Integrated miRNA and mRNA expression profiling in response to eriodictyol in human endothelial cells

Lab-on-a-chip systems for cancer biomarker diagnosis

Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) or micro total analysis system is one of the microfluidic technologies defined as the adaptation, miniaturization, integration, and automation of analytical laboratory procedures into a single instrument or "chip". In this article, we review developments over the past five years in the application of LOC biosensors for the detection of different types of cancer. Microfluidics encompasses chemistry and biotechnology skills and has revolutionized healthcare diagnosis. Superior to traditional cell culture or animal models, microfluidic technology has made it possible to reconstruct functional units of organs on chips to study human diseases such as cancer. LOCs have found numerous biomedical applications over the past five years, including integrated bioassays, cell analysis, metabolomics, drug discovery and delivery systems, tissue and organ physiology and disease modeling, and personalized medicine. This review provides an overview of the latest developments in microfluidic-based cancer research, with pros, cons, and prospects.

Effect of Eriodictyol on Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Rats by Akt/HIF-1α Pathway

Purpose

The aim of the experiment was to explore the effect of eriodictyol (ERI) on arthritis.

Methods

We established a rat model of collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA) using type II collagen plus Freund’s complete adjuvant. We evaluated the degree of paw swelling, joint pathology, inflammatory cytokine levels, and the Akt/hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α signaling pathway in the CIA rats.

Results

ERI significantly ameliorated joint swelling; improved joint pathology; and suppressed the release of interleukin-6, interleukin-1 beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Moreover, ERI inhibited the Akt/HIF-1α pathway in the joints of rats and in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW264.7 cells.

Conclusion

ERI ameliorated arthritis in a manner involving the Akt/HIF-1α signaling pathway.

Exosome-mediated microRNA-497 delivery for anti-cancer therapy in a microfluidic 3D lung cancer model

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of death from cancer worldwide. The delivery and controlled regulation of miRNAs via exosomes is known as a potential therapeutic approach in the treatment of cancer. In this study, human cell-derived exosomes were used as delivery vehicles for miRNAs, and we investigated their anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic effects on NSCLCs that were cultured in 2D and 3D microfluidic devices. We demonstrated that exosomes that contained miRNA-497 (miR-497) effectively suppressed tumor growth and the expression of their associated genes, i.e., yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF), cyclin E1 (CCNE1), and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), in A549 cells. Also, the level of VEGF-A-mediated angiogenic sprouting was decreased drastically in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured in a microfluidic device. To mimic the in vivo-like tumor microenvironment of NSCLC, A549 cells were co-cultured with HUVECs in a single device, and miR-497-loaded exosomes were delivered to both types of cells. As a result, both the tube formation of endothelial cells and the migration of tumor decreased dramatically compared to the control. This indicated that miR-497 has synergistic inhibitory effects that target tumor growth and angiogenesis, so exosome-mediated miRNA therapeutics combined with the microfluidic technology could be a predictive, cost-efficient translational tool for the development of targeted cancer therapy.

Fabrication of 3D continuous-flow reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction microdevice integrated with on-chip fluorescence detection for semi-quantitative assessment of gene expression

We fabricate a three-dimensional (3D) microdevice operated with minimal peripheral accessories, including a portable pump for semi-automated sample delivery and a single heater for temperature control, for performing reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) integrated with a downstream fluorescence detection module for semi-quantitative assessment of gene expression. The microdevice was fabricated by wrapping a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tube around a pre-designed polycarbonate mold to create a seamless microchannel for both the reverse transcription (RT) of RNA and the amplification of complementary DNA. In addition, a silicone tube, which underwent a two-step surface modification mediated by polyethyleneimine and glutaraldehyde coating, was connected at the outlet to capture amplicons downstream of the PTFE tube for on-site fluorescence detection. This fabrication method enabled continuous-flow RT-PCR (CF RT-PCR) using the 3D CF RT-PCR microdevice as a reactor, a single heater for the temperature control of both RT and PCR processes, and a disposable plastic syringe for semi-automated sample delivery. The microdevice was successfully implemented for the identification of the β-actin gene, a constitutively expressed gene in all cells, and the sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1 gene, a potential pharmacological target gene in the diagnosis of cancer, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. This portable integrated microdevice offers a potential approach towards preliminary studies of gene expression and identification of RNA viruses.

Distribution of Four Bioactive Flavonoids in Maize Tissues of Five Varieties and Correlation with Expression of the Biosynthetic Genes

Flavonoids are characteristic in maize and have diverse biological functions. C-Glycosylflavones are neuroprotective against β-amyloid-induced tau hyperphosphorylation and neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, which is relevant to Alzheimer's disease prevention and treatment. The content of the flavonoids eriodictyol, luteolin, isoorientin, and maysin varied in pollens, silks, tassels, and seeds among five maize varieties. Eriodictyol content was high (51-322 ng/g dw) in pollens, while luteolin content was low (0.2-106 ng/g dw) in all four tissues. The isoorientin content was approximately 3- to 10-fold greater than eriodictyol in pollens and tassels, particularly in the hybrid M1 and sweet corn M5 varieties. Maysin content was high in most silks and tassels. The differential expression of five genes involved in the maysin biosynthesis correlated well with the profiles of the four flavonoids among tissues and varieties. The present study offers valuable data for maize breeding and the use of maize flavonoids as functional food components.