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Fioretto BS, Rosa I, Andreucci E, Mencucci R, Marini M, Romano E, Manetti M. Pharmacological Stimulation of Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Counteracts the Profibrotic Activation of Human Conjunctival Fibroblasts. Cells 2024; 13:360. [PMID: 38391973 PMCID: PMC10887040 DOI: 10.3390/cells13040360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Conjunctival fibrosis is a serious clinical concern implicated in a wide spectrum of eye diseases, including outcomes of surgery for pterygium and glaucoma. It is mainly driven by chronic inflammation that stimulates conjunctival fibroblasts to differentiate into myofibroblasts over time, leading to abnormal wound healing and scar formation. Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulation was found to suppress transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-induced myofibroblastic differentiation in various stromal cells such as skin and pulmonary fibroblasts, as well as corneal keratocytes. Here, we evaluated the in vitro effects of stimulation of the sGC enzyme with the cell-permeable pyrazolopyridinylpyrimidine compound BAY 41-2272 in modulating the TGFβ1-mediated profibrotic activation of human conjunctival fibroblasts. Cells were pretreated with the sGC stimulator before challenging with recombinant human TGFβ1, and subsequently assayed for viability, proliferation, migration, invasiveness, myofibroblast marker expression, and contractile properties. Stimulation of sGC significantly counteracted TGFβ1-induced cell proliferation, migration, invasiveness, and acquisition of a myofibroblast-like phenotype, as shown by a significant downregulation of FAP, ACTA2, COL1A1, COL1A2, FN1, MMP2, TIMP1, and TIMP2 mRNA levels, as well as by a significant reduction in α-smooth muscle actin, N-cadherin, COL1A1, and FN-EDA protein expression. In addition, pretreatment with the sGC stimulator was capable of significantly dampening TGFβ1-induced acquisition of a contractile phenotype by conjunctival fibroblasts, as well as phosphorylation of Smad3 and release of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6. Taken together, our findings are the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of pharmacological sGC stimulation in counteracting conjunctival fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, thus providing a promising scientific background to further explore the feasibility of sGC stimulators as potential new adjuvant therapeutic compounds to treat conjunctival fibrotic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.S.F.); (I.R.); (M.M.)
| | - Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.S.F.); (I.R.); (M.M.)
| | - Elena Andreucci
- Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Rita Mencucci
- Eye Clinic, Careggi Hospital, Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Mirca Marini
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.S.F.); (I.R.); (M.M.)
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.S.F.); (I.R.); (M.M.)
- Imaging Platform, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
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Manetti M, Marini M, Perna A, Tani A, Sgambati E. Sialylation status and its relationship with morphofunctional changes in human adult testis during sexually mature life and aging: A narrative review. Acta Histochem 2024; 126:152143. [PMID: 38382219 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2024.152143] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Sialic acids (Sias) are a family of electronegatively charged nine-carbon monosaccharides containing a carboxylic acid, mostly found as terminal residues in glycans of glycoproteins and glycolipids. They are bound to galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine via α2,3 or α2,6 linkage, or to other Sias especially via α2,8 linkage, which results in monomeric, oligomeric, and polymeric forms. Sias play determinant roles in a multitude of biological processes in human tissues from development to adult life until aging. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on the sialylation status in the human testis with a main focus on sexually mature life and aging, when this organ shows significant morphofunctional changes resulting into variations of hormonal levels, as well as changes in molecules involved in mitochondrial function, receptors, and signaling proteins. Evidence suggests that Sias may have crucial morphofunctional roles in the different testicular components during the sexually mature age. With advancing age, significant loss of Sias and/or changes in sialylation status occur in all the testicular components, which seems to contribute to morphofunctional changes characteristic of the aging testis. Based on the current knowledge, further in-depth investigations will be necessary to better understand the mechanistic role of Sias in the biological processes of human testicular tissue and the significance of their changes during the aging process. Future investigations might also contribute to the development of novel prophylactic and/or therapeutic approaches that, by maintaining/restoring the correct sialylation status, could help in slowing down the testis aging process, thus preserving the testicular structure and functionality and preventing age-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Mirca Marini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Angelica Perna
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Alessia Tani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Eleonora Sgambati
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, Pesche, Isernia 86090, Italy.
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Bandinelli F, Martinelli-Consumi B, Manetti M, Vallecoccia MS. Sex Bias in Diagnostic Delay: Are Axial Spondyloarthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis Still Phantom Diseases in Women? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pers Med 2024; 14:91. [PMID: 38248792 PMCID: PMC10817445 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14010091] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Diagnostic delay (DD) is associated with poor radiological and quality of life outcomes in axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The female (F) population is often misdiagnosed, as classification criteria were previously studied mostly in males (M). We conducted a systematic review to investigate (i) the difference in DD between the sexes, the impact of HLA*B27 and clinical and social factors (work and education) on this gap, and (ii) the possible influence of the year of publication (before and after the 2009 ASAS classification criteria), geographical region (Europe and Israel vs. extra-European countries), sample sources (mono-center vs. multi-center studies), and world bank (WB) economic class on DD in both sexes. We searched, in PubMed and Embase, studies that reported the mean or median DD or the statistical difference in DD between sexes, adding a manual search. Starting from 399 publications, we selected 26 studies (17 from PubMed and Embase, 9 from manual search) that were successively evaluated with the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (m-NOS). The mean DD of 16 high-quality (m-NOS > 4/8) studies, pooled with random-effects meta-analysis, produces results higher in F (1.48, 95% CI 0.83-2.14, p < 0.0001) but with significant results at the second analysis only in articles published before the 2009 ASAS classification criteria (0.95, 95% CI 0.05-1.85, p < 0.0001) and in extra-European countries (3.16, 95% CI 2.11-4.22, p < 0.05). With limited evidence, some studies suggest that DD in F might be positively influenced by HLA*B27 positivity, peripheral involvement, and social factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bandinelli
- Rheumatology Department, Usl Tuscany Center, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, 50143 Florence, Italy;
| | | | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Maria Sole Vallecoccia
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, 50122 Florence, Italy;
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Russo E, Bellando-Randone S, Carboni D, Fioretto BS, Romano E, Baldi S, El Aoufy K, Ramazzotti M, Rosa I, Lepri G, Di Gloria L, Pallecchi M, Bruni C, Melchiorre D, Guiducci S, Manetti M, Bartolucci GL, Matucci-Cerinic M, Amedei A. The differential crosstalk of the skin-gut microbiome axis as a new emerging actor in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2024; 63:226-234. [PMID: 37154625 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We characterized the microbiota in SSc, focusing on the skin-oral-gut axis and the serum and faecal free fatty acid (FFA) profile. METHODS Twenty-five SSc patients with ACA or anti-Scl70 autoantibodies were enrolled. The microbiota of faecal, saliva and superficial epidermal samples was assessed through next-generation sequencing analysis. GC-MS was used to quantify faecal and serum FFAs. Gastrointestinal symptoms were investigated with the University of California Los Angeles Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract Instrument (UCLA GIT-2.0) questionnaire. RESULTS The ACA+ and anti-Scl70+ groups displayed different cutaneous and faecal microbiota profiles. The classes of cutaneous Sphingobacteriia and Alphaproteobacteria, the faecal phylum Lentisphaerae, the levels of the classes Lentisphaeria and Opitutae, and the genus NA-Acidaminococcaceae were significantly higher in faecal samples from the ACA+ patients than in samples from the anti-Scl70+ patients. The cutaneous Sphingobacteria and the faecal Lentisphaerae were significantly correlated (rho = 0.42; P = 0.03). A significant increase in faecal propionic acid was observed in ACA+ patients. Moreover, all levels of faecal medium-chain FFAs and hexanoic acids were significantly higher in the ACA+ group than in the anti-Scl70+ group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). In the ACA+ group, the analysis of the serum FFA levels showed an increasing trend in valeric acid. CONCLUSION Different microbiota signatures and FFA profiles were found for the two groups of patients. Despite being in different body districts, the cutaneous Sphingobacteria and faecal Lentisphaerae appear interdependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edda Russo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Bellando-Randone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Division of Rheumatology, Scleroderma Unit, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Davide Carboni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Division of Rheumatology, Scleroderma Unit, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Simone Baldi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Khadija El Aoufy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Matteo Ramazzotti
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Science "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gemma Lepri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Division of Rheumatology, Scleroderma Unit, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Leandro Di Gloria
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Science "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Pallecchi
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Cosimo Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Division of Rheumatology, Scleroderma Unit, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
- Rheumatology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Melchiorre
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gian Luca Bartolucci
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Division of Rheumatology, Scleroderma Unit, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Manetti M. The contribution of endothelial cells to tissue fibrosis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2024; 36:52-60. [PMID: 37582200 DOI: 10.1097/bor.0000000000000963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Tissue fibrosis is an increasingly prevalent condition associated with various diseases and heavily impacting on global morbidity and mortality rates. Growing evidence indicates that common cellular and molecular mechanisms may drive fibrosis of diverse cause and affecting different organs. The scope of this review is to highlight recent findings in support for an important role of vascular endothelial cells in the pathogenesis of fibrosis, with a special focus on systemic sclerosis as a prototypic multisystem fibrotic disorder. RECENT FINDINGS Although transition of fibroblasts to chronically activated myofibroblasts is widely considered the central profibrotic switch, the endothelial cell involvement in development and progression of fibrosis has been increasingly recognized over the last few years. Endothelial cells can contribute to the fibrotic process either directly by acting as source of myofibroblasts through endothelial-to-myofibroblast transition (EndMT) and concomitant microvascular rarefaction, or indirectly by becoming senescent and/or secreting a variety of profibrotic and proinflammatory mediators with consequent fibroblast activation and recruitment of inflammatory/immune cells that further promote fibrosis. SUMMARY An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms underlying EndMT or the acquisition of a profibrotic secretory phenotype by endothelial cells will provide the rationale for novel endothelial cell reprogramming-based therapeutic approaches to prevent and/or treat fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Rosa I, Nardini P, Fioretto BS, Guasti D, Romano E, Sgambati E, Marini M, Manetti M. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural identification of telocytes in the lamina propria of human vaginal mucosa. Acta Histochem 2023; 125:152094. [PMID: 37757515 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2023.152094] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Since their relatively recent discovery, telocytes (TCs) have been described as peculiar cells strategically positioned in the stromal tissue component of multiple organ systems of the mammalian body including female reproductive organs (i.e., ovary, uterine tube, and uterus). Nevertheless, current knowledge of TCs in the vagina is very limited. The present study was therefore undertaken to investigate the existence and characteristics of TCs in the stromal tissue of human vaginal mucosa by means of immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. In the vaginal lamina propria, TCs were first identified by CD34 immunohistochemistry that revealed the presence of CD34+ stromal cells arranged in networks, especially around blood vessels. Double immunofluorescence confocal microscopy allowed to precisely distinguish the perivascular networks of CD34+ stromal cells lacking CD31 immunoreactivity from adjacent CD31+ microvessels. All the perivascular networks of TCs/CD34+ stromal cells situated in the vaginal lamina propria coexpressed platelet-derived growth factor receptor α, which strengthened their identification as TCs. Instead, vaginal mucosal TCs were immunophenotypically negative for c-kit/CD117. The ultrastructural examination confirmed the presence of TCs, namely stromal cells with characteristic cytoplasmic processes (i.e., telopodes) forming labyrinthine networks around blood vessels and releasing extracellular vesicles. Together, our morphological findings provide the first comprehensive demonstration that TCs reside in the human vaginal lamina propria, thus paving the way for further investigation of their putative functions in vaginal mucosal homeostasis and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Patrizia Nardini
