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Nelson TS, Duran P, Calderon-Rivera A, Gomez K, Loya-Lopez S, Khanna R. Mouse models of non-dystrophic and dystrophic myotonia exhibit nociplastic pain-like behaviors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.19.599732. [PMID: 38948724 PMCID: PMC11212949 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.19.599732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Pain is a prominent and debilitating symptom in myotonic disorders, yet its physiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study assessed preclinical pain-like behavior in murine models of pharmacologically induced myotonia and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). In both myotonia congenita and DM1, impairment of the CLCN1 gene, which encodes skeletal muscle voltage-gated CLC-1 chloride channels, reduces chloride ion conductance in skeletal muscle cells, leading to prolonged muscle excitability and delayed relaxation after contraction. We used the CLC-1 antagonist anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (9-AC) at intraperitoneal doses of 30 or 60 mg/kg and HSA LR20b DM1 mice to model CLC-1-induced myotonia. Our experimental approach included in vivo pain behavioral testing, ex vivo calcium imaging, and whole-cell current-clamp electrophysiology in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. A single injection of 9-AC induced myotonia in mice, which persisted for several hours and resulted in long-lasting allodynic pain-like behavior. Similarly, HSA LR20b mice exhibited both allodynia and hyperalgesia. Despite these pain-like behaviors, DRG neurons did not show signs of hyperexcitability in either myotonic model. These findings suggest that myotonia induces nociplastic pain-like behavior in preclinical rodents, likely through central sensitization mechanisms rather than peripheral sensitization. This study provides insights into the pathophysiology of pain in myotonic disorders and highlights the potential of using myotonic mouse models to explore pain mechanisms and assess novel analgesics. Future research should focus on the central mechanisms involved in myotonia-induced pain and develop targeted therapies to alleviate this significant clinical burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler S. Nelson
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McKnight Brain Institute, and Pain and Addiction Therapeutics (PATH) Collaboratory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Paz Duran
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Aida Calderon-Rivera
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McKnight Brain Institute, and Pain and Addiction Therapeutics (PATH) Collaboratory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Kimberly Gomez
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McKnight Brain Institute, and Pain and Addiction Therapeutics (PATH) Collaboratory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Santiago Loya-Lopez
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McKnight Brain Institute, and Pain and Addiction Therapeutics (PATH) Collaboratory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McKnight Brain Institute, and Pain and Addiction Therapeutics (PATH) Collaboratory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Altamura C, Saltarella I, Campanale C, Laghetti P, Desaphy JF. Drug repurposing in skeletal muscle ion channelopathies. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2023; 68:102329. [PMID: 36512979 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle ion channelopathies are rare genetic diseases mainly characterized by myotonia (muscle stiffness) or periodic paralysis (muscle weakness). Here, we reviewed the available therapeutic options in non-dystrophic myotonias (NDM) and periodic paralyses (PP), which consists essentially in drug repositioning to address stiffness or weakness attacks. Empirical use followed by successful randomized clinical trials eventually led to the orphan drug designation and marketing authorization granting of mexiletine for NDM and dichlorphenamide for PP. Yet, these treatments neither consider the genetic cause of the diseases nor address the individual variability in drug response. Thus, ongoing research aims at the identification of repurposed drugs alternative to mexiletine and dichlorphenamide to allow personalization of treatment. This review highlights how drug repurposing may represent an efficient strategy in rare diseases, allowing reduction of drug development time and costs in a context in which the return on investment may be particularly challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Altamura
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Giulo Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Ilaria Saltarella
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Giulo Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Carmen Campanale
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Giulo Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Paola Laghetti
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Giulo Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Jean-François Desaphy
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Giulo Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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Russell T, Gangotia D, Barry G. Assessing the potential of repurposing ion channel inhibitors to treat emerging viral diseases and the role of this host factor in virus replication. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 156:113850. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
