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Pagano C, Coppola L, Navarra G, Avilia G, Savarese B, Torelli G, Bruzzaniti S, Piemonte E, Galgani M, Laezza C, Bifulco M. N6-isopentenyladenosine inhibits aerobic glycolysis in glioblastoma cells by targeting PKM2 expression and activity. FEBS Open Bio 2024. [PMID: 38514913 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13766] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a primary tumor in the central nervous system with poor prognosis. It exhibits elevated glucose uptake and lactate production. This metabolic state of aerobic glycolysis is known as the Warburg effect. N6-isopentenyladenosine (iPA), a natural cytokine modified with an isopentenyl moiety derived from the mevalonate pathway, has well-established anti-tumor activity. It inhibits cell proliferation in glioma cells, inducing cell death by apoptosis and/or necroptosis. In the present study, we found that iPA inhibits aerobic glycolysis in unmodified U87MG cells and in the same cell line engineered to over-express wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or EGFR variant III (vIII), as well as in a primary GBM4 patient-derived cell line. The detection of glycolysis showed that iPA treatment suppressed ATP and lactate production. We also evaluated the response of iPA treatment in normal human astrocyte primary cells, healthy counterpart cells of the brain. Aerobic glycolysis in treated normal human astrocyte cells did not show significant changes compared to GBM cells. To determine the mechanism of iPA action on aerobic glycolysis, we investigated the expression of certain enzymes involved in this metabolic pathway. We observed that iPA reduced the expression of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), which plays a key role in the regulation of aerobic glycolysis, promoting tumor cell proliferation. The reduction of PKM2 expression is a result of the inhibition of the inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit, beta/nuclear factor-kappa B pathway upon iPA treatment. In conclusion, these experimental results show that iPA may inhibit aerobic glycolysis of GBM in stabilized cell lines and primary GBM cells by targeting the expression and activity of PKM2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Pagano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Coppola
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Navarra
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgio Avilia
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Beatrice Savarese
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Torelli
- Neurosurgery Unit A.O. San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d' Aragona - Salerno's School of Medicine Largo Città di Ippocrate, Salerno, Italy
| | - Sara Bruzzaniti
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Erica Piemonte
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Galgani
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Laezza
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bifulco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
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Pagano C, Coppola L, Navarra G, Avilia G, Bruzzaniti S, Piemonte E, Galgani M, Della Monica R, Chiariotti L, Cuomo M, Buonaiuto M, Torelli G, Caiazzo P, Laezza C, Bifulco M. N6-Isopentenyladenosine Impairs Mitochondrial Metabolism through Inhibition of EGFR Translocation on Mitochondria in Glioblastoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246044. [PMID: 36551529 PMCID: PMC9776489 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive malignant brain tumor and is poorly susceptible to cytotoxic therapies. Amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and deletion of exons 2 to 7, which generates EGFR variant III (vIII), are the most common molecular alterations of GBMs that contribute to the aggressiveness of the disease. Recently, it has been shown that EGFR/EGFRvIII-targeted inhibitors enhance mitochondrial translocation by causing mitochondrial accumulation of these receptors, promoting the tumor drug resistance; moreover, they negatively modulate intrinsic mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by sequestering PUMA, leading to impaired apoptotic response in GBM cells. N6-isopentenyladenosine (i6A or iPA), a cytokinin consisting of an adenosine linked to an isopentenyl group deriving from the mevalonate pathway, has antiproliferative effects on numerous tumor cells, including GBM cells, by inducing cell death in vitro and in vivo. Here, we observed that iPA inhibits the mitochondrial respiration in GBM cells by preventing the translocation of EGFR/EGFRvIII to the mitochondria and allowing PUMA to interact with them by promoting changes in mitochondrial activity, thus playing a critical role in cell death. Our findings clearly demonstrate that iPA interferes with mitochondrial bioenergetic capacity, providing a rationale for an effective strategy for treating GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Pagano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Coppola
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Navarra
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgio Avilia
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Bruzzaniti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Erica Piemonte
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Galgani
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Della Monica
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE—Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Chiariotti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE—Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariella Cuomo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE—Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Buonaiuto
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE—Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Torelli
- Neurosurgery Unit A.O. San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’ Aragona, Salerno’s School of Medicine Largo Città di Ippocrate, 84131 Salerno, Italy
- Osservatorio Oncologico, 84091 Battipaglia, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Laezza
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80125 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: or (C.L.); (M.B.)
| | - Maurizio Bifulco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: or (C.L.); (M.B.)
