114 results on '"Paroni Sterbini, Francesco"'
Search Results
2. Clinical and mutational profile of AT-rich interaction domain 1A-mutated cancers
- Author
-
Falcone, Rosa, primary, Filetti, Marco, additional, Lombardi, Pasquale, additional, Altamura, Valeria, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Scambia, Giovanni, additional, and Daniele, Gennaro, additional
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Different effects of matrix degrading enzymes towards biofilms formed by E. faecalis and E. faecium clinical isolates
- Author
-
Torelli, Riccardo, Cacaci, Margherita, Papi, Massimiliano, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Martini, Cecilia, Posteraro, Brunella, Palmieri, Valentina, De Spirito, Marco, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, and Bugli, Francesca
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Liposome-based sensor for the detection of bacteria
- Author
-
Petaccia, Manuela, Bombelli, Cecilia, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Papi, Massimiliano, Giansanti, Luisa, Bugli, Francesca, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, and Mancini, Giovanna
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Overview of Trop-2 in Cancer: From Pre-Clinical Studies to Future Directions in Clinical Settings
- Author
-
Lombardi, Pasquale, primary, Filetti, Marco, additional, Falcone, Rosa, additional, Altamura, Valeria, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Bria, Emilio, additional, Fabi, Alessandra, additional, Giannarelli, Diana, additional, Scambia, Giovanni, additional, and Daniele, Gennaro, additional
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. High prevalence of lower limb atherosclerosis is linked with the gut–liver axis in patients with primary biliary cholangitis
- Author
-
Ponziani, Francesca Romana, primary, Nesci, Antonio, additional, Caputo, Camilla, additional, Salvatore, Lucia, additional, Picca, Anna, additional, Del Chierico, Federica, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Marzetti, Emanuele, additional, Di Giorgio, Angela, additional, Santoro, Luca, additional, Putignani, Lorenza, additional, Gasbarrini, Antonio, additional, Santoliquido, Angelo, additional, and Pompili, Maurizio, additional
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Gut Dysbiosis and Fecal Calprotectin Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Author
-
Ponziani, Francesca Romana, De Luca, Angela, Picca, Anna, Marzetti, Emanuele, Petito, Valentina, Del Chierico, Federica, Reddel, Sofia, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Putignani, Lorenza, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Pompili, Maurizio, Ponziani, Francesca Romana, De Luca, Angela, Picca, Anna, Marzetti, Emanuele, Petito, Valentina, Del Chierico, Federica, Reddel, Sofia, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Putignani, Lorenza, Gasbarrini, Antonio, and Pompili, Maurizio
- Abstract
The gut microbiota is a well-known prognostic factor and a modulator of treatment sensitivity in patients with cancers treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, data on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of the gut microbiota and changes produced by immunotherapy on the intestinal environment in patients with cirrhosis and HCC. Eleven patients treated with Tremelimumab and/or Durvalumab were included in the analysis. All study participants underwent gut microbiota profiling, quantification of fecal calprotectin, serum levels of zonulin-1, lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) at baseline and at each treatment cycle until the third cycle, then every three cycles until treatment discontinuation or last visit. The 6 patients who achieved disease control (DC) showed lower pretreatment fecal calprotectin (median, 12.5; interquartile range [IQR], 5-29 vs. median, 116; IQR, 59-129 µg/g; P = 0.047) and PD-L1 serum levels (median, 0.08; IQR, 0.07-0.09 vs. median, 1.04; IQR, 0.17-1.95 ng/mL; P = 0.02) than nonresponders. The relative abundance of Akkermansia (log2 fold change [FC], 2.72; adjusted P [Padj] = 0.012) was increased, whereas that of Enterobacteriaceae (log2 FC, −2.34; Padj = 0.04) was reduced in the DC group. During treatment, fecal calprotectin showed a temporal evolution opposite to the Akkermansia to Enterobacteriaceae ratio and gut microbiota alpha diversity, but similar to zonulin-1 and LBP. Bifidobacterium had a stable behavior in patients with a long follow-up, while Akkermansia was more variable. Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium showed similar temporal patterns and causative relationships with Prevotella, Veillonella, Ruminococcus, Roseburia, Lachnospira, Faecalibacterium, and Clostridium. Conclusion: A favorable composition of the gut microbiota and low intestinal inflammation are associated with achieving DC. The intestinal environment changes dyn
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. High prevalence of lower limb atherosclerosis is linked with the gut–liver axis in patients with primary biliary cholangitis.
- Author
-
Ponziani, Francesca Romana, Nesci, Antonio, Caputo, Camilla, Salvatore, Lucia, Picca, Anna, Del Chierico, Federica, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Marzetti, Emanuele, Di Giorgio, Angela, Santoro, Luca, Putignani, Lorenza, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Santoliquido, Angelo, and Pompili, Maurizio
- Subjects
CHOLANGITIS ,NON-alcoholic fatty liver disease ,PERIPHERAL vascular diseases ,AMINO acid metabolism ,TIBIAL arteries ,ARTERIAL diseases - Abstract
Background and Aims: Hypercholesterolemia is frequent in people with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC); however, it does not seem to confer an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in PBC women and its association with the gut–liver axis and systemic inflammation. Methods: Thirty patients affected by PBC and hypercholesterolemia were enrolled, with equal‐sized groups of women with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and healthy controls (CTRL). All patients underwent Doppler ultrasound examination of peripheral arteries, assessment of flow‐mediated dilation, quantification of circulating cytokines and vasoactive mediators and characterization of the gut microbiota. Results: PBC patients had a higher prevalence of lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) defined as atherosclerotic plaques in any of femoral, popliteal and/or tibial arteries compared with both NAFLD and CTRL women (83.3% vs. 53.3% and 50%, respectively; p =.01). Factors associated with LEAD at univariate analysis were VCAM‐1 (p =.002), ICAM‐1 (p =.003), and TNF‐alpha (p =.04) serum levels, but only VCAM‐1 (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.1; p =.04) and TNF‐alpha (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.99–1.26; p =.04) were confirmed as independent predictors in the multivariate model. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that Acidaminococcus (FDR = 0.0008), Bifidobacterium (FDR = 0.001) and Oscillospira (FDR = 0.03) were differentially expressed among groups. Acidaminococcus, which was increased in PBC, was positively correlated with TNF‐alpha serum levels. Down‐regulation of metabolic pathways linked to fatty acid and butyrate metabolism, glyoxylate metabolism and branched‐chain amino acids degradation was found in the functional gut metagenome of PBC women. Conclusions: LEAD is common in patients affected by PBC and is associated with inflammatory markers and alterations in the gut–liver axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Gut Dysbiosis and Fecal Calprotectin Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Author
-
Ponziani, Francesca Romana, primary, De Luca, Angela, additional, Picca, Anna, additional, Marzetti, Emanuele, additional, Petito, Valentina, additional, Del Chierico, Federica, additional, Reddel, Sofia, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, additional, Putignani, Lorenza, additional, Gasbarrini, Antonio, additional, and Pompili, Maurizio, additional
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Oncologic Drugs Approval in Europe for Solid Tumors: Overview of the Last 6 Years
- Author
-
Falcone, Rosa, primary, Lombardi, Pasquale, additional, Filetti, Marco, additional, Duranti, Simona, additional, Pietragalla, Antonella, additional, Fabi, Alessandra, additional, Lorusso, Domenica, additional, Altamura, Valeria, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Scambia, Giovanni, additional, and Daniele, Gennaro, additional
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Characterization of the gut-liver- muscle axis in cirrhotic patients with sarcopenia
- Author
-
Ponziani, Francesca Romana, Picca, Anna, Marzetti, Emanuele, Calvani, Riccardo, Conta, Giorgia, Del Chierico, Federica, Capuani, Giorgio, Faccia, Mariella, Fianchi, Francesca, Funaro, Barbara, Coelho-Junior, Helio José, Petito, Valentina, Rinninella, Emanuele, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Reddel, Sofia, Vernocchi, Pamela, Mele, Maria Cristina, Miccheli, Alfredo, Putignani, Lorenza, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Pompili, Maurizio, Gasbarrini, Antonio, and The GuLiver study group
- Subjects
sarcopenia ,gut microbiota ,cirrhosis ,ethanol ,metabolomics - Abstract
Background & Aim: Sarcopenia is frequent in cirrhosis and is associated with unfavourableoutcomes. The role of the gut-liver- muscleaxis in this setting has been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to identify gut microbiota, metabolic and inflammatory signatures associated with sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients. Methods: Fifty cirrhotic patients assessed for the presence of sarcopenia by the quantificationof muscle mass and strength were compared with age-andsex-matchedcontrols. A multiomic analysis, including gut microbiota composition and metabolomics, serum myokines and systemic and intestinal inflammatory mediators, wasperformed. Results: The gut microbiota of sarcopenic cirrhotic patients was poor in bacteriaassociated with physical function (Methanobrevibacter, Prevotella and Akkermansia),and was enriched in Eggerthella, a gut microbial marker of frailty. Theabundance ofpotentially pathogenic bacteria, such as Klebsiella, was also increased, to the detriment of autochthonous ones. Sarcopenia was associated with elevated serum levelsof pro-inflammatorymediators and of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in cirrhoticpatients. Gut microbiota metabolic pathways involved in amino acid, protein and branched-chainamino acid metabolism were up-regulated,in addition to ethanol,trimethylamine and dimethylamine production. Correlation networks and clusters of variables associated with sarcopenia were identified, including one centred onKlebsiella/ethanol/FGF21/Eggerthella/Prevotella. Conclusions: Alterations in the gut-liver-muscleaxis are associated with sarcopenia inpatients with cirrhosis. Detrimental but also compensatory functions are involved inthis complex network.
