Pulmonary Cell News Volume 7.10 | Mar 15 2018

TOP STORY

PKM1 Confers Metabolic Advantages and Promotes Cell-Autonomous Tumor Cell Growth

The authors showed that, when expressed rather than PKM2, the PKM isoform PKM1 exhibits a tumor-promoting function in KRAS^G12D-induced or carcinogen-initiated mouse models or in some human cancers. Analysis of Pkm mutant mouse lines expressing specific PKM isoforms established that PKM1 boosts tumor growth cell intrinsically. [Cancer Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Nickel Exposure Induces Persistent Mesenchymal Phenotype in Human Lung Epithelial Cells through Epigenetic Activation of ZEB1

By examining the persistent effects of nickel (Ni) exposure, researchers report that Ni induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and that the mesenchymal phenotype remained irreversible even after the termination of exposure. Ni-induced EMT was dependent on the irreversible upregulation of ZEB1, an EMT master regulator, via resolution of its promoter bivalency. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

Intranasal Delivery of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Induces Pulmonary Toxicity and Fibrosis in C57BL/6 Mice

Scientists investigated whether copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) could induce epithelial cell injury, pulmonary inflammation, and eventually fibrosis in C57BL/6 mice. Their studies showed that CuO NPs aggravated pulmonary inflammation in a dose-dependent manner. [Sci Rep] Full Article

An In Vitro Cytotoxicities Comparison of 16 Priority Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Human Pulmonary Alveolar Epithelial Cells HPAEpiC

Investigators compared the cytotoxicities of the 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells HPAEpiC. They examined the effects of each PAH on oxidative stress, cell viability, extracellular LDH, and apoptosis. [Toxicol Lett] Abstract

Optimization of Growth Conditions for Ovine Airway Epithelial Cell Differentiation at an Air-Liquid Interface

Researchers analyzed key factors that influence growth and differentiation of ovine tracheal epithelial cells in an air-liquid interface culture system. They identified a dose-dependent response to epidermal growth factor in terms of both epithelial thickening and ciliation levels. [PLoS One] Full Article

LUNG CANCER

IFN-γ-Mediated Inhibition of Lung Cancer Correlates with PD-L1 Expression and Is Regulated by PI3K-AKT Signaling

Scientists showed that the tumor expression of IFN-γ expression alone has no significant prognostic value in patients with locally advanced lung adenocarcinoma. Patients with tumors expressing both IFN-γ and PD-L1 had the best prognosis compared to those with tumors expressing IFN-γ or PD-L1 alone. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Targeting of G-Quadruplex Harboring Pre-miRNA 92b by LNA Rescues PTEN Expression in NSCL Cancer Cells

Researchers showed that a rationally designed locked nucleic acid (LNA) binds specifically the G-quadruplex conformation of pre-miRNA 92b and inhibits pre-miRNA maturation. They showed that the LNA treatment rescues PTEN expression in non-small cell lung (NSCL) cancer cells which is suppressed by the elevated level of miRNA 92b. [ACS Chem Biol] Abstract

Targeting CREB Pathway Suppresses Small Cell Lung Cancer

Investigators developed a lentiviral vector-mediated small cell lung cancer (SCLC) mouse model and explored the role of both the NF-κB and CREB families of transcription factors in this model. Induction of NF-κB activity, which promotes tumor progression in many cancer types including non-small cell lung carcinoma, was dispensable in SCLC. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

CiRS-7 Targeting miR-7 Modulates the Progression of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in a Manner Dependent on NF-κB Signaling

Researchers sought to figure out the effect of ciRS-7/miR-7/NF-κB axis on the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Remarkably up-regulated ciRS-7 and RELA expressions, as along with down-regulated miR-7 expressions, were found within NSCLC tissues and cells in comparison with normal ones. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

Extracellular Matrix in Lung Development, Homeostasis and Disease

The authors assess the current state of lung extracellular matrix (ECM) biology, including fundamental advances in ECM composition, dynamics, topography, and biomechanics; the role of the ECM in normal and aberrant lung development, adult lung diseases and autoimmunity; and ECM in the regulation of the stem cell niche. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Air-Liquid Interface: Relevant In Vitro Models for Investigating Air Pollutant-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity

Scientists discuss the current understanding of relevance, benefits and limitations of the air-liquid interface models in comparison to the existing in vitro and in vivo exposure system for testing air pollutants mediated pulmonary toxicity. [Toxicol Sci] Abstract

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

First-Line Lung Cancer Data and Other New Research from Merck’s Broad Oncology Program to Be Presented

Merck announced that new research from Merck’s broad oncology clinical program – across several major tumor types, as monotherapy and in combination – will be presented. [Press release from the Merck & Co., Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 2018 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, Chicago] Press Release

