1
|
Adorinni S, Gentile S, Bellotto O, Kralj S, Parisi E, Cringoli MC, Deganutti C, Malloci G, Piccirilli F, Pengo P, Vaccari L, Geremia S, Vargiu AV, De Zorzi R, Marchesan S. Peptide Stereochemistry Effects from p Ka-Shift to Gold Nanoparticle Templating in a Supramolecular Hydrogel. ACS Nano 2024; 18:3011-3022. [PMID: 38235673 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c08004] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The divergent supramolecular behavior of a series of tripeptide stereoisomers was elucidated through spectroscopic, microscopic, crystallographic, and computational techniques. Only two epimers were able to effectively self-organize into amphipathic structures, leading to supramolecular hydrogels or crystals, respectively. Despite the similarity between the two peptides' turn conformations, stereoconfiguration led to different abilities to engage in intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Self-assembly further shifted the pKa value of the C-terminal side chain. As a result, across the pH range 4-6, only one epimer predominated sufficiently as a zwitterion to reach the critical molar fraction, allowing gelation. By contrast, the differing pKa values and higher dipole moment of the other epimer favored crystallization. The four stereoisomers were further tested for gold nanoparticle (AuNP) formation, with the supramolecular hydrogel being the key to control and stabilize AuNPs, yielding a nanocomposite that catalyzed the photodegradation of a dye. Importantly, the AuNP formation occurred without the use of reductants other than the peptide, and the redox chemistry was investigated by LC-MS, NMR, and infrared scattering-type near field optical microscopy (IR s-SNOM). This study provides important insights for the rational design of simple peptides as minimalistic and green building blocks for functional nanocomposites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Adorinni
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Gentile
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Ottavia Bellotto
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Slavko Kralj
- Materials Synthesis Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Evelina Parisi
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Maria C Cringoli
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Caterina Deganutti
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliano Malloci
- Physics Department, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Federica Piccirilli
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
- Area Science Park, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Pengo
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
| | - Silvano Geremia
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Attilio V Vargiu
- Physics Department, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rita De Zorzi
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Unit of Trieste, INSTM, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Birarda G, Badetti E, Cagnato C, Sorrentino G, Pantyukhina I, Stani C, Dal Zilio S, Khlopachev G, Covalenco S, Obada T, Skakun N, Sinitsyn A, Terekhina V, Marcomini A, Lubritto C, Cefarin N, Vaccari L, Longo L. Morpho-chemical characterization of individual ancient starches retrieved on ground stone tools from Palaeolithic sites in the Pontic steppe. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21713. [PMID: 38065952 PMCID: PMC10709628 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46970-8] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the extensive literature on the retrieval of digestible starches from archaeological contexts, there are still significant concerns regarding their genuine origin and durability. Here, we propose a multi-analytical strategy to identify the authenticity of ancient starches retrieved from macrolithic tools excavated at Upper Paleolithic sites in the Pontic steppe. This strategy integrates the morphological discrimination of starches through optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with single starch chemo-profiling using Fourier transform infrared imaging and microscopy. We obtained evidence of aging and biomineralization in the use-related starches from Palaeolithic sites, providing a methodology to establish their ancient origin, assess their preservation status, and attempt their identification. The pivotal application of this multidisciplinar approach demonstrates that the macrolithic tools, from which starches were dislodged, were used for food-processing across the Pontic Steppe around 40,000 years ago during the earliest colonization of Eurasia by Homo sapiens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Birarda
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 - km 163,5 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
| | - E Badetti
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172, Mestre, VE, Italy
| | - C Cagnato
- UMR 8096 Archéologie des Amériques, CNRS, Université Paris 1 - Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris, France
- UMR7268 Anthropologie Bio-Culturelle, Droit, Ethique et Santé (ADES), Marseille, France
| | - G Sorrentino
- Department of Physics, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 1, 10125, Turin, Italy
| | - I Pantyukhina
- Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnology, Far-Eastern Branch, IHAE-FEB RAS, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - C Stani
- CERIC-ERIC, S.S. 14 - km 163,5 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - S Dal Zilio
- CNR IOM, S.S. 14 - km 163,5 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - G Khlopachev
- Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (the Kunstkamera) of the Russian Academy of Science, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - S Covalenco
- Institute of Cultural Heritage, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Chişinău, Moldova
| | - T Obada
- Institute of Zoology, National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History of Moldova, Chişinău, Moldova
| | - N Skakun
- Institute for the History of Material Culture, IHC-RAS, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - A Sinitsyn
- Institute for the History of Material Culture, IHC-RAS, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - V Terekhina
- Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (the Kunstkamera) of the Russian Academy of Science, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Institute for the History of Material Culture, IHC-RAS, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - A Marcomini
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172, Mestre, VE, Italy
| | - C Lubritto
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Caserta "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - N Cefarin
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 - km 163,5 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - L Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 - km 163,5 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - L Longo
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172, Mestre, VE, Italy.
- ADM School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gavioli G, Razzoli A, Bedolla DE, Di Bartolomeo E, Quartieri E, Iotti B, Berni P, Birarda G, Vaccari L, Schiroli D, Marraccini C, Baricchi R, Merolle L. Cryopreservation affects platelet macromolecular composition over time after thawing and differently impacts on cancer cells behavior in vitro. Platelets 2023; 34:2281943. [PMID: 38010129 DOI: 10.1080/09537104.2023.2281943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Cryopreservation affects platelets' function, questioning their use for cancer patients. We aimed to investigate the biochemical events that occur over time after thawing to optimize transfusion timing and evaluate the effect of platelet supernatants on tumor cell behavior in vitro. We compared fresh (Fresh-PLT) with Cryopreserved platelets (Cryo-PLT) at 1 h, 3 h and 6 h after thawing. MCF-7 and HL-60 cells were cultured with Fresh- or 1 h Cryo-PLT supernatants to investigate cell proliferation, migration, and PLT-cell adhesion. We noticed a significant impairment of hemostatic activity accompanied by a post-thaw decrease of CD42b+ , which identifies the CD62P--population. FTIR spectroscopy revealed a decrease in the total protein content together with changes in their conformational structure, which identified two sub-groups: 1) Fresh and 1 h Cryo-PLT; 2) 3 h and 6 h cryo-PLT. Extracellular vesicle shedding and phosphatidylserine externalization (PS) increased after thawing. Cryo-PLT supernatants inhibited cell proliferation, impaired MCF-7 cell migration, and reduced ability to adhere to tumor cells. Within the first 3 hours after thawing, irreversible alterations of biomolecular structure occur in Cryo-PLT. Nevertheless, Cryo-PLT should be considered safe for the transfusion of cancer patients because of their insufficient capability to promote cancer cell proliferation, adhesion, or migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Gavioli
- AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Transfusion Medicine Unit, Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Agnese Razzoli
- AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Transfusion Medicine Unit, Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Diana E Bedolla
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, Basovizza, Italy
- Molecular Pathology Lab, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park, Trieste, Italy
- Center for Biospectroscopy and School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Eleonora Quartieri
- AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Transfusion Medicine Unit, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Barbara Iotti
- AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Transfusion Medicine Unit, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Pamela Berni
- AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Transfusion Medicine Unit, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, Basovizza, Italy
| | - Davide Schiroli
- AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Transfusion Medicine Unit, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Chiara Marraccini
- AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Transfusion Medicine Unit, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Roberto Baricchi
- AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Transfusion Medicine Unit, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Lucia Merolle
- AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Transfusion Medicine Unit, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Caldiroli A, Cappelletti S, Birarda G, Redaelli A, Adele Riboldi S, Stani C, Vaccari L, Piccirilli F. Infrared nanospectroscopy depth-dependent study of modern materials: morpho-chemical analysis of polyurethane/fibroin binary meshes. Analyst 2023. [PMID: 37403827 DOI: 10.1039/d3an00336a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Infrared scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (IR s-SNOM) and imaging is here exploited together with attenuated total reflection (ATR) IR imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to depict the chemical composition of fibers in hybrid electrospun meshes. The focus is on a recently developed bio-hybrid material for vascular tissue engineering applications, named Silkothane®, obtained in the form of nanofibrous matrices from the processing of a silk fibroin-polyurethane (SFPU) blend via electrospinning. Morphology and chemistry of single fibers, at both surface and subsurface level, have been successfully characterized with nanoscale resolution, taking advantage of the IR s-SNOM capability to portray the nanoscale depth profile of this modern material working at diverse harmonics of the signal. The applied methodology allowed to describe the superficial characteristics of the mesh up to a depth of about 100 nm, showing that SF and PU do not tend to co-aggregate to form hybrid fibers, at least at the length scale of hundreds of nanometers, and that subdomains other than the fibrillar ones can be present. More generally, in the present contribution, the depth profiling capabilities of IR s-SNOM, so far theoretically predicted and experimentally proven only on model systems, have been corroborated on a real material in its natural conditions with respect to production, opening the room for the exploitation of IR s-SNOM as valuable technique to support the production and the engineering of nanostructured materials by the precise understanding of their chemistry at the interface with the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Caldiroli
- Dialybrid Srl, Cantù, Italy
- Bioengineering Laboratories, Cantú, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Marmiroli M, Birarda G, Gallo V, Villani M, Zappettini A, Vaccari L, Marmiroli N, Pagano L. Cadmium Sulfide Quantum Dots, Mitochondrial Function and Environmental Stress: A Mechanistic Reconstruction through In Vivo Cellular Approaches in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2023; 13:1944. [PMID: 37446460 DOI: 10.3390/nano13131944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Research on the effects of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) on mitochondria, which represent one of the main actors in cell function, highlighted effects on ROS production, gametogenesis and organellar genome replication. Specifically, the mitochondrial effects of cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs) exposure can be observed through the variation in enzymatic kinetics at the level of the respiratory chain and also by analyzing modifications of reagent and products in term of the bonds created and disrupted during the reactions through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). This study investigated both in intact cells and in isolated mitochondria to observe the response to CdS QDs treatment at the level of electron transport chain in the wild-type yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in the deletion mutant Δtom5, whose function is implicated in nucleo-mitochondrial protein trafficking. The changes observed in wild type and Δtom5 strains in terms of an increase or decrease in enzymatic activity (ranging between 1 and 2 folds) also differed according to the genetic background of the strains and the respiratory chain functionality during the CdS QDs treatment performed. Results were confirmed by FTIR, where a clear difference between the QD effects in the wild type and in the mutant strain, Δtom5, was observed. The utilization of these genetic and biochemical approaches is instrumental to clarify the mitochondrial mechanisms implicated in response to these types of ENMs and to the stress response that follows the exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Marmiroli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra, Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14-km 163.5 in AREA Science Park, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Valentina Gallo
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Villani
- Istituto dei Materiali per l'Elettronica e il Magnetismo, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IMEM-CNR), 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Zappettini
- Istituto dei Materiali per l'Elettronica e il Magnetismo, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IMEM-CNR), 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra, Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14-km 163.5 in AREA Science Park, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Nelson Marmiroli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per le Scienze Ambientali (CINSA), University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Pagano
