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Curci D, Franzin M, Zudeh G, Bramuzzo M, Lega S, Decorti G, Stocco G, Lucafò M. Expression profiles of the lncRNA antisense GAS5-AS1 in colon biopsies from pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients and its role in regulating sense transcript GAS5. Eur J Pediatr 2024; 183:1657-1665. [PMID: 38197962 PMCID: PMC11001710 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05403-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) level was demonstrated as involved in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis. Since its antisense transcript GAS5-AS1 has never been investigated in IBD, this study aims to detect whether GAS5-AS1 and GAS5 levels are related to IBD clinical parameters and investigate their correlation in vitro. Twenty-six IBD pediatric patients were enrolled; paired inflamed and non-inflamed intestinal biopsies were collected. We evaluated GAS5 and GAS5-AS1 levels by real-time PCR. The role of GAS5 and GAS5-AS1 was assessed in vitro by transient silencing in THP1-derived macrophages. GAS5-AS1 and GAS5 levels were associated with patients' clinical parameters; GAS5-AS1 expression was downregulated in inflamed tissues and inversely correlated with disease activity. A positive correlation between GAS5-AS1 and GAS5 levels was observed in non-inflamed biopsies. On THP1-derived macrophages, a reduced amount of both GAS5-AS1 and GAS5 was observed; accordingly, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 was increased. After GAS5-AS1 silencing, a downregulation of GAS5 was found, whereas no effect was detected on GAS5-AS1 after GAS5 silencing. Conclusion: This study provided for the first time new insights into the potential role of GAS5-AS1 in IBD. GAS5-AS1 modulates GAS5 levels in vitro and may serve as a potential IBD diagnostic biomarker. What is Known: • GAS5 is involved in regulating intestinal MMP-2 and MMP-9 in pediatric patients with IBD; • GAS5-AS1 has never been investigated in the context of IBD; • GAS5-AS1 regulates the expression of GAS5, increasing its stability in tissues and in vitro cell models of cancer. What is New: • GAS5-AS1 correlated with GAS5 and IBD clinical parameters; • GAS5-AS1 can modulate GAS5 levels in macrophages; • GAS5-AS1 may serve as potential IBD diagnostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Curci
- Department of Advanced Translational Diagnostics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Martina Franzin
- Department of Advanced Translational Diagnostics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Zudeh
- Department of Advanced Translational Diagnostics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Bramuzzo
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Lega
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Advanced Translational Diagnostics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137, Trieste, Italy.
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
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Pagarin S, Bolognese A, Fornasaro S, Franzin M, Hofmann U, Lucafò M, Franca R, Schwab M, Stocco G, Decorti G, Bonifacio A. SERS spectroscopy as a tool for the study of thiopurine drug pharmacokinetics in a model of human B leukemia cells. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 387:110792. [PMID: 37944627 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Thiopurine drugs are immunomodulatory antimetabolites relevant for pediatric patients characterized by dose-dependent adverse effects such as myelosuppression and hepatotoxicity, often related to inter-individual differences, involving the activity of important enzymes at the basis of their biotransformation, such as thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT). Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is emerging as a bioanalytical tool and represents a valid alternative in terms of affordable costs, shorter analysis time and easier sample preparation in comparison to the most employed methods for pharmacokinetic analysis of drugs. The aim of this study is to investigate mercaptopurine and thioguanine pharmacokinetics by SERS in cell lysates of a B-lymphoblastoid cell line (NALM-6), that did (TPMT*1) or did not (MOCK) overexpress the wild-type form of TPMT as an in vitro cellular lymphocyte model to discriminate between cells with different levels of TPMT activity on the base of the amount of thioguanosine nucleotides (TGN) metabolites formed. SERS analysis of the cell lysates was carried out using SERS substrates constituted by Ag nanoparticles deposited on paper and parallel samples were used for quantification of thiopurine nucleotides with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A direct SERS detection method has been set up that could be a tool to study thiopurine drug pharmacokinetics in in vitro cellular models to qualitatively discriminate between cells that do and do not overexpress the TPMT enzyme, as an alternative to other more laborious techniques. Results underlined decreased levels of TGN and increased levels of methylated metabolites when TPMT was overexpressed, both after mercaptopurine and thioguanine treatments. A strong positive correlation (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient rho = 0.96) exists between absolute quantification of TGMP (pmol/1 x 106 cells), obtained by LC-MS/MS, and SERS signal (intensity of TGN at 915 cm-1). In future studies, we aim to apply this method to investigate TPMT activity in pediatric patients' leukocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Pagarin
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Anna Bolognese
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Fornasaro
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Martina Franzin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Ute Hofmann
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany; University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Raffaella Franca
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Matthias Schwab
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany; Departments of Clinical Pharmacology, and of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy; Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alois Bonifacio
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Italy
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Rispoli P, Scandiuzzi Piovesan T, Decorti G, Stocco G, Lucafò M. iPSCs as a groundbreaking tool for the study of adverse drug reactions: A new avenue for personalized therapy. WIREs Mech Dis 2024; 16:e1630. [PMID: 37770042 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), obtained by reprogramming different somatic cell types, represent a promising tool for the study of drug toxicities, especially in the context of personalized medicine. Indeed, these cells retain the same genetic heritage of the donor, allowing the development of personalized models. In addition, they represent a useful tool for the study of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in special populations, such as pediatric patients, which are often poorly represented in clinical trials due to ethical issues. Particularly, iPSCs can be differentiated into any tissue of the human body, following several protocols which use different stimuli to induce specific differentiation processes. Differentiated cells also maintain the genetic heritage of the donor, and therefore are suitable for personalized pharmacological studies; moreover, iPSC-derived differentiated cells are a valuable tool for the investigation of the mechanisms underlying the physiological differentiation processes. iPSCs-derived organoids represent another important tool for the study of ADRs. Precisely, organoids are in vitro 3D models which better represent the native organ, both from a structural and a functional point of view. Moreover, in the same way as iPSC-derived 2D models, iPSC-derived organoids are appropriate personalized models since they retain the genetic heritage of the donor. In comparison to other in vitro models, iPSC-derived organoids present advantages in terms of versatility, patient-specificity, and ethical issues. This review aims to provide an updated report of the employment of iPSCs, and 2D and 3D models derived from these, for the study of ADRs. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Stem Cells and Development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Rispoli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Burlo F, Tumminelli C, Pastore S, Stocco G, Curci D, Lucafò M, Tommasini A, Taddio A. Subcutaneous tocilizumab in the management of non-infectious uveitis in children: a brief report. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2023; 21:99. [PMID: 37700264 PMCID: PMC10496382 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-023-00883-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tocilizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that acts as an IL-6 receptor antagonist. Intravenous tocilizumab is considered an option for children with anti-TNF refractory juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis. In contrast, the potential of subcutaneous drug use with this indication is more controversial. Due to the decreased availability of intravenous tocilizumab during the COVID-19 pandemic, we started using the subcutaneous formulation of the drug in children with anti-TNF refractory uveitis. The study analyzes the serum concentration of tocilizumab and its clinical response in patients with anti-TNF refractory uveitis who started or switched to subcutaneous administration from intravenous use. METHODS Five patients with non-infectious uveitis were treated with subcutaneous tocilizumab. Ocular inflammation was evaluated on slit lamp examination during clinical control. Serum tocilizumab concentrations were determined by ELISA. RESULTS The mean blood concentration of tocilizumab was 61.4 µg/mL (range 2.7-137.0.), with higher values than levels recorded in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with intravenous tocilizumab. Three patients entered clinical remission. One patient developed a mild relapse and was treated with topical steroids. Only one patient did not respond to therapy. The medication was well tolerated without severe infection or other adverse events. CONCLUSION Our results support a possible role of subcutaneous tocilizumab in anti-TNF refractory uveitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Burlo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristina Tumminelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Pastore
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health "IRCCS Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health "IRCCS Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health "IRCCS Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Debora Curci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health "IRCCS Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alberto Tommasini
- Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health "IRCCS Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Taddio
- Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health "IRCCS Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
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Pugnetti L, Curci D, Bidoli C, Gerdol M, Celsi F, Renzo S, Paci M, Lega S, Nonnis M, Maestro A, Brumatti LV, Lionetti P, Pallavicini A, Licastro D, Edomi P, Decorti G, Stocco G, Lucafò M, Bramuzzo M. Gene expression profiling in white blood cells reveals new insights into the molecular mechanisms of thalidomide in children with inflammatory bowel disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114927. [PMID: 37257228 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide has emerged as an effective immunomodulator in the treatment of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refractory to standard therapies. Cereblon (CRBN), a component of E3 protein ligase complex that mediates ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of target proteins, has been identified as the primary target of thalidomide. CRBN plays a crucial role in thalidomide teratogenicity, however it is unclear whether it is also involved in the therapeutic effects in IBD patients. This study aimed at identifying the molecular mechanisms underpinning thalidomide action in pediatric IBD. In this study, ten IBD pediatric patients responsive to thalidomide were prospectively enrolled. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis and functional enrichment analysis were carried out on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained before and after twelve weeks of treatment with thalidomide. RNA-seq analysis revealed 378 differentially expressed genes before and after treatment with thalidomide. The most deregulated pathways were cytosolic calcium ion concentration, cAMP-mediated signaling, eicosanoid signaling and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases. Neuronal signaling mechanisms such as CREB signaling in neurons and axonal guidance signaling also emerged. Connectivity Map analysis revealed that thalidomide gene expression changes were similar to those exposed to MLN4924, an inhibitor of NEDD8 activating enzyme, suggesting that thalidomide exerts its immunomodulatory effects by acting on the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. In vitro experiments on cell lines confirmed the effect of thalidomide on candidate altered pathways observed in patients. These results represent a unique resource for enhanced understanding of thalidomide mechanism in pediatric patients with IBD, providing novel potential targets associated with drug response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Pugnetti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
| | - Debora Curci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Carlotta Bidoli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fulvio Celsi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Renzo
- Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCSS, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Monica Paci
- Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCSS, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Lega
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Martina Nonnis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Maestro
