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Romeo A, Cappelli G, Iacovelli F, Colizzi V, Falconi M. Computational and experimental validation of phthalocyanine and hypericin as effective SARS-CoV-2 fusion inhibitors. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:3920-3934. [PMID: 37235773 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2216276] [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: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Phthalocyanine and hypericin have been previously identified as possible SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein fusion inhibitors through a virtual screening procedure. In this paper, atomistic simulations of metal-free phthalocyanines and atomistic and coarse-grained simulations of hypericins, placed around a complete model of the Spike embedded in a viral membrane, allowed to further explore their multi-target inhibitory potential, uncovering their binding to key protein functional regions and their propensity to insert in the membrane. Following computational results, pre-treatment of a pseudovirus expressing the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein with low compounds concentrations resulted in a strong inhibition of its entry into cells, suggesting the activity of these molecules should involve the direct targeting of the viral envelope surface. The combination of computational and in vitro results hence supports the role of hypericin and phthalocyanine as promising SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors, further endorsed by literature reporting the efficacy of these compounds in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 activity and in treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Romeo
- Department of Biology, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Cappelli
- Istituto per i Sistemi Biologici, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Montelibretti, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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2
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Romeo A, Pellegrini R, Gualtieri M, Benassi B, Santoro M, Iacovelli F, Stracquadanio M, Falconi M, Marino C, Zanini G, Arcangeli C. Experimental and in silico evaluations of the possible molecular interaction between airborne particulate matter and SARS-CoV-2. Sci Total Environ 2023; 895:165059. [PMID: 37353034 PMCID: PMC10284444 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165059] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
During the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (winter 2020), the northern part of Italy has been significantly affected by viral infection compared to the rest of the country leading the scientific community to hypothesize that airborne particulate matter (PM) could act as a carrier for the SARS-CoV-2. To address this controversial issue, we first verified and demonstrated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome on PM2.5 samples, collected in the city of Bologna (Northern Italy) in winter 2021. Then, we employed classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the possible recognition mechanism(s) between a newly modelled PM2.5 fragment and the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. The potential molecular interaction highlighted by MD simulations suggests that the glycans covering the upper Spike protein regions would mediate the direct contact with the PM2.5 carbon core surface, while a cloud of organic and inorganic PM2.5 components surround the glycoprotein with a network of non-bonded interactions resulting in up to 4769 total contacts. Moreover, a binding free energy of -207.2 ± 3.9 kcal/mol was calculated for the PM-Spike interface through the MM/GBSA method, and structural analyses also suggested that PM attachment does not alter the protein conformational dynamics. Although the association between the PM and SARS-CoV-2 appears plausible, this simulation does not assess whether these established interactions are sufficiently stable to carry the virus in the atmosphere, or whether the virion retains its infectiousness after the transport. While these key aspects should be verified by further experimental analyses, for the first time, this pioneering study gains insights into the molecular interactions between PM and SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and will support further research aiming at clarifying the possible relationship between PM abundance and the airborne diffusion of viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Romeo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Pellegrini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; Division of Health Protection Technologies, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Gualtieri
- Division of Models and Technologies for Risks Reduction, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), 40129 Bologna, Italy; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Piazza della Scienza 1, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano
| | - Barbara Benassi
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Santoro
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Milena Stracquadanio
- Division of Models and Technologies for Risks Reduction, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Marino
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Zanini
- Division of Models and Technologies for Risks Reduction, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Caterina Arcangeli
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy.
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3
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Villani V, Di Marco G, Iacovelli F, Pietrucci D, Canini A, Gismondi A. Profile and potential bioactivity of the miRNome and metabolome expressed in Malva sylvestris L. leaf and flower. BMC Plant Biol 2023; 23:439. [PMID: 37726667 PMCID: PMC10507896 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04434-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Malva sylvestris L. (common mallow) is a plant species widely used in phytotherapy and ethnobotanical practices since time immemorial. Characterizing the components of this herb might promote a better comprehension of its biological effects on the human body but also favour the identification of the molecular processes that occur in the plant tissues. Thus, in the present contribution, the scientific knowledge about the metabolomic profile of the common mallow was expanded. In particular, the phytocomplex of leaves and flowers from this botanical species and the extraction capacity of different concentrations of ethanol (i.e., 95%, 70%, 50%, and 0%; v/v in ddH2O) for it were investigated by spectrophotometric and chromatographic approaches. In detail, 95% ethanol extracts showed the worst capacity in isolating total phenols and flavonoids, while all the hydroalcoholic samples revealed a specific ability in purifying the anthocyanins. HPLC-DAD system detected and quantified 20 phenolic secondary metabolites, whose concentration in the several extracts depended on their own chemical nature and the percentage of ethanol used in the preparation. In addition, the stability of the purified phytochemicals after resuspension in pure ddH2O was also proved, considering a potential employment of them in biological/medical studies which include in vitro and in vivo experiments on mammalian models. Here, for the first time, the expressed miRNome in M. sylvestris was also defined by Next Generation Sequencing, revealing the presence of 33 microRNAs (miRNAs), 10 typical for leaves and 2 for flowers. Then, both plant and human putative mRNA targets for the detected miRNAs were predicted by bioinformatics analyses, with the aim to clarify the possible role of these small nucleic acids in the common mallow plant tissues and to try to understand if they could exert a potential cross-kingdom regulatory activity on the human health. Surprisingly, our investigations revealed that 19 miRNAs out of 33 were putatively able to modulate, in the plant cells, the expression of various chromosome scaffold proteins. In parallel, we found, in the human transcriptome, a total of 383 mRNAs involved in 5 fundamental mammalian cellular processes (i.e., apoptosis, senescence, cell-cycle, oxidative stress, and invasiveness) that theoretically could be bound and regulated by M. sylvestris miRNAs. The evidence collected in this work would suggest that the beneficial properties of the use of M. sylvestris, documented by the folk medicine, are probably linked to their content of miRNAs and not only to the action of phytochemicals (e.g., anthocyanins). This would open new perspectives about the possibility to develop gene therapies based on miRNAs isolated from medicinal plants, including M. sylvestris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Villani
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Botany, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
- Department of Biology, PhD Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Di Marco
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Botany, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Bioinformatics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Daniele Pietrucci
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Via S.M. in Gradi N.4, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Antonella Canini
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Botany, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Angelo Gismondi
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Botany, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica 1, Rome, 00133, Italy.
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Cosio T, Costanza G, Coniglione F, Romeo A, Iacovelli F, Diluvio L, Dika E, Shumak RG, Rossi P, Bianchi L, Falconi M, Campione E. From In Silico Simulation between TGF- β Receptors and Quercetin to Clinical Insight of a Medical Device Containing Allium cepa: Its Efficacy and Tolerability on Post-Surgical Scars. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1781. [PMID: 37629638 PMCID: PMC10455185 DOI: 10.3390/life13081781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Objective: Keloid and hypertrophic scars are a challenge in clinical management, causing functional and psychological discomfort. These pathological scars are caused by a proliferation of dermal tissue following skin injury. The TGF-β/Smad signal pathway in the fibroblasts and myofibroblasts is involved in the scarring process of skin fibrosis. Today, multiple therapeutic strategies that target the TGF-β/Smad signal pathway are evaluated to attenuate aberrant skin scars that are sometimes difficult to manage. We performed a head-to-head, randomized controlled trial evaluating the appearance of the post-surgical scars of 64 subjects after two times daily topical application to compare the effect of a class I pullulan-based medical device containing Allium cepa extract 5% and hyaluronic acid 5% gel versus a class I medical device silicone gel on new post-surgical wounds. (2) Methods: Objective scar assessment using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), POSAS, and other scales were performed after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment and statistical analyses were performed. The trial was registered in clinicalTrials.gov ( NCT05412745). In parallel, molecular docking simulations have been performed to investigate the role of Allium cepa in TGF-β/Smad signal pathway. (3) Results: We showed that VSS, POSAS scale, itching, and redness reduced significantly at week 4 and 8 in the subjects using devices containing Allium cepa and HA. No statistically significant differences in evaluated scores were noted at 12 weeks of treatment. Safety was also evaluated by gathering adverse events related to the application of the gel. Subject compliance and safety with the assigned gel were similar between the two study groups. Molecular docking simulations have shown how Allium cepa could inhibit fibroblasts proliferation and contraction via TGF-β/Smad signal pathway. (4) Conclusions: The topical application of a pullulan-based medical device containing Allium cepa and HA showed a clear reduction in the local inflammation, which might lead to a reduced probability of developing hypertrophic scars or keloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terenzio Cosio
- Post Graduate School of Microbiology, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, and Transplants (MIMIT), Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Dermatologic Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (L.D.); (R.G.S.); (L.B.)
| | - Gaetana Costanza
- Dermatologic Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (L.D.); (R.G.S.); (L.B.)
- Virology Unit, Tor Vergata Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Filadelfo Coniglione
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University Nostra Signora del Buon Consiglio, 1000 Tirana, Albania;
| | - Alice Romeo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (F.I.); (M.F.)
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (F.I.); (M.F.)
| | - Laura Diluvio
- Dermatologic Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (L.D.); (R.G.S.); (L.B.)
| | - Emi Dika
- Dermatology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bolog, Italy;
- Oncologic Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Ruslana Gaeta Shumak
- Dermatologic Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (L.D.); (R.G.S.); (L.B.)
| | - Piero Rossi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Minimally Invasive Unit, Tor Vergata Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Bianchi
- Dermatologic Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (L.D.); (R.G.S.); (L.B.)
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (F.I.); (M.F.)
| | - Elena Campione
- Dermatologic Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (L.D.); (R.G.S.); (L.B.)
