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Romano IR, D'Angeli F, Gili E, Fruciano M, Lombardo GAG, Mannino G, Vicario N, Russo C, Parenti R, Vancheri C, Giuffrida R, Pellitteri R, Lo Furno D. Melatonin Enhances Neural Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4891. [PMID: 38732109 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094891] [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: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are adult multipotent stem cells, able to differentiate toward neural elements other than cells of mesodermal lineage. The aim of this research was to test ASC neural differentiation using melatonin combined with conditioned media (CM) from glial cells. Isolated from the lipoaspirate of healthy donors, ASCs were expanded in a basal growth medium before undergoing neural differentiation procedures. For this purpose, CM obtained from olfactory ensheathing cells and from Schwann cells were used. In some samples, 1 µM of melatonin was added. After 1 and 7 days of culture, cells were studied using immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry to evaluate neural marker expression (Nestin, MAP2, Synapsin I, GFAP) under different conditions. The results confirmed that a successful neural differentiation was achieved by glial CM, whereas the addition of melatonin alone did not induce appreciable changes. When melatonin was combined with CM, ASC neural differentiation was enhanced, as demonstrated by a further improvement of neuronal marker expression, whereas glial differentiation was attenuated. A dynamic modulation was also observed, testing the expression of melatonin receptors. In conclusion, our data suggest that melatonin's neurogenic differentiation ability can be usefully exploited to obtain neuronal-like differentiated ASCs for potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Roberta Romano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Floriana D'Angeli
- Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele Roma Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Mary Fruciano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Giuliana Mannino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Nunzio Vicario
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Cristina Russo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalba Parenti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Giuffrida
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalia Pellitteri
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Debora Lo Furno
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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Libra A, Muscato G, Ielo G, Spicuzza L, Palmucci S, Fagone E, Fruciano M, Gili E, Sambataro G, Vancheri C. Clinical and Prognostic Significance of p-ANCA Positivity in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Retrospective Observational Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13111882. [PMID: 37296734 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13111882] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Perinuclear Anti Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (p-ANCA) is a serological marker of Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA), a vasculitis associated with lung involvement potentially mimicking Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). In this study, we evaluated the role of p-ANCA in predicting clinical evolution and prognosis in a cohort of IPF patients. In this observational, retrospective, case-control study, we compared 18 patients with an IPF diagnosis and p-ANCA positivity with 36 patients with seronegative IPF, matched for age and sex. IPF patients with and without p-ANCA showed similar lung function decline during the follow-up, but IPF p-ANCA+ showed better survival. Half of IPF p-ANCA+ patients were classified as MPA for the development of renal involvement (55%) or skin signs (45%). The progression towards MPA was associated with high levels of Rheumatoid Factor (RF) at baseline. In conclusion, p-ANCA, mainly when associated with RF, could predict the evolution of Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP) towards a definite vasculitis in patients, with a better prognosis compared with IPF. In this view, ANCA testing should be included in the diagnostic workup of UIP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Libra
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital "Policlinico-San Marco", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Muscato
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital "Policlinico-San Marco", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ielo
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital "Policlinico-San Marco", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Lucia Spicuzza
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital "Policlinico-San Marco", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Stefano Palmucci
- Radiology Unit I, Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University Hospital "Policlinico-San Marco", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Evelina Fagone
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital "Policlinico-San Marco", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Mary Fruciano
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital "Policlinico-San Marco", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital "Policlinico-San Marco", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Gianluca Sambataro
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital "Policlinico-San Marco", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital "Policlinico-San Marco", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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Sambataro G, Orlandi M, Fagone E, Fruciano M, Gili E, Libra A, Palmucci S, Vancheri C, Malatino L, Colaci M, Sambataro D. Myositis-Specific and Myositis-Associated Antibodies in Fibromyalgia Patients: A Prospective Study. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030658. [PMID: 36979638 PMCID: PMC10045737 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common rheumatologic disorder characterised by widespread muscular pain. Myalgia is also a common clinical feature in Connective Tissue Disease (CTD), and FM should be studied for the concomitant presence of a CTD. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of Myositis-Specific and Myositis-Associated Antibodies (MSA/MAA) in a cohort of FM patients. We enrolled 233 consecutive FM patients (defined according to the 2016 criteria) that did not report clinical signs of autoimmune disorders and followed them for at least one year. The patients were tested for MSA/MAA with immunoblotting. FM patients were seropositive for Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) in 24% of cases, for MSA in 9%, and for MAA in 6%. A specific diagnosis of CTD was made in 12 patients (5.2%), namely, 5 cases of primary Sjögren’s Syndrome and 7 of Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy. Seropositive patients showed clinical features similar to those who were seronegative at baseline. A CTD diagnosis was associated with ANA positivity (p = 0.03, X2 4.9), the presence of a speckled pattern (p = 0.02, X2 5.3), positivity for MAA (p = 0.004, X2 8.1), and MSA (p = 0.003, X2 9.2). In conclusion, a non-negligible proportion of FM patients may be seropositive for MSA/MAA, and that seropositivity might suggest a diagnosis of CTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Sambataro
- Artroreuma s.r.l., Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic, 95030 Mascalucia, CT, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Martina Orlandi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology AOUC Careggi, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Evelina Fagone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Mary Fruciano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandro Libra
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Stefano Palmucci
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University Hospital Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Disease, Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Malatino
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Cannizzaro Hospital, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Michele Colaci
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Cannizzaro Hospital, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Domenico Sambataro
- Artroreuma s.r.l., Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic, 95030 Mascalucia, CT, Italy
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Fagone E, Fruciano M, Gili E, Sambataro G, Vancheri C. Developing PI3K Inhibitors for Respiratory Diseases. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2022; 436:437-466. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-06566-8_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Di Mauro S, Scamporrino A, Fruciano M, Filippello A, Fagone E, Gili E, Scionti F, Purrazzo G, Di Pino A, Scicali R, Di Martino MT, Malaguarnera R, Malatino L, Purrello F, Vancheri C, Piro S. Circulating Coding and Long Non-Coding RNAs as Potential Biomarkers of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228812. [PMID: 33233868 PMCID: PMC7709007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228812] [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: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic degenerative disease with a median survival of 2-5 years after diagnosis. Therefore, IPF patient identification represents an important and challenging clinical issue. Current research is still searching for novel reliable non-invasive biomarkers. Therefore, we explored the potential use of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs as biomarkers for IPF. METHODS We first performed a whole transcriptome analysis using microarray (n = 14: 7 Control, 7 IPF), followed by the validation of selected transcripts through qPCRs in an independent cohort of 95 subjects (n = 95: 45 Control, 50 IPF). Diagnostic performance and transcript correlation with functional/clinical data were also analyzed. RESULTS 1059 differentially expressed transcripts were identified. We confirmed the downregulation of FOXF1 adjacent non-coding developmental regulatory RNA (FENDRR) lncRNA, hsa_circ_0001924 circularRNA, utrophin (UTRN) and Y-box binding protein 3 (YBX3) mRNAs. The two analyzed non-coding RNAs correlated with Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)% and Diffusing Capacity of the Lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO)% functional data, while coding RNAs correlated with smock exposure. All analyzed transcripts showed excellent performance in IPF identification with Area Under the Curve values above 0.87; the most outstanding one was YBX3: AUROC 0.944, CI 95% = 0.895-0.992, sensitivity = 90%, specificity = 88.9%, p-value = 1.02 × 10-13. CONCLUSIONS This study has identified specific transcript signatures in IPF suggesting that validated transcripts and microarray data could be useful for the potential future identification of RNA molecules as non-invasive biomarkers for IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Di Mauro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Alessandra Scamporrino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Mary Fruciano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Respiratory Medicine Unit, A.O.U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (E.F.); (E.G.)
