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Leone P, Malerba E, Susca N, Favoino E, Perosa F, Brunori G, Prete M, Racanelli V. Endothelial cells in tumor microenvironment: insights and perspectives. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1367875. [PMID: 38426109 PMCID: PMC10902062 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1367875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is a highly complex and dynamic mixture of cell types, including tumor, immune and endothelial cells (ECs), soluble factors (cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors), blood vessels and extracellular matrix. Within this complex network, ECs are not only relevant for controlling blood fluidity and permeability, and orchestrating tumor angiogenesis but also for regulating the antitumor immune response. Lining the luminal side of vessels, ECs check the passage of molecules into the tumor compartment, regulate cellular transmigration, and interact with both circulating pathogens and innate and adaptive immune cells. Thus, they represent a first-line defense system that participates in immune responses. Tumor-associated ECs are involved in T cell priming, activation, and proliferation by acting as semi-professional antigen presenting cells. Thus, targeting ECs may assist in improving antitumor immune cell functions. Moreover, tumor-associated ECs contribute to the development at the tumor site of tertiary lymphoid structures, which have recently been associated with enhanced response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). When compared to normal ECs, tumor-associated ECs are abnormal in terms of phenotype, genetic expression profile, and functions. They are characterized by high proliferative potential and the ability to activate immunosuppressive mechanisms that support tumor progression and metastatic dissemination. A complete phenotypic and functional characterization of tumor-associated ECs could be helpful to clarify their complex role within the tumor microenvironment and to identify EC specific drug targets to improve cancer therapy. The emerging therapeutic strategies based on the combination of anti-angiogenic treatments with immunotherapy strategies, including ICI, CAR T cells and bispecific antibodies aim to impact both ECs and immune cells to block angiogenesis and at the same time to increase recruitment and activation of effector cells within the tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Leone
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Malerba
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area-(DiMePRe-J), Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Susca
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Elvira Favoino
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuliano Brunori
- Centre for Medical Sciences, University of Trento and Nephrology and Dialysis Division, Santa Chiara Hospital, Provincial Health Care Agency (APSS), Trento, Italy
| | - Marcella Prete
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Centre for Medical Sciences, University of Trento and Internal Medicine Division, Santa Chiara Hospital, Provincial Health Care Agency (APSS), Trento, Italy
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Prete M, Racanelli V, Leone P, Favoino E, Perosa F. Classic pyoderma gangrenosum. Clin Case Rep 2024; 12:e8446. [PMID: 38389963 PMCID: PMC10883343 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8446] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare inflammatory ulcerative skin disease of unknown etiology. We report an image of a patient with pyoderma gangrenosum who presented right leg ulcers with violaceous margins, histologically characterized by mono- and polynuclear cell infiltrates. The patient was successfully treated with cyclosporin A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Prete
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine University of Bari Medical School Bari Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Centre for Medical Sciences, CISMed, Department of Internal Medicine Santa Chiara Hospital, University of Trento Trento Italy
| | - Patrizia Leone
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine University of Bari Medical School Bari Italy
| | - Elvira Favoino
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine University of Bari Medical School Bari Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine University of Bari Medical School Bari Italy
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3
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Favoino E, Prete M, Liakouli V, Leone P, Sisto A, Navarini L, Vomero M, Ciccia F, Ruscitti P, Racanelli V, Giacomelli R, Perosa F. Idiopathic and connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): Similarities, differences and the role of autoimmunity. Autoimmun Rev 2024; 23:103514. [PMID: 38181859 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2024.103514] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Pre-capillary pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is hemodynamically characterized by a mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≥ 20 mmHg, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PAWP) ≤15 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) > 2. PAH is classified in six clinical subgroups, including idiopathic PAH (IPAH) and PAH associated to connective tissue diseases (CTD-PAH), that will be the main object of this review. The aim is to compare these two PAH subgroups in terms of epidemiology, histological and pathogenic findings in an attempt to define disease-specific features, including autoimmunity, that may explain the heterogeneity of response to therapy between IPAH and CTD-PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Favoino
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
| | - Marcella Prete
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Vasiliki Liakouli
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Patrizia Leone
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Adriana Sisto
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Luca Navarini
- Clinical and research section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico, Via Álvaro del Portillo 200, 00128, Rome, Italy; Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Rome "Campus Biomedico", School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Vomero
- Clinical and research section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico, Via Álvaro del Portillo 200, 00128, Rome, Italy; Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Rome "Campus Biomedico", School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Ciccia
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Piero Ruscitti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Centre for Medical Sciences, University of Trento and Internal Medicine Division, Santa Chiara Hospital, Provincial Health Care Agency (APSS), Trento, Italy
| | - Roberto Giacomelli
- Clinical and research section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico, Via Álvaro del Portillo 200, 00128, Rome, Italy; Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Rome "Campus Biomedico", School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
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Prete M, Susca N, Leone P, De Giacomo A, Bray A, Brunori G, Favoino E, Perosa F, Racanelli V. Impact of belimumab therapy on the quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A cohort study. Lupus 2023; 32:1528-1535. [PMID: 37903488 DOI: 10.1177/09612033231210607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic and extremely disabling connective-tissue autoimmune disease with a tremendous impact on the quality of life (QoL). Belimumab, a B-lymphocyte-stimulator-specific inhibitor, is the first biologic drug approved as add-on therapy in patients with active, refractory auto-antibody-positive SLE.The impact of belimumab on the QoL of SLE patients was evaluated using a generic questionnaire short-form health survey 36 (SF-36) and the disease-specific questionnaire SLE-specific quality of life (SLEQoL).The Italian version of the SLEQoL and the SF-36 were administered to 46 SLE patients before and after 6 months of belimumab therapy. The control population consisted of 40 age-matched healthy individuals. The questionnaires were completed before and after belimumab treatment and the results were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. In addition, data from healthy controls and SLE patients were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. Dichotomous variables were compared using Fisher's exact test.For SLE patients, the addition of belimumab to their therapeutic regimen significantly improved their health-related QoL (HRQoL), according to the results of the SF-36 and SLEQoL. The comparison of the data obtained before and after belimumab treatment showed a decrease in all six SLEQoL domains and an increase in all eight SF-36 domains. Moreover, treatment led to a reduction in the median prednisone dose, to 0 mg/day (IQR 0-4.5 mg/day). Before belimumab therapy, SLE patients had a worse HRQoL than the control group, based on both questionnaires, but after belimumab treatment the outcome scores between SLE patients and controls were similar, suggesting that belimumab therapy resulted in a strong improvement in HRQoL. These findings were supported by a decrease in the SELENA-SLEDAI score, a measure of disease activity.In addition to clinical remission and low disease activity, the goals of an innovative therapeutic strategy for SLE should include the attainment of a good HRQoL. Our study demonstrates that the combined use of the SF-36 and SLEQoL questionnaires can provide clinicians with a better understanding of the HRQoL of SLE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Prete
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Internal Medicine Unit, "Aldo Moro" University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Susca
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Internal Medicine Unit, "Aldo Moro" University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Leone
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Internal Medicine Unit, "Aldo Moro" University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea De Giacomo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, "Aldo Moro" University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella Bray
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Internal Medicine Unit, "Aldo Moro" University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Elvira Favoino
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Rheumatological and Autoimmune Systemic Diseases Unit, "Aldo Moro" University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Rheumatological and Autoimmune Systemic Diseases Unit, "Aldo Moro" University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Centre for Medical Sciences, CISMed, Department of Internal Medicine, Santa Chiara Hospital, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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Favoino E, Cipriani P, Liakouli V, Corrado A, Navarini L, Vomero M, Sisto A, Grembiale RD, Ciccia F, Cantatore FP, Ruscitti P, Giacomelli R, Perosa F. Clinical correlates of a subset of anti-fibroblast antibodies in systemic sclerosis. Clin Immunol 2023; 255:109740. [PMID: 37586673 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Anti-fibroblast antibodies (AFA) have been reported in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and are known to promote fibroblast activation. Aim of this study was to characterize the fine specificity of AFA and to analyze any correlations with clinical parameters associated to fibrosis. To this end, AFA were affinity-purified from a patient with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Panning of a phage display peptide library with purified AFA identified the motif . The peptide p121, bearing the AFA-specific motif, was used in ELISA to screen sera from 186 SSc patients and 81 healthy donors. Anti-p121 Ab serum levels were statistically higher in SSc than in healthy groups, and directly associated with dcSSc, reduced FVC (FVC < 70), and ILD. Given these clinical correlates, this study lays the groundwork for the identification of the antigen recognized by anti-p121 Ab, which might represent a novel therapeutic target for ILD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Favoino
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Paola Cipriani
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vasiliki Liakouli
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Addolorata Corrado
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgery Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Luca Navarini
- Clinical and Research Section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico, Via Álvaro del Portillo 200, 00128 Rome, Italy; Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Rome "Campus Biomedico", School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Vomero
- Clinical and Research Section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico, Via Álvaro del Portillo 200, 00128 Rome, Italy; Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Rome "Campus Biomedico", School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana Sisto
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa Daniela Grembiale
- Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Ciccia
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco P Cantatore
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgery Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Piero Ruscitti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberto Giacomelli
- Clinical and Research Section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico, Via Álvaro del Portillo 200, 00128 Rome, Italy; Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Rome "Campus Biomedico", School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
