Neurogenic-committed human pre-adipocytes: a novel in vitro model to evaluate the toxicity of xenobiotics/pollutants

Assessment of the suitability of human multipotent adult stem cells, derived from fat tissue, and their neurogenic derivates in screening exogenous compounds, such as environmental pollutants

Assessment of neurotoxicity assay based on neural-like cells from human adipose derived stem cells

. In vitro animal models of the nervous system have been in use for many years provide an important tool for functional studies at cellular and molecular levels. Aim of our study was to generate standardized neural precursor populations from human Adipose-derived Stem Cells (hADSC), by tissue, routinely discarded after liposuction surgeries. hADSC were submitted to neural differentiated procedures, and positiveness for Nestinn and GFAP confirmed their commitment to neural like cells (N-hADSC). To test the suitability of N-hADSC as model for neural toxicity assessment, N-hADSC and rat cortical neuron cells were exposed for 24-48 hours to three neurotoxic compounds ( Carbaryl, Lidocaine and Phenytoin). A different behavior confirm the need of specie-specificity in toxicity tests

From Cells to QSAR: Alternative predictive models in toxicology

meeting report on From Cells to QSAR: Alternative predictive models in toxicology, hosted by The Italian Association for In Vitro Toxicology CELLTOX in collaboration with the Laboratory of Analysis and research in Physiopathology (LARF), Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) of the University of Genova, in April 2016. The meeeting was a a three-day course on alternative predictive models in toxicology. The course was also supported by ESTIV, The European Society of Toxicology In Vitro. Among speakers there were many international relevant experts in Toxicology in vitro, such as Thomas Hartung, Professor of Evidence Based Toxicology and Director of the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (US) . Laura Gribaldo, from JRC (Ispra, Italy); Chantra Eskes (SECAM, Switzerland); Silvia Letasiova from MatTek (Bratislava, Slovakia); and other experts.The practical session included two training blocks, focused on a human skin model for prediction of the irritation potential of chemicals, and on 3D dynamic in vitro models-i A panel discussion among experts and trainees, during hands-on sessions and in the final roundtable, contributed to create a scientific network on alternative methods

Commitment of Italian academic LARF-DIMES for teaching and training in alternative approach to animal testing

To underline the importance of both the ethical issues of alternative approaches to animal testing and the life sciences in the 21st century, LARF-DIMES, at the University of Genova (Italy), is engaged since 2008 in organization of training courses for dissemination of international resources using the over twenty years of experience of its staff in various fields of experimental pathology and teaching which demonstrates the greater effectiveness of animal-free testing. Moreover LARF team organizes stages for graduated and graduating students of Medicine, Biology, Biotechnology, Pharmacy degrees, PhD courses, and 2nd level Master on Reach regulations. The courses, focused on practical part and demonstration/lessons of specialist(s) working in the field, provide basic knowledge or improve existing expertise, on alternative methods. In each course, the participants get an update on innovative in vitro models with particular emphasis on 3D models. The organization plan foresees a substantial practice to allow everybody to set up cytotoxicity tests, according to OECD guidelines, and other emerging alternative in vitro models. These at least 2 days training courses are opened to 24 participants and include already experts of in vitro methods as well undergraduating students. The participants came from all over Italy, and the interest has been so high that courses are consistently oversubscribed, with unlucky participants asking to be registered on future courses to secure a place. On 2013 LARF team was one of the winners of international Lush Prize for Training category.All training modules were carried out by LARF staff and specialists from leading companies in in vitro research and models, such MatTek, ETT, Lonza, Biopredict, IvTech and others. Dissemination of 3R-knowledge ensures best possible practice for a predictive and reliable toxicology, by performing and optimizing 2D/3D in vitro models based on human cells to evaluate the health hazard

Alternative approach to animal testing and cell cultures, according to European laws

On September 29-30, 2016, the 8th edition of the training course on \u201cAlternative Approach to Animal Testing and Cell Cultures, According to European Laws\u201d, was held in Genoa, chaired by Prof. Anna Maria Bassi and organized and hosted by the team of Laboratory Analysis and Research in Physiopathology (LARF), Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy. The course was focused on practical work and demonstration/lessons by specialist(s) aiming to supply basic knowledge or improve existing knowledge on alternative methods. Each edition of the course provides an update on innovative in vitro models with a particular emphasis on 3D models. Substantial practical time is included to allow participants to gain hands-on experience. Twenty-four participants, from experts of in vitro methods to undergraduates, from all over Italy took part

Peroxidated olive oil nanoemulsion for cancer targeted therapy

A reactive oxygen species-mediated targeting system has been used to selectively kill cancer cells. Two different cell lines, normal and cancer cells, have been cultured and treated with a peroxide olive oil (K600) in simple solution and in form of nanoemulsion (N-K600). Preliminary results of both treatments have been compared

IN VITRO MODELS OF MULTIPOTENT ADULT STEM CELLS

none10noneEDOARDO RAPOSIO; CHIARA GUIDA; CHIARA SCANAROTTI; MONICA CURTO; ROBERTO FIOCCA; ANNALISA KUNKL; MICHELE M. DOMINICI; EUGENIO GRIGNAFFINI; PAOLO GUARNERI; PIERLUIGI SANTI; EDOARDO RAPOSIOGuida, Chiara; Scanarotti, Chiara; Curto, Monica; Fiocca, Roberto; Kunkl, Annalisa; Dominici, MICHELE M.; Grignaffini, Eugenio; Guarneri, Paolo; Santi, Pierluigi; Raposio, Edoard

In vitro polydeoxyribonucleotide effects on human pre-adipocytes

OBJECTIVES: Adipose tissue is the most abundant and accessible source of adult stem cells. Human processed lipoaspirate contains pre-adipocytes that possess one of the a characteristic pathways of multipotent adult stem cells and are able to differentiate in vitro into mesenchymal and also neurogenic lineages. Because stem cells have great potential for use in tissue repair and regeneration, it would be significant to be able to obtain large amounts of these cells in vitro. As demonstrated previously, purine nucleosides and nucleotides mixtures can act as mitogens for several cell types. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN), at appropriate concentrations, on human pre-adipocytes grown in a controlled medium, also using different passages, so as to investigate the relationship between the effect of this compound and cellular senescence, which is the phenomenon when normal diploid cells lose the ability to divide further. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human pre-adipocytes were obtained by liposuction. Cells from different culture passages (P6 and P16) were treated with PDRN at different experimental times. Cell number was evaluated for each sample by direct counting after trypan blue treatment. DNA assay and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test were also carried out in all cases. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: PDRN seemed to promote proliferation of human pre-adipocytes at both passages, but cell population growth increased in pre-adipocyte at P16, after 9 days as compared to control. Our data suggest that PDRN could act as a pre-adipocyte growth stimulator