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Bivona D, Bonomo C, Colombini L, Bonacci PG, Privitera GF, Caruso G, Caraci F, Santoro F, Musso N, Bongiorno D, Iannelli F, Stefani S. Generation and Characterization of Stable Small Colony Variants of USA300 Staphylococcus aureus in RAW 264.7 Murine Macrophages. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:264. [PMID: 38534699 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13030264] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Intracellular survival and immune evasion are typical features of staphylococcal infections. USA300 is a major clone of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), a community- and hospital-acquired pathogen capable of disseminating throughout the body and evading the immune system. Carnosine is an endogenous dipeptide characterized by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties acting on the peripheral (macrophages) and tissue-resident (microglia) immune system. In this work, RAW 264.7 murine macrophages were infected with the USA300 ATCC BAA-1556 S. aureus strain and treated with 20 mM carnosine and/or 32 mg/L erythromycin. Stable small colony variant (SCV) formation on blood agar medium was obtained after 48 h of combined treatment. Whole genome sequencing of the BAA-1556 strain and its stable derivative SCVs when combining Illumina and nanopore technologies revealed three single nucleotide differences, including a nonsense mutation in the shikimate kinase gene aroK. Gene expression analysis showed a significant up-regulation of the uhpt and sdrE genes in the stable SCVs compared with the wild-type, likely involved in adaptation to the intracellular milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalida Bivona
- Medical Molecular Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory (MMARLab), Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Carmelo Bonomo
- Medical Molecular Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory (MMARLab), Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Colombini
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo G Bonacci
- Medical Molecular Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory (MMARLab), Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Grete F Privitera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caruso
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Francesco Santoro
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Nicolò Musso
- Biochemical Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Dafne Bongiorno
- Medical Molecular Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory (MMARLab), Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Iannelli
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Stefani
- Medical Molecular Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory (MMARLab), Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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Bonaccorso A, Privitera A, Grasso M, Salamone S, Carbone C, Pignatello R, Musumeci T, Caraci F, Caruso G. The Therapeutic Potential of Novel Carnosine Formulations: Perspectives for Drug Development. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:778. [PMID: 37375726 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060778] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is an endogenous dipeptide synthesized via the activity of the ATP-dependent enzyme carnosine synthetase 1 and can be found at a very high concentration in tissues with a high metabolic rate, including muscles (up to 20 mM) and brain (up to 5 mM). Because of its well-demonstrated multimodal pharmacodynamic profile, which includes anti-aggregant, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as its ability to modulate the energy metabolism status in immune cells, this dipeptide has been investigated in numerous experimental models of diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, and at a clinical level. The main limit for the therapeutic use of carnosine is related to its rapid hydrolysis exerted by carnosinases, especially at the plasma level, reason why the development of new strategies, including the chemical modification of carnosine or its vehiculation into innovative drug delivery systems (DDS), aiming at increasing its bioavailability and/or at facilitating the site-specific transport to different tissues, is of utmost importance. In the present review, after a description of carnosine structure, biological activities, administration routes, and metabolism, we focused on different DDS, including vesicular systems and metallic nanoparticles, as well as on possible chemical derivatization strategies related to carnosine. In particular, a basic description of the DDS employed or the derivatization/conjugation applied to obtain carnosine formulations, followed by the possible mechanism of action, is given. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review that includes all the new formulations of carnosine (DDS and derivatives), allowing a decrease or complete prevention of the hydrolysis of this dipeptide exerted by carnosinases, the simultaneous blood-brain barrier crossing, the maintenance or enhancement of carnosine biological activity, and the site-specific transport to different tissues, which then offers perspectives for the development of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Bonaccorso
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- NANOMED-Research Centre for Nanomedicine and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Anna Privitera
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Grasso
- Unit of Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Sonya Salamone
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Claudia Carbone
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- NANOMED-Research Centre for Nanomedicine and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Pignatello
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- NANOMED-Research Centre for Nanomedicine and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Teresa Musumeci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- NANOMED-Research Centre for Nanomedicine and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Unit of Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caruso
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Unit of Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
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Caruso G, Fresta CG, Fidilio A, Lazzara F, Musso N, Cardaci V, Drago F, Caraci F, Bucolo C. Carnosine Counteracts the Molecular Alterations Aβ Oligomers-Induced in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083324. [PMID: 37110558 PMCID: PMC10146178 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083324] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been described as a progressive eye disease characterized by irreversible impairment of central vision, and unfortunately, an effective treatment is still not available. It is well-known that amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide is one of the major culprits in causing neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The extracellular accumulation of this peptide has also been found in drusen which lies under the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and represents one of the early signs of AMD pathology. Aβ aggregates, especially in the form of oligomers, are able to induce pro-oxidant (oxidative stress) and pro-inflammatory phenomena in RPE cells. ARPE-19 is a spontaneously arising human RPE cell line validated for drug discovery processes in AMD. In the present study, we employed ARPE-19 treated with Aβ oligomers, representing an in vitro model of AMD. We used a combination of methods, including ATPlite, quantitative real-time PCR, immunocytochemistry, as well as a fluorescent probe for reactive oxygen species to investigate the molecular alterations induced by Aβ oligomers. In particular, we found that Aβ exposure decreased the cell viability of ARPE-19 cells which was paralleled by increased inflammation (increased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators) and oxidative stress (increased expression of NADPH oxidase and ROS production) along with the destruction of ZO-1 tight junction protein. Once the damage was clarified, we investigated the therapeutic potential of carnosine, an endogenous dipeptide that is known to be reduced in AMD patients. Our findings demonstrate that carnosine was able to counteract most of the molecular alterations induced by the challenge of ARPE-19 with Aβ oligomers. These new findings obtained with ARPE-19 cells challenged with Aβ1-42 oligomers, along with the well-demonstrated multimodal mechanism of action of carnosine both in vitro and in vivo, able to prevent and/or counteract the dysfunctions elicited by Aβ oligomers, substantiate the neuroprotective potential of this dipeptide in the context of AMD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Caruso
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Unit of Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Claudia G Fresta
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Annamaria Fidilio
- Unit of Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Francesca Lazzara
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Nicolò Musso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Bio-Nanotech Research and Innovation Tower (BRIT), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cardaci
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milano, Italy
- Scuola Superiore di Catania, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Unit of Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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