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Favoino E, Grapsi E, Barbuti G, Liakouli V, Ruscitti P, Foti C, Giacomelli R, Perosa F. Systemic sclerosis and primary biliary cholangitis share an antibody population with identical specificity. Clin Exp Immunol 2023; 212:32-38. [PMID: 36715304 PMCID: PMC10081109 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxad012] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-centromere (ACA) and antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) are specific for limited-cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), respectively, and can coexist in up to 25 and 30% of SSc and PBC patients. Here, we evaluated whether anti-centromeric protein A (CENP-A) antibodies cross-react with mitochondrial antigens. To this end, sera from two lcSSc patients (pt1 and pt4), one of them (pt4) also affected by PBC, were used as the source of ACA, previously shown to recognize different groups of amino acids (motifs) in the CENP-A region spanning amino acids 1-17 (Ap1-17). Pt1 and pt4 Ap1-17-specific IgG were purified by affinity-chromatography on insolubilized Ap1-17-peptide column and tested by western blotting with nuclear and cytoplasmic protein extract from HeLa cells. Immunoreactive proteins were identified by mass spectrometry and validated by immunodot. The results showed that affinity-purified SSc/PBC pt4 anti-Ap1-17 and not SSc pt1 anti-Ap1-17 Ab, specifically cross-reacted with the E2 component of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2), the major mitochondrial autoantigen in PBC. Sequence homology analysis indicated that the motif A-x-x-P-x-A-P recognized by pt4 anti-Ap1-17 IgG and shared by CENP-A and PDC-E2, is also expressed by some members of the Human Herpesvirus family, suggesting that they may trigger the production of these cross-reacting antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Favoino
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Ettore Grapsi
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Barbuti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Vasiliki Liakouli
- Department of Precision Medicine, Rheumatology Section, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Piero Ruscitti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Caterina Foti
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Unit of Dermatology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Giacomelli
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology and Immunology Unit, University of Rome “Campus Biomedico”, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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Favoino E, Catacchio G, Mininni A, Ruscitti P, Riccieri V, Liakouli V, Corrado A, Navarini L, Ciccia F, Cipriani P, Cantatore FP, Valesini G, Giacomelli R, Perosa F. Novel biomarker for pulmonary vascular disease in systemic sclerosis patients. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2021; 40:1956-1963. [DOI: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/0exnav] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Favoino
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medidine (DIM), University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Giacomo Catacchio
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medidine (DIM), University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Mininni
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medidine (DIM), University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Piero Ruscitti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Valeria Riccieri
- Department of Clinical Internistic Anaesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Vasiliki Liakouli
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Addolorata Corrado
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgery Sciences, University of Foggia, Italy
| | - Luca Navarini
- Immunorheumatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Ciccia
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Cipriani
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Guido Valesini
- Department of Clinical Internistic Anaesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Giacomelli
- Rheumatology, Immunology and Clinical Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medidine (DIM), University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
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Foti C, Favoino E, Scarasciulli M, Colacicco AM, Jahantigh H, Stufano A, Lovreglio P, Mascia P, Barlusconi C, Perosa F, Romita P, Calvario A. Chronic-Relapsing cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis in a young patient with reduced EBV-specific T cell response using enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay successfully treated with Valaciclovir. IDCases 2021; 26:e01331. [PMID: 34840952 PMCID: PMC8605419 DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01331] [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: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Among different pathogens, opportunistic viral infection caused by EBV is particularly relevant. This gammaherpesvirus, belonging to the Herpesviridae family, may complicate the disease course in different clinical settings by inducing pathological EBV pictures in patients with a defective immunologic response. Our report evaluated EBV-specific T cell responses by IFN- γ ELISPOT assay, which revealed defective EBV specific immunological response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Foti
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Dermatological Clinic, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Elvira Favoino
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Scarasciulli
- Microbiology and Virology Unit - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM) - University of Bari "Aldo Moro"- AOU Policlinico Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Colacicco
- Microbiology and Virology Unit - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM) - University of Bari "Aldo Moro"- AOU Policlinico Bari, Italy
| | - Hamidreza Jahantigh
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Stufano
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Piero Lovreglio
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Paola Mascia
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Dermatological Clinic, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Barlusconi
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Dermatological Clinic, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Paolo Romita
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Dermatological Clinic, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Agata Calvario
- Microbiology and Virology Unit - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM) - University of Bari "Aldo Moro"- AOU Policlinico Bari, Italy
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Favoino E, Urso L, Serafino A, Misceo F, Catacchio G, Prete M, Perosa F. HLA Allele Prevalence in Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs-Responsive Enthesitis and/or Arthritis Not Fulfilling ASAS Criteria: Comparison with Psoriatic and Undifferentiated Spondyloarthritis. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10143006. [PMID: 34300172 PMCID: PMC8305973 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10143006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group of inflammatory rheumatic diseases characterized by common clinical features, such as inflammatory enthesitis, arthritis and/or back pain. SpA is strongly associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I allotype B27. Ankylosing spondylitis has historically been the SpA subgroup with one of the strongest, best-proven associations with HLA-B27. The remaining SpA subgroups, namely psoriatic arthritis (PsA), inflammatory bowel diseases-associated arthritis/spondylitis, reactive arthritis, and undifferentiated SpA (uSpA), have also been associated with HLA allotypes other than HLA-B27. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the association between the HLA class I and II haplotypes and the susceptibility to enthesitis and/or arthritis (E/A). Special attention was paid to E/A responding to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) not fulfilling ASAS classification criteria (ASAS−), as compared to ASAS+ forms including PsA and uSpA. The whole E/A group showed significant independent associations with HLA-A28(68), B27, Cw3, Cw12, and DQ1; taken singly, PsA was associated with HLA-B27 and DQ1, uSpA with HLA-B16(38,39) and B27, and E/A ASAS− with HLA-A28(68), Cw8, and Cw12. This study identified novel risk HLA allotypes for different SpA subgroups in an Italian population. HLA typing could aid the diagnosis and treatment of E/A subgroups, including DMARDS-responsive forms not fulfilling ASAS classification criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Federico Perosa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-80-547-88-91; Fax: +39-80-547-88-20
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10
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Delvecchio M, Grugni G, Mai S, Favoino E, Ingletto A, Gnoni A. Circulating Inhibitory Factor 1 levels in adult patients with Prader-Willi syndrome. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2021; 42:317-320. [PMID: 33675216 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2020-0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic syndrome characterized by hyperphagia and early development of morbid obesity. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are major comorbidities in these patients leading to premature death. Inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) works as a regulatory protein, inhibiting the ATP hydrolase activity of mitochondrial ATP synthase and likely playing a role in lipid metabolism. We aimed to assay IF1 in adult patients with PWS evaluating any relationship with clinical, genetic and biochemical parameters. METHODS We recruited 35 adult patients with genetically confirmed PWS. RESULTS IF1 serum concentration displayed a normal distribution with an average value of 70.7 ± 22.6 pg/mL, a median value of 66.1 pg/mL. It was above the reference range only in one patient. All parameters were compared from both sides of IF1 median without displaying any significant differences. Patients with normal or low HDL-cholesterol did not present any difference as regards IF1 levels, which were not different between patients with and without MetS. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) serum levels (r=0.623; p<0.001) showed a statistically significant correlation with IF1. Cholesterol and its fractions did not present any correlation with IF1. CONCLUSIONS In this study we do not confirm that HDL-cholesterol and IF1 are correlated, but we show that in adult PWS patients, NEFA are correlated with serum IF1. This protein could play a role to some extent in determining the complex metabolic alterations in PWS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Delvecchio
- Metabolic Disorders and Diabetes Unit, "Giovanni XXIII" Children's Hospital, A.O.U. Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Graziano Grugni
- Division of Auxology, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Verbania, Italy
| | - Stefania Mai
- Laboratory of Metabolic Research, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, S. Giuseppe Hospital, Research Institute, Verbania, Italy
| | - Elvira Favoino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Annalisa Ingletto
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Gnoni
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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11
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Favoino E, Prete M, Catacchio G, Ruscitti P, Navarini L, Giacomelli R, Perosa F. Working and safety profiles of JAK/STAT signaling inhibitors. Are these small molecules also smart? Autoimmun Rev 2021; 20:102750. [PMID: 33482338 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway is an important intracellular route through which many different extracellular soluble molecules, by reaching membrane receptors, can signal the nucleus. The spectrum of soluble molecules that use the JAK/STAT pathway through their corresponding receptors is quite large (almost 50 different molecules), and includes some cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of many immune-mediated diseases. Such diseases, when left untreated, present an evident hyperactivation of JAK/STAT signaling. Therefore, given the pathogenetic role of JAK/STAT, drugs known as JAK inhibitors (JAKi), that target one or more JAKs, have been developed to counteract JAK/STAT signal hyperactivation. As some hematological malignancies present an intrinsic JAK/STAT hyperactivation due to a JAK mutation, some JAKi have also been successfully used in this context. Regulatory agencies for drug administration in different countries have already approved a few JAKi in the setting of either immune-mediated diseases or hematological malignancies. Aim of this review is to describe the physiology of intracellular JAK/STAT pathway signaling and the pathological conditions associated to its dysregulation. Then, the rationale for targeting JAK in rheumatic autoimmune diseases is discussed, along with clinical data from registration studies showing the efficacy of these drugs. Finally, the excellent safety profile of JAKi is discussed in the context of the apparent poor specificity of JAK/STAT pathway signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Favoino
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Italy
| | - Marcella Prete
- Internal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Italy
| | - Giacomo Catacchio
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Italy
| | - Piero Ruscitti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Luca Navarini
- Rheumatology and Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Rome 'Campus Biomedico', Italy
| | - Roberto Giacomelli
- Rheumatology and Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Rome 'Campus Biomedico', Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Italy.
