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Castagnola V, Tomati V, Boselli L, Braccia C, Decherchi S, Pompa PP, Pedemonte N, Benfenati F, Armirotti A. Sources of biases in the in vitro testing of nanomaterials: the role of the biomolecular corona. Nanoscale Horiz 2024; 9:799-816. [PMID: 38563642 DOI: 10.1039/d3nh00510k] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The biological fate of nanomaterials (NMs) is driven by specific interactions through which biomolecules, naturally adhering onto their surface, engage with cell membrane receptors and intracellular organelles. The molecular composition of this layer, called the biomolecular corona (BMC), depends on both the physical-chemical features of the NMs and the biological media in which the NMs are dispersed and cells grow. In this work, we demonstrate that the widespread use of 10% fetal bovine serum in an in vitro assay cannot recapitulate the complexity of in vivo systemic administration, with NMs being transported by the blood. For this purpose, we undertook a comparative journey involving proteomics, lipidomics, high throughput multiparametric in vitro screening, and single molecular feature analysis to investigate the molecular details behind this in vivo/in vitro bias. Our work indirectly highlights the need to introduce novel, more physiological-like media closer in composition to human plasma to produce realistic in vitro screening data for NMs. We also aim to set the basis to reduce this in vitro-in vivo mismatch, which currently limits the formulation of NMs for clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Castagnola
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Boselli
- Nanobiointeractions & Nanodiagnostics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Clarissa Braccia
- Analytical Chemistry Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy.
| | - Sergio Decherchi
- Data Science and Computation Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Pompa
- Nanobiointeractions & Nanodiagnostics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical Chemistry Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy.
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2
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Scala M, Tomati V, Ferla M, Lena M, Cohen JS, Fatemi A, Brokamp E, Bican A, Phillips JA, Koziura ME, Nicouleau M, Rio M, Siquier K, Boddaert N, Musante I, Tamburro S, Baldassari S, Iacomino M, Scudieri P, Rosenfeld JA, Bellus G, Reed S, Al Saif H, Russo RS, Walsh MB, Cantagrel V, Crunk A, Gustincich S, Ruggiero SM, Fitzgerald MP, Helbig I, Striano P, Severino M, Salpietro V, Pedemonte N, Zara F. De novo variants in DENND5B cause a neurodevelopmental disorder. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:529-543. [PMID: 38387458 PMCID: PMC10940048 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.02.001] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The Rab family of guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) includes key regulators of intracellular transport and membrane trafficking targeting specific steps in exocytic, endocytic, and recycling pathways. DENND5B (Rab6-interacting Protein 1B-like protein, R6IP1B) is the longest isoform of DENND5, an evolutionarily conserved DENN domain-containing guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that is highly expressed in the brain. Through exome sequencing and international matchmaking platforms, we identified five de novo variants in DENND5B in a cohort of five unrelated individuals with neurodevelopmental phenotypes featuring cognitive impairment, dysmorphism, abnormal behavior, variable epilepsy, white matter abnormalities, and cortical gyration defects. We used biochemical assays and confocal microscopy to assess the impact of DENND5B variants on protein accumulation and distribution. Then, exploiting fluorescent lipid cargoes coupled to high-content imaging and analysis in living cells, we investigated whether DENND5B variants affected the dynamics of vesicle-mediated intracellular transport of specific cargoes. We further generated an in silico model to investigate the consequences of DENND5B variants on the DENND5B-RAB39A interaction. Biochemical analysis showed decreased protein levels of DENND5B mutants in various cell types. Functional investigation of DENND5B variants revealed defective intracellular vesicle trafficking, with significant impairment of lipid uptake and distribution. Although none of the variants affected the DENND5B-RAB39A interface, all were predicted to disrupt protein folding. Overall, our findings indicate that DENND5B variants perturb intracellular membrane trafficking pathways and cause a complex neurodevelopmental syndrome with variable epilepsy and white matter involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Scala
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy; UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matteo Ferla
- Oxford Protein Informatics Group, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mariateresa Lena
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Julie S Cohen
- Department of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ali Fatemi
- Department of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elly Brokamp
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Anna Bican
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - John A Phillips
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mary E Koziura
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Michael Nicouleau
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Developmental Brain Disorders Laboratory, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Marlene Rio
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Developmental Brain Disorders Laboratory, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015 Paris, France; Service de Génétique, Necker Enfants Malades University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Pairs, Paris, France
| | - Karine Siquier
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Developmental Brain Disorders Laboratory, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Boddaert
- Département de Radiologie Pédiatrique, INSERM UMR 1163 and INSERM U1000, AP-HP, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Ilaria Musante
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Paolo Scudieri
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Jill A Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Baylor Genetics Laboratories, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gary Bellus
- Clinical Genetics, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA 17822, USA
| | - Sara Reed
- Clinical Genetics, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA 17822, USA
| | - Hind Al Saif
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Division of Clinical Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Matthew B Walsh
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Vincent Cantagrel
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Developmental Brain Disorders Laboratory, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015 Paris, France
| | | | - Stefano Gustincich
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sarah M Ruggiero
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative (ENGIN), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mark P Fitzgerald
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative (ENGIN), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ingo Helbig
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative (ENGIN), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics (DBHi), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
| | | | - Federico Zara
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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Spallarossa A, Pedemonte N, Pesce E, Millo E, Cichero E, Rosano C, Lusardi M, Iervasi E, Ponassi M. Cyclic diacyl thioureas enhance activity of corrector Lumacaftor on F508del-CFTR. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202300391. [PMID: 38105411 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300391] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. In the search of novel series of CFTR modulators, a library of mono and diacyl thioureas were prepared by sequential synthesis. When tested alone, the obtained compounds 5 and 6 poorly affected F508del-CFTR conductance but, in combination with Lumacaftor, selected derivatives showed the ability to increase the activity of the approved modulator. Analogue 6 i displayed the most marked enhancing effect and acylthioureas 6 d and 6 f were also able to improve efficacy of Lumacaftor. All compounds proved to be non-cytotoxic against different cancer cell lines. Good pharmacokinetic properties were predicted for derivatives 5 and 6, thus supporting the value of these compounds for the development of novel modulators potentially useful for cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Spallarossa
- Department of Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, 16147, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Pesce
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, 16147, Genova, Italy
| | - Enrico Millo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Camillo Rosano
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Matteo Lusardi
- Department of Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Erika Iervasi
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Marco Ponassi
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
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Borgo C, D’Amore C, Capurro V, Tomati V, Pedemonte N, Bosello Travain V, Salvi M. SUMOylation Inhibition Enhances Protein Transcription under CMV Promoter: A Lesson from a Study with the F508del-CFTR Mutant. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2302. [PMID: 38396982 PMCID: PMC10889535 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042302] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a selective anion channel expressed in the epithelium of various organs. The most frequent mutation is F508del. This mutation leads to a misfolded CFTR protein quickly degraded via ubiquitination in the endoplasmic reticulum. Although preventing ubiquitination stabilizes the protein, functionality is not restored due to impaired plasma membrane transport. However, inhibiting the ubiquitination process can improve the effectiveness of correctors which act as chemical chaperones, facilitating F508del CFTR trafficking to the plasma membrane. Previous studies indicate a crosstalk between SUMOylation and ubiquitination in the regulation of CFTR. In this study, we investigated the potential of inhibiting SUMOylation to increase the effects of correctors and enhance the rescue of the F508del mutant across various cell models. In the widely used CFBE41o-cell line expressing F508del-CFTR, inhibiting SUMOylation substantially boosted F508del expression, thereby increasing the efficacy of correctors. Interestingly, this outcome did not result from enhanced stability of the mutant channel, but rather from augmented cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter-mediated gene expression of F508del-CFTR. Notably, CFTR regulated by endogenous promoters in multiple cell lines or patient cells was not influenced by SUMOylation inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Borgo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.B.); (C.D.)
| | - Claudio D’Amore
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.B.); (C.D.)
| | - Valeria Capurro
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.C.); (V.T.); (N.P.)
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.C.); (V.T.); (N.P.)
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.C.); (V.T.); (N.P.)
| | | | - Mauro Salvi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.B.); (C.D.)
