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Fiaschini N, Carnevali F, Van der Esch SA, Vitali R, Mancuso M, Sulli M, Diretto G, Negroni A, Rinaldi A. Innovative Multilayer Electrospun Patches for the Slow Release of Natural Oily Extracts as Dressings to Boost Wound Healing. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:159. [PMID: 38399220 PMCID: PMC10891902 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020159] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Electrospinning is an advanced manufacturing strategy used to create innovative medical devices from continuous nanoscale fibers that is endowed with tunable biological, chemical, and physical properties. Innovative medical patches manufactured entirely by electrospinning are discussed in this paper, using a specific plant-derived formulation "1 Primary Wound Dressing©" (1-PWD) as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). 1-PWD is composed of neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) and the oily extracts of Hypericum perforatum (L.) flowers, according to the formulation patented by the ENEA of proven therapeutic efficacy as wound dressings. The goal of this work is to encapsulate this API and demonstrate that its slow release from an engineered electrospun patch can increase the therapeutic efficacy for wound healing. The prototyped patch is a three-layer core-shell membrane, with a core made of fibers from a 1-PWD-PEO blend, enveloped within two external layers made of medical-grade polycaprolactone (PCL), ensuring mechanical strength and integrity during manipulation. The system was characterized via electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical and contact angle tests. The encapsulation, release, and efficacy of the API were confirmed by FTIR and LC-HRMS and were validated via in vitro toxicology and scratch assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fiorella Carnevali
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (S.A.V.d.E.); (R.V.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (G.D.)
| | - Stephen Andrew Van der Esch
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (S.A.V.d.E.); (R.V.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (G.D.)
| | - Roberta Vitali
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (S.A.V.d.E.); (R.V.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (G.D.)
| | - Mariateresa Mancuso
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (S.A.V.d.E.); (R.V.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (G.D.)
| | - Maria Sulli
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (S.A.V.d.E.); (R.V.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (G.D.)
| | - Gianfranco Diretto
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (S.A.V.d.E.); (R.V.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (G.D.)
| | - Anna Negroni
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (S.A.V.d.E.); (R.V.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (G.D.)
| | - Antonio Rinaldi
- Nanofaber S.r.l., 00123 Rome, Italy;
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (S.A.V.d.E.); (R.V.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (G.D.)
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Vitali R, Mancuso AB, Palone F, Pioli C, Cesi V, Negroni A, Cucchiara S, Oliva S, Carissimi C, Laudadio I, Stronati L. PARP1 Activation Induces HMGB1 Secretion Promoting Intestinal Inflammation in Mice and Human Intestinal Organoids. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087096. [PMID: 37108260 PMCID: PMC10138503 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087096] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) has been recently reported to promote HMGB1 acetylation and its secretion outside cells. In this study, the relationship between HMGB1 and PARP1 in controlling intestinal inflammation was explored. C57BL6/J wild type (WT) and PARP1-/- mice were treated with DSS to induce acute colitis, or with the DSS and PARP1 inhibitor, PJ34. Human intestinal organoids, which are originated from ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, were exposed to pro-inflammatory cytokines (INFγ + TNFα) to induce intestinal inflammation, or coexposed to cytokines and PJ34. Results show that PARP1-/- mice develop less severe colitis than WT mice, evidenced by a significant decrease in fecal and serum HMGB1, and, similarly, treating WT mice with PJ34 reduces the secreted HMGB1. The exposure of intestinal organoids to pro-inflammatory cytokines results in PARP1 activation and HMGB1 secretion; nevertheless, the co-exposure to PJ34, significantly reduces the release of HMGB1, improving inflammation and oxidative stress. Finally, HMGB1 release during inflammation is associated with its PARP1-induced PARylation in RAW264.7 cells. These findings offer novel evidence that PARP1 favors HMGB1 secretion in intestinal inflammation and suggest that impairing PARP1 might be a novel approach to manage IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Vitali
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Barbara Mancuso
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Palone
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Pioli
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cesi
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Negroni
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cucchiara
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Oliva
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Carissimi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Laudadio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Vitali R, Palone F, Armuzzi A, Fulci V, Negroni A, Carissimi C, Cucchiara S, Stronati L. Proteomic Analysis Identifies Three Reliable Biomarkers of Intestinal Inflammation in the Stools of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease. J Crohns Colitis 2023; 17:92-102. [PMID: 36040453 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjac110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Faecal biomarkers have emerged as important tools in managing of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], which includes Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC]. AIM To identify new biomarkers of gut inflammation in the stools of IBD patients using a proteomic approach. METHODS Proteomic analysis of stools was performed in patients with both active CD and CD in remission and in controls by 2-DIGE and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. An ELISA was used to confirm results in a second cohort of IBD patients and controls. RESULTS 2-DIGE analysis detected 70 spots in the stools of patients with active CD or patients in remission CD and in controls. MALDI-TOF/TOF MS analysis identified 21 proteins with Chymotrypsin C, Gelsolin and Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor 2 [RhoGDI2] best correlating with the levels of intestinal inflammation. Results were confirmed in a second cohort of IBD patients and controls [57 CD, 60 UC, 31 controls]. The identified faecal markers significantly correlated with the severity of intestinal inflammation in IBD patients [SES-CD in CD, Mayo endoscopic subscore in UC] [CD; Chymotrypsin-C: r = 0.64, p < 0.001; Gelsolin: r = 0.82, p < 0.001; RhoGDI2: r = 0.64, p < 0.001; UC; Chymotrypsin-C: r = 0.76, p < 0.001; Gelsolin: r = 0.75, p < 0.001; RhoGDI2: r = 0.63, p < 0.001]. Moreover, ROC analysis showed that Gelsolin [p < 0.0002] and RhoGDI2 [p < 0.0001] in CD, and RhoGDI2 [p = 0.0004] in UC, have higher sensitivity and specificity than faecal calprotectin in discriminating between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS We show for the first time that 2-DIGE is a reliable method to detect proteins in human stools. Three novel faecal biomarkers of gut inflammation have been identified that display good specificity and sensitivity for identifying IBD and significantly correlate with IBD severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Vitali
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Palone
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Armuzzi
- IBD Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Valerio Fulci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Negroni
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Carissimi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cucchiara
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Fiaschini N, Mancuso M, Tanori M, Colantoni E, Vitali R, Diretto G, Lorenzo Rebenaque L, Stronati L, Negroni A. Liver Steatosis and Steatohepatitis Alter Bile Acid Receptors in Brain and Induce Neuroinflammation: A Contribution of Circulating Bile Acids and Blood-Brain Barrier. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214254. [PMID: 36430732 PMCID: PMC9697805 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A tight relationship between gut-liver diseases and brain functions has recently emerged. Bile acid (BA) receptors, bacterial-derived molecules and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) play key roles in this association. This study was aimed to evaluate how non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) impact the BA receptors Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and Takeda G-protein coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) expression in the brain and to correlate these effects with circulating BAs composition, BBB integrity and neuroinflammation. A mouse model of NAFLD was set up by a high-fat and sugar diet, and NASH was induced with the supplementation of dextran-sulfate-sodium (DSS) in drinking water. FXR, TGR5 and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) expression in the brain was detected by immunohistochemistry, while Zonula occludens (ZO)-1, Occludin and Plasmalemmal Vesicle Associated Protein-1 (PV-1) were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Biochemical analyses investigated serum BA composition, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and S100β protein (S100β) levels. Results showed a down-regulation of FXR in NASH and an up-regulation of TGR5 and Iba-1 in the cortex and hippocampus in both treated groups as compared to the control group. The BA composition was altered in the serum of both treated groups, and LBP and S100β were significantly augmented in NASH. ZO-1 and Occludin were attenuated in the brain capillary endothelial cells of both treated groups versus the control group. We demonstrated that NAFLD and NASH provoke different grades of brain dysfunction, which are characterized by the altered expression of BA receptors, FXR and TGR5, and activation of microglia. These effects are somewhat promoted by a modification of circulating BAs composition and by an increase in LBP that concur to damage BBB, thus favoring neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Fiaschini
- Biomedical Technologies Laboratory, Division of Health Protection Technologies, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Mancuso
- Biomedical Technologies Laboratory, Division of Health Protection Technologies, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Mirella Tanori
- Biomedical Technologies Laboratory, Division of Health Protection Technologies, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Colantoni
- Biomedical Technologies Laboratory, Division of Health Protection Technologies, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Vitali
- Biomedical Technologies Laboratory, Division of Health Protection Technologies, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Diretto
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Division of Biotechnologies and Agroindustry, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Lorenzo Rebenaque
- Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain
| | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Negroni
