1
|
Miluzio A, Cuomo A, Cordiglieri C, Donnici L, Pesce E, Bombaci M, Conti M, Fasciani A, Terracciano L, Manganaro L, Toccafondi M, Scagliola A, Oliveto S, Ricciardi S, Grifantini R, De Francesco R, Abrignani S, Manfrini N, Biffo S. Mapping of functional SARS-CoV-2 receptors in human lungs establishes differences in variant binding and SLC1A5 as a viral entry modulator of hACE2. EBioMedicine 2022; 87:104390. [PMID: 36584595 PMCID: PMC9795807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The first step of SARS-CoV-2 infection is the recognition of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors by the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral Spike (S) glycoprotein. Although the molecular and structural bases of the SARS-CoV-2-RBD/hACE2 interaction have been thoroughly investigated in vitro, the relationship between hACE2 expression and in vivo infection is less understood. METHODS Here, we developed an efficient SARS-CoV-2-RBD binding assay suitable for super resolution microscopy and simultaneous hACE2 immunodetection and mapped the correlation between hACE2 receptor abundance and SARS-CoV-2-RBD binding, both in vitro and in human lung biopsies. Next, we explored the specific proteome of SARS-CoV-2-RBD/hACE2 through a comparative mass spectrometry approach. FINDINGS We found that only a minority of hACE2 positive spots are actually SARS-CoV-2-RBD binding sites, and that the relationship between SARS-CoV-2-RBD binding and hACE2 presence is variable, suggesting the existence of additional factors. Indeed, we found several interactors that are involved in receptor localization and viral entry and characterized one of them: SLC1A5, an amino acid transporter. High-resolution receptor-binding studies showed that co-expression of membrane-bound SLC1A5 with hACE2 predicted SARS-CoV-2 binding and entry better than hACE2 expression alone. SLC1A5 depletion reduces SARS-CoV-2 binding and entry. Notably, the Omicron variant is more efficient in binding hACE2 sites, but equally sensitive to SLC1A5 downregulation. INTERPRETATION We propose a method for mapping functional SARS-CoV-2 receptors in vivo. We confirm the existence of hACE2 co-factors that may contribute to differential sensitivity of cells to infection. FUNDING This work was supported by an unrestricted grant from "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi" to Stefano Biffo and by AIRC under MFAG 2021 - ID. 26178 project - P.I. Manfrini Nicola.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annarita Miluzio
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cuomo
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Cordiglieri
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorena Donnici
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Pesce
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Bombaci
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Conti
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fasciani
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Terracciano
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lara Manganaro
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirco Toccafondi
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Scagliola
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Oliveto
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Ricciardi
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy,Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Renata Grifantini
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele De Francesco
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy,Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Sergio Abrignani
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Manfrini
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy,Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy,Corresponding author. National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy.
