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Madonna R, Barachini S, Ghelardoni S, Lu L, Shen WF, De Caterina R. Vasostatins: new molecular targets for atherosclerosis, post-ischaemic angiogenesis, and arteriogenesis. Cardiovasc Res 2024; 120:132-139. [PMID: 38242632 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The chromogranin-secretogranin secretory proteins-granins-are acidic proteins localized in granules of endocrine cells and neurons. The chromogranin family includes chromogranins A (CgA) and B, as well as secretogranin II (once called chromogranin C). Members of this family undergo catalytic proteolysis to produce active peptides. The CgA-derived peptides vasostatin-1 and vasostatin-2, in particular, appear to protect against atherosclerosis, suppressing the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, as well as exerting vasodilatory effects by enhancing nitric oxide bioavailability. Vasostatin-1 also suppresses vasoconstriction and abnormal angiogenesis. Vasostatin-1 and vasostatin-2 may be novel therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, also protecting the myocardium against ischaemic damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalinda Madonna
- Department of Surgical, Medical, and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa and Pisa University Hospital, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Cell Therapy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sandra Ghelardoni
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lin Lu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Rui Jin Road II, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Feng Shen
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Rui Jin Road II, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Raffaele De Caterina
- Department of Surgical, Medical, and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa and Pisa University Hospital, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Milano C, Montali M, Barachini S, Burzi IS, Pratesi F, Petrozzi L, Chico L, Morganti R, Gambino G, Rossi L, Ceravolo R, Siciliano G, Migliorini P, Petrini I, Pizzanelli C. Increased production of inflammatory cytokines by circulating monocytes in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: A possible role in drug resistance. J Neuroimmunol 2024; 386:578272. [PMID: 38160122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
We analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum inflammatory biomarkers in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (drug-resistant - DR, vs. drug-sensitive - DS). Patients with epilepsy showed higher levels of serum CCL2, CCL3, IL-8 and AOPP, and lower levels of FRAP and thiols compared to healthy controls (HC). Although none of the serum biomarkers distinguished DR from DS patients, when analysing intracellular cytokines after in vitro stimulation, DR patients presented higher percentages of IL-1β and IL-6 positive monocytes compared to DS patients and HC. Circulating innate immune cells might be implicated in DR epilepsy and constitute potential new targets for treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Milano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - M Montali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - I S Burzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Pratesi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - L Petrozzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - L Chico
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - R Morganti
- Section of Statistics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Gambino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - L Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - R Ceravolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - P Migliorini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - I Petrini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - C Pizzanelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Barachini S, Pardini E, Burzi IS, Sardo Infirri G, Montali M, Petrini I. Molecular and Functional Key Features and Oncogenic Drivers in Thymic Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:166. [PMID: 38201593 PMCID: PMC10778094 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010166] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors, comprising thymic carcinomas and thymomas, are rare neoplasms. They differ in histology, prognosis, and association with autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis. Thymomas, but not thymic carcinomas, often harbor GTF2I mutations. Mutations of CDKN2A, TP53, and CDKN2B are the most common thymic carcinomas. The acquisition of mutations in genes that control chromatin modifications and epigenetic regulation occurs in the advanced stages of thymic carcinomas. Anti-angiogenic drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have shown promising results for the treatment of unresectable tumors. Since thymic carcinomas are frankly aggressive tumors, this report presents insights into their oncogenic drivers, categorized under the established hallmarks of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Barachini
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Pardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Irene Sofia Burzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gisella Sardo Infirri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marina Montali
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Iacopo Petrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Barachini S, Ghelardoni S, Varga ZV, Mehanna RA, Montt-Guevara MM, Ferdinandy P, Madonna R. Antineoplastic drugs inducing cardiac and vascular toxicity - An update. Vascul Pharmacol 2023; 153:107223. [PMID: 37678516 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
With the improvement in cancer prognosis due to advances in antitumor therapeutic protocols and new targeted and immunotherapies, we are witnessing a growing increase in survival, however, at the same timeincrease in morbidity among cancer survivors as a consequences of the increased cardiovascular adverse effects of antineoplastic drugs. Common cardiovascular complications of antineoplastic therapies may include cardiac complications such as arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, left ventricular dysfunction culminating in heart failure as well as vascular complications including arterial hypertension, thromboembolic events, and accelerated atherosclerosis. The toxicity results from the fact that these drugs not only target cancer cells but also affect normal cells within the cardiovascular system. In this article, we review the clinical features and main mechanisms implicated in antineoplastic drug-induced cardiovascular toxicity, including oxidative stress, inflammation, immunothrombosis and growth factors-induced signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Cell Therapy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sandra Ghelardoni
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Zoltán V Varga
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; HCEMM-SU Cardiometabolic Immunology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary; MTA-SE Momentum Cardio-Oncology and Cardioimmunology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Radwa A Mehanna
- Medical Physiology Department, Center of Excellence for Research in Regenerative Medicine and Applications (CERRMA), Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
| | | | - Péter Ferdinandy
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rosalinda Madonna
- Department of Pathology, Cardiology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Barachini S, Morelli M, Santonocito OS, Mazzanti CM. Preclinical glioma models in neuro-oncology: enhancing translational research. Curr Opin Oncol 2023; 35:536-542. [PMID: 37820088 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Gliomas represent approximately 25% of all primary brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors and 81% of malignant tumors. Unfortunately, standard treatment approaches for most CNS cancers have shown limited improvement in patient survival rates. RECENT FINDINGS The current drug development process has been plagued by high failure rates, leading to a shift towards human disease models in biomedical research. Unfortunately, suitable preclinical models for brain tumors have been lacking, hampering our understanding of tumor initiation processes and the discovery of effective treatments. In this review, we will explore the diverse preclinical models employed in neuro-oncology research and their contributions to translational science. SUMMARY By utilizing a combination of these preclinical models and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, researchers can deepen their understanding of glioma brain tumors and develop novel therapeutic strategies to combat these devastating diseases. These models offer promising prospects for personalized and efficacious treatments for these challenging malignancies. Although it is unrealistic to fully replicate the complexity of the human body in vitro, the ultimate goal should be to achieve the closest possible resemblance to the clinical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa
