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Borgo C, D’Amore C, Capurro V, Tomati V, Pedemonte N, Bosello Travain V, Salvi M. SUMOylation Inhibition Enhances Protein Transcription under CMV Promoter: A Lesson from a Study with the F508del-CFTR Mutant. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2302. [PMID: 38396982 PMCID: PMC10889535 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a selective anion channel expressed in the epithelium of various organs. The most frequent mutation is F508del. This mutation leads to a misfolded CFTR protein quickly degraded via ubiquitination in the endoplasmic reticulum. Although preventing ubiquitination stabilizes the protein, functionality is not restored due to impaired plasma membrane transport. However, inhibiting the ubiquitination process can improve the effectiveness of correctors which act as chemical chaperones, facilitating F508del CFTR trafficking to the plasma membrane. Previous studies indicate a crosstalk between SUMOylation and ubiquitination in the regulation of CFTR. In this study, we investigated the potential of inhibiting SUMOylation to increase the effects of correctors and enhance the rescue of the F508del mutant across various cell models. In the widely used CFBE41o-cell line expressing F508del-CFTR, inhibiting SUMOylation substantially boosted F508del expression, thereby increasing the efficacy of correctors. Interestingly, this outcome did not result from enhanced stability of the mutant channel, but rather from augmented cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter-mediated gene expression of F508del-CFTR. Notably, CFTR regulated by endogenous promoters in multiple cell lines or patient cells was not influenced by SUMOylation inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Borgo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.B.); (C.D.)
| | - Claudio D’Amore
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.B.); (C.D.)
| | - Valeria Capurro
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.C.); (V.T.); (N.P.)
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.C.); (V.T.); (N.P.)
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy; (V.C.); (V.T.); (N.P.)
| | | | - Mauro Salvi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.B.); (C.D.)
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Angyal D, Groeneweg TA, Leung A, Desain M, Dulla K, de Jonge HR, Bijvelds MJC. Pro-inflammatory cytokines stimulate CFTR-dependent anion secretion in pancreatic ductal epithelium. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:18. [PMID: 38262945 PMCID: PMC10807165 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00537-1] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loss of CFTR-dependent anion and fluid secretion in the ducts of the exocrine pancreas is thought to contribute to the development of pancreatitis, but little is known about the impact of inflammation on ductal CFTR function. Here we used adult stem cell-derived cell cultures (organoids) obtained from porcine pancreas to evaluate the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines on CFTR function. METHODS Organoids were cultured from porcine pancreas and used to prepare ductal epithelial monolayers. Monolayers were characterized by immunocytochemistry. Epithelial bicarbonate and chloride secretion, and the effect of IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α on CFTR function was assessed by electrophysiology. RESULTS Immunolocalization of ductal markers, including CFTR, keratin 7, and zonula occludens 1, demonstrated that organoid-derived cells formed a highly polarized epithelium. Stimulation by secretin or VIP triggered CFTR-dependent anion secretion across epithelial monolayers, whereas purinergic receptor stimulation by UTP, elicited CFTR-independent anion secretion. Most of the anion secretory response was attributable to bicarbonate transport. The combination of IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α markedly enhanced CFTR expression and anion secretion across ductal epithelial monolayers, whereas these cytokines had little effect when tested separately. Although TNF-α triggered apoptotic signaling, epithelial barrier function was not significantly affected by cytokine exposure. CONCLUSIONS Pro-inflammatory cytokines enhance CFTR-dependent anion secretion across pancreatic ductal epithelium. We propose that up-regulation of CFTR in the early stages of the inflammatory response, may serve to promote the removal of pathogenic stimuli from the ductal tree, and limit tissue injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Angyal
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa A Groeneweg
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anny Leung
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Max Desain
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kalyan Dulla
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Binger Strasse 173, 55216, Ingelheim Am Rhein, Germany
| | - Hugo R de Jonge
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel J C Bijvelds
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Scoffone VC, Barbieri G, Irudal S, Trespidi G, Buroni S. New Antimicrobial Strategies to Treat Multi-Drug Resistant Infections Caused by Gram-Negatives in Cystic Fibrosis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:71. [PMID: 38247630 PMCID: PMC10812592 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13010071] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) suffer from recurrent bacterial infections which induce inflammation, lung tissue damage and failure of the respiratory system. Prolonged exposure to combinatorial antibiotic therapies triggers the appearance of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The development of alternative antimicrobial strategies may provide a way to mitigate antimicrobial resistance. Here we discuss different alternative approaches to the use of classic antibiotics: anti-virulence and anti-biofilm compounds which exert a low selective pressure; phage therapies that represent an alternative strategy with a high therapeutic potential; new methods helping antibiotics activity such as adjuvants; and antimicrobial peptides and nanoparticle formulations. Their mechanisms and in vitro and in vivo efficacy are described, in order to figure out a complete landscape of new alternative approaches to fight MDR Gram-negative CF pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Silvia Buroni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (V.C.S.); (G.B.); (S.I.); (G.T.)
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Cellini B, Pampalone G, Camaioni E, Pariano M, Catalano F, Zelante T, Dindo M, Macchioni L, Di Veroli A, Galarini R, Paoletti F, Davidescu M, Stincardini C, Vascelli G, Bellet MM, Saba J, Giovagnoli S, Giardina G, Romani L, Costantini C. Dual species sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase inhibitors to combine antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities in cystic fibrosis: a feasibility study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22692. [PMID: 38123809 PMCID: PMC10733307 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50121-4] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by respiratory failure due to a vicious cycle of defective Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) function, chronic inflammation and recurrent bacterial and fungal infections. Although the recent introduction of CFTR correctors/potentiators has revolutionized the clinical management of CF patients, resurgence of inflammation and persistence of pathogens still posit a major concern and should be targeted contextually. On the background of a network-based selectivity that allows to target the same enzyme in the host and microbes with different outcomes, we focused on sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) lyase (SPL) of the sphingolipid metabolism as a potential candidate to uniquely induce anti-inflammatory and antifungal activities in CF. As a feasibility study, herein we show that interfering with S1P metabolism improved the immune response in a murine model of CF with aspergillosis while preventing germination of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia. In addition, in an early drug discovery process, we purified human and A. fumigatus SPL, characterized their biochemical and structural properties, and performed an in silico screening to identify potential dual species SPL inhibitors. We identified two hits behaving as competitive inhibitors of pathogen and host SPL, thus paving the way for hit-to-lead and translational studies for the development of drug candidates capable of restraining fungal growth and increasing antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Cellini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Gioena Pampalone
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Emidio Camaioni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marilena Pariano
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Flavia Catalano
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Teresa Zelante
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Mirco Dindo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Lara Macchioni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Di Veroli
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Roberta Galarini
- Centro Sviluppo e Validazione Metodi, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Fabiola Paoletti
- Centro Sviluppo e Validazione Metodi, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Magdalena Davidescu
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudia Stincardini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianluca Vascelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marina Maria Bellet
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Julie Saba
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stefano Giovagnoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giardina
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigina Romani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudio Costantini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy.
