Pulmonary Cell News Volume 7.24 | Jun 21 2018

TOP STORY

Existing Treatment Could Be Used for Common ‘Untreatable’ Form of Lung Cancer

A cancer treatment already approved for use in certain types of cancer has been found to block cell growth in a common form of lung cancer for which there is currently no specific treatment available. The authors suggest that a large number of patients could benefit from this treatment – a second generation EGFR inhibitor – if used in combination with additional therapies. [Press release from the University of Glasgow discussing online prepublication in Science Translational Medicine] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Lipid Nanoparticle-Delivered Chemically Modified mRNA Restores Chloride Secretion in Cystic Fibrosis

Investigators deployed a clinically relevant lipid-based nanoparticle for packaging and delivery of large chemically modified cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mRNA to patient-derived bronchial epithelial cells, resulting in an increase in membrane-localized CFTR and rescue of its primary function as a chloride channel. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Targeting MMP-13 in Bronchial Epithelial Repair

Confluent layers of cultured normal human primary bronchial epithelial cells and SV-40 virus transformed 16HBE14o- bronchial epithelial cells were mechanically wounded, and video microscopy used to measure the rate of wound closure over two hours, in the absence and presence of poly I:C. [Clin Exp Allergy] Abstract

ERK1/2 and p38 Regulate Inter-Individual Variability in Ozone-Mediated IL-8 Gene Expression in Primary Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Ozone produces pulmonary inflammation that is highly variable between individuals; but reproducible within a single individual, indicating undefined susceptibility factors. Studying inter-individual variability is difficult with common experimental models, thus the authors used primary human bronchial epithelial cells collected from many different donors. [Sci Rep] Full Article

A2BAR Activation Attenuates Acute Lung Injury by Inhibiting Alveolar Epithelial Cell Apoptosis both In Vivo and In Vitro

Scientists investigated the role of A2B adenosine receptor (A2BAR) in alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) apoptosis in a mouse model of oleic acid-induced acute lung injury and in hydrogen peroxide-induced AEC injury. [Am J Physiol Cell Physiol] Abstract

Identification of Abnormally Expressed lncRNAs Induced by PM2.5 in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

The authors investigated the effect of stimulation of human bronchial epithelial cells by arterial traffic ambient PM2.5 and wood smoke PM2.5 on the expression of lncRNAs in order to find new therapeutic targets for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. [Biosci Rep] Abstract | Full Article

Photobiomodulation Prevents DNA Fragmentation of Alveolar Epithelial Cells and Alters the mRNA Levels of Caspase 3 and Bcl-2 Genes in Acute Lung Injury

Researchers evaluated the mRNA levels from caspase-3 and BCL-2 genes and DNA fragmentation in lung tissue from Wistar rats affected by acute lung injury and subjected to photobiomodulation by exposure to a low power infrared laser. [Photochem Photobiol Sci] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Afatinib Restrains K-RAS-Driven Lung Tumorigenesis

On the basis of various experimental models including genetically engineered mouse models, patient-derived and cell line-derived xenografts, and in vitro experiments, researchers demonstrated that the FDA-approved pan-ERBB inhibitor afatinib effectively impairs K-RAS-driven lung tumorigenesis. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

KAP1 Inhibits the Raf-MEK-ERK Pathway to Promote Tumorigenesis in A549 Lung Cancer Cells

Investigators found that KAP1 interacts with c-Raf. Knocking out KAP1 decreased c-Raf phosphorylation at serine 259 and increased its phosphorylation at serine 338, which activated MEK and ERK. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

Deregulation of UBE2C-Mediated Autophagy Repression Aggravates NSCLC Progression

Scientists report that aberrant activation of UBE2C in lung tumors from patients associates with adverse prognosis and enhances cell proliferation, clonogenicity, and invasive growth of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). [Oncogenesis] Full Article

Silk Fibroin Peptide Suppresses Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Lung Cancer Cells

The authors investigated the effects of silk fibroin peptide extracted from silkworm cocoons against human lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and its possible anticancer mechanisms. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract

How to Build a Lung: Latest Advances and Emerging Themes in Lung Bioengineering

A growing number of tissue engineering approaches are exploring the potential to generate lung tissue ex vivo for transplantation. Both biologically derived and manufactured scaffolds seeded with cells and grown ex vivo have been explored in pre-clinical studies, with the eventual goal of generating functional pulmonary tissue for transplantation. [Eur Respir J] Abstract

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

MetaStat Presents Positive Data Showing Inhibition of the MENA-Pathway Reduces Cancer Cell Dissemination and Paclitaxel Resistance in Aggressive Cancer

MetaStat, Inc. presented positive results from preclinical studies showing treatment with MAPKAPK2 kinase inhibitors reverse MENA-driven aggressive tumor cell phenotypes and significantly reduce metastasis. [Press release from MetaStat, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2018 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Conferenfce, Montreal] Press Release

Apexigen and Yale Cancer Center Announce Clinical Collaboration to Evaluate APX005M, Cabiralizumab, and Opdivo (Nivolumab) in Patients whose Disease has Progressed on Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Therapy

Apexigen, Inc. and Yale Cancer Center announced a clinical trial collaboration to evaluate Apexigen’s APX005M in combination with cabiralizumab and Opdivo in patients with advanced solid tumors. [Apexigen, Inc.] Press Release

China National Drug Administration Approves Country’s First Immuno-Oncology Agent, Opdivo (Nivolumab Injection), for Previously Treated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced that the China National Drug Administration has approved Opdivo for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after prior platinum-based chemotherapy in adult patients without EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release

Vertex Announces Long-Term Access Agreement in Sweden for Cystic Fibrosis Medicine ORKAMBI^® (Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced that ORKAMBI^®, the first medicine to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis in people with two copies of the F508del mutation, ages six and older, will be reimbursed in Sweden after concluding the three-party negotiations with TLV and the county councils. [Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated] Press Release

U.S. Legislators Back Larger Facilities Budget for NSF

The National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia, is in line for a budget increase of 4% to 5% next year. That assessment is based on bills approved recently by the spending committees in both chambers of Congress. Lawmakers have also signaled support for growing the account that NSF uses to build major new scientific facilities. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Why the Medical Research Grant System Could Be Costing Us Great Ideas

The medical research grant system in the United States, run through the National Institutes of Health, is intended to fund work that spurs innovation and fosters research careers. In many ways, it may be failing. [The New York Times] Editorial

House Bill Gives NIH a 3% Boost in 2019, to $38.3 Billion

A draft bill released by a House of Representatives spending panel would give the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, a $1.25 billion raise in 2019, to $38.3 billion. That is 3% more than this year’s level and $4.1 billion more than President Donald Trump’s administration had requested. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 2018 Till & McCulloch Meetings (TMM2018)
November 12-14, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Lung Cancer (University of Oxford)

Research Technologist – Pulmonary (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Principal Investigators – Cancer (University of Alabama Birmingham)

Chief – Integrative Tumor Epidemiology Branch (National Institutes of Health – National Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology/Molecular Biology (National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Vascular or Lung Biology (Yale University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Human Lung Stem Cells and Regeneration (MedImmune)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Virology and Respiratory Biology (MedImmune)

Assistant or Associate Professor – Genetic Epidemiology (University of Kentucky)

Postdoctoral Scholarship – Cancer Metabolism (Karolinska Institutet)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (NYU Langone Health)

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

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.