In Vitro Characterization and Real-Time Label-Free Assessment of the Interaction of Chitosan-Coated Niosomes with Intestinal Cellular Monolayers.

In vitro cell-based characterization methods of nanoparticles are generally static and require the use of secondary analysis techniques and labeling agents. In this study, bare niosomes and chitosan-coated niosomes (chitosomes) and their interactions with intestinal cells are studied under dynamic conditions and without fluorescent probes, using surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based cell sensing. Niosomes and chitosomes were synthesized by using Tween 20 and cholesterol in a 15 mM:15 mM ratio and then characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS). DLS analysis demonstrated that bare niosomes had average sizes of ∼125 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) below 0.2, and a negative zeta (ζ)-potential of -35.6 mV. In turn, chitosomes had increased sizes up to ∼180 nm, with a PDI of 0.2-0.3 and a highly positive ζ-potential of +57.9 mV. The viability of HT29-MTX, Caco-2, and Caco-2/HT29-MTX cocultured cells showed that both niosomes and chitosomes are cytocompatible up to concentrations of 31.6 µg/mL for at least 240 min. SPR analysis demonstrated that chitosomes interact more efficiently with HT29-MTX, Caco-2, and Caco-2/HT29-MTX cocultures compared to bare niosomes. The resulting SPR measurements were further supported by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry studies, which demonstrated that this method is a useful complementary or even alternative tool to directly characterize the interactions between niosomes and in vitro cell models in label-free and real-time conditions.

Bacterial Lysate from the Multi-Strain Probiotic SLAB51 Triggers Adaptative Responses to Hypoxia in Human Caco-2 Intestinal Epithelial Cells under Normoxic Conditions and Attenuates LPS-Induced Inflammatory Response.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), a central player in maintaining gut-microbiota homeostasis, plays a pivotal role in inducing adaptive mechanisms to hypoxia and is negatively regulated by prolyl hydroxylase 2 (PHD2). HIF-1α is stabilized through PI3K/AKT signaling regardless of oxygen levels. Considering the crucial role of the HIF pathway in intestinal mucosal physiology and its relationships with gut microbiota, this study aimed to evaluate the ability of the lysate from the multi-strain probiotic formulation SLAB51 to affect the HIF pathway in a model of in vitro human intestinal epithelium (intestinal epithelial cells, IECs) and to protect from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. The exposure of IECs to SLAB51 lysate under normoxic conditions led to a dose-dependent increase in HIF-1α protein levels, which was associated with higher glycolytic metabolism and L-lactate production. Probiotic lysate significantly reduced PHD2 levels and HIF-1α hydroxylation, thus leading to HIF-1α stabilization. The ability of SLAB51 lysate to increase HIF-1α levels was also associated with the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and with the inhibition of NF-κB, nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2), and IL-1ß increase elicited by LPS treatment. Our results suggest that the probiotic treatment, by stabilizing HIF-1α, can protect from an LPS-induced inflammatory response through a mechanism involving PI3K/AKT signaling.

Up-Regulation of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) Expression by Temozolomide (TMZ) in Human Glioblastoma (GBM) Cell Lines.

TMZ-resistance remains a main limitation in glioblastoma (GBM) treatment. TMZ is an alkylating agent whose cytotoxicity is modulated by O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), whose expression is determined by MGMT gene promoter methylation status. The inflammatory marker COX-2 has been implicated in GBM tumorigenesis, progression, and stemness. COX-2 inhibitors are considered a GBM add-on treatment due to their ability to increase TMZ-sensitivity. We investigated the effect of TMZ on COX-2 expression in GBM cell lines showing different COX-2 levels and TMZ sensitivity (T98G and U251MG). ß-catenin, MGMT, and SOX-2 expression was analyzed. The effects of NS398, COX-2 inhibitor, alone or TMZ-combined, were studied evaluating cell proliferation by the IncuCyte® system, cell cycle/apoptosis, and clonogenic potential. COX-2, ß-catenin, MGMT, and SOX-2 expression was evaluated by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence and PGE2 by ELISA. Our findings, sustaining the role of COX-2/PGE2 system in TMZ-resistance of GBM, show, for the first time, a relevant, dose-dependent up-regulation of COX-2 expression and activity in TMZ-treated T98G that, in turn, correlated with chemoresistance. Similarly, all the COX-2-dependent signaling pathways involved in TMZ-resistance also resulted in being up-modulated after treatment with TMZ. NS398+TMZ was able to reduce cell proliferation and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, NS398+TMZ counteracted the resistance in T98G preventing the TMZ-induced COX-2, ß-catenin, MGMT, and SOX-2 up-regulation.

