1
|
Gambino G, Iacopetti P, Ippolito C, Salvetti A, Rossi L. Starvation resistance in planarians: multiple strategies to get a thrifty phenotype. FEBS J 2024; 291:965-985. [PMID: 38037534 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17020] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Starvation resistance is a life-saving mechanism for many organisms facing food availability fluctuation in the natural environment. Different strategies have been episodically identified for some model organisms, the first of which was the ability to suppress metabolic rate. Among the identified strategies, the ability of planarians to shrink their body under fasting conditions and revert the process after feeding (the growth-degrowth process) represents a fascinating mechanism to face long periods of fasting. The growth-degrowth process is strictly related to the capability of planarians to continuously maintain tissue homeostasis and body proportions even in challenging conditions, thanks to the presence of a population of pluripotent stem cells. Here, we take advantage of several previous studies describing the growth-degrowth process and of recent progress in the understanding of planarian homeostasis mechanisms, to identify tissue-selective transcriptional downregulation as a driving strategy for the development of a thrifty phenotype, and the p53 transcription factor as a player in adjusting tissue homeostasis in accordance with food availability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaetana Gambino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Iacopetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bellini G, Benvenuti L, Ippolito C, Frosini D, Segnani C, Rettura F, Pancetti A, Bertani L, D'Antongiovanni V, Palermo G, Del Prete E, Antonioli L, Nardini V, Morganti R, Pellegrini C, Bernardini N, Ceravolo R, Fornai M, Bellini M. Intestinal histomorphological and molecular alterations in patients with Parkinson's disease. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:3440-3450. [PMID: 36263629 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Changes in gut microbiota composition, enteric inflammation, impairments of the intestinal epithelial barrier and neuroplastic changes in the enteric nervous system have been reported in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and could contribute to the onset of both neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms. However, their mutual interplay has rarely been investigated. This study evaluated, in an integrated manner, changes in faecal microbiota composition, morphofunctional alterations of colonic mucosal barrier and changes of inflammatory markers in blood and stools of PD patients. METHODS Nineteen PD patients and nineteen asymptomatic subjects were enrolled. Blood lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP, marker of altered intestinal permeability) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels, as well as stool IL-1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) levels, were evaluated. Gut microbiota analysis was performed. Epithelial mucins, collagen fibres, claudin-1 and S100-positive glial cells as markers of an impairment of the intestinal barrier, mucosal remodelling and enteric glial activation were evaluated on colonic mucosal specimens collected during colonoscopy. RESULTS Faecal microbiota analysis revealed a significant difference in the α-diversity in PD patients compared to controls, while no differences were found in the β-diversity. Compared to controls, PD patients showed significant chenags in plasma LBP levels, as well as faecal TNF and IL-1β levels. The histological analysis showed a decrease in epithelial neutral mucins and claudin-1 expression and an increased expression of acidic mucins, collagen fibres and S100-positive glial cells. CONCLUSIONS Parkinson's disease patients are characterized by enteric inflammation and increased intestinal epithelial barrier permeability, as well as colonic mucosal barrier remodelling, associated with changes in gut microbiota composition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Bellini
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Benvenuti
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology and Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniela Frosini
- Department of Medical Specialties, Neurology Unit, AOUP, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Unit of Histology and Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Rettura
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Pancetti
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Bertani
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Surgery and Gastroenterology, Tuscany North-West ASL, Pontedera Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vanessa D'Antongiovanni
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Palermo
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Luca Antonioli
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nardini
- Anatomia Patologica 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Unit of Histology and Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Unit of Histology and Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Ceravolo
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Unit of Neurology, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Massimo Bellini
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
D'Antongiovanni V, Segnani C, Ippolito C, Antonioli L, Colucci R, Fornai M, Bernardini N, Pellegrini C. Pathological Remodeling of the Gut Barrier as a Prodromal Event of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity. J Transl Med 2023; 103:100194. [PMID: 37290605 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2023.100194] [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: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal barrier alterations represent a primum movens in obesity and related intestinal dysfunctions. However, whether gut barrier remodeling represents prodromal events in obesity before weight gain, metabolic alterations, and systemic inflammation remains unclear. Herein, we examined morphologic changes in the gut barrier in a mouse model of high-fat diet (HFD) since the earliest phases of diet assumption. C57BL/6J mice were fed with standard diet (SD) or HFD for 1, 2, 4, or 8 weeks. Remodeling of intestinal epithelial barrier, inflammatory infiltrate, and collagen deposition in the colonic wall was assessed by histochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis. Obese mice displayed increased body and epididymal fat weight along with increased plasma resistin, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels after 8 weeks of HFD. Starting from 1 week of HFD, mice displayed (1) a decreased claudin-1 expression in lining epithelial cells, (2) an altered mucus in goblet cells, (3) an increase in proliferating epithelial cells in colonic crypts, (4) eosinophil infiltration along with an increase in vascular P-selectin, and (5) deposition of collagen fibers. HFD intake is associated with morphologic changes in the large bowel at mucosal and submucosal levels. In particular, the main changes include alterations in the mucous layer and intestinal epithelial barrier integrity and activation of mucosal defense-enhanced fibrotic deposition. These changes represent early events occurring before the development of obesity condition that could contribute to compromising the intestinal mucosal barrier and functions, opening the way for systemic dissemination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa D'Antongiovanni
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Interdepartmental Research Centre "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health," University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rutigliano G, Bertolini A, Grittani N, Frascarelli S, Carnicelli V, Ippolito C, Moscato S, Mattii L, Kusmic C, Saba A, Origlia N, Zucchi R. Effect of Combined Levothyroxine (L-T 4) and 3-Iodothyronamine (T 1AM) Supplementation on Memory and Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in a Mouse Model of Hypothyroidism. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13845. [PMID: 37762153 PMCID: PMC10530993 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mood alterations, anxiety, and cognitive impairments associated with adult-onset hypothyroidism often persist despite replacement treatment. In rodent models of hypothyroidism, replacement does not bring 3-iodothyronamine (T1AM) brain levels back to normal. T1AM is a thyroid hormone derivative with cognitive effects. Using a pharmacological hypothyroid mouse model, we investigated whether augmenting levothyroxine (L-T4) with T1AM improves behavioural correlates of depression, anxiety, and memory and has an effect on hippocampal neurogenesis. Hypothyroid mice showed impaired performance in the novel object recognition test as compared to euthyroid mice (discrimination index (DI): 0.02 ± 0.09 vs. 0.29 ± 0.06; t = 2.515, p = 0.02). L-T4 and L-T4+T1AM rescued memory (DI: 0.27 ± 0.08 and 0.34 ± 0.08, respectively), while T1AM had no effect (DI: -0.01 ± 0.10). Hypothyroidism reduced the number of neuroprogenitors in hippocampal neurogenic niches by 20%. L-T4 rescued the number of neuroprogenitors (mean diff = 106.9 ± 21.40, t = 4.99, pcorr = 0.003), while L-T4+T1AM produced a 30.61% rebound relative to euthyroid state (mean diff = 141.6 ± 31.91, t = 4.44, pcorr = 0.004). We performed qPCR analysis of 88 genes involved in neurotrophic signalling pathways and found an effect of treatment on the expression of Ngf, Kdr, Kit, L1cam, Ntf3, Mapk3, and Neurog2. Our data confirm that L-T4 is necessary and sufficient for recovering memory and hippocampal neurogenesis deficits associated with hypothyroidism, while we found no evidence to support the role of non-canonical TH signalling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Rutigliano
- Institute of Clinical Science, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.B.); (N.G.); (S.F.); (V.C.); (A.S.); (R.Z.)
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Andrea Bertolini
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.B.); (N.G.); (S.F.); (V.C.); (A.S.); (R.Z.)
| | - Nicoletta Grittani
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.B.); (N.G.); (S.F.); (V.C.); (A.S.); (R.Z.)
| | - Sabina Frascarelli
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.B.); (N.G.); (S.F.); (V.C.); (A.S.); (R.Z.)
| | - Vittoria Carnicelli
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.B.); (N.G.); (S.F.); (V.C.); (A.S.); (R.Z.)
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.I.); (S.M.); (L.M.)
| | - Stefania Moscato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.I.); (S.M.); (L.M.)
| | - Letizia Mattii
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.I.); (S.M.); (L.M.)
| | - Claudia Kusmic
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Saba
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.B.); (N.G.); (S.F.); (V.C.); (A.S.); (R.Z.)
| | | | - Riccardo Zucchi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.B.); (N.G.); (S.F.); (V.C.); (A.S.); (R.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Benvenuti L, D'Antongiovanni V, Pellegrini C, Fornai M, Bernardini N, Ippolito C, Segnani C, Salvo CD, Colucci R, Martelli A, Flori L, Calderone V, Carta G, Ghelardi E, Calvigioni M, Panattoni A, Coppolecchia R, Arini A, Antonioli L. Dietary supplementation with the probiotic SF68 reinforces intestinal epithelial barrier in obese mice by improving butyrate bioavailability. Mol Nutr Food Res 2023:e2200442. [PMID: 37099449 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202200442] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
SCOPE Modifications in intestinal microbiota and its metabolites, the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are main factors altering intestinal epithelial barrier integrity and eliciting the onset of a meta-inflammation observed in obesity. The present study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of Enterococcus faecium (SF68) administration in counteracting the impairment of gut barrier and enteric inflammation in a model of diet-induced obesity, characterizing the molecular mechanisms underlying such beneficial effects. METHODS AND RESULTS Male C57BL/6J mice, fed with standard diet (SD) or high-fat diet (HFD), were treated with SF68 (108 CFU/day). After 8 weeks, plasma IL-1β and LBP were measured, analysis of fecal microbiota composition and butyrate content as well as intestinal malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, mucins, tight junction protein and butyrate transporter expression were investigated. After 8 weeks, SF68 administration counteracted the body weight gain in HFD mice, reducing plasma IL-1β and LBP. In parallel, SF68 treatment acted against the intestinal inflammation in HFD-fed animals and improved the intestinal barrier integrity and functionality in obese mice via the increase in tight junction protein and intestinal butyrate transporter (SMCT1) expression. CONCLUSIONS Supplementation with SF68 reduced intestinal inflammation and reinforced the enteric epithelial barrier in obese mice, improving the transport and utilization of butyrate. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Benvenuti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Clelia Di Salvo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Gianfranca Carta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Emilia Ghelardi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Calvigioni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Adelaide Panattoni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
D'Antongiovanni V, Pellegrini C, Antonioli L, Ippolito C, Segnani C, Benvenuti L, D'Amati A, Errede M, Virgintino D, Fornai M, Bernardini N. Enteric Glia and Brain Astroglia: Complex Communication in Health and Disease along the Gut-Brain Axis. Neuroscientist 2023:10738584231163460. [PMID: 37052336 DOI: 10.1177/10738584231163460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have provided interesting evidence about the role of the bidirectional communication between the gut and brain in the onset and development of several pathologic conditions, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), neurodegenerative diseases, and related comorbidities. Indeed, patients with IBD can experience neurologic disorders, including depression and cognitive impairment, besides typical intestinal symptoms. In parallel, patients with neurodegenerative disease, such as Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease, are often characterized by the occurrence of functional gastrointestinal disorders. In this context, enteric glial cells and brain astrocytes are emerging as pivotal players in the initiation/maintenance of neuroinflammatory responses, which appear to contribute to the alterations of intestinal and neurologic functions observed in patients with IBD and neurodegenerative disorders. The present review was conceived to provide a comprehensive and critical overview of the available knowledge on the morphologic, molecular, and functional changes occurring in the enteric glia and brain astroglia in IBDs and neurologic disorders. In addition, our intent is to identify whether such alterations could represent a common denominator involved in the onset of comorbidities associated with the aforementioned disorders. This might help to identify putative targets useful to develop novel pharmacologic approaches for the therapeutic management of such disturbances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa D'Antongiovanni
