Stefano Cannata
e-mail: cannata AT uniroma2.it
affiliation: Università di Roma Tor Vergata
research area(s): Developmental Biology, Stem Cells And Regenerative Medicine
Course:
Cell and Molecular Biology
University/Istitution: Università di Roma Tor Vergata
University/Istitution: Università di Roma Tor Vergata
1976 Degree in BS, University of Rome La Sapienza, 110/110 CL.
1977-1988 Professor of Science, Secondary State school.
1985 Research fellowship at the Department of Zoology, University College, London.
1988-present Researcher at Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”.
1992-1993 CNR fellowship at Department of Molecular Genetics, Ohio State University, Columbus, US.
1999 CNR fellowship at Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Center of regenerative medicine”, Bath University, UK.
Scientific activities
1975-1978 Causal analysis of lens regeneration in Xenopus laevis, Prof. S. Filoni e L. Bosco, University of Rome La Sapienza
1977-1983 Comparative Immunobiology in Urodela, Prof. G. Gibertini, University of Rome La Sapienza
1978-1980 Teaching Science, Prof. Castelnuovo and Dott. S. Caravita (CNR-Comune di Roma for a new Zoo)
1985 Mitogenic antibodies to B cells surface immunoglobulins, Dott. M. Ratcliffe, Tumor Unit, Imperial Cancer Research Found, UC, London
-1988-present Molecular and cellular aspects of regeneration in Xenopus laevis, Prof. S. Filoni, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata.
Degenerative and regenerative processes in mammal muscle.
Teaching activities
1985-86 Term Professor, Course on “Phylogenesis of immune system” Sassari University
1995- 2010 Assistant Professor: Experimental Morpholgy, Comparative Anatomy, University of Rome “Tor Vergata
2010-present: Associate Professor,University of Rome “Tor Vergata
2000-present member of PhD programme, University of Rome “Tor Vergata
1977-1988 Professor of Science, Secondary State school.
1985 Research fellowship at the Department of Zoology, University College, London.
1988-present Researcher at Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”.
1992-1993 CNR fellowship at Department of Molecular Genetics, Ohio State University, Columbus, US.
1999 CNR fellowship at Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Center of regenerative medicine”, Bath University, UK.
Scientific activities
1975-1978 Causal analysis of lens regeneration in Xenopus laevis, Prof. S. Filoni e L. Bosco, University of Rome La Sapienza
1977-1983 Comparative Immunobiology in Urodela, Prof. G. Gibertini, University of Rome La Sapienza
1978-1980 Teaching Science, Prof. Castelnuovo and Dott. S. Caravita (CNR-Comune di Roma for a new Zoo)
1985 Mitogenic antibodies to B cells surface immunoglobulins, Dott. M. Ratcliffe, Tumor Unit, Imperial Cancer Research Found, UC, London
-1988-present Molecular and cellular aspects of regeneration in Xenopus laevis, Prof. S. Filoni, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata.
Degenerative and regenerative processes in mammal muscle.
Teaching activities
1985-86 Term Professor, Course on “Phylogenesis of immune system” Sassari University
1995- 2010 Assistant Professor: Experimental Morpholgy, Comparative Anatomy, University of Rome “Tor Vergata
2010-present: Associate Professor,University of Rome “Tor Vergata
2000-present member of PhD programme, University of Rome “Tor Vergata
The limb regeneration is a phenomenon common to several vertebrate species. Nevertheless different vertebrate classes show various regenerative capabilities: the amphibian Urodele can regenerate a complete and functional damaged limb in all life cycle period (larval and adult), while the mammals have reduced regenerative capacities limited to the distal portion of the digit tip (saving the nail bed) and exclusively at embryonic and neonatal stages. The inflammatory response and blood clot formation following tissue damage in mammals have the scar tissue deposition consequence, hampering regenerative processes by making difficult cell movement and cell signal molecules diffusion. Resulting thus in the lacking of blastema formation, active proliferating mass cell responsible for regeneration.
