Università degli studi di Pavia
Contenuto della pagina
Aredia's curriculum
Curriculum vitae et studiorum
Place and date of birth: Siracusa (Italy), January 7, 1987
Citizenship: Italian
E-mail: francesca.aredia@gmail.com
EDUCATION
November 2011 Laurea magistralis in Molecular Biology and Genetics (mark 106/110),
• Experimental thesis: “Sodium/Hydrogen antiporter inhibitor HMA: effects on human cancer cell lines”. Supervisor Dr. A. Ivana Scovassi; co-supervisor Prof. Paolo Iadarola. The internship for experimental thesis was done at Istituto di Genetica Molecolare (IGM) of CNR, Pavia, Italy.
July 2009 Bachelor in Biotechnology, University of Pavia
• Experimental thesis: “Possibile ruolo del TLR4 e del suo corecettore CD14 nello sviluppo dell’infarto del miocardio”. Supervisor Prof. Colomba Falcone; co-supervisor Dr. Chiara Boiocchi. The internship was done at “Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca nella Diagnostica e Prevenzione delle Malattie Cardiovascolari e Metaboliche (CIRMC)”, Pavia.
July 2005 High school diploma :
• Liceo Scientifico Statale “T. Taramelli”, Pavia.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND INTERNSHIPS
July 2016-Present: Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Virology, INGM "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
February 2016-June 2016 Postdoctoral Fellow, DNA repair and Cell Cycle Laboratory, IGM CNR Pavia, Italy
November 2012 - October 2015: Università degli Studi di Pavia (XXVIII cycle).
• PhD in “Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology”, Thesis discussed December 15, 2015.
September 2014-February 2015: Institute of Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe University,
Frankfurt - Germany
• PhD fellow in the laboratory of the Director Prof. Dr. Simone Fulda.
February 2012 - May 2013: Supported by Regione Lombardia at IGM CNR (Pavia)
June 2013 - October 2015: Supported by University of Pavia at IGM CNR (Pavia)
• PhD Fellow in the laboratory “Approcci Innovativi in Medicina Molecolare - Apoptosi e Autofagia” of Dr. A. Ivana Scovassi.
EXPERIMENTAL SKILLS
Molecular and cellular biology techniques: in vitro coltures of human normal and tumor cells; cytotoxicity assays (cellular viability, proliferation, clonogenic capacity and metabolic activity after drug treatments); apoptosis, autophagy, pathanatos and necroptosis analysis through specific assays performed routinely in the laboratory. DNA extraction and analysis through agarose gel electrophoresis; protein extraction, western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation assay; protein expression and localization in situ by indirect immunofluorescence; mRNA estraction and analysis by RT-PCR; Comet assay to evaluate DNA damage and oxidative stress; flow cytometry to analyze cell cycle, protein expression, cell viability and cell death. Silencing through siRNA technique. Incision assay to evaluate DNA repair. Manipulation of cell lines on silicon microdevices. Frequent use of laboratory equipments: pHmeter, centrifuges, electrophoretic cells, thermostatic baths, analytic balances, chemical and laminar flow hoods, spectrophotometer, microplate reader, flow cytometer, optical microscopes and systems to acquire images. Statistical analysis of data.
AWARDS
• Selected participant for the EMBO workshop: Mitochondria, apoptosis and cancer (MAC 2015). Frankfurt, Germany, September 10-12 2015.
• Selected participant for the 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Physiology or Medicine. Lindau, Germany, June 29-July 4, 2014.
• Best poster prize (session “Cell Cycle and Apoptosis”), XXXI Conferenza Annuale di Citometria, Lucca, Italy, October 8-11, 2013.
LANGUAGES
• Italian : mother tongue
• English: fluently spoken and written (B2)
• French: basic (A1)
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES
MS Windows and OS Macintosh, Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe (Acrobat Professional and Photoshop CS). MS Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Safari software; Mail e MS Outlook Express. Use of bioinformatics tools like NCBI, Ensembl, Array express, Uniprot.
Meetings partecipations:
1. XXXIII Conferenza Nazionale di Citometria, Lucca (Italy), September 22-25, 2015.
2. Embo Workshop MAC 2015, Frankfurt (Germany), September 10-12, 2015.
3. 6th UCT Science Day. Frankfurt (Germany), September 5, 2014.
