NETosis in Wound Healing: When Enough Is Enough

The neutrophils extracellular traps (NETs) are a meshwork of chromatin, histonic and non-histonic proteins, and microbicidal agents spread outside the cell by a series of nuclear and cytoplasmic events, collectively called NETosis. NETosis, initially only considered a defensive/apoptotic mechanism, is now considered an extreme defensive solution, which in particular situations induces strong negative effects on tissue physiology, causing or exacerbating pathologies as recently shown in NETs-mediated organ damage in COVID-19 patients. The positive effects of NETs on wound healing have been linked to their antimicrobial activity, while the negative effects appear to be more common in a plethora of pathological conditions (such as diabetes) and linked to a NETosis upregulation. Recent evidence suggests there are other positive physiological NETs effects on wound healing that are worthy of a broader research effort

PROCESSING ADIPOSE TISSUE TO MAKE IT MORE STABLE WHEN USED FOR REFILLING. A MORPHOLOGIC AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY EVALUATION

Breast reconstruction has gained from lipofilling the possibility to recover the aesthetic outcome of anatomical profile in a more natural appearance. However, until today, the long-term graft survival remains unpredictable, and sometimes it does not guarantee a well-adequate aesthetic result. In the present work, the morphological changes, occurring in fat mass used for refilling, harvested by the Coleman's procedure or through the washing/fragmenting procedure were analysed. Adipocyte size; immunohistochemistry against CD8, CD31, CD68 and M2-type macrophages and catalase enzyme, were analysed in vitro on fat mass cultured for 4 weeks. Our observation reveals an increase of connective tissue around the mass and a high number of immune cells occurrence in fat mass harvested by the Coleman's procedure. Instead, the washing/fragmented procedure would reduce the number of immune cells within the fat mass, increase the size of adipocytes, and cause a wider presence of active vessels profile and greater catalase expression. We hypothesize that the fat mass processed by the Coleman's procedure would remain more reactive due to a higher number of immune and macrophages cells, prone to develop cystic formation, leading to a suboptimal integration in the recipient site. On the other hand, the conditions more prone to realize an optimal integration would occur in the fat mass processed by the washing/fragmenting procedure: a reduced number of immune cells, low amount of connective tissue, presence of larger adipocytes. Follow-up monitoring did support our conclusion, as we observed a reduction of re-intervention for refilling procedure in patients treated with the washing/fragmenting procedure

The importance of gravity vector on adult mammalian organisms: Effects of hypergravity on mouse testis

In the age of space exploration, the effect of hypergravity on human physiology is a relatively neglected topic. However, astronauts have several experiences of hypergravity during their missions. The main disturbance of altered gravity can be imputed to cell cytoskeleton alteration and physiologic homeostasis of the body. Testis has proved to be a particularly sensible organ, subject to environmental alteration and physiological disturbance. This makes testis an organ eligible for investigating the alteration following exposure to altered gravity. In our study, mice were exposed to hypergravity (3g for 14 days) in the Large Diameter Centrifuge machine (ESA, Netherland). We have observed a morphological alteration of the regular architecture of the seminiferous tubules of testis as well as an altered expression of factors involved in the junctional complexes of Sertoli cells, responsible for ensuring the morpho-functional integrity of the organ. The expression of key receptors in physiological performance, such as Androgen Receptors and Interstitial Cells Stimulating Hormone receptors, was found lower expressed. All these findings indicate the occurrence of altered physiological organ performance such as the reduction of the spermatozoa number and altered endocrine parameters following hypergravity exposure

Fame, piacere e stress Il comportamento alimentare tra necessità fisiologica e ricerca edonica

Perché mangiamo? Cosa ci spinge a farlo? Se è vero che gli animali si nutrono per la necessità primaria di acquisire energia, l’uomo abbina la richiesta fisiologica a desiderio, gusto e gratificazione, attribuendo al cibo un significato emotivo e ludico, oltre che nutrizionale, fino a considerarlo motivo di aggregazione sociale e forma di espressione culturale. E perché l’alimentazione è fondamentale anche per mantenere una buona salute e limitare patologie cliniche? Il nostro organismo preserva la propria stabilità interna attraverso un equilibrio costante tra fame omeostatica e piacere da appetito edonico. Equilibrio minacciato però dai fattori di stress. In che modo e perché? Il libro risponde a domande e curiosità, spiegando concetti e meccanismi scientifici in modo semplice e comprensibile

Resveratrol induces intracellular Ca2+rise via T-type Ca2+channels in a mesothelioma cell line

Aims Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) is known to play an important role in cancer development and growth. Resveratrol (Res) is a stilbene polyphenol occurring in several plant species and known for various possible beneficial effects, including its ability to inhibit proliferation and to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. This study was designed to determine whether Res affects Ca2+signaling in cancer cells. Main methods We used the REN human mesothelioma cell line, as an in vitro cancer cell model, and the non-malignant human mesothelial MeT5A cell line, as normal cell model. Cytosolic Ca2+concentration was measured by the fluorescent indicator Fura-2. Immunofluorescence, Western blot, and siRNA technique were employed to assess the involvement of T-type Ca2 +channels. Cell viability was determined by the calcein assay. Key findings REN cells transiently exposed to 1-10 \uce\ubcM Res showed increasing peaks of Ca2+that were absent in Ca2+-free medium and were reduced by non-selective (Ni2+), and highly selective (NNC 55-0396) T-type Ca2+channels antagonist, and by siRNA knockout of Cav3.2 T-type Ca2+channel gene. Dose-dependent curve of Res-induced Ca2+peaks showed a rightward shift in normal MeT-5 A mesothelial cells (EC50= 4.9 \uce\ubcM) with respect to REN cells (EC50= 2.7 \uce\ubcM). Moreover, incubation with 3 and 10 \uce\ubcM Res for 7 days resulted in cell growth inhibition for REN, but not for MeT-5 A cells. Significance Res induces Ca2+influx, possibly mediated through T-type Ca2+channels, with significant selectivity towards mesothelioma cells, suggesting a possible use as an adjuvant to chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma clinical treatment