Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition: a double-edged sword

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological process necessary to normal embryologic development. However in genesis of pathological situations, this transition can be perverted and signaling pathways have different regulations from those of normal physiology. In cancer invasion, such a mechanism leads to generation of circulating tumor cells. Epithelial cancer cells become motile mesenchymal cells able to shed from the primary tumor and enter in the blood circulation. This is the major part of the invasive way of cancer. EMT is also implicated in chronic diseases like fibrosis and particularly renal fibrosis. In adult organisms, healing is based on EMT which is beneficial to repair wounds even if it can sometimes exceed its goal and elicit fibrosis. In this review, we delineate the clinical significance of EMT in both physiological and pathological circumstances

Single-Cell NGS-Based Analysis of Copy Number Alterations Reveals New Insights in Circulating Tumor Cells Persistence in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Simple Summary Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are crucial for the identification of patients with a higher risk of relapse, including those diagnosed with breast cancer (BC). The aim of this study was to explore their molecular aspects in 11 early-stage BC patients during patient management, focusing on copy number alterations (CNAs) and exploiting a single-CTC next-generation sequencing approach. CTCs showed different degrees of aberration based on access time. Moreover, CTCs, in particular those persisting even months after tumor resection, shared CNAs with matched tumor tissue. Enrichment analyses of CNAs on CTCs highlighted peculiar aberrations, especially associated with interferon (IFN)-associated terms. The study of CTCs CNAs can provide information about the molecular mechanisms involving CTC-related processes and their survival ability in occult niches, supporting the goal of exploiting their application in patients' surveillance and follow-up. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a rare population of cells representing a key player in the metastatic cascade. They are recognized as a validated tool for the identification of patients with a higher risk of relapse, including those diagnosed with breast cancer (BC). However, CTCs are characterized by high levels of heterogeneity that also involve copy number alterations (CNAs), structural variations associated with gene dosage changes. In this study, single CTCs were isolated from the peripheral blood of 11 early-stage BC patients at different time points. A label-free enrichment of CTCs was performed using OncoQuick, and single CTCs were isolated using DEPArray. Libraries were prepared from single CTCs and DNA extracted from matched tumor tissues for a whole-genome low-coverage next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis using the Ion Torrent S5 System. The analysis of the CNA burden highlighted that CTCs had different degrees of aberration based on the time point and subtype. CTCs were found even six months after surgery and shared CNAs with matched tumor tissue. Tumor-associated CNAs that were recurrent in CTCs were patient-specific, and some alterations involved regions associated with BC and survival (i.e., gains at 1q21-23 and 5p15.33). The enrichment analysis emphasized the involvement of aberrations of terms, associated in particular with interferon (IFN) signaling. Collectively, our findings reveal that these aberrations may contribute to understanding the molecular mechanisms involving CTC-related processes and their survival ability in occult niches, supporting the goal of exploiting their application in patients' surveillance and follow-up

Dissecting Molecular Heterogeneity of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) from Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients through Copy Number Aberration (CNA) and Single Nucleotide Variant (SNV) Single Cell Analysis

Circulating tumor cells' (CTCs) heterogeneity contributes to counteract their introduction in clinical practice. Through single-cell sequencing we aim at exploring CTC heterogeneity in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. Single CTCs were isolated using DEPArray NxT. After whole genome amplification, libraries were prepared for copy number aberration (CNA) and single nucleotide variant (SNV) analysis and sequenced using Ion GeneStudio S5 and Illumina MiSeq, respectively. CTCs demonstrate distinctive mutational signatures but retain molecular traces of their common origin. CNA profiling identifies frequent aberrations involving critical genes in pathogenesis: gains of 1q (CCND1) and 11q (WNT3A), loss of 22q (CHEK2). The longitudinal single-CTC analysis allows tracking of clonal selection and the emergence of resistance-associated aberrations, such as gain of a region in 12q (CDK4). A group composed of CTCs from different patients sharing common traits emerges. Further analyses identify losses of 15q and enrichment of terms associated with pseudopodium formation as frequent and exclusive events. CTCs from MBC patients are heterogeneous, especially concerning their mutational status. The single-cell analysis allows the identification of aberrations associated with resistance, and is a candidate tool to better address treatment strategy. The translational significance of the group populated by similar CTCs should be elucidated

EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF NEBIVOLOL COMPARED WITH OTHER ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS: A META-ANALYSIS

