Pulmonary Cell News Volume 3.20 | May 29 2014

Abnormal n-6 Fatty Acid Metabolism in Cystic Fibrosis Is Caused by Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase
Using cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelial cell culture models, scientists confirmed elevated activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in cystic fibrosis cells and showed that it is due to increased phosphorylation of AMPK by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β. [J Lipid Res] Abstract | Full Article

Silica Nanoparticles Induce Cytokine Responses in Lung Epithelial Cells through Activation of a p38/TACE/TGF-α/EGFR-Pathway and NF-κΒ Signaling
Researchers indicated that 50 nm silica nanoparticle-induced interleukin-6 and CXCL8 responses in BEAS-2B cells were regulated through combined activation of several pathways, including nuclear factor-kappa Β (NF-κΒ) and p38/tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme (TACE)/transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α)/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. [Toxicol Appl Pharmacol] Abstract

Effect of Hexavalent Chromium on Histone Biotinylation in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells
Histone acetylation and histone biotinylation were studied in detail using human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells as an in vitro model after hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) treatment. Researchers showed that Cr(VI) treatment decreased histone acetylation level in 16HBE cells. [Toxicol Lett] Abstract

Montelukast Suppresses Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition of Bronchial Epithelial Cells Induced by Eosinophils
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition induced was assessed using a co-culture system of human bronchial epithelial cells and human eosinophils or the eosinophilic leukemia cell lines, Eol-1. Montelukast inhibited co-culture associated morphological changes of BEAS-2b cells, decreased the expression of vimentin and collagen I, and increased the expression of E-cadherin. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Vimentin Regulates Lung Cancer Cell Adhesion through a VAV2-Rac1 Pathway to Control Focal Adhesion Kinase Activity
Researchers used an unbiased phosphoproteomics screen in lung cancer cell lines to discover cell motility proteins that show significant changes in phosphorylation upon vimentin depletion. [Oncogene] Abstract

Benzo(a)Pyrene Promotes A549 Cell Migration and Invasion through Up-Regulating Twist
The levels of Twist protein expression and mRNA expression were increased with the treatment of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), compared with a solvent control. The capability of wound healing of A549 cells was increased in the BaP-treated group, compared with the solvent control. BaP enhanced the capability of invasion of A549 cells. [Arch Toxicol] Abstract

Identification of Stem-Like Cells in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells with Specific Peptides
Lung cancer stem cells (CSCs)/cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) were enriched by sphere-forming assay. Screening and selection of specific binding peptides for lung CSCs/CSLCs were performed with bacterial surface display method. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Reversal of Multidrug Resistance In Vitro and In Vivo by 5-N-Formylardeemin, a New Ardeemin Derivative
Scientists developed a brand new synthetic ardeemin derivative, 5-N-formylardeemin, and investigated the activity of which in reversing multidrug resistance (MDR) in MDR cancer cell lines derived from human breast cancer or lung cancer. [Apoptosis] Abstract

Gigantol, a Bibenzyl from Dendrobium draconis, Inhibits the Migratory Behavior of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Researchers demonstrate that gigantol suppresses the migratory behavior of non-small cell lung cancer H460 cells. [J Nat Prod] Abstract

Targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer
The authors focus on recent preclinical and clinical data on the efficacy of PI3K pathway inhibitors in non small cell lung cancer either as monotherapy approach or in combination with chemotherapy or with drugs that target other signaling transduction pathways. [Biochem Pharmacol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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Bristol-Myers Squibb and CytomX Therapeutics Announce Worldwide Collaboration to Develop Probody™ Therapeutics against Multiple Immuno-Oncology Targets
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and CytomX Therapeutics, Inc. announced the companies have signed a worldwide research collaboration and license agreement to discover, develop and commercialize novel therapies against multiple immuno-oncology targets using CytomX’s proprietary Probody™ Platform. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release

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Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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PhD Position – Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in the Lung and During Activation of Lung Fibroblasts (University of Bath)

Junior Research Group Leader Position – Cell-Derived Therapeutics in Chronic Lung Disease (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Lung Biology and Genomics (Harvard University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Allergic Lung Inflammation (Singapore Immunology Network)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Malignant Progression of Lung Cancer (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Research Fellow – Pulmonary Cancer (Mayo Clinic – Rochester)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Metabolomics of Pulmonary Medicine (Karolinska Institute)

Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – hPSC (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

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

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