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Filippelli A, Ciccone V, Del Gaudio C, Simonis V, Frosini M, Tusa I, Menconi A, Rovida E, Donnini S. ERK5 mediates pro-tumorigenic phenotype in non-small lung cancer cells induced by PGE2. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119810. [PMID: 39128596 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2024.119810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constituting approximately 84 % of all lung cancer cases. The role of inflammation in the initiation and progression of NSCLC tumors has been the focus of extensive research. Among the various inflammatory mediators, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a pivotal role in promoting the aggressiveness of epithelial tumors through multiple mechanisms, including the stimulation of growth, evasion of apoptosis, invasion, and induction of angiogenesis. The Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase 5 (ERK5), the last discovered member among conventional mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), is implicated in cancer-associated inflammation. In this study, we explored whether ERK5 is involved in the process of tumorigenesis induced by PGE2. Using A549 and PC9 NSCLC cell lines, we found that PGE2 triggers the activation of ERK5 via the EP1 receptor. Moreover, both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of ERK5 reduced PGE2-induced proliferation, migration, invasion and stemness of A549 and PC9 cells, indicating that ERK5 plays a critical role in PGE2-induced tumorigenesis. In summary, our study underscores the pivotal role of the PGE2/EP1/ERK5 axis in driving the malignancy of NSCLC cells in vitro. Targeting this axis holds promise as a potential avenue for developing novel therapeutic strategies aimed at controlling the advancement of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valerio Ciccone
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cinzia Del Gaudio
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Vittoria Simonis
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Frosini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Ignazia Tusa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessio Menconi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Rovida
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Sandra Donnini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Filippelli A, Ciccone V, Loppi S, Morbidelli L. Promising Support Coming from Nature: Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Castanea sativa Wood Distillate on Skin Cells. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:9386-9400. [PMID: 39329908 PMCID: PMC11429965 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46090556] [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: 07/15/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tissue homeostasis, function recovery, and protection mechanisms are boosted by the balanced and timely control of inflammation and oxidative stress. Nowadays, many natural products and bio-derivates exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, supporting medical care and tissue wellness against inflammation, oxidative stress, and inflammaging. Castanea sativa wood distillate (WD) is a bio-derivative used as a corroborant and biofertilizer in agriculture. Based on the safety profile of low concentrations of WD on human cells, the present study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of WD on different cell types in the integumentary system. Human keratinocytes, mucosal epithelium, dermal fibroblasts, and endothelial cells were exposed to WD, and the concentrations devoid of pro-apoptotic potential were profiled. Then, the effect of nontoxic doses of WD revealed an anti-inflammatory effect, observed through the immunodetection of prostanoid cascade markers in experimentally induced inflammation. A reduction in endothelial hyperpermeability was evidenced by the immunofluorescence analysis of cell-cell adhesion proteins, VE-cadherin and ZO-1. In addition, WD buffered the exogenously produced oxidative stress. On the whole, WD showed both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities on the various cell types, preserving endothelial barrier integrity. Overall, this study supports the involvement of this bio-derivative in novel exploitable fields, such as therapeutic dermatological applications for human and animal medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Filippelli
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Angiogenesis and Microcirculation, Department Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Valerio Ciccone
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Angiogenesis and Microcirculation, Department Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Stefano Loppi
- BioAgry Laboratory, Department Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Center), 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Morbidelli
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Angiogenesis and Microcirculation, Department Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Center), 80055 Naples, Italy
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Fedeli R, Celletti S, Loppi S. Wood Distillate Promotes the Tolerance of Lettuce in Extreme Salt Stress Conditions. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1335. [PMID: 38794405 PMCID: PMC11124871 DOI: 10.3390/plants13101335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Soil salinization is an adverse phenomenon in agriculture that severely affects crop growth and yield. The use of natural products, such as wood distillate (WD, derived from the pyrolysis of woody biomass), could be a sustainable approach to enhance the tolerance of plants cultivated in the saline soils. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of WD, a foliar sprayed at 0.2% (v/v), in lettuce plants subjected to grow under both moderate and high soil sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations (ranging from 0 to 300 mM). The changes in the physiological and biochemical responses of these plants to the varying salt stress conditions allowed the identification of a maximum tolerance threshold (100 mM NaCl), specific to lettuce. Beyond this threshold, levels related to plant defense antioxidant power (antiradical activity) were lowered, while those indicative of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage) were raised, causing significant losses in leaf fresh biomass. On the other hand, WD significantly improved plant growth, enabling plants to survive high salt conditions >200 mM NaCl. Collectively, these observations highlight that treatments with WD could be of paramount importance in coping with current environmental challenges to have better yields under soil conditions of high salt concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Fedeli
- BioAgry Lab, Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (S.L.)
