Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wadie E. F. Bahou, Natalia Marchenko, Natasha M. M. Nesbitt
Summary: Cytoprotective heme oxygenases convert heme into carbon monoxide, ferrous iron, and biliverdin, which is rapidly reduced to bilirubin by biliverdin IX beta reductase (BLVRB). Recent studies have found that BLVRB plays a role in regulating the fate of hematopoietic stem cells, specifically in megakaryocyte and erythroid development. Crystallographic and thermodynamic studies have provided valuable insights into the biochemistry and genetics of BLVRB, paving the way for the development of selective inhibitors with potential therapeutic applications in hematopoietic and other disorders.
Article
Cell Biology
Maria Jassinskaja, Kristyna Pimkova, Nejc Arh, Emil Johansson, Mina Davoudi, Carlos-Filipe Pereira, Ewa Sitnicka, Jenny Hansson
Summary: This study used mass spectrometry and functional assays to investigate the proteomic mechanisms regulating hematopoiesis, revealing distinct features and differentiation capacities between fetal and adult lympho-myeloid multipotent progenitors and granulocyte-monocyte progenitors. The results suggest a specific requirement of myosin activity for myelopoiesis in adult multipotent progenitors and an ontogenic shift in monocytic differentiation capacity of granulocyte-monocyte progenitors driven by differential expression of Irf8.
Review
Hematology
Nayoung Kwon, Evrett N. Thompson, Madeline Y. Mayday, Vanessa Scanlon, Yi-Chien Lu, Diane S. Krause
Summary: This review provides insights into our current understanding of fate decisions in bipotent megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors (MEPs), discussing isolation of primary human MEP, gene expression patterns, transcription factors, and external factors involved in MEP fate determination, with an overview of debates in the field. Understanding MEP fate is crucial for studying diseases like anemia and leukemia, and MEP also serve as a model system for studying cell fate decisions, applicable to stem/progenitor cell biology.
CURRENT OPINION IN HEMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Donghua Wang, Xiaoli Liu, Lirong Cao, Shixiong Gong, Yi He, Xiangbin Jiang, Zhongxian Wang
Summary: Our study aimed to investigate the role of miR-486-3p in regulating apoptosis of endometrial carcinoma cells. We found that miR-486-3p levels were reduced in EC cells, and manipulating miR-486-3p levels could affect the malignant behaviors of EC cells through targeting DDR1. These findings suggest that miR-486-3p could be a potential new target for treating EC by controlling DDR1 expression.
JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS AND TISSUE ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jiabing Fan, Chung-Sung Lee, Soyon Kim, Xiao Zhang, Joan Pi-Anfruns, Mian Guo, Chen Chen, Matthew Rahnama, Jiong Li, Benjamin M. Wu, Tara L. Aghaloo, Min Lee
Summary: The study found that Trb3 promotes osteoblastic commitment of MSCs while inhibiting adipocyte differentiation, regulating cell-fate choice through BMP/Smad and Wnt/beta-catenin signals. Local delivery of Trb3 using a GelCA-PLGA scaffold stimulated bone regeneration and inhibited fat-filled cyst formation, demonstrating a potential therapeutic strategy for improved skeletal regeneration and treatment of bone-loss disease.
Article
Dermatology
Bihong Zhang, Songjiang Wu
Summary: This study found that circ_0024028 was highly expressed in psoriasis lesions and IL-22-induced HaCaT cells, and its silencing inhibited IL-22-induced HaCaT cell proliferation and migration. MiR-486-3p could be sponged by circ_0024028, and its inhibitor restored the functions of circ_0024028 knockdown on IL-22-induced HaCaT cell proliferation and migration. AKT3 was targeted by miR-486-3p, and its overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-486-3p on IL-22-induced HaCaT cell proliferation and migration. The circ_0024028/miR-486-3p/AKT3 axis regulated the activity of the AKT/mTOR pathway. Additionally, exosomes mediated the transfer of circ_0024028 in cells.
ARCHIVES OF DERMATOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Sandra Parenti, Sebastiano Rontauroli, Chiara Carretta, Selene Mallia, Elena Genovese, Chiara Chiereghin, Clelia Peano, Lara Tavernari, Elisa Bianchi, Sebastian Fantini, Stefano Sartini, Oriana Romano, Silvio Bicciato, Enrico Tagliafico, Matteo Della Porta, Rossella Manfredini
Summary: The study utilized single-cell analysis to reveal the increased genomic complexity during disease progression of myeloproliferative neoplasms and the immunomodulatory effects of the treatment drug. The results indicated that the mutation order of different genes was related to the disease evolution process, and Ruxolitinib might induce immunosuppressive effects, ultimately leading to AML transformation.
