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34 results on '"PUNZI, TIZIANA"'

11. Effects of Cadmium and vitamin D binding protein-derived macrophage activating factor (DBP-MAF) in human breast cancer cells

Author

Gulisano, Massimo, Punzi, Tiziana, Morucci, Gabriele, and Ruggiero, Marco

Subjects
human breast cancer, macrophages, morphology, angiogenesis, vimentin
Abstract

We previously demonstrated that chronic exposure of the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 to non-cytotoxic concentrations of Cadmium reduced viability and angiogenic potential of this cell line. In order to better understand these effects, cells, after Cadmium exposure, were treated with vitamin D binding protein-derived macrophage activating factor (DBP-MAF). DBP-MAF is a potent macrophage-activating factor derived from vitamin D binding protein, a polymorphic serum glycoprotein with multiple functions also known as a group specific component or Gc protein. Besides stimulating macrophages, DBP-MAF has anti-tumour properties. Our data demonstrate that the decrease of MCF-7 cell viability following Cadmium treatment was completely reversed when DBP-MAF was present in the cell medium. Following this observation, we further investigated the role of DBP-MAF in modulating angiogenesis, morphology and cytoskeleton structure of MCF-7 cell line. As shown by chorioallantoic membrane assay, DBP-MAF inhibited MCF-7 cancer cell-stimulated angiogenesis. Concerning cell morphology (studied by contrast phase light microscopy and after Papanicolaou staining), following DBP-MAF treatment, cell shape and growth pattern were significantly modified. Vimentin expression (studied by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis), considered a hallmark of human breast cancer progression, after DBP-MAF treatment, significantly varied. Intermediate filament status changes, consisting in a shift from a keratin-rich to a vimentin-rich network (epithelial-mesenchymal transition), were observed. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the anti-cancer effects of DBP-MAF can be attributed to multiple actions independent of macrophage stimulation such as reversal of Cadmium effects on cell viability, reversal of morphological malignant phenotype and inhibition of cancer cell-stimulated angiogenesis. For these reasons, DBP-MAF might represent an useful tool to control progression and differentiation of human breast cancer., Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, Vol 116, No 1 (Supplement) 2011

Published
2011
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12. Clinical significance of immune-system laboratory tests

Author

Ruggiero, Marco, Pacini, Stefania, Punzi, Tiziana, Morucci, Gabriele, Gulisano, Massimo, Koehnlein, Claus, and Bauer, Henry H.

Subjects
AIDS, immune-system laboratory tests, HIV, antibody, CD4
Abstract

Anatomists and many other medical specialists rely on clinical laboratories for critical information to assist in diagnosis, prognosis, and the evaluation of treatments. However, the clinical laboratories do not always accompany their numbers with sufficient information about the significance of certain results: how great the quantitative variation of a given parameter might be in healthy subjects, and how likely it might be that a given qualitative (“yes” or “no”) result is a false positive or false negative. This situation has been particularly troublesome in the case of HIV, because there is no “gold standard” HIV test and the typically quantitated measure, CD4, varies widely for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with HIV infection. For example, a person pronounced HIV-positive after having some vaccinations became HIV-negative again after a time, something that is not regarded as possible if HIV-positive denotes definitely active infection, as is commonly assumed. An important consequence of deficient information about HIV epidemiology is that students of anatomy may fear risking possible infection in dissection laboratories when the actual risk is negligible even in respect to anonymous cadavers in South Africa where the supposed incidence of HIV is particularly high. We have previously pointed to the need to improve HIV epidemiology and related public policy by recognizing and taking into account the weaknesses in HIV testing, which are the probable reason for at least some of the troubling conundrums and mutually contradictory data that seem inexplicable: conflicting estimates of HIV infections and of HIV-disease deaths from equally authoritative sources; apparently drastically different primary modes of transmission in different geographic regions; extreme racial disparities in HIV infection, with Asians and Asian Americans consistently less affected, by about one third, than white Americans, while black Americans are affected by as much as an order of magnitude more than white Americans. Testing uncertainties doubtless also contribute to the confusion as to whether certain conditions (e.g. lipodystrophy or nephropathy) should be described as HIV-associated or as AIDS-associated. In recent work we have found that the immune system, including CD4 counts, can be markedly enhanced by easily modified dietary supplementation that has none of the toxic side-effects of the antiretroviral drugs currently used in the attempt to elevate CD4 counts in HIV-positive people., Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, Vol 116, No 1 (Supplement) 2011

