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D’Auria FD, Casciaro B, De Angelis M, Marcocci ME, Palamara AT, Nencioni L, Mangoni ML. Antifungal Activity of the Frog Skin Peptide Temporin G and Its Effect on Candida albicans Virulence Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116345. [PMID: 35683025 PMCID: PMC9181532 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing resistance to conventional antifungal drugs is a widespread concern, and a search for new compounds, active against different species of fungi, is demanded. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold promises in this context. Here we investigated the activity of the frog skin AMP Temporin G (TG) against a panel of fungal strains, by following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocols. TG resulted to be active against (i) Candida species and Cryptococcus neoformans, with MIC50 between 4 µM and 64 µM after 24 h of incubation; (ii) dermatophytes with MIC80 ranging from 4 to 32 µM, and (iii) Aspergillus strains with MIC80 of 128 µM. In addition, our tests revealed that TG reduced the metabolic activity of Candida albicans cells, with moderate membrane perturbation, as proven by XTT and Sytox Green assays, respectively. Furthermore, TG was found to be effective against some C. albicans virulence factors; indeed, at 64 µM it was able to inhibit ~90% of yeast-mycelial switching, strongly prevented biofilm formation, and led to a 50% reduction of metabolic activity in mature biofilm cells, and ~30-35% eradication of mature biofilm biomass. Even though further studies are needed to deepen our knowledge of the mechanisms of TG antifungal activity, our results suggest this AMP as an attractive lead compound for treatment of fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Diodata D’Auria
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marta De Angelis
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Nencioni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.D.D.); (M.D.A.); (M.E.M.); (A.T.P.)
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (M.L.M.); Tel.: +39-0649914608 (L.N.); +39-0649910838 (M.L.M.)
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (M.L.M.); Tel.: +39-0649914608 (L.N.); +39-0649910838 (M.L.M.)
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2
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De Angelis M, Casciaro B, Genovese A, Brancaccio D, Marcocci ME, Novellino E, Carotenuto A, Palamara AT, Mangoni ML, Nencioni L. Temporin G, an amphibian antimicrobial peptide against influenza and parainfluenza respiratory viruses: Insights into biological activity and mechanism of action. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21358. [PMID: 33538061 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001885rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [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: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of respiratory viral infections remains a global health concern, mainly due to the inefficacy of available drugs. Therefore, the discovery of novel antiviral compounds is needed; in this context, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) like temporins hold great promise. Here, we discovered that the harmless temporin G (TG) significantly inhibited the early life-cycle phases of influenza virus. The in vitro hemagglutinating test revealed the existence of TG interaction with the viral hemagglutinin (HA) protein. Furthermore, the hemolysis inhibition assay and the molecular docking studies confirmed a TG/HA complex formation at the level of the conserved hydrophobic stem groove of HA. Remarkably, these findings highlight the ability of TG to block the conformational rearrangements of HA2 subunit, which are essential for the viral envelope fusion with intracellular endocytic vesicles, thereby neutralizing the virus entry into the host cell. In comparison, in the case of parainfluenza virus, which penetrates host cells upon a membrane-fusion process, addition of TG to infected cells provoked ~1.2 log reduction of viral titer released in the supernatant. Nevertheless, at the same condition, an immunofluorescent assay showed that the expression of viral hemagglutinin/neuraminidase protein was not significantly reduced. This suggested a peptide-mediated block of some late steps of viral replication and therefore the impairment of the extracellular release of viral particles. Overall, our results are the first demonstration of the ability of an AMP to interfere with the replication of respiratory viruses with a different mechanism of cell entry and will open a new avenue for the development of novel therapeutic approaches against a large variety of respiratory viruses, including the recent SARS-CoV2.
