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The vacuolar proton-translocating ATPase (V-ATPase) is a transmembrane multi-protein complex fundamental in maintaining a normal intracellular pH. In the tumoral contest, its role is crucial since the metabolism underlying carcinogenesis is mainly based on anaerobic glycolytic reactions. Moreover, neoplastic cells use the V-ATPase to extrude chemotherapy drugs into the extra-cellular compartment as a drug resistance mechanism. In glioblastoma (GBM), the most malignant and incurable primary brain tumor, the expression of this pump is upregulated, making it a new possible therapeutic target. In this work, the bafilomycin A1-induced inhibition of V-ATPase in patient-derived glioma stem cell (GSC) lines was evaluated together with temozolomide, the first-line therapy against GBM. In contrast with previous published data, the proposed treatment did not overcome resistance to the standard therapy. In addition, our data showed that nanomolar dosages of bafilomycin A1 led to the blockage of the autophagy process and cellular necrosis, making the drug unusable in models which are more complex. Nevertheless, the increased expression of V-ATPase following bafilomycin A1 suggests a critical role of the proton pump in GBM stem components, encouraging the search for novel strategies to limit its activity in order to circumvent resistance to conventional therapy.

Rigosertib is a small molecule in preclinical development that, due to its characteristics as a dual PLK1 and PI3K inhibitor, is particularly effective in counteracting the advance of different types of tumors. In this work, we evaluated the efficacy of Rigosertib and the expression of p53 in five different human tumor cell lines in vitro, A549 (lung adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 (breast cancer cells), RPMI 8226 (multiple myeloma), and U87-MG (glioblastoma). We demonstrated that in all cell lines, the effect was dose- and time-dependent, but A549 cells were the most sensible to the treatment while higher concentrations were required for the most resistant cell line U87-MG. Moreover, the highest and lowest p53 levels have been observed, respectively, in A459 and U87-MG cells. The alterations in the cell cycle and in cell-cycle-related proteins were observed in A549 at lower concentrations than U87-MG. In conclusion, with this article we have demonstrated that Rigosertib has different efficacy depending on the cell line considered and that it could be a potential antineoplastic agent against lung cancer in humans.

Cholangiocarcinoma is the first most common cancer of the biliary tract. To date, surgical resection is the only potentially curative option, but it is possible only for a limited percentage of patients, and in any case survival rate is quite low. Moreover, cholangiocarcinoma is often chemotherapy-resistant, and the only drug with a significant benefit for patient’s survival is Gemcitabine. It is necessary to find new drugs or combination therapies to treat nonresectable cholangiocarcinoma and improve the overall survival rate of patients. In this work, we evaluate in vitro the antitumoral effects of Rigosertib, a multi-kinase inhibitor in clinical development, against cholangiocarcinoma EGI-1 cell lines. Rigosertib impairs EGI-1 cell viability in a dose-and timedependent manner, reversibility is dose-dependent, and significant morphological and nuclear alterations occur. Moreover, Rigosertib induces the arrest of the cell cycle in the G2/M phase, increases autophagy, and inhibits proteasome, cell migration, and invasion. Lastly, Rigosertib shows to be a stronger radiosensitizer than Gemcitabine and 5-Fluorouracil. In conclusion, Rigosertib could be a potential therapeutic option, alone or in combination with radiations, for nonresectable patients with cholangiocarcinoma.

Neuroactive steroids, molecules produced from cholesterol in steroidogenic cells (i.e., peripheral glands and nervous system) are physiological modulators and protective agents of nervous function. A possible role for neuroactive steroids in the sex-dimorphic clinical manifestation, onset and progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been recently suggested. To explore this possibility, we assessed the synthesis of the first steroidogenic product (pregnenolone; PREG) in the spinal cord of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis rats, a MS model. Data obtained indicate that the synthesis of PREG in the spinal cord is altered by the pathology in a sex-dimorphic way and depending on the pathological progression. Indeed, in male spinal cord the synthesis was already decreased at the acute phase of the disease (i.e., 14 days post induction - dpi) and maintained low during the chronic phase (i.e., 45 dpi), while in females this effect was observed only at the chronic phase. Substrate availability had also a role in the sex-dimorphic kinetics. Indeed, at the chronic phase, male animals showed a reduction in the levels of free cholesterol coupled to alteration of cholesterol metabolism into oxysterols; these effects were not observed in female animals. These findings suggest that the comprehension of the neurosteroidogenic processes could be relevant to better understand the sexual dimorphism of MS and to possibly design sex-oriented therapeutic strategies based on neuroactive steroids