Published
2011

14. Macrophages of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) as key elements of the immune response to vitamin D binding protein-macrophage activating factor

Author

Pacini, Stefania, Punzi, Tiziana, Morucci, Gabriele, and Ruggiero, Marco

Subjects
HIV, AIDS, macrophages, lymphocytes, VDB-MAF, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue
Abstract

Macrophages are key elements of the immune response and vitamin D binding protein-macrophage activating factor (DBP-MAF, also known as GcMAF) has been successfully used in treatment of immunodeficiency (J Med Virol 81:16-26, 2009). Here we report the effects of DBP-MAF on the immune system of HIV/AIDS patients as well as the effects of an original probiotic preparation, putatively containing DBP-MAF. Eight HIV/AIDS patients were treated with 100 ng/week DBP-MAF (from www.gcmaf.eu) i.v. for 15 weeks. During treatment, patients did not assume antiretroviral drugs. Blood monocyte count rose in six patients, indicating a response to DBP-MAF consistent with the effects of DBP-MAF described in Immunol Cell Biol 76:237-44, 1998. Individual response appeared to be associated with vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms (BsmI and FokI). Within the time frame of administration, however, no significant increase in CD4 cell count or decrease in viral load was observed. Therefore, searching for an alternative approach, we tested an original milk-derivative (MAF 3 14®) that contains microorganisms introduced in order to maximize natural DBP-MAF production. We hypothesized that natural DBP-MAF, once ingested, activated the Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) widely diffused in the walls of the entire gastrointestinal tract. In fact, enzymes of certain strains of microorganisms contained in yogurt and kefir are able to convert milk Gc-protein into active DBP-MAF and it is known that kefir modulates the immune response in mice, increasing the phagocytic activity (i.e. activating) of peritoneal and pulmonary macrophages (Immunobiology 211:149-56, 2006). It is also known that probiotic yogurt consumption is associated with an increase of CD4 count among people living with HIV/AIDS (J Clin Gastroenterol 44:e201-5, 2010). Thus, members of the research team consumed 125 ml/day of MAF 3 14® for three weeks. Participants did not assume any drug or supplement and did not modify their usual diet and lifestyle. Blood analyses were performed two weeks before beginning consumption, and after three week consumption. After three week consumption, CD4 count dramatically increased in those of us who started with low CD4 count (subject # 1, before consumption CD4: 372; CD8: 206. After consumption: CD4: 609; CD8: 448), or abnormal CD4/CD8 ratio (subject # 2, before consumption: CD4: 857; CD8: 794. After consumption: CD4: 1279; CD8: 640). Also these effects appeared to be associated with VDR gene polymorphisms., Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, Vol 116, No 1 (Supplement) 2011

Published
2011

15. New Frontiers in Sport Training

Author

Morucci, Gabriele, primary, Punzi, Tiziana, additional, Innocenti, Giovanni, additional, Gulisano, Massimo, additional, Ceroti, Marco, additional, and Pacini, Stefania, additional

Published
2014
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16. Friend erythroleukemia cells induce angiogenesis in chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane and in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Author

PACINI,STEFANIA, PUNZI,TIZIANA, GULISANO,MASSIMO, RUGGIERO,MARCO, PACINI,STEFANIA, PUNZI,TIZIANA, GULISANO,MASSIMO, and RUGGIERO,MARCO

Abstract

The effects of Friend erythroleukemia cells on angiogenesis were studied in chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay and in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In chorioallantoic membrane assay, the conditioned medium of Friend cells stimulated in vivo angiogenesis to an extent comparable to that observed with Prostaglandin El, used as positive control. Prostaglandin El added to conditioned medium of Friend cells did not further increase angiogenesis. Conditioned medium of Friend erythroleukemia cells also stimulated proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells to an extent comparable to that observed with fetal bovine serum, used as positive control. Conditioned medium and fetal bovine serum together did not affect human umbilical vein endothelial cells proliferation, as compared to that observed when tested separately. These results seem to indicate that Friend erythroleukemia cells produce and secrete factors stimulating angiogenesis. These findings extend and confirm the hypothesis that successful angiogenesis is necessary for development of leukemias

Published
2008

29. La prevenzione ed il controllo della diarrea in persone con nutrizione enterale in area critica.

Author

Punzi, Tiziana Angela, Rosi, Ivana Maria, and Milos, Roberto

Subjects
DIARRHEA prevention, CRITICALLY ill, DRUG infusion pumps, ENTERAL feeding, INTENSIVE care nursing, PATIENTS
Abstract

