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2025 Articolo in rivista open access

The MYC-dependent lncRNA MB3 inhibits apoptosis in Group 3 Medulloblastoma by regulating the TGF-β pathway via HMGN5

Grandioso A. ; Tollis P. ; Pellegrini F. R. ; Falvo E. ; Palma A. ; Migliaccio F. ; Belvedere A. ; Rea J. ; Tisci G. ; Carissimo A. ; Bozzoni I. ; Trisciuoglio D. ; Ballarino M. ; Ceci P. ; Laneve P.

Group 3 (G3) is one of the most common and aggressive subtypes of the paediatric cerebellar tumour Medulloblastoma (MB), primarily driven by the MYC oncogene. The challenging targeting of MYC, coupled with gaps in understanding G3 MB molecular bases, has hindered the development of targeted therapies. The unconventional oncogenic roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) offer opportunities to address this complexity, to provide insights and to identify novel targets. Using -omics approaches and molecular/cellular assays, we elucidate the mode-of-action of lncMB3, a MYC-dependent, anti-apoptotic lncRNA in G3 MB. LncMB3 regulates the TGF-beta pathway, critically altered in G3 medulloblastomagenesis, via direct binding and translational inhibition of the mRNA for the epigenetic factor HMGN5. This regulatory axis affects apoptosis through photoreceptor lineage genes, including the G3 driver OTX2. The synergistic effects between lncMB3 targeting and cisplatin treatment underscore the relevance of this network. Additionally, we propose novel ferritin-based nanocarriers for the efficient delivery of antisense oligonucleotides against lncMB3. LncMB3 crucially links MYC amplification and apoptosis inhibition through a circuit involving RNA-based mechanisms, G3 MB key determinants and underexplored factors. This integrated framework deepens the understanding of G3 MB landscape and supports the potential for translating lncRNA research into future applications.

long non-coding RNAs, medulloblastoma, MYC, TGF-β pathway, RNA-RNA interaction, Ferritin
2025 metadata only access

robin2: accelerating single-cell data clustering evaluation

Policastro V. ; Righelli D. ; Cutillo L. ; Carissimo A.

Motivation The rapid expansion of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies has increased the need for robust and scalable clustering evaluation methods. To address these challenges, we developed robin2, an optimized version of our R package robin. It introduces enhanced computational efficiency, support for high-dimensional datasets, and harmonious integration with R's base functionalities for robust network analysis.Results robin2 offers improved functionality for clustering stability validation and enables systematic evaluation of community detection algorithms across various resolutions and pipelines. The application to Tabula Muris and PBMC scRNA-seq datasets confirmed its ability to identify biologically meaningful cell subpopulations with high statistical significance. The new version reduces computational time by 9-fold on large-scale datasets using parallel processing.Availability and implementation The robin2 package is freely available on CRAN at https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=robin. Comprehensive documentation and a detailed analysis vignette are available on GitHub at https://drighelli.github.io/scrobinv2/index.html.

Bioinformatics, networks
2025 metadata only access

MiR-21-5p and miR-223-3p as Treatment Response Biomarkers in Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Tarallo A. ; Casertano M. ; Valanzano A. ; Cenni S. ; Creoli M. ; Russo G. ; Damiano C. ; Carissimo A. ; Cioce A. ; Martinelli M. ; Miele E. ; Staiano A. ; Iafusco D. ; Parenti G. ; Strisciuglio C.

The diagnosis and monitoring of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a common pediatric pathology, typically involves invasive procedures such as an upper endoscopy with biopsies, imposing a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems. We aimed to assess miR-21-5p and miR-223-3p levels in pediatric EoE patients and evaluate their as potential non-invasive biomarkers of disease activity and response to treatments. We enrolled 13 children with EoE and 8 controls. Plasma and esophageal mucosa samples from patients were collected at diagnosis and after 8-10 weeks of therapy and compared with control samples. After microRNA(miRNA) extraction, the levels of miR-21-5p and miR-223-3p and their relevant target genes were analyzed. Bioinformatic analysis was used to identify the predicted target genes and pathways that are potentially relevant for disease pathophysiology. Plasma levels of miR-21-5p and miR-223-3p were significantly higher in EoE patients than in the controls, reflecting their levels in esophageal mucosa. The target genes of these miRNAs are involved in key signaling pathways (MAPK, Ras, and FoxO), relevant for EoE pathophysiology. Among these, STAT3 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3) and PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog), which are significantly downregulated in patient esophageal mucosa, are implicated in eosinophilic gastroenteropathies and autoimmune diseases. Following therapy (proton pump inhibitors and/or fluticasone propionate), plasma and tissue expression of both miRNAs significantly decreased and were no longer different from the controls. These microRNAs may serve as complementary non-invasive EoE markers and reduce the need for endoscopy/biopsies.

