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Biddeci G, Spinelli G, Colomba P, Di Blasi F. Nanomaterials: A Review about Halloysite Nanotubes, Properties, and Application in the Biological Field. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911518. [PMID: 36232811 PMCID: PMC9570192 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of synthetic materials and the attention towards environmental hazards and toxicity impose the development of green composites with natural origins. Clay is one of the candidates for this approach. Halloysite is a natural clay mineral, a member of the Kaolin group, with characteristic tubular morphology, usually named halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). The different surface chemistry of halloysite allows the selective modification of both the external surface and the inner lumen by supramolecular or covalent interactions. An interesting aspect of HNTs is related to the possibility of introducing different species that can be released more slowly compared to the pristine compound. Due to their unique hollow morphology and large cavity, HNTs can be employed as an optimal natural nanocarrier. This review discusses the structure, properties, and application of HNTs in the biological field, highlighting their high biocompatibility, and analyse the opportunity to use new HNT hybrids as drug carriers and delivery systems.
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Spinelli G, Biddeci G, Artale A, Valentino F, Tarantino G, Gallo G, Gianguzza F, Conaldi PG, Corrao S, Gervasi F, Aronica TS, Di Leonardo A, Duro G, Di Blasi F. A new p65 isoform that bind the glucocorticoid hormone and is expressed in inflammation liver diseases and COVID-19. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22913. [PMID: 34824310 PMCID: PMC8617276 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02119-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a physiological process whose deregulation causes some diseases including cancer. Nuclear Factor kB (NF-kB) is a family of ubiquitous and inducible transcription factors, in which the p65/p50 heterodimer is the most abundant complex, that play critical roles mainly in inflammation. Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and immunosuppressant. Thus, NF-kB and GR are physiological antagonists in the inflammation process. Here we show that in mice and humans there is a spliced variant of p65, named p65 iso5, which binds the corticosteroid hormone dexamethasone amplifying the effect of the glucocorticoid receptor and is expressed in the liver of patients with hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Furthermore, we have quantified the gene expression level of p65 and p65 iso5 in the PBMC of patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 disease. The results showed that in these patients the p65 and p65 iso5 mRNA levels are higher than in healthy subjects. The ability of p65 iso5 to bind dexamethasone and the regulation of the glucocorticoid (GC) response in the opposite way of the wild type improves our knowledge and understanding of the anti-inflammatory response and identifies it as a new therapeutic target to control inflammation and related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Spinelli
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale Delle Scienze, ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Biddeci
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Artale
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Valentino
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tarantino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale, Università di Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gallo
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale Delle Scienze, ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Gianguzza
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale Delle Scienze, ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Pier Giulio Conaldi
- Dipartimento di Ricerca, IRCCS-ISMETT, Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad alta Specializzazione, Via Tricomi 5, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Corrao
- Unità COVID, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilevanza Nazionale e Alta Specializzazione ARNAS Civico, Di Cristina, Benfratelli, 90127, Palermo, Italy
- Dipartimento PROMISE, Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Gervasi
- Laboratorio Specialistico di Oncologia, Rilevanza Nazionale e Alta Specializzazione Ospedaliera Trust ARNAS Civico, Di Cristina, Benfratelli, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Tommaso Silvano Aronica
- Unità Organizzativa Complessa di Patologia Clinica, Rilevanza Nazionale e Alta Specializzazione ARNAS Civico, Di Cristina, Benfratelli, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Aldo Di Leonardo
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale Delle Scienze, ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Duro
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Blasi
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy.