Copyright of SCENARIO: Official Italian Journal of ANIARTI is the property of ANIARTI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Published
2011

30. Effects of vitamin D-binding protein-derived macrophage-activating factor on human breast cancer cells.

Author

Pacini S, Punzi T, Morucci G, Gulisano M, and Ruggiero M

Subjects
Blotting, Western, Breast Neoplasms blood supply, Cell Movement, Chorioallantoic Membrane metabolism, Female, Humans, Microscopy, Phase-Contrast, Tumor Cells, Cultured, Vimentin metabolism, Breast Neoplasms metabolism, Breast Neoplasms pathology, Cell Proliferation, Macrophage-Activating Factors metabolism, Neovascularization, Pathologic, Vitamin D-Binding Protein metabolism
Abstract

Background: Searching for additional therapeutic tools to fight breast cancer, we investigated the effects of vitamin D-binding protein-derived macrophage activating factor (DBP-MAF, also known as GcMAF) on a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7)., Materials and Methods: The effects of DBP-MAF on proliferation, morphology, vimentin expression and angiogenesis were studied by cell proliferation assay, phase-contrast microscopy, immunohistochemistry and western blotting, and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay., Results: DBP-MAF inhibited human breast cancer cell proliferation and cancer cell-stimulated angiogenesis. MCF-7 cells treated with DBP-MAF predominantly grew in monolayer and appeared to be well adherent to each other and to the well surface. Exposure to DBP-MAF significantly reduced vimentin expression, indicating a reversal of the epithelial/mesenchymal transition, a hallmark of human breast cancer progression., Conclusion: These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the known anticancer efficacy of DBP-MAF can be ascribed to different biological properties of the molecule that include inhibition of tumour-induced angiogenesis and direct inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, migration and metastatic potential.

Published
2012

31. On the risk of contracting AIDS at the dissection table.

Author

Ruggiero M, Galletti MP, Pacini S, Punzi T, Morucci G, and Gulisano M

Subjects
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome epidemiology, Anatomy education, Anatomy statistics & numerical data, Attitude of Health Personnel, Autopsy standards, Autopsy statistics & numerical data, Dissection standards, Dissection statistics & numerical data, Education, Medical, Undergraduate statistics & numerical data, Epidemiologic Studies, Equipment Contamination prevention & control, Equipment Contamination statistics & numerical data, HIV Infections epidemiology, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Health Personnel, Health Policy, Humans, Italy epidemiology, Occupational Exposure prevention & control, Occupational Exposure statistics & numerical data, Risk, Risk Assessment methods, Risk Factors, Students, Medical psychology, Students, Medical statistics & numerical data, Tissue Fixation standards, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome transmission, Cadaver, Dissection adverse effects, HIV Infections transmission, Occupational Exposure adverse effects
Abstract

Didactic dissection of the human body is still considered the best tool to teach and learn anatomy. Although the risk of being infected with pathogens during dissection has dramatically decreased, fear of infection is still widespread among medical students and health care professionals. The fear of contracting AIDS at the dissection table is of particular relevance because of the emotional implications accompanying the syndrome. In this study we analyze the actual risks of contracting AIDS during dissection in Italy by evaluating health policies and proportions of the epidemic. According to the Italian Ministry of Health, HIV infection and AIDS are not to be considered relevant threats to public health from the epidemiological point of view, and it is estimated that 99.7% of health care workers, who are exposed to HIV, will not be infected. In fact, there is only one well-documented case of an autopsy acquired HIV infection that happened in 1992 the United States. Furthermore, HIV infection is not necessarily associated with AIDS, and most HIV-positive subjects do not develop AIDS, provided that they do not assume toxic drugs or engage in risky behaviours. Conversely, according to the Ministry, AIDS can occur in the absence of signs of HIV infection. Taken together these considerations should help rationalizing the fear of contracting AIDS at the dissection table. The dissection hall can still be a dangerous place and the adoption of safe working practices and awareness of potential risks are mandatory; HIV serophobia, however, is unjustified.