4. 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Physiology or Medicine. Lindau (Germany), June 29-July 4, 2014.
5. EPIGEN-MiChroNetwork Chromatin Seminar. Milano (Italy), March 4, 2014.
6. Metabolism 2014, Alteration of metabolic pathways as therapeutic targets. Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg), January 29-31, 2014.
7. EPIGEN-MiChroNetwork Chromatin Seminar. Pavia (Italy), January 21, 2014.
8. ABCD Congress 2013. Ravenna (Italy), September 12-14, 2013.
9. SIBBM "Frontiers in Molecular Biology" Seminar. Pavia (Italy), June 5-7, 2013.
10. XXV Italian Meeting “ADP-ribosylation reactions”. Pavia (Italy), May 31-June 1, 2013.
11. Convegno Congiunto IGM. Bologna (Italy), May 14, 2013.
12. 25 Convegno Annuale della Associazione Italiana di Colture Cellulari (AICC); Controllo dei processi di proliferazione e morte cellulare. Palermo (Italy), November 21-23, 2012.
13. “Miti, realtà e prospettive della terapia con cellule staminali nelle malattie neurodegenerative”. IRCCS C. Mondino, Pavia (Italy), December 1, 2011.
Oral communications:
Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Attivazione di vie multiple di morte in condizioni di stress cellulare. Convegno Congiunto IGM. Bologna (Italy), May 14, 2013.
Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is modulated in different paradigms of cell death. XXV Italian Meeting “ADP-ribosylation reactions”. Pavia (Italy), May 31, 2013.
Scientific society memberships:
ABCD (Associazione di Biologia Cellulare e del Differenziamento)
AICC (Associazione Italiana Colture Cellulari)
Publications
Full papers (H index: 6)
1. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. A new function for miRNAs as regulators of autophagy. Future Med Chem. 2017, 9:25-36. (IF 2015-2016: 3.345)
2. Aredia F., Czaplinski S., Fulda S., Scovassi A.I. Molecular features of the cytotoxicity of an NHE inhibitor: Evidence of mitochondrial alterations, ROS overproduction and DNA damage. BMC Cancer. 2016, 16:851. (IF 2015-2016: 3.265)
3. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Manipulation of intracellular pH in cancer cells by NHE1 inhibitors. Protein Pept Lett. 2016, 23:1123-1129. (IF 2015-2016: 1.069)
4. Aredia F., Carpignano F., Surdo S., Barillaro G., Mazzini G., Scovassi A.I. and Merlo S. An Innovative Cell Microincubator for Drug Discovery Based on 3D Silicon Structures. Journal of Nanomaterials. 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8236539. (IF 2015: 1.758)
5. Aredia F., Malatesta M., Veneroni P., Bottone M.G. Analysis of ERK3 intracellular localization: dynamic distribution during mitosis and apoptosis. Eur J Histochem. 2015, 59:2571. (IF 2015: 2.421)
6. Mazzini G., Carpignano F., Surdo S., Aredia F., Panini N., Torchio M., Erba E., Danova M., Scovassi A.I., Barillaro G. Merlo S. 3D silicon microstructures: a new tool for evaluating biological aggressiveness of tumour cells. IEEE Transactions on NanoBioscience. 2015, 14:797-805. (IF 2015: 1.969)
7. Guamán Ortiz L.M., Croce A.L., Aredia F., Sapienza S., Fiorillo G., Monir Syeda T., Buzzetti F., Lombardi P., Scovassi A.I. Effect of new Berberine derivatives on colon cancer cells. Acta Biochim. Biophys. Sin. 2015, 47: 824-833. (IF 2015: 2.124)
8. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Multiple effects of intracellular pH modulation in cancer cells. Cancer Cell Microenviron. 2014. 1: e136.
9. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Poly(ADP-ribose): A signaling molecule in different paradigms of cell death. Biochem Pharmacol. 2014. 92:157-163. (IF 2014: 4.65)
10. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Involvement of PARPs in cell death. Front. Biosci.(Elite edition) 2014. 6:308-317. (IF 2014: 4.249)
11. Aredia F., Giansanti V., Mazzini G., Savio M., Guamán Ortiz L.M., Jaadane I., Zaffaroni N., Forlino A., Torriglia A., Scovassi A.I. Multiple effects of the Na+/H+ antiporter inhibitor HMA on cancer cells. Apoptosis. 2013. 18:1586-1598. (IF 2013: 3.614)
12. Merlo S., Carpignano F., Silva G., Aredia F., Scovassi A.I., Mazzini G., Surdo S., Barillaro G. Optical label-free detection of cells grown in 3D silicon microstructures. Lab. Chip. 2013. 13:3284-3292. (IF 2013: 5.748)
13. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Manipulation of autophagy in cancer cells: An innovative strategy to fight drug resistance. Future Med. Chem. 2013. 5:1009-1021. (IF 2013: 4)
14. Bottone M.G., Santin G., Aredia F., Bernocchi G., Pellicciari C., Scovassi A.I. Morphological Features of Organelles during Apoptosis: An Overview. Cells (Special Issue: Apoptosis). 2013. 2:294-305.
15. Carpignano F., Silva G., Surdo S., Leva V., Montecucco A., Aredia F., Scovassi A.I., Merlo S., Barillaro G., Mazzini G. A new cell-selective three-dimensional microincubator based on silicon photonic crystals. PLoS One. 2012. 7:e48556. (IF 2012: 3.730)
16. Aredia F., Guamán Ortiz L.M., Giansanti V., Scovassi A.I. Autophagy and Cancer. Cells (Special Issue: Autophagy). 2012. 1:520-534.
17. Giansanti V., Santamaria G., Torriglia A., Aredia F., Scovassi A.I., Bottiroli G., Croce A.C. Fluorescence properties of the Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitor HMA (5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride) are modulated by intracellular pH. Eur. J. Histochem. 2012. 56:e3. (IF 2012: 2.412)
Abstracts of Meetings
1. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Activation of multiple pathways of a sodium/hydrogen antiporter inhibitor in colon cancer cells: a flow cytometry analytical approach. XXXIII Conferenza Nazionale di Citometria, Lucca (Italy), September 22-25, 2015. Poster M1.
2. Merlo S., Carpignano F., Silva G., Surdo S., Barillaro G., Aredia F., Scovassi A.I., Mazzini G. An innovative approach to identify CTC cells: culture of peripheral blood from patients on a 3D silicon microchip. XXXIII Conferenza Nazionale di Citometria, Lucca (Italy), September 22-25, 2015. Poster M4.
3. Aredia F., Fulda S., Scovassi A.I. Cell death induced by a Na+/H+ antiporter inhibitor: are mitochondria the master regulators? Embo Workshop MAC 2015, Frankfurt, September 10-12, 2015. Abstract p.24.
4. Aredia F., Fulda S., Scovassi A.I. Modulation of intracellular pH in cancer cells drives multiple cell death pathways. ICDS Meeting, Praga, May 28-30, 2015. Abstract p. 23-24.
5. Aredia F., Torriglia A., Scovassi A.I. Amiloride derivatives alter cancer cell metabolism and activate multiple cell death pathways. Metabolism 2014, Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg), January 29-31, 2014. Abstract p. 55.
6. Aredia F., Basello D., Scovassi A.I. Poly(ADP-ribose): a signalling molecule in different paradigms of cell death. Metabolism 2014, Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg), January 29-31, 2014. Abstract p. 49.
7. Danova M., Erba E., Mazzini G., Scovassi A.I. Aredia F., Panini N., Torchio M., Barillaro G., Surdo S., Carpignano F., Silva G., Merlo S. The metastatic potential of tumor cells can be revealed by 3D culture on a silicon optical microchip. XXXI Conferenza Annuale di Citometria, Lucca, October 8-11, 2013. Poster O5.
8. Merlo S., Carpignano F., Silva G., Surdo S., Barillaro G., Aredia F., Scovassi A.I., Mazzini G. 3D cell microincubator with intrinsic optical transduction capability for advanced cell analyses. XXXI Conferenza Annuale di Citometria, Lucca (Italy), October 8-11, 2013. Poster M7.
9. Aredia F., Giansanti V., Mazzini G., Savio M., Torriglia A., Scovassi A.I. Multiple effects of a sodium/hydrogen antiporter inhibitor. XXXI Conferenza Annuale di Citometria, Lucca (Italy), October 8-11, 2013. Poster C1.
10. Danova M., Scovassi A.I., Aredia F., Panini N., Torchio M., Barillaro G., Surdo S., Carpignano F., Silva G., Merlo S. Evaluation of the metastatic potential of human tumor cells by means of 3D culture on silicon microstructures. European Cancer Congress 2013. Amsterdam, September 27-October 1, 2013. Abstract 1205.