Oxaliplatin is a cornerstone chemotherapeutic used in the treatment of colorectal cancer, the third leading cause of death in Western countries. Most side effects of this platinum-containing drug are adequately managed in the clinic, although acute and long-term neurotoxicity still severely compromises the quality of life of patients treated with oxaliplatin. We have previously demonstrated that therapeutically relevant concentrations/doses of oxaliplatin lead to a reduction in intracellular pH in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in vitro and in vivo and that this alteration sensitizes TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels, which most likely mediate the allodynia associated with treatment. In this study, we show that oxaliplatin leads to a reduction of intracellular pH by forming adducts with neuronal haemoglobin, which acts in this setting as a proton buffer. Furthermore, we show that FDA-approved drugs that inhibit carbonic anhydrase (an enzyme that is linked to haemoglobin in intracellular pH homeostasis), ie, topiramate and acetazolamide, revert (1) oxaliplatin-induced cytosolic acidification and TRPA1 and TRPV1 modulation in DRG neurons in culture, (2) oxaliplatin-induced cytosolic acidification of DRG of treated animals, and (3) oxaliplatin-induced acute cold allodynia in mice while not affecting OHP-induced cytotoxicity on cancer cells. Our data would therefore suggest that reversal of oxaliplatin-induced cytosolic acidification is a viable strategy to minimize acute oxaliplatin-induced symptoms

Multiple myeloma (MM) belongs to hematological cancers and its incidence is increasing worldwide. Despite recent advances in its therapy, MM still causes many deaths every year. In fact, current therapies sometimes fail and are associated with severe adverse effects, including neurotoxicity. As a part of our ongoing efforts to discover new potential therapies against MM, we prepared Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts obtained by a microwave-assisted solvent extraction and investigate their activity by in vitro assays on the RPMI-8226 cell line. The bioguided fractionation of the crude ethanolic extract allowed the identification of HsFC as the most effective extract. We assessed cell viability (MTT and Tripan blue test), cell migration (Boyden chamber assay), and neurotoxicity (DRG neurotoxicity assay). The promising results prompted us to further fractionate HsFC and we obtained two molecules effective against RPMI-8226 cells without neurotoxic effects at their active concentrations. Moreover, both compounds are able to significantly reduce cell migration.

Peripheral neuropathies are characterized by nerves damage and axonal loss, and they could be classified in hereditary or acquired forms. Acquired peripheral neuropathies are associated with several causes, including toxic agent exposure, among which the antineoplastic compounds are responsible for the so called Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN). Several clinical features are related to the use of anticancer drugs which exert their action by affecting different mechanisms and structures of the peripheral nervous system: the axons (axonopathy) or the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons cell body (neuronopathy/ganglionopathy). In addition, antineoplastic treatments may affect the blood brain barrier integrity, leading to cognitive impairment that may be severe and long-lasting. CIPN may affect patient quality of life leading to modification or discontinuation of the anticancer therapy. Although the mechanisms of the damage are not completely understood, several hypotheses have been proposed, among which neuroinflammation is now emerging to be relevant in CIPN pathophysiology. In this review, we consider different aspects of neuro-immune interactions in several CIPN preclinical studies which suggest a critical connection between chemotherapeutic agents and neurotoxicity. The features of the neuroinflammatory processes may be different depending on the type of drug (platinum derivatives, taxanes, vinca alkaloids and proteasome inhibitors). In particular, recent studies have demonstrated an involvement of the immune response (both innate and adaptive) and the stimulation and secretion of mediators (cytokines and chemokines) that may be responsible for the painful symptoms, whereas glial cells such as satellite and Schwann cells might contribute to the maintenance of the neuroinflammatory process in DRG and axons respectively. Moreover, neuroinflammatory components have also been shown in the spinal cord with microglia and astrocytes playing an important rol

Neuroactive steroids, molecules produced from cholesterol in steroidogenic cells (i.e., peripheral glands and nervous system) are physiological modulators and protective agents of nervous function. A possible role for neuroactive steroids in the sex-dimorphic clinical manifestation, onset and progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been recently suggested. To explore this possibility, we assessed the synthesis of the first steroidogenic product (pregnenolone; PREG) in the spinal cord of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis rats, a MS model. Data obtained indicate that the synthesis of PREG in the spinal cord is altered by the pathology in a sex-dimorphic way and depending on the pathological progression. Indeed, in male spinal cord the synthesis was already decreased at the acute phase of the disease (i.e., 14 days post induction - dpi) and maintained low during the chronic phase (i.e., 45 dpi), while in females this effect was observed only at the chronic phase. Substrate availability had also a role in the sex-dimorphic kinetics. Indeed, at the chronic phase, male animals showed a reduction in the levels of free cholesterol coupled to alteration of cholesterol metabolism into oxysterols; these effects were not observed in female animals. These findings suggest that the comprehension of the neurosteroidogenic processes could be relevant to better understand the sexual dimorphism of MS and to possibly design sex-oriented therapeutic strategies based on neuroactive steroids.

