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Poursani E, Cirillo G, Curcio M, Vittorio O, De Luca M, Leggio A, Nicoletta FP, Iemma F. Dual-responsive chondroitin sulfate self-assembling nanoparticles for combination therapy in metastatic cancer cells. Int J Pharm X 2024; 7:100235. [PMID: 38486882 PMCID: PMC10937311 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpx.2024.100235] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we developed self-assembling nanoparticles (LCPs) able to trigger the release of Chlorambucil (Chl) and Doxorubicin (DOX) to MDA-MB-231 cells by exploiting the enzyme and redox signals. The DOX loaded LCPs was prepared by the self-assembly of two chondroitin sulphate (CS) derivatives, obtained by the covalent conjugation of Lipoic Acid (LA) and Chlorambucil (Chl) to the CS backbone. After the physic-chemical characterization of the conjugates by FT-IR, 1H NMR, and determination of the critical aggregation concentration, spherical nanoparticles with mean hydrodynamic diameter of 45 nm (P.D.I. 0.24) and Z-potential of - 44 mV were obtained by water addition/solvent evaporation method. In vitro experiments for the release of Chl and DOX were performed in healthy and cancer cells, using a cell culture media to maintain the physiological intracellular conditions (pH 7.4) (and concentration of esterase and GSH. The results allowed the selective release of the payloads to be detected: Chl release of 0 and 41% were obtained after 2 h incubation in normal and in cancer cells respectively, while values of 35 (in healthy cells) and 60% (in cancer cells) were recorded for DOX release after 96 h. Finally, viability studies proved the ability of the newly proposed nanosystem to enhance the cytotoxic activity of the two drugs against cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ensieh Poursani
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende 87036, Italy
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende 87036, Italy
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- School of Biomedical Science, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Michele De Luca
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende 87036, Italy
| | - Antonella Leggio
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende 87036, Italy
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende 87036, Italy
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende 87036, Italy
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Pham VVH, Jue TR, Bell JL, Luciani F, Michniewicz F, Cirillo G, Vahdat L, Mayoh C, Vittorio O. A novel network-based method identifies a cuproplasia-related pan-cancer gene signature to predict patient outcome. Hum Genet 2024:10.1007/s00439-024-02673-2. [PMID: 38642129 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-024-02673-2] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Copper is a vital micronutrient involved in many biological processes and is an essential component of tumour cell growth and migration. Copper influences tumour growth through a process called cuproplasia, defined as abnormal copper-dependent cell-growth and proliferation. Copper-chelation therapy targeting this process has demonstrated efficacy in several clinical trials against cancer. While the molecular pathways associated with cuproplasia are partially known, genetic heterogeneity across different cancer types has limited the understanding of how cuproplasia impacts patient survival. Utilising RNA-sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) datasets, we generated gene regulatory networks to identify the critical cuproplasia-related genes across 23 different cancer types. From this, we identified a novel 8-gene cuproplasia-related gene signature associated with pan-cancer survival, and a 6-gene prognostic risk score model in low grade glioma. These findings highlight the use of gene regulatory networks to identify cuproplasia-related gene signatures that could be used to generate risk score models. This can potentially identify patients who could benefit from copper-chelation therapy and identifies novel targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vu Viet Hoang Pham
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Toni Rose Jue
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica Lilian Bell
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Fabio Luciani
- School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Filip Michniewicz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Linda Vahdat
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center: Lebanon, New Hampshire, US
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
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Aiello F, Palumbo S, Cirillo G, Tornese G, Fava D, Wasniewska M, Faienza MF, Bozzola M, Luongo C, Festa A, Miraglia Del Giudice E, Grandone A. MKRN3 circulating levels in girls with central precocious puberty caused by MKRN3 gene mutations. J Endocrinol Invest 2023:10.1007/s40618-023-02255-5. [PMID: 38112911 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02255-5] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE MKNR3 is a paternally expressed gene whose mutations are the main cause of central precocious puberty (CPP). Protein circulating levels can be easily measured, as demonstrated in idiopathic CPP and healthy controls. No data are available for patients harboring an MKRN3 mutation. Our aim was to perform MKRN3 mutation screening and to investigate if circulating protein levels could be a screening tool to identify MKRN3 mutation in CPP patients. METHODS We enrolled 140 CPP girls and performed MKRN3 mutation analysis. Patients were stratified into two groups: idiopathic CPP (iCPP) and MKRN3 mutation-related CPP (MKRN3-CPP). Clinical characteristics were collected. Serum MKRN3 values were measured by a commercially available ELISA assay kit in MKRN3-CPP and a subgroup of 15 iCPP patients. RESULTS We identified 5 patients with MKRN3 mutations: one was a novel mutation (p.Gln352Arg) while the others were previously reported (p.Arg328Cys, p.Arg345Cys, p.Pro160Cysfs*14, p.Cys410Ter). There was a significant difference in circulating MKRN3 values in MKRN3-CPP compared to iCPP (p < 0.001). In MKRN3-CPP, the subject harboring Pro160Cysfs*14 presented undetectable levels. Subjects carrying the missense mutations p.Arg328Cys and p.Gln352Arg showed divergent circulating protein levels, respectively 40.56 pg/mL and undetectable. The patient with the non-sense mutation reported low but measurable MKRN3 levels (12.72 pg/mL). CONCLUSIONS MKRN3 defect in patients with CPP cannot be predicted by MKRN3 circulating levels, although those patients presented lower protein levels than iCPP. Due to the great inter-individual variability of the assay and the lack of reference values, no precise cut-off can be identified to suspect MKRN3 defect.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Aiello
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy
| | - S Palumbo
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy.
| | - G Cirillo
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy
| | - G Tornese
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - D Fava
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - M Wasniewska
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - M F Faienza
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology and Rare Endocrine Diseases, Giovanni XXIII Pediatric Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - M Bozzola
- Pediatric and Adolescent Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Onlus, Il Bambino e Il Suo Pediatra, Novara, Galliate, Italy
| | - C Luongo
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy
| | - A Festa
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy
| | - E Miraglia Del Giudice
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy
| | - A Grandone
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy
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Cazzoli R, Zamborlin A, Ermini ML, Salerno A, Curcio M, Nicoletta FP, Iemma F, Vittorio O, Voliani V, Cirillo G. Evolving approaches in glioma treatment: harnessing the potential of copper metabolism modulation. RSC Adv 2023; 13:34045-34056. [PMID: 38020008 PMCID: PMC10661684 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra06434d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The key properties and high versatility of metal nanoparticles have shed new perspectives on cancer therapy, with copper nanoparticles gaining great interest because of the ability to couple the intrinsic properties of metal nanoparticles with the biological activities of copper ions in cancer cells. Copper, indeed, is a cofactor involved in different metabolic pathways of many physiological and pathological processes. Literature data report on the use of copper in preclinical protocols for cancer treatment based on chemo-, photothermal-, or copper chelating-therapies. Copper nanoparticles exhibit anticancer activity via multiple routes, mainly involving the targeting of mitochondria, the modulation of oxidative stress, the induction of apoptosis and autophagy, and the modulation of immune response. Moreover, compared to other metal nanoparticles (e.g. gold, silver, palladium, and platinum), copper nanoparticles are rapidly cleared from organs with low systemic toxicity and benefit from the copper's low cost and wide availability. Within this review, we aim to explore the impact of copper in cancer research, focusing on glioma, the most common primary brain tumour. Glioma accounts for about 80% of all malignant brain tumours and shows a poor prognosis with the five-year survival rate being less than 5%. After introducing the glioma pathogenesis and the limitation of current therapeutic strategies, we will discuss the potential impact of copper therapy and present the key results of the most relevant literature to establish a reliable foundation for future development of copper-based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Cazzoli
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Agata Zamborlin
- NEST-Scuola Normale Superiore Piazza San Silvestro 12 - 56127 Pisa Italy
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Piazza San Silvestro 12 - 56127 Pisa Italy
| | - Maria Laura Ermini
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Piazza San Silvestro 12 - 56127 Pisa Italy
| | - Antonietta Salerno
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria 87036 Rende Italy +39 0984493208
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria 87036 Rende Italy +39 0984493208
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria 87036 Rende Italy +39 0984493208
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Valerio Voliani
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Piazza San Silvestro 12 - 56127 Pisa Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa Viale Cembrano 4 - 16148 Genoa Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria 87036 Rende Italy +39 0984493208
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Madeo LF, Schirmer C, Cirillo G, Froeschke S, Hantusch M, Curcio M, Nicoletta FP, Büchner B, Mertig M, Hampel S. Facile one-pot hydrothermal synthesis of a zinc oxide/curcumin nanocomposite with enhanced toxic activity against breast cancer cells. RSC Adv 2023; 13:27180-27189. [PMID: 37701282 PMCID: PMC10493854 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra05176e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc oxide/Curcumin (Zn(CUR)O) nanocomposites were prepared via hydrothermal treatment of Zn(NO3)2 in the presence of hexamethylenetetramine as a stabilizing agent and CUR as a bioactive element. Three ZnO : CUR ratios were investigated, namely 57 : 43 (Zn(CUR)O-A), 60 : 40 (Zn(CUR)O-B) and 81 : 19 (Zn(CUR)O-C), as assessed by thermogravimetric analyses, with an average hydrodynamic diameter of nanoaggregates in the range of 223 to 361 nm. The interaction of CUR with ZnO via hydroxyl and ketoenol groups (as proved by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses) was found to significantly modify the key properties of ZnO nanoparticles with the obtainment of a bilobed shape (as shown by scanning electron microscopy), and influenced the growth process of the composite nanoparticles as indicated by the varying particle sizes determined by powder X-ray diffraction. The efficacy of Zn(CUR)O as anticancer agents was evaluated on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells, obtaining a synergistic activity with a cell viability depending on the CUR amount within the nanocomposite. Finally, the determination of reactive oxygen species production in the presence of Zn(CUR)O was used as a preliminary evaluation of the mechanism of action of the nanocomposites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Francesco Madeo
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden Dresden 01069 Germany +49 3514659883
| | - Christine Schirmer
- Kurt-Schwabe-Institut für Mess- und Sensortechnik Meinsberg e.V. Kurt-Schwabe-Straße 4 Waldheim 04736 Germany
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria Rende 87036 CS Italy
| | - Samuel Froeschke
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden Dresden 01069 Germany +49 3514659883
| | - Martin Hantusch
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden Dresden 01069 Germany +49 3514659883
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria Rende 87036 CS Italy
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria Rende 87036 CS Italy
| | - Bernd Büchner
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden Dresden 01069 Germany +49 3514659883
- Institute of Solid State and Materials Physics, Technische Universität Dresden Dresden 01062 Germany
| | - Michael Mertig
- Kurt-Schwabe-Institut für Mess- und Sensortechnik Meinsberg e.V. Kurt-Schwabe-Straße 4 Waldheim 04736 Germany
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden Dresden 01062 Germany
| | - Silke Hampel
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden Dresden 01069 Germany +49 3514659883