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Liza Vecchi Brumatti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Lionetti
- Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCSS, 50139 Florence, Italy; Department NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | | | | | - Paolo Edomi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy; Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy; Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Matteo Bramuzzo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137 Trieste, Italy
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Zudeh G, Franca R, Lucafò M, Bonten EJ, Bramuzzo M, Sgarra R, Lagatolla C, Franzin M, Evans WE, Decorti G, Stocco G. PACSIN2 as a modulator of autophagy and mercaptopurine cytotoxicity: mechanisms in lymphoid and intestinal cells. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201610. [PMID: 36596605 PMCID: PMC9811133 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201610] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PACSIN2 variants are associated with gastrointestinal effects of thiopurines and thiopurine methyltransferase activity through an uncharacterized mechanism that is postulated to involve autophagy. This study aims to clarify the role of PACSIN2 in autophagy and in thiopurine cytotoxicity in leukemic and intestinal models. Higher autophagy and lower PACSIN2 levels were observed in inflamed compared with non-inflamed colon biopsies of inflammatory bowel disease pediatric patients at diagnosis. PACSIN2 was identified as an inhibitor of autophagy, putatively through inhibition of autophagosome formation by a protein-protein interaction with LC3-II, mediated by a LIR motif. Moreover, PACSIN2 resulted a modulator of mercaptopurine-induced cytotoxicity in intestinal cells, suggesting that PACSIN2-regulated autophagy levels might influence thiopurine sensitivity. However, PACSIN2 modulates cellular thiopurine methyltransferase activity via mechanisms distinct from its modulation of autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Zudeh
- Department of Translational and Advanced Diagnostics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Raffaella Franca
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Translational and Advanced Diagnostics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Erik J Bonten
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Matteo Bramuzzo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Endoscopy and Nutrition Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Riccardo Sgarra
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Martina Franzin
- Department of Translational and Advanced Diagnostics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - William E Evans
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Translational and Advanced Diagnostics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Translational and Advanced Diagnostics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Selvestrel D, Stocco G, Aloi M, Arrigo S, Cardile S, Cecchin E, Congia M, Curci D, Gatti S, Graziano F, Langefeld CD, Lucafò M, Martelossi S, Martinelli M, Pagarin S, Scarallo L, Stacul EF, Strisciuglio C, Thompson S, Zuin G, Decorti G, Bramuzzo M. DNA methylation of the TPMT gene and azathioprine pharmacokinetics in children with very early onset inflammatory bowel disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 157:113901. [PMID: 36462311 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113901] [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: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) is a crucial enzyme for azathioprine biotransformation and its activity is higher in very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD) patients than in adolescents with IBD (aIBD). AIMS The aims of this pharmacoepigenetic study were to evaluate differences in peripheral blood DNA methylation of the TPMT gene and in azathioprine pharmacokinetics in patients with VEO-IBD compared to aIBD. METHODS The association of age with whole genome DNA methylation profile was evaluated in a pilot group of patients and confirmed by a meta-analysis on 3 cohorts of patients available on the public functional genomics data repository. Effects of candidate CpG sites in the TPMT gene were validated in a larger cohort using pyrosequencing. TPMT activity and azathioprine metabolites (TGN) were measured in patients' erythrocytes by HPLC and associated with patients' age group and TPMT DNA methylation. RESULTS Whole genome DNA methylation pilot analysis, combined with the meta-analysis revealed cg22736354, located on TPMT downstream neighboring region, as the only statistically significant CpG whose methylation increases with age, resulting lower in VEO-IBD patients compared to aIBD (median 9.6% vs 12%, p = 0.029). Pyrosequencing confirmed lower cg22736354 methylation in VEO-IBD patients (median 4.0% vs 6.0%, p = 4.6 ×10-5). No differences in TPMT promoter methylation were found. Reduced cg22736354 methylation was associated with lower TGN concentrations (rho = 0.31, p = 0.01) in patients with VEO-IBD and aIBD. CONCLUSION Methylation of cg22736354 in TPMT gene neighborhood is lower in patients with VEO-IBD and is associated with reduced azathioprine inactivation and increased TGN concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy; Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marina Aloi
- Women's and Children's Health Department, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Arrigo
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Institute 'Giannina Gaslini', Genoa, Italy
| | - Sabrina Cardile
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, Bambino Gesù Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Erika Cecchin
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Mauro Congia
- Pediatric Clinic and Rare Diseases, Microcitemic Pediatric Hospital Antonio Cao, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Debora Curci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Simona Gatti
- Department of Pediatrics, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Carl D Langefeld
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Martinelli
- Department of Translational Medical Science, Section of Pediatrics, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Sofia Pagarin
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Scarallo
- University of Florence-Meyer Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Caterina Strisciuglio
- Departement of Woman, Child and General and Specialistic Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Susan Thompson
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Giovanna Zuin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Foundation MBBM/San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy; Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Matteo Bramuzzo
- Gastroenterology, Digestive Endoscopy and Nutrition Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
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8
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Lucafò M, Muzzo A, Marcuzzi M, Giorio L, Decorti G, Stocco G. Patient-derived organoids for therapy personalization in inflammatory bowel diseases. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:2636-2653. [PMID: 35979165 PMCID: PMC9260862 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i24.2636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory disorders of the intestinal tract that have emerged as a growing problem in industrialized countries. Knowledge of IBD pathogenesis is still incomplete, and the most widely-accepted interpretation considers genetic factors, environmental stimuli, uncontrolled immune responses and altered intestinal microbiota composition as determinants of IBD, leading to dysfunction of the intestinal epithelial functions. In vitro models commonly used to study the intestinal barrier do not fully reflect the proper intestinal architecture. An important innovation is represented by organoids, 3D in vitro cell structures derived from stem cells that can self-organize into functional organ-specific structures. Organoids may be generated from induced pluripotent stem cells or adult intestinal stem cells of IBD patients and therefore retain their genetic and transcriptomic profile. These models are powerful pharmacological tools to better understand IBD pathogenesis, to study the mechanisms of action on the epithelial barrier of drugs already used in the treatment of IBD, and to evaluate novel target-directed molecules which could improve therapeutic strategies. The aim of this review is to illustrate the potential use of organoids for therapy personalization by focusing on the most significant advances in IBD research achieved through the use of adult stem cells-derived intestinal organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- Advanced Translational Diagnostics Laboratory, Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste 34137, Italy
| | - Antonella Muzzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Martina Marcuzzi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Giorio
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Advanced Translational Diagnostics Laboratory, Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste 34137, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Advanced Translational Diagnostics Laboratory, Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste 34137, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
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9
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Lucafò M, De Biasi S, Curci D, Norbedo A, Stocco G, Decorti G. Extracellular Vesicles as Innovative Tools for AssessingAdverse Effects of Immunosuppressant Drugs. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:3586-3600. [PMID: 34879795 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666211208114022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous family of small vesicles released by donor cells and absorbed by recipient cells, which represent important mediators with fundamental roles in both physiological and pathological conditions. EVs are present in a large variety of biological fluids and have a great diagnostic and prognostic value. They have gained the interest of the scientific community due to their extreme versatility. In fact, they allow us to hypothesize new therapeutic strategies since, in addition to being cell signal mediators, they play an important role as biomarkers, drug vehicles, and potential new therapeutic agents. They are also involved in immunoregulation, have the ability to transmit resistance to a drug from one cell to a more sensitive one, and can act as drug delivery systems. OBJECTIVE The main reciprocal interactions between EVs and immunosuppressive drugs will be presented. RESULTS The known interactions between EVs and immunosuppressive drugs, in particular, cyclosporin, glucocorticoids, rapamycin, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, eculizumab, infliximab, certolizumab, etanercept, glatiramer acetate, and fingolimod are presented. CONCLUSION This review provides relevant information on the links between EVs and immunosuppressive drugs with a focus on EVs' role as tools to assess effects of immunosuppressants, suggesting innovative properties and new possible therapeutic uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health -IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste. Italy
| | - Serena De Biasi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste. Italy
| | - Debora Curci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health -IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste. Italy
| | - Alessia Norbedo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste. Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste. Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health -IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste. Italy
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10
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Lucafò M, Curci D, Franzin M, Decorti G, Stocco G. Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: An Overview From Pathophysiology to Pharmacological Prevention. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:772101. [PMID: 34744751 PMCID: PMC8563785 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.772101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients has been attributed to long-standing chronic inflammation, with the contribution of genetic alterations and environmental factors such as the microbiota. Moreover, accumulating data indicate that IBD-associated CRC (IBD-CRC) may initiate and develop through a pathway of tumorigenesis distinct from that of sporadic CRC. This mini-review summarizes the current knowledge of IBD-CRC, focusing on the main mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis, and on the important role of immunomodulators and biologics used to treat IBD patients in interfering with the inflammatory process involved in carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Debora Curci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Martina Franzin
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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11
