Article
Virology
Anna Paola Carreca, Massimiliano Gaetani, Rosalia Busa, Maria Giovanna Francipane, Maria Rita Gulotta, Ugo Perricone, Gioacchin Iannolo, Giovanna Russelli, Claudia Carcione, Pier Giulio Conaldi, Ester Badami
Summary: This study reveals the antiviral effects of interferon-alpha-activated natural killer (NK) cells against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The activated NK cells showed enhanced contact-dependent and contact-independent responses, and were able to inhibit HCV replication. Galectin-9 and interferon-gamma were found to play a major role in HCV suppression.
Article
Immunology
Sofya A. Kust, Maria A. Streltsova, Alexander V. Panteleev, Natalya L. Karpina, Irina V. Lyadova, Alexander M. Sapozhnikov, Elena I. Kovalenko
Summary: NK cells expressing HLA-DR play a critical role in the control of tuberculosis infection by exhibiting higher proliferative activity and increased expression of NK receptors. These cells show higher IFN-γ production and degranulation level in response to mycobacteria stimulation, serving as an important link to the adaptive immunity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Chen Liang, Shanshan Li, Jinfeng Yuan, Yanhua Song, Weicong Ren, Wei Wang, Yuanyuan Shang, Shenjie Tang, Yu Pang
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the phenotype, proliferation and functional alterations of cytokine-induced memory-like natural killer (CIML NK) cells from healthy subjects and TB patients, and assessed the efficacy of CIML NK cells in response to H37Rv-infected U937 cells in vitro. CIML NK cells from healthy individuals showed enhanced IFN-gamma secretion and boosted anti-MTB activity in vitro, which from TB patients show impaired IFN-gamma production and no enhanced anti-MTB activity compared to those from healthy donors. These results open up new possibilities for NK cell-based anti-tuberculosis immunotherapeutic strategies.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adham Abuelola Mohamed, Sofia Soler, Julia Wegner, Eva Bartok, Sanda Stankovic, Andrew G. G. Brooks, Martin Schlee
Summary: NK cell activation in response to Influenza A virus infection depends on the cytosolic RNA receptor RIG-I, and activation of RIG-I enhances both the antiviral defense and cytotoxic effector function of NK cells against target cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Elisa Petruccioli, Linda Petrone, Saeid Najafi-Fard, Assunta Navarra, Valentina Vanini, Gilda Cuzzi, Fabrizio Cantini, Gina Gualano, Fabrizio Palmieri, Delia Goletti
Summary: This study aims to investigate whether alternative biomarkers, other than IFN-gamma, can help diagnose TBI in IMID patients using the QuantiFERON-TB-Plus platform.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Chen Cheng, Qian Zhang, Yue Li, Jiali Jiang, Linxi Xie, Haiyuan Shen, Dongqing Wu, Hejiao Zhang, Huiru Zhang, Xuan Wang, Hongyu Wu, Jingjing Xu, Li Gui, Bao Li, Cynthia Ju, Hui Peng, Shi Yin, Long Xu
Summary: This study reveals for the first time that the interaction between liver innate lymphoid cells (ILC1) and natural killer (NK) cells plays an important role in the development of alcoholic steatohepatitis. It was found that NK cells undergo apoptosis upon chronic alcohol consumption, leading to the dominance of ILC1 among group 1 ILC. Depletion of ILC1 or neutralization of IL17A can alleviate liver steatosis, inflammation, and injury, while normalization of the ILC1/NK cells ratio through NK cell transfer or expansion provides significant protection against alcohol-induced steatohepatitis.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marije Oosting, Michelle Brouwer, Hedwig D. Vrijmoeth, Rosa Pascual Domingo, Anna Greco, Hadewych ter Hofstede, Ellen H. van den Bogaard, Joost Schalkwijk, Mihai G. Netea, Leo A. B. Joosten
Summary: Natural Killer (NK) cells play an important role in the immune response to Borrelia burgdorferi infection. They produce cytokines and chemokines and are responsible for the early production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) after exposure to B. burgdorferi. CD56(+) (NK + NK-T) cells activate keratinocytes by releasing soluble mediators, highlighting their role in the early defense against B. burgdorferi.
