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De Fabrizio V, Trotta V, Pariti L, Radice RP, Martelli G. Preliminary characterization of biomolecular processes related to plasticity in Acyrthosiphonpisum. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23650. [PMID: 38187294 PMCID: PMC10770479 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Global warming strongly impacts many organisms' development, distribution and population structure. This problem has attracted the attention of many scientists to understand and study its actual effects, especially on insects influenced by environmental temperatures. Aphids are a model for studies of the genetics and physiology of stress. Aphids are characterized by parthenogenetic reproduction, which limits the effects of recombination on evolutionary processes, and have shown resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. This study was based on the hypothesis that aphids have optimized, over time, genetic mechanisms capable to give them plasticity through genome modifications mediated by transposition. To understand and evaluate the effects of heat stress, the expression levels of transposases and methylases were analyzed in mothers and daughters. Our results show that after four days from the thermal shock, methylation decreases in both mothers and daughters, while transposition significantly increases in daughters, thus generating gene variability, essential for adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo De Fabrizio
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Trotta
- School of Agricultural Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences (SAFE), University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - Luigi Pariti
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - Rosa Paola Radice
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
- Bioinnova srls, Via ponte nove luci, 22, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Martelli
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
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Padula MC, Padula AA, D’Angelo S, Lascaro N, Radice RP, Martelli G, Leccese P. TNFα rs1800629 Polymorphism and Response to Anti- TNFα Treatment in Behçet Syndrome: Data from an Italian Cohort Study. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1347. [PMID: 37763115 PMCID: PMC10532840 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13091347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα) rs1800629 (-308G>A) is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) related to variable responses to anti-TNFα therapy. This therapy is efficient in severe and refractory manifestation of Behçet syndrome (BS), an auto-inflammatory systemic vasculitis. We investigated (1) the association between rs1800629 genotypes and responses to therapy and (2) the correlation between SNP and clinical patterns in a cohort of 74 BS Italian patients receiving anti-TNFα therapy with a follow-up of at least 12 months. The rs1800629 was genotyped through amplification, direct sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. The rs1800629 GG and GA genotypes were assessed as predictors of outcomes dividing the patients between therapy responders and non-responders. The rs1800629 GG and GA genotypes were found, respectively, in 59/74 (79.7%) and 15/74 BS patients (21.3%) (p < 0.05). We identified 16/74 (21.9%) non-responder patients, of which 9/16 (56.3%) showed the GG genotype and 7/16 (43.7%) the GA genotype. A total of 50/58 (86.2%) responder patients showed the GG genotype, and 8/58 (13.8%) the GA genotype (p < 0.05). The percentage of non-responder females (68.8%) was significantly higher than non-responder males (31.2%) (p < 0.05). No correlation between SNP and clinical patterns was observed. To successfully include rs1800629 as a predictive biomarker of TNFα inhibitor response, genome-wide association studies in larger, well-characterised cohorts are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carmela Padula
- Rheumatology Department of Lucania and Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, 85100 Potenza, Italy
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Angela Anna Padula
- Rheumatology Department of Lucania and Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Salvatore D’Angelo
- Rheumatology Department of Lucania and Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Nancy Lascaro
- Rheumatology Department of Lucania and Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Rosa Paola Radice
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Martelli
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Pietro Leccese
- Rheumatology Department of Lucania and Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, 85100 Potenza, Italy
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Pappalardo I, Santarsiero A, Radice RP, Martelli G, Grassi G, de Oliveira MR, Infantino V, Todisco S. Effects of Extracts of Two Selected Strains of Haematococcus pluvialis on Adipocyte Function. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1737. [PMID: 37629594 PMCID: PMC10455862 DOI: 10.3390/life13081737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, microalgae are arousing considerable interest as a source of countless molecules with potential impacts in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields. Haematococcus pluvialis, also named Haematococcus lacustris, is the largest producer of astaxanthin, a carotenoid exhibiting powerful health effects, including anti-lipogenic and anti-diabetic activities. This study was carried out to investigate the properties of two selected strains of H. pluvialis (FBR1 and FBR2) on lipid metabolism, lipolysis and adipogenesis using an in vitro obesity model. FBR1 and FBR2 showed no antiproliferative effect at the lowest concentration in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Treatment with FBR2 extract reduced lipid deposition, detected via Oil Red O staining and the immunocontent of the adipogenic proteins PPARγ, ACLY and AMPK was revealed using Western blot analysis. Extracts from both strains induced lipolysis in vitro and reduced the secretion of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Moreover, the FBR1 and FBR2 extracts improved mitochondrial function, reducing the levels of mitochondrial superoxide anion radical and increasing mitochondrial mass compared to untreated adipocytes. These findings suggest that FBR2 extract, more so than FBR1, may represent a promising strategy in overweight and obesity prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Pappalardo
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.P.); (A.S.); (R.P.R.); (G.M.)
