Pulmonary Cell News Volume 6.34 | Aug 31 2017

TOP STORY

Primary Patient-Derived Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Culture Challenges the Association of Cancer Stem Cells with Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

Scientists established a primary lung cell culture from a patient in a clinically rare and unique situation of primary resistant disease. This culture consisted of two biologically profoundly distinct adenocarcinoma cell subpopulations, which differed phenotypically and genotypically. [Sci Rep] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Ethanol Decreases Inflammatory Response in Human Lung Epithelial Cells by Inhibiting the Canonical NF-kB-Pathway

Alcohol-induced immune-suppression during acute inflammation was linked to nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-ĸB). Investigators analyzed alcohol’s effects and mechanisms underlying its influence on NF-ĸB-signaling during acute inflammation in human lung epithelial cells. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

Human Bronchial Epithelial Cell-Derived Factors from Severe Asthmatic Subjects Stimulate Eosinophil Differentiation

To assess the eosinophilopoietic potential of epithelial-derived factors, eosinophil/basophil colony forming units were enumerated in 14-day methylcellulose cultures of blood-derived mononuclear cells incubated with bronchial epithelial cell supernatants from healthy non-atopic controls, mild atopic asthmatics and severe asthmatics. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol] Abstract

Functional Vascularized Lung Grafts for Lung Bioengineering

The authors developed an airway-specific approach to removing the pulmonary epithelium, while maintaining the viability and function of the vascular endothelium, using a rat model. The resulting vascularized lung grafts supported the attachment and growth of human adult pulmonary cells and stem cell-derived lung-specified epithelial cells. [Sci Adv] Full Article | Press Release | Video

LUNG CANCER

LSD1 Modulates the Non-Canonical Integrin β3 Signaling Pathway in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Cells

Investigators analyzed lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) function in non-small cell lung cancer adenocarcinomas. Expression profiling of 182 cases of lung adenocarcinoma proved a significant correlation of LSD1 overexpression with lung adenocarcinoma progression and metastasis. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Phosphodiesterase 10A Is Overexpressed in Lung Tumor Cells and Inhibitors Selectively Suppress Growth by Blocking β-Catenin and MAPK Signaling

Scientists report that phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10) mRNA and protein levels were strongly elevated in human non-small cell lung cancer cells and lung tumors compared with normal human airway epithelial cells and lung tissue, respectively. Genetic silencing of PDE10 or inhibition by small molecules such as ,PQ10, was found to selectively inhibit the growth and colony formation of lung tumor cells. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Extracellular HSP70 Activates ERK1/2, NF-kB and Pro-Inflammatory Gene Transcription through Binding with RAGE in A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells

Researchers elucidated if extracellular heat shock protein 70 (eHSP70) was able to evoke receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE)-dependent signaling using A549 human lung cancer cells, which constitutively express RAGE. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

Metabolic Cooperation between Co-Cultured Lung Cancer Cells and Lung Fibroblasts

Scientists focused on the metabolic interactions of MRC5 lung fibroblasts with lung cancer cells (A549 and H1299) using co-culture experiments and studied changes of the metabolic protein expression profile and of their growth and migration abilities. [Lab Invest] Abstract

VEGF as a Potential Target in Lung Cancer

To improve the efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) therapies in lung cancer, potential strategies might be the employment of combinatory therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors or agents that inhibit signaling pathways and proangiogenic factors activated in response to VEGF blockade, and the identification of novel targets in the VEGF cascade. [Expert Opin Ther Targets] Abstract

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

MD Anderson Receives $7.5 Million in CPRIT Funding for Research and Facility Support

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center this week was awarded $7.5 million from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The awards included $3.8 million for early translational, individual investigator and high-risk/high-impact research, and $3.7 million for core facility support. [The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center] Press Release

amcure Receives Additional €1.75 Million BMBF Research Grant

amcure, a biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class cancer therapeutics, announced the approval of a new grant by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The grant of approximately €1.75 million covers a portion of the investment needed to advance amcure’s lead candidate, AMC303, which is currently in clinical development. [amcure] Press Release

British Lung Foundation Awards Professorships and Funds Pioneering Research in Neglected Diseases

The British Lung Foundation have appointed three highly distinguished Research Chairs. They will bring pioneering research and international leadership to three disease areas – bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. [University of Leister] Press Release

ProQR Completes Dosing of Cystic Fibrosis Patients in QR-010 Phase Ib Trial

ProQR Therapeutics N.V. announced that dosing of cystic fibrosis patients in its Phase Ib clinical trial of QR-010 has been completed and top-line data are scheduled to be announced. [ProQR Therapeutics N.V.] Press Release

PharmAkea Announces Successful Completion of a Phase I Trial in Healthy Subjects for Its Novel LOXL2 Inhibitor, PAT-1251

PharmAkea, Inc. announced that it has successfully completed a Phase I single and multiple ascending dose clinical study with PAT-1251, its novel, small-molecule LOXL2 inhibitor being developed for the treatment of IPF and other fibrotic diseases. [PharmAkea, Inc.] Press Release

Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. on the FDA’s New Policy Steps and Enforcement Efforts to Ensure Proper Oversight of Stem Cell Therapies and Regenerative Medicine

The FDA has taken steps in Florida and California to address a number of especially troubling products being marketed. But unfortunately, these are examples of a larger pool of actors who claim that their unproven and unsafe products will address a serious disease, but instead put patients at significant risk. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Editorial

Science Suffers as China’s Internet Censors Plug Holes in Great Firewall

China is tightening the screws on internet access, again. The latest crackdown—an evolving effort to ban virtual private networks not under government control—could seriously erode scientists’ ability to stay connected with peers abroad. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 5^th AACR-IASLC International Joint Conference: Lung Cancer Translational Science from the Bench to the Clinic
January 8-11, 2018
San Diego, California, United States

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

NEW Faculty Position(s) – Basic and Translational Cancer Research (Texas Tech University Health Science Center)

Faculty Positions – Lung Injury/Repair and Pulmonary Infectious Diseases (University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pulmonary Fibrosis (University of Michigan)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Pathobiology of Fibrotic Lung Diseases (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Childhood Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Diseases (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus)

Physician Scientist or Senior Scientist – Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (Brigham and Women’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pulmonary Research (University of Maryland)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardio/Pulmonary/Mitochondrial Research (University of Pittsburgh)

Faculty Position – Cancer Biology (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Position – Cell Signaling/Cancer Biology (Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Allergy and Immunology (New York University Medical Center)

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