1. Role of microglia in neuronal protection and their
alteration in neuropathological conditions: focus on ALS (granted by The ALS Association, co-PI Dr. Giampaolo Zuccheri, FaBiT);
2. Interactions between neurons and glial cells in the
pathophysiology of SN: ACG-1 deficiency (granted by Telethon Foundation, co-PI Dr. Massimo Lasorsa, CNR-Bari, in collaboration with Prof. Laura Mercolini and Dr. Federico Giorgi, FaBiT);
3. Screening and study of the effect of small molecules on neuronal survival/death and on glial activation in collaboration with Prof. Maria Laura Bolognesi (FaBiT).
4. Molecular and epigenetic mechanisms, and role of microglia in the hippocampal-dependent memory;
1. Microglial role on
neuroprotection and their alteration in
neuropathological conditions: microglia has
been demonstrated to be involved not only in brain pathology, but
also in physiology. In particular , microglia produce
neuroprotective and pro-survival factors . We are currently trying
to indentify these factors , both through the analysis of known
neuroprotective agents and through a proteomic approach, in order
to study their effect on in vitro and in vivo models of
neurodegeneration and their alteration in neuropathological
conditions. In particular, we are focused on the exosomal release by microglial cells of proteins and miRNA to understand their role on neuroinflammation spreading (granted by The ALS Association, co-PI Dr. Giampaolo Zuccheri, FaBiT);
2. Glia-neuron interactions in brain
physiopathology: ACG-1 deficiency. Interactions between
glial cells (astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes) are
crucial for neuronal survival and function. By using in vitro and
in vivo models, we are studying the reciprocal signaling between
these cells in physiological conditions, as well as their
alterations in neuropathology. In particular, we are focusing on
the study of these interaction in the rare genetic disease AGC-1
deficiency, caused by a defect in the gene for AGC-1,
determining degeneration of myelin and neuronal death with
devastating neurological effects (granted by Telethon Foundation, co-PI Dr. Massimo Lasorsa, CNR-Bari, in collaboration with Prof. Laura Mercolini and Dr. Federico Giorgi, FaBiT);
3. Screening and study of the effect of small molecule synthetic on survival / death neuronal and glial activation: in collaboration with prof. Maria Laura Bolognesi, we are performing the screening and the study of the effect of synthesic small molecules on neuronal survival and/or death and on glial activation, with special reference to the microglial phenotypic shift (M2 vs. M1).
4. Molecular mechanisms,
epigenetic and role of microglia in the hippocampus-dependent
memory; it is
known that long-term memory requires gene expression, which is
regulated by transcription factor, or through epigenetic
mechanisms, whether as a result of inflammation and therefore
microglial activation. Using the behavioral test of contextual fear
conditioning and dell'inhibitory avoidance, we are studying the
molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of memory in the hippocampus of
rodents and their regulation by inflammation in control conditions
or after treatments.
