Who we are
Scientific supervisor Prof. Aderville Cabassi; aderville.cabassi@unipr.it tel: 0521 702552; 0521 704724 fax 0521 702578.
Technical supervisor: Dott.ssa Rosanna Vescovini; rosanna.vescovini@unipr.it; +39 0521 033305, +39 0521 702427
For info and contacts: rosanna.vescovini@unipr.it; +39 0521 702427, +39 0521 033305
Affiliating Staff
Where we are
Major Hospital Pavilion 26, mezzanine floor Via A. Gramsci 14 43126, Parma
University Institutes, Laboratory located at Pavilion 27 basement floor (former Cardiovascular Pathophysiology laboratory)
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What we do
Studies on the pathophysiology of the Immune System in the course of aging and pathological conditions
Main lines of research
- Studies on the role of chronic cytomegalovirus infection in Immune System changes in the course of human aging and in pathological conditions (stroke, systemic sclerosis)
- Study of immune alterations associated with Multiple Myeloma
- Study of Immune System modifications in animals with pathological pictures
Techniques in use
- Primary cell cultures at term and continuous cell lines
- Equipment of biological material banks
- Immortalization of human lymphoblastoid lines
- Isolation of Immune System cell populations and subpopulations by physical means (gradients of Ficoll-Hypaque, Percoll, Metrizamide etc.) and immunoselection with antibodies (magnetic beads)
- Preparation, acquisition, and multiparametric flow cytometry analysis of cell samples (fresh, fixed, and frozen) labeled with monoclonal antibodies directed against surface and intracellular molecules (intracytoplasmic and intranuclear)
- Cytofluorimetric assays for the study of antigen-specific populations and functional cell phenotype (intracellular cytokine production, expression of markers of cytotoxic activity) and cell kinetics including viability assays, cell cycle detection and apoptosis
- In vitro tests of specific cell function: cell proliferation assay, cytotoxicity assay, cytokine production and assay (ELISA), and apoptosis induction assay.
Main instrumentation provided
- Class II biosafety hoods (GELAIRE BSB4 and GELAIRE TC48)
- CO2 incubator (Heraeus, CO2 AUTO-ZERO)
- Countertop refrigerated centrifuges (Allegra X-22R BECKMAN COULTER, SL16R Thermo Fisher Scientific)
- Cytofluorometer FACSCalibur (Becton Dickinson)
- Optical microscopes (ZEISS, DIAPLAN LEITZ, DIAVERT LEITZ)
EX CARDIOVASCULAR PHYSIOPATHOLOGY LABORATORY
Main lines of research:
The research activity developed by the laboratory refers both experimentally and clinically to the mechanisms involved in the development of hypertension and its complications, including heart failure, as well as the role of Zinc-alpha2 glycoprotein in cachexia.
Specifically, 2 lines of research are investigated:
1) The study of the mechanisms involved in the development of arterial hypertension and experimental models of it by evaluating the interactions between oxidative and nitrosative stress parameters (generation of oxygen and nitrogen radical species), parameters related to the 'activation of the sympathetic system, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and natriuretic peptides. These elements are assessed along with sodium, water, and metabolic balance imbalances from the early stages of development to the maintenance of arterial hypertension and later to the occurrence of organ damage such as pulmonary congestion related to heart failure.
2) Role of Zinc-alpha2 glycoprotein in cachexia of various origins through a translational study approach: (a) in vitro studies aimed at evaluating the action of Zinc-alpha2 glycoprotein (lipid mobilizing factor) in alterations of cellular lipid and energy metabolism in two isolated cell populations (primary cell cultures of adipocytes and isolated cardiomyocytes) and in experimental models of cardiac and uremic cachexia; (b) clinical study in subjects with cachexia evaluating the role of Zinc alpha 2 glycoprotein (lipid mobilizing factor) in the development of 3 types of cachexia that of cardiac, uremic and neoplastic.
Techniques in use::
Primary cell cultures; microdialytic techniques; analytical methods (ELISA techniques, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry). Animal models of pathology.
Main instrumentation provided:
- Cellometer, Nexcelom (Mod. Auto T4 Cell Counter)
- Isolated heart system, RADNOTI/Ugo Basile (Mod. 4803)
- Isometric force transducer, Ugo Basile (Mod. 7003)
- Electrophoretic Cell + Gel Transfer System, Biorad/Invitrogen (Mod. 1703930)
- Microdiffusion Pump System, CMA Microdialisis A.B. (Mod. CMA/100)
- Pressure Meter, W+W electronic (Mod. BP Recorder 8002)
- Signal amplifier AD Instrument/Ugo Basile (Mod. Quad Bridge ML118)
- 2 Pressure transducers, World precision instrument/Ugo Basile (Mod. BLPR)
- Powerlab signal acquisition system, AD Instrument/Ugo Basile (Mod. Powerlab 400)
- Isometric transducer, Ugo Basile (Mod. DY1 7003)
Keywords:Cardiovascular pathophysiology, Arterial hypertension, Heart failure,