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Genova E, Lucafò M, Pelin M, Di Paolo V, Quintieri L, Decorti G, Stocco G. Insights into the cellular pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of thiopurine antimetabolites in a model of human intestinal cells. Chem Biol Interact 2021; 347:109624. [PMID: 34416244 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Thiopurines, immunomodulating drugs used in the management of different chronic autoimmune conditions and as anti-leukemic agents, may exert in some cases gastrointestinal toxicity. Moreover, since these agents are administered orally, they are absorbed across the gastrointestinal tract epithelium. On these premises, cellular and molecular events occurring in intestinal cells may be important to understand thiopurine effects. However, quantitative information on the biotransformation of thiopurines in intestinal tissues is still limited. To shed light on biotransformation processes specific of the intestinal tissue, in this study thiopurine metabolites concentrations were analyzed by an in vitro model of human healthy colon, the HCEC cell line, upon exposure to cytotoxic concentrations of azathioprine or mercaptopurine; the investigation was carried out using an innovative mass spectrometry method, that allowed the simultaneous quantification of 11 mono-, di-, and triphosphate thionucleotides. Among the 11 metabolites evaluated, TIMP, TGMP, TGDP, TGTP, MeTIMP, MeTIDP and MeTITP were detectable in HCEC cells treated with azathioprine or mercaptopurine, considering two different incubation times before the addition of the drugs (4 and 48 h). Different associations between metabolites concentrations and cytotoxicity were detected. In particular, the cytotoxicity was dependent on the TGMP, TGDP, TGTP and MeTITP concentrations after the 4 h incubation before the addition of thiopurines. This may be an indication that, to study the association between thiopurine metabolite concentrations and the cytotoxicity activity in vitro, short growth times before treatment should be used. Moreover, for the first time our findings highlight the strong correlation between cytotoxicity and thiopurine pharmacokinetics in HCEC intestinal cells in vitro suggesting that these cells could be a suitable in vitro model for studying thiopurine intestinal cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Genova
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Pelin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Veronica Di Paolo
- Laboratory of Drug Metabolism, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Luigi Quintieri
- Laboratory of Drug Metabolism, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy; Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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12
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Selvestrel D, Lucafò M, Pugnetti L, Pagarin S, Moressa V, Pastore S, Taddio A, Stocco G, Decorti G. Responses of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis to methotrexate: a genomic outlook. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2021; 17:1131-1142. [PMID: 34392756 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2021.1968833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic disease characterized by persistent joint inflammation. JIA is the most common pediatric chronic rheumatic disease and no curative therapy is currently available. Methotrexate (MTX) is an important treatment for JIA even though a high inter-individual variability in response is observed in patients. Among the factors of this variability, genetics and epigenetics might play an important role. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the results of pharmacogenetic and pharmacoepigenetic studies regarding MTX response in JIA. Studies considering epigenetic factors in JIA patients are still very limited, therefore this review includes also studies performed in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, the relevance of biomarkers measured in blood or urine of JIA patients in relation to MTX treatment is discussed. EXPERT OPINION Nowadays, even though many pharmacogenomics studies have been published, a specific genetic marker predictor of MTX efficacy or adverse events has not yet been identified. Encouraging results are available and great expectations rely on the study of epigenetics. Future studies are needed in order to identify genetic and epigenetic biomarkers that can be implemented in the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Advanced Translational Diagnostics Laboratory, Institute for Maternal and Child Health Irccs Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Letizia Pugnetti
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sofia Pagarin
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Valentina Moressa
- Advanced Translational Diagnostics Laboratory, Institute for Maternal and Child Health Irccs Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Pastore
- Advanced Translational Diagnostics Laboratory, Institute for Maternal and Child Health Irccs Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Taddio
- Advanced Translational Diagnostics Laboratory, Institute for Maternal and Child Health Irccs Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Advanced Translational Diagnostics Laboratory, Institute for Maternal and Child Health Irccs Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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13
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Curci D, Lucafò M, Cifù A, Fabris M, Bramuzzo M, Martelossi S, Franca R, Decorti G, Stocco G. Pharmacogenetic variants of infliximab response in young patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Clin Transl Sci 2021; 14:2184-2192. [PMID: 34145770 PMCID: PMC8604212 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Infliximab is commonly used in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), however, differences in clinical response among patients are common. Several studies have considered the possibility that these differences are caused by genetic variability even if no unique marker has been yet identified in pediatric patients. We evaluated the impact of two candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs396991 in FCGR3A and rs1800629 in TNFα genes on infliximab response in an Italian cohort of 76 pediatric patients with IBD. Results showed that patients with the variant FCGR3A allele had a reduced clinical response at the end of induction (p value = 0.004), at 22 weeks (p value = 0.001), and at 52 weeks of treatment (p value = 0.01). A significant association between the FCGR3A variant and median infliximab levels measured during maintenance therapy was also observed: patients with wild type genotype had higher infliximab levels compared to patient with variant allele. Furthermore, patients with the variant allele had a higher probability to produce antidrug antibodies (ADAs). No association was found among the TNFα SNP, clinical response, and infliximab levels. This study addressed for the first time in pediatric patients with IBD, the association of FCGR3A SNP, infliximab response, and ADA production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Curci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Adriana Cifù
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, S. Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy
| | - Martina Fabris
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, S. Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy
| | - Matteo Bramuzzo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Raffaella Franca
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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14
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Lucafò M, Bramuzzo M, Selvestrel D, Da Lozzo P, Decorti G, Stocco G. Gender May Influence the Immunosuppressive Actions of Prednisone in Young Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Front Immunol 2021; 12:673068. [PMID: 34054855 PMCID: PMC8158435 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.673068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the use of glucocorticoids (GC) is well established, the therapeutic response to these agents often shows important interindividual differences, in particular among young patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Currently, GC resistance or dependence cannot be predicted by clinical or laboratory findings. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of gender and age with GC efficacy and with the expression of Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper (GILZ). One hundred thirty patients (mean age at enrolment 12.6 years, 53 Crohn’s disease, 70 males) were enrolled in this retrospective study. IBD patients with active disease despite prednisone at a daily dose of up to 2 mg/kg over a period of 4 weeks were defined as steroid resistant. Patients who initially responded but relapsed upon dose reduction were considered steroid-dependent. Total RNA was extracted from biopsies of 14 patients (9 males) and the levels of GILZ mRNA were evaluated by real-time PCR. Association between clinical response to prednisone and the considered demographic variables was evaluated using logistic regression models. After 4 weeks of treatment, 112 patients were responders to prednisone and 18 were resistant; at this time-point, resistant patients were older than responders (p=0.032). After 12 weeks, 42, 71 and 12 patients were sensitive, dependent and resistant respectively; at this time-point, females were more prone than males to develop prednisone dependence vs a good response (p=0.028) while age had no effect. Age was associated with response both at 4 and 12 weeks in the subgroups of females: resistant patients were older than sensitive ones at 4 weeks (p=0.02). Likewise, at 12 weeks of therapy, dependent patients resulted older than sensitive ones (p=0.05). No association of age with prednisone response was found in males. In a subgroup of 14 patients (5 females), GILZ mRNA expression in intestinal biopsies was higher in males (p=0.0031). Patients with unfavorable response (7) presented lower GILZ expression at disease onset in comparison to the responder group (p=0.017). Older females with IBD have a higher incidence of prednisone unfavorable response and reduced intestinal expression of the GC pharmacodynamic marker GILZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Bramuzzo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Prisca Da Lozzo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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15
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Franzin M, Stefančič K, Lucafò M, Decorti G, Stocco G. Microbiota and Drug Response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Pathogens 2021; 10:211. [PMID: 33669168 PMCID: PMC7919657 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A mutualistic relationship between the composition, function and activity of the gut microbiota (GM) and the host exists, and the alteration of GM, sometimes referred as dysbiosis, is involved in various immune-mediated diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Accumulating evidence suggests that the GM is able to influence the efficacy of the pharmacological therapy of IBD and to predict whether individuals will respond to treatment. Additionally, the drugs used to treat IBD can modualate the microbial composition. The review aims to investigate the impact of the GM on the pharmacological therapy of IBD and vice versa. The GM resulted in an increase or decrease in therapeutic responses to treatment, but also to biotransform drugs to toxic metabolites. In particular, the baseline GM composition can help to predict if patients will respond to the IBD treatment with biologic drugs. On the other hand, drugs can affect the GM by incrementing or reducing its diversity and richness. Therefore, the relationship between the GM and drugs used in the treatment of IBD can be either beneficial or disadvantageous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Franzin
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Katja Stefančič
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (K.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health—IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health—IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (K.S.); (G.S.)
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16
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Lucafò M, Granata S, Bonten EJ, McCorkle R, Stocco G, Caletti C, Selvestrel D, Cozzarolo A, Zou C, Cuzzoni E, Pasini A, Montini G, Gambaro G, Decorti G, Evans W, Zaza G. Hypomethylation of NLRP3 gene promoter discriminates glucocorticoid-resistant from glucocorticoid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome patients. Clin Transl Sci 2021; 14:964-975. [PMID: 33382913 PMCID: PMC8212736 DOI: 10.1111/cts.12961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract To assess whether NLRP3 gene promoter methylation was able to discriminate glucocorticoid (GC)‐resistant from GC‐sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), patients with minimal change disease (MCD) or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), we measured the methylation level of NLRP3 promoter in DNA from peripheral blood cells of 10 adult patients with GC‐resistant FSGS already in hemodialysis and 18 patients with GC‐sensitive INS (13 MCD/5 FSGS) and in 21 pediatric patients with INS with MCD/FSGS before starting any treatment. Association of NLRP3 inflammasome with GC resistance was recapitulated in vitro in monocytic cell lines (THP‐1 and U937). In both adults and pediatric patients, NLRP3 promoter methylation was significantly reduced in GC‐resistant compared with GC‐sensitive patients. Indeed, NLRP3 methylation distinguished GC‐resistant and GC‐sensitive patients (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] 86.7% in adults, p = 0.00019, and 73.5% in children, p = 0.00097). NLRP3 knock‐down augmented sensitivity to GCs in THP‐1 cells, whereas NLRP3 inflammasome activation lowered GC receptor concentration, increasing GC resistance in U937 cells. Our results uncovered a new biological mechanism by which patients with INS may acquire GC resistance, that could be used in future as a novel noninvasive diagnostic tool. Study Highlights WHAT IS THE CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ON THE TOPIC?
☑ Approximately 80% of patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) respond to glucocorticoids, with the remaining 20% being steroid‐resistant.
WHAT QUESTION DID THIS STUDY ADDRESS?
☑ Whether NLRP3 gene promoter methylation was able to discriminate glucocorticoid‐resistant from glucocorticoid (GC)‐sensitive INS.
WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD TO OUR KNOWLEDGE?
☑ In both adults and children, NLRP3 promoter methylation was significantly reduced in leukocytes of patients with GC‐resistant compared with GC‐sensitive INS. NLRP3 inflammasome activation lowered GC receptor concentration and augmented GC resistance, whereas NLRP3 knockdown increased sensitivity to GCs in cell lines representative of monocytes (U937 and THP1).
HOW MIGHT THIS CHANGE CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY OR TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE?
