1
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Clarke RM, Meier M, Wilson MJ. Genome-wide analysis of early vascular tunic repair and regeneration for Botrylloides digenesis reveals striking similarities to human wound healing. Dev Biol 2024; 509:28-42. [PMID: 38342399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
The early stages of regeneration after injury are similar to those of wound healing. The ascidian Botrylloides diegensis can regenerate an entire adult from a small fragment of vascular tunic following the removal of all zooids in an injury-induced regeneration model. We investigated the molecular and cellular changes following injury to determine the differences between the healing process and the initiation of whole-body regeneration (WBR). We conducted transcriptome analysis at specific time points during regeneration and wound healing to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the unique biological processes associated with each state. Our findings revealed 296 DEGs at 10 h post-injury (hpi), with 71 highly expressed in healed tissue and 225 expressed during the WBR process. These DEGs were predicted to play roles in tissue reorganization, integrin signaling, extracellular matrix organization, and the innate immune system. Pathway analysis of the upregulated genes in the healed tunic indicated functional enrichment related to tissue repair, as has been observed in other species. Additionally, we examined the cell types in the tunic and ampullae in both tissue states using histology and in situ hybridization for six genes identified by transcriptome analysis. We observed strong mRNA expression in cells within the WBR tunic, and in small RNA-positive granules near the tunic edge. We hypothesized that many of these genes function in the compaction of the ampullae tunic, which is a pivotal process for WBR and dormancy in B. diegensis, and in an immune response. These findings establish surprising similarities between ascidian regeneration and human wound healing, emphasizing the potential for future investigations into human regenerative and repair mechanisms. This study provides valuable insights into the gene sets specifically activated during regeneration compared to wound healing, shedding light on the divergent activities of these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M Clarke
- Developmental Genomics Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Michael Meier
- Developmental Genomics Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Megan J Wilson
- Developmental Genomics Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.
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2
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La Paglia L, Vazzana M, Mauro M, Urso A, Arizza V, Vizzini A. Bioactive Molecules from the Innate Immunity of Ascidians and Innovative Methods of Drug Discovery: A Computational Approach Based on Artificial Intelligence. Mar Drugs 2023; 22:6. [PMID: 38276644 PMCID: PMC10817596 DOI: 10.3390/md22010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The study of bioactive molecules of marine origin has created an important bridge between biological knowledge and its applications in biotechnology and biomedicine. Current studies in different research fields, such as biomedicine, aim to discover marine molecules characterized by biological activities that can be used to produce potential drugs for human use. In recent decades, increasing attention has been paid to a particular group of marine invertebrates, the Ascidians, as they are a source of bioactive products. We describe omics data and computational methods relevant to identifying the mechanisms and processes of innate immunity underlying the biosynthesis of bioactive molecules, focusing on innovative computational approaches based on Artificial Intelligence. Since there is increasing attention on finding new solutions for a sustainable supply of bioactive compounds, we propose that a possible improvement in the biodiscovery pipeline might also come from the study and utilization of marine invertebrates' innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura La Paglia
- Istituto di Calcolo e Reti ad Alte Prestazioni–Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (L.L.P.); (A.U.)
| | - Mirella Vazzana
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche–Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90100 Palermo, Italy; (M.V.); (M.M.); (V.A.)
| | - Manuela Mauro
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche–Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90100 Palermo, Italy; (M.V.); (M.M.); (V.A.)
| | - Alfonso Urso
- Istituto di Calcolo e Reti ad Alte Prestazioni–Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (L.L.P.); (A.U.)
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche–Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90100 Palermo, Italy; (M.V.); (M.M.); (V.A.)
| | - Aiti Vizzini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche–Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90100 Palermo, Italy; (M.V.); (M.M.); (V.A.)
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3
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Liberti A, Pollastro C, Pinto G, Illiano A, Marino R, Amoresano A, Spagnuolo A, Sordino P. Transcriptional and proteomic analysis of the innate immune response to microbial stimuli in a model invertebrate chordate. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1217077. [PMID: 37600818 PMCID: PMC10433773 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1217077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory response triggered by innate immunity can act to protect against microorganisms that behave as pathogens, with the aim to restore the homeostatic state between host and beneficial microbes. As a filter-feeder organism, the ascidian Ciona robusta is continuously exposed to external microbes that may be harmful under some conditions. In this work, we used transcriptional and proteomic approaches to investigate the inflammatory response induced by stimuli of bacterial (lipopolysaccharide -LPS- and diacylated lipopeptide - Pam2CSK4) and fungal (zymosan) origin, in Ciona juveniles at stage 4 of metamorphosis. We focused on receptors, co-interactors, transcription factors and cytokines belonging to the TLR and Dectin-1 pathways and on immune factors identified by homology approach (i.e. immunoglobulin (Ig) or C-type lectin domain containing molecules). While LPS did not induce a significant response in juvenile ascidians, Pam2CSK4 and zymosan exposure triggered the activation of specific inflammatory mechanisms. In particular, Pam2CSK4-induced inflammation was characterized by modulation of TLR and Dectin-1 pathway molecules, including receptors, transcription factors, and cytokines, while immune response to zymosan primarily involved C-type lectin receptors, co-interactors, Ig-containing molecules, and cytokines. A targeted proteomic analysis enabled to confirm transcriptional data, also highlighting a temporal delay between transcriptional induction and protein level changes. Finally, a protein-protein interaction network of Ciona immune molecules was rendered to provide a wide visualization and analysis platform of innate immunity. The in vivo inflammatory model described here reveals interconnections of innate immune pathways in specific responses to selected microbial stimuli. It also represents the starting point for studying ontogeny and regulation of inflammatory disorders in different physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assunta Liberti
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Pollastro
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pinto
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi-Consorzio Interuniversitario, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Illiano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi-Consorzio Interuniversitario, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Marino
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Amoresano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi-Consorzio Interuniversitario, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonietta Spagnuolo
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Sordino