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Pardini E, Cucchiara F, Palumbo S, Tarrini G, Di Vita A, Coppedè F, Nicolì V, Guida M, Maestri M, Ricciardi R, Aprile V, Ambrogi MC, Barachini S, Lucchi M, Petrini I. Somatic mutations of thymic epithelial tumors with myasthenia gravis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1224491. [PMID: 37671056 PMCID: PMC10475716 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1224491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Thymic epithelial tumors are rare malignant neoplasms that are frequently associated with paraneoplastic syndromes, especially myasthenia gravis. GTF2I is an oncogene mutated in a subgroup of thymomas that is reputed to drive their growth. However, for GTF2I wild-type tumors, the relevant mutations remain to be identified. Methods We performed a meta-analysis and identified 4,208 mutations in 339 patients. We defined a panel of 63 genes frequently mutated in thymic epithelial tumors, which we used to design a custom assay for next-generation sequencing. We sequenced tumor DNA from 67 thymomas of patients with myasthenia gravis who underwent resection in our institution. Results Among the 67 thymomas, there were 238 mutations, 83 of which were in coding sequences. There were 14 GTF2I mutations in 6 A, 5 AB, 2 B2 thymomas, and one in a thymoma with unspecified histology. No other oncogenes showed recurrent mutations, while sixteen tumor suppressor genes were predicted to be inactivated. Even with a dedicated assay for the identification of specific somatic mutations in thymic epithelial tumors, only GTF2I mutations were found to be significantly recurrent. Conclusion Our evaluation provides insights into the mutational landscape of thymic epithelial tumors, identifies recurrent mutations in different histotypes, and describes the design and implementation of a custom panel for targeted resequencing. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of thymic epithelial tumors and may have implications for future research and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pardini
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Federico Cucchiara
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Palumbo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Tarrini
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessia Di Vita
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Nicolì
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Melania Guida
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Maestri
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Ricciardi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vittorio Aprile
- Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marcello C. Ambrogi
- Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Lucchi
- Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Iacopo Petrini
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Barachini S, Biso L, Kolachalam S, Petrini I, Maggio R, Scarselli M, Longoni B. Mesenchymal Stem Cell in Pancreatic Islet Transplantation. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051426. [PMID: 37239097 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051426] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic islet transplantation is a therapeutic option for achieving physiologic regulation of plasma glucose in Type 1 diabetic patients. At the same time, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated their potential in controlling graft rejection, the most fearsome complication in organ/tissue transplantation. MSCs can interact with innate and adaptive immune system cells either through direct cell-cell contact or through their secretome including exosomes. In this review, we discuss current findings regarding the graft microenvironment of pancreatic islet recipient patients and the crucial role of MSCs operation as cell managers able to control the immune system to prevent rejection and promote endogenous repair. We also discuss how challenging stressors, such as oxidative stress and impaired vasculogenesis, may jeopardize graft outcomes. In order to face these adverse conditions, we consider either hypoxia-exposure preconditioning of MSCs or human stem cells with angiogenic potential in organoids to overcome islets' lack of vasculature. Along with the shepherding of carbon nanotubes-loaded MSCs to the transplantation site by a magnetic field, these studies look forward to exploiting MSCs stemness and their immunomodulatory properties in pancreatic islet transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Letizia Biso
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Shivakumar Kolachalam
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Aseptic Pharmacy, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W6 8RF, UK
| | - Iacopo Petrini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Maggio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Marco Scarselli
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Biancamaria Longoni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Santovito D, Steffens S, Barachini S, Madonna R. Autophagy, innate immunity, and cardiac disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1149409. [PMID: 37234771 PMCID: PMC10206260 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1149409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of cell adaptation to metabolic and environmental stress. It mediates the disposal of protein aggregates and dysfunctional organelles, although non-conventional features have recently emerged to broadly extend the pathophysiological relevance of autophagy. In baseline conditions, basal autophagy critically regulates cardiac homeostasis to preserve structural and functional integrity and protect against cell damage and genomic instability occurring with aging. Moreover, autophagy is stimulated by multiple cardiac injuries and contributes to mechanisms of response and remodeling following ischemia, pressure overload, and metabolic stress. Besides cardiac cells, autophagy orchestrates the maturation of neutrophils and other immune cells, influencing their function. In this review, we will discuss the evidence supporting the role of autophagy in cardiac homeostasis, aging, and cardioimmunological response to cardiac injury. Finally, we highlight possible translational perspectives of modulating autophagy for therapeutic purposes to improve the care of patients with acute and chronic cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donato Santovito
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
- Unit of Milan, Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council, Milan, Italy
| | - Sabine Steffens
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Serena Barachini
- Hematology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Madonna
- Cardiology Division, Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology & Critical Care Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Barachini S, Ghelardoni S, Madonna R. Vascular Progenitor Cells: From Cancer to Tissue Repair. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12062399. [PMID: 36983398 PMCID: PMC10059009 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062399] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular progenitor cells are activated to repair and form a neointima following vascular damage such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes, trauma, hypoxia, primary cancerous lesions and metastases as well as catheter interventions. They play a key role not only in the resolution of the vascular lesion but also in the adult neovascularization and angiogenesis sprouting (i.e., the growth of new capillaries from pre-existing ones), often associated with carcinogenesis, favoring the formation of metastases, survival and progression of tumors. In this review, we discuss the biology, cellular plasticity and pathophysiology of different vascular progenitor cells, including their origins (sources), stimuli and activated pathways that induce differentiation, isolation and characterization. We focus on their role in tumor-induced vascular injury and discuss their implications in promoting tumor angiogenesis during cancer proliferation and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Barachini
- Laboratory for Cell Therapy, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sandra Ghelardoni
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Madonna
