Tumor necrosis factor-α promotes airway mucus hypersecretion by repressing miR-146a-5p and miR-134-5p levels in human airway epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Airway mucus acts as an indispensable protective component of innate immune response against invading pathogens. However, airway mucus hypersecretion, largely consisting of mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), is the leading cause of airflow obstruction and airway hyperresponsiveness that contributes to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are frequently dysregulated in the pathogenesis of COPD, but the definite role of miRNAs in airway mucus hypersecretion is not well understood. METHODS: A cell model of mucus hypersecretion was established in 16HBE cells by treatment with TNF-α. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry, respectively. The aberrant expression of miR-146a-5p and miR-134-5p was assayed in TNF-α-treated 16HBE cells, and the effect of miR-146a-5p and miR-134-5p on regulating MUC5AC expression was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: TNF-α treatment resulted in a significant decrease of cell viability, and increase of cell apoptosis and MUC5AC expression in 16HBE cells. Additionally, the expression of miR-134-5p and miR-146a-5p was markedly decreased in the cell model. Importantly, forced expression of miR-134-5p and miR-146a-5p significantly repressed TNF-α-induced upregulation of MUC5AC. Mechanistically, although miR-134-5p did not affect 16HBE cells viability and apoptosis, miR-134-5p partially blocked TNF-α-induced MUC5AC expression by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling. On the other hand, miR-146a-5p enhanced cell viability and reduced cell apoptosis. miR-146a-5p also repressed TNF-α-induced MUC5AC expression by inhibiting p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling activation. CONCLUSIONS: The current data demonstrated that both miR-134-5p and miR-146a-5p conferred protection against TNF-α-induced mucus hypersecretion through repressing NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling, indicating that miR-134-5p and miR-146a-5p may serve as the biomarker for COPD.

Isolation of motile spermatozoa with a microfluidic chip having a surface-modified microchannel.

Conventional methods to prepare sperm have been amenable to the investigation of outcomes such as rates of recovery and conventional semen parameters. The standard preparation of sperm for assisted reproduction is criticized for its centrifugation steps, which might either recover motile sperm in variable proportions or increase the probability of damage to sperm DNA. An microfluidic system was designed to separate motile sperm according to a design whereby nonmotile spermatozoa and debris flow along their initial streamlines and exit through one outlet-up, whereas motile spermatozoa have an opportunity to swim into a parallel stream and to exit through a separate outlet-down. This chip was fabricated by microelectromechanical systems technology with polydimethylsiloxane molding. The hydrophilic surface, coated with poly (ethanediol) methyl ether methacrylate, exhibits enduring stability maintained for the microchannel. Microscopic examination and fluorescent images showed that the motility of sperm varied with the laminar streams. To confirm the sorting, we identified and quantified the proportions of live and dead sperm before and after sorting with flow cytometric analysis. The results on the viability of a sample demonstrated the increased quality of sperm after sorting and collection in the outlet reservoir. The counted ratio of live sperm revealed the quantity and efficiency of the sorted sperm.

[Study on the relationship between odor intensity and components concentrations of odor mixture].

Odor pollution has become a serious environmental problem arising from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants. But the studies on odor intensity and other olfactory evaluations are seriously influenced by the diversity, distinct concentration fluctuation and complex interaction of pollutants. In order to explore the relationship between odor intensity and components concentrations of odor mixture, several typical VOCs in indoor environment were used to simulate odor mixtures. A panel of six sensory assessors was employed to rate the odor intensities of the mixture and its unmixed components. The outcome showed that the presence of an odorant barely influenced the odor intensity of the mixture when its nature logarithm of odor activity value (OAV) was lower than 20% of the mixture's total amount. The application of this method as a pretreatment method for the odor mixture could apparently simplify the studies on odor interaction and olfactory evaluation.