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily Marine Centre, Messina, Italy
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4
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Marino R, Melillo D, Italiani P, Boraschi D. Environmental stress and nanoplastics' effects on Ciona robusta: regulation of immune/stress-related genes and induction of innate memory in pharynx and gut. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1176982. [PMID: 37313415 PMCID: PMC10258323 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1176982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to circulating haemocytes, the immune system of the solitary ascidian Ciona robusta relies on two organs, the pharynx and the gut, and encompasses a wide array of immune and stress-related genes. How the pharynx and the gut of C. robusta react and adapt to environmental stress was assessed upon short or long exposure to hypoxia/starvation in the absence or in the presence of polystyrene nanoplastics. We show that the immune response to stress is very different between the two organs, suggesting an organ-specific immune adaptation to the environmental changes. Notably, the presence of nanoplastics appears to alter the gene modulation induced by hypoxia/starvation in both organs, resulting in a partial increase in gene up-regulation in the pharynx and a less evident response to stress in the gut. We have also assessed whether the hypoxia/starvation stress could induce innate memory, measured as gene expression in response to a subsequent challenge with the bacterial agent LPS. Exposure to stress one week before challenge induced a substantial change in the response to LPS, with a general decrease of gene expression in the pharynx and a strong increase in the gut. Co-exposure with nanoplastics only partially modulated the stress-induced memory response to LPS, without substantially changing the stress-dependent gene expression profile in either organ. Overall, the presence of nanoplastics in the marine environment seems able to decrease the immune response of C. robusta to stressful conditions, hypothetically implying a reduced capacity to adapt to environmental changes, but only partially affects the stress-dependent induction of innate memory and subsequent responses to infectious challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Marino
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (SZN), Napoli, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Melillo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy
| | - Paola Italiani
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (SZN), Napoli, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy
- China-Italy Joint Laboratory of Pharmacobiotechnology for Medical Immunomodulation (CNR, SZN, SIAT), Shenzhen, China
| | - Diana Boraschi
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (SZN), Napoli, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy
- China-Italy Joint Laboratory of Pharmacobiotechnology for Medical Immunomodulation (CNR, SZN, SIAT), Shenzhen, China
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Vaccines, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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5
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Alesci A, Pergolizzi S, Lo Cascio P, Capillo G, Lauriano ER. Localization of vasoactive intestinal peptide and toll-like receptor 2 immunoreactive cells in endostyle of urochordate Styela plicata (Lesueur, 1823). Microsc Res Tech 2022; 85:2651-2658. [PMID: 35394101 PMCID: PMC9324221 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The endostyle is the first component of the ascidian digestive tract, it is shaped like a through and is located in the pharynx's ventral wall. This organ is divided longitudinally into nine zones that are parallel to each other. Each zone's cells are physically and functionally distinct. Support elements are found in zones 1, 3, and 5, while mucoproteins secreting elements related to the filtering function are found in zones 2, 4, and 6. Zones 7, 8, and 9, which are located in the lateral dorsal section of the endostyle, include cells with high iodine and peroxidase concentrations. Immunohistochemical technique using the following antibodies, Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR‐2) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and lectin histochemistry (WGA—wheat‐germagglutinin), were used in this investigation to define immune cells in the endostyle of Styela plicata (Lesueur, 1823). Our results demonstrate the presence of immune cells in the endostyle of S. plicata, highlighting that innate immune mechanisms are highly conserved in the phylogeny of the chordates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Alesci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Simona Pergolizzi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Patrizia Lo Cascio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gioele Capillo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology, National Research Council (IRBIM, CNR), Spianata S. Raineri, Messina, Italy
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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6
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Auguste M, Melillo D, Corteggio A, Marino R, Canesi L, Pinsino A, Italiani P, Boraschi D. Methodological Approaches To Assess Innate Immunity and Innate Memory in Marine Invertebrates and Humans. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:842469. [PMID: 35295223 PMCID: PMC8915809 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.842469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessing the impact of drugs and contaminants on immune responses requires methodological approaches able to represent real-life conditions and predict long-term effects. Innate immunity/inflammation is the evolutionarily most widespread and conserved defensive mechanism in living organisms, and therefore we will focus here on immunotoxicological methods that specifically target such processes. By exploiting the conserved mechanisms of innate immunity, we have examined the most representative immunotoxicity methodological approaches across living species, to identify common features and human proxy models/assays. Three marine invertebrate organisms are examined in comparison with humans, i.e., bivalve molluscs, tunicates and sea urchins. In vivo and in vitro approaches are compared, highlighting common mechanisms and species-specific endpoints, to be applied in predictive human and environmental immunotoxicity assessment. Emphasis is given to the 3R principle of Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research and to the application of the ARRIVE guidelines on reporting animal research, in order to strengthen the quality and usability of immunotoxicology research data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Auguste
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Daniela Melillo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy
| | - Annunziata Corteggio
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy
| | - Rita Marino
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy
| | - Laura Canesi
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pinsino
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), CNR, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paola Italiani
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy
- *Correspondence: Paola Italiani, ; Diana Boraschi,
| | - Diana Boraschi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Napoli, Italy
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Paola Italiani, ; Diana Boraschi,
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7