Despite advances in cancer therapies, nanomedicine approaches including the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM), the most common, aggressive brain tumor, remains inefficient. These failures are likely attributable to the complex and not yet completely known biology of this tumor, which is responsible for its strong invasiveness, high degree of metastasis, high proliferation potential, and resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. The intimate connection through which the cells communicate between them plays an important role in these biological processes. In this scenario, tunneling nanotubes (TnTs) are recently gaining importance as a key feature in tumor progression and in particular in the re-growth of GBM after surgery. In this context, we firstly identified structural differences of TnTs formed by U87-MG cells, as model of GBM cells, in comparison with those formed by normal human astrocytes (NHA), used as a model of healthy cells. Successively, we have studied the possibility to exploit U87-MG TnTs as drug-delivery channels in cancer therapy, using liposomes composed of cholesterol/sphingomyelin and surface functionalized with mApoE and chlorotoxin peptides (Mf-LIP) as nanovehicle model. The results showed that U87-MG cells formed almost exclusively thick and long protrusions, whereas NHA formed more thin and short TnTs. Considering that thick TnTs are more efficient in transport of vesicles and organelles, we showed that fluorescent-labeled Mf-LIP can be transported via TnTs between U87-MG cells and with less extent through the protrusions formed by NHA cells. Our results demonstrate that nanotubes are potentially useful as drug-delivery channels for cancer therapy, facilitating the intercellular redistribution of this drug in close and far away cells, thus reaching isolated tumor niches that are hardly targeted by simple drug diffusion in the brain parenchyma. Moreover, the differences identified in TnTs formed by GBM and NHA cells can be exploited to increase t

Despite the advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, a proportion of chronic myeloid leukemia patients in chronic phase fail to respond to imatinib or to second-generation inhibitors and progress to blast crisis. Until now, improvements in the understanding of the m olecular mechanism s res ponsib l e for c hronic myeloid leukemia transformation from chronic phase to the aggressive blast crisis remain limited. Here we present a large parallel sequencing analysis of 10 blast crisis samples and of the corresponding autologous chronic phase controls that reveals, for the first time, recurrent mutations affecting the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2A gene (UBE2A, formerly RAD6A). Additional analyses on a cohort of 24 blast crisis, 41 chronic phase as well as 40 acute myeloid leukemia and 38 atypical chronic myeloid leukemia patients at onset confirmed that UBE2A mutations are specifically acquired during chronic myeloid leukemia progression, with a frequency of 16.7% in advanced phases. In vitro studies show that the mutations here described cause a decrease in UBE2A activity, leading to an impairment of myeloid differentiation in chronic myeloid leukemia cells.

Oxaliplatin induced peripheral neurotoxicity is characterized by an acute cold-induced syndrome characterized by cramps, paresthesias/dysesthesias in the distal limbs and perioral region, that develops rapidly and lasts up to one week affecting nearly all the patients as well as by long-lasting symptoms. It has been previously shown that pharmacological or genetic ablation of TRPA1 responses reduces oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity in mouse models. In the present report, we show that treatment with concentrations of oxaliplatin similar to those found in plasma of treated patients leads to an acidification of the cytosol of mouse dorsal root ganglia neurons in culture and this in turn is responsible for sensitization of TRPA1 channels, thereby providing a mechanistic explanation to toxicity of oxaliplatin. Reversal of the acidification indeed leads to a significantly reduced activity of TRPA1 channels. Last, acidification occurs also in vivo after a single injection of therapeutically-relevant doses of oxaliplatin.

Many potential therapeutic compounds for brain diseases fail to reach their molecular targets due to the impermeability of the blood-brain barrier, limiting their clinical development. Nanotechnology-based approaches might improve compounds pharmacokinetics by enhancing binding to the cerebrovascular endothelium and translocation into the brain. Adsorption of apolipoprotein E4 onto polysorbate 80-stabilized nanoparticles to produce a protein corona allows the specific targeting of cerebrovascular endothelium. This strategy increased nanoparticle translocation into brain parenchyma, and improved brain nanoparticle accumulation 3-fold compared to undecorated particles (119.8 vs 40.5 picomoles). Apolipoprotein decorated nanoparticles have high clinical translational potential and may improve the development of nanotechnology-based medicine for a variety of neurological diseases.

