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Yasmin H, Agostinis C, Toffoli M, Roy T, Pegoraro S, Balduit A, Zito G, Di Simone N, Ricci G, Madan T, Kishore U, Bulla R. Protective role of complement factor H against the development of preeclampsia. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1351898. [PMID: 38464530 PMCID: PMC10920295 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1351898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is an immunologically regulated, complex process. A tightly controlled complement system plays a crucial role in the successful establishment of pregnancy and parturition. Complement inhibitors at the feto-maternal interface are likely to prevent inappropriate complement activation to protect the fetus. In the present study, we aimed to understand the role of Factor H (FH), a negative regulator of complement activation, in normal pregnancy and in a model of pathological pregnancy, i.e. preeclampsia (PE). The distribution and expression of FH was investigated in placental tissues, various placental cells, and in the sera of healthy (CTRL) or PE pregnant women via immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, ELISA, and Western blot. Our results showed a differential expression of FH among the placental cell types, decidual stromal cells (DSCs), decidual endothelial cells (DECs), and extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs). Interestingly, FH was found to be considerably less expressed in the placental tissues of PE patients compared to normal placental tissue both at mRNA and protein levels. Similar results were obtained by measuring circulating FH levels in the sera of third trimester CTRL and PE mothers. Syncytiotrophoblast microvesicles, isolated from the placental tissues of PE and CTRL women, downregulated FH expression by DECs. The present study appears to suggest that FH is ubiquitously present in the normal placenta and plays a homeostatic role during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadida Yasmin
- Immunology and Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Miriam Toffoli
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Tamali Roy
- Immunology and Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India
| | - Silvia Pegoraro
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Balduit
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriella Zito
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Di Simone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Taruna Madan
- Department of Innate Immunity, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH), Mumbai, India
| | - Uday Kishore
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, U.A.E. University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Centre for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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2
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Balduit A, Bulla R, Agostinis C. The last word on COVID-19 vaccines and breastfeeding? EBioMedicine 2023; 97:104830. [PMID: 37837934 PMCID: PMC10585206 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Balduit
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
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3
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Piani F, Tossetta G, Fantone S, Agostinis C, Di Simone N, Mandalà M, Bulla R, Marzioni D, Borghi C. First Trimester CD93 as a Novel Marker of Preeclampsia and Its Complications: A Pilot Study. High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev 2023; 30:591-594. [PMID: 38010536 DOI: 10.1007/s40292-023-00608-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION CD93 plays a crucial role in endothelial homeostasis and angiogenesis. Recently its role in hypertension has been investigated, holding promise for novel targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. AIM We assessed for the first time differences in first trimester serum CD93 levels in women who lately developed preeclampsia (PE) vs. normotensive pregnancy (NP). METHODS First trimester serum CD93 concentrations were assessed in a multicenter cohort of 83 women (34 PE and 49 NP) by ELISA Immunoassay. RESULTS Serum CD93 was lower in women who developed PE vs. NP (111.8 ± 24.4 vs. 137.5 ± 22.3 ng/ml; p < 0.001). Serum CD93 was associated with a decreased risk of developing PE (OR 0.950, 95% CI 0.922-0.978) and composite neonatal outcome (OR 0.952, CI 0.923-0.982), after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSIONS PE is accompanied by decreased serum CD93 levels. CD93 might play a role during placentation leading to defective angiogenesis, vascular dysfunction, and PE development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Piani
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Research Center, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
- Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Heart, Chest and Vascular Deptartment, IRCCS Azienda-Ospedaliero Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Tossetta
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Sonia Fantone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Di Simone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56; Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mandalà
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Daniela Marzioni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Claudio Borghi
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Research Center, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Heart, Chest and Vascular Deptartment, IRCCS Azienda-Ospedaliero Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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4
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Zingaro F, Gianoncelli A, Ceccone G, Birarda G, Cassano D, La Spina R, Agostinis C, Bonanni V, Ricci G, Pascolo L. Morphological and lipid metabolism alterations in macrophages exposed to model environmental nanoplastics traced by high-resolution synchrotron techniques. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1247747. [PMID: 37744340 PMCID: PMC10515218 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1247747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The release of nanoplastics (NPs) in the environment is a significant health concern for long-term exposed humans. Although their usage has certainly revolutionized several application fields, at nanometer size, NPs can easily interact at the cellular level, resulting in potential harmful effects. Micro/Nanoplastics (M/NPs) have a demonstrated impact on mammalian endocrine components, such as the thyroid, adrenal gland, testes, and ovaries, while more investigations on prenatal and postnatal exposure are urgently required. The number of literature studies on the NPs' presence in biological samples is increasing. However, only a few offer a close study on the model environmental NP-immune system interaction exploited by advanced microscopy techniques. The present study highlights substantial morphological and lipid metabolism alterations in human M1 macrophages exposed to labeled polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride nanoparticles (PP and PVC NPs) (20 μg/ml). The results are interpreted by advanced microscopy techniques combined with standard laboratory tests and fluorescence microscopy. We report the accurate detection of polymeric nanoparticles doped with cadmium selenide quantum dots (CdSe-QDs NPs) by following the Se (L line) X-ray fluorescence emission peak at higher sub-cellular resolution, compared to the supportive light fluorescence microscopy. In addition, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) imaging successfully revealed morphological changes in NP-exposed macrophages, providing input for Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses, which underlined the chemical modifications in macromolecular components, specifically in lipid response. The present evidence was confirmed by quantifying the lipid droplet (LD) contents in PP and PVC NPs-exposed macrophages (0-100 μg/ml) by Oil Red O staining. Hence, even at experimental NPs' concentrations and incubation time, they do not significantly affect cell viability; they cause an evident lipid metabolism impairment, a hallmark of phagocytosis and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giacomo Ceccone
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | | | | | - Rita La Spina
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorella Pascolo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
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5
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Bulla R, Rossi L, Furlanis G, Agostinis C, Toffoli M, Balduit A, Mangogna A, Liccari M, Morosini G, Kishore U, Manganotti P. A likely association between low mannan-binding lectin level and brain fog onset in long COVID patients. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1191083. [PMID: 37398656 PMCID: PMC10312368 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1191083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain fog can be described as a constellation of new-onset neuropsychiatric sequelae in the post-acute phase of COVID-19 (long COVID). The symptoms include inattention, short-term memory loss, and reduced mental acuity, which may undermine cognition, concentration, and sleep. This cognitive impairment, persisting for weeks or months after the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, can significantly impact on daily activities and the quality of life. An important role for the complement system (C) in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 has emerged since the beginning of pandemic outbreak. A number of pathophysiological characteristics including microangiopathy and myocarditis have been attributed to dysregulated C activation due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mannan-binding lectin (MBL), the first recognition subcomponent of the C lectin pathway, has been shown to bind to glycosylated SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, genetic variants of MBL2 are suggested to have an association with severe COVID-19 manifestations requiring hospitalization. In the present study, we evaluated MBL activity (lectin pathway activation) and levels in the sera of a cohort of COVID-19 patients, presenting brain fog or only hyposmia/hypogeusia as persistent symptoms, and compared them with healthy volunteers. We found significantly lower levels of MBL and lectin pathway activity in the sera of patients experiencing brain fog as compared to recovered COVID-19 patients without brain fog. Our data indicate that long COVID-associated brain fog can be listed among the variegate manifestations of increased susceptibility to infections and diseases contributed by MBL deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Rossi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, ASUGI, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Furlanis
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, ASUGI, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Miriam Toffoli
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Balduit
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Liccari
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, ASUGI, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giorgia Morosini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Uday Kishore
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Paolo Manganotti
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, ASUGI, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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6
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Balduit A, Vidergar R, Zacchi P, Mangogna A, Agostinis C, Grandolfo M, Bottin C, Salton F, Confalonieri P, Rocca A, Zanconati F, Confalonieri M, Kishore U, Ghebrehiwet B, Bulla R. Complement protein C1q stimulates hyaluronic acid degradation via gC1qR/HABP1/p32 in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1151194. [PMID: 37334363 PMCID: PMC10275365 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1151194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Complement component C1q can act as a pro-tumorigenic factor in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is rich in C1q and hyaluronic acid (HA), whose interaction enhances adhesion, migration and proliferation of malignant cells. HA-bound C1q is also capable of modulating HA synthesis. Thus, we investigated whether HA-C1q interaction would affect HA degradation, analyzing the main degradation enzymes, hyaluronidase (HYAL)1 and HYAL2, and a C1q receptor candidate. We first proceeded with the characterization of HYALs in MPM cells, especially HYAL2, since bioinformatics survival analysis revealed that higher HYAL2 mRNA levels have an unfavorable prognostic index in MPM patients. Interestingly, Real-Time quantitative PCR, flow cytometry and Western blot highlighted an upregulation of HYAL2 after seeding of primary MPM cells onto HA-bound C1q. In an attempt to unveil the receptors potentially involved in HA-C1q signaling, a striking co-localization between HYAL2 and globular C1q receptor/HABP1/p32 (gC1qR) was found by immunofluorescence, surface biotinylation and proximity ligation assays. RNA interference experiments revealed a potentially regulatory function exerted by gC1qR on HYAL2 expression, since C1QBP (gene for gC1qR) silencing unexpectedly caused HYAL2 downregulation. In addition, the functional blockage of gC1qR by a specific antibody hindered HA-C1q signaling and prevented HYAL2 upregulation. Thus, C1q-HA interplay is responsible for enhanced HYAL2 expression, suggesting an increased rate of HA catabolism and the release of pro-inflammatory and pro-tumorigenic HA fragments in the MPM TME. Our data support the notion of an overall tumor-promoting property of C1q. Moreover, the overlapping localization and physical interaction between HYAL2 and gC1qR suggests a potential regulatory effect of gC1qR within a putative HA-C1q macromolecular complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Balduit
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Romana Vidergar
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Zacchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Micaela Grandolfo
- Neuroscience Area, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristina Bottin
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Salton
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Confalonieri
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Rocca
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Struttura Complessa di Anatomia ed Istologia Patologica, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Uday Kishore
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Berhane Ghebrehiwet
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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7
