Toxic Response of Graphene Nanoplatelets In Vivo and In Vitro In an in vitro study using BEAS-2B cells, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were located within autophagosome-like vacuoles 24 hours after exposure. The GNPs dose-dependently reduced cell viability, which was accompanied by an increase in the portion of cells in the subG1 and S phases. [Arch Toxicol] Abstract Protein Kinase D Is Increased and Activated in Lung Epithelial Cells and Macrophages in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Researchers performed immunohistochemical analyses to assess the cell type-specific expression and activation of protein kinase D (PKD) family kinases in normal and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lung tissue sections. They also analyzed PKD activation and function in human lung epithelial cells. [PLoS One] Full Article MicroRNA-203 Accelerates Apoptosis in LPS-Stimulated Alveolar Epithelial Cells by Targeting PIK3CA The functions of microRNAs in the development of acute lung injury were investigated to identify potential drug targets. MicroRNA-203 overexpression in A549 cells significantly promoted cell apoptosis by inducing S-phase cell-cycle arrest. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract Ac-SDKP Suppresses Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in A549 Cells via HSP27 Signaling Researchers revealed that N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) exerts an anti-fibrotic effect on human type II alveolar epithelial cells, which are a source of myofibroblasts once exposed to TGF-β1, by decreasing the expression of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27). [Exp Mol Pathol] Abstract LUNG CANCER FHIT Loss Confers Cisplatin Resistance in Lung Cancer via the AKT/NF-κB/Slug-Mediated PUMA Reduction Inhibition concentration of 50% cell viability induced by cisplatin and soft agar growth and invasion capability were increased and decreased in fragile histidine triad (FHIT)-knockdown and -overexpressing cells, respectively. [Oncogene] Abstract MicroRNA-128 Plays a Critical Role in Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Tumorigenesis, Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis by Directly Targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C Researchers show that the expression level of microRNA-128 was significantly downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and cancer cells, and was significantly correlated with NSCLC differentiation, pathological stage and lymph node metastasis. [Eur J Cancer] Abstract The Anoikis Effector Bit1 Displays Tumor Suppressive Function in Lung Cancer Cells Researchers provide the first evidence of the tumor suppressive effect of Bit1 through a mechanism involving anoikis induction in human lung adenocarcinoma derived A549 cells. [PLoS One] Full Article miR-143 Inhibits NSCLC Cell Growth and Metastasis by Targeting Limk1 Overexpression of microRNA (miR)-143 suppressed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and inhibited migration and invasion in vitro. [Int J Mol Sci] Abstract | Download Full Article T-Type Ca2+ Channel Blocker, KYS05090 Induces Autophagy and Apoptosis in A549 Cells through Inhibiting Glucose Uptake KYS05090 induced autophagy- and apoptosis-mediated cell death in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Although KYS05090 decreased intracellular Ca2+ levels, it was not directly related with KYS05090-induced cell death. [Molecules] Abstract | Download Full Article |