Pulmonary Cell News Volume 5.04 | Feb 4 2016

p300/β-Catenin Interactions Regulate Adult Progenitor Cell Differentiation Downstream of Wnt5a/Protein Kinase C (PKC)
Focusing primarily on alveolar epithelial type II cells, progenitors of distal lung epithelium, researchers identified a novel axis whereby PKC signaling regulates specific β-catenin-co-activator interactions to promote adult progenitor cell differentiation. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Integrated Long Non-Coding RNA Analyses Identify Novel Regulators of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in the Mouse Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Investigators established a mouse model of pulmonary injury and progressive interstitial fibrosis via intraperitoneal injection of paraquat, a widely used herbicide known to cause pulmonary fibrosis in human. Using transcriptome sequencing and microarray analysis, they profiled expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and identified 513 up-regulated and 204 down-regulated lncRNAs in paraquat-induced fibrotic lung tissues. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

LUNG CANCER

Inhibition of MUC1-C Suppresses MYC Expression and Attenuates Malignant Growth in KRAS Mutant Lung Adenocarcinomas
Scientists demonstrated that MUC1-C induces MYC expression in KRAS mutant non-small cell lung cancer cells, an effect that can be suppressed by targeting MUC1-C via shRNA silencing, CRISPR editing, or pharmacological inhibition with GO-203. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Oncogenic Fusion Gene CD74-NRG1 Confers Cancer Stem Cell–Like Properties in Lung Cancer through a IGF2 Autocrine/Paracrine Circuit
The authors found that the expression of the CD74-Neuregulin1 (NRG1) fusion gene increased the population of lung cancer cells with cancer stem cell-like properties. CD74-NRG1 expression facilitated sphere formation not only of cancer cells, but also of nonmalignant lung epithelial cells. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Combined Effects of Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid and Cisplatin on Radiation Sensitivity and Cancer Cell Invasion in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Scientists examined the effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and cisplatin on DNA damage repairs, and determined the combination effects of SAHA and cisplatin on human non-small-cell lung cancer cells in response to treatment of ionizing radiation, and on tumor growth of lung cancer H460 xenograft receiving radiotherapy. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Enhanced Gefitinib-Induced Repression of the EGFR Pathway by ATM Kinase Inhibition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Investigators found that the combination of an Ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) inhibitor, KU55933, and an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib, resulted in synergistic cell growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines carrying the sensitive EGFR mutation. [Cancer Sci] Abstract

Evaluation of Role of Notch3 Signaling Pathway in Human Lung Cancer Cells
The authors evaluated Notch3 expression in different types of human lung cancer cells. Notch3 was detected in human lung cancer cell lines and in tissues. [J Cancer Res Clin Oncol] Abstract

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Pulmatrix Initiates European Pilot Bioequivalence Study of PUR0200 for COPD
Pulmatrix, Inc. reported that enrollment is underway in the company’s European pilot bioequivalence study of PUR0200, a proprietary iSPERSE™ (Inhaled Small Particles Easily Respirable and Emitted) engineered dry powder formulation of a marketed long acting muscarinic antagonist bronchodilator for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). [Pulmatrix, Inc.] Press Release

Mersana Therapeutics and Takeda Expand Partnership to Advance Development of Fleximer^® Antibody-Drug Conjugates and XMT-1522
Mersana Therapeutics and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited announced that they have entered a new strategic partnership granting Takeda rights to Mersana’s lead product candidate, XMT-1522, outside the United States and Canada. [Mersana Therapeutics] Press Release

Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation Launches Second Phase of $180,000 Clinical Trial Innovation Prize
The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation launched the second phase of the Clinical Trial Innovation Prize, a unique crowdsourcing challenge that identifies innovative ways to increase cancer patient enrollment in clinical trials. The goal of the challenge is to produce breakthroughs that will double the patient accrual rate of clinical trials evaluating interventions in the diagnosis and treatment of all cancers. [Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

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NEW Research Associate – Lung Homeostasis, Regeneration and Injury Repair (University of Cambridge)

NEW PhD Student Position – Asthma Research (Karolinska Institutet)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Lung Cancer Research (German Cancer Research Center)

Project Scientist – Pulmonary Fibrosis (Cedars Sinai Medical Center)

PhD and MD/PhD Positions – Translational Pulmonary Medicine (Helmholtz Association)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Bioinformatics RNA Biology & Cancer (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Associate – Cancer Therapy (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Director Clinical Research – Medical Oncology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Immunology (Research Centre for Respiratory Diseases)

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