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Scaramuzzo RT, Crucitta S, del Re M, Cammalleri M, Bagnoli P, Dal Monte M, Pini A, Filippi L. β3-adREnoceptor Analysis in CORD Blood of Neonates (β3 RECORD): Study Protocol of a Pilot Clinical Investigation. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:776. [PMID: 38929758 PMCID: PMC11204445 DOI: 10.3390/life14060776] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective: The embryo and the fetus develop in a physiologically hypoxic environment, where vascularization is sustained by HIF-1, VEGF, and the β-adrenergic system. In animals, β3-adrenoceptors (β3-ARs), up-regulated by hypoxia, favor global fetal wellness to such an extent that most diseases related to prematurity are hypothesized to be induced or aggravated by a precocious β3-AR down-regulation, due to premature exposure to a relatively hyperoxic environment. In animals, β3-AR pharmacological agonism is currently investigated as a possible new therapeutic opportunity to counteract oxygen-induced damages. Our goal is to translate the knowledge acquired in animals to humans. Recently, we have demonstrated that fetuses become progressively more hypoxemic from mid-gestation to near-term, but starting from the 33rd-34th week, oxygenation progressively increases until birth. The present paper aims to describe a clinical research protocol, evaluating whether the expression level of HIF-1, β3-ARs, and VEGF is modulated by oxygen during intrauterine and postnatal life, in a similar way to animals. Materials and Methods: In a prospective, non-profit, single-center observational study we will enroll 100 preterm (group A) and 100 full-term newborns (group B). We will collect cord blood samples (T0) and measure the RNA expression level of HIF-1, β3-ARs, and VEGF by digital PCR. In preterms, we will also measure gene expression at 48-72h (T1), 14 days (T2), and 30 days (T3) of life and at 40 ± 3 weeks of post-menstrual age (T4), regardless of the day of life. We will compare group A (T0) vs. group B (T0) and identify any correlations between the values obtained from serial samples in group A and the clinical data of the patients. Our protocol has been approved by the Pediatric Ethical Committee for Clinical Research of the Tuscany region (number 291/2022). Expected Results: The observation that in infants, the HIF-1/β3-ARs/VEGF axis shows similar modulation to that of animals could suggest that β3-ARs also promote fetal well-being in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefania Crucitta
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.C.); (M.d.R.)
| | - Marzia del Re
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.C.); (M.d.R.)
| | - Maurizio Cammalleri
- Unit of General Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.); (P.B.); (M.D.M.)
| | - Paola Bagnoli
- Unit of General Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.); (P.B.); (M.D.M.)
| | - Massimo Dal Monte
- Unit of General Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.); (P.B.); (M.D.M.)
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy;
| | - Luca Filippi
- Neonatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Neonatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Nikolaeva M, Arefieva A, Babayan A, Aksenov V, Zhukova A, Kalinina E, Krechetova L, Sukhikh G. Stress Biomarkers Transferred Into the Female Reproductive Tract by Seminal Plasma Are Associated with ICSI Outcomes. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:1732-1746. [PMID: 38393625 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01486-y] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine whether male stress is related to seminal stress biomarkers and pregnancy achievement in women exposed to their partner's seminal plasma (SP) in the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle. In this pilot prospective study, 20 couples undergoing ICSI, as well as 5 fertile sperm donors and 10 saliva donors, were investigated. Women were exposed to their partner's SP via unprotected sexual intercourse during the ICSI cycle and intravaginal application on the day of ovum pick-up (Day-OPU). Semen samples were collected from male partners by masturbation on the Day-OPU. Saliva and serum samples were collected prior to masturbation. Body fluids were frozen at - 80 °C until assayed. Biomarkers of activity of the sympathetic adrenomedullary axis (salivary alpha-amylase and adrenaline), sympathetic neural axis (noradrenaline and dopamine), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system (cortisol), and immune system (C-reactive protein and interleukin (IL)-18) were estimated to examine their association with SP composition and clinical pregnancy achievement. The clinical pregnancy rate was 45.0%. In the unsuccessful ICSI group, blunted levels of salivary and serum cortisol were found compared to the successful ICSI group and the fertile sperm donors. With regard to seminal markers, decreased cortisol level and elevated noradrenaline, noradrenaline/cortisol ratio, and lL-18 levels were strongly associated with ICSI failure (areas under the ROC curves were, 0.813, 0.848, 0.899, and 0.828, respectively). These findings confirm that stress response systems activity affects SP composition, which in turn is associated with ICSI outcomes in women exposed to their partner's SP during an ICSI cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Nikolaeva
