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Mandato C, Panera N, Alisi A. Pregnancy and Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 2023. [PMID: 37495342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), the term proposed to substitute nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, comprises not only liver features but also potentially associated metabolic dysfunctions. Since experimental studies in mice and retrospective clinical studies in humans investigated the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease during pregnancy and the adverse clinical outcomes in mothers and offspring, it is plausible that MAFLD may cause similar or worse effects on mother and the offspring. Only a few studies have investigated the possible association of maternal MAFLD with more severe pregnancy-related complications. This article provides an overview of the evidence for this dangerous liaison.
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Mosca A, Della Volpe L, Alisi A, Panera N, Maggiore G, Vania A. The Role of the GH/IGF1 Axis on the Development of MAFLD in Pediatric Patients with Obesity. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12121221. [PMID: 36557260 PMCID: PMC9788441 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12121221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The anomalies of the Growth Hormone (GH)/Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF1) axis are associated with a higher prevalence of Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) and with a more rapid progression towards fibrosis, cirrhosis, and end-stage liver disease. A total of 191 adolescents with obesity [12−18 years] were consecutively enrolled between January 2014 and December 2020 and underwent liver biopsy to diagnose MAFLD severity. In all patients GH, IGF1 and Insulin-like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 3 (IGFBP3) were measured. Patients with inflammation and ballooning have significantly lower values of GH and IGF1 than those without (GH: 5.4 vs. 7.5 ng/mL; IGF1 245 vs. 284 ng/mL, p < 0.05). GH and IGF1 were also negatively correlated with fibrosis’ degree (r = −0.51, p = 0.001, and r = −0.45, p = 0.001, respectively). Only GH correlated with TNF-a (r = −0.29, p = 0.04) and lobular inflammation (r = −0.36, p = 0.02). At multivariate regression, both GH and IGF1 values, after adjustment for age, sex and BMI, were negatively associated with HOMA-IR but above all with fibrosis (GH→β = −2.3, p = 0.001, IGF1→β = −2.8, p = 0.001). Even in the pediatric population, a reduction of GH input in the liver directly promotes development of de novo hepatic lipogenesis, steatosis, fibrosis and inflammation. The possible role of recombinant GH administration in adolescents with obesity and severe MAFLD deserves to be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Mosca
- Hepatogastroenterology, Nutrition, Digestive Endoscopy and Liver Transplant Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Luca Della Volpe
- Hepatogastroenterology, Nutrition, Digestive Endoscopy and Liver Transplant Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Pathology Unit, Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Pathology Unit, Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maggiore
- Hepatogastroenterology, Nutrition, Digestive Endoscopy and Liver Transplant Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
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Romito I, Porru M, Braghini MR, Pompili L, Panera N, Crudele A, Gnani D, De Stefanis C, Scarsella M, Pomella S, Mortera SL, de Billy E, Conti AL, Marzano V, Putignani L, Vinciguerra M, Balsano C, Pastore A, Rota R, Tartaglia M, Leonetti C, Alisi A. Correction to: Focal adhesion kinase inhibitor TAE226 combined with Sorafenib slows down hepatocellular carcinoma by multiple epigenetic effects. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:40. [PMID: 35086550 PMCID: PMC8793270 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02247-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Romito
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Porru
- Unit of Oncogenomic and Epigenetic, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Braghini
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Pompili
- Unit of Oncogenomic and Epigenetic, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Crudele
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Gnani
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marco Scarsella
- Core Facilities, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pomella
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Levi Mortera
- Unit of Human Microbiome, Multimodal Laboratory Medicine Research Area, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emmanuel de Billy
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Marzano
- Unit of Human Microbiome, Multimodal Laboratory Medicine Research Area, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenza Putignani
- Unit of Human Microbiome, Multimodal Laboratory Medicine Research Area, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Unit of Microbiomics, Microbiology and Immunological Diagnostics, Department of Diagnostics and Laboratory Medicine Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Manlio Vinciguerra
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, 9002, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Clara Balsano
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences MESVA, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,Francesco Balsano Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Pastore
- Research Unit of Diagnostical and Management Innovations, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Rota
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Leonetti
- Unit of Oncogenomic and Epigenetic, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy.
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Mosca A, Mantovani A, Crudele A, Panera N, Comparcola D, De Vito R, Bianchi M, Byrne CD, Targher G, Alisi A. Higher Levels of Plasma Hyaluronic Acid and N-terminal Propeptide of Type III Procollagen Are Associated With Lower Kidney Function in Children With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:917714. [PMID: 35733806 PMCID: PMC9207333 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.917714] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hyaluronic acid (HA) and N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) are two non-invasive biomarkers of liver fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We examined the relationships of plasma levels of HA and PIIINP with kidney function in children with NAFLD. METHODS Plasma HA and PIIINP levels were measured using two commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits in a cohort of 106 Caucasian overweight or obese children with biopsy-proven NAFLD. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated using the Bedside Schwartz equation. Genotyping for the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein-3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 variant was performed using an allelic discrimination assay. RESULTS Children with fibrosis F2 had significantly higher plasma PIIINP and HA levels than those with F0 or F1 fibrosis. Liver fibrosis was positively associated with plasma HA and PIIINP, as well as with the presence of the risk allele G of PNPLA3 rs738409 variant, and negatively with eGFR. Moreover, eGFR showed significant inverse associations with HA and PIIINP levels, as well as the presence of G of PNPLA3 rs738409, and liver fibrosis stage. Notably, our multivariable regression models showed that higher plasma PIIINP (standardized beta coefficient: -0.206, P = 0.011) and HA levels (standardized beta coefficient: -0.531, P < 0.0001) were associated with lower eGFR values, even after adjustment for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, PNPLA3 rs738409 genotype, and any stage of liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of HA and PIIINP were associated with lower eGFR values in Caucasian children with biopsy-proven NAFLD, independently of PNPLA3 rs738409 genotype and other potential confounding factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Mosca
- Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mantovani
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Annalisa Crudele
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Comparcola
- Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita De Vito
- Unit of Pathology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Bianchi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Christopher D Byrne
- Southampton National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton General Hospital, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.,Nutrition and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Targher
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Panera N, Mandato C, Crudele A, Bertrando S, Vajro P, Alisi A. Genetics, epigenetics and transgenerational transmission of obesity in children. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1006008. [PMID: 36452324 PMCID: PMC9704419 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1006008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sedentary lifestyle and consumption of high-calorie foods have caused a relentless increase of overweight and obesity prevalence at all ages. Its presently epidemic proportion is disquieting due to the tight relationship of obesity with metabolic syndrome and several other comorbidities which do call for urgent workarounds. The usual ineffectiveness of present therapies and failure of prevention campaigns triggered overtime a number of research studies which have unveiled some relevant aspects of obesity genetic and epigenetic inheritable profiles. These findings are revealing extremely precious mainly to serve as a likely extra arrow to allow the clinician's bow to achieve still hitherto unmet preventive goals. Evidence now exists that maternal obesity/overnutrition during pregnancy and lactation convincingly appears associated with several disorders in the offspring independently of the transmission of a purely genetic predisposition. Even the pre-conception direct exposure of either father or mother gametes to environmental factors can reprogram the epigenetic architecture of cells. Such phenomena lie behind the transfer of the obesity susceptibility to future generations through a mechanism of epigenetic inheritance. Moreover, a growing number of studies suggests that several environmental factors such as maternal malnutrition, hypoxia, and exposure to excess hormones and endocrine disruptors during pregnancy and the early postnatal period may play critical roles in programming childhood adipose tissue and obesity. A deeper understanding of how inherited genetics and epigenetics may generate an obesogenic environment at pediatric age might strengthen our knowledge about pathogenetic mechanisms and improve the clinical management of patients. Therefore, in this narrative review, we attempt to provide a general overview of the contribution of heritable genetic and epigenetic patterns to the obesity susceptibility in children, placing a particular emphasis on the mother-child dyad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Panera
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Mandato
- Pediatrics Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salermo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Anna Alisi, ; Claudia Mandato,
| | - Annalisa Crudele
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Bertrando
- Pediatrics Clinic, San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona University Hospital, Salerno, Italy
| | - Pietro Vajro
- Pediatrics Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salermo, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Anna Alisi, ; Claudia Mandato,
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Romito I, Porru M, Braghini MR, Pompili L, Panera N, Crudele A, Gnani D, De Stefanis C, Scarsella M, Pomella S, Levi Mortera S, de Billy E, Conti AL, Marzano V, Putignani L, Vinciguerra M, Balsano C, Pastore A, Rota R, Tartaglia M, Leonetti C, Alisi A. Focal adhesion kinase inhibitor TAE226 combined with Sorafenib slows down hepatocellular carcinoma by multiple epigenetic effects. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:364. [PMID: 34784956 PMCID: PMC8597092 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02154-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and lethal malignant tumours worldwide. Sorafenib (SOR) is one of the most effective single-drug systemic therapy against advanced HCC, but the identification of novel combination regimens for a continued improvement in overall survival is a big challenge. Recent studies highlighted the crucial role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in HCC growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the antitumor effects of three different FAK inhibitors (FAKi), alone or in combination with SOR, using in vitro and in vivo models of HCC. Methods The effect of PND1186, PF431396, TAE226 on cell viability was compared to SOR. Among them TAE226, emerging as the most effective FAKi, was tested alone or in combination with SOR using 2D/3D human HCC cell line cultures and HCC xenograft murine models. The mechanisms of action were assessed by gene/protein expression and imaging approaches, combined with high-throughput methods. Results TAE226 was the more effective FAKi to be combined with SOR against HCC. Combined TAE226 and SOR treatment reduced HCC growth both in vitro and in vivo by affecting tumour-promoting gene expression and inducing epigenetic changes via dysregulation of FAK nuclear interactome. We characterized a novel nuclear functional interaction between FAK and the NuRD complex. TAE226-mediated FAK depletion and SOR-promoted MAPK down-modulation caused a decrease in the nuclear amount of HDAC1/2 and a consequent increase of the histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation, thus counteracting histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation. Conclusions Altogether, our findings provide the first evidence that TAE226 combined with SOR efficiently reduces HCC growth in vitro and in vivo. Also, our data highlight that deep analysis of FAK nuclear interactome may lead to the identification of new promising targets for HCC therapy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-02154-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Romito
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Porru
- Unit of Oncogenomic and Epigenetic, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Braghini
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Pompili
- Unit of Oncogenomic and Epigenetic, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Crudele
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Gnani
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marco Scarsella
- Core Facilities, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pomella
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Levi Mortera
- Unit of Human Microbiome, Multimodal Laboratory Medicine Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emmanuel de Billy
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Marzano
- Unit of Human Microbiome, Multimodal Laboratory Medicine Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenza Putignani
- Unit of Human Microbiome, Multimodal Laboratory Medicine Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Unit of Microbiomics, Microbiology and Immunological Diagnostics, Department of Diagnostics and Laboratory Medicine Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Manlio Vinciguerra
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, 9002, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Clara Balsano
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences MESVA, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,Francesco Balsano Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Pastore
- Research Unit of Diagnostical and Management Innovations, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Rota
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Leonetti
- Unit of Oncogenomic and Epigenetic, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy.
