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Beretti F, Gatti M, Zavatti M, Bassoli S, Pellacani G, Maraldi T. Reactive Oxygen Species Regulation of Chemoresistance and Metastatic Capacity of Melanoma: Role of the Cancer Stem Cell Marker CD271. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041229. [PMID: 37189846 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041229] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BRAF mutations are present in 30-50% of cases of cutaneous melanoma, and treatment with selective BRAF and MEK inhibitors has been introduced. However, the development of resistance to these drugs often occurs. Chemo-resistant melanoma cells show increased expression of CD271, a stem cell marker that features increased migration. Concordantly, resistance to the selective inhibitor of oncogenic BRAFV600E/K, vemurafenib, is mediated by the increased expression of CD271. It has recently been shown that the BRAF pathway leads to an overexpression of the NADPH oxidase Nox4, which produces reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we examined in vitro how Nox-derived ROS in BRAF-mutated melanoma cells regulates their drug sensitivity and metastatic potential. We demonstrated that DPI, a Nox inhibitor, reduced the resistance of a melanoma cell line (SK-MEL-28) and a primary culture derived from a BRAFV600E-mutated biopsy to vemurafenib. DPI treatment affected the expression of CD271 and the ERK and Akt signaling pathways, leading to a drop in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which undoubtedly promotes an invasive phenotype in melanoma. More importantly, the scratch test demonstrated the efficacy of the Nox inhibitor (DPI) in blocking migration, supporting its use to counteract drug resistance and thus cell invasion and metastasis in BRAF-mutated melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Beretti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Martina Gatti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Zavatti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Sara Bassoli
- Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pellacani
- Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Dermatology Clinic, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
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Gatti M, Dittlau KS, Beretti F, Yedigaryan L, Zavatti M, Cortelli P, Palumbo C, Bertucci E, Van Den Bosch L, Sampaolesi M, Maraldi T. Human Neuromuscular Junction on a Chip: Impact of Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicles on Muscle Atrophy and NMJ Integrity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054944. [PMID: 36902375 PMCID: PMC10003237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are specialized synapses, crucial for the communication between spinal motor neurons (MNs) and skeletal muscle. NMJs become vulnerable in degenerative diseases, such as muscle atrophy, where the crosstalk between the different cell populations fails, and the regenerative ability of the entire tissue is hampered. How skeletal muscle sends retrograde signals to MNs through NMJs represents an intriguing field of research, and the role of oxidative stress and its sources remain poorly understood. Recent works demonstrate the myofiber regeneration potential of stem cells, including amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSC), and secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) as cell-free therapy. To study NMJ perturbations during muscle atrophy, we generated an MN/myotube co-culture system through XonaTM microfluidic devices, and muscle atrophy was induced in vitro by Dexamethasone (Dexa). After atrophy induction, we treated muscle and MN compartments with AFSC-derived EVs (AFSC-EVs) to investigate their regenerative and anti-oxidative potential in counteracting NMJ alterations. We found that the presence of EVs reduced morphological and functional in vitro defects induced by Dexa. Interestingly, oxidative stress, occurring in atrophic myotubes and thus involving neurites as well, was prevented by EV treatment. Here, we provided and validated a fluidically isolated system represented by microfluidic devices for studying human MN and myotube interactions in healthy and Dexa-induced atrophic conditions-allowing the isolation of subcellular compartments for region-specific analyses-and demonstrated the efficacy of AFSC-EVs in counteracting NMJ perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Gatti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Katarina Stoklund Dittlau
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven—University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Laura Yedigaryan
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, KU Leuven—University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Manuela Zavatti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Pietro Cortelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Carla Palumbo
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Emma Bertucci
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and Adults, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven—University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, KU Leuven—University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Histology and Medical Embryology Unit, Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
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Zavatti M, Gatti M, Beretti F, Palumbo C, Maraldi T. Exosomes Derived from Human Amniotic Fluid Mesenchymal Stem Cells Preserve Microglia and Neuron Cells from Aβ. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094967. [PMID: 35563358 PMCID: PMC9105787 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [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: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation is involved in neuronal cell death that occurs in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microglia play important roles in regulating the brain amyloid beta (Aβ) levels, so immunomodulatory properties exerted by mesenchymal stem cells may be exploited to treat this pathology. The evidence suggests that the mechanism of action of human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) is through their secretome, which includes exosomes (exo). METHODS We examined the effect of exosomes derived from human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs-exo) on activated BV-2 microglia cells by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a neuroinflammation model. To investigate the exo effect on the interplay between AD neurons and microglia, SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells treated with Aβ were exposed to a conditioned medium (CM) obtained from activated BV-2 or co-culture systems. RESULTS We found that the upregulation of the markers of pro-inflammatory microglia was prevented when exposed to hAFSC-exo whereas the markers of the anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotype were not affected. Interestingly, the hAFSC-exo pretreatment significantly inhibited the oxidative stress rise and apoptosis occurring in the neurons in presence of both microglia and Aβ. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that hAFSC-exo mitigated an inflammatory injury caused by microglia and significantly recovered the neurotoxicity, suggesting that hAFSC-exo may be a potential therapeutic agent for inflammation-related neurological conditions, including AD.
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Casciaro F, Zia S, Forcato M, Zavatti M, Beretti F, Bertucci E, Zattoni A, Reschiglian P, Alviano F, Bonsi L, Follo MY, Demaria M, Roda B, Maraldi T. Unravelling Heterogeneity of Amplified Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells Sub-Populations. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010158. [PMID: 33467440 PMCID: PMC7830644 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) are broadly multipotent immature progenitor cells with high self-renewal and no tumorigenic properties. These cells, even amplified, present very variable morphology, density, intracellular composition and stemness potential, and this heterogeneity can hinder their characterization and potential use in regenerative medicine. Celector® (Stem Sel ltd.) is a new technology that exploits the Non-Equilibrium Earth Gravity Assisted Field Flow Fractionation principles to characterize and label-free sort stem cells based on their solely physical characteristics without any manipulation. Viable cells are collected and used for further studies or direct applications. In order to understand the intrapopulation heterogeneity, various fractions of hAFSCs were isolated using the Celector® profile and live imaging feature. The gene expression profile of each fraction was analysed using whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNAseq). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis identified significant differential expression in pathways related to Stemness, DNA repair, E2F targets, G2M checkpoint, hypoxia, EM transition, mTORC1 signalling, Unfold Protein Response and p53 signalling. These differences were validated by RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and differentiation assays. Interestingly, the different fractions showed distinct and unique stemness properties. These results suggest the existence of deep intra-population differences that can influence the stemness profile of hAFSCs. This study represents a proof-of-concept of the importance of selecting certain cellular fractions with the highest potential to use in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Casciaro
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy; (F.C.); (M.Z.); (F.B.); (T.M.)
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy;
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands;
| | | | - Mattia Forcato
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy;
| | - Manuela Zavatti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy; (F.C.); (M.Z.); (F.B.); (T.M.)
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy; (F.C.); (M.Z.); (F.B.); (T.M.)
| | - Emma Bertucci
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico, 41124 Modena, Italy;
| | - Andrea Zattoni
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy; (A.Z.); (P.R.)
| | - Pierluigi Reschiglian
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy; (A.Z.); (P.R.)
| | - Francesco Alviano
- Unit of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy; (F.A.); (L.B.)
| | - Laura Bonsi
- Unit of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy; (F.A.); (L.B.)
| | - Matilde Yung Follo
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Marco Demaria
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Barbara Roda
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy; (A.Z.); (P.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-209-9450
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy; (F.C.); (M.Z.); (F.B.); (T.M.)
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Gatti M, Beretti F, Zavatti M, Bertucci E, Ribeiro Luz S, Palumbo C, Maraldi T. Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Counteract Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010038. [PMID: 33375177 PMCID: PMC7792960 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background—Osteoporosis is characterized by defects in both quality and quantity of bone tissue, which imply high susceptibility to fractures with limitations of autonomy. Current therapies for osteoporosis are mostly concentrated on how to inhibit bone resorption but give serious adverse effects. Therefore, more effective and safer therapies are needed that even encourage bone formation. Here we examined the effect of extracellular vesicles secreted by human amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSC) (AFSC-EV) on a model of osteoporosis in vitro. Methods—human AFSC-EV were added to the culture medium of a human pre-osteoblast cell line (HOB) induced to differentiate, and then treated with dexamethasone as osteoporosis inducer. Aspects of differentiation and viability were assessed by immunofluorescence, Western blot, mass spectrometry, and histological assays. Since steroids induce oxidative stress, the levels of reactive oxygen species and of redox related proteins were evaluated. Results—AFSC-EV were able to ameliorate the differentiation ability of HOB both in the case of pre-osteoblasts and when the differentiation process was affected by dexamethasone. Moreover, the viability was increased and parallelly apoptotic markers were reduced. The presence of EV positively modulated the redox unbalance due to dexamethasone. Conclusion—these findings demonstrated that EV from hAFSC have the ability to recover precursor cell potential and delay local bone loss in steroid-related osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Gatti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.G.); (F.B.); (M.Z.); (S.R.L.); (C.P.)
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.G.); (F.B.); (M.Z.); (S.R.L.); (C.P.)
| | - Manuela Zavatti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.G.); (F.B.); (M.Z.); (S.R.L.); (C.P.)
| | - Emma Bertucci
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico, Via Del Pozzo 71, 41124 Modena, Italy;
| | - Soraia Ribeiro Luz
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.G.); (F.B.); (M.Z.); (S.R.L.); (C.P.)
| | - Carla Palumbo
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.G.); (F.B.); (M.Z.); (S.R.L.); (C.P.)