Biological effects of selective COX-2 inhibitor NS398 on human glioblastoma cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an inflammation-associated enzyme, has been implicated in tumorigenesis and progression of glioblastoma (GBM). The poor survival of GBM was mainly associated with the presence of glioma stem cells (GSC) and the markedly inflammatory microenvironment. To further explore the involvement of COX-2 in glioma biology, the effects of NS398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, were evaluated on GSC derived from COX-2 expressing GBM cell lines, i.e., U87MG and T98G, in terms of neurospheres' growth, autophagy, and extracellular vesicle (EV) release. METHODS: Neurospheres' growth and morphology were evaluated by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Autophagy was measured by staining acidic vesicular organelles. Extracellular vesicles (EV), released from neurospheres, were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. The autophagic proteins Beclin-1 and LC3B, as well as the EV markers CD63 and CD81, were analyzed by western blotting. The scratch assay test was used to evaluate the NS398 influence on GBM cell migration. RESULTS: Both cell lines were strongly influenced by NS398 exposure, as showed by morphological changes, reduced growth rate, and appearance of autophagy. Furthermore, the inhibitor led to a functional change of EV released by neurospheres. Indeed, EV secreted by NS398-treated GSC, but not those from control cells, were able to significantly inhibit adherent U87MG and T98G cell migration and induced autophagy in recipient cells, thus leading to effects quite similar to those directly caused by NS398 in the same cells. CONCLUSION: Despite the intrinsic diversity and individual genetic features of U87MG and T98G, comparable effects were exerted by the COX-2 inhibitor NS398 on both GBM cell lines. Overall, our findings support the crucial role of the inflammatory-associated COX-2/PGE2 system in glioma and glioma stem cell biology.

Meropenem and ciprofloxacin in complicated gastric surgery for cancer patients: A simple SPE-UHPLC-PDA method for their determination in human plasma.

A simple and rapid ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic (UHPLC) for the simultaneous determination of meropenem and ciprofloxacin in human plasma was developed and validated. All of the analytes were separated in <5 min. A solid-phase extraction method was applied from sample preparation. Analytical separation was performed on a Poroshell SB C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm, 2.7 µm particle size) with photodiode array (PDA) detection. Meropenem and ciprofloxacin were determined at wavelengths of 300 and 277 nm, respectively. The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile-10 mm ammonium acetate-methanol in gradient elution. The method has been validated for both drugs in gastric surgery for cancer patients. The method showed good linearity with correlation coefficients, r2  = 0.994 for the two drugs, as well as high precision (RSD < 10.5% in each case); accuracy ranged from -5.8 to +6.0%. The limit of quantitation of the two drugs was established at 0.02 and 0.01 µg/mL, respectively. Meropenem, ciprofloxacin and the internal standard were extracted from human plasma with a mean recovery ranging from 92.5 to 98.6%. The method was applied to quantify the drugs dosage in complicated gastric surgery patients.

Secretome of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells (ASCs) as a Novel Trend in Chronic Non-Healing Wounds: An Overview of Experimental In Vitro and In Vivo Studies and Methodological Variables.

Wound healing is a complex process with a linear development that involves many actors in a multistep timeline commonly divided into four stages: Hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Chronic non-healing wounds fail to progress beyond the inflammatory phase, thus precluding the next steps and, ultimately, wound repair. Many intrinsic or extrinsic factors may contribute to such an occurrence, including patient health conditions, age-related diseases, metabolic deficiencies, advanced age, mechanical pressure, and infections. Great interest is being focused on the adipose tissue-derived stem cell's (ASC) paracrine activity for its potential therapeutic impact on chronic non-healing wounds. In this review, we summarize the results of in vitro and in vivo experimental studies on the pro-wound healing effects of ASC-secretome and/or extracellular vesicles (EVs). To define an overall picture of the available literature data, experimental conditions and applied methodologies are described as well as the in vitro and in vivo models chosen in the reported studies. Even if a comparative analysis of the results obtained by the different groups is challenging due to the large variability of experimental conditions, the available findings are undoubtedly encouraging and fully support the use of cell-free therapies for the treatment of chronic non-healing wounds.