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Lo Cicero S, Castelli G, Blaconà G, Bruno SM, Sette G, Pigliucci R, Villella VR, Esposito S, Zollo I, Spadaro F, Maria RD, Biffoni M, Cimino G, Amato F, Lucarelli M, Eramo A. L1077P CFTR pathogenic variant function rescue by Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor in cystic fibrosis patient-derived air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures and organoids: in vitro guided personalized therapy of non-F508del patients. Respir Res 2023; 24:217. [PMID: 37674160 PMCID: PMC10483775 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02516-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by defects of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. CFTR-modulating drugs may overcome specific defects, such as the case of Trikafta, which is a clinically approved triple combination of Elexacaftor, Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor (ETI) that exhibited a strong ability to rescue the function of the most frequent F508del pathogenic variant even in genotypes with the mutated allele in single copy. Nevertheless, most rare genotypes lacking the F508del allele are still not eligible for targeted therapies. Via the innovative approach of using nasal conditionally reprogrammed cell (CRC) cell-based models that mimic patient disease in vitro, which are obtainable from each patient due to the 100% efficiency of the cell culture establishment, we theratyped orphan CFTR mutation L1077P. Protein studies, Forskolin-induced organoid swelling, and Ussing chamber assays congruently proved the L1077P variant function rescue by ETI. Notably, this rescue takes place even in the context of a single-copy L1077P allele, which appears to enhance its expression. Thus, the possibility of single-allele treatment also arises for rare genotypes, with an allele-specific modulation as part of the mechanism. Of note, besides providing indication of drug efficacy with respect to specific CFTR pathogenic variants or genotypes, this approach allows the evaluation of the response of single-patient cells within their genetic background. In this view, our studies support in vitro guided personalized CF therapies also for rare patients who are nearly excluded from clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Lo Cicero
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Germana Castelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Blaconà
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabina Maria Bruno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sette
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pigliucci
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Rachela Villella
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a.r.l, Naples, Italy
| | - Speranza Esposito
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a.r.l, Naples, Italy
| | - Immacolata Zollo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a.r.l, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Spadaro
- Confocal Microscopy Unit, Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario 'A. Gemelli'-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Biffoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cimino
- Cystic Fibrosis Reference Center of Lazio Region, AOU Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Felice Amato
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a.r.l, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Lucarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute, Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana Eramo
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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Dolce D, Fevola C, Camera E, Orioli T, Lucenteforte E, Malanima MA, Taccetti G, Terlizzi V. Comparison between Gibson-Cooke and Macroduct Methods in the Cystic Fibrosis Neonatal Screening Program and in Subjects Who Are Cystic Fibrosis Screen-Positive with an Inconclusive Diagnosis. Int J Neonatal Screen 2023; 9:41. [PMID: 37606478 PMCID: PMC10443242 DOI: 10.3390/ijns9030041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The sweat test (ST) is the current diagnostic gold standard for cystic fibrosis (CF). Many CF centres have switched from the Gibson-Cooke method to the Macroduct system-based method. We used these methods simultaneously to compare CF screening outcomes. STs using both methods were performed simultaneously between March and December 2022 at CF Centre in Florence. We included newborns who underwent newborn bloodspot screening (NBS), newborns undergoing transfusion immediately after birth, and children with CF screen-positive, inconclusive diagnosis (CFSPID). We assessed 72 subjects (median age 4.4 months; range 0-76.7): 30 (41.7%) NBS-positive, 18 (25.0%) newborns who underwent transfusion, and 24 (33.3%) children with CFSPID. No significant differences were found between valid sample numbers, by patient ages and groups (p = 0.10) and between chloride concentrations (p = 0.13), except for sweat chloride (SC) measured by the Gibson-Cooke and Macroduct methods in CFSPID group (29.0, IQR: 20.0-48.0 and 22.5, IQR: 15.5-30.8, respectively; p = 0.01). The Macroduct and Gibson-Cooke methods showed substantial agreement with the SC values, except for CFSPID, whose result may depend on the method of sweat collection. In case of invalid values with Macroduct, the test should be repeated with Gibson-Cooke method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Dolce
- Cystic Fibrosis Regional Reference Center, Department of Paediatric Medicine, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy; (C.F.); (E.C.); (T.O.); (G.T.)
| | - Cristina Fevola
- Cystic Fibrosis Regional Reference Center, Department of Paediatric Medicine, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy; (C.F.); (E.C.); (T.O.); (G.T.)
| | - Erica Camera
- Cystic Fibrosis Regional Reference Center, Department of Paediatric Medicine, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy; (C.F.); (E.C.); (T.O.); (G.T.)
| | - Tommaso Orioli
- Cystic Fibrosis Regional Reference Center, Department of Paediatric Medicine, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy; (C.F.); (E.C.); (T.O.); (G.T.)
| | - Ersilia Lucenteforte
- Unit of Medical Statistics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.L.); (M.A.M.)
| | - Marco Andrea Malanima
- Unit of Medical Statistics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.L.); (M.A.M.)
| | - Giovanni Taccetti
- Cystic Fibrosis Regional Reference Center, Department of Paediatric Medicine, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy; (C.F.); (E.C.); (T.O.); (G.T.)
| | - Vito Terlizzi
- Cystic Fibrosis Regional Reference Center, Department of Paediatric Medicine, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy; (C.F.); (E.C.); (T.O.); (G.T.)