- Published
- 2021
12. Gut microbiota compositional and functional fingerprint in patients with alcohol use disorder and alcohol‐associated liver disease
- Author
-
Addolorato, Giovanni, primary, Ponziani, Francesca R., additional, Dionisi, Tommaso, additional, Mosoni, Carolina, additional, Vassallo, Gabriele A., additional, Sestito, Luisa, additional, Petito, Valentina, additional, Picca, Anna, additional, Marzetti, Emanuele, additional, Tarli, Claudia, additional, Mirijello, Antonio, additional, Zocco, Maria Assunta, additional, Lopetuso, Loris R., additional, Antonelli, Mariangela, additional, Rando, Maria M., additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Posteraro, Brunella, additional, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, additional, and Gasbarrini, Antonio, additional
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Hepatocellular Carcinoma is Associated with Gut Microbiota Profile and Inflammation in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Author
-
Ponziani, Francesca Romana, Bhoori, Sherrie, Castelli, Chiara, Putignani, Lorenza, Rivoltini, Licia, Del Chierico, Federica, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Morelli, Daniele, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Petito, Valentina, Reddel, Sofia, Calvani, Riccardo, Camisaschi, Chiara, Picca, Anna, Tuccitto, Alessandra, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Pompili, Maurizio, Mazzaferro, Vincenzo, Ponziani, Francesca Romana (ORCID:0000-0002-5924-6238), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Calvani, Riccardo (ORCID:0000-0001-5472-2365), Gasbarrini, Antonio (ORCID:0000-0002-7278-4823), Pompili, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0001-6699-7980), Ponziani, Francesca Romana, Bhoori, Sherrie, Castelli, Chiara, Putignani, Lorenza, Rivoltini, Licia, Del Chierico, Federica, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Morelli, Daniele, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Petito, Valentina, Reddel, Sofia, Calvani, Riccardo, Camisaschi, Chiara, Picca, Anna, Tuccitto, Alessandra, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Pompili, Maurizio, Mazzaferro, Vincenzo, Ponziani, Francesca Romana (ORCID:0000-0002-5924-6238), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Calvani, Riccardo (ORCID:0000-0001-5472-2365), Gasbarrini, Antonio (ORCID:0000-0002-7278-4823), and Pompili, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0001-6699-7980)
- Abstract
The gut-liver axis plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is the third cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. However, the link between gut microbiota and hepatocarcinogenesis remains to be clarified. The aim of this study is to explore what features of the gut microbiota are associated with HCC in cirrhotic patients with NAFLD. A consecutive series of patients with NAFLD-related cirrhosis and HCC (group 1: 21 patients), NAFLD-related cirrhosis without HCC (group 2: 20 patients) and healthy controls (group 3: 20 patients) was studied for gut microbiota profile, intestinal permeability, inflammatory status and circulating mononuclear cells. We finally constructed a model depicting the most relevant correlations among these features, possibly involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. Patients with HCC showed increased levels of fecal calprotectin, whilst intestinal permeability was similar to cirrhotic patients without HCC. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL) 8, IL13, C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 3, CCL4 and CCL5 were higher in the HCC group and were associated with an activated status of circulating monocytes. The fecal microbiota of the whole group of cirrhotic patients showed higher abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcus, and a reduction in Akkermansia. Bacteroides and Ruminococcaceae were increased in the HCC group, while Bifidobacterium was reduced. Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium were inversely correlated with calprotectin concentration, which in turn was associated with humoral and cellular inflammatory markers. A similar behavior was also observed for Bacteroides.
- Published
- 2019
14. Epicardial adipose tissue microbial colonization and inflammasome activation in acute coronary syndrome
- Author
-
Pedicino, Daniela, Severino, Anna, Ucci, Sara, Bugli, Francesca, Flego, Davide, Giglio, Ada F., Trotta, Francesco, Ruggio, Aureliano, Lucci, Claudia, Iaconelli, Antonio, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Biasucci, Luigi M, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Glieca, Franco, Luciani, Nicola, Massetti, Massimo, Crea, Filippo, and Liuzzo, Giovanna
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Influence of hepatitis C virus eradication with direct-acting antivirals on the gut microbiota in patients with cirrhosis
- Author
-
Ponziani, Francesca Romana, Putignani, Lorenza, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Petito, Valentina, Picca, Anna, Del Chierico, Federica, Reddel, Sofia, Calvani, Riccardo, Marzetti, Emanuele, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Pompili, Maurizio, Ponziani, Francesca Romana (ORCID:0000-0002-5924-6238), Calvani, Riccardo (ORCID:0000-0001-5472-2365), Marzetti, Emanuele (ORCID:0000-0001-9567-6983), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Gasbarrini, Antonio (ORCID:0000-0002-7278-4823), Pompili, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0001-6699-7980), Ponziani, Francesca Romana, Putignani, Lorenza, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Petito, Valentina, Picca, Anna, Del Chierico, Federica, Reddel, Sofia, Calvani, Riccardo, Marzetti, Emanuele, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Pompili, Maurizio, Ponziani, Francesca Romana (ORCID:0000-0002-5924-6238), Calvani, Riccardo (ORCID:0000-0001-5472-2365), Marzetti, Emanuele (ORCID:0000-0001-9567-6983), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Gasbarrini, Antonio (ORCID:0000-0002-7278-4823), and Pompili, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0001-6699-7980)
- Abstract
Background: The cure of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may contribute to the reduction of liver fibrosis progression and potentially influence the gut-liver axis. Aim: To investigate the influence of HCV infection eradication with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) on the gut microbiota composition as well as on intestinal and systemic inflammatory parameters in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: Consecutive patients with HCV-related cirrhosis receiving DAA treatment were included. The gut microbiota composition, intestinal permeability, and inflammation were assessed before treatment and after 1 year. Clinical outcomes such as episodes of decompensation and markers of liver fibrosis were evaluated over a 2-year follow-up period. Results: The gut microbiota alpha diversity in cirrhotic patients, which was lower than that in healthy subjects, was significantly improved by the cure of HCV infection and a shift in the overall gut microbiota composition was observed compared to baseline. The abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus) was decreased after treatment. The gut microbiota composition was associated with the inflammatory profile and markers of liver fibrosis. Although a significant reduction in the serum levels of cytokines and chemokines was observed post-DAA treatment, measures of intestinal permeability and inflammation remained unchanged. Conclusions: Cure of HCV infection with DAAs in patients with cirrhosis is associated with a modification of the gut microbiota, which correlates with fibrosis and inflammation but does not improve intestinal barrier function.
