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Gonçalves M, Furgiuele A, Rasini E, Legnaro M, Ferrari M, Luini A, Rodrigues-Santos P, Caramelo F, Marino F, Pereira FC, Cosentino M. A peripheral blood mononuclear cell-based in vitro model: A tool to explore indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1). Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 968:176420. [PMID: 38367683 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proinflammatory cytokines powerfully induce the rate-limiting enzyme indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO-1) in dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes, it converts tryptophan (Trp) into L-kynurenine (KYN), along the kynurenine pathway (KP). This mechanism represents a crucial innate immunity regulator that can modulate T cells. This work explores the role of IDO1 in lymphocyte proliferation within a specific pro-inflammatory milieu. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclera cells (PBMCs) were isolated from buffy coats taken from healthy blood donors and exposed to a pro-inflammatory milieu triggered by a double-hit stimulus: lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus anti-CD3/CD28. The IDO1 mRNA levels in the PBMCs were measured by RT-PCR; the IDO1 activity was analyzed using the KYN/Trp ratio, measured by HPLC-EC; and lymphocyte proliferation was measured by flow cytometry. Trp and epacadostat (EP) were used as an IDO1 substrate and inhibitor, respectively. KYN, which is known to modulate Teffs, was tested as a positive control in lymphocyte proliferation. RESULTS IDO1 expression and activity in PBMCs increased in an in vitro pro-inflammatory milieu. The lymphoid stimulus increased IDO1 expression and activity, which supports the interaction between the activated lymphocytes and the circulating myeloid IDO1-expressing cells. The addition of Trp decreased lymphocyte proliferation but EP, which abrogated the IDO1 function, had no impact on proliferation. Additionally, incubation with KYN seemed to decrease the lymphocyte proliferation. CONCLUSION IDO1 inhibition did not change T lymphocyte proliferation. We present herein an in vitro experimental model suitable to measure IDO1 expression and activity in circulating myeloid cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milene Gonçalves
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal; Univ Coimbra, Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal; Univ Coimbra, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Coimbra, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal; Univ Coimbra, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alessia Furgiuele
- Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology, Univ Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Emanuela Rasini
- Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology, Univ Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | | | - Marco Ferrari
- Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology, Univ Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Alessandra Luini
- Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology, Univ Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Paulo Rodrigues-Santos
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal; Univ Coimbra, Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal; Univ Coimbra, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisco Caramelo
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Franca Marino
- Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology, Univ Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Frederico C Pereira
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal; Univ Coimbra, Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal; Univ Coimbra, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Coimbra, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Marco Cosentino
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.
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Furgiuele A, Marino F, Rasini E, Legnaro M, Luini A, Albizzati MG, di Flora A, Pacchetti B, Cosentino M. Effect of Cannabidiol on Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and CD4+ T Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14880. [PMID: 37834328 PMCID: PMC10573927 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), the main non-psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa L., is widely used in therapy for the treatment of different diseases and as an adjuvant drug. Our aim was to assess the effects of CBD on proinflammatory cytokine production and cell proliferation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and on CD4+ T lymphocyte differentiation, and, furthermore, to test CBD's ability to affect the functional properties of regulatory T cells (Treg). Experiments were performed on isolated PBMCs and purified CD4+ T lymphocytes obtained from the buffy coats of healthy subjects. Cytokines produced by CD4+ T cells were evaluated by flow cytometry and intracellular cytokine staining techniques. PBMC cytokine production was measured by an ELISA assay. Real-time PCR was used to assess the mRNA expression of cytokines and the key transcription factors (TFs) of CD4+ T cells. Finally, the proliferation of PBMC and CD4+ T effector cells (Teff), alone and in the presence of Treg, was assessed by flow cytometry. Results showed that CBD affects both the frequency of IL-4-producing CD4+ and of IFN-γ/IL-17-producing cells and dramatically decreases the mRNA levels of all TFs. Stimuli-induced cytokine mRNA expression was decreased while protein production was unaffected. CBD was unable to affect the ability of Treg to prevent Teff cell proliferation while it slightly increased PBMC proliferation. In conclusion, CBD may inhibit the expression of proinflammatory cytokines; however, the effect of CBD on cell proliferation suggests that this cannabinoid exerts a complex activity on human PBMCs and CD4+ T cells which deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marco Cosentino
- Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (A.F.); (F.M.); (E.R.); (M.L.); (A.L.); (M.G.A.); (A.d.F.); (B.P.)
