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The University of Insubria
The Univsersity of Insubria

 
The University of Insubria CV
The University of Insubria CV
The University of Insubria CV The University of Insubria CV Franca Marino
The University of Insubria CV
 

Contact data

Assistant Professor
Department of Clinical Medicine
Via O. Rossi, 9 - 21100 Varese - Italy
Tel: +39 (0)332 217411/397411
Fax: +39 (0)332 217409/397409
E-mail: franca.marino@uninsubria.it
 

Biography

1986 - Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Pavia;
1993 - Specialization in Pharmacology cum laude, University of Pavia;
1993 - Research contract, Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Section of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Pavia;
1998 - Research contract, Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Pharmacology, University of Insubria;
2001- present: Researcher in Pharmacology, School of Medicine at the University of Insubria.
 

Research interests

 Immunopharmacology, with particular regard to the mechanisms regulating spontaneous and acquired immune response in health and disease. Recent research in this field concern:

- the role of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in the regulation of human PMN function and the relevance of these mechanisms for the immune effects of CNS drugs;

- the relationship between thyroid status and PMN function in humans;

- the contribution of the inflammatory mechanisms in cardiovascular disease and in the effects of cardiovascular drugs (statins, drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system).

Other research interests include neuropharmacology and in particular the pharmacology of the neurovegetative system. Interests in this area regard the modulation of adrenergic and cholinergic neurotransmissione in the autonomic nervous system by several receptor systems, and the pharmacological analysis of signal transduction mechanisms involved.

Over the last few years, an integrated approach has been developed towards a holistic view of neural and immune mechanisms in human nervous and immune diseases (such as, on one side, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, on the other side, peripheral inflammatory disease – e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and infloammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclrosis as a bridge between immune and nervous system) in order to define novel neuro-immuno-pharmacological approaches able to target both components of several diseases.

Research techniques originally developed and currently employed include: in vitro and in vivo models for the evaluation of pharmacological activities, HPLC-ED, HPLC-UV, spectrofluorimetry, cell cultures and assays of cell functions (leukocytes), molecular biology techniques (RT-PCR), flow cytometry.

Research projects are funded by both public and private institutions, including:

- Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research;
- Regione Lombardia (UE PIC Interreg IIIA – 2000-2006);
- University of Insubria;
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nmss.org), New York, NY, USA;
- Italian Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis (www.aism.it), Genua, Italy.
 

Teaching experience and appointments

- Member of the faculty of the PhD Course in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, University of Insubria;

- Member of the faculty of the postgraduate School of specialization in Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Insubria;

Courses given at the School of Medicine, University of Insubria:

- Cellular and molecular pharmacology (I.C. General pharmacology, 2nd Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery);

- Toxicology (I.C. Special pharmacology, 2nd Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery);

- Pharmacology (I.C. Pathology and pharmacotherapy, 1st Degree Course in Educazione Professionale);

- Pharmacology (I.C. General pathology and pharmacology, 1st Degree Course in Fisioterapia);

- Pharmacology (I.C. Clinical medicine, 1st Degree Course in Tecniche di Fisiopatologia Cardiocircolatoria e Perfusione Cardiovascolare);

- Pharmacology (I.C. Pharmacology and toxicology, 1st Degree Course in Tecniche di Laboratorio Biomedico)
 

Representative  publications

1.  Marino F., Marcoli M., De Ponti F., Cosentino M., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Effect of desipramine-induced blockade of neuronal uptake mechanisms on adrenoceptor-mediated responses in the guinea-pig colon. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology 1994, 350: 499-506.

2.  Cosentino M., De Ponti F., Marino F., Giaroni C., Leoni O., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors modulate neurotransmitter release and peristalsis in the guinea-pig isolated colon. Neuroscience Letters 1995, 183: 139-142.

3.  Cosentino M., Marino F., De Ponti F., Giaroni C., Somaini L., Leoni O., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Tonic modulation of neurotransmitter release in the guinea-pig myenteric plexus: effect of mu and kappa opioid receptor blockade and of chronic sympathetic denervation. Neuroscience Letters 1995 194: 185-8.