biomarkers eosinophilic esophagitis microRNA
2025 metadata only access

Computational identification of small molecules for increased gene expression by synthetic circuits in mammalian cells

Pisani M. ; Calandra F. ; Rinaldi A. ; Cella F. ; Tedeschi F. ; Boffa I. ; Vozzi D. ; Brunetti-Pierri N. ; Carissimo A. ; Napolitano F. ; Siciliano V.

Engineering mammalian cells with synthetic circuits drives innovation in next-generation biotherapeutics and industrial biotechnology. However, applications often depend on cellular productivity, which is constrained by finite cellular resources. Here, we harness computational biology to identify drugs that boost productivity without additional genetic modifications. We perform RNA-sequencing on cells expressing an incoherent feed-forward loop (iFFL), a genetic circuit that enhances operational capacity. To find drugs that mimic this effect, we use DECCODE (Drug Enhanced Cell COnversion using Differential Expression), an unbiased method that matches our transcriptional data with thousands of drug-induced profiles. Among the compound candidates, we select Filgotinib, that enhances expression of both transiently and stably expressed genetic payloads across various experimental scenarios and cell lines, including AAV and lentivirus transduction. Our results reveal cell-specific responses, underscoring the context dependency of small-molecule treatments. Altogether, we present a versatile tool for biomedical and industrial applications requiring enhanced productivity from engineered cells.

synthetic circuits
2024 Articolo in rivista open access

INet for network integration

When collecting several data sets and heterogeneous data types on a given phenomenon of interest, the individual analysis of each data set will provide only a particular view of such phenomenon. Instead, integrating all the data may widen and deepen the results, offering a better view of the entire system. In the context of network integration, we propose the INet algorithm. INet assumes a similar network structure, representing latent variables in different network layers of the same system. Therefore, by combining individual edge weights and topological network structures, INet first constructs a Consensus Network that represents the shared information underneath the different layers to provide a global view of the entities that play a fundamental role in the phenomenon of interest. Then, it derives a Case Specific Network for each layer containing peculiar information of the single data type not present in all the others. We demonstrated good performance with our method through simulated data and detected new insights by analyzing biological and sociological datasets.

Network, Integration, Consensus network, Multilayer network
2023 Articolo in rivista restricted access

Esrrb guides naive pluripotent cells through the formative transcriptional programme

Elena Carbognin ; Valentina Carlini ; Francesco Panariello ; Martina Chieregato ; Elena Guerzoni ; Davide Benvegnù ; Valentina Perrera ; Cristina Malucelli ; MarcellaCesana ; Antonio Grimaldi ; Margherita Mutarelli ; Annamaria Carissimo ; EitanTannenbaum ; Hillel Kugler ; Jamie A Hackett ; Davide Cacchiarelli ; GrazianoMartello

During embryonic development, naive pluripotent epiblast cells transit to a formative state. Theformative epiblast cells form a polarised epithelium, exhibit distinct transcriptional and epigeneticprofiles and acquire competence to differentiate into all somatic and germline lineages. However,we have limited understanding of how the transition to a formative state is molecularly controlled.Here we used murine ESC models to show that ESRRB is both required and sufficient to activateformative genes. Genetic inactivation of Esrrb leads to illegitimate expression of mesendodermand extraembryonic markers, impaired formative expression and failure to self-organise in 3D.Functionally, this results in impaired ability to generate Formative Stem cells and primordialgerm cells in the absence of Esrrb. Computational modelling and genomic analyses revealed thatESRRB occupies key formative genes in naive cells and throughout the formative state. In sodoing, ESRRB kickstarts the formative transition, leading to timely and unbiased capacity formulti-lineage differentiation.

