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Agafonova A, Cosentino A, Romano IR, Giurdanella G, D’Angeli F, Giuffrida R, Lo Furno D, Anfuso CD, Mannino G, Lupo G. Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications of Human Pericyte-like Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in an In Vitro Model of Diabetic Retinopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1774. [PMID: 38339053 PMCID: PMC10855418 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031774] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The blood-retinal barrier (BRB) is strongly compromised in diabetic retinopathy (DR) due to the detachment of pericytes (PCs) from retinal microvessels, resulting in increased permeability and impairment of the BRB. Western blots, immunofluorescence and ELISA were performed on adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and pericyte-like (P)-ASCs by co-cultured human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) under hyperglycemic conditions (HG), as a model of DR. Our results demonstrated that: (a) platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and its activated form were more highly expressed in monocultured P-ASCs than in ASCs, and this expression increased when co-cultured with HRECs under high glucose conditions (HG); (b) the transcription factor Nrf2 was more expressed in the cytoplasmic fraction of ASCs and in the P-ASC nuclear fraction, under normal glucose and, even more, under HG conditions; (c) cytosolic phospholipase A2 activity and prostaglandin E2 release, stimulated by HG, were significantly reduced in P-ASCs co-cultured with HRECs; (d) HO-1 protein content was significantly higher in HG-P-ASCs/HRECs than P-ASCs/HRECs; and (e) VEGF-A levels in media from HG-co-cultures were reduced in P-ASCs/HRECs with respect to ASCs/HRECs. The data obtained highlighted the potential of autologous differentiated ASCs in future clinical applications based on cell therapy to counteract the damage induced by DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Agafonova
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.A.); (A.C.); (I.R.R.); (R.G.); (G.L.)
| | - Alessia Cosentino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.A.); (A.C.); (I.R.R.); (R.G.); (G.L.)
| | - Ivana Roberta Romano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.A.); (A.C.); (I.R.R.); (R.G.); (G.L.)
| | | | - Floriana D’Angeli
- Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele Roma Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy;
| | - Rosario Giuffrida
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.A.); (A.C.); (I.R.R.); (R.G.); (G.L.)
| | - Debora Lo Furno
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.A.); (A.C.); (I.R.R.); (R.G.); (G.L.)
| | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.A.); (A.C.); (I.R.R.); (R.G.); (G.L.)
| | - Giuliana Mannino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.A.); (A.C.); (I.R.R.); (R.G.); (G.L.)
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Anfuso CD, Cosentino A, Agafonova A, Zappalà A, Giurdanella G, Trovato Salinaro A, Calabrese V, Lupo G. Pericytes of Stria Vascularis Are Targets of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity: New Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Blood-Labyrinth Barrier Breakdown. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415790. [PMID: 36555432 PMCID: PMC9781621 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The stria vascularis (SV) contributes to cochlear homeostasis and consists of three layers, one of which contains the blood-labyrinthic barrier (BLB), with a large number of bovine cochlear pericytes (BCPs). Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug that can damage the SV and cause hearing loss. In this study, cell viability, proliferation rate, cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species production were evaluated. The protein content of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2, total ERK 1/2, phospho-cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), total cPLA2 and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from BCPs were analyzed. Finally, the protective effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) on BCPs treated with cisplatin was investigated. Cisplatin reduced viability and proliferation, activated ERK 1/2, cPLA2 and COX-2 expression and increased PGE2 and VEGF release; these effects were reversed by Dexamethasone. The presence of PDGF-BB during the treatment with cisplatin significantly increased the proliferation rate. No studies on cell regeneration in ear tissue evaluated the effect of the PDGF/Dex combination. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cisplatin on cochlear pericytes and propose new otoprotective agents aimed at preventing the reduction of their vitality and thus maintaining the BLB structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Alessia Cosentino
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Aleksandra Agafonova
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Agata Zappalà
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Angela Trovato Salinaro
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Anfuso CD, Giurdanella G, Longo A, Cosentino A, Agafonova A, Rusciano D, Lupo G. Antioxidant Activity of Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside and Verbascoside in an in Vitro Model of Diabetic Retinopathy. FRONT BIOSCI-LANDMRK 2022; 27:308. [PMID: 36472115 DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2711308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation plays a pivotal role in the onset of cell damage induced by hyperglycemia and represents one of the major factors in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. In this study, we tested the antioxidants cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) and verbascoside (Verb) in the protection of retinal endothelium against glucose toxicity "in vitro". METHODS Increasing amounts (5-50 μM) of C3G, Verb or the combination of both compounds were tested in Human Retinal Endothelial Cells (HREC) grown with normal glucose (5 mM, NG) or high glucose (25 mM, HG). RESULTS Reduced cell viability and enhanced ROS levels (evaluated by MTT and H2DCFDA assays, respectively) in HG-stimulated HREC were restored by C3G and Verb in a dose-dependent manner, achieving the maximum protection in the presence of both compounds. Moreover, co-treatment with C3G and Verb worked better than each single molecule alone in the prevention of the disruption of blood-retinal-barrier-like properties by HG in a confluent HREC monolayer, as assessed by trans endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and Na-Fluorescein permeability assays. Accordingly, C3G and Verb together also better counteracted the HG-induced down-regulation of the tight junction membrane proteins Zonula Occludens-1 and VE-Cadherin evaluated by immunocytochemical and Western blot analyses. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our data indicate that C3G and Verb could efficiently protect the retinal endothelium against high glucose damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Sicilia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Sicilia, Italy.,Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna "Kore'', 94100 Enna, Sicilia, Italy
| | - Anna Longo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Sicilia, Italy
| | - Alessia Cosentino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Sicilia, Italy
| | - Aleksandra Agafonova
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Sicilia, Italy
| | - Dario Rusciano
- Fidia-Ofta Research Center c/o Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Sicilia, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Sicilia, Italy
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Romeo A, Bonaccorso A, Carbone C, Lupo G, Daniela Anfuso C, Giurdanella G, Caggia C, Randazzo C, Russo N, Romano GL, Bucolo C, Rizzo M, Tosi G, Thomas Duskey J, Ruozi B, Pignatello R, Musumeci T. Melatonin loaded hybrid nanomedicine: DoE approach, optimization and in vitro study on diabetic retinopathy model. Int J Pharm 2022; 627:122195. [PMID: 36115466 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin (MEL) is a pleiotropic neurohormone of increasing interest as a neuroprotective agent in ocular diseases. Improving the mucoadhesiveness is a proposed strategy to increase the bioavailability of topical formulations. Herein, the design and optimization of MEL-loaded lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (mel-LPHNs) using Design of Experiment (DoE) was performed. LPHNs consisted of PLGA-PEG polymer nanoparticles coated with a cationic lipid-shell. The optimized nanomedicine showed suitable size for ophthalmic administration (189.4 nm; PDI 0.260) with a positive surface charge (+39.8 mV), high encapsulation efficiency (79.8 %), suitable pH and osmolarity values, good mucoadhesive properties and a controlled release profile. Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy confirmed the encapsulation of melatonin in the systems and the interaction between lipids and polymer matrix. Biological evaluation in an in vitro model of diabetic retinopathy demonstrated enhanced neuroprotective and antioxidant activities of mel-LPHNs, compared to melatonin aqueous solution at the same concentration (0.1 and 1 μM). A modified Draize test was performed to assess the ocular tolerability of the formulation showing no signs of irritation. To the best our knowledge, this study reported for the first time the development of mel-LPHNs, a novel and safe hybrid platform suitable for the topical management of retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Romeo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6 - 95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - Angela Bonaccorso
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6 - 95125 Catania, Italy; Department of Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Claudia Carbone
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6 - 95125 Catania, Italy; Department of Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Department of Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Caggia
- NANO-i, Research Centre for Ocular Nanotechnology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Randazzo
- NANO-i, Research Centre for Ocular Nanotechnology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Nunziatina Russo
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Luca Romano
- Department of Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Milena Rizzo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6 - 95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Tosi
- Department of Life Sciences, Nanotech Lab, Te.Far.T.I., University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, Modena 41125, Italy.
| | - Jason Thomas Duskey
- Department of Life Sciences, Nanotech Lab, Te.Far.T.I., University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, Modena 41125, Italy.
| | - Barbara Ruozi
- Department of Life Sciences, Nanotech Lab, Te.Far.T.I., University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, Modena 41125, Italy.
| | - Rosario Pignatello
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6 - 95125 Catania, Italy; NANO-i, Research Centre for Ocular Nanotechnology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - Teresa Musumeci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6 - 95125 Catania, Italy; NANO-i, Research Centre for Ocular Nanotechnology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.