| | - Stefano Biffo
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy,Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy,Corresponding author. National Institute of Molecular Genetics, "Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Conforti P, Bocchi VD, Campus I, Scaramuzza L, Galimberti M, Lischetti T, Talpo F, Pedrazzoli M, Murgia A, Ferrari I, Cordiglieri C, Fasciani A, Arenas E, Felsenfeld D, Biella G, Besusso D, Cattaneo E. In vitro-derived medium spiny neurons recapitulate human striatal development and complexity at single-cell resolution. Cell Rep Methods 2022; 2:100367. [PMID: 36590694 PMCID: PMC9795363 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell engineering of striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) is a promising strategy to understand diseases affecting the striatum and for cell-replacement therapies in different neurological diseases. Protocols to generate cells from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are scarce and how well they recapitulate the endogenous fetal cells remains poorly understood. We have developed a protocol that modulates cell seeding density and exposure to specific morphogens that generates authentic and functional D1- and D2-MSNs with a high degree of reproducibility in 25 days of differentiation. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) shows that our cells can mimic the cell-fate acquisition steps observed in vivo in terms of cell type composition, gene expression, and signaling pathways. Finally, by modulating the midkine pathway we show that we can increase the yield of MSNs. We expect that this protocol will help decode pathogenesis factors in striatal diseases and eventually facilitate cell-replacement therapies for Huntington's disease (HD).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Conforti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Vittoria Dickinson Bocchi
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Campus
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Linda Scaramuzza
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Galimberti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Lischetti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Talpo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Pavia, Via Adolfo Ferrata, 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Pedrazzoli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Pavia, Via Adolfo Ferrata, 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessio Murgia
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Ivan Ferrari
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Cordiglieri
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fasciani
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Ernest Arenas
- Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Gerardo Biella
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Pavia, Via Adolfo Ferrata, 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Dario Besusso
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Cattaneo
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Francesconi O, Donnici L, Fragai M, Pesce E, Bombaci M, Fasciani A, Manganaro L, Conti M, Grifantini R, De Francesco R, Nativi C, Roelens S. Synthetic carbohydrate-binding agents neutralize SARS-CoV-2 by inhibiting binding of the spike protein to ACE2. iScience 2022; 25:104239. [PMID: 35434540 PMCID: PMC8996466 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing strategies against the SARS-CoV-2 is currently a main research subject. SARS-CoV-2 infects host cells by binding to human ACE2 receptors. Both, virus and ACE2, are highly glycosylated, and exploiting glycans of the SARS-CoV-2 envelope as binding sites for ACE2 represents a virus strategy for attacking the human host. We report here that a family of mannose-binding synthetic carbohydrate-binding agents (CBAs) inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection, showing broad neutralizing activity vs. several variants of the spike protein. Preliminary tests indicated that the investigated CBAs interact with the spike protein rather than with ACE2. For a lead compound (IDS060), which has been selected among others for its lack of cytotoxicity, evidence of binding to the RBD of the spike protein has been found by NMR experiments, while competitive binding assays in the presence of IDS060 showed inhibition of binding of RBD to hACE2, although neutralizing activity was also observed with variants showing reduced or depleted binding. Mannose-binding CBAs inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection showing broad neutralizing activity CBAs interact with the spike protein rather than with ACE2 receptors The non-toxic CBA IDS060 binds to the spike RBD and inhibits binding of RBD to hACE2
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Francesconi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, DICUS, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorena Donnici
- Fondazione INGM - Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Fragai
- Dipartimento di Chimica, DICUS, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,CERM, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisa Pesce
- Fondazione INGM - Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Bombaci
- Fondazione INGM - Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fasciani