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Ricci L, Salmon B, Olivier C, Andreoni-Pham R, Chaurasia A, Alié A, Tiozzo S. The Onset of Whole-Body Regeneration in Botryllus schlosseri: Morphological and Molecular Characterization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:843775. [PMID: 35237607 PMCID: PMC8882763 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.843775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colonial tunicates are the only chordates that regularly regenerate a fully functional whole body as part of their asexual life cycle, starting from specific epithelia and/or mesenchymal cells. In addition, in some species, whole-body regeneration (WBR) can also be triggered by extensive injuries, which deplete most of their tissues and organs and leave behind only small fragments of their body. In this manuscript, we characterized the onset of WBR in Botryllus schlosseri, one colonial tunicate long used as a laboratory model. We first analyzed the transcriptomic response to a WBR-triggering injury. Then, through morphological characterization, in vivo observations via time-lapse, vital dyes, and cell transplant assays, we started to reconstruct the dynamics of the cells triggering regeneration, highlighting an interplay between mesenchymal and epithelial cells. The dynamics described here suggest that WBR in B. schlosseri is initiated by extravascular tissue fragments derived from the injured individuals rather than particular populations of blood-borne cells, as has been described in closely related species. The morphological and molecular datasets here reported provide the background for future mechanistic studies of the WBR ontogenesis in B. schlosseri and allow to compare it with other regenerative processes occurring in other tunicate species and possibly independently evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Ricci
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV), CNRS, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging in Nice (IRCAN), CNRS, INSERM, Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France
| | - Bastien Salmon
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV), CNRS, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Olivier
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV), CNRS, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Rita Andreoni-Pham
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV), CNRS, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging in Nice (IRCAN), CNRS, INSERM, Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France
| | - Ankita Chaurasia
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV), CNRS, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Alié
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV), CNRS, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Stefano Tiozzo
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV), CNRS, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Stefano Tiozzo,
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8
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Longo V, Parrinello D, Longo A, Parisi MG, Parrinello N, Colombo P, Cammarata M. The conservation and diversity of ascidian cells and molecules involved in the inflammatory reaction: The Ciona robusta model. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 119:384-396. [PMID: 34687879 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2021.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Ascidians are marine invertebrate chordates belonging to the earliest branch (Tunicata) in the chordate phylum, therefore, they are of interest for studying the evolution of immune systems. Due to the known genome, the non-colonial Ciona robusta, previously considered to be C. intestinalis type A, is a model species for the study of inflammatory response. The internal defense of ascidians mainly relies on hemocytes circulating in the hemolymph and pharynx. Hemocytes can be in vivo challenged by LPS injection and various granulocyte and vacuolated cell populations differentiated to produce and release inflammatory factors. Molecular biology and gene expression studies revealed complex defense mechanisms involving different inflammatory hemocytes. Furthermore, cloning procedures allowed sequence analyses and molecular studies disclose immune-related gene families including TOLL-like receptors, galectins, C-type lectins, collectins, interlectins, pentraxine-like, peroxinectins, complement factors-like, TNFα-like, IL-17-like, TGF-like, MIF-like. These genes are promptly upregulated by the inflammatory stimulus and show a time course of transcription similar to each other. Domains sequence similarity and phylogenetic relationships with the vertebrate counterparts are shedding some light on immune-related gene evolution. Selective bioassays as well as bioinformatic approaches have allowed the characterization of antimicrobial peptides and the identification of post transcriptional molecular mechanisms able of influencing dynamics of gene regulation are described. In synthesis, the purpose of this article is to further explore the topic of hemocyte and molecules related to internal defence of ascidians involved in the inflammatory reaction, as well as to discuss current and future study options through a detailed literature review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Longo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Longo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Nicolò Parrinello
- Department of Earth and Marine Science, University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Colombo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Matteo Cammarata
- Department of Earth and Marine Science, University of Palermo, Italy
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Vizzini A, Bonura A, La Paglia L, Fiannaca A, La Rosa M, Urso A, Mauro M, Vazzana M, Arizza V. Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal 2 and 4 Family Members of Cytochromes P450 (CYP) Involved in LPS Inflammatory Response in Pharynx of Ciona robusta. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011141. [PMID: 34681801 PMCID: PMC8537429 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytochromes P450 (CYP) are enzymes responsible for the biotransformation of most endogenous and exogenous agents. The expression of each CYP is influenced by a unique combination of mechanisms and factors including genetic polymorphisms, induction by xenobiotics, and regulation by cytokines and hormones. In recent years, Ciona robusta, one of the closest living relatives of vertebrates, has become a model in various fields of biology, in particular for studying inflammatory response. Using an in vivo LPS exposure strategy, next-generation sequencing (NGS) and qRT-PCR combined with bioinformatics and in silico analyses, compared whole pharynx transcripts from naïve and LPS-exposed C. robusta, and we provide the first view of cytochrome genes expression and miRNA regulation in the inflammatory response induced by LPS in a hematopoietic organ. In C. robusta, cytochromes belonging to 2B,2C, 2J, 2U, 4B and 4F subfamilies were deregulated and miRNA network interactions suggest that different conserved and species-specific miRNAs are involved in post-transcriptional regulation of cytochrome genes and that there could be an interplay between specific miRNAs regulating both inflammation and cytochrome molecules in the inflammatory response in C. robusta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiti Vizzini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche-Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.M.); (M.V.); (V.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Angela Bonura
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l’Innovazione Biomedica-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Laura La Paglia
- Istituto di Calcolo e Reti ad Alte Prestazioni-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (L.L.P.); (A.F.); (M.L.R.); (A.U.)
| | - Antonino Fiannaca
- Istituto di Calcolo e Reti ad Alte Prestazioni-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (L.L.P.); (A.F.); (M.L.R.); (A.U.)
| | - Massimo La Rosa
- Istituto di Calcolo e Reti ad Alte Prestazioni-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (L.L.P.); (A.F.); (M.L.R.); (A.U.)
| | - Alfonso Urso
- Istituto di Calcolo e Reti ad Alte Prestazioni-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (L.L.P.); (A.F.); (M.L.R.); (A.U.)
| | - Manuela Mauro
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche-Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.M.); (M.V.); (V.A.)
| | - Mirella Vazzana
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche-Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.M.); (M.V.); (V.A.)
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche-Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.M.); (M.V.); (V.A.)
