Foto del docente

Augusta Zannoni

Associate Professor

Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences

Academic discipline: MVET-01/B Veterinary Physiology

Research

Keywords: inflammation cell physiology transgenic animals reproductive biotechnologies in vitro and in vivo models

1-GENOMICS AND PROTEOMICS OF REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS

2- IN VIVO, EX VIVO AND IN VITRO ANIMAL MODELS FOR INFLAMMATION STUDIES IN SWINE SPECIES

3- TRANSGENIC PIG PRODUCTION



1- GENOMICS AND PROTEOMICS OF REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS


Experimental approaches:

Female reproduction study; male reproduction study; molecular and endocrinological analyses for reproductive and metabolic state assessment; ethological and welfare assessment in pigs; evaluation of swine embryos gene expression; genomics and proteomics approaches specific for swine species.


Principal fields of research:

In the ovary, angiogenesis and angioregression alternatively appears. In this physiological model we study the phenomenon at gene expression and regulation levels. The maintenance of a correct ovarian function is undoubtedly related to the presence of a wide vascular bed that is able to sustain follicular and corpora lutea development. VEGF is the most relevant among angiogenetic signals. Its expression is regulated by many different signals. Hypoxia acts by HIF-1(Hypoxia-inducible factor 1) transcription factor induction and represents one of the most efficient stimuli together with vasoactive gaseous stimulus as CO e NO. The evaluation of the expression of HIF-1 as well as of HO (-1 and -2) and NOS enzymes, responsible of CO e NO production respectively, in relation to functional stage of ovarian structures are investigated.



2- IN VIVO, EX VIVO AND IN VITRO ANIMAL MODELS FOR INFLAMMATION STUDIES IN SWINE SPECIES


Experimental approaches:

Experience on swine animal model in acute or chronic trials (endotoxic shock,  gene terapy, ex vixo studies, ecc); experimental surgery on swine of different ages; derivation of primary cell cultures from animal tissue (endothelial cell from aorta or specific tissues microvasculature); study of physiological systems involved in pathologies development, mainly inflammation; assessment of animal models for human diseases; genomics and proteomics approaches specific for swine species.


Principal fields of research:

The pig is worldwide recognized as the most important preclinical model on the bases of its anatomical and physiological similarity with humans. Organs dimensions, digestive physiology, renal physiology, pulmonary vascular structure and physiology, coronary distribution, respiratory indexes, cardiovascular anatomy and physiology. Thereafter, in the “Animal Models” context the swine give a wide set of non-infective syndromes useful for studying analogue human syndromes. Endothelial cells are fundamental in inflammatory response organization and propagation and regulate vasoconstriction process, leucocytes adhesion, coagulation and thrombosis. These modifications are mainly due to the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in endothelial cells, coding for adhesion molecules, cytokines, chemokines, etc. the expression of so-called “protective genes” e.g. (HO-1), A20, NOS modulate the inflammatory answer.



3- TRANSGENIC PIG PRODUCTION


Experimental approaches:

Production of transgenic and multi-transgenic pig for biomedical purposes, characterization and breeding; derivation of primary cell cultures from swine tissue (endothelial cell from aorta or specific tissues microvasculature; fibroblasts from skin or internal organs); in vitro production of swine embryos; ethological and welfare assessment in pigs; genomics and proteomics approaches specific for swine species.


Principal fields of research:

To prevent Hyperacute Rejection following the xenotransplantation, we produced hDAF transgenic pigs by means of Sperm Mediated Gene Transfer technology. The validity of experimental technology was confirmed by ex vivo perfusion of organs. New approaches are needed to overcome the acute vascular rejection that is based on a generalized pro-inflammatory state of endothelial cells and monocytes. Protective genes as A20, able to counteract the activation of NF-kB and HO-1 could be introduced constitutively in transgenic pigs. The multitransgenic pig production is a main goal on xenotransplatation studies but is also a very interesting tool for basic and applied research. Moreover the application of SMGT to gene silencing by siRNA is a very interesting improvement of the technique.

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