Biology subjects

Bernardini, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Bernardini, S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

Pleiotropic effect of Lactoferrin in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection: in vivo, in silico and in vitro preliminary evidences

Lactoferrin, a multifunctional cationic glycoprotein, secreted by exocrine glands and neutrophils, possesses an antiviral activity extendable to SARS-CoV-2. We performed in vitro assays proving lactoferrin antiviral activity through direct attachment to both virus and cell surface components. This activity varied according to concentration (100/500g/ml), multiplicity of infection (0.1/0.01) and cell type (Vero E6/Caco-2 cells). Interestingly, the in silico results strongly supported the hypothesis of a direct recognition between the lactoferrin and the Spike S glycoprotein, thus hindering the viral entry into the cells. Hence, we conducted a clinical trial to investigate effect and tolerability of a liposomal lactoferrin formulation as a supplementary nutraceutical agent in mild-to-moderate and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. A total of 92 mild-to-moderate (67/92) and asymptomatic (25/92) COVID-19 patients were recruited and divided in 3 groups according to the administered regimen. Thirty-two patients, 14 hospitalised and 18 in home-based insolation received oral and intranasal liposomal bovine lactoferrin (bLf), 32 hospitalised patients were treated with standard of care treatment (hydroxychloroquine, azitromicin and lopinavir/darunavir), and 28, in home-based isolation, did not take any medication. Furthermore, 32 COVID-19 negative, not-treated, healthy subjects were added as a control group for ancillary analysis. bLf-supplemented COVID-19 patients obtained an earlier and significant (p < 0,0001.) median rRT-PCR SARS-COV-2 RNA negative conversion than standard of care-treated and non-treated COVID-19 patients (14.25 vs 27.13 vs 32.61 days, respectively). In addition, bLf-supplemented COVID-19 patients showed significant fast clinical symptoms recovery than standard of care-treated and non-treated COVID-19 patients. Moreover, in bLf-supplemented patients, a significant decrease of either serum ferritin or IL-6 levels or host iron overload, all parameters characterizing inflammatory processes, were observed. Serum D-dimers was also found significantly decreased following bLf supplement. No adverse events were reported. These in vitro and in vivo observations led us to speculate a potential and safe supplementary role of Blf in the management of mild-to-moderate and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Biofabricating murine and human myo-substitutes for rapid volumetric muscle loss restoration

The importance of skeletal muscle tissue is undoubted being the controller of several vital functions including respiration and all voluntary locomotion activities. However, its regenerative capability is limited and significant tissue loss often leads to a chronic pathologic condition known as volumetric muscle loss. Here, we propose a biofabrication approach to rapidly restore skeletal muscle mass, 3D histoarchitecture and functionality. By recapitulating muscle anisotropic organization at the microscale level, we demonstrate to efficiently guide cell differentiation and myobundle formation both in vitro and in vivo. Of note, upon implantation, the biofabricated myo-substitutes support the formation of new blood vessels and neuromuscular junctions - pivotal aspects for cell survival and muscle contractile functionalities - together with an advanced along with muscle mass and force recovery. Together, these data represent a solid base for further testing the myo-substitutes in large animal size and a promising platform to be eventually translated into clinical scenarios.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2020

Skeletal muscle-derived Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells: influence of different culture conditions on proliferative and myogenic capabilities

Skeletal muscle tissue is characterized by restrained self-regenerative capabilities, being ineffective in relation to trauma extension both in time span (e.g. chronic diseases) and in size (e.g. large trauma). For these reasons, tissue engineering and/or cellular therapies represent a valuable solution in the cases where the physiological healing process failed. Satellite cells, the putative skeletal muscle stem cells, have been the first solution explored to remedy the insufficient self-regeneration capacity. Nevertheless, some limitation related to donor age, muscle condition, expansion hitch and myogenic potentiality maintenance have limited their use as therapeutic tool. To overcome this hindrance, different stem cells population with myogenic capabilities have been investigated to evaluate their real potentiality for therapeutic approaches, but, as of today, the perfect cell candidate has not been identified yet. In this work, we analyze the characteristics of skeletal muscle-derived human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs), showing the maintenance/increment of myogenic activity upon differential culture conditions. In particular, we investigate the influence of a commercial enriched growth medium (Cyto-Grow), and of a medium enriched with either human-derived serum (H.S.) or Platelet-rich Plasma (PrP), in order to set up a culture protocol useful for employing this cell population in clinical therapeutic strategies. The presented results reveal the remarkable effects of H.S. in the enhancement of hMSC proliferation and myogenic differentiation.

cell biology↗