Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giada Amodeo, Benedetta Verduci, Patrizia Sartori, Patrizia Procacci, Vincenzo Conte, Gianfranco Balboni, Paola Sacerdote, Silvia Franchi
Summary: The study indicates that mice treated with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib may develop anxiety and depression, which are related to neuroinflammation and prokineticin system activation. Treatment with the prokineticin system antagonist PC1, which has anti-pain and anti-neuroinflammation effects, can prevent mood alterations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Liron Hefetz, Rachel Ben-Haroush Schyr, Michael Bergel, Yhara Arad, Doron Kleiman, Hadar Israeli, Itia Samuel, Shira Azulai, Arnon Haran, Yovel Levy, Dana Sender, Amihai Rottenstreich, Danny Ben-Zvi
Summary: Mothers who undergo bariatric surgery are at a higher risk of giving birth to small-for-gestational age infants. This is due to malabsorption and rapid weight loss after surgery. The study found that elevated Glp1 signaling, rather than weight loss, is linked to the increased prevalence of small-for-gestational age births following bariatric surgery.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Junliang Qian, Huiyin Tu, Dongze Zhang, Aaron N. Barksdale, Kaushik P. Patel, Michael C. Wadman, Yu-Long Li
Summary: The use of masitinib can improve nerve damage and abnormal mechanoreception caused by tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion injury, reduce inflammation, and significantly ameliorate sensory deficits and allodynia in mouse hind paw tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Moses M. Kasembeli, Pooja Singhmar, Jiacheng Ma, Jules Edralin, Yongfu Tang, Clydell Adams, Cobi J. Heijnen, Annemieke Kavelaars, David J. Tweardy
Summary: TTI-101, a competitive inhibitor of STAT3, shows target engagement, no toxicity, and clinical benefit in patients with solid tumors. Unexpectedly, TTI-101 also suppresses neuropathic pain induced by chemotherapy, providing additional benefits beyond its direct anti-tumor effect.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Jiye Yang, Youngnim Shin, Hwee-Jin Kim, Hyo-Eun Kim, Jang-Soo Chun
Summary: In this study, we found that upregulation of Prok2 exacerbates cartilage destruction and mechanical allodynia in osteoarthritis (OA). However, knockdown of Prok2 is not sufficient to inhibit experimental OA, and Prok2 is not a potential candidate serum biomarker of OA.
ARTHRITIS RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ahmed M. Awad, Sally L. Elshaer, Rajashekhar Gangaraju, Rania R. Abdelaziz, Manar A. Nader
Summary: This study demonstrates the protective effect of montelukast in diabetic-induced aortic and testicular injury through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and autophagy stimulation characteristics.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gabriel Rufino Estrela, Raisa Brito Santos, Alexandre Budu, Adriano Cleis de Arruda, Jonatan Barrera-Chimal, Ronaldo Carvalho Araujo
Summary: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem caused by acute kidney injury (AKI) and inflammation. Inhibiting the B1 receptor (B1R) can improve AKI and prevent the transition to CKD. This study highlights the potential therapeutic role of B1R antagonism in preventing CKD following AKI.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Victor M. Jimenez, Gabriel Castaneda, Charles P. France
Summary: This study demonstrates that methocinnamox (MCAM) can reverse and prevent the ventilatory-depressant effects of fentanyl, with a duration of action lasting up to 3 days to at least 2 weeks. This suggests that MCAM might provide an effective treatment option for opioid overdose crisis, particularly from fentanyl and related highly potent analogs.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Alex Sonneborn, Robert W. Greene
Summary: The locus coeruleus (LC) has been established as the major source of dopamine release to the dorsal hippocampus, and its activity is highly correlated with attentional processes and memory. Blocking the norepinephrine transporter (NET) may be a plausible mechanism for LC-mediated dopamine release.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Stephanie M. Muscat, Nicholas P. Deems, Michael J. Butler, Emmanuel A. Scaria, Menaz N. Bettes, Sean P. Cleary, Ross H. Bockbrader, Steven F. Maier, Ruth M. Barrientos
Summary: This study highlights the importance of addressing perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PNDs) and provides evidence that blocking toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation can mitigate the cognitive impairment caused by morphine treatment. These findings offer a promising therapeutic target for preventing or treating PNDs.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takahiro Yamazaki, Sayuri Yamada, Konomi Ohshio, Miho Sugamata, Yuji Morita
Summary: Lactobacillus paracasei KW3110 has anti-inflammatory effects and prevents inflammatory stress-induced mitochondrial damage by promoting IL-10 production in mouse macrophages.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhiwei Xu, Xianli Yuan, Qiaoyan Gao, Yan Li, Mingcai Li
Summary: The overexpression of IL-38 in mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis reduced body weight loss and inflammation, while increasing the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that IL-38 may be a new strategy for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the balance of inflammatory cytokines.
