This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.

Dr. Simona Salerno
National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute on Membrane Technology (ITM)

Basic Info


Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Biomaterials
0 Drug Delivery
0 Drug Testing
0 Regenerative Medicine
0 Tissue Engineering

Fingerprints

Tissue Engineering
Biomaterials
Regenerative Medicine
Drug Delivery
Drug Testing

Honors and Awards

The user has no records in this section


Career Timeline

The user has no records in this section.


Short Biography

Graduated cum Laude in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology (2001) and PhD in Cellular Biochemistry and Pharmacological Activity in Oncology (2006) at the University of Calabria. Associate Professor in Bioengineering and in Chemical Fundamentals of Technologies (2018/2024). She had abroad experience in Germany (Biotechnologisch Biomedizinisches Zentrum, UniLeipzig, 2005, 2013), Brazil (Instituto de Fisica, University of São Paulo, 2011, 2012), Poland (Institute of Biocybernetic and Biomedical Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, 2010, 2011). She was involved in 14 research projects funded by EC, MIUR, KACST. Author of more than 65 scientific peer reviewed papers, book chapters, entries of encyclopaedia, Guest Editor of a Special Issue. More than 80 contributions at scientific conferences, 13 oral presentations, 2 Invited Speaker, 2 Chairperson. Awarded as Early Stage Researcher by EMS at the 10thICOM (2014). She received Grant Awards for the participation to the Marie Curie Training Course “NanoMemCourse” (2010) and for the XXXV ESAO Congress (2008). Her research activity is focused on the development of membrane bioartificial organs and engineered tissues for regenerative medicine and as in vitro platform for testing drug activity, drug delivery and biotransformation; fluid-dynamic characterization and optimization of membrane bioreactors.

Following
Followers
Co Authors
The list of users this user is following is empty.
Following: 0 users

Feed

Journal article
Published: 27 May 2021 in Membranes
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The creation of partial or complete human epidermis represents a critical aspect and the major challenge of skin tissue engineering. This work was aimed at investigating the effect of nano- and micro-structured CHT membranes on human keratinocyte stratification and differentiation. To this end, nanoporous and microporous membranes of chitosan (CHT) were prepared by phase inversion technique tailoring the operational parameters in order to obtain nano- and micro-structured flat membranes with specific surface properties. Microporous structures with different mean pore diameters were created by adding and dissolving, in the polymeric solution, polyethylene glycol (PEG Mw 10,000 Da) as porogen, with a different CHT/PEG ratio. The developed membranes were characterized and assessed for epidermal construction by culturing human keratinocytes on them for up to 21 days. The overall results demonstrated that the membrane surface properties strongly affect the stratification and terminal differentiation of human keratinocytes. In particular, human keratinocytes adhered on nanoporous CHT membranes, developing the structure of the corneum epidermal top layer, characterized by low thickness and low cell proliferation. On the microporous CHT membrane, keratinocytes formed an epidermal basal lamina, with high proliferating cells that stratified and differentiated over time, migrating along the z axis and forming a multilayered epidermis. This strategy represents an attractive tissue engineering approach for the creation of specific human epidermal strata for testing the effects and toxicity of drugs, cosmetics and pollutants.

ACS Style

Simona Salerno; Maria De Santo; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. Nano- and Micro-Porous Chitosan Membranes for Human Epidermal Stratification and Differentiation. Membranes 2021, 11, 394 .

AMA Style

Simona Salerno, Maria De Santo, Enrico Drioli, Loredana De Bartolo. Nano- and Micro-Porous Chitosan Membranes for Human Epidermal Stratification and Differentiation. Membranes. 2021; 11 (6):394.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simona Salerno; Maria De Santo; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. 2021. "Nano- and Micro-Porous Chitosan Membranes for Human Epidermal Stratification and Differentiation." Membranes 11, no. 6: 394.

Journal article
Published: 27 May 2020 in Membranes
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The creation of a liver tissue that recapitulates the micro-architecture and functional complexity of a human organ is still one of the main challenges of liver tissue engineering. Here we report on the development of a 3D vascularized hepatic tissue based on biodegradable hollow fiber (HF) membranes of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) that compartmentalize human hepatocytes on the external surface and between the fibers, and endothelial cells into the fiber lumen. To this purpose, PCL HF membranes were prepared by a dry-jet wet phase inversion spinning technique tailoring the operational parameters in order to obtain fibers with suitable properties. After characterization, the fibers were applied to generate a human vascularized hepatic unit by loading endothelial cells in their inner surface and hepatocytes on the external surface. The unit was connected to a perfusion system, and the morpho-functional behavior was evaluated. The results demonstrated the large integration of endothelial cells with the internal surface of individual PCL fibers forming vascular-like structures, and hepatocytes covered completely the external surface and the space between fibers. The perfused 3D hepatic unit retained its functional activity at high levels up to 18 days. This bottom-up tissue engineering approach represents a rational strategy to create relatively 3D vascularized tissues and organs.

ACS Style

Simona Salerno; Franco Tasselli; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Hollow Fiber Membranes for the Biofabrication of a Vascularized Human Liver Tissue. Membranes 2020, 10, 112 .