- Biomedical Technologies Laboratory, Division of Health Protection Technologies, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Laudadio I, Bastianelli A, Fulci V, Carissimi C, Colantoni E, Palone F, Vitali R, Lorefice E, Cucchiara S, Negroni A, Stronati L. ZNF281 Promotes Colon Fibroblast Activation in TGFβ1-Induced Gut Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810261. [PMID: 36142169 PMCID: PMC9499662 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810261] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Chronic inflammation is the main factor leading to intestinal fibrosis, resulting in recurrent stenosis, especially in CD patients. Currently, the underlying molecular mechanisms of fibrosis are still unclear. ZNF281 is a zinc-finger transcriptional regulator that has been characterized as an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-inducing transcription factor, suggesting its involvement in the regulation of pluripotency, stemness, and cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate in vivo and in vitro the role of ZNF281 in intestinal fibrogenesis. Intestinal fibrosis was studied in vivo in C57BL/6J mice with chronic colitis induced by two or three cycles of administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The contribution of ZNF281 to gut fibrosis was studied in vitro in the human colon fibroblast cell line CCD-18Co, activated by the pro-fibrotic cytokine TGFβ1. ZNF281 was downregulated by siRNA transfection, and RNA-sequencing was performed to identify genes regulated by TGFβ1 in activated colon fibroblasts via ZNF281. Results showed a marked increase of ZNF281 in in vivo murine fibrotic colon as well as in in vitro human colon fibroblasts activated by TGFβ1. Moreover, abrogation of ZNF281 in TGFβ1-treated fibroblasts affected the expression of genes belonging to specific pathways linked to fibroblast activation and differentiation into myofibroblasts. We demonstrated that ZNF281 is a key regulator of colon fibroblast activation and myofibroblast differentiation upon fibrotic stimuli by transcriptionally controlling extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, remodeling, and cell contraction, highlighting a new role in the onset and progression of gut fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Laudadio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Alex Bastianelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Fulci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Carissimi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Palone
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA, 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Vitali
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA, 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Lorefice
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cucchiara
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Negroni
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA, 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Fiaschini N, Negroni A, Palone F, Vitali R, Colantoni E, Laudadio I, Mancuso M, Cucchiara S, Stronati L. Colonic inflammation accelerates the progression of liver disease: A protective role of dipotassium glycyrrhizate. Dig Liver Dis 2022; 54:1084-1093. [PMID: 34903499 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2021.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more severe and progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is increasing worldwide. Gut inflammation seems to concur to the pathogenesis of NASH. No drugs are currently approved for NASH treatment. AIMS To investigate if inflamed gut directly contributes to the progression of NASH through gut epithelial and vascular barrier impairment and to evaluate the efficacy of dipotassium glycyrrhizate (DPG) to improve the liver disease. METHODS A NASH model was set up by feeding mice, for 8 and 13 weeks, with high fat diet with high fructose and glucose (HFD-FG) supplemented periodically with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water. A group was also treated with DPG by gavage. Histological, immunohistochemical and molecular analysis were performed. RESULTS DSS-induced colitis increased steatosis, inflammatory (IL-6, TNFα, NLRP3, MCP-1) as well as fibrotic (TGF-β, α-SMA) mediator expression in HFD-FG mice. Beneficial effect of DPG was associated with restoration of intestinal epithelial and vascular barriers, evaluated respectively by ZO-1 and PV-1 expression, that are known to limit bacterial translocation. CONCLUSION Colonic inflammation strongly contributes to the progression of NASH, likely by favouring bacterial translocation. DPG treatment could represent a novel strategy to reduce liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Fiaschini
- Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences Department, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Negroni
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Roberta Vitali
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Laudadio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Salvatore Cucchiara
- Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences Department, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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Colantoni E, Palone F, Cesi V, Leter B, Sugoni G, Laudadio I, Negroni A, Vitali R, Stronati L. Innovative method to grow the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri in the omega3-rich microalga Isochrysis galbana. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3127. [PMID: 35210548 PMCID: PMC8873227 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07227-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae are natural sources of valuable bioactive compounds, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), that show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimicrobial activities. The marine microalga Isochrysis galbana (I. galbana) is extremely rich in ω3 PUFAs, mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Probiotics are currently suggested as adjuvant therapy in the management of diseases associated with gut dysbiosis. The Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri), one of the most widely used probiotics, has been shown to produce multiple beneficial effects on host health. The present study aimed to present an innovative method for growing the probiotic L. reuteri in the raw seaweed extracts from I. galbana as an alternative to the conventional medium, under conditions of oxygen deprivation (anaerobiosis). As a result, the microalga I. galbana was shown for the first time to be an excellent culture medium for growing L. reuteri. Furthermore, the gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry analysis showed that the microalga-derived ω3 PUFAs were still available after the fermentation by L. reuteri. Accordingly, the fermented compound (FC), obtained from the growth of L. reuteri in I. galbana in anaerobiosis, was able to significantly reduce the adhesiveness and invasiveness of the harmful adherent-invasive Escherichia coli to intestinal epithelial cells, due to a cooperative effect between L. reuteri and microalgae-released ω3 PUFAs. These findings open new perspectives in the use of unicellular microalgae as growth medium for probiotics and in the production of biofunctional compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Colantoni
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Palone
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cesi
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Leter
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Sugoni
- Division of Protection and Enhancement of the Natural Capital, ENEA, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Laudadio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Negroni
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Vitali
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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Bevivino A, Bacci G, Taccetti G, Lucidi V, Dolce D, Fiscarelli E, Di Cesare F, Armanini F, Negroni A, Morelli P, Casciaro R, Segata N, Mengoni A. WS19-4 The personalised temporal dynamics of microbiome in the airways of cystic fibrosis patients. J Cyst Fibros 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-1993(19)30231-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Stronati L, Palone F, Negroni A, Colantoni E, Mancuso AB, Cucchiara S, Cesi V, Isoldi S, Vitali R. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Improves Intestinal Mucosal Healing by Modulating Extracellular Matrix Remodeling Genes and Restoring Epithelial Barrier Functions. Front Immunol 2019; 10:939. [PMID: 31105713 PMCID: PMC6498413 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut mucosal healing (MH) is considered a key therapeutic target and prognostic parameter in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The dipotassium glycyrrhizate (DPG), a salt of the glycoconjugated triterpene glycyrrhizin, has been shown to inhibit the High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) protein, an allarmin strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of most inflammatory and auto-immune disorders. Here we discuss new insights on how DPG acts on MH comparing the acute phase and the recovery phase from experimental colitis in mice. We found that DPG strongly accelerates MH by differently regulating pro-inflammatory (CXCL1, CXCL3, CXCL5, PTGS2, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL12, CCL7) and wound healing (COL3A1, MMP9, VTN, PLAUR, SERPINE, CSF3, FGF2, FGF7, PLAT, TIMP1) genes as observed only during the recovery phase of colitis. Relevant issue is the identification of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling genes, VTN, and PLAUR, as crucial genes to achieve MH during DPG treatment. Furthermore, a noticeable recovery of intestinal epithelial barrier structural organization, wound repair ability, and functionality is observed in two human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines exposed to DPG during inflammation. Thus, our study identifies DPG as a potent tool for controlling intestinal inflammation and improving MH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Stronati
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Palone
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Negroni
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Colantoni
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Barbara Mancuso
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cucchiara
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cesi
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Isoldi
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Vitali
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Rome, Italy
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Palone F, Vitali R, Trovato CM, Montuori M, Negroni A, Mallardo S, Stronati L. Faecal high mobility group box 1 in children with celiac disease: A pilot study. Dig Liver Dis 2018; 50:916-919. [PMID: 29709462 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Celiac disease (CD) is a gluten-related immunological disorder resulting in inflammatory enteropathy. AIMS We assessed a stool marker of intestinal inflammation, the HMGB1 protein, in children with CD on a gluten free diet (GFD) at baseline and at follow up (FU). METHODS Thirty-nine children were investigated at diagnosis and at FU. Traditional serum markers of CD (anti-transglutaminase and anti-endomysial antibodies) and faecal HMGB1 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting) were tested. RESULTS There was a marked increase at baseline in both serum anti-transglutaminase IgA (anti-tTGAs) and faecal HMGB1; the latter being undetectable in controls. A strong correlation occurred between the two markers. At 12-month FU in 24 patients on GFD, HMGB1 decreased in all subjects, yet still being detectable in six children: high anti-tTGAs where evident in three, while the three with normal anti-tTGAs were complaining of intestinal symptoms and reported a low GFD adherence. CONCLUSIONS Faecal HMGB1 is a valuable marker of intestinal inflammation and may have a role in complementing serology in the management of CD children. Future studies including larger patient cohorts and small bowel mucosa histology will be designed to assess the relationship between faecal HMGB1 levels and duodeno-jejunal histopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberta Vitali
- Department of Radiation Biology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Monica Montuori
- Department of Paediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Negroni
- Department of Radiation Biology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
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11
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Bacci G, Armanini F, Taccetti G, Lucidi V, Dolce D, Fiscarelli E, Negroni A, Morelli P, Casciaro R, Segata N, Mengoni A, Bevivino A. P072 Taxonomic and functional microbial signatures of cystic fibrosis lung disease. J Cyst Fibros 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-1993(18)30369-2] [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: 10/14/2022]
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12
