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McCormack C, Abuaish S, Monk C. Is There an Inflammatory Profile of Perinatal Depression? Curr Psychiatry Rep 2023; 25:149-164. [PMID: 36947355 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-023-01414-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To synthesize and critically examine recent evidence regarding associations between immune system activity and perinatal depression. RECENT FINDINGS Despite a significant number of studies assessing potential immunological markers of perinatal depression, it does not appear that levels of any individual pro- or anti-inflammatory marker is a useful predictor of perinatal depression. Some recent studies have observed differences in overall immune system functioning and adaptation across this period, taking into account multiple pro- and anti- inflammatory markers. Furthermore, there is evidence for interactions between depression and maternal psychosocial factors. Immune system functioning may be a mechanism through which social determinants of health contribute to risk for perinatal depression. There is substantial evidence implicating dysregulated immune activity in perinatal depression, yet little clarity regarding a consistent immune profile, especially based on analysis of circulating peripheral cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare McCormack
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Sameera Abuaish
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Catherine Monk
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
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2
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Sawyer KM. The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of perinatal depression and offspring outcomes. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 18:100390. [PMID: 34877551 PMCID: PMC8633814 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of depression is becoming increasingly apparent, but its role in perinatal depression is less well-studied. Pregnancy and the postpartum are characterised by distinct and changing inflammatory profiles throughout, which makes the study of depression-related alterations in this period complex. This review presents literature discussing a role for the immune system in both antenatal and postnatal depression. Furthermore, literature investigating the role of the maternal immune system on breast milk composition and offspring immunological and behavioural outcomes is discussed, before concluding with suggestions for future work as this developing field grows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi M Sawyer
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
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Camacho-Arroyo I, Flores-Ramos M, Mancilla-Herrera I, Cruz FMC, Hernández-Ruiz J, Diaz GP, Labonne BF, Del Pilar Meza-Rodríguez M, Gelman PL. Chemokine profile in women with moderate to severe anxiety and depression during pregnancy. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2021; 21:807. [PMID: 34863117 PMCID: PMC8642921 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-04225-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cytokine levels have been extensively described in pregnant subjects under normal and pathological conditions, including mood-related disorders. Concerning chemokines, very few studies have reported their association with psychiatric disorders during pregnancy. Therefore, we explored the chemokine profile in women exhibiting anxiety and depression during late pregnancy in the present study. Methods One hundred twenty-six pregnant women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, displaying moderate to severe anxiety (ANX) alone and women exhibiting moderate to severe anxiety with comorbid depression (ANX + DEP), and 40 control pregnant women without affective disorders (CTRL) were evaluated through the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Serum chemokine levels of MCP-1 (CCL2), RANTES (CCL5), IP-10 (CXCL10), Eotaxin (CCL11), TARC (CCL17), MIP-1α (CCL3), MIP-1β (CCL4), MIG (CXCL9), MIP-3α (CCL20), ENA-78 (CXCL5), GROα (CXCL1), I-TAC (CXCL11) and IL-8 (CXCL8)] were measured by immunoassay. Clinical, biochemical, and sociodemographic parameters were correlated with HARS and HDRS score values. Results Serum levels of most chemokines were significantly higher in the ANX and in the ANX + DEP groups, when compared to the CTRL group. Positive correlations were observed between MIP-1α/CCL3, MIP-1β/CCL4, MCP-1/CCL2, MIP-3α/CCL20, RANTES/CCL5, Eotaxin/CCL11, and I-TAC/CXCL11 with high scores for anxiety (HARS) (p < 0.05) and for depression (HDRS) (p < 0.004). After controlling clinical measures for age + gwk + BMI, chemokines such as IL-8/CXCL8, MCP-1/CCL2 and MIP-1β/CCL4 were found associated with high scores for anxiety (p < 0.05) in the ANX group. TARC/CCL17 and Eotaxin/CCL11 showed significant associations with high scores for depression (p < 0.04) whereas, MCP-1/CCL2 and MIP-1α/CCL3 were significantly associated with high scores for anxiety (p < 0.05) in the ANX + DEP group. Using a multivariate linear model, high serum levels of MIP-1β/CCL4 and Eotaxin/CCL11 remained associated with depression (p < 0.01), while, IL-8/CXCL8, MIP-1β/CCL4, MCP-1/CCL2, and MIP-1α/CCL3 were associated with anxiety (p < 0.05) in the symptomatic groups. Conclusions Our data show that serum levels of distinct chemokines are increased in women exhibiting high levels of affective symptoms during late pregnancy. Our results suggest that increased levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and mood-related disorders may promote changes in specific functional chemokines associated with a chronic inflammatory process. If not controlled, it may lead to adverse obstetric and negative neonate outcomes, child development and neuropsychiatric alterations in the postnatal life. Highlights Chemokine levels increase in affective disorders during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, (CD MX) 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mónica Flores-Ramos
- Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría, CD MX 14370, Mexico City, Mexico.,Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología/CONACyT, CD MX 03940, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ismael Mancilla-Herrera
- Departamento de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Av. Montes Urales # 800. Col. Lomas de Virreyes, CD MX 11000, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fausto Moisés Coronel Cruz
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, CD MX 06720, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Joselin Hernández-Ruiz
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, CD MX 06720, Mexico City, Mexico.,División of Nephology and Hypertension, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Gabriela Pellón Diaz
- Departamento de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Av. Montes Urales # 800. Col. Lomas de Virreyes, CD MX 11000, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Blanca Farfán Labonne
- Departamento de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Av. Montes Urales # 800. Col. Lomas de Virreyes, CD MX 11000, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - María Del Pilar Meza-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Av. Montes Urales # 800. Col. Lomas de Virreyes, CD MX 11000, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Philippe Leff Gelman
- Departamento de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Av. Montes Urales # 800. Col. Lomas de Virreyes, CD MX 11000, Mexico City, Mexico.
