Aurora Cerasi - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Aurora Cerasi

Vaccine, 2004

Two novel classes of biocompatible core-shell anionic microspheres, composed of an inner hard ins... more Two novel classes of biocompatible core-shell anionic microspheres, composed of an inner hard insoluble core, either made of poly(styrene) (PS) or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and a soft outer tentacular shell made of long soluble negatively charged arms derived from the steric stabilizer, hemisuccinated poly(vinyl alcohol) or Eudragit L100/55, respectively, were prepared by dispersion polymerization and characterized. Five types of these novel microspheres, two made of poly(styrene) and hemisuccinated poly(vinyl alcohol) (A4 and A7), and three made of poly(methyl methacrylate) and Eudragit L100/55 (1D, 1E, H1D), differing for chemical composition, size, and surface charge density were analyzed for the delivery of the HIV-1 Tat protein for vaccine applications. All microspheres reversibly adsorbed the native biologically active HIV-1 Tat protein preventing Tat from oxidation and maintaining its biological activity, therefore increasing the shelf-life of the Tat protein vaccine. The microspheres efficiently delivered Tat intracellularly, and were not toxic in vitro nor in mice, even after multiple administrations. These results indicate that these novel microparticles are safe and represent a promising delivery system for vaccination with Tat, as well as for other subunit vaccines, particularly when a native protein conformation is required.

Antiviral Research, 2002

Monocyte-macrophages play a central role in HIV-1 infection because they are among the first cell... more Monocyte-macrophages play a central role in HIV-1 infection because they are among the first cells to be infected and because later they are important reservoirs for the virus. Thus, newly designed therapies should take into account the protection of this cell compartment. Herein, we report the results obtained in a murine AIDS model, by the addition to AZT'/DDI of a system (GSH-loaded erythrocytes) able to protect macrophages against HIV-1 infection. Five groups of LP-BM5-infected mice were treated as follows: one group was treated by AZT, one group was treated by DDI, one group was treated by the combination of both, another by GSH-loaded erythrocytes, and finally, one by the combination of all three. After 10 weeks of infection the parameters of the disease were studied and the proviral DNA content in different organs and in macrophages of bone marrow and of the peritoneal cavity was quantified. The results obtained show that mice treated with AZT'/DDI'/GSH-loaded erythrocytes showed proviral DNA content in the brain and in macrophages of bone marrow that was significantly lower than in mice treated with AZT'/DDI. This study may help developing strategies aimed at blocking HIV-1 replication in its reservoirs in the body. #

Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society, Jan 3, 2005

The Histochemical journal, 2000

2',3'-Dideoxycytidine is a powerful in vitro inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus an... more 2',3'-Dideoxycytidine is a powerful in vitro inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus and is currently used in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A long-term exposure of U937 monoblastoid cells to dideoxycytidine induces the selection of drug-resistant cells (U937-R). In previous studies, we investigated some important biochemical properties and functional activities, such as basal respiration, protein kinase C activity, superoxide anion release, and the level of reduced glutathione, which were found to be higher in the drug-resistant cell line, compared to the parental one. In the present study, we evaluated the response of the two cell lines to the induction of apoptosis by treatment with staurosporine and okadaic acid, which interfere with the protein kinase and phosphatase pathways, respectively. Moreover, knowing that GSH plays a crucial role in the regulation of nitric oxide-dependent apoptosis, U937-R and parental lines have been treated with SIN-1,...

International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2006

Peptide nucleic acids (PNA) are very promising antisense agents, but their in vivo application is... more Peptide nucleic acids (PNA) are very promising antisense agents, but their in vivo application is often hampered by their low bioavailability, mainly due to their limited uptake through cellular and nuclear membranes. However, PNA chemical synthesis easily allows modification with functional structures able to improve the intrinsically low permeability and great interest is arising in finding specific and efficient delivery protocols. Polymeric core-shell microspheres with anionic functional groups on the surface were tested for their ability to reversibly bind lysine modified PNA sequences, whose antisense activity against COX-2 mRNA was already demonstrated in murine macrophages.

Tetrahedron Letters, 2003

A new combined solid-liquid phase synthesis method for a spin labeled peptide nucleic acid (PNA) ... more A new combined solid-liquid phase synthesis method for a spin labeled peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is developed. The methodology involved initial preparation of a protected PNA on solid phase, followed by efficient solution phase coupling to a spin label containing a reactive carboxylic group. This strategy allows to maintain the integrity of the nitroxide moiety during the various steps of chemical synthesis assuring in the same time the fidelity of the hybridization assay. This compound can be used as a reporter molecule to investigate the binding of peptide nucleic acids to oligonucleotide sequences (DNA or RNA) by EPR spectroscopy.