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per le Scienze Ambientali (CINSA), University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bordiga M, Lupi C, Langer G, Gianoncelli A, Birarda G, Pollastri S, Bonanni V, Bedolla DE, Vaccari L, Gariani G, Cerino F, Cabrini M, Beran A, Zuccotti M, Fiorentino G, Zanoni M, Garagna S, Cobianchi M, Di Giulio A. Unexpected silicon localization in calcium carbonate exoskeleton of cultured and fossil coccolithophores. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7417. [PMID: 37150777 PMCID: PMC10164752 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34003-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Coccolithophores, marine calcifying phytoplankton, are important primary producers impacting the global carbon cycle at different timescales. Their biomineral structures, the calcite containing coccoliths, are among the most elaborate hard parts of any organism. Understanding the morphogenesis of coccoliths is not only relevant in the context of coccolithophore eco-physiology but will also inform biomineralization and crystal design research more generally. The recent discovery of a silicon (Si) requirement for crystal shaping in some coccolithophores has opened up a new avenue of biomineralization research. In order to develop a mechanistic understanding of the role of Si, the presence and localization of this chemical element in coccoliths needs to be known. Here, we document for the first time the uneven Si distribution in Helicosphaera carteri coccoliths through three synchrotron-based techniques employing X-ray Fluorescence and Infrared Spectromicroscopy. The enrichment of Si in specific areas of the coccoliths point to a targeted role of this element in the coccolith formation. Our findings mark a key step in biomineralization research because it opens the door for a detailed mechanistic understanding of the role Si plays in shaping coccolith crystals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Bordiga
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS, Via Auguste Piccard 54, 34151, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - C Lupi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - G Langer
- ICTA, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - A Gianoncelli
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5 in Area Science Park, 34049, Trieste-Basovizza, Italy
| | - G Birarda
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5 in Area Science Park, 34049, Trieste-Basovizza, Italy
| | - S Pollastri
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5 in Area Science Park, 34049, Trieste-Basovizza, Italy
| | - V Bonanni
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5 in Area Science Park, 34049, Trieste-Basovizza, Italy
| | - D E Bedolla
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5 in Area Science Park, 34049, Trieste-Basovizza, Italy
- AREA Science Park, Padriciano 99, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - L Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5 in Area Science Park, 34049, Trieste-Basovizza, Italy
| | - G Gariani
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5 in Area Science Park, 34049, Trieste-Basovizza, Italy
| | - F Cerino
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS, Via Auguste Piccard 54, 34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - M Cabrini
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS, Via Auguste Piccard 54, 34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - A Beran
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS, Via Auguste Piccard 54, 34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - M Zuccotti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - G Fiorentino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - M Zanoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - S Garagna
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - M Cobianchi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - A Di Giulio
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Salman A, Lupi S, Vaccari L, Piccirilli F, Eid MM. FTIR microscopy evaluation of the immunogenicity of eco-friendly γFe 2O 3@Ag@Cs nanocomposite as a platform for the discovery and screening of vaccine adjuvants. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2023; 287:122087. [PMID: 36417818 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2022.122087] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Core-shell nanoparticles have been extensively researched, particularly as multimodal for medical applications. Scientists are interested in combining the optical properties of nano-plasmonic nanoparticles with the magnetic properties of super-paramagnetic nanoparticles. This combination is very important because it reduces metal toxicity and improves nanoparticle targeting. Tuning the shape and size of the nanoparticles significantly reflects their properties and applications. In previous study, we assessed the SPION@Ag@chitosan core-shell nanocomposite (γFe2O3@Ag@Cs NCs) toxicity both in vitro and preclinically in vivo, using traditional toxicological assessment and biochemical parameters. The results showed that up to100 ug/kg is a safe NP dose as evaluated by pathological and biochemical parameters. The aim of the present study was to gain insight into the effect of γFe2O3@Ag@Cs NC at sub-cytotoxic concentrations (100ug/ml) on the biochemical profile of immune organs (inguinal, axillary, spleen and thymus) by combining the investigation of cytokine secretion to ex vivo FTIR spectroscopy. The four immune organs were treated with 100 ug/kg NC and the time dependence of the effects produced by the treatment was analyzed. The Data shows that the used core-shell NC with the indicate dose have a stimulatory effect on the immune system, as evidenced by an increase in antibody secretion (IgG and IgM), lipid, nucleic acid, and protein synthesis after uptake time which depends on the specific immune organ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Salman
- Pharmaceutical Industry Research Division, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Stefano Lupi
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy; CNR-IOM, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- CNR-IOM, Trieste, Italy; Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - May M Eid
- Physics Division, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bergami E, Ferrari E, Löder MGJ, Birarda G, Laforsch C, Vaccari L, Corsi I. Textile microfibers in wild Antarctic whelk Neobuccinum eatoni (Smith, 1875) from Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica). Environ Res 2023; 216:114487. [PMID: 36265599 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Antarctica has been affected directly and indirectly by human pressure for more than two centuries and recently plastic pollution has been recognized as a further potential threat for its unique biodiversity. Global long-range transport as well as local input from anthropogenic activities are potential sources of plastic pollution in both terrestrial and marine Antarctic territories. The present study evaluated the presence of microplastics in specimens of the Antarctic whelk Neobuccinum eatoni, a key species in benthic communities of the Ross Sea, one of the largest marine protected areas worldwide. To this aim, a thermo-oxidative extraction method was applied for microplastic isolation and quantification, and polymer identification was performed by manual μ-FTIR spectroscopy. Textile (semi-)synthetic or composite microfibers (length range: 0.8-5.7 mm) were found in 27.3% of whelk specimens, suggesting a low risk of bioaccumulation along Antarctic benthic food webs in the Ross Sea. Their polymer composition (of polyethylene terephthalate and cellulose-polyamide composites) matched those of outdoor technical clothing in use by the personnel of the Italian "Mario Zucchelli" station near Terra Nova Bay in the Ross Sea. Such findings indicate that sewage from base stations may act as potential local sources of textile microplastic fibers in this remote environment. More in-depth monitoring studies aiming at defining the extent of microplastic contamination related to such sources in Antarctica are encouraged.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Bergami
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy.
| | - E Ferrari
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - M G J Löder
- Department of Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - G Birarda
- SISSI-Chemical and Life Science Branch, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - C Laforsch
- Department of Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - L Vaccari
- SISSI-Chemical and Life Science Branch, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - I Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Torres-Rodriguez J, E. Bedolla D, D’Amico F, Koopmann AK, Vaccari L, Saccomano G, Kohns R, Huesing N. Polyvinylidene Fluoride Aerogels with Tailorable Crystalline Phase Composition. Gels 2022; 8:gels8110727. [PMID: 36354635 PMCID: PMC9689208 DOI: 10.3390/gels8110727] [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: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) aerogels with a tailorable phase composition were prepared by following the crystallization-induced gelation principle. A series of PVDF wet gels (5 to 12 wt.%) were prepared from either PVDF−DMF solutions or a mixture of DMF and ethanol as non-solvent. The effects of the non-solvent concentration on the crystalline composition of the PVDF aerogels were thoroughly investigated. It was found that the nucleating role of ethanol can be adjusted to produce low-density PVDF aerogels, whereas the changes in composition by the addition of small amounts of water to the solution promote the stabilization of the valuable β and γ phases. These phases of the aerogels were monitored by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. Furthermore, the crystallization process was followed by in-time and in situ ATR−FTIR spectroscopy. The obtained aerogels displayed specific surface areas > 150 m2 g−1, with variable particle morphologies that are dependent on the non-solvent composition, as observed by using SEM and Synchrotron Radiation Computed micro-Tomography (SR-μCT).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Torres-Rodriguez
- Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Jakob Haringer-Str. 2A, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Salzburg Center for Smart Materials, Jakob Haringer-Str. 2A, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Diana E. Bedolla
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, SS14 Km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Area Science Park, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Ann-Kathrin Koopmann
- Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Jakob Haringer-Str. 2A, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Salzburg Center for Smart Materials, Jakob Haringer-Str. 2A, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, SS14 Km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Saccomano
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, SS14 Km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 6/1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Richard Kohns
- Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Jakob Haringer-Str. 2A, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Salzburg Center for Smart Materials, Jakob Haringer-Str. 2A, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Nicola Huesing
- Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Jakob Haringer-Str. 2A, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Salzburg Center for Smart Materials, Jakob Haringer-Str. 2A, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Stani C, Invernizzi C, Birarda G, Davit P, Vaccari L, Malagodi M, Gulmini M, Fiocco G. A Nanofocused Light on Stradivari Violins: Infrared s-SNOM Reveals New Clues Behind Craftsmanship Mastery. Anal Chem 2022; 94:14815-14819. [PMID: 36250674 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c02965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
It is well-known that all the phases of the manufacturing influence the extraordinary aesthetic and acoustic features of Stradivari's instruments. However, these masterpieces still keep some of their secrets hidden by the lack of documentary evidence. In particular, there is not a general consensus on the use of a protein-based ground coating directly spread on the wood surface by the Cremonese Master. The present work demonstrates that infrared scattering-type scanning near-fields optical microscopy (s-SNOM) may provide unprecedented information on very complex cross-sectioned microsamples collected from two of Stradivari's violins, nanoresolved chemical sensitivity being the turning point for detecting minute traces of a specific compound, namely proteins, hidden by the matrix when macro or micro sampling approaches are exploited. This nanoresolved chemical-sensitive technique contributed new and robust evidence to the long-debated question about the use of proteinaceous materials by Stradivari.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiaramaria Stani
- CERIC-ERIC, S.S. 14 - km 163.5, in Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudia Invernizzi
- Laboratorio Arvedi di Diagnostica Non Invasiva (CISRiC), Università degli Studi di Pavia, via Bell'Aspa 3, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, S.S. 14 - km 163.5, in Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Patrizia Davit
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, S.S. 14 - km 163.5, in Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Malagodi
- Laboratorio Arvedi di Diagnostica Non Invasiva (CISRiC), Università degli Studi di Pavia, via Bell'Aspa 3, 26100 Cremona, Italy
- Dipartimento di Musicologia e Beni Culturali, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Corso Garibaldi 178, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | - Monica Gulmini
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Giacomo Fiocco
- Laboratorio Arvedi di Diagnostica Non Invasiva (CISRiC), Università degli Studi di Pavia, via Bell'Aspa 3, 26100 Cremona, Italy
- Dipartimento di Musicologia e Beni Culturali, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Corso Garibaldi 178, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Repar N, Jovičić EJ, Kump A, Birarda G, Vaccari L, Erman A, Kralj S, Nemec S, Petan T, Drobne D. Oleic Acid Protects Endothelial Cells from Silica-Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs)-Induced Oxidative Stress and Cell Death. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23136972. [PMID: 35806014 PMCID: PMC9267005 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23136972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have great potential for use in medicine, but they may cause side effects due to oxidative stress. In our study, we investigated the effects of silica-coated SPIONs on endothelial cells and whether oleic acid (OA) can protect the cells from their harmful effects. We used viability assays, flow cytometry, infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Our results show that silica-coated SPIONs are internalized by endothelial cells, where they increase the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cause cell death. Exposure to silica-coated SPIONs induced accumulation of lipid droplets (LD) that was not dependent on diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT)-mediated LD biogenesis, suggesting that silica-coated SPIONs suppress LD degradation. Addition of exogenous OA promoted LD biogenesis and reduced SPION-dependent increases in oxidative stress and cell death. However, exogenous OA protected cells from SPION-induced cell damage even in the presence of DGAT inhibitors, implying that LDs are not required for the protective effect of exogenous OA. The molecular phenotype of the cells determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the destructive effect of silica-coated SPIONs and the ameliorative role of OA in the case of oxidative stress. Thus, exogenous OA protects endothelial cells from SPION-induced oxidative stress and cell death independent of its incorporation into triglycerides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neža Repar
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence: (N.R.); (D.D.)
| | - Eva Jarc Jovičić
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (E.J.J.); (A.K.); (T.P.)
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Kump
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (E.J.J.); (A.K.); (T.P.)
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.B.); (L.V.)
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.B.); (L.V.)
| | - Andreja Erman
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Slavko Kralj
- Department for Materials Synthesis, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (S.N.)
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sebastjan Nemec
- Department for Materials Synthesis, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (S.N.)
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Toni Petan
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (E.J.J.); (A.K.); (T.P.)
