Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yehan Bian, Heidi Hahn, Anja Uhmann
Summary: Hedgehog signaling plays essential roles in embryonic development, adult homeostasis, and tumorigenesis. Despite its close connection with pituitary embryonic development, the engagement of Hedgehog signaling in the pituitary gland has been underestimated. Dysfunction of this signaling pathway during pituitary development leads to gland malformation. Recent research also suggests a regulatory role of Hedgehog signaling in the adult pituitary, affecting homeostasis, hormone production, and possibly formation of neoplasms. Targeting this pathway with therapeutic strategies shows promise in treating pituitary diseases.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guillaume Rastoldo, Emna Marouane, Nada El-Mahmoudi, David Pericat, Brahim Tighilet
Summary: This study reveals that oxytocin treatment hinders the restoration of certain postural and locomotor deficits while improving others following vestibular lesions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Gudmundur Johannsson, Oskar Ragnarsson
Summary: GH deficiency is common in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disorders, and its replacement therapy can improve symptoms and quality of life while maintaining a good safety profile.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Se -Min Kim, Farhath Sultana, Funda Korkmaz, Daria Lizneva, Tony Yuen, Mone Zaidi
Summary: Pituitary hormones and their receptors have non-traditional actions in bone, influencing bone physiology directly by bypassing the hypothalamus-pituitary-effector glands axis. This provides new insights into the integrated physiology of the bone-immune-endocrine axis.
ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jiun-Lin Yan, Mao-Yu Chen, Yao-Liang Chen, Chi-Cheng Chuang, Peng-Wei Hsu, Kuo-Chen Wei, Chen-Nen Chang
Summary: This study evaluated the outcomes of the endoscopic transsphenoidal approach as the primary treatment for somatotroph adenomas and investigated patients with suboptimal surgical results. Factors such as tumor size, preoperative GH level, and residual tumors were found to be associated with surgical failure. Octreotide showed good outcomes for treating DGSA patients, while SRS/EXRT generated good results for patients receiving secondary treatments when remission could not be reached after 6 months of TSA operation.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuichi Shima, Kanako Miyabayashi, Takami Mori, Koji Ono, Mizuki Kajimoto, Hae Lim Cho, Hitomi Tsuchida, Yoshihisa Uenoyama, Hiroko Tsukamura, Kentaro Suzuki, Man Ho Choi, Kazunori Toida
Summary: This study discovered that deletion of the pituitary enhancer located in the 6th intron of the Nr5a1 gene in mice leads to the disappearance of NR5A1 in the pituitary gland and severely affects the development of reproductive organs. Transcriptomic analysis further identified genes that are specifically dependent on NR5A1 expression in pituitary gonadotropes, which play important roles in reproductive organ development through regulation of pituitary gonadotrope functions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cameron. A. A. Rawanduzy, Alexander Winkler-Schwartz, William. T. T. Couldwell
Summary: Hypophysitis is an inflammatory disease of the pituitary gland with various causes, including autoimmune-related, local lesions, systemic disease, and medications. It was previously considered rare, but increased understanding of the disease process and etiology has led to more frequent recognition. This review provides an overview of the causes, detection strategies, and management of hypophysitis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Patrycja Mlotkowska, Elzbieta Marciniak, Anna Misztal, Tomasz Misztal
Summary: This study investigated the effects of neurosteroids on oxytocin synthesis and release in non-pregnant and pregnant sheep. The results showed that manipulating central neurosteroid levels could affect oxytocin secretion, particularly under stress and pregnancy conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Feiye Wu, Jing Zhu, Yang Wan, Subinuer Kurexi, Jia Zhou, Ke Wang, Tongyu Chen
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its potential mechanisms. The results showed that EA treatment effectively inhibited the hyperactivity of the HPA axis and promoted postoperative recovery by activating the oxytocin/oxytocin receptor (OXT/OXTR) signaling pathway.