Correlative approaches are a powerful tool in the investigation of biological samples, but require specific preparation procedures to maintain the strength of the employed methods. Here we report the optimization of the embedding protocol of nervous system samples for a correlative synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) approach. We demonstrate that it is possible to locate, with the micrometric resolution of micro-CT, specific volumes of interest for a further ultrastructural characterization to be performed with TEM. This approach can be applied to samples of different size and morphology up to several cm. Our optimized method represents an invaluable tool for investigating those pathologies in which microscopic alterations are localized in few confined regions, rather than diffused in entire tissues, organs or systems. We present a proof of concept of our method in a mouse model of Globoid Cells Leukodistrophy.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) are colloidal drug delivery systems characterized by higher entrapment efficiency, good scalability of the preparation process and increased sustained prolonged release of the payload compared to other nanocarriers. The possibility to functionalize the surface of SLN with ligands to achieve a site specific targeting makes them attractive to overcome the limited blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration of therapeutic compounds. SLN are prepared for brain targeting by exploiting the adaptability of warm microemulsion process for the covalent surface modification with an Apolipoprotein E-derived peptide (SLN-mApoE). Furthermore, the influence of the administration route on SLN-mApoE brain bioavailability is here evaluated. SLN-mApoE are able to cross intact a BBB in vitro model. The pulmonary administration of SLN-mApoE is related to a higher confinement in the brain of Balb/c mice compared to the intravenous and intraperitoneal administration routes, without inducing any acute inflammatory reaction in the lungs. These results promote the pulmonary administration of brain-targeted SLN as a feasible strategy for improving brain delivery of therapeutics.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting over 2.000.000 individuals around the world. Although MS etiopathogenesis is still not completely defined environmental factor exposure and genetic background are relevant in disease development. Moreover, MS shows heterogeneous onset and course so that different disease forms can be described which are all characterized by motor and/or sensory and even cognitive impairment. Two steps in the disease progression can be described. First MS lesions are originated by the activated immune system which recognizes CNS myelin as a foreign element thus leading to the formation of demyelinated plaques that evolve into axonal damage and subsequent neurodegeneration over the time. Since the beginning MS therapy has been focused on counteracting immune system action. Nevertheless, besides the immunosuppressive/immunomodulating drugs such as Glatiramer Acetate, Beta-interferons and steroids, the advance in the comprehension of the immune-mediated mechanisms has sustained the development and use of molecular and cellular-focused approaches, e.g. monoclonal antibodies and stem cells. At the same time very few weapons are specifically available for fighting MS neurodegenerative progression. We report an overview on MS and both old and new therapeutic approaches to the disease

ALK-positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) represents a subset of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma whose treatment benefited from crizotinib development, a dual ALK/MET inhibitor. Crizotinib blocks ALK-triggered pathways such as PI3K/AKT/ mTOR, indispensable for survival of ALK-driven tumors. Despite the positive impact of targeted treatment in ALCL, resistant clones are often selected during therapy. Strategies to overcome resistance include the design of second generation drugs and the use of combined therapies that simultaneously target multiple nodes essential for cells survival. We investigated the effects of combined ALK/mTOR inhibition. We observed a specific synergistic effect of combining ALK inhibitors with an mTOR inhibitor (temsirolimus), in ALK+ lymphoma cells. The positive cooperation resulted in an increased inhibition of mTOR effectors, compared to single treatments, a block in G0/G1 phase and induction of apoptosis. The combination was able to prevent the selection of resistant clones, while longterm exposure to single agents led to the establishment of resistant cell lines, with either ALK inhibitor or temsirolimus. In vivo, mice injected with Karpas 299 cells and treated with low dose combination showed complete regression of tumors, while only partial inhibition was obtained in single agents-treated mice. Upon treatment stop the combination was able to significantly delay tumor relapses. Re-challenge of relapsed tumors at a higher dose led to full regression of xenografts in the combination group, but not in mice treated with lorlatinib alone. In conclusion, our data suggest that the combination of ALK and mTOR inhibitors could be a valuable therapeutic option for ALK+ ALCL patients.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory and immune-mediated chronic disease of the Central Nervous System which progressively damages the axonal myelin sheath, leading to axonal transmission impairment and to the development of neurological symptoms. Most MS cases are characterized by a relapsing-remitting course, and current therapies rely only on the use of immunomodulating drugs which are, however, unable to reverse disease progression. Among the newly proposed alternative therapies, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are considered suitable for MS treatment due to their capacity to modulate the immune response and to modify the pattern of the released cytokines. So far, encouraging results have been obtained with the administration of MSCs before disease onset, mainly in animal models of acute Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) in which MSCs were able to reduce inflammation, thus ameliorating also the disease’s clinical symptoms. On the contrary, only a very small number of studies have investigated the effect of MSCs on relapsing-remitting models of the disease. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential of MSC administration, both before and after the disease’s onset, in an animal model of MS represented by Dark Agouti rats affected by chronic Relapsing-Remitting EAE. Our results demonstrated that in chronic Relapsing-Remitting EAE the administration of MSCs after the clinical disease’s appearance is able to completely abrogate the relapsing phase and to strongly reduce spinal cord demyelination. These encouraging results have demonstrated that MSCs can provide a protective and reparative strategy for MS treatment.