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Biddeci G, Spinelli G, Massaro M, Riela S, Bonaccorsi P, Barattucci A, Di Blasi F. Study of Uptake Mechanisms of Halloysite Nanotubes in Different Cell Lines. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:4755-4768. [PMID: 34285481 PMCID: PMC8285245 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s303816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are a natural aluminosilicate clay with a chemical formula of Al2Si2O5(OH)4×nH2O and a hollow tubular structure. Due to their peculiar structure, HNTs can play an important role as a drug carrier system. Currently, the mechanism by which HNTs are internalized into living cells, and what is the transport pathway, is still unclear. Therefore, this study aimed at establishing the in vitro mechanism by which halloysite nanotubes could be internalized, using phagocytic and non-phagocytic cell lines as models. Methods The HNT/CURBO hybrid system, where a fluorescent probe (CURBO) is confined in the HNT lumen, has been used as a model to study the transport pathway mechanisms of HNTs. The cytocompatibility of HNT/CURBO on cell lines model was investigated by MTS assay. In order to identify the internalization pathway involved in the cellular uptake, we performed various endocytosis-inhibiting studies, and we used fluorescence microscopy to verify the nanomaterial internalization by cells. We evaluated the haemolytic effect of HNT/CURBO placed in contact with human red blood cells (HRBCs), by reading the absorbance value of the supernatant at 570 nm. Results The HNT/CURBO is highly biocompatible and does not have an appreciable haemolytic effect. The results of the inhibition tests have shown that the internalization process of nanotubes occurs in an energy-dependent manner in both the investigated cell lines, although they have different characteristics. In particular, in non-phagocytic cells, clathrin-dependent and independent endocytosis are involved. In phagocytic cells, in addition to phagocytosis and clathrin-dependent endocytosis, microtubules also participate in the halloysite cellular trafficking. Upon internalization by cells, HNT/CURBO is localized in the cytoplasmic area, particularly in the perinuclear region. Conclusion Understanding the cellular transport pathways of HNTs can help in the rational design of novel drug delivery systems and can be of great value for their applications in biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppa Biddeci
- Institute for Innovation and Biomedical Research (IRIB), CNR, Palermo, 90146, Italy.,Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Sect. Chemistry, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90128, Italy
| | - Gaetano Spinelli
- Institute for Innovation and Biomedical Research (IRIB), CNR, Palermo, 90146, Italy
| | - Marina Massaro
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Sect. Chemistry, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90128, Italy
| | - Serena Riela
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Sect. Chemistry, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90128, Italy
| | - Paola Bonaccorsi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, 98158, Italy
| | - Anna Barattucci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, 98158, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Blasi
- Institute for Innovation and Biomedical Research (IRIB), CNR, Palermo, 90146, Italy
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Massaro M, Barone G, Biddeci G, Cavallaro G, Di Blasi F, Lazzara G, Nicotra G, Spinella C, Spinelli G, Riela S. Halloysite nanotubes-carbon dots hybrids multifunctional nanocarrier with positive cell target ability as a potential non-viral vector for oral gene therapy. J Colloid Interface Sci 2019; 552:236-246. [PMID: 31129295 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2019.05.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS The use of non-viral vectors for gene therapy is hindered by their lower transfection efficiency and their lacking of self-track ability. EXPERIMENTS This study aims to investigate the biological properties of halloysite nanotubes-carbon dots hybrid and its potential use as non-viral vector for oral gene therapy. The morphology and the chemical composition of the halloysite hybrid were investigated by means of high angle annular dark field scanning TEM and electron energy loss spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The cytotoxicity and the antioxidant activity were investigated by standard methods (MTS, DPPH and H2O2, respectively) using human cervical cancer HeLa cells as model. Studies of cellular uptake were carried out by fluorescence microscopy. Finally, we investigated the loading and release ability of the hybrid versus calf thymus DNA by fluorescence microscopy, circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering and ζ-potential measurements. FINDINGS All investigations performed confirmed the existence of strong electrostatic interactions between the DNA and the halloysite hybrid, so it shows promise as a multi-functional cationic non-viral vector that has also possesses intracellular tracking capability and promising in vitro antioxidant potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Massaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Barone
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Biddeci
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy; Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, CNR, IBIM, Via Ugo La Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cavallaro
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica (DiFC), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Blasi
- Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, CNR, IBIM, Via Ugo La Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lazzara