NPJ PRECISION ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Sebastiano Rontauroli, Sara Castellano, Paola Guglielmelli, Roberta Zini, Elisa Bianchi, Elena Genovese, Chiara Carretta, Sandra Parenti, Sebastian Fantini, Selene Mallia, Lara Tavernari, Stefano Sartini, Margherita Mirabile, Carmela Mannarelli, Francesca Gesullo, Annalisa Pacilli, Daniela Pietra, Elisa Rumi, Silvia Salmoiraghi, Barbara Mora, Laura Villani, Andrea Grilli, Vittorio Rosti, Giovanni Barosi, Francesco Passamonti, Alessandro Rambaldi, Luca Malcovati, Mario Cazzola, Silvio Bicciato, Enrico Tagliafico, Alessandro M. Vannucchi, Rossella Manfredini
Summary: This study demonstrates that gene expression profiles in MF patients correlate with their survival and clinical features, particularly high-risk patients showing inferior overall survival and leukemia-free survival. High-risk patients are enriched in post-PV and post-ET MF, JAK2V617F homozygous patients, and typically display high molecular risk mutations.
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
L. Ridolfi, L. Gurrieri, N. Riva, V. Fausti, A. Bongiovanni, G. Di Menna, F. De Rosa, M. Guidoboni, L. Mercatali, J. Bulgarelli, F. Foca, M. Tazzari, S. Calpona, M. Petrini, A. Granato, E. Pancisi, M. Dall'Agata, L. Valmorri, L. Tosatto, T. Ibrahim
ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Silvia Turroni, Elisabetta Petracci, Valeria Edefonti, Anna M. Giudetti, Federica D'Amico, Lisa Paganelli, Giusto Giovannetti, Laura Del Coco, Francesco P. Fanizzi, Simone Rampelli, Debora Guerra, Claudia Rengucci, Jenny Bulgarelli, Marcella Tazzari, Nicoletta Pellegrini, Monica Ferraroni, Oriana Nanni, Patrizia Serra
Summary: The pilot interventional study found that mycorrhized foods from symbiotic agriculture may improve gut microbiota and metabolome, reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome. Improvement was more pronounced in individuals with unhealthy dietary habits.
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
L. Ridolfi, J. Bulgarelli, C. Piccinini, S. Carloni, A. Granato, M. Petrini, F. De Rosa, M. Tazzari, E. Pancisi, V. Ancarani, L. Turci, G. Gentili, L. Valmorri, M. Guidoboni
ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jenny Bulgarelli, Claudia Piccinini, Elisabetta Petracci, Elena Pancisi, Anna Maria Granato, Francesco de Rosa, Massimo Guidoboni, Massimiliano Petrini, Valentina Ancarani, Giovanni Foschi, Antonino Romeo, Luca Tontini, Ugo De Giorgi, Cristian Lolli, Giorgia Gentili, Linda Valmorri, Alice Rossi, Fabio Ferroni, Carla Casadei, Pietro Cortesi, Laura Crudi, Laura Ridolfi
Summary: High-dose interleukin-2 (HD IL-2) in combination with radiotherapy (RT) shows promising therapeutic effects in metastatic melanoma (MM) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with a majority of patients responding well to the treatment and exhibiting notable immune responses. Some patients experienced partial disease response after the combination therapy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Genovese, Margherita Mirabile, Sebastiano Rontauroli, Stefano Sartini, Sebastian Fantini, Lara Tavernari, Monica Maccaferri, Paola Guglielmelli, Elisa Bianchi, Sandra Parenti, Chiara Carretta, Selene Mallia, Sara Castellano, Corrado Colasante, Manjola Balliu, Niccolo Bartalucci, Raffaele Palmieri, Tiziana Ottone, Barbara Mora, Leonardo Potenza, Francesco Passamonti, Maria Teresa Voso, Mario Luppi, Alessandro Maria Vannucchi, Enrico Tagliafico, Rossella Manfredini
Summary: Myelofibrosis is a type of myeloproliferative neoplasm with poor prognosis and no response to traditional therapies. Driver mutations in JAK2 and CALR impact ROS production and oxidative DNA damage, with CALR-mutated patients showing higher ROS levels and lower antioxidant activity compared to JAK2-mutated patients. High plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity are associated with adverse clinical features and poor overall survival, particularly in patients with JAK2 mutations, suggesting a different response to oxidative stress as a potential mechanism underlying myelofibrosis progression.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eustachio Attico, Giulia Galaverni, Elisa Bianchi, Lorena Losi, Rossella Manfredini, Alessandro Lambiase, Paolo Rama, Graziella Pellegrini
