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De Gaetano GV, Lentini G, Coppolino F, Famà A, Pietrocola G, Beninati C. Engagement of α 3β 1 and α 2β 1 integrins by hypervirulent Streptococcus agalactiae in invasion of polarized enterocytes. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1367898. [PMID: 38511003 PMCID: PMC10951081 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1367898] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The gut represents an important site of colonization of the commensal bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus or GBS), which can also behave as a deadly pathogen in neonates and adults. Invasion of the intestinal epithelial barrier is likely a crucial step in the pathogenesis of neonatal infections caused by GBS belonging to clonal complex 17 (CC17). We have previously shown that the prototypical CC17 BM110 strain invades polarized enterocyte-like cells through their lateral surfaces using an endocytic pathway. By analyzing the cellular distribution of putative GBS receptors in human enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells, we find here that the alpha 3 (α3) and alpha 2 (α2) integrin subunits are selectively expressed on lateral enterocyte surfaces at equatorial and parabasal levels along the vertical axis of polarized cells, in an area corresponding to GBS entry sites. The α3β1 and α2β1 integrins were not readily accessible in fully differentiated Caco-2 monolayers but could be exposed to specific antibodies after weakening of intercellular junctions in calcium-free media. Under these conditions, anti-α3β1 and anti-α2β1 antibodies significantly reduced GBS adhesion to and invasion of enterocytes. After endocytosis, α3β1 and α2β1 integrins localized to areas of actin remodeling around GBS containing vacuoles. Taken together, these data indicate that GBS can invade enterocytes by binding to α3β1 and α2β1 integrins on the lateral membrane of polarized enterocytes, resulting in cytoskeletal remodeling and bacterial internalization. Blocking integrins might represent a viable strategy to prevent GBS invasion of gut epithelial tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Germana Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Coppolino
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Agata Famà
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giampiero Pietrocola
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Biochemistry Section, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Scylla Biotech Srl, Messina, Italy
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2
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Lentini G, Famà A, De Gaetano GV, Coppolino F, Mahjoub AK, Ryan L, Lien E, Espevik T, Beninati C, Teti G. Caspase-8 inhibition improves the outcome of bacterial infections in mice by promoting neutrophil activation. Cell Rep Med 2023:101098. [PMID: 37390829 PMCID: PMC10394171 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
During differentiation, neutrophils undergo a spontaneous pro-inflammatory program that is hypothesized here to be under caspase-8 control. In mice, intraperitoneal administration of the caspase-8 inhibitor z-IETD-fmk is sufficient to unleash the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neutrophil influx in the absence of cell death. These effects are due to selective inhibition of caspase-8 and require tonic interferon-β (IFN-β) production and RIPK3 but not MLKL, the essential downstream executioner of necroptotic cell death. In vitro, stimulation with z-IETD-fmk is sufficient to induce significant cytokine production in murine neutrophils but not in macrophages. Therapeutic administration of z-IETD-fmk improves clinical outcome in models of lethal bacterial peritonitis and pneumonia by augmenting cytokine release, neutrophil influx, and bacterial clearance. Moreover, the inhibitor protects mice against high-dose endotoxin shock. Collectively, our data unveil a RIPK3- and IFN-β-dependent pathway that is constitutively activated in neutrophils and can be harnessed therapeutically using caspase-8 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Agata Famà
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Coppolino
- Department of Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Liv Ryan
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Egil Lien
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Terje Espevik
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; Scylla Biotech Srl, Messina, Italy
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3
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De Gaetano GV, Lentini G, Famà A, Coppolino F, Beninati C. Antimicrobial Resistance: Two-Component Regulatory Systems and Multidrug Efflux Pumps. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:965. [PMID: 37370284 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12060965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of multidrug-resistant bacteria is rapidly spreading worldwide. Among the various mechanisms determining resistance to antimicrobial agents, multidrug efflux pumps play a noteworthy role because they export extraneous and noxious substrates from the inside to the outside environment of the bacterial cell contributing to multidrug resistance (MDR) and, consequently, to the failure of anti-infective therapies. The expression of multidrug efflux pumps can be under the control of transcriptional regulators and two-component systems (TCS). TCS are a major mechanism by which microorganisms sense and reply to external and/or intramembrane stimuli by coordinating the expression of genes involved not only in pathogenic pathways but also in antibiotic resistance. In this review, we describe the influence of TCS on multidrug efflux pump expression and activity in some Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Taking into account the strict correlation between TCS and multidrug efflux pumps, the development of drugs targeting TCS, alone or together with already discovered efflux pump inhibitors, may represent a beneficial strategy to contribute to the fight against growing antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Germana Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Agata Famà
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Coppolino
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
- Scylla Biotech Srl, 98124 Messina, Italy
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4
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Formosa V, Lorusso G, Lentini G, Terracciano E, Gentili S, Liotta G. Multidimensional Short Tools to assess frailty: a narrative review. Ann Ig 2023; 35:21-33. [PMID: 35302158 DOI: 10.7416/ai.2022.2516] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The population of the European Union is progressively ageing, therefore frailty is becoming a crucial public health issue. In recent years there is a growing interest in a multidimensional concept of frailty, that is not only physical but also psychological and social, in line with a person-centered care. STUDY DESIGN To measure frailty represents a fundamental step to evaluate the needs for care at both population and individual levels. Of course, to assess frailty in a large population is essential to find short and quick tools able to give reliable results in terms of risk of occurrence of negative events, to stratify older adults according to their frailty level. In this way the most appropriate strategies can be chosen and applied, to delay the functional decline associated to frailty and its consequences, such as hospitalization, institutionalization, low quality of life, and death. METHODS In this review we searched on PubMed for articles about scales assessing frailty with peculiar characteristics: published for the first time in 2010, available in English, with a short length and duration of administration, composed by multidimensional domains. RESULTS Seven scales were found and analyzed: The Zulfiqar Frailty Scale (ZFS), The Pictorial Fit-Frail Scale (PFFS), The Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), The SUNFRAIL Tool, The (fr)AGILE, The Risk Instrument for Screening in the Community (RISC) and The Short Functional Geriatric Evaluation (SFGE). We compared their main features as the number of questions, the time for administration, the domains used and the psychometric properties as validity and reliability, with the aim of providing a set of useful information to health professionals in their everyday work. CONCLUSIONS The use of these tools provides important information to help plan community health and social care and meet individuals' needs for care, but this approach is not common for community care in the EU yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Formosa
- School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - G Lorusso
- School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - G Lentini
- School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - E Terracciano
- School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - S Gentili
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - G Liotta
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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5
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Formosa V, Lorusso G, Lentini G, Terracciano E, Gentili S, Liotta G. In response to the Letter to the Editor by Dr AA. Zulfiqar re our publication "Multidimensional Short Tools to Assess Frailty: a Narrative Review" (Ann Ig. 2022 Mar 18. doi: 10.7416/ai.2022.2516. Online ahead of print). Ann Ig 2022; 34:428-429. [PMID: 35700033 DOI: 10.7416/ai.2022.2527] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We appreciate that Dr. Zulfiqar showed us that they had already demonstrated the validity and reliability of his ZFS scale. Still, it is evident that, in our paper, we could not take it for granted because all the articles they quote have been published after we handed out ours to the Managing Editor of Ann Ig.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Formosa
- Postgraduate School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy
| | - G Lorusso
- Postgraduate School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy
| | - G Lentini
- Postgraduate School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy
| | - E Terracciano
- Postgraduate School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy
| | - S Gentili
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy
| | - G Liotta
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy
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Pellegrini A, Lentini G, Famà A, Bonacorsi A, Scoffone VC, Buroni S, Trespidi G, Postiglione U, Sassera D, Manai F, Pietrocola G, Firon A, Biondo C, Teti G, Beninati C, Barbieri G. CodY Is a Global Transcriptional Regulator Required for Virulence in Group B Streptococcus. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:881549. [PMID: 35572655 PMCID: PMC9096947 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.881549] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a Gram-positive bacterium able to switch from a harmless commensal of healthy adults to a pathogen responsible for invasive infections in neonates. The signals and regulatory mechanisms governing this transition are still largely unknown. CodY is a highly conserved global transcriptional regulator that links nutrient availability to the regulation of major metabolic and virulence pathways in low-G+C Gram-positive bacteria. In this work, we investigated the role of CodY in BM110, a GBS strain representative of a hypervirulent lineage associated with the majority of neonatal meningitis. Deletion of codY resulted in a reduced ability of the mutant strain to cause infections in neonatal and adult animal models. The observed decreased in vivo lethality was associated with an impaired ability of the mutant to persist in the blood, spread to distant organs, and cross the blood-brain barrier. Notably, the codY null mutant showed reduced adhesion to monolayers of human epithelial cells in vitro and an increased ability to form biofilms, a phenotype associated with strains able to asymptomatically colonize the host. RNA-seq analysis showed that CodY controls about 13% of the genome of GBS, acting mainly as a repressor of genes involved in amino acid transport and metabolism and encoding surface anchored proteins, including the virulence factor Srr2. CodY activity was shown to be dependent on the availability of branched-chain amino acids, which are the universal cofactors of this regulator. These results highlight a key role for CodY in the control of GBS virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Pellegrini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani," University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Germana Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology and Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Agata Famà
- Department of Human Pathology and Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Bonacorsi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani," University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Viola Camilla Scoffone
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani," University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Buroni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani," University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gabriele Trespidi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani," University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Umberto Postiglione
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani," University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Davide Sassera
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani," University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Federico Manai
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani," University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Arnaud Firon
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR 6047, Unité Biologie des Bactéries Pathogènes à Gram-positif, Paris, France
| | - Carmelo Biondo
- Department of Human Pathology and Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human Pathology and Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giulia Barbieri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani," University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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7
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De Gaetano GV, Coppolino F, Lentini G, Famà A, Cullotta C, Raffaele I, Motta C, Teti G, Speziale P, Pietrocola G, Beninati C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
binds collagens and C1q
via
the SSURE repeats of the PfbB adhesin. Mol Microbiol 2022; 117:1479-1492. [PMID: 35570359 PMCID: PMC9328315 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14920] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The binding of Streptococcus pneumoniae to collagen is likely an important step in the pathogenesis of pneumococcal infections, but little is known of the underlying molecular mechanisms. Streptococcal surface repeats (SSURE) are highly conserved protein domains present in cell wall adhesins from different Streptococcus species. We find here that SSURE repeats of the pneumococcal adhesin plasminogen and fibronectin binding protein B (PfbB) bind to various types of collagen. Moreover, deletion of the pfbB gene resulted in a significant impairment of the ability of encapsulated or unencapsulated pneumococci to bind collagen. Notably, a PfbB SSURE domain is also bound to the complement component C1q that bears a collagen‐like domain and promotes adherence of pneumococci to host cells by acting as a bridge between bacteria and epithelial cells. Accordingly, deletion of PfbB or pre‐treatment with anti‐SSURE antibodies markedly decreased pneumococcal binding to C1q as well as C1q‐dependent adherence to epithelial and endothelial cells. Further data indicated that C1q promotes pneumococcal adherence by binding to integrin α2β1. In conclusion, our results indicate that the SSURE domains of the PfbB protein promote interactions of pneumococci with various types of collagen and with C1q. These repeats may be useful targets in strategies to control S. pneumoniae infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesco Coppolino
