Pulmonary Cell News Volume 3.01 | Jan 16 2014

A Site-Specific Genetic Modification for Induction of Pluripotency and Subsequent Isolation of Derived Lung Alveolar Epithelial Type II Cells
Researchers report a novel strategy using a single nonviral site-specific targeting vector with a combination of Tet-On inducible gene expression system, Cre/lox P switching gene expression system, and alveolar epithelial type II cell-specific Neomycin^R transgene expression system. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Chronic Arsenic Exposure and Angiogenesis in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells via the ROS/miR-199a-5p/HIF-1a/COX-2 Pathway
Researchers utilized an in vitro model by transforming human lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells through long-term exposure to arsenic. They found that miR-199a-5p expression levels were more than 100-fold lower in arsenic-transformed cells than parental cells. [Environ Health Perspect] Abstract

Expression of Caveolin-1 and Podocalyxin in Rat Lungs Challenged with 2-kDa Macrophage-Activating Lipopeptide and Flt3L
Researchers examined the immunohistochemical expression of caveolin-1 and podocalyxin in lungs from rats challenged with a 2-kDa macrophage-activating lipopeptide and Fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor-3 ligand (Flt3L). Normal rat lungs expressed caveolin-1 in alveolar septa, vascular endothelium and airway epithelium, especially along the lateral borders of epithelial cells but not in alveolar macrophages. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

Chemoprotective Effect of Monoisoamyl 2, 3-Dimercaptosuccinate (MiADMS) on Cytokines Expression in Cadmium Chloride Treated Human Lung Cells
The chemoprotective effect of MiADMS was evaluated on viability and cytokines expression in CdCl₂ treated human lung A549 cells by cytokine array. The CdCl₂ caused a dose dependent decrease in cell viability, while MiADMS co-treatment resulted in a significant increase in viability of CdCl₂ treated cells. [Environ Toxicol] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Receptor-Interacting Protein 1 Increases Chemoresistance by Maintaining Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein Levels and Reducing Reactive Oxygen Species through a MicroRNA-146a-Mediated Catalase Pathway
Researchers found that in human lung cancer cells, knockdown of receptor-interacting protein 1 substantially increased cytotoxicity induced by frontline anticancer therapeutic cisplatin, which was associated with robust cellular reactive oxygen species accumulation and enhanced apoptosis. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

Inhibitory Effect of Dihydroaustrasulfone Alcohol on the Migration of Human Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma A549 Cells and the Antitumor Effect on a Lewis Lung Carcinoma-Bearing Tumor Model in C57BL/6J Mice
Researchers discovered that dihydroaustrasulfone alcohol provided a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the migration and motility of human non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cells by trans-well and wound healing assays. [Mar Drugs] Abstract | Full Article

Gambogenic Acid Kills Lung Cancer Cells through Aberrant Autophagy
Researchers found that gambogenic acid (GNA) could induce the formation of vacuoles, which was linked with autophagy in A549 and HeLa cells. Further studies revealed that GNA triggers the initiation of autophagy based on the results of MDC staining, AO staining, accumulation of LC3 II, activation of Beclin 1 and phosphorylation of P70S6K. [PLoS One] Full Article

Inhalable Microspheres Embedding Chitosan-Coated PLGA Nanoparticles for 2-Methoxyestradiol
Using soluble excipients as microspheres (MS) matrix, respirable MS embedding chitosan-coated poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (CNP-MS) for 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) were designed, which could avoid macrophage phagocytosis to achieve the targeted delivery of these drugs. CNP-MS markedly enhanced the cytotoxicity of 2-ME by approximately 8.8-fold and 3.65-fold on SPC-A1 cells compared to solution and NP, respectively. [J Drug Target] Abstract

Methylated +58CpG Site Decreases DCN mRNA Expression and Enhances TGF-ß/Smad Signaling in NSCLC Cells with High Metastatic Potential
The epigenetic mechanisms by which defective expression of decorin (DCN) causes cancer metastasis remain unclear. Researchers focused on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines with low metastatic potential and high metastatic potential, which share a similar genetic background. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Smoking Out Reproductive Hormone Actions in Lung Cancer
This review discusses the recent literature findings about the biology of the estrogen receptors, aromatase, and the progesterone receptor in lung cancer and highlights the ongoing clinical trials and future therapeutic implications of these findings. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pulmonary cell research field.

From our sponsor:
Pluripotent cell isolation for regenerative medicine. Request a free wallchart from Nature.

Insight Genetics Awarded New National Cancer Institute Contract to Identify Resistance Mutations in Lung Cancer Patients
Insight Genetics, Inc. announced it has received a new $1.5 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research contract from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). A continuation of a Phase I contract NCI awarded to Insight Genetics in 2011, the new contract will allow the company to continue its development of Insight ALK Resistance™, a diagnostic test that helps clinicians monitor their non-small cell lung cancer patients for resistance to their prescribed cancer therapy. [Insight Genetics, Inc.] Press Release

QIAGEN and Exosome Diagnostics to Develop First-in-Class, Non-Invasive Diagnostics for Key Genetic Biomarkers in Lung and Other Cancers
QIAGEN N.V. announced an expansion of its strategic partnership with Exosome Diagnostics Inc. to develop a first-in-class, non-invasive molecular in vitro diagnostics for use in diagnosing and monitoring patients. The novel blood based diagnostic detects certain mutations of an undisclosed gene associated with non-small cell lung cancer and other malignancies and has the potential to be paired with several new anticancer therapeutics. [QIAGEN N.V.] 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)

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

PhD Position – Grading CIN in the Mammary Gland (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Lung Development, Injury/Repair and Fibrosis (Mayo Clinic)

Clinical MD – Clinical Development Program for Oncology and Autoimmune Diseases (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Chief Medical Officer – Novel Therapeutics in Oncology and Autoimmune Disease (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor – Lung Biology or Pulmonary and Critical Care Diseases (Boston University School of Medicine & Boston Medical Center)

Associate Scientist II/Scientist I – Respiratory, Autoimmunity and Inflammation Research (MedImmune)

PhD Position – Genetics of Non-Smoker Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders (Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.