Ricerc@Sapienza

Endothelial cells (EC) act as leading actors in angiogenesis. Understanding the complex network of signal transduction pathways which regulate angiogenesis might offer insights in the regulation of normal and pathological events, including tumours, vascular, inflammatory and immune diseases. The effects of olive oil and of Blueberry extracts upon the phosphoinositide (PI)-specific phospholipase C (PLC) enzymes were evaluated both in quiescent and inflammatory stimulated human umbilical vein EC (HUVEC) using molecular biology (multiliquid bioanalysis) and immunofluorescence techniques.

The large amount of cauliflower industry waste represents an unexplored source of bioactive compounds. In this work, peptide hydrolysates from cauliflower leaves were characterized by combined bioanalytical approaches. Twelve peptide fractions were studied to evaluate unexplored biological activities by effect-based cellular bioassays. A potent inhibition of intracellular xanthine oxidase activity was observed in human vascular endothelial cells treated with one fraction, with an IC50 = 8.3 ± 0.6 μg/ml.

Although cystic fibrosis (CF) patients exhibit signs of endothelial perturbation, the functions of the cystic fibrosis
conductance regulator (CFTR) in vascular endothelial cells (EC) are poorly defined. We sought to uncover
biological activities of endothelial CFTR, relevant for vascular homeostasis and inflammation. We examined cells
from human umbilical cords (HUVEC) and pulmonary artery isolated from non-cystic fibrosis (PAEC) and CF
human lungs (CF-PAEC), under static conditions or physiological shear. CFTR activity, clearly detected in

Background: Understanding the signalling pathways involved in angiogenesis, and developing anti-angiogenic
drugs are one of the major focuses on cancer research. Herein, we assessed the effect of CPTH6, a lysine
acetyltransferase inhibitor and anti-tumoral compound, on angiogenesis-related properties of both endothelial and
cancer cells.
Methods: The in vitro effect of CPTH6 on protein acetylation and anti-angiogenic properties on endothelial and
lung cancer cells was evaluated via wound healing, trans-well invasion and migration, tube formation,

Different adipose tissue (AT) depots are associated with multiple metabolic risks. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) is involved in adipocyte physiology and PDE5 inhibition may affect adipogenesis and ameliorate white AT quality. The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution of AT and the composition of the stroma-vascular fraction (SVF) of subcutaneous AT (SAT) in type 2 diabetic mice after prolonged treatment with a PDE5 inhibitor, Sildenafil. 18 db/db mice were treated with Sildenafil or vehicle for 12 weeks.