Pulmonary Cell News Volume 5.15 | Apr 21 2016

DJ-1 Modulates Nrf2-Mediated Protection in Human Primary Alveolar Type II Cells in Smokers
Scientists isolated primary alveolar type II cells from de-identified organ donors whose lungs were not suitable for transplantation. They analyzed the cell injury obtained from non-smokers, moderate smokers and heavy smokers. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol] Abstract

Cigarette Smoke Induces Human Airway Epithelial Senescence via GDF15 Production
Researchers analyzed expression of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and cellular senescence markers in airway epithelial cells of current smokers and nonsmokers. They then determined the role of GDF15 in cigarette smoke-induced airway epithelial senescence by using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated-9 genome editing approach. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol] Abstract

Alteration of Canonical and Non-Canonical WNT-Signaling by Crystalline Silica in Human Lung Epithelial Cells
Researchers utilized pathway analysis to designate connections between genes altered by silica in WNT-signaling networks. They confirmed microarray findings by QRT-PCR and demonstrated both activation of canonical and down-regulation of non-canonical signaling in immortalized and primary human bronchial epithelial cells. [Toxicol Appl Pharmacol] Abstract

Diminished COX-2/PGE2-Mediated Antiviral Response Due to Impaired NOX/MAPK Signaling in G6PD-Knockdown Lung Epithelial Cells
The role of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) on the inflammatory response was determined in both scramble control and G6PD-knockdown A549 cells upon tumor necrosis factor-α stimulation. A decreased expression pattern of induced COX-2 and reduced production of downstream PGE2 occurred upon TNF-α stimulation in G6PD-kd A549 cells compared with scramble control A549 cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Replication of Bangladeshi H9N2 Avian Influenza Viruses Carrying Genes from H7N3 in Mammals
Researchers characterized H9N2 influenza viruses carrying internal genes from highly pathogenic H7N3 viruses, which were isolated from chickens or quail from live-bird markets in Bangladesh between 2010 and 2013. They studied their replication kinetics in normal human bronchoepithelial cells and swine tracheal and lung explants, which exhibit many features of the mammalian airway epithelium and serve as a mammalian host model. [Emerg Microbes Infect] Full Article

LUNG CANCER

Modulation of Membrane Properties of Lung Cancer Cells by Azurin Enhances the Sensitivity to EGFR-Targeted Therapy and Decreased β1 Integrin-Mediated Adhesion
Scientists demonstrated that azurin, an anticancer therapeutic protein originated from bacterial cells, controls the levels of integrin β1 and its appropriate membrane localization, impairing the intracellular signaling cascades downstream from these receptors and the invasiveness of cells. [Cell Cycle] Abstract

Oridonin Inhibits Gefitinib-Resistant Lung Cancer Cells by Suppressing EGFR/ERK/MMP-12 and CIP2A/Akt Signaling Pathways
Scientists investigated the antitumor activity and underlying mechanisms of oridonin. They demonstrated that this compound dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of the gefitinib-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells in vitro. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

HDAC6-Mediated EGFR Stabilization and Activation Restrict Cell Response to Sorafenib in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Overexpression of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) confers resistance to sorafenib in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Inhibition of HDAC6 with selective inhibitors synergizes with sorafenib to kill NSCLC cells via inhibition of sorafenib-mediated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway activation. [Med Oncol] Abstract

Activation of G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor Inhibits the Migration of Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Via IKK-β/NF-κB Signals
While there are limited data concerning the roles and effects of G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) on the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the authors revealed that the expression of GPER in NSCLC cells is obviously greater than that in lung fibroblast cell line MRC-5. [DNA Cell Biol] Abstract

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Mirna Therapeutics Announces Data Presentations
Mirna Therapeutics, Inc. announced the presentation of new preclinical data. Researchers reported results in two poster presentations from experiments demonstrating that the company’s lead microRNA therapeutic, MRX34, is synergistic with widely used cancer chemotherapies and next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors. [Press release from Mirna Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2016, New Orleans] Press Release

DelMar’s VAL-083 Demonstrates Promise in the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Ovarian Cancer
DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the company’s collaborators from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center presented new pre-clinical data supporting the promising potential of its lead anti-cancer product candidate, VAL-083, in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer. [Press release from DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2016, New Orleans] Press Release

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AbbVie, University of Chicago Collaborate to Advance Cancer Research
The University of Chicago and AbbVie have entered into a five-year collaboration agreement designed to improve the pace of discovery and advance medical research in oncology at both organizations. [The University of Chicago] Press Release

FDA Approves Gilotrif^® (Afatinib) as New Oral Treatment Option for Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung
Boehringer Ingelheim announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a supplemental New Drug Application for Gilotrif^® tablets for the treatment of patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung whose disease has progressed after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy. [Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH] Press Release

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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Postdoctoral Fellow – Cell Biology (University of Chicago)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Cancer Research (University of Leicester)

Faculty Positions – Basic or Translational Research (Cleveland Clinic)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Pancreatic and Lung Cancer (University of California – San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Cancer Research (National University of Singapore)

PhD Studentships – Cancer Research (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Genomics (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Positions – Tissue Repair/Inflammation (Institut Pasteur)

Postdoctoral Position or Research Scientist – Mucosal Immunology (Qu Biologics)

Faculty Positions – Cancer Research (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center)

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

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