IO Biotech Enters Clinical Collaboration with MSD Evaluating IO102 in Combination with KEYTRUDA^® (Pembrolizumab) in First-Line Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

IO Biotech announced it has entered into a collaborative agreement with Merck & Co., Inc., focused on the clinical evaluation of IO102 with KEYTRUDA^® in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. [IO Biotech ApS] Press Release

Laurent Pharmaceuticals Reaches Agreement with US Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to Increase Development Award to $US 5M

Laurent Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that it has reached an agreement to receive an additional US $2 million commitment from US-based Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to further support the upcoming Phase II clinical study aimed at demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the company’s lead compound LAU-7b in adult patients with CF. [Laurent Pharmaceuticals Inc.] Press Release

OSE Immunotherapeutics Receives Approval in Europe to Resume Patient Accrual for Phase III Tedopi^® Clinical Trial in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients following Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment

OSE Immunotherapeutics announced that the company has received a positive opinion in Europe through the Voluntary Harmonisation Procedure to resume patient accrual in the global Tedopi^® Phase III trial, based on the revised protocol already approved in the U.S. [OSE Immunotherapeutics] Press Release

Merrimack Strengthens SHERLOC Study of MM-121 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it is expanding enrollment in the ongoing randomized Phase II SHERLOC study of its investigational drug candidate MM-121 in patients with heregulin-positive non-small cell lung cancer who have progressed after a platinum-containing regimen. [Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

GSK Announces Positive EU Approval for Labeling Update to Relvar Ellipta in Patients with Asthma

GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and Innoviva, Inc. announced that the European Commission has approved a label update for the use of once-daily Relvar Ellipta, an inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β2-agonist combination, in patients whose asthma is already adequately controlled on both an inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting β2-agonist. [GlaxoSmithKline plc] Press Release

Aradigm Submits Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to EMA for EU Marketing Approval of Linhaliq in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Aradigm Corporation announced it has submitted its MAA to European Medicines Agency (EMA) for Linhaliq^™ for the treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients with chronic lung infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. [Aradigm Corporation] Press Release

Guardant Health and National Cancer Center East Japan Announce Liquid Biopsy Arm of Lung Cancer Trial

The Guardant360^® assay will be used as the sole liquid biopsy in LC-SCRUM-Japan, a nationwide genomic screening network run by the National Cancer Center Hospital East Kashiwa, Japan to match metastatic lung cancer patients with approved drugs and experimental therapies in clinical trials. [Guardant Health (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

‘Right-to-Try’ Bill Rejected by House, in Major Blow to GOP Efforts

In a major blow to the effort to pass a federal “right-to-try” law, House Republicans failed to muster the votes to pass a key compromise measure. [STAT News] Editorial

Springer Nature and VSNU Renew Agreement on Open Access Publishing

Springer Nature and the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU) have renewed their agreement to secure open access publishing for Dutch universities up to 2021. [The Association of Universities in the Netherlands] Editorial

Science ‘Champion’ Dan Lipinski Faces Tough Race in Illinois Primary

Representative Daniel Lipinski—an anti-abortion Democrat who voted against the Affordable Care Act and who only recently has embraced a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants—knows that he’s out of step with progressives on many social issues. Lipinski will find out whether voters in Illinois’s third congressional district on Chicago’s southwest side feel there’s still room for him in the Democratic Party. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Scientists Beware: The Price Is High, the Payoff Uncertain at Glossy Publications Aimed at Europe’s Decision-Makers

Van der Heyden isn’t the only European researcher to get a hard sell from Pan European Networks, a six-year-old publishing company with offices in Congleton, U.K., and Brussels that promises to provide opportunities for “leading figures from across Europe” to get attention for their work or ideas. Many other scientists had similar experiences, Van der Heyden discovered when he started poking around on blogs and Twitter, including the promise of attention from decision-makers and the warning about the imminent board meeting. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Extracellular Vesicles
August 19-24, 2018
Newry, Maine, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cancer, Immunotherapy, and Fibrosis (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

NEW Senior Research Scientist – Lung Epithelium (AstraZeneca)

NEW Research Scientist – Cell Biologist (MedImmune)

NEW Full Professorship and Director – Lung Biology (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)

NEW Postdoctoral Traveling Fellowship – Lung Cancer (Cancer Research UK)

Doctoral Researcher Positions – Deciphering Therapeutic Targets in Lung Toxicology (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)

Postdoctoral Position – Immune Oncology (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer & Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Autoimmune Diseases Affecting the Lung (University of California, San Francisco)

Research Fellow – Ex Vivo Response to PD-1 Blockade (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)

Assistant Professor – Pulmonary Physiology (University of California, Riverside)

Multiple Positions – Pulmonary (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

Professor – Lung Cancer (University of Cincinnati)

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