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.G.); (F.B.); (M.Z.); (S.R.L.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-05-9422-3178; Fax: +39-05-9422-4859
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Casciaro F, Borghesan M, Beretti F, Zavatti M, Bertucci E, Follo MY, Maraldi T, Demaria M. Prolonged hypoxia delays aging and preserves functionality of human amniotic fluid stem cells. Mech Ageing Dev 2020; 191:111328. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2020.111328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Zavatti M, Beretti F, Casciaro F, Bertucci E, Maraldi T. Comparison of the therapeutic effect of amniotic fluid stem cells and their exosomes on monoiodoacetate-induced animal model of osteoarthritis. Biofactors 2020; 46:106-117. [PMID: 31625201 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The cartilage tissue engineering associated with stem cell-related therapies is becoming very interesting since adult articular cartilage has limited intrinsic capacity for regeneration upon injury. Amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSC) have been shown to produce exosomes with growth factors and immunomodulating molecules that could stop tissue degradation and induce cartilage repair. Based on this state of the art, the main aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of the secreted exosomes, compared to their AFSC source, in MIA-induced animal model of osteoarthritis mimicking a chronic and degenerative process, where inflammation is also involved and lead to irreversible joint damage. Exosomes, obtained by the use of a commercial kit, prior to the injection in animal knee joints, were characterized for the presence of typical markers and HGF, TGFβ, and IDO. Then, analyses were performed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and behavioral scoring up to 3 weeks after the treatment. Exosome-treated defects showed enhanced pain tolerance level and improved histological scores than the AFSC-treated defects. Indeed by 3 weeks, TGFβ-rich exosome samples induced an almost complete restoration of cartilage with good surface regularity and with the characteristic of hyaline cartilage. Moreover, cells positive for resolving macrophage marker were more easily detectable into exosome-treated joints. Therefore, a modulating role for exosomes on macrophage polarization is conceivable, as demonstrated also by experiments performed on THP1 macrophages. In conclusion, this study demonstrates for the first time the efficacy of human AFSC exosomes in counteract cartilage damage, showing a positive correlation with their TGFβ content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Zavatti
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Casciaro
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emma Bertucci
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico, Modena, Italy
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Casciaro F, Beretti F, Zavatti M, McCubrey JA, Ratti S, Marmiroli S, Follo MY, Maraldi T. Nuclear Nox4 interaction with prelamin A is associated with nuclear redox control of stem cell aging. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 10:2911-2934. [PMID: 30362963 PMCID: PMC6224265 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [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: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells have emerged as an important tool that can be used for tissue regeneration thanks to their easy preparation, differentiation potential and immunomodulatory activity. However, an extensive culture of stem cells in vitro prior to clinical use can lead to oxidative stress that can modulate different stem cells properties, such as self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation and senescence. The aim of this study was to investigate the aging process occurring during in vitro expansion of stem cells, obtained from amniotic fluids (AFSC) at similar gestational age. The analysis of 21 AFSC samples allowed to classify them in groups with different levels of stemness properties. In summary, the expression of pluripotency genes and the proliferation rate were inversely correlated with the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA damage signs and the onset premature aging markers, including accumulation of prelamin A, the lamin A immature form. Interestingly, a specific source of ROS, the NADPH oxidase isoform 4 (Nox4), can localize into PML nuclear bodies (PML-NB), where it associates to prelamin A. Besides, Nox4 post translational modification, involved in PML-NB localization, is linked to its degradation pathway, as it is also for prelamin A, thus possibly modulating the premature aging phenotype occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Casciaro
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41124, Italy.,Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41124, Italy
| | - Manuela Zavatti
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41124, Italy
| | - James A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Stefano Ratti
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Sandra Marmiroli
- Cellular Signaling Unit, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41125, Italy
| | - Matilde Y Follo
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41124, Italy
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Maraldi T, Beretti F, Anselmi L, Franchin C, Arrigoni G, Braglia L, Mandrioli J, Vinceti M, Marmiroli S. Influence of selenium on the emergence of neuro tubule defects in a neuron-like cell line and its implications for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurotoxicology 2019; 75:209-220. [PMID: 31585128 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Impairment of the axonal transport system mediated by intracellular microtubules (MTs) is known to be a major drawback in neurodegenerative processes. Due to a growing interest on the neurotoxic effects of selenium in environmental health, our study aimed to assess the relationship between selenium and MTs perturbation, that may favour disease onset over a genetic predisposition to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We treated a neuron-like cell line with sodium selenite, sodium selenate and seleno-methionine and observed that the whole cytoskeleton was affected. We then investigated the protein interactome of cells overexpressing αTubulin-4A (TUBA4A) and found that selenium increases the interaction of TUBA4A with DNA- and RNA-binding proteins. TUBA4A ubiquitination and glutathionylation were also observed, possibly due to a selenium-dependent increase of ROS, leading to perturbation and degradation of MTs. Remarkably, the TUBA4A mutants R320C and A383 T, previously described in ALS patients, showed the same post-translational modifications to a similar extent. In conclusion this study gives insights into a specific mechanism characterizing selenium neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy.
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy.
| | - Laura Anselmi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41125, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Franchin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, via G. Basso 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy; Proteomics Center, University of Padova and Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, via G. Orus 2/B, 35129, Padova, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Arrigoni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, via G. Basso 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy; Proteomics Center, University of Padova and Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, via G. Orus 2/B, 35129, Padova, Italy.
| | - Luca Braglia
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41125, Italy.
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy.
| | - Marco Vinceti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41125, Italy; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
| | - Sandra Marmiroli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41125, Italy.
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Marassi V, Beretti F, Roda B, Alessandrini A, Facci P, Maraldi T, Zattoni A, Reschiglian P, Portolani M. A new approach for the separation, characterization and testing of potential prionoid protein aggregates through hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation and multi-angle light scattering. Anal Chim Acta 2019; 1087:121-130. [PMID: 31585560 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2019.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Protein misfolding and aggregation are the common mechanisms in a variety of aggregation-dependent diseases. The compromised proteins often assemble into toxic, accumulating amyloid-like structures of various lengths and their toxicity can also be transferred both in vivo and in vitro a prion-like behavior. The characterization of protein interactions, degradation and conformational dynamics in biological systems still represents an analytical challenge in the prion-like protein comprehension. In our work, we investigated the nature of a transferable cytotoxic agent, presumably a misfolded protein, through the coupling of a multi-detector, non-destructive separation platform based on hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation with imaging and downstream in vitro tests. After purification with ion exchange chromatography, the transferable cytotoxic agentwas analyzed with Atomic Force Microscopy and statistical analysis, showing that the concentration of protein dimers and low n-oligomer forms was higher in the cytotoxic sample than in the control preparation. To assess whether the presence of these species was the actual toxic and/or self-propagating factor, we employed HF5 fractionation, with UV and Multi-Angle Light Scattering detection, to define proteins molar mass distribution and abundance, and fractionate the sample into size-homogeneous fractions. These fractions were then tested individually in vitro to investigate the direct correlation with cytotoxicity. Only the later-eluted fraction, which contains high-molar mass aggregates, proved to be toxic onto cell cultures. Moreover, it was observed that the selective transfer of toxicity also occurs for one lower-mass fraction, suggesting that two different mechanisms, acute and later induced toxicity, are in place. These results strongly encourage the efficacy of this platform to enable the identification of protein toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Marassi
- Department of Chemistry G. Ciamician, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; ByFlow Srl, Via dell'Arcoveggio 74, 40129, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Barbara Roda
- Department of Chemistry G. Ciamician, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; ByFlow Srl, Via dell'Arcoveggio 74, 40129, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Andrea Alessandrini
- CNR-Istituto Nanoscienze, S3, Via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy; Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Paolo Facci
- CNR-Istituto Nanoscienze, S3, Via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy; Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Zattoni
- Department of Chemistry G. Ciamician, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; ByFlow Srl, Via dell'Arcoveggio 74, 40129, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Reschiglian
- Department of Chemistry G. Ciamician, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; ByFlow Srl, Via dell'Arcoveggio 74, 40129, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marinella Portolani
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
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11
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Beretti F, Bertoni L, Farnetani F, Pellegrini C, Gorelli G, Cesinaro AM, Reggiani Bonetti L, Di Nardo L, Kaleci S, Chester J, Longo C, Massi D, Fargnoli MC, Pellacani G. Melanoma types by in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy correlated with protein and molecular genetic alterations: A pilot study. Exp Dermatol 2019; 28:254-260. [PMID: 30636079 DOI: 10.1111/exd.13877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is one of the most prevalent skin cancers, which lacks both a prognostic marker and a specific and lasting treatment, due to the complexity of the disease and heterogeneity of patients. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in vivo analysis is a versatile approach offering immediate morphological information, enabling the identification of four primary cutaneous RCM CM types. Whether RCM CM types are associated with a specific protein and molecular genetic profiles at the tissue level remains unclear. The current pilot study was designed to identify potential correlations between RCM CM types and specific biological characteristics, combining immunohistochemistry (IHC) and molecular analyses. Eighty primary CMs evaluated at patient bedside with RCM (type 1 [19, 24%], type 2 [12, 15%], type 3 [7, 9%] and type 4 [42, 52%]) were retrospectively evaluated by IHC stains (CD271, CD20, CD31, cyclin D1), fluorescence in situ hybridization FISH for MYC gain and CDKN2A loss and molecular analysis for somatic mutations (BRAF, NRAS and KIT). RCM CM types correlated with markers of stemness property, density of intra-tumoral lymphocytic B infiltrate and cyclin D1 expression, while no significant association was found with blood vessel density nor molecular findings. RCM CM types show a different marker profile expression, suggestive of a progression and an increase in aggressiveness, according to RCM morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Laura Bertoni
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Farnetani
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Greta Gorelli
