1
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López L, Morosi LG, La Terza F, Bourdely P, Rospo G, Amadio R, Piperno GM, Russo V, Volponi C, Vodret S, Joshi S, Giannese F, Lazarevic D, Germano G, Stoitzner P, Bardelli A, Dalod M, Pace L, Caronni N, Guermonprez P, Benvenuti F. Dendritic cell-targeted therapy expands CD8 T cell responses to bona-fide neoantigens in lung tumors. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2280. [PMID: 38480738 PMCID: PMC10937682 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46685-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Cross-presentation by type 1 DCs (cDC1) is critical to induce and sustain antitumoral CD8 T cell responses to model antigens, in various tumor settings. However, the impact of cross-presenting cDC1 and the potential of DC-based therapies in tumors carrying varied levels of bona-fide neoantigens (neoAgs) remain unclear. Here we develop a hypermutated model of non-small cell lung cancer in female mice, encoding genuine MHC-I neoepitopes to study neoAgs-specific CD8 T cell responses in spontaneous settings and upon Flt3L + αCD40 (DC-therapy). We find that cDC1 are required to generate broad CD8 responses against a range of diverse neoAgs. DC-therapy promotes immunogenicity of weaker neoAgs and strongly inhibits the growth of high tumor-mutational burden (TMB) tumors. In contrast, low TMB tumors respond poorly to DC-therapy, generating mild CD8 T cell responses that are not sufficient to block progression. scRNA transcriptional analysis, immune profiling and functional assays unveil the changes induced by DC-therapy in lung tissues, which comprise accumulation of cDC1 with increased immunostimulatory properties and less exhausted effector CD8 T cells. We conclude that boosting cDC1 activity is critical to broaden the diversity of anti-tumoral CD8 T cell responses and to leverage neoAgs content for therapeutic advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía López
- Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luciano Gastón Morosi
- Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy
| | - Federica La Terza
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Pierre Bourdely
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM 1016, Paris, France
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giuseppe Rospo
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Roberto Amadio
- Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Maria Piperno
- Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy
| | - Valentina Russo
- G. Armenise-Harvard Immune Regulation Unit, IIGM, Candiolo, TO, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, TO, Italy
| | - Camilla Volponi
- Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy
- Cellular and Molecular Oncoimmunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sonal Joshi
- Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Giannese
- Center for Omics Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Institute, Milano, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Dejan Lazarevic
- Center for Omics Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Institute, Milano, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Germano
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Stoitzner
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Allergology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alberto Bardelli
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Marc Dalod
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Turing Center for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Luigia Pace
- G. Armenise-Harvard Immune Regulation Unit, IIGM, Candiolo, TO, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, TO, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Caronni
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Federica Benvenuti
- Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy.
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2
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Cappelletto A, Alfì E, Volf N, Vu TVA, Bortolotti F, Ciucci G, Vodret S, Fantuz M, Perin M, Colliva A, Rozzi G, Rossi M, Ruozi G, Zentilin L, Vuerich R, Borin D, Lapasin R, Piazza S, Chiesa M, Lorizio D, Triboli L, Kumar S, Morello G, Tripodo C, Pinamonti M, Piperno GM, Benvenuti F, Rustighi A, Jo H, Piccolo S, Del Sal G, Carrer A, Giacca M, Zacchigna S. EMID2 is a novel biotherapeutic for aggressive cancers identified by in vivo screening. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:15. [PMID: 38195652 PMCID: PMC10777502 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02942-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New drugs to tackle the next pathway or mutation fueling cancer are constantly proposed, but 97% of them are doomed to fail in clinical trials, largely because they are identified by cellular or in silico screens that cannot predict their in vivo effect. METHODS We screened an Adeno-Associated Vector secretome library (> 1000 clones) directly in vivo in a mouse model of cancer and validated the therapeutic effect of the first hit, EMID2, in both orthotopic and genetic models of lung and pancreatic cancer. RESULTS EMID2 overexpression inhibited both tumor growth and metastatic dissemination, consistent with prolonged survival of patients with high levels of EMID2 expression in the most aggressive human cancers. Mechanistically, EMID2 inhibited TGFβ maturation and activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts, resulting in more elastic ECM and reduced levels of YAP in the nuclei of cancer cells. CONCLUSION This is the first in vivo screening, precisely designed to identify proteins able to interfere with cancer cell invasiveness. EMID2 was selected as the most potent protein, in line with the emerging relevance of the tumor extracellular matrix in controlling cancer cell invasiveness and dissemination, which kills most of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Cappelletto
- Cardiovascular Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Edoardo Alfì
- Cardiovascular Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Nina Volf
- Cardiovascular Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Thi Van Anh Vu
- Cardiovascular Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Bortolotti
- Molecular Medicine, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulio Ciucci
- Cardiovascular Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- Cardiovascular Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Fantuz
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
- University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Martina Perin
- Cardiovascular Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Colliva
- Cardiovascular Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giacomo Rozzi
- Cardiovascular Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Matilde Rossi
- Cardiovascular Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Ruozi
- Molecular Medicine, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- Molecular Medicine, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Roman Vuerich
- Cardiovascular Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Daniele Borin
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Romano Lapasin
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvano Piazza
- Bioinformatics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
- Bioinformatics Facility, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | | | | | - Luca Triboli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Cancer Cell Signaling, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gaia Morello
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother-Child Care "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother-Child Care "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Histopathology Unit, Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation (IFOM), ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pinamonti
- Pathology Department Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina and University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Maria Piperno
- Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Federica Benvenuti
- Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rustighi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Cancer Cell Signaling, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Hanjoong Jo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Giannino Del Sal
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Cancer Cell Signaling, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
- IFOM ETS, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Carrer
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
- University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Mauro Giacca
- Molecular Medicine, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
- King's College London, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, London, UK
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
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3
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Tombari C, Zannini A, Bertolio R, Pedretti S, Audano M, Triboli L, Cancila V, Vacca D, Caputo M, Donzelli S, Segatto I, Vodret S, Piazza S, Rustighi A, Mantovani F, Belletti B, Baldassarre G, Blandino G, Tripodo C, Bicciato S, Mitro N, Del Sal G. Author Correction: Mutant p53 sustains serine-glycine synthesis and essential amino acids intake promoting breast cancer growth. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7129. [PMID: 37932286 PMCID: PMC10628279 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43018-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Tombari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zannini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Rebecca Bertolio
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Pedretti
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Audano
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Triboli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Valeria Cancila
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Science, Human Pathology Section, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Davide Vacca
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Science, Human Pathology Section, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Manuel Caputo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Donzelli
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilenia Segatto
- Unit of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvano Piazza
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rustighi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fiamma Mantovani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Belletti
- Unit of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Gustavo Baldassarre
- Unit of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Science, Human Pathology Section, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133, Palermo, Italy
- IFOM ETS, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvio Bicciato
- Center for Genome Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Nico Mitro
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giannino Del Sal
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy.
- IFOM ETS, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy.
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4
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Tombari C, Zannini A, Bertolio R, Pedretti S, Audano M, Triboli L, Cancila V, Vacca D, Caputo M, Donzelli S, Segatto I, Vodret S, Piazza S, Rustighi A, Mantovani F, Belletti B, Baldassarre G, Blandino G, Tripodo C, Bicciato S, Mitro N, Del Sal G. Mutant p53 sustains serine-glycine synthesis and essential amino acids intake promoting breast cancer growth. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6777. [PMID: 37880212 PMCID: PMC10600207 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42458-1] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of amino acid metabolism, sustained by oncogenic signaling, is crucial for cancer cell survival under nutrient limitation. Here we discovered that missense mutant p53 oncoproteins stimulate de novo serine/glycine synthesis and essential amino acids intake, promoting breast cancer growth. Mechanistically, mutant p53, unlike the wild-type counterpart, induces the expression of serine-synthesis-pathway enzymes and L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1)/CD98 heavy chain heterodimer. This effect is exacerbated by amino acid shortage, representing a mutant p53-dependent metabolic adaptive response. When cells suffer amino acids scarcity, mutant p53 protein is stabilized and induces metabolic alterations and an amino acid transcriptional program that sustain cancer cell proliferation. In patient-derived tumor organoids, pharmacological targeting of either serine-synthesis-pathway and LAT1-mediated transport synergizes with amino acid shortage in blunting mutant p53-dependent growth. These findings reveal vulnerabilities potentially exploitable for tackling breast tumors bearing missense TP53 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Tombari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zannini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Rebecca Bertolio
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Pedretti
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Audano
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Triboli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Valeria Cancila
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Science, Human Pathology Section, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Davide Vacca
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Science, Human Pathology Section, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Manuel Caputo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Donzelli
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilenia Segatto
- Unit of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvano Piazza
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rustighi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fiamma Mantovani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Belletti
- Unit of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Gustavo Baldassarre
- Unit of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Science, Human Pathology Section, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133, Palermo, Italy
- IFOM ETS, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvio Bicciato
- Center for Genome Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Nico Mitro
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giannino Del Sal
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy.