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Balduit A, Bianco AM, Mangogna A, Zicari AM, Leonardi L, Cinicola BL, Capponi M, Tommasini A, Agostinis C, d’Adamo AP, Bulla R. Genetic bases of C7 deficiency: systematic review and report of a novel deletion determining functional hemizygosity. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1192690. [PMID: 37304269 PMCID: PMC10248053 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1192690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary complement system (C) deficiencies are rare but notably associated with an increased risk of infections, autoimmunity, or immune disorders. Patients with terminal pathway C-deficiency have a 1,000- to 10,000-fold-higher risk of Neisseria meningitidis infections and should be therefore promptly identified to minimize the likelihood of further infections and to favor vaccination. In this paper, we performed a systematic review about clinical and genetic patterns of C7 deficiency starting from the case of a ten-year old boy infected by Neisseria meningitidis B and with clinical presentation suggestive of reduced C activity. Functional assay via Wieslab ELISA Kit confirmed a reduction in total C activity of the classical (0.6% activity), lectin (0.2% activity) and alternative (0.1% activity) pathways. Western blot analysis revealed the absence of C7 in patient serum. Sanger sequencing of genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood of the patient allowed the identification of two pathogenetic variants in the C7 gene: the already well-characterized missense mutation G379R and a novel heterozygous deletion of three nucleotides located at the 3'UTR (c.*99_*101delTCT). This mutation resulted in an instability of the mRNA; thus, only the allele containing the missense mutation was expressed, making the proband a functional hemizygote for the expression of the mutated C7 allele.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Balduit
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Anna Monica Bianco
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Zicari
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Leonardi
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Laura Cinicola
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Capponi
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Tommasini
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Adamo Pio d’Adamo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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8
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Vuerich R, Groppa E, Vodret S, Ring NAR, Stocco C, Bossi F, Agostinis C, Cauteruccio M, Colliva A, Ramadan M, Simoncello F, Benvenuti F, Agnelli A, Dore F, Mazzarol F, Moretti M, Paulitti A, Palmisano S, De Manzini N, Chiesa M, Casaburo M, Raucci A, Lorizio D, Pompilio G, Bulla R, Papa G, Zacchigna S. Ischemic wound revascularization by the stromal vascular fraction relies on host-donor hybrid vessels. NPJ Regen Med 2023; 8:8. [PMID: 36774354 PMCID: PMC9922297 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-023-00283-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonhealing wounds place a significant burden on both quality of life of affected patients and health systems. Skin substitutes are applied to promote the closure of nonhealing wounds, although their efficacy is limited by inadequate vascularization. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) from the adipose tissue is a promising therapy to overcome this limitation. Despite a few successful clinical trials, its incorporation in the clinical routine has been hampered by their inconsistent results. All these studies concluded by warranting pre-clinical work aimed at both characterizing the cell types composing the SVF and shedding light on their mechanism of action. Here, we established a model of nonhealing wound, in which we applied the SVF in combination with a clinical-grade skin substitute. We purified the SVF cells from transgenic animals to trace their fate after transplantation and observed that it gave rise to a mature vascular network composed of arteries, capillaries, veins, as well as lymphatics, structurally and functionally connected with the host circulation. Then we moved to a human-in-mouse model and confirmed that SVF-derived endothelial cells formed hybrid human-mouse vessels, that were stabilized by perivascular cells. Mechanistically, SVF-derived endothelial cells engrafted and expanded, directly contributing to the formation of new vessels, while a population of fibro-adipogenic progenitors stimulated the expansion of the host vasculature in a paracrine manner. These data have important clinical implications, as they provide a steppingstone toward the reproducible and effective adoption of the SVF as a standard care for nonhealing wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Vuerich
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy ,grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Elena Groppa
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy ,grid.5970.b0000 0004 1762 9868Present Address: Scuola Internazionale Studi Superiori Avanzati (SISSA), 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Nadja Annelies Ruth Ring
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy ,Present Address: Ludwig Boltzmann Research Group SHoW—Senescence and Healing of Wounds, LBI Trauma, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chiara Stocco
- grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy ,grid.413694.dPlastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department, Ospedale di Cattinara, ASUGI, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fleur Bossi
- grid.418712.90000 0004 1760 7415Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.) “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- grid.418712.90000 0004 1760 7415Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.) “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Cauteruccio
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy ,grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Colliva
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Mohammad Ramadan
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Simoncello
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cellular Immunology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Federica Benvenuti
- grid.425196.d0000 0004 1759 4810Cellular Immunology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Anna Agnelli
- grid.460062.60000000459364044Nuclear Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Trieste—ASUGI, Trieste, Italy
| | - Franca Dore
- grid.460062.60000000459364044Nuclear Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Trieste—ASUGI, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Silvia Palmisano
- grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicolò De Manzini
- grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mattia Chiesa
- grid.418230.c0000 0004 1760 1750Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Manuel Casaburo
- grid.418230.c0000 0004 1760 1750Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Angela Raucci
- grid.418230.c0000 0004 1760 1750Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Daniela Lorizio
- grid.418230.c0000 0004 1760 1750Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulio Pompilio
- grid.418230.c0000 0004 1760 1750Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Papa
- grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy ,grid.5133.40000 0001 1941 4308Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy. .,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy. .,Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milano, Italy.
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9
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Agostinis C, Zito G, Toffoli M, Peterlunger I, Simoni L, Balduit A, Curtolo E, Mangogna A, Belmonte B, Vacca D, Romano F, Stampalija T, Salviato T, Defendi F, Di Simone N, Kishore U, Ricci G, Bulla R. A longitudinal study of C1q and anti-C1q autoantibodies in homologous and heterologous pregnancies for predicting pre-eclampsia. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1037191. [DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1037191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
C1q, the recognition molecule of the classical pathway of the complement system, plays a central role in pregnancy. Lack of C1q is characterized by poor trophoblast invasion and pregnancy failure. C1q can be the target of an antibody response: anti‐C1q autoantibodies (anti-C1q) are present in several infectious and autoimmune diseases. The presence of these autoantibodies has been detected also in 2-8% of the general population. Recent evidence indicates that women who undergo assisted reproductive technology (ART) have an increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia (PE), particularly oocyte donation (OD) pregnancies. The aim of this study was to characterize the levels of C1q and anti-C1q in PE gestations, in healthy spontaneous, homologous and heterologous ART pregnancies. Serum of the following four groups of women, who were followed throughout two or three trimesters, were collected: PE, patients diagnosed with PE; OD, oocyte donation recipients; HOM, homologous ART women; Sp, spontaneous physiological pregnancy. Our results indicate that PE patients have lower levels of anti-C1q. In ART pregnant women, the trend of C1q and anti-C1q levels were similar to PE patients, even though these women did not develop PE-like symptoms during pregnancy. This finding suggests an immunological dysfunction at the foetal-maternal interface in ART pregnancies, a hypothesis confirmed by the observation of C1q deposition in placentae derived from OD, comparable to PE. Since significantly lower levels of anti-C1q were detected in PE compared to healthy control sera, we hypothesize the possible binding on placental syncytiotrophoblast microvesicles (STBM), which are increased in the circulation of PE mothers. Furthermore, the characterization of the binding-epitope of anti-C1q revealed that “physiological” autoantibodies were mainly directed against C1q globular domain. We concluded that anti-C1q could have a physiological role in pregnancy: during the healthy spontaneous pregnancy the raised levels of these autoantibodies can be important for the clearance of STBM. In PE and in pathological pregnancies (but also in OD pregnancies), the increase in syncytiotrophoblast apoptosis and consequent increase of the circulating STMB levels lead to a consumption of C1q and anti-C1q.
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10
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Agostinis C, Toffoli M, Spazzapan M, Balduit A, Zito G, Mangogna A, Zupin L, Salviato T, Maiocchi S, Romano F, Crovella S, Fontana F, Braga L, Confalonieri M, Ricci G, Kishore U, Bulla R. SARS-CoV-2 modulates virus receptor expression in placenta and can induce trophoblast fusion, inflammation and endothelial permeability. Front Immunol 2022; 13:957224. [PMID: 36177036 PMCID: PMC9513489 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.957224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a devastating virus that induces a range of immunopathological mechanisms including cytokine storm, apoptosis, inflammation and complement and coagulation pathway hyperactivation. However, how the infection impacts pregnant mothers is still being worked out due to evidence of vertical transmission of the SARS-CoV-2, and higher incidence of pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, caesarian section, and fetal mortality. In this study, we assessed the levels of the three main receptors of SARS-CoV-2 (ACE2, TMPRSS2 and CD147) in placentae derived from SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative mothers. Moreover, we measured the effects of Spike protein on placental cell lines, in addition to their susceptibility to infection. SARS-CoV-2 negative placentae showed elevated levels of CD147 and considerably low amount of TMPRSS2, making them non-permissive to infection. SARS-CoV-2 presence upregulated TMPRSS2 expression in syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast cells, thereby rendering them amenable to infection. The non-permissiveness of placental cells can be due to their less fusogenicity due to infection. We also found that Spike protein was capable of inducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, syncytiotrophoblast apoptosis and increased vascular permeability. These events can elicit pre-eclampsia-like syndrome that marks a high percentage of pregnancies when mothers are infected with SARS-CoV-2. Our study raises important points relevant to SARS-CoV-2 mediated adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Miriam Toffoli
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Balduit
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- *Correspondence: Andrea Balduit,
| | - Gabriella Zito
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luisa Zupin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Tiziana Salviato
- Department of Diagnostic, Clinic and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Serena Maiocchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Functional Cell Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Federico Romano
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sergio Crovella
- Biological Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Francesco Fontana
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASU GI), Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Braga
- Functional Cell Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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11
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Voltan R, Secchiero P, Ruozi B, Forni F, Agostinis C, Caruso L, Vandelli MA, Zauli G. Editor's Note: Nanoparticles Engineered with Rituximab and Loaded with Nutlin-3 Show Promising Therapeutic Activity in B-Leukemic Xenografts. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:2971. [PMID: 35775192 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-1597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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12
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Vuerich R, Groppa E, Vodret S, Ring N, Stocco C, Bossi F, Agostinis C, Colliva A, Simoncello F, Benvenuti F, Agnelli A, Dore F, Bulla R, Papa G, Zacchigna S. Effective revascularization of non-healing wounds by the human Stromal Vascular Fraction relies on direct cell integration and paracrine signals. Cardiovasc Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac066.239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): PREFER
Introduction
With the increased prevalence of chronic diseases, non-healing wounds place a significant burden on the health system, with a prevalence of 2-5%, similar to the one of heart failure. They are persistent full-thickness skin lesions that affect patients suffering from vascular disorders, such as diabetes and peripheral artery disease. Skin implants and substitutes are currently applied to promote the closure of non-healing wounds. However, both approaches are poorly effective because of lack of appropriate vascularization.