Background: Bosutinib is a recently approved ABL inhibitor. In spite of the well-documented effectiveness of BCR-ABL inhibitors in treating chronic myeloid leukemia, development of resistance is a continuous clinical challenge. Transporters that facilitate drug uptake and efflux have been proposed as one potential source of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. Our aim was to determine which carriers are responsible for bosutinib transport. Methods: K562S cells overexpressing the drug transporters ABCB1, ABCG2, and SLC22A1 were generated, characterized and used in proliferation assay and intracellular uptake and retention assay (IUR). In vivo experiments were performed in nude mice injected with K562S, K562DOX cells (overexpressing ABCB1), and K562DOX silenced for ABCB1 (K562DOX/sh P-GP). Results: The IUR assay using C-14 bosutinib showed that only ABCB1 was responsible for active bosutinib transport. K562DOX cells showed the lowest intracellular level of bosutinib, while K562DOX cells treated with the ABCB1 inhibitor verapamil showed intracellular bosutinib levels comparable with parental K562S. Proliferation assays demonstrated that K562DOX are resistant to bosutinib treatment while verapamil is able to restore the sensitivity to the drug. Nude mice injected with K562DOX and treated with bosutinib showed very limited response and quickly relapsed after stopping treatment while K562S as well as K562DOX/sh P-GP remained tumor-free. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the analysis of ABCB1 expression levels might help determine treatment options for patients exhibiting resistance to bosutinib.

Cortical reorganization occurring in multiple sclerosis(MS)patients isthoughtto playakeyrole in limiting the effect of structural tissuedamage. Conversely, its exhaustionmaycontribute to the irreversible disability that accumulates with disease progression. Several aspects of MS-related cortical reorganization, including the overall functional effect and likely modulation by therapies, still remain to be elucidated. The aim of this work was to assess the extent of functional cortical reorganization and its brain structural/pathological correlates in Dark Agouti rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a widely accepted preclinical model of chronic MS. Morphological and functional MRI (fMRI) were performed before disease induction and during the relapsing and chronic phases of EAE. During somatosensory stimulation of the right forepaw, fMRI demonstrated that cortical reorganization occurs in both relapsing and chronic phases of EAE with increased activated volume and decreased laterality index versus baseline values. Voxel-based morphometry demonstrated gray matter (GM) atrophy in the cerebral cortex, and both GM and white matter atrophy were assessed by ex vivo pathology of the sensorimotor cortex and corpus callosum. Neuroinflammation persisted in the relapsing and chronic phases, with dendritic spine density in the layer IV sensory neurons inversely correlating with the number of cluster of differentiation 45-positive inflammatory lesions. Our work provides an innovative experimental platform that may be pivotal for the comprehension of key mechanisms responsible for the accumulation of irreversible brain damage and for the development of innovative therapies to reduce disability in EAE/MS.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most frequent primary liver neoplasia. It mainly arises from the malignant transformation of biliary epithelial cells, although it might originate from either hepatic progenitor cells at the Hering canals or transformed hepatocytes. CCA is a highly aggressive tumor with extremely poor prognosis and limited therapeutic approaches. Baicalin (BA) is one of the main bioactive flavonoids identified in the Scutellaria Baicalensis Georgi root dried extract which is extensively used in the Chinese tra-ditional medicine. Together with the anti-inflammatory effect, the anti-neoplastic action is the most relevant BA property demonstrated on cancer cells of different origin. Being aware of the need of new therapeutic weapons for CCA treatment, we in-vestigated whether Baicalin could exert anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effect on EGI-1 cells, a highly metastatic CCA cell line derived from bile duct carcinoma. We first tested different BA concentrations (from 5 to 200µM) in limiting EGI-1 via-bility using MTT assay. After 24h and 48h treatment, 5 and 10µM BA had no effect while rising from 25µM to 200µM (i.e. 25,50,100 and 200µM) BA exerted a significant cell viability reduction already at 24h and increased after 48h BA expo-sure. This reduction well correlated with the adherent absolute cell number de-crease and it cannot be due to BA induced cell cycle impairment after neither 24 nor 48h treatment. We also evaluated the anti-migratory BA potential by a wound healing assay adding different BA concentrations (5, 25, 50,100 and 200µM) to the culture medium immediately after performing a wound on confluent cell cultures. All BA concen-trations but 5µM induced a significant reduction in the EGI-1 migration rate after 24h treatment. Moreover 25, 50 and 10µM BA showed similar migration inhibition extent at 24 and 48h whilst 200µM BA exerted a stronger inhibitory effect already after 24h exposure which increased with time in a significant w