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Benvenuti
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio D'Amati
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari School of Medicine, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariella Errede
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari School of Medicine, Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Virgintino
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari School of Medicine, Bari, Italy
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Colucci R, Fornai M, Antonioli L, Segnani C, Ippolito C, Pellegrini C, Nericcio A, Zizzo MG, Serio R, Blandizzi C, Bernardini N. Role of cyclooxygenase pathways in bowel fibrotic remodelling in a murine model of experimental colitis. J Pharm Pharmacol 2023; 75:264-275. [PMID: 36477570 DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgac073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gut fibrosis occurs under chronic inflammation. This study examined the effects of different cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors on fibrosis in the inflamed colon. METHODS Colitis was induced by 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS) in albino male Sprague-Dawley rats. After 6, 12 and 18 days, macroscopic and microscopic damage, collagen and elastic fibre content were examined. At day 6, pro-fibrotic factors (collagen I and III, hydroxyproline, fibronectin, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signalling [TGF-β, Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA), phosphorylated small mother against decapentaplegic (pSMAD)-2 and -6] and peristalsis were assessed, and the effects of indomethacin, SC-560 or celecoxib were tested. KEY FINDINGS Six days after DNBS administration, significant histopathological signs of fibrotic remodelling were observed in rats. At day 6, pro-fibrotic factors were up-regulated and colonic peristalsis was altered. COX inhibitors reversed the histochemical, molecular and functional changes in the fibrotic colon. COX inhibition reduced TGF-β expression, SMAD2 phosphorylation and RhoA, and increased SMAD6 expression. CONCLUSIONS Colonic fibrosis is associated with altered bowel motility and induction of profibrotic factors driven by TGF-β signalling. COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition counteracts this fibrotic remodelling by the modulation of TGF-β/SMAD signalling, mainly via SMAD6 induction and reduction in SMAD2 phosphorylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Nericcio
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Zizzo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosa Serio
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gambino G, Rossi L, Iacopetti P, Ghezzani C, Guidi P, Linsalata S, Ippolito C, Salvetti A. Microtubule-associated protein 1B is implicated in stem cell commitment and nervous system regeneration in planarians. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278966. [PMID: 36508441 PMCID: PMC9744283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule-associated 1B (MAP1B) proteins are expressed at the nervous system level where they control cytoskeleton activity and regulate neurotransmitter release. Here, we report about the identification of a planarian MAP1B factor (DjMap1B) that is enriched in cephalic ganglia and longitudinal nerve cords but not in neoblasts, the plentiful population of adult stem cells present in planarians, thanks to which these animals can continuously cell turnover and regenerate any lost body parts. DjMap1B knockdown induces morphological anomalies in the nervous system and affects neoblast commitment. Our data put forward a correlation between a MAP1B factor and stem cells and suggest a function of the nervous system in non-cell autonomous control of planarian stem cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaetana Gambino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Iacopetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Ghezzani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Guidi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Linsalata
- Medical Physics Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salvetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gambino G, Iacopetti P, Guidi P, Ippolito C, Linsalata S, Salvetti A, Rossi L. Cell quiescence in planarian stem cells, interplay between p53 and nutritional stimuli. Open Biol 2022; 12:220216. [PMID: 36541101 PMCID: PMC9768645 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220216] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell quiescence appeared early in evolution as an adaptive response to adverse conditions (i.e. nutrient depletion). In metazoans, quiescence has been involved in additional processes like tissue homeostasis, which is made possible by the presence of adult stem cells (ASCs). Cell cycle control machinery is a common hub for quiescence entrance, and evidence indicates a role for p53 in establishing the quiescent state of undamaged cells. Mechanisms responsible for waking up quiescent cells remain elusive, and nutritional stimulus, as a legacy of its original role, still appears to be a player in quiescence exit. Planarians, rich in ASCs, represent a suitable system in which we characterized a quiescent population of ASCs, the dorsal midline cord (DMC) cells, exhibiting unique transcriptional features and maintained quiescent by p53 and awakened upon feeding. The function of DMC cells is puzzling and we speculate that DMC cells, despite retaining ancient properties, might represent a functional drift in which quiescence has been recruited to provide evolutionary advantages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaetana Gambino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Iacopetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Guidi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Linsalata
- Medical Physics Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salvetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Falleni A, Moscato S, Fulvio G, Polizzi E, Bernardeschi M, Bianchi F, Donati V, Cabiati M, Ippolito C, Del Ry S, Baldini C, Mattii L. Connexin Expression in Human Minor Salivary Glands: An Immunohistochemical Microscopy Study. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27185926. [PMID: 36144660 PMCID: PMC9505306 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27185926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins (Cxs) are transmembrane proteins involved in the formation of hemichannels and gap junctions (GJs). GJs are involved in various physiological functions, including secretion in glandular tissue. It has been demonstrated that Cx26, Cx32, and Cx43 are mainly expressed in glands, but no data are available in human salivary glands to date. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence and the localization of Cxs in human minor labial salivary glands. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy were employed to evaluate the Cx26, Cx32, and Cx43 protein in human labial salivary gland biopsies (hLSGBs). RT-PCR was also used to detect their mRNA expression. Cx expression was found at both the mRNA and protein levels in all hLSGBs analysed. Cxs were observed at the level of the duct and acinar cells, as well as in myoepithelial cells. The localization of the three Cx types was very similar, suggesting colocalization of these Cxs in the same connexons. These results demonstrated the presence of Cxs in human salivary glands for the first time. Moreover, the few samples with primary Sjögren’s Syndrome analysed only by immunofluorescence showed an alteration of the Cx expression, indicating that these proteins could be involved in salivary gland dysfunctions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Falleni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.F.); (L.M.); Tel.: +39-050-221-9106 (A.F.); +39-050-221-8615 (L.M.)
| | - Stefania Moscato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Fulvio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Enza Polizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Bianchi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Donati
- Pathological Anatomy Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Manuela Cabiati
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Del Ry
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Baldini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Letizia Mattii
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.F.); (L.M.); Tel.: +39-050-221-9106 (A.F.); +39-050-221-8615 (L.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mengozzi A, Costantino S, Paneni F, Duranti E, Nannipieri M, Mancini R, Lai M, La Rocca V, Puxeddu I, Antonioli L, Fornai M, Ghionzoli M, Georgiopoulos G, Ippolito C, Bernardini N, Ruschitzka F, Pugliese NR, Taddei S, Virdis* A, Masi S. Targeting SIRT1 Rescues Age- and Obesity-Induced Microvascular Dysfunction in Ex Vivo Human Vessels. Circ Res 2022; 131:476-491. [PMID: 35968712 PMCID: PMC9426744 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.320888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experimental evidence suggests a key role of SIRT1 (silent information regulator 1) in age- and metabolic-related vascular dysfunction. Whether these effects hold true in the human microvasculature is unknown. We aimed to investigate the SIRT1 role in very early stages of age- and obesity-related microvascular dysfunction in humans. METHODS Ninety-five subjects undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery were recruited and stratified based on their body mass index status (above or below 30 kg/m2) and age (above or below 40 years) in 4 groups: Young Nonobese, Young Obese, Old Nonobese, and Old Obese. We measured small resistance arteries' endothelial function by pressurized micromyography before and after incubation with a SIRT1 agonist (SRT1720) and a mitochondria reactive oxygen species (mtROS) scavenger (MitoTEMPO). We assessed vascular levels of mtROS and nitric oxide availability by confocal microscopy and vascular gene expression of SIRT1 and mitochondrial proteins by qPCR. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was employed to investigate SIRT1-dependent epigenetic regulation of mitochondrial proteins. RESULTS Compared with Young Nonobese, obese and older patients showed lower vascular expression of SIRT1 and antioxidant proteins (FOXO3 [forkhead box protein O3] and SOD2) and higher expression of pro-oxidant and aging mitochondria proteins p66Shc and Arginase II. Old Obese, Young Obese and Old Nonobese groups endothelial dysfunction was rescued by SRT1720. The restoration was comparable to the one obtained with mitoTEMPO. These effects were explained by SIRT1-dependent chromatin changes leading to reduced p66Shc expression and upregulation of proteins involved in mitochondria respiratory chain. CONCLUSIONS SIRT1 is a novel central modulator of the earliest microvascular damage induced by age and obesity. Through a complex epigenetic control mainly involving p66Shc and Arginase II, it influences mtROS levels, NO availability, and the expression of proteins of the mitochondria respiratory chain. Therapeutic modulation of SIRT1 restores obesity- and age-related endothelial dysfunction. Early targeting of SIRT1 might represent a crucial strategy to prevent age- and obesity-related microvascular dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Mengozzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.M., E.D., M.N., I.P., L.A., M.F., C.I., N.B., N.R.P., S.T., A.V., S.M.), University of Pisa, Italy.,Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy (A.M., V.L.R., N.B.)
| | - Sarah Costantino
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zürich, Switzerland (S.C., F.P.)
| | - Francesco Paneni
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zürich, Switzerland (S.C., F.P.).,Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center (F.P., F.R.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Research and Education (F.P.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Emiliano Duranti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.M., E.D., M.N., I.P., L.A., M.F., C.I., N.B., N.R.P., S.T., A.V., S.M.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Monica Nannipieri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.M., E.D., M.N., I.P., L.A., M.F., C.I., N.B., N.R.P., S.T., A.V., S.M.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Rudj Mancini
- Unit of Bariatric Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy (R.M.)
| | - Michele Lai
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery (M.L., V.L.R.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Veronica La Rocca
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery (M.L., V.L.R.), University of Pisa, Italy.,Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy (A.M., V.L.R., N.B.)
| | - Ilaria Puxeddu
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.M., E.D., M.N., I.P., L.A., M.F., C.I., N.B., N.R.P., S.T., A.V., S.M.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.M., E.D., M.N., I.P., L.A., M.F., C.I., N.B., N.R.P., S.T., A.V., S.M.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.M., E.D., M.N., I.P., L.A., M.F., C.I., N.B., N.R.P., S.T., A.V., S.M.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Ghionzoli
- Paediatric Surgery Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital, Florence, Italy (M.G.)
| | - Georgios Georgiopoulos
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, United Kingdom (G.G.).,Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece (G.G.)
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.M., E.D., M.N., I.P., L.A., M.F., C.I., N.B., N.R.P., S.T., A.V., S.M.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.M., E.D., M.N., I.P., L.A., M.F., C.I., N.B., N.R.P., S.T., A.V., S.M.), University of Pisa, Italy.,Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy (A.M., V.L.R., N.B.)
