Pulmonary Cell News Volume 4.07 | Feb 26 2015

Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Induced Bleb-Niche Formation in Epithelial Cells Is Independent of Actinomyosin Contraction and Enhanced by Loss of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane-Conductance Regulator Osmoregulatory Function
Scientists examined mechanisms for P. aeruginosa-induced bleb formation, focusing on its relationship to apoptosis and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane-conductance regulator (CFTR). Cells with defective CFTR displayed enhanced bleb formation upon infection, as demonstrated using bronchial epithelial cells from a patient with cystic fibrosis and a CFTR inhibitor, CFTR(Inh)-172. [MBio] Full Article

Involvement of Urokinase in Cigarette Smoke Extract-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Small Airway Epithelial Cells
Researchers studied the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) regulation in cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human small airway epithelial cell lines. uPA was overexpressed in the small airway epithelium of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and CSE-treated cell lines. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Direct Contact between Dendritic Cells and Bronchial Epithelial Cells Inhibits T Cell Recall Responses towards Mite and Pollen Allergen Extracts In Vitro
Using an in vitro co-culture model of the airway epithelium, where a polarized cell layer of bronchial epithelial cells can interact with dendritic cells, scientists investigated recall T cell responses in allergic patients sensitized to house dust mite, grass, and birch pollen. [Clin Exp Immunol] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Combinatorial Action of MicroRNAs let-7 and miR-34 Effectively Synergizes with Erlotinib to Suppress Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Proliferation
Scientists examined the ability of two tumor suppressor microRNAs (miRNAs), let-7b and miR-34a to sensitize KRAS;TP53 mutant non-small cell lung cancer cells to the action of erlotinib. Treatment with these miRNAs, individually or in combination, resulted in synergistic potentiation of the anti-proliferative effects of erlotinib. [Cell Cycle] Abstract

Cyclic AMP Signaling Reduces Sirtuin 6 Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Promoting Ubiquitin-Proteasomal Degradation via Inhibition of the Raf-MEK-ERK Pathway
Researchers examined the effects of cAMP signaling on sirtuin 6 expression and radiation-induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells. cAMP signaling in H1299 and A549 human non-small cell lung cancer cells was activated via the expression of constitutively active Gαs plus treatment with prostaglandin E2, isoproterenol, or forskolin. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Trametinib with or without Vemurafenib in BRAF Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Investigators found that the combination of vemurafenib and erlotinib was not synergistic to the inhibition of p-ERK signaling in BRAF-V600E cells. Vemurafenib caused significant apoptosis, G1 arrest and upregulation of BIM in BRAF-V600 cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Anticancer Effects of Adenovirus-Mediated Calreticulin and Melanoma-Associated Antigen 3 Expression on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Researchers examined the effect of adenovirus-mediated melanoma-associated antigen 3 and/or calreticulin expression on the proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of human non-small cell lung cancer cells and on the vascular tube formation of human endothelial cells as well as on dendritic cell activation and induced CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity in vitro. [Int Immunopharmacol] Abstract

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.

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Announces Initiation of Phase III Clinical Trial Program for SUN-101/eFlow^® (Glycopyrrolate) in Moderate-to-Very Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced the start of enrolment for the Phase III clinical trial program for SUN-101 inhalation solution delivered through the innovative investigational eFlow^® nebulizer system (SUN-101/eFlow®) from PARI Pharma GmbH. SUN-101/eFlow® is being investigated for the twice-daily maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. [Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.] Press Release

OncoGenex and Sarah Cannon Announce Completion of Patient Enrolment in the Spruce™ Clinical Trial Evaluating Apatorsen in Combination with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed in Patients with Advanced Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sarah Cannon announced that patient enrolment has been completed in the Spruce™ clinical trial, an investigator-sponsored, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase II trial evaluating apatorsen in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed in patients with previously untreated, advanced, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer. [OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, 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.

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.)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Biology (Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research)

Research Fellow – Allergic Airway Disease and Pulmonary Inflammation (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

Director – Vector Production (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

Senior Process Development Engineer (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

PhD Studentships – Molecular Imaging and Sensing of Lung Inflammation, Infection and Regeneration (University of Edinburgh)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Lung Cancer Development and Progression (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cystic Fibrosis Research (University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation Governing Cancer Cell Behavior (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Wnt Signaling in Development and Disease (Van Andel Research Institute)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 60,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.