☑ Our findings uncovered a new biological mechanism whereby patients with INS may develop resistance to GCs that could be used in the future as a novel noninvasive diagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Simona Granata
- Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Erik J Bonten
- Hematological Malignancies Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Robert McCorkle
- Hematological Malignancies Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Caletti
- Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | | | - Chan Zou
- Hematological Malignancies Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Eva Cuzzoni
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Pasini
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Policlinico Sant'Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Montini
- Pediatric Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplant Unit, Fondazione Ca' Granda IRCCS, Policlinico di Milano, Milano, Italy.,Giuliana and Bernardo Caprotti Chair of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Gambaro
- Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Giuliana and Bernardo Caprotti Chair of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milano, Milano, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - William Evans
- Hematological Malignancies Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Gianluigi Zaza
- Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
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17
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Lucafò M, Curci D, Bramuzzo M, Alvisi P, Martelossi S, Silvestri T, Guastalla V, Labriola F, Stocco G, Decorti G. Serum Adalimumab Levels After Induction Are Associated With Long-Term Remission in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:646671. [PMID: 34017806 PMCID: PMC8129012 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.646671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Adalimumab is effective in inducing and maintaining remission in children with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Therapeutic drug monitoring is an important strategy to maximize the response rates, but data on the association of serum adalimumab levels are lacking. This study aimed to assess the association of adalimumab concentrations at the end of induction and early during maintenance for long-term response. Materials and Methods: Serum samples for adalimumab level measurement were collected during routine visits between adalimumab administrations and therefore not necessarily at trough, both during the induction (week 4 ± 4) and maintenance phases (week 22 ± 4, 52 ± 4, and 82 ± 4). Adalimumab and anti-adalimumab antibodies were measured retrospectively using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Disease activity was determined by Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index or Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index. Results: Thirty-two children (median age 14.9 years) were enrolled. Sixteen, 15, 14, and 12 patients were in remission at weeks 4, 22, 52, and 82, respectively. Median adalimumab concentration was higher at all time points in patients achieving sustained clinical remission. Adalimumab levels correlated with clinical and biochemical variables. Adalimumab concentration above 13.85 and 7.54 μg/ml at weeks 4 and 22 was associated with remission at weeks 52 and 82. Conclusions: Adalimumab non-trough levels are associated with long-term response in pediatric patients with IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- Advanced Translational Diagnostics Laboratory, Institute for Maternal and Child Health Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Debora Curci
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Bramuzzo
- Gastroenterology, Digestive Endoscopy, and Nutrition Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health-Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS) "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Patrizia Alvisi
- Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Local health Centre (AUSL) Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Tania Silvestri
- Single metropolitan laboratory (LUM) Autoimmunity and Allergy, Local Health Centre (AUSL) Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Veronica Guastalla
- Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Flavio Labriola
- Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Local health Centre (AUSL) Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Advanced Translational Diagnostics Laboratory, Institute for Maternal and Child Health Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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18
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Franca R, Zudeh G, Lucafò M, Rabusin M, Decorti G, Stocco G. Genome wide association studies for treatment-related adverse effects of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. WIREs Mech Dis 2020; 13:e1509. [PMID: 33016644 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric hematological malignancy; notwithstanding the success of ALL therapy, severe adverse drugs effects represent a serious issue in pediatric oncology, because they could be both an additional life threatening condition for ALL patients per se and a reason to therapy delay or discontinuation with important fallouts on final outcome. Cancer treatment-related toxicities have generated a significant need of finding predictive pharmacogenomic markers for the a priori identification of at risk patients. In the era of precision medicine, high throughput genomic screening such as genome wide association studies (GWAS) might provide useful markers to tailor therapy intensity on patients' genetic profile. Furthermore, these findings could be useful in basic research for better understanding the mechanistic and regulatory pathways of the biological functions associated with ALL treatment toxicities. The purpose of this review is to give an overview of high throughput genomic screening of the last 10 years that had investigated the landscape of ALL treatment-associated toxicities. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Franca
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Zudeh
- University of Trieste, PhD Course in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Rabusin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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19
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Lucafò M, Sicari D, Chicco A, Curci D, Bellazzo A, Di Silvestre A, Pegolo C, Autry R, Cecchin E, De Iudicibus S, Collavin L, Evans W, Decorti G, Stocco G. miR-331-3p is involved in glucocorticoid resistance reversion by rapamycin through suppression of the MAPK signaling pathway. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2020; 86:361-374. [PMID: 32776229 PMCID: PMC7479018 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-020-04122-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are commonly used as therapeutic agents for immune-mediated diseases and leukemia. However, considerable inter-individual differences in efficacy have been reported. Several reports indicate that the inhibitor of mTOR rapamycin can reverse GC resistance, but the molecular mechanism involved in this synergistic effect has not been fully defined. In this context, we explored the differential miRNA expression in a GC-resistant CCRF-CEM cell line after treatment with rapamycin alone or in co-treatment with methylprednisolone (MP). The expression analysis identified 70, 99 and 96 miRNAs that were differentially expressed after treatment with MP, rapamycin and their combination compared to non-treated controls, respectively. Two pathways were exclusively altered as a result of the co-treatment: the MAPK and ErbB pathways. We validated the only miRNA upregulated specifically by the co-treatment associated with the MAPK signaling, miR-331-3p. Looking for miR-331-3p targets, MAP2K7, an essential component of the JNK/MAPK pathway, was identified. Interestingly, MAP2K7 expression was downregulated during the co-treatment, causing a decrease in terms of JNK activity. miR-331-3p in mimic-transfected cells led to a significant decrease in MAP2K7 levels and promoted the reversion of GC resistance in vitro. Interestingly, miR-331-3p expression was also associated with GC-resistance in patient leukemia cells taken at diagnosis. The combination of rapamycin with MP restores GC effectiveness through the regulation of different miRNAs, suggesting the important role of these pharmacoepigenetic factors in GC response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Daria Sicari
- National Laboratory CIB (LNCIB), AREA Science Park, Trieste, Italy.,Chemistry, Oncogenesis, Stress, Signaling (COSS), CLCC Eugene Marquis Inserm U1242, University of Rennes-1, Rennes, France
| | - Andrea Chicco
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Debora Curci
- PhD School in Science of Reproduction and Development, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Arianna Bellazzo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessia Di Silvestre
- PhD School in Science of Reproduction and Development, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Pegolo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Robert Autry
- Hematological Malignancies Program, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Erika Cecchin
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Sara De Iudicibus
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Licio Collavin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - William Evans
- Hematological Malignancies Program, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy. .,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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20
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Granata S, Stocco G, Lucafò M, Bonten E, McCorkle R, Decorti G, Gambaro G, Evans WE, Zaza G. MO006INFLAMMASOME ACTIVATOR NLRP3 HYPOMETHYLATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH GLUCOCORTICOID RESISTANCE IN PATIENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC NEPHROTIC SYNDROME. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfaa140.mo006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background and Aims
We have previously shown that the Nod-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) gene is over-expressed in leukocytes of many patients with chronic kidney disease, and studies have also shown that hypomethylation and overexpression of NLRP3 are associated with glucocorticoid resistance in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Therefore, we hypothesized that hypomethylation of the NLRP3 promoter my cause glucocorticoid resistance in patients with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome (INS) associated with minimal change disease (MCD) or focal glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).
Method
We assessed NLRP3 and Caspase 1 (CASP1) promoter methylation by SNuPE reaction in germline DNA from leukocytes of 14 glucocorticoid-resistant and 18 glucocorticoid-sensitive adult INS patients (discovery cohort) and 7 glucocorticoid-resistant and 14 glucocorticoid-sensitive pediatric INS patients with MCD/FSGS (validation cohort). The effects of NLRP3 inflammasome on glucocorticoid resistance were validated in vitro in human monocytic cell lines (THP-1 and U937).
Results
Methylation of CpG islands in the CASP1 promoter was undetectable in both groups whereas NLRP3 promoter methylation was significantly lower in glucocorticoid-resistant compared to glucocorticoid-sensitive in both adults and children.
The AUROC curve was 81.2% (p=0.0003) in adults and 73.5% (p=0.0002) in children demonstrating the capability of NLRP3 methylation to discriminate glucocorticoid-resistant versus glucocorticoid-sensitive.
Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by LPS/ATP reduced glucocorticoid receptor expression and increased glucocorticoid resistance in U937. Consistently, knockdown of NLRP3 in THP-1 increased sensitivity to glucocorticoids.
Conclusion
Our findings demonstrate a novel mechanism whereby INS patients develop resistance to glucocorticoids via leukocyte epigenetic changes of NLRP3 and reveal a new potential clinical biomarker to early detect this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Granata
- University of Verona, Renal Unit, Department of medicine, Verona, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- University of Trieste, Department of Life Sciences, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- University of Trieste, Department of Life Sciences, Trieste, Italy
| | - Erik Bonten
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Hematological Malignancies Program, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Memphis, United States of America
| | - Robert McCorkle
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Hematological Malignancies Program, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Memphis, United States of America
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- University of Trieste, Department of Life Sciences, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Gambaro
- University of Verona, Renal Unit, Department of medicine, Verona, Italy
| | - William E Evans
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Hematological Malignancies Program, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Memphis, United States of America
| | - Gianluigi Zaza
- University of Verona, Renal Unit, Department of medicine, Verona, Italy
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21
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Genova E, Cavion F, Lucafò M, Pelin M, Lanzi G, Masneri S, Ferraro RM, Fazzi EM, Orcesi S, Decorti G, Tommasini A, Giliani S, Stocco G. Biomarkers and Precision Therapy for Primary Immunodeficiencies: An
In Vitro
Study Based on Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells From Patients. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2020; 108:358-367. [DOI: 10.1002/cpt.1837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Genova
- PhD Course in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences University of Trieste Trieste Italy
- Department of Life Sciences University of Trieste Trieste Italy
| | - Federica Cavion
- Department of Life Sciences University of Trieste Trieste Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo Trieste Italy
| | - Marco Pelin
- Department of Life Sciences University of Trieste Trieste Italy
| | - Gaetana Lanzi
- ″Angelo Nocivelli” Institute for Molecular Medicine ASST Spedali Civili Brescia Italy
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine University of Brescia Brescia Italy
| | - Stefania Masneri
- ″Angelo Nocivelli” Institute for Molecular Medicine ASST Spedali Civili Brescia Italy
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine University of Brescia Brescia Italy
| | - Rosalba Monica Ferraro
- ″Angelo Nocivelli” Institute for Molecular Medicine ASST Spedali Civili Brescia Italy
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine University of Brescia Brescia Italy
| | - Elisa Maria Fazzi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit ASST Spedali Civili Brescia Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences University of Brescia Brescia Italy
| | - Simona Orcesi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences University of Pavia Italy
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit IRCCS Mondino Foundation Pavia Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo Trieste Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences University of Trieste Trieste Italy
| | - Alberto Tommasini
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo Trieste Italy
| | - Silvia Giliani
- ″Angelo Nocivelli” Institute for Molecular Medicine ASST Spedali Civili Brescia Italy
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine University of Brescia Brescia Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences University of Trieste Trieste Italy
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22
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Colombo G, Clemente N, Zito A, Bracci C, Colombo FS, Sangaletti S, Jachetti E, Ribaldone DG, Caviglia GP, Pastorelli L, De Andrea M, Naviglio S, Lucafò M, Stocco G, Grolla AA, Campolo M, Casili G, Cuzzocrea S, Esposito E, Malavasi F, Genazzani AA, Porta C, Travelli C. Neutralization of extracellular NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase) ameliorates experimental murine colitis. J Mol Med (Berl) 2020; 98:595-612. [PMID: 32338310 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-020-01892-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (eNAMPT) is increased in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, and its serum levels correlate with a worse prognosis. In the present manuscript, we show that eNAMPT serum levels are increased in IBD patients that fail to respond to anti-TNFα therapy (infliximab or adalimumab) and that its levels drop in patients that are responsive to these therapies, with values comparable with healthy subjects. Furthermore, eNAMPT administration in dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS)-treated mice exacerbates the symptoms of colitis, suggesting a causative role of this protein in IBD. To determine the druggability of this cytokine, we developed a novel monoclonal antibody (C269) that neutralizes in vitro the cytokine-like action of eNAMPT and that reduces its serum levels in rodents. Of note, this newly generated antibody is able to significantly reduce acute and chronic colitis in both DNBS- and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Importantly, C269 ameliorates the symptoms by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Specifically, in the lamina propria, a reduced number of inflammatory monocytes, neutrophils, Th1, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes are found upon C269 treatment. Our data demonstrate that eNAMPT participates in IBD and, more importantly, that eNAMPT-neutralizing antibodies are endowed with a therapeutic potential in IBD. KEY MESSAGES: What are the new findings? Higher serum eNAMPT levels in IBD patients might decrease response to anti-TNF therapy. The cytokine-like activity of eNAMPT may be neutralized with a monoclonal antibody. Neutralization of eNAMPT ameliorates acute and chronic experimental colitis. Neutralization of eNAMPT limits the expression of IBD inflammatory signature. Neutralization of eNAMPT impairs immune cell infiltration in lamina propria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Colombo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, A. Avogadro, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Nausicaa Clemente
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune & Allergic Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Andrea Zito
- Lab of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10100, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristiano Bracci
- Lab of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10100, Turin, Italy
| | - Federico Simone Colombo
- Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, 20089, Rozzano, MI, Italy
| | - Sabina Sangaletti
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Jachetti
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Gian Paolo Caviglia
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10100, Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Pastorelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Gastroenterology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Italy
| | - Marco De Andrea
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune & Allergic Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100, Novara, Italy
- Viral Pathogenesis Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, Turin Medical School, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Samuele Naviglio
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ambra A Grolla
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, A. Avogadro, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Michela Campolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina (ME), Messina, ME, Italy
| | - Giovanna Casili
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina (ME), Messina, ME, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina (ME), Messina, ME, Italy
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina (ME), Messina, ME, Italy
| | - Fabio Malavasi
- Lab of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10100, Turin, Italy
| | - Armando A Genazzani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, A. Avogadro, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Chiara Porta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, A. Avogadro, 28100, Novara, Italy.