- Department of BiomedicalDental and Imaging SciencesUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Germana Lentini
- Department of Human PathologyUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Agata Famà
- Department of Human PathologyUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Chiara Cullotta
- Department of Human PathologyUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Ivana Raffaele
- Department of Human PathologyUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Chiara Motta
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of PaviaPaviaItaly
| | | | - Pietro Speziale
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of PaviaPaviaItaly
| | | | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human PathologyUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
- Scylla Biotech SrlMessinaItaly
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8
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Lentini G, De Gaetano GV, Famà A, Galbo R, Coppolino F, Mancuso G, Teti G, Beninati C. Neutrophils discriminate live from dead bacteria by integrating signals initiated by Fprs and TLRs. EMBO J 2022; 41:e109386. [PMID: 35112724 PMCID: PMC8886525 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021109386] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms whereby neutrophils respond differentially to live and dead organisms are unknown. We show here that neutrophils produce 5- to 30-fold higher levels of the Cxcl2 chemokine in response to live bacteria, compared with killed bacteria or isolated bacterial components, despite producing similar levels of Cxcl1 or pro-inflammatory cytokines. Secretion of high levels of Cxcl2, which potently activates neutrophils by an autocrine mechanism, requires three signals. The first two signals are provided by two different sets of signal peptides released by live bacteria, which selectively activate formylated peptide receptor 1 (Fpr1) and Fpr2, respectively. Signal 3 originates from Toll-like receptor activation by microbial components present in both live and killed bacteria. Mechanistically, these signaling pathways converge at the level of the p38 MAP kinase, leading to activation of the AP-1 transcription factor and to Cxcl2 induction. Collectively, our data demonstrate that the simultaneous presence of agonists for Fpr1, Fpr2, and Toll-like receptors represents a unique signature associated with viable bacteria, which is sensed by neutrophils and induces Cxcl2-dependent autocrine cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Lentini
- Department of Human PathologyUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | | | - Agata Famà
- Department of Human PathologyUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Roberta Galbo
- Department of Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Francesco Coppolino
- Department of BiomedicalDental, Morphological and Functional Imaging SciencesUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | | | | | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human PathologyUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly,Scylla Biotech SrlMessinaItaly
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9
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Altamura C, Farinato A, Cavalluzzi M, Tarantino N, Carratù M, Pierno S, Lentini G, Desaphy J. CHANNELOPATHIES AND RELATED DISORDERS. Neuromuscul Disord 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2021.07.247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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10
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Coppolino F, Romeo L, Pietrocola G, Lentini G, De Gaetano GV, Teti G, Galbo R, Beninati C. Lysine Residues in the MK-Rich Region Are Not Required for Binding of the PbsP Protein From Group B Streptococci to Plasminogen. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:679792. [PMID: 34568085 PMCID: PMC8455988 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.679792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Binding to plasminogen (Plg) enables bacteria to associate with and invade host tissues. The cell wall protein PbsP significantly contributes to the ability of group B streptococci, a frequent cause of invasive infection, to bind Plg. Here we sought to identify the molecular regions involved in the interactions between Plg and PbsP. The K4 Kringle domain of the Plg molecule was required for binding of Plg to whole PbsP and to a PbsP fragment encompassing a region rich in methionine and lysine (MK-rich domain). These interactions were inhibited by free L-lysine, indicating the involvement of lysine binding sites in the Plg molecule. However, mutation to alanine of all lysine residues in the MK-rich domain did not decrease its ability to bind Plg. Collectively, our data identify a novel bacterial sequence that can interact with lysine binding sites in the Plg molecule. Notably, such binding did not require the presence of lysine or other positively charged amino acids in the bacterial receptor. These data may be useful for developing alternative therapeutic strategies aimed at blocking interactions between group B streptococci and Plg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Coppolino
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Letizia Romeo
- Department of Human Pathology and Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giampiero Pietrocola
- Department Molecular Medicine, Biochemistry Section, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Germana Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology and Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | | | - Roberta Galbo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human Pathology and Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Scylla Biotech Srl, Messina, Italy
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11
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Lentini G, Famà A, De Gaetano GV, Galbo R, Coppolino F, Venza M, Teti G, Beninati C. Role of Endosomal TLRs in Staphylococcus aureus Infection. J Immunol 2021; 207:1448-1455. [PMID: 34362834 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100389] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Identification of the receptors involved in innate immune recognition of Staphylococcus aureus, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans, is essential to develop alternative strategies to treat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains. In the current study, we examine the role of endosomal TLRs, which sense the presence of prokaryotic-type nucleic acids, in anti-staphylococcal host defenses using infection models involving genetically defective mice. Single deficiencies in TLR7, 9, or 13 resulted in mild or no decrease in host defenses. However, the simultaneous absence of TLR7, 9, and 13 resulted in markedly increased susceptibility to cutaneous and systemic S. aureus infection concomitantly with decreased production of proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines, neutrophil recruitment to infection sites, and reduced production of reactive oxygen species. This phenotype was significantly more severe than that of mice lacking TLR2, which senses the presence of staphylococcal lipoproteins. Notably, the combined absence of TLR7, 9, and 13 resulted in complete abrogation of IL-12 p70 and IFN-β responses to staphylococcal stimulation in macrophages. Taken together, our data highlight the presence of a highly integrated endosomal detection system, whereby TLR7, 9, and 13 cooperate in sensing the presence of staphylococcal nucleic acids. We demonstrate that the combined absence of these receptors cannot be compensated for by cell surface-associated TLRs, such as TLR2, or cytosolic receptors. These data may be useful to devise strategies aimed at stimulating innate immune receptors to treat S. aureus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Agata Famà
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Galbo
- Department of Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Mario Venza
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; and
| | | | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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12
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De Gaetano GV, Lentini G, Galbo R, Coppolino F, Famà A, Teti G, Beninati C. Invasion and trafficking of hypervirulent group B streptococci in polarized enterocytes. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253242. [PMID: 34129624 PMCID: PMC8205152 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus or GBS) is a commensal bacterium that can frequently behave as a pathogen, particularly in the neonatal period and in the elderly. The gut is a primary site of GBS colonization and a potential port of entry during neonatal infections caused by hypervirulent clonal complex 17 (CC17) strains. Here we studied the interactions between the prototypical CC17 BM110 strain and polarized enterocytes using the Caco-2 cell line. GBS could adhere to and invade these cells through their apical or basolateral surfaces. Basolateral invasion was considerably more efficient than apical invasion and predominated under conditions resulting in weakening of cell-to-cell junctions. Bacterial internalization occurred by a mechanism involving caveolae- and lipid raft-dependent endocytosis and actin re-organization, but not clathrin-dependent endocytosis. In the first steps of Caco-2 invasion, GBS colocalized with the early endocytic marker EEA-1, to later reside in acidic vacuoles. Taken together, these data suggest that CC17 GBS selectively adheres to the lateral surface of enterocytes from which it enters through caveolar lipid rafts using a classical, actin-dependent endocytic pathway. These data may be useful to develop alternative preventive strategies aimed at blocking GBS invasion of the intestinal barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Germana Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Galbo
- Department of Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Agata Famà
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Scylla Biotech Srl, Messina, Italy
- * E-mail:
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13
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Midiri A, Mancuso G, Lentini G, Famà A, Galbo R, Zummo S, Giardina M, De Gaetano GV, Teti G, Beninati C, Biondo C. Characterization of an immunogenic cellulase secreted by Cryptococcus pathogens. Med Mycol 2021; 58:1138-1148. [PMID: 32246714 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaa012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the C. neoformans/C. gattiii species complex are an important cause of serious humans infections, including meningoencephalitis. We describe here a 45 kDa extracellular cellulase purified from culture supernatants of C. neoformans var. neoformans. The N-terminal sequence obtained from the purified protein was used to isolate a clone containing the full-length coding sequence from a C. neoformans var. neoformans (strain B-3501A) cDNA library. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that this gene is present, with variable homology, in all sequenced genomes of the C. neoformans/C. gattii species complex. The cDNA clone was used to produce a recombinant 45 kDa protein in E. coli that displayed the ability to convert carboxymethyl cellulose and was therefore designated as NG-Case (standing for Neoformans Gattii Cellulase). To explore its potential use as a vaccine candidate, the recombinant protein was used to immunize mice and was found capable of inducing T helper type 1 responses and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions, but not immune protection against a highly virulent C. neoformans var grubii strain. These data may be useful to better understand the mechanisms underlying the ability C. neoformans/C. gattii to colonize plant habitats and to interact with the human host during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Midiri
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mancuso
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Germana Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Galbo
- Department of Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sebastiana Zummo
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Miriam Giardina
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | | | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Scylla Biotech Srl, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Biondo
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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14
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Franco D, De Plano LM, Rizzo MG, Scibilia S, Lentini G, Fazio E, Neri F, Guglielmino SPP, Mezzasalma AM. Bio-hybrid gold nanoparticles as SERS probe for rapid bacteria cell identification. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2020; 224:117394. [PMID: 31351419 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2019.117394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study reports the utilization of engineered molecular networks between bacteriophage (or phage) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) prepared ablating a high purity gold target in water by nanosecond laser source. Gold colloids are assembled with P9b phage clone, displaying the specific peptide (QRKLAAKLT), able to bind P. aeruginosa. The single components and assembled systems were characterized by spectroscopic and electronic techniques, such as the conventional optical absorption and micro-Raman spectroscopies as well as the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) techniques. The performance of the AuNPs-phage assembly as substrate for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) was tested against the detection of the characteristics Raman vibrational features of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Franco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche ed Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra (MIFT), University of Messina, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - L M De Plano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche e Ambientali, University of Messina, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - M G Rizzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche e Ambientali, University of Messina, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - S Scibilia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche ed Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra (MIFT), University of Messina, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - G Lentini
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'adulto e dell'età Evolutiva "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, 98125, Italy
| | - E Fazio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche ed Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra (MIFT), University of Messina, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - F Neri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche ed Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra (MIFT), University of Messina, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - S P P Guglielmino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche e Ambientali, University of Messina, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - A M Mezzasalma
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche ed Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra (MIFT), University of Messina, Messina 98166, Italy.