- IFOM ETS, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy.
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5
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Volpe MC, Ciucci G, Zandomenego G, Vuerich R, Ring NAR, Vodret S, Salton F, Marchesan P, Braga L, Marcuzzo T, Bussani R, Colliva A, Piazza S, Confalonieri M, Zacchigna S. Flt1 produced by lung endothelial cells impairs ATII cell transdifferentiation and repair in pulmonary fibrosis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:437. [PMID: 37454154 PMCID: PMC10349845 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05962-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating disease, in which fibrotic tissue progressively replaces lung alveolar structure, resulting in chronic respiratory failure. Alveolar type II cells act as epithelial stem cells, being able to transdifferentiate into alveolar type I cells, which mediate gas exchange, thus contributing to lung homeostasis and repair after damage. Impaired epithelial transdifferentiation is emerging as a major pathogenetic mechanism driving both onset and progression of fibrosis in the lung. Here, we show that lung endothelial cells secrete angiocrine factors that regulate alveolar cell differentiation. Specifically, we build on our previous data on the anti-fibrotic microRNA-200c and identify the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor receptor 1, also named Flt1, as its main functional target in endothelial cells. Endothelial-specific knockout of Flt1 reproduces the anti-fibrotic effect of microRNA-200c against pulmonary fibrosis and results in the secretion of a pool of soluble factors and matrix components able to promote epithelial transdifferentiation in a paracrine manner. Collectively, these data indicate the existence of a complex endothelial-epithelial paracrine crosstalk in vitro and in vivo and position lung endothelial cells as a relevant therapeutic target in the fight against pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Concetta Volpe
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulio Ciucci
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Zandomenego
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Functional Cell Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Roman Vuerich
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Nadja Anneliese Ruth Ring
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
- Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft Research Group Senescence and Healing of Wounds, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simone Vodret
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Salton
- Pulmonology Unit, University Hospital of Cattinara, Trieste, Italy
| | - Pietro Marchesan
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Braga
- Functional Cell Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Thomas Marcuzzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Rossana Bussani
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Colliva
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvano Piazza
- Computational Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Pulmonology Unit, University Hospital of Cattinara, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
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6
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Vuerich R, Groppa E, Vodret S, Ring NAR, Stocco C, Bossi F, Agostinis C, Cauteruccio M, Colliva A, Ramadan M, Simoncello F, Benvenuti F, Agnelli A, Dore F, Mazzarol F, Moretti M, Paulitti A, Palmisano S, De Manzini N, Chiesa M, Casaburo M, Raucci A, Lorizio D, Pompilio G, Bulla R, Papa G, Zacchigna S. Ischemic wound revascularization by the stromal vascular fraction relies on host-donor hybrid vessels. NPJ Regen Med 2023; 8:8. [PMID: 36774354 PMCID: PMC9922297 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-023-00283-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonhealing wounds place a significant burden on both quality of life of affected patients and health systems. Skin substitutes are applied to promote the closure of nonhealing wounds, although their efficacy is limited by inadequate vascularization. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) from the adipose tissue is a promising therapy to overcome this limitation. Despite a few successful clinical trials, its incorporation in the clinical routine has been hampered by their inconsistent results. All these studies concluded by warranting pre-clinical work aimed at both characterizing the cell types composing the SVF and shedding light on their mechanism of action. Here, we established a model of nonhealing wound, in which we applied the SVF in combination with a clinical-grade skin substitute. We purified the SVF cells from transgenic animals to trace their fate after transplantation and observed that it gave rise to a mature vascular network composed of arteries, capillaries, veins, as well as lymphatics, structurally and functionally connected with the host circulation. Then we moved to a human-in-mouse model and confirmed that SVF-derived endothelial cells formed hybrid human-mouse vessels, that were stabilized by perivascular cells. Mechanistically, SVF-derived endothelial cells engrafted and expanded, directly contributing to the formation of new vessels, while a population of fibro-adipogenic progenitors stimulated the expansion of the host vasculature in a paracrine manner. These data have important clinical implications, as they provide a steppingstone toward the reproducible and effective adoption of the SVF as a standard care for nonhealing wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Vuerich
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy ,grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Elena Groppa
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy ,grid.5970.b0000 0004 1762 9868Present Address: Scuola Internazionale Studi Superiori Avanzati (SISSA), 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Nadja Annelies Ruth Ring
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy ,Present Address: Ludwig Boltzmann Research Group SHoW—Senescence and Healing of Wounds, LBI Trauma, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chiara Stocco
- grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy ,grid.413694.dPlastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department, Ospedale di Cattinara, ASUGI, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fleur Bossi
- grid.418712.90000 0004 1760 7415Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.) “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- grid.418712.90000 0004 1760 7415Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.) “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Cauteruccio
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy ,grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Colliva
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Mohammad Ramadan
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Simoncello
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cellular Immunology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Federica Benvenuti
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cellular Immunology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Anna Agnelli
- grid.460062.60000000459364044Nuclear Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Trieste—ASUGI, Trieste, Italy
| | - Franca Dore
- grid.460062.60000000459364044Nuclear Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Trieste—ASUGI, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Silvia Palmisano
- grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicolò De Manzini
- grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mattia Chiesa
- grid.418230.c0000 0004 1760 1750Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Manuel Casaburo
- grid.418230.c0000 0004 1760 1750Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Angela Raucci
- grid.418230.c0000 0004 1760 1750Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Daniela Lorizio
- grid.418230.c0000 0004 1760 1750Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulio Pompilio
- grid.418230.c0000 0004 1760 1750Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Papa
- grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy ,grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy. .,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy. .,Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy.
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7
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Cappelletto A, Allan HE, Crescente M, Schneider E, Bussani R, Ali H, Secco I, Vodret S, Simeone R, Mascaretti L, Zacchigna S, Warner TD, Giacca M. SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein activates TMEM16F-mediated platelet procoagulant activity. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 9:1013262. [PMID: 36684586 PMCID: PMC9845929 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1013262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Thrombosis of the lung microvasculature is a characteristic of COVID-19 disease, which is observed in large excess compared to other forms of acute respiratory distress syndrome and thus suggests a trigger for thrombosis that is endogenous to the lung. Our recent work has shown that the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein activates the cellular TMEM16F chloride channel and scramblase. Through a screening on >3,000 FDA/EMA approved drugs, we identified Niclosamide and Clofazimine as the most effective molecules at inhibiting Spike-induced TMEM16 activation. As TMEM16F plays an important role in stimulating the procoagulant activity of platelets, we investigated whether Spike directly affects platelet activation and pro-thrombotic function and tested the effect of Niclosamide and Clofazimine on these processes. Here we show that Spike, present either on the virion envelope or on the cell plasma membrane, promotes platelet activation, adhesion and spreading. Spike was active as a sole agonist or, even more effectively, by enhancing the function of known platelet activators. In particular, Spike-induced a marked procoagulant phenotype in platelets, by enhancing Ca2+ flux, phosphatidylserine externalization on the platelet outer cell membrane, and thrombin generation. Eventually, this increased thrombin-induced clot formation and retraction. Both Niclosamide and Clofazimine blocked this Spike-induced procoagulant response. These findings provide a pathogenic mechanism to explain lung thrombosis-associated with severe COVID-19 infection. We propose that Spike, present in SARS-CoV-2 virions or exposed on the surface of infected cells in the lungs, enhances the effects of inflammation and leads to local platelet stimulation and subsequent activation of the coagulation cascade. As platelet TMEM16F is central in this process, these findings reinforce the rationale of repurposing Niclosamide for COVID-19 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Cappelletto
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Harriet E. Allan
- Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marilena Crescente
- Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edoardo Schneider
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rossana Bussani
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Hashim Ali
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ilaria Secco
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simone Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberto Simeone
- Dipartimento di Medicina Trasfusionale Giuliano-Isontino, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Mascaretti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Trasfusionale Giuliano-Isontino, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy,International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Timothy D. Warner
- Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Timothy D. Warner,
| | - Mauro Giacca
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,Mauro Giacca,
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8
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Secco I, Backovic A, Vodret S, Ferro MD, Tomczyk M, Gabisonia K, Carlucci L, Zentilin L, Zacchigna S, Recchia FA, Giacca M. CycleTrack, a genetic method to visualize cardiomyocyte renewal in vivo. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2022.08.217] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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9
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Ciucci G, Colliva A, Vodret S, Zago E, Maglione M, Cimmino G, Golino P, Sinagra G, Loffredo F, Zacchigna S. Mechanical loading regulates cardiomyocyte proliferation. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2022.08.338] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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10
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Ruozi G, Bortolotti F, Mura A, Tomczyk M, Falcione A, Martinelli V, Vodret S, Braga L, Dal Ferro M, Cannatà A, Zentilin L, Sinagra G, Zacchigna S, Giacca M. Cardioprotective factors against myocardial infarction selected in vivo from an AAV secretome library. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabo0699. [PMID: 36044596 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abo0699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Therapies for patients with myocardial infarction and heart failure are urgently needed, in light of the breadth of these conditions and lack of curative treatments. To systematically identify previously unidentified cardioactive biologicals in an unbiased manner in vivo, we developed cardiac FunSel, a method for the systematic, functional selection of effective factors using a library of 1198 barcoded adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors encoding for the mouse secretome. By pooled vector injection into the heart, this library was screened to functionally select for factors that confer cardioprotection against myocardial infarction. After two rounds of iterative selection in mice, cardiac FunSel identified three proteins [chordin-like 1 (Chrdl1), family with sequence similarity 3 member C (Fam3c), and Fam3b] that preserve cardiomyocyte viability, sustain cardiac function, and prevent pathological remodeling. In particular, Chrdl1 exerted its protective activity by binding and inhibiting extracellular bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), which resulted in protection against cardiomyocyte death and induction of autophagy in cardiomyocytes after myocardial infarction. Chrdl1 also inhibited fibrosis and maladaptive cardiac remodeling by binding transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and preventing cardiac fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts. Production of secreted and circulating Chrdl1, Fam3c, and Fam3b from the liver also protected the heart from myocardial infarction, thus supporting the use of the three proteins as recombinant factors. Together, these findings disclose a powerful method for the in vivo, unbiased selection of tissue-protective factors and describe potential cardiac therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ruozi
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Bortolotti
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy.,Cardiovascular Department, ASUGI, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Antonio Mura
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mateusz Tomczyk
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy.,British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Antonella Falcione
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy
| | - Valentina Martinelli
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Braga
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy.,British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | | | - Antonio Cannatà
- Cardiovascular Department, ASUGI, 34149 Trieste, Italy.,British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Sinagra
- Cardiovascular Department, ASUGI, 34149 Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mauro Giacca
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy.,British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
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11
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Ciucci G, Colliva A, Vodret S, Zago E, Maglione M, Cimmino G, Golino P, sinagra G, Loffredo F, Zacchigna S. Abstract P1003: Mechanical Loading Controls Cardiomyocyte Proliferation. Circ Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1161/res.131.suppl_1.p1003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction:
Mammal cardiomyocytes (CMs) lose their proliferative capacity early after birth and switch to an adult phenotype, characterized by organized sarcomeres. The mechanisms that control this switch remain largely elusive. Among the changes experienced by the heart at birth is a sudden increase in mechanical load.