| | - Damjana Drobne
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence: (N.R.); (D.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Notarstefano V, Pisani M, Bramucci M, Quassinti L, Maggi F, Vaccari L, Parlapiano M, Giorgini E, Astolfi P. A vibrational in vitro approach to evaluate the potential of monoolein nanoparticles as isofuranodiene carrier in MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cell line: New insights from Infrared and Raman microspectroscopies. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2022; 269:120735. [PMID: 34923374 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2021.120735] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Isofuranodiene (IFD) is a sesquiterpene occurring in several plant species, which proved to have multiple anticancer activities. IFD has a lipophilic nature and, hence, a very low water solubility and a poor bioavailability; moreover, it is not stable, undergoing the "Cope rearrangement" to the less active curzerene. The use of appropriate delivery systems can thus be considered as a valid tool to enhance IFD bioavailability, solubility, stability and at the same time also to improve its intracellular uptake and pharmacological activity. Within this frame, monoolein (GMO) nanoparticles loaded with IFD were prepared and their enhanced anticancer activity, compared to pristine IFD, was assessed. In this study, for the first time, an in vitro Fourier Transform Infrared and Raman Microspectroscopy approaches were exploited to evaluate the effects of IFD, alone and loaded in GMO nanoparticles, on MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cell line. The anti-cancer effects of IFD were evidenced by both the spectroscopic techniques and discriminated from the GMO-induced changes in the culture environment; moreover, a synergistic effect of IFD and GMO administration can be envisaged by the experimental results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Notarstefano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, I-60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Michela Pisani
- Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, I-60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Massimo Bramucci
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, I-62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | - Luana Quassinti
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, I-62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | - Filippo Maggi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, I-62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, SISSI Beamline, s.s. 14 km 163,500 in Area Science Park, I-34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Marco Parlapiano
- Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, I-60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Giorgini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, I-60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Paola Astolfi
- Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, I-60131 Ancona, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Murano C, Vaccari L, Casotti R, Corsi I, Palumbo A. Occurrence of microfibres in wild specimens of adult sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) from a coastal area of the central Mediterranean Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 176:113448. [PMID: 35217421 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113448] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the occurrence of anthropogenic fibres inside wild Paracentrotus lividus at a Mediterranean coastal area in 2020. From each sea urchin, the coelomic fluid was directly analysed while digestive tracts and gonads were removed, pre-treated with trypsin (0.3%) and digested with H2O2 (10%) before analysis. A total of 260 fibres and 1 fragment were found in 100 specimens, with an average of 2.6 items/individual. Fibres were more abundant in the digestive system, less in gonads and in the coelomic fluid, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of representative fibres identified 67% natural (cotton-based) and 33% synthetic polymers (polyester) suggesting their origin from textiles, possibly released from laundry sewages. Overall, these results encourage further in-depth investigations on fibres accumulation and potential transfer through the trophic chain up to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carola Murano
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy; Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14 Km 163.5 in Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Raffaella Casotti
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Palumbo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Romano I, Camerlingo C, Vaccari L, Birarda G, Poli A, Fujimori A, Lepore M, Moeller R, Di Donato P. Effects of Ionizing Radiation and Long-Term Storage on Hydrated vs. Dried Cell Samples of Extremophilic Microorganisms. Microorganisms 2022; 10:190. [PMID: 35056640 PMCID: PMC8782055 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10010190] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A main factor hampering life in space is represented by high atomic number nuclei and energy (HZE) ions that constitute about 1% of the galactic cosmic rays. In the frame of the "STARLIFE" project, we accessed the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator (HIMAC) facility of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) in Chiba, Japan. By means of this facility, the extremophilic species Haloterrigena hispanica and Parageobacillus thermantarcticus were irradiated with high LET ions (i.e., Fe, Ar, and He ions) at doses corresponding to long permanence in the space environment. The survivability of HZE-treated cells depended upon either the storage time and the hydration state during irradiation; indeed, dry samples were shown to be more resistant than hydrated ones. With particular regard to spores of the species P. thermantarcticus, they were the most resistant to irradiation in a water medium: an analysis of the changes in their biochemical fingerprinting during irradiation showed that, below the survivability threshold, the spores undergo to a germination-like process, while for higher doses, inactivation takes place as a consequence of the concomitant release of the core's content and a loss of integrity of the main cellular components. Overall, the results reported here suggest that the selected extremophilic microorganisms could serve as biological model for space simulation and/or real space condition exposure, since they showed good resistance to ionizing radiation exposure and were able to resume cellular growth after long-term storage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ida Romano
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council of Italy, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (I.R.); (A.P.)
| | - Carlo Camerlingo
- SuPerconducting and Other INnovative Materials and Devices Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy;
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra—Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. S.S., 14 km 163,5 in Area Science Park, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (L.V.); (G.B.)
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra—Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. S.S., 14 km 163,5 in Area Science Park, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (L.V.); (G.B.)
| | - Annarita Poli
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council of Italy, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (I.R.); (A.P.)
| | - Akira Fujimori
- Molecular and Cellular Radiation Biology Group, Department of Charged Particle Therapy Research, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, Chiba 263-8555, Japan;
| | - Maria Lepore
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università della Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Via S. Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Ralf Moeller
- German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology, DLR, Linder Höhe, D-51147 Köln, Germany; or
- Natural Sciences Department, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (BRSU), von-Liebig-Straße 20, D-53359 Rheinbach, Germany
| | - Paola Di Donato
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council of Italy, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (I.R.); (A.P.)
- Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, Centro Direzionale—Isola C4, 80143 Napoli, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Senigagliesi B, Bedolla DE, Birarda G, Zanetti M, Lazzarino M, Vaccari L, Parisse P, Casalis L. Subcellular elements responsive to the biomechanical activity of triple-negative breast cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles. Biomol Concepts 2022; 13:322-333. [PMID: 36482512 DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2022-0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stands out for its aggressive, fast spread, and highly metastatic behavior and for being unresponsive to the classical hormonal therapy. It is considered a disease with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Among the mechanisms that contribute to TNBC spreading, attention has been recently paid to small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), nano-sized vesicles that by transferring bioactive molecules to recipient cells play a crucial role in the intercellular communication among cancer, healthy cells, and tumor microenvironment. In particular, TNBC-derived sEVs have been shown to alter proliferation, metastasis, drug resistance, and biomechanical properties of target cells. To shed light on the molecular mechanisms involved in sEVs mediation of cell biomechanics, we investigated the effects of sEVs on the main subcellular players, i.e., cell membrane, cytoskeleton, and nuclear chromatin organization. Our results unveiled that TNBC-derived sEVs are able to promote the formation and elongation of cellular protrusions, soften the cell body, and induce chromatin decondensation in recipient cells. In particular, our data suggest that chromatin decondensation is the main cause of the global cell softening. The present study added new details and unveiled a novel mechanism of activity of the TNBC-derived sEVs, providing information for the efficient translation of sEVs to cancer theranostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Senigagliesi
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Trieste, Italy.,Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Trieste, Italy
| | - Diana E Bedolla
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Trieste, Italy.,Area Science Park, Padriciano 99, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Michele Zanetti
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, CNR-IOM, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Lazzarino
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, CNR-IOM, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Trieste, Italy
| | - Pietro Parisse
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Trieste, Italy.,Istituto Officina dei Materiali Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, CNR-IOM, Trieste, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Dučić T, Ninkovic M, Martínez-Rovira I, Sperling S, Rohde V, Dimitrijević D, Jover Mañas GV, Vaccari L, Birarda G, Yousef I. Live-Cell Synchrotron-Based FTIR Evaluation of Metabolic Compounds in Brain Glioblastoma Cell Lines after Riluzole Treatment. Anal Chem 2021; 94:1932-1940. [PMID: 34965097 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c02076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor, characterized by short median survival and an almost 100% tumor-related mortality. The standard of care treatment for newly diagnosed GBM includes surgical resection followed by concomitant radiochemotherapy. The prevention of disease progression fails due to the poor therapeutic effect caused by the great molecular heterogeneity of this tumor. Previously, we exploited synchrotron radiation-based soft X-ray tomography and hard X-ray fluorescence for elemental microimaging of the shock-frozen GBM cells. The present study focuses instead on the biochemical profiling of live GBM cells and provides new insight into tumor heterogenicity. We studied bio-macromolecular changes by exploring the live-cell synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared (SR-FTIR) microspectroscopy in a set of three GBM cell lines, including the patient-derived glioblastoma cell line, before and after riluzole treatment, a medicament with potential anticancer properties. SR-FTIR microspectroscopy shows that GBM live cells of different origins recruit different organic compounds. The riluzole treatment of all GBM cell lines mainly affected carbohydrate metabolism and the DNA structure. Lipid structures and protein secondary conformation are affected as well by the riluzole treatment: cellular proteins assumed cross β-sheet conformation while parallel β-sheet conformation was less represented for all GBM cells. Moreover, we hope that a new live-cell approach for GBM simultaneous treatment and examination can be devised to target cancer cells more specifically, i.e., future therapies can develop more specific treatments according to the specific bio-macromolecular signature of each tumor type.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Dučić
- ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, Carrer de la Llum 2-26, 08290 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Milena Ninkovic
- The Translational Neurooncology Research Group, Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Immaculada Martínez-Rovira
- ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, Carrer de la Llum 2-26, 08290 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.,Ionizing Radiation Research Group, Physics Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Swetlana Sperling
- The Translational Neurooncology Research Group, Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Veit Rohde
- The Translational Neurooncology Research Group, Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dragoljub Dimitrijević
- Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade, Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14 km 163, 5 in Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14 km 163, 5 in Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ibraheem Yousef
- ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, Carrer de la Llum 2-26, 08290 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
D'Amico F, Musso ME, Berger RJF, Cefarin N, Birarda G, Tondi G, Bertoldo Menezes D, Reyer A, Scarabattoli L, Sepperer T, Schnabel T, Vaccari L. Chemical constitution of polyfurfuryl alcohol investigated by FTIR and Resonant Raman spectroscopy. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2021; 262:120090. [PMID: 34182297 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2021.120090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The actual chemical structure of polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA) is still uncertain in spite of several studies on the topic, variations during the polymerization processes being one reason that must be addressed. The use of a limited set of analytical techniques is often insufficient to provide an exhaustive chemical characterization. Moreover, it is still not possible to exactly determine presence and amount of each specific functional group in the polymeric structure. We employed both Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Resonant Raman spectroscopy (RR), corroborated by quantum mechanically aided analysis of the experimental spectra, to infer about the chemical structure of two samples of PFAs, synthetized in different ways and appearing macroscopically different, the first one being a liquid and viscous commercial sample, the second one being a self-prepared solid and rigid sample produced following a thermosetting procedure. The vibrational spectroscopic analysis confirms the presence of differences in their chemical structures. The viscous form of PFA is mainly composed by short polymeric chains, and is characterized by the presence of isolated furfuryl alcohol and furfural residues similar to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural; the thermosetted PFA is formed by more cross-linked structures, characterized by several ketones and alkene double bonds, as well as a significant presence of Diels-Alder structures. In summary, the present study evidences how the use of both FTIR and RR spectroscopy, the latter carried out at several laser excitation wavelengths, indicates an accurate way to spectroscopically investigate complex polymers enabling to satisfactorily infer about their peculiar chemical structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco D'Amico
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Strada Statale 14 - km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, TS, Italy.
| | - Maurizio E Musso
- University of Salzburg, Department of Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Jakob-Haringer-Strasse 2a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Raphael J F Berger
- University of Salzburg, Department of Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Jakob-Haringer-Strasse 2a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Nicola Cefarin
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Strada Statale 14 - km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, TS, Italy
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Strada Statale 14 - km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, TS, Italy
| | - Gianluca Tondi
- Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry Department, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Durval Bertoldo Menezes
- Federal Institute of Triângulo Mineiro, Campus Uberlândia, 38.400-970 Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andreas Reyer
- University of Salzburg, Department of Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Jakob-Haringer-Strasse 2a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Letizia Scarabattoli
- University of Salzburg, Department of Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Jakob-Haringer-Strasse 2a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Università degli Studi di Perugia, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Perugia, Italy
| | - Thomas Sepperer
- Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Forest Products Technology & Timber Construction Department, Marktstrasse 136a, 5431 Kuchl, Austria; Salzburg Center for Smart Materials, Jakob-Haringer-Strasse 2a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Thomas Schnabel
- Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Forest Products Technology & Timber Construction Department, Marktstrasse 136a, 5431 Kuchl, Austria
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Strada Statale 14 - km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, TS, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cefarin N, Bedolla DE, Surowka A, Donato S, Sepperer T, Tondi G, Dreossi D, Sodini N, Birarda G, Vaccari L. Study of the Spatio-Chemical Heterogeneity of Tannin-Furanic Foams: From 1D FTIR Spectroscopy to 3D FTIR Micro-Computed Tomography. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312869. [PMID: 34884675 PMCID: PMC8658003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tannin-furanic rigid foams are bio-based copolymers of tannin plant extract and furfuryl alcohol, promising candidates to replace synthetic insulation foams, as for example polyurethanes and phenolics, in eco-sustainable buildings thanks to their functional properties, such as lightness of the material and fire resistance. Despite their relevance as environmental-friendly alternatives to petroleum derivatives, many aspects of the polymerization chemistry still remain unclear. One of the open issues is on the spatial heterogeneity of the foam, i.e., whether the foam constituents prevalently polymerize in spatially segregated blocks or distribute almost homogenously in the foam volume. To address this matter, here we propose a multiscale FTIR study encompassing 1D FTIR spectroscopy, 2D FTIR imaging and 3D FTIR micro-tomography (FTIR-μCT) on tannin-furanic rigid foams obtained by varying the synthesis parameters in a controlled way. Thanks to the implementation of the acquisition and processing pipeline of FTIR-μCT, we were able for the first time to demonstrate that the polymer formulations influence the spatial organization of the foam at the microscale and, at the same time, prove the reliability of FTIR-μCT data by comparing 2D FTIR images and the projection of the 3D chemical images on the same plane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Cefarin
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (N.C.); (D.E.B.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (N.S.); (L.V.)
- IOM-CNR, Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Diana E. Bedolla
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (N.C.); (D.E.B.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (N.S.); (L.V.)
- Area Science Park, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Artur Surowka
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (N.C.); (D.E.B.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (N.S.); (L.V.)
- Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, AGH University of Science and Technology, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
| | - Sandro Donato
- Department of Physics, University of Calabria, Via P.Bucci 31C, 87036 Rende, Italy;
- Division of Frascati, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Via Fermi, 54, 00044 Frascati, Italy
| | - Thomas Sepperer
- Forest Products Technology & Timber Constructions Department, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Marktstrasse 136a, 5431 Kuchl, Austria; (T.S.); (G.T.)
- Salzburg Center for Smart Materials, Jakob-Haringerstrasse 2a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Gianluca Tondi
- Forest Products Technology & Timber Constructions Department, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Marktstrasse 136a, 5431 Kuchl, Austria; (T.S.); (G.T.)
- Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture & Forestry, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Diego Dreossi
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (N.C.); (D.E.B.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (N.S.); (L.V.)
| | - Nicola Sodini
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (N.C.); (D.E.B.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (N.S.); (L.V.)
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (N.C.); (D.E.B.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (N.S.); (L.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (N.C.); (D.E.B.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (N.S.); (L.V.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Arble C, Guo H, Matruglio A, Gianoncelli A, Vaccari L, Birarda G, Kolmakov A. Addressable graphene encapsulation of wet specimens on a chip for optical, electron, infrared and X-ray based spectromicroscopy studies. Lab Chip 2021; 21:4618-4628. [PMID: 34679149 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00440a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Label-free spectromicroscopy methods offer the capability to examine complex cellular phenomena. Electron and X-ray based spectromicroscopy methods, though powerful, have been hard to implement with hydrated objects due to the vacuum incompatibility of the samples and due to the parasitic signals from (or drastic attenuation by) the liquid matrix surrounding the biological object of interest. Similarly, for many techniques that operate at ambient pressure, such as Fourier transform infrared spectromicroscopy (FTIRM), the aqueous environment imposes severe limitations due to the strong absorption of liquid water in the infrared regime. Here we propose a microfabricated multi-compartmental and reusable hydrated sample platform suitable for use with several analytical techniques, which employs the conformal encapsulation of biological specimens by a few layers of atomically thin graphene. Such an electron, X-ray, and infrared transparent, molecularly impermeable and mechanically robust enclosure preserves the hydrated environment around the object for a sufficient time to allow in situ examination of hydrated bio-objects with techniques operating under both ambient and high vacuum conditions. An additional hydration source, provided by hydrogel pads lithographically patterned in the liquid state near/around the specimen and co-encapsulated, has been added to further extend the hydration lifetime. Note that the in-liquid lithographic electron beam-induced gelation procedure allows for addressable capture and immobilization of the biological cells from the solution. Scanning electron microscopy and optical fluorescence microscopy, as well as synchrotron radiation based FTIR and X-ray fluorescence microscopy, have been used to test the applicability of the platform and for its validation with yeast, A549 human carcinoma lung cells and micropatterned gels as biological object phantoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Arble
- Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA.
| | - Hongxuan Guo
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center, Key Laboratory of MEMS of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, P. R. China
| | - Alessia Matruglio
- CERIC-ERIC (Central European Research Infrastructure Consortium), S.S. 14 Km 163,4 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gianoncelli
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, S.S. 14 Km 163,4 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, S.S. 14 Km 163,4 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, S.S. 14 Km 163,4 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrei Kolmakov
- Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Pachetti M, D'Amico F, Pascolo L, Pucciarelli S, Gessini A, Parisse P, Vaccari L, Masciovecchio C. UV Resonance Raman explores protein structural modification upon fibrillation and ligand interaction. Biophys J 2021; 120:4575-4589. [PMID: 34474016 PMCID: PMC8553600 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloids are proteinaceous deposits considered an underlying pathological hallmark of several degenerative diseases. The mechanism of amyloid formation and its inhibition still represent challenging issues, especially when protein structure cannot be investigated by classical biophysical techniques as for the intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). In this view, the need to find an alternative way for providing molecular and structural information regarding IDPs prompted us to set a novel, to our knowledge, approach focused on UV Resonance Raman (UVRR) spectroscopy. To test its applicability, we study the fibrillation of hen-egg white lysozyme (HEWL) and insulin as well as their interaction with resveratrol, employing also intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The increasing of the β-sheet structure content at the end of protein fibrillation probed by FTIR occurs simultaneously with a major solvent exposure of tryptophan (Trp) and tyrosine (Tyr) residues of HEWL and insulin, respectively, as revealed by UVRR and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy. However, because the latter technique is successfully used when proteins naturally contain Trp residues, it shows poor performances in the case of insulin, and the information regarding its tertiary structure is exclusively provided by UVRR spectroscopy. The presence of an increased concentration of resveratrol induces mild changes in the secondary structure of both protein fibrils while remodeling HEWL fibril length and promoting the formation of amorphous aggregates in the case of insulin. Although the intrinsic fluorescence spectra of proteins are hidden by resveratrol signal, UVRR Trp and Tyr bands are resonantly enhanced, showing a good sensitivity to the presence of resveratrol and marking a modification in the noncovalent interactions in which they are involved. Our findings demonstrate that UVRR is successfully employed in the study of aggregation-prone proteins and of their interaction with ligands, especially in the case of Trp-lacking proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pachetti
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy; Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy; Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
| | | | - Lorella Pascolo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefania Pucciarelli
- University of Camerino, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, Camerino, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Parisse
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy; Istituto Officina dei Materiali - CNR (IOM-CNR), Trieste, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Astolfi P, Giorgini E, Perinelli DR, Vita F, Adamo FC, Logrippo S, Parlapiano M, Bonacucina G, Pucciarelli S, Francescangeli O, Vaccari L, Pisani M. Cubic and Hexagonal Mesophases for Protein Encapsulation: Structural Effects of Insulin Confinement. Langmuir 2021; 37:10166-10176. [PMID: 34369787 PMCID: PMC8397388 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c01587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Monoolein-based cubic and hexagonal mesophases were investigated as matrices for insulin loading, at low pH, as a function of temperature and in the presence of increasing amounts of oleic acid, as a structural stabilizer for the hexagonal phase. Synchrotron small angle X-ray diffraction, rheological measurements, and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to study the effects of insulin loading on the lipid mesophases and of the effect of protein confinement in the 2D- and 3D-lipid matrix water channels on its stability and unfolding behavior. We found that insulin encapsulation has only little effects both on the mesophase structures and on the viscoelastic properties of lipid systems, whereas protein confinement affects the response of the secondary structure of insulin to thermal changes in a different manner according to the specific mesophase: in the cubic structure, the unfolding toward an unordered structure is favored, while the prevalence of parallel β-sheets, and nuclei for fibril formation, is observed in hexagonal structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Astolfi
- Dipartimento
SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle
Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Giorgini
- Dipartimento
DISVA, Università Politecnica delle
Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Diego Romano Perinelli
- Scuola
di Scienze del Farmaco e dei Prodotti della Salute, Università di Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, Macerata, Italy
| | - Francesco Vita
- Dipartimento
SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle
Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Corrado Adamo
- Dipartimento
SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle
Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Serena Logrippo
- Dipartimento
SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle
Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Marco Parlapiano
- Dipartimento
SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle
Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Giulia Bonacucina
- Scuola
di Scienze del Farmaco e dei Prodotti della Salute, Università di Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, Macerata, Italy
| | - Stefania Pucciarelli
- Scuola
di Bioscienze e Medicina Veterinaria, Università
di Camerino, Via Gentile
III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, Macerata, Italy
| | - Oriano Francescangeli
- Dipartimento
SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle
Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone
Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14—km
163.5, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Michela Pisani
- Dipartimento
SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle
Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Notarstefano V, Belloni A, Sabbatini S, Pro C, Orilisi G, Monterubbianesi R, Tosco V, Byrne HJ, Vaccari L, Giorgini E. Cytotoxic Effects of 5-Azacytidine on Primary Tumour Cells and Cancer Stem Cells from Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An In Vitro FTIRM Analysis. Cells 2021; 10:2127. [PMID: 34440896 PMCID: PMC8392608 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, the cytotoxic effects of 5-azacytidine on primary Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma cells (OSCCs) from human biopsies, and on Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) from the same samples, were investigated by an in vitro Fourier Transform InfraRed Microscospectroscopy (FTIRM) approach coupled with multivariate analysis. OSCC is an aggressive tumoral lesion of the epithelium, accounting for ~90% of all oral cancers. It is usually diagnosed in advanced stages, and this causes a poor prognosis with low success rates of surgical, as well as radiation and chemotherapy treatments. OSCC is frequently characterised by recurrence after chemotherapy and by the development of a refractoriness to some employed drugs, which is probably ascribable to the presence of CSCs niches, responsible for cancer growth, chemoresistance and metastasis. The spectral information from FTIRM was correlated with the outcomes of cytotoxicity tests and image-based cytometry, and specific spectral signatures attributable to 5-azacytidine treatment were identified, allowing us to hypothesise the demethylation of DNA and, hence, an increase in the transcriptional activity, together with a conformational transition of DNA, and a triggering of cell death by an apoptosis mechanism. Moreover, a different mechanism of action between OSSC and CSC cells was highlighted, probably due to possible differences between OSCCs and CSCs response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Notarstefano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (V.N.); (A.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Alessia Belloni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (V.N.); (A.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Simona Sabbatini
- Department of Material, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Chiara Pro
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (V.N.); (A.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Giulia Orilisi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Stomatology, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.O.); (R.M.); (V.T.)
| | - Riccardo Monterubbianesi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Stomatology, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.O.); (R.M.); (V.T.)
| | - Vincenzo Tosco
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Stomatology, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.O.); (R.M.); (V.T.)
| | - Hugh J. Byrne
- FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland;
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, SISSI Beamline, 34149 Basovizza, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta Giorgini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (V.N.); (A.B.); (C.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Stani C, Gigli L, Pollastri S, Sibilia M, Migliori A, D'Amico F, Schmid C, Licen S, Crosera M, Adami G, Barbieri P, Plaisier JR, Aquilanti G, Vaccari L, Buson S, Gonzato F. A multidisciplinary study unveils the nature of a Roman ink of the 1st century AD. Acta Crystallogr A Found Adv 2021. [DOI: 10.1107/s0108767321091819] [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
|
24
|
Birarda G, Buosi C, Caridi F, Casu MA, De Giudici G, Di Bella L, Medas D, Meneghini C, Pierdomenico M, Sabbatini A, Surowka A, Vaccari L. Plastics, (bio)polymers and their apparent biogeochemical cycle: An infrared spectroscopy study on foraminifera. Environ Pollut 2021; 279:116912. [PMID: 33751941 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116912] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
To understand the fate of plastic in oceans and the interaction with marine organisms, we investigated the incorporation of (bio)polymers and microplastics in selected benthic foraminiferal species by applying FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) microscopy. This experimental methodology has been applied to cultured benthic foraminifera Rosalina globularis, and to in situ foraminifera collected in a plastic remain found buried into superficial sediment in the Mediterranean seafloor, Rosalina bradyi, Textularia bocki and Cibicidoides lobatulus. In vitro foraminifera were treated with bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) molecule to explore its internalization in the cytoplasm. Benthic foraminifera are marine microbial eukaryotes, sediment-dwelling, commonly short-lived and with reproductive cycles which play a central role in global biogeochemical cycles of inorganic and organic compounds. Despite the recent advances and investigations into the occurrence, distribution, and abundance of plastics, including microplastics, in marine environments, there remain relevant knowledge gaps, particularly on their effects on the benthic protists. No study, to our knowledge, has documented the molecular scale effect of plastics on foraminifera. Our analyses revealed three possible ways through which plastic-related molecules and plastic debris can enter a biogeochemical cycle and may affect the ecosystems: 1) foraminifera in situ can grow on plastic remains, namely C. lobatulus, R. bradyi and T. bocki, showing signals of oxidative stress and protein aggregation in comparison with R. globularis cultured in negative control; 2) DEHP can be incorporated in the cytoplasm of calcareous foraminifera, as observed in R. globularis; 3) microplastic debris, identified as epoxy resin, can be found in the cytoplasm and the agglutinated shell of T. bocki. We hypothesize that plastic waste and their associated additives may produce modifications related to the biomineralization process in foraminifera. This effect would be added to those induced by ocean acidification with negative consequences on the foraminiferal biogenic carbon (C) storage capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., SS 14, Km 163,5, Basovizza, Trieste, TS, 34149, Italy
| | - Carla Buosi
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences - University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.S. 554 Bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Francesca Caridi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Vita e Dell'Ambiente, Facoltà di Scienze, Università Politecnica Delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Casu
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, UOS of Cagliari, Scientific and Technological Park of Sardinia POLARIS, Pula, Italy
| | - Giovanni De Giudici
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences - University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.S. 554 Bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy.
