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Dell’Aquila M, Cafiero C, Micera A, Stigliano E, Ottaiano MP, Benincasa G, Schiavone B, Guidobaldi L, Santacroce L, Pisconti S, Arena V, Palmirotta R. SARS-CoV-2-Related Olfactory Dysfunction: Autopsy Findings, Histopathology, and Evaluation of Viral RNA and ACE2 Expression in Olfactory Bulbs. Biomedicines 2024; 12:830. [PMID: 38672185 PMCID: PMC11048640 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040830] [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: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has been a health emergency with a significant impact on the world due to its high infectiousness. The disease, primarily identified in the lower respiratory tract, develops with numerous clinical symptoms affecting multiple organs and displays a clinical finding of anosmia. Several authors have investigated the pathogenetic mechanisms of the olfactory disturbances caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, proposing different hypotheses and showing contradictory results. Since uncertainties remain about possible virus neurotropism and direct damage to the olfactory bulb, we investigated the expression of SARS-CoV-2 as well as ACE2 receptor transcripts in autoptic lung and olfactory bulb tissues, with respect to the histopathological features. METHODS Twenty-five COVID-19 olfactory bulbs and lung tissues were randomly collected from 200 initial autopsies performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Routine diagnosis was based on clinical and radiological findings and were confirmed with post-mortem swabs. Real-time RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 receptor RNA was carried out on autoptic FFPE lung and olfactory bulb tissues. Histological staining was performed on tissue specimens and compared with the molecular data. RESULTS While real-time RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 was positive in 23 out of 25 lung samples, the viral RNA expression was absent in olfactory bulbs. ACE2-receptor RNA was present in all tissues examined, being highly expressed in lung samples than olfactory bulbs. CONCLUSIONS Our finding suggests that COVID-19 anosmia is not only due to neurotropism and the direct action of SARS-CoV-2 entering the olfactory bulb. The mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 neuropathogenesis in the olfactory bulb requires a better elucidation and further research studies to mitigate the olfactory bulb damage associated with virus action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Dell’Aquila
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.D.); (E.S.); (V.A.)
- Pathology Unit, Belcolle Hospital, ASL Viterbo, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Concetta Cafiero
- Medical Oncology, SG Moscati Hospital, 74010 Statte, Italy;
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Fabrizio Spaziani Hospital, 03100 Frosinone, Italy
| | - Alessandra Micera
- Research and Development Laboratory for Biochemical, Molecular and Cellular Applications in Ophthalmological Science, IRCCS–Fondazione Bietti, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.D.); (E.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Maria Pia Ottaiano
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Molecular Biology, Pineta Grande Hospital, 81030 Castel Volturno, Italy; (M.P.O.); (G.B.); (B.S.)
| | - Giulio Benincasa
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Molecular Biology, Pineta Grande Hospital, 81030 Castel Volturno, Italy; (M.P.O.); (G.B.); (B.S.)
| | - Beniamino Schiavone
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Molecular Biology, Pineta Grande Hospital, 81030 Castel Volturno, Italy; (M.P.O.); (G.B.); (B.S.)
| | - Leo Guidobaldi
- Cytodiagnostic Unit, Section of Pathology Sandro Pertini Hospital, ASL Rm2, 00157 Rome, Italy;
| | - Luigi Santacroce
- Section of Microbiology and Virology, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | | | - Vincenzo Arena
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.D.); (E.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Raffaele Palmirotta
- Section of Sciences and Technologies of Laboratory Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy;
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Amadoro G, Latina V, Stigliano E, Micera A. COVID-19 and Alzheimer's Disease Share Common Neurological and Ophthalmological Manifestations: A Bidirectional Risk in the Post-Pandemic Future. Cells 2023; 12:2601. [PMID: 37998336 PMCID: PMC10670749 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence indicates that a neuropathological cross-talk takes place between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) -the pandemic severe pneumonia that has had a tremendous impact on the global economy and health since three years after its outbreak in December 2019- and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia among human beings, reaching 139 million by the year 2050. Even though COVID-19 is a primary respiratory disease, its causative agent, the so-called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is also endowed with high neuro-invasive potential (Neurocovid). The neurological complications of COVID-19, resulting from the direct viral entry into the Central Nervous System (CNS) and/or indirect systemic inflammation and dysregulated activation of immune response, encompass memory decline and anosmia which are typically associated with AD symptomatology. In addition, patients diagnosed with AD are more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection and are inclined to more severe clinical outcomes. In the present review, we better elucidate the intimate connection between COVID-19 and AD by summarizing the involved risk factors/targets and the underlying biological mechanisms shared by these two disorders with a particular focus on the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, APOlipoprotein E (APOE), aging, neuroinflammation and cellular pathways associated with the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)/Amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau neuropathologies. Finally, the involvement of ophthalmological manifestations, including vitreo-retinal abnormalities and visual deficits, in both COVID-19 and AD are also discussed. Understanding the common physiopathological aspects linking COVID-19 and AD will pave the way to novel management and diagnostic/therapeutic approaches to cope with them in the post-pandemic future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Amadoro
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Latina
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Micera
- Research and Development Laboratory for Biochemical, Molecular and Cellular Applications in Ophthalmological Sciences, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo, 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
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3
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Janda M, Rybak K, Krassini L, Meng C, Feitosa-Junior O, Stigliano E, Szulc B, Sklenar J, Menke FL, Malone JG, Brachmann A, Klingl A, Ludwig C, Robatzek S. Biophysical and proteomic analyses of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 extracellular vesicles suggest adaptive functions during plant infection. mBio 2023; 14:e0358922. [PMID: 37366628 PMCID: PMC10470744 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03589-22] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Vesiculation is a process employed by Gram-negative bacteria to release extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the environment. EVs from pathogenic bacteria play functions in host immune modulation, elimination of host defenses, and acquisition of nutrients from the host. Here, we observed EV production of the bacterial speck disease causal agent, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pto) DC3000, as outer membrane vesicle release. Mass spectrometry identified 369 proteins enriched in Pto DC3000 EVs. The EV samples contained known immunomodulatory proteins and could induce plant immune responses mediated by bacterial flagellin. Having identified two biomarkers for EV detection, we provide evidence for Pto DC3000 releasing EVs during plant infection. Bioinformatic analysis of the EV-enriched proteins suggests a role for EVs in antibiotic defense and iron acquisition. Thus, our data provide insights into the strategies this pathogen may use to develop in a plant environment. IMPORTANCE The release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the environment is ubiquitous among bacteria. Vesiculation has been recognized as an important mechanism of bacterial pathogenesis and human disease but is poorly understood in phytopathogenic bacteria. Our research addresses the role of bacterial EVs in plant infection. In this work, we show that the causal agent of bacterial speck disease, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, produces EVs during plant infection. Our data suggest that EVs may help the bacteria to adapt to environments, e.g., when iron could be limiting such as the plant apoplast, laying the foundation for studying the factors that phytopathogenic bacteria use to thrive in the plant environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Janda
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Katarzyna Rybak
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Krassini
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chen Meng
- Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry (BayBioMS), Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse, Freising, United Kingdom
| | | | - Egidio Stigliano
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Beata Szulc
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Sklenar
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Frank L.H. Menke
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Jacob G. Malone
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
- University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Brachmann
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Klingl
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christina Ludwig
- Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry (BayBioMS), Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse, Freising, United Kingdom
| | - Silke Robatzek
- LMU Munich Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
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Anglana C, Capaci P, Barozzi F, Migoni D, Rojas M, Stigliano E, Di Sansebastiano GP, Papadia P. Dittrichia viscosa Selection Strategy Based on Stress Produces Stable Clonal Lines for Phytoremediation Applications. Plants (Basel) 2023; 12:2499. [PMID: 37447060 PMCID: PMC10346588 DOI: 10.3390/plants12132499] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Dittrichia viscosa uptake and translocation of the metalloid As is not fully understood and some data are contradictory, but its adaptability to this pollutant is known and is dependent on its genetic variability. D. viscosa is not a hyperaccumulator plant, but it can grow in high-drought conditions while still producing large biomass, even tolerating significant concentrations of As3+ and As5+. In spite of these remarkable characteristics, adaptive modification of performances is not predictable in wild populations. In previous work, we established experimental clonal populations to perform a functional study on the aquaporin NIP1.1. Here, we propose a strategy to select a clonal population of D. viscosa with a defined phenotype related to As tolerance and to reduced NIP1.1 expression levels for phytoremediation applications. From the previous work, we selected four independent clones, two of them belonging to the weak population (W8 and W9) and the other two belonging to the strong population (S1 and S3). The weak and strong populations differ for a different expression ratio root/shoot of DvNip1;1 that brings a different tolerance to As presence. The stress response of the populations, revealed by the CAT enzymatic test, was statistically correlated to the clones, but not to As uptake. Performance of the selected plants on a second unrelated metallic pollutant, Cd, was evaluated, showing that Cd uptake is also independent from the tolerant phenotype. In vitro culture methods using solid media and temporary immersion bioreactors were compared to propose an optimized combined protocol. The procedure yielded propagation of genetically stable tolerant clonal lines with good uptake of As and Cd. The plants, mass-produced with the developed in vitro protocol, were able to maintain their acquired abilities and are potentially able be later applied in phytoremediation or contaminated areas' re-naturalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Anglana
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (C.A.); (P.C.); (F.B.); (D.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Piergiorgio Capaci
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (C.A.); (P.C.); (F.B.); (D.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Fabrizio Barozzi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (C.A.); (P.C.); (F.B.); (D.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Danilo Migoni
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (C.A.); (P.C.); (F.B.); (D.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Makarena Rojas
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (C.A.); (P.C.); (F.B.); (D.M.); (M.R.)
| | | | - Gian Pietro Di Sansebastiano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (C.A.); (P.C.); (F.B.); (D.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Paride Papadia
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (C.A.); (P.C.); (F.B.); (D.M.); (M.R.)