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15
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Lentini G, Famà A, Biondo C, Mohammadi N, Galbo R, Mancuso G, Iannello D, Zummo S, Giardina M, De Gaetano GV, Teti G, Beninati C, Midiri A. Neutrophils Enhance Their Own Influx to Sites of Bacterial Infection via Endosomal TLR-Dependent Cxcl2 Production. J Immunol 2019; 204:660-670. [PMID: 31852751 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1901039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The influx of neutrophils to infection sites is a fundamental step in host defenses against the frequent human pathogen group B Streptococcus (GBS) and other extracellular bacteria. Using a mouse model of GBS-induced peritonitis, we show in this study that the chemokines Cxcl1 and Cxcl2 play distinctive roles in enhancing the recruitment and the antibacterial activities of neutrophils in a manner that is linked to differences in the cellular sources of these mediators. Cell depletion experiments demonstrated that neutrophils make a significant contribution to the in vivo production of Cxcl2 but not Cxcl1. In vitro, neutrophils responded weakly to LPS but released high levels of Cxcl2 after stimulation with GBS or other bacteria. Neutrophil-derived Cxcl2 acted in an autocrinous manner to increase its own production and to enhance antibacterial activities, including the release of oxygen radicals. In both neutrophils and macrophages, the production of Cxcl1/2 largely required the presence of functional UNC93B1, a chaperone protein involved in signaling by endosomal TLRs. Moreover, the phenotype of UNC93B1-defective phagocytes could be recapitulated by the simultaneous absence of TLR7, 9, and 13 but not by the absence of individual TLRs. Collectively, our data show that neutrophils recognize Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by means of multiple phagosomal TLRs, resulting in de novo synthesis of Cxcl2, amplification of neutrophil recruitment, and potentiation of their antibacterial activities. These data may be useful to devise alternative therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing the recruitment and the functional activities of polymorphonuclear leukocytes during infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Agata Famà
- Charybdis Vaccines Srl, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Biondo
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Nastaran Mohammadi
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Galbo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; and
| | - Giuseppe Mancuso
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Iannello
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Sebastiana Zummo
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Miriam Giardina
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | | | | | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.,Scylla Biotech SRL, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Angelina Midiri
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
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16
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Abstract
One of the distinguishing features of the 1918 pandemic is the occurrence of massive, potentially detrimental, activation of the innate immune system in critically ill patients. Whether this reflects an intrinsic capacity of the virus to induce an exaggerated inflammatory responses or its remarkable ability to reproduce in vivo is still open to debate. Tremendous progress has recently been made in our understanding of innate immune responses to influenza infection and it is now time to translate this knowledge into therapeutic strategies, particularly in view of the possible occurrence of future outbreaks caused by virulent strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Biondo
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Germana Lentini
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Teti
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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17
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Skjesol A, Yurchenko M, Bösl K, Gravastrand C, Nilsen KE, Grøvdal LM, Agliano F, Patane F, Lentini G, Kim H, Teti G, Kumar Sharma A, Kandasamy RK, Sporsheim B, Starheim KK, Golenbock DT, Stenmark H, McCaffrey M, Espevik T, Husebye H. The TLR4 adaptor TRAM controls the phagocytosis of Gram-negative bacteria by interacting with the Rab11-family interacting protein 2. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007684. [PMID: 30883606 PMCID: PMC6438586 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Phagocytosis is a complex process that eliminates microbes and is performed by specialised cells such as macrophages. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is expressed on the surface of macrophages and recognizes Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, TLR4 has been suggested to play a role in the phagocytosis of Gram-negative bacteria, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here we have used primary human macrophages and engineered THP-1 monocytes to show that the TLR4 sorting adapter, TRAM, is instrumental for phagocytosis of Escherichia coli as well as Staphylococcus aureus. We find that TRAM forms a complex with Rab11 family interacting protein 2 (FIP2) that is recruited to the phagocytic cups of E. coli. This promotes activation of the actin-regulatory GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42. Our results show that FIP2 guided TRAM recruitment orchestrates actin remodelling and IRF3 activation, two events that are both required for phagocytosis of Gram-negative bacteria. The Gram-negative bacteria E. coli is the most common cause of severe human pathological conditions like sepsis. Sepsis is a clinical syndrome defined by pathological changes due to systemic inflammation, resulting in paralysis of adaptive T-cell immunity with IFN-β as a critical factor. TLR4 is a key sensing receptor of lipopolysaccharide on Gram-negative bacteria. Inflammatory signalling by TLR4 is initiated by the use of alternative pair of TIR-adapters, MAL-MyD88 or TRAM-TRIF. MAL-MyD88 signaling occurs mainly from the plasma membrane giving pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF, while TRAM-TRIF signaling occurs from vacuoles like endosomes and phagosomes to give type I interferons like IFN-β. It has previously been shown that TLR4 can control phagocytosis and phagosomal maturation through MAL-MyD88 in mice, however, these data have been disputed and published before the role of TRAM was defined in the induction of IFN-β. A role for TRAM or TRIF in phagocytosis has not previously been reported. Here we describe a novel mechanism where TRAM and its binding partner Rab11-FIP2 control phagocytosis of E. coli and regulate IRF3 dependent production of IFN-β. The significance of these results is that we define Rab11-FIP2 as a potential target for modulation of TLR4-dependent signalling in different pathological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Skjesol
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Mariia Yurchenko
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Korbinian Bösl
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Caroline Gravastrand
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kaja Elisabeth Nilsen
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Lene Melsæther Grøvdal
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Federica Agliano
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Patane
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Germana Lentini
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Hera Kim
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Giuseppe Teti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Aditya Kumar Sharma
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Richard K. Kandasamy
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Bjørnar Sporsheim
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kristian K. Starheim
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Douglas T. Golenbock
- Program in Innate Immunity, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States of America
| | - Harald Stenmark
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department for Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo Norway
| | - Mary McCaffrey
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Biochemistry Department, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Terje Espevik
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- The Central Norway Regional Health Authority, St. Olavs Hospital HF, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Harald Husebye
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- The Central Norway Regional Health Authority, St. Olavs Hospital HF, Trondheim, Norway
- * E-mail:
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18
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De Gaetano GV, Pietrocola G, Romeo L, Galbo R, Lentini G, Giardina M, Biondo C, Midiri A, Mancuso G, Venza M, Venza I, Firon A, Trieu-Cuot P, Teti G, Speziale P, Beninati C. The Streptococcus agalactiae cell wall-anchored protein PbsP mediates adhesion to and invasion of epithelial cells by exploiting the host vitronectin/α v integrin axis. Mol Microbiol 2018; 110:82-94. [PMID: 30030946 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Binding of microbial pathogens to host vitronectin (Vtn) is a common theme in the pathogenesis of invasive infections. In this study, we characterized the role of Vtn in the invasion of mucosal epithelial cells by Streptococcus agalactiae (i.e. group B streptococcus or GBS), a frequent human pathogen. Moreover, we identified PbsP, a previously described plasminogen-binding protein of GBS, as a dual adhesin that can also interact with human Vtn through its streptococcal surface repeat (SSURE) domains. Deletion of the pbsP gene decreases both bacterial adhesion to Vtn-coated inert surfaces and the ability of GBS to interact with epithelial cells. Bacterial adherence to and invasion of epithelial cells were either inhibited or enhanced by cell pretreatment with, respectively, anti-Vtn antibodies or Vtn, confirming the role of Vtn as a GBS ligand on host cells. Finally, antibodies directed against the integrin αv subunit inhibited Vtn-dependent cell invasion by GBS. Collectively, these results indicate that Vtn acts as a bridge between the SSURE domains of PbsP on the GBS surface and host integrins to promote bacterial invasion of epithelial cells. Therefore, inhibition of interactions between PbsP and extracellular matrix components could represent a viable strategy to prevent colonization and invasive disease by GBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Valerio De Gaetano
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giampiero Pietrocola
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Letizia Romeo
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Galbo
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Germana Lentini
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Miriam Giardina
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Biondo
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Angelina Midiri
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mancuso
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Mario Venza
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Isabella Venza
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Arnaud Firon
- Institut Pasteur, Unite de Biologie des Bacteriés Pathogènes a Gram positif, CNRS ERL6002, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Trieu-Cuot
- Institut Pasteur, Unite de Biologie des Bacteriés Pathogènes a Gram positif, CNRS ERL6002, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Giuseppe Teti
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Pietro Speziale
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Industrial and Information Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Concetta Beninati
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Scylla Biotech Srl, Messina, Italy
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19