| | - Anna Santarsiero
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.P.); (A.S.); (R.P.R.); (G.M.)
| | - Rosa Paola Radice
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.P.); (A.S.); (R.P.R.); (G.M.)
- Bioinnova Srls, Via Ponte Nove Luci, 22, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Martelli
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.P.); (A.S.); (R.P.R.); (G.M.)
| | - Giulia Grassi
- School of Agriculture, University of Basilicata, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy;
| | - Marcos Roberto de Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica Rua Ramiro Barcelos, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 2600 Anexo Santa Cecília, Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil;
| | - Vittoria Infantino
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.P.); (A.S.); (R.P.R.); (G.M.)
| | - Simona Todisco
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.P.); (A.S.); (R.P.R.); (G.M.)
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Pani S, Pappalardo I, Santarsiero A, Vassallo A, Radice RP, Martelli G, Siano F, Todisco S, Convertini P, Caddeo C, Infantino V. Immunometabolism Modulation by Extracts from Pistachio Stalks Formulated in Phospholipid Vesicles. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051540. [PMID: 37242782 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051540] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of plant extracts against various diseases, especially skin disorders; namely, they exhibit overall protective effects. The Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is known for having bioactive compounds that can effectively contribute to a person's healthy status. However, these benefits may be limited by the toxicity and low bioavailability often inherent in bioactive compounds. To overcome these problems, delivery systems, such as phospholipid vesicles, can be employed. In this study, an essential oil and a hydrolate were produced from P. vera stalks, which are usually discarded as waste. The extracts were characterized by liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and formulated in phospholipid vesicles intended for skin application. Liposomes and transfersomes showed small size (<100 nm), negative charge (approximately -15 mV), and a longer storage stability for the latter. The entrapment efficiency was determined via the quantification of the major compounds identified in the extracts and was >80%. The immune-modulating activity of the extracts was assayed in macrophage cell cultures. Most interestingly, the formulation in transfersomes abolished the cytotoxicity of the essential oil while increasing its ability to inhibit inflammatory mediators via the immunometabolic citrate pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Pani
- Department of Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, University of Cagliari, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu Km 0.700, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pappalardo
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Anna Santarsiero
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Antonio Vassallo
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
- Spinoff TNcKILLERS s.r.l., Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Rosa Paola Radice
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Martelli
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Francesco Siano
- Institute of Food Science, National Research Council, Via Roma 64, 83100 Avellino, Italy
| | - Simona Todisco
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Paolo Convertini
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Carla Caddeo
- Department of Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, University of Cagliari, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu Km 0.700, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Vittoria Infantino
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
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Innelli P, Lopizzo T, Paternò G, Bruno N, Radice RP, Bertini P, Marabotti A, Luzi G, Stabile E, Di Fazio A, Pittella G, Paternoster G. Dipeptidyl Amino-Peptidase 3 (DPP3) as an Early Marker of Severity in a Patient Population with Cardiogenic Shock. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:1350. [PMID: 37046568 PMCID: PMC10093224 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13071350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Dipeptidyl amino-peptidase 3 (DPP3) is an aminopeptidase that is released into circulation upon cell death. DPP3 is involved in the degradation of angiotensins, enkephalines, and endomorphines. It has been shown that circulating DPP3 (cDPP3) plasma concentration increases in cardiogenic shock (CS) patients and correlates with high mortality risk. Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening syndrome associated with organ hypoperfusion. One of the common causes of CS is acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to investigate if cDPP3 levels are associated with CS severity and the need for ventilation in patients suffering from CS. Fifteen patients with CS were included in this study. Six patients were invasively ventilated. The values of cDPP3 were higher in ventilated patients than in non-ventilated patients at admission, 3 h, and 24 h after admission in the intensive care unit. Patients with pulmonary hypertension at admission also showed high cDPP3 values at all time points. Furthermore, high cDPP3 levels were associated with reduced stroke volume. Our results suggest that cDPP3 could predict CS progression and guide therapy escalation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Innelli