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The Association between Intimate Partner Violence, Depression and Influenza-like Illness Experienced by Pregnant Women in Australia. WOMEN 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/women1040017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a major public health issue, including during pregnancy where it poses a serious risk to the woman’s health. Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) also causes significant morbidity for women during pregnancy. It may be possible that ILI in pregnancy is associated with IPV, and that depression and trauma history play a role in the connection. 524 Australia-born women and 578 refugee-background women participated in the study. Baseline participants were randomly recruited and interviewed from antenatal clinics between January 2015 and March 2016, and they were reinterviewed six months post-partum. Bivariate and path analysis were used to assess links between IPV, depression and ILI. One in 10 women (10%; 111 out of 1102) reported ILI during their pregnancy period and this rate was significantly (p < 0.001) higher for women born in conflict-affected countries (13%; 76 out of 578) as compared to Australian-born women (7%; 35 out of 524). In both groups, Time 1 traumatic events, IPV and depression symptoms were significantly associated with ILI at Time 2. A significant association between IPV at Time 1 and ILI at Time 2 was fully mediated by depression symptoms at Time 1 (Beta = 0.36 p < 0.001). A significant direct path was shown from depression symptoms to ILI (Beta = 0.26, p < 0.001). Regardless of migration history, pregnant women who have experienced IPV and depression are more likely to report influenza-like symptoms in pregnancy. This may suggest that trauma and depression negatively affect immunity, although it could also indicate a connection between depressive symptoms and physical experiences of ILI.
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Petralia MC, Ciurleo R, Bramanti A, Bramanti P, Saraceno A, Mangano K, Quattropani MC, Nicoletti F, Fagone P. Transcriptomic Data Analysis Reveals a Down-Expression of Galectin-8 in Schizophrenia Hippocampus. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11080973. [PMID: 34439592 PMCID: PMC8392448 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11080973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe psychiatric disorder with several clinical manifestations that include cognitive dysfunction, decline in motivation, and psychosis. Current standards of care treatment with antipsychotic agents are often ineffective in controlling the disease, as only one-third of SCZ patients respond to medications. The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of SCZ remain elusive. It is believed that inflammatory processes may play a role as contributing factors to the etiology of SCZ. Galectins are a family of β-galactoside-binding lectins that contribute to the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses, and previous reports have shown their role in the maintenance of central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis and neuroinflammation. In the current study, we evaluated the expression levels of the galectin gene family in post-mortem samples of the hippocampus, associative striatum, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from SCZ patients. We found a significant downregulation of LGALS8 (Galectin-8) in the hippocampus of SCZ patients as compared to otherwise healthy donors. Interestingly, the reduction of LGALS8 was disease-specific, as no modulation was observed in the hippocampus from bipolar nor major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. Prediction analysis identified TBL1XR1, BRF2, and TAF7 as potential transcription factors controlling LGALS8 expression. In addition, MIR3681HG and MIR4296 were negatively correlated with LGALS8 expression, suggesting a role for epigenetics in the regulation of LGALS8 levels. On the other hand, no differences in the methylation levels of LGALS8 were observed between SCZ and matched control hippocampus. Finally, ontology analysis of the genes negatively correlated with LGALS8 expression identified an enrichment of the NGF-stimulated transcription pathway and of the oligodendrocyte differentiation pathway. Our study identified LGALS8 as a disease-specific gene, characterizing SCZ patients, that may in the future be exploited as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Petralia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (M.C.P.); (M.C.Q.)
| | - Rosella Ciurleo
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, 98124 Messina, Italy; (R.C.); (P.B.)
| | - Alessia Bramanti
- Department of Medicine, University of Salerno, 84084 Salerno, Italy;
| | - Placido Bramanti
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, 98124 Messina, Italy; (R.C.); (P.B.)
| | - Andrea Saraceno
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.S.); (K.M.); (F.N.)
| | - Katia Mangano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.S.); (K.M.); (F.N.)
| | - Maria Catena Quattropani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (M.C.P.); (M.C.Q.)
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.S.); (K.M.); (F.N.)
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.S.); (K.M.); (F.N.)
