Biology subjects

Cruciani, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Cruciani, G..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Plasma oxytocin measured by LC-MS/MS varies with life stage, sex, and obesity in mice

ObjectiveOxytocin (Oxt) assessment in plasma is challenging, and available data are contradictory. We aimed to assess circulating Oxt in mice by a validated nano-liquid chromatography/mass-spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS) protocol, combined with Oxt hypothalamic expression in different sex, life stages, and in diet-induced obesity. MethodsWe assessed plasma Oxt by nLC-MS/MS, Oxt hypothalamic expression by qPCR, and Oxt-immunoreactive neuron and fiber densities by immunohistochemistry and morphometric analyses in C57BL/6 mice at 21 and 60 days of life (p21 and p60, respectively). Mice in normo-fed condition and following 12 weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) were studied alongside food intake and hypothalamic expression of its regulators. ResultsCirculating Oxt does not vary based on sex at p21 and p60 but increases with aging. While hypothalamic Oxt mRNA expression followed the same trend across both sexes, Oxt neuron and fiber densities exhibited a similar trend only in females. Plasma vasopressin (Avp) followed Oxt trend in females but was opposite in males and was not mirrored by Avp mRNA hypothalamic expression. HFD-fed females were more resistant to weight gain compared to males and displayed higher Oxt plasma levels and hypothalamic expression. Sex dimorphism in food intake and hypothalamic expression of Avp and of key anorexigenic and orexigenic neuropeptides was detected. ConclusionsOxt plasma levels are higher in adulthood compared to weaning in mice of both sexes who displayed similar concentrations. Oxt plasma levels are mirrored by Oxt hypothalamic expression. In obesity, females display a lower increase in body weight but higher Oxt plasma levels than males. SignificanceThis study delineates the pattern of Oxt plasma levels across various age, sex and in obesity in mice. We overcome some limitations of previous research, which were often confounded by numerous factors, by reliably measuring circulating Oxt and integrating this with parallel analyses of Oxt gene expression, and Oxt neuron and immunoreactive fiber densities. Critically, this is among the few studies to employ LC-MS/MS specifically in mice. This novel, integrated perspective is relevant given the compelling evidence for Oxts role as an anti-obesity agent and its potential as a therapeutic target. A precise understanding of Oxt regulation in different conditions, backed by reliable methodologies, is indispensable for the rational development of effective treatments for obesity and related endocrine diseases.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

DJ-1 mediates regulation of metabolism and immune response in Parkinsons disease astrocytes and Glioblastoma cells

An inverse correlation for the expression of Parkinsons disease (PD)- and cancer-associated genes has been previously reported. Genes that are upregulated in cancer are frequently downregulated in PD and vice versa. PARK7, encoding DJ-1, was initially identified as an oncogene, but loss of DJ-1 causes early-onset PD. However, it remains elusive how differential DJ-1 levels contribute to opposite cell fates in cancer and PD. Here, we demonstrate specific effects of differential DJ-1 protein levels on the energy metabolism and cell growth in patient-derived cellular models of PD and glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines. Impaired energy metabolism was associated with an increased immune response upon IL-1{beta} stimulation and increased apoptosis and decreased cell growth in models of PD, whereas in GBM cells increased metabolic activity translated into a reduced immune response and increased cell growth. Furthermore, we found decreased glutathione (GSH) synthesis and therefore increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in models of DJ-1 deficiency and decreased ROS levels in GBM cell lines. Thus, the mechanism by which DJ-1 modulates these phenotypes is the same in both diseases. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=84 SRC="FIGDIR/small/621212v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (38K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@4eccb4org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@161669corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@197bfc3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1aecb36_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG DJ-1 levels modulate GSSG/GSH ratio and ROS levels, which results in divergent effects on cell growth and immune response in DJ-1-dependent glial pathologies in glioblastoma and PD. In models of PD, DJ-1 level dependent phenotypes can be rescued by antioxidant treatment that reduces the GSSG/GSH ratio and ROS levels.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Gene-corrected Parkinson's disease neurons show the A30P alpha-synuclein point mutation leads to reduced neuronal branching and function

Parkinsons disease is characterised by the degeneration of A9 dopaminergic neurons and the pathological accumulation of alpha-synuclein. In a patient-derived stem cell model, we have generated dopaminergic neurons from an individual harbouring the p.A30P SNCA mutation and compared those neurons against gene-corrected isogenic control cell lines. We have used confocal microscopy to assess the neuronal network, specifically segmenting dopaminergic neurons and have identified image-based phenotypes showing axonal impairment and reduced neurite branching. We show using multi-electrode array (MEA) technology that the neurons carrying the endogenous p.A30P alpha-synuclein mutation are functionally impaired and identified mitochondrial dysfunction as a pathogenic cellular phenotype. We report that against gene-corrected isogenic control cell lines the neurons carrying the p.A30P SNCA mutation have a deficit and are susceptible to the mitochondrial toxin and environmental pesticide Rotenone. Our data supports the use of isogenic cell lines in identifying image-based pathological phenotypes that can serve as an entry point for future disease modifying compound screenings and drug discovery strategies.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2019

Parkinson’s disease phenotypes in patient specific brain organoids are improved by HP-β-CD treatment

The etiology of Parkinsons disease (PD) is only partially understood despite the fact that environmental causes, risk factors, and specific gene mutations are contributors to the disease. Biallelic mutations in the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) gene involved in mitochondrial homeostasis, vesicle trafficking, and autophagy, are sufficient to cause PD. By comparing PD patient-derived cells, we show differences in their energetic profile, imbalanced proliferation, apoptosis, mitophagy, and a reduced differentiation efficiency to dopaminergic neurons compared to control cells. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, correction of a patients point mutation ameliorated the metabolic properties and neuronal firing rates but without reversing the differentiation phenotype. However, treatment with 2-Hydroxypropyl-{beta}-Cyclodextrin (HP-{beta}-CD) increased the mitophagy capacity of neurons leading to an improved dopaminergic differentiation of patient specific neurons in midbrain organoids. In conclusion, we show that treatment with a repurposed compound is sufficient for restoring dopaminergic differentiation of PD patient-derived cells.

neuroscience↗