Nicola Vaia

Nicola Vaia


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

11Years (2016-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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Journal Article
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Erika CioneErika Cione
Erika Cione
Michelini SandroMichelini Sandro
Michelini Sandro
Diana Marisol Abrego-GuandiqueDiana Marisol Abrego-Guandique
Diana Marisol Abrego-Guandique
NVNicola Vaia
Nicola Vaia
SMSerena Michelini
Serena Michelini
Roberto CannataroRoberto Cannataro
Roberto Cannataro
Lipedema is a chronic disorder affecting women with a 10% incidence worldwide. It is often confused with obesity. This study was undertaken to study microRNAs in lipedema tissue assessed by direct hybridization using the robust n-counter flex DX CE-IVD platform. The mean age of the subjects participating in the study was 40.29 (±12.17). The mean body weight and BMI were 67.37 (±10.02) and 25.75 (±4.10), respectively. The lipedema stages included were I and II. The differential expressed human (hsa)-miRNAs were determined according to a log2 fold-change (LFC) of 0.5 and p value < 0.05. To these, increased expression of hsa-let-7g-5p was evident, as well as reduced levels of hsa-miR-371a-5p, -4454+7975, -365a+b-3p, -205-5p, -196a-5p, -4488, -2116-5p, -141-3p, -208a-3p, -302b-3p, 374a-5p, and -1297. Then, several bioinformatics tools were used to analyze microarray data focusing on validated target genes in silico. KEGG and Gene Ontology (GO) pathway enrichment analysis was conducted. Furthermore, the protein–protein interaction and co-expression network were analyzed using STRING and Cytoscape, respectively. The most upregulated miRNA mainly affected genes related to cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The downregulated microRNAs were related to endocrine resistance, insulin resistance, hypersensitivity to AGE-RAGEs, and focal adhesion. Finally, we validated by RT-PCR the upregulated hsa-let-7g-5p and two down-regulated ones, hsa-miR-205-5p and hsa-miR-302b-3p, confirming microarray results. In addition, three mRNA target miRNAs were monitored, SMAD2, the target of the hsa-let-7g-5p, and ESR1 and VEGFA, the target of hsa-miR-205-5p and hsa-miR-302b-3p, respectively. Our results open a new direction for comprehending biochemical mechanisms related with the pathogenesis of lipedema, shedding light on this intricate pathophysiological condition that could bring to light possible biomarkers in the future.

22 August 2017 in Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
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FTFederico Lo Torto
Federico Lo Torto
NVNicola Vaia
Nicola Vaia
DCDonato Casella
Donato Casella
MMMarco Marcasciano
Marco Marcasciano
ECEmanuele Cigna
Emanuele Cigna
DRDiego Ribuffo
Diego Ribuffo

1 June 2016 in Annals of Plastic Surgery
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
DRDiego Ribuffo
Diego Ribuffo
NVNicola Vaia
Nicola Vaia
GPGian Marco Petrianni
Gian Marco Petrianni