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Travaglione S, Carlini F, Maroccia Z, Fabbri A. Special Issue "Bacterial Toxins and Cancer". Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2128. [PMID: 38396805 PMCID: PMC10889233 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Infection is a major contributor to the development of cancer, with more than 15% of new cancer diagnoses estimated to be caused by infection [...].
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alessia Fabbri
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.T.); (F.C.); (Z.M.)
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Fossatelli L, Maroccia Z, Fiorentini C, Bonucci M. Resources for Human Health from the Plant Kingdom: The Potential Role of the Flavonoid Apigenin in Cancer Counteraction. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:251. [PMID: 38203418 PMCID: PMC10778966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010251] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Apigenin is one of the most widespread flavonoids in the plant kingdom. For centuries, apigenin-containing plant preparations have been used in traditional medicines to treat diseases that have an inflammatory and/or degenerative component. In the 1980s, apigenin was proposed to interfere with the process of carcinogenesis. Since then, more and more evidence has demonstrated its anticancer efficacy, both in vitro and in vivo. Apigenin has been shown to target signaling pathways involved in the development and progression of cancer, such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, JAK/STAT, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, and to modulate different hallmarks of cancer, such as cell proliferation, metastasis, apoptosis, invasion, and cell migration. Furthermore, apigenin modulates PD1/PD-L1 expression in cancer/T killer cells and regulates the percentage of T killer and T regulatory cells. Recently, apigenin has been studied for its synergic and additive effects when combined with chemotherapy, minimizing the side effects. Unfortunately, its low bioavailability and high permeability limit its therapeutic applications. Based on micro- and nanoformulations that enhance the physical stability and drug-loading capacity of apigenin and increase the bioavailability of apigenin, novel drug-delivery systems have been investigated to improve its solubility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fossatelli
- Association for Research on Integrative Oncology Therapies (ARTOI) Foundation, Via Ludovico Micara 73, 00165 Rome, Italy; (L.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Zaira Maroccia
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Carla Fiorentini
- Association for Research on Integrative Oncology Therapies (ARTOI) Foundation, Via Ludovico Micara 73, 00165 Rome, Italy; (L.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Massimo Bonucci
- Association for Research on Integrative Oncology Therapies (ARTOI) Foundation, Via Ludovico Micara 73, 00165 Rome, Italy; (L.F.); (M.B.)
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Cittadini C, Germinario EAP, Maroccia Z, Cosentino L, Maselli V, Gambardella L, Giambenedetti M, Guidotti M, Travaglione S, Fallerini C, Renieri A, Marcillo DIE, Ricceri L, Fortini P, De Filippis B, Fiorentini C, Fabbri A. Effects of the Rho GTPase-activating toxin CNF1 on fibroblasts derived from Rett syndrome patients: A pilot study. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:1315-1326. [PMID: 37078409 PMCID: PMC10183712 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17624] [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] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial product CNF1, through its action on the Rho GTPases, is emerging as a modulator of crucial signalling pathways involved in selected neurological diseases characterized by mitochondrial dysfunctions. Mitochondrial impairment has been hypothesized to have a key role in paramount mechanisms underlying Rett syndrome (RTT), a severe neurologic rare disorder. CNF1 has been already reported to have beneficial effects in mouse models of RTT. Using human RTT fibroblasts from four patients carrying different mutations, as a reliable disease-in-a-dish model, we explored the cellular and molecular mechanisms, which can underlie the CNF1-induced amelioration of RTT deficits. We found that CNF1 treatment modulates the Rho GTPases activity of RTT fibroblasts and induces a considerable re-organization of the actin cytoskeleton, mainly in stress fibres. Mitochondria of RTT fibroblasts show a hyperfused morphology and CNF1 decreases the mitochondrial mass leaving substantially unaltered the mitochondrial dynamic. From a functional perspective, CNF1 induces mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and activation of AKT in RTT fibroblasts. Given that mitochondrial quality control is altered in RTT, our results are suggestive of a reactivation of the damaged mitochondria removal via mitophagy restoration. These effects can be at the basis of the beneficial effects of CNF1 in RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Cittadini
- Biomarkers Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Angela Pia Germinario
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Zaira Maroccia
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Livia Cosentino
- Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Maselli
- Internal Medicine Unit and Obesity Center, University Hospital Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Gambardella
- Biomarkers Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Giambenedetti
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Guidotti
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Travaglione
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Fallerini
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Renieri
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Laura Ricceri
- Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Fortini
- Department of Environment and Health, Mechanisms Biomarkers and Models, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca De Filippis
- Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Fiorentini
- Association for Research on Integrative Oncology Therapies (ARTOI), Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Fabbri
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Carlini F, Maroccia Z, Fiorentini C, Travaglione S, Fabbri A. Effects of the Escherichia coli Bacterial Toxin Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor 1 on Different Human and Animal Cells: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212610. [PMID: 34830494 PMCID: PMC8621085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212610] [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: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (CNF1) is a bacterial virulence factor, the target of which is represented by Rho GTPases, small proteins involved in a huge number of crucial cellular processes. CNF1, due to its ability to modulate the activity of Rho GTPases, represents a widely used tool to unravel the role played by these regulatory proteins in different biological processes. In this review, we summarized the data available in the scientific literature concerning the observed in vitro effects induced by CNF1. An article search was performed on electronic bibliographic resources. Screenings were performed of titles, abstracts, and full-texts according to PRISMA guidelines, whereas eligibility criteria were defined for in vitro studies. We identified a total of 299 records by electronic article search and included 76 original peer-reviewed scientific articles reporting morphological or biochemical modifications induced in vitro by soluble CNF1, either recombinant or from pathogenic Escherichia coli extracts highly purified with chromatographic methods. Most of the described CNF1-induced effects on cultured cells are ascribable to the modulating activity of the toxin on Rho GTPases and the consequent effects on actin cytoskeleton organization. All in all, the present review could be a prospectus about the CNF1-induced effects on cultured cells reported so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Carlini
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (Z.M.); (S.T.)
| | - Zaira Maroccia
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (Z.M.); (S.T.)
| | - Carla Fiorentini
- Associazione Ricerca Terapie Oncologiche Integrate, ARTOI, 00165 Rome, Italy;
| | - Sara Travaglione
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (Z.M.); (S.T.)
| | - Alessia Fabbri
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (Z.M.); (S.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-4990-2939
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Loizzo S, Rimondini R, Campana G, Fortuna A, Maroccia Z, Martorana A, Koch G. C57BL/6J and DBA/2J strains present opposite sex differences in flash visual evoked potential latency: A possible confusing factor in gender studies on neurological diseases' transgenic models. Brain Res Bull 2021; 176:18-24. [PMID: 34391824 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The cholinergic neurotransmitter system in the brain is crucial in processing information related to cognitive, behavioral, and motor functions. A cholinergic dysfunction has been correctly described as one of the primary causes of neurodegenerative diseases. Differences in levels of acetylcholine or expression and function of receptors in selected brain areas have been indicated as one of the causes of sexual dimorphism in neurotransmission. However, variability in results among studies based on different mice strains could affect conclusions on this topic. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) of male and female DBA/2J and C57BL/6J mice, which are two of the most common strains backgrounds in use for developing transgenic mice models of neurological diseases, have been studied. Effects induced by a single low dose of physostigmine have also been performed to evaluate the cholinergic system involvement. VEPs responses to luminous stimuli in C57BL/6J mice have shown a consistently lower latency than in DBA/2J, confirming the previous observation of strain differences in cholinergic function. Interestingly, strains present an opposite-sex difference in VEP latency not apparently related to sensitivity to physostigmine. These findings point at paying extreme attention to the choice of the genetic background of the animal model, especially in those basic and pre-clinical experiments that involve visual functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Loizzo
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic and Ageing-Associated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Roberto Rimondini
- Department of Medical and Clinical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gabriele Campana
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Fortuna
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic and Ageing-Associated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Zaira Maroccia
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic and Ageing-Associated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giacomo Koch
- Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Unit, Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neurology, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Campana G, Loizzo S, Fortuna A, Rimondini R, Maroccia Z, Scillitani A, Falchetti A, Spampinato SM, Persani L, Chiodini I. Early post-natal life stress induces permanent adrenocorticotropin-dependent hypercortisolism in male mice. Endocrine 2021; 73:186-195. [PMID: 33630246 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-021-02659-4] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE It has been hypothesized that specific early-life stress (ES) procedures on CD-1 male mice produce diabetes-like alterations due to the failure of negative feedback of glucocorticoid hormone in the pituitary. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible mechanism that leads to this pathological model, framing it in a more specific clinical condition. METHODS Metabolic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-related hormones of stressed mice (SM) have been analyzed immediately after stress procedures (21 postnatal days, PND) and after 70 days of a peaceful (unstressed) period (90 PND). These data have been compared to parameters from age-matched controls (CTR), and mice treated during ES procedures with oligonucleotide antisense for pro-opiomelanocortin (AS-POMC). RESULTS At 21 PND, SM presented an increased secretion of hypothalamic CRH and pituitary POMC-derived peptides, as well as higher plasmatic levels of ACTH and corticosterone vs. CTR. At 90 PND, SM showed hyperglycemia, with suppression of hypothalamic CRH, while pituitary and plasmatic ACTH levels, as well as plasma corticosterone, were constantly higher than in CTR. These values are accompanied by a progressive acceleration in gaining total body weight, which became significant vs. CTR at 90 PND together with a higher pituitary weight. Treatment with AS-POMC prevented all hormonal and metabolic alterations observed in SM, both at 21 and 90 PND. CONCLUSIONS These findings show that these specific ES procedures affect the negative glucocorticoid feedback in the pituitary, but not in the hypothalamus, suggesting a novel model of ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism that can be prevented by silencing the POMC gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Campana
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Loizzo
- Department of Cardiovascular and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Andrea Fortuna
- Department of Cardiovascular and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Rimondini
- Department of Medical and Clinical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Zaira Maroccia
- Department of Cardiovascular and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Scillitani
- Endocrinology and Diabetology, Ospedale "Casa Sollievo della sofferenza" IRCCS, Viale Cappuccini 1, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Alberto Falchetti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Via della Commenda 19, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Santi Mario Spampinato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Persani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Via della Commenda 19, 20122, Milan, Italy
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases & Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, Italy
| | - Iacopo Chiodini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Via della Commenda 19, 20122, Milan, Italy
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases & Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, Italy
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Travaglione S, Loizzo S, Vona R, Ballan G, Rivabene R, Giordani D, Guidotti M, Dupuis ML, Maroccia Z, Baiula M, Rimondini R, Campana G, Fiorentini C. The Bacterial Toxin CNF1 Protects Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells against 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Cell Damage: The Hypothesis of CNF1-Promoted Autophagy as an Antioxidant Strategy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093390. [PMID: 32403292 PMCID: PMC7247702 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Several chronic neuroinflammatory diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), have the so-called ‘redox imbalance’ in common, a dynamic system modulated by various factors. Among them, alteration of the mitochondrial functionality can cause overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the consequent induction of oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis. Considering the failure of clinical trials with drugs that eliminate ROS directly, research currently focuses on approaches that counteract redox imbalance, thus restoring normal physiology in a neuroinflammatory condition. Herein, we used SH-SY5Y cells treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a neurotoxin broadly employed to generate experimental models of PD. Cells were pre-treated with the Rho-modulating Escherichia coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (CNF1), before the addition of 6-OHDA. Then, cell viability, mitochondrial morphology and dynamics, redox profile as well as autophagic markers expression were assessed. We found that CNF1 preserves cell viability and counteracts oxidative stress induced by 6-OHDA. These effects are accompanied by modulation of the mitochondrial network and an increase in macroautophagic markers. Our results confirm the Rho GTPases as suitable pharmacological targets to counteract neuroinflammatory diseases and evidence the potentiality of CNF1, whose beneficial effects on pathological animal models have been already proven to act against oxidative stress through an autophagic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Travaglione
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.L.); (R.V.); (G.B.); (R.Riv); (D.G.); (M.G.); (M.L.D.); (Z.M.); or
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-49903692
| | - Stefano Loizzo
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.L.); (R.V.); (G.B.); (R.Riv); (D.G.); (M.G.); (M.L.D.); (Z.M.); or
| | - Rosa Vona
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.L.); (R.V.); (G.B.); (R.Riv); (D.G.); (M.G.); (M.L.D.); (Z.M.); or
| | - Giulia Ballan
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.L.); (R.V.); (G.B.); (R.Riv); (D.G.); (M.G.); (M.L.D.); (Z.M.); or
| | - Roberto Rivabene
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.L.); (R.V.); (G.B.); (R.Riv); (D.G.); (M.G.); (M.L.D.); (Z.M.); or
| | - Danila Giordani
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.L.); (R.V.); (G.B.); (R.Riv); (D.G.); (M.G.); (M.L.D.); (Z.M.); or
| | - Marco Guidotti
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.L.); (R.V.); (G.B.); (R.Riv); (D.G.); (M.G.); (M.L.D.); (Z.M.); or
| | - Maria Luisa Dupuis
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.L.); (R.V.); (G.B.); (R.Riv); (D.G.); (M.G.); (M.L.D.); (Z.M.); or
| | - Zaira Maroccia
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.L.); (R.V.); (G.B.); (R.Riv); (D.G.); (M.G.); (M.L.D.); (Z.M.); or
| | - Monica Baiula
- University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (R.Rim); (G.C.)
