Pulmonary Cell News Volume 7.01 | Jan 11 2018

TOP STORY

Oncogenic KRAS Regulates Amino Acid Homeostasis and Asparagine Biosynthesis via ATF4 and Alters Sensitivity to L-Asparaginase

The ATF4 target asparagine synthetase contributed to apoptotic suppression, protein biosynthesis, and mTORC1 activation. Inhibition of AKT suppressed ASNS expression and, combined with depletion of extracellular asparagine, decreased tumor growth. [Cancer Cell] Abstract

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House Dust Mite Impairs Antiviral Response in Asthma Exacerbation Models through Its Effects on TLR3

Experimental asthma exacerbations were produced in vitro in human bronchial epithelial cells and in mice by using sequential challenges with house dust mite and a viral infection mimic, Poly(I:C). [Allergy] Abstract

Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Protects against Cigarette Smoke-Induced COPD and Down-Regulation of CFTR in Mice

Treatment with sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate reduced cigarette smoke extract-induced interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 secretion in human bronchial epithelial cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Application of a Phenotypic Drug Discovery Strategy to Identify Biological and Chemical Starting Points for Inhibition of TSLP Production in Lung Epithelial Cells

The authors used a phenotypic approach to identify new biological and chemical starting points for inhibition of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) production in human bronchial epithelial cells, with the objective of reducing T helper 2 lymphocyte-mediated airway inflammation. [PLoS One] Full Article

LUNG CANCER

IKKα Inactivation Promotes Kras-Initiated Lung Adenocarcinoma Development through Disrupting Major Redox Regulatory Pathways

Investigators found inactivating mutations and homologous or hemizygous deletions in the CHUK locus, which encodes IκB kinase α (IKKα), in human lung adenocarcinomas. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

Therapeutic Challenge with a CDK 4/6 Inhibitor Induces an RB-Dependent SMAC Mediated Apoptotic Response in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Scientists employed multiple isogenic retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (RB) proficient and deficient non-small cell lung cancer lines to interrogate the cytostatic and cytotoxic capacity of CDK 4/6 inhibition in vitro and in vivo. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

AATF Suppresses Apoptosis, Promotes Proliferation and Is Critical for Kras-Driven Lung Cancer

The authors showed that replication stress occurs in Kras-driven murine lung adenocarcinomas, as well as in proliferating murine embryonic and adult tissues. [Oncogene] Abstract

Nanofiber Membrane Supported Lung-on-a-Chip Microdevice for Anti-Cancer Drug Testing

Taking the alveolar microenvironment as a model, researchers developed a lung-on-a-chip with a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) electrospinning nanofiber membrane as the chip substrate and cell scaffold. [Lab Chip] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Enhanced YAP Expression Leads to EGFR TKI Resistance in Lung Adenocarcinomas

Scientists investigated the roles of Yes-associate protein (YAP) in tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-resistant lung adenocarcinoma. In TKI-sensitive cells, enhanced YAP expression lead to TKI resistance. Also, upregulated YAP expression and activation were detected in long-term TKI-induced resistant cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Interactions between EGFR and PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway: Implications for Treatment of NSCLC

The authors discussed the regulation effect of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling on programmed cell death receptor/ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) pathway and the potential mechanisms behind combing EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

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BerGenBio Meets First Efficacy Endpoint in Phase II Trial with Selective AXL Inhibitor BGB324 (Bemcentinib) in NSCLC

BerGenBio ASA announced that the first efficacy endpoint has been met in its Phase II clinical trial evaluating BGB324, a selective AXL inhibitor, in combination with erlotinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed on an approved epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor. [BerGenBio ASA] Press Release

Vertex Receives EU Approval for ORKAMBI^® (Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor) in Children with Cystic Fibrosis Ages 6-11 with Two Copies of the F508del Mutation

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that the European Commission has granted extension of the Marketing Authorization for ORKAMBI^®, the first medicine to treat the underlying cause of CF in people with two copies of the F508del mutation, to include children ages 6 through 11. [Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.] Press Release

Rising Star Appointed UK Science Minister

The United Kingdom has gained a new science minister as part of a broader reshuffle of government posts. Sam Gyimah, who moves from the Ministry of Justice, was appointed minister for universities and science, replacing Jo Johnson. [Nature News] Editorial

Faced with Public Pressure, Research Institutions Step Up Reporting of Clinical Trial Results

The reporting of clinical trial results to a public database — mandated by a ten-year-old federal law — has improved sharply in the last two years, with universities and other nonprofit research centers leading the way. [STAT News] Editorial

NEW Applications of Organoid Technology
May 27-June 2, 2018
Bar Harbor, Maine, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Scholarship – Translational Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Lund University)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Airway Ciliation Imaging in Human Lung Tissue (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Pulmonary Disease Pathogenesis (Columbia University)

NEW Postdoctoral Training Fellow – Lung Cancer (The Francis Crick Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Lung Regeneration after Injury (University of Michigan)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Lung Cancer (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Cell Signaling and Cell Differentiation (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cancer Research (University of California, Davis)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Human Airway Stem Cell Biology (Cornell University)

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

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