Epigenetic Silencing of miR-218 by the lncRNA CCAT1, Acting via BMI1, Promotes an Altered Cell Cycle Transition in the Malignant Transformation of HBE Cells Induced by Cigarette Smoke Extract Cigarette smoke extract caused an altered cell cycle and increased CCAT1 levels and decreased miR-218 levels in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. [Toxicol Appl Pharmacol] Abstract Developing a Gene Biomarker at the Tipping Point of Adaptive and Adverse Responses in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Investigators examined cellular responses of the tracheobronchial airway to zinc (Zn) exposure, a model oxidant. Airway derived BEAS-2B cells exposed to 2–10 μM Zn2+ elicited concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxicity. [PLoS One] Full Article Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and FOXA Genes during Tobacco Smoke Carcinogen Induced Transformation of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells An in vitro transformation model of human bronchial epithelial cells was used to study long-term effects of tobacco smoke carcinogens on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the forkhead box transcription factors FOXA1 and FOXA2. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract Placenta Growth Factor Contributes to Cell Apoptosis and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in the Hyperoxia-Induced Acute Lung Injury Exogenous placenta growth factor (PLGF) inhibited viability of alveolar epithelial cells type II (AECIIs). In addition, treatment of PLGF increased the percentage of apoptotic cells, regulated the expression of E-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin in the primary AECIIs. [Life Sci] Abstract LUNG CANCER miR-29b Mediates NF-ĸB Signaling in KRAS-Induced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers To identify miRNAs implicated in EGFR signaling, investigators transduced bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells with retroviral vectors expressing KRASG12V and monitored miRNA expression patterns by microarray analysis. [Cancer Res] Abstract The DEAD-Box RNA Helicase 51 Controls Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Proliferation by Regulating Cell Cycle Progression via Multiple Pathways Scientists assessed the role of DDX51 in non-small cell lung cancer using a siRNA-based approach. DDX51 siRNA-expressing cells exhibited a slower cell proliferation rate and underwent arrest in S-phase of the cell cycle compared with control cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article Latcripin-13 Domain Induces Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest at the G1 Phase in Human Lung Carcinoma A549 Cells The authors report that Latcripin-13 domain induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and caused the apoptosis of human lung carcinoma A549 cells via the GSK3β-cyclin D1 and caspase-8/NF-κB signaling pathways. [Oncol Rep] Abstract Inhibition of Ceramide Glucosylation Sensitizes Lung Cancer Cells to ABC294640, a First-in-Class Small Molecule SphK2 Inhibitor Researchers showed that ABC294640 suppressed growth of primary and A549 human lung cancer cells, but spared sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2)-low lung epithelial cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract |