Paride Pelucchi

Bio: Paride Pelucchi is an academic researcher from National Research Council. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cancer stem cell & Stem cell. The author has an hindex of 9, co-authored 17 publications receiving 516 citations. Previous affiliations of Paride Pelucchi include University of Milan.

A transcriptional sketch of a primary human breast cancer by 454 deep sequencing

Abstract: The cancer transcriptome is difficult to explore due to the heterogeneity of quantitative and qualitative changes in gene expression linked to the disease status. An increasing number of "unconventional" transcripts, such as novel isoforms, non-coding RNAs, somatic gene fusions and deletions have been associated with the tumoral state. Massively parallel sequencing techniques provide a framework for exploring the transcriptional complexity inherent to cancer with a limited laboratory and financial effort. We developed a deep sequencing and bioinformatics analysis protocol to investigate the molecular composition of a breast cancer poly(A)+ transcriptome. This method utilizes a cDNA library normalization step to diminish the representation of highly expressed transcripts and biology-oriented bioinformatic analyses to facilitate detection of rare and novel transcripts. We analyzed over 132,000 Roche 454 high-confidence deep sequencing reads from a primary human lobular breast cancer tissue specimen, and detected a range of unusual transcriptional events that were subsequently validated by RT-PCR in additional eight primary human breast cancer samples. We identified and validated one deletion, two novel ncRNAs (one intergenic and one intragenic), ten previously unknown or rare transcript isoforms and a novel gene fusion specific to a single primary tissue sample. We also explored the non-protein-coding portion of the breast cancer transcriptome, identifying thousands of novel non-coding transcripts and more than three hundred reads corresponding to the non-coding RNA MALAT1, which is highly expressed in many human carcinomas. Our results demonstrate that combining 454 deep sequencing with a normalization step and careful bioinformatic analysis facilitates the discovery and quantification of rare transcripts or ncRNAs, and can be used as a qualitative tool to characterize transcriptome complexity, revealing many hitherto unknown transcripts, splice isoforms, gene fusion events and ncRNAs, even at a relatively low sequence sampling.

The properties of a mammary gland cancer stem cell

Abstract: The cancer stem cell hypothesis posits that tumors are derived from a single cancer-initiating cell with stem cell properties. The task of identifying and characterizing a single cancer-initiating cell with stem cell properties has proven technically difficult because of the scarcity of the cancer stem cells in the tissue of origin and the lack of specific markers for cancer stem cells. Here we show that a single LA7 cell derived from rat mammary adenocarcinoma has the following properties: the differentiation potential to generate all of the cell lineages of the mammary gland; the ability to generate branched duct-like structures that recapitulate morphologically and functionally the ductal–alveolar-like architecture of the mammary tree; and the capacity to initiate heterogeneous tumors in nonobese diabetic-SCID mice. In addition, we show that cultured cells derived from tumors generated by a single LA7 cell-injection have properties similar to LA7 cells, can generate all of the cell lineages of the mammary gland, and recapitulate the ductal–alveolar-like architecture of the mammary tree. The properties of self-renewal, extensive capacity for proliferation, multilineage differentiation potential, and single-cell tumor-initiation potential suggest that LA7 cells are cancer stem cells and can be used as a model system to study the dynamics of tumor formation at the single-cell level.

Isolation of canine mammary cells with stem cell properties and tumour-initiating potential.

Abstract: Recent data suggest that mammary carcinogenesis may be driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs) derived from mutated adult stem cells, which have acquired aberrant cell self-renewal or by progenitor cells that have acquired the capacity for cell self-renewal. Spontaneous mammary cancers in cats and dogs are important models for the understanding of human breast cancer and may represent alternative species model systems that can significantly contribute to the study of human oncogenesis. With the goal of identifying markers for isolating human breast CSCs, we have generated a canine model system to isolate and characterize normal and CSCs from dog mammary gland. Insight into the hierarchical organization of canine tumours may contribute to the development of universal concepts in oncogenesis by CSCs. Cells with stem cell properties were isolated from normal and tumoural canine breast tissue and propagated as mammospheres and tumourspheres in long-term non-adherent culture conditions. We showed that cells obtained from spheres that display self-renewing properties, have multi-lineage differentiation potential, could generate complex branched tubular structures in vitro and form tumours in NOD/SCID mice. We analysed these cells for the expression of human stem and CSC markers and are currently investigating the tumour-initiating properties of these cells and the hierarchical organization of normal and neoplastic canine mammary tissue.

Investigating the Role of MicroRNA and Transcription Factor Co-regulatory Networks in Multiple Sclerosis Pathogenesis

Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and transcription factors (TFs) play key roles in complex multifactorial diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). Starting from the miRNomic profile previously associated with a cohort of pediatric MS (PedMS) patients, we applied a combined molecular and computational approach in order to verify published data in patients with adult-onset MS (AOMS). Six out of the 13 selected miRNAs (miR-320a, miR-125a-5p, miR-652-3p, miR-185-5p, miR-942-5p, miR-25-3p) were significantly upregulated in PedMS and AOMS patients, suggesting that they may be considered circulating biomarkers distinctive of the disease independently from age. A computational and unbiased miRNA-based screening of target genes not necessarily associated to MS was then performed in order to provide an extensive view of the genetic mechanisms underlying the disease. A comprehensive MS-specific miRNA-TF co-regulatory network was hypothesized; among others, SP1, RELA, NF-κB, TP53, AR, MYC, HDAC1, and STAT3 regulated the transcription of 61 targets. Interestingly, NF-κB and STAT3 cooperatively regulate the expression of immune response genes and control the cross-talk between inflammatory and immune cells. Further functional analysis will be performed on the identified critical hubs. Above all, in our view, this approach supports the need of multidisciplinary strategies for shedding light into the pathogenesis of MS.

