Pulmonary Cell News Volume 5.45 | Nov 17 2016

TOP STORY

Mitochondrial Catalase Overexpressed Transgenic Mice Are Protected against Lung Fibrosis in Part via Preventing Alveolar Epithelial Cell Mitochondrial DNA Damage

The authors sought to determine whether transgenic mice that express mitochondrial-targeted catalase have reduced lung fibrosis following exposure to asbestos or bleomycin and, if so, whether this occurs in association with reduced alveolar epithelial cell mtDNA damage and apoptosis. [Free Radic Biol Med] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Are Indirectly Triggered by Lipopolysaccharide and Contribute to Acute Lung Injury

Researchers investigated the role of neutrophil extracellular traps in lipopolysaccharide-mediated acute lung injury (ALI) and assessed the use of DNase I, for the treatment of ALI. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Phosphorylated Form of FTY720 Activates PP2A, Represses Inflammation and Is Devoid of S1P Agonism in A549 Lung Epithelial Cells

Scientists showed that FTY720-P enhances TNF-induced protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) phosphatase activity and significantly represses TNF-induced interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 mRNA expression and protein secretion from A549 lung epithelial cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Vitamin D Increases the Antiviral Activity of Bronchial Epithelial Cells In Vitro

By modulating the antiviral immune response via vitamin D receptor, the active form of vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, calcitriol) could play a central role in protection against respiratory virus infections. The authors tested the hypothesis that respiratory viruses modulate vitamin D receptor expression in human bronchial epithelial cells and this modulation affects the antiviral response to exogenous vitamin D. [Antiviral Res] Abstract

Procyanidin A2 Modulates IL-4-Induced CCL26 Production in Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Investigators evaluated procyanidin A2 as a means of modulating chemokine eotaxin-3 (CCL26) production and investigated interactions with the known inflammation modulator, Interferon γ (IFNγ). They used the human lung epithelial cell line A549 and optimized the conditions for inducing CCL26. Their data provide evidence that procyanidin A2 can modulate interleukin-4-induced CCL26 production by A549 lung epithelial cells and that it does so in a manner that is different from IFNγ. [Int J Mol Sci] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

The Novel miR-9600 Suppresses Tumor Progression and Promotes Paclitaxel Sensitivity in Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer through Altering STAT3 Expression

Investigators characterized and identified the novel miR-9600 and its target in human non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Their results demonstrated that the miR-9600 were downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Full Article

Long Intergenic Noncoding RNA 00511 Acts as an Oncogene in Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer by Binding to EZH2 and Suppressing p57

Researchers identified LINC00511 as an oncogenic lncRNA by driving tumorigenesis in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They found LINC00511 was upregulated and associated with oncogenesis, tumor size, metastasis, and poor prognosis in NSCLC. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Full Article

Anti-Tumor Activity of High-Dose EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor and Sequential Docetaxel in Wild Type EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Nude Mouse Xenografts

The authors explored antitumor activity of high-dose icotinib (an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor) plus sequential docetaxel against wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) non-small-cell lung cancer cells-generated nude mouse xenografts. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Radiosensitization of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells and Xenografts by the Interactive Effects of Pemetrexed and Methoxyamine

Scientists tested whether methoxyamine enhances pemetrexed-mediated radiosensitization of lung adenocarcinoma cells and xenografts. A549 and H1299 cells were evaluated for cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry, radiosensitization by clonogenic assay, and DNA repair by neutral comet assay and repair protein activation. [Radiother Oncol] Abstract

PM_2.5 Exposure-Induced Autophagy Is Mediated by lncRNA loc146880 Which also Promotes the Migration and Invasion of Lung Cancer Cells

Cytotoxicity induced by PM_2.5 was assessed by using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. ROS generation, autophagy, and metastasis induced by PM_2.5 were detected by using comprehensive approaches. Expression of loc146880 and lc3b (autophagy marker) in A549 cells, lung tissue and serum were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

WWOX Inhibits the Invasion of Lung Cancer Cells by Downregulating RUNX2

The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is a tumor suppressor that is lost or decreased in most human tumors. The authors aimed to elucidate the potential role of WWOX in lung cancer cell invasion. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

Regulatory Roles of Epigenetic Modulators, Modifiers and Mediators in Lung Cancer