Neurodegenerative diseases are different and many-sided disorders affecting both the Central and the Peripheral Nervous System. Despite the very different peculiar features, all the neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the neuronal degeneration, which may be the consequence of different processes, such as an altered protein accumulation, an axonal damage, or the exposure to toxic agents. The progressive neuronal death leads to disease progression, which is not effectively counteracted by the current symptomatic therapies. Among the newly proposed therapeutic approaches, encouraging results have been obtained with Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), adult stem cells initially proposed for their differentiation potential and for their immune-modulatory abilities. Here we first verified in vivo the protective potential of MSCs into an in vivo model of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), represented by Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE), demonstrating that intravenous administration of MSCs are able to ameliorate the clinical score and the functional skills, and to reduce demyelinated lesions. We then investigated in vitro the possible molecular mechanisms of MSC protective action, thus demonstrating that, besides immunomodulation, MSCs are able to support neuronal survival after toxic stimuli exposure by reducing the apoptosis and by inhibiting the Metalloprotease pathway, which is supposed to be involved in neurodegenerative disease progression. Moreover, MSCs are able to promote the axonal myelination through the modulation of p75 receptor. For all these abilities, MSCs can represent a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a good model of Multiple Sclerosis in rodents. We have applied fMRI to invesigate the alteration in functional response in rats induced with EAE. Cortical activation is altered in EAE rat brain, compared to controls. fMRI showed an increase in the activated volume involving also the cortex ipsilateral and some extra-cortical areas at the observed time points. These results demonstrate brain cortex remodeling in EAE, a remakable feature of MS. The present model seems to be a relevant tool in preclinical MS studies.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune pathology characterized by inflammatory and demyelinating phases. Clinical observations indicate an involvement for sex hormones in thepathology, so that, recently, a therapy for MS based on hormones has been proposed. A clinicaltrial, involving male MS patients, revealed improvement in cognitive performances after one yeartreatment with testosterone (Sicotte et al., 2007). In the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice, a MS animal model, neuroprotective effects of testosterone, and of its metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT), were observed (Dalal et al., 1997; Palaszynski et al.,2004). In the same model, castration has deleterious effects on clinical course, suggesting a protective role for androgens (Bebo et al., 1998). Moreover, in vitro evidences showed that testosterone is able to reduce inflammatory cytokines produced by human macrophages (D’Agostino et al., 1999) and monocytes (Li et al., 1993; Liva and Voskuhl, 2001). These antiinflammatory properties may be mediated by the conversion of testosterone into estradiol, or, alternatively, by some direct effects on androgen receptor (AR), mediated by DHT. This steroid can be subsequently converted into 3 alpha-diol, a GABAA receptor agonist, acting as antiinflammatory agent. Based on these evidences, we were interested in explore the protective effects of androgens treatment in a rat EAE model characterized by acute inflammatory events. We induced male Lewis rats with myelin basic protein in order to develop EAE; animals were treated with 3 alpha-diol or vehicle (sesame oil) every other day for two weeks, whereas control rats (i.e., rats not induced with EAE) received in same days only vehicle. Neurological deficits were assessed throughout the experiment (i.e., until 15 days post induction; dpi), and, at 15dpi, spinal cords were dissected. The clinical course and the weight loss of EAE rats treated with 3 alpha-diol were not different when compared to vehicl

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease affecting the CNS and characterized by neuroinflammation. Clinical observations revealed different incidence between males and females, suggesting a possible influence of sex steroids. These molecules, produced by peripheral steroidogenic glands, can exert their actions into the CNS, directly, or after metabolic conversion, and, for this reason, they are also called neuroactive steroids. Observations on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) rodents, the most used animal model for MS, also suggest an involvement for neuroactive steroids in the pathology. In particular, castration worsen, while testosterone or its metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT) improve the pathological course of the disease. Based on these evidences, male Dark Agouti rats were induced with EAE in order to develop a relapsing-remitting pathology, similar to the most common human form of MS. EAE animals were treated with DHT or vehicle (sesame oil) and monitored through the experiment. After 45 days post induction, we evaluated inflammatory parameters in spinal cord tissues. The pathological course was improved in EAE rats treated with DHT compared to vehicle. Moreover, neuroinflammatory parameters such as microglial and astrocytes markers as well as cytokine expression and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, that were increased in the EAE-vehicle group, are significantly reduced after treatment with DHT. In conclusion, DHT treatment ameliorates not only the pathological course of the disease but also neuroinflammatory parameters in spinal cord tissues. These observations may suggest DHT as potential therapeutic option for male MS patients.