- Acute Cardiac Care Unit, San Carlo Hospital, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Teresa Lopizzo
- Clinical Pathology and Microbiology, San Carlo Hospital, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Giovanni Paternò
- Acute Cardiac Care Unit, San Carlo Hospital, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Noemi Bruno
- Cardiac Intesive Care, San Camillo Forlanini, 00152 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Bertini
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Marabotti
- Intensive Care Unit and Regional, ECMO Referral Centre, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Luzi
- Cardiac Surgery, San Carlo Hospital, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Eugenio Stabile
- Acute Cardiac Care Unit, San Carlo Hospital, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Aldo Di Fazio
- Regional Complex Intercompany Institute of Legal Medicine, San Carlo Hospital, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pittella
- Cardiac Resuscitation, Cardiovascular Anesthesia and Intensive Care, San Carlo Hospital, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Gianluca Paternoster
- Cardiac Resuscitation, Cardiovascular Anesthesia and Intensive Care, San Carlo Hospital, 85100 Potenza, Italy
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Radice RP, Limongi AR, Viviano E, Padula MC, Martelli G, Bermano G. Effects of astaxanthin in animal models of obesity-associated diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 171:156-168. [PMID: 33974978 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Obesity is a major risk factor for several diseases, including metabolic syndrome (MetS), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The use of natural products, such as astaxanthin (ASX), a potent antioxidant compound produced by the freshwater green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, has gained particular interest to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and to improve redox status, often associated with obesity. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to comprehensively examine the effects of ASX in animal models of diet induced obesity-associated diseases in order to inform the design of future human clinical studies for ASX use as supplement or nutraceutical. METHODS Cinahl, Cochraine, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for English-language manuscripts published between January 2000 and April 2020 using the following key words: astaxanthin, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, NAFLD and metabolic. RESULTS Seventeen eligible articles, corresponding to 21 animal studies, were included in the final quantitative analysis. ASX, at different concentrations and administered for different length of time, induced a significant reduction in adipose tissue weight (P = 0.05) and systolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001) in control animals. In animal models of T2D, ASX significantly reduced serum glucose levels (P = 0.04); whereas it improved several disease biomarkers in the blood (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides, ALT and AST, P < 0.10), and reduced liver (P = 0.0002) and body weight (P = 0.11), in animal models of NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS Supplementation of ASX in the diet has positive effects on symptoms associated with obesity related diseases in animals, by having lipid-lowering, hypo-insulin and hypoglycaemic capacity, protecting organs from oxidative stress and mitigating the immune system, as suggested in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Paola Radice
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy; Bioinnova s.r.l.s., Via Ponte Nove Luci, Potenza, Italy
| | - Antonina Rita Limongi
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy; Bioinnova s.r.l.s., Via Ponte Nove Luci, Potenza, Italy
| | - Emanuele Viviano
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Padula
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy; Rheumatology Department of Lucania, Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza, Italy
| | | | - Giovanna Bermano
- Centre for Obesity Research and Education (CORE), School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK.
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Radice RP, Fiorentino R, De Luca M, Limongi AR, Viviano E, Bermano G, Martelli G. An innovative protocol to select the best growth phase for astaxanthin biosynthesis in H. pluvialis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 31:e00655. [PMID: 34258244 PMCID: PMC8253952 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2021.e00655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
H. pluvialis non-motile cells produce more astaxanthin. H. pluvialis cells could be separated, based on their size, by an electric field. H. pluvialis non-motile cells are bigger than motile cells, and it's possible to recovery non-motile cells using this innovative protocol.