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Latina V, Atlante A, Malerba F, La Regina F, Balzamino BO, Micera A, Pignataro A, Stigliano E, Cavallaro S, Calissano P, Amadoro G. The Cleavage-Specific Tau 12A12mAb Exerts an Anti-Amyloidogenic Action by Modulating the Endocytic and Bioenergetic Pathways in Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119683. [PMID: 37298634 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Beyond deficits in hippocampal-dependent episodic memory, Alzheimer's Disease (AD) features sensory impairment in visual cognition consistent with extensive neuropathology in the retina. 12A12 is a monoclonal cleavage specific antibody (mAb) that in vivo selectively neutralizes the AD-relevant, harmful N-terminal 20-22 kDa tau fragment(s) (i.e., NH2htau) without affecting the full-length normal protein. When systemically injected into the Tg2576 mouse model overexpressing a mutant form of Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP), APPK670/671L linked to early onset familial AD, this conformation-specific tau mAb successfully reduces the NH2htau accumulating both in their brain and retina and, thus, markedly alleviates the phenotype-associated signs. By means of a combined biochemical and metabolic experimental approach, we report that 12A12mAb downregulates the steady state expression levels of APP and Beta-Secretase 1 (BACE-1) and, thus, limits the Amyloid beta (Aβ) production both in the hippocampus and retina from this AD animal model. The local, antibody-mediated anti-amyloidogenic action is paralleled in vivo by coordinated modulation of the endocytic (BIN1, RIN3) and bioenergetic (glycolysis and L-Lactate) pathways. These findings indicate for the first time that similar molecular and metabolic retino-cerebral pathways are modulated in a coordinated fashion in response to 12A12mAb treatment to tackle the neurosensorial Aβ accumulation in AD neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Latina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Atlante
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM), National Research Council (CNR), Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Malerba
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico La Regina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Bijorn Omar Balzamino
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Micera
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Annabella Pignataro
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Lajolo C, Cafiero C, Stigliano E, Grippaudo FR, Chiurazzi P, Grippaudo C. Exfoliative Cytology and Genetic Analysis for a Non-Invasive Approach to the Diagnosis of White Sponge Nevus: Case Series. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10020154. [PMID: 36829648 PMCID: PMC9952746 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10020154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND White Sponge Nevus (WSN) is a rare benign disorder associated with mutations in genes coding for cytokeratin 4 (KRT4) and 13 (KRT13) characterized by dyskeratotic hyperplasia of mucous membranes. This study was aimed at examining different approaches (cytology, pathology and genetic analysis) to WSN diagnosis. METHODS A series of four patients with asymptomatic white diffuse oral lesions were evaluated and, before performing an incisional biopsy for pathology, an oral brush Thin Prep was collected for exfoliative liquid-based cytology (LBC). DNA for genetic analysis was also obtained from patients and both their parents, using buccal swabs. RESULTS Pathology and cytology showed similar results, leading to the same diagnosis of hyperkeratotic epithelium with acanthosis and spongiosis, without atypia, demonstrating the efficiency of LBC for the differential diagnosis. Sequencing analysis revealed at least 6 rare variants in the KRT4 and KRT13 genes in each patient, contributed in part by both unaffected parents. CONCLUSIONS Thin Prep for oral exfoliative cytology and genetic analysis are sufficient for an accurate diagnosis of WSN. The combination of cytological and genetic analyses could substitute the histologic exam, providing a non-invasive alternative for incisional biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Lajolo
- Head and Neck Department, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Cafiero
- Area of Molecular Pathology, Anatomic Pathology Unit, Fabrizio Spaziani Hospital, Via Armando Fabi 2, 03100 Frosinone, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Grippaudo
- Plastic Surgery Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Chiurazzi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Institute of Genomic Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-338-8361006
| | - Cristina Grippaudo
- Head and Neck Department, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
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7
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Stigliano E, Dell'Aquila M, Vetrugno G, Grassi S, Amirhassankhani S, Amadoro G, Oliva A, Arena V. Transdiaphragmatic autopsy approach: our experience in the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic. Virchows Arch 2022; 482:773-776. [PMID: 36305945 PMCID: PMC9614768 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-022-03429-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Egidio Stigliano
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Dell'Aquila
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy. .,Pathology Unit, Belcolle Hospital, ASL Viterbo, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Vetrugno
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Grassi
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Sasan Amirhassankhani
- Department of Urology, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)-CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Oliva
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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8
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Chiloiro S, Capoluongo ED, Angelini F, Mariotti F, Grande G, Stigliano E, Vincenzoni F, Bianchi A, Giampietro A, Milardi D, Tartaglione T, Urbani A, Pontecorvi A, De Marinis L, Di Zenzo G. Autoantibody reactivity profile of primary autoimmune hypophysitis patients: preliminary results. Endocrine 2022; 76:224-227. [PMID: 34797510 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-021-02937-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Chiloiro
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.
- Endocrinology and Diabetology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.
| | - Ettore Domenico Capoluongo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Università Federico II-CEINGE, Advanced Biotechnology, Naples, Italy
| | - Flavia Angelini
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Grande
- International Scientific Institute "Paul VI", ISI, Fondazione Policlinico 'A. Gemelli' IRCCS, 00100, Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Department di Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Federica Vincenzoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Roma, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Roma, Italy
| | - Antonio Bianchi
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
- Endocrinology and Diabetology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Antonella Giampietro
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
- Endocrinology and Diabetology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Domenico Milardi
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
- Endocrinology and Diabetology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Tommaso Tartaglione
- Department of Radiological and Haematological Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, IDI-IRCCS, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Urbani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Roma, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Laboratoristiche ed Infettivologiche, UOC Chimica, Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
- Endocrinology and Diabetology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Laura De Marinis
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
- Endocrinology and Diabetology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
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9
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Latina V, Giacovazzo G, Calissano P, Atlante A, La Regina F, Malerba F, Dell’Aquila M, Stigliano E, Balzamino BO, Micera A, Coccurello R, Amadoro G. Tau Cleavage Contributes to Cognitive Dysfunction in Strepto-Zotocin-Induced Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease (sAD) Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212158. [PMID: 34830036 PMCID: PMC8618605 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau cleavage plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), a widespread neurodegenerative disease whose incidence is expected to increase in the next years. While genetic and familial forms of AD (fAD) occurring early in life represent less than 1%, the sporadic and late-onset ones (sAD) are the most common, with ageing being an important risk factor. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of streptozotocin (STZ)—a compound used in the systemic induction of diabetes due to its ability to damage the pancreatic β cells and to induce insulin resistance—mimics in rodents several behavioral, molecular and histopathological hallmarks of sAD, including memory/learning disturbance, amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, oxidative stress and brain glucose hypometabolism. We have demonstrated that pathological truncation of tau at its N-terminal domain occurs into hippocampi from two well-established transgenic lines of fAD animal models, such as Tg2576 and 3xTg mice, and that it’s in vivo neutralization via intravenous (i.v.) administration of the cleavage-specific anti-tau 12A12 monoclonal antibody (mAb) is strongly neuroprotective. Here, we report the therapeutic efficacy of 12A12mAb in STZ-infused mice after 14 days (short-term immunization, STIR) and 21 days (long-term immunization regimen, LTIR) of i.v. delivery. A virtually complete recovery was detected after three weeks of 12A12mAb immunization in both novel object recognition test (NORT) and object place recognition task (OPRT). Consistently, three weeks of this immunization regimen relieved in hippocampi from ICV-STZ mice the AD-like up-regulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP), the tau hyperphosphorylation and neuroinflammation, likely due to modulation of the PI3K/AKT/GSK3-β axis and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activities. Cerebral oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, synaptic and histological alterations occurring in STZ-infused mice were also strongly attenuated by 12A12mAb delivery. These results further strengthen the causal role of N-terminal tau cleavage in AD pathogenesis and indicate that its specific neutralization by non-invasive administration of 12A12mAb can be a therapeutic option for both fAD and sAD patients, as well as for those showing type 2 diabetes as a comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Latina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.L.); (P.C.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.)
| | - Giacomo Giacovazzo
- IRCSS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy;
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.L.); (P.C.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.)
| | - Anna Atlante
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM)-CNR, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Federico La Regina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.L.); (P.C.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.)
| | - Francesca Malerba
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.L.); (P.C.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.)
| | - Marco Dell’Aquila
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.D.); (E.S.)
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.D.); (E.S.)
| | - Bijorn Omar Balzamino
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo, 6I, 00184 Rome, Italy; (B.O.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Alessandra Micera
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo, 6I, 00184 Rome, Italy; (B.O.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Roberto Coccurello
- IRCSS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy;
- Institute for Complex System (ISC)-CNR, Via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.C.); (G.A.)
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.L.); (P.C.); (F.L.R.); (F.M.)
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)-CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.C.); (G.A.)
