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Sartorelli J, Travaglini L, Macchiaiolo M, Garone G, Gonfiantini MV, Vecchio D, Sinibaldi L, Frascarelli F, Ceccatelli V, Petrillo S, Piemonte F, Piccolo G, Novelli A, Longo D, Pro S, D’Amico A, Bertini ES, Nicita F. Spectrum of ERCC6-Related Cockayne Syndrome (Type B): From Mild to Severe Forms. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:508. [PMID: 38674442 PMCID: PMC11050085 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Cockayne syndrome (CS) is an ultra-rare multisystem disorder, classically subdivided into three forms and characterized by a clinical spectrum without a clear genotype-phenotype correlation for both the two causative genes ERCC6 (CS type B) and ERCC8 (CS type A). We assessed this, presenting a series of patients with genetically confirmed CSB. (2) Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected demographic, clinical, genetic, neuroimaging, and serum neurofilament light-chain (sNFL) data about CSB patients; diagnostic and severity scores were also determined. (3) Results: Data of eight ERCC6/CSB patients are presented. Four patients had CS I, three patients CS II, and one patient CS III. Various degrees of ataxia and spasticity were cardinal neurologic features, with variably combined systemic characteristics. Mean age at diagnosis was lower in the type II form, in which classic CS signs were more evident. Interestingly, sNFL determination appeared to reflect clinical classification. Two novel premature stop codon and one novel missense variants were identified. All CS I subjects harbored the p.Arg735Ter variant; the milder CS III subject carried the p.Leu764Ser missense change. (4) Conclusion: Our work confirms clinical variability also in the ERCC6/CSB type, where manifestations may range from severe involvement with prenatal or neonatal onset to normal psychomotor development followed by progressive ataxia. We propose, for the first time in CS, sNFL as a useful peripheral biomarker, with increased levels compared to currently available reference values and with the potential ability to reflect disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Sartorelli
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorena Travaglini
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Macchiaiolo
- Rare Diseases and Medical Genetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Garone
- Neurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorder Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Davide Vecchio
- Rare Diseases and Medical Genetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Sinibaldi
- Rare Diseases and Medical Genetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Flaminia Frascarelli
- Rehabilitation Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Viola Ceccatelli
- Rehabilitation Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Piccolo
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Novelli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Longo
- Neuroradiology Unit, Imaging Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Pro
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Adele D’Amico
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Silvio Bertini
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Nicita
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
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Cioffi E, Coppola G, Musumeci O, Gallone S, Silvestri G, Rossi S, Piemonte F, D'Amico J, Tessa A, Santorelli FM, Casali C. Hereditary spastic paraparesis type 46 (SPG46): new GBA2 variants in a large Italian case series and review of the literature. Neurogenetics 2024; 25:51-67. [PMID: 38334933 PMCID: PMC11076336 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-024-00749-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP) is a group of central nervous system diseases primarily affecting the spinal upper motor neurons, with different inheritance patterns and phenotypes. SPG46 is a rare, early-onset and autosomal recessive HSP, linked to biallelic GBA2 mutations. About thirty families have been described worldwide, with different phenotypes like complicated HSP, recessive cerebellar ataxia or Marinesco-Sjögren Syndrome. Herein, we report five SPG46 patients harbouring five novel GBA2 mutations, the largest series described in Italy so far. Probands were enrolled in five different centres and underwent neurological examination, clinical cognitive assessment, column imaging for scoliosis assessment, ophthalmologic examination, brain imaging, GBA2 activity in peripheral blood cells and genetic testing. Their phenotype was consistent with HSP, with notable features like upper gaze palsy and movement disorders. We review demographic, genetic, biochemical and clinical information from all documented cases in the existing literature, focusing on the global distribution of cases, the features of the syndrome, its variable presentation, new potential identifying features and the significance of measuring GBA2 enzyme activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Cioffi
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome Sapienza, Latina, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Coppola
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome Sapienza, Latina, Italy
| | - Olimpia Musumeci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gallone
- Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Neurologia 1, A.O.U. Città Della Salute E Della Scienza, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Gabriella Silvestri
- Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Sez. Neurologia, Facoltà Di Medicina E Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Organi Di Senso E Torace, UOC Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Rossi
- Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Sez. Neurologia, Facoltà Di Medicina E Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica D'Amico
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tessa
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Via Dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Casali
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome Sapienza, Latina, Italy
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Giustizieri M, Petrillo S, D’Amico J, Torda C, Quatrana A, Vigevano F, Specchio N, Piemonte F, Cherubini E. The ferroptosis inducer RSL3 triggers interictal epileptiform activity in mice cortical neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1213732. [PMID: 37396923 PMCID: PMC10311487 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1213732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which result from excessive, synchronous discharges of neurons in different brain areas. In about 30% of cases, epileptic discharges, which vary in their etiology and symptomatology, are difficult to treat with conventional drugs. Ferroptosis is a newly defined iron-dependent programmed cell death, characterized by excessive accumulation of lipid peroxides and reactive oxygen species. Evidence has been provided that ferroptosis is involved in epilepsy, and in particular in those forms resistant to drugs. Here, whole cell patch clamp recordings, in current and voltage clamp configurations, were performed from layer IV principal neurons in cortical slices obtained from adult mouse brain. Application of the ferroptosis inducer RAS-selective lethal 3 (RSL3) induced interictal epileptiform discharges which started at RSL3 concentrations of 2 μM and reached a plateau at 10 μM. This effect was not due to changes in active or passive membrane properties of the cells, but relied on alterations in synaptic transmission. In particular, interictal discharges were dependent on the excessive excitatory drive to layer IV principal cells, as suggested by the increase in frequency and amplitude of spontaneously occurring excitatory glutamatergic currents, possibly dependent on the reduction of inhibitory GABAergic ones. This led to an excitatory/inhibitory unbalance in cortical circuits. Interictal bursts could be prevented or reduced in frequency by the lipophilic antioxidant Vitamin E (30 μM). This study allows identifying new targets of ferroptosis-mediated epileptic discharges opening new avenues for the treatment of drug-resistant forms of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Giustizieri
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI)-Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Research Area of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica D’Amico
- Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Research Area of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Torda
- Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Research Area of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Quatrana
- Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Research Area of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Vigevano
- Neurology Unit, Research Area of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Specchio
- Clinical and Experimental Neurology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network on Rare and Complex Epilepsies (EpiCARE), Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Research Area of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Cherubini
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI)-Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Petrillo S, D’Amico J, Nicita F, Torda C, Vasco G, Bertini ES, Cappa M, Piemonte F. Antioxidant Response in Human X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy Fibroblasts. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:2125. [PMID: 36358497 PMCID: PMC9686530 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11112125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Redox imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation play a major role in the pathophysiology of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), an inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene, encoding the protein responsible for peroxisomal import and degradation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). Therefore, VLCFAs accumulate in tissues and plasma, constituting a pathognomonic biomarker for diagnosis. However, the precise role of VLCFA accumulation on the diverse clinical phenotypes of X-ALD and the pathogenic link between VLCFAs and oxidative stress remain currently unclear. This study proposes ferroptosis as a crucial contributor to the disease development and progression. The expression profiles of "GPX4-glutathione" and "NQO1-CoQ10" ferroptosis pathways have been analyzed in fibroblasts of one patient with AMN, the late onset and slowly progressive form of X-ALD, and in two patients with cALD, the cerebral inflammatory demyelinating form of early childhood. Furthermore, as no effective treatments are currently available, especially for the rapidly progressing form of X-ALD (cALD), the efficacy of NAC treatment has also been evaluated to open the way toward novel combined therapies. Our findings demonstrate that lipid peroxides accumulate in X-ALD fibroblasts and ferroptosis-counteracting enzymes are dysregulated, highlighting a different antioxidant response in patients with AMN and cALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica D’Amico
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Nicita
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Torda
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Gessica Vasco
- Movement Analysis and Robotics Laboratory (MARLab), Department of Neurorehabilitation and Robotics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00050 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico S. Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Cappa
- Unit of Endocrinology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy
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Piemonte F, Carraturo A, Cudemo V, Damiano S, De Angelis A, Forte R, Leccia A, Lirato C, Molaro M, Penna G, Petitto M, Puzio E. P353 THE “TIMES” IN COVID–TIME: EXPERIENCE OF A CICU “SPOKE”. Eur Heart J Suppl 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suac012.340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
We analyzed data regarding patients hospitalized in the period 03/09/2020–03/09/2021 in the ICU–Cardiology Division of the “San Giovanni di Dio Hospital” of Frattamaggiore (NA), configured as “Spoke” CICu for the AMI Network of the Campania Region, and we compared them with the same parameters of patients hospitalized during 2019. In particular, we analyzed differences in epidemiologic parameters and, in patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndromes, we evaluated the waiting times for hemodynamic procedures. The total number of hospitalized patients decreased by about 25%, while the mean age of patients and the percentage of hemodynamic procedures were comparable. In particular we noted that, while the percentages of patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction were similar in COVID and PRE–COVID era, during the pandemic in patients affected by acute myocardial infarction.the percentages of STEMIs were superior to those of NSTEMIs. Finally, we examined door–to–balloon times. In patients affected by STEMI we found that, even during the pandemic, primary angioplasty was performed on average within 100 minutes, meaning that ultra–fast swabs (mandatory before the procedure) did not produce delay. Moreover, in the pandemic period patients with NSTEMI, despite a stay of about 8 hours in ER to obtain the result of the antigenic swab for SARS–COV2, received coronary arteriography in a shorter time than in the pre–pandemic era (52,8 and 62,4 hours respectively). This analysis seems to show that the pandemic has not affected the access and hospitalization times of patients with acute coronary syndrome, and that, although greatest difficulties have arisen, the times of access to hemodynamics have not been affected by COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Piemonte
- OSPEDALE SAN GIOVANNI DI DIO, FRATTAMAGGIORE