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named After Academician V.I. Kulakov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alla Arefieva
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named After Academician V.I. Kulakov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alina Babayan
- Department of Assisted Technologies in Treatment of Infertility, National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named After Academician V.I. Kulakov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Anastasia Zhukova
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named After Academician V.I. Kulakov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Kalinina
- Department of Assisted Technologies in Treatment of Infertility, National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named After Academician V.I. Kulakov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Liubov Krechetova
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named After Academician V.I. Kulakov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Gennady Sukhikh
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named After Academician V.I. Kulakov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
- First Moscow State Medical University Named After I.M. Sechenov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
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Aquilani R, Brugnatelli S, Maestri R, Iadarola P, Corallo S, Pagani A, Serra F, Bellini A, Buonocore D, Dossena M, Boschi F, Verri M. Chemotherapy-Induced Changes in Plasma Amino Acids and Lipid Oxidation of Resected Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Background for Future Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5300. [PMID: 38791339 PMCID: PMC11121634 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105300] [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: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have documented that FOLFOX and XELOX therapies negatively impact the metabolism of skeletal muscle and extra-muscle districts. This pilot study tested whether three-month FOLFOX or XELOX therapy produced changes in plasma amino acid levels (PAAL) (an estimation of whole-body amino acid metabolism) and in plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid hyper oxidation. Fourteen ambulatory, resected patients with colorectal cancer scheduled to receive FOLFOX (n = 9) or XELOX (n = 5) therapy, after overnight fasting, underwent peripheral venous blood sampling, to determine PAAL and MDA before, during, and at the end of three-month therapy. Fifteen healthy matched subjects (controls) only underwent measures of PAAL at baseline. The results showed changes in 87.5% of plasma essential amino acids (EAAs) and 38.4% of non-EAAs in patients treated with FOLFOX or XELOX. These changes in EAAs occurred in two opposite directions: EAAs decreased with FOLFOX and increased or did not decrease with XELOX (interactions: from p = 0.034 to p = 0.003). Baseline plasma MDA levels in both FOLFOX and XELOX patients were above the normal range of values, and increased, albeit not significantly, during therapy. In conclusion, three-month FOLFOX or XELOX therapy affected plasma EAAs differently but not the baseline MDA levels, which were already high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Aquilani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (R.A.); (P.I.); (A.B.); (D.B.); (M.D.)
| | - Silvia Brugnatelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (S.B.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (F.S.)
| | - Roberto Maestri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering of the Montescano Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27040 Montescano, Italy;
| | - Paolo Iadarola
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (R.A.); (P.I.); (A.B.); (D.B.); (M.D.)
| | - Salvatore Corallo
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (S.B.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (F.S.)
| | - Anna Pagani
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (S.B.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (F.S.)
| | - Francesco Serra
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (S.B.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (F.S.)
| | - Anna Bellini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (R.A.); (P.I.); (A.B.); (D.B.); (M.D.)
| | - Daniela Buonocore
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (R.A.); (P.I.); (A.B.); (D.B.); (M.D.)
| | - Maurizia Dossena
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (R.A.); (P.I.); (A.B.); (D.B.); (M.D.)
| | - Federica Boschi
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Manuela Verri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (R.A.); (P.I.); (A.B.); (D.B.); (M.D.)