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; Imaging Platform, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Daniele Guasti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; Imaging Platform, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Eleonora Sgambati
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Isernia, Italy
| | - Mirca Marini
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; Imaging Platform, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
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Carretti G, Manetti M, Marini M. Physical activity and sport practice to improve balance control of visually impaired individuals: a narrative review with future perspectives. Front Sports Act Living 2023; 5:1260942. [PMID: 37780118 PMCID: PMC10534048 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1260942] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Visual disability negatively impacts balance, everyday self-efficacy, and mobility and often leads affected subjects to perceive physical exercise as a burdensome challenge thus discouraging them from practicing. Despite the well-proven benefits of regular physical activity in visually impaired people, especially addressing postural control, there are no specific guidelines and most of the available literature seems to be flawed by critical issues. Given the wide heterogeneity and the multidimensional needs of this population, a more realistic and target-specific perspective is needed in order to properly investigate and promote exercise practice and adherence for balance improvement. On this basis, through a critical overview of the recent literature, the present article aimed to enrich the current knowledge about this topic by providing innovative suggestions, both practical and methodological, and specifically deepening the disability-related deficits and peculiarities of different age ranges. Moreover, since a multidisciplinary approach is advisable when designing and leading exercise protocols tailored to visually impaired individuals, such innovative hints also highlighted the central role of the adapted physical activity specialist, hence contributing to foster its official professional recognition and involvement in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mirca Marini
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Rosa I, Romano E, Fioretto BS, El Aoufy K, Bellando-Randone S, Matucci-Cerinic M, Manetti M. Lymphatic Endothelial-to-Myofibroblast Transition: A Potential New Mechanism Underlying Skin Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis. Cells 2023; 12:2195. [PMID: 37681927 PMCID: PMC10486460 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172195] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
At present, only a few reports have addressed the possible contribution of the lymphatic vascular system to the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Based on the evidence that blood vascular endothelial cells can undertake the endothelial-to-myofibroblast transition (EndMT) contributing to SSc-related skin fibrosis, we herein investigated whether the lymphatic endothelium might represent an additional source of profibrotic myofibroblasts through a lymphatic EndMT (Ly-EndMT) process. Skin sections from patients with SSc and healthy donors were immunostained for the lymphatic endothelial cell-specific marker lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1) in combination with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) as the main marker of myofibroblasts. Commercial human adult dermal lymphatic microvascular endothelial cells (HdLy-MVECs) were challenged with recombinant human transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) or serum from SSc patients and healthy donors. The expression of lymphatic endothelial cell/myofibroblast markers was measured by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Collagen gel contraction assay was performed to assess myofibroblast-like cell contractile ability. Lymphatic endothelial cells in intermediate stages of the Ly-EndMT process (i.e., coexpressing LYVE-1 and α-SMA) were found exclusively in the fibrotic skin of SSc patients. The culturing of HdLy-MVECs with SSc serum or profibrotic TGFβ1 led to the acquisition of a myofibroblast-like morphofunctional phenotype, as well as the downregulation of lymphatic endothelial cell-specific markers and the parallel upregulation of myofibroblast markers. In SSc, the Ly-EndMT might represent a previously overlooked pathogenetic process bridging peripheral microlymphatic dysfunction and skin fibrosis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.R.); (B.S.F.)
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (K.E.A.); (S.B.-R.)
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.R.); (B.S.F.)
| | - Khadija El Aoufy
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (K.E.A.); (S.B.-R.)
- Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), 50141 Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Bellando-Randone
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (K.E.A.); (S.B.-R.)
- Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), 50141 Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.R.); (B.S.F.)
- Imaging Platform, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
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Carretti G, Bianco R, Sgambati E, Manetti M, Marini M. Reactive Agility and Pitching Performance Improvement in Visually Impaired Competitive Italian Baseball Players: An Innovative Training and Evaluation Proposal. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:6166. [PMID: 37372753 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20126166] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Visual input significantly affects kinesthesis skills and, hence, visually impaired individuals show less developed sensorimotor control, especially in an unfamiliar outdoor environment. Regular blind baseball practice can counteract such a deficit but, given the complex kinetic chain model required, a targeted workout proposal is needed to improve the main athletic gesture performance. On these premises, we investigated, for the first time, the running and pitching performance of a competitive Italian blind baseball team through quantitative tools and parameters such as Libra Easytech sensorized proprioceptive board, goniometric active range of motion, chronometric speed, and pitching linear length. Moreover, the perceived physical exertion was assessed by the Borg CR10 scale. Consequently, an adapted athletic training protocol was designed and tested on the field during the competitive season, with the aim to strengthen sport specific-gesture coordination and efficacy as well as to prevent injuries. Quantitative assessments showed an improvement in ankle stability index, bilateral upper limb and hip mobility, reactive agility, running braking phase control during second base approaching, and auditory target-related pitching accuracy along with a decrease in perceived physical exertion. This protocol might therefore represent an effective and easily reproducible training and evaluation approach to tailor management of visually impaired baseball players, and safely improve their athletic performance under the supervision of an adapted exercise specialist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuditta Carretti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Raffaele Bianco
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Eleonora Sgambati
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Mirca Marini
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
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Andreucci E, Fioretto BS, Rosa I, Matucci-Cerinic M, Biagioni A, Romano E, Calorini L, Manetti M. Extracellular Lactic Acidosis of the Tumor Microenvironment Drives Adipocyte-to-Myofibroblast Transition Fueling the Generation of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060939. [PMID: 36980280 PMCID: PMC10046917 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactic acidosis characterizes the tumor microenvironment (TME) and is involved in the mechanisms leading to cancer progression and dissemination through the reprogramming of tumor and local host cells (e.g., endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells). Adipose tissue also represents a crucial component of the TME which is receiving increasing attention due to its pro-tumoral activity, however, to date, it is not known whether it could be affected by the acidic TME. Now, emerging evidence from chronic inflammatory and fibrotic diseases underlines that adipocytes may give rise to pathogenic myofibroblast-like cells through the adipocyte-to-myofibroblast transition (AMT). Thus, our study aimed to investigate whether extracellular acidosis could affect the AMT process, sustaining the acquisition by adipocytes of a cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-like phenotype with a pro-tumoral activity. To this purpose, human subcutaneous adipose-derived stem cells committed to adipocytes (acADSCs) were cultured under basal (pH 7.4) or lactic acidic (pH 6.7, 10 mM lactate) conditions, and AMT was evaluated with quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence analyses. We observed that lactic acidosis significantly impaired the expression of adipocytic markers while inducing myofibroblastic, pro-fibrotic, and pro-inflammatory phenotypes in acADSCs, which are characteristic of AMT reprogramming. Interestingly, the conditioned medium of lactic acidosis-exposed acADSC cultures was able to induce myofibroblastic activation in normal fibroblasts and sustain the proliferation, migration, invasion, and therapy resistance of breast cancer cells in vitro. This study reveals a previously unrecognized relationship between lactic acidosis and the generation of a new CAF-like cell subpopulation from adipocytic precursor cells sustaining tumor malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Andreucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessio Biagioni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Lido Calorini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
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Perna A, Tani A, Sellitto C, Marini M, La Verde M, De Luca A, Guerra G, Lucariello A, Manetti M, Sgambati E. Sialylation status in placentas from pregnancies with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Tissue Cell 2023; 82:102074. [PMID: 36948081 PMCID: PMC10019918 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102074] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent investigations suggest the potential negative impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant women and pregnancy outcome. In addition, some studies have described pathological changes in the placental tissue of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers, which are related or not to the infection severity and/or infection trimester. Among the various molecules involved in the normal structure and functionality of the placenta, sialic acids (Sias) seem to play an important role. Hence, we aimed to investigate possible changes in the distribution and content of Sias with different glycosidic linkages, namely α2,3 and α2,6 Galactose- or N-acetyl-Galactosamine-linked Sias and polymeric Sia (PolySia), in placentas from pregnant women infected by SARS-CoV-2 during the three different pregnancy trimesters. METHODS α2,3 and α2,6 Galactose-linked Sias were evaluated by lectin histochemistry (Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAA) and Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA), respectively), while immunohistochemistry was used for PolySia detection. RESULTS Data showed lower levels of α2,3 Galactose-linked Sias in the trophoblast and underlying basement membrane/basal plasma membrane in placentas from women infected during the second and third infection trimester compared with uninfected cases and those infected during first trimester. On the other hand, higher levels of PolySia were detected in the trophoblast during the second and third infection trimester. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that changes in the sialylation status of trophoblast and its basement membrane/basal plasma membrane, together with other concomitant factors, could be at the basis of the most common placental histopathological alterations and gestational complications found especially in pregnancies with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the second and third trimester.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Perna
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Alessia Tani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Carmine Sellitto
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Mirca Marini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marco La Verde
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio De Luca
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Germano Guerra
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Angela Lucariello
- Department of Sport Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples "Parthenope", Naples, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Eleonora Sgambati
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche (Isernia), Italy.