Pluripotency stem cell
2023 Articolo in rivista open access

The long noncoding RNA nHOTAIRM1 is necessary for differentiation and activity of iPSC-derived spinal motor neurons

Paolo Tollis ; Erika Vitiello ; Francesco Migliaccio ; Eleonora D'Ambra ; Anna Rocchegiani ; Maria Giovanna Garone ; Irene Bozzoni ; Alessandro Rosa ; Annamaria Carissimo ; Pietro Laneve ; Elisa Caffarelli

The mammalian nervous system is made up of an extraordinary array of diverse cells that form intricate functional connections. The programs underlying cell lineage specification, identity and function of the neuronal subtypes are managed by regulatory proteins and RNAs, which coordinate the succession of steps in a stereotyped temporal order. In the central nervous system (CNS), motor neurons (MNs) are responsible for controlling essential functions such as movement, breathing, and swallowing by integrating signal transmission from the cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord (SC) towards peripheral muscles. A prime role in guiding the progression of progenitor cells towards the MN fate has been largely attributed to protein factors. More recently, the relevance of a class of regulatory RNAs abundantly expressed in the CNS - the long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) - has emerged overwhelmingly. LncRNA-driven gene expression control is key to regulating any step of MN differentiation and function, and its derangement profoundly impacts neuronal pathophysiology. Here, we uncover a novel function for the neuronal isoform of HOTAIRM1 (nHOTAIRM1), a lncRNA specifically expressed in the SC. Using a model system that recapitulates spinal MN (spMN) differentiation, we show that nHOTAIRM1 intervenes in the binary cell fate decision between MNs and interneurons, acting as a pro-MN factor. Furthermore, human iPSC-derived spMNs without nHOTAIRM1 display altered neurite outgrowth, with a significant reduction of both branch and junction numbers. Finally, the expression of genes essential for synaptic connectivity and neurotransmission is also profoundly impaired when nHOTAIRM1 is absent in spMNs. Mechanistically, nHOTAIRM1 establishes both direct and indirect interactions with a number of target genes in the cytoplasm, being a novel post-transcriptional regulator of MN biology. Overall, our results indicate that the lncRNA nHOTAIRM1 is essential for the specification of MN identity and the acquisition of proper morphology and synaptic activity of post-mitotic MNs.

Motoneurons, long noncoding RNAs, differentiation
2023 Contributo in Atti di convegno metadata only access

Regression models as a tool for genome-wide association studies of Environmental Exposures and DNA Methylation

Annamaria Carissimo ; Luca De Martino ; Immacolata Garzilli ; Biancamaria Pierri ; Mauro Esposito ; Claudia Angelini

Epigenetic modifications are correlated to environmental factors. Exposure to ambient air pollution may contribute to the development of different diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological and metabolic disorders. Looking for the association between DNA methylation and exposure biomarkers may help in the prevention of adverse effects. Association analysis can be carried out through regression modeling. When dealing with the association between DNA methylation and pollutants, the response variable is beta-distributed, and linear regression models are not appropriate when the range is limited to (0, 1). Beta regression models are more suitable for this situation. Methylation levels can also be measured through the M-value statistic and association studies may be performed using classical linear regression models or robust linear regression models in the presence of outliers. An alternative to these models when the variable of interest does not behave linearly in all the predictors is given by a generalized linear model framework that incorporates non-linear terms and interactions. In this paper, we applied these models to a case study constituted of a cohort of healthy people living in regions exposed to different levels of pollution to investigate the association between DNA methylation and cadmium exposure.