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Iacovelli F, Romeo A, Lattanzio P, Ammendola S, Battistoni A, La Frazia S, Vindigni G, Unida V, Biocca S, Gaziano R, Divizia M, Falconi M. Deciphering the Broad Antimicrobial Activity of Melaleuca alternifolia Tea Tree Oil by Combining Experimental and Computational Investigations. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12432. [PMID: 37569803 PMCID: PMC10420022 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512432] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tea Tree Oil (TTO) is an essential oil obtained from the distillation of Melaleuca alternifolia leaves and branches. Due to its beneficial properties, TTO is widely used as an active ingredient in antimicrobial preparations for topical use or in cosmetic products and contains about 100 different compounds, with terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene and 1,8-cineole (or eucalyptol) being the molecules most responsible for its biological activities. In this work, the antimicrobial activity of whole TTO and these three major components was evaluated in vitro against fungi, bacteria and viruses. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out on a bacterial membrane model and a Coxsackievirus B4 viral capsid, to propose an atomistic explanation of their mechanism of action. The obtained results indicate that the strong antimicrobial activity of TTO is attributable to the induction of an altered membrane functionality, mediated by the incorporation of its components within the lipid bilayer, and to a possible ability of the compounds to bind and alter the structural properties of the viral capsid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (A.R.); (P.L.); (S.A.); (A.B.); (S.L.F.)
| | - Alice Romeo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (A.R.); (P.L.); (S.A.); (A.B.); (S.L.F.)
| | - Patrizio Lattanzio
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (A.R.); (P.L.); (S.A.); (A.B.); (S.L.F.)
| | - Serena Ammendola
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (A.R.); (P.L.); (S.A.); (A.B.); (S.L.F.)
| | - Andrea Battistoni
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (A.R.); (P.L.); (S.A.); (A.B.); (S.L.F.)
| | - Simone La Frazia
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (A.R.); (P.L.); (S.A.); (A.B.); (S.L.F.)
| | - Giulia Vindigni
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.V.); (V.U.); (S.B.)
| | - Valeria Unida
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.V.); (V.U.); (S.B.)
| | - Silvia Biocca
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.V.); (V.U.); (S.B.)
| | - Roberta Gaziano
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1–00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maurizio Divizia
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (A.R.); (P.L.); (S.A.); (A.B.); (S.L.F.)
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6
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Roglia V, Potestà M, Minchella A, Bruno SP, Bernardini R, Lettieri-Barbato D, Iacovelli F, Gismondi A, Aquilano K, Canini A, Muleo R, Colizzi V, Mattei M, Minutolo A, Montesano C. Exogenous miRNAs from Moringa oleifera Lam. recover a dysregulated lipid metabolism. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1012359. [PMID: 36465560 PMCID: PMC9715436 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1012359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
A balanced diet is critical for human health, and edible plants play an important role in providing essential micronutrients as well as specific microRNAs (miRNAs) that can regulate human gene expression. Here we present the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) miRNAs (mol-miRs) on lipid metabolism. Through in silico studies we identified the potential genes involved in lipid metabolism targeted by mol-miRs. To this end, we tested the efficacy of an aqueous extract of MO seeds (MOES), as suggested in traditional African ethnomedicine, or its purified miRNAs. The biological properties of MO preparations were investigated using a human derived hepatoma cell line (HepG2) as a model. MOES treatment decreased intracellular lipid accumulation and induced apoptosis in HepG2. In the same cell line, transfection with mol-miRs showed similar effects to MOES. Moreover, the effect of the mol-miR pool was investigated in a pre-obese mouse model, in which treatment with mol-miRs was able to prevent dysregulation of lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Roglia
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Potestà
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- UNESCO Interdisciplinary Chair in Biotechnology and Bioethics, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Stefania Paola Bruno
- Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Bernardini
- Interdepartmental Center for Animal Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Lettieri-Barbato
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Gismondi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Katia Aquilano
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Canini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosario Muleo
- Department of Agricultural and Forestry Science, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Vittorio Colizzi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- UNESCO Interdisciplinary Chair in Biotechnology and Bioethics, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mattei
- UNESCO Interdisciplinary Chair in Biotechnology and Bioethics, Rome, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center for Animal Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Minutolo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Montesano
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- UNESCO Interdisciplinary Chair in Biotechnology and Bioethics, Rome, Italy
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7
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Campione E, Lanna C, Cosio T, Rosa L, Conte MP, Iacovelli F, Romeo A, Falconi M, Del Vecchio C, Franchin E, Lia MS, Minieri M, Chiaramonte C, Ciotti M, Nuccetelli M, Terrinoni A, Iannuzzi I, Coppeta L, Magrini A, Bernardini S, Sabatini S, Rosapepe F, Bartoletti PL, Moricca N, Di Lorenzo A, Andreoni M, Sarmati L, Miani A, Piscitelli P, Squillaci E, Valenti P, Bianchi L. Lactoferrin as Antiviral Treatment in COVID-19 Management: Preliminary Evidence. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph182010985. [PMID: 34682731 PMCID: PMC8535893 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Lactoferrin (Lf), a multifunctional cationic glycoprotein synthesized by exocrine glands and neutrophils, possesses an in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, we conducted an in vivo preliminary study to investigate the antiviral effect of oral and intranasal liposomal bovine Lf (bLf) in asymptomatic and mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients. From April 2020 to June 2020, a total of 92 mild-to-moderate (67/92) and asymptomatic (25/92) COVID-19 patients were recruited and divided into three groups. Thirty-two patients (14 hospitalized and 18 in home-based isolation) received only oral and intranasal liposomal bLf; 32 hospitalized patients were treated only with standard of care (SOC) treatment; and 28, in home-based isolation, did not take any medication. Furthermore, 32 COVID-19 negative, untreated, healthy subjects were added for ancillary analysis. Liposomal bLf-treated COVID-19 patients obtained an earlier and significant (p < 0.0001) SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative conversion compared to the SOC-treated and untreated COVID-19 patients (14.25 vs. 27.13 vs. 32.61 days, respectively). Liposomal bLf-treated COVID-19 patients showed fast clinical symptoms recovery compared to the SOC-treated COVID-19 patients. In bLf-treated patients, a significant decrease in serum ferritin, IL-6, and D-dimers levels was observed. No adverse events were reported. These observations led us to speculate a potential role of bLf in the management of mild-to-moderate and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Campione
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.L.); (T.C.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Caterina Lanna
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.L.); (T.C.); (L.B.)
| | - Terenzio Cosio
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.L.); (T.C.); (L.B.)
| | - Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.R.); (M.P.C.); (P.V.)
| | - Maria Pia Conte
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.R.); (M.P.C.); (P.V.)
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Structural Bioinformatics Group, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (A.R.); (M.F.)
| | - Alice Romeo
- Structural Bioinformatics Group, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (A.R.); (M.F.)
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Structural Bioinformatics Group, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (A.R.); (M.F.)
| | - Claudia Del Vecchio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; (C.D.V.); (E.F.)
| | - Elisa Franchin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; (C.D.V.); (E.F.)
| | - Maria Stella Lia
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.S.L.); (M.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Marilena Minieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.S.L.); (M.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Carlo Chiaramonte
- Department of Statistics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marco Ciotti
- Virology Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marzia Nuccetelli
- Laboratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.N.); (S.B.)
| | - Alessandro Terrinoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.S.L.); (M.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Ilaria Iannuzzi
- Occupational Medicine Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (I.I.); (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Luca Coppeta
- Occupational Medicine Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (I.I.); (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Andrea Magrini
- Occupational Medicine Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (I.I.); (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Sergio Bernardini
- Laboratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.N.); (S.B.)
| | | | | | | | - Nicola Moricca
- Villa dei Pini Hospital, 00042 Anzio, Italy; (S.S.); (N.M.)
| | - Andrea Di Lorenzo
- Infectious Disease Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.D.L.); (M.A.); (L.S.)
| | - Massimo Andreoni
- Infectious Disease Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.D.L.); (M.A.); (L.S.)
| | - Loredana Sarmati
- Infectious Disease Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.D.L.); (M.A.); (L.S.)
| | - Alessandro Miani
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Prisco Piscitelli
- UNESCO Chair on Health Education and Sustainable Development, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Ettore Squillaci
- Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Radiation Therapy and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Piera Valenti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.R.); (M.P.C.); (P.V.)
| | - Luca Bianchi
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.L.); (T.C.); (L.B.)
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8
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Di Lallo G, Falconi M, Iacovelli F, Frezza D, D'Addabbo P. Analysis of Four New Enterococcus faecalis Phages and Modeling of a Hyaluronidase Catalytic Domain from Saphexavirus. Phage (New Rochelle) 2021; 2:131-141. [PMID: 36161247 PMCID: PMC9041502 DOI: 10.1089/phage.2021.0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Background: Phage therapy (PT), as a method to treat bacterial infections, needs identification of bacteriophages targeting specific pathogenic host. Enterococcus faecalis, a Gram-positive coccus resident in the human gastrointestinal tract, may become pathogenic in hospitalized patients showing acquired resistance to vancomycin and thus representing a possible target for PT. Materials and Methods: We isolated four phages that infect E. faecalis and characterized them by host range screening, transmission electron microscopy, and genome sequencing. We also identified and three-dimensional modeled a new hyaluronidase enzyme. Results: The four phages belong to Siphoviridae family: three Efquatrovirus (namely vB_EfaS_TV51, vB_EfaS_TV54, and vB_EfaS_TV217) and one Saphexavirus (vB_EfaS_TV16). All of them are compatible with lytic cycle. vB_EfaS_TV16 moreover presents a gene encoding for a hyaluronidase enzyme. Conclusions: The identified phages show features suggesting their useful application in PT, particularly the Saphexavirus that may be of enhanced relevance in PT because of its potential biofilm-digestion capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Di Lallo
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Structural Bioinformatics Group, Department of Biology, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Structural Bioinformatics Group, Department of Biology, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
| | - Domenico Frezza
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
| | - Pietro D'Addabbo
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Address correspondence to: Pietro D'Addabbo, PhD, Computational Biology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy
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9
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Soren BC, Babu Dasari J, Ottaviani A, Messina B, Andreotti G, Romeo A, Iacovelli F, Falconi M, Desideri A, Fiorani P. In Vitro and In Silico Characterization of an Antimalarial Compound with Antitumor Activity Targeting Human DNA Topoisomerase IB. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7455. [PMID: 34299074 PMCID: PMC8306514 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human DNA topoisomerase IB controls the topological state of supercoiled DNA through a complex catalytic cycle that consists of cleavage and religation reactions, allowing the progression of fundamental DNA metabolism. The catalytic steps of human DNA topoisomerase IB were analyzed in the presence of a drug, obtained by the open-access drug bank Medicines for Malaria Venture. The experiments indicate that the compound strongly and irreversibly inhibits the cleavage step of the enzyme reaction and reduces the cell viability of three different cancer cell lines. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the drug binds to the human DNA topoisomerase IB-DNA complex sitting inside the catalytic site of the enzyme, providing a molecular explanation for the cleavage-inhibition effect. For all these reasons, the aforementioned drug could be a possible lead compound for the development of an efficient anti-tumor molecule targeting human DNA topoisomerase IB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bini Chhetri Soren
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (B.C.S.); (J.B.D.); (B.M.); (G.A.); (A.R.); (F.I.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (P.F.)