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Costanzo M, Cesi V, Palone F, Pierdomenico M, Colantoni E, Leter B, Vitali R, Negroni A, Cucchiara S, Stronati L. Krill oil, vitamin D and Lactobacillus reuteri cooperate to reduce gut inflammation. Benef Microbes 2018; 9:389-399. [PMID: 29633636 DOI: 10.3920/bm2017.0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Current research into original therapies to treat intestinal inflammation is focusing on no-drug therapies. KLD is a mixture of krill oil (KO), probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri (LR), and vitamin D (VitD3). The aim of this study was to assess in vitro and in vivo the potential cooperative effects of KLD in reducing gut inflammation. Colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines, CACO2 and HT29, and C57BL/6 mice were used for in vitro and in vivo analyses, respectively. Cells were exposed to cytomix (interferon gamma + tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)) to induce inflammation or co-exposed to cytomix and KO, LR and VitD3 alone or to cytomix and KLD. Animals were treated for 7 days with dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) to induce colitis or with DSS and KLD. In vitro assays: F-actin expression was analysed by immunofluorescence; scratch test and trans-epithelial electric resistance test were performed to measure wound healing; adhesion/invasion assays of adhesive and invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) bacteria were made; mRNA expression of TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-8 and vitamin D receptor (VDR) was detected by quantitative PCR. In vivo assays: body weight, clinical score, histological score and large intestine weight and length were estimated; mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 by quantitative PCR; VDR expression was detected by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. In vitro: KLD restores epithelial cell-cell adhesion and mucosal healing during inflammation, while decreases the adhesiveness and invasiveness of AIEC bacteria and TNF-α and IL-8 mRNA expression and increases VDR expression. In vivo: KLD significantly improves body weight, clinical score, histological score and large intestine length of mice with DSS-induced colitis and reduces TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA levels, while increases IL-10 mRNA and VDR levels. KLD has significant effects on the intestinal mucosa, strongly decreasing inflammation, increasing epithelial restitution and reducing pathogenicity of harmful commensal bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Costanzo
- 1 Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - V Cesi
- 2 Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Via Angullarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - F Palone
- 1 Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - M Pierdomenico
- 1 Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - E Colantoni
- 1 Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - B Leter
- 1 Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - R Vitali
- 2 Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Via Angullarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - A Negroni
- 2 Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Via Angullarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - S Cucchiara
- 1 Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - L Stronati
- 3 Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
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13
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Abstract
The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) protein, NOD2, belonging to the intracellular NOD-like receptor family, detects conserved motifs in bacterial peptidoglycan and promotes their clearance through activation of a proinflammatory transcriptional program and other innate immune pathways, including autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress. An inactive form due to mutations or a constitutive high expression of NOD2 is associated with several inflammatory diseases, suggesting that balanced NOD2 signaling is critical for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. In this review, we discuss recent developments about the pathway and mechanisms of regulation of NOD2 and illustrate the principal functions of the gene, with particular emphasis on its central role in maintaining the equilibrium between intestinal microbiota and host immune responses to control inflammation. Furthermore, we survey recent studies illustrating the role of NOD2 in several inflammatory diseases, in particular, inflammatory bowel disease, of which it is the main susceptibility gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Negroni
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Pierdomenico
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cucchiara
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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14
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Negroni A, Colantoni E, Pierdomenico M, Palone F, Costanzo M, Oliva S, Tiberti A, Cucchiara S, Stronati L. RIP3 AND pMLKL promote necroptosis-induced inflammation and alter membrane permeability in intestinal epithelial cells. Dig Liver Dis 2017; 49:1201-1210. [PMID: 28844856 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2017.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Necroptosis is an inflammatory form of programmed cell death requiring receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). AIMS The aim of this study is to examine in depth in vitro and ex vivo the contribution of necroptosis to intestinal inflammation. METHODS In vitro: we used an intestinal cell line, HCT116RIP3, produced in our laboratory and overexpressing RIP3. Ex vivo: intestinal mucosal biopsies were taken from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (20 with Crohn's disease; 20 with ulcerative colitis) and from 20 controls. RESULTS RIP3-induced necroptosis triggers MLKL activation, increases cytokine/alarmin expression (IL-8, IL-1β, IL-33, HMGB1), NF-kBp65 translocation and NALP3 inflammasome assembly. It also affects membrane permeability by altering cell-cell junctional proteins (E-cadherin, Occludin, Zonulin-1). Targeting necroptosis through Necrostatin-1 significantly reduces intestinal inflammation in vitro and in cultured intestinal explants from IBD. CONCLUSION We show for the first time in vitro and ex vivo that RIP3-driven necroptosis seriously affects intestinal inflammation by increasing pMLKL, activating different cytokines and alarmins, and altering epithelial permeability. The inhibition of necroptosis causes a significant decrease of all these effects. These data strongly support the view that targeting necroptosis may represent a promising new option for the treatment of inflammatory enteropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Negroni
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Rome, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Colantoni
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Pierdomenico
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Palone
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Costanzo
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Oliva
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Tiberti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cucchiara
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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15
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Haile PA, Votta BJ, Marquis RW, Bury MJ, Mehlmann JF, Singhaus R, Charnley AK, Lakdawala AS, Convery MA, Lipshutz DB, Desai BM, Swift B, Capriotti CA, Berger SB, Mahajan MK, Reilly MA, Rivera EJ, Sun HH, Nagilla R, Beal AM, Finger JN, Cook MN, King BW, Ouellette MT, Totoritis RD, Pierdomenico M, Negroni A, Stronati L, Cucchiara S, Ziółkowski B, Vossenkämper A, MacDonald TT, Gough PJ, Bertin J, Casillas LN. The Identification and Pharmacological Characterization of 6-(tert-Butylsulfonyl)-N-(5-fluoro-1H-indazol-3-yl)quinolin-4-amine (GSK583), a Highly Potent and Selective Inhibitor of RIP2 Kinase. J Med Chem 2016; 59:4867-80. [PMID: 27109867 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
RIP2 kinase is a central component of the innate immune system and enables downstream signaling following activation of the pattern recognition receptors NOD1 and NOD2, leading to the production of inflammatory cytokines. Recently, several inhibitors of RIP2 kinase have been disclosed that have contributed to the fundamental understanding of the role of RIP2 in this pathway. However, because they lack either broad kinase selectivity or strong affinity for RIP2, these tools have only limited utility to assess the role of RIP2 in complex environments. We present, herein, the discovery and pharmacological characterization of GSK583, a next-generation RIP2 inhibitor possessing exquisite selectivity and potency. Having demonstrated the pharmacological precision of this tool compound, we report its use in elucidating the role of RIP2 kinase in a variety of in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo experiments, further clarifying our understanding of the role of RIP2 in NOD1 and NOD2 mediated disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Máire A Convery
- Platform Technology and Science, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre , Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Maria Pierdomenico
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) , 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Negroni
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) , 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, Sapienza University Hospital Umberto I , 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cucchiara
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University Hospital Umberto I , 00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Anna Vossenkämper
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London , E1 2AD London, U.K
| | - Thomas T MacDonald
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London , E1 2AD London, U.K
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Costanzo M, Cesi V, Prete E, Negroni A, Palone F, Cucchiara S, Oliva S, Leter B, Stronati L. Krill oil reduces intestinal inflammation by improving epithelial integrity and impairing adherent-invasive Escherichia coli pathogenicity. Dig Liver Dis 2016; 48:34-42. [PMID: 26493628 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2015.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Krill oil is a marine derived oil rich in phospholipids, astaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids. Several studies have found benefits of krill oil against oxidative and inflammatory damage. AIMS We aimed at assessing the ability of krill oil to reduce intestinal inflammation by improving epithelial barrier integrity, increasing cell survival and reducing pathogenicity of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli. METHODS CACO2 and HT29 cells were exposed to cytomix (TNFα and IFNγ) to induce inflammation and co-exposed to cytomix and krill oil. E-cadherin, ZO-1 and F-actin levels were analyzed by immunofluorescence to assess barrier integrity. Scratch test was performed to measure wound healing. Cell survival was analyzed by flow cytometry. Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli LF82 was used for adhesion/invasion assay. RESULTS In inflamed cells E-cadherin and ZO-1 decreased, with loss of cell-cell adhesion, and F-actin polymerization increased stress fibres; krill oil restored initial conditions and improved wound healing, reduced bacterial adhesion/invasion in epithelial cells and survival within macrophages; krill oil reduced LF82-induced mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSIONS Krill oil improves intestinal barrier integrity and epithelial restitution during inflammation and controls bacterial adhesion and invasion to epithelial cells. Thus, krill oil may represent an innovative tool to reduce intestinal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincenzo Cesi
- Department of Radiobiology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrica Prete
- Department of Radiobiology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Negroni
- Department of Radiobiology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Salvatore Cucchiara
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Paediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Oliva
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Paediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Leter
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Paediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Radiobiology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy.