| | - A Carraturo
- OSPEDALE SAN GIOVANNI DI DIO, FRATTAMAGGIORE
| | - V Cudemo
- OSPEDALE SAN GIOVANNI DI DIO, FRATTAMAGGIORE
| | - S Damiano
- OSPEDALE SAN GIOVANNI DI DIO, FRATTAMAGGIORE
| | | | - R Forte
- OSPEDALE SAN GIOVANNI DI DIO, FRATTAMAGGIORE
| | - A Leccia
- OSPEDALE SAN GIOVANNI DI DIO, FRATTAMAGGIORE
| | - C Lirato
- OSPEDALE SAN GIOVANNI DI DIO, FRATTAMAGGIORE
| | - M Molaro
- OSPEDALE SAN GIOVANNI DI DIO, FRATTAMAGGIORE
| | - G Penna
- OSPEDALE SAN GIOVANNI DI DIO, FRATTAMAGGIORE
| | - M Petitto
- OSPEDALE SAN GIOVANNI DI DIO, FRATTAMAGGIORE
| | - E Puzio
- OSPEDALE SAN GIOVANNI DI DIO, FRATTAMAGGIORE
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Napolitano A, Schiavi S, La Rosa P, Rossi-Espagnet MC, Petrillo S, Bottino F, Tagliente E, Longo D, Lupi E, Casula L, Valeri G, Piemonte F, Trezza V, Vicari S. Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnostic, Neurobiological, and Behavioral Features. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:889636. [PMID: 35633791 PMCID: PMC9136002 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.889636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with a worldwide prevalence of about 1%, characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication, repetitive patterns of behaviors, and can be associated with hyper- or hypo-reactivity of sensory stimulation and cognitive disability. ASD comorbid features include internalizing and externalizing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and attention problems. The precise etiology of ASD is still unknown and it is undoubted that the disorder is linked to some extent to both genetic and environmental factors. It is also well-documented and known that one of the most striking and consistent finding in ASD is the higher prevalence in males compared to females, with around 70% of ASD cases described being males. The present review looked into the most significant studies that attempted to investigate differences in ASD males and females thus trying to shade some light on the peculiar characteristics of this prevalence in terms of diagnosis, imaging, major autistic-like behavior and sex-dependent uniqueness. The study also discussed sex differences found in animal models of ASD, to provide a possible explanation of the neurological mechanisms underpinning the different presentation of autistic symptoms in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Napolitano
- Medical Physics Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Schiavi
- Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Science Department, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Camilla Rossi-Espagnet
- Neuroradiology Unit, Imaging Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- NESMOS, Neuroradiology Department, S. Andrea Hospital Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bottino
- Medical Physics Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Tagliente
- Medical Physics Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Longo
- Neuroradiology Unit, Imaging Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Lupi
- Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Casula
- Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Valeri
- Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Science Department, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Life Sciences and Public Health Department, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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Schiavi S, La Rosa P, Petrillo S, Carbone E, D'Amico J, Piemonte F, Trezza V. N-Acetylcysteine Mitigates Social Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Autism Normalizing Glutathione Imbalance and the Altered Expression of Genes Related to Synaptic Function in Specific Brain Areas. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:851679. [PMID: 35280167 PMCID: PMC8916240 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.851679] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) is a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in humans and it induces autistic-like behaviors in rodents. Imbalances between GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission and increased oxidative stress together with altered glutathione (GSH) metabolism have been hypothesized to play a role in both VPA-induced embriotoxicity and in human ASD. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant precursor of glutathione and a modulator of glutamatergic neurotransmission that has been tested in ASD, although the clinical studies currently available provided controversial results. Here, we explored the effects of repeated NAC (150 mg/kg) administration on core autistic-like features and altered brain GSH metabolism in the VPA (500 mg/kg) rat model of ASD. Furthermore, we measured the mRNA expression of genes encoding for scaffolding and transcription regulation proteins, as well as the subunits of NMDA and AMPA receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors mGLUR1 and mGLUR5 in brain areas that are relevant to ASD. NAC administration ameliorated the social deficit displayed by VPA-exposed rats in the three-chamber test, but not their stereotypic behavior in the hole board test. Furthermore, NAC normalized the altered GSH levels displayed by these animals in the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens, and it partially rescued the altered expression of post-synaptic terminal network genes found in VPA-exposed rats, such as NR2a, MGLUR5, GLUR1, and GLUR2 in nucleus accumbens, and CAMK2, NR1, and GLUR2 in cerebellum. These data indicate that NAC treatment selectively mitigates the social dysfunction displayed by VPA-exposed rats normalizing GSH imbalance and reestablishing the expression of genes related to synaptic function in a brain region-specific manner. Taken together, these data contribute to clarify the behavioral impact of NAC in ASD and the molecular mechanisms that underlie its effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Schiavi
- Department of Science, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy
| | - Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilia Carbone
- Department of Science, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica D'Amico
- Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy
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Petrillo S, Pietrafusa N, Trivisano M, Calabrese C, Saura F, Gallo MG, Bertini ES, Vigevano F, Specchio N, Piemonte F. Imbalance of Systemic Redox Biomarkers in Children with Epilepsy: Role of Ferroptosis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10081267. [PMID: 34439515 PMCID: PMC8389337 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10081267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To assess if ferroptosis, a new type of programmed cell death accompanied by iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione depletion, occurs in children with epilepsy, and in order to identify a panel of biomarkers useful for patient stratification and innovative-targeted therapies, we measured ferroptosis biomarkers in blood from 83 unrelated children with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy and 44 age-matched controls. We found a marked dysregulation of three ferroptosis key markers: a consistent increase of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), the main by-product of lipid peroxidation, a significant decrease of glutathione (GSH) levels, and a partial inactivation of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), the mediator of lipid peroxides detoxification. Furthermore, we found a significant increase of NAPDH oxidase 2 (NOX2) in the blood of children, supporting this enzyme as a primary source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in epilepsy. Additionally, since the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) induction protects the brain from epileptic seizure damage, we also evaluated the NRF2 expression in the blood of children. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory transcription factor was activated in patients, although not enough to re-establish a correct redox homeostasis for counteracting ferroptosis. Ferroptosis-mediated oxidative damage has been proposed as an emergent mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Overall, our study confirms a crucial role for ferroptosis in epilepsy, leading to the identification of a panel of biomarkers useful to find new therapeutic targets. Developing innovative drugs, which act by inhibiting the ferroptosis signaling axis, may represent a promising strategy for new anti-seizure medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (M.G.G.); (E.S.B.)
| | - Nicola Pietrafusa
- Rare and Complex Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.T.); (C.C.)
| | - Marina Trivisano
- Rare and Complex Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.T.); (C.C.)
| | - Costanza Calabrese
- Rare and Complex Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (M.T.); (C.C.)
| | - Francesca Saura
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Giovanna Gallo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (M.G.G.); (E.S.B.)
| | - Enrico Silvio Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (M.G.G.); (E.S.B.)
| | - Federico Vigevano
- Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesu Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network on Rare and Complex Epilepsies EpiCARE, Piazza S. Onforio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy; (F.V.); (N.S.)
| | - Nicola Specchio
- Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesu Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network on Rare and Complex Epilepsies EpiCARE, Piazza S. Onforio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy; (F.V.); (N.S.)
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (M.G.G.); (E.S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-6859-2102
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Petrillo S, Santoro M, La Rosa P, Perna A, Gallo MG, Bertini ES, Silvestri G, Piemonte F. Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 Activation Might Mitigate Clinical Symptoms in Friedreich's Ataxia: Clues of an "Out-Brain Origin" of the Disease From a Family Study. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:638810. [PMID: 33708070 PMCID: PMC7940825 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.638810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is the most frequent autosomal recessive ataxia in western countries, with a mean age of onset at 10–15 years. Patients manifest progressive cerebellar and sensory ataxia, dysarthria, lower limb pyramidal weakness, and other systemic manifestations. Previously, we described a family displaying two expanded GAA alleles not only in the proband affected by late-onset FRDA but also in the two asymptomatic family members: the mother and the younger sister. Both of them showed a significant reduction of frataxin levels, without any disease manifestation. Here, we analyzed if a protective mechanism might contribute to modulate the phenotype in this family. We particularly focused on the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), the first line of antioxidant defense in cells, and on the glutathione (GSH) system, an index of reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification ability. Our findings show a great reactivity of the GSH system to the frataxin deficiency, particularly in the asymptomatic mother, where the genes of GSH synthesis [glutamate–cysteine ligase (GCL)] and GSSG detoxification [GSH S-reductase (GSR)] were highly responsive. The GSR was activated even in the asymptomatic sister and in the proband, reflecting the need of buffering the GSSG increase. Furthermore, and contrasting the NRF2 expression documented in FRDA tissues, NRF2 was highly activated in the mother and in the younger sister, while it was constitutively low in the proband. This suggests that, also under frataxin depletion, the endogenous stimulation of NRF2 in asymptomatic FRDA subjects may contribute to protect against the progressive oxidative damage, helping to prevent the onset of neurological symptoms and highlighting an “out-brain origin” of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Perna
- Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Gallo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Silvio Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Silvestri
- Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,UOC of Neurology, Area of Neuroscience, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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10
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La Rosa P, Petrillo S, Fiorenza MT, Bertini ES, Piemonte F. Ferroptosis in Friedreich's Ataxia: A Metal-Induced Neurodegenerative Disease. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10111551. [PMID: 33202971 PMCID: PMC7696618 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, arising from the accumulation of lipid-based reactive oxygen species when glutathione-dependent repair systems are compromised. Lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial impairment and iron dyshomeostasis are the hallmark of ferroptosis, which is emerging as a crucial player in neurodegeneration. This review provides an analysis of the most recent advances in ferroptosis, with a special focus on Friedreich's Ataxia (FA), the most common autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease, caused by reduced levels of frataxin, a mitochondrial protein involved in iron-sulfur cluster synthesis and antioxidant defenses. The hypothesis is that the iron-induced oxidative damage accumulates over time in FA, lowering the ferroptosis threshold and leading to neuronal cell death and, at last, to cardiac failure. The use of anti-ferroptosis drugs combined with treatments able to activate the antioxidant response will be of paramount importance in FA therapy, such as in many other neurodegenerative diseases triggered by oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (P.L.R.); (M.T.F.)