- Correspondence:
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6
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Genome-wide gene expression changes in postpartum depression point towards an altered immune landscape. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:155. [PMID: 33664235 PMCID: PMC7933180 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01270-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health concern due to the severe negative impact on maternal and child health and well-being. In this study, we aimed to identify genes associated with PPD. To do this, we investigated genome-wide gene expression profiles of pregnant women during their third trimester of pregnancy and tested the association of gene expression with perinatal depressive symptoms. A total of 137 women from a cohort from the University of North Carolina, USA were assessed. The main phenotypes analysed were Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores at 2 months postpartum and PPD (binary yes/no) based on an EPDS cutoff of 10. Illumina NextSeq500/550 transcriptomic sequencing from whole blood was analysed using the edgeR package. We identified 71 genes significantly associated with postpartum depression scores at 2 months, after correction for multiple testing at 5% FDR. These included several interesting candidates including TNFRSF17, previously reported to be significantly upregulated in women with PPD and MMP8, a matrix metalloproteinase gene, associated with depression in a genome-wide association study. Functional annotation of differentially expressed genes revealed an enrichment of immune response-related biological processes. Additional analysis of genes associated with changes in depressive symptoms from recruitment to 2 months postpartum identified 66 genes significant at an FDR of 5%. Of these genes, 33 genes were also associated with depressive symptoms at 2 months postpartum. Comparing the results with previous studies, we observed that 15.4% of genes associated with PPD in this study overlapped with 700 core maternal genes that showed significant gene expression changes across multiple brain regions (P = 7.9e-05) and 29-53% of the genes were also associated with estradiol changes in a pharmacological model of depression (P values range = 1.2e-4-2.1e-14). In conclusion, we identified novel genes and validated genes previously associated with oestrogen sensitivity in PPD. These results point towards the role of an altered immune transcriptomic landscape as a vulnerability factor for PPD.
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Qiu X, Wu G, Wang L, Tan Y, Song Z. Lactobacillus delbrueckii alleviates depression-like behavior through inhibiting toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in mice. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:366. [PMID: 33842587 PMCID: PMC8033381 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-4411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background The intestinal flora can influence behavior through the microbiota-gut-brain axis and is closely related to the occurrence and development of nervous system diseases such as depression. Probiotics like Lactobacillus may regulate the balance of the intestinal flora and play an active role in preventing and treating depression. Methods Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice (n=32) were randomly and equally divided into a normal control group, a control + Lac group, a model group, and a model + Lac group. The model and model + Lac groups were intraperitoneally injected with 1.2 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide for 7 days, and the behavior of the mice was assessed 24 hours later. The normal and model groups received intragastric administration of saline daily, while the control + Lac and model + Lac groups were given 109 cfu Lac intragastrically daily for 7 days. The inhibitory effect of Lac and its fermentation products on depression-related bacteria were examined in vitro. Results Lac effectively inhibited the production of depression-like behaviors in mice. The expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and E-cadherin in the small intestine in the model group were significantly decreased, but Lac abrogated this effect. Overactivation of microglia and decreased expression of dopamine transporter (DAT) in brain tissues, which are closely related to depression, were also abrogated by Lac treatment. Furthermore, the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nod-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3), as well as the level of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in the intestine and brain, were all significantly increased; however, these effects were subsequently abrogated by Lac. Moreover, Lac inhibited dysbiosis through its metabolites. Conclusions Lac has a remarkable antidepressant function, which it performs through the inhibition of dysbiosis (via its metabolites) and pattern recognition receptor TLR4 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjie Qiu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guojun Wu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yurong Tan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhi Song
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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8
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Caltabiano R, De Pasquale R, Piombino E, Campo G, Nicoletti F, Cavalli E, Mangano K, Fagone P. Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) and Its Homologue d-Dopachrome Tautomerase (DDT) Inversely Correlate with Inflammation in Discoid Lupus Erythematosus. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26010184. [PMID: 33401503 PMCID: PMC7795694 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26010184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic cutaneous disease of unknown etiology and of immunoinflammatory origin that is characterized by inflammatory plaques and may lead to disfiguring scarring and skin atrophy. Current treatments are limited, with a large proportion of patients either poorly or not responsive, which makes DLE an unmet medical need. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is the prototype of a pleiotropic family of cytokine that also includes the recently discovered homologue D-dopachrome tautomerase (DDT) or MIF2. MIF and DDT/MIF-2 exert several biological properties, primarily, but not exclusively of a proinflammatory nature. MIF and DDT have been suggested to play a key role in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes, as well as in the development and progression of certain forms of cancers. In the present study, we have performed an immunohistochemistry analysis for the evaluation of MIF in DLE lesions and normal skin. We found high levels of MIF in the basal layer of the epidermis as well as in the cutaneous appendage (eccrine glands and sebocytes) of normal skin. In DLE lesions, we observed a significant negative correlation between the expression of MIF and the severity of inflammation. In addition, we performed an analysis of MIF and DDT expression levels in the skin of DLE patients in a publicly available microarray dataset. Interestingly, while these in silico data only evidenced a trend toward reduced levels of MIF, they demonstrated a significant pattern of expression and correlation of DDT with inflammatory infiltrates in DLE skins. Overall, our data support a protective role for endogenous MIF and possibly DDT in the regulation of homeostasis and inflammation in the skin and open up novel avenues for the treatment of DLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Caltabiano
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (R.C.); (E.P.)
| | - Rocco De Pasquale
- Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Eliana Piombino
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (R.C.); (E.P.)
| | - Giorgia Campo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (K.M.); (P.F.)