Summary: Total bilateral Limbal Stem Cells Deficiency is a pathological condition that affects the ocular surface due to loss or impairment of corneal stem cell function. Cultivated Oral Mucosa Epithelial Transplantation (COMET) is the only autologous treatment available. By analyzing the markers in patients treated with COMET, we can gain insights into corneal repair and regeneration mechanisms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Michela Colombo, Ruggiero Norfo, Giada Bianchi, Aldo M. Roccaro
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Elena Pancisi, Anna Maria Granato, Emanuela Scarpi, Laura Ridolfi, Silvia Carloni, Cinzia Moretti, Massimo Guidoboni, Francesco De Rosa, Sara Pignatta, Claudia Piccinini, Valentina Soldati, Luana Calabro, Massimo Framarini, Monica Stefanelli, Jenny Bulgarelli, Marcella Tazzari, Francesca Fanini, Massimiliano Petrini
Summary: Advanced therapy medical products (ATMPs) are an important and rapidly growing field in innovative medicine. In this study, a stability program was developed to evaluate the quality parameters and establish the shelf life of frozen dendritic cell (DC) vaccines. The data collected demonstrate that freezing and thawing do not disturb the functional and quality characteristics of the DC vaccine product over time.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sebastiano Rontauroli, Chiara Carretta, Sandra Parenti, Matteo Bertesi, Rossella Manfredini
Summary: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are clonal disorders caused by somatic mutations in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Different types of MPNs can progress to secondary myelofibrosis or acute myeloid leukemia. This review focuses on the genomic heterogeneity in MPNs and discusses the impact of single cell studies on disease progression and leukemic transformation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Elisa Bianchi, Sebastiano Rontauroli, Lara Tavernari, Margherita Mirabile, Francesca Pedrazzi, Elena Genovese, Stefano Sartini, Massimiliano Dall'Ora, Giulia Grisendi, Luca Fabbiani, Monica Maccaferri, Chiara Carretta, Sandra Parenti, Sebastian Fantini, Niccolo Bartalucci, Laura Calabresi, Manjola Balliu, Paola Guglielmelli, Leonardo Potenza, Enrico Tagliafico, Lorena Losi, Massimo Dominici, Mario Luppi, Alessandro Maria Vannucchi, Rossella Manfredini
Summary: BM fibrosis is a major pathology in myelofibrosis and is associated with overexpression of OPN protein. ERK1/2 is a key regulator of OPN production, and inhibiting ERK1/2 activity can reduce OPN production and hinder the development of BM fibrosis. Targeting OPN and ERK1/2 could be potential therapeutic strategies for myelofibrosis.
Editorial Material
Immunology
Jenny Bulgarelli, Sara Pignatta, Massimiliano Petrini, Laura Ridolfi
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eustachio Attico, Giulia Galaverni, Andrea Torello, Elisa Bianchi, Susanna Bonacorsi, Lorena Losi, Rossella Manfredini, Alessandro Lambiase, Paolo Rama, Graziella Pellegrini
Summary: Total bilateral Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency is a pathological condition caused by the loss of corneal stem cells. Cultivated oral mucosa epithelial transplantation (COMET) is the only successful autologous treatment, but it often leads to abnormal corneal vascularization. This study identified a new marker, Paired Like Homeodomain 2 (PITX2), that distinguishes transplanted oral tissue from other epithelia, and also discovered differential expression of angiogenesis-related factors in the three epithelia, providing insights into the neovascularization mechanism in COMET-treated patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Maria Maddalena Tumedei, Filippo Piccinini, Jenny Bulgarelli, Massimo Guidoboni, Francesco Limarzi, Barbara Vergani, Biagio Eugenio Leone, Maurizio Puccetti, Sara Bravaccini, Giovanni Martinelli, Toni Ibrahim, Marcella Tazzari