- Division of Pathological Anatomy, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Cesinaro
- Anatomic Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Reggiani Bonetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Children & Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Nardo
- Department of Dermatology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Shaniko Kaleci
- Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Johanna Chester
- Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Caterina Longo
- Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Centro Oncologico ad Alta Tecnologia Diagnostica, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Daniela Massi
- Division of Pathological Anatomy, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria C Fargnoli
- Department of Dermatology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pellacani
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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12
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Bertacchini J, Mediani L, Beretti F, Guida M, Ghalali A, Brugnoli F, Bertagnolo V, Petricoin E, Poti F, Arioli J, Anselmi L, Bari A, McCubrey J, Martelli AM, Cocco L, Capitani S, Marmiroli S. Clusterin enhances AKT2‐mediated motility of normal and cancer prostate cells through a PTEN and PHLPP1 circuit. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:11188-11199. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessika Bertacchini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences Section of Morphology, Signal Transduction Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - Laura Mediani
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences Section of Morphology, Signal Transduction Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery, Dentistry, and Morphology University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - Marianna Guida
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences Section of Morphology, Signal Transduction Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - Aram Ghalali
- Institute of Environment Medicine, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Federica Brugnoli
- Department of Morphology, Surgery, and Experimental Medicine Section of Anatomy and Histology and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Valeria Bertagnolo
- Department of Morphology, Surgery, and Experimental Medicine Section of Anatomy and Histology and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Emanuel Petricoin
- Center for Applied Proteomics & Molecular Medicine, GMU Fairfax Virginia
| | - Francesco Poti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery‐Unit of Neurosciences University of Parma Parma Italy
| | - Jessica Arioli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences Section of Morphology, Signal Transduction Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - Laura Anselmi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences Section of Morphology, Signal Transduction Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - Alessia Bari
- Department of Diagnostic, Clinical Medicine and Public Health Program of Innovative Therapy in Oncology and Hematology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - James McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University Greenville North Carolina
| | - Alberto M. Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Lucio Cocco
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Silvano Capitani
- Department of Morphology, Surgery, and Experimental Medicine Section of Anatomy and Histology and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Sandra Marmiroli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences Section of Morphology, Signal Transduction Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
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Beretti F, Zavatti M, Casciaro F, Comitini G, Franchi F, Barbieri V, La Sala GB, Maraldi T. Amniotic fluid stem cell exosomes: Therapeutic perspective. Biofactors 2018; 44:158-167. [PMID: 29341292 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that the therapeutic potential of stem cells can be largely mediated by paracrine factors, also included into exosomes. Thus, stem cell-derived exosomes represent a major therapeutic option in regenerative medicine avoiding, if compared to stem cells graft, abnormal differentiation and tumor formation. Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) induce damaged tissue repair, and can also exert immunomodulatory effects on the differentiation, activation and function of different lymphocytes. Therefore, MSC exosomes can be considered as a potential treatment for inflammatory diseases and also an ideal candidate for allogeneic therapy due to their low immunogenicity. Amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) are broadly multipotent, can be expanded in culture, and can be easily cryopreserved in cellular banks. In this study, morphology, phenotype, and protein content of exosomes released into amniotic fluid in vivo and from AFSC during in vitro culture (conditioned medium) were examined. We found that AFSC-derived exosomes present different molecules than amniotic fluid ones, some of them involved in immunomodulation, such transforming growth factor beta and hepatic growth factors. The immunomodulatory effect of AFSC's exosomes on peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin was compared to that of the supernatant produced by such conditioned media deprived of exosomes. We present evidence that the principal effect of AFSC conditioned media (without exosomes) is the induction of apoptosis in lymphocytes, whereas exposure to AFSC-derived exosomes decreases the lymphocyte's proliferation, supporting the hypothesis that the entire secretome of stem cells differently affects immune-response. © 2017 BioFactors, 44(2):158-167, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Zavatti
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Casciaro
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Comitini
- Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Franchi
- Genetic Laboratory, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Veronica Barbieri
- Genetic Laboratory, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giovanni B La Sala
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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14
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Zavatti M, Beretti F, Casciaro F, Comitini G, Franchi F, Barbieri V, Bertoni L, De Pol A, La Sala GB, Maraldi T. Development of a novel method for amniotic fluid stem cell storage. Cytotherapy 2017; 19:1002-1012. [PMID: 28571656 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Current procedures for collection of human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) indicate that cells cultured in a flask for 2 weeks can then be used for research. However, hAFSCs can be retrieved directly from a small amount of amniotic fluid that can be obtained at the time of diagnostic amniocentesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether direct freezing of amniotic fluid cells is able to maintain or improve the potential of a sub-population of stem cells. METHODS We compared the potential of the hAFSCs regarding timing of freezing, cells obtained directly from amniotic fluid aspiration (D samples) and cells cultured in a flask before freezing (C samples). Colony-forming-unit ability, proliferation, morphology, stemness-related marker expression, senescence, apoptosis and differentiation potential of C and D samples were compared. RESULTS hAFSCs isolated from D samples expressed mesenchymal stem cells markers until later passages, had a good proliferation rate and exhibited differentiation capacity similar to hAFSCs of C samples. Interestingly, direct freezing induced a higher concentration of cells positive for pluripotency stem cell markers, without teratoma formation in vivo. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that minimal processing may be adequate for the banking of amniotic fluid cells, avoiding in vitro passages before the storage and exposure to high oxygen concentration, which affect stem cell properties. This technique might be a cost-effective and reasonable approach to the process of Good Manufacturing Process accreditation for stem-cell banks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Zavatti
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Casciaro
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Comitini
- Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Franchi
- Genetic Laboratory, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Veronica Barbieri
- Genetic Laboratory, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Laura Bertoni
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Anto De Pol
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanni B La Sala
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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15
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Maraldi T, Guida M, Beretti F, Resca E, Carpino G, Cardinale V, Gentile R, Ardizzoni A, Murgia A, Alvaro D, Gaudio E, De Pol A. Human biliary tree stem/progenitor cells immunomodulation: Role of hepatocyte growth factor. Hepatol Res 2017; 47:465-479. [PMID: 27381820 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM Human biliary tree stem/progenitor cells (hBTSC) are multipotent epithelial stem cells with the potential for allogenic transplant in liver, biliary tree, and pancreatic diseases. Human mesenchymal stem cells, but also epithelial stem cells, are able to modulate immune responses with different types of secretion molecules. METHODS The initial aim of the present study was to develop for the first time a culture protocol in order to expand hBTSC in vitro through passages, allowing to maintain a similar stem cell and secretome profile. Furthermore, we investigated the secretome profile of the hBTSC to assess the production of molecules capable of affecting immune feedback. RESULTS We found that hepatocyte growth factor produced by hBTSC exerts its cytoprotective role inducing apoptosis in human immune cells, such as lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS The present study, therefore, supports the hypothesis that hBTSC can be useful for the purpose of regenerative medicine, as they can be banked and expanded, and they can secrete immunoregulatory factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marianna Guida
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,EURAC Research, Center for Biomedicine, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Resca
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Guido Carpino
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cardinale
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Polo Pontino, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Gentile
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Polo Pontino, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Department of Diagnostics, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alba Murgia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Domenico Alvaro
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Polo Pontino, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anto De Pol
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Beretti F, Ardizzoni A, Cermelli C, Guida M, Maraldi T, Pietrosemoli P, Paulone S, De Pol A, Blasi E, Portolani M. Apoptosis and inflammatory response in human astrocytes are induced by a transmissible cytotoxic agent of neurological origin. New Microbiol 2017; 40:27-32. [PMID: 27819395] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrated the presence of an in vitro transmissible cytotoxic agent (TCA) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with different acute neurological diseases. The nature of this agent is still a matter of study since repeated attempts have failed to identify it as a conventional infectious agent. Here, we describe the mechanisms through which TCA affects human astrocytes, demonstrating: a late apoptotic process, mediated by caspases 9 and 3 activation, involving the Bcl2-Bak-axis; an early and late p38 MAPK activation; an interference with the IL-8 and MCP-1 secretory response. These in vitro data provide initial evidence of TCA involvement as a pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory signal, directly affecting astrocytic behavior. The implications of these findings in certain neurological diseases will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Department of Diagnostic, Clinic and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Claudio Cermelli
- Department of Diagnostic, Clinic and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marianna Guida
- EURAC research, Center for Biomedicine, via Galvani 31, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Paola Pietrosemoli
- Department of Laboratories, Pathological Anatomy and Legal Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Simona Paulone
- Department of Diagnostic, Clinic and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Anto De Pol
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Blasi
- Department of Diagnostic, Clinic and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marinella Portolani
- Department of Laboratories, Pathological Anatomy and Legal Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
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17
