| 1. |
- Obers, Niels A., et al.
(author)
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Quantum gravity phenomenology at the dawn of the multi-messenger era—A review
- 2022
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In: Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0146-6410 .- 1873-2224. ; 125
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The exploration of the universe has recently entered a new era thanks to the multi-messenger paradigm, characterized by a continuous increase in the quantity and quality of experimental data that is obtained by the detection of the various cosmic messengers (photons, neutrinos, cosmic rays and gravitational waves) from numerous origins. They give us information about their sources in the universe and the properties of the intergalactic medium. Moreover, multi-messenger astronomy opens up the possibility to search for phenomenological signatures of quantum gravity. On the one hand, the most energetic events allow us to test our physical theories at energy regimes which are not directly accessible in accelerators; on the other hand, tiny effects in the propagation of very high energy particles could be amplified by cosmological distances. After decades of merely theoretical investigations, the possibility of obtaining phenomenological indications of Planck-scale effects is a revolutionary step in the quest for a quantum theory of gravity, but it requires cooperation between different communities of physicists (both theoretical and experimental). This review, prepared within the COST Action CA18108 “Quantum gravity phenomenology in the multi-messenger approach”, is aimed at promoting this cooperation by giving a state-of-the art account of the interdisciplinary expertise that is needed in the effective search of quantum gravity footprints in the production, propagation and detection of cosmic messengers.
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| 2. |
- D'Esposito, V., et al.
(author)
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Adipocyte-released insulin-like growth factor-1 is regulated by glucose and fatty acids and controls breast cancer cell growth in vitro
- 2012
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In: Diabetologia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0012-186X .- 1432-0428. ; 55:10, s. 2811-2822
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Type 2 diabetes and obesity are associated with increased risk of site-specific cancers. We have investigated whether metabolic alterations at the level of adipose-derived differentiating cells may affect specific phenotypes of breast cancer cells. Growth profiles of breast cancer cell lines were evaluated in co-cultures with differentiated adipocytes or their precursor cells and upon treatment with adipocyte conditioned media. Production and release of cytokines and growth factors were assessed by real-time RT-PCR and multiplex-based ELISA assays. Co-cultures with either differentiated mouse 3T3-L1 or human mammary adipocytes increased viability of MCF-7 cells to a greater extent, when compared with their undifferentiated precursors. Adipocytes cultured in 25 mmol/l glucose were twofold more effective in promoting cell growth, compared with those grown in 5.5 mmol/l glucose, and activated mitogenic pathways in MCF-7 cells. Growth-promoting action was also enhanced when adipocytes were incubated in the presence of palmitate or oleate. Interestingly, 3T3-L1 and human adipocytes released higher amounts of keratinocyte-derived chemokine/IL-8, the protein 'regulated upon activation, normally T expressed, and secreted' (RANTES), and IGF-1, compared with their precursor cells. Their levels were reduced upon incubation with low glucose and enhanced by fatty acids. Moreover, both undifferentiated cells and differentiated adipocytes from obese individuals displayed about twofold higher IGF-1 release and MCF-7 cell growth induction than lean individuals. Finally, inhibition of the IGF-1 pathway almost completely prevented the growth-promoting effect of adipocytes on breast cancer cells. IGF-1 release by adipocytes is regulated by glucose and fatty acids and may contribute to the control of cancer cell growth in obese individuals.
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| 3. |
- Mazzuca, Silvia, et al.
(author)
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Establishing research strategies, methodologies and technologies to link genomics and proteomics to seagrass productivity, community metabolism, and ecosystem carbon fluxes
- 2013
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In: Frontiers in Plant Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-462X. ; 4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A complete understanding of the mechanistic basis of marine ecosystem functioning is only possible through integrative and interdisciplinary research. This enables the prediction of change and possibly the mitigation of the consequences of anthropogenic impacts. One major aim of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action ES0609 Seagrasses productivity. From genes to ecosystem management, is the calibration and synthesis of various methods and the development of innovative techniques and protocols for studying seagrass ecosystems. During 10 days, 20 researchers representing a range of disciplines (molecular biology, physiology, botany, ecology, oceanography, and underwater acoustics) gathered at The Station de Recherches Sous-marines et Oceanographiques (STARESO, Corsica) to study together the nearby Posidonia oceanica meadow. STARESO is located in an oligotrophic area classified as pristine site where environmental disturbances caused by anthropogenic pressure are exceptionally low. The healthy P. oceanica meadow, which grows in front of the research station, colonizes the sea bottom from the surface to 37 m depth. During the study, genomic and proteomic approaches were integrated with ecophysiological and physical approaches with the aim of understanding changes in seagrass productivity and metabolism at different depths and along daily cycles. In this paper we report details on the approaches utilized and we forecast the potential of the data that will come from this synergistic approach not only for P. oceanica but for seagrasses in general.