NOS2 inhibitor 1400W Induces Autophagic Flux and Influences Extracellular Vesicle Profile in Human Glioblastoma U87MG Cell Line.

The relevance of nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) as a prognostic factor in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) malignancy is emerging. We analyzed the effect of NOS2 inhibitor 1400W on the autophagic flux and extracellular vesicle (EV) secretion in U87MG glioma cells. The effects of glioma stem cells (GSC)-derived EVs on adherent U87MG were evaluated. Cell proliferation and migration were examined while using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay (CCK-8) and scratch wound healing assay. Cell cycle profile and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Autophagy-associated acidic vesicular organelles were detected and quantified by acridine orange staining. The number and size of EVs were assessed by nanoparticle tracking analysis. EV ultrastructure was verified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). WB was used to analyze protein expression and acid sphingomyelinase was determined through ceramide levels. 1400W induced autophagy and EV secretion in both adherent U87MG and GSCs. EVs secreted by 1400W-treated GSC, but not those from untreated cells, were able to inhibit adherent U87MG cell growth and migration while also inducing a relevant level of autophagy. The hypothesis of NOS2 expression as GBM profile marker or interesting therapeutic target is supported by our findings. Autophagy and EV release following treatment with the NOS2 inhibitor could represent useful elements to better understand the complex biomolecular frame of GBM.

Methods of Isolation, Characterization and Expansion of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ASCs): An Overview.

Considering the increasing interest in adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in regenerative medicine, optimization of methods aimed at isolation, characterization, expansion and evaluation of differentiation potential is critical to ensure (a) the quality of stem cells also in terms of genetic stability; (b) the reproducibility of beneficial effects; and (c) the safety of their use. Numerous studies have been conducted to understand the mechanisms that regulate ASC proliferation, growth and differentiation, however standard protocols about harvesting and processing techniques are not yet defined. It is also important to note that some steps in the procedures of harvesting and/or processing have been reported to affect recovery and/or the physiology of ASCs. Even considering the great opportunity that the ASCs provide for the identification of novel molecular targets for new or old drugs, the definition of homogeneous preparation methods that ensure adequate quality assurance and control, in accordance with current GMPs (good manufacturing practices), is required. Here, we summarize the literature reports to provide a detailed overview of the methodological issues underlying human ASCs isolation, processing, characterization, expansion, differentiation techniques, recalling at the same time their basilar principles, advantages and limits, in particular focusing on how these procedures could affect the ASC quality, functionality and plasticity.

Involvement of NOS2 Activity on Human Glioma Cell Growth, Clonogenic Potential, and Neurosphere Generation.

Aberrant nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) expression has been suggested as an interesting therapeutic target that is being implicated as a component of the molecular profile of several human malignant tumors, including glioblastoma, which is the most aggressive brain tumor with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of 1400W, a specific NOS2 inhibitor, on human glioma cells in terms of clonogenic potential, proliferation, migration rate, and neurosphere generation ability. NOS2 expression was determined by Western blotting. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured through nitrite level determination. The trypan blue exclusion test and the plate colony formation assay were performed to evaluate cell proliferation and clonogenic potential. Cell proliferation and migration ability was assessed by the in vitro wound-healing assay. Neurosphere generation in a specific stemcell medium was investigated. NOS2 was confirmed to be expressed in both the glioma cell line and a human glioma primary culture, and overexpressed in relative derived neurospheres. Experiments that aimed to evaluate the influence of 1400W on U-87 MG, T98G (glioblastoma cell lines) and primary glioma cells sustained the crucial role played by NOS2 in proliferation, colony formation, migration, and neurosphere generation, thus supporting the emerging relevance of a NOS2/NO system as a prognostic factor for glioma malignancy and recurrence.

VSL#3 probiotic differently influences IEC-6 intestinal epithelial cell status and function.

