EGFR inhibitors regulate Ca2+ concentration and apoptosis after PM2.5 exposure based on a lung-mimic microfluidic system

Air-Liquid Interface Microfluidic Monitoring Sensor Platform for Studying Autophagy Regulation after PM2.5 Exposure

Undoubtedly, a deep understanding of PM2.5-induced tumor metastasis at the molecular level can contribute to improving the therapeutic effects of related diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of fine particle exposure through long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) regulation in autophagy and, ultimately, lung cancer (LC) metastasis remains elusive; on the other hand, the related monitoring sensor platform used to investigate autophagy and cell migration is lacking. Herein, this study performed an air-liquid interface microfluidic monitoring sensor (AIMMS) platform to analyze human bronchial epithelial cells after PM2.5 stimulation. The multiomics analysis [RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on lncRNA and mRNA expressions separately] showed that MALAT1 was highly expressed in the PM2.5 treatment group. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis demonstrated that autophagy-related pathways were activated. Notably, the main mRNAs associated with autophagy regulation, including ATG4D, ATG12, ATG7, and ATG3, were upregulated. Inhibition or downregulation of MALAT1 inhibited autophagy via the ATG4D/ATG12/ATG7/ATG3 pathway after PM2.5 exposure and ultimately suppressed LC metastasis. Thus, based on the AIMMS platform, we found that MALAT1 might become a promising therapeutic target. Furthermore, this low-cost AIMMS system as a fluorescence sensor integrated with the cell-monitor module could be employed to study LC migration after PM2.5 exposure. With the fluorescence cell-monitoring module, the platform could be used to observe the migration of LC cells and construct the tumor metastasis model. In the future, several fluorescence probes, including nanoprobes, could be used in the AIMMS platform to investigate many other biological processes, especially cell interaction and migration, in the fields of toxicology and pharmacology.

Adverse effects of exposure to fine particles and ultrafine particles in the environment on different organs of organisms

Particulate pollution is a global risk factor that seriously threatens human health. Fine particles (FPs) and ultrafine particles (UFPs) have small particle diameters and large specific surface areas, which can easily adsorb metals, microorganisms and other pollutants. FPs and UFPs can enter the human body in multiple ways and can be easily and quickly absorbed by the cells, tissues and organs. In the body, the particles can induce oxidative stress, inflammatory response and apoptosis, furthermore causing great adverse effects. Epidemiological studies mainly take the population as the research object to study the distribution of diseases and health conditions in a specific population and to focus on the identification of influencing factors. However, the mechanism by which a substance harms the health of organisms is mainly demonstrated through toxicological studies. Combining epidemiological studies with toxicological studies will provide a more systematic and comprehensive understanding of the impact of PM on the health of organisms. In this review, the sources, compositions, and morphologies of FPs and UFPs are briefly introduced in the first part. The effects and action mechanisms of exposure to FPs and UFPs on the heart, lungs, brain, liver, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, joints and reproductive system are systematically summarized. In addition, challenges are further pointed out at the end of the paper. This work provides useful theoretical guidance and a strong experimental foundation for investigating and preventing the adverse effects of FPs and UFPs on human health.

Protective Effect of Lonicera japonica on PM2.5-Induced Pulmonary Damage in BALB/c Mice via the TGF-β and NF-κB Pathway

This study aimed to assess the protective effect of an extract of Lonicera japonica against particulate-matter (PM)_2.5-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. The compounds with physiological activity were identified as shanzhiside, secologanoside, loganic acid, chlorogenic acid, secologanic acid, secoxyloganin, quercetin pentoside, and dicaffeoyl quinic acids (DCQA), including 3,4-DCQA, 3,5-DCQA, 4,5-DCQA, and 1,4-DCQA using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS^E). The extract of Lonicera japonica reduced cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inflammation in A549 cells. The extract of Lonicera japonica decreased serum T cells, including CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, and total T helper 2 (Th2) cells, and immunoglobulins, including immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin E (IgE), in PM_2.5-induced BALB/c mice. The extract of Lonicera japonica protected the pulmonary antioxidant system by regulating superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) contents, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In addition, it ameliorated mitochondrial function by regulating the production of ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and ATP contents. Moreover, the extract of Lonicera japonica exhibited a protective activity of apoptosis, fibrosis, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) via TGF-β and NF-κB signaling pathways in lung tissues. This study suggests that the extract of Lonicera japonica might be a potential material to improve PM_2.5-induced pulmonary inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis.

