Previously, we developed a novel microRNA (miRNA) delivery system based on bacteriophage MS2 virus-like particles (MS2 VLPs). In this current study, we used this system to transport miR-146a into human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and demonstrated the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis in precursors. Two cytokines, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), and macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) were used to induce osteoclastogenesis. MS2 VLPs were transfected into PBMCs. qRT-PCR was applied to measure expression levels of miR-146a and osteoclast (OC)-specific genes. Western blot (WB) was conducted to evaluate miR-146a downstream target proteins: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). The formation and activity of OCs were assessed by cytochemical staining and bone resorption assay, respectively. In PBMCs treated with MS2-miR146a VLPs, qRT-PCR assays showed increased expression of miR-146a (p < 0.01) and decreased expression of all four OC-specific genes (p < 0.05). WB results indicated decreased expression of EGFR (p < 0.01) and TRAF6 (p < 0.05). The number of OCs decreased markedly and bone resorption assay demonstrated inhibited activity. This miR-146a delivery system could be applied to induce overexpression of miR-146a and to inhibit the differentiation and function of OCs.

The majority of pregnant women present an increase in lipids. To investigate the influence of the non-fasting state in the lipid and lipoprotein profile in pregnancy, we have aimed to assess the dynamic change of serum lipid and lipoprotein profile with serum glucose in pregnancy to contrast the differences between fasting and non-fasting state. Forty-five pregnant women and 41 controls were included in our study. All serum samples were assayed for TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, ApoB, ApoA-1, Lp(a), sdLDL, and Glu concentrations. The comparison between pregnant women and controls (fasting and 2 h after breakfast), differences of these measurement results at three point-in-time, the associations between the concentrations of serum lipid and some maternal and fetus characteristics was conducted with statistical analysis. Except Glu (p < 0.001), there were no significant differences of all lipids between three point-in-time in pregnant women (p > 0.1). The statistically higher levels were found in fasting TC (p = 0.003), TG (p = 0.019), LDL-C (p = 0.002), ApoB (p = 0.001), ApoA1 (p = 0.013) and sdLDL (p < 0.001) of pregnant women compared with controls. Besides, the statistically significances were also found in 2-h TC (p = 0.001), LDL-C (p = 0.001), ApoB (p < 0.001), Glu (p = 0.013), ApoA-1 (p = 0.009) and sdLDL (p < 0.001) of pregnant women compared with controls. Otherwise, in non-fasting status (2 h after breakfast), pregnancy complication was relevant to TC (p = 0.041), HDL-C (p = 0.014), Glu (p = 0.004). Delivery mode was relevant to TC (p = 0.012), HDL-C (p = 0.013), LDL-C (p = 0.026), ApoA-1 (p = 0.012), and sdLDL (p = 0.044). BMI was relevant to TG (p = 0.027). We have suggested the non-fasting lipids detection can be used for estimate lipid metabolism in pregnant women.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is as a target gene for trastuzumab in patients with breast cancer. Accurate determination of HER2 status and strict quality control are necessary to ensure reproducibility and accuracy of the techniques used for the determination of HER2 status. We used three different types of samples: formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples prepared from cell lines, agarose gel samples using cell lines, and xenograft tumor samples. One cell line for FFPE or xenografts did not overexpress HER2, while the others showed different levels of HER2 overexpression. We compared the morphology, HER2 gene amplification status, and HER2 protein expression status of these samples with those of clinical specimens. We successfully produced three kinds of samples for quality control. Cells from the cell line-sample sections were dispersed while those from the agarose gel-sample sections and xenograft tumor sample sections (prepared from the both cell lines) were concentrated in one area. The FISH results for all three kinds of samples were as expected. The IHC results of the cell line samples and xenograft tumor samples were as expected, but the staining level of the agarose gel samples, using HER2-overexpressed cell lines was weak which might be regarded as a false negative result. Xenograft tumor samples might be used as an additional option for quality control in FISH and IHC. However, it might not replace the clinical specimen quality controls directly.