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5
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Oliver KE, Carlon MS, Pedemonte N, Lopes-Pacheco M. The revolution of personalized pharmacotherapies for cystic fibrosis: what does the future hold? Expert Opin Pharmacother 2023; 24:1545-1565. [PMID: 37379072 PMCID: PMC10528905 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2023.2230129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cystic fibrosis (CF), a potentially fatal genetic disease, is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding for the CFTR chloride/bicarbonate channel. Modulator drugs rescuing mutant CFTR traffic and function are now in the clinic, providing unprecedented breakthrough therapies for people with CF (PwCF) carrying specific genotypes. However, several CFTR variants are unresponsive to these therapies. AREA COVERED We discussed several therapeutic approaches that are under development to tackle the fundamental cause of CF, including strategies targeting defective CFTR mRNA and/or protein expression and function. Alternatively, defective chloride secretion and dehydration in CF epithelia could be restored by exploiting pharmacological modulation of alternative targets, i.e., ion channels/transporters that concur with CFTR to maintain the airway surface liquid homeostasis (e.g., ENaC, TMEM16A, SLC26A4, SLC26A9, and ATP12A). Finally, we assessed progress and challenges in the development of gene-based therapies to replace or correct the mutant CFTR gene. EXPERT OPINION CFTR modulators are benefiting many PwCF responsive to these drugs, yielding substantial improvements in various clinical outcomes. Meanwhile, the CF therapy development pipeline continues to expand with the development of novel CFTR modulators and alternative therapeutic strategies with the ultimate goal of providing effective therapies for all PwCF in the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E. Oliver
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Marianne S. Carlon
- Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Miquéias Lopes-Pacheco
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute (BioISI), Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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Brusa I, Sondo E, Pesce E, Tomati V, Gioia D, Falchi F, Balboni B, Ortega Martínez JA, Veronesi M, Romeo E, Margaroli N, Recanatini M, Girotto S, Pedemonte N, Roberti M, Cavalli A. Innovative Strategy toward Mutant CFTR Rescue in Cystic Fibrosis: Design and Synthesis of Thiadiazole Inhibitors of the E3 Ligase RNF5. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37440686 PMCID: PMC10388311 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00608] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
In cystic fibrosis (CF), deletion of phenylalanine 508 (F508del) in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is associated to misfolding and defective gating of the mutant channel. One of the most promising CF drug targets is the ubiquitin ligase RNF5, which promotes F508del-CFTR degradation. Recently, the first ever reported inhibitor of RNF5 was discovered, i.e., the 1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-ylidene inh-2. Here, we designed and synthesized a series of new analogues to explore the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of this class of compounds. SAR efforts ultimately led to compound 16, which showed a greater F508del-CFTR corrector activity than inh-2, good tolerability, and no toxic side effects. Analogue 16 increased the basal level of autophagy similar to what has been described with RNF5 silencing. Furthermore, co-treatment with 16 significantly improved the F508del-CFTR rescue induced by the triple combination elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor in CFBE41o- cells. These findings validate the 1,2,4-thiadiazolylidene scaffold for the discovery of novel RNF5 inhibitors and provide evidence to pursue this unprecedented strategy for the treatment of CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Brusa
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Computational & Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Elvira Sondo
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Pesce
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Dario Gioia
- Computational & Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Federico Falchi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Computational & Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Beatrice Balboni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Computational & Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Marina Veronesi
- Structural Biophysics and Translational Pharmacology Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Elisa Romeo
- Structural Biophysics and Translational Pharmacology Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Natasha Margaroli
- Structural Biophysics and Translational Pharmacology Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Maurizio Recanatini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Girotto
- Structural Biophysics and Translational Pharmacology Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Marinella Roberti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Computational & Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Centre Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire, EPFL CECAM, 1015 Lousanne, Switzerland
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7
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Liessi N, Tomati V, Capurro V, Loberto N, Garcia-Aloy M, Franceschi P, Aureli M, Pedemonte N, Armirotti A. The combination elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) modulates the de novo synthethic pathway of ceramides in a genotype-independent manner. J Cyst Fibros 2023; 22:680-682. [PMID: 37088636 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2023.04.012] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
We report here how the triple combination of drugs elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) alters the balance of the de-novo synthethic pathway of sphingolipids in primary cells of human bronchial epithelium. The treatment with ETI roughly doubles the levels of dihydrosphingolipids, possibly by modulating the delta(4)-desaturase enzymes that convert dihydroceramides into ceramides. This appears to be an off-target effect of ETI, since it occurs in a genotype-independent manner, for both cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nara Liessi
- Analytical Chemistry Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Valeria Capurro
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Loberto
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate (MI)
| | - Mar Garcia-Aloy
- Centro di Ricerca e Innovazione, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via Edmund Mach, 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Trento, Italy
| | - Pietro Franceschi
- Centro di Ricerca e Innovazione, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via Edmund Mach, 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Trento, Italy
| | - Massimo Aureli
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate (MI)
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical Chemistry Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
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8
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Viti F, Pramotton FM, Martufi M, Magrassi R, Pedemonte N, Nizzari M, Zanacchi FC, De Michele B, Alampi M, Zambito M, Santamaria G, Bajetto A, Sardar S, Tomati V, Gandullia P, Giampietro C, Florio T, Beltrame F, Vassalli M, Ceccherini I. Patient's dermal fibroblasts as disease markers for visceral myopathy. Biomater Adv 2023; 148:213355. [PMID: 36893487 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Visceral myopathy (VSCM) is a rare genetic disease, orphan of pharmacological therapy. VSCM diagnosis is not always straightforward due to symptomatology similarities with mitochondrial or neuronal forms of intestinal pseudo-obstruction. The most prevalent form of VSCM is associates with variants in the gene ACTG2, encoding the protein gamma-2 actin. Overall, VSCM is a mechano-biological disorder, in which different genetic variants lead to similar alterations to the contractile phenotype of enteric smooth muscles, resulting in the emergence of life-threatening symptoms. In this work we analyzed the morpho-mechanical phenotype of human dermal fibroblasts from patients affected with VSCM, demonstrating that they retain a clear signature of the disease when compared with different controls. We evaluated several biophysical traits of fibroblasts, and we show that a measure of cellular traction forces can be used as a non-specific biomarker of the disease. We propose that a simple assay based on traction forces could be designed to provide a valuable support for clinical decision or pre-clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Viti
- Istituto di Biofisica - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via De Marini 16, 16149 Genova, Italy.
| | - Francesca Micaela Pramotton
- EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; ETH Zurich, The Institute for Mechanical Systems, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michela Martufi
- Istituto di Biofisica - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via De Marini 16, 16149 Genova, Italy; Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Raffaella Magrassi
- Istituto di Biofisica - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via De Marini 16, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Mario Nizzari
- Istituto di Biofisica - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via De Marini 16, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Benedetta De Michele
- Istituto di Biofisica - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via De Marini 16, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | - Manuela Alampi
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Viale Causa, 13, 16145 Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Zambito
- Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Santamaria
- UOSD Laboratorio di Genetica e Genomica delle Malattie Rare, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Adriana Bajetto
- Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Sabah Sardar
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Oakfield avenue, G128LT Glasgow, UK
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Gandullia
- UOC Pediatric Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Costanza Giampietro
- EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; ETH Zurich, The Institute for Mechanical Systems, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tullio Florio
- Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo rosanna benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Beltrame
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Viale Causa, 13, 16145 Genova, Italy
| | - Massimo Vassalli
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Oakfield avenue, G128LT Glasgow, UK
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- UOSD Laboratorio di Genetica e Genomica delle Malattie Rare, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
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9
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Terlizzi V, Pesce E, Capurro V, Tomati V, Lena M, Pastorino C, Bocciardi R, Zara F, Centrone C, Taccetti G, Castellani C, Pedemonte N. Clinical Consequences and Functional Impact of the Rare S737F CFTR Variant and Its Responsiveness to CFTR Modulators. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076576. [PMID: 37047546 PMCID: PMC10095403 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
S737F is a Cystic Fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) missense variant. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical features of a cohort of individuals carrying this variant. In parallel, by exploiting ex vivo functional and molecular analyses on nasal epithelia derived from a subset of S737F carriers, we evaluated its functional impact on CFTR protein as well as its responsiveness to CFTR modulators. We retrospectively collected clinical data of all individuals bearing at least one S737F CFTR variant and followed at the CF Centre of Tuscany region (Italy). Nasal brushing was performed in cooperating individuals. At study end clinical data were available for 10 subjects (mean age: 14 years; range 1–44 years; 3 adult individuals). Five asymptomatic subjects had CF, 2 were CRMS/CFSPID and 3 had an inconclusive diagnosis. Ex vivo analysis on nasal epithelia demonstrated different levels of CF activity. In particular, epithelia derived from asymptomatic CF subjects and from one of the subjects with inconclusive diagnosis showed reduced CFTR activity that could be rescued by treatment with CFTR modulators. On the contrary, in the epithelia derived from the other two individuals with an inconclusive diagnosis, the CFTR-mediated current was similar to that observed in epithelia derived from healthy donors. In vitro functional and biochemical analysis on S737F-CFTR expressed in immortalized bronchial cells highlighted a modest impairment of the channel activity, that was improved by treatment with ivacaftor alone or in combination with tezacaftor/elexacaftor. Our study provide evidence towards the evaluation of CFTR function on ex vivo nasal epithelial cell models as a new assay to help clinicians to classify individuals, in presence of discordance between clinical picture, sweat test and genetic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Terlizzi
- Department of Paediatric Medicine, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Cystic Fibrosis Regional Reference Center, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Emanuela Pesce
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Valeria Capurro
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Lena
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16126 Genova, Italy
| | - Cristina Pastorino
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Renata Bocciardi
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16126 Genova, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16126 Genova, Italy
| | - Claudia Centrone
- Diagnostic Genetics Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Taccetti
- Department of Paediatric Medicine, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Cystic Fibrosis Regional Reference Center, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Carlo Castellani
- UOSD Centro Fibrosi Cistica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
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10
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Baldassarri M, Zguro K, Tomati V, Pastorino C, Fava F, Croci S, Bruttini M, Picchiotti N, Furini S, Pedemonte N, Gabbi C, Renieri A, Fallerini C. Gain- and Loss-of-Function CFTR Alleles Are Associated with COVID-19 Clinical Outcomes. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244096. [PMID: 36552859 PMCID: PMC9776607 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244096] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Carriers of single pathogenic variants of the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) gene have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 and 14-day death. The machine learning post-Mendelian model pinpointed CFTR as a bidirectional modulator of COVID-19 outcomes. Here, we demonstrate that the rare complex allele [G576V;R668C] is associated with a milder disease via a gain-of-function mechanism. Conversely, CFTR ultra-rare alleles with reduced function are associated with disease severity either alone (dominant disorder) or with another hypomorphic allele in the second chromosome (recessive disorder) with a global residual CFTR activity between 50 to 91%. Furthermore, we characterized novel CFTR complex alleles, including [A238V;F508del], [R74W;D1270N;V201M], [I1027T;F508del], [I506V;D1168G], and simple alleles, including R347C, F1052V, Y625N, I328V, K68E, A309D, A252T, G542*, V562I, R1066H, I506V, I807M, which lead to a reduced CFTR function and thus, to more severe COVID-19. In conclusion, CFTR genetic analysis is an important tool in identifying patients at risk of severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Baldassarri
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Kristina Zguro
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Cristina Pastorino
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16148 Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Fava
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Susanna Croci
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Mirella Bruttini
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Nicola Picchiotti
- Department of Mathematics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- University of Siena, DIISM-SAILAB, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Simone Furini
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16148 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: (N.P.); (A.R.); Tel.: +39-010-5636-3178 (N.P.); +39-0577-233303 (A.R.); Fax: +39-0577-233325 (A.R.)
| | - Chiara Gabbi
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alessandra Renieri
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Correspondence: (N.P.); (A.R.); Tel.: +39-010-5636-3178 (N.P.); +39-0577-233303 (A.R.); Fax: +39-0577-233325 (A.R.)
| | - Chiara Fallerini
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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11
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Tomati V, Costa S, Capurro V, Pesce E, Pastorino C, Lena M, Sondo E, Di Duca M, Cresta F, Cristadoro S, Zara F, Galietta LJ, Bocciardi R, Castellani C, Lucanto MC, Pedemonte N. Rescue by elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor of the G1244E cystic fibrosis mutation's stability and gating defects are dependent on cell background. J Cyst Fibros 2022:S1569-1993(22)01425-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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12
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Fossa P, Uggeri M, Orro A, Urbinati C, Rondina A, Milanesi M, Pedemonte N, Pesce E, Padoan R, Ford RC, Meng X, Rusnati M, D’Ursi P. Virtual Drug Repositioning as a Tool to Identify Natural Small Molecules That Synergize with Lumacaftor in F508del-CFTR Binding and Rescuing. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012274. [PMID: 36293130 PMCID: PMC9602983 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012274] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease mainly caused by the deletion of the Phe 508 (F508del) of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein that is thus withheld in the endoplasmic reticulum and rapidly degraded by the ubiquitin/proteasome system. Cystic fibrosis remains a potentially fatal disease, but it has become treatable as a chronic condition due to some CFTR-rescuing drugs that, when used in combination, increase in their therapeutic effect due to a synergic action. Also, dietary supplementation of natural compounds in combination with approved drugs could represent a promising strategy to further alleviate cystic fibrosis symptoms. On these bases, we screened by in silico drug repositioning 846 small synthetic or natural compounds from the AIFA database to evaluate their capacity to interact with the highly druggable lumacaftor binding site of F508del-CFTR. Among the identified hits, nicotinamide (NAM) was predicted to accommodate into the lumacaftor binding region of F508del-CFTR without competing against the drug but rather stabilizing its binding. The effective capacity of NAM to bind F508del-CFTR in a lumacaftor-uncompetitive manner was then validated experimentally by surface plasmon resonance analysis. Finally, the capacity of NAM to synergize with lumacaftor increasing its CFTR-rescuing activity was demonstrated in cell-based assays. This study suggests the possible identification of natural small molecules devoid of side effects and endowed with the capacity to synergize with drugs currently employed for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, which hopefully will increase the therapeutic efficacy with lower doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Fossa
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Matteo Uggeri
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), 20054 Segrate, Italy
| | - Alessandro Orro
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), 20054 Segrate, Italy
| | - Chiara Urbinati
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rondina
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), 20054 Segrate, Italy
| | - Maria Milanesi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Pesce
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Rita Padoan
- Department of Pediatrics, Regional Support Centre for Cystic Fibrosis, Children’s Hospital—ASST Spedali Civili, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Robert C. Ford
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Xin Meng
- Cellular Degradation Systems Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Marco Rusnati
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (P.D.)
| | - Pasqualina D’Ursi
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), 20054 Segrate, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (P.D.)