- Published
- 2018
16. Liver Injury, Endotoxemia, and Their Relationship to Intestinal Microbiota Composition in Alcohol-Preferring Rats
- Author
-
Posteraro, Brunella, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Petito, Valentina, Rocca, Stefano, Cubeddu, Tiziana, Graziani, Cristina, Arena, Vincenzo, Vassallo, Gabriele A., Mosoni, Carolina, Lopetuso, Lori, Lorrai, Irene, Maccioni, Paola, Masucci, Luca, Martini, Cecilia, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Colombo, Giancarlo, Addolorato, Giovanni, Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Arena, Vincenzo (ORCID:0000-0002-7562-223X), Lopetuso, Loris, Masucci, Luca (ORCID:0000-0002-8358-6726), Gasbarrini, Antonio (ORCID:0000-0002-7278-4823), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Addolorato, Giovanni (ORCID:0000-0002-1522-9946), Posteraro, Brunella, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Petito, Valentina, Rocca, Stefano, Cubeddu, Tiziana, Graziani, Cristina, Arena, Vincenzo, Vassallo, Gabriele A., Mosoni, Carolina, Lopetuso, Lori, Lorrai, Irene, Maccioni, Paola, Masucci, Luca, Martini, Cecilia, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Colombo, Giancarlo, Addolorato, Giovanni, Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Arena, Vincenzo (ORCID:0000-0002-7562-223X), Lopetuso, Loris, Masucci, Luca (ORCID:0000-0002-8358-6726), Gasbarrini, Antonio (ORCID:0000-0002-7278-4823), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), and Addolorato, Giovanni (ORCID:0000-0002-1522-9946)
- Abstract
Background: There is strong evidence that alcoholism leads to dysbiosis in both humans and animals. However, it is unclear how changes in the intestinal microbiota (IM) relate to ethanol (EtOH)-induced disruption of gut–liver homeostasis. We investigated this issue using selectively bred Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats, a validated animal model of excessive EtOH consumption. Methods: Independent groups of male adult sP rats were exposed to the standard, home-cage 2-bottle “EtOH (10% v/v) versus water” choice regimen with unlimited access for 24 h/d (Group Et) for 3 (T1), 6 (T2), and 12 (T3) consecutive months. Control groups (Group Ct) were composed of matched-age EtOH-naïve sP rats. We obtained samples from each rat at the end of each experimental time, and we used blood and colon tissues for intestinal barrier integrity and/or liver pathology assessments and used stool samples for IM analysis with 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Results: Rats in Group Et developed hepatic steatosis and elevated serum transaminases and endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels but no other liver pathological changes (i.e., necrosis/inflammation) or systemic inflammation. While we did not find any apparent alteration of the intestinal colonic mucosa, we found that rats in Group Et exhibited significant changes in IM composition compared to the rats in Group Ct. These changes were sustained throughout T1, T2, and T3. In particular, Ruminococcus, Coprococcus, and Streptococcus were the differentially abundant microbial genera at T3. The KEGG Ortholog profile revealed that IM functional modules, such as biosynthesis, transport, and export of LPS, were also enriched in Group Et rats at T3. Conclusions: We showed that chronic, voluntary EtOH consumption induced liver injury and endotoxemia together with dysbiotic changes in sP rats. This work sets the stage for improving our knowledge of the prevention and treatment of EtOH-related diseases.
- Published
- 2018
17. Liver Injury, Endotoxemia, and Their Relationship to Intestinal Microbiota Composition in Alcohol-Preferring Rats
- Author
-
Posteraro, Brunella, primary, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Petito, Valentina, additional, Rocca, Stefano, additional, Cubeddu, Tiziana, additional, Graziani, Cristina, additional, Arena, Vincenzo, additional, Vassallo, Gabriele A., additional, Mosoni, Carolina, additional, Lopetuso, Loris, additional, Lorrai, Irene, additional, Maccioni, Paola, additional, Masucci, Luca, additional, Martini, Cecilia, additional, Gasbarrini, Antonio, additional, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, additional, Colombo, Giancarlo, additional, and Addolorato, Giovanni, additional
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Influence of hepatitis C virus eradication with direct-acting antivirals on the gut microbiota in patients with cirrhosis
- Author
-
Ponziani, Francesca Romana, primary, Putignani, Lorenza, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Petito, Valentina, additional, Picca, Anna, additional, Del Chierico, Federica, additional, Reddel, Sofia, additional, Calvani, Riccardo, additional, Marzetti, Emanuele, additional, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, additional, Gasbarrini, Antonio, additional, and Pompili, Maurizio, additional
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Is Associated With Gut Microbiota Profile and Inflammation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Author
-
Ponziani, Francesca Romana, primary, Bhoori, Sherrie, additional, Castelli, Chiara, additional, Putignani, Lorenza, additional, Rivoltini, Licia, additional, Del Chierico, Federica, additional, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, additional, Morelli, Daniele, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Petito, Valentina, additional, Reddel, Sofia, additional, Calvani, Riccardo, additional, Camisaschi, Chiara, additional, Picca, Anna, additional, Tuccitto, Alessandra, additional, Gasbarrini, Antonio, additional, Pompili, Maurizio, additional, and Mazzaferro, Vincenzo, additional
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Gut Microbiota in Health, Diverticular Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Time for Microbial Marker of Gastrointestinal Disorders?
- Author
-
Lopetuso, Loris Riccardo, Petito, Valentina, Graziani, Cristina, Schiavoni, Elisa, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Poscia, Andrea, Gaetani, Eleonora, Franceschi, Francesco, Cammarota, Giovanni, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Masucci, Luca, Scaldaferri, Franco, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Poscia, Andrea (ORCID:0000-0002-7616-3389), Gaetani, Eleonora (ORCID:0000-0002-7808-1491), Franceschi, Francesco (ORCID:0000-0001-6266-445X), Cammarota, Giovanni (ORCID:0000-0002-3626-6148), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Masucci, Luca (ORCID:0000-0002-8358-6726), Scaldaferri, Franco (ORCID:0000-0001-8334-7541), Gasbarrini, Antonio (ORCID:0000-0002-7278-4823), Lopetuso, Loris Riccardo, Petito, Valentina, Graziani, Cristina, Schiavoni, Elisa, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Poscia, Andrea, Gaetani, Eleonora, Franceschi, Francesco, Cammarota, Giovanni, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Masucci, Luca, Scaldaferri, Franco, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Poscia, Andrea (ORCID:0000-0002-7616-3389), Gaetani, Eleonora (ORCID:0000-0002-7808-1491), Franceschi, Francesco (ORCID:0000-0001-6266-445X), Cammarota, Giovanni (ORCID:0000-0002-3626-6148), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Masucci, Luca (ORCID:0000-0002-8358-6726), Scaldaferri, Franco (ORCID:0000-0001-8334-7541), and Gasbarrini, Antonio (ORCID:0000-0002-7278-4823)
- Abstract
Few data exist on differences in gut microbiota composition among principal gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. We evaluated the differences in gut microbiota composition among uncomplicated diverticular disease (DD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) patients. DD, IBS, and IBD patients along with healthy controls (CT) were enrolled in our Italian GI outpatient clinic. Stool samples were collected. Microbiota composition was evaluated through a metagenomic gene-targeted approach. GI pathology represented a continuous spectrum of diseases where IBD displayed one extreme, while CT displayed the other. Among Phyla, Biplot PC2/PC3 and dendogram plot showed major differences in samples from IBS and IBD. DD resembled species CT composition, but not for Bacteroides fragilis. In IBS, Dialister spp. and then Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were the most representative species. Ulcerative colitis showed a reduced concentration of Clostridium difficile and an increase of Bacteroides fragilis. In Crohn's disease, Parabacteroides distasonis was the most represented, while Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bacteroides fragilis were significantly reduced. Each disorder has its definite overall microbial signature, which produces a clear differentiation from the others. On the other hand, shared alterations constitute the "core dysbiosis" of GI diseases. The assessment of these microbial markers represents a parameter that may complete the diagnostic assessment.