- Fondazione INGM - Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
| | - Lara Manganaro
- Fondazione INGM - Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Conti
- Fondazione INGM - Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
| | - Renata Grifantini
- Fondazione INGM - Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele De Francesco
- Fondazione INGM - Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Nativi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, DICUS, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sessa A, Fagnocchi L, Mastrototaro G, Massimino L, Zaghi M, Indrigo M, Cattaneo S, Martini D, Gabellini C, Pucci C, Fasciani A, Belli R, Taverna S, Andreazzoli M, Zippo A, Broccoli V. SETD5 Regulates Chromatin Methylation State and Preserves Global Transcriptional Fidelity during Brain Development and Neuronal Wiring. Neuron 2019; 104:271-289.e13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
5
|
Poli V, Fagnocchi L, Fasciani A, Cherubini A, Mazzoleni S, Ferrillo S, Miluzio A, Gaudioso G, Vaira V, Turdo A, Gaggianesi M, Chinnici A, Lipari E, Bicciato S, Bosari S, Todaro M, Zippo A. Author Correction: MYC-driven epigenetic reprogramming favors the onset of tumorigenesis by inducing a stem cell-like state. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3921. [PMID: 30237396 PMCID: PMC6147780 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06480-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Poli
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology & Epigenetics, Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy.,Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Fagnocchi
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology & Epigenetics, Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy.,Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.,Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, 20122, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fasciani
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology & Epigenetics, Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy.,Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cherubini
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Mazzoleni
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Ferrillo
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Annarita Miluzio
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaudioso
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.,Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, 20122, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, 20122, Italy
| | - Valentina Vaira
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.,Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, 20122, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, 20122, Italy
| | - Alice Turdo
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90127, Italy
| | - Miriam Gaggianesi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90127, Italy
| | - Aurora Chinnici
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90127, Italy
| | - Elisa Lipari
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90127, Italy
| | - Silvio Bicciato
- Center for Genome Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41125, Italy
| | - Silvano Bosari
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, 20122, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, 20122, Italy
| | | | - Alessio Zippo
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology & Epigenetics, Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy. .,Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy. .,Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, 20122, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Poli V, Fagnocchi L, Fasciani A, Turdo A, Giaggianesi M, Vaira V, Bicciato S, Todaro M, Zippo A. PO-298 MYC favours the onset of tumour initiating cells by inducing epigenetic reprogramming of mammary epithelial cells towards a stem cell-like state. ESMO Open 2018. [DOI: 10.1136/esmoopen-2018-eacr25.329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
|
7
|
Bocci G, Culler MD, Fioravanti A, Orlandi P, Fasciani A, Colucci R, Taylor JE, Sadat D, Danesi R, Del Tacca M. In vitro antiangiogenic activity of selective somatostatin subtype-1 receptor agonists. Eur J Clin Invest 2007; 37:700-8. [PMID: 17696959 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2007.01848.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial cells of human blood vessels (arteries and veins) show high levels of somatostatin subtype-1 receptor (sst(1)). The aim of the present study is to investigate the inhibitory effects of novel somatostatin analogs, highly selective for human sst(1), on in vitro angiogenesis and their modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Somatostatin analogs BIM-23745 and BIM-23926 were tested for their ability to prevent proliferation and migration of human endothelial HMEC-1 cells, to modulate VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression and to inhibit sprouting of microvessels from cultured human placental vessel explants in fibrin matrix for 28 days. RESULTS The somatostatin sst(1 )receptor-selective agonists, BIM-23745 and BIM-23926 showed a suppression of endothelial proliferation (e.g. 10(-6) M BIM-23475, 40.0 +/- 2.1% vs. 100% of controls; 