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13
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Boni C, Loberto N, Dobi D, Bassi R, Mauri L, Olioso D, Bezzerri V, Onorato D, Polimeni A, Cabrini G, Lippi G, Pedemonte N, Tamanini A, Aureli M. 688 Lipid-based therapeutic strategies in addition to cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulators for cystic fibrosis treatment. J Cyst Fibros 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-1993(22)01378-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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14
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Borgia P, Baldassari S, Pedemonte N, Alkhunaizi E, D'Onofrio G, Tortora D, Calì E, Scudieri P, Balagura G, Musante I, Diana MC, Pedemonte M, Vari MS, Iacomino M, Riva A, Chimenz R, Mangano GD, Mohammadi MH, Toosi MB, Ashrafzadeh F, Imannezhad S, Karimiani EG, Accogli A, Schiaffino MC, Maghnie M, Soler MA, Echiverri K, Abrams CK, Striano P, Fortuna S, Maroofian R, Houlden H, Zara F, Fiorillo C, Salpietro V. Genotype-phenotype correlations and disease mechanisms in PEX13-related Zellweger spectrum disorders. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:286. [PMID: 35854306 PMCID: PMC9295491 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02415-5] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pathogenic variants in PEX-genes can affect peroxisome assembly and function and cause Zellweger spectrum disorders (ZSDs), characterized by variable phenotypes in terms of disease severity, age of onset and clinical presentations. So far, defects in at least 15 PEX-genes have been implicated in Mendelian diseases, but in some of the ultra-rare ZSD subtypes genotype–phenotype correlations and disease mechanisms remain elusive. Methods We report five families carrying biallelic variants in PEX13. The identified variants were initially evaluated by using a combination of computational approaches. Immunofluorescence and complementation studies on patient-derived fibroblasts were performed in two patients to investigate the cellular impact of the identified mutations. Results Three out of five families carried a recurrent p.Arg294Trp non-synonymous variant. Individuals affected with PEX13-related ZSD presented heterogeneous clinical features, including hypotonia, developmental regression, hearing/vision impairment, progressive spasticity and brain leukodystrophy. Computational predictions highlighted the involvement of the Arg294 residue in PEX13 homodimerization, and the analysis of blind docking predicted that the p.Arg294Trp variant alters the formation of dimers, impairing the stability of the PEX13/PEX14 translocation module. Studies on muscle tissues and patient-derived fibroblasts revealed biochemical alterations of mitochondrial function and identified mislocalized mitochondria and a reduced number of peroxisomes with abnormal PEX13 concentration. Conclusions This study expands the phenotypic and mutational spectrum of PEX13-related ZSDs and also highlight a variety of disease mechanisms contributing to PEX13-related clinical phenotypes, including the emerging contribution of secondary mitochondrial dysfunction to the pathophysiology of ZSDs.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13023-022-02415-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Borgia
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Baldassari
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ebba Alkhunaizi
- Department of Genetics, North York General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gianluca D'Onofrio
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Domenico Tortora
- Neuroradiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisa Calì
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Paolo Scudieri
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ganna Balagura
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Musante
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Diana
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marina Pedemonte
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Stella Vari
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonella Riva
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberto Chimenz
- Unit of Pediatric Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe D Mangano
- Department Pro.M.I.S.E. "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Mehran Beiraghi Toosi
- Pediatric Neurology Department, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farah Ashrafzadeh
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Shima Imannezhad
- Pediatric Neurology Department, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ghayoor Karimiani
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St. George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW170RE, UK.,Innovative Medical Research Center, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Andrea Accogli
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Specialized Medicine, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maria Cristina Schiaffino
- Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology Unit, Department of General and Specialist Pediatric Sciences, University of Genoa, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mohamad Maghnie
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology Unit, Department of General and Specialist Pediatric Sciences, University of Genoa, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Miguel Angel Soler
- Computational Modelling of Nanoscale and Biophysical Systems Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Karl Echiverri
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, 40506, USA
| | - Charles K Abrams
- Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sara Fortuna
- Computational Modelling of Nanoscale and Biophysical Systems Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology, 16163, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34134, Trieste, Italy
| | - Reza Maroofian
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Federico Zara
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorillo
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy. .,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, 16147, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK. .,Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
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15
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Martina MG, Sannio F, Crespan E, Pavone M, Simoncini A, Barbieri F, Perini C, Pesce E, Maga G, Pedemonte N, Docquier JD, Radi M. Towards Innovative Antibacterial-Correctors for Cystic Fibrosis Targeting the Lung Microbiome with a Multifunctional Effect. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200277. [PMID: 35638249 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200277] [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: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in the CFTR gene, which codes for a defective ion channel. This causes an electrolyte imbalance and results in a spiral of negative effects on multiple organs, most notably the accumulation of thick mucus in the lungs, chronic respiratory tract infections and inflammation leading to pulmonary exacerbation and premature death. Progressive decline of lung function is mainly linked to persistent or recurring infections, mostly caused by bacteria, which require treatments with antibiotics and represent one of the major life-limiting factors in subjects with CF. Treatment of such a complex disease require multiple drugs with a consequent therapeutic burden and complications caused by drug-drug interactions and rapid emergence of bacterial drug resistance. We report herein our recent efforts in developing innovative multifunctional antibiotics specifically tailored to CF by a direct action on bacterial topoisomerases and a potential indirect effect on the pulmonary mucociliary clearance mediated by ΔF508-CFTR correction. The obtained results may pave the way for the development of a simplified therapeutic approach with a single agent acting as multifunctional antibacterial-corrector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Martina
- University of Parma: Universita degli Studi di Parma, Department of Food and Drug, ITALY
| | - Filomena Sannio
- University of Siena: Universita degli Studi di Siena, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, ITALY
| | - Emmanuele Crespan
- CNR: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, IGM-CNR "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", ITALY
| | - Marialaura Pavone
- University of Parma: Universita degli Studi di Parma, Department of Food and Drug, ITALY
| | - Alice Simoncini
- University of Parma: Universita degli Studi di Parma, Department of Food and Drug, ITALY
| | - Francesca Barbieri
- University of Parma: Universita degli Studi di Parma, Department of Food and Drug, ITALY
| | - Cecilia Perini
- CNR: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, IGM-CNR "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", ITALY
| | - Emanuela Pesce
- Istituto Giannina Gaslini Istituto Pediatrico di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico: Istituto Giannina Gaslini, U.O.C. Genetica Medica, ITALY
| | - Giovanni Maga
- CNR: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, IGM-CNR "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", ITALY
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- Istituto Giannina Gaslini Istituto Pediatrico di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico: Istituto Giannina Gaslini, U.O.C. Genetica Medica, ITALY
| | - Jean-Denis Docquier
- University of Siena: Universita degli Studi di Siena, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, ITALY
| | - Marco Radi
- University of Parma, Department of Food and Drug, Viale delle Scienze, 27/A, 43124, Parma, ITALY
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16
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Abstract
In cystic fibrosis (CF), the deletion of phenylalanine 508 (F508del) in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) leads to misfolding and premature degradation of the mutant protein. These defects can be targeted with pharmacological agents named potentiators and correctors. During the past years, several efforts have been devoted to develop and approve new effective molecules. However, their clinical use remains limited, as they fail to fully restore F508del-CFTR biological function. Indeed, the search for CFTR correctors with different and additive mechanisms has recently increased. Among them, drugs that modulate the CFTR proteostasis environment are particularly attractive to enhance therapy effectiveness further. This Perspective focuses on reviewing the recent progress in discovering CFTR proteostasis regulators, mainly describing the design, chemical structure, and structure-activity relationships. The opportunities, challenges, and future directions in this emerging and promising field of research are discussed, as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Brusa
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.,Computational & Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Elvira Sondo
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Marinella Roberti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.,Computational & Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
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17
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Principi E, Sondo E, Bianchi G, Ravera S, Morini M, Tomati V, Pastorino C, Zara F, Bruno C, Eva A, Pedemonte N, Raffaghello L. Targeting of Ubiquitin E3 Ligase RNF5 as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy in Neuroectodermal Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071802. [PMID: 35406574 PMCID: PMC8997491 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
RNF5, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) E3 ubiquitin ligase, participates to the ER-associated protein degradation guaranteeing the protein homeostasis. Depending on tumor model tested, RNF5 exerts pro- or anti-tumor activity. The aim of this study was to elucidate the controversial role of RNF5 in neuroblastoma and melanoma, two neuroectodermal tumors of infancy and adulthood, respectively. RNF5 gene levels are evaluated in publicly available datasets reporting the gene expression profile of melanoma and neuroblastoma primary tumors at diagnosis. The therapeutic effect of Analog-1, an RNF5 pharmacological activator, was investigated on in vitro and in vivo neuroblastoma and melanoma models. In both neuroblastoma and melanoma patients the high expression of RNF5 correlated with a better prognostic outcome. Treatment of neuroblastoma and melanoma cell lines with Analog-1 reduced cell viability by impairing the glutamine availability and energy metabolism through inhibition of F1Fo ATP-synthase activity. This latter event led to a marked increase in oxidative stress, which, in turn, caused cell death. Similarly, neuroblastoma- and melanoma-bearing mice treated with Analog-1 showed a significant delay of tumor growth in comparison to those treated with vehicle only. These findings validate RNF5 as an innovative drug target and support the development of Analog-1 in early phase clinical trials for neuroblastoma and melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Principi
- Center of Translational and Experimental Myology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Elvira Sondo
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Giovanna Bianchi
- Stem Cell Laboratory and Cell Therapy Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Ravera
- Experimental Medicine Department, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Morini
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Cristina Pastorino
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DI-NOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DI-NOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Claudio Bruno
- Center of Translational and Experimental Myology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DI-NOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Eva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Lizzia Raffaghello
- Center of Translational and Experimental Myology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
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18
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Ghigo A, Murabito A, Sala V, Pisano AR, Bertolini S, Gianotti A, Caci E, Montresor A, Premchandar A, Pirozzi F, Ren K, Sala AD, Mergiotti M, Richter W, de Poel E, Matthey M, Caldrer S, Cardone RA, Civiletti F, Costamagna A, Quinney NL, Butnarasu C, Visentin S, Ruggiero MR, Baroni S, Crich SG, Ramel D, Laffargue M, Tocchetti CG, Levi R, Conti M, Lu XY, Melotti P, Sorio C, De Rose V, Facchinetti F, Fanelli V, Wenzel D, Fleischmann BK, Mall MA, Beekman J, Laudanna C, Gentzsch M, Lukacs GL, Pedemonte N, Hirsch E. A PI3Kγ mimetic peptide triggers CFTR gating, bronchodilation, and reduced inflammation in obstructive airway diseases. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabl6328. [PMID: 35353541 PMCID: PMC9869178 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abl6328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-elevating agents, such as β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) agonists and phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, remain a mainstay in the treatment of obstructive respiratory diseases, conditions characterized by airway constriction, inflammation, and mucus hypersecretion. However, their clinical use is limited by unwanted side effects because of unrestricted cAMP elevation in the airways and in distant organs. Here, we identified the A-kinase anchoring protein phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) as a critical regulator of a discrete cAMP signaling microdomain activated by β2-ARs in airway structural and inflammatory cells. Displacement of the PI3Kγ-anchored pool of protein kinase A (PKA) by an inhaled, cell-permeable, PI3Kγ mimetic peptide (PI3Kγ MP) inhibited a pool of subcortical PDE4B and PDE4D and safely increased cAMP in the lungs, leading to airway smooth muscle relaxation and reduced neutrophil infiltration in a murine model of asthma. In human bronchial epithelial cells, PI3Kγ MP induced unexpected cAMP and PKA elevations restricted to the vicinity of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), the ion channel controlling mucus hydration that is mutated in cystic fibrosis (CF). PI3Kγ MP promoted the phosphorylation of wild-type CFTR on serine-737, triggering channel gating, and rescued the function of F508del-CFTR, the most prevalent CF mutant, by enhancing the effects of existing CFTR modulators. These results unveil PI3Kγ as the regulator of a β2-AR/cAMP microdomain central to smooth muscle contraction, immune cell activation, and epithelial fluid secretion in the airways, suggesting the use of a PI3Kγ MP for compartment-restricted, therapeutic cAMP elevation in chronic obstructive respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Ghigo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy,Kither Biotech S.r.l.; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandra Murabito
