Pulmonary Cell News Volume 7.19 | May 17 2018

TOP STORY

PGD2/DP2 Receptor Activation Promotes Severe Viral Bronchiolitis by Suppressing IFN-λ Production

Investigators showed that respiratory syncytial virus infection up-regulated hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase expression and increased prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) release by cultured human primary airway epithelial cells. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Niche-Mediated BMP/SMAD Signaling Regulates Lung Alveolar Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway, including antagonists, functions in lung development and regeneration of tracheal epithelium from basal stem cells. Scientists explored its role in the alveolar region, where type 2 epithelial cells and Pdgfrα⁺ type 2-associated stromal cells are components of the stem cell niche. [Development] Full Article

Influenza A Virus Infection Triggers Pyroptosis and Apoptosis of Respiratory Epithelial Cells through Type I IFN Signaling Pathway in a Mutually Exclusive Manner

Investigators showed that influenza virus infection induces apoptosis and pyroptosis in normal or precancerous human bronchial epithelial cells. Apoptosis was induced only in malignant tumor cells infected with influenza virus. [J Virol] Abstract

Long Non-Coding RNA Expression Patterns in Lung Tissues of Chronic Cigarette Smoke Induced COPD Mouse Model

The combination of high throughput data analysis and the results of qRT-PCR validation in lungs of chronic cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) mouse model, 16HBE cells with CSE treatment and PBMC from patients with COPD revealed that NR_102714 and its associated protein-coding gene UCHL1 might be involved in the development of COPD both in mouse and human. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Fisetin Inhibits the Generation of Inflammatory Mediators in Interleukin-1β-Induced Human Lung Epithelial Cells by Suppressing the NF-κB and ERK1/2 Pathways

Researchers investigated whether fisetin can suppress the expression of inflammatory mediators and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 in A549 human lung epithelial cells that were stimulated with interleukin-1β to induce inflammatory responses. [Int Immunopharmacol] Abstract

Pharmacological Inhibition of the Ubiquitin Ligase RNF5 Rescues F508del-CFTR in Cystic Fibrosis Airway Epithelia

Scientists used a computational approach, based on ligand docking and virtual screening, to discover inh-02, a drug-like small molecule that inhibits RNF5. In in vitro experiments, treatment with inh-02 modulated ATG4B and paxillin, both known RNF5 targets. [Cell Chem Biol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Combined Treatment with Apatinib and Docetaxel in A549 Xenograft Mice and Its Cellular Pharmacokinetic Basis

The effects of apatinib on the uptake, efflux and subcellular distribution of docetaxel were investigated in A549 and A549/DTX cells in vitro. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract

Characterization of Carfilzomib-Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines

Carfilzomib (CFZ)-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cell lines were developed by exposing A549 and H520 cells to stepwise increasing concentrations of CFZ. Resistance to CFZ and cross-resistance to bortezomib and other chemotherapy drugs was measured using the MTT assay. [J Cancer Res Clin Oncol] Abstract

EGF Upregulates RFPL3 and hTERT via the MEK Signaling Pathway in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

The authors investigated the MEK signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer cells with respect to the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on expression of ret finger protein like 3 (RFPL3) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), and the effect of RFPL3 overexpression on other MEK signaling proteins. [Oncol Rep] Abstract | Download Full Article

miR-26a-5p Potentiates Metastasis of Human Lung Cancer Cells by Regulating ITGβ8- JAK2/STAT3 Axis

Investigators found that over-expression of miR-26a-5p potentiated the migration and invasion of lung cancer cells evidenced by wound healing assay and transwell assay, and metastasis-related genes MMP-9 and CD44 were up-regulated. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Non-Coding RNA in Cystic Fibrosis

The authors review what is currently known about non-coding RNA expression and function in cystic fibrosis (CF), and discusses the possibility of applying this knowledge to the clinical management of CF in the near future. [Biochem Soc Trans] Abstract

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

Follow-Up Phase III Data Showed Roche’s Alecensa Helped People with ALK-Positive Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Live a Median of Almost Three Years without Their Disease Worsening or Death

Roche announced follow-up data from the Phase III ALEX study, showing that, as an initial treatment, Alecensa^® significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 57% compared to crizotinib after two years of follow-up in people with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, as assessed by the investigator. [Press release from F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd discussing research to be presented at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago] Press Release

Phase III IMpower150 Study Showed Roche’s Tecentriq and Avastin plus Carboplatin and Paclitaxel Helped People with a Specific Type of Metastatic Lung Cancer Live Significantly Longer Compared to Avastin plus Carboplatin and Paclitaxel

Roche announced positive results from the Phase III IMpower150 study of Tecentriq^® and Avastin^® plus carboplatin and paclitaxel for the initial treatment of chemotherapy-naïve people with metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. [Press release from F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd discussing research to be presented at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago] Press Release

Regeneron and Sanofi Share First Positive Clinical Data for Cemiplimab in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sanofi announced that the first positive Phase I clinical data assessing cemiplimab as a potential treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer will be shared. [Press release from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago] Press Release

Young Lung Cancer Investigators Awarded $200K to Improve Lung Cancer Outcomes

Lung Cancer Foundation of America and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer have awarded a pair of two-year grants, funded in part by Bristol-Myers Squibb, to support research that will hopefully help lung cancer patients lead longer, healthier lives. [International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer] Press Release

Celtaxsys Announces Last Patient, Last Visit in Landmark CF Phase IIb Lung Function Preservation Trial, Clinical Results Expected in July

Celtaxsys, Inc. announced the last patient, last visit in its 200-patient acebilustat Phase IIb lung function preservation trial for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). This trial has been carried out with the scientific and financial support of the CF Foundation. [Celtaxsys, Inc.] Press Release

Europe’s Open-Access Drive Escalates As University Stand-Offs Spread

Bold efforts to push academic publishing towards an open-access model are gaining steam. Negotiators from libraries and university consortia across Europe are sharing tactics on how to broker new kinds of contracts that could see more articles appear outside paywalls. [Nature News] Editorial

Huge Gender Disparity in Cancer Research Funding in U.K.

The analysis examined data on both public and philanthropic grants given to support cancer research in the U.K. Male PIs were awarded 69 percent of the grants, and their grants were on average 1.3 times as large as those given to women, so that they received 78 percent of the total money allocated. [The Scientist] Editorial

NIH’s Plum Award for Young Scientists Skews Male, Agency’s Data Show

These prestigious grants aim to vault the most promising new Ph.D.s to independence by allowing them to bypass postdoctoral fellowships and start their own labs immediately, providing up to $250,000 annually for 5 years. But since the awards were launched by NIH Director Francis Collins in 2010, men have consistently won them in numbers exceeding their representation in the applicant pool. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Sweden Cancels Agreement with Elsevier over Open Access

A collection of Swedish universities and research institutions will not renew its current contract with Elsevier that expires at the end of June, Times Higher Education reports. The move comes not long after academic institutions in other countries have let publishers’ subscriptions lapse when fee negotiations come to an impasse. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW 23^rd Congress of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR)
November 29-December 2, 2018
Taipei, China

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

NEW PhD Student – Novel Concepts for Therapy of Allergy (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Research Technologist – Pulmonary (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

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)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Pulmonary Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.