H. pluvialis is a green unicellular microalgae and it is the first producer of natural astaxanthin in the world if subjected to stress conditions such as high light, high salinity and nutrient starvation. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant used in many fields, such as aquaculture, pharmaceutical, food supplements and cosmetic. To obtain a large amount of astaxanthin, researcher focused on the optimisation of H. pluvialis growth. H. pluvialis has four different size growth stage (macrozooids, microzooids, palmelloid and “red non-motile astaxanthin accumulated encysted”), and astaxanthin production occur in the last phase. Recent studies shown that non-motile cells can produce more astaxanthin than motile cells if subjected to light stress. For these reasons, the aim of this study is to find a new and innovative methodology to select and recovery H. pluvialis in his last growth phase thanks to an electrophoretic run, and optimize, in this way, astaxanthin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Paola Radice
- University of Basilicata, Viale dell'AteneoLucano, 1 85100 Potenza (Pz), Italy.,Bioinnova s.r.l.s, via Ponte Nove Luci 9, 85100 Potenza (Pz), Italy.,Department of science, University of Basilicata, via dell'ateneo lucano 10
| | - Rocco Fiorentino
- University of Basilicata, Viale dell'AteneoLucano, 1 85100 Potenza (Pz), Italy
| | - Maria De Luca
- University of Basilicata, Viale dell'AteneoLucano, 1 85100 Potenza (Pz), Italy.,ALMACABIO Srl, C/so Italia 27, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Antonina Rita Limongi
- University of Basilicata, Viale dell'AteneoLucano, 1 85100 Potenza (Pz), Italy.,Bioinnova s.r.l.s, via Ponte Nove Luci 9, 85100 Potenza (Pz), Italy
| | - Emanuele Viviano
- University of Basilicata, Viale dell'AteneoLucano, 1 85100 Potenza (Pz), Italy.,Thema Informatik s.r.l., Via Ressel 2/F, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Giovanna Bermano
- Centre for Obesity Research and Education (CORE), School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Martelli
- University of Basilicata, Viale dell'AteneoLucano, 1 85100 Potenza (Pz), Italy
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Padula MC, Leccese P, Lascaro N, Radice RP, Limongi AR, Sorrento GG, Carbone T, Padula AA, Martelli G, D'Angelo S. Correlation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α -308G>A Polymorphism with Susceptibility, Clinical Manifestations, and Severity in Behçet Syndrome: Evidences from an Italian Genetic Case-Control Study. DNA Cell Biol 2020; 39:1104-1110. [PMID: 32352842 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2020.5361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate the association between a functional drug-response tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α gene polymorphism (at the positions of -308; rs1800629; NG_007462.1:g.4682G>A) and both disease susceptibility and clinical manifestations in a cohort of 130 Italian patients with Behçet syndrome (BS). A group of 100 ethnically, age, and gender matched healthy controls (HC) was also recruited. Genotyping was performed using molecular (amplification and direct sequencing) and in silico methods. The genotype distribution of BS patients and HC underlined a lower percentage of wild-type GG genotype in BS patients versus HC (106/130 patients, 81.5% vs. 91/100 HC, 91%; p < 0.05), while the heterozygous genotype (GA) was identified in 24/130 patients (18.5%) versus 9/100 HC (9%) (p < 0.05). GA genotype was significantly associated with the disease (odds ratio = 2.29, 95% confidence interval 1.01-5.18). No significant association was recognized between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the BS clinical manifestations, as well as with disease severity (Krause's index). We found statistically significant higher frequency of TNFα rs1800629 GA genotype in patients than in controls. No significant association was recognized between the polymorphism and the clinical parameters, as well as between the SNP and the disease severity. Our data need to be confirmed in larger cohort of patients and matched controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carmela Padula
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza, Italy.,Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | - Pietro Leccese
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza, Italy
| | - Nancy Lascaro
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza, Italy
| | - Rosa Paola Radice
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy.,Bioinnova srls, Potenza, Italy
| | - Antonina Rita Limongi
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy.,Bioinnova srls, Potenza, Italy
| | | | - Teresa Carbone
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza, Italy
| | - Angela Anna Padula
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza, Italy