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Lazzara F, Longo AM, Giurdanella G, Lupo G, Platania CBM, Rossi S, Drago F, Anfuso CD, Bucolo C. Vitamin D3 preserves blood retinal barrier integrity in an in vitro model of diabetic retinopathy. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:971164. [PMID: 36091806 PMCID: PMC9458952 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.971164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The impairment of the blood retinal barrier (BRB) represents one of the main features of diabetic retinopathy, a secondary microvascular complication of diabetes. Hyperglycemia is a triggering factor of vascular cells damage in diabetic retinopathy. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of vitamin D3 on BRB protection, and to investigate its regulatory role on inflammatory pathways. We challenged human retinal endothelial cells with high glucose (HG) levels. We found that vitamin D3 attenuates cell damage elicited by HG, maintaining cell viability and reducing the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and ICAM-1. Furthermore, we showed that vitamin D3 preserved the BRB integrity as demonstrated by trans-endothelial electrical resistance, permeability assay, and cell junction morphology and quantification (ZO-1 and VE-cadherin). In conclusion this in vitro study provided new insights on the retinal protective role of vitamin D3, particularly as regard as the early phase of diabetic retinopathy, characterized by BRB breakdown and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Lazzara
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Longo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, Enna, Italy
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Settimio Rossi
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- *Correspondence: Claudio Bucolo,
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Mhalhel K, Montalbano G, Giurdanella G, Abbate F, Laurà R, Guerrera MC, Germanà A, Levanti M. Histological and immunohistochemical study of gilthead seabream tongue from the early stage of development: TRPV4 potential roles. Ann Anat 2022; 244:151985. [PMID: 35914630 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2022.151985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Taste buds, the morphofunctional units for taste perception, transduce gustatory stimuli using G protein-coupled receptors, and a complex arrangement of ion channels, among which TRPV4, a member of the TRP superfamily. Studies on taste buds development on gilthead seabream are unknown, and the TRPV4 expression on fish taste cells studies were conducted only on zebrafish. METHODS In our study, we have investigated the histological features of the gilthead seabream tongue dorsal surface from the earliest stage of development using Masson trichrome with aniline blue staining. Additionally, TRPV4 expression pattern was studied by means of immunohistochemical labeling and quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS We have recorded for the first time on gilthead seabream lingual dorsal surface the presence of, stage specific, three types of taste buds: type I, type II and type III in larvae, juvenile and adults respectively. At 40 days post hatching, taste buds were mature-looking. TRPV4 expression was detected in a subpopulation of taste cells of larvae, juveniles, and adults. Furthermore, TRPV4 was expressed in the basal epithelial cells of the tongue at the larvae and juvenile stage, while this expression pattern was more diffused within all the epithelial cell layers on the adult. CONCLUSION Our findings presume a taste sensory role of TRPV4 in the three stage-specific taste buds and oral epithelia of gilthead seabream. In addition to its sensory role on the epithelial cell layers, we hypothesize that TRPV4 is implicated in epithelial cells differentiation and membrane protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamel Mhalhel
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Via Palatucci snc, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Montalbano
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Via Palatucci snc, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Faculty of Medicine and surgery, ''Kore'' University of Enna, Contrada Santa Panasia, 94100 Enna, Italy
| | - Francesco Abbate
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Via Palatucci snc, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosaria Laurà
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Via Palatucci snc, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Guerrera
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Via Palatucci snc, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Germanà
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Via Palatucci snc, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Levanti
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Via Palatucci snc, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy.
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Giurdanella G, Longo A, Distefano A, Olivieri M, Cristaldi M, Cosentino A, Agafonova A, Caporarello N, Lupo G, Anfuso CD. The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of the β1-Adrenergic Receptor Antagonist Metoprolol on High Glucose Treated Human Microvascular Retinal Endothelial Cells. Cells 2021; 11:cells11010051. [PMID: 35011613 PMCID: PMC8750370 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010051] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperglycemia-induced impairment of the blood-retinal barrier represents the main pathological event in diabetic retinopathy that is elicited by a reduced cellular response to an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased inflammation. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether the selective β1-adrenoreceptor (β1-AR) antagonist metoprolol could modulate the inflammatory response to hyperglycemic conditions. For this purpose, human retinal endothelial cells (HREC) were treated with normal (5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM, HG) in the presence of metoprolol (10 μM), epinephrine (1 μM), or both compounds. Metoprolol prevented both the HG-induced reduction of cell viability (MTT assays) and the modulation of the angiogenic potential of HREC (tube formation assays) reducing the TNF-α, IL-1β, and VEGF mRNA levels (qRT-PCR). Moreover, metoprolol prevented the increase in phospho-ERK1/2, phospho-cPLA2, COX2, and protein levels (Western blot) as well as counteracting the translocation of ERK1/2 and cPLA2 (high-content screening). Metoprolol reduced ROS accumulation in HG-stimulated HREC by activating the anti-oxidative cellular response mediated by the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. In conclusion, metoprolol exerted a dual effect on HG-stimulated HREC, decreasing the activation of the pro-inflammatory ERK1/2/cPLA2/COX2 axis, and counteracting ROS accumulation by activating the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Giurdanella
- Biochemistry Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (A.D.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.D.A.)
| | - Anna Longo
- Biochemistry Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (A.D.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.D.A.)
| | - Alfio Distefano
- Biochemistry Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (A.D.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.D.A.)
| | - Melania Olivieri
- U.O. Clinical Pathology, Department of Hematology, AUSL Romagna, 47522 Cesena, Italy;
| | | | - Alessia Cosentino
- Biochemistry Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (A.D.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.D.A.)
| | - Aleksandra Agafonova
- Biochemistry Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (A.D.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.D.A.)
| | - Nunzia Caporarello
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Biochemistry Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (A.D.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.D.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Biochemistry Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (A.D.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.D.A.)
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Mannino G, Cristaldi M, Giurdanella G, Perrotta RE, Lo Furno D, Giuffrida R, Rusciano D. ARPE-19 conditioned medium promotes neural differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. World J Stem Cells 2021; 13:1783-1796. [PMID: 34909123 PMCID: PMC8641022 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i11.1783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been increasingly explored for cell-based medicine because of their numerous advantages in terms of easy availability, high proliferation rate, multipotent differentiation ability and low immunogenicity. In this respect, they have been widely investigated in the last two decades to develop therapeutic strategies for a variety of human pathologies including eye disease. In ocular diseases involving the retina, various cell types may be affected, such as Müller cells, astrocytes, photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which plays a fundamental role in the homeostasis of retinal tissue, by secreting a variety of growth factors that support retinal cells.
