Given the role of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) isozymes in the control of cell... more Given the role of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) isozymes in the control of cell growth and differentiation we were prompted to analyze the expression of some of these PLC in human bronchoalveolar carcinomaderived alveolar epithelial A549 cells. The effects of several fluoro-edenite fibers were compared with those of tremolite, a member of the calcic amphibole group of asbestos that originates from Calabria (Italy), and crocidolite, that, due to its high toxicity, is one of the most studied asbestos amphiboles. Our data show an increased expression of both PLC ß1 and PLC Á1 in A549 cells treated with asbestos-like fibers, hinting at a role of PLC signalling in those cancerous cells.
The rhinopharynx and the parapharyngeal space (PPS) are complex anatomical territories located be... more The rhinopharynx and the parapharyngeal space (PPS) are complex anatomical territories located beneath the skull base. Thorough knowledge of the complex anatomy of the PPS is essential in treatment of pathologies such as parapharyngeal abscesses. The roof of the PPS is overlooked in anatomy. It was hypothesized that the pneumatization pattern of the PPS roof is individually variable, as determined by the variable pneumatization patterns of the sphenoid and temporal bones. The study was aimed at assessing the anatomy of the PPS roof in CBCT. The present study was performed retrospectively on a group of 35 subjects (37.1% males) evaluated by CBCT for various dental procedures. The mean age of the group was 37.9 (SD: 14.2, range: 18 to 61). The major bony landmarks of the PPS roof were: the petrous apex with the carotid canal, the jugular foramen, the foramen lacerum, the sphenopetrosal fissure or suture, and the root of the pterygoid process. Variable patterns of pneumatization were determined by the petrous apex air cells and the pterygoalar recess of the sphenoidal sinus. As related to the individually pattern of pneumatization, the following types of the PPS roof were defined: (i) type 1 - not pneumatized PPS roof; (ii) type 2 - sphenoidal but not petrosal pneumatization of the PPS roof; (iii) type 3 - petrosal but not sphenoidal pneumatization of the PPS roof; (iv) type 4 - sphenoidal and petrosal pneumatizations of the PPS roof. Although on the left side the degree of pneumatization was higher than on the right side, no statistical differences were recorded (p > 0.05). The pattern of pneumatizations in the PPS roof should be assessed when PPS involvement in otitis or sinusitis is considered.
The present study focused on the isolation, cultivation and characterization of human mesenchymal... more The present study focused on the isolation, cultivation and characterization of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adipose tissue and on their differentiation into chondrocytes through the NH ChondroDiff medium. The main aim was to investigate some markers of biomechanical quality of cartilage, such as lubricin, and collagen type I and II. Little is known, in fact, about the ability of chondrocytes from human MSCs of adipose tissue to generate lubricin in three-dimensional (3D) culture. Lubricin, a 227.5-kDa mucinous glycoprotein, is known to play an important role in articular joint physiology, and the loss of accumulation of lubricin is thought to play a role in the pathology of osteoarthritis. Adipose tissue is an alternative source for the isolation of multipotent MSCs, which allows them to be obtained by a less invasive method and in larger quantities than from other sources. These cells can be isolated from cosmetic liposuctions in large numbers and easily grown under standard tissue culture conditions. 3D chondrocytes were assessed by histology (hematoxylin and eosin) and histochemistry (Alcian blue and Safranin-O/fast green staining). Collagen type I, II and lubricin expression was determined through immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The results showed that, compared with control cartilage and monolayer chondrocytes showing just collagen type I, chondrocytes from MSCs (CD44-, CD90-and CD105positive; CD45-, CD14-and CD34-negative) of adipose tissue grown in nodules were able to express lubricin, and collagen type I and II, indicative of hyaline cartilage formation. Based on the function of lubricin in the joint cavity and disease and as a potential therapeutic agent, our results suggest that MSCs from adipose tissue are a promising cell source for tissue engineering of cartilage. Our results suggest that chondrocyte nodules producing lubricin could be a novel biotherapeutic approach for the treatment of cartilage abnormalities.
Several asbestos-like mineral fibres, including fluoro-edenite, may cause lung cancer and/or othe... more Several asbestos-like mineral fibres, including fluoro-edenite, may cause lung cancer and/or other lung diseases. However, biological and molecular mechanisms linked to cancer development after mineral fibre exposure have not been fully investigated. In the present study, human non-malignant mesothelial (MeT-5A) and human bronchoalveolar alveolar epithelial (A549) cell lines were incubated with rising concentrations of fluoroedenite to evaluate the expression of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, which has been demonstrated to play an important role in cell cycle control and tumour progression. Intriguingly, these results show that Rb expression was unchanged, while the level of the phosphorylated protein increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting an involvement of this regulator protein in the pathogenesis of the lung diseases induced by mineral fibres. In conclusion, fluoro-edenite regulates the expression of phospho-retinoblastoma to trigger a network of signals strictly connected with cell proliferation and neoplastic cell transformation.