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Taccetti F, Castelli L, Czelusniak C, Giambi F, Manetti M, Massi M, Mazzinghi A, Ruberto C, Arneodo F, Torres R, Castellá F, Gheco L, Mastrangelo N, Gallegos D, Morales A, Tascon M, Marte F, Giuntini L. Novel implementation of the INFN-CHNet X-ray fluorescence scanner for the study of ancient photographs, archaeological pottery, and rock art. Rend Fis Acc Lincei 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-023-01143-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
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Fioretto BS, Rosa I, Matucci-Cerinic M, Romano E, Manetti M. Current Trends in Vascular Biomarkers for Systemic Sclerosis: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044097. [PMID: 36835506 PMCID: PMC9965592 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a multifaceted rare connective tissue disease whose pathogenesis is dominated by immune dysregulation, small vessel vasculopathy, impaired angiogenesis, and both cutaneous and visceral fibrosis. Microvascular impairment represents the initial event of the disease, preceding fibrosis by months or years and accounting for the main disabling and/or life-threatening clinical manifestations, including telangiectasias, pitting scars, periungual microvascular abnormalities (e.g., giant capillaries, hemorrhages, avascular areas, ramified/bushy capillaries) clinically detectable by nailfold videocapillaroscopy, ischemic digital ulcers, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and scleroderma renal crisis. Despite a variety of available treatment options, treatment of SSc-related vascular disease remains problematic, even considering SSc etherogenity and the quite narrow therapeutic window. In this context, plenty of studies have highlighted the great usefulness in clinical practice of vascular biomarkers allowing clinicians to assess the evolution of the pathological process affecting the vessels, as well as to predict the prognosis and the response to therapy. The current narrative review provides an up-to-date overview of the main candidate vascular biomarkers that have been proposed for SSc, focusing on their main reported associations with characteristic clinical vascular features of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Imaging Platform, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Giuggioli D, Manetti M, Matucci-Cerinic M. Soluble guanylate cyclase stimulation fosters angiogenesis and blunts myofibroblast-like features of systemic sclerosis endothelial cells. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:SI125-SI137. [PMID: 35900177 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In SSc, angiogenesis impairment advances in parallel with the development of fibrosis orchestrated by myofibroblasts originating from different sources, including endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulation has shown antifibrotic effects in SSc skin fibroblasts and mouse models. Here, we investigated the effects of pharmacological sGC stimulation on impaired angiogenesis and myofibroblast-like features of SSc dermal microvascular endothelial cells (SSc-MVECs). METHODS To determine whether sGC stimulation affected cell viability/proliferation, SSc-MVECs and healthy dermal MVECs (H-MVECs) were challenged with the sGC stimulator (sGCS) MK-2947 and assayed by annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytometry and the water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) assay. To study angiogenesis and EndoMT, MK-2947-treated SSc-MVECs were subjected to wound healing and capillary morphogenesis assays and analysed for the expression of endothelial/myofibroblast markers and contractile ability. RESULTS MK-2947 treatment did not affect H-MVEC viability/proliferation, while it significantly increased SSc-MVEC proliferation, wound healing capability and angiogenic performance. After MK-2947 treatment, SSc-MVECs exhibited significantly increased proangiogenic MMP9 and decreased antiangiogenic MMP12 and PTX3 gene expression. A significant increase in the expression of CD31 and vascular endothelial cadherin paralleled by a decrease in α-smooth muscle actin, S100A4, type I collagen and Snail1 mesenchymal markers was also found in MK-2947-treated SSc-MVECs. Furthermore, stimulation of sGC with MK-2947 significantly counteracted the intrinsic ability of SSc-MVECs to contract collagen gels and reduced phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 protein levels. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate for the first time that pharmacological sGC stimulation effectively ameliorates the angiogenic performance and blunts the myofibroblast-like profibrotic phenotype of SSc-MVECs, thus providing new evidence for repurposing sGCSs for SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence
| | - Dilia Giuggioli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, Scleroderma Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology.,Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Manetti M. Correspondence on 'Machine learning integration of scleroderma histology and gene expression identifies fibroblast polarisation as a hallmark of clinical severity and improvement'. Ann Rheum Dis 2023; 82:e21. [PMID: 33158878 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-219264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Matucci-Cerinic M, Manetti M. Increased Circulating Soluble Junctional Adhesion Molecules in Systemic Sclerosis: Association with Peripheral Microvascular Impairment. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12111790. [PMID: 36362943 PMCID: PMC9695837 DOI: 10.3390/life12111790] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a severe disease characterized by peripheral microcirculation abnormalities manifesting with Raynaud’s phenomenon, nailfold videocapillaroscopic (NVC) changes, and even ischemic digital ulcers (DUs) that are often refractory to treatments. In the wake of previously described associations between the circulating levels of soluble junctional adhesion molecules (sJAMs) and SSc clinical features, here, we measured sJAM-A and sJAM-C levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples from a large case series of 110 SSc patients and 85 healthy controls, focusing on their possible association with peripheral vascular clinical features and their potential as biomarkers that are either diagnostic or mirror SSc-related microvasculopathy severity. Our data demonstrated that serum sJAM-A and sJAM-C are significantly increased in patients with SSc vs. healthy controls, especially in those featuring early/active NVC patterns and the presence of ischemic DUs. Moreover, circulating sJAM-C levels showed good diagnostic accuracy in discriminating between patients and controls, as assessed by receiver operator characteristics curve analysis. Finally, logistic regression revealed that, when comparing sJAM-A to sJAM-C, the latter might be better suited as a biomarker for SSc-related DUs. Our promising findings provide the necessary groundwork for longitudinal follow-up analyses of SSc patients aiming to assess whether circulating sJAM-C levels might be predictive for the development of new DUs, as well as DU recurrence and/or refractoriness to targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-055-2758073
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Matucci-Cerinic M, Manetti M. Circulating Neurovascular Guidance Molecules and Their Relationship with Peripheral Microvascular Impairment in Systemic Sclerosis. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12071056. [PMID: 35888144 PMCID: PMC9316343 DOI: 10.3390/life12071056] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a complex connective tissue disease whose earliest clinical manifestations are microvascular tone dysregulation and peripheral microcirculatory abnormalities. Following previous evidence of an association between circulating neurovascular guidance molecules and SSc disturbed angiogenesis, here, we measured the levels of soluble neuropilin 1 (sNRP1), semaphorin 3E (Sema3E), and Slit2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples from a large case series of 166 SSc patients vs. 110 healthy controls. We focused on their possible correlation with vascular disease clinical features and applied logistic regression analysis to determine which of them could better reflect disease activity and severity. Our results demonstrate that, in SSc: (i) sNRP1 is significantly decreased, with lower sNRP1 serum levels correlating with the severity of nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) abnormalities and the presence of ischemic digital ulcers (DUs); (ii) both Sema3E and Slit2 are increased, with Sema3E better reflecting early NVC abnormalities; and (iii) higher Sema3E correlates with the absence of DUs, while augmented Slit2 associates with the presence of DUs. Receiver operator characteristics curve analysis revealed that both circulating sNRP1 and Sema3E show a moderate diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, logistic regression analysis allowed to identify sNRP1 and Sema3E as more suitable independent biomarkers reflecting the activity and severity of SSc-related peripheral microvasculopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-055-275-8073
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Russo E, Carboni D, Baldi S, Fioretto B, Romano E, El Aoufy K, Ramazzotti M, Rosa I, Lepri G, DI Gloria L, Bruni C, Melchiorre D, Guiducci S, Manetti M, Matucci-Cerinic M, Amedei A, Bellando Randone S. POS0487 THE CROSSTALK OF THE SKIN-ORAL-GUT MICROBIOME AXIS IN LIMITED AND DIFFUSE CUTANEOUS SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS. Ann Rheum Dis 2022. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2022-eular.4630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex and still unclear rare disease. Microbiota has recently emerged as an important environmental factor in SSc pathogenesis, either at gut, oral and skin level.ObjectivesTo investigate the role of microbiota in SSc subsets, focusing on the skin-oral-gut microbiota axis and serum and fecal free fatty acids (FFA) profile.MethodsTwenty-six consecutive SSc patients (22 females) (mean disease duration (SD): 13 ± 6.91 yrs), classified according to the ACR/EULAR2013 criteria, were enrolled. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were recorded. Gastrointestinal symptoms were investigated with UCLA GIT-2.0-questionnaire. Fecal, unstimulated saliva and superficial epidermal samples were collected. Microbiota was assessed through 16S ribosomal RNA Next Generation gene-sequencing analysis. Gas Cromatography-Mass Spettroscopy was used to measure FFAs in serum and fecal samples.ResultsThirteen patients had limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc), 13 diffuse cutaneous (dcSSc). The two subsets displayed a different cutaneous and fecal microbiota profile. In detail, the class of cutaneous Sphingobacteria was significantly higher in lcSSc (p<0.05), while the phylum of Lentisphaerae, the family of Victivallaceae and the genus of Victivallis were significantly higher in fecal samples of lcSSc (all p<0.05). A significant increase of fecal propionic acid was observed in lcSSc patients (p<0.05). Moreover, all fecal medium-chain FAs and hexanoic acids were significantly higher in lcSSc (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). The analysis of serum FFAs levels showed an increase of valeric and octanoic acids in lcSSc (both p<0.05). A negative correlation between UCLA-GIT-2.0 total score and fecal octanoic acid (rho=-0.61; p=0.03), and a positive correlation with serum propionic acid (rho=0.55; p=0.05) was found in lcSSc.ConclusionOur findings show a different microbiota signature in the skin and gut, and a different FFAs profile in lcSSc and dcSSc. Such a differential regulation of microbiota composition and bacterial metabolite production suggests different dynamics of skin-oral-gut microbiota axis in SSc subsets. This data could be useful to develop personalized therapies targeting gastrointestinal and skin involvement.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared.