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12
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Perosa F, Favoino E, Prete M. Why Do We Still Lack a COVID-19 Vaccine? Searching for the Missing Pieces. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2020; 21:567-568. [PMID: 33290205 DOI: 10.2174/1871530320666201207234914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perosa
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Elvira Favoino
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Marcella Prete
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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13
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Delvecchio M, Rapone B, Simonetti S, Fecarotta S, De Carlo G, Favoino E, Loverro MT, Romano AMI, Taurino F, Di Naro E, Gnoni A. Dietary cholesterol supplementation and inhibitory factor 1 serum levels in two dizygotic Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome twins: a case report. Ital J Pediatr 2020; 46:161. [PMID: 33115520 PMCID: PMC7594264 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-020-00924-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the defect in the 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase. This defect leads to the deficiency of cholesterol biosynthesis with accumulation of 7-dehydrocholesterol. Inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) is a well-known mitochondrial protein. Recently, it has been discovered in the human serum where it is reported to be involved in the HDL-cholesterol intake. Here we report the IF1 presence in the serum of two paediatric SLOS dizygotic twins treated with dietary cholesterol supplementation. CASE PRESENTATION The patients showed a typical phenotype. They started dietary supplementation with cholesterol when 2 months old. The cholesterol intake was periodically titrated on the basis of weight increase and the twin 1 required a larger supplementation than the twin 2 during the follow-up. When 6.4-year-old, they underwent IF1 assay that was 7-fold increased in twin 2 compared to twin 1 (93.0 pg/ml vs 13.0 pg/ml, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We report, for the first time, the presence of circulating IF1 in the serum of SLOS patients, showing different levels among them. Our findings confirm that IF1 could be a novel research target in cholesterol-related disorders and also in SLOS, and could contribute to the general debate on IF1 as a new modulator of cholesterol levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Delvecchio
- Department of Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Genetics and Diabetology, Giovanni XXIII Children's Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Biagio Rapone
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Simonetta Simonetti
- Regional Centre for Neonatal Screening, Children Hospital "Giovanni XXIII", Bari, Italy
| | - Simona Fecarotta
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Graziana De Carlo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Elvira Favoino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Loverro
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Isdraele Romano
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Taurino
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Edoardo Di Naro
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Gnoni
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
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14
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Prete M, Favoino E, Catacchio G, Racanelli V, Perosa F. SARS-CoV-2 Inflammatory Syndrome. Clinical Features and Rationale for Immunological Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093377. [PMID: 32397684 PMCID: PMC7247005 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The current pandemic coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is a global health emergency because of its highly contagious nature, the great number of patients requiring intensive care therapy, and the high fatality rate. In the absence of specific antiviral drugs, passive prophylaxis, or a vaccine, the treatment aim in these patients is to prevent the potent virus-induced inflammatory stimuli from leading to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which has a severe prognosis. Here, the mechanism of action and the rationale for employing immunological strategies, which range from traditional chemically synthesized drugs, anti-cytokine antibodies, human immunoglobulin for intravenous use, to vaccines, are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Prete
- Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare 11, I-70124 Bari, Italy; (M.P.); (E.F.); (G.C.)
| | - Elvira Favoino
- Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare 11, I-70124 Bari, Italy; (M.P.); (E.F.); (G.C.)
| | - Giacomo Catacchio
- Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare 11, I-70124 Bari, Italy; (M.P.); (E.F.); (G.C.)
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare 11, I-70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Federico Perosa
- Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare 11, I-70124 Bari, Italy; (M.P.); (E.F.); (G.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-80-547-88-91; Fax: +39-80-547-88-20
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15
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Prete M, Favoino E, Giacomelli R, Afeltra A, Cantatore FP, Bruno C, Corrado A, Emmi L, Emmi G, Grembiale RD, Navarini L, Marcoccia A, Liakouli V, Riccardi A, Valentini G, Perosa F. Evaluation of the influence of social, demographic, environmental, work-related factors and/or lifestyle habits on Raynaud's phenomenon: a case-control study. Clin Exp Med 2020; 20:31-37. [PMID: 31679095 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-019-00589-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a clinical disorder characterized by recurrent, reversible episodes of digital vasospasm. RP can be classified as primary (pRP) or secondary, depending on whether it occurs as a benign condition (not disease-associated) or is associated with other diseases, mainly of the connective tissues. In both cases, it can be triggered by environmental factors, as indicated by the increased incidence of pRP episodes following exposure to cold, vibration injury or chemicals. The purpose of this prospective case-control study was to assess, in an Italian cohort of 132 pRP patients, the association of the phenomenon with demographic, lifestyle habits, environmental and work-related factors. Compared to healthy controls, pRP was found to be inversely associated with the use of contact lenses (OR = 0.4; p = 0.004) and of chlorous-based disinfectants (OR = 0.3; p < 0.001) and directly associated with the presence of prosthesis implants (OR = 5.3; p = 0.001) and the use of hydrogen peroxide-based compounds (OR = 2.6; p = 0.002), suggesting that the latter should be avoided in RP affected patients. Multivariate and multivariable analysis confirmed the associations. Further investigations are needed to understand the mechanism(s) underlying these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Prete
- Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare 11, I-70124, Bari, Italy
| | - E Favoino
- Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare 11, I-70124, Bari, Italy
| | - R Giacomelli
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - A Afeltra
- Clinical Medicine and Rheumatology Department, Campus Bio-Medico, University of Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - F P Cantatore
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia Medical School, Foggia, Italy
| | - C Bruno
- Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - A Corrado
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia Medical School, Foggia, Italy
| | - L Emmi
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - G Emmi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - R D Grembiale
- Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - L Navarini
- Clinical Medicine and Rheumatology Department, Campus Bio-Medico, University of Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - A Marcoccia
- UOSD of Ischemic Microangiopathy and Sclerodermic Ulcers, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | - V Liakouli
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - A Riccardi
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - G Valentini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - F Perosa
- Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare 11, I-70124, Bari, Italy.
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16
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Favoino E, Prete M, Catacchio G, Conteduca G, Perosa F. CD20-Mimotope Peptides: A Model to Define the Molecular Basis of Epitope Spreading. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20081920. [PMID: 31003532 PMCID: PMC6515264 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20081920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen-mimicking peptide (mimotope)-based vaccines are one of the most promising forms of active-immunotherapy. The main drawback of this approach is that it induces antibodies that react poorly with the nominal antigen. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular basis underlying the weak antibody response induced against the naïve protein after peptide vaccination. For this purpose, we analyzed the fine specificity of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) elicited with a 13-mer linear peptide, complementary to theantigen-combining site of the anti-CD20 mAb, Rituximab, in BALB/c mice. Anti-peptide mAb competed with Rituximab for peptide binding. Even so, they recognized a different antigenic motif from the one recognized by Rituximab. This explains their lack of reactivity with membrane (naïve) CD20. These data indicate that even on a short peptide the immunogenic and antigenic motifs may be different. These findings highlight an additional mechanism for epitope spreading and should be taken into account when designing peptides for vaccine purposes.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived/genetics
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived/immunology
- Antigens, CD20/genetics
- Antigens, CD20/immunology
- Binding Sites, Antibody/genetics
- Epitopes/genetics
- Epitopes/immunology
- Humans
- Mice
- Peptide Library
- Peptides/genetics
- Peptides/immunology
- Rituximab/genetics
- Rituximab/immunology
- Vaccination/methods
- Vaccines, Subunit/genetics
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Favoino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, I-70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Marcella Prete
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, I-70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Giacomo Catacchio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, I-70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Giuseppina Conteduca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, I-70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Federico Perosa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, I-70124 Bari, Italy.