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Affiliation(s)
- M De Angelis
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - B Casciaro
- Center For Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - A Genovese
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - D Brancaccio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - M E Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - E Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - A Carotenuto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - A T Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - M L Mangoni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - L Nencioni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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3
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Napoletani G, Protto V, Marcocci ME, Nencioni L, Palamara AT, De Chiara G. Recurrent Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) Infection Modulates Neuronal Aging Marks in In Vitro and In Vivo Models. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6279. [PMID: 34208020 PMCID: PMC8230621 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is a widespread neurotropic virus establishing a life-long latent infection in neurons with periodic reactivations. Recent studies linked HSV-1 to neurodegenerative processes related to age-related disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Here, we explored whether recurrent HSV-1 infection might accelerate aging in neurons, focusing on peculiar marks of aged cells, such as the increase in histone H4 lysine (K) 16 acetylation (ac) (H4K16ac); the decrease of H3K56ac, and the modified expression of Sin3/HDAC1 and HIRA proteins. By exploiting both in vitro and in vivo models of recurrent HSV-1 infection, we found a significant increase in H4K16ac, Sin3, and HDAC1 levels, suggesting that the neuronal response to virus latency and reactivation includes the upregulation of these aging markers. On the contrary, we found a significant decrease in H3K56ac that was specifically linked to viral reactivation and apparently not related to aging-related markers. A complex modulation of HIRA expression and localization was found in the brain from HSV-1 infected mice suggesting a specific role of this protein in viral latency and reactivation. Overall, our results pointed out novel molecular mechanisms through which recurrent HSV-1 infection may affect neuronal aging, likely contributing to neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Napoletani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.N.); (V.P.); (M.E.M.); (L.N.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Virginia Protto
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.N.); (V.P.); (M.E.M.); (L.N.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.N.); (V.P.); (M.E.M.); (L.N.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Lucia Nencioni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.N.); (V.P.); (M.E.M.); (L.N.); (A.T.P.)
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.N.); (V.P.); (M.E.M.); (L.N.); (A.T.P.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna De Chiara
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy
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Li Puma DD, Marcocci ME, Lazzarino G, De Chiara G, Tavazzi B, Palamara AT, Piacentini R, Grassi C. Ca 2+ -dependent release of ATP from astrocytes affects herpes simplex virus type 1 infection of neurons. Glia 2020; 69:201-215. [PMID: 32818313 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes provide metabolic support for neurons and modulate their functions by releasing a plethora of neuroactive molecules diffusing to neighboring cells. Here we report that astrocytes also play a role in cortical neurons' vulnerability to Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) infection through the release of extracellular ATP. We found that the interaction of HSV-1 with heparan sulfate proteoglycans expressed on the plasma membrane of astrocytes triggered phospholipase C-mediated IP3 -dependent intracellular Ca2+ transients causing extracellular release of ATP. ATP binds membrane purinergic P2 receptors (P2Rs) of both neurons and astrocytes causing an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration that activates the Glycogen Synthase Kinase (GSK)-3β, whose action is necessary for HSV-1 entry/replication in these cells. Indeed, in co-cultures of neurons and astrocytes HSV-1-infected neurons were only found in proximity of infected astrocytes releasing ATP, whereas in the presence of fluorocitrate, an inhibitor of astrocyte metabolism, switching-off the HSV-1-induced ATP release, very few neurons were infected. The addition of exogenous ATP, mimicking that released by astrocytes after HSV-1 challenge, restored the ability of HSV-1 to infect neurons co-cultured with metabolically-inhibited astrocytes. The ATP-activated, P2R-mediated, and GSK-3-dependent molecular pathway underlying HSV-1 infection is likely shared by neurons and astrocytes, given that the blockade of either P2Rs or GSK-3 activation inhibited infection of both cell types. These results add a new layer of information to our understanding of the critical role played by astrocytes in regulating neuronal functions and their response to noxious stimuli including microbial agents via Ca2+ -dependent release of neuroactive molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Donatella Li Puma
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Lazzarino
- UniCamillus - Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna De Chiara
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Tavazzi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Basic biotechnological sciences, intensivological and perioperative clinics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy.,San Raffaele Pisana, IRCCS, Telematic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Piacentini
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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5
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Marcocci ME, Napoletani G, Protto V, Kolesova O, Piacentini R, Li Puma DD, Lomonte P, Grassi C, Palamara AT, De Chiara G. Herpes Simplex Virus-1 in the Brain: The Dark Side of a Sneaky Infection. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:808-820. [PMID: 32386801 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) establishes latency preferentially in sensory neurons of peripheral ganglia. A variety of stresses can induce recurrent reactivations of the virus, which spreads and then actively replicates to the site of primary infection (usually the lips or eyes). Viral particles produced following reactivation can also reach the brain, causing a rare but severe form of diffuse acute infection, namely herpes simplex encephalitis. Most of the time, this infection is clinically asymptomatic. However, it was recently correlated with the production and accumulation of neuropathological biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. In this review we discuss the different cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the acute and long-term damage caused by HSV-1 infection in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Napoletani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Virginia Protto