Aim: Lowering BP to normal levels without quality of life deterioration is the most important means of reducing cardiovascular risk. Recent studies have challenged the position of beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists (beta-blockers) as first-line antihypertensive drugs. Nebivolol is a third-generation, highly selective beta (1)-blocker that causes vasodilation through nitric oxide (NO) release. This meta-analysis investigates the efficacy and tolerability of nebivolol compared with other antihypertensive drugs and placebo in patients with hypertension. Methods: Twelve randomized controlled studies were included, in which nebivolol 5 mg once daily was compared with the recommended clinical doses of other antihypertensive drugs (n=9), placebo (n=2), and both (n=1). The clinical studies were selected after a MEDLINE search up to 2007, using the key words “nebivolol” and “hypertension”. Results: Antihypertensive response rates (the percentage of patients achieving target BP levels or a defined DBP reduction) were higher with nebivolol than with ACE inhibitors (odds ratio [OR] 1,92; p=0,001) and all antihypertensive drugs combined (OR 1,41; p=0,001) and similar to beta-blockers, calcium channel antagonists (CCAs) and the angiotensin receptor antagonist (ARA) losartan. Moreover, a higher percentage of patients receiving nebivolol achieved target BP levels compared with patients treated with losartan (OR 1,98; p=0,004), CCAs (OR 1,44; p=0,024), and all antihypertensive drugs combined (OR 1,35; p=0,012). The percentage of patients experiencing adverse events did not differ between nebivolol and placebo; adverse event rates were significantly lower with nebivolol than losartan (OR 0,52; p=0,016), other beta-blockers (OR 0,56; p=0,007), nifedipine (OR 0,49; p<0,001), and all antihypertensive drugs combined (OR 0,59; p><0,001). Conclusion: Results of previous pharmacokinetic studies suggest that nebivolol 5 mg may not conform completely to the definition of a classic beta-blocker, demonstrating additional antihypertensive effect due to endothelial NO release-mediated vasodilation. This meta-analysis showed that nebivolol 5 mg achieved similar or better rates of treatment response and BP normalization than other drug classes and other antihypertensive drugs combined, with similar tolerability to placebo and significantly better tolerability than losartan, CCAs, other beta-blockers, and all antihypertensive drugs combined. Although not definitive, this meta-analysis suggests that nebivolol 5 mg is likely to have advantages over existing antihypertensives and may have a role in the first-line treatment of hypertension.> <0,001), and all antihypertensive drugs combined (OR 0,59; p <0,001). Conclusion: Results of previous pharmacokinetic studies suggest that nebivolol 5 mg may not conform completely to the definition of a classic beta-blocker, demonstrating additional antihypertensive effect due to endothelial NO release-mediated vasodilation. This meta-analysis showed that nebivolol 5 mg achieved similar or better rates of treatment response and BP normalization than other drug classes and other antihypertensive drugs combined, with similar tolerability to placebo and significantly better tolerability than losartan, CCAs, other beta-blockers, and all antihypertensive drugs combined. Although not definitive, this meta-analysis suggests that nebivolol 5 mg is likely to have advantages over existing antihypertensives and may have a role in the first-line treatment of hypertension

Transcriptome analysis and codominant markers development in caper, a drought tolerant orphan crop with medicinal value

Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) is a xerophytic shrub cultivated for its fower buds and fruits, used as food and for their medicinal properties. Breeding programs and even proper taxonomic classifcation of the genus Capparis has been hampered so far by the lack of reliable genetic information and molecular markers. Here, we present the frst genomic resource for C. spinosa, generated by transcriptomic approach and de novo assembly. The sequencing efort produced nearly 80million clean reads assembled into 124,723 unitranscripts. Careful annotation and comparison with public databases revealed homologs to genes with a key role in important metabolic pathways linked to abiotic stress tolerance and bio-compounds production, such purine, thiamine and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, α-linolenic acid and lipid metabolism. Additionally, a panel of genes involved in stomatal development/ distribution and encoding for Stress Associated Proteins (SAPs) was also identifed. We also used the transcriptomic data to uncover novel molecular markers for caper. Out of 50 SSRs tested, 14 proved polymorphic and represent the frst set of SSR markers for the genus Capparis. This transcriptome will be an important contribution to future studies and breeding programs for this orphan crop, aiding to the development of improved varieties to sustain agriculture in arid conditions

Assessing the emotional response in social communication: the role of neuromarketing

5openopenZito, Margherita; Fici, Alessandro; Bilucaglia, Marco; Ambrogetti, Francesco; Russo, VincenzoZito, Margherita; Fici, Alessandro; Bilucaglia, Marco; Ambrogetti, Francesco; Russo, Vincenz

All About Lercanidipine: Ten Questions and Answers

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