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Panattoni A, Calvigioni M, Benvenuti L, D’Antongiovanni V, Pellegrini C, Di Salvo C, Mazzantini D, Celandroni F, Fornai M, Antonioli L, Ghelardi E. The administration of Enterococcus faecium SF68 counteracts compositional shifts in the gut microbiota of diet-induced obese mice. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1054097. [PMID: 36590404 PMCID: PMC9800805 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1054097] [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: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms with probiotic properties are eliciting an increasing interest as coadjuvants in the prevention and treatment of obesity through modulation of the gut microbiota. In this study, a probiotic formulation based on Enterococcus faecium SF68 was administered to mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) to evaluate its efficacy in reducing body mass gain and in modulating the intestinal bacterial composition. Both stool and ileum samples were collected from untreated and treated mice and absolute abundances of specific taxa constituting the gut microbial consortium were evaluated. SF68 administration significantly reduced the HFD-induced weight gain. In these animals, the microbial gut composition shifted toward an enrichment in microbes positively correlated with mucus thickness, lower inflammation, lower glycemia levels, and SCFA production (i.e., Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, and Faecalibacterium), as well as a depletion in bacterial phyla having a key role in obesity (i.e., Firmicutes, Proteobacteria). Our results demonstrate the efficacy of E. faecium SF68 in adjusting the composition of the dysbiotic microbiota of HFD-fed animals, thus ameliorating clinical conditions and exerting anti-obesity effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide Panattoni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Calvigioni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Benvenuti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Clelia Di Salvo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Diletta Mazzantini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Celandroni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy,*Correspondence: Matteo Fornai,
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Emilia Ghelardi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Pellegrini C, D’Antongiovanni V, Fornai M, Duranti E, Baldacci F, Bernardini N, Taddei S, Virdis A, Blandizzi C, Masi S, Antonioli L. Donepezil improves vascular function in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2021; 9:e00871. [PMID: 34713597 PMCID: PMC8554410 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular complications in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients can occur years to decades prior to the onset of clinical symptoms of the disease. Donepezil represents the most effective drug in the treatment of AD. However, the potential effect of donepezil on vascular function and structure remains largely unexplored. Here, we assessed the impact of donepezil on the vascular phenotype of an established model of accelerated senescence that develops spontaneously AD, the SAMP8 mouse. Three groups of animals were included: SAMR1 (control strain), SAMP8, and SAMP8 treated with donepezil. Treatment with donepezil was administered from the 4th to the 6th month of life. At 6 months, after cognitive tests by Morris Water Maze, animals were euthanized, and their mesenteric arteries were processed for functional experiments. Untreated SAMP8 developed cognitive impairment compared to SAMR1, while donepezil treatment significantly attenuated cognitive dysfunction. SAMP8 exhibited a higher media-to-lumen ratio than SAMR1 and donepezil-treated animals. Endothelial function was impaired in SAMP8 animals compared to SAMR1. The addition of vitamin C improved the vasodilatory response to acetylcholine in SAMP8. Treatment with donepezil improved endothelial function in SAMP8 animals and reduced the additional vasodilation induced by vitamin C. In conclusion, in the SAMP8 AD model, cognitive impairment is associated with endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling which could contribute to cardiovascular events in AD since the prodromal phases of the disease. Treatment with donepezil alleviates vascular dysfunction associated with AD through an increase in NO availability likely by counteracting inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Vanessa D’Antongiovanni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Emiliano Duranti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Filippo Baldacci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”University of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Stefano Taddei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Agostino Virdis
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Stefano Masi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
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Antonioli L, Pellegrini C, Fornai M, Benvenuti L, D’Antongiovanni V, Colucci R, Bertani L, Di Salvo C, Semeghini G, La Motta C, Giusti L, Zallocco L, Ronci M, Quattrini L, Angelucci F, Coviello V, Oh WK, Ha QTK, Németh ZH, Haskó G, Blandizzi C. Preclinical Development of FA5, a Novel AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) Activator as an Innovative Drug for the Management of Bowel Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6325. [PMID: 34199160 PMCID: PMC8231528 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acadesine (ACA), a pharmacological activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), showed a promising beneficial effect in a mouse model of colitis, indicating this drug as an alternative tool to manage IBDs. However, ACA displays some pharmacodynamic limitations precluding its therapeutical applications. Our study was aimed at evaluating the in vitro and in vivo effects of FA-5 (a novel direct AMPK activator synthesized in our laboratories) in an experimental model of colitis in rats. A set of experiments evaluated the ability of FA5 to activate AMPK and to compare the efficacy of FA5 with ACA in an experimental model of colitis. The effects of FA-5, ACA, or dexamethasone were tested in rats with 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis to assess systemic and tissue inflammatory parameters. In in vitro experiments, FA5 induced phosphorylation, and thus the activation, of AMPK, contextually to the activation of SIRT-1. In vivo, FA5 counteracted the increase in spleen weight, improved the colon length, ameliorated macroscopic damage score, and reduced TNF and MDA tissue levels in DNBS-treated rats. Of note, FA-5 displayed an increased anti-inflammatory efficacy as compared with ACA. The novel AMPK activator FA-5 displays an improved anti-inflammatory efficacy representing a promising pharmacological tool against bowel inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (C.D.S.); (G.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (C.L.M.); (L.Z.); (L.Q.); (F.A.); (V.C.)