In this study the potential anticancer effect of 2 flavonoids, myiricetin (MYR) and naringenin (NAR) has been evaluated on an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell line, SCC-25, and HaCaT cells. Both the flavonoids inhibited SCC-25 cell growth, although NAR selectively affected cancer cells without impairing HaCaT cell growth. The cell proliferation inhibition by MYR and NAR was not related to apoptosis induction, but on cell cycle impairment, because a G0/G1 and a G2/M blockage was highlighted following 24 h of treatment in SCC-25 and HaCaT cells, respectively. Western blot analysis showed that MYR induced a decrease of Cyclin D1 in SCC-25 and of Cyclin B1b in HaCaT cells, while NAR negatively modulated Cyclin D1 expression in SCC-25 cells. Wound-healing and cell invasion assays demonstrated that both the flavonoids were able to reduce motility on both SCC-25 and HaCaT cells. In conclusion the results of the present study show the anticancer potential of NAR and MYR on OSCC because they exert cytostatic effect by the impairment of cell cycle progression. Moreover both the flavonoids inhibit cell migration, thus highlighting their potential effect as antimetastatic agents. Therefore, MYR and NAR appear as promising candidate as oral cancer chemopreventive agents.

Besides the immunomodulatory action, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are able to promote neuronal and glial survival both by releasing trophic factors and through cell to cell contact. For these features MSCs are a promising tool for the treatment of inflammatory and demyelinating diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Here we reported a pre-clinical study on Dark Agouti rats affected by a Relapsing-Remitting form of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (RR-EAE), one of the most suitable models for the study of RR-MS. In order to assess the possible preventive or therapeutic effect, 106 MSCs were injected i.v. (intra venous) at day 7 or at day 14 post EAE induction (p.i.) and clinical score was evaluated daily. The preventive schedule of treatment (day 7 p.i.) had no effect on EAE clinical course but the therapeutic one (day 14 p.i.) was able to hamper the relapsing phase from day 19 p.i. and till the end of the experiment (day 45 p.i.) with respect to EAE group. At day 45 p.i., histological analysis performed on spinal cord of EAE rats revealed a substantial absence of inflammatory infiltration and the presence of demyelinated plaques, assessed by Luxol fast Blue staining and by immunohistochemistry for MBP (Myelin Basic Protein). Moreover the analysis performed on serial paraffin sections revealed that the therapeutic schedule with MSCs was able to significantly reduce the extension of demyelinated areas in the spinal cord white matter with respect to EAE and EAE+MSCs day 7 p.i. groups, thus confirming clinical score evaluations. These results suggested that MSCs are able to ameliorate the clinical course of EAE animals by reducing the areas of demyelinated lesions. We are now evaluating the possible mechanism of MSCs action by investigating in vitro some putative myelinating and immunomodulating properties of MSCs. This study was granted by MIUR – FIRB Futuro in Ricerca 2008 RBFR08VSVI_001.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of apigenin, a flavonoid widely present in fruits and vegetables, on a tongue oral cancer-derived cell line (SCC-25) and on a keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT), with the aim of unveiling its antiproliferative mechanisms. The effect of apigenin on cell growth was evaluated by MTT assay, while apoptosis was investigated by phosphatidyl serine membrane translocation and cell cycle distribution by propidium iodide DNA staining through flow cytometry. In addition the expression of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases was evaluated by western blotting. A reduction of apigenin-induced cell growth was found in both cell lines, although SCC-25 cells were significantly more sensitive than the immortalized keratinocytes, HaCaT. Moreover, apigenin induced apoptosis and modulated the cell cycle in SCC-25 cells. Apigenin treatment resulted in cell cycle arrest at both G0/G1 and G2/M checkpoints, while western blot analysis revealed the decreased expression of cyclin D1 and E, and inactivation of CDK1 upon apigenin treatment. These results demonstrate the anticancer potential of apigenin in an oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line, suggesting that it may be a very promising chemopreventive agent due to its cancer cell cytotoxic activity and its ability to act as a cell cycle modulating agent at multiple levels.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe chronic disease characterized by the presence of immuno-mediated demyelinating lesions and impairment of axonal transmission, which cause the reduction of nerve conduction velocity and lead to the development of neurological symptoms. Current therapy for MS is based on immunosuppressant agents, but recently Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have been proposed as therapeutic treatment for MS, demonstrating a positive effect when administered before disease onset, mainly due to their immunomodulatory properties. Here, we investigate the therapeutic potential of MSCs into an animal model of multiple sclerosis, represented by Dark Agouti rats affected by chronic Relapsing-Remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In order to assess their putative effectiveness, 106 MSC were intravenously injected in EAE rats before disease onset (7 days after disease induction), to test the “preventive” schedule, or after disease onset (14 days after MSC induction), to test the “therapeutic” schedule with MSCs. Clinical score was assessed daily, and after 45 days rats were sacrificed and histological analysis of spinal cords were performed to evaluate the demyelinating lesions. Clinical score analysis demonstrated that the “preventive” schedule of treatment had no effect on EAE clinical course, while the therapeutic schedule was able to hamper relapsing phase from day 19 and till the end of the experiment (day 45) with respect to EAE group. At day 45, histological analysis performed on spinal cords of EAE rats demonstrated the presence of demyelinated plaques, assessed by Luxol fast Blue staining and by immunohystochemistry for MBP. The same lesions were present in spinal cords of rats treated with the preventive MSC administration. On the contrary the therapeutic schedule with MSCs was able to significantly reduce the extension of demyelinated areas in the spinal cords, thus confirming clinical score evaluations. These results suggested

