Neutrophil Elastase Differentially Regulates IL-8 and VEGF Production by Cigarette Smoke Extract Researchers studied the effect of neutrophil elastase on cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced IL-8 and VEGF production, and its molecular mechanism in bronchial epithelial cells. CSE increased both IL-8 and VEGF productions in human bronchial epithelial cells. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article Pim1 Kinase Activity Preserves Airway Epithelial Integrity upon House Dust Mite Exposure Investigators hypothesized that Pim1 kinase activity attenuates HDM-induced asthma by preserving airway epithelial integrity. The effects of Pim1 kinase activity on barrier function and release of the pro-inflammatory mediators IL-1α and CCL20 were studied in vitro in 16HBE and primary bronchial epithelial cells. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract CCL20 and Beta-Defensin 2 Production by Human Lung Epithelial Cells and Macrophages in Response to Brucella abortus Infection The authors showed that B. abortus induces CCL20 expression in human alveolar or bronchial epithelial cell lines, primary alveolar epithelial cells, primary human monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages and the monocytic cell line THP-1. [PLoS One] Full Article Budesonide Inhibits Intracellular Infection with Non-Typable Haemophilus influenzae Despite Its Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Respiratory Cells and Human Lung Tissue: A Role for p38 MAP Kinase Scientists investigated the effects of budesonide (BUD) on non-typable H. influenzae-induced inflammation and invasive infection. The alveolar epithelial cell line A549 and specimens of human lung tissue were used. Intracellular infection was determined by a lysis/culture assay of infected cells. [Respiration] Abstract Retinoic Acid-Inducible Gene-I-Like Receptor (RLR)-Mediated Antiviral Innate Immune Responses in the Lower Respiratory Tract: Roles of TRAF3 and TRAF5 Epithelial cells of the lower respiratory tract can be roughly divided into two groups: bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) and pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (AECs). Scientists hypothesized that these cells may play different roles in antiviral innate immunity. They found that BECs exhibited higher antiviral activity than AECs. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract LUNG CANCER Aberrantly Expressed miR-582-3p Maintains Lung Cancer Stem Cell-Like Traits by Activating Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling miR-582-3p promotes cancer stem cell traits of non-small cell lung carcinoma cells in vitro and tumorigenesis and tumor recurrence in vivo. Antagonizing miR-582-3p potently inhibits tumor initiation and progression in xenografted animal models. [Nat Commun] Full Article Identification of Up- and Down-Regulated Proteins in Pemetrexed-Resistant Human Lung Adenocarcinoma: Flavin Reductase and Calreticulin Play Key Roles in the Development of Pemetrexed-Associated Resistance Investigators used a pair of lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, A549 and the pemetrexed-resistant A549/PEM cells, as a model to monitor resistance-dependent cellular responses and identify potential therapeutic targets. [J Proteome Res] Abstract Direct Regulation of TGFβ-Induced EMT by the Protein Phosphatase Activity of Unphosphorylated PTEN in Lung Cancer Cells By using lung cancer cells carrying PTEN domain deletions or point mutants, researchers investigated the role of PTEN protein phosphatase activities on TGFβ-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in lung cancer cells. [Cancer Sci] Abstract Galectin-3 Modulates the EGFR Signaling-Mediated Regulation of Sox2 Expression via c-Myc in Lung Cancer Galectin-3 facilitated EGF receptor (EGFR) activation and enhanced the sphere formation activity of lung cancer cells. Furthermore, galectin-3 promoted Sox2 expression in an EGFR activation-dependent manner. [Glycobiology] Abstract |