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10
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Matsubara S, Osugi T, Shiraishi A, Wada A, Satake H. Comparative analysis of transcriptomic profiles among ascidians, zebrafish, and mice: Insights from tissue-specific gene expression. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254308. [PMID: 34559810 PMCID: PMC8462739 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue/organ-specific genes (TSGs) are important not only for understanding organ development and function, but also for investigating the evolutionary lineages of organs in animals. Here, we investigate the TSGs of 9 adult tissues of an ascidian, Ciona intestinalis Type A (Ciona robusta), which lies in the important position of being the sister group of vertebrates. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR identified the Ciona TSGs in each tissue, and BLAST searches identified their homologs in zebrafish and mice. Tissue distributions of the vertebrate homologs were analyzed and clustered using public RNA-seq data for 12 zebrafish and 30 mouse tissues. Among the vertebrate homologs of the Ciona TSGs in the neural complex, 48% and 63% showed high expression in the zebrafish and mouse brain, respectively, suggesting that the central nervous system is evolutionarily conserved in chordates. In contrast, vertebrate homologs of Ciona TSGs in the ovary, pharynx, and intestine were not consistently highly expressed in the corresponding tissues of vertebrates, suggesting that these organs have evolved in Ciona-specific lineages. Intriguingly, more TSG homologs of the Ciona stomach were highly expressed in the vertebrate liver (17-29%) and intestine (22-33%) than in the mouse stomach (5%). Expression profiles for these genes suggest that the biological roles of the Ciona stomach are distinct from those of their vertebrate counterparts. Collectively, Ciona tissues were categorized into 3 groups: i) high similarity to the corresponding vertebrate tissues (neural complex and heart), ii) low similarity to the corresponding vertebrate tissues (ovary, pharynx, and intestine), and iii) low similarity to the corresponding vertebrate tissues, but high similarity to other vertebrate tissues (stomach, endostyle, and siphons). The present study provides transcriptomic catalogs of adult ascidian tissues and significant insights into the evolutionary lineages of the brain, heart, and digestive tract of chordates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Matsubara
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, Kyoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Tomohiro Osugi
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akira Shiraishi
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Azumi Wada
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Honoo Satake
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, Kyoto, Japan
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Lauriano ER, Aragona M, Alesci A, Lo Cascio P, Pergolizzi S. Toll-like receptor 2 and α-Smooth Muscle Actin expressed in the tunica of a urochordate, Styela plicata. Tissue Cell 2021; 71:101584. [PMID: 34224967 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2021.101584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The tunicate, Styela plicata (Lesueur, 1823) present an open circulator system with a tubular heart and blood flowing in lacunae among organs, bathing the tissues directly. Blood vascular lacunae are present in the tunica that is situated outside the epidermis and present a fibrous structure. The cells of the tunic are in straight contact with the blood vessels or are highly mobile. Ascidians are considered model organisms in comparative immunology of the chordate, and hold an important phylogenetic position as sister group of vertebrates. In recent years, numerous studies have reported the presence of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the genome of non-mammalian organisms including invertebrates. Two TLRs, designated Ci-TLR1 and Ci-TLR2 were expressed in the stomach, intestine and in numerous hemocytes of Ciona intestinalis, demonstrating that these key transmembrane proteins are evolutionarily conserved in ascidians. In this study for the first time, hemocytes aggregates were identified by confocal immunofluorescence techniques, using TLR2 antibody in the tunica of Styela plicata; furthermore, α-Smooth Muscle Actin (α-SMA) expression has been shown in the cells lining the vessels of the tunic. Our results support the view that the TLR-mediated innate immune functions are conserved in ascidian tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, I-98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Aragona
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessio Alesci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, I-98166, Messina, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Lo Cascio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, I-98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Simona Pergolizzi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, I-98166, Messina, Italy
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Zhang Z, Wei J, Ren R, Zhang X. Anti-virus effects of interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) identified in ascidian Ciona savignyi. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 106:273-282. [PMID: 32750546 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.07.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are key transcription factors that function in the immune system via the interferon (IFN) pathway. In the current study, we identified and characterized three IRFs (CsIRFL1, CsIRFL2, and CsIRFL3) from ascidian Ciona savignyi. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CsIRFL1 was clustered with two IRFs from Ciona robusta and shrimp IRF apart from the vertebrate IRFs, whereas CsIRFL2 and CsIRFL3 were grouped with an unnamed protein from Oikopleura dioica into a sub-branch highly identifying with the vertebrate IRF4, IRF8, and IRF9. Gene expression analysis revealed that CsIRFL1 and CsIRFL2 expressed in all the examined adult tissues (stomach, intestines, eggs, hemocytes, gonad, heart, and pharynx) and predominantly in hemocytes. However, the expression of CsIRFL3 was undetectable in the tested adult tissues. Furthermore, in situ hybridization showed that CsIRFL1 and CsIRFL2 mainly expressed in immunocytes within hemolymph, including phagocytes, macrophage-like cells, morula cells, and amoebocytes, suggesting CsIRFL1 and CsIRFL2 were involved in ascidian immune responses. We then performed LPS and poly(I:C) challenge assay and found that CsIRFL1 highly expressed in the cultured hemocytes following LPS infection for 24 h. After viral analogue poly(I:C) stimulation, the expression of CsIRFL2 was dramatically upregulated from 12 to 24 h. Meanwhile, two critical components of the IFN signaling pathways, STAT and TBK1, showed the increased expression as well after poly(I:C) induction, indicating that CsIRFL2 and IFN pathways genes were activated under the infection of viral analogue. Thus, our findings suggested that CsIRFL2 was a potential transcriptional regulatory factor that participated in regulating the ascidian anti-virus immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxuan Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Jiankai Wei
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Ruimei Ren
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
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Longo V, Longo A, Martorana A, Lauria A, Augello G, Azzolina A, Cervello M, Colombo P. Identification of an LPS-Induced Chemo-Attractive Peptide from Ciona robusta. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18040209. [PMID: 32290587 PMCID: PMC7230320 DOI: 10.3390/md18040209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Previously published work has demonstrated that the LPS injection of Ciona robusta leads to the overexpression of a truncated form of an immune-related mRNA (C8short) by means of Ciona robusta (CR) alternative polyadenylation (APA) (CR-APA). Methods: The 3D structure of the C8short-derived Ciona robusta chemo-attractive peptide (CrCP) was evaluated by homology modeling. The biological activity of the CrCP was studied in vitro using a primary human dermal cell line (HuDe). Real-Time PCR was used to investigate the expression levels of genes involved in cell motility. NF-κB signaling was studied by western blotting. Results: In silico modeling showed that CrCP displayed structural characteristics already reported for a short domain of the vertebrate CRK gene, suggesting its possible involvement in cell migration mechanisms. In vitro assays demonstrated that CrCP was capable of inducing the motility of HuDe cells in both wound healing and chemo-attractive experiments. qPCR demonstrated the capability of CrCP to modulate the expression of the matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) and E-cadherin genes. Finally, western blot analysis demonstrated that treatment with CrCP induced activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our results describe the characterization of the 3D structure and chemo-attractive activity of an LPS-induced CrCP peptide from Ciona robusta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Longo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (V.L.); (A.L.); (G.A.); (A.A.); (M.C.)