10(-7) M BIM-23926, 55.3 +/- 3.3% vs. 100% of controls), migration (e.g. 10(-7) M BIM-23475, 35.0 +/- 1.56% vs. 100% of controls; 10(-7) M BIM-23926, 53.7 +/- 1.77% vs. 100% of controls) and microvessel sprouting (e.g. 10(-8) M BIM-23475, 42.8 +/- 5.6% vs. 100% of controls; 10(-7) M BIM-23926, 17.2 +/- 11.8% vs. 100% of controls). A small but significant percentage of cells exposed to BIM-23745 and BIM-23926 for 24 h and for 72 h presented typical apoptotic morphology. Moreover, both the analogs significantly inhibit VEGF and VEGFR-2 gene expression in endothelial cells grown for 144 h in a fibrin matrix and the VEGF secretion in conditioned media. CONCLUSIONS The inhibition of endothelial activities suggests potential therapeutic utility for administration of somatostatin sst(1 )receptor-selective agonists in the proliferative diseases involving angiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Bocci
- University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Revoltella RP, Laricchia Robbio L, Moscato S, Vinante F, Fasciani A, Liberati AM, Reato G, Foa R. Naturally-occurring anti-G-CSF antibodies produced by human cord blood B-cell lines infected with Epstein-Barr virus. Hematol J 2002; 2:161-71. [PMID: 11920241 DOI: 10.1038/sj.thj.6200082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2000] [Accepted: 11/29/2000] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Naturally occurring antibodies (auto-Abs) recognizing human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor were detected with high frequency in serum samples obtained from umbilical cord blood of newborns (12 of 65 samples screened) and maternal peripheral blood serum samples from women at the end of gestation (seven of 56 cases tested). The aim of this paper was to demonstrate that auto-Abs anti-G-CSF revealed in the blood of newborns were produced during foetal life. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mononuclear cells from cord blood samples of different newborns containing high titer anti-G-CSF Abs were infected with Epstein-Barr virus in vitro, and EBV-immortalized B-cell lines were isolated and characterized for specific anti-G-CSF Ab production. RESULTS Six different, unrelated cell lines of male origin which showed the presence of EBNA-2 antigen in the nucleus, displayed a B-cell phenotype (CD30+, CD5-, CD10-, HLA-DR+, CD19+, CD20+, CD23+, CD38+, CD25+), coexpressed low intensity sIgM and sIgD, and produced only IgM with prevailing lambda clonal restriction and anti-rhG-CSF Ab reactivity. The Ab specificity was proven against either glycosylated or unglycosylated G-CSF by saturable binding in direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, by competition binding and Western immunoblotting assays. CONCLUSION The secreted Abs did not affect the in vitro generation of granulocyte colonies by human normal adult haemopoietic progenitor cells in soft agar clonogenic assays, suggesting that these Abs were not neutralizing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R P Revoltella
- Institute of Mutagenesis and Differentiation, C.N.R., Pisa, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Artini PG, Monti M, Fasciani A, Battaglia C, D'Ambrogio G, Genazzani AR. Vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-6 and interleukin-2 in serum and follicular fluid of patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2002; 101:169-74. [PMID: 11858893 DOI: 10.1016/s0301-2115(01)00568-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is not completely understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate the presence of VEGF, IL-6 and IL-2, in serum and follicular fluid, in patients developing severe OHSS. STUDY DESIGN We enrolled 101 women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Eight patients developing severe OHSS were compared with 43 high risk patients and 50 controls. We analyzed VEGF and IL-6 in serum collected before hCG administration, and in both serum and follicular fluid on the day of oocyte retrieval. RESULTS OHSS patients presented follicular fluid IL-6 levels higher than both the patients at risk and controls (P<0.05). On the day of the oocyte retrieval the patients developing OHSS showed serum and follicular VEGF values higher than the ones of the patients at risk (P<0.05). Serum and follicular fluid IL-2 levels showed no differences between the examined groups. IL-2, IL-6 and VEGF values were not correlated with each other. CONCLUSIONS Angiogenesis and inflammation processes are both present in severe OHSS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P G Artini