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Cirillo G, Curcio M, Oliviero Rossi C, De Filpo G, Baratta M, De Luca M, Iemma F, Nicoletta FP. Curcumin-Sodium Alginate and Curcumin-Chitosan Conjugates as Drug Delivery Systems: An Interesting Rheological Behaviour. Molecules 2023; 28:5893. [PMID: 37570862 PMCID: PMC10420803 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155893] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The conjugation of polyphenols is a valuable strategy with which to confer tailored properties to polymeric materials of biomedical interest. Within this investigation, we aim to explore the possibility to use this synthetic approach to increase the viscosity of conjugates, thus allowing the release of a loaded therapeutic to be better controlled over time than in neat polyphenols. Curcumin (CUR) was conjugated to sodium alginate (CA) and chitosan (CS) with functionalisation degrees of 9.2 (SA-CUR) and 15.4 (CS-CUR) mg g-1. Calorimetric analyses showed higher degrees of chain rigidity upon conjugation, with a shift of the degradation peaks to higher temperatures (from 239 to 245 °C and from 296 to 303 °C for SA-CUR and CS-CUR, respectively). Rheological analyses were used to prove the enhanced interconnection between the polymer chains in the conjugates, confirmed by the weak gel parameters, A and z. Moreover, the typical non-Newtonian behaviour of the high-molecular-weight polysaccharides was recorded, together with an enhancement of the activation energy, Ea, in CS-CUR vs. CS (opposite behaviour recorded for SA-CUR vs. SA). The evaluation of the delivery performance (of Doxorubicin as a model drug) showed sustained release profiles, opening opportunities for the development of controlled delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (M.D.L.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (M.D.L.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
| | - Cesare Oliviero Rossi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (C.O.R.); (G.D.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Giovanni De Filpo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (C.O.R.); (G.D.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Mariafrancesca Baratta
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (C.O.R.); (G.D.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Michele De Luca
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (M.D.L.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (M.D.L.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (M.D.L.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
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Poursani EM, Mercatelli D, Raninga P, Bell JL, Saletta F, Kohane FV, Neumann DP, Zheng Y, Rouaen JRC, Jue TR, Michniewicz FT, Schadel P, Kasiou E, Tsoli M, Cirillo G, Waters S, Shai-Hee T, Cazzoli R, Brettle M, Slapetova I, Kasherman M, Whan R, Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes F, Vahdat L, Ziegler D, Lock JG, Giorgi FM, Khanna K, Vittorio O. Copper chelation suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inhibition of canonical and non-canonical TGF-β signaling pathways in cancer. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:132. [PMID: 37480151 PMCID: PMC10362738 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01083-7] [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: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastatic cancer cells exploit Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) to enhance their migration, invasion, and resistance to treatments. Recent studies highlight that elevated levels of copper are implicated in cancer progression and metastasis. Clinical trials using copper chelators are associated with improved patient survival; however, the molecular mechanisms by which copper depletion inhibits tumor progression and metastasis are poorly understood. This remains a major hurdle to the clinical translation of copper chelators. Here, we propose that copper chelation inhibits metastasis by reducing TGF-β levels and EMT signaling. Given that many drugs targeting TGF-β have failed in clinical trials, partly because of severe side effects arising in patients, we hypothesized that copper chelation therapy might be a less toxic alternative to target the TGF-β/EMT axis. RESULTS Our cytokine array and RNA-seq data suggested a link between copper homeostasis, TGF-β and EMT process. To validate this hypothesis, we performed single-cell imaging, protein assays, and in vivo studies. Here, we used the copper chelating agent TEPA to block copper trafficking. Our in vivo study showed a reduction of TGF-β levels and metastasis to the lung in the TNBC mouse model. Mechanistically, TEPA significantly downregulated canonical (TGF-β/SMAD2&3) and non-canonical (TGF-β/PI3K/AKT, TGF-β/RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, and TGF-β/WNT/β-catenin) TGF-β signaling pathways. Additionally, EMT markers of MMP-9, MMP-14, Vimentin, β-catenin, ZEB1, and p-SMAD2 were downregulated, and EMT transcription factors of SNAI1, ZEB1, and p-SMAD2 accumulated in the cytoplasm after treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that copper chelation therapy represents a potentially effective therapeutic approach for targeting TGF-β and inhibiting EMT in a diverse range of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ensieh M Poursani
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniele Mercatelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Prahlad Raninga
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jessica L Bell
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Federica Saletta
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Felix V Kohane
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel P Neumann
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Ye Zheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jourdin R C Rouaen
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Toni Rose Jue
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Filip T Michniewicz
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Piper Schadel
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Erin Kasiou
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Tsoli
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Shafagh Waters
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tyler Shai-Hee
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Riccardo Cazzoli
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Merryn Brettle
- Katharina Gauss Light Microscopy Facility, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Iveta Slapetova
- Katharina Gauss Light Microscopy Facility, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Kasherman
- Katharina Gauss Light Microscopy Facility, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Renee Whan
- Katharina Gauss Light Microscopy Facility, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - David Ziegler
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - John G Lock
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Federico M Giorgi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - KumKum Khanna
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Di Sessa A, Cembalo Sambiase Sanseverino N, De Simone RF, Marrapodi MM, Cirillo G, Umano GR, Guarino S, Papparella A, Miraglia Del Giudice E, Marzuillo P. Association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and subclinical hypothyroidism in children with obesity. J Endocrinol Invest 2023:10.1007/s40618-023-02041-3. [PMID: 36828986 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02041-3] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed (i) evaluating the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and thyroid function tests, (ii) testing if the relationship between NAFLD and thyroid dysfunction could be driven by the obesity and the IR degree, and (iii) exploring the influence of the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein-3 (PNPLA3) I148M and the transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) E167K polymorphisms on the association between NAFLD and thyroid function in children. METHODS We examined 2275 children and adolescents with obesity. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) was defined by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) > 4.2 μUI/ml with normal fT3 and fT4. RESULTS Children with NAFLD showed higher SH prevalence than those without NAFLD (15.7% Vs 7.4%;p = 0.001) and showed an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) to have SH of 1.68 (95% CI:1.01-2.80;p = 0.04) while patients with SH had an aOR to show NAFLD of 2.13(95% CI:1.22-3.73;p = 0.008). Patients having severe obesity and IR degree presented an aOR to show both NAFLD and SH of 3.61 (95% CI:1.78-7.33;p < 0.0001). Subjects with NAFLD carrying the TM6SF2 167 K allele had lower TSH levels than non-carriers (p = 0.03) and showed an aOR to have SH of 0.10 (95% CI: 0.01-0.79;p = 0.02). No differences were found in carriers of the PNPLA3 148 M allele. A general linear model for TSH variance showed a significant association of TSH with TM6SF2 genotypes only in the NAFLD group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION Children with obesity and NAFLD presented increase risk of SH and vice versa likely due to the adverse effect of duration of obesity, obesity degree, and IR. The TM6SF2 E167K exerts a protective role against SH in children with obesity and NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Di Sessa
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio no 2, 80138, Naples, Italy.
| | - N Cembalo Sambiase Sanseverino
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio no 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - R F De Simone
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio no 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - M M Marrapodi
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio no 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - G Cirillo
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio no 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - G R Umano
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio no 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - S Guarino
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio no 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - A Papparella
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio no 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - E Miraglia Del Giudice
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio no 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - P Marzuillo
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio no 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
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9
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Palumbo S, Cirillo G, Sanchez G, Aiello F, Fachin A, Baldo F, Pellegrin MC, Cassio A, Salerno M, Maghnie M, Faienza MF, Wasniewska M, Fintini D, Giacomozzi C, Ciccone S, Miraglia Del Giudice E, Tornese G, Grandone A. A new DLK1 defect in a family with idiopathic central precocious puberty: elucidation of the male phenotype. J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 46:1233-1240. [PMID: 36577869 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01997-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to investigate a cohort of female and male patients with idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP), negative for Makorin Ring Finger Protein 3 (MKRN3) defect, by molecular screening for Delta-like 1 homolog (DLK1) defects. DLK1 is an imprinted gene, whose mutations have been described as a rare cause of CPP in girls and adult women with precocious menarche, obesity and metabolic derangement. METHODS We enrolled 14 girls with familial CPP and 13 boys with familial or sporadic CPP from multiple academic hospital centers. Gene sequencing of DLK1 gene was performed. Circulating levels of DLK1 were measured and clinical and biochemical characteristics were described in those with DLK1 defects. RESULTS A novel heterozygous mutation in DLK1, c.288_289insC (p.Cys97Leufs*16), was identified in a male proband, his sister and their father. Age at onset of puberty was in line with previous reports in the girl and 8 years in the boy. The father with untreated CPP showed short stature. No metabolic derangement was present in the father except hypercholesterolemia. Undetectable Dlk1 serum levels indicated the complete lack of protein production in the three affected patients. CONCLUSION A DLK1 defect has been identified for the first time in a boy, underscoring the importance of genetic testing in males with idiopathic or sporadic CPP. The short stature reported by his untreated father suggests the need for timely diagnosis and treatment of subjects with DLK1 defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Palumbo
- Department of Child, Women, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania, "L. Vanvitelli", Vico L. De Crecchio n° 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - G Cirillo
- Department of Child, Women, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania, "L. Vanvitelli", Vico L. De Crecchio n° 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - G Sanchez
- Department of Child, Women, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania, "L. Vanvitelli", Vico L. De Crecchio n° 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - F Aiello
- Department of Child, Women, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania, "L. Vanvitelli", Vico L. De Crecchio n° 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - A Fachin
- University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - F Baldo
- University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - M C Pellegrin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - A Cassio
- Pediatric Endocrine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Salerno
- Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - M Maghnie
- Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - M F Faienza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Pediatric Unit, University of Bari A. Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - M Wasniewska
- Unit of Paediatrics, Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - D Fintini
- Endocrinology Unit, University-Hospital Pediatric Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCSS, Rome, Italy
| | - C Giacomozzi
- Unit of Pediatrics, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Carlo Poma Hospital, ASST-Mantova, Mantua, Italy
| | - S Ciccone
- Pediatric Unit-"M. Bufalini" Hospital - Cesena, Cesena, Italy
| | - E Miraglia Del Giudice
- Department of Child, Women, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania, "L. Vanvitelli", Vico L. De Crecchio n° 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - G Tornese
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - A Grandone
- Department of Child, Women, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania, "L. Vanvitelli", Vico L. De Crecchio n° 2, 80138, Naples, Italy.