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Statins Induce Locomotion and Muscular Phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster That Are Reminiscent of Human Myopathy: Evidence for the Role of the Chloride Channel Inhibition in the Muscular Phenotypes. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223528. [PMID: 36428957 PMCID: PMC9688544 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The underlying mechanisms for statin-induced myopathy (SIM) are still equivocal. In this study, we employ Drosophila melanogaster to dissect possible underlying mechanisms for SIM. We observe that chronic fluvastatin treatment causes reduced general locomotion activity and climbing ability. In addition, transmission microscopy of dissected skeletal muscles of fluvastatin-treated flies reveals strong myofibrillar damage, including increased sarcomere lengths and Z-line streaming, which are reminiscent of myopathy, along with fragmented mitochondria of larger sizes, most of which are round-like shapes. Furthermore, chronic fluvastatin treatment is associated with impaired lipid metabolism and insulin signalling. Mechanistically, knockdown of the statin-target Hmgcr in the skeletal muscles recapitulates fluvastatin-induced mitochondrial phenotypes and lowered general locomotion activity; however, it was not sufficient to alter sarcomere length or elicit myofibrillar damage compared to controls or fluvastatin treatment. Moreover, we found that fluvastatin treatment was associated with reduced expression of the skeletal muscle chloride channel, ClC-a (Drosophila homolog of CLCN1), while selective knockdown of skeletal muscle ClC-a also recapitulated fluvastatin-induced myofibril damage and increased sarcomere lengths. Surprisingly, exercising fluvastatin-treated flies restored ClC-a expression and normalized sarcomere lengths, suggesting that fluvastatin-induced myofibrillar phenotypes could be linked to lowered ClC-a expression. Taken together, these results may indicate the potential role of ClC-a inhibition in statin-associated muscular phenotypes. This study underlines the importance of Drosophila melanogaster as a powerful model system for elucidating the locomotion and muscular phenotypes, promoting a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying SIM.
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Altamura C, Conte E, Campanale C, Laghetti P, Saltarella I, Camerino GM, Imbrici P, Desaphy JF. Chaperone activity of niflumic acid on ClC-1 chloride channel mutants causing myotonia congenita. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:958196. [PMID: 36034862 PMCID: PMC9403836 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.958196] [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: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonia congenita (MC) is an inherited rare disease characterized by impaired muscle relaxation after contraction, resulting in muscle stiffness. It is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the skeletal muscle chloride channel ClC-1, important for the stabilization of resting membrane potential and for the repolarization phase of action potentials. Thanks to in vitro functional studies, the molecular mechanisms by which ClC-1 mutations alter chloride ion influx into the cell have been in part clarified, classifying them in “gating-defective” or “expression-defective” mutations. To date, the treatment of MC is only palliative because no direct ClC-1 activator is available. An ideal drug should be one which is able to correct biophysical defects of ClC-1 in the case of gating-defective mutations or a drug capable to recover ClC-1 protein expression on the plasma membrane for trafficking-defective ones. In this study, we tested the ability of niflumic acid (NFA), a commercial nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, to act as a pharmacological chaperone on trafficking-defective MC mutants (A531V, V947E). Wild-type (WT) or MC mutant ClC-1 channels were expressed in HEK293 cells and whole-cell chloride currents were recorded with the patch-clamp technique before and after NFA incubation. Membrane biotinylation assays and western blot were performed to support electrophysiological results. A531V and V947E mutations caused a decrease in chloride current density due to a reduction of ClC-1 total protein level and channel expression on the plasma membrane. The treatment of A531V and V947E-transfected cells with 50 µM NFA restored chloride currents, reaching levels similar to those of WT. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed in voltage dependence, suggesting that NFA increased protein membrane expression without altering the function of ClC-1. Indeed, biochemical experiments confirmed that V947E total protein expression and its plasma membrane distribution were recovered after NFA incubation, reaching protein levels similar to WT. Thus, the use of NFA as a pharmacological chaperone in trafficking defective ClC-1 channel mutations could represent a good strategy in the treatment of MC. Because of the favorable safety profile of this drug, our study may easily open the way for confirmatory human pilot studies aimed at verifying the antimyotonic activity of NFA in selected patients carrying specific ClC-1 channel mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Altamura
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
- *Correspondence: Concetta Altamura,
| | - Elena Conte
- Dept. of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Carmen Campanale
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Paola Laghetti
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Ilaria Saltarella