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Chirine Toufaily, Jerome Fortin, Carlos A. Alonso, Evelyne Lapointe, Xiang Zhou, Yorgui Santiago-Andres, Yeu-Farn Lin, Yiming Cui, Ying Wang, Dominic Devost, Ferdinand Roelfsema, Frederik Steyn, Aylin C. Hanyaloglu, Terence E. Hebert, Tatiana Fiordelisio, Derek Boerboom, Daniel J. Bernard
Summary: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) controls reproduction by stimulating FSH and LH synthesis via its receptor GnRHR, but the lack of Ctail in mammalian GnRHR may not provide an advantage for LH surge generation. In transgenic mice, addition of Ctail resulted in reduced FSH production and fertility, suggesting a potential role of Ctail in normal reproductive function.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Junpei Sanada, Fuminori Tatsumi, Shinji Kamei, Yoshiro Fushimi, Masashi Shimoda, Kenji Kohara, Shuhei Nakanishi, Kohei Kaku, Tomoatsu Mune, Hideaki Kaneto
Summary: Pituitary adenoma producing both growth hormone (GH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is rare but possible. This case study presented a 27-year-old woman with symptoms of acromegaly and simultaneous production of both GH and TSH by the pituitary adenoma. Treatment included pituitary tumor resection, cyber knife therapy, somatostatin analog, GH receptor antagonist, and anti-thyroid drug thiamazole.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Antonio Bianchi, Sabrina Chiloiro, Antonella Giampietro, Simona Gaudino, Rosalinda Calandrelli, Ciro Mazzarella, Carmelo Caldarella, Mario Rigante, Marco Gessi, Liverana Lauretti, Laura De Marinis, Alessandro Olivi, Alfredo Pontecorvi, Francesco Doglietto
Summary: Growth hormone-secreting adenomas exhibit a wide range of behaviors and outcomes, from mild disease to aggressive neoplasms. Treatment for patients who do not respond to surgery or first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands may involve multiple surgical, medical, and radiation treatments. Currently, there are no markers that can predict the prognosis or aggressiveness of acromegaly. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to tailor treatment for difficult/aggressive cases, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and emerging treatments.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Seung Woo Hong, Se Hoon Kim, Seung Hoon Lim, Eun Jig Lee, Sun Ho Kim, Cheol Ryong Ku, Eui Hyun Kim
Summary: The study evaluated the clinical relevance of the new cell lineage-based classification system for pituitary adenomas proposed by WHO, finding that it mostly matched with the traditional classification but discrepancies between TF and pituitary hormone stains exist in some cases. Null cell adenomas may be more prevalent than reported and are clinically more aggressive than gonadotroph adenomas.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kazunori Kageyama, Yasumasa Iwasaki, Yutaka Watanuki, Kanako Niioka, Makoto Daimon
Summary: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is stimulated in response to stress, and glucocorticoids regulate its activity by inhibiting Pomc gene expression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Charles Ashton, Suhn K. Rhie, John D. Carmichael, Gabriel Zada
Summary: Profiling of human pituitary adenoma DNA methylome identified KCNAB2 as differentially methylated between NFPAs and GH-secreting PAs. Modulation of Kcnab2 expression in GH3 cells affected GH secretion, and quinidine administration reduced GH secretion in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest potential new therapeutic targets for acromegaly.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY
(2021)
Article
Pathology
Filomena Emanuela Laddaga, Giuseppe Ingravallo, Anna Mestice, Roberto Tamma, Tommasina Perrone, Eugenio Maiorano, Domenico Ribatti, Giorgina Specchia, Francesco Gaudio
Summary: The study found that DLBCL chemoresistant patients had reduced absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and CD3+ and CD4+ cells compared to chemosensitive patients. The lymphocyte:monocyte ratio (LMR) was positively correlated with peripheral blood CD3+ and CD4+ cells. ALC, LMR, peripheral blood CD3+ and CD4+ cells were positively correlated with T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). These findings indicate that the presence of T cells in the TME may play a role in antitumor immune response in DLBCL.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberta Zerlotin, Angela Oranger, Patrizia Pignataro, Manuela Dicarlo, Filippo Maselli, Giorgio Mori, Silvia Concetta Colucci, Maria Grano, Graziana Colaianni