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10
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Infantino R, Boccella S, Scuteri D, Perrone M, Ricciardi F, Vitale R, Bonsale R, Parente A, Allocca I, Virtuoso A, De Luca C, Belardo C, Amodeo P, Gentile V, Cirillo G, Bagetta G, Luongo L, Maione S, Guida F. 2-pentadecyl-2-oxazoline prevents cognitive and social behaviour impairments in the Amyloid β-induced Alzheimer-like mice model: Bring the α2 adrenergic receptor back into play. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 156:113844. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Baratta M, Tursi A, Curcio M, Cirillo G, Nezhdanov AV, Mashin AI, Nicoletta FP, De Filpo G. Removal of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs from Drinking Water Sources by GO-SWCNT Buckypapers. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27227674. [PMID: 36431774 PMCID: PMC9696248 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmaceutical products such as antibiotics, analgesics, steroids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are new emerging pollutants, often present in wastewater, potentially able to contaminate drinking water resources. Adsorption is considered the cheapest and most effective technique for the removal of pollutants from water, and, recently, membranes obtained by wet filtration method of SWCNT aqueous solutions (SWCNT buckypapers, SWCNT BPs) have been proposed as self-standing porous adsorbents. In this paper, the ability of graphene oxide/single-walled carbon nanotube composite membranes (GO-SWCNT BPs) to remove some important NSAIDs, namely Diclofenac, Ketoprofen, and Naproxen, was investigated at different pH conditions (pH 4, 6, and 8), graphene oxide amount (0, 20, 40, 60, and 75 wt.%), and initial NSAIDs concentration (1, 10, and 50 ppm). For the same experimental conditions, the adsorption capacities were found to strongly depend on the graphene oxide content. The best results were obtained for 75 wt.% graphene oxide with an adsorption capacity of 118 ± 2 mg g-1 for Diclofenac, 116 ± 2 mg g-1 for Ketoprofen, and 126 ± 3 mg g-1 for Naproxen at pH 4. Overall, the reported data suggest that GO-SWCNT BPs can represent a promising tool for a cheap and fast removal of NSAIDs from drinking water resources, with easy recovery and reusability features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariafrancesca Baratta
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Antonio Tursi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | | | - Alexandr Ivanovic Mashin
- Applied Physics & Microelectronics, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod, Nizhni Novgorod 603105, Russia
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.P.N.); (G.D.F.); Tel.: +39-0984493194 (F.P.N.); +39-0984492105 (G.D.F.)
| | - Giovanni De Filpo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.P.N.); (G.D.F.); Tel.: +39-0984493194 (F.P.N.); +39-0984492105 (G.D.F.)
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12
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Mariani M, Fintini D, Cirillo G, Palumbo S, Del Giudice EM, Bocchini S, Manco M, Cappa M, Grandone A. MKRN3 circulating levels in Prader-Willi syndrome: a pilot study. J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 45:2165-2170. [PMID: 35854182 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01860-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Hypogonadism in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is generally attributed to hypothalamic dysfunction or to primary gonadal defect. MKRN3, a maternal imprinted gene located on 15q11.2-q13 region, encodes makorin ring finger protein 3, whose deficiency causes precocious puberty, an extremely rare symptom in PWS. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate MKRN3 levels in patients with PWS and to analyze its correlation with sexual hormone levels, insulin resistance and Body Mass Index (BMI). METHODS We performed an observational cross-sectional study and enrolled 80 patients with genetically confirmed diagnosis of PWS with median age of 9.6 years. RESULTS MKRN3 levels were measurable in 49 PWS patients with a geometric mean of 34.9 ± 22 pg/ml (median: 28.4). Unmeasurable levels of MKRN3 were found in 31 patients. No statistically significant differences were found between patients with and without measurable MKRN3 levels for any clinical, biochemical, or genetic characteristics. However, MKRN3 levels were inversely correlated with HOMA-IR index (p: 0.005) and HbA1c (p: 0.046) values. No statistically significant correlations were found between MKRN3 and LH, estradiol and testosterone concentrations, pubertal development and genetic defect, whereas a direct correlation with FSH was found (p: 0.007). CONCLUSIONS The typical genetic defect of PWS should lead to unmeasurable levels of the MKRN3 protein due to the inactivation of the paternal allele. Measurable circulating MKRN3 could suggest the possible involvement of tissue-specific imprinting mechanisms and other regulatory factors in gene expression. Correlations with HOMA-IR index, HbA1c, and FSH suggest peripheral actions of MKRN3, but future studies are warranted to investigate this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mariani
- Endocrinology Unit, University Pediatric Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Piazza S.Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy.
| | - D Fintini
- Endocrinology Unit, University Pediatric Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Piazza S.Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - G Cirillo
- Department of Woman, Child, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - S Palumbo
- Department of Woman, Child, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - E M Del Giudice
- Department of Woman, Child, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - S Bocchini
- Endocrinology Unit, University Pediatric Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Piazza S.Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - M Manco
- Research Area for Multifactorial Diseases and Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - M Cappa
- Endocrinology Unit, University Pediatric Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Piazza S.Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - A Grandone
- Department of Woman, Child, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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13
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Curcio M, Vittorio O, Bell JL, Iemma F, Nicoletta FP, Cirillo G. Hyaluronic Acid within Self-Assembling Nanoparticles: Endless Possibilities for Targeted Cancer Therapy. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2022; 12:nano12162851. [PMID: 36014715 PMCID: PMC9413373 DOI: 10.3390/nano12162851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembling nanoparticles (SANPs) based on hyaluronic acid (HA) represent unique tools in cancer therapy because they combine the HA targeting activity towards cancer cells with the advantageous features of the self-assembling nanosystems, i.e., chemical versatility and ease of preparation and scalability. This review describes the key outcomes arising from the combination of HA and SANPs, focusing on nanomaterials where HA and/or HA-derivatives are inserted within the self-assembling nanostructure. We elucidate the different HA derivatization strategies proposed for this scope, as well as the preparation methods used for the fabrication of the delivery device. After showing the biological results in the employed in vivo and in vitro models, we discussed the pros and cons of each nanosystem, opening a discussion on which approach represents the most promising strategy for further investigation and effective therapeutic protocol development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sidney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jessica Lilian Bell
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sidney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
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14
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Baratta M, Tursi A, Curcio M, Cirillo G, Nicoletta FP, De Filpo G. GO-SWCNT Buckypapers as an Enhanced Technology for Water Decontamination from Lead. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27134044. [PMID: 35807300 PMCID: PMC9268222 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Water decontamination is an important challenge resulting from the incorrect disposal of heavy metal waste into the environment. Among the different available techniques (e.g., filtration, coagulation, precipitation, and ion-exchange), adsorption is considered the cheapest and most effective procedure for the removal of water pollutants. In the last years, several materials have been tested for the removal of heavy metals from water, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and graphene oxide (GO). Nevertheless, their powder consistency, which makes the recovery and reuse after adsorption difficult, is the main drawback for these materials. More recently, SWCNT buckypapers (SWCNT BPs) have been proposed as self-standing porous membranes for filtration and adsorption processes. In this paper, the adsorption capacity and selectivity of Pb2+ (both from neat solutions and in the presence of other interferents) by SWCNT BPs were evaluated as a function of the increasing amount of GO used in their preparation (GO-SWCNT buckypapers). The highest adsorption capacity, 479 ± 25 mg g−1, achieved for GO-SWCNT buckypapers with 75 wt.% of graphene oxide confirmed the effective application of such materials for cheap and fast water decontamination from lead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariafrancesca Baratta
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Antonio Tursi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (G.C.)
- Correspondence: (F.P.N.); (G.D.F.); Tel.: +39-0984493194 (F.P.N.); +39-0984492105 (G.D.F.)
| | - Giovanni De Filpo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.B.); (A.T.)
- Correspondence: (F.P.N.); (G.D.F.); Tel.: +39-0984493194 (F.P.N.); +39-0984492105 (G.D.F.)
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Madeo LF, Sarogni P, Cirillo G, Vittorio O, Voliani V, Curcio M, Shai-Hee T, Büchner B, Mertig M, Hampel S. Curcumin and Graphene Oxide Incorporated into Alginate Hydrogels as Versatile Devices for the Local Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Materials (Basel) 2022; 15:ma15051648. [PMID: 35268879 PMCID: PMC8911244 DOI: 10.3390/ma15051648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
With the aim of preparing hybrid hydrogels suitable for use as patches for the local treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)-affected areas, curcumin (CUR) was loaded onto graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, which were then blended into an alginate hydrogel that was crosslinked by means of calcium ions. The homogeneous incorporation of GO within the polymer network, which was confirmed through morphological investigations, improved the stability of the hybrid system compared to blank hydrogels. The weight loss in the 100–170 °C temperature range was reduced from 30% to 20%, and the degradation of alginate chains shifted to higher temperatures. Moreover, GO enhanced the stability in water media by counteracting the de-crosslinking process of the polymer network. Cell viability assays showed that the loading of CUR (2.5% and 5% by weight) was able to reduce the intrinsic toxicity of GO towards healthy cells, while higher amounts were ineffective due to the antioxidant/prooxidant paradox. Interestingly, the CUR-loaded systems were found to possess a strong cytotoxic effect in SCC cancer cells, and the sustained CUR release (~50% after 96 h) allowed long-term anticancer efficiency to be hypothesized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Francesco Madeo
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (B.B.); (S.H.)
- Correspondence: (L.F.M.); (G.C.); Tel.: +49-35-1465-9883 (L.F.M.); +39-09-8449-3208 (G.C.)
| | - Patrizia Sarogni
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (P.S.); (V.V.)
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.F.M.); (G.C.); Tel.: +49-35-1465-9883 (L.F.M.); +39-09-8449-3208 (G.C.)
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (O.V.); (T.S.-H.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Valerio Voliani
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (P.S.); (V.V.)
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
| | - Tyler Shai-Hee
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (O.V.); (T.S.-H.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Bernd Büchner
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (B.B.); (S.H.)
- Institute of Solid State and Materials Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Mertig
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany;
- Kurt-Schwabe-Institut für Mess- und Sensortechnik Meinsberg e.V., 04736 Waldheim, Germany
| | - Silke Hampel
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (B.B.); (S.H.)
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Curcio M, Brindisi M, Cirillo G, Frattaruolo L, Leggio A, Rago V, Nicoletta FP, Cappello AR, Iemma F. Smart Lipid-Polysaccharide Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin to Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042386. [PMID: 35216501 PMCID: PMC8876040 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, actively-targeted (CD44-receptors) and dual stimuli (pH/redox)-responsive lipid–polymer nanoparticles were proposed as a delivery vehicle of doxorubicin hydrochloride in triple negative breast cancer cell lines. A phosphatidylcholine lipid film was hydrated with a solution of oxidized hyaluronic acid and doxorubicin, chosen as model drug, followed by a crosslinking reaction with cystamine hydrochloride. The obtained spherical nanoparticles (mean diameter of 30 nm) were found to be efficiently internalized in cancer cells by a receptor-mediated endocytosis process, and to modulate the drug release depending on the pH and redox potential of the surrounding medium. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the nanoparticles in enhancing the cytotoxic effect of the free anticancer drug, with the IC50 values being reduced by two and three times in MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231, respectively. The combination of self-assembled phospholipid molecules with a polysaccharide counterpart acting as receptor ligand, and stimuli-responsive chemical moieties, was carried out on smart multifunctional nanoparticles able to actively target breast cancer cells and improve the in vitro anticancer activity of doxorubicin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Curcio
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (G.C.); Tel.: +39-0984-493011 (M.C.); +39-0984-493208 (G.C.)
| | | | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (G.C.); Tel.: +39-0984-493011 (M.C.); +39-0984-493208 (G.C.)
