Pulmonary Cell News Volume 2.00 | Jan 3 2013

Expression of the Atypical Chemokine Receptor D6 in Human Alveolar Macrophages in COPD
Scientists showed that D6 is expressed in alveolar macrophages (AMs) from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and its expression correlates with the degree of functional impairment and markers of immune activation. [Chest] Abstract

MMP7 Coordinates Airway Epithelial Injury Response and Differentiation of Ciliated Cells
Investigators evaluated the global transcriptional response of airway epithelial cells from wild type and matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7)-null mice cultured at an air-liquid interface. Analysis of differentially expressed genes between genotypes after injury revealed enrichment of functional categories associated with inflammation, cilia and differentiation. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol] Abstract

PIR-B Inhibits Pulmonary Fibrosis by Suppressing Profibrogenic Properties of Alveolar Macrophages
The cell-surface molecule paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PIR-B) can suppress macrophage activation. Yet, its role in pulmonary fibrosis is unknown. Researchers aimed to define the role of PIR-B in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol] Abstract

Regulation of Interleukin-6 Secretion by the Two-Pore-Domain Potassium Channel Trek-1 in Alveolar Epithelial Cells
Scientists found that Trek-1 deficiency decreased IL-6 secretion from mouse and human alveolar epithelial cells at both transcriptional and translational levels. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

Transcriptional Program of Ciliated Epithelial Cells Reveals New Cilium and Centrosome Components and Links to Human Disease
Defects in the centrosome and cilium are associated with a set of human diseases having diverse phenotypes. To further characterize the components that define the function of these organelles, scientists determined the transcriptional profile of multiciliated tracheal epithelial cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

LUNG CANCER

Fucosyltransferase 8 as a Functional Regulator of Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer
Researchers report that the expression of fucosyltransferase 8 (FUT8) is up-regulated in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and correlates with tumor metastasis, disease recurrence, and poor survival in patients with NSCLC. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

PARP Inhibition Selectively Increases Sensitivity to Cisplatin in ERCC1-Low Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
The authors previously found that most primary lung tumor specimens demonstrated a stronger protein expression of poly (ADP ribose) polymerases 1 (PARP1) than their normal counterparts. In this study, they tested whether combining PARP inhibition with platinum compounds may be an approach to improve platinum-based therapy for non-small cell lung cancer. [Carcinogenesis] Abstract

Acquired Differential Regulation of Caspase-8 in Cisplatin-Resistant Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Scientists showed that cisplatin can efficiently bypass mitochondrial apoptosis block caused by loss of BCL-2-associated X protein and BCL-2 antagonist killer, via activation of the extrinsic death receptor pathway in some model cell lines. [Cell Death and Disease] Full Article

Histologic Assessment of Tumor-Associated CD45⁺ Cell Numbers Is an Independent Predictor of Prognosis in Small Cell Lung Cancer
Data indicated that (1) simple immunohistochemical assessment of immune cell infiltrates in routinely processed and stained biopsy specimens of primary tumors can provide prognostic information in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and (2) tumor-associated CD45⁺ cells in SCLC biopsy specimens may be a good clinical marker to identify patients with poor prognosis despite good performance status. [Chest] Abstract

EZH2 Promotes Malignant Behaviors via Cell Cycle Dysregulation and Its mRNA Level Associates with Prognosis of Patient with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Scientists demonstrated that Enhancer of Zeste 2 (EZH2) overexpression is critical for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression.  [PLoS One] Full Article

Cytoskeleton: Determining Optimal Length of Cilia
Motile cilia on ciliated epithelial cells generate fluid flow in the brain ventricles, trachea and oviduct, which is essential for the proper function of these organs. Fluid flow is a function of ciliary length, but the molecular mechanisms that regulate the optimal length of motile cilia in mammals are unclear. [Nat Rev Mol Cell Bio] Abstract

Mechanisms Controlling Arrangements and Movements of Nuclei in Pseudostratified Epithelia
Investigators provide an overview of cytoskeletal components underlying interkinetic nuclear migration in different systems, discuss current understanding of its kinetics and timing, and evaluate how conflicting results could be explained through developmental and evolutionary considerations. [Trends Cell Biol] Abstract

Celtaxsys Acquires Clinical Stage Innate Immunity Drug for Inflammation
Celtaxsys, Inc. announced that it has acquired CTX-4430 (formerly EP-501), a clinical stage drug candidate that inhibits the pro-inflammatory enzyme Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase (LTA4H), from Estrellita Pharmaceuticals, Inc. LTA4H and receptors to LTB4 are known to be elevated in a number of human lung diseases including Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. [Celtaxsys, Inc.] Press Release

Dr. Czarnecki of Chattanooga, TN Has Been Named a Patients’ Choice Award Winner for 2012
Among the select few physicians honored with the prestigious Patients’ Choice Award this year is Dr. Michael Czarnecki , MD. He delivers specialized lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary hypertension, and critical care services as well as diagnosis and treatment for pulmonary diseases.
[PR Newswire Association, LLC] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

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)

NEW Perspectives in Lung Cancer 14th European Congress
March 8-9, 2013
Torino, Italy

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the pulmonary cell community.

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

MSc – Future Opportunities (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

PhD – Future Opportunities (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

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

Postdoctoral Fellows – Gene, RNA and Epigenetic Regulation, Protein Science, Signal Transduction, Cell and Stem Cell, Cancer and Other Diseases (Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology)

Postdoctoral Position – Host-Pathogen Interaction at Mucosal Surfaces (Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute)

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