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Zavatti M, Guida M, Maraldi T, Beretti F, Bertoni L, La Sala GB, De Pol A. Estrogen receptor signaling in the ferutinin-induced osteoblastic differentiation of human amniotic fluid stem cells. Life Sci 2016; 164:15-22. [PMID: 27629493 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Ferutinin is a diaucane sesquiterpene with a high estrogenic activity. Since ferutinin is able to enhance osteoblastic differentiation of human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs), the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the estrogen receptors α (ERα) and G-protein coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) in ferutinin-mediated osteoblastic differentiation. Moreover, it was investigated if MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways are involved in ferutinin-induced effects. MAIN METHODS hAFSCs were cultured in a standard medium or in an osteoblastic medium for 14 or 21days and ferutinin was added at 10-8M. Immunofluorescence techniques and Western-blot 21analysis were used to study estrogen receptors and signaling pathways. KEY FINDINGS In both undifferentiated and differentiated hAFSCs we identified ERα and GPR30 with a nuclear or cytoplasmatic localization, respectively. The presence of ferutinin in the osteoblastic medium leads to an increase in ERα expression. To dissect the role of estrogen receptors, MPP and G15 were used to selectively block ERα and GPR30, respectively. Notably, ferutinin enhanced osteoblastic differentiation in cells challenged with G15. Ferutinin was able to increase ERK and Akt phosphorylations with a different timing activation. These phosphorylations were antagonized by PD0325901, a MEK inhibitor, and wortmannin, a PI3K inhibitor. Both MPP and G15 inhibited the ferutinin-induced MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathway activations. In the osteoblastic condition, PD0325901, but not wortmannin, reduced the expression of OPN and RUNX-2, whereas ferutinin abrogated the down-modulation triggered by PD0325901. SIGNIFICANCE PI3K/Akt pathways seems to mediate the enhancement of hAFSCs osteoblastic differentiation triggered by ferutinin through ERα.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zavatti
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplants, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - M Guida
- EURAC Research, Center for Biomedicine, Bolzano, Italy
| | - T Maraldi
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplants, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - F Beretti
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplants, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - L Bertoni
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplants, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - G B La Sala
- Unit of Obstetrics and Ginecology, IRCCS-Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - A De Pol
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplants, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Maraldi T, Resca E, Nicoli A, Beretti F, Zavatti M, Capodanno F, Morini D, Palomba S, La Sala GB, De Pol A. NADPH oxidase-4 and MATER expressions in granulosa cells: Relationships with ovarian aging. Life Sci 2016; 162:108-14. [PMID: 27515505 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Relevant roles in follicular development and ovulation are played by maternal antigen that embryos require (MATER), product of a maternal effect gene, and by reactive oxygen species (ROS), indispensable for the induction of ovulatory genes. At the moment, the relationship between these two biological systems and their involvement in the ovarian aging have not been still clarified. The aim of the current experimental study was to analyse the age-related changes of the MATER and NOX proteins. MATERIALS AND METHODS MATER and ROS homeostasis was studied in granulosa cells (GCs) and cumulus cells (CCs) of infertile patients who undergone oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization cycles using Western blot and confocal immunofluorescence analysis. Samples were obtained from subjects with age≥40years (cases) and with age≤37years (controls). KEY FINDINGS The expression pattern of MATER and NOX observed in GCs was not different from that observed in CCs. High levels of both proteins were detected in the control samples. A significant lower expression of both MATER and NOX4 was observed in the case versus control samples. SIGNIFICANCE The expression of MATER and NOX4 proteins are closely related to the follicular development and ovulation with particular regard for ovarian aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | | | - Alessia Nicoli
- Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - Manuela Zavatti
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - Francesco Capodanno
- Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Daria Morini
- Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Stefano Palomba
- Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Giovanni B La Sala
- Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-ASMN of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy; University of Modena e Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Anto De Pol
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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Fontanesi L, Pancaldi M, Carboni E, Beretti F, Paganelli A, Righini G, Davoli R, Ravaglia S, Salvi A, Russo V. A new system for animal products traceability and authentication: use of DNA analysis of natural tracers and example of application to dry cured hams. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2016. [DOI: 10.4081/ijas.2007.1s.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Fontanesi
- Dipartimento di Protezione e Valorizzazione Agroalimentare, Università di Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - F. Beretti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Entomologiche, Fitopatologiche, Microbiologiche Agrarie e Zootecniche, Università Palermo, Italy
| | | | | | - R. Davoli
- Dipartimento di Protezione e Valorizzazione Agroalimentare, Università di Bologna, Italy
| | - S. Ravaglia
- Società Italiana Sementi. S. Lazzaro di Savena, Bologna, Bologna, Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - V. Russo
- Dipartimento di Protezione e Valorizzazione Agroalimentare, Università di Bologna, Italy
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Fontanesi L, Scotti E, Tazzoli M, Beretti F, Dall’Olio S, Davoli R, Russo V. Investigation of allele frequencies of the growth hormone receptor(GHR) F279Ymutation in dairy and dual purpose cattle breeds. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2016. [DOI: 10.4081/ijas.2007.415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Maraldi T, Beretti F, Guida M, Zavatti M, De Pol A. Role of hepatocyte growth factor in the immunomodulation potential of amniotic fluid stem cells. Stem Cells Transl Med 2015; 4:539-47. [PMID: 25873747 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2014-0266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) may be useful for regenerative medicine because of their potential to differentiate into all three germ layers and to modulate immune response with different types of secretion molecules. This last issue has not been completely elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the secretome profile of the hAFSC, focusing on the role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in immunoregulation through short and long cocultures with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We found that HGF produced by hAFSCs exerts a cytoprotective role, inducing an increase in caspase-dependent apoptosis in human immune cells. This study provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that amniotic fluid is an ideal source of stem cells for expansion and banking properties for therapeutic use. hAFSCs not only are less immunogenic but also can secrete immunoregulatory factors that may be useful in autoimmune diseases or allogenic implants. SIGNIFICANCE New information about the secretome pattern is reported in this paper. Human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) possess immunomodulatory properties involving hepatocyte growth factor production. hAFSCs could be used in immunotherapies and might be able to avoid allogenic rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Center for Biomedicine, European Academy of Bozen/Bolzano (EURAC) Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Center for Biomedicine, European Academy of Bozen/Bolzano (EURAC) Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Marianna Guida
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Center for Biomedicine, European Academy of Bozen/Bolzano (EURAC) Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Manuela Zavatti
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Center for Biomedicine, European Academy of Bozen/Bolzano (EURAC) Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Anto De Pol
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Center for Biomedicine, European Academy of Bozen/Bolzano (EURAC) Research, Bolzano, Italy
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Beretti F, Manni P, Longo C, Argenziano G, Farnetani F, Cesinaro AM, Witkowski AM, De Pol A, Pellacani G. CD271 is expressed in melanomas with more aggressive behaviour, with correlation of characteristic morphology by in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy. Br J Dermatol 2015; 172:662-8. [PMID: 25066225 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.13301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma is the most highly aggressive type of skin cancer. Its resistance to existing treatments and the rapid rise in incidence underscore the importance of acquiring a better understanding of melanomagenesis. OBJECTIVES To assess the impact of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) on the description of cell morphology, which may influence the growth pattern and changes with increasing tumour severity, correlating with biological aspects. METHODS A retrospective analysis of 30 primary melanomas in vivo, evaluated by RCM, to correlate cell morphology and cellular arrangement with a marker of melanoma progression (CD271) using immunohistochemical evaluations. RESULTS Typical cells organized in dermal nests with peculiar in vivo confocal morphology result in melanoma with high malignancy and positivity to CD271. This architecture might be due to the presence of a type of cells, intrinsically predisposed to invasion, as a result of dedifferentiation programming, revealed by expression of the neural crest marker CD271. CONCLUSIONS With the hypothesis that dedifferentiated cells would be strongly responsible for initiation of tumour development and progression, we propose that CD271 detection could be associated with RCM evaluation in order to detect more aggressive melanoma subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Beretti
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Largo del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
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Resca E, Zavatti M, Maraldi T, Bertoni L, Beretti F, Guida M, La Sala G, Guillot P, David A, Sebire N, De Pol A, De Coppi P. Enrichment in c-Kit improved differentiation potential of amniotic membrane progenitor/stem cells. Placenta 2015; 36:18-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Revised: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Zavatti M, Bertoni L, Maraldi T, Resca E, Beretti F, Guida M, La Sala GB, De Pol A. Critical-size bone defect repair using amniotic fluid stem cell/collagen constructs: effect of oral ferutinin treatment in rats. Life Sci 2014; 121:174-83. [PMID: 25445219 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2014.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS This study aims to evaluate the bone regeneration in a rat calvarias critical size bone defect treated with a construct consisting of collagen type I and human amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) after oral administration of phytoestrogen ferutinin. MAIN METHODS In 12 week old male rats (n=10), we performed two symmetric full-thickness cranial defects on each parietal region, and a scaffold was implanted into each cranial defect. The rats were divided into four groups: 1) collagen scaffold, 2) collagen scaffold+ferutinin at a dose of 2mg/kg/5 mL, 3) collagen scaffold + AFSCs, and 4) collagen scaffold + AFSCs + ferutinin. The rats were sacrificed after 4 weeks, and the calvariae were removed, fixed, embedded in paraffin and cut into 7 μm thick sections. Histomorphometric measures, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses were performed on the paraffin sections. KEY FINDINGS The histomorphometric analysis on H&E stained sections showed a significant increase in the regenerated area of the 4th group compared with the other groups. Immunohistochemistry performed with a human anti-mitochondrial antibody showed the presence of AFSCs 4 weeks after the transplant. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed the presence of osteocalcin and estrogen receptors (ERα and GPR30) in all groups, with a greater expression of all markers in samples where the scaffold was treated with AFSCs and the rats were orally administered ferutinin. SIGNIFICANCE Our results demonstrated that the oral administration of ferutinin is able to improve the bone regeneration of critical-size bone defects in vivo that is obtained with collagen-AFSCs constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Zavatti
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplants, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - Laura Bertoni
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplants, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplants, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Resca
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplants, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplants, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni B La Sala
- Unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IRCCS-Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Anto De Pol