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Cirillo G, Curcio M, Madeo LF, Iemma F, De Filpo G, Hampel S, Nicoletta FP. Carbon Nanotubes Hybrid Hydrogels for Environmental Remediation: Evaluation of Adsorption Efficiency under Electric Field. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26227001. [PMID: 34834096 PMCID: PMC8625859 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26227001] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The performance of Carbon Nanotubes hybrid hydrogels for environmental remediation was investigated using Methylene Blue (MB), Rhodamine B (RD), and Bengal Rose (BR) as model contaminating dyes. An acrylate hydrogel network with incorporated CNT was synthesized by photo-polymerization without any preliminary derivatization of CNT surface. Thermodynamics, isothermal and kinetic studies showed favorable sorption processes with the application of an external 12 V electric field found to be able to influence the amount of adsorbed dyes: stronger interactions with cationic MB molecules (qexp and qexp12 of 19.72 and 33.45 mg g−1, respectively) and reduced affinity for anionic RD (qexp and qexp12 of 28.93 and 13.06 mg g−1, respectively) and neutral BR (qexp and qexp12 of 36.75 and 15.85 mg g−1, respectively) molecules were recorded. The influence of pH variation on dyes adsorption was finally highlighted by reusability studies, with the negligible variation of adsorption capacity after five repeated sorption cycles claiming for the suitability of the proposed systems as effective sorbent for wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0984493208
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
| | - Lorenzo Francesco Madeo
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (L.F.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
| | - Giovanni De Filpo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
| | - Silke Hampel
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (L.F.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
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18
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Trombino S, Curcio F, Cassano R, Curcio M, Cirillo G, Iemma F. Polymeric Biomaterials for the Treatment of Cardiac Post-Infarction Injuries. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1038. [PMID: 34371729 PMCID: PMC8309168 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13071038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac regeneration aims to reconstruct the heart contractile mass, preventing the organ from a progressive functional deterioration, by delivering pro-regenerative cells, drugs, or growth factors to the site of injury. In recent years, scientific research focused the attention on tissue engineering for the regeneration of cardiac infarct tissue, and biomaterials able to anatomically and physiologically adapt to the heart muscle have been proposed as valuable tools for this purpose, providing the cells with the stimuli necessary to initiate a complete regenerative process. An ideal biomaterial for cardiac tissue regeneration should have a positive influence on the biomechanical, biochemical, and biological properties of tissues and cells; perfectly reflect the morphology and functionality of the native myocardium; and be mechanically stable, with a suitable thickness. Among others, engineered hydrogels, three-dimensional polymeric systems made from synthetic and natural biomaterials, have attracted much interest for cardiac post-infarction therapy. In addition, biocompatible nanosystems, and polymeric nanoparticles in particular, have been explored in preclinical studies as drug delivery and tissue engineering platforms for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This review focused on the most employed natural and synthetic biomaterials in cardiac regeneration, paying particular attention to the contribution of Italian research groups in this field, the fabrication techniques, and the current status of the clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Roberta Cassano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy; (S.T.); (F.C.); (G.C.); (F.I.)
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy; (S.T.); (F.C.); (G.C.); (F.I.)
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Bevacqua E, Curcio M, Saletta F, Vittorio O, Cirillo G, Tucci P. Dextran-Curcumin Nanosystems Inhibit Cell Growth and Migration Regulating the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7013. [PMID: 34209825 PMCID: PMC8269310 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional nanocarriers which are able to simultaneously vectorize drugs to the site of interest and exert their own cytotoxic activity represent a significant breakthrough in the search for effective anticancer strategies with fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapeutics. Here, we propose previously developed, self-assembling dextran-curcumin nanoparticles for the treatment of prostate cancer in combination therapy with Doxorubicin (DOXO). Biological effectiveness was investigated by evaluating the cell viability in either cancer and normal cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptotic effect, interference with the cell cycle, and the ability to inhibit cell migration and reverse the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). The results proved a significant enhancement of curcumin efficiency upon immobilization in nanoparticles: IC50 reduced by a half, induction of apoptotic effect, and improved ROS production (from 67 to 134%) at low concentrations. Nanoparticles guaranteed a pH-dependent DOXO release, with a more efficient release in acidic environments. Finally, a synergistic effect between nanoparticles and Doxorubicin was demonstrated, with the free curcumin showing additive activity. Although in vivo studies are required to support the findings of this study, these preliminary in vitro data can be considered a proof of principle for the design of an effective therapy for prostate cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Bevacqua
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (E.B.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (E.B.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Federica Saletta
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children’s Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (F.S.); (O.V.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children’s Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (F.S.); (O.V.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Convergent BioNano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (E.B.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Paola Tucci
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (E.B.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
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Michniewicz F, Saletta F, Rouaen JRC, Hewavisenti RV, Mercatelli D, Cirillo G, Giorgi FM, Trahair T, Ziegler D, Vittorio O. Copper: An Intracellular Achilles' Heel Allowing the Targeting of Epigenetics, Kinase Pathways, and Cell Metabolism in Cancer Therapeutics. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:2315-2329. [PMID: 33890721 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [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: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Copper is an essential transition metal frequently increased in cancer known to strongly influence essential cellular processes. Targeted therapy protocols utilizing both novel and repurposed drug agents initially demonstrate strong efficacy, before failing in advanced cancers as drug resistance develops and relapse occurs. Overcoming this limitation involves the development of strategies and protocols aimed at a wider targeting of the underlying molecular changes. Receptor Tyrosine Kinase signaling pathways, epigenetic mechanisms and cell metabolism are among the most common therapeutic targets, with molecular investigations increasingly demonstrating the strong influence each mechanism exerts on the others. Interestingly, all these mechanisms can be influenced by intracellular copper. We propose that copper chelating agents, already in clinical trial for multiple cancers, may simultaneously target these mechanisms across a wide variety of cancers, serving as an excellent candidate for targeted combination therapy. This review summarizes the known links between these mechanisms, copper, and copper chelation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Michniewicz
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Federica Saletta
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jourdin R C Rouaen
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rehana V Hewavisenti
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniele Mercatelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
| | - Federico M Giorgi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Toby Trahair
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - David Ziegler
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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21
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Curcio M, Paolì A, Cirillo G, Di Pietro S, Forestiero M, Giordano F, Mauro L, Amantea D, Di Bussolo V, Nicoletta FP, Iemma F. Combining Dextran Conjugates with Stimuli-Responsive and Folate-Targeting Activity: A New Class of Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2021; 11:1108. [PMID: 33922934 PMCID: PMC8145397 DOI: 10.3390/nano11051108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles with active-targeting and stimuli-responsive behavior are a promising class of engineered materials able to recognize the site of cancer disease, targeting the drug release and limiting side effects in the healthy organs. In this work, new dual pH/redox-responsive nanoparticles with affinity for folate receptors were prepared by the combination of two amphiphilic dextran (DEX) derivatives. DEXFA conjugate was obtained by covalent coupling of the polysaccharide with folic acid (FA), whereas DEXssPEGCOOH derived from a reductive amination step of DEX was followed by condensation with polyethylene glycol 600. After self-assembling, nanoparticles with a mean size of 50 nm, able to be destabilized in acidic pH and reducing media, were obtained. Doxorubicin was loaded during the self-assembling process, and the release experiments showed the ability of the proposed system to modulate the drug release in response to different pH and redox conditions. Finally, the viability and uptake experiments on healthy (MCF-10A) and metastatic cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells proved the potential applicability of the proposed system as a new drug vector in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (A.P.); (G.C.); (M.F.); (F.G.); (L.M.); (D.A.); (F.I.)
| | - Alessandro Paolì
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (A.P.); (G.C.); (M.F.); (F.G.); (L.M.); (D.A.); (F.I.)
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (A.P.); (G.C.); (M.F.); (F.G.); (L.M.); (D.A.); (F.I.)
| | - Sebastiano Di Pietro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 33, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.D.P.); (V.D.B.)
| | - Martina Forestiero
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (A.P.); (G.C.); (M.F.); (F.G.); (L.M.); (D.A.); (F.I.)
| | - Francesca Giordano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (A.P.); (G.C.); (M.F.); (F.G.); (L.M.); (D.A.); (F.I.)
| | - Loredana Mauro
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (A.P.); (G.C.); (M.F.); (F.G.); (L.M.); (D.A.); (F.I.)
| | - Diana Amantea
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (A.P.); (G.C.); (M.F.); (F.G.); (L.M.); (D.A.); (F.I.)
| | - Valeria Di Bussolo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 33, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.D.P.); (V.D.B.)
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (A.P.); (G.C.); (M.F.); (F.G.); (L.M.); (D.A.); (F.I.)
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.C.); (A.P.); (G.C.); (M.F.); (F.G.); (L.M.); (D.A.); (F.I.)
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22
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Ung C, Tsoli M, Liu J, Cassano D, Pocoví-Martínez S, Upton DH, Ehteda A, Mansfeld FM, Failes TW, Farfalla A, Katsinas C, Kavallaris M, Arndt GM, Vittorio O, Cirillo G, Voliani V, Ziegler DS. Doxorubicin-Loaded Gold Nanoarchitectures as a Therapeutic Strategy against Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1278. [PMID: 33805713 PMCID: PMC7999568 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPGs) are highly aggressive paediatric brain tumours. Currently, irradiation is the only standard treatment, but is palliative in nature and most patients die within 12 months of diagnosis. Novel therapeutic approaches are urgently needed for the treatment of this devastating disease. We have developed non-persistent gold nano-architectures (NAs) functionalised with human serum albumin (HSA) for the delivery of doxorubicin. Doxorubicin has been previously reported to be cytotoxic in DIPG cells. In this study, we have preclinically evaluated the cytotoxic efficacy of doxorubicin delivered through gold nanoarchitectures (NAs-HSA-Dox). We found that DIPG neurospheres were equally sensitive to doxorubicin and doxorubicin-loaded NAs. Colony formation assays demonstrated greater potency of NAs-HSA-Dox on colony formation compared to doxorubicin. Western blot analysis indicated increased apoptotic markers cleaved Parp, cleaved caspase 3 and phosphorylated H2AX in NAs-HSA-Dox treated DIPG neurospheres. Live cell content and confocal imaging demonstrated significantly higher uptake of NAs-HSA-Dox into DIPG neurospheres compared to doxorubicin alone. Despite the potency of the NAs in vitro, treatment of an orthotopic model of DIPG showed no antitumour effect. This disparate outcome may be due to the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and highlights the need to develop therapies to enhance penetration of drugs into DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Ung
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.U.); (J.L.); (D.H.U.); (A.E.); (F.M.M.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (O.V.)
| | - Maria Tsoli
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.U.); (J.L.); (D.H.U.); (A.E.); (F.M.M.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (O.V.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jie Liu
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.U.); (J.L.); (D.H.U.); (A.E.); (F.M.M.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (O.V.)
| | - Domenico Cassano
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (D.C.); (S.P.-M.); (V.V.)
| | - Salvador Pocoví-Martínez
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (D.C.); (S.P.-M.); (V.V.)
| | - Dannielle H. Upton
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.U.); (J.L.); (D.H.U.); (A.E.); (F.M.M.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (O.V.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Anahid Ehteda
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.U.); (J.L.); (D.H.U.); (A.E.); (F.M.M.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (O.V.)
| | - Friederike M. Mansfeld
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.U.); (J.L.); (D.H.U.); (A.E.); (F.M.M.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (O.V.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash University, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Timothy W. Failes
- ACRF Drug Discovery Centre, Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (T.W.F.); (G.M.A.)
| | - Annafranca Farfalla
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (A.F.); (G.C.)
| | - Christopher Katsinas
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.U.); (J.L.); (D.H.U.); (A.E.); (F.M.M.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (O.V.)
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.U.); (J.L.); (D.H.U.); (A.E.); (F.M.M.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (O.V.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Greg M. Arndt
- ACRF Drug Discovery Centre, Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (T.W.F.); (G.M.A.)
