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Guerra M, Meola L, Lattante S, Conte A, Sabatelli M, Sette C, Bernardini C. Characterization of SOD1-DT, a Divergent Long Non-Coding RNA in the Locus of the SOD1 Human Gene. Cells 2023; 12:2058. [PMID: 37626868 PMCID: PMC10453398 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162058] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Researchers studying Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) have made significant efforts to find a unique mechanism to explain the etiopathology of the different forms of the disease. However, despite several mutations associated with ALS having been discovered in recent years, the link between the mutated genes and its onset has not yet been fully elucidated. Among the genes associated with ALS, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) was the first to be identified, but its role in the etiopathogenesis of the disease is still unclear. In recent years, research has been focused on the non-coding part of the genome to fully understand the mechanisms underlying gene regulation. Non-coding RNAs are conserved molecules and are not usually translated in protein. A total of 98% of the human genome is composed of non-protein coding sequences with roles in the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. In this study, we characterized a divergent nuclear lncRNA (SOD1-DT) transcribed in the antisense direction from the 5' region of the SOD1 coding gene in both the SH-SY5Y cell line and fibroblasts derived from ALS patients. Interestingly, this lncRNA seems to regulate gene expression, since its inhibition leads to the upregulation of surrounding genes including SOD1. SOD1-DT represents a very complex molecule, displaying allelic and transcriptional variability concerning transposable elements (TEs) included in its sequence, widening the scenario of gene expression regulation in ALS disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Guerra
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (C.S.)
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Meola
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Serena Lattante
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Amelia Conte
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.S.)
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.S.)
- Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Sette
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (C.S.)
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Bernardini
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (C.S.)
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Barba M, Di Pietro L, Massimi L, Geloso MC, Frassanito P, Caldarelli M, Michetti F, Della Longa S, Romitti PA, Di Rocco C, Arcovito A, Parolini O, Tamburrini G, Bernardini C, Boyadjiev SA, Lattanzi W. Corrigendum to "BBS9 gene in nonsyndromic craniosynostosis: Role of the primary cilium in the aberrant ossification of the suture osteogenic niche" [Bone 112 (July 2018) 58-70]. Bone 2019; 121:293. [PMID: 30777729 PMCID: PMC6454209 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Barba
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorena Di Pietro
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Massimi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy; Istituto di Neurochirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Geloso
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Frassanito
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Caldarelli
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy; Istituto di Neurochirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Michetti
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Della Longa
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Paul A Romitti
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, IA, USA
| | - Concezio Di Rocco
- Department of Neurosurgery, International Neuroscience Institute, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alessandro Arcovito
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy; Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinca, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Ornella Parolini
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy; Centro di Ricerca E. Menni, Fondazione Poliambulanza-Istituto Ospedaliero, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Gianpiero Tamburrini
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy; Istituto di Neurochirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Bernardini
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Simeon Antonov Boyadjiev
- Section of Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, 95817 Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Wanda Lattanzi
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy.
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Barba M, Di Pietro L, Massimi L, Geloso MC, Frassanito P, Caldarelli M, Michetti F, Della Longa S, Romitti PA, Di Rocco C, Arcovito A, Parolini O, Tamburrini G, Bernardini C, Boyadjiev SA, Lattanzi W. BBS9 gene in nonsyndromic craniosynostosis: Role of the primary cilium in the aberrant ossification of the suture osteogenic niche. Bone 2018; 112:58-70. [PMID: 29674126 PMCID: PMC5970090 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2018.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis (NCS) is the premature ossification of skull sutures, without associated clinical features. Mutations in several genes account for a small number of NCS patients; thus, the molecular etiopathogenesis of NCS remains largely unclear. Our study aimed at characterizing the molecular signaling implicated in the aberrant ossification of sutures in NCS patients. Comparative gene expression profiling of NCS patient sutures identified a fused suture-specific signature, including 17 genes involved in primary cilium signaling and assembly. Cells from fused sutures displayed a reduced potential to form primary cilia compared to cells from control patent sutures of the same patient. We identified specific upregulated splice variants of the Bardet Biedl syndrome-associated gene 9 (BBS9), which encodes a structural component of the ciliary BBSome complex. BBS9 expression increased during in vitro osteogenic differentiation of suture-derived mesenchymal cells of NCS patients. Also, Bbs9 expression increased during in vivo ossification of rat sutures. BBS9 functional knockdown affected the expression of primary cilia on patient suture cells and their osteogenic potential. Computational modeling of the upregulated protein isoforms (observed in patients) predicted that their binding affinity within the BBSome may be affected, providing a possible explanation for the aberrant suture ossification in NCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Barba
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorena Di Pietro
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Massimi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy; Istituto di Neurochirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Geloso
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Frassanito
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Caldarelli
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy; Istituto di Neurochirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Michetti
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Della Longa
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Paul A Romitti
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, 52242, IA, USA
| | - Concezio Di Rocco
- Department of Neurosurgery, International Neuroscience Institute, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alessandro Arcovito
- Istituto di Neurochirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Ornella Parolini
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy; Centro di Ricerca E. Menni, Fondazione Poliambulanza-Istituto Ospedaliero, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Gianpiero Tamburrini
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy; Istituto di Neurochirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Bernardini
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Simeon A Boyadjiev
- Section of Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, 95817 Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Wanda Lattanzi
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli", 00168 Rome, Italy.
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Di Pietro L, Lattanzi W, Bernardini C. Skeletal Muscle MicroRNAs as Key Players in the Pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051534. [PMID: 29786645 PMCID: PMC5983603 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder, for which, to date, no effective treatment to ameliorate the clinical manifestations is available. The long-standing view of ALS as affecting only motor neurons has been challenged by the finding that the skeletal muscle plays an active role in the disease pathogenesis and can be a valuable target for therapeutic strategies. In recent years, non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs, have emerged as important molecules that play key roles in several cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenic mechanisms underlying various human conditions. In this review, we summarize how the expression of some microRNAs is dysregulated in the skeletal muscle of ALS mouse models and patients. Shedding light on the mechanisms underlying microRNAs dysregulation in the skeletal muscle could clarify some of the processes involved in the pathogenesis of ALS and especially identify new promising therapeutic targets in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Di Pietro
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Wanda Lattanzi
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Camilla Bernardini
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy.
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5
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Buonvicino D, Felici R, Ranieri G, Caramelli R, Lapucci A, Cavone L, Muzzi M, Di Pietro L, Bernardini C, Zwergel C, Valente S, Mai A, Chiarugi A. Effects of Class II-Selective Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor on Neuromuscular Function and Disease Progression in SOD1-ALS Mice. Neuroscience 2018; 379:228-238. [PMID: 29588251 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that transcriptome alterations due to epigenetic deregulation concur to ALS pathogenesis. Accordingly, pan-histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors delay ALS development in mice, but these compounds failed when tested in ALS patients. Possibly, lack of selectivity toward specific classes of HDACs weakens the therapeutic effects of pan-HDAC inhibitors. Here, we tested the effects of the HDAC Class II selective inhibitor MC1568 on disease evolution, motor neuron survival as well as skeletal muscle function in SOD1G93A mice. We report that HDACs did not undergo expression changes during disease evolution in isolated motor neurons of adult mice. Conversely, increase in specific Class II HDACs (-4, -5 and -6) occurs in skeletal muscle of mice with severe neuromuscular impairment. Importantly, treatment with MC1568 causes early improvement of motor performances that vanishes at later stages of disease. Notably, motor improvement is not paralleled by reduced motor neuron degeneration but by increased skeletal muscle electrical potentials, reduced activation of mir206/FGFBP1-dependent muscle reinnervation signaling, and increased muscle expression of myogenic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Buonvicino
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Italy.
