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Marino-Merlo F, Grelli S, Mastino A, Lai M, Ferrari P, Nicolini A, Pistello M, Macchi B. Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Oncogenesis between Active Expression and Latency: A Possible Source for the Development of Therapeutic Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14807. [PMID: 37834255 PMCID: PMC10572738 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the only known human oncogenic retrovirus. HTLV-1 can cause a type of cancer called adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). The virus is transmitted through the body fluids of infected individuals, primarily breast milk, blood, and semen. At least 5-10 million people in the world are infected with HTLV-1. In addition to ATL, HTLV-1 infection can also cause HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP). ATL is characterized by a low viral expression and poor prognosis. The oncogenic mechanism triggered by HTLV-1 is extremely complex and the molecular pathways are not fully understood. However, viral regulatory proteins Tax and HTLV-1 bZIP factor (HBZ) have been shown to play key roles in the transformation of HTLV-1-infected T cells. Moreover, several studies have shown that the final fate of HTLV-1-infected transformed Tcell clones is the result of a complex interplay of HTLV-1 oncogenic protein expression with cellular transcription factors that subvert the cell cycle and disrupt regulated cell death, thereby exerting their transforming effects. This review provides updated information on the mechanisms underlying the transforming action of HTLV-1 and highlights potential therapeutic targets to combat ATL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Marino-Merlo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy;
| | - Sandro Grelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonio Mastino
- The Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Michele Lai
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (M.L.); (M.P.)
| | - Paola Ferrari
- Unit of Oncology, Department of Medical and Oncological Area, Azienda Ospedaliera—Universitaria Pisana, 56125 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Andrea Nicolini
- Department of Oncology, Transplantations and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (M.L.); (M.P.)
| | - Beatrice Macchi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
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Potestà M, Roglia V, Fanelli M, Pietrobono E, Gismondi A, Vumbaca S, Nguedia Tsangueu RG, Canini A, Colizzi V, Grelli S, Minutolo A, Montesano C. Effect of microvesicles from Moringa oleifera containing miRNA on proliferation and apoptosis in tumor cell lines. Cell Death Discov 2020; 6:43. [PMID: 32550010 PMCID: PMC7272625 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-020-0271-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human microvesicles are key mediators of cell-cell communication. Exosomes function as microRNA transporters, playing a crucial role in physiological and pathological processes. Plant microvesicles (MVs) display similar features to mammalian exosomes, and these MVs might enhance plant microRNA delivery in mammals. Considering that plant microRNAs have been newly identified as bioactive constituents in medicinal plants, and that their potential role as regulators in mammals has been underlined, in this study, we characterized MVs purified from Moringa oleifera seeds aqueous extract (MOES MVs) and used flow cytometry methods to quantify the ability to deliver their content to host cells. The microRNAs present in MOES MVs were characterized, and through a bioinformatic analysis, specific human apoptosis-related target genes of plant miRNAs were identified. In tumor cell lines, MOES MVs treatment reduced viability, increased apoptosis levels associated with a decrease in B-cell lymphoma 2 protein expression and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Interestingly, the effects observed with MOES MVs treatment were comparable to those observed with MOES treatment and transfection with the pool of small RNAs isolated from MOES, used as a control. These results highlight the role of microRNAs transported by MOES MVs as natural bioactive plant compounds that counteract tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Potestà
- Department of Biology, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Roglia
- Department of Biology, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Marialaura Fanelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Pietrobono
- Department of Biology, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Gismondi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Vumbaca
- Department of Biology, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Canini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Colizzi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Sandro Grelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Minutolo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Montesano
- Department of Biology, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Marino-Merlo F, Balestrieri E, Matteucci C, Mastino A, Grelli S, Macchi B. Antiretroviral Therapy in HTLV-1 Infection: An Updated Overview. Pathogens 2020; 9:E342. [PMID: 32369988 PMCID: PMC7281255 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The human T cell leukemic/lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), discovered several years ago, is the causative agent for a rapid progressive haematological malignancy, adult T cell leukemia (ATL), for debilitating neurological diseases and for a number of inflammatory based diseases. Although the heterogeneous features of the diseases caused by HTLV-1, a common topic concerning related therapeutic treatments relies on the use of antiretrovirals. This review will compare the different approaches and opinions in this matter, giving a concise overview of preclinical as well as clinical studies covering all the aspects of antiretrovirals in HTLV-1 infection. Studies will be grouped on the basis of the class of antiretroviral, putting together both pre-clinical and clinical results and generally following a chronological order. Analysis of the existing literature highlights that a number of preclinical studies clearly demonstrate that different classes of antiretrovirals, already utilized as anti-HIV agents, are actually capable to efficiently contrast HTLV-1 infection. Nevertheless, the results of most of the clinical studies are generally discouraging on the same point. In conclusion, the design of new antiretrovirals more specifically focused on HTLV-1 targets, and/or the establishment of early treatments with antiretrovirals could hopefully change the perspectives of diseases caused by HTLV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emanuela Balestrieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (S.G.)
| | - Claudia Matteucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (S.G.)
| | - Antonio Mastino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
- The Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Sandro Grelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (S.G.)
| | - Beatrice Macchi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
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