4.  Cosentino M., Fietta AM., Caldiroli E., Marino F., Rispoli L., Comelli M., Lecchini S., Frigo GM. Assessment of lymphocyte subsets and neutrophil leukocyte function in chronic psychiatric patients on long-term drug therapy. Prog. Neuro-Psychopharmacol. & Biol. Psychiat. 1996, 20: 1117-1129.

5.  Cosentino M., Marino F., Bombelli R., Ferrari M., Rasini E., Giaroni C., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Modulation of neurotransmitter release by opioid m- and k-receptors from adrenergic terminals in the myenteric plexus of the guinea-pig colon: effect of a2-autoreceptor blockade. Neuroscience Letters 1997, 222: 75-78.

6.  Marino F., Cosentino M., Bombelli R., Ferrari M., Maestroni G.J.M., Conti A., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Measurement of catecholamines in the mouse bone marrow by means of HPLC with electrochemical detection. Haematologica 1997, 82: 392-394.

7.  Marino F., Cosentino M., De Ponti F., Giaroni C., Somaini L., Bombelli R., Ferrari M., Aasen A.J., Lecchini S., Frigo GM. Muscarinic modulation of endogenous noradrenaline release from adrenergic terminals in the guinea-pig colon Journal of Autonomic Pharmacology 1997, 17: 365-372.

8.  Guasti L., Marino F., Gaudio G., Cosentino M., Diolisi A., Bertolini A., Grandi A.M., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M., Venco A. Ambulatory blood pressure, nocturnal blood pressure reduction and plasma catecholamines. Acta Cardiologica 1997, LII(6): 485-494.

9.  Maestroni G.J.M., Cosentino M., Marino F., Togni M., Conti A., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Neural and endogenous catecholamines in the bone marrow. Circadian association of norepinephrine with percentage of cells in G2/M. Experimental Hematology 1998, 26: 1172-1177.

10.       Caldiroli E., Marino F., Cosentino M., De Ponti F., Fietta A.M., Taddei M., Mazzone A., Gritti D., Tartara A., Zibetti A., Visintini D., Sasso E., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor expression on leukocytes and neutrophil function during chronic anticonvulsant monotherapy. Pharmacology 1998, 57: 215-221.

11.       Cosentino M., Marino F., Bombelli R., Ferrari M., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Endogenous catecholamine synthesis, metabolism, storage and uptake in human neutrophils. Life Sciences 1999, 64: 975-981.

12.       Marino F., Cosentino M., Bombelli R., Ferrari M., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Endogenous catecholamine synthesis, metabolism, storage and uptake in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Experimental Hematology 1999, 27: 489-495.

13.       Cosentino M., Marino F., Cattaneo S., Di Grazia L., Francioli C., Fietta A.M., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Diazepam-binding inhibitor-derived peptides induce intracellular calcium changes and modulate human neutrophil function. Journal of Leukocyte Biology 2000, 67: 637-643.

14.       Cosentino M., Bombelli R., Ferrari M., Marino F., Rasini E., Maestroni G.J.M., Conti A., Boveri M., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. HPLC-ED measurement of endogenous catecholamines in human immune cells and hematopoietic cell lines. Life Sciences 2000, 68: 283-295.

15.       Marino F., Cattaneo S., Cosentino M., Rasini E., Di Grazia L., Fietta A.M., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Diazepam stimulates migration and phagocytosis of human neutrophils: possible contribution of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors and intracellular calcium. Pharmacology 2001, 63: 42-49.

16.       Cosentino M., Marino F., Bombelli R., Ferrari M., Rasini E., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin induces the synthesis of catecholamines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: role of protein kinase C and contribution of intracellular calcium. Journal of Neuroimmunology 2002, 125: 125-133.

17.       Reguzzoni M., Cosentino M., Rasini E., Marino F., Ferrari M., Bombelli R., Congiu T., Protasoni M., Quacci D., Lecchini S., Raspanti M., Frigo G.M. Ultrastructural localization of tyrosine hydroxylase in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: effect of stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin. Cell & Tissue Research 2002, 310: 297-304.