AMA Style

Simona Salerno, Franco Tasselli, Enrico Drioli, Loredana De Bartolo. Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Hollow Fiber Membranes for the Biofabrication of a Vascularized Human Liver Tissue. Membranes. 2020; 10 (6):112.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simona Salerno; Franco Tasselli; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. 2020. "Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Hollow Fiber Membranes for the Biofabrication of a Vascularized Human Liver Tissue." Membranes 10, no. 6: 112.

Review
Published: 19 September 2018 in Advanced Healthcare Materials
Reads 0
Downloads 0

For patients with severe kidney or liver failure the best solution is currently organ transplantation. However, not all patients are eligible for transplantation and due to limited organ availability, most patients are currently treated with therapies using artificial kidney and artificial liver devices. These therapies, despite their relative success in preserving the patients' life, have important limitations since they can only replace part of the natural kidney or liver functions. As blood detoxification (and other functions) in these highly perfused organs is achieved by specialized cells, it seems relevant to review the approaches leading to bioengineered organs fulfilling most of the native organ functions. There, the culture of cells of specific phenotypes on adapted scaffolds that can be perfused takes place. In this review paper, first the functions of kidney and liver organs are briefly described. Then artificial kidney/liver devices, bioartificial kidney devices, and bioartificial liver devices are focused on, as well as biohybrid constructs obtained by decellularization and recellularization of animal organs. For all organs, a thorough overview of the literature is given and the perspectives for their application in the clinic are discussed.

ACS Style

Cecile Legallais; DooLi Kim; Sylvia M. Mihaila; Milos Mihajlovic; Marina Figliuzzi; Barbara Bonandrini; Simona Salerno; Fjodor A. Yousef Yengej; Maarten B. Rookmaaker; Natalia Sanchez Romero; Pilar Sainz-Arnal; Ulysse Pereira; Mattia Pasqua; Karin G. F. Gerritsen; Marianne Verhaar; Andrea Remuzzi; Pedro M. Baptista; Loredana De Bartolo; Rosalinde Masereeuw; Dimitrios Stamatialis. Bioengineering Organs for Blood Detoxification. Advanced Healthcare Materials 2018, 7, e1800430 .

AMA Style

Cecile Legallais, DooLi Kim, Sylvia M. Mihaila, Milos Mihajlovic, Marina Figliuzzi, Barbara Bonandrini, Simona Salerno, Fjodor A. Yousef Yengej, Maarten B. Rookmaaker, Natalia Sanchez Romero, Pilar Sainz-Arnal, Ulysse Pereira, Mattia Pasqua, Karin G. F. Gerritsen, Marianne Verhaar, Andrea Remuzzi, Pedro M. Baptista, Loredana De Bartolo, Rosalinde Masereeuw, Dimitrios Stamatialis. Bioengineering Organs for Blood Detoxification. Advanced Healthcare Materials. 2018; 7 (21):e1800430.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cecile Legallais; DooLi Kim; Sylvia M. Mihaila; Milos Mihajlovic; Marina Figliuzzi; Barbara Bonandrini; Simona Salerno; Fjodor A. Yousef Yengej; Maarten B. Rookmaaker; Natalia Sanchez Romero; Pilar Sainz-Arnal; Ulysse Pereira; Mattia Pasqua; Karin G. F. Gerritsen; Marianne Verhaar; Andrea Remuzzi; Pedro M. Baptista; Loredana De Bartolo; Rosalinde Masereeuw; Dimitrios Stamatialis. 2018. "Bioengineering Organs for Blood Detoxification." Advanced Healthcare Materials 7, no. 21: e1800430.

Journal article
Published: 18 July 2018 in Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The development of novel scaffolds based on biocompatible polymers is of great interest in the field of bone repair for fabrication of biodegradable scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix and have osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties for enhanced bone regeneration. Polycaprolactone (PCL) and polycaprolactone/polyvinyl acetate (PCL/PVAc) core–shell fibers were synthesised and decorated with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) [PLGA] particles loaded with bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) by simultaneous electrospinning and electrospraying. Hydroxyapatite nanorods (HAn) were loaded into the core of fibers. The obtained scaffolds were characterised by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The in vitro potential of these materials for bone regeneration was assessed in biodegradation assays, osteoblast viability assays, and analyses of expression of specific bone markers, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), and osteopontin (OPN). PLGA particles were homogeneously distributed in the entire fibre mat. The growth factor load was 1.2–1.7 μg/g of the scaffold whereas the HAn load was in the 8.8–12.6 wt% range. These scaffolds were able to support and enhance cell growth and proliferation facilitating the expression of osteogenic and osteoconductive markers (OCN and OPN). These observations underline the great importance of the presence of BMP2 in scaffolds for bone remodelling as well as the good potential of the newly developed scaffolds for clinical use in tissue engineering.

ACS Style

Javier Aragón; Simona Salerno; Loredana De Bartolo; Silvia Irusta; Gracia Mendoza. Polymeric electrospun scaffolds for bone morphogenetic protein 2 delivery in bone tissue engineering. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2018, 531, 126 -137.

