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Li K, Wang K, Xu SX, Xie XH, Tang Y, Zhang L, Liu Z. In vivo evidence of increased vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord 2024; 368:151-159. [PMID: 39278472 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.09.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 09/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a candidate mediator of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in depression. However, previous studies have mainly focused on peripheral blood VEGF levels, and the results are heterogeneous. Here we use astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (ADEVs) isolated from plasma to explore the in vivo changes of VEGF levels in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS Thirty-five unmedicated patients with MDD and 35 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled, and plasma ADEVs were isolated from each participant. VEGF levels in ADEVs and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in plasma were measured. Additionally, Alix and CD81, two established extracellular vesicle markers, were quantified in ADEVs. RESULTS At baseline, MDD patients exhibited significantly increased levels of VEGF in ADEVs and GFAP in plasma. Following four weeks of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment, these target protein levels did not significantly change. ROC curve analysis revealed an AUC of 0.711 for VEGF in ADEVs. In exploratory analysis, VEGF levels in ADEVs were positively correlated with Alix and CD81. LIMITATIONS Multiple factors regulate BBB permeability. This study focused solely on VEGF and the sample size for longitudinal analysis was relatively small. CONCLUSION Our study is the first to confirm increased ADEV-derived VEGF levels in patients with MDD, thereby providing preliminary evidence supporting the hypothesis that the BBB is disrupted in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of West Anhui Health Vocational College, Lu'an, Anhui, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Affied Hospital of West Anhui Health Vocational College, Lu'an, Anhui, China
| | - Shu-Xian Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xin-Hui Xie
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yan Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, Affied Hospital of West Anhui Health Vocational College, Lu'an, Anhui, China
| | - Lihong Zhang
- Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of West Anhui Health Vocational College, Lu'an, Anhui, China
| | - Zhongchun Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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Chebotarev O, Ugodnikov A, Simmons CA. Porous Membrane Electrical Cell-Substrate Impedance Spectroscopy for Versatile Assessment of Biological Barriers In Vitro. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:2000-2011. [PMID: 38447196 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00114] [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] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Cell culture models of endothelial and epithelial barriers typically use porous membrane inserts (e.g., Transwell inserts) as a permeable substrate on which barrier cells are grown, often in coculture with other cell types on the opposite side of the membrane. Current methods to characterize barrier function in porous membrane inserts can disrupt the barrier or provide bulk measurements that cannot isolate barrier cell resistance alone. Electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) addresses these limitations, but its implementation on porous membrane inserts has been limited by costly manufacturing, low sensitivity, and lack of validation for barrier assessment. Here, we present porous membrane ECIS (PM-ECIS), a cost-effective method to adapt ECIS technology to porous substrate-based in vitro models. We demonstrate high fidelity patterning of electrodes on porous membranes that can be incorporated into well plates of a variety of sizes with excellent cell biocompatibility with mono- and coculture set ups. PM-ECIS provided sensitive, real-time measurement of isolated changes in endothelial cell barrier impedance with cell growth and barrier disruption. Barrier function characterized by PM-ECIS resistance correlated well with permeability coefficients obtained from simultaneous molecular tracer permeability assays performed on the same cultures, validating the device. Integration of ECIS into conventional porous cell culture inserts provides a versatile, sensitive, and automated alternative to current methods to measure barrier function in vitro, including molecular tracer assays and transepithelial/endothelial electrical resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Chebotarev
- Translational Biology & Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Alisa Ugodnikov
- Translational Biology & Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Craig A Simmons
- Translational Biology & Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G8, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
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3