AIM To test ASC neural differentiation using conditioned medium (CM) from an RPE cell line (ARPE-19).
METHODS ASCs were isolated from adipose tissue, harvested from the subcutaneous region of healthy donors undergoing liposuction procedures. Four ASC culture conditions were investigated: ASCs cultured in basal Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM); ASCs cultured in serum-free DMEM; ASCs cultured in serum-free DMEM/F12; and ASCs cultured in a CM from ARPE-19, a spontaneously arising cell line with a normal karyotype derived from a human RPE. Cell proliferation rate and viability were assessed by crystal violet and MTT assays at 1, 4 and 8 d of culture. At the same time points, ASC neural differentiation was evaluated by immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis for typical neuronal and glial markers: Nestin, neuronal specific enolase (NSE), protein gene product (PGP) 9.5, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).
RESULTS Depending on the culture medium, ASC proliferation rate and viability showed some significant differences. Overall, less dense populations were observed in serum-free cultures, except for ASCs cultured in ARPE-19 serum-free CM. Moreover, a different cell morphology was seen in these cultures after 8 d of treatment, with more elongated cells, often showing cytoplasmic ramifications. Immunofluorescence results and western blot analysis were indicative of ASC neural differentiation. In fact, basal levels of neural markers detected under control conditions significantly increased when cells were cultured in ARPE-19 CM. Specifically, neural marker overexpression was more marked at 8 d. The most evident increase was observed for NSE and GFAP, a modest increase was observed for nestin, and less relevant changes were observed for PGP9.5.
CONCLUSION The presence of growth factors produced by ARPE-19 cells in tissue culture induces ASCs to express neural differentiation markers typical of the neuronal and glial cells of the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Mannino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, CT, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, CT, Italy
| | - Rosario Emanuele Perrotta
- Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgery Specialties, University of Catania, Catania 95100, CT, Italy
| | - Debora Lo Furno
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, CT, Italy
| | - Rosario Giuffrida
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, CT, Italy
| | - Dario Rusciano
- Research Center, SOOFT-Italia S.p.A., Catania 95123, CT, Italy
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9
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Burgaletto C, Platania CBM, Di Benedetto G, Munafò A, Giurdanella G, Federico C, Caltabiano R, Saccone S, Conti F, Bernardini R, Bucolo C, Cantarella G. Targeting the miRNA-155/TNFSF10 network restrains inflammatory response in the retina in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:905. [PMID: 34611142 PMCID: PMC8492692 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04165-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) share common features such as amyloid-β (Aβ) protein accumulation. Retinal deposition of Aβ aggregates in AMD patients has suggested a potential link between AMD and AD. In the present study, we analyzed the expression pattern of a focused set of miRNAs, previously found to be involved in both AD and AMD, in the retina of a triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD) at different time-points. Several miRNAs were differentially expressed in the retina of 3xTg-AD mice, compared to the retina of age-matched wild-type (WT) mice. In particular, bioinformatic analysis revealed that miR-155 had a central role in miRNA-gene network stability, regulating several pathways, including apoptotic and inflammatory signaling pathways modulated by TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TNFSF10). We showed that chronic treatment of 3xTg-AD mice with an anti-TNFSF10 monoclonal antibody was able to inhibit the retinal expression of miR-155, which inversely correlated with the expression of its molecular target SOCS-1. Moreover, the fine-tuned mechanism related to TNFSF10 immunoneutralization was tightly linked to modulation of TNFSF10 itself and its death receptor TNFRSF10B, along with cytokine production by microglia, reactive gliosis, and specific AD-related neuropathological hallmarks (i.e., Aβ deposition and Tau phosphorylation) in the retina of 3xTg-AD mice. In conclusion, immunoneutralization of TNFSF10 significantly preserved the retinal tissue in 3xTg-AD mice, suggesting its potential therapeutic application in retinal degenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Burgaletto
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Giulia Di Benedetto
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Munafò
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Concetta Federico
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Section of Animal Biology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Caltabiano
- Department Gian Filippo Ingrassia, Section of Anatomic Pathology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Saccone
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Section of Animal Biology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Federica Conti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Renato Bernardini
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy. .,Clinical Toxicology Unit, University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Cantarella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
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10
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Barbaraci C, Giurdanella G, Leotta CG, Longo A, Amata E, Dichiara M, Pasquinucci L, Turnaturi R, Prezzavento O, Cacciatore I, Zuccarello E, Lupo G, Pitari GM, Anfuso CD, Marrazzo A. Haloperidol Metabolite II Valproate Ester ( S)-(-)-MRJF22: Preliminary Studies as a Potential Multifunctional Agent Against Uveal Melanoma. J Med Chem 2021; 64:13622-13632. [PMID: 34477381 PMCID: PMC8474110 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Increased angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels contribute to higher metastasis and mortality in uveal melanoma (UM), an aggressive malignancy of the eye in adults. (±)-MRJF22, a prodrug of the sigma (σ) ligand haloperidol metabolite II conjugated with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor valproic acid, has previously demonstrated a promising antiangiogenic activity. Herein, the asymmetric synthesis of (R)-(+)-MRJF22 and (S)-(-)-MRJF22 was performed to investigate their contribution to (±)-MRJF22 antiangiogenic effects in human retinal endothelial cells (HREC) and to assess their therapeutic potential in primary human uveal melanoma (UM) 92-1 cell line. While both enantiomers displayed almost identical capabilities to reduce cell viability than the racemic mixture, (S)-(-)-MRJF22 exhibited the highest antimigratory effects in endothelial and tumor cells. Given the fundamental contribution of cell motility to cancer progression, (S)-(-)-MRJF22 may represent a promising candidate for novel antimetastatic therapy in patients with UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Barbaraci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.,Vera Salus Ricerca S.r.l., Via Sigmund Freud 62/B, 96100 Siracusa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Anna Longo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Dichiara
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Orazio Prezzavento
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Ivana Cacciatore
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti Scalo, Italy
| | - Elisa Zuccarello
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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11
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Mannino G, Russo C, Longo A, Anfuso CD, Lupo G, Lo Furno D, Giuffrida R, Giurdanella G. Potential therapeutic applications of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of eye diseases. World J Stem Cells 2021; 13:632-644. [PMID: 34249232 PMCID: PMC8246249 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i6.632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-based treatments have been extensively explored in the last few decades to develop therapeutic strategies aimed at providing effective alternatives for those human pathologies in which surgical or pharmacological therapies produce limited effects. Among stem cells of different sources, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer several advantages, such as the absence of ethical concerns, easy harvesting, low immunogenicity and reduced tumorigenesis risks. Other than a multipotent differentiation ability, MSCs can release extracellular vesicles conveying proteins, mRNA and microRNA. Thanks to these properties, new therapeutic approaches have been designed for the treatment of various pathologies, including ocular diseases. In this review, the use of different MSCs and different administration strategies are described for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa. In a large number of investigations, positive results have been obtained by in vitro experiments and by MSC administration in animal models. Most authors agree that beneficial effects are likely related to MSC paracrine activity. Based on these considerations, many clinical trials have already been carried out. Overall, although some adverse effects have been described, promising outcomes are reported. It can be assumed that in the near future, safer and more effective protocols will be developed for more numerous clinical applications to improve the quality of life of patients affected by eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Mannino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Cristina Russo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Anna Longo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Debora Lo Furno
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Rosario Giuffrida
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
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12
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Giurdanella G, Longo A, Salerno L, Romeo G, Intagliata S, Lupo G, Distefano A, Platania CBM, Bucolo C, Li Volti G, Anfuso CD, Pittalà V. Glucose-impaired Corneal Re-epithelialization Is Promoted by a Novel Derivate of Dimethyl Fumarate. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10060831. [PMID: 34067436 PMCID: PMC8224583 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10060831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucose induces corneal epithelial dysfunctions characterized by delayed wound repair. Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mediates cell protection mechanisms even through the Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) up-regulation. Here, we synthesized new HO-1 inducers by modifying dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and used docking studies to select VP13/126 as a promising compound with the best binding energy to Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (keap1), which is the the regulator of Nrf2 nuclear translocation. We verified if VP13/126 protects SIRC cells from hyperglycemia compared to DMF. SIRC were cultured in normal (5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM, HG) in presence of DMF (1–25 μM) or VP13/126 (0.1–5 μM) with or without ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (15 μM). VP13/126 was more effective than DMF in the prevention of HG-induced reduction of cell viability and proliferation. Reduction of wound closure induced by HG was similarly counteracted by 1 μM VP13/126 and 10 μM DMF. VP13/126 strongly increased phospho/total ERK1/2 and restored HO-1 protein in HG-treated SIRC; these effects are completely counteracted by PD98059. Moreover, high-content screening analysis showed a higher rate of Nrf2 nuclear translocation induced by VP13/126 than DMF in HG-stimulated SIRC. These data indicate that VP13/126 exerts remarkable pro-survival properties in HG-stimulated SIRC, promoting the Nrf2/HO-1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (G.L.); (A.D.); (G.L.V.)