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Pastore A, Panera N, Mosca A, Caccamo R, Camanni D, Crudele A, De Stefanis C, Alterio A, Di Giovamberardino G, De Vito R, Francalanci P, Battaglia S, Muda AO, De Peppo F, Alisi A. Changes in Total Homocysteine and Glutathione Levels After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Children with Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease. Obes Surg 2021; 32:82-89. [PMID: 34546515 DOI: 10.1007/s11695-021-05701-6] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Paediatric obesity is a well-known risk factor for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on the levels of total homocysteine (tHcy) and total glutathione (tGSH) plasma levels in children with MAFLD. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four children with severe obesity who underwent LSG were included in the study. The metabolic parameters, systemic inflammatory markers, one-carbon metabolism products, ultrasound and histological improvement were evaluated at baseline (T0M) and after 12 months from LSG (T12M). RESULTS The patients exhibited a significant amelioration of several metabolic parameters at T12M. A significant reduction of steatosis was observed at ultrasound (from 72.7% of moderate-severe grade to 0% severe steatosis), accompanied by a statistically significant improvement of ballooning, portal and lobular inflammation and fibrosis. A statistically significant decrease of tumour necrosis factor circulating levels was also observed (T0M median = 290.3, IQR = 281.0-317.0 pg/mL; T12M median = 260.4, IQR = 240.0-279.0 pg/mL; p < 0.0001). After 12 months from LSG, a significant increase of mean plasma levels of tHcy(T0M mean = 15.7 ± 4.1 μmol/L; T12M mean = 21.1 ± 9.3 μmol/L; p = 0.0146) was also observed. The increase of tHcy showed no causal link with the improvement of MAFLD-related inflammatory, metabolic and histological pattern. CONCLUSION LSG in children with obesity induces an improvement of MAFLD-related metabolic derangement and liver damage, but also a mild hyperhomocysteinemia that should be avoided to prevent cardiovascular risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pastore
- Research Unit of Diagnostical and Management Innovations, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy.
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Mosca
- Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Romina Caccamo
- Pediatric Surgery Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Camanni
- Pediatric Surgery Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Crudele
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiano De Stefanis
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Alterio
- Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rita De Vito
- Pathology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Francalanci
- Pathology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Battaglia
- Pediatric Surgery Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Onetti Muda
- Research Unit of Diagnostical and Management Innovations, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco De Peppo
- Pediatric Surgery Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy.
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8
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Mosca A, Crudele A, Smeriglio A, Braghini MR, Panera N, Comparcola D, Alterio A, Sartorelli MR, Tozzi G, Raponi M, Trombetta D, Alisi A. Antioxidant activity of Hydroxytyrosol and Vitamin E reduces systemic inflammation in children with paediatric NAFLD. Dig Liver Dis 2021; 53:1154-1158. [PMID: 33060043 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2020.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rise in paediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is particularly alarming. We recently reported that Hydroxytyrosol (HXT) and Vitamin E (VitE) may improve oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and steatosis in children with biopsy-proven NAFLD. AIM Here, we investigated if HXT+VitE may reduce systemic inflammation in the above-mentioned patients. METHODS This study analysed the plasma levels of IL (interleukin)-6, IL-1β, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, 4‑hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) and 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in children enrolled in the HXT+VitE trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02842567). RESULTS Changes in markers of systemic inflammation were found in both placebo (Pla) and HXT+VitE. In particular, after four months, the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were reduced in both groups, while IL-6 decreased, and IL-10 increased significantly only in the group treated with HXT+VitE. Children treated with HXT+VitE showed a significant decrease of 4-HNE and 8-OHdG that correlated with the improvement of triglyceride levels. Noticeably, only the 8-OHdG decrease correlated with steatosis amelioration and with the increase of IL-10 levels. CONCLUSION The treatment with HXT and VitE reduced the NAFLD-related systemic inflammation in children, mainly by an increase of IL-10 circulating levels that occurred in response to DNA damage recovery, ultimately improving steatosis and hypertriglyceridemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Mosca
- Unit of Hepatology, Gastroenterology, and Nutrition, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Crudele
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Smeriglio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Braghini
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Comparcola
- Unit of Hepato-Metabolic Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Alterio
- Unit of Hepato-Metabolic Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Sartorelli
- Unit of Hepato-Metabolic Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Tozzi
- Unit of Hepatology, Gastroenterology, and Nutrition, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Domenico Trombetta
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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9
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Crudele A, Dato S, Re OL, Maugeri A, Sanna P, Giallongo S, Oben J, Panera N, De Rango F, Mosca A, Rose G, Passarino G, Alisi A, Vinciguerra M. Pediatric Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Affected by Genetic Variants Involved in Lifespan/Healthspan. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2021; 73:161-168. [PMID: 33720087 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000003123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in both adults and children. Along with obesity and metabolic syndrome, genetic predisposition influences the progression of NAFLD. Here, we investigated the effect of lifespan/healthspan-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on metabolically associated fatty liver disease in children. METHODS We evaluated the impact of 10 SNPs involved in both human liver/metabolic diseases and healthspan (interleukin-6 [IL-6] rs1800795, antisense non coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) rs1556516, SH2B3/ATXN2 rs7137828, FURIN rs17514846, TP53 rs1042522, APOC3 rs2542052, KL rs9536314, KL rs9527025, SIRT6 rs107251, FOXO3 rs2802292) on NAFLD-related metabolic and liver features in 177 pediatric patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD, by comparing them to 146 healthy controls. We then applied a multidimensional reduction (MDR) case-control analysis of SNP-SNP interactions, to identify the joint effect of analyzed SNPs in predicting NAFLD and associated features. RESULTS Discrete SNPs were significantly associated with individual metabolic NAFLD features, but none of them significantly associated with NAFLD diagnosis. By testing potential synergies using the MDR approach, the best combination to diagnose NAFLD (P = 0.0011) resulted in the one encompassing IL-6 rs1800795 and ANRIL rs1556516. Consistently, the risk combinations suggested by SNP-SNP analysis strongly associated with a higher level of fasting plasma blood glucose level (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION In conclusion, here we demonstrated a synergic interaction between IL-6 rs1800795 and ANRIL rs1556516 in the diagnosis of NAFLD, and NAFLD-associated hyperglycemia in children. Larger studies are required to confirm our findings and to elucidate mechanisms by which the genetic interaction between these two genes influences healthspan in pediatric NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Crudele
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome
| | - Serena Dato
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Oriana Lo Re
- International Clinical Research Center, St Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Maugeri
- International Clinical Research Center, St Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Paola Sanna
- International Clinical Research Center, St Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sebastiano Giallongo
- International Clinical Research Center, St Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jude Oben
- Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome
| | - Francesco De Rango
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Antonella Mosca
- Research Unit of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Rose
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Passarino
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome
| | - Manlio Vinciguerra
- International Clinical Research Center, St Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
- ERA Chair in Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
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10
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Mosca A, Panera N, Maggiore G, Alisi A. From pregnant women to infants: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a poor inheritance. J Hepatol 2020; 73:1590-1592. [PMID: 32958329 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Mosca
- Unit of Hepatology Gastroenterology, and Nutrition, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maggiore
- Unit of Hepatology Gastroenterology, and Nutrition, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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11