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Paola Imbrici
- Dept. of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Jean-François Desaphy
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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Altamura C, Conte D, Carratù MR, Desaphy JF. Target mutation-driven drug discovery. Curr Med Chem 2022; 29:5156-5158. [PMID: 35440295 DOI: 10.2174/1389450123666220418111200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Altamura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, I-70124 Italy
| | | | - Maria Rosaria Carratù
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, I-70124 Italy
| | - Jean-François Desaphy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, I-70124 Italy
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Tarantino N, Canfora I, Camerino GM, Pierno S. Therapeutic Targets in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Focus on Ion Channels and Skeletal Muscle. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030415. [PMID: 35159225 PMCID: PMC8834084 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease caused by progressive loss of motor neurons, which severely compromises skeletal muscle function. Evidence shows that muscle may act as a molecular powerhouse, whose final signals generate in patients a progressive loss of voluntary muscle function and weakness leading to paralysis. This pathology is the result of a complex cascade of events that involves a crosstalk among motor neurons, glia, and muscles, and evolves through the action of converging toxic mechanisms. In fact, mitochondrial dysfunction, which leads to oxidative stress, is one of the mechanisms causing cell death. It is a common denominator for the two existing forms of the disease: sporadic and familial. Other factors include excitotoxicity, inflammation, and protein aggregation. Currently, there are limited cures. The only approved drug for therapy is riluzole, that modestly prolongs survival, with edaravone now waiting for new clinical trial aimed to clarify its efficacy. Thus, there is a need of effective treatments to reverse the damage in this devastating pathology. Many drugs have been already tested in clinical trials and are currently under investigation. This review summarizes the already tested drugs aimed at restoring muscle-nerve cross-talk and on new treatment options targeting this tissue.
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Altamura C, Fonzino A, Tarantino N, Conte E, Liantonio A, Imbrici P, Carratù MR, Pierno S, Desaphy JF. Increased sarcolemma chloride conductance as one of the mechanisms of action of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in muscle excitability disorders. Exp Neurol 2021; 342:113758. [PMID: 33991525 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
To get insight into the mechanism of action of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI) in neuromuscular disorders, we investigated effects of dichlorphenamide (DCP) and acetazolamide (ACTZ) on ClC-1 chloride channels and skeletal muscle excitability. We performed patch-clamp experiments to test drugs on chloride currents in HEK293T cells transfected with hClC-1. Using the two-intracellular microelectrode technique in current-clamp mode, we measured the effects of drugs on the resting chloride conductance and action potential properties of sarcolemma in rat and mouse skeletal muscle fibers. Using BCECF dye fluorometry, we measured the effects of ACTZ on intracellular pH in single rat muscle fibers. Similarly to ACTZ, DCP (100 μM) increased hClC-1 chloride currents in HEK cells, because of the negative shift of the open probability voltage dependence and the slowing of deactivation kinetics. Bendroflumethiazide (BFT, 100 μM), structurally related to DCP but lacking activity on carbonic anhydrase, had little effects on chloride currents. In isolated rat muscle fibers, 50-100 μM of ACTZ or DCP, but not BFT, induced a ~ 20% increase of the resting chloride conductance. ACTZ reduced action potential firing in mouse muscle fibers. ACTZ (100 μM) reduced intracellular pH to 6.8 in rat muscle fibers. These results suggest that carbonic anhydrase inhibitors can reduce muscle excitability by increasing ClC-1 channel activity, probably through intracellular acidification. Such a mechanism may contribute in part to the clinical effects of these drugs in myotonia and other muscle excitability disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Altamura
- Section of Pharmacology, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Adriano Fonzino
- Section of Pharmacology, Dept. of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Nancy Tarantino
- Section of Pharmacology, Dept. of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Elena Conte
- Section of Pharmacology, Dept. of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella Liantonio
- Section of Pharmacology, Dept. of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Paola Imbrici
- Section of Pharmacology, Dept. of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Carratù
- Section of Pharmacology, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Sabata Pierno
- Section of Pharmacology, Dept. of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Jean-François Desaphy
- Section of Pharmacology, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
