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Benedetti F, Mongodin EF, Badger JH, Munawwar A, Cellini A, Yuan W, Silvestri G, Kraus CN, Marini S, Rathinam CV, Salemi M, Tettelin H, Gallo RC, Zella D. Bacterial DnaK reduces the activity of anti-cancer drugs cisplatin and 5FU. J Transl Med 2024; 22:269. [PMID: 38475767 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05078-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemotherapy is a primary treatment for cancer, but its efficacy is often limited by cancer-associated bacteria (CAB) that impair tumor suppressor functions. Our previous research found that Mycoplasma fermentans DnaK, a chaperone protein, impairs p53 activities, which are essential for most anti-cancer chemotherapeutic responses. METHODS To investigate the role of DnaK in chemotherapy, we treated cancer cell lines with M. fermentans DnaK and then with commonly used p53-dependent anti-cancer drugs (cisplatin and 5FU). We evaluated the cells' survival in the presence or absence of a DnaK-binding peptide (ARV-1502). We also validated our findings using primary tumor cells from a novel DnaK knock-in mouse model. To provide a broader context for the clinical significance of these findings, we investigated human primary cancer sequencing datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We identified F. nucleatum as a CAB carrying DnaK with an amino acid composition highly similar to M. fermentans DnaK. Therefore, we investigated the effect of F. nucleatum DnaK on the anti-cancer activity of cisplatin and 5FU. RESULTS Our results show that both M. fermentans and F. nucleatum DnaKs reduce the effectiveness of cisplatin and 5FU. However, the use of ARV-1502 effectively restored the drugs' anti-cancer efficacy. CONCLUSIONS Our findings offer a practical framework for designing and implementing novel personalized anti-cancer strategies by targeting specific bacterial DnaKs in patients with poor response to chemotherapy, underscoring the potential for microbiome-based personalized cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emmanuel F Mongodin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Jonathan H Badger
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Arshi Munawwar
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashley Cellini
- Pathology Biorepository Shared Service, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Weirong Yuan
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Giovannino Silvestri
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Simone Marini
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Chozha V Rathinam
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marco Salemi
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Hervé Tettelin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Robert C Gallo
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Benedetti F, Silvestri G, Denaro F, Finesso G, Contreras-Galindo R, Munawwar A, Williams S, Davis H, Bryant J, Wang Y, Radaelli E, Rathinam CV, Gallo RC, Zella D. Mycoplasma DnaK expression increases cancer development in vivo upon DNA damage. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320859121. [PMID: 38412130 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320859121] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Well-controlled repair mechanisms are involved in the maintenance of genomic stability, and their failure can precipitate DNA abnormalities and elevate tumor risk. In addition, the tumor microenvironment, enriched with factors inducing oxidative stress and affecting cell cycle checkpoints, intensifies DNA damage when repair pathways falter. Recent research has unveiled associations between certain bacteria, including Mycoplasmas, and various cancers, and the causative mechanism(s) are under active investigation. We previously showed that Mycoplasma fermentans DnaK, an HSP70 family chaperone protein, hampers the activity of proteins like PARP1 and p53, crucial for genomic integrity. Moreover, our analysis of its interactome in human cancer cell lines revealed DnaK's engagement with several components of DNA-repair machinery. Finally, in vivo experiments performed in our laboratory using a DnaK knock-in mouse model generated by our group demonstrated that DnaK exposure led to increased DNA copy number variants, indicative of genomic instability. We present here evidence that expression of DnaK is linked to increased i) incidence of tumors in vivo upon exposure to urethane, a DNA damaging agent; ii) spontaneous DNA damage ex vivo; and iii) expression of proinflammatory cytokines ex vivo, variations in reactive oxygen species levels, and increased β-galactosidase activity across tissues. Moreover, DnaK was associated with increased centromeric instability. Overall, these findings highlight the significance of Mycoplasma DnaK in the etiology of cancer and other genetic disorders providing a promising target for prevention, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Giovannino Silvestri
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Frank Denaro
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251
| | - Giovanni Finesso
- Comparative Pathology Core, Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | | | - Arshi Munawwar
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Sumiko Williams
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251
| | - Harry Davis
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Joseph Bryant
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Yin Wang
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Enrico Radaelli
- Comparative Pathology Core, Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Chozha V Rathinam
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Robert C Gallo
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
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3
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Giovanetti M, Cella E, Moretti S, Scarpa F, Ciccozzi A, Slavov SN, Benedetti F, Zella D, Ceccarelli G, Ciccozzi M, Borsetti A. Monitoring Monkeypox: Safeguarding Global Health through Rapid Response and Global Surveillance. Pathogens 2023; 12:1153. [PMID: 37764961 PMCID: PMC10537896 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Monkeypox, a viral zoonotic disease, has emerged as a significant global threat in recent years. This review focuses on the importance of global monitoring and rapid response to monkeypox outbreaks. The unpredictable nature of monkeypox transmissions, its potential for human-to-human spread, and its high morbidity rate underscore the necessity for proactive surveillance systems. By analyzing the existing literature, including recent outbreaks, this review highlights the critical role of global surveillance in detecting, containing, and preventing the further spread of monkeypox. It also emphasizes the need for enhanced international collaboration, data sharing, and real-time information exchange to effectively respond to monkeypox outbreaks as a global health concern. Furthermore, this review discusses the challenges and opportunities of implementing robust surveillance strategies, including the use of advanced diagnostic tools and technologies. Ultimately, these findings underscore the urgency of establishing a comprehensive global monitoring framework for monkeypox, enabling early detection, prompt response, and effective control measures to protect public health worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Giovanetti
- Instituto Rene Rachou Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Sciences and Technologies for Sustainable Development and One Health, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Climate Amplified Diseases and Epidemics (CLIMADE), Brazil
| | - Eleonora Cella
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA;
| | - Sonia Moretti
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center (CNAIDS), National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Fabio Scarpa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Ciccozzi
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Svetoslav Nanev Slavov
- Butantan Institute, Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 05508-220, São Paulo, Brazil;
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (D.Z.)
| | - Davide Zella
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (D.Z.)
| | - Giancarlo Ceccarelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Alessandra Borsetti
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center (CNAIDS), National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy;
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Cella E, Giovanetti M, Benedetti F, Scarpa F, Johnston C, Borsetti A, Ceccarelli G, Azarian T, Zella D, Ciccozzi M. Joining Forces against Antibiotic Resistance: The One Health Solution. Pathogens 2023; 12:1074. [PMID: 37764882 PMCID: PMC10535744 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a significant global health concern that affects both human and animal populations. The One Health approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the environment. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration and coordination across these sectors to tackle complex health challenges such as antibiotic resistance. In the context of One Health, antibiotic resistance refers to the ability of bacteria to withstand the efficacy of antibiotics, rendering them less effective or completely ineffective in treating infections. The emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a threat to human and animal health, as well as to the effectiveness of medical treatments and veterinary interventions. In particular, One Health recognizes that antibiotic use in human medicine, animal agriculture, and the environment are interconnected factors contributing to the development and spread of antibiotic resistance. For example, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in human healthcare, including inappropriate prescribing and patient non-compliance, can contribute to the selection and spread of resistant bacteria. Similarly, the use of antibiotics in livestock production for growth promotion and disease prevention can contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in animals and subsequent transmission to humans through the food chain. Addressing antibiotic resistance requires a collaborative One Health approach that involves multiple participants, including healthcare professionals, veterinarians, researchers, and policymakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Cella
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA; (C.J.); (T.A.)
| | - Marta Giovanetti
- Sciences and Technologies for Sustainable Development and One Health, University Campus Bio-Medico of Roma, 00128 Roma, Italy;
- Instituto Rene Rachou Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte 31310-260, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (D.Z.)
| | - Fabio Scarpa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Catherine Johnston
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA; (C.J.); (T.A.)
| | - Alessandra Borsetti
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center (CNAIDS), National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giancarlo Ceccarelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Taj Azarian
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA; (C.J.); (T.A.)
| | - Davide Zella
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (D.Z.)
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Roma, Italy
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Scarpa F, Bazzani L, Giovanetti M, Ciccozzi A, Benedetti F, Zella D, Sanna D, Casu M, Borsetti A, Cella E, Pascarella S, Maruotti A, Ciccozzi M. Update on the Phylodynamic and Genetic Variability of Marburg Virus. Viruses 2023; 15:1721. [PMID: 37632063 PMCID: PMC10458864 DOI: 10.3390/v15081721] [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: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has not only strained healthcare systems in Africa but has also intensified the impact of emerging and re-emerging diseases. Specifically in Equatorial Guinea, mirroring the situation in other African countries, unique zoonotic outbreaks have occurred during this challenging period. One notable resurgence is Marburg virus disease (MVD), which has further burdened the already fragile healthcare system. The re-emergence of the Marburg virus amid the COVID-19 pandemic is believed to stem from a probable zoonotic spill-over, although the precise transmission routes remain uncertain. Given the gravity of the situation, addressing the existing challenges is paramount. Though the genome sequences from the current outbreak were not available for this study, we analyzed all the available whole genome sequences of this re-emerging pathogen to advocate for a shift towards active surveillance. This is essential to ensure the successful containment of any potential Marburg virus outbreak in Equatorial Guinea and the wider African context. This study, which presents an update on the phylodynamics and the genetic variability of MARV, further confirmed the existence of at least two distinct patterns of viral spread. One pattern demonstrates a slower but continuous and recurring virus circulation, while the other exhibits a faster yet limited and episodic spread. These results highlight the critical need to strengthen genomic surveillance in the region to effectively curb the pathogen's dissemination. Moreover, the study emphasizes the importance of prompt alert management, comprehensive case investigation and analysis, contact tracing, and active case searching. These steps are vital to support the healthcare system's response to this emerging health crisis. By implementing these strategies, we can better arm ourselves against the challenges posed by the resurgence of the Marburg virus and other infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Scarpa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Liliana Bazzani
- Department of Science and Technology for Humans and the Environment, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy; (L.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Marta Giovanetti
- Department of Science and Technology for Humans and the Environment, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy; (L.B.); (M.G.)
- Instituto Rene Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, MG, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Ciccozzi
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virlogy and Global Virusn Network Center, Deparment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University for Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (D.Z.)