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Peterson IL, Thompson AD, Scholpa NE, Largent-Milnes T, Schnellmann RG. Isolation and monoculture of functional primary astrocytes from the adult mouse spinal cord. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1367473. [PMID: 38435055 PMCID: PMC10906264 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1367473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are a widely heterogenic cell population that play major roles in central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis and neurotransmission, as well as in various neuropathologies, including spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Spinal cord astrocytes have distinct differences from those in the brain and accurate modeling of disease states is necessary for understanding disease progression and developing therapeutic interventions. Several limitations to modeling spinal cord astrocytes in vitro exist, including lack of commercially available adult-derived cells, lack of purchasable astrocytes with different genotypes, as well as time-consuming and costly in-house primary cell isolations that often result in low yield due to small tissue volume. To address these issues, we developed an efficient adult mouse spinal cord astrocyte isolation method that utilizes enzymatic digestion, debris filtration, and multiple ACSA-2 magnetic microbead purification cycles to achieve an astrocyte monoculture purity of ≅93-98%, based on all markers assessed. Importantly, the isolated cells contain active mitochondria and express key astrocyte markers including ACSA-1, ACSA-2, EAAT2, and GFAP. Furthermore, this isolation method can be applied to the spinal cord of male and female mice, mice subjected to SCI, and genetically modified mice. We present a primary adult mouse spinal cord astrocyte isolation protocol focused on purity, viability, and length of isolation that can be applied to a multitude of models and aid in targeted research on spinal-cord related CNS processes and pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid L. Peterson
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Austin D. Thompson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Southwest Environmental Health Science Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Natalie E. Scholpa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Tally Largent-Milnes
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Rick G. Schnellmann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Southwest Environmental Health Science Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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Mehta P, Soliman A, Rodriguez-Vera L, Schmidt S, Muniz P, Rodriguez M, Forcadell M, Gonzalez-Perez E, Vozmediano V. Interspecies Brain PBPK Modeling Platform to Predict Passive Transport through the Blood-Brain Barrier and Assess Target Site Disposition. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:226. [PMID: 38399280 PMCID: PMC10892872 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The high failure rate of central nervous system (CNS) drugs is partly associated with an insufficient understanding of target site exposure. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability evaluation tools are needed to explore drugs' ability to access the CNS. An outstanding aspect of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models is the integration of knowledge on drug-specific and system-specific characteristics, allowing the identification of the relevant factors involved in target site distribution. We aimed to qualify a PBPK platform model to be used as a tool to predict CNS concentrations when significant transporter activity is absent and human data are sparse or unavailable. Data from the literature on the plasma and CNS of rats and humans regarding acetaminophen, oxycodone, lacosamide, ibuprofen, and levetiracetam were collected. Human BBB permeability values were extrapolated from rats using inter-species differences in BBB surface area. The percentage of predicted AUC and Cmax within the 1.25-fold criterion was 85% and 100% for rats and humans, respectively, with an overall GMFE of <1.25 in all cases. This work demonstrated the successful application of the PBPK platform for predicting human CNS concentrations of drugs passively crossing the BBB. Future applications include the selection of promising CNS drug candidates and the evaluation of new posologies for existing drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parsshava Mehta
- Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA; (P.M.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Amira Soliman
- Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA; (P.M.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Helwan 11795, Egypt
| | - Leyanis Rodriguez-Vera
- Model Informed Development, CTI Laboratories, Covington, KY 41011, USA; (L.R.-V.); (P.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Stephan Schmidt
- Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA; (P.M.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Paula Muniz
- Model Informed Development, CTI Laboratories, Covington, KY 41011, USA; (L.R.-V.); (P.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Monica Rodriguez
- Model Informed Development, CTI Laboratories, Covington, KY 41011, USA; (L.R.-V.); (P.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Marta Forcadell
- Neuraxpharm Pharmaceuticals SL, Clinical Research and Evidence-Generation Science, 08970 Barcelona, Spain; (M.F.); (E.G.-P.)
| | - Emili Gonzalez-Perez
- Neuraxpharm Pharmaceuticals SL, Clinical Research and Evidence-Generation Science, 08970 Barcelona, Spain; (M.F.); (E.G.-P.)
| | - Valvanera Vozmediano
- Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA; (P.M.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
- Model Informed Development, CTI Laboratories, Covington, KY 41011, USA; (L.R.-V.); (P.M.); (M.R.)