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Pierantonelli I, Lioci G, Gurrado F, Giordano DM, Rychlicki C, Bocca C, Trozzi L, Novo E, Panera N, De Stefanis C, D'Oria V, Marzioni M, Maroni L, Parola M, Alisi A, Svegliati-Baroni G. HDL cholesterol protects from liver injury in mice with intestinal specific LXRα activation. Liver Int 2020; 40:3127-3139. [PMID: 33098723 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Liver X receptors (LXRs) exert anti-inflammatory effects even though their hepatic activation is associated with hypertriglyceridemia and hepatic steatosis. Selective induction of LXRs in the gut might provide protective signal(s) in the aberrant wound healing response that induces fibrosis during chronic liver injury, without hypertriglyceridemic and steatogenic effects. METHODS Mice with intestinal constitutive LXRα activation (iVP16-LXRα) were exposed to intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) for 8 weeks, and in vitro cell models were used to evaluate the beneficial effect of high-density lipoproteins (HDL). RESULTS After CCl4 treatment, the iVP16-LXRα phenotype showed reduced M1 macrophage infiltration, increased expression M2 macrophage markers, and lower expression of hepatic pro-inflammatory genes. This anti-inflammatory effect in the liver was also associated with decreased expression of hepatic oxidative stress genes and reduced expression of fibrosis markers. iVP16-LXRα exhibited increased reverse cholesterol transport in the gut by ABCA1 expression and consequent enhancement of the levels of circulating HDL and their receptor SRB1 in the liver. No hepatic steatosis development was observed in iVP16-LXRα. In vitro, HDL induced a shift from M1 to M2 phenotype of LPS-stimulated Kupffer cells, decreased TNFα-induced oxidative stress in hepatocytes and reduced NF-kB activity in both cells. SRB1 silencing reduced TNFα gene expression in LPS-stimulated KCs, and NOX-1 and IL-6 in HepG2. CONCLUSIONS Intestinal activation of LXRα modulates hepatic response to injury by increasing circulating HDL levels and SRB1 expression in the liver, thus suggesting this circuit as potential actionable pathway for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gessica Lioci
- Department of Gastroenterology, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Fabio Gurrado
- Department of Gastroenterology, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Debora M Giordano
- Department of Gastroenterology, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Chiara Rychlicki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Claudia Bocca
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Luciano Trozzi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Erica Novo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Area for Multifactorial Diseases, Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiano De Stefanis
- Research Area for Multifactorial Diseases, Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina D'Oria
- Research Area for Multifactorial Diseases, Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Marzioni
- Department of Gastroenterology, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Luca Maroni
- Department of Gastroenterology, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Maurizio Parola
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Area for Multifactorial Diseases, Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Svegliati-Baroni
- Obesity Center, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy.,Liver Injury and Transplant Unit, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of liver disease in the pediatric population. It is a significant liver complication of obesity that also prominently affects children. Over the past decade, several noninvasive methods have been investigated for replacing liver biopsy to identify which children with NAFLD have nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. These methods that aim to differentiate the type and extent of liver damage are based on two main different methodologies: a 'biological' approach centered on the quantification of circulating biomarkers; and a 'physical' approach established by analyzing different imaging data. AREAS COVERED In this review, we illustrate the state of the art and recent discoveries on noninvasive methods for the diagnosis of NAFLD, NASH, and advanced fibrosis. EXPERT OPINION Currently, noninvasive tests cannot diagnose NASH or determine the degree of fibrosis. However, several lines of evidence have suggested that if these tests are used in a complementary way with other laboratory tests and imaging they have the potential to be used to monitor progression of disease and response to therapy in pediatric NAFLD. Future scientific research will focus on combining these methods with multiple potential predictors of genetic susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Mosca
- Hepatology Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital , Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS , Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Crudele
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS , Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS , Rome, Italy
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Crudele A, Panera N, Braghini MR, Balsano C, Alisi A. The pharmacological treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2020; 13:1219-1227. [PMID: 32981386 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2020.1829468] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in childhood/adolescence. It comprises a broad spectrum of liver disease severity ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis and fibrosis. To date lifestyle modifications, diet and physical activity represent the main option for the management of pediatric NAFLD, but numerous treatments classified depending on the mechanism of action, have been introduced. In keeping with, bariatric surgery, insulin sensitizers, antioxidants, probiotic and dietary supplementations have been evaluated in pediatric clinical trials. AREAS COVERED This review describes, after a search in PubMed/MEDLINE database, the current pediatric NAFLD non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments and their effects on biochemical and histological features. We report not only the efficacy of the diet coupled with regular exercise but also advantages of the pharmacological treatments used in combination with lifestyle interventions in pediatric NAFLD. EXPERT OPINION Since pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions have demonstrated variable effects in pediatric NAFLD, it is clear that safe and specific and efficient therapeutic strategies have not yet been identified. Therefore, large and long-term clinical trials in children are needed to find a way to reverse the liver tissue damage and the NAFLD-related long-term morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Crudele
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS , Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS , Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Braghini
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS , Rome, Italy
| | - Clara Balsano
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Life, Health & Environmental Sciences-MESVA, University of L'Aquila , L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS , Rome, Italy
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Porru M, Zizza P, Panera N, Alisi A, Biroccio A, Leonetti C. Harnessing Omics Approaches on Advanced Preclinical Models to Discovery Novel Therapeutic Targets for the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071830. [PMID: 32650388 PMCID: PMC7408740 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains challenging because of the emergence of resistance mechanisms to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapeutics, so more effective strategies to improve the patients’ outcome are needed. During the last decade, the application of a multi-omics approach has contributed to a deeper understanding of the complex molecular landscape of human CRC, identifying a plethora of drug targets for precision medicine. Target validation relies on the use of experimental models that would retain the molecular and clinical features of human colorectal cancer, thus mirroring the clinical characteristics of patients. In particular, organoids and patient-derived-xenografts (PDXs), as well as genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) and patient-derived orthotopic xenografts (PDOXs), should be considered for translational purposes. Overall, omics and advanced mouse models of cancer represent a portfolio of sophisticated biological tools that, if optimized for use in concert with accurate data analysis, could accelerate the anticancer discovery process and provide new weapons against cancer. In this review, we highlight success reached following the integration of omics and experimental models; moreover, results produced by our group in the field of mCRC are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Porru
- UOSD SAFU, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, and Technological Innovation, IRCSS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Pasquale Zizza
- UOSD Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, and Technological Innovation, IRCSS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (A.A.)
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (A.A.)
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- UOSD Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, and Technological Innovation, IRCSS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Carlo Leonetti
- UOSD SAFU, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, and Technological Innovation, IRCSS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (C.L.)
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Abstract
G-Quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical secondary structures formed within guanine-rich regions of DNA or RNA. G4 sequences/structures have been detected in human and in viral genomes, including Coronaviruses Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2. Here, we outline the existing evidence indicating that G4 ligands and inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 helicase may exert some antiviral activity reducing viral replication and can represent a potential therapeutic approach to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We also discuss how repositioning of FDA-approved drugs against helicase activity of other viruses, could represent a rapid strategy to limit deaths associated with COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 4, Piazza Sant'Onofrio, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Eugenio Tozzi
- Multifactorial Disease and Complex Phenotype Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 4, Piazza Sant'Onofrio, 00165, Rome, Italy.