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Cocorullo M, Chiarelli LR, Stelitano G. Improving Protection to Prevent Bacterial Infections: Preliminary Applications of Reverse Vaccinology against the Main Cystic Fibrosis Pathogens. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1221. [PMID: 37515037 PMCID: PMC10384294 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071221] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Reverse vaccinology is a powerful tool that was recently used to develop vaccines starting from a pathogen genome. Some bacterial infections have the necessity to be prevented then treated. For example, individuals with chronic pulmonary diseases, such as Cystic Fibrosis, are prone to develop infections and biofilms in the thick mucus that covers their lungs, mainly caused by Burkholderia cepacia complex, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycobacterium abscessus complex, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. These infections are complicated to treat and prevention remains the best strategy. Despite the availability of vaccines against some strains of those pathogens, it is necessary to improve the immunization of people with Cystic Fibrosis against all of them. An effective approach is to develop a broad-spectrum vaccine to utilize proteins that are well conserved across different species. In this context, reverse vaccinology, a method based on computational analysis of the genome of various microorganisms, appears as one of the most promising tools for the identification of putative targets for broad-spectrum vaccine development. This review provides an overview of the vaccines that are under development by reverse vaccinology against the aforementioned pathogens, as well as the progress made so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Cocorullo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via A. Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Laurent R Chiarelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via A. Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Stelitano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via A. Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Carollo PS, Tutone M, Culletta G, Fiduccia I, Corrao F, Pibiri I, Di Leonardo A, Zizzo MG, Melfi R, Pace A, Almerico AM, Lentini L. Investigating the Inhibition of FTSJ1, a Tryptophan tRNA-Specific 2'-O-Methyltransferase by NV TRIDs, as a Mechanism of Readthrough in Nonsense Mutated CFTR. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9609. [PMID: 37298560 PMCID: PMC10253411 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119609] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, coding for the CFTR chloride channel. About 10% of the CFTR gene mutations are "stop" mutations that generate a premature termination codon (PTC), thus synthesizing a truncated CFTR protein. A way to bypass PTC relies on ribosome readthrough, which is the ribosome's capacity to skip a PTC, thus generating a full-length protein. "TRIDs" are molecules exerting ribosome readthrough; for some, the mechanism of action is still under debate. We investigate a possible mechanism of action (MOA) by which our recently synthesized TRIDs, namely NV848, NV914, and NV930, could exert their readthrough activity by in silico analysis and in vitro studies. Our results suggest a likely inhibition of FTSJ1, a tryptophan tRNA-specific 2'-O-methyltransferase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Tutone
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (P.S.C.); (G.C.); (I.F.); (F.C.); (I.P.); (A.D.L.); (M.G.Z.); (R.M.); (A.P.); (A.M.A.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Laura Lentini
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (P.S.C.); (G.C.); (I.F.); (F.C.); (I.P.); (A.D.L.); (M.G.Z.); (R.M.); (A.P.); (A.M.A.)
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9
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Renda M, Barreca M, Borrelli A, Spanò V, Montalbano A, Raimondi MV, Bivacqua R, Musante I, Scudieri P, Guidone D, Buccirossi M, Genovese M, Venturini A, Bandiera T, Barraja P, Galietta LJV. Novel tricyclic pyrrolo-quinolines as pharmacological correctors of the mutant CFTR chloride channel. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7604. [PMID: 37165082 PMCID: PMC10172366 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34440-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
F508del, the most frequent mutation in cystic fibrosis (CF), impairs the stability and folding of the CFTR chloride channel, thus resulting in intracellular retention and CFTR degradation. The F508del defect can be targeted with pharmacological correctors, such as VX-809 and VX-445, that stabilize CFTR and improve its trafficking to plasma membrane. Using a functional test to evaluate a panel of chemical compounds, we have identified tricyclic pyrrolo-quinolines as novel F508del correctors with high efficacy on primary airway epithelial cells from CF patients. The most effective compound, PP028, showed synergy when combined with VX-809 and VX-661 but not with VX-445. By testing the ability of correctors to stabilize CFTR fragments of different length, we found that VX-809 is effective on the amino-terminal portion of the protein that includes the first membrane-spanning domain (amino acids 1-387). Instead, PP028 and VX-445 only show a stabilizing effect when the second membrane-spanning domain is included (amino acids 1-1181). Our results indicate that tricyclic pyrrolo-quinolines are a novel class of CFTR correctors that, similarly to VX-445, interact with CFTR at a site different from that of VX-809. Tricyclic pirrolo-quinolines may represent novel CFTR correctors suitable for combinatorial pharmacological treatments to treat the basic defect in CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Renda
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
| | - Marilia Barreca
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Borrelli
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
| | - Virginia Spanò
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Montalbano
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Raimondi
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Bivacqua
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ilaria Musante
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Scudieri
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Guidone
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
| | - Martina Buccirossi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
| | - Michele Genovese
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
| | - Arianna Venturini
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
| | - Tiziano Bandiera
- D3 PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Barraja
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Luis J V Galietta
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, NA, Italy.
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DISMET), University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
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10
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Terlizzi V, Fevola C, Ferrari B, Castellani C, Santini G, Innocenti D, Masi E, Bonomi P, Lombardi E, Taccetti G. Lung clearance index in children with cystic fibrosis previously diagnosed with CRMS/CFSPID: A monocentric prospective experience. Pediatr Pulmonol 2023. [PMID: 37133232 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION No data are available on the values and role of lung clearance index (LCI) in cystic fibrosis (CF) Screen Positive Inconclusive Diagnosis (CFSPID) progressed to CF diagnosis (CFSPID > CF). This study aimed to assess the value of the LCI in correctly predicting the progression of CFSPID to CF. METHODS This is a prospective study carried out at the CF Regional Center of Florence, Italy from September 1, 2019. We compared LCI values in children with CF diagnosed for positive newborn screening (NBS), CFSPID or CFSPID > CF for pathological sweat chloride (SC). The Exhalyzer-D (EcoMedics AG, Duernten, Switzerland, software version 3.3.1) was used to conduct the LCI tests, every 6 months on stable children. RESULTS Forty-two cooperating children were enrolled (mean age at LCI tests: 5.4 years, range: 2.7-8.7): 26 (62%) had CF, 8 (19%) were CFSPID > CF for positive SC, while 8 (19%) kept the CFSPID label at last LCI test. The mean LCI value for patients with CF (7.39; 5.98-10.24) was statistically higher compared to both the mean LCI in the CFSPID > CF (6.62; 5.69-7.58) and in CFSPID (6.56; 5.64-7.21). CONCLUSIONS Most of asymptomatic CFSPID or progressed to CF have normal LCI. Further data on the longitudinal course of LCI during follow up of CFSPID and on larger cohorts is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Terlizzi
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Cystic Fibrosis Regional Reference Center, Florence, Italy
| | - Cristina Fevola
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Cystic Fibrosis Regional Reference Center, Florence, Italy
| | - Beatrice Ferrari
- Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rehabilitation Unit, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Castellani
- Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rehabilitation Unit, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Santini
- Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rehabilitation Unit, Florence, Italy
| | - Diletta Innocenti
- Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rehabilitation Unit, Florence, Italy
| | - Eleonora Masi
- Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rehabilitation Unit, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Lombardi
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Pediatric Pulmonary Unit, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Taccetti
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Cystic Fibrosis Regional Reference Center, Florence, Italy
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11
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Sandri A, Saitta GM, Veschetti L, Boschi F, Passarelli Mantovani R, Carelli M, Melotti P, Signoretto C, Boaretti M, Malerba G, Lleò MM. In Vivo Inflammation Caused by Achromobacter spp. Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Isolates Exhibiting Different Pathogenic Characteristics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087432. [PMID: 37108596 PMCID: PMC10139000 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087432] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Achromobacter spp. lung infection in cystic fibrosis has been associated with inflammation, increased frequency of exacerbations, and decline of respiratory function. We aimed to evaluate in vivo the inflammatory effects of clinical isolates exhibiting different pathogenic characteristics. Eight clinical isolates were selected based on different pathogenic characteristics previously assessed: virulence in Galleria mellonella larvae, cytotoxicity in human bronchial epithelial cells, and biofilm formation. Acute lung infection was established by intratracheal instillation with 10.5 × 108 bacterial cells in wild-type and CFTR-knockout (KO) mice expressing a luciferase gene under control of interleukin-8 promoter. Lung inflammation was monitored by in vivo bioluminescence imaging up to 48 h after infection, and mortality was recorded up to 96 h. Lung bacterial load was evaluated by CFU count. Virulent isolates caused higher lung inflammation and mice mortality, especially in KO animals. Isolates both virulent and cytotoxic showed higher persistence in mice lungs, while biofilm formation was not associated with lung inflammation, mice mortality, or bacterial persistence. A positive correlation between virulence and lung inflammation was observed. These results indicate that Achromobacter spp. pathogenic characteristics such as virulence and cytotoxicity may be associated with clinically relevant effects and highlight the importance of elucidating their mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Sandri