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Olga Kolesova
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Piacentini
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenica Donatella Li Puma
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrick Lomonte
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U 1217, Institut NeuroMyoGène (INMG), Lyon, France
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy; San Raffaele Pisana, IRCCS, Telematic University, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giovanna De Chiara
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
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Li Puma DD, Piacentini R, Leone L, Gironi K, Marcocci ME, De Chiara G, Palamara AT, Grassi C. Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 Infection Impairs Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis via Amyloid-β Protein Accumulation. Stem Cells 2019; 37:1467-1480. [PMID: 31381841 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported that Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) infection of cultured neurons triggered intracellular accumulation of amyloid-β protein (Aβ) markedly impinging on neuronal functions. Here, we demonstrated that HSV-1 affects in vitro and in vivo adult hippocampal neurogenesis by reducing neural stem/progenitor cell (NSC) proliferation and their neuronal differentiation via intracellular Aβ accumulation. Specifically, cultured NSCs were more permissive for HSV-1 replication than mature neurons and, once infected, they exhibited reduced proliferation (assessed by 5'-bromo-deoxyuridine incorporation, Ki67 immunoreactivity, and Sox2 mRNA expression) and impaired neuronal differentiation in favor of glial phenotype (evaluated by immunoreactivity for the neuronal marker MAP2, the glial marker glial fibrillary astrocyte protein, and the expression of the proneuronal genes Mash1 and NeuroD1). Similarly, impaired adult neurogenesis was observed in the subgranular zone of hippocampal dentate gyrus of an in vivo model of recurrent HSV-1 infections, that we recently set up and characterized, with respect to mock-infected mice. The effects of HSV-1 on neurogenesis did not depend on cell death and were due to Aβ accumulation in infected NSCs. Indeed, they were: (a) reverted, in vitro, by the presence of either β/γ-secretase inhibitors preventing Aβ production or the specific 4G8 antibody counteracting the action of intracellular Aβ; (b) not detectable, in vivo, in HSV-1-infected amyloid precursor protein knockout mice, unable to produce and accumulate Aβ. Given the critical role played by adult neurogenesis in hippocampal-dependent memory and learning, our results suggest that multiple virus reactivations in the brain may contribute to Alzheimer's disease phenotype by also targeting NSCs. Stem Cells 2019;37:1467-1480.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Donatella Li Puma
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Piacentini
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Leone
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Katia Gironi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna De Chiara
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy.,San Raffaele Pisana, IRCCS, Telematic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Limongi D, Baldelli S, Checconi P, Marcocci ME, De Chiara G, Fraternale A, Magnani M, Ciriolo MR, Palamara AT. Corrigendum: GSH-C4 Acts as Anti-inflammatory Drug in Different Models of Canonical and Cell Autonomous Inflammation Through NFκB Inhibition. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1481. [PMID: 31333646 PMCID: PMC6615075 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00155.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolores Limongi
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Baldelli
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Checconi
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna De Chiara
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Magnani
- University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Urbino, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Ciriolo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.,IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.,Institute Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
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8
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De Chiara G, Marcocci ME, Fabiani M, Napoletani G, Protto V, Limongi D, Mastrodonato A, Di Domenico F, Pierluigi M, Li Puma DD, Piacentini R, Grassi C, Palamara AT. P2-204: RECURRENT HSV-1 INFECTION CAUSES MOLECULAR MARKERS OF NEURODEGENERATION, OXIDATIVE STRESS AND COGNITIVE DEFICITS IN MICE. Alzheimers Dement 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2019.06.2611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Domenica Donatella Li Puma
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Roma Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS; Roma Italy
| | - Roberto Piacentini
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Roma Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS; Roma Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Roma Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS; Roma Italy
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9
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De Chiara G, Piacentini R, Fabiani M, Mastrodonato A, Marcocci ME, Limongi D, Napoletani G, Protto V, Coluccio P, Celestino I, Li Puma DD, Grassi C, Palamara AT. Recurrent herpes simplex virus-1 infection induces hallmarks of neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits in mice. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007617. [PMID: 30870531 PMCID: PMC6417650 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.2] [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: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a DNA neurotropic virus, usually establishing latent infections in the trigeminal ganglia followed by periodic reactivations. Although numerous findings suggested potential links between HSV-1 and Alzheimer's disease (AD), a causal relation has not been demonstrated yet. Hence, we set up a model of recurrent HSV-1 infection in mice undergoing repeated cycles of viral reactivation. By virological and molecular analyses we found: i) HSV-1 spreading and replication in different brain regions after thermal stress-induced virus reactivations; ii) accumulation of AD hallmarks including amyloid-β protein, tau hyperphosphorylation, and neuroinflammation markers (astrogliosis, IL-1β and IL-6). Remarkably, the progressive accumulation of AD molecular biomarkers in neocortex and hippocampus of HSV-1 infected mice, triggered by repeated virus reactivations, correlated with increasing cognitive deficits becoming irreversible after seven cycles of reactivation. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that mild and recurrent HSV-1 infections in the central nervous system produce an AD-like phenotype and suggest that they are a risk factor for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna De Chiara