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| 4. |
- Mirra, P., et al.
(author)
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Adipocyte precursor cells from first degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients feature changes in hsa-mir-23a-5p, -193a-5p, and -193b-5p and insulin-like growth factor 2 expression
- 2021
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In: FASEB Journal. - 0892-6638. ; 35:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- First-degree relatives (FDRs) of type 2 diabetics (T2D) feature dysfunction of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) long before T2D onset. miRNAs have a role in adipocyte precursor cells (APC) differentiation and in adipocyte identity. Thus, impaired miRNA expression may contribute to SAT dysfunction in FDRs. In the present work, we have explored changes in miRNA expression associated with T2D family history which may affect gene expression in SAT APCs from FDRs. Small RNA-seq was performed in APCs from healthy FDRs and matched controls and omics data were validated by qPCR. Integrative analyses of APC miRNome and transcriptome from FDRs revealed down-regulated hsa-miR-23a-5p, -193a-5p and -193b-5p accompanied by up-regulated Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) gene which proved to be their direct target. The expression changes in these marks were associated with SAT adipocyte hypertrophy in FDRs. APCs from FDRs further demonstrated reduced capability to differentiate into adipocytes. Treatment with IGF2 protein decreased APC adipogenesis, while over-expression of hsa-miR-23a-5p, -193a-5p and -193b-5p enhanced adipogenesis by IGF2 targeting. Indeed, IGF2 increased the Wnt Family Member 10B gene expression in APCs. Down-regulation of the three miRNAs and IGF2 up-regulation was also observed in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes (PBLs) from FDRs. In conclusion, APCs from FDRs feature a specific miRNA/gene profile, which associates with SAT adipocyte hypertrophy and appears to contribute to impaired adipogenesis. PBL detection of this profile may help in identifying adipocyte hypertrophy in individuals at high risk of T2D.
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| 5. |
- Spinelli, R., et al.
(author)
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ZMAT3 hypomethylation contributes to early senescence of preadipocytes from healthy first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetics
- 2022
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In: Aging Cell. - : Wiley. - 1474-9718 .- 1474-9726. ; 21:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Senescence of adipose precursor cells (APC) impairs adipogenesis, contributes to the age-related subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) dysfunction, and increases risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). First-degree relatives of T2D individuals (FDR) feature restricted adipogenesis, reflecting the detrimental effects of APC senescence earlier in life and rendering FDR more vulnerable to T2D. Epigenetics may contribute to these abnormalities but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In previous methylome comparison in APC from FDR and individuals with no diabetes familiarity (CTRL), ZMAT3 emerged as one of the top-ranked senescence-related genes featuring hypomethylation in FDR and associated with T2D risk. Here, we investigated whether and how DNA methylation changes at ZMAT3 promote early APC senescence. APC from FDR individuals revealed increases in multiple senescence markers compared to CTRL. Senescence in these cells was accompanied by ZMAT3 hypomethylation, which caused ZMAT3 upregulation. Demethylation at this gene in CTRL APC led to increased ZMAT3 expression and premature senescence, which were reverted by ZMAT3 siRNA. Furthermore, ZMAT3 overexpression in APC determined senescence and activation of the p53/p21 pathway, as observed in FDR APC. Adipogenesis was also inhibited in ZMAT3-overexpressing APC. In FDR APC, rescue of ZMAT3 methylation through senolytic exposure simultaneously downregulated ZMAT3 expression and improved adipogenesis. Interestingly, in human SAT, aging and T2D were associated with significantly increased expression of both ZMAT3 and the P53 senescence marker. Thus, DNA hypomethylation causes ZMAT3 upregulation in FDR APC accompanied by acquisition of the senescence phenotype and impaired adipogenesis, which may contribute to FDR predisposition for T2D.
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