- Published
- 2017
21. Gut Microbiota in Health, Diverticular Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Time for Microbial Marker of Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Author
-
Lopetuso, Loris Riccardo, primary, Petito, Valentina, additional, Graziani, Cristina, additional, Schiavoni, Elisa, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Poscia, Andrea, additional, Gaetani, Eleonora, additional, Franceschi, Francesco, additional, Cammarota, Giovanni, additional, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, additional, Masucci, Luca, additional, Scaldaferri, Franco, additional, and Gasbarrini, Antonio, additional
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
22. Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors on the Gastric Mucosa-Associated Microbiota in Dyspeptic Patients
- Author
-
Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, primary, Palladini, Alessandra, additional, Masucci, Luca, additional, Cannistraci, Carlo Vittorio, additional, Pastorino, Roberta, additional, Ianiro, Gianluca, additional, Bugli, Francesca, additional, Martini, Cecilia, additional, Ricciardi, Walter, additional, Gasbarrini, Antonio, additional, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, additional, Cammarota, Giovanni, additional, and Posteraro, Brunella, additional
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Is Associated With Gut Microbiota Profile and Inflammation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
- Author
-
Ponziani, Francesca Romana, Bhoori, Sherrie, Castelli, Chiara, Putignani, Lorenza, Rivoltini, Licia, Del Chierico, Federica, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Morelli, Daniele, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Petito, Valentina, Reddel, Sofia, Calvani, Riccardo, Camisaschi, Chiara, Picca, Anna, Tuccitto, Alessandra, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Pompili, Maurizio, and Mazzaferro, Vincenzo
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. In vitro effect of clarithromycin and alginate lyase against helicobacter pylori biofilm
- Author
-
Bugli, Francesca, Palmieri, Valentina, Torelli, Riccardo, Papi, Massimiliano, De Spirito, Marco, Cacaci, Margherita, Galgano, S., Masucci, Luca, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Vella, Antonietta, Graffeo, Rosalia, Posteraro, Brunella, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Papi, Massimiliano (ORCID:0000-0002-0029-1309), De Spirito, Marco (ORCID:0000-0003-4260-5107), Cacaci, Margherita (ORCID:0000-0002-5433-9400), Masucci, Luca (ORCID:0000-0002-8358-6726), Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Bugli, Francesca, Palmieri, Valentina, Torelli, Riccardo, Papi, Massimiliano, De Spirito, Marco, Cacaci, Margherita, Galgano, S., Masucci, Luca, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Vella, Antonietta, Graffeo, Rosalia, Posteraro, Brunella, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Papi, Massimiliano (ORCID:0000-0002-0029-1309), De Spirito, Marco (ORCID:0000-0003-4260-5107), Cacaci, Margherita (ORCID:0000-0002-5433-9400), Masucci, Luca (ORCID:0000-0002-8358-6726), Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), and Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059)
- Abstract
It is now established that the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori has the ability to form biofilms in vitro as well as on the human gastric mucosa. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of Clarithromycin on H. pylori biofilm and to enhance the effects of this antibiotic by combining it with Alginate Lyase, an enzyme degrading the polysaccharides present in the extracellular polymeric matrix forming the biofilm. We evaluated the Clarithromycin minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) on in vitro preformed biofilm of a H. pylori. Then the synergic effect of Clarithromycin and Alginate Lyase treatment has been quantified by using the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration index, measured by checkerboard microdilution assay. To clarify the mechanisms behind the effectiveness of this antibiofilm therapeutic combination, we used Atomic Force Microscopy to analyze modifications of bacterial morphology, percentage of bacillary or coccoid shaped bacteria cells and to quantify biofilm properties. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1584–1591, 2016.
- Published
- 2016
25. The Role of Antibiotics in Gut Microbiota Modulation: The Eubiotic Effects of Rifaximin
- Author
-
Ponziani, Francesca Romana, Scaldaferri, Franco, Petito, Valentina, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Pecere, Silvia, Lopetuso, Loris Riccardo, Palladini, Alessandra, Gerardi, Viviana, Masucci, Luca, Pompili, Maurizio, Cammarota, Giovanni, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Ponziani, Francesca Romana (ORCID:0000-0002-5924-6238), Scaldaferri, Franco (ORCID:0000-0001-8334-7541), Masucci, Luca (ORCID:0000-0002-8358-6726), Pompili, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0001-6699-7980), Cammarota, Giovanni (ORCID:0000-0002-3626-6148), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Gasbarrini, Antonio (ORCID:0000-0002-7278-4823), Ponziani, Francesca Romana, Scaldaferri, Franco, Petito, Valentina, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Pecere, Silvia, Lopetuso, Loris Riccardo, Palladini, Alessandra, Gerardi, Viviana, Masucci, Luca, Pompili, Maurizio, Cammarota, Giovanni, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Ponziani, Francesca Romana (ORCID:0000-0002-5924-6238), Scaldaferri, Franco (ORCID:0000-0001-8334-7541), Masucci, Luca (ORCID:0000-0002-8358-6726), Pompili, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0001-6699-7980), Cammarota, Giovanni (ORCID:0000-0002-3626-6148), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), and Gasbarrini, Antonio (ORCID:0000-0002-7278-4823)
- Abstract
Antibiotics are mainly used in clinical practice for their activity against pathogens, but they also alter the composition of commensal gut microbial community. Rifaximin is a non-absorbable antibiotic with additional effects on the gut microbiota about which very little is known. It is still not clear to what extent rifaximin can be able to modulate gut microbiota composition and diversity in different clinical settings. Studies based on culture-dependent techniques revealed that rifaximin treatment promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. Accordingly, our metagenomic analysis carried out on patients with different gastrointestinal and liver diseases highlighted a significant increase in Lactobacilli after rifaximin treatment, persisting in the short time period. This result was independent of the disease background and was not accompanied by a significant alteration of the overall gut microbial ecology. This suggests that rifaximin can exert important eubiotic effects independently of the original disease, producing a favorable gut microbiota perturbation without changing its overall composition and diversity.
- Published
- 2016
26. The Role of Antibiotics in Gut Microbiota Modulation: The Eubiotic Effects of Rifaximin
- Author
-
Ponziani, Francesca Romana, primary, Scaldaferri, Franco, additional, Petito, Valentina, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Pecere, Silvia, additional, Lopetuso, Loris R., additional, Palladini, Alessandra, additional, Gerardi, Viviana, additional, Masucci, Luca, additional, Pompili, Maurizio, additional, Cammarota, Giovanni, additional, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, additional, and Gasbarrini, Antonio, additional
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. The polyamine N-acetyltransferase-like enzyme PmvE plays a role in the virulence of Enterococcus faecalis
- Author
-
Martini, Cecilia, Michaux, C, Bugli, Francesca, Arcovito, Alessandro, Iavarone, Federica, Cacaci, Margherita, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Hartke, A, Sauvageot, N, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Posteraro, Brunella, Giard, J., Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Arcovito, Alessandro (ORCID:0000-0002-8384-4844), Iavarone, Federica (ORCID:0000-0002-2074-5531), Cacaci, Margherita (ORCID:0000-0002-5433-9400), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Martini, Cecilia, Michaux, C, Bugli, Francesca, Arcovito, Alessandro, Iavarone, Federica, Cacaci, Margherita, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Hartke, A, Sauvageot, N, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Posteraro, Brunella, Giard, J., Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Arcovito, Alessandro (ORCID:0000-0002-8384-4844), Iavarone, Federica (ORCID:0000-0002-2074-5531), Cacaci, Margherita (ORCID:0000-0002-5433-9400), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), and Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546)
- Abstract
We previously showed that the mutant strain of Enterococcus faecalis lacking the transcriptional regulator SlyA is more virulent than the parental strain. We hypothesized that this phenotype was due to overexpression of the second gene of the slyA operon, ef_3001, renamed pmvE (for polyamine metabolism and virulence of E. faecalis). PmvE shares strong homologies with N(1)-spermidine/spermine acetyltransferase enzymes involved in the metabolism of polyamines. In this study, we used an E. faecalis strain carrying the recombinant plasmid pMSP3535-pmvE (V19/p3535-pmvE), which allows the induction of pmvE by addition of nisin. Thereby, we showed that the overexpression of PmvE increased the virulence of E. faecalis in the Galleria mellonella infection model, as well as the persistence within peritoneal macrophages. We were also able to show a direct interaction between the His-tagged recombinant PmvE (rPmvE) protein and putrescine by the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique on a Biacore instrument. Moreover, biochemical assays showed that PmvE possesses an N-acetyltransferase activity toward polyamine substrates. Our results suggest that PmvE contributes to the virulence of E. faecalis, likely through its involvement in the polyamine metabolism.