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (C.D.S.); (G.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Laura Benvenuti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (C.D.S.); (G.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Vanessa D’Antongiovanni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (C.D.S.); (G.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Bertani
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Clelia Di Salvo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (C.D.S.); (G.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Giorgia Semeghini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (C.D.S.); (G.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Concettina La Motta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (C.L.M.); (L.Z.); (L.Q.); (F.A.); (V.C.)
| | - Laura Giusti
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Zallocco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (C.L.M.); (L.Z.); (L.Q.); (F.A.); (V.C.)
| | - Maurizio Ronci
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Luca Quattrini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (C.L.M.); (L.Z.); (L.Q.); (F.A.); (V.C.)
| | - Francesco Angelucci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (C.L.M.); (L.Z.); (L.Q.); (F.A.); (V.C.)
| | - Vito Coviello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (C.L.M.); (L.Z.); (L.Q.); (F.A.); (V.C.)
| | - Won-Keun Oh
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea; (W.-K.O.); (Q.T.K.H.)
| | - Quy Thi Kim Ha
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea; (W.-K.O.); (Q.T.K.H.)
| | - Zoltan H. Németh
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA; (Z.H.N.); (G.H.)
- Department of Surgery, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ 07960, USA
| | - Gyorgy Haskó
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA; (Z.H.N.); (G.H.)
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (C.D.S.); (G.S.); (C.B.)
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D’Antongiovanni V, Benvenuti L, Fornai M, Pellegrini C, van den Wijngaard R, Cerantola S, Giron MC, Caputi V, Colucci R, Haskó G, Németh ZH, Blandizzi C, Antonioli L. Glial A 2B Adenosine Receptors Modulate Abnormal Tachykininergic Responses and Prevent Enteric Inflammation Associated with High Fat Diet-Induced Obesity. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051245. [PMID: 32443525 PMCID: PMC7290602 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The role played by adenosine A2B receptors (A2BRs) in the regulation of enteric glial cell (EGC) functions remains unclear. This study was aimed at investigating the involvement of A2BRs in the control of EGC functions in a model of obesity. C57BL/6 mice were fed with standard diet (SD) or high fat diet (HFD) for eight weeks. Colonic tachykininergic contractions were recorded in the presence of BAY60-6583 (A2BRs agonist), MRS1754 (A2BRs antagonist), and the gliotoxin fluorocitrate. Immunofluorescence distribution of HuC/D, S100β, and A2BRs was assessed in whole mount preparations of colonic myenteric plexus. To mimic HFD, EGCs were incubated in vitro with palmitate (PA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in the absence or in the presence of A2BR ligands. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression was assessed by Western blot analysis. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), substance P (SP), and glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) release were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assays. MRS1754 enhanced electrically evoked tachykininergic contractions of colonic preparations from HFD mice. BAY60-6583 decreased the evoked tachykininergic contractions, with higher efficacy in HFD mice. Such effects were blunted upon incubation with fluorocitrate. In in vitro experiments on EGCs, PA and LPS increased TLR4 expression as well as IL-1β, GDNF, and SP release. Incubation with BAY60-6583 reduced TLR4 expression as well as IL-1β, GDNF, and SP release. Such effects were blunted by MRS1754. The present results suggest that A2BRs, expressed on EGCs, participate in the modulation of enteric inflammation and altered tachykininergic responses associated with obesity, thus representing a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa D’Antongiovanni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.D.); (L.B.); (M.F.); (L.A.)
| | - Laura Benvenuti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.D.); (L.B.); (M.F.); (L.A.)