Hypothesis:
This study tests the hypothesis that variations in mechanical loading may regulate both the proliferation and the maturation of cardiomyocytes.
Methods:
Engineered heart tissues (EHTs) were generated using neonatal rat heart cells, with a modified protocol allowing to alter mechanical load. Unloading is obtained by reducing the distance between the silicon posts that anchor the extremities of the EHT, while overloading is induced by changing Young’s module of posts using metal braces. Adult heart unloading in vivo was achieved by heterotopically transplanting a mouse heart into the neck of syngeneic recipient mice, which were injected with EdU twice per week. Both hearts, native and transplanted, were harvested at day 30.
Results:
In line with our hypothesis, mechanical unloading of developed EHTs significantly increased the percentage of EdU-, Ki67- and pH3-positive CMs at 72 hours. In contrast, increasing afterload induced CM maturation, characterized by increased cross-sectional area and force of contraction, associated with reduced proliferation. Consistently, heterotopically transplanted hearts showed a significant increase in the the number of proliferating CMs in both ventricles, which were almost absent in native hearts.
Conclusions:
Our data indicate that mechanical unloading induce CM proliferation in both rat EHTs and an in vivo in a mouse model of heterotopic heart transplantation. These results support our initial hypothesis and indicate that mechanical loading is a master regulator of cardiomyocytes proliferation and maturation. Ongoing experiments aim at identifying the molecular mechanisms that regulate this process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesco Loffredo
- Univ of Campania “L. Vanvitelli” or Second Univ of Naples, Naples, Italy
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12
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Secco I, Backovic A, Vodret S, Dal Ferro M, Tomczyk M, Gabisonia K, Carlucci L, Zentilin L, Zacchigna S, Recchia FA, Giacca M. Abstract P1019:
CycleTrack
, A Genetic Method To Trace Cardiomyocyte Renewal In Small And Large Animal Models. Circ Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1161/res.131.suppl_1.p1019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To what extent cardiac renewal occurs in adulthood and can be stimulated by therapeutic interventions is still a matter of investigation. In particular, over the last few years, significant effort has been made into awakening the endogenous regenerative potential of the adult mammalian heart after injury using different strategies. However, these studies are significantly hindered by the lack of tools to properly assess cardiomyocyte renewal over time. We have developed a genetic strategy, which we named CycleTrack, allowing a cumulative and accurate estimate of cardiomyocyte divisions in vivo. This method is based on the expression, in cardiomyocytes, of the Cre recombinase under the control of a 312-bp fragment of the Cyclin B2 promoter, which is specifically sensitive to cell proliferation. Replication-activated Cre acts on floxed GFP that is either present in the genome of transgenic mice or is exogenously delivered using Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) vectors. As a result, cardiomyocytes traversing G2/M become irreversibly labeled. Using CycleTrack, we could monitor cardiomyocyte turnover in several physiological and pathological conditions. These included the measurement of the rate of proliferation of cardiomyocytes after apical resection in neonatal mice, the pro-regenerative effect of AAV9-mediated delivery of miRNA-199a and miRNA-590 after myocardial infarction in adult mice and the effect of pregnancy on myocardial hyperplasia. We also delivered the CycleTrack vectors into pig hearts to visualize cardiomyocyte turnover after myocardial infarction. Considering the large availability of Cre reporter mouse lines and the efficacy of AAVs to transfer genes into cardiomyocytes, we propose CycleTrack as a robust and straightforward tool to trace mitotic events for cardiac regeneration studies in small and large animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Backovic
- Turval Laboratories Biotechnologies, Udine, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- International Cntr for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Dal Ferro
- Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Giuliano Isontina, Univ of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Lorena Zentilin
- International Cntr for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- International Cntr for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
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13
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Colliva A, Vodret S, Bongiovanni W, Zacchigna S. Cardiomyocyte fusion as a new mechanism contributing to pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Cardiovasc Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac066.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
Introduction
Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a maladaptive remodeling response, induced by multiple pathogenetic mechanisms, including genetic mutations and hypertension. Despite the high prevalence of this condition, the precise mechanisms driving its onset and progression remain elusive. Recent evidence indicates that homotypic cell fusion between cardiomyocytes occurs in the heart of lower vertebrates in response to injury, as well as in the rodent heart during the first week after birth, when cardiomyocyte size and ploidy increase. We hypothesized that homotypic fusion of cardiomyocytes could be triggered by pressure overload and contribute to cardiac hypertrophy.
Methods and Results
We exploited a genetic mouse model (MHC-CreER/mTmG mice) to genetically label individual cardiomyocytes by either red or green fluorescence. These mice express a tamoxifen inducible Cre recombinase (CreER) under the control of the myosin heavy chain 6 promoter (MHC). Controlled injection of tamoxifen resulted in a mosaic heart, composed by either red or green cardiomyocytes. In this genetic background, we performed transverse aortic constriction (TAC) to induce cardiac hypertrophy and analyzed cardiomyocyte size and fluorescence at one month.
The systematic analysis of more than 5000 cardiomyocytes from 6 independent experiments showed a significant increase in the number of yellow cardiomyocytes after TAC compared to sham hearts, consistent with cell-cell fusion events occurred between green and red cardiomyocytes. Moreover, these yellow hypertrophic cardiomyocytes displayed a higher rate of polynucleation, with many cells bearing three or more nuclei.
Conclusions and future perspective
Collectively, these data point to cardiomyocyte fusion as a new mechanism responsible for to the onset of cardiac hypertrophy upon pressure overload. We cannot exclude that yellow, polynucleated cardiomyocytes derived from the heterotypic fusion between a green cardiomyocyte and other red cell types. To rule out this possibility we are currently performing a new a set of experiments in which 100% of cardiomyocytes are labelled in green. In the case of homotypic fusion, we should not observe any yellow cells upon TAC. Proving that cardiomyocyte fusion contributes to cardiac hypertrophy in response to increased pressure load and dissecting the underlying molecular mechanisms will pave the way to novel strategies to both prevent and revert this highly prevalent pathological condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Colliva
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - S Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - W Bongiovanni
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - S Zacchigna
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
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14
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Alfi E, Kocijan T, Colliva A, Abdelaleem GHA, Shevchuk O, Vodret S, Myers M, Sickmann A, Zacchigna S. Is lumican responsible for the low angiogenetic potential of the adult mammalian heart? Cardiovasc Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac066.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): AIRC
Introduction
Adult mammals fail to regenerate the myocardium after ischemic injury (1). Different strategies to achieve myocardial regeneration have been considered including reactivation of progenitor cell populations, cell replacement therapies, cell reprograming and molecules able to stimulate cardiomyocyte proliferation (2). None of these approaches has been so far successful. The supply of nutrients and oxygen to the myocardium after the occlusion of a coronary artery depends on pre-existing and newly formed collateral vessels (3). The relevance of revascularization in the context of cardiac regeneration is suggested by the evidence that angiogenesis precedes cardiomyocyte proliferation in a model of neonatal heart injury (4). Our laboratory has recently demonstrated that the heart has a low angiogenetic potential (5). To what extent this is responsible for the poor regenerative capacity of the heart remains to be determined. Thus, understanding the mechanisms blocking angiogenesis in the adult heart could lead to the development of efficient strategies to promote cardiac revascularization and regeneration.
