MicroRNA-Mediated Metabolic Shaping of the Tumor Microenvironment

The metabolism of cancer cells is generally very different from what is found in normal counterparts. However, in a tumor mass, the continuous crosstalk and competition for nutrients and oxygen among different cells lead to metabolic alterations, not only in cancer cells, but also in the different stromal and immune cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME), which are highly relevant for tumor progression. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that silence their mRNA targets post-transcriptionally and are involved in numerous physiological cell functions as well as in the adaptation to stress situations. Importantly, miRs can also be released via extracellular vesicles (EVs) and, consequently, take part in the bidirectional communication between tumor and surrounding cells under stress conditions. Certain miRs are abundantly expressed in stromal and immune cells where they can regulate various metabolic pathways by directly suppressing enzymes or transporters as well as by controlling important regulators (such as transcription factors) of metabolic processes. In this review, we discuss how miRs can induce metabolic reprogramming in stromal (fibroblasts and adipocytes) and immune (macrophages and T cells) cells and, in turn, how the biology of the different cells present in the TME is able to change. Finally, we debate the rebound of miR-dependent metabolic alterations on tumor progression and their implications for cancer management

miRNA-guided reprogramming of glucose and glutamine metabolism and its impact on cell adhesion/migration during solid tumor progression

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs about 22 nucleotides in length that regulate the expression of target genes post-transcriptionally, and are highly involved in cancer progression. They are able to impact a variety of cell processes such as proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation and can consequently control tumor initiation, tumor progression and metastasis formation. miRNAs can regulate, at the same time, metabolic gene expression which, in turn, influences relevant traits of malignancy such as cell adhesion, migration and invasion. Since the interaction between metabolism and adhesion or cell movement has not, to date, been well understood, in this review, we will specifically focus on miRNA alterations that can interfere with some metabolic processes leading to the modulation of cancer cell movement. In addition, we will analyze the signaling pathways connecting metabolism and adhesion/migration, alterations that often affect cancer cell dissemination and metastasis formation

Successful preterm pregnancy in a rare variation of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome: a case report

Abstract Background Herlyn–Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) is an uncommon congenital anomaly of the female urogenital tract, characterised by uterus didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. We reported the difficult pregnancy course complicated by an extremely rare and unique case of this syndrome associated with ectrodactyly, a clinical combination never described in literature. Case presentation A 28- year-old nulliparous woman previously diagnosed for HWWS associated with ectrodactyly of the right foot and with a history of abdominal left hemi-hysterectomy, ipsilateral salpingectomy, vaginal reconstruction when she was an adolescent. She suffered from threats of abortion in the first trimester, recurrent urinary tract infections during all pregnancy. At 33 weeks + 5 days of gestational age, she was hospitalized for premature rupture of the membranes and uterine contractions and a caesarean section was performed because of breech presentation. Postpartum period was complicated by a pelvic abscess resolved with parental antibiotic therapies. Conclusions Our literature review shows an unusual aspect in our case: HWWS is not classically associated with skeletal anomalies. Moreover, the most frequent urogenital side affected is the right, not left side as in this woman. Preterm spontaneous rupture of membranes and fetal abnormal presentation represent frequent complications and probably post-caesarean infections are related to pregnancies in the context of this syndrome

Stroma-derived miR-214 coordinates tumor dissemination

Abstract Background Tumor progression is based on a close interaction between cancer cells and Tumor MicroEnvironment (TME). Here, we focus on the role that Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs), Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and microRNAs (miRs) play in breast cancer and melanoma malignancy. Methods We used public databases to investigate miR-214 expression in the stroma compartment of primary human samples and evaluated tumor formation and dissemination following tumor cell injections in miR-214 overexpressing (miR-214over) and knock out (miR-214ko) mice. In addition, we dissected the impact of Conditioned Medium (CM) or Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) derived from miR-214-rich or depleted stroma cells on cell metastatic traits. Results We evidence that the expression of miR-214 in human cancer or metastasis samples mostly correlates with stroma components and, in particular, with CAFs and MSCs. We present data revealing that the injection of tumor cells in miR-214over mice leads to increased extravasation and metastasis formation. In line, treatment of cancer cells with CM or EVs derived from miR-214-enriched stroma cells potentiate cancer cell migration/invasion in vitro. Conversely, dissemination from tumors grown in miR-214ko mice is impaired and metastatic traits significantly decreased when CM or EVs from miR-214-depleted stroma cells are used to treat cells in culture. Instead, extravasation and metastasis formation are fully re-established when miR-214ko mice are pretreated with miR-214-rich EVs of stroma origin. Mechanistically, we also show that tumor cells are able to induce miR-214 production in stroma cells, following the activation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling, which is then released via EVs subsequently up-taken by cancer cells. Here, a miR-214-dependent pro-metastatic program becomes activated. Conclusions Our findings highlight the relevance of stroma-derived miR-214 and its release in EVs for tumor dissemination, which paves the way for miR-214-based therapeutic interventions targeting not only tumor cells but also the TME

House dust mite allergy in Italy. Diagnostic and clinical relevance of Der p 23 (and of minor allergens): A real life, multicenter study

House dust mites (HDM) area major cause of respiratory allergy and of perennial asthmaworldwide. 32 allergens for Dermatophagoidesfarinae(D2) and 21 for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus(D1) have been detectedso farand novel allergens are still being reported(1). Der p 23, a gut-derived peritrophin present in the outer membrane of mite feces (2),has been recognized as a major allergen (2,3).Der p 1, Der p 2, Der p 23, and Der p 10(tropomyosin)are theonly allergens currently available for the component-resolved diagnosis of HDMallergyon ImmunoCAP.The clinical relevance of Der p 23 is only partially defined, and the prevalence and relevance of the exclusive sensitization to allergensother than groups1, 2, 10, and 23 has received little attention so far. We addressed these aspects ina large multicenter study

A survey of clinical features of allergic rhinitis in adults

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) has high prevalence and substantial socio-economic burden.Material/Methods: The study included 35 Italian Centers recruiting an overall number of 3383 adult patients with rhinitis (48% males, 52% females, mean age 29.1, range 18-45 years). For each patient, the attending physician had to fill in a standardized questionnaire, covering, in particular, some issues such as the ARIA classification of allergic rhinitis (AR), the results of skin prick test (SPT), the kind of treatment, the response to treatment, and the satisfaction with treatment.Results: Out of the 3383 patients with rhinitis, 2788 (82.4%) had AR: 311 (11.5%) had a mild intermittent, 229 (8.8%) a mild persistent, 636 (23.5%) a moderate-severe intermittent, and 1518 (56.1%) a moderate-severe persistent form. The most frequently used drugs were oral antihistamines (77.1%) and topical corticosteroids (60.8%). The response to treatment was judged as excellent in 12.2%, good in 41.3%, fair in 31.2%, poor in 14.5%, and very bad in 0.8% of subjects. The rate of treatment dissatisfaction was significantly higher in patients with moderate-to-severe AR than in patients with mild AR (p<0.0001). Indication to allergen immunotherapy (AIT) was significantly more frequent (p<0.01) in patients with severe AR than with mild AR.Conclusions: These findings confirm the appropriateness of ARIA guidelines in classifying the AR patients and the association of severe symptoms with unsuccessful drug treatment. The optimal targeting of patients to be treated with AIT needs to be reassessed