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Cernera G, Gelzo M, De Placido P, Pietroluongo E, Raia M, Scalia G, Tortora M, Formisano P, Palmieri G, Giuliano M, Castaldo G. Serum biomarkers of inflammation and vascular damage upon SARS-Cov-2 mRNA vaccine in patients with thymic epithelial tumors. Clin Chem Lab Med 2024; 62:1198-1205. [PMID: 38232092 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2023-1283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Thymic epithelial tumors (TET) patients are at high risk of autoimmune and hypoimmune complications. Limited evidence is available on the potential risk of immune-related and inflammatory reactions induced by SARS-Cov-2 vaccine in this patient population. METHODS In order to identify subjects at higher risk for vaccine complications, we prospectively evaluated a panel of serum biomarkers related to inflammation (TNF-α, IL-1β, -6, -10, -12, and -17A, IFN-α, β and γ, MPO, MMP-9), and vascular damage (E- and P-selectin, VEGF-A, P-ANCA and MCP-1) in 44 TET patients and in 30 healthy controls along the whole SARS-Cov-2 vaccine cycle. RESULTS About 50 % of subjects (either TET and controls) showed an increase of serum biochemical markers of inflammation and endothelial damage with a large heterogeneity of values. Such increase appeared early, after the first dose in control subjects and later, after the second dose in TET patients (in which we observed mainly an increase of inflammatory biomarkers). The values normalized after about 3 months and did not increase after the third, booster dose. No autoimmune or vascular complications were observed in the study subjects and no difference was observed in terms of vaccine response among subjects showing serum biomarkers increase and those who experienced no changes. CONCLUSIONS Our data highlight the relevance of Sars-Cov-2 vaccine in TET patients, as it resulted safe and prevented severe COVID-19. However, further studies are awaited to explore the mechanisms and the potential consequences of the observed increase of serum inflammatory and vascular damage biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Cernera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Gelzo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro De Placido
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Erica Pietroluongo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Marianna Tortora
- Rare Tumors Coordinating Center of Campania Region (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Formisano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Mario Giuliano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Rare Tumors Coordinating Center of Campania Region (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
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Esposito S, Zollo I, Villella VR, Scialò F, Giordano S, Esposito MV, Salemme N, Di Domenico C, Cernera G, Zarrilli F, Castaldo G, Amato F. Identification of an ultra-rare Alu insertion in the CFTR gene: Pitfalls and challenges in genetic test interpretation. Clin Chim Acta 2024; 558:118317. [PMID: 38580140 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2024.118317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-limiting genetic disorder characterized by defective chloride ion transport due to mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Early detection through newborn screening programs significantly improves outcomes for individuals with CF by enabling timely intervention. Here, we report the identification of an Alu element insertion within the exon 15 of CFTR gene, initially overlooked in standard next-generation sequencing analyses. However, using traditional molecular techniques, based on polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing, allowed the identification of the Alu element and the reporting of a correct diagnosis. Our analysis, based on bioinformatics tools and molecular techniques, revealed that the Alu element insertion severely affects the gene expression, splicing patterns, and structure of CFTR protein. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of how the integration of human expertise and modern technologies represents a pivotal step forward in genomic medicine, ensuring the delivery of precision healthcare to individuals affected by genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Speranza Esposito
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; CEINGE- Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore, Naples, Italy
| | - Immacolata Zollo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; CEINGE- Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Rachela Villella
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; CEINGE- Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore, Naples, Italy
| | - Filippo Scialò
- CEINGE- Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore, Naples, Italy; Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Sonia Giordano
- AORN Ospedali dei Colli-Monaldi-Cotugno-CTO, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Nunzia Salemme
- San Giuseppe and Melorio Hospital, Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Caserta, Italy
| | | | - Gustavo Cernera
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; CEINGE- Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Zarrilli
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; CEINGE- Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; CEINGE- Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore, Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Amato
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; CEINGE- Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore, Naples, Italy.
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Cernera G, Liguori R, Bruzzese D, Castaldo G, De Placido G, Conforti A, Amato F, Alviggi C, Comegna M. The relevance of prothrombotic genetic variants in women who experienced pregnancy loss or embryo implantation failure: A retrospective analysis of 1922 cases. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024; 165:148-154. [PMID: 38112221 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was that to assess the allelic and genotype frequencies of nine prothrombotic gene variants in patients with a history of pregnancy loss and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Women who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART) with ongoing pregnancy and those with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) were also included. METHODS Nine prothrombotic gene variants were evaluated: factor V Leiden (FVL), factor V, H1299R variant (FVR2), factor II (FII) G20210A, methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C, beta-fibrinogen -455G>A, factor XIII (FXIII) V34L, human platelet antigen-1 (HPA-1) L33P variants, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G. The following study groups were assessed: (1) women who experienced one (n = 334) or two (n = 264) episodes of pregnancy loss; (2) 468 women who experienced RPL; (3) 214 women who underwent ART followed by ongoing pregnancies; and (4) 282 women who experienced RIF after ART, that is, three or more consecutive implantation failures following high-quality embryo transfers to the uterus with an appropriate endometrium. As control group, 430 subjects from the general population were enrolled. RESULTS FVL, the -455G>A variant of beta-fibrinogen, and PAI-1 4G were associated with a higher risk of developing RPL compared with the general population. Furthermore, FVL, FVR2, FII G20210A and MTHFR C677T conferred a significantly higher risk of RIF in women who performed ART compared with the general population. No statistical differences between the general population and other study groups were observed. CONCLUSIONS Specific prothrombotic genetic variants are more frequently expressed in women with RPL and RIF, supporting their role in the development of polimicrothrombosis and impairing the invasion during embryo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Cernera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Renato Liguori
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Bruzzese
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Placido
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze Riproduttive e Odontostomatologiche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Conforti
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze Riproduttive e Odontostomatologiche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Amato
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Alviggi
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marika Comegna
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, Naples, Italy
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Scialò F, Cernera G, Esposito S, Pinchera B, Gentile I, Di Domenico M, Bianco A, Pastore L, Amato F, Castaldo G. The MBL2 genotype relates to COVID-19 severity and may help to select the optimal therapy. Clin Chem Lab Med 2023; 61:2143-2149. [PMID: 37313996 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2023-0183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sars-CoV-2 acute infection is clinically heterogeneous, ranging from asymptomatic cases to patients with a severe, systemic clinical course. Among the involved factors age and preexisting morbidities play a major role; genetic host susceptibility contributes to modulating the clinical expression and outcome of the disease. Mannose-binding lectin is an acute-phase protein that activates the lectin-complement pathway, promotes opsonophagocytosis and modulates inflammation, and is involved in several bacterial and viral infections in humans. Understanding its role in Sars-CoV-2 infection could help select a better therapy. METHODS We studied MBL2 haplotypes in 419 patients with acute COVID-19 in comparison to the general population and related the haplotypes to clinical and laboratory markers of severity. RESULTS We recorded an enhanced frequency of MBL2 null alleles in patients with severe acute COVID-19. The homozygous null genotypes were significantly more frequent in patients with advanced WHO score 4-7 (OR of about 4) and related to more severe inflammation, neutrophilia, and lymphopenia. CONCLUSIONS Subjects with a defective MBL2 genotype (i.e., 0/0) are predisposed to a more severe acute Sars-CoV-2 infection; they may benefit from early replacement therapy with recombinant MBL. Furthermore, a subset of subjects with the A/A MBL genotype develop a relevant increase of serum MBL during the early phases of the disease and develop a more severe pulmonary disease; in these patients, the targeting of the complement may help. Therefore, COVID-19 patients should be tested at hospitalization with serum MBL analysis and MBL2 genotype, to define the optimal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Scialò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Biagio Pinchera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ivan Gentile