- Published
- 2015
28. Effect of Alginate Lyase on Biofilm-Grown Helicobacter pylori Probed by Atomic Force Microscopy
- Author
-
Maiorana, Alessandro, Bugli, Francesca, Papi, Massimiliano, Torelli, Riccardo, Ciasca, Gabriele, Maulucci, Giuseppe, Palmieri, Valentina, Cacaci, Margherita, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Posteraro, Brunella, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, De Spirito, Marco, Francesca Bugli (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Massimiliano Papi (ORCID:0000-0002-0029-1309), Gabriele Ciasca (ORCID:0000-0002-3694-8229), Giuseppe Maulucci (ORCID:0000-0002-2154-319X), Valentina Palmieri, Margherita Cacaci (ORCID:0000-0002-5433-9400), Brunella Posteraro (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Maurizio Sanguinetti (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Marco De Spirito (ORCID:0000-0003-4260-5107), Maiorana, Alessandro, Bugli, Francesca, Papi, Massimiliano, Torelli, Riccardo, Ciasca, Gabriele, Maulucci, Giuseppe, Palmieri, Valentina, Cacaci, Margherita, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Posteraro, Brunella, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, De Spirito, Marco, Francesca Bugli (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Massimiliano Papi (ORCID:0000-0002-0029-1309), Gabriele Ciasca (ORCID:0000-0002-3694-8229), Giuseppe Maulucci (ORCID:0000-0002-2154-319X), Valentina Palmieri, Margherita Cacaci (ORCID:0000-0002-5433-9400), Brunella Posteraro (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Maurizio Sanguinetti (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), and Marco De Spirito (ORCID:0000-0003-4260-5107)
- Abstract
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a microorganism with a pronounced capability of adaptation under environmental stress solicitations. Its persistence and antimicrobial resistance to the drugs commonly used in the anti-H. pylori therapy are associated with the development of a biofilm mainly composed of DNA, proteins, and polysaccharides. A fundamental step to increase the success of clinical treatments is the development of new strategies and molecules able to interfere with the biofilm architecture and thus able to enhance the effects of antibiotics. By using Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy we analyzed the effects of the alginate lyase (AlgL), an enzyme able to degrade a wide class of polysaccharides, on the H. pylori shape, surface morphology, and biofilm adhesion properties. We demonstrated that AlgL generates a noticeable loss of H. pylori coccoid form in favor of the bacillary form and reduces the H. pylori extracellular polymeric substances (EPS).
- Published
- 2015
29. Gut Microbiome Changes after Stem Cell Transplantation
- Author
-
Chiusolo, Patrizia, primary, Metafuni, Elisabetta, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Giammarco, Sabrina, additional, Masucci, Luca, additional, Leone, Giuseppe, additional, and Sica, Simona, additional
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Human Monoclonal Antibody-Based Therapy in the Treatment of Invasive Candidiasis
- Author
-
Bugli, Francesca, Cacaci, Margherita, Martini, Cecilia, Torelli, Riccardo, Posteraro, Brunella, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, and Paroni Sterbini, Francesco
- Subjects
Article Subject - Abstract
Invasive candidiasis (IC) represents the leading fungal infection of humans causing life-threatening disease in immunosuppressed and neutropenic individuals including also the intensive care unit patients. Despite progress in recent years in drugs development for the treatment of IC, morbidity and mortality rates still remain very high. Historically, cell-mediated immunity and innate immunity are considered to be the most important lines of defense against candidiasis. Nevertheless recent evidence demonstrates that antibodies with defined specificities could act with different degrees showing protection against systemic and mucosal candidiasis. Mycograb is a human recombinant monoclonal antibody against heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) that was revealed to have synergy when combined with fluconazole, caspofungin, and amphotericin B against a broad spectrum of Candida species. Furthermore, recent studies have established an important role for Hsp90 in mediating Candida resistance to echinocandins, giving to this antibody molecule even more attractive biological properties. In response to the failure of marketing authorization by the CHMP (Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use) a new formulation of Mycograb, named Mycograb C28Y variant, with an amino acid substitution was developed in recent years. First data on Mycograb C28Y variant indicate that this monoclonal antibody lacked efficacy in a murine candidiasis model.
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Gut Microbiota in Health, Diverticular Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Time for Microbial Marker of Gastrointestinal Disorders.
- Author
-
Lopetuso, Loris Riccardo, Petito, Valentina, Graziani, Cristina, Schiavoni, Elisa, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Poscia, Andrea, Gaetani, Eleonora, Franceschi, Francesco, Cammarota, Giovanni, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Masucci, Luca, Scaldaferri, Franco, and Gasbarrini, Antonio
- Subjects
IRRITABLE colon ,FUNCTIONAL colonic diseases ,HUMAN microbiota ,ULCERATIVE colitis ,DIVERTICULOSIS - Abstract
Few data exist on differences in gut microbiota composition among principal gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. We evaluated the differences in gut microbiota composition among uncomplicated diverticular disease (DD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) patients. DD, IBS, and IBD patients along with healthy controls (CT) were enrolled in our Italian GI outpatient clinic. Stool samples were collected. Microbiota composition was evaluated through a metagenomic gene-targeted approach. GI pathology represented a continuous spectrum of diseases where IBD displayed one extreme, while CT displayed the other. Among Phyla, Biplot PC2/PC3 and dendogram plot showed major differences in samples from IBS and IBD. DD resembled species CT composition, but not for
Bacteroides fragilis . In IBS,Dialister spp. and thenFaecalibacterium prausnitzii were the most representative species. Ulcerative colitis showed a reduced concentration ofClostridium difficile and an increase ofBacteroides fragilis . In Crohn's disease,Parabacteroides distasonis was the most represented, whileFaecalibacterium prausnitzii andBacteroides fragilis were significantly reduced. Each disorder has its definite overall microbial signature, which produces a clear differentiation from the others. On the other hand, shared alterations constitute the “core dysbiosis” of GI diseases. The assessment of these microbial markers represents a parameter that may complete the diagnostic assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. PROFILO DELLA RISPOSTA ANTICORPALE A CANDIDA ALBICANS IN DIFFERENTI CATEGORIE DI PAZIENTI A RISCHIO DI INFEZIONI FUNGINE INVASIVE
- Author
-
Baschieri, MARIA CRISTINA, Ardizzoni, Andrea, Manca, Lidia, Saez Roson, Arantza, Bugli, Francesca, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Orsi, Carlotta Francesca, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Posteraro, Brunella, Moragues, Maria Dolores, and Blasi, Elisabetta
- Subjects
microarray proteici ,anticorpi ,micosi ,diagnostica - Published
- 2012
33. Effect of Alginate Lyase on Biofilm-GrownHelicobacter pyloriProbed by Atomic Force Microscopy
- Author
-
Maiorana, Alessandro, primary, Bugli, Francesca, additional, Papi, Massimiliano, additional, Torelli, Riccardo, additional, Ciasca, Gabriele, additional, Maulucci, Giuseppe, additional, Palmieri, Valentina, additional, Cacaci, Margherita, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Posteraro, Brunella, additional, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, additional, and De Spirito, Marco, additional
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Synthesis and characterization of different immunogenic viral nanoconstructs from rotavirus VP6 inner capsid protein
- Author
-
Bugli,Francesca, Caprettini,Valeria, Cacaci,Margherita, Martini,Cecilia, Paroni Sterbini,Francesco, Torelli,Riccardo, Della Longa,Stefano, Papi,Massimiliano, Palmieri,Valentina, Giardina,Bruno, Posteraro,Brunella, Sanguinetti,Maurizio, Arcovito,Alessandro, Bugli,Francesca, Caprettini,Valeria, Cacaci,Margherita, Martini,Cecilia, Paroni Sterbini,Francesco, Torelli,Riccardo, Della Longa,Stefano, Papi,Massimiliano, Palmieri,Valentina, Giardina,Bruno, Posteraro,Brunella, Sanguinetti,Maurizio, and Arcovito,Alessandro
- Abstract
Francesca Bugli,1 Valeria Caprettini,2 Margherita Cacaci,1 Cecilia Martini,1 Francesco Paroni Sterbini,1 Riccardo Torelli,1 Stefano Della Longa,3 Massimiliano Papi,4 Valentina Palmieri,4 Bruno Giardina,5 Brunella Posteraro,1 Maurizio Sanguinetti,1 Alessandro Arcovito5 1Istituto di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 2Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, 3Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica, Sanità Pubblica, Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università dell’Aquila, L’Aquila, 4Istituto di Fisica, 5Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy Abstract: In order to deliver low-cost viral capsomeres from a large amount of soluble viral VP6 protein from human rotavirus, we developed and optimized a biotechnological platform in Escherichia coli. Specifically, three different expression protocols were compared, differing in their genetic constructs, ie, a simple native histidine-tagged VP6 sequence, VP6 fused to thioredoxin, and VP6 obtained with the newly described small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) fusion system. Our results demonstrate that the histidine-tagged protein does not escape the accumulation in the inclusion bodies, and that SUMO is largely superior to the thioredoxin-fusion tag in enhancing the expression and solubility of VP6 protein. Moreover, the VP6 protein produced according to the SUMO fusion tag displays well-known assembly properties, as observed in both transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images, giving rise to either VP6 trimers, 60 nm spherical virus-like particles, or nanotubes a few micron long. This different quaternary organization of VP6 shows a higher level of immunogenicity for the elongated structures with respect to the spheres or the protein trimers. Ther
- Published
- 2014
35. Forecasting ESKAPE infections through a time-varying auto-adaptive algorithm using laboratory-based surveillance data
- Author
-
Ballarin, A, Posteraro, Brunella, Demartis, G, Gervasi, S, Panzarella, F, Torelli, Riccardo, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Morandotti, Grazia Angela, Posteraro, P, Ricciardi, Walter, Gervasi Vidal, Ka, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Ricciardi, Gualtiero (ORCID:0000-0002-5655-688X), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Ballarin, A, Posteraro, Brunella, Demartis, G, Gervasi, S, Panzarella, F, Torelli, Riccardo, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Morandotti, Grazia Angela, Posteraro, P, Ricciardi, Walter, Gervasi Vidal, Ka, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Ricciardi, Gualtiero (ORCID:0000-0002-5655-688X), and Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059)
- Abstract
Mathematical or statistical tools are capable to provide a valid help to improve surveillance systems for healthcare and non-healthcare-associated bacterial infections. The aim of this work is to evaluate the time-varying auto-adaptive (TVA) algorithm-based use of clinical microbiology laboratory database to forecast medically important drug-resistant bacterial infections.