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virlogy and Global Virusn Network Center, Deparment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University for Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (D.Z.)
| | - Daria Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Marco Casu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Borsetti
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center (CNAIDS), National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Eleonora Cella
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA;
| | - Stefano Pascarella
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | | | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.C.)
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Benedetti F, Silvestri G, Saadat S, Denaro F, Latinovic OS, Davis H, Williams S, Bryant J, Ippodrino R, Rathinam CV, Gallo RC, Zella D. Mycoplasma DnaK increases DNA copy number variants in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2219897120. [PMID: 37459550 PMCID: PMC10372619 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219897120] [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: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The human microbiota affects critical cellular functions, although the responsible mechanism(s) is still poorly understood. In this regard, we previously showed that Mycoplasma fermentans DnaK, an HSP70 chaperone protein, hampers the activity of important cellular proteins responsible for DNA integrity. Here, we describe a novel DnaK knock-in mouse model generated in our laboratory to study the effect of M. fermentans DnaK expression in vivo. By using an array-based comparative genomic hybridization assay, we demonstrate that exposure to DnaK was associated with a higher number of DNA copy number variants (CNVs) indicative of unbalanced chromosomal alterations, together with reduced fertility and a high rate of fetal abnormalities. Consistent with their implication in genetic disorders, one of these CNVs caused a homozygous Grid2 deletion, resulting in an aberrant ataxic phenotype that recapitulates the extensive biallelic deletion in the Grid2 gene classified in humans as autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia 18. Our data highlight a connection between components of the human urogenital tract microbiota, namely Mycoplasmas, and genetic abnormalities in the form of DNA CNVs, with obvious relevant medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Giovannino Silvestri
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Saman Saadat
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Frank Denaro
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD21251
| | - Olga S. Latinovic
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Harry Davis
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Sumiko Williams
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Joseph Bryant
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | | | - Chozha V. Rathinam
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Robert C. Gallo
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
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Denaro FJ, Nyaga S, Zella D, Bryant J, Benedetti F. A STEM Training Approach Focused on Microscopy at Morgan State University. Microsc Microanal 2023; 29:2111-2112. [PMID: 37613004 DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozad067.1095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Frank J Denaro
- Department of Biology Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Simon Nyaga
- Department of Biology Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - J Bryant
- Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore, MD, USA
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8
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Denaro F, Samuel K, Zella D, Benedetti F, Davis H, Bryant J. Training the Next Generation of HIV/AIDS Researchers. Microsc Microanal 2023; 29:2123-2124. [PMID: 37612903 DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozad067.1100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- F Denaro
- Department of Biology Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - K Samuel
- Department of Biology Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - D Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - F Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - H Davis
- Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J Bryant
- Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore, MD, USA
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9
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Curreli S, Benedetti F, Yuan W, Munawwar A, Cocchi F, Gallo RC, Sherman NE, Zella D. Characterization of the interactome profiling of Mycoplasma fermentans DnaK in cancer cells reveals interference with key cellular pathways. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1022704. [DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1022704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chaperone proteins are redundant in nature and, to achieve their function, they bind a large repertoire of client proteins. DnaK is a bacterial chaperone protein that recognizes misfolded and aggregated proteins and drives their folding and intracellular trafficking. Some Mycoplasmas are associated with cancers, and we demonstrated that infection with a strain of Mycoplasma fermentans isolated in our lab promoted lymphoma in a mouse model. Its DnaK is expressed intracellularly in infected cells, it interacts with key proteins to hamper essential pathways related to DNA repair and p53 functions and uninfected cells can take-up extracellular DnaK. We profile here for the first time the eukaryotic proteins interacting with DnaK transiently expressed in five cancer cell lines. A total of 520 eukaryotic proteins were isolated by immunoprecipitation and identified by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Among the cellular DnaK-binding partners, 49 were shared between the five analyzed cell lines, corroborating the specificity of the interaction of DnaK with these proteins. Enrichment analysis revealed multiple RNA biological processes, DNA repair, chromatin remodeling, DNA conformational changes, protein-DNA complex subunit organization, telomere organization and cell cycle as the most significant ontology terms. This is the first study to show that a bacterial chaperone protein interacts with key eukaryotic components thus suggesting DnaK could become a perturbing hub for the functions of important cellular pathways. Given the close interactions between bacteria and host cells in the local microenvironment, these results provide a foundation for future mechanistic studies on how bacteria interfere with essential cellular processes.
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Narh CA, Manickum C, Vajravelu B, Zella D, Mosi L. Editorial: “Source-tracking,” molecular epidemiology and antigenic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 infections causing coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19. Front Genet 2022; 13:1031750. [DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1031750] [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] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Sorrenti V, Benedetti F, Buriani A, Fortinguerra S, Caudullo G, Davinelli S, Zella D, Scapagnini G. Immunomodulatory and Antiaging Mechanisms of Resveratrol, Rapamycin, and Metformin: Focus on mTOR and AMPK Signaling Networks. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15080912. [PMID: 35893737 PMCID: PMC9394378 DOI: 10.3390/ph15080912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging results from the progressive dysregulation of several molecular pathways and mTOR and AMPK signaling have been suggested to play a role in the complex changes in key biological networks involved in cellular senescence. Moreover, multiple factors, including poor nutritional balance, drive immunosenescence progression, one of the meaningful aspects of aging. Unsurprisingly, nutraceutical and pharmacological interventions could help maintain an optimal biological response by providing essential bioactive micronutrients required for the development, maintenance, and the expression of the immune response at all stages of life. In this regard, many studies have provided evidence of potential antiaging properties of resveratrol, as well as rapamycin and metformin. Indeed, in vitro and in vivo models have demonstrated for these molecules a number of positive effects associated with healthy aging. The current review focuses on the mechanisms of action of these three important compounds and their suggested use for the clinical treatment of immunosenescence and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Sorrenti
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Largo Egidio Meneghetti, 2, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Bendessere® Study Center, Via Prima Strada 23/3, 35129 Padova, Italy;
- Maria Paola Belloni Center for Personalized Medicine, Data Medica Group (Synlab Limited), 35100 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence: (V.S.); (D.Z.); (G.S.)
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Alessandro Buriani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (A.B.)
| | | | - Giada Caudullo
- Bendessere® Study Center, Via Prima Strada 23/3, 35129 Padova, Italy;
| | - Sergio Davinelli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy;
| | - Davide Zella
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: (V.S.); (D.Z.); (G.S.)
| | - Giovanni Scapagnini
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy;
- Correspondence: (V.S.); (D.Z.); (G.S.)
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12
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Weichseldorfer M, Affram Y, Heredia A, Rikhtegaran-Tehrani Z, Sajadi MM, Williams SP, Tagaya Y, Benedetti F, Ramadhani HO, Denaro F, Munawwar A, Bryant J, Zella D, Reitz M, Romerio F, Latinovic OS. Combined cART including Tenofovir Disoproxil, Emtricitabine, and Dolutegravir has potent therapeutic effects in HIV-1 infected humanized mice. J Transl Med 2021; 19:453. [PMID: 34717655 PMCID: PMC8557591 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03120-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 reservoirs persist in the presence of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). However, cART has transformed HIV-1 infection into a chronic disease marked by control of HIV-1 viral load and mortality reduction. Major challenges remain, including viral resistance upon termination of cART and persistence and identification of tissue distribution of HIV-1 reservoirs. Thus, appropriate animal models that best mimic HIV-1 pathogenesis are important, and the current study complements our previously published validation of the CD34+ hematopoietic humanized mouse model for this purpose. Here we analyze viral suppression using the recently developed combination of antiretrovirals that include Tenofovir Disoproxil (TDF), Emtricitabine (FTC), and Dolutegravir (DTG), a choice based on recent clinical outcomes showing its improved antiretroviral potency, CD4+ T cell preservation, tolerability, and prevention of viral drug resistance compared to that of previous regimens. We used quantitative Airyscan-based super resolution confocal microscopy of selected mouse tissues. Our data allowed us to identify specific solid tissue reservoirs of human T cells expressing the HIV-1 core protein p24. In particular, lymph node, brain, spleen, and liver were visualized as reservoirs for residual infected cells. Marked reduction of viral replication was evident. Considering that detection and visualization of cryptic sites of HIV-1 infection in tissues are clearly crucial steps towards HIV-1 eradication, appropriate animal models with pseudo-human immune systems are needed. In fact, current studies with humans and non-human primates have limited sample availability at multiple stages of infection and cannot easily analyze the effects of differently administered combined antiretroviral treatments on multiple tissues. That is easier to manage when working with humanized mouse models, although we realize the limitations due to low human cell recovery and thus the number of cells available for thorough and comprehensive analyses. Nonetheless, our data further confirm that the CD34+ humanized mouse model is a potentially useful pre-clinical model to study and improve current anti-HIV-1 therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Weichseldorfer
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Yvonne Affram
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.,Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, University of Texas A and M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Alonso Heredia
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | | | - Mohammad M Sajadi
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Sumiko P Williams
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Yutaka Tagaya
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Habib O Ramadhani
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Frank Denaro
- Morgan State University, College of Bio Sciences, Baltimore, MD, 21011, USA
| | - Arshi Munawwar
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Joseph Bryant
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Marvin Reitz
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Fabio Romerio
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.,Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Olga S Latinovic
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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13
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Pascarella S, Ciccozzi M, Zella D, Bianchi M, Benedetti F, Benvenuto D, Broccolo F, Cauda R, Caruso A, Angeletti S, Giovanetti M, Cassone A. SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 Indian variants: Are electrostatic potential changes responsible for a higher transmission rate? J Med Virol 2021; 93:6551-6556. [PMID: 34260088 PMCID: PMC8426736 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [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: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Lineage B.1.617+, also known as G/452R.V3 and now denoted by WHO with the Greek letters δ and κ, is a recently described SARS‐CoV‐2 variant under investigation first identified in October 2020 in India. As of May 2021, three sublineages labeled as B.1.617.1 (κ), B.1.617.2 (δ), and B.1.617.3 have been already identified, and their potential impact on the current pandemic is being studied. This variant has 13 amino acid changes, three in its spike protein, which are currently of particular concern: E484Q, L452R, and P681R. Here, we report a major effect of the mutations characterizing this lineage, represented by a marked alteration of the surface electrostatic potential (EP) of the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein. Enhanced RBD‐EP is particularly noticeable in the B.1.617.2 (δ) sublineage, which shows multiple replacements of neutral or negatively charged amino acids with positively charged amino acids. We here hypothesize that this EP change can favor the interaction between the B.1.617+ RBD and the negatively charged ACE2, thus conferring a potential increase in the virus transmission. Lineage B.1.617.2, is a recently described SARS‐CoV‐2 VOC first identified in October 2020 in India. Three sublineages labeled as B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2, and B.1.617.3 have been already identified. Enhanced RBD‐EP is particularly noticeable in the B.1.617.2 VOC which shows multiple replacements of neutral or negatively charged amino acids with positively charged amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Pascarella
