Institution
Istituto Giannina Gaslini
Healthcare•Genoa, Liguria, Italy•
About: Istituto Giannina Gaslini is a healthcare organization based out in Genoa, Liguria, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Transplantation. The organization has 2792 authors who have published 5519 publications receiving 199005 citations. The organization is also known as: Gaslini Institute.
Topics: Population, Transplantation, Interleukin 21, Medicine, Receptor
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macro-autophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes.
Abstract: In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes.
For example, a key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process versus those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process including the amount and rate of cargo sequestered and degraded). In particular, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation must be differentiated from stimuli that increase autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. It is worth emphasizing here that lysosomal digestion is a stage of autophagy and evaluating its competence is a crucial part of the evaluation of autophagic flux, or complete autophagy.
Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. Along these lines, because of the potential for pleiotropic effects due to blocking autophagy through genetic manipulation, it is imperative to target by gene knockout or RNA interference more than one autophagy-related protein. In addition, some individual Atg proteins, or groups of proteins, are involved in other cellular pathways implying that not all Atg proteins can be used as a specific marker for an autophagic process. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
5,187 citations
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TL;DR: The discovery of MHC-specific inhibitory receptors in mouse and in human clarified the molecular basis of this important NK cell function, and some of these receptors have now been identified in humans, thus shedding some light on the molecular mechanisms involved in NK cell activation during the process of natural cytotoxicity.
Abstract: Natural killer cells can discriminate between normal cells and cells that do not express adequate amounts of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. The discovery, both in mouse and in human, of MHC-specific inhibitory receptors clarified the molecular basis of this important NK cell function. However, the triggering receptors responsible for positive NK cell stimulation remained elusive until recently. Some of these receptors have now been identified in humans, thus shedding some light on the molecular mechanisms involved in NK cell activation during the process of natural cytotoxicity. Three novel, NK-specific, triggering surface molecules (NKp46, NKp30, and NKp44) have been identified. They represent the first members of a novel emerging group of receptors collectively termed natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCR). Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to NCR block to differing extents the NK-mediated lysis of various tumors. Moreover, lysis of certain tumors can be virtually abrogated by the simultaneous masking of the three NCRs. There is a coordinated surface expression of the three NCRs, their surface density varying in different individuals and also in the NK cells isolated from a given individual. A direct correlation exists between the surface density of NCR and the ability of NK cells to kill various tumors. NKp46 is the only NCR involved in human NK-mediated killing of murine target cells. Accordingly, a homologue of NKp46 has been detected in mouse. Molecular cloning of NCR revealed novel members of the Ig superfamily displaying a low degree of similarity to each other and to known human molecules. NCRs are coupled to different signal transducing adaptor proteins, including CD3 zeta, Fc epsilon RI gamma, and KARAP/DAP12. Another triggering NK receptor is NKG2D. It appears to play either a complementary or a synergistic role with NCRs. Thus, the triggering of NK cells in the process of tumor cell lysis may often depend on the concerted action of NCR and NKG2D. In some instances, however, it may uniquely depend upon the activity of NCR or NKG2D only. Strict NKG2D-dependency can be appreciated using clones that, in spite of their NCR(dull) phenotype, efficiently lyse certain epithelial tumors or leukemic cell lines. Other triggering surface molecules including 2B4 and the novel NKp80 appear to function as coreceptors rather than as true receptors. Indeed, they can induce natural cytotoxicity only when co-engaged with a triggering receptor. While an altered expression or function of NCR or NKG2D is being explored as a possible cause of immunological disorders, 2B4 dysfunction has already been associated with a severe form of immunodeficiency. Indeed, in patients with the X-linked lymphoproliferative disease, the inability to control Epstein-Barr virus infections may be consequent to a major dysfunction of 2B4 that exerts inhibitory instead of activating functions.
1,749 citations
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TL;DR: By defining homogenous pretreatment patient cohorts, the INRG classification system will greatly facilitate the comparison of risk-based clinical trials conducted in different regions of the world and the development of international collaborative studies.
Abstract: Purpose Because current approaches to risk classification and treatment stratification for children with neuroblastoma (NB) vary greatly throughout the world, it is difficult to directly compare risk-based clinical trials. The International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) classification system was developed to establish a consensus approach for pretreatment risk stratification.
1,374 citations
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Richard S. Finkel1, Eugenio Mercuri2, Basil T. Darras3, Anne M. Connolly4 +394 more•Institutions (13)
TL;DR: Those who received nusinersen were more likely to be alive and have improvements in motor function than those in the control group and infants with a shorter disease duration at screening wereMore likely than those with a longer disease duration to benefit from nusineren.
Abstract: BackgroundSpinal muscular atrophy is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder that is caused by an insufficient level of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Nusinersen is an antisense oligonu...
1,342 citations
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Paris Descartes University1, University of Toronto2, Radboud University Nijmegen3, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital4, Columbia University Medical Center5, University of Bordeaux6, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre7, RWTH Aachen University8, University of Lyon9, Cornell University10, Lund University11, Hannover Medical School12, Alexion Pharmaceuticals13, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research14, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital15, Newcastle University16, Istituto Giannina Gaslini17
TL;DR: Eculizumab inhibited complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy and was associated with significant time-dependent improvement in renal function in patients with atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome and was also associated with improvement in health-related quality of life.
Abstract: A b s t r ac t Background Atypical hemolytic–uremic syndrome is a genetic, life-threatening, chronic disease of complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy. Plasma exchange or infusion may transiently maintain normal levels of hematologic measures but does not treat the underlying systemic disease. Methods We conducted two prospective phase 2 trials in which patients with atypical hemo lytic–uremic syndrome who were 12 years of age or older received eculizumab for 26 weeks and during long-term extension phases. Patients with low platelet counts and renal damage (in trial 1) and those with renal damage but no decrease in the platelet count of more than 25% for at least 8 weeks during plasma exchange or infu sion (in trial 2) were recruited. The primary end points included a change in the platelet count (in trial 1) and thrombotic microangiopathy event–free status (no de crease in the platelet count of >25%, no plasma exchange or infusion, and no initia tion of dialysis) (in trial 2). Results A total of 37 patients (17 in trial 1 and 20 in trial 2) received eculizumab for a median of 64 and 62 weeks, respectively. Eculizumab resulted in increases in the platelet count; in trial 1, the mean increase in the count from baseline to week 26 was 73×10 9 per liter (P<0.001). In trial 2, 80% of the patients had thrombotic microangiopathy event–free status. Eculizumab was associated with significant improvement in all secondary end points, with continuous, time-dependent increases in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In trial 1, dialysis was discontinued in 4 of 5 patients. Earlier intervention with eculiz umab was associated with significantly greater improvement in the estimated GFR. Eculizumab was also associated with improvement in healthrelated quality of life. No cumulative toxicity of therapy or serious infection-related adverse events, including meningococcal infections, were observed through the exten
1,219 citations
Authors
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Name | H-index | Papers | Citations |
---|---|---|---|
Ralph B. D'Agostino | 226 | 1287 | 229636 |
Michael P. Lisanti | 151 | 631 | 85150 |
Lorenzo Moretta | 131 | 658 | 63417 |
Alessandro Moretta | 123 | 415 | 50509 |
Michael Dean | 107 | 419 | 63335 |
Martin Schlumberger | 104 | 455 | 55519 |
Frank H. Collins | 96 | 342 | 44638 |
Franco Locatelli | 91 | 675 | 29078 |
Friedhelm Hildebrandt | 90 | 379 | 28163 |
Giuseppe Basso | 87 | 643 | 33320 |
Federica Sotgia | 85 | 247 | 28751 |
Giorgio Walter Canonica | 85 | 819 | 36212 |
Alberto Martini | 82 | 489 | 23020 |
Angelo Ravelli | 79 | 415 | 23439 |
Maria Cristina Mingari | 79 | 279 | 22903 |