11. Aredia F., Giansanti V., Mazzini G., Savio M., Guamán Ortiz L.M., Jaadane I., Zaffaroni N., Forlino A., Torriglia A., Scovassi A.I. Activation of multiple death paradigms under cellular stress conditions. ABCD Congress 2013. Ravenna (Italy), September 12-14, 2013. Abstract p. 196.
12. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is modulated in different paradigms of cell death. XXV Italian Meeting “ADP-ribosylation reactions”. Pavia (Italy), May 31-June 1, 2013. Abstract O9.
13. Aredia F., Giansanti V., Mazzini G., Savio M. and Scovassi A.I. Cancer cell survival is affected by the Na+/H+ antiporter inhibitor HMA. XXV Convegno Annuale della Associazione Italiana di Colture Cellulari. Palermo (Italy), November 21-23, 2012. Abstract p. 43.
Papers in proceedings of meetings:
1. Carpignano F., Silva G., Surdo S., Aredia F., Scovassi A.I., Barillaro G., Mazzini G., Merlo S. Reconstruction of cell distribution in 3D silicon microstructures by label free optical detection. Fotonica, IEEE Conf. Publ. doi: 10.1109/Fotonica.2014.6843948 (2014).
2. Danova M., Scovassi I., Aredia F., Panini N., Torchio M., Barillaro G., et al. Evaluation of the metastatic potential of human tumor cells by means of 3D culture on silicon microstructures. Eur. J. Cancer (49: S256). (2013).
Research Project
Study of molecular mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy: importance of tumor microenvironment
In our laboratory we study for several years the molecular basis of resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs using as a model system the human tumor cell line SW613-B3 (colon carcinoma). We have shown that this cell line is resistant to several compounds, including etoposide, doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and 2-metossiestradiolo. The effect of various substances potentially able to inhibit cellular metabolism is currently assessed by analyzing not only the proliferation and cell viability, but also markers of apoptosis and autophagy, two interrelated processes and responsible for the resistance of tumor cells.
Recently, our attention has been focused to substances capable of modulating the intracellular pH and, consequently, to induce cell death in cells intrinsically resistant to external insults. Preliminary studies have shown that cells SW613-B3 are sensitive to substances that inhibit exchangers membrane Na+/H+, causing acidification of the cytoplasm and then allowing to assess the impact of the tumor microenvironment.
It is important, in fact, to focus the purpose of research, not only in the study of the cancer cell per se and of the molecular mechanisms that are triggered in it, but to extend the analysis to the environment surrounding the cell, or soluble factors, signal molecules and extracellular matrices that encouraging interaction with surrounding cells, promoting neoplastic transformation. The tumor environment is in fact first promoter of tumor growth and of the subsequent invasion of the tissue, protects the tumor by the immune system of the host organism, strengthens the chemoresistance and provide for the formation of niches for metastases growth.
The project aims to identify the mechanisms underlying the resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents, and pay particular attention to the characteristics of the microenvironment in which cells proliferate and eventually migrate. The use of experimental conditions which mimic the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment could allow to obtain important information about the behavior of cells in vivo.
The study of various parameters involved in the regulation of autophagy and apoptosis, as well as the reciprocal regulation of these two mechanisms will provide important results that will help us understand how cancer cells can escape death induced by drugs commonly used in chemotherapy. The knowledge of the molecular basis of these mechanisms of resistance may, in the near future, allow to design specific strategies that enable it to overcome drug resistance and thus induce the complete regression of tumors which are insensitive to chemotherapy.
The second part of the project, in collaboration with the “Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e dell’Informazione” (Università di Pavia), concern the use of photonic crystals in micromachined silicon such as micro-optical devices used to monitor cellular activity. This study allowed us to demonstrate that miniaturized optical devices in silicon can mimics microincubators to study the growth of cells in three-dimensional environments. The analysis of the devices is carried out with optical fibers useful in order to detect the morphology of cells grown in microincubators (without using markers). This technique will allow us to obtain information about how cells live and what changes occur within them, also as a result of modulations and perturbations induced from the outside. Aspect that turns out to be particularly interesting, especially in oncology, as it is possible to study the effects of a potential chemotherapeutic agent on proliferation, differentiation and cell death.
