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5. nAChRs gene expression and neuroinflammation in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mouse

Author

D’Angelo Chiara, Costantini Erica, Salvador Nieves, Marchioni Michele, Di Nicola Marta, Greig H. Nigel, and Reale Marcella

Subjects
Medicine, Science
Abstract

Abstract An evaluation of the APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic AD mouse, presenting with the toxic Aβ1-42 deposition found in human AD, allowed us to characterize time-dependent changes in inflammatory and cholinergic markers present in AD. Astrogliosis was observed in cortex and hippocampus, with cellular loss occurring in the same areas in which Aβ plaques were present. In this setting, we found early significantly elevated levels of IL-1β and TNFα gene expression; with the hippocampus showing the highest IL-1β expression. To investigate the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, the expression of nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) and cholinesterase enzymes also was evaluated. The anti-inflammatory nAChRα7, α4, and β2 were particularly increased at 6 months of age in the hippocampus, potentially as a strategy to counteract Aβ deposition and the ensuing inflammatory state. A time-dependent subunit switch to the α3β4 type occurred. Whether α3, β4 subunits have a pro-inflammatory or an inhibitory effect on ACh stimulation remains speculative. Aβ1-42 deposition, neuronal loss and increased astrocytes were detected, and a time-dependent change in components of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway were observed. A greater understanding of time-dependent Aβ/nAChRs interactions may aid in defining new therapeutic strategies and novel molecular targets.

Published
2021
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7. Search in the Periphery for Potential Inflammatory Biomarkers of Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Alzheimer's Disease.

Author

Costantini, Erica, Carrarini, Claudia, Calisi, Dario, De Rosa, Matteo, Simone, Marianna, Di Crosta, Adolfo, Palumbo, Rocco, Cipollone, Alessia, Aielli, Lisa, De Laurentis, Maria, Colarusso, Lucilla, Pilotto, Andrea, Padovani, Alessandro, Konstantinidou, Fani, Gatta, Valentina, Stuppia, Liborio, Cipollone, Francesco, Di Nicola, Marta, Reale, Marcella, and Bonanni, Laura

Subjects
*LEWY body dementia, *ALZHEIMER'S disease, *MONONUCLEAR leukocytes, *APOLIPOPROTEIN E4, *BIOMARKERS
Abstract

Background: Neuroinflammation, with altered peripheral proinflammatory cytokine production, plays a major role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), while the role of inflammation in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is less known and the results of different studies are often in disagreement. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the levels of TNFα and IL-6 in serum and supernatants, and the related DNA methylation in patients affected by DLB and AD compared to healthy controls (HCs), to clarify the role of epigenetic mechanisms of DNA promoter methylation on of pro-inflammatory cytokines overproduction. Methods: Twenty-one patients with DLB and fourteen with AD were frequency-matched for age and sex with eleven HCs. Clinical evaluation, TNFα and IL-6 gene methylation status, cytokine gene expression levels and production in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) supernatants were performed. Results: In AD and DLB patients, higher serum levels of IL-6 and TNFα were detected than in HCs. Differences in LPS-stimulated versus spontaneous PBMCs were observed between DLB, AD, and HC in the levels of TNFα (p = 0.027) and IL-6 (p < 0.001). Higher levels were also revealed for sIL-6R in DLB (p < 0.001) and AD (p < 0.001) in comparison with HC.DNA hypomethylation in IL-6 and TNFα CpG promoter sites was detected for DLB and AD patients compared to the corresponding site in HCs. Conclusions: Our preliminary study documented increased levels of IL-6 and TNFα in DLB and AD patients to HCs. This overproduction can be due to epigenetic mechanisms regarding the hypomethylation of DNA promoters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2024
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8. Pulsed Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields as Modulators of Inflammation and Wound Healing in Primary Dermal Fibroblasts of Ulcers.