Given the role of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) isozymes in the control of cell... more Given the role of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) isozymes in the control of cell growth and differentiation we were prompted to analyze the expression of some of these PLC in human bronchoalveolar carcinomaderived alveolar epithelial A549 cells. The effects of several fluoro-edenite fibers were compared with those of tremolite, a member of the calcic amphibole group of asbestos that originates from Calabria (Italy), and crocidolite, that, due to its high toxicity, is one of the most studied asbestos amphiboles. Our data show an increased expression of both PLC ß1 and PLC Á1 in A549 cells treated with asbestos-like fibers, hinting at a role of PLC signalling in those cancerous cells.
The rhinopharynx and the parapharyngeal space (PPS) are complex anatomical territories located be... more The rhinopharynx and the parapharyngeal space (PPS) are complex anatomical territories located beneath the skull base. Thorough knowledge of the complex anatomy of the PPS is essential in treatment of pathologies such as parapharyngeal abscesses. The roof of the PPS is overlooked in anatomy. It was hypothesized that the pneumatization pattern of the PPS roof is individually variable, as determined by the variable pneumatization patterns of the sphenoid and temporal bones. The study was aimed at assessing the anatomy of the PPS roof in CBCT. The present study was performed retrospectively on a group of 35 subjects (37.1% males) evaluated by CBCT for various dental procedures. The mean age of the group was 37.9 (SD: 14.2, range: 18 to 61). The major bony landmarks of the PPS roof were: the petrous apex with the carotid canal, the jugular foramen, the foramen lacerum, the sphenopetrosal fissure or suture, and the root of the pterygoid process. Variable patterns of pneumatization were determined by the petrous apex air cells and the pterygoalar recess of the sphenoidal sinus. As related to the individually pattern of pneumatization, the following types of the PPS roof were defined: (i) type 1 - not pneumatized PPS roof; (ii) type 2 - sphenoidal but not petrosal pneumatization of the PPS roof; (iii) type 3 - petrosal but not sphenoidal pneumatization of the PPS roof; (iv) type 4 - sphenoidal and petrosal pneumatizations of the PPS roof. Although on the left side the degree of pneumatization was higher than on the right side, no statistical differences were recorded (p > 0.05). The pattern of pneumatizations in the PPS roof should be assessed when PPS involvement in otitis or sinusitis is considered.
The present study focused on the isolation, cultivation and characterization of human mesenchymal... more The present study focused on the isolation, cultivation and characterization of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adipose tissue and on their differentiation into chondrocytes through the NH ChondroDiff medium. The main aim was to investigate some markers of biomechanical quality of cartilage, such as lubricin, and collagen type I and II. Little is known, in fact, about the ability of chondrocytes from human MSCs of adipose tissue to generate lubricin in three-dimensional (3D) culture. Lubricin, a 227.5-kDa mucinous glycoprotein, is known to play an important role in articular joint physiology, and the loss of accumulation of lubricin is thought to play a role in the pathology of osteoarthritis. Adipose tissue is an alternative source for the isolation of multipotent MSCs, which allows them to be obtained by a less invasive method and in larger quantities than from other sources. These cells can be isolated from cosmetic liposuctions in large numbers and easily grown under standard tissue culture conditions. 3D chondrocytes were assessed by histology (hematoxylin and eosin) and histochemistry (Alcian blue and Safranin-O/fast green staining). Collagen type I, II and lubricin expression was determined through immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The results showed that, compared with control cartilage and monolayer chondrocytes showing just collagen type I, chondrocytes from MSCs (CD44-, CD90-and CD105positive; CD45-, CD14-and CD34-negative) of adipose tissue grown in nodules were able to express lubricin, and collagen type I and II, indicative of hyaline cartilage formation. Based on the function of lubricin in the joint cavity and disease and as a potential therapeutic agent, our results suggest that MSCs from adipose tissue are a promising cell source for tissue engineering of cartilage. Our results suggest that chondrocyte nodules producing lubricin could be a novel biotherapeutic approach for the treatment of cartilage abnormalities.
Several asbestos-like mineral fibres, including fluoro-edenite, may cause lung cancer and/or othe... more Several asbestos-like mineral fibres, including fluoro-edenite, may cause lung cancer and/or other lung diseases. However, biological and molecular mechanisms linked to cancer development after mineral fibre exposure have not been fully investigated. In the present study, human non-malignant mesothelial (MeT-5A) and human bronchoalveolar alveolar epithelial (A549) cell lines were incubated with rising concentrations of fluoroedenite to evaluate the expression of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, which has been demonstrated to play an important role in cell cycle control and tumour progression. Intriguingly, these results show that Rb expression was unchanged, while the level of the phosphorylated protein increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting an involvement of this regulator protein in the pathogenesis of the lung diseases induced by mineral fibres. In conclusion, fluoro-edenite regulates the expression of phospho-retinoblastoma to trigger a network of signals strictly connected with cell proliferation and neoplastic cell transformation.
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Papers by Carla Loreto