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 35, 56100, Pisa, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Taponeco F, Curcio C, Fasciani A, Giuntini A, Artini PG, Fornaciari G, Petraglia F, Genazzani AR. Indication of hysteroscopy in tamoxifen treated breast cancer patients. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2002; 21:37-43. [PMID: 12071527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to indicate the patients treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer in which hysteroscopy with biopsy should be considered mandatory. 414 breast cancer patients who underwent hysteroscopy with bioptic evaluation were enrolled in the study. 334 subjects were treated with 20 mg of tamoxifen daily as adjuvant therapy for six up to a hundred months. Of the remaining 80 control patients, which had not received tamoxifen, 30 were in premenopause (Group IA) and 50, in postmenopause (Group IIA). The tamoxifen-treated patients were subdivided in premenopausal (Group IB = 72 patients) and in postmenopausal (Group IIB = 262 patients) groups. All patients were further classified in asymptomatic or symptomatic groups considering whether uterine bleeding was absent or present. The evaluation of the endometrial mucosa was performed by office hysteroscopy. In group IIB patients presenting uterine bleeding, malignant lesions were found in 7.8% of the cases. The incidence of premalignant and malignant lesions in IIB patients treated for longer than 3 years (11.7%) was higher than that observed in IIB patients treated for less than 3 years (1.3%). There was a significant difference in terms of endometrial pathology between Group IIB (32.8%) and Group IIA (8%) (p < 0.001); and between Group IIB (32.8%) and Group IB (13.9%) women (p = 0.003). Among IA and IIA patients there were no cases of endometrial hyperplasia or cancer; on the contrary, in IB and IIB women, 2 and 22 cases of atypical hyperplasia were observed, respectively. All cases of endometrial cancer were observed in Group IIB and had a diagnosis of poor prognosis. In conclusion the hysteroscopy with biopsy should be considered the first diagnostic procedure to perform in tamoxifen-treated postmenopausal patients presenting uterine bleeding and in postmenopausal women treated for longer than 3 years. In premenopause, hysteroscopy should be proposed to women with ultrasonographic abnormalities and/or with uterine bleeding to patients at high risk for endometrial cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Taponeco
- Dept. of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, University of Pisa, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bocci G, Fasciani A, Danesi R, Viacava P, Genazzani AR, Del Tacca M. In-vitro evidence of autocrine secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor by endothelial cells from human placental blood vessels. Mol Hum Reprod 2001; 7:771-7. [PMID: 11470865 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/7.8.771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a highly specific mitogen for vascular endothelial cells, is involved in placental vascular growth and remodelling. The aim of this study was to investigate whether placental endothelial cells secrete VEGF in an autocrine manner and if this secretion is correlated with endothelial cell growth. Blood vessels, excised from the apical surface of three human placentae, were sectioned into 40 fragments per placenta and cultured in fibrin gel matrix for 27 days. Immunohistochemical detection of placental endothelial cells was performed by positive staining with anti-human factor VIII-associated antigen and negative staining with anti-human alpha-actin and desmin. To investigate the production and autocrine action of VEGF, VEGF concentrations in culture media were measured and the effect of an anti-VEGF neutralizing antibody on endothelial cell growth was observed. The results demonstrate that soluble VEGF is secreted by placental endothelial cells reaching a plateau from day 24 (68.74 +/- 7.52 pg/ml) to day 27 (67.20 +/- 6.28 pg/ml). Furthermore, VEGF concentrations in media collected on days 6, 12, 18, 21 and 27 of culture were found to be directly correlated to the sprouting parameter of endothelial cells, as calculated by image analysis on the same day ( P < 0.001, r (2) = 0.95 ). The use of 10 and 100 ng/ml of a neutralizing antibody against human VEGF suppressed cell proliferation, compared to that observed in the untreated controls, by 74.8 +/- 7.3 and 89.4 +/- 3.9% respectively. In conclusion, this study reports the first evidence of autocrine secretion of VEGF by human placental endothelial cells and demonstrates the involvement of VEGF in endothelial cell growth within a fibrin gel culture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Bocci
- Division of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the levels of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin (IL-8) in ovarian cysts. DESIGN Prospective descriptive study. SETTING University hospital. PATIENT(S) One hundred women, of whom 9 had ovarian carcinomas, 38 had ovarian endometriomata, 43 had serous ovarian cysts, and 10 had follicular ovarian cysts. INTERVENTION(S) Sampling of serum and ovarian cystic fluid before and during surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Levels of VEGF and IL-8 in cystic fluid and serum. RESULT(S) Levels of both VEGF and IL-8 were found to be significantly higher in the cystic fluid of ovarian carcinomas and endometriomata than in serous and follicular cysts. In endometriomata fluid, levels of VEGF and IL-8 were found to be directly correlated (r = 0.68; P=.0074). Serum levels of VEGF were significantly higher in women with ovarian carcinomas and endometriomata than in those with serous and follicular cysts. Ovarian cancers and endometriomata were similar in terms of cystic concentrations of VEGF and IL-8 and in serum levels of VEGF. CONCLUSION(S) An increase in angiogenic factors that differentiate ovarian carcinomas and endometriomata from other kinds of ovarian pathology is demonstrated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Fasciani
