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Scheper M, Sørensen FNF, Ruffolo G, Gaeta A, Lissner LJ, Anink JJ, Korshunova I, Jansen FE, Riney K, van Hecke W, Mühlebner A, Khodosevich K, Schubert D, Palma E, Mills JD, Aronica E. Impaired GABAergic regulation and developmental immaturity in interneurons derived from the medial ganglionic eminence in the tuberous sclerosis complex. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:80. [PMID: 38714540 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02737-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/10/2024]
Abstract
GABAergic interneurons play a critical role in maintaining neural circuit balance, excitation-inhibition regulation, and cognitive function modulation. In tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), GABAergic neuron dysfunction contributes to disrupted network activity and associated neurological symptoms, assumingly in a cell type-specific manner. This GABAergic centric study focuses on identifying specific interneuron subpopulations within TSC, emphasizing the unique characteristics of medial ganglionic eminence (MGE)- and caudal ganglionic eminence (CGE)-derived interneurons. Using single-nuclei RNA sequencing in TSC patient material, we identify somatostatin-expressing (SST+) interneurons as a unique and immature subpopulation in TSC. The disrupted maturation of SST+ interneurons may undergo an incomplete switch from excitatory to inhibitory GABAergic signaling during development, resulting in reduced inhibitory properties. Notably, this study reveals markers of immaturity specifically in SST+ interneurons, including an abnormal NKCC1/KCC2 ratio, indicating an imbalance in chloride homeostasis crucial for the postsynaptic consequences of GABAergic signaling as well as the downregulation of GABAA receptor subunits, GABRA1, and upregulation of GABRA2. Further exploration of SST+ interneurons revealed altered localization patterns of SST+ interneurons in TSC brain tissue, concentrated in deeper cortical layers, possibly linked to cortical dyslamination. In the epilepsy context, our research underscores the diverse cell type-specific roles of GABAergic interneurons in shaping seizures, advocating for precise therapeutic considerations. Moreover, this study illuminates the potential contribution of SST+ interneurons to TSC pathophysiology, offering insights for targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirte Scheper
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Frederik N F Sørensen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00163, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gaeta
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Lilian J Lissner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Jasper J Anink
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Irina Korshunova
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Floor E Jansen
- Department of Child Neurology, Brain Center University Medical Center, Member of ERN EpiCare, 3584 BA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kate Riney
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
- Neurosciences Unit, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
| | - Wim van Hecke
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Angelika Mühlebner
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Konstantin Khodosevich
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dirk Schubert
- Department of Cognitive Neurosciences, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, 6525 HR, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00163, Rome, Italy
| | - James D Mills
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Bucks, SL9 0RJ, UK
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, The Netherlands
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Margotta C, Fabbrizio P, Ceccanti M, Cambieri C, Rufolo G, D'Agostino J, Trolese MC, Cifelli P, Alfano V, Laurini C, Scaricamazza S, Ferri A, Sorarù G, Palma E, Inghilleri M, Bendotti C, Nardo G. Correction: Immune-mediated myogenesis and acetylcholine receptor clustering promote a slow disease progression in ALS mouse models. Inflamm Regen 2023; 43:25. [PMID: 37072876 PMCID: PMC10114479 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-023-00276-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Margotta
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Fabbrizio
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Ceccanti
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Cambieri
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Rufolo
- Laboratory Afliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS San Rafaele Roma, 00163, Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica D'Agostino
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Trolese
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Christian Laurini
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Ferri
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Laboratory Afliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS San Rafaele Roma, 00163, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Inghilleri
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Nardo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
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Margotta C, Fabbrizio P, Ceccanti M, Cambieri C, Ruffolo G, D'Agostino J, Trolese MC, Cifelli P, Alfano V, Laurini C, Scaricamazza S, Ferri A, Sorarù G, Palma E, Inghilleri M, Bendotti C, Nardo G. Immune-mediated myogenesis and acetylcholine receptor clustering promote a slow disease progression in ALS mouse models. Inflamm Regen 2023; 43:19. [PMID: 36895050 PMCID: PMC9996869 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-023-00270-w] [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: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a heterogeneous disease in terms of onset and progression rate. This may account for therapeutic clinical trial failure. Transgenic SOD1G93A mice on C57 or 129Sv background have a slow and fast disease progression rate, mimicking the variability observed in patients. Based on evidence inferring the active influence of skeletal muscle on ALS pathogenesis, we explored whether dysregulation in hindlimb skeletal muscle reflects the phenotypic difference between the two mouse models. METHODS Ex vivo immunohistochemical, biochemical, and biomolecular methodologies, together with in vivo electrophysiology and in vitro approaches on primary cells, were used to afford a comparative and longitudinal analysis of gastrocnemius medialis between fast- and slow-progressing ALS mice. RESULTS We reported that slow-progressing mice counteracted muscle denervation atrophy by increasing acetylcholine receptor clustering, enhancing evoked currents, and preserving compound muscle action potential. This matched with prompt and sustained myogenesis, likely triggered by an early inflammatory response switching the infiltrated macrophages towards a M2 pro-regenerative phenotype. Conversely, upon denervation, fast-progressing mice failed to promptly activate a compensatory muscle response, exhibiting a rapidly progressive deterioration of muscle force. CONCLUSIONS Our findings further pinpoint the pivotal role of skeletal muscle in ALS, providing new insights into underestimated disease mechanisms occurring at the periphery and providing useful (diagnostic, prognostic, and mechanistic) information to facilitate the translation of cost-effective therapeutic strategies from the laboratory to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Margotta
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Fabbrizio
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Ceccanti
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Cambieri
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00163, Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica D'Agostino
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Trolese
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Christian Laurini
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Ferri
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00163, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Inghilleri
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Nardo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
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Sciaccaluga M, Ruffolo G, Palma E, Costa C. Traditional and Innovative Anti-seizure Medications Targeting Key Physiopathological Mechanisms: Focus on Neurodevelopment and Neurodegeneration. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1736-1754. [PMID: 37143270 PMCID: PMC10514539 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230504160948] [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: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the wide range of compounds currently available to treat epilepsy, there is still no drug that directly tackles the physiopathological mechanisms underlying its development. Indeed, antiseizure medications attempt to prevent seizures but are inefficacious in counteracting or rescuing the physiopathological phenomena that underlie their onset and recurrence, and hence do not cure epilepsy. Classically, the altered excitation/inhibition balance is postulated as the mechanism underlying epileptogenesis and seizure generation. This oversimplification, however, does not account for deficits in homeostatic plasticity resulting from either insufficient or excessive compensatory mechanisms in response to a change in network activity. In this respect, both neurodevelopmental epilepsies and those associated with neurodegeneration may share common underlying mechanisms that still need to be fully elucidated. The understanding of these molecular mechanisms shed light on the identification of new classes of drugs able not only to suppress seizures, but also to present potential antiepileptogenic effects or "disease-modifying" properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Sciaccaluga
- Section of Neurology, S.M. della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, Perugia, 06129, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome, Sapienza, Rome, 00185, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, 00166, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome, Sapienza, Rome, 00185, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, 00166, Italy
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Section of Neurology, S.M. della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, Perugia, 06129, Italy
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Ruffolo G, Gaeta A, Cannata B, Pinzaglia C, Aronica E, Morano A, Cifelli P, Palma E. GABAergic Neurotransmission in Human Tissues Is Modulated by Cannabidiol. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12122042. [PMID: 36556407 PMCID: PMC9786817 DOI: 10.3390/life12122042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the potential use of phytocannabinoids (pCBs) to treat different pathological conditions has attracted great attention in the scientific community. Among the different pCBs, cannabidiol (CBD) has showed interesting biological properties, making it a promising molecule with a high security profile that has been approved for treatment as an add-on therapy in patients afflicted by severe pharmaco-resistant epilepsy, including Dravet syndrome (DS), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). CBD is pharmacologically considered a "dirty drug", since it has the capacity to bind different targets and to activate several cellular pathways. GABAergic impairment is one of the key processes during the epileptogenesis period able to induce a generalized hyperexcitability of the central nervous system (CNS), leading to epileptic seizures. Here, by using the microtransplantation of human brain membranes approach in Xenopus oocytes and electrophysiological recordings, we confirm the ability of CBD to modulate GABAergic neurotransmission in human cerebral tissues obtained from patients afflicted by different forms of pharmaco-resistant epilepsies, such as DS, TSC, focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type IIb and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Furthermore, using cDNAs encoding for human GABAA receptor subunits, we found that α1β2 receptors are still affected by CBD, while classical benzodiazepine lost its efficacy as expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00163 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gaeta
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Cannata
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Pinzaglia
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, 0397 Heemstede, The Netherlands
| | - Alessandra Morano
- Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00163 Rome, Italy
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Ruffolo G, Alfano V, Romagnolo A, Zimmer T, Mills JD, Cifelli P, Gaeta A, Morano A, Anink J, Mühlebner A, Vezzani A, Aronica E, Palma E. GABA A receptor function is enhanced by Interleukin-10 in human epileptogenic gangliogliomas and its effect is counteracted by Interleukin-1β. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17956. [PMID: 36289354 PMCID: PMC9605959 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22806-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Gangliogliomas (GGs) are low-grade brain tumours that cause intractable focal epilepsy in children and adults. In GG, as in epileptogenic focal malformations (i.e., tuberous sclerosis complex, TSC), there is evidence of sustained neuroinflammation with involvement of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. On the other hand, anti-inflammatory mediators are less studied but bear relevance for understanding seizure mechanisms. Therefore, we investigated the effect of the key anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 on GABAergic neurotransmission in GG. We assessed the IL-10 dependent signaling by transcriptomic analysis, immunohistochemistry and performed voltage-clamp recordings on Xenopus oocytes microtransplanted with cell membranes from brain specimens, to overcome the limited availability of acute GG slices. We report that IL-10-related mRNAs were up-regulated in GG and slightly in TSC. Moreover, we found IL-10 receptors are expressed by neurons and astroglia. Furthermore, GABA currents were potentiated significantly by IL-10 in GG. This effect was time and dose-dependent and inhibited by blockade of IL-10 signaling. Notably, in the same tissue, IL-1β reduced GABA current amplitude and prevented the IL-10 effect. These results suggest that in epileptogenic tissue, pro-inflammatory mechanisms of hyperexcitability prevail over key anti-inflammatory pathways enhancing GABAergic inhibition. Hence, boosting the effects of specific anti-inflammatory molecules could resolve inflammation and reduce intractable seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Ruffolo