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.U.); (J.L.); (D.H.U.); (A.E.); (F.M.M.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (O.V.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (A.F.); (G.C.)
| | - Valerio Voliani
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (D.C.); (S.P.-M.); (V.V.)
| | - David S. Ziegler
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.U.); (J.L.); (D.H.U.); (A.E.); (F.M.M.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (O.V.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia
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23
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Cirillo G, Pantuso E, Curcio M, Vittorio O, Leggio A, Iemma F, De Filpo G, Nicoletta FP. Alginate Bioconjugate and Graphene Oxide in Multifunctional Hydrogels for Versatile Biomedical Applications. Molecules 2021; 26:1355. [PMID: 33802608 PMCID: PMC7961670 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we combined electrically-conductive graphene oxide and a sodium alginate-caffeic acid conjugate, acting as a functional element, in an acrylate hydrogel network to obtain multifunctional materials designed to perform multiple tasks in biomedical research. The hybrid material was found to be well tolerated by human fibroblast lung cells (MRC-5) (viability higher than 94%) and able to modify its swelling properties upon application of an external electric field. Release experiments performed using lysozyme as the model drug, showed a pH and electro-responsive behavior, with higher release amounts and rated in physiological vs. acidic pH. Finally, the retainment of the antioxidant properties of caffeic acid upon conjugation and polymerization processes (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity values of 1.77 and 1.48, respectively) was used to quench the effect of hydrogen peroxide in a hydrogel-assisted lysozyme crystallization procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (A.L.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
| | - Elvira Pantuso
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR)—Institute on Membrane Technology (ITM), 87036 Rende (CS), Italy;
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (A.L.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia;
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Convergent BioNano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Antonella Leggio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (A.L.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (A.L.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
| | - Giovanni De Filpo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy;
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (A.L.); (F.I.); (F.P.N.)
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24
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Curcio M, Diaz-Gomez L, Cirillo G, Nicoletta FP, Leggio A, Iemma F. Dual-Targeted Hyaluronic Acid/Albumin Micelle-Like Nanoparticles for the Vectorization of Doxorubicin. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13030304. [PMID: 33652648 PMCID: PMC7996918 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13030304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug targeting of tumor cells is one of the great challenges in cancer therapy; nanoparticles based on natural polymers represent valuable tools to achieve this aim. The ability to respond to environmental signals from the pathological site (e.g., altered redox potential), together with the specific interaction with membrane receptors overexpressed on cancer cells membrane (e.g., CD44 receptors), represent the main features of actively targeted nanoparticles. In this work, redox-responsive micelle-like nanoparticles were prepared by self-assembling of a hyaluronic acid–human serum albumin conjugate containing cystamine moieties acting as a functional spacer. The conjugation procedure consisted of a reductive amination step of hyaluronic acid followed by condensation with albumin. After self-assembling, nanoparticles with a mean size of 70 nm and able to be destabilized in reducing media were obtained. Doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles modulated drug release rate in response to different redox conditions. Finally, the viability and uptake experiments on healthy (BALB-3T3) and metastatic cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells proved the potential applicability of the proposed system as a drug vector in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (G.C.); (F.P.N.); (A.L.); (F.I.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0984493011
| | - Luis Diaz-Gomez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma Group, Facultad de Farmacia and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (G.C.); (F.P.N.); (A.L.); (F.I.)
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (G.C.); (F.P.N.); (A.L.); (F.I.)
| | - Antonella Leggio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (G.C.); (F.P.N.); (A.L.); (F.I.)
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (G.C.); (F.P.N.); (A.L.); (F.I.)
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25
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Curcio M, Cirillo G, Rouaen JRC, Saletta F, Nicoletta FP, Vittorio O, Iemma F. Natural Polysaccharide Carriers in Brain Delivery: Challenge and Perspective. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E1183. [PMID: 33291284 PMCID: PMC7762150 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12121183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted drug delivery systems represent valuable tools to enhance the accumulation of therapeutics in the brain. Here, the presence of the blood brain barrier strongly hinders the passage of foreign substances, often limiting the effectiveness of pharmacological therapies. Among the plethora of materials used for the development of these systems, natural polysaccharides are attracting growing interest because of their biocompatibility, muco-adhesion, and chemical versatility which allow a wide range of carriers with tailored physico-chemical features to be synthetized. This review describes the state of the art in the field of targeted carriers based on natural polysaccharides over the last five years, focusing on the main targeting strategies, namely passive and active transport, stimuli-responsive materials and the administration route. In addition, in the last section, the efficacy of the reviewed carriers in each specific brain diseases is summarized and commented on in terms of enhancement of either blood brain barrier (BBB) permeation ability or drug bioavailability in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (F.P.N.); (F.I.)
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (F.P.N.); (F.I.)
| | - Jourdin R. C. Rouaen
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children’s Cancer Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2031, NSW, Australia; (J.R.C.R.); (F.S.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia
| | - Federica Saletta
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children’s Cancer Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2031, NSW, Australia; (J.R.C.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (F.P.N.); (F.I.)
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children’s Cancer Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2031, NSW, Australia; (J.R.C.R.); (F.S.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Convergent BioNano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (F.P.N.); (F.I.)
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26
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Aleotti F, Nenov A, Salvigni L, Bonfanti M, El-Tahawy MM, Giunchi A, Gentile M, Spallacci C, Ventimiglia A, Cirillo G, Montali L, Scurti S, Garavelli M, Conti I. Spectral Tuning and Photoisomerization Efficiency in Push-Pull Azobenzenes: Designing Principles. J Phys Chem A 2020; 124:9513-9523. [PMID: 33170012 PMCID: PMC8015210 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.0c08672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
![]()
This
work demonstrates how push–pull substitution can induce spectral tuning toward the
visible range and improve the photoisomerization efficiency of azobenzene-based
photoswitches, making them good candidates for technological and biological
applications. The red-shifted bright ππ* state (S2) behaves like the lower and more productive dark nπ*
(S1) state because less potential energy along the planar
bending mode is available to reach higher energy unproductive nπ*/S0 crossing regions, which are responsible for the lower quantum
yield of the parent compound. The stabilization of the bright ππ*
state and the consequent increase in isomerization efficiency may
be regulated via the strength of push–pull substituents. Finally, the torsional
mechanism is recognized here as the unique productive route because
structures with bending values attributable to the inversion mechanism
were never detected, out of the 280 ππ* time-dependent
density functional theory (RASPT2-validated) dynamics simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Aleotti
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Artur Nenov
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Salvigni
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Bonfanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Mohsen M El-Tahawy
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy.,Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, 22511 Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Andrea Giunchi
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marziogiuseppe Gentile
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician", Università di Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Spallacci
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessia Ventimiglia
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Montali
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Scurti
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Garavelli
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Irene Conti
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
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27
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Voli F, Valli E, Lerra L, Kimpton K, Saletta F, Giorgi FM, Mercatelli D, Rouaen JRC, Shen S, Murray JE, Ahmed-Cox A, Cirillo G, Mayoh C, Beavis PA, Haber M, Trapani JA, Kavallaris M, Vittorio O. Intratumoral Copper Modulates PD-L1 Expression and Influences Tumor Immune Evasion. Cancer Res 2020; 80:4129-4144. [PMID: 32816860 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic checkpoint antibodies blocking programmed death receptor 1/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling have radically improved clinical outcomes in cancer. However, the regulation of PD-L1 expression on tumor cells is still poorly understood. Here we show that intratumoral copper levels influence PD-L1 expression in cancer cells. Deep analysis of the The Cancer Genome Atlas database and tissue microarrays showed strong correlation between the major copper influx transporter copper transporter 1 (CTR-1) and PD-L1 expression across many cancers but not in corresponding normal tissues. Copper supplementation enhanced PD-L1 expression at mRNA and protein levels in cancer cells and RNA sequencing revealed that copper regulates key signaling pathways mediating PD-L1-driven cancer immune evasion. Conversely, copper chelators inhibited phosphorylation of STAT3 and EGFR and promoted ubiquitin-mediated degradation of PD-L1. Copper-chelating drugs also significantly increased the number of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T and natural killer cells, slowed tumor growth, and improved mouse survival. Overall, this study reveals an important role for copper in regulating PD-L1 and suggests that anticancer immunotherapy might be enhanced by pharmacologically reducing intratumor copper levels. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings characterize the role of copper in modulating PD-L1 expression and contributing to cancer immune evasion, highlighting the potential for repurposing copper chelators as enhancers of antitumor immunity. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/80/19/4129/F1.large.jpg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florida Voli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Emanuele Valli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Luigi Lerra
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kathleen Kimpton
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Federica Saletta
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Children's Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research Institute, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Federico M Giorgi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniele Mercatelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jourdin R C Rouaen
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sylvie Shen
- Cord & Marrow Transplant Facility, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jayne E Murray
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Aria Ahmed-Cox
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul A Beavis
- Rosie Lew Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joseph A Trapani
- Rosie Lew Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia. .,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia. .,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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28
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Curcio M, Farfalla A, Saletta F, Valli E, Pantuso E, Nicoletta FP, Iemma F, Vittorio O, Cirillo G. Functionalized Carbon Nanostructures Versus Drug Resistance: Promising Scenarios in Cancer Treatment. Molecules 2020; 25:E2102. [PMID: 32365886 PMCID: PMC7249046 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25092102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon nanostructures (CN) are emerging valuable materials for the assembly of highly engineered multifunctional nanovehicles for cancer therapy, in particular for counteracting the insurgence of multi-drug resistance (MDR). In this regard, carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene oxide (GO), and fullerenes (F) have been proposed as promising materials due to their superior physical, chemical, and biological features. The possibility to easily modify their surface, conferring tailored properties, allows different CN derivatives to be synthesized. Although many studies have explored this topic, a comprehensive review evaluating the beneficial use of functionalized CNT vs G or F is still missing. Within this paper, the most relevant examples of CN-based nanosystems proposed for MDR reversal are reviewed, taking into consideration the functionalization routes, as well as the biological mechanisms involved and the possible toxicity concerns. The main aim is to understand which functional CN represents the most promising strategy to be further investigated for overcoming MDR in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (A.F.); (E.P.); (F.P.N.); (F.I.)
| | - Annafranca Farfalla
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (A.F.); (E.P.); (F.P.N.); (F.I.)
| | - Federica Saletta
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children’s Cancer Institute, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (F.S.); (E.V.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Convergent BioNano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Emanuele Valli
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children’s Cancer Institute, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (F.S.); (E.V.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Elvira Pantuso
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (A.F.); (E.P.); (F.P.N.); (F.I.)
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (A.F.); (E.P.); (F.P.N.); (F.I.)
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (A.F.); (E.P.); (F.P.N.); (F.I.)
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children’s Cancer Institute, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (F.S.); (E.V.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Convergent BioNano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy; (M.C.); (A.F.); (E.P.); (F.P.N.); (F.I.)