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (E.S.B.)
| | - Maria Teresa Fiorenza
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (P.L.R.); (M.T.F.)
| | - Enrico Silvio Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (E.S.B.)
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (E.S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-6859-2102
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11
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Maines E, Catesini G, Boenzi S, Mosca A, Candusso M, Dello Strologo L, Martinelli D, Maiorana A, Liguori A, Olivieri G, Taurisano R, Piemonte F, Rizzo C, Spada M, Dionisi-Vici C. Plasma methylcitric acid and its correlations with other disease biomarkers: The impact in the follow up of patients with propionic and methylmalonic acidemia. J Inherit Metab Dis 2020; 43:1173-1185. [PMID: 32681732 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Methylcitric acid (MCA) analysis has been mainly utilized for the diagnosis of propionate disorders or as a second-tier test in newborn screening, but its utility for patients monitoring still needs to be established. We explored the potential contribution of MCA in the long-term management of organic acidurias. We prospectively evaluated plasma MCA and its relationship with disease biomarkers, clinical status, and disease burden in 22 patients, 13 with propionic acidemia (PA) and nine with methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) on standard treatment and/or after transplantation. Samples were collected at scheduled routine controls or during episodes of metabolic decompensation (MD), 10 patients were evaluated after transplantation (six liver, two combined liver and kidney, 2 kidney). MCA levels were higher in PA compared to MMA and its levels were not influenced by the clinical status (MD vs well state). In MMA, MCA was higher in elder patients and, along with fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and plasma methylmalonic acid, negatively correlated with GFR. In both diseases, MCA correlated with ammonia, glycine, lysine, C3, and the C3/C2, C3/C16 ratios. The disease burden showed a direct correlation with MCA and FGF21, for both diseases. All transplanted patients showed a significant reduction of MCA in comparison to baseline values, with some differences dependent on the type of transplantation. Our study provided new insights in understanding the disease pathophysiology, showing similarities between MCA and FGF21 in predicting disease burden, long-term complications and in evaluating the impact of organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Maines
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulio Catesini
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Boenzi
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Mosca
- Division of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Manila Candusso
- Division of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Diego Martinelli
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Maiorana
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Liguori
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Olivieri
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Taurisano
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiano Rizzo
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Spada
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation and Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Dionisi-Vici
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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12
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Marioli C, Magliocca V, Petrini S, Niceforo A, Borghi R, Petrillo S, La Rosa P, Colasuonno F, Persichini T, Piemonte F, Massey K, Tartaglia M, Moreno S, Bertini E, Compagnucci C. Antioxidant Amelioration of Riboflavin Transporter Deficiency in Motoneurons Derived from Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7402. [PMID: 33036493 PMCID: PMC7582490 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key element in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, such as riboflavin transporter deficiency (RTD). This is a rare, childhood-onset disease characterized by motoneuron degeneration and caused by mutations in SLC52A2 and SLC52A3, encoding riboflavin (RF) transporters (RFVT2 and RFVT3, respectively), resulting in muscle weakness, ponto-bulbar paralysis and sensorineural deafness. Based on previous findings, which document the contribution of oxidative stress in RTD pathogenesis, we tested possible beneficial effects of several antioxidants (Vitamin C, Idebenone, Coenzyme Q10 and EPI-743, either alone or in combination with RF) on the morphology and function of neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from two RTD patients. To identify possible improvement of the neuronal morphotype, neurite length was measured by confocal microscopy after β-III tubulin immunofluorescent staining. Neuronal function was evaluated by determining superoxide anion generation by MitoSOX assay and intracellular calcium (Ca2+) levels, using the Fluo-4 probe. Among the antioxidants tested, EPI-743 restored the redox status, improved neurite length and ameliorated intracellular calcium influx into RTD motoneurons. In conclusion, we suggest that antioxidant supplementation may have a role in RTD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Marioli
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, 00146 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Valentina Magliocca
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (T.P.)
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.N.); (R.B.); (S.P.); (F.P.); (E.B.)
| | - Stefania Petrini
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Research Laboratories, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessia Niceforo
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.N.); (R.B.); (S.P.); (F.P.); (E.B.)
- Department of Science, LIME, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Rossella Borghi
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.N.); (R.B.); (S.P.); (F.P.); (E.B.)
- Department of Science, LIME, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.N.); (R.B.); (S.P.); (F.P.); (E.B.)
| | - Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Fiorella Colasuonno
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, 00146 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (M.T.)
- Department of Science, LIME, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Tiziana Persichini
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (T.P.)
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.N.); (R.B.); (S.P.); (F.P.); (E.B.)
| | - Keith Massey
- Science Director, Cure RTD Foundation, 6228 Northaven Rd., Dallas, TX 75230, USA;
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, 00146 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Sandra Moreno
- Department of Science, LIME, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.N.); (R.B.); (S.P.); (F.P.); (E.B.)
| | - Claudia Compagnucci
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, 00146 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (M.T.)
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13
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Santoro M, Perna A, La Rosa P, Petrillo S, Piemonte F, Rossi S, Riso V, Nicoletti TF, Modoni A, Pomponi MG, Chiurazzi P, Silvestri G. Compound heterozygosity for an expanded (GAA) and a (GAAGGA) repeat at FXN locus: from a diagnostic pitfall to potential clues to the pathogenesis of Friedreich ataxia. Neurogenetics 2020; 21:279-287. [PMID: 32638185 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-020-00620-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is usually due to a homozygous GAA expansion in intron 1 of the frataxin (FXN) gene. Rarely, uncommon molecular rearrangements at the FXN locus can cause pitfalls in the molecular diagnosis of FRDA. Here we describe a family whose proband was affected by late-onset Friedreich's ataxia (LOFA); long-range PCR (LR-PCR) documented two small expanded GAA alleles both in the proband and in her unaffected younger sister, who therefore received a diagnosis of pre-symptomatic LOFA. Later studies, however, revealed that the proband's unaffected sister, as well as their healthy mother, were both carriers of an expanded GAA allele and an uncommon (GAAGGA)66-67 repeat mimicking a GAA expansion at the LR-PCR that was the cause of the wrong initial diagnosis of pre-symptomatic LOFA. Extensive studies in tissues from all the family members, including LR-PCR, assessment of methylation status of FXN locus, MboII restriction analysis and direct sequencing of LR-PCR products, analysis of FXN mRNA, and frataxin protein expression, support the virtual lack of pathogenicity of the rare (GAAGGA)66-67 repeat, also providing significant data about the modulation of epigenetic modifications at the FXN locus. Overall, this report highlights a rare but possible pitfall in FRDA molecular diagnosis, emphasizing the need of further analysis in case of discrepancy between clinical and molecular data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Santoro
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Piazzale Morandi, 6, 20121, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Perna
- Dept of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Scaro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 000168, Rome, Italy
| | - Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo, 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Rossi
- Dept of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Scaro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 000168, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Riso
- Dept of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Scaro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 000168, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Neurology, Neuroscience Area, Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Filippo Nicoletti
- Dept of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Scaro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 000168, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Neurology, Neuroscience Area, Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Modoni
- Institute of Neurology, Neuroscience Area, Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Pomponi
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Chiurazzi
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Silvestri
- Dept of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Scaro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 000168, Rome, Italy.
- Institute of Neurology, Neuroscience Area, Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
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14
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Santoro A, Petrillo S, Nijhawan P, Gallo MG, Brugaletta R, Gilardi F, Mastroianni C, Piemonte F, Zaffina S. Tuberculosis latent infection in health care workers: oxidative stress and Quantiferon-TB Plus. Eur J Public Health 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
This study moves from recent evidences highlighting: 1) the high sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) to perturbation of redox homeostasis induced by oxidative stress; 2) the improvement of Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis following the introduction of Quantiferon-TB Plus (QFT-Plus) assay.
Methods
The QFT-Plus diagnostic performance and the blood antioxidant capacity, expressed as ratio between oxidized (GSSG) and reduced (GSH) forms of glutathione, were determined on three selected populations (40 Health care workers (HCWs) controls, 63 latent TB HCWs, 8 active TB patients). Quantitative Real Time PCR analysis on leukocytes of active TB patients was also performed, in order to identify “redox profiles” of genes mainly involved in the antioxidant response.
Results
1) The glutathione homeostasis was shifted towards an oxidative status in active TB patients respect to controls, as evidenced by the significant decrease of the ratio between free and total GSH, an indirect index of oxidative stress. More reducing conditions were observed in latent TB subjects. 2) The expression profiles of antioxidant genes confirmed the major susceptibility of active TB patients to oxidative stress compared to controls, and highlighted a great individual variability. 3) The diagnostic performance of QFT-Plus test present a moderate concordance with QFT-GIT one, in this preliminary phase.