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Zella
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Martina Bianchi
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Domenico Benvenuto
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Broccolo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Cauda
- Istituto Clinica di Malattie Infettive, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Arnaldo Caruso
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Angeletti
- Unit of Clinical Laboratory Science, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Giovanetti
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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14
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Zella D, Giovanetti M, Benedetti F, Unali F, Spoto S, Guarino M, Angeletti S, Ciccozzi M. The variants question: What is the problem? J Med Virol 2021; 93:6479-6485. [PMID: 34255352 PMCID: PMC8426965 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan, China in early December 2019 has rapidly widespread worldwide. Over the course of the pandemic, due to the advance of whole-genome sequencing technologies, an unprecedented number of genomes have been generated, providing both invaluable insights into the ongoing evolution and epidemiology of the virus and allowing the identification of hundreds of circulating genetic variants during the pandemic. In recent months variants of SARS-CoV-2 that have an increased number of mutations on the Spike protein have brought concern all over the world. These have been called "variants of concerns" (VOCs), and/or "variants of interests" (VOIs) as it has been suggested that their genome mutations might impact transmission, immune control, and virulence. Tracking the spread of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants is crucial to inform public health efforts and control the ongoing pandemic. In this review, a concise characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 mutational patterns of the main VOCs and VOIs circulating and cocirculating worldwide has been presented to determine the magnitude of the SARS-CoV-2 threat to better understand the virus genetic diversity and its potential impact on vaccination strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Zella
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Marta Giovanetti
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Francesco Unali
- Area Comunicazione e Brand Management, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Spoto
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Guarino
- Department of Gastrointestinal Diseases, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Angeletti
- Unit of Clinical Laboratory Science, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
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15
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Zella D, Giovanetti M, Cella E, Borsetti A, Ciotti M, Ceccarelli G, D’Ettorre G, Pezzuto A, Tambone V, Campanozzi L, Magheri M, Unali F, Bianchi M, Benedetti F, Pascarella S, Angeletti S, Ciccozzi M. The importance of genomic analysis in cracking the coronavirus pandemic. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2021; 21:547-562. [PMID: 33849359 PMCID: PMC8095159 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2021.1917998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has pushed the scientific community to undertake intense research efforts. Understanding SARS-CoV-2 biology is necessary to discover therapeutic or preventive strategies capable of containing the pandemic. Knowledge of the structural characteristics of the virus genome and proteins is essential to find targets for therapies and immunological interventions.Areas covered: This review covers different areas of expertise, genomic analysis of circulating strains, structural biology, viral mutations, molecular diagnostics, disease, and vaccines. In particular, the review is focused on the molecular approaches and modern clinical strategies used in these fields.Expert opinion: Molecular approaches to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have been critical to shorten time for new diagnostic, therapeutic and prevention strategies. In this perspective, the entire scientific community is moving in the same direction. Vaccines, together with the development of new drugs to treat the disease, represent the most important strategy to protect human from viral disease and prevent further spread. In this regard, new molecular technologies have been successfully implemented. The use of a novel strategy of communication is suggested for a better diffusion to the broader public of new data and results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
- , Member of the Global Virus Network, Baltimore, USA
| | - Marta Giovanetti
- Flavivirus Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eleonora Cella
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Alessandra Borsetti
- Department of infectious diseases, National HIV/AIDS Research Center Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Ciotti
- Virology Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Ceccarelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella D’Ettorre
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Pezzuto
- Cardiovascular-Respiratory Science Department, Sant’ Andrea Hospital-Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittoradolfo Tambone
- Institute of Philosophy of Scientific and Technological Practice, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Campanozzi
- Institute of Philosophy of Scientific and Technological Practice, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Magheri
- Communication Division, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Unali
- Communication Division, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Bianchi
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Stefano Pascarella
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Angeletti
- Unit of Clinical Laboratory Science, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
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16
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Abstract
There are several human viruses and bacteria currently known to be associated with cancer. A common theme indicates that these microorganisms have evolved mechanisms to hamper the pathways dedicated to maintaining the integrity of genetic information, preventing apoptosis of the damaged cells and causing unwanted cellular proliferation. This eventually reduces the ability of their hosts to repair the damage(s) and eventually results in cellular transformation, cancer progression and reduced response to therapy. Our data suggest that mycoplasmas, and perhaps certain other bacteria with closely related DnaKs, may also contribute to cellular transformation and hamper certain drugs that rely on functional p53 for their anti-cancer activity. Understanding the precise molecular mechanisms is important for cancer prevention and for the development of both new anti-cancer drugs and for improving the efficacy of existing therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Robert C. Gallo
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Correspondence:
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17
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Giovanetti M, Cella E, Benedetti F, Rife Magalis B, Fonseca V, Fabris S, Campisi G, Ciccozzi A, Angeletti S, Borsetti A, Tambone V, Sagnelli C, Pascarella S, Riva A, Ceccarelli G, Marcello A, Azarian T, Wilkinson E, de Oliveira T, Alcantara LCJ, Cauda R, Caruso A, Dean NE, Browne C, Lourenco J, Salemi M, Zella D, Ciccozzi M. SARS-CoV-2 shifting transmission dynamics and hidden reservoirs potentially limit efficacy of public health interventions in Italy. Commun Biol 2021; 4:489. [PMID: 33883675 PMCID: PMC8060392 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02025-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in Italy, one of the countries hit hardest by the pandemic, using phylodynamic analysis of viral genetic and epidemiological data. We observed the co-circulation of multiple SARS-CoV-2 lineages over time, which were linked to multiple importations and characterized by large transmission clusters concomitant with a high number of infections. Subsequent implementation of a three-phase nationwide lockdown strategy greatly reduced infection numbers and hospitalizations. Yet we present evidence of sustained viral spread among sporadic clusters acting as "hidden reservoirs" during summer 2020. Mathematical modelling shows that increased mobility among residents eventually catalyzed the coalescence of such clusters, thus driving up the number of infections and initiating a new epidemic wave. Our results suggest that the efficacy of public health interventions is, ultimately, limited by the size and structure of epidemic reservoirs, which may warrant prioritization during vaccine deployment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Giovanetti
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cella
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brittany Rife Magalis
- Emerging Pathogens Institute & Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Vagner Fonseca
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP), School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Coordenação Geral dos Laboratórios de Saúde Pública/Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, (CGLAB/SVS-MS) Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Silvia Fabris
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Campisi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Microbiology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Angeletti
- Unit of Clinical Laboratory Science, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Caterina Sagnelli
- Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Pascarella
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Riva
- ICBR, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Giancarlo Ceccarelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Policlinico Umberto I Università 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marcello
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Taj Azarian
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Eduan Wilkinson
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP), School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Tulio de Oliveira
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP), School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Luiz Carlos Junior Alcantara
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Roberto Cauda
- Department Infectious Diseases, - Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Arnaldo Caruso
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Microbiology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Natalie E Dean
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Cameron Browne
- Department of Mathematics, University of Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, USA
| | - Jose Lourenco
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Marco Salemi
- Emerging Pathogens Institute & Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy.
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18
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Curreli S, Tettelin H, Benedetti F, Krishnan S, Cocchi F, Reitz M, Gallo RC, Zella D. Analysis of DnaK Expression from a Strain of Mycoplasma fermentans in Infected HCT116 Human Colon Carcinoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083885. [PMID: 33918708 PMCID: PMC8069837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Several species of mycoplasmas, including Mycoplasma fermentans, are associated with certain human cancers. We previously isolated and characterized in our laboratory a strain of human mycoplasma M. fermentans subtype incognitus (MF-I1) able to induce lymphoma in a Severe Combined Immuno-Deficient (SCID) mouse model, and we demonstrated that its chaperone protein, DnaK, binds and reduces functions of human poly-ADP ribose polymerase-1 (PARP1) and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase protein-10 (USP10), which are required for efficient DNA repair and proper p53 activities, respectively. We also showed that other bacteria associated with human cancers (including Mycoplasmapneumoniae, Helicobacterpylori, Fusobacteriumnucleatum, Chlamydiathrachomatis, and Chlamydia pneumoniae) have closely related DnaK proteins, indicating a potential common mechanism of cellular transformation. Here, we quantify dnaK mRNA copy number by RT-qPCR analysis in different cellular compartments following intracellular MF-I1 infection of HCT116 human colon carcinoma cells. DnaK protein expression in infected cells was also detected and quantified by Western blot. The amount of viable intracellular mycoplasma reached a steady state after an initial phase of growth and was mostly localized in the cytoplasm of the invaded cells, while we detected a logarithmically increased number of viable extracellular bacteria. Our data indicate that, after invasion, MF-I1 is able to establish a chronic intracellular infection. Extracellular replication was more efficient while MF-I1 cultured in cell-free axenic medium showed a markedly reduced growth rate. We also identified modifications of important regulatory regions and heterogeneous lengths of dnaK mRNA transcripts isolated from intracellular and extracellular MF-I1. Both characteristics were less evident in dnaK mRNA transcripts isolated from MF-I1 grown in cell-free axenic media. Taken together, our data indicate that MF-I1, after establishing a chronic infection in eukaryotic cells, accumulates different forms of dnaK with efficient RNA turnover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Curreli
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (S.K.); (F.C.); (M.R.); (R.C.G.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (D.Z.)
| | - Hervé Tettelin
- Institute for Genome Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (S.K.); (F.C.); (M.R.); (R.C.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Selvi Krishnan
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (S.K.); (F.C.); (M.R.); (R.C.G.)
| | - Fiorenza Cocchi
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (S.K.); (F.C.); (M.R.); (R.C.G.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Marvin Reitz
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (S.K.); (F.C.); (M.R.); (R.C.G.)
| | - Robert C. Gallo
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (S.K.); (F.C.); (M.R.); (R.C.G.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (S.K.); (F.C.); (M.R.); (R.C.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (D.Z.)