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplants, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Gibellini L, Pinti M, Beretti F, Pierri CL, Onofrio A, Riccio M, Carnevale G, De Biasi S, Nasi M, Torelli F, Boraldi F, De Pol A, Cossarizza A. Sirtuin 3 interacts with Lon protease and regulates its acetylation status. Mitochondrion 2014; 18:76-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2014.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Carnevale G, Riccio M, Pisciotta A, Beretti F, Maraldi T, Zavatti M, Cavallini GM, La Sala GB, Ferrari A, De Pol A. In vitro differentiation into insulin-producing β-cells of stem cells isolated from human amniotic fluid and dental pulp. Dig Liver Dis 2013; 45:669-76. [PMID: 23643565 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2013.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the ability of human amniotic fluid stem cells and human dental pulp stem cells to differentiate into insulin-producing cells. METHODS Human amniotic fluid stem cells and human dental pulp stem cells were induced to differentiate into pancreatic β-cells by a multistep protocol. Islet-like structures were assessed in differentiated human amniotic fluid stem cells and human dental pulp stem cells after 21 days of culture by dithizone staining. Pancreatic and duodenal homebox-1, insulin and Glut-2 expression were detected by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Insulin secreted from differentiated cells was tested with SELDI-TOF MS and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Human amniotic fluid stem cells and human dental pulp stem cells, after 7 days of differentiation started to form islet-like structures that became evident after 14 days of induction. SELDI-TOF MS analysis, revealed the presence of insulin in the media of differentiated cells at day 14, further confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after 7, 14 and 21 days. Both stem cell types expressed, after differentiation, pancreatic and duodenal homebox-1, insulin and Glut-2 and were positively stained by dithizone. Either the cytosol to nucleus translocation of pancreatic and duodenal homebox-1, either the expression of insulin, are regulated by glucose concentration changes. Day 21 islet-like structures derived from both human amniotic fluid stem cells and human dental pulp stem cell release insulin in a glucose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrates the ability of human amniotic fluid stem cells and human dental pulp stem cell to differentiate into insulin-producing cells, offering a non-pancreatic, low-invasive source of cells for islet regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Carnevale
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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Maraldi T, Riccio M, Pisciotta A, Zavatti M, Carnevale G, Beretti F, La Sala GB, Motta A, De Pol A. Human amniotic fluid-derived and dental pulp-derived stem cells seeded into collagen scaffold repair critical-size bone defects promoting vascularization. Stem Cell Res Ther 2013; 4:53. [PMID: 23688855 PMCID: PMC3706961 DOI: 10.1186/scrt203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The main aim of this study is to evaluate potential human stem cells, such as dental pulp stem cells and amniotic fluid stem cells, combined with collagen scaffold to reconstruct critical-size cranial bone defects in an animal model. Methods We performed two symmetric full-thickness cranial defects on each parietal region of rats and we replenished them with collagen scaffolds with or without stem cells already seeded into and addressed towards osteogenic lineage in vitro. After 4 and 8 weeks, cranial tissue samples were taken for histological and immunofluorescence analysis. Results We observed a new bone formation in all of the samples but the most relevant differences in defect correction were shown by stem cell–collagen samples 4 weeks after implant, suggesting a faster regeneration ability of the combined constructs. The presence of human cells in the newly formed bone was confirmed by confocal analysis with an antibody directed to a human mitochondrial protein. Furthermore, human cells were found to be an essential part of new vessel formation in the scaffold. Conclusion These data confirmed the strong potential of bioengineered constructs of stem cell–collagen scaffold for correcting large cranial defects in an animal model and highlighting the role of stem cells in neovascularization during skeletal defect reconstruction.
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Longo C, Casari A, Beretti F, Cesinaro AM, Pellacani G. Skin aging: In vivo microscopic assessment of epidermal and dermal changes by means of confocal microscopy. J Am Acad Dermatol 2013; 68:e73-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2011.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2011] [Revised: 08/23/2011] [Accepted: 08/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Bertacchini J, Beretti F, Cenni V, Guida M, Gibellini F, Mediani L, Marin O, Maraldi NM, de Pol A, Lattanzi G, Cocco L, Marmiroli S. The protein kinase Akt/PKB regulates both prelamin A degradation and Lmna gene expression. FASEB J 2013; 27:2145-55. [PMID: 23430973 DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-218214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The serine/threonine kinase Akt/PKB is a major signaling hub integrating metabolic, survival, growth, and cell cycle regulatory signals. The definition of the phospho-motif cipher driving phosphorylation by Akt led to the identification of hundreds of putative substrates, and it is therefore pivotal to identify those whose phosphorylation by Akt is of consequence to biological processes. The Lmna gene products lamin A/C and the lamin A precursor prelamin A are type V intermediate filament proteins forming a filamentous meshwork, the lamina, underneath the inner nuclear membrane, for nuclear envelope structures organization and interphase chromatin anchoring. In our previous work, we reported that A-type lamins are phosphorylated by Akt at S301 and S404 in physiological conditions and are therefore bona fide substrates of Akt. We report here that Akt phosphorylation at S404 targets the precursor prelamin A for degradation. We further demonstrate that Akt also regulates Lmna transcription. Our study unveils a previously unknown function of Akt in the control of prelamin A stability and expression. Moreover, given the large number of diseases related to prelamin A, our findings represent a further important step bridging basic A-type lamin physiology to therapeutic approaches for lamin A-linked disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessika Bertacchini
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry, and Morphology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Pisciotta A, Riccio M, Carnevale G, Beretti F, Gibellini L, Maraldi T, Cavallini GM, Ferrari A, Bruzzesi G, De Pol A. Human serum promotes osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells in vitro and in vivo. PLoS One 2012; 7:e50542. [PMID: 23209773 PMCID: PMC3510089 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human dental pulp is a promising alternative source of stem cells for cell-based tissue engineering in regenerative medicine, for the easily recruitment with low invasivity for the patient and for the self-renewal and differentiation potential of cells. So far, in vitro culture of mesenchymal stem cells is usually based on supplementing culture and differentiation media with foetal calf serum (FCS). FCS is known to contain a great quantity of growth factors, and thus to promote cell attachment on plastic surface as well as expansion and differentiation. Nevertheless, FCS as an animal origin supplement may represent a potential means for disease transmission besides leading to a xenogenic immune response. Therefore, a significant interest is focused on investigating alternative supplements, in order to obtain a sufficient cell number for clinical application, avoiding the inconvenients of FCS use. In our study we have demonstrated that human serum (HS) is a suitable alternative to FCS, indeed its addition to culture medium induces a high hDPSCs proliferation rate and improves the in vitro osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, hDPSCs-collagen constructs, pre-differentiated with HS-medium in vitro for 10 days, when implanted in immunocompromised rats, are able to restore critical size parietal bone defects. Therefore these data indicate that HS is a valid substitute for FCS to culture and differentiate in vitro hDPSCs in order to obtain a successful bone regeneration in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pisciotta
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Massimo Riccio
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Gianluca Carnevale
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lara Gibellini
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Cavallini
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Adriano Ferrari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Children Rehabilitation Special Unit, IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Anto De Pol
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Guerra D, Ronchetti I, Beretti F, Bartoletti AM, Pietrosemoli P, Gelormini MS, Malagolini N, Muscatello U, Portolani M. Electron microscope study on a transmissible cytotoxic factor isolated from cerebrospinal fluid of neurological patients: analysis of its structure and of its effects on various types of cell cultures. J Clin Pathol 2011; 65:20-8. [DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2011-200034] [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: 11/03/2022]
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Beretti F, Pietrosemoli P, Bartoletti AM, Gerolmini M, Bellei E, Tomasi A, Portolani M. Neutralization by human serum samples of a transmissible agent isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of neurological patients. New Microbiol 2011; 34:345-350. [PMID: 22143807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2011] [Accepted: 05/17/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A transmissible cytotoxic agent thought to be associated with one or more misfolded protein(s) was found in several cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from neurological patients. Since some experiments carried out to identify this unusual infectious factor showed the block of its propagation by rabbit gammaglobulins (IgGs), the search for such an activity by human IgGs was programmed. Neutralizing assays carried out using human sera as IgGs source showed a blocking property displayed by: twenty serum samples from as many patients with a diagnosis of acute infection, two of ten sera from healthy subjects and four serum samples from patients with lupus erythematous (SLE). When neutralizing sera were tested on cell cultures in immunofluorescence assays for the serum ability to label specific protein( s), similar fluorescent pictures resulted in treated and control cells. On the other hand, the SLE serum samples disclosed a granulosity of the nuclear material of cytotoxic cells in accordance with the DNA apoptotic laddering reported in previous papers. Oxidative disorders, as suggested by the immunoblotting analysis of the antioxidant enzymes Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD2) and heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1), point to an alteration of the oxidative pathway among the causes of the DNA damage induced by the cytotoxic transmissible agent under study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Beretti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Longo C, Rito C, Beretti F, Cesinaro AM, Piñeiro-Maceira J, Seidenari S, Pellacani G. De novo melanoma and melanoma arising from pre-existing nevus: In vivo morphologic differences as evaluated by confocal microscopy. J Am Acad Dermatol 2011; 65:604-614. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2010.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Revised: 10/01/2010] [Accepted: 10/25/2010] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Cenni V, Bavelloni A, Beretti F, Tagliavini F, Manzoli L, Lattanzi G, Maraldi NM, Cocco L, Marmiroli S. Ankrd2/ARPP is a novel Akt2 specific substrate and regulates myogenic differentiation upon cellular exposure to H(2)O(2). Mol Biol Cell 2011; 22:2946-56. [PMID: 21737686 PMCID: PMC3154889 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e10-11-0928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A proteomic-based search for novel substrates of Akt was undertaken in C2C12 murine muscle cells. Our data demonstrate that Akt isoform 2 phosphorylates Ankrd2 at Serine 99 in response to H2O2 stimuli, regulating muscle differentiation rate. Activation of Akt-mediated signaling pathways is crucial for survival, differentiation, and regeneration of muscle cells. A proteomic-based search for novel substrates of Akt was therefore undertaken in C2C12 murine muscle cells exploiting protein characterization databases in combination with an anti–phospho-Akt substrate antibody. A Scansite database search predicted Ankrd2 (Ankyrin repeat domain protein 2, also known as ARPP) as a novel substrate of Akt. In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed that Akt phosphorylates Ankrd2 at Ser-99. Moreover, by kinase assay with recombinant Akt1 and Akt2, as well as by single-isoform silencing, we demonstrated that Ankrd2 is a specific substrate of Akt2. Ankrd2 is typically found in skeletal muscle cells, where it mediates the transcriptional response to stress conditions. In an attempt to investigate the physiological implications of Ankrd2 phosphorylation by Akt2, we found that oxidative stress induced by H2O2 triggers this phosphorylation. Moreover, the forced expression of a phosphorylation-defective mutant form of Ankrd2 in C2C12 myoblasts promoted a faster differentiation program, implicating Akt-dependent phosphorylation at Ser-99 in the negative regulation of myogenesis in response to stress conditions.