| | - Letizia Di Bella
- Department of Earth Science, Rome University "Sapienza", P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Medas
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences - University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.S. 554 Bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Carlo Meneghini
- University of Rome Tre, Department of Sciences, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Roma, Italy
| | - Martina Pierdomenico
- Istituto per Lo Studio Degli Impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in Ambiente Marino (CNR-IAS), Roma, Via Della Vasca Navale 79, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Sabbatini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Vita e Dell'Ambiente, Facoltà di Scienze, Università Politecnica Delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Artur Surowka
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., SS 14, Km 163,5, Basovizza, Trieste, TS, 34149, Italy; AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Kraków, Poland
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., SS 14, Km 163,5, Basovizza, Trieste, TS, 34149, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Notarstefano V, Sabbatini S, Pro C, Belloni A, Orilisi G, Rubini C, Byrne HJ, Vaccari L, Giorgini E. Exploiting fourier transform infrared and Raman microspectroscopies on cancer stem cells from oral squamous cells carcinoma: new evidence of acquired cisplatin chemoresistance. Analyst 2021; 145:8038-8049. [PMID: 33063801 DOI: 10.1039/d0an01623c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Oral Squamous Cells Carcinoma (OSCC) is characterised by the risk of recurrence and the onset of a refractoriness response to chemotherapy drugs. These phenomena have been recently related to a subpopulation of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), which have either an innate or acquired drug resistance, triggered by chemotherapy treatments. In this light, to precisely target chemotherapy regimens, it is essential to improve knowledge on CSCs, with a particular focus on their molecular features. In this work, a subpopulation of CSCs, isolated by tumour sphere formation from primary OSCC cells, were treated with cisplatin for 16, 24 and 48 hours and analysed by infrared absorption and Raman microspectroscopies. CSC spectral data were compared with those obtained in previous work, for primary OSCC cells treated under the same conditions. Routine viability/apoptosis cell-based assays evidenced in CSCs and primary OSCCs, a similar degree of sensitivity to the drug at 24 hours, while a reversion of the conventional monotonic time response exhibited by OSCCs was shown by CSCs at 48 hours. This peculiar time response was also supported by the analysis of IR and Raman data, which pinpointed alterations in the lipid composition and DNA conformation in CSCs. The results obtained suggest that CSCs, although sharing with OSCC cells a similar sensitivity to cisplatin, display the onset of a mechanism of chemoresistance and enrichment of resistant CSCs as a result of drug treatment, shedding new light on the severe issue of refractoriness of some patients to chemotherapy conventionally used for OSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Notarstefano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zucchiatti P, Birarda G, Cerea A, Semrau MS, Hubarevich A, Storici P, De Angelis F, Toma A, Vaccari L. Binding of tyrosine kinase inhibitor to epidermal growth factor receptor: surface-enhanced infrared absorption microscopy reveals subtle protein secondary structure variations. Nanoscale 2021; 13:7667-7677. [PMID: 33928964 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr09200b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Surface-Enhanced Infrared Absorption (SEIRA) has been proposed as a valuable tool for protein binding studies, but its performances have been often proven on model proteins undergoing severe secondary structure rearrangements, while ligand binding only marginally involves the protein backbone in the vast majority of the biologically relevant cases. In this study we demonstrate the potential of SEIRA microscopy for highlighting the very subtle secondary structure modifications associated with the binding of Lapatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a well-known driver of tumorigenesis in pathological settings such as lung, breast and brain cancers. By boosting the performances of Mid-IR plasmonic devices based on nanoantennas cross-geometry, accustoming the protein purification protocols, carefully tuning the protein anchoring methodology and optimizing the data analysis, we were able to detect EGFR secondary structure modification associated with few amino acids. A nano-patterned platform with this kind of sensitivity bridges biophysical and structural characterization methods, thus opening new possibilities in studying of proteins of biomedical interest, particularly for drug-screening purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Zucchiatti
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, I-34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy. and Universtà degli studi di Trieste, Dipartimento di Fisica, via Valerio 2, I-34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, I-34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Andrea Cerea
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, I-16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Marta S Semrau
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, I-34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
| | | | - Paola Storici
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, I-34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
| | | | - Andrea Toma
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, I-16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, I-34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Piccirilli F, Tardani F, D’Arco A, Birarda G, Vaccari L, Sennato S, Casciardi S, Lupi S. Infrared Nanospectroscopy Reveals DNA Structural Modifications upon Immobilization onto Clay Nanotubes. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2021; 11:1103. [PMID: 33923331 PMCID: PMC8147086 DOI: 10.3390/nano11051103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The growing demand for innovative means in biomedical, therapeutic and diagnostic sciences has led to the development of nanomedicine. In this context, naturally occurring tubular nanostructures composed of rolled sheets of alumino-silicates, known as halloysite nanotubes, have found wide application. Halloysite nanotubes indeed have surface properties that favor the selective loading of biomolecules. Here, we present the first, to our knowledge, structural study of DNA-decorated halloysite nanotubes, carried out with nanometric spatially-resolved infrared spectroscopy. Single nanotube absorption measurements indicate a partial covering of halloysite by DNA molecules, which show significant structural modifications taking place upon loading. The present study highlights the constraints for the use of nanostructured clays as DNA carriers and demonstrates the power of super-resolved infrared spectroscopy as an effective and versatile tool for the evaluation of immobilization processes in the context of drug delivery and gene transfer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Franco Tardani
- Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi (ISC)-CNR, UOS Roma Sapienza, 00185 Roma, Italy; (F.T.); (S.S.)
| | - Annalisa D’Arco
- Dipartimento di Fisica, “La Sapienza” Universitá di Roma, 00185 Roma, Italy;
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics Section Rome, P.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.B.); (L.V.)
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.B.); (L.V.)
| | - Simona Sennato
- Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi (ISC)-CNR, UOS Roma Sapienza, 00185 Roma, Italy; (F.T.); (S.S.)
- Dipartimento di Fisica, “La Sapienza” Universitá di Roma, 00185 Roma, Italy;
| | - Stefano Casciardi
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Epidemiologia, Igiene del Lavoro e Ambientale, Istituto Nazionale per l’Assicurazione Contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro, 00100 Roma, Italy;
| | - Stefano Lupi
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali CNR, 34149 Trieste, Italy;
- Dipartimento di Fisica, “La Sapienza” Universitá di Roma, 00185 Roma, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sibilia M, Stani C, Gigli L, Pollastri S, Migliori A, D'Amico F, Schmid C, Licen S, Crosera M, Adami G, Barbieri P, Plaisier JR, Aquilanti G, Vaccari L, Buson S, Gonzato F. A multidisciplinary study unveils the nature of a Roman ink of the I century AD. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7231. [PMID: 33790332 PMCID: PMC8012642 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86288-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A multi-instrumental approach combining highly sensitive Synchrotron Radiation-based techniques was used to provide information on the real composition of a dry black ink powder found in a bronze inkwell of the first century AD. The presence of Pb, Cu and Fe in the powder, revealed by XRF and ICP-OES data, leads to raise several hypotheses on their origin. The inkpot and its lid were also investigated by Hand-Held XRF, revealing a bronze alloy (Cu-Sn) with a certain amount of Fe and Pb. The lid was found to be particularly enriched in lead. XRPD, XAS and FTIR measurements showed a substantial presence of silicates and common clay minerals in the ink along with cerussite and malachite, Pb and Cu bearing-carbonates, respectively. These evidences support the hypothesis of an important contamination of the ink sample by the burial environment (soil) and the presence of degradation products of the bronze inkpot. The combined use of IR, Raman, and GC-MS evidenced that the black ink is mainly composed of amorphous carbon deriving from the combustion of organic material mixed with a natural binding agent, Arabic gum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirta Sibilia
- Nuclear Science and Instrumentation Laboratory, Physics Section, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Seibersdorf, Austria
| | | | - Lara Gigli
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.P.A, Strada Statale 14, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Pollastri
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.P.A, Strada Statale 14, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Migliori
- Nuclear Science and Instrumentation Laboratory, Physics Section, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Francesco D'Amico
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.P.A, Strada Statale 14, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Schmid
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via A. Valerio, n 6/a, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sabina Licen
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Crosera
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gianpiero Adami
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Barbieri
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jasper R Plaisier
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.P.A, Strada Statale 14, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Aquilanti
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.P.A, Strada Statale 14, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.P.A, Strada Statale 14, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Buson
- Museo Nazionale Atestino, via G. Negri 9/c, 35042, Este, PD, Italy
| | - Federica Gonzato
- Museo Nazionale Atestino, via G. Negri 9/c, 35042, Este, PD, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Fiocco G, Invernizzi C, Grassi S, Davit P, Albano M, Rovetta T, Stani C, Vaccari L, Malagodi M, Licchelli M, Gulmini M. Reflection FTIR spectroscopy for the study of historical bowed string instruments: Invasive and non-invasive approaches. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2021; 245:118926. [PMID: 32956933 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2020.118926] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A micro-sample detached from a historical bowed string instrument represents a valuable record of the materials used by the great Masters of violin-making art. It allows researchers to collect a wealth of information and to disclose - at least partially - their procedures for finishing and varnishing. In the present work, a set of four cross-sectioned micro-samples - collected from well-preserved bowed string instruments made by Antonio Stradivari and Lorenzo Storioni - are investigated by Synchrotron Radiation (SR) FTIR micro-spectroscopy in reflection mode. SR-FTIR spectra are discussed both as point analysis and as univariate and multivariate chemical maps. The same cross-sections are also investigated by optical microscopy under UV light and SEM-EDX. Moreover, data obtained directly from the musical instruments by a non-invasive approach employing a portable reflection FTIR spectrometer are also considered. FTIR investigation of the cross-sections is a challenging task for such brittle and complex layered micro-samples. Nevertheless, the high intensity of the analytical SR beam used in reflection geometry allowed us to obtain informative FTIR spectra and to fully preserve the integrity of the samples. Both the non-invasive and the micro-invasive reflection FTIR approaches can reveal the materials spread on the wood surface to finish the musical instruments. The fingerprint of Lorenzo Storioni's production around 1790 emerged from the study of the cross-sectioned samples, definitely different from the technique of Stradivari.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Fiocco
- Laboratorio Arvedi di Diagnostica Non Invasiva, CISRiC, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Bell'Aspa 3, 26100 Cremona, Italy; Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy.
| | - Claudia Invernizzi
- Laboratorio Arvedi di Diagnostica Non Invasiva, CISRiC, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Bell'Aspa 3, 26100 Cremona, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche, Fisiche e Informatiche, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 7/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| | - Silvia Grassi
- Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 2, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Davit
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy.
| | - Michela Albano
- Laboratorio Arvedi di Diagnostica Non Invasiva, CISRiC, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Bell'Aspa 3, 26100 Cremona, Italy; Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133, Milano, Italy.
| | - Tommaso Rovetta
- Laboratorio Arvedi di Diagnostica Non Invasiva, CISRiC, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Bell'Aspa 3, 26100 Cremona, Italy.
| | - Chiaramaria Stani
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14 km 163.5, 34194 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14 km 163.5, 34194 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Marco Malagodi
- Laboratorio Arvedi di Diagnostica Non Invasiva, CISRiC, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Bell'Aspa 3, 26100 Cremona, Italy; Dipartimento di Musicologia e Beni Culturali, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Corso Garibaldi 178, 26100 Cremona, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Licchelli
- Laboratorio Arvedi di Diagnostica Non Invasiva, CISRiC, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Bell'Aspa 3, 26100 Cremona, Italy.