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Giulia Maria Saitta
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Laura Veschetti
- GMLab, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Rebeca Passarelli Mantovani
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Maria Carelli
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Melotti
- Cystic Fibrosis Center, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy
| | - Caterina Signoretto
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Marzia Boaretti
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Malerba
- GMLab, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Maria M Lleò
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
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12
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Rossin F, Ciccosanti F, D'Eletto M, Occhigrossi L, Fimia GM, Piacentini M. Type 2 transglutaminase in the nucleus: the new epigenetic face of a cytoplasmic enzyme. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:52. [PMID: 36695883 PMCID: PMC9874183 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04698-8] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
One of the major mysteries in science is how it is possible to pack the cellular chromatin with a total length of over 1 m, into a small sphere with a diameter of 5 mm "the nucleus", and even more difficult to envisage how to make it functional. Although we know that compaction is achieved through the histones, however, the DNA needs to be accessible to the transcription machinery and this is allowed thanks to a variety of very complex epigenetic mechanisms. Either DNA (methylation) or post-translational modifications of histone proteins (acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination and sumoylation) play a crucial role in chromatin remodelling and consequently on gene expression. Recently the serotonylation and dopaminylation of the histone 3, catalyzed by the Transglutaminase type 2 (TG2), has been reported. These novel post-translational modifications catalyzed by a predominantly cytoplasmic enzyme opens a new avenue for future investigations on the enzyme function itself and for the possibility that other biological amines, substrate of TG2, can influence the genome regulation under peculiar cellular conditions. In this review we analyzed the nuclear TG2's biology by discussing both its post-translational modification of various transcription factors and the implications of its epigenetic new face. Finally, we will focus on the potential impact of these events in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Rossin
- Department of Biology, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via Della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiola Ciccosanti
- Department of Epidemiology, Preclinical Research and Advanced Diagnostics, National Institute for Infectious Diseases IRCCS 'L. Spallanzani', Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela D'Eletto
- Department of Biology, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via Della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Occhigrossi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Fimia
- Department of Epidemiology, Preclinical Research and Advanced Diagnostics, National Institute for Infectious Diseases IRCCS 'L. Spallanzani', Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Piacentini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via Della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Epidemiology, Preclinical Research and Advanced Diagnostics, National Institute for Infectious Diseases IRCCS 'L. Spallanzani', Rome, Italy.
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13
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Scaravilli V, Merrino A, Bichi F, Madotto F, Morlacchi LC, Nosotti M, Lissoni A, Rosso L, Blasi F, Pesenti A, Zanella A, Castellano G, Grasselli G. Longitudinal assessment of renal function after lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis: transition from post-operative acute kidney injury to acute kidney disease and chronic kidney failure. J Nephrol 2022; 35:1885-1893. [PMID: 35838909 PMCID: PMC9458565 DOI: 10.1007/s40620-022-01392-z] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The clinical trajectory of post-operative acute kidney injury (AKI) following lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis is unknown. METHODS Incidence and risk factors for post-operative AKI, acute kidney disease (AKD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were retrospectively analyzed in cystic fibrosis patients undergoing lung transplantation. Logistic regressions, Chi-square, Cuzick rank tests, and Cox-proportional hazard models were used. RESULTS Eighty-three patients were included. Creatinine peaked 3[2-4] days after transplantation, with 15(18%), 15(18%), and 20(24%) patients having post-operative AKI stages 1, 2, and 3, while 15(18%), 19(23%) and 10(12%) developed AKD stage 1, stage 2 and 3, respectively. Higher AKI stage was associated with worsening AKD (p = 0.009) and CKD (p = 0.015) stages. Of the 50 patients with AKI, 32(66%) transitioned to AKD stage > 0, and then 27 (56%) to CKD stage > 1. Female sex, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support as a bridge to lung transplant and at the end of the surgery, the use of intraoperative blood components, and cold-ischemia time were associated with increased risk of post-operative AKI and AKD. Higher AKI stage prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation (p = 0.0001), ICU stay (p = 0.0001), and hospital stay (p = 0.0001), and increased the incidence of primary graft dysfunction (p = 0.035). Both AKI and AKD stages > 2 worsened long-term survival with risk ratios of 3.71 (1.34-10.2), p = 0.0131 and 2.65(1.02-6.87), p = 0.0443, respectively. DISCUSSION AKI is frequent in cystic fibrosis patients undergoing lung transplantation, it often evolves to AKD and to chronic kidney disease, thereby worsening short- and long-term outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Scaravilli
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, MI, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, MI, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Merrino
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Francesca Bichi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Fabiana Madotto
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Letizia Corinna Morlacchi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Respiratory Unit and Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Mario Nosotti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, MI, Italy
- Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplant Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Alfredo Lissoni
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Rosso
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, MI, Italy
- Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplant Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Francesco Blasi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, MI, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Respiratory Unit and Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Antonio Pesenti
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, MI, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Alberto Zanella
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, MI, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castellano
- Dialysis and Renal Transplant Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, MI, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Giacomo Grasselli
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, MI, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, MI, Italy
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14
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Conte G, Costabile G, Baldassi D, Rondelli V, Bassi R, Colombo D, Linardos G, Fiscarelli EV, Sorrentino R, Miro A, Quaglia F, Brocca P, d’Angelo I, Merkel OM, Ungaro F. Hybrid Lipid/Polymer Nanoparticles to Tackle the Cystic Fibrosis Mucus Barrier in siRNA Delivery to the Lungs: Does PEGylation Make the Difference? ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:7565-7578. [PMID: 35107987 PMCID: PMC8855343 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c14975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Inhaled siRNA therapy has a unique potential for treatment of severe lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF). Nevertheless, a drug delivery system tackling lung barriers is mandatory to enhance gene silencing efficacy in the airway epithelium. We recently demonstrated that lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (hNPs), comprising a poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) core and a lipid shell of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), may assist the transport of the nucleic acid cargo through mucus-covered human airway epithelium. To study in depth the potential of hNPs for siRNA delivery to the lungs and to investigate the hypothesized benefit of PEGylation, here, an siRNA pool against the nuclear factor-κB (siNFκB) was encapsulated inside hNPs, endowed with a non-PEGylated (DPPC) or a PEGylated (1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-poly(ethylene glycol) or DSPE-PEG) lipid shell. Resulting hNPs were tested for their stability profiles and transport properties in artificial CF mucus, mucus collected from CF cells, and sputum samples from a heterogeneous and representative set of CF patients. Initial information on hNP properties governing their interaction with airway mucus was acquired by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies in artificial and cellular CF mucus. The diffusion profiles of hNPs through CF sputa suggested a crucial role of lung colonization of the corresponding donor patient, affecting the mucin type and content of the sample. Noteworthy, PEGylation did not boost mucus penetration in complex and sticky samples, such as CF sputa from patients with polymicrobial colonization. In parallel, in vitro cell uptake studies performed on mucus-lined Calu-3 cells grown at the air-liquid interface (ALI) confirmed the improved ability of non-PEGylated hNPs to overcome mucus and cellular lung barriers. Furthermore, effective in vitro NFκB gene silencing was achieved in LPS-stimulated 16HBE14o- cells. Overall, the results highlight the potential of non-PEGylated hNPs as carriers for pulmonary delivery of siRNA for local treatment of CF lung disease. Furthermore, this study provides a detailed understanding of how distinct models may provide different information on nanoparticle interaction with the mucus barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Conte