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vishwadeep Shelke, Ajinath Kale, Neha Dagar, Tahib Habshi, Anil Bhanudas Gaikwad
Summary: Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) signaling play a role in diabetes-associated kidney diseases. This study explored the role of phloretin, a TLR4 inhibitor, as an adjuvant therapy to empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, in ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI) under diabetic conditions. The combination therapy of phloretin and empagliflozin was found to be more effective than monotherapy, reducing inflammation and apoptosis through the HMGB1/TLR4/MyD88/IK-beta/alpha/NF-kappa B pathway.
Article
Neurosciences
Nathan Cramer, Yadong Ji, Maureen A. Kane, Nageswara R. Pilli, Alberto Castro, Luca Posa, Gabrielle Van Patten, Radi Masri, Asaf Keller
Summary: Serotonergic neurons in the rostral ventral medulla play a bidirectional role in pain control. Serotonin release in the spinal cord is pronociceptive, and sustained serotonin signaling may potentiate nociception in chronic pain models.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deokho Lee, Yohei Tomita, Yukihiro Miwa, Ari Shinojima, Norimitsu Ban, Shintaro Yamaguchi, Ken Nishioka, Kazuno Negishi, Jun Yoshino, Toshihide Kurihara
Summary: The study suggests that NMN administration offers protection against retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury by suppressing inflammation, protecting retinal neuronal cells, and activating the antioxidant pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Simona D'Agnelli, Giada Amodeo, Silvia Franchi, Benedetta Verduci, Marco Baciarello, Alberto Emilio Panerai, Elena Giovanna Bignami, Paola Sacerdote
Summary: The hypothesis that pain may contribute to the development of frailty has been investigated in recent clinical studies, but further research is needed to understand the shared mechanisms between pain and frailty, particularly in genetics, epigenetics, and inflammation. Current evidence is preliminary, with observational clinical studies and a lack of investigation into the impact of pain treatment on frailty progression. Specific research on the pain-frailty relationship is necessary to uncover potential intervention strategies.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marco Fiore, Luigi Tarani, Antonio Radicioni, Matteo Spaziani, Giampiero Ferraguti, Carolina Putotto, Francesca Gabanella, Daniela Maftei, Roberta Lattanzi, Antonio Minni, Antonio Greco, Francesca Tarani, Carla Petrella
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the serum levels of PROK2 in prepubertal and adult KS patients, and found significant changes in KS individuals compared to healthy subjects. These data indicate that PROK2 may serve as a biomarker for investigating the SK infertility process in KS individuals.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Tommaso Schirinzi, Daniela Maftei, Massimo Ralli, Antonio Greco, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Roberta Lattanzi, Cinzia Severini
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Roberta Lattanzi, Daniela Maftei, Martina Vincenzi, Maria Rosaria Fullone, Rossella Miele
Summary: This study characterized a new alternatively spliced product of the prok2 gene called PROK2C, which is expressed in the hippocampus and spinal cord of mice. It was found that PROK2C can bind and activate both PROKR1 and PROKR2, and it induces sensitization of peripheral nociceptors to painful stimuli.
Article
Neurosciences
Daniela Maftei, Tommaso Schirinzi, Nicola B. Mercuri, Roberta Lattanzi, Cinzia Severini
Summary: The immune system plays a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases, and the chemokine PK2 is an important player in these diseases. The potential clinical value of PK2 as a disease biomarker or therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease is discussed.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Rosaria Fullone, Daniela Maftei, Martina Vincenzi, Roberta Lattanzi, Rossella Miele
Summary: Melanocortin Receptor Accessory Protein 2 (MRAP2) regulates the trafficking and signal transduction of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) involved in energy homeostasis, and its interaction with PKR2 plays a crucial role in modulating receptor localization and signaling. The prokineticin transduction system also regulates MRAP2 expression, highlighting its importance in the control of food intake.