| | - Silvia Celletti
- BioAgry Lab, Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (S.L.)
| | - Stefano Loppi
- BioAgry Lab, Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (S.L.)
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Napoli, Italy
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Vannini A, Fedeli R, Guarnieri M, Loppi S. Foliar Application of Wood Distillate Alleviates Ozone-Induced Damage in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10040178. [PMID: 35448439 PMCID: PMC9031150 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10040178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This study examined whether foliar applications of wood distillate (WD) have a protective effect on photosynthesis and the antioxidant power of lettuce when exposed to an ecologically relevant O3 concentration. Seedlings of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were fumigated daily with 60 ppb of O3 for 30 days, five hours per day. Once per week, 50% of the fumigated plants were treated with foliar applications of 0.2% WD, while control plants were treated with water. The results clearly showed the ability of WD to protect lettuce plants from ozone-induced damage. Specifically, WD-treated plants exhibited lower damage to the photosynthetic machinery, assessed through a series of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, a higher chlorophyll content, higher antioxidant power, as well as antioxidant molecules, i.e., caffeic acid and quercetin, and higher biomass. Counteracting the overproduction of ozone-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) is speculated to be the main mechanism by which WD protects the plant from ozone-induced damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Vannini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/a, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Riccardo Fedeli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via PA Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (M.G.); (S.L.)
| | - Massimo Guarnieri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via PA Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (M.G.); (S.L.)
| | - Stefano Loppi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via PA Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (M.G.); (S.L.)
- BAT Center-Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, 80138 Napoli, Italy
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Fedeli R, Vannini A, Guarnieri M, Monaci F, Loppi S. Bio-Based Solutions for Agriculture: Foliar Application of Wood Distillate Alone and in Combination with Other Plant-Derived Corroborants Results in Different Effects on Lettuce ( Lactuca Sativa L.). BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11030404. [PMID: 35336778 PMCID: PMC8945027 DOI: 10.3390/biology11030404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Bio-stimulants are showing growing success and are gradually replacing synthetic fertilizers in agriculture. Wood distillate (WD), also known as wood vinegar or pyroligneous acid, is a by-product of biomass pyrolysis and is increasingly used as a bio-stimulant for crop production. This study investigated whether weekly foliar applications of 0.25% and 0.50% WD have a differential effect on the chlorophyll and sugar content as well as biomass production in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Moreover, the additional beneficial effect from the addition of corroborants of plant origin such as 3% soy lecithin and 5% flavonoid-rich wood glycolic extract to WD (BF) was investigated. Moreover, the possible toxicological concern from some potentially toxic elements (PTEs), namely Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn, which may be abundant in WD was verified. After four weeks, we found that 0.25% WD not only increases lettuce biomass, which has an economic value, but also has beneficial effects on other qualitative parameters such as sugars and total sweetness. On the other hand, the use of 0.5% WD decreased the content of soluble sugars, suggesting a hormetic-type effect. We did not find evidence of further beneficial effects from the addition to WD of plant-derived corroborants, nor of any enrichment in the content of the investigated PTEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Fedeli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (A.V.); (M.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Andrea Vannini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (A.V.); (M.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Massimo Guarnieri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (A.V.); (M.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Fabrizio Monaci
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (A.V.); (M.G.); (F.M.)
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Stefano Loppi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.F.); (A.V.); (M.G.); (F.M.)
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, 80138 Napoli, Italy
- Correspondence:
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