Distinct Populations of Tumor-Initiating Cells Derived From a Tumor Generated by Rat Mammary Cancer Stem Cells

Abstract: Tumors derived from rat LA7 cancer stem cells (CSCs) contain a hierarchy of cells with different capacities to generate self-renewing spheres and tubules serially ex vivo and to evoke tumors in vivo. We isolated two morphologically distinct cell types with distinct tumorigenic potential from LA7-evoked tumors: cells with polygonal morphology that are characterized by expression of p21/WAF1 and p63 and display hallmarks of CSCs and elongated epithelial cells, which generate tumors with far less heterogeneity than LA7 CSCs. Serial transplantation of elongated epithelial cells results in progressive loss of tumorigenic potential; tumor heterogeneity; CD44, E-cadherin, and epithelial cytokeratin expression and increased α-smooth muscle actin I and vimentin expression. In contrast, serial transplantation of LA7 CSCs can be performed indefinitely and results in tumors that maintain their heterogeneity, consistent with self-renewal and multilineage differentiation potential. Collectively, our data show that polygonal cells are CSCs, whereas epithelial elongated cells are lineage-committed progenitors with tumorigenic potential, and suggest that tumor progenitors, although lacking indefinite self-renewal potential, nevertheless may make a substantial contribution to tumor development. Because LA7 cells can switch between conditions that favor maintenance of pure CSCs vs. differentiation into other tumor cell types, this cell system provides the opportunity to study factors that influence CSC self-renewal and differentiation. One factor, p63, was identified as a key gene regulating the transition between CSCs and early progenitor cells.

Stem Cells,Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells

Abstract: Stem cells are defined as cells able to both extensively self-renew and differentiate into progenitors. Research data show that more resistant stem cells than common cancer cells exist in cancer patients.To identify unrecognized differences between cancer stem cells and cancer cells might be able to develope effective classification,diagnose and treat ment for cancer.

The functional role of long non-coding RNA in human carcinomas

Abstract: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as new players in the cancer paradigm demonstrating potential roles in both oncogenic and tumor suppressive pathways. These novel genes are frequently aberrantly expressed in a variety of human cancers, however the biological functions of the vast majority remain unknown. Recently, evidence has begun to accumulate describing the molecular mechanisms by which these RNA species function, providing insight into the functional roles they may play in tumorigenesis. In this review, we highlight the emerging functional role of lncRNAs in human cancer.

Non‐coding RNAs: regulators of disease

Abstract: For 50 years the term 'gene' has been synonymous with regions of the genome encoding mRNAs that are translated into protein. However, recent genome-wide studies have shown that the human genome is pervasively transcribed and produces many thousands of regulatory non-protein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs, small interfering RNAs, PIWI-interacting RNAs and various classes of long ncRNAs. It is now clear that these RNAs fulfil critical roles as transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulators and as guides of chromatin-modifying complexes. Here we review the biology of ncRNAs, focusing on the fundamental mechanisms by which ncRNAs facilitate normal development and physiology and, when dysfunctional, underpin disease. We also discuss evidence that intergenic regions associated with complex diseases express ncRNAs, as well as the potential use of ncRNAs as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Taken together, these observations emphasize the need to move beyond the confines of protein-coding genes and highlight the fact that continued investigation of ncRNA biogenesis and function will be necessary for a comprehensive understanding of human disease.

Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 controls cell cycle progression by regulating the expression of oncogenic transcription factor B-MYB.

Abstract: The long noncoding MALAT1 RNA is upregulated in cancer tissues and its elevated expression is associated with hyper-proliferation, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. We demonstrate that MALAT1 levels are regulated during normal cell cycle progression. Genome-wide transcriptome analyses in normal human diploid fibroblasts reveal that MALAT1 modulates the expression of cell cycle genes and is required for G1/S and mitotic progression. Depletion of MALAT1 leads to activation of p53 and its target genes. The cell cycle defects observed in MALAT1-depleted cells are sensitive to p53 levels, indicating that p53 is a major downstream mediator of MALAT1 activity. Furthermore, MALAT1-depleted cells display reduced expression of B-MYB (Mybl2), an oncogenic transcription factor involved in G2/M progression, due to altered binding of splicing factors on B-MYB pre-mRNA and aberrant alternative splicing. In human cells, MALAT1 promotes cellular proliferation by modulating the expression and/or pre-mRNA processing of cell cycle–regulated transcription factors. These findings provide mechanistic insights on the role of MALAT1 in regulating cellular proliferation.

MicroRNAs: Target Recognition and Regulatory Functions

Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous ∼23 nt RNAs that play important gene-regulatory roles in animals and plants by pairing to the mRNAs of protein-coding genes to direct their posttranscriptional repression. This review outlines the current understanding of miRNA target recognition in animals and discusses the widespread impact of miRNAs on both the expression and evolution of protein-coding genes.