- Department of Pathology, Cardiology Division, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Morelli M, Lessi F, Barachini S, Liotti R, Montemurro N, Perrini P, Santonocito OS, Gambacciani C, Snuderl M, Pieri F, Aquila F, Farnesi A, Naccarato AG, Viacava P, Cardarelli F, Ferri G, Mulholland P, Ottaviani D, Paiar F, Liberti G, Pasqualetti F, Menicagli M, Aretini P, Signore G, Franceschi S, Mazzanti CM. Metabolic-imaging of human glioblastoma live tumors: A new precision-medicine approach to predict tumor treatment response early. Front Oncol 2022; 12:969812. [PMID: 36132155 PMCID: PMC9483168 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.969812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glioblastoma (GB) is the most severe form of brain cancer, with a 12-15 month median survival. Surgical resection, temozolomide (TMZ) treatment, and radiotherapy remain the primary therapeutic options for GB, and no new therapies have been introduced in recent years. This therapeutic standstill is primarily due to preclinical approaches that do not fully respect the complexity of GB cell biology and fail to test efficiently anti-cancer treatments. Therefore, better treatment screening approaches are needed. In this study, we have developed a novel functional precision medicine approach to test the response to anticancer treatments in organoids derived from the resected tumors of glioblastoma patients. Methods GB organoids were grown for a short period of time to prevent any genetic and morphological evolution and divergence from the tumor of origin. We chose metabolic imaging by NAD(P)H fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to predict early and non-invasively ex-vivo anti-cancer treatment responses of GB organoids. TMZ was used as the benchmark drug to validate the approach. Whole-transcriptome and whole-exome analyses were performed to characterize tumor cases stratification. Results Our functional precision medicine approach was completed within one week after surgery and two groups of TMZ Responder and Non-Responder tumors were identified. FLIM-based metabolic tumor stratification was well reflected at the molecular level, confirming the validity of our approach, highlighting also new target genes associated with TMZ treatment and identifying a new 17-gene molecular signature associated with survival. The number of MGMT gene promoter methylated tumors was higher in the responsive group, as expected, however, some non-methylated tumor cases turned out to be nevertheless responsive to TMZ, suggesting that our procedure could be synergistic with the classical MGMT methylation biomarker. Conclusions For the first time, FLIM-based metabolic imaging was used on live glioblastoma organoids. Unlike other approaches, ex-vivo patient-tailored drug response is performed at an early stage of tumor culturing with no animal involvement and with minimal tampering with the original tumor cytoarchitecture. This functional precision medicine approach can be exploited in a range of clinical and laboratory settings to improve the clinical management of GB patients and implemented on other cancers as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Morelli
- Section of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Chiara Maria Mazzanti, ; Mariangela Morelli,
| | - Francesca Lessi
- Section of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- Section of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Romano Liotti
- Section of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicola Montemurro
- Department of Neurosurgery, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Perrini
- Department of Neurosurgery, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Gambacciani
- Neurosurgical Department of Spedali Riuniti di Livorno, Livorno, Italy
| | - Matija Snuderl
- Department of Pathology, New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Francesco Pieri
- Neurosurgical Department of Spedali Riuniti di Livorno, Livorno, Italy
| | - Filippo Aquila
- Neurosurgical Department of Spedali Riuniti di Livorno, Livorno, Italy
| | - Azzurra Farnesi
- Neurosurgical Department of Spedali Riuniti di Livorno, Livorno, Italy
| | - Antonio Giuseppe Naccarato
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Viacava
- Anatomical Pathology Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Toscana Nord-ovest, Livorno, Italy
| | - Francesco Cardarelli
- National Enterprise for nanoScience and nanoTechnology (NEST), Scuola Normale Superiore and Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Ferri
- National Enterprise for nanoScience and nanoTechnology (NEST), Scuola Normale Superiore and Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Pisa, Italy
- Section of Nanomedicine, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paul Mulholland
- Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | - Diego Ottaviani
- Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fabiola Paiar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gaetano Liberti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Pasqualetti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Menicagli
- Section of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Aretini
- Section of Bioinformatics, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Signore
- Section of Nanomedicine, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Franceschi
- Section of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Maria Mazzanti
- Section of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Chiara Maria Mazzanti, ; Mariangela Morelli,
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Petrini I, Sollini M, Bartoli F, Barachini S, Montali M, Pardini E, Burzi IS, Erba PA. ED-B-Containing Isoform of Fibronectin in Tumor Microenvironment of Thymomas: A Target for a Theragnostic Approach. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112592. [PMID: 35681572 PMCID: PMC9179240 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The extra-domain B fibronectin (ED-B FN) is highly expressed in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), as demonstrated by in vivo targeting using 131I-labeled L19 small immunoprotein (131I-L19-SIP) and immunohistochemistry with a predominant expression by stromal cells of a thymoma microenvironment rather than epithelial cells. Such high expression derived from the induction of stromal cells shifts FN production to the ED-B subtype. Our results suggest that Radretumab radioimmunotherapy (R-RIT) inefficacy is not related to low TET ED-B expression but to multifactorial aspects including patients’ inherent characteristics, the pattern expression of the target, the biological characteristics of the tumor, and the format of the target agent, which contribute to the resistance of tumor cells to treatment. Abstract Aim: to exploit tissue-specific interactions among thymic epithelial tumor (TETs) cells and extra-domain B fibronectin (ED-B FN). Material and methods: The stromal pattern of ED-B FN expression was investigated through tumor specimen collection and molecular profiling in 11 patients with recurrent TETs enrolled in prospective theragnostic phase I/II trials with Radretumab, an ED-B FN specific recombinant human antibody. Radretumab radioimmunotherapy (R-RIT) was offered to patients who exhibited the target expression. Experiments included immunochemical analysis (ICH), cell cultures, immunophenotypic analysis, Western blot, slot-blot assay, and quantitative RT-PCR of two primary thymoma cultures we obtained from patients’ samples and in the Ty82 cell line. Results: The in vivo scintigraphic demonstration of ED-B FN expression resulted in R-RIT eligibility in 8/11 patients, of which seven were treated. The best observed response was disease stabilization (n = 5/7) with a duration of 4.3 months (range 3–5 months). IHC data confirmed high ED-B FN expression in the peripherical microenvironment rather than in the center of the tumor, which was more abundant in B3 thymomas. Further, there was a predominant expression of ED-B FN by the stromal cells of the thymoma microenvironment rather than the epithelial cells. Conclusions: Our data support the hypothesis that thymomas induce stromal cells to shift FN production to the ED-B subtype, likely representing a favorable hallmark for tumor progression and metastasis. Collectively, results derived from clinical experience and molecular insights of the in vitro experiments suggested that R-RIT inefficacy is unlikely related to low target expression in TET, being the mechanism of R-RIT resistance eventually related to patients’ susceptibility (i.e., inherent characteristics), the pattern expression of the target (i.e., at periphery), the biological characteristics of the tumor (i.e., aggressive and resistant phenotypes), and/or to format of the target agent (i.e., 131I-L19-SIP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Iacopo Petrini
- General Pathology, Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Surgery and Medicine, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56100 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Martina Sollini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy;
- Diagnostic Imaging Department, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Bartoli
- Regional Center of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Serena Barachini
- Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.B.); (M.M.); (E.P.); (I.S.B.)
| | - Marina Montali
- Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.B.); (M.M.); (E.P.); (I.S.B.)
| | - Eleonora Pardini
- Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.B.); (M.M.); (E.P.); (I.S.B.)
| | - Irene Sofia Burzi
- Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.B.); (M.M.); (E.P.); (I.S.B.)