| | - Anna Longo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (G.L.); (A.D.); (G.L.V.)
| | - Loredana Salerno
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (L.S.); (G.R.); (S.I.)
| | - Giuseppe Romeo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (L.S.); (G.R.); (S.I.)
| | - Sebastiano Intagliata
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (L.S.); (G.R.); (S.I.)
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (G.L.); (A.D.); (G.L.V.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Alfio Distefano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (G.L.); (A.D.); (G.L.V.)
| | - Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Li Volti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (G.L.); (A.D.); (G.L.V.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (G.L.); (A.D.); (G.L.V.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy;
- Correspondence: (C.D.A.); (V.P.); Tel.: +39-095-478-1170 (C.D.A.); +39-095-738-4269 (V.P.)
| | - Valeria Pittalà
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (L.S.); (G.R.); (S.I.)
- Correspondence: (C.D.A.); (V.P.); Tel.: +39-095-478-1170 (C.D.A.); +39-095-738-4269 (V.P.)
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13
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Mannino G, Gennuso F, Giurdanella G, Conti F, Drago F, Salomone S, Furno DL, Bucolo C, Giuffrida R. Pericyte-like differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells: An in vitro study. World J Stem Cells 2020; 12:1152-1170. [PMID: 33178398 PMCID: PMC7596446 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v12.i10.1152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [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: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are characterized by long-term self-renewal and a high proliferation rate. Under adequate conditions, they may differentiate into cells belonging to mesodermal, endodermal or ectodermal lineages. Pericytes support endothelial cells and play an important role in stabilizing the vessel wall at the microcirculation level. The loss of pericytes, as occurs in diabetic retinopathy, results in a breakdown of the blood-retina barrier (BRB) and infiltration of inflammatory cells. In this context, the use of pericyte-like differentiated ASCs may represent a valuable therapeutic strategy for restoring BRB damage.
AIM To test in vitro strategies to obtain pericyte-like differentiation of human ASCs (hASCs).
METHODS Different culture conditions were tested: hASCs cultured in a basal medium supplemented with transforming growth factor β1; and hASCs cultured in a specific pericyte medium (PM-hASCs). In a further sample, pericyte growth supplement was omitted from the PM. In addition, cultures of human retinal pericytes (hRPCs) were used for comparison. Pericyte-like differentiation of hASCs was tested by immunocytochemical staining and western blotting to evaluate the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2). Interactions between human retinal endothelial cells (hRECs) and different groups of hASCs were investigated in co-culture experiments. In these cases, the expression of typical junctional proteins such as vascular endothelial-Cadherin, zonula occludens-1 and Occludin were assessed in hRECs. In an in vitro model of the BRB, values of trans-endothelial electrical resistance were measured when hRECs were co-cultured with various groups of pretreated hASCs. The values observed were compared with co-cultures of hRECs and hRPCs as well as with cultures of hRECs alone. Three-dimensional co-cultures of hRECs and hRPCs or pericyte-like hASCs in Matrigel were designed to assess their reciprocal localization.
RESULTS After 3-6 d of culture, α-SMA and NG2 immunocytochemistry showed that the closest pericyte-like phenotype was observed when hASCs were cultured in Pericyte Medium (PM-hASCs). In particular, α-SMA immunoreactivity, already visible at the basal level in pericytes and ASCs, was strongly increased only when transforming growth factor was added to the culture medium. NG2 expression, almost undetectable in most conditions, was substantially increased only in PM-hASCs. Immunocytochemical results were confirmed by western blot analysis. The presence of pericyte growth supplement seems to increase NG2 expression rather than α-SMA, in agreement with its role in maintaining pericytes in the proliferative state. In co-culture experiments, immunoreactivity of vascular endothelial-Cadherin, zonula occludens-1 and Occludin was considerably increased in hRECs when hRPCs or PM-hASCs were also present. Supporting results were found by trans-endothelial electrical resistance measurements, gathered at 3 and 6 d of co-culture. The highest resistance values were obtained when hRECs were co-cultured with hRPCs or PM-hASCs. The pericyte-like phenotype of PM-hASCs was also confirmed in three-dimensional co-cultures in Matrigel, where PM-hASCs and hRPCs similarly localized around the tubular formations made by hRECs.
CONCLUSION PM-hASCs seem able to strengthen the intercellular junctions between hRECs, likely reinforcing the BRB; thus, hASC-based therapeutic approaches may be developed to restore the integrity of retinal microcirculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Mannino
- Physiology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Florinda Gennuso
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Biochemistry Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Federica Conti
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Debora Lo Furno
- Physiology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Rosario Giuffrida
- Physiology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
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14
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Stark T, Di Bartolomeo M, Di Marco R, Drazanova E, Platania CBM, Iannotti FA, Ruda-Kucerova J, D'Addario C, Kratka L, Pekarik V, Piscitelli F, Babinska Z, Fedotova J, Giurdanella G, Salomone S, Sulcova A, Bucolo C, Wotjak CT, Starcuk Z, Drago F, Mechoulam R, Di Marzo V, Micale V. Altered dopamine D3 receptor gene expression in MAM model of schizophrenia is reversed by peripubertal cannabidiol treatment. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:114004. [PMID: 32360362 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Gestational methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) treatment produces offspring with adult phenotype relevant to schizophrenia, including positive- and negative-like symptoms, cognitive deficits, dopaminergic dysfunction, structural and functional abnormalities. Here we show that adult rats prenatally treated with MAM at gestational day 17 display significant increase in dopamine D3 receptor (D3) mRNA expression in prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus and nucleus accumbens, accompanied by increased expression of dopamine D2 receptor (D2) mRNA exclusively in the PFC. Furthermore, a significant change in the blood perfusion at the level of the circle of Willis and hippocampus, paralleled by the enlargement of lateral ventricles, was also detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. Peripubertal treatment with the non-euphoric phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (30 mg/kg) from postnatal day (PND) 19 to PND 39 was able to reverse in MAM exposed rats: i) the up-regulation of the dopamine D3 receptor mRNA (only partially prevented by haloperidol 0.6 mg/kg/day); and ii) the regional blood flow changes in MAM exposed rats. Molecular modelling predicted that cannabidiol could bind preferentially to dopamine D3 receptor, where it may act as a partial agonist according to conformation of ionic-lock, which is highly conserved in GPCRs. In summary, our results demonstrate that the mRNA expression of both dopamine D2 and D3 receptors is altered in the MAM model; however only the transcript levels of D3 are affected by cannabidiol treatment, likely suggesting that this gene might not only contribute to the schizophrenia symptoms but also represent an unexplored target for the antipsychotic activity of cannabidiol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Stark
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; RG "Neuronal Plasticity", Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Martina Di Bartolomeo
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Marco
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Eva Drazanova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Fabio Arturo Iannotti
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Naples, Italy
| | - Jana Ruda-Kucerova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Claudio D'Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Lucie Kratka
- Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Pekarik
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Naples, Italy
| | - Zuzana Babinska
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Julia Fedotova
- International Research Centre "Biotechnologies of the Third Millennium", ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, I.P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology RASci., St. Petersburg, Russian Federation; Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Alexandra Sulcova
- ICCI - International Cannabis and Cannabinoid Institute, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carsten T Wotjak
- RG "Neuronal Plasticity", Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & KO KG, Germany
| | - Zenon Starcuk
- Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Naples, Italy; Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada; Joint International Unit on Chemical and Biomolecular Research on the Microbiome and its Impact on Metabolic Health and Nutrition (UMI-MicroMeNu), Université Laval and Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.