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16
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Dongiovanni P, Crudele A, Panera N, Romito I, Meroni M, De Stefanis C, Palma A, Comparcola D, Fracanzani AL, Miele L, Valenti L, Nobili V, Alisi A. β-Klotho gene variation is associated with liver damage in children with NAFLD. J Hepatol 2020; 72:411-419. [PMID: 31655133 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2019.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIM Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in adults and children. Along with obesity, diabetes and insulin resistance, genetic factors strongly impact on NAFLD development and progression. Dysregulated bile acid metabolism and the fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) pathway play a pivotal role in NAFLD pathogenesis. However, the mechanism through which the FGF19 receptor system is associated with liver damage in NAFLD remains to be defined. METHODS We evaluated the impact of the rs17618244 G>A β-Klotho (KLB) variant on liver damage in 249 pediatric patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and the association of this variant with the expression of hepatic and soluble KLB. In vitro models were established to investigate the role of the KLB mutant. RESULTS The KLB rs17618244 variant was associated with an increased risk of ballooning and lobular inflammation. KLB plasma levels were lower in carriers of the rs17618244 minor A allele and were associated with lobular inflammation, ballooning and fibrosis. In HepG2 and Huh7 hepatoma cell lines, exposure to free fatty acids caused a severe reduction of intracellular and secreted KLB. Finally, KLB downregulation obtained by the expression of a KLB mutant in HepG2 and Huh7 cells induced intracellular lipid accumulation and upregulation of p62, ACOX1, ACSL1, IL-1β and TNF-α gene expression. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we showed an association between the rs17618244 KLB variant, which leads to reduced KLB expression, and the severity of NAFLD in pediatric patients. We can speculate that the KLB protein may exert a protective role against lipotoxicity and inflammation in hepatocytes. LAY SUMMARY Genetic and environmental factors strongly impact on the pathogenesis and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The FGF19/FGFR4/KLB pathway plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of a genetic variant in the KLB gene on the severity of liver disease. Our data suggest that the KLB protein plays a protective role against lipotoxicity and inflammation in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Dongiovanni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Annalisa Crudele
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Romito
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marica Meroni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | | | - Alessia Palma
- Genomic Facility Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Comparcola
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Ludovica Fracanzani
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Miele
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli - IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Valenti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy; Translational Medicine, Department for Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Valerio Nobili
- Hepatology Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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Romito I, Panera N, D'Ermo G, Alisi A. Letter to the Editor: Focal Adhesion Kinase/β-Catenin Network May Act as a Regulator of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Epigenetics. Hepatology 2019; 70:1494-1495. [PMID: 31298744 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Romito
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe D'Ermo
- Department of Surgery Pietro Valdoni, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Targher G, Mantovani A, Alisi A, Mosca A, Panera N, Byrne CD, Nobili V. Relationship Between PNPLA3 rs738409 Polymorphism and Decreased Kidney Function in Children With NAFLD. Hepatology 2019; 70:142-153. [PMID: 30912854 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein-3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 genotype (the major genetic variant associated with susceptibility to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD]) is associated with decreased kidney function in adults. Currently, it is uncertain whether this association also occurs in children/adolescents and whether any association is independent of liver disease severity. We enrolled a sample of 142 Caucasian children and adolescents with biopsy-proven NAFLD, presenting to the Liver Unit of the "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital. The glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) was estimated using the Bedside Schwartz equation, whereas 24-hour proteinuria was measured using a radioimmunoassay method. Genotyping for the PNPLA3 rs738409 genotype was undertaken using the single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping allelic discrimination method. Overall, 45 children had G/G, 56 had G/C, and 41 had C/C PNPLA3 rs738409 genotype, respectively. Children with G/G genotype had significantly lower e-GFR (107.5 ± 20 versus 112.8 ± 18 versus 125.3 ± 23 mL/min/1.73 m2 , P = 0.002) and higher 24-hour proteinuria (58.5 ± 21 versus 53.9 ± 22 versus 42.9 ± 20 mg/day, P = 0.012) compared with those with either G/C or C/C genotypes. After adjustment for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, measures of adiposity, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance and biopsy-confirmed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and stage of liver fibrosis, the presence of rs738409 G/G genotype was independently associated with both lower e-GFR (β coefficient: -23.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -36.3 to -10.8; P < 0.001) and higher 24-hour proteinuria (β coefficient: 15.3; 95% CI: 1.12 to 30.5; P = 0.046). Conclusion: Regardless of established renal risk factors and the histological severity of NAFLD, the PNPLA3 G/G genotype was strongly associated with decreasing kidney function and increasing 24-hour proteinuria in children/adolescents with histologically confirmed NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Targher
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mantovani
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, IRCCS "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Mosca
- Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, IRCCS "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, IRCCS "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Christopher D Byrne
- Nutrition and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.,Southampton National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Valerio Nobili
- Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, IRCCS "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.,Department of Pediatrics, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
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D’Ermo G, Zaffina S, Panera N, Alisi A. Is obesity in childhood protective for breast cancer in young women? Transl Cancer Res 2019; 8:1012-1013. [PMID: 35116843 PMCID: PMC8797621 DOI: 10.21037/tcr.2019.04.11] [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] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe D’Ermo
- Department of Surgery ‘Pietro Valdoni’, Policlinico Umberto I, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Zaffina
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital and IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital and IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital and IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Loffredo L, Zicari AM, Perri L, Carnevale R, Nocella C, Angelico F, Del Ben M, Mosca A, Zaffina S, Panera N, Alisi A, Duse M, Violi F, Nobili V. Does Nox2 Overactivate in Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease? Antioxid Redox Signal 2019; 30:1325-1330. [PMID: 30019598 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2018.7596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
It is unknown whether nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 2 (Nox2) activation is early associated with endotoxemia and liver damage in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To address this issue, we evaluated Nox2 activation, oxidative stress, gut permeability, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) serum levels in 67 children with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 73 controls. Compared with controls, NAFLD patients had higher Nox2 activity, isoprostane, zonulin, and LPS levels. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), homeostatic model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), LPS, and isoprostanes were independently associated with Nox2-derivative peptide (sNox2-dp) levels. Within the NAFLD group, patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) had significant higher levels of sNox2-dp, isoprostanes, LPS, triglycerides, HOMA-IR, fasting glucose and insulin, and lower HDL than those without NASH. Furthermore, sNox2-dp levels were linearly associated with the histological grading of steatosis, inflammation, ballooning, fibrosis, and NAFLD activity score. This study provides evidence that children with NAFLD have Nox2 overactivation compared with controls and significant association with the degree of liver damage. The close relationship between Nox2 and LPS serum levels leads to hypothesize a potential role for gut-derived LPS in eliciting systemic Nox2 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Loffredo
- 1 Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ludovica Perri
- 1 Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Carnevale
- 3 Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University, Latina, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Angelico
- 5 Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Del Ben
- 1 Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Mosca
- 6 Hepatology Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Zaffina
- 7 Occupational Medicine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- 8 Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- 8 Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Duse
- 2 Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Violi
- 1 Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Nobili
- 2 Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,6 Hepatology Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
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Panera N, Barbaro B, Della Corte C, Mosca A, Nobili V, Alisi A. A review of the pathogenic and therapeutic role of nutrition in pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Nutr Res 2018; 58:1-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Alisi A, Pampanini V, De Stefanis C, Panera N, Deodati A, Nobili V, Cianfarani S. Expression of insulin-like growth factor I and its receptor in the liver of children with biopsy-proven NAFLD. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201566. [PMID: 30063751 PMCID: PMC6067746 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the major complications of obesity, occurring already in pediatric age. Insulin like growth factor-I has been proposed as a potential therapeutic agent for its beneficial effect in experimental liver fibrosis. The aim of this work was to investigate the expression of insulin-like growth factor-I and its receptor in the liver of children with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and relate it to liver histological features. Methods 45 obese children and adolescents (14 females and 31 males) with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were included. Insulin like growth factor-I and its receptor expression was evaluated in liver tissue by immunofluorescence and qPCR. Results The expression of insulin like growth factor-I and its receptor were significantly related to fibrosis and were higher in children with stage 3 fibrosis compared to stage 1 and 2 (p<0.001 and p = 0.007 respectively). mRNA of insulin like growth factor-I receptor was higher in more advanced stages of fibrosis (p<0.001). Furthermore, the expression of insulin like growth factor-I and its receptor in hepatic stellate cells, the cell type mostly involved in fibrosis progression, was significantly increased in stage 3 fibrosis compared to stage 1 (p = 0.01 and p = 0.008 respectively). Conclusions We demonstrated for the first time that insulin like growth factor-I and its receptor are upregulated in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. These findings give a new hint for the potential therapeutic use of insulin like growth factor-I in pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease complicated by liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Multifactorial Genetics and Epigenetics, “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Pampanini