The data here reported introduce the wound-healing assay as a tool for testing probiotics aimed at protecting gastrointestinal mucosal surfaces and to verify the consistency of their manufacturing. At the scope, we compared the in vitro effects of two multi-strain high concentration formulations both commercialized under the same brand VSL#3 but sourced from different production sites (USA and Italy) on a non-transformed small-intestinal epithelial cell line, IEC-6. The effects on cellular morphology, viability, migration, and H2 O2 -induced damage, were assessed before and after the treatment with both VSL#3 formulations. While the USA-sourced product ("USA-made") VSL#3 did not affect monolayer morphology and cellular density, the addition of bacteria from the Italy-derived product ("Italy-made") VSL#3 caused clear morphological cell damage and strongly reduced cellularity. The treatment with "USA-made" lysate led to a higher rate of wounded monolayer healing, while the addition of "Italy-made" bacterial lysate did not influence the closure rate as compared to untreated cells. While lysates from "USA-made" VSL#3 clearly enhanced the formation of elongated and aligned stress fibers, "Italy-made" lysates had not similar effect. "USA-made" lysate was able to cause a total inhibition of H2 O2 -induced cytotoxic effect whereas "Italy-made" VSL#3 lysate was unable to protect IEC-6 cells from H2 O2 -induced damage. ROS generation was also differently influenced, thus supporting the hypotesis of a protective action of "USA-made" VSL#3 lysates, as well as the idea that "Italy-made" formulation was unable to prevent significantly the H2 O2 -induced oxidative stress.

Does Locoregional Chemotherapy Still Matter in the Treatment of Advanced Pelvic Melanoma?

Pelvic Melanoma relapse occurs in 15% of patients with loco regional metastases, and 25% of cases do not respond to new target-therapy and/or immunotherapy. Melphalan hypoxic pelvic perfusion may, therefore, be an option for these non-responsive patients. Overall median survival time (MST), stratified for variables, including BRAF V600E mutation and eligibility for treatments with new immunotherapy drugs, was retrospectively assessed in 41 patients with pelvic melanoma loco regional metastases. They had received a total of 175 treatments with Melphalan hypoxic perfusion and cytoreductive excision. Among the 41 patients, 22 (53.7%) patients exhibited a wild-type BRAF genotype, 11 of which were not eligible for immunotherapy. The first treatment resulted in a 97.5% response-rate in the full cohort and a 100% response-rate in the 22 wild-type BRAF patients. MST was 18 months in the full sample, 20 months for the 22 wild-type BRAF patients and 21 months for the 11 wild-type BRAF patients not eligible for immunotherapy. Melphalan hypoxic perfusion is a potentially effective treatment for patients with pelvic melanoma loco regional metastases that requires confirmation in a larger multicenter study.

Nitric Oxide Chemical Donor Affects the Early Phases of In Vitro Wound Healing Process.

An artificial wound in a confluent monolayer of human keratinocyte HaCaT cells or mouse embryo fibroblast Swiss NIH 3T3 cells was used to analyze the effects of the nitric oxide (NO) chemical donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). SNAP exposure promoted an enhanced rate of wound closure and accelerated motility of both keratinocytes and fibroblasts compared to control cells. The wounded monolayer cultures of HaCaT and NIH 3T3 cells, treated with or without SNAP, were monitored under a phase contrast microscope. Structural and ultrastructural modifications were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The images were captured by a digital camera at different time points (0-28 h) and the wound area was analyzed through software included in Matlab®. As early as 15 min, SNAP induced significant cytoskeletal remodeling, as shown by immunostaining (phalloidin-labelling), which in turn was associated with increased filopodium number and length rise. NO donor treatment also induced overexpression of Ki-67 protein, a typical marker of cell proliferation, as shown by immunostaining. Both SNAP-induced migration and proliferation were antagonized by the NO-sensitive GC inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[-4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), which suggests activation of the NO/cGMP signalling cascade in the observed SNAP-induced effects in the early stages of the healing process. Moreover, we provide evidence that PPAR-ß antagonist (GSK0660) may interfere with NO-mediated wound healing process. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2185-2195, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Improving the outcome of fractional CO2 laser resurfacing using a probiotic skin cream: Preliminary clinical evaluation.