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29
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Curcio M, Avena P, Cirillo G, Casaburi I, Spizzirri UG, Nicoletta FP, Iemma F, Pezzi V. Functional Albumin Nanoformulations to Fight Adrenocortical Carcinoma: a Redox-Responsive Approach. Pharm Res 2020; 37:55. [DOI: 10.1007/s11095-020-2775-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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30
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Cirillo G, Spizzirri UG, Curcio M, Nicoletta FP, Iemma F. Injectable Hydrogels for Cancer Therapy over the Last Decade. Pharmaceutics 2019; 11:E486. [PMID: 31546921 PMCID: PMC6781516 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11090486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The interest in injectable hydrogels for cancer treatment has been significantly growing over the last decade, due to the availability of a wide range of starting polymer structures with tailored features and high chemical versatility. Many research groups are working on the development of highly engineered injectable delivery vehicle systems suitable for combined chemo-and radio-therapy, as well as thermal and photo-thermal ablation, with the aim of finding out effective solutions to overcome the current obstacles of conventional therapeutic protocols. Within this work, we have reviewed and discussed the most recent injectable hydrogel systems, focusing on the structure and properties of the starting polymers, which are mainly classified into natural or synthetic sources. Moreover, mapping the research landscape of the fabrication strategies, the main outcome of each system is discussed in light of possible clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Umile Gianfranco Spizzirri
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
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31
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Cirillo G, Vittorio O, Kunhardt D, Valli E, Voli F, Farfalla A, Curcio M, Spizzirri UG, Hampel S. Combining Carbon Nanotubes and Chitosan for the Vectorization of Methotrexate to Lung Cancer Cells. Materials (Basel) 2019; 12:E2889. [PMID: 31500165 PMCID: PMC6766185 DOI: 10.3390/ma12182889] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A hybrid system composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes coated with chitosan was proposed as a pH-responsive carrier for the vectorization of methotrexate to lung cancer. The effective coating of the carbon nanostructure by chitosan, quantified (20% by weight) by thermogravimetric analysis, was assessed by combined scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (N1s signal), respectively. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy was used to characterize the interaction between polysaccharide and carbon counterparts. Methotrexate was physically loaded onto the nanohybrid and the release profiles showed a pH-responsive behavior with higher and faster release in acidic (pH 5.0) vs. neutral (pH 7.4) environments. Empty nanoparticles were found to be highly biocompatible in either healthy (MRC-5) or cancerous (H1299) cells, with the nanocarrier being effective in reducing the drug toxicity on MRC-5 while enhancing the anticancer activity on H1299.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cirillo
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Convergent BioNano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - David Kunhardt
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Emanuele Valli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Florida Voli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.
| | - Annafranca Farfalla
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - Umile Gianfranco Spizzirri
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - Silke Hampel
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
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32
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Yee EMH, Cirillo G, Brandl MB, Black DS, Vittorio O, Kumar N. Synthesis of Dextran-Phenoxodiol and Evaluation of Its Physical Stability and Biological Activity. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:183. [PMID: 31440502 PMCID: PMC6694440 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenoxodiol, an isoflavene anti-tumor agent, was conjugated on the polysaccharide dextran using immobilized laccase as biocatalyst. The success of the enzymatic conjugation was determined by UV-vis spectrophotometry and its functionalization degree was assessed by 1H NMR and was found to be 3.25 mg phenoxodiol/g of conjugate. An accelerated stability test showed that the resultant conjugate was nine times more stable than the free phenoxodiol when tested for its residual anti-oxidant activity with the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The in vitro anti-proliferative activity of the conjugate was evaluated against neuroblastoma SKN-BE(2)C, triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231, and glioblastoma U87 cancer cells. The conjugate was shown to be generally more potent than phenoxodiol against all three cell types tested. Additionally, the cytotoxicity and anti-angiogenic activity of the conjugate were also evaluated against non-malignant human lung fibroblast MRC-5 and human microvascular endothelial cells HMEC-1, respectively. The conjugate was found to be 1.5 times less toxic than phenoxodiol while mostly retaining 62% of its anti-angiogenic activity in the conjugate form. This study provides further evidence that the conjugation of natural product-derived drugs onto polysaccharide molecules such as dextran can lead to better stability and enhanced biological activity of the conjugate compared to the free drug alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene M. H. Yee
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Miriam B. Brandl
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David StC Black
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Naresh Kumar
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Voli F, Lerra L, Kimpton K, Saletta F, Shen S, Cirillo G, Kavallaris M, Vittorio O. Abstract 3224: Copper homeostasis: A new player in anti-tumor immune response. Cancer Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2019-3224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Immunotherapy has shown great potential for treating aggressive cancers and it is becoming the fourth and newest pillar of cancer therapy complementing surgery, cytotoxic therapy, and radiotherapy. In particular, immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have shown extraordinary clinical efficacy in several types of cancer.
This is because tumor cells express molecules, such as the Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1), to prevent immune cells activity (immune-evasion). The immune checkpoint protein Programmed Death receptor 1 (PD-1) expressed by lymphocytes instructs T-cells not to attack any tumor cell expressing PD-L1. Several therapies anti PD-1/PD-L1 have been approved by FDA, but concerns have been raised about their long term efficacy and safety. Therefore, there is a need for better understanding of the biology and the mechanisms regulating PD-1/PD-L1 axis, to develop different approaches to target this pathway. Drugs modulating the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of PD-L1 could represent new therapeutic strategies for increasing the efficacy and reducing side effects of the current anti PD-L1 antibodies.
Copper transporter 1 (CTR-1) and copper levels are elevated in tumors and the use of copper targeting agents is currently under intense investigations. It has been also reported that copper plays a major role in the immune-system, but its activity is unclear.
In this study we demonstrated that copper plays a key role in the expression of PD-L1 in cancer cells. Tissue microarrays from neuroblastoma (NB) and glioblastoma patients showed a significant correlation between CTR-1 and PD-L1 expression (p=0.00014 and p=0.012 respectively). In vitro experiments showed that downregulation of CTR-1 caused a decrease of intracellular copper which in turn led to a downregulation of PD-L1 expression in cancer cells. On the other hand, addition of copper into the media clearly induced PD-L1 upregulation. RNA-seq analysis revealed specific pathways and candidate genes associated with tumor copper homeostasis and PD-L1 expression. Consistently, Dextran-Catechin (DC) and TEPA, drugs reducing copper, were able to downregulate PD-L1 expression in tumors. In vivo studies showed that copper lowering drugs prolonged mice survival, and ex vivo immunohistochemistry staining confirmed the downregulation of CTR1 and PD-L1 expression. In addition, 24h and 48h of DC treatments showed an increase of tumor-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes and activated Natural Killer cells (NK) cells in NB immune-competent mouse model. In conclusion, there is a strong association between PD-L1 expression and intracellular copper levels. Copper dysregulating agents reduce PD-L1 in vitro and in vivo, highlighting the possibility to enhance tumor immune surveillance by targeting intracellular copper levels. This study shows the potential utility of copper targeting drugs to improve anti-cancer immunotherapies.
Citation Format: Florida Voli, Luigi Lerra, Kathleen Kimpton, Federica Saletta, Sylvie Shen, Giuseppe Cirillo, Maria Kavallaris, Orazio Vittorio. Copper homeostasis: A new player in anti-tumor immune response [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3224.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florida Voli
- 1Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Luigi Lerra
- 1Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Federica Saletta
- 2Kids Research Institute - The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Sylvie Shen
- 3Kids Cancer Centre - Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Makharza SA, Cirillo G, Vittorio O, Valli E, Voli F, Farfalla A, Curcio M, Iemma F, Nicoletta FP, El-Gendy AA, Goya GF, Hampel S. Magnetic Graphene Oxide Nanocarrier for Targeted Delivery of Cisplatin: A Perspective for Glioblastoma Treatment. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:E76. [PMID: 31109098 PMCID: PMC6631527 DOI: 10.3390/ph12020076] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective vectorization of Cisplatin (CisPt) to Glioblastoma U87 cells was exploited by the fabrication of a hybrid nanocarrier composed of magnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles and nanographene oxide (NGO). The magnetic component, obtained by annealing magnetite Fe3O4 and characterized by XRD measurements, was combined with NGO sheets prepared via a modified Hummer's method. The morphological and thermogravimetric analysis proved the effective binding of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles onto NGO layers. The magnetization measured under magnetic fields up to 7 Tesla at room temperature revealed superparamagnetic-like behavior with a maximum value of MS = 15 emu/g and coercivity HC ≈ 0 Oe within experimental error. The nanohybrid was found to possess high affinity towards CisPt, and a rather slow fractional release profile of 80% after 250 h. Negligible toxicity was observed for empty nanoparticles, while the retainment of CisPt anticancer activity upon loading into the carrier was observed, together with the possibility to spatially control the drug delivery at a target site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami A Makharza
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Hebron University, Hebron 00970, Palestine.
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), 87036 Rende, Italy.
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2031, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Convergent BioNano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia.
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia.
| | - Emanuele Valli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2031, Australia.
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia.
| | - Florida Voli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2031, Australia.
| | - Annafranca Farfalla
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), 87036 Rende, Italy.
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), 87036 Rende, Italy.
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), 87036 Rende, Italy.
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), 87036 Rende, Italy.
| | - Ahmed A El-Gendy
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
| | - Gerardo F Goya
- Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon (INA) & Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Silke Hampel
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
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di Luca M, Curcio M, Valli E, Cirillo G, Voli F, Butini ME, Farfalla A, Pantuso E, Leggio A, Nicoletta FP, Tavanti A, Iemma F, Vittorio O. Combining antioxidant hydrogels with self-assembled microparticles for multifunctional wound dressings. J Mater Chem B 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c9tb00871c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
A multi-functional composite to be employed as a dressing material was prepared by combining hydrogel and microparticle systems.
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Lerra L, Farfalla A, Sanz B, Cirillo G, Vittorio O, Voli F, Le Grand M, Curcio M, Nicoletta FP, Dubrovska A, Hampel S, Iemma F, Goya GF. Graphene Oxide Functional Nanohybrids with Magnetic Nanoparticles for Improved Vectorization of Doxorubicin to Neuroblastoma Cells. Pharmaceutics 2018; 11:E3. [PMID: 30583524 PMCID: PMC6359315 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [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: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
With the aim to obtain a site-specific doxorubicin (DOX) delivery in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, we designed an hybrid nanocarrier combining graphene oxide (GO) and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs), acting as core elements, and a curcumin⁻human serum albumin conjugate as functional coating. The nanohybrid, synthesized by redox reaction between the MNPs@GO system and albumin bioconjugate, consisted of MNPs@GO nanosheets homogeneously coated by the bioconjugate as verified by SEM investigations. Drug release experiments showed a pH-responsive behavior with higher release amounts in acidic (45% at pH 5.0) vs. neutral (28% at pH 7.4) environments. Cell internalization studies proved the presence of nanohybrid inside SH-SY5Y cytoplasm. The improved efficacy obtained in viability assays is given by the synergy of functional coating and MNPs constituting the nanohybrids: while curcumin moieties were able to keep low DOX cytotoxicity levels (at concentrations of 0.44⁻0.88 µM), the presence of MNPs allowed remote actuation on the nanohybrid by a magnetic field, increasing the dose delivered at the target site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Lerra
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.
| | - Annafranca Farfalla
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - Beatriz Sanz
- nB nanoSacale Biomagnetics SL, 50012 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Convergent BioNano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Florida Voli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.
| | - Marion Le Grand
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Convergent BioNano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-Oncoray, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Silke Hampel
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - Gerardo F Goya
- Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon (INA), Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain.
