Papers by Natalina Quarto
Gene, May 1, 2002
Latent transforming growth factor b binding protein-1 (LTBP-1) is important in regulating the loc... more Latent transforming growth factor b binding protein-1 (LTBP-1) is important in regulating the localization and activation of transforming growth factor b. In this paper is reported the isolation of the full-length Xenopus LTBP-1 cDNA from screening a neurula embryo cDNA library. Sequence analysis of XLTBP-1 cDNA revealed an open reading frame of 4518 bp encoding a 1398 amino acid protein with a molecular mass of 154.1 kDa and an isoelectric point of 4.65. The Xenopus XLTBP-1 shares 61 and 65% amino acid identity with the mouse and human LTBP-1, respectively. It contains 17 epidermal growth factor-like motifs and four eight-cysteine repeats (8-Cys). RNase protection assay revealed that XLTBP-1 is a maternal and zygotic gene, while whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis performed on embryos at different stages showed that during early Xenopus development, XLTBP-1 mRNA is expressed in the Spemann organizer, prechordal and chordal mesoderm, and later on in the organizer derived tissues. These findings suggest an important role for XLTBP-1 in embryo axis formation.
European journal of biochemistry, Mar 1, 1985
Type X collagen, synthesized in large amount by cultured tibial chondrocytes, is deposited in viv... more Type X collagen, synthesized in large amount by cultured tibial chondrocytes, is deposited in vivo in the epiphyseal cartilages of 17-day-old chick embryo tibiae. Here we report the extraction of this collagen from these cartilages by limited pepsin digestion and its purification to electrophoretic homogeneity by salt precipitation followed by agarose gel filtration. Identity of the collagen purified from cartilage with the type X collagen synthesized by cultured chondrocytes is confirmed by comparison of the amino acid compositions. The high glycosylation extent of type X collagen is reminiscent of the glycosylation extent of pericellular collagens. The possible role of type X collagen is discussed.
Infection and Immunity, Aug 1, 1978
The cellular response in the course of experimental infection with Salmonella typhimurium was stu... more The cellular response in the course of experimental infection with Salmonella typhimurium was studied in mice. T cells were detected by the presence of 6antigen, B cells by the binding of fluorescent immunoglobulins, and cells with receptors by labeled Salmonella binding. Lymphocytes were from spleen and lymph nodes. Results have been divided into three groups: group A, including mice with slight symptomatology; group B, including those with serious infection symptomatology; and group C, including mice that died in the course of the experiment. In spleen and lymph nodes of group A mice, an increase in the percentage of T and B lymphocytes was observed. This increase reached a peak 10 days after experimental infection. In lymph nodes, the B-cell percentage was equal to the percentage of T cells, whereas in spleen lymphocytes the B-cell percentage was higher. In spleens of group B mice we observed the same response as in mice of group A, whereas in lymph nodes there was a low response of T and B lymphocytes. In group C mice, there was no significant response of T and B lymphocytes in either spleen or lymph nodes. In B lymphocytes prepared from spleens of surviving mice, a small number of Salmonella receptors was detected: 200 bacterial cells per 109 lymphocytes.
Journal of Cell Science, Nov 1, 1994
The fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) low-affinity binding sites, heparan sulfate proteoglycans ... more The fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) low-affinity binding sites, heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), function as modulators of FGF-2 activity. It is noteworthy that HSPG binding protects FGF-2 from denaturation and proteolytic degradation, provides a matrix-bound or cellsurface reservoir of this factor for the cells and is required for the activation of FGF high-affinity receptors. In our study we investigated the biological meaning of FGF-2 internalization mediated through its low-affinity binding sites, HSPGs. Using as model system L6 myoblasts lacking endogenous FGF receptors (FGFRs), we demonstrated that these cells internalize FGF-2 efficiently through an HSPG-mediated pathway. FGF-2 internalization occurring through HSPGs was paralleled by an increase in the activity of urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA). The u-PA-inducing activity of FGF-2 was strictly correlated to its internalization, as chlorate treatment, which causes a strong inhibition of FGF-2 internalization, abrogated the u-PA-inducing activity of FGF-2. In addition, expression of functional FGF high-affinity receptors (FGFR-1) did not enhance u-PA in L6 myoblasts upon FGF-2 stimulation. According to our results we propose that FGF-2 internalization mediated through HSPGs may transduce FGF-2 signalling such as u-PA-activity stimulation. Thus, HSPGs may act as direct transducers of FGF signalling and indeed, different FGF-signalling pathways must exist.