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune & Allergic Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100, Novara, Italy.
| | - Cristina Travelli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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Abstract
Introduction: Natural and synthetic glucocorticoids are widely employed in different diseases, among which are hematological and solid tumors. Their use is however associated with a number of serious side effects and by the occurrence of resistance. With the aim of separating their gene transactivating effect, more linked to side effects, from transrepressive properties, associated with therapeutic efficacy, a number of selective glucocorticoid modulators have been identified.Areas covered: This review summarizes the patent applications from 2014 to present in the field of selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators employed in cancer therapy. Only few patents have been identified, that concern the identification of new molecules or the method of use of already patented compounds. In addition, a discussion of the mechanism of action of these compounds is included.Expert opinion: Only a very limited number of patents have been applied that concern selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators and their use in cancer. Biological information is scarce for most of these patents; more research is necessary in this field in particular concerning clinical data in order to understand whether it is actually possible to improve the efficacy and therapeutic index of these compounds in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Martina Franzin
- PhD Course in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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24
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Lucafò M, Franzin M, Lagatolla C, Franca R, Bramuzzo M, Stocco G, Decorti G. Emerging Insights on the Interaction Between Anticancer and Immunosuppressant Drugs and Intestinal Microbiota in Pediatric Patients. Clin Transl Sci 2020; 13:238-259. [PMID: 31675176 PMCID: PMC7070880 DOI: 10.1111/cts.12722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Diseases affecting the immune system, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), are pathological conditions affecting the pediatric population and are often associated with alterations in the intestinal microbiota, such as a decrease in bacterial diversity. Growing evidence suggests that gut microbiota can interfere with chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressant drugs, used in the treatment of these diseases, reducing or facilitating drug efficacy. In particular, the effect of intestinal microflora through translocation, immunomodulation, metabolism, enzymatic degradation, and reduction of bacterial diversity seems to be one of the reasons of interindividual variability in the therapeutic response. Although the extent of the role of intestinal microflora in chemotherapy and immunosuppression remains still unresolved, current evidence on bacterial compositional shifts will be taken in consideration together with clinical response to drugs for a better and personalized therapy. This review is focused on the effect of the intestinal microbiota on the efficacy of pharmacological therapy of agents used to treat IBD, JIA, and ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health – IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”TriesteItaly
| | - Martina Franzin
- PhD Course in Reproductive and Developmental SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
| | | | - Raffaella Franca
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
| | - Matteo Bramuzzo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health – IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”TriesteItaly
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health – IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”TriesteItaly
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
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25
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Genova E, Cavion F, Lucafò M, Leo LD, Pelin M, Stocco G, Decorti G. Induced pluripotent stem cells for therapy personalization in pediatric patients: Focus on drug-induced adverse events. World J Stem Cells 2019; 11:1020-1044. [PMID: 31875867 PMCID: PMC6904863 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v11.i12.1020] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are major clinical problems, particularly in special populations such as pediatric patients. Indeed, ADRs may be caused by a plethora of different drugs leading, in some cases, to hospitalization, disability or even death. In addition, pediatric patients may respond differently to drugs with respect to adults and may be prone to developing different kinds of ADRs, leading, in some cases, to more severe consequences. To improve the comprehension, and thus the prevention, of ADRs, the set-up of sensitive and personalized assays is urgently needed. Important progress is represented by the possibility of setting up groundbreaking patient-specific assays. This goal has been powerfully achieved using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Due to their genetic and physiological species-specific differences and their ability to be differentiated ideally into all tissues of the human body, this model may be accurate in predicting drug toxicity, especially when this toxicity is related to individual genetic differences. This review is an up-to-date summary of the employment of iPSCs as a model to study ADRs, with particular attention to drugs used in the pediatric field. We especially focused on the intestinal, hepatic, pancreatic, renal, cardiac, and neuronal levels, also discussing progress in organoids creation. The latter are three-dimensional in vitro culture systems derived from pluripotent or adult stem cells simulating the architecture and functionality of native organs such as the intestine, liver, pancreas, kidney, heart, and brain. Based on the existing knowledge, these models are powerful and promising tools in multiple clinical applications including toxicity screening, disease modeling, personalized and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Genova
- PhD School in Reproduction and Development Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Federica Cavion
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste 34137, Italy
| | - Luigina De Leo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste 34137, Italy
| | - Marco Pelin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy.
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste 34137, Italy
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Pagano E, Romano B, Iannotti F, Parisi O, D’Armiento M, Pignatiello S, Coretti L, Lucafò M, Venneri T, Stocco G, Lembo F, Orlando P, Capasso R, Di Marzo V, Izzo A, Borrelli F. The non-euphoric phytocannabinoid cannabidivarin counteracts intestinal inflammation in mice and cytokine expression in biopsies from UC pediatric patients. Pharmacol Res 2019; 149:104464. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Di Silvestre A, Lucafò M, Pugnetti L, Bramuzzo M, Stocco G, Barbi E, Decorti G. Role of tristetraprolin phosphorylation in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:5918-5925. [PMID: 31660029 PMCID: PMC6815796 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i39.5918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal inflammation and epithelial injury are the leading actors of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), causing an excessive pro-inflammatory cytokines expression. Tristetraprolin (TTP), an mRNA binding protein, plays a role in regulating the inflammatory factors, recognizing specific sequences on the 3’ untranslated region of cytokine mRNAs. TTP activity depends on its phosphorylation state: the unphosphorylated TTP degrades pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNAs; on the contrary, the phosphorylated TTP fails to destabilize mRNAs furthering their expression. The phospho-TTP forms a complex with the chaperone protein 14-3-3. This binding could be one of the factors that promote intestinal inflammation as a cause of disease progression.
AIM To assess if TTP phosphorylation has a role in paediatric IBD.
METHODS The study was carried out on a cohort of paediatric IBD patients. For each patient enrolled, a specimen of inflamed and non-inflamed colonic mucosa was collected. Furthermore, the experiments were conducted on macrophages differentiated from blood samples of the same patients. Macrophages from healthy donors’ blood were used as controls. Co-immunoprecipitation assay and immunoblotting analyses were performed to observe the formation of the phospho-TTP/14-3-3 complex. In the same samples TNF-α expression was also evaluated as major factor of the pro-inflammatory activity.
RESULTS In this work we studied indirectly the phosphorylation of TTP through the binding with the chaperone protein 14-3-3. In inflamed and non-inflamed colon mucosa of IBD paediatric patients immunoblot assay demonstrated a higher expression of the TTP in inflamed samples respect to the non-inflamed; the co-immunoprecipitated 14-3-3 protein showed the same trend of expression. In the TNF-α gene expression analysis higher levels of the cytokine in inflamed tissues compared to controls were evident. The same experiments were conducted on macrophages from IBD paediatric patients and healthy controls. The immunoblot results demonstrated a high expression of both TTP and co-immunoprecipitated 14-4-3 protein in IBD-derived macrophages in comparison to healthy donors. TNF-α protein levels from macrophages lysates showed the same trend of expression in favour of IBD paediatric patients compared to healthy controls.