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Camerino GM, Tarantino N, Canfora I, De Bellis M, Musumeci O, Pierno S. Statin-Induced Myopathy: Translational Studies from Preclinical to Clinical Evidence. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042070. [PMID: 33669797 PMCID: PMC7921957 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Statins are the most prescribed and effective drugs to treat cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Nevertheless, these drugs can be responsible for skeletal muscle toxicity which leads to reduced compliance. The discontinuation of therapy increases the incidence of CVD. Thus, it is essential to assess the risk. In fact, many studies have been performed at preclinical and clinical level to investigate pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical implications of statin myotoxicity. Consequently, new toxicological aspects and new biomarkers have arisen. Indeed, these drugs may affect gene transcription and ion transport and contribute to muscle function impairment. Identifying a marker of toxicity is important to prevent or to cure statin induced myopathy while assuring the right therapy for hypercholesterolemia and counteracting CVD. In this review we focused on the mechanisms of muscle damage discovered in preclinical and clinical studies and highlighted the pathological situations in which statin therapy should be avoided. In this context, preventive or substitutive therapies should also be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Maria Camerino
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy and Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (G.M.C.); (N.T.); (I.C.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Nancy Tarantino
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy and Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (G.M.C.); (N.T.); (I.C.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Ileana Canfora
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy and Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (G.M.C.); (N.T.); (I.C.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Michela De Bellis
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy and Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (G.M.C.); (N.T.); (I.C.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Olimpia Musumeci
- Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Sabata Pierno
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy and Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (G.M.C.); (N.T.); (I.C.); (M.D.B.)
- Correspondence:
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Desaphy JF, Altamura C, Vicart S, Fontaine B. Targeted Therapies for Skeletal Muscle Ion Channelopathies: Systematic Review and Steps Towards Precision Medicine. J Neuromuscul Dis 2021; 8:357-381. [PMID: 33325393 PMCID: PMC8203248 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-200582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skeletal muscle ion channelopathies include non-dystrophic myotonias (NDM), periodic paralyses (PP), congenital myasthenic syndrome, and recently identified congenital myopathies. The treatment of these diseases is mainly symptomatic, aimed at reducing muscle excitability in NDM or modifying triggers of attacks in PP. OBJECTIVE This systematic review collected the evidences regarding effects of pharmacological treatment on muscle ion channelopathies, focusing on the possible link between treatments and genetic background. METHODS We searched databases for randomized clinical trials (RCT) and other human studies reporting pharmacological treatments. Preclinical studies were considered to gain further information regarding mutation-dependent drug effects. All steps were performed by two independent investigators, while two others critically reviewed the entire process. RESULTS For NMD, RCT showed therapeutic benefits of mexiletine and lamotrigine, while other human studies suggest some efficacy of various sodium channel blockers and of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) acetazolamide. Preclinical studies suggest that mutations may alter sensitivity of the channel to sodium channel blockers in vitro, which has been translated to humans in some cases. For hyperkalemic and hypokalemic PP, RCT showed efficacy of the CAI dichlorphenamide in preventing paralysis. However, hypokalemic PP patients carrying sodium channel mutations may have fewer benefits from CAI compared to those carrying calcium channel mutations. Few data are available for treatment of congenital myopathies. CONCLUSIONS These studies provided limited information about the response to treatments of individual mutations or groups of mutations. A major effort is needed to perform human studies for designing a mutation-driven precision medicine in muscle ion channelopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Desaphy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Concetta Altamura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Savine Vicart
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre de Recherche en Myologie-UMR 974, Reference center in neuro-muscular channelopathies, Institute of Myology, Hôpital Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Bertrand Fontaine
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre de Recherche en Myologie-UMR 974, Reference center in neuro-muscular channelopathies, Institute of Myology, Hôpital Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