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (K.M.); (P.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Eugenio Cavalli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (K.M.); (P.F.)
| | - Katia Mangano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (K.M.); (P.F.)
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (K.M.); (P.F.)
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Cavalli E, Petralia MC, Basile MS, Bramanti A, Bramanti P, Nicoletti F, Spandidos DA, Shoenfeld Y, Fagone P. Transcriptomic analysis of COVID‑19 lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples reveals predominant B cell activation responses to infection. Int J Mol Med 2020; 46:1266-1273. [PMID: 32945352 PMCID: PMC7447313 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus disease (named, COVID‑19), caused by the novel SARS‑CoV‑2 virus, represents a worldwide severe threat to public health. It is of the utmost importance to characterize the immune responses against the SARS‑CoV‑2 and the mechanisms of hyperinflammation, in order to design better therapeutic strategies for COVID‑19. In the present study, a transcriptomic analysis was performed to profile the immune signatures in lung and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples from COVID‑19 patients and controls. Our data concordantly revealed increased humoral responses to infection. The elucidation of the host responses to SARS‑CoV‑2 infection may further improve our understanding of COVID‑19 pathogenesis and suggest better therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Cavalli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania
| | - Maria Cristina Petralia
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania
| | - Maria Sofia Basile
- IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare) Centro Neurolesi 'Bonino-Pulejo', I-98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessia Bramanti
- IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare) Centro Neurolesi 'Bonino-Pulejo', I-98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Placido Bramanti
- IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare) Centro Neurolesi 'Bonino-Pulejo', I-98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center (Affiliated to Tel-Aviv University), Tel-Hashomer 5265601, Israel
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119146 Moscow, Russia
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania
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Transcriptional landscape of SARS-CoV-2 infection dismantles pathogenic pathways activated by the virus, proposes unique sex-specific differences and predicts tailored therapeutic strategies. Autoimmun Rev 2020; 19:102571. [PMID: 32376402 PMCID: PMC7252184 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) has posed a serious threat to global health. As no specific therapeutics are yet available to control disease evolution, more in-depth understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms induced by SARS-CoV-2 will help to characterize new targets for the management of COVID-19. The present study identified a specific set of biological pathways altered in primary human lung epithelium upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, and a comparison with SARS-CoV from the 2003 pandemic was studied. The transcriptomic profiles were also exploited as possible novel therapeutic targets, and anti-signature perturbation analysis predicted potential drugs to control disease progression. Among them, Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), serine-threonine kinase (AKT), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and I kappa B Kinase (IKK) inhibitors emerged as candidate drugs. Finally, sex-specific differences that may underlie the higher COVID-19 mortality in men are proposed.
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11
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Petralia MC, Ciurleo R, Saraceno A, Pennisi M, Basile MS, Fagone P, Bramanti P, Nicoletti F, Cavalli E. Meta-Analysis of Transcriptomic Data of Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex and of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Identifies Altered Pathways in Schizophrenia. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11040390. [PMID: 32260267 PMCID: PMC7230488 DOI: 10.3390/genes11040390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by both positive and negative symptoms, including cognitive dysfunction, decline in motivation, delusion and hallucinations. Antipsychotic agents are currently the standard of care treatment for SCZ. However, only about one-third of SCZ patients respond to antipsychotic medications. In the current study, we have performed a meta-analysis of publicly available whole-genome expression datasets on Brodmann area 46 of the brain dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in order to prioritize potential pathways underlying SCZ pathology. Moreover, we have evaluated whether the differentially expressed genes in SCZ belong to specific subsets of cell types. Finally, a cross-tissue comparison at both the gene and functional level was performed by analyzing the transcriptomic pattern of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of SCZ patients. Our study identified a robust disease-specific set of dysfunctional biological pathways characterizing SCZ patients that could in the future be exploited as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosella Ciurleo
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (R.C.); (P.B.)
| | - Andrea Saraceno
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.S.); (M.P.); (M.S.B.); (F.N.); (E.C.)
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.S.); (M.P.); (M.S.B.); (F.N.); (E.C.)
| | - Maria Sofia Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.S.); (M.P.); (M.S.B.); (F.N.); (E.C.)
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.S.); (M.P.); (M.S.B.); (F.N.); (E.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-4781284
| | - Placido Bramanti
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (R.C.); (P.B.)
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.S.); (M.P.); (M.S.B.); (F.N.); (E.C.)
| | - Eugenio Cavalli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.S.); (M.P.); (M.S.B.); (F.N.); (E.C.)