Dynamic molecular choreography induced by traffic exposure: A randomized, crossover trial using multi-omics profiling

The biological mechanism of adverse health outcomes related to exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) needs elucidation. We conducted a randomized, crossover trial among healthy young students in Shanghai, China. Participants wore earplugs and were randomly assigned to a 4-hour walking treatment either along a traffic-polluted road or through a traffic-free park. We conducted untargeted analyses of plasma exosome transcriptomics, serum mass spectrometry-based proteomics, and serum metabolomics to evaluate changes in genome-wide transcription, protein, and metabolite profiles in 35 randomly selected participants. Mean personal exposure levels of ultrafine particles, black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide in the road were 2-3 times higher than that in the park. We observed 3449 exosome mRNAs, 58 serum proteins, and 128 serum metabolites that were significantly associated with TRAP. The multi-omics analysis showed dozens of regulatory pathways altered in response to TRAP, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, coagulation, endothelin-1 signaling, and renin-angiotensin signaling. We found that several novel pathways activated in response to TRAP exposure: growth hormone signaling, adrenomedullin signaling, and arachidonic acid metabolism. Our study served as a demonstration and proof of concept on the evidence that associated TRAP exposure with global molecular changes based on the multi-omics level.

Integration of rapid PCR testing as an adjunct to NGS in diagnostic pathology services within the UK: evidence from a case series of non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with follow-up

AIMS

Somatic genetic testing in non-squamous, non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients is required to highlight subgroups eligible for a number of novel oncological therapies. This study aims to determine whether turnaround times for reporting epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) by next-generation sequencing (NGS) alone is sufficient to meet the needs of lung cancer patients.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective case series with follow-up. Outcomes of EGFR testing (102 tests) in 96 patients by NGS were compared with a rapid, fully automated PCR-based platform (Idylla) in local histopathology laboratories.

RESULTS

Turnaround time for reporting NGS was 17 calendar days. Reporting using the Idylla EGFR Mutation Test, by contrast, gave a potential turnaround time of 3.8 days from request to authorisation. Three-quarters of patients presenting with stage IV disease had a performance status of 0, 1, or 2 but 18% experienced rapid clinical deterioration (p<0.05). A third of these patients were deceased by the time NGS reports were available.

CONCLUSIONS

We discuss issues around integrating rapid PCR testing alongside NGS in multidisciplinary care pathways and strategies for mitigating against foreseeable difficulties. Dual testing for stage IV non-squamous, NSCLC patients has the potential to improve care and survival outcomes by providing access to the right test at the right time.

High-Throughput Cell Trapping in the Dentate Spiral Microfluidic Channel

Cell trapping is a very useful technique in a variety of cell-based assays and cellular research fields. It requires a high-throughput, high-efficiency operation to isolate cells of interest and immobilize the captured cells at specific positions. In this study, a dentate spiral microfluidic structure is proposed for cell trapping. The structure consists of a main spiral channel connecting an inlet and an out and a large number of dentate traps on the side of the channel. The density of the traps is high. When a cell comes across an empty trap, the cell suddenly makes a turn and enters the trap. Once the trap captures enough cells, the trap becomes closed and the following cells pass by the trap. The microfluidic structure is optimized based on the investigation of the influence over the flow. In the demonstration, 4T1 mouse breast cancer cells injected into the chip can be efficiently captured and isolated in the different traps. The cell trapping operates at a very high flow rate (40 μL/s) and a high trapping efficiency (>90%) can be achieved. The proposed high-throughput cell-trapping technique can be adopted in the many applications, including rapid microfluidic cell-based assays and isolation of rare circulating tumor cells from a large volume of blood sample.