DNA methylation Regression models pollution exposure
2022 Articolo in rivista open access

Loss-of-function variants in exon 4 of TAB2 cause a recognizable multisystem disorder with cardiovascular, facial, cutaneous, and musculoskeletal involvement

Lucia Micale ; Silvia Morlino ; Annalucia Carbone ; Annamaria Carissimo ; Grazia Nardella ; Carmela Fusco ; Orazio Palumbo ; Annalisa Schirizzi ; Federica Russo ; Gianluigi Mazzoccoli ; Jeroen Breckpot ; Chiara De Luca ; Alessandro Ferraris ; Cecilia Giunta ; Paola Grammatico ; Maria K Haanpää ; Giorgia Mancano ; Giulia Forzano ; Davide Cacchiarelli ; Hilde Van Esch ; Bert Callewaert ; Marianne Rohrbach ; Marco Castori

Purpose: This study aimed to describe a multisystemic disorder featuring cardiovascular, facial, musculoskeletal, and cutaneous anomalies caused by heterozygous loss-of-function variants in TAB2.Methods: Affected individuals were analyzed by next-generation technologies and genomic array. The presumed loss-of-function effect of identified variants was assessed by luciferase assay in cells transiently expressing TAB2 deleterious alleles. In available patients' fibroblasts, variant pathogenicity was further explored by immunoblot and osteoblast differentiation assays. The transcriptomic profile of fibroblasts was investigated by RNA sequencing.Results: A total of 11 individuals from 8 families were heterozygotes for a novel TAB2 variant. In total, 7 variants were predicted to be null alleles and 1 was a missense change. An additional subject was heterozygous for a 52 kb microdeletion involving TAB2 exons 1 to 3. Luciferase assay indicated a decreased transcriptional activation mediated by NF-?B signaling for all point variants. Immunoblot analysis showed a reduction of TAK1 phosphorylation while osteoblast differentiation was impaired. Transcriptomic analysis identified deregulation of multiple pleiotropic pathways, such as TGF?-, Ras-MAPK-, and Wnt-signaling networks.Conclusion: Our data defined a novel disorder associated with loss-of-function or, more rarely, hypomorphic alleles in a restricted linker region of TAB2. The pleiotropic manifestations in this disorder partly recapitulate the 6q25.1 (TAB2) microdeletion syndrome and deserve the definition of cardio-facial-cutaneous-articular syndrome.

Congenital heart defect Connective tissue; Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; Osteoblast; TAK1.
2021 Articolo in rivista metadata only access

Adipocyte precursor cells from first degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients feature changes in hsa-mir-23a-5p, -193a-5p, and -193b-5p and insulin-like growth factor 2 expression

First-degree relatives (FDRs) of type 2 diabetics (T2D) feature dysfunction of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) long before T2D onset. miRNAs have a role in adipocyte precursor cells (APC) differentiation and in adipocyte identity. Thus, impaired miRNA expression may contribute to SAT dysfunction in FDRs. In the present work, we have explored changes in miRNA expression associated with T2D family history which may affect gene expression in SAT APCs from FDRs. Small RNA-seq was performed in APCs from healthy FDRs and matched controls and omics data were validated by qPCR. Integrative analyses of APC miRNome and transcriptome from FDRs revealed down-regulated hsa-miR-23a-5p, -193a-5p and -193b-5p accompanied by up-regulated Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) gene which proved to be their direct target. The expression changes in these marks were associated with SAT adipocyte hypertrophy in FDRs. APCs from FDRs further demonstrated reduced capability to differentiate into adipocytes. Treatment with IGF2 protein decreased APC adipogenesis, while over-expression of hsa-miR-23a-5p, -193a-5p and -193b-5p enhanced adipogenesis by IGF2 targeting. Indeed, IGF2 increased the Wnt Family Member 10B gene expression in APCs. Down-regulation of the three miRNAs and IGF2 up-regulation was also observed in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes (PBLs) from FDRs. In conclusion, APCs from FDRs feature a specific miRNA/gene profile, which associates with SAT adipocyte hypertrophy and appears to contribute to impaired adipogenesis. PBL detection of this profile may help in identifying adipocyte hypertrophy in individuals at high risk of T2D.

adipocyte precursor cellsfirst degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patientsmarksmiRNAstype 2 diabetes
2021 metadata only access

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Analysis: A Step-by-Step Overview

Slovin S ; Carissimo A ; Panariello F ; Grimaldi A ; Bouche V ; Gambardella G ; Cacchiarelli D