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica (DiFC), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | | | | | - Gaetano Spinelli
- Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, CNR, IBIM, Via Ugo La Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Serena Riela
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
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Massaro M, Buscemi G, Arista L, Biddeci G, Cavallaro G, D’Anna F, Di Blasi F, Ferrante A, Lazzara G, Rizzo C, Spinelli G, Ullrich T, Riela S. Multifunctional Carrier Based on Halloysite/Laponite Hybrid Hydrogel for Kartogenin Delivery. ACS Med Chem Lett 2019; 10:419-424. [PMID: 30996773 PMCID: PMC6466553 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel carrier system based on halloysite nanotubes (HNT), for the potential intraarticular delivery of kartogenin (KGN) by means laponite (Lap) hydrogel (HNT/KGN/Lap), is developed. The drug was first loaded into HNT, and the hybrid composite obtained was used as filler for laponite hydrogel. Both the filler and the hydrogel were thoroughly investigated by several techniques and the hydrogel morphology was imaged by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the gelating ability of laponite in the presence of the filler and the rheological properties of the hybrid hydrogel were also investigated. The kinetic release of kartogenin from HNT and HNT/Lap hybrid hydrogel was studied both in physiological conditions and in ex vivo synovial fluid. In the last case, the kinetic results highlighted that HNT carrier can effectively release KGN in a sustained manner for at least 38 days. Finally, a preliminary biological assays showed that the HNT/KGN/Lap hybrid hydrogel did not exhibit any cytotoxic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Massaro
- Dipartimento
STEBICEF, Sez. Chimica, Università
degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriella Buscemi
- Dipartimento
STEBICEF, Sez. Chimica, Università
degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Luca Arista
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for BioMedical Research, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppa Biddeci
- Dipartimento
STEBICEF, Sez. Chimica, Università
degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- Istituto
di Biomedicina ed Immunologia Molecolare - Consiglio Nazionale delle
Ricerche, Via Ugo La
Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cavallaro
- Dipartimento
di Fisica e Chimica, Università degli
Studi di Palermo, Viale
delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca D’Anna
- Dipartimento
STEBICEF, Sez. Chimica, Università
degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Blasi
- Istituto
di Biomedicina ed Immunologia Molecolare - Consiglio Nazionale delle
Ricerche, Via Ugo La
Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Angelo Ferrante
- Dipartimento
Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lazzara
- Dipartimento
di Fisica e Chimica, Università degli
Studi di Palermo, Viale
delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Carla Rizzo
- Dipartimento
STEBICEF, Sez. Chimica, Università
degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaetano Spinelli
- Istituto
di Biomedicina ed Immunologia Molecolare - Consiglio Nazionale delle
Ricerche, Via Ugo La
Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Thomas Ullrich
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for BioMedical Research, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Serena Riela
- Dipartimento
STEBICEF, Sez. Chimica, Università
degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of open source technologies to create collaboration platforms can produce huge advantages with small investment. MATERIALS AND METHODS We set up a telemedicine network for a healthcare district with typical centralization issues of developing countries. Our network was built using broadband Internet connection, and the digital divide in rural areas was reduced by means of wireless Internet connection. A software infrastructure was deployed on the network to implement the collaboration platform among different healthcare facilities. RESULTS We obtained an integrated platform with modest investment in hardware and operating systems and no costs for application software. Messaging, content management, information sharing, and videoconferencing are among the available services of the infrastructure. Furthermore, open source software is managed and continuously updated by active communities, making it possible to obtain systems similar to commercial ones in terms of quality and reliability. CONCLUSIONS As the use of free software in public administration is being widely promoted across the European Union, our experience may provide an example to implement similar infrastructures in the field of healthcare and welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Zangara
- 1 National Research Council, Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology "Alberto Monroy," Palermo , Italy