| | - Alessandra Longo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (V.L.); (A.L.); (G.A.); (A.A.); (M.C.)
| | - Annamaria Martorana
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche “STEBICEF”, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (A.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Antonino Lauria
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche “STEBICEF”, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (A.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Giuseppa Augello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (V.L.); (A.L.); (G.A.); (A.A.); (M.C.)
| | - Antonina Azzolina
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (V.L.); (A.L.); (G.A.); (A.A.); (M.C.)
| | - Melchiorre Cervello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (V.L.); (A.L.); (G.A.); (A.A.); (M.C.)
| | - Paolo Colombo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (V.L.); (A.L.); (G.A.); (A.A.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-91-6809535
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Peronato A, Drago L, Rothbächer U, Macor P, Ballarin L, Franchi N. Complement system and phagocytosis in a colonial protochordate. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 103:103530. [PMID: 31669308 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.103530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the present work, we investigated, in the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri, the role of complement C3 (BsC3) in phagocytosis. We studied the modulation of BsC3 transcription in the course of the colonial blastogenetic cycle, with particular reference to the takeover, when apoptotic cells in the tissues of old zooids are cleared by circulating phagocytes. In situ hybridisation with BsC3 riboprobes labelled only morula cells, the most abundant haemocytes. Anti-hC3 antibody recognised morula cells and also phagocytes when haemocytes were previously incubated with zymosan. The inhibition of C3 activation prevented the labelling of phagocytes. In phagocytosis assays with haemocytes from colonies injected with anti-hC3 antibody or bsc3 iRNA, the capability to ingest target cells was significantly (p < 0.001) reduced. Therefore, our results strongly support a key role of BsC3 in phagocytosis and open to new investigations on the nature of the receptors of the products of BsC3 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Drago
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Macor
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
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Melillo D, Marino R, Della Camera G, Italiani P, Boraschi D. Assessing Immunological Memory in the Solitary Ascidian Ciona robusta. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1977. [PMID: 31475017 PMCID: PMC6707023 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune defensive mechanisms active in the solitary ascidian Ciona robusta include phagocytic and encapsulating activity, largely brought about by phagocytic cells within the haemocyte population, the presence of complement components, which have been molecularly and functionally identified, and expression of a number of immune-related genes and pathways, identified by genome-based homology with vertebrate counterparts. Since C. robusta only displays highly conserved innate immune mechanisms, being devoid of an adaptive immune system, this organism is an excellent model for studying the features of innate memory, i.e., the capacity of the innate immune system to re-programming its responsiveness to potentially dangerous agents upon repeated exposure. In this study, we have developed an in vivo model for assessing the establishment and molecular/functional features of innate memory, by sequentially exposing C. robusta to a priming stimulus (microbial molecules), followed by a period of resting to return to basal conditions, and a challenge with microbial agents in homologous or cross-stimulation. The endpoints of immune activation were a functional activity (phagocytosis) and the molecular profiles of immune-related gene expression. The results show that exposure of C. robusta to microbial agents induces a reaction that primes animals for developing a different (expectedly more protective) response to subsequent challenges, showing the effective establishment of an immune memory. This immune memory relies on the modulation of a number of different mechanisms, some of which are priming-specific, others that are challenge-specific, and others that are non-specific, i.e., are common to all priming/challenge combinations (e.g., up-regulation of the Tnf and Lbp genes). Memory-dependent expression of the humoral immunity-related gene C3ar inversely correlates with memory-dependent variations of phagocytic rate, suggesting that complement activation and phagocytosis are alternative defensive mechanisms in C. robusta. Conversely, memory-dependent expression of the cellular immunity-related gene Cd36 directly correlates with variations of phagocytic rate, suggesting a direct involvement of this gene in the functional regulation of phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Melillo
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Marino
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Giacomo Della Camera
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Italiani
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), Naples, Italy
| | - Diana Boraschi
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), Naples, Italy.,Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
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Cancemi P, Di Falco F, Feo S, Arizza V, Vizzini A. The gelatinase MMP-9like is involved in regulation of LPS inflammatory response in Ciona robusta. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 86:213-222. [PMID: 30453047 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of endopeptidases collectively able to degrade the components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), with important roles in many biological processes, such as embryogenesis, normal tissue remodelling, angiogenesis and wound healing. New views on the function of MMPs reveal that they regulate inflammatory response and therefore might represent an early step in the evolution of the immune system. MMPs can affect the activity of cytokines involved in inflammation including TGF-β and TNF-α. MMPs are widely distributed in all kingdoms of life and have likely evolved from a single-domain protein which underwent successive rounds of duplications. In this study, we focused on the Ciona robusta (formerly known as Ciona intestinalis) MMP gelatinase homologue. Gene organization, phylogenetic analysis and 3D modeling supported the closest correlation of C. robusta gelatinase with the human MMP-9. Real-time PCR analysis and zymographic assay showed a prompt expression induced by LPS inoculation and an upregulation of enzymatic activity. Furthermore, we showed that before of the well-known increase of TGF-β and TNF-α levels, a MMP-9like boost occurred, suggesting a possible involvement of MMP-9like in regulating inflammatory response in C. robusta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Cancemi