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Valentina Sala
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy,Kither Biotech S.r.l.; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Pisano
- Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D; 43122 Parma, Italy
| | - Serena Bertolini
- Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D; 43122 Parma, Italy
| | - Ambra Gianotti
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini; 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Caci
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini; 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessio Montresor
- Division of General Pathology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona School of Medicine; 37134 Verona, Italy,Cystic Fibrosis Translational Research Laboratory "Daniele Lissandrini," Department of Medicine, University of Verona School of Medicine; 37134 Verona, Italy
| | | | - Flora Pirozzi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy,Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University; 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Kai Ren
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Angela Della Sala
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Mergiotti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Wito Richter
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine; AL 36688 Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Eyleen de Poel
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht; 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michaela Matthey
- Department of Systems Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum; 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Sara Caldrer
- Division of General Pathology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona School of Medicine; 37134 Verona, Italy,Cystic Fibrosis Translational Research Laboratory "Daniele Lissandrini," Department of Medicine, University of Verona School of Medicine; 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Rosa A. Cardone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari; 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Civiletti
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, University of Torino, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Costamagna
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, University of Torino, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Nancy L. Quinney
- Marsico Lung Institute/Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of North Carolina; NC 27599 Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cosmin Butnarasu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Sonja Visentin
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Ruggiero
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Simona Baroni
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Simonetta Geninatti Crich
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Damien Ramel
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, Paul Sabatier University; 31432 Toulouse, France
| | - Muriel Laffargue
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, Paul Sabatier University; 31432 Toulouse, France
| | - Carlo G. Tocchetti
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University; 80131 Naples, Italy,Interdepartmental Center of Clinical and Translational Research (CIRCET), Federico II University; 80131 Naples, Italy,Interdepartmental Hypertension Research Center (CIRIAPA), Federico II University; 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Renzo Levi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Conti
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco; CA 94143 San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Xiao-Yun Lu
- School of life Science & Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University; 710049 Xi'an Shaanxi, P.R.China
| | - Paola Melotti
- Cystic Fibrosis Center, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona; 37126 Verona, Italy
| | - Claudio Sorio
- Division of General Pathology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona School of Medicine; 37134 Verona, Italy,Cystic Fibrosis Translational Research Laboratory "Daniele Lissandrini," Department of Medicine, University of Verona School of Medicine; 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Virginia De Rose
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | | | - Vito Fanelli
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, University of Torino, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Daniela Wenzel
- Department of Systems Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum; 44801 Bochum, Germany,Institute of Physiology I, Life & Brain Center, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn; 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Bernd K. Fleischmann
- Institute of Physiology I, Life & Brain Center, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn; 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Marcus A. Mall
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; 10117 Berlin, Germany,German Center for Lung Research (DZL), associated partner; 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jeffrey Beekman
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht; 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carlo Laudanna
- Division of General Pathology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona School of Medicine; 37134 Verona, Italy,Cystic Fibrosis Translational Research Laboratory "Daniele Lissandrini," Department of Medicine, University of Verona School of Medicine; 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Martina Gentzsch
- Marsico Lung Institute/Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of North Carolina; NC 27599 Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA,Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, University of North Carolina; NC 27599 Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gergely L. Lukacs
- Department of Physiology, McGill University; H3G 1Y6 Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Emilio Hirsch
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino; 10126 Torino, Italy,Kither Biotech S.r.l.; 10126 Torino, Italy
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19
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Borgo C, D'Amore C, Capurro V, Tomati V, Sondo E, Cresta F, Castellani C, Pedemonte N, Salvi M. Targeting the E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme (UBA1) improves elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor efficacy towards F508del and rare misfolded CFTR mutants. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:192. [PMID: 35292885 PMCID: PMC8924136 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04215-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The advent of Trikafta (Kaftrio in Europe) (a triple-combination therapy based on two correctors—elexacaftor/tezacaftor—and the potentiator ivacaftor) has represented a revolution for the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) carrying the most common misfolding mutation, F508del-CFTR. This therapy has proved to be of great efficacy in people homozygous for F508del-CFTR and is also useful in individuals with a single F508del allele. Nevertheless, the efficacy of this therapy needs to be improved, especially in light of the extent of its use in patients with rare class II CFTR mutations. Using CFBE41o- cells expressing F508del-CFTR, we provide mechanistic evidence that targeting the E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme (UBA1) by TAK-243, a small molecule in clinical trials for other diseases, boosts the rescue of F508del-CFTR induced by CFTR correctors. Moreover, TAK-243 significantly increases the F508del-CFTR short-circuit current induced by elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor in differentiated human primary airway epithelial cells, a gold standard for the pre-clinical evaluation of patients’ responsiveness to pharmacological treatments. This new combinatory approach also leads to an improvement in CFTR conductance on cells expressing other rare CF-causing mutations, including N1303K, for which Trikafta is not approved. These findings show that Trikafta therapy can be improved by the addition of a drug targeting the misfolding detection machinery at the beginning of the ubiquitination cascade and may pave the way for an extension of Trikafta to low/non-responding rare misfolded CFTR mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Borgo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy.
| | - Claudio D'Amore
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Valeria Capurro
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147, Genova, Italy
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147, Genova, Italy
| | - Elvira Sondo
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147, Genova, Italy
| | - Federico Cresta
- Centro Fibrosi Cistica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Carlo Castellani
- Centro Fibrosi Cistica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147, Genova, Italy.
| | - Mauro Salvi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy.
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20
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Parodi A, Righetti G, Pesce E, Salis A, Tomati V, Pastorino C, Tasso B, Benvenuti M, Damonte G, Pedemonte N, Cichero E, Millo E. Journey on VX-809-Based Hybrid Derivatives towards Drug-like F508del-CFTR Correctors: From Molecular Modeling to Chemical Synthesis and Biological Assays. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030274. [PMID: 35337072 PMCID: PMC8955485 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030274] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease affecting the lungs and pancreas and causing progressive damage. CF is caused by mutations abolishing the function of CFTR, a protein whose role is chloride’s mobilization in the epithelial cells of various organs. Recently a therapy focused on small molecules has been chosen as a main approach to contrast CF, designing and synthesizing compounds acting as misfolding (correctors) or defective channel gating (potentiators). Multi-drug therapies have been tested with different combinations of the two series of compounds. Previously, we designed and characterized two series of correctors, namely, hybrids, which were conceived including the aminoarylthiazole (AAT) core, merged with the benzodioxole carboxamide moiety featured by VX-809. In this paper, we herein proceeded with molecular modeling studies guiding the design of a new third series of hybrids, featuring structural variations at the thiazole moiety and modifications on position 4. These derivatives were tested in different assays including a YFP functional assay on models F508del-CFTR CFBE41o-cells, alone and in combination with VX-445, and by using electrophysiological techniques on human primary bronchial epithelia to demonstrate their F508del-CFTR corrector ability. This study is aimed (i) at identifying three molecules (9b, 9g, and 9j), useful as novel CFTR correctors with a good efficacy in rescuing the defect of F508del-CFTR; and (ii) at providing useful information to complete the structure–activity study within all the three series of hybrids as possible CFTR correctors, supporting the development of pharmacophore modelling studies, taking into account all the three series of hybrids. Finally, in silico evaluation of the hybrids pharmacokinetic (PK) properties contributed to highlight hybrid developability as drug-like correctors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Parodi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.P.); (A.S.); (M.B.); (G.D.)
| | - Giada Righetti
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.R.); (B.T.)
| | - Emanuela Pesce
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (E.P.); (V.T.); (N.P.)
| | - Annalisa Salis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.P.); (A.S.); (M.B.); (G.D.)
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (E.P.); (V.T.); (N.P.)
| | - Cristina Pastorino
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DI-NOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Bruno Tasso
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.R.); (B.T.)
| | - Mirko Benvenuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.P.); (A.S.); (M.B.); (G.D.)
| | - Gianluca Damonte
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.P.); (A.S.); (M.B.); (G.D.)
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (E.P.); (V.T.); (N.P.)
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.R.); (B.T.)
- Correspondence: (E.C.); (E.M.)
| | - Enrico Millo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.P.); (A.S.); (M.B.); (G.D.)
- Correspondence: (E.C.); (E.M.)
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21
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Stravalaci M, Pagani I, Paraboschi EM, Pedotti M, Doni A, Scavello F, Mapelli SN, Sironi M, Perucchini C, Varani L, Matkovic M, Cavalli A, Cesana D, Gallina P, Pedemonte N, Capurro V, Clementi N, Mancini N, Invernizzi P, Bayarri-Olmos R, Garred P, Rappuoli R, Duga S, Bottazzi B, Uguccioni M, Asselta R, Vicenzi E, Mantovani A, Garlanda C. Recognition and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by humoral innate immunity pattern recognition molecules. Nat Immunol 2022; 23:275-286. [DOI: 10.1038/s41590-021-01114-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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23
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Sabbadini R, Pesce E, Parodi A, Mustorgi E, Bruzzone S, Pedemonte N, Casale M, Millo E, Cichero E. Probing Allosteric Hsp70 Inhibitors by Molecular Modelling Studies to Expedite the Development of Novel Combined F508del CFTR Modulators. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14121296. [PMID: 34959696 PMCID: PMC8709398 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by different mutations related to the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator protein (CFTR), with F508del being the most common. Pioneering the development of CFTR modulators, thanks to the development of effective correctors or potentiators, more recent studies deeply encouraged the administration of triple combination therapeutics. However, combinations of molecules interacting with other proteins involved in functionality of the CFTR channel recently arose as a promising approach to address a large rescue of F508del-CFTR. In this context, the design of compounds properly targeting the molecular chaperone Hsp70, such as the allosteric inhibitor MKT-077, proved to be effective for the development of indirect CFTR modulators, endowed with ability to amplify the accumulation of the rescued protein. Herein we performed structure-based studies of a number of allosteric HSP70 inhibitors, considering the recent X-ray crystallographic structure of the human enzyme. This allowed us to point out the main interaction supporting the binding mode of MKT-077, as well as of the related analogues. In particular, cation-π and π-π stacking with the conserve residue Tyr175 deeply stabilized inhibitor binding at the HSP70 cavity. Molecular docking studies had been followed by QSAR analysis and then by virtual screening of aminoaryl thiazoles (I-IIIa) as putative HSP70 inhibitors. Their effectiveness as CFTR modulators has been verified by biological assays, in combination with VX-809, whose positive results confirmed the reliability of the whole applied computational method. Along with this, the "in-silico" prediction of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties highlighted, once more, that AATs may represent a chemical class to be further investigated for the rational design of novel combination of compounds for CF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Sabbadini
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Emanuela Pesce
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, 16147 Genova, Italy; (E.P.); (N.P.)
| | - Alice Parodi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.P.); (S.B.)
| | - Eleonora Mustorgi
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Chemistry and Food and Pharmaceutical Technologies, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (E.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Santina Bruzzone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.P.); (S.B.)