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marina Di Domenico
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Bianco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Lucio Pastore
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Amato
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
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Pietroluongo E, De Placido P, Tortora M, Martinelli C, Viggiano A, Saponaro MR, Caltavituro A, Buonaiuto R, Morra R, Ottaviano M, Del Deo V, Cernera G, Gelzo M, Malfitano AM, Di Tolla MF, De Angelis C, Arpino G, Terracciano D, Bianco R, Veneziani BM, Formisano P, Castaldo G, Palmieri G, De Placido S, Giuliano M. Impaired Seroconversion After Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 mRNA Vaccine in Patients With Thymic Epithelial Tumors. J Thorac Oncol 2023; 18:1399-1407. [PMID: 37390981 PMCID: PMC10303630 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2023.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare malignancies associated with dysregulation of the immune system and humoral- and cell-mediated immunity abnormalities. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccine is effective in preventing coronavirus disease 2019 morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroconversion in patients with TET after two doses of mRNA vaccine. METHODS This is a prospective study in which consecutive patients with TET were enrolled before receiving the first dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2 by Pfizer-BioNTech). SARS-CoV-2 spike-binding immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibody serologic levels were analyzed at different time points, including before first vaccine dose (T0), 1 month after the second dose (T2), and 3 months after the second dose (T3). RESULTS Overall, 39 patients were included in the analysis. All patients had negative antibody titer results at T0. There were 19 patients (48.7%) in the follow-up with no residual tumor lesion/s (referred as no evidence of disease), and 20 (51.3%) had evidence of disease (ED) and were receiving systemic treatment. Dysregulations of the immune system were diagnosed in 29 patients (74.4%) with Good syndrome (GS) being the most frequent immune disorder (48.7%). At univariate analysis, lack of seroconversion at T2 was significantly associated with ED (p < 0.001) and with GS (p = 0.043). A significant association with impaired seroconversion was confirmed at multivariate analysis for ED (p = 0.00101) but not for GS (p = 0.625). CONCLUSIONS Our data revealed that patients with TET with ED had substantially higher probability of impaired seroconversion after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine as compared with patients with no evidence of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Pietroluongo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro De Placido
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marianna Tortora
- Rare Tumors Coordinating Center of Campania Region (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Martinelli
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Viggiano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Aldo Caltavituro
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Buonaiuto
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rocco Morra
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Margaret Ottaviano
- Rare Tumors Coordinating Center of Campania Region (CRCTR), Naples, Italy; Unit of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Italian National Cancer Institute- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Pascale Foundation, Naples, Italy
| | - Vitantonio Del Deo
- Rare Tumors Coordinating Center of Campania Region (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Gelzo
- CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Malfitano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II," Naples, Italy
| | | | - Carmine De Angelis
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Grazia Arpino
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Terracciano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II," Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Bianco
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Veneziani
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Formisano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II," Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Sabino De Placido
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy; Rare Tumors Coordinating Center of Campania Region (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Giuliano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy; Rare Tumors Coordinating Center of Campania Region (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
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Cernera G, Gelzo M, De Placido P, Ottaviano M, Pietroluongo E, Raia M, Scalia G, Tortora M, Castaldo G, Formisano P, Palmieri G, Giuliano M. Immunocytometric analysis of patients with thymic epithelial tumors revealed that COVID-19 vaccine booster strongly enhanced the immune response. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1233056. [PMID: 37705978 PMCID: PMC10495582 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1233056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare malignancies with heterogeneous clinical manifestations. The high frequency of autoimmune paraneoplastic disorders observed in such patients requires caution when using COVID-19 vaccines. Furthermore, TETs are often associated with severe immunodeficiency, making it difficult to predict vaccine immunization. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate immune response to COVID-19 vaccine in patients with TETs. Methods We conducted a prospective study enrolling patients who underwent the SARS-Cov-2 mRNA full vaccine cycle (two doses plus a booster after 6 months of BNT162b2). All patients were enrolled before receiving 1st vaccine dose and were followed over the vaccination cycle for up to 6 months after the booster dose to i) assess humoral and cellular responses, ii) define biomarkers predictive of effective immunization, and iii) evaluate the safety of the vaccine. Results At the end of the full vaccine cycle, 27 (61.4%) patients developed humoral and 38 (86.4%) cellular responses (IFN γ release by stimulated cells) and showed an increase in activated TH1 and TH17 cells, particularly significant after the booster dose. The number of B and T lymphocytes at baseline was predictive of humoral and cellular responses, respectively. Patients with no evidence of tumor lesions had a higher probability of achieving a humoral response than those with evidence of the disease. Furthermore, the percentage of patients with immune-related disorders (75%), particularly Good's syndrome (47.7%) and myasthenia gravis (29.5%), did not change over the entire vaccine cycle. Overall, 19 of the 44 enrolled patients (43.2%) had COVID-19 during the observation period; none required hospitalization or oxygen support, and no fatalities were observed. Conclusion SARS-Cov-2 mRNA vaccine determines the immune responses in patients with TET, particularly after the booster dose, and in patients with no evidence of tumor lesions. Preliminary analysis of B and T lymphocytes may help identify patients who have a lower probability of achieving effective humoral and cellular responses and thus may need passive immunization. The vaccine prevented severe COVID-19 infection and is safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Cernera
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Gelzo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro De Placido
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Margaret Ottaviano
- Dipartimento di Melanoma, Immunoterapia Oncologica e Terapie Innovative, IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
- Centro Regionale di Coordinamento Tumori Rari Regione Campania (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
| | - Erica Pietroluongo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Marianna Tortora
- Centro Regionale di Coordinamento Tumori Rari Regione Campania (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Formisano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovannella Palmieri
- Centro Regionale di Coordinamento Tumori Rari Regione Campania (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Giuliano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Centro Regionale di Coordinamento Tumori Rari Regione Campania (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
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Cortese P, Amato F, Davino A, De Franchis R, Esposito S, Zollo I, Di Domenico M, Solito E, Zarrilli F, Gentile L, Cernera G, Castaldo G. The Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in a Cohort of Family Pediatricians from Southern Italy. Cells 2023; 12:1447. [PMID: 37296568 PMCID: PMC10252549 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In Italy, from January 2021, the Ministry of Health indicated a vaccination plan against COVID for frail patients and physicians based on a three-dose scheme. However, conflicting results have been reported on which biomarkers permit immunization assessment. We used several laboratory approaches (i.e., antibodies serum levels, flow cytometry analysis, and cytokines release by stimulated cells) to investigate the immune response in a cohort of 53 family pediatricians (FPs) at different times after the vaccine. We observed that the BNT162b2-mRNA vaccine induced a significant increase of specific antibodies after the third (booster) dose; however, the antibody titer was not predictive of the risk of developing the infection in the six months following the booster dose. The antigen stimulation of PBMC cells from subjects vaccinated with the third booster jab induced the increase of the activated T cells (i.e., CD4+ CD154+); the frequency of CD4+ CD154+ TNF-α+ cells, as well as the TNF-α secretion, was not modified, while we observed a trend of increase of IFN-γ secretion. Interestingly, the level of CD8+ IFN-γ+ (independently from antibody titer) was significantly increased after the third dose and predicts the risk of developing the infection in the six months following the booster jab. Such results may impact also other virus vaccinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Cortese
- Federazione Italiana Medici Pediatri (FIMP), 80142 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (A.D.); (R.D.F.)