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17
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Negroni A, Prete E, Vitali R, Cesi V, Aloi M, Civitelli F, Cucchiara S, Stronati L. Endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response are involved in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Dig Liver Dis 2014; 46:788-94. [PMID: 24953208 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2014.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response have been recently associated with the development of inflammatory bowel diseases in adults. We aimed at assessing the involvement of these pathways also in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease by analysing the expression of the main genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress and correlating them with the degree of intestinal inflammation. METHODS Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis of the expression of the endoplasmic reticulum stress marker HSPA5 and of selected genes representing the three pathways of unfolded protein response (IRE-XBP1, PERK-ATF4, ATF6p90-p50) in inflamed and uninflamed biopsies from 28 inflammatory bowel disease paediatric patients and 10 controls. RESULTS HSPA5, PDIA4, as well as unspliced and spliced XBP1 mRNAs were significantly increased in patients' inflamed colonic mucosa compared to uninflamed mucosa and controls. HSPA5, PDIA4, ATF6, and phospho-IRE proteins were also upregulated, indicating the activation of the IRE-XBP1 and ATF6p90-p50 branches of unfolded protein response. A positive significant correlation between interleukin-8 levels, as a marker of inflammation, and upregulated genes was found in the inflamed colonic mucosa. CONCLUSION A deregulation of the genes involved in the endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response pathways may be a key component of the inflammatory response in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Negroni
- Department of Radiobiology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy.
| | - Enrica Prete
- Department of Radiobiology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Vitali
- Department of Radiobiology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cesi
- Department of Radiobiology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Aloi
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Paediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fortunata Civitelli
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Paediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cucchiara
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Paediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Radiobiology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy
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18
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Vitali R, Palone F, Cucchiara S, Negroni A, Cavone L, Costanzo M, Aloi M, Dilillo A, Stronati L. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Inhibits HMGB1-Dependent Inflammation and Ameliorates Colitis in Mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66527. [PMID: 23840500 PMCID: PMC3686690 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background High mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is a DNA-binding protein that is released from injured cells during inflammation. Advances in targeting HMGB1 represent a major challenge to improve the treatment of acute/chronic inflammation. Aim This study is aimed at verifying whether the inhibition of HMGB1 through dipotassium glycyrrhizate (DPG) is a good strategy to reduce intestinal inflammation. Methods Human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, HT29, human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma, Caco2, and murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, were cultured to investigate the effect of DPG on the secretion of HMGB1. Acute colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice through administration of 3% dextran sodium sulphate (DSS); a combined treatment with DSS and 3 or 8 mg/kg/day DPG was used to investigate the effects of DPG on intestinal inflammation. Animals were euthanized at seventh day and colonic samples underwent molecular and histological analyses. Results DPG significantly reduces in vitro the release of HMGB1 in the extracellular matrix as well as expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6, by inhibiting HMGB1. Moreover, DPG significantly decreases the severity of DSS-induced colitis in mice. Murine colonic samples show decreased mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6, as well as HMGB1 receptors, RAGE and TLR4. Finally, HMGB1, abundantly present in the feces of mice with DSS-induced colitis, is strongly reduced by DPG. Conclusions HMGB1 is an early pro-inflammatory cytokine and an active protagonist of mucosal gut inflammation. DPG exerts inhibitory effects against HMGB1 activity, significantly reducing intestinal inflammation. Thus, we reason that DPG could represent an innovative tool for the management of human intestinal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Vitali
- Department of Radiobiology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy
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19
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Negroni A, Costanzo M, Vitali R, Superti F, Bertuccini L, Tinari A, Minelli F, Di Nardo G, Nuti F, Pierdomenico M, Cucchiara S, Stronati L. Characterization of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli isolated from pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2012; 18:913-24. [PMID: 21994005 DOI: 10.1002/ibd.21899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 08/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), are characterized by an abnormal immunological response to commensal bacteria colonizing intestinal lumen and mucosa. Among the latter, strains of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC), capable of adhering to and invading epithelium, and to replicate in macrophages, have been described in CD adults. We aimed at identifying and characterizing AIEC strains in pediatric IBD. METHODS In all, 24 CD children, 10 UC, and 23 controls were investigated. Mucosal biopsies, taken during colonoscopy, were analyzed for the presence of AIEC strains by an adhesive-invasive test. Protein expression of the specific AIEC receptor, the carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6), was evaluated by western blot and immunohistochemistry, while tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-8 mRNA expression was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), after bacterial infection. Transmission electron microscopy and trans-epithelial electric resistance assays were performed on biopsies to assess bacteria-induced morphological and functional epithelial alterations. RESULTS Two bacterial strains, EC15 and EC10, were found to adhere and invade the Caco2 cell line, similar to the well-known AIEC strain LF82 (positive control): they upregulated CEACAM6, TNF-α, and IL-8 gene/protein expression, in vitro and in cultured intestinal mucosa; they could also survive inside macrophages and damage the epithelial barrier integrity. Lesions in the inflamed tissues were associated with bacterial infection. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study showing the presence of adhesive-invasive bacteria strains in the inflamed tissues of children with IBD. Collective features of these strains indicate that they belong to the AIEC spectrum, suggesting their possible role in disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Negroni
- ENEA, Italian National Agency for new Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
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Vitali R, Stronati L, Negroni A, Di Nardo G, Pierdomenico M, del Giudice E, Rossi P, Cucchiara S. Fecal HMGB1 is a novel marker of intestinal mucosal inflammation in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Gastroenterol 2011; 106:2029-40. [PMID: 21788990 DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2011.231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein with functions in the regulation of transcription. In inflammatory conditions, HMGB1 is actively secreted from immune cells in the extracellular matrix, where it behaves as a proinflammatory cytokine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of HMGB1 in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS We analyzed the stools of 19 children with Crohn's disease (CD), 21 with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 13 controls. The gene/protein expression levels of HMGB1 were assessed in bioptic specimens of all children using real-time PCR and western blot assay. Finally, intracellular localization of the protein was analyzed by western blot, after separation of nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts, and by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS HMGB1 protein levels were significantly increased (P<0.001) in the stools of patients, but were undetectable in the controls; fecal HMGB1 correlated well with fecal calprotectin levels (r: 0.77 in CD, r: 0.70 in UC; P<0.01); and mRNA and protein expression were unchanged in inflamed bioptic tissues compared with controls. However, by separately analyzing the nuclear and cytoplasmic fraction, we detected the cytoplasmic HMGB1 expression to be significantly enhanced (P<0.01) in the inflamed tissues of the patients. In addition, HMGB1 was significantly detected in 16 patients with inactive disease, whose endoscopic scores showed persisting inflammation, suggesting that it may be a sensitive marker of mucosal inflammation, although the disease is clinically inactive. CONCLUSIONS It was shown for the first time in our study that HMGB1 is secreted by human inflamed intestinal tissues and abundantly found in the stools of IBD patients. Hence, it can be considered as a novel marker for intestinal inflammation. We can also suggest that the presence of HMGB1 in large amounts in the fecal stream of IBD patients is mainly due to active secretion of the protein stored in the nucleus rather than a "de novo" synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Vitali
- Department of Radiobiology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy
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21
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Pycke BFG, Etchebehere C, Van de Caveye P, Negroni A, Verstraete W, Boon N. A time-course analysis of four full-scale anaerobic digesters in relation to the dynamics of change of their microbial communities. Water Sci Technol 2011; 63:769-775. [PMID: 21330726 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2011.307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
This study describes the microbial community richness, -dynamics, and -organization of four full-scale anaerobic digesters during a time-course study of 45 days. The microbial community was analyzed using a Bacteria- and Archaea-targeting 16S rRNA gene-based Terminal-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism approach. Clustering analysis separated meso- and thermophilic reactors for both archaeal and bacterial communities. Regardless of the operating temperature, each installation possessed a distinct community profile. For both microbial domains, about 8 dominant terminal-restriction fragments could be observed, with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 14. The bacterial community organization (a coefficient which describes the specific degree of evenness) showed a factor 2 more variation in the mesophilic reactors, compared with the thermophilic ones. The archaeal community structure of the mesophilic UASB reactor was found to be more stable. The community composition was highly dynamic for Bacteria and Archaea, with a rate of change between 20-50% per 15 days. This study illustrated that microbial communities in full-scale anaerobic digesters are unique to the installation and that community properties are dynamic. Converging complex microbial processes such as anaerobic digestion which rely on a multitude of microbial teams apparently can be highly dynamic.