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy ,grid.18887.3e0000000417581884IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Alfano
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy ,grid.18887.3e0000000417581884IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Romagnolo
- grid.484519.5Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Till Zimmer
- grid.484519.5Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - James D. Mills
- grid.484519.5Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK ,grid.452379.e0000 0004 0386 7187Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, UK
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- grid.158820.60000 0004 1757 2611Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gaeta
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Morano
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Jasper Anink
- grid.484519.5Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Angelika Mühlebner
- grid.484519.5Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annamaria Vezzani
- grid.4527.40000000106678902Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- grid.484519.5Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.419298.f0000 0004 0631 9143Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, Heemstede, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Palma
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy ,grid.18887.3e0000000417581884IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy
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Ceccanti M, Libonati L, Ruffolo G, Cifelli P, Moret F, Frasca V, Palma E, Inghilleri M, Cambieri C. Effects of 3,4-diaminopyridine on myasthenia gravis: Preliminary results of an open-label study. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:982434. [PMID: 36052140 PMCID: PMC9424766 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.982434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP) can lead to clinical and electrophysiological improvement in myasthenic syndrome; it may thus represent a valuable therapeutic option for patients intolerant to pyridostigmine. Objective: to assess 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP) effects and tolerability in patients with anti-AChR myasthenia gravis. Method: Effects were monitored electrophysiologically by repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) and by standardized clinical testing (QMG score) before and after a single dose administration of 3,4-DAP 10 mg per os in 15 patients. Patients were divided according to their Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) class into mild and severe. Results: No significant side effects were found, apart from transient paresthesia. 3,4-DAP had a significant effect on the QMG score (p = 0.0251), on repetitive nerve stimulation (p = 0.0251), and on the forced vital capacity (p = 0.03), thus indicating that it may reduce the level of disability and the decremental muscle response. When the patients were divided according to the MGFA classification, 3,4-DAP showed a positive effect in the severe group, either for the QMG score (p = 0.031) or for the RNS decrement (p = 0.031). No significant difference was observed in any of the outcome measures within the mild group (p > 0.05). A direct effect of 3,4-DAP on nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) was excluded since human nAChRs reconstituted in an expression system, which were not affected by 3,4-DAP application. Conclusion: Our results suggest that 3,4-DAP may be a useful add-on therapy, especially in most severe patients or when immunosuppressive treatment has not yet reached its full effect or when significant side-effects are associated with anticholinesterase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ceccanti
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Libonati
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute Pasteur- Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Federica Moret
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Frasca
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute Pasteur- Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Inghilleri
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Cambieri
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Chiara Cambieri,
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Babiloni C, Noce G, Di Bonaventura C, Lizio R, Eldellaa A, Tucci F, Salamone EM, Ferri R, Soricelli A, Nobili F, Famà F, Arnaldi D, Palma E, Cifelli P, Marizzoni M, Stocchi F, Bruno G, Di Gennaro G, Frisoni GB, Del Percio C. Alzheimer's Disease with Epileptiform EEG Activity: Abnormal Cortical Sources of Resting State Delta Rhythms in Patients with Amnesic Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 88:903-931. [PMID: 35694930 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with amnesic mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease (ADMCI) typically show a "slowing" of cortical resting-state eyes-closed electroencephalographic (rsEEG) rhythms. Some of them also show subclinical, non-convulsive, and epileptiform EEG activity (EEA) with an unclear relationship with that "slowing." OBJECTIVE Here we tested the hypothesis that the "slowing" of rsEEG rhythms is related to EEA in ADMCI patients. METHODS Clinical and instrumental datasets in 62 ADMCI patients and 38 normal elderly (Nold) subjects were available in a national archive. No participant had received a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy. The eLORETA freeware estimated rsEEG cortical sources. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC) indexed the accuracy of eLORETA solutions in the classification between ADMCI-EEA and ADMCI-noEEA individuals. RESULTS EEA was observed in 15% (N = 8) of the ADMCI patients. The ADMCI-EEA group showed: 1) more abnormal Aβ 42 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid as compared to the ADMCI-noEEA group and 2) higher temporal and occipital delta (<4 Hz) rsEEG source activities as compared to the ADMCI-noEEA and Nold groups. Those source activities showed moderate accuracy (AUROCC = 0.70-0.75) in the discrimination between ADMCI-noEEA versus ADMCI-EEA individuals. CONCLUSION It can be speculated that in ADMCI-EEA patients, AD-related amyloid neuropathology may be related to an over-excitation in neurophysiological low-frequency (delta) oscillatory mechanisms underpinning cortical arousal and quiet vigilance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Babiloni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Hospital San Raffaele Cassino, Cassino (FR), Italy
| | | | - Carlo Di Bonaventura
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurosciences/Mental Health, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ali Eldellaa
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Tucci
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico M Salamone
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurosciences/Mental Health, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Soricelli
- IRCCS Synlab SDN, Naples, Italy.,Department of Motor Sciences and Healthiness, University of Naples Parthenope, Naples, Italy
| | - Flavio Nobili
- Clinical Neurology, IRCCS Hospital Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Famà
- Clinical Neurology, IRCCS Hospital Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Dario Arnaldi
- Clinical Neurology, IRCCS Hospital Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, (IS), Italy.,Department of Applied and Biotechnological Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Moira Marizzoni
- Laboratory of Alzheimer's Neuroimaging and Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Bruno
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni B Frisoni
- Department of Applied and Biotechnological Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,Memory Clinic and LANVIE - Laboratory of Neuroimaging of Aging, University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Claudio Del Percio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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9
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Cifelli P, Ruffolo G, Ceccanti M, Cambieri C, Libonati L, Palma E, Inghilleri M. Classical and Unexpected Effects of Ultra-Micronized PEA in Neuromuscular Function. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12060758. [PMID: 35740883 PMCID: PMC9221058 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the endocannabinoid system has attracted growing attention from the scientific community for its involvement in homeostatic and pathological processes as they pertains to human physiology. Among the constituents of the endocannabinoid system, the molecule palmitoyl ethanolamide has particularly been studied for its ability to reduce several inflammatory processes involving the central nervous system. Here, we reviewed published literature and summarized the main targets of the palmitoyl ethanolamide, along with its unique possible mechanisms for restoring correct functioning of the central nervous system. Moreover, we have highlighted a less-known characteristic of palmitoyl ethanolamide, namely its ability to modulate the function of the neuromuscular junction by binding to acetylcholine receptors in different experimental conditions. Indeed, there are several studies that have highlighted how ultra-micronized palmitoyl ethanolamide is an interesting nutraceutical support for the treatment of pathological neuromuscular conditions, specifically when the normal activity of the acetylcholine receptor is altered. Although further multicentric clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of ultra-micronized palmitoyl ethanolamide in improving symptoms of neuromuscular diseases, all the literature reviewed here strongly supports the ability of this endocannabinoid-like molecule to modulate the acetylcholine receptors thus resulting as a valid support for the treatment of human neuromuscular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.C.); (M.I.)
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.R.); (E.P.)
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00163 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Ceccanti
- Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (C.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Chiara Cambieri
- Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (C.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Laura Libonati
- Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (C.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Maurizio Inghilleri
- Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (C.C.); (L.L.)
- Correspondence: (P.C.); (M.I.)
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10
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Scalise S, Zannino C, Lucchino V, Lo Conte M, Scaramuzzino L, Cifelli P, D’Andrea T, Martinello K, Fucile S, Palma E, Gambardella A, Ruffolo G, Cuda G, Parrotta EI. Human iPSC Modeling of Genetic Febrile Seizure Reveals Aberrant Molecular and Physiological Features Underlying an Impaired Neuronal Activity. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051075. [PMID: 35625812 PMCID: PMC9138645 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in SCN1A gene, encoding the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) NaV1.1, are widely recognized as a leading cause of genetic febrile seizures (FS), due to the decrease in the Na+ current density, mainly affecting the inhibitory neuronal transmission. Here, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived neurons (idNs) from a patient belonging to a genetically well-characterized Italian family, carrying the c.434T > C mutation in SCN1A gene (hereafter SCN1AM145T). A side-by-side comparison of diseased and healthy idNs revealed an overall maturation delay of SCN1AM145T cells. Membranes isolated from both diseased and control idNs were injected into Xenopus oocytes and both GABA and AMPA currents were successfully recorded. Patch-clamp measurements on idNs revealed depolarized action potential for SCN1AM145T, suggesting a reduced excitability. Expression analyses of VGSCs and chloride co-transporters NKCC1 and KCC2 showed a cellular “dysmaturity” of mutated idNs, strengthened by the high expression of SCN3A, a more fetal-like VGSC isoform, and a high NKCC1/KCC2 ratio, in mutated cells. Overall, we provide strong evidence for an intrinsic cellular immaturity, underscoring the role of mutant NaV1.1 in the development of FS. Furthermore, our data are strengthening previous findings obtained using transfected cells and recordings on human slices, demonstrating that diseased idNs represent a powerful tool for personalized therapy and ex vivo drug screening for human epileptic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Scalise
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.S.); (C.Z.); (V.L.); (M.L.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Clara Zannino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.S.); (C.Z.); (V.L.); (M.L.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Valeria Lucchino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.S.); (C.Z.); (V.L.); (M.L.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Michela Lo Conte
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.S.); (C.Z.); (V.L.); (M.L.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Luana Scaramuzzino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.S.); (C.Z.); (V.L.); (M.L.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of Aquila, 67100 Aquila, Italy;
| | - Tiziano D’Andrea
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome, Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (T.D.); (S.F.); (E.P.)
| | | | - Sergio Fucile
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome, Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (T.D.); (S.F.); (E.P.)
- IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy;
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome, Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (T.D.); (S.F.); (E.P.)
| | - Antonio Gambardella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.G.); (E.I.P.)
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome, Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (T.D.); (S.F.); (E.P.)
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Via della Pisana, 00163 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Giovanni Cuda
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.S.); (C.Z.); (V.L.); (M.L.C.); (L.S.)
- Correspondence: (G.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Elvira Immacolata Parrotta
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.G.); (E.I.P.)