- Published
- 2014
36. An antibody reactivity-based assay for diagnosis of invasive candidiasis using protein array
- Author
-
Ardizzoni, A, Posteraro, Brunella, Baschieri, Mc, Bugli, Francesca, Sáez Rosòn, A, Manca, L, Cacaci, Margherita, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, De Waure, Chiara, Sevilla, Mj, Peppoloni, S, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Moragues, Md, Blasi, E., Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Cacaci, Margherita (ORCID:0000-0002-5433-9400), De Waure, Chiara (ORCID:0000-0002-4346-1494), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Ardizzoni, A, Posteraro, Brunella, Baschieri, Mc, Bugli, Francesca, Sáez Rosòn, A, Manca, L, Cacaci, Margherita, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, De Waure, Chiara, Sevilla, Mj, Peppoloni, S, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Moragues, Md, Blasi, E., Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Cacaci, Margherita (ORCID:0000-0002-5433-9400), De Waure, Chiara (ORCID:0000-0002-4346-1494), and Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059)
- Abstract
The increased incidence of invasive candidiasis and of patients at risk requires early diagnosis and treatment to improve prognosis and survival. The aim of this study was to set up a ten-protein array-based immunoassay to assess the IgG antibody responses against ten well-known immunogenic C. albicans proteins (Bgl2, Eno1, Pgk1, Pdc11, Fba1, Adh1, Als3, Hwp1, Hsp90 and Grp2) in 51 patients with invasive candidiasis (IC) and in 38 culture-negative controls (non-IC). Antibody levels were higher against Bgl2, Eno1, Pgk1, Als3, Hwp1 and Grp2, than against Adh1, Pdc11, Fba1 and Hsp90, irrespectively of the patient group considered. Moreover, the IgG levels against Bgl2, Eno1, Pgk1 and Grp2 were significantly higher in IC than in non-IC patients. Furthermore, the ROC curves generated by the analysis of the antibody responses against Bgl2, Grp2 and Pgk1 displayed AUC values above 0.7, thus discriminating IC and non-IC patients. According to these results, the employment of the microarray immunoassay (a rapid, sensitive and multiparametric system), in parallel with conventional diagnostics, can help to spot IC patients. This ultimately will allow to initiate an early, focused and optimized antifungal therapy.
- Published
- 2014
37. Increased production of gliotoxin is related to the formation of biofilm byAspergillus fumigatus: an immunological approach
- Author
-
Bugli, Francesca, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Cacaci, Margherita, Martini, Cecilia, Lancellotti, Stefano, Stigliano, Egidio, Torelli, Riccardo, Arena, Vincenzo, Caira, Morena, Posteraro, P, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Posteraro, Brunella, Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Cacaci, Margherita (ORCID:0000-0002-5433-9400), Arena, Vincenzo (ORCID:0000-0002-7562-223X), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Bugli, Francesca, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Cacaci, Margherita, Martini, Cecilia, Lancellotti, Stefano, Stigliano, Egidio, Torelli, Riccardo, Arena, Vincenzo, Caira, Morena, Posteraro, P, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Posteraro, Brunella, Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Cacaci, Margherita (ORCID:0000-0002-5433-9400), Arena, Vincenzo (ORCID:0000-0002-7562-223X), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), and Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546)
- Abstract
Gliotoxin (GT) belongs to the epipolythiodioxopiperazine class of toxins secreted from certain fungi including Aspergillus fumigatus, which is the most prolific producer of this secondary metabolite. Recently, enhanced amounts of GT were found in in vitro biofilm-grown A. fumigatus mycelium. To further correlate the A. fumigatus biofilm growth phenotype with the enhanced secretion of GT, a polyclonal antibody (pAb) was produced by immunizing mice against GT. By an indirect immunofluorescent assay, pAb was then able to recognize specifically GT onto A. fumigatus Af293 biofilm formed on human pulmonary epithelial cells. Then, treating Af293 biofilms with a compound which reduces the GT disulfide bonds provoked shutdown of the GT-specific immunofluorescence (IF) signals along the hyphae. To explore the potential of GT for diagnostic use, pAb was shown to react with GT on hyphae into Aspergillus culture-positive respiratory tract specimens from patients with probable invasive aspergillosis (IA) and into tissue specimens from the lungs of patients with proven IA. As the presence of fungal hyphae in clinical specimens strongly indicates the in vivo A. fumigatus growth as a biofilm, anti-GT antibodies could be a specific and sensitive diagnostic tool for detecting A. fumigatus biofilm-associated clinical infections.
- Published
- 2014
38. Synthesis and characterization of different immunogenic viral nanoconstructs from rotavirus VP6 inner capsid protein
- Author
-
Bugli, Francesca, Caprettini, Valeria, Cacaci, Margherita, Martini, Cecilia, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Torelli, Riccardo, Della Longa, Stefano, Papi, Massimiliano, Palmieri, Valentina, Giardina, Bruno, Posteraro, Brunella, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Arcovito, Alessandro, Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Cacaci, Margherita (ORCID:0000-0002-5433-9400), Papi, Massimiliano (ORCID:0000-0002-0029-1309), Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), Arcovito, Alessandro (ORCID:0000-0002-8384-4844), Bugli, Francesca, Caprettini, Valeria, Cacaci, Margherita, Martini, Cecilia, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Torelli, Riccardo, Della Longa, Stefano, Papi, Massimiliano, Palmieri, Valentina, Giardina, Bruno, Posteraro, Brunella, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, Arcovito, Alessandro, Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Cacaci, Margherita (ORCID:0000-0002-5433-9400), Papi, Massimiliano (ORCID:0000-0002-0029-1309), Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), and Arcovito, Alessandro (ORCID:0000-0002-8384-4844)
- Abstract
In order to deliver low-cost viral capsomeres from a large amount of soluble viral VP6 protein from human rotavirus, we developed and optimized a biotechnological platform in Escherichia coli. Specifically, three different expression protocols were compared, differing in their genetic constructs, ie, a simple native histidine-tagged VP6 sequence, VP6 fused to thioredoxin, and VP6 obtained with the newly described small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) fusion system. Our results demonstrate that the histidine-tagged protein does not escape the accumulation in the inclusion bodies, and that SUMO is largely superior to the thioredoxin-fusion tag in enhancing the expression and solubility of VP6 protein. Moreover, the VP6 protein produced according to the SUMO fusion tag displays well-known assembly properties, as observed in both transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images, giving rise to either VP6 trimers, 60 nm spherical virus-like particles, or nanotubes a few microns long. This different quaternary organization of VP6 shows a higher level of immunogenicity for the elongated structures with respect to the spheres or the protein trimers. Therefore, the expression and purification strategy presented here - providing a large amount of the viral capsid protein in the native form with relatively simple, rapid, and economical procedures - opens a new route toward large-scale production of a more efficient antigenic compound to be used as a vaccination tool or as an adjuvant, and also represents a top-quality biomaterial to be further modified for biotechnological purposes.