| | - Felice Amato
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.A.); (I.Z.); (F.Z.); (G.C.)
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Scarl, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.E.); (L.G.)
| | - Antonio Davino
- Federazione Italiana Medici Pediatri (FIMP), 80142 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (A.D.); (R.D.F.)
| | - Raffaella De Franchis
- Federazione Italiana Medici Pediatri (FIMP), 80142 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (A.D.); (R.D.F.)
| | - Speranza Esposito
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Scarl, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.E.); (L.G.)
| | - Immacolata Zollo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.A.); (I.Z.); (F.Z.); (G.C.)
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Scarl, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.E.); (L.G.)
| | - Marina Di Domenico
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Egle Solito
- Centre for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary Univesity, London E1 4NS, UK;
| | - Federica Zarrilli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.A.); (I.Z.); (F.Z.); (G.C.)
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Scarl, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.E.); (L.G.)
| | - Laura Gentile
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Scarl, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.E.); (L.G.)
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.A.); (I.Z.); (F.Z.); (G.C.)
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Scarl, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.E.); (L.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.A.); (I.Z.); (F.Z.); (G.C.)
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Scarl, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.E.); (L.G.)
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8
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Pietroluongo E, De Placido P, Morra R, Ottaviano M, Tortora M, Saponaro M, Pisapia L, Del Gaudio G, Del Deo V, Malfitano AM, Cernera G, De Angelis C, Arpino G, Terracciano D, Castaldo G, Formisano P, Palmieri G, De Placido S, Giuliano M. Impaired seroconversion after SARS-COV-2 mRNA vaccine in patients with thymic epithelial tumors. J Clin Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.8588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
8588 Background: Thymic epithelial tumors (TET) are rare malignancies associated with dysregulation of the immune system and humoral and cell mediated immunity abnormalities. Anti-syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine is effective at preventing COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. No published data are available regarding the immunization in TET patients (pts). The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunization in TET pts who received two doses of mRNA vaccine, by longitudinal serological detection of SARS-COV-2 spike-binding IgG antibody. Methods: Starting from April 2021 to October 2021, consecutive TET pts referred to the Rare Tumors Coordinating Center of Campania Region (CRCTR - Naples, Italy) were enrolled. All study subjects received two doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2 by Pfizer-BioNTech). SARS-CoV-2 spike-binding IgG antibody (Ab) serological levels were analyzed by centralized chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) at different time-points, including before 1st vaccine dose (T0) and 1 month after 2nd dose (T2). Cut-off for Ab titers positivity was > 25 AU/mL. Results: Forty pts were enrolled; 23 (57.5%) were female and 17 (42.5%) male. Eleven pts (27.5%) suffered from thymic carcinoma, 28 (70%) thymoma, and 1 (2.5%) thymic hyperplasia. At the time of study enrollment, 20 pts (50%) had no evidence of disease (NED) and were in follow-up; the remaining 20 pts had evidence of disease (ED) by imaging and were receiving systemic treatment (55% oral low-dose etoposide-based therapy, 40% somatostatin analogs + prednisone, 5% supportive care). Immune system disorders were diagnosed in 29 TET pts (72.5%): 19 pts (47.5%) had Good’s Syndrome (GS) and 10 (25%) other immune disorders. At T0, all enrolled pts had negative Ab titers and no prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. At T2, Ab data were available for 37 pts (92.5%): 18 pts (48.7%) had positive Ab titers, whereas 19 (51.3%) did not achieve seroconversion. Among pts with ED, seroconversion was achieved only in 2 cases (11.8%). Lack of seroconversion at T2 was significantly associated with ED (Fisher's exact test p: 0.0001) and with the presence of GS (Fisher's exact test p: 0.0489). No significant association of seroconversion with other immune disorders and disease features was found. Conclusions: Our data showed that TET pts with ED had substantially higher probability of impaired seroconversion after SARS-COV-2 vaccine as compared with NED pts. We warrant further studies to evaluate the role of disease status, anti-tumor treatments and immune disorders in post-vaccine immunization of TET pts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Pietroluongo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro De Placido
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Rocco Morra
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Margaret Ottaviano
- Rare Tumors Coordinating Center of Campania Region (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
| | - Marianna Tortora
- Rare Tumors Coordinating Center of Campania Region (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
| | | | - Luca Pisapia
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Del Gaudio
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Anna Maria Malfitano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples,Italy, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmine De Angelis
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Grazia Arpino
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Terracciano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Formisano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Sabino De Placido
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Giuliano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Napoli, Italy
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9
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Cernera G, Di Donato M, Higgins PJ, Schlaepfer IR. Editorial: The Role of Steroid Hormones and Growth Factors in Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:887529. [PMID: 35493105 PMCID: PMC9039009 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.887529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Cernera
- CEINGE, Advanced Biotechnologies, Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marzia Di Donato
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Marzia Di Donato,
| | - Paul J. Higgins
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Isabel R. Schlaepfer
- Division of Medical Oncology, Genitourinary Cancer Program, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
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10
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Gelzo M, Cacciapuoti S, Pinchera B, De Rosa A, Cernera G, Scialò F, Comegna M, Mormile M, Fabbrocini G, Parrella R, Corso G, Gentile I, Castaldo G. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 3 and 9 as biomarkers of severity in COVID-19 patients. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1212. [PMID: 35075175 PMCID: PMC8786927 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04677-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [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: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular basis of the wide clinical heterogeneity of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still unknown. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may have a role in the lung damage and regeneration that occur in severe patients. We studied serum MMP3 and MMP9 as potential biomarkers of COVID-19 severity, in 108 hospitalized patients with different World Health Organization (WHO) severity stage and in 48 controls. At hospital admission, serum MMP3 was increased in COVID-19 patients with a significant trend along the progression of the WHO stage, while serum levels of MMP9 were significantly increased in COVID-19 patients with no correlation with disease severity. At 1 week from hospitalization, MMP3 was reduced, suggesting an early pathogenic role of the protein in lung inflammation, while MMP9 levels were further increased, indicating a late role of the protein in the inflammatory process, specifically during the repairing phase. Furthermore, serum MMP9 was positively correlated with serum interleukin-6, myeloperoxidase, and circulating neutrophils and monocytes number. In conclusion, serum MMP3 may help to early predict the severity of COVID-19 and both proteins, MMP3 and MMP9, may contribute to define severe COVID-19 patients that may benefit from a targeted therapy on MMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Gelzo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Cacciapuoti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Biagio Pinchera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Annunziata De Rosa