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17
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Favoino E, Prete M, Vettori S, Corrado A, Cantatore FP, Valentini G, Perosa F. Anti-carbamylated protein antibodies and skin involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis: An intriguing association. PLoS One 2019; 13:e0210023. [PMID: 30596753 PMCID: PMC6312283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbamylation is a post-translational modification that mostly affects proteins with low turnover, such as dermal proteins. Carbamylated proteins accumulate in skin in an age-dependent manner, contributing to tissue alterations. As dermis is affected by systemic sclerosis (SSc) and anti-carbamylated protein antibodies (anti-CarP Ab) are found in SSc patients, we sought to evaluate the specificity of anti-CarP Ab and their relationship with clinical parameters reflecting skin involvement in SSc. This study investigated serum samples and clinical data from 124 patients with SSc. Anti-CarP Ab were affinity purified from pooled SSc sera, and their specificity was assessed by western blotting and ELISA with carbamylated proteins from two species (human and bovine albumin; human fibrinogen). Anti-CarP Ab were measured in SSc serum samples and in 41 healthy aged-matched individuals. Affinity-purified anti-CarP Ab recognized carbamylated epitopes irrespective of the protein type or species origin. Anti-CarP Ab levels inversely correlated with the modified Rodnan skin score (mRss) (Spearman’s R = -0.32, p<0.001), independently of patients’ age. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis identified anti-CarP Ab cut-offs that best discriminated dichotomized clinical variables related to skin involvement: the only clinical variables that were significantly different between groups were mRss (p = 0.001) and scleredema (p<0.001). Low anti-CarP Ab levels were associated with worse skin involvement. Future prospective studies are needed to assess their usefulness in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Favoino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Marcella Prete
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Serena Vettori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Internal Medicine “F. Magrassi-A. Lanzara”, Rheumatology Section, University of Campania, Naples, Italy
| | - Addolorata Corrado
- Department of Medical and Surgery Sciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Valentini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Internal Medicine “F. Magrassi-A. Lanzara”, Rheumatology Section, University of Campania, Naples, Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
- * E-mail:
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18
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Iacono D, Favoino E, Borgia A, Fasano S, Pantano I, D'Abrosca V, Picillo G, Grembiale RD, Perosa F, Valentini G. Low mortality rate in Italian rheumatoid arthritis patients from a tertiary center: putative implication of a low anti-carbamylated protein antibodies prevalence. Open Access Rheumatol 2018; 10:129-134. [PMID: 30233261 PMCID: PMC6132236 DOI: 10.2147/oarrr.s163731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objective Methods Results Conclusion
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Iacono
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology Section, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy,
| | - Elvira Favoino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Borgia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology Section, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy,
| | - Serena Fasano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology Section, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy,
| | - Ilenia Pantano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology Section, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy,
| | - Virginia D'Abrosca
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology Section, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy,
| | - Giuseppe Picillo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology Section, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy,
| | - Rosa Daniela Grembiale
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriele Valentini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology Section, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy,
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Sabbatino F, Wang Y, Scognamiglio G, Favoino E, Feldman SA, Villani V, Flaherty KT, Nota S, Giannarelli D, Simeone E, Anniciello AM, Palmieri G, Pepe S, Botti G, Ascierto PA, Ferrone CR, Ferrone S. Abstract 4017: Anti-tumor activity of a BRAF inhibitor and IFNα combination in BRAF mutant melanoma. Cancer Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2016-4017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background. BRAFV600E mediated-MAPK pathway activation is associated in melanoma cells with IFNAR1 down-regulation. IFNAR1 regulates melanoma cell sensitivity to IFNα, a cytokine currently used for the adjuvant treatment of melanoma patients. These findings in conjunction with limited therapeutic efficacy of BRAF-I prompted us to examine whether the efficacy of IFNα therapy of melanoma harboring BRAFV600E can be increased by its combination with BRAF-I. Methods. BRAF/NRAS genotype, ERK activation, IFNAR1 and HLA class I antigen expression were tested in 60 primary melanoma tumors of treatment naïve patients. The effect of BRAF-I on IFNAR1 expression was assessed in 3 melanoma cell lines and in 4 tumor biopsies of BRAFV600E metastatic melanomas. The anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic and immunomodulatory activity of BRAF-I and IFNα combination was tested both in vitro and in vivo utilizing 3 melanoma cell lines, HLA class I antigen-MA derived peptide complex-specific T cells and immunodeficient mice (5 mice /group for mice survival and 10 mice/group for inhibition of tumor growth). All statistical tests were two-sided. Differences were considered statistically significant when the P value was <0.05. Results. IFNAR1 level was statistically significantly (P<0.001) lower in BRAFV600E primary melanoma tumors than in BRAF wild type tumors. IFNAR1 down-regulation was reversed by BRAF-I treatment in the 3 melanoma cell lines (P≤0.02) and in 3 out of 4 tumor biopsies from metastatic melanoma patients. IFNAR1 level in the melanoma tumors analyzed was increased as early as 10-14 days following the beginning of the treatment. These changes were associated with i) an increased susceptibility in vitro of melanoma cells to the anti-proliferative (P≤0.04), pro-apoptotic (P≤0.009) and immunomodulatory activity, including induction of HLA class I antigen APM component (P≤0.02) and MA expression as well as recognition by cognate T cells (P<0.001), of BRAF-I and IFNα combination, and ii) an increased mice survival (P<0.001) and inhibition of tumor growth of melanoma cells (P<0.001) in vivo by BRAF-I and IFNα combination. Conclusions. The results of this study provide a strong rationale for the novel clinical trials implemented in BRAFV600E melanoma patients with BRAF-I and IFNα combination
Citation Format: Francesco Sabbatino, Yangyang Wang, Giosuè Scognamiglio, Elvira Favoino, Steven A. Feldman, Vincenzo Villani, Keith T. Flaherty, Sjoerd Nota, Diana Giannarelli, Ester Simeone, Anna M. Anniciello, Giuseppe Palmieri, Stefano Pepe, Gerardo Botti, Paolo A. Ascierto, Cristina R. Ferrone, Soldano Ferrone. Anti-tumor activity of a BRAF inhibitor and IFNα combination in BRAF mutant melanoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4017.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yangyang Wang
- 2Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Elvira Favoino
- 4Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, I.R.C.C.S. Saverio de Bellis, Bari, Italy
| | - Steven A. Feldman
- 5Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Vincenzo Villani
- 2Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Keith T. Flaherty
- 6Department of Medical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sjoerd Nota
- 7Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Diana Giannarelli
- 8Biostatistics Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Ester Simeone
- 9Unit of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy, I.N.T. Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Palmieri
- 10Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council, Sassari, Italy
| | - Stefano Pepe
- 1Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Gerardo Botti
- 3Pathology Unit, I.N.T. Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo A. Ascierto
- 9Unit of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy, I.N.T. Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina R. Ferrone
- 2Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- 11Department of Surgery and of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Sabbatino F, Wang Y, Scognamiglio G, Favoino E, Feldman SA, Villani V, Flaherty KT, Nota S, Giannarelli D, Simeone E, Anniciello AM, Palmieri G, Pepe S, Botti G, Ascierto PA, Ferrone CR, Ferrone S. Antitumor Activity of BRAF Inhibitor and IFNα Combination in BRAF-Mutant Melanoma. J Natl Cancer Inst 2016; 108:djv435. [PMID: 26851802 PMCID: PMC4948304 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djv435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND BRAF(V600E)-mediated MAPK pathway activation is associated in melanoma cells with IFNAR1 downregulation. IFNAR1 regulates melanoma cell sensitivity to IFNα, a cytokine used for the adjuvant treatment of melanoma. These findings and the limited therapeutic efficacy of BRAF-I prompted us to examine whether the efficacy of IFNα therapy of BRAF(V600E) melanoma can be increased by its combination with BRAF-I. METHODS BRAF/NRAS genotype, ERK activation, IFNAR1, and HLA class I expression were tested in 60 primary melanoma tumors from treatment-naive patients. The effect of BRAF-I on IFNAR1 expression was assessed in three melanoma cell lines and in four biopsies of BRAF(V600E) metastases. The antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic and immunomodulatory activity of BRAF-I and IFNα combination was tested in vitro and in vivo utilizing three melanoma cell lines, HLA class I-MA peptide complex-specific T-cells and immunodeficient mice (5 per group for survival and 10 per group for tumor growth inhibition). All statistical tests were two-sided. Differences were considered statistically significant when the P value was less than .05. RESULTS The IFNAR1 level was statistically significantly (P < .001) lower in BRAF(V600E) primary melanoma tumors than in BRAF wild-type tumors. IFNAR1 downregulation was reversed by BRAF-I treatment in the three melanoma cell lines (P ≤ .02) and in three out of four metastases. The IFNAR1 level in the melanoma tumors analyzed was increased as early as 10 to 14 days following the beginning of the treatment. These changes were associated with: 1) an increased susceptibility in vitro of melanoma cells to the antiproliferative (P ≤ .04), pro-apoptotic (P ≤ .009) and immunomodulatory activity, including upregulation of HLA class I antigen APM component (P ≤ .04) and MA expression as well as recognition by cognate T-cells (P < .001), of BRAF-I and IFNα combination and 2) an increased survival (P < .001) and inhibition of tumor growth of melanoma cells (P < .001) in vivo by BRAF-I and IFNα combination. CONCLUSIONS The described results provide a strong rationale for the clinical trials implemented in BRAF(V600E) melanoma patients with BRAF-I and IFNα combination.
