Pulmonary Cell News Volume 8.48 | Dec 12 2019

TOP STORY

Caveolin-1-Derived Peptide Limits Development of Pulmonary Fibrosis

When caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide (CSP)7 was administered during the fibrotic phase in three preclinical models, CSP7 reduced extracellular matrix markers characteristic of pulmonary fibrosis, increased alveolar epithelial progenitor type II cell survival, and improved lung function. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Single-Cell Connectomic Analysis of Adult Mammalian Lungs

The authors leveraged single-cell RNA sequencing techniques to identify conserved patterns of cell-cell cross-talk in adult mammalian lungs, analyzing mouse, rat, pig, and human pulmonary tissues. Specific stereotyped functional roles for each cell type in the distal lung were observed, with alveolar type I cells having a major role in the regulation of tissue homeostasis. [Sci Adv] Full Article

Modeling Progressive Fibrosis with Pluripotent Stem Cells Identifies an Anti-fibrotic Small Molecule

Scientists describe the generation and characterization of an in vitro progressive fibrosis model that used cell types derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

The Role of miR-155 in Cigarette Smoke-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation and COPD

Investigators demonstrated increased miR-155 expression by RT-qPCR in lung tissue of smokers without airflow limitation and patients with COPD compared to never smokers and in lung tissue and alveolar macrophages of cigarette smoke-exposed mice compared to air-exposed mice. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Mapping Lung Cancer Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition States and Trajectories with Single-Cell Resolution

Researchers demonstrated significant differences between epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) trajectories using a computational tool for reconstructing trajectories between cell states. In addition, they constructed a lung cancer reference map of EMT and MET states referred to as the EMT-MET PHENOtypic STAte MaP. [Nat Commun] Full Article

A TAZ-AXL-ABL2 Feed-Forward Signaling Axis Promotes Lung Adenocarcinoma Brain Metastasis

The authors identified an autocrine signaling axis required for lung adenocarcinoma brain metastasis, whereby nuclear accumulation of the TAZ transcriptional co-activator drove expression of a panel of transcripts enriched in brain metastases, including ABL2 and AXL, encoding for protein tyrosine kinases that engage in bidirectional signaling. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Mechanisms of Suppression of Cell Growth by Dual Inhibition of ALK and MEK in ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Investigators showed that combination treatment potently inhibited the growth of both H3122 and CR-H3122 cells, resulting from increased apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation as a consequence of suppressed downstream RAS/MAPK signaling. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Characterization of a Bifunctional Synthetic RNA Aptamer and a Truncated Form for Ability to Inhibit Growth of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Scientists obtained a chemically-synthesized version of an in vitro-transcribed RNA aptamer and a truncated form, and compared them to trans-RA16 for abilities to target and inhibit NCI-H460 cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

miR-762 Activation Confers Acquired Resistance to Gefitinib in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

miR-762 expression was upregulated in gefitinib-resistant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and cells, and this upregulation predicted a poor post-chemotherapy prognosis in NSCLC patients. [BMC Cancer] Full Article

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Antimicrobial Peptides as Novel Therapeutics for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The author discusses the advantages of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), their mechanism of action, and progress in AMP development for use in non-small cell lung cancer treatment. [Drug Discov Today] Abstract

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

Lilly Opens First Ever Randomized Phase III Clinical Trial in Treatment-Naïve RET Fusion-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Eli Lilly and Company announced the opening of the LIBRETTO-431 clinical trial for selpercatinib, also known as LOXO-292, for treatment-naïve RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients. [Eli Lilly and Company] Press Release

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Selects NP-120 (Ifenprodil) for Its Lead Phase II Trial for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Chronic Cough

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that it plans to conduct its first Phase II clinical trial of its repurposed drug NP-120 for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic cough. [Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

Proteostasis Therapeutics to Initiate First Ever Personalized Medicine-Based Clinical Trial, CHOICES, in European CF Patients with Genotypes Ineligible for Approved CFTR Modulators

Proteostasis Therapeutics, Inc. (PTI) announced positive, initial ex vivo results of PTI’s proprietary CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators, PTI-801, PTI-808, and PTI-428, in individuals with CF who are ineligible for the current standard of care CFTR modulator therapies due to their genotype. [Proteostasis Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

KU Leuven Investigates Whether Stem Cell Scientist Falsified Data

KU Leuven is investigating allegations that one of its researchers, acclaimed stem cell biologist Catherine Verfaillie, was involved in falsifying research in at least 10 scientific papers published between 1999 and 2018, Belgian newspaper De Tijd reported last week. [The Scientist] Editorial

Congress Set to Form Groups to Protect US Research Security

Congress is expected to approve an annual defense bill as early as this week that would create two federal bodies aimed at preventing foreign government influence in scientific research. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Noncoding RNAs – Mechanism, Function and Therapies
January 12-16, 2020
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

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NEW PhD Positions – Heart and Lung Research (International Max Planck Research School for Heart and Lung Research)

Junior Research Group Leader – Lung Cancer (Justus Liebig University Giessen)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Small Cell Lung Cancer (University Hospital of Cologne)

PhD Student Positions – Influenza Research (University Hospital of Muenster)

Postdoctoral Associate – Inflammation (University of Pittsburgh)

PhD Student – Organ-on-Chip (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pulmonary Research (Universitätsklinikum Erlangen)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Lung Cancer Epigenomics (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

PhD Studentship – Small Cell Lung Cancer (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Lung Epithelium (Boston University)

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