Carolina Lopez Guzman

Dr. Carolina Lopez Guzman

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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15 February 2024 in Methods and Protocols
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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CGCarolina Lopez Guzman
Carolina Lopez Guzman
Ana Maria García SierraAna Maria García Sierra
Ana Maria García Sierra
Paula Andrea MarinPaula Andrea Marin
Paula Andrea Marin
AVAna María Vásquez
Ana María Vásquez
Human placental explants (HPEs) culture has generated significant interest as a valuable in vitro model for studying tissue functions in response to adverse conditions, such as fluctuations in oxygen levels, nutrient availability, exposure to pathogenic microorganisms, and toxic compounds. HPEs offers the advantage of replicating the intricate microenvironment and cell-to-cell communication involved in this critical and transient organ. Although HPEs culture conditions have been extensively discussed, a protocol for assessing the viability and function of HPEs during short-term culture has not been previously outlined. In this study, we have developed a short-term HPEs culture protocol, specifically up to 72 h, and have employed quantitative, semi-quantitative, and qualitative analyses to evaluate tissue viability and function over time. Under our standardized conditions, placental villi explants began to regain their structural properties (the integrity of the trophoblast and villous stroma) and the functionality of the HPEs (production of angiogenic, endocrine, and immunological factors) starting from 48 h of culture. This restoration ensures a suitable environment for several applications. The data presented here can be highly valuable for laboratories aiming to implement an HPEs model, whether in the process of standardization or seeking to enhance and optimize working conditions and timing with placental tissue.

2 August 2023 in Archives of Virology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
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MCMateo Chvatal-Medina
Mateo Chvatal-Medina
CGCarolina Lopez Guzman
Carolina Lopez Guzman
FDFrancisco Diaz
Francisco Diaz
SGSalomon Gallego
Salomon Gallego
MRMaria T. Rugeles
Maria T. Rugeles
NTNatalia A. Taborda
Natalia A. Taborda

8 December 2024 in Toxicology Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
CGCarolina Lopez Guzman
Carolina Lopez Guzman
JHJulieth Herrera
Julieth Herrera
JZJulián Zapata
Julián Zapata
APAdriana Pabón
Adriana Pabón
UWUrlike Kemmerling Weis
Urlike Kemmerling Weis
AVAna María Vásquez
Ana María Vásquez
Hemozoin (HZ) is a waste product of hemoglobin digestion by Plasmodium and has been implicated in several pathological processes, including inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Studying the effects of HZ on the human placenta is essential to understanding the impact of malaria infection during pregnancy. The present study explored the impact of HZ produced by Plasmodium and β-hematin, referred to here as natural HZ (nHZ) and synthetic HZ (sHZ), respectively, on human placental explants exposed in vitro. nHZ was derived from Plasmodium falciparum cultures and isolated using magnetic MACS® Separation Columns (Miltenyi Biotec, Auburn, CA) [1]. sHZ was synthesized from hemin closure in an aqueous solution. Both nHZ and sHZ were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Human placental explants (HPE) were exposed to 5 and 10 μg/mL of nHZ and sHZ for 24 h, and tissue integrity was studied using histological and immunohistochemical techniques. The studies have demonstrated that the exposition of both the nHZ and sHZ to placental tissue are comparable and cause effects in increased STB detachment, dysregulation of collagen distribution in the villous stroma, and increase in the frequency of cell apoptosis. This contributes to the understanding of the pathophysiology of malaria in pregnancy using synthetic products such as β-hematin.

10 August 2024 in Microorganisms
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Journal Article
Open access
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CGCarolina Lopez Guzman
Carolina Lopez Guzman
Ana Maria García SierraAna Maria García Sierra
Ana Maria García Sierra
AVAna María Vásquez
Ana María Vásquez
Malaria during pregnancy has been associated with significant risks to both the mother and the fetus, leading to complications such as anemia, low birth weight, and increased infant mortality. The trophoblast cells, a key component of the placenta, are crucial for nutrient and oxygen exchange between mother and fetus. The differentiation of cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) into syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs) is critical for proper pregnancy development. These cells form the bi-stratified epithelium surrounding the placental villi. While previous studies have described an inflammatory activation of STB cells exposed to Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (P. falciparum-IE) or components such as hemozoin (HZ), little is known about the direct effect this parasite may have on the epithelial turnover and function of trophoblast cells. This study aims to contribute to understanding mechanisms leading to placental damage during placental malaria using a BeWo cell line as a differentiation model. It was found that P. falciparum-IE interferes with the fusion of BeWo cells, affecting the differentiation process of trophoblast. A reduction in syncytialization could be associated with the adverse effects of infection in fetal health, altering the remodeling of the trophoblast epithelial barrier and reducing their capacity to exchange substances. However, further studies are necessary to assess alterations in the functionality of this epithelium.