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11
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Mikroulis A, Ledri M, Ruffolo G, Palma E, Sperk G, Dalli J, Vezzani A, Kokaia M. Lipid mediator n-3 docosapentaenoic acid-derived protectin D1 enhances synaptic inhibition of hippocampal principal neurons by interaction with a G-protein-coupled receptor. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22203. [PMID: 35188290 PMCID: PMC9306510 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101815r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a severe neurological disease manifested by spontaneous recurrent seizures due to abnormal hyper‐synchronization of neuronal activity. Epilepsy affects about 1% of the population and up to 40% of patients experience seizures that are resistant to currently available drugs, thus highlighting an urgent need for novel treatments. In this regard, anti‐inflammatory drugs emerged as potential therapeutic candidates. In particular, specific molecules apt to resolve the neuroinflammatory response occurring in acquired epilepsies have been proven to counteract seizures in experimental models, and humans. One candidate investigational molecule has been recently identified as the lipid mediator n‐3 docosapentaenoic acid‐derived protectin D1 (PD1n‐3DPA) which significantly reduced seizures, cell loss, and cognitive deficit in a mouse model of acquired epilepsy. However, the mechanisms that mediate the PD1n‐3DPA effect remain elusive. We here addressed whether PD1n‐3DPA has direct effects on neuronal activity independent of its anti‐inflammatory action. We incubated, therefore, hippocampal slices with PD1n‐3DPA and investigated its effect on excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs to the CA1 pyramidal neurons. We demonstrate that inhibitory drive onto the perisomatic region of the pyramidal neurons is increased by PD1n‐3DPA, and this effect is mediated by pertussis toxin‐sensitive G‐protein coupled receptors. Our data indicate that PD1n‐3DPA acts directly on inhibitory transmission, most likely at the presynaptic site of inhibitory synapses as also supported by Xenopus oocytes and immunohistochemical experiments. Thus, in addition to its anti‐inflammatory effects, PD1n‐3DPA anti‐seizure and neuroprotective effects may be mediated by its direct action on neuronal excitability by modulating their synaptic inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apostolos Mikroulis
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marco Ledri
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Günther Sperk
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jesmond Dalli
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,Centre for Inflammation and Therapeutic Innovation, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Annamaria Vezzani
- Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Merab Kokaia
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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12
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Altmann A, Ryten M, Di Nunzio M, Ravizza T, Tolomeo D, Reynolds RH, Somani A, Bacigaluppi M, Iori V, Micotti E, Di Sapia R, Cerovic M, Palma E, Ruffolo G, Botía JA, Absil J, Alhusaini S, Alvim MKM, Auvinen P, Bargallo N, Bartolini E, Bender B, Bergo FPG, Bernardes T, Bernasconi A, Bernasconi N, Bernhardt BC, Blackmon K, Braga B, Caligiuri ME, Calvo A, Carlson C, Carr SJ, Cavalleri GL, Cendes F, Chen J, Chen S, Cherubini A, Concha L, David P, Delanty N, Depondt C, Devinsky O, Doherty CP, Domin M, Focke NK, Foley S, Franca W, Gambardella A, Guerrini R, Hamandi K, Hibar DP, Isaev D, Jackson GD, Jahanshad N, Kalviainen R, Keller SS, Kochunov P, Kotikalapudi R, Kowalczyk MA, Kuzniecky R, Kwan P, Labate A, Langner S, Lenge M, Liu M, Martin P, Mascalchi M, Meletti S, Morita-Sherman ME, O’Brien TJ, Pariente JC, Richardson MP, Rodriguez-Cruces R, Rummel C, Saavalainen T, Semmelroch MK, Severino M, Striano P, Thesen T, Thomas RH, Tondelli M, Tortora D, Vaudano AE, Vivash L, von Podewils F, Wagner J, Weber B, Wiest R, Yasuda CL, Zhang G, Zhang J, Leu C, Avbersek A, Thom M, Whelan CD, Thompson P, McDonald CR, Vezzani A, Sisodiya SM. A systems-level analysis highlights microglial activation as a modifying factor in common epilepsies. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2022; 48:e12758. [PMID: 34388852 PMCID: PMC8983060 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The causes of distinct patterns of reduced cortical thickness in the common human epilepsies, detectable on neuroimaging and with important clinical consequences, are unknown. We investigated the underlying mechanisms of cortical thinning using a systems-level analysis. METHODS Imaging-based cortical structural maps from a large-scale epilepsy neuroimaging study were overlaid with highly spatially resolved human brain gene expression data from the Allen Human Brain Atlas. Cell-type deconvolution, differential expression analysis and cell-type enrichment analyses were used to identify differences in cell-type distribution. These differences were followed up in post-mortem brain tissue from humans with epilepsy using Iba1 immunolabelling. Furthermore, to investigate a causal effect in cortical thinning, cell-type-specific depletion was used in a murine model of acquired epilepsy. RESULTS We identified elevated fractions of microglia and endothelial cells in regions of reduced cortical thickness. Differentially expressed genes showed enrichment for microglial markers and, in particular, activated microglial states. Analysis of post-mortem brain tissue from humans with epilepsy confirmed excess activated microglia. In the murine model, transient depletion of activated microglia during the early phase of the disease development prevented cortical thinning and neuronal cell loss in the temporal cortex. Although the development of chronic seizures was unaffected, the epileptic mice with early depletion of activated microglia did not develop deficits in a non-spatial memory test seen in epileptic mice not depleted of microglia. CONCLUSIONS These convergent data strongly implicate activated microglia in cortical thinning, representing a new dimension for concern and disease modification in the epilepsies, potentially distinct from seizure control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Altmann
- Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mina Ryten
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Martina Di Nunzio
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Teresa Ravizza
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Daniele Tolomeo
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Regina H Reynolds
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Alyma Somani
- Division of Neuropathology, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Marco Bacigaluppi
- Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Iori
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Edoardo Micotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Rossella Di Sapia
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Milica Cerovic
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome, Sapienza
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome, Sapienza
| | - Juan A. Botía
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Departamento de Ingeniería de la Información y las Comunicaciones. Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Julie Absil
- Department of Radiology, Hôpital Erasme, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium
| | - Saud Alhusaini
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Pia Auvinen
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Kuopio University, Kuopio, Finland.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Nuria Bargallo
- Magnetic Resonance Image Core Facility, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,Centre de Diagnostic Per la Imatge (CDIC), Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emanuele Bartolini
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Children’s Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Italy.,IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Benjamin Bender
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Tauana Bernardes
- Department of Neurology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Andrea Bernasconi
- Neuroimaging of Epilepsy Laboratory, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Neda Bernasconi
- Neuroimaging of Epilepsy Laboratory, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Boris C. Bernhardt
- Neuroimaging of Epilepsy Laboratory, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Multimodal Imaging and Connectome Analysis Lab, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Karen Blackmon
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA.,Department of Physiology, Neuroscience and Behavioral Science, St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Barbara Braga
- Department of Neurology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Maria Eugenia Caligiuri
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology of the National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Anna Calvo
- Magnetic Resonance Image Core Facility, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Chad Carlson
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA.,Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Neurology, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Sarah J. Carr
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, UK
| | - Gianpiero L. Cavalleri
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,FutureNeuro Research Centre, RCSI, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fernando Cendes
- Department of Neurology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Jian Chen
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, USA
| | - Shuai Chen
- Cognitive Science Department, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of the Brain-like Intelligent Systems, China
| | - Andrea Cherubini
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology of the National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Luis Concha
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Querétaro, Querétaro, México
| | - Philippe David
- Department of Radiology, Hôpital Erasme, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium
| | - Norman Delanty
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,FutureNeuro Research Centre, RCSI, Dublin, Ireland.,Division of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Chantal Depondt
- Department of Neurology, Hôpital Erasme, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Colin P. Doherty
- FutureNeuro Research Centre, RCSI, Dublin, Ireland.,Neurology Department, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Martin Domin
- Functional Imaging Unit, Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Niels K. Focke
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medicine Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sonya Foley
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, School of Psychology, Wales, UK
| | - Wendy Franca
- Department of Neurology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Antonio Gambardella
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology of the National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), Catanzaro, Italy.,Institute of Neurology, University ‚ “Magna Græcia”, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Children’s Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Italy.,IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Khalid Hamandi
- Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, UK.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Derrek P. Hibar
- Imaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Dmitry Isaev
- Imaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Graeme D. Jackson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Austin Campus, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Neda Jahanshad
- Imaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Reetta Kalviainen
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Kuopio University, Kuopio, Finland.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Simon S. Keller
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Peter Kochunov
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Maryland, USA
| | - Raviteja Kotikalapudi
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Magdalena A. Kowalczyk
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Austin Campus, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ruben Kuzniecky
- Department of Neurology, Zucker Hofstra School of Medicine, New York, NY 10075, USA
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, 3050, Australia
| | - Angelo Labate
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology of the National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), Catanzaro, Italy.,Institute of Neurology, University ‚ “Magna Græcia”, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Soenke Langner
- Functional Imaging Unit, Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Matteo Lenge
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Children’s Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Italy
| | - Min Liu
- Neuroimaging of Epilepsy Laboratory, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pascal Martin
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mario Mascalchi
- Neuroradiology Unit, Children’s Hospital A. Meyer, Florence, Italy.,“Mario Serio” Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Meletti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, NOCSE Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Terence J. O’Brien
- Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, 3050, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Jose C. Pariente
- Magnetic Resonance Image Core Facility, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mark P. Richardson
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, UK.,Department of Neurology, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Raul Rodriguez-Cruces
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Querétaro, Querétaro, México
| | - Christian Rummel
- Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), University Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Taavi Saavalainen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Central Finland Central Hospital, Medical Imaging Unit, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Mira K. Semmelroch
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Austin Campus, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mariasavina Severino
- Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Head and Neck and Neurosciences, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Thomas Thesen
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA.,Department of Physiology, Neuroscience and Behavioral Science, St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Rhys H. Thomas
- Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, UK.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Manuela Tondelli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, NOCSE Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Domenico Tortora
- Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Head and Neck and Neurosciences, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Anna Elisabetta Vaudano
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, NOCSE Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucy Vivash
- Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, 3050, Australia.,Melbourne Brain Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Felix von Podewils
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan Wagner
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm and Universitäts- and Rehabilitationskliniken Ulm, Germany
| | - Bernd Weber
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Neurocognition / Imaging, Life & Brain Research Centre, Bonn, Germany
| | - Roland Wiest
- Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), University Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Guohao Zhang
- Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, USA
| | - Junsong Zhang
- Cognitive Science Department, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of the Brain-like Intelligent Systems, China
| | | | - Costin Leu
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Andreja Avbersek
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | | | - Maria Thom
- Division of Neuropathology, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Christopher D Whelan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Imaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Paul Thompson
- Imaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Carrie R McDonald
- Multimodal Imaging Laboratory, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Annamaria Vezzani
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy.,To whom correspondence may be addressed
| | - Sanjay M Sisodiya
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Bucks, UK.,To whom correspondence may be addressed
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13
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Tucci F, Babiloni C, Noce G, Di Bonaventura C, Lizio R, Lorenzo I, Soricelli A, Ferri R, Nobili F, Famà F, Arnaldi D, Palma E, Cifelli P, Marizzoni M, Stocchi F, Frisoni G, Percio CD. Patients with amnesic mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease and with epileptiform‐like signatures showed abnormal cortical sources of resting state delta EEG rhythms: An EEG study. Alzheimers Dement 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/alz.053827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudio Babiloni
- Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
- San Raffaele Cassino Cassino Italy
| | | | - Carlo Di Bonaventura
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurosciences/Mental Health, Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Soricelli
- IRCCS SDN Naples Italy
- University of Naples Parthenope Naples Italy
| | | | - Flavio Nobili
- University of Genoa Genoa Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa Italy
| | - Francesco Famà
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Oftalmologia, Genetica, Riabilitazione e Scienze Materno‐infantili (DiNOGMI), Università di Genova Genova Italy
| | - Dario Arnaldi
- Clinical Neurology, Dept of Neuroscience (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa and IRCCS AOU S Martino‐IST Genoa Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
| | | | - Moira Marizzoni
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy Brescia Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Frisoni
- University Hospitals and University of Geneva Geneve Switzerland
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14
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Sciaccaluga M, Megaro A, Bellomo G, Ruffolo G, Romoli M, Palma E, Costa C. An Unbalanced Synaptic Transmission: Cause or Consequence of the Amyloid Oligomers Neurotoxicity? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115991. [PMID: 34206089 PMCID: PMC8199544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115991] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) 1-40 and 1-42 peptides are key mediators of synaptic and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Whereas in AD, Aβ is found to act as a pro-epileptogenic factor even before plaque formation, amyloid pathology has been detected among patients with epilepsy with increased risk of developing AD. Among Aβ aggregated species, soluble oligomers are suggested to be responsible for most of Aβ's toxic effects. Aβ oligomers exert extracellular and intracellular toxicity through different mechanisms, including interaction with membrane receptors and the formation of ion-permeable channels in cellular membranes. These damages, linked to an unbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, often result in neuronal hyperexcitability and neural circuit dysfunction, which in turn increase Aβ deposition and facilitate neurodegeneration, resulting in an Aβ-driven vicious loop. In this review, we summarize the most representative literature on the effects that oligomeric Aβ induces on synaptic dysfunction and network disorganization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Sciaccaluga
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (A.M.); (G.B.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (C.C.); Tel.: +39-0755858180 (M.S.); +39-0755784233 (C.C.)
| | - Alfredo Megaro
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (A.M.); (G.B.)
| | - Giovanni Bellomo
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (A.M.); (G.B.)
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.R.); (E.P.)
- IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Romoli
- Neurology Unit, Rimini “Infermi” Hospital—AUSL Romagna, 47923 Rimini, Italy;
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, 06132 Perugia, Italy; (A.M.); (G.B.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (C.C.); Tel.: +39-0755858180 (M.S.); +39-0755784233 (C.C.)
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15
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Cifelli P, Di Angelantonio S, Alfano V, Morano A, De Felice E, Aronica E, Ruffolo G, Palma E. Dissecting the Molecular Determinants of GABA A Receptors Current Rundown, a Hallmark of Refractory Human Epilepsy. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11040441. [PMID: 33808090 PMCID: PMC8066365 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11040441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
GABAA receptors-(Rs) are fundamental for the maintenance of an efficient inhibitory function in the central nervous system (CNS). Their dysfunction is associated with a wide range of CNS disorders, many of which characterized by seizures and epilepsy. Recently, an increased use-dependent desensitization due to a repetitive GABA stimulation (GABAA current rundown) of GABAARs has been associated with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Here, we aimed to investigate the molecular determinants of GABAA current rundown with two different heterologous expression systems (Xenopus oocytes and human embryonic kidney cells; HEK) which allowed us to manipulate receptor stoichiometry and to study the GABAA current rundown on different GABAAR configurations. To this purpose, we performed electrophysiology experiments using two-electrode voltage clamp in oocytes and confirming part of our results in HEK. We found that different degrees of GABAA current rundown can be associated with the expression of different GABAAR β-subunits reaching the maximum current decrease when functional α1β2 receptors are expressed. Furthermore, the blockade of phosphatases can prevent the current rundown observed in α1β2 GABAARs. Since GABAAR represents one important therapeutic target in the treatment of human epilepsy, our results could open new perspectives on the therapeutic management of drug-resistant patients showing a GABAergic impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (S.D.A.); (V.A.); (E.D.F.); (E.P.)
