Pulmonary Cell News Volume 6.11 | Mar 23 2017

TOP STORY

Surprising New Role for Lungs: Making Blood

Using video microscopy in the living mouse lung, UC San Francisco scientists have revealed that the lungs play a previously unrecognized role in blood production. The researchers found that the lungs produced more than half of the platelets – blood components required for the clotting that stanches bleeding – in the mouse circulation. [Press release from UC San Francisco discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract | Video

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Mapping Differential Cellular Protein Response of Mouse Alveolar Epithelial Cells to Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as a Function of Atomic Layer Deposition Coating

Researchers aimed to investigate the mechanisms of cellular response in E10 mouse alveolar epithelial cells in vitro after exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes that were functionalized by atomic layer deposition. [Nanotoxicology] Abstract

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Accelerate Airway Repair by Activating FFA4 in Club Cells

The authors investigated whether supplementation of the omega-3 fatty acids benefits lung health. Omacor^® clinically prescribed preparation of omega-3 fatty acids and FFA4-knockout mice were utilized in a naphthalene-induced mouse model of acute airway injury. Their findings indicated that omega-3 fatty acids-induced proliferation of bronchiole epithelial cells through FFA4 is responsible for omacor-induced accelerated recovery from airway injury. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

Annexin A2 Contributes to Lung Injury and Fibrosis by Augmenting Factor Xa Fibrogenic Activity

Scientists investigated the contribution of annexin A2 in lung injury and fibrosis. Annexin A2 immunoreactivity was observed in regions of fibrosis, including associated with fibroblasts in lung tissue of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

Runt-Related Transcription Factor 1 Regulates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury via NF-κB Signaling

The authors aimed to assess the role of RUNX1 in the lung development and inflammation after lipopolysaccharide challenge. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

MAP4K4 Is a Novel MAPK/ERK Pathway Regulator Required for Lung Adenocarcinoma Maintenance

Researchers identified serine/threonine kinase mitogen-activated protein 4 kinase 4 (MAP4K4) as a novel positive regulator of MAPK/ERK signaling in lung adenocarcinoma. The results showed that MAP4K4 was drastically elevated in lung adenocarcinoma independently of KRAS or EGFR mutation status. [Mol Oncol] Abstract | Full Article

Fucoidan Induces Toll-Like Receptor 4-Regulated Reactive Oxygen Species and Promotes Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Apoptosis in Lung Cancer

Scientists demonstrated that fucoidan prevents tumorigenesis and reduces tumor size in LLC1-xenograft male C57BL/6 mice. Fucoidan induces an endoplasmic reticulum stress response by activating the PERK-ATF4-CHOP pathway, resulting in apoptotic cell death in vitro and in vivo. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Akt Targeting as a Strategy to Boost Chemotherapy Efficacy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer through Metabolism Suppression

Researchers addressed the question of whether and how inhibiting Akt activity could improve therapy of non-small cell lung cancer that represents more than 80% of all lung cancer cases. They demonstrated that Akt inhibitors interacted synergistically with Microtubule-Targeting Agents and specifically in cancer cell lines, including those resistant to chemotherapy agents and anti-EGFR targeted therapies. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Involvement of Notch1 Signaling in Malignant Progression of A549 Cells Subjected to Prolonged Cadmium Exposure

Investigators examined the effects of prolonged cadmium exposure on the malignant progression of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells and the roles of Notch1, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor/Akt/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/p70 S6 kinase 1 signaling pathways. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

Gli1 Expression in Cancer Stem-Like Cells Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients with Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Scientists aimed to reveal the clinical significance of glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and investigate the potential of Gli1 as a cancer stem cell marker by comparing its expression with that of other stemness-related genes in LSCC. Gli1 expression was significantly correlated with T stage, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage of LSCC. [Exp Mol Pathol] Abstract

A Novel Quinazoline-Based Analog Induces G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Human A549 Lung Cancer Cells via a ROS-Dependent Mechanism.

The authors identified 6-amino-4-(4-phenoxyphenylethylamino)quinazoline (quinazoline/QNZ)-A as a promising selective cytotoxic agent against A549 cells. QNZ-A, by virtue of its Michael acceptor unit, induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation associated with collapse of the redox buffering system in A549 cells. This caused up-regulation of p53-inducible p21 and down-regulation of redox sensitive Cdc25C along with Cyclin B1/Cdk1, leading to a G2/M cell cycle arrest and final cell apoptosis. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Lung Cancer and β-Glucans: Review of Potential Therapeutic Applications

The authors reviewed studies addressing therapeutic effects of β-glucans in primary and metastatic lung cancer. [Invest New Drugs] Abstract

Resistance Is Futile: Overcoming Resistance to Targeted Therapies in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Scientists review the major mechanisms by which a cancer cell can evade targeted therapy, focusing on mechanisms of resistance to kinase inhibitors in lung cancer. [npj Precis Oncol] Full Article

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

Advanced Form of Proton Therapy Shows Promise for Treating Lung Cancer Recurrence

An advanced form of image-guided radiation therapy, known as intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), has shown early promise for the treatment of recurrent lung cancer. Researchers found that after reirradiation with IMPT, the majority of patients were free from local recurrence one year following treatment and few experienced severe side effects. [Press release from MD Anderson discussing research presented at the 2017 Multidisciplinary Thoracic Cancers Symposium, San Francisco] Press Release

Boehringer Ingelheim Phase III Study Now Enrolling Patients with Progressive Fibrosing Lung Diseases

Boehringer Ingelheim announced that the first patient has been enrolled in the progressive fibrosing interstital lung disease trial. This study investigates the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in a range of progressive fibrosing lung conditions other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. [Boehringer Ingelheim] Press Release

Aprea Therapeutics Announces Research Collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Aprea Therapeutics announced a collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to study the effects of reactivation of tumor suppressor protein p53 by APR-246. The goal of the collaboration is to evaluate and characterize preclinical efficacy of APR-246 in combination with multiple other anti-cancer agents and across multiple tumor types. [Aprea Therapeutics (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Wistar Research Teams Awarded More than $4.7 Million in Funding

Scientists at The Wistar Institute, an international biomedical research leader in cancer, immunology and infectious diseases, have secured more than $4,720,000 million in research funds. [The Wistar Institute] Press Release

Canada Budget Falls Flat with Scientists

The budget that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government released lives up to his promises to emphasize innovation, and to encourage links between industry and academia. But it also presents scientists with a depressing, and unexpected, freeze on the main funding streams for basic research. [Nature News] Editorial

South Korea’s Scientists Seek Change amid Political Chaos

When South Korea’s Constitutional Court removed scandal-ridden President Park Geun-hye from office on 10^th March, citizens rejoiced in the streets — and many scientists breathed a sigh of relief. Her downfall has inspired a public appetite for broad governmental reforms, including changes in how the country supports scientific research. Many in the research community hope to end South Korea’s decades-long focus on applied research and shift more resources to basic science. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW American Thoracic Society (ATS)
May 19-24, 2017
Washington D.C., United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Lung Regeneration (AstraZeneca)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Chronic Lung Disease (Washington University St. Louis)

Faculty Position – Cancer Biology (Wake Forest School of Medicine)

Laboratory Head – Infection & Immunity Division (The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)

Assistant Professor/Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Lung Injury and Repair (University of Tennessee)

Postdoctoral Opportunity – RNA and Cancer Biology (Yale University)

PhD Student – Asthma Research (Karolinska Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Airway Biology (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)

Principal Scientist – Translational Development (Celgene Corporation)

Assistant Professor – Molecular Therapeutics of Cancer (Dartmouth College)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer Genetics/Epigenetics (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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