Pulmonary Cell News Volume 5.30 | Aug 4 2016

TOP STORY

Targeted BMI1 Inhibition Impairs Tumor Growth in Lung Adenocarcinomas With Low CEBPα Expression

Investigators discovered a subset of pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients in whom negative/low C/EBPα expression and positive expression of the oncogenic protein BMI1 (B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog) have prognostic value. They also generated a lung-specific mouse model of C/EBPα deletion that develops lung adenocarcinomas, which are prevented by Bmi1 haploinsufficiency. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

MAPK-Mediated YAP Activation Controls Mechanical-Tension-Induced Pulmonary Alveolar Regeneration

Investigators demonstrated that mechanical-tension-induced YAP activation in alveolar stem cells plays a major role in promoting post-pneumonectomy alveolar regeneration. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Cigarette Smoke Extract (CSE) Induces Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1(TRPA1)Expression via Activation of HIF1αin A549 Cells

Investigators explored whether CSE increases TRPA1 expression in A549 cells and by what potential mechanisms. [Free Radic Biol Med] Abstract

NLRP3 Protects Alveolar Barrier Integrity by an Inflammasome-Independent Increase of Epithelial Cell Adherence

Investigators showed that NLRP3 protects the integrity of the alveolar barrier in a mouse model of Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced pneumonia, and ex vivo upon treatment of isolated perfused and ventilated lungs with the purified bacterial toxin, pneumolysin. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Spectral Phasor Analysis of LAURDAN Fluorescence in Live A549 Lung Cells to Study the Hydration and Time Evolution of Intracellular Lamellar Body-Like Structures

Using LAURDAN spectral imaging and spectral phasor analysis researchers concurrently studied the growth and hydration state of subcellular organelles from live A549 lung cancer cells at different post-confluence days. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

Ineffective Correction of PPARγ Signaling in Cystic Fibrosis Airway Epithelial Cells Undergoing Repair

Investigators aimed to determine if peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is altered in cystic fibrosis (CF) human airway epithelial cells (HAECs), if PPARγ contributes to mucin expression and HAEC differentiation, and if PPARγ ligand therapy corrects the CF phenotype. [Int J Biochem Cell Biol] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Downregulation of the Long Noncoding RNA GAS5-AS1 Contributes to Tumor Metastasis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Scientists discovered a novel long noncoding RNA termed GAS5-AS1 as a tumor suppressor in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The expression of GAS5-AS1 in NSCLC tumors was much lower than that in the adjacent normal lung tissues. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Regulation of LOXL2 and SERPINH1 by Antitumor MicroRNA-29a in Lung Cancer with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Researchers investigated the functional significance of microRNA (miRNA)-29a in lung cancer cells and lung fibroblasts and to identify molecular targets modulated by miR-29a in these cells. [J Hum Genet] Abstract

Curcumin Inhibited HGF-Induced EMT and Angiogenesis through Regulating C-Met Dependent PI3K/Akt/MTOR Signaling Pathways in Lung Cancer

Researchers found that curcumin inhibited hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related morphological changes in A549 and PC-9 cells. [Mol Ther Oncolytics] Full Article

A Survey of Changing Trends in Modelling Radiation Lung Injury in Mice: Bringing out the Good, the Bad, and the Uncertain

The authors performed a comprehensive appraisal of the literature dealing with radiation lung injury of mice and to critically evaluate the validity and clinical relevance of the research. [Lab Invest] Abstract

MicroRNAs in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

The reviewers summarize the current knowledge on aberrantly expressed miRNAs regulating non-small cell lung cancer and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis based on miRNA expression signatures. [J Hum Genet] Abstract

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

PharmaMar Initiates a Pivotal Phase III ATLANTIS Study with PM1183 in Combination with Doxorubicin in Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer

PharmaMar announced the start of a pivotal Phase III ATLANTIS study evaluating efficacy and safety of PM1183 (lurbinectedin) in combination with doxorubicin versus topotecan or the combination VCR (cyclophosphamide, adriamicine (doxorubicin and vincristine) in patients with small cell lung cancer after the failure of one prior platinumcontaining line. Topotecan is the only drug approved both in USA and Europe for this indication. [PharmaMar] Press Release

Merck’s KEYTRUDA^® (Pembrolizumab) Approved by the European Commission for Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Whose Tumors Express PD-L1

Merck announced that the European Commission has approved KEYTRUDA^®, the company’s anti-PD-1 therapy, at a dose of 2 mg/kg every three weeks, for patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 and who have received at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. [Merck] Press Release

Scientists Seek Influence on ‘Brexit Ministry’

Worried at the prospect of losing access to EU funding and collaborations, scientific societies have fired off numerous letters asking the government to keep their country in the EU’s research system, and warning of damage already caused by Brexit. [Nature News] Editorial

Major Review Calls Time on ‘Gaming’ in UK Research Assessment

The United Kingdom’s mammoth periodic audit of its research is set for a shake-up that could change the way universities hire academics – and might also encourage scientists to spend more time on public engagement. [Nature News] Editorial

Antibiotics Funding Splurge Gets Mixed Reception

Antibiotics researchers are set to receive hundreds of millions of dollars from a new funding stream — but not everyone thinks the cash is being directed to the right place. [Nature News] Editorial

Russian Scientists Bracing for Massive Job Losses

Russia’s scientific community is reeling from news that the government plans to fire about 10,000 researchers over the next three years. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Scientists, Engineers Show Concern for Turkish Scientists’ Welfare

As the Turkish government restores order after the failed coup, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and seven other leading science and engineering societies expressed concern for the human rights of the Turkish scientific community, which has reportedly been subject to restrictions including travel bans and the ordered return of Turkish academics working abroad. [American Association for the Advancement of Science] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposium: TGFβ in Immunity, Inflammation and Cancer
January 9-13, 2017
Taos, United States

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

NEW Bioinformatitian – Genomics of Mesothelioma (Imperial College London)

NEW Research Associate – Development of Mesothelioma (Imperial College London)

NEW MRF Research Associate – Pathogenesis of Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease (Newcastle University)

Robert Stowell Chair – Experimental Pathology (University of California, Davis)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Transcriptional Networks in Lung Cancer (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

PhD Studentships – Pulmonary Medicine and Biology (University of Giessen School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Respiratory Sciences (Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Complex Lung Diseases (National Jewish Health)

Scientific Director – Global Medical Affairs (Celgene Corporation)

Non-Clinical Lecturer – Reader in Respiratory Science (Imperial College London)

Postdoctoral Associate – Pulmonary Genetic Medicine (Weill Cornell Medicine)

Scientific Director – Oncology (Merck)

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

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

Associate Professor – Oxidative Lung Injury (Temple University)

Research Fellow – Pulmonary and Critical Care (Mayo Clinic)

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

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