Anti-Apoptotic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Grapefruit IntegroPectin on Human Microglial HMC3 Cell Line Miriana Scordino, Giulia Urone, Monica Frinchi, Chiara Valenza, Angela Bonura, et al. Cells, 2024 In this study, we investigated the beneficial effects of grapefruit IntegroPectin, derived from industrial waste grapefruit peels via hydrodynamic cavitation, on microglia cells exposed to oxidative stress conditions. Grapefruit IntegroPectin fully counteracted cell death and the apoptotic process induced by cell exposure to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH), a powerful hydroperoxide. The protective effects of the grapefruit IntegroPectin were accompanied with a decrease in the amount of ROS, and were strictly dependent on the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt cascade. Finally, IntegroPectin treatment inhibited the neuroinflammatory response and the basal microglia activation by down-regulating the PI3K- nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB)- inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) cascade. These data strongly support further investigations aimed at exploring IntegroPectin’s therapeutic role in in vivo models of neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by a combination of chronic neurodegeneration, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
CNPY2 protects against ER stress and is expressed by corticostriatal neurons together with CTIP2 in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease Miriana Scordino, Polina Stepanova, Vignesh Srinivasan, Dan Duc Pham, Ove Eriksson, et al. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 2024 Canopy Homolog 2 (CNPY2) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) localized protein belonging to the CNPY gene family. We show here that CNPY2 is protective against ER stress induced by tunicamycin in neuronal cells. Overexpression of CNPY2 enhanced, while downregulation of CNPY2 using shRNA expression, reduced the viability of neuroblastoma cells after tunicamycin. Likewise, recombinant CNPY2 increased survival of cortical neurons in culture after ER stress. CNPY2 reduced the activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) branch of ER stress and decreased the expression of CCAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein Homologous Protein (CHOP) involved in cell death. Immunostaining using mouse brain sections revealed that CNPY2 is expressed by cortical and striatal neurons and is co-expressed with the transcription factor, COUPTF-interacting protein 2 (CTIP2). In transgenic N171-82Q mice, as a model for Huntington’s disease (HD), the number of CNPY2-immunopositive neurons was increased in the cortex together with CTIP2. In the striatum, however, the number of CNPY2 decreased at 19 weeks of age, representing a late-stage of pathology. Striatal cells in culture were shown to be more susceptible to ER stress after downregulation of CNPY2. These results demonstrate that CNPY2 is expressed by corticostriatal neurons involved in the regulation of movement. CNPY2 enhances neuronal survival by reducing ER stress and is a promising factor to consider in HD and possibly in other brain diseases.
Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Role of Oxotremorine-M, a Non-selective Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors Agonist, in a Cellular Model of Alzheimer Disease Domenico Nuzzo, Monica Frinchi, Costanza Giardina, Miriana Scordino, Mariachiara Zuccarini, et al. Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 2023 Alzheimer disease (AD) is a multifactorial and age-dependent neurodegenerative disorder, whose pathogenesis, classically associated with the formation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, is also dependent on oxidative stress and neuroinflammation chronicization. Currently, the standard symptomatic therapy, based on acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, showed a limited therapeutic potential, whereas disease-modifying treatment strategies are still under extensive research. Previous studies have demonstrated that Oxotremorine-M (Oxo), a non-selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptors agonist, exerts neurotrophic functions in primary neurons, and modulates oxidative stress and neuroinflammation phenomena in rat brain. In the light of these findings, in this study, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Oxo treatment in an in vitro model of AD, represented by differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to Aβ1-42 peptide. The results demonstrated that Oxo treatment enhances cell survival, increases neurite length, and counteracts DNA fragmentation induced by Aβ1-42 peptide. The same treatment was also able to block oxidative stress and mitochondria morphological/functional impairment associated with Aβ1-42 cell exposure. Overall, these results suggest that Oxo, by modulating cholinergic neurotransmission, survival, oxidative stress response, and mitochondria functionality, may represent a novel multi-target drug able to achieve a therapeutic synergy in AD. Graphical Abstract Illustration of the main pathological hallmarks and mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis, including neurodegeneration and oxidative stress, efficiently counteracted by treatment with Oxo, which may represent a promising therapeutic molecule. Created with BioRender.com under academic license.
