Pulmonary Cell News Volume 7.43 | Nov 1 2018

TOP STORY

Revealing the Role of Epithelial Mechanics and Macrophage Clearance during Pulmonary Epithelial Injury Recovery in the Presence of Carbon Nanotubes

Scientists revealed that individual epithelial cells were able to clear apoptotic cells by applying a pushing force, whilst macrophages actively phagocytosed the dead cells to create an empty space. [Adv Mater] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Downregulation of HMGB1 Is Required for the Protective Role of Nrf2 in EMT-Mediated PF

In vitro, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation attenuated transforming growth factor β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and ROS production accompanied by the downregulation of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

miR-448-5p Inhibits TGF-β1-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Pulmonary Fibrosis by Targeting Six1 in Asthma

Overexpression of miR-448-5p decreased sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (Six1) expression and, in turn, suppressed transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrosis. The overexpression of Six1 partially reversed the protective effect of miR-448-5p on TGF-β1-mediated EMT and fibrosis in bronchial epithelial cells. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Protective Effect of Ginsenoside Rg3 on Lung Injury in Diabetic Rats

The authors showed that ginsenoside Rg3 had no significant influence on the proliferation and apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells. Ginsenoside Rg3 could inhibit the inflammatory response and promote the activation of PI3K and MAPK signaling pathways to prevent damage of lung tissues induced by hyperglycemia. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

The Role of Sema4D in Vasculogenic Mimicry Formation in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and the Underlying Mechanisms

Scientists found that inhibition of Sema4D in the human non-small cell lung carcinoma cells H1299 and HCC827 reduced vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation both in vitro and in vivo. They demonstrated that downregulating the expression of plexinB1 by siRNA expressing vectors and inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway using fasudil could reduce VM formation of H1299 and HCC827 cells. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

APE1 Stimulates EGFR-TKI Resistance by Activating Akt Signaling through a Redox-Dependent Mechanism in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Overexpression of APE1-protected tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-sensitive lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells from TKI-induced cell growth inhibition and cell death. In contrast, inhibition of APE1-enhanced TKI-induced apoptosis, cell growth inhibition and tumor growth inhibition in TKI-resistant LUAD. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Tumor Cell-Intrinsic CTLA4 Regulates PD-L1 Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

In cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) knockout cells, EGFR knockout cells or in the presence of an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, anti-CTLA4 antibody was not able to induce programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells. Moreover, anti-CTLA4 antibody promoted NSCLC cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo in the absence of adaptive immunity. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

Hyaluronan-CD44/RHAMM Interaction-Dependent Cell Proliferation and Survival in Lung Cancer Cells

Simultaneous silencing of hyaluronan (HA) synthase 2 (HAS2) and HAS3 or CD44 and HA-mediated motility receptor (RHAMM) suppressed cell proliferation and survival as well as the EGFR/AKT/ERK signaling pathway. Exogenous HA partially rescued the defect in cell proliferation and survival. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

Extracellular Vesicle Secretion of miR-142-3p from Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells Induces Tumor Promoting Changes in the Stroma through Cell-Cell Communication

Investigators demonstrated that transfer of miR-142-3p in LAC extracellular vesicles (EVs) to endothelial cells promoted angiogenesis through inhibition of TGFβR1. They showed EV associated miR-142-3p promoted the cancer-associated fibroblast phenotype in lung fibroblast cells which they showed was independent of TGFβ signaling. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

Chronic p27^Kip1 Induction by Dexamethasone Causes Senescence Phenotype and Permanent Cell Cycle Blockade in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells Over-Expressing Glucocorticoid Receptor

In cells with glucocorticoid receptor-α expression corresponding to higher clinical tumor levels, dexamethasone-induced growth arrest was followed by marked cell expansion, beta-galactosidase expression and Ki67 negativity, despite variable p53 and K-RAS status. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Endocan, Sepsis, Pneumonia, and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The authors present an overview of the structure, expression, and functions of endocan. They summarize the potential applications of endocan in the prediction and prognosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome and hospital-acquired pneumonia, as well as in the prognosis of sepsis. [Crit Care] Full Article

