Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francesca Caccuri, Serena Messali, Alberto Zani, Giovanni Campisi, Marta Giovanetti, Stefania Zanussi, Emanuela Vaccher, Silvia Fabris, Antonella Bugatti, Emanuele Foca, Francesco Castelli, Massimo Ciccozzi, Riccardo Dolcetti, Robert C. Gallo, Arnaldo Caruso
Summary: The introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has reduced the occurrence of AIDS-defining cancers, but lymphomas are still common in HIV-1-infected patients. A recent study found that HIV-1 mutants expressing a misfolded p17 protein variant (vp17) with amino acid insertions contribute to B cell lymphomagenesis. This study further confirms the higher prevalence of vp17 in lymphoma patients compared to those without lymphoma. Genomic surveillance also reveals an increasing global prevalence of HIV-1 mutants expressing vp17 over time, indicating active spread of these mutants.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Wanglong Zheng, Nengwen Xia, Jiajia Zhang, Qi Cao, Sen Jiang, Jia Luo, Hui Wang, Nanhua Chen, Quan Zhang, Francois Meurens, Jianzhong Zhu
Summary: The structural protein p17 of African swine fever virus interacts with STING to inhibit the cGAS-STING pathway, thus evading the host immune response.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shenjian Luo, Zhi Yang, Ruxin Chen, Danming You, Fei Teng, Youwen Yuan, Wenhui Liu, Jin Li, Huijie Zhang
Summary: Cardiac fibrosis, a major cause of mortality and morbidity in heart disease, is poorly understood. This study investigated the role of CRLF1 in cardiac fibrosis and found that it promotes fibrosis by activating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. CRLF1 may serve as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in cardiac fibrosis.
JOURNAL OF ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY-SCIENCE B
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Cinzia Giagulli, Francesca Caccuri, Simone Zorzan, Antonella Bugatti, Alberto Zani, Federica Filippini, Ekta Manocha, Pasqualina D'Ursi, Alessandro Orro, Riccardo Dolcetti, Arnaldo Caruso
Summary: Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) slows disease progression among HIV-1 positive individuals, with lymphoma being the main cause of death among HIV-1 infected patients. Our study demonstrates that the clonogenic activity of vp17s is mediated by their binding to PAR1 and PAR1-mediated EGFR transactivation through Gq protein. Further analysis highlights the crucial role of EGFR/PI3K/Akt pathway in modulating cancer progression molecules, providing novel potential therapeutic targets.
CANCER GENE THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Chen, Ping Li, Yueting Peng, Xiaoxue Xie, Yixi Zhang, Ying Jiang, Tingting Li, Xiang Qin, Shun Li, Hong Yang, Chunhui Wu, Chuan Zheng, Jie Zhu, Fengming You, Yiyao Liu
Summary: The study demonstrates that the soft substrate-induced ROS/JNK signaling increases cell apoptosis and protective autophagy by promoting the interaction of Bcl-2 and Beclin-1 and suppressing the interaction of Bcl-2 and Beclin-1, respectively, in human breast cancer cells.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Virology
Francesca Caccuri, Vera Neves, Lurdes Gano, Joao D. G. Correia, Maria Cristina Oliveira, Pietro Mazzuca, Arnaldo Caruso, Miguel Castanho
Summary: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is a significant neurological manifestation in HIV-1-infected patients. This study demonstrates the ability of the HIV-1 matrix protein p17 to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and reach the central nervous system (CNS), supporting its direct role in neuronal dysfunction in HAND.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Christine Lonjou, Severine Eon-Marchais, Therese Truong, Marie-Gabrielle Dondon, Mojgan Karimi, Yue Jiao, Francesca Damiola, Laure Barjhoux, Dorothee Le Gal, Juana Beauvallet, Noura Mebirouk, Eve Cavaciuti, Jean Chiesa, Anne Floquet, Severine Audebert-Bellanger, Sophie Giraud, Thierry Frebourg, Jean-Marc Limacher, Laurence Gladieff, Isabelle Mortemousque, Helene Dreyfus, Sophie Lejeune-Dumoulin, Christine Lasset, Laurence Venat-Bouvet, Yves-Jean Bignon, Pascal Pujol, Christine M. Maugard, Elisabeth Luporsi, Valerie Bonadona, Catherine Nogues, Pascaline Berthet, Capucine Delnatte, Paul Gesta, Alain Lortholary, Laurence Faivre, Bruno Buecher, Olivier Caron, Marion Gauthier-Villars, Isabelle Coupier, Sylvie Mazoyer, Luis-Cristobal Monraz, Maria Kondratova, Inna Kuperstein, Pascal Guenel, Emmanuel Barillot, Dominique Stoppa-Lyonnet, Nadine Andrieu, Fabienne Lesueur