- Divisione di Malattie Infettive Respiratorie, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive e Emergenze Infettive, Ospedale Cotugno, AORN dei Colli, Naples, Italy
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Filippo Scialò
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, Università della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Marika Comegna
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Mauro Mormile
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Fabbrocini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Parrella
- Divisione di Malattie Infettive Respiratorie, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive e Emergenze Infettive, Ospedale Cotugno, AORN dei Colli, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetano Corso
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Ivan Gentile
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy. .,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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11
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Gelzo M, Cacciapuoti S, Pinchera B, De Rosa A, Cernera G, Scialò F, Comegna M, Mormile M, Fabbrocini G, Parrella R, Corso G, Gentile I, Castaldo G. Further Findings Concerning Endothelial Damage in COVID-19 Patients. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091368. [PMID: 34572581 PMCID: PMC8468524 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic vascular damage with micro/macro-thrombosis is a typical feature of severe COVID-19. However, the pathogenesis of this damage and its predictive biomarkers remain poorly defined. For this reason, in this study, serum monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-2 and P- and E-selectin levels were analyzed in 204 patients with COVID-19. Serum MCP-2 and P-selectin were significantly higher in hospitalized patients compared with asymptomatic patients. Furthermore, MCP-2 increased with the WHO stage in hospitalized patients. After 1 week of hospitalization, MCP-2 levels were significantly reduced, while P-selectin increased in patients in WHO stage 3 and decreased in patients in WHO stages 5–7. Serum E-selectin was not significantly different between asymptomatic and hospitalized patients. The lower MCP-2 levels after 1 week suggest that endothelial damage triggered by monocytes occurs early in COVID-19 disease progression. MCP-2 may also predict COVID-19 severity. The increase in P-selectin levels, which further increased in mild patients and reduced in severe patients after 1 week of hospitalization, suggests that the inactive form of the protein produced by the cleavage of the active protein from the platelet membrane is present. This may be used to identify a subset of patients that would benefit from targeted therapies. The unchanged levels of E-selectin in these patients suggest that endothelial damage is less relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Gelzo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.G.); (G.C.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Cacciapuoti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (B.P.); (M.M.); (G.F.); (I.G.)
| | - Biagio Pinchera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (B.P.); (M.M.); (G.F.); (I.G.)
| | - Annunziata De Rosa
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive e Emergenze Infettive, Divisione di Malattie Infettive Respiratorie, Ospedale Cotugno, AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.R.); (R.P.)
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.G.); (G.C.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Filippo Scialò
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.G.); (G.C.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, Università della Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Marika Comegna
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.G.); (G.C.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mauro Mormile
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (B.P.); (M.M.); (G.F.); (I.G.)
| | - Gabriella Fabbrocini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (B.P.); (M.M.); (G.F.); (I.G.)
| | - Roberto Parrella
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive e Emergenze Infettive, Divisione di Malattie Infettive Respiratorie, Ospedale Cotugno, AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.R.); (R.P.)
| | - Gaetano Corso
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.G.); (G.C.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Ivan Gentile
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (B.P.); (M.M.); (G.F.); (I.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, scarl, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.G.); (G.C.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-3737759
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12
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Gelzo M, Cacciapuoti S, Pinchera B, De Rosa A, Cernera G, Scialò F, Comegna M, Mormile M, Gallicchio A, Fabbrocini G, Parrella R, Corso G, Gentile I, Castaldo G. A Transient Increase in the Serum ANCAs in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Signal of Subclinical Vasculitis or an Epiphenomenon with No Clinical Manifestations? A Pilot Study. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091718. [PMID: 34578298 PMCID: PMC8473224 DOI: 10.3390/v13091718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A relationship is emerging between SARS-CoV-2 infections and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) because: (i) the pulmonary involvement of COVID-19 may mimic that observed in patients with AAV; (ii) the two diseases may occur together; (iii) COVID-19 may trigger AAV. However, few cases of AAV have been identified so far in COVID-19 patients. To define the frequency of ANCA autoimmunity in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, we analyzed the serum ANCAs and the serum PR3 and MPO antigens by immunoassays in 124 adult patients with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection (16 were asymptomatic and 108 were hospitalized) and 48 control subjects. The serum ANCAs were significantly higher in the hospitalized patients compared with either the controls or the asymptomatic patients and increased with the progression of the COVID-19 severity. After one week of hospitalization, the values were significantly lower. In contrast, no differences emerged among the controls, asymptomatic and hospitalized patients for the PR3 and MPO serum levels. None of the patients had clinical signs of AAV with the exception of a severe pulmonary involvement. Further studies are necessary to define whether the increase in the serum ANCAs might mask subclinical vasculitis in a percentage of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection or it is an epiphenomenon of SARS-CoV-2 infection with no clinical manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Gelzo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.G.); (G.C.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Cacciapuoti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (B.P.); (M.M.); (A.G.); (G.F.); (I.G.)
| | - Biagio Pinchera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (B.P.); (M.M.); (A.G.); (G.F.); (I.G.)
| | - Annunziata De Rosa
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive e Emergenze Infettive, Divisione di Malattie Infettive Respiratorie, Ospedale Cotugno, AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.R.); (R.P.)