AMA Style

Javier Aragón, Simona Salerno, Loredana De Bartolo, Silvia Irusta, Gracia Mendoza. Polymeric electrospun scaffolds for bone morphogenetic protein 2 delivery in bone tissue engineering. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2018; 531 ():126-137.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Javier Aragón; Simona Salerno; Loredana De Bartolo; Silvia Irusta; Gracia Mendoza. 2018. "Polymeric electrospun scaffolds for bone morphogenetic protein 2 delivery in bone tissue engineering." Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 531, no. : 126-137.

Journal article
Published: 20 June 2018 in Journal of Membrane Science
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In this study a human liver tissue construct was created by using human skin derived mesenchymal stem cells (hSSCs), primary human hepatocytes (hHeps) and human endothelial cells (hECs) co-cultured in a gas permeable membrane bioreactor developed in two different configurations in order to create direct and interconnected co-cultures. A single chamber configuration consisting of two flat-sheet gas permeable fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) membranes was used for the direct co-culture of cells in contact each other and with membrane. To establish interconnected co-culture we developed a compartmentalized bioreactor in which hHeps and hECs adhered to FEP membrane are separated from hSSCs through a microporous polycarbonate (PC) membrane that allows the communication between cells by means of their secreted paracrine factors. In both gas permeable membrane bioreactors, biliary ducts and vascular capillaries were tightly distributed, mimicking the natural hepatic lobules. Cells displayed relevant albumin and urea synthesis as well as drug metabolism in both direct and interconnected cultures. In the compartmentalized bioreactor, the liver specific functions were prominent thanks to the biochemical communications between the different compartments as confirmed by the experimental and computational analysis. The investigation on the expression of specific mesenchymal, hepatic and endothelial markers suggested the ability of hSSCs to start the differentiation in hepatocyte phenotype expressing specific hepatocyte markers (e.g., albumin, α fetoprotein, HSA and CK19). A dual purpose accomplished the bioreactor: the creation of a vascularized liver microtissue thanks to the positive influence of biochemical signalling and stimuli from hSSCs; the production of partially differentiated hSSCs-derived cells that could be harvested as a cell source for liver tissue engineering.

ACS Style

Simona Salerno; Efrem Curcio; Augustinus Bader; Lidietta Giorno; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. Gas permeable membrane bioreactor for the co-culture of human skin derived mesenchymal stem cells with hepatocytes and endothelial cells. Journal of Membrane Science 2018, 563, 694 -707.

AMA Style

Simona Salerno, Efrem Curcio, Augustinus Bader, Lidietta Giorno, Enrico Drioli, Loredana De Bartolo. Gas permeable membrane bioreactor for the co-culture of human skin derived mesenchymal stem cells with hepatocytes and endothelial cells. Journal of Membrane Science. 2018; 563 ():694-707.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simona Salerno; Efrem Curcio; Augustinus Bader; Lidietta Giorno; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. 2018. "Gas permeable membrane bioreactor for the co-culture of human skin derived mesenchymal stem cells with hepatocytes and endothelial cells." Journal of Membrane Science 563, no. : 694-707.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2017 in Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces
Reads 0
Downloads 0
ACS Style

Haysam Ahmed; Simona Salerno; Antonella Piscioneri; Shervin Khakpour; Lidietta Giorno; Loredana De Bartolo. Human liver microtissue spheroids in hollow fiber membrane bioreactor. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2017, 160, 272 -280.

AMA Style

Haysam Ahmed, Simona Salerno, Antonella Piscioneri, Shervin Khakpour, Lidietta Giorno, Loredana De Bartolo. Human liver microtissue spheroids in hollow fiber membrane bioreactor. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2017; 160 ():272-280.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Haysam Ahmed; Simona Salerno; Antonella Piscioneri; Shervin Khakpour; Lidietta Giorno; Loredana De Bartolo. 2017. "Human liver microtissue spheroids in hollow fiber membrane bioreactor." Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 160, no. : 272-280.

Review
Published: 03 October 2017 in Current Pharmaceutical Design
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Current research in neural tissue-engineering is focused on the development of advanced biomaterials for the creation of sophisticated neuro-tissue analogues, showing that mimicking the in vivo tissue disposition and functions is a useful tool for the study of brain-related issues in normal and pathological states. In addition, the most common approach for developing new drug therapies is to carry out in vitro investigation before in vivo test, thus, it is increasingly important to develop valuable models that can predict the results of in vivo studies. This review presents the recent state of the art concerning the multifunctional role of biohybrid membrane systems in neuronal tissue engineering as innovative in vitro platforms with a well-controlled microenvironment, that enhance nervous system repair by guiding neuronal growth and differentiation. In vitro membrane-based models of brain tissue, created by combining neurons, membranes and therapeutic molecules, were described highlighting the innovative approaches directed to investigate specific biological phenomena as well as for testing biopharmaceutical compounds in neurodegenerative diseases, and drug delivery to the CNS. Furthermore, several examples of in vivo application of membrane-based stem cell delivery approaches for nerve regeneration were summarized.