- Department of Biological Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Advanced Technologies Network Center (ATeN), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Felicia Di Falco
- Department of Biological Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Feo
- Department of Biological Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Advanced Technologies Network Center (ATeN), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Department of Biological Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Aiti Vizzini
- Department of Biological Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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Melillo D, Marino R, Italiani P, Boraschi D. Innate Immune Memory in Invertebrate Metazoans: A Critical Appraisal. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1915. [PMID: 30186286 PMCID: PMC6113390 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of developing immunological memory, a characteristic feature of adaptive immunity, is clearly present also in innate immune responses. In fact, it is well known that plants and invertebrate metazoans, which only have an innate immune system, can mount a faster and more effective response upon re-exposure to a stimulus. Evidence of immune memory in invertebrates comes from studies in infection immunity, natural transplantation immunity, individual, and transgenerational immune priming. These studies strongly suggest that environment and lifestyle take part in the development of immunological memory. However, in several instances the formal correlation between the phenomenon of immune memory and molecular and functional immune parameters is still missing. In this review, we have critically examined the cellular and humoral aspects of the invertebrate immune memory responses. In particular, we have focused our analysis on studies that have addressed immune memory in the most restrictive meaning of the term, i.e., the response to a challenge of a quiescent immune system that has been primed in the past. These studies highlight the central role of an increase in the number of immune cells and of their epigenetic re-programming in the establishment of sensu stricto immune memory in invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Melillo
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry (IBP), National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Marino
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Italiani
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry (IBP), National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Diana Boraschi
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry (IBP), National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy.,Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
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Identification of CPE and GAIT elements in 3'UTR of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) involved in inflammatory response induced by LPS in Ciona robusta. Mol Immunol 2018; 99:66-74. [PMID: 29702356 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Revised: 04/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Innate immune responses face infectious microorganisms by inducing inflammatory responses. Multiple genes within distinct functional categories are coordinately and temporally regulated by transcriptional 'on' and 'off' switches that account for the specificity of gene expression in response to external stimuli. Mechanisms that control transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation are important in coordinating the initiation and resolution of inflammation. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an important cytokine that, in Ciona robusta, is related to inflammatory response. It is well known that in C. robusta, formerly known as Ciona intestinalis, the pharynx is involved in the inflammatory reaction induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in the body wall. Using this biological system, we describe the identification of two C. robusta MIFs (CrMIF1 and CrMIF2). The phylogenetic tree and modeling support a close relationship with vertebrate MIF family members. CrMIF1 and CrMIF2 possess two evolutionally conserved catalytic sites: a tautomerase and an oxidoreductase site with a conserved CXXC motif. Real-time PCR analysis shows a prompt expression induced by LPS inoculation in CrMIF1 and a late upregulation of CrMIF2 and in silico analyses of 3'UTR show a cis-acting GAIT element and a CPE element in 3'-UTR, which are not present in the 3'-UTR of CrMIF1, suggesting that different transcriptional and post-transcriptional control mechanisms are involved in the regulation of gene expression of MIF during inflammatory response in C. robusta.
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Parrinello D, Sanfratello MA, Parisi MG, Vizzini A, Cammarata M. In the ovary of Ciona intestinalis (Type A), immune-related galectin and phenoloxidase genes are differentially expressed by the follicle accessory cells. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 72:452-458. [PMID: 29146447 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2017.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2017] [Revised: 11/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Riboprobes (in situ hybridization) and antibodies (immunohistochemistry), previously used to show the upregulation of Ciona intestinalis (Type A) galectins (CiLgals-a, CiLgals-b) and phenoloxidase (CinPO2) immune-related genes, were tested on histological sections of the ovary. The ovarian follicles are composed of oocytes encased by follicular cells (FCs) and test cells (TCs). Results show the transcription upregulation of both CiLgals and CinPO2 genes in the vitellogenic FCs, conversely distinct cytolocalization of the proteins are shown. At vitellogenic stage, the CiLgals are localized in the FCs, in the oocyte cytoplasm, and close to the germinal vesicle (GV), whereas the CinPO2 was never identified in the FCs. In a presumptive advanced phase and at the post-vitellogenic stage the TCs appear to be labelled by the CinPO2 riboprobe, and the protein identified by the antibody suggesting an mRNA transcytosis process from FCs. At post-vitellogenic stage the CiLgals mainly enrich the GV nucleoplasm, whereas the CinPO2 is contained in TCs and in the ooplasm but never found in the GV. This finding sheds new light on a former paper in which TCs were reported to be the only CinPO2-producing cells in the ovarian follicle. Finally, CiLgals and CinPO2 genes transcription and proteins production seem to be associated with accessory cells during their differentiation from vitellogenic to post-vitellogenic stage. The present findings promote further research on the early upregulation of immune-related genes, and the potential multifunctional role of the produced proteins. In addition further insight on the accessory cells involvement in ascidian oogenesis are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Parrinello
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Maria Giovanna Parisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, Palermo, Italy
| | - Aiti Vizzini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matteo Cammarata
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, Palermo, Italy.