Place and date of birth: Siracusa (Italy), January 7, 1987
Citizenship: Italian
E-mail: francesca.aredia@gmail.com
EDUCATION
November 2011 Laurea magistralis in Molecular Biology and Genetics (mark 106/110),
• Experimental thesis: “Sodium/Hydrogen antiporter inhibitor HMA: effects on human cancer cell lines”. Supervisor Dr. A. Ivana Scovassi; co-supervisor Prof. Paolo Iadarola. The internship for experimental thesis was done at Istituto di Genetica Molecolare (IGM) of CNR, Pavia, Italy.
July 2009 Bachelor in Biotechnology, University of Pavia
• Experimental thesis: “Possibile ruolo del TLR4 e del suo corecettore CD14 nello sviluppo dell’infarto del miocardio”. Supervisor Prof. Colomba Falcone; co-supervisor Dr. Chiara Boiocchi. The internship was done at “Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca nella Diagnostica e Prevenzione delle Malattie Cardiovascolari e Metaboliche (CIRMC)”, Pavia.
July 2005 High school diploma :
• Liceo Scientifico Statale “T. Taramelli”, Pavia.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND INTERNSHIPS
July 2016-Present: Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Virology, INGM "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
February 2016-June 2016 Postdoctoral Fellow, DNA repair and Cell Cycle Laboratory, IGM CNR Pavia, Italy
November 2012 - October 2015: Università degli Studi di Pavia (XXVIII cycle).
• PhD in “Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology”, Thesis discussed December 15, 2015.
September 2014-February 2015: Institute of Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe University,
Frankfurt - Germany
• PhD fellow in the laboratory of the Director Prof. Dr. Simone Fulda.
February 2012 - May 2013: Supported by Regione Lombardia at IGM CNR (Pavia)
June 2013 - October 2015: Supported by University of Pavia at IGM CNR (Pavia)
• PhD Fellow in the laboratory “Approcci Innovativi in Medicina Molecolare - Apoptosi e Autofagia” of Dr. A. Ivana Scovassi.
EXPERIMENTAL SKILLS
Molecular and cellular biology techniques: in vitro coltures of human normal and tumor cells; cytotoxicity assays (cellular viability, proliferation, clonogenic capacity and metabolic activity after drug treatments); apoptosis, autophagy, pathanatos and necroptosis analysis through specific assays performed routinely in the laboratory. DNA extraction and analysis through agarose gel electrophoresis; protein extraction, western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation assay; protein expression and localization in situ by indirect immunofluorescence; mRNA estraction and analysis by RT-PCR; Comet assay to evaluate DNA damage and oxidative stress; flow cytometry to analyze cell cycle, protein expression, cell viability and cell death. Silencing through siRNA technique. Incision assay to evaluate DNA repair. Manipulation of cell lines on silicon microdevices. Frequent use of laboratory equipments: pHmeter, centrifuges, electrophoretic cells, thermostatic baths, analytic balances, chemical and laminar flow hoods, spectrophotometer, microplate reader, flow cytometer, optical microscopes and systems to acquire images. Statistical analysis of data.
AWARDS
• Selected participant for the EMBO workshop: Mitochondria, apoptosis and cancer (MAC 2015). Frankfurt, Germany, September 10-12 2015.
• Selected participant for the 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Physiology or Medicine. Lindau, Germany, June 29-July 4, 2014.
• Best poster prize (session “Cell Cycle and Apoptosis”), XXXI Conferenza Annuale di Citometria, Lucca, Italy, October 8-11, 2013.
LANGUAGES
• Italian : mother tongue
• English: fluently spoken and written (B2)
• French: basic (A1)
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES
MS Windows and OS Macintosh, Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe (Acrobat Professional and Photoshop CS). MS Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Safari software; Mail e MS Outlook Express. Use of bioinformatics tools like NCBI, Ensembl, Array express, Uniprot.
Meetings partecipations:
1. XXXIII Conferenza Nazionale di Citometria, Lucca (Italy), September 22-25, 2015.
2. Embo Workshop MAC 2015, Frankfurt (Germany), September 10-12, 2015.
3. 6th UCT Science Day. Frankfurt (Germany), September 5, 2014.
4. 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Physiology or Medicine. Lindau (Germany), June 29-July 4, 2014.