ACS Style

Sabrina Morelli; Antonella Piscioneri; Simona Salerno; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. Biohybrid Membrane Systems for Testing Molecules and Stem Cell Therapy in Neuronal Tissue Engineering. Current Pharmaceutical Design 2017, 23, 3858 -3870.

AMA Style

Sabrina Morelli, Antonella Piscioneri, Simona Salerno, Enrico Drioli, Loredana De Bartolo. Biohybrid Membrane Systems for Testing Molecules and Stem Cell Therapy in Neuronal Tissue Engineering. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2017; 23 (26):3858-3870.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sabrina Morelli; Antonella Piscioneri; Simona Salerno; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. 2017. "Biohybrid Membrane Systems for Testing Molecules and Stem Cell Therapy in Neuronal Tissue Engineering." Current Pharmaceutical Design 23, no. 26: 3858-3870.

Journal article
Published: 30 August 2017 in Current Organic Chemistry
Reads 0
Downloads 0
ACS Style

Simona Salerno; Sabrina Morelli; Loredana De Bartolo. Advanced Membrane Systems for Tissue Engineering. Current Organic Chemistry 2017, 21, 1 .

AMA Style

Simona Salerno, Sabrina Morelli, Loredana De Bartolo. Advanced Membrane Systems for Tissue Engineering. Current Organic Chemistry. 2017; 21 (17):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simona Salerno; Sabrina Morelli; Loredana De Bartolo. 2017. "Advanced Membrane Systems for Tissue Engineering." Current Organic Chemistry 21, no. 17: 1.

Journal article
Published: 26 May 2017 in Biofabrication
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In this study, a designed approach has been utilized for the development of a 3D liver system. This approach makes use of primary human sinusoidal endothelial cells, stellate cells and hepatocytes that are seeded sequentially on hollow fiber membranes (HF) in order to mimic the layers of cells found in vivo. To this purpose modified polyethersulfone (PES) HF membranes were used for the creation of a 3D human liver system in static and dynamic conditions. In order to verify the positive effect of non-parenchymal cells on the maintenance of hepatocyte viability and functions, homotypic cultures of hepatocytes alone on the HF membranes were further investigated. The membrane surface allowed the attachment and self-assembly of the cells, forming tissue-like structures around and between fibers. Sinusoidal cells formed tube-like structures that surrounded hepatocytes organized in cords within aggregates promoted by stellate cells. The co-culture of hepatocytes with sinusoidal endothelial and hepatic stellate cells preserved structural architecture of the construct and improved the liver-specific functions. Most importantly, cells co-cultured in a HF membrane bioreactor synthesized albumin and urea for 28 days. The liver membrane bioreactor also preserved the drug biotransformation activity with a continuous production of diazepam phase I metabolites for an extended period of time. Additionally, the cell oxygen uptake rates highlighted the maintenance of the actual oxygen concentration at a level compatible with their metabolic functions.

ACS Style

Haysam Ahmed; Simona Salerno; Sabrina Morelli; Lidietta Giorno; Loredana De Bartolo. 3D liver membrane system by co-culturing human hepatocytes, sinusoidal endothelial and stellate cells. Biofabrication 2017, 9, 025022 .

AMA Style

Haysam Ahmed, Simona Salerno, Sabrina Morelli, Lidietta Giorno, Loredana De Bartolo. 3D liver membrane system by co-culturing human hepatocytes, sinusoidal endothelial and stellate cells. Biofabrication. 2017; 9 (2):025022.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Haysam Ahmed; Simona Salerno; Sabrina Morelli; Lidietta Giorno; Loredana De Bartolo. 2017. "3D liver membrane system by co-culturing human hepatocytes, sinusoidal endothelial and stellate cells." Biofabrication 9, no. 2: 025022.

Journal article
Published: 17 May 2017 in Biofabrication
Reads 0
Downloads 0

An important challenge in neuronal tissue engineering is to create innovative tools capable of promoting cellular response in terms of neuronal differentiation and neurite orientation that may be used as investigational platforms for studying neurobiological events and neurodegenerative disorders. A novel membrane bioreactor was created to provide a 3D well-controlled microenvironment for neuronal outgrowth. The bioreactor consisted of poly-L-lactic acid highly aligned microtube array (PLLA-MTA) membranes assembled in parallel within a chamber that establish an intraluminal and an extraluminal compartment whose communication occurs through the pores of the MTA membrane walls. The bioreactor configuration provided a wide surface area for cell adhesion in a small volume, and offered a peculiar arrangement that directed neuronal orientation. The combination of an appropriate membrane porosity, pore interconnectivity and very thin walls ensured optimal indirect perfusion to cell compartment, and enhanced the mass transfer of metabolites and catabolites protecting neurons from shear stress. The PLLA-MTA membrane bioreactor promoted the growth and differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells toward a neuronal phenotype, and guided neurite alignment giving rise to a 3D neuronal tissue-like construct. It provides an innovative platform to study neurobiological phenomena in vitro and by guiding neuronal orientation for repair and/or regeneration.