| | - Jagadish Babu Dasari
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (B.C.S.); (J.B.D.); (B.M.); (G.A.); (A.R.); (F.I.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (P.F.)
| | - Alessio Ottaviani
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (B.C.S.); (J.B.D.); (B.M.); (G.A.); (A.R.); (F.I.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (P.F.)
| | - Beatrice Messina
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (B.C.S.); (J.B.D.); (B.M.); (G.A.); (A.R.); (F.I.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (P.F.)
| | - Giada Andreotti
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (B.C.S.); (J.B.D.); (B.M.); (G.A.); (A.R.); (F.I.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (P.F.)
| | - Alice Romeo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (B.C.S.); (J.B.D.); (B.M.); (G.A.); (A.R.); (F.I.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (P.F.)
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (B.C.S.); (J.B.D.); (B.M.); (G.A.); (A.R.); (F.I.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (P.F.)
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (B.C.S.); (J.B.D.); (B.M.); (G.A.); (A.R.); (F.I.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (P.F.)
| | - Alessandro Desideri
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (B.C.S.); (J.B.D.); (B.M.); (G.A.); (A.R.); (F.I.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (P.F.)
| | - Paola Fiorani
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (B.C.S.); (J.B.D.); (B.M.); (G.A.); (A.R.); (F.I.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (P.F.)
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, CNR, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
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10
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Campione E, Lanna C, Cosio T, Rosa L, Conte MP, Iacovelli F, Romeo A, Falconi M, Del Vecchio C, Franchin E, Lia MS, Minieri M, Chiaramonte C, Ciotti M, Nuccetelli M, Terrinoni A, Iannuzzi I, Coppeda L, Magrini A, Bernardini S, Sabatini S, Rosapepe F, Bartoletti PL, Moricca N, Di Lorenzo A, Andreoni M, Sarmati L, Miani A, Piscitelli P, Valenti P, Bianchi L. Lactoferrin Against SARS-CoV-2: In Vitro and In Silico Evidences. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:666600. [PMID: 34220505 PMCID: PMC8242182 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.666600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactoferrin (Lf) is a cationic glycoprotein synthetized by exocrine glands and is present in all human secretions. It is also secreted by neutrophils in infection and inflammation sites. This glycoprotein possesses antimicrobial activity due to its capability to chelate two ferric ions per molecule, as well as to interact with bacterial and viral anionic surface components. The cationic features of Lf bind to cells, protecting the host from bacterial and viral injuries. Its anti-inflammatory activity is mediated by the ability to enter inside the nucleus of host cells, thus inhibiting the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokine genes. In particular, Lf down-regulates the synthesis of IL-6, which is involved in iron homeostasis disorders and leads to intracellular iron overload, favoring viral replication and infection. The well-known antiviral activity of Lf has been demonstrated against DNA, RNA, and enveloped and naked viruses and, therefore, Lf could be efficient in counteracting also SARS-CoV-2 infection. For this purpose, we performed in vitro assays, proving that Lf exerts an antiviral activity against SARS-COV-2 through direct attachment to both SARS-CoV-2 and cell surface components. This activity varied according to concentration (100/500 μg/ml), multiplicity of infection (0.1/0.01), and cell type (Vero E6/Caco-2 cells). Interestingly, the in silico results strongly supported the hypothesis of a direct recognition between Lf and the spike S glycoprotein, which can thus hinder viral entry into the cells. These in vitro observations led us to speculate a potential supplementary role of Lf in the management of COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Campione
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Lanna
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Terenzio Cosio
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Conte
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, Structural Bioinformatics Group, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Alice Romeo
- Department of Biology, Structural Bioinformatics Group, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, Structural Bioinformatics Group, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Franchin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Stella Lia
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Marilena Minieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Chiaramonte
- Department of Statistics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Ciotti
- Virology Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Nuccetelli
- Laboratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Terrinoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Iannuzzi
- Occupational Medicine Department, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Coppeda
- Occupational Medicine Department, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Magrini
- Occupational Medicine Department, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Bernardini
- Laboratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrea Di Lorenzo
- Infectious Disease Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Andreoni
- Infectious Disease Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Sarmati
- Infectious Disease Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Miani
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Prisco Piscitelli
- UNESCO Chair on Health Education and Sustainable Development, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Piera Valenti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Bianchi
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
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11
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Napoli A, Iacovelli F, Fagliarone C, Pascarella G, Falconi M, Billi D. Genome-Wide Identification and Bioinformatics Characterization of Superoxide Dismutases in the Desiccation-Tolerant Cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:660050. [PMID: 34122375 PMCID: PMC8193680 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.660050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A genome-wide investigation of the anhydrobiotic cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029 identified three genes coding superoxide dismutases (SODs) annotated as MnSODs (SodA2.1 and SodA2.2) and Cu/ZnSOD (SodC) as suggested by the presence of metal-binding motifs and conserved sequences. Structural bioinformatics analysis of the retrieved sequences yielded modeled MnSODs and Cu/ZnSOD structures that were fully compatible with their functional role. A signal-peptide bioinformatics prediction identified a Tat signal peptide at the N-terminus of the SodA2.1 that highlighted its transport across the thylakoid/cytoplasmic membranes and release in the periplasm/thylakoid lumen. Homologs of the Tat transport system were identified in Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029, and the molecular docking simulation confirmed the interaction between the signal peptide of the SodA2.1 and the modeled TatC receptor, thus supporting the SodA2.1 translocation across the thylakoid/cytoplasmic membranes. No signal peptide was predicted for the MnSOD (SodA2.2) and Cu/ZnSOD, thus suggesting their occurrence as cytoplasmic proteins. No FeSOD homologs were identified in Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029, a feature that might contribute to its desiccation tolerance since iron produces hydroxyl radical via the Fenton reaction. The overall-overexpression in response to desiccation of the three identified SOD-coding genes highlighted the role of SODs in the antioxidant enzymatic defense of this anhydrobiotic cyanobacterium. The periplasmic MnSOD protected the cell envelope against oxidative damage, the MnSOD localized in the thylakoid lumen scavengered superoxide anion radical produced during the photosynthesis, while the cytoplasmic MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD reinforced the defense against reactive oxygen species generated at the onset of desiccation. Results contribute to decipher the desiccation-tolerance mechanisms of this cyanobacterium and allow the investigation of its oxidative stress response during future space experiments in low Earth orbit and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Billi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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12
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Ottaviani A, Iacovelli F, Fiorani P, Desideri A. Natural Compounds as Therapeutic Agents: The Case of Human Topoisomerase IB. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4138. [PMID: 33923641 PMCID: PMC8073192 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products are widely used as source for drugs development. An interesting example is represented by natural drugs developed against human topoisomerase IB, a ubiquitous enzyme involved in many cellular processes where several topological problems occur due the formation of supercoiled DNA. Human topoisomerase IB, involved in the solution of such problems relaxing the DNA cleaving and religating a single DNA strand, represents an important target in anticancer therapy. Several natural compounds inhibiting or poisoning this enzyme are under investigation as possible new drugs. This review summarizes the natural products that target human topoisomerase IB that may be used as the lead compounds to develop new anticancer drugs. Moreover, the natural compounds and their derivatives that are in clinical trial are also commented on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Ottaviani
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (P.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (P.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Paola Fiorani
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (P.F.); (A.D.)
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, CNR, Via Del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Desideri
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (P.F.); (A.D.)
