Pulmonary Cell News Volume 3.37 | Sep 25 2014

Impaired TLR4 and HIF Expression in Cystic Fibrosis Bronchial Epithelial Cells Downregulates Hemeoxygenase-1 and Alters Iron Homeostasis In Vitro
Researchers investigated in vitro the role of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and iron on hemeoxygenase-1 expression in cystic fibrosis. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

Astaxanthin Inhibits Apoptosis in Alveolar Epithelial Cells Type II In Vivo and In Vitro through the ROS-Dependent Mitochondrial Signaling Pathway
Scientists investigated the antioxidative effects of astaxanthin against H₂O₂-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in alveolar epithelial cells type II in vivo and in vitro. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

Human MicroRNA-24 Modulates Highly Pathogenic Avian-Origin H5N1 Influenza A Virus Infection in A549 Cells by Targeting Secretory Pathway Furin
Researchers report that microRNA (miR)-24 and furin are differentially expressed in human A549 cells infected with highly pathogenic avian-origin influenza A H5N1. Using miR-24 mimics, they demonstrate a robust decrease in both furin mRNA level and intracellular furin activity in A549 cells. [J Gen Virol] Abstract

Environmental Particulate (PM2.5) Augments Stiffness-Induced Alveolar Epithelial Cell Mechanoactivation of Transforming Growth Factor Beta
Scientists explored the relationship between tissue stiffness and exposure to environmental stimuli in the activation of transforming growth factor (TGF)β. They hypothesized that exposure of alveolar type II (ATII) cells to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) would result in enhanced cell contractility, TGFβ activation, and subsequent changes to ATII cell phenotype. [PLoS One] Full Article

miR-135a Inhibition Protects A549 Cells from LPS-Induced Apoptosis by Targeting Bcl-2
Researchers hypothesized that certain microRNAs (miRNAs) may play deleterious or protective roles in acute lung injury via the regulation of Bcl-2. They confirmed that Bcl-2 is involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis in A549 cells and that miR-135a was markedly increased in LPS-challenged A549 cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Mycobacterium bovis BCG Promotes Tumor Cell Survival from Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Induced Apoptosis
Scientists explored the possible mechanism of M. bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-assisted tumorigenicity in type II epithelial cells, human lung adenocarcinoma A549 and other cancer cells. [Mol Cancer] Full Article

Inhibition of the JAK/STAT Pathway with Ruxolitinib Overcomes Cisplatin Resistance in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Scientists elucidated the roles of inhibition of related JAK/STAT pathways in regulating cytotoxicity induced by cisplatin in NSCLC cells. They treated five NSCLC cell lines with cisplatin alone or with cisplatin and Jak2 inhibitor (ruxolitinib) and assessed cell viability, expression of Jak2 and STAT3 and cell apoptosis. [Apoptosis] Abstract

Promotion of p53 Expression and Reactive Oxidative Stress Production Is Involved in Zerumbone-Induced Cisplatin Sensitization of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
The authors investigated the anticancer effects of zerumbone on non-small cell lung cancer cells and explored the involvement of p53 signaling. [Biochimie] Abstract

Thymoquinone Inhibits Proliferation and Invasion of Human Nonsmall-Cell Lung Cancer Cells via ERK Pathway
The authors investigated the effects of thymoquinone on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion as well as its underlying anti-metastatic mechanisms in A549 cells. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

MicroRNA-217 Functions as a Tumor Suppressor Gene and Correlates with Cell Resistance to Cisplatin in Lung Cancer
Researchers evaluated the function of microRNA (miR)-217 in lung cancer and investigate its effect on the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to cisplatin. The effects of miR-217 overexpression on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of SPC-A-1 and A549 cells were investigated. [Mol Cells] Abstract | Full Article

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

From our sponsor:
Looking for ALDH⁺ cancer stem cells? Watch a video to see how ALDEFLUOR™ can help.

Collaboration between CU Cancer Center and NantBioScience Targets Ral Protein
The University of Colorado Cancer Center announced a research collaboration with NantBioScience for the development and commercialization of anti-cancer agents designed to target the Ral protein, a cell signaling protein implicated in the growth and spread of cancer. [University of Colorado Cancer Center] Press Release

Heat Biologics Commences Patient Dosing in Phase II Study of Viagenpumatucel-L for the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Heat Biologics, Inc. announced that it has initiated dosing in its Phase II trial of Viagenpumatucel-L in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. [Heat Biologics, Inc.] 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.

NEW Investigator – Multiple Positions in Cellular & Molecular Medicine (Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute)

NEW PhD Studentship – Pediatric Respiratory Epidemiology (University of Bern)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – Pulmonary Research (University of Chicago)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cancer (Ohio State University)

Laboratory Head – Epithelial Cancer Program (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre)

Postdoctoral Research Trainee – Acute Lung Injury (University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Development of the Esophagus and Lung (University of Rochester Medical Center)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology Endoderm Lineages (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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.