Pulmonary Cell News Volume 2.33 | Aug 22 2013

Loss of Tumor Suppressor PTEN Induces Leptin Mediated Leptin Gene Expression: A Feed-Forward Loop Operating in the Lung
Using conditional deletion of tumor suppressor gene Pten (Phosphatase and tensin homologue) in the lung epithelium in vivo in transgenic mice and human PTEN-null lung epithelial cells, researchers identified leptin driven feed-forward signaling loop. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

Histamine Stimulates Hydrogen Peroxide Production by Bronchial Epithelial Cells via Histamine H1 Receptor and Duox
Researchers found that air-liquid interface cultures of primary human bronchial epithelial cells and an immortalized bronchial epithelial cell model produce hydrogen peroxide in response to histamine. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol] Abstract

Effects of Water Soluble PM2.5 Extracts Exposure on Human Lung Epithelial Cells (A549): A Proteomic Study
Researchers aimed to provide new insights into the cytotoxicity of particulate matter (PM)2.5 on human lung epithelial cells (A549) at the proteomic level. Two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis revealed a total of 27 protein spots, whose abundance were significantly altered in A549 cells exposed to water-soluble PM2.5 extracts. [J Appl Toxicol] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

β-Escin Inhibits NNK-Induction of Lung Adenocarcinoma and ALDH1A1 and RhoA/Rock Expression in A/J Mice and Growth of H460 Human Lung Cancer Cells
β-Escin, a triterpene saponin isolated from horse chestnut seeds, was tested for inhibition of lung adenoma and adenocarcinoma induced by the tobacco carcinogen 4-(methyl-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in female A/J mice; and its possible mode of action was evaluated using the H460 human lung cancer cell line. [Cancer Prev Res (Phila)] Abstract

Sodium Metavanadate Exhibits Carcinogenic Tendencies In Vitro in Immortalized Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells
Researchers investigated the carcinogenicity of NaVO₃ in the human immortalized bronchial epithelial cell line, Beas-2B. Cells were treated with 10 μM NaVO₃ for 5 weeks, with or without recovery time, followed by gene expression microarray analysis. In a separate experiment, cells were exposed to 1-10 μM NaVO3 for 4 weeks and then grown in soft agar to test for anchorage-independent growth. [Metallomics] Abstract

The Molecular Mechanism Underlying Anti-Proliferative Effect of SOCS-1 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
The authors investigated the therapeutic potential of gene delivery using suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS-1), an endogenous inhibitor of intracellular signaling pathways, for the treatment of lung cancer. To examine the anti-tumor effect of SOCS-1 overexpression on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, NSCLC cells were infected with adenovirus-expressing SOCS-1 vector. [Cancer Sci] Abstract

Crizotinib Overcomes Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Mediated Resistance to Gefitinib in EGFR-Mutant Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Scientists tested whether crizotinib, a MET kinase inhibitor, can overcome two different hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-triggered mechanisms of resistance to gefitinib in human epidermal growth factor receptor (EFGR) mutant lung cancer cell lines HCC827 and PC-9. Compared with the monotherapy, the combined treatment of crizotinib and gefitinib induced apoptosis and significantly inhibited the growth of cells in the presence of HGF by blocking the MET/PI3K/Akt pathway. [Anticancer Drugs] Abstract

The Calcineurin-NFAT-Angiopoietin-2 Signaling Axis in Lung Endothelium Is Critical for the Establishment of Lung Metastases
Researchers demonstrated that the calcineurin and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) pathway is activated specifically in lung endothelium prior to the detection of tumor cells that preferentially metastasize to the lung. Upregulation of the calcineurin pathway via deletion of its endogenous inhibitor Dscr1 leads to a significant increase in lung metastases due to increased expression of a newly identified NFAT target, Angiopoietin-2. [Cell Reports] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

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AIT Ltd. and Clalit Health Services Expand Strategic Alliance and Plan Phase II Clinical Trial for Respiratory Diseases
Israeli biomed company AIT Ltd. (Advanced Inhalation Therapies) announced that their successful collaboration with Clalit Health Services has expanded to include Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel as an additional clinical study site. Under this agreement, AIT will lead clinical development strategy in cooperation with Schneider’s renowned opinion leaders in the field of respiratory care. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

LungCAN Celebrates Lung Cancer Screening Breakthrough
Lung Cancer Action Network (LungCAN) members unanimously endorse lung cancer screening recommendations released in draft form recently by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The Task Force recommends people between ages 55 and 79 with a minimum smoking history of 30 pack years get an annual low-dose CT scan. [Lung Cancer Action Network] Press Release

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Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Associate – Lung Cancer (Yale Cancer Center)

Professor of Immunology Centre for Infection and Immunity (Queen’s University Belfast)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer Genomics (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

PhD Position – Interaction of Nanoparticles with the Pulmonary Barrier (Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Asthma (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – ERK3 Kinase Signaling in Cancer Progression and Metastasis (Wright State University)

Director of Cell Processing Facility (S L Collins Associates, Inc.)

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