| | - Paola Anna Erba
- Regional Center of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Medical Imaging Centre, University Medical Center Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-992115
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Madonna R, Barachini S, Moscato S, Ippolito C, Mattii L, Lenzi C, Balistreri CR, Zucchi R, De Caterina R. Sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors prevent ponatinib-induced endothelial senescence and disfunction: A potential rescue strategy. Vascul Pharmacol 2021; 142:106949. [PMID: 34843980 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2021.106949] [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: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ponatinib (PON), a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), has proven cardiovascular toxicity, with no known preventing agents usable to limit such side effect. Sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of glucose-lowering agents, featuring favorable cardiac and vascular effects. AIMS We assessed the effects of the SGLT2 inhibitors empagliflozin (EMPA) and dapagliflozin (DAPA) on human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and underlying vasculo-protective mechanisms in an in vitro model of PON-induced endothelial toxicity. METHODS AND RESULTS We exposed HAECs to PON or vehicle (DMSO) in the presence or absence of EMPA (100 and 500 nmol/L) or dapagliflozin (DAPA) for 0-48 h exposure times. Compared with vehicle, incubations of HAECs with PON significantly reduced cell viability (0.56 ± 0.11 vs 0.23 ± 0.05 absorbance units, p < 0.01), increased the number of senescent cells at β-gal-assay (PON 9 ± 4 vs basal DMSO 3 ± 1 β-Gal+ cells/field, p < 0.01), decreased tubulization in Matrigel (PON PON: 6 ± 1 vs basal DMSO 12 ± 1 tubuli number/field, p < 0.05) with a non-statistically significant trend of PON to decrease the number of autophagic cells at immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometry. EMPA reverted the effects of PON on cell viability (E 500 + PON 0.24 ± 0.05 vs PON 0.56 ± 0.11 absorbance units, p < 0.01) and induced autophagy (E 500 7 ± 4.3 vs basal DMSO 2.6 ± 2.3 mean fluorescence vs PON 2.6 ± 2.4 mean fluorescence, p < 0.05). EMPA and DAPA also reversed the effects of PON on cell senescence (E 500 + PON 4 ± 1 and DAPA 100 4 ± 2 vs PON 9 ± 4 β-Gal+ cells/field, p < 0.01) and improved cell tubulization (E 500 + PON 21 ± 3 vs PON 6 ± 1 tubuli number/field, p < 0.05; DAPA 100 + PON 16 ± 2 vs PON 6 ± 1 tubuli number/field, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION EMPA and DAPA attenuate the vasculo-toxic effect exerted by PON by reverting endothelial cell senescence and dysfunction. These findings support the design of clinical studies exploring the vasculo-protective effects of EMPA or DAPA on PON-induced vascular toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalinda Madonna
- Department of Pathology, Cardiology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hematology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Moscato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Histology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Histology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Letizia Mattii
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Histology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Lenzi
- Department of Histopathology, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
| | - Carmela Rita Balistreri
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced, Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Riccardo Zucchi
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Pisa, Italy
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13
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Barachini S, Montali M, Panvini FM, Carnicelli V, Gatti GL, Piolanti N, Bonicoli E, Scaglione M, Buda G, Parchi PD. Mesangiogenic Progenitor Cells Are Tissue Specific and Cannot Be Isolated From Adipose Tissue or Umbilical Cord Blood. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:669381. [PMID: 34291045 PMCID: PMC8287027 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.669381] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesangiogenic progenitor cells (MPCs) have been isolated from human bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells. They attracted particular attention for the ability to differentiate into exponentially growing mesenchymal stromal cells while retaining endothelial differentiative potential. MPC power to couple mesengenesis and angiogenesis highlights their tissue regenerative potential and clinical value, with particular reference to musculoskeletal tissues regeneration. BM and adipose tissue represent the most promising adult multipotent cell sources for bone and cartilage repair, although discussion is still open on their respective profitability. Culture determinants, as well as tissues of origin, appeared to strongly affect the regenerative potential of cell preparations, making reliable methods for cell isolation and growth a prerequisite to obtain cell-based medicinal products. Our group had established a definite consistent protocol for MPC culture, and here, we present data showing MPCs to be tissue specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marina Montali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca M Panvini
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Institute of Life Sciences, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vittoria Carnicelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gian Luca Gatti
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicola Piolanti
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrico Bonicoli
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Scaglione
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Buda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo D Parchi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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14
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Panvini FM, Pacini S, Montali M, Barachini S, Mazzoni S, Morganti R, Ciancia EM, Carnicelli V, Petrini M. High NESTIN Expression Marks the Endosteal Capillary Network in Human Bone Marrow. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:596452. [PMID: 33364234 PMCID: PMC7753038 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.596452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is hosted, supported and regulated by a special bone marrow (BM) microenvironment known as "niche." BM niches have been classified based on micro-anatomic distance from the bone surface into "endosteal" and "central" niches. Whilst different blood vessels have been found in both BM niches in mice, our knowledge of the human BM architecture is much more limited. Here, we have used a combination of markers including NESTIN, CD146, and αSMA labeling different blood vessels in benign human BM. Applying immunohistochemical/immunofluorescence techniques on BM trephines and performing image analysis on almost 300 microphotographs, we detected high NESTIN expression in BM endothelial cells (BMECs) of small arteries (A) and endosteal arterioles (EA), and also in very small vessels we named NESTIN+ capillary-like tubes (NCLTs), not surrounded by sub-endothelial perivascular cells that occasionally reported low levels of NESTIN expression. Statistically, NCLTs were detected within 40 μm from bone trabecula, frequently found in direct contact to the bone line and spatially correlated with hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Our results support the expression of NESTIN in human BMECs of EA and A in accordance with the updated classification of murine BM micro-vessels. NCLTs for their peculiar characteristics and micro-anatomical localization have been here proposed as transitional vessels possibly involved in regulating human hematopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca M. Panvini
- Institute of Life Sciences, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Pacini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marina Montali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Mazzoni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Riccardo Morganti
- Statistical Support to Clinical Trials Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Eugenio M. Ciancia
- Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedsaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vittoria Carnicelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mario Petrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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15
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Barachini S, Pacini S, Montali M, Panvini FM, Carnicelli V, Piolanti N, Bonicoli E, Scaglione M, Parchi PD. Mesangiogenic Progenitor Cells and musculoskeletal tissue regeneration: differences between adipose-derived and bone marrow-derived cells? J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2020; 34:33-38. IORS Special Issue on Orthopedics. [PMID: 33739002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mesangiogenic Progenitor cells (MPCs) have been isolated from human bone marrow mononuclear cells (hBM-MNCs) and attracted particular attention for their ability to efficiently differentiate into exponentially growing mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and toward endothelial lineage, suggesting the term "mesangiogenic". Coupling mesengenesis and angiogenis, MPCs has been hypothesized retaining a great tissue regenerative potential in musculoskeletal tissues regeneration. Bone marrow and adipose tissue (AT) represent most promising adult multipotent cell sources attempting to repair bone and cartilage, with controversial results regarding advantages applying BM- or AT-derived cells. As different culture determinants as well as tissue of origins, could strongly affect regenerative potential of cell preparations, we hypothesize that MPCs counterpart could have a role in defining efficacy of applying a cell-based medicinal product in musculoskeletal tissue repair. Here we present convincing data demonstrating that the ex vivo progenitors of MPCs are tissue specific and can be detected exclusively in hBM-MNCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Barachini
