1
|
Giunta S, D'Amico AG, Maugeri G, Bucolo C, Romano GL, Rossi S, Eandi CM, Pricoco E, D'Agata V. Drug-Repurposing Strategy for Dimethyl Fumarate. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:974. [PMID: 37513886 PMCID: PMC10386358 DOI: 10.3390/ph16070974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In the area of drug discovery, repurposing strategies represent an approach to discover new uses of approved drugs besides their original indications. We used this approach to investigate the effects of dimethyl fumarate (DMF), a drug approved for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and psoriasis treatment, on early injury associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR). We used an in vivo streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of STZ in rats, and after 1 week, a group of animals was treated with a daily intraperitoneal injection of DMF or a vehicle. Three weeks after diabetes induction, the retinal expression levels of key enzymes involved in DR were evaluated. In particular, the biomarkers COX-2, iNOS, and HO-1 were assessed via Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. Diabetic rats showed a significant retinal upregulation of COX-2 and iNOS compared to the retina of normal rats (non-diabetic), and an increase in HO-1 was also observed in the STZ group. This latter result was due to a mechanism of protection elicited by the pathological condition. DMF treatment significantly induced the retinal expression of HO-1 in STZ-induced diabetic animals with a reduction in iNOS and COX-2 retinal levels. Taken together, these results suggested that DMF might be useful to counteract the inflammatory process and the oxidative response in DR. In conclusion, we believe that DMF represents a potential candidate to treat diabetic retinopathy and warrants further in vivo and clinical evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Giunta
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Agata Grazia D'Amico
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Grazia Maugeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology (CERFO), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Romano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology (CERFO), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Settimio Rossi
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Chiara M Eandi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elisabetta Pricoco
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Velia D'Agata
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology (CERFO), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nieto-Alamilla G, Behan M, Hossain M, Gochuico BR, Malicdan MCV. Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome: Gene therapy for pulmonary fibrosis. Mol Genet Metab 2022; 137:187-191. [PMID: 36088816 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2022.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and often fatal lung disease that manifests in most patients with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) type 1. Although the pathobiology of HPS pulmonary fibrosis is unknown, several studies highlight the pathogenic roles of different cell types, including type 2 alveolar epithelial cells, alveolar macrophages, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and immune cells. Despite the identification of the HPS1 gene and progress in understanding the pathobiology of HPS pulmonary fibrosis, specific treatment for HPS pulmonary fibrosis is not available, emphasizing the need to identify cellular and molecular targets and to develop therapeutic strategies for this devastating disease. This commentary summarizes recent advances and aims to provide insights into gene therapy for HPS pulmonary fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Nieto-Alamilla
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Molly Behan
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Mahin Hossain
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America; Undergraduate Scholarship Program, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Bernadette R Gochuico
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America.
| | - May Christine V Malicdan
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America; Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Do Extracellular RNAs Provide Insight into Uveal Melanoma Biology? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13235919. [PMID: 34885029 PMCID: PMC8657116 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The study of RNAs in the extracellular environment in physiological and pathological conditions has become a growing field of research with intriguing applications in diagnostics and prognostics. Such extracellular RNAs are passively or actively released by all cells into biological fluids to spread biological signals to other cells. The perturbation of such RNA-based cell-to-cell communications in cancer can be easily identified by molecular analysis of liquid biopsies, even if source cells secreting RNAs are often elusive. In uveal melanoma (UM), extracellular RNAs can be assayed in serum, plasma, and vitreous and aqueous humor. In this review, we explore the possibility that extracellular RNA alterations in UM could partially match with RNA dysregulations observed in tumor tissues and provide information to better understand UM biology. Abstract Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignant tumor in adults, showing a high mortality due to metastasis. Although it is considered a rare disease, a growing number of papers have reported altered levels of RNAs (i.e., coding and non-coding RNAs) in cancerous tissues and biological fluids from UM patients. The presence of circulating RNAs, whose dysregulation is associated with UM, paved the way to the possibility of exploiting it for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. However, the biological meaning and the origin of such RNAs in blood and ocular fluids of UM patients remain unexplored. In this review, we report the state of the art of circulating RNAs in UM and debate whether the amount and types of RNAs measured in bodily fluids mirror the RNA alterations from source cancer cells. Based on literature data, extracellular RNAs in UM patients do not represent, with rare exceptions, a snapshot of RNA dysregulations occurring in cancerous tissues, but rather the complex and heterogeneous outcome of a systemic dysfunction, including immune system activity, that modifies the mechanisms of RNA delivery from several cell types.