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Gupta R, Chauhan A, Kaur T, Kuanr BK, Sharma D. Transmigration of magnetite nanoparticles across the blood-brain barrier in a rodent model: influence of external and alternating magnetic fields. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:17589-17606. [PMID: 36409463 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr02210a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in neurology, drug delivery to the central nervous system is considered a challenge due to the presence of the blood brain barrier (BBB). In this study, the role of magnetic hyperthermia induced by exposure of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to an alternating magnetic field (AMF) in synergy with an external magnetic field (EMF) was investigated to transiently increase the permeability of the MNPs across the BBB. A dual magnetic targeting approach was employed by first dragging the MNPs by an EMF for an intended enhanced cellular association with the brain endothelial cells and then activating the MNPs by an AMF for the temporary disruption of the tight junctions of BBB. The efficacy of the BBB permeability for the MNPs under the influence of dual magnetic targeting was evaluated in vitro using transwell models developed by co-culturing murine brain endothelial cells with astrocytes, as well as in vivo in mouse models. The in vitro results revealed that the exposure to AMF transiently opened the tight junctions at the BBB, which, after 3 h of treatment, were observed to recover back to their comparable control levels. A biodistribution analysis of nanoparticles confirmed targeted accumulation of MNPs in the brain following dual targeting. This dual targeting approach was observed to open the tight junctions, thus increasing the transport of MNPs into the brain with higher specificity as compared to using EMF targeting alone, suggesting that a dual magnetic targeting-induced transport of MNPs across the BBB is an effective measure for delivery of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby Gupta
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab-140306, India.
| | - Anjali Chauhan
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab-140306, India.
- Special Centre for Nanoscience, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110067, India
| | - Tashmeen Kaur
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab-140306, India.
| | - Bijoy K Kuanr
- Special Centre for Nanoscience, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110067, India
| | - Deepika Sharma
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab-140306, India.
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Gagliardi S, Truffi M, Tinelli V, Garofalo M, Pandini C, Cotta Ramusino M, Perini G, Costa A, Negri S, Mazzucchelli S, Bonizzi A, Sitia L, Busacca M, Sevieri M, Mocchi M, Ricciardi A, Prosperi D, Corsi F, Cereda C, Morasso C. Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDC)-Loaded H-Ferritin-Nanocages Mediate the Regulation of Inflammation in Alzheimer's Disease Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9237. [PMID: 36012501 PMCID: PMC9409287 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDC) might be an inflammation inhibitor in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, BDC is almost insoluble in water, poorly absorbed by the organism, and degrades rapidly. We thus developed a new nanoformulation of BDC based on H-Ferritin nanocages (BDC-HFn). METHODS We tested the BDC-HFn solubility, stability, and ability to cross a blood-brain barrier (BBB) model. We tested the effect of BDC-HFn on AD and control (CTR) PBMCs to evaluate the transcriptomic profile by RNA-seq. RESULTS We developed a nanoformulation with a diameter of 12 nm to improve the solubility and stability. The comparison of the transcriptomics analyses between AD patients before and after BDC-HFn treatment showed a major number of DEG (2517). The pathway analysis showed that chemokines and macrophages activation differed between AD patients and controls after BDC-HFn treatment. BDC-HFn binds endothelial cells from the cerebral cortex and crosses through a BBB in vitro model. CONCLUSIONS Our data showed how BDC-Hfn could improve the stability of BDC. Significant differences in genes associated with inflammation between the same patients before and after BDC-Hfn treatment have been found. Inflammatory genes that are upregulated between AD and CTR after BDC-HFn treatment are converted and downregulated, suggesting a possible therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Truffi
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS Spa SB, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Veronica Tinelli
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Alfredo Costa
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Sara Negri
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS Spa SB, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Serena Mazzucchelli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Arianna Bonizzi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Leopoldo Sitia
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Marta Sevieri
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Mocchi
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS Spa SB, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Davide Prosperi
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Fabio Corsi
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS Spa SB, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Morasso
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS Spa SB, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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7