| | - Agnese Filippello
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Evelina Fagone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Respiratory Medicine Unit, A.O.U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (E.F.); (E.G.)
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Respiratory Medicine Unit, A.O.U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (E.F.); (E.G.)
| | - Francesca Scionti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.S.); (M.T.D.M.)
| | - Giacomo Purrazzo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Antonino Di Pino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Roberto Scicali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Maria Teresa Di Martino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.S.); (M.T.D.M.)
| | - Roberta Malaguarnera
- School of Human and Social Sciences, “Kore” University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Malatino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Cannizzaro, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy;
| | - Francesco Purrello
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Respiratory Medicine Unit, A.O.U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (E.F.); (E.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +390-9-5378-1774 (ext. 1424)
| | - Salvatore Piro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
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Sambataro D, Sambataro G, Libra A, Vignigni G, Pino F, Fagone E, Fruciano M, Gili E, Pignataro F, Del Papa N, Vancheri C. Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy is a Useful Tool to Recognize Definite Forms of Systemic Sclerosis and Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis in Interstitial Lung Disease Patients. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:E253. [PMID: 32344844 PMCID: PMC7277171 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10050253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is an easy tool used for the assessment of patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) as possibly associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Recent insights have also highlighted its role in the diagnostic assessment of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). The aim of this study is to describe the diagnostic role of NVC in a series of 361 consecutive patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). All the patients were assessed by clinical pulmonary and rheumatic examinations, blood exams, high-resolution computed tomography and NVC. NVC was considered positive only in the presence of avascular areas or giant capillaries, but also, the presence of bushy capillaries (BCs) was recorded. NVC was positive in 17.7% of ILD patients and in 78.1% of ILD patients associated with a diagnosis of connective tissue disease (CTD). In 25% of SSc-ILD patients, NVC proved necessary for a correct diagnosis. The presence of BCs and/or NVC positivity in ILD patients with normal levels of creatine phosphokinase is associated with amyopathic IIM, regardless the presence of RP. In conclusion, NVC is useful for the diagnostic assessment of incomplete forms of CTD and in amyopathic IIMs. NVC should be considered in the diagnostic assessment of ILD patients regardless of the presence of RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Sambataro
- Artroreuma S.R.L., Outpatient of Rheumatology associated with the National Health System corso S. Vito 53, 95030 Mascalucia, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, University of Catania, via Messina 829, 95100 Catania, Italy
| | - Gianluca Sambataro
- Artroreuma S.R.L., Outpatient of Rheumatology associated with the National Health System corso S. Vito 53, 95030 Mascalucia, Italy
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Diseases, A. O. U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele” Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandro Libra
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Diseases, A. O. U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele” Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanna Vignigni
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Diseases, A. O. U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele” Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Fabio Pino
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Diseases, A. O. U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele” Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Evelina Fagone
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Diseases, A. O. U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele” Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Mary Fruciano
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Diseases, A. O. U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele” Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Diseases, A. O. U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele” Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Francesca Pignataro
- Scleroderma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, ASST G. Pini-CTO, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Del Papa
- Scleroderma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, ASST G. Pini-CTO, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Diseases, A. O. U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele” Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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Lo Furno D, Mannino G, Pellitteri R, Zappalà A, Parenti R, Gili E, Vancheri C, Giuffrida R. Conditioned Media From Glial Cells Promote a Neural-Like Connexin Expression in Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1742. [PMID: 30555356 PMCID: PMC6282092 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of neuronal and glial connexins (Cxs) has been evaluated in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) whose neural differentiation was promoted by a conditioned medium (CM) obtained from cultures of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) or Schwann cells (SCs). By immunocytochemistry and flow cytometer analysis it was found that Cx43 was already considerably expressed in naïve ASCs and further increased after 24 h and 7 days from CM exposition. Cx32 and Cx36 were significantly improved in conditioned cultures compared to control ASCs, whereas a decreased expression was noticed in the absence of CM treatments. Cx47 was virtually absent in any conditions. Altogether, high basal levels and induced increases of Cx43 expression suggest a potential attitude of ASCs toward an astrocyte differentiation, whereas the lack of Cx47 would indicate a poor propensity of ASCs to become oligodendrocytes. CM-evoked Cx32 and Cx36 increases showed that a neuronal- or a SC-like differentiation can be promoted by using this strategy. Results further confirm that environmental cues can favor an ASC neural differentiation, either as neuronal or glial elements. Of note, the use of glial products present in CM rather than the addition of chemical agents to achieve such differentiation would resemble "more physiological" conditions of differentiation. As a conclusion, the overexpression of typical neural Cxs would indicate the potential capability of neural-like ASCs to interact with neighboring neural cells and microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Lo Furno
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuliana Mannino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalia Pellitteri
- Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, Catania, Italy
| | - Agata Zappalà
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalba Parenti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Giuffrida
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Lo Furno D, Mannino G, Giuffrida R, Gili E, Vancheri C, Tarico MS, Perrotta RE, Pellitteri R. Neural differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells induced by glial cell conditioned media. J Cell Physiol 2018; 233:7091-7100. [PMID: 29737535 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) may transdifferentiate into cells belonging to mesodermal, endodermal, and ectodermal lineages. The aim of this study was to verify whether a neural differentiation of ASCs could be induced by a conditioned medium (CM) obtained from cultures of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) or Schwann cells (SCs). ASCs were isolated from the stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue and expanded for 2-3 passages. They were then cultured in OEC-CM or SC-CM for 24 hr or 7 days. At each stage, the cells were tested by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometer analysis to evaluate the expression of typical neural markers such as Nestin, PGP 9.5, MAP2, Synapsin I, and GFAP. Results show that both conditioned media induced similar positive effects, as all tested markers were overexpressed, especially at day 7. Overall, an evident trend toward neuronal or glial differentiation was not clearly detectable in many cases. Nevertheless, a higher tendency toward a neuronal phenotype was recognized for OEC-CM (considering MAP2 increases). On the other hand, SC-CM would be responsible for a more marked glial induction (considering GFAP increases). These findings confirm that environmental features can induce ASCs toward a neural differentiation, either as neuronal or glial elements. Rather than supplementing the culture medium by adding chemical agents, a "more physiological" condition was obtained here by means of soluble factors (cytokines/growth factors) likely released by glial cells. This culture strategy may provide valuable information in the development of cell-based therapeutic approaches for pathologies affecting the central/peripheral nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Lo Furno
