Ricerc@Sapienza

Bone marrow (BM) is the major target organ for neuroblastoma (NB) metastasis and its involvement is associated with poor outcome. Yet, the mechanism by which NB cells invade BM is largely unknown. Tumour microenvironment represents a key element in tumour progression and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been recognized as a fundamental part of the associated tumour stroma. Here, we show that BM-MSCs isolated from NB patients with BM involvement exhibit a greater osteogenic potential than MSCs from non-infiltrated BM.

Cardiac adverse remodeling is characterized by biological changes that aect the composition and architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The consequently disrupted signaling can interfere with the balance between cardiogenic and pro-fibrotic phenotype of resident cardiac stromal primitive cells (CPCs). The latter are important players in cardiac homeostasis and can be exploited as therapeutic cells in regenerative medicine. Our aim was to compare the eects of human decellularized native ECM from normal (dECM-NH) or failing hearts (dECM-PH) on human CPCs.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain cancer in adults, with very limited therapeutic options. It is characterized by a severe immunosuppressive milieu mostly triggered by suppressive CD163+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor interventions aimed at rescuing anti-tumor immunity has not been proved to date. Thus, it is critically important to investigate the immunomodulatory mechanisms acting within the GBM microenvironment for the better design of immunotherapeutic strategies.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy. Although the therapy of ALL has significantly improved, the heterogeneous genetic landscape of the disease often causes relapse, which is difficult to treat. Achieving a positive outcome for patients with relapsed or refractory ALL remains a challenging issue.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) represent a promising tool for soft tissue engineering as well as for clinical treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune pathologies. The well-characterized multi-differentiation potential and self-renewal properties of ASCs are coupled with their immunomodulatory ability in providing therapeutic efficacy. Yet, their impact in immune or inflammatory disorders might rely both on cell contact-dependent mechanisms and paracrine effects, resulting in the release of various soluble factors that regulate immune cells functions.