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13
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Minutolo A, Potestà M, Roglia V, Cirilli M, Iacovelli F, Cerva C, Fokam J, Desideri A, Andreoni M, Grelli S, Colizzi V, Muleo R, Montesano C. Plant microRNAs from Moringa oleifera Regulate Immune Response and HIV Infection. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:620038. [PMID: 33643043 PMCID: PMC7905167 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.620038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional medicine is often chosen due to its affordability, its familiarity with patient’s cultural practices, and its wider access to the local community. Plants play an important role in providing indispensable nutrients, while specific small RNAs can regulate human gene expression in a cross-kingdom manner. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of plant-enriched purified extract microRNAs from Moringa oleifera seeds (MO) on the immune response and on HIV infection. Bioinformatic analysis shows that plant microRNAs (p-miRs) from MO belonging to 18 conserved families, including p-miR160h, p-miR166, p-miR482b, p-miR159c, p-miR395d, p-miR2118a, p-miR393a, p-miR167f-3p, and p-miR858b are predicted to target with high affinity BCL2, IL2RA, TNF, and VAV1, all these being involved in the cell cycle, apoptosis, immune response and also in the regulation of HIV pathogenesis. The effects of MO p-miRs transfected into HIV+ PBMCs were analyzed and revealed a decrease in viability associated with an increase of apoptosis; an increase of T helper cells expressing Fas and a decrease of intracellular Bcl2 protein expression. Meanwhile no effects were detected in PBMCs from healthy donors. In CD4+ T cells, transfection significantly reduced cell activation and modified the T cell differentiation, thereby decreasing both central and effector memory cells while increasing terminal effector memory cells. Interestingly, the p-miRs transfection induces a reduction of intracellular HIV p24 protein and a reduction of viral DNA integration. Finally, we evaluated the effect of synthetic (mimic) p-miR858b whose sequence is present in the MO p-miR pool and predicted to target VAV1, a protein involved in HIV-Nef binding. This protein plays a pivotal role in T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signaling, so triggering the activation of various pathways. The transfection of HIV+ PBMCs with the synthetic p-miR858b showed a reduced expression of VAV1 and HIV p24 proteins. Overall, our evidence defines putative mechanisms underlying a supplementary benefit of traditional medicine, alongside current antiretroviral therapy, in managing HIV infection in resource-limited settings where MO remains widely available.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marina Potestà
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Roglia
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Cirilli
- Department of Agricultural and Forestry Science, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.,Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Carlotta Cerva
- Department of System Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Joseph Fokam
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | - Massimo Andreoni
- Department of System Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Sandro Grelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Colizzi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.,Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Evangelic University of Cameroon, Bandjoun, Cameroon
| | - Rosario Muleo
- Department of Agricultural and Forestry Science, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Carla Montesano
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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14
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Raniolo S, Unida V, Vindigni G, Stolfi C, Iacovelli F, Desideri A, Biocca S. Combined and selective miR-21 silencing and doxorubicin delivery in cancer cells using tailored DNA nanostructures. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:7. [PMID: 33414439 PMCID: PMC7791072 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03339-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs play an important role in tumorigenesis and, among them, miR-21 is found to be aberrantly up-regulated in various tumors. The tumor-associated antigen, folate receptor alpha is a GPI-membrane protein overexpressed in many malignant tumors of epithelial origin, including ovarian and cervical cancers. Covalently bound octahedral DNA nanocages were functionalized with folate molecules and utilized as scaffolds to engineer four sequestering units with a miR-21 complementary sequence for obtaining biocompatible Fol-miR21-NC non-toxic nanostructures, to be able to selectively recognize folate receptor alpha-overexpressing cancer cells and sequester the oncogenic miR-21. qPCR assays showed that Fol-miR21-NCs reduce the miR-21 expression up to 80% in cancer cells in the first 2 days of treatment. Functional assays demonstrated that miR-21 sequestering leads to up-regulation of miR-21 tumor suppressor targets (i.e., PTEN and Pdcd4), reduction in cancer cell migration, reduction in proliferation, and increase in cell death. Fol-miR21-NCs can be efficiently loaded with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin. Co-delivery of anti-miR-21 and doxorubicin showed additive cytotoxic effects on tumor cells, paving the way for their use as selective nucleic acid drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Raniolo
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Unida
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Vindigni
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Stolfi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Desideri
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Biocca
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
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15
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Gaziano R, Campione E, Iacovelli F, Pistoia ES, Marino D, Milani M, Di Francesco P, Pica F, Bianchi L, Orlandi A, Marsico S, Falconi M, Aquaro S. Antimicrobial properties of the medicinal plant Cardiospermum halicacabum L: new evidence and future perspectives. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 23:7135-7143. [PMID: 31486516 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201908_18759] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The emergence and rapid spread of multidrug-resistance in human pathogenic microorganisms urgently require the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of infectious diseases. From this perspective, the antimicrobial properties of the natural plant-derived products may represent an important alternative therapeutic option to synthetic drugs. Among medicinal plants, the Cardiospermum halicacabum L. (C. halicacabum), belonging to Sapindaceae family, could be a very promising candidate for its antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microorganisms, including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal pathogens. Although the antimicrobial properties of C. halicacabum have been intensively studied, the mechanism/s by which it exerts the inhibitory activity towards the pathogenic microbes have not yet been completely understood. This review focuses on the main antimicrobial activities displayed in vitro by the plant extract, with particular attention on our recent advances. We demonstrated that C. halicacabum is able to exert in vitro a dose-dependent fungistatic effect against Trychophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) through molecular interaction with the fungal heat shock protein (Hsp)-90 chaperone. These findings are supported by a growing body of research indicating the crucial role played by the Hsp90 in the virulence of the pathogenic microorganisms, including fungal pathogens. The possible future use of C. halicacabum for treating a wide range of infectious diseases is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Gaziano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
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16
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Tortosa V, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Iacovelli F, Pasquadibisceglie A, Falconi M, Musci G, Polticelli F. Dynamical Behavior of the Human Ferroportin Homologue from Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus: Insight into the Ligand Recognition Mechanism. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6785. [PMID: 32947891 PMCID: PMC7555787 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186785] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the major facilitator superfamily of transporters (MFS) play an essential role in many physiological processes such as development, neurotransmission, and signaling. Aberrant functions of MFS proteins are associated with several diseases, including cancer, schizophrenia, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. MFS transporters are also involved in multidrug resistance in bacteria and fungi. The structures of most MFS members, especially those of members with significant physiological relevance, are yet to be solved. The lack of structural and functional information impedes our detailed understanding, and thus the pharmacological targeting, of these transporters. To improve our knowledge on the mechanistic principles governing the function of MSF members, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on the inward-facing and outward-facing crystal structures of the human ferroportin homologue from the Gram-negative bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus (BdFpn). Several simulations with an excess of iron ions were also performed to explore the relationship between the protein's dynamics and the ligand recognition mechanism. The results reinforce the existence of the alternating-access mechanism already described for other MFS members. In addition, the reorganization of salt bridges, some of which are conserved in several MFS members, appears to be a key molecular event facilitating the conformational change of the transporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Tortosa
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy; (V.T.); (A.P.)
| | | | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (M.F.)
| | | | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (M.F.)
| | - Giovanni Musci
- Department Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
| | - Fabio Polticelli
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy; (V.T.); (A.P.)
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Roma Tre Section, 00146 Rome, Italy
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17
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Romeo A, Iacovelli F, Falconi M. Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein prefusion conformation: virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulations applied to the identification of potential fusion inhibitors. Virus Res 2020; 286:198068. [PMID: 32565126 PMCID: PMC7301794 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [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: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Up to now, there are no specific vaccines or drugs approved against COVID-19. Drug repurposing is a valuable method to identify small-molecule viral inhibitors. 8770 FDA compounds have been screened using molecular docking and MD simulations. A selected set of drugs has been suggested as SARS-CoV-2 fusion inhibitors.
The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a renewed interest in studying the role of the spike S glycoprotein in regulating coronavirus infections in the natural host. Taking advantage of the cryo-electron microscopy structure of SARS-CoV-2 S trimer in the prefusion conformation, we performed a virtual screening simulation with the aim to identify novel molecules that could be used as fusion inhibitors. The spike glycoprotein structure has been completed using modeling techniques and its inner cavity, needful for the postfusion transition of the trimer, has been scanned for the identification of strongly interacting available drugs. Finally, the stability of the protein-drug top complexes has been tested using classical molecular dynamics simulations. The free energy of interaction of the molecules to the spike protein has been evaluated through the MM/GBSA method and per-residue decomposition analysis. Results have been critically discussed considering previous scientific knowledge concerning the selected compounds and sequence alignments have been carried out to evaluate the spike glycoprotein similarity among the betacoronavirus family members. Finally, a cocktail of drugs that may be used as SARS-CoV-2 fusion inhibitors has been suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Romeo
- Department of Biology, Structural Bioinformatics Group, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, Structural Bioinformatics Group, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, Structural Bioinformatics Group, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
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18
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Soren BC, Dasari JB, Ottaviani A, Iacovelli F, Fiorani P. Topoisomerase IB: a relaxing enzyme for stressed DNA. Cancer Drug Resist 2020; 3:18-25. [PMID: 35582040 PMCID: PMC9094055 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2019.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
DNA topoisomerase I enzymes relieve the torsional strain in DNA; they are essential for fundamental molecular processes such as DNA replication, transcription, recombination, and chromosome condensation; and act by cleaving and then religating DNA strands. Over the past few decades, scientists have focused on the DNA topoisomerases biological functions and established a unique role of Type I DNA topoisomerases in regulating gene expression and DNA chromosome condensation. Moreover, the human enzyme is being investigated as a target for cancer chemotherapy. The active site tyrosine is responsible for initiating two transesterification reactions to cleave and then religate the DNA backbone, allowing the release of superhelical tension. The different steps of the catalytic mechanism are affected by various inhibitors; some of them prevent the interaction between the enzyme and the DNA while others act as poisons, leading to TopI-DNA lesions, breakage of DNA, and eventually cellular death. In this review, our goal is to provide an overview of mechanism of human topoisomerase IB action together with the different types of inhibitors and their effect on the enzyme functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bini Chhetri Soren
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Jagadish Babu Dasari
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy.,Present address: Department of Research and Application Development, Biogenex Life Sciences, Telangana 501510, India
| | - Alessio Ottaviani
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Paola Fiorani
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy.,Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome 00133, Italy
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19
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Turchi R, Tortolici F, Guidobaldi G, Iacovelli F, Falconi M, Rufini S, Faraonio R, Casagrande V, Federici M, De Angelis L, Carotti S, Francesconi M, Zingariello M, Morini S, Bernardini R, Mattei M, La Rosa P, Piemonte F, Lettieri-Barbato D, Aquilano K. Correction: Frataxin deficiency induces lipid accumulation and affects thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:165. [PMID: 32127514 PMCID: PMC7054354 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2347-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Turchi
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Tortolici
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulio Guidobaldi
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Rufini
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaella Faraonio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Viviana Casagrande
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Federici
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo De Angelis
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Carotti
- Unit of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Francesconi
- Unit of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Zingariello
- Unit of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Morini
- Unit of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Bernardini
- Interdepartmental Service Center-Station for Animal Technology (STA), University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mattei
- Interdepartmental Service Center-Station for Animal Technology (STA), University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Lettieri-Barbato
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy. .,IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00143, Rome, Italy.
| | - Katia Aquilano
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy.