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.D.); (L.B.); (M.F.); (L.A.)
| | | | - Renè van den Wijngaard
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Silvia Cerantola
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (S.C.); (M.C.G.); (R.C.)
| | - Maria Cecilia Giron
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (S.C.); (M.C.G.); (R.C.)
| | - Valentina Caputi
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 YN60 Cork, Ireland;
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (S.C.); (M.C.G.); (R.C.)
| | - Gyorgy Haskó
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
- Correspondence: (G.H.); (C.B.)
| | - Zoltán H. Németh
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
- Department of Surgery, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ 07960, USA
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.D.); (L.B.); (M.F.); (L.A.)
- Correspondence: (G.H.); (C.B.)
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.D.); (L.B.); (M.F.); (L.A.)
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Pellegrini C, Daniele S, Antonioli L, Benvenuti L, D’Antongiovanni V, Piccarducci R, Pietrobono D, Citi V, Piragine E, Flori L, Ippolito C, Segnani C, Palazon-Riquelme P, Lopez-Castejon G, Martelli A, Colucci R, Bernardini N, Trincavelli ML, Calderone V, Martini C, Blandizzi C, Fornai M. Prodromal Intestinal Events in Alzheimer's Disease (AD): Colonic Dysmotility and Inflammation Are Associated with Enteric AD-Related Protein Deposition. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103523. [PMID: 32429301 PMCID: PMC7278916 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that intestinal dysfunctions may represent early events in Alzheimer’s disease and contribute to brain pathology. This study examined the relationship between onset of cognitive impairment and colonic dysfunctions in a spontaneous AD model before the full development of brain pathology. SAMP8 mice underwent Morris water maze and assessment of faecal output at four, six and eight months of age. In vitro colonic motility was examined. Faecal and colonic Aβ, tau proteins, α-synuclein and IL-1β were assessed by ELISA. Colonic citrate synthase activity was assessed by spectrophotometry. Colonic NLRP3, caspase-1 and ASC expression were evaluated by Western blotting. Colonic eosinophil density and claudin-1 expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The effect of Aβ on NLRP3 signalling and mitochondrial function was tested in cultured cells. Cognitive impairment and decreased faecal output occurred in SAMP8 mice from six months. When compared with SAMR1, SAMP8 animals displayed: (1) impaired in vitro colonic contractions; (2) increased enteric AD-related proteins, IL-1β, active-caspase-1 expression and eosinophil density; and (3) decreased citrate synthase activity and claudin-1 expression. In THP-1 cells, Aβ promoted IL-1β release, which was abrogated upon incubation with caspase-1 inhibitor or in ASC-/- cells. Aβ decreased mitochondrial function in THP-1 cells. In SAMP8, enteric AD-related proteins deposition, inflammation and impaired colonic excitatory neurotransmission, occurring before the full brain pathology development, could contribute to bowel dysmotility and represent prodromal events in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Simona Daniele
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.A.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Laura Benvenuti
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.A.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Vanessa D’Antongiovanni
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.A.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Rebecca Piccarducci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Deborah Pietrobono
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Valentina Citi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Eugenia Piragine
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Lorenzo Flori
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.I.); (C.S.); (N.B.)
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.I.); (C.S.); (N.B.)
| | - Pablo Palazon-Riquelme
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; (P.P.-R.); (G.L.-C.)
| | - Gloria Lopez-Castejon
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; (P.P.-R.); (G.L.-C.)
| | - Alma Martelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.I.); (C.S.); (N.B.)
- Interdepartmental Research Centre “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Trincavelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Vincenzo Calderone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Claudia Martini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (C.B.); Tel.: +39-050-221-2115 (C.M.); +39-050-221-8753 (C.B.)
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.A.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (M.F.)
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (C.B.); Tel.: +39-050-221-2115 (C.M.); +39-050-221-8753 (C.B.)
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.A.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (M.F.)