Purpose
To promote the neo-vascularization of non-healing wounds, we use Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) as innovative therapeutic opportunity for wound treatment.
Here, we aim to 1) characterize and demonstrate the pro-angiogenic role of SVF cells and 2) provide pre-clinical evidence of the therapeutic efficacy of the human SVF in promoting the neo-vascularization in a new mouse model of ischemic, non-healing wound.
Methods
To assess capacity of SVF-derived cells to improve wound revascularization, we created a new model of non-healing wound generated by wounding an ischemic limb in mice. Human and mouse SVF was purified from adipose tissue and seeded on a clinical-grade skin substitute prior to its implantation on the ischemic wound of a recipient animal. The transplantation of human SVF into NSG immunodeficient mice was verified using species-specific antibodies, while the use of genetically modified mice allowed us to trace the fate of both endothelial and non-endothelial cells upon their transplantation into syngeneic recipient animals. The function of SVF-induced vessels was assessed by systemic injection of biotinylated lectin and by Single Photon Emission Tomography (SPECT) of the treated limb.
Results
At day 7 the implanted mouse SVF gives rise to a widespread vascular network composed by arteries, capillaries, veins, as well as lymphatic vessels. Similarly, human SVF-derived endothelial cells formed hybrid human-mouse vessels that were stabilized by perivascular cells. At both histological and functional analysis, these vessels were connected with the host circulatory system and determined a 2-fold increase in tissue perfusion. The comparison of the activity of human SVF from different donors allowed us to disclose its dual mechanisms of action.
Conclusions
Here we demonstrated the efficacy of the SVF in promoting neo-vascularization of a skin substitute in a mouse model of ischemic, non-healing wounds. Its therapeutic efficacy relies on dual mechanisms of action. On the one hand, SVF-derived ECs engraft and expand, directly forming new vascular units that colonize the scaffold and extend into surrounding tissues. On the other hand, the mesenchymal progenitors stimulate the expansion of the host vasculature, which extends into the scaffold, with the eventual appearance of donor-host hybrid vessels.
Collectively, these data support the use of human SVF as a powerful cell therapy to treat non-healing wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vuerich
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - E Groppa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - S Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - N Ring
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - C Stocco
- Cattinara Hospital, Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department , Trieste , Italy
| | - F Bossi
- Burlo Garofolo Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare , Trieste , Italy
| | - C Agostinis
- Burlo Garofolo Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare , Trieste , Italy
| | - A Colliva
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - F Simoncello
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - F Benvenuti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
| | - A Agnelli
- Cattinara Hospital, Nuclear Medicine Unit , Trieste , Italy
| | - F Dore
- Cattinara Hospital, Nuclear Medicine Unit , Trieste , Italy
| | - R Bulla
- University of Trieste, Department of Life Sciences , Trieste , Italy
| | - G Papa
- Cattinara Hospital, Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department , Trieste , Italy
| | - S Zacchigna
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Trieste , Italy
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Belmonte B, Mangogna A, Gulino A, Cancila V, Morello G, Agostinis C, Bulla R, Ricci G, Fraggetta F, Botto M, Garred P, Tedesco F. Distinct Roles of Classical and Lectin Pathways of Complement in Preeclamptic Placentae. Front Immunol 2022; 13:882298. [PMID: 35711467 PMCID: PMC9197446 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.882298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by defective vascular remodeling in maternal decidua responsible for reduced blood flow leading to functional and structural alterations in the placenta. We have investigated the contribution of the complement system to decidual vascular changes and showed that trophoblasts surrounding unremodeled vessels prevalent in preeclamptic decidua fail to express C1q that are clearly detected in cells around remodeled vessels predominant in control placenta. The critical role of C1q is supported by the finding that decidual trophoblasts of female C1qa-/- pregnant mice mated to C1qa+/+ male mice surrounding remodeled vessels express C1q of paternal origin. Unlike C1qa-/- pregnant mice, heterozygous C1qa+/- and wild type pregnant mice share a high percentage of remodeled vessels. C1q was also found in decidual vessels and stroma of normal placentae and the staining was stronger in preeclamptic placentae. Failure to detect placental deposition of C1r and C1s associated with C1q rules out complement activation through the classical pathway. Conversely, the intense staining of decidual endothelial cells and villous trophoblast for ficolin-3, MASP-1 and MASP-2 supports the activation of the lectin pathway that proceeds with the cleavage of C4 and C3 and the assembly of the terminal complex. These data extend to humans our previous findings of complement activation through the lectin pathway in an animal model of pre-eclampsia and provide evidence for an important contribution of C1q in decidual vascular remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale (ASP) Catania, “Gravina” Hospital, Caltagirone, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gulino
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valeria Cancila
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaia Morello
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Filippo Fraggetta
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale (ASP) Catania, “Gravina” Hospital, Caltagirone, Italy
| | - Marina Botto
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Imperial Lupus Centre, Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service (NHS) Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Garred
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Francesco Tedesco
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Laboratory of Immuno-Rheumatology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Francesco Tedesco,
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Lombardelli L, Logiodice F, Kullolli O, Haller H, Agostinis C, Bulla R, Rukavina D, Piccinni MP. At Embryo Implantation Site IL-35 Secreted by Trophoblast, Polarizing T Cells towards IL-35+ IL-10+ IL-4+ Th2-Type Cells, Could Favour Fetal Allograft Tolerance and Pregnancy Success. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094926. [PMID: 35563316 PMCID: PMC9103079 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the role of rhIL-35, at low concentrations compatible with those produced by human trophoblast cells (less than 1 ng/mL), on human T helper (Th) cell functions and the presence of decidual IL-35-producing Th cells in human pregnancy. We found that human trophoblast cells produced IL-35 but not IL-4 or IL-10. RhIL-35, at concentrations produced by human trophoblasts, polarized T cells towards IL-35+, IL-10+, IL-4+ Th2-type cells and to Foxp3+ EBI3+ p35+ T reg cells producing IL-35 but not IL-10 and IL-4. Moreover, rhIL-35 at low concentrations did not suppress the proliferation of Th cells but stimulated IL-4 and IL-10 production by established Th clones. In particular, Th1-type clones acquired the capacity to produce IL-4. In addition, purified human trophoblast cell supernatants containing IL-35 upregulated IL-4 and IL-10 production by Th clones. Finally, IL-35+, IL-10+, IL-4+ Th2-type cells, which were found to be induced by low concentrations of IL-35 compatible with those produced by human trophoblasts, are exclusively present in the decidua of a successful pregnancy and at the embryo implantation site, suggesting their stringent dependence on trophoblast cells. Thus, the proximity of Th cells to IL-35-producing trophoblasts could be the determining factor for the differentiation of IL-35+, IL-10+, IL-4+ Th2-type cells that are crucial for human pregnancy success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Lombardelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.L.); (F.L.); (O.K.)
| | - Federica Logiodice
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.L.); (F.L.); (O.K.)
| | - Ornela Kullolli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.L.); (F.L.); (O.K.)