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20
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Turchi R, Tortolici F, Guidobaldi G, Iacovelli F, Falconi M, Rufini S, Faraonio R, Casagrande V, Federici M, De Angelis L, Carotti S, Francesconi M, Zingariello M, Morini S, Bernardini R, Mattei M, La Rosa P, Piemonte F, Lettieri-Barbato D, Aquilano K. Frataxin deficiency induces lipid accumulation and affects thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:51. [PMID: 31974344 PMCID: PMC6978516 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2253-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Decreased expression of mitochondrial frataxin (FXN) causes Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), a neurodegenerative disease with type 2 diabetes (T2D) as severe comorbidity. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a mitochondria-enriched and anti-diabetic tissue that turns excess energy into heat to maintain metabolic homeostasis. Here we report that the FXN knock-in/knock-out (KIKO) mouse shows hyperlipidemia, reduced energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity, and elevated plasma leptin, recapitulating T2D-like signatures. FXN deficiency leads to disrupted mitochondrial ultrastructure and oxygen consumption as well as lipid accumulation in BAT. Transcriptomic data highlights cold intolerance in association with iron-mediated cell death (ferroptosis). Impaired PKA-mediated lipolysis and expression of genes controlling mitochondrial metabolism, lipid catabolism and adipogenesis were observed in BAT of KIKO mice as well as in FXN-deficient T37i brown and primary adipocytes. Significant susceptibility to ferroptosis was observed in adipocyte precursors that showed increased lipid peroxidation and decreased glutathione peroxidase 4. Collectively our data point to BAT dysfunction in FRDA and suggest BAT as promising therapeutic target to overcome T2D in FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Turchi
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Tortolici
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulio Guidobaldi
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Rufini
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaella Faraonio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Viviana Casagrande
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Federici
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo De Angelis
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Carotti
- Unit of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Francesconi
- Unit of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Zingariello
- Unit of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Morini
- Unit of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Bernardini
- Interdepartmental Service Center-Station for Animal Technology (STA), University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mattei
- Interdepartmental Service Center-Station for Animal Technology (STA), University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Lettieri-Barbato
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy.
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00143, Rome, Italy.
| | - Katia Aquilano
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy.
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21
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Lopes BRP, da Costa MF, Genova Ribeiro A, da Silva TF, Lima CS, Caruso IP, de Araujo GC, Kubo LH, Iacovelli F, Falconi M, Desideri A, de Oliveira J, Regasini LO, de Souza FP, Toledo KA. Quercetin pentaacetate inhibits in vitro human respiratory syncytial virus adhesion. Virus Res 2019; 276:197805. [PMID: 31712123 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.197805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [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: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is one of the main etiological agents of diseases of the lower respiratory tract and is often responsible for the hospitalization of children and the elderly. To date, treatments are only palliative and there is no vaccine available. Natural products show exceptional structural diversity and they have played a vital role in drug research. Several investigations focused on applied structural modification of natural products to improved metabolic stability, solubility and biological actions them. Quercetin is a flavonoid that presents several biological activities, including anti-hRSV role. Some works criticize the pharmacological use of Quercetin because it has low solubility and low specificity. In this sense, we acetylated Quercetin structure and we used in vitro and in silico assays to compare anti-hRSV function between Quercetin (Q0) and its derivative molecule (Q1). Q1 shows lower cytotoxic effect than Q0 on HEp-2 cells. In addition, Q1 was more efficient than Q0 to protect HEp-2 cells infected with different multiplicity of infection (0.1-1 MOI). The virucidal effects of Q0 and Q1 suggest interaction between these molecules and viral particle. Dynamic molecular results suggest that Q0 and Q1 may interact with F-protein on hRSV surface in an important region to adhesion and viral infection. Q1 interaction with F-protein showed ΔG= -14.22 kcal/mol and it was more stable than Q0. Additional, MTT and plate assays confirmed that virucidal Q1 effects occurs during adhesion step of cycle hRSV replication. In conclusion, acetylation improves anti-hRSV Quercetin effects because Quercetin pentaacetate could interact with F-protein with lower binding energy and better stability to block viral adhesion. These results show alternative anti-hRSV strategy and contribute to drug discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Rafael Pereira Lopes
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP (FCLAssis), Brazil; Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP IBILCE, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Mirian Feliciano da Costa
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP (FCLAssis), Brazil; Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP IBILCE, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Amanda Genova Ribeiro
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP (FCLAssis), Brazil; Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP IBILCE, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | | | | | - Icaro Putinhon Caruso
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP IBILCE, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil; Centro Multiusuário de Inovação Biomolecular (CMIB), Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP IBILCE, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Campos de Araujo
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP IBILCE, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil; Centro Multiusuário de Inovação Biomolecular (CMIB), Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP IBILCE, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Desideri
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Fatima Pereira de Souza
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP IBILCE, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil; Centro Multiusuário de Inovação Biomolecular (CMIB), Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP IBILCE, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Karina Alves Toledo
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP (FCLAssis), Brazil; Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP IBILCE, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil.
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22
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Vollono L, Falconi M, Gaziano R, Iacovelli F, Dika E, Terracciano C, Bianchi L, Campione E. Potential of Curcumin in Skin Disorders. Nutrients 2019; 11:E2169. [PMID: 31509968 PMCID: PMC6770633 DOI: 10.3390/nu11092169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Curcumin is a compound isolated from turmeric, a plant known for its medicinal use. Recently, there is a growing interest in the medical community in identifying novel, low-cost, safe molecules that may be used in the treatment of inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that curcumin may represent an effective agent in the treatment of several skin conditions. We examined the most relevant in vitro and in vivo studies published to date regarding the use of curcumin in inflammatory, neoplastic, and infectious skin diseases, providing information on its bioavailability and safety profile. Moreover, we performed a computational analysis about curcumin's interaction towards the major enzymatic targets identified in the literature. Our results suggest that curcumin may represent a low-cost, well-tolerated, effective agent in the treatment of skin diseases. However, bypass of limitations of its in vivo use (low oral bioavailability, metabolism) is essential in order to conduct larger clinical trials that could confirm these observations. The possible use of curcumin in combination with traditional drugs and the formulations of novel delivery systems represent a very promising field for future applicative research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Vollono
- Dermatology Unit, Department of "Medicina dei Sistemi", University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 1-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Gaziano
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 1-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Emi Dika
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti, 1-40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Terracciano
- Neurology Unit, Guglielmo de Saliceto Hospital, 29121-29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Luca Bianchi
- Dermatology Unit, Department of "Medicina dei Sistemi", University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Campione
- Dermatology Unit, Department of "Medicina dei Sistemi", University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1-00133 Rome, Italy.
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23
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Aquilano K, Ceci V, Gismondi A, De Stefano S, Iacovelli F, Faraonio R, Di Marco G, Poerio N, Minutolo A, Minopoli G, Marcone A, Fraziano M, Tortolici F, Sennato S, Casciardi S, Potestà M, Bernardini R, Mattei M, Falconi M, Montesano C, Rufini S, Canini A, Lettieri-Barbato D. Adipocyte metabolism is improved by TNF receptor-targeting small RNAs identified from dried nuts. Commun Biol 2019; 2:317. [PMID: 31453381 PMCID: PMC6704100 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0563-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a growing interest in therapeutically targeting the inflammatory response that underlies age-related chronic diseases including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Through integrative small RNA sequencing, we show the presence of conserved plant miR159a and miR156c in dried nuts having high complementarity with the mammalian TNF receptor superfamily member 1a (Tnfrsf1a) transcript. We detected both miR159a and miR156c in exosome-like nut nanovesicles (NVs) and demonstrated that such NVs reduce Tnfrsf1a protein and dampen TNF-α signaling pathway in adipocytes. Synthetic single-stranded microRNAs (ss-miRs) modified with 2'-O-methyl group function as miR mimics. In plants, this modification naturally occurs on nearly all small RNAs. 2'-O-methylated ss-miR mimics for miR156c and miR159a decreased Tnfrsf1a protein and inflammatory markers in hypertrophic as well as TNF-α-treated adipocytes and macrophages. miR156c and miR159a mimics effectively suppress inflammation in mice, highlighting a potential role of plant miR-based, single-stranded oligonucleotides in treating inflammatory-associated metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Aquilano
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Ceci
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Gismondi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna De Stefano
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Raffaella Faraonio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Noemi Poerio
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Minopoli
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonia Marcone
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Flavia Tortolici
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Sennato
- CNR-ISC and Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Casciardi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL) Research, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Potestà
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Bernardini
- Interdepartmental Service Center-Station for Anima Technology (STA), University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mattei
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Interdepartmental Service Center-Station for Anima Technology (STA), University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Montesano
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Rufini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Canini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Lettieri-Barbato
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00143 Rome, Italy
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24
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Ottaviani A, Iacovelli F, Idili A, Falconi M, Ricci F, Desideri A. Engineering a responsive DNA triple helix into an octahedral DNA nanostructure for a reversible opening/closing switching mechanism: a computational and experimental integrated study. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:9951-9959. [PMID: 30247614 PMCID: PMC6212788 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose an experimental and simulative approach to study the effect of integrating a DNA functional device into a large-sized DNA nanostructure. We selected, as a test bed, a well-known and characterized pH-dependent clamp-switch, based on a parallel DNA triple helix, to be integrated into a truncated octahedral scaffold. We designed, simulated and experimentally characterized two different functionalized DNA nanostructures, with and without the presence of a spacer between the scaffold and the functional elements. The experimental and simulative data agree in validating the need of a spacer for the occurrence of the pH dependent switching mechanism. The system is fully reversible and the switching can be monitored several times without any perturbation, maintaining the same properties of the isolated clamp switch in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Ottaviani
- Biology Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Idili
- Chemistry Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Biology Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Francesco Ricci
- Chemistry Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy
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Iacovelli F, Cabungcal Hernandez K, Desideri A, Falconi M. Probing the Functional Topology of a pH-Dependent Triple Helix DNA Nanoswitch Family through Gaussian Accelerated MD Simulation. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 59:2746-2752. [PMID: 31074618 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The topology of a pH-dependent triple helix DNA nanoswitch family has been characterized through simulative analysis to evaluate the efficiency of the switching mechanism varying the length of the loop connecting the two strands forming the double helix portion. In detail, the system is formed by a double helix made by two six base complementary sequences, connected by one loop having an increasing number of thymidines, namely 5, 7, or 9. The triplex-forming sequence made by six bases, connected to the double helix through a constant 25 base loop, interacts at pH 5.0 through Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds with one strand of the double helical region. We demonstrate, through molecular dynamics simulation, that the thymidine loop length exerts a fine regulatory role for the stability of the triple helix structure and is critical in modulating the switching mechanism triggered by the pH increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, Interuniversity Consortium, National Institute Biostructure and Biosystem (INBB) , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Kevin Cabungcal Hernandez
- Department of Biology, Interuniversity Consortium, National Institute Biostructure and Biosystem (INBB) , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Alessandro Desideri
- Department of Biology, Interuniversity Consortium, National Institute Biostructure and Biosystem (INBB) , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, Interuniversity Consortium, National Institute Biostructure and Biosystem (INBB) , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
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Raniolo S, Croce S, Thomsen RP, Okholm AH, Unida V, Iacovelli F, Manetto A, Kjems J, Desideri A, Biocca S. Cellular uptake of covalent and non-covalent DNA nanostructures with different sizes and geometries. Nanoscale 2019; 11:10808-10818. [PMID: 31134260 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr02006c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
DNA nanostructures with different sizes and shapes, assembled through either covalent or non-covalent bonds, namely tetrahedral and octahedral nanocages, rod-shaped chainmails, square box and rectangular DNA origami structures, were compared for their stability in serum, cell surface binding, internalization efficiency, and intracellular degradation rate. For cell internalization a specific cell system, highly expressing the scavenger receptor LOX-1 was used. The results indicate that LOX-1 binds and internalizes a broad family of DNA structures of different sizes that, however, have a different fate and lifetime inside the cells. Covalently linked tetrahedra, octahedra or chainmails are intact inside cells for up to 18 hours whilst the same DNA nanostructures without covalent bonds along with square box and rectangular origami are rapidly degraded. These data suggest that non-covalently linked structures may be useful for fast drug release whilst the covalently-linked structures could be appropriate vehicles for slow release of molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Raniolo
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Roma, Italy.
