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Wang H, Shi Y, Zhou X, Zhang L, Yang A, Zhou D, Ma T. HNRNPA2B1 stabilizes NFATC3 levels to potentiate its combined actions with FOSL1 to mediate vasculogenic mimicry in GBM cells. Cell Biol Toxicol 2024; 40:44. [PMID: 38862832 PMCID: PMC11166796 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-024-09890-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is an enigmatic physiological feature that influences blood supply within glioblastoma (GBM) tumors for their sustained growth. Previous studies identify NFATC3, FOSL1 and HNRNPA2B1 as significant mediators of VEGFR2, a key player in vasculogenesis, and their molecular relationships may be crucial for VM in GBM. AIMS The aim of this study was to understand how NFATC3, FOSL1 and HNRNPA2B1 collectively influence VM in GBM. METHODS We have investigated the underlying gene regulatory mechanisms for VM in GBM cell lines U251 and U373 in vitro and in vivo. In vitro cell-based assays were performed to explore the role of NFATC3, FOSL1 and HNRNPA2B1 in GBM cell proliferation, VM and migration, in the context of RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown alongside corresponding controls. Western blotting and qRT-PCR assays were used to examine VEGFR2 expression levels. CO-IP was employed to detect protein-protein interactions, ChIP was used to detect DNA-protein complexes, and RIP was used to detect RNA-protein complexes. Histochemical staining was used to detect VM tube formation in vivo. RESULTS Focusing on NFATC3, FOSL1 and HNRNPA2B1, we found each was significantly upregulated in GBM and positively correlated with VM-like cellular behaviors in U251 and U373 cell lines. Knockdown of NFATC3, FOSL1 or HNRNPA2B1 each resulted in decreased levels of VEGFR2, a key growth factor gene that drives VM, as well as the inhibition of proliferation, cell migration and extracorporeal VM activity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) studies and luciferase reporter gene assays revealed that NFATC3 binds to the promoter region of VEGFR2 to enhance VEGFR2 gene expression. Notably, FOSL1 interacts with NFATC3 as a co-factor to potentiate the DNA-binding capacity of NFATC3, resulting in enhanced VM-like cellular behaviors. Also, level of NFATC3 protein in cells was enhanced through HNRNPA2B1 binding of NFATC3 mRNA. Furthermore, RNAi-mediated silencing of NFATC3, FOSL1 and HNRNPA2B1 in GBM cells reduced their capacity for tumor formation and VM-like behaviors in vivo. CONCLUSION Taken together, our findings identify NFATC3 as an important mediator of GBM tumor growth through its molecular and epistatic interactions with HNRNPA2B1 and FOSL1 to influence VEGFR2 expression and VM-like cellular behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanting Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Yiwen Shi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Xinxin Zhou
- Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110034, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Aodan Yang
- The First Clinical College of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110002, China
| | - Dabo Zhou
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110002, China.
| | - Teng Ma
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
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Buccarelli M, Castellani G, Fiorentino V, Pizzimenti C, Beninati S, Ricci-Vitiani L, Scattoni ML, Mischiati C, Facchiano F, Tabolacci C. Biological Implications and Functional Significance of Transglutaminase Type 2 in Nervous System Tumors. Cells 2024; 13:667. [PMID: 38667282 PMCID: PMC11048792 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminase type 2 (TG2) is the most ubiquitously expressed member of the transglutaminase family. TG2 catalyzes the transamidation reaction leading to several protein post-translational modifications and it is also implicated in signal transduction thanks to its GTP binding/hydrolyzing activity. In the nervous system, TG2 regulates multiple physiological processes, such as development, neuronal cell death and differentiation, and synaptic plasticity. Given its different enzymatic activities, aberrant expression or activity of TG2 can contribute to tumorigenesis, including in peripheral and central nervous system tumors. Indeed, TG2 dysregulation has been reported in meningiomas, medulloblastomas, neuroblastomas, glioblastomas, and other adult-type diffuse gliomas. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the biological and functional relevance of TG2 in the pathogenesis of nervous system tumors, highlighting its involvement in survival, tumor inflammation, differentiation, and in the resistance to standard therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariachiara Buccarelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.C.); (L.R.-V.); (F.F.)
| | - Giorgia Castellani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.C.); (L.R.-V.); (F.F.)
| | - Vincenzo Fiorentino
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Cristina Pizzimenti
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Simone Beninati
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Lucia Ricci-Vitiani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.C.); (L.R.-V.); (F.F.)
| | - Maria Luisa Scattoni
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Carlo Mischiati
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Francesco Facchiano
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.C.); (L.R.-V.); (F.F.)