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Ciotti M, Benedetti F, Zella D, Angeletti S, Ciccozzi M, Bernardini S. SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency: The Importance of Diagnostic Methods. Chemotherapy 2021; 66:17-23. [PMID: 33744904 PMCID: PMC8089410 DOI: 10.1159/000515343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Currently, a pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is underway, resulting in high morbidity and mortality across the globe. Summary A prompt and effective diagnosis is crucial to identify infected individuals, to monitor the infection, to perform contact tracing, and to limit the spread of the virus. Since the announcement of this public health emergency, several diagnostic methods have been developed including molecular and serological assays, and more recently biosensors. Here, we present the use of these assays as well as their main technical features, advantages, and limits. Key Messages The development of reliable diagnostic assays is crucial not only for a correct diagnosis and containment of COVID-19 pandemic, but also for the decision-making process that is behind the clinical decisions, eventually contributing to the improvement of patient management. Furthermore, with the advent of vaccine and therapeutic monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, serological assays will be instrumental for the validation of these new therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ciotti
- Virology Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, Rome, Italy,
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Davide Zella
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Silvia Angeletti
- Unit of Clinical Laboratory Science, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Bernardini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, Rome, Italy
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20
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Benvenuto D, Benedetti F, Demir AB, Ciccozzi M, Zella D. Analysis of Three Mutations in Italian Strains of SARS-CoV-2: Implications for Pathogenesis. Chemotherapy 2021; 66:33-37. [PMID: 33735872 PMCID: PMC8089447 DOI: 10.1159/000515342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an enveloped virus initially detected in Wuhan in December 2019, responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a respiratory syndrome currently affecting >220 countries around the world, with >80 million cases registered and >1.8 million deaths. Objective As several vaccines are still being developed and 2 have been approved, it is particularly important to perform evolutionary surveillance to identify mutations potentially affecting vaccine efficacy. Methods DynaMut server has been used to evaluate the impact of the mutation found on SARS-CoV-2 isolates available on GISAID. Results In this article, we analyze whole genomes sequenced from Italian patients, and we report the characterization of 3 mutations, one of which presents in the spike protein. Conclusion The mutations analyzed in this article can be useful to evaluate the evolution of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Benvenuto
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ayse Banu Demir
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,
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21
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Cella E, Benedetti F, Fabris S, Borsetti A, Pezzuto A, Ciotti M, Pascarella S, Ceccarelli G, Zella D, Ciccozzi M, Giovanetti M. SARS-CoV-2 Lineages and Sub-Lineages Circulating Worldwide: A Dynamic Overview. Chemotherapy 2021; 66:3-7. [PMID: 33735881 PMCID: PMC8089399 DOI: 10.1159/000515340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [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: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan, China, in early December 2019 has rapidly widespread worldwide, becoming one of the major global public health issues of the last centuries. Key Messages: Over the course of the pandemic, due to the advanced whole-genome sequencing technologies, an unprecedented amount of genomes have been generated, providing invaluable insights into the ongoing evolution and epidemiology of the virus during the pandemic. Therefore, this large amount of data played an important role in the SARS-CoV-2 mitigation and control strategies. Key Messages: The active monitoring and characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating worldwide is useful for a more specific diagnosis, better care, and timely treatment. In this review, a concise characterization of all the lineages and sub-lineages circulating and co-circulating across the world has been presented in order to determine the magnitude of the SARS-CoV-2 threat and to better understand the virus genetic diversity and its dispersion dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Cella
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Silvia Fabris
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Aldo Pezzuto
- Cardiovascular-Respiratory Sciences Department, Sant' Andrea Hospital-Sapienza Università, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Ciotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche e Centro di Biologia Molecolare del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Università La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Pascarella
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli,” University of Rome “La Sapienza,”, Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Ceccarelli
- Dipartimento di Salute Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Policlinico Umberto I Università “Sapienza,”, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Giovanetti
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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22
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Benedetti F, Curreli S, Gallo RC, Zella D. Exogenous bacterial DnaK increases protein kinases activity in human cancer cell lines. J Transl Med 2021; 19:60. [PMID: 33563293 PMCID: PMC7871384 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-02734-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies of molecular mechanisms underlying tumor cell signaling highlighted a critical role for kinases in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. To this regard, protein kinases regulates a number of critical cellular pathways by adding phosphate groups to specific substrates. For this reason, their involvement in the complex interactions between the human microbiota and cancer cells to determine therapy and tumor progression outcome is becoming increasingly relevant. Mycoplasmas are components of the normal human microbiota, and several species have also been associated to human diseases, including certain cancers. It is also important to note that Mycoplasmas and their proteins are a component of the common tumor microenvironment. In addition, several epidemiological, in vivo and in vitro studies indicate a close involvement of Mycoplasmas in cellular transformation and cancer progression. METHODS In this study, we investigate the effect of exogenous Mycoplasma DnaK on kinases activity by treating in vitro four different eukaryotic cancer cell lines, namely lung and prostate cancer, colon adenocarcinoma, and neuroblastoma. Phosphorylation of kinases and specific substrates was measured at 20 and 60 min. RESULTS Kinome analysis of our data indicates that Mycoplasma DnaK promotes the dysregulation of the activity of specific kinases and their substrates, with a known involvement in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. CONCLUSIONS Given the similarity in structure and amino acid composition of this protein with other bacterial DnaKs we provide a novel mechanism whereby components of the human microbiota and present in the tumor microenvironment are able to deregulate phosphorylation events occurring during carcinogenesis and cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Sabrina Curreli
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Robert C Gallo
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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23
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Giovanetti M, Benedetti F, Campisi G, Ciccozzi A, Fabris S, Ceccarelli G, Tambone V, Caruso A, Angeletti S, Zella D, Ciccozzi M. Evolution patterns of SARS-CoV-2: Snapshot on its genome variants. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 538:88-91. [PMID: 33199021 PMCID: PMC7836704 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.10.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [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: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
An acute respiratory syndrome (COVID-19), caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with a high rate of morbidity and elevate mortality, has emerged as one of the most important threats to humankind in the last centuries. Rigorous determination of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity is very difficult owing to the continuous evolution of the virus, with its single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants and many lineages. However, it is urgently necessary to study the virus in depth, to understand the mechanism of its pathogenicity and virulence, and to develop effective therapeutic strategies. The present contribution summarizes in a succinct way the current knowledge on the evolutionary and structural features of the virus, with the aim of clarifying its mutational pattern and its possible role in the ongoing pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Giovanetti
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, USA
| | - Giovanni Campisi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Microbiology, Universityof Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Fabris
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Ceccarelli
- Dipartimento di Salute Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Policlinico Umberto I Università‘Sapienza’, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Arnaldo Caruso
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Microbiology, Universityof Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Angeletti
- Unit of Clinical Laboratory Science, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, USA,Corresponding author
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy,Corresponding author
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24
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Benedetti F, Curreli S, Gallo RC, Zella D. Tampering of Viruses and Bacteria with Host DNA Repair: Implications for Cellular Transformation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:E241. [PMID: 33440726 PMCID: PMC7826954 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A reduced ability to properly repair DNA is linked to a variety of human diseases, which in almost all cases is associated with an increased probability of the development of cellular transformation and cancer. DNA damage, that ultimately can lead to mutations and genomic instability, is due to many factors, such as oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, viral and microbial pathogens, excess cellular proliferation and chemical factors. In this review, we examine the evidence connecting DNA damage and the mechanisms that viruses and bacteria have evolved to hamper the pathways dedicated to maintaining the integrity of genetic information, thus affecting the ability of their hosts to repair the damage(s). Uncovering new links between these important aspects of cancer biology might lead to the development of new targeted therapies in DNA-repair deficient cancers and improving the efficacy of existing therapies. Here we provide a comprehensive summary detailing the major mechanisms that viruses and bacteria associated with cancer employ to interfere with mechanisms of DNA repair. Comparing these mechanisms could ultimately help provide a common framework to better understand how certain microorganisms are involved in cellular transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Sabrina Curreli
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (S.C.); (R.C.G.)
| | - Robert C. Gallo
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (S.C.); (R.C.G.)
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology and Global Virus Network Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
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25
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Benedetti F, Sorrenti V, Buriani A, Fortinguerra S, Scapagnini G, Zella D. Resveratrol, Rapamycin and Metformin as Modulators of Antiviral Pathways. Viruses 2020; 12:v12121458. [PMID: 33348714 PMCID: PMC7766714 DOI: 10.3390/v12121458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Balanced nutrition and appropriate dietary interventions are fundamental in the prevention and management of viral infections. Additionally, accurate modulation of the inflammatory response is necessary to achieve an adequate antiviral immune response. Many studies, both in vitro with mammalian cells and in vivo with small animal models, have highlighted the antiviral properties of resveratrol, rapamycin and metformin. The current review outlines the mechanisms of action of these three important compounds on the cellular pathways involved with viral replication and the mechanisms of virus-related diseases, as well as the current status of their clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Vincenzo Sorrenti
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
- Bendessere™ Study Center, Via Prima Strada 23/3, 35129 Padova, Italy
- Maria Paola Belloni Center for Personalized Medicine, Data Medica Group (Synlab Limited), 35100 Padova, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Buriani
- Maria Paola Belloni Center for Personalized Medicine, Data Medica Group (Synlab Limited), 35100 Padova, Italy;
| | | | - Giovanni Scapagnini
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (D.Z.)
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (D.Z.)