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Paediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Nadia Panera
- Research Unit of Multifactorial Genetics and Epigenetics, “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Deodati
- Dipartimento Pediatrico Universitario Ospedaliero “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Nobili
- Department of Pediatric- University “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Disease Unit, “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Cianfarani
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Paediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
- Dipartimento Pediatrico Universitario Ospedaliero “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
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Brugaletta R, Santoro A, Alisi A, Panera N, Pastore A, Di Giovamberardino G, Vinci MR, Camisa V, Lavorato L, Zaffina S. 1283 Gene expression analysis of blood cells in radiation health care workers occupationally exposed to ionising radiation. Radiation 2018. [DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2018-icohabstracts.1224] [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: 11/04/2022] Open
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Panera N, Alisi A. Glycation and hepatocellular carcinoma: where we stand. Transl Cancer Res 2017. [DOI: 10.21037/tcr.2017.10.40] [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: 11/06/2022]
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Bugianesi E, Bizzarri C, Rosso C, Mosca A, Panera N, Veraldi S, Dotta A, Giannone G, Raponi M, Cappa M, Alisi A, Nobili V. Low Birthweight Increases the Likelihood of Severe Steatosis in Pediatric Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Am J Gastroenterol 2017; 112:1277-1286. [PMID: 28555633 DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2017.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Small for gestational age (SGA) is associated with an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our aim was to investigate the correlation of birthweight with the severity of liver damage in a large cohort of children with NAFLD. METHODS Two hundred and eighty-eight consecutive Caucasian Italian overweight/obese children with biopsy-proven NAFLD were included in the study. We examined the relative association of each histological feature of NAFLD with metabolic alterations, insulin-resistance, I148M polymorphism in the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) gene, and birthweight relative to gestational age. RESULTS In the whole NAFLD cohort, 12.2% of patients were SGA, 62.8% appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and 25% large for gestational age (LGA). SGA children had a higher prevalence of severe steatosis (69%) and severe portal inflammation (14%) compared with the AGA and LGA groups. Notably, severe steatosis (>66%) was decreasing from SGA to AGA and LGA, whereas the prevalence of moderate steatosis (33-66%) was similar in three groups. The prevalence of type 1 NAFLD is higher in the LGA group with respect to the other two groups (25% vs.5.2% vs.9.4%), whereas the SGA group shows a higher prevalence of overlap type (85.8%) with respect to the LGA group (51.4%) but not compared with the AGA group (75%). At multivariable regression analysis, SGA at birth increased fourfold the likelihood of severe steatosis (odds ratio (OR) 4.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43-10.9, P=0.008) and threefold the likelihood of NAFLD Activity Score (NAS)≥5 (OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.06-8.33, P=0.037) independently of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and PNPLA3 genotype. The PNPLA3-CC wild-type genotype was the strongest independent predictor of the absence of significant fibrosis (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.13-0.52, P=<0.001). CONCLUSIONS In children with NAFLD, the risk of severe steatosis is increased by SGA at birth, independent of and in addition to other powerful risk factors (insulin-resistance and I148M variant of the PNPLA3 gene).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Bugianesi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Carla Bizzarri
- Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetes, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS (Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Rosso
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonella Mosca
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS (Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Liver Reseach Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS (Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Rome, Italy
| | - Silvio Veraldi
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS (Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Dotta
- Neonatal Surgery Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS (Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Rome, Italy
| | - Germana Giannone
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS (Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Raponi
- Medical Directorate, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS (Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Cappa
- Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetes, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS (Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Liver Reseach Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS (Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Nobili
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS (Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Rome, Italy
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Panera N, Crudele A, Romito I, Gnani D, Alisi A. Focal Adhesion Kinase: Insight into Molecular Roles and Functions in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18010099. [PMID: 28067792 PMCID: PMC5297733 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18010099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Due to the high incidence of post-operative recurrence after current treatments, the identification of new and more effective drugs is required. In previous years, new targetable genes/pathways involved in HCC pathogenesis have been discovered through the help of high-throughput sequencing technologies. Mutations in TP53 and β-catenin genes are the most frequent aberrations in HCC. However, approaches able to reverse the effect of these mutations might be unpredictable. In fact, if the reactivation of proteins, such as p53 in tumours, holds great promise as anticancer therapy, there are studies arguing that chronic activation of these types of molecules may be deleterious. Thus, recently the efforts on potential targets have focused on actionable mutations, such as those occurring in the gene encoding for focal adhesion kinase (FAK). This tyrosine kinase, localized to cellular focal contacts, is over-expressed in a variety of human tumours, including HCC. Moreover, several lines of evidence demonstrated that FAK depletion or inhibition impair in vitro and in vivo HCC growth and metastasis. Here, we provide an overview of FAK expression and activity in the context of tumour biology, discussing the current evidence of its connection with HCC development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Panera
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Annalisa Crudele
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Romito
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Daniela Gnani
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Anna Alisi
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Via S. Paolo, 15, 00146 Rome, Italy.
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Manco M, Nobili V, Alisi A, Panera N, Handberg A. Arterial Stiffness, Thickness and Association to Suitable Novel Markers of Risk at the Origin of Cardiovascular Disease in Obese Children. Int J Med Sci 2017; 14:711-720. [PMID: 28824305 PMCID: PMC5562124 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.20126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis origins early in childhood. Aim of the study was to investigate vascular signature and phenotypes of cardiovascular disease in obese children and adolescents identifying novel potential circulating markers of risk. Cross-sectional study of intima-media-thickness (IMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIX@75), circulating markers (E-selectin, soluble-intercellular-adhesion-molecule1_ICAM1, chemerin, fatty-acid-binding protein 4, sCD36, lipopolysaccharides_LPS, oxLDL, fetuin) in 123 obese (body mass index, BMI z-score >1.645 SD) children (N=55, age ≤10 years-old) and adolescents (N=68, age >10 years-old). Adolescents had significantly higher uric acid (p=0.002), non-HDL-cholesterol (p=0.02), fasting glucose (p=0.04), systolic blood pressure (p=0.005) and PWV (p=0.02) than children. Obese adolescent patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) abnormalities had higher PWV (p<0.05) than peers without. No differences were observed in circulating biomarkers in relationship to age and MetS status. oxLDL, sCD36 and LPS were correlated to AIX@75 and/or IMTM in children and adolescents (p ranging from <0.05 to <0.0001). Total cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, TG/HDL ratio, oxLDL, sCD36, ICAM1, LPS were significantly different across AIX@75 tertiles (p between 0.03 and 0.001). Early phenotypes of cardiovascular alterations in young severely obese patients encompass increased IMT, stiffness of intermediate size and resistance vasculature. Novel biomarkers investigated in the present study were associated to estimates of stiffness and thickness not differently from traditional risk factor such as non-HDL-cholesterol and TG/HDL ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melania Manco
- Research Area for Multifactorial Diseases, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Nobili
- Research Area for Multifactorial Diseases, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Area for Multifactorial Diseases, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Research Area for Multifactorial Diseases, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Aase Handberg
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital and Clinical Institute, Faculty of Health, Aalborg University
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Panera N, Della Corte C, Crudele A, Stronati L, Nobili V, Alisi A. Recent advances in understanding the role of adipocytokines during non-alcoholic fatty liver disease pathogenesis and their link with hepatokines. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016; 10:393-403. [PMID: 26654761 DOI: 10.1586/17474124.2016.1110485] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently considered the main cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Mechanisms leading to the development and progression of this disease are topics of great interest for researchers and clinicians. The current multi-hit hypothesis has thrown the crosstalk between liver and adipose tissue into sharp focus. It is well known that adipose tissue produces circulating factors, known as adipocytokines, which exert several effects on liver cells, promoting the onset of NAFLD and its progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in obese subjects. In a similar way, hepatocytes may also respond to obesogenic stimuli by producing and releasing hepatokines into the circulation. Here, the authors provide an overview of recent advances in our understanding of the role of the most relevant adipocytokines and hepatokines in NAFLD pathogenesis, highlighting their possible molecular and functional interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Panera
