Ricerc@Sapienza

The research activity of group is mainly focused on translational studies aimed to clarify the pathogenesis of neuromuscular and secretory digestive disorders. The simultaneous availability of in vitro projects, on human tissue samples and cell cultures, and on-going specific clinical research projects offers an unique opportunity for translational studies. Further, the actual external collaborations of the group facilitate a multidisciplinar research approach.

As far as neuromuscular disorders, the main interest have been those associated to the development of fibrosis that appears to be driven by a cellular mesenchimal phenotypic switch, that involves smooth muscle cells, under the effects of chronic inflammatory stimuli. Translational studies have already been conducted on eosinophilic esophagitis and fibrotic Crohn disease. Recent projects are aimed to the pathophysiology of muscle alterations in diverticular disease, whose economic burden is increasing due to its increasing prevalence and to the lack of specific treatments. The experimental evidence shows a main involvement of oxidative stress-driven, rather than inflammatory, phenotypic switch from a contractile to a synthetic smooth muscle cells that impairs colonic motor activity. Parallel clinical studies support the efficacy of antioxidant treatments. The actual experimental efforts are aimed to clarify the causing factors that drive the oxidative stress by the evaluation of mitochondrial dysfunction, ischemia and bacterial translocation.

The research activity on secretory disorders is actually focused on the role of gastric acid secretion alterations in dysbiosis-driven upper gastrointestinal disorders, namely dyspepsia, and in micronutrients malabsorption.