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Ehrnström B, Beckwith KS, Yurchenko M, Moen SH, Kojen JF, Lentini G, Teti G, Damås JK, Espevik T, Stenvik J. Toll-Like Receptor 8 Is a Major Sensor of Group B Streptococcus But Not Escherichia coli in Human Primary Monocytes and Macrophages. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1243. [PMID: 29042860 PMCID: PMC5632357 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
TLR8 is the major endosomal sensor of degraded RNA in human monocytes and macrophages. It has been implicated in the sensing of viruses and more recently also bacteria. We previously identified a TLR8-IFN regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) signaling pathway that mediates IFNβ and interleukin-12 (IL-12) induction by Staphylococcus aureus and is antagonized by TLR2. The relative importance of TLR8 for the sensing of various bacterial species is however still unclear. We here compared the role of TLR8 and IRF5 for the sensing of Group B Streptococcus (GBS), S. aureus, and Escherichia coli in human primary monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). GBS induced stronger IFNβ and TNF production as well as IRF5 nuclear translocation compared to S. aureus grown to the stationary phase, while S. aureus in exponential growth appeared similarly potent to GBS. Cytokine induction in primary human monocytes by GBS was not dependent on hemolysins, and induction of IFNβ and IL-12 as well as IRF5 activation were reduced with TLR2 ligand costimulation. Heat inactivation of GBS reduced IRF5 and NF-kB translocation, while only the viable E. coli activated IRF5. The attenuated stimulation correlated with loss of bacterial RNA integrity. The E. coli-induced IRF5 translocation was not inhibited by TLR2 costimulation, suggesting that IRF5 was activated via a TLR8-independent mechanism. Gene silencing of MDM using siRNA revealed that GBS-induced IFNβ, IL-12-p35, and TNF production was dependent on TLR8 and IRF5. In contrast, cytokine induction by E. coli was TLR8 independent but still partly dependent on IRF5. We conclude that TLR8-IRF5 signaling is more important for the sensing of GBS than for stationary grown S. aureus in human primary monocytes and MDM, likely due to reduced resistance of GBS to phagosomal degradation and to a lower production of TLR2 activating lipoproteins. TLR8 does not sense viable E. coli, while IRF5 still contributes to E. coli-induced cytokine production, possibly via a cytosolic nucleic acid sensing mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitta Ehrnström
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Clinic of Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital HF, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kai Sandvold Beckwith
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Mariia Yurchenko
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Siv Helen Moen
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - June Frengen Kojen
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Germana Lentini
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Teti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Jan Kristian Damås
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Clinic of Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital HF, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Terje Espevik
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jørgen Stenvik
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Clinic of Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital HF, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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20
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Barbera L, Franco D, De Plano LM, Gattuso G, Guglielmino SPP, Lentini G, Manganaro N, Marino N, Pappalardo S, Parisi MF, Puntoriero F, Pisagatti I, Notti A. A water-soluble pillar[5]arene as a new carrier for an old drug. Org Biomol Chem 2017; 15:3192-3195. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ob00530j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The ability of deca-carboxylatopillar[5]areneWP5to bind the antibiotic amikacin and modulate its antimicrobial response towards Gram-positive bacteria is reported.
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21
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Scibilia S, Lentini G, Fazio E, Franco D, Neri F, Mezzasalma AM, Guglielmino SPP. Self-assembly of silver nanoparticles and bacteriophage. Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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22
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Fazio E, Santoro M, Lentini G, Franco D, Guglielmino SPP, Neri F. Iron oxide nanoparticles prepared by laser ablation: Synthesis, structural properties and antimicrobial activity. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2015.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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23
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De Plano L, Calabrese F, Lentini G, Nicolò M, Franco D, Fazio E, Trusso S, Allegra A, Neri F, Guglielmino S. Phage display as a tool for rapid in vitro cell characterization by fluorescence imaging and Raman spectroscopy. N Biotechnol 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2014.05.1870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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24
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Dammann A, Arumugam A, Beaudoin V, Beltran D, Benchikhoune M, Berruyer F, Cortes P, Gandini F, Ghirelli N, Gray A, Hurzlmeier H, Le Page M, Lemée A, Lentini G, Loughlin M, Mita Y, Patisson L, Rigoni G, Rathi D, Song I. Nuclear shielding of openings in ITER Tokamak building. Fusion Engineering and Design 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2013.02.075] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Desaphy J, Carbonara R, Costanza T, Lentini G, Cavalluzzi M, Franchini C, Conte Camerino D. P.12.12 Preclinical in vitro and in vivo evaluation of sodium channel blockers as possible alternative to mexiletine in the treatment of myotonia. Neuromuscul Disord 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2013.06.594] [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: 10/26/2022]
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Desaphy JF, Dipalma A, Costanza T, Bruno C, Lentini G, Franchini C, George A, Conte Camerino D. Molecular determinants of state-dependent block of voltage-gated sodium channels by pilsicainide. Br J Pharmacol 2010; 160:1521-33. [PMID: 20590641 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00816.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pilsicainide, an anti-arrhythmic drug used in Japan, is described as a pure sodium channel blocker. We examined the mechanisms by which it is able to block open channels, because these properties may be especially useful to reduce hyperexcitability in pathologies characterized by abnormal sodium channel opening. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The effects of pilsicainide on various heterologously expressed human sodium channel subtypes and mutants were investigated using the patch clamp technique. KEY RESULTS Pilsicainide exhibited tonic and use-dependent effects comparable to those of mexiletine and flecainide on hNav1.4 channels. These use-dependent effects were abolished in the mutations F1586C and Y1593C within segment 6 of domain IV, suggesting that the interaction of pilsicainide with these residues is critical for its local anaesthetic action. Its affinity constants for closed channels (K(R)) and channels inactivated from the closed state (K(I)) were high, suggesting that its use-dependent block (UDB) requires the channel to be open for it to reach a high-affinity blocking site. Accordingly, basic pH, which slightly increased the proportion of neutral drug, dramatically decreased K(R) and K(I) values. Effects of pilsicainide were similar on skeletal muscle hNav1.4, brain hNav1.1 and heart hNav1.5 channels. The myotonic R1448C and G1306E hNav1.4 mutants were more and less sensitive to pilsicainide, respectively, due to mutation-induced gating modifications. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Although therapeutic concentrations of pilsicainide may have little effect on resting and closed-state inactivated channels, it induces a strong UDB due to channel opening, rendering the drug ideally suited for inhibition of high-frequency action potential firing.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-F Desaphy
- Department of Pharmacobiology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
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Raoul J, Sherman M, Nadel A, Lentini G, Moscovici MM, Voliotis D, Meinhardt G, Bruix J, Llovet JM. Efficacy and safety of sorafenib (Sor) in patients (Pts) with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Subgroup analyses of the SHARP trial by baseline (BL) transaminase (ALT/AST)/α-fetoprotein (AFP) and bilirubin (bil) levels. J Clin Oncol 2010. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2010.28.15_suppl.4051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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De Bellis M, De Luca A, Lentini G, Carocci A, Corbo F, Franchini C, Conte Camerino D. G.P.14.11 Newly synthesized mexiletine and tocainide analogues are potent use-dependent blockers of skeletal muscle sodium channels: Potential implication for the antimyotonic activity. Neuromuscul Disord 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2009.06.318] [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: 10/20/2022]
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Linck D, Lentini G, Tiemann M, Fauser AA, Parwaresch R, Basara N. Sequential application of chemotherapy and monoclonal CD 20 antibody: Successful treatment of advanced composite-lymphoma. Leuk Lymphoma 2009; 46:285-8. [PMID: 15621815 DOI: 10.1080/10428190400015535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We describe successful treatment of a 38-year-old patient with composite lymphoma stage IV(A), who presented with multifocal enlarged lymph nodes. The lymph node histology showed classic morphologic features of Hodgkin's disease, mixed cellularity subtype and follicular B-cell lymphoma. Immunophenotypic analysis showed immunoreactivity for CD20, CD10 and Ki-67 in the malignant small cell population. The areas of Hodgkin's disease demonstrated positive immunoreactivity for CD30 and CD20 in the Hodgkin's cells. Both cell populations were bcl2-oncoprotein positive. Eight courses of dose-escalated BEACOPP were administered. Restaging after chemotherapy showed radiological partial remission, but biopsy confirmed persisting follicular B-cell lymphoma without bone marrow infiltration and no evidence of Hodgkin's disease. He was treated with monoclonal CD 20-antibody (Rituximab) 10 mg/kg weekly for eight consecutive weeks due to marked positivity of CD 20-antigen in follicular lymphoma cells. This treatment was well tolerated and final staging showed complete remission of the composite lymphoma. This patient continues to be in remission 28 months after the end of the treatment. In conclusion, in the very rare case of composite lymphoma a combination of chemotherapy and subsequent immunotherapy might be considered as a promising therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Linck
- Clinic for BMT and Haematology/Oncology, Germany
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Bruix J, Cheng A, Kang Y, Tsao C, Qin S, Lentini G, Zou J, Nadel A, Burock K, Voliotis D, Llovet JM. Effect of macroscopic vascular invasion (MVI), extrahepatic spread (EHS), and ECOG performance status (ECOG PS) on outcome in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with sorafenib: Analysis of two phase III, randomized, double-blind trials. J Clin Oncol 2009. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2009.27.15_suppl.4580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
