Francesca Benedetti

Dr. Francesca Benedetti

Institute of Human Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

10Years (2017-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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23 August 2023 in Pathogens
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Eleonora CellaEleonora Cella
Eleonora Cella
MGMarta Giovanetti
Marta Giovanetti
FBFrancesca Benedetti
Francesca Benedetti
Fabio ScarpaFabio Scarpa
Fabio Scarpa
CJCatherine Johnston
Catherine Johnston
MCMassimo Ciccozzi
Massimo Ciccozzi
Antibiotic resistance is a significant global health concern that affects both human and animal populations. The One Health approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the environment. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration and coordination across these sectors to tackle complex health challenges such as antibiotic resistance. In the context of One Health, antibiotic resistance refers to the ability of bacteria to withstand the efficacy of antibiotics, rendering them less effective or completely ineffective in treating infections. The emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a threat to human and animal health, as well as to the effectiveness of medical treatments and veterinary interventions. In particular, One Health recognizes that antibiotic use in human medicine, animal agriculture, and the environment are interconnected factors contributing to the development and spread of antibiotic resistance. For example, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in human healthcare, including inappropriate prescribing and patient non-compliance, can contribute to the selection and spread of resistant bacteria. Similarly, the use of antibiotics in livestock production for growth promotion and disease prevention can contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in animals and subsequent transmission to humans through the food chain. Addressing antibiotic resistance requires a collaborative One Health approach that involves multiple participants, including healthcare professionals, veterinarians, researchers, and policymakers.

27 July 2021 in Journal of Medical Virology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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SPStefano Pascarella
Stefano Pascarella
MCMassimo Ciccozzi
Massimo Ciccozzi
DAVIDE ZELLADAVIDE ZELLA
DAVIDE ZELLA
MBMartina Bianchi
Martina Bianchi
FBFrancesca Benedetti
Francesca Benedetti
ACAntonio CassoneV
Antonio CassoneV
Lineage B.1.617+, also known as G/452R.V3 and now denoted by WHO with the Greek letters δ and κ, is a recently described SARS‐CoV‐2 variant under investigation first identified in October 2020 in India. As of May 2021, three sublineages labeled as B.1.617.1 (κ), B.1.617.2 (δ), and B.1.617.3 have been already identified, and their potential impact on the current pandemic is being studied. This variant has 13 amino acid changes, three in its spike protein, which are currently of particular concern: E484Q, L452R, and P681R. Here, we report a major effect of the mutations characterizing this lineage, represented by a marked alteration of the surface electrostatic potential (EP) of the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein. Enhanced RBD‐EP is particularly noticeable in the B.1.617.2 (δ) sublineage, which shows multiple replacements of neutral or negatively charged amino acids with positively charged amino acids. We here hypothesize that this EP change can favor the interaction between the B.1.617+ RBD and the negatively charged ACE2, thus conferring a potential increase in the virus transmission.

23 July 2022 in Pharmaceuticals
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Vincenzo SorrentiVincenzo Sorrenti
Vincenzo Sorrenti
FBFrancesca Benedetti
Francesca Benedetti
ABAlessandro Buriani
Alessandro Buriani
Stefano FortinguerraStefano Fortinguerra
Stefano Fortinguerra
GCGiada Caudullo
Giada Caudullo
GSGiovanni Scapagnini
Giovanni Scapagnini
Aging results from the progressive dysregulation of several molecular pathways and mTOR and AMPK signaling have been suggested to play a role in the complex changes in key biological networks involved in cellular senescence. Moreover, multiple factors, including poor nutritional balance, drive immunosenescence progression, one of the meaningful aspects of aging. Unsurprisingly, nutraceutical and pharmacological interventions could help maintain an optimal biological response by providing essential bioactive micronutrients required for the development, maintenance, and the expression of the immune response at all stages of life. In this regard, many studies have provided evidence of potential antiaging properties of resveratrol, as well as rapamycin and metformin. Indeed, in vitro and in vivo models have demonstrated for these molecules a number of positive effects associated with healthy aging. The current review focuses on the mechanisms of action of these three important compounds and their suggested use for the clinical treatment of immunosenescence and aging.