Article
Immunology
Joana Furtado Milao, Luca Love, George Gourgi, Lukas Derhaschnig, J. Peter Svensson, Anders Soennerborg, Robert van Domselaar
Summary: The establishment of a latency reservoir poses a significant challenge in curing HIV-1. The shock-and-kill strategy, which aims to reactivate latent HIV-1, has not been successful with current latency reversal agents (LRAs). However, this study suggests that NK cells stimulated with a caspase inhibitor can induce latency reversal in co-cultures with HIV-1 latently infected cells. The researchers also identified a secreted factor by NK cells that is responsible for HIV-1 reactivation, indicating the potential of this approach in reducing viral latency reservoirs.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Qirong Li, Baozhen Sun, Yue Zhuo, Ziping Jiang, Rong Li, Chao Lin, Ye Jin, Yongjian Gao, Dongxu Wang
Summary: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a virus that causes acute and chronic hepatitis, as well as liver cancer and cirrhosis. Interferons (IFNs) are proteins with antiviral properties and play an important role in the immune system. IFNs inhibit HBV replication and transcription by inducing the expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in host cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lovisa Karlsson, Jyotirmoy Das, Moa Nilsson, Amanda Tyren, Isabelle Pehrson, Nina Idh, Shumaila Sayyab, Jakob Paues, Cesar Ugarte-Gil, Melissa Mendez-Aranda, Maria Lerm
Summary: The study identified a unique DNA methylation signature in individuals who later developed latent TB, with no peripheral immune response to M. tuberculosis antigen. These individuals showed a distinct DNA methylation profile and a set of DMGs over-represented in pathways related to macrophage and T cell function in TB control.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Gabriela M. Wiedemann, Endi K. Santosa, Simon Grassmann, Sam Sheppard, Jean-Benoit Le Luduec, Nicholas M. Adams, Celeste Dang, Katharine C. Hsu, Joseph C. Sun, Colleen M. Lau
Summary: Research demonstrates that the antiviral responses of NK cells are influenced by cytokine signaling through STAT proteins, with proinflammatory and homeostatic cytokines forming a cooperative axis to regulate global gene expression and affect NK cell activity through diverse modes of epigenetic regulation.
Article
Immunology
Michael ToVinh, Gregor Hoerr, Kristiyana Dobrikova, Christina Gotter, Clemens Rommel, Christoph Hoffmeister, Jan Raabe, Kim M. Kaiser, Claudia Finnemann, Jenny Bischoff, Gereon J. Rieke, Christoph Wilhelm, Vanessa Schmitt, Christoph Moehl, Mansoureh Aghabeig, Carolynne Schwarze-Zander, Christoph Boesecke, Kathrin van Bremen, Jan-Christian Wasmuth, Christian P. Strassburg, Juergen K. Rockstroh, Ulrich Spengler, Benjamin Kraemer, Jacob Nattermann
Summary: This study revealed that HIV infection is associated with impaired NK cell function due to mitochondrial dysfunction, and the use of a mitochondria-targeting antioxidant can improve NK cell function.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dandan Guo, Chenxu Jin, Yaoxin Gao, Haizhen Lin, Li Zhang, Ying Zhou, Jie Yao, Yixin Duan, Yaojun Ren, Xinhui Hui, Yujia Ge, Renzheng Yang, Wenzheng Jiang
Summary: This study found that GPR116 receptor negatively regulates the function of NK cells, and downregulation of GPR116 receptor can enhance the antitumor activity of NKG2D-CAR-NK92 cells.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Xiaoyan Xu, Guangmei Zheng, Yushan Ren, Xiaohua He, Biwen Peng, Xuemei Hu, Wanhong Liu
Summary: Infections, particularly Toxoplasma gondii infection, can result in adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study discovered that the downregulation of 2B4 protein expression after T. gondii infection was associated with worse pregnancy outcomes. The interaction between 2B4 and signaling molecules such as SHP-2 and Fyn regulated the production of TNF-α and IFN-γ in decidual natural killer cells during T. gondii infection.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Cristina Capuano, Davide De Federicis, Daniel Ciuti, Ombretta Turriziani, Antonio Angeloni, Emanuela Anastasi, Giuseppe Giannini, Francesca Belardinilli, Rosa Molfetta, Domenico Alvaro, Gabriella Palmieri, Ricciarda Galandrini
Summary: This study demonstrates a durable downmodulation of CD16 levels and antibody-dependent NK cell functions after SARS-CoV-2 heterologous vaccination, and highlights the impact of genetic and environmental host-related factors in modulating NK cell susceptibility to post-vaccinal Fc-dependent functional impairment.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Grazia Signorello, Silvia Ravera, Giuliana Leoncini
Summary: The researchers found that endocannabinoids 2AG and AEA can promote the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in human platelets, mainly through the involvement of CB1 receptor and the syk/PI3K/AKT/mTor pathway. Endocannabinoids can also affect the aerobic metabolism of platelets by reducing oxygen consumption, inhibiting the activity of respiratory complexes II, III and IV, and enhancing the activity of respiratory complex I. These effects could lead to thrombosis and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nadia Bertola, Silvia Bruno, Cristina Capanni, Marta Columbaro, Andrea Nicola Mazzarello, Fabio Corsolini, Stefano Regis, Paolo Degan, Enrico Cappelli, Silvia Ravera