| | - Roberto Rimondini
- University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (R.Rim); (G.C.)
| | - Gabriele Campana
- University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (R.Rim); (G.C.)
| | - Carla Fiorentini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.L.); (R.V.); (G.B.); (R.Riv); (D.G.); (M.G.); (M.L.D.); (Z.M.); or
- Association for Research on Integrative Oncology Therapies (ARTOI), 00165 Rome, Italy
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Colarusso A, Maroccia Z, Parrilli E, Germinario EAP, Fortuna A, Loizzo S, Ricceri L, Tutino ML, Fiorentini C, Fabbri A. Cnf1 Variants Endowed with the Ability to Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier: A New Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Glioblastoma. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12050291. [PMID: 32375387 PMCID: PMC7290510 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12050291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Among gliomas, primary tumors originating from glial cells, glioblastoma (GBM) identified as WHO grade IV glioma, is the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor. We have previously shown that the Escherichia coli protein toxin cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (CNF1) is remarkably effective as an anti-neoplastic agent in a mouse model of glioma, reducing the tumor volume, increasing survival, and maintaining the functional properties of peritumoral neurons. However, being unable to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), CNF1 requires injection directly into the brain, which is a very invasive administration route. Thus, to overcome this pitfall, we designed a CNF1 variant characterized by the presence of an N-terminal BBB-crossing tag. The variant was produced and we verified whether its activity was comparable to that of wild-type CNF1 in GBM cells. We investigated the signaling pathways engaged in the cell response to CNF1 variants to provide preliminary data to the subsequent studies in experimental animals. CNF1 may represent a novel avenue for GBM therapy, particularly because, besides blocking tumor growth, it also preserves the healthy surrounding tissue, maintaining its architecture and functionality. This renders CNF1 the most interesting candidate for the treatment of brain tumors, among other potentially effective bacterial toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Colarusso
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario M. S. Angelo, Via Cintia, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (A.C.); (E.P.); (M.L.T.)
| | - Zaira Maroccia
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (Z.M.); (E.A.P.G.); (A.F.); (S.L.); (L.R.); (C.F.)
| | - Ermenegilda Parrilli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario M. S. Angelo, Via Cintia, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (A.C.); (E.P.); (M.L.T.)
| | - Elena Angela Pia Germinario
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (Z.M.); (E.A.P.G.); (A.F.); (S.L.); (L.R.); (C.F.)
| | - Andrea Fortuna
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (Z.M.); (E.A.P.G.); (A.F.); (S.L.); (L.R.); (C.F.)
| | - Stefano Loizzo
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (Z.M.); (E.A.P.G.); (A.F.); (S.L.); (L.R.); (C.F.)
| | - Laura Ricceri
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (Z.M.); (E.A.P.G.); (A.F.); (S.L.); (L.R.); (C.F.)
| | - Maria Luisa Tutino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario M. S. Angelo, Via Cintia, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (A.C.); (E.P.); (M.L.T.)
| | - Carla Fiorentini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (Z.M.); (E.A.P.G.); (A.F.); (S.L.); (L.R.); (C.F.)