| | - Herman Haller
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia;
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Daniel Rukavina
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia;
| | - Marie-Pierre Piccinni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.L.); (F.L.); (O.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-055-275-8338
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15
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Agostinis C, Mangogna A, Balduit A, Aghamajidi A, Ricci G, Kishore U, Bulla R. COVID-19, Pre-Eclampsia, and Complement System. Front Immunol 2021; 12:775168. [PMID: 34868042 PMCID: PMC8635918 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.775168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is characterized by virus-induced injury leading to multi-organ failure, together with inflammatory reaction, endothelial cell (EC) injury, and prothrombotic coagulopathy with thrombotic events. Complement system (C) via its cross-talk with the contact and coagulation systems contributes significantly to the severity and pathological consequences due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. These immunopathological mechanisms overlap in COVID-19 and pre-eclampsia (PE). Thus, mothers contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy are more vulnerable to developing PE. SARS-CoV-2 infection of ECs, via its receptor ACE2 and co-receptor TMPRSS2, can provoke endothelial dysfunction and disruption of vascular integrity, causing hyperinflammation and hypercoagulability. This is aggravated by bradykinin increase due to inhibition of ACE2 activity by the virus. C is important for the progression of normal pregnancy, and its dysregulation can impact in the form of PE-like syndrome as a consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, there is also an overlap between treatment regimens of COVID-19 and PE. C inhibitors, especially those targeting C3 or MASP-2, are exciting options for treating COVID-19 and consequent PE. In this review, we examine the role of C, contact and coagulation systems as well as endothelial hyperactivation with respect to SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and likely development of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Balduit
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Azin Aghamajidi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Agostinis C, Zorzet S, Balduit A, Zito G, Mangogna A, Macor P, Romano F, Toffoli M, Belmonte B, Morello G, Martorana A, Borelli V, Ricci G, Kishore U, Bulla R. The Inflammatory Feed-Forward Loop Triggered by the Complement Component C3 as a Potential Target in Endometriosis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:693118. [PMID: 34489939 PMCID: PMC8418148 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.693118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The complement system is a major component of humoral innate immunity, acting as a first line of defense against microbes via opsonization and lysis of pathogens. However, novel roles of the complement system in inflammatory and immunological processes, including in cancer, are emerging. Endometriosis (EM), a benign disease characterized by ectopic endometrial implants, shows certain unique features of cancer, such as the capacity to invade surrounding tissues, and in severe cases, metastatic properties. A defective immune surveillance against autologous tissue deposited in the peritoneal cavity allows immune escape for endometriotic lesions. There is evidence that the glandular epithelial cells found in endometriotic implants produce and secrete the complement component C3. Here, we show, using immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR, the presence of locally synthesized C3 in the ectopic endometriotic tissue, but not in the eutopic tissue. We generated a murine model of EM via injection of minced uterine tissue from a donor mouse into the peritoneum of recipient mice. The wild type mice showed greater amount of cyst formation in the peritoneum compared to C3 knock-out mice. Peritoneal washings from the wild type mice with EM showed more degranulated mast cells compared to C3 knock-out mice, consistent with higher C3a levels in the peritoneal fluid of EM patients. We provide evidence that C3a participates in an auto-amplifying loop leading to mast cell infiltration and activation, which is pathogenic in EM. Thus, C3 can be considered a marker of EM and its local synthesis can promote the engraftment of the endometriotic cysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sonia Zorzet
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Balduit
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriella Zito
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Macor
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Federico Romano
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Miriam Toffoli
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaia Morello
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Martorana
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Violetta Borelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Vidergar R, Balduit A, Zacchi P, Agostinis C, Mangogna A, Belmonte B, Grandolfo M, Salton F, Biolo M, Zanconati F, Confalonieri M, Bulla R. C1q-HA Matrix Regulates the Local Synthesis of Hyaluronan in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma by Modulating HAS3 Expression. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030416. [PMID: 33499323 PMCID: PMC7865933 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030416] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive tumor characterized by poor prognosis due to late diagnosis and the absence of efficient first-line treatments. Hyaluronic acid (HA) and the complement protein C1q represent two pivotal players in the MPM tumor microenvironment by acting in association with effects on cancer cell adhesion, migration and proliferation. The aim of the current study is to prove HA production by MPM primary cells and to understand whether HA metabolism modulation could be considered a potential target for future therapeutic approaches in MPM. Abstract Increased hyaluronic acid (HA) production is often associated with cancer progression. In malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), HA is found at elevated levels in pleural effusions and sera of patients, and it has been widely debated whether MPM cells are able to produce HA by themselves or through the release of growth factors stimulating other cells. Another key component of the MPM microenvironment is C1q, which can act as a pro-tumorigenic factor favoring cell adhesion, migration and proliferation. The aim of the current study was to prove that MPM primary cells are able to synthesize HA and to inquire the stimulus given by C1q–HA matrix to HA synthesis. We confirmed the presence of a HA coat and cable-like structures around MPM primary cells, as well as an intracellular pool, mainly localized in the cytoplasmic and perinuclear region. After evaluating HA synthase (HAS) enzymes’ basal expression in MPM primary cells, we found that C1q bound to HA was able to impinge upon HA homeostasis by upregulating HAS3 both at the mRNA and the protein levels. High expression of HAS3 has been correlated with a shorter life expectancy in MPM by bioinformatical analysis. These data confirmed that C1q bound to HA may exert pro-tumorigenic activity and identified HAS3 as a potential target in MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romana Vidergar
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (R.V.); (P.Z.); (R.B.)
| | - Andrea Balduit
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (R.V.); (P.Z.); (R.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Paola Zacchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (R.V.); (P.Z.); (R.B.)
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (C.A.); (A.M.)
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (C.A.); (A.M.)
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Micaela Grandolfo
- International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), 34136 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Francesco Salton
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (F.S.); (M.B.); (F.Z.); (M.C.)
| | - Marco Biolo
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (F.S.); (M.B.); (F.Z.); (M.C.)
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (F.S.); (M.B.); (F.Z.); (M.C.)
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (F.S.); (M.B.); (F.Z.); (M.C.)
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (R.V.); (P.Z.); (R.B.)
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Agostinis C, Balduit A, Mangogna A, Zito G, Romano F, Ricci G, Kishore U, Bulla R. Immunological Basis of the Endometriosis: The Complement System as a Potential Therapeutic Target. Front Immunol 2021; 11:599117. [PMID: 33505394 PMCID: PMC7829336 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.599117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis (EM) is a chronic disease characterized by the presence and proliferation of functional endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. Ovaries and pelvic peritoneum are the most common locations for endometrial ectopic tissue, followed by deep infiltrating EM sites. The cyclic and recurrent bleeding, the progressive fibrosis and the peritoneal adhesions of ectopic endometrial glands, may cause different symptoms depending on the origin involved. EM is a frequent clinical condition affecting around 10% of women of mainly reproductive age, as well as in post-menopausal women and adolescents, especially with uterine anomalies. The risk of developing EM depends on a complex interaction between genetic, immunological, hormonal, and environmental factors. It is largely considered to arise due to a dysfunction of immunological surveillance. In fact, women with EM exhibit altered functions of peritoneal macrophages, lymphocytes and natural killer cells, as well as levels of inflammatory mediators and growth factors in the peritoneal fluid. In EM patients, peritoneal macrophages are preponderant and highly active compared to healthy women. Peritoneal macrophages are able to regulate the events that determine the production of cytokines, prostaglandins, growth factors and complement components. Several studies have shown alteration in the regulation of the complement activation, leading to chronic inflammation characteristic of EM. Aberrant regulation/activation of the complement system has been observed in the peritoneal cavity of women affected by EM. Thus, complement inhibition may represent a new approach for the treatment of EM, given that a number of complement inhibitors are under pre-clinical and clinical development. Such an intervention may provide a broader therapeutic control of complement-mediated inflammatory damage in EM patients. This review will focus on our current understanding of the role of complement activation in EM and possible modalities available for complement-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Balduit
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriella Zito
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Federico Romano
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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19
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Agostinis C, Bossi F, Mangogna A, Balduit A, Pacor M, Giacomello E, Belmonte B, Greco D, Rodolico V, Voinovich D, De Seta F, Ricci G, Bulla R. Protective and regenerative effects of a novel medical device against esophageal mucosal damage using in vitro and ex vivo models. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 131:110752. [PMID: 33152918 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common digestive disorder that causes esophagitis and injuries to the esophageal mucosa. GERD symptoms are recurrent during pregnancy and their treatment is focused on lifestyle changes and nonprescription medicines. The aim of this study was to characterize the mechanism of action of a new patented medical device, an oral formulation containing hyaluronic acid, rice extract, and amino acids dispersed in a bioadhesive polymer matrix, by assessing its protective effects in in vitro and ex vivo models of esophageal mucosa damage. Acidic bile salts and pepsin cocktail (BSC) added to CP-A and COLO-680 N esophagus cells were used as an in vitro GERD model to evaluate the binding capacities, anti-inflammatory effects and reparative properties of the investigational product (IP) in comparison to a viscous control. Our results showed that the IP prevents cell permeability and tight junction dysfunction induced by BSC. Furthermore, the IP was also able to down-regulate IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression induced by BSC stimulation and to promote tissue repair and wound healing. The results were confirmed by ex vivo experiments in excised rat esophagi through the quantification of Evans Blue permeability assay. These experiments provided evidence that the IP is able to bind to the human esophagus cells, preventing the damage caused by gastroesophageal reflux, showing potential anti-irritative, soothing, and reparative properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Fleur Bossi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Balduit
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Micol Pacor
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniele Greco
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vito Rodolico
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Dario Voinovich
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco De Seta
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy; Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy; Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
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Degasperi M, Agostinis C, Mardirossian M, Maschio M, Taddio A, Bulla R, Scocchi M. The Anti-Pseudomonal Peptide D-BMAP18 Is Active in Cystic Fibrosis Sputum and Displays Anti-Inflammatory In Vitro Activity. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091407. [PMID: 32932703 PMCID: PMC7565916 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Most Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients succumb to airway inflammation and pulmonary infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. D-BMAP18, a membrane-permeabilizing antimicrobial peptide composed of D-amino acids, was evaluated as a possible antibacterial aimed to address this issue. The antipseudomonal activity of D-BMAP18 was tested in a pathophysiological context. The peptide displayed activity against CF isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the presence of CF sputum when combined with sodium chloride and DNase I. In combination with DNase I, D-BMAP18 discouraged the deposition of new biofilm and eradicated preformed biofilms of some P. aeruginosa strains. In addition, D-BMAP18 down regulated the production of TNF-α, IL1-β, and TGF-β in LPS-stimulated or IFN-γ macrophages derived from THP-1 cells indicating an anti-inflammatory activity. The biocompatibility of D-BMAP18 was assessed using four different cell lines, showing that residual cell-specific cytotoxicity at bactericidal concentrations could be abolished by the presence of CF sputum. Overall, this study suggests that D-BMAP18 may be an interesting molecule as a starting point to develop a novel therapeutic agent to simultaneously contrast lung infections and inflammation in CF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Degasperi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.D.); (R.B.)
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (C.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Mario Mardirossian
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34125 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Massimo Maschio
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (C.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Andrea Taddio
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (C.A.); (M.M.)
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.D.); (R.B.)
| | - Marco Scocchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.D.); (R.B.)