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Perosa F, Favoino E, Favia IE, Vettori S, Prete M, Corrado A, Cantatore FP, Valentini G. Subspecificities of anticentromeric protein A antibodies identify systemic sclerosis patients at higher risk of pulmonary vascular disease. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e3931. [PMID: 27336883 PMCID: PMC4998321 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000003931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who express autoantibodies to centromeric proteins (CENPs) are at risk of developing pulmonary vascular disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension without fibrosis. Currently no biomarkers are available to predict these complications. We previously characterized the fine specificity of anti-CENP-A antibodies in SSc by screening a phage display library (expressing random 12-mer peptides), and identified phage clones whose peptides were differentially recognized by patients' autoantibodies. Here, we examined if subgroups of SSc patients with different anti-CENP-A antibody subspecificities also differ clinically, and if serum reactivity to phage-displayed peptides can predict pulmonary vascular disease.Clinical data and serum samples were collected from 84 anti-CENP-A-positive SSc patients. Indirect ELISAs were used to test serum reactivity. Pulmonary vascular disease was defined as high systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) and low diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO; percent of predicted values).Sera were screened for reactivity to peptides expressed by phage clones pc4.2 and pc14.1, confirming our earlier observation of differential specificities. Linear regression showed that the levels of antibodies specific for the 2 phage clones were associated with clinical features of pulmonary vascular disease, but in opposite ways: anti-pc4.2 antibodies were positively associated with sPAP and inversely associated with DLCO, whereas anti-pc14.1 antibodies were inversely associated with sPAP and positively associated with DLCO. Anti-pc4.2 and anti-pc14.1 antibody levels predicted sPAP independently of DLCO. These associations were confirmed by logistic regression using antibodies as predictors and dichotomized sPAP (cutoff, 45 mm Hg) as outcome. The ratio of the 2 antibody levels was a useful marker in predicting high sPAP.This study demonstrates that some SSc clinical features associate with subspecificities of anti-CENP-A antibodies. Moreover, it shows that a simple, inexpensive phage-based assay can predict which SSc patients have high sPAP and low DLCO, hence who are at greater risk of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension. The ability to identify these at-risk patients can contribute to clinical efficiency and effectiveness. Further research into the peptides expressed by the phage clones may reveal the molecular mechanisms that put some anti-CENP-A-positive patients at greater risk than others for pulmonary vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perosa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari
| | - Elvira Favoino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari
| | - Isabella Eleonora Favia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari
| | - Serena Vettori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Internal Medicine “F. Magrassi, A.Lanzara”-Rheumatology Section, Second University of Naples, Naples
| | - Marcella Prete
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari
| | - Addolorata Corrado
- Department of Medical and Surgery Sciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Valentini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Internal Medicine “F. Magrassi, A.Lanzara”-Rheumatology Section, Second University of Naples, Naples
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Favoino E, Prete M, Marzullo A, Millo E, Shoenfeld Y, Perosa F. CD20-Mimotope Peptide Active Immunotherapy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and a Reappraisal of Vaccination Strategies in Rheumatic Diseases. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2016; 52:217-233. [DOI: 10.1007/s12016-016-8551-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Sottile R, Pangigadde PN, Tan T, Anichini A, Sabbatino F, Trecroci F, Favoino E, Orgiano L, Roberts J, Ferrone S, Kärre K, Colucci F, Carbone E. HLA class I downregulation is associated with enhanced NK-cell killing of melanoma cells with acquired drug resistance to BRAF inhibitors. Eur J Immunol 2015; 46:409-19. [PMID: 26564811 PMCID: PMC4832274 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201445289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 10/24/2014] [Revised: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The frequent development of drug resistance to targeted therapies in cancer patients has stimulated interest in strategies counteracting resistance. Combining immunotherapies with targeted therapies is one such strategy. In this context, we asked whether human NK cells can target melanoma cells that have acquired resistance to selective inhibitors targeting activating mutants of the B‐Raf kinase (BRAF inhibitors, BRAFi). We generated drug‐resistant cell variants in vitro from human BRAF‐mutant melanoma cell lines MEL‐HO, COLO‐38, SK‐MEL‐37, 1520 and from primary melanoma cells freshly isolated from two patients. All drug‐resistant cell variants remained susceptible to lysis by IL‐2‐activated NK cells; and two BRAFi‐resistant lines (BRAFi‐R) became significantly more susceptible to NK‐cell lysis than their parental lines. This was associated with significant HLA class I antigen downregulation and PD‐L1 upregulation on the drug‐resistant lines. Although blocking HLA class I enhanced the extent of lysis of both BRAFi‐R and parental cells to NK‐cell‐mediated lysis, antibody‐mediated inhibition of PD1–PD‐L1 interactions had no detectable effect. HLA class I antigen expression on BRAFi‐R melanoma variants thus appears to play a major role in their susceptibility to NK‐cell cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that NK‐cell‐based immunotherapy may be a viable approach to treat melanoma patients with acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Sottile
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pradeepa N Pangigadde
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Thomas Tan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrea Anichini
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Elvira Favoino
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura Orgiano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - James Roberts
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Klas Kärre
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francesco Colucci
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ennio Carbone
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
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Perosa F, Prete M, Di Lernia G, Ostuni C, Favoino E, Valentini G. Anti-centromere protein A antibodies in systemic sclerosis: Significance and origin. Autoimmun Rev 2015; 15:102-9. [PMID: 26455561 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is systemic, autoimmune, connective tissue disorder characterized by vascular abnormalities, collagen deposition (fibrosis), and the production of autoantibodies to nuclear proteins. About 20%-40% of patients have antibodies to centromere protein (CENP)-A or -B. Despite the known association of anti-CENP antibodies with certain clinical features of SSc, the role of these antibodies in SSc physiopathology is still poorly understood. To better understand the clinical significance and origin of these antibodies, we and others have been studying the epitopic motifs (amino acid contact sites) on CENP-A with the aim of determining whether other proteins can prime or be targeted by them. Here, we review published and ongoing studies aimed at defining the fine specificity and origin of anti-CENP-A antibodies. We describe progress made in identifying the CENP-A epitopic motif amino acids, and the discovery of one of these motifs in forkhead box protein E3 (FOXE-3), a transcription factor previously studied only for its role in the development of lens fiber cells. Moreover, we discuss preliminary evidence for a possible role of FOXE-3 in SSc pathogenesis and for the association of different subsets of anti-CENP-A antibodies, heterogeneously expressed among SSc patients, with some clinical correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perosa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Section of Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
| | - Marcella Prete
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Section of Internal Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Lernia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Section of Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Carmela Ostuni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Section of Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Elvira Favoino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Section of Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriele Valentini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Internal Medicine "F. Magrassi, A. Lanzara", Rheumatology Section, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Favoino E, Favia I, Vettori S, Prete M, Corrado A, Cantatore F, Valentini G, Perosa F. AB0695 Subspecificities of Anti-Centromeric-Associated Protein a (CENP-A) Antibodies (AB) Can Identified a Subset of Patients at Higher Risk of Developing Pulmonary Hypertension. Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.2398] [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: 11/04/2022]
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Favoino E, Favia IE, Vettori S, Vicenti C, Prete M, Valentini G, Perosa F. Clinical correlates of human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-G in systemic sclerosis. Clin Exp Immunol 2015; 181:100-9. [PMID: 25847615 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-G has a tolerogenic function and could play a role in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of this study was to evaluate HLA-G serum expression (sHLA-G) and the HLA-G gene 14 base pairs (bp) insertion/deletion (del(-)/del(+)) polymorphism in patients with Ssc, to search for possible associations with clinical and laboratory variables. sHLA-G was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in sera from 77 patients with SSc and 32 healthy donors (HD); the 14 bp del(-)/del(+) polymorphism was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) genomic DNA. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis identified the HLA-G cut-off that best discriminated dichotomized clinical and serological variables, that was subsequently employed to subdivide SSc patients into HLA-G high (HLA-G(+)) and low (HLA-G(-)) profile groups. sHLA-G were not statistically different between SSc patients and HD, nor between distinct SSc autoantibody subsets. Subdividing SSc patients by HLA-G positivity or negativity yielded significant differences for the modified Rodnan skin score (mRss) (P = 0.032), 'general' (P = 0.031) and 'kidney' (P = 0.028) Medsger severity scores (MSS) and disease activity index, and especially Δ heart/lung (P = 0.005). A worse 'general' MSS (P = 0.002) and Δ heart/lung (P = 0.011) were more frequent in the low sHLA-G group. These two variables and mRss were associated with sHLA-G levels at logistic regression analysis. Treatment had no influence on sHLA-G. Moreover, a higher frequency of scleredema was detected in the del(+)/del(+) than the del(-)/del(+) group (P = 0.04). These data suggest modulatory effects of sHLA-G on SSc. Prospective studies are needed to investigate a role in predicting the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Favoino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - I E Favia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - S Vettori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Internal Medicine 'F. Magrassi, A. Lanzara'-Rheumatology Section, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - C Vicenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - M Prete
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - G Valentini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Internal Medicine 'F. Magrassi, A. Lanzara'-Rheumatology Section, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - F Perosa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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Sabbatino F, Favoino E, Wang Y, Wang X, Villani V, Cai L, Yang L, Ferrone S, Ferrone CR. Grp94-specific monoclonal antibody to counteract BRAF inhibitor resistance in BRAFV600E melanoma. J Transl Med 2015. [PMCID: PMC4315191 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-13-s1-k12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Favoino E, Favia I, Valentini G, Perosa F. AB0196 Expression of the Transcription Factor Forkhead Box E3 (FOXE3) in Monocytes from Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and Correlation with their Serological Profile. Ann Rheum Dis 2014. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.4130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 11/03/2022]
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Tan T, Pangigadde P, Sabbatino F, Favoino E, Orgiano L, Ferrone S, Carbone E, Colucci F. Harnessing host innate immunity may combat acquired resistance to BRAFi. Lab Invest 2014. [PMCID: PMC4126229 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-12-s1-o10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Favoino E, Favia EI, Digiglio L, Racanelli V, Shoenfeld Y, Perosa F. Effects of adjuvants for human use in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-prone (New Zealand black/New Zealand white) F1 mice. Clin Exp Immunol 2014; 175:32-40. [PMID: 24112107 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The safety of four different adjuvants was assessed in lupus-prone New Zealand black/New Zealand white (BW)F1 mice. Four groups of mice were injected intraperitoneally with incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA), complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), squalene (SQU) or aluminium hydroxide (ALU). An additional group received plain phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (UNT group). Mice were primed at week 9 and boosted every other week up to week 15. Proteinuria became detectable at weeks 17 (IFA group), 24 (CFA group), 28 (SQU and ALU groups) and 32 (UNT group). Different mean values were obtained among the groups from weeks 17 to 21 [week 17: one-way analysis of variance (anova) P = 0·016; weeks 18 and 19: P = 0·048; weeks 20 and 21: P = 0·013] being higher in the IFA group than the others [Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) post-test P < 0·05]. No differences in anti-DNA antibody levels were observed among groups. Anti-RNP/Sm antibody developed at week 19 in only one CFA-treated mouse. Mean mouse weight at week 18 was lower in the ALU group than the IFA (Tukey's HSD post-test P = 0·04), CFA (P = 0·01) and SQU (P < 0·0001) groups, while the mean weight in the SQU group was higher than in the IFA (P = 0·009), CFA (P = 0·013) and UNT (P = 0·005) groups. The ALU group weight decreased by almost half between weeks 29 and 31, indicating some toxic effect of ALU in the late post-immunization period. Thus, SQU was the least toxic adjuvant as it did not (i) accelerate proteinuria onset compared to IFA; (ii) induce toxicity compared to ALU or (iii) elicit anti-RNP/Sm autoantibody, as occurred in the CFA group.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Favoino
- Department of Internal Medicine (DIMO), Rheumatologic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, and Internal Medicine Section, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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Abstract
Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a well defined clinical syndrome characterized by recurrent episodes of digital vasospasm triggered by exposure to physical/chemical or emotional stress. RP has been classified as primary or secondary, depending on whether it occurs as an isolated condition (pRP) or is associated to an underlying disease, mainly a connective tissue disease (CTD-RP). In both cases, it manifests with unique "triple" (pallor, cyanosis and erythema), or "double" color changes. pRP is usually a benign condition, while sRP can evolve and be complicated by acral digital ulcers and gangrene, which may require surgical treatment. The pathogenesis of RP has not yet been entirely clarified, nor is it known whether autoantibodies have a role in RP. Even so, recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology have highlighted novel potential therapeutic targets. The aim of this review is to discuss the etiology, epidemiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, recently disclosed pathogenic mechanisms underlying RP and their correlation with the available therapeutic options, focusing primarily on pRP and CTD-RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Prete
- Internal Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, I-70124 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Elvira Favoino
- Rheumatological and Autoimmune Systemic Diseases Units, University of Bari Medical School, I-70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Rheumatological and Autoimmune Systemic Diseases Units, University of Bari Medical School, I-70124 Bari, Italy.