4 September 2020 in Microorganisms
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Journal Article
Open access
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FBFrancesca Benedetti
Francesca Benedetti
SCSabrina Curreli
Sabrina Curreli
DAVIDE ZELLADAVIDE ZELLA
DAVIDE ZELLA
Mycoplasmas are the smallest and simplest self-replicating prokaryotes. Located everywhere in nature, they are widespread as parasites of humans, mammals, reptiles, fish, arthropods, and plants. They usually exhibiting organ and tissue specificity. Mycoplasmas belong to the class named Mollicutes (mollis = soft and cutis = skin, in Latin), and their small size and absence of a cell wall contribute to distinguish them from other bacteria. Mycoplasma species are found both outside the cells as membrane surface parasites and inside the cells, where they become intracellular residents as “silent parasites”. In humans, some Mycoplasma species are found as commensal inhabitants, while others have a significant impact on the cellular metabolism and physiology. Mollicutes lack typical bacterial PAMPs (e.g., lipoteichoic acid, flagellin, and some lipopolysaccharides) and consequently the exact molecular mechanisms of Mycoplasmas’ recognition by the cells of the immune system is the subjects of several researches for its pathogenic implications. It is well known that several strains of Mycoplasma suppress the transcriptional activity of p53, resulting in reduced apoptosis of damaged cells. In addition, some Mycoplasmas were reported to have oncogenic potential since they demonstrated not just accumulation of abnormalities but also phenotypic changes of the cells. Aim of this review is to provide an update of the current literature that implicates Mycoplasmas in triggering inflammation and altering critical cellular pathways, thus providing a better insight into potential mechanisms of cellular transformation.

10 May 2017 in Journal of Translational Medicine
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Journal Article
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FBFrancesca Benedetti
Francesca Benedetti
SCSabrina Curreli
Sabrina Curreli
SKSelvi Krishnan
Selvi Krishnan
SDSergio Davinelli
Sergio Davinelli
FCFiorenza Cocchi
Fiorenza Cocchi
DAVIDE ZELLADAVIDE ZELLA
DAVIDE ZELLA
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), previously only considered a toxic environmental air pollutant, is now increasingly recognized as an important signaling molecule able to modulate several cellular pathways in many human tissues. As demonstrated in recent studies, H2S is produced endogenously in response to different cellular stimuli and plays different roles in controlling a number of physiological responses. The precise role of H2S in inflammation is still largely unknown. In particular, the role of H2S in the regulation of the inflammatory response in acute and chronic infections is being actively investigated because of its potential therapeutic use. To study the effect of H2S as an anti-inflammatory mediator during bacterial infections, we developed an ex vivo model of primary cells and cell lines infected with Mycoplasma. Our data demonstrate a dichotomic effect of H2S on the NF-kB and Nrf-2 molecular pathways, which were inhibited and stimulated, respectively.

18 March 2021 in Chemotherapy
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
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Eleonora CellaEleonora Cella
Eleonora Cella
FBFrancesca Benedetti
Francesca Benedetti
SFSilvia Fabris
Silvia Fabris
ABAlessandra Borsetti
Alessandra Borsetti
APAldo Pezzuto
Aldo Pezzuto
Marta GiovanettiMarta Giovanetti
Marta Giovanetti
Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan, China, in early December 2019 has rapidly widespread worldwide, becoming one of the major global public health issues of the last centuries. Key Messages: Over the course of the pandemic, due to the advanced whole-genome sequencing technologies, an unprecedented amount of genomes have been generated, providing invaluable insights into the ongoing evolution and epidemiology of the virus during the pandemic. Therefore, this large amount of data played an important role in the SARS-CoV-2 mitigation and control strategies. Key Messages: The active monitoring and characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating worldwide is useful for a more specific diagnosis, better care, and timely treatment. In this review, a concise characterization of all the lineages and sub-lineages circulating and co-circulating across the world has been presented in order to determine the magnitude of the SARS-CoV-2 threat and to better understand the virus genetic diversity and its dispersion dynamics.