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Alfano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (S.D.A.); (V.A.); (E.D.F.); (E.P.)
| | - Alessandra Morano
- Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Eleonora De Felice
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (S.D.A.); (V.A.); (E.D.F.); (E.P.)
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, 0397 Heemstede, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (S.D.A.); (V.A.); (E.D.F.); (E.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (S.D.A.); (V.A.); (E.D.F.); (E.P.)
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16
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Percio CD, Noce G, Bonaventura CD, Lizio R, Soricelli A, Ferri R, Nobili FM, Famà F, Palma E, Cifelli P, Marizzoni M, Frisoni GB, Babiloni C. Abnormalities of cortical neural synchronization mechanisms in subjects with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease and epileptiform‐like signatures. Alzheimers Dement 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/alz.045825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Del Percio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
| | | | - Carlo Di Bonaventura
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurosciences/Mental Health Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
| | - Roberta Lizio
- Blood Biomarker‐based Diagnostic Tools for Early Stage Alzheimer’s Disease (BBDiag) Project HORIZON 2020 Marie Skłodowska‐Curie MSCA‐ITN‐ETN 721281 2017‐2020 Rome Italy
| | | | | | | | - Francesco Famà
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Oftalmologia, Genetica, Riabilitazione e Scienze Materno‐infantili (DiNOGMI) Università di Genova Genova Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
| | | | - Moira Marizzoni
- IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli Brescia Italy
| | | | - Claudio Babiloni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
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17
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Babiloni C, Noce G, Di Bonaventura C, Lizio R, Pascarelli MT, Tucci F, Soricelli A, Ferri R, Nobili F, Famà F, Palma E, Cifelli P, Marizzoni M, Stocchi F, Frisoni GB, Del Percio C. Abnormalities of Cortical Sources of Resting State Delta Electroencephalographic Rhythms Are Related to Epileptiform Activity in Patients With Amnesic Mild Cognitive Impairment Not Due to Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurol 2020; 11:514136. [PMID: 33192962 PMCID: PMC7644902 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.514136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present exploratory and retrospective study, we hypothesized that cortical sources of resting state eyes-closed electroencephalographic (rsEEG) rhythms might be more abnormal in patients with epileptiform EEG activity (spike-sharp wave discharges, giant spikes) and amnesic mild cognitive impairment not due to Alzheimer's disease (noADMCI-EEA) than matched noADMCI patients without EEA (noADMCI-noEEA). Clinical, neuroimaging, neuropsychological, and rsEEG data in 32 noADMCI and 30 normal elderly (Nold) subjects were available in a national archive. Age, gender, and education were carefully matched among them. No subject had received a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy. Individual alpha frequency peak (IAF) was used to determine the delta, theta, and alpha frequency bands of rsEEG rhythms. Fixed beta and gamma bands were also considered. Regional rsEEG cortical sources were estimated by eLORETA freeware. Area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves indexed the accuracy of eLORETA solutions in the classification between noADMCI-EEA and noADMCI-noEEA individuals. As novel findings, EEA was observed in 41% of noADMCI patients. Furthermore, these noADMCI-EEA patients showed higher temporal delta source activities as compared to noADMCI-no EEA patients and Nold subjects. Those activities discriminated individuals of the two NoADMCI groups with an accuracy of about 70%. The significant percentage of noADMCI-EEA patients showing EEA and marked abnormalities in temporal rsEEG rhythms at delta frequencies suggest a substantial role of underlying neural hypersynchronization mechanisms in their brain dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Babiloni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,San Raffaele Cassino, Cassino (FR), Italy
| | | | - Carlo Di Bonaventura
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurosciences/Mental Health, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Federico Tucci
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Soricelli
- IRCCS SDN, Naples, Italy.,Department of Motor Sciences and Healthiness, University of Naples Parthenope, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Flavio Nobili
- Clinica Neurologica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy.,Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Oftalmologia, Genetica, Riabilitazione e Scienze Materno-infantili (DiNOGMI), Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Famà
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Oftalmologia, Genetica, Riabilitazione e Scienze Materno-infantili (DiNOGMI), Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy.,Scienze Cliniche Applicate e Biotecnologiche, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Moira Marizzoni
- Laboratory of Alzheimer's Neuroimaging and Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni B Frisoni
- Laboratory of Alzheimer's Neuroimaging and Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy.,Memory Clinic and LANVIE-Laboratory of Neuroimaging of Aging, University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Claudio Del Percio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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18
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Ruffolo G, Van Vliet EA, Aronica E, Palma E. Editorial: Epilepsy and Neurodevelopmental Diseases. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:255. [PMID: 33100969 PMCID: PMC7546768 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico San Raffaele, Cassino, Italy
| | - Erwin A Van Vliet
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, Heemstede, Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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19
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Ruffolo G, Martinello K, Labate A, Cifelli P, Fucile S, Di Gennaro G, Quattrone A, Esposito V, Limatola C, Giangaspero F, Aronica E, Palma E, Gambardella A. Modulation of GABAergic dysfunction due to SCN1A mutation linked to Hippocampal Sclerosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:1726-1731. [PMID: 32761786 PMCID: PMC7480916 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51150] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We compared GABAergic function and neuronal excitability in the hippocampal tissue of seven sporadic MTLE patients with a patient carrying a SCN1A loss‐of‐function mutation. All had excellent outcome from anterior temporal lobectomy, and neuropathological study always showed characteristic hippocampal sclerosis (Hs). Compared to MTLE patients, there was a more severe impairment of GABAergic transmission, due to the lower GABAergic activity related to the NaV1.1 loss‐of‐function, in addition to the typical GABA‐current rundown, a hallmark of sporadic MTLE. Our results give evidence that a pharmacological rescuing of the GABAergic dysfunction may represent a promising strategy for the treatment of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Labate
- Institute of Neurology, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology of the National Research Council, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), Amsterdam UMC, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Sergio Fucile
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Quattrone
- Institute of Neurology, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | | | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, Heemstede, the Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Gambardella
- Institute of Neurology, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology of the National Research Council, Catanzaro, Italy
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20
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Ceccanti M, Pozzilli V, Cambieri C, Libonati L, Onesti E, Frasca V, Fiorini I, Petrucci A, Garibaldi M, Palma E, Bendotti C, Fabbrizio P, Trolese MC, Nardo G, Inghilleri M. Creatine Kinase and Progression Rate in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051174. [PMID: 32397320 PMCID: PMC7291088 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with no recognized clinical prognostic factor. Creatinine kinase (CK) increase in these patients is already described with conflicting results on prognosis and survival. In 126 ALS patients who were fast or slow disease progressors, CK levels were assayed for 16 months every 4 months in an observational case-control cohort study with prospective data collection conducted in Italy. CK was also measured at baseline in 88 CIDP patients with secondary axonal damage and in two mouse strains (129SvHSD and C57-BL) carrying the same SOD1G93A transgene expression but showing a fast (129Sv-SOD1G93A) and slow (C57-SOD1G93A) ALS progression rate. Higher CK was found in ALS slow progressors compared to fast progressors in T1, T2, T3, and T4, with a correlation with Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) scores. Higher CK was found in spinal compared to bulbar-onset patients. Transgenic and non-transgenic C57BL mice showed higher CK levels compared to 129SvHSD strain. At baseline mean CK was higher in ALS compared to CIDP. CK can predict the disease progression, with slow progressors associated with higher levels and fast progressors to lower levels, in both ALS patients and mice. CK is higher in ALS patients compared to patients with CIDP with secondary axonal damage; the higher levels of CK in slow progressors patients, but also in C57BL transgenic and non-transgenic mice designs CK as a predisposing factor for disease rate progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ceccanti
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (V.P.); (C.C.); (L.L.); (E.O.); (V.F.); (I.F.)
| | - Valeria Pozzilli
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (V.P.); (C.C.); (L.L.); (E.O.); (V.F.); (I.F.)
| | - Chiara Cambieri
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (V.P.); (C.C.); (L.L.); (E.O.); (V.F.); (I.F.)
| | - Laura Libonati
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (V.P.); (C.C.); (L.L.); (E.O.); (V.F.); (I.F.)
| | - Emanuela Onesti
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (V.P.); (C.C.); (L.L.); (E.O.); (V.F.); (I.F.)
| | - Vittorio Frasca
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (V.P.); (C.C.); (L.L.); (E.O.); (V.F.); (I.F.)
| | - Ilenia Fiorini
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (V.P.); (C.C.); (L.L.); (E.O.); (V.F.); (I.F.)
| | - Antonio Petrucci
- Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Rare Diseases, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, 00152 Rome, Italy;
| | - Matteo Garibaldi
- Neuromuscular Disease Centre, Department of Neurology, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sant’Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy;
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Laboratory Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Famacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy; (C.B.); (P.F.); (M.C.T.); (G.N.)
| | - Paola Fabbrizio
- Laboratory Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Famacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy; (C.B.); (P.F.); (M.C.T.); (G.N.)
| | - Maria Chiara Trolese
- Laboratory Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Famacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy; (C.B.); (P.F.); (M.C.T.); (G.N.)
| | - Giovanni Nardo
- Laboratory Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Famacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy; (C.B.); (P.F.); (M.C.T.); (G.N.)
| | - Maurizio Inghilleri
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (V.P.); (C.C.); (L.L.); (E.O.); (V.F.); (I.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0-6499-14122
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Morano A, Fanella M, Albini M, Cifelli P, Palma E, Giallonardo AT, Di Bonaventura C. Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Current Status and Future Prospects. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2020; 16:381-396. [PMID: 32103958 PMCID: PMC7012327 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s203782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the prominent phytocannabinoids found in Cannabis sativa, differentiating from Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for its non-intoxicating profile and its antianxiety/antipsychotic effects. CBD is a multi-target drug whose anti-convulsant properties are supposed to be independent of endocannabinoid receptor CB1 and might be related to several underlying mechanisms, such as antagonism on the orphan GPR55 receptor, regulation of adenosine tone, activation of 5HT1A receptors and modulation of calcium intracellular levels. CBD is a lipophilic compound with low oral bioavailability (6%) due to poor intestinal absorption and high first-pass metabolism. Its exposure parameters are greatly influenced by feeding status (ie, high fat-containing meals). It is mainly metabolized by cytochrome P 450 (CYP) 3A4 and 2C19, which it strongly inhibits. A proprietary formulation of highly purified, plant-derived CBD has been recently licensed as an adjunctive treatment for Dravet syndrome (DS) and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), while it is being currently investigated in tuberous sclerosis complex. The regulatory agencies' approval was granted based on four pivotal double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on overall 154 DS patients and 396 LGS ones, receiving CBD 10 or 20 mg/kg/day BID as active treatment. The primary endpoint (reduction in monthly seizure frequency) was met by both CBD doses. Most patients reported adverse events (AEs), generally from mild to moderate and transient, which mainly consisted of somnolence, sedation, decreased appetite, diarrhea and elevation in aminotransferase levels, the last being documented only in subjects on concomitant valproate therapy. The interaction between CBD and clobazam, likely due to CYP2C19 inhibition, might contribute to some AEs, especially somnolence, but also to CBD clinical effectiveness. Cannabidivarin (CBDV), the propyl analogue of CBD, showed anti-convulsant properties in pre-clinical studies, but a plant-derived, purified proprietary formulation of CBDV recently failed the Phase II RCT in patients with uncontrolled focal seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Morano
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Fanella
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariarita Albini
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS “Neuromed”, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Giallonardo
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Di Bonaventura
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Cifelli P, Ruffolo G, De Felice E, Alfano V, van Vliet EA, Aronica E, Palma E. Phytocannabinoids in Neurological Diseases: Could They Restore a Physiological GABAergic Transmission? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E723. [PMID: 31979108 PMCID: PMC7038116 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
γ-Aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAARs) are the main inhibitory mediators in the central nervous system (CNS). GABAARs are pentameric ligand gated ion channels, and the main subunit composition is usually 2α2βγ, with various isotypes assembled within a set of 19 different subunits. The inhibitory function is mediated by chloride ion movement across the GABAARs, activated by synaptic GABA release, reducing neuronal excitability in the adult CNS. Several studies highlighted the importance of GABA-mediated transmission during neuro-development, and its involvement in different neurological and neurodevelopmental diseases, from anxiety to epilepsy. However, while it is well known how different classes of drugs are able to modulate the GABAARs function (benzodiazepines, barbiturates, neurosteroids, alcohol), up to now little is known about GABAARs and cannabinoids interaction in the CNS. Endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids are lately emerging as a new class of promising drugs for a wide range of neurological conditions, but their safety as medication, and their mechanisms of action are still to be fully elucidated. In this review, we will focus our attention on two of the most promising molecules (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol; Δ9-THC and cannabidiol; CBD) of this new class of drugs and their possible mechanism of action on GABAARs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, 00163 Rome, Italy; (G.R.); (E.D.F.)