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Furgiuele A, Pereira FC, Martini S, Marino F, Cosentino M. Dopaminergic regulation of inflammation and immunity in Parkinson's disease: friend or foe? Clin Transl Immunology 2023; 12:e1469. [PMID: 37781343 PMCID: PMC10540835 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting 7-10 million people worldwide. Currently, there is no treatment available to prevent or delay PD progression, partially due to the limited understanding of the pathological events which lead to the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra in the brain, which is known to be the cause of PD symptoms. The current available treatments aim at compensating dopamine (DA) deficiency in the brain using its precursor levodopa, dopaminergic agonists and some indirect dopaminergic agents. The immune system is emerging as a critical player in PD. Therefore, immune-based approaches have recently been proposed to be used as potential antiparkinsonian agents. It has been well-known that dopaminergic pathways play a significant role in regulating immune responses in the brain. Although dopaminergic agents are the primary antiparkinsonian treatments, their immune regulatory effect has yet to be fully understood. The present review summarises the current available evidence of the immune regulatory effects of DA and its mimics and discusses dopaminergic agents as antiparkinsonian drugs. Based on the current understanding of their involvement in the regulation of neuroinflammation in PD, we propose that targeting immune pathways involved in PD pathology could offer a better treatment outcome for PD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Furgiuele
- Center for Research in Medical PharmacologyUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Frederico C Pereira
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental TherapeuticsUniversity of CoimbraCoimbraPortugal
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR)University of CoimbraCoimbraPortugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB)University of CoimbraCoimbraPortugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC)CoimbraPortugal
| | - Stefano Martini
- Center for Research in Medical PharmacologyUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Franca Marino
- Center for Research in Medical PharmacologyUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Marco Cosentino
- Center for Research in Medical PharmacologyUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
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Contaldi E, Magistrelli L, Furgiuele A, Gallo S, Comi C. Relationship between [ 123I]FP-CIT SPECT data and peripheral CD4 + T cell profile in newly-diagnosed drug-naïve Parkinson's disease patients. J Neurol 2023; 270:2776-2783. [PMID: 36840790 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11635-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulation of the CD4 + T cell compartment occurs in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Nonetheless, the exact relationship with dopamine transporter (DAT) SPECT denervation patterns is currently unknown. METHODS Expression of transcription factors and levels of circulating CD4 + T cell subsets were assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 23 newly diagnosed drug-naïve PD patients. Semi-quantitative [123I]-FP-CIT SPECT data, i.e. uptake in the most and least affected putamen (maP, laP) and caudate (maC, laC), total striatal binding ratio (tSBR), and total putamen-to-caudate ratio (tP/C) were obtained. RESULTS FOXP3 mRNA levels correlated with the uptake in maC (r = - 0.542, P = 0.011), laP (r = - 0.467, P = 0.033), and tSBR (r = - 0.483, P = 0.027). Concerning flow cytometry analysis of circulating CD4 + T cell subsets, a significant relationship between tP/C, caudate uptake, and the levels of both T helper (Th)1 and 2, was detected. Furthermore, we found significant correlations between the uptake in maP and the total count of naïve and activated T regulatory cells (Treg) (r = - 0.717, P = 0.001; r = - 0.691, P = 0.002), which were confirmed after the Benjamini-Hochberg correction for multiple comparisons using a false discovery rate at level q = 0.10. Levels of circulating naïve Treg were higher (P = 0.014) in patients with more extensive dopaminergic denervation, suggesting a compensatory phenomenon. CONCLUSIONS Peripheral CD4 + T cell immunity is involved in early-stage PD and novel correlations with striatal DAT loss were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Contaldi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Neurology Unit, Movement Disorders Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100, Novara, Italy. .,PhD Program in Medical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100, Novara, Italy.