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Affiliation(s)
- B F G Pycke
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium.
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Stronati L, Negroni A, Pierdomenico M, D'Ottavio C, Tirindelli D, Di Nardo G, Oliva S, Viola F, Cucchiara S. Altered expression of innate immunity genes in different intestinal sites of children with ulcerative colitis. Dig Liver Dis 2010; 42:848-53. [PMID: 20452301 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2010.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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] [Received: 11/19/2009] [Revised: 03/09/2010] [Accepted: 04/06/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Innate immunity has been very rarely investigated in ulcerative colitis and never in paediatrics. The present study was aimed at describing expression of innate immunity genes (NOD2, RIP2, α-defensins HD5 and HD6) in inflamed colon and in ileum of children with ulcerative colitis. Expression of TNFα and IL-1β was also analyzed. METHODS 15 children with ulcerative colitis (9 pancolitis, 6 left-sided colitis) and 10 control children were enrolled. mRNA and protein expressions were detected by real time PCR and western blot assays. RESULTS NOD2, RIP2, IL-1β, TNFα expression levels were significantly increased in colonic mucosa of patients compared to controls (p<0.01). These genes were also upregulated (p<0.01) in the ileum of both pancolitis and left-sided colitis children. HD5 and HD6 were significantly upregulated (p<0.01) in the inflamed colon of patients as well as in the ileum of those with pancolitis. CONCLUSIONS An increased mucosal expression of innate immunity genes was found in the inflamed colon of children with ulcerative colitis, outlining the role of the innate immune response in disease pathogenesis. Involvement of the ileum in ulcerative colitis suggests that an immune activation can also be established in intestinal sites classically uninvolved by the inflammation, carrying implications for the treatment and course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Stronati
- Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Enea, Rome, Italy
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Zanaroli G, Balloi A, Negroni A, Daffonchio D, Fava F. A Dehaloccoides-like bacterium and a new reductive dehalogenase are responsible for PCB dechlorination in marine sediments under in situ biogeochemical conditions. J Biotechnol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2010.09.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Negroni A, Zanaroli G, Calisti C, Ruzzi M, Fava F. Use of hydrolytic enzymes to prevent marine biofouling. J Biotechnol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2010.09.532] [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: 11/25/2022]
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25
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Fava F, Zanaroli G, Balloi A, Negroni A, Daffonchio D. Reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls in marine sediments: evidence for the involvement of a dehaloccoides-like bacterium in the process. N Biotechnol 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2009.06.375] [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: 10/20/2022]
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26
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Negroni A, Stronati L, Pierdomenico M, Tirindelli D, Di Nardo G, Mancini V, Maiella G, Cucchiara S. Activation of NOD2-mediated intestinal pathway in a pediatric population with Crohn's disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2009; 15:1145-54. [PMID: 19266573 DOI: 10.1002/ibd.20907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND NOD2 is an intracellular protein involved in host recognition of specific bacterial molecules and is genetically associated with several inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's disease (CD). NOD2 stimulation activates the transcription factor, NF-kappaB, through RIP2, a caspase-recruitment domain-containing kinase. NOD2/RIP2 signaling also mediates the activation of antimicrobial peptides such as human alpha-defensin 5 (HD-5) and human alpha-defensin 6 (HD-6), both produced by Paneth cells. The present study is aimed at describing the downstream events triggered specifically by NOD2 induction in order to demonstrate that the protein, other than overexpressed, is also physiologically associated with RIP2 and Erbin in the bioptic intestinal inflamed specimens of children affected by CD. METHODS Fifteen children with CD and 10 children used as controls were entered in the study. Mucosal biopsy specimens were taken during endoscopy and mRNA and protein expressions were detected by using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS NOD2 is able to form an immunocomplex with the kinase RIP2. As compared to controls, in the inflamed mucosa of patients both mRNA and protein expression levels of RIP2 are increased, and its active phosphorylated form is overexpressed. CONCLUSIONS In this study we provide for the first time ex vivo evidence of physiologically relevant protein interactions with NOD2, which are able to trigger the innate immune response in intestinal mucosal specimens of children with CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Negroni
- Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Rome, Sapienza University Hospital Umberto I, Rome, Italy
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Negroni A, Stronati L, Grollino MG, Barattini P, Gumiero D, Danesi DT. Radioresistance in a tumour cell line correlates with radiation inducible Ku 70/80 end-binding activity. Int J Radiat Biol 2008; 84:265-76. [PMID: 18386192 DOI: 10.1080/09553000801953318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aims of the present study were to better understand the role of Ku 80, which is involved in double-strand break repair in mammalian cells in the mechanism of radiation resistance and to verify the possibility of increasing cell radiosensitivity by targeted inhibition of Ku autoantigen 80 (Ku 80). MATERIALS AND METHODS Western blot and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) were performed on the human bladder carcinoma cell line RT112 (radioresistant) and on the human colorectal carcinoma cell line SW48 (radiosensitive) to assess the expression levels of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) components and the DNA-binding activity of the Ku 70/80 heterodimer after exposure to radiation, respectively. Ku 80 silencing was carried out with the use of small interfering RNA (siRNA). RESULTS Greater differences in the DNA-binding activity of Ku 70/80 and Ku 80 phosphorylation level were observed in RT112 as compared to SW48 after X-ray treatment. There is no correlation between Ku expression and DNA-binding activity at lower doses. A significant increase in nuclear Ku 80 expression was observed one hour after the exposure, only at the higher doses, while the DNA-PK catalytic subunits (DNA-PKcs) and Ku 70 levels did not change significantly. Inhibition of Ku 80 expression by siRNA induced radiosensitivity in the RT112 cell line. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that in a bladder tumour cell line up-regulation of Ku end-binding activity without any marked change in Ku expression underlie radiation resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Negroni
- Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, ENEA-National Agency for New Technology, Energy and Environment, Rome, Italy.
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Stronati L, Negroni A, Merola P, Pannone V, Borrelli O, Cirulli M, Annese V, Cucchiara S. Mucosal NOD2 expression and NF-kappaB activation in pediatric Crohn's disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008; 14:295-302. [PMID: 18092345 DOI: 10.1002/ibd.20332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent advances in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD) have suggested that an aberrant innate immune response initiates the cascade of events leading to T-cell activation and to disease development. NOD2 protein, which is mainly expressed by innate immunity cells, appears to play a key role against bacteria by triggering a host defense response through the activation of the transcriptor factor NF-kappaB and a consequent proinflammatory cytokine production. The present study was aimed at investigating the expression and activity of NOD2, NF-kappaB, and of 2 proinflammatory cytokines, TNFalpha and IL-1beta, in mucosal biopsies of CD affected children compared to healthy controls. METHODS In all, 22 children with active CD and 10 matched controls were entered in the study. mRNA and protein expressions were detected using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot; NF-kappaB binding activity was assessed by electromobility gel shift assay (EMSA). RESULTS NOD2 and IL-1beta mRNAs were upregulated in CD children. Protein levels of NOD2, TNFalpha, and nuclear NF-kappaB, as well as the binding activity of NF-kappaB to a consensus DNA sequence, were significantly increased in inflamed mucosa of patients as compared to controls. Moreover, NF-kappaB activity was strongly upregulated in patients also when bound to the NOD2 promoter site. No difference was seen between patients and controls when NF-kappaB binding activity was determined in the uninflamed tissue. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that altered mechanisms regulating NOD2 induction, NF-kappaB activation and cytokine production may contribute to dysregulate the innate immune response underlying pediatric CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Stronati
- Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Enea, Rome, Italy