| | - Frank Ruschitzka
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center (F.P., F.R.), University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Riccardo Pugliese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.M., E.D., M.N., I.P., L.A., M.F., C.I., N.B., N.R.P., S.T., A.V., S.M.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Taddei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.M., E.D., M.N., I.P., L.A., M.F., C.I., N.B., N.R.P., S.T., A.V., S.M.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Agostino Virdis*
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.M., E.D., M.N., I.P., L.A., M.F., C.I., N.B., N.R.P., S.T., A.V., S.M.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Masi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.M., E.D., M.N., I.P., L.A., M.F., C.I., N.B., N.R.P., S.T., A.V., S.M.), University of Pisa, Italy.,Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, United Kingdom (S.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Novelli M, Masini M, Vecoli C, Moscato S, Funel N, Pippa A, Mattii L, Ippolito C, Campani D, Neglia D, Masiello P. Dysregulated insulin secretion is associated with pancreatic β-cell hyperplasia and direct acinar-β-cell trans-differentiation in partially eNOS-deficient mice. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15425. [PMID: 35986504 PMCID: PMC9391603 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
eNOS-deficient mice were previously shown to develop hypertension and metabolic alterations associated with insulin resistance either in standard dietary conditions (eNOS-/- homozygotes) or upon high-fat diet (HFD) (eNOS+/- heterozygotes). In the latter heterozygote model, the present study investigated the pancreatic morphological changes underlying the abnormal glycometabolic phenotype. C57BL6 wild type (WT) and eNOS+/- mice were fed with either chow or HFD for 16 weeks. After being longitudinally monitored for their metabolic state after 8 and 16 weeks of diet, mice were euthanized and fragments of pancreas were processed for histological, immuno-histochemical and ultrastructural analyses. HFD-fed WT and eNOS+/- mice developed progressive glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Differently from WT animals, eNOS+/- mice showed a blunted insulin response to a glucose load, regardless of the diet regimen. Such dysregulation of insulin secretion was associated with pancreatic β-cell hyperplasia, as shown by larger islet fractional area and β-cell mass, and higher number of extra-islet β-cell clusters than in chow-fed WT animals. In addition, only in the pancreas of HFD-fed eNOS+/- mice, there was ultrastructural evidence of a number of hybrid acinar-β-cells, simultaneously containing zymogen and insulin granules, suggesting the occurrence of a direct exocrine-endocrine transdifferentiation process, plausibly triggered by metabolic stress associated to deficient endothelial NO production. As suggested by confocal immunofluorescence analysis of pancreatic histological sections, inhibition of Notch-1 signaling, likely due to a reduced NO availability, is proposed as a novel mechanism that could favor both β-cell hyperplasia and acinar-β-cell transdifferentiation in eNOS-deficient mice with impaired insulin response to a glucose load.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Novelli
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Matilde Masini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Cecilia Vecoli
- Institute of Clinical PhysiologyNational Research Council (CNR)PisaItaly
| | - Stefania Moscato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
- Interdepartmental Research Centre "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health"University of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Niccola Funel
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Anna Pippa
- Institute of Clinical PhysiologyNational Research Council (CNR)PisaItaly
| | - Letizia Mattii
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
- Interdepartmental Research Centre "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health"University of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Daniela Campani
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, and Critical Care MedicineUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Danilo Neglia
- Cardiovascular DepartmentFondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio per la Ricerca Medica e di Sanità PubblicaPisaItaly
| | - Pellegrino Masiello
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Madonna R, Barachini S, Moscato S, Ippolito C, Mattii L, Lenzi C, Balistreri CR, Zucchi R, De Caterina R. Sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors prevent ponatinib-induced endothelial senescence and disfunction: A potential rescue strategy. Vascul Pharmacol 2021; 142:106949. [PMID: 34843980 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2021.106949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ponatinib (PON), a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), has proven cardiovascular toxicity, with no known preventing agents usable to limit such side effect. Sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of glucose-lowering agents, featuring favorable cardiac and vascular effects. AIMS We assessed the effects of the SGLT2 inhibitors empagliflozin (EMPA) and dapagliflozin (DAPA) on human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and underlying vasculo-protective mechanisms in an in vitro model of PON-induced endothelial toxicity. METHODS AND RESULTS We exposed HAECs to PON or vehicle (DMSO) in the presence or absence of EMPA (100 and 500 nmol/L) or dapagliflozin (DAPA) for 0-48 h exposure times. Compared with vehicle, incubations of HAECs with PON significantly reduced cell viability (0.56 ± 0.11 vs 0.23 ± 0.05 absorbance units, p < 0.01), increased the number of senescent cells at β-gal-assay (PON 9 ± 4 vs basal DMSO 3 ± 1 β-Gal+ cells/field, p < 0.01), decreased tubulization in Matrigel (PON PON: 6 ± 1 vs basal DMSO 12 ± 1 tubuli number/field, p < 0.05) with a non-statistically significant trend of PON to decrease the number of autophagic cells at immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometry. EMPA reverted the effects of PON on cell viability (E 500 + PON 0.24 ± 0.05 vs PON 0.56 ± 0.11 absorbance units, p < 0.01) and induced autophagy (E 500 7 ± 4.3 vs basal DMSO 2.6 ± 2.3 mean fluorescence vs PON 2.6 ± 2.4 mean fluorescence, p < 0.05). EMPA and DAPA also reversed the effects of PON on cell senescence (E 500 + PON 4 ± 1 and DAPA 100 4 ± 2 vs PON 9 ± 4 β-Gal+ cells/field, p < 0.01) and improved cell tubulization (E 500 + PON 21 ± 3 vs PON 6 ± 1 tubuli number/field, p < 0.05; DAPA 100 + PON 16 ± 2 vs PON 6 ± 1 tubuli number/field, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION EMPA and DAPA attenuate the vasculo-toxic effect exerted by PON by reverting endothelial cell senescence and dysfunction. These findings support the design of clinical studies exploring the vasculo-protective effects of EMPA or DAPA on PON-induced vascular toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosalinda Madonna
- Department of Pathology, Cardiology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hematology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Moscato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Histology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Histology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Letizia Mattii
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Histology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Lenzi
- Department of Histopathology, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
| | - Carmela Rita Balistreri
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced, Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Riccardo Zucchi
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Pellegrini C, D'Antongiovanni V, Ippolito C, Segnani C, Antonioli L, Fornai M, Bernardini N. From the intestinal mucosal barrier to the enteric neuromuscular compartment: an integrated overview on the morphological changes in Parkinson's disease. Eur J Histochem 2021; 65. [PMID: 34802221 PMCID: PMC8636839 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2021.3278] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal dysfunctions represent the most common non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Of note, changes in gut microbiota, impairments of intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB), bowel inflammation and neuroplastic rearrangements of the enteric nervous system (ENS) could be involved in the pathophysiology of the intestinal disturbances in PD. In this context, although several review articles have pooled together evidence on the alterations of enteric bacteria-neuro-immune network in PD, a revision of the literature on the specific morphological changes occurring in the intestinal mucosal barrier, the ENS and enteric muscular layers in PD, is lacking. The present review provides a complete appraisal of the available knowledge on the morphological alterations of intestinal mucosal barrier, with particular focus on IEB, ENS and enteric muscular layers in PD. In particular, our intent was to critically discuss whether, based on evidence from translational studies and preclinical models, morphological changes in the intestinal barrier and enteric neuromuscular compartment contribute to the pathophysiology of intestinal dysfunctions occurring in PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Histology, University of Pisa.
| | - Vanessa D'Antongiovanni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, University of Pisa.
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Histology, University of Pisa.
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Histology, University of Pisa.
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, University of Pisa.
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, University of Pisa.
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Histology; Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Salvetti A, Degl'Innocenti A, Gambino G, van Loon JJ, Ippolito C, Ghelardoni S, Ghigo E, Leoncino L, Prato M, Rossi L, Ciofani G. Artificially altered gravity elicits cell homeostasis imbalance in planarian worms, and cerium oxide nanoparticles counteract this effect. J Biomed Mater Res A 2021; 109:2322-2333. [PMID: 33960131 PMCID: PMC8518838 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Gravity alterations elicit complex and mostly detrimental effects on biological systems. Among these, a prominent role is occupied by oxidative stress, with consequences for tissue homeostasis and development. Studies in altered gravity are relevant for both Earth and space biomedicine, but their implementation using whole organisms is often troublesome. Here we utilize planarians, simple worm model for stem cell and regeneration biology, to characterize the pathogenic mechanisms brought by artificial gravity alterations. In particular, we provide a comprehensive evaluation of molecular responses in intact and regenerating specimens, and demonstrate a protective action from the space-apt for nanotechnological antioxidant cerium oxide nanoparticles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Salvetti
- Università di Pisa, Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineBiology and Genetics unitPisaItaly
| | - Andrea Degl'Innocenti
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaCenter for Materials Interfaces, Smart Bio‐InterfacesPisaItaly
| | - Gaetana Gambino
- Università di Pisa, Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineBiology and Genetics unitPisaItaly
| | - Jack J.W.A. van Loon
- Dutch Experiment Support Center (DESC), Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral PathologyAmsterdam UMC location VU University Medical Center & Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- TEC‐MMG LIS labEuropean Space Agency (ESA), European Space Research and Technology Center (ESTEC)NoordwijkThe Netherlands
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Biology and Genetics UnitUniversità di PisaPisaItaly
| | - Sandra Ghelardoni
- Department of Pathology, Biochemistry UnitUniversità di PisaPisaItaly
| | - Eric Ghigo
- Institut Hospitalo‐Universitaire Méditerranée InfectionMarseilleFrance
- Techno JouvenceMarseilleFrance
| | - Luca Leoncino
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaElectron Microscopy FacilityGenoaItaly
| | - Mirko Prato
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaMaterials Characterization FacilityGenoaItaly
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Università di Pisa, Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineBiology and Genetics unitPisaItaly
| | - Gianni Ciofani
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaCenter for Materials Interfaces, Smart Bio‐InterfacesPisaItaly
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Salvetti A, Degl'Innocenti A, Gambino G, Loon JJ, Ippolito C, Ghelardoni S, Ghigo E, Leoncino L, Prato M, Rossi L, Ciofani G. Cover Image. J Biomed Mater Res A 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37307] [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: 11/10/2022]
|
17
|
Gambino G, Ippolito C, Evangelista M, Salvetti A, Rossi L. Sub-Lethal 5-Fluorouracil Dose Challenges Planarian Stem Cells Promoting Transcriptional Profile Changes in the Pluripotent Sigma-Class Neoblasts. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11070949. [PMID: 34206807 PMCID: PMC8301986 DOI: 10.3390/biom11070949] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Under physiological conditions, the complex planarian neoblast system is a composite of hierarchically organized stem cell sub-populations with sigma-class neoblasts, including clonogenic neoblasts, endowed with larger self-renewal and differentiation capabilities, thus generating all the other sub-populations and dominating the regenerative process. This complex system responds to differentiated tissue demands, ensuring a continuous cell turnover in a way to replace aged specialized cells and maintain tissue functionality. Potency of the neoblast system can be appreciated under challenging conditions in which these stem cells are massively depleted and the few remaining repopulate the entire body, ensuring animal resilience. These challenging conditions offer the possibility to deepen the relationships among different neoblast sub-populations, allowing to expose uncanonical properties that are negligible under physiological conditions. In this paper, we employ short, sub-lethal 5-fluorouracil treatment to specifically affect proliferating cells passing through the S phase and demonstrate that S-phase slowdown triggers a shift in the transcriptional profile of sigma neoblasts, which reduces the expression of their hallmark sox-P1. Later, some cells reactivate sox-P1 expression, suggesting that some neoblasts in the earlier steps of commitment could modulate their expression profile, reacquiring a wider differentiative potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaetana Gambino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.G.); (C.I.); (L.R.)
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.G.); (C.I.); (L.R.)
| | | | - Alessandra Salvetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.G.); (C.I.); (L.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0502219108
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.G.); (C.I.); (L.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Pellegrini C, Fornai M, Benvenuti L, Colucci R, Caputi V, Palazon-Riquelme P, Giron MC, Nericcio A, Garelli F, D'Antongiovanni V, Segnani C, Ippolito C, Nannipieri M, Lopez-Castejon G, Pelegrin P, Haskó G, Bernardini N, Blandizzi C, Antonioli L. NLRP3 at the crossroads between immune/inflammatory responses and enteric neuroplastic remodelling in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:3924-3942. [PMID: 34000757 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Enteric neurogenic/inflammation contributes to bowel dysmotility in obesity. We examined the role of NLRP3 in colonic neuromuscular dysfunctions in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Wild-type C57BL/6J and NLRP3-KO (Nlrp3-/- ) mice were fed with HFD or standard diet for 8 weeks. The activation of inflammasome pathways in colonic tissues from obese mice was assessed. The role of NLRP3 in in vivo colonic transit and in vitro tachykininergic contractions and substance P distribution was evaluated. The effect of substance P on NLRP3 signalling was tested in cultured cells. KEY RESULTS HFD mice displayed increased body and epididymal fat weight, cholesterol levels, plasma resistin levels and plasma and colonic IL-1β levels, colonic inflammasome adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing caspase-recruitment domain (ASC) and caspase-1 mRNA expression and ASC immunopositivity in macrophages. Colonic tachykininergic contractions were enhanced in HFD mice. HFD NLRP3-/- mice developed lower increase in body and epididymal fat weight, cholesterol levels, systemic and bowel inflammation. In HFD Nlrp3-/- mice, the functional alterations of tachykinergic pathways and faecal output were normalized. In THP-1 cells, substance P promoted IL-1β release. This effect was inhibited upon incubation with caspase-1 inhibitor or NK1 antagonist and not observed in ASC-/- cells. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS In obesity, NLRP3 regulates an interplay between the shaping of enteric immune/inflammatory responses and the activation of substance P/NK1 pathways underlying the onset of colonic dysmotility. Identifying NLRP3 as a therapeutic target for the treatment of bowel symptoms related to obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Benvenuti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Valentina Caputi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Pablo Palazon-Riquelme
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Maria Cecilia Giron
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Nericcio
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Garelli
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Segnani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Monica Nannipieri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gloria Lopez-Castejon
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Pablo Pelegrin
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - György Haskó
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sarti S, De Paolo R, Ippolito C, Pucci A, Pitto L, Poliseno L. Inducible modulation of miR-204 levels in a zebrafish melanoma model. Biol Open 2020; 9:bio053785. [PMID: 33037013 PMCID: PMC7657466 DOI: 10.1242/bio.053785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we present miniCoopR-I, an inducible upgrade of the constitutive miniCoopR vector. We developed miniCoopR-I-sponge-204 and miniCoopR-I-pre-miR-204 vectors and we successfully tested them for their ability to achieve time- (embryo/juvenile/adult) and space- (melanocytic lineage) restricted inhibition/overexpression of miR-204, a positive modulator of pigmentation previously discovered by us. Furthermore, melanoma-free survival curves performed on induced fish at the adult stage indicate that miR-204 overexpression accelerates the development of BRAFV600E-driven melanoma. miniCoopR-I allows study of the impact that coding and non-coding modulators of pigmentation exert on melanomagenesis in adult zebrafish, uncoupling it from the impact that they exert on melanogenesis during embryonic development.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samanta Sarti
