Molecular Neuropharmacology. Coordinators: Romualdi/Candeletti

Study of the role of modulatory systems (opioids, endocannabinoids, neurotrophins) in the molecular, epigenetic and gene expression mechanisms involved in tolerance and substance use disorders induced by addictive drugs; in the stress responses; in nociceptive transmission and in transition to chronic pain; in the development of neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases

Research themes

- Substance use disorders (SUD)

Study of the role of neuromodulatory systems (endogenous opioids, endocannabinoids, neurotrophins) in molecular (receptors, signal transduction and transcription factors), genetic (gene expression) and epigenetic (DNA methylation, histone modifications and related enzymes) mechanisms in different experimental models  (in vivo and in vitro) to identify new pharmacological targets for the therapy of CNS diseases, such as substance use disorders (opiates, cocaine, ecstasy, cannabinoids, nicotine and alcohol). Role of social stress induced by early experiences in adolescence and adulthood in the development of S.U.D. Investigation of the role of neuroinflammatory processes in pathogenesis of addiction.

Pain

Molecular and behavioral studies on the role of neuropeptidergic systems (opioid and non-opioid) in nociceptive transmission, in the mechanisms underlying the development and maintenance of chronic neuropathic pain, in neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Use of in vivo and in vitro models of chronic pain, analysis of the mechanisms underlying painful pathologies by analgesimetric,  behavioral and molecular biology techniques. Assessment of pharmacological effects of natural substances, in vitro and in vivo.

- Neurodegenerative diseases

Study of gene expression and related epigenetic mechanisms for neuromodulators involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson and Alzheimer in experimental models (in vitro and in vivo) and in clinical setting (receptor analysis, signal transduction pathways and transcription factors). Evaluation of DNA (site-specific) methylation and histone modifications induced by different pathological conditions to identify innovative pharmacological targets. Investigation on the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.

Lab Members

Patrizia Romualdi, Full Professor (e-mail)

Sanzio Candeletti, Associate Professor  (e-mail)

Laura Rullo, Research Fellow

Loredana M. Losapio, PhD Student in B2F2

Antonio Lacorte, PhD Student in Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience

Marco Cristani, PhD Student in Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience (co-tutoring with Prof. Laura Calzà)

Internship projects 

6 positions open on the projects above mentioned for students of Pharmacy, Industrial Pharmacy, Genomics and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.

Main publications

  • Rullo L, Losapio LM, Morosini C, Mottarlini F, Schiavi S, Buzzelli V, Ascone F, Ciccocioppo R, Fattore L, Caffino L, Fumagalli F, Romualdi P, Trezza V, Candeletti S. (2023) Outcomes of early social experiences on glucocorticoid and endocannabinoid systems in the prefrontal cortex of male and female adolescent rats. Front Cell Neurosci.17:1270195. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1270195.
  • Lorente JD, Cuitavi J, Rullo L, Candeletti S, Romualdi P, Hipólito L. (2024) Sex-dependent effect of inflammatory pain on negative affective states is prevented by kappa opioid receptors blockade in the nucleus accumbens shell. Neuropharmacology. 242:109764. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109764.
  • Rullo L, Caputi FF, Losapio LM, Morosini C, Posa L, Canistro D, Vivarelli F, Romualdi P, Candeletti S. (2022). Effects of Different Opioid Drugs on Oxidative Status and Proteasome Activity in SH-SY5Y Cells. 27:8321. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238321
  • Rullo, L., Franchi, S., Amodeo, G., Caputi, F. F., Verduci, B., Losapio, L. M., Sacerdote, P., Romualdi, P., & Candeletti, S. (2021). Interplay between Prokineticins and Histone Demethylase KDM6A in a Murine Model of Bortezomib-Induced Neuropathy. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(21), 1191 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222111913
  • Caputi, F. F., Stopponi, S., Rullo, L., Palmisano, M., Ubaldi, M., Candeletti, S., Ciccocioppo, R., & Romualdi, P. (2021). Dysregulation of Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ and Dynorphin Systems in the Extended Amygdala of Alcohol Preferring Marchigian Sardinian (msP) Rats. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(5), 2448. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052448.

Contacts