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Longo C, Gambara G, Espina V, Luchini A, Bishop B, Patanarut AS, Petricoin EF, Beretti F, Ferrari B, Garaci E, De Pol A, Pellacani G, Liotta LA. A novel biomarker harvesting nanotechnology identifies Bak as a candidate melanoma biomarker in serum. Exp Dermatol 2011; 20:29-34. [PMID: 21158936 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2010.01187.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma represents only 4% of all skin cancers, but nearly 80% of skin cancer deaths. This manuscript applies several new measurement technologies with the purpose of elucidating molecular signatures of melanoma aggressiveness. PURPOSE We sought to determine whether low-abundant serum proteins related to apoptotic pathways could be measured and correlated with defined melanoma subtypes. Hydrogel core shell nanoparticles, a new technology capable of selectively entrapping low molecular weight proteins and protecting them from enzymatic degradation, were used to capture candidate serum biomarkers. Biomarker levels were correlated with confocal microscopy, thereby representing a combination of new technologies for in vivo histologic documentation. RESULTS Among a panel of analyzed serum proteins, Bak was differentially expressed between nevi and melanomas. Melanomas with higher Bak serum levels exhibited more pronounced junctional activity on confocal imaging, whereas lesions with 'sparse' dermal nests had weak Bak expression. CONCLUSIONS Our study links serum proteome analysis with confocal microscopic clinical in vivo histologic classification of melanomas. Bak has not been previously measured in serum. Bak differential expression among melanoma subtypes confirms the importance of the apoptotic pathway as a contributor to melanoma aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Longo
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA.
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Longo C, Gambara G, Espina V, Luchini A, Bishop B, Patanarut AS, Petricoin EF, Beretti F, Ferrari B, Garaci E, De Pol A, Pellacani G, Liotta LA. A novel biomarker harvesting nanotechnology identifies Bak as a candidate melanoma biomarker in serum. Exp Dermatol 2011. [PMID: 21158936 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2010.01187.x.a] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma represents only 4% of all skin cancers, but nearly 80% of skin cancer deaths. This manuscript applies several new measurement technologies with the purpose of elucidating molecular signatures of melanoma aggressiveness. PURPOSE We sought to determine whether low-abundant serum proteins related to apoptotic pathways could be measured and correlated with defined melanoma subtypes. Hydrogel core shell nanoparticles, a new technology capable of selectively entrapping low molecular weight proteins and protecting them from enzymatic degradation, were used to capture candidate serum biomarkers. Biomarker levels were correlated with confocal microscopy, thereby representing a combination of new technologies for in vivo histologic documentation. RESULTS Among a panel of analyzed serum proteins, Bak was differentially expressed between nevi and melanomas. Melanomas with higher Bak serum levels exhibited more pronounced junctional activity on confocal imaging, whereas lesions with 'sparse' dermal nests had weak Bak expression. CONCLUSIONS Our study links serum proteome analysis with confocal microscopic clinical in vivo histologic classification of melanomas. Bak has not been previously measured in serum. Bak differential expression among melanoma subtypes confirms the importance of the apoptotic pathway as a contributor to melanoma aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Longo
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA.
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Fontanesi L, Martelli PL, Beretti F, Riggio V, Dall'Olio S, Colombo M, Casadio R, Russo V, Portolano B. An initial comparative map of copy number variations in the goat (Capra hircus) genome. BMC Genomics 2010; 11:639. [PMID: 21083884 PMCID: PMC3011854 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-11-639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [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: 07/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goat (Capra hircus) represents one of the most important farm animal species. It is reared in all continents with an estimated world population of about 800 million of animals. Despite its importance, studies on the goat genome are still in their infancy compared to those in other farm animal species. Comparative mapping between cattle and goat showed only a few rearrangements in agreement with the similarity of chromosome banding. We carried out a cross species cattle-goat array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) experiment in order to identify copy number variations (CNVs) in the goat genome analysing animals of different breeds (Saanen, Camosciata delle Alpi, Girgentana, and Murciano-Granadina) using a tiling oligonucleotide array with ~385,000 probes designed on the bovine genome. RESULTS We identified a total of 161 CNVs (an average of 17.9 CNVs per goat), with the largest number in the Saanen breed and the lowest in the Camosciata delle Alpi goat. By aggregating overlapping CNVs identified in different animals we determined CNV regions (CNVRs): on the whole, we identified 127 CNVRs covering about 11.47 Mb of the virtual goat genome referred to the bovine genome (0.435% of the latter genome). These 127 CNVRs included 86 loss and 41 gain and ranged from about 24 kb to about 1.07 Mb with a mean and median equal to 90,292 bp and 49,530 bp, respectively. To evaluate whether the identified goat CNVRs overlap with those reported in the cattle genome, we compared our results with those obtained in four independent cattle experiments. Overlapping between goat and cattle CNVRs was highly significant (P < 0.0001) suggesting that several chromosome regions might contain recurrent interspecies CNVRs. Genes with environmental functions were over-represented in goat CNVRs as reported in other mammals. CONCLUSIONS We describe a first map of goat CNVRs. This provides information on a comparative basis with the cattle genome by identifying putative recurrent interspecies CNVs between these two ruminant species. Several goat CNVs affect genes with important biological functions. Further studies are needed to evaluate the functional relevance of these CNVs and their effects on behavior, production, and disease resistance traits in goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Fontanesi
- DIPROVAL, Sezione di Allevamenti Zootecnici, University of Bologna, Via F.lli Rosselli 107, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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Fontanesi L, Beretti F, Riggio V, Gómez González E, Dall'Olio S, Davoli R, Russo V, Portolano B. Copy number variation and missense mutations of the agouti signaling protein (ASIP) gene in goat breeds with different coat colors. Cytogenet Genome Res 2009; 126:333-47. [PMID: 20016133 DOI: 10.1159/000268089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/02/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In goats, classical genetic studies reported a large number of alleles at the Agouti locus with effects on coat color and pattern distribution. From these early studies, the dominant A(Wt) (white/tan) allele was suggested to cause the white color of the Saanen breed. Here, we sequenced the coding region of the goat ASIP gene in 6 goat breeds (Girgentana, Maltese, Derivata di Siria, Murciano-Granadina, Camosciata delle Alpi, and Saanen), with different coat colors and patterns. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, 3 of which caused missense mutations in conserved positions of the cysteine-rich carboxy-terminal domain of the protein (p.Ala96Gly, p.Cys126Gly, and p.Val128Gly). Allele and genotype frequencies suggested that these mutations are not associated or not completely associated with coat color in the investigated goat breeds. Moreover, genotyping and sequencing results, deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, as well as allele copy number evaluation from semiquantitative fluorescent multiplex PCR, indicated the presence of copy number variation (CNV) in all investigated breeds. To confirm the presence of CNV and evaluate its extension, we applied a bovine-goat cross-species array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) experiment using a custom tiling array based on bovine chromosome 13. aCGH results obtained for 8 goat DNA samples confirmed the presence of CNV affecting a region of less that 100 kb including the ASIP and AHCY genes. In Girgentana and Saanen breeds, this CNV might cause the A(Wt) allele, as already suggested for a similar structural mutation in sheep affecting the ASIP and AHCY genes, providing evidence for a recurrent interspecies CNV. However, other mechanisms may also be involved in determining coat color in these 2 breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Fontanesi
- DIPROVAL, Sezione di Allevamenti Zootecnici, University of Bologna, IT-42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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Fontanesi L, Beretti F, Riggio V, Dall'Olio S, González EG, Finocchiaro R, Davoli R, Russo V, Portolano B. Missense and nonsense mutations in melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene of different goat breeds: association with red and black coat colour phenotypes but with unexpected evidences. BMC Genet 2009; 10:47. [PMID: 19706191 PMCID: PMC2748843 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2156-10-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 11/04/2008] [Accepted: 08/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Agouti and Extension loci control the relative amount of eumelanin and pheomelanin production in melanocytes that, in turn, affects pigmentation of skin and hair. The Extension locus encodes the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) whose permanent activation, caused by functional mutations, results in black coat colour, whereas other inactivating mutations cause red coat colour in different mammals. Results The whole coding region of the MC1R gene was sequenced in goats of six different breeds showing different coat colours (Girgentana, white cream with usually small red spots in the face; Maltese, white with black cheeks and ears; Derivata di Siria, solid red; Murciano-Granadina, solid black or solid brown; Camosciata delle Alpi, brown with black stripes; Saanen, white; F1 goats and the parental animals). Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified: one nonsense mutation (p.Q225X), three missense mutations (p.A81V, p.F250V, and p.C267W), and one silent mutation. The stop codon at position 225 should cause the production of a shorter MC1R protein whose functionality may be altered. These SNPs were investigated in a larger sample of animals belonging to the six breeds. The Girgentana breed was almost fixed for the p.225X allele. However, there was not complete association between the presence of red spots in the face and the presence of this allele in homozygous condition. The same allele was identified in the Derivata di Siria breed. However, its frequency was only 33%, despite the fact that these animals are completely red. The p.267W allele was present in all Murciano-Granadina black goats, whereas it was never identified in the brown ones. Moreover, the same substitution was present in almost all Maltese goats providing evidence of association between this mutation and black coat colour. Conclusion According to the results obtained in the investigated goat breeds, MC1R mutations may determine eumelanic and pheomelanic phenotypes. However, they are probably not the only factors. In particular, the surprising not complete association of the nonsense mutation (p.Q225X) with red coat colour raises a few hypotheses on the determination of pheomelanic phenotypes in goats that should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Fontanesi