| | - Monica Gulmini
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Bedolla DE, Birarda G, Giannotta S, Faoro V, Cescato A, Vaccari L, Gianoncelli A. Oxidation of ultralene and paraffin due to radiation damage after exposure to soft X-rays probed by FTIR microspectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence. J Synchrotron Radiat 2021; 28:231-239. [PMID: 33399573 DOI: 10.1107/s160057752001471x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Radiation damage upon soft X-ray exposure is an important issue to be considered in soft X-ray microscopy. The work presented here is part of a more extended study on the topic and focuses on the effects of soft X-rays on paraffin, a common embedding medium for soft-tissues, and on ultralene and Si3N4 windows as sample supports. Our studies suggest that the sample environment indeed plays an important role in the radiation damage process and therefore should be carefully taken into account for the analysis and interpretation of new data. The radiation damage effects were followed over time using a combination of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and it was demonstrated that, for higher doses, an oxidation of both embedding medium and ultralene substrate takes place after the irradiated sample is exposed to air. This oxidation is reflected in a clear increase of C=O and O-H infrared bands and on the XRF oxygen maps, correlated with a decrease of the aliphatic infrared signal. The results also show that the oxidation process may affect quantitative evaluation of light element concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana E Bedolla
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S.14 Km 163.5 in Area Science Park, Basovizza, TS 34149, Italy
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S.14 Km 163.5 in Area Science Park, Basovizza, TS 34149, Italy
| | - Sabina Giannotta
- Laboratori Riuniti - Synlab, Via delle Mura 2, Trieste, TS 34121, Italy
| | - Valentina Faoro
- Laboratori Riuniti - Synlab, Via delle Mura 2, Trieste, TS 34121, Italy
| | - Alberto Cescato
- Laboratori Riuniti - Synlab, Via delle Mura 2, Trieste, TS 34121, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S.14 Km 163.5 in Area Science Park, Basovizza, TS 34149, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gianoncelli
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S.14 Km 163.5 in Area Science Park, Basovizza, TS 34149, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
D'Amico F, Zucchiatti P, Latella K, Pachetti M, Gessini A, Masciovecchio C, Vaccari L, Pascolo L. Investigation of genomic DNA methylation by ultraviolet resonant Raman spectroscopy. J Biophotonics 2020; 13:e202000150. [PMID: 32729213 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202000150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cytosine plays a preeminent role in DNA methylation, an epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene expression, the misregulation of which can lead to severe diseases. Several methods are nowadays employed for assessing the global DNA methylation levels, but none of them combines simplicity, high sensitivity, and low operating costs to be translated into clinical applications. Ultraviolet (UV) resonant Raman measurements at excitation wavelengths of 272 nm, 260 nm, 250 nm, and 228 nm have been carried out on isolated deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs), on a dNTP mixture as well as on genomic DNA (gDNA) samples, commercial from salmon sperm and non-commercial from B16 murine melanoma cell line. The 228 nm excitation wavelength was identified as the most suitable energy for enhancing cytosine signals over the other DNA bases. The UV Raman measurements performed at this excitation wavelength on hyper-methylated and hypo-methylated DNA from Jurkat leukemic T-cell line have revealed significant spectral differences with respect to gDNA isolated from salmon sperm and mouse melanoma B16 cells. This demonstrates how the proper choice of the excitation wavelength, combined with optimized extraction protocols, makes UV Raman spectroscopy a suitable technique for highlighting the chemical modifications undergone by cytosine nucleotides in gDNA upon hyper- and hypo-methylation events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paolo Zucchiatti
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Plasmon Nanotechnologies line, IIT, Genoa, Italy
| | - Katia Latella
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Pachetti
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Lorella Pascolo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Caridi F, Sabbatini A, Birarda G, Costanzi E, De Giudici G, Galeazzi R, Medas D, Mobbili G, Ricciutelli M, Ruello ML, Vaccari L, Negri A. Cigarette butts, a threat for marine environments: Lessons from benthic foraminifera (Protista). Mar Environ Res 2020; 162:105150. [PMID: 32992223 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105150] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette butts are the most common form of litter in the world and their environmental impact is related to both persistence and potential toxic effects for chemical composition. The objective of this study was to assess the acute toxicity (LC50-48 h) of human-smoked cigarette butts leachate on 3 cultured genera of benthic foraminifera: the calcareous perforate Rosalina globularis, the calcareous imperforate Quinqueloculina spp., and the agglutinated Textularia agglutinans. The specimens were exposed to 16, 8, 4, 2, and 1 cigarette butts/L concentrations that prove to be acutely toxic to all taxa. Starting from 4 cigarette butts/L, both calcareous genera showed shell decalcification, and death of almost all the individuals, except for the more resistant agglutinated species. These results suggest the potential harmfulness of cigarette butts leachate related to pH reduction and release of toxic substances, in particular nicotine, which leads to physiology alteration and in many cases cellular death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Caridi
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60122, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Anna Sabbatini
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60122, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. S.S. 14 km 163,5 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Elisa Costanzi
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60122, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Giovanni De Giudici
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, via Trentino 51, 09127, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Roberta Galeazzi
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60122, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Daniela Medas
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato - Blocco A, S.S. 554 bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy.
| | - Giovanna Mobbili
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60122, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Massimo Ricciutelli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università di Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032, Camerino (MC), Italy.
| | - Maria Letizia Ruello
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60122, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. S.S. 14 km 163,5 in Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Negri
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60122, Ancona, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Pachetti M, Zupin L, Venturin I, Mitri E, Boscolo R, D’Amico F, Vaccari L, Crovella S, Ricci G, Pascolo L. FTIR Spectroscopy to Reveal Lipid and Protein Changes Induced on Sperm by Capacitation: Bases for an Improvement of Sample Selection in ART. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228659. [PMID: 33212829 PMCID: PMC7698301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228659] [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: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although being a crucial step for Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART) success, to date sperm selection is based only on morphology, motility and concentration characteristics. Considering the many possible alterations, there is a great need for analytical approaches allowing more effective sperm selections. The use of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) may represent an interesting possibility, being able to reveal many macromolecular changes in a single measurement in a nondestructive way. As a proof of concept, in this observational study, we used a FTIR approach to reveal features related to sperm quality and chemical changes promoted by in vitro capacitation. We found indication that α-helix content is increased in capacitated sperm, while high percentages of the β-structures seem to correlate to poor-quality spermatozoa. The most interesting observation was related to the lipid composition, when measured as CH2/CH3 vibrations (ratio 2853/2870), which resulted in being strongly influenced by capacitation and well correlated with sperm motility. Interestingly, this ratio is higher than 1 in infertile samples, suggesting that motility is related to sperm membranes stiffness and lipid composition. Although further analyses are requested, our results support the concept that FTIR can be proposed as a new smart diagnostic tool for semen quality assessment in ART.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pachetti
- Elettra—Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., SS14—km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (M.P.); (I.V.); (E.M.); (F.D.); (L.V.)
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 2, 34143 Trieste, Italy
| | - Luisa Zupin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy; (L.Z.); (R.B.); (G.R.)
| | - Irene Venturin
- Elettra—Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., SS14—km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (M.P.); (I.V.); (E.M.); (F.D.); (L.V.)
| | - Elisa Mitri
- Elettra—Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., SS14—km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (M.P.); (I.V.); (E.M.); (F.D.); (L.V.)
| | - Rita Boscolo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy; (L.Z.); (R.B.); (G.R.)
| | - Francesco D’Amico
- Elettra—Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., SS14—km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (M.P.); (I.V.); (E.M.); (F.D.); (L.V.)
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra—Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., SS14—km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (M.P.); (I.V.); (E.M.); (F.D.); (L.V.)
| | - Sergio Crovella
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Qatar, P.O. Box 2713 Doha, Qatar;
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy; (L.Z.); (R.B.); (G.R.)
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorella Pascolo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy; (L.Z.); (R.B.); (G.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-040-378-5526
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Surowka AD, Gianoncelli A, Birarda G, Sala S, Cefarin N, Matruglio A, Szczerbowska-Boruchowska M, Ziomber-Lisiak A, Vaccari L. Soft X-ray induced radiation damage in thin freeze-dried brain samples studied by FTIR microscopy. J Synchrotron Radiat 2020; 27:1218-1226. [PMID: 32876596 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577520010103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In order to push the spatial resolution limits to the nanoscale, synchrotron-based soft X-ray microscopy (XRM) experiments require higher radiation doses to be delivered to materials. Nevertheless, the associated radiation damage impacts on the integrity of delicate biological samples. Herein, the extent of soft X-ray radiation damage in popular thin freeze-dried brain tissue samples mounted onto Si3N4 membranes, as highlighted by Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR), is reported. The freeze-dried tissue samples were found to be affected by general degradation of the vibrational architecture, though these effects were weaker than those observed in paraffin-embedded and hydrated systems reported in the literature. In addition, weak, reversible and specific features of the tissue-Si3N4 interaction could be identified for the first time upon routine soft X-ray exposures, further highlighting the complex interplay between the biological sample, its preparation protocol and X-ray probe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Artur D Surowka
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, SS 14, km 163.5, Basovizza, TS 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - A Gianoncelli
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, SS 14, km 163.5, Basovizza, TS 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - G Birarda
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, SS 14, km 163.5, Basovizza, TS 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - S Sala
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, SS 14, km 163.5, Basovizza, TS 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - N Cefarin
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, SS 14, km 163.5, Basovizza, TS 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - A Matruglio
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - M Szczerbowska-Boruchowska
- AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, al. Mickiewicza 30, Krakow 30-059, Poland
| | - A Ziomber-Lisiak
- Chair of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University, ul. Czysta 18, Kraków 31-121, Poland
| | - L Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, SS 14, km 163.5, Basovizza, TS 34149 Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Bergami E, Rota E, Caruso T, Birarda G, Vaccari L, Corsi I. Plastics everywhere: first evidence of polystyrene fragments inside the common Antarctic collembolan Cryptopygus antarcticus. Biol Lett 2020; 16:20200093. [PMID: 32574531 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is evidence and serious concern that microplastics have reached the most remote regions of the planet, but how far have they travelled in terrestrial ecosystems? This study presents the first field-based evidence of plastic ingestion by a common and central component of Antarctic terrestrial food webs, the collembolan Cryptopygus antarcticus. A large piece of polystyrene (PS) foam (34 × 31 × 5 cm) covered by microalgae, moss, lichens and microfauna was found in a fellfield along the shores of the Fildes Peninsula (King George Island). The application of an improved enzymatic digestion coupled with Fourier transform infrared microscopy (µ-FTIR), unequivocally detected traces of PS (less than 100 µm) in the gut of the collembolans associated with the PS foam and documented their ability to ingest plastic. Plastics are thus entering the short Antarctic terrestrial food webs and represent a new potential stressor to polar ecosystems already facing climate change and increasing human activities. Future research should explore the effects of plastics on the composition, structure and functions of polar terrestrial biota.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bergami
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Emilia Rota
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Tancredi Caruso
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- SISSI-Chemical and Life Science branch, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- SISSI-Chemical and Life Science branch, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
The Krapina white-tailed eagle talons represent a kind of jewelry worn by Krapina Neandertals some 130,000 years ago. New inspection of one Krapina talon (386.1) revealed a fiber, sealed by a thin silicate coating, adhering to the surface within a wide cut mark, as well as concentrated traces of occasional spots of red and yellow pigment and some black stains. We analyzed the fiber and small portions of pigmented areas by non-invasive, infrared synchrotron beam. Different areas were targeted, revealing the protein nature of the fiber, identified as of animal origin. Targeted areas revealed intra- and inter-strand aggregation indicating the fiber to be collagen losing its original triple α-helix conformation, further confirming the diagenetic decay of the original collagen structure and the antiquity of the fiber. It is possible that the fiber is a remnant of the leather or sinew string binding the talons together. Spectroscopic analysis of the pigments in two isolated areas confirmed two types of ochre and that the dark spots are charcoal remnants. Applying novel non-invasive technologies provides new possibilities to further test the hypothesis of using prehistoric objects for symbolic purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davorka Radovčić
- Department of Geology and Paleontology, Croatian Natural History Museum, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Synchrotron Infrared Source for Spectroscopy and Imaging - SISSI, Elettra - Sincrotrone, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ankica Oros Sršen
- Institute for Quaternary Paleontology and Geology, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Synchrotron Infrared Source for Spectroscopy and Imaging - SISSI, Elettra - Sincrotrone, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jakov Radovčić
- Department of Geology and Paleontology, Croatian Natural History Museum, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - David W Frayer