- Hematology Division, Dept. Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Pacini
- Hematology Division, Dept. Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Montali
- Hematology Division, Dept. Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - F M Panvini
- Hematology Division, Dept. Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - V Carnicelli
- Dept. Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - N Piolanti
- First Orthopedic Division University of Pisa, Italy
| | - E Bonicoli
- First Orthopedic Division University of Pisa, Italy
| | - M Scaglione
- First Orthopedic Division University of Pisa, Italy
| | - P D Parchi
- First Orthopedic Division University of Pisa, Italy
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16
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Pacini S, Montali M, Mazziotta F, Schifone CP, Macchia L, Carnicelli V, Panvini FM, Barachini S, Notarfranchi L, Previti GB, Buda G, Petrini M. Mesangiogenic progenitor cells are forced toward the angiogenic fate, in multiple myeloma. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6781-6790. [PMID: 31827721 PMCID: PMC6887577 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) progresses mainly in the bone marrow where the involvement of a specific microenvironment plays a critical role in maintaining plasma cell growth, spread, and survival. In active disease, the switch from a pre-vascular/non-active phase to a vascular phase is coupled with the impairment of bone turnover. Previously, we have isolated Mesangiogenic Progenitor Cells (MPCs), a bone marrow population that showed mesengenic and angiogenic potential, both in vitro and in vivo. MPC differentiation into musculoskeletal tissue and their ability of sprouting angiogenesis are mutually exclusive, suggesting a role in the imbalancing of the microenvironment in multiple myeloma. MPCs from 32 bone marrow samples of multiple myeloma and 23 non-hematological patients were compared in terms of frequency, phenotype, mesengenic/angiogenic potential, and gene expression profile. Defective osteogenesis was recorded for MM-derived MPCs that showed longer angiogenic sprouting distances respect to non-hematological MPCs, retaining this capability after mesengenic induction. This altered MPCs differentiation potential was not detected in asymptomatic myelomatous disease. These in vitro experiments are suggestive of a forced angiogenic fate in MPCs isolated from MM patients, which also showed increased sprouting activity. Taking together our results suggest a possible role of these cells in the “angiogenic switch” in the MM micro-environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Pacini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hematology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marina Montali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hematology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Claudia P Schifone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hematology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Macchia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vittoria Carnicelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical, and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca M Panvini
- Institute of Life Sciences, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hematology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Notarfranchi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Hematology Division, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Buda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hematology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mario Petrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hematology Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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17
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Galimberti S, Grassi S, Baratè C, Guerrini F, Ciabatti E, Perutelli F, Ricci F, Del Genio G, Montali M, Barachini S, Giuliani C, Ferreri MI, Valetto A, Abruzzese E, Ippolito C, Iurlo A, Bocchia M, Sicuranza A, Martino B, Iovino L, Buda G, Salehzadeh S, Petrini M, Di Paolo A, Mattii L. The Polycomb BMI1 Protein Is Co-expressed With CD26+ in Leukemic Stem Cells of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2018; 8:555. [PMID: 30574454 PMCID: PMC6291509 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Polycomb gene BMI1 expression exerts a negative predictive impact on several hematological malignancies, such as acute and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), myelofibrosis, and follicular lymphoma. As already demonstrated in CML, BMI1 is responsible for the resistance to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in a BCR-ABL1-independent way. Even if, it is unknown where BMI1 in CML is expressed (in progenitors or more mature cells). We decided, therefore, to evaluate if and where the BMI1 protein is located, focusing mainly on the CD34+/CD38-/CD26+ CML progenitors. To begin we measured, by flow cytometry, the proportion of CD34+/CD26+ cells in 31 bone marrow samples from 20 CML patients, at diagnosis and during treatment with imatinib. After that the bone marrow blood smears were stained with antibodies anti-CD26, BCR-ABL1, and BMI1. These smears were observed by a confocal laser microscope and a 3D reconstruction was then performed. At diagnosis, CD34+/CD26+ cells median value/μL was 0.48; this number increased from diagnosis to the third month of therapy and then reduced during treatment with imatinib. The number and behavior of the CD26+ progenitors were independent from the BCR-ABL1 expression, but they summed up what previously observed about the BMI1 expression modulation. In this work we demonstrate for the first time that in CML the BMI1 protein is co-expressed with BCR-ABL1 only in the cytoplasm of the CD26+ precursors; on the contrary, in other hematological malignancies where BMI1 is commonly expressed (follicular lymphoma, essential thrombocytemia, acute myeloid leukemia), it was not co-localized with CD26 or, obviously, with BCR-ABL1. Once translated into the clinical context, if BMI1 is a marker of stemness, our results would suggest the combination of the BMI1 inhibitors with TKIs as an interesting object of research, and, probably, as a promising way to overcome resistance in CML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Galimberti
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Susanna Grassi
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,GeNOMEC School of Doctorate, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Claudia Baratè
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Guerrini
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Ciabatti
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Perutelli
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Federica Ricci
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giada Del Genio
- Unità Operativa Cytogenetics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marina Montali
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cecilia Giuliani
- Unità Operativa Cytogenetics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Valetto
- Unità Operativa Cytogenetics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Ippolito
- Section of Histology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Iurlo
- Hematology Division, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Bocchia
- Unità Operativa Ematologia, Università di Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Sicuranza
- Unità Operativa Ematologia, Università di Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Bruno Martino
- Unità Operativa Ematologia, Ospedale Binco, Melacrino, Morelli, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Iovino
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Buda
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Salehzadeh
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mario Petrini
- Section of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonello Di Paolo
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Letizia Mattii
- Section of Histology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Petrini I, Barachini S, Carnicelli V, Galimberti S, Modeo L, Boni R, Sollini M, Erba PA. ED-B fibronectin expression is a marker of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in translational oncology. Oncotarget 2018; 8:4914-4921. [PMID: 27902486 PMCID: PMC5354880 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibronectin is a component of the extracellular matrix that links collagen fibers to integrins on the cell's surface. The splicing isoforms, containing the ED-B domain, are not expressed in adult tissues but only in tumor stroma or during embryonic development. Fibroblasts and endothelial cells express ED-B fibronectin during angiogenesis. Also cancer cells can synthetize ED-B fibronectin, but its function in tumor growth needs to be further elucidated. We evaluated the expression of ED-B fibronectin in prostate cancer cell lines: PC3 and DU145. Using TGF-β, we induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition in culture and observed an increase of ED-B fibronectin expression. Thereafter, we evaluated the expression of ED-B fibronectin in multipotent mesangiogenic progenitor cells, and in mesenchymal stromal cells. The expression of ED-B fibronectin was much higher in mesenchymal than prostate cancer cells even after the epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition is a key step for tumor progression contributing to the metastatic spread. Therefore, circulating cancer cells could seed into the metastatic niche taking advantage from the ED-B fibronectin that secrete their own.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iacopo Petrini
- General Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vittoria Carnicelli
- Biochemistry, Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Galimberti
- Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Letizia Modeo
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Boni
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Martina Sollini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Anna Erba