Summary: This study assessed the contribution of SNPs on over 180 loci to breast cancer cases without BRCA1/2 mutation and their affected sisters, as well as population controls. The gene- and pathway-level analyses were able to detect associations with lower-frequency SNPs or those with modest effects, identifying 112 genes and 31 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and 7 Atlas of Cancer Signaling Network pathways. The study also found that considering the joint effect of family history and polygenic risk scores is important in risk prediction models.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Hong-Beom Park, Sohyun Hwang, Kwang-Hyun Baek
Summary: This study analyzed the potential substrate proteins of USP7 using bioinformatics tools and confirmed Raf-1 as one of its substrates. By removing ubiquitin from Raf-1, USP7 inhibits the activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, resulting in the suppression of lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bosen Hu, Lin Chen, Yong Chen, Zhuo Zhang, Xiaohong Wang, Bo Zhou
Summary: The study shows that C3G can enhance the proliferation and mineralization of osteoblasts, regulating their differentiation through the activation of the ERK signaling pathway. This provides strong evidence that osteoblasts may be promising targets in preventive and therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonella Bugatti, Francesca Caccuri, Federica Filippini, Cosetta Ravelli, Arnaldo Caruso
Summary: This study reveals that HIV-infected cells can secrete B-cell growth-promoting vp17s through proteolytic cleavage. The binding of Pr55(Gag) to phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate is essential for the unconventional secretion of vp17s. Discovery of heparan sulfate proteoglycans involvement in tethering p17s at the cell surface opens new possibilities for immune-mediated killing of HIV-1 reservoirs.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiong Wang, Fan Liu, Qin An, Wenli Wang, Zhimei Cheng, Yunping Dai, Qingyong Meng, Yali Zhang
Summary: Lactoferrin (Ltf) plays a protective role in skeletal muscle by promoting the proliferation of satellite cells (SCs) and skeletal muscle regeneration. It holds promise as a novel therapeutic agent for skeletal muscle injuries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Bo Pan, Xiaoshu Zhan, Julang Li
Summary: This study found that miR-574 expression decreases in porcine granulosa cells during follicular development, accompanied by an increase in phosphorylated ERK1/2. It was further discovered that miR-574 is involved in regulating estradiol production in granulosa cells through the TIMP3-pERK1/2 cascade.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Omayma A. R. Abo-Zaid, Fatma S. M. Moawed, Hend A. Hassan, Enas M. Moustafa
Summary: This study found that BPA and IR have harmful effects on lung tissue by inducing oxidative stress and activating signaling pathways related to inflammation and cell growth. These effects lead to severe lung damage and the development of cancer cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOPATHOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peina He, Jianyun Sheng, Jinxu Qi, Xianguang Bai, Jiaxin Li, Fubao Wang, Yamin Yuan, Xinhua Zheng
Summary: NCK1 plays a key role in extracellular matrix degradation and metastatic progression of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). High expression of NCK1 is associated with poor prognosis in lymph node-positive metastatic TNBC patients, and promotes migration and activity of MMPs in a STAT3-dependent manner. NCK1 may serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for metastatic TNBC.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samia S. Messeha, Najla O. Zarmouh, Lovely Antonie, Karam F. A. Soliman
Summary: This study investigates the antiangiogenic and antimetastatic properties of the natural alkaloid sanguinarine (SANG) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. The results show that SANG can inhibit the release of inflammatory mediator CCL2 and suppress its expression by inhibiting IKBKE and NF-kappa B signaling pathway proteins. Additionally, SANG can inhibit cell migration and the activity of the ERK1/2 pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Serena Messali, Giovanni Campisi, Marta Giovanetti, Massimo Ciccozzi, Arnaldo Caruso, Francesca Caccuri