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10
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Dell'Aquila M, Vetrugno G, Grassi S, Stigliano E, Oliva A, Rindi G, Arena V. Postmodernism and the decline of the clinical autopsy. Virchows Arch 2021; 479:861-863. [PMID: 34338881 PMCID: PMC8327054 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-021-03166-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Dell'Aquila
- Section of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. .,Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Vetrugno
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Grassi
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Section of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Oliva
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Rindi
- Section of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- Section of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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11
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Chiloiro S, Giampietro A, Angelini F, Arena V, Stigliano E, Tartaglione T, Mattogno PP, D'Alessandris QG, Lauretti L, Pontecorvi A, De Marinis L, Bianchi A. Markers of humoral and cell-mediated immune response in primary autoimmune hypophysitis: a pilot study. Endocrine 2021; 73:308-315. [PMID: 33484410 PMCID: PMC8263439 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-021-02612-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Primary autoimmune hypophysitis (PAHs) is a rare inflammatory disease of the pituitary gland. Although largely investigated, the pathogenesis of PAH is not completely clarified. We aimed to investigate the immune response in PAHs. MATERIAL AND METHODS Serum anti-pituitary and anti-hypothalamus antibodies (respectively APAs and AHAs) were investigated though an indirect immunofluorescence on monkey hypophysis and hypothalamus slides, serum cytokines though an array membrane and cell-mediated immunity though the white blood cells count. RESULTS Nineteen PAH cases entered the study. APA or AHA were identified in all cases. APA were detected in 13 patients (68.4%) and AHA in 13 patients (68.4%). Ten patients (52.6%) were simultaneously positive for both APA and AHA. The prevalence of APAs and AHAs was higher as compared to those observed in 50 health controls (respectively 14% p < 0.001 and 24% p = 0.004) and in 100 not-secreting pituitary adenoma (NFPAs) (respectively 22% p = 0.002 and 8% p < 0.001). Similarly, the prevalence of simultaneous positivity for APA and AHA (52.9%) was higher as compared to the those detected in patients affected by NFPAs (0%; p < 0.001) and in health controls (16% p = 0.002). No differences were identified between PAHs and controls at qualitative and quantitative analysis of serum cytokines and white blood cells count. CONCLUSIONS This study suggest that APA and AHA may be detected in an high percentage of PAH cases and that their simultaneous identification may be useful for the differential diagnosis between PAH and NFPAs, in an appropriate clinical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Chiloiro
- Pituitary Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Giampietro
- Pituitary Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Angelini
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Genetics, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- Department di Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Istitute of Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Department di Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Istitute of Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Tartaglione
- Radiology Unit, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata-IRCCS-FLMM, Rome, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Mattogno
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Quintino Giorgio D'Alessandris
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Liverana Lauretti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Pituitary Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura De Marinis
- Pituitary Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonio Bianchi
- Pituitary Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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12
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MacDonald L, Alivernini S, Tolusso B, Elmesmari A, Somma D, Perniola S, Paglionico A, Petricca L, Bosello SL, Carfì A, Sali M, Stigliano E, Cingolani A, Murri R, Arena V, Fantoni M, Antonelli M, Landi F, Franceschi F, Sanguinetti M, McInnes IB, McSharry C, Gasbarrini A, Otto TD, Kurowska-Stolarska M, Gremese E. COVID-19 and RA share an SPP1 myeloid pathway that drives PD-L1+ neutrophils and CD14+ monocytes. JCI Insight 2021; 6:147413. [PMID: 34143756 PMCID: PMC8328085 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.147413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [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: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We explored the potential link between chronic inflammatory arthritis and COVID-19 pathogenic and resolving macrophage pathways and their role in COVID-19 pathogenesis. We found that bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) macrophage clusters FCN1+ and FCN1+SPP1+ predominant in severe COVID-19 were transcriptionally related to synovial tissue macrophage (STM) clusters CD48hiS100A12+ and CD48+SPP1+ that drive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovitis. BALF macrophage cluster FABP4+ predominant in healthy lung was transcriptionally related to STM cluster TREM2+ that governs resolution of synovitis in RA remission. Plasma concentrations of SPP1 and S100A12 (key products of macrophage clusters shared with active RA) were high in severe COVID-19 and predicted the need for Intensive Care Unit transfer, and they remained high in the post-COVID-19 stage. High plasma levels of SPP1 were unique to severe COVID-19 when compared with other causes of severe pneumonia, and IHC localized SPP1+ macrophages in the alveoli of COVID-19 lung. Investigation into SPP1 mechanisms of action revealed that it drives proinflammatory activation of CD14+ monocytes and development of PD-L1+ neutrophils, both hallmarks of severe COVID-19. In summary, COVID-19 pneumonitis appears driven by similar pathogenic myeloid cell pathways as those in RA, and their mediators such as SPP1 might be an upstream activator of the aberrant innate response in severe COVID-19 and predictive of disease trajectory including post-COVID-19 pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy MacDonald
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Stefano Alivernini
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Division of Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Tolusso
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Division of Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Aziza Elmesmari
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Domenico Somma
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Simone Perniola
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Annamaria Paglionico
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Petricca
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia L. Bosello
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Carfì
- Institute of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics and
| | - Michela Sali
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie – Sezione di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Area of Pathology, and U.O.S.D. Coordinamento attività di Settorato, and
| | - Antonella Cingolani
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Sicurezza e Bioetica, Sez. Malattie Infettive, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Murri
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Sicurezza e Bioetica, Sez. Malattie Infettive, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Area of Pathology, and U.O.S.D. Coordinamento attività di Settorato, and
| | - Massimo Fantoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Sicurezza e Bioetica, Sez. Malattie Infettive, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Antonelli
- Emergency Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Emergency Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Franceschi
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell’Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e della Rianimazione, Fondazione, Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell’Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e della Rianimazione, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie – Sezione di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Iain B. McInnes
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Charles McSharry
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Thomas D. Otto
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Mariola Kurowska-Stolarska
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Elisa Gremese
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Division of Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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13
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Dell'Aquila M, Cattani P, Fantoni M, Marchetti S, Aquila I, Stigliano E, Carbone A, Oliva A, Arena V. Postmortem Swabs in the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pandemic: Report on 12 Complete Clinical Autopsy Cases. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2020; 144:1298-1302. [PMID: 32589448 DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2020-0362-sa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT.— Clinical autopsies have historically provided a fundamental contribution in the definition of the clinicopathologic basis of infectious diseases. Even though we are witnessing the decline of the clinical autopsy, its importance remains unchanged as it is the most exhaustive way to investigate diseases. The identification of the virus in postmortem tissues is a fundamental step in the definition of its clinical features. OBJECTIVE.— To investigate the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in postmortem examination with swabs. DESIGN.— We performed postmortem swabs in 12 autopsy cases of patients with a clinical diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia. Our protocol consisted of a rhinopharyngeal and a tracheal swab in order to search for the virus in the upper airways, and of 2 swabs on the parenchyma of each lung. We also performed a fifth swab on the parenchyma of both lungs in order to search for other viruses that could evolve in a clinical picture of interstitial pneumonia. RESULTS.— Overall, we found 9 of 12 cases had at least 1 postmortem swab positive for SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, we evaluated the time between the antemortem and postmortem swabs, the time between death and the postmortem swabs, and the time between the postmortem swabs and acceptance to the microbiology laboratory. Of note, we did not find a relationship between the results of the swabs and either the time elapsed from their collection or the time elapsed before their acceptance in the microbiology laboratory. CONCLUSIONS.— A thorough knowledge of the eventual persistence of pathogens in deaths related to infectious diseases is fundamental for the safety of the operators during the autopsy practice, especially when referring to emergent pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2. Our study highlights the importance in performing multiple swabs in the postmortem examination, because SARS-CoV-2 swab positivity can be limited to only a single swab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Dell'Aquila
- From the Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Area of Pathology, and U.O.S.D. Coordinamento attività di Settorato (Dell'Aquila, Stigliano, Carbone, Arena), Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Cattani
- the Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics (Cattani), Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Fantoni
- the Department of Laboratory and Infectivological Sciences (Fantoni), Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Marchetti
- the Columbus Covid 2 Hospital (Marchetti), Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,the Department of Safety and Bioethics, Section of Infectious Diseases, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy (Marchetti)
| | - Isabella Aquila
- and the Institute of Legal Medicine and Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences at the University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Italy (Aquila)
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- From the Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Area of Pathology, and U.O.S.D. Coordinamento attività di Settorato (Dell'Aquila, Stigliano, Carbone, Arena), Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Arnaldo Carbone
- From the Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Area of Pathology, and U.O.S.D. Coordinamento attività di Settorato (Dell'Aquila, Stigliano, Carbone, Arena), Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Oliva
- the Department of Safety and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine (Oliva), Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- From the Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Area of Pathology, and U.O.S.D. Coordinamento attività di Settorato (Dell'Aquila, Stigliano, Carbone, Arena), Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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14
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Dell'Aquila M, Carbone A, Pennacchia I, Stigliano E, Oliva A, Arena V. Sudden death by massive systemic embolism from cardiac myxoma. Role of the clinical autopsy and review of literature. Cardiovasc Pathol 2020; 49:107244. [PMID: 32652483 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2020.107244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac myxoma is a rare benign neoplasm of the heart. Historically myxomas were incidental findings during autopsies, however improved imaging techniques made these diagnosis possible in living patients, making the surgical treatment of these neoplasms achievable. Cardiac myxomas may occur both sporadically and in a familial context, often in the clinico-pathological picture of the Carney complex. While familial myxomas occur in the context of well-known genetic mutations, the molecular etiology of sporadically occurring myxomas is still not completely clear. We must note however that many of the patients affected by myxomas are asymptomatic; when symptoms are present they are often nonspecific and hard to decipher, especially when referring to sporadically occurring heart myxomas. In this paper we describe a case of sudden death from the massive embolization of a left atrial cardiac myxoma. We also reviewed all the cases in the literature of sudden death from heart myxoma embolism. An accurate epidemiology of heart myxomas would be the key to outline the best treatment practices and the etiology of sporadic myxomas, nevertheless this target could only be pursued with a deep revaluation of the clinical autopsy as a fundamental diagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Dell'Aquila
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
| | - Arnaldo Carbone
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pennacchia
- Department of Pathology, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Oliva
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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15
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Farì G, Pennacchia I, Stigliano E, Oliva A, Carbone A, Arena V. Right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. Cardiovasc Pathol 2020; 47:107209. [PMID: 32145675 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2020.107209] [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] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aneurysms in the sinuses of Valsalva (SVA) are the least frequent and occur due to a weakness in the aortic wall that forms part of the sinus. This causes dilatation and the formation of a blind pocket in one of the aortic sinuses (usually he right sinus and less frequently the posterior one). It may be congenital or acquired: in a congenital SVA, the condition is frequently associated with Marfan's syndrome or other connective tissue disorders; instead, acquired forms of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm are associated with infections (syphilis, bacterial endocarditis, and tuberculosis), atherosclerosis and medial cystic necrosis, traumatic and degenerative diseases, abuse of drugs or alcoholism. Despite SVA is a well-known anomaly, autopsy images or reviews of the condition are very uncommon. Indeed we report here a fatal case of SVA in a 58-year-old homeless man found dead on the street. The autopsy, performed to determine the cause of death, releaved a massive aneurysm (in excess of 4 cm) involving the right coronary sinus of the aorta. In this case, the aneurysm may be an accidental finding: in effect we found no tromboses inside the aneurysm and the ostium was not obstructed, therefore the cause of death could be attribuited to fatal arrhythmia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Farì
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma-Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pennacchia
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Oliva
- Institute of Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Italy
| | - Arnaldo Carbone
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
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16