4580^ Background: The landmark phase III SHARP trial (Llovet et al, N Engl J Med, 2008) showed that sorafenib is effective and safe for the treatment of advanced HCC. These results were confirmed in an Asian population in the phase III Asia-Pacific (AP) study (Cheng et al, Lancet Oncol, 2009). We compared outcomes of sorafenib treatment in patients enrolled in the SHARP and AP trials with known baseline predictors of poor prognosis. Methods: Patients with advanced, unresectable, measurable HCC, ECOG PS 0–2, Child-Pugh A, and no prior systemic therapy for HCC were randomized to sorafenib 400 mg BID or placebo (SHARP: N=602; AP: N=226). Patients in the AP study had more evolved disease and a predominance of hepatitis B infection. Endpoints included overall survival (OS), disease-control rate (DCR; defined as complete/partial response or stable disease by RECIST, maintained for ≥28 days from first demonstration of response), and safety. Results: Efficacy results are shown in the table . The incidence of grade 3/4 drug-related adverse events (AEs) across subgroups in each study was consistent with the overall population for each study. The most common grade 3/4 AEs in all sorafenib populations were hand-foot skin reaction and diarrhea. Conclusions: Sorafenib is effective and safe for the treatment of advanced HCC in patients globally, irrespective of baseline ECOG PS and presence or absence of MVI and/or EHS. [Table: see text] [Table: see text] ASCO Conflict of Interest Policy and Exceptions In compliance with the guidelines established by the ASCO Conflict of Interest Policy (J Clin Oncol. 2006 Jan 20;24[3]:519–521) and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), ASCO strives to promote balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor through disclosure of financial and other interests, and identification and management of potential conflicts. According to the ASCO Conflict of Interest Policy, the following financial and other relationships must be disclosed: employment or leadership position, consultant or advisory role, stock ownership, honoraria, research funding, expert testimony, and other remuneration (J Clin Oncol. 2006 Jan 20;24[3]:520). The ASCO Conflict of Interest Policy disclosure requirements apply to all authors who submit abstracts to the Annual Meeting. For clinical trials that began accrual on or after April 29, 2004, ASCO's Policy places some restrictions on the financial relationships of principal investigators (J Clin Oncol. 2006 Jan 20;24[3]:521). If a principal investigator holds any restricted relationships, his or her abstract will be ineligible for placement in the 2009 Annual Meeting unless the ASCO Ethics Committee grants an exception. Among the circumstances that might justify an exception are that the principal investigator (1) is a widely acknowledged expert in a particular therapeutic area; (2) is the inventor of a unique technology or treatment being evaluated in the clinical trial; or (3) is involved in international clinical oncology research and has acted consistently with recognized international standards of ethics in the conduct of clinical research. NIH-sponsored trials are exempt from the Policy restrictions. Abstracts for which authors requested and have been granted an exception in accordance with ASCO's Policy are designated with a caret symbol (^) in the Annual Meeting Proceedings. For more information about the ASCO Conflict of Interest Policy and the exceptions process, please visit www.asco.org/conflictofinterest .
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Bruix
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chi Mei Medical Center, Liou Ying Campus, Tainan, Taiwan; Nanjing 81 Hospital, Nanjing, China; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer Schering Pharma, Shanghai, China; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Bayer Schering Pharma, Wuppertal, Germany; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - A. Cheng
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chi Mei Medical Center, Liou Ying Campus, Tainan, Taiwan; Nanjing 81 Hospital, Nanjing, China; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer Schering Pharma, Shanghai, China; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Bayer Schering Pharma, Wuppertal, Germany; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Y. Kang
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chi Mei Medical Center, Liou Ying Campus, Tainan, Taiwan; Nanjing 81 Hospital, Nanjing, China; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer Schering Pharma, Shanghai, China; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Bayer Schering Pharma, Wuppertal, Germany; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - C. Tsao
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chi Mei Medical Center, Liou Ying Campus, Tainan, Taiwan; Nanjing 81 Hospital, Nanjing, China; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer Schering Pharma, Shanghai, China; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Bayer Schering Pharma, Wuppertal, Germany; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - S. Qin
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chi Mei Medical Center, Liou Ying Campus, Tainan, Taiwan; Nanjing 81 Hospital, Nanjing, China; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer Schering Pharma, Shanghai, China; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Bayer Schering Pharma, Wuppertal, Germany; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - G. Lentini
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chi Mei Medical Center, Liou Ying Campus, Tainan, Taiwan; Nanjing 81 Hospital, Nanjing, China; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer Schering Pharma, Shanghai, China; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Bayer Schering Pharma, Wuppertal, Germany; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - J. Zou
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chi Mei Medical Center, Liou Ying Campus, Tainan, Taiwan; Nanjing 81 Hospital, Nanjing, China; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer Schering Pharma, Shanghai, China; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Bayer Schering Pharma, Wuppertal, Germany; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - A. Nadel
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chi Mei Medical Center, Liou Ying Campus, Tainan, Taiwan; Nanjing 81 Hospital, Nanjing, China; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer Schering Pharma, Shanghai, China; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Bayer Schering Pharma, Wuppertal, Germany; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - K. Burock
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chi Mei Medical Center, Liou Ying Campus, Tainan, Taiwan; Nanjing 81 Hospital, Nanjing, China; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer Schering Pharma, Shanghai, China; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Bayer Schering Pharma, Wuppertal, Germany; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - D. Voliotis
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chi Mei Medical Center, Liou Ying Campus, Tainan, Taiwan; Nanjing 81 Hospital, Nanjing, China; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer Schering Pharma, Shanghai, China; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Bayer Schering Pharma, Wuppertal, Germany; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - J. M. Llovet
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chi Mei Medical Center, Liou Ying Campus, Tainan, Taiwan; Nanjing 81 Hospital, Nanjing, China; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer Schering Pharma, Shanghai, China; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Bayer Schering Pharma, Wuppertal, Germany; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
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Raoul J, Craxi A, Porta C, Lentini G, Nadel A, Voliotis D, Bruix J, Llovet JM. Impact of lymph node metastases on outcome following treatment with sorafenib in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Subset analysis from the phase III SHARP trial. J Clin Oncol 2009. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2009.27.15_suppl.e15547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
e15547 Background: Results from the Sorafenib HCC Assessment Randomized Protocol (SHARP) study, a multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase III trial, demonstrated that sorafenib is effective and safe for patients with advanced HCC (Llovet et al, N Engl J Med, 2008). As lymph nodes are among the most common sites of metastasis in patients with HCC, we performed subset analyses to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sorafenib in patients with or without lymph node metastases at baseline. Methods: Patients (N=602) with advanced, unresectable, measurable HCC, ECOG PS 0–2, Child-Pugh class A, and no prior systemic therapy for HCC were randomized 1:1 to receive either sorafenib 400 mg BID or placebo. End points included overall survival (OS), disease-control rate (DCR; defined as complete/partial response or stable disease by RECIST, maintained for ≥28 d from first demonstration of response), time to progression (TTP), and safety. Results: Median TTP, OS, and DCR by subset are shown in the table. The incidence of grade 3/4 drug-related adverse events across subgroups was consistent with that reported for the overall population. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events in the sorafenib populations were hand-foot skin reaction and diarrhea. Conclusions: Sorafenib prolonged OS and TTP in patients with advanced HCC, whether or not lymph node metastases were present at baseline. The safety profile of sorafenib in patients with lymph node metastases was comparable with that for the overall study population. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Raoul
- Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Palermo, Italy; IRCCS San Matteo University Hospital, Pavia, Italy; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - A. Craxi
- Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Palermo, Italy; IRCCS San Matteo University Hospital, Pavia, Italy; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - C. Porta
- Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Palermo, Italy; IRCCS San Matteo University Hospital, Pavia, Italy; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - G. Lentini
- Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Palermo, Italy; IRCCS San Matteo University Hospital, Pavia, Italy; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - A. Nadel
- Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Palermo, Italy; IRCCS San Matteo University Hospital, Pavia, Italy; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - D. Voliotis
- Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Palermo, Italy; IRCCS San Matteo University Hospital, Pavia, Italy; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - J. Bruix
- Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Palermo, Italy; IRCCS San Matteo University Hospital, Pavia, Italy; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - J. M. Llovet
- Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Palermo, Italy; IRCCS San Matteo University Hospital, Pavia, Italy; Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Montville, NJ; Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
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Brunetti M, Lentini G, Maugeri M, Nanni T, Simolo C, Spinoni J. 1961–1990 high-resolution Northern and Central Italy monthly precipitation climatologies. Adv Sci Res 2009. [DOI: 10.5194/asr-3-73-2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract. Monthly Northern and Central Italy precipitation climatologies, obtained by means of a procedure aiming at capturing the local dependence of precipitation on elevation, are presented. The procedure consists in considering each cell of a high-resolution grid and in making use of the closest 15 stations in order to perform a weighted linear regression of precipitation versus elevation: the weights are determined by the distances of the stations from the grid point and by the level of similarity between the stations' cells and the considered grid cell in terms of elevation, slope steepness, slope orientation and distance from the sea. The study is based on a dataset of about 3200 1961–1990 monthly precipitation normals. The performance of the procedure is evaluated by reconstructing the monthly precipitation normals of each station and by comparing them with the corresponding observed values. Such comparisons are performed by means of five error estimators: the mean absolute error and the mean error, both evaluated in absolute and relative form, and the root mean squared error. The mean absolute error is slightly more than 10 mm for the monthly precipitation, which turns out to be between 10% and 14% of the monthly precipitation.