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Giuggioli D, Manetti M, Matucci-Cerinic M. AB0132 STIMULATION OF SOLUBLE GUANYLATE CYCLASE (sGC) FOSTERS ANGIOGENESIS AND BLUNTS ENDOTHELIAL-TO-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION (EndoMT) OF SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS (SSc) DERMAL MICROVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL CELLS. Ann Rheum Dis 2022. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2022-eular.2362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundIn SSc, early abnormalities in microvessel morphology and angiogenic impairment in parallel advance with the development of tissue fibrosis orchestrated by myofibroblasts. Increasing evidence suggests that the EndoMT process, in which endothelial cells transdifferentiate into profibrotic myofibroblasts, may take centre stage in SSc pathogenesis [1,2]. sGC is an enzyme regulating cell growth/proliferation and vascular tone/remodelling by catalysing the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Previous studies reported that sGC stimulation inhibits TGFβ-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and collagen synthesis by blocking non-canonical ERK-dependent TGFβ signalling, and that sCG stimulators (sGCS) may exert antifibrotic effects in experimental models of fibrotic disorders.ObjectivesTo investigate the possible modulatory effects of sGC stimulation on impaired angiogenesis and EndoMT of SSc dermal microvascular endothelial cells (SSc-MVECs).MethodsTo evaluate the effects of treatment with sGCS on endothelial cell viability/proliferation, 5 lines of SSc-MVECs and 5 lines of healthy dermal MVECs (H-MVECs) were challenged with sGCS (here MK-2947) and assayed with both annexin V/PI flow cytometry and WST-1. To analyse the modulation of angiogenesis by sGCS, SSc-MVECs were challenged with MK-2947 and subsequently tested for wound healing and capillary-like tube formation capabilities. To study the effects of MK-2947 on EndoMT, the same cells were assayed for the expression of endothelial and mesenchymal/myofibroblast markers by quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence, as well as for their contractile ability by collagen gel contraction assay. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was assessed by western blotting.ResultsTreatment with MK-2947 did not affect viability/proliferation of H-MVECs, while it significantly increased the proliferation of SSc-MVECs (p<0.001 vs. basal). Compared to basal condition, the MK-2947 challenge ameliorated both wound healing capability (p<0.001) and angiogenic performance (number of nodes: p<0.01; segments: p<0.001; meshes: p<0.01; and junctions: p<0.001) of SSc-MVECs. Upon stimulation of sGC, SSc-MVECs exhibited increased gene expression of proangiogenic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 (p<0.05) and decreased expression of both antiangiogenic MMP-12 (p<0.05) and pentraxin-3 (p<0.001) respect to basal SSc-MVECs. A significant increase in both gene and protein expression of the endothelial markers CD31 and VE-cadherin, and a parallel decrease in the expression of the mesenchymal/myofibroblast markers α-SMA, S100A4, and type I collagen were found in MK-2947-treated SSc-MVECs. MK-2947 also downregulated the EndoMT-driving transcription factor SNAIL1 in SSc-MVECs. Stimulation with MK-2947 was able to significantly counteract the intrinsic ability of myofibroblast-like SSc-MVECs to contract collagen gels (p<0.001) and effectively reduce phosphorylated-ERK1/2 protein levels (p<0.01) respect to basal cells.ConclusionStimulation of sGC effectively ameliorates the angiogenic performance and blunts the pathogenic myofibroblast-like profibrotic phenotype of SSc-MVECs.References[1]Manetti M, et al. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition contributes to endothelial dysfunction and dermal fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76:924–34.[2]Romano E, et al. New insights into profibrotic myofibroblast formation in systemic sclerosis: when the vascular wall becomes the enemy. Life (Basel). 2021;11:610.Disclosure of InterestsEloisa Romano: None declared, Irene Rosa: None declared, Bianca Saveria Fioretto: None declared, Dilia Giuggioli: None declared, Mirko Manetti Speakers bureau: has received consulting fees or honorarium from MSD, Marco Matucci-Cerinic Speakers bureau: has received consulting fees or honorarium from Actelion, Janssen, Inventiva, Bayer, Biogen, Boehringer, CSL Behring, Corbus, Galapagos, Mitsubishi, Samsung, Regeneron, Acceleron, MSD, Chemomab, Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, Grant/research support from: has received consulting fees or honorarium from Actelion, Janssen, Inventiva, Bayer, Biogen, Boehringer, CSL Behring, Corbus, Galapagos, Mitsubishi, Samsung, Regeneron, Acceleron, MSD, Chemomab, Lilly, Pfizer, Roche
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Rosa I, Ibba‐Manneschi L, Guasti D, Perigli G, Faussone‐Pellegrini M, Manetti M. Morphologic evidence of telocytes in human thyroid stromal tissue. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:2477-2481. [PMID: 35307951 PMCID: PMC8995439 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the evidence accumulated over the past decade that telocytes (TCs) are a distinctive, though long neglected, cell entity of the stromal microenvironment of several organs of the human body, to date their localization in the endocrine glands remains almost unexplored. This study was therefore undertaken to examine the presence and characteristics of TCs in normal human thyroid stromal tissue through an integrated morphologic approach featuring light microscopy and ultrastructural analysis. TCs were first identified by immunohistochemistry that revealed the existence of an intricate network of CD34+ stromal cells spread throughout the thyroid interfollicular connective tissue. Double immunofluorescence allowed to clearly differentiate CD34+ stromal cells lacking CD31 immunoreactivity from neighbour CD31+ microvascular structures, and the evidence that these stromal cells coexpressed CD34 and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor α further strengthened their identification as TCs. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of stromal cells ultrastructurally identifiable as TCs projecting their characteristic cytoplasmic processes (i.e., telopodes) into the narrow interstitium between thyroid follicles and blood microvessels, where telopodes intimately surrounded the basement membrane of thyrocytes. Collectively, these morphologic findings provide the first comprehensive demonstration that TCs are main constituents of the human thyroid stroma and lay the necessary groundwork for further in‐depth studies aimed at clarifying their putative implications in glandular homeostasis and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine University of Florence Florence Italy
| | - Lidia Ibba‐Manneschi
- Section of Anatomy and Histology Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine University of Florence Florence Italy
| | - Daniele Guasti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine University of Florence Florence Italy
| | - Giuliano Perigli
- Unit of Endocrine Surgery Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine University of Florence Florence Italy
| | | | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine University of Florence Florence Italy
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21
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Manetti M, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Matucci-Cerinic M, Romano E. Decreased Serum Levels of SIRT1 and SIRT3 Correlate with Severity of Skin and Lung Fibrosis and Peripheral Microvasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11051362. [PMID: 35268452 PMCID: PMC8910971 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a severe autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by widespread peripheral microvasculopathy, and progressive cutaneous and visceral fibrosis, leading to significant organ dysfunction. Sirtuins (SIRTs) are a family of NAD-dependent protein deacetylases with pleiotropic effects on a variety of biological processes, including metabolism, cell survival, and aging. In the last decades, increasing studies have explored the contribution of SIRTs to the pathogenesis of SSc, highlighting a significant antifibrotic effect of both SIRT1 and SIRT3. On these bases, the aim of this study was to measure circulating SIRT1 and SIRT3 levels by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay in a well-characterized cohort of SSc patients (n = 80) and healthy controls (n = 71), focusing on their possible association with disease clinical features, and their potential as biomarkers reflecting SSc activity and severity. Significantly decreased serum levels of both SIRT1 and SIRT3 were found in SSc patients compared to controls. In SSc, the reduction in circulating SIRT1 and SIRT3 associated with a greater extent of cutaneous fibrosis, presence of interstitial lung disease, and worse pulmonary function. Serum SIRT1 and SIRT3 decrease also correlated with the severity of nailfold microvascular damage, with SIRT3 levels being additionally related to the occurrence of digital ulcers. The levels of these two proteins showed a direct correlation with one another in the circulation of SSc patients. Of the two SIRTs, serum SIRT3 was found to better reflect disease activity and severity in a logistic regression analysis model. Our findings suggest that serum SIRT1 and SIRT3 may represent novel potential biomarkers of increased risk for a more severe, life-threatening SSc disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.R.); (B.S.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-055-2758073
| | - Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.R.); (B.S.F.)
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.R.); (B.S.F.)
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.M.-C.); (E.R.)
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.M.-C.); (E.R.)
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.M.-C.); (E.R.)
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22
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Carretti G, Mirandola D, Maestrini F, Sequi L, Germano S, Muraca MG, Miccinesi G, Manetti M, Marini M. Quality of life improvement in breast cancer survivors affected by upper limb lymphedema through a novel multiperspective physical activity methodology: a monocentric pilot study. Breast Cancer 2022; 29:437-449. [PMID: 35025064 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-021-01322-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chronic lymphedema causes psychophysical sequelae jeopardizing quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer (BC) survivors, and lack of effective therapies represents a major challenge for healthcare professionals. Structured adapted physical activity (APA) may represent an effective strategy to attenuate cancer treatment-related impairments and improve QoL. Here, we describe the effects of a specific APA intervention based on a novel multiperspective methodology in counteracting lymphedema-related morphofunctional alterations and improving QoL of BC survivors. METHODS BC survivors with chronic moderate/severe lymphedema attending the Cancer Rehabilitation Center in Florence were assessed before and after 8-week APA. The protocol consisted of both APA specialist-supervised and self-leaded sessions using a tailor-designed proprioceptive board. Body mass index, bioimpedance parameters, indirect upper limb volume measurement, and ultrasonography were performed. Wrist flexion/extension and hand strength functional tests were also executed. QoL, depression/anxiety and pain intensity were evaluated by ULL27, HADS, distress thermometer and NRS questionnaires, respectively. RESULTS Although bioimpedance, ultrasound and volumetric measures remained mostly unchanged, wrist mobility, pain perception, depression, and QoL were all significantly ameliorated after APA. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that a multidisciplinary treatment approach involving APA professionals should be employed in the management of BC-related lymphedema to improve patient psychophysical outcomes and QoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuditta Carretti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniela Mirandola
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.,The Italian League Against Tumors (LILT), 50126, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Lisa Sequi
- The Italian League Against Tumors (LILT), 50126, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Germano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Muraca
- Oncological Rehabilitation Centre (Ce.Ri.On.), 50139, Florence, Italy.,Oncological Network, Prevention and Research Institute (ISPRO), 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Guido Miccinesi
- Oncological Network, Prevention and Research Institute (ISPRO), 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Mirca Marini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
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23
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Manetti M. Comment on: Iontophoresis of treprostinil promotes wound healing in a murine model of scleroderma-related ulcers. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2022; 61:e156-e157. [PMID: 35015845 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
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24
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Marini M, Tani A, Manetti M, Sgambati E. Overview of sialylation status in human nervous and skeletal muscle tissues during aging. Acta Histochem 2021; 123:151813. [PMID: 34753032 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2021.151813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sialic acids (Sias) are a large and heterogeneous family of electronegatively charged nine-carbon monosaccharides containing a carboxylic acid and are mostly found as terminal residues in glycans of glycoproteins and glycolipids such as gangliosides. They are linked to galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine via α2,3 or α2,6 linkage, or to other Sias via α2,8 or more rarely α2,9 linkage, resulting in mono, oligo and polymeric forms. Given their characteristics, Sias play a crucial role in a multitude of human tissue biological processes in physiological and pathological conditions, ranging from development and growth to adult life until aging. Here, we review the sialylation status in human adult life focusing on the nervous and skeletal muscle tissues, which both display significant structural and functional changes during aging, strongly impacting on the whole human body and, therefore, on the quality of life. In particular, this review highlights the fundamental roles played by different types of glycoconjugates Sias in several cellular biological processes in the nervous and skeletal muscle tissues during adult life, also discussing how changes in Sia content during aging may contribute to the physiological decline of physical and nervous functions and to the development of age-related degenerative pathologies. Based on our current knowledge, further in-depth investigations could help to develop novel prophylactic strategies and therapeutic approaches that, by maintaining and/or restoring the correct sialylation status in the nervous and skeletal muscle tissues, could contribute to aging slowing and the prevention of age-related pathologies.