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Caporarello N, D’Angeli F, Cambria MT, Candido S, Giallongo C, Salmeri M, Lombardo C, Longo A, Giurdanella G, Anfuso CD, Lupo G. Pericytes in Microvessels: From "Mural" Function to Brain and Retina Regeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20246351. [PMID: 31861092 PMCID: PMC6940987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20246351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [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: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pericytes are branched cells located in the wall of capillary blood vessels that are found throughout the body, embedded within the microvascular basement membrane and wrapping endothelial cells, with which they establish a strong physical contact. Pericytes regulate angiogenesis, vessel stabilization, and contribute to the formation of both the blood-brain and blood-retina barriers by Angiopoietin-1/Tie-2, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF) signaling pathways, regulating pericyte-endothelial cell communication. Human pericytes that have been cultured for a long period give rise to multilineage progenitor cells and exhibit mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) features. We focused our attention on the roles of pericytes in brain and ocular diseases. In particular, pericyte involvement in brain ischemia, brain tumors, diabetic retinopathy, and uveal melanoma is described. Several molecules, such as adenosine and nitric oxide, are responsible for pericyte shrinkage during ischemia-reperfusion. Anti-inflammatory molecules, such as IL-10, TGFβ, and MHC-II, which are increased in glioblastoma-activated pericytes, are responsible for tumor growth. As regards the eye, pericytes play a role not only in ocular vessel stabilization, but also as a stem cell niche that contributes to regenerative processes in diabetic retinopathy. Moreover, pericytes participate in melanoma cell extravasation and the genetic ablation of the PDGF receptor reduces the number of pericytes and aberrant tumor microvessel formation with important implications for therapy efficacy. Thanks to their MSC features, pericytes could be considered excellent candidates to promote nervous tissue repair and for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Caporarello
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Floriana D’Angeli
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.D.); (M.T.C.); (A.L.); (G.G.)
| | - Maria Teresa Cambria
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.D.); (M.T.C.); (A.L.); (G.G.)
| | - Saverio Candido
- Section of General and Clinical Pathology and Oncology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Cesarina Giallongo
- Section of Haematology, Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Mario Salmeri
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.); (C.L.)
| | - Cinzia Lombardo
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.); (C.L.)
| | - Anna Longo
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.D.); (M.T.C.); (A.L.); (G.G.)
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.D.); (M.T.C.); (A.L.); (G.G.)
| | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.D.); (M.T.C.); (A.L.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (C.D.A.); Tel.: +39-095-4781158 (G.L.); +39-095-4781170 (C.D.A.)
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.D.); (M.T.C.); (A.L.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (C.D.A.); Tel.: +39-095-4781158 (G.L.); +39-095-4781170 (C.D.A.)
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16
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Lazzara F, Fidilio A, Platania CBM, Giurdanella G, Salomone S, Leggio GM, Tarallo V, Cicatiello V, De Falco S, Eandi CM, Drago F, Bucolo C. Aflibercept regulates retinal inflammation elicited by high glucose via the PlGF/ERK pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 168:341-351. [PMID: 31351870 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a secondary complication of diabetes. DR can cause irreversible blindness, and its pathogenesis is considered multifactorial. DR can progress from non-proliferative DR to proliferative DR, characterized by retinal neovascularization. The main cause of vision loss in diabetic patients is diabetic macular edema, caused by vessel leakage and blood retinal barrier breakdown. Currently, aflibercept is an anti-VEGF approved for diabetic macular edema. Aflibercept can bind several members of vascular permeability factors, namely VEGF-A, B, and PlGF. We analyzed the aflibercept-PlGF complex at molecular level, through an in silico approach. In order to explore the role of PlGF in DR, we treated primary human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) and mouse retinal epithelial cells (RPEs) with aflibercept and an anti-PlGF antibody. We explored the hypothesis that aflibercept has anti-inflammatory action through blocking of PlGF signaling and the ERK axis in an in vitro and in vivo model of DR. Both aflibercept and the anti-PlGF antibody exerted protective effects on retinal cells, by inhibition of the ERK pathway. Moreover, aflibercept significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the expression of TNF-α in an in vitro and in vivo model of DR. Therefore, our data suggest that inhibition of PlGF signaling, or a selective blocking, may be useful in the management of early phases of DR when the inflammatory process is largely involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Lazzara
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Annamaria Fidilio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Valeria Tarallo
- Angiogenesis LAB, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati-Traverso", CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Cicatiello
- Angiogenesis LAB, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati-Traverso", CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro De Falco
- Angiogenesis LAB, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati-Traverso", CNR, Naples, Italy; ANBITION s.r.l, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Maria Eandi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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17
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Stark T, Ruda-Kucerova J, Iannotti FA, D'Addario C, Di Marco R, Pekarik V, Drazanova E, Piscitelli F, Bari M, Babinska Z, Giurdanella G, Di Bartolomeo M, Salomone S, Sulcova A, Maccarrone M, Wotjak CT, Starcuk Z, Drago F, Mechoulam R, Di Marzo V, Micale V. Peripubertal cannabidiol treatment rescues behavioral and neurochemical abnormalities in the MAM model of schizophrenia. Neuropharmacology 2019; 146:212-221. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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18
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Leggio GM, Di Marco R, Gulisano W, D'Ascenzo M, Torrisi SA, Geraci F, Lavanco G, Dahl K, Giurdanella G, Castorina A, Aitta-Aho T, Aceto G, Bucolo C, Puzzo D, Grassi C, Korpi ER, Drago F, Salomone S. Dopaminergic-GABAergic interplay and alcohol binge drinking. Pharmacol Res 2019; 141:384-391. [PMID: 30648615 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The dopamine D3 receptor (D3R), in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), plays an important role in alcohol reward mechanisms. The major neuronal type within the NAc is the GABAergic medium spiny neuron (MSN), whose activity is regulated by dopaminergic inputs. We previously reported that genetic deletion or pharmacological blockade of D3R increases GABAA α6 subunit in the ventral striatum. Here we tested the hypothesis that D3R-dependent changes in GABAA α6 subunit in the NAc affect voluntary alcohol intake, by influencing the inhibitory transmission of MSNs. We performed in vivo and ex vivo experiments in D3R knockout (D3R -/-) mice and wild type littermates (D3R +/+). Ro 15-4513, a high affinity α6-GABAA ligand was used to study α6 activity. At baseline, NAc α6 expression was negligible in D3R+/+, whereas it was robust in D3R-/-; other relevant GABAA subunits were not changed. In situ hybridization and qPCR confirmed α6 subunit mRNA expression especially in the NAc. In the drinking-in-the-dark paradigm, systemic administration of Ro 15-4513 inhibited alcohol intake in D3R+/+, but increased it in D3R-/-; this was confirmed by intra-NAc administration of Ro 15-4513 and furosemide, a selective α6-GABAA antagonist. Whole-cell patch-clamp showed peak amplitudes of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in NAc medium spiny neurons higher in D3R-/- compared to D3R+/+; Ro 15-4513 reduced the peak amplitude in the NAc of D3R-/-, but not in D3R+/+. We conclude that D3R-dependent enhanced expression of α6 GABAA subunit inhibits voluntary alcohol intake by increasing GABA inhibition in the NAc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Marco
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Walter Gulisano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marcello D'Ascenzo