Summary: The first outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage in Italy in January 2021 was characterized by high transmissibility and rapid dominance. Containment measures led to a decreasing epidemic curve, highlighting the importance of appropriate control and surveillance for restraining virus spread.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Silvia Angeletti, Marta Giovanetti, Marta Fogolari, Eleonora Cella, Lucia De Florio, Carla Lintas, Roberta Veralli, Maria Francesconi, Francesca Caccuri, Marina De Cesaris, Cecilia De Flora, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Silvia Spoto, Arnaldo Caruso, Stefano Pascarella, Elisabetta Riva, Massimo Ciccozzi
Summary: The emergence of the new variant AY.4.2 of SARS-CoV-2 with specific genetic signatures has raised concerns in Italy, and researchers are using genomic epidemiology to track its circulation.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Fabrizio Ceraudo, Giovanna Caparello, Angelo Galluccio, Ennio Avolio, Giuseppina Augimeri, Daniela De Rose, Adele Vivacqua, Catia Morelli, Ines Barone, Stefania Catalano, Cinzia Giordano, Diego Sisci, Daniela Bonofiglio
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of Mediterranean food choices on lipid and glycemic metabolic profile in adolescents. The results indicated that adopting a Mediterranean diet could significantly reduce glucose and lipid profile in healthy adolescents.
Article
Virology
Antonella Bugatti, Federica Filippini, Marta Bardelli, Alberto Zani, Paola Chiodelli, Serena Messali, Arnaldo Caruso, Francesca Caccuri
Summary: Integrins serve as a gateway for SARS-CoV-2 to enter lung endothelial cells, promoting angiogenesis. Alpha(v)beta(3) integrin is identified as the key molecule responsible for this infection. Vaccination-induced antibodies do not inhibit the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and integrins.
Article
Cell Biology
Daniela Iaconis, Licia Bordi, Giulia Matusali, Carmine Talarico, Candida Manelfi, Maria Candida Cesta, Mara Zippoli, Francesca Caccuri, Antonella Bugatti, Alberto Zani, Federica Filippini, Laura Scorzolini, Marco Gobbi, Marten Beeg, Arianna Piotti, Monica Montopoli, Veronica Cocetta, Silvia Bressan, Enrico M. Bucci, Arnaldo Caruso, Emanuele Nicastri, Marcello Allegretti, Andrea R. Beccari
Summary: This paper reports a comprehensive pharmacological characterization of the drug raloxifene in relevant in vitro models of COVID-19. Results indicate that raloxifene may have therapeutic potential for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients, as it interacts with viral proteins and activates protective estrogen receptor-mediated mechanisms in host cells.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luca Gelsomino, Ines Barone, Amanda Caruso, Francesca Giordano, Matteo Brindisi, Giovanna Morello, Felice Maria Accattatis, Salvatore Panza, Anna Rita Cappello, Daniela Bonofiglio, Sebastiano Ando, Stefania Catalano, Cinzia Giordano
Summary: Tumor extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication in breast cancer by transporting nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. Leptin induces the release of EVs from breast cancer cells, and these vesicles have a specific proteomic signature related to mitochondrial processes and activity. Lep-EVs increase ATP levels and modulate the oxidative metabolism of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, Lep-EVs sustain the polarization of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment (TME) towards a tumor-promoting phenotype.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Letter
Virology
Serena Messali, Antonella Bugatti, Federica Filippini, Arnaldo Caruso, Francesca Caccuri
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Antonella Bugatti, Federica Filippini, Serena Messali, Marta Giovanetti, Cosetta Ravelli, Alberto Zani, Massimo Ciccozzi, Arnaldo Caruso, Francesca Caccuri
Summary: Severe COVID-19 is associated with angiogenic features and direct infection of human lung endothelial cells by SARS-CoV-2. The Spike protein of the virus interacts with integrins on lung endothelial cells, promoting a pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic phenotype. Recent mutations in the Omicron subvariants of SARS-CoV-2 may result in decreased infection of lung endothelial cells and potentially less severe disease manifestations.