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Roberto Piacentini
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Fabiani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Mastrodonato
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Dolores Limongi
- San Raffaele Pisana, IRCCS, Telematic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Napoletani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Virginia Protto
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Coluccio
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Domenica Donatella Li Puma
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia–Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
- San Raffaele Pisana, IRCCS, Telematic University, Rome, Italy
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10
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Limongi D, Baldelli S, Checconi P, Marcocci ME, De Chiara G, Fraternale A, Magnani M, Ciriolo MR, Palamara AT. GSH-C4 Acts as Anti-inflammatory Drug in Different Models of Canonical and Cell Autonomous Inflammation Through NFκB Inhibition. Front Immunol 2019; 10:155. [PMID: 30787932 PMCID: PMC6372722 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An imbalance in GSH/GSSG ratio represents a triggering event in pro-inflammatory cytokine production and inflammatory response. However, the molecular mechanism(s) through which GSH regulates macrophage and cell autonomous inflammation remains not deeply understood. Here, we investigated the effects of a derivative of GSH, the N-butanoyl glutathione (GSH-C4), a cell permeable compound, on lipopolisaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages, and human macrophages. LPS alone induces a significant production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and a significant decrement of GSH content. Such events were significantly abrogated by treatment with GSH-C4. Moreover, GSH-C4 was highly efficient in buffering cell autonomous inflammatory status of aged C2C12 myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes by suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We found that inflammation was paralleled by a strong induction of the phosphorylated form of NFκB, which translocates into the nucleus; a process that was also efficiently inhibited by the treatment with GSH-C4. Overall, the evidence suggests that GSH decrement is required for efficient activation of an inflammatory condition and, at the same time, GSH-C4 can be envisaged as a good candidate to abrogate such process, expanding the anti-inflammatory role of this molecule in chronic inflammatory states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolores Limongi
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Baldelli
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Checconi
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna De Chiara
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Magnani
- University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Urbino, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Ciriolo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.,IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.,Institute Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
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11
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Di Sotto A, Di Giacomo S, Amatore D, Locatelli M, Vitalone A, Toniolo C, Rotino GL, Lo Scalzo R, Palamara AT, Marcocci ME, Nencioni L. A Polyphenol Rich Extract from Solanum melongena L. DR2 Peel Exhibits Antioxidant Properties and Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Activity In Vitro. Molecules 2018; 23:E2066. [PMID: 30126139 PMCID: PMC6222547 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23082066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DR2B and DR2C extracts, obtained by ethanolic maceration of peel from commercially and physiologically ripe aubergine berries, were studied for the antioxidative cytoprotective properties and anti-HSV-1 activity, in line with the evidence that several antioxidants can impair viral replication by maintaining reducing conditions in host cells. The antioxidative cytoprotective effects against tBOOH-induced damage were assessed in Caco2 cells, while antiviral activity was studied in Vero cells; polyphenolic fingerprints were characterized by integrated phytochemical methods. Results highlighted different compositions of the extracts, with chlorogenic acid and delphinidin-3-rutinoside as the major constituents; other peculiar phytochemicals were also identified. Both samples reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and exhibited scavenging and chelating properties. DR2C partly counteracted the tBOOH-induced cytotoxicity, with a remarkable lowering of lactate metabolism under both normoxia and hypoxia; interestingly, it increased intracellular GSH levels. Furthermore, DR2C inhibited the HSV-1 replication when added for 24 h after viral adsorption, as also confirmed by the reduction of many viral proteins' expression. Since DR2C was able to reduce NOX4 expression during HSV-1 infection, its antiviral activity may be correlated to its antioxidant properties. Although further studies are needed to better characterize DR2C activity, the results suggest this extract as a promising new anti-HSV-1 agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Di Sotto
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Di Giacomo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Donatella Amatore
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Marcello Locatelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University "G. D'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Annabella Vitalone
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Chiara Toniolo
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Leonardo Rotino
- Research Centre for Genomics and Bioinformatics (CREA-GB), Via Paullese 28, Lodi, 26836 Montanaso Lombardo, Italy.