Author

Costantini, Erica, Aielli, Lisa, Gualdi, Giulio, Baronio, Manuela, Monari, Paola, Amerio, Paolo, and Reale, Marcella

Subjects
*RADIO frequency therapy, *ELECTROMAGNETIC fields, *FIBROBLASTS, *HEALING, *SKIN regeneration, LEG ulcers
Abstract

Venous leg ulcers are one of the most common nonhealing conditions and represent an important clinical problem. The application of pulsed radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (PRF-EMFs), already applied for pain, inflammation, and new tissue formation, can represent a promising approach for venous leg ulcer amelioration. This study aims to evaluate the effect of PRF-EMF exposure on the inflammatory, antioxidant, cell proliferation, and wound healing characteristics of human primary dermal fibroblasts collected from venous leg ulcer patients. The cells' proliferative and migratory abilities were evaluated by means of a BrdU assay and scratch assay, respectively. The inflammatory response was investigated through TNFα, TGFβ, COX2, IL6, and IL1β gene expression analysis and PGE2 and IL1β production, while the antioxidant activity was tested by measuring GSH, GSSG, tGSH, and GR levels. This study emphasizes the ability of PRF-EMFs to modulate the TGFβ, COX2, IL6, IL1β, and TNFα gene expression in exposed ulcers. Moreover, it confirms the improvement of the proliferative index and wound healing ability presented by PRF-EMFs. In conclusion, exposure to PRF-EMFs can represent a strategy to help tissue repair, regulating mediators involved in the wound healing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2024
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12. Exploring ginseng's potential role as an adjuvant therapy in COVID-19.

Author

Aielli, Lisa, Shahzadi, Chman, and Costantini, Erica

Subjects
COVID-19 treatment, GINSENG, CHINESE medicine, VACCINE effectiveness, COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract

Ginseng is a plant from the Panax genus used since ancient times as a prominent component of traditional Chinese medicine, and is prized for its energizing, antiaging and antioxidant properties. Over time, the scientific community has taken a keen interest in ginseng's potential as a supplement in various health sectors. While there is a substantial body of data demonstrating the effectiveness of ginseng and other natural products as adjuncts in the treatment of respiratory diseases, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the attention on ginseng and its extracts as potential antiviral and antibacterial agents. This review aims to summarize the potential benefits of ginseng in the prevention of COVID-19, the alleviation of symptoms and the enhancement of clinical outcomes for patients. It suggests incorporating ginseng and other natural compounds into complementary therapeutic regimens to augment the effectiveness of vaccines and pharmacological treatments. However, it's important to note that further experiments and clinical studies are necessary to solidify the efficacy of ginseng against COVID-19 and to establish its use as a viable option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023
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13. Anti-Obesity and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Novel Carvacrol Derivatives on 3T3-L1 and WJ-MSCs Cells

Author

Cacciatore, Ivana, primary, Spalletta, Sonia, additional, Di Rienzo, Annalisa, additional, Flati, Vincenzo, additional, Fornasari, Erika, additional, Pierdomenico, Laura, additional, Del Boccio, Piero, additional, Valentinuzzi, Silvia, additional, Costantini, Erica, additional, Toniato, Elena, additional, Martinotti, Stefano, additional, Conte, Carmela, additional, Di Stefano, Antonio, additional, and Robuffo, Iole, additional

Published
2023
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20. Preliminary Cross-Cultural Evaluation of Expressiveness in Synthetic Faces

Author

Beskow, Jonas, Cerrato, Loredana, Cosi, Piero, Costantini, Erica, Nordstrand, Magnus, Pianesi, Fabio, Prete, Michela, Svanfeldt, Gunilla, Kanade, Takeo, editor, Kittler, Josef, editor, Kleinberg, Jon M., editor, Mattern, Friedemann, editor, Mitchell, John C., editor, Nierstrasz, Oscar, editor, Pandu Rangan, C., editor, Steffen, Bernhard, editor, Sudan, Madhu, editor, Terzopoulos, Demetri, editor, Tygar, Dough, editor, Vardi, Moshe Y., editor, Weikum, Gerhard, editor, Carbonell, Jaime G., editor, Siekmann, Jörg, editor, André, Elisabeth, editor, Dybkjær, Laila, editor, Minker, Wolfgang, editor, and Heisterkamp, Paul, editor

Published
2004
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21. Evaluation of Synthetic Faces: Human Recognition of Emotional Facial Displays