The authors explore potential roles and mechanisms of epigenetic modulators, modifiers and mediators in the development of lung cancer. They also overviewed potential mechanisms by which epigenetic modulators, modifiers and mediators control and regulate 3D nuclear architectures, and discussed translational efforts to epigenetic modifications for treatment of lung cancer. [Semin Cancer Biol] Abstract

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Two Female Scientists in the US and UK Granted $400k for Promising Lung Cancer Research

The Lung Cancer Foundation of America and International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer have partnered to fund the Lori Monroe Scholarship for Lung Cancer Research. Carla Martins, PhD with the University of Cambridge, will use the funding to study how exploiting the metabolic heterogeneity of mutant KRAS lung tumors can be used to optimize therapy. Kellie Smith, PhD with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine will focus on neoantigen targeting in patients with early stage non-small-cell lung carcinoma. [International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer] Press Release

New Technology from Swansea University Spin-Out PulmonIR Detects Degenerative Lung Condition That Affects Millions Worldwide

Pioneering research by Professor Paul Lewis of Swansea University’s Medical School into one of the most common lung diseases in the UK, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, has led to the development of a new technology that can quickly and easily diagnose and monitor the condition. [Swansea University] Press Release

CSA Medical Commences Phase B of the RejuvenAir Study

CSA Medical, Inc. announced the company has begun Phase B of its clinical study to evaluate the safety and feasibility of treating Chronic Bronchitis patients with the RejuvenAir^® System. [CSA Medical, Inc.] Press Release

UCSF, Governor Brown Announce New Precision Medicine Projects

Continuing California’s groundbreaking effort to better treat and prevent diseases through advanced computing, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and UC San Francisco announced six new projects have been selected for the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine. [University of California San Francisco] Press Release

FDA Funds UCSF-Stanford Center on Regulatory Science

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded the UCSF-Stanford Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation a five-year grant with up to $25 million in funding. UCSF-Stanford CERSI brings together a world-class team of scientists from two outstanding academic institutions, with partners at the FDA, to spur new approaches and technology to enhance the FDA’s ability to evaluate and approve new medical products. [University of California San Francisco] Press Release

Biomedical Research Leaders Urge Trump Administration to Quickly Appoint an NIH Director

A science star–studded group that including two former directors of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, released a set of recommendations aimed at making NIH run better and offered advice on choosing an NIH director—ideally within Trump’s first 100 days in office. [Science Insider] Editorial

How Self-Appointed Guardians of “Sound Science” Tip the Scales Toward Industry

At a time when public mistrust of science runs high, and non-experts are hard-pressed to separate fact from industry-sponsored spin, Sense About Science, a charity based in London with an affiliate in New York, presents itself as a trustworthy arbiter. The organization purports to help the misinformed public sift through alarmist claims about public health and the environment by directing journalists, policymakers, and others to vetted sources who can explain the evidence behind debates about controversial products like e-cigarettes and flame retardants. [The Intercept_] Editorial

CRISPR Gene-Editing Tested in a Person for the First Time

A Chinese group has become the first to inject a person with cells that contain genes edited using the revolutionary CRISPR–Cas9 technique. A team led by oncologist Lu You at Sichuan University in Chengdu delivered the modified cells into a patient with aggressive lung cancer as part of a clinical trial at the West China Hospital, also in Chengdu. The move by Chinese scientists could spark a biomedical duel between China and the United States. [Nature News] Editorial

EMA Revises Guideline on First-in-Human Trials

The European Medicines Agency (EMA), in cooperation with the European Commission and the EU member states, proposed revisions to its 2007 guideline on first-in-human clinical trials as part of an effort to further improve the safety of participants as trial protocols become increasingly complex. [Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society] Editorial | Guideline

NEW 29^th Lorne Cancer Conference
February 9-11, 2017
Lorne, Australia

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NEW Research Associate – Modeling Tumor Development and Therapy (University of Cambridge)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Small Cell Lung Cancer GeneticsEpigenetics (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Scientists/Physicians – Laboratory/Translational/Clinical Research in Lung Cancers (University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer GeneticsEpigenetics (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Lung Cancer (Northwestern University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Lung Biology (Boston University)

Cell Biologist – Pulmonary Vascular Signaling (University of Maryland)

Associate/Full Professor – Various Projects (University of California, San Francisco)

Professor Position – Pulmonary Cell Research (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship – Lung Disease (Johns Hopkins University)

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