A5085202206- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
- Ion Channels and Receptors
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Nerve injury and regeneration
- 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
- Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling
- Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
- Advanced X-ray Imaging Techniques
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
- Ion Transport and Channel Regulation
- Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- Pharmacological Receptor Mechanisms and Effects
- Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
- Cellular transport and secretion
- Fungal Biology and Applications
Natural and Medical Sciences Institute
2021-2024
University of Tübingen
2021-2024
University of L'Aquila
1999-2017
University of Turin
1996-2016
Fondazione Santa Lucia
2006-2013
Neuroscience Institute
2009-2013
Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico
2011-2013
European Biomedical Research Institute of Salerno
2010-2011
European Brain Research Institute
2010
Sapienza University of Rome
2002-2006
Pain differs from other sensations in many respects. Primary pain-sensitive neurons respond to a wide variety of noxious stimuli, contrast the relatively specific responses characteristic sensory systems, and response is often observed sensitize on repeated presentation painful stimulus, while adaptation typically systems. In most cases cellular mechanisms transduction sensitization stimuli are not understood. We report here that application pulses heat subpopulation isolated primary rapidly...
The molecular basis of mechanosensory transduction by primary sensory neurones remains poorly understood. Amongst candidate transducer molecules are members the acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) family; nerve fibre recordings have shown ASIC2 and ASIC3 null mutants aberrant responses to suprathreshold mechanical stimuli. Using neuronal cell body as a model terminal we investigated if or 3 contributed mechanically activated currents in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones. We cultured from...
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are members of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)-degenerin family two-pass transmembrane segment protein subunits which form multimeric cation channels. Members ENaC-degenerin gated by stimuli as diverse protons, peptides and mechanical distension. Here we describe a new member family, SPASIC or ASIC 4 (spinal cord ASIC) is expressed throughout central nervous system in an overlapping population neurons that also express subunit MDEG2. ASIC-4 shows 44%...
Mechanical stimulation of the somata cultured neonatal rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons evoked inward cationic currents that displayed distinct properties between different subsets cells. The presumptive nociceptor population, defined by capsaicin sensitivity, showed higher thresholds for induction an current and lower peak than other mechanosensitive neurons. A subset capsaicin-sensitive IB4-positive sensory was refractory to mechanical stimulation. All mechanically activated were...
Plasticity in the central nervous system response to injury is a complex process involving axonal remodeling regulated by specific molecular pathways. Here, we dissected role of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43; also known as neuromodulin and B-50) structural plasticity using, model, climbing fibers. Single branches were laser axotomy, avoiding collateral damage adjacent dendrite formation persistent glial scar. Despite very small denervated area, injured axons consistently reshape...
Little is known about the molecular basis of somatosensory mechanotransduction in mammals. We screened a library peptide toxins for effects on mechanically activated currents cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons. One conopeptide analogue, termed NMB-1 noxious mechanosensation blocker 1, selectively inhibits (IC50 1 µM) sustained subset sensory Biotinylated retains activity and binds to peripherin-positive nociceptive The selectivity was confirmed by fact that it has no inhibitory...
1. The activity of the human endothelial cell L-arginine transporter (system y+) has been correlated with cGMP production (index nitric oxide) and prostacyclin (PGI2) release in umbilical vein cells cultured from normal or gestational diabetic pregnancies. 2. In non-diabetic cells, transport was Na+ pH independent, inhibited by other cationic analogues unaffected neutral amino acids. 3. Diabetes associated an increased Vmax for saturable (4.6 +/- 0.13 vs. 9.9 0.5 pmol (microgram protein)-1...
Many sensations of pain are evoked by mechanical stimuli, and in inflammatory conditions, sensitivity to such stimuli is commonly increased. Here we used cultured sensory neurons as a model the peripheral terminal investigate effects signaling pathways on mechanosensitive ion channels. Activation two these enhanced transduction major population nociceptors. The proinflammatory neurotrophin nerve growth factor caused an up-regulation mechanically activated currents via transcriptional...
The adult mammalian central nervous system has a limited ability to establish new connections and recover from traumatic or degenerative events. olivo-cerebellar network represents an excellent model investigate neuroprotection repair in the brain during adulthood, due its high plasticity ordered synaptic organization. To shed light on molecular mechanisms involved these events, we focused growth-associated protein GAP-43 (also known as B-50 neuromodulin). During development, this plays...
In accordance with the classification of International Agency for Research on Cancer, extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) are suspected to promote malignant progression by providing survival advantage cancer cells through activation critical cytoprotective pathways. Among these, major antioxidative and detoxification defence systems might be targeted ELF-MF conferring significant resistance against clinically-relevant cytotoxic agents. We investigated whether hyperproliferation...
Background: Satellite glial cells (SGCs) tightly surround and support primary sensory neurons in the peripheral nervous system are increasingly recognized for their involvement development of neuropathic pain following nerve injury. SGCs difficult to investigate due flattened shape tight physical connection vivo rapid changes phenotype protein expression when cultured vitro. Consequently, several aspects SGC function under normal conditions as well after a injury remain be explored. The...
Electrophysiology of 3D neural cultures: our multilayer microfluidics on glass microelectrode arrays enable parallel analysis compartmentalized models, with applications in neurology, pharmacology research and substance testing.
Abstract Three-dimensional cell technologies as pre-clinical models are emerging tools for mimicking the structural and functional complexity of nervous system. The accurate exploration phenotypes in engineered 3D neuronal cultures, however, demands morphological, molecular especially measurements. Particularly crucial is measurement electrical activity individual neurons with millisecond resolution. Current techniques rely on customized electrophysiological recording set-ups, characterized...
Despite recent advances in the field of microphysiological systems (MPSs), availability models capable mimicking interactions between nervous system and innervated tissues is still limited. This represents a significant challenge identifying underlying processes various pathological conditions, including neuropathic, cardiovascular metabolic disorders. In this novel study, we introduce compartmentalized three-dimensional (3D) coculture that enables physiologically relevant tissue innervation...
Human small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cells express neuronal-like voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs) and release mitogenic hormones such as serotonin (5-HT). Opioid peptides, on the other hand, have been shown to reduce SCLC cell proliferation by an effective autocrine pathway. Here we show that in GLC8 cells, only delta-opioid receptor subtype mRNA is expressed. Consistently, selective agonist [D-Pen2-Pen5]-enkephalin (DPDPE), but not mu kappa agonists, potently dose-dependently...
Glutamate receptor delta 2 (GluRδ2) is selectively expressed in the cerebellum, exclusively spines of Purkinje cells (PCs) that are contact with parallel fibers (PFs). Although its structure similar to ionotropic glutamate receptors, it has no channel function and ligand unknown. The GluRδ2-null mice, such as knockout hotfoot have profoundly altered cerebellar circuitry, which causes ataxia impaired motor learning. Notably, GluRδ2 PC-PF synapses regulates their maturation strengthening...
The Tuber ascomata (truffles) are a microhabitat for bacteria, viruses, and fungi (yeasts filamentous fungi). In this survey, we tried to develop method that would make it possible define the mycobiome of truffle-inhabiting using culture independent molecular methods. nested quantitative Real-Time PCR allowed us demonstrate each truffle is home multiple species their DNA present within healthy ascoma at ratio 10−6 compared truffle. Probably due insignificant presence, Denaturing Gradient Gel...