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuliana Mannino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Giuffrida
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria S Tarico
- Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario E Perrotta
- Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalia Pellitteri
- Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, Section of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Conte E, Fagone E, Gili E, Fruciano M, Iemmolo M, Pistorio MP, Impellizzeri D, Cordaro M, Cuzzocrea S, Vancheri C. Preventive and therapeutic effects of thymosin β4 N-terminal fragment Ac-SDKP in the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis. Oncotarget 2017; 7:33841-54. [PMID: 27029074 PMCID: PMC5085123 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis was utilized to investigate putative anti-fibrotic activity of Ac-SDKP in vivo. Male CD-1 mice received intra-tracheal bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg) instillation in the absence or presence of Ac-SDKP (a dose of 0.6 mg/kg delivered intra-peritoneally on the day of BLEO treatment, d0, followed by bi-weekly additional doses). To evaluate therapeutic effects in a subset of mice, Ac-SDKP was administered one week after BLEO instillation (d7). Animals were sacrificed at one, two, or three weeks later. Measurement of fluid and collagen content in the lung, Broncho Alveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) analysis, lung histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and molecular analysis were performed. Compared to BLEO-treated mice, animals that received also Ac-SDKP (at both d0 and d7) had significantly decreased mortality, weight loss, inflammation (edema, and leukocyte lung infiltration), lung damage (histological evidence of lung injury), and fibrosis (collagen histological staining and soluble collagen content in the lung) at up to 21 days. Moreover, IHC and quantitative RT-PCR results demonstrated a significant decrease in BLEO-induced IL-17 and TGF-β expression in lung tissue. Importantly, α-SMA expression, the hallmark of myofibroblast differentiation, was also decreased. This is the first report showing not only a preventive protective role of Ac-SDKP but also its significant therapeutic effects in the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis, thus supporting further preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Conte
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Evelina Fagone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Mary Fruciano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Iemmolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Marika Cordaro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
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Lo Furno D, Tamburino S, Mannino G, Gili E, Lombardo G, Tarico MS, Vancheri C, Giuffrida R, Perrotta RE. Nanofat 2.0: experimental evidence for a fat grafting rich in mesenchymal stem cells. Physiol Res 2017; 66:663-671. [PMID: 28406706 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Different strategies have been developed in the last decade to obtain fat grafts as rich as possible of mesenchymal stem cells, so exploiting their regenerative potential. Recently, a new kind of fat grafting, called "nanofat", has been obtained after several steps of fat emulsification and filtration. The final liquid suspension, virtually devoid of mature adipocytes, would improve tissue repair because of the presence of adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). However, since it is probable that many ASCs may be lost in the numerous phases of this procedure, we describe here a novel version of fat grafting, which we call "nanofat 2.0", likely richer in ASCs, obtained avoiding the final phases of the nanofat protocol. The viability, the density and proliferation rate of ASCs in nanofat 2.0 sample were compared with samples of nanofat and simple lipoaspirate. Although the density of ASCs was initially higher in lipoaspirate sample, the higher proliferation rate of cells in nanofat 2.0 virtually filled the gap within 8 days. By contrast, the density of ASCs in nanofat sample was the poorest at any time. Results show that nanofat 2.0 emulsion is considerably rich in stem cells, featuring a marked proliferation capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lo Furno
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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11
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Conte E, Iemmolo M, Fruciano M, Fagone E, Gili E, Genovese T, Esposito E, Cuzzocrea S, Vancheri C. Effects of thymosin β4 and its N-terminal fragment Ac-SDKP on TGF-β-treated human lung fibroblasts and in the mouse model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2015; 15 Suppl 1:S211-21. [PMID: 26098610 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2015.1026804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) and its amino-terminal fragment comprising N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) have been reported to act as anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic agents in vitro and in vivo. In recent papers, we have shown that Tβ4 exerts a widely protective role in mice treated with bleomycin, and in particular, we have demonstrated its inhibitory effects on both inflammation and early fibrosis. OBJECTIVES In this study, the putative anti-proliferative and anti-fibrogenic effects of Tβ4 and Ac-SDKP were evaluated in vitro. In addition, the effects of Tβ4 up to 21 days were evaluated in the bleomycin mouse model of lung fibrosis. METHODS We utilized both control and TGF-β-stimulated primary human lung fibroblasts isolated from both idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and control tissues. The in vivo effects of Tβ4 were assessed in CD1 mice treated with bleomycin. RESULTS In the in vitro experiments, we observed significant anti-proliferative effects of Ac-SDKP in IPF fibroblasts. In those cells, Ac-SDKP significantly inhibited TGF-β-induced α-SMA and collagen expression, hallmarks of fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts triggered by TGF-β. In vivo, despite its previously described protective role in mice treated with bleomycin at 7 days, Tβ4 failed to prevent fibrosis induced by the drug at 14 and 21 days. CONCLUSION We conclude that, compared to Tβ4, Ac-SDKP may have greater potential as an anti-fibrotic agent in the lung. Further in vivo experiments are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Conte
- University of Catania, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania , Italy +39 095 378 1254 ; +39 095 378 1427 ;
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12
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Conte E, Fagone E, Fruciano M, Gili E, Iemmolo M, Vancheri C. Anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects of resveratrol in the lung. Histol Histopathol 2014; 30:523-9. [PMID: 25515609 DOI: 10.14670/hh-30.523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic molecule with several biological activities, is a well recognized anti-oxidant, anti-aging and cancer chemopreventive agent. Moreover, resveratrol anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties have been demonstrated both in vitro and in different animal models of inflammatory pathologies, including bowel and liver diseases. We review the evidence of resveratrol protective role in respiratory diseases such as acute lung injury, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung fibrosis. We conclude that resveratrol and its derivatives may act as a therapeutic agents in respiratory diseases and pertinent clinical trials should be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Conte
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Italy.