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, 16147 Genova, Italy; (E.P.); (N.P.)
| | - Monica Casale
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Chemistry and Food and Pharmaceutical Technologies, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (E.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Enrico Millo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.P.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: (E.M.); (E.C.); Tel.: +10-335-3032-3033 (E.M.); +39-010-353-8350 (E.C.)
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- Correspondence: (E.M.); (E.C.); Tel.: +10-335-3032-3033 (E.M.); +39-010-353-8350 (E.C.)
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Capurro V, Tomati V, Sondo E, Renda M, Borrelli A, Pastorino C, Guidone D, Venturini A, Giraudo A, Mandrup Bertozzi S, Musante I, Bertozzi F, Bandiera T, Zara F, Galietta LJV, Pedemonte N. Partial Rescue of F508del-CFTR Stability and Trafficking Defects by Double Corrector Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105262. [PMID: 34067708 PMCID: PMC8156943 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Deletion of phenylalanine at position 508 (F508del) in the CFTR chloride channel is the most frequent mutation in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. F508del impairs the stability and folding of the CFTR protein, thus resulting in mistrafficking and premature degradation. F508del-CFTR defects can be overcome with small molecules termed correctors. We investigated the efficacy and properties of VX-445, a newly developed corrector, which is one of the three active principles present in a drug (Trikafta®/Kaftrio®) recently approved for the treatment of CF patients with F508del mutation. We found that VX-445, particularly in combination with type I (VX-809, VX-661) and type II (corr-4a) correctors, elicits a large rescue of F508del-CFTR function. In particular, in primary bronchial epithelial cells of CF patients, the maximal rescue obtained with corrector combinations including VX-445 was close to 60–70% of CFTR function in non-CF cells. Despite this high efficacy, analysis of ubiquitylation, resistance to thermoaggregation, protein half-life, and subcellular localization revealed that corrector combinations did not fully normalize F508del-CFTR behavior. Our study indicates that it is still possible to further improve mutant CFTR rescue with the development of corrector combinations having maximal effects on mutant CFTR structural and functional properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Capurro
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.C.); (V.T.); (E.S.); (C.P.); (I.M.); (F.Z.)
| | - Valeria Tomati
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.C.); (V.T.); (E.S.); (C.P.); (I.M.); (F.Z.)
| | - Elvira Sondo
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.C.); (V.T.); (E.S.); (C.P.); (I.M.); (F.Z.)
| | - Mario Renda
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (M.R.); (A.B.); (D.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Anna Borrelli
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (M.R.); (A.B.); (D.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Cristina Pastorino
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.C.); (V.T.); (E.S.); (C.P.); (I.M.); (F.Z.)
| | - Daniela Guidone
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (M.R.); (A.B.); (D.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Arianna Venturini
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (M.R.); (A.B.); (D.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Alessandro Giraudo
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy; (A.G.); (F.B.); (T.B.)
| | - Sine Mandrup Bertozzi
- Analytical Chemistry Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy;
| | - Ilaria Musante
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.C.); (V.T.); (E.S.); (C.P.); (I.M.); (F.Z.)
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Bertozzi
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy; (A.G.); (F.B.); (T.B.)
| | - Tiziano Bandiera
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy; (A.G.); (F.B.); (T.B.)
| | - Federico Zara
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.C.); (V.T.); (E.S.); (C.P.); (I.M.); (F.Z.)
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Luis J. V. Galietta
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (M.R.); (A.B.); (D.G.); (A.V.)
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DISMET), University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.J.V.G.); (N.P.)
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.C.); (V.T.); (E.S.); (C.P.); (I.M.); (F.Z.)
- Correspondence: (L.J.V.G.); (N.P.)
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening inherited disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, an anion channel expressed at the apical membrane of secretory epithelia. CF leads to multiorgan dysfunction with progressive deterioration of lung function being the major cause of untimely death. Conventional CF therapies target only symptoms and consequences downstream of the primary genetic defect and the current life expectancy and quality of life of these individuals are still very limited. AREA COVERED CFTR modulator drugs are novel-specialized therapies that enhance or even restore functional expression of CFTR mutants and have been approved for clinical use for individuals with specific CF genotypes. This review summarizes classical approaches used for the pre-clinical development of CFTR correctors and potentiators as well as emerging strategies aiming to accelerate modulator development and expand theratyping efforts. EXPERT OPINION Highly effective CFTR modulator drugs are expected to deeply modify the disease course for the majority of individuals with CF. A multitude of experimental approaches have been established to accelerate the development of novel modulators. CF patient-derived specimens are valuable cell models to predict therapeutic effectiveness of existing (and novel) modulators in a precision medicine approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Guido Veit
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
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Bertelli R, Schena F, Antonini F, Reverberi D, Signa S, Pedemonte N, Consolaro A, Gattorno M, Negrini S, Pupo F, Volpi S, Ghiggeri GM. Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Stimulate IgG2 Production From B Lymphocytes. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:635436. [PMID: 33912575 PMCID: PMC8072216 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.635436] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating autoantibodies of IgG2 isotype predominate in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and concur to the development of the renal lesions characteristic of Lupus Nephritis (LN). Anti-dsDNA and anti-histones IgG2, together with anti-podocyte proteins (i.e., α-enolase) are the major autoantibodies in serum and renal glomeruli of LN patients. The mechanisms underlying autoantibody formation and isotype switching in SLE and LN are unknown. A major issue is how DNA/histones are externalized from cell nucleus, driving the autoimmune response. Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) have been recently identified as crucial players in this context, representing the main source of DNA and nucleosome proteins. A second key point is what regulates IgG2 isotype switching: in mouse models, T-bet transcription factor has been described as essential for IgG2a class switch. We hypothesized that, in SLE, NET formation is the key mechanism responsible for externalization of autoantigens (i.e., dsDNA, histones 2,3, and α-enolase) and that T-bet is upregulated by NETs, driving, in this way, immunoglobulin class switch recombination (CSR), with production of IgG2 autoantibodies. The data here presented show that NETs, purified from SLE patients, stimulate ex vivo IgG2 isotype class switch possibly through the induction of T-bet. Of note, we observed a prominent effect of NETs on the release of soluble IgG2 in SLE patients', but not in healthy donors' B cells. Our results add important knowledge on the mechanisms of IgG2 class switch in SLE and contribute to further elucidate the role of NETs in LN pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Bertelli
- Laboratory of Molecular Nephrology, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.,Laboratory of Human Genetics, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Schena
- Centre for Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiencies, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Antonini
- Core Facilities Flow Cytometry and Cell Imaging Lab, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniele Reverberi
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sara Signa
- Centre for Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiencies, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophtalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Children's Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- Complex Operative Unit (UOC) of Medical Genetics, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Consolaro
- Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Gattorno
- Centre for Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiencies, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simone Negrini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Translational Medicine Unit, Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Pupo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Translational Medicine Unit, Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Volpi
- Centre for Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiencies, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophtalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Children's Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Ghiggeri
- Laboratory of Molecular Nephrology, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.,Division of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
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Orro A, Uggeri M, Rusnati M, Urbinati C, Pedemonte N, Pesce E, Moscatelli M, Padoan R, Cichero E, Fossa P, D'Ursi P. In silico drug repositioning on F508del-CFTR: A proof-of-concept study on the AIFA library. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 213:113186. [PMID: 33472120 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Computational drug repositioning is of growing interest to academia and industry, for its ability to rapidly screen a huge number of candidates in silico (exploiting comprehensive drug datasets) together with reduced development cost and time. The potential of drug repositioning has not been fully evaluated yet for cystic fibrosis (CF), a disease mainly caused by deletion of Phe 508 (F508del) of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. F508del-CFTR is thus withheld in the endoplasmic reticulum and rapidly degraded by the ubiquitin/proteasome system. CF is still a fatal disease. Nowadays, it is treatable by some CFTR-rescuing drugs, but new-generation drugs with stronger therapeutic benefits and fewer side effects are still awaited. In this manuscript we report about the results of a pilot computational drug repositioning screening in search of F508del-CFTR-targeted drugs performed on AIFA library by means of a dedicated computational pipeline and surface plasmon resonance binding assay to experimentally validate the computational findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Orro
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Matteo Uggeri
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Segrate, MI, Italy; Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Marco Rusnati
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Urbinati
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Pesce
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Marco Moscatelli
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Rita Padoan
- Department of Pediatrics, Regional Support Centre for Cystic Fibrosis, Children's Hospital-ASST Spedali Civili, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Fossa
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Pasqualina D'Ursi
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Segrate, MI, Italy.