Conclusions
Glutathione has anti-mycobacterial effects in its reduced form GSH, thus the quantification of Free/Total GSH ratio may represent a systemic marker of TB infection and be useful in developing combined therapies. Moreover, the identification of personalized redox profiles will additionally provide an individual antioxidant response to the infection.
This project was funded by the Ministry of Health (RF 2016)
Key messages
LTBI management represents an objective of primary importance in the field of occupational medicine in order to define a personalized prevention in HCW. A new approach that combines biochemical determinations of redox biomarkers and gene expression in blood will be a novel biomarkers of tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Santoro
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - S Petrillo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - P Nijhawan
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Infectious Disease Unit, University Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - M G Gallo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - R Brugaletta
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - F Gilardi
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - C Mastroianni
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Infectious Disease Unit, University Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - F Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - S Zaffina
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
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15
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La Rosa P, Petrillo S, Bertini ES, Piemonte F. Oxidative Stress in DNA Repeat Expansion Disorders: A Focus on NRF2 Signaling Involvement. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10050702. [PMID: 32369911 PMCID: PMC7277112 DOI: 10.3390/biom10050702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA repeat expansion disorders are a group of neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases that arise from the inheritance of long tracts of nucleotide repetitions, located in the regulatory region, introns, or inside the coding sequence of a gene. Although loss of protein expression and/or the gain of function of its transcribed mRNA or translated product represent the major pathogenic effect of these pathologies, mitochondrial dysfunction and imbalance in redox homeostasis are reported as common features in these disorders, deeply affecting their severity and progression. In this review, we examine the role that the redox imbalance plays in the pathological mechanisms of DNA expansion disorders and the recent advances on antioxidant treatments, particularly focusing on the expression and the activity of the transcription factor NRF2, the main cellular regulator of the antioxidant response.
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16
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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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17
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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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18
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Petrillo S, Schirinzi T, Di Lazzaro G, D'Amico J, Colona VL, Bertini E, Pierantozzi M, Mari L, Mercuri NB, Piemonte F, Pisani A. Systemic Activation of Nrf2 Pathway in Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord 2019; 35:180-184. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.27878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico(I.R.C.C.S.) Rome Italy
| | - Tommaso Schirinzi
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico(I.R.C.C.S.) Rome Italy
- Neurology, Department of Systems Medicine University of Rome Tor Vergata Rome Italy
| | - Giulia Di Lazzaro
- Neurology, Department of Systems Medicine University of Rome Tor Vergata Rome Italy
| | - Jessica D'Amico
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico(I.R.C.C.S.) Rome Italy
| | - Vito L. Colona
- Neurology, Department of Systems Medicine University of Rome Tor Vergata Rome Italy
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico(I.R.C.C.S.) Rome Italy
| | | | - Luisa Mari
- Neurology, Department of Systems Medicine University of Rome Tor Vergata Rome Italy
| | - Nicola B. Mercuri
- Neurology, Department of Systems Medicine University of Rome Tor Vergata Rome Italy
- Fondazione Santa Lucia I.R.C.C.S Rome Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico(I.R.C.C.S.) Rome Italy
| | - Antonio Pisani
- Neurology, Department of Systems Medicine University of Rome Tor Vergata Rome Italy
- Fondazione Santa Lucia I.R.C.C.S Rome Italy
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19
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Petrillo S, D'Amico J, La Rosa P, Bertini ES, Piemonte F. Targeting NRF2 for the Treatment of Friedreich's Ataxia: A Comparison among Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5211. [PMID: 31640150 PMCID: PMC6829337 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [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: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
NRF2 (Nuclear factor Erythroid 2-related Factor 2) signaling is impaired in Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA), an autosomal recessive disease characterized by progressive nervous system damage and degeneration of nerve fibers in the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. The loss of frataxin in patients results in iron sulfur cluster deficiency and iron accumulation in the mitochondria, making FRDA a fatal and debilitating condition. There are no currently approved therapies for the treatment of FRDA and molecules able to activate NRF2 have the potential to induce clinical benefits in patients. In this study, we compared the efficacy of six redox-active drugs, some already adopted in clinical trials, targeting NRF2 activation and frataxin expression in fibroblasts obtained from skin biopsies of FRDA patients. All of these drugs consistently increased NRF2 expression, but differential profiles of NRF2 downstream genes were activated. The Sulforaphane and N-acetylcysteine were particularly effective on genes involved in preventing inflammation and maintaining glutathione homeostasis, the dimethyl fumarate, omaxevolone, and EPI-743 in counteracting toxic products accumulation, the idebenone in mitochondrial protection. This study may contribute to develop synergic therapies, based on a combination of treatment molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Jessica D'Amico
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Enrico Silvio Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy.
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20
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La Rosa P, Russo M, D'Amico J, Petrillo S, Aquilano K, Lettieri-Barbato D, Turchi R, Bertini ES, Piemonte F. Nrf2 Induction Re-establishes a Proper Neuronal Differentiation Program in Friedreich's Ataxia Neural Stem Cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:356. [PMID: 31417369 PMCID: PMC6685360 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [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: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Frataxin deficiency is the pathogenic cause of Friedreich’s Ataxia, an autosomal recessive disease characterized by the increase of oxidative stress and production of free radicals in the cell. Although the onset of the pathology occurs in the second decade of life, cognitive differences and defects in brain structure and functional activation are observed in patients, suggesting developmental defects to take place during fetal neurogenesis. Here, we describe impairments in proliferation, stemness potential and differentiation in neural stem cells (NSCs) isolated from the embryonic cortex of the Frataxin Knockin/Knockout mouse, a disease animal model whose slow-evolving phenotype makes it suitable to study pre-symptomatic defects that may manifest before the clinical onset. We demonstrate that enhancing the expression and activity of the antioxidant response master regulator Nrf2 ameliorates the phenotypic defects observed in NSCs, re-establishing a proper differentiation program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Russo
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica D'Amico
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Katia Aquilano
- 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, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Turchi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico S Bertini
- 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
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21
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Torraco A, Stehling O, Stümpfig C, Rösser R, De Rasmo D, Fiermonte G, Verrigni D, Rizza T, Vozza A, Di Nottia M, Diodato D, Martinelli D, Piemonte F, Dionisi-Vici C, Bertini E, Lill R, Carrozzo R. ISCA1 mutation in a patient with infantile-onset leukodystrophy causes defects in mitochondrial [4Fe–4S] proteins. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:3650. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Torraco
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Oliver Stehling
- Institut für Zytobiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Stümpfig
- Institut für Zytobiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Rösser
- Institut für Zytobiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Domenico De Rasmo
- Institute of Biomembrane, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnology (IBIOM), National Research Council (CNR), Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fiermonte
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Verrigni
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Teresa Rizza
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Vozza
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Michela Di Nottia
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daria Diodato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Martinelli
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Dionisi-Vici
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roland Lill
- Institut für Zytobiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- LOEWE Zentrum für Synthetische Mikrobiologie SynMikro, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rosalba Carrozzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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22
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Torraco A, Stehling O, Stümpfig C, Rösser R, De Rasmo D, Fiermonte G, Verrigni D, Rizza T, Vozza A, Di Nottia M, Diodato D, Martinelli D, Piemonte F, Dionisi-Vici C, Bertini E, Lill R, Carrozzo R. ISCA1 mutation in a patient with infantile-onset leukodystrophy causes defects in mitochondrial [4Fe–4S] proteins. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:2739-2754. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Torraco
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Oliver Stehling
- Institut für Zytobiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Stümpfig
- Institut für Zytobiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Rösser
- Institut für Zytobiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Domenico De Rasmo
- Institute of Biomembrane, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnology (IBIOM), National Research Council (CNR), Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fiermonte
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Verrigni
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Teresa Rizza
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Vozza
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Michela Di Nottia
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daria Diodato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Martinelli
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Dionisi-Vici
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roland Lill
- Institut für Zytobiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- LOEWE Zentrum für Synthetische Mikrobiologie SynMikro, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rosalba Carrozzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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23
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Schirinzi T, Vasco G, Zanni G, Petrillo S, Piemonte F, Castelli E, Bertini ES. Serum uric acid in Friedreich Ataxia. Clin Biochem 2018; 54:139-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2018.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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24
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Petrillo S, Pelosi L, Piemonte F, Travaglini L, Forcina L, Catteruccia M, Petrini S, Verardo M, D'Amico A, Musarò A, Bertini E. Oxidative stress in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: focus on the NRF2 redox pathway. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 26:2781-2790. [PMID: 28472288 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an X-linked genetic disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene and characterized by progressive, lethal muscle degeneration and chronic inflammation. In this study, we explored the expression and signaling pathway of a master player of the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory response, namely NF-E2-related Factor 2, in muscle biopsies of DMD patients. We classified DMD patients in two age groups (Class I, 0-2 years and Class II, 2-9 years), in order to evaluate the antioxidant pathway expression during the disease progression. We observed that altered enzymatic antioxidant responses, increased levels of oxidized glutathione and oxidative damage are differently modulated in the two age classes of patients and well correlate with the severity of pathology. Interestingly, we also observed a modulation of relevant markers of the inflammatory response, such as heme oxygenase 1 and Inteleukin-6 (IL-6), suggesting a link between oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory response. Of note, using a transgenic mouse model, we demonstrated that IL-6 overexpression parallels the antioxidant expression profile and the severity of dystrophic muscle observed in DMD patients. This study advances our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying DMD and defines the critical role of oxidative stress on muscle wasting with clear implications for disease pathogenesis and therapy in human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesú, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Pelosi
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesú, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorena Travaglini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesú, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Forcina
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Catteruccia
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesú, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Petrini
- Laboratory of Research, Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesù, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita Verardo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesú, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Adele D'Amico
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesú, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Musarò
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesú, 00146 Rome, Italy
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25
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Petrillo S, Piermarini E, Pastore A, Vasco G, Schirinzi T, Carrozzo R, Bertini E, Piemonte F. Nrf2-Inducers Counteract Neurodegeneration in Frataxin-Silenced Motor Neurons: Disclosing New Therapeutic Targets for Friedreich's Ataxia. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E2173. [PMID: 29057804 PMCID: PMC5666854 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18102173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [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: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is actively involved in Friedreich's Ataxia (FA), thus pharmacological targeting of the antioxidant machinery may have therapeutic value. Here, we analyzed the relevance of the antioxidant phase II response mediated by the transcription factor Nrf2 on frataxin-deficient cultured motor neurons and on fibroblasts of patients. The in vitro treatment of the potent Nrf2 activator sulforaphane increased Nrf2 protein levels and led to the upregulation of phase II antioxidant enzymes. The neuroprotective effects were accompanied by an increase in neurites' number and extension. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a natural compound of many diets and is now being used in clinical trials for other pathologies. Our results provide morphological and biochemical evidence to endorse a neuroprotective strategy that may have therapeutic relevance for FA. The findings of this work reinforce the crucial importance of Nrf2 in FA and provide a rationale for using Nrf2-inducers as pharmacological agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Piermarini
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy.