| | - Evelina Fagone
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Mary Fruciano
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Iemmolo
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Italy
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Muccilli V, Saletti R, Cunsolo V, Ho J, Gili E, Conte E, Sichili S, Vancheri C, Foti S. Protein profile of exhaled breath condensate determined by high resolution mass spectrometry. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2014; 105:134-149. [PMID: 25555262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2014.11.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A method based on liquid chromatography/high resolution tandem mass spectrometry coupled with electrophoretic separation, for determination and relative quantification of the protein composition of exhaled breath condensate (EBC), was developed. Application of the procedure to a sample of EBC, pooled from nine healthy subjects, resulted in the identification of 167 unique gene products, 113 of which not previously reported in EBC samples. The abundance of the protein identified was estimated by means of the exponentially modified protein abundance index protocol (emPAI). Cytokeratins were by far the most abundant proteins in EBC samples. Many of the identified proteins were associated with multiple cellular location with cytoplasm constituting the largest group. Cytosol, nucleus, membrane, cytoskeleton and extracellular were other abundantly represented locations. No amylase was detected, suggesting the absence of saliva protein contamination. The profile obtained represents the most comprehensive protein characterization of EBC so far reported and demonstrates that this approach provides a powerful tool for investigating the protein profile of EBC samples. Compared with analogous investigations, this study also shows that the protein profile of EBC is strongly affected by the sampling method adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Muccilli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Rosaria Saletti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Cunsolo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Jenny Ho
- ThermoFisher Scientific, Stafford House, Boundary Way, Hemel Hempstead HP2 7GE, United Kingdom
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Enrico Conte
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Stefania Sichili
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Foti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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Conte E, Gili E, Fagone E, Fruciano M, Iemmolo M, Vancheri C. Effect of pirfenidone on proliferation, TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation and fibrogenic activity of primary human lung fibroblasts. Eur J Pharm Sci 2014; 58:13-9. [PMID: 24613900 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2014.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [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: 09/24/2013] [Revised: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Pirfenidone is an orally active small molecule that has been shown to inhibit the progression of fibrosis in animal models and in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Although pirfenidone exhibits well documented antifibrotic and antiinflammatory activities, in vitro and in vivo, its molecular targets and mechanisms of action have not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of pirfenidone on proliferation, TGF-β-induced differentiation and fibrogenic activity of primary human lung fibroblasts (HLFs). Pirfenidone reduced fibroblast proliferation and attenuated TGF-β-induced α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and pro-collagen (Col)-I mRNA and protein levels. Importantly, pirfenidone inhibited TGF-β-induced phosphorylation of Smad3, p38, and Akt, key factors in the TGF-β pathway. Together, these results demonstrate that pirfenidone modulates HLF proliferation and TGF-β-mediated differentiation into myofibroblasts by attenuating key TGF-β-induced signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Conte
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Biomedicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Biomedicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Evelina Fagone
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Biomedicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Mary Fruciano
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Biomedicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Iemmolo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Biomedicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Biomedicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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15
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Conte E, Iemmolo M, Fagone E, Gili E, Fruciano M, Genovese T, Esposito E, Cuzzocrea S, Vancheri C. Thymosin β4 reduces IL-17-producing cells and IL-17 expression, and protects lungs from damage in bleomycin-treated mice. Immunobiology 2014; 219:425-31. [PMID: 24613476 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2014.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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: 10/02/2013] [Revised: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a highly conserved peptide with immunomodulatory properties. In this research we investigated the effects of Tβ4 on the bleomycin-induced lung damage in CD-1 mice and the changes in the number of IL-17-producing cells as well as the IL-17 expression in the lung. Male CD-1 mice were treated with bleomycin (1mg/kg) in the absence or the presence of Tβ4 (6mg/kg delivered intra-peritoneally on the day of bleomycin treatment and for 2 additional doses). After sacrifice one week later, lung histology, measurement of collagen content of the lung, Broncho Alveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) analysis, evaluation of IL17-producing cells in the blood as well as RT-PCR and IHC in the lung tissue were performed. As expected, bleomycin-induced inflammation and lung damage were substantially reduced by Tβ4 treatment in CD-1 mice, as shown by the significant reduction of (i) leukocytes in BALF, (ii) histological evidence of the lung damage, and (iii) total collagen content in the lung. Importantly, the bleomycin-induced increase in the number of IL17-producing cells in the blood was significantly blocked by Tβ4. Accordingly, IHC and RT-PCR results demonstrated that Tβ4 substantially inhibited bleomycin-induced IL-17 over-expression in the lung tissue. This is the first report showing that a decreased amount of IL17-producing cells and inhibited IL-17 expression in the lung with Tβ4 treatment correlate with its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Conte
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Italy.