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Merola P, Marino C, Lovisolo GA, Pinto R, Laconi C, Negroni A. Proliferation and apoptosis in a neuroblastoma cell line exposed to 900 MHz modulated radiofrequency field. Bioelectromagnetics 2006; 27:164-71. [PMID: 16437547 DOI: 10.1002/bem.20201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine whether a modulated radiofrequency of the type used in cellular phone communications at a specific absorption rate (SAR) higher than International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) reference level for occupational exposure, could elicit alterations on proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis processes in a neuroblastoma cell line. The cell line was exposed for 24, 48, and 72 h to 900 MHz radiofrequency and proliferation and differentiation were tested by WST-I assay and by a molecular analysis of specific markers, two oncogenes and a cytoskeleton protein, in exponential growth phase and in synchronized cell cultures. Apoptosis was evaluated by caspase activation analysis and by molecular detection of Poly (ADP-ribose) polimerase (PARP) cleavage. Combined exposures to radiofrequency and to the differentiative agent retinoic acid or to the apoptotic inducer camptothecin were carried out to test possible interference between electromagnetic field and chemical agents. Overall our data suggest that 900 MHz radiofrequency exposure up to 72 h does not induce significant alterations in the three principal cell activities in a neuroblastoma cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Merola
- Ente Nuove tecnologie Energia e Ambiente (ENEA), Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Rome, Italy
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Pirozzoli MC, Marino C, Lovisolo GA, Laconi C, Mosiello L, Negroni A. Effects of 50 Hz electromagnetic field exposure on apoptosis and differentiation in a neuroblastoma cell line. Bioelectromagnetics 2003; 24:510-6. [PMID: 12955756 DOI: 10.1002/bem.10130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Experiments were carried out to assess whether a magnetic field of 50 Hz and 1 mT can influence apoptosis and proliferation in the human neuroblastoma cell line LAN-5. TUNEL assays and poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) expression analysis were performed to test apoptosis induction, and the WST-1 assay was used to calculate the proliferation index in a long term exposure. No alterations were found in cellular ability to undergo programmed cell death, but a small increase in the proliferation index was evidenced after 7 days of continuous exposure. Also, a slight and transient increase of B-myb oncogene expression was detected after 5 days of exposure. Combined exposures of cells to EMF and to chemical agents which interfere with proliferation, such as the differentiative agent retinoic acid and the apoptotic inducer camptothecin, showed an antagonistic effect of magnetic fields against the differentiation of the LAN-5 cells and a protective effect towards apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Pirozzoli
- Ente Nuove tecnologie Energia e Ambiente (ENEA) Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Rome, Italy
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Tanno B, Negroni A, Vitali R, Pirozzoli MC, Cesi V, Mancini C, Calabretta B, Raschellà G. Expression of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 5 in neuroblastoma cells is regulated at the transcriptional level by c-Myb and B-Myb via direct and indirect mechanisms. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:23172-80. [PMID: 11973331 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m200141200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), a malignant childhood tumor deriving from the embryonic neural crest, is sensitive to the growth-stimulating effects of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). Aggressive cases of this disease often acquire autocrine loops of IGF production, but the mechanisms through which the different components of the IGF axis are regulated in tumor cells remain unclear. Upon conditional expression of c-Myb in a NB cell line, we detected up-regulation of IGF1, IGF1 receptor, and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 5 (IGFBP-5) expression. Analysis of the IGFBP-5 promoter revealed two potential Myb binding sites at position -59 to -54 (M1) and -429 to -424 (M2) from the transcription start site; both sites were bound by c-Myb and B-Myb in vitro and in vivo. Reporter assays carried out using the proximal region of the human IGFBP-5 promoter demonstrated that c-Myb and B-Myb enhanced transcription. However, site-directed mutagenesis and deletion of the Myb binding sites coupled with reporter assays revealed that M2 but not M1 was important for Myb-dependent transactivation of the IGFBP-5 promoter. The double mutant M1/M2 was still transactivated by c-Myb, suggesting the existence of Myb binding-independent mechanisms of IGFBP-5 promoter regulation. A constitutively active AKT transactivated the IGFBP-5 promoter, whereas the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 suppressed it. Moreover, the kinase dead dominant negative K179M AKT mutant was able to inhibit transcription from the M2 and M1/M2 IGFBP-5 mutant promoters. Deletion analysis of the IGFBP-5 promoter revealed that the AKT-responsive region lies between nucleotides -334 and -83. Together, these data suggest that the Myb binding-independent transactivation of the IGFBP-5 promoter was due to the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathway likely mediated by IGF1 receptor-dependent signals. Finally, IGFBP-5 was able to modulate proliferation of NB cells in a manner dependent on its concentration and on the presence of IGFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Tanno
- Ente Nuove Tecnologie Energia Ambiente (ENEA), Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Via Anguillarese 301, 00060 S. Maria di Galeria, Rome, Italy
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Amendola R, Martinez R, Negroni A, Venturelli D, Tanno B, Calabretta B, Raschellà G. DR-nm23 expression affects neuroblastoma cell differentiation, integrin expression, and adhesion characteristics. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [PMID: 11464913 DOI: 10.1002/1096-911x(20010101)36:1%3c93::aid-mpo1021%3e3.0.co;2-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURE Nm23 gene family has been associated with metastasis suppression and differentiation. We studied DR-nm23 during neuroblastoma cells differentiation. DR-nm23 expression increased after retinoic acid induction of differentiation in human cell lines SK-N-SH and LAN-5. RESULTS In several cell lines, overexpression of DR-nm23 was associated with more differentiated phenotypes. SK-N-SH cells increased vimentin expression, increased deposition of collagen type IV, modulated integrin expression, and underwent growth arrest; the murine neuroblastoma cell line N1E-115 showed neurite outgrowth and a striking enhancement of beta1 integrin expression. Up-regulation of beta1 integrin was specifically responsible for the increase in the adhesion to collagen type I-coated plates. Finally, cells overexpressing DR-nm23 were unable to growth in soft agar. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, DR-nm23 expression is directly involved in differentiation of neuroblastoma cells, and its ability to affects the adhesion to extracellular substrates and to inhibit growth in soft agar suggests an involvement in the metastatic potential of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Amendola
- Enea, CR-Casaccia, Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Rome, Italy PA.
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Raschellà G, Tanno B, Bonetto F, Negroni A, Amendola R, Paggi MG. Retinoblastoma family proteins induce differentiation and regulate B-myb expression in neuroblastoma cells. Med Pediatr Oncol 2001; 36:104-7. [PMID: 11464857 DOI: 10.1002/1096-911x(20010101)36:1<104::aid-mpo1024>3.0.co;2-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression of several genes is modulated during neuroblastoma differentiation. The retinoblastoma family proteins, pRb, p107 and pRb2/p130, act in the repression of proliferation genes, interacting mainly with the E2F transcription factors. PROCEDURE AND RESULTS In this study, we found that, in neuroblastoma cell lines, pRb and p107 proteins decreased, undergoing progressive dephosphorylation, whereas pRb2/p130 increased at late stages of differentiation. B-myb expression was down-regulated in association with the up-regulation of pRb2/p130, the major partner of E2F on the E2F site of the B-myb promoter in differentiated cells. Transfection of each of the retinoblastoma family genes in neuroblastoma cells was able to induce neural differentiation, to inhibit 3H-thymidine incorporation, and to down-regulate B-myb promoter activity. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our data suggest a major contribution of retinoblastoma proteins, and especially of pRb2/p130, in B-myb promoter regulation and demonstrate the induction of neural differentiation by p107 and pRb2/p130, suggesting a role of these proteins in triggering differentiation-specific genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Raschellà
- ENEA, CR Casaccia, Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Rome, Italy.
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Amendola R, Martinez R, Negroni A, Venturelli D, Tanno B, Calabretta B, Raschellà G. DR-nm23 expression affects neuroblastoma cell differentiation, integrin expression, and adhesion characteristics. Med Pediatr Oncol 2001; 36:93-6. [PMID: 11464913 DOI: 10.1002/1096-911x(20010101)36:1<93::aid-mpo1021>3.0.co;2-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURE Nm23 gene family has been associated with metastasis suppression and differentiation. We studied DR-nm23 during neuroblastoma cells differentiation. DR-nm23 expression increased after retinoic acid induction of differentiation in human cell lines SK-N-SH and LAN-5. RESULTS In several cell lines, overexpression of DR-nm23 was associated with more differentiated phenotypes. SK-N-SH cells increased vimentin expression, increased deposition of collagen type IV, modulated integrin expression, and underwent growth arrest; the murine neuroblastoma cell line N1E-115 showed neurite outgrowth and a striking enhancement of beta1 integrin expression. Up-regulation of beta1 integrin was specifically responsible for the increase in the adhesion to collagen type I-coated plates. Finally, cells overexpressing DR-nm23 were unable to growth in soft agar. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, DR-nm23 expression is directly involved in differentiation of neuroblastoma cells, and its ability to affects the adhesion to extracellular substrates and to inhibit growth in soft agar suggests an involvement in the metastatic potential of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Amendola
- Enea, CR-Casaccia, Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Rome, Italy PA.