- Oncogenomics Unit, CRL-ISPRO, Pisa 56124, Italy
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Raffaella De Paolo
- Oncogenomics Unit, CRL-ISPRO, Pisa 56124, Italy
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa 56124, Italy
- University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology and Human Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Angela Pucci
- Histopathology Department, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Letizia Pitto
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Laura Poliseno
- Oncogenomics Unit, CRL-ISPRO, Pisa 56124, Italy
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa 56124, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Paniccia M, Ippolito C, McFarland S, Murphy J, Reed N. Health-Related Quality of Life in Non-Concussed Children: A Normative Study to Inform Concussion Management. Dev Neurorehabil 2020; 23:534-541. [PMID: 32156189 DOI: 10.1080/17518423.2020.1736683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: There has been a shift to consider pediatric concussion recovery beyond symptom management by considering how health-related quality of life (HRQoL) affects recovery. This study investigated normative ranges of HRQoL in children and explored its relationship with common pediatric concussion variables. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1,722 non-concussed children 8-12 years old (M = 10.52 ± 1.23 years; 1,335 males, 387 females) was conducted by secondary analysis of clinical baseline concussion data. Demographic information, concussion-like symptoms (PCSI-C), and HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-10 Index) were self-reported. Results: The most reported concussion-like symptoms were common stress symptoms and were significantly negatively correlated with HRQoL. Premorbid histories of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mental health challenges, headaches/migraines, and concussion significantly lowered HRQoL. The number of diagnosed concussions and PCSI-C scores were significantly negatively correlated with HRQoL. Conclusions: The normative ranges and model can indicate HRQoL levels to inform clinicians how children may respond to concussion and streamline care beyond traditional assessment models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Paniccia
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital , Toronto, Canada
| | - C Ippolito
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital , Toronto, Canada
| | - S McFarland
- Early Concussion Care Program, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital , Toronto, Canada
| | - J Murphy
- Early Concussion Care Program, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital , Toronto, Canada
| | - N Reed
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital , Toronto, Canada.,Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, Canada.,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Salvetti A, Gambino G, Rossi L, De Pasquale D, Pucci C, Linsalata S, Degl'Innocenti A, Nitti S, Prato M, Ippolito C, Ciofani G. Stem cell and tissue regeneration analysis in low-dose irradiated planarians treated with cerium oxide nanoparticles. Materials Science and Engineering: C 2020; 115:111113. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.111113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
22
|
Paniccia M, Ippolito C, McFarland S, Murphy J, Reed N. Self-efficacy in non-concussed youth: a normative study. Brain Inj 2020; 34:1532-1540. [PMID: 32910683 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2020.1792983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In pediatric concussion, there has been a shift to consider how pre-injury profiles, such as self-efficacy, affect the recovery trajectory. The aim of this study was to investigate normal ranges of self-efficacy (overall, academic, social, emotional) in youth and to explore its relationship with the effects of daily stressors, operationalized as concussion-like symptoms, demographic factors, pre-injury/learning related factors, and concussion history. METHODS A cross-sectional study of 1300 uninjured youth 13-18 years old (1111 males, 189 females) was conducted by secondary analysis of clinical pre-injury/baseline concussion data. Demographic information, concussion-like symptoms (Post-concussion Symptom Inventory), and self-efficacy (Self-efficacy Questionnaire for Children) were self-reported. RESULTS The most reported concussion-like symptoms were common stress symptoms and there was a strong negative relationship with self-efficacy. Males reported higher self-efficacy than females, but no age effects were observed. Pre-injury factors including learning disability, ADHD, special education, IEP, mental health challenges, history of headaches/migraines, and concussion history were associated with significantly lower overall self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS These normative ranges and predictive model can be used to provide a benchmark of self-efficacy to indicate how youth may respond to a concussion, and to inform clinical care during recovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Paniccia
- Concussion Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital , Toronto, Canada
| | - C Ippolito
- Concussion Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital , Toronto, Canada
| | - S McFarland
- Concussion Centre, Early Concussion Care Program, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital , Toronto, Canada
| | - J Murphy
- Concussion Centre, Early Concussion Care Program, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital , Toronto, Canada
| | - N Reed
- Concussion Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital , Toronto, Canada.,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, Canada.,Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Guzzolino E, Pellegrino M, Ahuja N, Garrity D, D'Aurizio R, Groth M, Baumgart M, Hatcher CJ, Mercatanti A, Evangelista M, Ippolito C, Tognoni E, Fukuda R, Lionetti V, Pellegrini M, Cremisi F, Pitto L. miR-182-5p is an evolutionarily conserved Tbx5 effector that impacts cardiac development and electrical activity in zebrafish. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:3215-3229. [PMID: 31686119 PMCID: PMC11104936 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03343-7] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
To dissect the TBX5 regulatory circuit, we focused on microRNAs (miRNAs) that collectively contribute to make TBX5 a pivotal cardiac regulator. We profiled miRNAs in hearts isolated from wild-type, CRE, Tbx5lox/+and Tbx5del/+ mice using a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approach. TBX5 deficiency in cardiomyocytes increased the expression of the miR-183 cluster family that is controlled by Kruppel-like factor 4, a transcription factor repressed by TBX5. MiR-182-5p, the most highly expressed miRNA of this family, was functionally analyzed in zebrafish. Transient overexpression of miR-182-5p affected heart morphology, calcium handling and the onset of arrhythmias as detected by ECG tracings. Accordingly, several calcium channel proteins identified as putative miR-182-5p targets were downregulated in miR-182-5p overexpressing hearts. In stable zebrafish transgenic lines, we demonstrated that selective miRNA-182-5p upregulation contributes to arrhythmias. Moreover, cardiac-specific down-regulation of miR-182-5p rescued cardiac defects in a zebrafish model of Holt-Oram syndrome. In conclusion, miR-182-5p exerts an evolutionarily conserved role as a TBX5 effector in the onset of cardiac propensity for arrhythmia, and constitutes a relevant target for mediating the relationship between TBX5, arrhythmia and heart development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Guzzolino
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, IFC via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Neha Ahuja
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Deborah Garrity
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Marco Groth
- The Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Mario Baumgart
- The Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Cathy J Hatcher
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alberto Mercatanti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, IFC via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Monica Evangelista
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, IFC via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Ryuichi Fukuda
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Vincenzo Lionetti
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- UOS Anesthesiology, Fondazione Toscana "G.Monasterio", Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Letizia Pitto
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, IFC via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Lucarini E, Parisio C, Branca JJV, Segnani C, Ippolito C, Pellegrini C, Antonioli L, Fornai M, Micheli L, Pacini A, Bernardini N, Blandizzi C, Ghelardini C, Di Cesare Mannelli L. Deepening the Mechanisms of Visceral Pain Persistence: An Evaluation of the Gut-Spinal Cord Relationship. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081772. [PMID: 32722246 PMCID: PMC7464824 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081772] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of visceral pain is a major clinical problem in patients affected by gastrointestinal disorders. The poor knowledge about pain chronicization mechanisms prompted us to study the functional and morphological alterations of the gut and nervous system in the animal model of persistent visceral pain caused by 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS). This agent, injected intrarectally, induced a colonic inflammation peaking on day 3 and remitting progressively from day 7. In concomitance with bowel inflammation, the animals developed visceral hypersensitivity, which persisted after colitis remission for up to three months. On day 14, the administration of pain-relieving drugs (injected intraperitoneally and intrathecally) revealed a mixed nociceptive, inflammatory and neuropathic pain originating from both the peripheral and central nervous system. At this time point, the colonic histological analysis highlighted a partial restitution of the tunica mucosa, transmural collagen deposition, infiltration of mast cells and eosinophils, and upregulation of substance P (SP)-positive nerve fibers, which were surrounded by eosinophils and MHC-II-positive macrophages. A significant activation of microglia and astrocytes was observed in the dorsal and ventral horns of spinal cord. These results suggest that the persistence of visceral pain induced by colitis results from maladaptive plasticity of the enteric, peripheral and central nervous systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lucarini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Neurofarba, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (C.P.); (L.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Carmen Parisio
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Neurofarba, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (C.P.); (L.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Jacopo J. V. Branca
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine—DMSC, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Florence, L. go Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (J.J.V.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Histology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.I.); (N.B.)
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Histology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.I.); (N.B.)
| | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.A.); (M.F.); (C.B.)
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.A.); (M.F.); (C.B.)
| | - Laura Micheli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Neurofarba, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (C.P.); (L.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Alessandra Pacini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine—DMSC, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Florence, L. go Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (J.J.V.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Histology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.I.); (N.B.)
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.A.); (M.F.); (C.B.)
| | - Carla Ghelardini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Neurofarba, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (C.P.); (L.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Neurofarba, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (C.P.); (L.M.); (C.G.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Gambino G, Ippolito C, Modeo L, Salvetti A, Rossi L. 5-Fluorouracil-treated planarians, a versatile model system for studying stem cell heterogeneity and tissue aging. Biol Cell 2020; 112:335-348. [PMID: 32640042 DOI: 10.1111/boc.202000040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND INFORMATION Planarians are a sound, well-established model system for molecular studies in the field of stem cells, cell differentiation, developmental biology and translational research. Treated stem cell-less planarians produced by X-ray treatment are commonly used to study stem cell transcriptional profile and their role in planarian biological processes. X-ray induces oxidative and DNA damage to differentiated cells, requires expensive radiation machines that are not available in most of the research centres and demand rigorous risk management and dedicated staff. RESULTS We tested the use of the well-known antimetabolite genotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil which mainly affects proliferating cells in way to demonstrate its use in replacing X-ray treatment. We succeeded in demonstrating ability of high doses of 5-fluorouracil to deplete Dugesia japonica stem cells and in identifying a 5-fluorouracil transiently resistant population of lineage committed stem cells. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE Our results encourage the use of 5-fluorouracil-treated planarians as a model system for studying mechanisms of resistance to genotoxicants, planarian stem cell heterogeneity and molecular cascades of tissue aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaetana Gambino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Letizia Modeo
- CISUP, Centro per l'Integrazione della Strumentazione dell'Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salvetti
- CISUP, Centro per l'Integrazione della Strumentazione dell'Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- CISUP, Centro per l'Integrazione della Strumentazione dell'Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Pellegrini C, Daniele S, Antonioli L, Benvenuti L, D’Antongiovanni V, Piccarducci R, Pietrobono D, Citi V, Piragine E, Flori L, Ippolito C, Segnani C, Palazon-Riquelme P, Lopez-Castejon G, Martelli A, Colucci R, Bernardini N, Trincavelli ML, Calderone V, Martini C, Blandizzi C, Fornai M. Prodromal Intestinal Events in Alzheimer's Disease (AD): Colonic Dysmotility and Inflammation Are Associated with Enteric AD-Related Protein Deposition. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103523. [PMID: 32429301 PMCID: PMC7278916 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that intestinal dysfunctions may represent early events in Alzheimer’s disease and contribute to brain pathology. This study examined the relationship between onset of cognitive impairment and colonic dysfunctions in a spontaneous AD model before the full development of brain pathology. SAMP8 mice underwent Morris water maze and assessment of faecal output at four, six and eight months of age. In vitro colonic motility was examined. Faecal and colonic Aβ, tau proteins, α-synuclein and IL-1β were assessed by ELISA. Colonic citrate synthase activity was assessed by spectrophotometry. Colonic NLRP3, caspase-1 and ASC expression were evaluated by Western blotting. Colonic eosinophil density and claudin-1 expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The effect of Aβ on NLRP3 signalling and mitochondrial function was tested in cultured cells. Cognitive impairment and decreased faecal output occurred in SAMP8 mice from six months. When compared with SAMR1, SAMP8 animals displayed: (1) impaired in vitro colonic contractions; (2) increased enteric AD-related proteins, IL-1β, active-caspase-1 expression and eosinophil density; and (3) decreased citrate synthase activity and claudin-1 expression. In THP-1 cells, Aβ promoted IL-1β release, which was abrogated upon incubation with caspase-1 inhibitor or in ASC-/- cells. Aβ decreased mitochondrial function in THP-1 cells. In SAMP8, enteric AD-related proteins deposition, inflammation and impaired colonic excitatory neurotransmission, occurring before the full brain pathology development, could contribute to bowel dysmotility and represent prodromal events in AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Simona Daniele
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.A.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Laura Benvenuti
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.A.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Vanessa D’Antongiovanni
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.A.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Rebecca Piccarducci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Deborah Pietrobono
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Valentina Citi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Eugenia Piragine
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Lorenzo Flori
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.I.); (C.S.); (N.B.)
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.I.); (C.S.); (N.B.)
| | - Pablo Palazon-Riquelme
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; (P.P.-R.); (G.L.-C.)
| | - Gloria Lopez-Castejon
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; (P.P.-R.); (G.L.-C.)
| | - Alma Martelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.I.); (C.S.); (N.B.)
- Interdepartmental Research Centre “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Trincavelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Vincenzo Calderone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Claudia Martini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (S.D.); (R.P.); (D.P.); (V.C.); (E.P.); (L.F.); (A.M.); (M.L.T.); (V.C.)
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (C.B.); Tel.: +39-050-221-2115 (C.M.); +39-050-221-8753 (C.B.)
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.A.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (M.F.)
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (C.B.); Tel.: +39-050-221-2115 (C.M.); +39-050-221-8753 (C.B.)
