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Ronchi, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Ronchi, C..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

LOX inhibition disrupts a collagen-integrin-MYC axis as a translatable targeting strategy in invasive lobular carcinoma

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) accounts for 15% of breast cancers yet lacks specific therapy because ILCs are underrepresented in clinical trials and preclinical models are lacking. We established intraductal xenograft models to test whether the clinical pan-lysyl-oxidase PXS-5505, now in phase trials for myelofibrosis can exploit the collagen-rich matrix dependency created by CDH1 loss. PXS-5505 remodels fibrillar collagen, and halts tumor expansion and metastatic seeding across ER+ and triple negative models without systemic toxicity. Genome-wide CRISPR screens reveal ITGAV and ITGB5 as synthetic lethal partners of CDH1 and LOX inhibition downregulates their expression together with MYC, NF-{kappa}B, and AP-1 transcriptional programmes. Collagen fibre density/alignment, and MYC/AP-1 gene signatures serve as pharmacodynamic readouts of drug activity. These data uncover a tractable ECM-integrin-MYC axis in ILC and nominate PXS-5505, alone or with endocrine therapy, for window of opportunity trials in this understudied breast cancer subtype. One Sentence SummaryTargeting matrix remodelling in ILC inhibits ILC progression and alters multiple molecular endpoints, providing a translatable therapeutic strategy for this understudied subtype that requires better treatments.

cancer biology↗

RvD1 and LXA4 inhibitory effects on cardiac voltage-gated potassium channels

AimsThe resolution of inflammation is modulated by specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs), which can be modified in some cardiovascular diseases. Among them, RvD1 and LXA4 prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) remodeling in the atria and cardiac hypertrophy, respectively in animal models. However, little is known about their electrophysiological effects on cardiac voltage-gated (VG) ion channels. Methods and resultsWe used the patch-clamp technique in heterologous systems and cardiomyocytes to assess the acute effect of RvD1, and LXA4, on VG potassium currents. In silico simulations were used to predict the effect of current modulation on the atrial and ventricular action potentials (AP). RvD1 and LXA4 reduced IKs (channel KV7.1/KCNE1) in COS-7 cells and guinea-pig cardiomyocytes without modifying its voltage dependence; RvD1 was more potent than LXA4. In heterologous systems, RvD1 was also tested on IKur (channel KV1.5), Ito (channel KV4.3/KChIP2), IKr (channel KV11.1), and IK1 (channel Kir2.1) with the largest inhibitory effect on IKs and IKr. In simulations RvD1 prolonged repolarization significantly in both atrial and ventricular myocytes. ConclusionThe results provide a comprehensive evaluation of RvD1 and LXA4 on cardiac human potassium channels, at pathophysiological relevant concentrations, being RvD1 more potent than LXA4. The predicted effects on the action potential suggest that, along with their antiinflammatory action, RvD1 may reverse AF-induced electrical remodeling in the atria by direct modulation of K+ currents. The same action might instead contribute to ventricular functional remodeling; however, direct evidence for this is missing.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

Batch Action PoTential Analyser (BAPTA): an open source tool for automated high throughput analysis of cardiac action potentials

The cardiac action potential (AP) is a key species-specific feature of cardiomyocytes that occurs in response to coordinated actions of ion channels. It represents the first step of the cardiac excitation-contraction coupling and it is crucial for cardiomyocyte (CM) physiology. Changes in the cardiac AP may primarily occur as a consequence of diseases or as a direct or unwanted response to drugs. Our ability to quantify these changes defines the reliability of our measurements and its throughput. Cardiac AP parameters are often quantified through manual time-consuming data analysis protocols or custom-made and proprietary data analysis pipelines; to the best of our knowledge, no tools are currently available for automated cardiac AP analysis and AP parameter quantification. Here we introduce a free and open source software tool named Batch Action PoTential Analyser (BAPTA), written in the R language, designed to i) overcome the inherent operator-dependent bias on trace selection affecting reproducibility, ii) vastly improve the throughput of the analyses of large datasets and iii) analyse both spontaneous and triggered APs from CMs of multiple species and origin. We present here four use-cases in which BAPTA can be used at high throughput to investigate the effects of: 1) a disease (cardiomyopathy) on rat CMs, 2) drugs on mouse pacemaker cells, 3) rate-dependency of AP duration in guinea pig CMs and 4) metabolic electrophysiological maturation in human stem-cell-derived CMs. Overall, BAPTA consistently provides faster, more reproducible and scalable readouts which excellently correlate with manual analyses performed by experienced electrophysiologists.