- Correspondence:
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21
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Durigutto P, Macor P, Pozzi N, Agostinis C, Bossi F, Meroni PL, Grossi C, Borghi MO, Planer W, Garred P, Tedesco F. Complement Activation and Thrombin Generation by MBL Bound to β2-Glycoprotein I. J Immunol 2020; 205:1385-1392. [PMID: 32759297 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
β2-Glycoprotein I (β2-GPI) is an abundant plasma glycoprotein with unknown physiological function and is currently recognized as the main target of antiphospholipid Abs responsible for complement activation and vascular thrombosis in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). In this study, we provide evidence that mannose-binding lectin (MBL) binds to β2-GPI in Ca++ and a dose-dependent manner and that this interaction activates complement and promotes complement-dependent thrombin generation. Surprisingly, a significant binding was observed between MBL and isolated domains II and IV of β2-GPI, whereas the carbohydrate chains, domain I and domain V, were not involved in the interaction, documenting a noncanonical binding mode between MBL and β2-GPI. Importantly, this interaction may occur on endothelial cells because binding of MBL to β2-GPI was detected on the surface of HUVECs, and colocalization of MBL with β2-GPI was observed on the endothelium of a biopsy specimen of a femoral artery from an APS patient. Because β2-GPI-mediated MBL-dependent thrombin generation was increased after priming the endothelium with TNF-α, our data suggests that this mechanism could play an important yet unrecognized role under physiological conditions and may be upregulated in pathological situations. Moreover, the complement activation and the procoagulant effects of the β2-GPI/MBL complex may contribute to amplify similar activities of anti-β2-GPI Abs in APS and possibly act independently of Abs, raising the issue of developing appropriate therapies to avoid recurrences and disability in patients at risk for these clinical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Durigutto
- Laboratorio di Immuno-Reumatologia, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Cusano Milanino, 20095 Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Macor
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicola Pozzi
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Istituto Materno-Infantile, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fleur Bossi
- Istituto Materno-Infantile, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Meroni
- Laboratorio di Immuno-Reumatologia, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Cusano Milanino, 20095 Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Grossi
- Laboratorio di Immuno-Reumatologia, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Cusano Milanino, 20095 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria O Borghi
- Laboratorio di Immuno-Reumatologia, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Cusano Milanino, 20095 Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; and
| | - William Planer
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104
| | - Peter Garred
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Francesco Tedesco
- Laboratorio di Immuno-Reumatologia, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Cusano Milanino, 20095 Milan, Italy;
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Balduit A, Mangogna A, Agostinis C, Zito G, Romano F, Ricci G, Bulla R. Zinc Oxide Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Properties on Human Placental Cells. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12061822. [PMID: 32570911 PMCID: PMC7353449 DOI: 10.3390/nu12061822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: An aberrant and persistent inflammatory state at the fetal-maternal interface is considered as a key contributor in compromised pregnancies. Decidual endothelial cells (DECs) play a pivotal role in the control of the local decidual inflammation. The aim of the current study was to determine whether dietary supplement with zinc oxide (ZnO), due to its very low adverse effects, may be useful for modulating the inflammatory response in the first trimester of pregnancy. Methods: The anti-inflammatory properties of ZnO in pregnancy were evaluated by in vitro tests on endothelial cells isolated from normal deciduas and on a trophoblast cell line (HTR8/Svneo). The effects of this treatment were analyzed in terms of adhesion molecule expression and inflammatory cytokine secretion, by real time-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Our data showed that ZnO was able to reduce the inflammatory response of DECs, in terms of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression induced by TNF-α stimulation. This compound exerted no effect on intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) exocytosis induced by TNF-α on stimulated trophoblast cells, but significantly reduced their IL-6 expression. Conclusion: According to these results, it can be suggested that the ZnO supplement, through its modulation of the pro-inflammatory response of DECs, can be used in pregnancy for the prevention of local decidual inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Balduit
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (G.Z.); (F.R.); (G.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-04055-88646
| | - Gabriella Zito
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (G.Z.); (F.R.); (G.R.)
| | - Federico Romano
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (G.Z.); (F.R.); (G.R.)
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (G.Z.); (F.R.); (G.R.)
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (R.B.)
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Balduit A, Agostinis C, Mangogna A, Maggi V, Zito G, Romano F, Romano A, Ceccherini R, Grassi G, Bonin S, Bonazza D, Zanconati F, Ricci G, Bulla R. The Extracellular Matrix Influences Ovarian Carcinoma Cells' Sensitivity to Cisplatinum: A First Step towards Personalized Medicine. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051175. [PMID: 32392708 PMCID: PMC7281165 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of personalized therapies for ovarian carcinoma patients is still hampered by several limitations, mainly the difficulty of predicting patients’ responses to chemotherapy in tumor cells isolated from peritoneal fluids. The main reason for the low predictive power of in vitro assays is related to the modification of the cancer cells’ phenotype induced by the culture conditions, which results in changes to the activation state and drug sensitivity of tumor cells compared to their in vivo properties. We have defined the optimal culture conditions to set up a prognostic test to predict high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) patients’ responses to platinum chemotherapy. We evaluated the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) and fibronectin matrices and the contribution of freezing/thawing processes to the cell response to platinum-based treatment, collecting spheroids from the ascitic fluids of 13 patients with stage II or III HGSOC. Our findings indicated that an efficient model used to generate predictive data for in vivo sensitivity to platinum is culturing fresh spheroids on HA, avoiding the use of previously frozen primary tumor cells. The establishment of this easy, reproducible and standardized testing method can significantly contribute to an improvement in therapeutic effectiveness, thus bringing the prospect of personalized therapy closer for ovarian carcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Balduit
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (G.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (G.Z.); (F.R.); (G.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-04-0558-8646
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (G.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Veronica Maggi
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (V.M.); (A.R.); (S.B.); (D.B.); (F.Z.)
| | - Gabriella Zito
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (G.Z.); (F.R.); (G.R.)
| | - Federico Romano
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (G.Z.); (F.R.); (G.R.)
| | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (V.M.); (A.R.); (S.B.); (D.B.); (F.Z.)
| | - Rita Ceccherini
- Centro Sociale Oncologico, OSARF, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (G.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Serena Bonin
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (V.M.); (A.R.); (S.B.); (D.B.); (F.Z.)
| | - Deborah Bonazza
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (V.M.); (A.R.); (S.B.); (D.B.); (F.Z.)
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (V.M.); (A.R.); (S.B.); (D.B.); (F.Z.)
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (G.Z.); (F.R.); (G.R.)
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (V.M.); (A.R.); (S.B.); (D.B.); (F.Z.)
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (G.G.); (R.B.)
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Mangogna A, Varghese PM, Agostinis C, Alrokayan SH, Khan HA, Stover CM, Belmonte B, Martorana A, Ricci G, Bulla R, Kishore U. Prognostic Value of Complement Properdin in Cancer. Front Immunol 2020; 11:614980. [PMID: 33542722 PMCID: PMC7851055 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.614980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The complement system is readily triggered by the presence of damage-associated molecular patterns on the surface of tumor cells. The complement alternative pathway provides rapid amplification of the molecular stress signal, leading to complement cascade activation to deal with pathogens or malignant cells. Properdin is the only known positive regulator of the alternative pathway. In addition, properdin promotes the phagocytic uptake of apoptotic T cells by macrophages and dendritic cells without activating the complement system, thus, establishing its ability to recognize "altered-self". Dysregulation of properdin has been implicated in substantial tissue damage in the host, and in some cases, chronic unresolved inflammation. A corollary of this may be the development of cancer. Hence, to establish a correlation between properdin presence/levels in normal and cancer tissues, we performed bioinformatics analysis, using Oncomine and UALCAN. Survival analyses were performed using UALCAN and PROGgeneV2 to assess if properdin can serve as a potential prognostic marker for human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC), and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). We also analyzed levels of tumor-infiltrating immune cells using TIMER, a tool for characterizing immune cell composition in cancers. We found that in LUAD and LIHC, there was a lower expression of properdin in the tumors compared to normal tissues, while no significant difference was observed in CESC and PAAD. Survival analysis demonstrated a positive association between properdin mRNA expression and overall survival in all 4 types of cancers. TIMER analysis revealed that properdin expression correlated negatively with tumor purity and positively with levels of infiltrating B cells, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, CD4+ helper T cells, macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells in LUAD, CESC and PAAD, and with levels of B cells, CD8+ T cells and dendritic cells in LIHC. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that infiltrating immune cells were the most likely source of properdin in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, complement protein properdin shows promise as a prognostic marker in cancer and warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Praveen M. Varghese
- Biosciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Salman H. Alrokayan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haseeb A. Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Cordula M. Stover
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Martorana
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- *Correspondence: Roberta Bulla, ; Uday Kishore, ;
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Roberta Bulla, ; Uday Kishore, ;