Author

Costantini, Erica, Pianesi, Fabio, Cosi, Piero, Kanade, Takeo, editor, Kittler, Josef, editor, Kleinberg, Jon M., editor, Mattern, Friedemann, editor, Mitchell, John C., editor, Nierstrasz, Oscar, editor, Pandu Rangan, C., editor, Steffen, Bernhard, editor, Sudan, Madhu, editor, Terzopoulos, Demetri, editor, Tygar, Dough, editor, Vardi, Moshe Y., editor, Weikum, Gerhard, editor, Carbonell, Jaime G., editor, Siekmann, Jörg, editor, André, Elisabeth, editor, Dybkjær, Laila, editor, Minker, Wolfgang, editor, and Heisterkamp, Paul, editor

Published
2004
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22. Association of inflammatory biomarkers and cardiovascular risk scores in an Italian cohort of HIV positive patient undergoing antiretroviral therapy

Author

Falasca Katia, Ucciferri Claudio, Auricchio Antonio, Reale Marcella, Costantini Erica, and Vecchiet Jacopo

Subjects
Infectious Diseases, Virology
Abstract

Background: Several algorithms have been developed to predict cardiovascular risk (CVR) over time, however none of them seem to be accurate when applied to HIV patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess plasma inflammatory biomarkers in relation to multiple CVR scores (FRS, ASCVD, PROCAM and the DAD-5 Years-Estimated-Risk) in an Italian cohort of HIV patients undergoing a combined Antiretroviral Therapy (cART). Methods: We enrolled HIV patients undergoing cART without any change in the HIV-related pharmacological therapy over the last 48 weeks Demographic and anamnestic data were collected, and a biochemical panel including the following biomarkers was collected: CRP, Cystatin-C, microalbuminuria, IL-18, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN- γ. CVR scores were obtained for each patient and compared to the biochemical panel to assess statistical correlation. Results: 90 Caucasian HIV patients were enrolled. Assessment of CVR scores showed FRS values of 6.98±6.11%, ASCVD 7.18±6.25%, PROCAM 6.7±7.4% and DAD-5 Years Estimated Risk 3.10±3.41%. We found correlations between the levels of circulating cytokines measured and the cardiovascular risk prediction scores. Conclusions: Our data showed that the values of selected inflammatory biomarkers strongly correlate with the CVR scores, suggesting that they can be employed as reliable predictors of cardiovascular disease in HIV patients. The routine use of selected biomarkers associated with systemic inflammation could be a valid and readily available tool for clinicians to assess and monitor cardiovascular risk in HIV patients.

Published
2021

24. Muscarinic Receptors Expression in the Peripheral Blood Cells Differentiate Dementia with Lewy Bodies from Alzheimer’s Disease

Author

Reale, Marcella, primary, Carrarini, Claudia, additional, Russo, Mirella, additional, Dono, Fedele, additional, Ferri, Laura, additional, Di Pietro, Martina, additional, Costantini, Erica, additional, Porreca, Annamaria, additional, Di Nicola, Marta, additional, Onofrj, Marco, additional, and Bonanni, Laura, additional

Published
2022
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26. Effects of Probiotic Mixture Supplementation on the Immune Response to the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in People Living with HIV

Author

Reale, Marcella, primary, Ucciferri, Claudio, additional, Costantini, Erica, additional, Di Nicola, Marta, additional, Porreca, Annamaria, additional, Di Giovanni, Pamela, additional, Pontolillo, Michela, additional, Auricchio, Antonio, additional, Vecchiet, Jacopo, additional, and Falasca, Katia, additional

Published
2021
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28. In Vitro Wound-Healing Properties of Water-Soluble Terpenoids Loaded on Halloysite Clay

Author

Marinelli, Lisa, primary, Cacciatore, Ivana, additional, Eusepi, Piera, additional, Dimmito, Marilisa Pia, additional, Di Rienzo, Annalisa, additional, Reale, Marcella, additional, Costantini, Erica, additional, Borrego-Sánchez, Ana, additional, García-Villén, Fátima, additional, Viseras, César, additional, Morroni, Gianluca, additional, Fioriti, Simona, additional, Brescini, Lucia, additional, and Di Stefano, Antonio, additional

Published
2021
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31. In vitro wound-healing properties of water-soluble terpenoids loaded on halloysite clay