As known, fractional CO2 resurfacing treatments are more effective than non-ablative ones against aging signs, but post-operative redness and swelling prolong the overall downtime requiring up to steroid administration in order to reduce these local systems. In the last years, an increasing interest has been focused on the possible use of probiotics for treating inflammatory and allergic conditions suggesting that they can exert profound beneficial effects on skin homeostasis. In this work, the Authors report their experience on fractional CO2 laser resurfacing and provide the results of a new post-operative topical treatment with an experimental cream containing probiotic-derived active principles potentially able to modulate the inflammatory reaction associated to laser-treatment. The cream containing DermaACB (CERABEST™) was administered post-operatively to 42 consecutive patients who were treated with fractional CO2 laser. All patients adopted the cream twice a day for 2 weeks. Grades were given according to outcome scale. The efficacy of the cream containing DermaACB was evaluated comparing the rate of post-operative signs vanishing with a control group of 20 patients topically treated with an antibiotic cream and a hyaluronic acid based cream. Results registered with the experimental treatment were good in 22 patients, moderate in 17, and poor in 3 cases. Patients using the study cream took an average time of 14.3 days for erythema resolution and 9.3 days for swelling vanishing. The post-operative administration of the cream containing DermaACB induces a quicker reduction of post-operative erythema and swelling when compared to a standard treatment.

In vitro evaluation of different methods of handling human liposuction aspirate and their effect on adipocytes and adipose derived stem cells.

Nowadays, fat tissue transplantation is widely used in regenerative and reconstructive surgery. However, a shared method of lipoaspirate handling for ensuring a good quality fat transplant has not yet been established. The study was to identify a method to recover from the lipoaspirate samples the highest number of human viable adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hADSCs) included in stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells and of adipocytes suitable for transplantation, avoiding an extreme handling. We compared the lipoaspirate spontaneous stratification (10-20-30 min) with the centrifugation technique at different speeds (90-400-1500 × g). After each procedure, lipoaspirate was separated into top oily lipid layer, liquid fraction, "middle layer", and bottom layer. We assessed the number of both adipocytes in the middle layer and SVF cells in all layers. The histology of middle layer and the surface phenotype of SVF cells by stemness markers (CD105+, CD90+, CD45-) was analyzed as well. The results showed a normal architecture in all conditions except for samples centrifuged at 1500 × g. In both methods, the flow cytometry analysis showed that greater number of ADSCs was in middle layer; in the fluid portion and in bottom layer was not revealed significant expression levels of stemness markers. Our findings indicate that spontaneous stratification at 20 min and centrifugation at 400 × g are efficient approaches to obtain highly viable ADSCs cells and adipocytes, ensuring a good thickness of lipoaspirate for autologous fat transfer. Since an important aspect of surgery practice consists of gain time, the 400 × g centrifugation could be the recommended method when the necessary instrumentation is available.

Immunophenotypic characterization of human glioblastoma stem cells: correlation with clinical outcome.

Recently, glioma stem cells have been identified as the main cause of glioma propagation and recurrence and a number of several cell markers have been indicated as putative GSC markers. In the present work, a retrospective study to evaluate the prognostic potential of ability to generate GSCs in our series of 15 glioblastoma patients is described. ß-tubulin III, nestin, CD133, GFAP, and SOX-2 marker expression, both in primary GBM cultures and in respective glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), was evaluated by flow cytometric analysis. Our results demonstrated various expression levels of these markers in both cell cultures; of note, only those cells expressing SOX-2 at greater than 30% levels were able to produce in vitro neurospheres. Moreover, statistical analysis revealed that the GSCs generation negatively affected overall survival (OS) (P = 0.000) and progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.001). In addition, a very poor OS (P = 0.000) and PFS (P = 0.000) were observed among patients whose tumors expressed Ki67, evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and showed the ability to generate in vitro GSCs. Overall, the results suggest that in vitro GSCs generation associated to the expression of Ki67 and SOX-2 may be useful to identify patients at risk of disease progression.

