Comprehensive miRNA and DNA Microarray Analyses Reveal the Response of Hepatic miR-203 and Its Target Gene to Protein Malnutrition in Rats

Adequate protein nutrition is essential for good health. Effects of protein malnutrition in animals have been widely studied at the mRNA level with the development of DNA microarray technology. Although microRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted attention for their function in regulating gene expression and have been studied in several disciplines, fewer studies have clarified the effects of protein malnutrition on miRNA alterations. The present study aimed to elucidate the relationship between protein malnutrition and miRNAs. Six-week old Wistar male rats were fed a control diet (20% casein) or a low-protein diet (5% casein) for two weeks, and their livers were subjected to both DNA microarray and miRNA array analysis. miR-203 was downregulated and its putative target Hadhb (hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase β subunit), known to regulate β-oxidation of fatty acids, was upregulated by the low-protein diet. In an in vitro experiment, miR-203 or its inhibitor were transfected in HepG2 cells, and the pattern of Hadhb expression was opposite to that of miR-203 expression. In addition, to clarifying the hepatic miRNA profile in response to protein malnutrition, these results showed that a low-protein diet increased Hadhb expression through downregulation of miR-203 and induced β-oxidation of fatty acids.

DNA Microarray-Based Global Gene Expression Profiling in Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells Predicts the Potential of Microalgae-Derived Squalene for the Nervous System and Metabolic Health

In recent years, perinatal stem cells, such as human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs), have attracted increasing interest as a novel tool of stem cell-based high-throughput drug screening. In the present study, we investigated the bioactivities of squalene (SQ) derived from ethanol extract (99.5%) of a microalgae Aurantiochytrium Sp. (EEA-SQ) in hAECs using whole-genome DNA microarray analysis. Tissue enrichment analysis showed that the brain was the most significantly enriched tissue by the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between EEA-SQ-treated and control hAECs. Further gene set enrichment analysis and tissue-specific functional analysis revealed biological functions related to nervous system development, neurogenesis, and neurotransmitter modulation. Several adipose tissue-specific genes and functions were also enriched. Gene-disease association analysis showed nervous system-, metabolic-, and immune-related diseases were enriched. Altogether, our study suggests the potential health benefits of microalgae-derived SQ and we would further encourage investigation in EEA-SQ and its derivatives as potential therapeutics for nervous system- and metabolism-related diseases.

Changes in gene expression induced by Micro-Immunotherapy

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a metabolic disorder associated with obesity, type-II diabetes, and “low grade inflammation”, with the concomitant increased risk of cardiovascular events. As a chronic inflammatory process, MS results in a dysregulation of the cytokine profile. 2L®INFLAM, a Micro-immunotherapy (MI) medication formulated with highly diluted cytokines, is currently prescribed in Belgium for inflammatory diseases and potentially may be helpful for MS patients. Aims: To investigate the impact of 2L®INFLAM on selected gene expression markers (mRNA) in patients suffering from MS, in addition to biological and clinical parameters. Methodology: Four well characterized MS adult patients with stabilized body-weight were advised to take one capsule of 2L®INFLAM per day (by sublingual-oral route) for 6 months (composition in table 1). Concomitantly to biological and clinical examination, genes expression status was assessed by a DNA microarray technology (Oxygen™) comprising 200 genes involved mainly in oxidative stress and inflammation. Whole blood collection was performed before and after treatment (3-6 months) and mRNA levels measured. Gene expression was classified in 3 series (normally expressed, up or down-regulated) and genes related to diabetes predisposition were scored by using a proprietary Diascore (Probiox). Results: Before MI medication, a significant percentage of dysregulated genes (median: 16.3%) as well as a positive Diascore (median: 1.6) were noticed. Impressive correction of dysregulated genes (reaching 90% for one patient) was observed after 3 months of treatment (median: 2.3%) in addition to an improvement of Diascore in 3 MS patients out of 4 (median: 0.5). During the same period, both clinical and biological parameters remained unchanged. Conclusions: MS patients showing a high level of gene dysregulation efficiently normalized after 3 months of 2L®INFLAM (64%-90%), suggesting a biological regulatory effect of MI and a potential benefit of this medication for diabetic patients. Up and down-deregulated gene profiles were specific for each patient and not related to cytokine components of the formula. These preliminary data support the “domino effect” of MI sequential formula to restore in depth the immune homeostasis. DNA microarray technology may represent a promising tool for new provings as well as for biochemical comprehension of the “in vivo” effectiveness of highly diluted immune messengers. Table 1: 2L®INFLAM composition Compounds Dilutions Interleukin-1 (IL-1): 17 CH* Interleukin-1 Ra (IL-1 Ra): 3 CH Interleukin-2 (IL-2): 9 CH Interleukin-4 (IL-4): 7 CH Interleukin-6 (IL-6): 9 CH Interleukin-8 (IL-8): 9 CH Interleukin-10 (IL-10): 4 CH Interleukin-13 (IL-13): 9 CH Ciliary Neuro Trophic Factor (CNTF): 17 CH Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF): 17 CH Oncostatine M (OSM): 9 CH Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF): 5 CH Prostaglandine E2 (PgE2): 200 K** Rantes (Rantes): 17 CH Transforming Growth Factor beta(TGFβ): 5 CH Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα): 17 CH SNA INFLAMa-01 18 C SNA INFLAMb-01 18 CH * CH: Centesimal Hahnemannian (1/100) ** K: Centesimal Korsakovian (1/100)

Recent Advancements in the Technologies Detecting Food Spoiling Agents

To match the current life-style, there is a huge demand and market for the processed food whose manufacturing requires multiple steps. The mounting demand increases the pressure on the producers and the regulatory bodies to provide sensitive, facile, and cost-effective methods to safeguard consumers’ health. In the multistep process of food processing, there are several chances that the food-spoiling microbes or contaminants could enter the supply chain. In this contest, there is a dire necessity to comprehend, implement, and monitor the levels of contaminants by utilizing various available methods, such as single-cell droplet microfluidic system, DNA biosensor, nanobiosensor, smartphone-based biosensor, aptasensor, and DNA microarray-based methods. The current review focuses on the advancements in these methods for the detection of food-borne contaminants and pathogens.