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | | | - Veronica Alfano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Erwin Alexander van Vliet
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro) Pathology, 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.A.v.V.); (E.A.)
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, 1090 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro) Pathology, 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.A.v.V.); (E.A.)
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), 0397 Heemstede, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy;
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23
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Babiloni C, Di Bonaventura C, Noce G, Lizio R, Pascarelli MT, Eldellaa AM, Soricelli A, Ferri R, Nobili FM, Famà F, Limatola C, Palma E, Cifelli P, Stocchi F, Marizzoni M, Frisoni GB, Del Percio C. P4-176: ABNORMALITIES OF CORTICAL NEURAL SYNCHRONIZATION MECHANISMS IN SUBJECTS WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT DUE TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND EEG EPILEPTIFORM ACTIVITY. Alzheimers Dement 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2019.06.3838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Babiloni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - Carlo Di Bonaventura
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurosciences/Mental Health; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | | | | | - Maria Teresa Pascarelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
- Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS; Troina Italy
| | - Ali Mohamed Eldellaa
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | | | | | - Flavio Mariano Nobili
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino; Genova Italy
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Oftalmologia, Genetica, Riabilitazione e Scienze Materno-infantili (DiNOGMI); Università di Genova; Genova Italy
| | - Francesco Famà
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Oftalmologia, Genetica, Riabilitazione e Scienze Materno-infantili (DiNOGMI); Università di Genova; Genova Italy
| | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed; Pozzilli Italy
| | | | - Moira Marizzoni
- IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli; Brescia Italy
| | - Giovanni B. Frisoni
- IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli; Brescia Italy
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging of Aging; University of Geneva; Geneva Switzerland
| | - Claudio Del Percio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
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Ruffolo G, Cifelli P, Miranda-Lourenço C, De Felice E, Limatola C, Sebastião AM, Diógenes MJ, Aronica E, Palma E. Rare Diseases of Neurodevelopment: Maintain the Mystery or Use a Dazzling Tool for Investigation? The Case of Rett Syndrome. Neuroscience 2019; 439:146-152. [PMID: 31229630 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The investigation on neurotransmission function during normal and pathologic development is a pivotal component needed to understand the basic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental pathologies. To study these diseases, many animal models have been generated which allowed to face the limited availability of human tissues and, as a consequence, most of the electrophysiology has been performed on these models of diseases. On the other hand, the technique of membrane microtransplantation in Xenopus oocytes allows the study of human functional neurotransmitter receptors thanks to the use of tissues from autopsies or surgeries, even in quantities that would not permit other kinds of functional studies. In this short article, we intend to underline how this technique is well-fit for the study of rare diseases by characterizing the electrophysiological properties of GABAA and AMPA receptors in Rett syndrome. For our purposes, we used both tissues from Rett syndrome patients and Mecp2-null mice, a well validated murine model of the same disease, in order to strengthen the solidity of our results through the comparison of the two. Our findings retrace previous results and, in the light of this, further argue in favor of Prof. Miledi's technique of membrane microtransplantation that proves itself a very useful tool of investigation in the field of neurophysiology. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Honoring Ricardo Miledi - outstanding neuroscientist of XX-XXI centuries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Catarina Miranda-Lourenço
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | - Ana M Sebastião
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria J Diógenes
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), the Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
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Roseti C, Cifelli P, Ruffolo G, Barbieri E, Guescini M, Esposito V, Di Gennaro G, Limatola C, Giovannelli A, Aronica E, Palma E. Erythropoietin Increases GABA A Currents in Human Cortex from TLE Patients. Neuroscience 2019; 439:153-162. [PMID: 31047977 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hematopoietic growth factor that has an important role in the erythropoiesis. EPO and its receptor (EPO-R) are expressed all over in the mammalian brain. Furthermore, it has been reported that EPO may exert neuroprotective effect in animal models of brain disorders as ischemia and epilepsy. Here, we investigate whether EPO could modulate the GABA-evoked currents (IGABA) in both human epileptic and non-epileptic control brain tissues. Therefore, we transplanted in Xenopus oocytes cell membranes obtained from autoptic and surgical brain tissues (cortex) of seven temporal lope epilepsy (TLE) patients and of five control patients. Two microelectrodes voltage-clamp technique has been used to record IGABA. Moreover, qRT-PCR assay was performed in the same human tissues to quantify the relative gene expression levels of EPO/EPO-R. To further confirm experiments in oocytes, we performed additional experiments using patch-clamp recording in slices obtained from rat cerebellum. We show that exposure to EPO significantly increased the amplitude of the IGABA in all the patients analyzed. No differences in the expression of EPO and EPO-R in both TLE and control patients have been found. Notably, the increase of IGABA has been recorded also in rat cerebellar slices. Our findings show a new modulatory action of EPO on GABAA receptors (GABAA-Rs). This effect could be relevant to balance the GABAergic dysfunction in human TLE. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Honoring Ricardo Miledi - outstanding neuroscientist of XX-XXI centuries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy; IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Barbieri
- Department of Biomolecular Science, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Michele Guescini
- Department of Biomolecular Science, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | | | | | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, (IS), Italy
| | - Aldo Giovannelli
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), the Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
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Onesti E, Frasca V, Ceccanti M, Tartaglia G, Gori MC, Cambieri C, Libonati L, Palma E, Inghilleri M. Short-Term Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide Therapy in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis: a Pilot Study to Possible Future Implications of Treatment. CNSNDDT 2019; 18:232-238. [DOI: 10.2174/1871527318666190131121827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background: The cannabinoid system may be involved in the humoral mechanisms at the
neuromuscular junction. Ultramicronized-palmitoylethanolamide (μm-PEA) has recently been
shown to reduce the desensitization of Acetylcholine (ACh)-evoked currents in denervated patients
modifying the stability of ACh receptor (AChR) function.
<p>
Objective: To analyze the possible beneficial effects of μm-PEA in patients with myasthenia gravis
(MG) on muscular fatigue and neurophysiological changes.
<p>
Method: The duration of this open pilot study, which included an intra-individual control, was three
weeks. Each patient was assigned to a 1-week treatment period with μm-PEA 600 mg twice a day. A
neurophysiological examination based on repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) of the masseteric and the
axillary nerves was performed, and the quantitative MG (QMG) score was calculated in 22 MG patients
every week in a three-week follow-up period. AChR antibody titer was investigated to analyze a
possible immunomodulatory effect of PEA in MG patients.
<p>
Results: PEA had a significant effect on the QMG score (p=0.03418) and on RNS of the masseteric
nerve (p=0.01763), thus indicating that PEA reduces the level of disability and decremental muscle response.
Antibody titers did not change significantly after treatment.
<p>
Conclusion: According to our observations, μm-PEA as an add-on therapy could improve muscular
response to fatigue in MG. The possible modulation of AChR currents as a means of eliciting a direct
effect from PEA on the conformation of ACh receptors should be investigated. The co-role of cytokines
also warrants an analysis. Given the rapidity and reversibility of the response, we suppose that
PEA acts directly on AChR, though further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Onesti
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Frasca
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Ceccanti
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Tartaglia
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Gori
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Cambieri
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Libonati
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute Pasteur- Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Inghilleri
- Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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Ruffolo G, Cifelli P, Roseti C, Thom M, van Vliet EA, Limatola C, Aronica E, Palma E. A novel GABAergic dysfunction in human Dravet syndrome. Epilepsia 2018; 59:2106-2117. [DOI: 10.1111/epi.14574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed; Pozzilli Italy
| | | | - Maria Thom
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy; University College London Institute of Neurology; London UK
| | - Erwin A. van Vliet
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology; Amsterdam UMC; University of Amsterdam; Amsterdam Neuroscience; Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Center for Neuroscience; Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences; University of Amsterdam; Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed; Pozzilli Italy
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology; Amsterdam UMC; University of Amsterdam; Amsterdam Neuroscience; Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN); Heemstede The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana; Rome Italy
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Caballero A, Palma E, Ruiz-Esteban P, Vazquez T, Sola E, Torio A, Cabello M, Lopez V, Jironda C, Duarte A, Alonso-Titos J, Hernández D. CXCR3 + Monocytes Increase Significantly in Graft Blood Compared to Peripheral Blood in Patients With Stable Kidney Graft Function. Transplant Proc 2018; 50:555-559. [PMID: 29579851 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2017.11.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We have recently reported that some lymphocyte populations do not maintain the same proportion in kidney graft blood as in peripheral blood, despite a stable function of the transplanted kidney. These results suggest that a comparative study between leukocyte cells from graft blood and those obtained from peripheral blood could provide information about the inflammatory state of the transplanted organ. In this work we selected the population of CD4+ lymphocytes and monocytes expressing CXCR3 to test this hypothesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was performed by flow cytometry during month 3, 6, and 12 after transplantation in 58 patients who received an isolated kidney transplant and the same immunosuppressive regimen. The peripheral blood sample was obtained by venipuncture and the graft blood by fine needle aspiration. RESULTS We found a significant percentage decrease in CXCR3+ monocytes throughout the first year of transplantation in peripheral blood (15.9 ± 20.7 vs. 12.6 ± 12.4 vs. 6.3 ± 9.0, at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively; P = .001), whereas the percentage of CXCR3+ monocytes in graft blood did not change over this period. This situation resulted in a significant percentage difference between the CXCR3+ monocytes from the graft blood and those from the peripheral blood at the sixth (15.8 ± 8.1 vs. 12.6 ± 12.4, respectively; P = .008) and 12th months (12.9 ± 8.1 vs. 6.3 ± 9.0, respectively; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Therefore, we can conclude that the significant percentage increase of CXCR3+ monocytes in graft blood with respect to peripheral blood suggests the presence of inflammatory activity despite renal function being stable during the second half of the first year post-transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Caballero
- Immunology Department, Regional University Hospital of Malaga and University of Malaga, IBIMA, REDINREN (RD16/0009/0006), Malaga, Spain
| | - E Palma
- Nephrology Department, Regional University Hospital of Malaga and University of Malaga, IBIMA, REDINREN (RD16/0009/0006), Malaga, Spain
| | - P Ruiz-Esteban
- Immunology Department, Complejo Hospitalario General Universitario de Albacete, Albacete, Spain
| | - T Vazquez
- Nephrology Department, Regional University Hospital of Malaga and University of Malaga, IBIMA, REDINREN (RD16/0009/0006), Malaga, Spain
| | - E Sola
- Nephrology Department, Regional University Hospital of Malaga and University of Malaga, IBIMA, REDINREN (RD16/0009/0006), Malaga, Spain
| | - A Torio
- Immunology Department, Complejo Hospitalario General Universitario de Albacete, Albacete, Spain
| | - M Cabello
- Nephrology Department, Regional University Hospital of Malaga and University of Malaga, IBIMA, REDINREN (RD16/0009/0006), Malaga, Spain
| | - V Lopez
- Nephrology Department, Regional University Hospital of Malaga and University of Malaga, IBIMA, REDINREN (RD16/0009/0006), Malaga, Spain
| | - C Jironda
- Nephrology Department, Regional University Hospital of Malaga and University of Malaga, IBIMA, REDINREN (RD16/0009/0006), Malaga, Spain
| | - A Duarte
- Nephrology Department, Regional University Hospital of Malaga and University of Malaga, IBIMA, REDINREN (RD16/0009/0006), Malaga, Spain
| | - J Alonso-Titos
- Nephrology Department, Regional University Hospital of Malaga and University of Malaga, IBIMA, REDINREN (RD16/0009/0006), Malaga, Spain
| | - D Hernández
- Nephrology Department, Regional University Hospital of Malaga and University of Malaga, IBIMA, REDINREN (RD16/0009/0006), Malaga, Spain.