Nitric Oxide, 2001

The presence of Ca 2؉ -dependent, heat-stressactivated nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in pe... more The presence of Ca 2؉ -dependent, heat-stressactivated nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in peculiarly shaped, fusiform, and dendritic sponge cells is described for the first time. The NOS activity was evidenced evaluating the conversion of radioactive citrulline from [ 14 C]arginine in intact cells from two different species that are phylogenetically unrelated in the class of Demospongiae: Axinella polypoides and Petrosia ficiformis. The production of nitrogen monoxide (NO) was confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance analysis, and the histochemistry technique of NADPH diaphorase showed a specific localization of NOS activity in a particular network of dendritic cells in the sponge parenchyma. Sponges are the most primitive metazoan group; their evolution dates back 600 million years. The presence of environmental stress-activated NOS activity in these organisms may prove to be the most ancient NOdependent signaling network in the animal kingdom. FIG. 3. Histochemical detection of NOS activity in A. polypoides. Thin (10 m) sections of A. polypoides were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 30 min and subsequently subjected to the histochemical assay for NADPH diaphorase. Positive cells appear intensely blue stained by reduced tetrazolium salts. Scale bars: A ϭ 25 m; B ϭ 10 m. 430 GIOVINE ET AL.

Molecular Genetics and Genomics, 2006

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) are used by organisms to transduce extra cellular signal... more Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) are used by organisms to transduce extra cellular signals from the environment in cellular events such as proliferation and diVerentiation. In the present study, we have characterized the Wrst MAPK from the ectomycorrhizal fungus Tuber borchii (TBMK) which belongs to the YERK1 (yeast extra cellular regulated kinase) subfamily. TBMK is present as a single copy in the genome and the codiWed protein was phosphorylated during the interaction with the host plant, Tilia americana. Complementation studies showed that TBMK restores pheromone signaling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and partially restores invasive growth of Fusarium oxysporum that lack the fmk1 gene. This suggests a protein kinase activity and its involvement in the infection processes. Hence, TBMK could play an important role during the pre-symbiotic phase of T. borchii with its host plant in the modulation of genes necessary for the establishment of symbiosis leading to the synthesis of functional ectomycorrhizae.

Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 2003

The adsorption/ release behavior of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) on new PEGylated core-shell poly... more The adsorption/ release behavior of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) on new PEGylated core-shell polymethylmethacrylate nanospheres is described. The outer shell consists of alkyl chains containing quaternary ammonium groups and of poly(ethylene glycol) chains, both covalently bound to the inner core. Ion pair formation between negatively charged ODN phosphate groups and positively charged groups on the nanosphere surface is the main interaction mechanism. No cellular toxicity in HL60 cells is observed at nanosphere concentrations required for biologically active ODN delivery. These results indicate that these novel cationic polymeric nanoparticles are safe and represent promising vectors for oligonucleotide delivery.

Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 2005

Bioconjugate Chemistry, 2003

Nitric oxide is a gaseous, short-living free radical which behaves as an important signaling mole... more Nitric oxide is a gaseous, short-living free radical which behaves as an important signaling molecule with pleiotropic capacities including vasodilatation, neurotransmission, and microbial and tumor cell killing, as well as in tissue damage and organ-specific autoimmune disorders. Here, a synthesized, dinuclear copper complex system in vitro obtained by the simple aza-phenolic ligand 2,6-bis{[bis-(2aminoethyl)amino]methyl}phenol (L) and Cu(II) ion has been used. The stability constants of ligand L with Cu(II) ion were determined through potentiometric measurements in aqueous solution (37.1 ( 0.1°C, I ) 0.15 M of NaCl) to mimic the biological medium. The measurements demonstrated that [Cu 2 H -1 L(OH)] 2+ (DCu) is the predominant species present in solution at pH 7.4. The molecular structure of the ligand in this species permits the cooperation of the two copper ions in assembling the substrate, thus the complex can be used as a receptor for small molecules such as NO. As a biological model, we chose the production of NO catalyzed by inducible nitric oxide synthase obtained from RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line stimulated with LPS, which enabled us to prove that NO is coordinated by the DCu complex, modifying its EPR spectra. The coordination of NO with DCu reduces the level of nitrite in the culture medium of stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages without any inhibition in the expression of iNOS.

Biochemistry, 2002