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Mingoia F, Di Sano C, Di Blasi F, Fazzari M, Martorana A, Almerico AM, Lauria A. Exploring the anticancer potential of pyrazolo[1,2-a]benzo[1,2,3,4]tetrazin-3-one derivatives: the effect on apoptosis induction, cell cycle and proliferation. Eur J Med Chem 2013; 64:345-56. [PMID: 23644217 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.03.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Revised: 03/21/2013] [Accepted: 03/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In order to investigate their anticancer potential, four new pyrazolo[1,2-a]benzo[1,2,3,4]tetrazinone derivatives, designed through the chemometric protocol VLAK, and three of the most active compounds of the previous series have been evaluated on some cellular events including proliferation, apoptosis induction, and cell cycle. The NCI one dose (10 μM) screening revealed that the 8,9-di-methyl derivative showed activity against Leukemia (CCRF-CEM) and Colon cancer cell line (COLO 205), reaching 81% and 45% of growth inhibition (GI), respectively. Replacement of the two methyl groups with two chlorine atoms maintained the activity toward Leukemia cell (CCRF-CEM, GI 77%) and selectively enhanced the activity against COLO 205 attaining a LD50 in the μM range and against SW-620 a GI of 77%. Interestingly, an appreciable growth inhibition of 47% against therapeutically "refractory" Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NCI-H522) was observed. Moreover, the apoptosis induction, based on mitochondrial membrane depolarization, was found in the range EC50 3-5 μM on HeLa cell, evidencing a well defined relationship with the related in vitro cell growth inhibitory assays (MTT) performed against other selected tumor cell lines not included in the NCI tumor panel (HeLa, cervix; H292, lung; LAN-5, CNS; CaCo-2, colon; 16HBE, normal human cell lung) and against MCF-7 tumor cell line (breast). Only for the most active compounds, further cell cycle tests on HeLa displayed a cell arrest on S phase. Thus, a promising new class of anticancer candidates, acting as valuable apoptotic inductors, is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Mingoia
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati (ISMN) - CNR, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
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Bommarito A, Richiusa P, Carissimi E, Pizzolanti G, Rodolico V, Zito G, Criscimanna A, Di Blasi F, Pitrone M, Zerilli M, Amato MC, Spinelli G, Carina V, Modica G, Latteri MA, Galluzzo A, Giordano C. BRAFV600E mutation, TIMP-1 upregulation, and NF-κB activation: closing the loop on the papillary thyroid cancer trilogy. Endocr Relat Cancer 2011; 18:669-85. [PMID: 21903858 DOI: 10.1530/erc-11-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BRAF(V600E) is the most common mutation found in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB have been shown to play an important role in thyroid cancer. In particular, TIMP-1 binds its receptor CD63 on cell surface membrane and activates Akt signaling pathway, which is eventually responsible for its anti-apoptotic activity. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether interplay among these three factors exists and exerts a functional role in PTCs. To this purpose, 56 PTC specimens were analyzed for BRAF(V600E) mutation, TIMP-1 expression, and NF-κB activation. We found that BRAF(V600E) mutation occurs selectively in PTC nodules and is associated with hyperactivation of NF-κB and upregulation of both TIMP-1 and its receptor CD63. To assess the functional relationship among these factors, we first silenced BRAF gene in BCPAP cells, harboring BRAF(V600E) mutation. We found that silencing causes a marked decrease in TIMP-1 expression and NF-κB binding activity, as well as decreased invasiveness. After treatment with specific inhibitors of MAPK pathway, we found that only sorafenib was able to increase IκB-α and reduce both TIMP-1 expression and Akt phosphorylation in BCPAP cells, indicating that BRAF(V600E) activates NF-κB and this pathway is MEK-independent. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that BRAF(V600E) causes upregulation of TIMP-1 via NF-κB. TIMP-1 binds then its surface receptor CD63, leading eventually to Akt activation, which in turn confers antiapoptotic behavior and promotion of cell invasion. The recognition of this functional trilogy provides insight on how BRAF(V600E) determines cancer initiation, progression, and invasiveness in PTC, also identifying new therapeutic targets for the treatment of highly aggressive forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Bommarito
- Sezione di Endocrinologia, Laboratorio di Endocrinologia Molecolare, Dipartimento di Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica (DIBIMIS), University of Palermo, Italy
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Lauria A, Ippolito M, Fazzari M, Tutone M, Di Blasi F, Mingoia F, Almerico AM. IKK-beta inhibitors: an analysis of drug-receptor interaction by using molecular docking and pharmacophore 3D-QSAR approaches. J Mol Graph Model 2010; 29:72-81. [PMID: 20537930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2010.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2009] [Revised: 04/28/2010] [Accepted: 04/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The IKK kinases family represents a thrilling area of research because of its importance in regulating the activity of NF-kB transcription factors. The discovery of the central role played by IKK-beta in the activation of transcription in response to apoptotic or inflammatory stimuli allowed to considerate its modulation as a promising tool for the treatment of chronic inflammation and cancer. To date, several IKK-beta inhibitors have been discovered and tested. In this work, an analysis of the interactions between different classes of inhibitors and their biological target was performed, through the application of Molecular Docking and Pharmacophore/3D-QSAR approaches to a set of 141 inhibitors included in the Binding Database. In order to overcome the difficulty due to the lack of crystallographic data for IKK-beta, a homology model of this protein has been built and validated. The results allowed to study in depth the structural bases for the interaction of each family of inhibitors and provided clues for further modifications, with the aim of improving the activity and selectivity of designed drugs targeting this enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Lauria
- Dipartimento Farmacochimico, Tossicologico e Biologico, Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, Italy.
