Cristina Nocella

RTDB

cristina.nocella@uniroma1.it

Academic Appointments:

  • 2022-In progress: RTDB, Department of Clinical, Internal, Anaesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome
  • 2019-2022: RTDA, Department of Clinical, Internal, Anaesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome
  • 2013-2016: PhD Degree in “Immunological, Haematological and Rheumatological Sciences”, Sapienza University of Rome
  • 2011-2014: Research Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome
  • 2007-2009: Master Degree in “Biology applied to biomedical research”, magna cum laude, Sapienza University of Rome

Honors and Awards:

Holder of two patents:

  • 1) European patent: https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2019111142
  • 2) National patent: n° 102017000064897.
  • – EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERSHIPS. Antioxidants; Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
  • – Member of the Italian Society of Pathology and Translational Medicine (SIPMeT)
  • – Member of the Italian Society for the Study of Haemostasis and Thrombosis (SISET)
  • – Eligible to be appointed as associate professor for the Settore Concorsuale 06/N1 from 22/06/2020 to 22/06/2029

 

Scientific interests

My scientific interest is mainly in studying the mechanisms of platelet activation, which plays a role in the onset of cardiovascular disease. Among mechanisms that elicit platelet activation, oxidative stress plays a major role in favoring platelet hyperactivity. Indeed, upon stimulation by physiological agonists, human platelets generate and release several types of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NOX2 activation. More recently, I studied other mechanisms of platelet activation such as during an inflammatory response. In these pathological conditions, platelet activation could be mediated by different promoting factors such as LPS. Finally, my interest is in the functional modulation of these pathways through pharmacological or nutraceutical approaches.

Contribution to Science

Mechanism of platelet activation: LPS, at a concentration similar to that we found in human circulation, could trigger platelet aggregation and activation. LPS promotes thrombus growth by the amplification and propagation of platelet aggregation therefore the reduction of circulating LPS levels could represent a strategy potentially useful for reducing the thrombotic process.

NOX2-mediated oxidative stress and NOX2 regulation: metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), a zinc- and calcium-dependent endopeptidase, modulates oxidative stress by regulating NOX2 activity in platelets and polymorphonuclear cells.

Antioxidant treatment and nutraceutical approach: a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet, specific components of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) such as oleuropein, and a mix of polyphenols (catechin and epicatechin) and trehalose, reduce the impact of risk factors on the onset of cardiovascular disease.

5 Selected publications

  • 1: Nocella C et al. Dark Chocolate Intake Positively Modulates Gut Permeability in Elite Football Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2023;15:4203.
  • 2: Violi F, Cammisotto V, Bartimoccia S, Pignatelli P, Carnevale R, Nocella C. Gut-derived low-grade endotoxaemia, atherothrombosis and cardiovascular disease. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2023;20(1):24-37.
  • 3: Nocella C et al. Structure, Activation, and Regulation of NOX2: At the Crossroad between the Innate Immunity and Oxidative Stress-Mediated Pathologies. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;12(2):429.
  • 4. Nocella C, et al. A novel role of MMP2 in regulating platelet NOX2 activation. Free Radic Biol Med. 2020;152:355-362.
  • Nocella C, et al. Lipopolysaccharide as trigger of platelet aggregation via eicosanoid over-production. Thromb Haemost. 2017;117:1558-1570.

On-going Grants

Project Title Funding source Amount (Euros) Period Role of the PI
The role of platelet NOX2-mediated oxidative stress and autophagy in Alzheimer's disease: new therapeutic strategies Istituto Pasteur 40.000 01/03/2025-28/02/2027 PI (100 % of time)

Complete list of published work in MyBibliography:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=cristina+nocella&sort=date&size=200

 KEYWORDS:

Platelet activation; Gut-derived LPS; NOX2; Oxidative stress; Antioxidants.

↑