ACS Style

Sabrina Morelli; Antonella Piscioneri; Simona Salerno; Chien-Chung Chen; Chee Ho Chew; Lidietta Giorno; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. Microtube array membrane bioreactor promotes neuronal differentiation and orientation. Biofabrication 2017, 9, 025018 .

AMA Style

Sabrina Morelli, Antonella Piscioneri, Simona Salerno, Chien-Chung Chen, Chee Ho Chew, Lidietta Giorno, Enrico Drioli, Loredana De Bartolo. Microtube array membrane bioreactor promotes neuronal differentiation and orientation. Biofabrication. 2017; 9 (2):025018.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sabrina Morelli; Antonella Piscioneri; Simona Salerno; Chien-Chung Chen; Chee Ho Chew; Lidietta Giorno; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. 2017. "Microtube array membrane bioreactor promotes neuronal differentiation and orientation." Biofabrication 9, no. 2: 025018.

Review
Published: 13 February 2017 in Current Pharmaceutical Design
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In drug development, in vitro human model systems are absolutely essential prior to the clinical trials, considering the increasing number of chemical compounds in need of testing, and, keeping in mind that animals cannot predict all the adverse human health effects and reactions, due to the species-specific differences in metabolic pathways. The liver plays a central role in the clearance and biotransformation of chemicals and xenobiotics. In vitro liver model systems by using highly differentiated human cells could have a great impact in preclinical trials. Membrane biohybrid systems constituted of human hepatocytes and micro- and nano-structured membranes, represent valuable tools for studying drug metabolism and toxicity. Membranes act as an extracellular matrix for the adhesion of hepatocytes, and compartmentalise them in a well-defined physical and chemical microenvironment with high selectivity. Advanced 3-D tissue cultures are furthermore achieved by using membrane bioreactors (MBR), which ensure the continuous perfusion of cells protecting them from shear stress. MBRs with different configurations allow the culturing of cells at high density and under closely monitored high perfusion, similarly to the natural liver. These devices that promote the long-term maintenance and differentiation of primary human hepatocytes with preserved liver specific functions can be employed in drug testing for prolonged exposure to chemical compounds and for assessing repeated-dose toxicity. The use of primary human hepatocytes in MBRs is the only system providing a faster and more cost-effective method of analysis for the prediction of in vitro human drug metabolism and enzyme induction alternative and/or complementary to the animal experimentation. In this paper, in vitro models for studying drug metabolism and toxicity as advanced biohybrid membrane systems and MBRs will be reviewed.

ACS Style

Simona Salerno; Loredana De Bartolo. Biohybrid Membrane Systems and Bioreactors as Tools for In Vitro Drug Testing. Current Pharmaceutical Design 2017, 23, 319 -327.

AMA Style

Simona Salerno, Loredana De Bartolo. Biohybrid Membrane Systems and Bioreactors as Tools for In Vitro Drug Testing. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2017; 23 (2):319-327.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simona Salerno; Loredana De Bartolo. 2017. "Biohybrid Membrane Systems and Bioreactors as Tools for In Vitro Drug Testing." Current Pharmaceutical Design 23, no. 2: 319-327.

Journal article
Published: 03 February 2017 in Biosensors and Bioelectronics
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Membranes are gaining increasing interest in solid-phase analytical assay and biosensors applications, in particular as functional surface for bioreceptors immobilization and stabilization as well as for the concentration of target molecules in microsystems. In this work, regenerated cellulose immuno-affinity membranes were developed and they were used for the selective capture of interleukin-6 (IL-6) as targeted antigen. Protein G was covalently linked on the membrane surface and it was successfully used for the oriented site-specific antibody immobilization. The antibody binding capacity of the protein G-coupled membrane was evaluated. The specific anti IL-6 antibody was immobilized and a quantitative analysis of the amount of IL-6 captured by the immuno-affinity membrane was performed. The immobilization procedure was optimized to eliminate the non-specific binding of antigen on the membrane surface. Additionally, the interaction between anti IL-6 antibody and protein G was stabilized by chemical cross-linking with glutaraldehyde and the capture ability of immuno-affinity membranes, with and without the cross-linker, was compared. The maximum binding capacity of the protein G-coupled membrane was 43.8 µg/cm2 and the binding efficiency was 88%. The immuno-affinity membranes showed a high IL-6 capture efficiency at very low antigen concentration, up to a maximum of 91%, the amount of captured IL-6 increased linearly as increasing the initial concentration. The cross-linked surface retained the antigen binding capacity demonstrating its robustness in being reused, without antibody leakage or reduction in antibody binding capacity. The overall results demonstrated the possibility of a reliable application of the immuno-affinity membrane developed for biosensors and bioassays also in multiple use.

ACS Style

Francesca Militano; Teresa Poerio; Rosalinda Mazzei; Simona Salerno; Loredana De Bartolo; Lidietta Giorno. Development of biohybrid immuno-selective membranes for target antigen recognition. Biosensors and Bioelectronics 2017, 92, 54 -60.

