Assessment of in vitro effects of drugs, active ingredients and neo-synthesis molecules on primary cultures of human endothelial cells (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells and adult Vein Endothelial Cells) through monitoring i) cellular proliferation/migration, ii) eventual cytotoxic effects or iii) protective/therapeutic results in course of inflammation. The assays developed by LTTA exploit new technologies that allow reliable and reproducible results in short term, saving materials and reducing analysis time compared to conventional methods. Especially interesting for Companies that produce drugs or active compounds whose possible role in vascular physio-pathology needs to be studied and for preclinical studies of pharmaceuticals or medical devices in the early stages of development.
Cell sorter for endothelial cells purification and characterization
Specifically, continuous monitoring of cellular activity and kinetics is available through the analysis of electrical impedance variation, by which any change in the cellular status is measured in real time as Cell Index. Moreover, the Laboratory takes advantage of the Luminex technology for the analysis of panels of cytokines/chemokines or other biomarkers, simultaneously analyzing dozens of molecules in small volumes.
Since the system is highly versatile, it offers the possibility to analyze any molecule with potential effects on the human endothelium. This may be especially interesting for Companies that produce pharmaceuticals or active compounds whose possible role in vascular physio-pathology needs to be analyzed, but also to study pharmaceuticals or medical devices in the early stages of development whose potential cytotoxic effects need to be assessed
One of the laboratories for the purification of primary cells
Assessment of the potential anti-inflammatory effects of two active ingredients
To assess the potential anti-inflammatory effects of two active molecules, primary endothelial cells of pathological origin were purified and used for in vitro assays. After proving that these cells release in vitro a high number of inflammatory cytokines, also present in patients' plasma, and therefore are an excellent working model, the cellular cultures were treated with the individual compounds or their combinations in order to assay their potential therapeutic effect. The data were obtained through the analysis of the effects obtained from cellular proliferation, modulation of surface inflammation markers, cytokine/chemokine release and the activity of intracellular proteins involved in specific signal transduction pathways The data have proved that the two compounds are able to significantly reduce the basal release of several inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, it was possible to identify the intracellular pathway involved in the pharmacological action for each compound.
Laborest University Hospital of Ferrara
The value of the Service was enhanced by LTTA users' loyalty and by publishing an article. To further enhance the value of the Product/Service, the Laboratory seeks to expand its network of contacts with other pharmaceutical and biomedical Companies, as well as with other emerging concerns connected to the production of homoeopathic and phyto-therapeutic remedies
Cultures of purified primary cells from the Biobank Service