- Drexel University College of Medicine, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.
| | - Anna Pastore
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Gessica Vasco
- Movement Analysis and Robotics Laboratory (MARLab), Neurorehabilitation Unit, Department of Neurosciences, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Via Torre di Palidoro, Passoscuro Fiumicino, 00050 Rome, Italy.
| | - Tommaso Schirinzi
- Movement Analysis and Robotics Laboratory (MARLab), Neurorehabilitation Unit, Department of Neurosciences, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Via Torre di Palidoro, Passoscuro Fiumicino, 00050 Rome, Italy.
| | - Rosalba Carrozzo
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy.
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26
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Verrigni D, Diodato D, Di Nottia M, Torraco A, Bellacchio E, Rizza T, Tozzi G, Verardo M, Piemonte F, Tasca G, D'Amico A, Bertini E, Carrozzo R. Novel mutations in KARS cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and combined mitochondrial respiratory chain defect. Clin Genet 2017; 91:918-923. [PMID: 27891585 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in KARS, which encodes for both mitochondrial and cytoplasmic lysyl-tRNA synthetase, have been so far associated with three different phenotypes: the recessive form of Charcot-Mary-Tooth polyneuropathy, the autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss and the last recently described condition related to congenital visual impairment and progressive microcephaly. Here we report the case of a 14-year-old girl with severe cardiomyopathy associated to mild psychomotor delay and mild myopathy; moreover, a diffuse reduction of cytochrome C oxidase (COX, complex IV) and a combined enzymatic defect of complex I (CI) and complex IV (CIV) was evident in muscle biopsy. Using the TruSight One sequencing panel we identified two novel mutations in KARS. Both mutations, never reported previously, occur in a highly conserved region of the catalytic domain and displayed a dramatic effect on KARS stability. Structural analysis confirmed the pathogenic role of the identified variants. Our findings confirm and emphasize that mt-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (mt-ARSs) enzymes are related to a broad clinical spectrum due to their multiple and still unknown functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Verrigni
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - D Diodato
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - M Di Nottia
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - A Torraco
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - E Bellacchio
- Research Laboratories, 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - T Rizza
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - G Tozzi
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - M Verardo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - F Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - G Tasca
- Institute of Neurology, Policlinico 'A. Gemelli' Foundation University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - A D'Amico
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - E Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - R Carrozzo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Rome, Italy
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27
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Rega LR, Polishchuk E, Montefusco S, Napolitano G, Tozzi G, Zhang J, Bellomo F, Taranta A, Pastore A, Polishchuk R, Piemonte F, Medina DL, Catz SD, Ballabio A, Emma F. Activation of the transcription factor EB rescues lysosomal abnormalities in cystinotic kidney cells. Kidney Int 2017; 89:862-73. [PMID: 26994576 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2015.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Nephropathic cystinosis is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease characterized by accumulation of cystine into lysosomes secondary to mutations in the cystine lysosomal transporter, cystinosin. The defect initially causes proximal tubular dysfunction (Fanconi syndrome) which in time progresses to end-stage renal disease. Cystinotic patients treated with the cystine-depleting agent, cysteamine, have improved life expectancy, delayed progression to chronic renal failure, but persistence of Fanconi syndrome. Here, we have investigated the role of the transcription factor EB (TFEB), a master regulator of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway, in conditionally immortalized proximal tubular epithelial cells derived from the urine of a healthy volunteer or a cystinotic patient. Lack of cystinosin reduced TFEB expression and induced TFEB nuclear translocation. Stimulation of endogenous TFEB activity by genistein, or overexpression of exogenous TFEB lowered cystine levels within 24 hours in cystinotic cells. Overexpression of TFEB also stimulated delayed endocytic cargo processing within 24 hours. Rescue of other abnormalities of the lysosomal compartment was observed but required prolonged expression of TFEB. These abnormalities could not be corrected with cysteamine. Thus, these data show that the consequences of cystinosin deficiency are not restricted to cystine accumulation and support the role of TFEB as a therapeutic target for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases, in particular of cystinosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura R Rega
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Rome, Italy.
| | - Elena Polishchuk
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Sandro Montefusco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | | | - Giulia Tozzi
- Unit for Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Jinzhong Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Francesco Bellomo
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Taranta
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Pastore
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Roman Polishchuk
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit for Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego L Medina
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Sergio D Catz
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Andrea Ballabio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Francesco Emma
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Rome, Italy
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28
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Compagnucci C, Piermarini E, Sferra A, Borghi R, Niceforo A, Petrini S, Piemonte F, Bertini E. Cytoskeletal dynamics during in vitro neurogenesis of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Mol Cell Neurosci 2016; 77:113-124. [PMID: 27756615 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide a novel tool to investigate the pathophysiology of poorly known diseases, in particular those affecting the nervous system, which has been difficult to study for its lack of accessibility. In this emerging and promising field, recent iPSCs studies are mostly used as "proof-of-principle" experiments that are confirmatory of previous findings obtained from animal models and postmortem human studies; its promise as a discovery tool is just beginning to be realized. A recent number of studies point to the functional similarities between in vitro neurogenesis and in vivo neuronal development, suggesting that similar morphogenetic and patterning events direct neuronal differentiation. In this context, neuronal adhesion, cytoskeletal organization and cell metabolism emerge as an integrated and unexplored processes of human neurogenesis, mediated by the lack of data due to the difficult accessibility of the human neural tissue. These observations raise the necessity to understand which are the players controlling cytoskeletal reorganization and remodeling. In particular, we investigated human in vitro neurogenesis using iPSCs of healthy subjects to unveil the underpinnings of the cytoskeletal dynamics with the aim to shed light on the physiologic events controlling the development and the functionality of neuronal cells. We validate the iPSCs system to better understand the development of the human nervous system in order to set the bases for the future understanding of pathologies including developmental disorders (i.e. intellectual disability), epilepsy but also neurodegenerative disorders (i.e. Friedreich's Ataxia). We investigate the changes of the cytoskeletal components during the 30days of neuronal differentiation and we demonstrate that human neuronal differentiation requires a (time-dependent) reorganization of actin filaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules; and that immature neurons present a finely regulated localization of Glu-, Tyr- and Acet-TUBULINS. This study advances our understanding on cytoskeletal dynamics with the hope to pave the way for future therapies that could be potentially able to target cytoskeletal based neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Compagnucci
- Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Research Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome 00146, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Piermarini
- Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Research Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome 00146, Italy
| | - Antonella Sferra
- Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Research Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome 00146, Italy
| | - Rossella Borghi
- Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Research Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome 00146, Italy
| | - Alessia Niceforo
- Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Research Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome 00146, Italy
| | - Stefania Petrini
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00146, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Research Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome 00146, Italy
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Research Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome 00146, Italy
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29
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Flex E, Niceta M, Cecchetti S, Thiffault I, Au MG, Capuano A, Piermarini E, Ivanova AA, Francis JW, Chillemi G, Chandramouli B, Carpentieri G, Haaxma CA, Ciolfi A, Pizzi S, Douglas GV, Levine K, Sferra A, Dentici ML, Pfundt RR, Le Pichon JB, Farrow E, Baas F, Piemonte F, Dallapiccola B, Graham JM, Saunders CJ, Bertini E, Kahn RA, Koolen DA, Tartaglia M. Biallelic Mutations in TBCD, Encoding the Tubulin Folding Cofactor D, Perturb Microtubule Dynamics and Cause Early-Onset Encephalopathy. Am J Hum Genet 2016; 99:962-973. [PMID: 27666370 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubules are dynamic cytoskeletal elements coordinating and supporting a variety of neuronal processes, including cell division, migration, polarity, intracellular trafficking, and signal transduction. Mutations in genes encoding tubulins and microtubule-associated proteins are known to cause neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Growing evidence suggests that altered microtubule dynamics may also underlie or contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegeneration. We report that biallelic mutations in TBCD, encoding one of the five co-chaperones required for assembly and disassembly of the αβ-tubulin heterodimer, the structural unit of microtubules, cause a disease with neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative features characterized by early-onset cortical atrophy, secondary hypomyelination, microcephaly, thin corpus callosum, developmental delay, intellectual disability, seizures, optic atrophy, and spastic quadriplegia. Molecular dynamics simulations predicted long-range and/or local structural perturbations associated with the disease-causing mutations. Biochemical analyses documented variably reduced levels of TBCD, indicating relative instability of mutant proteins, and defective β-tubulin binding in a subset of the tested mutants. Reduced or defective TBCD function resulted in decreased soluble α/β-tubulin levels and accelerated microtubule polymerization in fibroblasts from affected subjects, demonstrating an overall shift toward a more rapidly growing and stable microtubule population. These cells displayed an aberrant mitotic spindle with disorganized, tangle-shaped microtubules and reduced aster formation, which however did not alter appreciably the rate of cell proliferation. Our findings establish that defective TBCD function underlies a recognizable encephalopathy and drives accelerated microtubule polymerization and enhanced microtubule stability, underscoring an additional cause of altered microtubule dynamics with impact on neuronal function and survival in the developing brain.