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Sabbatino F, Wang Y, Poudel R, Ligorio M, Favoino E, Wang X, Wargo J, Ferrone S, Lillemoe KD, Ferrone CR. Novel combinatorial therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. J Am Coll Surg 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2013.07.319] [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: 10/26/2022]
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Perosa F, Favoino E, Cuomo G, Digiglio L, Dammacco F, Prete M, Valentini G, Racanelli V. Clinical correlates of a subset of anti-CENP-A antibodies cross-reacting with FOXE3p53-62 in systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Res Ther 2013; 15:R72. [PMID: 23837651 PMCID: PMC3978846 DOI: 10.1186/ar4249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In a subset of patients with limited cutaneous (lc) systemic sclerosis (SSc), anti-CENP-A antibodies (Ab) cross-react with a peptide (FOXE3p53-62) that presents striking homology with one of the two immunodominant epitopes of CENP-A (Ap17-30). We searched for clinical correlates of anti-FOXE3p53-62 Ab by measuring their levels along with those of Ab to Ap17-30 and to the second immunodominant epitope of CENP-A, namely Ap1-17. Methods Serum samples were obtained from 121 patients with SSc, 46 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 25 healthy blood donors (HBD). The reactivity of serum IgG to Ap1-17, Ap17-30 and FOXE3p53-62 was measured by ELISA. The corresponding anti-peptide Ab were affinity-purified from pooled SSc sera and used to establish standard curves for quantifying these Ab in patients and HBD. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, comparing SSc patients who were positive for anti-CENP Ab (ACA+) to those who were negative, was used to find cut-off points for dichotomizing the anti-peptide Ab levels into positive and negative. Clinical records were reviewed to extract demographic data and information about organ involvement and disease activity. Results Of 121 SSc sera, 75 were ACA+; 88.0% of these samples reacted with Ap1-17, 82.6% with Ap17-30 and 53.3% with FOXE3p53-62. Among the 46 ACA- SSc sera, 2.2% reacted with Ap1-17, 4.3% with Ap17-30 and 11% with FOXE3p53-62. The levels of these Ab were low in ACA-, SLE and HBD groups and not significantly different among them. When ACA+ SSc patients were divided into subgroups positive or negative for anti-FOXE3p53-62 Ab, the only variables that were significantly different between groups were the levels of anti-Ap17-30 Ab and disease activity index (DAI). There was a significant association between negativity for anti-FOXE3p53-62 Ab and active disease defined as either DAI ≥3 (Fisher exact test, P = 0.045) or less restrictive DAI≥2.5 (P = 0.009). Conclusions ACA+-Anti-FOXE3p53-62+Ab identifies a subgroup of patients with lcSSc who are less likely to develop active disease. In lc SSc patients at presentation, anti-FOXE3p53-62+ can be a marker with prognostic significance.
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Ligorio M, Wang Y, Favoino E, Yu L, Ferrone S, Wang X, Lillemoe KD, Ferrone CR. Targeting cancer initiating cells in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. J Am Coll Surg 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2012.06.345] [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: 11/29/2022]
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Wang Y, Favoino E, Yu L, Ferrone CR, Ferrone S, Wang X. Abstract 4390: Heat shock protein (HSP) Grp94-targeted combinatorial immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer. Cancer Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2012-4390] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest of cancers as it is rarely curable and the 5-year survival rate of patients with any stage of the disease is approximately 6%. This dismal clinical picture is reflective of the poor response of this disease to chemo- and radio- therapy, as well as to surgery as conventionally used. The unmet clinical needs for patients with pancreatic cancer highlight the urgency to develop effective novel therapies for this disease. To address this need, we have developed a combinatorial immunotherapy which eliminates differentiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells and pancreatic cancer initiating cells (CICs). According to the cancer stem cell theory, CICs are responsible for disease recurrence and metastases. Therefore, they have to be eradicated in order to “cure” a malignant disease. The tumor antigen we have selected as a target is the HSP glucose-regulated protein of 94 kDa (Grp94), a member of the HSP90 family, since it plays an important role in the biology of malignant cells. Furthermore, we have recently developed a human monoclonal antibody (mAb), named mAb W9, which has a unique specificity. It recognizes an extracellular epitope of Grp94, which is expressed on many types of malignant cells, including differentiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells and pancreatic CICs. mAb W9 inhibited in vitro growth of the human pancreatic cancer cell lines PANC2.03 and PANC3.27 by ∼40%. The antiproliferative activity was increased to 90% when mAb W9 was combined with cyclopamine and 5-FU, both of which inhibit the hedgehog signaling pathway that is aberrantly activated in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, particularly in pancreatic CIC. The antitumor activity of mAb W9 reflected a decreased level of RAS, C-Raf, phosphorylated (p)-MEK, p-ERK, and p-AKT. mAb W9 had also an effect on pancreatic CICs, identified as cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase expression. These cells are referred to as ALDHbright cells. Treatment of the human pancreatic cancer cell line MIA PaCa-2 in vitro with mAb W9, cyclopamine and 5-FU inhibited the growth of ALDHbright cells by ∼90%. In contrast, the inhibition was only 50% when cells were treated with mAb W9 or cyclopamine individually, 20% when they were treated with 5-FU and 70% when they were treated with mAb W9 in combination with cyclopamine or 5-FU. Apoptosis was induced in 70% of pancreatic cancer cells PANC1 by mAb W9 in combination with cyclopamine and 5-FU, but in less than 35% by the agents individually and by the combinations of any two of the agents. Our in vitro findings strongly suggest that targeting cell surface Grp94 with mAb W9 in combination with cyclopamine and 5-FU may represent an effective strategy to eliminate differentiated pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic CICs.
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4390. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4390
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Wang
- 1University of Pittsburgh Cancer Inst., Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | - Ling Yu
- 1University of Pittsburgh Cancer Inst., Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | | | - Xinhui Wang
- 1University of Pittsburgh Cancer Inst., Pittsburgh, PA
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Yu L, Favoino E, Wang Y, Ma Y, Deng X, Wang X. The CSPG4-specific monoclonal antibody enhances and prolongs the effects of the BRAF inhibitor in melanoma cells. Immunol Res 2011; 50:294-302. [PMID: 21717063 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-011-8232-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PLX4032 is a BRAF-selective inhibitor shown to be efficacious in the treatment of melanomas presenting with the BRAF(V600E) mutation. However, favorable responses to treatment are short-lived, and complete remission is rarely observed. Therefore, it is important to identify novel therapies designed to enhance treatment responses and to increase the longevity of initial response to BRAF inhibitors. To this end, we characterized the effects of the 225.28 chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4)-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) capable of blocking multiple signaling pathways important to cell growth, migration, and survival. Addition of 225.28 to the treatment regimen enhanced the in vitro response magnitude and the duration efficacy of PLX4032 in treating CSPG4(+), BRAF(V600E) melanoma cells (melanoma(BRAF(V600E)/CSPG4+) cells). Data presented in this report demonstrated that (1) treatments comprised of PLX4032 and mAb 225.28 were more effective at inhibiting melanoma(BRAF(V600E)/CSPG4+) cell growth than either agent alone, (2) mAb 225.28 prevented/delayed the development of resistance in melanoma(BRAF(V600E)/CSPG4+) cells to PLX4032, and (3) the mechanism of action of the combination therapy caused a down-regulation in multiple signaling pathways. This study provides a foundation for future investigations designed to improve BRAF inhibitor effectiveness in vitro and in vivo for treating melanoma(BRAF(V600E)/CSPG4+) cells in combination with a CSPG4-specific mAb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Yu
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
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Wang X, Katayama A, Wang Y, Yu L, Favoino E, Sakakura K, Favole A, Tsuchikawa T, Silver S, Watkins SC, Kageshita T, Ferrone S. Functional characterization of an scFv-Fc antibody that immunotherapeutically targets the common cancer cell surface proteoglycan CSPG4. Cancer Res 2011; 71:7410-22. [PMID: 22021902 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-1134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cell surface chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) is an attractive target for antibody-based cancer immunotherapy because of its role in tumor cell biology, its high expression on malignant cells including cancer-initiating cells, and its restricted distribution in normal tissues. The clinical use of CSPG4 has been hampered by the lack of a CSPG4-specific chimeric, humanized, or fully human monoclonal antibody. To overcome this limitation, we generated a CSPG4-specific fully human single-chain antibody termed scFv-FcC21 and characterized its specificity and antitumor activity. Viable CSPG4(+) melanoma cells were used in a screen of a human scFv phage display library that included CDR3 engineered to optimize antibody binding sites. The scFv antibody isolated was then recombinantly engineered with a human immunoglobulin G1 Fc region to construct the fully human antibody scFv-FcC21, which recognized tumors of neuroectodermal origin, various types of carcinomas, mesotheliomas, and sarcomas as well as myeloid leukemias. scFv-FcC21 inhibited in vitro growth and migration of tumor cells and in vivo growth of human tumor xenografts. These effects were mediated by inhibition of the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and focal adhesion kinase signaling pathways that are critical for tumor cell growth and migration, respectively. Our findings define the CSPG4-specific fully human scFv-FcC21 antibody as a candidate therapeutic agent to target the many types of tumors that express CSPG4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhui Wang
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