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25
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Kosalka-Wegiel J, Sticchi E, Bellando-Randone S, Manetti M, Matucci-Cerinic M. A candidate gene study reveals association between a variant of the SRp55 splicing factor gene and systemic sclerosis. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2021; 40:1921-1925. [DOI: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/mpgq0y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Italy. ,
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Italy
| | | | - Elena Sticchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence; Atherothrombotic Center, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Bellando-Randone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Italy
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26
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Matucci-Cerinic M, Manetti M. New Insights into Profibrotic Myofibroblast Formation in Systemic Sclerosis: When the Vascular Wall Becomes the Enemy. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:610. [PMID: 34202703 PMCID: PMC8307837 DOI: 10.3390/life11070610] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In systemic sclerosis (SSc), abnormalities in microvessel morphology occur early and evolve into a distinctive vasculopathy that relentlessly advances in parallel with the development of tissue fibrosis orchestrated by myofibroblasts in nearly all affected organs. Our knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying such a unique relationship between SSc-related vasculopathy and fibrosis has profoundly changed over the last few years. Indeed, increasing evidence has suggested that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a process in which profibrotic myofibroblasts originate from endothelial cells, may take center stage in SSc pathogenesis. While in arterioles and small arteries EndoMT may lead to the accumulation of myofibroblasts within the vessel wall and development of fibroproliferative vascular lesions, in capillary vessels it may instead result in vascular destruction and formation of myofibroblasts that migrate into the perivascular space with consequent tissue fibrosis and microvessel rarefaction, which are hallmarks of SSc. Besides endothelial cells, other vascular wall-resident cells, such as pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells, may acquire a myofibroblast-like synthetic phenotype contributing to both SSc-related vascular dysfunction and fibrosis. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the differentiation of myofibroblasts inside the vessel wall provides the rationale for novel targeted therapeutic strategies for the treatment of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
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27
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Abstract
Telocytes (TCs) are newly identified interstitial cells characterized by thin and long cytoplasmic processes, called telopodes, which exhibit a distinctive moniliform shape and, often, a sinuous trajectory. Telopodes typically organize in intricate networks within the stromal space of most organs, where they communicate with neighboring cells by means of specialized cell-to-cell junctions or shedding extracellular vesicles. Hence, TCs are generally regarded as supporting cells that help in the maintenance of local tissue homeostasis, with an ever-increasing number of studies trying to explore their functions both in physiological and pathological conditions. Notably, TCs appear to be part of stem cell (SC) niches in different organs, including the intestine, skeletal muscle, heart, lung, and skin. Indeed, growing evidence points toward a possible implication of TCs in the regulation of the activity of tissue-resident SCs and in shaping the SC niche microenvironment, thus contributing to tissue renewal and repair. Here, we review how the introduction of TCs into the scientific literature has deepened our knowledge of the stromal architecture focusing on the intestine and skeletal muscle, two organs in which the recently unveiled unique relationship between TCs and SCs is currently in the spotlight as potential target for tissue regenerative purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mirca Marini
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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28
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Chiari M, Barone S, Bombini A, Calzolai G, Carraresi L, Castelli L, Czelusniak C, Fedi ME, Gelli N, Giambi F, Giardi F, Giuntini L, Lagomarsino S, Liccioli L, Lucarelli F, Manetti M, Massi M, Mazzinghi A, Nava S, Ottanelli P, Sciortino S, Ruberto C, Sodi L, Taccetti F, Mandò PA. LABEC, the INFN ion beam laboratory of nuclear techniques for environment and cultural heritage. Eur Phys J Plus 2021; 136:472. [PMID: 33968561 PMCID: PMC8086225 DOI: 10.1140/epjp/s13360-021-01411-1] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The LABEC laboratory, the INFN ion beam laboratory of nuclear techniques for environment and cultural heritage, located in the Scientific and Technological Campus of the University of Florence in Sesto Fiorentino, started its operational activities in 2004, after INFN decided in 2001 to provide our applied nuclear physics group with a large laboratory dedicated to applications of accelerator-related analytical techniques, based on a new 3 MV Tandetron accelerator. The new accelerator greatly improved the performance of existing Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) applications (for which we were using since the 1980s an old single-ended Van de Graaff accelerator) and in addition allowed to start a novel activity of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS), in particular for 14C dating. Switching between IBA and AMS operation became very easy and fast, which allowed us high flexibility in programming the activities, mainly focused on studies of cultural heritage and atmospheric aerosol composition, but including also applications to biology, geology, material science and forensics, ion implantation, tests of radiation damage to components, detector performance tests and low-energy nuclear physics. This paper describes the facilities presently available in the LABEC laboratory, their technical features and some success stories of recent applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Chiari
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - S. Barone
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - A. Bombini
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - G. Calzolai
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - L. Carraresi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - L. Castelli
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - C. Czelusniak
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - M. E. Fedi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - N. Gelli
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - F. Giambi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - F. Giardi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - L. Giuntini
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - S. Lagomarsino
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - L. Liccioli
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - F. Lucarelli
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - M. Manetti
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - M. Massi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - A. Mazzinghi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - S. Nava
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - P. Ottanelli
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - S. Sciortino
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - C. Ruberto
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - L. Sodi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - F. Taccetti
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - P. A. Mandò
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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29
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Cerinic MM, Manetti M. The Role of Pro-fibrotic Myofibroblasts in Systemic Sclerosis: from Origin to Therapeutic Targeting. Curr Mol Med 2021; 22:209-239. [PMID: 33823766 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210325102749] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a complex connective tissue disorder characterized by multisystem clinical manifestations resulting from immune dysregulation/autoimmunity, vasculopathy and, most notably, progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. In recent years, it has emerged that the main drivers of SSc-related tissue fibrosis are myofibroblasts, a type of mesenchymal cells with both the extracellular matrix-synthesizing features of fibroblasts and the cytoskeletal characteristics of contractile smooth muscle cells. The accumulation and persistent activation of pro-fibrotic myofibroblasts during SSc development and progression result into elevated mechanical stress and reduced matrix plasticity within the affected tissues and may be ascribed to a reduced susceptibility of these cells to pro-apoptotic stimuli, as well as their increased formation from tissue-resident fibroblasts or transition from different cell types. Given the crucial role of myofibroblasts in SSc pathogenesis, finding the way to inhibit myofibroblast differentiation and accumulation by targeting their formation, function and survival may represent an effective approach to hamper the fibrotic process or even halt or reverse established fibrosis. In this review, we discuss the role of myofibroblasts in SSc-related fibrosis, with a special focus on their cellular origin and the signaling pathways implicated in their formation and persistent activation. Furthermore, we provide an overview of potential therapeutic strategies targeting myofibroblasts that may be able to counteract fibrosis in this pathological condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
| | - Marco Matucci Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
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Mencucci R, Favuzza E, Becatti M, Tani A, Mazzantini C, Vignapiano R, Fiorillo C, Pellegrini-Giampietro D, Manetti M, Marini M, Landucci E. Co-expression of the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in healthy human conjunctiva. Exp Eye Res 2021; 205:108527. [PMID: 33667466 PMCID: PMC7921718 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108527] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptors ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in an immortalized human conjunctival epithelial cell line and in healthy human conjunctiva excised during ocular surgery, using Western blot, confocal microscopy and immunohistochemistry. The Western blot showed that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 proteins were expressed in human immortalized conjunctival cells, and this was confirmed by confocal microscopy images, that demonstrated a marked cellular expression of the viral receptors and their co-localization on the cell membranes. Healthy conjunctival samples from 11 adult patients were excised during retinal detachment surgery. We found the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in all the conjunctival surgical specimens analyzed and their co-localization in the superficial conjunctival epithelium. The ACE2 Western blot levels and immunofluorescence staining for ACE2 were variable among specimens. These results suggest the susceptibility of the conjunctival epithelium to SARS-CoV-2 infection, even though with a possible interindividual variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Mencucci
- Eye Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Favuzza
- Eye Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Matteo Becatti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Alessia Tani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Costanza Mazzantini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
| | - Roberto Vignapiano
- Eye Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Claudia Fiorillo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - DomenicoE Pellegrini-Giampietro
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Mirca Marini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Elisa Landucci
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
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Bandinelli F, Benucci M, Salaffi F, Manetti M, Infantino M, Damiani A, Manfredi M, Grossi V, Matucci A, Li Gobbi F, Marin G. Do new and old biomarkers of early undifferentiated arthritis correlate with Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales? Clin Exp Rheumatol 2021; 39:79-83. [DOI: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/nqqx5k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bandinelli
- Rheumatology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, USL Tuscany Centre, Florence, Italy. ,
| | - Maurizio Benucci
- Rheumatology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, USL Tuscany Centre, Florence, Italy
| | - Fausto Salaffi
- Rheumatology Unit, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Jesi, Ancona, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Infantino
- Immunology and Allergology Laboratory, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, USL Tuscany Centre, Florence, Italy
| | - Arianna Damiani
- Rheumatology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, USL Tuscany Centre, Florence, Italy
| | - Mariangela Manfredi
- Immunology and Allergology Laboratory, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, USL Tuscany Centre, Florence, Italy
| | - Valentina Grossi
- Immunology and Allergology Laboratory, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, USL Tuscany Centre, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Matucci
- Rheumatology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, USL Tuscany Centre, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Li Gobbi
- Rheumatology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, USL Tuscany Centre, Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriella Marin
- Rheumatology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, USL Tuscany Centre, Florence, Italy
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Bruni C, Guignabert C, Manetti M, Cerinic MM, Humbert M. The multifaceted problem of pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis. Lancet Rheumatol 2021; 3:e149-e159. [PMID: 38279370 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(20)30356-8] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Cardiopulmonary complications are a leading cause of death in systemic sclerosis. Pulmonary hypertension in particular carries a high mortality and morbidity burden. Patients with systemic sclerosis can suffer from all of the clinical groups of pulmonary hypertension, particularly pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary hypertension related to interstitial lung disease. Despite a similar pathogenetic background with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, different mechanisms determine a worse prognostic outcome for patients with systemic sclerosis. In this Viewpoint, we will consider the link between pathogenetic and potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in the context of systemic sclerosis, with a focus on the current unmet needs, such as the importance of early screening and detection, the absence of agreed criteria to distinguish pulmonary arterial hypertension with interstitial lung disease from pulmonary hypertension due to lung fibrosis, and the need for a holistic treatment approach to target all the vascular, immunological, and inflammatory components of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosimo Bruni
- Division of Rheumatology, and Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Christophe Guignabert
- School of Medicine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Department of Pulmonary Hypertension, Pathophysiology, and Novel Therapies, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, and Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci Cerinic
- Division of Rheumatology, and Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Marc Humbert
- School of Medicine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Department of Pulmonary Hypertension, Pathophysiology, and Novel Therapies, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France; Department of Respiratory and Intensive Care Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension National Referral Center, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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Rosa I, Romano E, Fioretto BS, Matucci-Cerinic M, Manetti M. Adipose-derived stem cells: Pathophysiologic implications vs therapeutic potential in systemic sclerosis. World J Stem Cells 2021; 13:30-48. [PMID: 33584978 PMCID: PMC7859990 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i1.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) residing in the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of white adipose tissue are recently emerging as an alternative tool for stem cell-based therapy in systemic sclerosis (SSc), a complex connective tissue disorder affecting the skin and internal organs with fibrotic and vascular lesions. Several preclinical and clinical studies have reported promising therapeutic effects of fat grafting and autologous SVF/ADSC-based local treatment for facial and hand cutaneous manifestations of SSc patients. However, currently available data indicate that ADSCs may represent a double-edged sword in SSc, as they may exhibit a pro-fibrotic and anti-adipogenic phenotype, possibly behaving as an additional pathogenic source of pro-fibrotic myofibroblasts through the adipocyte-to-myofibroblast transition process. Thus, in the perspective of a larger employ of SSc-ADSCs for further therapeutic applications, it is important to definitely unravel whether these cells present a comparable phenotype and similar immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and pro-angiogenic properties in respect to healthy ADSCs. In light of the dual role that ADSCs seem to play in SSc, this review will provide a summary of the most recent insights into the preclinical and clinical studies employing SVF and ADSCs for the treatment of the disease and, at the same time, will focus on the main findings highlighting the possible involvement of these stem cells in SSc-related fibrosis pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy.