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.A.); (L.B.); (V.D.); (M.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Pellegrini C, Ippolito C, Segnani C, Dolfi A, Errede M, Virgintino D, Fornai M, Antonioli L, Garelli F, Nericcio A, Colucci R, Cerri S, Blandini F, Blandizzi C, Bernardini N. Pathological remodelling of colonic wall following dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurodegeneration. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 139:104821. [PMID: 32088380 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are often characterized by functional gastrointestinal disorders. Such disturbances can occur at all stages of PD and precede the typical motor symptoms of the disease by many years. However, the morphological alterations associated with intestinal disturbances in PD are undetermined. This study examined the remodelling of colonic wall in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PD rats. METHODS 8 weeks after 6-OHDA injection animals were sacrificed. Inflammatory infiltrates, collagen deposition and remodelling of intestinal epithelial barrier and tunica muscularis in the colonic wall were assessed by histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. RESULTS 6-OHDA rats displayed significant alterations of colonic tissues as compared with controls. Signs of mild inflammation (eosinophil infiltration) and a transmural deposition of collagen fibres were observed. Superficial colonic layers were characterized by severe morphological alterations. In particular, lining epithelial cells displayed a reduced claudin-1 and transmembrane 16A/Anoctamin 1 (TMEM16A/ANO1) expression; goblet cells increased their mucin expression; colonic crypts were characterized by an increase in proliferating epithelial cells; the density of S100-positive glial cells and vimentin-positive fibroblast-like cells was increased as well. Several changes were found in the tunica muscularis: downregulation of α-smooth muscle actin/desmin expression and increased proliferation of smooth muscle cells; increased vimentin expression and proliferative phenotype in myenteric ganglia; reduction of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) density. CONCLUSIONS A pathological remodelling occurs in the colon of 6-OHDA rats. The main changes include: enhanced fibrotic deposition; alterations of the epithelial barrier; activation of mucosal defense; reduction of ICCs. These results indicate that central nigrostriatal denervation is associated with histological changes in the large bowel at mucosal, submucosal and muscular level. These alterations might represent morphological correlates of digestive symptoms in PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Amelio Dolfi
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mariella Errede
- Unit of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, School of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Virgintino
- Unit of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, School of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Garelli
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Anna Nericcio
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Cerri
- Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurological Institute, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Fabio Blandini
- Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurological Institute, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Interdepartmental Research Centre "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Gambino G, Falleni A, Nigro M, Salvetti A, Cecchettini A, Ippolito C, Guidi P, Rossi L. Dynamics of interaction and effects of microplastics on planarian tissue regeneration and cellular homeostasis. Aquat Toxicol 2020; 218:105354. [PMID: 31734615 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.105354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 08/25/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Increasing microplastics pollution of marine and terrestrial water is a concerning issue for ecosystems and human health. Nevertheless, the interaction of microplastics with freshwater biota is still a poorly explored field. In order to achieve information concerning the uptake, distribution and effect of microplastics in planarians, Dugesia japonica specimens have been fed with mixtures of food and differently shaped and sized plastic particles. Feeding activity and food intake were non-altered by the presence of high concentrations of different types of plastic particles. However, the persistence of microplastic within the planarian body was a function of size/shape, being small spheres (<10 μm in diameter) and short fibers (14 μm large and 5/6 μm length) more persisting than larger spheres and longer fibers which were eliminated almost entirely by ejection in a few hours. Transmission electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that at least part of microplastics was phagocytized by the enterocytes. Chronic exposure to small plastic did not alter the regenerative ability but caused a significant reduction of the gut epithelium thickness and lipid content of enterocytes, together with the induction of apoptotic cell death, modulation of Djgata 4/5/6 expression and reduced growth rate. The ability of microplastic to perturb planarian homeostasis is concerning being them extremely resilient against mechanical and chemical insults and suggests possible harmful effects upon other more susceptible species in freshwater ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaetana Gambino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Falleni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Nigro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salvetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Cecchettini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Guidi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Guzzolino E, Pellegrino M, Ahuja N, Garrity D, D'Aurizio R, Groth M, Baumgart M, Hatcher C, Mercatanti A, Evangelista M, Ippolito C, Tognoni E, Fukuda R, Lionetti V, Pitto L. Abstract 602: Mir-182-5p is a Conserved Downstream Effector of Tbx5 Involved in Heart Development and Arrhythmia in Zebrafish. Circ Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1161/res.125.suppl_1.602] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background:
TBX5 mutations cause Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS) characterized by upper limb and cardiac malformations, but can also contribute to early-onset of atrial fibrillation. Focusing on miRNAs involved in TBX5 regulatory circuits with a cardiac relevant role, we identified miR-182-5p, belonging to miR-183 cluster, found upregulated in Tbx5-depleted hearts of mouse and zebrafish embryos.
Methods:
To functionally analyse the miR-182-5p role in developing heart, miR-182-5p was dysregulated in zebrafish zygotes of Tg(Myl7:EGFP) and Tg(myl7:gCaMP) transgenic lines. To stably deregulate miR-182-5p in zebrafish heart we exploited the Gal4/UAS system to restrict the miR-182 expression into cardiac context. For physiological analyses we performed the mechanogram of cardiac contraction and electrocardiogram recording. To understand miR-182-5p downstream regulation, in silico analyses, followed by ddPCR/real-time quantifications on dissected zebrafish hearts and rescue experiments both in transient and stable miR-182-5p overexpressing zebrafish embryos were performed.
Results:
Depletion of Tbx5 from cardiomyocytes increased the expression of miR-182 cluster family that is controlled by Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a transcription factor repressed by Tbx5. Both transient and stable upregulation of miR-182 in zebrafish affect heart morphology, calcium handling and the onset of arrhythmia while its cardiac-specific downregulation decreases cardiac defects in zebrafish HOS hearts. Expression analyses on selected miR-182-5p putative targets revealed that several calcium channel proteins resulted downregulated in miR-182-5p overexpressing hearts. Transgenic zebrafish line stably overexpressing miR-182-5p in the heart manifested arrhythmia overtime with or without cardiac structural defects.
Conclusion:
We identified miR-182-5p as a potential suitable target to interfere in the circuit between upstream genetic abnormalities and downstream effectors leading to arrhythmia occurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Neha Ahuja
- Colorado State Univ (CSU), Dept of Biology, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Deborah Garrity
- Colorado State Univ (CSU), Dept of Biology, Fort Collins, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Romina D'Aurizio
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Medicine (LISM), Institute of Informatics and Telematics, CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Groth
- The Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Mario Baumgart
- The Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Cathy Hatcher
- Dept of Bio-Med Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | | | - Chiara Ippolito
- Dept of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Univ of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Ryuichi Fukuda
- Dept of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Rsch, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Mattii L, Pardini C, Ippolito C, Bianchi F, Sabbatini ARM, Vaglini F. Rho-inhibition and neuroprotective effect on rotenone-treated dopaminergic neurons in vitro. Neurotoxicology 2019; 72:51-60. [PMID: 30769001 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Mesencephalic cell cultures are a good model to study the vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons and reproduce, in vitro, experimental models of Parkinson's disease. Rotenone associated as an environmental neurotoxin related to PD, is able to provoke dopaminergic neuron degeneration by inhibiting complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and by inducing accumulation of α-synuclein. Recently, rotenone has been described to activate RhoA, a GTPase protein. In the present study we evaluated a possible neuroprotective effect of Rho-inhibitor molecules on rotenone-damaged dopaminergic (DA) neurons obtained from mouse primary mesencephalic cell culture. Our results showed that Clostridium Botulinum C3 toxin (C3) and simvastatin, as RhoA inhibitors, were able to protect DA neurons from rotenone damages. In fact, pretreatment with C3 or simvastatin significantly prevented the reduction of [3H]dopamine uptake, neurites injury and the expression patterns of proteins like α-syn, actin and connexin 43.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Mattii
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Histology, via Roma 55, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Interdepartmental Research Center Nutraceuticals and Food for Health, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Carla Pardini
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, via Roma 55, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Histology, via Roma 55, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Bianchi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Histology, via Roma 55, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Vaglini
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, via Roma 55, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Siano G, Varisco M, Caiazza MC, Quercioli V, Mainardi M, Ippolito C, Cattaneo A, Di Primio C. Tau Modulates VGluT1 Expression. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:873-884. [PMID: 30664870 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tau displacement from microtubules is the first step in the onset of tauopathies and is followed by toxic protein aggregation. However, other non-canonical functions of Tau might have a role in these pathologies. Here, we demonstrate that a small amount of Tau localizes in the nuclear compartment and accumulates in both the soluble and chromatin-bound fractions. We show that favoring Tau nuclear translocation and accumulation, by Tau overexpression or detachment from MTs, increases the expression of VGluT1, a disease-relevant gene directly involved in glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Remarkably, the P301L mutation, related to frontotemporal dementia FTDP-17, impairs this mechanism leading to a loss of function. Altogether, our results provide the demonstration of a direct physiological role of Tau on gene expression. Alterations of this mechanism may be at the basis of the onset of neurodegeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Siano
- Laboratory of Biology, BIO@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Martina Varisco
- Laboratory of Biology, BIO@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Marco Mainardi
- Laboratory of Biology, BIO@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Laboratory of Biology, BIO@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Galimberti S, Grassi S, Baratè C, Guerrini F, Ciabatti E, Perutelli F, Ricci F, Del Genio G, Montali M, Barachini S, Giuliani C, Ferreri MI, Valetto A, Abruzzese E, Ippolito C, Iurlo A, Bocchia M, Sicuranza A, Martino B, Iovino L, Buda G, Salehzadeh S, Petrini M, Di Paolo A, Mattii L. The Polycomb BMI1 Protein Is Co-expressed With CD26+ in Leukemic Stem Cells of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2018; 8:555. [PMID: 30574454 PMCID: PMC6291509 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Polycomb gene BMI1 expression exerts a negative predictive impact on several hematological malignancies, such as acute and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), myelofibrosis, and follicular lymphoma. As already demonstrated in CML, BMI1 is responsible for the resistance to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in a BCR-ABL1-independent way. Even if, it is unknown where BMI1 in CML is expressed (in progenitors or more mature cells). We decided, therefore, to evaluate if and where the BMI1 protein is located, focusing mainly on the CD34+/CD38-/CD26+ CML progenitors. To begin we measured, by flow cytometry, the proportion of CD34+/CD26+ cells in 31 bone marrow samples from 20 CML patients, at diagnosis and during treatment with imatinib. After that the bone marrow blood smears were stained with antibodies anti-CD26, BCR-ABL1, and BMI1. These smears were observed by a confocal laser microscope and a 3D reconstruction was then performed. At diagnosis, CD34+/CD26+ cells median value/μL was 0.48; this number increased from diagnosis to the third month of therapy and then reduced during treatment with imatinib. The number and behavior of the CD26+ progenitors were independent from the BCR-ABL1 expression, but they summed up what previously observed about the BMI1 expression modulation. In this work we demonstrate for the first time that in CML the BMI1 protein is co-expressed with BCR-ABL1 only in the cytoplasm of the CD26+ precursors; on the contrary, in other hematological malignancies where BMI1 is commonly expressed (follicular lymphoma, essential thrombocytemia, acute myeloid leukemia), it was not co-localized with CD26 or, obviously, with BCR-ABL1. Once translated into the clinical context, if BMI1 is a marker of stemness, our results would suggest the combination of the BMI1 inhibitors with TKIs as an interesting object of research, and, probably, as a promising way to overcome resistance in CML patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Galimberti
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Susanna Grassi
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,GeNOMEC School of Doctorate, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Claudia Baratè
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Guerrini
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Ciabatti
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Perutelli
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Federica Ricci
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giada Del Genio
- Unità Operativa Cytogenetics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marina Montali
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cecilia Giuliani
- Unità Operativa Cytogenetics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Valetto
- Unità Operativa Cytogenetics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Ippolito
- Section of Histology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Iurlo
- Hematology Division, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Bocchia
- Unità Operativa Ematologia, Università di Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Sicuranza
- Unità Operativa Ematologia, Università di Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Bruno Martino
- Unità Operativa Ematologia, Ospedale Binco, Melacrino, Morelli, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Iovino
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Buda
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Salehzadeh
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mario Petrini
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonello Di Paolo
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Letizia Mattii
- Section of Histology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Masi S, Colucci R, Duranti E, Nannipieri M, Anselmino M, Ippolito C, Tirotta E, Georgiopoulos G, Garelli F, Nericcio A, Segnani C, Bernardini N, Blandizzi C, Taddei S, Virdis A. Aging Modulates the Influence of Arginase on Endothelial Dysfunction in Obesity. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2018; 38:2474-2483. [DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.118.311074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Masi
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (M.S., D.E., N.M., I.C., T.E., S.C., B.N., B.C., T.S., V.A.), University of Pisa, Italy
- National Centre for Cardiovascular Preventions and Outcomes, University College London, United Kingdom (M.S.)
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, United Kingdom (M.S.)