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35
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Negroni A, Venturelli D, Tanno B, Amendola R, Ransac S, Cesi V, Calabretta B, Raschellà G. Neuroblastoma specific effects of DR-nm23 and its mutant forms on differentiation and apoptosis. Cell Death Differ 2000; 7:843-50. [PMID: 11042679 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4400720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
DR-nm23 belongs to a gene family which includes nm23-H1, originally identified as a candidate metastasis suppressor gene. Nm23 genes are expressed in different tumor types where their levels have been alternatively associated with reduced or increased metastatic potential. Nm23-H1, -H2, DR-nm23 and nm23-H4 all possess NDP kinase activity. Overexpression of DR-nm23 inhibits differentiation and promotes apoptosis in hematopoietic cells. By contrast, it induces morphological and biochemical changes associated with neural differentiation in neuroblastoma cells. In this study, we show that mutations in the catalytic domain and in the serine 61 phosphorylation site, possibly required for protein-protein interactions, impair the ability of DR-nm23 to induce neural differentiation. Moreover, neuroblastoma cells overexpressing wild-type or mutant DR-nm23 are less sensitive to apoptosis triggered by serum withdrawal. By subcellular fractionation, wild-type and mutant DR-nm23 localize in the cytoplasm and prevalently in the mitochondrial fraction. In co-immunoprecipitation experiments, wild-type DR-nm23 binds other members of nm23 family, but mutations in the catalytic and in the RGD domains and in serine 61 inhibit the formation of hetero-multimers. Thus, the integrity of the NDP kinase activity and the presence of a serine residue in position 61 seem essential for the ability of DR-nm23 to trigger differentiation and to bind other Nm23 proteins, but not for the anti-apoptotic effect in neuroblastoma cells. These studies underline the tissue specificity of the biological effects induced by DR-nm23 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Negroni
- Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Ente Nuove Tecnologie e Ambiente (ENEA) Via Anguillarese 301, 00060 Rome, Italy
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Raschellà G, Cesi V, Amendola R, Negroni A, Tanno B, Altavista P, Tonini GP, De Bernardi B, Calabretta B. Expression of B-myb in neuroblastoma tumors is a poor prognostic factor independent from MYCN amplification. Cancer Res 1999; 59:3365-8. [PMID: 10416595] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factors of the Myb family are expressed in several tissues and play an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival In this study, the expression of A-myb, B-myb, and c-myb was investigated in a group of 64 neuroblastomas at different dinical stages by a sensitive reverse transcription-PCR tchnique and correlated with patients' survival. All of the myb genes were frequently expressed in neuroblastoma tumors. Interestingly, the expression of B-myb, which was detected in 33 cases, was associated with an increased risk of death (P = 0.027 in a univariate analysis), whereas there was no correlation with A-myb and c-myb expression. In addition, in a multivariate Cox regression analysis that included myb gene expression, MYCN status, age at diagnosis, and tumor staging, MYCN amplification and B-myb expression were independently associated to an increased risk (P < 0.01 and P = 0.015, respectively). In overall survival curves obtained by stratifying the neuroblastoma cases on the basis of MYCN status and B-myb expression, the group of patients without MYCN amplification and positive for B-myb expression had worse survival probability than that without MYCN amplification and nonexpressing B-myb (P < 0.01). In summary, these findings provide the first demonstration that B-myb expression can be a useful prognostic marker in human neuroblastoma. Moreover, B-myb expression has a prognostic value complementary to MYCN amplification and can identify a group of high-risk patients that would not be predicted on the basis of the MYCN status only.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Raschellà
- ENEA CR Casaccia, Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Rome, Italy
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Raschellà G, Tanno B, Bonetto F, Negroni A, Claudio PP, Baldi A, Amendola R, Calabretta B, Giordano A, Paggi MG. The RB-related gene Rb2/p130 in neuroblastoma differentiation and in B-myb promoter down-regulation. Cell Death Differ 1998; 5:401-7. [PMID: 10200489 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4400359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The retinoblastoma family of nuclear factors is composed of RB, the prototype of the tumour suppressor genes and of the strictly related genes p107 and Rb2/p130. The three genes code for proteins, namely pRb, p107 and pRb2/p130, that share similar structures and functions. These proteins are expressed, often simultaneously, in many cell types and are involved in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation. We determined the expression and the phosphorylation of the RB family gene products during the DMSO-induced differentiation of the N1E-115 murine neuroblastoma cells. In this system, pRb2/p130 was strongly up-regulated during mid-late differentiation stages, while, on the contrary, pRb and p107 resulted markedly decreased at late stages. Differentiating N1E-115 cells also showed a progressive decrease in B-myb levels, a proliferation-related protein whose constitutive expression inhibits neuronal differentiation. Transfection of each of the RB family genes in these cells was able, at different degrees, to induce neuronal differentiation, to inhibit [3H]thymidine incorporation and to down-regulate the activity of the B-myb promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Raschellà
- Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Ente Nuove Tecnologie Energia e Ambiente (ENEA) Via Anguillarese 301, 00060 Rome, Italy
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Amendola R, Martinez R, Negroni A, Venturelli D, Tanno B, Calabretta B, Raschellà G. DR-nm23 gene expression in neuroblastoma cells: relationship to integrin expression, adhesion characteristics, and differentiation. J Natl Cancer Inst 1997; 89:1300-10. [PMID: 9293921 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/89.17.1300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma, a childhood tumor originating from cells of the embryonic neural crest, retains the ability to differentiate, yielding cells with epithelial-Schwann-like, neuronal, or melanocytic characteristics. Since nm23 gene family members have been proposed to play a role in cellular differentiation, as well as in metastasis suppression, we investigated whether and how DR-nm23, a recently identified third member of the human nm23 gene family, might be involved in neuroblastoma differentiation. METHODS Three neuroblastoma cell lines (human LAN-5, human SK-N-SH, and murine N1E-115) were used in these experiments; cells from two of the lines (SK-N-SH and N1E-115) were also studied after being stably transfected with a plasmid containing a full-length DR-nm23 complementary DNA. Cellular expression of specific messenger RNAs and proteins was assessed by use of standard techniques. Cellular adhesion to a variety of protein substrates was also evaluated. RESULTS DR-nm23 messenger RNA levels in nontransfected LAN-5 and SK-N-SH cells generally increased with time after exposure to differentiation-inducing conditions; levels of the other two human nm23 messenger RNAs (nm23-H1 and nm23-H2) remained essentially constant. Transfected SK-N-SH cells overexpressing DR-nm23 exhibited some characteristics of differentiated cells (increased vimentin and collagen type IV expression) even in the absence of differentiation-inducing conditions. Compared with control cells, DR-nm23-transfected cells exposed to differentiation-inducing conditions showed a greater degree of growth arrest (SK-N-SH cells) and greater increases in integrin protein expression, especially of integrin beta1 (N1E-115 cells). DR-nm23-transfected N1E-115 cells also showed a marked increase in adhesion to collagen type I-coated tissue culture plates that was inhibited by preincubation with an anti-integrin beta1 antibody. CONCLUSIONS DR-nm23 gene expression appears to be associated with differentiation in neuroblastoma cells and may affect cellular adhesion through regulation of integrin protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Amendola
- Enea, CR-Casaccia, Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Rome, Italy
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Scarpa S, Negroni A, Amendola R, Signorelli P, Calabretta B, Modesti A, Raschellà G. Phenotypic and morphological characterization of neuroblastoma cells constitutively expressing B-myb. J Neurooncol 1997; 31:107-14. [PMID: 9049836 DOI: 10.1023/a:1005749802210] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
B-myb gene is expressed in neuroblastoma cells and down-regulated during differentiation. We used B-myb-transfected LAN-5 cells, which constitutively express high level of B-myb, to detect changes at phenotypic and morphological levels in basal and differentiation conditions. Our results demonstrate that the overexpression of B-myb markedly affects the cytoskeletal composition, the pattern of neurotransmitter enzymes and the extracellular matrix expression. In general, B-myb transfected neuroblastoma cells show a broad potentiality without a direction toward a specific neuroectodermal differentiation pathway. On the other hand, we confirm inhibition of the neuronal differentiation upon retinoic acid (RA) treatment of B-myb transfected cells. Furthermore, the ultrastructural analyses are supportive of a change in the metabolism in B-myb transfected cell treated with RA. Our data suggest that B-myb expression is compatible with an early phase of differentiation of neuroectodermal cells, but must be down-regulated for the completion of the differentiative programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Scarpa
- Experimental Medicine and Pathology Department, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy
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Raschellà G, Negroni A, Pucci S, Amendola R, Valeri S, Calabretta B. B-myb transcriptional regulation and mRNA stability during differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. Exp Cell Res 1996; 222:395-9. [PMID: 8598228 DOI: 10.1006/excr.1996.0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
B-myb and c-myb expression is high in neuroblastoma cells and declines during retinoic acid-induced differentiation. We show here that B-myb down-regulation during retinoic acid-induced differentiation of LAN-5 neuroblastoma cells occurs at the transcriptional level. In addition, we measured B-myb and c-myb messenger RNA half-lives, and found that, unlike c-myb, B-myb messenger RNA was remarkably stable (> 10 h). Inhibition of protein synthesis by treatment with cycloheximide increased B-myb messenger RNA levels, suggesting that one or more labile proteins act as repressors of B-myb transcription. In the same cell line, blocking protein synthesis decreased the level of c-myb mRNA under both normal and differentiative conditions. Thus, B-myb and c-myb undergo similar transcriptional regulation, but there are specific differences in the stability of their messenger RNAs and in the mechanisms through which their transcription is controlled. These differences could reflect different functional roles played by c-myb and B-myb in neuroblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Raschellà
