllen, TX, is excited to welcome the first-ever cohort…
Welcoming a Historic Cohort of Physicians in Training! South Texas Health System, located in McAllen, TX, is excited to welcome the first-ever cohort…
Liked by Amer Alnajar
-
I wanted to express my gratitude for recognizing my efforts and awarding me with a Shining Star Award. I am proud to be a part of an amazing team.
I wanted to express my gratitude for recognizing my efforts and awarding me with a Shining Star Award. I am proud to be a part of an amazing team.
Liked by Amer Alnajar
-
I am deeply honored to have been invited to the Philippine Embassy for our Independence Day celebration. My heartfelt thanks to the Embassy staff and…
I am deeply honored to have been invited to the Philippine Embassy for our Independence Day celebration. My heartfelt thanks to the Embassy staff and…
Liked by Amer Alnajar
-
Talk about a "pinch me" moment! What an amazing experience it was to be interviewed on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (and see the Sealed…
Talk about a "pinch me" moment! What an amazing experience it was to be interviewed on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (and see the Sealed…
Liked by Amer Alnajar
-
Kicking off our Outstanding OMI Associates series, we are highlighting our fearless leader, Dr. Andrew Pecora. Dr. Pecora is one of the world’s…
Kicking off our Outstanding OMI Associates series, we are highlighting our fearless leader, Dr. Andrew Pecora. Dr. Pecora is one of the world’s…
Liked by Amer Alnajar
-
What a successful event in Ohio! Thank you Carla Spackman and Jenny Doyle for representing Vytalize Health ACO. Carla and Jenny presented…
What a successful event in Ohio! Thank you Carla Spackman and Jenny Doyle for representing Vytalize Health ACO. Carla and Jenny presented…
Liked by Amer Alnajar
Other similar profiles
Explore collaborative articles
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
Explore MoreOthers named Amer Alnajar
-
amer alnajar
Student at Hadramout University of Science and Technology
-
Amer Alnajar
--
-
Amer Alnajar
مدير تنفيذي للخدمات اللوجستية في HLT
-
Amer Alnajar
--
4 others named Amer Alnajar are on LinkedIn
See others named Amer Alnajar