Impact Assessment of Cigarette Smoke Exposure on Organotypic Bronchial Epithelial Tissue Cultures: A Comparison of Mono-Culture and Co-Culture Model Containing Fibroblasts Scientists report the impact of whole cigarette smoke (CS) exposure on organotypic mono- and co-culture models to evaluate the relevancy of organotypic models for toxicological assessment of aerosols. Two organotypic bronchial models were directly exposed to low and high concentrations of CS of the reference research cigarette 3R4F: mono-culture of bronchial epithelial cells without fibroblasts and co-culture with fibroblasts models. [Toxicol Sci] Abstract A Responsive Human Triple-Culture Model of the Air-Blood Barrier: Incorporation of Different Macrophage Phenotypes Scientists developed three different polarized macrophage models using a mixture of differentiation mediators. To test their immunological impact, these distinct macrophage phenotypes were seeded on to the epithelial layer of an established in vitro air-blood barrier co-culture, consisting of alveolar epithelial cells A549 or H441 and microvascular endothelial cells ISO-HAS-1 on the opposite side of a Transwell filter-membrane. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Full Article Comparison between Ultrafine and Fine Particulate Matter Collected in Lebanon: Chemical Characterization, In Vitro Cytotoxic Effects and Metabolizing Enzymes Gene Expression in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells The authors showed that ultrafine particles (UFP) caused earlier alterations of mitochondrial metabolism and membrane integrity from the lowest concentrations. Moreover, a significant induction of CYP1A1, CYP1B1 and AhRR genes expression was showed after cells exposure to UFP organic extract and to a lesser extent to water-UFP suspension and fine particles samples. [Environ Pollut] Abstract Integrated Analysis of MicroRNA and mRNA Expression Profiles Highlights Aldehyde-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Cells Relevant for Lung Toxicity Investigators analyzed the whole genome microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA expression profiles of human alveolar epithelial cells exposed to three aldehydes to identify aldehyde-sensitive miRNAs and to characterize the relationships between miRNAs and the expression of candidate cytokine-related genes, which are activated in response to inflammatory signals. [Toxicology] Abstract Evaluation of an Air-Liquid Interface Cell Culture Model for Studies on the Inflammatory and Cytotoxic Responses to Tobacco Smoke Aerosols In this study bronchial epithelial cells were cultured on semi-permeable membranes, raised to the air-liquid interface and the robustness and sensitivity of the cells to tobacco whole smoke and vapor phase assessed. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract Infection of A549 Human Type II Epithelial Cells with Mycobacterium tuberculosis Induces Changes in Mitochondrial Morphology, Distribution and Mass that Are Dependent on the Early Secreted Antigen, ESAT-6 Scientists used Mitotracker Red® to assess changes in mitochondrial morphology/distribution and mass from 6 to 48 hour post infection by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry in M. tuberculosis-infected A549 type II alveolar epithelial cells. [Microbes Infect] Full Article LUNG CANCER MAP3K3 Expression in Tumor Cells and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Is Correlated with Favorable Patient Survival in Lung Cancer MAP3K3 is involved in both the immune response and in tumor progression. Its potential biological role in vitro in lung cancer cell lines and the association of mRNA/protein expression patterns with clinical outcome of primary lung tumors were investigated. [Sci Rep] Full Article MicroRNA-19 Triggers Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Lung Cancer Cells Accompanied by Growth Inhibition Scientists found that enforced expression of miR-19 including miR-19a and miR-19b-1 triggered epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lung cancer cells A549 and HCC827 as shown by mesenchymal-like morphological conversion, downregulation of epithelial proteins, upregulation of mesenchymal proteins, formation of stress fibers, and reduced cell adhesion. [Lab Invest] Abstract Human Bronchial Epithelial BEAS-2B Cells, an Appropriate In Vitro Model to Study Heavy Metals Induced Carcinogenesis The authors showed that short-term exposure of BEAS-2B cells to arsenic III or chromium VI was able to activate both p53 and p21. Chronic exposure of BEAS-2B cells to these two metals caused malignant cell transformation and tumorigenesis. [Toxicol Appl Pharmacol] Abstract Elevated Expression of TGIF Is Involved in Lung Carcinogenesis Researchers explored the expression of TG-interacting factor (TGIF) in lung carcinogenesis. They observed significantly higher levels of TGIF mRNA and protein in A549 and H1299 cell lines than that in 16HBE cells. [Tumor Biol] Abstract Sulphur Alters NFκB-p300 Cross-Talk in Favor of p53-p300 to Induce Apoptosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Investigators evaluated the antitumorigenic activity of sulphur, and delineated the molecular mechanisms underlying sulphur-induced apoptosis in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. [Int J Oncol] Abstract |