| | - Roberto Lo Scalzo
- Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing (CREA-IT), Via Venezian 26, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Lucia Nencioni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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12
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Fabiani M, Limongi D, Palamara AT, De Chiara G, Marcocci ME. A Novel Method to Titrate Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) Using Laser-Based Scanning of Near-Infrared Fluorophores Conjugated Antibodies. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1085. [PMID: 28659899 PMCID: PMC5469900 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Among several strategies used for Herpes simplex virus (HSV) detection in biological specimens, standard plaque assay (SPA) remains the most reliable method to evaluate virus infectivity and quantify viral replication. However, it is a manual procedure, thereby affected by operator subjectivity, and it may be particularly laborious for multiple sample analysis. Here we describe an innovative method to perform the titration of HSV type 1 (HSV-1) in different samples, using the “In-Cell WesternTM” Assay (ICW) from LI-COR, a quantitative immunofluorescence assay that exploits laser-based scanning of near infrared (NIR). In particular, we employed NIR-immunodetection of viral proteins to monitor foci of HSV-1 infection in cell monolayers, and exploited an automated detection of their fluorescence intensity to evaluate virus titre. This innovative method produced similar and superimposable values compared to SPA, but it is faster and can be performed in 96 well plate, thus allowing to easily and quickly analyze and quantify many samples in parallel. These features make our method particularly suitable for the screening and characterization of antiviral compounds, as we demonstrated by testing acyclovir (ACV), the main anti-HSV-1 drug. Moreover, we developed a new data analysis system that allowed to overcome potential bias due to unspecific florescence signals, thus improving data reproducibility. Overall, our method may represents a useful tool for both clinical and research purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Fabiani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of RomeRome, Italy
| | - Dolores Limongi
- San Raffaele Pisana, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Telematic UniversityRome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- San Raffaele Pisana, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Telematic UniversityRome, Italy.,Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci BolognettiRome, Italy
| | - Giovanna De Chiara
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research CouncilRome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of RomeRome, Italy
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13
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De Chiara G, Racaniello M, Mollinari C, Marcocci ME, Aversa G, Cardinale A, Giovanetti A, Garaci E, Palamara AT, Merlo D. Herpes Simplex Virus-Type1 (HSV-1) Impairs DNA Repair in Cortical Neurons. Front Aging Neurosci 2016; 8:242. [PMID: 27803664 PMCID: PMC5067485 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Several findings suggest that Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection plays a role in the neurodegenerative processes that characterize Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. Here we show that HSV-1 productive infection in cortical neurons causes the accumulation of DNA lesions that include both single (SSBs) and double strand breaks (DSBs), which are reported to be implicated in the neuronal loss observed in neurodegenerative diseases. We demonstrate that HSV-1 downregulates the expression level of Ku80, one of the main components of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), a major pathway for the repair of DSBs. We also provide data suggesting that HSV-1 drives Ku80 for proteasomal degradation and impairs NHEJ activity, leading to DSB accumulation. Since HSV-1 usually causes life-long recurrent infections, it is possible to speculate that cumulating damages, including those occurring on DNA, may contribute to virus induced neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration, further suggesting HSV-1 as a risk factor for neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna De Chiara
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di SanitàRome, Italy; Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research CouncilRome, Italy
| | - Mauro Racaniello
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Mollinari
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di SanitàRome, Italy; Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research CouncilRome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Aversa
- Laboratory of Biosafety and Risk Assessment, Division of Health Technologies, Department of Sustainable Territorial and Production Systems, ENEA Casaccia Research Center Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Cardinale
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Pisana Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Giovanetti
- Laboratory of Biosafety and Risk Assessment, Division of Health Technologies, Department of Sustainable Territorial and Production Systems, ENEA Casaccia Research Center Rome, Italy
| | | | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele PisanaRome, Italy; Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Institute Pasteur Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of RomeRome, Italy
| | - Daniela Merlo
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità Rome, Italy
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14