Summary: Irisin is a peptide secreted by skeletal muscle that plays an important role in bone metabolism. It promotes osteogenesis, protects osteocytes, prevents loss of bone and muscle mass, and accelerates fracture healing. Clinical evidence suggests that low levels of irisin are associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. It may also serve as a marker for monitoring bone quality in secondary osteoporosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patrizia Pignataro, Manuela Dicarlo, Roberta Zerlotin, Giuseppina Storlino, Angela Oranger, Lorenzo Sanesi, Roberto Lovero, Cinzia Buccoliero, Giorgio Mori, Graziana Colaianni, Silvia Colucci, Maria Grano
Summary: This study evaluated the potential antidepressant effects of irisin and found that it significantly reduced immobility time and displayed anxiolytic-like effects in mice. The study also identified potential molecular pathways underlying irisin's effects, including the upregulation of neurotrophic factors and modulation of cytokine expression. This research provides valuable insights for future preclinical studies on the use of irisin in humans.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Ambrogio, Lorenzo Sanesi, Angela Oranger, Chiara Barlusconi, Manuela Dicarlo, Patrizia Pignataro, Roberta Zerlotin, Paolo Romita, Elvira Favoino, Gerardo Cazzato, Nicoletta Cassano, Gino Antonio Vena, Caterina Foti, Maria Grano
Summary: This study found that serum irisin levels in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were not significantly different from those in the control group, but were negatively correlated with the severity of psoriasis, especially in patients with milder symptoms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberta Zerlotin, Marco Fornaro, Mariella Errede, Patrizia Pignataro, Clelia Suriano, Maddalena Ruggieri, Silvia Colucci, Florenzo Iannone, Maria Grano, Graziana Colaianni
Summary: In this cohort study, 41 patients with DM and IMNM were examined. The results showed lower expression of FNDC5 in the muscle biopsies of these patients compared to the control group, while serum irisin levels were higher. The authors hypothesize that increased expression of ADAM10 in the skeletal muscle of DM and IMNM patients may be responsible for the discrepancy between irisin levels and FNDC5 expression. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying exacerbated FNDC5 cleavage and muscle irisin resistance in these inflammatory myopathies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Angela Oranger, Roberta Zerlotin, Cinzia Buccoliero, Lorenzo Sanesi, Giuseppina Storlino, Ernestina Schipani, Kenneth Michael Kozloff, Giorgio Mori, Graziana Colaianni, Silvia Colucci, Maria Grano
Summary: Bone fractures are a common clinical event caused by falls, trauma, diseases, and aging. Recent research has found a link between irisin and bone fractures. In an experiment on mice with tibial fractures, treatment with r-Irisin reduced inflammation and promoted angiogenesis, cartilage matrix degradation, and bone formation, suggesting it as a potential molecule for fracture treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Roberto Tamma, Giuseppe Ingravallo, Tiziana Annese, Antonio d'Amati, Loredana Lorusso, Domenico Ribatti
Summary: In this study, we analyzed biopsy specimens from adult patients with IDH1 wild type GBM and found that there was a significant increase in the number of total and M2 type macrophages, CD4(+)- and CD8(+)-lymphocytes, and CD34(+) microvessels in the tumor area compared to the healthy surrounding tissue. We also confirmed previous findings that there were higher numbers of p53 and BCL6(+) cells in the tumor area, with a positive correlation between BCL6 and CD34(+) microvessels. These results suggest that microenvironment components play an important role in GBM progression and could potentially be targeted for new therapies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuela Dicarlo, Patrizia Pignataro, Roberta Zerlotin, Clelia Suriano, Chiara Zecca, Maria Teresa Dell'Abate, Giuseppina Storlino, Angela Oranger, Lorenzo Sanesi, Giorgio Mori, Maria Grano, Graziana Colaianni, Silvia Colucci
Summary: As a result of physical exercise, muscle releases exerkines such as irisin, which has pro-cognitive and antidepressant effects. In a study on mice, we found increased levels of neurotrophins such as NGF and FGF-2 in the hippocampus, and BDNF in the PFC, after irisin administration. These findings suggest that irisin can modulate neurotrophins in specific brain regions, providing potential new targets for short-term antidepressant treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonella Galeone, Maria Grano, Giacomina Brunetti