| | - Maria Iemmolo
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Evelina Fagone
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Mary Fruciano
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Tiziana Genovese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Italy
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Lo Furno D, Pellitteri R, Graziano ACE, Giuffrida R, Vancheri C, Gili E, Cardile V. Differentiation of human adipose stem cells into neural phenotype by neuroblastoma- or olfactory ensheathing cells-conditioned medium. J Cell Physiol 2013; 228:2109-18. [PMID: 23589068 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 04/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are known to be capable of continuous neurogenesis throughout lifetime and are a source of multiple trophic factors important in central nervous system regeneration. B104 neuroblastoma cells are recognized to induce differentiation of neural stem cells into oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify if conditioned medium (CM) obtained from OECs or B104 cells was capable of inducing differentiation of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) to a neuronal phenotype. In order to this goal, immunocytochemical procedures and flow cytometry analysis were used and some neural markers, as nestin, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neuron cell surface antigen (A2B5) were examined 24 h and 7 days after the treatment. The results showed that both OECs- or B104-CM treated AT-MSCs express markers of progenitor and mature neurons (nestin, PGP 9.5 and MAP2) in time-dependent manner, display morphological features resembling neuronal cells, and result negative for GFAP and A2B5, astrocyte and oligodendrocyte markers, respectively. This study demonstrated that AT-MSCs can be influenced by the environment, indicating that these cells can respond to environmental cues also versus a neuronal phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Lo Furno
- Department of Bio-medical Sciences, Section Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Conte E, Gili E, Fruciano M, Fagone E, Vancheri C. Human lung fibroblasts increase CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells in co-cultured CD4(+) lymphocytes. Cell Immunol 2013; 285:55-61. [PMID: 24076465 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2013.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Revised: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Aim of this study was to evaluate functional modifications induced by human lung fibroblasts in co-cultured CD4(+) T lymphocytes. CD4(+) T cells, resting or stimulated with ionomycin/PMA for 6h, were co-cultured with fibroblasts isolated from pulmonary biopsies, in contact or separated by a semi-permeable membrane. The expression of CD25, CTLA-4, TGF-β, IFNγ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and Foxp3 was evaluated by flow cytometric analysis. Fibroblasts induced a significant increment in CD25(+) cells in co-cultured activated CD4(+) T lymphocytes separated by a membrane. Moreover, fibroblasts treatment with a COX2 inhibitor abrogated the increment in CD25(+) cells whereas exogenous PGE2 restored it. The CD25(+) subpopulation was characterized by increased presence of Fox-P3, CTLA-4, IL-10 and TGF-β positive cells while IFN-γ and IL-2 positive cells were diminished. Proliferative response of CD4(+) to the anti CD3/CD28-Abs was abrogated in CD4(+) co-cultured with fibroblasts thus demonstrating a suppressive feature of the expanded CD25(+) subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Conte
- Department of Clinical and MolecularBiomedicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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18
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Conte E, Genovese T, Gili E, Esposito E, Iemmolo M, Fruciano M, Fagone E, Pistorio MP, Crimi N, Cuzzocrea S, Vancheri C. Thymosin β4 protects C57BL/6 mice from bleomycin-induced damage in the lung. Eur J Clin Invest 2013; 43:309-15. [PMID: 23320620 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) was recently found at high concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of scleroderma patients with lung involvement. It has been hypothesized that Tβ4 may exert a cyto-protective effect during lung injury because lower Tβ4 levels were associated with interstitial lung disease progression. Moreover, Tβ4 treatment prevented profibrotic gene expression in cardiac cells in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, we explored a putative Tβ4 protective role in lung damage by utilizing a well-known in vivo model of lung fibrosis. C57BL/6 mice were treated with bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg) in the absence or presence of Tβ4 (6 mg/kg delivered intraperitoneally on the day of BLEO treatment and for two additional doses). After sacrifice 1 week later, measurement of fluid and collagen content in the lung, BALF analysis, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity assay, lung histology and IHC were performed. RESULTS Compared with BLEO-treated mice, BLEO-treated mice who received Tβ4 did not lose as much weight and had a higher survival rate. Moreover, BLEO-induced inflammation and lung damage were substantially reduced by Tβ4 treatment, as demonstrated by the significant reduction in oedema, total collagen content, lung infiltration by leucocytes, MPO activity in lung homogenates, and histological evidence of the ongoing lung fibrosis. Results of IHC show a strong reactivity for Tβ4 in the lung tissue of Tβ4-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report that shows a Tβ4 protective role in lung toxicity associated with BLEO in a mouse model. Future studies are needed to assess its putative antifibrotic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Conte
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Conte E, Genovese T, Gili E, Esposito E, Iemmolo M, Fruciano M, Fagone E, Pistorio MP, Crimi N, Cuzzocrea S, Vancheri C. Protective effects of thymosin β4 in a mouse model of lung fibrosis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2012; 1269:69-73. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06694.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Conte E, Fruciano M, Fagone E, Gili E, Caraci F, Iemmolo M, Crimi N, Vancheri C. Inhibition of PI3K prevents the proliferation and differentiation of human lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts: the role of class I P110 isoforms. PLoS One 2011; 6:e24663. [PMID: 21984893 PMCID: PMC3184941 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2011] [Accepted: 08/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibroproliferative disease characterized by an accumulation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in the alveolar wall. Even though the pathogenesis of this fatal disorder remains unclear, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced differentiation and proliferation of myofibroblasts is recognized as a primary event. The molecular pathways involved in TGF-β signalling are generally Smad-dependent yet Smad-independent pathways, including phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), have been recently proposed. In this research we established ex-vivo cultures of human lung fibroblasts and we investigated the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway in two critical stages of the fibrotic process induced by TGF-β: fibroblast proliferation and differentiation into myofibroblasts. Here we show that the pan-inhibitor of PI3Ks LY294002 is able to abrogate the TGF-β-induced increase in cell proliferation, in α- smooth muscle actin expression and in collagen production besides inhibiting Akt phosphorylation, thus demonstrating the centrality of the PI3K/Akt pathway in lung fibroblast proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, for the first time we show that PI3K p110δ and p110γ are functionally expressed in human lung fibroblasts, in addition to the ubiquitously expressed p110α and β. Finally, results obtained with both selective inhibitors and gene knocking-down experiments demonstrate a major role of p110γ and p110α in both TGF-β-induced fibroblast proliferation and differentiation. This finding suggests that specific PI3K isoforms can be pharmacological targets in IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Conte