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Pasha A, Tondo A, Favre C, Calvani M. Inside the Biology of the β3-Adrenoceptor. Biomolecules 2024; 14:159. [PMID: 38397396 PMCID: PMC10887351 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020159] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the first discovery in 1989, the β3-adrenoceptor (β3-AR) has gained great attention because it showed the ability to regulate many physiologic and metabolic activities, such as thermogenesis and lipolysis in brown and white adipose tissue, respectively (BAT, WAT), negative inotropic effects in cardiomyocytes, and relaxation of the blood vessels and the urinary bladder. The β3-AR has been suggested as a potential target for cancer treatment, both in adult and pediatric tumors, since under hypoxia its upregulation in the tumor microenvironment (TME) regulates stromal cell differentiation, tumor growth and metastases, signifying that its agonism/antagonism could be useful for clinical benefits. Promising results in cancer research have proposed the β3-AR being targeted for the treatment of many conditions, with some drugs, at present, undergoing phase II and III clinical trials. In this review, we report the scientific journey followed by the research from the β3-Ars' discovery, with focus on the β3-Ars' role in cancer initiation and progression that elects it an intriguing target for novel antineoplastic approaches. The overview highlights the great potential of the β3-AR, both in physiologic and pathologic conditions, with the intention to display the possible benefits of β3-AR modulation in cancer reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amada Pasha
- Department of Pediatric Hematology–Oncology, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.P.); (A.T.); (C.F.)
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tondo
- Department of Pediatric Hematology–Oncology, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.P.); (A.T.); (C.F.)
| | - Claudio Favre
- Department of Pediatric Hematology–Oncology, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.P.); (A.T.); (C.F.)
| | - Maura Calvani
- Department of Pediatric Hematology–Oncology, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.P.); (A.T.); (C.F.)
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Amato R, Lucchesi M, Marracci S, Filippi L, Dal Monte M. β-Adrenoceptors in Cancer: Old Players and New Perspectives. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023. [PMID: 37982890 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Distress, or negative stress, is known to considerably increase the incidence of several diseases, including cancer. There is indeed evidence from pre-clinical models that distress causes a catecholaminergic overdrive that, mainly through the activation of β-adrenoceptors (β-ARs), results in cancer cell growth and cancer progression. In addition, clinical studies have evidenced a role of negative stress in cancer progression. Moreover, plenty of data demonstrates that β-blockers have positive effects in reducing the pro-tumorigenic activity of catecholamines, correlating with better outcomes in some type of cancers as evidenced by several clinical trials. Among β-ARs, β2-AR seems to be the main β-AR subtype involved in tumor development and progression. However, there are data indicating that also β1-AR and β3-AR may be involved in certain tumors. In this chapter, we will review current knowledge on the role of the three β-AR isoforms in carcinogenesis as well as in cancer growth and progression, with particular emphasis on recent studies that are opening new avenues in the use of β-ARs as therapeutic targets in treating tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Amato
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Luca Filippi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Ding Z, Jiao B, Chen X, Chen X, Jiao Y, Wang J, Zhou X. The function of Foxp1 represses β-adrenergic receptor transcription in the occurrence and development of bladder cancer through STAT3 activity. Open Med (Wars) 2023; 18:20230647. [PMID: 37663229 PMCID: PMC10473461 DOI: 10.1515/med-2023-0647] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is a common malignant tumor. FOXP1 has been found to be abnormally expressed in tumors such as renal cell carcinoma and endometrial cancer. Here, this investigated the biological roles of Foxp1 in the occurrence and development of bladder cancer. Patients with bladder cancer were obtained from China-Japan Friendship Hospital. Bladder cancer cell lines (5637, UMUC3, J82, and T24 cell) were used in this experiment. Foxp1 mRNA and protein expression levels in patients with bladder cancer were increased, compared with paracancerous tissue (normal). OS and DFS of Foxp1 low expression in patients with bladder cancer were higher than those of Foxp1 high expression. Foxp1 promoted bladder cancer cell growth in vitro model. Foxp1 increased the Warburg effect of bladder cancer. Foxp1 suppressed β-adrenoceptor (β-AR) expression in vitro model. ChIP-seq showed that Foxp1 binding site (E1, TTATTTAT) was detected at -2,251 bp upstream of the β-AR promoter. β-AR Reduced the effects of Foxp1 on cell growth in vitro model. β-AR reduced the effects of Foxp1 on the Warburg effect in vitro model by STAT3 activity. Taken together, our findings reveal that Foxp1 promoted the occurrence and development of bladder cancer through the Warburg effect by the activation of STAT3 activity and repressing β-AR transcription, and which might serve as an important clue for its targeting and treatment of bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenshan Ding