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26
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Magnifico I, Petronio Petronio G, Venditti N, Cutuli MA, Pietrangelo L, Vergalito F, Mangano K, Zella D, Di Marco R. Atopic Dermatitis as a Multifactorial Skin Disorder. Can the Analysis of Pathophysiological Targets Represent the Winning Therapeutic Strategy? Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:E411. [PMID: 33266440 PMCID: PMC7700401 DOI: 10.3390/ph13110411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a pathological skin condition with complex aetiological mechanisms that are difficult to fully understand. Scientific evidence suggests that of all the causes, the impairment of the skin barrier and cutaneous dysbiosis together with immunological dysfunction can be considered as the two main factors involved in this pathological skin condition. The loss of the skin barrier function is often linked to dysbiosis and immunological dysfunction, with an imbalance in the ratio between the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus and/or other microorganisms residing in the skin. The bibliographic research was conducted on PubMed, using the following keywords: 'atopic dermatitis', 'bacterial therapy', 'drug delivery system' and 'alternative therapy'. The main studies concerning microbial therapy, such as the use of bacteria and/or part thereof with microbiota transplantation, and drug delivery systems to recover skin barrier function have been summarized. The studies examined show great potential in the development of effective therapeutic strategies for AD and AD-like symptoms. Despite this promise, however, future investigative efforts should focus both on the replication of some of these studies on a larger scale, with clinical and demographic characteristics that reflect the general AD population, and on the process of standardisation, in order to produce reliable data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Magnifico
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences “V. Tiberio” Università degli Studi del Molise, 8600 Campobasso, Italy; (I.M.); (N.V.); (M.A.C.); (L.P.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Giulio Petronio Petronio
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences “V. Tiberio” Università degli Studi del Molise, 8600 Campobasso, Italy; (I.M.); (N.V.); (M.A.C.); (L.P.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Noemi Venditti
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences “V. Tiberio” Università degli Studi del Molise, 8600 Campobasso, Italy; (I.M.); (N.V.); (M.A.C.); (L.P.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Marco Alfio Cutuli
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences “V. Tiberio” Università degli Studi del Molise, 8600 Campobasso, Italy; (I.M.); (N.V.); (M.A.C.); (L.P.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Laura Pietrangelo
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences “V. Tiberio” Università degli Studi del Molise, 8600 Campobasso, Italy; (I.M.); (N.V.); (M.A.C.); (L.P.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Franca Vergalito
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences (DiAAA), Università degli Studi del Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy;
| | - Katia Mangano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Universitá degli Studi di Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Davide Zella
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Roberto Di Marco
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences “V. Tiberio” Università degli Studi del Molise, 8600 Campobasso, Italy; (I.M.); (N.V.); (M.A.C.); (L.P.); (R.D.M.)
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27
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Denaro F, Benedetti F, Worthington MD, Scapagnini G, Krauss CC, Williams S, Bryant J, Davis H, Latinovic OS, Zella D. The HIV-1 Transgenic Rat: Relevance for HIV Noninfectious Comorbidity Research. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111643. [PMID: 33114165 PMCID: PMC7690772 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV noninfectious comorbidities (NICMs) are a current healthcare challenge. The situation is further complicated as there are very few effective models that can be used for NICM research. Previous research has supported the use of the HIV-1 transgenic rat (HIV-1TGR) as a model for the study of HIV/AIDS. However, additional studies are needed to confirm whether this model has features that would support NICM research. A demonstration of the utility of the HIV-1TGR model would be to show that the HIV-1TGR has cellular receptors able to bind HIV proteins, as this would be relevant for the study of cell-specific tissue pathology. In fact, an increased frequency of HIV receptors on a specific cell type may increase tissue vulnerability since binding to HIV proteins would eventually result in cell dysfunction and death. Evidence suggests that observations of selective cellular vulnerability in this model are consistent with some specific tissue vulnerabilities seen in NICMs. We identified CXCR4-expressing cells in the brain, while specific markers for neuronal degeneration demonstrated that the same neural types were dying. We also confirm the presence of gp120 and Tat by immunocytochemistry in the spleen, as previously reported. However, we observed very rare positive cells in the brain. This underscores the point that gp120, which has been reported as detected in the sera and CSF, is a likely source to which these CXCR4-positive cells are exposed. This alternative appears more probable than the local production of gp120. Further studies may indicate some level of local production, but that will not eliminate the role of receptor-mediated pathology. The binding of gp120 to the CXCR4 receptor on neurons and other neural cell types in the HIV-1TGR can thus explain the phenomena of selective cell death. Selective cellular vulnerability may be a contributing factor to the development of NICMs. Our data indicate that the HIV-1TGR can be an effective model for the studies of HIV NICMs because of the difference in the regional expression of CXCR4 in rat tissues, thus leading to specific organ pathology. This also suggests that the model can be used in the development of therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Denaro
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA; (F.D.); (M.D.W.); (C.C.K.); (S.W.)
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (J.B.); (H.D.); (O.S.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Myla D. Worthington
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA; (F.D.); (M.D.W.); (C.C.K.); (S.W.)
| | - Giovanni Scapagnini
- Department of Medicine and Health Science, University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy;
| | - Christopher C. Krauss
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA; (F.D.); (M.D.W.); (C.C.K.); (S.W.)
| | - Sumiko Williams
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA; (F.D.); (M.D.W.); (C.C.K.); (S.W.)
- Institute of Human Virology-Animal Core Division, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Joseph Bryant
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (J.B.); (H.D.); (O.S.L.)
- Institute of Human Virology-Animal Core Division, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Harry Davis
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (J.B.); (H.D.); (O.S.L.)
- Institute of Human Virology-Animal Core Division, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Olga S. Latinovic
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (J.B.); (H.D.); (O.S.L.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (F.B.); (J.B.); (H.D.); (O.S.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Correspondence:
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28
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Weichseldorfer M, Affram Y, Heredia A, Tagaya Y, Benedetti F, Zella D, Reitz M, Romerio F, Latinovic OS. Anti-HIV Activity of Standard Combined Antiretroviral Therapy in Primary Cells Is Intensified by CCR5-Targeting Drugs. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2020; 36:835-841. [PMID: 32623916 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2020.0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) against HIV-1 is evidenced by reduction of plasma viremia, disease progression, viral transmission, and mortality. However, major challenges still remain in HIV-1 management, especially the emergence of resistant strains and the persistence of viral reservoirs, apparent after cART treatment interruption. Efforts are ongoing to explore the most effective means to intensify cART and successfully control residual viral replication. We anticipate that the reduction by cART of HIV-1 reservoirs could be further enhanced by combining cART with entry inhibitors and drugs that silence CCR5 expression. CCR5-targeting drugs are attractive option because of their low side effects when combined with other antiretroviral drugs. The concept that their inclusion would be effective has been supported by the reduction in two long terminal repeat unintegrated circular DNA, a marker for new infections, when CCR5-targeting drugs are added to standard antiretroviral treatment. This study is, in part, an extension of our previous study demonstrating greater preservation of human CD4+ T-cells and CD4+/CD8+ cell ratios in HIV-infected CD34+ NSG mice when CCR5-targeting drugs were included with standard cART. In this study, we treated HIV-1-infected cell cultures with cART or cART plus CCR5-targeting drugs (maraviroc and rapamycin). We found that treatment intensification with CCR5-targeting drugs led to a significant reduction of HIV-1 replication in peripheral blood ononuclear cells (PBMCs), as judged by measured viral DNA copies and p24 levels. Our data provide proof of principle for the benefit of adding CCR5-targeting drugs to traditional, standard cART to further lower viremia and subsequently reduce viral reservoirs in clinical settings, while potentially lowering side effects by reducing cART concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Weichseldorfer
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yvonne Affram
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alonso Heredia
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yutaka Tagaya
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Marvin Reitz
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Fabio Romerio
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Olga S. Latinovic
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Pachetti M, Marini B, Giudici F, Benedetti F, Angeletti S, Ciccozzi M, Masciovecchio C, Ippodrino R, Zella D. Impact of lockdown on Covid-19 case fatality rate and viral mutations spread in 7 countries in Europe and North America. J Transl Med 2020; 18:338. [PMID: 32878627 PMCID: PMC7463225 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02501-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in China and has become a public health emergency of international concern. SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has been declared a pandemic by WHO on March 11th, 2020 and the same month several Countries put in place different lockdown restrictions and testing strategies in order to contain the spread of the virus. Methods The calculation of the Case Fatality Rate of SARS-CoV-2 in the Countries selected was made by using the data available at https://github.com/owid/covi-19-data/tree/master/public/data. Case fatality rate was calculated as the ratio between the death cases due to COVID-19, over the total number of SARS-CoV-2 reported cases 14 days before. Standard Case Fatality Rate values were normalized by the Country-specific ρ factor, i.e. the number of PCR tests/1 million inhabitants over the number of reported cases/1 million inhabitants. Case-fatality rates between Countries were compared using proportion test. Post-hoc analysis in the case of more than two groups was performed using pairwise comparison of proportions and p value was adjusted using Holm method. We also analyzed 487 genomic sequences from the GISAID database derived from patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 from January 2020 to April 2020 in Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Sweden, UK and USA. SARS-CoV-2 reference genome was obtained from the GenBank database (NC_045512.2). Genomes alignment was performed using Muscle and Jalview software. We, then, calculated the Case Fatality Rate of SARS-CoV-2 in the Countries selected. Results In this study we analyse how different lockdown strategies and PCR testing capability adopted by Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, UK and USA have influenced the Case Fatality Rate and the viral mutations spread. We calculated case fatality rates by dividing the death number of a specific day by the number of patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection observed 14 days before and normalized by a ρ factor which takes into account the diagnostic PCR testing capability of each Country and the number of positive cases detected. We notice the stabilization of a clear pattern of mutations at sites nt241, nt3037, nt14408 and nt23403. A novel nonsynonymous SARS-CoV-2 mutation in the spike protein (nt24368) has been found in genomes sequenced in Sweden, which enacted a soft lockdown strategy. Conclusions Strict lockdown strategies together with a wide diagnostic PCR testing of the population were correlated with a relevant decline of the case fatality rate in different Countries. The emergence of specific patterns of mutations concomitant with the decline in case fatality rate needs further confirmation and their biological significance remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pachetti
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste-Area Science Park, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 2, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Fabiola Giudici
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Silvia Angeletti
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rudy Ippodrino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA. .,Member of the Global Virus Network, Baltimore, USA.
