Pulmonary Cell News Volume 3.43 | Nov 6 2014

NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Mitochondrial ROS in Bronchial Epithelial Cells Is Required for Allergic Inflammation
NecroX-5 reduced the increase of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in airway inflammatory cells, as well as bronchial epithelial cells, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB, increased expression of various inflammatory mediators and pathophysiological features of allergic asthma in mice. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Suppression of Influenza A Virus Replication in Human Lung Epithelial Cells by Non-Cytotoxic Concentrations Bafilomycin A1
Scientists assessed the anti-viral activity of Bafilomycin A₁ (Baf-A₁) at different concentrations in human alveolar epithelial cells infected with influenza A virus (IAV) strain A/PR/8/34. They found that Baf-A₁ had disparate concentration-dependent effects on subcellular organelles and suppressed affected IAV replication. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

A MicroRNA Network Dysregulated in Asthma Controls IL-6 Production in Bronchial Epithelial Cells
Investigators found that microRNAs -18a, -27a, -128 and -155 are down-regulated in asthmatic bronchial epithelial cells, compared to cells from healthy donors. [PLoS One] Full Article

Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Modulates Human Airway Sensitization Induced by β₂-Adrenoceptor Stimulation
Bronchial rings and primary cultures of bronchial epithelial cells were incubated with fenoterol. The effects of inhibitors/blockers of wingless/integrated (Wnt) signaling on the fenoterol-induced airway sensitization were examined and the impact of fenoterol exposure on the mRNA expression of genes interacting with Wnt signaling or cAMP-PKA cascade was assessed in complete bronchi and in cultured epithelial cells. [PLoS One]
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LUNG CANCER

TGF-β Regulates the Proliferation of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells by Inhibiting PIK3R3 Expression
Scientists show that an isoform of class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PIK3R3) expression was regulated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling and that PIK3R3 mediated the TGF-β-induced inhibition of lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

Isoliquiritigenin Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Xenograft Tumor Growth of Human Lung Cancer Cells by Targeting Both Wildtype and L858R/T790M Mutant EGFR
Researchers investigated the effects of isoliquiritigenin (ILQ) on the growth of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-sensitive and -resistant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and elucidated its underlying mechanisms. Treatment with ILQ inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in both TKI-sensitive and -resistant NSCLC cells. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Estrogen Upregulates MICA/B Expression in Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer through the Regulation of ADAM17
Scientists measured the mRNA levels of MICA, MICB and ADAM17 in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines treated with estrogen. They demonstrate that both mRNA and secretory protein levels of MICA/B in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines were upregulated by estradiol. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

In Vitro Synergistic Antitumor Efficacy of Sequentially Combined Chemotherapy/Icotinib in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines
Researchers investigated the optimal schedule of the combined treatment of cisplatin/paclitaxel and icotinib in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines and clarify the underlying mechanisms. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

Flavonoids from Gynostemma pentaphyllum Exhibit Differential Induction of Cell Cycle Arrest in H460 and A549 Cancer Cells
Flavonoids were extracted from G. pentaphyllum and their potential growth inhibition effects against H460 non-small cell lung cancer cells was explored and compared to that on A549 cells. [Molecules]
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Scientists Trigger Self-Destruct Switch in Lung Cancer Cells
Scientists have found a drug combination that can trigger the self-destruct process in lung cancer cells – paving the way for new treatments. [Press release from Cancer Research UK discussing research to be presented at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference, Liverpool] Press Release | Poster Abstract

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Exelixis Announces Positive Top-Line Results from a Phase II Trial of Cabozantinib and Erlotinib in Patients with EGFR Wild-Type Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Exelixis, Inc. announced positive top-line results from a randomized Phase II trial of cabozantinib and erlotinib alone or in combination as second- or third-line therapy in patients with stage IV EGFR wild-type non-small cell lung cancer. [Exelixis, Inc.] Press Release

LUNGevity Foundation Issues Requests for Applications for 2015 Career Development and Team-Based Awards for Translational Research
LUNGevity has issued three requests for applications for translational research for the following awards that will be granted in 2015: Career Development Awards, Early Detection Awards, and Targeted Therapeutics Awards. [LUNGevity Foundation (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release | Application Details

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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)

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NEW PhD Students – Heart and Lung Research (Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research)

NEW Clinical Fellowships – Targeting αvβ6 in Lung Cancer (Queen Mary University of London)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Lung Pathophysiology (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

PhD Positions – Cardiovascular-Pulmonary Science (Chonbuk National University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Metabolomics of Pulmonary Medicine (Karolinska Institute)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

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.)

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