Thanks to innovative sample-preparation and sequencing technologies, gene expression in individual cells can now be measured for thousands of cells in a single experiment. Since its introduction, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) approaches have revolutionized the genomics field as they created unprecedented opportunities for resolving cell heterogeneity by exploring gene expression profiles at a single-cell resolution. However, the rapidly evolving field of scRNA-seq invoked the emergence of various analytics approaches aimed to maximize the full potential of this novel strategy. Unlike population-based RNA sequencing approaches, scRNA seq necessitates comprehensive computational tools to address high data complexity and keep up with the emerging single-cell associated challenges. Despite the vast number of analytical methods, a universal standardization is lacking. While this reflects the fields' immaturity, it may also encumber a newcomer to blend in. In this review, we aim to bridge over the abovementioned hurdle and propose four ready-to-use pipelines for scRNA-seq analysis easily accessible by a newcomer, that could fit various biological data types. Here we provide an overview of the currently available single-cell technologies for cell isolation and library preparation and a step by step guide that covers the entire canonical analytic workflow to analyse scRNA-seq data including read mapping, quality controls, gene expression quantification, normalization, feature selection, dimensionality reduction, and cell clustering useful for trajectory inference and differential expression. Such workflow guidelines will escort novices as well as expert users in the analysis of complex scRNA-seq datasets, thus further expanding the research potential of single-cell approaches in basic science, and envisaging its future implementation as best practice in the field.

Clustering Single-cell RNA-seq
2021 Articolo in rivista open access

Up-regulation of miR-34b/c by JNK and FOXO3 protects from liver fibrosis

Piccolo P ; Ferriero R ; Barbato A ; Attanasio S ; Monti M ; Perna C ; Borel F ; Annunziata P ; Carissimo A ; De Cegli R ; Quagliata L ; Terracciano LM ; Housset C ; Teckman JH ; Mueller C ; BrunettiPierri N

?1-Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a common genetic disease presenting with lung and liver diseases. AAT deficiency results from pathogenic variants in the SERPINA1 gene encoding AAT and the common mutant Z allele of SERPINA1 encodes for Z ?1-antitrypsin (ATZ), a protein forming hepatotoxic polymers retained in the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes. PiZ mice express the human ATZ and are a valuable model to investigate the human liver disease of AAT deficiency. In this study, we investigated differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) between PiZ and control mice and found that miR-34b/c was up-regulated and its levels correlated with intrahepatic ATZ. Furthermore, in PiZ mouse livers, we found that Forkhead Box O3 (FOXO3) driving microRNA-34b/c (miR-34b/c) expression was activated and miR-34b/c expression was dependent upon c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation on Ser. Deletion of miR-34b/c in PiZ mice resulted in early development of liver fibrosis and increased signaling of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a target of miR-34b/c. Activation of FOXO3 and increased miR-34c were confirmed in livers of humans with AAT deficiency. In addition, JNK-activated FOXO3 and miR-34b/c up-regulation were detected in several mouse models of liver fibrosis. This study reveals a pathway involved in liver fibrosis and potentially implicated in both genetic and acquired causes of hepatic fibrosis.

FOXO3; JNK; liver fibrosis
2021 Articolo in rivista open access

Identification and functional characterization of novel myc-regulated long noncoding rnas in group 3 medulloblastoma