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Italy (C.R., G.F., N.A.)
| | - Emiliano Duranti
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (M.S., D.E., N.M., I.C., T.E., S.C., B.N., B.C., T.S., V.A.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Monica Nannipieri
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (M.S., D.E., N.M., I.C., T.E., S.C., B.N., B.C., T.S., V.A.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Ippolito
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (M.S., D.E., N.M., I.C., T.E., S.C., B.N., B.C., T.S., V.A.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Erika Tirotta
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (M.S., D.E., N.M., I.C., T.E., S.C., B.N., B.C., T.S., V.A.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Georgios Georgiopoulos
- First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, University of Athens, Greece (G.G.)
| | - Francesca Garelli
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Italy (C.R., G.F., N.A.)
| | - Anna Nericcio
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Italy (C.R., G.F., N.A.)
| | - Cristina Segnani
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (M.S., D.E., N.M., I.C., T.E., S.C., B.N., B.C., T.S., V.A.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (M.S., D.E., N.M., I.C., T.E., S.C., B.N., B.C., T.S., V.A.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (M.S., D.E., N.M., I.C., T.E., S.C., B.N., B.C., T.S., V.A.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Taddei
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (M.S., D.E., N.M., I.C., T.E., S.C., B.N., B.C., T.S., V.A.), University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Agostino Virdis
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (M.S., D.E., N.M., I.C., T.E., S.C., B.N., B.C., T.S., V.A.), University of Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Antonioli L, Caputi V, Fornai M, Pellegrini C, Gentile D, Giron MC, Orso G, Bernardini N, Segnani C, Ippolito C, Csóka B, Haskó G, Németh ZH, Scarpignato C, Blandizzi C, Colucci R. Interplay between colonic inflammation and tachykininergic pathways in the onset of colonic dysmotility in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Int J Obes (Lond) 2018; 43:331-343. [PMID: 30082748 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-018-0166-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The murine model of high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity is characterized by an increment of intestinal permeability, secondary to an impairment of mucosal epithelial barrier and enteric inflammation, followed by morphofunctional rearrangement of the enteric nervous system. The present study investigated the involvement of abdominal macrophages in the mechanisms underlying the development of enteric dysmotility associated with obesity. METHODS Wild type C57BL/6J mice were fed with HFD (60% kcal from fat) or normocaloric diet (NCD, 18% kcal from fat) for 8 weeks. Groups of mice fed with NCD or HFD were treated with clodronate encapsulated into liposomes to deplete abdominal macrophages. Tachykininergic contractions, elicited by electrical stimulation or exogenous substance P (SP), were recorded in vitro from longitudinal muscle colonic preparations. Substance P distribution was examined by confocal immunohistochemistry. The density of macrophages in the colonic wall was examined by immunohistochemical analysis. Malondialdehyde (MDA, colorimetric assay) and IL-1β (ELISA assay) levels were also evaluated. RESULTS MDA and IL-1β levels were increased in colonic tissues from HFD-treated animals. In colonic preparations, electrically evoked tachykininergic contractions were enhanced in HFD mice. Immunohistochemistry displayed an increase in substance P immunoreactivity in myenteric ganglia, as well as in the muscular layers of colonic cryosections from obese mice. Macrophage depletion in HFD mice was associated with a significant reduction of colonic inflammation. In addition, the decrease in macrophage density attenuated the morphofunctional alterations of tachykininergic pathways observed in obese mice. CONCLUSION Obesity elicited by HFD determines a condition of colonic inflammation, followed by a marked rearrangement of motor excitatory tachykininergic enteric nerves. Macrophage depletion counteracted the morphofunctional changes of colonic neuromuscular compartment, suggesting a critical role for these immune cells in the onset of enteric dysmotility associated with obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Valentina Caputi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,San Camillo Hospital, Treviso, Italy.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12YT20 Cork, Ireland
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniela Gentile
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Cecilia Giron
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Genny Orso
- Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini-, Lecco, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Balázs Csóka
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - György Haskó
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Zoltán H Németh
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Surgery, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ, 07960, USA
| | | | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Guzzolino E, Chiavacci E, Ahuja N, Mariani L, Evangelista M, Ippolito C, Rizzo M, Garrity D, Cremisi F, Pitto L. Post-transcriptional Modulation of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 1 by miR-19a Affects Cardiovascular Development in Zebrafish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:58. [PMID: 29922649 PMCID: PMC5996577 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine-1-phosphate is a bioactive lipid and a signaling molecule integrated into many physiological systems such as differentiation, proliferation and migration. In mammals S1P acts through binding to a family of five trans-membrane, G-protein coupled receptors (S1PRs) whose complex role has not been completely elucidated. In this study we use zebrafish, in which seven s1prs have been identified, to investigate the role of s1pr1. In mammals S1PR1 is the most highly expressed S1P receptor in the developing heart and regulates vascular development, but in zebrafish the data concerning its role are contradictory. Here we show that overexpression of zebrafish s1pr1 affects both vascular and cardiac development. Moreover we demonstrate that s1pr1 expression is strongly repressed by miR-19a during the early phases of zebrafish development. In line with this observation and with a recent study showing that miR-19a is downregulated in a zebrafish Holt-Oram model, we now demonstrate that s1pr1 is upregulated in heartstring hearts. Next we investigated whether defects induced by s1pr1 upregulation might contribute to the morphological alterations caused by Tbx5 depletion. We show that downregulation of s1pr1 is able to partially rescue cardiac and fin defects induced by Tbx5 depletion. Taken together, these data support a role for s1pr1 in zebrafish cardiovascular development, suggest the involvement of this receptor in the Tbx5 regulatory circuitry, and further support the crucial role of microRNAs in early phase of zebrafish development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Guzzolino
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy.,Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Chiavacci
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Neha Ahuja
- Department of Biology, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Laura Mariani
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Monica Evangelista
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Deborah Garrity
- Department of Biology, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | | | - Letizia Pitto
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Pucci A, Mattioli C, Matteucci M, Lorenzini D, Panvini F, Pacini S, Ippolito C, Celiento M, De Martino A, Dolfi A, Belgio B, Bortolotti U, Basolo F, Bartoloni G. Cell differentiation in cardiac myxomas: confocal microscopy and gene expression analysis after laser capture microdissection. Heart Vessels 2018; 33:1403-1410. [PMID: 29789901 DOI: 10.1007/s00380-018-1189-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac myxomas are rare tumors with a heterogeneous cell population including properly neoplastic (lepidic), endothelial and smooth muscle cells. The assessment of neoplastic (lepidic) cell differentiation pattern is rather difficult using conventional light microscopy immunohistochemistry and/or whole tissue extracts for mRNA analyses. In a preliminary study, we investigated 20 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded cardiac myxomas by means of conventional immunohistochemistry; in 10/20 cases, cell differentiation was also analyzed by real-time RT-PCR after laser capture microdissection of the neoplastic cells, whereas calretinin and endothelial antigen CD31 immunoreactivity was localized in 4/10 cases by double immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. Gene expression analyses of α-smooth muscle actin, endothelial CD31 antigen, alpha-cardiac actin, matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP2) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloprotease-1 (TIMP1) was performed on cDNA obtained from either microdissected neoplastic cells or whole tumor sections. We found very little or absent CD31 and α-Smooth Muscle Actin expression in the microdissected cells as compared to the whole tumors, whereas TIMP1 and MMP2 genes were highly expressed in both ones, greater levels being found in patients with embolic phenomena. α-Cardiac Actin was not detected. Confocal microscopy disclosed two different signals corresponding to calretinin-positive myxoma cells and to endothelial CD31-positive cells, respectively. In conclusion, the neoplastic (lepidic) cells showed a distinct gene expression pattern and no consistent overlapping with endothelial and smooth muscle cells or cardiac myocytes; the expression of TIMP1 and MMP2 might be related to clinical presentation; larger series studies using also systematic transcriptome analysis might be useful to confirm the present results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Pucci
- Histopathology Department, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy. .,Pisa University, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Claudia Mattioli
- Histopathology Department, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.,Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore "Sant'Anna", Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Matteucci
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore "Sant'Anna", Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Medical Histology and Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Amelio Dolfi
- Unit of Medical Histology and Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belgio
- Histopathology Department, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Gentile D, Fornai M, Colucci R, Pellegrini C, Tirotta E, Benvenuti L, Segnani C, Ippolito C, Duranti E, Virdis A, Carpi S, Nieri P, Németh ZH, Pistelli L, Bernardini N, Blandizzi C, Antonioli L. The flavonoid compound apigenin prevents colonic inflammation and motor dysfunctions associated with high fat diet-induced obesity. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195502. [PMID: 29641549 PMCID: PMC5895026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose Apigenin can exert beneficial actions in the prevention of obesity. However, its putative action on obesity-associated bowel motor dysfunctions is unknown. This study examined the effects of apigenin on colonic inflammatory and motor abnormalities in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Experimental approach Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with standard diet (SD) or high-fat diet (HFD). SD or HFD mice were treated with apigenin (10 mg/Kg/day). After 8 weeks, body and epididymal fat weight, as well as cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels were evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA), IL-1β and IL-6 levels, and let-7f expression were also examined. Colonic infiltration by eosinophils, as well as substance P (SP) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expressions were evaluated. Motor responses elicited under blockade of NOS and tachykininergic contractions were recorded in vitro from colonic longitudinal muscle preparations. Key results When compared to SD mice, HFD animals displayed increased body weight, epididymal fat weight and metabolic indexes. HFD mice showed increments in colonic MDA, IL-1β and IL-6 levels, as well as a decrease in let-7f expression in both colonic and epididymal tissues. HFD mice displayed an increase in colonic eosinophil infiltration. Immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in SP and iNOS expression in myenteric ganglia of HFD mice. In preparations from HFD mice, electrically evoked contractions upon NOS blockade or mediated by tachykininergic stimulation were enhanced. In HFD mice, Apigenin counteracted the increase in body and epididymal fat weight, as well as the alterations of metabolic indexes. Apigenin reduced also MDA, IL-1β and IL-6 colonic levels as well as eosinophil infiltration, SP and iNOS expression, along with a normalization of electrically evoked tachykininergic and nitrergic contractions. In addition, apigenin normalized let-7f expression in epididymal fat tissues, but not in colonic specimens. Conclusions and implications Apigenin prevents systemic metabolic alterations, counteracts enteric inflammation and normalizes colonic dysmotility associated with obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gentile
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Erika Tirotta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Benvenuti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Emiliano Duranti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Agostino Virdis
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Carpi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Nieri
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Zoltán H. Németh
- Department of Surgery, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Laura Pistelli
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (DAFE), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Vitiello M, Tuccoli A, D'Aurizio R, Sarti S, Giannecchini L, Lubrano S, Marranci A, Evangelista M, Peppicelli S, Ippolito C, Barravecchia I, Guzzolino E, Montagnani V, Gowen M, Mercoledi E, Mercatanti A, Comelli L, Gurrieri S, Wu LW, Ope O, Flaherty K, Boland GM, Hammond MR, Kwong L, Chiariello M, Stecca B, Zhang G, Salvetti A, Angeloni D, Pitto L, Calorini L, Chiorino G, Pellegrini M, Herlyn M, Osman I, Poliseno L. Context-dependent miR-204 and miR-211 affect the biological properties of amelanotic and melanotic melanoma cells. Oncotarget 2018; 8:25395-25417. [PMID: 28445987 PMCID: PMC5421939 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [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: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite increasing amounts of experimental evidence depicting the involvement of non-coding RNAs in cancer, the study of BRAFV600E-regulated genes has thus far focused mainly on protein-coding ones. Here, we identify and study the microRNAs that BRAFV600E regulates through the ERK pathway. By performing small RNA sequencing on A375 melanoma cells and a vemurafenib-resistant clone that was taken as negative control, we discover miR-204 and miR-211 as the miRNAs most induced by vemurafenib. We also demonstrate that, although belonging to the same family, these two miRNAs have distinctive features. miR-204 is under the control of STAT3 and its expression is induced in amelanotic melanoma cells, where it acts as an effector of vemurafenib's anti-motility activity by targeting AP1S2. Conversely, miR-211, a known transcriptional target of MITF, is induced in melanotic melanoma cells, where it targets EDEM1 and consequently impairs the degradation of TYROSINASE (TYR) through the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. In doing so, miR-211 serves as an effector of vemurafenib's pro-pigmentation activity. We also show that such an increase in pigmentation in turn represents an adaptive response that needs to be overcome using appropriate inhibitors in order to increase the efficacy of vemurafenib. In summary, we unveil the distinct and context-dependent activities exerted by miR-204 family members in melanoma cells. Our work challenges the widely accepted “same miRNA family = same function” rule and provides a rationale for a novel treatment strategy for melanotic melanomas that is based on the combination of ERK pathway inhibitors with pigmentation inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Vitiello
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy.,Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Tuccoli
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy
| | - Romina D'Aurizio
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Medicine (LISM), Institute of Informatics and Telematics (IIT), CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - Samanta Sarti
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy.,University of Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Giannecchini
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Lubrano
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy.,University of Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Marranci
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy.,University of Siena, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Peppicelli
- Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Firenze, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Valentina Montagnani
- Tumor Cell Biology Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUC, Firenze, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Mercoledi
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Laura Comelli
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gurrieri
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mario Chiariello
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), CNR, Pisa, Italy.,Signal Transduction Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUS, Siena, Italy
| | - Barbara Stecca
- Tumor Cell Biology Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUC, Firenze, Italy
| | - Gao Zhang
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alessandra Salvetti
- Unit of Experimental Biology and Genetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Letizia Pitto
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lido Calorini
- Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Firenze, Italy
| | | | - Marco Pellegrini
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Medicine (LISM), Institute of Informatics and Telematics (IIT), CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Laura Poliseno
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy.,Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), CNR, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Pellegrini C, Antonioli L, Colucci R, Tirotta E, Gentile D, Ippolito C, Segnani C, Levandis G, Cerri S, Blandini F, Barocelli E, Ballabeni V, Bernardini N, Blandizzi C, Fornai M. Effects of L-DOPA/benserazide co-treatment on colonic excitatory cholinergic motility and enteric inflammation following dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurodegeneration. Neuropharmacology 2017; 123:22-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
|
40
|
Cassella L, Salvetti A, Iacopetti P, Ippolito C, Ghezzani C, Gimenez G, Ghigo E, Rossi L. Putrescine independent wound response phenotype is produced by ODC-like RNAi in planarians. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9736. [PMID: 28851936 PMCID: PMC5574924 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09567-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite increasing evidence indicates polyamines as a convergence point for signaling pathways, including cell growth and differentiation, a unifying concept to interpret their role is still missing. The activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis, is tightly regulated by a complex molecular machinery, and the demonstration of the existence of multiple ODC paralogs, lacking decarboxylation activity, suggests additional layers of complexity to the intricate ODC regulatory pathway. Because of their extraordinary regenerative abilities and abundance of stem cells, planarians have potential to contribute to our understanding of polyamine function in an in vivo context. We undertook a study on ODC function in planarians and we found six planarian ODCs (ODC1-6). Five out of six ODC homologs carry substitutions of key aminoacids for enzymatic activity, which makes them theoretically unable to decarboxylate ornithine. Silencing of ODC5 and 6 produced a complex phenotype, by prompting animals to an aberrant response, following chronic injury without tissue removal. Phenotype is neither rescued by putrescine, nor mimicked by difluoromethylornithine treatment. Moreover, the co-silencing of other genes of the ODC regulatory pathway did not modulate phenotype outcome or severity, thus suggesting that the function/s of these ODC-like proteins might be unrelated to decarboxylase activity and putrescine production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Cassella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salvetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Iacopetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Ghezzani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gregory Gimenez
- Otago Genomics & Bioinformatics Facility, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, 710 Cumberland Street, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Eric Ghigo
- CNRS UMR 7278, IRD198, INSERM U1095, APHM, Institut Hospitalier Universitaire Méditerranée-Infection, Aix-Marseille Université, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 05, France
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Antonioli L, Pellegrini C, Fornai M, Tirotta E, Gentile D, Benvenuti L, Giron MC, Caputi V, Marsilio I, Orso G, Bernardini N, Segnani C, Ippolito C, Csóka B, Németh ZH, Haskó G, Scarpignato C, Blandizzi C, Colucci R. Colonic motor dysfunctions in a mouse model of high-fat diet-induced obesity: an involvement of A 2B adenosine receptors. Purinergic Signal 2017; 13:497-510. [PMID: 28808842 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-017-9577-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [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: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenosine A2B receptors (A2BR) regulate several enteric functions. However, their implication in the pathophysiology of intestinal dysmotility associated with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity has not been elucidated. We investigated the expression of A2BR in mouse colon and their role in the mechanisms underlying the development of enteric dysmotility associated with obesity. Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were fed with HFD (60% kcal from fat) or normocaloric diet (NCD; 18% kcal from fat) for 8 weeks. Colonic A2BR localization was examined by immunofluorescence. The role of A2BR in the control of colonic motility was examined in functional experiments on longitudinal muscle preparations (LMPs). In NCD mice, A2BR were predominantly located in myenteric neurons; in HFD animals, their expression increased throughout the neuromuscular layer. Functionally, the A2BR antagonist MRS1754 enhanced electrically induced NK1-mediated tachykininergic contractions in LMPs from HFD mice, while it was less effective in tissues from NCD mice. The A2B receptor agonist BAY 60-6583 decreased colonic tachykininergic contractions in LMPs, with higher efficacy in preparations from obese mice. Both A2BR ligands did not affect contractions elicited by exogenous substance P. Obesity is related with a condition of colonic inflammation, leading to an increase of A2BR expression. A2BR, modulating the activity of excitatory tachykininergic nerves, participate to the enteric dysmotility associated with obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Surgery and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Erika Tirotta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniela Gentile
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Benvenuti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Cecilia Giron
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Valentina Caputi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,San Camillo Hospital, Treviso, Italy
| | - Ilaria Marsilio
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Genny Orso
- Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini-, Lecco, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Balázs Csóka
- Department of Surgery and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Zoltán H Németh
- Department of Surgery, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ, USA
| | - György Haskó
- Department of Surgery and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | | | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Dell'Atti L, Galosi AB, Ippolito C. A randomized single-center study to compare the efficacy and tolerability of tadalafil once daily plus lidocaine anesthetic spray on premature ejaculation. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2017; 21:1036-1040. [PMID: 28338191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The use of topical local anesthetics in the form of creams, gel or spray is the oldest method of retarding ejaculation. However, several studies have suggested that phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (5-PDEiS) show a potential therapeutic use in the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of tadalafil-only, tadalafil plus local anesthetic spray (lidocaine), and topical lidocaine spray-only before intercourse on the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) of patients with lifelong PE. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 78 men in stable heterosexual, monogamous relationships (of ≥3 months) who were diagnosed with lifelong PE. The patients were divided into three groups: G1: 25 patients who received lidocaine spray 10 g/100 ml at 5 min before intercourse; G2: 27 patients who received tadalafil 5 mg once daily; G3: 26 patients who treated with tadalafil once daily plus lidocaine spray before planned sexual activity. The treatments were continued for up to three months in all groups. Moreover, the quality of their sexual attempts was rated on a 5-point scale. Follow-up was made at 1-month and 3-month. RESULTS Not statistically significant differences emerged between the three groups at baseline. Mean ejaculatory latency time at the 3-month follow-up in G1, G2 and G3 was 3.7±1.3, 3.4±1.5, 5.6±1.7 (p<0.001). Mean satisfaction score was at the 3-month follow-up in G1: 2.8±1.4, in G2: 2.9±1.8, and G3: 3.7±1.5 (p<0.002). None of the patients withdrew from the study because of these adverse events. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that tadalafil used daily has a role on treatment in lifelong PE. This action is valid when combined strategically to the synergistic action of lidocaine spray applied before intercourse increasing significantly the mean IELT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Dell'Atti
- Department of Urology, University Hospital "St. Anna", Ferrara, Italy.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Bruno RM, Duranti E, Ippolito C, Segnani C, Bernardini N, Di Candio G, Chiarugi M, Taddei S, Virdis A. Different Impact of Essential Hypertension on Structural and Functional Age-Related Vascular Changes. Hypertension 2017; 69:71-78. [DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.116.08041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 07/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated whether vascular remodeling is present in physiological aging and whether hypertension accelerates the aging process for vascular function and structure. Small arteries from 42 essential hypertensive patients (HT) and 41 normotensive individuals (NT) were dissected after subcutaneous biopsy. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (pressurized myograph) was assessed by acetylcholine, repeated under the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor
N
-nitro-
l
-arginine methylester or the antioxidant tempol. Structure was evaluated by media–lumen ratio (M/L). Intravascular oxidative generation and collagen deposition were assessed. Inhibition by
N
-nitro-
l
-arginine methylester on ACh was inversely related to age in both groups (
P
<0.0001) and blunted in HT versus NT for each age range. In NT, tempol enhanced endothelial function in the oldest subgroup; in HT, the potentiating effect started earlier. HT showed an increased M/L (
P
<0.001) versus control. In both groups, M/L was directly related to age (
P
<0.0001). M/L was greater in HT, starting from 31 to 45 years range. A significant age–hypertension interaction occurred (
P
=0.0009). In NT, intravascular superoxide emerged in the oldest subgroup, whereas it appeared earlier among HT. Among NT, aged group displayed an increment of collagen fibers versus young group. In HT, collagen deposition was already evident in youngest, with a further enhancement in the aged group. In small arteries, ageing shows a eutrophic vascular remodeling and a reduced nitric oxide availability. Oxidative stress and fibrosis emerge in advanced age. In HT, nitric oxide availability is early reduced, but the progression rate with age is similar. Structural alterations include wide collagen deposition and intravascular reactive oxygen species, and the progression rate with age is steeper.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Bruno
- From the Histology Unit (C.I., C.S., N.B.), Internal Medicine Unit (R.M.B., E.D., S.T., A.V.) of Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Emergency Surgery Unit (M.C.) of Department of Surgery, Medical, Molecular, and Critical Area Pathology, and General Surgery Unit (G.D.C.) of Department of Oncology Transplantation and New Technologies, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Emiliano Duranti
- From the Histology Unit (C.I., C.S., N.B.), Internal Medicine Unit (R.M.B., E.D., S.T., A.V.) of Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Emergency Surgery Unit (M.C.) of Department of Surgery, Medical, Molecular, and Critical Area Pathology, and General Surgery Unit (G.D.C.) of Department of Oncology Transplantation and New Technologies, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- From the Histology Unit (C.I., C.S., N.B.), Internal Medicine Unit (R.M.B., E.D., S.T., A.V.) of Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Emergency Surgery Unit (M.C.) of Department of Surgery, Medical, Molecular, and Critical Area Pathology, and General Surgery Unit (G.D.C.) of Department of Oncology Transplantation and New Technologies, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Segnani
- From the Histology Unit (C.I., C.S., N.B.), Internal Medicine Unit (R.M.B., E.D., S.T., A.V.) of Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Emergency Surgery Unit (M.C.) of Department of Surgery, Medical, Molecular, and Critical Area Pathology, and General Surgery Unit (G.D.C.) of Department of Oncology Transplantation and New Technologies, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- From the Histology Unit (C.I., C.S., N.B.), Internal Medicine Unit (R.M.B., E.D., S.T., A.V.) of Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Emergency Surgery Unit (M.C.) of Department of Surgery, Medical, Molecular, and Critical Area Pathology, and General Surgery Unit (G.D.C.) of Department of Oncology Transplantation and New Technologies, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulio Di Candio
- From the Histology Unit (C.I., C.S., N.B.), Internal Medicine Unit (R.M.B., E.D., S.T., A.V.) of Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Emergency Surgery Unit (M.C.) of Department of Surgery, Medical, Molecular, and Critical Area Pathology, and General Surgery Unit (G.D.C.) of Department of Oncology Transplantation and New Technologies, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Massimo Chiarugi
- From the Histology Unit (C.I., C.S., N.B.), Internal Medicine Unit (R.M.B., E.D., S.T., A.V.) of Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Emergency Surgery Unit (M.C.) of Department of Surgery, Medical, Molecular, and Critical Area Pathology, and General Surgery Unit (G.D.C.) of Department of Oncology Transplantation and New Technologies, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Taddei
- From the Histology Unit (C.I., C.S., N.B.), Internal Medicine Unit (R.M.B., E.D., S.T., A.V.) of Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Emergency Surgery Unit (M.C.) of Department of Surgery, Medical, Molecular, and Critical Area Pathology, and General Surgery Unit (G.D.C.) of Department of Oncology Transplantation and New Technologies, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Agostino Virdis
- From the Histology Unit (C.I., C.S., N.B.), Internal Medicine Unit (R.M.B., E.D., S.T., A.V.) of Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Emergency Surgery Unit (M.C.) of Department of Surgery, Medical, Molecular, and Critical Area Pathology, and General Surgery Unit (G.D.C.) of Department of Oncology Transplantation and New Technologies, University of Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Ippolito C, Colucci R, Segnani C, Errede M, Girolamo F, Virgintino D, Dolfi A, Tirotta E, Buccianti P, Di Candio G, Campani D, Castagna M, Bassotti G, Villanacci V, Blandizzi C, Bernardini N. Fibrotic and Vascular Remodelling of Colonic Wall in Patients with Active Ulcerative Colitis. J Crohns Colitis 2016; 10:1194-204. [PMID: 26995183 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjw076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Intestinal fibrosis is a complication of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Although fibrostenosis is a rare event in ulcerative colitis [UC], there is evidence that a fibrotic rearrangement of the colon occurs in the later stages. This is a retrospective study aimed at examining the histopathological features of the colonic wall in both short-lasting [SL] and long-lasting [LL] UC. METHODS Surgical samples of left colon from non-stenotic SL [≤ 3 years, n = 9] and LL [≥ 10 years, n = 10] UC patients with active disease were compared with control colonic tissues from cancer patients without UC [n = 12] to assess: collagen and elastic fibres by histochemistry; vascular networks [CD31/CD105/nestin] by immunofluorescence; parameters of fibrosis [types I and III collagen, fibronectin, RhoA, alpha-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA], desmin, vimentin], and proliferation [proliferating nuclear antigen [PCNA]] by western blot and/or immunolabelling. RESULTS Colonic tissue from both SL-UC and LL-UC showed tunica muscularis thickening and transmural activated neovessels [displaying both proliferating CD105-positive endothelial cells and activated nestin-positive pericytes], as compared with controls. In LL-UC, the increased collagen deposition was associated with an up-regulation of tissue fibrotic markers [collagen I and III, fibronectin, vimentin, RhoA], an enhancement of proliferation [PCNA] and, along with a loss of elastic fibres, a rearrangement of the tunica muscularis towards a fibrotic phenotype. CONCLUSIONS A significant transmural fibrotic thickening occurs in colonic tissue from LL-UC, together with a cellular fibrotic switch in the tunica muscularis. A full-thickness angiogenesis is also evident in both SL- and LL-UC with active disease, as compared with controls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Mariella Errede