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Wang X, Wang Y, Yu L, Sakakura K, Visus C, Schwab JH, Ferrone CR, Favoino E, Koya Y, Campoli MR, McCarthy JB, DeLeo AB, Ferrone S. CSPG4 in cancer: multiple roles. Curr Mol Med 2010; 10:419-29. [PMID: 20455858 DOI: 10.2174/156652410791316977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2009] [Accepted: 11/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), also known as High Molecular Weight-Melanoma Associated Antigen, is a cell surface proteoglycan which has been recently shown to be expressed not only by melanoma cells, but also by various types of human carcinoma and sarcoma. Furthermore, at least in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck and in basal breast carcinoma, CSPG4 is expressed by cancer stem cells. CSPG4 plays an important role in tumor cell growth and survival. These CSPG4-associated functional properties of tumor cells are inhibited by CSPG4-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in vitro. Moreover, CSPG4-specific mAb can also inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. The anti-tumor effects of CSPG4-specific mAb are likely to reflect the blocking of important migratory, mitogenic and survival signaling pathways in tumor cells. These results indicate that CSPG4 is a promising new target to implement mAb-based immunotherapy of various types of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Wang
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
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Perosa F, Favoino E, Vicenti C, Guarnera A, Racanelli V, De Pinto V, Dammacco F. Two structurally different rituximab-specific CD20 mimotope peptides reveal that rituximab recognizes two different CD20-associated epitopes. J Immunol 2009; 182:416-23. [PMID: 19109173 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.182.1.416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Peptide mimotopes of the CD20 epitope recognized by rituximab are useful tools for studying this therapeutic mAb's functional properties. We previously identified two structurally different peptides that are both effective mimotopes: a 7-mer cyclic peptide (Rp15-C) bearing the antigenic motif (a/sNPS) that matches 170(ANPS)173 of the extracellular loop of CD20, and a 12-mer linear peptide (Rp5-L) containing the antigenic motif (WPxWLE) lacking sequence homology to CD20. In this study, we investigated whether the different structures of Rp15-C and Rp5-L reflect the mimicry of the same or different CD20 epitopes recognized by rituximab. Using immunochemical methods, we found that, like Rp15-C, Rp5-L mimics the raft-associated form of CD20 (by inhibiting rituximab binding to CD20 in vitro). Rp5-L and Rp15-C elicit, in immunized mice, anti-CD20 Abs that stain CD20+ cells with a punctate pattern similar to that of rituximab. However, only anti-Rp5-L Abs recognize denatured CD20. When phage-display peptide libraries were panned with anti-Rp5-L, phage clones were enriched that expressed the consensus qWPxwL, similar to the antigenic motif (WPxWLE), but not matching (a/sNPS). Finally, (WPxWLE) and (ANPS) share some, but not all, contact sites within the rituximab Ag-combining site, indicating that (WPxWLE) is not an exact replica of Rp15-C (or CD20) (ANPS). Altogether, these results indicate that the two structurally different peptides are also conformationally different, and suggest that rituximab recognizes two different CD20-associated epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perosa
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
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Perosa F, Minoia C, Favoino E, Prete M, Dammacco F. Staging multiple myeloma patients with active disease using serum levels of beta2m-free HLA class I heavy chain together with IgM or platelet count. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2008; 42:71-6. [PMID: 18996035 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2008.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2008] [Revised: 09/25/2008] [Accepted: 09/25/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In multiple myeloma (MM), serum beta-2-microglobulin (beta2m)-free heavy chains (FHC) of HLA class I has been shown to reflect disease activity. We investigated the possibility of stratifying patients with active disease according to FHC and other clinical parameters. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We studied 146 patients with MM, including 100 at diagnosis, 31 in relapse and 15 unresponsive to therapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the prognostic significance of FHC together with continuous variables (age, albumin, creatinine, hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, beta2m, calcium, IgM, platelet count) and categorical variables (Durie-Salmon disease stage, gender, bone lesion burden, heavy and light chain isotypes of M-component, clinical status). Survival tree analysis on significant variables was used to develop an MM staging system. RESULTS FHC, IgM, platelet count and hemoglobin were independent predictors of prognosis. Survival tree analysis of these variables defined 2 three-risk-group staging systems involving FHC and either IgM or platelet count. Median survival for FHC/IgM stages II and III was 41.5 and 27.8 months, whereas it was not reached for stage I patients (p<0.0001). In the FHC/platelets system, median survival was 93.2 (stage I), 44.1 (stage II) or 27.8 (stage III) months (p<0.0001). Similar results were obtained for the 117 MM patients without renal insufficiency (FHC/IgM p<0.0001; FHC/platelets p=0.001). For the 100 patients at diagnosis, FHC/IgM (p=0.001) was more effective than FHC/platelets (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS The independent prognostic markers FHC, IgM and platelets provide two staging systems unaffected by renal insufficiency. Both are effective in evaluating MM patients with active disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perosa
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
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Racanelli V, Prete M, Minoia C, Favoino E, Perosa F. Rheumatic disorders as paraneoplastic syndromes. Autoimmun Rev 2008; 7:352-8. [PMID: 18486921 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2008.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2008] [Accepted: 02/06/2008] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The long-established observation that some rheumatologic disorders (RDs) are associated with--or precede--the clinical manifestations of a variety of solid and hematological tumors represents an important clue for the early diagnosis and effective treatment of the cancers. Inflammatory myopathies, seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and some atypical vasculitides are the most frequently reported paraneoplastic RDs, although paraneoplastic scleroderma- and lupus-like syndromes, erythema nodosum, and Raynaud's syndrome have also been observed. Generally, the clinical course of a paraneoplastic RD parallels that of the cancer, and surgical removal of the tumor or its medical treatment usually results in a marked regression of the clinical manifestations of the RD. Most paraneoplastic RDs are difficultly distinguishable from idiopathic RDs. Even so, some atypical features of the clinical presentation raise the suspicion of an underlying tumor. This review summarizes current hypotheses for the pathogenesis that leads a tumor to present as an RD and discusses the clinical features that help distinguish paraneoplastic from idiopathic RDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Racanelli
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari, Italy
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Perosa F, Favoino E, Vicenti C, Merchionne F, Dammacco F. Identification of an antigenic and immunogenic motif expressed by two 7-mer rituximab-specific cyclic peptide mimotopes: implication for peptide-based active immunotherapy. J Immunol 2008; 179:7967-74. [PMID: 18025245 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.11.7967] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Two 7-mer cyclic peptides-Rp15-C and Rp13-C-which bear the antigenic motif recognized by the anti-CD20 mAb rituximab, but have different motif-surrounding amino acids, show a comparable avidity for rituximab and inhibit the binding of rituximab to raft-associated CD20 and rituximab-induced membrane ceramide on human lymphoid Daudi cells. Their immunogenic profiles differed: Abs recognizing CD20 were induced in two and five of five BALB/c mice immunized with Rp15-C and Rp13-C, respectively. Analysis of immunogenic motif, performed by panning a 7-mer phage-display peptide library with purified anti-peptide IgGs, showed that the motif defined by anti-Rp15-C mostly included amino acids surrounding the rituximab-specific antigenic motif <aNPS>, whereas that defined by anti-Rp13-C was <NPS>. These data indicate that their motif-surrounding amino acids can markedly influence the specificity of Abs, even when elicited with a short 7-mer peptide. Because these anti-peptide Abs are of IgG isotype, their specificity is likely to reflect how peptides are processed at the T cell level and suggest that, within a short peptide, the motifs defined by T cells during the initial phase and upon their stimulation may be different. Our findings may account for the failure of most forms of peptide-based immunotherapy in cancer and autoimmune diseases in which anti-mimotope Abs are expected to play a relevant therapeutic effect. They also suggest strategies to implement the specificity of peptide-induced Abs against the target Ag.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perosa
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
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Perosa F, Favoino E, Merchionne F, Dammacco F. IDENTIFICATION OF AN ANTIGENIC AND IMMUNOGENIC MOTIF EXPRESSED BY TWO 7-MER RITUXIMAB-SPECIFIC CYCLIC PEPTIDES. (48.26). The Journal of Immunology 2007. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.178.supp.48.26] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Two 7-mer cyclic peptides, bearing the antigenic motif recognized by the anti-CD20 mAb Rituximab and differing because of motif-surrounding amino acids, inhibit the binding of Rituximab to raft-associated CD20 and Rituximab-induced membrane ceramide on human lymphoid DAUDI cells. These peptides displayed different immunogenic profiles, in that antibodies recognizing CD20 were induced in two and five out of five BALB/c mice immunized with Rp-15-C and Rp13-C respectively. Analysis of immunogenic motif, performed by panning a 7-mer phage display peptide library with purified anti-peptide IgGs, showed that the motif defined by anti-Rp15-C mostly included amino acids surrounding the Rituximab-specific antigenic motif “ANPS”, whereas that defined by anti-Rp13-C was “NPS”. These data showed that the motif-surrounding amino acids can markedly influence the specificity of antibodies, even when elicited with a short 7-mer peptide. Since anti-peptides antibodies analyzed are IgG, their specificity is likely to reflect how peptides are processed at the T cell level and suggests that, within a short peptide, the motif defined by T cells during the recognition phase may be different from that recognized by these cells upon their stimulation. Our findings can explain the failure of most peptide-based immunotherapy in cancer and autoimmune diseases and suggest strategies to implement the specificity of peptides-induced antibodies against the target antigen
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perosa
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari, 70124, Italy
| | - Elvira Favoino
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari, 70124, Italy
| | - Francesca Merchionne
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari, 70124, Italy
| | - Franco Dammacco
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari, 70124, Italy