- Institute of Human Physiology, Medical School, Università Cattolica, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Sebastiano Alfio Torrisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Federica Geraci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gianluca Lavanco
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Kristiina Dahl
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandro Castorina
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Teemu Aitta-Aho
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giuseppe Aceto
- Institute of Human Physiology, Medical School, Università Cattolica, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Medical School, Università Cattolica, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Esa R Korpi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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19
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Giurdanella G, Montalbano G, Gennuso F, Brancati S, Lo Furno D, Augello A, Bucolo C, Drago F, Salomone S. Isolation, cultivation, and characterization of primary bovine cochlear pericytes: A new in vitro model of stria vascularis. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:1978-1986. [PMID: 30317595 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The study of strial pericytes has gained great interest as they are pivotal for the physiology of stria vascularis. To provide an easily accessible in vitro model, here we described a growth medium-based approach to obtain and cultivate primary bovine cochlear pericytes (BCP) from the stria vascularis of explanted bovine cochleae. We obtained high-quality pericytes in 8-10 days with a > 90% purity after the second passage. Immunocytochemical analysis showed a homogeneous population of cells expressing typical pericyte markers, such as neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2), platelet-derived growth factor receptorβ (PDGFRβ), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and negative for the endothelial marker von Willebrand factor. When challenged with tumor necrosis factor or lipopolysaccharide, BCP changed their shape, similarly to human retinal pericytes (HRPC). The sensitivity of BCP to ototoxic drugs was evaluated by challenging with cisplatin or gentamicin for 48 hr. Compared to human retinal endothelial cells and HRPC, cell viability of BCP was significantly lower ( p < 0.05) after the treatment with gentamicin or cisplatin. These data indicate that our protocol provides a simple and reliable method to obtain highly pure strial BCP. Furthermore, BCP are suitable to assess the safety profile of molecules which supposedly exert ototoxic activity, and may represent a valid alternative to in vivo tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Montalbano
- Department of Veterinary Sciences and Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, University of Messina, Messina, Italia
| | - Florinda Gennuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Serena Brancati
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Debora Lo Furno
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Augello
- ASP Catania Dipartimento di Prevenzione Veterinaria, Servizio Igiene degli Alimenti di Origine Animale (SIAOA), Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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20
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Platania CBM, Fidilio A, Lazzara F, Piazza C, Geraci F, Giurdanella G, Leggio GM, Salomone S, Drago F, Bucolo C. Retinal Protection and Distribution of Curcumin in Vitro and in Vivo. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:670. [PMID: 30013474 PMCID: PMC6036289 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a secondary complication of diabetes, is a leading cause of irreversible blindness accounting for 5% of world blindness cases in working age. Oxidative stress and inflammation are considered causes of DR. Curcumin, a product with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, is currently proposed as oral supplementation therapy for retinal degenerative diseases, including DR. In this study we predicted the pharmacodynamic profile of curcumin through an in silico approach. Furthermore, we tested the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin on human retinal pigmented epithelial cells exposed to oxidative stress, human retinal endothelial and human retinal pericytes (HRPCs) cultured with high glucose. Because currently marketed curcumin nutraceutical products have not been so far evaluated for their ocular bioavailability; we assessed retinal distribution of curcumin, following oral administration, in rabbit eye. Curcumin (10 μM) decreased significantly (p < 0.01) ROS concentration and TNF-α release in retinal pigmented epithelial cells and retinal endothelial cells, respectively. The same curcumin concentration significantly (p < 0.01) protected retinal pericytes from high glucose damage as assessed by cell viability and LDH release. Among the tested formulations, only that containing a hydrophilic carrier provided therapeutic levels of curcumin in rabbit retina. In conclusion, our data suggest that curcumin, when properly formulated, may be of value in clinical practice to manage retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara B M Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Annamaria Fidilio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Francesca Lazzara
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Federica Geraci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology - CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology - CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology - CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology - CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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21
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Leggio GM, Di Marco R, Torrisi SA, Giurdanella G, Dahl K, Caraci F, Bucolo C, Aitta-aho T, Korpi E, Drago F, Salomone S. S11-3DOPAMINE D3 RECEPTOR-DEPENDENT CHANGES IN GABAA RECEPTOR ALPHA 6 SUBUNIT EXPRESSION CONTROL VOLUNTARY ETHANOL INTAKE. Alcohol Alcohol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agx075.40] [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: 11/14/2022] Open
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22
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Villari A, Giurdanella G, Bucolo C, Drago F, Salomone S. Apixaban Enhances Vasodilatation Mediated by Protease-Activated Receptor 2 in Isolated Rat Arteries. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:480. [PMID: 28769809 PMCID: PMC5513931 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Apixaban (APX) is a direct inhibitor of factor X (FXa) approved for prophylaxis and treatment of deep venous thrombosis and atrial fibrillation. Because FXa activates protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) in endothelium and vascular smooth muscle, inhibition of FXa by APX may affect vasomotor function. The effect of APX was assessed in vitro, by wire myography, in rat mesenteric resistance arteries (MRAs) and basilar arteries challenged with vasoconstrictors [phenylephrine (PE); 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)], vasodilators [acetylcholine (ACh); sodium nitroprusside (SNP)] or with the PAR-2 peptide agonist SLIGRL. APX (10 μM) reduced the vasoconstriction to PE and 5-HT while did not change the vasodilatation to ACh or SNP. SLIGRL induced concentration-dependent vasodilation in pre-constricted arteries, that was reduced by incubation with the NO inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and abolished by endothelium removal. APX enhanced vasodilation to SLIGRL either in the presence or in the absence of L-NNA, but was ineffective in endothelium-denuded vessels. In preparations from heparin-treated rats (to inhibit FXa) APX did not change the vasodilation to SLIGRL. FXa enzymatic activity, detected in mesentery homogenates from controls, was inhibited by APX, whereas APX-sensitive enzymatic activity was undetectable in homogenates from heparin-treated rats. Immunoblot analysis showed that incubation of MRA or aorta with APX increased the abundance of PAR-2, an effect not seen in MRA from heparin-treated rats or in endothelium-denuded aortas. In conclusion, inhibition of FXa by APX increases vasodilatation mediated by PAR-2. APX may act by inhibiting PAR-2 desensitization induced by endogenous FXa. This effect could be useful in the context of endothelial dysfunction associated to cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Villari
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
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23
