Differential regulation of neurexin at glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses

Neurexins (Nrxs) have emerged as potential determinants of synaptic specificity, but little is known about their localization at central synapses. Here we show that Nrxs have a remarkably selective localization at distinct types of glutamatergic synapses and we reveal an unexpected ontogenetic regulation of Nrx expression at GABAergic synapses. Our data indicate that synapses are specified by molecular interactions that involve both Nrx-dependent and Nrx-independent mechanisms. We propose that differences in the spatio-temporal profile of Nrx expression may contribute to specify the molecular identity of synapses

FP875M-TOR INHIBITORS-INDUCED PNEUMONITIS IN RENAL TRANSPLANTED PATIENTS: A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE

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Sorafenib blocks tumour growth, angiogenesis and metastatic potential in preclinical models of osteosarcoma through a mechanism potentially involving the inhibition of ERK1/2, MCL-1 and ezrin pathways

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone tumour in children and young adults. Despite improved prognosis, metastatic or relapsed OS remains largely incurable and no significant improvement has been observed in the last 20 years. Therefore, the search for alternative agents in OS is mandatory.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We investigated phospho-ERK 1/2, MCL-1, and phospho-Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin (P-ERM) as potential therapeutic targets in OS. Activation of these pathways was shown by immunohistochemistry in about 70% of cases and in all OS cell lines analyzed. Mutational analysis revealed no activating mutations in KRAS whereas BRAF gene was found to be mutated in 4/30 OS samples from patients. Based on these results we tested the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib (BAY 43-9006) in preclinical models of OS. Sorafenib inhibited OS cell line proliferation, induced apoptosis and downregulated P-ERK1/2, MCL-1, and P-ERM in a dose-dependent manner. The dephosphorylation of ERM was not due to ERK inhibition. The downregulation of MCL-1 led to an increase in apoptosis in OS cell lines. In chick embryo chorioallantoic membranes, OS supernatants induced angiogenesis, which was blocked by sorafenib and it was also shown that sorafenib reduced VEGF and MMP2 production. In addition, sorafenib treatment dramatically reduced tumour volume of OS xenografts and lung metastasis in SCID mice.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, ERK1/2, MCL-1 and ERM pathways are shown to be active in OS. Sorafenib is able to inhibit their signal transduction, both <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>, displaying anti-tumoural activity, anti-angiogenic effects, and reducing metastatic colony formation in lungs. These data support the testing of sorafenib as a potential therapeutic option in metastatic or relapsed OS patients unresponsive to standard treatments.</p

Oncostatin M is overexpressed in NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes cancer cell invasiveness and angiogenesis

: Oncostatin M (OSM) is a pleiotropic cytokine of the interleukin (IL)-6 family that contributes to the progression of chronic liver disease. Here we investigated the role of OSM in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in NAFLD/NASH. The role of OSM was investigated in: a) selected cohorts of NAFLD/NASH HCC patients; b) liver cancer cells exposed to human recombinant OSM or stably transfected to overexpress human OSM; c) murine HCC xenografts; d) a murine NASH-related model of hepatic carcinogenesis. OSM was found to be selectively overexpressed in HCC cells of NAFLD/NASH patients, depending on tumor grade. OSM serum levels, barely detectable in patients with simple steatosis or NASH, were increased in patients with cirrhosis, and more evident in those carrying HCC. In this latter group, OSM serum levels were significantly higher in the subjects with intermediate/advanced HCCs and correlated with poor survival. Cell culture experiments indicated that OSM upregulation in hepatic cancer cells contributes to HCC progression by inducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and increased invasiveness of cancer cells as well as by inducing angiogenesis, which is of critical relevance. In murine xenografts, OSM overexpression was associated with slower tumor growth, but an increased rate of lung metastases. Overexpression of OSM and its positive correlation with the angiogenic switch were also confirmed in a murine model of NAFLD/NASH-related hepatocarcinogenesis. Consistent with this, analysis of liver specimens from human NASH-related HCCs with vascular invasion showed that OSM was expressed by liver cancer cells invading hepatic vessels. In conclusion, OSM up-regulation appears to be a specific feature of HCC arising on a NAFLD/NASH background, and it correlates with clinical parameters and disease outcome. Our data highlight a novel pro-carcinogenic contribution for OSM in NAFLD/NASH, suggesting a role of this factor as a prognostic marker and a putative potential target for therapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Tat-human immunodeficiency virus-1 induces human monocyte chemotaxis by activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1.

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) Tat protein can be released by infected cells and activates mesenchymal cells. Among these, monocytes respond to Tat by migrating into tissues and releasing inflammatory mediators. In the present study, we have examined the molecular mechanism of monocyte activation by Tat, showing that this viral protein signals inside the cells through the tyrosine kinase receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor encoded by fms-like tyrosine kinase gene (VEGFR-1/Flt-1). Subnanomolar concentrations of Tat induced monocyte chemotaxis, which was inhibited by cell preincubation with vascular-endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). This desensitisation was specific for VEGF-A, because it not was observed with FMLP. In addition, the soluble form of VEGFR-1 specifically inhibited polarization and migration induced by Tat and VEGF-A, thus confirming the common use of this receptor. Binding studies performed at equilibrium by using radiolabeled Tat showed that monocytes expressed a unique class of binding site, with a kd of approximately 0.2 nmol/L. The binding of radiolabeled Tat to monocyte surface and the cross-linking to a protein of 150 kD was inhibited specifically by an excess of cold Tat or VEGF-A. Western blot analysis with an antibody anti-VEGFR-1/Flt-1 performed on monocyte phosphoproteins immunoprecipitated by an monoclonal antibody anti-phosphotyrosine showed that Tat induced a rapid phosphorylation in tyrosine residue of the 150-kD VEGFR-1/Flt-1. Taken together, these results suggest that biologic activities of HIV-1 Tat in human monocytes may, at least in part, be elicited by activation of VEGFR-1/Flt-1

Sicilia—silicon carbide detectors for intense luminosity investigations and applications

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a compound semiconductor, which is considered as a possible alternative to silicon for particles and photons detection. Its characteristics make it very promising for the next generation of nuclear and particle physics experiments at high beam luminosity. Silicon Carbide detectors for Intense Luminosity Investigations and Applications (SiCILIA) is a project starting as a collaboration between the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) and IMM-CNR, aiming at the realization of innovative detection systems based on SiC. In this paper, we discuss the main features of silicon carbide as a material and its potential application in the field of particles and photons detectors, the project structure and the strategies used for the prototype realization, and the first results concerning prototype production and their performance