- Published
- 2014
39. Forecasting ESKAPE infections through a time-varying auto-adaptive algorithm using laboratory-based surveillance data
- Author
-
Ballarin, Antonio, primary, Posteraro, Brunella, additional, Demartis, Giuseppe, additional, Gervasi, Simona, additional, Panzarella, Fabrizio, additional, Torelli, Riccardo, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Morandotti, Grazia, additional, Posteraro, Patrizia, additional, Ricciardi, Walter, additional, Gervasi Vidal, Kristian A, additional, and Sanguinetti, Maurizio, additional
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Synthesis and characterization of different immunogenic viral nanoconstructs from rotavirus VP6 inner capsid protein
- Author
-
Arcovito, Alessandro, primary, Bugli, Francesca, additional, Caprettini, Valeria, additional, Cacaci, Margherita, additional, Martini, Cecilia, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Torelli, Riccardo, additional, Della Longa, Stefano, additional, Papi, Massimiliano, additional, Palmieri, Valentina, additional, Giardina, Bruno, additional, Posteraro, Brunella, additional, and Sanguinetti, Maurizio, additional
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Increased production of gliotoxin is related to the formation of biofilm byAspergillus fumigatus: an immunological approach
- Author
-
Bugli, Francesca, primary, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Cacaci, Margherita, additional, Martini, Cecilia, additional, Lancellotti, Stefano, additional, Stigliano, Egidio, additional, Torelli, Riccardo, additional, Arena, Vincenzo, additional, Caira, Morena, additional, Posteraro, Patrizia, additional, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, additional, and Posteraro, Brunella, additional
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. In Vitro Interaction between Alginate Lyase and Amphotericin B against Aspergillus fumigatus Biofilm Determined by Different Methods
- Author
-
Bugli, Francesca, Posteraro, Brunella, Papi, Massimiliano, Torelli, Riccardo, Maiorana, Alessandro, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Posteraro, Patrizia, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, De Spirito, Marco, Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Papi, Massimiliano (ORCID:0000-0002-0029-1309), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), De Spirito, Marco (ORCID:0000-0003-4260-5107), Bugli, Francesca, Posteraro, Brunella, Papi, Massimiliano, Torelli, Riccardo, Maiorana, Alessandro, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Posteraro, Patrizia, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, De Spirito, Marco, Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Posteraro, Brunella (ORCID:0000-0002-1663-7546), Papi, Massimiliano (ORCID:0000-0002-0029-1309), Sanguinetti, Maurizio (ORCID:0000-0002-9780-7059), and De Spirito, Marco (ORCID:0000-0003-4260-5107)
- Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus biofilms represent a problematic clinical entity, especially because of their recalcitrance to antifungal drugs, which poses a number of therapeutic implications for invasive aspergillosis, the most difficult-to-treat Aspergillus-related disease. While the antibiofilm activities of amphotericin B (AMB) deoxycholate and its lipid formulations (e.g., liposomal AMB [LAMB]) are well documented, the effectiveness of these drugs in combination with nonantifungal agents is poorly understood. In the present study, in vitro interactions between polyene antifungals (AMB and LAMB) and alginate lyase (AlgL), an enzyme degrading the polysaccharides produced as extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) within the biofilm matrix, against A. fumigatus biofilms were evaluated by using the checkerboard microdilution and the time-kill assays. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to image and quantify the effects of AlgL-antifungal combinations on biofilm-growing hyphal cells. On the basis of fractional inhibitory concentration index values, synergy was found between both AMB formulations and AlgL, and this finding was also confirmed by the time-kill test. Finally, AFM analysis showed that when A. fumigatus biofilms were treated with AlgL or polyene alone, as well as with their combination, both a reduction of hyphal thicknesses and an increase of adhesive forces were observed compared to the findings for untreated controls, probably owing to the different action by the enzyme or the antifungal compounds. Interestingly, marked physical changes were noticed in A. fumigatus biofilms exposed to the AlgL-antifungal combinations compared with the physical characteristics detected after exposure to the antifungals alone, indicating that AlgL may enhance the antibiofilm activity of both AMB and LAMB, perhaps by disrupting the hypha-embedding EPSs and thus facilitating the drugs to reach biofilm cells. Taken together, our results suggest that a combination
- Published
- 2013
43. Effective use of nitrocellulose-blotted antigens for phage display monoclonal antibody selection.
- Author
-
Bugli, Francesca, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Graffeo, Rosalia, Caridi, F, Iantomasi, Raffaella, Torelli, Riccardo, Masucci, Luca, Cattani, Paola, Fadda, Giovanni, Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Masucci, Luca (ORCID:0000-0002-8358-6726), Cattani, Paola (ORCID:0000-0003-4678-4763), Bugli, Francesca, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Graffeo, Rosalia, Caridi, F, Iantomasi, Raffaella, Torelli, Riccardo, Masucci, Luca, Cattani, Paola, Fadda, Giovanni, Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Masucci, Luca (ORCID:0000-0002-8358-6726), and Cattani, Paola (ORCID:0000-0003-4678-4763)
- Abstract
The combinatorial phage display library approach to antibody repertoire cloning offers a powerful tool for the isolation of specific antibodies to defined target antigens. Panning strategy is often a very critical point for selecting antibody displayed on the surface of bacteriophages. Most selection strategies described to date have relied on the availability of purified and often recombinant antigen, providing the possibility to perform selections on a well defined antigen source. However, when the antigen is difficult to purify by means of laborious and time-consuming chromatography procedures, panning of phage antibody libraries has to be performed on complex antigen sources such as cell surfaces or tissue sections, or even by in vivo selection methods. This provides a series of technical and experimental complications. In the present work, we successfully generated a mouse monoclonal antibody fragment from a phage display library directed against protein E7 of HPV18 avoiding antigen purification as for immunizing mice as for antibody library selection. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of phage antibody selections on antigens transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane as solid support, using one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system as the only practice to separate a given antigen present in bacterial crude cell lysate.
- Published
- 2011
44. Monoclonal antibody fragment from combinatorial phage display library neutralizes alpha-latrotoxin activity and abolishes black widow spider venom lethality, in mice
- Author
-
Bugli, Francesca, Graffeo, Rosalia, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Torelli, Riccardo, Masucci, Luca, Sali, Michela, Grasso, A, Rufini, S, Ricci, Enzo, Fadda, Giovanni, Pescatori, M, Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Masucci, Luca (ORCID:0000-0002-8358-6726), Sali, Michela (ORCID:0000-0003-3609-2990), Ricci, Enzo (ORCID:0000-0003-3092-3597), Bugli, Francesca, Graffeo, Rosalia, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Torelli, Riccardo, Masucci, Luca, Sali, Michela, Grasso, A, Rufini, S, Ricci, Enzo, Fadda, Giovanni, Pescatori, M, Bugli, Francesca (ORCID:0000-0001-9038-3233), Masucci, Luca (ORCID:0000-0002-8358-6726), Sali, Michela (ORCID:0000-0003-3609-2990), and Ricci, Enzo (ORCID:0000-0003-3092-3597)
- Abstract
Alpha-latrotoxin (alpha-ltx), a component of the venom of black widow spiders (BWSV), binds to higher vertebrates presynaptic nerve terminals, stimulating massive neurotransmitter release. This neurotoxic protein is responsible for most of the symptoms elicited in men by the bite of black widow spider (BWS), i.e. a neurological syndrome named latrodectism. By reasoning that targeting this single component would abrogate most of the effect of BWS envenomation, we took advantage of the antibody phage display technology to generate monoclonal Fab fragments able to bind and neutralize the alpha-ltx. To this aim, we immunized Balb/c mice with purified toxin and cloned their antibody repertoire in the pCombIII phage display vector. By combining a high-stringency affinity selection with a sensitive 45Ca(2+) uptake assay, we isolated a Fab fragment (FM1) able to bind the alpha-ltx in the low nM range and neutralize its ionophore activity, in vitro and in vivo. After the onset of overt symptomatology, administration of FM1 to experimentally envenomed mice induced remission of symptoms and prevented lethality. Since alpha-ltx is the only molecule responsible for the great toxicity of BWS bites in mammals, the FM1 Fab, highly effective in neutralizing the toxin in vivo, represents a promising immunotherapy reagent for treating latrodectic patients.