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Ente Nuove Technologie Energia e Ambiente CR Casaccia, Rome, Italy
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Raschellà G, Negroni A, Sala A, Pucci S, Romeo A, Calabretta B. Requirement of b-myb function for survival and differentiative potential of human neuroblastoma cells. J Biol Chem 1995; 270:8540-5. [PMID: 7721753 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.270.15.8540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [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: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The B-myb gene belongs to a family of transcription factors that also includes A-myb and c-myb. B-myb is expressed in many cell types including human neuroblastoma cells. Here we demonstrate that B-myb expression is down-regulated during retinoic acid-induced neural and glial differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. This modulation is an early event, is maintained at late times of induction, and is in part regulated at the transcriptional level. Constitutive expression of B-myb prevents retinoic acid-induced neural differentiation as reflected by morphological features and the expression of (or lack of) biochemical markers associated with the undifferentiated phenotype. Furthermore, the expression of antisense B-myb transcripts does not allow the rescue of viable cells, suggesting an important role for B-myb in the survival of neuroblastoma cells. These results indicate that B-myb plays a functional role in the differentiative potential of neuroblastoma cells, raising the possibility that this gene is one of the nuclear regulators in the cascade of events leading to cellular differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Raschellà
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Ente Nuove Tecnologie Energia e Ambiente Casaccia, Rome, Italy
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Raschella G, Romeo A, Negroni A, Pucci S, Dominici C, Castello MA, Bevilacqua P, Felsani A, Calabretta B. Lack of correlation between N-myc and MAX expression in neuroblastoma tumors and in cell lines: implication for N-myc-MAX complex formation. Cancer Res 1994; 54:2251-5. [PMID: 8174135] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Detectable levels of MAX messenger RNA were found in a set of human neuroblastoma tumors and established cell lines. MAX mRNA levels were independent of tumor stage and N-myc genomic amplification. By contrast, N-myc mRNA transcripts were detectable only in tumors with amplification of N-myc gene and in cell lines. Analysis by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and hybridization to specific oligodeoxynucleotide probes revealed approximately equal amounts of two MAX transcripts in all cases analyzed. Immunoprecipitations with a specific antibody to MAX detected two proteins of M(r) 21,000 and 22,000 in approximately equal amounts in all neuroblastoma lines regardless of N-myc amplification and/or expression. On the other hand, protein binding to the myc DNA consensus sequence correlated with N-myc expression in neuroblastoma cells. Thus, N-myc expression might be a limiting factor in the formation of the N-myc-MAX heterodimer in neuroblastomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Raschella
- ENEA (Ente Nuove Tecnologie Energia e Ambiente) CRE Casaccia, Division of Molecular Biology, Rome, Italy
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Raschellà G, Negroni A, Skorski T, Pucci S, Nieborowska-Skorska M, Romeo A, Calabretta B. Inhibition of proliferation by c-myb antisense RNA and oligodeoxynucleotides in transformed neuroectodermal cell lines. Cancer Res 1992; 52:4221-6. [PMID: 1638535] [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] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Transfection of a neuroblastoma cell line with expression vectors containing two different segments of human c-myb complementary DNA in antisense orientation yielded far fewer transfectant clones than did the transfection with the identical segments in sense orientation. In cell clones expressing c-myb antisense RNA, levels of the c-myb protein were down-regulated and the proliferation rate was slower than that of cells transfected with sense constructs or the untransfected parental cell line. Treatment of neuroblastoma and neuroepithelioma cell lines with a c-myb antisense oligodeoxynucleotide strongly inhibited cell growth. These data indicate a definite involvement of c-myb in the proliferation of neuroectodermal tumor cells extending the role of this protooncogene beyond the hematopoietic system. The availability of cell clones that transcribe c-myb antisense RNA provides a useful tool to study the involvement of other genes in the proliferation and differentiation of neuroblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Raschellà
- ENEA (Ente Nuove tecnologie Energia e Ambiente) CRE Casaccia, Division of Molecular Biology, Rome, Italy
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Dominici C, Negroni A, Romeo A, McDowell H, Padula A, Pucci S, Cappelli C, Castello MA, Raschellà G. Flow cytometric and molecular analysis of proliferative activity and DNA content in neuroblastoma: presence of stationary cells in S-phase. Anticancer Res 1992; 12:59-63. [PMID: 1567182] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-nine previously untreated neuroblastomas were analyzed for DNA content and percentage of cells in S-phase, both determined by flow cytometry, and N-myc oncogene copy number. Twelve of them were also tested for histone H3 transcript levels as a marker of actual proliferative activity. A significantly higher S-phase fraction was associated with advanced stages of disease, unfavorable (i.e., near-diploid and near-tetraploid) DNA content, and N-myc amplification. The occurrence of six tumors with a remarkable (greater than or equal to 10%) S-phase fraction but lacking histone H3 transcripts suggests the presence of stationary S-phase cells in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Dominici
- Department of Pediatrics, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Negroni A, Scarpa S, Romeo A, Ferrari S, Modesti A, Raschellà G. Decrease of proliferation rate and induction of differentiation by a MYCN antisense DNA oligomer in a human neuroblastoma cell line. Cell Growth Differ 1991; 2:511-8. [PMID: 1751406] [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: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The effects of an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to codons 2-7 of the oncogene MYCN on the human neuroblastoma cell line LAN-5 were studied. Treated cells showed a decreased MYCN protein expression and synthesis by immunoperoxidase staining and immunoprecipitation. At the same time, the replication rate was inhibited, and the phenotype was modified toward a more differentiated type. Our data suggest the involvement of oncogene MYCN in both proliferative and differentiative processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Negroni
- Division of Physics and Biochemical Sciences, Ente per le nuove technologie per l'energia e l'ambiente (ENEA), Rome, Italy
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Raschellà G, Negroni A, Giubilei C, Romeo A, Ferrari S, Castello MA, Dominici C. Transcription of N-myc and proliferation-related genes is linked in human neuroblastoma. Cancer Lett 1991; 56:45-51. [PMID: 2004353 DOI: 10.1016/0304-3835(91)90192-k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A definite association between the transcription of N-myc oncogene and proliferation-related genes, histone H3, c-myc and p53, was found in a set of 12 primary untreated neuroblastomas and a metastasis of one of these at relapse. Molecular analysis allowed us to discriminate between actually proliferating and non-proliferating tumors, and suggested a link between N-myc and proliferation. Flow cytometric analysis of DNA distribution was less reliable for assessing tumor proliferative activity. Our data also seem to indicate a down-regulation of c-myc by N-myc in human neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Raschellà
- Division of Physics and Biomedical Sciences, CRE ENEA Casaccia, Rome, Italy
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Dominici C, Negroni A, Romeo A, Castello MA, Clerico A, Scopinaro M, Mauro F, Raschellà G. Association of near-diploid DNA content and N-myc amplification in neuroblastomas. Clin Exp Metastasis 1989; 7:201-11. [PMID: 2920475 DOI: 10.1007/bf01787024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Seventeen neuroblastomas at different clinical stages were analysed for their N-myc copy number and flow cytometrically determined DNA content. Aneuploidy was found in 11 patients (65 per cent), whereas the remaining were near-diploid. N-myc amplification was found significantly (P less than 0.05) confined to near-diploid tumors (3 out of 6 cases). This finding indicates a very selective mechanism of oncogene amplification which is independent of gross chromosomal imbalance and limited to specific loci in the human genome. Association of near-diploidy and age at diagnosis older than 24 months was also demonstrated (P less than 0.05). Thus, flow cytometric analysis of DNA content together with N-myc gene dosage allowed us to distinguish two different subsets of neuroblastoma tumors: the first one aneuploid, with single-copy N-myc, usually observed in patients younger than 24 months with localized or IV-S clinical stages; the second one near-diploid, with frequent N-myc amplification, usually observed in patients older than 24 months with advanced clinical stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Dominici
- Department of Pediatrics, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
Seminal zinc was measured in normospermic and infertile patients by a new colorimetric method. Analysis of semen from 5 patients with bilateral agenesis of the vas deferens showed high levels of zinc (mean value 1411.2 micrograms/ml). Lower levels were found in 6 patients with monolateral congenital or acquired obstruction (695.2 micrograms/ml). The seminal zinc level in 6 patients who had had a vasectomy or who had an epididymal blockage (125.7 micrograms/ml) was approximately the same as in 41 controls (134.6 +/- 42 +/- SD). Zinc levels were reduced in hypogonadal patients. These data suggest that zinc is secreted mainly by the prostate, while vesicular, epididymal and testicular secretions are devoid of zinc. Evaluation of this metal therefore permits the diagnosis of patency of the seminal pathways, but does not permit identification of prostatitis. No correlation was found between sperm count or motility and the seminal zinc level, nor between the latter and varicocele.
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