Pulmonary Cell News Volume 5.26 | Jul 7 2016

TOP STORY

Epithelial Notch Signaling Regulates Lung Alveolar Morphogenesis and Airway Epithelial Integrity

Investigators report a prominent role of Notch signaling in the epithelial-mesenchymal interactions that lead to alveolar formation in the developing lung. They found that alveolar type II cells are major sites of Notch2 activation and showed by Notch2-specific epithelial deletion a unique contribution of this receptor to alveologenesis. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Ascorbate Attenuates Pulmonary Emphysema by Inhibiting Tobacco Smoke and Rtp801-Triggered Lung Protein Modification and Proteolysis.

Using a guinea pig model and human lung cells, scientists showed that oxidant(s) present in tobacco smoke not only cause direct oxidative damage of lung proteins, contributing to the major share of lung injury, but also activate Rtp801, a key proinflammatory cellular factor involved in tobacco smoke-induced lung damage. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Type III Secretion System of Pseudomonas aeruginosa affects MMP-12 and MMP-13 Expression via NF-κB Signaling in Human Carcinoma Epithelial Cells and a Pneumonia Mouse Model

The type III secretion system in P. aeruginosa has been linked to severe disease and poor clinical outcomes in animal and human studies. Scientists aimed to investigate whether the ExoS and ExoT effector proteins of P. aeruginosa affect the expression of MMP-12 and MMP-13 via NF-κB signaling pathways. [J Infect Dis] Abstract

Genome-Wide Analysis of HIF-2α Chromatin Binding Sites under Normoxia in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (BEAS-2B) Suggests Its Diverse Functions

Constitutive functional HIF-2α was recently identified in cancer and stem cell lines under normoxia. BEAS-2B, a bronchial epithelial cell line, was shown to constitutively express active HIF-2α under normoxia and exhibit markers of pluripotency including Oct-4, Nanog, and sphere formation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

miR-155 in the Progression of Lung Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis

MicroRNA (miRNA) control key elements of mRNA stability and likely contribute to the dysregulated lung gene expression observed in systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). The authors analyzed the miRNA gene expression of tissue and cells from patients with SSc-ILD. [Arthritis Res Ther] Full Article

The Role of Autophagy in Allergic Inflammation: A New Target for Severe Asthma

Autophagy has been investigated for its involvement in inflammatory diseases, but its role in asthma has been little studied. The authors aimed to explore the possible role of autophagy and its therapeutic potential in severe allergic asthma. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article

Identification of an Alveolar Type I Epithelial Cell-Specific DNA Nuclear Import Sequence for Gene Delivery

The alveolar epithelial type I (ATI) cell is an attractive cell type to target, as it comprises 95% of the internal surface area of the lung. Researchers demonstrated, through microinjection of fluorescently labeled plasmids, that a DNA sequence within the rat T1alpha promoter was able to mediate ATI cell-specific plasmid DNA nuclear import due to the binding of ATI-enriched transcription factors. [Gene Ther] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Identification and Targeting of Long-Term Tumor-Propagating Cells in Small Cell Lung Cancer

Scientists identified a population of long-term tumor-propagating cells in a mouse model of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). This population, marked by high levels of EpCAM and CD24, was also prevalent in human primary SCLC tumors. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

MicroRNA-130b Promotes Lung Cancer Progression via PPARγ/VEGF-A/BCL-2-Mediated Suppression of Apoptosis

The prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is poor yet mechanistic understanding and therapeutic options remain limited. Researchers investigated the biological and clinical significance of microRNA-130b and its relationship with apoptosis in NSCLC. [J Exp Clin Cancer Res] Full Article

Respiratory Disease and the Oesophagus: Reflux, Reflexes and Microaspiration

The reviewers comprehensively examine the possible mechanisms that might link pulmonary disease and oesophageal reflux, highlighting the gaps in current knowledge and limitations of previous research, and helping to shed light on the frequent failure of antireflux treatments in pulmonary disease. [Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pulmonary cell research field.

Vertex and Moderna Establish Exclusive Collaboration to Discover and Develop mRNA Therapeutics™ for Cystic Fibrosis

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated and Moderna Therapeutics announced that the two companies have entered into an exclusive research collaboration and licensing agreement aimed at the discovery and development of messenger Ribonucleic Acid Therapeutics™ for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. [Moderna Therapeutics] Press Release

First Mobile PFT Devices to Receive Regulatory Approval in Japan

ndd Medical Technologies, Inc. announced that the company’s innovative EasyOne Pro^® and Easy One Pro^® LAB mobile devices, which perform comprehensive point-of-service pulmonary function testing, have received PMDA regulatory approval in Japan. [ndd Medical Technologies, Inc.] Press Release

FDA Grants Merrimack Fast Track Designation for Seribantumab (MM-121) in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted seribantumab, also known as MM-121, Fast Track designation for development in patients with heregulin-positive, locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer whose disease has progressed following immunotherapy. [Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Vertex and Moderna Establish Exclusive Collaboration to Discover and Develop mRNA Therapeutics™ for Cystic Fibrosis

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated and Moderna Therapeutics announced that the two companies have entered into an exclusive research collaboration and licensing agreement aimed at the discovery and development of messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) Therapeutics™ for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. [Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated] Press Release

Policy Implications of Aging in the NIH-Funded Workforce

Because of national interest in the “graying” of the biomedical workforce, the authors examined aging and funding within the pool of NIH-funded investigators and applicants, particularly in the growing field of stem cell research. They provide evidence of a maturing and more competitive stem cell workforce and discuss policy implications. [Cell Stem Cell] Editorial

NEW 2016 World Cancer Congress
October 31-November 3, 2016
Paris, France

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the pulmonary cell community.

NEW Associate Service Fellow – Pulmonary Toxicology and Pharmacology (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)

NEW PhD Program – Pulmonary Hypertension and Cor Pulmonale (Giessen Graduate Centre for the Life Sciences)

Research Associate – Pulmonary Stromal Cells (University of Cambridge)

Group Leaders – Cardiovascular or Pulmonary Science (Excellence Cluster Cardiopulmonary System)

PhD Studentship – Biofilm-Penetrant Delivery Systems for Lung Pathogens (University of East Anglia)

Associate Professor – Oxidative Lung Injury (Temple University)

Research Fellow – Pulmonary and Critical Care (Mayo Clinic)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy (Oslo University Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Vascular/Lung Biology (Yale University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Lung Alveolar Epithelial Cell Biology/Differentiation (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Biochemistry/Molecular Biology (National Jewish Health)

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

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