- a Liver Research Unit , 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital, IRCCS , Rome , Italy
| | - Claudia Della Corte
- b Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit , 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital, IRCCS , Rome , Italy
| | - Annalisa Crudele
- a Liver Research Unit , 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital, IRCCS , Rome , Italy
| | - Laura Stronati
- c Department of Radiobiology and Human Health , ENEA , Rome , Italy
| | - Valerio Nobili
- b Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit , 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital, IRCCS , Rome , Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- a Liver Research Unit , 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital, IRCCS , Rome , Italy
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Massimi M, Cardarelli S, Galli F, Giardi MF, Ragusa F, Panera N, Cinque B, Cifone MG, Biagioni S, Giorgi M. Increase of Intracellular Cyclic AMP by PDE4 Inhibitors Affects HepG2 Cell Cycle Progression and Survival. J Cell Biochem 2016; 118:1401-1411. [PMID: 27859531 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Type 4 cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDE4) are major members of a superfamily of enzymes (PDE) involved in modulation of intracellular signaling mediated by cAMP. Broadly expressed in most human tissues and present in large amounts in the liver, PDEs have in the last decade been key therapeutic targets for several inflammatory diseases. Recently, a significant body of work has underscored their involvement in different kinds of cancer, but with no attention paid to liver cancer. The present study investigated the effects of two PDE4 inhibitors, rolipram and DC-TA-46, on the growth of human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Treatment with these inhibitors caused a marked increase of intracellular cAMP level and a dose- and time-dependent effect on cell growth. The concentrations of inhibitors that halved cell proliferation to about 50% were used for cell cycle experiments. Rolipram (10 μM) and DC-TA-46 (0.5 μM) produced a decrease of cyclin expression, in particular of cyclin A, as well as an increase in p21, p27 and p53, as evaluated by Western blot analysis. Changes in the intracellular localization of cyclin D1 were also observed after treatments. In addition, both inhibitors caused apoptosis, as demonstrated by an Annexin-V cytofluorimetric assay and analysis of caspase-3/7 activity. Results demonstrated that treatment with PDE4 inhibitors affected HepG2 cell cycle and survival, suggesting that they might be useful as potential adjuvant, chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agents in hepatocellular carcinoma. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1401-1411, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Massimi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Silvia Cardarelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Galli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Maria Federica Giardi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Federica Ragusa
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and IRCC, Rome, Italy
| | - Benedetta Cinque
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Cifone
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Stefano Biagioni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Giorgi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Verginelli F, Adesso L, Limon I, Alisi A, Gueguen M, Panera N, Giorda E, Raimondi L, Ciarapica R, Campese AF, Screpanti I, Stifani S, Kitajewski J, Miele L, Rota R, Locatelli F. Activation of an endothelial Notch1-Jagged1 circuit induces VCAM1 expression, an effect amplified by interleukin-1β. Oncotarget 2016; 6:43216-29. [PMID: 26646450 PMCID: PMC4791227 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The Notch1 and Notch4 signaling pathways regulate endothelial cell homeostasis. Inflammatory cytokines induce the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules, including VCAM1, partly by downregulating Notch4 signaling. We investigated the role of endothelial Notch1 in this IL-1β-mediated process. Brief treatment with IL-1β upregulated endothelial VCAM1 and Notch ligand Jagged1. IL-1β decreased Notch1 mRNA levels, but levels of the active Notch1ICD protein remained constant. IL-1β-mediated VCAM1 induction was downregulated in endothelial cells subjected to pretreatment with a pharmacological inhibitor of the γ-secretase, which activates Notch receptors, producing NotchICD. It was also downregulated in cells in which Notch1 and/or Jagged1 were silenced.Conversely, the forced expression of Notch1ICD in naïve endothelial cells upregulated VCAM1 per se and amplified IL-1β-mediated VCAM1 induction. Jagged1 levels increased and Notch4 signaling was downregulated in parallel. Finally, Notch1ICD and Jagged1 expression was upregulated in the endothelium of the liver in a model of chronic liver inflammation.In conclusion, we describe here a cell-autonomous, pro-inflammatory endothelial Notch1-Jagged1 circuit (i) triggering the expression of VCAM1 even in the absence of inflammatory cytokines and (ii) enhancing the effects of IL-1β. Thus, IL-1β regulates Notch1 and Notch4 activity in opposite directions, consistent with a selective targeting of Notch1 in inflamed endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Verginelli
- Department of Oncohematology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Adesso
- Department of Oncohematology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabelle Limon
- Department of Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, CNRS, UMR, IBPS, Paris, France
| | - Anna Alisi
- Liver Research Unit, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marie Gueguen
- Department of Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, CNRS, UMR, IBPS, Paris, France
| | - Nadia Panera
- Liver Research Unit, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ezio Giorda
- Department of Unit of Flow Cytometry, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lavinia Raimondi
- Department of Oncohematology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Ciarapica
- Department of Oncohematology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Stefano Stifani
- Center for Neuronal Survival, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jan Kitajewski
- Departments of Pathology and Ob/Gyn, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lucio Miele
- Department of Genetics and Stanley Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Rossella Rota
- Department of Oncohematology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Oncohematology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Pediatriche, Università di Pavia, Pavia PV, Italy
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Ceccarelli S, Panera N, Mina M, Gnani D, De Stefanis C, Crudele A, Rychlicki C, Petrini S, Bruscalupi G, Agostinelli L, Stronati L, Cucchiara S, Musso G, Furlanello C, Svegliati-Baroni G, Nobili V, Alisi A. LPS-induced TNF-α factor mediates pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic pattern in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Oncotarget 2016; 6:41434-52. [PMID: 26573228 PMCID: PMC4747165 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is currently considered one of the major players in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis and progression. Here, we aim to investigate the possible role of LPS-induced TNF-α factor (LITAF) in inducing a pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic phenotype of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).We found that children with NAFLD displayed, in different liver-resident cells, an increased expression of LITAF which correlated with histological traits of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Total and nuclear LITAF expression increased in mouse and human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Moreover, LPS induced LITAF-dependent transcription of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the clonal myofibroblastic HSC LX-2 cell line, and this effect was hampered by LITAF silencing. We showed, for the first time in HSCs, that LITAF recruitment to these cytokine promoters is LPS dependent. However, preventing LITAF nuclear translocation by p38MAPK inhibitor, the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α was significantly reduced with the aid of p65NF-ĸB, while IL-1β transcription exclusively required LITAF expression/activity. Finally, IL-1β levels in plasma mirrored those in the liver and correlated with LPS levels and LITAF-positive HSCs in children with NASH.In conclusion, a more severe histological profile in paediatric NAFLD is associated with LITAF over-expression in HSCs, which in turn correlates with hepatic and circulating IL-1β levels outlining a panel of potential biomarkers of NASH-related liver damage. The in vitro study highlights the role of LITAF as a key regulator of the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory pattern in HSCs and suggests p38MAPK inhibitors as a possible therapeutic approach against hepatic inflammation in NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ceccarelli
- Liver Research Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Mina
- Predictive Models for Biomedicine and Environment Unit, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy
| | - Daniela Gnani
- Liver Research Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiano De Stefanis
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Crudele
- Liver Research Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Rychlicki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Stefania Petrini
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovannella Bruscalupi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Agostinelli
- Department of Gastroenterology, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Radiobiology and Human Health, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cucchiara
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Cesare Furlanello
- Predictive Models for Biomedicine and Environment Unit, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy
| | - Gianluca Svegliati-Baroni
- Department of Gastroenterology, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.,Center for Obesity, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Valerio Nobili
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Liver Research Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Della Corte C, Mosca A, Majo F, Lucidi V, Panera N, Giglioni E, Monti L, Stronati L, Alisi A, Nobili V. Nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease and Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: more than ectopic fat. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2015. [PMID: 26201937 DOI: 10.1111/cen.12862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [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: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic effects of fatty pancreas (nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease - NAFPD) in a group of obese paediatric patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS We included 121 consecutive children with echographic evidence of hepatic steatosis. All patients underwent to abdominal ultrasound to evaluate pancreatic echogenic pattern. We divided the patients into two groups on the basis of the presence of fatty pancreas. In all patients liver function tests, lipid and gluco-insulinemic profile were evaluated. A selected subset of patients (67) underwent to liver biopsy. RESULTS Of these 121 patients, 58 showed NAFPD and 63 patients exhibited a normal pancreatic echogenic pattern. No differences were found in age, transaminases serum levels, lipid profile and pancreatic enzymes between the two groups. The patients with NAFPD had a significantly higher z-BMI, fasting insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and lower ISI respect to the group without fatty pancreas. The patients with fatty pancreas showed a more advanced form of liver disease, with higher values of fibrosis, ballooning and NAS score with respect to the group without NAFPD. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that NAFPD is a frequent condition in obese paediatric patients affected by NAFLD. Our data suggest that pancreatic fat should not be considered an inert accumulation of fat, but as an additional factor able to affect glucose metabolism and severity of liver disease, increasing the risk of develop metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Della Corte