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

Immunomic Therapeutics Senior Director of Corporate Development to Present

Senior Director of Corporate Development at Immunomic Therapeutics Inc. Sia Anagnostou will speak at the Precision Lung Cancer World R&D Summit. [Press release from Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the Precision Lung Cancer World R&D Summit, Boston] Press Release

FDA Approves Merck’s KEYTRUDA^® (Pembrolizumab) in Combination with Carboplatin and Either Paclitaxel or Nab-Paclitaxel for the First-Line Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Merck announced that the FDA has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel, for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC based on results from the KEYNOTE-407 trial. [Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp] Press Release

Vertex Announces European Authorization for Third Cystic Fibrosis Medicine SYMKEVI^® (Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor), to Be Used in Combination with Ivacaftor (KALYDECO^®), for People with CF Aged 12 and Older with Certain Mutations in the CFTR Gene

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Limited announced that the European Commission has granted Marketing Authorization for SYMKEVI^® in a combination regimen with ivacaftor for the treatment of people with CF aged 12 and older who either have two copies of the F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, or one copy of the F508del mutation and a copy of one of the 14 mutations in which the CFTR protein shows residual activity. [Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated] Press Release

Verona Pharma Completes Enrollment in Phase II Clinical Trial Evaluating Nebulized RPL554 as Add-On to Dual Bronchodilator Therapy for COPD Maintenance Treatment

Verona Pharma plc announced that it has enrolled the last patient in its Phase II clinical trial evaluating the effect of nebulized RPL554 as an add-on to dual therapy using long-acting anti-muscarinic/long-acting beta2-agonists and triple therapy in the maintenance treatment of patients with moderate to severe COPD. [Verona Pharma plc (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

Savara Completes Enrollment in Molgradex OPTIMA Clinical Study for the Treatment of NTM

Savara Inc. announced completion of the target enrollment of 30 patients in OPTIMA, a Phase IIa clinical study evaluating its lead product candidate Molgradex, an inhaled formulation of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor for the treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung infection. [Savara Inc.] Press Release

Mirati Therapeutics Announces Submission of IND Application for MRTX849, a KRAS G12C Inhibitor, to Treat Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Colorectal Cancer

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA to initiate a Phase I/II trial with the initial goal to evaluate safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of the company’s KRAS G12C inhibitor, MRTX849, in patients with advanced solid tumors. [Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Two Young Women Lung Cancer Investigators Receive $200k Research Grants from Lung Cancer Foundation of America and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer Foundation of America and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer have awarded a pair of two-year grants to support research that will help lung cancer patients lead longer, healthier lives. [Lung Cancer Foundation of America ( PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

What Will a New California Law Mean for Biotech? Hundreds More Women in the Boardroom

In the next few years, publicly traded life sciences companies headquartered in California could collectively need to add hundreds of women to their boards in order to comply with a new state gender-parity law. That’s going to mean finding women to fill 126 board seats in the sector by the end of 2019. [STAT News] Editorial

Australia Plans ‘National-Interest’ Test for Research Grants

Australia’s government is set to introduce a ‘national-interest test’ for research projects seeking grant funding from next year. The policy will require that researchers outline how their project will advance the country’s interests, said education minister Dan Tehan in a statement. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conference: Harnessing Lung Complexity Towards Improved Health Across the Lifespan
August 4-9, 2019
Lewiston, Maine, United States

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

NEW Associate Professor – Oncology (University of California, Davis)

NEW Postdoctoral Scholar – Cancer Metabolism (The Moffitt Cancer Center)

Chair – Cancer Metabolomics Non-Clinical (Imperial College of London)

Postdoctoral Position – Lung Cancer Biology (UT Southwestern Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Modeling Infection in Human Lung Organoids (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Position – Human Lung Organoid Research (Columbia University Medical Center)

Research Associate – Lung Cancer (University of Cambridge)

Tenure Track or Early Career Investigator – Cell & Developmental Biology Center (National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Lung Cancer & Hypoxia Signaling (University of Illinois Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Vascular and/or Lung Biology (Yale University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Sepsis and Pulmonary Injury Research (University of Maryland)

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