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Altamura C, Ivanova EA, Imbrici P, Conte E, Camerino GM, Dadali EL, Polyakov AV, Kurbatov SA, Girolamo F, Carratù MR, Desaphy JF. Pathomechanisms of a CLCN1 Mutation Found in a Russian Family Suffering From Becker's Myotonia. Front Neurol 2020; 11:1019. [PMID: 33013670 PMCID: PMC7500137 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.01019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Myotonia congenita (MC) is a rare muscle disease characterized by sarcolemma over-excitability inducing skeletal muscle stiffness. It can be inherited either as an autosomal dominant (Thomsen's disease) or an autosomal recessive (Becker's disease) trait. Both types are caused by loss-of-function mutations in the CLCN1 gene, encoding for ClC-1 chloride channel. We found a ClC-1 mutation, p.G411C, identified in Russian patients who suffered from a severe form of Becker's disease. The purpose of this study was to provide a solid correlation between G411C dysfunction and clinical symptoms in the affected patient. Methods: We provide clinical and genetic information of the proband kindred. Functional studies include patch-clamp electrophysiology, biotinylation assay, western blot analysis, and confocal imaging of G411C and wild-type ClC-1 channels expressed in HEK293T cells. Results: The G411C mutation dramatically abolished chloride currents in transfected HEK cells. Biochemical experiments revealed that the majority of G411C mutant channels did not reach the plasma membrane but remained trapped in the cytoplasm. Treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 reduced the degradation rate of G411C mutant channels, leading to their expression at the plasma membrane. However, despite an increase in cell surface expression, no significant chloride current was recorded in the G411C-transfected cell treated with MG132, suggesting that this mutation produces non-functional ClC-1 chloride channels. Conclusion: These results suggest that the molecular pathophysiology of G411C is linked to a reduced plasma membrane expression and biophysical dysfunction of mutant channels, likely due to a misfolding defect. Chloride current abolition confirms that the mutation is responsible for the clinical phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Altamura
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Evgeniya A Ivanova
- N.P. Bochkov's Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Moscow, Russia
| | - Paola Imbrici
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Elena Conte
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Giulia Maria Camerino
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Elena L Dadali
- N.P. Bochkov's Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander V Polyakov
- N.P. Bochkov's Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Francesco Girolamo
- Unit of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Carratù
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Jean-François Desaphy
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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Conte E, Fonzino A, Cibelli A, De Benedictis V, Imbrici P, Nicchia GP, Pierno S, Camerino GM. Changes in Expression and Cellular Localization of Rat Skeletal Muscle ClC-1 Chloride Channel in Relation to Age, Myofiber Phenotype and PKC Modulation. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:714. [PMID: 32499703 PMCID: PMC7243361 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The ClC-1 chloride channel 1 is important for muscle function as it stabilizes resting membrane potential and helps to repolarize the membrane after action potentials. We investigated the contribution of ClC-1 to adaptation of skeletal muscles to needs induced by the different stages of life. We analyzed the ClC-1 gene and protein expression as well as mRNA levels of protein kinase C (PKC) alpha and theta involved in ClC-1 modulation, in soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of rats in all stage of life. The cellular localization of ClC-1 in relation to age was also investigated. Our data show that during muscle development ClC-1 expression differs according to phenotype. In fast-twitch EDL muscles ClC-1 expression increased 10-fold starting at 7 days up to 8 months of life. Conversely, in slow-twitch SOL muscles ClC-1 expression remained constant until 33 days of life and subsequently increased fivefold to reach the adult value. Aging induced a downregulation of gene and protein ClC-1 expression in both muscle types analyzed. The mRNA of PKC-theta revealed the same trend as ClC-1 except in old age, whereas the mRNA of PKC-alpha increased only after 2 months of age. Also, we found that the ClC-1 is localized in both membrane and cytoplasm, in fibers of 12-day-old rats, becoming perfectly localized on the membrane in 2-month-old rats. This study could represent a point of comparison helpful for the identification of accurate pharmacological strategies for all the pathological situations in which ClC-1 protein is altered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Conte
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Adriano Fonzino
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Cibelli
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Vito De Benedictis
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Paola Imbrici
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Grazia Paola Nicchia
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Sabata Pierno
