Ricerc@Sapienza

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network of proteins and glycosaminoglycans, which constitute several tissues of multicellular organisms. ECM is a three-dimensional scaffold that defines tissue boundaries, biomechanical properties, cell polarity and provides biochemical signals that control cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. ECM remodeling is essential during a number of physiological processes, the dysregulation of the remodeling causes musculoskeletal, cardio-vascular, skin, ocular and renal diseases.
Skin disorders as well as skin aging are caused by an inappropriate ratio between Collagen type I and type III and a abnormal structure and localization of polysaccarides and proteoglycans. These alterations can lead to skin atrophy and skin cancer, such as melanoma. Also osteoarthritis, the most common rheumatic disease, affecting cartilage, is characterized by an imbalance between synthesis and degradation of the ECM components. All these pathologies are non-curable diseases, therefore to find molecules that can stimulate ECM synthesis and block tissue degradation is the current challenge. Previously, we studied glucosamine and glucosamine-derivatives, finding that these molecules are able to counteract inflammation, which is present during the onset and progression of ECM impairment and are also able to stimulate ECM component synthesis.
Aim of the present project is to further study the glucosamine-derivatives, which has been extensively studied on chondrocytes, and now we want to study these molecules on dermal fibroblasts. Moreover, we are going to study new glucosamine-derivatives in order to find molecules that can be used at lower concentration compared to the concentration used for the previous compounds. Very interestingly, the glucosamine is safe when administered to patients, also at very high dosage, without undesired side effect, therefore we can suppose that also its derivatives would be safe.