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Fagone E, Conte E, Gili E, Fruciano M, Pistorio MP, Lo Furno D, Giuffrida R, Crimi N, Vancheri C. Resveratrol inhibits transforming growth factor-β-induced proliferation and differentiation of ex vivo human lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts through ERK/Akt inhibition and PTEN restoration. Exp Lung Res 2011; 37:162-74. [PMID: 21269063 DOI: 10.3109/01902148.2010.524722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The authors investigated the role of resveratrol (RV), a natural poliphenolic molecule with several biological activities, in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced proliferation and differentiation of ex vivo human pulmonary fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. The effects of RV treatment were evaluated by analyzing TGF-β-induced α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and collagen production, as well as cell proliferation of both normal and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) lung fibroblasts. Results demonstrate that RV inhibits TGF-β-induced cell proliferation of both normal and pathological lung fibroblasts, attenuates α-SMA expression at both the mRNA and protein levels, and also inhibits intracellular collagen deposition. In order to understand the molecular mechanisms, the authors also investigated the effects of RV treatment on signaling pathways involved in TGF-β-induced fibrosis. The authors show that RV inhibited TGF-β-induced phosphorylation of both extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) and the serine/threonine kinase, Akt. Moreover, RV treatment blocked the TGF-β-induced decrease in phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Fagone
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Failla M, Genovese T, Mazzon E, Fruciano M, Fagone E, Gili E, Barera A, La Rosa C, Conte E, Crimi N, Cuzzocrea S, Vancheri C. 16,16-Dimethyl prostaglandin E2 efficacy on prevention and protection from bleomycin-induced lung injury and fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2008; 41:50-8. [PMID: 19059888 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2007-0438oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the protective effect and therapeutic potential of the prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) synthetic analog 16,16-dimethyl-PGE(2) (dmPGE(2)) in the animal model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin. Mice subjected to intratracheal administration of bleomycin (1 mg/kg) received a dmPGE(2) dose of 30 microg/kg/day by continuous subcutaneous infusion. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); immunohistochemical analysis for IL-1, TNF-alpha, and nitrotyrosine; measurement of fluid content in lung; myeloperoxidase activity assay; and lung histology were performed 1 week later. Lung histology and Sircol assay for collagen deposition were performed 3 weeks after treatments. Changes of body weight and survival rate were also evaluated at 1 and 3 weeks. Compared with bleomycin-treated mice, dmPGE(2) co-treated mice exhibited a reduced degree of body weight loss and mortality rate as well as of lung damage and inflammation, as shown by the significant reduction of: (1) lung infiltration by leukocytes; (2) myeloperoxidase activity; (3) IL-1, TNF-alpha, and nitrotyrosine immunostaining; (4) lung edema; and (5) histologic evidence of lung injury and collagen deposition. In a separate set of experiments, dmPGE(2) treatment was started 3 days after bleomycin administration, and the evaluation of lung damage and inflammation was assessed 4 days later. Importantly, delayed administration of dmPGE(2) also was able to protect from inflammation and lung injury induced by bleomycin. These results, indicating that dmPGE(2) is able to prevent and to reduce bleomycin-induced lung injury through its regulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, encourage further research to find new options for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Failla
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistic Medicine, Respiratory Diseases Section, University of Catania, Via Passo Gravina, Catania, Italy
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Lupo G, Anfuso CD, Ragusa N, Tirolo C, Marchetti B, Gili E, La Rosa C, Vancheri C. Activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 and 15-lipoxygenase by oxidized low-density lipoproteins in cultured human lung fibroblasts. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2007; 1771:522-32. [PMID: 17344094 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2007.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2006] [Revised: 12/22/2006] [Accepted: 01/22/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In cell cultures of human lung fibroblasts, we found that oxidized LDL (oxLDL), after 24-h treatment, stimulated arachidonic acid release. A putative role for phospholipases A(2) and MAPK activities in this process was postulated. Consequently, we studied the contribution of either Ca(2+)-dependent, cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) or Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)), and the role of the MAP kinase family in oxLDL toxicity to fibroblastic cells in vitro. Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases ERK1/2, p38 and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) was also assessed with Western blotting. Compared with cellular samples untreated or treated with native LDL, treatment with oxLDL (50-100 microM hydroperoxides) for 24 h significantly increased the levels of either cPLA(2) protein expression or constitutively phosphorylated cPLA(2) protein; in addition we observed enzyme translocation to membranes. iPLA(2) activity was not stimulated by oxLDL. Arachidonic acid release appeared to be associated with phosphorylation of ERK1/2 which was significantly enhanced in a dose-dependent manner whereas no activation of p38 and JNKs was found, indicating that these MAPKs are not involved in mediating the maximal oxLDL response. Western blotting on subcellular fractions and confocal microscopy analyses confirmed an increase in 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) protein expression and translocation upon activation. A significant increase of cyclooxygenase-2 expression into membrane fraction was also found. Collectively, the data presented link the stimulation of ERK-cPLA(2)-15-LO pathway by oxLDL to the prooxidant mechanism of the lipoprotein complex. It may initially stimulate the fibroblast reaction against the oxidation challenge as well as metabolic repair, such as during lung inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, Catania, Italy.