| | - Roberta Felici
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ranieri
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Riccardo Caramelli
- Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Azienda Ospedaliera Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Lapucci
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Leonardo Cavone
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Muzzi
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Lorena Di Pietro
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Bernardini
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Clemens Zwergel
- Pasteur Institute, Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Pasteur Institute, Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Pasteur Institute, Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Chiarugi
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Italy
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Beha G, Reyes Castellanos G, Avallone G, De Tolla L, Bernardini C, Forni M, Benazzi C, Sarli G. Is Immunohistochemistry the Best Method to Investigate Phosphatidyli- Nositol-3 Kinase (PI3K) Expression in Canine Mammary Samples? J Comp Pathol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2016.11.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Avallone G, Roccabianca P, Crippa L, Lepri E, Brunetti B, Bernardini C, Forni M, Olandese A, Sarli G. Histological Classification and Immunohistochemical Evaluation of MDM2 and CDK4 Expression in Canine Liposarcoma. Vet Pathol 2016; 53:773-80. [DOI: 10.1177/0300985815626573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Canine liposarcoma is an uncommon soft tissue sarcoma usually arising in the subcutis. While liposarcoma classification in dogs is based solely on histology, in humans it depends on the detection of genetic abnormalities that can lead to specific protein overexpression. This study is an immunohistochemical evaluation of MDM2 and CDK4 expression in canine liposarcoma designed to assess the correlation of these proteins with histologic type, grade, mitotic index and Ki67 labeling index and evaluate their utility in improving tumor classification. Fifty-three liposarcomas were retrospectively collected: 24 were well differentiated liposarcomas (WDL), 16 of which expressed MDM2 and 21 CDK4; 7 were myxoid liposarcomas (ML), 1 of which expressed MDM2 and 5 expressed CDK4; 18 were pleomorphic liposarcomas (PL), all were MDM2 negative and 12 expressed CDK4. Four tumors were morphologically consistent with dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDL) a subtype described only in humans: 3 expressed MDM2 and 4 expressed CDK4. MDM2 expression correlated with histotype (highly expressed in WDL and DDL) and grade (highly expressed in grade 1 tumors). Histotype correlated with the Ki67 labeling index (lowest in WDL and highest in DDL). A revised classification, considering MDM2 expression, allowed 8 WDL to be reclassified as PL and correlated significantly with mitotic and Ki67 labeling index (both significantly lower in WDL and progressively higher in ML and DDL). These results partially parallel data reported for human liposarcomas, suggesting that WDL and DDL are distinct neoplastic entities characterized by MDM2 expression, which may represent a useful diagnostic and potentially prognostic marker for canine liposarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Avallone
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences
(DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
| | - P. Roccabianca
- Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public
Health (DIVET), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - E. Lepri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University
of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - B. Brunetti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences
(DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
| | - C. Bernardini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences
(DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
| | - M. Forni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences
(DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
| | - A. Olandese
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences
(DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
| | - G. Sarli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences
(DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
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Dobrowolny G, Bernardini C, Martini M, Baranzini M, Barba M, Musarò A. Muscle Expression of SOD1(G93A) Modulates microRNA and mRNA Transcription Pattern Associated with the Myelination Process in the Spinal Cord of Transgenic Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:463. [PMID: 26648847 PMCID: PMC4664730 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A crucial system severely affected in several neuromuscular diseases is the loss of effective connection between muscle and nerve, leading to a pathological non-communication between the two tissues. One of the best examples of impaired interplay between muscle and nerve is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disease characterized by degeneration of motor neurons and muscle atrophy. Increasing evidences suggest that damage to motor neurons is enhanced by alterations in the neighboring non-neuronal cells and indicate that altered skeletal muscle might be the source of signals that impinge motor neuron activity and survival. Here we investigated whether muscle selective expression of SOD1G93A mutant gene modulates mRNAs and miRNAs expression at the level of spinal cord of MLC/SOD1G93A mice. Using a Taqman array, the Affymetrix Mouse Gene 2.0 ST approach and the MiRwalk 2.0 database, which provides information on miRNA and their predicted target genes, we revealed that muscle specific expression of SOD1G93A modulates relevant molecules of the genetic and epigenetic circuitry of myelin homeostasis in spinal cord of transgenic mice. Our study provides insights into the pathophysiological interplay between muscle and nerve and supports the hypothesis that muscle is a source of signals that can either positively or negatively affect the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Dobrowolny
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Institute Pasteur-Cenci Bolognetti, IIM, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy ; Center for Life Nano Science at Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Bernardini
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Martini
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Institute Pasteur-Cenci Bolognetti, IIM, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy ; Center for Life Nano Science at Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Rome, Italy
| | - Mirko Baranzini
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Barba
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Musarò
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Institute Pasteur-Cenci Bolognetti, IIM, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy ; Center for Life Nano Science at Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Rome, Italy
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9
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Botelho G, Bernardini C, Zannoni A, Ventrella V, Bacci ML, Forni M. Effect of tributyltin on mammalian endothelial cell integrity. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2015; 176-177:79-86. [PMID: 26256121 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2015.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Revised: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Tributyltin (TBT), is a man-made pollutants, known to accumulate along the food chain, acting as an endocrine disruptor in marine organisms, with toxic and adverse effects in many tissues including vascular system. Based on the absence of specific studies of TBT effects on endothelial cells, we aimed to evaluate the toxicity of TBT on primary culture of porcine aortic endothelial cells (pAECs), pig being an excellent model to study human cardiovascular disease. pAECs were exposed for 24h to TBT (100, 250, 500, 750 and 1000nM) showing a dose dependent decrease in cell viability through both apoptosis and necrosis. Moreover the ability of TBT (100 and 500nM) to influence endothelial gene expression was investigated at 1, 7 and 15h of treatment. Gene expression of tight junction molecules, occludin (OCLN) and tight junction protein-1 (ZO-1) was reduced while monocyte adhesion and adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) levels increased significantly at 1h. IL-6 and estrogen receptors 1 and 2 (ESR-1 and ESR-2) mRNAs, after a transient decrease, reached the maximum levels after 15h of exposure. Finally, we demonstrated that TBT altered endothelial functionality greatly increasing monocyte adhesion. These findings indicate that TBT deeply alters endothelial profile, disrupting their structure and interfering with their ability to interact with molecules and other cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Botelho
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences - DEVET, UNICENTRO - Universidade Estadual do Centro, Oeste do Paraná, Brazil.