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Palombo R, Caporali S, Falconi M, Iacovelli F, Morozzo Della Rocca B, Lo Surdo A, Campione E, Candi E, Melino G, Bernardini S, Terrinoni A. Luteolin-7- O-β-d-Glucoside Inhibits Cellular Energy Production Interacting with HEK2 in Keratinocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112689. [PMID: 31159225 PMCID: PMC6600217 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Flavonoids have been demonstrated to affect the activity of many mammalian enzyme systems. Their functional phenolic groups are able to mediate antioxidant effects by scavenging free radicals. Molecules of this class have been found able to modulate the activity of kinases, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenase, glutathione S-transferase, and many others. Recently, it has been demonstrated that luteolin, in the form of Luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucoside (LUT-7G) is able to induce the keratinocyte differentiation process in vitro. This flavonoid is able to counteract the proliferative effects of IL-22/IL6 pathway by the inhibition of STAT3 activity also in vivo in a psoriatic mouse model. Observations on energy metabolism changes of differentiating cells led us to perform a complete metabolomics analysis using human primary keratinocytes treated with LUT-7G. Our results show that LUT-7G, is not only able to impair the nuclear translocation of STAT3, but it also blocks the energy metabolism pathway, depressing the glycolytic and Krebs pathway by the inhibition of hexokinase 2 activity. These data confirm that LUT-7G can be proposed as a potential candidate for the treatment of inflammatory and proliferative diseases, but its role as a hexokinase 2 (HEK2) inhibitor opens new perspectives in nutritional science, and especially in cancer therapy, in which the inhibition of the Warburg effect could be relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Palombo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano, 64, 00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - Sabrina Caporali
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Blasco Morozzo Della Rocca
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Lo Surdo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Elena Campione
- Department of Systems Medicine, Dermatologic Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Candi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
- IDI-IRCCS, Biochemistry Laboratory, via dei Monti di Creta, 104, 00167 Rome, Italy.
| | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Sergio Bernardini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Terrinoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
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Satta A, Mezzanzanica D, Caroli F, Frigerio B, Di Nicola M, Kontermann RE, Iacovelli F, Desideri A, Anichini A, Canevari S, Gianni AM, Figini M. Design, selection and optimization of an anti-TRAIL-R2/anti-CD3 bispecific antibody able to educate T cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells. MAbs 2018; 10:1084-1097. [PMID: 29993310 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2018.1494105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) or TRAIL-receptor agonistic monoclonal antibodies promote apoptosis in most cancer cells, and the differential expression of TRAIL-R2 between tumor and normal tissues allows its exploitation as a tumor-associated antigen. The use of these antibodies as anticancer agents has been extensively studied, but the results of clinical trials were disappointing. The observed lack of anticancer activity could be attributed to intrinsic or acquired resistance of tumor cells to this type of treatment. A possible strategy to circumvent drug resistance would be to strike tumor cells with a second modality based on a different mechanism of action. We therefore set out to generate and optimize a bispecific antibody targeting TRAIL-R2 and CD3. After the construction of different bispecific antibodies in tandem-scFv or single-chain diabody formats to reduce possible immunogenicity, we selected a humanized bispecific antibody with very low aggregates and long-term high stability and functionality. This antibody triggered TRAIL-R2 in an agonistic manner and its anticancer activity proved dramatically potentiated by the redirection of cytotoxic T cells against both sensitive and resistant melanoma cells. The results of our study show that combining the TRAIL-based antitumor strategy with an immunotherapeutic approach in a single molecule could be an effective addition to the anticancer armamentarium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Satta
- a Molecular Therapies Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine , Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
| | - Delia Mezzanzanica
- a Molecular Therapies Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine , Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
| | - Francesco Caroli
- a Molecular Therapies Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine , Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
| | - Barbara Frigerio
- a Molecular Therapies Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine , Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
| | - Massimo Di Nicola
- b Medical Oncology C Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology , Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
| | - Roland E Kontermann
- c Institut for Zellbiologie und Immunologie, Universität Stuttgart , Stuttgart , Germany
| | | | | | - Andrea Anichini
- e Human Tumor Immunobiology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine , Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
| | - Silvana Canevari
- a Molecular Therapies Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine , Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
| | - Alessandro Massimo Gianni
- b Medical Oncology C Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology , Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy.,f Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation , University of Milan , Milan , Italy
| | - Mariangela Figini
- a Molecular Therapies Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine , Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori , Milan , Italy
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Gaziano R, Campione E, Iacovelli F, Marino D, Pica F, Di Francesco P, Aquaro S, Menichini F, Falconi M, Bianchi L. Antifungal activity of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. (Sapindaceae) against Trichophyton rubrum occurs through molecular interaction with fungal Hsp90. Drug Des Devel Ther 2018; 12:2185-2193. [PMID: 30034223 PMCID: PMC6047602 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s155610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection limited to the stratum corneum of the epidermis, or to the hair and nails, and constitutes an important public health problem because of its high prevalence and associated morbidity. Dermatophyte fungi, especially 2 species, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, are the predominant pathogens. Topical antifungal drugs, mainly azoles or allyamines, are currently used for the treatment of dermatophytoses, although in some cases, such as in nail and hair involvement, systemic treatment is required. However, therapeutic efficacy of current antifungal agents can be limited by their side effects, costs, and the emergence of drug resistance among fungi. Plant extracts represent a potential source of active antimicrobial agents, due to the presence of a variety of chemical bioactive compounds. In the present work, we evaluated in silico and in vitro the antifungal activity of an extract of the medicinal plant Cardiospermum halicacabum against T. rubrum suggesting a potential interaction with Hsp90 as playing an important role in both pathogenicity and drug susceptibility of T. rubrum. Methods We investigated in vitro the effect of different concentrations of C. halicacabum (from 500 to 31.25 µg) against a clinical isolate of T. rubrum. Furthermore, using a computational assessment, the interaction between different C. halicacabum active compounds and the fungal Hsp90 was also investigated. Results Our results indicate a clear-cut antifungal activity of the total plant extract at the highest concentrations (500 and 250 µg). Among all tested C. halicacabum compounds, the luteolin and rutin molecules have been identified in silico as the most important potential inhibitors of Hsp90. Based on these data, luteolin and rutin were also individually assessed for their antifungal activity. Results demonstrate that both substances display an antifungal effect, even if lower than that of the total plant extract. Conclusion Our data indicate a strong fungistatic effect of C. halicacabum against T. rubrum, suggesting its potential therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of dermatophytoses. Additionally, C. halicacabum compounds, and particularly luteolin and rutin, are all possible Hsp90 interactors, explaining their fungistatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Gaziano
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Campione
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy,
| | | | - Daniele Marino
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Pica
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Di Francesco
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Aquaro
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Francesco Menichini
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy,
| | - Luca Bianchi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy,
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Menduti G, Biamino E, Vittorini R, Vesco S, Puccinelli MP, Porta F, Capo C, Leo S, Ciminelli BM, Iacovelli F, Spada M, Falconi M, Malaspina P, Rossi L. Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency: The combination of a novel ALDH5A1 gene mutation and a missense SNP strongly affects SSADH enzyme activity and stability. Mol Genet Metab 2018; 124:210-215. [PMID: 29895405 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADHD) is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder of GABA catabolism. SSADH is a mitochondrial homotetrameric enzyme encoded by ALDH5A1 gene. We report the molecular characterization of ALDH5A1 gene in an Italian SSADHD patient, showing heterozygosity for four missense mutations: c.526G>A (p.G176R), c.538C>T (p.H180Y), c.709G>T (p.A237S) and c.1267A>T (p.T423S), the latter never described so far. The patient inherited c.526A in cis with c.538T from the mother and c.709T in cis with c.1267T from the father. To explore the effects of the two allelic arrangements on SSADH activity and protein level, wild type, single or double mutated cDNA constructs were expressed in a cell system. The p.G176R change, alone or in combination with p.H180Y, causes the abolishment of enzyme activity. Western blot analysis showed a strongly reduced amount of the p.176R-p.180Y double mutant protein, suggesting increased degradation. Indeed, in silico analyses confirmed high instability of this mutant homotetramer. Enzyme activity relative to the other p.423S-p.237S double mutant is around 30% of wt. Further in silico analyses on all the possible combinations of mutant monomers suggest the lowest stability for the tetramer constituted by p.176R-p.180Y monomers and the highest stability for that constituted by p.237S-p.423S monomers. The present study shows that when a common SNP, associated with a slight reduction of SSADH activity, is inherited in cis with a mutation showing no consequences on the enzyme function, the activity is strongly affected. In conclusion, the peculiar arrangement of four missense mutations occurring in this patient is responsible for the SSADHD phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elisa Biamino
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Roberta Vittorini
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Serena Vesco
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Puccinelli
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Concetta Capo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Sara Leo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | | | | | - Marco Spada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | | | - Luisa Rossi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.