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Picone P, Palumbo FS, Federico S, Pitarresi G, Adamo G, Bongiovanni A, Chaves A, Cancemi P, Muccilli V, Giglio V, Vetri V, Anselmo S, Sancataldo G, Di Liberto V, Nuzzo D. Nano-structured myelin: new nanovesicles for targeted delivery to white matter and microglia, from brain-to-brain. Mater Today Bio 2021; 12:100146. [PMID: 34761196 PMCID: PMC8567303 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2021.100146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide and the presence of various physiological barriers limits the accessibility to the brain and reduces the efficacy of various therapies. Moreover, new carriers having targeting properties to specific brain regions and cells are needed in order to improve therapies for the brain disorder treatment. In this study, for the first time, Myelin nanoVesicles (hereafter defined MyVes) from brain-extracted myelin were produced. The MyVes have an average diameter of 100–150 nm, negative zeta potential, spheroidal morphology, and contain lipids and the key proteins of the myelin sheath. Furthermore, they exhibit good cytocompatibility. The MyVes were able to target the white matter and interact mainly with the microglia cells. The preliminary results here presented allow us to suppose the employment of MyVes as potential carrier to target the white matter and microglia in order to counteract white matter microglia-related diseases. Bio-fabrication of brain tissue derived nanovesicles: myelin nanovesicles. Myelin nanovesicles contain the main proteins of the myelin sheath (myelin basic protein and myelin proteolipid protein). Myelin nanovesicles can lade a drug/molecule and cross a blood–brain barrier model. Myelin nanovesicles target white matter and microglia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Picone
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l’Innovazione Biomedica, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy
- Corresponding author.
| | - Fabio Salvatore Palumbo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Federico
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanna Pitarresi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgia Adamo
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l’Innovazione Biomedica, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Bongiovanni
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l’Innovazione Biomedica, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Chaves
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122, Milano, Italy
| | - Patrizia Cancemi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vera Muccilli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6, I-95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Valentina Giglio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6, I-95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica-Emilio Segrè, Università degli studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze edificio 18, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Sara Anselmo
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica-Emilio Segrè, Università degli studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze edificio 18, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sancataldo
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica-Emilio Segrè, Università degli studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze edificio 18, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Di Liberto
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Corso Tukory 129, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Nuzzo
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l’Innovazione Biomedica, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy
- Corresponding author.
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Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type-1(HIV-1)-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) remains an important neurological manifestation in HIV-1-infected (HIV+) patients. Furthermore, the HIV-1 matrix protein p17 (p17) detection in the central nervous system (CNS) and its ability to form toxic assemblies in the brain has been recently confirmed. Here we show for the first time using both an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model and in vivo biodistribution studies in healthy mice that p17 can cross the BBB. There is fast brain uptake with 0.35 ± 0.19% of injected activity per gram of tissue (I.A./g) two minutes after administration, followed by brain accumulation with 0.28 ± 0.09% I.A./g after 1 h. The interaction of p17 with the chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) at the surface of brain endothelial cells triggers transcytosis. The present study supports the hypothesis of a direct role of free p17 in neuronal dysfunction in HAND by demonstrating its intrinsic ability to reach the CNS. IMPORTANCE The number of patients affected by HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) ranges from 30 to 50% of HIV-infected (HIV+) patients. The mechanisms leading to HAND development need to be elucidated, but the role of secreted viral proteins, chemokines, and proinflammatory molecules appears to be clear. In particular, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) represents a route for entry into the central nervous system (CNS) thus playing an important role in HAND. Several findings suggest a key role for the HIV-1 matrix protein p17 (p17) as a microenvironmental factor capable of inducing neurocognitive disorders. Here we show, the ability of the p17 to cross the BBB and to reach the CNS thus playing a crucial role in neuronal dysfunction in HAND.
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9
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Madden
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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