- Di.S.T.A.Bi.F., University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta 81100, Italy
| | - Gabriella Costabile
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico
II, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Domizia Baldassi
- Department
of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Valeria Rondelli
- Department
of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Segrate (MI) 20090, Italy
| | - Rosaria Bassi
- Department
of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Segrate (MI) 20090, Italy
| | - Diego Colombo
- Department
of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Segrate (MI) 20090, Italy
| | | | | | - Raffaella Sorrentino
- Department
of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Agnese Miro
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico
II, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Fabiana Quaglia
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico
II, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Paola Brocca
- Department
of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Segrate (MI) 20090, Italy
| | - Ivana d’Angelo
- Di.S.T.A.Bi.F., University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta 81100, Italy
| | - Olivia M. Merkel
- Department
of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Francesca Ungaro
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico
II, Napoli 80131, Italy
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15
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Colombo C, Foppiani A, Bisogno A, Gambazza S, Daccò V, Nazzari E, Leone A, Giana A, Mari A, Battezzati A. Lumacaftor/ivacaftor in cystic fibrosis: effects on glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:2213-2218. [PMID: 33586024 PMCID: PMC8421269 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01525-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The question whether the new cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator drugs aimed at restoring CFTR protein function might improve glucose metabolism is gaining attention, but data on the effect of lumacaftor/ivacaftor treatment (LUMA/IVA) on glucose tolerance are limited. We evaluated the variation in glucose metabolism and insulin secretion in CF patients homozygous for Phe508del CFTR mutation after one-year treatment with LUMA/IVA in comparison to patients with the same genotype who did not receive such treatment. METHODS We performed a retrospective case-control study on 13 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CF, homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation, who received LUMA/IVA for one year (cases) and 13 patients with identical genotype who did not receive this treatment (controls). At the beginning and conclusion of the follow-up, all subjects received a modified 3 h OGTT, sampling at baseline, and at 30 min intervals for plasma glucose, serum insulin, and c-peptide concentrations to evaluate glucose tolerance, and quantify by modeling beta-cell insulin secretion responsiveness to glucose, insulin clearance and insulin sensitivity. RESULTS LUMA/IVA did not produce differences in glucose tolerance, insulin secretory parameters, clearance and sensitivity with respect to matched controls over one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION We found no evidence of improvements in glucose tolerance mechanisms in patients with CF after one-year treatment with LUMA/IVA.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Colombo
- Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Commenda 9, 20122, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - A Foppiani
- International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status (ICANS), Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - A Bisogno
- Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Commenda 9, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - S Gambazza
- Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Commenda 9, 20122, Milan, Italy
- Direzione delle Professioni Sanitarie, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - V Daccò
- Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Commenda 9, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - E Nazzari
- Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Commenda 9, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - A Leone
- International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status (ICANS), Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - A Giana
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - A Mari
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Neuroscience, Padua, Italy
| | - A Battezzati
- International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status (ICANS), Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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16
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Salto R, Giron MD, Puente-Muñoz V, Vilchez JD, Espinar-Barranco L, Valverde-Pozo J, Arosio D, Paredes JM. New Red-Emitting Chloride-Sensitive Fluorescent Protein with Biological Uses. ACS Sens 2021; 6:2563-2573. [PMID: 34148347 PMCID: PMC8478333 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.1c00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A new chloride-sensitive red fluorescent protein derived from Entacmaea quadricolor is described. We found that mBeRFP exhibited moderate sensitivity to chloride and, via site-directed mutagenesis (S94V and R205Y), we increased the chloride affinity by more than an order of magnitude (kd = 106 ± 6 mM) at physiological pH. In addition, cis-trans isomerization of the chromophore produces a dual emission band with different chloride sensitivities, which allowed us to develop a ratiometric methodology to measure intracellular chloride concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Salto
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Unidad
de Excelencia en Quimica Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), University of Granada, Cartuja Campus, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Maria D. Giron
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Unidad
de Excelencia en Quimica Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), University of Granada, Cartuja Campus, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Virginia Puente-Muñoz
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Unidad de Excelencia en
Quimica Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), University of Granada, C. U. Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Jose D. Vilchez
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Unidad
de Excelencia en Quimica Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), University of Granada, Cartuja Campus, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Laura Espinar-Barranco
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Unidad de Excelencia en
Quimica Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), University of Granada, C. U. Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Valverde-Pozo
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Unidad de Excelencia en
Quimica Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), University of Granada, C. U. Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Daniele Arosio
- Consiglio
Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Biofisica (IBF-CNR), 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Jose M. Paredes
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Unidad de Excelencia en
Quimica Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), University of Granada, C. U. Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain
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17
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Rinaldi F, Hanieh PN, Sennato S, De Santis F, Forte J, Fraziano M, Casciardi S, Marianecci C, Bordi F, Carafa M. Rifampicin-Liposomes for Mycobacterium abscessus Infection Treatment: Intracellular Uptake and Antibacterial Activity Evaluation. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1070. [PMID: 34371761 PMCID: PMC8309174 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13071070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of pulmonary infections caused by Mycobacterium abscessus are extremely difficult to treat, as this species is naturally resistant to many common antibiotics. Liposomes are vesicular nanocarriers suitable for hydrophilic and lipophilic drug loading, able to deliver drugs to the target site, and successfully used in different pharmaceutical applications. Moreover, liposomes are biocompatible, biodegradable and nontoxic vesicles and nebulized liposomes are efficient in targeting antibacterial agents to macrophages. The present aim was to formulate rifampicin-loaded liposomes (RIF-Lipo) for lung delivery, in order to increase the local concentration of the antibiotic. Unilamellar liposomal vesicles composed of anionic DPPG mixed with HSPC for rifampicin delivery were designed, prepared, and characterized. Samples were prepared by using the thin-film hydration method. RIF-Lipo and unloaded liposomes were characterized in terms of size, ζ-potential, bilayer features, stability and in different biological media. Rifampicin's entrapment efficiency and release were also evaluated. Finally, biological activity of RIF-loaded liposomes in Mycobacterium abscessus-infected macrophages was investigated. The results show that RIF-lipo induce a significantly better reduction of intracellular Mycobacterium abscessus viability than the treatment with free drug. Liposome formulation of rifampicin may represent a valuable strategy to enhance the biological activity of the drug against intracellular mycobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Rinaldi
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Sapienza Università di Roma-Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (P.N.H.); (J.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Patrizia Nadia Hanieh
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Sapienza Università di Roma-Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (P.N.H.); (J.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Simona Sennato
- Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi (ISC)-CNR, sede “Sapienza” and Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Federica De Santis
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Roma “Tor Vergata” Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.D.S.); (M.F.)