- Department of Anthropology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Notarstefano V, Sabbatini S, Conti C, Pisani M, Astolfi P, Pro C, Rubini C, Vaccari L, Giorgini E. Investigation of human pancreatic cancer tissues by Fourier Transform Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging. J Biophotonics 2020; 13:e201960071. [PMID: 31648419 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201960071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fourier-transform infrared hyperspectral imaging (FTIR-HSI) provides hyperspectral images containing both morphological and chemical information. It is widely applied in the biomedical field to detect tumor lesions, even at the early stage, by identifying specific spectral biomarkers. Pancreatic neoplasms present different prognoses and are not always easily classified by conventional analyses. In this study, tissue samples with diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor were analyzed by FTIR-HSI and the spectral data compared with those from healthy and dysplastic samples. Multivariate/univariate approaches were complemented to hyperspectral images, and definite spectral markers of the different lesions identified. The malignant lesions were recognizable both from healthy/dysplastic pancreatic tissues (high values of phospholipids and triglycerides with shorter, more branched and less unsaturated alkyl chains) and between each other (different amounts of total lipids, phosphates and carbohydrates). These findings highlight different metabolic pathways characterizing the different samples, well detectable by FTIR-HSI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Notarstefano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Simona Sabbatini
- Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Carla Conti
- Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Michela Pisani
- Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Paola Astolfi
- Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Chiara Pro
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Corrado Rubini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, SISSI Beamline, Trieste, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Giorgini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Surowka AD, Birarda G, Szczerbowska-Boruchowska M, Cestelli-Guidi M, Ziomber-Lisiak A, Vaccari L. Model-based correction algorithm for Fourier Transform infrared microscopy measurements of complex tissue-substrate systems. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1103:143-155. [PMID: 32081179 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2019.12.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Model-based algorithms have recently attracted much attention for data pre-processing in tissue mapping and imaging by Fourier transform infrared micro-spectroscopy (FTIR). Their versatility, robustness and computational performance enabled the improvement of spectral quality by mitigating the impact of scattering and fringing in FTIR spectra of chemically homogeneous biological systems. However, to date, no comprehensive algorithm has been optimized and automated for large-area FTIR imaging of histologically complex tissue samples. Herein, for the first time, we propose a unique, integrated and fully-automated Multiple Linear Regression Multi-Reference (MLR-MR) method for correcting linear baseline effects due to diffuse scattering, for compensating substrate thickness inhomogeneity and accounting for sample chemical heterogeneity in FTIR images. In particular, the algorithm uses multiple-reference spectra for histologically heterogeneous biological samples. The performance of the procedure was demonstrated for FTIR imaging of chemically complex rat brain frontal cortex tissue samples, mounted onto Ultralene® films. The proposed MLR-MR correction algorithm allows the efficient retrieval of "pure" absorbance spectra and greatly improves the histological fidelity of FTIR imaging data, as compared with the one-reference approach. In addition, the MLR-MR algorithm here presented opens up the possibility for extracting information on substrate thickness variability, thus enabling the indirect evaluation of its topography. As a whole, the MLR-MR procedure can be easily extended to more complex systems for which Mie scattering effects must also be eliminated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Artur Dawid Surowka
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14 - km 163.5, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy; AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14 - km 163.5, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Agata Ziomber-Lisiak
- Chair of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University, ul. Czysta 18, 31-121, Kraków, Poland
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14 - km 163.5, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Stani C, Vaccari L, Mitri E, Birarda G. FTIR investigation of the secondary structure of type I collagen: New insight into the amide III band. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2020; 229:118006. [PMID: 31927236 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2019.118006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This work presents a thorough study on the Amide III band in fibrous proteins using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Type I collagen was chosen as a model for this family of proteins, not only because of its important role in mammalian tissues, but also for its involvement in several pathologies. In order to disclose the conformational information contained in the collagen bands, the spectral characteristics of Amide III of type I collagen were related to the ones of Amide I band, performing experiments of thermal denaturation of the protein in acidic solution. Data acquired allowed to observe the protein unfolding and retrieve information about its structural arrangements during the thermal cycle. Taking as guideline the well-known behaviour of the Amide I band, we correlated the structural changes deducible from Amide I analysis with the ones detectable for Amide III band, by exploiting three spectral analysis techniques, namely 2D-correlation analysis, second derivative analysis, and peak-fitting. This approach enabled us to jointly support the obtained results and finally to assign the components of the Amide III of a typical fibrous protein, such as type I collagen, to its characteristic secondary structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiaramaria Stani
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14 - km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14 - km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Elisa Mitri
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14 - km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14 - km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Perissinotto F, Stani C, De Cecco E, Vaccari L, Rondelli V, Posocco P, Parisse P, Scaini D, Legname G, Casalis L. Iron-mediated interaction of alpha synuclein with lipid raft model membranes. Nanoscale 2020; 12:7631-7640. [PMID: 32104855 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr00287a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The aberrant misfolding and aggregation of alpha synuclein (αS) into toxic oligomeric species is one of the key features associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). It involves different biochemical and biophysical factors as plasma membrane binding and interaction with heavy metal ions. In the present work, atomic force microscopy (AFM) is combined with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements to investigate the interaction of wild-type (WT) and A53T mutated alpha synuclein with artificial lipid bilayers mimicking lipid raft (LR) domains, before and after ferrous cations (Fe2+) treatment. In the absence of iron, protein monomers produce a thinning of the membrane, targeting the non-raft phase of the bilayer preferentially. On the contrary, iron actively promotes the formation of globular protein aggregates, resembling oligomers, targeted to LR domains. In both aggregation states, monomer and oligomer, the mutated A53T protein exhibits a greater and faster membrane-interaction. These results underlie a new mechanism of membrane-protein interaction in PD. The targeting of Fe2+-promoted αS oligomers to LRs might be functional for the disease and be helpful for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
|
41
|
Tondi G, Cefarin N, Sepperer T, D’Amico F, Berger RJF, Musso M, Birarda G, Reyer A, Schnabel T, Vaccari L. Understanding the Polymerization of Polyfurfuryl Alcohol: Ring Opening and Diels-Alder Reactions. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:E2126. [PMID: 31861244 PMCID: PMC6969920 DOI: 10.3390/polym11122126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA) is one of the most intriguing polymers because, despite its easy polymerization in acid environment, its molecular structure is definitely not obvious. Many studies have been performed in recent decades, and every time, surprising aspects came out. With the present study, we aim to take advantage of all of the findings of previous investigations and exploit them for the interpretation of the completely cured PFA spectra registered with three of the most powerful techniques for the characterization of solid, insoluble polymers: Solid-State 13C-NMR, Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV-resonant Raman spectroscopy at different excitation wavelengths, using both an UV laser source and UV synchrotron radiation. In addition, the foreseen structures were modeled and the corresponding 13C-NMR and FTIR spectra were simulated with first-principles and semi-empiric methods to evaluate their matching with experimental ones. Thanks to this multi-technique approach, based on complementary analytical tools and computational support, it was possible to conclude that, in addition to the major linear unconjugated polymerization, the PFA structure consists of Diels-Alder rearrangements occurring after the opening of some furanic units, while the terminal moieties of the chain involves γ-lactone arrangements. The occurrence of head-head methylene ether bridges and free hydroxyl groups (from unreacted furfuryl alcohol, FA, or terminal chains) could be excluded, while the conjugated systems could be considered rather limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Tondi
- Forest Products Technology & Timber Constructions Department, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Marktstrasse 136a, 5431 Kuchl, Austria; (T.S.); (T.S.)
- Salzburg Center for Smart Materials, Jakob-Haringer-strasse 2, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry Department, University of Padua, Via dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Nicola Cefarin
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Strada Statale 14—km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy; (N.C.); (F.D.); (G.B.); (L.V.)
| | - Thomas Sepperer
- Forest Products Technology & Timber Constructions Department, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Marktstrasse 136a, 5431 Kuchl, Austria; (T.S.); (T.S.)
- Salzburg Center for Smart Materials, Jakob-Haringer-strasse 2, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Francesco D’Amico
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Strada Statale 14—km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy; (N.C.); (F.D.); (G.B.); (L.V.)
| | - Raphael J. F. Berger
- Department of Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Jakob-Haringer-Strasse 2a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (R.J.F.B.); (M.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Maurizio Musso
- Department of Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Jakob-Haringer-Strasse 2a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (R.J.F.B.); (M.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Strada Statale 14—km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy; (N.C.); (F.D.); (G.B.); (L.V.)
| | - Andreas Reyer
- Department of Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Jakob-Haringer-Strasse 2a, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (R.J.F.B.); (M.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Thomas Schnabel
- Forest Products Technology & Timber Constructions Department, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Marktstrasse 136a, 5431 Kuchl, Austria; (T.S.); (T.S.)
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Strada Statale 14—km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy; (N.C.); (F.D.); (G.B.); (L.V.)
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Birarda G, Delneri A, Lagatolla C, Parisse P, Cescutti P, Vaccari L, Rizzo R. Multi-technique microscopy investigation on bacterial biofilm matrices: a study on Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical strains. Anal Bioanal Chem 2019; 411:7315-7325. [PMID: 31637462 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-019-02111-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms are communities of bacteria living embedded in a highly hydrated matrix composed of polysaccharides, proteins, and extracellular DNA. This life style confers numerous advantages to bacteria including protection against external threats. However, they also contribute to increase bacterial resistance against antimicrobials, an issue particularly relevant in dangerous infections. Due to the complexity of the matrix, few information is present in the literature on details of its architecture including the spatial distribution of the macromolecular components which might give hints on the way the biofilm scaffold is built up by bacteria. In this study, we investigated the possibility to combine well-established microbiological procedures with advanced microscopies to get information on composition and distribution of the macromolecular components of biofilm matrices. To this, confocal microscopy, diffraction-limited infrared (IR) spectral imaging, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to explore biofilm produced by a clinical strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae. IR imaging permitted to have clues on how the biofilm grows and spreads on surfaces, and the local distribution of the components within it. Through the analysis of the pure component spectra, it was possible to assess the chemical and structural composition of the saccaridic matrix, confirming the data obtained by NMR. It was also possible to follow the time course of biofilm from 6 up to 48 h when the biofilm grew into a 3-dimensional multi-layered structure, characteristic of colonies of bacteria linked together by a complex matrix. In addition, nanoFTIR and AFM investigations allowed the estimation of biofilm growth in the vertical direction and the morphological analysis of bacterial colonies at different time points and the evaluation of the chemical composition at the nanoscale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S.14 Km 163.5, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ambra Delneri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristina Lagatolla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Pietro Parisse
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S.14 Km 163.5, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Cescutti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S.14 Km 163.5, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberto Rizzo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Gioacchini G, Notarstefano V, Sereni E, Zacà C, Coticchio G, Giorgini E, Vaccari L, Carnevali O, Borini A. Does the molecular and metabolic profile of human granulosa cells correlate with oocyte fate? New insights by Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy analysis. Mol Hum Reprod 2019; 24:521-532. [PMID: 30124927 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gay035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does the molecular and metabolic profile of human mural granulosa cells (GCs) correlate with oocyte fate? SUMMARY ANSWER A close relation between the metabolic profile of mural GCs and the fate of the corresponding oocyte was revealed by the analysis of selected biomarkers defined by GC Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIRM) analysis. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In ART, oocyte selection is mainly based on the subjective observation of its morphological features; despite recent efforts, the success rate of this practice is still unsatisfactory. FTIRM is a well-established vibrational technique recently applied to evaluate oocytes quality in several experimental models, including human. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION GCs retrieved from single-follicle aspirates were obtained with informed consent from 55 women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF treatment. GCs were analysed by FTIRM to retrospectively correlate their spectral features with the fate of the companion oocytes. The study has been conducted between March 2016 and September 2017. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Patients were selected according to the following inclusion criteria: age <40 years; non-smokers; no ovarian infertility diagnosis (only tubal, idiopathic and male infertility); regular ovulatory menstrual cycles (25-30 days) with FSH < 10 IU/I on Day 3 of the menstrual cycle; sperm sample with a total motility count after treatment ≥300.000; number of retrieved oocytes ≥8. Based on the clinical outcome of the corresponding oocyte, GCs were retrospectively classified into the following experimental groups: clinical pregnancy (CP), fertilization failure (FF), embryo development failure (EDF) and implantation failure (IF). All samples were analysed by the FTIRM technique. The spectral biomarker signature of different oocyte fates was derived by several feature selection procedures ('Leave-one-out' method on factorial discriminant analysis (FDA), variable characterization method and logistic regression method with the multinomial Logit model). ANOVA, permutational multivariate ANOVA, FDA and canonical analysis of principal co-ordinates statistical tools were also applied to validate the identified spectral biomarkers. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In total, 284 GCs samples were retrieved and retrospectively classified as FF: (N = 92), EDF (N = 113), IF (N = 56) and CP (N = 23). From the spectral profiles of GCs belonging to CP, FF, EDF and IF experimental groups, 17 spectral biomarkers, were identified by several feature selection procedures (P < 0.0001). These biomarkers were then validated by applying multivariate tools, to evaluate their ability to segregate GCs samples into the four experimental groups. FDA showed a clear separation along the F1-axis (62.75% of discrimination) between GCs from oocytes able (CP, IF groups) or not (FF, EDF groups) to develop into embryos; the F2-axis (24.14% of discrimination) segregated the embryos that gave pregnancy (CP) from those that failed implantation (IF). The confusion matrix (total percentage of correctness = 80.25%) obtained from this analysis pinpointed that GCs from oocytes unable to develop into embryos (FF, EDF) were better characterized than those from oocytes able to give viable embryos (CP, IF). ANOVA (P < 0.05) analysis pinpointed that: each experimental group showed specific macromolecular traits, ascribable to different biological and metabolic characteristics of GCs; these metabolic features were likely associated with different oocytes fates, but not to patient characteristics, since from the same patient we obtained GCs with different metabolic profiles. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The study is based on a small sample size but provides proof of concept that the GCs' metabolic profile is associated with the companion oocyte fate. The generated model should be further tested on a larger cohort of patients, classified in a similar manner, to assess the potential predictive value of this approach. Ultimately, validity of the proposed approach should be tested in a RCT. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS For the first time, the FTIRM analysis of human GCs has demonstrated an approach to better understand the molecular crosstalk between follicular cells and oocytes and has identified potential spectral biomarkers for improving human IVF success rate. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study was funded by GFI 2014 grant. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Gioacchini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Valentina Notarstefano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Elena Sereni
