Investigator

Caterina Bernacchioni

Associate Professor, Applied Biology · University of Florence, Department of Biomedical, Clinical and Experimental Sciences

Papers

Sphingosine 1-phosphate acts as proliferative and fibrotic cue in leiomyoma cells

To determine whether the bioactive sphingolipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) modulates cellular proliferation and synthesis of fibrotic proteins in leiomyoma differently than myometrial cells. A basic science study using human leiomyoma and myometrial cells. Not applicable. This is an in vitro study performed on cellular models. Leiomyoma and myometrial cells were treated with S1P, as well as with selective antagonists for S1P-specific G protein-coupled receptors and secondarily with inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and ezrin. The main outcome measures included cellular proliferation and fibrogenesis. Bromodeoxyuridine Cell Proliferation Assay was employed to measure deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and proliferation, whereas western blot analysis was used to assess the expression of the fibrotic markers N-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin, transgelin, and collagen type I alpha 1. Sphingosine 1-phosphate stimulates cellular proliferation of leiomyoma but not myometrial cells. The mitogenic effect elicited by S1P relies on the engagement of its specific receptor S1P These results, besides extending the knowledge on the molecular mechanism underlying uterine leiomyoma development and fibrosis, demonstrate the pathogenetic role of S1P in leiomyoma and support the rationale for targeting S1P signaling pathway as innovative potential treatment.

51Works

1Papers

3Collaborators

EndometriosisAlzheimer DiseaseFibrosisMuscular DiseasesTumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Positions

2023–

Associate Professor, Applied Biology

University of Florence · Department of Biomedical, Clinical and Experimental Sciences

2020–

RTD B in Applied Biology

University of Florence · Department of Biomedical, Clinical and Experimental Sciences

2018–

RTD A in Applied Biology

University of Florence · Department of Biomedical, Clinical and Experimental Sciences

2016–

Post-doctoral fellow. Research project: New therapeuthic approaches for deafness: role of sphingosine 1-phosphate in the biology of otic vescicle progenitors

University of Florence · Department of Biomedical, Clinical and Experimental Sciences

2015–

Post-doctoral fellow. Research project: Novel approaches of NMR-metabolomics to characterize the role of sphingolipids in prostate cancer progression

University of Florence · Department of Biomedical, Clinical and Experimental Sciences

2016–

Experience Researcher seconded for the project TARGEAR, Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) PEOPLE Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP) - Marie Curie Actions Call: FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IAPP. Research project “In vitro preclinical studies on the employment of the defined chemical compounds to prevent hearing loss”. Supervisor: Dr. Philippe De Medina.

Affichem S.A. and CRCT Oncopole Toulouse

2014–

Post-doctoral fellow. Research project: Evaluation of the quality of biological samples through metabolomics

University of Florence · Magnetic Resonance Center and Department of Chemistry

2014–

Research collaborator. Research project: MAPI-INT Searching for early markers of intestinal ischemia. Prospective-observational study.

Giotto Biotech S.r.l.

2013–

Post-doctoral fellow. Research project: expression and characterization of recombinant metalloproteins

University of Florence · Magnetic Resonance Center

2011–

Post-doctoral fellow. Research project: Ceramide 1-phosphate: mechanism of action and biological role in myoblasts

University of Florence · Depertment of Biochemical Sciences

2011–

Tutor for the course of Laboratory of Experimental Biology, residency in Biological Sciences, University of Florence.

University of Florence

2008–

PhD student in Biochemistry and Applied Biology. Research project: Bioactive sphingolipids and their role in the biological action of growth factors and cytokines.

University of Florence · Department of Biochemical Sciences

2009–

Visiting PhD student

University of the Basque Country · Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

2008–

assistant to the Professor in the Biochemistry module of the Experimental Biology 2 course, residency in Biological Sciences, University of Florence

University of Florence

2006–

Graduate Fellow. Research project: ”Study of cytotoxicity mechanisms by prefibrillar amyloid aggregates in human neuroblastoma cells”.

University of Florence · Department of Biochemical Sciences

Education

2014

Specialization school in Clinical Biochemistry. Final mark 70/70 cum laude

University of Florence

2010

PhD in Biochemistry and Applied Biology

University of Florence · Department of Biochemical Sciences

2006

Degree in Biological Sciences. Final mark 110/110 cum laude

University of Florence - Biological Sciences · Department of Biochemical Sciences

2000

High school Diploma in Scientific Studies, final mark 100/100

Liceo Scientifico Benedetto Varchi

Links & IDs

0000-0002-1023-0067

Scopus: 17344950500