AMA Style

Francesca Militano, Teresa Poerio, Rosalinda Mazzei, Simona Salerno, Loredana De Bartolo, Lidietta Giorno. Development of biohybrid immuno-selective membranes for target antigen recognition. Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 2017; 92 ():54-60.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesca Militano; Teresa Poerio; Rosalinda Mazzei; Simona Salerno; Loredana De Bartolo; Lidietta Giorno. 2017. "Development of biohybrid immuno-selective membranes for target antigen recognition." Biosensors and Bioelectronics 92, no. : 54-60.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2017 in Materials Science and Engineering: C
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Dermal-epidermal membrane systems were developed by co-culturing human keratinocytes with Skin derived Stem Cells (SSCs), which are Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) isolated from dermis, on biodegradable membranes of chitosan (CHT), polycaprolactone (PCL) and a polymeric blend of CHT and PCL. The membranes display physico-chemical, morphological, mechanical and biodegradation properties that could satisfy and fulfil specific requirements in skin tissue engineering. CHT membrane exhibits an optimal biodegradation rate for acute wounds; CHT-PCL for the chronic ones. On the other hand, PCL membrane in spite of its very slow biodegradation rate exhibits mechanical properties similar to in vivo dermis, a lower hydrophilic character, and a surface roughness, all properties that make it able to sustain cell adhesion and proliferation for in vitro skin models. Both CHT-PCL and PCL membranes guided epidermal and dermal differentiation of SSCs as pointed out by the expression of cytokeratins and the deposition of the ECM protein fibronectin, respectively. In the dermal-epidermal membrane systems, a more suitable microenvironment for the SSCs differentiation was promoted by the interactions and the mutual interplay with keratinocytes. Being skin tissue-biased stem cells committed to their specific final dermal and/or epidermal cell differentiation, SSCs are more suitable for skin tissue engineering than other adult MSCs with different origin. For this reason, they represent a useful autologous cell source for engineering skin substitutes for both in vivo and in vitro applications.

ACS Style

Simona Salerno; Antonietta Messina; Francesca Giordano; Augustinus Bader; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. Dermal-epidermal membrane systems by using human keratinocytes and mesenchymal stem cells isolated from dermis. Materials Science and Engineering: C 2017, 71, 943 -953.

AMA Style

Simona Salerno, Antonietta Messina, Francesca Giordano, Augustinus Bader, Enrico Drioli, Loredana De Bartolo. Dermal-epidermal membrane systems by using human keratinocytes and mesenchymal stem cells isolated from dermis. Materials Science and Engineering: C. 2017; 71 ():943-953.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simona Salerno; Antonietta Messina; Francesca Giordano; Augustinus Bader; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. 2017. "Dermal-epidermal membrane systems by using human keratinocytes and mesenchymal stem cells isolated from dermis." Materials Science and Engineering: C 71, no. : 943-953.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2016 in Chemical Engineering Journal
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In this paper a neuronal membrane bioreactor was developed as platform for the in vitro reconstruction of a neuronal network with defined functional, geometric and neuroanatomical features. The bioreactor consists of modified polyacrylonitrile hollow fiber membranes that were assembled in parallel in order to establish two separate compartments: an intraluminal compartment within the fibers, in which the medium flowed, and an extraluminal compartment or shell outside of the fibers where cells were cultured. We explored the ability of the membrane bioreactor to promote the growth and functional differentiation of neuronal cells up to 2 weeks. Neuronal cells in the bioreactor covered completely the fiber surface and exhibited a high density of the axonal network reaching a very complex 3D structural organization characterized by the expression of presynaptic vesicle protein synaptophysin. Cells were also functionally active as demonstrated by the oxygen uptake rate and glucose consumption that increased with culture time achieving values of 17.7 nmol/min and 879 ± 113 nmol/min at day 15, respectively. The neuronal membrane bioreactor was used as in vitro model of Aβ-induced toxicity associated to Alzheimer’s disease to test for the first time in cells the neuroprotective effect of crocin. The administration of the Aβ produced a dramatic decrease of cell viability and induced the reactive oxidative species (ROS) generation and apoptosis. When Aβ-peptide was administered together with crocin a significant dose-dependent inhibition of apoptosis and ROS production was observed pointing out the capability of crocin to prevent the aggregation of Aβ peptide and subsequent neurotoxicity associated to Alzheimer’s disease.

ACS Style

Sabrina Morelli; Simona Salerno; Antonella Piscioneri; Franco Tasselli; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. Neuronal membrane bioreactor as a tool for testing crocin neuroprotective effect in Alzheimer’s disease. Chemical Engineering Journal 2016, 305, 69 -78.

AMA Style

Sabrina Morelli, Simona Salerno, Antonella Piscioneri, Franco Tasselli, Enrico Drioli, Loredana De Bartolo. Neuronal membrane bioreactor as a tool for testing crocin neuroprotective effect in Alzheimer’s disease. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2016; 305 ():69-78.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sabrina Morelli; Simona Salerno; Antonella Piscioneri; Franco Tasselli; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. 2016. "Neuronal membrane bioreactor as a tool for testing crocin neuroprotective effect in Alzheimer’s disease." Chemical Engineering Journal 305, no. : 69-78.