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Brunetti M, Lentini G, Maugeri M, Nanni T, Simolo C, Spinoni J. Estimating local records for Northern and Central Italy from a sparse secular temperature network and from 1961–1990 climatologies. Adv Sci Res 2009. [DOI: 10.5194/asr-3-63-2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract. The paper presents monthly 30-arc-second-resolution Northern and Central Italy temperature climatologies and discusses the procedure we adopt to superimpose the information of temperature secular records onto these climatologies. The climatologies are obtained by means of a step-wise linear regression method which aims at determining the temperature dependence on geographical and morphological variables. Such a method is applied to a database of about 800 monthly 1961–1990 temperature normals. In the first regression (temperature vs. elevation) the recorded data are considered; the further regressions concern the residuals obtained after taking into account the effect of each variable, in order of importance. An estimated secular anomaly record can be obtained for each point of the climatology grid by means of a distance-weighted average of the temperature anomaly records of the stations surrounding the grid point.
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Avitabile T, Longo A, Lentini G, Reibaldi A. Retinal detachment after silicone oil removal is prevented by 360 laser treatment. Br J Ophthalmol 2008; 92:1479-82. [DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2008.140087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Preti A, Lentini G, Maugeri M. Global warming possibly linked to an enhanced risk of suicide: data from Italy, 1974-2003. J Affect Disord 2007; 102:19-25. [PMID: 17234275 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2006.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2006] [Revised: 12/02/2006] [Accepted: 12/04/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global increase in surface temperature (known as global warming) was found to impact on mortality through ill health, particularly among the elderly and in summer. This study sets out to explore the impact of global warming on suicide mortality, using data from Italy. METHODS Monthly data on suicide mortality and temperature were obtained for a 30-year period (from January 1974 to December 2003), and the relation between them was investigated using the Gaussian low-pass filter, linear correlation analysis and rank analysis. RESULTS For males, increasing anomalies in monthly average temperatures associated to a higher monthly suicide mean from May to August and, to a lower extent, in November and December. In January, on the other hand, increasing anomalies in monthly average temperatures appeared to be coupled to a lower number of suicides. For females, the links between temperature and suicides are less consistent than for males, and sometimes have a reverse sign, too. LIMITATIONS Data could not be analyzed according to age, since this information was not available across the whole time interval. The use of monthly data, instead of daily data (unavailable), is another major limitation of this study. CONCLUSIONS An improvement in the ability of communities to adjust to temperature changes by implementing public health interventions may play an important part in preserving the wellness of the general population, and also in limiting the worst consequences of suicidal behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Preti
- Department of Psychology, University of Cagliari, Italy.
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De Bellis M, De Luca A, Rana F, Cavalluzzi MM, Catalano A, Lentini G, Franchini C, Tortorella V, Conte Camerino D. Evaluation of the pharmacological activity of the major mexiletine metabolites on skeletal muscle sodium currents. Br J Pharmacol 2006; 149:300-10. [PMID: 16921388 PMCID: PMC2014276 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0706867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Mexiletine (Mex), an orally effective antiarrhythmic agent used to treat ventricular arrhythmias, has also been found to be effective for myotonia and neuropathic pain. It is extensively metabolized in humans but little information exists about the pharmacodynamic properties of its metabolites. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH To determine their contribution to the clinical activity of Mex, p-hydroxy-mexiletine (PHM), hydroxy-methyl-mexiletine (HMM), N-hydroxy-mexiletine (NHM) (phase I reaction products) and N-carbonyloxy beta-D-glucuronide (NMG) (phase II reaction product) were tested on sodium currents (I(Na)) of frog skeletal muscle fibres. Sodium currents were elicited with depolarizing pulses from different holding potentials (HP=-140, -100, -70 mV) and stimulation frequencies (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10 Hz) using the vaseline-gap voltage-clamp method. KEY RESULTS All the hydroxylated derivatives blocked the sodium channel in a voltage- and use-dependent manner. The PHM, HMM and NHM metabolites were up to 10-fold less effective than the parent compound. However, HMM showed a greater use-dependent behaviour (10 Hz), compared to Mex and the other metabolites. Similar to Mex, these products behaved as inactivating channel blockers. Conjugation with glucuronic acid (NMG) resulted in almost complete abolition of the pharmacological activity of the parent compound. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Thus, although less potent, the phase I metabolites tested demonstrated similar pharmacological behaviour to Mex and might contribute to its clinical profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- M De Bellis
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacobiology, University of Bari Bari, Italy
| | - A De Luca
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacobiology, University of Bari Bari, Italy
| | - F Rana
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacobiology, University of Bari Bari, Italy
| | - M M Cavalluzzi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Bari Bari, Italy
| | - A Catalano
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Bari Bari, Italy
| | - G Lentini
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Bari Bari, Italy
| | - C Franchini
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Bari Bari, Italy
| | - V Tortorella
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Bari Bari, Italy
| | - D Conte Camerino
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacobiology, University of Bari Bari, Italy
- Author for correspondence:
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Zakrzewski JL, Lentini G, Such U, Duerr A, Tran V, Guenzelmann S, Braunschweig T, Riede UN, Koldehoff M. Toxic epidermal necrolysis: differential diagnosis of an epidermolytic dermopathy in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient. Bone Marrow Transplant 2002; 30:331-3. [PMID: 12209357 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1703624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 09/11/2001] [Accepted: 04/12/2002] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is an epidermolytic skin disorder associated with drug administration. It is associated with an erythematous rash with full thickness epidermal loss and characteristic histology. A 35-year-old woman underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for severe aplastic anemia (SAA). She developed an acute epidermolytic rash and TEN was diagnosed on the basis of skin biopsy. In the HSCT setting, TEN should be thought of as an important differential diagnosis of epidermolytic dermopathies. The most distinctive diagnostic test in the differential diagnosis of these disorders is skin biopsy
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Zakrzewski
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center Idar-Oberstein, Germany
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38
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Zakrzewski J, Koldehoff M, Tran V, Günzelmann S, Dürr A, Lentini G, Nürnberger W, Basara N, Kiehl M, Fauser A. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with beta-thalassemia. Eur J Cancer 2001. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(01)80848-0] [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: 11/17/2022]
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Blau IW, Basara N, Lentini G, Guenzelmann S, Kirsten D, Schmetzer B, Bischoff M, Roemer E, Kiehl MG, Fauser AA. Feasibility and safety of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from unrelated donors: results of a single-center study. Bone Marrow Transplant 2001; 27:27-33. [PMID: 11244435 PMCID: PMC7091592 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1702734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2000] [Accepted: 10/17/2000] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