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Murabito A, Sala V, Caci E, Gianotti A, Quinney N, Gentzsch M, Pedemonte N, Hirsch E, Ghigo A. WS07.2 A PI3Kγ-peptide promotes Cl− secretion through activation of both CFTR - dependent and independent currents. J Cyst Fibros 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-1993(21)00952-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Giorgio E, Pesce E, Pozzi E, Sondo E, Ferrero M, Morerio C, Borrelli G, Della Sala E, Lorenzati M, Cortelli P, Buffo A, Pedemonte N, Brusco A. A high-content drug screening strategy to identify protein level modulators for genetic diseases: A proof-of-principle in autosomal dominant leukodystrophy. Hum Mutat 2020; 42:102-116. [PMID: 33252173 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In genetic diseases, the most prevalent mechanism of pathogenicity is an altered expression of dosage-sensitive genes. Drugs that restore physiological levels of these genes should be effective in treating the associated conditions. We developed a screening strategy, based on a bicistronic dual-reporter vector, for identifying compounds that modulate protein levels, and used it in a pharmacological screening approach. To provide a proof-of-principle, we chose autosomal dominant leukodystrophy (ADLD), an ultra-rare adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by lamin B1 (LMNB1) overexpression. We used a stable Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line that simultaneously expresses an AcGFP reporter fused to LMNB1 and a Ds-Red normalizer. Using high-content imaging analysis, we screened a library of 717 biologically active compounds and approved drugs, and identified alvespimycin, an HSP90 inhibitor, as a positive hit. We confirmed that alvespimycin can reduce LMNB1 levels by 30%-80% in five different cell lines (fibroblasts, NIH3T3, CHO, COS-7, and rat primary glial cells). In ADLD fibroblasts, alvespimycin reduced cytoplasmic LMNB1 by about 50%. We propose this approach for effectively identifying potential drugs for treating genetic diseases associated with deletions/duplications and paving the way toward Phase II clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Giorgio
- Department of Medical Sciences, Medical Genetics Unit, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Emanuela Pesce
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Elisa Pozzi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Medical Genetics Unit, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Elvira Sondo
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Marta Ferrero
- Department of Medical Sciences, Medical Genetics Unit, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Morerio
- UOC Laboratorio di Genetica Umana, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Giusy Borrelli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Medical Genetics Unit, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Edoardo Della Sala
- Department of Medical Sciences, Medical Genetics Unit, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Martina Lorenzati
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini and Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Torino, Orbassano, Torino, Italy
| | - Pietro Cortelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Buffo
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini and Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Torino, Orbassano, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Alfredo Brusco
- Department of Medical Sciences, Medical Genetics Unit, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.,Medical Genetics Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, Turin, Italy
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Righetti G, Casale M, Tonelli M, Liessi N, Fossa P, Pedemonte N, Millo E, Cichero E. New Insights into the Binding Features of F508del CFTR Potentiators: A Molecular Docking, Pharmacophore Mapping and QSAR Analysis Approach. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13120445. [PMID: 33291847 PMCID: PMC7762081 DOI: 10.3390/ph13120445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the autosomal recessive disorder most recurrent in Caucasian populations. To combat this disease, many life-prolonging therapies are required and deeply investigated, including the development of the so-called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators, such as correctors and potentiators. Combination therapy with the two series of drugs led to the approval of several multi-drug effective treatments, such as Orkambi, and to the recent promising evaluation of the triple-combination Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor. This scenario enlightened the effectiveness of the multi-drug approach to pave the way for the discovery of novel therapeutic agents to contrast CF. The recent X-crystallographic data about the human CFTR in complex with the well-known potentiator Ivacaftor (VX-770) opened the possibility to apply a computational study aimed to explore the key features involved in the potentiator binding. Herein, we discussed molecular docking studies performed onto the chemotypes so far discussed in the literature as CFTR potentiator, reporting the most relevant interactions responsible for their mechanism of action, involving Van der Waals interactions and π–π stacking with F236, Y304, F305 and F312, as well as H-bonding F931, Y304, S308 and R933. This kind of positioning will stabilize the effective potentiator at the CFTR channel. These data have been accompanied by pharmacophore analyses, which promoted the design of novel derivatives endowed with a main (hetero)aromatic core connected to proper substituents, featuring H-bonding moieties. A highly predictive quantitative-structure activity relationship (QSAR) model has been developed, giving a cross-validated r2 (r2cv) = 0.74, a non-cross validated r2 (r2ncv) = 0.90, root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.347, and a test set r2 (r2pred) = 0.86. On the whole, the results are expected to gain useful information to guide the further development and optimization of new CFTR potentiators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Righetti
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Monica Casale
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Chemistry and Food and Pharmaceutical Technologies, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Michele Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Nara Liessi
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 9, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (N.L.); (E.M.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Fossa
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.R.); (M.T.)
- Correspondence: (P.F.); (E.C.); Tel.: +39-010-353-8238 (P.F.); +39-010-353-8370 (E.C.); Fax: +39-010-353-8399 (P.F.); +39-010-353-8399 (E.C.)
| | | | - Enrico Millo
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 9, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (N.L.); (E.M.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.R.); (M.T.)
- Correspondence: (P.F.); (E.C.); Tel.: +39-010-353-8238 (P.F.); +39-010-353-8370 (E.C.); Fax: +39-010-353-8399 (P.F.); +39-010-353-8399 (E.C.)
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31
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Brindani N, Gianotti A, Giovani S, Giacomina F, Di Fruscia P, Sorana F, Bertozzi SM, Ottonello G, Goldoni L, Penna I, Russo D, Summa M, Bertorelli R, Ferrera L, Pesce E, Sondo E, Galietta LJV, Bandiera T, Pedemonte N, Bertozzi F. Identification, Structure-Activity Relationship, and Biological Characterization of 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-1 H-pyrido[4,3- b]indoles as a Novel Class of CFTR Potentiators. J Med Chem 2020; 63:11169-11194. [PMID: 32946228 PMCID: PMC8011931 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening autosomal recessive disease, caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel. CFTR modulators have been reported to address the basic defects associated with CF-causing mutations, partially restoring the CFTR function in terms of protein processing and/or channel gating. Small-molecule compounds, called potentiators, are known to ameliorate the gating defect. In this study, we describe the identification of the 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole core as a novel chemotype of potentiators. In-depth structure-activity relationship studies led to the discovery of enantiomerically pure 39 endowed with a good efficacy in rescuing the gating defect of F508del- and G551D-CFTR and a promising in vitro druglike profile. The in vivo characterization of γ-carboline 39 showed considerable exposure levels and good oral bioavailability, with detectable distribution to the lungs after oral administration to rats. Overall, these findings may represent an encouraging starting point to further expand this chemical class, adding a new chemotype to the existing classes of CFTR potentiators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Brindani
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Ambra Gianotti
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Simone Giovani
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Francesca Giacomina
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Di Fruscia
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Federico Sorana
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Sine Mandrup Bertozzi
- Analytical Chemistry and Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Giuliana Ottonello
- Analytical Chemistry and Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Goldoni
- Analytical Chemistry and Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Ilaria Penna
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Debora Russo
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Summa
- Analytical Chemistry and Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Rosalia Bertorelli
- Analytical Chemistry and Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Loretta Ferrera
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Pesce
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Elvira Sondo
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Luis J V Galietta
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy.,Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DISMET), University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Tiziano Bandiera
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Bertozzi
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
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32
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Liessi N, Pesce E, Braccia C, Bertozzi SM, Giraudo A, Bandiera T, Pedemonte N, Armirotti A. Distinctive lipid signatures of bronchial epithelial cells associated with cystic fibrosis drugs, including Trikafta. JCI Insight 2020; 5:138722. [PMID: 32673287 PMCID: PMC7455125 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.138722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, a number of drugs have been approved for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). Among them, newly released Trikafta, a combination of 3 drugs (VX-661/VX-445/VX-770), holds great promise to radically improve the quality of life for a large portion of patients with CF carrying 1 copy of F508del, the most frequent CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutation. Currently available disease-modifying CF drugs work by rescuing the function of the mutated CFTR anion channel. Recent research has shown that membrane lipids, and the cell lipidome in general, play a significant role in the mechanism of CFTR-defective trafficking and, on the other hand, its rescue. In this paper, by using untargeted lipidomics on CFBE41o- cells, we identified distinctive changes in the bronchial epithelial cell lipidome associated with treatment with Trikafta and other CF drugs. Particularly interesting was the reduction of levels of ceramide, a known molecular player in the induction of apoptosis, which appeared to be associated with a decrease in the susceptibility of cells to undergo apoptosis. This evidence could account for additional beneficial roles of the triple combination of drugs on CF phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nara Liessi
- Analytical Chemistry Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Pesce
- L'Unità Operativa Complessa (UOC) Genetica Medica, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Clarissa Braccia
- D3 PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Tiziano Bandiera
- D3 PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- L'Unità Operativa Complessa (UOC) Genetica Medica, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical Chemistry Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
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33
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Pesce E, Pedemonte N, Leoni A, Locatelli A, Morigi R. Synthesis and biological evaluation of thiazole derivatives on basic defects underlying cystic fibrosis. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127473. [PMID: 32784089 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127473] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene, encoding for CFTR protein. The most frequent mutation is the deletion of phenylalanine at position 508 (F508del), which leads to distinct defects in channel gating and cellular processing. In last years, several thiazole containing small molecules, endowed with dual F508del-CFTR modulator activity, proved to be able to target these defects. In search of new chemical entities able to restore CFTR function, we designed and synthesized a small series of sixteen thiazole derivatives. The designed compounds were studied as correctors and potentiators of F508del-CFTR. Although none of the molecules showed significant corrector activity, compounds 10 and 11 exhibited potentiator effects, thus allowing to determine some basic structural features which enable to obtain F508del-CFTR potentiator activity. In silico ADME studies showed that these derivatives obey Lipinski's rule of five and are expected to be orally bioavailable. Therefore, these molecules may represent a good starting point for the design of analogues endowed with improved CFTR potentiator activity and a good pharmacokinetic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Pesce
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Alberto Leoni
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Università di Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Locatelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Università di Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Rita Morigi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Università di Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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34
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Liessi N, Pedemonte N, Armirotti A, Braccia C. Proteomics and Metabolomics for Cystic Fibrosis Research. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155439. [PMID: 32751630 PMCID: PMC7432297 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review article is to introduce the reader to the state-of-the-art of the contribution that proteomics and metabolomics sciences are currently providing for cystic fibrosis (CF) research: from the understanding of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) biology to biomarker discovery for CF diagnosis. Our work particularly focuses on CFTR post-translational modifications and their role in cellular trafficking as well as on studies that allowed the identification of CFTR molecular interactors. We also show how metabolomics is currently helping biomarker discovery in CF. The most recent advances in these fields are covered by this review, as well as some considerations on possible future scenarios for new applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nara Liessi
- Analytical Chemistry Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy;
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy;
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical Chemistry Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-010-2896-938
| | - Clarissa Braccia
- D3PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy;
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35
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Loberto N, Mancini G, Bassi R, Carsana EV, Tamanini A, Pedemonte N, Dechecchi MC, Sonnino S, Aureli M. Sphingolipids and plasma membrane hydrolases in human primary bronchial cells during differentiation and their altered patterns in cystic fibrosis. Glycoconj J 2020; 37:623-633. [PMID: 32666337 PMCID: PMC7501107 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-020-09935-x] [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: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Human primary bronchial epithelial cells differentiated in vitro represent a valuable tool to study lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited disorder caused by mutations in the gene coding for the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator. In CF, sphingolipids, a ubiquitous class of bioactive lipids mainly associated with the outer layer of the plasma membrane, seem to play a crucial role in the establishment of the severe lung complications. Nevertheless, no information on the involvement of sphingolipids and their metabolism in the differentiation of primary bronchial epithelial cells are available so far. Here we show that ceramide and globotriaosylceramide increased during cell differentiation, whereas glucosylceramide and gangliosides content decreased. In addition, we found that apical plasma membrane of differentiated bronchial cells is characterized by a higher content of sphingolipids in comparison to the other cell membranes and that activity of sphingolipids catabolic enzymes associated with this membrane results altered with respect to the total cell activities. In particular, the apical membrane of CF cells was characterized by high levels of ceramide and glucosylceramide, known to have proinflammatory activity. On this basis, our data further support the role of sphingolipids in the onset of CF lung pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Loberto
- Dip. Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, LITA, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, Milano, 20090, Italy
| | - Giulia Mancini
- Dip. Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, LITA, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, Milano, 20090, Italy
| | - Rosaria Bassi
- Dip. Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, LITA, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, Milano, 20090, Italy
| | - Emma Veronica Carsana
- Dip. Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, LITA, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, Milano, 20090, Italy
| | - Anna Tamanini
- Section of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University Hospital of Verona, 37126, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Maria Cristina Dechecchi
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Sandro Sonnino
- Dip. Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, LITA, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, Milano, 20090, Italy
| | - Massimo Aureli
- Dip. Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, LITA, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, Milano, 20090, Italy.
