Pulmonary Cell News Volume 4.24 | Jun 25 2015

A Responsive Human Triple-Culture Model of the Air-Blood Barrier: Incorporation of Different Macrophage Phenotypes
Scientists developed three different polarized macrophage models using a mixture of differentiation mediators. To test their immunological impact, these distinct macrophage phenotypes were seeded on to the epithelial layer of an established in vitro air-blood barrier co-culture, consisting of alveolar epithelial cells A549 or H441 and microvascular endothelial cells ISO-HAS-1 on the opposite side of a Transwell filter-membrane. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Full Article

Comparison between Ultrafine and Fine Particulate Matter Collected in Lebanon: Chemical Characterization, In Vitro Cytotoxic Effects and Metabolizing Enzymes Gene Expression in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells
The authors showed that ultrafine particles (UFP) caused earlier alterations of mitochondrial metabolism and membrane integrity from the lowest concentrations. Moreover, a significant induction of CYP1A1, CYP1B1 and AhRR genes expression was showed after cells exposure to UFP organic extract and to a lesser extent to water-UFP suspension and fine particles samples. [Environ Pollut] Abstract

Integrated Analysis of MicroRNA and mRNA Expression Profiles Highlights Aldehyde-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Cells Relevant for Lung Toxicity
Investigators analyzed the whole genome microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA expression profiles of human alveolar epithelial cells exposed to three aldehydes to identify aldehyde-sensitive miRNAs and to characterize the relationships between miRNAs and the expression of candidate cytokine-related genes, which are activated in response to inflammatory signals. [Toxicology] Abstract

Evaluation of an Air-Liquid Interface Cell Culture Model for Studies on the Inflammatory and Cytotoxic Responses to Tobacco Smoke Aerosols
In this study bronchial epithelial cells were cultured on semi-permeable membranes, raised to the air-liquid interface and the robustness and sensitivity of the cells to tobacco whole smoke and vapor phase assessed. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract

Infection of A549 Human Type II Epithelial Cells with Mycobacterium tuberculosis Induces Changes in Mitochondrial Morphology, Distribution and Mass that Are Dependent on the Early Secreted Antigen, ESAT-6
Scientists used Mitotracker Red^® to assess changes in mitochondrial morphology/distribution and mass from 6 to 48 hour post infection by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry in M. tuberculosis-infected A549 type II alveolar epithelial cells. [Microbes Infect] Full Article

LUNG CANCER

MAP3K3 Expression in Tumor Cells and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Is Correlated with Favorable Patient Survival in Lung Cancer
MAP3K3 is involved in both the immune response and in tumor progression. Its potential biological role in vitro in lung cancer cell lines and the association of mRNA/protein expression patterns with clinical outcome of primary lung tumors were investigated. [Sci Rep] Full Article

MicroRNA-19 Triggers Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Lung Cancer Cells Accompanied by Growth Inhibition
Scientists found that enforced expression of miR-19 including miR-19a and miR-19b-1 triggered epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lung cancer cells A549 and HCC827 as shown by mesenchymal-like morphological conversion, downregulation of epithelial proteins, upregulation of mesenchymal proteins, formation of stress fibers, and reduced cell adhesion. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Human Bronchial Epithelial BEAS-2B Cells, an Appropriate In Vitro Model to Study Heavy Metals Induced Carcinogenesis
The authors showed that short-term exposure of BEAS-2B cells to arsenic III or chromium VI was able to activate both p53 and p21. Chronic exposure of BEAS-2B cells to these two metals caused malignant cell transformation and tumorigenesis. [Toxicol Appl Pharmacol] Abstract

Elevated Expression of TGIF Is Involved in Lung Carcinogenesis
Researchers explored the expression of TG-interacting factor (TGIF) in lung carcinogenesis. They observed significantly higher levels of TGIF mRNA and protein in A549 and H1299 cell lines than that in 16HBE cells. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Sulphur Alters NFκB-p300 Cross-Talk in Favor of p53-p300 to Induce Apoptosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
Investigators evaluated the antitumorigenic activity of sulphur, and delineated the molecular mechanisms underlying sulphur-induced apoptosis in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

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Novoteris, LLC Announces $2.8 Million Award from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics to Support Development of Inhaled Nitric Oxide Antimicrobial Therapy
Novoteris, LLC announced a $2.8 million agreement with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc. to develop an inhaled nitric oxide antimicrobial therapy for people with cystic fibrosis who have airway bacterial colonization. [Novoteris, LLC] Press Release

Kamada Collaborates with Baxalta on Phase I/II Clinical Trial with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin for the Prevention of Lung Transplant Rejection
Kamada Ltd. reported that the company has entered into a collaboration with Baxalta International on a Phase I/II clinical trial of Kamada’s proprietary alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment for the prevention of lung transplant rejection. [Kamada Ltd.] Press Release

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Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology Endoderm Lineages (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Senior Scientist – Stem Cells (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation)

Faculty Positions (Cleveland Clinic)

Postdoctoral Position – Lung Myofibroblasts and Fibrosis (Yale University School of Medicine)

Research Scientist I/II – Fibrosis/Oncology/Inflammation Biology (Gilead Sciences)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Lung Transplant Immunology (Washington University)

Senior PostDoc/Research Group Leader – Chronic Lung Disease (Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Pulmonary Developmental Pathology (Drexel University College of Medicine)

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