- Published
- 2008
45. In Vitro Interaction between Alginate Lyase and Amphotericin B against Aspergillus fumigatus Biofilm Determined by Different Methods
- Author
-
Bugli, Francesca, primary, Posteraro, Brunella, additional, Papi, Massimiliano, additional, Torelli, Riccardo, additional, Maiorana, Alessandro, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Posteraro, Patrizia, additional, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, additional, and De Spirito, Marco, additional
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. The Role of Antibiotics in Gut Microbiota Modulation: The Eubiotic Effects of Rifaximin.
- Author
-
Romana Ponziani, Francesca, Scaldaferri, Franco, Petito, Valentina, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Pecere, Silvia, Lopetuso, Loris R., Palladini, Alessandra, Gerardi, Viviana, Masucci, Luca, Pompili, Maurizio, Cammarota, Giovanni, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, and Gasbarrini, Antonio
- Abstract
Antibiotics are mainly used in clinical practice for their activity against pathogens, but they also alter the composition of commensal gut microbial community. Rifaximin is a non-absorbable antibiotic with additional effects on the gut microbiota about which very little is known. It is still not clear to what extent rifaximin can be able to modulate gut microbiota composition and diversity in different clinical settings. Studies based on culture-dependent techniques revealed that rifaximin treatment promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. Accordingly, our metagenomic analysis carried out on patients with different gastrointestinal and liver diseases highlighted a significant increase in Lactobacilli after rifaximin treatment, persisting in the short time period. This result was independent of the disease background and was not accompanied by a significant alteration of the overall gut microbial ecology. This suggests that rifaximin can exert important eubiotic effects independently of the original disease, producing a favorable gut microbiota perturbation without changing its overall composition and diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Corrigendum to “Monoclonal antibody fragment from combinatorial phage display library neutralizes alpha-latrotoxin activity and abolishes black widow spider venom lethality, in mice” published in Toxicon 51 (4), (2008), 547–554
- Author
-
Bugli, Francesca, primary, Graffeo, Rosalia, additional, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, additional, Torelli, Riccardo, additional, Masucci, Luca, additional, Sali, Michela, additional, Grasso, Alfonso, additional, Rufini, Stefano, additional, Ricci, Enzo, additional, Fadda, Giovanni, additional, and Pescatori, Mario, additional
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Increased production of gliotoxin is related to the formation of biofilm by Aspergillus fumigatus: an immunological approach.
- Author
-
Bugli, Francesca, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Cacaci, Margherita, Martini, Cecilia, Lancellotti, Stefano, Stigliano, Egidio, Torelli, Riccardo, Arena, Vincenzo, Caira, Morena, Posteraro, Patrizia, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, and Posteraro, Brunella
- Subjects
- *
GLIOTOXIN , *BIOFILMS , *ASPERGILLUS fumigatus , *PIPERAZINE , *FUNGAL metabolites , *IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE , *EPITHELIAL cells - Abstract
Gliotoxin (GT) belongs to the epipolythiodioxopiperazine class of toxins secreted from certain fungi including Aspergillus fumigatus, which is the most prolific producer of this secondary metabolite. Recently, enhanced amounts of GT were found in in vitro biofilm-grown A. fumigatus mycelium. To further correlate the A. fumigatus biofilm growth phenotype with the enhanced secretion of GT, a polyclonal antibody (pAb) was produced by immunizing mice against GT. By an indirect immunofluorescent assay, pAb was then able to recognize specifically GT onto A. fumigatus Af293 biofilm formed on human pulmonary epithelial cells. Then, treating Af293 biofilms with a compound which reduces the GT disulfide bonds provoked shutdown of the GT-specific immunofluorescence ( IF) signals along the hyphae. To explore the potential of GT for diagnostic use, pAb was shown to react with GT on hyphae into Aspergillus culture-positive respiratory tract specimens from patients with probable invasive aspergillosis ( IA) and into tissue specimens from the lungs of patients with proven IA. As the presence of fungal hyphae in clinical specimens strongly indicates the in vivo A. fumigatus growth as a biofilm, anti-GT antibodies could be a specific and sensitive diagnostic tool for detecting A. fumigatus biofilm-associated clinical infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. In VitroInteraction between Alginate Lyase and Amphotericin B against Aspergillus fumigatusBiofilm Determined by Different Methods
- Author
-
Bugli, Francesca, Posteraro, Brunella, Papi, Massimiliano, Torelli, Riccardo, Maiorana, Alessandro, Paroni Sterbini, Francesco, Posteraro, Patrizia, Sanguinetti, Maurizio, and De Spirito, Marco
- Abstract
ABSTRACTAspergillus fumigatusbiofilms represent a problematic clinical entity, especially because of their recalcitrance to antifungal drugs, which poses a number of therapeutic implications for invasive aspergillosis, the most difficult-to-treat Aspergillus-related disease. While the antibiofilm activities of amphotericin B (AMB) deoxycholate and its lipid formulations (e.g., liposomal AMB [LAMB]) are well documented, the effectiveness of these drugs in combination with nonantifungal agents is poorly understood. In the present study, in vitrointeractions between polyene antifungals (AMB and LAMB) and alginate lyase (AlgL), an enzyme degrading the polysaccharides produced as extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) within the biofilm matrix, against A. fumigatusbiofilms were evaluated by using the checkerboard microdilution and the time-kill assays. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to image and quantify the effects of AlgL-antifungal combinations on biofilm-growing hyphal cells. On the basis of fractional inhibitory concentration index values, synergy was found between both AMB formulations and AlgL, and this finding was also confirmed by the time-kill test. Finally, AFM analysis showed that when A. fumigatusbiofilms were treated with AlgL or polyene alone, as well as with their combination, both a reduction of hyphal thicknesses and an increase of adhesive forces were observed compared to the findings for untreated controls, probably owing to the different action by the enzyme or the antifungal compounds. Interestingly, marked physical changes were noticed in A. fumigatusbiofilms exposed to the AlgL-antifungal combinations compared with the physical characteristics detected after exposure to the antifungals alone, indicating that AlgL may enhance the antibiofilm activity of both AMB and LAMB, perhaps by disrupting the hypha-embedding EPSs and thus facilitating the drugs to reach biofilm cells. Taken together, our results suggest that a combination of AlgL and a polyene antifungal may prove to be a new therapeutic strategy for invasive aspergillosis, while reinforcing the EPS as a valuable antibiofilm drug target.
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Characterization of the gut-liver-muscle axis in cirrhotic patients with sarcopenia.
- Author
-
Ponziani FR, Picca A, Marzetti E, Calvani R, Conta G, Del Chierico F, Capuani G, Faccia M, Fianchi F, Funaro B, Josè Coelho-Junior H, Petito V, Rinninella E, Paroni Sterbini F, Reddel S, Vernocchi P, Cristina Mele M, Miccheli A, Putignani L, Sanguinetti M, Pompili M, and Gasbarrini A
- Subjects
- Humans, Liver Cirrhosis complications, Frailty, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Sarcopenia
- Abstract
Background & Aim: Sarcopenia is frequent in cirrhosis and is associated with unfavourable outcomes. The role of the gut-liver-muscle axis in this setting has been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to identify gut microbiota, metabolic and inflammatory signatures associated with sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients., Methods: Fifty cirrhotic patients assessed for the presence of sarcopenia by the quantification of muscle mass and strength were compared with age- and sex-matched controls. A multiomic analysis, including gut microbiota composition and metabolomics, serum myokines and systemic and intestinal inflammatory mediators, was performed., Results: The gut microbiota of sarcopenic cirrhotic patients was poor in bacteria associated with physical function (Methanobrevibacter, Prevotella and Akkermansia), and was enriched in Eggerthella, a gut microbial marker of frailty. The abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as Klebsiella, was also increased, to the detriment of autochthonous ones. Sarcopenia was associated with elevated serum levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in cirrhotic patients. Gut microbiota metabolic pathways involved in amino acid, protein and branched-chain amino acid metabolism were up-regulated, in addition to ethanol, trimethylamine and dimethylamine production. Correlation networks and clusters of variables associated with sarcopenia were identified, including one centred on Klebsiella/ethanol/FGF21/Eggerthella/Prevotella., Conclusions: Alterations in the gut-liver-muscle axis are associated with sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis. Detrimental but also compensatory functions are involved in this complex network., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
Catalog
Discovery Service for Jio Institute Digital Library
For full access to our library's resources, please sign in.