Manipulation of HSP70-SOD1 Expression Modulates SH-SY5Y Differentiation and Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress-Dependent Cell Damage: Involvement in Oxotremorine-M-Mediated Neuroprotective Effects Miriana Scordino, Monica Frinchi, Giulia Urone, Domenico Nuzzo, Giuseppa Mudò, et al. Antioxidants, 2023 The differentiation of neural progenitors is a complex process that integrates different signals to drive transcriptional changes, which mediate metabolic, electrophysiological, and morphological cellular specializations. Understanding these adjustments is essential within the framework of stem cell and cancer research and therapy. Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, widely used in neurobiology research, can be differentiated into neuronal-like cells through serum deprivation and retinoic acid (RA) supplementation. In our study, we observed that the differentiation process triggers the expression of Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70). Notably, inhibition of HSP70 expression by KNK437 causes a dramatic increase in cell death. While undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells show a dose-dependent decrease in cell survival following exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), differentiated cells become resistant to H2O2-induced cell death. Interestingly, the differentiation process enhances the expression of SOD1 protein, and inhibition of HSP70 expression counteracts this effect and increases the susceptibility of differentiated cells to H2O2-induced cell death, suggesting that the cascade HSP70-SOD1 is involved in promoting survival against oxidative stress-dependent damage. Treatment of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells with Oxotremorine-M (Oxo), a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, enhances the expression of HSP70 and SOD1 and counteracts tert–Butyl hydroperoxide-induced cell death and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. It is worth noting that co-treatment with KNK437 reduces SOD1 expression and Oxo-induced protection against oxidative stress damage, suggesting the involvement of HSP70/SOD1 signaling in this beneficial effect. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that manipulation of the HSP70 signal modulates SH-SY5Y differentiation and susceptibility to oxidative stress-dependent cell death and unravels novel mechanisms involved in Oxo neuroprotective functions. Altogether these data provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying neuronal differentiation and preservation under stress conditions.
Downregulation of the Astroglial Connexin Expression and Neurodegeneration after Pilocarpine-Induced Status Epilepticus Anna Andrioli, Paolo Francesco Fabene, Giuseppa Mudò, Vincenza Barresi, Valentina Di Liberto, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023 Astrocytic networks and gap junctional communication mediated by connexins (Cxs) have been repeatedly implicated in seizures, epileptogenesis, and epilepsy. However, the effect of seizures on Cx expression is controversial. The present study focused on the response of Cxs to status epilepticus (SE), which is in turn an epileptogenic insult. The expression of neuronal Cx36 and astrocytic Cx30 and Cx43 mRNAs was investigated in the brain of rats in the first day after pilocarpine-induced SE. In situ hybridization revealed a progressive decrease in Cx43 and Cx30 mRNA levels, significantly marked 24 h after SE onset in neocortical areas and the hippocampus, and in most thalamic domains, whereas Cx36 mRNA did not exhibit obvious changes. Regional evaluation with quantitative real-time-RT-PCR confirmed Cx43 and Cx30 mRNA downregulation 24 h after SE, when ongoing neuronal cell death was found in the same brain regions. Immunolabeling showed at the same time point marked a decrease in Cx43, microglia activation, and interleukin-1β induction in some microglial cells. The data showed a transient downregulation of astroglial Cxs in the cortical and thalamic areas in which SE triggers neurodegenerative events in concomitance with microglia activation and cytokine expression. This could potentially represent a protective response of neuroglial networks to SE-induced acute damage.
A Tetrahydro-isoquinoline derivative as a novel mGlu2/3 Ago/PAM with therapeutic potential in models of Parkinsonism G Urone, M Scordino, M Frinchi, A Montalbano, M Barreca, P Barraja, ... CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY , 2026 2026
CNPY2 protects against ER stress and is expressed by corticostriatal neurons together with CTIP2 in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease M Scordino, P Stepanova, V Srinivasan, DD Pham, O Eriksson, ... Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 17, 1473058 , 2024 2024 Citations: 5