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2, Yinghua East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing100029, China
| | - Binbin Jiao
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing100029, China
| | - Xuelong Chen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Peking University China-Japan Friendship School, Beijing100029, China
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing100029, China
| | - Yangtian Jiao
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing100029, China
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing100029, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhou
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing100029, China
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Pilipović I, Stojić-Vukanić Z, Leposavić G. Adrenoceptors as potential target for add-on immunomodulatory therapy in multiple sclerosis. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 243:108358. [PMID: 36804434 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes recent findings related to the role of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and its commonly used experimental model - experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). They indicate that noradrenaline, the key end-point mediator of the SNS, acting through β-adrenoceptor, has a contributory role in the early stages of MS/EAE development. This stage is characterized by the SNS hyperactivity (increased release of noradrenaline) reflecting the net effect of different factors, such as the disease-associated inflammation, stress, vitamin D hypovitaminosis, Epstein-Barr virus infection and dysbiosis. Thus, the administration of propranolol, a non-selective β-adrenoceptor blocker, readily crossing the blood-brain barrier, to experimental rats before the autoimmune challenge and in the early (preclinical/prodromal) phase of the disease mitigates EAE severity. This phenomenon has been ascribed to the alleviation of neuroinflammation (due to attenuation of primarily microglial activation/proinflammatory functions) and the diminution of the magnitude of the primary CD4+ T-cell autoimmune response (the effect associated with impaired autoantigen uptake by antigen presenting cells and their migration into draining lymph nodes). The former is partly related to breaking of the catecholamine-dependent self-amplifying microglial feed-forward loop and the positive feedback loop between microglia and the SNS, leading to down-regulation of the SNS hyperactivity and its enhancing influence on microglial activation/proinflammatory functions and the magnitude of autoimmune response. The effects of propranolol are shown to be more prominent in male EAE animals, the phenomenon important as males (like men) are likely to develop clinically more severe disease. Thus, these findings could serve as a firm scientific background for formulation of a new sex-specific immune-intervention strategy for the early phases of MS (characterized by the SNS hyperactivity) exploiting anti-(neuro)inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of propranolol and other relatively cheap and safe adrenergic drugs with similar therapeutic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Pilipović
- Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera "Torlak", Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zorica Stojić-Vukanić
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Gordana Leposavić
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pathobiology, Belgrade, Serbia.
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Wang Z, Wang T, Wu G, Zhu L, Zhang J. Clinical Significance and Tumor Microenvironment Characterization of a Novel Immune-Related Gene Signature in Bladder Cancer. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12051892. [PMID: 36902678 PMCID: PMC10003605 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12051892] [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: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy plays a crucial role in bladder cancer (BC) progression. Increasing evidence has elucidated the clinicopathologic significance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in predicting outcomes and therapeutic efficacy. This study sought to establish a comprehensive analysis of the immune-gene signature combined with TME to assist in BC prognosis. We selected sixteen immune-related genes (IRGs) after a weighted gene co-expression network and survival analysis. Enrichment analysis revealed that these IRGs were actively involved in Mitophagy and Renin secretion pathways. After multivariable COX analysis, the IRGPI comprising NCAM1, CNTN1, PTGIS, ADRB3, and ANLN was established to predict the overall survival of BC, which was validated in both TCGA and GSE13507 cohorts. In addition, a TME gene signature was developed for molecular and prognosis subtyping with unsupervised clustering, followed by a panoramic landscape characterization of BC. In summary, the IRGPI model developed in our study provided a valuable tool with an improved prognosis for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Advanced Biological Screening Facility, BioQuant, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Gangfeng Wu
- Department of Urology, Shaoxing People’s Hospital, Shaoxing 312000, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- Junior Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Surgical Oncology (A430), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (J.Z.)
