Inhibition of exosome biogenesis affects cell motility in heterogeneous sub-populations of paediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas.

Background: Paediatric-type diffuse High-Grade Gliomas (PDHGG) are highly heterogeneous tumours which include distinct cell sub-populations co-existing within the same tumour mass. We have previously shown that primary patient-derived and optical barcoded single-cell-derived clones function as interconnected networks. Here, we investigated the role of exosomes as a route for inter-clonal communication mediating PDHGG migration and invasion.

Toll-like receptor-guided therapeutic intervention of human cancers: molecular and immunological perspectives.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) serve as the body's first line of defense, recognizing both pathogen-expressed molecules and host-derived molecules released from damaged or dying cells. The wide distribution of different cell types, ranging from epithelial to immune cells, highlights the crucial roles of TLRs in linking innate and adaptive immunity. Upon stimulation, TLRs binding mediates the expression of several adapter proteins and downstream kinases, that lead to the induction of several other signaling molecules such as key pro-inflammatory mediators.

Downregulation of ACE, AGTR1, and ACE2 genes mediating SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis by gut microbiota members and their postbiotics on Caco-2 cells.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a complex infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that can cause also gastrointestinal symptoms. There are various factors that determine the host susceptibility and severity of infection, including the renin-angiotensin system, the immune response, and the gut microbiota. In this regard, we aimed to investigate the gene expression of ACE, AGTR1, ACE2, and TMPRSS2, which mediate SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis by Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, and Bacteroides fragilis on Caco-2 cells.

Improving the Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular miRNAs Coupled to Multiomics Data by Exploiting the Power of Artificial Intelligence.

In recent years, the clinical use of extracellular miRNAs as potential biomarkers of disease has increasingly emerged as a new and powerful tool. Serum, urine, saliva and stool contain miRNAs that can exert regulatory effects not only in surrounding epithelial cells but can also modulate bacterial gene expression, thus acting as a "master regulator" of many biological processes. We think that in order to have a holistic picture of the health status of an individual, we have to consider comprehensively many "omics" data, such as miRNAs profiling form different parts of the body and their interactions with cells and bacteria.

Biomarkers to Monitor Adherence to Gluten-Free Diet by Celiac Disease Patients: Gluten Immunogenic Peptides and Urinary miRNAs.

Celiac disease (CD) is a multifactorial autoimmune enteropathy with a prevalence greater than 1% in the pediatric population. The only therapy for CD patients is a strict gluten-free diet (GFD). Gluten-free food contamination by other cereals during packaging and cooking or accidental ingestion of gluten may cause several intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms in CD patients.

Circulating microRNAs as novel non-invasive biomarkers of paediatric celiac disease and adherence to gluten-free diet.

Background: Celiac Disease (CD) is a multifactorial autoimmune enteropathy (with a prevalence of approximately 1% worldwide) that exhibits a wide spectrum of clinical, serological and histological manifestations. For the diagnosis of paediatric CD, the gold standard is the combination of serological tests (with high TGA-IgA values greater than 10 times the upper limit of normal) and duodenal biopsy (with a positive TGA-IgA but low titer). Therefore, a diagnostic test that totally excludes an invasive approach has not been discovered so far and the discovery of novel biological markers would represent an undoubted advantage for the diagnosis of CD and prognostic evaluation.

Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Modulate Inflammatory Genes and Tight Junctions in a Human Model of Intestinal Epithelium.

It is widely acknowledged that mammalian exosomes (or extracellular vesicles), have a key role in intercellular communication, owing to the presence of various bioactive molecules such as lipids, proteins, and microRNAs within their inner compartment. Most recently, the discovery of extracellular vesicles isolated from edible plants (such as vegetables and fruits) and their similarity in terms of size and content with exosomes has opened new perspectives on possible intercellular communication and regulation of important biological processes in which these vesicles are involved. It is also well-known that a balanced diet rich of fruits and vegetables (i.

Neuroblastoma-secreted exosomes carrying miR-375 promote osteogenic differentiation of bone-marrow mesenchymal stromal cells.

Bone marrow (BM) is the major target organ for neuroblastoma (NB) metastasis and its involvement is associated with poor outcome. Yet, the mechanism by which NB cells invade BM is largely unknown. Tumour microenvironment represents a key element in tumour progression and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been recognized as a fundamental part of the associated tumour stroma.

A 3D-Printed Multi-Chamber Device Allows Culturing Cells On Buckypapers Coated With PAMAM Dendrimer And Obtain Innovative Materials For Biomedical Applications.

Background: The advent of 3D printing technology allowed the realization of custom devices that can be used not only in the everyday life but also in the nanotechnology and biomedical fields. In nanotechnology, the use of bi-dimensional nanostructures based on carbon nanotubes, generally referred as buckypapers, have received considerable attention for their versatility and potential application in many biomedical fields. Unfortunately, buckypapers are extremely hydrophobic and cannot be used in aqueous media to culture cells.

Expression profiles of exosomal miRNAs isolated from plasma of patients with desmoplastic small round cell tumor.