Review
Published: 10 October 2016 in Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Reads 0
Downloads 0

This review is focused on the combination of biomaterials with stem cells as a promising strategy for bone, liver and skin regeneration. At first, we describe stem cell-based constructs for bone tissue engineering with special attention to recent advanced approaches based on the use of biomaterial scaffolds with renewable stem cells that have been used for bone regeneration. We illustrate the strategies to improve liver regeneration by using liver stem cells and biomaterials and/or devices as therapeutic approaches. In particular, examples of biomaterials in combination with other technologies are presented since they allow the differentiation of stem cells in hepatocytes. After a description of the role and the benefit of MSCs in wound repair and in skin substitutes we highlight the suitability of biomaterials in guiding stem cell differentiation for skin regeneration and cutaneous repair in both chronic and acute wounds. Finally, an overview of the types of bioreactors that have been developed for the differentiation of stem cells and are currently in use, is also provided. The examples of engineered microenvironments reported in this review indicate that a detailed understanding of the various factors and mechanisms that control the behavior of stem cells in vivo has provided useful information for the development of advanced bioartificial systems able to control cell fate.

ACS Style

Sabrina Morelli; Simona Salerno; Haysam Ahmed; Antonella Piscioneri; Loredana De Bartolo. Recent Strategies Combining Biomaterials and Stem Cells for Bone, Liver and Skin Regeneration. Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy 2016, 11, 676 -691.

AMA Style

Sabrina Morelli, Simona Salerno, Haysam Ahmed, Antonella Piscioneri, Loredana De Bartolo. Recent Strategies Combining Biomaterials and Stem Cells for Bone, Liver and Skin Regeneration. Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 2016; 11 (8):676-691.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sabrina Morelli; Simona Salerno; Haysam Ahmed; Antonella Piscioneri; Loredana De Bartolo. 2016. "Recent Strategies Combining Biomaterials and Stem Cells for Bone, Liver and Skin Regeneration." Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy 11, no. 8: 676-691.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2016 in Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In vitro models of human bioengineered skin substitutes are an alternative to animal experimentation for testing the effects and toxicity of drugs, cosmetics and pollutants. For the first time specific and distinct human epidermal strata were engineered by using membranes and keratinocytes. To this purpose, biodegradable membranes of chitosan (CHT), polycaprolactone (PCL) and a polymeric blend of CHT-PCL were prepared by phase-inversion technique and characterized in order to evaluate their morphological, physico-chemical and mechanical properties. The capability of membranes to modulate keratinocyte differentiation inducing specific interactions in epidermal membrane systems was investigated. The overall results demonstrated that the membrane properties strongly influence the cell morpho-functional behaviour of human keratinocytes, modulating their terminal differentiation, with the creation of specific epidermal strata or a fully proliferative epidermal multilayer system. In particular, human keratinocytes adhered on CHT and CHT-PCL membranes, forming the structure of the epidermal top layers, such as the corneum and granulosum strata, characterized by withdrawal or reduction from the cell cycle and cell proliferation. On the PCL membrane, keratinocytes developed an epidermal basal lamina, with high proliferating cells that stratified and migrated over time to form a complete differentiating epidermal multilayer system.

ACS Style

Simona Salerno; Sabrina Morelli; Francesca Giordano; Amalia Gordano; Loredana De Bartolo. Polymeric membranes modulate human keratinocyte differentiation in specific epidermal layers. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2016, 146, 352 -362.

AMA Style

Simona Salerno, Sabrina Morelli, Francesca Giordano, Amalia Gordano, Loredana De Bartolo. Polymeric membranes modulate human keratinocyte differentiation in specific epidermal layers. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2016; 146 ():352-362.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simona Salerno; Sabrina Morelli; Francesca Giordano; Amalia Gordano; Loredana De Bartolo. 2016. "Polymeric membranes modulate human keratinocyte differentiation in specific epidermal layers." Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 146, no. : 352-362.

Book chapter
Published: 31 August 2016 in Encyclopedia of Membranes
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Biofabrication; Biohybrid membrane systems; Regenerative medicine The first and the most common definition of tissue engineering states that it is “an interdisciplinary field that applies the principles of engineering and life sciences toward the development of biological substitutes that restore, maintain or improve tissue function or a whole organ” (Langer and Vacanti 1993). In other words, tissue engineering combines the principle of materials and cell transplantation to develop new tissues and/or promote endogenous regeneration. Living and functional cells are implanted or “seeded” into an artificial substrate or scaffold able to give them specific cues and to recapitulate the in vivo milieu of their own microenvironments, driving and supporting three-dimensional tissue formation. With the purpose of producing functional replacement tissues for clinical use, the principles of tissue development and growth must be understood and applied. On the other side, the supporting mate ...

ACS Style

Simona Salerno. Tissue Engineering, Membrane Operations of. Encyclopedia of Membranes 2016, 1904 -1906.

AMA Style

Simona Salerno. Tissue Engineering, Membrane Operations of. Encyclopedia of Membranes. 2016; ():1904-1906.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simona Salerno. 2016. "Tissue Engineering, Membrane Operations of." Encyclopedia of Membranes , no. : 1904-1906.