Involvement of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Establishing an Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in Tumorspheres Derived from TMZ-Resistant Glioblastoma Cell Lines and Primary Cultures.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is characterized by an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) strictly associated with therapy resistance. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) fuels GBM proliferation, stemness, and chemoresistance. We previously reported that COX-2 upregulation induced by temozolomide (TMZ) supported chemoresistance. Also, COX-2 transfer by extracellular vesicles released by T98G promoted M2 polarization in macrophages, whereas COX-2 inhibition counteracted these effects. Here, we investigated the COX-2 role in the stemness potential and modulation of the GBM immunosuppressive microenvironment. The presence of macrophages U937 within tumorspheres derived from GBM cell lines and primary cultures exposed to celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor) with or without TMZ was studied by confocal microscopy. M2 polarization was analyzed by TGFß-1 and CD206 levels. Osteopontin (OPN), a crucial player within the TME by driving the macrophages' infiltration, and CD44 expression was assessed by Western blot. TMZ strongly enhanced tumorsphere size and induced the M2 polarization of infiltrating macrophages. In macrophage-infiltrated tumorspheres, TMZ upregulated OPN and CD44 expression. These TMZ effects were counteracted by the concurrent addition of CXB. Remarkably, exogenous prostaglandin-E2 restored OPN and CD44, highlighting the COX-2 pivotal role in the protumor macrophages' state promotion. COX-2 inhibition interfered with TMZ's ability to induce M2-polarization and counteracted the development of an immunosuppressive TME.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of an Innovative Polycomponent Formulation on Adult and Aged Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

Skin aging is a dynamic process that determines structural alterations in ECM and reduction in dermal fibroblasts. The recent availability on the market of an innovative polycomponent formulation (KARISMA Rh Collagen® FACE, K) containing noncrosslinked high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA), a human recombinant polypeptide of collagen-1 alpha chain, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), attracted our scientific interest in evaluating its biomolecular effects on human dermal adult and aged fibroblasts. After treatment with increasing K concentrations, cell proliferation, collagen I, prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4HA1), an essential protein in collagen biosynthesis, and α-SMA levels were assessed. The fibroblast contractility, TGF-ß1 levels, and oxidative stress markers were also evaluated. K formulation exposure led to a significant and dose-dependent increase in the proliferation and migration of adult fibroblasts. Of note, the K exposure counteracted the H2O2-induced aging by promoting cell proliferation, reducing ß-galactosidase activity, and neutralizing the aging-associated oxidative damage. Moreover, an increase in collagen I, P4HA1, α-SMA, TGF-ß1 levels, and improved contractility of adult and aged fibroblasts were observed after treatment. Overall, our results show evidence that the K treatment is efficacious in improving biological functions in adult fibroblasts and suppressing the biomolecular events associated with H2O2-induced cellular aging, thus supporting the regenerative and bio-revitalizing action of the K formulation helpful in preventing or treating skin aging.

Cyclooxygenase-2 Upregulated by Temozolomide in Glioblastoma Cells Is Shuttled In Extracellular Vesicles Modifying Recipient Cell Phenotype.

Temozolomide (TMZ) resistance is frequent in patients with glioblastoma (GBM), a tumor characterized by a marked inflammatory microenvironment. Recently, we reported that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is upregulated in TMZ-resistant GBM cells treated with high TMZ concentrations. Moreover, COX-2 activity inhibition significantly counteracted TMZ-resistance of GBM cells. Extracellular vesicles (EV) are considered crucial mediators in orchestrating GBM drug resistance by modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) and affecting the surrounding recipient cell phenotype and behavior. This work aimed to verify whether TMZ, at low and clinically relevant doses (5-20 µM), could induce COX-2 overexpression in GBM cells (T98G and U87MG) and explore if secreted EV shuttled COX-2 to recipient cells. The effect of COX-2 inhibitors (COXIB), Celecoxib (CXB), or NS398, alone or TMZ-combined, was also investigated. Our results indicated that TMZ at clinically relevant doses upregulated COX-2 in GBM cells. COXIB treatment significantly counteracted TMZ-induced COX-2 expression, confirming the crucial role of the COX-2/PGE2 system in TMZ-resistance. The COXIB specificity was verified on U251MG, COX-2 null GBM cells. Western blotting of GBM-EV cells showed the COX-2 presence, with the same intracellular trend, increasing in EV derived from TMZ-treated cells and decreasing in those derived from COXIB+TMZ-treated cells. We then evaluated the effect of EV secreted by TMZ-treated cells on U937 and U251MG, used as recipient cells. In human macrophage cell line U937, the internalization of EV derived by TMZ-T98G cells led to a shift versus a pro-tumor M2-like phenotype. On the other hand, EV from TMZ-T98G induced a significant decrease in TMZ sensitivity in U251MG cells. Overall, our results, in confirming the crucial role played by COX-2 in TMZ-resistance, provide the first evidence of the presence and effective functional transfer of this enzyme through EV derived from GBM cells, with multiple potential consequences at the level of TME.