The impact of protein-coding genes on cancer onset and progression is a well-establishedparadigm in molecular oncology. Nevertheless, unveiling the contribution of the noncoding genes--including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)--to tumorigenesis represents a great challenge forpersonalized medicine, since they (i) constitute the majority of the human genome, (ii) are essentialand flexible regulators of gene expression and (iii) present all types of genomic alterations describedfor protein-coding genes. LncRNAs have been increasingly associated with cancer, their highlytissue- and cancer type-specific expression making them attractive candidates as both biomarkersand therapeutic targets. Medulloblastoma is one of the most common malignant pediatric braintumors. Group 3 is the most aggressive subgroup, showing the highest rate of metastasis at diagnosis.Transcriptomics and reverse genetics approaches were combined to identify lncRNAs implicatedin Group 3 Medulloblastoma biology. Here we present the first collection of lncRNAs dependenton the activity of the MYC oncogene, the major driver gene of Group 3 Medulloblastoma. Weassessed the expression profile of selected lncRNAs in Group 3 primary tumors and functionallycharacterized these species. Overall, our data demonstrate the direct involvement of three lncRNAsin Medulloblastoma cancer cell phenotypes The impact of protein-coding genes on cancer onset and progression is a well-established paradigm in molecular oncology. Nevertheless, unveiling the contribution of the noncoding genes--including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)--to tumorigenesis represents a great challenge for personalized medicine, since they (i) constitute the majority of the human genome, (ii) are essential and flexible regulators of gene expression and (iii) present all types of genomic alterations described for protein-coding genes. LncRNAs have been increasingly associated with cancer, their highly tissue- and cancer type-specific expression making them attractive candidates as both bi-omarkers and therapeutic targets. Medulloblastoma is one of the most common malignant pediatric brain tumors. Group 3 is the most aggressive subgroup, showing the highest rate of metastasis at diagnosis. Transcriptomics and reverse genetics approaches were combined to identify lncRNAs implicated in Group 3 Medulloblastoma biology. Here we present the first collection of lncRNAs dependent on the activity of the MYC oncogene, the major driver gene of Group 3 Medulloblastoma. We assessed the expression profile of selected lncRNAs in Group 3 primary tumors and functionally characterized these species. Overall, our data demonstrate the direct involvement of three lncRNAs in Medulloblastoma cancer cell phenotypes.

medulloblastoma; myc; long noncoding RNAs
2021 Articolo in rivista open access

ROBustness In Network (robin): an R Package for Comparison and Validation of Communities

Policastro V ; Righelli D ; Carissimo A ; Cutillo L ; de Feis I

In network analysis, many community detection algorithms have been developed. However, their implementation leaves unaddressed the question of the statistical validation of the results. Here, we present robin (ROBustness In Network), an R package to assess the robustness of the community structure of a network found by one or more methods to give indications about their reliability. The procedure initially detects if the community structure found by a set of algorithms is statistically significant and then compares two selected detection algorithms on the same graph to choose the one that better fits the network of interest. We demonstrate the use of our package on the American College Football benchmark dataset.

networks robustness hypothesis testing
2020 Articolo in rivista open access

Impaired flickering of the permeability transition pore causes SPG7 spastic paraplegia

Sambri I ; Massa F ; Gullo F ; Meneghini S ; Cassina L ; Carraro M ; Dina G ; Quattrini A ; Patanella L ; Carissimo A ; Iuliano A ; Santorelli F ; Codazzi F ; Grohovaz F ; Bernardi P ; Becchetti A ; Casari G

Background: Mutations of the mitochondrial protein paraplegin cause hereditary spastic paraplegia type 7 (SPG7), a so-far untreatable degenerative disease of the upper motoneuron with still undefined pathomechanism. The intermittent mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening, called flickering, is an essential process that operates to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis by reducing intra-matrix Ca and reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration, and is critical for efficient synaptic function. Methods: We use a fluorescence-based approach to measure mPTP flickering in living cells and biochemical and molecular biology techniques to dissect the pathogenic mechanism of SPG7. In the SPG7 animal model we evaluate the potential improvement of the motor defect, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration by means of an mPTP inducer, the benzodiazepine Bz-423. Findings: We demonstrate that paraplegin is required for efficient transient opening of the mPTP, that is impaired in both SPG7 patients-derived fibroblasts and primary neurons from Spg7 mice. We show that dysregulation of mPTP opening at the pre-synaptic terminal impairs neurotransmitter release leading to ineffective synaptic transmission. Lack of paraplegin impairs mPTP flickering by a mechanism involving increased expression and activity of sirtuin3, which promotes deacetylation of cyclophilin D, thus hampering mPTP opening. Pharmacological treatment with Bz-423, which bypasses the activity of CypD, normalizes synaptic transmission and rescues the motor impairment of the SPG7 mouse model. Interpretation: mPTP targeting opens a new avenue for the potential therapy of this form of spastic paraplegia. Funding: Telethon Foundation grant (TGMGCSBX16TT); Dept. of Defense, US Army, grant W81XWH-18-1-0001

genetics
2020 Articolo in rivista open access

CHOP and c-JUN up-regulate the mutant Z α1-antitrypsin, exacerbating its aggregation and liver proteotoxicity