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Benedetti F, Snyder GA, Giovanetti M, Angeletti S, Gallo RC, Ciccozzi M, Zella D. Emerging of a SARS-CoV-2 viral strain with a deletion in nsp1. J Transl Med 2020; 18:329. [PMID: 32867854 PMCID: PMC7457216 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02507-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The new Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was first detected in Wuhan (China) in December of 2019 is responsible for the current global pandemic. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that it is similar to other betacoronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV and Middle-Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, MERS-CoV. Its genome is ∼ 30 kb in length and contains two large overlapping polyproteins, ORF1a and ORF1ab that encode for several structural and non-structural proteins. The non-structural protein 1 (nsp1) is arguably the most important pathogenic determinant, and previous studies on SARS-CoV indicate that it is both involved in viral replication and hampering the innate immune system response. Detailed experiments of site-specific mutagenesis and in vitro reconstitution studies determined that the mechanisms of action are mediated by (a) the presence of specific amino acid residues of nsp1 and (b) the interaction between the protein and the host's small ribosomal unit. In fact, substitution of certain amino acids resulted in reduction of its negative effects. METHODS A total of 17,928 genome sequences were obtained from the GISAID database (December 2019 to July 2020) from patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 from different areas around the world. Genomes alignment was performed using MAFFT (REFF) and the nsp1 genomic regions were identified using BioEdit and verified using BLAST. Nsp1 protein of SARS-CoV-2 with and without deletion have been subsequently modelled using I-TASSER. RESULTS We identified SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences, from several Countries, carrying a previously unknown deletion of 9 nucleotides in position 686-694, corresponding to the AA position 241-243 (KSF). This deletion was found in different geographical areas. Structural prediction modelling suggests an effect on the C-terminal tail structure. CONCLUSIONS Modelling analysis of a newly identified deletion of 3 amino acids (KSF) of SARS-CoV-2 nsp1 suggests that this deletion could affect the structure of the C-terminal region of the protein, important for regulation of viral replication and negative effect on host's gene expression. In addition, substitution of the two amino acids (KS) from nsp1 of SARS-CoV was previously reported to revert loss of interferon-alpha expression. The deletion that we describe indicates that SARS-CoV-2 is undergoing profound genomic changes. It is important to: (i) confirm the spreading of this particular viral strain, and potentially of strains with other deletions in the nsp1 protein, both in the population of asymptomatic and pauci-symptomatic subjects, and (ii) correlate these changes in nsp1 with potential decreased viral pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Greg A Snyder
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Marta Giovanetti
- Flavivirus Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Silvia Angeletti
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert C Gallo
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy.,Global Virus Network, Baltimore, USA
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy.
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA. .,Global Virus Network, Baltimore, USA.
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Benedetti F, Pachetti M, Marini B, Ippodrino R, Ciccozzi M, Zella D. SARS-CoV-2: March toward adaptation. J Med Virol 2020; 92:2274-2276. [PMID: 32598499 PMCID: PMC7361333 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Benedetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Maria Pachetti
- Department of Physics, Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Zella
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland.,Global Virus Network, Baltimore, Maryland
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Benedetti F, Pachetti M, Marini B, Ippodrino R, Gallo RC, Ciccozzi M, Zella D. Inverse correlation between average monthly high temperatures and COVID-19-related death rates in different geographical areas. J Transl Med 2020; 18:251. [PMID: 32576227 PMCID: PMC7309213 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02418-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [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: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the aim of providing a dynamic evaluation of the effects of basic environmental parameters on COVID-19-related death rate, we assessed the correlation between average monthly high temperatures and population density, with death/rate (monthly number of deaths/1 M people) for the months of March (start of the analysis and beginning of local epidemic in most of the Western World, except in Italy where it started in February) and April 2020 (continuation of the epidemic). Different geographical areas of the Northern Hemisphere in the United States and in Europe were selected in order to provide a wide range among the different parameters. The death rates were gathered from an available dataset. As a further control, we also included latitude, as a proxy for temperature. METHODS Utilizing a publicly available dataset, we retrieved data for the months of March and April 2020 for 25 areas in Europe and in the US. We computed the monthly number of deaths/1 M people of confirmed COVID-19 cases and calculated the average monthly high temperatures and population density for all these areas. We determined the correlation between number of deaths/1 M people and the average monthly high temperatures, the latitude and the population density. RESULTS We divided our analysis in two parts: analysis of the correlation among the different variables in the month of March and subsequent analysis in the month of April. The differences were then evaluated. In the month of March there was no statistical correlation between average monthly high temperatures of the considered geographical areas and number of deaths/1 M people. However, a statistically significant inverse correlation became significant in the month of April between average monthly high temperatures (p = 0.0043) and latitude (p = 0.0253) with number of deaths/1 M people. We also observed a statistically significant correlation between population density and number of deaths/1 M people both in the month of March (p = 0.0297) and in the month of April (p = 0.0116), when three areas extremely populated (NYC, Los Angeles and Washington DC) were included in the calculation. Once these three areas were removed, the correlation was not statistically significant (p = 0.1695 in the month of March, and p = 0.7076 in the month of April). CONCLUSIONS The number of COVID-19-related deaths/1 M people was essentially the same during the month of March for all the geographical areas considered, indicating essentially that the infection was circulating quite uniformly except for Lombardy, Italy, where it started earlier. Lockdown measures were implemented between the end of March and beginning of April, except for Italy which started March 9th. We observed a strong, statistically significant inverse correlation between average monthly high temperatures with the number of deaths/1 M people. We confirmed the data by analyzing the correlation with the latitude, which can be considered a proxy for high temperature. Previous studies indicated a negative effect of high climate temperatures on Sars-COV-2 spreading. Our data indicate that social distancing measure are more successful in the presence of higher average monthly temperatures in reducing COVID-19-related death rate, and a high level of population density seems to negatively impact the effect of lockdown measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Maria Pachetti
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste - Area Science Park, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 2, Trieste, Italy
| | - Bruna Marini
- Ulisse BioMed - Area Science Park, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Robert C. Gallo
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
- Global Virus Network, Baltimore, USA
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
- Global Virus Network, Baltimore, USA
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Pachetti M, Marini B, Benedetti F, Giudici F, Mauro E, Storici P, Masciovecchio C, Angeletti S, Ciccozzi M, Gallo RC, Zella D, Ippodrino R. Emerging SARS-CoV-2 mutation hot spots include a novel RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase variant. J Transl Med 2020; 18:179. [PMID: 32321524 PMCID: PMC7174922 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02344-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 575] [Impact Index Per Article: 143.8] [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: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2 is a RNA coronavirus responsible for the pandemic of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (COVID-19). RNA viruses are characterized by a high mutation rate, up to a million times higher than that of their hosts. Virus mutagenic capability depends upon several factors, including the fidelity of viral enzymes that replicate nucleic acids, as SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Mutation rate drives viral evolution and genome variability, thereby enabling viruses to escape host immunity and to develop drug resistance. METHODS We analyzed 220 genomic sequences from the GISAID database derived from patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 worldwide from December 2019 to mid-March 2020. SARS-CoV-2 reference genome was obtained from the GenBank database. Genomes alignment was performed using Clustal Omega. Mann-Whitney and Fisher-Exact tests were used to assess statistical significance. RESULTS We characterized 8 novel recurrent mutations of SARS-CoV-2, located at positions 1397, 2891, 14408, 17746, 17857, 18060, 23403 and 28881. Mutations in 2891, 3036, 14408, 23403 and 28881 positions are predominantly observed in Europe, whereas those located at positions 17746, 17857 and 18060 are exclusively present in North America. We noticed for the first time a silent mutation in RdRp gene in England (UK) on February 9th, 2020 while a different mutation in RdRp changing its amino acid composition emerged on February 20th, 2020 in Italy (Lombardy). Viruses with RdRp mutation have a median of 3 point mutations [range: 2-5], otherwise they have a median of 1 mutation [range: 0-3] (p value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the virus is evolving and European, North American and Asian strains might coexist, each of them characterized by a different mutation pattern. The contribution of the mutated RdRp to this phenomenon needs to be investigated. To date, several drugs targeting RdRp enzymes are being employed for SARS-CoV-2 infection treatment. Some of them have a predicted binding moiety in a SARS-CoV-2 RdRp hydrophobic cleft, which is adjacent to the 14408 mutation we identified. Consequently, it is important to study and characterize SARS-CoV-2 RdRp mutation in order to assess possible drug-resistance viral phenotypes. It is also important to recognize whether the presence of some mutations might correlate with different SARS-CoV-2 mortality rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pachetti
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste - Area Science Park, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 2, Trieste, Italy
| | - Bruna Marini
- Ulisse BioMed - Area Science Park, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Fabiola Giudici
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Paola Storici
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste - Area Science Park, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Angeletti
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert C Gallo
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
- Co-founder and International Science Advisor - Global Virus Network, Baltimore, USA
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.
- Member of the Global Virus Network, Baltimore, USA.