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Franchi N, Ballarin L. Immunity in Protochordates: The Tunicate Perspective. Front Immunol 2017; 8:674. [PMID: 28649250 PMCID: PMC5465252 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tunicates are the closest relatives of vertebrates, and their peculiar phylogenetic position explains the increasing interest toward tunicate immunobiology. They are filter-feeding organisms, and this greatly influences their defense strategies. The majority of the studies on tunicate immunity were carried out in ascidians. The tunic acts as a first barrier against pathogens and parasites. In addition, the oral siphon and the pharynx represent two major, highly vascularized, immune organs, where circulating hemocytes can sense non-self material and trigger immune responses that, usually, lead to inflammation and phagocytosis. Inflammation involves the recruitment of circulating cytotoxic, phenoloxidase (PO)-containing cells in the infected area, where they degranulate as a consequence of non-self recognition and release cytokines, complement factors, and the enzyme PO. The latter, acting on polyphenol substrata, produces cytotoxic quinones, which polymerize to melanin, and reactive oxygen species, which induce oxidative stress. Both the alternative and the lectin pathways of complement activation converge to activate C3: C3a and C3b are involved in the recruitment of hemocytes and in the opsonization of foreign materials, respectively. The interaction of circulating professional phagocytes with potentially pathogenic foreign material can be direct or mediated by opsonins, either complement dependent or complement independent. Together with cytotoxic cells, phagocytes are active in the encapsulation of large materials. Cells involved in immune responses, collectively called immunocytes, represent a large fraction of hemocytes, and the presence of a cross talk between cytotoxic cells and phagocytes, mediated by secreted humoral factors, was reported. Lectins play a pivotal role as pattern-recognition receptors and opsonizing agents. In addition, variable region-containing chitin-binding proteins, identified in the solitary ascidian Ciona intestinalis, control the settlement and colonization of bacteria in the gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Franchi
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Parrinello D, Sanfratello MA, Vizzini A, Testasecca L, Parrinello N, Cammarata M. The Ciona intestinalis immune-related galectin genes (CiLgals-a and CiLgals-b) are expressed by the gastric epithelium. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 62:24-30. [PMID: 28034836 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2016.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The transcription of two Ciona intestinalis galectin genes (CiLgals-a and CiLgals-b) is uparegulated by LPS in the pharynxis (hemocytes, vessel epithelium, endostilar zones) which is retained the main organ of the immunity. In this ascidian, for the first time we show, by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods, that these two immune-related genes are expressed in the gastric epithelium of naïve ascidians, whereas the galectins appear to be only contained in the intestine columnar epithelium. In addition, according to previous results on the pharynx, the genes are also expressed and galectins produced by hemocytes scattered in the connective tissue surrounding the gut. The genes expression and galectin localization in several tissues, including the previous findings on the transcription upregulation, the constitutive expression of these genes by endostylar zones and by the gastric epithelium suggest a potential multifunctional role of these galectins. In this respect, it is of interest to define where the CiLgals are normally found as related to the tissue functions. Such an approach should be a starting point for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Parrinello
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Aiti Vizzini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lelia Testasecca
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Nicolò Parrinello
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matteo Cammarata
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy.
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Vizzini A, Bonura A, Longo V, Sanfratello MA, Parrinello D, Cammarata M, Colombo P. Isolation of a novel LPS-induced component of the ML superfamily in Ciona intestinalis. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 53:70-78. [PMID: 26159403 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2015.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
ML superfamily represents a group of proteins playing important roles in lipid metabolism and innate immune response. In this study, we report the identification of the first component of the ML superfamily in the invertebrate Ciona intestinalis by means of a subtractive hybridization strategy. Sequence homology and phylogenetic analysis showed that this protein forms a specific clade with vertebrate components of the Niemann-Pick type C2 protein and, for this reason, it has been named Ci-NPC2. The putative Ci-NPC2 is a 150 amino acids long protein with a short signal peptide, seven cysteine residues, three putative lipid binding site and a three-dimensional model showing a characteristic β-strand structure. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that the Ci-NPC2 protein is positively upregulated after LPS inoculum with a peak of expression 1 h after challenge. Finally, in-situ hybridization demonstrated that the Ci-NPC2 protein is preferentially expressed in hemocytes inside the vessel lumen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiti Vizzini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Angela Bonura
- Istituto di Biomedicina ed Immunologia Molecolare "Alberto Monroy" del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valeria Longo
- Istituto di Biomedicina ed Immunologia Molecolare "Alberto Monroy" del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Parrinello
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matteo Cammarata
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Colombo
- Istituto di Biomedicina ed Immunologia Molecolare "Alberto Monroy" del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, Palermo, Italy.
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Vizzini A, Parrinello D, Sanfratello MA, Trapani MR, Mangano V, Parrinello N, Cammarata M. Upregulated transcription of phenoloxidase genes in the pharynx and endostyle of Ciona intestinalis in response to LPS. J Invertebr Pathol 2015; 126:6-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2015.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Revised: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Vizzini A, Di Falco F, Parrinello D, Sanfratello MA, Mazzarella C, Parrinello N, Cammarata M. Ciona intestinalis interleukin 17-like genes expression is upregulated by LPS challenge. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 48:129-137. [PMID: 25305501 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2014.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Revised: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In humans, IL-17 is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a key role in the clearance of extracellular bacteria promoting cell infiltration and production of several cytokines and chemokines. Here, we report on three Ciona intestinalis IL-17 homologues (CiIL17-1, CiIL17-2, CiIL17-3). The gene organization, phylogenetic tree and modeling supported the close relationship with the mammalian IL-17A and IL-17F suggesting that the C. intestinalis IL-17 genes share a common ancestor in the chordate lineages. Real time PCR analysis showed a prompt expression induced by LPS inoculation suggesting that they are involved in the first phase of inflammatory response. In situ hybridization assays disclosed that the genes transcription was upregulated in the pharynx, the main organ of the ascidian immune system, and expressed by hemocytes (granulocytes and univacuolar refractile granulocyte) inside the pharynx vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiti Vizzini
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Felicia Di Falco
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniela Parrinello
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Sanfratello
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudia Mazzarella
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Nicolò Parrinello
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matteo Cammarata
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy.