Purpose
Our purpose is to understand the mechanisms responsible for the low angiogenic potential of the adult mammalian heart. In particular, we designed a proteomic approach to detect differences in the composition of the perivascular extracellular matrix between the neonatal (angiogenic) with and the adult (not angiogenic) heart.
Methods and Results
We adopted an in vivo biotinylation strategy to label vascular extracellular proteins in vivo, followed by protein identification by mass spectrometry. A reactive derivative of biotin was systemically injected in both neonatal and adult mice (n=4) to label vascular and peri-vascular extracellular proteins. Biotinylated proteins were purified from total hearts by streptavidin-conjugated beads, eluted, and digested with trypsin. The resulting peptides were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Among the differentially expressed proteins, we identified lumican and its receptor, integrin beta-1. This ligand-receptor pair is known to impair tube formation by endothelial cells and to interfere with both expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in vitro (6). Western blot and gene expression analysis confirmed up-regulation of lumican in the adult compared to neonatal heart, as well as a different glycosylation pattern. Lumican knock-out both ex vivo and in vivo resulted in increased vessel density. On the other hand, overexpression of lumican impaired the proliferative capacity of cardiac endothelial cells. Finally, MMP-14 activity was inhibited by adult, but not neonatal cardiac extract.
Conclusions
In vivo proteomic analysis identified lumican as a major contributor of the low angiogenic potential of the adult mammalian heart. These results point to lumican silencing as a promising strategy to achieve cardiac revascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Alfi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - T Kocijan
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - A Colliva
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - GHA Abdelaleem
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - O Shevchuk
- Technical University of Dortmund , Dortmund , Germany
| | - S Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - M Myers
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - A Sickmann
- Technical University of Dortmund , Dortmund , Germany
| | - S Zacchigna
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
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15
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Vuerich R, Groppa E, Vodret S, Ring N, Stocco C, Bossi F, Agostinis C, Colliva A, Simoncello F, Benvenuti F, Agnelli A, Dore F, Bulla R, Papa G, Zacchigna S. Effective revascularization of non-healing wounds by the human Stromal Vascular Fraction relies on direct cell integration and paracrine signals. Cardiovasc Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac066.239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): PREFER
Introduction
With the increased prevalence of chronic diseases, non-healing wounds place a significant burden on the health system, with a prevalence of 2-5%, similar to the one of heart failure. They are persistent full-thickness skin lesions that affect patients suffering from vascular disorders, such as diabetes and peripheral artery disease. Skin implants and substitutes are currently applied to promote the closure of non-healing wounds. However, both approaches are poorly effective because of lack of appropriate vascularization.
Purpose
To promote the neo-vascularization of non-healing wounds, we use Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) as innovative therapeutic opportunity for wound treatment.
Here, we aim to 1) characterize and demonstrate the pro-angiogenic role of SVF cells and 2) provide pre-clinical evidence of the therapeutic efficacy of the human SVF in promoting the neo-vascularization in a new mouse model of ischemic, non-healing wound.
Methods
To assess capacity of SVF-derived cells to improve wound revascularization, we created a new model of non-healing wound generated by wounding an ischemic limb in mice. Human and mouse SVF was purified from adipose tissue and seeded on a clinical-grade skin substitute prior to its implantation on the ischemic wound of a recipient animal. The transplantation of human SVF into NSG immunodeficient mice was verified using species-specific antibodies, while the use of genetically modified mice allowed us to trace the fate of both endothelial and non-endothelial cells upon their transplantation into syngeneic recipient animals. The function of SVF-induced vessels was assessed by systemic injection of biotinylated lectin and by Single Photon Emission Tomography (SPECT) of the treated limb.
Results
At day 7 the implanted mouse SVF gives rise to a widespread vascular network composed by arteries, capillaries, veins, as well as lymphatic vessels. Similarly, human SVF-derived endothelial cells formed hybrid human-mouse vessels that were stabilized by perivascular cells. At both histological and functional analysis, these vessels were connected with the host circulatory system and determined a 2-fold increase in tissue perfusion. The comparison of the activity of human SVF from different donors allowed us to disclose its dual mechanisms of action.
Conclusions
Here we demonstrated the efficacy of the SVF in promoting neo-vascularization of a skin substitute in a mouse model of ischemic, non-healing wounds. Its therapeutic efficacy relies on dual mechanisms of action. On the one hand, SVF-derived ECs engraft and expand, directly forming new vascular units that colonize the scaffold and extend into surrounding tissues. On the other hand, the mesenchymal progenitors stimulate the expansion of the host vasculature, which extends into the scaffold, with the eventual appearance of donor-host hybrid vessels.
Collectively, these data support the use of human SVF as a powerful cell therapy to treat non-healing wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vuerich
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - E Groppa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - S Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - N Ring
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - C Stocco
- Cattinara Hospital, Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department , Trieste , Italy
| | - F Bossi
- Burlo Garofolo Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare , Trieste , Italy
| | - C Agostinis
- Burlo Garofolo Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare , Trieste , Italy
| | - A Colliva
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - F Simoncello
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - F Benvenuti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - A Agnelli
- Cattinara Hospital, Nuclear Medicine Unit , Trieste , Italy
| | - F Dore
- Cattinara Hospital, Nuclear Medicine Unit , Trieste , Italy
| | - R Bulla
- University of Trieste, Department of Life Sciences , Trieste , Italy
| | - G Papa
- Cattinara Hospital, Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department , Trieste , Italy
| | - S Zacchigna
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
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16
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Vuerich R, Martinelli V, Vodret S, Bertani I, Carletti T, Zentilin L, Venturi V, Marcello A, Zacchigna S. A new laser device for ultra-rapid and sustainable aerosol sterilization. Environ Int 2022; 164:107272. [PMID: 35526297 PMCID: PMC9060718 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of aerosol-based transmission of human pathogens; this therefore calls for novel medical devices which are able to sterilize contaminated aerosols. Here we describe a new laser device able to sterilize droplets containing either viruses or bacteria. Using engineered viral particles, we determined the 10,600 nm wavelength as the most efficient and exploitable laser source to be manufactured in a commercial device. Given the lack of existing working models to reproduce a human aerosol containing living microbial particles, we developed a new system mimicking human droplet formation and preserving bacterial and viral viability. This evidenced the efficacy of 10,600 nm laser light to kill two aerosol transmitted human pathogens, Legionella pneumophila and SARS-CoV-2. The minimal exposure time of <15 ms was required for the inactivation of over 99% pathogens in the aerosol; this is a key element in the design of a device that is safe and can be used in preventing inter-individual transmission. This represents a major advantage over existing devices, which mainly aim at either purifying incoming air by filters or sterilizing solid surfaces, which are not the major transmission routes for airborne communicable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Vuerich
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Simone Vodret
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Iris Bertani
- Laboratory: Bacteriology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Tea Carletti
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Vittorio Venturi
- Laboratory: Bacteriology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marcello
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy; Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy. https://www.icgeb.org/cardiovascular-biology/
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17
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Monaco F, De Conti L, Vodret S, Zanotta N, Comar M, Manzotti S, Rubini C, Graciotti L, Fulgenzi G, Bovenzi M, Baralle M, Tomasetti M, Santarelli L. Force-feeding malignant mesothelioma stem-cell like with exosome-delivered miR-126 induces tumour cell killing. Transl Oncol 2022; 20:101400. [PMID: 35334283 PMCID: PMC8956928 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Exosome-enriched miR-126 (exo-miR) induced mass disaggregation of MPM-derived spheroids. Exo-miR plus the inhibitor of exosome release (GW4869) accumulated miR-126 within cells. Exo-miR plus GW4869 induced MPM-stem cell like death and in vivo tumour growth arrest. MiR-126 accumulated in cells induced a protective autophagy which was inhibited by GW4869. Exo-miR plus GW4869 induced a metabolic crisis, thus promoting necroptosis activation.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumour resistant to treatments. It has been postulated that cancer stem cells (CSCs) persist in tumours causing relapse after multimodality treatment. In the present study, a novel miRNA-based therapy approach is proposed. MPM-derived spheroids have been treated with exosome-delivered miR-126 (exo-miR) and evaluated for their anticancer effect. The exo-miR treatment increased MPM stem-cell like stemness and inhibited cell proliferation. However, at a prolonged time, the up taken miR-126 was released by the cells themselves through exosomes; the inhibition of exosome release by an exosome release inhibitor GW4869 induced miR-126 intracellular accumulation leading to massive cell death and in vivo tumour growth arrest. Autophagy is involved in these processes; miR-126 accumulation induced a protective autophagy and the inhibition of this process by GW4869 generates a metabolic crisis that promotes necroptosis, which was associated with PARP-1 over-expression and cyt-c and AIF release. Here, for the first time, we proposed a therapy against CSCs, a heterogeneous cell population involved in cancer development and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Monaco
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Excellence SBSP-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Laura De Conti
- RNA biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Nunzia Zanotta
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Manola Comar
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Sandra Manzotti
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Corrado Rubini
- Department of Excellence SBSP-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Laura Graciotti
- Department of Excellence SBSP-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Gianluca Fulgenzi
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Massimo Bovenzi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Baralle
- RNA biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Tomasetti
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Lory Santarelli
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
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18
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Rurali E, Vodret S, Perrucci GL, Falsone F, Serri P, Trabelsi E, Zacchigna S, Pompilio G. Basigin genetic depletion reduces thoracic aortic aneurysm formation in marfan syndrome mice. Eur Heart J 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.1981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Marfan Syndrome (MFS) is a rare genetic disease due to mutations in fibrillin 1 gene [1]. It is characterized by thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), whose dissection is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in MFS patients [2]. While pathological mechanisms underlying MFS extracellular matrix remodelling have started to be elucidated, an etiological treatment is not available yet [3,4]. Recently, EMMPRIN has been proposed as new actor in pro-fibrotic processes associated with TAA development in MFS patients [4,5].