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Murugaiah V, Agostinis C, Varghese PM, Belmonte B, Vieni S, Alaql FA, Alrokayan SH, Khan HA, Kaur A, Roberts T, Madan T, Bulla R, Kishore U. Hyaluronic Acid Present in the Tumor Microenvironment Can Negate the Pro-apototic Effect of a Recombinant Fragment of Human Surfactant Protein D on Breast Cancer Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1171. [PMID: 32733438 PMCID: PMC7360846 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human surfactant protein D (SP-D) belongs to the family of collectins that is composed of a characteristic amino-terminal collagenous region and a carboxy-terminal C-type lectin domain. Being present at the mucosal surfaces, SP-D acts as a potent innate immune molecule and offers protection against non-self and altered self, such as pathogens, allergens, and tumor. Here, we examined the effect of a recombinant fragment of human SP-D (rfhSP-D) on a range of breast cancer lines. Breast cancer has four molecular subtypes characterized by varied expressions of estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors (HER2). The cell viability of HER2-overexpressing (SKBR3) and triple-positive (BT474) breast cancer cell lines [but not of a triple-negative cell line (BT20)] was reduced following rfhSP-D treatment at 24 h. Upregulation of p21/p27 cell cycle inhibitors and p53 phosphorylation (Ser15) in rfhSP-D-treated BT474 and SKBR3 cell lines signified G2/M cell cycle arrest. Cleaved caspases 9 and 3 were detected in rfhSP-D-treated BT474 and SKBR3 cells, suggesting an involvement of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. However, rfhSP-D-induced apoptosis was nullified in the presence of hyaluronic acid (HA) whose increased level in breast tumor microenvironment is associated with malignant tumor progression and invasion. rfhSP-D bound to solid-phase HA and promoted tumor cell proliferation. rfhSP-D-treated SKBR3 cells in the presence of HA showed decreased transcriptional levels of p53 when compared to cells treated with rfhSP-D only. Thus, HA appears to negate the anti-tumorigenic properties of rfhSP-D against HER2-overexpressing and triple-positive breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valarmathy Murugaiah
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Praveen M. Varghese
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Vieni
- Division of General and Oncological Surgery, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fanan A. Alaql
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Salman H. Alrokayan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haseeb A. Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anuvinder Kaur
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Terry Roberts
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Taruna Madan
- Department of Innate Immunity, ICMR—National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- *Correspondence: Roberta Bulla
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
- Uday Kishore ;
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Dall'Acqua S, Grabnar I, Verardo R, Klaric E, Marchionni L, Luidy-Imada E, Sut S, Agostinis C, Bulla R, Perissutti B, Voinovich D. Combined extracts of Echinacea angustifolia DC. and Zingiber officinale Roscoe in softgel capsules: Pharmacokinetics and immunomodulatory effects assessed by gene expression profiling. Phytomedicine 2019; 65:153090. [PMID: 31557666 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153090] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Echinacea angustifolia DC. and Zingiber officinale Roscoe are two natural products with documented immunomodulatory activity, both able to modulate the expression of important immune-related genes. Thus, their use in combination seems to be particularly promising. In this context, we have considered the oral supplementation of a highly standardized lipophilic extract combining both above-mentioned phytocomplexes, formulated in attractive softgel capsules, with two objectives: on the one hand to study oral pharmacokinetic of main active extracts' components and on the other hand to examine the immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory properties by gene expression profiling. METHODS Softgel capsules containing a combination of E. angustifolia DC. and Z. officinale Roscoe (5 mg and 25 mg, respectively) were given by oral administration to 10 healthy volunteers. The plasma concentrations of dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10E/Z-tetraenoic isobutylamide (tetraene) for E. angustifolia DC., 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol (free and glucuronide) for Z. officinale Roscoe were determined by LC-MS analysis, and the pharmacokinetic analysis was performed. To understand the functional mechanisms responsible for the documented health benefits, we also examined the overall transcriptional remodeling induced in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and performed an integrative functional analysis on the generated gene expression. RESULTS All bioactive components were absorbed very rapidly, and their tmax were detected in plasma from 30 min to 1.40 h. The peak concentrations of tetraene, 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol and their glucuronide metabolites were 14.74, 5.66, 9.25, 29.2 and 22.24 ng/ml, respectively. Integrated analysis performed on the generated gene expression data highlighted immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects similar to those exerted by hydrocortisone. CONCLUSION These data demonstrated that the bioactive ingredients are highly and rapidly absorbed from softgel capsules containing the combination of the above-mentioned lipophilic extracts, providing evidence to support their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. These data also help in defining the mechanistic pathways underlying the health benefits of these plant-derived bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Dall'Acqua
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Iztok Grabnar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerceva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roberto Verardo
- National Laboratory of the Interuniversity Consortium for Biotechnology, Area Science Park - Padriciano 99, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Enio Klaric
- National Laboratory of the Interuniversity Consortium for Biotechnology, Area Science Park - Padriciano 99, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luigi Marchionni
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eddie Luidy-Imada
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, ICB, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Stefania Sut
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and the Environment, Viale dell'Università 16 - 35020 Legnaro, Pd, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, 34143, Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Valerio, 28, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Beatrice Perissutti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, P.le Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Dario Voinovich
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, P.le Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
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Agostinis C, Mangogna A, Bossi F, Ricci G, Kishore U, Bulla R. Uterine Immunity and Microbiota: A Shifting Paradigm. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2387. [PMID: 31681281 PMCID: PMC6811518 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The female reproductive tract harbors distinct microbial communities, as in the vagina, cervical canal, uterus, and fallopian tubes. The nature of the vaginal microbiota is well-known; in contrast, the upper reproductive tract remains largely unexplored. Alteration in the uterine microbiota, which is dependent on the nutrients and hormones available to the uterus, is likely to play an important role in uterine-related diseases such as hysteromyoma, adenomyosis, and endometriosis. Uterine mucosa is an important tissue barrier whose main function is to offer protection against pathogens and other toxic factors, while maintaining a symbiotic relationship with commensal microbes. These characteristics are shared by all the mucosal tissues; however, the uterine mucosa is unique since it changes cyclically during the menstrual cycle as well as pregnancy. The immune system, besides its role in the defense process, plays crucial roles in reproduction as it ensures local immune tolerance to fetal/paternal antigens, trophoblast invasion, and vascular remodeling. The human endometrium contains a conspicuous number of immune cells, mainly Natural Killers (NK) cells, which are phenotypically distinct from peripheral cytotoxic NK, cells and macrophages. The endometrium also contains few lymphoid aggregates comprising B cell and CD8+ T cells. The number and the phenotype of these cells change during the menstrual cycle. It has become evident in recent years that the immune cell phenotype and function can be influenced by microbiota. Immune cells can sense the presence of microbes through their pattern recognition receptors, setting up host-microbe interaction. The microbiota exerts an appropriately controlled defense mechanism by competing for nutrients and mucosal space with pathogens. It has recently been considered that uterus is a non-sterile compartment since it seems to possess its own microbiota. There has been an increasing interest in characterizing the nature of microbial colonization within the uterus and its apparent impact on fertility and pregnancy. This review will examine the potential relationship between the uterine microbiota and the immune cells present in the local environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Fleur Bossi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Mangogna A, Belmonte B, Agostinis C, Zacchi P, Iacopino DG, Martorana A, Rodolico V, Bonazza D, Zanconati F, Kishore U, Bulla R. Prognostic Implications of the Complement Protein C1q in Gliomas. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2366. [PMID: 31649675 PMCID: PMC6795702 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of the complement system in the pathophysiology of brain cancers has been recently considered in light of its well-known involvement in carcinogenesis. Complement system represents an important component of the inflammatory response, which acts as a functional bridge between the innate and adaptive immune response. C1q, the first recognition subcomponent of the complement classical pathway, has recently been shown to be involved in a range of pathophysiological functions that are not dependent on complement activation. C1q is expressed in the microenvironment of various types of human tumors, including melanoma, prostate, mesothelioma, and ovarian cancers, where it can exert a protective or a harmful effect on cancer progression. Despite local synthesis of C1q in the central nervous system, the involvement of C1q in glioma pathogenesis has been poorly investigated. We, therefore, performed a bioinformatics analysis, using Oncomine dataset and UALCAN database in order to assess whether the expression of the genes encoding for the three chains of C1q (C1qA, C1qB, and C1qC) could serve as a potential prognostic marker for gliomas. The obtained results were then validated using an independent glioma cohort from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas datasets. Our bioinformatics analysis, coupled with immunohistochemistry and fluorescence microscopy, appears to suggest a positive correlation between higher levels of C1q expression and unfavorable prognosis in a diverse grade of gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Human Pathology Section, Tumour Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Zacchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Domenico Gerardo Iacopino
- Neurosurgical Unit, Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience, University Hospital, Paolo Giaccone, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Martorana
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vito Rodolico
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Deborah Bonazza
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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29
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Vidergar R, Agostinis C, Zacchi P, Mangogna A, Bossi F, Zanconati F, Confalonieri M, Ricci G, Bulla R. Evaluation of the Interplay Between the Complement Protein C1q and Hyaluronic Acid in Promoting Cell Adhesion. J Vis Exp 2019. [PMID: 31259907 DOI: 10.3791/58688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been increasingly demonstrated that the tumor microenvironment plays an active role in neoplasia growth and metastasis. Through different pathways, tumor cells can efficiently recruit stromal, immune and endothelial cells by secreting stimulatory factors, chemokines and cytokines. In turn, these cells can alter the signaling properties of the microenvironment by releasing growth-promoting signals, metabolites and extracellular matrix components to sustain high proliferation and metastatic competence. In this context, we identify that the complement component C1q, highly expressed locally by a range of human malignant tumors, upon interacting with the extracellular matrix hyaluronic acid, strongly affects the behavior of primary cells isolated from human tumor specimens. Here, we describe a method to test how C1q bound to hyaluronic acid (HA) impacts tumor cell adhesion, underlying the fact that the biological properties of key components of the extracellular matrix (in this case HA) can be shaped by bioactive signals toward tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Burlo Garofolo