The remarkable impact of Opuntia Ficus Indica fruit administration on metabolic syndrome: Correlations between cognitive functions, oxidative stress and lipid dysmetabolism in … D Di Majo, N Ricciardi, V Di Liberto, M Allegra, M Frinchi, G Urone, ... Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 177, 117028 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
The stunting effect of an oxylipins-containing macroalgae extract on sea urchin reproduction and neuroblastoma cells viability C Martino, R Badalamenti, M Frinchi, R Chiarelli, AP Piccionello, G Urone, ... Chemosphere 359, 142278 , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
An upstream enhancer and MEF2 transcription factors fine-tune the regulation of the Bdnf gene in cortical and hippocampal neurons A Avarlaid, K Falkenberg, K Lehe, G Mudò, N Belluardo, V Di Liberto, ... Journal of Biological Chemistry 300 (6), 107411 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties of grapefruit IntegroPectin on human microglial HMC3 cell line M Scordino, G Urone, M Frinchi, C Valenza, A Bonura, C Cipollina, ... Cells 13 (4), 355 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
Selective metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 positive allosteric modulator as new potential therapeutic agent in experimental models of parkinsonism: first in vitro and in vivo … M Frinchi, G Urone, M Scordino, G Savona, A Montalbano, M Barreca, ... 1° Congresso C4Neuro: Le neuroscienze del domani , 2024 2024
Impact of “Golden” tomato juice on cognitive alterations in metabolic syndrome: Insights into behavioural and biochemical changes in a high-fat diet rat model G Gambino, M Frinchi, G Giglia, M Scordino, G Urone, G Ferraro, G Mudo, ... Journal of Functional Foods 112, 105964 , 2024 2024 Citations: 5
Retraction Note: Modulation of the TGF-β1-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) mediated by P1 and P2 purine receptors in MDCK cells M Zuccarini, P Giuliani, S Buccella, V Di Liberto, G Mudò, N Belluardo, ... Purinergic Signalling 19 (4), 711 , 2023 2023
Neuroprotective and antioxidant role of oxotremorine-M, a non-selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptors agonist, in a cellular model of Alzheimer disease D Nuzzo, M Frinchi, C Giardina, M Scordino, M Zuccarini, C De Simone, ... Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology 43 (5), 1941-1956 , 2023 2023 Citations: 16
Manipulation of HSP70-SOD1 expression modulates SH-SY5Y differentiation and susceptibility to oxidative stress-dependent cell damage: involvement in oxotremorine-M-mediated … M Scordino, M Frinchi, G Urone, D Nuzzo, G Mudò, V Di Liberto Antioxidants 12 (3), 687 , 2023 2023 Citations: 10
Downregulation of the astroglial connexin expression and neurodegeneration after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus A Andrioli, PF Fabene, G Mudò, V Barresi, V Di Liberto, M Frinchi, ... International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24 (1), 23 , 2022 2022 Citations: 8
Role of bioactive molecules on neuroprotection, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation modulation V Di Liberto, G Mudò International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23 (24), 15925 , 2022 2022 Citations: 4
Guanosine modulates K+ membrane currents in SH-SY5Y cells: involvement of adenosine receptors G Gambino, G Giglia, D Gallo, M Scordino, C Giardina, M Zuccarini, ... Pflügers Archiv-European Journal of Physiology 474 (11), 1133-1145 , 2022 2022 Citations: 3
Guanine inhibits the growth of human glioma and melanoma cell lines by interacting with GPR23 R Garozzo, M Zuccarini, P Giuliani, V Di Liberto, G Mudò, F Caciagli, ... Frontiers in pharmacology 13, 970891 , 2022 2022 Citations: 10
Bidirectional control between cholesterol shuttle and purine signal at the central nervous system D Passarella, M Ronci, V Di Liberto, M Zuccarini, G Mudò, C Porcile, ... International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23 (15), 8683 , 2022 2022 Citations: 9
Adipose stromal/stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles: potential next-generation anti-obesity agents M Zuccarini, P Giuliani, V Di Liberto, M Frinchi, F Caciagli, V Caruso, ... International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23 (3), 1543 , 2022 2022 Citations: 6
Protective, antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of grapefruit IntegroPectin on SH-SY5Y cells D Nuzzo, M Scordino, A Scurria, C Giardina, F Giordano, F Meneguzzo, ... International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22 (17), 9368 , 2021 2021 Citations: 31
Serotonin heteroreceptor complexes and their integration of signals in neurons and Astroglia—relevance for mental diseases DO Borroto-Escuela, P Ambrogini, M Narvaez, V Di Liberto, S Beggiato, ... Cells 10 (8), 1902 , 2021 2021 Citations: 30
Neuroprotective, antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of grapefruit IntegroPectin on SH-SY5Y cells D Nuzzo, M Scordino, A Scurria, C Giardina, F Giordano, F Meneguzzo, ... bioRxiv, 2021.07. 21.453202 , 2021 2021