- Unit of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, School of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Girolamo
- Unit of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, School of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Virgintino
- Unit of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, School of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Erika Tirotta
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Gabrio Bassotti
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Pellegrini C, Fornai M, Colucci R, Tirotta E, Blandini F, Levandis G, Cerri S, Segnani C, Ippolito C, Bernardini N, Cseri K, Blandizzi C, Haskó G, Antonioli L. Alteration of colonic excitatory tachykininergic motility and enteric inflammation following dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurodegeneration. J Neuroinflammation 2016; 13:146. [PMID: 27295950 PMCID: PMC4907252 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0608-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [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: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) is frequently associated with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, including constipation and defecatory dysfunctions. The mechanisms underlying such disorders are still largely unknown, although the occurrence of a bowel inflammatory condition has been hypothesized. This study examined the impact of central dopaminergic degeneration, induced by intranigral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), on distal colonic excitatory tachykininergic motility in rats. METHODS Animals were euthanized 4 and 8 weeks after 6-OHDA injection. Tachykininergic contractions, elicited by electrical stimulation or exogenous substance P (SP), were recorded in vitro from longitudinal muscle colonic preparations. SP, tachykininergic NK1 receptor, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression, as well as the density of eosinophils and mast cells in the colonic wall, were examined by immunohistochemical analysis. Malondialdehyde (MDA, colorimetric assay), TNF, and IL-1β (ELISA assay) levels were also examined. The polarization of peritoneal macrophages was evaluated by real-time PCR. RESULTS In colonic preparations, electrically and SP-evoked tachykininergic contractions were increased in 6-OHDA rats. Immunohistochemistry displayed an increase in SP and GFAP levels in the myenteric plexus, as well as NK1 receptor expression in the colonic muscle layer of 6-OHDA rats. MDA, TNF, and IL-1β levels were increased also in colonic tissues from 6-OHDA rats. In 6-OHDA rats, the number of eosinophils and mast cells was increased as compared with control animals, and peritoneal macrophages polarized towards a pro-inflammatory phenotype. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the induction of central nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration is followed by bowel inflammation associated with increased oxidative stress, increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, activation of enteric glia and inflammatory cells, and enhancement of colonic excitatory tachykininergic motility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Erika Tirotta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Blandini
- Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurological Institute, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giovanna Levandis
- Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurological Institute, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Cerri
- Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurological Institute, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Karolina Cseri
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - György Haskó
- Department of Surgery and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, 07103, NJ, USA
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Surgery and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, 07103, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Fornai M, Colucci R, Antonioli L, Ippolito C, Segnani C, Buccianti P, Marioni A, Chiarugi M, Villanacci V, Bassotti G, Blandizzi C, Bernardini N. Role of cyclooxygenase isoforms in the altered excitatory motor pathways of human colon with diverticular disease. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 171:3728-40. [PMID: 24758697 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The COX isoforms (COX-1, COX-2) regulate human gut motility, although their role under pathological conditions remains unclear. This study examines the effects of COX inhibitors on excitatory motility in colonic tissue from patients with diverticular disease (DD). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Longitudinal muscle preparations, from patients with DD or uncomplicated cancer (controls), were set up in organ baths and connected to isotonic transducers. Indomethacin (COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor), SC-560 (COX-1 inhibitor) or DFU (COX-2 inhibitor) were assayed on electrically evoked, neurogenic, cholinergic and tachykininergic contractions, or carbachol- and substance P (SP)-induced myogenic contractions. Distribution and expression of COX isoforms in the neuromuscular compartment were assessed by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. KEY RESULTS In control preparations, neurogenic cholinergic contractions were enhanced by COX inhibitors, whereas tachykininergic responses were blunted. Carbachol-evoked contractions were increased by indomethacin or SC-560, but not DFU, whereas all inhibitors reduced SP-induced motor responses. In preparations from DD patients, COX inhibitors did not affect electrically evoked cholinergic contractions. Both indomethacin and DFU, but not SC-560, decreased tachykininergic responses. COX inhibitors did not modify carbachol-evoked motor responses, whereas they counteracted SP-induced contractions. COX-1 expression was decreased in myenteric neurons, whereas COX-2 was enhanced in glial cells and smooth muscle. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS In control colon, COX-1 and COX-2 down-regulate cholinergic motility, whereas both isoforms enhance tachykininergic motor activity. In the presence of DD, there is a loss of modulation by both COX isoforms on the cholinergic system, whereas COX-2 displays an enhanced facilitatory control on tachykininergic contractile activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Segnani C, Ippolito C, Antonioli L, Pellegrini C, Blandizzi C, Dolfi A, Bernardini N. Histochemical Detection of Collagen Fibers by Sirius Red/Fast Green Is More Sensitive than van Gieson or Sirius Red Alone in Normal and Inflamed Rat Colon. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144630. [PMID: 26673752 PMCID: PMC4682672 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [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: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagen detection in histological sections and its quantitative estimation by computer-aided image analysis represent important procedures to assess tissue localization and distribution of connective fibers. Different histochemical approaches have been proposed to detect and quantify collagen deposition in paraffin slices with different degrees of satisfaction. The present study was performed to compare the qualitative and quantitative efficiency of three histochemical methods available for collagen staining in paraffin sections of colon. van Gieson, Sirius Red and Sirius Red/Fast Green stainings were carried out for collagen detection and quantitative estimation by morphometric image analysis in colonic specimens from normal rats or animals with 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS) induced colitis. Haematoxylin/eosin staining was carried out to assess tissue morphology and histopathological lesions. Among the three investigated methods, Sirius Red/Fast Green staining allowed to best highlight well-defined red-stained collagen fibers and to obtain the highest quantitative results by morphometric image analysis in both normal and inflamed colon. Collagen fibers, which stood out against the green-stained non-collagen components, could be clearly appreciated, even in their thinner networks, within all layers of normal or inflamed colonic wall. The present study provides evidence that, as compared with Sirius Red alone or van Gieson staining, the Sirius Red/Fast Green method is the most sensitive, in terms of both qualitative and quantitative evaluation of collagen fibers, in paraffin sections of both normal and inflamed colon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Segnani
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Amelio Dolfi
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Fornai M, Pellegrini C, Antonioli L, Segnani C, Ippolito C, Barocelli E, Ballabeni V, Vegezzi G, Al Harraq Z, Blandini F, Levandis G, Cerri S, Blandizzi C, Bernardini N, Colucci R. Enteric Dysfunctions in Experimental Parkinson's Disease: Alterations of Excitatory Cholinergic Neurotransmission Regulating Colonic Motility in Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2015; 356:434-44. [PMID: 26582732 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.115.228510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is frequently associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, mostly represented by constipation and defecatory dysfunctions. This study examined the impact of central dopaminergic denervation, induced by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the medial forebrain bundle, on distal colonic excitatory cholinergic neuromotor activity in rats. Animals were euthanized 4 and 8 weeks after 6-OHDA injection. In vivo colonic transit was evaluated by radiologic assay. Electrically induced and carbachol-induced cholinergic contractions were recorded in vitro from longitudinal and circular muscle colonic preparations, whereas acetylcholine levels were assayed in the incubation media. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), HuC/D (pan-neuronal marker), muscarinic M2 and M3 receptors were assessed by immunohistochemistry or western blot assay. As compared with control rats, at week 4, 6-OHDA-treated animals displayed the following changes: decreased in vivo colonic transit rate, impaired electrically evoked neurogenic cholinergic contractions, enhanced carbachol-induced contractions, decreased basal and electrically stimulated acetylcholine release from colonic tissues, decreased ChAT immunopositivity in the neuromuscular layer, unchanged density of HuC/D immunoreactive myenteric neurons, and increased expression of colonic muscarinic M2 and M3 receptors. The majority of such alterations were also detected at week 8 post 6-OHDA injection. These findings indicate that central nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation is associated with an impaired excitatory neurotransmission characterized by a loss of myenteric neuronal ChAT positivity and decrease in acetylcholine release, resulting in a dysregulated smooth muscle motor activity, which likely contributes to the concomitant decrease in colonic transit rate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Luca Antonioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Cristina Segnani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Elisabetta Barocelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Vigilio Ballabeni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Gaia Vegezzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Zainab Al Harraq
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Fabio Blandini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Giovanna Levandis
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Silvia Cerri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (M.F., C.P., L.A., C.S., C.I., C.B., N.B.); Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (E.B., V.B., G.V., Z.A.H.); Laboratory of Functional Neurochemistry, Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, "C. Mondino" National Neurologic Institute, Pavia, Italy (F.B., G.L., S.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (R.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Virdis A, Duranti E, Colucci R, Ippolito C, Tirotta E, Lorenzini G, Bernardini N, Blandizzi C, Taddei S. Ghrelin restores nitric oxide availability in resistance circulation of essential hypertensive patients: role of NAD(P)H oxidase. Eur Heart J 2015. [PMID: 26224075 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehv365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS We assessed whether acute intra-arterial infusion of exogenous ghrelin can improve endothelial dysfunction by restoring nitric oxide (NO) availability in the forearm microcirculation of essential hypertensive patients. The effect of ghrelin on endothelial dysfunction (pressurized myograph), vascular oxidative stress generation (fluorescent dihydroethidium), and phosphorylation of p47phox (western blot), an index of NAD(P)H oxidase activation, in isolated small arteries taken from essential hypertensive patients (subcutaneous biopsy) were also investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS In 18 normotensive control subjects and 18 essential hypertensive patients, we studied the forearm blood flow (strain-gauge plethysmography) response to intra-arterial acetylcholine, repeated under NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA) or the antioxidant ascorbic acid. The protocol was repeated at the end of exogenous ghrelin intra-arterial infusion. In hypertensive patients, ghrelin normalized the blunted response to acetylcholine, restored the inhibiting effect of l-NMMA and abrogated the potentiating effect of ascorbic acid on acetylcholine. In controls, ghrelin failed to modify these vascular responses. In hypertensive patients, ghrelin decreased venous levels of malondialdehyde, lipoperoxide, and interleukin-6, and concomitantly increased endogenous antioxidant capacity. Small vessels from hypertensive patients showed an enhanced intravascular oxidative stress, which was strongly and similarly decreased by incubation with ghrelin, the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor gp91 ds-tat, or both. Ghrelin also normalized the overexpression of p47 phosphorylation and restored the NO availability in small vessels from hypertensive patients. CONCLUSIONS Exogenous ghrelin increases endothelial dysfunction by restoring NO availability in the forearm microcirculation of essential hypertensive patients, an effect ascribable to an antioxidant effect via inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Virdis
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Emiliano Duranti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Erika Tirotta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gianni Lorenzini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Taddei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Ippolito C, Segnani C, Errede M, Virgintino D, Colucci R, Fornai M, Antonioli L, Blandizzi C, Dolfi A, Bernardini N. An integrated assessment of histopathological changes of the enteric neuromuscular compartment in experimental colitis. J Cell Mol Med 2014; 19:485-500. [PMID: 25521239 PMCID: PMC4407593 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bowel inflammatory fibrosis has been largely investigated, but an integrated assessment of remodelling in inflamed colon is lacking. This study evaluated tissue and cellular changes occurring in colonic wall upon induction of colitis, with a focus on neuromuscular compartment. Colitis was elicited in rats by 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS). After 6 and 21 days, the following parameters were assessed on paraffin sections from colonic samples: tissue injury and inflammatory infiltration by histology; collagen and elastic fibres by histochemistry; HuC/D, glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), nestin, substance P (SP), von Willebrand factor, c-Kit and transmembrane 16A/Anoctamin1 (TMEM16A/ANO1) by immunohistochemistry. TMEM16A/ANO1 was also examined in isolated colonic smooth muscle cells (ICSMCs). On day 6, inflammatory alterations and fibrosis were present in DNBS-treated rats; colonic wall thickening and fibrotic remodelling were evident on day 21. Colitis was associated with both an increase in collagen fibres and a decrease in elastic fibres. Moreover, the neuromuscular compartment of inflamed colon displayed a significant decrease in neuron density and increase in GFAP/PCNA-positive glia of myenteric ganglia, enhanced expression of neural SP, blood vessel remodelling, reduced c-Kit- and TMEM16A/ANO1-positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), as well as an increase in TMEM16A/ANO1 expression in muscle tissues and ICSMCs. The present findings provide an integrated view of the inflammatory and fibrotic processes occurring in the colonic neuromuscular compartment of rats with DNBS-induced colitis. These morphological alterations may represent a suitable basis for understanding early pathophysiological events related to bowel inflammatory fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|