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Pagano C, di Zazzo E, Avilia G, Savarese B, Navarra G, Proto MC, Fiore D, Rienzo M, Gazzerro P, Laezza C, Bifulco M. Advances in “adiponcosis”: insights in the inner mechanisms at the base of adipose and tumour tissues interplay. Int J Cancer 2022; 152:2464-2473. [PMID: 36366852 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The epidemic spread of obesity is nowadays recognized as a global health and economic burden, arising great interest in the scientific community. The rate of adult obesity steadily increases concomitantly with the cancer incidence. As has been comprehensively reported, obesity is included among the multiple cancer risk factors and can progressively cause and/or exacerbate certain cancer types, as colorectal and breast cancers. The term adiponcosis was forged precisely to emphasize the interconnection between obesity and cancer onset and progression. The underlying mechanisms of adiponcosis have not been fully elucidated yet, may vary on cancer type, and depend on body fat distribution. It has been proposed that insulin resistance and related chronic hyperinsulinemia, increased insulin-like growth factors production, chronic inflammation or increased bioavailability of steroid hormones could be responsible of cancer hallmarks. Additionally, it has been suggested that adipose tissue-derived hormones, cytokines and adipokines, such as leptin, adiponectin and inflammatory markers, may reflect mechanisms linked to tumorigenesis. This review summarizes the current evidence on pathways, hormones, cytokines and low-chronic inflammation subtending adiponconsis, focusing on breast and colorectal cancers. In addition, we analyzed the lifestyle interventions that could attenuate the driving forces of obesity-related cancer incidence and progression. Moreover, current targets and drugs, their pros and cons, as well as new mechanisms and targets with promising therapeutic potential in cancer are discussed. Depicting this complex interconnection will provide insights for establishing new therapeutic approaches to halt the obesity impacts and thwart cancer onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Pagano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology University of Naples "Federico II," Naples Italy
| | - Erika di Zazzo
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Scienze della Salute "V. Tiberio", Università degli Studi del Molise Campobasso Italy
| | - Giorgio Avilia
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology University of Naples "Federico II," Naples Italy
| | - Beatrice Savarese
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology University of Naples "Federico II," Naples Italy
| | - Giovanna Navarra
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology University of Naples "Federico II," Naples Italy
| | | | - Donatella Fiore
- Department of Pharmacy University of Salerno Fisciano SA Italy
| | - Monica Rienzo
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Caserta Italy
| | | | - Chiara Laezza
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology (IEOS) , National Research Council (CNR) Naples Italy
| | - Maurizio Bifulco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology University of Naples "Federico II," Naples Italy
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Pagano C, Navarra G, Coppola L, Avilia G, Bifulco M, Laezza C. Cannabinoids: Therapeutic Use in Clinical Practice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063344. [PMID: 35328765 PMCID: PMC8952215 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [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: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Medical case reports suggest that cannabinoids extracted from Cannabis sativa have therapeutic effects; however, the therapeutic employment is limited due to the psychotropic effect of its major component, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The new scientific discoveries related to the endocannabinoid system, including new receptors, ligands, and mediators, allowed the development of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of several pathological disorders minimizing the undesirable psychotropic effects of some constituents of this plant. Today, FDA-approved drugs, such as nabiximols (a mixture of THC and non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD)), are employed in alleviating pain and spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Dronabinol and nabilone are used for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients. Dronabinol was approved for the treatment of anorexia in patients with AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). In this review, we highlighted the potential therapeutic efficacy of natural and synthetic cannabinoids and their clinical relevance in cancer, neurodegenerative and dermatological diseases, and viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Pagano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy or (C.P.); (G.N.); (L.C.); (G.A.)