| | - Claudio Tabolacci
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
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Mongiardi MP, Pallini R, D'Alessandris QG, Levi A, Falchetti ML. Regorafenib and glioblastoma: a literature review of preclinical studies, molecular mechanisms and clinical effectiveness. Expert Rev Mol Med 2024; 26:e5. [PMID: 38563164 PMCID: PMC11062143 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2024.8] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma IDH wild type (GBM) is a very aggressive brain tumour, characterised by an infiltrative growth pattern and by a prominent neoangiogenesis. Its prognosis is unfortunately dismal, and the median overall survival of GBM patients is short (15 months). Clinical management is based on bulk tumour removal and standard chemoradiation with the alkylating drug temozolomide, but the tumour invariably recurs leading to patient's death. Clinical options for GBM patients remained unaltered for almost two decades until the encouraging results obtained by the phase II REGOMA trial allowed the introduction of the multikinase inhibitor regorafenib as a preferred regimen in relapsed GBM treatment by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 2020 Guideline. Regorafenib, a sorafenib derivative, targets kinases associated with angiogenesis (VEGFR 1-3), as well as oncogenesis (c-KIT, RET, FGFR) and stromal kinases (FGFR, PDGFR-b). It was already approved for metastatic colorectal cancers and hepatocellular carcinomas. The aim of the present review is to focus on both the molecular and clinical knowledge collected in these first three years of regorafenib use in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberto Pallini
- Department of Neuroscience, Neurosurgery Section, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Levi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
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4
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Obrador E, Moreno-Murciano P, Oriol-Caballo M, López-Blanch R, Pineda B, Gutiérrez-Arroyo JL, Loras A, Gonzalez-Bonet LG, Martinez-Cadenas C, Estrela JM, Marqués-Torrejón MÁ. Glioblastoma Therapy: Past, Present and Future. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2529. [PMID: 38473776 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052529] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) stands out as the most prevalent and lethal form of brain cancer. Although great efforts have been made by clinicians and researchers, no significant improvement in survival has been achieved since the Stupp protocol became the standard of care (SOC) in 2005. Despite multimodality treatments, recurrence is almost universal with survival rates under 2 years after diagnosis. Here, we discuss the recent progress in our understanding of GB pathophysiology, in particular, the importance of glioma stem cells (GSCs), the tumor microenvironment conditions, and epigenetic mechanisms involved in GB growth, aggressiveness and recurrence. The discussion on therapeutic strategies first covers the SOC treatment and targeted therapies that have been shown to interfere with different signaling pathways (pRB/CDK4/RB1/P16ink4, TP53/MDM2/P14arf, PI3k/Akt-PTEN, RAS/RAF/MEK, PARP) involved in GB tumorigenesis, pathophysiology, and treatment resistance acquisition. Below, we analyze several immunotherapeutic approaches (i.e., checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, CAR-modified NK or T cells, oncolytic virotherapy) that have been used in an attempt to enhance the immune response against GB, and thereby avoid recidivism or increase survival of GB patients. Finally, we present treatment attempts made using nanotherapies (nanometric structures having active anti-GB agents such as antibodies, chemotherapeutic/anti-angiogenic drugs or sensitizers, radionuclides, and molecules that target GB cellular receptors or open the blood-brain barrier) and non-ionizing energies (laser interstitial thermal therapy, high/low intensity focused ultrasounds, photodynamic/sonodynamic therapies and electroporation). The aim of this review is to discuss the advances and limitations of the current therapies and to present novel approaches that are under development or following clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Obrador
- Scientia BioTech S.L., 46002 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | | | - María Oriol-Caballo
- Scientia BioTech S.L., 46002 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rafael López-Blanch
- Scientia BioTech S.L., 46002 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Begoña Pineda
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Alba Loras
- Department of Medicine, Jaume I University of Castellon, 12071 Castellon, Spain
| | - Luis G Gonzalez-Bonet
- Department of Neurosurgery, Castellon General University Hospital, 12004 Castellon, Spain
| | | | - José M Estrela
- Scientia BioTech S.L., 46002 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
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Castellani G, Buccarelli M, D'Alessandris QG, Ilari R, Cappannini A, Pedini F, Boe A, Lulli V, Parolini I, Giannetti S, Biffoni M, Zappavigna V, Marziali G, Pallini R, Ricci-Vitiani L. Extracellular vesicles produced by irradiated endothelial or Glioblastoma stem cells promote tumor growth and vascularization modulating tumor microenvironment. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:72. [PMID: 38347567 PMCID: PMC10863174 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03253-0] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal primary brain tumor in adult, characterized by highly aggressive and infiltrative growth. The current therapeutic management of GBM includes surgical resection followed by ionizing radiations and chemotherapy. Complex and dynamic interplay between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment drives the progression and contributes to therapeutic resistance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in the intercellular communication by delivering bioactive molecules in the surrounding milieu modulating tumor microenvironment. METHODS In this study, we isolated by ultracentrifugation EVs from GBM stem-like cell (GSC) lines and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) exposed or not to ionizing irradiation. After counting and characterization, we evaluated the effects of exposure of GSCs to EVs isolated from endothelial cells and vice versa. The RNA content of EVs isolated from GSC lines and HMVECs exposed or not to ionizing irradiation, was analyzed by RNA-Seq. Periostin (POSTN) and Filamin-B (FLNB) emerged in gene set enrichment analysis as the most interesting transcripts enriched after irradiation in endothelial cell-derived EVs and GSC-derived EVs, respectively. POSTN and FLNB expression was modulated and the effects were analyzed by in vitro assays. RESULTS We