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Sarrazin N, Di Blasi F, Roullot-Lacarrière V, Rougé-Pont F, Le Roux A, Costet P, Revest JM, Piazza PV. Transcriptional effects of glucocorticoid receptors in the dentate gyrus increase anxiety-related behaviors. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7704. [PMID: 19888328 PMCID: PMC2765620 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2009] [Accepted: 10/12/2009] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) is a transcription factor ubiquitously expressed in the brain. Activation of brain GRs by high levels of glucocorticoid (GC) hormones modifies a large variety of physiological and pathological-related behaviors. Unfortunately the specific cellular targets of GR-mediated behavioral effects of GC are still largely unknown. To address this issue, we generated a mutated form of the GR called ΔGR. ΔGR is a constitutively transcriptionally active form of the GR that is localized in the nuclei and activates transcription without binding to glucocorticoids. Using the tetracycline-regulated system (Tet-OFF), we developed an inducible transgenic approach that allows the expression of the ΔGR in specific brain areas. We focused our study on a mouse line that expressed ΔGR almost selectively in the glutamatergic neurons of the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. This restricted expression of the ΔGR increased anxiety-related behaviors without affecting other behaviors that could indirectly influence performance in anxiety-related tests. This behavioral phenotype was also associated with an up-regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway and Egr-1 protein in the DG. These findings identify glutamatergic neurons in the DG as one of the cellular substrate of stress-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadège Sarrazin
- Pathophysiology of Addiction group, Neurocenter Magendie, INSERM U862, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Francesco Di Blasi
- Pathophysiology of Addiction group, Neurocenter Magendie, INSERM U862, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Istituto di Biomedicina e di Immunologia Molecolare, CNR, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valérie Roullot-Lacarrière
- Pathophysiology of Addiction group, Neurocenter Magendie, INSERM U862, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Françoise Rougé-Pont
- Pathophysiology of Addiction group, Neurocenter Magendie, INSERM U862, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Anne Le Roux
- Pathophysiology of Addiction group, Neurocenter Magendie, INSERM U862, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pierre Costet
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Transgenesis Laboratory, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean-Michel Revest
- Pathophysiology of Addiction group, Neurocenter Magendie, INSERM U862, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- * E-mail: (JMR); (PVP)
| | - Pier Vincenzo Piazza
- Pathophysiology of Addiction group, Neurocenter Magendie, INSERM U862, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- * E-mail: (JMR); (PVP)
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Revest JM, Di Blasi F, Kitchener P, Rougé-Pont F, Desmedt A, Turiault M, Tronche F, Piazza PV. The MAPK pathway and Egr-1 mediate stress-related behavioral effects of glucocorticoids. Nat Neurosci 2005; 8:664-72. [PMID: 15834420 DOI: 10.1038/nn1441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2005] [Accepted: 03/28/2005] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Many of the behavioral consequences of stress are mediated by the activation of the glucocorticoid receptor by stress-induced high levels of glucocorticoid hormones. To explore the molecular mechanisms of these effects, we combined in vivo and in vitro approaches. We analyzed mice carrying a brain-specific mutation (GR(NesCre)) in the glucocorticoid receptor gene (GR, also called Nr3c1) and cell lines that either express endogenous glucocorticoid receptor or carry a constitutively active form of the receptor (DeltaGR) that can be transiently induced. In the hippocampus of the wild-type [corrected] mice after stress, as well as in the cell lines, activation of glucocorticoid receptors greatly increased the expression and enzymatic activity of proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway and led to an increase in the levels of both Egr-1 mRNA and protein. In parallel, inhibition of the MAPK pathway within the hippocampus abolished the increase in contextual fear conditioning induced by glucocorticoids. The present results provide a molecular mechanism for the stress-related effects of glucocorticoids on fear memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Michel Revest