CONCLUSION In this work, for the first time, we describe a relation between phospho-TTP/14-3-3 complex and IBD. Indeed, a higher expression of TTP/14-3-3 was recorded in IBD samples in comparison to controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Di Silvestre
- PhD School in Science of Reproduction and Development, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste 34137, Italy
| | - Letizia Pugnetti
- PhD School in Science of Reproduction and Development, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Matteo Bramuzzo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste 34137, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Egidio Barbi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste 34137, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste 34137, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
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Rabach I, Peri F, Minute M, Aru E, Lucafò M, Di Mascio A, Cozzi G, Barbi E. Sedation and analgesia in children with cerebral palsy: a narrative review. World J Pediatr 2019; 15:432-440. [PMID: 31098933 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-019-00264-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with cognitive impairment due to cerebral palsy experience pain more often than healthy peers and frequently require diagnostic and therapeutic painful procedures. Analgesia and procedural sedation outside the operating room are often required, but they may not adequately be provided because of the inability to accurately recognize and classify the state of pain and for the perceived higher risk of complications. DATA SOURCES We reviewed the available literature to highlight the specific risk factors and area of criticism, that should be further improved. We searched the Cochrane Library, Medline, Pubmed from 1987 to September 2018 using key words such as 'cerebral palsy and children and pain' or 'sedation and cerebral palsy and children'. RESULTS While different pain scales are useful in recognizing pain expressions, anxiety scales are not available. Moreover, studies on non-pharmacological techniques do not always have comparable results. Several risk factors, from anatomic abnormalities to liver and kidney functioning, should be kept in mind before proceeding with sedation. CONCLUSIONS Large trials are needed to assess the impact of non-pharmacological techniques and to evaluate which pain control strategy (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) should be used in different settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Rabach
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34100, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Peri
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34100, Trieste, Italy. .,University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Marta Minute
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34100, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Cozzi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34100, Trieste, Italy
| | - Egidio Barbi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34100, Trieste, Italy.,University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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29
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Cuzzoni E, Franca R, De Iudicibus S, Marcuzzi A, Lucafò M, Pelin M, Favretto D, Monti E, Morello W, Ghio L, La Scola C, Mencarelli F, Pasini A, Montini G, Decorti G, Stocco G. MIF plasma level as a possible tool to predict steroid responsiveness in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2019; 75:1675-1683. [PMID: 31463578 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-019-02749-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is the most frequent form of childhood nephrotic syndrome. Steroids represent the best therapeutic option; however, inter-individual differences in their efficacy and side effects have been reported. To date, there is no way to predict patients' resistance and/or dependence. Alterations in the cytokine profile of INS patients might contribute to proteinuria and glomerular damage and affect drug sensitivity. METHODS The cytokine plasma levels were measured in 21 INS children at diagnosis to investigate the association among cytokines pattern and clinical response. Patients were selected on the basis of their clinical response: 7 steroid sensitive (SS), 7 dependent (SD), and 7 resistant (SR). Significant results were then analyzed in 41 additional pediatric INS patients. RESULTS Within the 48 cytokines analyzed, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was a good predictor of steroid response. Indeed, SR patients showed significantly higher MIF plasma levels compared with all others (p = 0.022; OR = 4.3, 95%CI = 1.2-25.4): a cutoff concentration of MIF > 501 pg/ml significantly discriminated SR patients (sensitivity = 85.7%, specificity = 71.4%). On the contrary, SD patients showed lower MIF plasma levels compared with others (p = 0.010; OR = 0.12, 95%CI = 9.2 × 10-3-6.7 × 10-1). Significant results were confirmed in the entire cohort. CONCLUSIONS Our comprehensive cytokine analysis indicates that assessing MIF plasma levels at diagnosis could predict response to glucocorticoids in children with INS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Cuzzoni
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Raffaella Franca
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, 34127, Italy
| | - Sara De Iudicibus
- Institute for Maternal Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Annalisa Marcuzzi
- Institute for Maternal Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Pelin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Diego Favretto
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, 34127, Italy
| | - Elena Monti
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - William Morello
- Pediatric Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplant Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luciana Ghio
- Pediatric Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplant Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio La Scola
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Mencarelli
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pasini
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Montini
- Pediatric Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplant Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, 34127, Italy.
- Institute for Maternal Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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30
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Franca R, Curci D, Lucafò M, Decorti G, Stocco G. Therapeutic drug monitoring to improve outcome of anti-TNF drugs in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2019; 15:527-539. [PMID: 31177858 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2019.1630378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Medical treatment of pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) has been greatly changed by the introduction of a number of biologic agents that are able to target various players of the immune response. In particular, monoclonal antibodies against the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha (TNF) such as infliximab, adalimumab, and golimumab are now in the clinics both in induction and maintenance therapy, and several efforts are currently ongoing to optimize the use of these drugs in children. Areas covered: This review focuses on therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of anti-TNF levels and antidrug antibodies (ADAs), in IBD children. A revision of the analytical assays used for assessing anti-TNF plasma levels is also provided. Expert opinion: Although there is a consensus across studies that higher anti-TNF trough levels are associated with a better clinical outcome, and that early anti-TNF serum measurements could be predictive of long-term response, it is still not clear what the best predictive time of sampling is and what the ideal target drug plasma concentration to achieve. Indeed, there are a number of published studies, particularly in pediatric cohorts, limited by the population size analyzed and more prospective large studies are needed to examine the value of these predictive markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Franca
- a University of Trieste, Department of Medical , Surgical and Health Sciences , Trieste , Italy
| | - Debora Curci
- b University of Trieste, PhD Course in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences , Trieste , Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- c Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO) , Aviano , Italy.,d Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo , Trieste , Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- a University of Trieste, Department of Medical , Surgical and Health Sciences , Trieste , Italy.,d Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo , Trieste , Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- e University of Trieste , Department of Life Sciences , Trieste , Italy
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31
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Franca R, Zudeh G, Pagarin S, Rabusin M, Lucafò M, Stocco G, Decorti G. Pharmacogenetics of thiopurines. CDR 2019; 2:256-270. [PMID: 35582727 PMCID: PMC8992634 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2019.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Franca
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Giulia Zudeh
- PhD Course in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Sofia Pagarin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Marco Rabusin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste 34127, Italy
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di riferimento oncologico, I.R.C.C.S., Aviano 33081, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
- Correspondence Address: Dr. Gabriele Stocco, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via A. Fleming 22, Trieste 34127, Italy. E-mail:
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste 34127, Italy
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32
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Lucafò M, Franca R, Selvestrel D, Curci D, Pugnetti L, Decorti G, Stocco G. Pharmacogenetics of treatments for inflammatory bowel disease. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2018; 14:1209-1223. [PMID: 30465611 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2018.1551876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammation of the gut whose pathogenesis is still unclear. Although no curative therapy is currently available, a number of drugs are used in induction and maintenance therapy; however, for most of these drugs, a high inter-individual variability in response is observed. Among the factors of this variability, genetics plays an important role. Areas covered: This review summarizes the results of pharmacogenetic studies, considering the most important drugs used and in particular aminosalycilates, glucocorticoids, thiopurines, monoclonal antibodies and thalidomide. Most studies used a candidate gene approach, even if significant breakthroughs have been obtained recently from applying genome-wide studies. When available, also investigations considering epigenetics and pharmacogenetic dosing guidelines have been included. Expert opinion: Only for thiopurines, genetic markers identified as predictors of efficacy or adverse events have allowed the development of dosing guidelines. For the other drugs, encouraging results are available and great expectations rely on the study of epigenetics and integration with pharmacokinetic information, especially useful for biologics. However, to improve therapy of IBD patients with these drugs, for implementation in the clinics of pharmacogenetics, informatic clinical decision support systems and training about pharmacogenetics of health providers are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- a Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit , National Cancer Institute - Centro di Riferimento Oncologico , Aviano , Italy.,b Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo , Diagnostics Department Trieste , Italy
| | - Raffaella Franca
- b Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo , Diagnostics Department Trieste , Italy.,c Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences , University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Davide Selvestrel
- d PhD School in Science of Reproduction and Development , University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Debora Curci
- d PhD School in Science of Reproduction and Development , University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Letizia Pugnetti
- d PhD School in Science of Reproduction and Development , University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- b Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo , Diagnostics Department Trieste , Italy.,c Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences , University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- e Department of Life Sciences , University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
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33
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Lucafò M, Stankovic B, Kotur N, Di Silvestre A, Martelossi S, Ventura A, Zukic B, Pavlovic S, Decorti G. Pharmacotranscriptomic Biomarkers in Glucocorticoid Treatment of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Curr Med Chem 2018; 25:2855-2871. [PMID: 28933291 DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666170920145337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacotranscriptomics aims to reach more accurate drug dosing based on interindividual transcriptome variations. Here, we provide an overview of RNA biomarkers that could predict the response to glucocorticoids (GCs), considered the standard for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), both in adult and pediatric patients. Although new biological agents are very effective in IBD treatment, GCs are still widely used for induction of remission in patients with moderate to severe disease. It is important to identify patients that are poor responders to GCs therapy, because suboptimal response is frequent and associated with various side effects. A number of genetic variants related to GC mechanism of action has been studied. However, the majority of reported associations are not consistent. In this regard, pharmacogenomic research is now exploring the world of RNAs. An appropriate regulation of the transcriptome, which mainly comprises mRNAs and non-coding RNAs that control gene expression, has a strong impact in the modulation of GC activity. AIM The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge of the role of the transcriptome in modulating GC response in pediatric IBD. RESULTS We will discuss the available literature, concerning the development of pharmacotranscriptomic biomarkers, focusing particularly on non-coding RNAs, and present the results in this field that elucidate a concrete benefit of translating the knowledge gained in the "omics" studies into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Biljana Stankovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nikola Kotur
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Alessia Di Silvestre
- PhD School in Science of Reproduction and Development, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Martelossi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ventura
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Branka Zukic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sonja Pavlovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
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34
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De Iudicibus S, Lucafò M, Vitulo N, Martelossi S, Zimbello R, De Pascale F, Forcato C, Naviglio S, Di Silvestre A, Gerdol M, Stocco G, Valle G, Ventura A, Bramuzzo M, Decorti G. High-Throughput Sequencing of microRNAs in Glucocorticoid Sensitive Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051399. [PMID: 29738455 PMCID: PMC5983624 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this research was the identification of novel pharmacogenomic biomarkers for better understanding the complex gene regulation mechanisms underpinning glucocorticoid (GC) action in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This goal was achieved by evaluating high-throughput microRNA (miRNA) profiles during GC treatment, integrated with the assessment of expression changes in GC receptor (GR) heterocomplex genes. Furthermore, we tested the hypothesis that differentially expressed miRNAs could be directly regulated by GCs through investigating the presence of GC responsive elements (GREs) in their gene promoters. Ten IBD paediatric patients responding to GCs were enrolled. Peripheral blood was obtained at diagnosis (T0) and after four weeks of steroid treatment (T4). MicroRNA profiles were analyzed using next generation sequencing, and selected significantly differentially expressed miRNAs were validated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In detail, 18 miRNAs were differentially expressed from T0 to T4, 16 of which were upregulated and 2 of which were downregulated. Out of these, three miRNAs (miR-144, miR-142, and miR-96) could putatively recognize the 3’UTR of the GR gene and three miRNAs (miR-363, miR-96, miR-142) contained GREs sequences, thereby potentially enabling direct regulation by the GR. In conclusion, we identified miRNAs differently expressed during GC treatment and miRNAs which could be directly regulated by GCs in blood cells of young IBD patients. These results could represent a first step towards their translation as pharmacogenomic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara De Iudicibus
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health- IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Nicola Vitulo
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37100 Verona, Italy.
| | - Stefano Martelossi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health- IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Rosanna Zimbello
- CRIBI Biotechnology Centre, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy.
| | - Fabio De Pascale
- CRIBI Biotechnology Centre, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy.
| | - Claudio Forcato
- CRIBI Biotechnology Centre, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy.
| | - Samuele Naviglio
- PhD School in Science of Reproduction and Development, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Alessia Di Silvestre
- PhD School in Science of Reproduction and Development, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Valle
- CRIBI Biotechnology Centre, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Ventura
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health- IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34127 Trieste, Italy.