Article
Biology
Martina Vincenzi, Michele Stanislaw Milella, Ginevra D'Ottavio, Daniele Caprioli, Ingrid Reverte, Daniela Maftei
Summary: Neuropathic pain originates from somatosensory nervous system injury or disease, and there are currently no satisfactory treatments. Upregulation of chemokines may be a common mechanism driving neuropathic pain, as well as consequences related to chronic opioid use.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Tommaso Schirinzi, Daniela Maftei, Francesco M. Passali, Piergiorgio Grillo, Henri Zenuni, Davide Mascioli, Riccardo Maurizi, Laura Loccisano, Martina Vincenzi, Anna Maria Rinaldi, Massimo Ralli, Stefano Di Girolamo, Alessandro Stefani, Roberta Lattanzi, Cinzia Severini, Nicola B. Mercuri
Summary: This study outlines the dynamics of the prokineticin-2 pathway in relation to the clinical-pathological features of Parkinson's disease by examining olfactory neurons of patients. The results show that prokineticin-2 expression is increased in Parkinson's disease and is directly correlated with the severity of motor symptoms. Additionally, the accumulation of oligomeric alpha-synuclein is associated with prokineticin-2 protein levels. These findings support prokineticin-2 as a potential target for Parkinson's disease and validate the use of olfactory neurons to reflect pathological changes of the disease.
ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Rosaria Fullone, Daniela Maftei, Martina Vincenzi, Roberta Lattanzi, Rossella Miele
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the functional role of the specific arginine residue at position 125 of MRAP2, and found that it affects protein conformation, dimer formation, and PKR2 binding. This helps in understanding the regulation mechanism of MRAP2 on G protein-coupled receptors and further revealing metabolic pathways associated with metabolic dysfunction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Tommaso Schirinzi, Roberta Lattanzi, Daniela Maftei, Piergiorgio Grillo, Henri Zenuni, Laura Boffa, Maria Albanese, Clara Simonetta, Roberta Bovenzi, Riccardo Maurizi, Laura Loccisano, Martina Vincenzi, Antonio Greco, Stefano Di Girolamo, Nicola B. Mercuri, Francesco M. Passali, Cinzia Severini
Summary: Persistent olfactory dysfunction (OD) is a common and concerning complication of long COVID-19, with potential long-term neurological consequences. This study investigated two inflammatory pathways, Substance P (SP) and Prokineticin-2 (PK2), in olfactory neurons (ONs) of patients with persistent post-COVID-19 OD. The findings suggest that both SP and PK2 pathways may play a role in persistent OD, with sustained activation of SP potentially contributing to chronic inflammation and hyposmia, while PK2 expression may support smell recovery.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giada Amodeo, Silvia Franchi, Giulia Galimberti, Laura Comi, Simona D'Agnelli, Marco Baciarello, Elena Giovanna Bignami, Paola Sacerdote
Summary: Knee osteoarthritis is a common cause of pain and disability in old subjects. Pain may lead to the development of frailty. This study used a mice model and found that older mice are more vulnerable to the detrimental effects of pain, but treatment with morphine can mitigate these effects.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giada Amodeo, Giulia Galimberti, Paola Sacerdote, Silvia Franchi
Summary: The prokineticin system (PKS) plays an important role in the pathophysiology and pain of Crohn's disease (CD). TNBS-model experiments showed that the expression of PKS and inflammation/neuroinflammation-related genes significantly increased in CD mice. Additionally, alcohol abuse may be a triggering factor for CD by activating PKS and exacerbating inflammation/neuroinflammation.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Giada Amodeo, Silvia Franchi, Simona D'Agnelli, Giulia Galimberti, Marco Baciarello, Elena Giovanna Bignami, Paola Sacerdote
Summary: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of chronic pain in elderly individuals, often leading to emotional comorbidities such as anxiety and depression. However, preclinical studies on this topic primarily focus on young adult animals. In this study, we used young and older adult mice to investigate the development of anxio-depressive-like behaviors in an OA model and whether neuroinflammation plays a role in these changes. We also examined the efficacy of morphine treatment in preventing behavioral and biochemical alterations.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marco Turati, Silvia Franchi, Marco Crippa, Laura Rizzi, Luca Rigamonti, Paola Sacerdote, Simone Daniel Gatti, Massimiliano Piatti, Giulia Galimberti, Daniele Munegato, Giada Amodeo, Robert J. Omeljaniuk, Giovanni Zatti, Antonio Torsello, Marco Bigoni
Summary: This observational study examined the potential involvement of PK2 in degenerative or traumatic knee disease. The study found that PK2 was detected in synovial fluids of both OA and TM patients, and its levels were correlated with those of IL-10. These findings could contribute to the development of prognostic indices and therapeutic targets for limiting the development of secondary OA.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Giulia Galimberti, Giada Amodeo, Giulia Magni, Benedetta Riboldi, Gianfranco Balboni, Valentina Onnis, Stefania Ceruti, Paola Sacerdote, Silvia Franchi
Summary: This study examined the role of the Prokineticin system in OA pain and mood disorders. The results showed that a PK antagonist could reduce arthritis and neuroinflammation, and alleviate pain and emotional disturbances.