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.G.); (G.C.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Filippo Scialò
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.G.); (G.C.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, Università della Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Marika Comegna
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.G.); (G.C.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mauro Mormile
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (B.P.); (M.M.); (A.G.); (G.F.); (I.G.)
| | - Antonella Gallicchio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (B.P.); (M.M.); (A.G.); (G.F.); (I.G.)
| | - Gabriella Fabbrocini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (B.P.); (M.M.); (A.G.); (G.F.); (I.G.)
| | - Roberto Parrella
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive e Emergenze Infettive, Divisione di Malattie Infettive Respiratorie, Ospedale Cotugno, AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.R.); (R.P.)
| | - Gaetano Corso
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.G.); (G.C.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Ivan Gentile
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (B.P.); (M.M.); (A.G.); (G.F.); (I.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.G.); (G.C.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0813737759
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13
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Gelzo M, Cacciapuoti S, Pinchera B, De Rosa A, Cernera G, Scialò F, Mormile M, Fabbrocini G, Parrella R, Gentile I, Castaldo G. Prognostic Role of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in COVID-19 Patients: Still Valid in Patients That Had Started Therapy? Front Public Health 2021; 9:664108. [PMID: 34211953 PMCID: PMC8239130 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.664108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 may appear with a widely heterogeneous clinical expression. Thus, predictive markers of the outcome/progression are of paramount relevance. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been suggested as a good predictive marker of disease severity and mortality. Accordingly, we found that NLR significantly increased in parallel with the WHO severity stage in COVID-19 patients during the Ist wave (March-May 2020; n = 49), due to the significant reduction of lymphocyte and the significant increase of neutrophil in severe COVID-19 patients. While, we did not observe significant differences of NLR between the WHO severity stage among COVID-19 patients of the IInd wave (September 2020-April 2021; n = 242). In these patients, the number of lymphocytes and neutrophils did not change significantly between patients of different severity subgroups. This difference likely depends on the steroids therapy that the patients of the IInd wave performed before hospitalization while most patients of the Ist wave were hospitalized soon after diagnosis. This is also confirmed by serum interleukin (IL)-6 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) that gradually increased with the disease stage in patients of the Ist wave, while such biomarkers (whose production is inhibited by steroids) did not show differences among patients of the IInd wave in different stages. Thus, the NLR could be tested at diagnosis in naïve patients before starting therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Gelzo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Scarl, Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Cacciapuoti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Biagio Pinchera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Annunziata De Rosa
- Divisione di Malattie Infettive Respiratorie, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive e Emergenze Infettive, Ospedale Cotugno, AORN dei Colli, Naples, Italy
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Scarl, Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Filippo Scialò
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Scarl, Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, Università della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Mauro Mormile
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Fabbrocini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Parrella
- Divisione di Malattie Infettive Respiratorie, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive e Emergenze Infettive, Ospedale Cotugno, AORN dei Colli, Naples, Italy
| | - Ivan Gentile
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Scarl, Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
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14
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Comegna M, Conte G, Falanga AP, Marzano M, Cernera G, Di Lullo AM, Amato F, Borbone N, D'Errico S, Ungaro F, d'Angelo I, Oliviero G, Castaldo G. Assisting PNA transport through cystic fibrosis human airway epithelia with biodegradable hybrid lipid-polymer nanoparticles. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6393. [PMID: 33737583 PMCID: PMC7973768 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85549-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by an airway obstruction caused by a thick mucus due to a malfunctioning Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein. The sticky mucus restricts drugs in reaching target cells limiting the efficiency of treatments. The development of new approaches to enhance drug delivery to the lungs represents CF treatment's main challenge. In this work, we report the production and characterization of hybrid core–shell nanoparticles (hNPs) comprising a PLGA core and a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) shell engineered for inhalation. We loaded hNPs with a 7-mer peptide nucleic acid (PNA) previously considered for its ability to modulate the post-transcriptional regulation of the CFTR gene. We also investigated the in vitro release kinetics of hNPs and their efficacy in PNA delivery across the human epithelial airway barrier using an ex vivo model based on human primary nasal epithelial cells (HNEC) from CF patients. Confocal analyses and hNPs transport assay demonstrated the ability of hNPs to overcome the mucus barrier and release their PNA cargo within the cytoplasm, where it can exert its biological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Comegna
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a.r.l., 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Gemma Conte
- Di.S.T.A.Bi.F., University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | | | - Maria Marzano
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a.r.l., 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Miriam Di Lullo
- ENT Section, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Amato
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a.r.l., 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Borbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano D'Errico
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Ungaro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Ivana d'Angelo
- Di.S.T.A.Bi.F., University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100, Caserta, Italy.
| | - Giorgia Oliviero
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a.r.l., 80145, Naples, Italy
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15
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Cernera G, Minno AD, Elce A, Liguori R, Bruzzese D, Lullo AMD, Castaldo G, Amato F, Zarrilli F, Comegna M. Letter to the Editor: Is there an Indication for Testing the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C Variant in Routine Clinical Settings? Ann Clin Lab Sci 2021; 51:277-279. [PMID: 33941571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Cernera
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II"
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies
| | - Alessandro Di Minno
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II"
| | - Ausilia Elce
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies
- Telematic University "Pegaso"
| | - Renato Liguori
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies
- Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Naples "Parthenope"
| | - Dario Bruzzese
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples "Federico II", and Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II,"Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Miriam Di Lullo
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II,"Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II"
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies
| | - Felice Amato
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II"
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies
| | - Federica Zarrilli
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II"
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies
| | - Marika Comegna
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II"
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies
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16
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Scialo F, Amato F, Cernera G, Gelzo M, Zarrilli F, Comegna M, Pastore L, Bianco A, Castaldo G. Lung Microbiome in Cystic Fibrosis. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11020094. [PMID: 33513903 PMCID: PMC7911450 DOI: 10.3390/life11020094] [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: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The defective mucociliary clearance due to CFTR malfunctioning causes predisposition to the colonization of pathogens responsible for the recurrent inflammation and rapid deterioration of lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). This has also a profound effect on the lung microbiome composition, causing a progressive reduction in its diversity, which has become a common characteristic of patients affected by CF. Although we know that the lung microbiome plays an essential role in maintaining lung physiology, our comprehension of how the microbial components interact with each other and the lung, as well as how these interactions change during the disease's course, is still at an early stage. Many challenges exist and many questions still to be answered, but there is no doubt that manipulation of the lung microbiome could help to develop better therapies for people affected by CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Scialo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
- CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.); (G.C.); (M.G.); (F.Z.); (M.C.); (L.P.); (G.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Felice Amato
- CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.); (G.C.); (M.G.); (F.Z.); (M.C.); (L.P.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.); (G.C.); (M.G.); (F.Z.); (M.C.); (L.P.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Monica Gelzo
- CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.); (G.C.); (M.G.); (F.Z.); (M.C.); (L.P.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Federica Zarrilli
- CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.); (G.C.); (M.G.); (F.Z.); (M.C.); (L.P.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Marika Comegna
- CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.); (G.C.); (M.G.); (F.Z.); (M.C.); (L.P.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Lucio Pastore
- CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.); (G.C.); (M.G.); (F.Z.); (M.C.); (L.P.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Bianco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.); (G.C.); (M.G.); (F.Z.); (M.C.); (L.P.); (G.C.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80145 Napoli, Italy
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17
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Amato F, Castaldo A, Castaldo G, Cernera G, Corso G, Ferrari E, Gelzo M, Monzani R, Villella VR, Raia V. Impaired cholesterol metabolism in the mouse model of cystic fibrosis. A preliminary study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245302. [PMID: 33412572 PMCID: PMC7790534 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to investigate cholesterol metabolism in a mouse model with cystic fibrosis (CF) by the comparison of affected homozygous versus wild type (WT) mice. In particular, we evaluated the effects of a diet enriched with cholesterol in both mice groups in comparison with the normal diet. To this purpose, beyond serum and liver cholesterol, we analyzed serum phytosterols as indirect markers of intestinal absorption of cholesterol, liver lathosterol as indirect marker of de novo cholesterol synthesis, liver cholestanol (a catabolite of bile salts synthesis) and the liver mRNA levels of LDL receptor (LDLR), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoAR), acyl CoA:cholesterol acyl transferase 2 (ACAT2), cytochrome P450 7A1 (CYP7A1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). CF mice showed lower intestinal absorption and higher liver synthesis of cholesterol than WT mice. In WT mice, the cholesterol supplementation inhibits the synthesis of liver cholesterol and enhances its catabolism, while in CF mice we did not observe a reduction of LDLR and HMG-CoAR expression (probably due to an altered feed-back), causing an increase of intracellular cholesterol. In addition, we observed a further increase (5-fold) in TNFα mRNA levels. This preliminary study suggests that in CF mice there is a vicious circle in which the altered synthesis/secretion of bile salts may reduce the digestion/absorption of cholesterol. As a result, the liver increases the biosynthesis of cholesterol that accumulates in the cells, triggering inflammation and further compromising the metabolism of bile salts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felice Amato
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, Naples, Italy
| | - Alice Castaldo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, Naples, Italy
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetano Corso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Eleonora Ferrari
- European Institute for Research in Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Monica Gelzo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Scarl, Naples, Italy
| | - Romina Monzani
- European Institute for Research in Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Valeria Rachela Villella
- European Institute for Research in Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Raia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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18
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Berni Canani R, Comegna M, Paparo L, Cernera G, Bruno C, Strisciuglio C, Zollo I, Gravina AG, Miele E, Cantone E, Gennarelli N, Nocerino R, Carucci L, Giglio V, Amato F, Castaldo G. Age-Related Differences in the Expression of Most Relevant Mediators of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Human Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Tract. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:697390. [PMID: 34395341 PMCID: PMC8355889 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.697390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Clinical features of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection seem to differ in children compared to that in adults. It has been hypothesized that the lower clinical severity in children could be influenced by differential expression of the main host functional receptor to SARS-CoV-2, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), but data are still conflicting. To explore the origin of age-dependent clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we comparatively evaluated the expression in children and adult subjects of the most relevant mediators of the SARS-CoV-2 infection: ACE2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1), transmembrane serine protease-2 (TMPRSS2), and neuropilin-1 (NRP1), at upper respiratory tract and small intestine level. Methods: The expression of ACE2, ACE1, TMPRSS2, and NRP1 in nasal epithelium and in small intestine epithelium was investigated by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Results: We found no differences in ACE2, ACE1, and TMPRSS2 expression in the nasal epithelium comparing children and adult subjects. In contrast, nasal epithelium NRP1 expression was lower in children compared to that in adults. Intestinal ACE2 expression was higher in children compared to that in adults, whereas intestinal ACE1 expression was higher in adults. Intestinal TMPRSS2 and NRP1 expression was similar comparing children and adult subjects. Conclusions: The lower severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection observed in children may be due to a different expression of nasal NRP1, that promotes the virus interaction with ACE2. However, the common findings of intestinal symptoms in children could be due to a higher expression of ACE2 at this level. The insights from these data will be useful in determining the treatment policies and preventive measures for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Berni Canani
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,European Laboratory for the Investigation of Food-Induced Diseases, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Task Force for Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marika Comegna
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorella Paparo
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina Bruno
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Strisciuglio
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialistic Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Immacolata Zollo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta Gerarda Gravina
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Erasmo Miele
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Cantone
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Section, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Gennarelli
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Nocerino
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Carucci
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Veronica Giglio
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Amato
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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19
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Berni Canani R, Comegna M, Paparo L, Cernera G, Bruno C, Strisciuglio C, Zollo I, Gravina AG, Miele E, Cantone E, Gennarelli N, Nocerino R, Carucci L, Giglio V, Amato F, Castaldo G. Corrigendum: Age-Related Differences in the Expression of Most Relevant Mediators of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Human Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Tract. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:790285. [PMID: 34858910 PMCID: PMC8631725 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.790285] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.697390.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Berni Canani
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,European Laboratory for the Investigation of Food-Induced Diseases, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Task Force for Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marika Comegna
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorella Paparo
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina Bruno
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Strisciuglio
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialistic Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Immacolata Zollo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta Gerarda Gravina
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Erasmo Miele
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Cantone
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Section, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Gennarelli
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Nocerino
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Carucci
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Veronica Giglio
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Amato
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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20
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Cernera G, Di Minno A, Zarrilli F, Elce A, Liguori R, Bruzzese D, Di Lullo AM, Castaldo G, Amato F, Comegna M. Prothrombotic gene variants in acute myocardial infarction at a young age (yAMI). Rationale for tailored prevention strategies in specific risk-group subjects for acute coronary disease? Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2020; 30:1397-1400. [PMID: 32513575 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2020.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Cernera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy; CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Di Minno
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy; Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Zarrilli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy; CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Ausilia Elce
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy; Università Telematica Pegaso, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Dario Bruzzese
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Miriam Di Lullo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy; Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy; CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Amato
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy; CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy.