Summary: Fanconi anemia is a rare genetic disorder characterized by bone marrow failure and aplastic anemia. Recent studies have shown that FA cells also exhibit mitochondrial metabolism defects, which lead to intracellular lipid accumulation and oxidative damage. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these metabolic alterations are still unclear.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nadia Bertola, Stefano Regis, Silvia Bruno, Andrea Nicola Mazzarello, Martina Serra, Michela Lupia, Federica Sabatini, Fabio Corsolini, Silvia Ravera, Enrico Cappelli
Summary: Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare genetic disease characterized by dysfunctional DNA repair and oxidative stress accumulation. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) can correct the metabolic defect and improve oxidative stress levels and mitochondrial dynamics quality. Sodium valproate (VPA) shows promise as a potential treatment drug.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pamela Becherini, Debora Soncini, Silvia Ravera, Elisa Gelli, Claudia Martinuzzi, Giulia Giorgetti, Antonia Cagnetta, Fabio Guolo, Federico Ivaldi, Maurizio Miglino, Sara Aquino, Katia Todoerti, Antonino Neri, Andrea Benzi, Mario Passalacqua, Alessio Nencioni, Ida Perrotta, Maria Eugenia Gallo Cantafio, Nicola Amodio, Antonio De Flora, Santina Bruzzone, Roberto M. Lemoli, Michele Cea
Summary: Cancer cells increase their dependency on NAD(+) biosynthesis to support growth and energy demands, making it a vulnerability that can be targeted for anti-cancer strategies. CD38, a NAD(+)-degrading enzyme, is crucial for anti-myeloma therapies and its upregulation induces intracellular NAD(+) depletion, impairing mitochondrial function and increasing oxidative stress. This study suggests that targeting CD38 and its metabolic effects could enhance the effectiveness of NAD(+)-lowering agents in treating multiple myeloma patients.
Editorial Material
Allergy
G. Walter Canonica, Ioana Agache, Holger J. Schunemann, Nicolas Roche, David Price, Stefano del Giacco
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silvia Ravera, Gabriele Tancreda, Luigi Vezzulli, Anna Maria Schito, Isabella Panfoli
Summary: Polyphenols such as cisiliol and quercetin have been found to inhibit ATP synthase and decrease intracellular ATP levels in methicillin-resistant bacteria. These compounds may serve as potential additions to antibiotics due to their ability to target ATP synthase, against which bacteria cannot develop resistance.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
By Amr Khalifa, Ana Guijarro, Silvia Ravera, Nadia Bertola, Maria Pia Adorni, Bianca Papotti, Lizzia Raffaghello, Roberto Benelli, Pamela Becherini, Asmaa Namatalla, Daniela Verzola, Daniele Reverberi, Fiammetta Monacelli, Michele Cea, Livia Pisciotta, Franco Bernini, Irene Caffa, Alessio Nencioni
Summary: Fasting can enhance the anticancer effects of cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors by reducing circulating insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, and leptin levels and thereby inhibiting the expression of enzymes in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway and enhancing cholesterol efflux from cancer cells. Combined fasting and cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors can reduce cholesterol levels and decrease AKT and STAT3 activity in tumors.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Agata Sofia Assuncao Carreira, Silvia Ravera, Chiara Zucal, Natthakan Thongon, Caffa Irene, Cecilia Astigiano, Nadia Bertola, Arianna Buongiorno, Michela Roccuzzo, Alessandra Bisio, Barbara Pardini, Alessio Nencioni, Santina Bruzzone, Alessandro Provenzani
Summary: Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is an important metabolic enzyme in the synthesis of NAD +, and its upregulation in tumors makes NAMPT inhibitors like FK866 a promising approach for anticancer therapy. However, FK866 can induce chemoresistance in cancer cells, limiting its clinical application. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to FK866 in triple negative breast cancer cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veronica Lisi, Giorgia Senesi, Nadia Bertola, Matteo Pecoraro, Sara Bolis, Alice Gualerzi, Silvia Picciolini, Andrea Raimondi, Cristina Fantini, Elisa Moretti, Attilio Parisi, Paolo Sgro, Luigi Di Luigi, Roger Geiger, Silvia Ravera, Giuseppe Vassalli, Daniela Caporossi, Carolina Balbi
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) can lead to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and vasoconstriction, resulting in arterial hypertension. Physical exercise (PE) can protect against CVD by reducing ROS levels and increasing antioxidant enzyme expression. This study investigated the role of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) after exercise and found that they have antioxidant activity and a cardioprotective effect.