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Andreucci E, Margheri F, Peppicelli S, Bianchini F, Ruzzolini J, Laurenzana A, Fibbi G, Bruni C, Bellando-Randone S, Guiducci S, Romano E, Manetti M, Matucci-Cerinic M, Calorini L. Glycolysis-derived acidic microenvironment as a driver of endothelial dysfunction in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 60:4508-4519. [PMID: 33471123 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by peripheral vasculopathy and skin and internal organ fibrosis. Accumulating evidence underlines a close association between a metabolic reprogramming of activated fibroblasts and fibrosis. This prompted us to determine the metabolism of SSc dermal fibroblasts and the effect on the vasculopathy characterizing the disease. METHODS Seahorse XF96 Extracellular Flux Analyzer was exploited to evaluate SSc fibroblast metabolism. In vitro invasion and capillary morphogenesis assays were used to determine the angiogenic ability of endothelial cells (EC). Immunofluorescence, flow cytometer and real time PCR techniques provided evidence of the molecular mechanism behind the impaired vascularization that characterizes SSc patients. RESULTS SSc fibroblasts, compared with control, showed a boosted glycolytic metabolism with increased lactic acid release and subsequent extracellular acidification, that in turn was found to impair EC invasion and organization in capillary-like networks without altering cell viability. A molecular link between extracellular acidosis and endothelial dysfunction was identified as acidic EC up-regulated MMP-12 which cleaves and inactivates uPAR, impairing angiogenesis in SSc. Moreover, the acidic environment was found to induce the loss of endothelial markers and the acquisition of mesenchymal-like features in EC, thus promoting the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) process that contributes to both capillary rarefaction and tissue fibrosis in SSc. CONCLUSION This study disclosed a liaison among the metabolic reprogramming of SSc dermal fibroblasts, extracellular acidosis and endothelial dysfunction that may contribute to the impairment and loss of peripheral capillary networks in SSc disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Andreucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Margheri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Peppicelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Bianchini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Jessica Ruzzolini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Laurenzana
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriella Fibbi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Cosimo Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Bellando-Randone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lido Calorini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DenoTHE University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Rosa I, Faussone-Pellegrini MS, Romano E, Ibba-Manneschi L, Matucci-Cerinic M, Manetti M. Impairment in the telocyte/CD34 + stromal cell network in human rheumatoid arthritis synovium. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 25:2274-2278. [PMID: 33350073 PMCID: PMC7882959 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16225] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Telocytes (TCs)/CD34+ stromal cells have recently emerged as peculiar interstitial cells detectable in a variety of organs throughout the human body. TCs are typically arranged in networks establishing unique spatial relationships with neighbour cells and likely contributing to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis by both cell‐to‐cell contacts and releasing extracellular vesicles. Hence, TC defects are being increasingly reported in different pathologies, such as chronic inflammatory and fibrotic conditions. In this regard, TCs/CD34+ stromal cells have been shown to constitute an intricate interstitial network in the subintimal area of the normal human synovial membrane, but whether they are altered in chronic synovitis has yet to be explored. We therefore undertook a morphologic study to compare the distribution of TCs/CD34+ stromal cells between normal synovium and chronically inflamed synovium from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by using CD34 immunohistochemistry and CD31/CD34 double immunofluorescence. CD34 immunostaining revealed that, at variance with normal synovium, the inflamed and hyperplastic RA synovial tissue was nearly or even completely devoid of TCs/CD34+ stromal cells. Double immunofluorescence confirmed that almost all CD34+ tissue components detectable in RA synovium were blood vessels coexpressing CD31, while a widespread network of CD31−/CD34+ TCs was clearly evident in the whole sublining layer of normal synovium. In the context of the emerging diverse roles of TCs/CD34+ stromal cells in the regulation of tissue homeostasis and structure, the remarkable impairment in their networks herein uncovered in RA synovium may suggest important pathophysiologic implications that will be worth investigating further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lidia Ibba-Manneschi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Rosa I, Romano E, Fioretto BS, Manetti M. The contribution of mesenchymal transitions to the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Eur J Rheumatol 2020; 7:S157-S164. [PMID: 31922472 PMCID: PMC7647682 DOI: 10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [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: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multifaceted connective tissue disease characterized by widespread vasculopathy and autoimmune reactions that evolve into progressive interstitial, perivascular, and vessel wall fibrosis that affects the skin and multiple internal organs. Such an uncontrolled fibrotic process gradually disrupts the physiologic architecture of the affected tissues and frequently leads to significant organ dysfunction, thus representing a major cause of death in SSc patients. The main fibrosis orchestrators in SSc are represented by chronically activated myofibroblasts, a peculiar population of mesenchymal cells combining the extracellular matrix-synthesizing features of fibroblasts with cytoskeletal characteristics of contractile smooth muscle cells. Multiple lines of evidence support the notion that profibrotic myofibroblasts may derive not only from the activation of tissue resident fibroblasts but also from a variety of additional cell types, including pericytes, epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells and preadipocytes/adipocytes. Here we overview an emerging picture that espouses that several cell transitional processes may be novel essential contributors to the pool of profibrotic myofibroblasts in SSc, potentially representing new suitable targets for therapeutic purposes. An in-depth dissection of the multiple origins of myofibroblasts and the underlying molecular mechanisms may be crucial in the process of deciphering the cellular bases of fibrosis persistence and refractoriness to the treatment and, therefore, may help in developing more effective and personalized therapeutic opportunities for SSc patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Lucattelli E, Innocenti M, Ibba-Manneschi L, Matucci-Cerinic M, Manetti M. A Two-Step Immunomagnetic Microbead-Based Method for the Isolation of Human Primary Skin Telocytes/CD34+ Stromal Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165877. [PMID: 32824287 PMCID: PMC7461544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [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: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Telocytes (TCs), commonly referred to as TCs/CD34+ stromal cells, are a peculiar type of interstitial cells with distinctive morphologic traits that are supposed to exert several biological functions, including tissue homeostasis regulation, cell-to-cell signaling, immune surveillance, and reparative/regenerative effects. At present, the majority of studies investigating these cells are mainly descriptive and focus only on their morphology, with a consequent paucity of functional data. To gain relevant insight into the possible functions of TCs, in vitro analyses are clearly required, but currently, the protocols for TC isolation are only at the early stages and not fully standardized. In the present in vitro study, we describe a novel methodology for the purification of human primary skin TCs through a two-step immunomagnetic microbead-based cell separation (i.e., negative selection for CD31 followed by positive selection for CD34) capable of discriminating these cells from other connective tissue-resident cells on the basis of their different immunophenotypic features. Our experiments clearly demonstrated that the proposed method allows a selective purification of cells exhibiting the peculiar TC morphology. Isolated TCs displayed very long cytoplasmic extensions with a moniliform silhouette (telopodes) and presented an immunophenotypic profile (CD31−/CD34+/PDGFRα+/vimentin+) that unequivocally differentiates them from endothelial cells (CD31+/CD34+/PDGFRα−/vimentin+) and fibroblasts (CD31−/CD34−/PDGFRα+/vimentin+). This novel methodology for the isolation of TCs lays the groundwork for further research aimed at elucidating their functional properties and possible translational applications, especially in the field of regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.R.); (L.I.-M.)
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Elena Lucattelli
- Plastic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (M.I.)
| | - Marco Innocenti
- Plastic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (M.I.)
| | - Lidia Ibba-Manneschi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.R.); (L.I.-M.)
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.R.); (L.I.-M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-055-2758077
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Avanoǧlu Güler A, Rossi FW, Bellando-Randone S, Prevete N, Tufan A, Manetti M, de Paulis A, Matucci-Cerinic M. The Role of Endogenous Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid-Derived Resolvins in Systemic Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1249. [PMID: 32636845 PMCID: PMC7318896 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Resolvins, the member of specialized pro-resolving mediators, are produced from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a response to an acute inflammatory process in that termination and resolution of inflammation. In the acute inflammation, these lipid mediators limit polymorphonuclear cells infiltration, proinflammatory cytokine production; promote efferocytosis, and regulate several cell types being important roles in innate and adaptive immunity. Any dysregulation or defect of the resolution phase result in prolonged, persistent inflammation and eventually fibrosis. Resolvins are implicated in the development of various chronic autoimmune diseases. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a very complicated, chronic autoimmune disorder proceeding with vasculopathy, inflammation, and fibrosis. Dysregulation of innate and adaptive immunity is another important contributing factor in the pathogenesis of SSc. In this review, we will focus on the different roles of this new family of lipid mediators, characterized by the ability to prevent the spread of inflammation and its chronicity in various ways and how they can control the development of fibrotic diseases like SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aslıhan Avanoǧlu Güler
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Francesca Wanda Rossi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Bellando-Randone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
| | - Nella Prevete
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Abdurrahman Tufan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
| | - Amato de Paulis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