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Cafiero C, Re A, Stigliano E, Bassotti E, Moroni R, Grippaudo C. Optimization of DNA extraction from dental remains. Electrophoresis 2019; 40:1820-1823. [PMID: 31111969 PMCID: PMC6771583 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201900142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Efficient DNA extraction procedures is a critical step involved in the process of successful DNA analysis of such samples. Various protocols have been devised for the genomic DNA extraction from human tissues and forensic stains, such as dental tissue that is the skeletal part that better preserves DNA over time. However DNA recovery is low and protocols require labor‐intensive and time‐consuming step prior to isolating genetic material. Herein, we describe an extremely fast procedure of DNA extraction from teeth compared to classical method. Sixteen teeth of 100‐year‐old human remains were divided into two groups of 8 teeth and we compared DNA yield, in term of quantity and quality, starting from two different sample preparation steps. Specifically, teeth of group 1 were treated with a classic technique based on several steps of pulverization and decalcification, while teeth of group 2 were processed following a new procedure to withdraw dental pulp. In the next phase, the samples of both group underwent the same procedure of extraction, quantification and DNA profile analysis. Our findings provide an alternative protocol to obtain a higher amount of good quality DNA in a fast time procedure, helpful for forensic and anthropological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Cafiero
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore-Dental Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese Re
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore-Dental Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore-Institute of Pathological Anatomy, Rome, Italy
| | - Ezio Bassotti
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore-Dental Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossana Moroni
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Grippaudo
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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17
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Little RH, Woodcock SD, Campilongo R, Fung RKY, Heal R, Humphries L, Pacheco-Moreno A, Paulusch S, Stigliano E, Vikeli E, Ward D, Malone JG. Differential Regulation of Genes for Cyclic-di-GMP Metabolism Orchestrates Adaptive Changes During Rhizosphere Colonization by Pseudomonas fluorescens. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1089. [PMID: 31156596 PMCID: PMC6531821 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [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: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria belonging to the Pseudomonas genus are highly successful colonizers of the plant rhizosphere. The ability of different Pseudomonas species to live either commensal lifestyles or to act as agents of plant-growth promotion or disease is reflected in a large, highly flexible accessory genome. Nevertheless, adaptation to the plant environment involves a commonality of phenotypic outputs such as changes to motility, coupled with synthesis of nutrient uptake systems, stress-response molecules and adherence factors including exopolysaccharides. Cyclic-di-GMP (cdG) is a highly important second messenger involved in the integration of environmental signals with appropriate adaptive responses and is known to play a central role in mediating effective rhizosphere colonization. In this study, we examined the transcription of multiple, reportedly plant-upregulated cdG metabolism genes during colonization of the wheat rhizosphere by the plant-growth-promoting strain P. fluorescens SBW25. While transcription of the tested genes generally increased in the rhizosphere environment, we additionally observed a tightly orchestrated response to environmental cues, with a distinct transcriptional pattern seen for each gene throughout the colonization process. Extensive phenotypical analysis of deletion and overexpression strains was then conducted and used to propose cellular functions for individual cdG signaling genes. Finally, in-depth genetic analysis of an important rhizosphere colonization regulator revealed a link between cdG control of growth, motility and stress response, and the carbon sources available in the rhizosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard H Little
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart D Woodcock
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Rosaria Campilongo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Rowena K Y Fung
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Heal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Libby Humphries
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Alba Pacheco-Moreno
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - Egidio Stigliano
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Vikeli
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Danny Ward
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Jacob G Malone
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom.,School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
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18
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Trapani V, Petito V, Di Agostini A, Arduini D, Hamersma W, Pietropaolo G, Luongo F, Arena V, Stigliano E, Lopetuso LR, Gasbarrini A, Wolf FI, Scaldaferri F. Dietary Magnesium Alleviates Experimental Murine Colitis Through Upregulation of the Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 6 Channel. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2018; 24:2198-2210. [PMID: 29788266 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izy186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Magnesium (Mg) is essential for human health and is absorbed mainly in the intestine. In view of the likely occurrence of an Mg deficit in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the documented role of Mg in modulating inflammation, the present study addresses whether Mg availability can affect the onset and progression of intestinal inflammation. METHODS To study the correlation between Mg status and disease activity, we measured magnesemia by atomic absorption spectroscopy in a cohort of IBD patients. The effects of dietary Mg modulation were assessed in a murine model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis by monitoring magnesemia, weight, fecal occult blood, diarrhea, colon length, and histology. Expression of the transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) 6 channel was assessed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry in murine colon tissues. The effect of Mg on epithelial barrier formation/repair was evaluated in human colon cell lines. RESULTS Inflammatory bowel disease patients presented with a substantial Mg deficit, and serum Mg levels were inversely correlated with disease activity. In mice, an Mg-deficient diet caused hypomagnesemia and aggravated DSS-induced colitis. Colitis severely compromised intestinal Mg2+ absorption due to mucosal damage and reduction in TRPM6 expression, but Mg supplementation resulted in better restoration of mucosal integrity and channel expression. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the importance of evaluating and correcting magnesemia in IBD patients. The murine model suggests that Mg supplementation may represent a safe and cost-effective strategy to reduce inflammation and restore normal mucosal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Trapani
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Petito
- Polo di Scienze Gastroenterologiche ed Endocrino-Metaboliche, Area Gastroenterologia, Medicina Interna, Gastroenterologia e Malattie del Fegato, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Rome, Italy
| | - Angelica Di Agostini
- Polo di Scienze Gastroenterologiche ed Endocrino-Metaboliche, Area Gastroenterologia, Medicina Interna, Gastroenterologia e Malattie del Fegato, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Arduini
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Rome, Italy
| | - Willem Hamersma
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pietropaolo
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Luongo
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Rome, Italy
| | - Loris R Lopetuso
- Polo di Scienze Gastroenterologiche ed Endocrino-Metaboliche, Area Gastroenterologia, Medicina Interna, Gastroenterologia e Malattie del Fegato, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Polo di Scienze Gastroenterologiche ed Endocrino-Metaboliche, Area Gastroenterologia, Medicina Interna, Gastroenterologia e Malattie del Fegato, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Rome, Italy
| | - Federica I Wolf
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Scaldaferri
- Polo di Scienze Gastroenterologiche ed Endocrino-Metaboliche, Area Gastroenterologia, Medicina Interna, Gastroenterologia e Malattie del Fegato, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Rome, Italy
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19
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Biscetti F, Gentileschi S, Bertucci F, Servillo M, Arena V, Angelini F, Stigliano E, Bonanno G, Scambia G, Sacchetti B, Pierelli L, Landolfi R, Flex A. The angiogenic properties of human adipose-derived stem cells (HASCs) are modulated by the High mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1). Int J Cardiol 2017; 249:349-356. [PMID: 28967436 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2017.09.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2017] [Revised: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), is a major health problem. Many studies have been focused on the possibilities of treatment offered by vascular regeneration. Human adipose-derived stem cells (HASCs), multipotent CD34+ stem cells found in the stromal-vascular fraction of adipose tissues, which are capable to differentiate into multiple mesenchymal cell types. The High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein involved in angiogenesis. The aim of the study was to define the role of HMGB1 in cell therapy with HASCs, in an animal model of PAD. We induced unilateral ischemia in mice and we treated them with HASCs, with the specific HMGB1-inihibitor BoxA, with HMGB1 protein, and with the specific VEGF inhibitor sFlt1, alternately or concurrently. We measured the blood flow recovery in all mice. Immunohistochemical and ELISA analyses was performed to evaluate the number of vessels and the VEGF tissue content. None auto-amputation occurred and there have been no rejection reactions to the administration of HASCs. Animals co-treated with HASCs and HMGB1 protein had an improved blood flow recovery, compared to HASCs-treated mice. The post-ischemic angiogenesis was reduced when the HMGB1 pathway was blocked or when the VEGF activity was inhibited, in mice co-treated with HASCs and HMGB1. In conclusion, the HASCs treatment can be used in a mouse model of PAD to induce post-ischemic angiogenesis, modulating angiogenesis by HMGB1. This effect is mediated by VEGF activity. Although further data are needed, these findings shed light on possible new cell treatments for patients with PAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Biscetti
- Division of Rheumatology, Institute of Rheumatology & Related Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy; Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Genetics, Department of Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.
| | - Stefano Gentileschi
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavio Bertucci
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Genetics, Department of Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Servillo
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Angelini
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Genetics, Department of Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Bonanno
- Division of Gynecology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- Division of Gynecology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luca Pierelli
- Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Landolfi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Flex
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Genetics, Department of Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
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20
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Barbati SA, Colussi C, Bacci L, Aiello A, Re A, Stigliano E, Isidori AM, Grassi C, Pontecorvi A, Farsetti A, Gaetano C, Nanni S. Transcription Factor CREM Mediates High Glucose Response in Cardiomyocytes and in a Male Mouse Model of Prolonged Hyperglycemia. Endocrinology 2017; 158:2391-2405. [PMID: 28368536 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
This study aims at investigating the epigenetic landscape of cardiomyocytes exposed to elevated glucose levels. High glucose (30 mM) for 72 hours determined some epigenetic changes in mouse HL-1 and rat differentiated H9C2 cardiomyocytes including upregulation of class I and III histone deacetylase protein levels and activity, inhibition of histone acetylase p300 activity, increase in histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation, and reduction in H3 lysine 9 acetylation. Gene expression analysis focused on cardiotoxicity revealed that high glucose induced markers associated with tissue damage, fibrosis, and cardiac remodeling such as Nexilin (NEXN), versican, cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate-responsive element modulator (CREM), and adrenoceptor α2A (ADRA2). Notably, the transcription factor CREM was found to be important in the regulation of cardiotoxicity-associated genes as assessed by specific small interfering RNA and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments. In CD1 mice, made hyperglycemic by streptozotoicin (STZ) injection, cardiac structural alterations were evident at 6 months after STZ treatment and were associated with a significant increase of H3 lysine 27 trimethylation and reduction of H3 lysine 9 acetylation. Consistently, NEXN, CREM, and ADRA2 expression was significantly induced at the RNA and protein levels. Confocal microscopy analysis of NEXN localization showed this protein irregularly distributed along the sarcomeres in the heart of hyperglycemic mice. This evidence suggested a structural alteration of cardiac Z-disk with potential consequences on contractility. In conclusion, high glucose may alter the epigenetic landscape of cardiac cells. Sildenafil, restoring guanosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate levels, counteracted the increase of CREM and NEXN, providing a protective effect in the presence of hyperglycemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saviana A Barbati
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica di Roma, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Medical Pathology, Università Cattolica di Roma, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Colussi
- Institute of Medical Pathology, Università Cattolica di Roma, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenza Bacci
- Institute of Medical Pathology, Università Cattolica di Roma, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Aurora Aiello
- Institute of Medical Pathology, Università Cattolica di Roma, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese Re
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Department of Histopathology, Università Cattolica di Roma, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica di Roma, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Institute of Medical Pathology, Università Cattolica di Roma, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Farsetti
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Medicine Clinic III, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Carlo Gaetano
- Medicine Clinic III, Division of Cardiovascular Epigenetics, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Simona Nanni
- Institute of Medical Pathology, Università Cattolica di Roma, 00168 Rome, Italy
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21
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Aloe L, Rocco ML, Stigliano E, Angelini F, Iacoangeli M, Frari V, Salvinelli F. Nasal HPpSIS administration enhances NGF and tumor suppressor protein, p73 in human brain cancer tissues: preliminary data. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2017; 21:618-626. [PMID: 28239803] [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 Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic factor known to play a critical role in growth, survival, differentiation and neuroprotection of peripheral sensory and sympathetic neurons, as well as brain neurons. We have recently reported that nasal administration of high-pressure isotonic physiological saline solution (HPpSIS) enhances the level of NGF and the expression of NGF receptors in neurons of the olfactory bulbs and forebrain cholinergic neurons of laboratory animals. In the present study, we sought to determine whether the same treatment affects the levels of NGF within the brain tumor tissue. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study was conducted on eight adult patients, 4 males and 4 females with malignant anterior cranial fossa tumor. Before surgery, four subjects, two males and two females received nasal administration of HPpSIS for ten consecutive days. RESULTS The levels of NGF in surgical removed peripheral tumor brain samples of patients treated with nasal HPpSIS administration are more elevated compared to the levels of NGF in peripheral brain tissues of HPpSIS untreated patients. CONCLUSIONS We observed that nasal administration of HPpSIS enhances not only the basal brain NGF levels and the expression of NGF receptors but also the tumor suppressor protein p73. The possible functional significance of these observations will be described and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Aloe
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy.