Attanasio S ; Ferriero R ; Gernoux G ; De Cegli R ; Carissimo A ; Nusco E ; Campione S ; Teckman J ; Mueller C ; Piccolo P ; BrunettiPierri N

?1-Antitrypsin (AAT) encoded by the SERPINA1 gene is an acute-phase protein synthesized in the liver and secreted into the circulation. Its primary role is to protect lung tissue by inhibiting neutrophil elastase. The Z allele of SERPINA1 encodes a mutant AAT, named ATZ, that changes the protein structure and leads to its misfolding and polymerization, which cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and liver disease through a gain-of-function toxic mechanism. Hepatic retention of ATZ results in deficiency of one of the most important circulating proteinase inhibitors and predisposes to early-onset emphysema through a loss-of-function mechanism. The pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the liver disease are not completely understood. C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP), a transcription factor induced by ER stress, was found among the most up-regulated genes in livers of PiZ mice that express ATZ and in human livers of patients homozygous for the Z allele. Compared with controls, juvenile PiZ/Chop -/- mice showed reduced hepatic ATZ and a transcriptional response indicative of decreased ER stress by RNA-Seq analysis. Livers of PiZ/Chop -/- mice also showed reduced SERPINA1 mRNA levels. By chromatin immunoprecipitations and luciferase reporter-based transfection assays, CHOP was found to up-regulate SERPINA1 cooperating with c-JUN, which was previously shown to up-regulate SERPINA1, thus aggravating hepatic accumulation of ATZ. Increased CHOP levels were detected in diseased livers of children homozygous for the Z allele. In summary, CHOP and c-JUN up-regulate SERPINA1 transcription and play an important role in hepatic disease by increasing the burden of proteotoxic ATZ, particularly in the pediatric population.

sequencing
2020 metadata only access

Synthetic Lethality Screening Identifies FDA-Approved Drugs That Overcome ATP7B-Mediated Tolerance of Tumor Cells to Cisplatin

Mariniello Marta ; Petruzzelli Raffaella ; Wanderlingh Luca G ; La Montagna Raffaele ; Carissimo Annamaria ; Pane Francesca ; Amoresano Angela ; Ilyechova Ekaterina Y ; Galagudza Michael M ; Catalano Federico ; Crispino Roberta ; Puchkova Ludmila V ; Medina Diego L ; Polishchuk Roman S

Tumor resistance to chemotherapy represents an important challenge in modern oncology. Although platinum (Pt)-based drugs have demonstrated excellent therapeutic potential, their effectiveness in a wide range of tumors is limited by the development of resistance mechanisms. One of these mechanisms includes increased cisplatin sequestration/efflux by the copper-transporting ATPase, ATP7B. However, targeting ATP7B to reduce Pt tolerance in tumors could represent a serious risk because suppression of ATP7B might compromise copper homeostasis, as happens in Wilson disease. To circumvent ATP7B-mediated Pt tolerance we employed a high-throughput screen (HTS) of an FDA/EMA-approved drug library to detect safe therapeutic molecules that promote cisplatin toxicity in the IGROV-CP20 ovarian carcinoma cells, whose resistance significantly relies on ATP7B. Using a synthetic lethality approach, we identified and validated three hits (Tranilast, Telmisartan, and Amphotericin B) that reduced cisplatin resistance. All three drugs induced Pt-mediated DNA damage and inhibited either expression or trafficking of ATP7B in a tumor-specific manner. Global transcriptome analyses showed that Tranilast and Amphotericin B affect expression of genes operating in several pathways that confer tolerance to cisplatin. In the case of Tranilast, these comprised key Pt-transporting proteins, including ATOX1, whose suppression affected ability of ATP7B to traffic in response to cisplatin. In summary, our findings reveal Tranilast, Telmisartan, and Amphotericin B as effective drugs that selectively promote cisplatin toxicity in Pt-resistant ovarian cancer cells and underscore the efficiency of HTS strategy for identification of biosafe compounds, which might be rapidly repurposed to overcome resistance of tumors to Pt-based chemotherapy.