- Hepato-Metabolic Department, 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - A Mosca
- Hepato-Metabolic Department, 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - F Majo
- Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Pediatric Department, 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - V Lucidi
- Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Pediatric Department, 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - N Panera
- Liver Research Unit, 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - E Giglioni
- Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - L Monti
- Liver and Digestive Radiology Unit, Department of Imaging, Bambino Gesu' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - L Stronati
- Institute of Biology, Molecular Medicine and Nanobiotechnology, CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - A Alisi
- Liver Research Unit, 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - V Nobili
- Hepato-Metabolic Department, 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Panera N, Ceccarelli S, Nobili V, Alisi A. Targeting FGF19 binding to its receptor system: a novel therapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2015; 62:1324. [PMID: 25677789 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Panera
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Ceccarelli
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Nobili
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Povero D, Panera N, Eguchi A, Johnson CD, Papouchado BG, de Araujo Horcel L, Pinatel EM, Alisi A, Nobili V, Feldstein AE. Lipid-induced hepatocyte-derived extracellular vesicles regulate hepatic stellate cell via microRNAs targeting PPAR-γ. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015; 1:646-663.e4. [PMID: 26783552 PMCID: PMC4714359 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2015.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND&AIMS Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a key role in liver fibrosis in various chronic liver disorders including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The development of liver fibrosis requires a phenotypic switch from quiescent to activated HSCs. The triggers for HSCs activation in NAFLD remain poorly understood. We investigated the role and molecular mechanism of extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by hepatocytes during lipotoxicity in modulation of HSC phenotype. METHODS EVs were isolated from fat-laden hepatocytes by differential centrifugation and incubated with HSCs. EV internalization and HSCs activation, migration and proliferation were assessed. Loss- and gain-of-functions studies were performed to explore the potential role of PPAR-γ-targeting miRNAs carried by EVs into HSC. RESULTS Hepatocyte-derived EVs released during lipotoxicity are efficiently internalized by HSCs resulting in their activation, as shown by marked up-regulation of pro-fibrogenic genes (Collagen-I, α-SMA and TIMP-2), proliferation, chemotaxis and wound healing responses. These changes were associated with miRNAs shuttled by EVs and suppression of PPAR-γ expression in HSC. Hepatocyte-derived EVs miRNA content included various miRNAs that are known inhibitors of PPAR-γ expression with miR-128-3p being the most effectively transferred. Furthermore loss- and gain-of-function studies identified miR-128-3p as a central modulator of the effects of EVs on PPAR-γ inhibition and HSC activation. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate a link between fat-laden hepatocyte-derived EVs and liver fibrosis and have potential implications for the development of novel anti-fibrotic targets for NAFLD and other fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Povero
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Nadia Panera
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit and Liver Research Unit, Bambino-Gesu’ Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Akiko Eguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Casey D. Johnson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Lucas de Araujo Horcel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Centro Universitário Lusiada, Santos, Brazil
| | - Eva M. Pinatel
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Segrate, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit and Liver Research Unit, Bambino-Gesu’ Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Nobili
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit and Liver Research Unit, Bambino-Gesu’ Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Ariel E. Feldstein
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Correspondence Address correspondence to: Ariel E. Feldstein, MD, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition UCSD, 3020 Children’s Way, MC 5030, San Diego, California 92103–8450.
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Pastore A, Alisi A, di Giovamberardino G, Crudele A, Ceccarelli S, Panera N, Dionisi-Vici C, Nobili V. Plasma levels of homocysteine and cysteine increased in pediatric NAFLD and strongly correlated with severity of liver damage. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:21202-14. [PMID: 25407526 PMCID: PMC4264220 DOI: 10.3390/ijms151121202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of metabolic abnormalities ranging from simple triglyceride accumulation in the hepatocytes to hepatic steatosis with inflammation, ballooning and fibrosis. It has been demonstrated that the pathogenesis of NAFLD involves increased oxidative stress, with consumption of the major cellular antioxidant, glutathione (GSH). Liver has a fundamental role in sulfur compound metabolism, although the data reported on plasma thiols status in NAFLD are conflicting. We recruited 63 NAFLD patients, and we analyzed all plasma thiols, such as homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine (Cys), cysteinylglycine (CysGly) and GSH, by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Hcy, Cys and CysGly plasma levels increased in NAFLD patients (p < 0.0001); whereas GSH levels were decreased in NAFLD patients when compared to controls (p < 0.0001). On the contrary, patients with steatohepatitis exhibited lower levels of Hcy and Cys than subjects without. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between Hcy and Cys and the presence of fibrosis in children with NAFLD. Taken together, these data demonstrated a defective hepatic sulfur metabolism in children with NAFLD, and that high levels of Hcy and Cys probably correlates with a pattern of more severe histological liver damage, due to mechanisms that require further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pastore
- Metabolomics and Proteomics Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy.
| | - Anna Alisi
- Liver Research Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy.
| | | | - Annalisa Crudele
- Liver Research Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy.
| | - Sara Ceccarelli
- Liver Research Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy.
| | - Nadia Panera
- Liver Research Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy.
| | - Carlo Dionisi-Vici
- Metabolomics and Proteomics Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy.
| | - Valerio Nobili
- Liver Research Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy.
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Panera N, Gnani D, Crudele A, Ceccarelli S, Nobili V, Alisi A. MicroRNAs as controlled systems and controllers in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:15079-15086. [PMID: 25386056 PMCID: PMC4223241 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i41.15079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Revised: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multi-faceted condition including simple steatosis alone or associated with inflammation and ballooning (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) and eventually fibrosis. The NAFLD incidence has increased over the last twenty years becoming the most frequent chronic liver disease in industrialized countries. Obesity, visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, and many other disorders that characterize metabolic syndrome are the major predisposing risk factors for NAFLD. Furthermore, different factors, including genetic background, epigenetic mechanisms and environmental factors, such as diet and physical exercise, contribute to NAFLD development and progression. Several lines of evidence demonstrate that specific microRNAs expression profiles are strongly associated with several pathological conditions including NAFLD. In NAFLD, microRNA deregulation in response to intrinsic genetic or epigenetic factors or environmental factors contributes to metabolic dysfunction. In this review we focused on microRNAs role both as controlled and controllers molecules in NAFLD development and/or their eventual value as non-invasive biomarkers of disease.
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Alisi A, Nobili V, Ceccarelli S, Panera N, De Stefanis C, De Vito R, Vitali R, Bedogni G, Balsano C, Cucchiara S, Stronati L. Plasma high mobility group box 1 protein reflects fibrosis in pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2014; 14:763-71. [DOI: 10.1586/14737159.2014.928205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Nobili V, Donati B, Panera N, Vongsakulyanon A, Alisi A, Dallapiccola B, Valenti L. A 4-polymorphism risk score predicts steatohepatitis in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2014. [PMID: 24345846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common cause of chronic liver disease in industrialized countries in adults and children, following the trail of the epidemic diffusion of obesity. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a potentially serious form of NAFLD linked with a significant increase in overall and liver-related morbidity and mortality. Because diagnosis still requires liver biopsy, there is urgent need of developing noninvasive early markers. The aim of the present study was to assess whether the simultaneous detection of genetic risk factors could predict NASH. METHOD We enrolled 152 untreated, consecutive obese children and adolescents with biopsy-proven NAFLD and increased liver enzymes. The PNPLA3 rs738409 C>G (I148 M), SOD2 rs4880 C>T, KLF6 rs3750861 G>A, and LPIN1 rs13412852 C>T polymorphisms were detected by Taqman assays. RESULTS A multivariate logistic model based on the genetic risk factors significantly predicted NASH (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67-0.82, P < 0.0001), performing better than a clinical risk score identified at stepwise regression based on age, aspartate aminotransferase levels, and diastolic blood pressure (AUC 0.66, 95% CI 0.57-0.75). A single cutoff value of the genetic risk score had 90% sensitivity and 36% specificity for NASH. A risk score combining the clinical and genetic risk factors resulted in an AUC of 0.80 (95% CI 0.73-0.87). CONCLUSIONS A score based on genetic risk factors significantly predicts NASH in obese children with increased liver enzymes, representing a proof-of-principle that genetic scores may be useful to predict long-term outcomes of the disease and guide clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Nobili
- *Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Roma †Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, section Internal Medicine, Universita' degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione Ca' Granda IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan ‡Scientific direction, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Roma, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Alisi
- Liver Research Unit (A.A., N.P.) and Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit (V.N.), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
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Panera N, Ceccarelli S, De Stefanis C, Nobili V, Alisi A. Retinoids counteract insulin resistance and liver steatosis: what's the potential mechanism? Hepatology 2013; 58:1185. [PMID: 23281105 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2012] [Revised: 10/22/2012] [Accepted: 11/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Panera