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Ambrogini P, Albertini MC, Betti M, Galati C, Lattanzi D, Savelli D, Di Palma M, Saccomanno S, Bartolini D, Torquato P, Ruffolo G, Olivieri F, Galli F, Palma E, Minelli A, Cuppini R. Neurobiological Correlates of Alpha-Tocopherol Antiepileptogenic Effects and MicroRNA Expression Modulation in a Rat Model of Kainate-Induced Seizures. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:7822-7838. [PMID: 29468563 PMCID: PMC6132771 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-0946-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [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: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Seizure-triggered maladaptive neural plasticity and neuroinflammation occur during the latent period as a key underlying event in epilepsy chronicization. Previously, we showed that α-tocopherol (α-T) reduces hippocampal neuroglial activation and neurodegeneration in the rat model of kainic acid (KA)-induced status epilepticus (SE). These findings allowed us to postulate an antiepileptogenic potential for α-T in hippocampal excitotoxicity, in line with clinical evidence showing that α-T improves seizure control in drug-resistant patients. To explore neurobiological correlates of the α-T antiepileptogenic role, rats were injected with such vitamin during the latent period starting right after KA-induced SE, and the effects on circuitry excitability, neuroinflammation, neuronal death, and microRNA (miRNA) expression were investigated in the hippocampus. Results show that in α-T-treated epileptic rats, (1) the number of population spikes elicited by pyramidal neurons, as well as the latency to the onset of epileptiform-like network activity recover to control levels; (2) neuronal death is almost prevented; (3) down-regulation of claudin, a blood-brain barrier protein, is fully reversed; (4) neuroinflammation processes are quenched (as indicated by the decrease of TNF-α, IL-1β, GFAP, IBA-1, and increase of IL-6); (5) miR-146a, miR-124, and miR-126 expression is coherently modulated in hippocampus and serum by α-T. These findings support the potential of a timely intervention with α-T in clinical management of SE to reduce epileptogenesis, thus preventing chronic epilepsy development. In addition, we suggest that the analysis of miRNA levels in serum could provide clinicians with a tool to evaluate disease evolution and the efficacy of α-T therapy in SE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Ambrogini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, I-61029, Urbino, Italy.
| | - Maria Cristina Albertini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, I-61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Michele Betti
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, I-61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Claudia Galati
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, I-61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Davide Lattanzi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, I-61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - David Savelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, I-61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Michael Di Palma
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, I-61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Stefania Saccomanno
- Department of Gastroenterology, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Desirée Bartolini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Torquato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiola Olivieri
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy.,Center of Clinical Pathology and Innovative Therapy, INRCA-IRCCS, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Galli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Minelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, I-61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cuppini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, I-61029, Urbino, Italy
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30
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Palma E, Ruffolo G, Cifelli P, Roseti C, Vliet EAV, Aronica E. Modulation of GABAA Receptors in the Treatment of Epilepsy. Curr Pharm Des 2018; 23:5563-5568. [DOI: 10.2174/1381612823666170809100230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome,, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome,, Italy
| | | | | | - Erwin A. van Vliet
- Academic Medical Center, Dept (Neuro)Pathology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam,, Netherlands
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31
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Musolino V, Gliozzi M, Carresi C, Maiuolo J, Mollace R, Bosco F, Scarano F, Scicchitano M, Maretta A, Palma E, Iannone M, Morittu VM, Gratteri S, Muscoli C, Fini M, Mollace V. Lipid-lowering effect of bergamot polyphenolic fraction: role of pancreatic cholesterol ester hydrolase. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2017; 31:1087-1093. [PMID: 29254319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF) has been shown to positively modulate several mechanisms involved in metabolic syndrome, suggesting its use in therapy. In particular, it is able to induce a significant amelioration of serum lipid profile in hyperlipemic patients at different levels. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of BPF on cholesterol absorption physiologically mediated by pancreatic cholesterol ester hydrolase (pCEH). An in vitro activity assay was performed to study the effect of BPF on pCEH, whereas the rate of cholesterol absorption was evaluated through in vivo studies. In particular, male, Sprague-Dawley rats (200225 g) were fed either normal chow or chow supplemented with 0.5% cholic acid, 5.5% peanut oil, and varying amounts of cholesterol (0 to 1.5%). BPF (10 mg/Kg) was daily administrated by means of a gastric gavage to animals fed with lipid supplemented diet for 4 weeks and, at the end of the study, plasma lipids and liver cholesteryl esters were measured in all experimental groups. Our results show that BPF was able to inhibit pCEH activity and this effect was confirmed, in vivo, via detection of lymphatic cholesteryl ester in rats fed with a cholesterol-rich diet. This evidence clarifies a further mechanism responsible for the hypolipemic properties of BPF previously observed in humans, confirming its beneficial effect in the therapy of hypercholesterolemia and in the treatment of metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Musolino
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), Department of Health Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.C.A.R.L, Complesso "Ninì Barbieri" Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - M Gliozzi
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), Department of Health Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.C.A.R.L, Complesso "Ninì Barbieri" Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - C Carresi
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), Department of Health Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.C.A.R.L, Complesso "Ninì Barbieri" Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - J Maiuolo
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), Department of Health Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.C.A.R.L, Complesso "Ninì Barbieri" Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - R Mollace
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), Department of Health Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of LAquila, Italy
| | - F Bosco
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), Department of Health Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.C.A.R.L, Complesso "Ninì Barbieri" Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - F Scarano
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), Department of Health Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.C.A.R.L, Complesso "Ninì Barbieri" Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - M Scicchitano
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), Department of Health Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.C.A.R.L, Complesso "Ninì Barbieri" Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - A Maretta
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), Department of Health Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.C.A.R.L, Complesso "Ninì Barbieri" Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - E Palma
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), Department of Health Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.C.A.R.L, Complesso "Ninì Barbieri" Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - M Iannone
- CNR, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Roccelletta di Borgia, Borgia, Italy
| | - V M Morittu
- Department of Health Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; Interdepartmental Services Centre of Veterinary for Human and Animal Health, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - S Gratteri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - C Muscoli
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), Department of Health Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.C.A.R.L, Complesso "Ninì Barbieri" Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
- Centre for Clinical and Basic Research IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana Rome Italy
| | - M Fini
- Nutramed S.C.A.R.L, Complesso "Ninì Barbieri" Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
- Centre for Clinical and Basic Research IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana Rome Italy
| | - V Mollace
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), Department of Health Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.C.A.R.L, Complesso "Ninì Barbieri" Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
- Centre for Clinical and Basic Research IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana Rome Italy
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Aronica E, Bauer S, Bozzi Y, Caleo M, Dingledine R, Gorter JA, Henshall DC, Kaufer D, Koh S, Löscher W, Louboutin JP, Mishto M, Norwood BA, Palma E, Poulter MO, Terrone G, Vezzani A, Kaminski RM. Neuroinflammatory targets and treatments for epilepsy validated in experimental models. Epilepsia 2017; 58 Suppl 3:27-38. [PMID: 28675563 DOI: 10.1111/epi.13783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A large body of evidence that has accumulated over the past decade strongly supports the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of human epilepsy. Specific inflammatory molecules and pathways have been identified that influence various pathologic outcomes in different experimental models of epilepsy. Most importantly, the same inflammatory pathways have also been found in surgically resected brain tissue from patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy. New antiseizure therapies may be derived from these novel potential targets. An essential and crucial question is whether targeting these molecules and pathways may result in anti-ictogenesis, antiepileptogenesis, and/or disease-modification effects. Therefore, preclinical testing in models mimicking relevant aspects of epileptogenesis is needed to guide integrated experimental and clinical trial designs. We discuss the most recent preclinical proof-of-concept studies validating a number of therapeutic approaches against inflammatory mechanisms in animal models that could represent novel avenues for drug development in epilepsy. Finally, we suggest future directions to accelerate preclinical to clinical translation of these recent discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,SEIN-Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, Heemstede, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Bauer
- Department of Neurology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Yuri Bozzi
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy.,Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Matteo Caleo
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Raymond Dingledine
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A
| | - Jan A Gorter
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David C Henshall
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniela Kaufer
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, California, U.S.A
| | - Sookyong Koh
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jean-Pierre Louboutin
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.,Gene Therapy Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Michele Mishto
- Charite University Medicine Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Braxton A Norwood
- Department of Neurology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.,Neuroscience Division, Expesicor LLC, Kalispell, Montana, U.S.A
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Michael O Poulter
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gaetano Terrone
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Annamaria Vezzani
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
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33
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Gliozzi M, Scarano F, Nucera S, Scicchitano M, Musolino V, Carresi C, Maiuolo J, Maretta A, Bosco F, Giancotta C, Mollace R, Palma E, Muscoli C, Mollace V. P1591Impaired glucose and lipid metabolism affects mitochondrial function in experimental diabetes-induced cardiac remodelling: role of MMP-2. Eur Heart J 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx502.p1591] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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34
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Gambardella A, Labate A, Cifelli P, Ruffolo G, Mumoli L, Aronica E, Palma E. Pharmacological modulation in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: Current status and future perspectives. Pharmacol Res 2016; 113:421-425. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Omarini C, Guaitoli G, Noventa S, Andreotti A, Gambini A, Palma E, Papi S, Tazzioli G, Balduzzi S, Dominici M, Cascinu S, Piacentini F. Impact of time to surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in operable breast cancer patients. Eur J Surg Oncol 2016; 43:613-618. [PMID: 27793416 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2016.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The optimal time interval between the end of neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) and breast surgery is still unclear. It is not known if a delay in surgery might influence the benefit of primary chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between time to surgery (TTS) and survival outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS According to TTS, women with diagnosis of BC treated with NST were divided into two cohorts: group A = 21 days or fewer and group B = longer than 21 days. OS and RFS were estimated and compared according to TTS and known prognostic factors. RESULTS A total of 319 patients were included in the study: 61 in group A and 258 in group B. Median TTS was 34 days. No association between clinical stage, nuclear grade, type of chemotherapy, type of surgery and TTS was detected. OS and RFS were significantly worse for group B compared with group A, with a hazard ratio of 3.1 (95% CI, 1.1-8.6 p = 0.03) and 3.1 (95% CI, 1.3-7.1 p = 0.008) respectively. Multivariate analysis confirmed that TTS was an independent prognostic factor in term of OS (p = 0.03) and RFS (p = 0.01). Even in the subgroup of patients with pCR, TTS continued to be an independent prognostic factor for both OS and RFS (p = 0.05 and p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS TTS after NST seems to influence survival outcomes. BC patients underwent surgery within 21 days experienced maximal benefit from previous treatment: this advantage is consistent and maintained over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Omarini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41122 Modena, Italy.