In order to promote newborn mouse digit regeneration we pursue the use of mesoangioblast, vessel associated progenitor cells, modified for the expression of MMP9 (Metalloproteinase9) and PlGF (Placental derived Growth Factor) to impair scar tissue deposition and promote angiogenesis at the amputation site. Moreover Wnt/bCatenin pathway activating recombinant lentiviral vector will be produced to stimulate local cell proliferation. In combination with cells and lentivirus we will work on newly realized biomaterial, PEG-Fibrinogen (Almany and Seliktar, 2005) as structural and functional support for mesoangioblast and as carrier for recombinant viral vector.
In order to promote newborn mouse digit regeneration we pursue the use of mesoangioblast, vessel associated progenitor cells, modified for the expression of MMP9 (Metalloproteinase9) and PlGF (Placental derived Growth Factor) to impair scar tissue deposition and promote angiogenesis at the amputation site. Moreover Wnt/bCatenin pathway activating recombinant lentiviral vector will be produced to stimulate local cell proliferation. In combination with cells and lentivirus we will work on newly realized biomaterial, PEG-Fibrinogen (Almany and Seliktar, 2005) as structural and functional support for mesoangioblast and as carrier for recombinant viral vector.
1. BERNARDINI S, GARGIOLI C, CANNATA S., FILONI S (2010). Neurogenesis during optic tectum regeneration in Xenopus laevis. DEVELOPMENT
GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, ISSN: 0012-1592
2. BERNARDINI S, GARGIOLI C, CANNATA S., FILONI S (2009). The effect of retinyl-palmitate on brain regeneration of larval Xenopus laevis. THE ITALIAN
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, ISSN: 1125-0003
3. GONFLONI S, DI TELLA L, CALDAROLA S, CANNATA S., KLINGER FG, DI BARTOLOMEO C, MATTEI M, CANDI E, DE FELICI M, MELINO G,
CESARENI G (2009). Inhibition of the c-Abl-TAp63 pathway protects mouse oocytes from chemotherapy-induced death. NATURE MEDICINE, vol. 15; p.
1179-1185, ISSN: 1078-8956
4. CANNATA S., BERNARDINI S, FILONI S, GARGIOLI C (2008). The optic vesicle promotes cornea to lens
transdifferentiation in larval Xenopus laevis. JOURNAL OF ANATOMY, vol. 212; p. 621-626, ISSN: 0021-8782
5. GARGIOLI C, COLETTA M, DE GRANDIS F, CANNATA S., AND COSSU G (2008). PLGF-MMP9 expressing cells restore microcirculation and efficacy of
cell terapy in old dystrophic muscle. NATURE MEDICINE, vol. 14; p. 973-978, ISSN: 1078-8956
6. GARGIOLI C, GIAMBRA V, SANTONI S, BERNARDINI S, FREZZA D, FILONI S, CANNATA S. (2008). The lens-regenerating competence in the outer cornea
and epidermis of larval Xenopus laevis is related to pax6
expression. JOURNAL OF ANATOMY, vol. 212; p. 612-620, ISSN: 0021-8782
7. SCARDIGLI R, GARGIOLI C, TOSONI D, BORELLO U, SAMPAOLESI M, SCIORATI C, CANNATA S., CLEMENTI E, BRUNELLI S, COSSU G (2008).
