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Arrè V, Mastrogiacomo R, Balestra F, Serino G, Viti F, Rizzi F, Curri ML, Giannelli G, Depalo N, Scavo MP. Unveiling the Potential of Extracellular Vesicles as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Nanotools for Gastrointestinal Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:567. [PMID: 38675228 PMCID: PMC11055174 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16040567] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), acting as inherent nanocarriers adept at transporting a range of different biological molecules such as proteins, lipids, and genetic material, exhibit diverse functions within the gastroenteric tract. In states of normal health, they participate in the upkeep of systemic and organ homeostasis. Conversely, in pathological conditions, they significantly contribute to the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal diseases (GIDs). Isolating EVs from patients' biofluids facilitates the discovery of new biomarkers that have the potential to offer a rapid, cost-effective, and non-invasive method for diagnosing and prognosing specific GIDs. Furthermore, EVs demonstrate considerable therapeutic potential as naturally targeted physiological carriers for the intercellular delivery of therapeutic cargo molecules or as nanoscale tools engineered specifically to regulate physio-pathological conditions or disease progression. Their attributes including safety, high permeability, stability, biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and homing/tropism capabilities contribute to their promising clinical therapeutic applications. This review will delve into various examples of EVs serving as biomarkers or nanocarriers for therapeutic cargo in the context of GIDs, highlighting their clinical potential for both functional and structural gastrointestinal conditions. The versatile and advantageous properties of EVs position them as promising candidates for innovative therapeutic strategies in advancing personalized medicine approaches tailored to the gastroenteric tract, addressing both functional and structural GIDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Arrè
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS de Bellis, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy; (V.A.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (G.G.)
| | - Rita Mastrogiacomo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.M.); (M.L.C.)
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes (IPCF)-CNR SS, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Bari Research Unit, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Balestra
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS de Bellis, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy; (V.A.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (G.G.)
| | - Grazia Serino
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS de Bellis, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy; (V.A.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (G.G.)
| | - Federica Viti
- Institute of Biophysics—National Research Council (IBF-CNR), Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy;
| | - Federica Rizzi
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes (IPCF)-CNR SS, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Bari Research Unit, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Lucia Curri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.M.); (M.L.C.)
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes (IPCF)-CNR SS, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Bari Research Unit, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS de Bellis, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy; (V.A.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (G.G.)
| | - Nicoletta Depalo
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes (IPCF)-CNR SS, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Bari Research Unit, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Principia Scavo
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS de Bellis, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy; (V.A.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (G.G.)
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Li Z, Dang Q, Wang P, Zhao F, Huang J, Wang C, Liu X, Min W. Food-Derived Peptides: Beneficial CNS Effects and Cross-BBB Transmission Strategies. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:20453-20478. [PMID: 38085598 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c06518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Food-derived peptides, as dietary supplements, have significant effects on promoting brain health and relieving central nervous system (CNS) diseases. However, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) greatly limits their in-brain bioavailability. Thus, overcoming the BBB to target the CNS is a major challenge for bioactive peptides in the prevention and treatment of CNS diseases. This review discusses improvement in the neuroprotective function of food-derived active peptides in CNS diseases, as well as the source of BBB penetrating peptides (BBB-shuttles) and the mechanism of transmembrane transport. Notably, this review also discusses various peptide modification methods to overcome the low permeability and stability of the BBB. Lipification, glycosylation, introduction of disulfide bonds, and cyclization are effective strategies for improving the penetration efficiency of peptides through the BBB. This review provides a new prospective for improving their neuroprotective function and developing treatments to delay or even prevent CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehui Li
- College of Food and Health, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, ChangChun, Jilin 130118, P.R. China
| | - Qiao Dang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, ChangChun, Jilin 130118, P.R. China
| | - Peng Wang
- College of Food and Health, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China
| | - Fanrui Zhao
- College of Food and Health, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, P.R. China
| | - Jianqin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, P.R. China
| | - Chongchong Wang
- College of Food and Health, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, P.R. China
| | - Xingquan Liu
- College of Food and Health, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China
| | - Weihong Min
- College of Food and Health, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, P.R. China
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Stergiou IE, Papadakos SP, Karyda A, Tsitsilonis OE, Dimopoulos MA, Theocharis S. EPH/Ephrin Signaling in Normal Hematopoiesis and Hematologic Malignancies: Deciphering Their Intricate Role and Unraveling Possible New Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3963. [PMID: 37568780 PMCID: PMC10417178 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153963] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptors (EPHs) represent the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). EPH interaction with ephrins, their membrane-bound ligands, holds a pivotal role in embryonic development, while, though less active, it is also implicated in various physiological functions during adult life. In normal hematopoiesis, different patterns of EPH/ephrin expression have been correlated with hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance and lineage-committed hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) differentiation, as well as with the functional properties of their mature offspring. Research in the field of hematologic malignancies has unveiled a rather complex involvement of the EPH/ephrinsignaling pathway in the pathophysiology of these neoplasms. Aberrations in genetic, epigenetic, and protein levels have been identified as possible players implicated both in tumor progression and suppression, while correlations have also been highlighted regarding prognosis and response to treatment. Initial efforts to therapeutically target the EPH/ephrin axis have been undertaken in the setting of hematologic neoplasia but are mainly confined to the preclinical level. To this end, deciphering the complexity of this signaling pathway both in normal and malignant hematopoiesis is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna E. Stergiou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Stavros P. Papadakos
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Anna Karyda
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Ourania E. Tsitsilonis
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece;
| | - Meletios-Athanasios Dimopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (A.K.)