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Sgarbanti R, Amatore D, Celestino I, Marcocci ME, Fraternale A, Ciriolo MR, Magnani M, Saladino R, Garaci E, Palamara AT, Nencioni L. Intracellular redox state as target for anti-influenza therapy: are antioxidants always effective? Curr Top Med Chem 2015; 14:2529-41. [PMID: 25478883 PMCID: PMC4435240 DOI: 10.2174/1568026614666141203125211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 07/02/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Influenza virus infections represent a big issue for public health since effective treatments are still lacking. In particular, the emergence of strains resistant to drugs limits the effectiveness of anti-influenza agents. For this reason, many efforts have been dedicated to the identification of new therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting the virus-host cell interactions. Oxidative stress is a characteristic of some viral infections including influenza. Because antioxidants defend cells from damage caused by reactive oxygen species induced by different stimuli including pathogens, they represent interesting molecules to fight infectious diseases. However, most of the available studies have found that these would-be panaceas could actually exacerbate the diseases they claim to prevent, and have thus revealed "the dark side" of these molecules. This review article discusses the latest opportunities and drawbacks of the antioxidants used in anti-influenza therapy and new perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lucia Nencioni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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15
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Civitelli L, Marcocci ME, Celestino I, Piacentini R, Garaci E, Grassi C, De Chiara G, Palamara AT. Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in neurons leads to production and nuclear localization of APP intracellular domain (AICD): implications for Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. J Neurovirol 2015; 21:480-90. [PMID: 25925093 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-015-0344-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Several data indicate that neuronal infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes biochemical alterations reminiscent of Alzheimer's disease (AD) phenotype. They include accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ), which originates from the cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP), and hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, which leads to neurofibrillary tangle deposition. HSV-1 infection triggers APP processing and drives the production of several fragments including APP intracellular domain (AICD) that exerts transactivating properties. Herein, we analyzed the production and intracellular localization of AICD following HSV-1 infection in neurons. We also checked whether AICD induced the transcription of two target genes, neprilysin (nep) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (gsk3β), whose products play a role in Aβ clearance and tau phosphorylation, respectively. Our data indicate that HSV-1 led to the accumulation and nuclear translocation of AICD in neurons. Moreover, results from chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that AICD binds the promoter region of both nep and gsk3β. Time course analysis of NEP and GSK3β expression at both mRNA and protein levels demonstrated that they are differently modulated during infection. NEP expression and enzymatic activity were initially stimulated but, with the progression of infection, they were down-regulated. In contrast, GSK3β expression remained nearly unchanged, but the analysis of its phosphorylation suggests that it was inactivated only at later stages of HSV-1 infection. Thus, our data demonstrate that HSV-1 infection induces early upstream events in the cell that may eventually lead to Aβ deposition and tau hyperphosphorylation and further suggest HSV-1 as a possible risk factor for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Civitelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. .,Experimental Pathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ignacio Celestino
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Piacentini
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Garaci
- IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Telematic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Institute Pasteur Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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16
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Civitelli L, Panella S, Marcocci ME, De Petris A, Garzoli S, Pepi F, Vavala E, Ragno R, Nencioni L, Palamara AT, Angiolella L. In vitro inhibition of herpes simplex virus type 1 replication by Mentha suaveolens essential oil and its main component piperitenone oxide. Phytomedicine 2014; 21:857-65. [PMID: 24629600 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2014.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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: 08/15/2013] [Revised: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 01/31/2014] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Several essential oils exert in vitro activity against bacteria and viruses and, among these latter, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is known to develop resistance to commonly used antiviral agents. Thus, the effects of the essential oil derived from Mentha suaveolens (EOMS) and its active principle piperitenone oxide (PEO) were tested in in vitro experimental model of infection with HSV-1. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined at 5.1μg/ml and 1.4μg/ml for EOMS and PEO, respectively. Australian tea tree oil (TTO) was used as control, revealing an IC50 of 13.2μg/ml. Moreover, a synergistic action against HSV-1 was observed when each oil was added in combination with acyclovir. In order to find out the mechanism of action, EOMS, PEO and TTO were added to the cells at different times during the virus life-cycle. Results obtained by yield reduction assay indicated that the antiviral activity of both compounds was principally due to an effect after viral adsorption. Indeed, no reduction of virus yield was observed when cells were treated during viral adsorption or pre-treated before viral infection. In particular, PEO exerted a strong inhibitory effect by interfering with a late step of HSV-1 life-cycle. HSV-1 infection is known to induce a pro-oxidative state with depletion of the main intracellular antioxidant glutathione and this redox change in the cell is important for viral replication. Interestingly, the treatment with PEO corrected this deficit, thus suggesting that the compound could interfere with some redox-sensitive cellular pathways exploited for viral replication. Overall our data suggest that both EOMS and PEO could be considered good candidates for novel anti-HSV-1 strategies, and need further exploration to better characterize the targets underlying their inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Civitelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Panella