- Liver Research Unit; “Bambino Gesù” Children's Hospital IRCCS; Rome; Italy
| | - Sara Ceccarelli
- Liver Research Unit; “Bambino Gesù” Children's Hospital IRCCS; Rome; Italy
| | | | - Valerio Nobili
- Liver Research Unit; “Bambino Gesù” Children's Hospital IRCCS; Rome; Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Liver Research Unit; “Bambino Gesù” Children's Hospital IRCCS; Rome; Italy
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Alisi A, Ceccarelli S, Panera N, Prono F, Petrini S, De Stefanis C, Pezzullo M, Tozzi A, Villani A, Bedogni G, Nobili V. Association between Serum Atypical Fibroblast Growth Factors 21 and 19 and Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67160. [PMID: 23840612 PMCID: PMC3694051 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Atypical fibroblast growth factors (FGF) 21 and 19 play a central role in energy metabolism through the mediation of Klotho coreceptor. Contradictory findings are available about the association of FGF21 and FGF19 with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in humans. We investigated the association of serum FGF21, FGF19 and liver Klotho coreceptor with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis in children with NAFLD. Serum FGF21 and FGF19 were measured in 84 children with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 23 controls (CTRL). The hepatic expression of Klotho coreceptor was measured in 7 CTRL, 9 patients with NASH (NASH+) and 11 patients without NASH (NASH−). FGF21 and FGF19 showed a tendency to decrease from CTRL (median FGF21 = 196 pg/mL; median FGF19 = 201 pg/mL) to NASH− (FGF21 = 89 pg/mL; FGF19 = 81 pg/mL) to NASH+ patients (FGF21 = 54 pg/mL; FGF19 = 41 pg/mL) (p<0.001 for all comparisons) and were inversely associated with the probability of NASH and fibrosis in children with NAFLD. The hepatic expression of Klotho coreceptor was inversely associated with NASH (R2 = 0.87, p<0.0001) and directly associated with serum FGF21 (R2 = 0.57, p<0.0001) and FGF19 (R2 = 0.67, p<0.0001). In conclusion, serum FGF19 and FGF21 and hepatic Klotho expression are inversely associated with hepatic damage in children with NAFLD and these findings may have important implications for understanding the mechanisms of NAFLD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Alisi
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit and Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Sara Ceccarelli
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit and Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Panera
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit and Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Prono
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit and Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Petrini
- Microscopy Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiano De Stefanis
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit and Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Pezzullo
- Core Facilities, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Tozzi
- Epidemiology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Villani
- Pediatrics and Infectious Disease Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bedogni
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Liver Research Center, Trieste, Italy
| | - Valerio Nobili
- Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit and Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
During the last two decades, numerous efforts have been made to identify reliable and predictive noninvasive biomarkers to detect the early signs of metabolic disorders due to deregulation of lipid and glucose homeostasis. Several studies demonstrate that miRNAs--small noncoding RNAs involved in the regulation of gene expression--may play crucial roles in the control of metabolism. Alterations of miRNA levels often occur in metabolic disorders, both in specific tissues and plasma. Therefore, it is conceivable that the analysis of circulating miRNA profiles may improve not only the knowledge of miRNA-mediated mechanisms and effects in metabolism, but may also offer an alternative diagnostic tool. In the first part of this review we provide an overview of miRNA biogenesis and regulation, and experimental approaches for studying their expression levels. Afterwards, we discuss recent data regarding altered intracellular and circulating miRNAs associated with specific metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Tomaselli
- RNA-Editing Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Alisi A, Ceccarelli S, Panera N, Nobili V. Causative role of gut microbiota in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease pathogenesis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2012; 2:132. [PMID: 23112961 PMCID: PMC3481143 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2012.00132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Alisi
- Liver Research Unit and Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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Alisi A, Ceccarelli S, Panera N, Nobili V. Causative role of gut microbiota in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease pathogenesis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2012. [PMID: 23112961 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2012.00132.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Alisi
- Liver Research Unit and Hepato-Metabolic Disease Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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De Vito R, Alisi A, Masotti A, Ceccarelli S, Panera N, Citti A, Salata M, Valenti L, Feldstein AE, Nobili V. Markers of activated inflammatory cells correlate with severity of liver damage in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Int J Mol Med 2012; 30:49-56. [PMID: 22505182 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2012.965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 02/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Concomitantly to the obesity epidemic, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the leading cause of liver disease in children. NAFLD encompasses a spectrum of histological damage ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with possible progression to cirrhosis. There is growing evidence that the immune system plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression to NASH but the cellular nature of the hepatic inflammation is still unknown. The present study includes 34 children with biopsy-proven NAFLD. Liver damage was evaluated by the NAFLD activity score (NAS), and the inflammatory infiltrate was characterized by immunohistochemistry for CD45, CD3 and CD163 which are markers of leukocytes, T cells and activated Kupffer cells/macrophages, respectively. Our results have shown that CD45+ (P<0.0001) and CD163+ (P<0.0001) cells were markedly increased in children with severe histological activity (NAS≥5) compared to children with lower activity (NAS<5), whereas CD3+ cells were significantly lower (P<0.01) in children with severe histological activity. There was a significant association between the numbers of CD45+, CD3+ and CD163+ cells, regarding both the portal tract and liver lobule, and the severity of steatosis, ballooning and fibrosis (P<0.01). These data suggest that the severity and composition of the inflammatory infiltrate correlate with steatosis and the severity of disease in children with NAFLD. Moreover, a decrease in CD3+ cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of liver damage. Future studies should evaluate whether it can predict the progression of liver disease independently of established histological scores.
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Alisi A, Pastore A, Ceccarelli S, Panera N, Gnani D, Bruscalupi G, Massimi M, Tozzi G, Piemonte F, Nobili V. Emodin prevents intrahepatic fat accumulation, inflammation and redox status imbalance during diet-induced hepatosteatosis in rats. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:2276-2289. [PMID: 22408453 PMCID: PMC3292022 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13022276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 01/09/2012] [Revised: 02/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
High-fat and/or high-carbohydrate diets may predispose to several metabolic disturbances including liver fatty infiltration (hepatosteatosis) or be associated with necro-inflammation and fibrosis (steatohepatitis). Several studies have emphasized the hepatoprotective effect of some natural agents. In this study, we investigated the potential therapeutic effects of the treatment with emodin, an anthraquinone derivative with anti-oxidant and anti-cancer abilities, in rats developing diet-induced hepatosteatosis and steatohepatitis. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a standard diet (SD) for 15 weeks, or a high-fat/high-fructose diet (HFD/HF). After 5 weeks, emodin was added to the drinking water of some of the SD and HFD/HF rats. The experiment ended after an additional 10 weeks. Emodin-treated HFD/HF rats were protected from hepatosteatosis and metabolic derangements usually observed in HFD/HF animals. Furthermore, emodin exerted anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the HFD/HF-induced increase of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Emodin also affected the hepatocytes glutathione homeostasis and levels of the HFD/HF-induced increase of glutathionylated/phosphorylated phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). In conclusion, we demonstrated that a natural agent such as emodin can prevent hepatosteatosis, preserving liver from pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant damage caused by HFD/HF diet. These findings are promising, proposing emodin as a possible hindrance to progression of hepatosteatosis into steatohepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Alisi
- Liver Unit of “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy; E-Mails: (S.C.); (N.P.); (D.G.); (V.N.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +39-06-68592186; Fax: +39-06-68592904
| | - Anna Pastore
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, of “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Sara Ceccarelli
- Liver Unit of “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy; E-Mails: (S.C.); (N.P.); (D.G.); (V.N.)
| | - Nadia Panera
- Liver Unit of “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy; E-Mails: (S.C.); (N.P.); (D.G.); (V.N.)
| | - Daniela Gnani
- Liver Unit of “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy; E-Mails: (S.C.); (N.P.); (D.G.); (V.N.)
| | - Giovannella Bruscalupi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, “La Sapienza” University, Rome 00185, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Mara Massimi
- Department of Basic and Applied Biology, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila 67010, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Giulia Tozzi
- Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy; E-Mails: (G.T.); (F.P.)
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy; E-Mails: (G.T.); (F.P.)
| | - Valerio Nobili
- Liver Unit of “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy; E-Mails: (S.C.); (N.P.); (D.G.); (V.N.)
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Alisi A, Bruscalupi G, Pastore A, Petrini S, Panera N, Massimi M, Tozzi G, Leoni S, Piemonte F, Nobili V. Redox homeostasis and posttranslational modifications/activity of phosphatase and tensin homolog in hepatocytes from rats with diet-induced hepatosteatosis. J Nutr Biochem 2012; 23:169-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2010.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2010] [Revised: 11/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/16/2010] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Alisi A, Panera N, Balsano C, Nobili V. Activation of the endotoxin/toll-like receptor 4 pathway: the way to go from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis up to hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2011; 53:1069. [PMID: 20967824 DOI: 10.1002/hep.24003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
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