- Association for Research on Integrative Oncological Therapies (ARTOI), 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Fabbri
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (Z.M.); (E.A.P.G.); (A.F.); (S.L.); (L.R.); (C.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-4990-2939
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Fabbri A, Travaglione S, Rosadi F, Ballan G, Maroccia Z, Giambenedetti M, Guidotti M, Ødum N, Krejsgaard T, Fiorentini C. The Escherichia coli protein toxin cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 induces epithelial mesenchymal transition. Cell Microbiol 2019; 22:e13138. [PMID: 31698538 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Some toxigenic bacteria produce protein toxins with carcinogenic signatures, which either directly damage DNA or stimulate signalling pathways related to cancer. So far, however, only a few of them have been proved to favour the induction or progression of cancer. In this work, we report that the Rho-activating Escherichia coli protein toxin, cytotoxic necrotising factor 1 (CNF1), induces epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in intestinal epithelial cells. EMT is a crucial step in malignant tumour conversion and invasiveness. In the case of CNF1, it occurs by up-regulation of the transcription factors ZEB1 and Snail1, delocalisation of E-cadherin and β-catenin, activation of the serine/threonine kinase mTOR, accelerated wound healing, and invasion. However, our results highlight that nontransformed epithelial cells entail the presence of inflammatory factors, in addition to CNF1, to acquire a mesenchymal-like behaviour. All this suggests that the surrounding microenvironment, as well as the cell type, dramatically influences the CNF1 ability to promote carcinogenic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Fabbri
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Travaglione
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Rosadi
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Ballan
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Zaira Maroccia
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marco Guidotti
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Niels Ødum
- LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thorbjørn Krejsgaard
- LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carla Fiorentini
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.,Preclinical Research Section, Associazione Ricerca Terapie Oncologiche Integrate (ARTOI), Rome, Italy
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10
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Matteucci A, Ricceri L, Fabbri A, Fortuna A, Travaglione S, Guidotti M, Martinelli A, Villa M, Pricci F, Maroccia Z, Campana G, Malchiodi-Albedi F, Fiorentini C, Loizzo S. Eye Drop Instillation of the Rac1 Modulator CNF1 Attenuates Retinal Gliosis and Ameliorates Visual Performance in a Rat Model of Hypertensive Retinopathy. Neuroscience 2019; 411:119-129. [PMID: 31128161 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In hypertensive retinopathy, the retinal damage due to high blood pressure is accompanied by increased expression of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), which indicates a role of neuroinflammatory processes in such a retinopathy. Proteins belonging to the Rho GTPase family, particularly Rac1, are involved in the activation of Müller glia and in the progression of photoreceptor degeneration, and may thus represent a novel candidate for therapeutic intervention following central nervous system inflammation. In this paper, we have observed that topical administration as eye drops of Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor 1 (CNF1), a Rho GTPase modulator, surprisingly improves electrophysiological and behavioral visual performances in aged spontaneously hypertensive rats. Furthermore, such functional improvement is accompanied by a reduction of Rac1 activity and retinal GFAP expression. Our results suggest that Rac1 inhibition through CNF1 topical administration may represent a new strategy to target retinal gliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Matteucci
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Ricceri
- Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Fabbri
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Fortuna
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Travaglione
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Guidotti
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Martinelli
- National Centre for Animal Research and Welfare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marika Villa
- Department of Cardiovascular, Dysmetabolic and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases, and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Pricci
- Department of Cardiovascular, Dysmetabolic and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases, and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Zaira Maroccia
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Campana
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fiorella Malchiodi-Albedi
- Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Fiorentini
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy; Association for Research on Integrative Oncology Therapies (ARTOI), Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Loizzo
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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11
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Fabbri A, Travaglione S, Maroccia Z, Guidotti M, Pierri CL, Primiano G, Servidei S, Loizzo S, Fiorentini C. The Bacterial Protein CNF1 as a Potential Therapeutic Strategy against Mitochondrial Diseases: A Pilot Study. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1825. [PMID: 29933571 PMCID: PMC6073533 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Escherichia coli protein toxin cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (CNF1), which acts on the Rho GTPases that are key regulators of the actin cytoskeleton, is emerging as a potential therapeutic tool against certain neurological diseases characterized by cellular energy homeostasis impairment. In this brief communication, we show explorative results on the toxin’s effect on fibroblasts derived from a patient affected by myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) that carries a mutation in the m.8344A>G gene of mitochondrial DNA. We found that, in the patient’s cells, besides rescuing the wild-type-like mitochondrial morphology, CNF1 administration is able to trigger a significant increase in cellular content of ATP and of the mitochondrial outer membrane marker Tom20. These results were accompanied by a profound F-actin reorganization in MERRF fibroblasts, which is a typical CNF1-induced effect on cell cytoskeleton. These results point at a possible role of the actin organization in preventing or limiting the cell damage due to mitochondrial impairment and at CNF1 treatment as a possible novel strategy against mitochondrial diseases still without cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Fabbri