- DIPROVAL, Sezione di Allevamenti Zootecnici, University of Bologna, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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Marmiroli S, Bertacchini J, Beretti F, Cenni V, Guida M, De Pol A, Maraldi NM, Lattanzi G. A-type lamins and signaling: the PI 3-kinase/Akt pathway moves forward. J Cell Physiol 2009; 220:553-61. [PMID: 19479937 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.21807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Lamin A/C is a nuclear lamina constituent mutated in a number of human inherited disorders collectively referred to as laminopathies. The occurrence and significance of lamin A/C interplay with signaling molecules is an old question, suggested by pioneer studies performed in vitro. However, this relevant question has remained substantially unanswered, until data obtained in cellular and organismal models of laminopathies have indicated two main aspects of lamin A function. The first aspect is that lamins establish functional interactions with different protein platforms, the second aspect is that lamin A/C activity and altered function may elicit different effects in different cells and tissue types and even in different districts of the same tissue. Both these observations strongly suggest that signaling mechanisms targeting lamin A/C or its binding partners may regulate such a plastic behavior. A number of very recent data show involvement of kinases, as Akt and Erk, or phosphatases, as PP1 and PP2, in lamin A-linked cellular mechanisms. Moreover, altered activation of signaling in laminopathies and rescue of the pathological phenotype in animal models by inhibitors of signaling pathways, strongly suggest that signaling effectors related to lamin A/C may be implicated in the pathogenesis of laminopathies and may represent targets of therapeutic intervention. In face of such an open perspective of basic and applied research, we review current evidence of lamin A/C interplay with signaling molecules, with particular emphasis on the lamin A-Akt interaction and on the biological significance of their relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Marmiroli
- Department of Anatomy and Histology and CIPro Proteomics Centre, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Del Pozzo 71, I-41100 Modena, I.G.M.-CNR, Unit of Bologna, c/o IOR, via di Barbiano, Bologna I-40136, Italy.
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Cenni V, Bertacchini J, Beretti F, Lattanzi G, Bavelloni A, Riccio M, Ruzzene M, Marin O, Arrigoni G, Parnaik V, Wehnert M, Maraldi NM, de Pol A, Cocco L, Marmiroli S. Lamin A Ser404 is a nuclear target of Akt phosphorylation in C2C12 cells. J Proteome Res 2008; 7:4727-35. [PMID: 18808171 DOI: 10.1021/pr800262g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Akt/PKB is a central activator of multiple signaling pathways coupled with a large number of stimuli. Although both localization and activity of Akt in the nuclear compartment are well-documented, most Akt substrates identified so far are located in the cytoplasm, while nuclear substrates have remained elusive. A proteomic-based search for nuclear substrates of Akt was undertaken, exploiting 2D-electrophoresis/MS in combination with an anti-Akt phosphosubstrate antibody. This analysis indicated lamin A/C as a putative substrate of Akt in C2C12 cells. In vitro phosphorylation of endogenous lamin A/C by recombinant Akt further validated this result. Moreover, by phosphopeptide analysis and point mutation, we established that lamin A/C is phosphorylated by Akt at Ser404, in an evolutionary conserved Akt motif. To delve deeper into this, we raised an antibody against the lamin A Ser404 phosphopeptide which allowed us to determine that phosphorylation of lamin A Ser404 is triggered by the well-known Akt activator insulin, and is therefore to be regarded as a physiological response. Remarkably, expression of S404A lamin A in primary cells from healthy tissue caused the nuclear abnormalities that are a hallmark of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) cells. Indeed, it is known that mutations at several sites in lamin A/C cause autosomal dominant EDMD. Very importantly, we show here that Akt failed to phosphorylate lamin A/C in primary cells from an EDMD-2 patient with lamin A/C mutated in the Akt consensus motif. Together, our data demonstrate that lamin A/C is a novel signaling target of Akt, and implicate Akt phosphorylation of lamin A/C in the correct function of the nuclear lamina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Cenni
- Department of Anatomy and Histology and CIPro Proteomics Centre, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Del Pozzo 71, I-41100 Modena, Italy
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Russo V, Fontanesi L, Scotti E, Beretti F, Davoli R, Nanni Costa L, Virgili R, Buttazzoni L. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in several porcine cathepsin genes are associated with growth, carcass, and production traits in Italian Large White pigs. J Anim Sci 2008; 86:3300-14. [PMID: 18708606 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2008-0920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To identify DNA markers associated with performance, carcass, and meat production traits including muscle postmortem cathepsin activity, several porcine genes encoding for lysosomal proteinases (cathepsin B, CTSB; cathepsin D, CTSD; cathepsin F, CTSF; cathepsin H, CTSH; cathepsin L, CTSL; and cathepsin Z, CTSZ) and for a cathepsin inhibitor (cystatin B) were investigated. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in CTSD, CTSH, CTSL, and CTSZ genes with a combination of in silico expressed sequence tag database mining and single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. Sequencing and PCR-RFLP protocols were used to validate the identified polymorphisms. Allele frequencies at these loci were investigated in Italian Large White, Landrace, Duroc, Piétrain, Belgian Landrace, Hampshire, and Meishan breeds. Genotyping CTSD and CTSH markers made it possible to genetically map these genes to SSC 2 and 7, respectively. Markers in CTSD, CTSH, CTSL, and CTSZ genes, together with mutations we previously reported in cystatin B, CTSB, and CTSF genes, were genotyped in an Italian Large White sib-tested population (272 or 482 animals). For these animals, meat quality traits (cathepsin B activity, pH measured at 2 h postmortem, pH measured at 24 h postmortem, glycogen, lactate, and glycolytic potential of semimembranosus muscle) and EBV for ADG, lean cuts (LC), backfat thickness (BFT), ham weight (HW), and feed:gain ratio (FGR) were determined. Analyzed markers did not show any association with muscle cathepsin B activity. Thus, it could be possible that different genes, other than these investigated candidates, affect this trait, which is correlated with the excessive softness defect of dry-cured hams. The results of association analysis confirmed the effects we already reported in another study for CTSF on ADG (P = 0.008), LC (P = 0.001), and BFT (P = 0.02). Moreover, CTSD was associated with ADG, LC (P < 0.0001), BFT, HW, and FGR (P < 0.001); CTSH was associated with FGR (P = 0.026); and CTSZ was associated with ADG (P = 0.006), LC (P = 0.01), HW (P = 0.024), and FGR (P = 0.029). The biochemical and physiological functions of the lysosomal proteinases, together with the results obtained in our investigation, suggest that the cathepsin gene family might play important roles affecting economic traits in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Russo
- Dipartimento di Protezione e Valorizzazione Agroalimentare, Sezione di Allevamenti Zootecnici, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bologna, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Portolani M, Beretti F, Bartoletti AM, Pietrosemoli P, Salvioli S, Franceschi C, Sena P, De Pol A. Propagation of a transmissible cytotoxic activity on cultures of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. New Microbiol 2008; 31:417-422. [PMID: 18843898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Positive results were attained when human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were investigated for their ability to propagate a transmissible cytotoxic activity (TCA) isolated on VERO cell cultures from a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drawn from a woman with ischemic brain injury. In consideration of this finding it can be assumed that "in vivo" blood lymphocytes contributed to give rise to the TCA detected "in vitro" in the CSF inoculum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinella Portolani
- Centre for Diagnosis of Viral Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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Fontanesi L, Colombo M, Beretti F, Russo V. Evaluation of post mortem stability of porcine skeletal muscle RNA. Meat Sci 2008; 80:1345-51. [PMID: 22063878 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2008.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2008] [Revised: 06/09/2008] [Accepted: 06/18/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of postmortem times on the quality of porcine skeletal muscle total RNA in order to consider the possibility to use postmortem material for gene expression analysis. Samples of Musculus semimembranosus were collected at 20min, 2h, 6h, 24h and 48h postmortem from the left legs of four commercial heavy pigs. Total RNA was analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis stained with ethidium bromide and by microfluidic capillary electrophoresis on an Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer instrument obtaining 28S:18S rRNA peak ratios and RIN values. The average RIN values of the analysed samples were 7.45±0.13, 7.43±0.15, 7.45±0.10, 7.33±0.15 and 3.95±0.58 for the same postmortem times, respectively, indicating that RNA degradation was present at 48h postmortem. In a similar experiment, carried out by other authors on beef cattle muscle total RNA extracted at different postmortem times, RNA was stable up to 8days after death as indicated by intact 28S and 18S rRNA bands. Thus, differences among species or other environmental factors might affect the level of RNA degradation. In the porcine postmortem samples, qualitative assessment of GAPDH transcripts by PCR amplification of different cDNA fragments indicated that postmortem stages did not affect the possibility of analysing this housekeeping gene. Thus, postmortem porcine skeletal muscle can be an useful tissue to obtain gene expression based information.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Fontanesi