| | - Jacopo Forte
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Sapienza Università di Roma-Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (P.N.H.); (J.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Maurizio Fraziano
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Roma “Tor Vergata” Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.D.S.); (M.F.)
| | - Stefano Casciardi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), Monteporzio Catone, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Carlotta Marianecci
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Sapienza Università di Roma-Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (P.N.H.); (J.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Federico Bordi
- Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi (ISC)-CNR, sede “Sapienza” and Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Carafa
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Sapienza Università di Roma-Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (P.N.H.); (J.F.); (M.C.)
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18
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Puccetti M, Pariano M, Renga G, Santarelli I, D’Onofrio F, Bellet MM, Stincardini C, Bartoli A, Costantini C, Romani L, Ricci M, Giovagnoli S. Targeted Drug Delivery Technologies Potentiate the Overall Therapeutic Efficacy of an Indole Derivative in a Mouse Cystic Fibrosis Setting. Cells 2021; 10:1601. [PMID: 34202407 PMCID: PMC8305708 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation plays a major role in the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis (CF), a multisystem disease. Anti-inflammatory therapies are, therefore, of interest in CF, provided that the inhibition of inflammation does not compromise the ability to fight pathogens. Here, we assess whether indole-3-aldehyde (3-IAld), a ligand of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), may encompass such an activity. We resorted to biopharmaceutical technologies in order to deliver 3-IAld directly into the lung, via dry powder inhalation, or into the gut, via enteric microparticles, in murine models of CF infection and inflammation. We found the site-specific delivery of 3-IAld to be an efficient strategy to restore immune and microbial homeostasis in CF organs, and mitigate lung and gut inflammatory pathology in response to fungal infections, in the relative absence of local and systemic inflammatory toxicity. Thus, enhanced delivery to target organs of AhR agonists, such as 3-IAld, may pave the way for the development of safe and effective anti-inflammatory agents in CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Puccetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Marilena Pariano
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (M.P.); (G.R.); (I.S.); (F.D.); (M.M.B.); (C.S.); (A.B.); (C.C.); (L.R.)
| | - Giorgia Renga
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (M.P.); (G.R.); (I.S.); (F.D.); (M.M.B.); (C.S.); (A.B.); (C.C.); (L.R.)
| | - Ilaria Santarelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (M.P.); (G.R.); (I.S.); (F.D.); (M.M.B.); (C.S.); (A.B.); (C.C.); (L.R.)
| | - Fiorella D’Onofrio
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (M.P.); (G.R.); (I.S.); (F.D.); (M.M.B.); (C.S.); (A.B.); (C.C.); (L.R.)
| | - Marina M. Bellet
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (M.P.); (G.R.); (I.S.); (F.D.); (M.M.B.); (C.S.); (A.B.); (C.C.); (L.R.)
| | - Claudia Stincardini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (M.P.); (G.R.); (I.S.); (F.D.); (M.M.B.); (C.S.); (A.B.); (C.C.); (L.R.)
| | - Andrea Bartoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (M.P.); (G.R.); (I.S.); (F.D.); (M.M.B.); (C.S.); (A.B.); (C.C.); (L.R.)
| | - Claudio Costantini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (M.P.); (G.R.); (I.S.); (F.D.); (M.M.B.); (C.S.); (A.B.); (C.C.); (L.R.)
| | - Luigina Romani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (M.P.); (G.R.); (I.S.); (F.D.); (M.M.B.); (C.S.); (A.B.); (C.C.); (L.R.)
| | - Maurizio Ricci
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Stefano Giovagnoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy;
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19
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Puccetti M, Costantini C, Ricci M, Giovagnoli S. Tackling Immune Pathogenesis of COVID-19 through Molecular Pharmaceutics. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:494. [PMID: 33916409 PMCID: PMC8065592 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13040494] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of clinical studies worldwide are investigating the repurposing of antiviral, immune-modulatory, and anti-inflammatory agents to face the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Nevertheless, few effective therapies exist to prevent or treat COVID-19, which demands increased drug discovery and repurposing efforts. In fact, many currently tested drugs show unknown efficacy and unpredictable drug interactions, such that interventions are needed to guarantee access to effective and safe medicines. Anti-inflammatory therapy has proven to be effective in preventing further injury in COVID-19 patients, but the benefit comes at a cost, as targeting inflammatory pathways can imply an increased risk of infection. Thus, optimization of the risk/benefit ratio is required in the anti-inflammatory strategy against COVID-19, which accounts for drug formulations and delivery towards regionalization and personalization of treatment approaches. In this perspective, we discuss how better knowledge of endogenous immunomodulatory pathways may optimize the clinical use of novel and repurposed drugs against COVID-19 in inpatient, outpatient, and home settings through innovative drug discovery, appropriate drug delivery systems and dedicated molecular pharmaceutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Puccetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Claudio Costantini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Maurizio Ricci
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Stefano Giovagnoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy;
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20
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Esposito A, D’Alonzo D, D’Errico S, De Gregorio E, Guaragna A. Toward the Identification of Novel Antimicrobial Agents: One-Pot Synthesis of Lipophilic Conjugates of N-Alkyl d- and l-Iminosugars. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:E572. [PMID: 33228211 PMCID: PMC7699595 DOI: 10.3390/md18110572] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the effort to improve the antimicrobial activity of iminosugars, we report the synthesis of lipophilic iminosugars 10a-b and 11a-b based on the one-pot conjugation of both enantiomeric forms of N-butyldeoxynojirimycin (NBDNJ) and N-nonyloxypentyldeoxynojirimycin (NPDNJ) with cholesterol and a succinic acid model linker. The conjugation reaction was tuned using the established PS-TPP/I2/ImH activating system, which provided the desired compounds in high yields (94-96%) by a one-pot procedure. The substantial increase in the lipophilicity of 10a-b and 11a-b is supposed to improve internalization within the bacterial cell, thereby potentially leading to enhanced antimicrobial properties. However, assays are currently hampered by solubility problems; therefore, alternative administration strategies will need to be devised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Esposito
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.E.); (D.D.)