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Roberta Rizzo, Francesca Caccuri, Giuseppe Valacchi, Giorgio Zauli
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Giuseppina Augimeri, Marco Fiorillo, Catia Morelli, Salvatore Panza, Cinzia Giordano, Ines Barone, Stefania Catalano, Diego Sisci, Sebastiano Ando, Daniela Bonofiglio
Summary: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), lacking effective targeted therapies, can be attenuated by DHEA through reducing cell migration, invasion, and metabolic activity. In addition, DHEA suppresses macrophage recruitment by reducing CCL5 secretion from TNBC cells, providing a potential treatment option against TNBC.
Article
Virology
Daniela Iaconis, Francesca Caccuri, Candida Manelfi, Carmine Talarico, Antonella Bugatti, Federica Filippini, Alberto Zani, Rubina Novelli, Maria Kuzikov, Bernhard Ellinger, Philip Gribbon, Kristoffer Riecken, Francesca Esposito, Angela Corona, Enzo Tramontano, Andrea Rosario Beccari, Arnaldo Caruso, Marcello Allegretti
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, drug repurposing was an effective strategy in quickly addressing medical emergencies. The anti-viral activity of DHFR inhibitors, including methotrexate, against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated using cell lines. Results showed that these inhibitors not only had intrinsic anti-metabolic activity but also specific anti-viral functions, making them potential candidates for managing SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Silvia Beltrami, Sabrina Rizzo, Francesca Caccuri, Roberta Rizzo, Daria Bortolotti, Giovanna Schiuma
Article
Microbiology
Serena Messali, Marta Giovanetti, Massimo Ciccozzi, Arnaldo Caruso, Francesca Caccuri
Summary: The persistence of detectable viral RNA is not affected by the symptomatic status of patients. A case of a strongly immunocompromised patient with a prolonged infection of the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant, without any symptoms, is described. The importance of this finding is that persistent infection with an old SARS-CoV-2 strain in an immunocompromised host may lead to recombination events and the emergence of new viral variants with unpredictable pathogenicity. Continuous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 genomic evolution in immunocompromised patients is urgently needed.
NEW MICROBIOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Maximilian Ackermann, Jan C. Kamp, Christopher Werlein, Claire L. Walsh, Helge Stark, Verena Prade, Rambabu Surabattula, Willi L. Wagner, Catherine Disney, Andrew J. Bodey, Thomas Illig, Diana J. Leeming, Morten A. Karsdal, Alexandar Tzankov, Peter Boor, Mark P. Kuehnel, Florian P. Laenger, Stijn E. Verleden, Hans M. Kvasnicka, Hans H. Kreipe, Axel Haverich, Stephen M. Black, Axel Walch, Paul Tafforeau, Peter D. Lee, Marius M. Hoeper, Tobias Welte, Benjamin Seeliger, Sascha David, Detlef Schuppan, Steven J. Mentzer, Danny D. Jonigk
Summary: COVID-19 presents with heterogeneous clinical manifestations, with severe cases leading to long-COVID. Analysis of lung pathology data and liquid biomarkers revealed that COVID-19 is mainly caused by microvascular occlusion and secondary lobular ischemia. Plasma fibrosis markers (TSP2, GDF15, IGFBP7, Pro-C3) can predict disease severity in COVID-19 infection.
Article
Virology
Francesca Caccuri, Vera Neves, Lurdes Gano, Joao D. G. Correia, Maria Cristina Oliveira, Pietro Mazzuca, Arnaldo Caruso, Miguel Castanho
Summary: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is a significant neurological manifestation in HIV-1-infected patients. This study demonstrates the ability of the HIV-1 matrix protein p17 to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and reach the central nervous system (CNS), supporting its direct role in neuronal dysfunction in HAND.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)