- DIPROVAL, Sezione di Allevamenti Zootecnici, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bologna, Via F.lli Rosselli 107, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Fontanesi L, Davoli R, Nanni Costa L, Beretti F, Scotti E, Tazzoli M, Tassone F, Colombo M, Buttazzoni L, Russo V. Investigation of candidate genes for glycolytic potential of porcine skeletal muscle: Association with meat quality and production traits in Italian Large White pigs. Meat Sci 2008; 80:780-7. [PMID: 22063597 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2008.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2007] [Revised: 03/23/2008] [Accepted: 03/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the association of DNA markers in candidate genes for glycolytic potential on meat quality parameters (pH(1), pH(u), glycogen and lactate content and glycolytic potential of semimembranosus muscle) and estimated breeding values (EBVs) for average daily gain, lean cuts, back fat thickness, ham weight, and feed:gain ratio in 272 Italian Large White pigs. Three mutations in the PRKAG3 gene (T30N, G52S and I199V) were investigated as well as single nucleotide polymorphisms in two other skeletal muscle genes (PGAM2 and PKM2) involved in the glycolytic pathway. Association analysis with the PRKAG3 markers showed significant results (P<0.05) only for pH(1) (I199V, with significant additive effect) and lactate content (T30N), confirming, at least in part, the effects of this gene on meat quality traits. Significant association (P<0.05) was also observed for PGAM2 and ham weight EBV with significant additive and dominance effects. PKM2 was associated with average daily gain, lean cuts (P<0.001), back fat thickness and feed:gain ratio (P<0.05), with significant additive and/or dominance effects on these traits. PKM2 encodes for a key enzyme of the muscle glycolytic pathway and maps on porcine chromosome 7 where other studies have reported important QTL for the same traits. These data might suggest an important function of this gene in the mechanisms that produce the observed effects. The results will be important to evaluate the inclusion of some of these DNA polymorphisms in marker assisted selection programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Fontanesi
- DIPROVAL, Sezione di Allevamenti Zootecnici, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bologna, Via F.lli Rosselli 107, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Beretti F, Cenacchi V, Portolani M, Ardizzoni A, Blasi E, Cermelli C. A Transmissible Cytotoxic Activity Isolated from a Patient with Brain Ischemia Causes Microglial Cell Activation and Dysfunction. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2007; 27:517-28. [PMID: 17380379 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-007-9142-4] [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: 08/05/2006] [Accepted: 02/14/2007] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
1. Microglial cell activation occurs during brain injury, ischemia, and in several neurologic disorders. Recently, we isolated a transmissible cytotoxic activity (TCA) from the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with brain ischemia. Such a TCA, associated with one or more protein(s) that supposedly had undergone in vivo misfolding, causes apoptosis in vitro in different cell lines, including microglial cells. The TCA producing cells and the potential in vivo role of such cytotoxic activity remains to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the in vitro effects of TCA on microglial cell immune functions.2. The murine microglial cell line RR4 was exposed to TCA, and then its response was evaluated as: (a) phagocytosis and antifungal activity against Candida albicans; (b) secretory pattern; and (c) levels of p38 phosphorylation.3. Unlike mock-treated controls, microglial cells exposed to TCA showed an increase in phagocytic activity. Unexpectedly, their capability to kill the ingested fungi significantly diminished. Moreover, TCA-treated cells produced amounts of macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and nitric oxide significantly higher than mock-treated cells. Finally, phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was detected in TCA-treated but not in mock-treated controls as early as 30 min after treatment.4. Overall, these results indicate that TCA causes a rapid molecular response in microglial cells, by the time, leading to an intriguing effector and secretory dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Beretti
- Dipartimento Integrato dei Servizi Diagnostici, di Laboratorio e di Medicina Legale, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 87, 41100 Modena, Italy
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Beretti F, Finocchiaro R, Portolano B, Davoli R, Russo V, Fontanesi L. Analysis of the melanocortin receptor 1 ( MC1R) gene in Sicilian goat breeds. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2007. [DOI: 10.4081/ijas.2007.1s.46] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. Beretti
- Dipartimento di Protezione e Valorizzazione Agroalimentare. Università di Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Entomologiche, Fitopatologiche, Microbiologiche e Zootecniche, Università di Palermo, Italy
| | - R. Finocchiaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Entomologiche, Fitopatologiche, Microbiologiche e Zootecniche, Università di Palermo, Italy
| | - B. Portolano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Entomologiche, Fitopatologiche, Microbiologiche e Zootecniche, Università di Palermo, Italy
| | - R. Davoli
- Dipartimento di Protezione e Valorizzazione Agroalimentare. Università di Bologna, Italy
| | - V. Russo
- Dipartimento di Protezione e Valorizzazione Agroalimentare. Università di Bologna, Italy
| | - L. Fontanesi
- Dipartimento di Protezione e Valorizzazione Agroalimentare. Università di Bologna, Italy
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Fontanesi L, Tazzoli M, Beretti F, Russo V. Mutations in the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene are associated with coat colours in the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Anim Genet 2006; 37:489-93. [PMID: 16978179 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2006.01494.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We sequenced almost the complete coding region of the MC1R gene in several domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and identified four alleles: two wild-type alleles differing by two synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (c.333A>G;c.555T>C), one allele with a 30-nucleotide in-frame deletion (c.304_333del30) and one allele with a 6-nucleotide in-frame deletion (c.280_285del6). A polymerase chain reaction-based protocol was used to distinguish the wild-type alleles from the other two alleles in 263 rabbits belonging to 37 breeds or strains. All red/fawn/yellow rabbits were homozygous for the c.304_333del30 allele. This allele represents the recessive e allele at the extension locus identified through pioneering genetic studies in this species. All Californian, Checkered, Giant White and New Zealand White rabbits were homozygous for allele c.280_285del6, which was also observed in the heterozygous condition in a few other breeds. Black coat colour is part of the standard colour in Californian and Checkered breeds, in contrast to the two albino breeds, Giant White and New Zealand White. Following the nomenclature established for the rabbit extension locus, the c.280_285del6 allele, which is dominant over c.304_333del30, may be allele E(D) or allele E(S).
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Affiliation(s)
- L Fontanesi
- DIPROVAL, Sezione di Allevamenti Zootecnici, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bologna, Via F.lli Rosselli 107, Villa Levi - Coviolo, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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Portolani M, Pecorari M, Gennari W, Beretti F, Sabbatini AMT, Casolari C, Rumpianesi F, Cermelli C, Sintini M, Mori F. Case report: primary infection by human herpesvirus 6 variant a with the onset of myelitis. Herpes 2006; 13:72-4. [PMID: 17147911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2006] [Accepted: 08/15/2006] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
A case of primary infection by human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) variant A in a 54-year-old woman, which occurred at the same time as the onset of encephalomyelitis, is reported. The correlation between the two events is discussed. It is speculated that, during the early phase of the infection, the HHV-6 spread to the central nervous system and triggered a pathogenic process that initially developed without symptoms. When the neurological disorders appeared, HHV-6 had already established a latent state: only the virus carried by infected blood cells was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinella Portolani
- Department of Diagnostic Services and Legal Medicine, University of Moderna and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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Cermelli C, Cenacchi V, Beretti F, Pezzini F, Luca DD, Blasi E. Human herpesvirus-6 dysregulates monocyte-mediated anticryptococcal defences. J Med Microbiol 2006; 55:695-702. [PMID: 16687586 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.46496-0] [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] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to investigate the interplay occurring between pathogens in the course of double infections, an in vitro model was set up in which the monocytic cell line THP-1 was exposed to Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). Cn and HHV-6, both highly neurotropic, can cause serious diseases of the central nervous system and have monocytes, among other cell types, as target cells, causing alteration of their secretion pattern. Here, it was shown that unlike THP-1 cells exposed to cell-free virus inocula, THP-1 exposed to HHV-6-producing lymphocytes exhibited augmented phagocytosis against Cn. The phenomenon occurred after 24 h of monocyte/lymphocyte co-culture and was independent of direct cell-to-cell contact. Moreover, in the presence of HHV-6, THP-1 cells expressed enhanced secretory responses but reduced capability to counteract fungal infection: the enhanced ingestion by monocytes was followed by facilitated fungal survival and replication. These data provide initial in vitro evidence that HHV-6 may dysregulate monocyte-mediated anticryptococcal defences with an overall pro-cryptococcus result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Cermelli
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Biostatistics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, I-41100 Modena, Italy
| | - Valeria Cenacchi
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Biostatistics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, I-41100 Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Biostatistics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, I-41100 Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Pezzini
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Biostatistics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, I-41100 Modena, Italy
| | - Dario Di Luca
- Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Blasi
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Biostatistics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, I-41100 Modena, Italy
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