Author

Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca, Marinelli , Lisa, Cacciatore, Ivana, Eusepi, Piera, Dimmito, Marilisa Pia, Di Rienzo, Annalisa, Reale, Marcella, Costantini, Erica, Borrego Sánchez, Ana, García-Villén, Fátima, Viseras, César, Morroni, Gianluca, Fioriti, Simona, Brescini, Lucia, Di Stefano, Antonio, Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca, Marinelli , Lisa, Cacciatore, Ivana, Eusepi, Piera, Dimmito, Marilisa Pia, Di Rienzo, Annalisa, Reale, Marcella, Costantini, Erica, Borrego Sánchez, Ana, García-Villén, Fátima, Viseras, César, Morroni, Gianluca, Fioriti, Simona, Brescini, Lucia, and Di Stefano, Antonio

Abstract

Recently, mineral healing clays have gained much attention for wound-dressing applications. Here, we selected halloysite (HAL) clay as a biocompatible, non-toxic material that is useful as a drug delivery system to enhance the healing properties of water-soluble terpenoids 1-3 (T1-3). Terpenoids-loaded HAL clay (TH1-3) was prepared and characterized by adsorption equilibrium studies, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and release studies. The results reveal that T1-3 were adsorbed at the HAL surface with good efficiency. The prevalent mechanism of drug retention is due to the adsorption via electrostatic interactions between the cationic groups of the T1-3 and the HAL’s external surface. Release studies demonstrated that T3 was released in a higher percentage (>60%) compared to T1-2 (≈50%). Additionally, TH1-3 were assessed for their antimicrobial activity and capability to promote the re-epithelialization of scratched HaCat monolayers, through the time-kill test and the wound-healing assays, respectively. The results reveal that all the tested formulations were able to reduce the microbial growth after 1 h of incubation and that they ensured complete wound closure after 48 h. Furthermore, at the concentration of 1 µg/mL, TH3 exhibited 45% wound closure at 24 h, compared to TH1 (27%) and TH2 (30%), proving to be the best candidate in making the tissue-repair process easier and faster.

Published
2021

39. Serum microRNA Levels in Diabetes Mellitus

Author

Mastropasqua, Rodolfo, primary, D’Aloisio, Rossella, additional, Costantini, Erica, additional, Porreca, Annamaria, additional, Ferro, Giada, additional, Libertini, Daniele, additional, Reale, Marcella, additional, Di Nicola, Marta, additional, Viggiano, Pasquale, additional, Falconio, Gennaro, additional, and Toto, Lisa, additional

Published
2021
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41. Cholinergic Markers and Cytokines in OSA Patients

Author

Reale, Marcella, primary, Velluto, Lucia, additional, Di Nicola, Marta, additional, D’Angelo, Chiara, additional, Costantini, Erica, additional, Marchioni, Michele, additional, Cerroni, Gianluigi, additional, and Guarnieri, Biancamaria, additional

Published
2020
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45. Synthesis And Biological Evaluation Of Novel Analogues Of Gly-L-Pro-L-Glu (Gpe) As Neuroprotective Agents

Author

Marinelli, Lisa, Fornasari, Erika, Di Stefano, Antonio, Turkez, Hasan, Genovese, Salvatore, Epifano, Francesco, Di Biase, Giuseppe, Costantini, Erica, D'Angelo, Chiara, Reale, Marcella, and Cacciatore, Ivana

Abstract

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of novel pseudotripeptides (GPE 1-3) as potential candidates to counteract neuroinflammation processes in Alzheimer's disease.

Published
2019

46. The Role of Immunosenescence in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Author

Costantini, Erica, D’Angelo, Chiara, and Reale, Marcella

Subjects
Article Subject
Abstract

Aging is characterized by the progressive decline of physiological function and tissue homeostasis leading to increased vulnerability, degeneration, and death. Aging-related changes of the innate and adaptive immune system include decline in the preservation and enhancement of many immune functions, such as changes in the number of circulating monocytic and dendritic cells, thymic involution, T cell polyfunctionality, or production of proinflammatory cytokines, and are defined as immunosenescence. Inflammatory functions are increased with age, causing the chronic low-grade inflammation, referred to as inflamm-aging, that contribute, together with immunosenescence, to neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss the link between the immune and nervous systems and how the immunosenescence and inflamm-aging can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.

Published
2018
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