| | - Paola Zacchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
| | | | - Fleur Bossi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Burlo Garofolo
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Burlo Garofolo; Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste
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Mangogna A, Agostinis C, Ricci G, Romano F, Bulla R. Overview of procalcitonin in pregnancy and in pre-eclampsia. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 198:37-46. [PMID: 31081935 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Procalcitonin (PCT), a precursor for calcitonin, is a prohormone involved in the inflammatory processes, which has been poorly studied in the context of pregnancy. During severe inflammation, PCT derives from almost all cell types, including monocytes and parenchymal tissues, making it a good predictive and diagnostic marker of an inflammatory state with rapidly increased serum levels in inflammation or sepsis. In normal pregnancy, PCT is basally expressed at very low level by decidual cells, even if decidual macrophages, which in normal pregnancy are skewed to M2 macrophages, are resistant to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of PCT. As PCT increase is associated with an inflammatory state, several research groups investigated whether PCT can be considered a marker of pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy disease characterized by systemic inflammation. The first aim of this review is to summarize what is already known about the tissues synthesizing PCT, about the stimuli that cause the increase of circulating PCT levels and how PCT acts as a proinflammatory stimulus by itself. Secondly, we will describe the role of this prohormone in normal pregnancy and in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia, highlighting the involvement of the decidual macrophages and the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α in the modulation of PCT expression in the decidual microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mangogna
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - C Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Trieste, Italy
| | - G Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - F Romano
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Trieste, Italy
| | - R Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Mangogna A, Agostinis C, Bonazza D, Belmonte B, Zacchi P, Zito G, Romano A, Zanconati F, Ricci G, Kishore U, Bulla R. Is the Complement Protein C1q a Pro- or Anti-tumorigenic Factor? Bioinformatics Analysis Involving Human Carcinomas. Front Immunol 2019; 10:865. [PMID: 31130944 PMCID: PMC6509152 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
C1q is the first subcomponent of the classical pathway of the complement system and belongs to the C1q/Tumor Necrosis Factor superfamily. C1q can perform a diverse range of immune and non-immune functions in a complement-dependent as well as -independent manner. Being a pattern recognition molecule of the innate immunity, C1q can recognize a number of self, non-self and altered-self ligands and bring about effector mechanisms designed to clear pathogens via opsonisation and inflammatory response. C1q is locally synthesized by macrophages and dendritic cells, and thus, can get involved in a range of biological processes, such as angiogenesis and tissue remodeling, immune modulation, and immunologic tolerance. The notion of C1q involvement in the pathogenesis of cancer is still evolving. C1q appears to have a dual role in cancer: tumor promoting as well as tumor-protective, depending on the context of the disease. In the current study, we performed a bioinformatics analysis to investigate whether C1q can serve as a potential prognostic marker for human carcinoma. We used the Oncomine database and the survival analysis platforms Kaplan-Meier plotter. Our results showed that high levels of C1q have a favorable prognostic index in basal-like breast cancer for disease-free survival, and in HER2-positive breast cancer for overall survival, while it showed a pro-tumorigenic role of C1q in lung adenocarcinoma, and in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. This in silico study, if validated via a retrospective study, can be a step forward in establishing C1q as a new tool as a prognostic biomarker for various carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Deborah Bonazza
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paola Zacchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriella Zito
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Mangogna A, Belmonte B, Agostinis C, Ricci G, Gulino A, Ferrara I, Zanconati F, Tripodo C, Romano F, Kishore U, Bulla R. Pathological Significance and Prognostic Value of Surfactant Protein D in Cancer. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1748. [PMID: 30127783 PMCID: PMC6088209 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a pattern recognition molecule belonging to the Collectin (collagen-containing C-type lectin) family that has pulmonary as well as extra-pulmonary existence. In the lungs, it is a well-established opsonin that can agglutinate a range of microbes, and enhance their clearance via phagocytosis and super-oxidative burst. It can interfere with allergen–IgE interaction and suppress basophil and mast cell activation. However, it is now becoming evident that SP-D is likely to be an innate immune surveillance molecule against tumor development. SP-D has been shown to induce apoptosis in sensitized eosinophils derived from allergic patients and a leukemic cell line via p53 pathway. Recently, SP-D has been shown to suppress lung cancer progression via interference with the epidermal growth factor signaling. In addition, a truncated form of recombinant human SP-D has been reported to induce apoptosis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma via Fas-mediated pathway in a p53-independent manner. To further establish a correlation between SP-D presence/levels and normal and cancer tissues, we performed a bioinformatics analysis, using Oncomine dataset and the survival analysis platforms Kaplan–Meier plotter, to assess if SP-D can serve as a potential prognostic marker for human lung cancer, in addition to human gastric, breast, and ovarian cancers. We also analyzed immunohistochemically the presence of SP-D in normal and tumor human tissues. We conclude that (1) in the lung, gastric, and breast cancers, there is a lower expression of SP-D than normal tissues; (2) in ovarian cancer, there is a higher expression of SP-D than normal tissue; and (3) in lung cancer, the presence of SP-D could be associated with a favorable prognosis. On the contrary, at non-pulmonary sites such as gastric, breast, and ovarian cancers, the presence of SP-D could be associated with unfavorable prognosis. Correlation between the levels of SP-D and overall survival requires further investigation. Our analysis involves a large number of dataset; therefore, any trend observed is reliable. Despite apparent complexity within the results, it is evident that cancer tissues that produce less levels of SP-D compared to their normal tissue counterparts are probably less susceptible to SP-D-mediated immune surveillance mechanisms via infiltrating immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Human Pathology Section, University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gulino
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Human Pathology Section, University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Ines Ferrara
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Human Pathology Section, University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Human Pathology Section, University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Federico Romano
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Human Pathology Section, University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicily, Italy
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Bulla R, Agostinis C, Mangogna A, Radillo O, Ricci G. Analysis of anti-C1q antibodies in normal and pathological pregnancies. J Reprod Immunol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2018.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Agostinis C, Zito G, De Santo D, Vidergar R, Radillo O, Bossi F, Zorzet S, Ricci G, Bulla R. The complement component C3 is expressed by the endometrial ectopic tissue and is involved in the endometriotic lesion formation. J Reprod Immunol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2018.05.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Bellazzo A, Di Minin G, Valentino E, Sicari D, Torre D, Marchionni L, Serpi F, Stadler MB, Taverna D, Zuccolotto G, Montagner IM, Rosato A, Tonon F, Zennaro C, Agostinis C, Bulla R, Mano M, Del Sal G, Collavin L. Cell-autonomous and cell non-autonomous downregulation of tumor suppressor DAB2IP by microRNA-149-3p promotes aggressiveness of cancer cells. Cell Death Differ 2018; 25:1224-1238. [PMID: 29568059 PMCID: PMC6030048 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0088-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor DAB2IP contributes to modulate the network of information established between cancer cells and tumor microenvironment. Epigenetic and post-transcriptional inactivation of this protein is commonly observed in multiple human malignancies, and can potentially favor progression of tumors driven by a variety of genetic mutations. Performing a high-throughput screening of a large collection of human microRNA mimics, we identified miR-149-3p as a negative post-transcriptional modulator of DAB2IP. By efficiently downregulating DAB2IP, this miRNA enhances cancer cell motility and invasiveness, facilitating activation of NF-kB signaling and promoting expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic factors. In addition, we found that miR-149-3p secreted by prostate cancer cells induces DAB2IP downregulation in recipient vascular endothelial cells, stimulating their proliferation and motility, thus potentially remodeling the tumor microenvironment. Finally, we found that inhibition of endogenous miR-149-3p restores DAB2IP activity and efficiently reduces tumor growth and dissemination of malignant cells. These observations suggest that miR-149-3p can promote cancer progression via coordinated inhibition of DAB2IP in tumor cells and in stromal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Bellazzo
- National Laboratory CIB (LNCIB), AREA Science Park, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulio Di Minin
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Hönggerberg, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Valentino
- National Laboratory CIB (LNCIB), AREA Science Park, 34149, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Daria Sicari
- National Laboratory CIB (LNCIB), AREA Science Park, 34149, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Denis Torre
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, BD2K-LINCS DCIC, Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Luigi Marchionni
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Federica Serpi
- National Laboratory CIB (LNCIB), AREA Science Park, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Michael B Stadler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Switzerland and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Taverna
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Gaia Zuccolotto
- Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Rosato
- Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128, Padova, Italy
- Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Federica Tonon
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristina Zennaro
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Miguel Mano
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giannino Del Sal
- National Laboratory CIB (LNCIB), AREA Science Park, 34149, Trieste, Italy.
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Licio Collavin
- National Laboratory CIB (LNCIB), AREA Science Park, 34149, Trieste, Italy.
