Pulmonary Cell News Volume 7.20 | May 24 2018

TOP STORY

C5a Induces A549 Cell Proliferation of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer via GDF15 Gene Activation Mediated by GCN5-Dependent KLF5 Acetylation

Investigators examined the proliferation-related genes and C5a receptor expression in tumor tissues as well as C5a concentration in plasma of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, and then determined the roles of KLF5, GCN5, and GDF15 in C5a-triggered NSCLC cell proliferation and the related mechanism both in vitro and in vivo. [Oncogene] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Interaction of Bacterial Phenazines with Colistimethate in Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Scientists report on testing paired combinations of four Pseudomonas aeruginosa VF phenazine toxins, pyocyanin, 1-hydroxyphenazine, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, phenazine-1-carboxamide, and two commonly prescribed polymyxin drugs, colistimethate/colistin and polymyxin B, in three human airway cell lines, BEAS-2B, HBE-1, and CFT-1. [Antimicrob Agents Chemother] Abstract | Full Article

Cigarette Smoke Promotes HIV Infection of Primary Bronchial Epithelium and Additively Suppresses CFTR Function

Researchers demonstrated that cigarette smoke potentiates HIV infection of bronchial epithelial cells by upregulating CD4 and CCR5 expression. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Early Growth Response Gene 1 Is Essential for Urban Particulate Matter-Induced Inflammation and Mucus Hyperproduction in Airway Epithelium

Investigators explored the possible role of early growth response gene 1 (Egr-1) in particulate matter (PM)-induced toxic effects in pulmonary inflammation and mucus hyperproduction in vitro and in vivo. PM exposure induced a rapid Egr-1 expression in human bronchial epithelial cells and in mouse lungs. [Toxicol Lett] Abstract

Exposure to Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP) and Monoethylhexyl Phthalate (MEHP) Promotes the Loss of Alveolar Epithelial Phenotype of A549 Cells

Scientists evaluated the cell progression, epithelial and mesenchymal markers, including surfactant secretion in A549 cells that were exposed to DEHP or MEHP for 24-72 hours. They showed an increased cell proliferation at all concentrations of each phthalate at 24 and 48 hours. [Toxicol Lett] Abstract

CTNNAL1 Inhibits Ozone-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Both ozone exposure and silencing of CTNNAL1 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition features in airway epithelial cells. Functional changes in lung fibroblasts increased after co-culture with CTNNAL1-silenced cells. [Exp Physiol] Abstract

Role of LKB1 in Migration and Invasion of Cr(VI)-Transformed Human Bronchial Epithelial Beas-2B Cells

Overexpression of liver kinase B1 (LKB1) in Cr(VI) malignantly transformed Beas-2B cells suppressed cell migration and invasion and inactivated FAK, Src, MMP-2, GSK3β, β-catenin, and HEF1, which contribute to cell migration and invasion. [Anticancer Drugs] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Integration of Protein Phosphorylation, Acetylation, and Methylation Data Sets to Outline Lung Cancer Signaling Networks

The authors coupled immunoprecipitation using posttranslational modification-specific antibodies with tandem mass tag mass spectrometry to simultaneously examine phosphorylation, methylation, and acetylation in 45 lung cancer cell lines compared to normal lung tissue and to cell lines treated with anticancer drugs. [Sci Signal] Full Article | Press Release

Hirsutine Induces mPTP-Dependent Apoptosis through ROCK1/PTEN/PI3K/GSK3β Pathway in Human Lung Cancer Cells

Researchers showed that hirsutine induces apoptosis in human lung cancer cells via loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, adenosine triphosphate depletion, ROS production, as well as cytochrome c release. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

RNF25 Promotes Gefitinib Resistance in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Cells by Inducing NF-κB-Mediated ERK Reactivation

Scientists investigated a synthetic lethality with gefitinib using a genome-wide RNAi screen in tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, and identified RNF25 as a novel factor related to gefitinib resistance. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Cypripedin Diminishes an Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells through Suppression of Akt/GSK-3β Signaling

Investigators found that cypripedin attenuated typical mesenchymal phenotypes, including migratory behavior, of non-small cell lung cancer H460 cells, with a significant reduction of actin stress fibers and focal adhesion and with weakened anchorage-independent growth. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Emerging Biomarkers for Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Lung Cancer

The authors discuss the development of PD-L1 expression as a biomarker as well as the ongoing emergence of other genomic and proteomic markers that can help refine the use of immunotherapies to maximize benefit in the most patients. [Semin Cancer Biol] Abstract

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

Widely Used E-Cigarette Flavoring Impairs Lung Function

Scientists suggest that when used in e-cigarettes cinnamaldehyde, like toxic aldehydes in cigarette smoke, significantly disrupts normal cell physiology in ways that may have implications for the development and exacerbation of respiratory disease. [Press release from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (EurekAlert) discussing research presented at American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2018, San Diego] Press Release | Abstract

FibroGen Presents Latest Data From PRAISE Phase 2b Study of Pamrevlumab in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

FibroGen, Inc. announced that updated results from the company’s randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase IIb PRAISE study of pamrevlumab in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were presented. [Press release from FibroGen, Inc. discussing research presented at American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2018, San Diego] Press Release

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Presents New Preclinical Data on ARO-ENaC for Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the presentation of new preclinical data on ARO-ENaC, formerly referred to as ARO-Lung1, for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. [Press release from Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research presented at American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2018, San Diego] Press Release

Merck’s KEYTRUDA^® (Pembrolizumab) Significantly Improved Overall Survival and Progression-Free Survival as First-Line Treatment for Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) in Pivotal Phase III KEYNOTE-407 Trial

Merck announced that the pivotal Phase III KEYNOTE-407 trial investigating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with carboplatin-paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel, as first-line treatment for metastatic squamous NSCLC, met the dual primary endpoints of overall survival and progression-free survival. [Merck & Co., Inc.] Press Release

CIRM Invests in Stem Cell Clinical Trial Targeting Lung Cancer and Promising Research into Osteoporosis and Incontinence

The five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with the most advanced stage of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is pretty grim, only between one and 10 percent. To address this devastating condition, the Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) voted to invest almost $12 million in a team from UCLA that is pioneering a combination therapy for NSCLC. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

FDA Plans to Speed Path to Approval for Some Gene Therapies, Starting with Hemophilia

The FDA will soon be alerting companies that certain gene therapies in development can qualify for less arduous review at the agency. Gottlieb said that hemophilia is the first disease the FDA will target with its new policy. [STAT News] Editorial

Plans for £100M Nobel Centre Blocked by Swedish Court

A Swedish court has blocked the construction of a major new Nobel Centre in Stockholm intended as the future venue for the world’s most prestigious arts and science awards. [The Guardian] Editorial

PM Will Pay to Have ‘Full Association’ with EU Research

The Prime Minister made the strongest commitment yet to “fully associate” the UK with the EU’s £68bn research program post-Brexit. Theresa May said the UK would be willing to make “an appropriate contribution” and in return it would expect a “suitable level of influence”. [BBC News] Editorial

NEW The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Conference
October 23-24, 2018
New York, New York, United States

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

NEW Call for Research Fellow Applications – Heart and Lung (Imperial College London)

Research Technologist – Pulmonary (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

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)

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