Pulmonary Cell News Volume 4.10 | Mar 19 2015

Epithelial Cell Mitochondrial Dysfunction and PINK1 Are Induced by Transforming Growth Factor- Beta1 in Pulmonary Fibrosis
Investigators sought to determine the function of mitochondria and their clearance (mitophagy) in alveolar epithelial cell death and fibrosis. [PLoS One] Full Article

Hypoxia Down-Regulates Expression of Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor in Bronchial Epithelial Cells via TGF-β1
Scientists investigated the role of hypoxia on secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) production from the airway epithelium. Primary human bronchial epithelial cells were grown in sub-immersed cultures or as differentiated epithelium in air liquid interface cultures. Hypoxia decreased the constitutive production of SLPI by bronchial epithelial cells. [BMC Pulm Med] Abstract | Full Article

Influenza A Virus PB1-F2 Is Involved in Regulation of Cellular Redox State in Alveolar Epithelial Cells
Researchers investigated the possible involvement of the key virulence factor PB1-F2 in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and its contribution to the viral propagation and cell death. The key virulence factor PB1-F2 was found to be responsible, at least in part, for the ROS generation through lowering the superoxide anion dismutase 1 level in alveolar epithelial A549 cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Enriched Inorganic Compounds in Diesel Exhaust Particles Induce Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation, Cytoskeleton Instability, and Cytotoxicity in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells
Scientists assessed the effects of the diesel exhaust particles on ERK and JNK MAPKs activation, cell rheology (viscoelasticity), and cytotoxicity in bronchial epithelial airway cells. [Exp Toxicol Pathol] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor 5 Increases Lung Cancer Cell Tumorigenesis via MMP-2 and CyclinD1 Upregulation
Researchers elucidated the role of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 5 (ARHGEF5) in tumorigenesis of lung adenocarcinoma cells. ARHGEF5 knockdown by RNAi resulted in dramatically reduced proliferation, adhesion, invasion, and migratory capability of A549 and NCI-H1650 cells. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

MicroRNA-223 Delivered by Platelet-Derived Microvesicles Promotes Lung Cancer Cell Invasion via Targeting Tumor Suppressor EPB41L3
Scientists explored the role of microRNA-223 (miR-223) derived from platelets in modulating lung cancer cell invasion. Incubation of human lung cancer A549 cells with platelet-secreted microvesicles resulted in rapid delivery of miR-223 into A549 cells, in which platelet miR-223 targeted EPB41L3 and thus promoted A549 cell invasion. [Mol Cancer] Abstract

Induction of p53-Independent Growth Inhibition in Lung Carcinoma Cell A549 by Gypenosides
Scientists investigated antiproliferative effect and mechanisms of bioactive compounds from Gynostemma pentaphyllum on lung carcinoma cell line A549. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein β Is Dispensable for Development of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Researchers investigated whether C/EBPβ is required for normal lung development and whether its aberrant expression and/or activity contribute to lung tumorigenesis. They showed that C/EBPβ was expressed in both human normal pneumocytes and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. [PLoS One] Full Article

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

Fred Hutch Unleashes Powerful Databases with Launch of Argos
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in conjunction with LabKey Software, has developed and launched Argos, an application that provides the interface and analytical power that researchers and clinicians will use to search for important patterns in cancer development, progression and treatment response. [Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center] Press Release

AstraZeneca Announces Positive Phase III Top-Line Results for PT003 from PINNACLE 1 and PINNACLE 2 Studies in COPD
AstraZeneca announced positive top-line results from the Phase III PINNACLE program, which included two pivotal 24-week studies to investigate the potential of PT003 to improve lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). [AstraZeneca] Press Release

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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.)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Mechanisms of Pulmonary Fibrosis (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)

PhD Studentship – Mouse Models of Asthma (University of Queensland)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Molecular Mechanisms of Lung Cancer, Lung Regeneration and Lung Development (University of California, San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Fibrotic Lung Disease (University of California, San Diego)

Director – Vector Production (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

Senior Process Development Engineer (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

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

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