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Voli F, Lerra L, Kimpton K, Saletta F, Cirillo G, Kavallaris M, Vittorio O. Harnessing copper in cancer to enhance anti-tumor immune response. Ann Oncol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdy487.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Parmar A, Pascali G, Voli F, Lerra L, Yee E, Ahmed-Cox A, Kimpton K, Cirillo G, Arthur A, Zahra D, Rahardjo G, Liu GJ, Lengkeek N, Saletta F, Charil A, Kavallaris M, Vittorio O. In vivo [ 64Cu]CuCl 2 PET imaging reveals activity of Dextran-Catechin on tumor copper homeostasis. Theranostics 2018; 8:5645-5659. [PMID: 30555570 PMCID: PMC6276294 DOI: 10.7150/thno.29840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the strong clinical evidence that copper levels are significantly elevated in a wide spectrum of tumors, copper homeostasis is considered as an emerging target for anticancer drug design. Monitoring copper levels in vivo is therefore of paramount importance when assessing the efficacy of copper-targeting drugs. Herein, we investigated the activity of the copper-targeting compound Dextran-Catechin by developing a [64Cu]CuCl2 PET imaging protocol to monitor its effect on copper homeostasis in tumors. Methods: Protein expression of copper transporter 1 (CTR1) in tissue microarrays representing 90 neuroblastoma patient tumors was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Western blotting analysis was used to study the effect of Dextran-Catechin on the expression of CTR1 in neuroblastoma cell lines and in tumors. A preclinical human neuroblastoma xenograft model was used to study anticancer activity of Dextran-Catechin in vivo and its effect on tumor copper homeostasis. PET imaging with [64Cu]CuCl2 was performed in such preclinical neuroblastoma model to monitor alteration of copper levels in tumors during treatment. Results: CTR1 protein was found to be highly expressed in patient neuroblastoma tumors by immunohistochemistry. Treatment of neuroblastoma cell lines with Dextran-Catechin resulted in decreased levels of glutathione and in downregulation of CTR1 expression, which caused a significant decrease of intracellular copper. No changes in CTR1 expression was observed in normal human astrocytes after Dextran-Catechin treatment. In vivo studies and PET imaging analysis using the neuroblastoma preclinical model revealed elevated [64Cu]CuCl2 retention in the tumor mass. Following treatment with Dextran-Catechin, there was a significant reduction in radioactive uptake, as well as reduced tumor growth. Ex vivo analysis of tumors collected from Dextran-Catechin treated mice confirmed the reduced levels of CTR1. Interestingly, copper levels in blood were not affected by treatment, demonstrating potential tumor specificity of Dextran-Catechin activity. Conclusion: Dextran-Catechin mediates its activity by lowering CTR1 and intracellular copper levels in tumors. This finding further reveals a potential therapeutic strategy for targeting copper-dependent cancers and presents a novel PET imaging method to assess patient response to copper-targeting anticancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arvind Parmar
- The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia 2234
- The Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia 2050
| | - Giancarlo Pascali
- The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia 2234
- The Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia 2050
| | - Florida Voli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia 2031
| | - Luigi Lerra
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia 2031
| | - Eugene Yee
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia 2031
| | - Aria Ahmed-Cox
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia 2031
| | - Kathleen Kimpton
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia 2031
| | | | - Andrew Arthur
- The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia 2234
| | - David Zahra
- The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia 2234
| | - Gita Rahardjo
- The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia 2234
| | - Guo Jun Liu
- The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia 2234
- The Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia 2050
| | - Nigel Lengkeek
- The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia 2234
| | - Federica Saletta
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia 2145
| | - Arnaud Charil
- The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia 2234
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia 2031
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Convergent BioNano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia 2052
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia 2052
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia 2031
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Convergent BioNano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia 2052
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia 2052
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di Luca M, Vittorio O, Cirillo G, Curcio M, Czuban M, Voli F, Farfalla A, Hampel S, Nicoletta FP, Iemma F. Electro-responsive graphene oxide hydrogels for skin bandages: The outcome of gelatin and trypsin immobilization. Int J Pharm 2018; 546:50-60. [PMID: 29758346 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2018.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A free radical polymerization method was adopted for the fabrication of hybrid hydrogel films based on acrylamide and polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate as plasticizing and crosslinking agents, respectively, to be employed as smart skin bandages. Electro-sensitivity, biocompatibility and proteolytic properties were conferred to the final polymer networks by introducing graphene oxide (0.5% w/w), gelatin or trypsin (10% w/w) in the polymerization feed. The physical chemical and mechanical characterization of hybrid materials was performed by means of determination of protein content, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and measurement of tensile strength. The evaluation of both water affinity and curcumin release profiles (analyzed by suitable mathematical modelling) upon application of an external electric stimulation in the 0-48 voltage range, confirmed the possibility to modulate the release kinetics. Proper proteolytic tests showed that the trypsin enzymatic activity was retained by 80% upon immobilization. Moreover, for all samples, we observed a viability higher than 94% in normal human fibroblast cells (MRC-5), while a reduction of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus CFU mL-1 (90%) was obtained with curcumin loaded samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariagrazia di Luca
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of New South Wales, NSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy.
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Magdalena Czuban
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Florida Voli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Annafranca Farfalla
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Silke Hampel
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01171 Dresden, Germany
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
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Curcio M, Mauro L, Naimo GD, Amantea D, Cirillo G, Tavano L, Casaburi I, Nicoletta FP, Alvarez-Lorenzo C, Iemma F. Facile synthesis of pH-responsive polymersomes based on lipidized PEG for intracellular co-delivery of curcumin and methotrexate. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2018; 167:568-576. [PMID: 29738983 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.04.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
pH-responsive polymersomes were obtained by self-assembling of a carboxyl-terminated PEG amphiphile achieved via esterification of PEG diacid with PEG40stearate. The obtained vesicular systems had spherical shape and a mean diameter of 70 nm. The pH sensitivity was assessed by measuring the variations of particles mean diameter after incubation in media mimicking the physiological (pH 7.4) or tumor (pH 5.0) conditions, recording a significant increase of the vesicles dimensions at acidic pH. The ability of the polymersomes to carry both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs was evaluated by loading the vesicles with curcumin and methotrexate, respectively, obtaining high encapsulation efficiencies and pH-dependent release profiles. The drug-loaded polymeric vesicles exhibited improved cytotoxic potential against MCF-7 cancer cell line and were found to be highly hemocompatible. Finally, cellular uptake experiments on MCF-7 cancer cells were conducted to demonstrate the ability of the designed polymersomes to enhance drug penetration inside the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - Loredana Mauro
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Giuseppina Daniela Naimo
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Diana Amantea
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Lorena Tavano
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Ivan Casaburi
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, R+D Pharma Group (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende (CS), Italy
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Vittorio O, Brandl M, Cirillo G, Kimpton K, Hinde E, Gaus K, Yee E, Kumar N, Duong H, Fleming C, Haber M, Norris M, Boyer C, Kavallaris M. Dextran-Catechin: An anticancer chemically-modified natural compound targeting copper that attenuates neuroblastoma growth. Oncotarget 2018; 7:47479-47493. [PMID: 27374085 PMCID: PMC5216955 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is frequently diagnosed at advanced stage disease and treatment includes high dose chemotherapy and surgery. Despite the use of aggressive therapy survival rates are poor and children that survive their disease experience long term side effects from their treatment, highlighting the need for effective and less toxic therapies. Catechin is a natural polyphenol with anti-cancer properties and limited side effects, however its mechanism of action is unknown. Here we report that Dextran-Catechin, a conjugated form of catechin that increases serum stability, is preferentially and markedly active against neuroblastoma cells having high levels of intracellular copper, without affecting non-malignant cells. Copper transporter 1 (CTR1) is the main transporter of copper in mammalian cells and it is upregulated in neuroblastoma. Functional studies showed that depletion of CTR1 expression reduced intracellular copper levels and led to a decrease in neuroblastoma cell sensitivity to Dextran-Catechin, implicating copper in the activity of this compound. Mechanistically, Dextran-Catechin was found to react with copper, inducing oxidative stress and decreasing glutathione levels, an intracellular antioxidant and regulator of copper homeostasis. In vivo, Dextran-Catechin significantly attenuated tumour growth in human xenograft and syngeneic models of neuroblastoma. Thus, Dextran-Catechin targets copper, inhibits tumour growth, and may be valuable in the treatment of aggressive neuroblastoma and other cancers dependent on copper for their growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Australian Centre for NanoMedicine and ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Miriam Brandl
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Australian Centre for NanoMedicine and ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria Arcavacata di Rende, Arcavacata, Rende CS, Italy
| | - Kathleen Kimpton
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Hinde
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katharina Gaus
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Eugene Yee
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Naresh Kumar
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hien Duong
- School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Claudia Fleming
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Murray Norris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,University of New South Wales Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cyrille Boyer
- School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Australian Centre for NanoMedicine and ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Vittorio O, Le Grand M, Makharza SA, Curcio M, Tucci P, Iemma F, Nicoletta FP, Hampel S, Cirillo G. Doxorubicin synergism and resistance reversal in human neuroblastoma BE(2)C cell lines: An in vitro study with dextran-catechin nanohybrids. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2017; 122:176-185. [PMID: 29129733 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hybrid nanocarrier consisting in nanographene oxide coated by a dextran-catechin conjugate was proposed in the efforts to find more efficient Neuroblastoma treatment with Doxorubicin chemotherapy. The dextran-catechin conjugate was prepared by immobilized laccase catalysis and its peculiar reducing ability exploited for the synthesis of the hybrid carrier. Raman spectra and DSC thermograms were recorded to check the physicochemical properties of the nanohybrid, while DLS measurements, SEM, TEM, and AFM microscopy allowed the determination of its morphological and dimensional features. A pH dependent Doxorubicin release was observed, with 30 and 75% doxorubicin released at pH 7.4 and 5.0, respectively. Viability assays on parental BE(2)C and resistant BE(2)C/ADR cell lines proved that the high anticancer activity of dextran-catechin conjugate (IC50 19.9 ± 0.6 and 18.4 ± 0.7 µg mL-1) was retained upon formation of the nanohybrids (IC50 24.8 ± 0.7 and 22.9 ± 1 µg mL-1). Combination therapy showed a synergistic activity between doxorubicin and either bioconjugate or nanocarrier on BE(2)C. More interestingly, on BE(2)C/ADR we recorded both the reversion of doxorubicin resistance mechanism as a consequence of decreased P-gp expression (Western Blot analysis) and a synergistic effect on cell viability, confirming the proposed nanohybrid as a very promising starting point for further research in neuroblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of New South Wales, NSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Marion Le Grand
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of New South Wales, NSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sami A Makharza
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Hebron University, Hebron, Palestine
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Paola Tucci
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Silke Hampel
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01171 Dresden, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
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Santoro C, Giugliano T, Melone MAB, Cirillo M, Schettino C, Bernardo P, Cirillo G, Perrotta S, Piluso G. Multiple spinal nerve enlargement and SOS1 mutation: Further evidence of overlap between neurofibromatosis type 1 and Noonan phenotype. Clin Genet 2017; 93:138-143. [PMID: 28456002 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [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: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) has long been considered a well-defined, recognizable monogenic disorder, with neurofibromas constituting a pathognomonic sign. This dogma has been challenged by recent descriptions of patients with enlarged nerves or paraspinal tumors, suggesting that neurogenic tumors and hypertrophic neuropathy may be a complication of Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (NSML) or RASopathy phenotype. We describe a 15-year-old boy, whose mother previously received clinical diagnosis of NF1 due to presence of bilateral cervical and lumbar spinal lesions resembling plexiform neurofibromas and features suggestive of NS. NF1 molecular analysis was negative in the mother. The boy presented with Noonan features, multiple lentigines and pectus excavatum. Next-generation sequencing analysis of all RASopathy genes identified p.Ser548Arg missense mutation in SOS1 in the boy, confirmed in his mother. Brain and spinal magnetic resonance imaging scans were negative in the boy. No heart involvement or deafness was observed in proband or mother. This is the first report of a SOS1 mutation associated with hypertrophic neuropathy resembling plexiform neurofibromas, a rare complication in Noonan phenotypes with mutations in RASopathy genes. Our results highlight the overlap between RASopathies, suggesting that NF1 diagnostic criteria need rethinking. Genetic analysis of RASopathy genes should be considered when diagnosis is uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Santoro
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino e della Chirurgia generale e specialistica, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - T Giugliano
- Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Patologia Generale, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - M A B Melone
- Divisione di Neurologia, Dipartimento Medico-Chirurgico di Internistica Clinica e Sperimentale "F. Magrassi e A. Lanzara", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.,Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Neuroscienze (CIRN), Naples, Italy
| | - M Cirillo
- Prima Divisione di Neurologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche, Neurologiche, Metaboliche e dell'Invecchiamento, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - C Schettino
- Divisione di Neurologia, Dipartimento Medico-Chirurgico di Internistica Clinica e Sperimentale "F. Magrassi e A. Lanzara", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - P Bernardo
- Dipartimento di Salute Mentale, Fisica e Medicina Preventiva, Clinica di Neuropsichiatria Infantile, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - G Cirillo
- Prima Divisione di Neurologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche, Neurologiche, Metaboliche e dell'Invecchiamento, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - S Perrotta
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino e della Chirurgia generale e specialistica, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - G Piluso
- Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Patologia Generale, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Curcio M, Diaz-Gomez L, Cirillo G, Concheiro A, Iemma F, Alvarez-Lorenzo C. pH/redox dual-sensitive dextran nanogels for enhanced intracellular drug delivery. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2017; 117:324-332. [PMID: 28478161 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
pH/redox dual-responsive nanogels (DEX-SS) were prepared by precipitation polymerization of methacrylated dextran (DEXMA), 2-aminoethylmethacrylate (AEMA) and N,N'-bis(acryloyl)cystamine (BAC), and then loaded with methotrexate (MTX). Nanogels were spherical and exhibited homogeneous size distribution (460nm, PDI<0.30) as observed using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). DEX-SS were sensitive to the variations of pH and redox environment. Nanogels incubated in buffer pH 5.0 containing 10mM glutathione (GSH) synergistically increased the mean diameter and the PDI to 750nm and 0.42, respectively. In vitro release experiments were performed at pH 7.4 and 5.0 with and without GSH. The cumulative release of MTX in pH 5.0 medium with 10mMGSH was 5-fold higher than that recorded at pH 7.4 without GSH. Fibroblasts and tumor cells were used to tests the effects of blank DEX-SS and MTX@DEX-SS nanogels on cell viability. Remarkable influence of pH on nanogels internalization into HeLa cells was evidenced by means of confocal microscopy and flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy.