Aim: Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare, aggressive mesenchymal tumor, lacking biomarkers for diagnosis, treatment stratification and prognosis. We investigated the exosomal miRNA profile in plasma samples collected from DSRCT patients, evaluating their potential as circulating biomarkers for this tumor.

Patients & Methods: We isolated exosomes from plasma of three DSRCT adolescents and four age-matched healthy controls; expression of circulating miRNAs was quantified by qPCR.

Biophysical and biological contributions of polyamine-coated carbon nanotubes and bidimensional buckypapers in the delivery of miRNAs to human cells.

Recent findings in nanomedicine have revealed that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be used as potential drug carriers, therapeutic agents and diagnostics tools. Moreover, due to their ability to cross cellular membranes, their nanosize dimension, high surface area and relatively good biocompatibility, CNTs have also been employed as a novel gene delivery vector system. In our previous work, we functionalized CNTs with two polyamine polymers, polyethyleneimine (PEI) and polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM).

The translational expression of ABCA2 and ABCA3 is a strong prognostic biomarker for multidrug resistance in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Purpose: The aim of this work was to study the correlation between the expressions of the and genes at the mRNA and protein levels in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the effects of this association on multidrug resistance (MDR).

Materials And Methods: Sixty-nine children with de novo ALL and 25 controls were enrolled in the study. Mononuclear cells were isolated from the bone marrow.

Rhamnose-coated superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles: an evaluation of their in vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity.

Tumor recurrence after the incomplete removal of a tumor mass inside brain tissue is the main reason that scientists are working to identify new strategies in brain oncologic therapy. In particular, in the treatment of the most malignant astrocytic tumor glioblastoma, the use of magnetic nanoparticles seems to be one of the most promising keys in overcoming this problem, namely by means of magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) treatment. However, the major unknown issue related to the use of nanoparticles is their toxicological behavior when they are in contact with biological tissues.

Structural Features of the ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporter ABCA3.

In this review we reported and discussed the structural features of the ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter ABCA3 and how the use of bioinformatics tools could help researchers to obtain a reliable structural model of this important transporter. In fact, a model of ABCA3 is still lacking and no crystallographic structures (of the transporter or of its orthologues) are available. With the advent of next generation sequencing, many disease-causing mutations have been discovered and many more will be found in the future.

Gallic acid exerts a protective or an anti-proliferative effect on glioma T98G cells via dose-dependent epigenetic regulation mediated by miRNAs.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant primary brain tumor in adulthood, characterized by very high recurrence. Following the limited results for conventional therapies, novel therapeutic agents are under investigation. Among the putative new molecules, gallic acid (GA) represents a promising new anticancer drug.

Effects of single or combined treatments with radiation and chemotherapy on survival and danger signals expression in glioblastoma cell lines.

The success of chemo- and radiotherapy in glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and lethal primary brain tumour, could rely on the induction of immunogenic tumour cell death and on the induction of anticancer immune response. In this study we investigated cell survival to single treatments or combination of X-rays and temozolomide in glioblastoma cell lines (T98G and U251MG) and we attempted to identify danger signals (HMGB1 and HSP70) released by dying cells in the microenvironment that could activate antitumour immunity contributing to the therapeutic efficacy of conventional treatments. Our data suggest that HSP70 translocates from cytoplasm to extracellular environment after an increase in radiation dose and HMGB1 translocates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and subsequently is released into the extracellular space, confirming a role of these proteins as signals released after radiation-induced damage in glioblastoma cells.

NMR as evaluation strategy for cellular uptake of nanoparticles.

Advanced nanostructured materials, such as gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, and multifunctional materials, are nowadays used in many state-of-the-art biomedical application. However, although the engineering in this field is very advanced, there remain some fundamental problems involving the interaction mechanisms between nanostructures and cells or tissues. Here we show the potential of (1)H NMR in the investigation of the uptake of two different kinds of nanostructures, that is, maghemite and gold nanoparticles, and of a chemotherapy drug (Temozolomide) in glioblastoma tumor cells.

Late oral mucosa alterations after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer assessed by exfoliative cytology.

Aim: Late oral mucosa changes after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer have been poorly studied. This study aimed to determine long-term effects of radiotherapy on oral mucosa using exfoliative oral cytology.

Patients And Methods: Fifty patients with cancer were enrolled, five of whom in order to validate microscopic analysis.

New frontiers for astrocytic tumours.

Glioblastoma multiforme, the most common type of primary brain tumour, remains an unsolved clinical problem. A great deal of work has been done in an effort to understand the biology and genetics of glioblastoma multiforme, but clinically effective treatments remain elusive. It is well known that malignant gliomas develop resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy.

Cell death forms and HSP70 expression in U87 cells after ionizing radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Background: Several types of cell death can induce the activation of the immune system by releasing factors of damage.

Aim: To identify different cell death modalities using U87 glioblastoma cell line after radio-chemotherapy treatments by analyzing the expression of HSP70 after γ-ray irradiation and temozolomide treatment.

Materials And Methods: U87 cell line was irradiated with 2, 4, 8, 10 and 20 Gy, treated with 200 μM of temozolomide, or subjected to combined treatments of these.