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6
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D’Antongiovanni V, Pellegrini C, Fornai M, Colucci R, Blandizzi C, Antonioli L, Bernardini N. Intestinal epithelial barrier and neuromuscular compartment in health and disease. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:1564-1579. [PMID: 32327906 PMCID: PMC7167418 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i14.1564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A number of digestive and extra-digestive disorders, including inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal infections, metabolic syndrome and neuropsychiatric disorders, share a set of clinical features at gastrointestinal level, such as infrequent bowel movements, abdominal distension, constipation and secretory dysfunctions. Several lines of evidence indicate that morphological and molecular changes in intestinal epithelial barrier and enteric neuromuscular compartment contribute to alterations of both bowel motor and secretory functions in digestive and extra-digestive diseases. The present review has been conceived to provide a comprehensive and critical overview of the available knowledge on the morphological and molecular changes occurring in intestinal epithelial barrier and enteric neuromuscular compartment in both digestive and extra-digestive diseases. In addition, our intent was to highlight whether these morphological and molecular alterations could represent a common path (or share some common features) driving the pathophysiology of bowel motor dysfunctions and related symptoms associated with digestive and extra-digestive disorders. This assessment might help to identify novel targets of potential usefulness to develop original pharmacological approaches for the therapeutic management of such disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
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Pellegrini C, Fornai M, Colucci R, Benvenuti L, D’Antongiovanni V, Natale G, Fulceri F, Giorgis M, Marini E, Gastaldi S, Bertinaria M, Blandizzi C, Antonioli L. A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Inhibitors in a Pre-clinical Model of Bowel Inflammation. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1405. [PMID: 30559669 PMCID: PMC6287041 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain leucine rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is pivotal in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and sustaining enteric immune responses in the setting of inflammatory bowel diseases. Drugs acting as NLRP3 blockers could represent innovative strategies for treatment of bowel inflammation. This study was performed in rats with dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis, to investigate how the direct blockade of NLRP3 inflammasome with an irreversible inhibitor (INF39) compares with Ac-YVAD-cmk (YVAD, caspase-1 inhibitor) and anakinra (IL-1β receptor antagonist), acting downstream on NLRP3 signaling. Animals with DNBS-colitis received YVAD (3 mg/kg) or anakinra (100 mg/Kg) intraperitoneally, and INF39 (25 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (DEX, 1 mg/kg) orally for 6 days, starting on the same day of colitis induction. Under colitis, there was a body weight decrease, which was attenuated by YVAD, anakinra or INF39, but not DEX. All test drugs counteracted the increase in spleen weight. The colonic shortening and morphological colonic alterations associated with colitis were counteracted by INF39, anakinra and DEX, while YVAD was without effects. Tissue increments of myeloperoxidase, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1β were more effectively counteracted by INF39 and DEX, than YVAD and anakinra. These findings indicate that: (1) direct inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome with INF39 is more effective than caspase-1 inhibition or IL-1β receptor blockade in reducing systemic and bowel inflammatory alterations; (2) direct NLRP3 inhibition can be a suitable strategy for treatment of bowel inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Laura Benvenuti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Gianfranco Natale
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Federica Fulceri
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marta Giorgis
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Marini
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Simone Gastaldi
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimo Bertinaria
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Fazzini A, D’Antongiovanni V, Giusti L, Da Valle Y, Ciregia F, Piano I, Caputo A, D’Ursi AM, Gargini C, Lucacchini A, Mazzoni MR. Altered protease-activated receptor-1 expression and signaling in a malignant pleural mesothelioma cell line, NCI-H28, with homozygous deletion of the β-catenin gene. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111550. [PMID: 25364818 PMCID: PMC4218765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Protease activated receptors (PARs) are G-protein coupled receptors that are activated by an unique proteolytic mechanism. These receptors play crucial roles in hemostasis and thrombosis but also in inflammation and vascular development. PARs have also been implicated in tumor progression, invasion and metastasis. In this study, we investigated expression and signaling of PAR1 in nonmalignant pleural mesothelial (Met-5A) and malignant pleural mesothelioma (NCI-H28) cells. We found that the expression level of PAR1 was markedly higher in NCI-H28 cells compared to Met-5A and human primary mesothelial cells. Other three malignant pleural mesothelioma cell lines, i.e. REN, Ist-Mes2, and Mero-14, did not show any significant PAR1 over-expression compared to Met-5A cell line. Thrombin and PAR1 activating peptides enhanced Met-5A and NCI-H28 cell proliferation but in NCI-H28 cells higher thrombin concentrations were required to obtain the same proliferation increase. Similarly, thrombin caused extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation in both cell lines but NCI-H28 cells responded at higher agonist concentrations. We also determined that PAR1 signaling through Gq and G12/13 proteins is severely altered in NCI-H28 cells compared to Met-5A cells. On the contrary, PAR1 signaling through Gi proteins was persistently maintained in NCI-H28 cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated a reduction of cell surface PAR1 expression in NCI-H28 and malignant pleural mesothelioma REN cells. Thus, our results provide evidences for dysfunctional PAR1 signaling in NCI-H28 cells together with reduced plasma membrane localization. The role of PAR1 in mesothelioma progression is just emerging and our observations can promote further investigations focused on this G-protein coupled receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura Giusti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Ilaria Piano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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