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30
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Di Nottia M, Masciullo M, Verrigni D, Petrillo S, Modoni A, Rizzo V, Di Giuda D, Rizza T, Niceta M, Torraco A, Bianchi M, Santoro M, Bentivoglio AR, Bertini E, Piemonte F, Carrozzo R, Silvestri G. DJ-1 modulates mitochondrial response to oxidative stress: clues from a novel diagnosis of PARK7. Clin Genet 2016; 92:18-25. [PMID: 27460976 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
DJ-1 mutations are associated to early-onset Parkinson's disease and accounts for about 1-2% of the genetic forms. The protein is involved in many biological processes and its role in mitochondrial regulation is gaining great interest, even if its function in mitochondria is still unclear. We describe a 47-year-old woman affected by a multisystem disorder characterized by progressive, early-onset parkinsonism plus distal spinal amyotrophy, cataracts and sensory-neural deafness associated with a novel homozygous c.461C>A [p.T154K] mutation in DJ-1. Patient's cultured fibroblasts showed low ATP synthesis, high ROS levels and reduced amount of some subunits of mitochondrial complex I; biomarkers of oxidative stress also resulted abnormal in patient's blood. The clinical pattern of multisystem involvement and the biochemical findings in our patient highlight the role for DJ-1 in modulating mitochondrial response against oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Di Nottia
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - M Masciullo
- SPInal REhabilitation Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - D Verrigni
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - S Petrillo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - A Modoni
- Institute of Neurology, Rome, Italy
| | - V Rizzo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico A.Gemelli Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - D Di Giuda
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico A.Gemelli Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - T Rizza
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - M Niceta
- Division of Genetic Disorders and Rare Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - A Torraco
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - M Bianchi
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - M Santoro
- Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Milan, Italy
| | | | - E Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - F Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - R Carrozzo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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31
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Piermarini E, Cartelli D, Pastore A, Tozzi G, Compagnucci C, Giorda E, D'Amico J, Petrini S, Bertini E, Cappelletti G, Piemonte F. Frataxin silencing alters microtubule stability in motor neurons: implications for Friedreich's ataxia. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:4288-4301. [PMID: 27516386 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To elucidate the pathogenesis of axonopathy in Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA), a neurodegenerative disease characterized by axonal retraction, we analyzed the microtubule (MT) dynamics in an in vitro frataxin-silenced neuronal model (shFxn). A typical feature of MTs is their "dynamic instability", in which they undergo phases of growth (polymerization) and shrinkage (depolymerization). MTs play a fundamental role in the physiology of neurons and every perturbation of their dynamicity is highly detrimental for neuronal functions. The aim of this study is to determine whether MTs are S-glutathionylated in shFxn and if the glutathionylation triggers MT dysfunction. We hypothesize that oxidative stress, determined by high GSSG levels, induces axonal retraction by interfering with MT dynamics. We propose a mechanism of the axonopathy in FRDA where GSSG overload and MT de-polymerization are strictly interconnected. Indeed, using a frataxin-silenced neuronal model we show a significant reduction of neurites extension, a shift of tubulin toward the unpolymerized fraction and a consistent increase of glutathione bound to the cytoskeleton. The live cell imaging approach further reveals a significant decrease in MT growth lifetime due to frataxin silencing, which is consistent with the MT destabilization. The in vitro antioxidant treatments trigger the axonal re-growth and the increase in stable MTs in shFxn, thus contributing to identify new neuronal targets of oxidation in this disease and providing a novel approach for antioxidant therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Graziella Cappelletti
- Department of Biosciences
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, Milan, Italy
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32
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Torraco A, Bianchi M, Verrigni D, Gelmetti V, Riley L, Niceta M, Martinelli D, Montanari A, Guo Y, Rizza T, Diodato D, Di Nottia M, Lucarelli B, Sorrentino F, Piemonte F, Francisci S, Tartaglia M, Valente E, Dionisi‐Vici C, Christodoulou J, Bertini E, Carrozzo R. A novel mutation in
NDUFB11
unveils a new clinical phenotype associated with lactic acidosis and sideroblastic anemia. Clin Genet 2016; 91:441-447. [DOI: 10.1111/cge.12790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Torraco
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular MedicineBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - M. Bianchi
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular MedicineBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - D. Verrigni
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular MedicineBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - V. Gelmetti
- Neurogenetics Unit, CSS‐Mendel LaboratoryIRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza San Giovanni Rotondo Italy
| | - L. Riley
- Genetic Metabolic Disorders Research UnitChildren's Hospital at Westmead Sydney Australia
- Discipline of Paediatrics & Child HealthUniversity of Sydney Sydney Australia
| | - M. Niceta
- Division of Genetic Disorders and Rare DiseasesBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - D. Martinelli
- Division of MetabolismBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - A. Montanari
- Pasteur Institute – Cenci Bolognetti FoundationSapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
| | - Y. Guo
- Genetic Metabolic Disorders Research UnitChildren's Hospital at Westmead Sydney Australia
| | - T. Rizza
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular MedicineBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - D. Diodato
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular MedicineBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - M. Di Nottia
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular MedicineBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - B. Lucarelli
- Stem Cell Transplant Unit, Department of Hematology and OncologyBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - F. Sorrentino
- UO Talassemici ‐Anemie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Ospedale S Eugenio Rome Italy
| | - F. Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular MedicineBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - S. Francisci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “C. Darwin”Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
| | - M. Tartaglia
- Division of Genetic Disorders and Rare DiseasesBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - E.M. Valente
- Section of Neurosciences, Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of Salerno Salerno Italy
| | - C. Dionisi‐Vici
- Division of MetabolismBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - J. Christodoulou
- Genetic Metabolic Disorders Research UnitChildren's Hospital at Westmead Sydney Australia
- Discipline of Paediatrics & Child HealthUniversity of Sydney Sydney Australia
- Discipline of Genetic MedicineUniversity of Sydney Sydney Australia
| | - E. Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular MedicineBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - R. Carrozzo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular MedicineBambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Rome Italy
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33
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Dallabona C, Abbink TEM, Carrozzo R, Torraco A, Legati A, van Berkel CGM, Niceta M, Langella T, Verrigni D, Rizza T, Diodato D, Piemonte F, Lamantea E, Fang M, Zhang J, Martinelli D, Bevivino E, Dionisi-Vici C, Vanderver A, Philip SG, Kurian MA, Verma IC, Bijarnia-Mahay S, Jacinto S, Furtado F, Accorsi P, Ardissone A, Moroni I, Ferrero I, Tartaglia M, Goffrini P, Ghezzi D, van der Knaap MS, Bertini E. LYRM7mutations cause a multifocal cavitating leukoencephalopathy with distinct MRI appearance. Brain 2016; 139:782-94. [DOI: 10.1093/brain/awv392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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34
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Ariano C, De Vecchis R, Piemonte F. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain is significantly related to B-type serum natriuretic peptide in patients with chronic heart failure as well as in healthy individuals. Vascul Pharmacol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2015.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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35
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Ariano C, De Vecchis R, Piemonte F. Different methods for assessing hemodynamic congestion using inferior vena cava echocardiographic indexes. A retrospective study. Vascul Pharmacol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2015.11.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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36
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Petrillo S, Piemonte F, Catteruccia M, Bertini E, D'Amico A. Glutathione imbalance in blood of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2015.06.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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37
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Dill C, Prigent H, Behin A, Piemonte F, Bertini E, Orlikowski D, Estournet B, Ferreiro A. Launching the first clinical trial in SEPN1-related myopathy: The SELNAC study. Neuromuscul Disord 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2015.06.306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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38
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Pastore A, Petrillo S, Piermarini E, Piemonte F. Systemic Redox Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Drug Metab 2015; 16:46-70. [DOI: 10.2174/138920021601150702161250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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39
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Di Giacopo R, Cianetti L, Caputo V, La Torraca I, Piemonte F, Ciolfi A, Petrucci S, Carta C, Mariotti P, Leuzzi V, Valente EM, D'Amico A, Bentivoglio A, Bertini E, Tartaglia M, Zampino G. Protracted late infantile ceroid lipofuscinosis due to TPP1 mutations: Clinical, molecular and biochemical characterization in three sibs. J Neurol Sci 2015; 356:65-71. [PMID: 26143525 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Revised: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This work investigated the molecular cause responsible for a late-onset parkinsonism-dystonia phenotype in three Italian siblings, and clinically characterize this condition. METHODS Extensive neurophysiological and neuroradiological exams were performed on the three sibs. Most frequent late-onset metabolic diseases were ruled out through laboratory and biochemical analyses. A whole exome sequencing (WES) approach was used to identify the molecular cause underlying this condition. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Peculiar neurologic phenotype was characterized by dystonia-parkinsonism, cognitive impairment, gait ataxia and apraxia, pyramidal signs. WES analysis allowed the identification of a compound heterozygosity for two nucleotide substitutions (c.1340G>A, p.R447H; c.790C>T, p.Q264X) affecting the TPP1 gene in the three affected siblings. Biochemical analyses demonstrated abrogated TPP1 catalytic activity in primary skin fibroblasts, but revealed residual activity in leukocytes. Our findings document that late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (CLN2), which is caused by TPP1 gene mutations, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of autosomal recessive dystonia-parkinsonism syndromes. The availability of enzyme replacement therapy and other therapeutic approaches for ceroid lipofuscinoses emphasizes the value of reaching an early diagnosis in patients with atypical and milder presentation of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Di Giacopo
- Center for Neurocognitive Rehabilitation (CERiN), Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMEC), University of Trento, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari (APSS), Trento, Italy; Centro per i Disturbi del Movimento, Università Cattolica del sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
| | - Luciano Cianetti
- Dipartimento di Ematologia, Oncologia e Medicina Molecolare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Caputo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria La Torraca
- Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesu' Children's Research Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciolfi
- Dipartimento di Ematologia, Oncologia e Medicina Molecolare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Petrucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università La Sapienza, Rome, Italy; Laboratorio Mendel, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Claudio Carta
- Dipartimento di Ematologia, Oncologia e Medicina Molecolare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Mariotti
- Istituto di Neuropsichiatria Infantile, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Leuzzi
- Dipartimento di Pediatria e Neuropsichiatria Infantile, Università La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Enza Maria Valente
- Laboratorio Mendel, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Salerno, Italy