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Matteo Bramuzzo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health- IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health- IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34127 Trieste, Italy.
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
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35
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Christodoulou MS, Dapiaggi F, Ghiringhelli F, Pieraccini S, Sironi M, Lucafò M, Curci D, Decorti G, Stocco G, Chirumamilla CS, Vanden Berghe W, Balaguer P, Michel BY, Burger A, Beccalli EM, Passarella D, Martinet N. Imidazo[2,1- b]benzothiazol Derivatives as Potential Allosteric Inhibitors of the Glucocorticoid Receptor. ACS Med Chem Lett 2018; 9:339-344. [PMID: 29670697 PMCID: PMC5900336 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) transactivation reporter gene assays were used as an initial high-throughput screening on a diversified library of 1200 compounds for their evaluation as GCR antagonists. A class of imidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazole and imidazo[2,1-b]benzoimidazole derivatives were identified for their ability to modulate GCR transactivation and anti-inflammatory transrepression effects utilizing GCR and NF-κB specific reporter gene assays. Modeling studies on the crystallographic structure of the GCR ligand binding domain provided three new analogues bearing the tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazole scaffold able to antagonize the GCR in the presence of dexamethasone (DEX) and also defined their putative binding into the GCR structure. Both mRNA level measures of GCR itself and its target gene GILZ, on cells treated with the new analogues, showed a GCR transactivation inhibition, thus suggesting a potential allosteric inhibition of the GCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. Christodoulou
- DISFARM,
Sezione di Chimica Generale e Organica “A. Marchesini”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Venezian 21, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Federico Dapiaggi
- Department
of Chemistry, Università degli Studi
di Milano, Via Golgi
19, 20133 Milano Italy
| | - Francesca Ghiringhelli
- Department
of Chemistry, Università degli Studi
di Milano, Via Golgi
19, 20133 Milano Italy
| | - Stefano Pieraccini
- Department
of Chemistry, Università degli Studi
di Milano, Via Golgi
19, 20133 Milano Italy
- Istituto
di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari (INSTM), CNR, and INSTM, UdR Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Maurizio Sironi
- Department
of Chemistry, Università degli Studi
di Milano, Via Golgi
19, 20133 Milano Italy
- Istituto
di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari (INSTM), CNR, and INSTM, UdR Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department
of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Debora Curci
- PhD
School in Reproduction and Developmental Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department
of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Institute
for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Chandra Sekhar Chirumamilla
- Laboratory
of Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signalling, Department
of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp
(UA), 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Wim Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory
of Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signalling, Department
of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp
(UA), 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Patrick Balaguer
- IRCM,
INSERM U1194, Université Montpellier, ICM, 208 rue des Apothicaires, F-34298 Montpellier, France
| | - Benoît Y. Michel
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institut
de Chimie
de Nice, UMR 7272, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
| | - Alain Burger
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institut
de Chimie
de Nice, UMR 7272, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
| | - Egle M. Beccalli
- DISFARM,
Sezione di Chimica Generale e Organica “A. Marchesini”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Venezian 21, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Daniele Passarella
- Department
of Chemistry, Università degli Studi
di Milano, Via Golgi
19, 20133 Milano Italy
| | - Nadine Martinet
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Institut
de Chimie
de Nice, UMR 7272, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
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36
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Valencic E, Grasso AG, Conversano E, Lucafò M, Piscianz E, Gregori M, Conti F, Cancrini C, Tommasini A. Theophylline as a precision therapy in a young girl with PIK3R1 immunodeficiency. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2018; 6:2165-2167. [PMID: 29510232 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2018.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erica Valencic
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Antonio Giacomo Grasso
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ester Conversano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Elisa Piscianz
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Massimo Gregori
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Conti
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Cancrini
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine, "University of Rome Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Tommasini
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
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Pelin M, Genova E, Fusco L, Marisat M, Hofmann U, Favretto D, Lucafò M, Taddio A, Martelossi S, Ventura A, Stocco G, Schwab M, Decorti G. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of thiopurines in an in vitro model of human hepatocytes: Insights from an innovative mass spectrometry assay. Chem Biol Interact 2017; 275:189-195. [PMID: 28811125 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2017.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIM To apply an innovative LC-MS/MS method to quantify thiopurine metabolites in human hepatocytes and to associate them to cytotoxicity. METHODS Immortalized human hepatocytes (IHH cells) were treated for 48 and 96 h, with 1.4 × 10-4 M azathioprine and 1.1 × 10-3 M mercaptopurine, concentrations corresponding to the IC50 values calculated after 96 h exposure in previous cytotoxicity analysis. After treatments, cells were collected for LC-MS/MS analysis to quantify 11 thiopurine metabolites with different level of phosphorylation and viable cells were counted by trypan blue exclusion assay to determine thiopurines in vitro effect on cell growth and survival. Statistical significance was determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS Azathioprine and mercaptopurine had a significant time-dependent cytotoxic effect (p-value ANOVA = 0.012), with a viable cell count compared to controls of 55.5% and 67.5% respectively after 48 h and 23.7% and 36.1% after 96 h; no significant difference could be observed between the two drugs. Quantification of thiopurine metabolites evidenced that the most abundant metabolite was TIMP, representing 57.1% and 40.3% of total metabolites after 48 and 96 h. Total thiopurine metabolites absolute concentrations decreased over time: total mean content decreased from 469.9 pmol/million cells to 83.6 pmol/million cells (p-value ANOVA = 0.0070). However, considering the relative amount of thiopurine metabolites, TGMP content significantly increased from 11.4% cells to 26.4% (p-value ANOVA = 0.017). A significant association between thiopurine effects and viable cell counts could be detected only for MeTIMP: lower MeTIMP concentrations were associated with lower cell survival (p-value ANOVA = 0.011). Moreover, the ratio between MeTIMP and TGMP metabolites directly correlated with cell survival (p-value ANOVA = 0.037). CONCLUSION Detailed quantification of thiopurine metabolites in a human hepatocytes model provided useful insights on the association between thioguanine and methyl-thioinosine nucleotides with cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pelin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Elena Genova
- PhD School in Reproduction and Developmental Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Laura Fusco
- PhD School in Chemistry, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Monzer Marisat
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Ute Hofmann
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, D-70376 Stuttgart, Germany; University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Diego Favretto
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, I-34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Taddio
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy; Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, I-34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Martelossi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, I-34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ventura
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy; Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, I-34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Matthias Schwab
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, D-70376 Stuttgart, Germany; University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany; Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy; Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, I-34137 Trieste, Italy
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Lucafò M, Di Silvestre A, Romano M, Avian A, Antonelli R, Martelossi S, Naviglio S, Tommasini A, Stocco G, Ventura A, Decorti G, De Iudicibus S. Role of the Long Non-Coding RNA Growth Arrest-Specific 5 in Glucocorticoid Response in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2017; 122:87-93. [PMID: 28722800 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely employed in inflammatory, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases, and, despite the introduction of novel therapies, remain the first-line treatment for inducing remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Given the high incidence of suboptimal response, associated with a significant number of side-effects, that are particularly severe in paediatric patients, the identification of subjects that are most likely to respond poorly to GCs is extremely important. Recent evidence suggests that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) GAS5 could be a potential marker of GC resistance. To address this issue, we evaluated the association between the lncRNA GAS5 and the efficacy of steroids, in terms of inhibition of proliferation, in two cell lines derived from colon and ovarian cancers, to confirm the sensitivity and specificity of these lncRNAs. These cells showed a different sensitivity to GCs and revealed differential expression of GAS5 after treatment. GAS5 was up-regulated in GC-resistant cells and accumulated more in the cytoplasm compared to the nucleus in response to the drug. The functions of GAS5 were assessed by silencing, and we found that GAS5 knock-down reduced the proliferation during GC treatment. Furthermore, for the first time, we measured GAS5 levels in 19 paediatric IBD patients at diagnosis and after the first cycle of GCs, and we demonstrated an up-regulation of the lncRNA in patients with unfavourable steroid response. Our preliminary results indicate that GAS5 could be considered a novel pharmacogenomic marker useful for the personalization of GC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessia Di Silvestre
- PhD School in Science of Reproduction and Development, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Romano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alice Avian
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberta Antonelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Martelossi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Trieste, Italy
| | - Samuele Naviglio
- PhD School in Science of Reproduction and Development, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alberto Tommasini
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ventura
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara De Iudicibus
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Trieste, Italy
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Lucafò M, Bravin V, Tommasini A, Martelossi S, Rabach I, Ventura A, Decorti G, De Iudicibus S. Differential expression of GAS5 in rapamycin-induced reversion of glucocorticoid resistance. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2017; 43:602-5. [PMID: 27001230 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluates the association between the long noncoding RNA GAS5 levels and the anti-proliferative effect of the glucocorticoid (GC) methylprednisolone (MP) alone and in combination with rapamycin in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from healthy donors. The effect of MP, rapamycin, and MP plus rapamycin was determined in 17 healthy donors by labelling metabolically active cells with [methyl-3H] thymidine and the expression levels of GAS5 gene were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR TaqMan analysis. We confirmed a role for GAS5 in modulating GC response: poor responders presented higher levels of GAS5 in comparison with good responders. Interestingly, when PBMCs were treated with the combination of rapamycin plus MP, the high levels of GAS5 observed for each drug in the MP poor responders group decreased in comparison with rapamycin (P value = 0.0134) or MP alone (P value = 0.0193). GAS5 is involved in GC resistance and co-treatment of rapamycin with GCs restores GC effectiveness in poor responders through the downregulation of the long noncoding RNA. GAS5 could be considered a biomarker to personalize therapy and a novel therapeutic target useful for the development of new pharmacological approaches to restore GC sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Vanessa Bravin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alberto Tommasini