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Zanotto L, Dan M, Toigo V, Ferrari F, Zella D, Gutierrez D, Huart M, Decamps H, Perna M, Merli E, Finotti C, Guarda F, Panizza C. Acceleration grid power supply conversion system of the MITICA neutral beam injector: On site integration activities and tests. Fusion Engineering and Design 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2019.03.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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35
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Adebamowo SN, Ma B, Zella D, Famooto A, Ravel J, Adebamowo C. Mycoplasma hominis and Mycoplasma genitalium in the Vaginal Microbiota and Persistent High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection. Front Public Health 2017; 5:140. [PMID: 28695118 PMCID: PMC5483445 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [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: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies have suggested that the vaginal microenvironment plays a role in persistence of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection and thus cervical carcinogenesis. Furthermore, it has been shown that some mycoplasmas are efficient methylators and may facilitate carcinogenesis through methylation of hrHPV and cervical somatic cells. We examined associations between prevalence and persistence of Mycoplasma spp. in the vaginal microbiota, and prevalent as well as persistent hrHPV infections. Methods We examined 194 Nigerian women who were tested for hrHPV infection using SPF25/LiPA10 and we identified Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma hominis in their vaginal microbiota established by sequencing the V3–V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. We defined the prevalence of M. genitalium, M. hominis, and hrHPV based on positive result of baseline tests, while persistence was defined as positive results from two consecutive tests. We used exact logistic regression models to estimate associations between Mycoplasma spp. and hrHPV infections. Results The mean (SD) age of the study participants was 38 (8) years, 71% were HIV positive, 30% M. genitalium positive, 45% M. hominis positive, and 40% hrHPV positive at baseline. At follow-up, 16% of the women remained positive for M. genitalium, 30% for M. hominis, and 31% for hrHPV. There was a significant association between persistent M. hominis and persistent hrHPV (OR 8.78, 95% CI 1.49–51.6, p 0.01). Women who were positive for HIV and had persistent M. hominis had threefold increase in the odds of having persistent hrHPV infection (OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.31–8.74, p 0.008), compared to women who were negative for both. Conclusion We found significant association between persistent M. hominis in the vaginal microbiota and persistent hrHPV in this study, but we could not rule out reverse causation. Our findings need to be replicated in larger, longitudinal studies and if confirmed, could have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally N Adebamowo
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,University of Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Bing Ma
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Jacques Ravel
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Clement Adebamowo
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,University of Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Institute of Research Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
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Benedetti F, Curreli S, Krishnan S, Davinelli S, Cocchi F, Scapagnini G, Gallo RC, Zella D. Anti-inflammatory effects of H 2S during acute bacterial infection: a review. J Transl Med 2017; 15:100. [PMID: 28490346 PMCID: PMC5424385 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-017-1206-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [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: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), previously only considered a toxic environmental air pollutant, is now increasingly recognized as an important signaling molecule able to modulate several cellular pathways in many human tissues. As demonstrated in recent studies, H2S is produced endogenously in response to different cellular stimuli and plays different roles in controlling a number of physiological responses. The precise role of H2S in inflammation is still largely unknown. In particular, the role of H2S in the regulation of the inflammatory response in acute and chronic infections is being actively investigated because of its potential therapeutic use. To study the effect of H2S as an anti-inflammatory mediator during bacterial infections, we developed an ex vivo model of primary cells and cell lines infected with Mycoplasma. Our data demonstrate a dichotomic effect of H2S on the NF-kB and Nrf-2 molecular pathways, which were inhibited and stimulated, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Benedetti
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| | - Sabrina Curreli
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Selvi Krishnan
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Sergio Davinelli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Fiorenza Cocchi
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Giovanni Scapagnini
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Robert C Gallo
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Davide Zella
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
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Abstract
There is growing support that environmental influences and individual genetic susceptibility may increase the incidence and accelerate the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Epigenetic mechanisms encompass a complex regulatory network of modifications with considerable impact on health and disease risk. Abnormal epigenetic regulation is a hallmark in many pathological conditions including AD. It is well recognized that numerous bioactive dietary components mediate epigenetic modifications associated with the pathophysiology of several diseases. Although the influences of dietary factors on epigenetic regulation have been extensively investigated, only few studies have explored the effects of specific food components in regulating epigenetic patterns during neurodegeneration and AD. Epigenetic nutritional research has substantial potential for AD and may represent a window of opportunity to complement other interventions. Here, we provide a brief overview of the main mechanisms involved in AD, some of which may be epigenetically modulated by bioactive food.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Davinelli
- Giovanni Scapagnini, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso 86100, Italy,
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Davinelli S, Scapagnini G, Denaro F, Calabrese V, Benedetti F, Krishnan S, Curreli S, Bryant J, Zella D. Altered expression pattern of Nrf2/HO-1 axis during accelerated-senescence in HIV-1 transgenic rat. Biogerontology 2014; 15:449-61. [PMID: 25027760 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-014-9511-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [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] [Received: 01/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Chronic oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including HIV-1 associated disorders. Concomitantly with the decline of endogenous antioxidant systems, it was reported that HIV-1-related proteins increase the production of radical species in cells and tissues that are not directly infected by the virus. In the context of HIV-1 infection, the role of Nrf2, a key transcription factor that contributes to the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis, remains largely uncharacterized. One of the major stress-responsive player regulated by Nrf2 is the antioxidant enzyme HO-1. The Nrf2/HO-1 axis constitutes a crucial cell survival mechanism to counteract oxidative stress and inflammation. The present study aims to investigate the age-related patterns of Nrf2 and HO-1 in different brain regions and tissues of HIV-1 transgenic rat. Since HIV-1 induces an accelerated aging and the redox imbalance may actively promote senescence, we also evaluated the senescence phenotype-switching by quantifying levels of β-galactosidase activity. Our results showed changes in gene expression, with different trends depending on the brain regions and tissues examined. However, compared to age-matched controls, we observed in HIV-1 transgenic rats a significant reduction in the protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1, suggesting a weakening in the protection exerted by Nrf2/HO-1 system. Moreover, we show that senescence occurs more rapidly in HIV-1 transgenic rats than in control animals. To our knowledge this is the first in vivo report showing the involvement of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in a rat model of HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Davinelli
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
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Benedetti F, Davinelli S, Krishnan S, Gallo RC, Scapagnini G, Zella D, Curreli S. Sulfur compounds block MCP-1 production by Mycoplasma fermentans-infected macrophages through NF-κB inhibition. J Transl Med 2014; 12:145. [PMID: 24886588 PMCID: PMC4046042 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-12-145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), together with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), belongs to a family of endogenous signaling mediators termed “gasotransmitters”. Recent studies suggest that H2S modulates many cellular processes and it has been recognized to play a central role in inflammation, in the cardiovascular and nervous systems. By infecting monocytes/macrophages with Mycoplasma fermentans (M.F.), a well-known pro-inflammatory agent, we evaluated the effects of H2S. Methods M.F.-infected cells were analyzed by ELISA and real time RT-PCR to detect the M.F. effects on MCP-1 and on MMP-12 expression. The role of two different H2S donors (NaHS and GYY4137) on MF-infected cells was determined by treating infected cells with H2S and then testing the culture supernatants for MCP-1 and on MMP-12 production by ELISA assay. In order to identify the pathway/s mediating H2S- anti-inflammatory activity, cells were also treated with specific pharmaceutical inhibitors. Cytoplasmic and nuclear accumulation of NF-κB heterodimers was analyzed. Results We show that H2S was able to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine MCP-1, that was induced in monocytes/macrophages during M.F. infection. Moreover, MCP-1 was induced by M.F. through Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, as demonstrated by the fact that TLR inhibitors TIRAP and MyD88 and NF-κB inhibitor IKK were able to block the cytokine production. In contrast H2S treatment of M.F. infected macrophages reduced nuclear accumulation of NF-κB heterodimer p65/p52. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that under the present conditions H2S is effective in reducing Mycoplasma-induced inflammation by targeting the NF-κB pathway. This supports further studies for possible clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sabrina Curreli
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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Tisato V, Norcio A, Voltan R, Celeghini C, Zella D, Secchiero P. MDM2 non-genotoxic inhibitors as innovative therapeutic approaches for the treatment of pediatric malignancies. Curr Med Chem 2013; 20:2226-36. [PMID: 23458617 DOI: 10.2174/0929867311320170007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Revised: 01/25/2013] [Accepted: 02/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of p53 as "guardian of the genome", a large number of efforts have been put in place in order to find molecular strategies aiming to restore p53 wild-type functions, particularly in the light of the fact that its pathway results ineffective in most tumors even though they have non-mutated p53. In this context, pediatric cancers, that are mostly p53 wild-type at the time of diagnosis, represent an ideal target for such therapeutic approach. Within the several mechanisms and proteins ruling p53 activity, the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) is its crucial negative regulator, frequently found overexpressed in p53-wild-type tumors. The development of new technologies such as nuclear magnetic resonance structure analyses, computational structure-based design studies, and library peptides screening have recently led to the discovery and characterization of a large number of compounds belonging to different chemical families that are able to target the interaction p53-MDM2, rescuing the p53 wild-type pathway with an overall pro-apoptotic and anticancer activity. Within the preclinical assessment of these molecules, the cis-imidazoline analogue Nutlin-3 has definitely attracted great interest for its in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity in several pediatric cancer models, either as single agent on in combination with standard chemotherapy. In this light, the aim of this review is to summarize the main preclinical evidences of the potential of MDM2 inhibitors for the treatment of childhood cancers and the key suggestions coming from their assessment in the treatment of adult cancers as proof of concept for future pediatric clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Tisato
- Department of Morphology and Embryology and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Davinelli S, Di Marco R, Bracale R, Quattrone A, Zella D, Scapagnini G. Synergistic effect of L-Carnosine and EGCG in the prevention of physiological brain aging. Curr Pharm Des 2013; 19:2722-7. [PMID: 23092324 DOI: 10.2174/1381612811319150007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The benefits of multi-target action are well established in a variety of pathological models. Many dietary supplements and nutraceuticals may be useful to slow age-related cognitive declines and the risk of developing neurodegenerative disease. L-Carnosine and EGCG are natural compounds that have received particular attention because of their potential role in modulating oxidative stress associated with aging and chronic conditions. The biological activities of these naturally occurring substances have frequently been used to prevent or reduce senile features; however they have never been evaluated as a combined treatment. In the present study we investigated the combined effect of L-Carnosine and EGCG on the activation of two stress-responsive pathways: HO-1 and Hsp72 (the inducible form of Hsp70), which play an important role in cytoprotection against oxidative stress-induced cell damage. We demonstrated that the neuroprotective effects of EGCG and L-Carnosine are achieved through the modulation of HO-1/Hsp72 systems. Furthermore, the combined action of both compounds resulted in a synergistic increase of HO-1 expression which suggests a crosstalk between the HO-1 and the Hsp72-mediated pathways. Our results indicate that the combined administration of EGCG and L-Carnosine would benefit the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases by reducing the neuronal damage caused by oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Davinelli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
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Curreli S, Krishnan S, Reitz M, Lunardi-Iskandar Y, Lafferty MK, Garzino-Demo A, Zella D, Gallo RC, Bryant J. B cell lymphoma in HIV transgenic mice. Retrovirology 2013; 10:92. [PMID: 23985023 PMCID: PMC3847158 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-10-92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 08/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type I (HIV-1) infection is associated with a high incidence of B-cell lymphomas. The role of HIV in these lymphomas is unclear and currently there are no valid in vivo models for better understanding HIV-related lymphomagenesis. Transgenic (Tg) 26 mice have a 7.4-kb pNL4-3 HIV-1 provirus lacking a 3.1-kb sequence encompassing parts of the gag-pol region. Approximately 15% of these HIV Tg mice spontaneously develop lymphoma with hallmark pre-diagnostic markers including skin lesions, diffuse lymphadenopathy and an increase in pro-inflammatory serum cytokines. Here we describe the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of the B cell leukemia/lymphoma in the Tg mice. Results The transformed B cell population consists of CD19+pre-BCR+CD127+CD43+CD93+ precursor B cells. The tumor cells are clonal and characterized by an increased expression of several cellular oncogenes. Expression of B cell-stimulatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-13 and TNFα and HIV proteins p17, gp120 and nef were elevated in the Tg mice with lymphoma. Conclusions Increased expression of HIV proteins and the B-cell stimulatory factors is consistent with the interpretation that one or more of these factors play a role in lymphoma development. The lymphomas share many similarities with those occurring in HIV/AIDS+ patients and may provide a valuable model for understanding AIDS-related lymphomagenesis and elucidating the role played by HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Curreli
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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Davinelli S, Sapere N, Visentin M, Zella D, Scapagnini G. Enhancement of mitochondrial biogenesis with polyphenols: combined effects of resveratrol and equol in human endothelial cells. Immun Ageing 2013; 10:28. [PMID: 23842073 PMCID: PMC3750512 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4933-10-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 06/15/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that combinatorial action of numerous biologically active compounds may be a valuable source in a variety of therapeutic applications. Several nutraceuticals have demonstrated to augment the efficacy of pharmacological approaches or provide physiological benefit to improve age-related decline. Recently, the possibilities of anti-ageing interventions have multiplied also to ameliorate the mitochondrial alterations in ageing-associated diseases. In this report, we approached a novel treatment strategy by combining two bioactive dietary constituents (resveratrol and equol) to determine their effect on mitochondrial function. Taking into account that the biological activities of resveratrol and equol has been observed in a wide range of biological processes, they were selected to examine whether combining them would be more effective to modulate mitochondrial function. In HUVEC cells our results demonstrate that the co-administration of these natural products increased mitochondrial mass and mitochondrial DNA content. Additionally, combined use of both compounds increased SIRT1 enzymatic activity and induced mitochondrial biogenesis factors such as PGC1-α, TFAM and NRF-1. Therefore, identification of this novel synergism may provide a new perspective for future treatments aiming to modulate the mitochondrial activity with implications in maintaining endothelial function which is crucial in the regulation of immune response. Further studies to discover the molecular details of this crosstalk and to identify new combinations of active compounds affecting the mitochondrial function will be extremely beneficial to prevent mitochondrial decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Davinelli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso 86100, Italy.