| | - Marika Comegna
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy; CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
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21
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Perillo B, Di Santi A, Cernera G, Galasso G, Pocsfalvi G, Castoria G, Migliaccio A. Acetylation/methylation at lysine 9 in histone H3 as a mark of nucleosome asymmetry in human somatic breast cells. Cell Death Discov 2020; 6:39. [PMID: 32528728 PMCID: PMC7251094 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-020-0278-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Perillo
- Istituto per l’Endocrinologia e l’Oncologia Sperimentale “G. Salvatore”, C.N.R, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Gustavo Cernera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Galasso
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università della Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Gabriella Castoria
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università della Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antimo Migliaccio
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università della Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Cernera G, Di Minno A, Amato F, Elce A, Liguori R, Bruzzese D, Di Lullo AM, Castaldo G, Zarrilli F, Comegna M. Molecular Analysis of Prothrombotic Gene Variants in Venous Thrombosis: A Potential Role for Sex and Thrombotic Localization. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9041008. [PMID: 32252449 PMCID: PMC7231221 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9041008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Requests to test for thrombophilia in the clinical context are often not evidence-based. Aim: To define the role of a series of prothrombotic gene variants in a large population of patients with different venous thromboembolic diseases. Methods: We studied Factor V Leiden (FVL), FVR2, FII G20210A, Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C, beta-fibrinogen -455 G>A, FXIII V34L, and HPA-1 L33P variants and PAI-1 4G/5G alleles in 343 male and female patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 164 with pulmonary embolism (PE), 126 with superficial vein thrombosis (SVT), 118 with portal vein thrombosis (PVT), 75 with cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT) and 119 with retinal vein thrombosis (RVT), and compared them with the corresponding variants and alleles in 430 subjects from the general population. Results: About 40% of patients with DVT, PE and SVT had at least one prothrombotic gene variant, such as FVL, FVR2 and FII G20210A, and a statistically significant association with the event was found in males with a history of PE. In patients with a history of PVT or CVT, the FII G20210A variant was more frequent, particularly in females. In contrast, a poor association was found between RVT and prothrombotic risk factors, confirming that local vascular factors have a key role in this thrombotic event. Conclusions: Only FVL, FVR2 and FII G20210A are related to vein thrombotic disease. Other gene variants, often requested for testing in the clinical context, do not differ significantly between cases and controls. Evidence of a sex difference for some variants, once confirmed in larger populations, may help to promote sex-specific prevention of such diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Cernera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (F.A.); (R.L.); (G.C.); (M.C.)
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.M.); (A.E.); (A.M.D.L.)
| | - Alessandro Di Minno
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.M.); (A.E.); (A.M.D.L.)
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Amato
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (F.A.); (R.L.); (G.C.); (M.C.)
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.M.); (A.E.); (A.M.D.L.)
| | - Ausilia Elce
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.M.); (A.E.); (A.M.D.L.)
- Università Telematica Pegaso, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | - Renato Liguori
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (F.A.); (R.L.); (G.C.); (M.C.)
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.M.); (A.E.); (A.M.D.L.)
| | - Dario Bruzzese
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonella Miriam Di Lullo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.M.); (A.E.); (A.M.D.L.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (F.A.); (R.L.); (G.C.); (M.C.)
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.M.); (A.E.); (A.M.D.L.)
| | - Federica Zarrilli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (F.A.); (R.L.); (G.C.); (M.C.)
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.M.); (A.E.); (A.M.D.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-373-7860
| | - Marika Comegna
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (F.A.); (R.L.); (G.C.); (M.C.)
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.M.); (A.E.); (A.M.D.L.)
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23
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Comegna M, Maruotti GM, Sarno L, Cernera G, Gelzo M, Guida M, Zullo F, Zarrilli F, Castaldo G. Prenatal Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis and Hemophilia: Incidental Findings and Weak Points. Diagnostics (Basel) 2019; 10:diagnostics10010007. [PMID: 31877800 PMCID: PMC7168058 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of the progression of genetics and genomics, the demand for prenatal diagnosis (PD) for inherited genetic diseases has increased. However, several incidental findings may emerge during PD, like misattributed paternity, the evidence of disease in a parent, and the possible misinterpretation of the results because of complex alleles or de novo mutations that have several implications. In a retrospective observational study on all the couples referred to our Medical School (1993–2018) for PD of genetic inherited diseases (n = 1502), we selected the cases of PD for cystic fibrosis (CF, n = 239) and hemophilia A and B (HA, HB, n = 47), revising all incidental findings previously mentioned. We found one case in which a technical error led to PD of carrier in two siblings that were born affected by CF, four cases of misattributed paternity, eight cases of asymptomatic parents revealed as affected by CF transmembrane regulator (CFTR)-related disorders, a case of a novel complex allele that could have caused the diagnosis of CF in a carrier fetus, and a case of a de novo mutation in a mother (already a carrier) that caused hemophilia in a child that PD had revealed as healthy. We present these conditions as clinical cases and discuss the technical, clinical, ethical, and legal aspects to be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Comegna
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.C.); (G.C.); (M.G.); (G.C.)
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnology, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maria Maruotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy (L.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Laura Sarno
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy (L.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.C.); (G.C.); (M.G.); (G.C.)
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnology, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Gelzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.C.); (G.C.); (M.G.); (G.C.)
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnology, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Guida
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy (L.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Fulvio Zullo
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy (L.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Federica Zarrilli
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.C.); (G.C.); (M.G.); (G.C.)
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnology, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.C.); (G.C.); (M.G.); (G.C.)
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnology, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
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24
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Di Donato M, Cernera G, Migliaccio A, Castoria G. Nerve Growth Factor Induces Proliferation and Aggressiveness In Prostate Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E784. [PMID: 31174415 PMCID: PMC6627659 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to hormone therapy and disease progression is the major challenge in clinical management of prostate cancer (PC). Drugs currently used in PC therapy initially show a potent antitumor effects, but PC gradually develops resistance, relapses and spreads. Most patients who fail primary therapy and have recurrences eventually develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), which is almost incurable. The nerve growth factor (NGF) acts on a variety of non-neuronal cells by activating the NGF tyrosine-kinase receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA). NGF signaling is deregulated in PC. In androgen-dependent PC cells, TrkA mediates the proliferative action of NGF through its crosstalk with the androgen receptor (AR). Epithelial PC cells, however, acquire the ability to express NGF and TrkA, as the disease progresses, indicating a role for NGF/TrkA axis in PC progression and androgen-resistance. We here report that once activated by NGF, TrkA mediates proliferation, invasiveness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in various CRPC cells. NGF promotes organoid growth in 3D models of CRPC cells, and specific inhibition of TrkA impairs all these responses. Thus TrkA represents a new biomarker to target in CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Di Donato
- Department of Precision Medicine-University of Campania 'L. Vanvitelli'-via L. De Crecchio, 7-80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- Department of Precision Medicine-University of Campania 'L. Vanvitelli'-via L. De Crecchio, 7-80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Antimo Migliaccio
- Department of Precision Medicine-University of Campania 'L. Vanvitelli'-via L. De Crecchio, 7-80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Castoria
- Department of Precision Medicine-University of Campania 'L. Vanvitelli'-via L. De Crecchio, 7-80138 Naples, Italy.