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Montali M, Panvini FM, Barachini S, Ronca F, Carnicelli V, Mazzoni S, Petrini I, Pacini S. Human adult mesangiogenic progenitor cells reveal an early angiogenic potential, which is lost after mesengenic differentiation. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:106. [PMID: 28464921 PMCID: PMC5414340 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0562-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 01/10/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mesangiogenic progenitor cells (MPCs) have shown the ability to differentiate in-vitro toward mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as well as angiogenic potential. MPCs have so far been described in detail as progenitors of the mesodermal lineage and appear to be of great significance in tissue regeneration and in hemopoietic niche regulation. On the contrary, information regarding the MPC angiogenic process is still incomplete and requires further clarification. In particular, genuine MPC angiogenic potential should be confirmed in-vivo. Methods In the present article, markers and functions associated with angiogenic cells have been dissected. MPCs freshly isolated from human bone marrow have been induced to differentiate into exponentially growing MSCs (P2-MSCs). Cells have been characterized and angiogenesis-related gene expression was evaluated before and after mesengenic differentiation. Moreover, angiogenic potential has been tested by in-vitro and in-vivo functional assays. Results MPCs showed a distinctive gene expression profile, acetylated-low density lipoprotein uptake, and transendothelial migration capacity. However, mature endothelial markers and functions of endothelial cells, including the ability to form new capillaries, were absent, thus suggesting MPCs to be very immature endothelial progenitors. MPCs showed marked 3D spheroid sprouting activating the related molecular machinery, a clear in-vitro indication of early angiogenesis. Indeed, MPCs applied to chicken chorioallantoic membrane induced and participated in neovessel formation. All of these features were lost in mesengenic terminally differentiated P2-MSCs, showing definite separation of the two differentiation lineages. Conclusion Our results confirm the bona-fide angiogenic potential of MPCs and suggest that the high variability reported for MSC cultures, responsible for the controversies regarding MSC angiogenic potential, could be correlated to variable percentages of co-isolated MPCs in the different culture conditions so far used. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13287-017-0562-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Montali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hematology Division, University of Pisa, Via Roma 56, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca M Panvini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hematology Division, University of Pisa, Via Roma 56, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hematology Division, University of Pisa, Via Roma 56, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Ronca
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vittoria Carnicelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Mazzoni
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Iacopo Petrini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Pacini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hematology Division, University of Pisa, Via Roma 56, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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Antonini S, Montali M, Jacchetti E, Meucci S, Parchi PD, Barachini S, Panvini FM, Pacini S, Petrini I, Cecchini M. Nanotopography Induced Human Bone Marrow Mesangiogenic Progenitor Cells (MPCs) to Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) Transition. Front Cell Dev Biol 2016; 4:144. [PMID: 28066765 PMCID: PMC5169073 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2016.00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesangiogenic progenitor cells (MPCs) are a very peculiar population of cells present in the human adult bone marrow, only recently discovered and characterized. Owing to their differentiation potential, MPCs can be considered progenitors for mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), and for this reason they potentially represent a promising cell population to apply for skeletal tissue regeneration applications. Here, we evaluate the effects of surface nanotopography on MPCs, considering the possibility that this specific physical stimulus alone can trigger MPC differentiation toward the mesenchymal lineage. In particular, we exploit nanogratings to deliver a mechanical, directional stimulus by contact interaction to promote cell morphological polarization and stretching. Following this interaction, we study the MPC-MSC transition by i. analyzing the change in cell morphotype by immunostaining of the key cell-adhesion structures and confocal fluorescence microscopy, and ii. quantifying the expression of cell-phenotype characterizing markers by flow cytometry. We demonstrate that the MPC mesengenic differentiation can be induced by the solely interaction with the NGs, in absence of any other external, chemical stimulus. This aspect is of particular interest in the case of multipotent progenitors as MPCs that, retaining both mesengenic and angiogenic potential, possess a high clinical appeal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Antonini
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, Italy
| | - Marina Montali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Jacchetti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "G.Natta", Politecnico di Milano Milan, Italy
| | - Sandro Meucci
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo D Parchi
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca M Panvini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Pacini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Iacopo Petrini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Cecchini
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, Italy
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21
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Montali M, Barachini S, Panvini FM, Carnicelli V, Fulceri F, Petrini I, Pacini S. Growth Factor Content in Human Sera Affects the Isolation of Mesangiogenic Progenitor Cells (MPCs) from Human Bone Marrow. Front Cell Dev Biol 2016; 4:114. [PMID: 27800477 PMCID: PMC5065953 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2016.00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesangiogenic Progenitor Cells (MPCs) are human bone marrow-derived multipotent cells, isolated in vitro under selective culture conditions and shown to retain both mesengenic and angiogenic potential. MPCs also co-isolated with multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) when bone marrow primary cultures were set up for clinical applications, using human serum (HS) in place of fetal bovine serum (FBS). MPC culture purity (over 95%) is strictly dependent on HS supplementation with significant batch-to-batch variability. In the present paper we screened different sources of commercially available pooled human AB type serum (PhABS) for their ability to promote MPC production under selective culture conditions. As the majority of "contaminating" cells in MPC cultures were represented by MSC-like cells, we hypothesized a role by differentiating agents present in the sera. Therefore, we tested a number of growth factors (hGF) and found that higher concentrations of FGF-2, EGF, PDGF-AB, and VEGF-A as well as lower concentration of IGF-1 give sub-optimal MPC recovery. Gene expression analysis of hGF receptors was also carried out both in MSCs and MPCs, suggesting that FGF-2, EGF, and PDGF-AB could act promoting MSC proliferation, while VEGF-A contribute to MSC-like cell contamination, triggering MPC differentiation. Here we demonstrated that managing hGF contents, together with applying specific receptors inhibitors (Erlotinib-HCl and Nintedanib), could significantly mitigate the batch-to-batch variability related to serum supplementation. These data represent a fundamental milestone in view of manufacturing MPC-based medicinal products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Montali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca M Panvini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Vittoria Carnicelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Franca Fulceri
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Iacopo Petrini
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Pacini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa Pisa, Italy
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22
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Abstract
In a research study aimed to isolate human bone marrow (hBM)-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) for clinical applications, we identified a novel cell population specifically selected for growth in human serum supplemented medium. These cells are characterized by morphological, phenotypic, and molecular features distinct from MSCs and we named them Mesodermal Progenitor Cells (MPCs). MPCs are round, with a thick highly refringent core region; they show strong, trypsin resistant adherence to plastic. Failure to expand MPCs directly revealed that they are slow in cycling. This is as also suggested by Ki-67 negativity. On the other hand, culturing MPCs in standard medium designed for MSC expansion, gave rise to a population of exponentially growing MSC-like cells. Besides showing mesenchymal differentiation capacity MPCs retained angiogenic potential, confirming their multiple lineage progenitor nature. Here we describe an optimized highly reproducible protocol to isolate and characterize hBM-MPCs by flow cytometry (CD73, CD90, CD31, and CD45), nestin expression, and F-actin organization. Protocols for mesengenic and angiogenic differentiation of MPCs are also provided. Here we also suggest a more appropriate nomenclature for these cells, which has been re-named as "Mesangiogenic Progenitor Cells".