| | - Luca Magistrelli
- Department of Translational Medicine, Neurology Unit, Movement Disorders Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Alessia Furgiuele
- Center of Research in Medical Pharmacology, University of Insubria, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Silvia Gallo
- Department of Translational Medicine, Neurology Unit, Movement Disorders Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Cristoforo Comi
- Center of Research in Medical Pharmacology, University of Insubria, 21100, Varese, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, Neurology Unit, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Piemonte Orientale, 13100, Vercelli, Italy
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Furgiuele A, Cosentino M, Ferrari M, Marino F. Immunomodulatory Potential of Cannabidiol in Multiple Sclerosis: a Systematic Review. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2021; 16:251-269. [PMID: 33492630 PMCID: PMC7829325 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-021-09982-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Efficacy of treatments for MS is associated with risk of adverse effects, and effective and well-tolerated drugs remain a major unmet need. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L., fam. Cannabaceae) and cannabinoids are popular among MS patients to treat spasticity and pain. Cannabinoids are endowed with remarkable immunomodulating properties, and in particular the non-psychotropic cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) is increasingly recognized as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive, nevertheless with excellent tolerability even at high doses. In this systematic review, we retrieved and critically evaluated available evidence regarding the immune and disease-modifying effects of CBD in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and in MS. Evidence in rodent models of EAE strongly supports CBD as effective, while clinical evidence is still limited and usually negative, due to paucity of studies and possibly to the use of suboptimal dosing regimens. Better characterization of targets acted upon by CBD in MS should be obtained in ex vivo/in vitro studies in human immune cells, and higher doses should be tested in well-designed clinical trials with clinically relevant efficacy endpoints. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Furgiuele
- Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology and Center for Research in Neuroscience, University of Insubria, Via Ottorino Rossi n. 9, 21100, Varese, VA, Italy
| | - Marco Cosentino
- Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology and Center for Research in Neuroscience, University of Insubria, Via Ottorino Rossi n. 9, 21100, Varese, VA, Italy.
| | - Marco Ferrari
- Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology and Center for Research in Neuroscience, University of Insubria, Via Ottorino Rossi n. 9, 21100, Varese, VA, Italy
| | - Franca Marino
- Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology and Center for Research in Neuroscience, University of Insubria, Via Ottorino Rossi n. 9, 21100, Varese, VA, Italy
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Magistrelli L, Ferrari M, Furgiuele A, Milner AV, Contaldi E, Comi C, Cosentino M, Marino F. Polymorphisms of Dopamine Receptor Genes and Parkinson's Disease: Clinical Relevance and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073781. [PMID: 33917417 PMCID: PMC8038729 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. PD is clinically characterized by a variety of motor and nonmotor symptoms, and treatment relies on dopaminergic replacement. Beyond a common pathological hallmark, PD patients may present differences in both clinical progression and response to drug therapy that are partly affected by genetic factors. Despite extensive knowledge on genetic variability of dopaminergic receptors (DR), few studies have addressed their relevance as possible influencers of clinical heterogeneity in PD patients. In this review, we summarized available evidence regarding the role of genetic polymorphisms in DR as possible determinants of PD development, progression and treatment response. Moreover, we examined the role of DR in the modulation of peripheral immunity, in light of the emerging role of the peripheral immune system in PD pathophysiology. A better understanding of all these aspects represents an important step towards the development of precise and personalized disease-modifying therapies for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Magistrelli
- PhD Program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Medical Humanities, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (L.M.); (A.F.)
- Movement Disorders Centre, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (A.V.M.); (E.C.)
| | - Marco Ferrari
- Centre of Research in Medical Pharmacology, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.F.); (M.C.); (F.M.)
| | - Alessia Furgiuele
- PhD Program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Medical Humanities, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (L.M.); (A.F.)
- Centre of Research in Medical Pharmacology, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.F.); (M.C.); (F.M.)
| | - Anna Vera Milner
- Movement Disorders Centre, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (A.V.M.); (E.C.)
| | - Elena Contaldi
- Movement Disorders Centre, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (A.V.M.); (E.C.)
- PhD Program in Medical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Cristoforo Comi
- Movement Disorders Centre, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (A.V.M.); (E.C.)
- Centre of Research in Medical Pharmacology, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.F.); (M.C.); (F.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Marco Cosentino
- Centre of Research in Medical Pharmacology, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.F.); (M.C.); (F.M.)
- Center of Research in Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Franca Marino
- Centre of Research in Medical Pharmacology, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.F.); (M.C.); (F.M.)
- Center of Research in Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
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Mabou Tagne A, Cassina N, Furgiuele A, Storelli E, Cosentino M, Marino F. Perceptions and Attitudes about Research Integrity and Misconduct: a Survey among Young Biomedical Researchers in Italy. J Acad Ethics 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10805-020-09359-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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