| | - C Bernardini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences - DIMEVET, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
| | - A Zannoni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences - DIMEVET, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
| | - V Ventrella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences - DIMEVET, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
| | - M L Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences - DIMEVET, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
| | - M Forni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences - DIMEVET, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
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10
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Di Taranto G, Cicione C, Visconti G, Isgrò MA, Barba M, Di Stasio E, Stigliano E, Bernardini C, Michetti F, Salgarello M, Lattanzi W. Qualitative and quantitative differences of adipose-derived stromal cells from superficial and deep subcutaneous lipoaspirates: a matter of fat. Cytotherapy 2015; 17:1076-89. [PMID: 26002819 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2015.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Subcutaneous fat represents a valuable reservoir of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), widely exploited in regenerative medicine applications, being easily harvested through lipoaspiration. The lack of standardized procedures for autologous fat grafting guided research efforts aimed at identifying possible differences related to the harvesting site, which may affect cell isolation yield, cell growth properties and clinical outcomes. Subcutaneous fat features a complex architecture: the superficial fascia separates superficial adipose tissue (SAT) from deep layer tissue (DAT). We aimed to unravel the differences between SAT and DAT, considering morphological structure, SVF composition, and ASC properties. METHODS SAT and DAT were collected from female donors and comparatively analyzed to evaluate cellular yield and viability, morphology, immunophenotype and molecular profile. ASCs were isolated in primary culture and used for in vitro differentiation assays. SAT and DAT from cadaver donors were also analyzed through histology and immunohistochemistry to assess morphology and cell localization within the hypoderm. RESULTS Liposuctioned SAT contained a higher stromal tissue compound, along with a higher proportion of CD105-positive cells, compared with DAT from the same harvesting site. Also, cells isolated from SAT displayed increased multipotency and stemness features. All differences were mainly evidenced in specimens harvested from the abdominal region. According to our results, SAT features overall increased stem properties. CONCLUSIONS Given that subcutaneous adipose tissue is currently exploited as the gold standard source for high-yield isolation of adult stem cells, these results may provide precious hints toward the definition of standardized protocols for microharvesting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Di Taranto
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University Hospital A. Gemelli Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Cicione
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Visconti
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University Hospital A. Gemelli Rome, Italy
| | - Maria A Isgrò
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University Hospital A. Gemelli Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Barba
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Di Stasio
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University Hospital A. Gemelli Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Institute of Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Bernardini
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Michetti
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Latium Musculoskeletal Tissue Bank, Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Salgarello
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore University Hospital A. Gemelli Rome, Italy
| | - Wanda Lattanzi
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Latium Musculoskeletal Tissue Bank, Rome, Italy.
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Tesori V, Piscaglia AC, Samengo D, Barba M, Bernardini C, Scatena R, Pontoglio A, Castellini L, Spelbrink JN, Maulucci G, Puglisi MA, Pani G, Gasbarrini A. The multikinase inhibitor Sorafenib enhances glycolysis and synergizes with glycolysis blockade for cancer cell killing. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9149. [PMID: 25779766 PMCID: PMC4361992 DOI: 10.1038/srep09149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the only effective drug against primary hepatocarcinoma, the multikinase inhibitor Sorafenib (SFB) usually fails to eradicate liver cancer. Since SFB targets mitochondria, cell metabolic reprogramming may underlie intrinsic tumor resistance. To characterize cancer cell metabolic response to SFB, we measured oxygen consumption, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ATP content in rat LCSC (Liver Cancer Stem Cells) -2 cells exposed to the drug. Genome wide analysis of gene expression was performed by Affymetrix technology. SFB cytotoxicity was evaluated by multiple assays in the presence or absence of metabolic inhibitors, or in cells genetically depleted of mitochondria. We found that low concentrations (2.5-5 μM) of SFB had a relatively modest effect on LCSC-2 or 293 T cell growth, but damaged mitochondria and increased intracellular ROS. Gene expression profiling of SFB-treated cells was consistent with a shift toward aerobic glycolysis and, accordingly, SFB cytotoxicity was dramatically increased by glucose withdrawal or the glycolytic inhibitor 2-DG. Under metabolic stress, activation of the AMP dependent Protein Kinase (AMPK), but not ROS blockade, protected cells from death. We conclude that mitochondrial damage and ROS drive cell killing by SFB, while glycolytic cell reprogramming may represent a resistance strategy potentially targetable by combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Tesori
- Institute of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine
| | - Anna Chiara Piscaglia
- Institute of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine
| | - Daniela Samengo
- Institute of General Pathology, Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine
| | - Marta Barba
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine
| | - Camilla Bernardini
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine
| | - Roberto Scatena
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of the sacred Heart School of Medicine
| | - Alessandro Pontoglio
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of the sacred Heart School of Medicine
| | - Laura Castellini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Center for Clinical Sciences Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Johannes N Spelbrink
- Department of Pediatrics, Nijmegen Centre for Mitochondrial Disorders, Radboud University Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 10, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Institute of Biomedical Technology &Tampere University Hospital, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, University of Tampere, FI-33014, Finland
| | - Giuseppe Maulucci
- Institute of Physics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine
| | - Maria Ausiliatrice Puglisi
- Institute of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine
| | - Giovambattista Pani
- Institute of General Pathology, Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Institute of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine
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Avallone G, Brunetti B, Bernardini C, Roccabianca P, Forni M, Lepri E, Crippa L, Olandese A, Sarli G. MDM2 and CDK4 expression in canine liposarcoma. J Comp Pathol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2014.10.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Spinaci M, Bucci D, Mazzoni M, Giaretta E, Bernardini C, Vallorani C, Tamanini C, Clavenzani P, Galeati G. Expression of α-gustducin and α-transducin, G proteins coupled with taste receptors, in boar sperm. Theriogenology 2014; 82:144-51.e1. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Revised: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Marei HES, Althani A, Afifi N, Abd-Elmaksoud A, Bernardini C, Michetti F, Barba M, Pescatori M, Maira G, Paldino E, Manni L, Casalbore P, Cenciarelli C. Over-expression of hNGF in adult human olfactory bulb neural stem cells promotes cell growth and oligodendrocytic differentiation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82206. [PMID: 24367504 PMCID: PMC3868548 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The adult human olfactory bulb neural stem/progenitor cells (OBNC/PC) are promising candidate for cell-based therapy for traumatic and neurodegenerative insults. Exogenous application of NGF was suggested as a promising therapeutic strategy for traumatic and neurodegenerative diseases, however effective delivery of NGF into the CNS parenchyma is still challenging due mainly to its limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, and intolerable side effects if administered into the brain ventricular system. An effective method to ensure delivery of NGF into the parenchyma of CNS is the genetic modification of NSC to overexpress NGF gene. Overexpression of NGF in adult human OBNSC is expected to alter their proliferation and differentiation nature, and thus might enhance their therapeutic potential. In this study, we genetically modified adult human OBNS/PC to overexpress human NGF (hNGF) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) genes to provide insight about the effects of hNGF and GFP genes overexpression in adult human OBNS/PC on their in vitro multipotentiality using DNA microarray, immunophenotyping, and Western blot (WB) protocols. Our analysis revealed that OBNS/PC-GFP and OBNS/PC-GFP-hNGF differentiation is a multifaceted process involving changes in major biological processes as reflected in alteration of the gene expression levels of crucial markers such as cell cycle and survival markers, stemness markers, and differentiation markers. The differentiation of both cell classes was also associated with modulations of key signaling pathways such MAPK signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway for OBNS/PC-GFP, and axon guidance, calcium channel, voltage-dependent, gamma subunit 7 for OBNS/PC-GFP-hNGF as revealed by GO and KEGG. Differentiated OBNS/PC-GFP-hNGF displayed extensively branched cytoplasmic processes, a significant faster growth rate and up modulated the expression of oligodendroglia precursor cells markers (PDGFRα, NG2 and CNPase) respect to OBNS/PC-GFP counterparts. These findings suggest an enhanced proliferation and oligodendrocytic differentiation potential for OBNS/PC-GFP-hNGF as compared to OBNS/PC-GFP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hany E. S. Marei
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Asmaa Althani
- College of Arts & Sciences, Health Sciences Department, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nahla Afifi
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Abd-Elmaksoud
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Camilla Bernardini
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Michetti
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Marta Barba
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Mario Pescatori
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giulio Maira
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Emanuela Paldino
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council of Italy, Roma, Italy
| | - Luigi Manni
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy, Roma, Italy
| | - Patrizia Casalbore
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council of Italy, Roma, Italy
| | - Carlo Cenciarelli
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy, Roma, Italy
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Bernardini C, Censi F, Lattanzi W, Calcagnini G, Giuliani A. Gene regulation networks in early phase of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. IEEE/ACM Trans Comput Biol Bioinform 2013; 10:393-400. [PMID: 23929863 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2013.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze previously published gene expression data of skeletal muscle biopsies of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients and controls (gene expression omnibus database, accession #GSE6011) using systems biology approaches. We applied an unsupervised method to discriminate patient and control populations, based on principal component analysis, using the gene expressions as units and patients as variables. The genes having the highest absolute scores in the discrimination between the groups, were then analyzed in terms of gene expression networks, on the basis of their mutual correlation in the two groups. The correlation network structures suggest two different modes of gene regulation in the two groups, reminiscent of important aspects of DMD pathogenesis.