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Giurdanella G, Lazzara F, Caporarello N, Lupo G, Anfuso CD, Eandi CM, Leggio GM, Drago F, Bucolo C, Salomone S. Sulodexide prevents activation of the PLA2/COX-2/VEGF inflammatory pathway in human retinal endothelial cells by blocking the effect of AGE/RAGE. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 142:145-154. [PMID: 28651842 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.06.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [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: 04/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by the breakdown of endothelial blood-retinal barrier. We tested the hypothesis that sulodexide (SDX), a highly purified glycosaminoglycan composed of 80% iduronylglycosaminoglycan sulfate and 20% dermatan sulfate, protects human retinal endothelial cells (HREC) from high glucose (HG)-induced damage, through the suppression of inflammatory ERK/cPLA2/COX-2/PGE2 pathway, by blocking the effect of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). HREC were treated with HG (25mM) or AGEs (glycated-BSA, 2mg/ml) for 48h, with or without SDX (60μg/ml) or aflibercept (AFL, 40μg/ml), a VEGF-trap. SDX protected HREC from HG-induced damage (MTT and LDH release) and preserved their blood-retinal barrier-like properties (Trans Endothelial Electrical Resistance and junction proteins, claudin-5, VE-cadherin and occludin, immunofluorescence and immunoblot) as well as their angiogenic potential (Tube Formation Assay). Both HG and AGEs increased phosphoERK and phospho-cPLA2, an effect counteracted by SDX and, less efficiently, by AFL. Both HG and exogenous VEGF (80ng/ml) increased PGE2 release, an effect partially reverted by SDX for HG and by AFL for VEGF. Analysis of NFκB activity revealed that HG increased the abundance of p65 in the nuclear fraction (nuclear translocation), an effect entirely reverted by SDX, but only partially by AFL. SDX, AFL and SDX+AFL protected HREC even when added 24h after HG. These data show that SDX protects HREC from HG damage and suggest that it counteracts the activation of ERK/cPLA2/COX-2/PGE2 pathway by reducing AGE-related signaling and downstream NFκB activity. This mechanism, partially distinct from VEGF blockade, may contribute to the therapeutic effect of SDX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Francesca Lazzara
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Nunzia Caporarello
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Chiara M Eandi
- Institut de la Vision, UMRS_968 Inserm/Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Equipe 14, Paris, France; Department of Surgical Sciences, Eye Clinic, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology - CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology - CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology - CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology - CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Platania CBM, Giurdanella G, Di Paola L, Leggio GM, Drago F, Salomone S, Bucolo C. P2X7 receptor antagonism: Implications in diabetic retinopathy. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 138:130-139. [PMID: 28479300 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most frequent complication of diabetes and one of leading causes of blindness worldwide. Early phases of DR are characterized by retinal pericyte loss mainly related to concurrent inflammatory process. Recently, an important link between P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) and inflammation has been demonstrated indicating this receptor as potential pharmacological target in DR. Here we first carried out an in silico molecular modeling study in order to characterize the allosteric pocket in P2X7R, and identify a suitable P2X7R antagonist through molecular docking. JNJ47965567 was identified as the hit compound in docking calculations, as well as for its absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) profile. As an in vitro model of early diabetic retinopathy, human retinal pericytes were exposed to high glucose (25mM, 48h) that caused a significant (p<0.05) release of IL-1β and LDH. The block of P2X7R by JNJ47965567 significantly (p<0.05) reverted the damage elicited by high glucose, detected as IL-1β and LDH release. Overall, our findings suggest that the P2X7R represents an attractive pharmacological target to manage the early phase of diabetic retinopathy, and the compound JNJ47965567 is a good template to discover other P2X7R selective antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Luisa Di Paola
- School of Engineering, University Campus BioMedico, Roma, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology - CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology - CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology - CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology - CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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25
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Olivieri M, Amata E, Vinciguerra S, Fiorito J, Giurdanella G, Drago F, Caporarello N, Prezzavento O, Arena E, Salerno L, Rescifina A, Lupo G, Anfuso CD, Marrazzo A. Antiangiogenic Effect of (±)-Haloperidol Metabolite II Valproate Ester [(±)-MRJF22] in Human Microvascular Retinal Endothelial Cells. J Med Chem 2016; 59:9960-9966. [PMID: 27739690 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
(±)-MRJF22 [(±)-2], a novel prodrug of haloperidol metabolite II (sigma-1 receptor antagonist/sigma-2 receptor agonist ligand) obtained by conjugation to valproic acid (histone deacetylase inhibitor) via an ester bond, exhibits antiangiogenic activity, being able to reduce human retinal endothelial cell (HREC) viability in a comparable manner to bevacizumab. Moreover, (±)-2 was able to significantly reduce viable cells count, endothelial cell migration, and tube formation in vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) stimulated HREC cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melania Olivieri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Shila Vinciguerra
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Jole Fiorito
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Nunzia Caporarello
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Orazio Prezzavento
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuela Arena
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Loredana Salerno
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Rescifina
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania , Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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Giurdanella G, Anfuso CD, Olivieri M, Lupo G, Caporarello N, Eandi CM, Drago F, Bucolo C, Salomone S. Aflibercept, bevacizumab and ranibizumab prevent glucose-induced damage in human retinal pericytes in vitro, through a PLA2/COX-2/VEGF-A pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2015; 96:278-87. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2015.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Lupo G, Motta C, Giurdanella G, Anfuso CD, Alberghina M, Drago F, Salomone S, Bucolo C. Role of phospholipases A2 in diabetic retinopathy: in vitro and in vivo studies. Biochem Pharmacol 2013; 86:1603-13. [PMID: 24076420 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2013.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2013] [Revised: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness and the most common complication of diabetes with no cure available. We investigated the role of phospholipases A2 (PLA2) in diabetic retinopathy using an in vitro blood-retinal barrier model (BRB) and an in vivo streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic model. Mono- and co-cultures of endothelial cells (EC) and pericytes (PC), treated with high or fluctuating concentrations of glucose, to mimic the diabetic condition, were used. PLA2 activity, VEGF and PGE2 levels and cell proliferation were measured, with or without PLA2 inhibition. Diabetes was induced in rats by STZ injection and PLA2 activity along with VEGF, TNFα and ICAM-1 levels were measured in retina. High or fluctuating glucose induced BRB breakdown, and increased PLA2 activity, PGE2 and VEGF in EC/PC co-cultures; inhibition of PLA2 in mono- or co-cultures treated with high or fluctuating glucose dampened PGE2 and VEGF production down to the levels of controls. High or fluctuating glucose increased EC number and reduced PC number in co-cultures; these effects were reversed after transfecting EC with small interfering RNA targeted to PLA2. PLA2 and COX-2 protein expressions were significantly increased in microvessels from retina of diabetic rats. Diabetic rats had also high retinal levels of VEGF, ICAM-1 and TNFα that were reduced by treatment with a cPLA2 inhibitor. In conclusion, the present findings indicate that PLA2 upregulation represents an early step in glucose-induced alteration of BRB, possibly upstream of VEGF; thus, PLA2 may be an interesting target in managing diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Section of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Salmeri M, Motta C, Mastrojeni S, Amodeo A, Anfuso CD, Giurdanella G, Morello A, Alberghina M, Toscano MA, Lupo G. Involvement of PKCα-MAPK/ERK-phospholipase A(2) pathway in the Escherichia coli invasion of brain microvascular endothelial cells. Neurosci Lett 2012; 511:33-7. [PMID: 22306096 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2012.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2011] [Revised: 12/19/2011] [Accepted: 01/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Escherichia coli K1 is the most common Gram-negative organism that causes neonatal meningitis following penetration of the blood-brain barrier. In the present study we demonstrated the involvement of cytosolic (cPLA(2)) and calcium-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)) and the contribution of cyclooxygenase-2 products in E. coli invasion of microvascular endothelial cells. The traversal of bacteria did not determine trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and ZO-1 expression changes and was reduced by PLA(2)s siRNA. cPLA(2) and iPLA(2) enzyme activities and cPLA(2) phosphorylation were stimulated after E. coli incubation and were attenuated by PLA(2), PI3-K, ERK 1/2 inhibitors. Our results demonstrate the role of PKCα/ERK/MAPK signaling pathways in governing the E. coli penetration into the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Salmeri