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Martelossi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Ingrid Rabach
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ventura
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara De Iudicibus
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
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Lucafò M, Stocco G, Decorti G. Emerging molecular mechanisms underlying cancer metastasis: the rising role of the long non-coding RNA GAS5. Transl Cancer Res 2016. [DOI: 10.21037/tcr.2016.10.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Pelin M, Florio C, Ponti C, Lucafò M, Gibellini D, Tubaro A, Sosa S. Pro-inflammatory effects of palytoxin: an in vitro study on human keratinocytes and inflammatory cells. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2016; 5:1172-1181. [PMID: 30090423 PMCID: PMC6060726 DOI: 10.1039/c6tx00084c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Palytoxin (PLTX) is one of the most harmful marine toxins known so far. Although the ingestion of contaminated seafood is the most dangerous exposure route for humans, cutaneous and inhalational exposures are far more frequent, and can cause strong inflammatory reactions. However, little is known about the inflammatory events that follow the cutaneous exposure to the toxin. In this study, we investigated (1) the effects of both short (2 h) and long (24 h) term exposures of HaCaT keratinocytes to a sub-cytotoxic PLTX concentration on pro-inflammatory mediator gene expression and release and (2) the effect of PLTX-conditioned HaCaT cell media on undifferentiated (monocytes) and differentiated (macrophages; immature dendritic cells, iDCs; mature dendritic cells, mDCs) THP-1 cells. At 10-11 M, PLTX induced interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 release from HaCaT keratinocytes after 24 h of continuous exposure to the toxin, as well as after 23 h in toxin-free medium preceded by 1 h exposure to PLTX. Under the same experimental conditions, release of the inflammatory mediators prostaglandin-E2 and histamine was also found after both short and long exposures to the toxin. The conditioned media collected from HaCaT cells treated with PLTX increased the migration of the differentiated and undifferentiated THP-1 cells (potency rank order: monocytes ≥ iDCs > mDCs > macrophages) but did not induce cell differentiation. These results indicate that keratinocytes can be actively involved in the recruitment of inflammatory cells in response to cutaneous contact with PLTX. The lack of a significant effect on monocyte differentiation towards mature immune cells suggests that PLTX is endowed with irritant rather than sensitizing properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pelin
- Department of Life Sciences , University of Trieste , 34127 Trieste , Italy . ; Tel: +39-040-5588835
| | - Chiara Florio
- Department of Life Sciences , University of Trieste , 34127 Trieste , Italy . ; Tel: +39-040-5588835
| | - Cristina Ponti
- Department of Life Sciences , University of Trieste , 34127 Trieste , Italy . ; Tel: +39-040-5588835
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Medical , Surgical and Health Sciences , University of Trieste , 34127 Trieste , Italy
| | - Davide Gibellini
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostic , University of Verona , 35124 Verona , Italy
| | - Aurelia Tubaro
- Department of Life Sciences , University of Trieste , 34127 Trieste , Italy . ; Tel: +39-040-5588835
| | - Silvio Sosa
- Department of Life Sciences , University of Trieste , 34127 Trieste , Italy . ; Tel: +39-040-5588835
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Abate MV, Stocco G, Devescovi R, Carrozzi M, Pierobon C, Valencic E, Lucafò M, Di Silvestre A, D'Adamo P, Tommasini A, Decorti G, Ventura A. Carbamazepine-induced thrombocytopenic purpura in a child: Insights from a genomic analysis. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2016; 59:97-9. [PMID: 27282575 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Valentina Abate
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Raffaella Devescovi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Carrozzi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Pierobon
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Erica Valencic
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessia Di Silvestre
- Graduate School in Reproduction and Developmental Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Pio D'Adamo
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alberto Tommasini
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Ventura
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy; Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
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Cuzzoni E, De Iudicibus S, Franca R, Stocco G, Lucafò M, Pelin M, Favretto D, Pasini A, Montini G, Decorti G. Glucocorticoid pharmacogenetics in pediatric idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Pharmacogenomics 2015; 16:1631-48. [PMID: 26419298 DOI: 10.2217/pgs.15.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome represents the most common type of primary glomerular disease in children: glucocorticoids (GCs) are the first-line therapy, even if considerable interindividual differences in their efficacy and side effects have been reported. Immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs are mainly due to the GC-mediated transcription regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory genes. This mechanism of action is the result of a complex multistep pathway that involves the glucocorticoid receptor and several other proteins, encoded by polymorphic genes. Aim of this review is to highlight the current knowledge on genetic variants that could affect GC response, particularly focusing on children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Cuzzoni
- Graduate School in Reproduction & Developmental Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara De Iudicibus
- Institute for Maternal & Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, I-34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Raffaella Franca
- Institute for Maternal & Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, I-34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Pelin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Diego Favretto
- Institute for Maternal & Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, I-34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Pasini
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Sant'Orsola-Malpighi, I-40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Montini
- Pediatric Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, I-20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
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Gerdol M, Puillandre N, De Moro G, Guarnaccia C, Lucafò M, Benincasa M, Zlatev V, Manfrin C, Torboli V, Giulianini PG, Sava G, Venier P, Pallavicini A. Identification and Characterization of a Novel Family of Cysteine-Rich Peptides (MgCRP-I) from Mytilus galloprovincialis. Genome Biol Evol 2015. [PMID: 26201648 PMCID: PMC4558851 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evv133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the identification of a novel gene family (named MgCRP-I) encoding short secreted cysteine-rich peptides in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. These peptides display a highly conserved pre-pro region and a hypervariable mature peptide comprising six invariant cysteine residues arranged in three intramolecular disulfide bridges. Although their cysteine pattern is similar to cysteines-rich neurotoxic peptides of distantly related protostomes such as cone snails and arachnids, the different organization of the disulfide bridges observed in synthetic peptides and phylogenetic analyses revealed MgCRP-I as a novel protein family. Genome- and transcriptome-wide searches for orthologous sequences in other bivalve species indicated the unique presence of this gene family in Mytilus spp. Like many antimicrobial peptides and neurotoxins, MgCRP-I peptides are produced as pre-propeptides, usually have a net positive charge and likely derive from similar evolutionary mechanisms, that is, gene duplication and positive selection within the mature peptide region; however, synthetic MgCRP-I peptides did not display significant toxicity in cultured mammalian cells, insecticidal, antimicrobial, or antifungal activities. The functional role of MgCRP-I peptides in mussel physiology still remains puzzling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicolas Puillandre
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Département Systématique et Evolution, ISyEB Institut (UMR 7205 CNRS/UPMC/MNHN/EPHE), Paris, France
| | | | - Corrado Guarnaccia
- Protein Structure and Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Ventislav Zlatev
- Protein Structure and Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Manfrin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Gianni Sava
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Venier
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Italy
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Bergamo A, Gerdol M, Lucafò M, Pelillo C, Battaglia M, Pallavicini A, Sava G. RNA-seq analysis of the whole transcriptome of MDA-MB-231 mammary carcinoma cells exposed to the antimetastatic drug NAMI-A. Metallomics 2015; 7:1439-50. [DOI: 10.1039/c5mt00081e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Mezzaroba N, Zorzet S, Secco E, Biffi S, Tripodo C, Calvaruso M, Mendoza-Maldonado R, Capolla S, Granzotto M, Spretz R, Larsen G, Noriega S, Lucafò M, Mansilla E, Garrovo C, Marín GH, Baj G, Gattei V, Pozzato G, Núñez L, Macor P. New potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of B-Cell malignancies using chlorambucil/hydroxychloroquine-loaded anti-CD20 nanoparticles. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74216. [PMID: 24098639 PMCID: PMC3787049 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Current B-cell disorder treatments take advantage of dose-intensive chemotherapy regimens and immunotherapy via use of monoclonal antibodies. Unfortunately, they may lead to insufficient tumor distribution of therapeutic agents, and often cause adverse effects on patients. In this contribution, we propose a novel therapeutic approach in which relatively high doses of Hydroxychloroquine and Chlorambucil were loaded into biodegradable nanoparticles coated with an anti-CD20 antibody. We demonstrate their ability to effectively target and internalize in tumor B-cells. Moreover, these nanoparticles were able to kill not only p53 mutated/deleted lymphoma cell lines expressing a low amount of CD20, but also circulating primary cells purified from chronic lymphocitic leukemia patients. Their safety was demonstrated in healthy mice, and their therapeutic effects in a new model of Burkitt's lymphoma. The latter serves as a prototype of an aggressive lympho-proliferative disease. In vitro and in vivo data showed the ability of anti-CD20 nanoparticles loaded with Hydroxychloroquine and Chlorambucil to increase tumor cell killing in comparison to free cytotoxic agents or Rituximab. These results shed light on the potential of anti-CD20 nanoparticles carrying Hydroxychloroquine and Chlorambucil for controlling a disseminated model of aggressive lymphoma, and lend credence to the idea of adopting this therapeutic approach for the treatment of B-cell disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelly Mezzaroba
- Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sonia Zorzet
- Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Erika Secco
- Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefania Biffi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health – IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Calvaruso
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ramiro Mendoza-Maldonado
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Capolla
- Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marilena Granzotto
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health – IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ruben Spretz
- LNK Chemsolutions LLC, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Gustavo Larsen
- LNK Chemsolutions LLC, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
- Bio-Target, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Sandra Noriega
- LNK Chemsolutions LLC, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Marianna Lucafò
- Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Eduardo Mansilla
- Centro Único Coordinador de Ablación e Implante Provincia de Buenos Aires, Ministry of Health, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Chiara Garrovo
- Optical Imaging Laboratory, Cluster in BioMedicine, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gustavo H. Marín
- Centro Único Coordinador de Ablación e Implante Provincia de Buenos Aires, Ministry of Health, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriele Baj
- Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Valter Gattei
- Clinical and Experimental Onco-Hematology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italy
| | - Gabriele Pozzato
- Dipartimento Universitario Clinico di Scienze mediche, Chirurgiche e della Salute, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luis Núñez
- Bio-Target, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Paolo Macor
- Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- * E-mail:
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