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Romano E, Manetti M, Kosalka-Wegiel J, Fioretto BS, Rosa I, Sticchi E, Guiducci S, Bellando-Randone S, Ibba-Manneschi L, Matucci-Cerinic M. SAT0282 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN A VARIANT OF THE SRP55 SPLICING FACTOR GENE AND SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS IN AN ITALIAN POPULATION. Ann Rheum Dis 2020. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.1707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background:In systemic sclerosis (SSc), alternative splicing of the last exon (exon 8) of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A pre-mRNA is a key element in the switch from proangiogenic to antiangiogenic VEGF-A isoforms. The mRNA-binding protein serine/arginine protein 55 (SRp55, also known as SFRS6) is a key regulatory splicing factor that promotes distal splice-site selection in the exon 8 region of VEGF-A pre-mRNA and subsequent upregulation of the exon 8b-containing VEGF165b antiangiogenic isoform. Overexpression of both VEGF165b and SRp55 has been implicated in SSc-related angiogenesis impairment and peripheral vascular damage. Moreover, differential splicing of the VEGF-A gene has been shown to be critical for development of pulmonary fibrosis. Of note, previous studies reported the lack of sequence variations in the VEGF-A alternatively spliced region, while a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in theSRp55gene (rs2235611) has been associated with susceptibility to disturbed ocular angiogenesis in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.Objectives:This case-control pilot study examined the possible implication ofSRp55rs2235611 SNP in the genetic predisposition to SSc susceptibility and clinical phenotype.Methods:A total population of 872 white Italian individuals (414 SSc patients, 458 controls) was studied. All patients were classified as limited and diffuse cutaneous SSc (lcSSc and dcSSc, respectively) and were clinically evaluated for the presence of autoantibodies (anticentromere, anti-Scl70 antibodies), pulmonary fibrosis and digital ulcers. TheSRp55rs2235611 SNP was genotyped by TaqMan Real-Time PCR.Results:SRp55rs2235611 genotype distribution and allele frequency were similar in SSc and healthy controls, though a trend toward significance was observed for genotype distribution (p=0.07). TheSRp55rs2235611 AA genotype significantly influenced the predisposition to SSc (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.11 to 5.57, p = 0.03), and to both lcSSc (OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.16 to 6.84, p = 0.02) and dcSSc (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.20 to 9.72, p = 0.02) subtypes. TheSRp55rs2235611 A minor allele and AA genotype showed a significant risk association with susceptibility to SSc-related pulmonary fibrosis (A allele: OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.93, p = 0.046; AA genotype: OR 3.95, 95% CI 1.48 to 10.54, p = 0.006). A trend toward an association between the AA genotype and anti-Scl70 antibody-positive SSc was also found (OR 2.82, 95% CI 0.95 to 8.37, p = 0.06). Both rs2235611 A allele and AA genotype were significantly associated with the SSc subset without digital ulcers (A allele: OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.75, p = 0.04; AA genotype: OR 3.26, 95% CI 1.32 to 8.03, p = 0.01).Conclusion:TheSRp55rs2235611 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to SSc and, in particular, with SSc-related pulmonary fibrosis and peripheral vascular phenotype, consistent with a role of VEGF-A pre-mRNA alternative splicing in the development of pulmonary fibrosis and impairment of angiogenesis. Further replication studies are warranted to confirm our findings in independent SSc cohorts.Disclosure of Interests:Eloisa Romano: None declared, Mirko Manetti: None declared, Joanna Kosalka-Wegiel: None declared, Bianca Saveria Fioretto: None declared, Irene Rosa: None declared, Elena Sticchi: None declared, Serena Guiducci: None declared, Silvia Bellando-Randone: None declared, Lidia Ibba-Manneschi: None declared, Marco Matucci-Cerinic Grant/research support from: Actelion, MSD, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Speakers bureau: Acetelion, Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim
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Fioretto BS, Rosa I, Romano E, Wang Y, Guiducci S, Zhang G, Manetti M, Matucci-Cerinic M. The contribution of epigenetics to the pathogenesis and gender dimorphism of systemic sclerosis: a comprehensive overview. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2020; 12:1759720X20918456. [PMID: 32523636 PMCID: PMC7236401 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x20918456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a life-threatening connective tissue disorder of unknown etiology characterized by widespread vascular injury and dysfunction, impaired angiogenesis, immune dysregulation and progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Over the past few years, a new trend of investigations is increasingly reporting aberrant epigenetic modifications in genes related to the pathogenesis of SSc, suggesting that, besides genetics, epigenetics may play a pivotal role in disease development and clinical manifestations. Like many other autoimmune diseases, SSc presents a striking female predominance, and even if the reason for this gender imbalance has yet to be completely understood, it appears that the X chromosome, which contains many gender and immune-related genes, could play a role in such gender-biased prevalence. Besides a short summary of the genetic background of SSc, in this review we provide a comprehensive overview of the most recent insights into the epigenetic modifications which underlie the pathophysiology of SSc. A particular focus is given to genetic variations in genes located on the X chromosome as well as to the main X-linked epigenetic modifications that can influence SSc susceptibility and clinical phenotype. On the basis of the most recent advances, there is realistic hope that integrating epigenetic data with genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses may provide in the future a better picture of their functional implications in SSc, paving the right way for a better understanding of disease pathogenesis and the development of innovative therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical
Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini
6, Florence, 50139, Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical
Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence and Scleroderma
Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC),Florence, Italy
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and
Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical
Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence and Scleroderma
Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence,
Italy
| | - Yukai Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology,
Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, China
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical
Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence and Scleroderma
Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence,
Italy
| | - Guohong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Shantou University
Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical
Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence,
Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical
Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence and Scleroderma
Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence,
Italy
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41
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Marini M, Tani A, Manetti M, Sgambati E. Characterization and distribution of sialic acids in human testicular seminoma. Acta Histochem 2020; 122:151532. [PMID: 32143917 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2020.151532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant content of sialic acids (Sias) has been observed in various human cancer types in different organs. Sias have been implicated in cancerous transformation, invasiveness and metastasis, and in the escaping of cancer cells from immune surveillance. Indeed, Sias are commonly regarded as important biomarkers to distinguish cancer cells from their healthy counterparts. However, scarce and not exhaustive investigations have been performed on Sia content in testicular cancers and, in particular, in seminoma, one of the most common malignant testicular tumors. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the content and distribution of Sias with different glycosidic linkage, namely α2,3 and α2,6 galactose- or N-acetyl-galactosamine-linked Sias and polymeric Sia (polySia), in the germinal and stromal components of human testes affected by seminoma compared to normal testicular tissue. Structural changes in seminoma tissue were examined using hematoxylin-eosin staining. α2,3 and α2,6 linked Sias were evaluated by lectin histochemistry (Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAA) and Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA)), while confocal immunofluorescence was used for polySia detection. Histopathological findings in seminoma tissue included loss of seminiferous tubules replaced by clusters of uniform polygonal cells with a clear cytoplasm, bundles of fibrotic tissue, numerous microvessels and some atrophic tubules. The content of α2,3 and α2,6 linked Sias was lost in almost all seminoma components respect to normal tissue, with the exception of microvessels in which it was higher. On the contrary, polySia level was increased in all the seminoma components compared to normal testicular tissue. Our findings suggest that an aberrant content of different Sias might have important and differential roles in seminoma development and progression. In particular, polySia might be implicated in seminoma progression by promoting cancer invasiveness and regulating the cross-talk between cancer cells, reactive stroma and vessels. Thus, the possibility that polySia might represent an important biomarker for seminoma deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirca Marini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Alessia Tani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Sgambati
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche (Isernia), Italy.
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Rosa I, Marini M, Sgambati E, Ibba-Manneschi L, Manetti M. Telocytes and lymphatic endothelial cells: Two immunophenotypically distinct and spatially close cell entities. Acta Histochem 2020; 122:151530. [PMID: 32115248 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2020.151530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Telocytes (TCs) have recently emerged as a peculiar type of stromal cells located in both perivascular and interstitial compartments of multiple anatomical sites in humans, other mammals and vertebrates. Pioneer electron microscopy studies have ultrastructurally defined TCs as "stromal cells with telopodes" (i.e. very long and thin cell processes with a moniliform morphology conferred by the irregular alternation of slender segments and small, bead-like, dilated portions), whereupon it has become apparent that TCs largely correspond to the CD34+ stromal/interstitial cells detectable by immunohistochemical assays. Besides CD34, TCs are also characterized by the expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)α. Interestingly, recent works recommended that lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) markers should be routinely assessed to discriminate with certainty TCs from LECs, because these two cell types may exhibit similar morphological traits, especially when initial lymphatics are sectioned longitudinally and appear as vascular profiles with no obvious lumen. Furthermore, it has been argued that lymphatic microvessels immunostained for the small mucin-type transmembrane glycoprotein podoplanin (PDPN), which is widely used as lymphatic endothelial marker, can be easily misidentified as TCs. Nevertheless, surprisingly these assumptions were not based on double tissue immunostaining for TC and LEC markers. Therefore, the present morphological study was undertaken to precisely investigate the mutual spatial organization and putative relationships of TCs and lymphatic vessels in tissues from different human organs. For this purpose, we carried out a series of double immunofluorescence analyses simultaneously detecting the CD34 or PDGFRα antigen and a marker of LECs, either PDPN or lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1). In the connective tissue compartment of different organs, TCs were CD34+/PDGFRα+/PDPN-/LYVE-1- while LECs were CD34-/PDGFRα-/PDPN+/LYVE-1+, thus representing two definitely distinct, though spatially close, cell entities. The arrangement of telopodes to intimately surround the abluminal side of LECs suggests a possible role of TCs in the regulation of lymphatic capillary functionality, which is worth investigating further.
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Marini M, Ibba-Manneschi L, Rosa I, Sgambati E, Manetti M. Changes in the telocyte/CD34+ stromal cell and α-SMA+ myoid cell networks in human testicular seminoma. Acta Histochem 2019; 121:151442. [PMID: 31540712 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2019.151442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Telocytes (TCs), also known as CD34+ stromal/interstitial cells, have recently been identified within the connective tissue of a variety of organs including the normal human testis. Testicular TCs appear to constitute a widespread reticular network distributed either in the peritubular or in the intertubular stromal spaces where they have been suggested to play different roles, such as participation to testis morphogenesis, postnatal preservation of the normal tissue/organ three-dimensional structure, and regulation of spermatogenesis and androgen hormone secretion and release. Although increasing evidence indicates that TCs may be involved in the pathophysiology of various diseases, no study has yet reported possible changes in these cells within the stromal compartment of seminoma, one of the most frequent malignant testicular cancers in humans. Therefore, here we carried out the first investigation of the presence and tissue distribution of TCs/CD34+ stromal cells in human testicular seminoma in comparison with normal human testis using either CD34 immunohistochemistry or CD34/CD31 and CD34/α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) double immunofluorescence analyses. In seminoma tissue sections, we observed an overall loss of TCs (CD34+/CD31- stromal cells) accompanying a severe degeneration of the normal architecture of seminiferous tubules and stromal tissue associated with dense cellularity increase and presence of interstitial fibrosis. Noteworthy, in the seminoma tissue the disappearance of TCs was paralleled by an expansion of α-SMA+ myoid cells. Moreover, the CD34+/CD31+ blood vessel network was greatly expanded, while steroidogenic Leydig cells were undetectable in seminoma specimens. Since TCs are emerging as important regulators of tissue and organ homeostasis, collectively the present findings indicate that the possible pathophysiologic implications of the loss of TCs in human testicular seminoma should not be further overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirca Marini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Lidia Ibba-Manneschi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Sgambati
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche (Isernia), Italy.
