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

Abstract

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 microar-ray 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.