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Bernardini C, Censi F, Lattanzi W, Barba M, Calcagnini G, Giuliani A, Tasca G, Sabatelli M, Ricci E, Michetti F. Mitochondrial network genes in the skeletal muscle of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57739. [PMID: 23469062 PMCID: PMC3585165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2012] [Accepted: 01/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggested that muscle degeneration might lead and/or contribute to neurodegeneration, thus it possibly play a key role in the etiopathogenesis and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To test this hypothesis, this study attempted to categorize functionally relevant genes within the genome-wide expression profile of human ALS skeletal muscle, using microarray technology and gene regulatory network analysis. The correlation network structures significantly change between patients and controls, indicating an increased inter-gene connection in patients compared to controls. The gene network observed in the ALS group seems to reflect the perturbation of muscle homeostasis and metabolic balance occurring in affected individuals. In particular, the network observed in the ALS muscles includes genes (PRKR1A, FOXO1, TRIM32, ACTN3, among others), whose functions connect the sarcomere integrity to mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. Overall, the analytical approach used in this study offer the possibility to observe higher levels of correlation (i.e. common expression trends) among genes, whose function seems to be aberrantly activated during the progression of muscle atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Bernardini
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Federica Censi
- Department of Technologies and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Wanda Lattanzi
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Barba
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Calcagnini
- Department of Technologies and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giuliani
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mario Sabatelli
- Institute of Neurology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Ricci
- Institute of Neurology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Michetti
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Lattanzi W, Barba M, Novegno F, Massimi L, Tesori V, Tamburrini G, Galgano S, Bernardini C, Caldarelli M, Michetti F, Di Rocco C. Lim mineralization protein is involved in the premature calvarial ossification in sporadic craniosynostoses. Bone 2013; 52:474-84. [PMID: 22982077 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2012] [Revised: 07/27/2012] [Accepted: 09/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Sporadic mono-sutural craniosynostosis represents a highly prevalent regional bone disorder, where a single cranial suture undergoes premature ossification due to a generally unclear etiopathogenesis. The LIM mineralization protein (LMP) was recently described as an efficient osteogenic molecule involved in osteoblast differentiation, expressed in calvarial tissues upon corticosteroid-osteogenic induction and used as a potent inducer of bone formation in several animal models. In this study, calvarial cells isolated from both prematurely fused and physiologically patent sutures of children with sporadic craniosynostosis, were used as an in vitro paradigmatic model for the study of the molecular events involved in calvarial osteogenesis, focusing on the possible role of the LMP-related osteogenic signaling. Calvarial cells isolated from both patent and fused sutures expressed a mesenchymal-like immunophenotype. Cells isolated from fused sutures displayed an increased osteogenic potential, being able to undergo spontaneous mineralization and premature response to osteogenic induction, leading to in vitro bone nodule formation. The expression of LMP and its target genes (bone morphogenetic protein-2, osteocalcin and Runt-related transcription factor 2) was significantly up-regulated in cells derived from the fused sutures. Upon silencing the expression of LMP in fused suture-derived cells, the osteogenic potential along with the expression of osteo-specific transcription factors decreased, restoring the "physiologic" cell behavior. These results suggested that: 1. mesenchymal cells residing in fused sutures display a constitutionally active osteogenic disposition leading to the premature suture ossification; 2. the molecular basis of the overactive osteogenic process may at least in part involve a deregulation of the LMP-related pathway in calvarial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanda Lattanzi
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Rome, Italy.
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Bernardini C, Stoyanov SD, Arnaudov LN, Cohen Stuart MA. Colloids in Flatland: a perspective on 2D phase-separated systems, characterisation methods, and lineactant design. Chem Soc Rev 2013; 42:2100-29. [DOI: 10.1039/c2cs35269a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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19
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Iannotti N, Masini G, Bernardini C, Soavi L, Cologni G, Malfatto E, Benatti S, Maggiolo F. Comment on: Residual viraemia does not influence 1 year virological rebound in HIV-infected patients with HIV RNA persistently below 50 copies/mL. J Antimicrob Chemother 2012; 67:2540-1; author reply 2541-2. [DOI: 10.1093/jac/dks233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Bernardini C, Barba M, Tamburrini G, Massimi L, Di Rocco C, Michetti F, Lattanzi W. Gene expression profiling in human craniosynostoses: a tool to investigate the molecular basis of suture ossification. Childs Nerv Syst 2012; 28:1295-300. [PMID: 22872240 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-012-1780-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2012] [Accepted: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-syndromic craniosynostoses (NSC) occur as isolated skull malformations due to the premature ossification of one (single-suture forms) or more (complex forms) calvarial sutures and represent the most frequent form of craniosynostosis worldwide. The etiology of NSC is still largely unknown as a genetic basis can be rarely demonstrated especially in single-suture forms. In these cases, during the prenatal/perinatal development of affected patients, only one suture undergoes a premature direct ossification within an otherwise physiologically grown skull. This could suggest that definite somatic alterations, possibly due to unclear environmental agents, occur locally at the site of premature suture fusion during skull development. A promising tool to investigate the molecular mechanisms that may orchestrate this event is the comparative analysis of suture- and synostosis-derived tissues and cells. PURPOSE This review focuses on the different studies that attempted to clarify this issue using genome-wide microarray-based technologies for the comparative analysis of gene expression profiles. All relevant results have been comprehensively reviewed, possibly compared, and critically discussed. CONCLUSION Due to the heterogeneity of the dataset available in the literature, a univocal CRS-associated molecular profile could not be deciphered. Most differentially expressed genes are found in different studies to be involved in extracellular matrix remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Bernardini
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
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Lattanzi W, Bukvic N, Barba M, Tamburrini G, Bernardini C, Michetti F, Di Rocco C. Genetic basis of single-suture synostoses: genes, chromosomes and clinical implications. Childs Nerv Syst 2012; 28:1301-10. [PMID: 22872241 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-012-1781-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non syndromic craniosynostoses are the most frequent craniofacial malformations worldwide. They represent a wide and heterogeneous group of entities, in which the dysmorphism may occur in a single (simple forms) or in multiple sutures (complex forms). Simple forms present a higher birth prevalence and are classified according to the involved suture and to the corresponding abnormal cranial shape: scaphocephaly (SC; sagittal suture), trigonocephaly (TC; metopic suture), anterior plagiocephaly (unilateral coronal suture), posterior plagiocephaly (unilateral lambdoid suture). They occur commonly as sporadic forms, although a familiar recurrence is sometimes observed, suggesting a mendelian inheritance. The genetic causes of simple craniosynostosis are still largely unknown, as mutations in common craniosynostosis-associated genes and structural chromosomal aberrations have been rarely found in these cases. AIMS This review is intended to dissect comprehensively the state-of-the art on the genetic etiology of single suture craniosynostoses, in the attempt to categorize all known disease-associated genes and chromosomal aberrations. Possible genotype/phenotype correlations are discussed as useful clues towards the definition of optimized clinical management flowcharts.
