@article{CeteciXuCetecietal.2011,
  author    = {Ceteci, Fatih and Xu, Jiajia and Ceteci, Semra and Zanucco, Emanuele and Thakur, Chitra and Rapp, Ulf R.},
  title     = {Conditional Expression of Oncogenic C-RAF in Mouse Pulmonary Epithelial Cells Reveals Differential Tumorigenesis and Induction of Autophagy Leading to Tumor Regression},
  series = {Neoplasia},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {Neoplasia},
  number    = {11},
  doi       = {10.1593/neo.11652},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134347},
  pages     = {1005-1018},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Here we describe a novel conditional mouse lung tumor model for investigation of the pathogenesis of human lung cancer. On the basis of the frequent involvement of the Ras-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway in human non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), we have explored the target cell availability, reversibility, and cell type specificity of transformation by oncogenic C-RAF. Targeting expression to alveolar type II cells or to Clara cells, the two likely precursors of human NSCLC, revealed differential tumorigenicity between these cells. Whereas expression of oncogenic C-RAF in alveolar type II cells readily induced multifocal macroscopic lung tumors independent of the developmental state, few tumors with type II pneumocytes features and incomplete penetrance were found when targeted to Clara cells. Induced tumors did not progress and were strictly dependent on the initiating oncogene. Deinduction of mice resulted in tumor regression due to autophagy rather than apoptosis. Induction of autophagic cell death in regressing lung tumors suggests the use of autophagy enhancers as a treatment choice for patients with NSCLC.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{CeteciCeteciZanuccoetal.2012,
  author    = {Ceteci, Fatih and Ceteci, Semra and Zanucco, Emanuele and Thakur, Chitra and Becker, Matthias and El-Nikhely, Nefertiti and Fink, Ludger and Seeger, Werner and Savai, Rajkumar and Rapp, Ulf R.},
  title     = {E-Cadherin Controls Bronchiolar Progenitor Cells and Onset of Preneoplastic Lesions in Mice},
  series = {Neoplasia},
  volume    = {14},
  journal   = {Neoplasia},
  number    = {12},
  doi       = {10.1593/neo.121088},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135407},
  pages     = {1164-1177},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {Although progenitor cells of the conducting airway have been spatially localized and some insights have been gained regarding their molecular phenotype, relatively little is known about the mechanisms regulating their maintenance, activation, and differentiation. This study investigates the potential roles of E-cadherin in mouse Clara cells, as these cells were shown to represent the progenitor/stem cells of the conducting airways and have been implicated as the cell of origin of human non-small cell lung cancer. Postnatal inactivation of E-cadherin affected Clara cell differentiation and compromised airway regeneration under injury conditions. In steady-state adult lung, overexpression of the dominant negative E-cadherin led to an expansion of the bronchiolar stem cells and decreased differentiation concomitant with canonical Wnt signaling activation. Expansion of the bronchiolar stem cell pool was associated with an incessant proliferation of neuroepithelial body-associated Clara cells that ultimately gave rise to bronchiolar hyperplasia. Despite progressive hyperplasia, only a minority of the mice developed pulmonary solid tumors, suggesting that the loss of E-cadherin function leads to tumor formation when additional mutations are sustained. The present study reveals that E-cadherin plays a critical role in the regulation of proliferation and homeostasis of the epithelial cells lining the conducting airways.},
  language  = {en}
}