Purpose
To confirm the role of EMMPRIN (i.e. Basigin in mice, Bsg) in TAA formation and progression in a preclinical setting, we assessed whether Bsg genetic depletion in a mouse model of MFS (Fbn1C1039G/+) [6] had an impact on aortic phenotype.
Methods
We generated a double transgenic mouse model, Fbn1C1039G/+-Bsg+/−, by crossing commercially available Fbn1C1039G/+ with Bsg+/− mice (provided by Dr. Kadomatsu) [7] and we prospectively measured aortic root size in 12 Fbn1C1039G/+-Bsg+/−, 9 Fbn1C1039G/+, and 15 WT mice every 4 weeks from 12 to 20 weeks of age by 2D-echocardiography. Both qRT-PCR and Western Blot were used to evaluate EMMPRIN downstream pro-fibrotic pathway activation in thoracic aortic tissue obtained from mice sacrificed at 12 weeks. Plasma soluble EMMPRIN (sEMMPRIN) levels were assessed by ELISA.
Results
Echocardiographic assessment at 12 and 20 weeks of age confirmed significantly dilated aortic root in Fbn1C1039G/+ vs WT (mean±SD at 12 weeks: 1.772±0.081 vs 1.394±0.068 mm, respectively, p<0.0001; 20 weeks: 1.899±0.103 vs 1.520±0.083 mm, respectively, p<0.0001), and revealed that Fbn1C1039G/+-Bsg+/− mice had lower aortic root diameter extent compared to Fbn1C1039G/+ (12 weeks: 1.667±0.109 vs 1.772±0.081 mm, respectively, p=0.026; 20 weeks: 1.752±0.129 vs 1.899±0.103 mm, respectively, p=0.011). Pro-fibrotic gene profiling in a subset of 12 weeks old mice showed that Col1A1, Col3A1 and FN1 genes were more expressed in Fbn1C1039G/+ than in WT mice and that the up-regulation of these genes was mitigated in Fbn1C1039G/+ by Bsg depletion (ANOVA p=0.048, p=0.055, and p=0.0003, respectively). Moreover, we found a significant activation of the EMMPRIN downstream pro-fibrotic ERK1/2 pathway in Fbn1C1039G/+ compared to WT mice which was attenuated in the Fbn1C1039G/+-Bsg+/− model (p=0.030). Plasma sEMMPRIN levels were lower in Fbn1C1039G/+ than in WT mice, consistent with what we previously observed in MFS patients [5], and decreased over time in both Fbn1C1039G/+ and WT mice (2-way ANOVA disease p=0.013, time p=0.012, interaction p=ns).
Conclusions
Basigin genetic depletion reduces dilatation of the aortic root and pro-fibrotic pathway activation in a preclinical MFS model, confirming previous proof-of-concept findings and paving the way for the development of innovative therapies for MFS patients. Plasma sEMMPRIN levels stand as promising tool to predict the aortic enlargement progression in MFS models and patients.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Italian Ministery of Health
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Affiliation(s)
- E Rurali
- Cardiology Center Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - S Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | | | - F Falsone
- Cardiology Center Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - P Serri
- Cardiology Center Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - E Trabelsi
- Cardiology Center Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - S Zacchigna
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - G Pompilio
- Cardiology Center Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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19
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Caronni N, Piperno GM, Simoncello F, Romano O, Vodret S, Yanagihashi Y, Dress R, Dutertre CA, Bugatti M, Bourdeley P, Del Prete A, Schioppa T, Mazza EMC, Collavin L, Zacchigna S, Ostuni R, Guermonprez P, Vermi W, Ginhoux F, Bicciato S, Nagata S, Benvenuti F. TIM4 expression by dendritic cells mediates uptake of tumor-associated antigens and anti-tumor responses. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2237. [PMID: 33854047 PMCID: PMC8046802 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22535-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Acquisition of cell-associated tumor antigens by type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1) is essential to induce and sustain tumor specific CD8+ T cells via cross-presentation. Here we show that capture and engulfment of cell associated antigens by tissue resident lung cDC1 is inhibited during progression of mouse lung tumors. Mechanistically, loss of phagocytosis is linked to tumor-mediated downregulation of the phosphatidylserine receptor TIM4, that is highly expressed in normal lung resident cDC1. TIM4 receptor blockade and conditional cDC1 deletion impair activation of tumor specific CD8+ T cells and promote tumor progression. In human lung adenocarcinomas, TIM4 transcripts increase the prognostic value of a cDC1 signature and predict responses to PD-1 treatment. Thus, TIM4 on lung resident cDC1 contributes to immune surveillance and its expression is suppressed in advanced tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Caronni
- Department of Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy.
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giulia Maria Piperno
- Department of Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Simoncello
- Department of Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy
| | - Oriana Romano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Yuichi Yanagihashi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry & Immunology, World Premier International Research Center, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Regine Dress
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Charles-Antoine Dutertre
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mattia Bugatti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Pierre Bourdeley
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Annalisa Del Prete
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano-Milano, Italy
| | - Tiziana Schioppa
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano-Milano, Italy
| | - Emilia Maria Cristina Mazza
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano-Milano, Italy
| | - Licio Collavin
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Renato Ostuni
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Pierre Guermonprez
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - William Vermi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Silvio Bicciato
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Shigekatzu Nagata
- Laboratory of Biochemistry & Immunology, World Premier International Research Center, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Federica Benvenuti
- Department of Cellular Immunology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy.