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Bernardini C, Stuart MAC, Stoyanov SD, Arnaudov LN, Leermakers FAM. Polymer compatibility in two dimensions. Modeling of phase behavior of mixed polymethacrylate Langmuir films. Langmuir 2012; 28:5614-5621. [PMID: 22428956 DOI: 10.1021/la2040642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We analyze the possibility of polymer blends undergoing phase separation in two dimensions. To this end, we investigate a model system consisting of water-supported Langmuir monolayers, obtained from binary polyalkyl-methacrylate mixtures (PXMA, where X stands for any of the type of ester side groups used: M, methyl-; E, ethyl-; B, butyl-; H, hexyl-; O, octyl-; L, lauryl-methacrylate), by means of self consistent field (SCF) calculations. In particular, we address the conditions which determine demixing and phase separation in the two-dimensional system, showing that a sufficient chain length mismatch in the ester side group moieties is able to drive the polymer demixing. When the difference in length of the alkyl chain of the ester moieties on the two types of polymers is progressively reduced, from 11 carbon atoms (PMMA/PLMA) to 4 carbons only (POMA/PLMA), the demixing tendency is also reduced. The polymer/subphase interactions affect more the distribution of the polymer coils in the POMA/PLMA blend monolayer. Mixing of the two polymers is observed, but also a partial layering along the vertical direction. We also add, to a PMMA/PLMA blended monolayer, a third component, namely, a symmetrical diblock copolymer of the type PLMA-b-PMMA. We observe adsorption of the diblock copolymer exclusively at the contact line between the two homopolymer domains, and a concomitant lowering of the line tension. The line tension varies with the chemical potential of the diblock copolymer according to Gibbs' law, which demonstrates that PLMA-b-PMMA can act as a "lineactant" (the equivalent of a surfactant in two-dimensional systems) in the binary demixed PMMA/PLMA Langmuir monolayer.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bernardini
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Michetti F, Corvino V, Geloso MC, Lattanzi W, Bernardini C, Serpero L, Gazzolo D. The S100B protein in biological fluids: more than a lifelong biomarker of brain distress. J Neurochem 2012; 120:644-59. [PMID: 22145907 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2011.07612.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
S100B is a calcium-binding protein concentrated in glial cells, although it has also been detected in definite extra-neural cell types. Its biological role is still debated. When secreted, S100B is believed to have paracrine/autocrine trophic effects at physiological concentrations, but toxic effects at higher concentrations. Elevated S100B levels in biological fluids (CSF, blood, urine, saliva, amniotic fluid) are thus regarded as a biomarker of pathological conditions, including perinatal brain distress, acute brain injury, brain tumors, neuroinflammatory/neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders. In the majority of these conditions, high S100B levels offer an indicator of cell damage when standard diagnostic procedures are still silent. The key question remains as to whether S100B is merely leaked from injured cells or is released in concomitance with both physiological and pathological conditions, participating at high concentrations in the events leading to cell injury. In this respect, S100B levels in biological fluids have been shown to increase in physiological conditions characterized by stressful physical and mental activity, suggesting that it may be physiologically regulated and raised during conditions of stress, with a putatively active role. This possibility makes this protein a candidate not only for a biomarker but also for a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Michetti
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.
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Abstract
The objective of this study was to perform global gene expression profiling of patients affected by narcolepsy with cataplexy (NRLCP). This enabled identifying new potential biomarkers and relevant molecules possibly involved in the disease pathogenesis. In this study 10 NRLCP patients and 10 healthy controls were compared. Total RNA isolated from blood specimens was analyzed using microarray technology followed by statistical data analysis to detect genome-wide differential gene expression between patients and controls. Functional analysis of the gene list was performed in order to interpret the biological significance of the data. One hundred and seventy-three genes showed significant (p < 0.01) differential expression between the two tested conditions. The biological interpretation allowed categorizing differentially expressed genes involved in neurite outgrowth/extension and brain development, which could be possibly regarded as peripheral markers of the disease. Moreover, the NRLCP-related gene expression profiles indicated a dysregulation of metabolic and immune-related mechanisms. In conclusion, the gene expression profile associated to NRLCP suggested that molecular markers of neurological impairment, dysmetabolic and immune-related mechanisms, can be detected in blood of NRLCP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Bernardini
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
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Parrilla C, Saulnier N, Bernardini C, Patti R, Tartaglione T, Fetoni AR, Pola E, Paludetti G, Michetti F, Lattanzi W. Undifferentiated human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells induce mandibular bone healing in rats. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2011; 137:463-70. [PMID: 21576557 DOI: 10.1001/archoto.2011.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the osteo-regenerative potential of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ATSCs), an attractive human source for tissue engineering, in a rat model of mandibular defect. Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) were used as a differentiated cellular control in the study. DESIGN The ATSCs and HDFs were isolated from human lipoaspirate and skin biopsy specimens, respectively. Cells were characterized in vitro and then adsorbed on an osteo-conductive scaffold to be transplanted in a mandibular defect of immunosuppressed rats. Naked unseeded scaffold was used as a negative control. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Bone healing was studied by computerized tomography and histologic analysis after 4, 8, and 12 weeks. RESULTS Computed tomography showed that undifferentiated ATSCs induced successful bone healing of the mandible defect when transplanted in animals, compared with HDFs and negative controls. Histologic analysis demonstrated that the newly formed tissue in the surgical defect retained the features of compact bone. CONCLUSION Undifferentiated human ATSCs are suitable for cell-based treatment of mandibular defects, even in the absence of previous osteogenic induction in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Parrilla
- Department of Otolaryngology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, School of Medicine A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
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26
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Bernardini C, Stoyanov SD, Stuart MAC, Arnaudov LN, Leermakers FAM. PMMA highlights the layering transition of PDMS in Langmuir films. Langmuir 2011; 27:2501-2508. [PMID: 21299222 DOI: 10.1021/la104285z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
We report a system consisting of a mixed Langmuir monolayer, made of water-insoluble, spreadable, fluid-like polymers polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) with a minority P(DMS-b-MMA) copolymer. We have performed both Langmuir trough pressure/area isotherm measurements and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) observations and complement the experiments with molecularly detailed self-consistent field (SCF) calculations. PDMS undergoes a layering transition that is difficult to detect by BAM. Addition of PMMA gives contrast in BAM, now showing a two-phase system: if this would consist of separate two-dimensional (2D) PMMA and PDMS phases, a PDMS-PMMA diblock should accumulate at the phase boundary. However, the diblock copolymer of PDMS-PMMA failed to show the expected "lineactant" behavior, i.e., failed to accumulate at the phase boundary. The calculations point to a nontrivial arrangement of the polymer chains at the interface: in mixtures of the two homopolymers, in a rather wide composition ratio, we find a vertical (with respect to the air/water interfacial plane) configuration, with PMMA sitting preferably at the PDMS/water interface of the thicker PDMS film, during the PDMS layering phase transition. This also explains why the diblock copolymer is not a lineactant. Both PMMA and P(DMS-b-MMA) are depleted from the thin-thick PDMS film interface, and the line tension between the phases is, consequently, increased, in the binary mixtures as well as in the ternary ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bernardini