| | - Adele D'Amico
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesu' Children's Research Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Annarita Bentivoglio
- Centro per i Disturbi del Movimento, Università Cattolica del sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesu' Children's Research Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Dipartimento di Ematologia, Oncologia e Medicina Molecolare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Zampino
- Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Baratta F, Pastori D, Del Ben M, Polimeni L, Labbadia G, Di Santo S, Piemonte F, Tozzi G, Violi F, Angelico F. Reduced Lysosomal Acid Lipase Activity in Adult Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. EBioMedicine 2015; 2:750-4. [PMID: 26288848 PMCID: PMC4534687 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2015.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by intra-hepatic fat accumulation and mechanisms involved in its pathogenesis are not fully explained. Lysosomal Acid Lipase (LAL) is a key enzyme in lipid metabolism. We investigated its activity in patients with fatty liver. LAL activity (nmol/spot/h) was measured in 100 adult healthy subjects (HS) and in 240 NAFLD patients. A sub-analysis on 35 patients with biopsy-proven non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was performed. Median LAL activity was 1.15 (0.95–1.72) in HS. It was significantly reduced in NAFLD [0.78 (0.61–1.01), p < 0.001 vs. HS]. A further reduction was observed in the subgroup of NASH [0.67 (0.51–0.77), p < 0.001 vs. HS]. Patients with LAL activity below median had higher values of serum total cholesterol (p < 0.05) and LDL-c (p < 0.05), and increased serum liver enzymes (ALT, p < 0.001; AST, p < 0.01; GGT, p < 0.01). At multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors associated with LAL activity below median were ALT (OR: 1.018, 95% CI 1.004–1.032, p = 0.011) and metabolic syndrome (OR: 2.551, 95% CI 1.241–5.245, p = 0.011), whilst statin use predicted a better LAL function (OR: 0.464, 95% CI 0.248–0.866, p = 0.016). Our findings suggest a strong association between impaired LAL activity and NAFLD. A better knowledge of the role of LAL may provide new insights in NAFLD pathogenesis. LAL activity is significantly reduced in adult patients with NAFLD, compared to healthy subjects. Patients with NASH disclose the lowest value of LAL activity. Patients with LAL activity below median have a significant elevation of serum liver enzymes and a worse lipid profile. Low LAL activity is associated with metabolic syndrome and lower statin use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Baratta
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Pastori
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Del Ben
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Licia Polimeni
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Labbadia
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Di Santo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute “Bambino Gesù”, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Tozzi
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute “Bambino Gesù”, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Violi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Angelico
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
- Corresponding author at: I Clinica Medica-Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Nesti C, Meschini MC, Meunier B, Sacchini M, Doccini S, Romano A, Petrillo S, Pezzini I, Seddiki N, Rubegni A, Piemonte F, Donati MA, Brasseur G, Santorelli FM. Additive effect of nuclear and mitochondrial mutations in a patient with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:3248-56. [PMID: 25736212 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the case of a woman in whom combination of a mitochondrial (MT-CYB) and a nuclear (SDHB) mutation was associated with clinical and metabolic features suggestive of a mitochondrial disorder. The mutations impaired overall energy metabolism in the patient's muscle and fibroblasts and increased cellular susceptibility to oxidative stress. To clarify the contribution of each mutation to the phenotype, mutant yeast strains were generated. A significant defect in strains carrying the Sdh2 mutation, either alone or in combination with the cytb variant, was observed. Our data suggest that the SDHB mutation was causative of the mitochondrial disorder in our patient with a possible cumulative contribution of the MT-CYB variant. To our knowledge, this is the first association of bi-genomic variants in the mtDNA and in a nuclear gene encoding a subunit of complex II.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Brigitte Meunier
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, 1 Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Michele Sacchini
- Metabolic and Neuromuscular Unit, AOU Meyer Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Romano
- Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology and Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy and
| | | | - Nadir Seddiki
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, CNRS, 31 ch. J. Aiguier, 13402 Marseilles, France
| | - Anna Rubegni
- Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy and
| | - M Alice Donati
- Metabolic and Neuromuscular Unit, AOU Meyer Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Gael Brasseur
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, CNRS, 31 ch. J. Aiguier, 13402 Marseilles, France
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Abstract
S-glutathionylation is a mechanism of signal transduction by which cells respond effectively and reversibly to redox inputs. The glutathionylation regulates most cellular pathways. It is involved in oxidative cellular response to insult by modulating the transcription factor Nrf2 and inducing the expression of antioxidant genes (ARE); it contributes to cell survival through nuclear translocation of NFkB and activation of survival genes, and to cell death by modulating the activity of caspase 3. It is involved in mitotic spindle formation during cell division by binding cytoskeletal proteins thus contributing to cell proliferation and differentiation. Glutathionylation also interfaces with the mechanism of phosphorylation by modulating several kinases (PKA, CK) and phosphatases (PP2A, PTEN), thus allowing a cross talk between the two processes of signal transduction. Glutathionylation of proteins may also act on cell metabolism by modulating enzymes involved in glycosylation, in the Krebs cycle and in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Perturbations in protein glutathionylation status may contribute to the etiology of many diseases, thus it is clear the importance to visualize the distribution of glutathionylated proteins in subcellular compartments. This chapter describes the immunofluorescence technique that permits simultaneous detection of glutathionylated proteins and their localization in cellular compartments, using multiple stained cell samples. By confocal laser microscopy analysis of the immunofluorescent cells it is possible to obtain detailed information of submicroscopic structures inside cells and tissues, and to perform correct co-localization analysis between two proteins. The association between glutathione, nuclear lamina, and cytoskeleton has been investigated by employing a helpful assay consisting on the in situ extraction of the cellular matrix from cultured dermal fibroblasts followed by multiple stainings with several primary antibodies. This protocol can be used for the detection of the intracellular distribution and expression of interest proteins and can be customized for a large variety of cells and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Petrini
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesu' Pediatric Hospital IRCCS, P.zza S. Onofrio 4, 00165, Rome, Italy,
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Arbogast S, Dill C, Ramahefasolo C, Piemonte F, Serreri C, Lescure A, Ferry A, Bonay M, Bertini E, Ferreiro A. G.P.209. Neuromuscul Disord 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2014.06.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Carrozzo R, Torraco A, Fiermonte G, Martinelli D, Di Nottia M, Rizza T, Vozza A, Verrigni D, Diodato D, Parisi G, Maiorana A, Rizzo C, Pierri CL, Zucano S, Piemonte F, Bertini E, Dionisi-Vici C. Riboflavin responsive mitochondrial myopathy is a new phenotype of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase deficiency. The chaperon-like effect of vitamin B2. Mitochondrion 2014; 18:49-57. [PMID: 25251739 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2014.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD, E3) is a flavoprotein common to pyruvate, α-ketoglutarate and branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenases. We found two novel DLD mutations (p.I40Lfs*4; p.G461E) in a 19 year-old patient with lactic acidosis and a complex amino- and organic aciduria consistent with DLD deficiency, manifesting progressive exertional fatigue. Muscle biopsy showed mitochondrial proliferation and lack of DLD cross-reacting material. Riboflavin supplementation determined the complete resolution of exercise intolerance with the partial restoration of the DLD protein and disappearance of mitochondrial proliferation in the muscle. Morphological and functional studies support the riboflavin chaperon-like role in stabilizing DLD protein with rescue of its expression in the muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalba Carrozzo
- Unit of Molecular Medicine for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Torraco
- Unit of Molecular Medicine for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fiermonte
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, Bari, Italy
| | - Diego Martinelli
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Di Nottia
- Unit of Molecular Medicine for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Teresa Rizza
- Unit of Molecular Medicine for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Vozza
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Verrigni
- Unit of Molecular Medicine for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daria Diodato
- Unit of Molecular Medicine for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Parisi
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, Bari, Italy
| | - Arianna Maiorana
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiano Rizzo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ciro Leonardo Pierri
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Zucano
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, Bari, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Molecular Medicine for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit of Molecular Medicine for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Dionisi-Vici
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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Torraco A, Carrozzo R, Piemonte F, Pastore A, Tozzi G, Verrigni D, Assenza M, Orecchioni A, D'Egidio A, Marraffa E, Landoni G, Bertini E, Morelli A. Effects of levosimendan on mitochondrial function in patients with septic shock: A randomized trial. Biochimie 2014; 102:166-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2014.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Carletti B, Piermarini E, Tozzi G, Travaglini L, Torraco A, Pastore A, Sparaco M, Petrillo S, Carrozzo R, Bertini E, Piemonte F. Frataxin silencing inactivates mitochondrial Complex I in NSC34 motoneuronal cells and alters glutathione homeostasis. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:5789-806. [PMID: 24714088 PMCID: PMC4013596 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15045789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 02/14/2014] [Revised: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease characterized by a reduced synthesis of the mitochondrial iron chaperon protein frataxin as a result of a large GAA triplet-repeat expansion within the first intron of the frataxin gene. Despite neurodegeneration being the prominent feature of this pathology involving both the central and the peripheral nervous system, information on the impact of frataxin deficiency in neurons is scant. Here, we describe a neuronal model displaying some major biochemical and morphological features of FRDA. By silencing the mouse NSC34 motor neurons for the frataxin gene with shRNA lentiviral vectors, we generated two cell lines with 40% and 70% residual amounts of frataxin, respectively. Frataxin-deficient cells showed a specific inhibition of mitochondrial Complex I (CI) activity already at 70% residual frataxin levels, whereas the glutathione imbalance progressively increased after silencing. These biochemical defects were associated with the inhibition of cell proliferation and morphological changes at the axonal compartment, both depending on the frataxin amount. Interestingly, at 70% residual frataxin levels, the in vivo treatment with the reduced glutathione revealed a partial rescue of cell proliferation. Thus, NSC34 frataxin silenced cells could be a suitable model to study the effect of frataxin deficiency in neurons and highlight glutathione as a potential beneficial therapeutic target for FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Carletti
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute "Bambino Gesù", Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Piermarini
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute "Bambino Gesù", Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giulia Tozzi
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute "Bambino Gesù", Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
| | - Lorena Travaglini
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute "Bambino Gesù", Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Torraco
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute "Bambino Gesù", Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
| | - Anna Pastore
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Children's Hospital and Research Institute "Bambino Gesù", Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
| | - Marco Sparaco
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliera, "G. Rummo", Via Pacevecchia 53, 82100 Benevento, Italy.