physiology↗

Optical modulation of excitation-contraction coupling in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

Non-genetic photostimulation is a novel and rapidly growing multidisciplinary field of research that aims to induce light sensitivity in living systems by exploiting exogeneous phototransducers. Here we propose a recently synthetized intramembrane photoswitch, based on an azobenzene derivative (Ziapin2), for optical pacing of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). The light-mediated stimulation process has been studied by applying several characterization techniques to detect the effect on the cell properties. In particular, we recorded changes in membrane capacitance, in membrane potential (Vm), and modulation of intracellular Ca2+ dynamics. Finally, cell contractility was analyzed using a custom MATLAB algorithm. Photostimulation of intramembrane Ziapin2 causes a transient Vm hyperpolarization followed by a delayed depolarization and action potential firing. The observed initial electrical modulation nicely correlates with changes in Ca2+ dynamics and contraction rate. This work represents the proof of principle that Ziapin2 can modulate electrical activity and contractility in hiPSC-CMs, opening up a future development in cardiac physiology.

bioengineering↗

Cell Atlas at Single-Nuclei Resolution of the Adult Human Adrenal Gland and Adrenocortical Adenomas

The human adrenal gland is a complex endocrine tissue. Developmental studies on this tissue have been limited to animal models or human foetus. Here, we present a cell atlas analysis of the adult human normal adrenal gland, combining single-nuclei RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptome data to reconstruct adrenal gland development and tumourigenesis. We identified two populations of potential progenitor cells resident within the adrenal cortex: adrenocortical progenitors NR2F2+-ID1+ cells, located within and underneath the capsule, and medullary progenitors SYT1+-CHGA- cells, located in islets in the subcapsular region. Using pseudotime analyses, we provided evidence of the centripetal nature of adrenocortical cell development and of the essential role played by the Wnt/{beta}-catenin pathway in the adrenocortical self-renewal. By comparing transcriptional profiles of cells of normal adrenal glands and adrenocortical adenomas we revealed a high heterogeneity with six adenoma-specific clusters. Overall, our results give insights into adrenal plasticity and mechanisms underlying adrenocortical tumourigenesis.

physiology↗

Istaroxime metabolite PST3093 selectively stimulates SERCA2a and reverses disease-induced changes in cardiac function

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) therapeutic toolkit would strongly benefit from the availability of ino-lusitropic agents with a favorable pharmacodynamics and safety profile. Istaroxime is a promising agent, which combines Na+/K+ pump inhibition with SERCA2a stimulation; however, it has a very short half-life and extensive metabolism to a molecule, named PST3093. The present work aims to investigate whether PST3093, still retains the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of its parent compound. MethodsWe studied PST3093 for its effects on SERCA2a and Na+/K+ ATPase activities, Ca2+ dynamics in isolated myocytes and hemodynamic effects in an in-vivo rat model of diabetic (streptozotocin (STZ)-induced) cardiomyopathy. ResultsIstaroxime infusion in HF patients led to accumulation of PST3093 in the plasma; clearance was substantially slower for PST3093 than for istaroxime. In cardiac rat preparations PST3093 did not inhibit the Na+/K+ ATPase activity, but retained SERCA2a stimulatory activity. In in-vivo echocardiographic assessment, PST3093 improved overall cardiac performance and reversed most STZ-induced abnormalities. PST3093 i.v. toxicity was considerably lower than that of istaroxime and it failed to significantly interact with 50 off-targets. ConclusionsOverall, PST3093 is a "selective" SERCA2a activator, the prototype of a novel pharmacodynamic category with a potential in the ino-lusitropic approach to HF with prevailing diastolic dysfunction. Its pharmacodynamics are peculiar and its pharmacokinetics are suitable to prolong the cardiac beneficial effect of istaroxime infusion. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=137 SRC="FIGDIR/small/455204v3_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (34K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@bc9220org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d7a6eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1510c71org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7f037_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

pharmacology and toxicology↗