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Filippi L, Scaramuzzo RT, Pascarella F, Pini A, Morganti R, Cammalleri M, Bagnoli P, Ciantelli M. Fetal oxygenation in the last weeks of pregnancy evaluated through the umbilical cord blood gas analysis. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1140021. [PMID: 37152310 PMCID: PMC10160648 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1140021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Embryo and fetus grow and mature over the first trimester of pregnancy in a dynamic hypoxic environment, where placenta development assures an increased oxygen availability. However, it is unclear whether and how oxygenation changes in the later trimesters and, more specifically, in the last weeks of pregnancy. Methods Observational study that evaluated the gas analysis of the umbilical cord blood collected from a cohort of healthy newborns with gestational age ≥37 weeks. Umbilical venous and arterial oxygen levels as well as fetal oxygen extraction were calculated to establish whether oxygenation level changes over the last weeks of pregnancy. In addition, fetal lactate, and carbon dioxide production were analyzed to establish whether oxygen oscillations may induce metabolic effects in utero. Results This study demonstrates a progressive increase in fetal oxygenation levels from the 37th to the 41st weeks of gestation (mean venous PaO2 approximately from 20 to 25 mmHg; p < 0.001). This increase is largely attributable to growing umbilical venous PaO2, regardless of delivery modalities. In neonates born by vaginal delivery, the increased oxygen availability is associated with a modest increase in oxygen extraction, while in neonates born by cesarean section, it is associated with reduced lactate production. Independently from the type of delivery, carbon dioxide production moderately increased. These findings suggest a progressive shift from a prevalent anaerobic metabolism (Warburg effect) towards a growing aerobic metabolism. Conclusion This study confirms that fetuses grow in a hypoxic environment that becomes progressively less hypoxic in the last weeks of gestation. The increased oxygen availability seems to favor aerobic metabolic shift during the last weeks of intrauterine life; we hypothesize that this environmental change may have implications for fetal maturation during intrauterine life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Filippi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Neonatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: Luca Filippi
| | | | | | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Riccardo Morganti
- Section of Statistics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Cammalleri
- Unit of General Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Bagnoli
- Unit of General Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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10
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Filippi L, Pini A, Cammalleri M, Bagnoli P, Dal Monte M. β3-Adrenoceptor, a novel player in the round-trip from neonatal diseases to cancer: Suggestive clues from embryo. Med Res Rev 2021; 42:1179-1201. [PMID: 34967048 PMCID: PMC9303287 DOI: 10.1002/med.21874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The role of the β-adrenoceptors (β-ARs) in hypoxia-driven diseases has gained visibility after the demonstration that propranolol promotes the regression of infantile hemangiomas and ameliorates the signs of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Besides the role of β2-ARs, preclinical studies in ROP have also revealed that β3-ARs are upregulated by hypoxia and that they are possibly involved in retinal angiogenesis. In a sort of figurative round trip, peculiarities typical of ROP, where hypoxia drives retinal neovascularization, have been then translated to cancer, a disease equally characterized by hypoxia-driven angiogenesis. In this step, investigating the role of β3-ARs has taken advantage of the assumption that cancer growth uses a set of strategies in common with embryo development. The possibility that hypoxic induction of β3-ARs may represent one of the mechanisms through which primarily embryo (and then cancer, as an astute imitator) adapts to grow in an otherwise hostile environment, has grown evidence. In both cancer and embryo, β3-ARs exert similar functions by exploiting a metabolic shift known as the Warburg effect, by acquiring resistance against xenobiotics, and by inducing a local immune tolerance. An additional potential role of β3-AR as a marker of stemness has been suggested by the finding that its antagonism induces cancer cell differentiation evoking that β3-ARs may help cancer to grow in a nonhospital environment, a strategy also exploited by embryos. From cancer, the round trip goes back to neonatal diseases for which new possible interpretative keys and potential pharmacological perspectives have been suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Filippi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care UnitUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Maurizio Cammalleri
- Department of Biology, Unit of General PhysiologyUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Paola Bagnoli
- Department of Biology, Unit of General PhysiologyUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Massimo Dal Monte
- Department of Biology, Unit of General PhysiologyUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
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11
