miRNA-150-5p promotes hepatic stellate cell proliferation and sensitizes hepatocyte apoptosis during liver fibrosis

Aim: To explore the role of miRNA-150-5p (miR-150-5p) in liver fibrosis. Materials & methods: miRNA expression profiles, CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis progression and regression rodent models, quantitative real-time PCR, miR-150-5p mimics and inhibitors, cell proliferation and apoptosis detection, RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were employed. Results: Liver tissue miR-150-5p expression was positively associated with liver fibrosis progression and regression; however, miR-150-5p exhibited a cell-specific expression pattern, namely, it was enhanced in hepatocytes but reduced in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) during liver fibrosis; miR-150-5p overexpression promoted HSC apoptosis and sensitized hepatocyte apoptosis; miR-150-5p mimic had a larger influence on the transcriptomic stability of HSCs than that of hepatocytes; miR-150-5p mediated activation of interferon signaling pathways might be responsible for HSC apoptosis. Conclusion: miR-150-5p exhibited an opposite regulation and function pattern between HSCs and hepatocytes during liver fibrosis.

High-k Dielectric Passivation: Novel Considerations Enabling Cell Specific Lysis Induced by Electric Fields

A better understanding of the electrodynamic behavior of cells interacting with electric fields would allow for novel scientific insights and would lead to the next generation of cell manipulation, diagnostics, and treatment. Here, we introduce a promising electrode design by using metal oxide high-k dielectric passivation. The thermally generated dielectric passivation layer enables efficient electric field coupling to the fluid sample comprising cells while simultaneously decoupling the electrode ohmically from the electrolyte, allowing for better control and adjustability of electric field effects due to reduced electrochemical reactions at the electrode surface. This approach demonstrates cell-size specific lysis with electric fields in a microfluidic flow-through design resulting in 99.8% blood cell lysis at 6 s exposure without affecting the viability of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial spike-ins. The advantages of this new approach can support next-generation investigations of electrodynamics in biological systems and their exploitation for cell manipulation in multiple fields of medicine, life science, and industry.