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Crudele L, Novielli F, De Matteis C, Petruzzelli S, Suppressa P, Berardi E, Antonica G, Piazzolla G, Sabbà C, Graziano G, Moschetta A. Thyroid nodule malignancy is associated with increased non-invasive hepatic fibrosis scores in metabolic subjects. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1233083. [PMID: 37965446 PMCID: PMC10641401 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1233083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Thyroid cancer incidence is increasing, and adiposity-related conditions are gaining space in its pathogenesis. In this study, we aimed to detect any anthropometric, biohumoral, and clinical features that might be associated with thyroid nodule malignancy, potentially representing novel non-invasive markers of thyroid cancer. Materials and methods The study was conducted in a group of 142 consecutive outpatients (47 men and 95 women) who underwent fine-needle aspiration biopsy/cytology (FNAB/C) due to suspicion of malignancy from January 2018 to September 2022. We compared lipid and glycemic blood profiles as well as non-invasive liver fibrosis indexes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio (AAR), AST to platelet ratio index (APRI), and fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB-4) between patients with benign and malignant newly diagnosed nodules. Then, we performed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to assess their best cutoff values for discrimination of malignant nodules and chi-squared test to evaluate the association of specific dysmetabolic conditions with malignancy. To understand whether and to what degree dysmetabolic conditions increased the risk of thyroid nodule malignancy, we also calculated the odds ratio (OR) of the main biomarkers. Results After FNAB/C, 121 (85%) patients were diagnosed with benign thyroid nodules, while 21 (15%) individuals were diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Comparing patients with benign and malignant nodules, we found that individuals with thyroid cancer exhibited increased body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.048) and fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.046). Intriguingly, considering non-invasive scores for liver fibrosis, subjects with thyroid cancer presented increased AAR (p < 0.001) and APRI (p = 0.007), and these scores were associated with malignancy (p < 0.005) with OR = 7.1 and OR = 5, respectively. Moreover, we showed that only in the cancer group, low levels of vitamin D correlated with stigmata of impaired metabolism. Discussion In our study, AAR and APRI scores were associated with thyroid nodule malignancy and could be used to predict it and to speed up the diagnostic process. From a pathogenic point of view, we speculated that metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) along with hyperglycemia and vitamin D deficiency may represent putative drivers of thyroid carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucilla Crudele
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Fabio Novielli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo De Matteis
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefano Petruzzelli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Suppressa
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Elsa Berardi
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Antonica
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Piazzolla
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Sabbà
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Giusi Graziano
- Center for Outcomes Research and Clinical Epidemiology (CORESEARCH), Pescara, Italy
| | - Antonio Moschetta
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
- IINBB National Institute for Biostructure and Biosystems, Roma, Italy
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Di Fonte R, Strippoli S, Garofoli M, Cormio G, Serratì S, Loizzi V, Fasano R, Arezzo F, Volpicella M, Derakhshani A, Guida M, Porcelli L, Azzariti A. Cervical cancer benefits from trabectedin combination with the β-blocker propranolol: in vitro and ex vivo evaluations in patient-derived organoids. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1178316. [PMID: 37384250 PMCID: PMC10294430 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1178316] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is characterized by genomic alterations in DNA repair genes, which could favor treatment with agents causing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), such as trabectedin. Hence, we evaluated the capability of trabectedin to inhibit CC viability and used ovarian cancer (OC) models as a reference. Since chronic stress may promote gynecological cancer and may hinder the efficacy of therapy, we investigated the potential of targeting β-adrenergic receptors with propranolol to enhance trabectedin efficacy and change tumor immunogenicity. Methods: OC cell lines, Caov-3 and SK-OV-3, CC cell lines, HeLa and OV2008, and patient-derived organoids were used as study models. MTT and 3D cell viability assays were used for drug(s) IC50 determination. The analysis of apoptosis, JC-1 mitochondrial membrane depolarization, cell cycle, and protein expression was performed by flow cytometry. Cell target modulation analyses were carried out by gene expression, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunocytochemistry. Results: Trabectedin