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science, Wageningen University , Dreijenplein 6, 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Russo D, Bombardi C, Grandis A, Furness JB, Spadari A, Bernardini C, Chiocchetti R. Sympathetic innervation of the ileocecal junction in horses. J Comp Neurol 2010; 518:4046-66. [PMID: 20737599 DOI: 10.1002/cne.22443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The distribution and chemical phenotypes of sympathetic and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons innervating the equine ileocecal junction (ICJ) were studied by combining retrograde tracing and immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactivity (IR) for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) was investigated. Sympathetic neurons projecting to the ICJ were distributed within the celiac (CG), cranial mesenteric (CranMG), and caudal mesenteric (CaudMG) ganglia, as well as in the last ganglia of the thoracic sympathetic chain and in the splanchnic ganglia. In the CG and CranMG 91 +/- 8% and 93 +/- 12% of the neurons innervating the ICJ expressed TH- and DBH-IR, respectively. In the CaudMG 90 +/- 15% and 94 +/- 5% of ICJ innervating neurons were TH- and DBH-IR, respectively. Sympathetic (TH-IR) fibers innervated the myenteric and submucosal ganglia, ileal blood vessels, and the muscle layers. They were more concentrated at the ICJ level and were also seen encircling myenteric plexus (MP) and submucosal plexus (SMP) descending neurons that were retrogradely labeled from the ICJ. Among the few retrogradely labeled DRG neurons, nNOS-, CGRP-, and SP-IR nerve cells were observed. Dense networks of CGRP-, nNOS-, and SP-IR varicosities were seen around retrogradely labeled prevertebral ganglia neurons. The CGRP-IR fibers are probably the endings of neurons projecting from the intestine to the prevertebral ganglia. These findings indicate that this crucial region of the intestinal tract is strongly influenced by the sympathetic system and that sensory information of visceral origin influences the sympathetic control of the ICJ.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Russo
- Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology and Animal Productions (UNI EN ISO 9001:2008), University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
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Spinaci M, Vallorani C, Bucci D, Bernardini C, Tamanini C, Seren E, Galeati G. Effect of liquid storage on sorted boar spermatozoa. Theriogenology 2010; 74:741-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2010] [Revised: 03/23/2010] [Accepted: 03/25/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Bernardini C, Stoyanov SD, Stuart MAC, Arnaudov LN, Leermakers FAM. Polymers at the water/air interface, surface pressure isotherms, and molecularly detailed modeling. Langmuir 2010; 26:11850-11861. [PMID: 20572654 DOI: 10.1021/la101003c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Surface pressure isotherms at the air/water interface are reproduced for four different polymers, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and poly(isobutylene) (PiB). The polymers have the common property that they do not dissolve in water. The four isotherms differ strongly. To unravel the underlying details that are causing these differences, we have performed molecularly detailed self-consistent field (SCF) modeling. We describe the polymers on a united atom level, taking the side groups on the monomer level into account. In line with experiments, we find that PiB spreads in a monolayer which smoothly thickens already at a very low surface pressure. PMMA has an autophobic behavior: a PMMA liquid does not spread on top of the monolayer of PMMA at the air/water interface. A thicker PMMA layer only forms after the collapse of the film at a relatively high pressure. The isotherm of PDMS has regions with extreme compressibility which are linked to a layering transition. PLLA wets the water surface and spreads homogeneously at larger areas per monomer. The classical SCF approach features only short-range nearest-neighbor interactions. For the correct positioning of the layering and for the thickening of the polymer films, we account for a power-law van der Waals contribution in the model. Two-gradient SCF computations are performed to model the interface between two coexistent PDMS films at the layering transition, and an estimation of the length of their interfacial contact is obtained, together with the associated line tension value.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bernardini
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 6, 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Abstract
We studied the dynamics of the Heat Shock Response (HSR) mechanism, and the persistence of a injury-protected state in the cell following the shocks, known as thermotolerance. A series of double shock experiments were performed on Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, tracking the dynamics of some components of HSR pathway (the Hsp70 protein level and Hsp70 mRNA transcription rate). The main features of HSR dynamics were well reproduced by a simplified model of the chemical reaction pathways governing the HSR. In particular, the thermotolerance phenomenon could be well characterized by introducing a shock-dependent switch in mRNA halflife, that can be interpreted as a sort of primitive memory at the mRNA level.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Remondini
- DiMorFiPA, Ozzano Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy
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Zannoni A, Bernardini C, Gentilini F, Giunti M, Bacci ML, Forni M. Pulmonary kinetic expression of the endothelin system in a swine model of endotoxic shock. Vet Res Commun 2010; 34 Suppl 1:S21-4. [DOI: 10.1007/s11259-010-9408-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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32
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Bassetti M, Mikulska M, Repetto E, Bernardini C, Soro O, Molinari MP, Mussap M, Pallavicini F, Viscoli C. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in intensive care units: is it a real problem? J Hosp Infect 2010; 74:186-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2009.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2009] [Accepted: 07/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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33
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Bernardini C, Lattanzi W, Businaro R, Leone S, Corvino V, Sorci G, Lauro G, Fumagalli L, Donato FR, Michetti F. Transcritpional effects of S100B on neuroblastoma cells: perturbation of cholesterol homeostasis and interference on the cell cycle. Gene Expr 2010; 14:345-59. [PMID: 20635576 PMCID: PMC6042022 DOI: 10.3727/105221610x12718619643013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
S100B is a Ca2+ binding protein mainly secreted by astrocytes in the vertebrate brain that is considered a multifunctional cytokine and/or a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) protein and a marker of brain injury and neurodegeneration when measured in different body fluids. It has been widely shown that this protein can exert diverse effects in neural cultures depending on its concentration, having detrimental effects at micromolar concentrations. The molecular mechanisms underlying this effect are still largely unknown. This study attempts to delineate the genome-wide gene expression analysis of the events associated with exposure to micromolar concentration of S100B in a human neuroblastoma cell line. In this experimental condition cells undergo a severe perturbation of lipid homeostasis along with cell cycle arrest. These mechanisms might reasonably mediate some aspects of the S100B-related detrimental effects of S100B, although obvious differences between mature neurons and neuroblastoma cells have to be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bernardini
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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34