Cancer research, Jan 15, 1995
The human endometrial adenocarcinoma HEC-1-B cell line was transfected with an expression vector ... more The human endometrial adenocarcinoma HEC-1-B cell line was transfected with an expression vector harboring the human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) cDNA under the control of the human beta-actin gene promoter. Stable transfectants were obtained in which a constitutive, limited overexpression of M(r) 24,000, 22,000, and 18,000 bFGF isoforms was observed. When transfectants were screened for the capacity to release the growth factor, significant amounts of bFGF were present in the conditioned medium and extracellular matrix of the bFGF-B9 clone but not of the bFGF-A8 clone, even though both cell lines produced similar levels of intracellular bFGF. When compared to parental cells, bFGF-B9 cells showed down-regulation of tyrosine kinase fibroblast growth factor receptors along with up-regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression which was abolished by incubation of the cell cultures with neutralizing anti-bFGF antibody. In vivo, bFGF-B9 cells formed highly vascul...
European journal of cell biology, 1985
The thyroid epithelial cell line FRT in monolayer culture appeared to be strongly polarized by mo... more The thyroid epithelial cell line FRT in monolayer culture appeared to be strongly polarized by morphological criteria. Cells were connected by tight junctions, exposed microvilli toward the culture medium and formed domes at confluency. FRT cells were infected with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and Sindbis virus and the budding polarity was examined 8 and 16 h after infection, respectively. VSV budding occurred preferentially from the basolateral domain of plasma membrane, while Sindbis virus budding was mostly apical. The distribution of VSV and Sindbis virus glycoproteins, as determined by the immuno-gold technique, correlated well with the budding polarity. Polarized budding was not observed in isolated cells in suspension.
Gene, 2002
Latent transforming growth factor b binding protein-1 (LTBP-1) is important in regulating the loc... more Latent transforming growth factor b binding protein-1 (LTBP-1) is important in regulating the localization and activation of transforming growth factor b. In this paper is reported the isolation of the full-length Xenopus LTBP-1 cDNA from screening a neurula embryo cDNA library. Sequence analysis of XLTBP-1 cDNA revealed an open reading frame of 4518 bp encoding a 1398 amino acid protein with a molecular mass of 154.1 kDa and an isoelectric point of 4.65. The Xenopus XLTBP-1 shares 61 and 65% amino acid identity with the mouse and human LTBP-1, respectively. It contains 17 epidermal growth factor-like motifs and four eight-cysteine repeats (8-Cys). RNase protection assay revealed that XLTBP-1 is a maternal and zygotic gene, while whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis performed on embryos at different stages showed that during early Xenopus development, XLTBP-1 mRNA is expressed in the Spemann organizer, prechordal and chordal mesoderm, and later on in the organizer derived tissues. These findings suggest an important role for XLTBP-1 in embryo axis formation.
Cell Biology International Reports, Sep 1, 1990
Journal of Surgical Research, Feb 1, 2014
Cell Reports, Sep 1, 2019
Highlights d Denervation of the mandible impedes bone healing by impairing skeletal stem cells d ... more Highlights d Denervation of the mandible impedes bone healing by impairing skeletal stem cells d Bone healing requires Schwann cell paracrine factors for proper stem cell function d Schwann cells and their signaling products rescue denervated mandibular healing
Organogenesis, Oct 1, 2012
Medicinal Research Reviews, Aug 24, 2021
Skin fibrosis is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the dermis. Cutaneous fibros... more Skin fibrosis is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the dermis. Cutaneous fibrosis can occur following tissue injury, including burns, trauma, and surgery, resulting in scars that are disfiguring, limit movement and cause significant psychological distress for patients. Many molecular pathways have been implicated in the development of skin fibrosis, yet effective treatments to prevent or reverse scarring are unknown. The Wnt signaling pathways are known to play an important role in skin homeostasis, skin injury, and in the development of fibrotic skin diseases. This review provides a detailed overview of the role of the canonical Wnt signaling pathways in regulating skin scarring. We also discuss how Wnt signaling interacts with other known fibrotic molecular pathways to cause skin fibrosis. We further provide a summary of the different Wnt inhibitor types available for treating skin scarring. Understanding the role of the Wnt pathway in cutaneous fibrosis will accelerate the development of effective Wnt modulators for the treatment of skin fibrosis.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, May 1, 2015
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, May 1, 2013
Methods: Mouse ASCs were harvested from Axin2 null (Axin2-/-) transgenic mice and their correspon... more Methods: Mouse ASCs were harvested from Axin2 null (Axin2-/-) transgenic mice and their corresponding background CD-1 mice. For the growth curve assay, cell counting was performed in triplicate. Cells were cultured in osteogenic differentiation media (ODM) with or without retinoic acid (RA) and with or without Wnt3a treatment. Mineralization of extracellular matrix was assessed by Alkaline phosphatase and Alizarin red staining. Analysis of genes associated with osteogenic differentiation (Runx2, Alpl) and BMP signaling (Bmp2, Bmp4, Smad1, Smad5) was performed by quantitative PCR (qPCR).
