Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors Augment the Ability of Formoterol to Enhance Glucocorticoid-Dependent Gene Transcription in Human Airway Epithelial Cells: A Novel Mechanism for the Clinical Efficacy of Roflumilast in Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Scientists report that using a glucocorticoid response element (GRE) luciferase reporter transfected into human airway epithelial cells, roflumilast enhanced fluticasone propionate-induced GRE-dependent transcription. [Mol Pharmacol] Abstract Macrolides Inhibit Fusobacterium nucleatum-Induced MUC5AC Induction in Human Airway Epithelial Cells Researchers examined whether Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) induces mucin secretion in airway epithelial cells. They also examined the effects of macrolides on the Fn-induced mucus production compared with other antibiotics that exert anti-anaerobic activities. [Antimicrob Agents Ch] Abstract Systematic Analysis of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Induced Cellular Signaling and Gene Expression in Human Small Airway Epithelial Cells Researchers examined the cellular and gene expression changes in small airway epithelial cells (SAEC) after in vitro exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in an effort to elucidate potential toxicity mechanisms and signaling pathways. A direct interaction between SAEC and MWCNT was confirmed by both internalization of MWCNT as well as an interaction at the cell periphery. [Toxicol Sci] Abstract Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells Attenuate Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cell Permeability under Septic Conditions Scientists report that human alveolar epithelial cells appear to protect human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell barrier function under septic conditions in vitro, through release of a soluble mediator(s), which are at least partly lipid in nature. [PLoS One] Full Article MARCKS and HSP70 Interactions Regulate Mucin Secretion by Human Airway Epithelial Cells In Vitro The authors provide evidence of a role for heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in mediating mucin secretion via interactions with myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS), and that these interactions are critical for the cytoplasmic translocation of MARCKS upon its phosphorylation. [Am J Physiol-Lung C] Abstract Biophysical Model of Ion Transport across Human Respiratory Epithelia Allows Quantification of Ion Permeabilities Scientists used a biophysical model for water and ion transport to quantify ion permeabilities of all pathways (apical, basolateral, paracellular) in human nasal epithelia cultures using experimental data reported in the literature. [Biophys J] Abstract LUNG CANCER Prognostic Significance of the Combined Score of Endothelial Expression of Nucleolin and CD31 in Surgically Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Investigators explored the expression and prognostic implication of nucleolin in surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. They demonstrated that nucleolin is associated with the clinical outcomes in postoperative NSCLC patients. [PLoS One] Full Article Evaluation of Novel Orthotopic Nude Mouse Models for Human Small-Cell Lung Cancer Researchers established three orthotopic murine models of human small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) closely resembling the course of human SCLC seen in the clinic including metastasis to lymph nodes and distant organs. [J Thorac Oncol] Abstract Lithium Enhances TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis in Human Lung Carcinoma A549 Cells Scientists investigated whether lithium chloride (LiCl), a drug for mental illness, could sensitize non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis. They observed that LiCl significantly enhanced A549 cells apoptosis through up-regulation of death receptors DR4 and DR5 and activation of caspase cascades. [Biometals] Abstract Silencing SATB1 with siRNA Inhibits the Proliferation and Invasion of Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Investigators report that SATB1 protein was overexpressed in small cell lung cancer tissues and metastasis lymphoid nodes compared with adjacent normal lung tissues. [Cancer Cell Int] Abstract | Full Article |