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20
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Kocijan T, Rehman M, Colliva A, Groppa E, Leban M, Vodret S, Volf N, Zucca G, Cappelletto A, Piperno GM, Zentilin L, Giacca M, Benvenuti F, Zhou B, Adams RH, Zacchigna S. Genetic lineage tracing reveals poor angiogenic potential of cardiac endothelial cells. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:256-270. [PMID: 31999325 PMCID: PMC7797216 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Cardiac ischaemia does not elicit an efficient angiogenic response. Indeed, lack of surgical revascularization upon myocardial infarction results in cardiomyocyte death, scarring, and loss of contractile function. Clinical trials aimed at inducing therapeutic revascularization through the delivery of pro-angiogenic molecules after cardiac ischaemia have invariably failed, suggesting that endothelial cells in the heart cannot mount an efficient angiogenic response. To understand why the heart is a poorly angiogenic environment, here we compare the angiogenic response of the cardiac and skeletal muscle using a lineage tracing approach to genetically label sprouting endothelial cells. METHODS AND RESULTS We observed that overexpression of the vascular endothelial growth factor in the skeletal muscle potently stimulated angiogenesis, resulting in the formation of a massive number of new capillaries and arterioles. In contrast, response to the same dose of the same factor in the heart was blunted and consisted in a modest increase in the number of new arterioles. By using Apelin-CreER mice to genetically label sprouting endothelial cells we observed that different pro-angiogenic stimuli activated Apelin expression in both muscle types to a similar extent, however, only in the skeletal muscle, these cells were able to sprout, form elongated vascular tubes activating Notch signalling, and became incorporated into arteries. In the heart, Apelin-positive cells transiently persisted and failed to give rise to new vessels. When we implanted cancer cells in different organs, the abortive angiogenic response in the heart resulted in a reduced expansion of the tumour mass. CONCLUSION Our genetic lineage tracing indicates that cardiac endothelial cells activate Apelin expression in response to pro-angiogenic stimuli but, different from those of the skeletal muscle, fail to proliferate and form mature and structured vessels. The poor angiogenic potential of the heart is associated with reduced tumour angiogenesis and growth of cancer cells.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/genetics
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism
- Animals
- Apelin/genetics
- Apelin/metabolism
- Calcium-Binding Proteins/genetics
- Calcium-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Lineage
- Cell Proliferation
- Cellular Microenvironment
- Coronary Vessels/cytology
- Coronary Vessels/metabolism
- Endothelial Cells/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Muscle, Skeletal/blood supply
- Neoplasms/blood supply
- Neoplasms/metabolism
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Neovascularization, Pathologic
- Neovascularization, Physiologic
- Phenotype
- Receptor, Notch1/genetics
- Receptor, Notch1/metabolism
- Tumor Burden
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1/genetics
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1/metabolism
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Kocijan
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Michael Rehman
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Colliva
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Elena Groppa
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Leban
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Nina Volf
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Zucca
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Ambra Cappelletto
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Maria Piperno
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mauro Giacca
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- King’s College London, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, London UK
| | - Federica Benvenuti
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Bin Zhou
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence on Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ralf H Adams
- Department of Tissue Morphogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, D-48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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21
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Zacchigna S, Paldino A, Falcão-Pires I, Daskalopoulos EP, Dal Ferro M, Vodret S, Lesizza P, Cannatà A, Miranda-Silva D, Lourenço AP, Pinamonti B, Sinagra G, Weinberger F, Eschenhagen T, Carrier L, Kehat I, Tocchetti CG, Russo M, Ghigo A, Cimino J, Hirsch E, Dawson D, Ciccarelli M, Oliveti M, Linke WA, Cuijpers I, Heymans S, Hamdani N, de Boer M, Duncker DJ, Kuster D, van der Velden J, Beauloye C, Bertrand L, Mayr M, Giacca M, Leuschner F, Backs J, Thum T. Towards standardization of echocardiography for the evaluation of left ventricular function in adult rodents: a position paper of the ESC Working Group on Myocardial Function. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 117:43-59. [PMID: 32365197 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Echocardiography is a reliable and reproducible method to assess non-invasively cardiac function in clinical and experimental research. Significant progress in the development of echocardiographic equipment and transducers has led to the successful translation of this methodology from humans to rodents, allowing for the scoring of disease severity and progression, testing of new drugs, and monitoring cardiac function in genetically modified or pharmacologically treated animals. However, as yet, there is no standardization in the procedure to acquire echocardiographic measurements in small animals. This position paper focuses on the appropriate acquisition and analysis of echocardiographic parameters in adult mice and rats, and provides reference values, representative images, and videos for the accurate and reproducible quantification of left ventricular function in healthy and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Zacchigna
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences and Cardiovascular Department, Centre for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste (TS), Italy.,International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessia Paldino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences and Cardiovascular Department, Centre for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste (TS), Italy
| | - Inês Falcão-Pires
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Evangelos P Daskalopoulos
- Pole of Cardiovascular Research, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Belgium, Brussels
| | - Matteo Dal Ferro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences and Cardiovascular Department, Centre for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste (TS), Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Lesizza
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences and Cardiovascular Department, Centre for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste (TS), Italy
| | - Antonio Cannatà
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences and Cardiovascular Department, Centre for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste (TS), Italy
| | - Daniela Miranda-Silva
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - André P Lourenço
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bruno Pinamonti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences and Cardiovascular Department, Centre for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste (TS), Italy
| | - Gianfranco Sinagra
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences and Cardiovascular Department, Centre for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste (TS), Italy
| | - Florian Weinberger
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - Thomas Eschenhagen
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - Lucie Carrier
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - Izhak Kehat
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and System Biology, The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Carlo G Tocchetti
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center of Clinical and Translational Research (CIRCET), Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Russo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ghigo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - James Cimino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Emilio Hirsch
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Dana Dawson
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | | | - Wolfgang A Linke
- Institute of Physiology 2, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Ilona Cuijpers
- Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Center of Molecular and Vascular Biology (CMVB), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephane Heymans
- Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Center of Molecular and Vascular Biology (CMVB), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nazha Hamdani
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Division Cardiology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Institute of Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martine de Boer
- Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk J Duncker
- Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Diederik Kuster
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jolanda van der Velden
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christophe Beauloye
- Pole of Cardiovascular Research, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Belgium, Brussels.,Division of Cardiology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Bertrand
- Pole of Cardiovascular Research, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Belgium, Brussels
| | - Manuel Mayr
- King's College London, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, London, UK
| | - Mauro Giacca
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences and Cardiovascular Department, Centre for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste (TS), Italy.,International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.,King's College London, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, London, UK
| | - Florian Leuschner
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Angiology & Pulmology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Backs
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Angiology & Pulmology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute for Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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22
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Moimas S, Salton F, Kosmider B, Ring N, Volpe MC, Bahmed K, Braga L, Rehman M, Vodret S, Graziani ML, Wolfson MR, Marchetti N, Rogers TJ, Giacca M, Criner GJ, Zacchigna S, Confalonieri M. miR-200 family members reduce senescence and restore idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis type II alveolar epithelial cell transdifferentiation. ERJ Open Res 2019; 5:00138-2019. [PMID: 31857992 PMCID: PMC6911923 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00138-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [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: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale Alveolar type II (ATII) cells act as adult stem cells contributing to alveolar type I (ATI) cell renewal and play a major role in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), as supported by familial cases harbouring mutations in genes specifically expressed by these cells. During IPF, ATII cells lose their regenerative potential and aberrantly express pathways contributing to epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). The microRNA miR-200 family is downregulated in IPF, but its effect on human IPF ATII cells remains unproven. We wanted to 1) evaluate the characteristics and transdifferentiating ability of IPF ATII cells, and 2) test whether miR-200 family members can rescue the regenerative potential of fibrotic ATII cells. Methods ATII cells were isolated from control or IPF lungs and cultured in conditions promoting their transdifferentiation into ATI cells. Cells were either phenotypically monitored over time or transfected with miR-200 family members to evaluate the microRNA effect on the expression of transdifferentiation, senescence and EMT markers. Results IPF ATII cells show a senescent phenotype (p16 and p21), overexpression of EMT (ZEB1/2) and impaired expression of ATI cell markers (AQP5 and HOPX) after 6 days of culture in differentiating medium. Transfection with certain miR-200 family members (particularly miR-200b-3p and miR-200c-3p) reduced senescence marker expression and restored the ability to transdifferentiate into ATI cells. Conclusions We demonstrated that ATII cells from IPF patients express senescence and EMT markers, and display a reduced ability to transdifferentiate into ATI cells. Transfection with certain miR-200 family members rescues this phenotype, reducing senescence and restoring transdifferentiation marker expression. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis alveolar epithelial type II cells show senescence and EMT features, but miR-200b and miR-200c can restore the ability of type II cells to transdifferentiate in vitro into type I alveolar epithelial cellshttp://bit.ly/359tlit
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Moimas
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.,These authors contributed equally to this work (co-first authors)
| | - Francesco Salton
- Pulmonology Dept, University Hospital of Cattinara, Trieste, Italy.,These authors contributed equally to this work (co-first authors)
| | - Beata Kosmider