reduced the proliferation of both CC and OC cell lines and notably of CC patient-derived organoids. Mechanistically, trabectedin caused DNA DSBs and S-phase cell cycle arrest. Despite DNA DSBs, cells failed the formation of nuclear RAD51 foci and underwent apoptosis. Under norepinephrine stimulation, propranolol enhanced trabectedin efficacy, further inducing apoptosis through the involvement of mitochondria, Erk1/2 activation, and the increase of inducible COX-2. Notably, trabectedin and propranolol affected the expression of PD1 in both CC and OC cell lines. Conclusion: Overall, our results show that CC is responsive to trabectedin and provide translational evidence that could benefit CC treatment options. Our study pointed out that combined treatment offset trabectedin resistance caused by β-adrenergic receptor activation in both ovarian and cervical cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Vera Loizzi
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Arezzo
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Policlinico Hospital, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Volpicella
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Afshin Derakhshani
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Michele Guida
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy
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Marcotuli I, Mandrone M, Chiocchio I, Poli F, Gadaleta A, Ferrara G. Metabolomics and genetics of reproductive bud development in Ficus carica var. sativa (edible fig) and in Ficus carica var. caprificus (caprifig): similarities and differences. Front Plant Sci 2023; 14:1192350. [PMID: 37360723 PMCID: PMC10285451 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1192350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
In figs, reproductive biology comprises cultivars requiring or not pollination, with female trees (edible fig) and male trees (caprifig) bearing different types of fruits. Metabolomic and genetic studies may clarify bud differentiation mechanisms behind the different fruits. We used a targeted metabolomic analysis and genetic investigation through RNA sequence and candidate gene investigation to perform a deep analysis of buds of two fig cultivars, 'Petrelli' (San Pedro type) and 'Dottato' (Common type), and one caprifig. In this work, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR-based metabolomics) has been used to analyze and compare buds of the caprifig and the two fig cultivars collected at different times of the season. Metabolomic data of buds collected on the caprifig, 'Petrelli', and 'Dottato' were treated individually, building three separate orthogonal partial least squared (OPLS) models, using the "y" variable as the sampling time to allow the identification of the correlations among metabolomic profiles of buds. The sampling times revealed different patterns between caprifig and the two edible fig cultivars. A significant amount of glucose and fructose was found in 'Petrelli', differently from 'Dottato', in the buds in June, suggesting that these sugars not only are used by the ripening brebas of 'Petrelli' but also are directed toward the developing buds on the current year shoot for either a main crop (fruit in the current season) or a breba (fruit in the successive season). Genetic characterization through the RNA-seq of buds and comparison with the literature allowed the identification of 473 downregulated genes, with 22 only in profichi, and 391 upregulated genes, with 21 only in mammoni.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Marcotuli
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Manuela Mandrone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilaria Chiocchio
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ferruccio Poli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Agata Gadaleta
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ferrara
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
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Basilico B, Palamà IE, D’Amone S, Lauro C, Rosito M, Grieco M, Ratano P, Cordella F, Sanchini C, Di Angelantonio S, Ragozzino D, Cascione M, Gigli G, Cortese B. Substrate stiffness effect on molecular crosstalk of epithelial-mesenchymal transition mediators of human glioblastoma cells. Front Oncol 2022; 12:983507. [PMID: 36091138 PMCID: PMC9454310 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.983507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the microenvironment effects on cell response, show accumulating evidence that glioblastoma (GBM) migration and invasiveness are influenced by the mechanical rigidity of their surroundings. The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-recognized driving force of the invasive behavior of cancer. However, the primary mechanisms of EMT initiation and progression remain unclear. We have previously showed that certain substrate stiffness can selectively stimulate human GBM U251-MG and GL15 glioblastoma cell lines motility. The present study unifies several known EMT mediators to uncover the reason of the regulation and response to these stiffnesses. Our results revealed that changing the rigidity of the mechanical environment tuned the response of both cell lines through change in morphological features, epithelial-mesenchymal markers (E-, N-Cadherin), EGFR and ROS expressions in an interrelated manner. Specifically, a stiffer microenvironment induced a mesenchymal cell shape, a more fragmented morphology, higher intracellular cytosolic ROS expression and lower mitochondrial ROS. Finally, we observed that cells more motile showed a more depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential. Unravelling the process that regulates GBM cells’ infiltrative behavior could provide new opportunities for identification of new targets and less invasive approaches for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ilaria Elena Palamà
