Serena Quarta, Medical University Innsbruck

Thursday, 15th February – h. 14:00
Seminars Room, NICO

Dr. Serena Quarta
Medical University Innsbruck, Austria

The role of the inflammation mediators gp130 receptor and sphingosine-1-phosphate in peripheral neuronal regeneration

Neurons are able to change their signaling pathway and network in order to react to warning signals in pathological conditions. The inflammation mediators, theIL-6 signal transducer gp130 and thebioactive lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) play a dual role, not only in neuronal excitability and pain sensitivity but also in neuron regeneration after injury. Lack of g130 causes delay in sensory recovery in vivo after crush injury and reduced skin reinnervation.

Moreover, gp130 is found to be a determining factor for the growth promoting action of NGF in adult sensory neurons. The sphingolipid S1P has alsoa critical role in fine-tuning axonal outgrowth in sensory neurons and regeneration of peripheral fibers. S1P can indeed activate differentially GCPRs supporting neurite elongation or retraction depending by the cell needs.Modulation of the above signaling pathways through genetic modifications or pharmacological tools canimprove pathological states.

Host: Ferdinando Di Cunto