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Fasciani A, D'Ambrogio G, Bocci G, Monti M, Genazzani AR, Artini PG. High concentrations of the vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-8 in ovarian endometriomata. Mol Hum Reprod 2000; 6:50-4. [PMID: 10611260 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/6.1.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with endometriosis are characterized by the ability of the endometrium to implant and by the peritoneal response to the tissue; angiogenic factors may play a significant role in the aetiology of endometriosis supporting the implantation of ectopic endometrial cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a mitogen, morphogen and chemoactractant for endothelial cells and, in vivo, it is a powerful mediator for vessel permeability. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemoatractant for neutrophils and is a potent angiogenic factor. Women (n = 20) with ovarian endometriomata and 10 women with follicular cysts were enrolled in this study to investigate the role of VEGF and IL-8 in the development and maintenance of ovarian endometriomata. Cystic fluids were collected by laparoscopy, immediately centrifuged and stored until the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed. The VEGF and IL-8 concentrations were found to be significantly higher in the fluids of the ovarian endometriomata than in those of the follicular cysts of controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001 respectively); in addition, a significant inverse correlation between the VEGF cystic fluid concentrations and the diameter of the endometriotic adnexal masses was found (r = -0.56, P = 0.01). The evidence that the high concentrations of VEGF and IL-8 are present in the ovarian endometriomata indicates that angiogenesis could be a specific event both for the progression and maintenance of such cysts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Fasciani
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 56, 56126 Pisa,Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
D'Ambrogio G, Fasciani A, Monti M, Cattani R, Genazzani AR, Artini PG. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels before starting gonadotropin treatment in women who have developed moderate forms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Gynecol Endocrinol 1999; 13:311-5. [PMID: 10599547 DOI: 10.3109/09513599909167573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aims to evaluate whether serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, before treatment with gonadotropins, may be considered a predictive marker of moderate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). At the University of Pisa hospital infertility unit we have retrospectively selected 10 patients who developed moderate forms of OHSS and 30 control patients who presented a normal response to ovarian stimulation among 400 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Serum samples were collected before starting pFSH administration (150-300 IU/day). VEGF levels in serum were measured. No statistically significant difference was found between the serum VEGF levels of patients who developed moderate forms of OHSS and women without any symptoms of the syndrome. Further, serum VEGF concentrations were not significantly correlated with the age of the patients, the number of international units of FSH administered during the cycle of stimulation, the follicle and oocyte numbers counted on the day of the egg retrieval or estradiol levels detected on the same day. This study demonstrates that serum VEGF levels, before starting gonadotropin treatment, are not predictive of the subsequent development of moderate forms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G D'Ambrogio
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Artini PG, Fasciani A, Monti M, Luisi S, D'Ambrogio G, Genazzani AR. Changes in vascular endothelial growth factor levels and the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in women enrolled in an in vitro fertilization program. Fertil Steril 1998; 70:560-4. [PMID: 9757891 DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(98)00221-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate plasma and follicular fluid levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation to establish the possible role of this growth factor as a predictive marker of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). DESIGN Prospective observational study. SETTING University hospital infertility unit. PATIENT(S) Fifteen women at risk of OHSS and 15 controls. INTERVENTION(S) An IM injection of hCG was administered; plasma and follicular fluid samples were collected 34-38 hours after administration of hCG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) VEGF levels in plasma and in follicular fluid. RESULT(S) VEGF levels increased after hCG administration in the patients at risk of developing OHSS and in those who developed OHSS. Further, on the day of the oocyte retrieval the increase in the VEGF levels in the plasma of the patients who developed OHSS was statistically significant compared with the increase in the levels in the women who did not. On the same day, the levels of VEGF in follicular fluid were 10 times greater than those in plasma. CONCLUSION(S) Plasma levels of VEGF peak after hCG administration and are related to the risk of developing OHSS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P G Artini