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Sara Travaglione
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Zaira Maroccia
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Marco Guidotti
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Ciro Leonardo Pierri
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, via Orabona, 4, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Guido Primiano
- Unità di Neurofisiopatologia, Area Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Serenella Servidei
- Unità di Neurofisiopatologia, Area Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Stefano Loizzo
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Carla Fiorentini
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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12
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Maroccia Z, Loizzo S, Travaglione S, Frank C, Fabbri A, Fiorentini C. New therapeutics from Nature: The odd case of the bacterial cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 101:929-937. [PMID: 29635902 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.02.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products may represent a rich source of new drugs. The enthusiasm toward this topic has recently been fueled by the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded for the discovery of avermectin and artemisinin, natural products from Bacteria and Plantae, respectively, which have targeted one of the major global health issues, the parasitic diseases. Specifically, bacteria either living in the environment or colonizing our body may produce compounds of unexpected biomedical value with the potentiality to be employed as therapeutic drugs. In this review, the fascinating history of CNF1, a protein toxin produced by pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, is divulged. Even if produced by bacteria responsible for a variety of diseases, CNF1 can behave as a promising benefactor to mankind. By modulating the Rho GTPases, this bacterial product plays a key role in organizing the actin cytoskeleton, enhancing synaptic plasticity and brain energy level, rescuing cognitive deficits, reducing glioma growth in experimental animals. These abilities strongly suggest the need to proceed with the studies on this odd drug in order to pave the way toward clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaira Maroccia
- Italian Centre for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Loizzo
- Italian Centre for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Travaglione
- Italian Centre for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Frank
- Italian Centre for Rare Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Fabbri
- Italian Centre for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Fiorentini
- Italian Centre for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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13
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Bucciardini R, Pugliese K, Weimer L, Digregorio M, Fragola V, Mancini M, Maroccia Z, Ladisa N, Francisci D, Bellagamba R, Degli Antoni A, Guaraldi G, Cirioni O, Ortu F, Parruti G, Mannazzu M, Libertone R, Donnini S, Floridia M. Relationship between health-related quality of life measures and high HIV viral load in HIV-infected triple-class-experienced patients. HIV Clin Trials 2014; 15:176-83. [PMID: 25143026 DOI: 10.1310/hct1504-176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been recognized as a central measure of the overall health status in HIV patients. With the availability of different highly effective drug combinations, maximizing quality-adjusted survival has become a major target of HIV treatment. Although the association of HIV RNA and CD4 cell count with clinical HIV progression has been well established, the relation between these markers and HRQoL measures is still unclear. METHOD This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship linking HIV RNA and CD4 to HRQoL measures in 181 triple-class-experienced patients with advanced HIV disease. The instrument used was the ISSQoL, a self-administered and HIV-specific HRQoL questionnaire. RESULTS Data showed no correlation between HRQoL measures and CD4 counts. Higher HIV RNA levels were, however, associated with poor HRQoL scores in 3 out of 9 scales of social functioning, depression and anxiety, and satisfaction with quality of life. In multivariable analyses, only the satisfaction with quality of life mean score remained significantly lower for the HIV RNA ≯100,000 copies/mL group compared to the HIV RNA 50 to 10,000 copies/mL group. CONCLUSIONS Although other determinants of HRQoL in people with HIV should also be considered, this finding suggests a negative impact of high viral load on perceived HRQoL that adds to other described determinants of lower quality of life in people with HIV, such as lower social support and self-reported symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rita Bellagamba
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Guaraldi
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
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14
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Ballan G, Del Brocco A, Loizzo S, Fabbri A, Maroccia Z, Fiorentini C, Travaglione S. Mode of action of fibrous amphiboles: the case of Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy). Ann Ist Super Sanita 2014; 50:133-8. [PMID: 24968911 DOI: 10.4415/ann_14_02_05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inhalation of fibrous amphiboles can result in pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Although these fibres have the same disease-causing potential, their different morphologies and chemical composition can determine different biological activities. An unusual cluster of mesothelioma was evidenced in Biancavilla (Sicily) where no inhabitant had been significantly exposed to asbestos. OBJECTIVE We herein discuss the mechanism of action of amphiboles, focusing on the fibres identified in the study area. RESULTS Human lung carcinoma cells have been exposed to two different materials: prismatic fluoro-edenite and fibres with fluoro-edenitic composition. Only in the second case, they exhibit features typical of transformed cells, such as multinucleation, prosurvival activity and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. Accordingly, in vivo studies demonstrated that the fibrous sample only could induce a mesotheliomatogenic effect. CONCLUSIONS Fibres with fluoro-edenitic composition behave similarly to the asbestos crocidolite, whose connection with inflammation and lung cancer is well established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ballan
- Dipartimento del Farmaco, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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