- 9.baby, Family and Fertility Center, Via Dante, 15, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlotta Zacà
- 9.baby, Family and Fertility Center, Via Dante, 15, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Giorgini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- SISSI Beamline, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S.14, Km 163.5, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Oliana Carnevali
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Andrea Borini
- 9.baby, Family and Fertility Center, Via Dante, 15, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Medas D, De Giudici G, Pusceddu C, Casu MA, Birarda G, Vaccari L, Gianoncelli A, Meneghini C. Impact of Zn excess on biomineralization processes in Juncus acutus grown in mine polluted sites. J Hazard Mater 2019; 370:98-107. [PMID: 28847413 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Juncus acutus, an halophite plant pioneer in extremely polluted mine areas, was harvested in three different locations of Sardinia (Italy), having Zn soil concentration up to 80g/kg, and Zn water concentration ranging between 10-3g/L and 10-1g/L. Rhizosphere and plant samples were investigated combining X-ray microscopy (XM)/spectroscopy (XAFS) and infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR) to elucidate the chemical composition, (bio)mineralogy and Zn coordinative environment. The multi-technique approach allowed recognizing different biomineralization processes, and Zn complexes in the plant tissues. The Zn chemical environment in root biominerals is multi-phase and, depending on the sampling site, can comprise amorphous Zn silicate, Zn apatite, hydrozincite, and Zn sulphate. Zn cysteine and Zn histidine, complexes quoted as part of a detoxification strategy, were found mainly in plants from the site where the Zn water concentration has the highest values. This different site-specific mode of Zn biomineralization has relevant implications for phytoremediation techniques and for further biotechnology development, which can be better designed and developed after knowledge of site-specific-molecular processes ruling mineral evolution and biomineralization. Carboxylic groups and organic compounds (lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin and esters) were identified by FTIR analysis, thought the Zn speciation is not apparently linked to these carboxylic group rich biopolymers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Medas
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09127 Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Giovanni De Giudici
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09127 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Claudia Pusceddu
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09127 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Casu
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, UOS of Cagliari, National Research Council, Scientific and Technological Park of Sardinsaltia POLARIS, Pula, Italy
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Novak S, Romih T, Drašler B, Birarda G, Vaccari L, Ferraris P, Sorieul S, Zieba M, Sebastian V, Arruebo M, Hočevar SB, Jemec Kokalj A, Drobne D. The in vivo effects of silver nanoparticles on terrestrial isopods, Porcellio scaber, depend on a dynamic interplay between shape, size and nanoparticle dissolution properties. Analyst 2019; 144:488-497. [PMID: 30467573 DOI: 10.1039/c8an01387j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The present work aims to study the effects that acute exposure to low concentrations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) cause in digestive glands of terrestrial isopods (Porcellio scaber). The experiments were designed to integrate different analytical techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, proton induced X-ray emission, and Fourier transform IR imaging (FTIRI), in order to gain a comprehensive insight into the process from the AgNPs' synthesis to their interaction with biological tissues in vivo. To this aim, terrestrial isopods were fed with AgNPs having different shapes, sizes, and concentrations. For all the tested conditions, no toxicity at the whole organism level was observed after 14 days of exposure. However, FTIRI showed that AgNPs caused detectable local changes in proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and carbohydrates at the tissue level, to an extent dependent on the interplay of the AgNPs' properties: shape, size, concentration and dissolution of ions from them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Fanesi A, Wagner H, Birarda G, Vaccari L, Wilhelm C. Quantitative macromolecular patterns in phytoplankton communities resolved at the taxonomical level by single-cell Synchrotron FTIR-spectroscopy. BMC Plant Biol 2019; 19:142. [PMID: 30987593 PMCID: PMC6466684 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-019-1736-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Technical limitations regarding bulk analysis of phytoplankton biomass limit our comprehension of carbon fluxes in natural populations and, therefore, of carbon, nutrients and energy cycling in aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we took advantage of Synchrotron FTIR micro-spectroscopy and the partial least square regression (PLSr) algorithm to simultaneously quantify the protein, lipid and carbohydrate content at the single-cell level in a mock phytoplankton community (composed by a cyanobacterium, a green-alga and a diatom) grown at two temperatures (15 °C and 25 °C). RESULTS The PLSr models generated to quantify cell macromolecules presented high quality fit (R2 ≥ 0.90) and low error of prediction (RMSEP 2-6% of dry weight). The regression coefficients revealed that the prediction of each macromolecule was not exclusively dependent on spectral features corresponding to that compound, but rather on all major macromolecular pools, reflecting adjustments in the overall cell carbon balance. The single-cell analysis, studied by means of Kernel density estimators, showed that the modes of density distribution of macromolecules were different at 15 °C and 25 °C. However, a substantial proportion of cells was biochemically identical at the two temperatures because of population heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS The spectroscopic approach presented in this study allows the quantification of macromolecules in single phytoplankton cells. This method showed that population heterogeneity most likely ensures a backup of non-acclimated cells that may rapidly exploit new favourable niches. This finding may have important consequences for the ecology of phytoplankton populations and shows that the "average cell" concept might substantially limit our comprehension of population dynamics and biogeochemical cycles in aquatic ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Fanesi
- Department of Plant Physiology, Leipzig University, Institute of Biology, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Heiko Wagner
- Department of Plant Physiology, Leipzig University, Institute of Biology, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, Synchrotron Infrared Source for Spectroscopy and Imaging – SISSI, 34149 Trieste, Basovizza Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, Synchrotron Infrared Source for Spectroscopy and Imaging – SISSI, 34149 Trieste, Basovizza Italy
| | - Christian Wilhelm
- Department of Plant Physiology, Leipzig University, Institute of Biology, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Notarstefano V, Gioacchini G, Byrne HJ, Zacà C, Sereni E, Vaccari L, Borini A, Carnevali O, Giorgini E. Vibrational characterization of granulosa cells from patients affected by unilateral ovarian endometriosis: New insights from infrared and Raman microspectroscopy. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2019; 212:206-214. [PMID: 30639914 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2018.12.054] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic gynaecological disease characterised by the presence of endometrial cells in extra-uterine regions. One of the main factors impacting on the fertility of women affected by endometriosis is the poor oocyte quality. Granulosa Cells (GCs) regulate oocyte development and maintain the appropriate microenvironment for the acquisition of its competence; hence, the dysregulation of these functions in GCs can lead to severe cellular damages also in oocytes. In this study, luteinized GCs samples were separately collected from both ovaries of women affected by Unilateral Ovarian Endometriosis and analysed by infrared and Raman microspectroscopy. The spectral data were compared with those of GCs from women with diagnosis of tubal, idiopathic or male infertility (taken as control group). The coupling of these two spectroscopic techniques sheds new light on the alteration induced by this pathology on GCs metabolism and biochemical composition. In fact, the study revealed similar biochemical modifications in GCs from both ovaries of women affected by unilateral ovarian endometriosis, such as the alteration of the protein pattern, the induction of oxidative stress mechanisms, and the deregulation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolisms. These evidences suggest that unilateral endometriosis impairs the overall ovarian functions, causing alterations not only in the ovary with endometriotic lesions but also in the contralateral "healthy" one.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Notarstefano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Giorgia Gioacchini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Hugh J Byrne
- FOCAS Research Institute, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Carlotta Zacà
- 9.Baby Center for Reproductive Health, via Dante 15, 40125 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Sereni
- 9.Baby Center for Reproductive Health, via Dante 15, 40125 Bologna, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- SISSI Beamline, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.C.p.A., S.S. 14 - Km 163.5, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Borini
- 9.Baby Center for Reproductive Health, via Dante 15, 40125 Bologna, Italy
| | - Oliana Carnevali
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Giorgini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Giorgini E, Sabbatini S, Rocchetti R, Notarstefano V, Rubini C, Conti C, Orilisi G, Mitri E, Bedolla DE, Vaccari L. In vitro FTIR microspectroscopy analysis of primary oral squamous carcinoma cells treated with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil: a new spectroscopic approach for studying the drug-cell interaction. Analyst 2019; 143:3317-3326. [PMID: 29931010 DOI: 10.1039/c8an00602d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, human primary oral squamous carcinoma cells treated with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil were analyzed, for the first time, by in vitro FTIR Microspectroscopy (FTIRM), to improve the knowledge on the biochemical pathways activated by these two chemotherapy drugs. To date, most of the studies regarding FTIRM cellular analysis have been executed on fixed cells from immortalized cell lines. FTIRM analysis performed on primary tumor cells under controlled hydrated conditions provides more reliable information on the biochemical processes occurring in in vivo tumor cells. This spectroscopic analysis allows to get on the same sample and at the same time an overview of the composition and structure of the most remarkable cellular components. In vitro FTIRM analysis of primary oral squamous carcinoma cells evidenced a time-dependent drug-specific cellular response, also including apoptosis triggering. Furthermore, the univariate and multivariate analyses of IR data evidenced meaningful spectroscopic differences ascribable to alterations affecting cellular proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. These findings suggest for the two drugs different pathways and extents of cellular damage, not provided by conventional cell-based assays (MTT assay and image-based cytometry).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Giorgini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Liang W, Xu H, Carraro F, Maddigan NK, Li Q, Bell SG, Huang DM, Tarzia A, Solomon MB, Amenitsch H, Vaccari L, Sumby CJ, Falcaro P, Doonan CJ. Enhanced Activity of Enzymes Encapsulated in Hydrophilic Metal–Organic Frameworks. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:2348-2355. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b10302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Weibin Liang
- Department of Chemistry and the Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Huoshu Xu
- Department of Chemistry, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | | | - Natasha K. Maddigan
- Department of Chemistry and the Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Qiaowei Li
- Department of Chemistry, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Stephen G. Bell
- Department of Chemistry and the Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - David M. Huang
- Department of Chemistry and the Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Andrew Tarzia
- Department of Chemistry and the Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Marcello B. Solomon
- Department of Chemistry and the Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | | | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone
Trieste S.C.p.A, S.S. 14 Km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Christopher J. Sumby
- Department of Chemistry and the Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Paolo Falcaro
- Department of Chemistry and the Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Christian J. Doonan
- Department of Chemistry and the Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Maglione M, Vaccari L, Mancini L, Ciancio R, Bedolla DE, Bevilacqua L, Tonellato P. Micro-ATR FTIR, SEM-EDS and X-ray micro-CT: an innovative multi-technique approach to investigate bone affected by peri-implantitis. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2018; 34:631–641. [PMID: 30521655 DOI: 10.11607/jomi.7026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this work was to prove the synergic complementarity of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (micro-ATR FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT) by studying implant samples with bone affected by peri-implantitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six samples of implanted bone affected by peri-implantitis and one control healthy bone were analyzed. Thick bone sections included in epoxy-resin and removed implants were analyzed by micro-ATR FTIR, SEM-EDS, and micro-CT. RESULTS Micro-ATR FTIR revealed the complex nature of the bone composition. Vibrational bands characteristic of both mineral bone phase (acidic phosphates, CO32- groups) and organic bone phase (mostly collagen) could be recognized, and their proportion could be seen to change accordingly with the bone degradation. Similarly, SEM-EDS clearly revealed the cortical nature of the control mandible and its homogenous mineral composition. On the contrary, EDS analyses performed over relevant portions of pathologic samples revealed that defective areas were almost Ca and P free. Micro-CT data showed that the morphology of the interface was smooth and linear in the physiologic periimplant bone, while in the pathologic samples, an altered morphology was evident. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that morphologic, elemental, and biochemical modifications of periimplant bone can be studied using micro-ATR FTIR, SEM-EDS, and micro-CT. The complement of these techniques can be considered a new multipurpose approach to investigate bone affected by peri-implantitis.
Collapse
|