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Bernardini C, Saulnier N, Parrilla C, Pola E, Gambotto A, Michetti F, Robbins PD, Lattanzi W. Early transcriptional events during osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells induced by Lim mineralization protein 3. Gene Expr 2010; 15:27-42. [PMID: 21061915 PMCID: PMC6043822 DOI: 10.3727/105221610x12819686555097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Lim mineralization protein-3 (LMP3) induces osteoblast differentiation by regulating the expression and activity of certain molecules involved in the osteogenic cascade, including those belonging to the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family. The complete network of molecular events involved in LMP3-mediated osteogenesis is still unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the genome-wide gene expression profiles in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) induced by exogenous LMP3 to mediate osteogenesis. For this purpose hMSC were transduced with a defective adenoviral vector expressing the human LMP3 gene and microarray analysis was performed 1 day post-adenoviral transduction. Cells transduced with the vector backbone and untransduced cells were used as independent controls in the experiments. Microarray data were independently validated by means of real-time PCR on selected transcripts. The statistical analysis of microarray data produced a list of 263 significantly (p < 0.01) differentially expressed transcripts. The biological interpretation of the results indicated, among the most noteworthy effects, the modulation of genes involved in the TGF-beta1 pathway: 88 genes coding for key regulators of the cell cycle regulatory machinery and 28 genes implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation along with the development of connective, muscular, and skeletal tissues. These results suggested that LMP3 could affect the fine balance between cell proliferation/differentiation of mesenchymal cells mostly by modulating the TGF-beta1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Bernardini
- *Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Catholic University, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Nathalie Saulnier
- †Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Parrilla
- ‡Department of Otolaryngology, Catholic University, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Pola
- §Department of Orthopedics, Catholic University, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Gambotto
- ¶Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Fabrizio Michetti
- *Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Catholic University, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
- #Latium Musculo-Skeletal Tissue Bank, Rome, Italy
| | - Paul D. Robbins
- ¶Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Wanda Lattanzi
- *Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Catholic University, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
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35
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Perris C, Amati A, Andreoh V, Bernardini C, Gritti P, Kemali D, Maffei F, Minnai G, Perris C, Stancati G. Effekten av den psykiatriska vårdreformen vid några centra i Italien. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.3109/08039488309096168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Rosso R, Bernardini C, Bruzzone B, Secondo G, Icardi G, Viscoli C, Di Biagio A. Efficacy and safety of darunavir and etravirine in an antiretroviral multi-experienced youth with vertically HIV-1 infection. Eur J Med Res 2009; 14:136-8. [PMID: 19380285 PMCID: PMC3352063 DOI: 10.1186/2047-783x-14-3-136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiclass-drug resistance, often caused by poor treatment compliance, is a challenging problem in all categories of HIV-infected patients. Selective pressure is higher in youth for both biological and behavioral reasons. We report the case of a 15-year-old Caucasian male, with vertically acquired HIV-1 infection, who failed several lines of antiretroviral therapy and was successfully treated with darunavir/ritonavir and etravirine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Rosso
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Genoa, San Martino Hospital, Genova, Italy.
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37
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Volpe S, Galeati G, Bernardini C, Tamanini C, Mari G, Zambelli D, Seren E, Spinaci M. Comparative Immunolocalization of Heat Shock Proteins (Hsp)-60, -70, -90 in Boar, Stallion, Dog and Cat Spermatozoa. Reprod Domest Anim 2008; 43:385-92. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2007.00918.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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38
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Ribeiro LA, Turba ME, Bernardini C, Zannoni A, Bacci ML, Forni M. Matrix Metalloproteinases -2 and -9 in Swine Luteal Tissue Angiogenesis and Angioregression. Vet Res Commun 2007; 31 Suppl 1:193-6. [PMID: 17682873 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-007-0094-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L A Ribeiro
- Dipartimento di Morfofisiologia Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università di Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
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Lattanzi W, Bernardini C, Gangitano C, Michetti F. Hypoxia-like transcriptional activation in TMT-induced degeneration: microarray expression analysis on PC12 cells. J Neurochem 2007; 100:1688-702. [PMID: 17348866 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.04331.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
To more clearly elucidate the complete network of molecular mechanisms induced by trimethyltin (TMT) toxicity, we used a homogeneous cell culture model represented by PC12 cells treated with 1 and 5 micromol/L TMT for 24 h. The gene expression profile was performed by microarray analysis, enabling us to identify 189 genes that were significantly modulated in treated cells, compared with controls. The main effects of TMT on gene expression seem to be related to the activation of metabolic processes (glycolysis and lipogenesis) along with cell death pathways, membrane remodeling and intracellular biomolecules trafficking. These alterations are triggered by the neurotoxicant earlier than a strong decrease in cell viability, which occurs at higher TMT concentrations or at later time points. Some aspects of the transcriptional modulation observed in this study resemble the gene activation known to occur during cell response to hypoxia. Other cell toxicants have also been reported to exert similar effects on gene expression. Therefore, our data help to delineate general basic adaptive mechanisms possibly shared by cells responding to different death-inducing noxae, such as TMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanda Lattanzi
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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Rosso R, Parodi A, Repetto E, Torrisi C, Bernardini C, Ginocchio F, Sormani M, Vignolo M, Viscoli C. P644 Longitudinal evaluation of the prevalence of insulin resistance in a cohort of HIV vertically-infected children and adolescents. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-8579(07)70486-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Pescatori M, Broccolini A, Minetti C, Bertini E, Bruno C, D'amico A, Bernardini C, Mirabella M, Silvestri G, Giglio V, Modoni A, Pedemonte M, Tasca G, Galluzzi G, Mercuri E, Tonali PA, Ricci E. Gene expression profiling in the early phases of DMD: a constant molecular signature characterizes DMD muscle from early postnatal life throughout disease progression. FASEB J 2007; 21:1210-26. [PMID: 17264171 DOI: 10.1096/fj.06-7285com] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide gene expression profiling of skeletal muscle from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients has been used to describe muscle tissue alterations in DMD children older than 5 years. By studying the expression profile of 19 patients younger than 2 years, we describe with high resolution the gene expression signature that characterizes DMD muscle during the initial or "presymptomatic" phase of the disease. We show that in the first 2 years of the disease, DMD muscle is already set to express a distinctive gene expression pattern considerably different from the one expressed by normal, age-matched muscle. This "dystrophic" molecular signature is characterized by a coordinate induction of genes involved in the inflammatory response, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and muscle regeneration, and the reduced transcription of those involved in energy metabolism. Despite the lower degree of muscle dysfunction experienced, our younger patients showed abnormal expression of most of the genes reported as differentially expressed in more advanced stages of the disease. By analyzing our patients as a time series, we provide evidence that some genes, including members of three pathways involved in morphogenetic signaling-Wnt, Notch, and BMP-are progressively induced or repressed in the natural history of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Pescatori
- Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 0018, Rome, Italy.
