Pulmonary Cell News Volume 3.08 | Mar 6 2014

Reactive Oxygen Species Contribute to Arsenic-Induced EZH2 Phosphorylation in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells and Lung Cancer Cells
Previous studies suggested that arsenic is able to induce serine 21 phosphorylation of the EZH2 protein through activation of JNK, STAT3, and Akt signaling pathways in the bronchial epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B. Here, scientists further demonstrated that reactive oxygen species were involved in the arsenic-induced protein kinase activation that leads to EZH2 phosphorylation. [Toxicol Appl Pharmacol] Abstract

Activation of P2RY11 and ATP Release by LXA₄ Restores the Airway Surface Liquid Layer and Epithelial Repair in Cystic Fibrosis
Researchers found that lipoxin A4 (LXA₄) induced an apical ATP release from non-cystic fibrosis (CF) and CF airway epithelial cell lines and CF primary cultures. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol] Abstract

Direct and Indirect Air Particle Cytotoxicity in Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells
The effect of urban air particles from Buenos Aires and residual oil fly ash a surrogate of ambient air pollution, their soluble fractions and conditioned media on A549 lung epithelial cells was examined. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract

Cytotoxicity and Gene Expression Profiling of Polyhexamethylene Guanidine Hydrochloride in Human Alveolar A549 Cells
This study was done to elucidate the putative cytotoxic effect of polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) and the PHMG-mediated altered gene expression in human alveolar epithelial A549 cells in vitro. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Serpins Promote Cancer Cell Survival and Vascular Co-Option in Brain Metastasis
Brain metastatic cells from lung cancer and breast cancer express high levels of anti-plasminogen activator serpins, including neuroserpin and serpin B2, to prevent plasmin generation and its metastasis-suppressive effects. [Cell]
Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

RIP1 Maintains DNA Integrity and Cell Proliferation by Regulating PGC-1a-Mediated Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation and Glycolysis
Loss of receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) in lung cancer cells suppressed peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? coactivator-1a (PGC-1a) expression, impairing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and accelerating glycolysis, resulting in spontaneous DNA damage and p53-mediated cell proliferation inhibition. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

Substrate Stiffness Regulates Filopodial Activities in Lung Cancer Cells
Researchers investigated the filopodial activities of human lung adenocarcinoma cells CL1-5 cultured on substrates of tunable stiffness using a novel platform. [PLoS One] Full Article

Cephalochromin Induces G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in A549 Human Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Inflicting Mitochondrial Disruption
The fungus-derived compound cephalochromin, isolated from the fermented broth of Cosmospora vilior YMJ89051501, shows growth-inhibitory and apoptotic activity against human lung cancer A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 2.8 µM at 48 hours. [J Nat Prod] Abstract

ARID1A Is Downregulated in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Regulates Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis
Researchers found that AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A) expression was lower in lung cancer cell lines than normal bronchial epithelial HBE cell line. They also explored the involvement of ARID1A in biological behavior of lung cancer cell lines. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

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Atopix Therapeutics Announces Positive Phase IIb Results for Once Daily OC459 in Asthma
Atopix Therapeutics Ltd announced the results of a Phase IIb asthma study with their lead compound OC459. [Press release from Atopix Therapeutics Ltd discussing research presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) 2014 Annual Meeting, San Diego] Press Release

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Genentech Provides Update on Phase III Study of Onartuzumab in People with Specific Type of Lung Cancer
Genentech announced that an independent data monitoring committee has recommended that the Phase III METLung study be stopped due to a lack of clinically meaningful efficacy. [Genentech, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Pulmonary Research (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)

NEW Junior Research Group Leader – Stem Cell Based Therapies for Lung Diseases (Hannover Medical School)

NEW PhD Student – Exposure of Lung Cells to Exhaust (Adolphe Merkle Institute)

NEW Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Small Cell Lung Cancer Circulating Tumor Cell Derived Explant Tumor Models (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

Senior Postdoctoral Position – Inflammation and Cell Death (INSERM)

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)

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

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

Postdoctoral Scholar – Molecular Mechanisms of Lung Cancer, Lung Regeneration and Lung Development (UCSF)

Postdoctoral Position – Metabolomics of Pulmonary Medicine (Karolinska Institute)

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

Research Technologist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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