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22
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Biscetti F, Flex A, Pecorini G, Angelini F, Arena V, Stigliano E, Gremese E, Tolusso B, Ferraccioli G. The role of high-mobility group box protein 1 in collagen antibody-induced arthritis is dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor. Clin Exp Immunol 2016; 184:62-72. [PMID: 26671547 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) has been implicated in angiogenesis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to define more clearly the role of HMGB1 in the synovial angiogenesis and pathogenesis of an immune model of arthritis. BALB/c mice were injected with monoclonal anti-collagen antibody cocktail followed by lipopolysaccharide to induce arthritis. HMGB1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were over-expressed in the areas of the synovium where more inflammation and neoangiogenesis were present. The selective blockade of HMGB1 or VEGF resulted alternatively in a lower severity of arthritis evaluated by the arthritis index. Furthermore, exogenous HMGB1 administration caused a worsening of arthritis, associated with VEGF up-regulation and increased synovial angiogenesis. The selective inhibition of VEGF also resulted in no induction of arthritis in mice receiving exogenous HMGB1. Cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses performed on peripheral blood and synovial fluid demonstrated a significant reduction of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in mice where HMGB1 and VEGF pathways were blocked. Interestingly, the selective blockade of HMGB1 and VEGF resulted in an increase of the peripheral IL-17A concentration. The development of arthritis mediated by HMGB1 and the synovial angiogenesis can be blocked by inhibiting the VEGF activity. The proinflammatory and proangiogenic cytokine IL-17A was increased when HMGB1 is inhibited, but the synovial angiogenesis was nevertheless reduced in this model of arthritis. Taken together, these findings shed new light on the role of this nuclear protein in the pathogenesis of arthritis in an RA-like model.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Biscetti
- Division of Rheumatology, Institute of Rheumatology and Affine Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart.,Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Genetics, Department of Medicine, Catholic University School of Medicine
| | - A Flex
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Genetics, Department of Medicine, Catholic University School of Medicine
| | - G Pecorini
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Genetics, Department of Medicine, Catholic University School of Medicine
| | - F Angelini
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Genetics, Department of Medicine, Catholic University School of Medicine
| | - V Arena
- Department of Pathology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - E Stigliano
- Department of Pathology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - E Gremese
- Division of Rheumatology, Institute of Rheumatology and Affine Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
| | - B Tolusso
- Division of Rheumatology, Institute of Rheumatology and Affine Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
| | - G Ferraccioli
- Division of Rheumatology, Institute of Rheumatology and Affine Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
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23
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Cusumano G, Romagnoli J, Liuzzo G, Ciavarella L, Severino A, Copponi G, Manchi M, Giubilato S, Zannoni G, Stigliano E, Caristo M, Crea F, Citterio F. N-Acetylcysteine and High-Dose Atorvastatin Reduce Oxidative Stress in an Ischemia-Reperfusion Model in the Rat Kidney. Transplant Proc 2015; 47:2757-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2015.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2015] [Revised: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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24
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Zannoni GF, Ciucci A, Marucci G, Travaglia D, Stigliano E, Foschini MP, Scambia G, Gallo D. Sexual dimorphism in medulloblastoma features. Histopathology 2015; 68:541-8. [DOI: 10.1111/his.12770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gian Franco Zannoni
- Department of Histopathology; Catholic University of the Sacred Heart; Rome Italy
| | - Alessandra Ciucci
- Department of Female, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health; Catholic University of the Sacred Heart; Rome Italy
| | - Gianluca Marucci
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DiBiNeM); Section of Pathology ‘M. Malpighi’; Bellaria Hospital; University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | - Daniele Travaglia
- Department of Female, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health; Catholic University of the Sacred Heart; Rome Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Department of Histopathology; Catholic University of the Sacred Heart; Rome Italy
| | - Maria Pia Foschini
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DiBiNeM); Section of Pathology ‘M. Malpighi’; Bellaria Hospital; University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- Department of Female, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health; Catholic University of the Sacred Heart; Rome Italy
| | - Daniela Gallo
- Department of Female, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health; Catholic University of the Sacred Heart; Rome Italy
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Biscetti F, Flex A, Pecorini G, Angelini F, Arena V, Stigliano E, Gremese E, Tolusso B, Ferraccioli G. THU0052 The Role of the Proinflammatory Mediator High-Mobility Group Box Protein 1 (HMGB1) in Anti-Collagen-Antibody-Induced Arthritis is Dependent on Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.3562] [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: 11/03/2022]
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26
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Di Taranto G, Cicione C, Visconti G, Isgrò MA, Barba M, Di Stasio E, Stigliano E, Bernardini C, Michetti F, Salgarello M, Lattanzi W. Qualitative and quantitative differences of adipose-derived stromal cells from superficial and deep subcutaneous lipoaspirates: a matter of fat. Cytotherapy 2015; 17:1076-89. [PMID: 26002819 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2015.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Subcutaneous fat represents a valuable reservoir of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), widely exploited in regenerative medicine applications, being easily harvested through lipoaspiration. The lack of standardized procedures for autologous fat grafting guided research efforts aimed at identifying possible differences related to the harvesting site, which may affect cell isolation yield, cell growth properties and clinical outcomes. Subcutaneous fat features a complex architecture: the superficial fascia separates superficial adipose tissue (SAT) from deep layer tissue (DAT). We aimed to unravel the differences between SAT and DAT, considering morphological structure, SVF composition, and ASC properties. METHODS SAT and DAT were collected from female donors and comparatively analyzed to evaluate cellular yield and viability, morphology, immunophenotype and molecular profile. ASCs were isolated in primary culture and used for in vitro differentiation assays. SAT and DAT from cadaver donors were also analyzed through histology and immunohistochemistry to assess morphology and cell localization within the hypoderm. RESULTS Liposuctioned SAT contained a higher stromal tissue compound, along with a higher proportion of CD105-positive cells, compared with DAT from the same harvesting site. Also, cells isolated from SAT displayed increased multipotency and stemness features. All differences were mainly evidenced in specimens harvested from the abdominal region. According to our results, SAT features overall increased stem properties. CONCLUSIONS Given that subcutaneous adipose tissue is currently exploited as the gold standard source for high-yield isolation of adult stem cells, these results may provide precious hints toward the definition of standardized protocols for microharvesting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Di Taranto
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University Hospital A. Gemelli Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Cicione
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Visconti
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University Hospital A. Gemelli Rome, Italy
| | - Maria A Isgrò
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University Hospital A. Gemelli Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Barba
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Di Stasio
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University Hospital A. Gemelli Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Institute of Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Bernardini
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Michetti
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Latium Musculoskeletal Tissue Bank, Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Salgarello
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University Hospital A. Gemelli Rome, Italy
| | - Wanda Lattanzi
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Latium Musculoskeletal Tissue Bank, Rome, Italy.
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Stigliano E, Di Sansebastiano GP, Neuhaus JM. Contribution of chitinase A's C-terminal vacuolar sorting determinant to the study of soluble protein compartmentation. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:11030-9. [PMID: 24945312 PMCID: PMC4100196 DOI: 10.3390/ijms150611030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant chitinases have been studied for their importance in the defense of crop plants from pathogen attacks and for their peculiar vacuolar sorting determinants. A peculiarity of the sequence of many family 19 chitinases is the presence of a C-terminal extension that seems to be important for their correct recognition by the vacuole sorting machinery. The 7 amino acids long C-terminal vacuolar sorting determinant (CtVSD) of tobacco chitinase A is necessary and sufficient for the transport to the vacuole. This VSD shares no homology with other CtVSDs such as the phaseolin’s tetrapeptide AFVY (AlaPheValTyr) and it is also sorted by different mechanisms. While a receptor for this signal has not yet been convincingly identified, the research using the chitinase CtVSD has been very informative, leading to the observation of phenomena otherwise difficult to observe such as the presence of separate vacuoles in differentiating cells and the existence of a Golgi-independent route to the vacuole. Thanks to these new insights in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-vacuole transport, GFPChi (Green Fluorescent Protein carrying the chitinase A CtVSD) and other markers based on chitinase signals will continue to help the investigation of vacuolar biogenesis in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egidio Stigliano
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, Neuchâtel CH-2000, Switzerland.
| | - Gian-Pietro Di Sansebastiano
- DiSTeBA (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies), University of Salento, Campus ECOTEKNE, S.P. 6, Lecce-Monteroni, Lecce 73100, Italy.
| | - Jean-Marc Neuhaus
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, Neuchâtel CH-2000, Switzerland.