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Tian W, Liu Y, Cao C, Zeng Y, Pan Y, Liu X, Peng Y, Wu F. Chronic Stress: Impacts on Tumor Microenvironment and Implications for Anti-Cancer Treatments. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:777018. [PMID: 34869378 PMCID: PMC8640341 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.777018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress is common among cancer patients due to the psychological, operative, or pharmaceutical stressors at the time of diagnosis or during the treatment of cancers. The continuous activations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), as results of chronic stress, have been demonstrated to take part in several cancer-promoting processes, such as tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and multi-drug resistance, by altering the tumor microenvironment (TME). Stressed TME is generally characterized by the increased proportion of cancer-promoting cells and cytokines, the reduction and malfunction of immune-supportive cells and cytokines, augmented angiogenesis, enhanced epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and damaged extracellular matrix. For the negative effects that these alterations can cause in terms of the efficacies of anti-cancer treatments and prognosis of patients, supplementary pharmacological or psychotherapeutic strategies targeting HPA, SNS, or psychological stress may be effective in improving the prognosis of cancer patients. Here, we review the characteristics and mechanisms of TME alterations under chronic stress, their influences on anti-cancer therapies, and accessory interventions and therapies for stressed cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Tian
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chenghui Cao
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yue Zeng
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yue Pan
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaohan Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yurong Peng
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fang Wu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Cancer Mega-Data Intelligent Application and Engineering Research Centre, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precision Therapy in Lung Cancer, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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12
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Pini A, Fazi C, Nardini P, Calvani M, Fabbri S, Guerrini A, Forni G, La Marca G, Rosa AC, Filippi L. Effect of Beta 3 Adrenoreceptor Modulation on Patency of the Ductus Arteriosus. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122625. [PMID: 33297453 PMCID: PMC7762377 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
β3-adrenoreceptor (β3-AR), a G-protein coupled receptor, has peculiar regulatory properties in response to oxygen and widespread localization. β3-AR is expressed in the most frequent neoplasms, also occurring in pregnant women, and its blockade reduces tumor growth, indicating β3-AR-blockers as a promising alternative to antineoplastic drugs during pregnancy. However, β3-AR involvement in prenatal morphogenesis and the consequences of its blockade for the fetus remain unknown. In this study, after the demonstrated expression of β3-AR in endothelial and smooth muscle cells of ductus arteriosus (DA), C57BL/6 pregnant mice were acutely treated at 18.5 of gestational day (GD) with indomethacin or with the selective β3-AR antagonist SR59230A, or chronically exposed to SR59230A from 15.5 to 18.5 GD. Six hours after the last treatment, fetuses were collected. Furthermore, newborn mice were treated straight after birth with BRL37344, a β3-AR agonist, and sacrificed after 7 h. SR59230A, at the doses demonstrated effective in reducing cancer progression (10 and 20 mg/kg) in acute and chronic mode, did not induce fetal DA constriction and did not impair the DA ability to close after birth, whereas at the highest dose (40 mg/kg), it was shown to cause DA constriction and preterm-delivery. BRL37344 administered immediately after birth did not alter the physiological DA closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Pini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (L.F.); Tel.: +39-0552758155 (A.P.); +39-050993677 (L.F)
| | - Camilla Fazi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Patrizia Nardini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Maura Calvani
- Department of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, A. Meyer University Children’s Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Sergio Fabbri
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Guerrini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy;
| | - Giulia Forni
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Section of Pediatric Neurosciences, “A. Meyer” University Children’s Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy; (G.F.); (G.L.M.)
| | - Giancarlo La Marca
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Section of Pediatric Neurosciences, “A. Meyer” University Children’s Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy; (G.F.); (G.L.M.)
| | - Arianna Carolina Rosa
- Department of Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy;
| | - Luca Filippi
- Division of Neonatology and NICU, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (L.F.); Tel.: +39-0552758155 (A.P.); +39-050993677 (L.F)
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