Pulmonary Cell News Volume 6.47 | Nov 30 2017

TOP STORY

Microbial Volatile Communication in Human Organotypic Lung Models

Scientists introduce a microscale organotypic model of the human bronchiole for studying pulmonary infection. By leveraging microscale techniques, the model is designed to approximate the structure of the human bronchiole, containing airway, vascular, and extracellular matrix compartments. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reduce Hypoxia-Induced Apoptosis in Alveolar Epithelial Cells by Modulating HIF and ROS Hypoxic Signalings

The authors investigated whether human mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium would protect alveolar epithelial cells from hypoxia-induced apoptosis and the mechanisms involved in this cytoprotective effect. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

A 3D Epithelial–Mesenchymal Co-Culture Model of Human Bronchial Tissue Recapitulates Multiple Features of Airway Tissue Remodeling by TGF-β1 Treatment

Researchers applied a layer of mucociliary differentiated bronchial epithelial cells onto collagen gel matrices with lung fibroblasts. This co-culture model enables direct contact between epithelial and mesenchymal cells. They stimulated the culture with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 as an inducer of tissue remodeling for 21 days, and measured gel size, histological changes, and expression of factors related to extracellular matrix homeostasis. [Respir Res] Full Article

Tiotropium Inhibits Mucin Production Stimulated by Neutrophil Elastase but Not by IL-13

The authors grew normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells to a goblet cell phenotype with 1 or 5 ng/mL of IL-13 and exposed these cells to 10 nM tiotropium or excipient for the full 14 days. Normally differentiated NHBE cells were exposed to neutrophil elastase 1 × 10⁻⁷ or 5 × 10⁻⁷ M for 1 hour. [Pulm Pharmacol Ther] Abstract

Hyperoxia Induces Paracellular Leak and Alters Claudin Expression by Neonatal Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Investigators examined the effects of exposure to 85% oxygen on neonatal rat alveolar barrier function in vitro and in vivo. Whole lung was measured using wet-to-dry weight ratios and bronchoalveolar lavage protein content and cultured primary neonatal alveolar epithelial cells were measured using transepithelial electrical resistance and paracellular flux measurements. [Pediatr Pulmonol] Abstract

Arsenite Downregulates H3K4 Trimethylation and H3K9 Dimethylation during Transformation of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Scientists investigated the role of histone methylation in transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells. After 16 weeks’ exposure, cells were transformed by 0.1, 0.5 and 1 μm arsenite. [J Appl Toxicol] Abstract

Crosstalk between mAChRM3 and β2AR, via Acetylcholine PI3/PKC/PBEP1/Raf-1 MEK1/2/ERK1/2 Pathway Activation, in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells after Long-Term Cigarette Smoke Exposure

The authors studied whether acetylcholine is involved in the mechanism of crosstalk between mAChRM3 and β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) promoting, via PI3/PKC/PBEP1/Raf/MEK1/2/ERK1/2 activation, β2AR desensitization, inflammation and, oxidative stress in a bronchial epithelial cell line after long-term exposure to cigarette smoke extract. [Life Sci] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Downregulation of Bit1 Expression Promotes Growth, Anoikis Resistance, and Transformation of Immortalized Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells via Erk Activation-Dependent Suppression of E-Cadherin

Researchers downregulated the endogenous Bit1 expression in the immortalized non-tumorigenic human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells. Knockdown of Bit1 enhanced the growth and anoikis insensitivity of BEAS-2B cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Nasospheroids Permit Measurements of CFTR-Dependent Fluid Transport

The authors developed nasospheroids, a primary cell culture–based model derived from individual CF patients and healthy subjects by a minimally invasive nasal biopsy. [JCI Insight] Abstract | Press Release

LUNG CANCER

Health State Dependent Multiphoton Induced Autofluorescence in Human 3D In Vitro Lung Cancer Model

Scientists performed autofluorescence imaging of human lung cancer invading a human functional airway using an in vitro model of non small cell lung cancer which combines a reconstituted human airway epithelium, human lung fibroblasts and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, OncoCilAir™. [Sci Rep] Full Article

MicroRNA-4465 Suppresses Tumor Proliferation and Metastasis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Directly Targeting the Oncogene EZH2

The authors explored the function of miR-4465 and investigated whether miR-4465 can be a potential target for treating human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). QRT-PCR was applied to evaluate the miR-4465 expression levels in NSCLC cells. [Biomed Pharmacother] Abstract

Role of Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy in Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The authors present relevant data regarding chemotherapy use in the perioperative setting for early stage non-small cell lung cancer. [Expert Rev Anticancer Ther] Full Article

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

Carrick Therapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase I Clinical Trial of Its Oral CDK7 Inhibitor: CT7001

Carrick Therapeutics announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase I clinical program of CT7001 – an orally bio-available cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) selective inhibitor, that has shown striking efficacy in multiple pre-clinical cancer models. [Carrick Therapeutics] Press Release

15 Faculty Members Elected as AAAS Fellows

Fifteen Vanderbilt University faculty members conducting a range of biomedical and clinical research have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) this year. [Vanderbilt University Medical Center] Press Release

Health Agency Reveals Scourge of Fake Drugs in Developing World

One in ten medicines in developing countries is fake or substandard, data from the World Health Organization suggest. Malaria drugs and antibiotics are among the most commonly reported, the agency found. But the problem extends to a variety of medications, including those for cancer, heart disease and HIV, as well as contraceptives and painkillers. [Nature News] Editorial

China to Roll Back Regulations for Traditional Medicine Despite Safety Concerns

Support for traditional medicine in China goes right to the top. President Xi Jinping has called this type of medicine a “gem” of the country’s scientific heritage and promised to give alternative therapies and Western drugs equal government support. The country is taking dramatic steps to promote these cures even as researchers raise concerns about such treatments. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW World Vaccine Congress Washington 2018
April 3-5, 2018
Washington, D.C., United States

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

NEW PhD Studentship – Heterogeneity in Small Cell Lung Cancer (CRUK Manchester Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow/Associate – Inflammation and Fibrosis (Rhode Island Hospital)

Scientific Leader – Lung Repair and Regeneration (AstraZeneca)

Postdoctoral Position – Lung Cancer (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Disease Mechanism (University of California, San Diego)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Lung Cancer (Moffitt Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology & Respiratory Diseases (Boehringer Ingelheim)

Faculty Position – Cancer Experimental Therapeutics (University of New Mexico)

PhD Position – Pulmonary Research (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology/Molecular Biology (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Postdoctoral Position – Lung Adenocarcinoma (University of California, San Francisco)

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