| | - G Guaitoli
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - S Noventa
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - A Andreotti
- Breast Oncology Unit, Department of General Surgery and Surgical Specialities, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - A Gambini
- Breast Oncology Unit, Department of General Surgery and Surgical Specialities, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - E Palma
- Breast Oncology Unit, Department of General Surgery and Surgical Specialities, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - S Papi
- Breast Oncology Unit, Department of General Surgery and Surgical Specialities, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - G Tazzioli
- Breast Oncology Unit, Department of General Surgery and Surgical Specialities, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - S Balduzzi
- Department of Medicine and Public Health, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - M Dominici
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - S Cascinu
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - F Piacentini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41122 Modena, Italy
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36
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Morano A, Cifelli P, Nencini P, Antonilli L, Fattouch J, Ruffolo G, Roseti C, Aronica E, Limatola C, Di Bonaventura C, Palma E, Giallonardo AT. Cannabis in epilepsy: From clinical practice to basic research focusing on the possible role of cannabidivarin. Epilepsia Open 2016; 1:145-151. [PMID: 29588939 PMCID: PMC5719834 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabidivarin (CBDV) and cannabidiol (CBD) have recently emerged among cannabinoids for their potential antiepileptic properties, as shown in several animal models. We report the case of a patient affected by symptomatic partial epilepsy who used cannabis as self‐medication after the failure of countless pharmacological/surgical treatments. Clinical and video electroencephalogram (EEG) evaluations were periodically performed, and the serum levels of CBDV, CBD, and Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol were repeatedly measured. After cannabis administration, a dramatic clinical improvement, in terms of both decrease in seizure frequency and recovery of cognitive functions, was observed, which might parallel high CBDV plasma concentrations. To widen the spectrum of CBDV possible mechanisms of action, electrophysiological methods were applied to investigate whether it could exert some effects on γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors. Our experiments showed that, in human hippocampal tissues of four patients affected by drug‐resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) transplanted in Xenopus oocytes, there is decrease of current rundown (i.e., reduction of use‐dependent GABAA current) after prolonged exposure to CBDV. This result has been confirmed using a single case of Rasmussen encephalitis (RE). Our patient's electroclinical improvement supports the hypothesis that cannabis could actually represent an effective, well‐tolerated antiepileptic drug. Moreover, the experimental data suggest that CBDV may greatly contribute to cannabis anticonvulsant effect through its possible GABAergic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Morano
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation University of Rome Sapienza Rome Italy
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation University of Rome Sapienza Rome Italy.,Ri.MED Foundation Palermo Italy
| | - Paolo Nencini
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation University of Rome Sapienza Rome Italy
| | - Letizia Antonilli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation University of Rome Sapienza Rome Italy
| | - Jinane Fattouch
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation University of Rome Sapienza Rome Italy
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation University of Rome Sapienza Rome Italy
| | | | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro) Pathology Academic Medical Center University of Amsterdam Amsterdam the Netherlands.,Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN-Heemstede) Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation University of Rome Sapienza Rome Italy
| | - Carlo Di Bonaventura
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation University of Rome Sapienza Rome Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation University of Rome Sapienza Rome Italy.,IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana Rome Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Giallonardo
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation University of Rome Sapienza Rome Italy
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37
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Roseti C, van Vliet EA, Cifelli P, Ruffolo G, Baayen JC, Di Castro MA, Bertollini C, Limatola C, Aronica E, Vezzani A, Palma E. GABAA currents are decreased by IL-1β in epileptogenic tissue of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy: implications for ictogenesis. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 82:311-320. [PMID: 26168875 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [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: 04/17/2015] [Revised: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most prevalent form of adult focal onset epilepsy often associated with drug-resistant seizures. Numerous studies suggest that neuroinflammatory processes are pathologic hallmarks of both experimental and human epilepsy. In particular, the interleukin (IL)-1β/IL-1 receptor type 1 (R1) axis is activated in epileptogenic tissue, where it contributes significantly to the generation and recurrence of seizures in animal models. In this study, we investigated whether IL-1β affects the GABA-evoked currents (I(GABA)) in TLE tissue from humans. Given the limited availability of fresh human brain specimens, we used the "microtransplantation" method of injecting Xenopus oocytes with membranes from surgically resected hippocampal and cortical tissue from 21 patients with TLE and hippocampal sclerosis (HS), hippocampal tissue from five patients with TLE without HS, and autoptic and surgical brain specimens from 15 controls without epilepsy. We report the novel finding that pathophysiological concentrations of IL-1β decreased the I(GABA) amplitude by up to 30% in specimens from patients with TLE with or without HS, but not in control tissues. This effect was reproduced by patch-clamp recordings on neurons in entorhinal cortex slices from rats with chronic epilepsy, and was not observed in control slices. In TLE specimens from humans, the IL-1β effect was mediated by IL-1R1 and PKC. We also showed that IL-1R1 and IRAK1, the proximal kinase mediating the IL-1R1 signaling, are both up-regulated in the TLE compared with control specimens, thus supporting the idea that the IL-1β/IL-R1 axis is activated in human epilepsy. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism possibly underlying the ictogenic action of IL-1β, thus suggesting that this cytokine contributes to seizure generation in human TLE by reducing GABA-mediated neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erwin A van Vliet
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy; Ri.MED Foundation, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Johannes C Baayen
- Department of Neurosurgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Amalia Di Castro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Bertollini
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN-Heemstede), The Netherlands
| | - Annamaria Vezzani
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Milano, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy; IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.
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Soukupova M, Binaschi A, Falcicchia C, Palma E, Roncon P, Zucchini S, Simonato M. Increased extracellular levels of glutamate in the hippocampus of chronically epileptic rats. Neuroscience 2015; 301:246-53. [PMID: 26073699 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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: 03/27/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
An increase in the release of excitatory amino acids has consistently been observed in the hippocampus during seizures, both in humans and animals. However, very little or nothing is known about the extracellular levels of glutamate and aspartate during epileptogenesis and in the interictal chronic period of established epilepsy. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the relationship between seizure activity and changes in hippocampal glutamate and aspartate extracellular levels under basal and high K(+)-evoked conditions, at various time-points in the natural history of experimental temporal lobe epilepsy, using in vivo microdialysis. Hippocampal extracellular glutamate and aspartate levels were evaluated: 24h after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE); during the latency period preceding spontaneous seizures; immediately after the first spontaneous seizure; in the chronic (epileptic) period. We found that (i) basal (spontaneous) glutamate outflow is increased in the interictal phases of the chronic period, whereas basal aspartate outflow remains stable for the entire course of the disease; (ii) high K(+) perfusion increased glutamate and aspartate outflow in both control and pilocarpine-treated animals, and the overflow of glutamate was clearly increased in the chronic group. Our data suggest that the glutamatergic signaling is preserved and even potentiated in the hippocampus of epileptic rats, and thus may favor the occurrence of spontaneous recurrent seizures. Together with an impairment of GABA signaling (Soukupova et al., 2014), these data suggest that a shift toward excitation occurs in the excitation/inhibition balance in the chronic epileptic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Soukupova
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - A Binaschi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - C Falcicchia
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - E Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Roma "Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma, Italy; IRCCS San Raffaele, Via della Pisana 235, Roma, Italy.
| | - P Roncon
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - S Zucchini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, Ferrara, Italy; Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto 35, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - M Simonato
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, Ferrara, Italy; Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto 35, Ferrara, Italy.
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Ehrlich J, Gliozzi M, Carresi C, Musolino V, Palma E, Muscoli C, Vitale C, Muscianisi G, Janda E, Ragusa S, Mollace R, Walker R, Mollace V. The effect of bergamot-derived polyphenolic fraction on LDL small dense particles and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with metabolic syndrome. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcme.2015.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Rubio J, Rubio JA, Palma E, Sierra R, Carmona F, Fuentes F. Outcomes of patients with tracheostomy discharged from ICU to Transitional Care Unit and general wards. Crit Care 2015. [PMCID: PMC4472736 DOI: 10.1186/cc14297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Zulian A, Rizzo E, Schiavone M, Palma E, Tagliavini F, Blaauw B, Merlini L, Maraldi NM, Sabatelli P, Braghetta P, Bonaldo P, Argenton F, Bernardi P. NIM811, a cyclophilin inhibitor without immunosuppressive activity, is beneficial in collagen VI congenital muscular dystrophy models. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:5353-63. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Soukupová M, Binaschi A, Falcicchia C, Zucchini S, Roncon P, Palma E, Magri E, Grandi E, Simonato M. Impairment of GABA release in the hippocampus at the time of the first spontaneous seizure in the pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Exp Neurol 2014; 257:39-49. [PMID: 24768627 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [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: 01/20/2014] [Revised: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The alterations in GABA release have not yet been systematically measured along the natural course of temporal lobe epilepsy. In this work, we analyzed GABA extracellular concentrations (using in vivo microdialysis under basal and high K(+)-evoked conditions) and loss of two GABA interneuron populations (parvalbumin and somatostatin neurons) in the ventral hippocampus at different time-points after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in the rat, i.e. during development and progression of epilepsy. We found that (i) during the latent period between the epileptogenic insult, status epilepticus, and the first spontaneous seizure, basal GABA outflow was reduced to about one third of control values while the number of parvalbumin-positive cells was reduced by about 50% and that of somatostatin-positive cells by about 25%; nonetheless, high K(+) stimulation increased extracellular GABA in a proportionally greater manner during latency than under control conditions; (ii) at the time of the first spontaneous seizure (i.e., when the diagnosis of epilepsy is made in humans) this increased responsiveness to stimulation disappeared, i.e. there was no longer any compensation for GABA cell loss; (iii) thereafter, this dysfunction remained constant until a late phase of the disease. These data suggest that a GABAergic hyper-responsiveness can compensate for GABA cell loss and protect from occurrence of seizures during latency, whereas impaired extracellular GABA levels can favor the occurrence of spontaneous recurrent seizures and the maintenance of an epileptic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Soukupová
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience, Italy.