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Scaldaferri F, Lopetuso LR, Petito V, Cufino V, Bilotta M, Arena V, Stigliano E, Maulucci G, Papi M, Emiliana CM, Poscia A, Franceschi F, Delogu G, Sanguinetti M, Spirito MD, Sgambato A, Gasbarrini A. Gelatin tannate ameliorates acute colitis in mice by reinforcing mucus layer and modulating gut microbiota composition: Emerging role for 'gut barrier protectors' in IBD? United European Gastroenterol J 2014; 2:113-22. [PMID: 24918016 DOI: 10.1177/2050640614520867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gelatin tannate, a gelatin powder containing tannic acids, is commonly employed as an intestinal astringent. Neither information nor animal model exist to confirm its efficacy or unravel mechanisms of action. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the action of gelatin tannate in murine dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced acute colitis. METHODS Mice were exposed to DSS and received gelatin tannate by gavage. At sacrifice, colon histological degree of inflammation was assessed. Stool samples were cultured for microbiological analysis. Colon samples were analysed by two-photon confocal microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Elisa was performed on murine serum to assess lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan levels. RESULTS Gelatin tannate treatment reduced disease activity, bodyweight loss, and preserved colonic length. It produced a decrease in the amount of enterobacteria and enterococci. At confocal microscopy, intestinal samples from healthy and treated mice displayed similar structure in mucus layer thickness and composition; samples from placebo group had no mucus layer or a thinner stratus. Atomic force microscopy confirmed these findings. Treated mice showed lower blood LPS levels vs. control. CONCLUSIONS Gelatin tannate decreased the severity of colitis. Acting as a gut barrier enhancer, it re-establishes gut homeostasis by recovering intestinal permeability and mucus layer integrity in gut mucosa and by modulating microbiota composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Scaldaferri
- Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Loris Riccardo Lopetuso
- Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Petito
- Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Cufino
- Pathology Department, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirna Bilotta
- Microbiology Department, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- Pathology Department, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Pathology Department, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maulucci
- Physics Department, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Physics Department, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Poscia
- Institute of Hygiene, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Franceschi
- Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Delogu
- Microbiology Department, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marco De Spirito
- Physics Department, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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Rossi ED, Revelli L, Giustozzi E, Straccia P, Stigliano E, Lombardi CP, Pontecorvi A, Fadda G. Large non-functioning parathyroid cysts: our institutional experience of a rare entity and a possible pitfall in thyroid cytology. Cytopathology 2014; 26:114-21. [PMID: 24816067 DOI: 10.1111/cyt.12153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Large non-functioning parathyroid cysts represent a rare entity with a benign clinical course. They may be misdiagnosed as thyroid cystic neoplasms on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), resulting in inappropriate surgical treatment. We evaluated our institutional experience in the diagnosis of large parathyroid cystic lesions underlining all the differential diagnoses and pitfalls. METHODS In the period between 1998 and 2012, we reported the cytology of eight large (>2.5 cm) parathyroid cystic lesions (all female patients) with histological control. The aspirations were performed with a 25-gauge needle with ultrasonographic guidance. The aspirated material was processed with liquid-based cytology (LBC). All the patients had normal serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium. RESULTS The cytological samples showed a fluid watery component without colloid and few or absent epithelial cells. The resulting negativity for thyroglobulin and positivity for PTH, carried out on the cystic fluids, suggested parathyroid lesions rather than either thyroid cystic lesions (including follicular thyroid neoplasm) or cystic malignant lesions. All the patients underwent surgery without complications. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the largest series with cytohistological evaluation of large parathyroid cysts. The incidence of large parathyroid cysts remains controversial as most patients are asymptomatic. FNAC may be performed with conclusive results in the majority of cystic cases. The detection of PTH and calcium on the cystic liquid is likely to achieve a correct cytological diagnosis, allowing adequate treatment and ruling out a more frequent thyroid lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- E D Rossi
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, "Agostino Gemelli" School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
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Bugli F, Paroni Sterbini F, Cacaci M, Martini C, Lancellotti S, Stigliano E, Torelli R, Arena V, Caira M, Posteraro P, Sanguinetti M, Posteraro B. Increased production of gliotoxin is related to the formation of biofilm by Aspergillus fumigatus: an immunological approach. Pathog Dis 2014; 70:379-89. [PMID: 24623580 DOI: 10.1111/2049-632x.12152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Revised: 01/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Gliotoxin (GT) belongs to the epipolythiodioxopiperazine class of toxins secreted from certain fungi including Aspergillus fumigatus, which is the most prolific producer of this secondary metabolite. Recently, enhanced amounts of GT were found in in vitro biofilm-grown A. fumigatus mycelium. To further correlate the A. fumigatus biofilm growth phenotype with the enhanced secretion of GT, a polyclonal antibody (pAb) was produced by immunizing mice against GT. By an indirect immunofluorescent assay, pAb was then able to recognize specifically GT onto A. fumigatus Af293 biofilm formed on human pulmonary epithelial cells. Then, treating Af293 biofilms with a compound which reduces the GT disulfide bonds provoked shutdown of the GT-specific immunofluorescence (IF) signals along the hyphae. To explore the potential of GT for diagnostic use, pAb was shown to react with GT on hyphae into Aspergillus culture-positive respiratory tract specimens from patients with probable invasive aspergillosis (IA) and into tissue specimens from the lungs of patients with proven IA. As the presence of fungal hyphae in clinical specimens strongly indicates the in vivo A. fumigatus growth as a biofilm, anti-GT antibodies could be a specific and sensitive diagnostic tool for detecting A. fumigatus biofilm-associated clinical infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bugli
- Institute of Microbiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Biscetti F, Pecorini G, Arena V, Stigliano E, Angelini F, Ghirlanda G, Ferraccioli G, Flex A. Cilostazol improves the response to ischemia in diabetic mice by a mechanism dependent on PPARγ. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2013; 381:80-7. [PMID: 23891623 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2013] [Revised: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Cilostazol is effective for the treatment of peripheral ischemia. This compound has several beneficial effects on platelet aggregation, serum lipids and endothelial cells, and we recently found that it enhances collateral blood flow in the ischemic hind limbs of mice. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, a receptor for thiazolidinediones, plays a role in angiogenesis. The aim of this work was to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms and effects of cilostazol in a model of peripheral ischemia in diabetic mice. We induced diabetes in mice by streptozotocin (STZ) administration and studied ischemia-induced angiogenesis in the ischemic hind limbs of cilostazol-treated and untreated control mice. We found that perfusion recovery was significantly improved in treated compared with control diabetic mice. Interestingly, we found that the expression of PPARγ is reduced in ischemic tissues of diabetic mice. Furthermore, we discovered that local inhibition of the activity of this nuclear receptor decreased the angiogenic response to cilostazol treatment. Finally, we noted that this phenomenon is dependent on VEGF and modulated by PPARγ. Cilostazol administration enhances collateral blood flow in the ischemic hind limbs of STZ-induced diabetic mice through a PPARγ-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Biscetti
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Genetics, Department of Medicine, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy; Division of Rheumatology, Institute of Rheumatology & Affine Sciences, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.
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Lopetuso LR, Petito V, Cufino V, Arena V, Stigliano E, Gerardi V, Gaetani E, Poscia A, Amato A, Cammarota G, Papa A, Sgambato A, Gasbarrini A, Scaldaferri F. Locally injected Infliximab ameliorates murine DSS colitis: differences in serum and intestinal levels of drug between healthy and colitic mice. Dig Liver Dis 2013; 45:1017-21. [PMID: 23911613 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2013.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Revised: 05/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infliximab is effective in human and murine IBD, but its pharmacodynamic is still poorly known. The aim of this study was to assess the affinity of infliximab to murine TNF-α, its role in murine colitis when administered intra-rectally and its levels in the blood, gut mucosa and stool of healthy and sick mice. METHODS An ELISA kit was built in order to assess the affinity of infliximab to human or murine-TNF-α. Human IgG were used as controls. DSS model of colitis on C57BL/6 mice was used to assess clinical efficacy of infliximab administered intravenously or by enema. Stool, serum and colon samples were collected to assess infliximab levels and histology for Rachmilewitz score. RESULTS Infliximab showed a good affinity both for human-TNF-α and murine-TNF-α. In DSS colitic mice infliximab ameliorated the severity of colitis, regardless of the administration route. In comparison with colitic mice, healthy mice displayed higher serum and mucosal infliximab levels, while detectable levels of infliximab were found in faeces, particularly in colitic mice. CONCLUSION Our data support murine models to study infliximab pharmacokinetics and dynamics. Measurable levels of infliximab can be found at different concentrations in blood, intestinal mucosa and stool from healthy and sick mice, thus infliximab pharmacokinetics could have a major impact in human IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loris Riccardo Lopetuso
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, IBD Unit, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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Stigliano E, Faraco M, Neuhaus JM, Montefusco A, Dalessandro G, Piro G, Di Sansebastiano GP. Two glycosylated vacuolar GFPs are new markers for ER-to-vacuole sorting. Plant Physiol Biochem 2013; 73:337-43. [PMID: 24184454 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2013.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 06/25/2013] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Vacuolar Sorting Determinants (VSDs) have been extensively studied in plants but the mechanisms for the accumulation of storage proteins in somatic tissues are not yet fully understood. In this work we used two mutated versions of well-documented vacuolar fluorescent reporters, a GFP fusion in frame with the C-terminal VSD of tobacco chitinase (GFPChi) and an N-terminal fusion in frame with the sequence-specific VSD of the barley cysteine protease aleurain (AleuGFP). The GFP sequence was mutated to present an N-glycosylation site at the amino-acid position 133. The reporters were transiently expressed in Nicotiana tabacum protoplasts and agroinfiltrated in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and their distribution was identical to that of the non-glycosylated versions. With the glycosylated GFPs we could highlight a differential ENDO-H sensitivity and therefore differential glycan modifications. This finding suggests two different and independent routes to the vacuole for the two reporters. BFA also had a differential effect on the two markers and further, inhibition of COPII trafficking by a specific dominant-negative mutant (NtSar1h74l) confirmed that GFPChi transport from the ER to the vacuole is not fully dependent on the Golgi apparatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egidio Stigliano
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland; CNR-IGV, Institute of Plant Genetics, Thematic Center for the Preservation of Mediterranean Plant Biodiversity, via Nazionale 44, 75025 Policoro, MT, Italy
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Di Matteo F, Martino M, Rea R, Pandolfi M, Panzera F, Stigliano E, Schena E, Saccomandi P, Silvestri S, Pacella CM, Breschi L, Perrone G, Coppola R, Costamagna G. US-guided application of Nd:YAG laser in porcine pancreatic tissue: an ex vivo study and numerical simulation. Gastrointest Endosc 2013; 78:750-5. [PMID: 23680175 DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2013.04.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laser ablation (LA) with a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser is a minimally invasive approach able to achieve a high rate of complete tissue necrosis. In a previous study we described the feasibility of EUS-guided Nd:YAG pancreas LA performed in vivo in a porcine model. OBJECTIVE To establish the best laser setting of Nd:YAG lasers for pancreatic tissue ablation. A secondary aim was to investigate the prediction capability of a mathematical model on ablation volume. DESIGN Ex vivo animal study. SETTING Hospital animal laboratory. SUBJECTS Explanted pancreatic glands from 60 healthy farm pigs. INTERVENTION Laser output powers (OP) of 1.5, 3, 6, 10, 15, and 20 W were supplied. Ten trials for each OP were performed under US guidance on ex vivo healthy porcine pancreatic tissue. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Ablation volume (Va) and central carbonization volume (Vc) were measured on histologic specimens as the sum of the lesion areas multiplied by the thickness of each slide. The theoretical model of the laser-tissue interaction was based on the Pennes equation. RESULTS A circumscribed ablation zone was observed in all histologic specimens. Va values grow with the increase of the OP up to 10 W and reach a plateau between 10 and 20 W. The trend of Vc values rises constantly until 20 W. The theoretical model shows a good agreement with experimental Va and Vc for OP between 1.5 and 10 W. LIMITATIONS Ex vivo study. CONCLUSION Volumes recorded suggest that the best laser OP could be the lowest one to obtain similar Va with smaller Vc in order to avoid the risk of thermal injury to the surrounding tissue. The good agreement between the two models demonstrates the prediction capability of the theoretical model on laser-induced ablation volume in an ex vivo animal model and supports its potential use for estimating the ablation size at different laser OPs.