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D'Amore M, Minenna G, Favoino E, D'Amore S. Phlegmonous abscess associated with etanercept therapy. Panminerva Med 2006; 48:199-200. [PMID: 17122757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
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Perosa F, Favoino E, Caragnano MA, Dammacco F. Generation of biologically active linear and cyclic peptides has revealed a unique fine specificity of rituximab and its possible cross-reactivity with acid sphingomyelinase-like phosphodiesterase 3b precursor. Blood 2006; 107:1070-7. [PMID: 16223774 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2005-04-1769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Heterogeneity of the effector functions displayed by rituximab and other anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) apparently recognizing the same CD20 epitope suggests that additional mechanisms, probably related to mAb fine specificity, are responsible for B-cell depletion. To improve our understanding of rituximab's function, its fine specificity was investigated by means of phage display peptide library (PDPL)-expressing 7-mer cyclic (c7c) or 7-/12-mer linear peptides. Rituximab-specific c7c PDPL-derived clone insert sequences expressed the motif A(S)NPS overlapping the human CD20 170ANPS173. P172 was the most critical for rituximab binding, since its replacement with S172 (of mouse CD20) abolished the reactivity. The WPXWLE motif expressed by the linear PDPL-derived clone insert sequences could only be aligned to the reverse-oriented 161WPXWLE156 of acid sphingomyelinase-like phosphodiesterase 3b precursor (ASMLPD), though linear peptides bearing WPXWLE competed with cyclic ones for rituximab-paratope binding. Anti-CD20 mAb 1F5 only displayed a reactivity profile similar to that of rituximab, which also reacted with ASMLPD-derived peptides. Peptides induced antibodies with specificity and effector functions similar to those of rituximab. Our results show a unique fine specificity of rituximab, define the molecular basis for the lack of rituximab reactivity with mouse CD20 (mCD20), and the potential of targeting CD20 in an active immunotherapy setting. A possible rituximab interaction with ASMLPD is suggested.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Motifs/genetics
- Amino Acid Motifs/immunology
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
- Antibody Specificity/genetics
- Antibody Specificity/immunology
- Antigens, CD20/genetics
- Antigens, CD20/immunology
- Antigens, CD20/therapeutic use
- Autoantibodies/genetics
- Autoantibodies/immunology
- Autoantigens/genetics
- Autoantigens/immunology
- Autoantigens/therapeutic use
- Female
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Active
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Peptide Library
- Peptides/genetics
- Peptides/immunology
- Peptides/therapeutic use
- Rituximab
- Species Specificity
- Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase/genetics
- Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase/immunology
- Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perosa
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
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Prete M, Perosa F, Favoino E, Dammacco F. Biological therapy with monoclonal antibodies: a novel treatment approach to autoimmune disease. Clin Exp Med 2005; 5:141-60. [PMID: 16362794 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-005-0080-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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] [Received: 10/10/2005] [Accepted: 10/10/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Most autoimmune diseases (ADs) are still associated with high morbidity and mortality despite the use of a wide range of drugs that can delay their progression, control their symptoms, but never bring about a complete cure. This failure has aroused interest in new forms of monoclonal antibody-based experimental immunotherapy (IT), aiming at targeting cellular antigens or cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of ADs. The first part of this review offers a general overview of the molecular mechanisms that mediate the immune response and the molecule regarded as potential IT targets. A critical evaluation will then be made of some forms of IT, with particular emphasis on TNF-alpha and CD20-blocking reagents. Lastly an account will be given of active IT whereby an endogenous response against antigens regarded as the target of passive IT can be induced by anti-idiotype or peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Prete
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology (DIMO), Section of Internal Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare 11, I-70124, Bari, Italy.
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Abstract
This article reviews the role of CD20 antigen in B cell function and the effectiveness and limits of passive immunotherapy with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (Rituximab) in the treatment of autoimmune (or immune-mediated) diseases. Active immunotherapy is a more feasible way to control these chronic diseases. A peptide that mimics the CD20 epitope recognized by Rituximab is employed to stimulate the host immune response against CD20.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perosa
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
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Perosa F, Favoino E, Caragnano MA, Dammacco F. CD20 Mimicry by a mAb Rituximab-Specific Linear Peptide: A Potential Tool for Active Immunotherapy of Autoimmune Diseases. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2005; 1051:672-83. [PMID: 16127008 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1361.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
An attractive, whether alternative or complementary, approach to passive immunotherapy (IT) with the anti-CD20 mAb rituximab for the treatment of autoimmune diseases is to stimulate the host to produce an anti-CD20 immune response by using peptides that mimic CD20 (mimotopes). The only mimotope reported to target CD20 antigen is a 43-mer polypeptide corresponding to the exposed domain of the molecule (from amino acid 142 to 184). Owing to its length, however, it failed to efficiently induce a CD20-specific response. A search has now been made for a smaller mimotope by biopanning a phage-display peptide library with rituximab. A total of 10 positive phage clones expressing six distinct sequences were isolated. Their alignment produced a motif that did not match any portion of the CD20 extracellular loop, whereas the motif bearing the 12-mer linear peptide Rp10-L specifically reacted with rituximab and inhibited its binding to CD20. Furthermore, in BALB/c mice Rp10-L-induced antibodies that reacted with the CD20(+) B lymphoid cell line Raji but not with the C20(-) T lymphoid cell line CEM. This peptide is currently being investigated to determine the effectiveness of CD20-based active IT for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perosa
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Perosa F, Favoino E, Caragnano MA, Dammacco F. Human CD4 mimicry by anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody 16D7 is based on a conformational epitope. Immunol Lett 2004; 95:145-53. [PMID: 15388254 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2004.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2004] [Accepted: 06/30/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The mouse anti-idiotypic mAb (mAb2) 16D7 recognizes the paratope (combining site-associated epitope) of the syngeneic anti-human CD4 mAb HP2/6 (mAb1), a down-modulator of T cell function. 16D7 mimics CD4 in xenogeneic settings in humans and can thus be used to target CD4+ T cells for therapeutic purposes. To define the minimum structural requirement for CD4 mimicry, 16D7 isolated L and H chains were tested for their ability to inhibit mAb1 binding to either CD4 Ag or to mAb2. 16D7 L only specifically inhibited these interactions. Alignment of 16D7 L variable region sequence with that of CD4 defined peptides L2, L3 and L7 with at least 68% of similarity and 30% of identity to exposed regions of CD4. Furthermore, peptides L1, L4, L5, L6 and L8 were selected from a set of 10-mer overlapping peptides (covering the FW and CDR regions of 16D7 L) because of their reactivity with mAb1. Only the synthesized L2 reacted with HP2/6 in slot dot assay and inhibited mAb2-mAb1 interaction. Immunization of BALB/c mice with 16D7, 16D7-F(ab')2, 16D7 L and L2, resulted in the production of CD4-specific Ab3 only in mice immunized with 16D7 and its F(ab')2 fragments. The lack of CD4 reactivity with sera elicited with 16D7 L and L2 was not due to their lack of immunogenicity since both sera reacted with the corresponding immunogen and the former also inhibited the binding of mAb1 to 16D7. The results suggest that CD4 mimicry by 16D7 is based on a conformational epitope and L2 is only one of the HP2/6-specific contact points of 16D7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perosa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), Section of Internal Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
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Perosa F, Luccarelli G, Prete M, Favoino E, Ferrone S, Dammacco F. Beta 2-microglobulin-free HLA class I heavy chain epitope mimicry by monoclonal antibody HC-10-specific peptide. J Immunol 2003; 171:1918-26. [PMID: 12902494 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.171.4.1918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
mAb HC-10 loses its reactivity with HLA class I (HLA-I) H chain (HC) following its association with beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)m). Furthermore, the HC-10 defined epitope appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthropathies, because HC-10 reduced their incidence in HLA-B27(+)beta(2)m degrees /MHC class II knockout mice. This study has characterized the determinant recognized by HC-10. Panning of a phage display peptide library with HC-10 resulted in isolation of the motif PxxWDR, which could be aligned with P57, W60, D61, and R62 of the first domain of the HLA-I HC allospecificities reactive with HC-10. The (55)EGPEYWDR(N/E)T(64) (p-1) is the shortest motif-bearing peptide that reacts with HC-10 and inhibits its binding to soluble HLA-B7 HC, irrespective of whether N (p-1a) or E (p-1b) is present at position 63. By contrast, HC-10 did not react with six additional peptides, each bearing motif amino acid substitutions present in HC-10-not-reactive HLA-I allospecificities. The p-1-derived Qp-1, synthesized with the additional conserved Q54, which displays the highest in vitro reactivity with HC-10, was the only one to induce in mice IgG resembling HC-10 in their fine specificity. Mapping of the HC-10-defined determinant suggests that the lack of mAb reactivity with beta(2)m-associated HLA-I HC is caused by blocking by the peptide in the groove of beta(2)m-associated HLA-I HC, though a role of HC conformational changes following its association with beta(2)m cannot be excluded. This information contributes to our understanding of the molecular basis of the antigenic profiles of beta(2)m-free and beta(2)m-associated HLA-I HC and may serve to develop active specific immunotherapy of spondyloarthropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perosa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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