Efficacy of probiotic Streptococcus thermophilus in counteracting TGF-ß1-induced fibrotic response in normal human dermal fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal and deregulated skin wound healing associated with prolonged inflammation may result in dermal fibrosis. Since the current therapeutic strategies revealed unsatisfactory, the investigation of alternative approaches such as those based on the use of specific probiotic strains could provide promising therapeutic options. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether the lysate from S. thermophilus could antagonize the fibrogenic effects of TGF-ß1 in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF). METHODS: NHDF were exposed to TGF-ß1 to establish a fibrotic phenotype. Proliferation rate and cell number were measured using the IncuCyte® Live Cell Imager system and the trypan blue dye exclusion test. Phenoconversion markers (α-SMA and fibronectin) and collagen I levels were assessed by western blot and immunofluorescence. The mRNA levels of TGF-ß1 were evaluated by RT-PCR. The Smad2/3 phosphorylation level as well as ß-catenin and PPARγ expression, were assessed by western blot. The cell contractility function and migration of NHDF were studied using collagen gel retraction assay, and scratch wound healing assay, respectively. The effects of S. thermophilus lysate, alone or combined with TGF-ß1, were evaluated on all of the above-listed parameters and markers associated with TGF-ß1-induced fibrotic phenotype. RESULTS: Exposure to the S. thermophilus lysate significantly reduced the key mediators and events involved in the abnormal activation of myofibroblasts by TGF-ß1 within the fibrotic profile. The S. thermophilus treatment significantly reduced cell proliferation, migration, and myo-differentiation. In addition, the treatment with probiotic lysate reduced the α-SMA, fibronectin, collagen-I expression levels, and affected the collagen contraction ability of activated dermal fibroblasts. Moreover, the probiotic targeted the TGF-ß1 signaling, reducing Smad2/3 activation, TGF-ß1 mRNA level, and ß-catenin expression through the upregulation of PPARγ. CONCLUSION: This is the first report showing that S. thermophilus lysate had a remarkable anti-fibrotic effect in TGF-ß1-activated NHDF by inhibiting Smad signaling. Notably, the probiotic was able to reduce ß-catenin and increase PPARγ levels. The findings support our point that S. thermophilus may help prevent or treat hypertrophic scarring and keloids.

PDE-5 and NOS II mRNA expression in menopausal women: a molecular biology study.

OBJECTIVE: Phosphodiesterase (PDE) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), evaluated in male erectile dysfunction, are currently under study for their role in the female counterpart. We aim to assess PDE-5 and NOS II presence, at messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) level, in vaginal environment of menopausal women, by using molecular biology techniques. METHODS: Specimens of vaginal tissue were obtained from 16 menopausal women undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse. The two samples obtained for each patient, one under the urethra (called U) and one on the rest of the vaginal wall (called V), were tested for PDE-5 and NOS II by RT-PCR and by a densitometric semiquantitative analysis. RESULTS: Of the V samples, 81.3% expressed PDE-5 and 100% NOS II. PDE-5 and NOS II expression were revealed in 87.5% of U specimens. A significant difference (P < 0.05) between V and U samples was found in the expression of NOS II (V vs. U: 24.14 vs. 7.25) and PDE-5 (V vs. U: 44.32 vs. 68.57). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated the presence of PDE-5 and NOS II mRNA in periurethral and vaginal tissue of menopausal women. The distribution of PDE-5 and NOD II may indicate a physiologic role in the regulatory function of human vagina.