Reference work
Published: 14 December 2015 in Encyclopedia of Membranes
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Biofabrication; Biohybrid membrane systems; Regenerative medicine The first and the most common definition of tissue engineering states that it is “an interdisciplinary field that applies the...

ACS Style

Simona Salerno. Tissue Engineering, Membrane Operations of. Encyclopedia of Membranes 2015, 1 -3.

AMA Style

Simona Salerno. Tissue Engineering, Membrane Operations of. Encyclopedia of Membranes. 2015; ():1-3.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simona Salerno. 2015. "Tissue Engineering, Membrane Operations of." Encyclopedia of Membranes , no. : 1-3.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2015 in Journal of Biotechnology
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The design of bone substitutes involves the creation of a microenvironment supporting molecular cross-talk between cells and scaffolds during tissue formation and remodelling. Bone remodelling process includes the cooperation of bone-building cells and bone-resorbing cells. In this paper we developed polylactic acid (PLA) and composite PLA-nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) scaffolds with 20 and 50wt.% of nHA by electrospinning technique to be used in bone tissue engineering. The developed scaffolds have different fiber diameter, porosity with interconnected pores and mechanical properties. Taking cues from the bone environment features we investigated the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) from bone marrow in osteoblasts and the osteoclastogenesis in the developed scaffolds in homotypic and in co-culture up to 46 days. PLA and composite PLA-nHA scaffolds induced osteogenic and osteoclastogenic differentiation. Both osteoblasts and osteoclasts displayed high expression of specific markers (osteopontin, osteocalcin, RANK, RANKL) and functions such as secretion of ALP, cathepsin K and TRAP activity on composite scaffolds especially on PLA-nHA containing 20wt.% of nHA. The heterotypic interactions between osteoblasts and osteoclasts co-cultured in the developed scaffolds triggered their functional differentiation and activation.

ACS Style

Sabrina Morelli; Simona Salerno; Jani Holopainen; Mikko Ritala; Loredana De Bartolo. Osteogenic and osteoclastogenic differentiation of co-cultured cells in polylactic acid–nanohydroxyapatite fiber scaffolds. Journal of Biotechnology 2015, 204, 53 -62.

AMA Style

Sabrina Morelli, Simona Salerno, Jani Holopainen, Mikko Ritala, Loredana De Bartolo. Osteogenic and osteoclastogenic differentiation of co-cultured cells in polylactic acid–nanohydroxyapatite fiber scaffolds. Journal of Biotechnology. 2015; 204 ():53-62.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sabrina Morelli; Simona Salerno; Jani Holopainen; Mikko Ritala; Loredana De Bartolo. 2015. "Osteogenic and osteoclastogenic differentiation of co-cultured cells in polylactic acid–nanohydroxyapatite fiber scaffolds." Journal of Biotechnology 204, no. : 53-62.

Journal article
Published: 18 November 2014 in Cells Tissues Organs
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In this study, the flavonoid didymin was administered in vitro in neuronal cells after hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced injury (neurorescue) in order to investigate the effects of this natural molecule on cell damage in a neuronal membrane system. The results showed the effects of didymin in neuronal cells by using a polycaprolactone biodegradable membrane system as an in vitro model. Two major findings are presented in this study: first is the antioxidant property of didymin and, second, for the first time we provide evidence concerning its ability to rescue neuronal cells from oxidative damage. Didymin showed radical scavenging activities and it protected the neuronal cells against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity. Didymin increased cell viability, decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species generation, stimulated superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity in neuronal cells which were previously insulted with H2O2. In addition, didymin strikingly inhibited H2O2-induced mitochondrial dysfunctions in terms of reduction of mitochondria membrane potential and the activation of cleaved caspase-3, and also decreased dramatically the H2O2-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Therefore, this molecule is capable of inducing recovery from oxidative damage, and promoting and/or restoring normal cellular conditions. Moreover, the mechanism underlying the protective effects of didymin in H2O2-injured neuronal cells might be related to the activation of antioxidant defense enzymes as well as to the inhibition of apoptotic features, such as p-JNK and caspase-3 activation. These data suggest that didymin may be a potential therapeutic molecule for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders associated with oxidative stress.

ACS Style

Sabrina Morelli; Antonella Piscioneri; Simona Salerno; Mohamed B. Al-Fageeh; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. Neuroprotective Effect of Didymin on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Injury in the Neuronal Membrane System. Cells Tissues Organs 2014, 199, 184 -200.

AMA Style

Sabrina Morelli, Antonella Piscioneri, Simona Salerno, Mohamed B. Al-Fageeh, Enrico Drioli, Loredana De Bartolo. Neuroprotective Effect of Didymin on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Injury in the Neuronal Membrane System. Cells Tissues Organs. 2014; 199 (2):184-200.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sabrina Morelli; Antonella Piscioneri; Simona Salerno; Mohamed B. Al-Fageeh; Enrico Drioli; Loredana De Bartolo. 2014. "Neuroprotective Effect of Didymin on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Injury in the Neuronal Membrane System." Cells Tissues Organs 199, no. 2: 184-200.