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Montali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa
| | - Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa
| | - Simone Pacini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa;
| | | | - Mario Petrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa
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23
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Pacini S, Barachini S, Montali M, Carnicelli V, Fazzi R, Parchi P, Petrini M. Mesangiogenic Progenitor Cells Derived from One Novel CD64(bright)CD31(bright)CD14(neg) Population in Human Adult Bone Marrow. Stem Cells Dev 2016; 25:661-73. [PMID: 26975798 PMCID: PMC4854213 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2015.0344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been the object of extensive research for decades, due to their intrinsic clinical value. Nonetheless, the unambiguous identification of a unique in vivo MSC progenitor is still lacking, and the hypothesis that these multipotent cells could possibly arise from different in vivo precursors has been gaining consensus in the last years. We identified a novel multipotent cell population in human adult bone marrow that we first named Mesodermal Progenitor Cells (MPCs) for the ability to differentiate toward the mesenchymal lineage, while still retaining angiogenic potential. Despite extensive characterization, MPCs positioning within the differentiation pathway and whether they can be ascribed as possible distinctive progenitor of the MSC lineage is still unclear. In this study, we describe the ex vivo isolation of one novel bone marrow subpopulation (Pop#8) with the ability to generate MPCs. Multicolor flow cytometry in combination with either fluorescence-activated cell sorting or magnetic-activated cell sorting were applied to characterize Pop#8 as CD64(bright)CD31(bright)CD14(neg). We defined Pop#8 properties in culture, including the potential of Pop#8-derived MPCs to differentiate into MSCs. Gene expression data were suggestive of Pop#8 in vivo involvement in hematopoietic stem cell niche constitution/maintenance. Pop#8 resulted over three logs more frequent than other putative MSC progenitors, corroborating the idea that most of the controversies regarding culture-expanded MSCs could be the consequence of different culture conditions that select or promote particular subpopulations of precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Pacini
- 1 Hematology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- 1 Hematology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy
| | - Marina Montali
- 1 Hematology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy
| | - Vittoria Carnicelli
- 2 Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy
| | - Rita Fazzi
- 1 Hematology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Parchi
- 3 First Orthopedic Division, Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy
| | - Mario Petrini
- 1 Hematology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy
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24
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Barachini S, Danti S, Pacini S, D’Alessandro D, Carnicelli V, Trombi L, Moscato S, Mannari C, Cei S, Petrini M. Plasticity of human dental pulp stromal cells with bioengineering platforms: A versatile tool for regenerative medicine. Micron 2014; 67:155-168. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2014.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Revised: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 07/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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25
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Picchi J, Trombi L, Spugnesi L, Barachini S, Maroni G, Brodano GB, Boriani S, Valtieri M, Petrini M, Magli MC. HOX and TALE signatures specify human stromal stem cell populations from different sources. J Cell Physiol 2013; 228:879-89. [PMID: 23018864 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2012] [Accepted: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Human stromal stem cell populations reside in different tissues and anatomical sites, however a critical question related to their efficient use in regenerative medicine is whether they exhibit equivalent biological properties. Here, we compared cellular and molecular characteristics of stromal stem cells derived from the bone marrow, at different body sites (iliac crest, sternum, and vertebrae) and other tissues (dental pulp and colon). In particular, we investigated whether homeobox genes of the HOX and TALE subfamilies might provide suitable markers to identify distinct stromal cell populations, as HOX proteins control cell positional identity and, together with their co-factors TALE, are involved in orchestrating differentiation of adult tissues. Our results show that stromal populations from different sources, although immunophenotypically similar, display distinct HOX and TALE signatures, as well as different growth and differentiation abilities. Stromal stem cells from different tissues are characterized by specific HOX profiles, differing in the number and type of active genes, as well as in their level of expression. Conversely, bone marrow-derived cell populations can be essentially distinguished for the expression levels of specific HOX members, strongly suggesting that quantitative differences in HOX activity may be crucial. Taken together, our data indicate that the HOX and TALE profiles provide positional, embryological and hierarchical identity of human stromal stem cells. Furthermore, our data suggest that cell populations derived from different body sites may not represent equivalent cell sources for cell-based therapeutical strategies for regeneration and repair of specific tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Picchi
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
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26
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Nesti C, Pardini C, Barachini S, D'Alessandro D, Siciliano G, Murri L, Petrini M, Vaglini F. Human dental pulp stem cells protect mouse dopaminergic neurons against MPP+ or rotenone. Brain Res 2010; 1367:94-102. [PMID: 20854799 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.09.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2009] [Revised: 09/08/2010] [Accepted: 09/11/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive death of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons that results in a regional loss of striatal dopamine (DA) levels. Dental pulp contains ex vivo-expandable cells called dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), with the capacity to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. More interestingly, due to their embryonic origin, DPSCs express neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of DPSCs against MPP+ (2.5, 5, and 10 μM) and rotenone (0.25, 0.5 and 1 μM) in an in vitro model of PD, using an indirect co-culture system with mesencephalic cell cultures. When mesencephalic cultures were challenged with MPP+ or rotenone, in the presence of DPSCs a statistically significant protective effect was observed at all the tested doses in terms of DA uptake. DPSCs protective effect on DA neurons was also confirmed by immunocytochemistry: an increased number of spared tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)+ cells was observed in co-culture conditions compared to controls, and neurons showed longer processes in comparison with mesencephalic cells grown without DPSCs. In conclusion, the co-culture with DPSCs significantly attenuated MPP+ or rotenone-induced toxicity in primary cultures of mesencephalic neurons. Considering that the direct contact between the two cell types was prevented, it can be speculated that neuroprotection could be due to soluble factors such as BDNF and NGF, released by DPSCs. Blocking BDNF and NGF with neutralizing antibodies, the neuroprotecting effect of DPSCs was completely abolished. Therefore DPSCs can be viewed as possible candidates for studies on cell-based therapy in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Nesti
- RRMR/CUCCS (Rete Regionale di Medicina Rigenerativa/Center for the Clinical Use of Stem Cells), Italy; Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
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27
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D’Alessandro D, Battolla B, Trombi L, Barachini S, Cascone M, Bernardini N, Petrini M, Mattii L. Embedding methods for poly(l-lactic acid) microfiber mesh/human mesenchymal stem cell constructs. Micron 2009; 40:605-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2009.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2009] [Accepted: 02/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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28
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Barachini S, Trombi L, Danti S, D'Alessandro D, Battolla B, Legitimo A, Nesti C, Mucci I, D'Acunto M, Cascone MG, Lazzeri L, Mattii L, Consolini R, Petrini M. Morpho-functional characterization of human mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord blood for potential uses in regenerative medicine. Stem Cells Dev 2009; 18:293-305. [PMID: 18444788 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2008.0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising source of progenitor cells having the potential to repair and to regenerate diseased or damaged skeletal tissues. Bone marrow (BM) has been the first source reported to contain MSCs. However, BM-derived cells are not always acceptable, due to the highly invasive drawing and the decline in MSC number and differentiative capability with increasing age. Human umbilical cord blood (UCB), obtainable by donation with a noninvasive method, has been introduced as an alternative source of MSCs. Here human UCB-derived MSCs isolation and morpho-functional characterization are reported. Human UCB-derived mononuclear cells, obtained by negative immunoselection, exhibited either an osteoclast-like or a mesenchymal-like phenotype. However, we were able to obtain homogeneous populations of MSCs that displayed a fibroblast-like morphology, expressed mesenchym-related antigens and showed differentiative capacities along osteoblastic and early chondroblastic lineages. Furthermore, this study is one among a few papers investigating human UCB-derived MSC growth and differentiation on three-dimensional scaffolds focusing on their potential applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. UCB-derived MSCs were proved to grow on biodegradable microfiber meshes; additionally, they were able to differentiate toward mature osteoblasts when cultured inside human plasma clots, suggesting their potential application in orthopedic surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Barachini