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Papadakos SP, Stergiou IE, Gkolemi N, Arvanitakis K, Theocharis S. Unraveling the Significance of EPH/Ephrin Signaling in Liver Cancer: Insights into Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3434. [PMID: 37444544 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133434] [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: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a complex and challenging disease with limited treatment options and dismal prognosis. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms driving liver cancer progression and metastasis is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies. The EPH/ephrin system, which comprises a family of cell surface receptors and their corresponding ligands, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of HCC. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of the role of the EPH/ephrin system in HCC. Specifically, we discuss the dysregulation of EPH/ephrin signaling in HCC and its impact on various cellular processes, including cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Overall, the EPH/ephrin signaling system emerges as a compelling and multifaceted player in liver cancer biology. Elucidating its precise mechanisms and understanding its implications in disease progression and therapeutic responses may pave the way for novel targeted therapies and personalized treatment approaches for liver cancer patients. Further research is warranted to unravel the full potential of the EPH/ephrin system in liver cancer and its clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavros P Papadakos
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioanna E Stergiou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolina Gkolemi
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Arvanitakis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, St. Kiriakidi 1, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Basic and Translational Research Unit, Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Wang H, Ding Y, Zhu Q, Yu Z, Wang Q, Gong A, Xu M. LncRNA FAM83A-AS1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of pancreatic cancer cells via Hippo pathway. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:1514-1527. [PMID: 37245082 PMCID: PMC10281461 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2023.2216507] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proved to play a vital role in pancreatic cancer (PC). However, the role of lncRNA FAM83A-AS1 in PC remains unclear. In this study, we explored the biological function and underlying mechanism of FAM83A-AS1 in PC cells. METHODS The FAM83A-AS1 expression was assessed via public databases and validated by qRT-PCR. The biofunction and immune cell infiltration of FAM83A-AS1 were analyzed through GO, KEGG, GESA and ssGSEA. The migration, invasion and proliferation abilities of PC cells were examined by Transwell, wound healing, CCK8 and colony formation. The EMT and Hippo pathway markers were evaluated by western blot. RESULTS FAM83A-AS1 expression was higher in PC tissues and cells than normal. Additionally, FAM83A-AS1 was associated with poor prognosis of PC and involved in cadherin binding and immune infiltration. Subsequently, we proved FAM83A-AS1 overexpression enhanced the migration, invasion and proliferation abilities of PC cells, whereas FAM83A-AS1 downregulation inhibited those. Moreover, western blot results showed that FAM83A-AS1 knockdown increased the E-cadherin expression and decreased the expression of N-cadherin, β-catenin, Vimentin, Snail and Slug. On the contrary, FAM83A-AS1 upregulation results in the opposite effects. Besides, FAM83A-AS1 overexpression inhibited the expression of p-YAP, p-MOB1, p-Lats1, SAV1, MST1 and MST2 as well as the results of FAM83A-AS1 knockdown were opposite. CONCLUSION FAM83A-AS1 promoted EMT of PC cells via Hippo signaling inactivation and may be a potential diagnosis and prognosis target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizhi Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yuntao Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Qiuming Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Wusong Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengyue Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Aihua Gong
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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