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12
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Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Abnormal Expression of Prion Disease Gene Pathway in Brains from Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10040200. [PMID: 32235346 PMCID: PMC7226514 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10040200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of infections in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is still controversial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate markers of infections and immune activation in ASD by performing a meta-analysis of publicly available whole-genome transcriptomic datasets of brain samples from autistic patients and otherwise normal people. Among the differentially expressed genes, no significant enrichment was observed for infectious diseases previously associated with ASD, including herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), cytomegalovirus and Epstein–Barr virus in brain samples, nor was it found in peripheral blood from ASD patients. Interestingly, a significant number of genes belonging to the “prion diseases” pathway were found to be modulated in our ASD brain meta-analysis. Overall, our data do not support an association between infection and ASD. However, the data do provide support for the involvement of pathways related to other neurodegenerative diseases and give input to uncover novel pathogenetic mechanisms underlying ASD.
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13
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Cavalli E, Battaglia G, Basile MS, Bruno V, Petralia MC, Lombardo SD, Pennisi M, Kalfin R, Tancheva L, Fagone P, Nicoletti F, Mangano K. Exploratory Analysis of iPSCS-Derived Neuronal Cells as Predictors of Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer Disease. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10030166. [PMID: 32183090 PMCID: PMC7139610 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10030166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents the most common neurodegenerative disorder, with 47 million affected people worldwide. Current treatment strategies are aimed at reducing the symptoms and do slow down the progression of the disease, but inevitably fail in the long-term. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived neuronal cells from AD patients have proven to be a reliable model for AD pathogenesis. Here, we have conducted an in silico analysis aimed at identifying pathogenic gene-expression profiles and novel drug candidates. The GSE117589 microarray dataset was used for the identification of Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) between iPSC-derived neuronal progenitor (NP) cells and neurons from AD patients and healthy donors. The Discriminant Analysis Module (DAM) algorithm was used for the identification of biomarkers of disease. Drugs with anti-signature gene perturbation profiles were identified using the L1000FWD software. DAM analysis was used to identify a list of potential biomarkers among the DEGs, able to discriminate AD patients from healthy people. Finally, anti-signature perturbation analysis identified potential anti-AD drugs. This study set the basis for the investigation of potential novel pharmacological strategies for AD. Furthermore, a subset of genes for the early diagnosis of AD is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Cavalli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (E.C.); (M.S.B.); (S.D.L.); (M.P.); (F.N.); (K.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Battaglia
- University Sapienza, Piazzale A. Moro, 5, 00185 Roma, Italy; (G.B.); (V.B.)
- IRCCS Neuromed, Località Camerelle, 86077 Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | - Maria Sofia Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (E.C.); (M.S.B.); (S.D.L.); (M.P.); (F.N.); (K.M.)
| | - Valeria Bruno
- University Sapienza, Piazzale A. Moro, 5, 00185 Roma, Italy; (G.B.); (V.B.)
- IRCCS Neuromed, Località Camerelle, 86077 Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | | | - Salvo Danilo Lombardo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (E.C.); (M.S.B.); (S.D.L.); (M.P.); (F.N.); (K.M.)
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (E.C.); (M.S.B.); (S.D.L.); (M.P.); (F.N.); (K.M.)
| | - Reni Kalfin
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Block 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (R.K.); (L.T.)
| | - Lyubka Tancheva
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Block 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (R.K.); (L.T.)
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (E.C.); (M.S.B.); (S.D.L.); (M.P.); (F.N.); (K.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-478-1284
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (E.C.); (M.S.B.); (S.D.L.); (M.P.); (F.N.); (K.M.)
| | - Katia Mangano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (E.C.); (M.S.B.); (S.D.L.); (M.P.); (F.N.); (K.M.)