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto De Petris
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Garzoli
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Pepi
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Vavala
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rino Ragno
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Nencioni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Institute Pasteur Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; San Raffaele Pisana Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care, Rome, Italy
| | - Letizia Angiolella
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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17
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De Chiara G, Marcocci ME, Sgarbanti R, Civitelli L, Ripoli C, Piacentini R, Garaci E, Grassi C, Palamara AT. Infectious agents and neurodegeneration. Mol Neurobiol 2012; 46:614-38. [PMID: 22899188 PMCID: PMC3496540 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-012-8320-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2012] [Accepted: 07/31/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of epidemiologic and experimental data point to chronic bacterial and viral infections as possible risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Infections of the central nervous system, especially those characterized by a chronic progressive course, may produce multiple damage in infected and neighbouring cells. The activation of inflammatory processes and host immune responses cause chronic damage resulting in alterations of neuronal function and viability, but different pathogens can also directly trigger neurotoxic pathways. Indeed, viral and microbial agents have been reported to produce molecular hallmarks of neurodegeneration, such as the production and deposit of misfolded protein aggregates, oxidative stress, deficient autophagic processes, synaptopathies and neuronal death. These effects may act in synergy with other recognized risk factors, such as aging, concomitant metabolic diseases and the host’s specific genetic signature. This review will focus on the contribution given to neurodegeneration by herpes simplex type-1, human immunodeficiency and influenza viruses, and by Chlamydia pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna De Chiara
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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18
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De Chiara G, Marcocci ME, Torcia M, Lucibello M, Rosini P, Bonini P, Higashimoto Y, Damonte G, Armirotti A, Amodei S, Palamara AT, Russo T, Garaci E, Cozzolino F. Bcl-2 Phosphorylation by p38 MAPK: identification of target sites and biologic consequences. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:21353-21361. [PMID: 16714293 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m511052200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [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: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The antiapoptotic role of Bcl-2 can be regulated by its phosphorylation in serine and threonine residues located in a nonstructured loop that links BH3 and BH4 domains. p38 MAPK has been identified as one of the kinases able to mediate such phosphorylation, through direct interaction with Bcl-2 protein in the mitochondrial compartment. In this study, we identify, by using mass spectrometry techniques and specific anti-phosphopeptide antibodies, Ser(87) and Thr(56) as the Bcl-2 residues phosphorylated by p38 MAPK and show that phosphorylation of these residues is always associated with a decrease in the antiapoptotic potential of Bcl-2 protein. Furthermore, we obtained evidence that p38 MAPK-induced Bcl-2 phosphorylation plays a key role in the early events following serum deprivation in embryonic fibroblasts. Both cytochrome c release and caspase activation triggered by p38 MAPK activation and Bcl-2 phosphorylation are absent in embryonic fibroblasts from p38alpha knock-out mice (p38alpha(-/-) MEF), whereas they occur within 12 h of serum withdrawal in p38alpha(+/+) MEF; moreover, they can be prevented by p38 MAPK inhibitors and are not associated with the synthesis of the proapoptotic proteins Bax and Fas. Thus, Bcl-2 phosphorylation by activated p38 MAPK is a key event in the early induction of apoptosis under conditions of cellular stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna De Chiara
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, I-00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Torcia
- Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, I-50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Lucibello
- Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, I-50139 Florence, Italy; Institute of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, National Research Council, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Rosini
- Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, I-50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonini
- Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, I-50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Yukiro Higashimoto
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Gianluca Damonte
- DIMES Biochemistry Section, Mass Spectrometry Facility, Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 7, I-16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- DIMES Biochemistry Section, Mass Spectrometry Facility, Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 7, I-16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sarah Amodei
- Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, I-50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health Science "G. Sanarelli," University of Rome "La Sapienza," Piazzale A. Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Russo
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II," Via Comunale Margherita 482, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Enrico Garaci
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Cozzolino
- Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, I-50139 Florence, Italy.