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
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Agostinis C, Rami D, Zacchi P, Bossi F, Stampalija T, Mangogna A, Amadio L, Vidergar R, Vecchi Brumatti L, Ricci G, Celeghini C, Radillo O, Sargent I, Bulla R. Pre-eclampsia affects procalcitonin production in placental tissue. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 79:e12823. [PMID: 29427369 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Procalcitonin (PCT) is the prohormone of calcitonin which is usually released from neuroendocrine cells of the thyroid gland (parafollicular) and the lungs (K cells). PCT is synthesized by almost all cell types and tissues, including monocytes and parenchymal tissue, upon LPS stimulation. To date, there is no evidence for PCT expression in the placenta both in physiological and pathological conditions. METHOD Circulating and placental PCT levels were analysed in pre-eclamptic (PE) and control patients. Placental cells and macrophages (PBDM), stimulated with PE sera, were analysed for PCT expression. The effect of anti-TNF-α antibody was analysed. RESULTS Higher PCT levels were detected in PE sera and in PE placentae compared to healthy women. PE trophoblasts showed increased PCT expression compared to those isolated from healthy placentae. PE sera induced an upregulation of PCT production in macrophages and placental cells. The treatment of PBDM with PE sera in the presence of anti-TNF-α completely abrogated the effect induced by pathologic sera. CONCLUSION Trophoblast cells are the main producer of PCT in PE placentae. TNF-α, in association with other circulating factors present in PE sera, upregulates PCT production in macrophages and normal placental cells, thus contributing to the observed increased in circulating PCT in PE sera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Damiano Rami
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Zacchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fleur Bossi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Tamara Stampalija
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Leonardo Amadio
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Romana Vidergar
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Oriano Radillo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ian Sargent
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Agostinis C, Vidergar R, Belmonte B, Mangogna A, Amadio L, Geri P, Borelli V, Zanconati F, Tedesco F, Confalonieri M, Tripodo C, Kishore U, Bulla R. Complement Protein C1q Binds to Hyaluronic Acid in the Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Microenvironment and Promotes Tumor Growth. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1559. [PMID: 29209316 PMCID: PMC5701913 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
C1q is the first recognition subcomponent of the complement classical pathway, which acts toward the clearance of pathogens and apoptotic cells. C1q is also known to modulate a range of functions of immune and non-immune cells, and has been shown to be involved in placental development and sensorial synaptic pruning. We have recently shown that C1q can promote tumor by encouraging their adhesion, migration, and proliferation in addition to angiogenesis and metastasis. In this study, we have examined the role of human C1q in the microenvironment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), a rare form of cancer commonly associated with exposure to asbestos. We found that C1q was highly expressed in all MPM histotypes, particularly in epithelioid rather than in sarcomatoid histotype. C1q avidly bound high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) via its globular domain. C1q bound to HA was able to induce adhesion and proliferation of mesothelioma cells (MES) via enhancement of ERK1/2, SAPK/JNK, and p38 phosphorylation; however, it did not activate the complement cascade. Consistent with the modular organization of the globular domain, we demonstrated that C1q may bind to HA through ghA module, whereas it may interact with human MES through the ghC. In conclusion, C1q highly expressed in MPM binds to HA and enhances the tumor growth promoting cell adhesion and proliferation. These data can help develop novel diagnostic markers and molecular targets for MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Romana Vidergar
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Leonardo Amadio
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Pietro Geri
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Violetta Borelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Tedesco
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Roberta B, Agostinis C, Vidergar R, Belmonte B, Mangogna A, Amadio L, Borelli V, Zanconati F, Confalonieri M, Tedesco F, Tripodo C, Kishore U. Distribution and function of the complement protein C1q in malignant pleural mesothelioma microenvironment. Mol Immunol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2017.06.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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39
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Agostinis C, Vidergar R, Voinovich D, Radillo O, Celeghini C, Ricci G, Bulla R. In vitro evaluation of the anti-inflammatory properties of Echinacea and Ginger in normal and pathological pregnancy. J Reprod Immunol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2017.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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40
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Agostinis C, Stampalija T, Tannetta D, Loganes C, Vecchi Brumatti L, De Seta F, Celeghini C, Radillo O, Sargent I, Tedesco F, Bulla R. Complement component C1q as potential diagnostic but not predictive marker of preeclampsia. Am J Reprod Immunol 2016; 76:475-481. [PMID: 27666323 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12586] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM We have previously found that C1q is constitutively expressed by invading trophoblast and endothelial cells of decidua and contributes to vascular and tissue remodeling. Based on these findings, we sought to determine whether there were changes in the circulating level of C1q that may be used as a diagnostic and predictive marker of preeclampsia. METHOD OF STUDY We measured the levels of C1q, C4, and complement activation products in serum or plasma of normal pregnant women and preeclamptic patients from different cohorts. RESULTS We observed a marked decrease in the concentration of C1q associated with a reduced level of C4 in preeclamptic patients as compared to matched healthy pregnant woman but no significant difference in the circulating level of the activating products C5a and the soluble terminal complement complex sC5b-9. Analysis of serum samples collected at early phase of pregnancy from women who later developed preeclampsia failed to show a decrease in C1q level. CONCLUSION The results of the present investigation demonstrate that low levels of C1q and C4 are associated with preeclampsia but cannot be used as predictive markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Tamara Stampalija
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Dionne Tannetta
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Claudia Loganes
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Francesco De Seta
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Oriano Radillo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ian Sargent
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Agostinis C, Tedesco F, Bulla R. Alternative functions of the complement protein C1q at embryo implantation site. J Reprod Immunol 2016; 119:74-80. [PMID: 27687635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Complement component C1q is one of the recognition molecules of the complement system which can serve several functions unrelated to complement activation. This molecule is produced at foeto-maternal interface by macrophages as wells as by decidual endothelial cells and invading trophoblast. Foetal trophoblast cells migrating through the decidua in the early stages of pregnancy synthesize and express C1q on their surface, which is actively involved in promoting trophoblast endovascular and interstitial invasion of the decidua. These functions are mediated by two cell surface receptors, gC1qR and α4β1 integrin, which promote trophoblast adhesion and migration through the activation of ERK1/2 MAPKs. C1q-/- mice manifest increased frequency of foetal resorption, reduced foetal weight, and smaller litter size when compared to their wild-type counterparts, suggesting that defective local production of C1q may be involved in pregnancy disorders, such as pre-eclampsia. C1q acts also as a strong angiogenic factor and promotes neovascularization. These studies suggest novel and unexpected roles of this complement component in physiological and pathological pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
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Agostinis C, Rami D, Amadio L, Radillo O, Bulla R. Analysis of the cAMP-PCT-CGRP axis in normal and pathological pregnancy. J Reprod Immunol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2016.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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43
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Agostinis C, Rami D, Amadio L, Radillo O, Bulla R. Analysis of the cAMP-PCT-CGRP axis in normal and pathological pregnancy. J Reprod Immunol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2016.04.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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44
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Onime L, Zanfi C, Agostinis C, Bulla R, Spanghero M. The Use of Quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction to Quantify Some Rumen Bacterial Strains in anIn VitroRumen System. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2016. [DOI: 10.4081/ijas.2013.e58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Dall’Acqua S, Perissutti B, Grabnar I, Farra R, Comar M, Agostinis C, Caristi G, Golob S, Voinovich D. Pharmacokinetics and immunomodulatory effect of lipophilic Echinacea extract formulated in softgel capsules. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2015; 97:8-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2015.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Masat E, Gasparini C, Agostinis C, Bossi F, Radillo O, De Seta F, Tamassia N, Cassatella MA, Bulla R. RelB activation in anti-inflammatory decidual endothelial cells: a master plan to avoid pregnancy failure? Sci Rep 2015; 5:14847. [PMID: 26463648 PMCID: PMC4604455 DOI: 10.1038/srep14847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
It is known that excessive inflammation at fetal-maternal interface is a key contributor in a compromised pregnancy. Female genital tract is constantly in contact with microorganisms and several strategies must be adopted to avoid pregnancy failure. Decidual endothelial cells (DECs) lining decidual microvascular vessels are the first cells that interact with pro-inflammatory stimuli released into the environment by microorganisms derived from gestational tissues or systemic circulation. Here, we show that DECs are hypo-responsive to LPS stimulation in terms of IL-6, CXCL8 and CCL2 production. Our results demonstrate that DECs express low levels of TLR4 and are characterized by a strong constitutive activation of the non-canonical NF-κB pathway and a low responsiveness of the canonical pathway to LPS. In conclusion, DECs show a unique hypo-responsive phenotype to the pro-inflammatory stimulus LPS in order to control the inflammatory response at feto-maternal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Masat
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Gasparini
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fleur Bossi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Oriano Radillo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco De Seta
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicola Tamassia
- Section of General Pathology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marco A. Cassatella
- Section of General Pathology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Oliveira-Santos J, Santos R, Moreira C, Abreu S, Lopes L, Gonçalves C, Fernandes A, Agostinis C, Silva P, Moreira P, Mota J. Obesity is associated with raised values of inflammation markers in Portuguese adolescents. Appetite 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2014.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Agostinis C, Oliveira-Santos J, Abreu S, Moreira C, Lopes L, Fernandes A, Gonçalves C, Silva P, Moreira P, Mota J, Santos R. Association between physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and C-reactive protein in adolescents. Appetite 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2014.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Dapas B, Dall'Acqua S, Bulla R, Agostinis C, Perissutti B, Invernizzi S, Grassi G, Voinovich D. Immunomodulation mediated by a herbal syrup containing a standardized Echinacea root extract: a pilot study in healthy human subjects on cytokine gene expression. Phytomedicine 2014; 21:1406-1410. [PMID: 24877712 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2014.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/20/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the immunomodulatory effect of a triply standardized Echinacea angustifolia root extract (Polinacea(®)) was evaluated in 10 healthy subjects. Ten ml of syrup containing one hundred mg of extract (corresponding to 4.7 mg of Echinacoside and 8.0mg of a high molecular weight-20,000 Da- polysaccharide) were administered as a herbal syrup once a day for one month. The immunomodulatory effect was evaluated before and after herbal syrup administration evaluating the expression levels of the cytokines IL-2, IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-α. Cytokine expression was studied in lympho-monocytes and in plasma samples measuring the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. The results were analysed by ANOVA and non-parametric Friedman rank sum tests; when possible it was adopted a pair-wise comparisons at different post-treatment times, using the paired t-tests with Holm correction. The correlation between the variations of cytokine plasma levels and the respective mRNA was carried out using a linear regression model. In lympho-monocytes our data indicate the up-regulation of the mRNA levels of IL-2 and IL-8 and the down regulation of the mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL6. The differential regulation was maximal after 14 days of treatment. IL-2 up-regulation and IL-6 down-regulation were also confirmed at the protein level in plasma. Finally, the up-regulation of the mRNA of IL-2/IL-8 and the down-regulation of IL-6 positively correlated with the protein levels detected in the plasma. In conclusion, this pilot study suggests a relevant role for the standardized Echinacea angustifolia root extract in the control of cytokine expression. This first demonstration of the immuno-modulating activity of Echinacea angustifolia root extract in the healthy subject, supports at least in part the common use of such products as health promoting supplement.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Dapas
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste, Italy
| | - S Dall'Acqua
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - R Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 28, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - C Agostinis
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 28, 34127 Trieste, Italy; Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - B Perissutti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, P.le Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - S Invernizzi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 28, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - G Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste, Italy
| | - D Voinovich
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, P.le Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
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Gallo D, Cocchietto M, Masat E, Agostinis C, Harei E, Veronesi P, Sava G. Human recombinant lysozyme downregulates advanced glycation endproduct-induced interleukin-6 production and release in an in-vitro model of human proximal tubular epithelial cells. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2014; 239:337-46. [PMID: 24495950 DOI: 10.1177/1535370213518281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of chronic renal disease and one of the major causes of cardiovascular mortality. Evidence suggests that its progression is due to the chronic hyperglycemia consequent to the production and accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). Lysozyme was shown to posses AGE-sequestering properties and the capacity to reduce the severity of the early stage manifestations of the diabetic nephropathy. This study was aimed to contribute to the understanding the molecular mechanisms of lysozyme effectiveness in the diabetic nephropathy, using an in-vitro cellular model, represented by the HK-2 cells, human proximal tubular epithelial cells. Lysozyme significantly reduced the AGE-induced IL-6 mRNA and an ELISA assay showed also a decreased release of the functional protein with a dose-dependent trend. In addition, lysozyme prevented macrophage recruitment, suggesting its capacity to elicit an anti-inflammatory action. We may conclude that the protective action of lysozyme on the nephrotoxic effects of AGE may depend, at least in part, on its ability to prevent the production and release of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6 and to reduce macrophage recruitment in the inflammatory sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Gallo
- Callerio Foundation Onlus, Institutes of Biological Researches, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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