- Center for Inflammation, Translational and Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Dept of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Dept of Physiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,These authors contributed equally to this work (co-first authors)
| | - Nadja Ring
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Maria C Volpe
- Pulmonology Dept, University Hospital of Cattinara, Trieste, Italy.,Dept of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Karim Bahmed
- Center for Inflammation, Translational and Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Dept of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Luca Braga
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Michael Rehman
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Marla R Wolfson
- Center for Inflammation, Translational and Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Dept of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Dept of Physiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,CENTRe: Collaborative for Environmental and Neonatal Therapeutics, Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nathaniel Marchetti
- Dept of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Thomas J Rogers
- Center for Inflammation, Translational and Clinical Lung Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Dept of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mauro Giacca
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.,Dept of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gerard J Criner
- Dept of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,These authors contributed equally to this work (co-last authors)
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.,Dept of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,These authors contributed equally to this work (co-last authors)
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Pulmonology Dept, University Hospital of Cattinara, Trieste, Italy.,Dept of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,These authors contributed equally to this work (co-last authors)
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23
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Rupel K, Zupin L, Ottaviani G, Bertani I, Martinelli V, Porrelli D, Vodret S, Vuerich R, Passos da Silva D, Bussani R, Crovella S, Parsek M, Venturi V, Di Lenarda R, Biasotto M, Zacchigna S. Blue laser light inhibits biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo by inducing oxidative stress. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2019; 5:29. [PMID: 31602310 PMCID: PMC6785554 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-019-0102-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [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: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Resolution of bacterial infections is often hampered by both resistance to conventional antibiotic therapy and hiding of bacterial cells inside biofilms, warranting the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Here, we report the efficacy of blue laser light in eradicating Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells, grown in planktonic state, agar plates and mature biofilms, both in vitro and in vivo, with minimal toxicity to mammalian cells and tissues. Results obtained using knock-out mutants point to oxidative stress as a relevant mechanism by which blue laser light exerts its anti-microbial effect. Finally, the therapeutic potential is confirmed in a mouse model of skin wound infection. Collectively, these data set blue laser phototherapy as an innovative approach to inhibit bacterial growth and biofilm formation, and thus as a realistic treatment option for superinfected wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Rupel
- 1Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Luisa Zupin
- 1Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Ottaviani
- 1Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Iris Bertani
- 2Bacteriology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Valentina Martinelli
- 3Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Davide Porrelli
- 1Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- 3Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Roman Vuerich
- 3Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Rossana Bussani
- 1Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sergio Crovella
- 1Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.,5Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Matthew Parsek
- 4Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Vittorio Venturi
- 2Bacteriology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberto Di Lenarda
- 1Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Biasotto
- 1Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- 1Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.,3Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
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24
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Rehman M, Vodret S, Braga L, Guarnaccia C, Celsi F, Rossetti G, Martinelli V, Battini T, Long C, Vukusic K, Kocijan T, Collesi C, Ring N, Skoko N, Giacca M, Del Sal G, Confalonieri M, Raspa M, Marcello A, Myers MP, Crovella S, Carloni P, Zacchigna S. High-throughput screening discovers antifibrotic properties of haloperidol by hindering myofibroblast activation. JCI Insight 2019; 4:123987. [PMID: 30996132 PMCID: PMC6538355 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.123987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a hallmark in the pathogenesis of various diseases, with very limited therapeutic solutions. A key event in the fibrotic process is the expression of contractile proteins, including α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) by fibroblasts, which become myofibroblasts. Here, we report the results of a high-throughput screening of a library of approved drugs that led to the discovery of haloperidol, a common antipsychotic drug, as a potent inhibitor of myofibroblast activation. We show that haloperidol exerts its antifibrotic effect on primary murine and human fibroblasts by binding to sigma receptor 1, independent from the canonical transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway. Its mechanism of action involves the modulation of intracellular calcium, with moderate induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress response, which in turn abrogates Notch1 signaling and the consequent expression of its targets, including αSMA. Importantly, haloperidol also reduced the fibrotic burden in 3 different animal models of lung, cardiac, and tumor-associated fibrosis, thus supporting the repurposing of this drug for the treatment of fibrotic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Corrado Guarnaccia
- Biotechnology Development, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fulvio Celsi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo,” Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Rossetti
- Computational Biomedicine Section, Institute of Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Chiara Collesi
- Molecular Medicine, and
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Natasa Skoko
- Biotechnology Development, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mauro Giacca
- Molecular Medicine, and
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giannino Del Sal
- National Laboratory CIB, Area Science Park Padriciano, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marcello Raspa
- National Research Council, CNR-Campus International Development (EMMA-INFRAFRONTIER-IMPC), Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Michael P. Myers
- Protein Networks Laboratories, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sergio Crovella
- Biotechnology Development, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Carloni
- Computational Biomedicine Section, Institute of Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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25
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Zacchigna S, Martinelli V, Moimas S, Colliva A, Anzini M, Nordio A, Costa A, Rehman M, Vodret S, Pierro C, Colussi G, Zentilin L, Gutierrez MI, Dirkx E, Long C, Sinagra G, Klatzmann D, Giacca M. Paracrine effect of regulatory T cells promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation during pregnancy and after myocardial infarction. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2432. [PMID: 29946151 PMCID: PMC6018668 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04908-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [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: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyocyte proliferation stops at birth when the heart is no longer exposed to maternal blood and, likewise, to regulatory T cells (Tregs) that are expanded to promote maternal tolerance towards the fetus. Here, we report a role of Tregs in promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation. Treg-conditioned medium promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation, similar to the serum from pregnant animals. Proliferative cardiomyocytes are detected in the heart of pregnant mothers, and Treg depletion during pregnancy decreases both maternal and fetal cardiomyocyte proliferation. Treg depletion after myocardial infarction results in depressed cardiac function, massive inflammation, and scarce collagen deposition. In contrast, Treg injection reduces infarct size, preserves contractility, and increases the number of proliferating cardiomyocytes. The overexpression of six factors secreted by Tregs (Cst7, Tnfsf11, Il33, Fgl2, Matn2, and Igf2) reproduces the therapeutic effect. In conclusion, Tregs promote fetal and maternal cardiomyocyte proliferation in a paracrine manner and improve the outcome of myocardial infarction. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) expand during pregnancy to promote tolerance towards the fetus. Here the authors show that Tregs induce proliferation of fetal and maternal cardiomyocytes during pregnancy and enhance myocardial repair via proliferation-promoting paracrine actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy. .,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy and Center for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, 34129, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Valentina Martinelli
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Moimas
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy and Center for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, 34129, Trieste, Italy.,Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Colliva
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Anzini
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy and Center for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, 34129, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Nordio
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy and Center for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, 34129, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessia Costa
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Michael Rehman
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristina Pierro
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Colussi
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Maria Ines Gutierrez
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ellen Dirkx
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Carlin Long
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Sinagra
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy and Center for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, 34129, Trieste, Italy
| | - David Klatzmann
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S 959, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (i3), F-75005, Paris, France.,AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Department of Biotherapies, Clinical Investigation Center in Biotherapy and Inflammation-Immunopathology-Biotherapy Department (DHU i2B), F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Mauro Giacca
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy and Center for Translational Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, 34129, Trieste, Italy.,Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
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26
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Porro F, Bortolussi G, Barzel A, De Caneva A, Iaconcig A, Vodret S, Zentilin L, Kay MA, Muro AF. Promoterless gene targeting without nucleases rescues lethality of a Crigler-Najjar syndrome mouse model. EMBO Mol Med 2018; 9:1346-1355. [PMID: 28751579 PMCID: PMC5623861 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201707601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Crigler‐Najjar syndrome type I (CNSI) is a rare monogenic disease characterized by severe neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia with a lifelong risk of neurological damage and death. Liver transplantation is the only curative option, which has several limitations and risks. We applied an in vivo gene targeting approach based on the insertion, without the use of nucleases, of a promoterless therapeutic cDNA into the albumin locus of a mouse model reproducing all major features of CNSI. Neonatal transduction with the donor vector resulted in the complete rescue from neonatal lethality, with a therapeutic reduction in plasma bilirubin lasting for at least 12 months, the latest time point analyzed. Mutant mice, which expressed about 5–6% of WT Ugt1a1 levels, showed normal liver histology and motor‐coordination abilities, suggesting no functional liver or brain abnormalities. These results proved that the promoterless gene therapy is applicable for CNSI, providing therapeutic levels of an intracellular ER membrane‐bound enzyme responsible for a lethal liver metabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Porro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Bortolussi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Adi Barzel