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibition protects against excitotoxic neuronal injury in the rat brain AL Sokka, N Putkonen, G Mudo, E Pryazhnikov, S Reijonen, L Khiroug, ... Journal of Neuroscience 27 (4), 901-908 , 2007 2007 Citations: 385
Transgenic expression and activation of PGC-1α protect dopaminergic neurons in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson’s disease G Mudo, J Mäkelä, VD Liberto, TV Tselykh, M Olivieri, P Piepponen, ... Cellular and molecular life sciences 69 (7), 1153-1165 , 2012 2012 Citations: 368
Expression of connexin36 in the adult and developing rat brain N Belluardo, G Mudò, A Trovato-Salinaro, S Le Gurun, A Charollais, ... Brain research 865 (1), 121-138 , 2000 2000 Citations: 344
Expression of Cx36 in mammalian neurons DF Condorelli, N Belluardo, A Trovato-Salinaro, G Mudò Brain Research Reviews 32 (1), 72-85 , 2000 2000 Citations: 328
Central nicotinic receptors, neurotrophic factors and neuroprotection N Belluardo, G Mudò, M Blum, K Fuxe Behavioural brain research 113 (1-2), 21-34 , 2000 2000 Citations: 245
The FGF-2/FGFRs neurotrophic system promotes neurogenesis in the adult brain G Mudò, A Bonomo, V Di Liberto, M Frinchi, K Fuxe, N Belluardo Journal of neural transmission 116 (8), 995-1005 , 2009 2009 Citations: 222
Comparative localization of fibroblast growth factor receptor‐1,‐2, and‐3 mRNAs in the rat brain: in situ hybridization analysis N Belluardo, G Wu, G Mudo, AC Hansson, R Pettersson, K Fuxe Journal of Comparative Neurology 379 (2), 226-246 , 1997 1997 Citations: 162
Cellular expression of connexins in the rat brain: neuronal localization, effects of kainate‐induced seizures and expression in apoptotic neuronal cells DF Condorelli, A Trovato‐Salinaro, G Mudò, MB Mirone, N Belluardo European Journal of Neuroscience 18 (7), 1807-1827 , 2003 2003 Citations: 158
Expression of neurotrophins and their receptors in primary astroglial cultures: induction by cyclic AMP‐elevating agents DF Condorelli, P Dell'Albani, G Mudo, T Timmusk, N Belluardo Journal of neurochemistry 63 (2), 509-516 , 1994 1994 Citations: 153
Structure, chromosomal localization, and brain expression of human Cx36 gene N Belluardo, A Trovato‐Salinaro, G Mudo, YL Hurd, DF Condorelli Journal of neuroscience research 57 (5), 740-752 , 1999 1999 Citations: 150
Neuromuscular junction disassembly and muscle fatigue in mice lacking neurotrophin-4 N Belluardo, H Westerblad, G Mudó, A Casabona, J Bruton, G Caniglia, ... Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 18 (1), 56-67 , 2001 2001 Citations: 147
Nicotinic receptor agonists as neuroprotective/neurotrophic drugs. Progress in molecular mechanisms G Mudo, N Belluardo, K Fuxe Journal of neural transmission 114 (1), 135-147 , 2007 2007 Citations: 145
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1–5-hydroxytryptamine 1A heteroreceptor complexes and their enhancement of hippocampal plasticity DO Borroto-Escuela, W Romero-Fernandez, G Mudó, M Pérez-Alea, ... Biological psychiatry 71 (1), 84-91 , 2012 2012 Citations: 144
Transplantation of prodrug-converting neural progenitor cells for brain tumor therapy V Barresi, N Belluardo, S Sipione, G Mudó, E Cattaneo, DF Condorelli Cancer gene therapy 10 (5), 396-402 , 2003 2003 Citations: 136
Current disease modifying approaches to treat Parkinson’s disease D Lindholm, J Mäkelä, V Di Liberto, G Mudo, N Belluardo, O Eriksson, ... Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 73 (7), 1365-1379 , 2016 2016 Citations: 128
Fibroblast growth factor-21 enhances mitochondrial functions and increases the activity of PGC-1α in human dopaminergic neurons via Sirtuin-1 J Mäkelä, TV Tselykh, F Maiorana, O Eriksson, HT Do, G Mudò, ... Springerplus 3 (1), 2 , 2014 2014 Citations: 124
Change in neurotrophins and their receptor mRNAs in the rat forebrain after status epilepticus induced by pilocarpine G Mudò, XH Jiang, T Timmusk, M Bindoni, N Belluardo Epilepsia 37 (2), 198-207 , 1996 1996 Citations: 110
Acute intermittent nicotine treatment induces fibroblast growth factor-2 in the subventricular zone of the adult rat brain and enhances neuronal precursor cell proliferation G Mudo, N Belluardo, A Mauro, K Fuxe Neuroscience 145 (2), 470-483 , 2007 2007 Citations: 106
Acute intermittent nicotine treatment produces regional increases of basic fibroblast growth factor messenger RNA and protein in the tel-and diencephalon of the rat N Belluardo, M Blum, G Mudo, B Andbjer, K Fuxe Neuroscience 83 (3), 723-740 , 1998 1998 Citations: 106
Neurotrophins and their trk receptors in cultured cells of the glial lineage and in white matter of the central nervous system DF Condorelli, T Salin, P Dell’Albani, G Mudò, M Corsaro, T Timmusk, ... Journal of Molecular Neuroscience 6 (4), 237-248 , 1995 1995 Citations: 102