Pulmonary Cell News Volume 3.06 | Feb 20 2014

DeltaNp63 Has a Role in Maintaining Epithelial Integrity in Airway Epithelium
Investigators determined the expression pattern of the ΔN and TA isoforms of p63 and the role of p63 in the development and maintenance of pseudostratified lung epithelium in situ and in culture. [PLoS One] Full Article

Protease Activated Receptor-2 Expression and Function in Asthmatic Bronchial Smooth Muscle
Researchers evaluated the expression of protease activated receptor type-2 (PAR-2) in both asthmatic and non asthmatic bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) cells and analyzed the effect of prolonged stimulation of PAR-2 in asthmatic BSM cells on cell signaling and proliferation. [PLoS One] Full Article

Infection of Differentiated Airway Epithelial Cells from Caprine Lungs by Viruses of the Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex
To evaluate the susceptibility of caprine airway epithelial cells to infection by viruses of bovine respiratory disease complex, researchers established a culture system for differentiated caprine epithelial cells. [Vet Microbiol] Abstract

Roflumilast N-Oxide Inhibits Bronchial Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition Induced by Cigarette Smoke in Smokers with COPD
Researchers explored the effects of roflumilast N-oxide, a phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor on cigarette smoke extract-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition in well-differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells and in primary bronchial epithelial cells from smokers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in vitro. [Pulm Pharmacol Ther] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Reduced NF1 Expression Confers Resistance to EGFR Inhibition in Lung Cancer
Through a genome-wide siRNA screen in a human lung cancer cell line and analyses of murine mutant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-driven lung adenocarcinomas, investigators found that erlotinib resistance was associated with reduced expression of neurofibromin, the RAS GTPase activating protein encoded by the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene. [Cancer Discov] Abstract

Functional Epigenetics Approach Identifies BRM/SMARCA2 as a Critical Synthetic Lethal Target in BRG1-Deficient Cancers
Investigators systematically interrogated epigenetic cancer dependencies by screening an epigenome-focused deep-coverage design shRNA library across 58 cancer cell lines. [PNAS] Abstract

In-Depth Analysis Shows Synergy between Erlotinib and miR-34a
The authors investigated the relationship of miR-34a and erlotinib and determined the therapeutic activity of the combination in non-small lung cancer cells with primary and acquired erlotinib resistance. [PLoS One]
Full Article | Press Release

Involvement of RECK in Gambogic Acid Induced Anti-Invasive Effect in A549 Human Lung Carcinoma Cells
The authors investigated the regulatory effect of gambogic acid (GA) on reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) expression and the role of RECK in GA-induced anti-invasion in A549 human lung cancer cells. [Anticancer Agents Med Chem] Abstract

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TPL2 Signaling: From Toll-Like Receptors-Mediated ERK1/ERK2 Activation to Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease
The authors summarize the recent findings on protein kinase tumor progression locus 2 (TPL2) signaling and how TPL2 can contribute to the excessive inflammation found in cystic fibrosis. [Int J Biochem Cell Biol] Abstract

Biomarkers in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Confusing or Useful?
The field of biomarker research has almost reached unmanageable proportions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The knowledge emerging provides an enormous potential for understanding the disease pathophysiology, for developing markers specific for long-term outcomes, and for developing new therapeutic strategies. [Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis] Abstract

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Lilly Announces Ramucirumab Phase III Lung Cancer Trial Meets Primary Endpoint Of Overall Survival
Eli Lilly and Company announced that the REVEL trial, a global phase III study of ramucirumab in combination with chemotherapy in patients with second-line non-small cell lung cancer, showed a statistically significant improvement in the primary endpoint of overall survival in the ramucirumab-plus-docetaxel arm compared to the control arm of placebo plus docetaxel. [Eli Lilly and Company] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Novel Therapeutic Approaches to the Treatment of Lung Cancer (Sloan Kettering Institute)

PhD Graduate Program – Heart and Lung Research (Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Lung Cancer Genetics (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Research Associate (Assistant Professor) – Pulmonary Medicine (University of Chicago)

PhD Studentships in Pulmonary Medicine (University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center)

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Postdoctoral Position – Metabolomics of Pulmonary Medicine (Karolinska Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Role of Stem Cells in Chronic Lung Disease (MedImmune)

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

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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