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alessia De Caneva
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Iaconcig
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Mark A Kay
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Andrés F Muro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
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27
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Vodret S, Bortolussi G, Iaconcig A, Martinelli E, Tiribelli C, Muro AF. Attenuation of neuro-inflammation improves survival and neurodegeneration in a mouse model of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 70:166-178. [PMID: 29458193 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.02.011] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
All pre-term newborns and a high proportion of term newborns develop neonatal jaundice. Neonatal jaundice is usually a benign condition and self-resolves within few days after birth. However, a combination of unfavorable complications may lead to acute hyperbilirubinemia. Excessive hyperbilirubinemia may be toxic for the developing nervous system leading to severe neurological damage and death by kernicterus. Survivors show irreversible neurological deficits such as motor, sensitive and cognitive abnormalities. Current therapies rely on the use of phototherapy and, in unresponsive cases, exchange transfusion, which is performed only in specialized centers. During bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity different molecular pathways are activated, ranging from oxidative stress to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and inflammation, but the contribution of each pathway in the development of the disease still requires further investigation. Thus, to increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of bilirubin neurotoxicity, encephalopathy and kernicterus, we pharmacologically modulated neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation in a lethal mouse model of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Treatment of mutant mice with minocycline, a second-generation tetracycline with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, resulted in a dose-dependent rescue of lethality, due to reduction of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, without affecting plasma bilirubin levels. In particular, rescued mice showed normal motor-coordination capabilities and behavior, as determined by the accelerating rotarod and open field tests, respectively. From the molecular point of view, rescued mice showed a dose-dependent reduction in apoptosis of cerebellar neurons and improvement of dendritic arborization of Purkinje cells. Moreover, we observed a decrease of bilirubin-induced M1 microglia activation at the sites of damage with a reduction in oxidative and ER stress markers in these cells. Collectively, these data indicate that neurodegeneration and neuro-inflammation are key factors of bilirubin-induced neonatal lethality and neuro-behavioral abnormalities. We propose that the application of pharmacological treatments having anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, to be used in combination with the current treatments, may significantly improve the management of acute neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, protecting from bilirubin-induced neurological damage and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Bortolussi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Iaconcig
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Elena Martinelli
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudio Tiribelli
- Centro Studi Fegato, Fondazione Italiana Fegato, AREA Science Park, Campus Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrés F Muro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
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Ruozi G, Bortolotti F, Falcione A, Vodret S, Zentilin L, Zacchigna S, Giacca M. P285Novel cardioactive factors selected in vivo from an AAV library encoding the secretome. Cardiovasc Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy060.203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- G Ruozi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Molecular Medicine, Trieste, Italy
| | - F Bortolotti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Molecular Medicine, Trieste, Italy
| | - A Falcione
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Molecular Medicine, Trieste, Italy
| | - S Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cardiovascular Biology, Trieste, Italy
| | - L Zentilin
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Molecular Medicine, Trieste, Italy
| | - S Zacchigna
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cardiovascular Biology, Trieste, Italy
| | - M Giacca
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Molecular Medicine, Trieste, Italy
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Kocijan T, Cappelletto A, Rehman M, Tang Y, Vodret S, Zentilin L, Giacca M, Zacchigna S. Understanding the poor angiogenic capacity of the mammalian heart. Vascul Pharmacol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2017.12.032] [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: 11/24/2022]
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Bockor L, Bortolussi G, Vodret S, Iaconcig A, Jašprová J, Zelenka J, Vitek L, Tiribelli C, Muro AF. Modulation of bilirubin neurotoxicity by the Abcb1 transporter in the Ugt1-/- lethal mouse model of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:145-157. [PMID: 28025333 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Moderate neonatal jaundice is the most common clinical condition during newborn life. However, a combination of factors may result in acute hyperbilirubinemia, placing infants at risk of developing bilirubin encephalopathy and death by kernicterus. While most risk factors are known, the mechanisms acting to reduce susceptibility to bilirubin neurotoxicity remain unclear. The presence of modifier genes modulating the risk of developing bilirubin-induced brain damage is increasingly being recognised. The Abcb1 and Abcc1 members of the ABC family of transporters have been suggested to have an active role in exporting unconjugated bilirubin from the central nervous system into plasma. However, their role in reducing the risk of developing neurological damage and death during neonatal development is still unknown.To this end, we mated Abcb1a/b-/- and Abcc1-/- strains with Ugt1-/- mice, which develop severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. While about 60% of Ugt1-/- mice survived after temporary phototherapy, all Abcb1a/b-/-/Ugt1-/- mice died before postnatal day 21, showing higher cerebellar levels of unconjugated bilirubin. Interestingly, Abcc1 role appeared to be less important.In the cerebellum of Ugt1-/- mice, hyperbilirubinemia induced the expression of Car and Pxr nuclear receptors, known regulators of genes involved in the genotoxic response.We demonstrated a critical role of Abcb1 in protecting the cerebellum from bilirubin toxicity during neonatal development, the most clinically relevant phase for human babies, providing further understanding of the mechanisms regulating bilirubin neurotoxicity in vivo. Pharmacological treatments aimed to increase Abcb1 and Abcc1 expression, could represent a therapeutic option to reduce the risk of bilirubin neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luka Bockor
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Bortolussi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Iaconcig
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Jana Jašprová
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Zelenka
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technicka 3, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Vitek
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.,Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Claudio Tiribelli
- Centro Studi Fegato, Fondazione Italiana Fegato, AREA Science Park, Campus Basovizza Trieste, Italy and
| | - Andrés F Muro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
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Vodret S, Bortolussi G, Jašprová J, Vitek L, Muro AF. Inflammatory signature of cerebellar neurodegeneration during neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Ugt1 -/- mouse model. J Neuroinflammation 2017; 14:64. [PMID: 28340583 PMCID: PMC5366125 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-017-0838-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe hyperbilirubinemia is toxic during central nervous system development. Prolonged and uncontrolled high levels of unconjugated bilirubin lead to bilirubin-induced neurological damage and eventually death by kernicterus. Bilirubin neurotoxicity is characterized by a wide array of neurological deficits, including irreversible abnormalities in motor, sensitive and cognitive functions, due to bilirubin accumulation in the brain. Despite the abundant literature documenting the in vitro and in vivo toxic effects of bilirubin, it is unclear which molecular and cellular events actually characterize bilirubin-induced neurodegeneration in vivo. Methods We used a mouse model of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia to temporally and spatially define the response of the developing cerebellum to the bilirubin insult. Results We showed that the exposure of developing cerebellum to sustained bilirubin levels induces the activation of oxidative stress, ER stress and inflammatory markers at the early stages of the disease onset. In particular, we identified TNFα and NFKβ as key mediators of bilirubin-induced inflammatory response. Moreover, we reported that M1 type microglia is increasingly activated during disease progression. Failure to counteract this overwhelming stress condition resulted in the induction of the apoptotic pathway and the generation of the glial scar. Finally, bilirubin induced the autophagy pathway in the stages preceding death of the animals. Conclusions This study demonstrates that inflammation is a key contributor to bilirubin damage that cooperates with ER stress in the onset of neurotoxicity. Pharmacological modulation of the inflammatory pathway may be a potential intervention target to ameliorate neonatal lethality in Ugt1-/- mice. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-017-0838-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Bortolussi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Jana Jašprová
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 120 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Vitek
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 120 00, Prague, Czech Republic.,Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 120 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrés F Muro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano, 99, 34149, Trieste, Italy.
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Porro F, Bortolussi G, Barzel A, Zentilin L, Vodret S, Bockor L, Kay MA, Muro AF. 688. AAV8-Mediated Liver Gene Targeting Without Nucleases Rescues Lethality in a Mouse Model of the Crigler-Najjar Syndrome. Mol Ther 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/s1525-0016(16)34297-6] [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: 11/25/2022] Open
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Bortolussi G, Baj G, Vodret S, Viviani G, Bittolo T, Muro AF. Age-dependent pattern of cerebellar susceptibility to bilirubin neurotoxicity in vivo in mice. Dis Model Mech 2014; 7:1057-68. [PMID: 25062689 PMCID: PMC4142726 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.016535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal jaundice is caused by high levels of unconjugated bilirubin. It is usually a temporary condition caused by delayed induction of UGT1A1, which conjugates bilirubin in the liver. To reduce bilirubin levels, affected babies are exposed to phototherapy (PT), which converts toxic bilirubin into water-soluble photoisomers that are readily excreted out. However, in some cases uncontrolled hyperbilirubinemia leads to neurotoxicity. To study the mechanisms of bilirubin-induced neurological damage (BIND) in vivo, we generated a mouse model lacking the Ugt1a1 protein and, consequently, mutant mice developed jaundice as early as 36 hours after birth. The mutation was transferred into two genetic backgrounds (C57BL/6 and FVB/NJ). We exposed mutant mice to PT for different periods and analyzed the resulting phenotypes from the molecular, histological and behavioral points of view. Severity of BIND was associated with genetic background, with 50% survival of C57BL/6‑Ugt1−/− mutant mice at postnatal day 5 (P5), and of FVB/NJ-Ugt1−/− mice at P11. Life-long exposure to PT prevented cerebellar architecture alterations and rescued neuronal damage in FVB/NJ-Ugt1−/− but not in C57BL/6-Ugt1−/− mice. Survival of FVB/NJ-Ugt1−/− mice was directly related to the extent of PT treatment. PT treatment of FVB/NJ-Ugt1−/− mice from P0 to P8 did not prevent bilirubin-induced reduction in dendritic arborization and spine density of Purkinje cells. Moreover, PT treatment from P8 to P20 did not rescue BIND accumulated up to P8. However, PT treatment administered in the time-window P0–P15 was sufficient to obtain full rescue of cerebellar damage and motor impairment in FVB/NJ-Ugt1−/− mice. The possibility to modulate the severity of the phenotype by PT makes FVB/NJ-Ugt1−/− mice an excellent and versatile model to study bilirubin neurotoxicity, the role of modifier genes, alternative therapies and cerebellar development during high bilirubin conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Bortolussi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Baj
- Basic Research and Integrative Neuroscience (BRAIN) Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Viviani
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Tamara Bittolo
- Basic Research and Integrative Neuroscience (BRAIN) Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrés F Muro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
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