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute "Bambino Gesù", Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
| | - Rosalba Carrozzo
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute "Bambino Gesù", Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute "Bambino Gesù", Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute "Bambino Gesù", Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
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Pastore A, Martinelli D, Piemonte F, Tozzi G, Boenzi S, Di Giovamberardino G, Petrillo S, Bertini E, Dionisi-Vici C. Glutathione metabolism in cobalamin deficiency type C (cblC). J Inherit Metab Dis 2014; 37:125-9. [PMID: 23568438 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-013-9605-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Revised: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methylmalonic aciduria with homocystinuria, cblC defect, is the most frequent disorder of vitamin B12 metabolism. CblC patients are commonly treated with a multidrug therapy to reduce metabolite accumulation and to increase deficient substrates. However the long-term outcome is often unsatisfactory especially in patients with early onset, with frequent progression of neurological and ocular impairment. Recent studies, have shown perturbation of cellular redox status in cblC. To evaluate the potential contribution of oxidative stress into the patophysiology of cblC defect, we have analyzed the in vivo glutathione metabolism in a large series of cblC deficient individuals. METHODS Levels of different forms of glutathione were measured in lymphocytes obtained from 18 cblC patients and compared with age-matched controls. Furthermore, we also analyzed plasma cysteine and total homocysteine. RESULTS We found an imbalance of glutathione metabolism in cblC patients with a significant decrease of total and reduced glutathione, along with a significant increase of different oxidized glutathione forms. CONCLUSIONS These findings show a relevant in vivo disturbance of glutathione metabolism underlining the contribution of glutathione pool depletion to the redox imbalance in treated cblC patients. Our study may be helpful in addressing future research to better understanding the pathogenetic mechanism of the disease and in developing new therapeutic approaches, including the use of novel vitamin B₁₂ derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pastore
- Laboratory of Metabolomics and Proteomics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza S. Onofrio, 4-00165, Rome, Italy,
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Abstract
The perturbation of thiol-disulfide homeostasis is an important consequence of many diseases, with redox signals implicated in several physio-pathological processes. A prevalent form of cysteine modification is the reversible formation of protein mixed disulfides with glutathione (S-glutathionylation). The abundance of glutathione in cells and the ready conversion of sulfenic acids to S-glutathione mixed disulfides supports the reversible protein S-glutathionylation as a common feature of redox signal transduction, able to regulate the activities of several redox sensitive proteins. In particular, protein S-glutathionylation is emerging as a critical signaling mechanism in cardiovascular diseases, because it regulates numerous physiological processes involved in cardiovascular homeostasis, including myocyte contraction, oxidative phosphorylation, protein synthesis, vasodilation, glycolytic metabolism and response to insulin. Thus, perturbations in protein glutathionylation status may contribute to the etiology of many cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy and atherosclerosis. Various reports show the importance of oxidative cysteine modifications in modulating cardiovascular function. In this review, we illustrate tools and strategies to monitor protein S-glutathionylation and describe the proteins so far identified as glutathionylated in myocardial contraction, hypertrophy and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pastore
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
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Petrillo S, Piemonte F, Pastore A, Tozzi G, Aiello C, Pujol A, Cappa M, Bertini E. Glutathione imbalance in patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. Mol Genet Metab 2013; 109:366-70. [PMID: 23768953 PMCID: PMC3732387 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2013.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Revised: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a genetic disorder of X-linked inheritance caused by a mutation in the ABCD1 gene which determines an accumulation of long-chain fatty acids in plasma and tissues. Recent evidence shows that oxidative stress may be a hallmark in the pathogenesis of X-ALD and glutathione plays an important role in the defense against free radicals. In this study we have analyzed glutathione homeostasis in lymphocytes of 14 patients with X-ALD and evaluated the balance between oxidized and reduced forms of glutathione, in order to define the role of this crucial redox marker in this condition. METHODS Lymphocytes, plasma and erythrocytes were obtained from the whole blood of 14 subjects with X-ALD and in 30 healthy subjects. Total, reduced and protein-bound glutathione levels were measured in lymphocytes by HPLC analysis. Erythrocyte free glutathione and antioxidant enzyme activities, plasma thiols and carbonyl content were determined by spectrophotometric assays. RESULTS A significant decrease of total and reduced glutathione was found in lymphocytes of patients, associated to high levels of all oxidized glutathione forms. A decline of free glutathione was particularly significant in erythrocytes. The increased oxidative stress in X-ALD was additionally confirmed by the decrease of plasma thiols and the high level of carbonyls. CONCLUSION Our results strongly support a role for oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of X-ALD and strengthen the importance of the balance among glutathione forms as a hallmark and a potential biomarker of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Petrillo
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Pastore
- Laboratory of Metabolomics and Proteomics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Tozzi
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Aiello
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Aurora Pujol
- Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- Neurometabolic Diseases Laboratory, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain
- Institut de Neuropatologia, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Cappa
- Unit of Endocrinology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Correspondence to: M. Cappa, Unit of Endocrinology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza S. Onofrio, 4-00165 Roma, Italy. Fax: + 39 06/6859 2024.
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Correspondence to: E. Bertini, Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, P.zza S. Onofrio, 4-00165 Roma, Italy. Fax: + 39 06/6859 2024.
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Pastore A, Petrillo S, Tozzi G, Carrozzo R, Martinelli D, Dionisi-Vici C, Di Giovamberardino G, Ceravolo F, Klein MB, Miller G, Enns GM, Bertini E, Piemonte F. Glutathione: a redox signature in monitoring EPI-743 therapy in children with mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. Mol Genet Metab 2013; 109:208-14. [PMID: 23583222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2013.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2013] [Revised: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetically defined Leigh syndrome (LS) is a rare, fatal inherited neurodegenerative disorder that predominantly affects children. Although mitochondrial dysfunction has clearly been associated with oxidative stress, few studies have specifically examined Leigh syndrome patients' blood glutathione levels. In this study, we analyzed the balance between oxidized and reduced glutathione in lymphocytes of 10 patients with genetically confirmed LS and monitored the effects of glutathione status following 6 months of treatment with EPI-743, a novel redox therapeutic. METHODS Lymphocytes were obtained from blood samples of 10 children with a genetically confirmed diagnosis of LS and in 20 healthy subjects. Total, reduced, oxidized and protein-bound glutathione levels were determined by HPLC analysis. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities were measured by spectrophotometric assays. Plasma total thiols, carbonyl contents and malondialdehyde were assessed by spectrophotometric and fluorometric assays. RESULTS A significant impairment of all glutathione forms was detected in patients, including a profound decrease of total and reduced glutathione (GSH) associated with high levels of all oxidized glutathione forms (GSSG+GS-Pro; OX). These findings negatively correlated with the glutathione peroxidase activity, which underwent a significant decrease in patients. After treatment with EPI-743, all patients showed a significant increase in reduced glutathione levels and 96% decrease of OX/GSH ratio. CONCLUSIONS The data presented here strongly support glutathione as a "redox blood signature" in mitochondrial disorders and its use as a clinical trial endpoint in the development of mitochondrial disease therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pastore
- Laboratory of Metabolomics and Proteomics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS - Rome, Italy
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