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Turba ME, Gentilini F, Gandini G, Mastrorilli C, Bernardini C, Forni M. Evaluation of Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 and 9 Activity in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Dogs with Non-Inflammatory Diseases of the Central Nervous System. Vet Res Commun 2006. [DOI: 10.1007/s11259-006-0070-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Petrini S, Tessa A, Stallcup WB, Sabatelli P, Pescatori M, Giusti B, Carrozzo R, Verardo M, Bergamin N, Columbaro M, Bernardini C, Merlini L, Pepe G, Bonaldo P, Bertini E. Altered expression of the MCSP/NG2 chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan in collagen VI deficiency. Mol Cell Neurosci 2006; 30:408-17. [PMID: 16169245 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2005.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2004] [Revised: 06/09/2005] [Accepted: 08/10/2005] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
NG2, the rat homologue of the human melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (MCSP), is a ligand for collagen VI (COL6). We have examined skeletal muscles of patients affected by Ullrich scleroatonic muscular dystrophy (UCMD), an inherited syndrome caused by COL6 genes mutations. A significant decrease of NG2 immunolabeling was found in UCMD myofibers, as well as in skeletal muscle and cornea of COL6 null-mice. In UCMD muscles, truncated NG2 core protein isoforms were detected. However, real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed marked increase in NG2 mRNA content in UCMD muscle compared to controls. We hypothesize that NG2 immunohistochemical and biochemical behavior may be compromised owing to the absence of its physiological ligand. MCSP/NG2 proteoglycan may be considered an important receptor mediating COL6-sarcolemma interactions, a relationship that is disrupted by the pathogenesis of UCMD muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Petrini
- Unit of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Hospital IRCCS, P.zza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
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Ketmaier V, Bernardini C. Structure of the mitochondrial control region of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra; Carnivora, Mustelidae): patterns of genetic heterogeneity and implications for conservation of the species in Italy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 96:318-28. [PMID: 15731216 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esi037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
In this study we determined the complete sequence of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). We then compared these new sequences with orthologues of nine carnivores belonging to six families (Mustelidae, Mephitidae, Canidae, Hyaenidae, Ursidae, and Felidae). The comparative analyses identified all the conserved regions previously found in mammals. The Eurasian otter and seven other species have a single location with tandem repeats in the right domain, while the spotted hyena (Hyaenidae) and the tiger (Felidae) have repeated sequences in both the right and left domains. To assess the degree of genetic heterogeneity of the Eurasian otter in Italy we sequenced two fragments of the gene and analyzed length polymorphisms of repeated sequences and heteroplasmy in 32 specimens. The study includes 23 museum specimens collected in northern, central, and southern Italy; most of these specimens are from extinct populations, while the southern Italian samples belong to the sole extant Italian population of the Eurasian otter. The study also includes all the captive-reared animals living in the colony "Centro Lontra, Caramanico Terme" (Pescara, central Italy). The colony is maintained for reintroduction of the species. We found a low level of genetic polymorphism; a single haplotype is dominant, but our data indicate the presence in central and southern Italy of two slightly divergent haplotypes. One haplotype belongs to an extinct population, the other is present in the single extant Italian population. Analyses of length polymorphisms and heteroplasmy indicate that the autochthonous Italian samples are characterized by a distinct array of repeated sequences from captive-reared animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Ketmaier
- Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e dell'Uomo, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Viale dell'Università 32, I-00185 Rome, Italy
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Fantinati P, Zannoni A, Bernardini C, Webster N, Lavitrano M, Forni M, Seren E, Bacci ML. Laparoscopic insemination technique with low numbers of spermatozoa in superovulated prepuberal gilts for biotechnological application. Theriogenology 2005; 63:806-17. [PMID: 15629799 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2003] [Revised: 03/01/2004] [Accepted: 05/05/2004] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
New biotechnologies, such as sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT), spermatozoa freezing and spermatozoa sorting have improved the possibilities to produce animals with desirable features. The main problem associated with these technologies is the scarce availability of spermatozoa for insemination. The objective of this study was to develop a laparoscopic insemination (LI) technique in gilt that allows the use of low semen doses resulting in high fertilization rates (FR) and minimal distress to the animal; the efficiency of this technique was compared to conventional artificial insemination (AI). Ten gilts were inseminated 36 h post hCG treatment near both utero-tubal junctions (UTJ) with 1.5 x 10(9)spermatozoa/5 mL per horn and 10 gilts (C) underwent conventional AI. Embryos were collected either at two to four cell stage (LI, n = 5; C, n = 5) for determination of fertilization rate or at day 6 for evaluation of developmental competence (LI, n = 5; C, n = 5). LI gilts showed a slightly higher FR than control animals. In a second trial, 24 gilts underwent LI with varying doses (1.5 x 10(8), 1.5 x 10(7), 1 x 10(7), 5 x 10(6) or 1 x 10(6)) of semen. Two to four stage embryos were collected and FR was evaluated in each tube. FR obtained with the lowest dose was significantly different from that with other dosages (P < 0.05). Embryos were cultured in vitro to blastocyst stages (percentage of blastocysts: 79.2 +/- 3.6%). In a third trial, five gilts were inseminated with semen processed by SMGT technique; both FR (86.1 +/- 9.9%) and transgene protein expression were satisfactory. In conclusion, this study shows that LI can be a useful tool for reducing doses of insemination, without affecting the efficiency of fertilization; this technique could have a wide range of biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Fantinati
- Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology and Animal Production, University of Bologna, Italy
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Camarda G, Siepi F, Pajalunga D, Bernardini C, Rossi R, Montecucco A, Meccia E, Crescenzi M. A pRb-independent mechanism preserves the postmitotic state in terminally differentiated skeletal muscle cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 167:417-23. [PMID: 15520231 PMCID: PMC2172476 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200408164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In skeletal muscle differentiation, the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) is absolutely necessary to establish definitive mitotic arrest. It is widely assumed that pRb is equally essential to sustain the postmitotic state, but this contention has never been tested. Here, we show that terminal proliferation arrest is maintained in skeletal muscle cells by a pRb-independent mechanism. Acute Rb excision from conditional knockout myotubes caused reexpression of E2F transcriptional activity, cyclin-E and -A kinase activities, PCNA, DNA ligase I, RPA, and MCM2, but did not induce DNA synthesis, showing that pRb is not indispensable to preserve the postmitotic state of these cells. Muscle-specific gene expression was significantly down-regulated, showing that pRb is constantly required for optimal implementation of the muscle differentiation program. Rb-deleted myotubes were efficiently reactivated by forced expression of cyclin D1 and Cdk4, indicating a functionally significant target other than pRb for these molecules. Finally, Rb removal induced no DNA synthesis even in pocket-protein null cells. Thus, the postmitotic state of myotubes is maintained by at least two mechanisms, one of which is pocket-protein independent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Camarda
- Depatment of Environment and Primary Prevention, Higher Institute of Health, 00161 Roma, Italy
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Cornacchia F, Parisi D, Bernardini C, Toncelli A, Tonelli M. Efficient, diode-pumped Tm(3)+:BaY(2)F(8) vibronic laser. Opt Express 2004; 12:1982-1989. [PMID: 19475032 DOI: 10.1364/opex.12.001982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In this work we report the spectroscopy and laser results of several Thulium doped BaY(2)F(8) single crystals grown using the Czochralski technique. The doping concentration is between 2at.% and 18at.%. We performed room temperature laser experiments pumping the samples with a laser diode at 789 nm obtaining 61% as maximum optical-to-optical efficiency with a maximum output power of 290 mW and a minimum lasing threshold of 26 mW. The lasing wavelength changed with the dopant concentration from 1927 nm up to 2030 nm and the nature of the transition changed from purely electronic to vibronic, accordingly.
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Bernardini C, Fantinati P, Castellani G, Forni M, Zannoni A, Seren E, Bacci ML. Alteration of Constitutive Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSC70) Production by in vitro Culture of Porcine Preimplanted Embryos. Vet Res Commun 2003; 27 Suppl 1:575-8. [PMID: 14535470 DOI: 10.1023/b:verc.0000014220.96267.94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Bernardini
- Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology and Animal Production, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Zannoni
- Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology and Animal Production, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy.
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