- INSERM U588, Laboratoire de Physiopathologie du Comportement, Bordeaux Institute for Neurosciences, University Victor Segalen-Bordeaux 2, Domaine de Carreire, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33077 Bordeaux Cedex, France
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12
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Frenois F, Stinus L, Di Blasi F, Cador M, Le Moine C. A specific limbic circuit underlies opiate withdrawal memories. J Neurosci 2005; 25:1366-74. [PMID: 15703390 PMCID: PMC6725999 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3090-04.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 07/04/2003] [Revised: 12/10/2004] [Accepted: 12/10/2004] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Compulsive drug-seeking behavior and its renewal in former drug addicts is promoted by several situations, among which reactivation of drug withdrawal memories plays a crucial role. A neural hypothesis is that such memories reactivate the circuits involved in withdrawal itself and promote a motivational state leading to drug seeking or taking. To test this hypothesis, we have analyzed the neural circuits and cell populations recruited when opiate-dependent rats are reexposed to stimuli previously paired with withdrawal (memory retrieval) and compared them with those underlying acute withdrawal during conditioning (memory formation). Using in situ hybridization for c-fos expression, we report here that reexposure to a withdrawal-paired environment induced conditioned c-fos responses in a specific limbic circuit, which can be partially dissociated from the structures involved in acute withdrawal. At the amygdala level, c-fos responses were doubly dissociated between the central and basolateral (BLA) nuclei, when comparing the two situations. Detailed phenotypical analyses in the amygdala and ventral tegmental area (VTA) show that specific subpopulations in the BLA are differentially involved in the formation and retrieval of withdrawal memories, and strikingly that a population of VTA dopamine neurons is activated in both situations. Together, this indicates that withdrawal memories can drive activity changes in specific neuronal populations of interconnected limbic areas known to be involved in aversive motivational processes. This first study on the neural substrates of withdrawal memories strongly supports an incentive-motivational view of withdrawal in opiate addiction that could be crucial in compulsive drug seeking and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Frenois
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 5541 Interactions Neuronales et Comportements, Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, 33076 Bordeaux cedex, France
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Kitchener P, Di Blasi F, Borrelli E, Piazza PV. Differences between brain structures in nuclear translocation and DNA binding of the glucocorticoid receptor during stress and the circadian cycle. Eur J Neurosci 2004; 19:1837-46. [PMID: 15078557 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2004.03267.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) are transcription factors that, upon activation by glucocorticoids, translocate to the cell nucleus, and bind to specific response elements (GREs) in the promoter region of target genes. We analysed stress- and circadian-induced changes in nuclear translocation and GRE binding of GRs in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex of the rat brain. Nuclear translocation and binding to GRE were measured in nuclear extracts by Western blot and gel shift, respectively. When glucocorticoid levels were low, as during the light period of the circadian cycle, nuclear GRs and GRE binding were almost undetectable. However, the increase in glucocorticoid levels observed during the dark phase of the circadian cycle or after stress induced a massive nuclear translocation of GRs and GRE binding. These effects were corticosterone-dependent because they were suppressed by adrenalectomy and restored by the injection of corticosterone. Furthermore, GR translocation and GRE binding were of higher amplitude or lasted longer in the hippocampus than in the prefrontal cortex. By contrast, extracellular levels of glucocorticoids, measured by microdialysis in freely moving animals, were identical in the two structures. These results suggest that specific intracellular regulations of GR activity contribute to differentiate the effects of glucocorticoids in different regions of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Kitchener
- INSERM U588, Laboratoire de Physiopathologie du Comportement, Université Bordeaux 2, Domaine de carreire, rue Camille Saint Saëns, 33077 Bordeaux Cedex, France
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