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Podda MV, Marcocci ME, Oggiano L, D'Ascenzo M, Tolu E, Palamara AT, Azzena GB, Grassi C. Nitric oxide increases the spontaneous firing rate of rat medial vestibular nucleus neurons in vitro via a cyclic GMP-mediated PKG-independent mechanism. Eur J Neurosci 2004; 20:2124-32. [PMID: 15450091 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2004.03674.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [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: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on the discharge rate of medial vestibular nucleus neurons (MVNn) were investigated in rat brainstem slices. The NO-donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 200 microM) caused a marked enhancement (+36.7%) of MVNn spontaneous firing rate, which was prevented by the NO-scavenger, carboxy-PTIO (300 microM). The SNP effects were not modified (+37.4%) by synaptic uncoupling, suggesting that NO influences intrinsic membrane properties of MVNn rather than the synaptic input they receive. The excitatory action of SNP was virtually abolished by slice pretreatment with the soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, ODQ (10 microM), and it was mimicked (+33.1%) by the cGMP analogue 8-Br-cGMP (400 microM). Protein kinase G (PKG) and cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) were both excluded as downstream effectors of the NO/cGMP-induced excitation. However, the cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel blockers, L-cis-diltiazem (LCD, 100 microM) and Sp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS (100 microM), significantly reduced the firing rate increase produced by 8-Br-cGMP. Moreover, LCD alone decreased spontaneous MVNn firing (-19.7%), suggesting that putative CNG channels may contribute to the tonic control of resting MVNn discharge. 8-Br-cAMP (1 mM) also elicited excitatory effects in MVNn (+40.8%), which occluded those induced by 8-Br-cGMP, indicating that the two nucleotides share a common target. Finally, nested-polymerase chain reaction assay revealed the expression of CNG channel alpha subunit transcript in MVNn. Our data provide the first demonstration that NO/cGMP signalling modulates MVNn spontaneous firing through a mechanism that is independent of PKG or PKA and probably involves activation of CNG channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vittoria Podda
- Institute of Human Physiology, Medical School, Catholic University S. Cuore, I-00168 Rome, Italy
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Rosini P, De Chiara G, Bonini P, Lucibello M, Marcocci ME, Garaci E, Cozzolino F, Torcia M. Nerve growth factor-dependent survival of CESS B cell line is mediated by increased expression and decreased degradation of MAPK phosphatase 1. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:14016-23. [PMID: 14724291 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m305356200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The sIgG(+) lymphoblastoid B cell line CESS spontaneously produces a high amount of nerve growth factor (NGF) and expresses both high affinity (p140(Trk-A)) and low affinity (p75(NTR)) NGF receptors. Autocrine production of NGF maintains the survival of CESS cells through the continuous deactivation of p38 MAPK, an enzyme able to induce Bcl-2 phosphorylation and subsequent cytochrome c release and caspase activation. In this paper, we show that NGF induces transcriptional activation and synthesis of MAPK phosphatase 1 (MKP-1), a dual specificity phosphatase that dephosphorylates p38 MAPK, thus preventing Bcl-2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, NGF increases MKP-1 protein stability by preventing its degradation through the proteasome pathway. Following NGF stimulation, MKP-1 protein mainly localizes on mitochondria, suggesting an interaction with p38 MAPK in this compartment. Incubation of CESS cells with MKP-1-specific antisense oligonucleotides induces cell death, which was not prevented by exogenous NGF. By contrast, overexpression of native MKP-1, but not of its catalytically impaired form, inhibits apoptosis induced by NGF neutralization in CESS cells. Thus, the molecular mechanisms underlying the survival function of NGF in CESS B cell line predominantly consist in maintaining elevated levels of MKP-1 protein, which controls p38 MAPK activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Rosini
- Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, I-50139 Florence, Italy
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Calviello G, Palozza P, Maggiano N, Franceschelli P, Di Nicuolo F, Marcocci ME, Bartoli GM. Effects of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids dietary supplementation on cell proliferation and apoptosis in rat colonic mucosa. Lipids 1999; 34 Suppl:S111. [PMID: 10419112 DOI: 10.1007/bf02562252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G Calviello
- Institute of General Pathology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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