5. EPIGEN-MiChroNetwork Chromatin Seminar. Milano (Italy), March 4, 2014.
6. Metabolism 2014, Alteration of metabolic pathways as therapeutic targets. Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg), January 29-31, 2014.
7. EPIGEN-MiChroNetwork Chromatin Seminar. Pavia (Italy), January 21, 2014.
8. ABCD Congress 2013. Ravenna (Italy), September 12-14, 2013.
9. SIBBM "Frontiers in Molecular Biology" Seminar. Pavia (Italy), June 5-7, 2013.
10. XXV Italian Meeting “ADP-ribosylation reactions”. Pavia (Italy), May 31-June 1, 2013.
11. Convegno Congiunto IGM. Bologna (Italy), May 14, 2013.
12. 25 Convegno Annuale della Associazione Italiana di Colture Cellulari (AICC); Controllo dei processi di proliferazione e morte cellulare. Palermo (Italy), November 21-23, 2012.
13. “Miti, realtà e prospettive della terapia con cellule staminali nelle malattie neurodegenerative”. IRCCS C. Mondino, Pavia (Italy), December 1, 2011.
Oral communications:
Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Attivazione di vie multiple di morte in condizioni di stress cellulare. Convegno Congiunto IGM. Bologna (Italy), May 14, 2013.
Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is modulated in different paradigms of cell death. XXV Italian Meeting “ADP-ribosylation reactions”. Pavia (Italy), May 31, 2013.
Scientific society memberships:
ABCD (Associazione di Biologia Cellulare e del Differenziamento)
AICC (Associazione Italiana Colture Cellulari)
Publications
Full papers (H index: 6)
1. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. A new function for miRNAs as regulators of autophagy. Future Med Chem. 2017, 9:25-36. (IF 2015-2016: 3.345)
2. Aredia F., Czaplinski S., Fulda S., Scovassi A.I. Molecular features of the cytotoxicity of an NHE inhibitor: Evidence of mitochondrial alterations, ROS overproduction and DNA damage. BMC Cancer. 2016, 16:851. (IF 2015-2016: 3.265)
3. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Manipulation of intracellular pH in cancer cells by NHE1 inhibitors. Protein Pept Lett. 2016, 23:1123-1129. (IF 2015-2016: 1.069)
4. Aredia F., Carpignano F., Surdo S., Barillaro G., Mazzini G., Scovassi A.I. and Merlo S. An Innovative Cell Microincubator for Drug Discovery Based on 3D Silicon Structures. Journal of Nanomaterials. 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8236539. (IF 2015: 1.758)
5. Aredia F., Malatesta M., Veneroni P., Bottone M.G. Analysis of ERK3 intracellular localization: dynamic distribution during mitosis and apoptosis. Eur J Histochem. 2015, 59:2571. (IF 2015: 2.421)
6. Mazzini G., Carpignano F., Surdo S., Aredia F., Panini N., Torchio M., Erba E., Danova M., Scovassi A.I., Barillaro G. Merlo S. 3D silicon microstructures: a new tool for evaluating biological aggressiveness of tumour cells. IEEE Transactions on NanoBioscience. 2015, 14:797-805. (IF 2015: 1.969)
7. Guamán Ortiz L.M., Croce A.L., Aredia F., Sapienza S., Fiorillo G., Monir Syeda T., Buzzetti F., Lombardi P., Scovassi A.I. Effect of new Berberine derivatives on colon cancer cells. Acta Biochim. Biophys. Sin. 2015, 47: 824-833. (IF 2015: 2.124)
8. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Multiple effects of intracellular pH modulation in cancer cells. Cancer Cell Microenviron. 2014. 1: e136.
9. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Poly(ADP-ribose): A signaling molecule in different paradigms of cell death. Biochem Pharmacol. 2014. 92:157-163. (IF 2014: 4.65)
10. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Involvement of PARPs in cell death. Front. Biosci.(Elite edition) 2014. 6:308-317. (IF 2014: 4.249)
11. Aredia F., Giansanti V., Mazzini G., Savio M., Guamán Ortiz L.M., Jaadane I., Zaffaroni N., Forlino A., Torriglia A., Scovassi A.I. Multiple effects of the Na+/H+ antiporter inhibitor HMA on cancer cells. Apoptosis. 2013. 18:1586-1598. (IF 2013: 3.614)
12. Merlo S., Carpignano F., Silva G., Aredia F., Scovassi A.I., Mazzini G., Surdo S., Barillaro G. Optical label-free detection of cells grown in 3D silicon microstructures. Lab. Chip. 2013. 13:3284-3292. (IF 2013: 5.748)
13. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Manipulation of autophagy in cancer cells: An innovative strategy to fight drug resistance. Future Med. Chem. 2013. 5:1009-1021. (IF 2013: 4)
14. Bottone M.G., Santin G., Aredia F., Bernocchi G., Pellicciari C., Scovassi A.I. Morphological Features of Organelles during Apoptosis: An Overview. Cells (Special Issue: Apoptosis). 2013. 2:294-305.