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31
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Raniolo S, Vindigni G, Ottaviani A, Unida V, Iacovelli F, Manetto A, Figini M, Stella L, Desideri A, Biocca S. Selective targeting and degradation of doxorubicin-loaded folate-functionalized DNA nanocages. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine 2018; 14:1181-1190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Takarada JE, Guedes APM, Correa RS, Silveira-Lacerda EDP, Castelli S, Iacovelli F, Deflon VM, Batista AA, Desideri A. Ru/Fe bimetallic complexes: Synthesis, characterization, cytotoxicity and study of their interactions with DNA/HSA and human topoisomerase IB. Arch Biochem Biophys 2017; 636:28-41. [PMID: 29107586 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2017.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Three ruthenium/iron-based compounds, 1: [Ru(MIm)(bipy)(dppf)]PF6 (MIm = 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole anion), 2: [RuCl(Im)(bipy)(dppf)]PF6 (Im = imidazole), and 3: [Ru(tzdt)(bipy)(dppf)]PF6 (tzdt = 1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione anion) (dppf = 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphine)ferrocene and bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine), were synthesized, and characterized by elemental analyses, conductivity, UV/Vis, IR, 1H, 13C and 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopies, and by electrochemical technique. The complex 3 was also characterized by single-crystal X-ray. The three ruthenium(II) complexes show cytotoxicity against DU-145 (prostate carcinoma cells) and A549 (lung carcinoma cells) tumor cells. The free ligands do not exhibit any cytotoxic activity, such as evident by the IC50 values higher than 200 μM. UV/Vis and viscosity experiments showed that the complexes interact weakly with the DNA molecule, via electrostatic forces. The interaction of the complexes 1-3 with the HSA is moderate, with Kb values in range of 105-107 M-1, presenting a static mechanism of interaction stabilized by hydrophobic. Complexes 2 and 3 showed high affinity for the FA7 HSA site as evidenced by fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking. Complexes 1-3 were tested as potential human Topoisomerase IB inhibitors by analysing the different steps of the enzyme catalytic cycle. The results indicate that all compounds efficiently inhibit the DNA relaxation and the cleavage reaction, in which the effect increases upon pre-incubation. Complexes 1 and 2 are also able to slow down the religation reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E Takarada
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana P M Guedes
- Department of Chemistry, University Federal of São Carlos, CP 676, CEP 13565-905, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo S Correa
- Department of Chemistry, University Federal of São Carlos, CP 676, CEP 13565-905, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elisângela de P Silveira-Lacerda
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, University Federal of Goiás-UFG, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Silvia Castelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Victor Marcelo Deflon
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 780, CEP 13560-970, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alzir Azevedo Batista
- Department of Chemistry, University Federal of São Carlos, CP 676, CEP 13565-905, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Leo S, Capo C, Ciminelli BM, Iacovelli F, Menduti G, Funghini S, Donati MA, Falconi M, Rossi L, Malaspina P. SSADH deficiency in an Italian family: a novel ALDH5A1 gene mutation affecting the succinic semialdehyde substrate binding site. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:1383-1388. [PMID: 28664505 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-0058-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
SSADH deficiency (SSADHD) is a rare autosomal recessively inherited metabolic disorder. It is associated with mutations of ALDH5A1 gene, coding for the homotetrameric enzyme SSADH. This enzyme is involved in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) catabolism, since it oxidizes succinic semialdehyde (SSA) to succinate. Mutations in ALDH5A1 gene result in the abnormal accumulation of γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), which is pathognomonic of SSADHD. In the present report, diagnosis of SSADHD in a three-month-old female was achieved by detection of high levels of GHB in urine. Sequence analysis of ALDH5A1 gene showed that the patient was a compound heterozygote for c.1226G > A (p.G409D) and the novel missense mutation, c.1498G > C (p.V500 L). By ALDH5A1 gene expression in transiently transfected HEK293 cells and enzyme activity assays, we demonstrate that the p.V500 L mutation, despite being conservative, produces complete loss of enzyme activity. In silico protein modelling analysis and evaluation of tetramer destabilizing energies suggest that structural impairment and partial occlusion of the access channel to the active site affect enzyme activity. These findings add further knowledge on the missense mutations associated with SSADHD and the molecular mechanisms underlying the loss of the enzyme activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Leo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, snc, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Capo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, snc, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Ciminelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, snc, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, snc, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Menduti
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, snc, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Funghini
- Newborn Screening Biochemistry and Pharmacology Laboratory, A. Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, snc, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Rossi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, snc, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Malaspina
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, snc, 00133, Rome, Italy.
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Iacovelli F, Tucci FG, Macari G, Falconi M. Multiple molecular dynamics simulations of human LOX-1 and Trp150Ala mutant reveal the structural determinants causing the full deactivation of the receptor. Proteins 2017; 85:1902-1912. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.25344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gabriele Macari
- Department of Biology; University of Rome “Tor Vergata”; Rome Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology; University of Rome “Tor Vergata”; Rome Italy
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35
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Iacovelli F, Idili A, Benincasa A, Mariottini D, Ottaviani A, Falconi M, Ricci F, Desideri A. Simulative and Experimental Characterization of a pH-Dependent Clamp-like DNA Triple-Helix Nanoswitch. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:5321-5329. [PMID: 28365993 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b11470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Here we couple experimental and simulative techniques to characterize the structural/dynamical behavior of a pH-triggered switching mechanism based on the formation of a parallel DNA triple helix. Fluorescent data demonstrate the ability of this structure to reversibly switch between two states upon pH changes. Two accelerated, half microsecond, MD simulations of the system having protonated or unprotonated cytosines, mimicking the pH 5.0 and 8.0 conditions, highlight the importance of the Hoogsteen interactions in stabilizing the system, finely depicting the time-dependent disruption of the hydrogen bond network. Urea-unfolding experiments and MM/GBSA calculations converge in indicating a stabilization energy at pH 5.0, 2-fold higher than that observed at pH 8.0. These results validate the pH-controlled behavior of the designed structure and suggest that simulative approaches can be successfully coupled with experimental data to characterize responsive DNA-based nanodevices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology and ‡Department of Chemistry, University of Rome, Tor Vergata , 00173 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Idili
- Department of Biology and ‡Department of Chemistry, University of Rome, Tor Vergata , 00173 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Benincasa
- Department of Biology and ‡Department of Chemistry, University of Rome, Tor Vergata , 00173 Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Mariottini
- Department of Biology and ‡Department of Chemistry, University of Rome, Tor Vergata , 00173 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Ottaviani
- Department of Biology and ‡Department of Chemistry, University of Rome, Tor Vergata , 00173 Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology and ‡Department of Chemistry, University of Rome, Tor Vergata , 00173 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Ricci
- Department of Biology and ‡Department of Chemistry, University of Rome, Tor Vergata , 00173 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Desideri
- Department of Biology and ‡Department of Chemistry, University of Rome, Tor Vergata , 00173 Rome, Italy
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Cardamone F, Pizzi S, Iacovelli F, Falconi M, Desideri A. Virtual Screening for the Development of Dual-Inhibitors Targeting Topoisomerase IB and Tyrosyl-DNA Phosphodiesterase 1. Curr Drug Targets 2017. [DOI: 10.2174/1389450116666150727114742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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37
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Novelletto A, Testa L, Iacovelli F, Blasi P, Garofalo L, Mingozzi T, Falconi M. Polymorphism in Mitochondrial Coding Regions of Mediterranean Loggerhead Turtles: Evolutionary Relevance and Structural Effects. Physiol Biochem Zool 2016; 89:473-486. [DOI: 10.1086/688679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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38
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Franch O, Iacovelli F, Falconi M, Juul S, Ottaviani A, Benvenuti C, Biocca S, Ho YP, Knudsen BR, Desideri A. DNA hairpins promote temperature controlled cargo encapsulation in a truncated octahedral nanocage structure family. Nanoscale 2016; 8:13333-13341. [PMID: 27341703 DOI: 10.1039/c6nr01806h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In the present study we investigate the mechanism behind temperature controlled cargo uptake using a truncated octahedral DNA cage scaffold functionalized with one, two, three or four hairpin forming DNA strands inserted in one corner of the structure. This investigation was inspired by our previous demonstration of temperature controlled reversible encapsulation of the cargo enzyme, horseradish peroxidase, in the cage with four hairpin forming strands. However, in this previous study the mechanism of cargo uptake was not directly addressed (Juul, et al., Temperature-Controlled Encapsulation and Release of an Active Enzyme in the Cavity of a Self-Assembled DNA Nanocage, ACS Nano, 2013, 7, 9724-9734). In the present study we use a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro analyses to unravel the mechanism of cargo uptake in hairpin containing DNA cages. We find that two hairpin forming strands are necessary and sufficient to facilitate efficient cargo uptake, which argues against a full opening-closing of one corner of the structure being responsible for encapsulation. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to evaluate the atomistic motions responsible for encapsulation and showed that the two hairpin forming strands facilitated extension of at least one of the face surfaces of the cage scaffold, allowing entrance of the cargo protein into the cavity of the structure. Hence, the presented data demonstrate that cargo uptake does not involve a full opening of the structure. Rather, the uptake mechanism represents a feature of increased flexibility integrated in this nanocage structure upon the addition of at least two hairpin-forming strands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Franch
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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39
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Bozzo F, Salvatori I, Iacovelli F, Mirra A, Rossi S, Cozzolino M, Falconi M, Valle C, Carrì MT. Structural insights into the multi-determinant aggregation of TDP-43 in motor neuron-like cells. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 94:63-72. [PMID: 27317832 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
TDP-43 is aggregated in patients with ALS and FLTD through mechanisms still incompletely understood. Since aggregation in the cytosol is most probably responsible for the delocalization and loss of proper RNA-binding function of TDP-43 in the nucleus, interception of the formation of aggregates may represent a useful therapeutic option. In this study, we investigated the relative importance of the N-terminal and C-terminal moieties of TDP-43 in the aggregation process and the weight of each of the six cysteine residues in determining unfolding and aggregation of the different domains. We report that cytoplasmic inclusions formed by WT and mutant TDP-43 in motor neuron-like NSC34 cells are redox-sensitive only in part, and contain at least two components, i.e. oligomers and large aggregates, that are made of different molecular species. The two N-terminal cysteine residues contribute to the seeding for the first step in oligomerization, which is then accomplished by mechanisms depending on the four cysteines in the RNA-recognition motifs. Cysteine-independent large aggregates contain unfolded isoforms of the protein, held together by unspecific hydrophobic interactions. Interestingly, truncated isoforms are entrapped exclusively in oligomers. Ab initio modeling of TDP-43 structure, molecular dynamics and molecular docking analysis indicate a differential accessibility of cysteine residues that contributes to aggregation propensity. We propose a model of TDP-43 aggregation involving cysteine-dependent and cysteine-independent stages that may constitute a starting point to devise strategies counteracting the formation of inclusions in TDP-43 proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Bozzo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - I Salvatori
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - F Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; Interuniversity Consortium, National Institute of Biostructure and Biosystem (INBB), Italy
| | - A Mirra
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - S Rossi
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - M Cozzolino
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy; Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - M Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; Interuniversity Consortium, National Institute of Biostructure and Biosystem (INBB), Italy
| | - C Valle
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy; Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, CNR, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - M T Carrì
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy.