Collapse
|
4
|
Hu L, Liu Y, Wei C, Jin H, Mei L, Wu C. SERPINH1, Targeted by miR-29b, Modulated Proliferation and Migration of Human Retinal Endothelial Cells Under High Glucose Conditions. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2021; 14:3471-3483. [PMID: 34377003 PMCID: PMC8350151 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s307771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM In the present study, we performed bioinformatics studies and in vitro functional assays to explore the underlying role of serpin family H member 1 (SERPINH1) in the diabetic retinopathy. METHODS Common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between diabetic retinal tissues and normal retinal tissues were analyzed using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The proliferation and migration of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) was evaluated by MTS, EdU and wound healing assays, respectively; the miRNA and mRNAs expression levels of hub genes in HRECs were determined using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Protein levels were determined using a Western blot assay. RESULTS A total of 189 common DEGs were screened between two GEO datasets (GSE60436 and GSE94019), and ten potential hub genes that may link to the progression of diabetic retinopathy were detected. The qRT-PCR results showed that collagen, type I, alpha 1 (COL1A1), Collagen, type I, alpha 2 (COL1A2) and serpin family H member 1 (SERPINH1) mRNA expression levels were up-regulated in the HRECs after being exposed to high glucose for 48 h. Silence of SERPINH1 repressed the high glucose-induced increase in proliferation and migration of HRECs. SERPINH1 was a target of miR-29b and was suppressed by miR-29 in HRECs. SERPINH1 overexpression promoted HREC proliferation and migration. Furthermore, miR-29b suppressed HREC proliferation and migration under high-glucose stimulation, which was significantly attenuated by enforced expression of SERPINH1. CONCLUSION In conclusion, by performing the integrated bioinformatics analysis, the present study suggested that 3 hub genes (COL1A1, COL1A2 and SERPINH1) may be associated with diabetic retinopathy pathophysiology. Further mechanistic studies indicated that miR-29b/SERPINH1 signaling participated in high glucose-induced enhancement in the proliferation and migration of HRECs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingfei Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yinping Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chaobing Wei
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huixiang Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lixin Mei
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Changfan Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Changfan Wu Tel +86- 13909632351 Email
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhou L, Zhang S, Zhang L, Li F, Sun H, Feng J. MiR-199a-3p inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of endothelial cells and retinal pericytes of diabetic retinopathy rats through regulating FGF7 via EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway. J Recept Signal Transduct Res 2020; 41:19-31. [PMID: 32586178 DOI: 10.1080/10799893.2020.1783556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE MiR-199a-3p is low expressed in diabetic retinopathy (DR). In the current study, we investigated the effects of miR-199a-3p on DR and the potential mechanisms. METHODS A DR rat model was established, and endothelial cells (ECs) and retinal pericytes (RPs) were extracted from the DR model rats to detect miR-199a-3p expression. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) was a target gene for miR-199a-3p, which was confirmed by dual-luciferase assay. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation assay, wound-healing, and Transwell assay. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and Western blot were performed to detect the expressions of mRNAs and proteins. RESULTS MiR-199a-3p was low expressed and FGF7 was high-expressed in ECs and RPs. Overexpressed miR-199a-3p suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion, and FGF7 expression of ECs and RPs. However, overexpression of FGF7 effectively eliminated the suppressive effects of miR-199a-3p overexpression malignant behaviors of the cells. Meanwhile, up-regulation of FGF7 noticeably reversed the phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) and the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) reduced by miR-199a-3p. CONCLUSION Our findings revealed that in the DR rat model, miR-199a-3p inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of EC and RP through targeting FGF7 and inhibiting the activation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway. This study may provide a new direction for the search for the treatment of DR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second People's Hospital of Huai'an, Huai'an, China
| | - Suozhi Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Huai'an Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Huai'an, China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Operating Room, Huai'an First People's Hospital, Huai'an, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second People's Hospital of Huai'an, Huai'an, China
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second People's Hospital of Huai'an, Huai'an, China
| | - Jun Feng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second People's Hospital of Huai'an, Huai'an, China
| |
Collapse
|