Development of a Human Respiratory Mucosa-on-a-chip using Decellularized Extracellular Matrix

The Development of a Human Respiratory Mucosa-on-a-Chip Using Human Turbinate-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the influence of a respiratory mucosa-on-a-chip on the respiratory epithelial differentiation potential of human nasal inferior turbinate-derived stem cells (hNTSCs). Materials and Methods: After isolating hNTSCs from five patients, we divided the samples from the patients into the study group with a mucosa-on-a-chip and the control group with conventional differentiation (using conventional differentiation methods). The respiratory epithelial differentiation potential of hNTSCs was analyzed by histology and gene expression. Results: In the quantitative analysis, PCR showed that the hNTSCs expressed the cytokeratin genes (KRT13, 14), transformation-related protein P63 (TP63), and vimentin of basal cells in the airway epithelium at higher levels, but cytokeratin genes (KRT6) at lower levels, in the mucosa-on-a-chip than in conventional differentiation. In the cytokine analysis (GM-CSF, IFNr, IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12(p70), IL-13, IL-17A, IL-17E/IL-25, RANTES, TNFa, IL-6, and IL-8), the expressions of IFNr, IL-13, RANTES, TNFa, IL-6, and IL-8 were significantly upregulated in the mucosa-on-a-chip than in conventional differentiation. Conclusions: We conclude that the human respiratory mucosa-on-a-chip using human turbinate-derived mesenchymal stem cells allows the respiratory differentiation of hNTSCs and shows the difference in gene and cytokine expression, which could serve as an alternative to conventional differentiation for the production of functionally competent hNTSCs for future clinical applications.

Gancaonin N from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Attenuates the Inflammatory Response by Downregulating the NF-κB/MAPK Pathway on an Acute Pneumonia In Vitro Model

Acute pneumonia is an inflammatory disease caused by several pathogens, with symptoms such as fever and chest pain, to which children are particularly vulnerable. Gancaonin N is a prenylated isoflavone of Glycyrrhiza uralensis that has been used in the treatment of various diseases in oriental medicine. There are little data on the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Gancaonin N, and its effects and mechanisms on acute pneumonia are unknown. Therefore, this study was conducted as a preliminary analysis of the anti-inflammatory effect of Gancaonin N in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells, and to identify its preventive effect on the lung inflammatory response and the molecular mechanisms underlying it. In this study, Gancaonin N inhibited the production of NO and PGE2 in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells and significantly reduced the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins at non-cytotoxic concentrations. In addition, in LPS-induced A549 cells, Gancaonin N significantly reduced the expression of COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Moreover, Gancaonin N reduced MAPK signaling pathway phosphorylation and NF-κB nuclear translocation. Therefore, Gancaonin N relieved the inflammatory response by inactivating the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways; thus, it is a potential natural anti-inflammatory agent that can be used in the treatment of acute pneumonia.