| | - Luis Diaz-Gomez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, R+DPharma Group (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782-Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Angel Concheiro
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, R+DPharma Group (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782-Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, R+DPharma Group (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782-Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Abstract
Nanotechnology can offer different solutions for enhancing the therapeutic efficiency of polyphenols, a class of natural products widely explored for a potential applicability for the treatment of different diseases including cancer. While possessing interesting anticancer properties, polyphenols suffer from low stability and unfavorable pharmacokinetics, and thus suitable carriers are required when planning a therapeutic protocol. In the present review, an overview of the different strategies based on polymeric materials is presented, with the aim to highlight the strengths and the weaknesses of each approach and offer a platform of ideas for researchers working in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orazio Vittorio
- a UNSW Australia, Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center and ARC Center of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Center for NanoMedicine , Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Manuela Curcio
- b Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science , University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende , Italy
| | - Monica Cojoc
- c OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Dresden , Germany
| | - Gerardo F Goya
- d Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon (INA) and Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Zaragoza , Zaragoza , Spain
| | - Silke Hampel
- e Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden , Dresden , Germany , and
| | - Francesca Iemma
- b Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science , University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende , Italy
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- c OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Dresden , Germany.,f German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- b Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Science , University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende , Italy
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46
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Cirillo G, Di Pino G, Capone F, Ranieri F, Florio L, Todisco V, Tedeschi G, Funke K, Di Lazzaro V. Neurobiological after-effects of non-invasive brain stimulation. Brain Stimul 2017; 10:1-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2016.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
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47
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Cirillo G, Restuccia D, Curcio M, Iemma F, Spizzirri UG. Food Analysis: A Brief Overview. Food Saf (Tokyo) 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/9781119160588.ch1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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48
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Kunz-Schughart LA, Dubrovska A, Peitzsch C, Ewe A, Aigner A, Schellenburg S, Muders MH, Hampel S, Cirillo G, Iemma F, Tietze R, Alexiou C, Stephan H, Zarschler K, Vittorio O, Kavallaris M, Parak WJ, Mädler L, Pokhrel S. Nanoparticles for radiooncology: Mission, vision, challenges. Biomaterials 2016; 120:155-184. [PMID: 28063356 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [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: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading non-communicable diseases with highest mortality rates worldwide. About half of all cancer patients receive radiation treatment in the course of their disease. However, treatment outcome and curative potential of radiotherapy is often impeded by genetically and/or environmentally driven mechanisms of tumor radioresistance and normal tissue radiotoxicity. While nanomedicine-based tools for imaging, dosimetry and treatment are potential keys to the improvement of therapeutic efficacy and reducing side effects, radiotherapy is an established technique to eradicate the tumor cells. In order to progress the introduction of nanoparticles in radiooncology, due to the highly interdisciplinary nature, expertise in chemistry, radiobiology and translational research is needed. In this report recent insights and promising policies to design nanotechnology-based therapeutics for tumor radiosensitization will be discussed. An attempt is made to cover the entire field from preclinical development to clinical studies. Hence, this report illustrates (1) the radio- and tumor-biological rationales for combining nanostructures with radiotherapy, (2) tumor-site targeting strategies and mechanisms of cellular uptake, (3) biological response hypotheses for new nanomaterials of interest, and (4) challenges to translate the research findings into clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leoni A Kunz-Schughart
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Peitzsch
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander Ewe
- Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | - Achim Aigner
- Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | - Samuel Schellenburg
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael H Muders
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Silke Hampel
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden, 01171 Dresden, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Rainer Tietze
- ENT-Department, Section for Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius Professorship, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Alexiou
- ENT-Department, Section for Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius Professorship, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Holger Stephan
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01314 Dresden, Germany
| | - Kristof Zarschler
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01314 Dresden, Germany
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology and Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, Sydney, UNSW, Australia
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology and Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, Sydney, UNSW, Australia
| | - Wolfgang J Parak
- Fachbereich Physik, Philipps Universität Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany; CIC Biomagune, 20009 San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Lutz Mädler
- Foundation Institute of Materials Science (IWT), Department of Production Engineering, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Suman Pokhrel
- Foundation Institute of Materials Science (IWT), Department of Production Engineering, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
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49
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Vittorio O, Cojoc M, Curcio M, Spizzirri UG, Hampel S, Nicoletta FP, Iemma F, Dubrovska A, Kavallaris M, Cirillo G. Polyphenol Conjugates by Immobilized Laccase: The Green Synthesis of Dextran-Catechin. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.201600046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Orazio Vittorio
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia; Randwick 2031 NSW Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology and Australian Centre for NanoMedicine; UNSW Australia; Sydney 2052 NSW Australia
| | - Monica Cojoc
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology; Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus; Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf; Fetscherstr. 74 01307 Dresden Germany
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Science; University of Calabria; Rende 87036 Italy
| | | | - Silke Hampel
- Leibniz Institute of Solid State and Material Research Dresden; 01171 Dresden Germany
| | - Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Science; University of Calabria; Rende 87036 Italy
| | - Francesca Iemma
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Science; University of Calabria; Rende 87036 Italy
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology; Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus; Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf; Fetscherstr. 74 01307 Dresden Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ); 69120 Heidelberg Germany
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia; Randwick 2031 NSW Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology and Australian Centre for NanoMedicine; UNSW Australia; Sydney 2052 NSW Australia
| | - Giuseppe Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Science; University of Calabria; Rende 87036 Italy
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50
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Grandone A, Torella A, Santoro C, Giugliano T, Del Vecchio Blanco F, Mutarelli M, Cirillo M, Cirillo G, Piluso G, Capristo C, Festa A, Marzuillo P, Miraglia Del Giudice E, Perrone L, Nigro V. Expanding the phenotype of RTTN variations: a new family with primary microcephaly, severe growth failure, brain malformations and dermatitis. Clin Genet 2016; 90:445-450. [PMID: 26940245 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Primary autosomal recessive microcephaly (MCPH) is a developmental disorder characterized by prenatal onset of abnormal brain growth. MCPH occurs both alone and as part of a broad range of neurodevelopmental syndromes with or without cortical malformations and growth retardation. Here we report a consanguineous Moroccan family with two siblings affected by severe primary microcephaly, failure to thrive, congenital dermatitis and severe developmental delay. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed lissencephaly of frontal lobes and periventricular heterotopia of the gray matter. We performed both Comparative Genomic Hybridization array and whole exome sequencing (WES) analyses of the kindred. No quantitative defects were detected. However, WES identified a new homozygous missense variation in the penultimate nucleotide of exon 23 of RTTN gene (c.2953A>G;pArg985Gly). cDNA sequencing revealed two abnormal spliced products, one lacking only exon 23 and the other lacking exons 22 and 23 (out-of-frame). RTTN is a protein involved in cilia structure and function. Homozygous mutations in RTTN gene have been described in bilateral diffuse isolated polymicrogyria and, more recently, in microcephalic primordial dwarfism (PD). We found a novel homozygous mutation in RTTN associated with microcephalic PD as well as complex brain malformations and congenital dermatitis, thus expanding the phenotypic spectrum of both RTTN-associated diseases and ciliary dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Grandone
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino, di Chirurgia Generale e Specialistica, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - A Torella
- Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Patologia Generale, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - C Santoro
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino, di Chirurgia Generale e Specialistica, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - T Giugliano
- Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Patologia Generale, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - F Del Vecchio Blanco
- Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Patologia Generale, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - M Mutarelli
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - M Cirillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche, Neurologiche, Metaboliche e dell'Invecchiamento, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - G Cirillo
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino, di Chirurgia Generale e Specialistica, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - G Piluso
- Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Patologia Generale, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - C Capristo
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino, di Chirurgia Generale e Specialistica, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - A Festa
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino, di Chirurgia Generale e Specialistica, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - P Marzuillo
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino, di Chirurgia Generale e Specialistica, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - E Miraglia Del Giudice
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino, di Chirurgia Generale e Specialistica, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - L Perrone
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino, di Chirurgia Generale e Specialistica, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - V Nigro
- Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Patologia Generale, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy. , .,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli (NA), Italy. ,
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