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Parrinello D, Sanfratello MA, Vizzini A, Parrinello N, Cammarata M. Ciona intestinalis galectin (CiLgals-a and CiLgals-b) genes are differentially expressed in endostyle zones and challenged by LPS. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 42:171-176. [PMID: 25449708 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2014.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2014] [Revised: 09/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization assays were performed to answer the question whether the endostyle, that is the initial gastro-intestinal trait of Ciona intestinalis pharynx, is involved in galectin (CiLgals-a and CiLgals-b) production during the pharynx inflammatory response to LPS inoculation. Specific anti-CiLgal-a and anti-CiLgals-b antibodies, and oligonucleotide probes, that mark inflammatory hemocytes inside the pharynx vessels and vessel epithelium as shown by a previous paper, were assayed on endostyle histological sections. For the first time, we show that galectins are produced by endostyle zones, and both CiLgals-a and -b genes are upregulated by LPS. CiLgals-a and CiLgals-b are constitutively expressed in the endostyle zone 2 and 3, respectively, both genes are upregulated by LPS in the zone 2, and CiLgals-b in the zone 3 and 4. The antibody-reacting material contained in intracellular and extracellular large vesicles suggest an unexpected vesicle-dependent transporting mechanism of galectins not provided with signal peptide. Differential expression and gene upregulation in not-treated and LPS-treated specimens, support the role of endostyle galectins both in filter feeding and defense responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Parrinello
- University of Palermo, Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Via Archirafi, 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Sanfratello
- University of Palermo, Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Via Archirafi, 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Aiti Vizzini
- University of Palermo, Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Via Archirafi, 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Nicolò Parrinello
- University of Palermo, Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Via Archirafi, 18, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matteo Cammarata
- University of Palermo, Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Via Archirafi, 18, Palermo, Italy.
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Franchi N, Ballarin L. Preliminary characterization of complement in a colonial tunicate: C3, Bf and inhibition of C3 opsonic activity by compstatin. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 46:430-438. [PMID: 24877658 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2014.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The complement system is a fundamental effector mechanism of the innate immunity in both vertebrates and invertebrates. The comprehension of its roots in the evolution is a useful step to understand how the main complement-related proteins had changed in order to adapt to new environmental conditions and life-cycles or, in the case of vertebrates, to interact with the adaptive immunity. Data on organisms evolutionary close to vertebrates, such as tunicates, are of primary importance for a better understanding of the changes in immune responses associated with the invertebrate-vertebrate transition. Here we report on the characterization of C3 and Bf transcripts from the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri (BsC3 and BsBf, respectively), a reliable model organism for immunobiological research, and present a comparative analysis of amino acid sequences of C3s and Bfs suggesting that, in deuterostomes, the structure of these proteins remained largely unchanged. We also present new data on the cells responsible of the expression of BsC3 and BsBf showing that cytotoxic immunocytes are the sole cells where the relative transcripts can be found. Finally, using the C3 specific inhibitor compstatin, we demonstrate the opsonic role of BsC3 in accordance with the idea that promotion of phagocytosis is one of the main function of C3 in metazoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Franchi
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35100 Padova, Italy.
| | - Loriano Ballarin
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35100 Padova, Italy
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Vizzini A, Parrinello D, Sanfratello MA, Mangano V, Parrinello N, Cammarata M. Ciona intestinalis peroxinectin is a novel component of the peroxidase-cyclooxygenase gene superfamily upregulated by LPS. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 41:59-67. [PMID: 23562573 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2013.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Revised: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 03/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Peroxinectins function as hemoperoxidase and cell adhesion factor involved in invertebrate immune reaction. In this study, the ascidian (Ciona intestinalis) peroxinectin gene (CiPxt) and its expression during the inflammatory response have been examined. CiPxt is a new member of the peroxidase-cyclooxygenase gene superfamily that contains both the peroxidase domain and the integrin KGD (Lys-Gly-Asp) binding motif. A phylogenetic tree showed that CiPxt is very close to the chordate group and appears to be the outgroup of mammalian MPO, EPO and TPO clades. The CiPxt molecular structure model resulted superimposable to the human myeloperoxidase. The CiPxt mRNA expression is upregulated by LPS inoculation suggesting it is involved in C. intestinalis inflammatory response. The CiPxt was expressed in hemocytes (compartment/morula cells), vessel epithelium, and unilocular refractile granulocytes populating the inflamed tunic matrix and in the zones 7, 8 and 9 of the endostyle, a special pharynx organs homolog to the vertebrate thyroid gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiti Vizzini
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy
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Vizzini A, Bonura A, Parrinello D, Sanfratello MA, Longo V, Colombo P. LPS challenge regulates gene expression and tissue localization of a Ciona intestinalis gene through an alternative polyadenylation mechanism. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63235. [PMID: 23646203 PMCID: PMC3639994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2012] [Accepted: 04/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A subtractive hybridization strategy for the identification of differentially expressed genes was performed between LPS-challenged and naive Ciona intestinalis. This strategy allowed the characterization of two transcripts (Ci8short and Ci8long) generated by the use of two Alternative Polyadenylation sites. The Ci8long transcript contains a protein domain with relevant homology to several components of the Receptor Transporting Protein (RTP) family not present in the Ci8short mRNA. By means of Real Time PCR and Northern Blot, the Ci8short and Ci8long transcripts showed a different pattern of gene expression with the Ci8short mRNA being strongly activated after LPS injection in the pharynx. In situ hybridization analysis demonstrated that the activation of the APA site also influenced the tissue localization of the Ci8short transcript. This analysis showed that the Ci8long mRNA was expressed in hemocytes meanwhile the Ci8short mRNA was highly transcribed also in vessel endothelial cells and in the epithelium of pharynx. These findings demonstrated that regulation of gene expression based on different polyadenylation sites is an ancestral powerful strategy influencing both the level of expression and tissue distribution of alternative transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiti Vizzini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Palermo, Italy
| | - Angela Bonura
- Istituto di Biomedicina ed Immunologia Molecolare “Alberto Monroy” del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniela Parrinello
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Longo
- Istituto di Biomedicina ed Immunologia Molecolare “Alberto Monroy” del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Colombo
- Istituto di Biomedicina ed Immunologia Molecolare “Alberto Monroy” del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
- * E-mail:
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