Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

About: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia is a facility organization based out in Genoa, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Robot & Humanoid robot. The organization has 4561 authors who have published 14595 publications receiving 437558 citations. The organization is also known as: Italian Institute of Technology & IIT.

Colloidal Arenethiolate-Capped PbS Quantum Dots: Optoelectronic Properties, Self-Assembly, and Application in Solution-Cast Photovoltaics

Abstract: Suitable postsynthesis surface modification of lead-chalcogenide quantum dots (QDs) is crucial to enable their integration in photovoltaic devices. Here we exploit arenethiolate anions to completel...

Inflammation, neurodegeneration and protein aggregation in the retina as ocular biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease in the 3xTg-AD mouse model

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. In the pathogenesis of AD a pivotal role is played by two neurotoxic proteins that aggregate and accumulate in the central nervous system: amyloid beta and hyper-phosphorylated tau. Accumulation of extracellular amyloid beta plaques and intracellular hyper-phosphorylated tau tangles, and consequent neuronal loss begins 10–15 years before any cognitive impairment. In addition to cognitive and behavioral deficits, sensorial abnormalities have been described in AD patients and in some AD transgenic mouse models. Retina can be considered a simple model of the brain, as some pathological changes and therapeutic strategies from the brain may be observed or applicable to the retina. Here we propose new retinal biomarkers that could anticipate the AD diagnosis and help the beginning and the follow-up of possible future treatments. We analyzed retinal tissue of triple-transgenic AD mouse model (3xTg-AD) for the presence of pathological hallmarks during disease progression. We found the presence of amyloid beta plaques, tau tangles, neurodegeneration, and astrogliosis in the retinal ganglion cell layer of 3xTg-AD mice, already at pre-symptomatic stage. Moreover, retinal microglia in pre-symptomatic mice showed a ramified, anti-inflammatory phenotype which, during disease progression, switches to a pro-inflammatory, less ramified one, becoming neurotoxic. We hypothesize retina as a window through which monitor AD-related neurodegeneration process.

Photophysics of Hybrid Lead Halide Perovskites: The Role of Microstructure

Abstract: ConspectusSince the first reports on high efficiency, solution processed solar cells based on hybrid lead halide perovskites, there has been an explosion of activities on these materials. Researchers with interests spanning the full range from conventional inorganic to emerging organic and hybrid optoelectronic technologies have been contributing to the prolific research output. This has led to solar cell power conversion efficiencies now exceeding 20% and the demonstration of proofs of concept for electroluminescent and lasing devices. Hybrid perovskites can be self-assembled by a simple chemical deposition of the constituent units, with the possibility of integrating the useful properties of organic and inorganic compounds at the molecular scale within a single crystalline material, thus enabling a fine-tuning of the electronic properties. Tellingly, the fundamental properties of these materials may make us think of a new, solution processable, GaAs-like semiconductor. While this can be true to a first ...

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide-Mediated Enhancement of Purinergic Neuron/Glia Communication by the Algogenic Factor Bradykinin in Mouse Trigeminal Ganglia from Wild-Type and R192Q Cav2.1 Knock-In Mice: Implications for Basic Mechanisms of Migraine Pain

Abstract: Within the trigeminal ganglion, crosstalk between neurons and satellite glial cells (SGCs) contributes to neuronal sensitization and transduction of painful stimuli, including migraine pain, at least partly through activation of purinergic receptor mechanisms. We previously showed that the algogenic mediator bradykinin (BK) potentiates purinergic P2Y receptors on SGCs in primary trigeminal cultures. Our present study investigated the molecular basis of this effect in wild-type (WT) mice and Ca(V)2.1 α1 R192Q mutant knock-in (KI) mice expressing a human mutation causing familial hemiplegic migraine type 1. Single-cell calcium imaging of WT cultures revealed functional BK receptors in neurons only, suggesting a paracrine action by BK to release a soluble mediator responsible for its effects on SGCs. We identified this mediator as the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), whose levels were markedly increased by BK, while the CGRP antagonist CGRP(8-37) and the anti-migraine drug sumatriptan inhibited BK actions. Unlike CGRP, BK was ineffective in neuron-free SGC cultures, confirming the CGRP neuronal source. P2Y receptor potentiation induced by CGRP in SGCs was mediated via activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathways, and after exposure to CGRP, a significant release of several cytokines was detected. Interestingly, both basal and BK-stimulated CGRP release was higher in KI mouse cultures, where BK significantly upregulated the number of SGCs showing functional UTP-sensitive P2Y receptors. Our findings suggest that P2Y receptors on glial cells might be considered as novel players in the cellular processes underlying migraine pathophysiology and might represent new targets for the development of innovative therapeutic agents against migraine pain.