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Palladino M, Gatto I, Neri V, Straino S, Smith RC, Silver M, Gaetani E, Marcantoni M, Giarretta I, Stigliano E, Capogrossi M, Hlatky L, Landolfi R, Pola R. Angiogenic impairment of the vascular endothelium: a novel mechanism and potential therapeutic target in muscular dystrophy. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2013; 33:2867-76. [PMID: 24072696 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.112.301172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dystrophin, the missing or defective protein in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is expressed not only in muscle cells but also in vascular endothelial cells (ECs). In this study, we assessed the effects of dystrophin deficiency on the angiogenic capacities of ECs. APPROACH AND RESULTS We isolated vascular ECs from mdx mice, the murine equivalent of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in humans, and wild-type controls, and we found that mdx-derived ECs have impaired angiogenic properties, in terms of migration, proliferation, and tube formation. They also undergo increased apoptosis in vitro compared with wild-type cells and have increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity. Mdx-derived ECs also display reduced ability to support myoblast proliferation when cocultured with satellite cell-derived primary myoblasts. These endothelial defects are mirrored by systemic impairment of angiogenesis in vivo, both on induction of ischemia, stimulation with growth factors in the corneal model and matrigel plug assays, and tumor growth. We also found that dystrophin forms a complex with endothelial NO synthase and caveolin-1 in ECs, and that NO production and cGMP formation are compromised in ECs isolated from mdx mice. Interestingly, treatment with aspirin enhances production of both cGMP and NO in dystrophic ECs, whereas low-dose aspirin improves the dystrophic phenotype of mdx mice in vivo, in terms of resistance to physical exercise, muscle fiber permeability, and capillary density. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that impaired angiogenesis is a novel player and potential therapeutic target in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Palladino
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine (M.P., V.N., R.C.S., M.S., R.P.), and Center of Cancer Systems Biology (R.C.S., L.H., R.P.), St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA; Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Genetics and Department of Medicine, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy (M.P., I.G., V.N., E.G., M.M., I.G., E.S., R.L., R.P.); and Laboratory of Vascular Pathology, IDI Research Institute, Rome, Italy (S.S., M.C.)
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Biscetti F, Pecorini G, Straface G, Arena V, Stigliano E, Rutella S, Locatelli F, Angelini F, Ghirlanda G, Flex A. Cilostazol promotes angiogenesis after peripheral ischemia through a VEGF-dependent mechanism. Int J Cardiol 2013; 167:910-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2012.03.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2012] [Revised: 03/06/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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De Benedictis M, Bleve G, Faraco M, Stigliano E, Grieco F, Piro G, Dalessandro G, Di Sansebastiano GP. AtSYP51/52 functions diverge in the post-Golgi traffic and differently affect vacuolar sorting. Mol Plant 2013; 6:916-30. [PMID: 23087325 DOI: 10.1093/mp/sss117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Plant sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) encoded by genes of the same sub-family are generally considered as redundant in promoting vesicle-associated membrane fusion events. Nonetheless, the application of innovative experimental approaches highlighted that members of the same gene sub-family often have different functional specificities. In this work, two closely related Qc-SNAREs--the AtSYP51 and the AtSYP52--are compared in their ability to influence different secretory pathways. Their role in the vesicle sorting to the central vacuole has been revised and they were found to have a novel inhibitory function. When transiently overexpressed, the SYP51 and the SYP52 distributed between the TGN and the tonoplast. Our data demonstrate that these SYPs (syntaxin of plants) act as t-SNARE when present on the membrane of TGN/PVC, whereas they behave as inhibitory or interfering SNAREs (i-SNAREs) when they accumulate on the tonoplast. Moreover, the performed functional analysis indicated that the AtSYP51 and the AtSYP52 roles differ in the traffic to the vacuole. The findings are a novel contribution to the functional characterization of plant SNAREs that reveals additional non-fusogenic roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria De Benedictis
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy
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Arena V, De-Giorgio F, Pennacchia I, Manna R, Vetrugno G, Stigliano E, Milic N, Gasbarrini G, Abenavoli L. Haemophagocytic syndrome associated with mucormycosis infection. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2012; 25:751-5. [PMID: 23058025 DOI: 10.1177/039463201202500321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Several clinical forms of mucormycosis are recognized. The tendency of mucoraceous zygomycetes to invade the blood vessels often produces a disseminated infection. A case of disseminate mucormycosis complicated by a haemophagocytic syndrome (HS) in a 32-year-old Caucasian male is reported in this article. Few cases of infection-associated HS (IAHS), involving infections caused by fungi, have been reported. In all the recorded cases, the fungal infection coexists with malignant lymphoma, immunodeficiency and a long-term steroid therapy for renal transplant or Crohn's disease. This is the second described case of the HS due to mucormycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Arena
- Pathologic Anatomy Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
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Coco C, Zannoni GF, Caredda E, Sioletic S, Boninsegna A, Migaldi M, Rizzo G, Bonetti LR, Genovese G, Stigliano E, Cittadini A, Sgambato A. Increased expression of CD133 and reduced dystroglycan expression are strong predictors of poor outcome in colon cancer patients. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2012; 31:71. [PMID: 22964035 PMCID: PMC3541988 DOI: 10.1186/1756-9966-31-71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Expression levels of CD133, a cancer stem cell marker, and of the α-subunit of the dystroglycan (α-DG) complex, have been previously reported to be altered in colorectal cancers. Methods Expression levels of CD133 and α-DG were assessed by immunohistochemistry in a series of colon cancers and their prognostic significance was evaluated. Results Scattered cells positive for CD133 were rarely detected at the bases of the crypts in normal colonic mucosa while in cancer cells the median percentage of positive cells was 5% (range 0–80). A significant correlation was observed with pT parameter and tumor stage but not with tumor grade and N status. Recurrence and death from disease were significantly more frequent in CD133-high expressing tumors and Kaplan-Meier curves showed a significant separation between high vs low expressor groups for both disease-free (p = 0.002) and overall (p = 0.008) survival. Expression of α-DG was reduced in a significant fraction of tumors but low α-DG staining did not correlate with any of the classical clinical-pathological parameters. Recurrence and death from the disease were significantly more frequent in α-DG-low expressing tumors and Kaplan-Meier curves showed a significant separation between high vs low expressor tumors for both disease-free (p = 0.02) and overall (p = 0.02) survival. Increased expression of CD133, but not loss of α-DG, confirmed to be an independent prognostic parameters at a multivariate analysis associated with an increased risk of recurrence (RR = 2.4; p = 0.002) and death (RR = 2.3; p = 0.003). Conclusions Loss of α-DG and increased CD133 expression are frequent events in human colon cancer and evaluation of CD133 expression could help to identify high-risk colon cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Coco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Rossi ED, Zannoni GF, Moncelsi S, Stigliano E, Santeusanio G, Lombardi CP, Pontecorvi A, Fadda G. Application of liquid-based cytology to fine-needle aspiration biopsies of the thyroid gland. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2012; 3:57. [PMID: 22654875 PMCID: PMC3356047 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2012.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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] [Received: 01/12/2012] [Accepted: 04/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is regarded as an important tool for diagnosing thyroid lesions because of its simplicity, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Its role in correctly characterizing the group of indeterminate lesions or follicular-patterned neoplasms (FN) might be more decisive. Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is a technique based on the use of a semi-automated device that has gained popularity as a method of collecting and processing both gynecologic and non-gynecologic cytologic specimens. It achieves a diagnostic sensitivity as accurate as conventional preparations especially for its excellent cell preservation and for the lack of background which decrease the amount of inadequate diagnoses. Moreover, the cellular material which has been stored in the preservative solution could be effectively used for the application of immunocytochemical and molecular techniques especially for the Follicular proliferations. In many cases the cytologic features are similar in both methods but the colloid film and the lymphocytic component are more easily evaluated on direct smears whereas nuclear details and colloid globules are better evaluated in LBC slides. The LBC-processed biopsies represent a valid alternative to conventional cytology. The possibility of applying special techniques enhance the efficacy of the cytological diagnosis of thyroid lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Diana Rossi
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, “Agostino Gemelli” School of Medicine and Hospital, Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRome, Italy
| | - Gian Franco Zannoni
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, “Agostino Gemelli” School of Medicine and Hospital, Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRome, Italy
| | - Stefania Moncelsi
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, “Agostino Gemelli” School of Medicine and Hospital, Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, “Agostino Gemelli” School of Medicine and Hospital, Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Santeusanio
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, “Tor Vergata” University of RomeRome, Italy
| | - Celestino Pio Lombardi
- Division of Endocrine Surgery, “Agostino Gemelli” School of Medicine and Hospital, Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Division of Endocrinology, “Agostino Gemelli” School of Medicine and Hospital, Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRome, Italy
| | - Guido Fadda
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, “Agostino Gemelli” School of Medicine and Hospital, Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRome, Italy
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Lattanzi W, De Vincenzo RP, De Giorgio F, Stigliano E, Capelli A, Arena V. An Acephalus Acardius Amorphous Fetus in a Monochorionic Pregnancy With Sex Discrepancy. Twin Res Hum Genet 2012. [DOI: 10.1375/twin.9.5.697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAcephalus acardia is among the most severe malformations described in fetuses, with an incidence of about 1 in 35,000 births and is due to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, frequently occurring in monochorionic twin pregnancies. The severity of the syndrome depends upon the type of the anastomoses arising between the vascular networks of the two fetuses, usually configuring the ‘twin reverse arterial perfusion syndrome’. No clear and univocal etiological explanation is known, though few cases with chromosomal abnormalities have been reported so far. In some cases the fusion of two or more separate placentae of dizygotic fetuses occurs, leading to monochorionic twinning. Few cases of acardius amorphous with complete autoptical examination have been described so far. We report a case of acephalus acardius amorphus fetus, showing features of extremely severe sistemic immaturity with very few structured organs. Defined external and autoptic examinations have been performed on the dismorphic twin, along with the histological examination of tissue samples. Kariotype analysis showed sex discrepancy between the twins, as a normal female kariotype had been detected in the acephalus acardius while the living co-twin was a normal healthy male. The analysis of the placenta showed the vascular anomalies leading to the twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
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Abenavoli L, Pennacchia I, Stigliano E, Carbone A, Vecchio FM, Arena V. Aggressive large B-cell lymphoma in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection: a case report. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2012; 24:1083-6. [PMID: 22230415 DOI: 10.1177/039463201102400427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A link between Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) has been recently reported in literature. Here we report a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with a particularly aggressive clinical course in an SLE patient with EBV infection. A 49-year-old woman with a long history of SLE was admitted to the Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine and dramatically died a few hours later. The autopsy described no evidence of active lymphoproliferative disorder. Instead, histological examination demonstrated an atypical lymphocitic proliferation in lymph node, kidneys, pericardium and uterus. Immunoistochemically, the lymphomatous cells were positive with CD19, CD20, CD22 and CD79a, which was consistent with a DLBCL. The cells were also reactive to EBV markers, indicating the possible role of previous EBV infection in DLBCL pathogenesis.