| | - Daniele D’Alonzo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.E.); (D.D.)
| | - Stefano D’Errico
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano, 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Eliana De Gregorio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Annalisa Guaragna
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
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21
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Puccetti M, Xiroudaki S, Ricci M, Giovagnoli S. Postbiotic-Enabled Targeting of the Host-Microbiota-Pathogen Interface: Hints of Antibiotic Decline? Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E624. [PMID: 32635461 PMCID: PMC7408102 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12070624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mismanagement of bacterial infection therapies has undermined the reliability and efficacy of antibiotic treatments, producing a profound crisis of the antibiotic drug market. It is by now clear that tackling deadly infections demands novel strategies not only based on the mere toxicity of anti-infective compounds. Host-directed therapies have been the first example as novel treatments with alternate success. Nevertheless, recent advances in the human microbiome research have provided evidence that compounds produced by the microbial metabolism, namely postbiotics, can have significant impact on human health. Such compounds target the host-microbe-pathogen interface rescuing biotic and immune unbalances as well as inflammation, thus providing novel therapeutic opportunities. This work discusses critically, through literature review and personal contributions, these novel nonantibiotic treatment strategies for infectious disease management and resistance prevention, which could represent a paradigm change rocking the foundation of current antibiotic therapy tenets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Stefano Giovagnoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, via del Liceo 1, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (M.P.); (S.X.); (M.R.)
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22
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De Gregorio E, Esposito A, Vollaro A, De Fenza M, D’Alonzo D, Migliaccio A, Iula VD, Zarrilli R, Guaragna A. N-Nonyloxypentyl-l-Deoxynojirimycin Inhibits Growth, Biofilm Formation and Virulence Factors Expression of Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E362. [PMID: 32604791 PMCID: PMC7344813 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9060362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the major causes of hospital- and community-associated bacterial infections throughout the world, which are difficult to treat due to the rising number of drug-resistant strains. New molecules displaying potent activity against this bacterium are urgently needed. In this study, d- and l-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) and a small library of their N-alkyl derivatives were screened against S. aureus ATCC 29213, with the aim to identify novel candidates with inhibitory potential. Among them, N-nonyloxypentyl-l-DNJ (l-NPDNJ) proved to be the most active compound against S. aureus ATCC 29213 and its clinical isolates, with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 128 μg/mL. l-NPDNJ also displayed an additive effect with gentamicin and oxacillin against the gentamicin- and methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolate 00717. Sub-MIC values of l-NPDNJ affected S. aureus biofilm development in a dose-dependent manner, inducing a strong reduction in biofilm biomass. Moreover, real-time reverse transcriptase PCR analysis revealed that l-NPDNJ effectively inhibited at sub-MIC values the transcription of the spa, hla, hlb and sea virulence genes, as well as the agrA and saeR response regulator genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana De Gregorio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Anna Esposito
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.E.); (M.D.F.); (D.D.)
| | - Adriana Vollaro
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Maria De Fenza
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.E.); (M.D.F.); (D.D.)
| | - Daniele D’Alonzo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.E.); (M.D.F.); (D.D.)
| | - Antonella Migliaccio
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (R.Z.)
| | - Vita Dora Iula
- Complex Operative Unit of Clinical Pathology, “Ospedale del Mare-ASL NA1 Centro”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Raffaele Zarrilli
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (R.Z.)
| | - Annalisa Guaragna
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.E.); (M.D.F.); (D.D.)
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23
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Maule G, Arosio D, Cereseto A. Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis: Progress and Challenges of Genome Editing. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3903. [PMID: 32486152 PMCID: PMC7313467 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [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: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the early days of its conceptualization and application, human gene transfer held the promise of a permanent solution to genetic diseases including cystic fibrosis (CF). This field went through alternated periods of enthusiasm and distrust. The development of refined technologies allowing site specific modification with programmable nucleases highly revived the gene therapy field. CRISPR nucleases and derived technologies tremendously facilitate genome manipulation offering diversified strategies to reverse mutations. Here we discuss the advancement of gene therapy, from therapeutic nucleic acids to genome editing techniques, designed to reverse genetic defects in CF. We provide a roadmap through technologies and strategies tailored to correct different types of mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene, and their applications for the development of experimental models valuable for the advancement of CF therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Maule
- Department of Cellular Computational Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy;
- National Council of Research, CNR, 38123 Trento, Italy;
| | | | - Anna Cereseto
- Department of Cellular Computational Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy;
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24
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Rimessi A, Pozzato C, Carparelli L, Rossi A, Ranucci S, De Fino I, Cigana C, Talarico A, Wieckowski MR, Ribeiro CMP, Trapella C, Rossi G, Cabrini G, Bragonzi A, Pinton P. Pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial calcium uniporter controls lung inflammation in cystic fibrosis. Sci Adv 2020; 6:eaax9093. [PMID: 32494695 PMCID: PMC7202873 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax9093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria physically associate with the endoplasmic reticulum to coordinate interorganelle calcium transfer and regulate fundamental cellular processes, including inflammation. Deregulated endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria cross-talk can occur in cystic fibrosis, contributing to hyperinflammation and disease progression. We demonstrate that Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection increases endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria associations in cystic fibrosis bronchial cells by stabilizing VAPB-PTPIP51 (vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B-protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51) tethers, affecting autophagy. Impaired autophagy induced mitochondrial unfolding protein response and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, contributing to hyperinflammation. The mechanism by which VAPB-PTPIP51 tethers regulate autophagy in cystic fibrosis involves calcium transfer via mitochondrial calcium uniporter. Mitochondrial calcium uniporter inhibition rectified autophagy and alleviated the inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo, resulting in a valid therapeutic strategy for cystic fibrosis pulmonary disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Rimessi
- Department of Medical Sciences and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Center of research on Innovative Therapies for Cystic Fibrosis, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Pozzato
- Department of Medical Sciences and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Carparelli
- Department of Medical Sciences and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alice Rossi
- Infections and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Serena Ranucci
- Infections and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Ida De Fino
- Infections and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Cristina Cigana
- Infections and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Talarico
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mariusz R. Wieckowski
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology and Metabolism, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Carla M. P. Ribeiro
- Department of Medicine/Pulmonary Division, Marsico Lung Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Center, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7248, USA
| | - Claudio Trapella
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giacomo Rossi
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Macerata, Italy
| | - Giulio Cabrini
- Center of research on Innovative Therapies for Cystic Fibrosis, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bragonzi
- Infections and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Pinton
- Department of Medical Sciences and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Center of research on Innovative Therapies for Cystic Fibrosis, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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25