15. Carpignano F., Silva G., Surdo S., Leva V., Montecucco A., Aredia F., Scovassi A.I., Merlo S., Barillaro G., Mazzini G. A new cell-selective three-dimensional microincubator based on silicon photonic crystals. PLoS One. 2012. 7:e48556. (IF 2012: 3.730)
16. Aredia F., Guamán Ortiz L.M., Giansanti V., Scovassi A.I. Autophagy and Cancer. Cells (Special Issue: Autophagy). 2012. 1:520-534.
17. Giansanti V., Santamaria G., Torriglia A., Aredia F., Scovassi A.I., Bottiroli G., Croce A.C. Fluorescence properties of the Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitor HMA (5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride) are modulated by intracellular pH. Eur. J. Histochem. 2012. 56:e3. (IF 2012: 2.412)
Abstracts of Meetings
1. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Activation of multiple pathways of a sodium/hydrogen antiporter inhibitor in colon cancer cells: a flow cytometry analytical approach. XXXIII Conferenza Nazionale di Citometria, Lucca (Italy), September 22-25, 2015. Poster M1.
2. Merlo S., Carpignano F., Silva G., Surdo S., Barillaro G., Aredia F., Scovassi A.I., Mazzini G. An innovative approach to identify CTC cells: culture of peripheral blood from patients on a 3D silicon microchip. XXXIII Conferenza Nazionale di Citometria, Lucca (Italy), September 22-25, 2015. Poster M4.
3. Aredia F., Fulda S., Scovassi A.I. Cell death induced by a Na+/H+ antiporter inhibitor: are mitochondria the master regulators? Embo Workshop MAC 2015, Frankfurt, September 10-12, 2015. Abstract p.24.
4. Aredia F., Fulda S., Scovassi A.I. Modulation of intracellular pH in cancer cells drives multiple cell death pathways. ICDS Meeting, Praga, May 28-30, 2015. Abstract p. 23-24.
5. Aredia F., Torriglia A., Scovassi A.I. Amiloride derivatives alter cancer cell metabolism and activate multiple cell death pathways. Metabolism 2014, Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg), January 29-31, 2014. Abstract p. 55.
6. Aredia F., Basello D., Scovassi A.I. Poly(ADP-ribose): a signalling molecule in different paradigms of cell death. Metabolism 2014, Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg), January 29-31, 2014. Abstract p. 49.
7. Danova M., Erba E., Mazzini G., Scovassi A.I. Aredia F., Panini N., Torchio M., Barillaro G., Surdo S., Carpignano F., Silva G., Merlo S. The metastatic potential of tumor cells can be revealed by 3D culture on a silicon optical microchip. XXXI Conferenza Annuale di Citometria, Lucca, October 8-11, 2013. Poster O5.
8. Merlo S., Carpignano F., Silva G., Surdo S., Barillaro G., Aredia F., Scovassi A.I., Mazzini G. 3D cell microincubator with intrinsic optical transduction capability for advanced cell analyses. XXXI Conferenza Annuale di Citometria, Lucca (Italy), October 8-11, 2013. Poster M7.
9. Aredia F., Giansanti V., Mazzini G., Savio M., Torriglia A., Scovassi A.I. Multiple effects of a sodium/hydrogen antiporter inhibitor. XXXI Conferenza Annuale di Citometria, Lucca (Italy), October 8-11, 2013. Poster C1.
10. Danova M., Scovassi A.I., Aredia F., Panini N., Torchio M., Barillaro G., Surdo S., Carpignano F., Silva G., Merlo S. Evaluation of the metastatic potential of human tumor cells by means of 3D culture on silicon microstructures. European Cancer Congress 2013. Amsterdam, September 27-October 1, 2013. Abstract 1205.