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a crippling chronic disease of the Central Nervous System caused by the presence of self-antibodies which progressively damage axonal myelin sheath, leading to axonal transmission impairment and to the development of neurological symptoms. MS is characterized by a Relapsing-Remitting course, and current therapies rely only on the use of immunosuppressive drugs, which are however unable to reverse disease progression. Encouraging results have been obtained in preclinical studies with the administration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) before disease onset (Zappia et al., 2005). Here, we investigate the therapeutic potential of MSC administration after disease onset into an animal model of MS, represented by Dark Agouti rats affected by chronic Relapsing-Remitting Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) (Cavaletti et al., 2004). 106 MSC were intravenously injected in EAE rats after disease onset. Clinical score was assessed daily, and after 45 days rats were sacrificed and histological analysis of spinal cords performed to evaluate the demyelinating lesions. After the first peak of disease, no further relapses were observed in EAE rats treated with MSCs, differently from what observed in EAE group. Histological analysis demonstrated the presence of demyelinated plaques in spinal cords of EAE rats, (Luxol fast Blue staining and anti-MBP immunohystochemistry). On the contrary the therapeutic schedule with MSCs significantly reduces the number and the extension of demyelinated areas in the spinal cords, confirming clinical score evaluations. These results demonstrated that MSCs ameliorate the clinical course of EAE and hamper the disease relapsing by reducing the areas of demyelinated lesions.

Objective: Neutrophils have been shown to own several immunoregulatory properties. Nevertheless few attention has been given to their contribution to both Multiple Sclerosis and Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) etiopathogenesis and progression. We aim to investigate the potential role of neutrophils during EAE sensitization and chronic phase in Dark Agouti (DA) EAE. Methods: Chronic EAE was induced in DA rats by intrafootpad injection of syngenic spinal cord homogenate in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Neutrophils were depleted by means of intraperitoneal injection of anti-rat neutrophil serum (aNEU) at different disease time course, i.e. either during the sensitization and the chronic phase of the disease. The animals were weighted weekly and aNEU effect was first evaluated on clinical score while deeper analysis were performed on blood formula, spleen morphology and spinal cord cytokine, chemokine and myelin basic protein expression. Results: aNEU had no effect on clinical score when neutrophil depletion was performed during the chronic phase, i.e. from 14 to 35 days post EAE induction (dpi). When aNEU was administered during the EAE sensitization phase up to 8dpi, no difference in mean clinical score could be revealed between EAE and aNEU-treated EAE rats up to the disease peak, i.e. 14 dpi. However a significant improvement in clinical condition could be reported soon after the disease peak so that a chronic course was transformed into an acute/ monophasic one. aNEU treatment induced a faster body weight gain while it did not affect blood formula changes related to EAE course. Moreover while aNEU treatment did not counteract EAE effects on both spleen microscopic morphological changes and Treg (FoxP3) content, it mainly affected the expression of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the three main spinal cord traits (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) while relative low effect was observed on both MCP-1 and myelin basic protein expression. Conclus