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14
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La Rosa GRM, Gattuso G, Pedullà E, Rapisarda E, Nicolosi D, Salmeri M. Association of oral dysbiosis with oral cancer development. Oncol Lett 2020; 19:3045-3058. [PMID: 32211076 PMCID: PMC7079586 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the leading cause of mortality for oral cancer. Numerous risk factors mainly related to unhealthy habits and responsible for chronic inflammation and infections have been recognized as predisposing factors for oral carcinogenesis. Recently, even microbiota alterations have been associated with the development of human cancers. In particular, some specific bacterial strains have been recognized and strongly associated with oral cancer development (Capnocytophaga gingivalis, Fusobacterium spp., Streptococcus spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella spp.). Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain how the oral microbiota could be involved in cancer pathogenesis by mainly paying attention to chronic inflammation, microbial synthesis of cancerogenic substances, and alteration of epithelial barrier integrity. Based on knowledge of the carcinogenic effects of dysbiosis, it was recently suggested that probiotics may have anti-tumoral activity. Nevertheless, few data exist with regard to probiotic effects on oral cancer. On this basis, the association between the development of oral cancer and oral dysbiosis is discussed focusing attention on the potential benefits of probiotics administration in cancer prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, University of Catania, I-95125 Catania, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, International PhD Program in Basic and Applied Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gattuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, International PhD Program in Basic and Applied Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Eugenio Pedullà
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, University of Catania, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Ernesto Rapisarda
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, University of Catania, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Daria Nicolosi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Mario Salmeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
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15
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Basile MS, Mazzon E, Mangano K, Pennisi M, Petralia MC, Lombardo SD, Nicoletti F, Fagone P, Cavalli E. Impaired Expression of Tetraspanin 32 (TSPAN32) in Memory T Cells of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10010052. [PMID: 31963428 PMCID: PMC7016636 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tetraspanins are a conserved family of proteins involved in a number of biological processes. We have previously shown that Tetraspanin-32 (TSPAN32) is significantly downregulated upon activation of T helper cells via anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation. On the other hand, TSPAN32 is marginally modulated in activated Treg cells. A role for TSPAN32 in controlling the development of autoimmune responses is consistent with our observation that encephalitogenic T cells from myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice exhibit significantly lower levels of TSPAN32 as compared to naïve T cells. In the present study, by making use of ex vivo and in silico analysis, we aimed to better characterize the pathophysiological and diagnostic/prognostic role of TSPAN32 in T cell immunity and in multiple sclerosis (MS). We first show that TSPAN32 is significantly downregulated in memory T cells as compared to naïve T cells, and that it is further diminished upon ex vivo restimulation. Accordingly, following antigenic stimulation, myelin-specific memory T cells from MS patients showed significantly lower expression of TSPAN32 as compared to memory T cells from healthy donors (HD). The expression levels of TSPAN32 was significantly downregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from drug-naïve MS patients as compared to HD, irrespective of the disease state. Finally, when comparing patients undergoing early relapses in comparison to patients with longer stable disease, moderate but significantly lower levels of TSPAN32 expression were observed in PBMCs from the former group. Our data suggest a role for TSPAN32 in the immune responses underlying the pathophysiology of MS and represent a proof-of-concept for additional studies aiming at dissecting the eventual contribution of TSPAN32 in other autoimmune diseases and its possible use of TSPAN32 as a diagnostic factor and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sofia Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (K.M.); (M.P.); (S.D.L.); (F.N.)
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (E.M.); (M.C.P.); (E.C.)
| | - Katia Mangano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (K.M.); (M.P.); (S.D.L.); (F.N.)
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (K.M.); (M.P.); (S.D.L.); (F.N.)
| | - Maria Cristina Petralia
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (E.M.); (M.C.P.); (E.C.)
| | - Salvo Danilo Lombardo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (K.M.); (M.P.); (S.D.L.); (F.N.)
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (K.M.); (M.P.); (S.D.L.); (F.N.)
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (K.M.); (M.P.); (S.D.L.); (F.N.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Eugenio Cavalli
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (E.M.); (M.C.P.); (E.C.)
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16
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Petralia MC, Mazzon E, Mangano K, Fagone P, Di Marco R, Falzone L, Basile MS, Nicoletti F, Cavalli E. Transcriptomic analysis reveals moderate modulation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor superfamily genes in alcohol use disorders. Exp Ther Med 2020; 19:1755-1762. [PMID: 32104230 PMCID: PMC7026954 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.8410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a primary, chronic and relapsing disease of brain reward, motivation and memory, which is associated with several comorbidities, including major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. It has been revealed that Ibudilast (IBUD), a dual inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-4 and −10 and of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), exerts beneficial effects on AUD in rodent models and human patients. Therefore, IBUD has attracted increasing interest, with research focusing on the elucidation of the pathogenic role of MIF and its homologue, D-dopachrome tautomerase (DDT), in the pathogenesis and maintenance of AUD. By using DNA microarray analysis, the current study performed a transcriptomic expression analysis of MIF, DDT and their co-receptors, including CD74, C-X-C chemokine receptor (CXCR)2, CXCR4 and CXCR7 in patients with AUD. The results revealed that the transcriptomic levels of MIF, DDT and their receptors were superimposable in the prefrontal cortex of rodents and patients with AUD and human patients. Furthermore, peripheral blood cells from heavy drinkers exhibited a moderate increase in MIF and DDT levels, both at the baseline and following exposure to alcohol-associated cues, based on individual situations that included alcohol-related stimuli resulting in subsequent alcohol use (buying alcohol and being at a bar, watching others drink alcohol). Considering the overlapping effects of MIF and DDT, the inverse Fisher's χ2 test was performed on unadjusted P-values to evaluate the combined effect of MIF and DDT. The results revealed a significant increase in these cytokines in heavy drinkers compared with controls (moderate drinkers). To the best of our knowledge, the present study demonstrated for the first time that MIF and DDT expression was upregulated in the blood of patients with AUD. These results therefore warrant further study to evaluate the role of MIF and DDT in the development and maintenance of AUD, to evaluate their use as biomarkers to predict the psychotherapeutic and pharmacological response of patients with AUD and for use as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Petralia
