Federica Rizzi

Dr. Federica Rizzi


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-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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FBFrancesco Balestra
Francesco Balestra
GPGiorgia Panzetta
Giorgia Panzetta
MLMaria De Luca
Maria De Luca
FRFederica Rizzi
Federica Rizzi
AAANNA ANCONA
ANNA ANCONA
Maria ScavoMaria Scavo
Maria Scavo
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma frequently metastasises to the liver, although the mechanisms underlying hepatic pre-metastatic niche formation remain unclear. Small extracellular vesicles mediate tumour–host communication and may drive hepatic microenvironment reprogramming. This study investigated the effects of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma-derived small extracellular vesicles on extracellular matrix remodelling and epithelial–mesenchymal transition-related plasticity in hepatic cells. Small extracellular vesicles were isolated from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines (MIAPaCa-2, PANC-1) and from the serum of 25 patients, characterized, and administered to hepatic stellate (LX-2) and hepatocyte-like (HEPA-RG) cells. Cell viability and migration were evaluated by functional assays, morphology by scanning electron microscopy, and molecular changes by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. In LX-2 cells, small extracellular vesicles exposure increased metabolic activity, adhesion, and migration, while inducing morphological and molecular changes associated with extracellular matrix remodelling, including reduced collagen type I alpha 2 chain, vimentin, and E-cadherin expression. In HEPA-RG cells, viability was minimally affected, whereas migration and EMT-related plasticity were enhanced. Patient-derived small extracellular vesicles induced similar but less pronounced effects. Overall, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma-derived small extracellular vesicles induced early hepatic microenvironmental remodelling, supporting a potential role for tumour–liver crosstalk in pre-metastatic niche-associated processes, highlighting tumour–liver crosstalk as a potential therapeutic target.