- National Research Council-Nanotechnology Institute (CNR Nanotec), Lecce, Italy
| | - Stefania D’Amone
- National Research Council-Nanotechnology Institute (CNR Nanotec), Lecce, Italy
| | - Clotilde Lauro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosito
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Maddalena Grieco
- National Research Council-Nanotechnology Institute (CNR Nanotec), Lecce, Italy
| | - Patrizia Ratano
- National Research Council-Nanotechnology Institute (CNR Nanotec), Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Cordella
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Sanchini
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Ragozzino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Gigli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- Department of Mathematics and Physics “Ennio De Giorgi” University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Barbara Cortese
- National Research Council-Nanotechnology Institute (CNR Nanotec), Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Barbara Cortese,
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Morgese MG, Bove M, Di Cesare Mannelli L, Schiavone S, Colia AL, Dimonte S, Mhillaj E, Sikora V, Tucci P, Ghelardini C, Trabace L. Precision Medicine in Alzheimer's Disease: Investigating Comorbid Common Biological Substrates in the Rat Model of Amyloid Beta-Induced Toxicity. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:799561. [PMID: 35046821 PMCID: PMC8763383 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.799561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most widespread neurodegenerative disorder, is a fatal global burden for the elder population. Although many efforts have been made, the search of a curative therapy is still ongoing. Individuating phenotypic traits that might help in investigating treatment response is of growing interest in AD research. AD is a complex pathology characterized by many comorbidities, such as depression and increased susceptibility to pain perception, leading to postulate that these conditions may rely on common biological substrates yet to be determined. In order to investigate those biological determinants to be associable with phenotypic traits, we used the rat model of amyloid beta-induced toxicity. This established model of early phase of AD is obtained by the intracerebroventricular injection of soluble amyloid beta1-42 (Aβ) peptide 7 days before performing experiments. In this model, we have previously reported increased immobility in the forced swimming test, reduced cortical serotonin levels and subtle alterations in the cognitive domain a depressive-like phenotype associated with subtle alteration in memory processes. In light of evaluating pain perception in this animal model, we performed two different behavioral tests commonly used, such as the paw pressure test and the cold plate test, to analyze mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal allodynia, respectively. Behavioural outcomes confirmed the memory impairment in the social recognition test and, compared to sham, Aβ-injected rats showed an increased selective susceptibility to mechanical but not to thermal stimulus. Behavioural data were then corroborated by neurochemical and biochemical biomarker analyses either at central or peripheral level. Data showed that the peptide injection evoked a significant increase in hypothalamic glutamate, kynurenine and dopamine content, while serotonin levels were reduced. Plasma Cystatin-C, a cysteine protease, was increased while serotonin and melatonin levels were decreased in Aβ-injected rats. Urinary levels paralleled plasma quantifications, indicating that Aβ-induced deficits in pain perception, mood and cognitive domain may also depend on these biomarkers. In conclusion, in the present study, we demonstrated that this animal model can mimic several comorbid conditions typical of the early phase of AD. Therefore, in the perspective of generating novel therapeutic strategies relevant to precision medicine in AD, this animal model and the biomarkers evaluated herein may represent an advantageous approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Morgese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Bove
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Stefania Schiavone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Anna Laura Colia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Stefania Dimonte
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Emanuela Mhillaj
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Vladyslav Sikora
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
- Department of Pathology, Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine
| | - Paolo Tucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Carla Ghelardini
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Luigia Trabace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
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