Binding of sFRP-3 to EGF in the extra-cellular space affects proliferation, differentiation and morphogenetic events regulated by the two molecules. PLOS
ONE, vol. 18; p. e2471., ISSN: 1932-6203
8. FILONI S, BERNARDINI S, CANNATA S. (2006). Experimental analysis of lens-forming capacity in Xenopus borealis larvae. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL
ZOOLOGY. PART A COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY, vol. 305; p. 538-550, ISSN: 1548-8969
9. ARRESTA E, BERNARDINI S, BERNARDINI E, FILONI S, CANNATA S. (2005). Pigmented epithelium to retina transdifferentiation and Pax6 expression in
larval Xenopus laevis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY, vol. 303; p. 958-967, ISSN:
1548-8969
10. ARRESTA E, BERNARDINI S, FILONI S, CANNATA S. (2005). LENS-FORMING COMPETENCE IN THE EPIDERMIS OF XENOPUS LAEVIS DURING
DEVELOPMENT. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY, vol. 303A; p. 1-12, ISSN: 1548-8969
11. CASAROSA S, LEONE P, CANNATA S., SANTINI F, PINCHERA A, BARSACCHI G, ANDREAZZOLI M (2005). Genetic analysis of metamorphic and
premetamorphic Xenopus Ciliary Marginal Zone. DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, vol. 233; p. 646-651, ISSN: 1058-8388
12. ARRESTA E, GIAMBRA V, GARGARO A, BERNARDINI S, FILONI S, CANNATA S. (2004). DACHSHUND EXPRESSION DURING EMBRYONIC AND
LARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF XENOPUS LAEVIS. THE ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, vol. 71; p. 275-278., ISSN: 1125-0003
13. CANNATA S., ARRESTA E, BERNARDINI S, GARGIOLI C, FILONI S (2003). TISSUE INTERACTIONS AND LENS-FORMING COMPETENCE IN THE
OUTER CORNEA OF XENOPUS LAEVIS. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY, vol. 299A; p.
161-171, ISSN: 1548-8969
14. CANNATA S., BAGNI C, BERNARDINI S, CHRISTEN B, FILONI S (2001). Nerve-independence of limb regeneration in larval Xenopus laevis is correlated to
the level of fgf-2 mRNA expression in limb tissues. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY, vol. 231; p. 436-446, ISSN: 0012-1606
GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, ISSN: 0012-1592
2. BERNARDINI S, GARGIOLI C, CANNATA S., FILONI S (2009). The effect of retinyl-palmitate on brain regeneration of larval Xenopus laevis. THE ITALIAN
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, ISSN: 1125-0003
3. GONFLONI S, DI TELLA L, CALDAROLA S, CANNATA S., KLINGER FG, DI BARTOLOMEO C, MATTEI M, CANDI E, DE FELICI M, MELINO G,
CESARENI G (2009). Inhibition of the c-Abl-TAp63 pathway protects mouse oocytes from chemotherapy-induced death. NATURE MEDICINE, vol. 15; p.
1179-1185, ISSN: 1078-8956
4. CANNATA S., BERNARDINI S, FILONI S, GARGIOLI C (2008). The optic vesicle promotes cornea to lens
transdifferentiation in larval Xenopus laevis. JOURNAL OF ANATOMY, vol. 212; p. 621-626, ISSN: 0021-8782
5. GARGIOLI C, COLETTA M, DE GRANDIS F, CANNATA S., AND COSSU G (2008). PLGF-MMP9 expressing cells restore microcirculation and efficacy of
cell terapy in old dystrophic muscle. NATURE MEDICINE, vol. 14; p. 973-978, ISSN: 1078-8956
6. GARGIOLI C, GIAMBRA V, SANTONI S, BERNARDINI S, FREZZA D, FILONI S, CANNATA S. (2008). The lens-regenerating competence in the outer cornea
and epidermis of larval Xenopus laevis is related to pax6
expression. JOURNAL OF ANATOMY, vol. 212; p. 612-620, ISSN: 0021-8782
7. SCARDIGLI R, GARGIOLI C, TOSONI D, BORELLO U, SAMPAOLESI M, SCIORATI C, CANNATA S., CLEMENTI E, BRUNELLI S, COSSU G (2008).
