| 1. |
- Gervasoni, Jacopo, et al.
(författare)
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Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy of Skeletal Muscle Tissue : Expanding Biomarkers in Primary Mitochondrial Myopathies
- 2020
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Ingår i: Genes. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4425. ; 11:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Primary mitochondrial myopathies (PMM) are a group of mitochondrial disorders characterized by a predominant skeletal muscle involvement. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the biochemical profile determined by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic technique would allow to distinguish among patients affected by progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO), the most common PMM presentation, oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD), and healthy controls. Thirty-four participants were enrolled in the study. FTIR spectroscopy was found to be a sensitive and specific diagnostic marker for PEO. In particular, FTIR spectroscopy was able to distinguish PEO patients from those affected by OPMD, even in the presence of histological findings similar to mitochondrial myopathy. At the same time, FTIR spectroscopy differentiated single mtDNA deletion and mutations in POLG, the most common nuclear gene associated with mitochondrial diseases, with high sensitivity and specificity. In conclusion, our data suggest that FTIR spectroscopy is a valuable biodiagnostic tool for the differential diagnosis of PEO with a high ability to also distinguish between single mtDNA deletion and mutations in POLG gene based on specific metabolic transitions.
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| 2. |
- Picca, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Altered Expression of Mitoferrin and Frataxin, Larger Labile Iron Pool and Greater Mitochondrial DNA Damage in the Skeletal Muscle of Older Adults
- 2020
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Ingår i: Cells. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4409. ; 9:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mitochondrial dysfunction and iron (Fe) dyshomeostasis are invoked among the mechanisms contributing to muscle aging, possibly via a detrimental mitochondrial-iron feed-forward loop. We quantified the labile Fe pool, Fe isotopes, and the expression of mitochondrial Fe handling proteins in muscle biopsies obtained from young and older adults. The expression of key proteins of mitochondrial quality control (MQC) and the abundance of the mitochondrial DNA common deletion (mtDNA(4977)) were also assessed. An inverse association was found between total Fe and the heavier Fe isotope (Fe-56), indicating an increase in labile Fe abundance in cells with greater Fe content. The highest levels of labile Fe were detected in old participants with a Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score <= 7 (low-functioning, LF). Protein levels of mitoferrin and frataxin were, respectively, higher and lower in the LF group relative to young participants and older adults with SPPB scores >= 11 (high-functioning, HF). The mtDNA(4977) relative abundance was greater in old than in young participants, regardless of SPPB category. Higher protein levels of Pink1 were detected in LF participants compared with young and HF groups. Finally, the ratio between lipidated and non-lipidated microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (i.e., LC3B II/I), as well as p62 protein expression was lower in old participants regardless of SPPB scores. Our findings indicate that cellular and mitochondrial Fe homeostasis is perturbed in the aged muscle (especially in LF older adults), as reflected by altered levels of mitoferrin and frataxin, which, together with MQC derangements, might contribute to loss of mtDNA stability.
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| 3. |
- Picca, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Extracellular Vesicles and Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns : A Pandora's Box in Health and Disease
- 2020
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-3224. ; 11
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sterile inflammation develops as part of an innate immunity response to molecules released upon tissue injury and collectively indicated as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). While coordinating the clearance of potential harmful stimuli, promotion of tissue repair, and restoration of tissue homeostasis, a hyper-activation of such an inflammatory response may be detrimental. The complex regulatory pathways modulating DAMPs generation and trafficking are actively investigated for their potential to provide relevant insights into physiological and pathological conditions. Abnormal circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) stemming from altered endosomal-lysosomal system have also been reported in several age-related conditions, including cancer and neurodegeneration, and indicated as a promising route for therapeutic purposes. Along this pathway, mitochondria may dispose altered components to preserve organelle homeostasis. However, whether a common thread exists between DAMPs and EVs generation is yet to be clarified. A deeper understanding of the highly complex, dynamic, and variable intracellular and extracellular trafficking of DAMPs and EVs, including those of mitochondrial origin, is needed to unveil relevant pathogenic pathways and novel targets for drug development. Herein, we describe the mechanisms of generation of EVs and mitochondrial-derived vesicles along the endocytic pathway and discuss the involvement of the endosomal-lysosomal in cancer and neurodegeneration (i.e., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease).
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