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African American (AA) women have a lower overall incidence of breast cancer than do Caucasian (CAU) women, but a higher overall mortality. Little is known as to why the incidence of breast cancer is lower yet mortality is higher in AA women. Many studies speculate that this is only a socio-economical problem. This investigation suggests the possibility that molecular mechanisms contribute to the increased mortality of AA women with breast cancer. This study investigates the expression of 14 genes which have been shown to play a role in cancer metastasis. Cell lines derived from AA and CAU patients were analyzed to demonstrate alterations in the transcription of genes known to be involved in cancer and the metastatic process. Total RNA was isolated from cell lines and analyzed by RT-PCR analysis. Differential expression of the 14 targeted genes between a spectrum model (6 breast cancer cell lines and 2 non-cancer breast cell lines) and a metastasis model (12 metastatic breast cancer cell lines) were demonstrated. Additionally, an in vitro comparison of the expression established differences in 5 of the 14 biomarker genes between African American and Caucasian breast cell lines. Results from this study indicates that altered expression of the genes Atp1b1, CARD 10, KLF4, Spint2, and Acly may play a role in the aggressive phenotype seen in breast cancer in African American women.

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Prostate cells were isolated from 3- and 23-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats. After sequential digestion with 0.1% collagenase at 37 degrees C, a mixed population of cells was obtained. The cells were layered on a five-step discontinuous Percoll gradient (g/ml: 1.024, 1.043, 1.048, 1.060, 1.089), centrifuged at 3,000 rpm X 30 minutes, which produced six distinct cellular subpopulations and a fibromuscular stroma (FMS). Electron microscopic characterization of the 3- and 23-month-old cellular subpopulations identified the following components, g/ml: debris and nonviable cells (1.020-1.025) nonsecretory epithelial cells (1.038-1.039), secretory epithelial cells (1.047-1.048), basal epithelial cells (1.057-1.059), differentiating epithelial cells (1.070-1.075), erythrocytes (1.085-1.089). This study demonstrates that one of the effects of age on the rat ventral prostate is an intracellular disorganization of isolated and enriched cellular components.