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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Altamura C, Desaphy JF, Conte D, De Luca A, Imbrici P. Skeletal muscle ClC-1 chloride channels in health and diseases. Pflugers Arch 2020; 472:961-975. [PMID: 32361781 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-020-02376-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In 1970, the study of the pathomechanisms underlying myotonia in muscle fibers isolated from myotonic goats highlighted the importance of chloride conductance for skeletal muscle function; 20 years later, the human ClC-1 chloride channel has been cloned; last year, the crystal structure of human protein has been solved. Over the years, the efforts of many researchers led to significant advances in acknowledging the role of ClC-1 in skeletal muscle physiology and the mechanisms through which ClC-1 dysfunctions lead to impaired muscle function. The wide spectrum of pathophysiological conditions associated with modification of ClC-1 activity, either as the primary cause, such as in myotonia congenita, or as a secondary adaptive mechanism in other neuromuscular diseases, supports the idea that ClC-1 is relevant to preserve not only for skeletal muscle excitability, but also for skeletal muscle adaptation to physiological or harmful events. Improving this understanding could open promising avenues toward the development of selective and safe drugs targeting ClC-1, with the aim to restore normal muscle function. This review summarizes the most relevant research on ClC-1 channel physiology, associated diseases, and pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Altamura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Jean-Francois Desaphy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Diana Conte
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Annamaria De Luca
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Paola Imbrici
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
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14
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Desaphy JF, Farinato A, Altamura C, De Bellis M, Imbrici P, Tarantino N, Caccia C, Melloni E, Padoani G, Vailati S, Keywood C, Carratù MR, De Luca A, Conte D, Pierno S. Safinamide's potential in treating nondystrophic myotonias: Inhibition of skeletal muscle voltage-gated sodium channels and skeletal muscle hyperexcitability in vitro and in vivo. Exp Neurol 2020; 328:113287. [PMID: 32205118 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The antiarrhythmic sodium-channel blocker mexiletine is used to treat patients with myotonia. However, around 30% of patients do not benefit from mexiletine due to poor tolerability or suboptimal response. Safinamide is an add-on therapy to levodopa for Parkinson's disease. In addition to MAOB inhibition, safinamide inhibits neuronal sodium channels, conferring anticonvulsant activity in models of epilepsy. Here, we investigated the effects of safinamide on skeletal muscle hNav1.4 sodium channels and in models of myotonia, in-vitro and in-vivo. Using patch-clamp, we showed that safinamide reversibly inhibited sodium currents in HEK293T cells transfected with hNav1.4. At the holding potential (hp) of -120 mV, the half-maximum inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were 160 and 33 μM at stimulation frequencies of 0.1 and 10 Hz, respectively. The calculated affinity constants of safinamide were dependent on channel state: 420 μM for closed channels and 9 μM for fast-inactivated channels. The p.F1586C mutation in hNav1.4 greatly impaired safinamide inhibition, suggesting that the drug binds to the local anesthetic receptor site in the channel pore. In a condition mimicking myotonia, i.e. hp. of -90 mV and 50-Hz stimulation, safinamide inhibited INa with an IC50 of 6 μM, being two-fold more potent than mexiletine. Using the two-intracellular microelectrodes current-clamp method, action potential firing was recorded in vitro in rat skeletal muscle fibers in presence of the chloride channel blocker, 9-anthracene carboxylic acid (9-AC), to increase excitability. Safinamide counteracted muscle fiber hyperexcitability with an IC50 of 13 μM. In vivo, oral safinamide was tested in the rat model of myotonia. In this model, intraperitoneal injection of 9-AC greatly increased the time of righting reflex (TRR) due to development of muscle stiffness. Safinamide counteracted 9-AC induced TRR increase with an ED50 of 1.2 mg/kg, which is 7 times lower than that previously determined for mexiletine. In conclusion, safinamide is a potent voltage and frequency dependent blocker of skeletal muscle sodium channels. Accordingly, the drug was able to counteract abnormal muscle hyperexcitability induced by 9-AC, both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, this study suggests that safinamide may have potential in treating myotonia and warrants further preclinical and human studies to fully evaluate this possibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Desaphy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Farinato
- Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Concetta Altamura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Michela De Bellis
- Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Paola Imbrici
- Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Nancy Tarantino
- Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Carla Caccia
- Open R&D Department, Zambon S.p.A., Bresso, MI, Italy
| | - Elsa Melloni
- Open R&D Department, Zambon S.p.A., Bresso, MI, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Maria Rosaria Carratù
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Annamaria De Luca
- Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Diana Conte
- Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Sabata Pierno
- Department of Pharmacy & Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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15