confirmed that ionizing radiations increased EV secretion by GSCs and normal endothelial cells, affected the contents of and response to cellular secreted EVs. Particularly, GSC-derived EVs decreased radiation-induced senescence and promoted migration in HMVECs whereas, endothelial cell-derived EVs promoted tumorigenic properties and endothelial differentiation of GSCs. RNA-Seq analysis of EV content, identified FLNB and POSTN as transcripts enriched in EVs isolated after irradiation from GSCs and HMVECs, respectively. Assays performed on POSTN overexpressing GSCs confirmed the ability of POSTN to mimic the effects of endothelial cell-derived EVs on GSC migration and clonogenic abilities and transdifferentiation potential. Functional assays performed on HMVECs after silencing of FLNB supported its role as mediator of the effects of GSC-derived EVs on senescence and migration. CONCLUSION In this study, we identified POSTN and FLNB as potential mediators of the effects of EVs on GSC and HMVEC behavior confirming that EVs play a crucial role in the intercellular communication by delivering bioactive molecules in the surrounding milieu modulating tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Castellani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Buccarelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Quintino Giorgio D'Alessandris
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Institutes of Neurosurgery, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Ramona Ilari
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Pedini
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Boe
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Lulli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Parolini
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Stefano Giannetti
- Institute of Human Anatomy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Biffoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Zappavigna
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanna Marziali
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Pallini
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Ricci-Vitiani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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Saleh Alanazi SH, Farooq Khan M, Alazami AM, Baabbad A, Ahmed Wadaan M. Calotropis procera: A double edged sword against glioblastoma, inhibiting glioblastoma cell line growth by targeting histone deacetylases (HDAC) and angiogenesis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24406. [PMID: 38304784 PMCID: PMC10831610 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite substantial investments in anti-glioblastoma (GBM) drug discovery over the last decade, progress is limited to preclinical stages, with clinical studies frequently encountering obstacles. Angiogenic and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have shown profound results in pre-clinical studies. Investigating a multicomponent anti-cancer remedy that disrupts the tumor angiogenic blood vessels and simultaneously disrupts HDACs, while inducing minimal side effects, is critically needed. The crude extracts derived from medicinal plants serve as a renewable reservoir of anti-tumor drugs, exhibiting reduced toxicity compared to chemically synthesized formulations. Calotropis procera is a traditional medicinal plant, and its anticancer potential against many cancer cell lines has been reported, however its antiangiogenic and HDAC inhibitory action is largely unknown. The anticancer activity of methanol leaf extract of C. procera was tested in three types of human glioblastoma cell lines. Wild-type and transgenic zebrafish embryos were used to evaluate developmental toxicity and angiogenic activity. A human angiogenic antibody array was used to profile angiogenic proteins in the U251 GM cell line. A real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) assay was used to detect the differential expression of eleven HDAC genes in U251 cells treated with C. procera extract. The extract significantly reduced the proliferation of all three types of GBM cell lines and the cytotoxicity was found to be more pronounced in U251 GM cells, with an IC50 value of 2.63 ± 0.23 μg/ml, possibly by arresting the cell cycle at the G2/M transition. The extract did not exhibit toxic effects in zebrafish embryos, even at concentrations as high as 1000 μg/ml. The extract also inhibited angiogenic blood vessel formation in the transgenic zebrafish model in a dose-dependent manner. The results from the angiogenic antibody array have suggested novel angiogenesis targets that can be utilized to treat GBM. Real-time RT PCR analysis has shown that C. procrea extract caused an upregulation of HDAC5, 7, and 10, while the mRNA of HDAC1, 2, 3 and 8 (Class I HDACs), and HDAC4, 6, and 9 (Class II) were downregulated in U251 GM cells. The cytotoxicity of the C. procera extract on GBM cell lines could be due to its dual action by regulation of both tumor angiogenesis and histone deacetylases enzymes. Through this study, the C. procera leaf extract has been suggested as an effective remedy to treat GBM with minimal toxicity. In addition, various novel angiogenic and HDAC targets has been identified which could be helpful in designing better therapeutic strategies to manage glioblastoma multiforme in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamsa Hilal Saleh Alanazi
- Bioproducts Research Chair, Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O Box 2455 Riyadh 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Farooq Khan
- Bioproducts Research Chair, Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O Box 2455 Riyadh 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Anas M. Alazami
- Translational Genomics Department, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Almohannad Baabbad
- Bioproducts Research Chair, Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O Box 2455 Riyadh 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Ahmed Wadaan
- Bioproducts Research Chair, Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O Box 2455 Riyadh 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Buccarelli M, Beninati S, Tabolacci C. Editorial: Cancer stem cell differentiation: A realistic potential therapeutic option? Front Oncol 2023; 13:1188765. [PMID: 37064126 PMCID: PMC10102646 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1188765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mariachiara Buccarelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Mariachiara Buccarelli, ; Simone Beninati, ; Claudio Tabolacci,
| | - Simone Beninati
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Mariachiara Buccarelli, ; Simone Beninati, ; Claudio Tabolacci,
| | - Claudio Tabolacci
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Mariachiara Buccarelli, ; Simone Beninati, ; Claudio Tabolacci,
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