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Gasparello J, Papi C, Zurlo M, Corradini R, Gambari R, Finotti A. Demonstrating specificity of bioactive peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) targeting microRNAs for practical laboratory classes of applied biochemistry and pharmacology. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221923. [PMID: 31509554 PMCID: PMC6738603 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Practical laboratory classes teaching molecular pharmacology approaches employed in the development of therapeutic strategies are of great interest for students of courses in Biotechnology, Applied Biology, Pharmaceutic and Technology Chemistry, Translational Oncology. Unfortunately, in most cases the technology to be transferred to learning students is complex and requires multi-step approaches. In this respect, simple and straightforward experimental protocols might be of great interest. This study was aimed at presenting a laboratory exercise focusing (a) on a very challenging therapeutic strategy, i.e. microRNA therapeutics, and (b) on the employment of biomolecules of great interest in applied biology and pharmacology, i.e. peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). The aims of the practical laboratory were to determine: (a) the possible PNA-mediated arrest in RT-qPCR, to be eventually used to demonstrate PNA targeting of selected miRNAs; (b) the possible lack of activity on mutated PNA sequences; (c) the effects (if any) on the amplification of other unrelated miRNA sequences. The results which can be obtained support the following conclusions: PNA-mediated arrest in RT-qPCR can be analyzed in a easy way; mutated PNA sequences are completely inactive; the effects of the employed PNAs are specific and no inhibitory effect occurs on other unrelated miRNA sequences. This activity is simple (cell culture, RNA extraction, RT-qPCR are all well-established technologies), fast (starting from isolated and characterized RNA, few hours are just necessary), highly reproducible (therefore easily employed by even untrained students). On the other hand, these laboratory lessons require some facilities, the most critical being the availability of instruments for PCR. While this might be a problem in the case these instruments are not available, we would like to underline that determination of the presence or of a lack of amplified product can be also obtained using standard analytical approaches based on agarose gel electrophoresis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gasparello
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Papi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Matteo Zurlo
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Corradini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Interuniversity Consortium for Biotechnology (CIB), Trieste, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Alessia Finotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Abstract
Since the discovery and classification of non-coding RNAs, their roles have gained great attention. In this respect, microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs have been firmly demonstrated to be linked to regulation of gene expression and onset of human diseases, including rare genetic diseases; therefore they are suitable targets for therapeutic intervention. This issue, in the context of rare genetic diseases, is being considered by an increasing number of research groups and is of key interest to the health community. In the case of rare genetic diseases, the possibility of developing personalized therapy in precision medicine has attracted the attention of researchers and clinicians involved in developing "orphan medicinal products" and proposing these to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD) in the United States. The major focuses of these activities are the evaluation and development of products (drugs, biologics, devices, or medical foods) considered to be promising for diagnosis and/or treatment of rare diseases or conditions, including rare genetic diseases. In an increasing number of rare genetic diseases, analysis of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs has been proven a promising strategy. These diseases include, but are not limited to, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, Rett syndrome, and β-thalassemia. In conclusion, a large number of approaches based on targeting microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs are expected in the field of molecular diagnosis and therapy, with a facilitated technological transfer in the case of rare genetic diseases, in virtue of the existing regulation concerning these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Finotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Enrica Fabbri
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ilaria Lampronti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Jessica Gasparello
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Monica Borgatti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
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27
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De Santis F, Poerio N, Gismondi A, Nanni V, Di Marco G, Nisini R, Thaller MC, Canini A, Fraziano M. Hydroalcoholic extract from Origanum vulgare induces a combined anti-mycobacterial and anti-inflammatory response in innate immune cells. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213150. [PMID: 30830942 PMCID: PMC6398838 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In nature, many plants or their extracted compounds have been found to possess anti-inflammatory features and therapeutic properties against infectious as well as non-infectious diseases, including cancer. In this study, we analysed the immunomodulatory effects on innate immune cells of hydroalcoholic extract from Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum (HyE-Ov), a plant traditionally known for its anti-oxidative properties. The effects of HyE-Ov were tested on human monocyte derived dendritic cells (DC), type-1 (M1) and type-2 macrophages (M2) infected with M. bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), used as a model of persistent intracellular bacterium. DC, M1 and M2 treated with HyE-Ov significantly enhanced their mycobactericidal activity, which was associated with phagosomal acidification in M1 and M2 and increase of phagosomal, but not mitochondrial ROS production in M1, M2, and DC. Treatment of BCG-infected DC with HyE-Ov significantly reduced TNF-α and IL-12 production and increased TGF-β synthesis. Finally, experiments were repeated using eight different HPLC fractions of HyE-Ov. Results showed that the capability to activate anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory response is shared by different fractions, suggesting that diverse bioactive molecules are present within the hydroalcoholic extract. Altogether, these results show that HyE-Ov promotes anti-mycobacterial innate immunity and limits inflammatory response in vitro and suggest that this plant extract may be exploitable as phytocomplex or nutraceutical for novel host-directed therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Noemi Poerio
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Gismondi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Nanni
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Di Marco
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Nisini
- Department of infectious diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Canini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fraziano
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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28
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Benedet M, Falchi FA, Puccio S, Di Benedetto C, Peano C, Polissi A, Dehò G. The Lack of the Essential LptC Protein in the Trans-Envelope Lipopolysaccharide Transport Machine Is Circumvented by Suppressor Mutations in LptF, an Inner Membrane Component of the Escherichia coli Transporter. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161354. [PMID: 27529623 PMCID: PMC4986956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) transport (Lpt) system is responsible for transferring LPS from the periplasmic surface of the inner membrane (IM) to the outer leaflet of the outer membrane (OM), where it plays a crucial role in OM selective permeability. In E. coli seven essential proteins are assembled in an Lpt trans-envelope complex, which is conserved in γ-Proteobacteria. LptBFG constitute the IM ABC transporter, LptDE form the OM translocon for final LPS delivery, whereas LptC, an IM-anchored protein with a periplasmic domain, interacts with the IM ABC transporter, the periplasmic protein LptA, and LPS. Although essential, LptC can tolerate several mutations and its role in LPS transport is unclear. To get insights into the functional role of LptC in the Lpt machine we searched for viable mutants lacking LptC by applying a strong double selection for lptC deletion mutants. Genome sequencing of viable ΔlptC mutants revealed single amino acid substitutions at a unique position in the predicted large periplasmic domain of the IM component LptF (LptFSupC). In complementation tests, lptFSupC mutants suppress lethality of both ΔlptC and lptC conditional expression mutants. Our data show that mutations in a specific residue of the predicted LptF periplasmic domain can compensate the lack of the essential protein LptC, implicate such LptF domain in the formation of the periplasmic bridge between the IM and OM complexes, and suggest that LptC may have evolved to improve the performance of an ancestral six-component Lpt machine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Benedet
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica A. Falchi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Puccio
- Scuola di Dottorato in Medicina Molecolare e Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Segrate, Italy
- Istituto di Tecnologie Biomediche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Clelia Peano
- Istituto di Tecnologie Biomediche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Polissi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianni Dehò
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
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