Role of FAP48 in HIV‐associated lipodystrophy

Adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells under tenofovir alafenamide, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and integrase strand transfer inhibitors selective challenge: an in-vitro model

OBJECTIVE

Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are a class of antiretroviral therapy (ART) medications with a good tolerability profile and a high genetic barrier to HIV drug resistance. However, several studies report significant weight gain among persons receiving INSTI-based ART regimens compared with other regimens.

DESIGN

In-vitro model of adipogenesis.

METHODS

We used 3T3-L1 cells to investigate the effects of the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), alone or in combination with INSTIs: raltegravir (RAL), elvitegravir (ELV), dolutegravir (DTG), and bictegravir (BIC) on adipose differentiation. To monitor adipocyte differentiation, expression levels of PPARɣ and C/EBPα and the intracellular lipid accumulation by Red Oil staining were used. Furthermore, we evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of ER-TR7, a fibroblastic marker, after INSTIs treatment.

RESULTS

Compared with control, INSTIs were able to increase adipogenesis, especially RAL and ELV. TAF and TDF inhibited adipogenesis alone and in combination with INSTIs. This ability was more evident when TAF was used in combination with DTG and BIC. Finally, INSTIs increased the expression of ER-TR7 compared with control and cells treated with TAF or TDF.

CONCLUSION

Our data support the evidence that in-vitro challenge of 3T3-L1 cells with INSTIs is able to increase adipocytic differentiation and to drive a number of these cells toward the expression of fibroblastic features, with a different degree according to the various drugs used whereas TAF and TDF have an antagonistic role on this phenomenon.

SARS-CoV-2 and inflammatory responses: From mechanisms to the potential therapeutic use of intravenous immunoglobulin

A novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for a severe acute respiratory syndrome called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Due to its extreme transmissibility with droplets and human contacts, in a few months, it has become a pandemic. Nowadays, no effective therapy is available, and the scientific community is moving to find a therapeutic choice to fight this silent enemy. Studies are ongoing on several therapeutic options, including antiviral agents, immunomodulant drugs, and immunotherapy. Due to viral features, including the ability to start an inflammatory response that seems to be the fulcrum of COVID-19 pathogenic action, immunotherapy could represent a promising alternative waiting for the vaccine. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), already used in other infectious diseases, could represent an effective help. The aim of this narrative review is to reassemble the clinical experiences on the use of IVIg in COVID-19 and the rationale of its use.

Definition of a Novel Plasmid-Based Gene Transfection Protocol of Mammalian Skeletal Muscles by Means of In Vivo Electroporation

We describe an original electroporation protocol for in vivo plasmid DNA transfection. The right hind limbs of C57 mice are exposed to a specifically designed train of permeabilizing electric pulses by transcutaneous application of tailored needle electrodes, immediately after the injection of pEGFP-C1 plasmid encoding GFP (Green Fluorescente Protein). The electroporated rodents show a greater GFP expression than the controls at three different time points (4, 10, and 15 days). The electroporated muscles display only mild interstitial myositis, with a significant increase in inflammatory cell infiltrates. Finally, mild gait abnormalities are registered in electroporated mice only in the first 48 h after the treatment. This protocol has proven to be highly efficient in terms of expression levels of the construct, is easy to apply since it does not require surgical exposure of the muscle and is well tolerated by the animals because it does not cause evident morphological and functional damage to the electroporated muscle.

Differential expression of several factors involved in placental development in normal and abnormal condition

The placenta, a temporary organ that forms during pregnancy, is the largest fetal organ and the first to develop. It is recognized as an organ that plays a vital role as a metabolic and physical barrier in the fetoplacental unit; throughout fetal development it acts as the lungs, gut, kidneys, and liver of the fetus. When its two components, the fetal and the maternal one, successfully interact, pregnancy proceeds healthily. However, in some cases there may be pregnancy disorders, such as preeclampsia (PE) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which can lead to a different outcome for the mother and the newborn. In recent years, several studies have been conducted to try to understand how the expression of factors involved in the development of the placenta varies under pathological conditions compared with normal conditions. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent discoveries in this field.

Therapeutic effects of turmeric in several diseases: An overview

A nutraceutical product can be defined as a substance that has a physiological benefit or provides protection against chronic diseases. The term nutraceutical is a hybrid term derived from the union of "nutrition" and "pharmaceutical". The list of studied nutraceuticals is constantly changing and reflects ongoing market developments, research and consumer interest. Spices, in addition to giving color and taste to foods, are also important nutraceutical. Spices have been an integral part of human diets and commerce for millennia but recently, the recognition of the link between health and nutrition has strengthened their importance in the food sector and sparked the interest of researchers who increasingly engage in trying to determine the mechanisms of action of spices and the countless beneficial properties attributed to them. Among the many existing spices, turmeric is one of the most studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticancer properties. The purpose of this review is to briefly summarize the fundamental characteristics of turmeric and give an overview of the use of this spice in several diseases.

Different Cell Cycle Modulation in SKOV-3 Ovarian Cancer Cell Line by Anti-HIV Drugs

Antiretroviral drugs used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have proven to be effective even against cancer. Drawing from this background, the aim of our research project was to evaluate the effects of anti-HIV drugs that belong to the nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor [NRTI; abacavir (ABC) and tenofovir (TDF)], nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor [NNRTI; efavirenz (EFV) and etravirine (ETR)], and protease inhibitor [PI; darunavir (DRV)] categories on ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line SKOV-3. Using FACS analysis, we observed that treatment with NRTIs and NNRTIs showed a block in the G₀/G₁ phase. In particular, ETR displayed a relevant block in the progression of the G₀/G₁ phase of the cell cycle compared with the other examined drugs, and it also induced differentiation of SKOV-3 cells. In contrast, FACS analysis demonstrated that ABC and the PI inhibitor DRV showed no effect on the proliferation of cancer cells. DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining demonstrated that cells treated with NNRTIs (EFV and ETR) presented more DNA damage compared with other treatments. Immunoblotting analysis demonstrated that TDF, EFV, and ETR were able to obtain a reduction in the expression of cyclin D1 and Rb hypophosphorylation, and an increase in p21 concentration. Finally, we observed that ETR also induced differentiation, as demonstrated by Western blot, with high levels of E-cadherin expression. Therefore, our study provides additional evidence supporting the in vitro cytotoxic effects of ETR and EFV. Furthermore, it promotes the hypothesis for their potential use as therapeutic agents in ovarian cancer.