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Iacovelli F, Alves C, Falconi M, Oteri F, de Oliveira CLP, Desideri A. Influence of the single-strand linker composition on the structural/dynamical properties of a truncated octahedral DNA nano-cage family. Biopolymers 2016; 101:992-9. [PMID: 26819976 DOI: 10.1002/bip.22475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The structural/dynamical properties of three truncated octahedral DNA nano-cages composed by identical double helices but single strand linkers with different composition, namely 7 thymidines, 7 adenines, and 7 alternated thymidines and adenines, have been investigated through classical molecular dynamics simulations. Trajectories have been analyzed to investigate the role of the linkers in defining nano-cages stability and flexibility, including possible influence on the internal cages motions. The data indicate that the cages behavior is almost identical and that the structural/dynamical parameters measured along the trajectories are not particularly affected by the presence of different bases. These results demonstrate that the constraints imposed by the nano-structure geometry are the main factor in modulating these properties
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41
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Alves C, Iacovelli F, Falconi M, Cardamone F, Morozzo Della Rocca B, de Oliveira CLP, Desideri A. A Simple and Fast Semiautomatic Procedure for the Atomistic Modeling of Complex DNA Polyhedra. J Chem Inf Model 2016; 56:941-9. [PMID: 27050675 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.5b00586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
A semiautomatic procedure to build complex atomistic covalently linked DNA nanocages has been implemented in a user-friendly, free, and fast program. As a test set, seven different truncated DNA polyhedra, composed by B-DNA double helices connected through short single-stranded linkers, have been generated. The atomistic structures, including a tetrahedron, a cube, an octahedron, a dodecahedron, a triangular prism, a pentagonal prism, and a hexagonal prism, have been probed through classical molecular dynamics and analyzed to evaluate their structural and dynamical properties and to highlight possible building faults. The analysis of the simulated trajectories also allows us to investigate the role of the different geometries in defining nanocages stability and flexibility. The data indicate that the cages are stable and that their structural and dynamical parameters measured along the trajectories are slightly affected by the different geometries. These results demonstrate that the constraints imposed by the covalent links induce an almost identical conformational variability independently of the three-dimensional geometry and that the program presented here is a reliable and valid tool to engineer DNA nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassio Alves
- Instituto de Fisica, Grupo de Fluidos Complexos, Universidade de São Paulo , Caixa Postal 66318, 05314-970 Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Engineering and Sciences, Federal University of Paraná , 85950-000 Palotina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" , Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" , Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Cardamone
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" , Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Blasco Morozzo Della Rocca
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" , Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiano L P de Oliveira
- Instituto de Fisica, Grupo de Fluidos Complexos, Universidade de São Paulo , Caixa Postal 66318, 05314-970 Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alessandro Desideri
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" , Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Abstract
Statins are largely used in clinics in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases for their effect on lowering circulating cholesterol. Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LOX-1), the primary receptor for ox-LDL, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders. We have recently shown that chronic exposure of cells to lovastatin disrupts LOX-1 receptor cluster distribution in plasma membranes, leading to a marked loss of LOX-1 function. Here we investigated the molecular mechanism of statin-mediated LOX-1 inhibition and we demonstrate that all tested statins are able to displace the binding of fluorescent ox-LDL to LOX-1 by a direct interaction with LOX-1 receptors in a cell-based binding assay. Molecular docking simulations confirm the interaction and indicate that statins completely fill the hydrophobic tunnel that crosses the C-type lectin-like (CTLD) recognition domain of LOX-1. Classical molecular dynamics simulation technique applied to the LOX-1 CTLD, considered in the entire receptor structure with or without a statin ligand inside the tunnel, indicates that the presence of a ligand largely increases the dimer stability. Electrophoretic separation and western blot confirm that different statins binding stabilize the dimer assembly of LOX-1 receptors in vivo. The simulative and experimental results allow us to propose a CTLD clamp motion, which enables the receptor-substrate coupling. These findings reveal a novel and significant functional effect of statins.
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Key Words
- Ato, atorvastatin
- CTLD, C-type lectin-like domain
- Cav-1, caveolin-1
- DMEM, Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium
- DiI, 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethyllindocarbocyanine perchlorate
- Flu, fluvastatin
- HEK, human embryonic kidney
- HMG-CoA, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A
- LDL, low-density lipoprotein
- LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol
- LOX-1 receptor
- LOX-1, lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1
- Lov, lovastatin
- Mab, monoclonal antibody
- Pra, pravastatin
- molecular docking
- molecular dynamics simulation
- monomer-dimer ratio
- ox-LDL, oxidized low-density lipoprotein
- statin
- substrate recognition
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Biocca
- a Department of Systems Medicine and Center of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics ; University of Rome Tor Vergata ; Rome , Italy
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Iacovelli F, Falconi M, Knudsen BR, Desideri A. Comparative simulative analysis of single and double stranded truncated octahedral DNA nanocages. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra27591a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spacefill view of double (DSL) and single (SSL) stranded linkers DNA cages. The blue atoms represent the shared cages scaffold, while the yellow atoms show the single stranded DNA oligonucleotides shaping the double stranded linkers of the DSL cage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology
- University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
- 00133 Rome
- Italy
| | - Birgitta R. Knudsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Åarhus University
- Åarhus
- Denmark
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44
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Iacovelli F, Falconi M. Decoding the conformation-linked functional properties of nucleic acids by the use of computational tools. FEBS J 2015; 282:3298-310. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.13315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology; University of Rome “Tor Vergata”; Italy
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Juul S, Iacovelli F, Falconi M, Kragh SL, Christensen B, Frøhlich R, Franch O, Kristoffersen EL, Stougaard M, Leong KW, Ho YP, Sørensen ES, Birkedal V, Desideri A, Knudsen BR. Temperature-controlled encapsulation and release of an active enzyme in the cavity of a self-assembled DNA nanocage. ACS Nano 2013; 7:9724-9734. [PMID: 24168393 DOI: 10.1021/nn4030543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate temperature-controlled encapsulation and release of the enzyme horseradish peroxidase using a preassembled and covalently closed three-dimensional DNA cage structure as a controllable encapsulation device. The utilized cage structure was covalently closed and composed of 12 double-stranded B-DNA helices that constituted the edges of the structure. The double stranded helices were interrupted by short single-stranded thymidine linkers constituting the cage corners except for one, which was composed by four 32 nucleotide long stretches of DNA with a sequence that allowed them to fold into hairpin structures. As demonstrated by gel-electrophoretic and fluorophore-quenching experiments this design imposed a temperature-controlled conformational transition capability to the structure, which allowed entrance or release of an enzyme cargo at 37 °C while ensuring retainment of the cargo in the central cavity of the cage at 4 °C. The entrapped enzyme was catalytically active inside the DNA cage and was able to convert substrate molecules penetrating the apertures in the DNA lattice that surrounded the central cavity of the cage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sissel Juul
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
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Iacovelli F, Napolitano M, Federici A, Sorrentino G. A model for the relationship between the arterial pressure and the heart period. J Biomech Eng 1989; 111:336-41. [PMID: 2486373 DOI: 10.1115/1.3168388] [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: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
This paper provides a simple model for predicting the relationship between steady-state heart rate and arterial blood pressure. Two current state-of-the-art models of the cardiovascular system as a pump operating in its circuit are reformulated and combined in order to highlight the role of the duration of the heart cycle. The proposed model establishes that the cardiac cycle lengthens linearly with the inverse of the average blood pressure. Experimental data are reported for sixteen preoperated conscious dogs resting quietly on their sides. Vagal and sympathetic blocks have been produced in four dogs in order to obtain a wide range of sympathetic and parasympathetic tones, namely, to cover the entire range of physiological values of the heart rate. For these dogs a comparison between the experimental values and the theoretical predictions shows a good agreement, the results of the linear regression model being statistically significant at the p = 0.001 level for three dogs and at the p = 0.01 level for the fourth dog.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Iacovelli
- Istituto di Macchine ed Energetica, Universitá di Bari, Italy
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