Published
2009

32. Vitamin D receptor alleles and C-reactive protein in hemodialysis patients.

Author

Pacini S, Punzi T, Gulisano M, Boddi V, Aterini S, Amato M, and Ruggiero M

Subjects
Adult, Aged, Alleles, C-Reactive Protein analysis, Coronary Artery Disease physiopathology, DNA Mutational Analysis, Female, Gene Frequency genetics, Genetic Markers genetics, Genetic Predisposition to Disease genetics, Genetic Testing, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Polymorphism, Genetic genetics, Renal Dialysis statistics & numerical data, Renal Insufficiency blood, Renal Insufficiency genetics, Renal Insufficiency therapy, Uremia complications, Vitamin D metabolism, C-Reactive Protein metabolism, Coronary Artery Disease blood, Coronary Artery Disease genetics, Receptors, Calcitriol genetics, Uremia blood, Uremia genetics
Abstract

Cardiovascular disease due to atherosclerosis is the major determinant of morbidity and mortality in uremic patients. Inflammation is essential in the development of atherosclerosis and markers of inflammation, in particular C-reactive protein, predict the cardiovascular risk. Vitamin D exerts its effects through the Vitamin D Receptor, coded for by a gene showing several polymorphisms associated with a variety of diseases and differential responses to Vitamin D. We evaluated the association between four Vitamin D Receptor polymorphisms (i.e. those identified by the restriction enzymes BsmI, ApaI, TaqI and FokI) and serum level of C-reactive protein in 88 hemodialysis patients routinely treated with active Vitamin D (calcitriol). Absence or presence of the BsmI, ApaI, TaqI, and FokI restriction sites were denominated B and b, A and a, T and t, F and f respectively. Our results show that the b, a, T, alleles were more frequent in patients with elevated serum level of C-reactive protein compared with patients with normal C-reactive protein level. The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the Vitamin D Receptor alleles b, a, T could be considered novel risk factors in the pathogenesis of inflammation-related, atherosclerosis-dependent cardiovascular disease risk in uremic patients.

Published
2008

33. Bombesin promotes vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in chick chorio-allantoic membrane: A morphometric, structural, and ultrastructural study.

Author

Quagliata S, Pacini S, Punzi T, Malentacchi C, Ruggiero M, and Delfino G

Subjects
Allantois cytology, Allantois physiology, Allantois ultrastructure, Animals, Chick Embryo, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission, Neurotransmitter Agents pharmacology, Allantois drug effects, Bombesin pharmacology, Neovascularization, Physiologic drug effects
Abstract

Experiments were performed on the chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM) of the chick to evaluate the effects of bombesin (BN) on vascular neoformation. In morphometrical assays, 10(-13)-10(-4) M BN promoted dose-dependent vascular development. Newly formed vessels converged toward the BN release site in a spoked wheel arrangement, suggesting a diffusion gradient mechanism. Structural and ultrastructural analysis of CAM specimens collected near the BN release site showed that both vasculogenetic and angiogenetic processes cooperated in vascular neoformation that involved committed cells from the mesenchyme (angioblasts) as well as endothelial cells. No pattern of vascular development was detected away from the BN release site. Findings from the present study emphasize the role of BN in vascular net development of respiratory organs., ((c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Published
2008
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34. In vivo effects of a novel degradable filler.

Author

Punzi T, Gulisano M, Cammarota N, Protopapa C, Caporale D, Ruggiero M, and Pacini S

Subjects
Animals, Dermis cytology, Dermis drug effects, Dermis surgery, Foreign-Body Reaction chemically induced, Foreign-Body Reaction metabolism, Foreign-Body Reaction prevention & control, Male, Polymers metabolism, Polyvinyl Alcohol chemistry, Polyvinyl Alcohol metabolism, Polyvinyl Alcohol therapeutic use, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Skin cytology, Treatment Outcome, Absorbable Implants, Dermatologic Surgical Procedures, Polymers chemistry, Polymers therapeutic use, Plastic Surgery Procedures methods, Skin drug effects, Surgery, Plastic methods
Abstract

Novel types of permanent and transient fillers are proposed both in plastic and reconstructive surgery and in dermatology. Different molecules with high biocompatibility, no side effects, and slow degradation rate in human tissues are emerging. The importance of degradable fillers significantly increased in recent years for a variety of reasons: surgical injection of these materials is easier and with less side effects; treatment could be performed in a short time; patient's reported pain is scant; treatment-related expenses and cost for the patient are relatively low. In this study we investigated the biological effects of a new degradable filler, i.e. of a polymer made of 8% high grade (99%) polyvinylic alcohol, and of 92% sterile water in rat skin, after its injection in the dermis. The polymer examined exhibited optimal biocompatibility and full degradability in normal rat skin within 120 days. No pathological changes could be observed in the areas where injection of polymer had taken place.

Published
2005

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