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Wang K, Preisler SS, Zhang L, Cui Y, Missel JW, Grønberg C, Gotfryd K, Lindahl E, Andersson M, Calloe K, Egea PF, Klaerke DA, Pusch M, Pedersen PA, Zhou ZH, Gourdon P. Structure of the human ClC-1 chloride channel. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000218. [PMID: 31022181 PMCID: PMC6483157 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
ClC-1 protein channels facilitate rapid passage of chloride ions across cellular membranes, thereby orchestrating skeletal muscle excitability. Malfunction of ClC-1 is associated with myotonia congenita, a disease impairing muscle relaxation. Here, we present the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of human ClC-1, uncovering an architecture reminiscent of that of bovine ClC-K and CLC transporters. The chloride conducting pathway exhibits distinct features, including a central glutamate residue ("fast gate") known to confer voltage-dependence (a mechanistic feature not present in ClC-K), linked to a somewhat rearranged central tyrosine and a narrower aperture of the pore toward the extracellular vestibule. These characteristics agree with the lower chloride flux of ClC-1 compared with ClC-K and enable us to propose a model for chloride passage in voltage-dependent CLC channels. Comparison of structures derived from protein studied in different experimental conditions supports the notion that pH and adenine nucleotides regulate ClC-1 through interactions between the so-called cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) domains and the intracellular vestibule ("slow gating"). The structure also provides a framework for analysis of mutations causing myotonia congenita and reveals a striking correlation between mutated residues and the phenotypic effect on voltage gating, opening avenues for rational design of therapies against ClC-1-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaituo Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Liying Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yanxiang Cui
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Julie Winkel Missel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Grønberg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kamil Gotfryd
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Erik Lindahl
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Kirstine Calloe
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Pascal F. Egea
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Dan Arne Klaerke
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Michael Pusch
- Institute of Biophysics, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Z. Hong Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Pontus Gourdon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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16
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Altamura C, Mangiatordi GF, Nicolotti O, Sahbani D, Farinato A, Leonetti F, Carratù MR, Conte D, Desaphy JF, Imbrici P. Mapping ligand binding pockets in chloride ClC-1 channels through an integrated in silico and experimental approach using anthracene-9-carboxylic acid and niflumic acid. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:1770-1780. [PMID: 29500929 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Although chloride channels are involved in several physiological processes and acquired diseases, the availability of compounds selectively targeting CLC proteins is limited. ClC-1 channels are responsible for sarcolemma repolarization after an action potential in skeletal muscle and have been associated with myotonia congenita and myotonic dystrophy as well as with other muscular physiopathological conditions. To date only a few ClC-1 blockers have been discovered, such as anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (9-AC) and niflumic acid (NFA), whereas no activator exists. The absence of a ClC-1 structure and the limited information regarding the binding pockets in CLC channels hamper the identification of improved modulators. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Here we provide an in-depth characterization of drug binding pockets in ClC-1 through an integrated in silico and experimental approach. We first searched putative cavities in a homology model of ClC-1 built upon an eukaryotic CLC crystal structure, and then validated in silico data by measuring the blocking ability of 9-AC and NFA on mutant ClC-1 channels expressed in HEK 293 cells. KEY RESULTS We identified four putative binding cavities in ClC-1. 9-AC appears to interact with residues K231, R421 and F484 within the channel pore. We also identified one preferential binding cavity for NFA and propose R421 and F484 as critical residues. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This study represents the first effort to delineate the binding sites of ClC-1. This information is fundamental to discover compounds useful in the treatment of ClC-1-associated dysfunctions and might represent a starting point for specifically targeting other CLC proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Altamura
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - G F Mangiatordi
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - O Nicolotti
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - D Sahbani
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - A Farinato
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - F Leonetti
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - M R Carratù
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - D Conte
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - J-F Desaphy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - P Imbrici
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
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