- Dept. Scienze Bio-Mediche, University of Catania, Italy
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Giurdanella G, Motta C, Muriana S, Arena V, Anfuso CD, Lupo G, Alberghina M. Cytosolic and calcium-independent phospholipase A2 mediate glioma-enhanced proangiogenic activity of brain endothelial cells. Microvasc Res 2011; 81:1-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2010.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Revised: 10/15/2010] [Accepted: 11/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Anfuso CD, Lupo G, Romeo L, Giurdanella G, Motta C, Pascale A, Tirolo C, Marchetti B, Alberghina M. Endothelial cell-pericyte cocultures induce PLA2 protein expression through activation of PKCα and the MAPK/ERK cascade. J Lipid Res 2007; 48:782-93. [PMID: 17267947 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m600489-jlr200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the regulatory mechanisms of endothelial cell (EC) proliferation by retinal pericytes and vice versa. In a model of coculture with bovine retinal pericytes lasting for 24 h, rat brain ECs showed an increase in arachidonic acid (AA) release, whereas Western blot and RT-PCR analyses revealed that ECs activated the protein expression of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) and its phosphorylated form and calcium-independent intracellular phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)). No activation of the same enzymes was seen in companion pericytes. In ECs, the protein level of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was also enhanced significantly, a finding not observed in cocultured pericytes. The expression of protein kinase C-alpha (PKCalpha) and its phosphorylated form was also enhanced in ECs. Wortmannin, LY294002, and PD98059, used as inhibitors of upstream kinases (the PI3-kinase/Akt/PDK1 or MEK-1 pathway) in cultures, markedly attenuated AA release and the expression of phosphorylated forms of endothelial cPLA(2), PKCalpha, and ERK1/2. By confocal microscopy, activation of PKCalpha in perinuclear regions of ECs grown in coculture as well as strong activation of cPLA(2) in ECs taken from a model of mixed culture were clearly observed. However, no increased expression of both enzymes was found in cocultured pericytes. Our findings indicate that a sequential activation of PKCalpha contributes to endothelial ERK1/2 and cPLA(2) phosphorylation induced by either soluble factors or direct cell-to-cell contact, and that the PKCalpha-cPLA(2) pathway appears to play a key role in the early phase of EC-pericyte interactions regulating blood retina or blood-brain barrier maturation.
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Lupo G, Nicotra A, Giurdanella G, Anfuso CD, Romeo L, Biondi G, Tirolo C, Marchetti B, Ragusa N, Alberghina M. Activation of phospholipase A2 and MAP kinases by oxidized low-density lipoproteins in immortalized GP8.39 endothelial cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2005; 1735:135-50. [PMID: 15979399 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2005.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 04/01/2005] [Revised: 05/11/2005] [Accepted: 05/23/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In immortalized rat brain endothelial cells (GP8.39), we have previously shown that oxidized LDL (oxLDL), after 24-h treatment, stimulates arachidonic acid release and phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by activation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)). A putative role for MAPKs in this process has emerged. Here, we studied the contribution of Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)), and the role of the MAP kinase family as well as both cPLA(2) and iPLA(2) mRNA expression by RT-PCR in oxLDL toxicity to GP8.39 cells in vitro. The activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases ERK1/2, p38 and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) was assessed with Western blotting and kinase activity assays. iPLA(2) activity, which was found as a membrane-associated enzyme, was more stimulated by oxLDL compared with native LDL. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNKs was also significantly enhanced in a dose-dependent manner. PD98059, an ERK inhibitor, SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, and SP600125, an JNK inhibitor, abolished the stimulation of all three members of the MAPK family by oxLDL. Confocal microscopy analysis and subcellular fractionation confirmed either an increase in phosphorylated form of ERKs, p38 and JNKs, or their nuclear translocation upon activation. A strong inhibition of MAPK activation was also observed when endothelial cells were treated with GF109203X, a PKC inhibitor, indicating the important role of both PKC and all three MAPKs in mediating the maximal oxLDL response. Finally, compared with samples untreated or treated with native LDL, treatment with oxLDL (100 muM hydroperoxides) for 24 h significantly increased the levels of constitutively expressed iPLA(2) protein (by 5.1-fold) and mRNA (by 3.1-fold), as well as cPLA(2) protein (by 4.4-fold) and mRNA (by 1.5-fold). Together, these data link the stimulation of PKC-ERK-p38-JNK pathways and PLA(2) activity by oxLDL to the prooxidant mechanism of the lipoprotein complex, which may initially stimulate the endothelial cell reaction against noxious stimuli as well as metabolic repair, such as during inflammation and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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Nicotra A, Lupo G, Giurdanella G, Anfuso CD, Ragusa N, Tirolo C, Marchetti B, Alberghina M. MAPKs mediate the activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 by amyloid β(25–35) peptide in bovine retina pericytes. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2005; 1733:172-86. [PMID: 15863364 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2004.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 07/30/2004] [Revised: 10/15/2004] [Accepted: 12/28/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that, in bovine retina pericytes, amyloid beta(1-42) and its truncated form containing amino acids 25-35, after 24 h treatment, stimulate arachidonic acid (AA) release and phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis, by activation of both cytosolic (cPLA(2)) and Ca(2+)-independent (iPLA(2)) phospholipase A(2). A putative role for MAP kinases in this process emerged. Here we studied the role of the MAP-kinase family as well as both cPLA(2) and iPLA(2) mRNA expression by a semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the same sublethal model of amyloid-beta (Abeta) damage to pericytes in vitro. Abeta(25-35) peptide evoked AA release as well as stimulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPKs and cPLA(2), but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK/SAPK). PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK-activating kinase MEK-1, and SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 protein kinase, abolished the stimulation of AA release and MAPK activities. In cells stimulated by Abeta(25-35) peptide, Western blotting and confocal microscopy analyses confirmed either an increase in the phosphorylated form of ERKs and p38 or their nuclear translocation. A complete inhibition of MAPK activation and AA release was also observed when pericytes were treated with GF109203X, a general PKC inhibitor, indicating the important role of both PKC and the two MAPKs in mediating the Abeta peptide response. Compared with samples untreated or treated with reverse Abeta(35-25) peptide, pretreatment with 50 microM Abeta(25-35) for 24 h significantly increased the level of constitutively expressed iPLA(2) mRNA by 25%, which seems to depend on the activation of kinases. By contrast, the level of cPLA(2) mRNA remained unchanged. Together, these data link either the stimulation of PKC-ERK-p38 cascades or PLA(2) activity by Abeta peptide to prooxidant mechanism induced by amyloid, which may initially stimulate the cell reaction as well as metabolic repair, such as during inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Nicotra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Catania, Italy
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