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25
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Di Donato M, Cernera G, Giovannelli P, Galasso G, Bilancio A, Migliaccio A, Castoria G. Recent advances on bisphenol-A and endocrine disruptor effects on human prostate cancer. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 457:35-42. [PMID: 28257827 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.02.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are man-made substances widespread in the environment that include, among many others, bisphenol A (BPA), organochlorinated pesticides and hormone derivatives detectable in meat from animals raised in concentrated animal feeding operations. Increasing evidence indicates that EDCs have a negative impact on human health as well as on male and female fertility. They may also be associated with some endocrine diseases and increased incidence of breast and prostate cancer. This review aims to summarize available data on the (potential) impact of some common EDCs, focusing particularly on BPA, prostate cancer and their mechanisms of action. These compounds interfere with normal hormone signal pathway transduction, resulting in prolonged exposure of receptors to stimuli or interference with cellular hormone signaling in target cells. Understanding the effects of BPA and other EDCs as well as their molecular mechanism(s) may be useful in sensitizing the scientific community and the manufacturing industry to the importance of finding alternatives to their indiscriminate use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Di Donato
- Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (formerly, Seconda Università di Napoli), Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and General Pathology, Via L. De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (formerly, Seconda Università di Napoli), Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and General Pathology, Via L. De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Pia Giovannelli
- Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (formerly, Seconda Università di Napoli), Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and General Pathology, Via L. De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Galasso
- Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (formerly, Seconda Università di Napoli), Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and General Pathology, Via L. De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Bilancio
- Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (formerly, Seconda Università di Napoli), Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and General Pathology, Via L. De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antimo Migliaccio
- Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (formerly, Seconda Università di Napoli), Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and General Pathology, Via L. De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Castoria
- Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (formerly, Seconda Università di Napoli), Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and General Pathology, Via L. De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
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26
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Di Zazzo E, Galasso G, Giovannelli P, Di Donato M, Di Santi A, Cernera G, Rossi V, Abbondanza C, Moncharmont B, Sinisi AA, Castoria G, Migliaccio A. Prostate cancer stem cells: the role of androgen and estrogen receptors. Oncotarget 2016; 7:193-208. [PMID: 26506594 PMCID: PMC4807992 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men, and androgen deprivation therapy still represents the primary treatment for prostate cancer patients. This approach, however, frequently fails and patients develop castration-resistant prostate cancer, which is almost untreatable. Cancer cells are characterized by a hierarchical organization, and stem/progenitor cells are endowed with tumor-initiating activity. Accumulating evidence indicates that prostate cancer stem cells lack the androgen receptor and are, indeed, resistant to androgen deprivation therapy. In contrast, these cells express classical (α and/or β) and novel (GPR30) estrogen receptors, which may represent new putative targets in prostate cancer treatment. In the present review, we discuss the still-debated mechanisms, both genomic and non-genomic, by which androgen and estradiol receptors (classical and novel) mediate the hormonal control of prostate cell stemness, transformation, and the continued growth of prostate cancer. Recent preclinical and clinical findings obtained using new androgen receptor antagonists, anti-estrogens, or compounds such as enhancers of androgen receptor degradation and peptides inhibiting non-genomic androgen functions are also presented. These new drugs will likely lead to significant advances in prostate cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Di Zazzo
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Galasso
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Pia Giovannelli
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Marzia Di Donato
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Di Santi
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Rossi
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Ciro Abbondanza
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Agostino Sinisi
- Endocrinology Section, Department of Cardio-Thoracic and Respiratory Diseases, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Castoria
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Antimo Migliaccio
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Perillo B, Di Santi A, Cernera G, Ombra MN, Castoria G, Migliaccio A. Nuclear receptor-induced transcription is driven by spatially and timely restricted waves of ROS. The role of Akt, IKKα, and DNA damage repair enzymes. Nucleus 2015; 5:482-91. [PMID: 25482200 PMCID: PMC4164490 DOI: 10.4161/nucl.36274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene expression is governed by chromatin mainly through posttranslational modifications at the N-terminal tails of nucleosomal histone proteins. According to the histone code theory, peculiar sets of such modifications (marks) give rise to reproducible final effects on transcription and, very recently, a further level of complexity has been highlighted in binary switches between specific marks at adjacent residues. In particular, disappearance of dimethyl-lysine 9 in histone H3 is faced by phosphorylation of the following serine during activation of gene expression. Demethylation of lysine 9 by the lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is a pre-requisite for addition of the phosphoryl mark to serine 10 and an essential step in the transcriptional control by estrogens. It generates a local burst of oxygen reactive species (ROS) that induce oxidation of nearby nucleotides and recruitment of repair enzymes with a consequent formation of single or double stranded nicks on DNA that modify chromatin flexibility in order to allow correct assembly of the transcriptional machinery.
We describe here the molecular mechanism by which members of the family of nuclear receptors prevent the potential damage to DNA during transcription of target genes elicited by the use of ROS to shape chromatin. The mechanism is based on the presence of phosphorylated serine 10 in histone H3 to prevent unbalanced DNA oxidation waves. We also discuss the opportunities raised by the use of voluntary derangement of this servo system to induce selective death in hormone-responsive transformed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Perillo
- a Istituto di Scienze dell'Alimentazione; Avellino, Italy
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28
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Di Donato M, Giovannelli P, Cernera G, Di Santi A, Marino I, Bilancio A, Galasso G, Auricchio F, Migliaccio A, Castoria G. Non-genomic androgen action regulates proliferative/migratory signaling in stromal cells. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2014; 5:225. [PMID: 25646090 PMCID: PMC4298220 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the major cause of cancer-related death among the male population of Western society, and androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) represents the first line in PCa treatment. However, although androgen receptor (AR) expression is maintained throughout the various stages of PCa, ADT frequently fails. Clinical studies have demonstrated that different androgen/AR signaling pathways operate in target tissues. AR stimulates growth and transformation of target cells, but under certain conditions slows down their proliferation. In this review, we discuss the role of AR in controlling different functions of mesenchymal and transformed mesenchymal cells. Findings here presented support the role of AR in suppressing proliferation and stimulating migration of stromal cells, with implications for current approaches to cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Di Donato
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Pia Giovannelli
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Gustavo Cernera
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Di Santi
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Irene Marino
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Bilancio
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Galasso
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Auricchio
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Antimo Migliaccio
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Castoria
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Gabriella Castoria, Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, II University of Naples, Via L. De Crecchio 7, Naples 80138, Italy e-mail:
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