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Dal Bello S, Ferro A, Gallo A, Grando L, Pilan N, Rizzolo A, Taliercio C, Valisa M, Agostinetti P, Bettini P, Lazzaro G, Tiso A, Tollin M, Zampiva E, Zella D, Hirano Y, Kiyama S, Sakakita H. Integration design of TPE-RX Neutral Beam Injector on RFX-mod. Fusion Engineering and Design 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2010.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Scapagnini G, Vasto S, Sonya V, Abraham NG, Nader AG, Caruso C, Calogero C, Zella D, Fabio G. Modulation of Nrf2/ARE pathway by food polyphenols: a nutritional neuroprotective strategy for cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2011; 44:192-201. [PMID: 21499987 PMCID: PMC5554938 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-011-8181-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 274] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2010] [Accepted: 04/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing interest, supported by a large number of experimental and epidemiological studies, for the beneficial effects of some phenolic substances, contained in commonly used spices and herbs, in preventing various age-related pathologic conditions, ranging from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases. Although the exact mechanisms by which polyphenols promote these effects remain to be elucidated, several reports have shown their ability to stimulate a general xenobiotic response in the target cells, activating multiple defense genes. Data from our and other laboratories have previously demonstrated that curcumin, the yellow pigment of curry, strongly induces heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and activity in different brain cells via the activation of heterodimers of NF-E2-related factors 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant responsive element (ARE) pathway. Many studies clearly demonstrate that activation ofNrf2 target genes, and particularly HO-1, in astrocytes and neurons is strongly protective against inflammation, oxidative damage, and cell death. In the central nervous system, the HO system has been reported to be very active, and its modulation seems to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Recent and unpublished data from our group revealed that low concentrations of epigallocatechin-3-gallate, the major green tea catechin, induces HO-1 by ARE/Nrf2 pathway in hippocampal neurons, and by this induction, it is able to protect neurons against different models of oxidative damages. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that other phenolics, such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester and ethyl ferulate, are also able to protect neurons via HO-1 induction. These studies identify a novel class of compounds that could be used for therapeutic purposes as preventive agents against cognitive decline.
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Davinelli S, Intrieri M, Russo C, Di Costanzo A, Zella D, Bosco P, Scapagnini G. The "Alzheimer's disease signature": potential perspectives for novel biomarkers. Immun Ageing 2011; 8:7. [PMID: 21933389 PMCID: PMC3192749 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4933-8-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Accepted: 09/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and neurodegenerative disorder which involves multiple molecular mechanisms. Intense research during the last years has accumulated a large body of data and the search for sensitive and specific biomarkers has undergone a rapid evolution. However, the diagnosis remains problematic and the current tests do not accurately detect the process leading to neurodegeneration. Biomarkers discovery and validation are considered the key aspects to support clinical diagnosis and provide discriminatory power between different stages of the disorder. A considerable challenge is to integrate different types of data from new potent approach to reach a common interpretation and replicate the findings across studies and populations. Furthermore, long-term clinical follow-up and combined analysis of several biomarkers are among the most promising perspectives to diagnose and manage the disease. The present review will focus on the recent published data providing an updated overview of the main achievements in the genetic and biochemical research of the Alzheimer's disease. We also discuss the latest and most significant results that will help to define a specific disease signature whose validity might be clinically relevant for future AD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Davinelli
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.
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Scapagnini G, Vasto S, Abraham NG, Caruso C, Zella D, Galvano F. Erratum to: Modulation of Nrf2/ARE Pathway by Food Polyphenols: A Nutritional Neuroprotective Strategy for Cognitive and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-011-8188-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Candido R, Toffoli B, Corallini F, Bernardi S, Zella D, Voltan R, Grill V, Celeghini C, Fabris B. Human full-length osteoprotegerin induces the proliferation of rodent vascular smooth muscle cells both in vitro and in vivo. J Vasc Res 2009; 47:252-61. [PMID: 19907187 DOI: 10.1159/000257339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [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] [Received: 01/02/2009] [Accepted: 06/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Since elevated plasma levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) represent a risk factor for death and heart failure in patients affected by diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, this study aimed to elucidate potential roles of OPG in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS Recombinant human full-length OPG, used at concentrations comparable to the elevated levels found in the serum of diabetic patients, significantly increased the proliferation rate of rodent vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). To mimic the moderate chronic elevation of OPG observed in diabetic patients, low doses (1 microg/mouse) of full-length human OPG were injected intraperitoneally every 3 weeks in diabetic apolipoprotein E (apoE)-null mice. The group of animals treated for 12 weeks with recombinant OPG showed a small increase in the total aortic plaque area at necropsy in comparison to vehicle-treated animals. Importantly, while no differences in the amount of interstitial collagen or the degree of macrophage infiltration were observed between OPG-treated and vehicle-treated apoE-null diabetic animals, a significant increase in the number of alpha-actin-positive smooth muscle cells was observed in the plaques of OPG-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that OPG promotes VSMC proliferation and might be directly involved in pathogenetic aspects of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Candido
- Diabetic Center, ASS 1 Triestina, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Abstract
The oncoproteins MDM2 and MDMX negatively regulate the activity and stability of the tumor suppressor protein p53 and are important molecular targets for anticancer therapy. Grafting four residues of p53 critical for MDM2/MDMX binding to the N-terminal alpha-helix of BmBKTx1, a scorpion toxin isolated from the venom of the Asian scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch, converts the miniature protein into an effective inhibitor of p53 interactions with MDM2 and MDMX. Additional mutations enable the 27-residue miniprotein inhibitor to traverse the cell membrane and selectively kill tumor cells in a p53 dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Li
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
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Gerna G, Zavattoni M, Percivalle E, Zella D, Torsellini M, Revello MG. Diagnosis of human cytomegalovirus infections in the immunocompromised host. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 5:181-6. [PMID: 15566876 DOI: 10.1016/0928-0197(96)00219-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/1995] [Accepted: 01/21/1996] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last decade several major advances have been made in the rapid diagnosis of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections and disease in immunocompromised patients both at the immunological and molecular level. OBJECTIVES The objective was to review in some detail the new diagnostic tools allowing determination and quantitation of HCMV infection in blood of transplanted and AIDS patients. STUDY DESIGN The determination and quantitation as well as the clinical significance of antigenemia, viremia, HCMV-infected circulating endothelial cells (CEC) and DNAemia will be discussed in view of the therapeutic management of HCMV disease. Levels of viremia represent the number of p72-positive cultured fibroblasts inoculated with 2 x 10(5)PBL, while levels of antigenemia represent number of pp65-positive PBL/2 x 10(5) PBL examined. The number of CEC is determined simultaneously and in parallel with antigenemia. DNAemia, both qualitative and quantitative, can be determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) per 1 x 10(5)PBL. The clinical utility of determining either immediate-early or late mRNA is still debated. RESULTS In solid organ transplant recipients mean levels of viremia of 100 and of antigenemia of 400 correlate with onset of clinical symptoms. The time between first HCMV positivity and the onset of symptoms (>/= 10 days), together with the observation that most patients with reactivated infection clear virus without treatment, allowed the establishment of an antigenemia cut-off of 100 for the initiation of treatment. On the other hand, seronegative recipients of solid organs from seropositive donors must be treated preemptively, i.e. at first appearance of HCMV positivity in blood. Due to the risk of early appearance of HCMV pneumonia, the same preemptive approach must be used in bone-marrow transplant recipients. In acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with HCMV infection/disease, general criteria for initiation of treatment are more difficult to establish and treatment must be maintained. CEC are detected only in untreated disseminated HCMV infections with organ involvement. Qualitative DNA determination is useful only in special cases, such as in aqueous or vitreous humor of AIDS patients with HCMV retinitis. Quantitative DNA levels obtained by PCR are much more helpful for diagnosing HCMV disease and establishing initiation of treatment. CONCLUSIONS New diagnostic procedures currently ensure fine monitoring of HCMV infections/diseases and evaluation of the effect of specific antiviral treatment in the immunocompromised host.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gerna
- Viral Diagnostic Service, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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