Oxidative Stress Group

Via Borsari, 46 - 44121 Ferrara

Blocco B - Secondo Piano - Stanze 23 e 29

Sezione: Biologia ed Evoluzione

Responsabili: Giuseppe Valacchi, Franco Cervellati

The research group is composed by

Giuseppe Valacchi, Associate Professor

Franco Cervellati, PhD Assistant Professor

Claudia Sticozzi, Post-Doc Assistant

Maria Muresan Ximena, PhD student

Research group interests

1 ) primary and immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT)

- Modulation and localization of the receptor HO-1 , NQO -1 during skin aging

- Effect of environmental stressors such as cigarette smoke , ozone and high-frequency electromagnetic waves , on cell viability , expression and post- transcriptional modifications of receptors and proteins involved in the trafficking of cholesterol (ABCA1) .

2 ) lung epithelial cells line (A549) , lung fibroblasts and endothelial cells of the pulmonary circulation

- Effect of smoke and ozone , on the levels of LDH and cell proliferation , the expression of genes and the level of proteins involved in the absorption of alpha tocopherol (TTP , ABCA1 , SRB1) .

3) Cells of bronchial carcinoma line (CALU -3) , on the plate and on transwell

- Effect of anti-inflammatory medications , and cigarette smoking on the expression of genes and the level of proteins involved in cell communication (Cx 40 , Cx 43) , fluorescence immunolocalization and morphological characterization of gap- junctions with the help of the relevant microscopic techniques .

4 ) human trophoblast cells (HTR -8 SV - neo)

- Morphological characterization of human placental tissue with particular reference to the structures involved in cell-cell communications .

- Role of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine regulation in the process of placentation , considering the proliferation and migration of human trophoblast cells .

- Study of the effects of environmental stress induced by high-frequency electromagnetic waves from environmental pollutants and chemical, by ELISA assay of isoprostanes and the study of the expression of genes regulated by stress.

- Study of the ultrastructure and immuno -localization of the protein complexes of interaction (gap- junctions , tight junctions) on the membranes of human trophoblast cells .

5 ) human retinal epithelial cells line (hRPE)

Study of the effects of oxidative stress induced by hypoxic chemical agents , through ELISA assay of isoprostanes and the study of the expression of genes regulated by stress

- Immuno -localization of the nuclear effector and regulatory proteins involved in apoptosis and autophagy (CASP -3 , NF-kappaB) ..

6 )     Study of the pathological aspects related to oxidative stress in Rett syndrome.

Modulation and localization of the receptor HO-1 , NQO -1, TRPA and SRB1, on gene and proteins level.