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36
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Liessi N, Pesce E, Salis A, Damonte G, Tasso B, Cichero E, Pedemonte N, Millo E. Synthesis and Structure-activity Relationship of Aminoarylthiazole Derivatives as Potential Potentiators of the Chloride Transport Defect in Cystic Fibrosis. Med Chem 2020; 17:646-657. [PMID: 32141420 DOI: 10.2174/1573406416666200306114300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the autosomal recessive disorder most common in Caucasian populations. It is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator protein (CFTR). CFTR is predominantly expressed at the apical plasma membranes of the epithelial cells lining several organs, and functions as a cAMP-regulated chloride/bicarbonate channel. To address the underlying causes of cystic fibrosis, two biomolecular activities are required, namely correctors to increase CFTR levels at the cell surface, and potentiators to allow the effective opening of the CFTR channel. OBJECTIVE In our previous data, we demonstrated that some aminoarylthiazoles (AATs) have peculiar activity acting as correctors and as potentiator-like molecules. Curiously, a compound called 1 has been shown to be markedly active as a potentiator. Now, we have further modified its scaffold at different portions, for the identification of molecules with improved potency and effectiveness on mutant CFTR. METHODS Starting from this active compound, we synthesized a small library trying to improve the activity as potentiators. To extrapolate the contribution of a particular structural portion to bioactivity, we selectively modified one portion at a time. RESULTS Our study has provided a structure-activity relationship (SAR) on AATs and led to the identification of some compounds, with a particular ability to act as CFTR potentiators. CONCLUSION Two compounds 2 and 13 appear to be promising molecules and could be used for the future development of potentiators of the chloride transport defect in cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nara Liessi
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 9, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Pesce
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Annalisa Salis
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 9, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianluca Damonte
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 9, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Bruno Tasso
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Millo
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 9, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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37
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Pedemonte N, Bertozzi F, Caci E, Sorana F, Di Fruscia P, Tomati V, Ferrera L, Rodríguez-Gimeno A, Berti F, Pesce E, Sondo E, Gianotti A, Scudieri P, Bandiera T, Galietta LJV. Discovery of a picomolar potency pharmacological corrector of the mutant CFTR chloride channel. Sci Adv 2020; 6:eaay9669. [PMID: 32128418 PMCID: PMC7034990 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay9669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
F508del, the most frequent mutation causing cystic fibrosis (CF), results in mistrafficking and premature degradation of the CFTR chloride channel. Small molecules named correctors may rescue F508del-CFTR and therefore represent promising drugs to target the basic defect in CF. We screened a carefully designed chemical library to find F508del-CFTR correctors. The initial active compound resulting from the primary screening underwent extensive chemical optimization. The final compound, ARN23765, showed an extremely high potency in bronchial epithelial cells from F508del homozygous patients, with an EC50 of 38 picomolar, which is more than 5000-fold lower compared to presently available corrector drugs. ARN23765 also showed high efficacy, synergy with other types of correctors, and compatibility with chronic VX-770 potentiator. Besides being a promising drug, particularly suited for drug combinations, ARN23765 represents a high-affinity probe for CFTR structure-function studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabio Bertozzi
- D3 PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Caci
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Federico Sorana
- D3 PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Di Fruscia
- D3 PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Loretta Ferrera
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Berti
- D3 PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Pesce
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Elvira Sondo
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Ambra Gianotti
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Scudieri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Tiziano Bandiera
- D3 PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Luis J. V. Galietta
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DISMET), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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38
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Lopes-Pacheco M, Pedemonte N, Kicic A. Editorial: Emerging Therapeutic Approaches for Cystic Fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1440. [PMID: 31849681 PMCID: PMC6895245 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Miquéias Lopes-Pacheco
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute (BioISI), Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Anthony Kicic
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Occupation and Environment, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, WA, Australia.,Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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39
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Amaral MD, Hutt DM, Tomati V, Botelho HM, Pedemonte N. CFTR processing, trafficking and interactions. J Cyst Fibros 2019; 19 Suppl 1:S33-S36. [PMID: 31680043 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2019.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Mutations associated with cystic fibrosis (CF) have complex effects on the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common CF mutation, F508del, disrupts the processing to and stability at the plasma membrane and function as a Cl- channel. CFTR is surrounded by a dynamic network of interacting components, referred to as the CFTR Functional Landscape, that impact its synthesis, folding, stability, trafficking and function. CFTR interacting proteins can be manipulated by functional genomic approaches to rescue the trafficking and functional defects characteristic of CF. Here we review recent efforts to elucidate the impact of genetic variation on the ability of the nascent CFTR polypeptide to interact with the proteostatic environment. We also provide an overview of how specific components of this protein network can be modulated to rescue the trafficking and functional defects associated with the F508del variant of CFTR. The identification of novel proteins playing key roles in the processing of CFTR could pave the way for their use as novel therapeutic targets to provide synergistic correction of mutant CFTR for the greater benefit of individuals with CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida D Amaral
- University of Lisboa, Faculty of Sciences, BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Portugal
| | - Darren M Hutt
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla CA, USA
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, Genova 16147, Italy
| | - Hugo M Botelho
- University of Lisboa, Faculty of Sciences, BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Portugal
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, Genova 16147, Italy.
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40
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Vega G, Guequén A, Johansson MEV, Arike L, Martínez-Abad B, Nyström EEL, Scudieri P, Pedemonte N, Millar-Büchner P, Philp AR, Galietta LJ, Hansson GC, Flores CA. Corrigendum: Normal Calcium-Activated Anion Secretion in a Mouse Selectively Lacking TMEM16A in Intestinal Epithelium. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1040. [PMID: 31501653 PMCID: PMC6718868 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Génesis Vega
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile.,Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Anita Guequén
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile
| | - Malin E V Johansson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Liisa Arike
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | | | - Paolo Scudieri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | | | | | - Amber R Philp
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile.,Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Luis J Galietta
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DISMET), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gunnar C Hansson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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41
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Vega G, Guequén A, Johansson MEV, Arike L, Martínez-Abad B, Nyström EEL, Scudieri P, Pedemonte N, Millar-Büchner P, Philp AR, Galietta LJ, Hansson GC, Flores CA. Normal Calcium-Activated Anion Secretion in a Mouse Selectively Lacking TMEM16A in Intestinal Epithelium. Front Physiol 2019; 10:694. [PMID: 31263421 PMCID: PMC6585864 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium-activated anion secretion is expected to ameliorate cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that carries an anion secretory defect in exocrine tissues. Human patients and animal models of the disease that present a mild intestinal phenotype have been postulated to bear a compensatory calcium-activated anion secretion in the intestine. TMEM16A is calcium-activated anion channel whose presence in the intestinal epithelium is contradictory. We aim to test the functional expression of TMEM16A using animal models with Cftr and/or Tmem16a intestinal silencing. Expression of TMEM16A was studied in a wild type and intestinal Tmem16a knockout mice by mRNA-seq, mass-spectrometry, q-PCR, Western blotting and immunolocalization. Calcium-activated anion secretion was recorded in the ileum and proximal colon of these animals including intestinal Cftr knockout and double mutants with dual Tmem16a and Cftr intestinal ablation. Mucus homeostasis was studied by immune-analysis of Mucin-2 (Muc2) and survival curves were recorded. Tmem16a transcript was found in intestine. Nevertheless, protein was barely detected in colon samples. Electrophysiological measurements demonstrated that the intestinal deletion of Tmem16a did not change calcium-activated anion secretion induced by carbachol or ATP in ileum and proximal colon. Muc2 architecture was not altered by Tmem16a silencing as was observed when Cftr was deleted from mouse intestine. Tmem16a silencing neither affected animal survival nor modified the lethality observed in the intestinal Cftr-null mouse. Our results demonstrate that TMEM16A function in the murine intestine is not related to electrogenic calcium-activated anion transport and does not affect mucus homeostasis and survival of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Génesis Vega
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile.,Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Anita Guequén
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile
| | - Malin E V Johansson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Liisa Arike
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | | | - Paolo Scudieri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | | | | | - Amber R Philp
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile.,Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Luis J Galietta
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DISMET), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gunnar C Hansson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Merkert S, Schubert M, Olmer R, Engels L, Radetzki S, Veltman M, Scholte BJ, Zöllner J, Pedemonte N, Galietta LJV, von Kries JP, Martin U. High-Throughput Screening for Modulators of CFTR Activity Based on Genetically Engineered Cystic Fibrosis Disease-Specific iPSCs. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 12:1389-1403. [PMID: 31080112 PMCID: PMC6565754 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [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: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Organotypic culture systems from disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) exhibit obvious advantages compared with immortalized cell lines and primary cell cultures, but implementation of iPSC-based high-throughput (HT) assays is still technically challenging. Here, we demonstrate the development and conduction of an organotypic HT Cl-/I- exchange assay using cystic fibrosis (CF) disease-specific iPSCs. The introduction of a halide-sensitive YFP variant enabled automated quantitative measurement of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) function in iPSC-derived intestinal epithelia. CFTR function was partially rescued by treatment with VX-770 and VX-809, and seamless gene correction of the p.Phe508del mutation resulted in full restoration of CFTR function. The identification of a series of validated primary hits that improve the function of p.Phe508del CFTR from a library of ∼42,500 chemical compounds demonstrates that the advantages of complex iPSC-derived culture systems for disease modeling can also be utilized for drug screening in a true HT format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Merkert
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Madline Schubert
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ruth Olmer
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Lena Engels
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Silke Radetzki
- Leibniz-Forschnungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mieke Veltman
- ErasmusMC, Sophia Children's Hospital, Pediatric Pulmonology, 3015 AA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Cell Biology Department Rotterdam, 3015 AA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bob J Scholte
- ErasmusMC, Sophia Children's Hospital, Pediatric Pulmonology, 3015 AA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Cell Biology Department Rotterdam, 3015 AA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janina Zöllner
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Luis J V Galietta
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Jens P von Kries
- Leibniz-Forschnungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Martin
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany.
