Translocation of Gold Nanoparticles across the Lung Epithelial Tissue Barrier: Combining In Vitro and In Silico Methods to Substitute In Vivo Experiments A novel two-step approach to assess the biokinetics of inhaled nanoparticles (NPs) is presented. In a first step, alveolar epithelial cellular monolayers at the air-liquid interface were exposed to aerosolized NPs to determine their translocation kinetics across the epithelial tissue barrier. [Part Fibre Toxicol] Full Article miR-16 Rescues F508del-CFTR Function in Native Cystic Fibrosis Epithelial Cells Scientists report that a microRNA (miR)-16 mimic can effectively rescue F508del-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein function in airway cell lines and primary cultures, of differentiated human bronchial epithelia from F508del homozygotes, which express mutant CFTR endogenously. [Gene Ther] Abstract Shp-2 Contributes to Anti-RSV Activity in Human Pulmonary Alveolar Epithelial Cells by Interfering with the IFN-α-Induced Jak/Stat1 Pathway Researchers investigated the role of src homology phosphotyrosyl phosphatase 2 (Shp-2) in the host cell interactions of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). They report significant changes in the expression of Shp-2 in human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells upon RSV infection. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article Upregulation of TMEM16A Protein in Bronchial Epithelial Cells by Bacterial Pyocyanin In cultured human bronchial epithelial cells, treatment with pyocyanin or with a P. aeruginosa culture supernatant caused a significant increase in TMEM16A function. [PLoS One] Full Article Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Induce Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Autophagic Cell Death via Mitochondria-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Disruption in Normal Lung Cells Human bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to 50 and 100 μg/mL titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NP) for 24 and 48 hours. Scientists showed that TiO2-NP induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in the cells and disrupted the mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes and calcium ion balance, thereby increasing autophagy. [PLoS One] Full Article Autophagy Regulates Hyperoxia-Induced Intracellular Accumulation of Surfactant Protein C in Alveolar Type II Cells Using neonatal rat BPD model and MLE-12, mouse alveolar epithelial type II cell, researchers examined the changes of surfactant protein C (SP-C) levels during hyperoxia. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and ELISA analysis showed SP-C accumulation in alveolar epithelial type II cells. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract LUNG CANCER MicroRNA-148a Reduces Tumorigenesis and Increases TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis in NSCLC The authors showed that microRNA (miR)-148a is down-regulated in cells with acquired TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-resistance compared with TRAIL-sensitive cells. Enforced expression of miR-148a sensitized cells to TRAIL and reduced lung tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo through the down-modulation of matrix metalloproteinase 15 and Rho-associated kinase 1. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract LKB1 Deficiency Enhances Sensitivity to Energetic Stress Induced by Erlotinib Treatment in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Cells Investigators tested the hypothesis that loss of tumor suppressor serine/threonine kinase 11 (LKB1) sensitizes NSCLC cells to energetic stress induced by treatment with erlotinib. LKB1-deficient cells exhibited enhanced sensitivity to erlotinib in vitro and in vivo that was associated with alterations in energy metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction. [Oncogene] Abstract KLF4 Regulates Adult Lung Tumor-Initiating Cells and Represses K-Ras-Mediated Lung Cancer To understand the role of Krüppel-like Factor 4 (KLF4) in the lung, researchers generated a tamoxifen-induced Klf4 knockout mouse model. They found that KLF4 inhibits lung cancer cell growth and that depletion of Klf4 altered the differentiation pattern in the developing lung. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract SMO Gene Amplification and Activation of the Hedgehog Pathway as Novel Mechanisms of Resistance to Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Drugs in Human Lung Cancer Since Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has emerged as an important mediator of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, scientists studied the activation of Hh signaling in models of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors intrinsic or acquired resistance from both EGFR mutated and wild-type non small cell lung cancer cell lines. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract Sodium/Iodide Symporter Gene Transfection Increases Radionuclide Uptake in Human Cisplatin-Resistant Lung Cancer Cells The authors assessed the role of sodium/iodide symporter in radioactive technetium and radioactive iodine uptake by the A549/DDP human cisplatin-resistant lung cancer cell line. [Clin Transl Oncol] Abstract |