Pulmonary Cell News Volume 1.00 | Dec 13 2012

Short-Term, Long-Term and Paracrine Effect of Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Stem Cells in Lung Injury Prevention and Repair in Experimental Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Researchers observed that human umbilical cord-derived perivascular cells and mesenchymal stem cells exerted short- and long-term therapeutic benefit without adverse lung effects in rat pups exposed to hyperoxia, a well-established bronchopulmonary dysplasia  model, and offer new therapeutic options for lung diseases characterized by alveolar damage. [Thorax] Abstract | Press Release

Inflammatory Role of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling in an Experimental Model of Toxic Smoke Inhalation Injury
The molecular mechanisms underlying lung inflammation in toxic smoke inhalation injury are unknown. Researchers investigated the signaling pathway responsible for the induction of interleukin 8 by wood smoke extract in lung epithelial cells and lung inflammation induced by wood smoke exposure in mice. [Crit Care Med] Abstract

Chronic Arsenic Exposure in Nanomolar Concentrations Compromises Wound Response and Intercellular Signaling in Airway Epithelial Cells
Researchers evaluated the effects of chronic low-dose arsenic relevant to U.S. drinking water standards on airway epithelial cells. Immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE14o-) were exposed to 0, 130, or 330 nM arsenic (as Na-arsenite) for 4-5 weeks and examined for wound repair efficiency and ATP-mediated Ca²⁺ signaling. [Toxicol Sci] Abstract

Nicotine Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via Wnt/β-catenin Signaling in Human Airway Epithelial Cells
Researchers found that human bronchial epithelial cells are able to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vitro upon nicotine stimulation via the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

Adipokine Adiponectin Is a Potential Protector to Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells for Regulating Proliferation, Wound Repair and Apoptosis: Comparison with Leptin and Resistin
Scientists compared the roles of adipocyte-derived factors, including leptin, adiponectin and resistin on proliferation, wound repair and apoptosis in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs), which play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The results showed that exogenous globular adiponectin promoted proliferation, cell-cycle and wound repair of HBECs. [Peptides] Abstract

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Induces MUC8 and MUC5B Expression via ERK1 and p38 MAPK in Human Airway Epithelial Cells
In mucin-producing human NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells and the primary cultures of normal human nasal epithelial cells, the effect and signaling pathway of insulin-like growth factor-1 on MUC8 and MUC5B expression were investigated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, real-time PCR, enzyme immunoassay, and immunoblot analysis with specific inhibitors and small interfering RNA for mitogen-activated protein kinase. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Mutant Surfactant A2 Proteins Associated with Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis and Lung Cancer Induce TGF-β1 Secretion
Researchers showed that bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from humans heterozygous for a missense mutation in the gene encoding surfactant protein (SP)-A2 (SFTPA2) contains more TGF-β1 than control samples. Expression of mutant SP-A2 in lung epithelial cells leads to secretion of latent TGF-β1, which is capable of autocrine and paracrine signaling. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Macrophages Facilitate Coal Tar Pitch Extract-Induced Tumorigenic Transformation of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Mediated by NF-κB
Chronic respiratory inflammation has been associated with lung cancer. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a critical role in the formation of inflammation microenvironment. The authors sought to characterize the role of TAMs in coal tar pitch extract-induced tumorigenic transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells and the underlying mechanisms. [PLoS One] Full Article

Local Ablative Therapy of Oligoprogressive Disease Prolongs Disease Control by Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Oncogene-Addicted Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Researchers investigated retrospectively the benefits of local ablative therapy to central nervous system and/or limited systemic disease progression and continuation of crizotinib or erlotinib in patients with metastatic ALK gene rearrangement or EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer, respectively. [J Thorac Oncol] Abstract

Expression of the Coxsackie Adenovirus Receptor in Neuroendocrine Lung Cancers and Its Implications for Oncolytic Adenoviral Infection
Scientists report that a high coxsackie adenovirus receptor (CAR) expression level in small cell lung cancer cell lines was found in vitro and in vivo when cell lines had been transplanted into immunodeficient mice. A correlation between CAR expression in the primary tumors and metastases development in the tumor model underlined the clinical relevance. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

Sanovas Inc. and the World Association of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology Launch Global Survey
Sanovas, Inc. and the World Association of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology announced that they have launched a joint research project entitled “The Breathing Innovation Survey – We Are Listening.” The global initiative, being conducted via multiple surveys over the next year, will gauge the needs, opinions, preferences and insights of more than 15,000 thoracic surgeons, interventional pulmonologists and broncho-esophageal specialists. [Sanovas, Inc.] Press Release

Top Experts in Deadly Lung Disease Gather at NIH to Ponder Path to Cure
The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis participated in a landmark meeting at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute that promises to pave the path forward to finding answers to the deadly lung disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis. [PR Newswire Association, LLC] Press Release

COPD Foundation and WebMD to Promote COPD Risk Awareness
The COPD Foundation announced the launch of a COPD Risk Screener on WebMD. The COPD Risk Screener asks consumers a series of questions related to breathing in order to help individuals identify if they are at risk for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The COPD risk screener can be found on WebMD.com. [COPD Foundation] Press Release

NEW Canadian Lung Cancer Conference 2013
February 8, 2013
Vancouver, Canada

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Product Quality Scientist (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Endothelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist or Engineer – hPSC Bioengineer (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc)

Quality Control Analyst (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

W2 Professorship – Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease (Justus-Liebig-University Giessen)

Postdoctoral Position – Fibrosis in Chronic Lung Disease (Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pulmonary Research (University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler)

Staff Scientist – Cardiovascular Pulmonary (National Institutes of Health – Dept of Health and Human Services)
 

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