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
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Manetti M, Tani A, Rosa I, Chellini F, Squecco R, Idrizaj E, Zecchi-Orlandini S, Ibba-Manneschi L, Sassoli C. Morphological evidence for telocytes as stromal cells supporting satellite cell activation in eccentric contraction-induced skeletal muscle injury. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14515. [PMID: 31601891 PMCID: PMC6787026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51078-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Although telocytes (TCs) have been proposed to play a “nursing” role in resident satellite cell (SC)-mediated skeletal muscle regeneration, currently there is no evidence of TC-SC morpho-functional interaction following tissue injury. Hence, we explored the presence of TCs and their relationship with SCs in an ex vivo model of eccentric contraction (EC)-induced muscle damage. EC-injured muscles showed structural/ultrastructural alterations and changes in electrophysiological sarcolemnic properties. TCs were identified in control and EC-injured muscles by either confocal immunofluorescence (i.e. CD34+CD31− TCs) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In EC-injured muscles, an extended interstitial network of CD34+ TCs/telopodes was detected around activated SCs displaying Pax7+ and MyoD+ nuclei. TEM revealed that TCs invaded the SC niche passing with their telopodes through a fragmented basal lamina and contacting the underlying activated SCs. TC-SC interaction after injury was confirmed in vitro by culturing single endomysial sheath-covered myofibers and sprouting TCs and SCs. EC-damaged muscle-derived TCs showed increased expression of the recognized pro-myogenic vascular endothelial growth factor-A, and SCs from the same samples exhibited increased MyoD expression and greater tendency to fuse into myotubes. Here, we provide the essential groundwork for further investigation of TC-SC interactions in the setting of skeletal muscle injury and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Alessia Tani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Flaminia Chellini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberta Squecco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eglantina Idrizaj
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandra Zecchi-Orlandini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lidia Ibba-Manneschi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Sassoli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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Manetti M, Matucci-Cerinic M. In search for the ideal anatomical composition of vascularised human skin equivalents for systemic sclerosis translational research: should we recruit the telocytes? Ann Rheum Dis 2019; 80:e149. [PMID: 31582376 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Manetti M, Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Praino E, Guiducci S, Iannone F, Ibba-Manneschi L, Matucci-Cerinic M. Systemic Sclerosis Serum Steers the Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Toward Profibrotic Myofibroblasts: Pathophysiologic Implications. J Clin Med 2019; 8:E1256. [PMID: 31430950 PMCID: PMC6723717 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8081256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) is characterized by life-threatening progressive multiorgan fibrosis orchestrated by profibrotic myofibroblasts originating from different sources. Because recent data demonstrated that the majority of myofibroblasts in a murine scleroderma model arise from adipocytic progenitors through the adipocyte-myofibroblast transition process, we sought to determine whether the SSc microenvironment may affect the differentiation potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC). Normal human ADSC from three donors were treated with serum from SSc patients (n = 6), serum from healthy individuals (n = 6), or recombinant human transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) as positive control of myofibroblastic phenotype induction. ADSC were subjected to in vitro adipogenic differentiation for up to 21 days in the presence of different stimuli followed by lipid content quantification. In selected experiments, adipocytic and mesenchymal/myofibroblast marker gene and protein expression levels were assessed by Real-Time PCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence after administration of different stimuli for 72 and 96 h, respectively. Cell contractile phenotype was assayed by collagen gel contraction assay. Likewise stimulation with TGFβ1, SSc serum was able to significantly inhibit the adipocyte differentiation of ADSC as testified by a strong decrease in red-colored lipid droplets after 21 days of adipogenic induction. Treatment of ADSC either with SSc serum or TGFβ1 resulted in the acquisition of a myofibroblast-like phenotype characterized by a reduced expression of the adipocytic markers perilipin and adiponectin, a significant upregulation of the mesenchymal/myofibroblast markers α-SMA+ stress fibers, S100A4 and type I collagen, and an ability to effectively contract collagen gels. In SSc, the pathologic environment may favor the differentiation of ADSC into profibrotic and contractile myofibroblast-like cells. These findings strengthen the notion that the generation of myofibroblasts from ADSC may be relevant in SSc pathophysiology potentially representing a new target for the prevention/treatment of multiorgan fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, AOUC, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, AOUC, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, AOUC, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Emanuela Praino
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, AOUC, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Florenzo Iannone
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Lidia Ibba-Manneschi
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, AOUC, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
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Terenzi R, Karalilova R, Lepri G, Bruni C, Bellando-Randone S, Manetti M, Romano E, Melchiorre D, Blagojevic J, Wang Y, Solanki K, Moggi-Pignone A, Batalov Z, Guiducci S, Batalov A, Matucci-Cerinic M. Enthesopathy and involvement of synovio-entheseal complex in systemic sclerosis: an ultrasound pilot study. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2019; 59:580-585. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez322] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
SSc is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the skin and multiple internal organs. Articular involvement is one of the main features of SSc, and typical hallmarks of SpA have been found in SSc patients. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of entheseal and synovio-entheseal complex (SEC) alterations in a cohort of SSc patients.
Methods
One hundred SSc patients and 25 healthy subjects were included in this cross-sectional study. The enthesis sites of lateral epicondylar common extensor tendons (CET) and the enthesis of the Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesis Scoring System were evaluated. SEC involvement was evaluated only at CET enthesis.
Results
In SSc, the Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesis Scoring System score was significantly higher (median 4.0, interquartile range 2.0–7.0) than in controls (median 1.0, interquartile range 0.0–3.0) (P < 0.0001). CET enthesis of SSc patients showed more frequent US B-mode alterations than that of controls (χ2 = 11.47, P = 0.0007 for size; χ2 = 13.79, P = 0.0002 for cortical irregularity, χ2 = 5.24, P = 0.022 for calcification/enthesophytes). Power Doppler US signal at CET enthesis was significantly more frequent in SSc patients than in healthy controls (χ2 = 9.11, P = 0.0025), as was the concomitant SEC involvement (χ2 = 8.52, P = 0.0035).
Conclusion
These data show that SSc patients frequently present US features of enthesopathy. Moreover, CET enthesopathy was correlated with SEC inflammation, suggesting that entheseal inflammation in SSc may share the same micro-anatomical targets as found in SpA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Terenzi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, and Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
| | - Rositsa Karalilova
- Department of Internal Diseases, Medical University of Plovdiv, Clinic of Rheumatology, University Hospital ‘Kaspela’, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Gemma Lepri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, and Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
| | - Cosimo Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, and Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Bellando-Randone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, and Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, and Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
| | - Daniela Melchiorre
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, and Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
| | - Jelena Blagojevic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, and Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
| | - Yukai Wang
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, and Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kamal Solanki
- Rheumatology Department, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Alberto Moggi-Pignone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, and Division of High Complexity Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
| | - Zguro Batalov
- Department of Internal Diseases, Medical University of Plovdiv, Clinic of Rheumatology, University Hospital ‘Kaspela’, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, and Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
| | - Anastas Batalov
- Department of Internal Diseases, Medical University of Plovdiv, Clinic of Rheumatology, University Hospital ‘Kaspela’, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, and Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Guiducci S, Manetti M, Matucci-Cerinic M. A new avenue in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis: the molecular interface between the endothelial and the nervous systems. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2019; 37 Suppl 119:133-140. [PMID: 31025932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder characterised by immune dysregulation, endothelial cell dysfunction followed by defective vascular repair and neovascularization and progressive tissue fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, whose pathophysiology remains to be fully elucidated. Perturbed neuroendothelial control mechanisms comprising either endothelial cell or peripheral nerve fiber impairment are supposed to play an important role in the onset of Raynaud's phenomenon and development of microvascular abnormalities which are the earliest events and key features of SSc. Such pathogenic neuroendothelial mechanisms may trigger both the early endothelial cell damage and the subsequent loss of peripheral microvascular integrity characterised by the lack of compensatory angiogenesis. Of note, the vascular and nervous systems have several anatomical similarities that extend to molecular level, and the molecular mechanisms of nerve regulation are shared by the vascular system. In this context, increasing evidence demonstrated that endothelial cells express receptors for axon guidance molecules, including Ephrin family receptor tyrosine kinases, Neuropilins, Plexins, Robos, and UNC5B that are able to respond to their soluble neuroendothelial trophic ligands, such as Semaphorins and Slits, to guide the sprouting of endothelial tip cells. Here, we first provide a historical view of neuroendothelial control mechanism alterations in the pathogenesis of SSc, and then discuss the emerging role of a class of molecules sharing neurogenic and angiogenic properties, such as members of Semaphorin/Plexin/Neuropilin and Slit/Roundabout families, in SSc-related peripheral microvasculopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy.
| | - Irene Rosa
- Division of Rheumatology, Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC) and Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
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Mirandola D, Monaci M, Miccinesi G, Vannuzzi A, Sgambati E, Manetti M, Marini M. Psychological well-being and quality of life in visually impaired baseball players: An Italian national survey. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218124. [PMID: 31170226 PMCID: PMC6553783 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Italian baseball played by visually impaired and blind athletes is an adapted team sport which maintains the peculiar fast-moving features of this popular sport. It is also a mixed team game played together with sighted subjects. Here, we performed a national survey aimed at assessing the differences in psychological well-being (PWB) and quality of life (QoL) between visually impaired baseball players from Italian teams and non-players using a structured online questionnaire. Forty-three visually impaired baseball players and thirty-four visually impaired sedentary individuals completed a structured self-report survey including the validated 18-item Italian versions of the PWB (PWB-18) scale and the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire to assess the QoL. PWB-18 and SF-12 reference data from the Italian normally sighted population were also employed for comparison with the visually impaired baseball player group. Visually impaired baseball players reported better scores in all dimensions of the PWB-18 scale and significant higher scores in both physical and mental QoL evaluated by SF-12 than the non-player group. In addition, PWB-18 scale findings revealed significant differences between visually impaired baseball players and the reference normally sighted population consisting in lower scores for autonomy, environmental mastery, positive relations with others and purpose in life dimensions. Conversely, the mean scores for PWB-18 personal growth and self-acceptance dimensions were not significantly different between the two groups. The SF-12 questionnaire results demonstrated a significantly higher physical score in visually impaired players compared with the reference population. Instead, the SF-12 mental score of visually impaired athletes tended to be lower, though this difference was not statistically significant. Collectively, our findings suggest that the practice of Italian baseball may have a positive impact on PWB and QoL of visually impaired individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Mirandola
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Monaci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Guido Miccinesi
- Oncological Network, Prevention and Research Institute (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Alessia Vannuzzi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eleonora Sgambati
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Isernia, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mirca Marini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Mor A, Segal Salto M, Katav A, Barashi N, Edelshtein V, Manetti M, Levi Y, George J, Matucci-Cerinic M. Blockade of CCL24 with a monoclonal antibody ameliorates experimental dermal and pulmonary fibrosis. Ann Rheum Dis 2019; 78:1260-1268. [PMID: 31129606 PMCID: PMC6788878 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Objectives We aimed to assess the expression of the CCL24 chemokine in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to evaluate the possible pathogenic implications of the CCL24/CCR3 axis using both in vitro and in vivo models. We further investigated the efficacy of an anti-CCL24 monoclonal antibody (mAb), CM-101, in inhibiting cell activation as well as dermal and pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in experimental animal models. Methods We used ELISA and fluorescence immunohistochemistry to determine CCL24 levels in serum and CCL24/CCR3 expression in skin biopsies of SSc patients. Skin fibroblasts and endothelial cells treated with CCL24 or SSc serum with or without CM-101 were used to follow cell activation and differentiation. Prevention and treatment in vivo bleomycin (BLM)-induced models were used to evaluate experimental dermal and pulmonary fibrosis progression following treatment with the CM-101 mAb. Results CCL24 circulating levels were significantly elevated in SSc patients. CCL24/CCR3 expression was strongly increased in SSc skin. Blockade of CCL24 with CM-101 significantly reduced the activation of dermal fibroblasts and their transition to myofibroblasts induced by SSc serum. CM-101 was also able to significantly inhibit endothelial cell activation induced by CCL24. In BLM-induced experimental animal models, CM-101 profoundly inhibited both dermal and pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation. Conclusions CCL24 plays an important role in pathological processes of skin and lung inflammation and fibrosis. Inhibition of CCL24 by CM-101 mAb can be potentially beneficial for therapeutic use in SSc patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adi Mor
- R&D, ChemomAb Ltd, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Yair Levi
- Department of Internal Medicine E, Meir Medical Center, Kfar-Saba, Israel
| | - Jacob George
- Heart Center, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, AOUC, Florence, Italy
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