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare) Centro Neurolesi 'Bonino-Pulejo', I-98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Katia Mangano
- IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare) Centro Neurolesi 'Bonino-Pulejo', I-98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Roberto Di Marco
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences 'Vincenzo Tiberio', University of Molise, I-86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Luca Falzone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Sofia Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Eugenio Cavalli
- IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare) Centro Neurolesi 'Bonino-Pulejo', I-98124 Messina, Italy
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17
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Cavalli E, Mazzon E, Basile MS, Mammana S, Pennisi M, Fagone P, Kalfin R, Martinovic V, Ivanovic J, Andabaka M, Mesaros S, Pekmezovic T, Drulovic J, Nicoletti F, Petralia MC. In Silico and In Vivo Analysis of IL37 in Multiple Sclerosis Reveals Its Probable Homeostatic Role on the Clinical Activity, Disability, and Treatment with Fingolimod. Molecules 2019; 25:molecules25010020. [PMID: 31861585 PMCID: PMC6982851 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the in silico expression and circulating levels of interleukin (IL)37 in patients with different forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and also upon treatment with different disease-modifying drugs. The combined interpretation of the resulting data strengthens and extends the current emerging concept that endogenous IL37 plays an important role in determining onset and progression of MS. The in silico analysis revealed that production of IL37 from cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ T cells from MS patients was reduced in vitro as compared to healthy controls. The analysis of the datasets also demonstrated that “higher” levels of IL37 production from PBMC entailed significant protection from MS relapses. In addition, the in vivo part of the study showed that IL37 was selectively augmented in the sera of MS patients during a relapse and that treatment with the high potency disease-modifying drug fingolimod significantly increased the frequency of patients with circulating blood levels of IL37 (6/9, 66%) as compared to patients receiving no treatment (n = 48) or platform therapy (n = 59) who had levels of IL37 below the limit of the sensitivity of the assay. This finding therefore anticipates that fingolimod may at least partially exert its beneficial effects in MS by upregulating the production of IL37.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Cavalli
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (E.C.); (E.M.); (S.M.); (M.C.P.)
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (E.C.); (E.M.); (S.M.); (M.C.P.)
| | - Maria Sofia Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (M.P.); (P.F.)
| | - Santa Mammana
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (E.C.); (E.M.); (S.M.); (M.C.P.)
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (M.P.); (P.F.)
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (M.P.); (P.F.)
| | - Reni Kalfin
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Block 23 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Vanja Martinovic
- Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Dr Subotica 6, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (V.M.); (J.I.); (M.A.); (S.M.); (T.P.); (J.D.)
| | - Jovana Ivanovic
- Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Dr Subotica 6, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (V.M.); (J.I.); (M.A.); (S.M.); (T.P.); (J.D.)
| | - Marko Andabaka
- Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Dr Subotica 6, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (V.M.); (J.I.); (M.A.); (S.M.); (T.P.); (J.D.)
| | - Sarlota Mesaros
- Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Dr Subotica 6, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (V.M.); (J.I.); (M.A.); (S.M.); (T.P.); (J.D.)
| | - Tatjana Pekmezovic
- Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Dr Subotica 6, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (V.M.); (J.I.); (M.A.); (S.M.); (T.P.); (J.D.)
| | - Jelena Drulovic
- Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Dr Subotica 6, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (V.M.); (J.I.); (M.A.); (S.M.); (T.P.); (J.D.)
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (M.P.); (P.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-478-1270
| | - Maria Cristina Petralia
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (E.C.); (E.M.); (S.M.); (M.C.P.)
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18
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Petralia MC, Mazzon E, Basile MS, Cutuli M, Di Marco R, Scandurra F, Saraceno A, Fagone P, Nicoletti F, Mangano K. Effects of Treatment with the Hypomethylating Agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine in Murine Type II Collagen-Induced Arthritis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:ph12040174. [PMID: 31783688 PMCID: PMC6958460 DOI: 10.3390/ph12040174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The emerging role of epigenetics in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases has recently attracted much interest on the possible use of epigenetic modulators for the prevention and treatment of these diseases. In particular, we and others have shown that drugs that inhibit DNA methylation, such as azacitidine (AZA) and decitabine (DAC), already used for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, exert powerful beneficial effects in rodent models of type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain Barrè syndrome. Along this line of research, we have presently studied the effects of DAC in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis induced by type II collagen and have demonstrated that DAC administration was associated with a significant amelioration of the clinical condition, along with in vivo and ex vivo modification of the immunological profile of the so-treated mice, that exhibited a diminished production of Th1 and Th17 pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduction of anti-type II collagen autoantibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (M.C.P.); (E.M.)
| | - Maria Sofia Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (F.S.); (A.S.); (P.F.); (K.M.)
| | - Marco Cutuli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (M.C.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Roberto Di Marco
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (M.C.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Fabiola Scandurra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (F.S.); (A.S.); (P.F.); (K.M.)
| | - Andrea Saraceno
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (F.S.); (A.S.); (P.F.); (K.M.)