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Jun 1, 2010
A high demand exists for soft tissue reconstruction with adipose tissue. Especially tissue engine... more A high demand exists for soft tissue reconstruction with adipose tissue. Especially tissue engineering of complex three-dimensional tissue, in particular for breast reconstruction, requires vascularisation for its survival, with a view to transplanting it into the in vivo situation.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Jun 14, 2010
Yearbook of pediatric endocrinology, Sep 15, 2021
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease resulting in irreversible, progressive destruction ... more Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease resulting in irreversible, progressive destruction of articular cartilage 1. The etiology of OA is complex and involves a variety of factors, including genetic predisposition, acute injury and chronic inflammation 2-4. Here we investigate the ability of resident skeletal stem-cell (SSC) populations to regenerate cartilage in relation to age, a possible contributor to the development of osteoarthritis 5-7. We demonstrate that aging is associated with progressive loss of SSCs and diminished chondrogenesis in the joints of both mice and humans. However, a local expansion of SSCs could still be triggered in the chondral surface of adult limb joints in mice by stimulating a regenerative response using microfracture (MF) surgery. Although MF-activated SSCs tended to form fibrous tissues, localized co-delivery of BMP2 and soluble VEGFR1 (sVEGFR1), a VEGF receptor antagonist, in a hydrogel skewed differentiation of MF-activated SSCs toward articular cartilage. These data indicate that following MF, a resident stem-cell population can be induced to generate cartilage for treatment of localized chondral disease in OA. Musculoskeletal disorders are a large global health burden 8,9. Currently 52.2 million Americans are diagnosed with arthritis, and this is estimated to rise to 78.4 million by 2040 (ref. 10). Of these disorders, the most common type is OA, which has a lifetime risk of 40% (ref. 11). With no effective treatments yet approved to prevent OA disease progression, symptomatic relief and eventual joint replacement are the standards of care 12,13. In an attempt to regenerate cartilage in OA, surgeons perform MF surgery, a technique developed in the 1950s, which is widely used today 14-17. During MF surgery, the surgeon drills into the debrided chondral bone until the marrow cavity is accessed. A hematoma forms at the MF site that is resorbed and replaced with fibrous tissues. The resulting 'fibrocartilage' provides some symptomatic relief but has substantially reduced mechanical properties compared with those of normal articular cartilage 6. Little is known about the mechanism through which MF causes fibrocartilage formation, the effect of this technique on resident stem-cell populations or how this can be leveraged for tissue regeneration 18 .
Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, Apr 1, 2017
Frontiers in Endocrinology
MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate posttranscriptional gene expre... more MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate posttranscriptional gene expression by repressing messengerRNA-targets. MiRNAs are abundant in many cell types and are secreted into extracellular fluids, protected from degradation by packaging in extracellular vesicles. These circulating miRNAs are easily accessible, disease-specific and sensitive to small changes, which makes them ideal biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic, predictive or monitoring purposes. Specific miRNA signatures can be reflective of disease status and development or indicators of poor treatment response. This is especially important in malignant diseases, as the ease of accessibility of circulating miRNAs circumvents the need for invasive tissue biopsy. In osteogenesis, miRNAs can act either osteo-enhancing or osteo-repressing by targeting key transcription factors and signaling pathways. This review highlights the role of circulating and extracellular vesicle-derived miRNAs as biomarkers in...
Journal of The American College of Surgeons, Apr 17, 2023
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Papers by Natalina Quarto