11. Aredia F., Giansanti V., Mazzini G., Savio M., Guamán Ortiz L.M., Jaadane I., Zaffaroni N., Forlino A., Torriglia A., Scovassi A.I. Activation of multiple death paradigms under cellular stress conditions. ABCD Congress 2013. Ravenna (Italy), September 12-14, 2013. Abstract p. 196.
12. Aredia F., Scovassi A.I. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is modulated in different paradigms of cell death. XXV Italian Meeting “ADP-ribosylation reactions”. Pavia (Italy), May 31-June 1, 2013. Abstract O9.
13. Aredia F., Giansanti V., Mazzini G., Savio M. and Scovassi A.I. Cancer cell survival is affected by the Na+/H+ antiporter inhibitor HMA. XXV Convegno Annuale della Associazione Italiana di Colture Cellulari. Palermo (Italy), November 21-23, 2012. Abstract p. 43.
Papers in proceedings of meetings:
1. Carpignano F., Silva G., Surdo S., Aredia F., Scovassi A.I., Barillaro G., Mazzini G., Merlo S. Reconstruction of cell distribution in 3D silicon microstructures by label free optical detection. Fotonica, IEEE Conf. Publ. doi: 10.1109/Fotonica.2014.6843948 (2014).
2. Danova M., Scovassi I., Aredia F., Panini N., Torchio M., Barillaro G., et al. Evaluation of the metastatic potential of human tumor cells by means of 3D culture on silicon microstructures. Eur. J. Cancer (49: S256). (2013).
Research Project
Study of molecular mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy: importance of tumor microenvironment
In our laboratory we study for several years the molecular basis of resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs using as a model system the human tumor cell line SW613-B3 (colon carcinoma). We have shown that this cell line is resistant to several compounds, including etoposide, doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and 2-metossiestradiolo. The effect of various substances potentially able to inhibit cellular metabolism is currently assessed by analyzing not only the proliferation and cell viability, but also markers of apoptosis and autophagy, two interrelated processes and responsible for the resistance of tumor cells.
Recently, our attention has been focused to substances capable of modulating the intracellular pH and, consequently, to induce cell death in cells intrinsically resistant to external insults. Preliminary studies have shown that cells SW613-B3 are sensitive to substances that inhibit exchangers membrane Na+/H+, causing acidification of the cytoplasm and then allowing to assess the impact of the tumor microenvironment.
It is important, in fact, to focus the purpose of research, not only in the study of the cancer cell per se and of the molecular mechanisms that are triggered in it, but to extend the analysis to the environment surrounding the cell, or soluble factors, signal molecules and extracellular matrices that encouraging interaction with surrounding cells, promoting neoplastic transformation. The tumor environment is in fact first promoter of tumor growth and of the subsequent invasion of the tissue, protects the tumor by the immune system of the host organism, strengthens the chemoresistance and provide for the formation of niches for metastases growth.
The project aims to identify the mechanisms underlying the resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents, and pay particular attention to the characteristics of the microenvironment in which cells proliferate and eventually migrate. The use of experimental conditions which mimic the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment could allow to obtain important information about the behavior of cells in vivo.
The study of various parameters involved in the regulation of autophagy and apoptosis, as well as the reciprocal regulation of these two mechanisms will provide important results that will help us understand how cancer cells can escape death induced by drugs commonly used in chemotherapy. The knowledge of the molecular basis of these mechanisms of resistance may, in the near future, allow to design specific strategies that enable it to overcome drug resistance and thus induce the complete regression of tumors which are insensitive to chemotherapy.
The second part of the project, in collaboration with the “Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e dell’Informazione” (Università di Pavia), concern the use of photonic crystals in micromachined silicon such as micro-optical devices used to monitor cellular activity. This study allowed us to demonstrate that miniaturized optical devices in silicon can mimics microincubators to study the growth of cells in three-dimensional environments. The analysis of the devices is carried out with optical fibers useful in order to detect the morphology of cells grown in microincubators (without using markers). This technique will allow us to obtain information about how cells live and what changes occur within them, also as a result of modulations and perturbations induced from the outside. Aspect that turns out to be particularly interesting, especially in oncology, as it is possible to study the effects of a potential chemotherapeutic agent on proliferation, differentiation and cell death.
