A5029473175- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Retinal Diseases and Treatments
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Cellular transport and secretion
- Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Phagocytosis and Immune Regulation
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
- Calcium signaling and nucleotide metabolism
- Connexins and lens biology
- Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases
- Cardiovascular, Neuropeptides, and Oxidative Stress Research
- Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Disease
- Galectins and Cancer Biology
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Redox biology and oxidative stress
- Cell death mechanisms and regulation
- Retinoids in leukemia and cellular processes
- Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
- Sphingolipid Metabolism and Signaling
- Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology
- bioluminescence and chemiluminescence research
Fordham University
2014-2023
Cornell University
2010-2013
National Research Council
2008-2012
Neuroscience Institute
2006-2012
Micro Focus (United States)
2011
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica
2009-2011
Istituto di Scienza e Tecnologie dell'Informazione "Alessandro Faedo"
2006-2007
University of Pisa
2002-2005
Abstract Retinal degeneration 10 (rd10) mice are a model of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (RP), identified by Chang et al. in 2002 (Vision Res. 42:517–525). These carry spontaneous mutation the rod‐phosphodiesterase (PDE) gene, leading to rod that starts around P18. Later, cones also lost. Because photoreceptor does not overlap with retinal development, and light responses can be recorded for about month after birth, rd10 mimic typical human RP more closely than well‐known rd1...
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a family of inherited disorders characterized by progressive photoreceptor death, is leading cause blindness with no available cure. Despite the genetic heterogeneity underlying disease, recent data on animal models show that degeneration photoreceptors triggers stereotyped remodeling among their postsynaptic partners. In particular, bipolar and horizontal cells might undergo dendritic atrophy secondary death. The aim this study was to investigate whether or not...
A clear demonstration of the role melatonin and its receptors in specific retinal functions is lacking. The present study investigated distribution MT1 within retina, scotopic photopic electroretinograms (ERG) morphology wild-type (WT) receptor-deficient mice. receptor transcripts were localized photoreceptor cells some inner neurons. diurnal rhythm dark-adapted ERG responses was observed WT mice, with higher a- b-wave amplitudes at night, but this absent mice lacking receptors. Injection...
Melatonin modulates many important functions within the eye by interacting with a family of G-protein-coupled receptors that are negatively coupled adenylate cyclase. In mouse, Receptors type 1 (MT1) mRNAs have been localized to photoreceptors, inner retinal neurons, and ganglion cells, thus suggesting MT1 may play an role in physiology. Indeed, we recently reported absence has dramatic effect on regulation daily rhythm visual processing, cell viability during aging. We also shown removal...
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of central visual loss in the elderly. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell occurs early course AMD and RPE transplantation holds promise to slow disease progression. We report that subretinal stem (RPESC)-derived cells (RPESC-RPE) preserved vision rat model dysfunction. Importantly, stage differentiation RPESC-RPE acquired prior influenced efficacy rescue. Whereas at all stages tested rescued photoreceptor layer morphology, an...
Severe, early-onset photoreceptor (PR) degeneration associated with
Summary Fusion of lysosomes with the plasma membrane is a calcium-dependent process that crucial for repair, limiting pathogen entry and clearing cellular debris. In non-polarized cells, lysosome exocytosis facilitates rapid resealing torn membranes. Here, we investigate mechanism in polarized epithelia, main barrier between organism external environment first line defense against pathogens. We find Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) calcium ionophores or pore-forming toxins cause to fuse...
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited retinal diseases characterized by progressive loss rod followed cone photoreceptors. An especially early onset form RP with blindness in teenage years caused mutations mertk, the gene encoding clearance phagocytosis receptor Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK). The cause for mutant MerTK-associated (mutMerTK-RP) failure pigment epithelial cells diurnal spent photoreceptor outer segment debris. However, and very fast progression degeneration...
Abstract Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a family of inherited diseases causing progressive photoreceptor death. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) form the biological substrate for various therapeutic approaches designed to restore vision in RP individuals. Assessment survival and preservation RGCs animal paradigms mimicking human disease key importance appropriate implementation repair strategies. Here we studied rd1 mutant mouse, known model early onset, autosomic recessive RP, at stages...
Abstract Phosphatidylserine externalization is an early molecular signature for apoptosis. In many retinal degenerative diseases, photoreceptor neurons die by Here, we report utility of the phosphatidylserine-binding conjugate Bis(zinc(II)-dipicolylamine (Zn-DPA) with Texas-red (PSVue-550) in transiently labeling apoptotic photoreceptors living pigmented or albino rats and mice degeneration. Applying PSVue-550 as eyedrop non-toxic eliminates need intraocular injection. fluorescence...
Abstract Sphingomyelin (SM) cycle has been involved in the regulation of proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Increases ceramide have found after a larger number apoptotic stimuli including cytokines, cytotoxic drugs, environmental stresses. Accumulating evidence suggest that subcellular localization generation is critical factor determining cellular behavior. Since recently enzymes metabolism such as sphingomyelinase, SM synthase, sphingosine kinase ceramidase nucleus hepatocyte...
Retinal melatonin is involved in the modulation of many important retinal functions. Our previous studies have shown that viability photoreceptors and ganglion cells reduced during aging mice lack receptor type 1. This demonstrates signaling for survival neurons. In present study, we investigate effects on photoreceptor physiology organization CH3-f+/+ mice, a proficient mouse strain. data indicate amplitude b waves scotopic photopic electroretinogram decreases with age. Moreover, daily...
Deep groundwater, even if generally protected, could be contaminated by surface or rain water infiltration through soil fractures, septic tanks, cesspits, land irrigation, disposal of wastewater and muds from depuration systems. The sanitary importance such possible contamination is related to the different uses it at maximum level when intended for human use. Routine microbiological analyses do not consider viruses, only bacterial parameters, as indicators. However, known that enteric...
The risk of hepatitis C virus infection in hospital environments can be assessed not only by studying epidemiological data and work practices, but also the detection these viruses (or indicators thereof) health-care settings, on instruments etc.Since standardized techniques specific to this end do exist, study was undertaken apply methods currently used clinical samples assessment environmental HCV risk, either through direct (RT-PCR), or probing for haemoglobin as a potential indicator...
Galectin-3 (gal-3) is a soluble glycoprotein that has been associated with diverse forms of phagocytosis, including some mediated by the engulfment receptor MerTK. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in vivo uses MerTK (or related Tyro3) for phagocytosis shed outer segment fragments during diurnal renewal. Here, we test if gal-3 plays role renewal mice and exogenous can promote MerTK-dependent isolated primary RPE cells culture.We explored age- strain-matched wild-type (wt), lgals3-/- mertk-/-...
Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) is a widely expressed antioxidant enzyme that counteracts oxidative protein damage and contributes to regulation by reversing oxidation of methionine residues. In retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in culture, MsrA overexpression increases phagocytic capacity supporting mitochondrial ATP production. Here, we show elevated carbonylation indicative oxidation, decreased RPE membrane potential, attenuated phagocytosis msra−/− mice. Moreover,...
Aims: Faecal material from raw sewage or other sources lacking effective treatment sometimes contaminates water for human consumption. The relevant Italian regulations therefore call testing drinking and recreational the presence of enterovirus. Methods Results: Traditional methods analysis are based on revealing typical cytopathic effects enterovirus cell cultures. However, in environmental samples different types virus may cause interference phenomena that mask such effects. paper reports...
The present study was performed in order to obtain reliable and applicable techniques of viral detection shellfish for use ensuring food safety. This research developed two steps: (a) different recover viruses from artificially contaminated were tested (b) the best technique applied analyse collected sites along coast Salento.
There was an error published in J. Cell Sci. 125, 5937–5943.In Fig. 4B the same image inadvertently presented as xy section (top panels) of syntaxin 4 staining MDCK wild-type and µ1A-KD cells. In correct version (shown below), appropriate for panel, middle) matches corresponding xz panel (bottom panel) that part original figure.The mistake figure did not affect conclusions paper.The is shown below.The authors apologise this mistake.