Pulmonary Cell News Volume 7.18 | May 10 2018

TOP STORY

YAP1 Contributes to NSCLC Invasion and Migration by Promoting Slug Transcription via the Transcription Co-Factor TEAD

MTT and transwell assays showed that yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) overexpression promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion in the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines A549 and H460; YAP1 overexpression also promoted the significant differential expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related markers. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Long-Term Culture and Cloning of Primary Human Bronchial Basal Cells that Maintain Multipotent Differentiation Capacity and CFTR Channel Function

This report details modifications to the standard human bronchial epithelial basal cell (HBEC) conditional reprogramming of cells protocol, including the use of bronchial epithelial growth medium instead of F-medium and 2% oxygen instead of 21% oxygen, that extend HBEC lifespan while preserving multipotent differentiation capacity and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

Enterovirus 71 Infection of Human Airway Organoids Reveals VP1-145 as a Viral Infectivity Determinant

Scientists demonstrated the susceptibility of a newly developed human airway organoid model for enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection. They showed for the first time in a human physiological model that EV71 replication kinetics are strain-dependent. [Emerg Microbes Infect] Full Article

Transcriptional Profiling of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cell BEAS-2B Exposed to Diesel and Biomass Ultrafine Particles

Investigators present an RNA-seq time-course experiment used to investigate the differential and temporal changes induced in the gene expression of human bronchial epithelial cells by the exposure to ultrafine particles generated from diesel and biomass combustion. [BMC Genomics] Full Article

Inhibition of mTOR Ameliorates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis by Regulating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

In the setting of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in AECs, researchers found that mTOR inhibitor attenuated TGF-β1-induced EMT in AECs. This EMT was characterized by morphology and cell skeleton changes and the expression of EMT phenotype markers. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Anti-Fibrotic Effects of Pirfenidone and Rapamycin in Primary IPF Fibroblasts and Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Primary lung fibroblasts from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and human alveolar epithelial cells were treated in vitro with pirfenidone and rapamycin in the presence or absence of transforming growth factor β1. [BMC Pulm Med] Full Article

Comparison of Paired Human Nasal and Bronchial Airway Epithelial Cell Responses to Rhinovirus Infection and IL-13 Treatment

In the absence of IL-13 treatment, nasal and bronchial cells showed a similar IP-10 response in both air-liquid interface (ALI) and submerged cultures. Under the ALI culture, short term IL-13 treatment had a minimal effect on viral and Mx1 levels in both cell types. [Clin Transl Med] Full Article

LUNG CANCER

Upregulated lncRNA ADAMTS9-AS2 Suppresses Progression of Lung Cancer through Inhibition of miR-223-3p and Promotion of TGFBR3

Scientists investigated effects of lncRNA ADAMTS9-AS2 on lung cancer progression through regulating miR-223-3p and TGFBR3 expressions. Expressions of ADAMTS9-AS2 in lung cancer tissues and cell lines were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. [IUBMB Life] Abstract

Shikonin Enhances Sensitization of Gefitinib against Wild-Type EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer via Inhibition PKM2/Stat3/CyclinD1 Signal Pathway

The authors investigated whether shikonin can enhance antitumor effect of gefitinib in EGFR wild-type lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. [Life Sci] Abstract

YAP and TAZ in Lung Cancer: Oncogenic Role and Clinical Targeting

Researchers discuss the most recent advances made in yes associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) biology in lung cancer and, more importantly, on the newly discovered mechanisms of YAP and TAZ inhibition in lung cancer as well as their clinical implications. [Cancers] Full Article

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

Data from Spyryx Biosciences’ HOPE-1 Phase II Clinical Trial to be Presented in a Late-Breaking Oral Presentation

Spyryx Biosciences, Inc. will present data from the first cohort of its ongoing Phase II clinical trial, HOPE-1, in a late-breaking oral presentation. [Press release from Spyryx Biosciences, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 41^st European Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Belgrade] Press Release

FDA Grants Priority Review to Roche’s Cancer Immunotherapy TECENTRIQ (Atezolizumab) for Initial Treatment of People with a Specific Type of Metastatic Lung Cancer

Roche announced that the FDA has accepted the company’s supplemental Biologics License Application and granted Priority Review for TECENTRIQ^®, in combination with Avastin^®, paclitaxel and carboplatin, for the initial treatment of people with metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. [F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd] Press Release

Bellerophon Reaches Agreement with FDA on Study Design of Phase IIb Trial of INOpulse^® for Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc. announced that, following the receipt of minutes from a recent meeting with the FDA, the company has reached agreement with FDA on all key aspects of its planned Phase IIb study of INOpulse^® for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. [Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

FDA Seeks Permanent Injunctions against Two Stem Cell Clinics

The FDA, in two complaints filed in federal court, is seeking permanent injunctions to stop two stem cell clinics from marketing stem cell products without FDA approval and for significant deviations from current good manufacturing practice requirements. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Press Release

Hungarian Scientists Are on Edge As Country Is Poised to Force Out Top University

In early April, several days after Viktor Orbán secured his third consecutive term—and fourth overall—as Hungarian prime minister with a landslide victory for his conservative party, the pro-government paper Figyelő; published a list of more than 200 people it called “mercenaries” of George Soros, the American-Hungarian billionaire philanthropist. The list included investigative journalists and human rights advocates—and 30 academics from the Soros-founded, Budapest-based Central European University. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Release of Three Americans by North Korea Bolsters Hopes for Academic Diplomacy

The release of three Americans by North Korea is being welcomed in the United States. Leaders of the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology in North Korea also see the move as good news, and are hoping it might ultimately lead to the end of a travel ban that has prevented its U.S. instructors from teaching classes. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Harassment Should Count as Scientific Misconduct

Research culture and policies are quick to denounce plagiarism, data fabrication and mismanagement of funds, yet we have too long ignored the mistreatment of people. Science is a social endeavor; ignoring harassment perpetuates a culture in which people who experience or witness hostile behaviors are afraid to speak up, cannot do their best work, or leave science altogether. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2018 Congress
October 19-23, 2018
Munich, Germany

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

NEW Research Associate – Acute Lung Injury, Trauma, and Sepsis (University of Maryland School of Medicine)

Research Technologist – Pulmonary (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Genetic Epidemiology of Lung Disease (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Gene Therapy (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Fellow Position – Lung Injury and Repair (University of Kentucky)

Senior Research Associate – Lung Biology and Alveolar Epithelial Cells (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Positions – Long Noncoding RNA in Tumor Development and Cellular Differentiation (University of Gothenburg)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Lung Cancer (University of California, San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Position – Cell and Molecular Biology (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

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

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