| | - Anna Binaschi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience, Italy
| | - Chiara Falcicchia
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience, Italy; Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paolo Roncon
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology University of Roma "Sapienza", Italy; IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Roma, Italy
| | - Eros Magri
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Enrico Grandi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience, Italy; Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Italy
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Muscoli C, Lauro F, Dagostino C, Ilari S, Giancotti LA, Gliozzi M, Costa N, Carresi C, Musolino V, Casale F, Ventrice D, Oliverio M, Palma E, Nisticò S, Procopio A, Rizzo M, Mollace V. Olea Europea-derived phenolic products attenuate antinociceptive morphine tolerance: an innovative strategic approach to treat cancer pain. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2014; 28:105-116. [PMID: 24750796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Morphine and related opioid drugs are currently the major drugs for severe pain. Their clinical utility is limited in the management of severe cancer pain due to the rapid development of tolerance. Restoring opioid efficacy is therefore of great clinical importance. A great body of evidence suggests the key role of free radicals and posttranslational modulation in the development of tolerance to the analgesic activity of morphine. Epidemiological studies have shown a relationship between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced incidence of pathologies such as coronary heart disease and cancer. A central hallmark of this diet is the high consumption of virgin olive oil as the main source of fat which contains antioxidant components in the non-saponifiable fraction, including phenolic compounds absent in seed oils. Here, we show that in a rodent model of opiate tolerance, removal of the free radicals with phenolic compounds of olive oil such as hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein reinstates the analgesic action of morphine. Chronic injection of morphine in mice led to the development of tolerance and this was associated with increased nitrotyrosin and malondialdehyde (MDA) formation together with nitration and deactivation of MnSOD in the spinal cord. Removal of free radicals by hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein blocked morphine tolerance by inhibiting nitration and MDA formation and replacing the MnSOD activity. The phenolic fraction of virgin olive oil exerts antioxidant activities in vivo and free radicals generation occurring during chronic morphine administration play a crucial role in the development of opioid tolerance. Our data suggest novel therapeutic approach in the management of chronic cancer pain, in particular for those patients who require long-term opioid treatment for pain relief without development of tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Muscoli
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - F Lauro
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - S Ilari
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - L A Giancotti
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - M Gliozzi
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - N Costa
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - C Carresi
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - V Musolino
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - F Casale
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - D Ventrice
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - E Palma
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - A Procopio
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - V Mollace
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
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Roseti C, Fucile S, Lauro C, Martinello K, Bertollini C, Esposito V, Mascia A, Catalano M, Aronica E, Limatola C, Palma E. Fractalkine/CX3CL1 modulates GABAA currents in human temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia 2013; 54:1834-44. [PMID: 24032743 DOI: 10.1111/epi.12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The chemokine fractalkine/CX3CL1 and its receptor CX3CR1 are widely expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). Recent evidence showed that CX3CL1 participates in inflammatory responses that are common features of CNS disorders, such as epilepsy. Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is the prevalent form of focal epilepsy in adults, and hippocampal sclerosis (HS) represents the most common underlying pathologic abnormality, as demonstrated at autopsy and postresection studies. Relevant features of MTLE are a characteristic pattern of neuronal loss, as are astrogliosis and microglia activation. Several factors affect epileptogenesis in patients with MTLE, including a lack of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inhibitory efficacy. Therefore, experiments were designed to investigate whether, in MTLE brain tissues, CX3CL1 may influence GABAA receptor (GABAA R) mediated transmission, with a particular focus on the action of CX3CL1 on the use-dependent decrease (rundown) of the GABA-evoked currents (IGABA ), a feature underlying the reduction of GABAergic function in epileptic tissue. METHODS Patch-clamp recordings were obtained from cortical pyramidal neurons in slices from six MTLE patients after surgery. Alternatively, the cell membranes from epileptic brain tissues of 17 MTLE patients or from surgical samples and autopsies of nonepileptic patients were microtransplanted into Xenopus oocytes, and IGABA were recorded using the standard two-microelectrode voltage-clamp technique. Immunohistochemical staining and double-labeling studies were carried out on the same brain tissues to analyze CX3CR1 expression. KEY FINDINGS In native pyramidal neurons from cortical slices of patients with MTLE, CX3CL1 reduced IGABA rundown and affected the recovery of IGABA amplitude from rundown. These same effects were confirmed in oocytes injected with cortical and hippocampal MTLE membranes, whereas CX3CL1 did not influence IGABA in oocytes injected with nonepileptic tissues. Consistent with a specific effect of CX3CL1 on tissues from patients with MTLE, CX3CR1 immunoreactivity was higher in MTLE sclerotic hippocampi than in control tissues, with a prominent expression in activated microglial cells. SIGNIFICANCE These findings indicate a role for CX3CL1 in MTLE, supporting recent evidence on the relevance of brain inflammation in human epilepsies. Our data demonstrate that in MTLE tissues the reduced GABAergic function can be modulated by CX3CL1. The increased CX3CR1 expression in microglia and the modulation by CX3CL1 of GABAergic currents in human epileptic brain suggests new therapeutic approaches for drug-resistant epilepsies based on the evidence that the propagation of seizures can be influenced by inflammatory processes.
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Cifelli P, Palma E, Roseti C, Verlengia G, Simonato M. Changes in the sensitivity of GABAA current rundown to drug treatments in a model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Front Cell Neurosci 2013; 7:108. [PMID: 23874269 PMCID: PMC3708152 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The pharmacological treatment of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE), the most common epileptic syndrome in adults, is still unsatisfactory, as one-third of the patients are or become refractory to antiepileptic agents. Refractoriness may depend upon drug-induced alterations, but the disease per se may also undergo a progressive evolution that affects the sensitivity to drugs. mTLE has been shown to be associated with a dysfunction of the inhibitory signaling mediated by GABAA receptors. In particular, the repetitive activation of GABAA receptors produces a use-dependent decrease (rundown) of the evoked currents (IGABA), which is markedly enhanced in the hippocampus and cortex of drug-resistant mTLE patients. This phenomenon has been also observed in the pilocarpine model, where the increased IGABA rundown is observed in the hippocampus at the time of the first spontaneous seizure, then extends to the cortex and remains constant in the chronic phase of the disease. Here, we examined the sensitivity of IGABA to pharmacological modulation. We focused on the antiepileptic agent levetiracetam (LEV) and on the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which were previously reported to attenuate mTLE-induced increased rundown in the chronic human tissue. In the pilocarpine model, BDNF displayed a paramount effect, decreasing rundown in the hippocampus at the time of the first seizure, as well as in the hippocampus and cortex in the chronic period. In contrast, LEV did not affect rundown in the hippocampus, but attenuated it in the cortex. Interestingly, this effect of LEV was also observed on the still unaltered rundown observed in the cortex at the time of the first spontaneous seizure. These data suggest that the sensitivity of GABAA receptors to pharmacological interventions undergoes changes during the natural history of mTLE, implicating that the site of seizure initiation and the timing of treatment may highly affect the therapeutic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierangelo Cifelli
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara Ferrara, Italy ; National Institute of Neuroscience Ferrara, Italy ; Ri.MED Foundation Palermo, Italy
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Conti L, Limon A, Palma E, Miledi R. Microtransplantation of cellular membranes from squid stellate ganglion reveals ionotropic GABA receptors. Biol Bull 2013; 224:47-52. [PMID: 23493508 DOI: 10.1086/bblv224n1p47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The squid has been the most studied cephalopod, and it has served as a very useful model for investigating the events associated with nerve impulse generation and synaptic transmission. While the physiology of squid giant axons has been extensively studied, very little is known about the distribution and function of the neurotransmitters and receptors that mediate inhibitory transmission at the synapses. In this study we investigated whether γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activates neurotransmitter receptors in stellate ganglia membranes. To overcome the low abundance of GABA-like mRNAs in invertebrates and the low expression of GABA in cephalopods, we used a two-electrode voltage clamp technique to determine if Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with cell membranes from squid stellate ganglia responded to GABA. Using this method, membrane patches containing proteins and ion channels from the squid's stellate ganglion were incorporated into the surface of oocytes. We demonstrated that GABA activates membrane receptors in cellular membranes isolated from squid stellate ganglia. Using the same approach, we were able to record native glutamate-evoked currents. The squid's GABA receptors showed an EC(50) of 98 μmol l(-1) to GABA and were inhibited by zinc (IC(50) = 356 μmol l(-1)). Interestingly, GABA receptors from the squid were only partially blocked by bicuculline. These results indicate that the microtransplantation of native cell membranes is useful to identify and characterize scarce membrane proteins. Moreover, our data also support the role of GABA as an ionotropic neurotransmitter in cephalopods, acting through chloride-permeable membrane receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Conti
- Grass Laboratory at the Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL St., Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA.
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Palma E, Conti L, Roseti C, Limatola C. Novel approaches to study the involvement of α7-nAChR in human diseases. Curr Drug Targets 2012; 13:579-86. [PMID: 22300023 DOI: 10.2174/138945012800398838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2010] [Revised: 02/04/2011] [Accepted: 02/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is widely distributed in the human brain and has been implicated in a number of human central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and autism. Recently, new roles for α7 nAChRs in lung cancer and heart disease have been elucidated. Despite the importance of this receptor in human pathology, many technical difficulties are still encountered when investigating the role of α7 nAChRs. Electrophysiological analysis of the receptor upon heterologous expression or in human tissues was limited by the fast desensitization of α7-mediated nicotinic currents and by tissue availability. In addition, animal models for the human diseases related to α7 nAChRs have long been unavailable. The recent development of new imaging and analysis approaches such as PET and receptor microtransplantation have rendered the study of α7 nAChRs increasingly feasible, paving new roads to the design of therapeutic drugs. This review summarizes the current knowledge and recent findings obtained by these novel approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Palma
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti & Dipartimento di Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Università di Roma LaSapienza, Rome, Italy.
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Sabatelli P, Palma E, Angelin A, Squarzoni S, Urciuolo A, Pellegrini C, Tiepolo T, Bonaldo P, Gualandi F, Merlini L, Bernardi P, Maraldi NM. Critical evaluation of the use of cell cultures for inclusion in clinical trials of patients affected by collagen VI myopathies. J Cell Physiol 2012; 227:2927-35. [PMID: 21953374 PMCID: PMC3415679 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.23039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Collagen VI myopathies (Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD), Bethlem myopathy (BM), and myosclerosis myopathy) share a common pathogenesis, that is, mitochondrial dysfunction due to deregulation of the permeability transition pore (PTP). This effect was first identified in the Col6a1(-/-) mouse model and then in muscle cell cultures from UCMD and BM patients; the normalizing effect of cyclosporin A (CsA) confirmed the pathogenic role of PTP opening. In order to determine whether mitochondrial performance can be used as a criterion for inclusion in clinical trials and as an outcome measure of the patient response to therapy, it is mandatory to establish whether mitochondrial dysfunction is conserved in primary cell cultures from UCMD and BM patients. In this study we report evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction and the consequent increase of apoptotic rate can be detected not only, as previously reported, in muscle, but also in fibroblast cell cultures established from muscle biopsies of collagen VI-related myopathic patients. However, the mitochondrial phenotype is no longer maintained after nine passages in culture. These data demonstrate that the dire consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction are not limited to myogenic cells, and that this parameter can be used as a suitable diagnostic criterion, provided that the cell culture conditions are carefully established.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Sabatelli
- CNR-National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Molecular Genetics c/o IOR, Bologna, Italy
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Deflorio C, Palma E, Conti L, Roseti C, Manteca A, Giacomelli E, Catalano M, Limatola C, Inghilleri M, Grassi F. Riluzole blocks human muscle acetylcholine receptors. J Physiol 2012; 590:2519-28. [PMID: 22431338 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.230201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Riluzole, the only drug available against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has recently been shown to block muscle ACh receptors (AChRs), raising concerns about possible negative side-effects on neuromuscular transmission in treated patients. In this work we studied riluzole's impact on the function of muscle AChRs in vitro and on neuromuscular transmission in ALS patients, using electrophysiological techniques. Human recombinant AChRs composed of α(1)β(1)δ subunits plus the γ or ε subunit (γ- or ε-AChR) were expressed in HEK cells or Xenopus oocytes. In both preparations, riluzole at 0.5 μm, a clinically relevant concentration, reversibly reduced the amplitude and accelerated the decay of ACh-evoked current if applied before coapplication with ACh. The action on γ-AChRs was more potent and faster than on ε-AChRs. In HEK outside-out patches, riluzole-induced block of macroscopic ACh-evoked current gradually developed during the initial milliseconds of ACh presence. Single channel recordings in HEK cells and in human myotubes from ALS patients showed that riluzole prolongs channel closed time, but has no effect on channel conductance and open duration. Finally, compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) evoked by nerve stimulation in ALS patients remained unaltered after a 1 week suspension of riluzole treatment. These data indicate that riluzole, while apparently safe with regard to synaptic transmission, may affect the function of AChRs expressed in denervated muscle fibres of ALS patients, with biological consequences that remain to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Deflorio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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