Cellular and molecular biology of cell homeostasis and differentiation

Our current studies explore aspects of the cellular and molecular biology of the placenta and its similarities and differences with tumor cells. Over the years, our research in the biology of placental cells has focused on the study of pregnancy specific gene expression, the effect of external agents such as pesticides and, more recently, hypoxia, on cells and placental tissue.

Our studies have demonstrated the contribution of the KLF6 transcription factor to the fusion, migration, redox and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis processes, and the differentiation of placental trophoblasts. We have also established its relationship with frequent pathologies associated with the placenta such as preeclampsia, and other less frequent such as abnormally invasive or creta placentas.

Current projects include the study of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hypoxia using 3D models and the contribution of natural antioxidant agents to cell migration, survival, and transformation.

Our long-term goal is to identify molecular pathways that contribute to prevention, design of new treatment targets, and/or early diagnosis for both placenta and tumor pathologies.

Graciela M. Panzetta de Dutari

Independent Researcher

PhD.

Biochemist, PhD. in Chemical Sciences. Associate Professor and Independent Researcher at CONICET. Former director of the Clinical Biochemistry career. Member of the Latin American Society of Maternal-Fetal Interactions and Placenta (SLIMP).

Ana Racca

Adjunt Researcher

PhD.

Biochemist, PhD. in Chemical Sciences. Ex-postdoctoral fellow. Adjunct Professor and Adjunct Researcher at CONICET. Member of the Latin American Society of Maternal-Fetal Interactions and Placenta (SLIMP)

Gonzalo Rodriguez Lombardi

Assistant Teacher

Master

Biochemist, Master in Chemical Sciences. Assistant teacher. Head of the Molecular Biology Department and Deputy Director of the Product and Process Development Area of the Blood Products Laboratory of the National University of Córdoba

Antonella Pessi

Student

Yamila Facca Giorgetti

Student

Collaborators and Partners

Alexandre Borbely PhD Adjunct Professor at the Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas State, Brazil. Experience working with gestational diseases and various advanced in vitro and in vivo research techniques. Member of the Ibero-American Network of Vascular Alterations in Pregnancy Disorders, of the Latin American Society of Maternal-Fetal Interactions and Placenta (SLIMP). E-mail: alexandre.borbely@icbs.ufal.br

Miriam Strumia PhD Full Professor and Superior Researcher at CONICET. Institute for Research and Development in Process Engineering and Applied Chemistry (IPQA). Correo de contacto: mstrumia@unc.edu.ar

Micaela Macchione PhD Assistant Professor at the National University of Córdoba and Assistant Researcher at CONICET in Villa María Research and Transfer Center (CIT – VILLA MARÍA). Correo de contacto: micaela.macchione@unc.edu.ar

Marcela Longhi PhD Full Professor and Principal Researcher at CONICET. Farm. Micaela Ponce Ponte. Assistant Professor and doctoral fellow at CONICET. Research and Development Unit in Pharmaceutical Technology (UNITEFA). Correo de contacto: mrlonghi@unc.edu.ar ;mponceponte@unc.edu.ar

Selected Publications

Downregulation of Krüppel-like factor 6 expression modulates extravillous trophoblast cell behavior by increasing reactive oxygen species. Kourdova, L. T., Miranda, A. L., Racca, A. C., Rojas, M. L., Del Puerto, M. C., Castro, C., Genti-Raimondi, S., & Panzetta-Dutari, G. M. (2022) Placenta, 127, 62–72. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2022.08.002

Krüppel-like factor 6 participates in extravillous trophoblast cell differentiation and its expression is reduced in abnormally invasive placenta. Miranda, A. L., Kourdova, L. T., Racca, A. C., Cruz Del Puerto, M., Rojas, M. L., Marques, A., Silva, E., Fonseca, E., Gazzoni, Y., Gruppi, A., Borbely, A. U., Genti-Raimondi, S., & Panzetta-Dutari, G. M. (2022). FEBS letters, 596(13), 1700–1719. https://doi.org/10.1002/1873-3468.14367

Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) requires its amino terminal domain to promote villous trophoblast cell fusion. Miranda, A. L., Racca, A. C., Kourdova, L. T., Rojas, M. L., Cruz Del Puerto, M., Rodriguez-Lombardi, G., Salas, A. V., Travella, C., da Silva, E., de Souza, S. T., Fonseca, E., Marques, A., Borbely, A.U., Genti-Raimondi, S., & Panzetta-Dutari, G.M. (2022). Placenta, 117, 139–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2021.12.006.

Effect of Chlorpyrifos on human extravillous-like trophoblast cells. Magali E. Ridano, Ana C. Racca, Jésica B. Flores-Martín, Luciana Reyna, Susana Genti-Raimondi and Graciela M. Panzetta-Dutari. (2019) Reproductive Toxicology 90: 118-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.09.001.

Impact of chlorpyrifos on human villous trophoblasts and chorionic villi. E Ridano, AC Racca, JB Flores-Martin, R Fretes, CL Bandeira, L Reyna, E Bevilacqua, S Genti-Raimondi, GM Panzetta-Dutari. (2017) Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 329: 26–39- dx.doi.org/10.1016/ j.taap.2017.05.026.

Low oxygen tension induces Krüppel-Like Factor 6 expression in trophoblast cells. Racca AC, Ridano ME, Bandeira CL, Bevilacqua E, Avvad Portari E, Genti-Raimondi S, Graham CH, Panzetta-Dutari GM. (2016) Placenta 45: 50-57. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2016.07.006.

A novel regulator of human villous trophoblast fusion: the Kruppel-Like Factor 6. Racca, AC; Ridano, ME; Camolotto, S; Genti-Raimondi, S; Panzetta-Dutari, GM. (2015) Molecular Human Reproduction 21 (4): 347-358. doi:10.1093/molehr/gau113.