Pulmonary Cell News Volume 9.14 | Apr 16 2020

TOP STORY

Regenerative Metaplastic Clones in COPD Lung Drive Inflammation and Fibrosis

Scientists applied single-cell cloning technologies to lung tissue of patients with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Unlike control lungs, which were dominated by normal distal airway progenitor cells, COPD lungs were inundated by three variant progenitors epigenetically committed to distinct metaplastic lesions. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

O-GlcNAc Transferase Promotes Influenza A Virus-Induced Cytokine Storm by Targeting Interferon Regulatory Factor-5

Researchers identified a molecular mechanism by which hexosamine biosynthesis pathway-mediated O-linked β-N-acetylglucosaminelation regulated interferon regulatory factor-5 function during influenza A virus infection. [Sci Adv] Full Article

The Differential Effects of Commercial Specialized Media on Cell Growth and Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Using normal human bronchial epithelial cells cultured in BEGM as a reference, scientists validated the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition by transforming growth factor β1 in cells cultured in LHC-9. [Mol Biol Rep] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

Identification of a Novel Tumor Angiogenesis Inhibitor Targeting Shh/Gli1 Signaling Pathway in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Researchers showed that pristimerin, an active agent isolated from traditional Chinese herbal medicine Celastrus aculeatus Merr, was a novel tumor angiogenesis inhibitor that targeting sonic hedgehog (Shh)/glioma associated oncogene 1 (Gli1) signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Tripartite Motif Containing 35 (TRIM35) Contributes to the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Lung Cancer Cells In Vitro and Vivo

Overexpression of TRIM35 in non-small cell lung cancer cell line H460 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, knockdown of TRIM35 produced an opposite result in A549 and H1299 cell lines. [Biosci Rep] Abstract

miR-23b Functions as an Oncogenic miRNA by Downregulating Mcl-1S in Lung Cancer Cell Line A549

miR-23b was highly expressed in lung cancer cells compared with normal lung cells. Increased expression of miR-23b promoted A549 cell viability, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. [J Biochem Mol Toxicol] Abstract

CASC5 Is a Potential Tumor Driving Gene in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Knockdown of cancer susceptibility candidate 5 (CASC5) could inhibit cell proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells in vitro, rather than affecting cell migration and invasion. Mechanistically, CASC5 promoted proliferation of LUAD cells by targeting miR-139-5p. [Cell Biochem Funct] Abstract

Isoliquiritigenin Nanosuspension Enhances Cytostatic Effects in A549 Lung Cancer Cells

Investigators developed a stable isoliquiritigenin nanosuspension for enhanced solubility and to evaluate its in vitro cytostatic activity in A549 cells. The nanosuspension of isoliquiritigenin was prepared through wet media milling with hydroxypropyl cellulose-SSL and polyinylpyrrolidone-K30 as stabilizers. [Planta Med] Abstract

WIP1 Promotes Cancer Stem Cell Properties by Inhibiting p38 MAPK in NSCLC

Researchers revealed that WIP1 promoted stemness-related protein expression and cancer stem cell properties by inhibiting p38 activity in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. [Signal Transduct Target Ther] Full Article

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Alveolar Wars: The Rise of In Vitro Models to Understand Human Lung Alveolar Maintenance, Regeneration, and Disease

The authors discuss how current single-cell RNA sequencing studies have increased knowledge of the cellular and molecular composition of human lung alveoli, including the identification of molecular heterogeneity, cellular diversity, and previously unknown cell types, some of which arise specifically during disease. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

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

FDA Grants Calcimedica Permission to Begin Dosing cm4620-Ie in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia under a Newly Opened IND

CalciMedica, Inc. announced it has received a “Study May Proceed” letter from the FDA to investigate the use of CM4620-IE in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia who are at risk for progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome. CM4620-IE is a potent and selective small molecule CRAC channel inhibitor that prevents CRAC channel overactivation, which can cause pulmonary endothelial damage and cytokine storm in COVID-19. [CalciMedica, Inc.] Press Release

FDA Authorizes Athersys to Initiate a Pivotal Clinical Trial Evaluating MultiStem^® Cell Therapy in Patients with COVID-19 Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Athersys, Inc. announced that the FDA has authorized the Company to initiate a Phase II/III pivotal study to assess the safety and efficacy of MultiStem^® therapy in subjects with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). [Athersys, Inc.] Press Release

WHO’s Tedros, Expressing ‘Regret’ over Trump Move to Cut Funding, Says His Focus Is on ‘Saving Lives’

The head of the World Health Organization expressed “regret” that President Trump intends to cut off US funding to the agency over its handling of the coronavirus, but pointedly avoided criticizing the US move. [STAT News] Editorial

Ending Coronavirus Lockdowns Will Be a Dangerous Process of Trial and Error

After the novel coronavirus made its way from China around the world, one country after another adopted harsh measures to stop SARS-CoV-2 from spreading and overwhelming hospitals. They have hit the pause button on their economies and their citizens’ lives, stopping sports events, religious services, and other social gatherings. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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NEW PhD Studentship – Organoid Engineering in Lung Diseases (Helmholtz Zentrum München German Research Center for Environmental Health)

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