| | | | - Salvatore D'Angelo
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza, Italy
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Padula MC, Leccese P, Lascaro N, Carbone T, Limongi AR, Radice RP, Padula AA, D'Angelo S, Martelli G. From structure to function for the characterization of ERAP1 active site in Behçet syndrome. A novel polymorphism associated with known gene variations. Mol Immunol 2019; 117:155-159. [PMID: 31790864 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION ERAP1 has been recently proposed as risk marker of Behçet syndrome (BS). Gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could affect the enzymatic activity and the conserved active site is pivotal for the aminopeptidase function. This study aims to characterize the ERAP1 active site in a cohort of BS patients vs healthy controls (HC) integrating genomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS We recruited 109 consecutive Italian BS patients (63M:46 F; mean age: 45.07 ± 12.28 years) and 106 matched HC (55M:51 F; mean age: 42.57 ± 12.29 years). DNA was isolated and amplified using PCR with home made-primer pairs. PCR products were directly sequenced and computational analyses were performed to search active site SNPs (NCBI-BlastN tool), to predict SNPs functional effect (PolyPhen-2 software) and to obtain protein 3D modelling (Protean3D software). In a second phase of analysis, RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) was performed to assess ERAP1 mRNA level in presence (target) and in absence (control) of gene polymorphisms. The Fold change was calculated for the relative quantification of gene expression. RESULTS A novel coding variation (NG_027839.1:g.25637 T > G; NP_057526.3:p.Phe360Cys, HGSV nomenclature) was found in heterozygosity state in 5/109 BS patients (4.59 % of cases) and none of HC. It was recognized in association with rs2287987, rs30187, rs17482078, and rs27044 BS-related polymorphisms for 4 out of 5 patients. All patients carrying the novel SNP were HLA-B*51-positive. The novel SNP was released in GenBank database with MK140632.1 ID. The SNP was predicted to be damaging and resides within the Zn-binding HEXXH(X)18E region of the active site, changing the structurally conserved region for the amminopeptidase function. In fact, the change in energy (ΔE) score between wild-type and SNP-containing protein showed a less stable protein in presence of p.Cys360 (ΔE:3.584) (Protean3D prediction). Preliminary qPCR results underlined a significant difference in fold change value when target and control values were compared (p < 0.05), suggesting a reduced expression of ERAP1 mRNA in presence of the novel SNP. CONCLUSIONS Our study strengthens the association between ERAP1 and BS. The most significant point was the localization of the novel p.Phe360Cys SNP within the Zn-binding region of protein active site that was predicted to affect its function, causing protein destabilization. Our findings need to be tested in larger genetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carmela Padula
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL) and Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, Via Potito Petrone, Potenza, 85100, Italy; University of Basilicata, Department of Science, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano, Potenza, 85100, Italy
| | - Pietro Leccese
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL) and Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, Via Potito Petrone, Potenza, 85100, Italy.
| | - Nancy Lascaro
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL) and Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, Via Potito Petrone, Potenza, 85100, Italy
| | - Teresa Carbone
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL) and Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, Via Potito Petrone, Potenza, 85100, Italy
| | - Antonina Rita Limongi
- University of Basilicata, Department of Science, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano, Potenza, 85100, Italy
| | - Rosa Paola Radice
- University of Basilicata, Department of Science, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano, Potenza, 85100, Italy
| | - Angela Anna Padula
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL) and Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, Via Potito Petrone, Potenza, 85100, Italy
| | - Salvatore D'Angelo
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL) and Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, Via Potito Petrone, Potenza, 85100, Italy; Basilicata Ricerca Biomedica (BRB) Foundation, Via Verrastro, Potenza, 85100, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Martelli
- University of Basilicata, Department of Science, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano, Potenza, 85100, Italy
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