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (F.S.); (A.S.); (P.F.); (K.M.)
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (F.S.); (A.S.); (P.F.); (K.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-478-1270
| | - Katia Mangano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (F.S.); (A.S.); (P.F.); (K.M.)
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19
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Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Involvement of the Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Gene Network in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10110939. [PMID: 31752120 PMCID: PMC6896047 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive hereditary muscular disease with X-linked recessive inheritance, that leads patients to premature death. The loss of dystrophin determines membrane instability, causing cell damage and inflammatory response. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine that exerts pleiotropic properties and is implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases. Recently, converging data from independent studies have pointed to a possible role of MIF in dystrophic muscle disorders, including DMD. In the present study, we have investigated the modulation of MIF and MIF-related genes in degenerative muscle disorders, by making use of publicly available whole-genome expression datasets. We show here a significant enrichment of MIF and related genes in muscle samples from DMD patients, as well as from patients suffering from Becker’s disease and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B. On the other hand, transcriptomic analysis of in vitro differentiated myotubes from healthy controls and DMD patients revealed no significant alteration in the expression levels of MIF-related genes. Finally, by analyzing DMD samples as a time series, we show that the modulation of the genes belonging to the MIF network is an early event in the DMD muscle and does not change with the increasing age of the patients, Overall, our analysis suggests that MIF may play a role in vivo during muscle degeneration, likely promoting inflammation and local microenvironment reaction.
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Cavalli E, Mazzon E, Mammana S, Basile MS, Lombardo SD, Mangano K, Bramanti P, Nicoletti F, Fagone P, Petralia MC. Overexpression of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and Its Homologue D-Dopachrome Tautomerase as Negative Prognostic Factor in Neuroblastoma. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9100284. [PMID: 31635049 PMCID: PMC6826588 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9100284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) represents one of the most frequent pediatric solid tumors. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine exerting multiple biological functions. More recently, a second member of the MIF family of cytokine has been identified, the D-dopachrome tautomerase (DDT), that exerts several overlapping functions with MIF. Growing evidence suggests a key role for MIF and DDT in the development of cancer. The aim of this study is to characterize the prognostic value of MIF and DDT in NB. We show that higher expression levels of MIF and DDT in Stage 4 NB samples are associated with a poorer prognosis, independently of the presence of MYCN amplification. Moreover, higher levels of MIF are mostly enriched by Th1 cells, while lower levels of MIF are associated with an increased proportion of B cells, Cytotoxic T cells, Dendritic cells and Natural Killer T cells. We also show that treatment with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, vorinostat, of the NB cell line, SH-SY5Y, determines a significant reduction in the expression of both MIF and DDT. Finally, MIF and DDT inhibition by short interfering RNA is able to revert vincristine sensitivity in vitro. Overall, our data suggest that MIF exert pro-tumorigenic properties in NB, likely by dampening antigen presentation and cytotoxic immune responses, and we propose the HDAC inhibitors as a potential therapeutic strategy for NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Cavalli
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy.
| | - Santa Mammana
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy.
| | - Maria Sofia Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Salvo Danilo Lombardo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Katia Mangano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Placido Bramanti
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy.
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
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Lombardo SD, Presti M, Mangano K, Petralia MC, Basile MS, Libra M, Candido S, Fagone P, Mazzon E, Nicoletti F, Bramanti A. Prediction of PD-L1 Expression in Neuroblastoma via Computational Modeling. Brain Sci 2019; 9:E221. [PMID: 31480495 PMCID: PMC6770763 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9090221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a promising new therapeutic approach for neuroblastoma (NBM): an anti-GD2 vaccine combined with orally administered soluble beta-glucan is undergoing a phase II clinical trial and nivolumab and ipilimumab are being tested in recurrent and refractory tumors. Unfortunately, predictive biomarkers of response to immunotherapy are currently not available for NBM patients. The aim of this study was to create a computational network model simulating the different intracellular pathways involved in NBM, in order to predict how the tumor phenotype may be influenced to increase the sensitivity to anti-programmed cell death-ligand-1 (PD-L1)/programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) immunotherapy. The model runs on COPASI software. In order to determine the influence of intracellular signaling pathways on the expression of PD-L1 in NBM, we first developed an integrated network of protein kinase cascades. Michaelis-Menten kinetics were associated to each reaction in order to tailor the different enzymes kinetics, creating a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The data of this study offers a first tool to be considered in the therapeutic management of the NBM patient undergoing immunotherapeutic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvo Danilo Lombardo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123- Catania, Italy
| | - Mario Presti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123- Catania, Italy
| | - Katia Mangano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123- Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Petralia
- IRCCS (Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, C.da Casazza, 98124- Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Sofia Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123- Catania, Italy
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123- Catania, Italy
| | - Saverio Candido
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123- Catania, Italy
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123- Catania, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS (Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, C.da Casazza, 98124- Messina, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123- Catania, Italy
| | - Alessia Bramanti
- IRCCS (Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, C.da Casazza, 98124- Messina, Italy
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