| | - Giovanna Navarra
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy or (C.P.); (G.N.); (L.C.); (G.A.)
| | - Laura Coppola
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy or (C.P.); (G.N.); (L.C.); (G.A.)
| | - Giorgio Avilia
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy or (C.P.); (G.N.); (L.C.); (G.A.)
| | - Maurizio Bifulco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy or (C.P.); (G.N.); (L.C.); (G.A.)
- Correspondence: (M.B.); or (C.L.)
| | - Chiara Laezza
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology, IEOS CNR, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.B.); or (C.L.)
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Pagano C, Navarra G, Pastorino O, Avilia G, Coppola L, Della Monica R, Chiariotti L, Florio T, Corsaro A, Torelli G, Caiazzo P, Gazzerro P, Bifulco M, Laezza C. N6-Isopentenyladenosine Hinders the Vasculogenic Mimicry in Human Glioblastoma Cells through Src-120 Catenin Pathway Modulation and RhoA Activity Inhibition. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910530. [PMID: 34638872 PMCID: PMC8508824 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a functional microcirculation pattern formed by aggressive tumor cells. Thus far, no effective drugs have been developed to target VM. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant form of brain cancer and is a highly vascularized tumor. Vasculogenic mimicry represents a means whereby GBM can escape anti-angiogenic therapies. METHODS Here, using an in vitro tube formation assay on Matrigel, we evaluated the ability of N6-isopentenyladenosine (iPA) to interfere with vasculogenic mimicry (VM). RhoA activity was assessed using a pull-down assay, while the modulation of the adherens junctions proteins was analyzed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS We found that iPA at sublethal doses inhibited the formation of capillary-like structures suppressing cell migration and invasion of U87MG, U343MG, and U251MG cells, of patient-derived human GBM cells and GBM stem cells. iPA reduces the vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) expression levels in a dose-dependent manner, impairs the vasculogenic mimicry network by modulation of the Src/p120-catenin pathway and inhibition of RhoA-GTPase activity. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results revealed iPA as a promising novel anti-VM drug in GBM clinical therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Pagano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80145 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (G.N.); (O.P.); (G.A.); (L.C.); (R.D.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Giovanna Navarra
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80145 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (G.N.); (O.P.); (G.A.); (L.C.); (R.D.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Olga Pastorino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80145 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (G.N.); (O.P.); (G.A.); (L.C.); (R.D.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Giorgio Avilia
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80145 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (G.N.); (O.P.); (G.A.); (L.C.); (R.D.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Laura Coppola
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80145 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (G.N.); (O.P.); (G.A.); (L.C.); (R.D.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Rosa Della Monica
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80145 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (G.N.); (O.P.); (G.A.); (L.C.); (R.D.M.); (L.C.)
- CEINGE—Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Chiariotti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80145 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (G.N.); (O.P.); (G.A.); (L.C.); (R.D.M.); (L.C.)
- CEINGE—Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Tullio Florio
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 2, 16136 Genova, Italy; (T.F.); (A.C.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Corsaro
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 2, 16136 Genova, Italy; (T.F.); (A.C.)
| | - Giovanni Torelli
- Neurosurgery Unit A.O. San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona—Salerno’s School of Medicine Largo Città di Ippocrate, 84131 Salerno, Italy;
- Neurosurgery, Unit A.O. “A.Cardarelli”, 80145 Naples, Italy;
| | | | - Patrizia Gazzerro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy;
| | - Maurizio Bifulco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80145 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (G.N.); (O.P.); (G.A.); (L.C.); (R.D.M.); (L.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.B.); or (C.L.)
| | - Chiara Laezza
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80145 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.B.); or (C.L.)
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