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Failla M, Genovese T, Mazzon E, Gili E, Muià C, Sortino M, Crimi N, Caputi AP, Cuzzocrea S, Vancheri C. Pharmacological inhibition of leukotrienes in an animal model of bleomycin-induced acute lung injury. Respir Res 2006; 7:137. [PMID: 17118201 PMCID: PMC1676006 DOI: 10.1186/1465-9921-7-137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2006] [Accepted: 11/21/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukotrienes are increased locally in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, a role for these arachidonic acid metabolites has been thoroughly characterized in the animal bleomycin model of lung fibrosis by using different gene knock-out settings. We investigated the efficacy of pharmacological inhibition of leukotrienes activity in the development of bleomycin-induced lung injury by comparing the responses in wild-type mice with mice treated with zileuton, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor and MK-571, a cys-leukotrienes receptor antagonist. Mice were subjected to intra-tracheal administration of bleomycin or saline and were assigned to receive either MK-571 at 1 mg/Kg or zileuton at 50 mg/Kg daily. One week after bleomycin administration, BAL cell counts, lung histology with van Gieson for collagen staining and immunohistochemical analysis for myeloperoxidase, IL-1 and TNF-α were performed. Following bleomycin administration both MK-571 and zileuton treated mice exhibited a reduced degree of lung damage and inflammation when compared to WT mice as shown by the reduction of:(i) loss of body weight, (ii) mortality rate, (iii) lung infiltration by neutrophils (myeloperoxidase activity, BAL total and differential cell counts), (iv) lung edema, (v) histological evidence of lung injury and collagen deposition, (vi) lung myeloperoxidase, IL-1 and TNF-α staining. This is the first study showing that the pharmacological inhibition of leukotrienes activity attenuates bleomycin-induced lung injury in mice. Given our results as well as those coming from genetic studies, it might be considered meaningful to trial this drug class in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that still represents a major challenge to medical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Failla
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Tiziana Genovese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Centro per lo Studio e il Trattamento dei Neurolesi Lungodegenti, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Centro per lo Studio e il Trattamento dei Neurolesi Lungodegenti, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmelo Muià
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Centro per lo Studio e il Trattamento dei Neurolesi Lungodegenti, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Mariangela Sortino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, Catania, Italy
| | - Nunzio Crimi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Achille P Caputi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Centro per lo Studio e il Trattamento dei Neurolesi Lungodegenti, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Centro per lo Studio e il Trattamento dei Neurolesi Lungodegenti, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Trovato-Salinaro A, Trovato-Salinaro E, Failla M, Mastruzzo C, Tomaselli V, Gili E, Crimi N, Condorelli DF, Vancheri C. Altered intercellular communication in lung fibroblast cultures from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Respir Res 2006; 7:122. [PMID: 17005044 PMCID: PMC1594576 DOI: 10.1186/1465-9921-7-122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2006] [Accepted: 09/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale Gap junctions are membrane channels formed by an array of connexins which links adjacent cells realizing an electro- metabolic synapse. Connexin-mediated communication is crucial in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and development. The activation and proliferation of phenotypically altered fibroblasts are central events in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. We sought to evaluate the role of connexin-43, the most abundant gap-junction subunit in the human lung, in the pathogenesis of this condition. Methods We investigated the transcription and protein expression of connexin-43 and the gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in 5 primary lung fibroblast lines derived from normal subjects (NF) and from 3 histologically proven IPF patients (FF). Results Here we show that connexin-43 mRNA was significantly reduced in FF as demonstrated by standard and quantitative RT-PCR. GJIC was functionally evaluated by means of flow-cytometry. In order to demonstrate that dye spreading was taking place through gap junctions, we used carbenoxolone as a pharmacological gap-junction blocker. Carbenoxolone specifically blocked GJIC in our system in a concentration dependent manner. FF showed a significantly reduced homologous GJIC compared to NF. Similarly, GJIC was significantly impaired in FF when a heterologous NF line was used as dye donor, suggesting a complete defect in GJIC of FF. Conclusion These results suggest a novel alteration in primary lung fibroblasts from IPF patients. The reduced Cx43 expression and the associated alteration in cell-to-cell communication may justify some of the known pathological characteristic of this devastating disease that still represents a challenge to the medical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Trovato-Salinaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Elisa Trovato-Salinaro
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marco Failla
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Mastruzzo
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Valerio Tomaselli
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Nunzio Crimi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniele Filippo Condorelli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Failla M, Biondi G, Provvidenza Pistorio M, Gili E, Mastruzzo C, Vancheri C, Crimi N. Intranasal steroid reduces exhaled bronchial cysteinyl leukotrienes in allergic patients. Clin Exp Allergy 2006; 36:325-30. [PMID: 16499643 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2006.02449.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergic rhinitis (AR) precedes and is often associated with bronchial asthma. Indeed, local and systemic inflammations in both conditions are very similar. Cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are generated during early- and late-phase allergic reactions and induce smooth-muscle contraction, microvascular leakage, and mucous hypersecretion. Cys-LTs are detected in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of asthmatics and regardless of bronchial symptoms, they are also found in EBC of rhinitic patients. OBJECTIVE To evaluate cys-LTs in EBC of allergic patients and to assess the activity of nasal fluticasone propionate (FP) on EBC cys-LTs levels. METHODS Cys-LTs coefficient of variation (CV) was evaluated from different EBC in 5 healthy volunteers. Cys-LTs levels from EBCs in 13 healthy controls and 56 allergic rhinitic (n=31) and rhinitic/asthmatic (n=25) patients were also evaluated at baseline. Subsequently patients were randomized to receive either FP 100 microg/day per nostril or placebo for 2 weeks and then re-evaluated for EBC cys-LTs. RESULTS The CV was 14.12%. EBC cys-LTs in allergic patients were significantly higher than in healthy subjects (70.9 vs. 20.6 pg/mL (median), P<0.05), while it did not differ between asthmatic/rhinitic and purely rhinitic patients. Treatment significantly reduced cys-LTs (from 93.6 to 19.9 pg/mL, P<0.001). This effect was evident both in asthmatic/rhinitic and in rhinitic patients. CONCLUSION Treatment of AR with FP significantly reduces the levels of cys-LTs, major noninvasive markers of lower airway inflammation, suggesting that upper and lower airway inflammation is present and should be thus treated as a whole in subjects with AR with and without asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Failla