Article
Oncology
Cecilia Marini, Vanessa Cossu, Francesco Lanfranchi, Sonia Carta, Francesca Vitale, Francesca D'Amico, Matteo Bauckneht, Silvia Morbelli, Maria Isabella Donegani, Silvia Chiola, Stefano Raffa, Luca Sofia, Tania Di Raimondo, Filippo Ballerini, Chiara Ghiggi, Paolo Durando, Silvia Ravera, Mattia Riondato, Anna Maria Orengo, Silvia Bruno, Sabrina Chiesa, Gianmario Sambuceti
Summary: Previous studies have found redox stress in PBMCs of HL patients, indicating ER oxidative damage. This study aimed to investigate whether this stress also occurs in non-HL patients. The results showed that HL patients had increased mitochondrial ROS generation, MDA levels, and H6PD activity in PBMCs. FDG uptake in the myocardium was also increased in HL patients. These findings suggest that HL is associated with ER redox stress involving PBMCs and the myocardium.
Article
Cell Biology
Carola Torazza, Francesca Provenzano, Elena Gallia, Maria Cerminara, Matilde Balbi, Tiziana Bonifacino, Sara Tessitore, Silvia Ravera, Cesare Usai, Ilaria Musante, Aldamaria Puliti, Ludo Van Den Bosch, Paymaan Jafar-nejad, Frank Rigo, Marco Milanese, Giambattista Bonanno
Summary: This study demonstrates that downregulating mGluR5 expression can alleviate the reactive response and neurotoxicity of SOD1(G93A) astrocytes towards motor neurons, suggesting that mGluR5 may be a promising therapeutic target in ALS.
Article
Cell Biology
Silvia Ravera, Maria Grazia Signorello, Isabella Panfoli
Summary: Platelets are cellular elements that play important roles in hemostasis, inflammation, thrombotic events, and human diseases. Their activation is linked to their metabolism, and they possess considerable metabolic flexibility. Although their roles in hemostasis and inflammation are known, there is limited understanding of their metabolism in terms of substrate preference. Platelet activation triggers an increase in oxidative metabolism to meet energy requirements, and they also possess extra-mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Understanding the link between platelet activation and metabolic changes is crucial for improving human health.
Article
Cell Biology
Silvia Ravera, Nadia Bertola, Alessandra Puddu, Silvia Bruno, Davide Maggi, Isabella Panfoli
Summary: Dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is associated with diseases characterized by retinal degeneration, and it has been suggested that outer retinal neurons also contribute to the damage. This study examines the potential crosstalk between RPE and photoreceptors in the oxidative damage of RPE.
Article
Oncology
Ombretta Garbarino, Giulia Elda Valenti, Lorenzo Monteleone, Gabriella Pietra, Maria Cristina Mingari, Andrea Benzi, Santina Bruzzone, Silvia Ravera, Riccardo Leardi, Emanuele Farinini, Stefania Vernazza, Melania Grottoli, Barbara Marengo, Cinzia Domenicotti
Summary: The study developed a reliable model of acquired PLX4032 resistance by treating BRAF-mutated melanoma cells with PLX4032 for six months. The study found that the rewiring of oxidative phosphorylation and the maintenance of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and high glutathione levels contribute to the onset of PLX4032 resistance.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Respiratory System
Manuela Latorre, Riccardo Pistelli, Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano, Alessandro Celi, Ilaria Puxeddu, Nicola Scichilone, Antonio Spanevello, Giorgio Walter Canonica, Pierluigi Paggiaro
Summary: This article traces the concept of asthma control within GINA guidelines over the past 25 years. It discusses the shift in focus from controlling all clinical and functional characteristics of asthma to prioritizing the prevention of exacerbations. The importance of symptom control and the relationship between symptoms and exacerbations in moderate-severe asthma are highlighted.
THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN RESPIRATORY DISEASE
(2023)