We compared the outcomes in patients receiving unrelated peripheral blood stem cell transplants (PBSCT) with those receiving bone marrow transplants (BMT) in a matched pair analysis. Seventy-four patients with hematological malignancies with HLA-matched (77%) and mismatched (23%) donors were analyzed in this study. Thirty-four patients (45%) were considered as high risk patients. Sixty-eight patients received standard conditioning regimens with Bu/Cy or TBI/Cy. Six patients received an intensified conditioning regimen with the addition of etoposide, thiotepa or melphalan. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of prednisolone, cyclosporine and methotrexate. Groups were matched for patient, donor, transplant characteristics and HLA compatibility. Peripheral blood stem cell collection led to the collection of a higher number of CD34+ and CD3+ cells in comparison to bone marrow collection. Leukocyte engraftment in the PBSCT group occurred in 14 days (median; range 6-26 days) and in the BMT group in 19 days (range 9-29 days; P < 0.02). The time of platelet engraftment did not differ significantly. The incidence of grades II-lV acute GVHD in the group of HLA-identical patients was 35% in the PBSCT group and 25% in the BMT group (P < 0.33, log-rank). However, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05, log-rank) in incidence and time to onset of acute GVHD II-IV comparing all patients, including the 17 mismatched transplants. Disease-free survival was 51% (19 patients) with a median of 352 days and 59% (21 patients) with a median of 760 days for PBSC and BMT transplants, respectively. In conclusion, our results indicate that allogeneic PBSCT led to significantly faster leukocyte engraftment but is associated with a higher incidence and more rapid onset of severe acute GVHD comparing all patients, including the 17 mismatched transplants. However, the incidence of severe acute GVHD in HLA-identical patients was not different between the PBSCT and BMT groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- I W Blau
- Clinic for Bone Marrow Transplantation, Hematology and Oncology, Idar-Oberstein, Germany
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Franchini C, Corbo F, Lentini G, Bruno G, Scilimati A, Tortorella V, Conte Camerino D, De Luca A. Synthesis of new 2,6-prolylxylidide analogues of tocainide as stereoselective blockers of voltage-gated Na(+) channels with increased potency and improved use-dependent activity. J Med Chem 2000; 43:3792-8. [PMID: 11020295 DOI: 10.1021/jm000931l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A series of tocainide chiral analogues were designed, synthesized, and evaluated in vitro, in pure enantiomeric form, as use-dependent blockers of skeletal muscle sodium channels to better understand the structural requirements responsible for the antimyotonic activity. The voltage clamp recordings showed a remarkable increase of both potency and use-dependent behavior with the analogue N-(2, 6-dimethylphenyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide (1a). In fact (R)-1a was 5-fold more potent than (R)-tocainide in producing the tonic block, i.e., the reduction of peak sodium current in resting conditions after application of the compound, but it was 21-fold more potent in condition of high frequency of stimulation (phasic block). Furthermore, as opposite to tocainide, this compound was also stereoselective, (S)-1a being 2-3-fold less potent than (R)-1a. The introduction in 1a of a methyl group in place of the hydrogen bonded to either the aminic nitrogen atom [N-(2, 6-dimethylphenyl)-1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide (2a)] or the amidic nitrogen atom [N-(2, 6-dimethylphenyl)-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide (3a)] led unexpectedly to an inversion of stereoselectivity, the (S)-enantiomers being 3-fold more potent than the (R)-ones. The comparison between eutomers showed that (S)-2a and (S)-3a are almost equieffective to (R)-1a in producing a tonic block, the half-maximal concentrations being about 100 microM; however, the use-dependent behavior was remarkably decreased by the presence of the methyl group: i.e., the gain of potency observed at high frequency of stimulation amounted to 3 and 1.6 times for 2a and 3a, respectively. The replacement of both hydrogens bonded to the aminic and amidic nitrogen atoms resulted in N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N, 1-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide (4a) in which the (S)-isomer was still twice as potent as the (R)-one, but the absolute potency and mostly the use-dependent behavior were strongly reduced, showing therefore no clear advantages with respect to tocainide. The use-dependent behavior, which plays a pivotal role for antimyotonic activity, is strongly reduced by the presence of methyl groups on the nitrogen atoms, likely for modification of pK(a) and/or for constraint of molecular conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Franchini
- Dipartimento Farmaco-Chimico and Farmaco-Biologico, Università di Bari, Via Orabona n.4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
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41
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Mantovani L, Lentini G, Hentschel B, Wickramanayake PD, Loeffler M, Diehl V, Tesch H. Treatment of anaemia in myelodysplastic syndromes with prolonged administration of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and erythropoietin. Br J Haematol 2000; 109:367-75. [PMID: 10848827 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2000.02016.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) improves anaemia in approximately 20% of the patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Recent reports suggest that a combination treatment with rhEPO plus recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) given for up to 18 weeks may result in a higher erythroid response rate than with rhEPO alone. We investigated the potential advantage of an even more prolonged schedule of combined rhG-CSF and rhEPO treatment to obtain and maintain stable responses. In a phase II study, 33 patients with MDS [17 with refractory anaemia (RA), eight with RA with ringed sideroblasts (RARS), eight with RA with excess blasts (RAEB) with bone marrow blast counts less than 20%] were scheduled to receive at least 36 weeks of combined therapy with rhG-CSF and rhEPO. Seventeen of 28 evaluable patients demonstrated an erythroid response [61%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 41-78] after 12 weeks of treatment. The erythroid response rate was 80% (20 of 25 evaluable patients; 95% CI 59-93) after 36 weeks. Seven of these responses developed between week 12 and week 36, whereas two initially responding patients became refractory. The cytokine therapy was generally well tolerated. Nineteen of the 20 patients responding after 36 weeks continued to be treated with both cytokines. After 1 year and 2 years of continuous combined treatment, 50% of the initially included patients showed a continuing response. Our results suggest that a prolonged combination treatment with rhG-CSF and rhEPO is highly effective in achieving a stable and long-lasting erythroid response in many patients with MDS and low blast count.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Mantovani
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, St Georg Hospital, Leipzig, Germany.
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42
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Abstract
The title compounds, 1a and 1b, have been synthesized in a three-step sequence starting from (-)-(S) and (+)-(R)-propylene oxide, respectively, in acceptable overall yields. The enantiomeric excess values for 1a and 1b were 96% and 93% respectively, as assessed by HPLC analysis on a chiral stationary phase of the corresponding N-acetyl derivatives. The synthetic route herein presented may represent a facile entry to highly enriched mexiletine enantiomers, alternative to those previously reported in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Carocci
- Dipartimento Farmaco-Chimico, Facoltà di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
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De Luca A, Natuzzi F, Desaphy JF, Loni G, Lentini G, Franchini C, Tortorella V, Camerino DC. Molecular determinants of mexiletine structure for potent and use-dependent block of skeletal muscle sodium channels. Mol Pharmacol 2000; 57:268-77. [PMID: 10648636] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
On the basis of the information about drug receptor on voltage-gated sodium channels, mexiletine (Mex) analogs with substitutions at either the asymmetric carbon atom or the aromatic ring were synthesized as pure enantiomers. The compounds were tested in vitro for their ability to produce voltage- and use-dependent block of sodium currents (I(Na)) of frog muscle fibers by the vaseline-gap voltage-clamp method. In all experimental conditions, the drug potency was highly correlated with the lipophilicity of the group on the asymmetric center, the derivative with a benzyl moiety (Me6) having IC(50) values more than 10 times lower than those of Mex, followed by the phenyl (Me4) and the isopropyl (Me5) derivative. All of the compounds showed a further reduction of IC(50) values at depolarized membrane potentials and at high frequency of stimulation (10 Hz). Mex and Me5, but not Me4, produced a stereoselective tonic block of I(Na), the R-(-) isomers being 2-fold more potent than the S-(+) ones. The removal of both methyl groups from the aromatic ring of Mex (Me3) caused a 7-fold reduction of the potency, whereas similar substitutions on the phenyl derivative Me4 (Me7 and Me8) produced opposite effects. In fact, the IC(50) of R-(-) Me7 for use-dependent block of I(Na) was 30 times lower than that of R-(-) Mex. Me8 and Me7 were stereoselective during both tonic and use-dependent blockade. All of the compounds left-shifted the steady-state inactivation curves in relation to their potency and to the duration of the inactivating prepulse. Finally, the presence of apolar groups on the asymmetric center of mexiletine is pivotal to reinforce hydrophobic interactions with the proposed aromatic residues at the receptor, and lead to potent and therapeutically interesting inactivated channel blockers.