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, University of Pisa, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Artini PG, Monti M, Fasciani A, Tartaglia ML, D'Ambrogio G, Genazzani AR. Correlation between the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone administered and plasma and follicular fluid vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Gynecol Endocrinol 1998; 12:243-7. [PMID: 9798133 DOI: 10.3109/09513599809015596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a powerful mediator for vessel permeability and it is strongly implicated in angiogenesis, stimulating endothelial cell proliferation as well as capillary permeability. We studied 30 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs and evaluated, on the day of oocyte retrieval, VEGF levels in plasma and follicular fluid and related such concentrations to the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) administered. Furthermore, the correlation between the number of oocytes retrieved and the VEGF concentrations both in plasma and in follicular fluid were also investigated. Results indicate that follicular fluid VEGF concentrations and the amount of pure FSH administered were directly proportional (p < 0.05). On the day of oocyte retrieval, the VEGF plasma concentrations and the number of oocytes collected were directly proportional (p < 0.05). VEGF plasma levels increased after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration (30.37 +/- 18.60 pg/ml up to 52.62 +/- 43.63 pg/ml). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the doses of pure FSH administered to women undergoing IVF cycles have a crucial role in hCG-dependent VEGF production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P G Artini
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
D'Ambrogio G, Monti M, Fasciani A, Genazzani AR. [Menstrual cycle]. Minerva Pediatr 1998; 50:209-11. [PMID: 9859648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
|
18
|
Jurisicova A, Rogers I, Fasciani A, Casper RF, Varmuza S. Effect of maternal age and conditions of fertilization on programmed cell death during murine preimplantation embryo development. Mol Hum Reprod 1998; 4:139-45. [PMID: 9542971 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/4.2.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the major morphological anomalies observed in many human pre-embryos is extensive cellular fragmentation. Previously we confirmed that embryo fragmentation seemed to be associated with the activation of programmed cell death (PCD). The purpose of our experiments was to establish a rate for murine embryo fragmentation in vivo after hormonal stimulation in young versus older females and to compare it with the rate of embryo fragmentation during in-vitro fertilization (IVF). While murine maternal age beyond 40 weeks increased the rate of embryo fragmentation following in-vivo fertilization (P = 0.001), oocytes from females of all ages had a uniformly high rate of fragmentation when fertilized in vitro (33%). None of the fragmented murine embryos proceeded further in development. In the mouse, fragmentation occurs exclusively during the first cell cycle. Furthermore, IVF significantly reduced the rate of blastocyst formation (P = 0.0001) and decreased the mean cell number at the blastocyst stage in comparison with embryos produced in vivo (P < 0.0001). The cell death index was significantly affected by both maternal age (P = 0.005) and IVF (P = 0.0001). Identification of specific factors which trigger PCD, especially those associated with IVF, may enable us to lower the rates of fragmentation in preimplantation embryos and thereby increase pregnancy rates after human IVF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Jurisicova
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
Recent case reports of ovarian cancer associated with infertility treatment raise the question of a possible etiopathogenetic role of fertility drugs in ovarian cancer. In this paper, the possible relationship between infertility treatment and ovarian cancer is reviewed with respect to the epidemiological and pathogenetic profiles of ovarian cancer and the potential risk factors associated with fertility drugs; a case report review and a critical reappraisal are also provided within this article. Currently available data in the literature, from epidemiological studies and case reports, suggest that a direct causal effect of infertility treatment on ovarian cancer seems unlikely. Since infertile women are likely to have a higher risk for the development of ovarian cancer, and the role of fertility drugs in the etiopathogenesis of ovarian carcinoma is not established, a close clinical examination of infertile patients before, during and after infertility treatment is recommended. Moreover, further investigation is required to resolve the question of the possible association between fertility drugs and ovarian cancer through large prospective epidemiological or retrospective case-control studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P G Artini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|