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Failla M, Cuzzocrea S, Genovese T, Gili E, La Rosa C, Mazzon E, Crimi N, Vancheri C. Pharmacological Inhibition of Leukotrienes in an Animal Model of Bleomycin-Induced Lung Fibrosis: Role of the Cysteinyl and B4 Leukotrienes. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Vancheri C, Gili E, Failla M, Mastruzzo C, Salinaro ET, Lofurno D, Pistorio MP, La Rosa C, Caruso M, Crimi N. Bradykinin differentiates human lung fibroblasts to a myofibroblast phenotype via the B2 receptor. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2005; 116:1242-8. [PMID: 16337452 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2005.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2005] [Revised: 09/08/2005] [Accepted: 09/12/2005] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The identification of factors mediating the transition of lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts is considered fundamental in the comprehension of abnormal reparative processes. Bradykinin, a mediator known for its proinflammatory action, is able to induce cytokine production and contractility in fibroblast cultures. OBJECTIVES In this study the ability of bradykinin to drive fibroblast into a myofibroblast phenotype at the cellular and molecular level was evaluated. METHODS alpha-Smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression and TGF-beta in bradykinin stimulated fibroblasts were tested by means of flow cytometry, Western blot, and RT-PCR. Cell proliferation and collagen production were evaluated by the colorimetric methylthiazol tetrazolium assay and sirius red assay, respectively. Which bradykinin receptor mediates the expression of alpha-SMA was evaluated using selective B1 and B2 blocking agents. Furthermore, the effect of bradykinin on extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation was explored. RESULTS Bradykinin caused in lung fibroblasts a significant increase in alpha-SMA at the cellular and molecular level. The B2 receptor was held responsible for this effect because a specific receptor antagonist had entirely blocked this effect. Bradykinin was able to induce fibroblast proliferation and collagen production. Bradykinin significantly activated mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by phosphorylating extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, whereas PD98059, a specific inhibitor, was able to block myofibroblast induction. Although bradykinin induced an increase of TGF-beta on fibroblasts, the blockage of this cytokine did not alter alpha-SMA expression. CONCLUSION The data support the hypothesis that bradykinin may be involved in bronchial remodeling and lung fibrosis beyond its well recognized proinflammatory activity, also suggesting a new potential therapeutic strategy to control altered reparatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases, University of Catania, Italy
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Vancheri C, Mastruzzo C, Trovato-Salinaro E, Gili E, Lo Furno D, Pistorio MP, Caruso M, La Rosa C, Crimi C, Failla M, Crimi N. Interaction between human lung fibroblasts and T-lymphocytes prevents activation of CD4+ cells. Respir Res 2005; 6:103. [PMID: 16159396 PMCID: PMC1243241 DOI: 10.1186/1465-9921-6-103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2005] [Accepted: 09/13/2005] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background T lymphocytes are demonstrated to play an important role in several chronic pulmonary inflammatory diseases. In this study we provide evidence that human lung fibroblasts are capable of mutually interacting with T-lymphocytes leading to functionally significant responses by T-cells and fibroblasts. Methods Human lung fibroblast were co-cultured with PMA-ionomycin activated T-CD4 lymphocytes for 36 hours. Surface as well as intracellular proteins expression, relevant to fibroblasts and lymphocytes activation, were evaluated by means of flow cytometry and RT-PCR. Proliferative responses of T lymphocytes to concanavalin A were evaluated by the MTT assay. Results In lung fibroblasts, activated lymphocytes promote an increase of expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and ICAM-1, expressed as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), from 5.4 ± 0.9 and 0.7 ± 0.15 to 9.1 ± 1.5 and 38.6 ± 7.8, respectively. Fibroblasts, in turn, induce a significant reduction of transcription and protein expression of CD69, LFA-1 and CD28 in activated lymphocytes and CD3 in resting lymphocytes. In activated T lymphocytes, LFA-1, CD28 and CD69 expression was 16.6 ± 0.7, 18.9 ± 1.9 and 6.6 ± 1.3, respectively, and was significantly reduced by fibroblasts to 9.4 ± 0.7, 9.4 ± 1.4 and 3.5 ± 1.0. CD3 expression in resting lymphocytes was 11.9 ± 1.4 and was significantly reduced by fibroblasts to 6.4 ± 1.1. Intracellular cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-10, were evaluated in T lymphocytes. Co-incubation with fibroblasts reduced the number of TNF-alpha positive lymphocytes from 54,4% ± 6.12 to 30.8 ± 2.8, while IL-10 positive cells were unaffected. Finally, co-culture with fibroblasts significantly reduced Con A proliferative response of T lymphocytes, measured as MTT absorbance, from 0.24 ± 0.02 nm to 0.16 ± 0.02 nm. Interestingly, while the activation of fibroblasts is mediated by a soluble factor, a cognate interaction ICAM-1 mediated was demonstrated to be responsible for the modulation of LFA-1, CD28 and CD69. Conclusion Findings from this study suggest that fibroblasts play a role in the local regulation of the immune response, being able to modulate effector functions of cells recruited into sites of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - Claudio Mastruzzo
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - Elisa Trovato-Salinaro
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - Debora Lo Furno
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - Maria P Pistorio
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - Massimo Caruso
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - Cristina La Rosa
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - Claudia Crimi
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - Marco Failla
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - Nunzio Crimi
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
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Genovese T, Cuzzocrea S, Di Paola R, Failla M, Mazzon E, Sortino MA, Frasca G, Gili E, Crimi N, Caputi AP, Vancheri C. Inhibition or knock out of inducible nitric oxide synthase result in resistance to bleomycin-induced lung injury. Respir Res 2005; 6:58. [PMID: 15955252 PMCID: PMC1177992 DOI: 10.1186/1465-9921-6-58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2005] [Accepted: 06/14/2005] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the present study, by comparing the responses in wild-type mice (WT) and mice lacking (KO) the inducible (or type 2) nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), we investigated the role played by iNOS in the development of on the lung injury caused by bleomycin administration. When compared to bleomycin-treated iNOSWT mice, iNOSKO mice, which had received bleomycin, exhibited a reduced degree of the (i) lost of body weight, (ii) mortality rate, (iii) infiltration of the lung with polymorphonuclear neutrophils (MPO activity), (iv) edema formation, (v) histological evidence of lung injury, (vi) lung collagen deposition and (vii) lung Transforming Growth Factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) expression. METHODS Mice subjected to intratracheal administration of bleomycin developed a significant lung injury. Immunohistochemical analysis for nitrotyrosine revealed a positive staining in lungs from bleomycin-treated iNOSWT mice. RESULTS The intensity and degree of nitrotyrosine staining was markedly reduced in tissue section from bleomycin-iNOSKO mice. Treatment of iNOSWT mice with of GW274150, a novel, potent and selective inhibitor of iNOS activity (5 mg/kg i.p.) also significantly attenuated all of the above indicators of lung damage and inflammation. CONCLUSION Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that iNOS plays an important role in the lung injury induced by bleomycin in the mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Genovese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, Torre Biologica, Policlinico Universitario, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, Torre Biologica, Policlinico Universitario, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, Torre Biologica, Policlinico Universitario, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Marco Failla
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, Torre Biologica, Policlinico Universitario, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Angela Sortino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Frasca
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Nunzio Crimi
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Achille P Caputi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, Torre Biologica, Policlinico Universitario, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Section of Respiratory Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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