cancer cisplatin resistance ATP7B copper transporters synthetic lethality screening FDA-approved drugs
2019 Articolo in rivista metadata only access

Glatiramer Acetate modulates ion channels expression and calcium homeostasis in B cell of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Criscuolo C ; Cianflone A ; Lanzillo R ; Carrella D ; Carissimo A ; Napolitano F ; de Cegli R ; de Candia P ; La Rocca C ; Petrozziello T ; Matarese G ; Boscia F ; Secondo A ; Di Bernardo D ; Morra V Brescia

To investigate the effects of Glatiramer Acetate (GA) on B cells by an integrated computational and experimental approach. GA is an immunomodulatory drug approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). GA effect on B cells is yet to be fully elucidated. We compared transcriptional profiles of B cells from treatment-naive relapsing remitting MS patients, treated or not with GA for 6 hours in vitro, and of B cells before and after six months of GA administration in vivo. Microarrays were analyzed with two different computational approaches, one for functional analysis of pathways (Gene Set Enrichment Analysis) and one for the identification of new drug targets (Mode-of-action by Network Analysis). GA modulates the expression of genes involved in immune response and apoptosis. A differential expression of genes encoding ion channels, mostly regulating Ca2+ homeostasis in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was also observed. Microfluorimetric analysis confirmed this finding, showing a specific GA effect on ER Ca2+ concentration. Our findings unveils a GA regulatory effect on the immune response by influencing B cell phenotype and function. In particular, our results highlight a new functional role for GA in modulating Ca2+ homeostasis in these cells.

Bioinformatics Multiple Sclerosis
2019 metadata only access

Hypoxia-regulated miRNAs in human mesenchymal stem cells: Exploring the regulatory effects in ischemic disorders

Dell'aversana C ; Cuomo F ; Botti C ; Maione C ; Carissimo A ; Casamassimi A ; Altucci L ; Cobellis G

Human mesenchymal/stromal stem cells (hMSC) are the most promising cell source for adult cell therapies in regenerative medicine. Many clinical trials have reported the use of autologous transplantation of hMSCs in several disorders, but with limited results. To exert their potential, hMSCs could exhibit efficient homing and migration toward lesion sites among other effects, but the underlying process is not clear enough. To further increase the knowledge, we studied the co-regulation between hypoxia-regulated genes and miRNAs. To this end, we investigated the miRNA expression profile of healthy hMSCs in low oxygen/nutrient conditions to mimic ischemia and compared with cells of patients suffering from critical limb ischemia (CLI). miRNAs are small, highly conserved, non-coding RNAs, skilled in the control of the target's expression level in a fine-tuned way. After analyzing the miRNOme in CLI-derived hMSC cells and healthy controls, and intersecting the results with the mRNA expression dataset under hypoxic conditions, we identified two miRNAs potentially relevant to the disease: miR-29b as a pathological marker of the disease and miR-638 as a therapeutic target. This study yielded a deeper understanding of stem cell biology and ischemic disorders, opening new potential treatments in the future.

Bioinformatics miRNA
2019 Articolo in rivista metadata only access

HDAC2-dependent miRNA signature in acute myeloid leukemia

Conte M ; Dell'Aversana C ; Sgueglia G ; Carissimo A ; Altucci L

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) arises from a complex sequence of biological and finely orchestrated events that are still poorly understood. Increasingly, epigenetic studies are providing exciting findings that may be exploited in promising and personalized cutting-edge therapies. A more appropriate and broader screening of possible players in cancer could identify a master molecular mechanism in AML. Here, we build on our previously published study by evaluating a histone deacetylase (HDAC)2-mediated miRNA regulatory network in U937 leukemic cells. Following a comparative miRNA profiling analysis in genetically and enzymatically HDAC2-downregulated AML cells, we identified miR-96-5p and miR-92a-3p as potential regulators in AML etiopathology by targeting defined genes. Our findings support the potentially beneficial role of alternative physiopathological interventions.

Bioinformatics