Summary: Ischemic heart disease, including myocardial infarction, stable angina, and ischemic cardiomyopathy, is a leading cause of death worldwide. Revascularization can reduce myocardial loss and improve clinical outcomes, but it also carries the risk of ischemia-reperfusion injury. This article reviews the role of tumor necrosis factor family members, such as TNF-alpha, CD95L/CD95, TRAIL, and the RANK/RANKL/OPG axis, in myocardial tissue damage and their potential as therapeutic targets.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patrizia Pignataro, Manuela Dicarlo, Clelia Suriano, Lorenzo Sanesi, Roberta Zerlotin, Giuseppina Storlino, Angela Oranger, Chiara Zecca, Maria Teresa Dell'Abate, Giorgio Mori, Maria Grano, Silvia Colucci, Graziana Colaianni
Summary: In a study, it was found that short-term subcutaneous administration of irisin can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, but without significant improvement in memory. This may be achieved by activating the Pgc-1a/FNDC5 system in the brain. Further research could lead to the identification of irisin as a new agent for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lorenzo Sanesi, Manuela Dicarlo, Patrizia Pignataro, Roberta Zerlotin, Flavia Pugliese, Carla Columbu, Vincenzo Carnevale, Silvia Tunnera, Alfredo Scillitani, Maria Grano, Graziana Colaianni, Silvia Colucci
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on irisin serum levels in PHPT patients and conducted related experiments in cells. The results showed that vitamin D supplementation significantly increased irisin serum levels in PHPT patients, and in cells, vitamin D could regulate the expression of Fndc5/irisin by up-regulating Sirt1.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giuseppe Lucarelli, Giuseppe Stefano Netti, Monica Rutigliano, Francesco Lasorsa, Davide Loizzo, Martina Milella, Annalisa Schirinzi, Antonietta Fontana, Francesca Di Serio, Roberto Tamma, Domenico Ribatti, Michele Battaglia, Elena Ranieri, Pasquale Ditonno
Summary: MUC1 is overexpressed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and is associated with aggressive cancer phenotype and chemoresistance. This study found that MUC1 can regulate the immunoflammatory response in the tumor microenvironment by activating the classical pathway of the complement system and is associated with the expression of pentraxin-3 (PTX3). The results suggest that MUC1 expression can modulate the immune infiltration in the ccRCC microenvironment and promote the formation of an immune-silent microenvironment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Gerardo Cazzato, Eliano Cascardi, Anna Colagrande, Teresa Lettini, Alessandra Filosa, Francesca Arezzo, Carmelo Lupo, Nadia Casatta, Vera Loizzi, Cristina Pellegrini, Maria Concetta Fargnoli, Eugenio Maiorano, Gerolamo Cicco, Roberto Tamma, Giuseppe Ingravallo
Summary: T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3) is an inhibitory immunocheckpoint that has been investigated for its role in the tumour microenvironment of melanoma. This review provides the most up-to-date knowledge about TIM-3 in melanoma and discusses future prospects and potential applications.
Article
Oncology
Roberto Tamma, Giuseppe Ingravallo, Francesco Gaudio, Antonio d'Amati, Pierluigi Masciopinto, Emilio Bellitti, Loredana Lorusso, Tiziana Annese, Vincenzo Benagiano, Pellegrino Musto, Giorgina Specchia, Domenico Ribatti
Summary: Although classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) is generally curable, a significant percentage of patients experience relapse and succumb to the disease. The cellular microenvironment in CHL consists of a small number of H/RS tumor cells surrounded by various inflammatory cells. Understanding the interaction between H/RS cells and immune cells in the microenvironment could lead to new targeted immunotherapies. This study analyzed the microenvironment composition in CHL patients with responsive disease (RESP) and relapsed/refractory disease (REL). The results revealed differences in the abundance of specific immune cells and microvessels between RESP and REL patients.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Francesca Posa, Roberta Zerlotin, Anastasia Ariano, Michele Di Cosola, Graziana Colaianni, Aldo Di Fazio, Silvia Colucci, Maria Grano, Giorgio Mori
Summary: Irisin is a myokine produced in skeletal muscle tissue in response to exercise, and recent studies have revealed its potential effects on cartilage tissue. The researchers in this study investigated the paracrine action of Irisin secreted during exercise on chondrogenic differentiation. They treated human articular chondrocytes with Irisin and discovered new mechanisms of communication between muscle and cartilage tissue. These findings could lead to the development of exercise-mimetic drugs for patients unable to engage in physical activity.