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MESH Headings
- Autopsy
- Chronic Disease
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/immunology
- Fatal Outcome
- Female
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/etiology
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/immunology
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/virology
- Middle Aged
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Palladino M, Gatto I, Neri V, Stigliano E, Smith RC, Pola E, Straino S, Gaetani E, Capogrossi M, Leone G, Hlatky L, Pola R. Combined Therapy with Sonic Hedgehog Gene Transfer and Bone Marrow-Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells Enhances Angiogenesis and Myogenesis in the Ischemic Skeletal Muscle. J Vasc Res 2012; 49:425-31. [DOI: 10.1159/000337921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2011] [Accepted: 02/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
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Arena V, Caredda E, Cufino V, Stigliano E, Scaldaferri F, Gasbarrini A, Cittadini A, Sgambato A. Differential CD133 expression pattern during mouse colon tumorigenesis. Anticancer Res 2011; 31:4273-4275. [PMID: 22199291] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM The cancer stem cell model suggests that only a rare subpopulation, known as cancer stem cells (CSC) are responsible for tumor initiation. CSC from several human carcinomas are characterized by specific cell surface markers, such as CD133. The CD133 role in colon tumorigenesis remains controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS CD133 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a mouse model of colitis-related colon tumorigenesis induced by a combined treatment with azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulphate (DSS). RESULTS In normal tissue rare scattered positive cells were detectable at the bottom of the crypts. The percentage of positive cells significantly increased in dysplastic lesions and appeared to progressively decrease in the passage from dysplasia to adenoma and then to cancer, although always remaining greater in number than in the normal tissue. CONCLUSION An increased CD133 expression occurs at early stages of colon tumorigenesis in the mouse. CD133-expressing cells might play an important role from the earlier phase and throughout the entire process of colon cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Arena
- Institute of Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Straface G, Biscetti F, Pitocco D, Bertoletti G, Misuraca M, Vincenzoni C, Snider F, Arena V, Stigliano E, Angelini F, Iuliano L, Boccia S, de Waure C, Giacchi F, Ghirlanda G, Flex A. Assessment of the genetic effects of polymorphisms in the osteoprotegerin gene, TNFRSF11B, on serum osteoprotegerin levels and carotid plaque vulnerability. Stroke 2011; 42:3022-8. [PMID: 21903966 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.111.619288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secretory glycoprotein which belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. Various mechanisms have been suggested by which calcification might alter atherosclerotic plaque stability, but the significance of this intimal calcification is controversial. High concentrations of OPG have been associated with the presence of vascular and cardiovascular diseases. This study was designed to assess the association between gene polymorphisms of the OPG gene (TNFRSF11B), the serum OPG level, and plaque stability in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. METHODS We studied 177 patients with internal carotid artery stenosis who underwent carotid endarterectomy and also 303 controls. Carotid endarterectomy samples removed from patients were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Concentrations of OPG were measured and gene polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis and were compared, initially between patients with carotid atherosclerosis and controls, and subsequently between stable and unstable carotid plaques. RESULTS We found that the GG genotype of the T245G polymorphism, the CC genotype of the T950C polymorphism, and the CC genotype of the G1181C polymorphism were significantly higher in patients with carotid plaque than in controls (21.5% versus 10.9% , P<0.01; 15.8% versus 7.6%, P<0.01; and 20.3% versus 10.9%, P<0.01, respectively) and that these polymorphisms were associated with high serum OPG levels (4.02 [3.07] versus 2.94 [1.81] pmol/L; P<0.01), which were significantly higher in patients with unstable atherosclerotic plaques (5.86 [4.02] versus 3.53 [1.87] pmol/L; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The TNFRSF11B gene polymorphisms studied are associated with high serum OPG levels and might be potential markers for plaque instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Straface
- Vascular Medicine and Atherothrombosis Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, Italy
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Biscetti F, Straface G, De Cristofaro R, Lancellotti S, Rizzo P, Arena V, Stigliano E, Pecorini G, Egashira K, De Angelis G, Ghirlanda G, Flex A. High-mobility group box-1 protein promotes angiogenesis after peripheral ischemia in diabetic mice through a VEGF-dependent mechanism. Diabetes 2010; 59:1496-505. [PMID: 20200317 PMCID: PMC2874711 DOI: 10.2337/db09-1507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein is a nuclear DNA-binding protein released from necrotic cells, inducing inflammatory responses and promoting tissue repair and angiogenesis. Diabetic human and mouse tissues contain lower levels of HMGB1 than their normoglycemic counterparts. Deficient angiogenesis after ischemia contributes to worse outcomes of peripheral arterial disease in patients with diabetes. To test the hypothesis that HMGB1 enhances ischemia-induced angiogenesis in diabetes, we administered HMGB1 protein in a mouse hind limb ischemia model using diabetic mice. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS After the induction of diabetes by streptozotocin, we studied ischemia-induced neovascularization in the ischemic hind limb of normoglycemic, diabetic, and HMGB1-treated diabetic mice. RESULTS We found that the perfusion recovery was significantly attenuated in diabetic mice compared with normoglycemic control mice. Interestingly, HMGB1 protein expression was lower in the ischemic tissue of diabetic mice than in normoglycemic mice. Furthermore, we observed that HMGB1 administration restored the blood flow recovery and capillary density in the ischemic muscle of diabetic mice, that this process was associated with the increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and that HMGB1-induced angiogenesis was significantly reduced by inhibiting VEGF activity. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study show that endogenous HMGB1 is crucial for ischemia-induced angiogenesis in diabetic mice and that HMGB1 protein administration enhances collateral blood flow in the ischemic hind limbs of diabetic mice through a VEGF-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Biscetti
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Genetics, Department of Medicine, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.
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Biscetti F, Straface G, Arena V, Stigliano E, Pecorini G, Rizzo P, De Angelis G, Iuliano L, Ghirlanda G, Flex A. Pioglitazone enhances collateral blood flow in ischemic hindlimb of diabetic mice through an Akt-dependent VEGF-mediated mechanism, regardless of PPARgamma stimulation. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2009; 8:49. [PMID: 19737384 PMCID: PMC2745363 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2840-8-49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2009] [Accepted: 09/08/2009] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is commonly associated with both microvascular and macrovascular complications and a strong correlation exists between glycaemic control and the incidence and progression of vascular complications. Pioglitazone, a Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) ligand indicated for therapy of type T2DM, induces vascular effects that seem to occur independently of glucose lowering. Methods By using a hindlimb ischemia murine model, in this study we have found that pioglitazone restores the blood flow recovery and capillary density in ischemic muscle of diabetic mice and that this process is associated with increased expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). Importantly, these beneficial effects are abrogated when endogenous Akt is inhibited; furthermore, the direct activation of PPARγ, with its selective agonist GW1929, does not restore blood flow recovery and capillary density. Finally, an important collateral vessel growth is obtained with combined treatment with pioglitazone and selective PPARγ inhibitor GW9662. Conclusion These data demonstrate that Akt-VEGF pathway is essential for ischemia-induced angiogenic effect of pioglitazone and that pioglitazone exerts this effect via a PPARγ independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Biscetti
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Genetics, Department of Medicine, A Gemelli University Hospital, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.
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De Giorgio F, Abbate A, Stigliano E, Capelli A, Arena V. Hypoplastic coronary artery disease causing sudden death. Report of two cases and review of the literature. Cardiovasc Pathol 2009; 19:e107-11. [PMID: 19616973 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2009.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 10/21/2008] [Revised: 05/06/2009] [Accepted: 05/19/2009] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital coronary anomalies represent a condition often unrecognized in the living and in the dead. Investigating this condition is relevant for both clinicians and pathologists in order to identify potentially unrecognized coronary causes of sudden death. Hypoplastic coronary artery disease (HCAD) is a rare congenital abnormality reported to be associated with sudden death. We report two additional cases of previously apparently healthy people who died suddenly and were found to have HCAD at postmortem evaluation. The clinicopathologic findings are discussed along with a review of the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio De Giorgio
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
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Scaldaferri F, Vetrano S, Sans M, Arena V, Straface G, Stigliano E, Repici A, Sturm A, Malesci A, Panes J, Yla-Herttuala S, Fiocchi C, Danese S. VEGF-A links angiogenesis and inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis. Gastroenterology 2009; 136:585-95.e5. [PMID: 19013462 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.09.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [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: 01/11/2008] [Revised: 09/18/2008] [Accepted: 09/25/2008] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) mediates angiogenesis and might also have a role in inflammation and immunity. We examined whether VEGF-A signaling has a role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS Expression levels of VEGF-A, and its receptors VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, were examined in samples from patients with IBD and compared with those of controls. The capacity of VEGF-A to induce angiogenesis was tested in human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells using cell-migration and matrigel tubule-formation assays. Levels of vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule were measured by flow cytometry to determine induction of inflammation; neutrophil adhesion was also assayed. Expression patterns were determined in tissues from mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis; the effects of VEGF-A overexpression and blockade were assessed in these mice by adenoviral transfer of VEGF-A and soluble VEGFR-1. Intestinal angiogenesis was measured by quantitative CD31 staining and leukocyte adhesion in vivo by intravital microscopy. RESULTS Levels of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 increased in samples from patients with IBD and colitic mice. VEGF-A induced angiogenesis of human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells in vitro as well as an inflammatory phenotype and adherence of neutrophils to intestinal endothelium. Overexpression of VEGF-A in mice with DSS-induced colitis worsened their condition, whereas overexpression of soluble VEGFR-1 had the opposite effect. Furthermore, overexpression of VEGF-A increased mucosal angiogenesis and stimulated leukocyte adhesion in vivo. CONCLUSIONS VEGF-A appears to be a novel mediator of IBD by promoting intestinal angiogenesis and inflammation. Agents that block VEGF-A signaling might reduce intestinal inflammation in patients with IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Scaldaferri
- Division of Gastroenterology, Istituto Clinico Humanitas, University of Milan, Milan; Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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