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43
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Sondo E, Bertelli R, Pesce E, Ghiggeri GM, Pedemonte N. High-Content Screening Identifies Vanilloids as a Novel Class of Inhibitors of NET Formation. Front Immunol 2019; 10:963. [PMID: 31114589 PMCID: PMC6503056 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils migrate to sites of infection where they phagocytose, degranulate, and/or, in the presence of appropriate stimuli, release decondensed chromatin strands (called neutrophil extracellular traps, NETs) for trapping and possibly killing microorganisms. NET formation is characterized by marked morphological cell changes, in particular within the nucleus. Lytic NET formation can be observed in neutrophils undergoing cell death, which is referred to as NETosis. Dysregulation of NET production and/or degradation can exert pathogenic effects, contributing to the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cystic fibrosis, autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions. By employing a phenotypic assay based on high-content imaging and analysis, we screened a library of biologically active compounds and identified vanilloids as a novel class of chemical compounds able to hinder NETosis induction and NET release. Vanilloids also markedly decrease cytosolic ROS production. The identification of novel vanilloid NET inhibitors, able to stop excessive or aberrant NET production might offer new therapeutic options for those disorders displaying NET overproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Sondo
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Pesce
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
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44
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Tomati V, Caci E, Ferrera L, Pesce E, Sondo E, Cholon DM, Quinney NL, Boyles SE, Armirotti A, Ravazzolo R, Galietta LJ, Gentzsch M, Pedemonte N. Thymosin α-1 does not correct F508del-CFTR in cystic fibrosis airway epithelia. JCI Insight 2019; 4:128935. [DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.128935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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45
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Pesce E, Sondo E, Ferrera L, Tomati V, Caci E, Scudieri P, Musante I, Renda M, Baatallah N, Servel N, Hinzpeter A, di Bernardo D, Pedemonte N, Galietta LJV. The Autophagy Inhibitor Spautin-1 Antagonizes Rescue of Mutant CFTR Through an Autophagy-Independent and USP13-Mediated Mechanism. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1464. [PMID: 30618756 PMCID: PMC6300570 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The mutation F508del, responsible for a majority of cystic fibrosis cases, provokes the instability and misfolding of the CFTR chloride channel. Pharmacological recovery of F508del-CFTR may be obtained with small molecules called correctors. However, treatment with a single corrector in vivo and in vitro only leads to a partial rescue, a consequence of cell quality control systems that still detect F508del-CFTR as a defective protein causing its degradation. We tested the effect of spautin-1 on F508del-CFTR since it is an inhibitor of USP10 deubiquitinase and of autophagy, a target and a biological process that have been associated with cystic fibrosis and mutant CFTR. We found that short-term treatment of cells with spautin-1 downregulates the function and expression of F508del-CFTR despite the presence of corrector VX-809, a finding obtained in multiple cell models and assays. In contrast, spautin-1 was ineffective on wild type CFTR. Silencing and upregulation of USP13 (another target of spautin-1) but not of USP10, had opposite effects on F508del-CFTR expression/function. In contrast, modulation of autophagy with known activators or inhibitors did not affect F508del-CFTR. Our results identify spautin-1 as a novel chemical probe to investigate the molecular mechanisms that prevent full rescue of mutant CFTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Pesce
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elvira Sondo
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Loretta Ferrera
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valeria Tomati
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Caci
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Scudieri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Ilaria Musante
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Mario Renda
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Nesrine Baatallah
- INSERM, U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Servel
- INSERM, U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Hinzpeter
- INSERM, U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
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46
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Haque AKMA, Dewerth A, Antony JS, Riethmüller J, Schweizer GR, Weinmann P, Latifi N, Yasar H, Pedemonte N, Sondo E, Weidensee B, Ralhan A, Laval J, Schlegel P, Seitz C, Loretz B, Lehr CM, Handgretinger R, Kormann MSD. Chemically modified hCFTR mRNAs recuperate lung function in a mouse model of cystic fibrosis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16776. [PMID: 30425265 PMCID: PMC6233194 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34960-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [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: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy has always been a promising therapeutic approach for Cystic Fibrosis (CF). However, numerous trials using DNA or viral vectors encoding the correct protein resulted in a general low efficacy. In the last years, chemically modified messenger RNA (cmRNA) has been proven to be a highly potent, pulmonary drug. Consequently, we first explored the expression, function and immunogenicity of human (h)CFTR encoded by cmRNAhCFTR in vitro and ex vivo, quantified the expression by flow cytometry, determined its function using a YFP based assay and checked the immune response in human whole blood. Similarly, we examined the function of cmRNAhCFTR in vivo after intratracheal (i.t.) or intravenous (i.v.) injection of the assembled cmRNAhCFTR together with Chitosan-coated PLGA (poly-D, L-lactide-co-glycolide 75:25 (Resomer RG 752 H)) nanoparticles (NPs) by FlexiVent. The amount of expression of human hCFTR encoded by cmRNAhCFTR was quantified by hCFTR ELISA, and cmRNAhCFTR values were assessed by RT-qPCR. Thereby, we observed a significant improvement of lung function, especially in regards to FEV0.1, suggesting NP-cmRNAhCFTR as promising therapeutic option for CF patients independent of their CFTR genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K M Ashiqul Haque
- Department of Pediatrics I - Pediatric Infectiology and Immunology, Translational Genomics and Gene Therapy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Dewerth
- Department of Pediatrics I - Pediatric Infectiology and Immunology, Translational Genomics and Gene Therapy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Justin S Antony
- Department of Pediatrics I - Pediatric Infectiology and Immunology, Translational Genomics and Gene Therapy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | - Georg R Schweizer
- Department of Pediatrics I - Pediatric Infectiology and Immunology, Translational Genomics and Gene Therapy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Petra Weinmann
- Department of Pediatrics I - Pediatric Infectiology and Immunology, Translational Genomics and Gene Therapy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ngadhnjim Latifi
- Department of Pediatrics I - Pediatric Infectiology and Immunology, Translational Genomics and Gene Therapy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Hanzey Yasar
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbruecken, Germany
| | | | - Elvira Sondo
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Brian Weidensee
- Department of Pediatrics I - Pediatric Infectiology and Immunology, Translational Genomics and Gene Therapy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Anjali Ralhan
- Department of Pediatrics I - Immunology and Pneumology/Cystic fibrosis, Department of Pediatrics I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Julie Laval
- Department of Pediatrics I - Immunology and Pneumology/Cystic fibrosis, Department of Pediatrics I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Patrick Schlegel
- Department of Pediatrics I - Pediatric Infectiology and Immunology, Translational Genomics and Gene Therapy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Christian Seitz
- Department of Pediatrics I - Pediatric Infectiology and Immunology, Translational Genomics and Gene Therapy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Brigitta Loretz
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Claus-Michael Lehr
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbruecken, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Rupert Handgretinger
- Department of Pediatrics I - Pediatric Infectiology and Immunology, Translational Genomics and Gene Therapy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Michael S D Kormann
- Department of Pediatrics I - Pediatric Infectiology and Immunology, Translational Genomics and Gene Therapy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
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Braccia C, Tomati V, Caci E, Pedemonte N, Armirotti A. SWATH label-free proteomics for cystic fibrosis research. J Cyst Fibros 2018; 18:501-506. [PMID: 30348611 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Label-free proteomics is a powerful tool for biological investigation. The SWATH protocol, relying on the Pan Human ion library, currently represents the state-of-the-art methodology for this kind of analysis. We recently discovered that this tool is not perfectly suitable for proteomics research in the CF field, as it lacks assays for several proteins crucial for the CF biology, including CFTR. METHODS We extensively investigated the proteome of a very popular model for in vitro research on CF, CFBE41o-, and we used the corresponding data to improve the power of SWATH proteomics for CF investigation. We then used this improved tool to explore in depth the proteome of primary bronchial epithelial (BE) cells deriving from four CF individuals compared with that of four corresponding non-CF controls. By means of advanced bioinformatics tools, we outlined the presence of a number of protein networks being significantly altered by CF. RESULTS Our analysis on patients' BE cells identified 154 proteins dysregulated by the CF pathology (94 upregulated and 60 downregulated). Some known CFTR interactors are present among them, but our analysis also revealed the alteration of other proteins not previously known to be related with CF. CONCLUSIONS The present work outlines the power of SWATH label free proteomics applied to CF research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Braccia
- D3Pharmachemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy; Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy
| | - Valeria Tomati
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Caci
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical Chemistry Lab, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy.
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48
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Li H, Pesce E, Sheppard DN, Singh AK, Pedemonte N. Therapeutic approaches to CFTR dysfunction: From discovery to drug development. J Cyst Fibros 2018; 17:S14-S21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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49
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Tomati V, Caci E, Ferrera L, Pesce E, Sondo E, Cholon DM, Quinney NL, Boyles SE, Armirotti A, Ravazzolo R, Galietta LJ, Gentzsch M, Pedemonte N. Thymosin α-1 does not correct F508del-CFTR in cystic fibrosis airway epithelia. JCI Insight 2018; 3:98699. [PMID: 29415893 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.98699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In cystic fibrosis (CF), deletion of phenylalanine 508 (F508del) in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) anion channel causes misfolding and premature degradation. Considering the numerous effects of the F508del mutation on the assembly and processing of CFTR protein, combination therapy with several pharmacological correctors is likely to be required to treat CF patients. Recently, it has been reported that thymosin α-1 (Tα-1) has multiple beneficial effects that could lead to a single-molecule-based therapy for CF patients with F508del. Such effects include suppression of inflammation, improvement in F508del-CFTR maturation and gating, and stimulation of chloride secretion through the calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC). Given the importance of such a drug, we aimed to characterize the underlying molecular mechanisms of action of Tα-1. In-depth analysis of Tα-1 effects was performed using well-established microfluorimetric, biochemical, and electrophysiological techniques on epithelial cell lines and primary bronchial epithelial cells from CF patients. The studies, which were conducted in 2 independent laboratories with identical outcome, demonstrated that Tα-1 is devoid of activity on mutant CFTR as well as on CaCC. Although Tα-1 may still be useful as an antiinflammatory agent, its ability to target defective anion transport in CF remains to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Tomati
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Caci
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Loretta Ferrera
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Pesce
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Elvira Sondo
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Deborah M Cholon
- Marsico Lung Institute/Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nancy L Quinney
- Marsico Lung Institute/Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Susan E Boyles
- Marsico Lung Institute/Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Analytical Chemistry Lab, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Ravazzolo
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy.,University of Genova, DINOGMI Department, Genova, Italy
| | - Luis Jv Galietta
- Telethon Institute for Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Martina Gentzsch
- Marsico Lung Institute/Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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50
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Sondo E, Pesce E, Tomati V, Marini M, Pedemonte N. RNF5, DAB2 and Friends: Novel Drug Targets for Cystic Fibrosis. Curr Pharm Des 2018; 23:176-186. [PMID: 27719636 DOI: 10.2174/1381612822666161006161033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deletion of phenylalanine 508 is the most frequent mutation causing cystic fibrosis. It causes multiple defects: 1) misfolding of the protein causing retention at the ER (processing defect); 2) reduced channel activity (gating defect); 3) reduced plasma membrane residency time due to increased internalization rate and defective recycling. METHODS Druggability of F508del-CFTR was demonstrated by several studies. Correctors are molecules able to improve maturation and trafficking to the membrane of F508del- CFTR. Correctors could act as pharmacological chaperones or as proteostasis regulators. Pharmacological chaperones act directly on mutant CFTR, while proteostasis regulators modify the proteostasis environment leading to beneficial effects on CFTR maturation. RESULTS The use of a single compound is not sufficient to promote a therapeutically relevant F508del-CFTR rescue. Drug therapy for CF will require combinations of correctors exploiting different mechanisms of action, i.e. pharmacological chaperones combined together or with a proteostasis regulator. CONCLUSION Development of more effective CF drugs could therefore rely on a better understanding of the molecular events underlying CFTR processing/degradation. This review will focus on most promising pathways and related targets for the development of novel CF pharmacotherapies.
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