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Affiliation(s)
- A De Luca
- Unità di Farmacologia, Dipartimento Farmacobiologico, Facoltà di Farmacia, Università di Bari, Bari, Italy
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Duranti A, Franchini C, Lentini G, Loiodice F, Tortorella V, De Luca A, Pierno S, Conte Camerino D. Homologation of mexiletine alkyl chain and stereoselective blockade of skeletal muscle sodium channels. Eur J Med Chem 2000; 35:147-56. [PMID: 10733611 DOI: 10.1016/s0223-5234(00)00115-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The optical isomers (-)-(S)- and (+)-(R)-3-(2, 6-dimethylphenoxy)-2-methyl-1-propanamine (Me2), homologues of the antiarrhythmic and antimyotonic drug mexiletine (Mex), were synthesized and assayed as new potential antimyotonic agents. As observed with Mex, Me2 exhibits an enantioselective behaviour. Tests carried out on sodium currents of single muscle fibres of Rana esculenta demonstrated that (-)-(S)- and (+)-(R)-Me2 were less potent than Mex in producing tonic block, but showed a higher use-dependent block. (-)-(S)-Me2 and (-)-(R)-Mex were also used to study the excitability of muscle fibres of myotonic ADR mice, a phenotype of a recessive form of low G(Cl) myotonia. (-)-(S)-Me2 reduced spontaneous discharges and after discharges better than (-)-(R)-Mex in agreement with the use-dependent block of sodium currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Duranti
- Istituto di Chimica Farmaceutica e Tossicologica, Facoltà di Farmacia, Piazza del Rinascimento 6, Università degli Studi di Urbino, 61029, Urbino, Italy
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Morello A, Lentini G, Gambino G, Randisi MG. Stretching (?) of the spinal cord as a cause of paraplegia in a patient with Cushing's syndrome. J Neurosurg Sci 1999; 43:201-3. [PMID: 10817388] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Paraplegia with a total anesthesia level was found in a patient who had Cushing's syndrome. There was marked osteoporosis of the spine and a moderate wedge shaped compression fracture of the T4 vertebral body but no stenosis of the canal could be observed. On the grounds of the CT findings stretching of the spinal cord caused by the rapidly evolving kyphosis of the thoracic tract has been thought to be the responsible factor of the clinical deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Morello
- Institute of Neurosurgery, University of Palermo
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46
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Reinhardt D, Haase D, Schoch C, Wollenweber S, Hinkelmann E, v Heyden W, Lentini G, Wörmann B, Schröter W, Pekrun A. Hemoglobin F in myelodysplastic syndrome. Ann Hematol 1998; 76:135-8. [PMID: 9619730 DOI: 10.1007/s002770050377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Reactivation of fetal hemoglobin synthesis in adulthood can be seen in hematological disorders affecting the erythropoietic system. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the incidence and prognostic significance of increased hemoglobin F in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. Hemoglobin F concentrations and Ggamma/Ggamma + A gamma-globin chain ratios were determined in 26 patients with primary myelodysplastic syndrome. Median age of the patients was 65 years; all FAB subtypes were included. Increased hemoglobin F concentration of up to 20% of total hemoglobin (normal: below 2%) was seen in 16 patients; ten patients had normal values. There was a significant relation between hemoglobin F concentration and the course of disease, e.g., 12 of the 16 patients with elevated hemoglobin F survived at least 1 year after the examination, in contrast to only three of the ten patients with normal hemoglobin F (p < 0.025). All of six patients with hemoglobin F above 5% survived at least 1 year. There was no significant difference in the hemoglobin F concentration between patients with and without cytogenetic anomalies. The Ggamma/Ggamma + A gamma-globin chain ratio was slightly elevated in all patients, with a weak correlation to the degree of hemoglobin F elevation. The values were not of additional prognostic significance. The data of the present study suggest that the hemoglobin F concentration may be a prognostic parameter in myelodysplastic syndrome; increased hemoglobin F concentration may indicate a better prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Reinhardt
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Göttingen, Germany
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47
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Gennari L, Becherini L, Masi L, Mansani R, Gonnelli S, Cepollaro C, Martini S, Montagnani A, Lentini G, Becorpi AM, Brandi ML. Vitamin D and estrogen receptor allelic variants in Italian postmenopausal women: evidence of multiple gene contribution to bone mineral density. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998; 83:939-44. [PMID: 9506753 DOI: 10.1210/jcem.83.3.4649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bone mass and bone turnover are under genetic control. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) at the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene locus have been recently correlated to bone mineral density (BMD) and rate of bone loss. However, agreement on this relationship is not universal. The existence of ethnical and environmental differences between populations, a health-based selection bias in several previous studies, and the involvement of other genes could explain these discordant findings. In this study, we examined the relationship of VDR and estrogen receptor (ER) gene RFLPs with lumbar spine and upper femur BMD in 426 Italian postmenopausal women, 57.7 +/- 0.4 yr old (144 normal, 106 osteopenic, and 176 osteoporotic). VDR gene RFLPs for ApaI, Bsm I, and TaqI restriction endonucleases and ER RFLPs for PvuII and XbaI restriction endonucleases were assessed by Southern blotting analysis and were indicated, respectively, as A-a, B-b, T-t, P-p, and X-x (uppercase letters signifying the absence and lowercase letters the presence of the restriction site). After correcting for potential confounding factors (age, height, weight, age since menopause, osteophytosis, and facet joint osteoarthritis), a statistically significant VDR genotype effect on lumbar BMD (P = 0.01, analysis of covariance), but not on femoral BMD, was detected, with subjects in AABBtt genotype showing a 13% lower BMD than those with aabbTT genotype (P < 0.05, Tukey's test). Moreover, a statistically significant prevalence of AABBtt genotype in osteoporotics, and of AabbTT and aabbTT genotypes in nonosteoporotics, were detected. Conversely, there was no significant relationship of ER genotype to either lumbar or femoral BMD, even though a trend for higher BMD values in women with the ER PP genotype (with respect to those with ER pp genotype) was detected. When mean lumbar BMD was calculated for women grouped by ER and VDR genotype, we observed a significant difference between those within the 2 opposite associations AABBtt-PPXX and aabbTT-ppxx (0.71 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.97 +/- 0.03 g/cm2, P < 0.05 Tukey's test). These results are consistent with a segregation of the VDR AABBtt genotype with a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, in the Italian female population. The introduction of another variable, the ER genotype, in the analysis of VDR genetic determination of BMD, may represent a useful model in the identification of patients at risk of developing a multigenic disorder like osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gennari
- Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Italy
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48
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De Luca A, Natuzzi F, Falcone G, Duranti A, Lentini G, Franchini C, Tortorella V, Camerino DC. Inhibition of frog skeletal muscle sodium channels by newly synthesized chiral derivatives of mexiletine and tocainide. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 1997; 356:777-87. [PMID: 9453464 DOI: 10.1007/pl00005118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
To search for potent use-dependent blockers of skeletal muscle sodium channels as potential antimyotonic agents, the actions of newly synthesized chiral analogs of mexiletine and tocainide were tested in vitro on sodium currents of single fibers of frog semitendinosus muscle by vaseline-gap voltage clamp method. The effect of each drug on the maximal peak Na+ transient (I(Na) max) was evaluated as both tonic and use-dependent block by using infrequent depolarizing stimulation and trains of pulses at 2-10 Hz frequency, respectively. The mexiletine analog 3-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)-2-methylpropanamine (Me2), having an increased distance between the phenyl and the amino groups, was less potent than mexiletine in producing a tonic block but produced a remarkable use-dependent block. In fact, the half-maximal concentration (IC50) for tonic block of S(-)-Me2 was 108 microM vs. 54.5 microM of R(-)-mexiletine, but the IC50 was 6.2 times lowered by the 10 Hz stimulation with respect to the 2.4 fold decrease observed with mexiletine. The R(-)-mexiletine and the S(-)-Me2 were about twofold more potent than the corresponding enantiomers in producing a tonic block, but the stereoselectivity attenuated during use-dependent blockade. The more lipophilic 2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-1-phenylethylamine (Me1), presently available as raceme, produced a potent and irreversible tonic block of the sodium currents with an IC50 of 29 microM, but had a less pronounced use-dependent inhibition, with a 1.9 fold decrease of the IC50 at 10 Hz. The R(-) isomer of 2',6'-valinoxylidide (To1), a tocainide derivative with an increased hindrance on the chiral carbon atom, was twofold (IC50 = 209 microM) and tenfold (IC50 = 27.4 microM) more potent than R(-)-tocainide in tonic and use-dependent block, respectively. Tocainide was almost devoid of stereoselectivity, whereas the eudismic ratio of To1 [(IC50 S(+)-To1/IC50 R(-)-To1] was 1.7. As for mexiletine and Me2, the stereoselectivity of To1 was the weaker the higher the frequency of stimulation. The cyclic pyrrolo-imidazolonic tocainide analog To2 produced a small tonic block at 500 microM, and 1 min stimulation at 10 Hz was needed to show up a 50% block of I(Na) max. All the compounds produced a left-shift of the steady-state inactivation curve correlated positively with the extent of use-dependent inhibition, with the exception of the cyclic To2 that acted as an open-channel blocker. The highly use-dependent blockers Me2 and To1 might be promising drugs to solve high frequency discharges of action potentials typical of myotonic muscles. Concomitantly the high potency of Me1 and the open-channel block exerted by To2 can represent important features to get selective blockers for skeletal muscle sodium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- A De Luca
- Dipartimento Farmacobiologico, Facoltà di Farmacia, Bari, Italy
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De Luca A, Natuzzi F, Falcone G, Pierno S, Lentini G, Duranti A, Franchini C, Tortorella V, Conte Camerino D. Therapeutic effects of tocainide and mexiletine analogs on myotonic MTO and ADR mice. Neuromuscul Disord 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0960-8966(97)87245-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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De Luca A, Pierno S, Natuzzi F, Franchini C, Duranti A, Lentini G, Tortorella V, Jockusch H, Camerino DC. Evaluation of the antimyotonic activity of mexiletine and some new analogs on sodium currents of single muscle fibers and on the abnormal excitability of the myotonic ADR mouse. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1997; 282:93-100. [PMID: 9223544] [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] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
To search for use-dependent sodium channel blockers to selectively solve skeletal muscle hyperexcitability in hereditary myotonias, mexiletine (MEX; compound I) and its newly synthetized analogs, 2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-benzenethanamine (compound II) and (-)-S-3-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)-2-methylpropanamine (compound III), were tested on intercostal muscle fibers from the myotonic ADR mouse through use of the standard current-clamp microelectrode technique. In parallel, the effects of these compounds on the sodium channels were measured on frog muscle fibers under voltage-clamp conditions. The tonic and use-dependent blocks of peak sodium currents (I(Namax)) produced by each compound were evaluated by using a single depolarizing pulse and a pulse train at 10 Hz frequency, respectively. At 10 and 50 microM, MEX decreased the occurrence of spontaneous excitability in myotonic muscle fibers; 100 microM was required to decrease the amplitude of the action potential and the stimulus-induced firing of the membrane as well as to increase the threshold for generation of action potential. At 300 microM, MEX decreased the latency of the action potential and increased the threshold current to elicit a single action potential. MEX produced a tonic block of I(Namax) with an half-maximal concentration (IC50) of 83 microM, but the IC50 value for use-dependent block was 3-fold lower. Compound III, which differs from MEX in that it has a longer alkyl chain, similarly blocked first the spontaneous and then the stimulus-evoked excitability of myotonic muscle fibers but at 2-fold lower concentrations than MEX. Compound III was less potent than MEX in producing a tonic block of I(Namax) (IC50 = 108 microM) but was a strong use-dependent blocker with an IC50 close to 15 microM. The more lipophylic compound II irreversibly blocked both spontaneous and stimulus-evoked membrane excitability at concentrations as low as 10 microM and shortened the latency of the action potential in a concentration-dependent fashion. Compound II produced a potent tonic block of I(Namax) (IC50 = 30 microM), and its potency increased 2-fold during high-frequency stimulation. Both of the new analogs (compound II in particular), but not MEX, were less effective on the excitability parameters of striated fibers of healthy vs. ADR mice, a characteristic that increases their interest as potential antimyotonic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- A De Luca
- Department of Pharmacobiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Bari, Italy
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