Pulmonary Cell News Volume 5.14 | Apr 14 2016

Epithelial Cell-Derived Secreted and Transmembrane 1a (Sectm1a) Signals to Activated Neutrophils During Pneumococcal Pneumonia
Researchers aimed to identify unique contributions of epithelial cells during lung infection. In order to differentiate genes induced selectively in epithelial cells during pneumonia, they compared genome-wide expression profiles from three sorted cell populations: epithelial cells from uninfected mouse lungs, epithelial cells from mouse lungs with pneumococcal pneumonia, and non-epithelial cells from those same infected lungs. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol] Abstract

The South Pacific Epidemic Strain of Zika Virus Replicates Efficiently in Human Epithelial A549 Cells Leading to IFN-β Production and Apoptosis Induction
The authors evaluated the susceptibility of human lung epithelial A549 cells to South Pacific epidemic strain of Zika virus (ZIKV) isolated in 2013. They showed that ZIKV growth in A549 cells is greatly efficient. [Virology] Full Article

The Novel H7N9 Influenza A Virus NS1 Induces p53-Mediated Apoptosis of A549 Cells
Apoptotic effect and features of H7N9/NS1 in the human A549 alveolar basal epithelial cell line were examined by caspase 3/7 activity assay and western blotting of apoptotic associated proteins. Effects of H7N9/NS1on mitochondrial membrane potential were investigated by flow cytometry. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

LUNG CANCER

Arsenite and Cadmium Activate MAPK/ERK via Membrane Estrogen Receptors and G-Protein Coupled Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells
Investigators examined the effect of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) and sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂) on the proliferation of human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Results demonstrated that both CdCl₂ and NaAsO₂ stimulated cell proliferation at environmentally relevant nM concentrations in a similar manner to 17β-estradiol in H1793, H2073, and H1944 cells, but not in H1792 or H1299 cells. [Toxicol Sci] Abstract

Uncoordinated 51-Like Kinase 2 Signaling Pathway Regulates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in A549 Lung Cancer Cells
Scientists provide evidence that uncoordinated 51-like kinase 2 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Induction of autophagy by inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) or by disruption of mTORC1 by silencing raptor significantly enhanced EMT, however, disruption of mTORC2 by silencing rictor had no effect. [FEBS Lett] Abstract

MicroRNA-124 Functions as a Tumor Suppressor by Regulating CDH2 and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Significantly decreased expression of microRNA-124 (miR-124) was found in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-124 apparently suppressed the proliferation and invasion of NSCLC cell lines in vitro. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

MiR-1244 Sensitizes the Resistance of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer A549 Cell to Cisplatin
Scientists investigated the function of miRNAs in cisplatin (DDP)-resistant non-small cell lung cancer A549 cell. Both miR-589 and miR-1244 were significantly down-regulated in A549/DDP cell compared to the parental A549, while the expression of miR-182 and miR-224 were increased in A549/DDP cell. [Cancer Cell Int] Full Article

Perifosine and ABT-737 Synergistically Inhibit Lung Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
The authors explored the potential synergism between the novel Bcl-2 antagonist ABT-737 and the AKT inhibitor perifosine in lung cancer cells. They showed that perifosine and ABT-737 synergistically induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in both established and patient-derived lung cancer cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

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Novel Immunotherapy to Fight Lung Cancer Discussed at International Summit
More than 30 prominent international scientists gathered to discuss the state-of-the-art, as well as promising future approaches for the treatment of lung cancer. [Press release from Sbarro Health Research Organization (Newswise Inc.) discussing research presented at the Immunotherapy Meets Lung Cancer: New Treatments for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and 3^rd International Cancer Vaccine Meeting, Siena] Press Release

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FDA Grants Priority Review for Genentech’s Cancer Immunotherapy Atezolizumab in Specific Type of Lung Cancer
Genentech announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the company’s Biologics License Application and granted Priority Review for atezolizumab for the treatment of people with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer whose disease expresses the protein programmed death ligand-1 and who have progressed on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. [Genentech, Inc.] Press Release

Clovis Oncology Provides Update on FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting to Review Rociletinib for Treatment of Advanced T790M-Positive Mutant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Clovis Oncology, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee met to discuss approval of the New Drug Application for rociletinib, an investigational therapy for the treatment of patients with mutant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) non-small cell lung cancer who have been previously treated with an EGFR-targeted therapy and have the T790M mutation. [Clovis Oncology, Inc.] Press Release

TGV-Inhalonix Receives Orphan Drug Status for Its Novel Antibiotic to Treat Resistant Infections in Cystic Fibrosis
TGV-Inhalonix, Inc. announced that its new drug candidate for treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. [TGV-Inhalonix, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

Giotrif^® (Afatinib) Approved in Europe as New Oral Treatment Option for Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung
Boehringer Ingelheim announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for Giotrif^® for the treatment of patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung whose disease has progressed on or after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy. [Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH (Business Wire)] Press Release

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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NEW Postdoctoral Research Associate – Cancer Research (University of Leicester)

Faculty Positions – Basic or Translational Research (Cleveland Clinic)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – RNA Based Therapeutics (Georgia Institute of Technology)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Pancreatic and Lung Cancer (University of California – San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Cancer Research (National University of Singapore)

PhD Studentships – Cancer Research (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Genomics (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Positions – Tissue Repair/Inflammation (Institut Pasteur)

Postdoctoral Position or Research Scientist – Mucosal Immunology (Qu Biologics)

Faculty Positions – Cancer Research (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Lung Cancer (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Director Clinical Research – Medical Oncology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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