Binding of sFRP-3 to EGF in the extra-cellular space affects proliferation, differentiation and morphogenetic events regulated by the two molecules. PLOS
ONE, vol. 18; p. e2471., ISSN: 1932-6203
8. FILONI S, BERNARDINI S, CANNATA S. (2006). Experimental analysis of lens-forming capacity in Xenopus borealis larvae. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL
ZOOLOGY. PART A COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY, vol. 305; p. 538-550, ISSN: 1548-8969
9. ARRESTA E, BERNARDINI S, BERNARDINI E, FILONI S, CANNATA S. (2005). Pigmented epithelium to retina transdifferentiation and Pax6 expression in
larval Xenopus laevis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY, vol. 303; p. 958-967, ISSN:
1548-8969
10. ARRESTA E, BERNARDINI S, FILONI S, CANNATA S. (2005). LENS-FORMING COMPETENCE IN THE EPIDERMIS OF XENOPUS LAEVIS DURING
DEVELOPMENT. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY, vol. 303A; p. 1-12, ISSN: 1548-8969
11. CASAROSA S, LEONE P, CANNATA S., SANTINI F, PINCHERA A, BARSACCHI G, ANDREAZZOLI M (2005). Genetic analysis of metamorphic and
premetamorphic Xenopus Ciliary Marginal Zone. DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, vol. 233; p. 646-651, ISSN: 1058-8388
12. ARRESTA E, GIAMBRA V, GARGARO A, BERNARDINI S, FILONI S, CANNATA S. (2004). DACHSHUND EXPRESSION DURING EMBRYONIC AND
LARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF XENOPUS LAEVIS. THE ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, vol. 71; p. 275-278., ISSN: 1125-0003
13. CANNATA S., ARRESTA E, BERNARDINI S, GARGIOLI C, FILONI S (2003). TISSUE INTERACTIONS AND LENS-FORMING COMPETENCE IN THE
OUTER CORNEA OF XENOPUS LAEVIS. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY, vol. 299A; p.
161-171, ISSN: 1548-8969
14. CANNATA S., BAGNI C, BERNARDINI S, CHRISTEN B, FILONI S (2001). Nerve-independence of limb regeneration in larval Xenopus laevis is correlated to
the level of fgf-2 mRNA expression in limb tissues. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY, vol. 231; p. 436-446, ISSN: 0012-1606
Project Title:
PEG-Fibrinogen scaffold based for skeletal muscle reconstruction
Mesangioblasts are progenitor cells associated to vasculature and able to differentiate in different cell types of mesoderm, including skeletal muscle.
Previous studies have reported that myogenic cells such as satellite cells, and also mesoangioblasts undergo massive cell death following in vivo intra-muscular transplantation due to their poor adhesion to the extracellular matrix which is needed to support their viability and differentiation. This represents a limit to the application of myogenic cells in the focal diseases affecting the skeletal muscle such as traumas, senile or post-surgery incontinence of sphincters, as well as focal myopathies.
Therefore we focused our attention on a recently-discovered biomaterial, the PEG fibrinogen able to replace the extracellular matrix, to reduce cell death and to increase the efficacy of cell therapy.
We found that PEG fibrinogen combined with cells is able to promote the in vitro differentiation and viability, as well as to support in vivo differentiation leading to a new skeletal muscle-like formation.
Previous studies have reported that myogenic cells such as satellite cells, and also mesoangioblasts undergo massive cell death following in vivo intra-muscular transplantation due to their poor adhesion to the extracellular matrix which is needed to support their viability and differentiation. This represents a limit to the application of myogenic cells in the focal diseases affecting the skeletal muscle such as traumas, senile or post-surgery incontinence of sphincters, as well as focal myopathies.
Therefore we focused our attention on a recently-discovered biomaterial, the PEG fibrinogen able to replace the extracellular matrix, to reduce cell death and to increase the efficacy of cell therapy.
We found that PEG fibrinogen combined with cells is able to promote the in vitro differentiation and viability, as well as to support in vivo differentiation leading to a new skeletal muscle-like formation.