- RRMR/CUCCS, Regional Network of Regenerative Medicine/Center for the Clinical Use of Stem Cells, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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29
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Giovannetti E, Mey V, Danesi R, Basolo F, Barachini S, Deri M, Del Tacca M. Interaction between gemcitabine and topotecan in human non-small-cell lung cancer cells: effects on cell survival, cell cycle and pharmacogenetic profile. Br J Cancer 2005; 92:681-9. [PMID: 15700043 PMCID: PMC2361886 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The pyrimidine analogue gemcitabine is an established effective agent in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present study investigates whether gemcitabine would be synergistic with the topoisomerase I inhibitor topotecan against the NSCLC A549 and Calu-6 cells. Cells were treated with gemcitabine and topotecan for 1 h and the type of drug interaction was assessed using the combination index (CI). Cell cycle alterations were analysed by flow cytometry, while apoptosis was examined by the occurrence of DNA internucleosomal fragmentation, nuclear condensation and caspase-3 activation. Moreover, the possible involvement of the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway was investigated by the measurement of Akt phosphorylation. Finally, quantitative, real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) was used to study modulation of the gemcitabine-activating enzyme deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) and the cellular target enzyme ribonucleotide reductase (RR). In results, it was found that simultaneous and sequential topotecan → gemcitabine treatments were synergistic, while the reverse sequence was antagonistic in both cell lines. DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation and enhanced caspase-3 activity demonstrated that the drug combination markedly increased apoptosis in comparison with either single agent, while cell cycle analysis showed that topotecan increased cells in S phase. Furthermore, topotecan treatment significantly decreased the amount of the activated form of Akt, and enhanced the expression of dCK (+155.0 and +115.3% in A549 and Calu-6 cells, respectively), potentially facilitating gemcitabine activity. In conclusion, these results indicate that the combination of gemcitabine and topotecan displays schedule-dependent activity in vitro against NSCLC cells. The gemcitabine → topotecan sequence is antagonistic while drug synergism is obtained with the simultaneous and the sequential topotecan → gemcitabine combinations, which are associated with induction of decreased Akt phosphorylation and increased dCK expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Giovannetti
- Division of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, 55 Via Roma, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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Rahimi H, Soro S, Rughetti A, Palocci C, Biffoni M, Barachini S, Taurino F, Cernia E, Frati L, Nuti M. Monoclonal antibodies against Candida rugosa lipase. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcatb.2004.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Rughetti A, Biffoni M, Pierelli L, Rahimi H, Bonanno G, Barachini S, Pellicciotta I, Napoletano C, Pescarmona E, Del Nero A, Pignoloni P, Frati L, Nuti M. Regulated expression of MUC1 epithelial antigen in erythropoiesis. Br J Haematol 2003; 120:344-52. [PMID: 12542497 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2003.04038.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
MUC1 is a large surface glycoprotein expressed by epithelial cells, which is overexpressed and aberrantly glycosylated in carcinomas. MUC1 is involved in epithelial cell interactions and appears to function as a signal-transducing molecule. The finding that MUC1 can also be expressed in the haematopoietic lineages prompted us to further investigate the possible function(s) of this molecule in haematopoietic cells. In bone marrow differentiating cells, MUC1 was strongly and selectively expressed during erythropoiesis; it was also weakly expressed during megakaryocytopoiesis and granulomonocytopoiesis; however, no correlation between MUC1 and differentiation marker expression was observed in these lineages. In vitro CD34+ cells, induced towards erythroid differentiation, acquired MUC1 transiently, while expressing increasing levels of the lineage marker glycophorin A. MUC1 was absent in the circulating erythrocytes. During erythropoiesis, MUC1 expression was transcriptionally regulated and the molecule underwent phosphorylation. To investigate the possible role of MUC1 during erythropoiesis, we studied the ability of MUC1 to act as ligand for cell-cell interaction. The sialylated MUC1 glycoforms selectively expressed on erythroid cells were able to bind the macrophage-restricted molecule sialoadhesin. These results suggest that MUC1 can function as a cross-talk molecule between the erythroblasts and the surrounding cells during erythropoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelia Rughetti
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University La Sapienza, Italy
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32
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Innocenti F, Danesi R, Favre C, Nardi M, Menconi MC, Di Paolo A, Bocci G, Fogli S, Barbara C, Barachini S, Casazza G, Macchia P, Del Tacca M. Variable correlation between 6-mercaptopurine metabolites in erythrocytes and hematologic toxicity: implications for drug monitoring in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ther Drug Monit 2000; 22:375-82. [PMID: 10942174 DOI: 10.1097/00007691-200008000-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Nineteen pediatric patients affected by acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were examined weekly with respect to 6-mercaptopurine nucleotide (6-MPN) and 6-thioguanine nucleotide (6-TGN) levels in erythrocytes during the course of maintenance treatment with 6-MP 50 mg/m2 per d and results were related to various parameters of bone marrow function to assess, in the same individual, the level of reliability of 6-MP metabolites in predicting a later change in peripheral blood cell counts. Median values for 6-MPN and 6-TGN were 57 and 200 pmol/8 x 10(8) erythrocytes, respectively, as measured by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). 6-TGN levels in erythrocytes were inversely related with white blood cell count (r = -0.463, p < 0.0001, n = 361), absolute neutrophil count (r = -0.386, p < 0.0001, n = 347), erythrocyte (r = -0.354, p < 0.0001, n = 287), and platelet counts (r = -0.24, p < 0.0001, n = 319) in the majority of patients (n = 10-12), while no correlation was found for 6-MPN. In the remaining children, no evidence of correlation was demonstrated between 6-TGN levels and myelotoxicity. The results confirm the role of 6-TGN as the reference cytotoxic metabolite for evaluating the exposure to 6-MP and identifying treatment compliance in ALL children but indicate the limits of a follow-up based solely on metabolite levels and suggest that a more correct approach remains the double monitoring of 6-TGN and blood cell count with differential.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Innocenti
- Department of Oncology, University of Pisa, Italy
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Di Paolo A, Danesi R, Nardini D, Bocci G, Innocenti F, Fogli S, Barachini S, Marchetti A, Bevilacqua G, Del Tacca M. Manumycin inhibits ras signal transduction pathway and induces apoptosis in COLO320-DM human colon tumour cells. Br J Cancer 2000; 82:905-12. [PMID: 10732765 PMCID: PMC2374379 DOI: 10.1054/bjoc.1999.1018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess the cytotoxicity of manumycin, a specific inhibitor of farnesyl:protein transferase, as well as its effects on protein isoprenylation and kinase-dependent signal transduction in COLO320-DM human colon adenocarcinoma which harbours a wild-type K-ras gene. Immunoblot analysis of isolated cell membranes and total cellular lysates of COLO320-DM cells demonstrated that manumycin dose-dependently reduced p21 ras farnesylation with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 2.51 +/- 0.11 microM and 2.68 +/- 0.20 microM, respectively, while the geranylgeranylation of p21 rhoA and p21rap1 was not affected. Manumycin dose-dependently inhibited (IC50 = 2.40 +/- 0.67 microM) the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-regulated kinase 2 (p42MAPK/ERK2), the main cytoplasmic effector of p21ras, as well as COLO320-DM cell growth (IC50 = 3.58 +/- 0.27 microM) without affecting the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Mevalonic acid (MVA, 100 microM), a substrate of the isoprenoid synthesis, was unable to protect COLO320-DM cells from manumycin cytotoxicity. Finally, manumycin 1-25 microM for 24-72 h induced oligonucleosomal fragmentation in a dose- and time-dependent manner and MVA did not protect COLO320-DM cells from undergoing DNA cleavage. The present findings indicate that the inhibition of p21ras processing and signal transduction by manumycin is associated with marked inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis in colon cancer cells and the effect on cell growth does not require the presence of a mutated ras gene for maximal expression of chemotherapeutic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Di Paolo
- Department of Oncology, University of Pisa, Italy
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