18.       Cosentino M., Zaffaroni M., Marino F., Bombelli R., Ferrari M., Rasini E., Lecchini S., Ghezzi A., Frigo G.M. Catecholamine production and tyrosine hydroxylase expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from multiple sclerosis patients: effect of cell stimulation and possible relevance for activation-induced apoptosis. Journal of Neuroimmunology 2002, 133: 233-240.

19.       Marino F., Cosentino M., Fietta A.M., Cattaneo S., Frigo G., Ferrari M., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Interleukin-8 production induced by the endozepine triakontatetraneuropeptide in human neutrophils: role of calcium and pharmacological investigation of signal transduction pathways. Cellular Signalling 2003, 15: 511-517.

20.       Cosentino M., Marino F., Bombelli R., Ferrari M., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Unravelling dopamine (and catecholamine) physiopharmacology in lymphocytes: open questions [peer-reviewed letter]. Trends in Immunology 2003, 24: 581-582.

21.       Blandini F., Mangiagalli A., Martignoni E., Samuele A., Fancellu R., Tassorelli C., Cosentino M., Marino F., Rasini E., Calandrella D., Riboldazzi G., Colombo C., Frigo G.M., Nappi G. Effects of dopaminergic stimulation on peripheral markers of apoptosis: relevance to Parkinson’s disease. Neurological Sciences 2003, 24: 157-158.

22.       Blandini F., Mangiagalli A., Cosentino M., Marino F., Samuele A., Rasini E., Fancellu R., Martignoni E., Riboldazzi G., Calandrella D., Frigo G.M., Nappi G. Peripheral markers of apoptosis in Parkinson’s disease: the effect of dopaminergic drugs. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2003, 1010: 675-78.

23.       Ferrari M., Cosentino M., Marino F., Bombelli R., Rasini E., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Dopaminergic D1-like receptor-dependent inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA expression and catecholamine production in human lymphocytes. Biochemical Pharmacology 2004, 67: 865-873.

24.       Blandini F., Cosentino M., Mangiagalli A., Marino F., Samuele A., Rasini E., Fancellu R., Tassorelli C., Martignoni E., Riboldazzi G., Calandrella D., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M., Nappi G. Lymphocyte levels of apoptosis-related proteins in patients with Parkinson’s disease: effects of the dopaminergic treatment. Journal of Neural Transmission 2004, 111: 1017-1030.

25.       Cosentino M., Rasini E., Colombo C., Marino F., Blandini F., Ferrari M., Samuele A., Lecchini S., Nappi G., Frigo G. Dopaminergic modulation of oxidative stress and apoptosis in human peripheral blood lymphocytes: evidence for a D1-like receptor-dependent protective effect. Free Radical Biology & Medicine 2004, 36: 1233-1240.

26.       Cosentino M., Zaffaroni M., Giorelli M., Marino F., Ferrari M., Bombelli R., Rasini E., Trojano M., Lecchini S., Livrea P., Frigo G. Adrenergic modulation of the immune response [peer-reviewed letter]. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences 2004, 25: 350-351.

27.       Marino F., Cosentino M., Ferrari M., Cattaneo S., Frigo G., Fietta A.M., Lecchini S., Frigo G.M. Intracellular calcium changes induced by the endozepine triakontatetraneuropeptide in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes: role of protein kinase C and effect of calcium channel blockers. BMC Cell Communication and Signaling 2004, 2: 6 - doi:10.1186/1478-811X-2-6 (http://www.biosignaling.com/content/2/1/6).

28.       Marino F., Guasti L., Cosentino M., De Piazza D., Simoni C., Bianchi V., Piantanida E., Cimpanelli M., Crespi C., Vanoli P., De Palma D., Klersy C., Frigo G., Bartalena L., Venco A., Lecchini S. Thyroid hormone and thyrotropin regulate intracellular free calcium concentrations in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes: in vivo and in vitro studies. (accepted for pubblication on Intern J Immunopathol Pharmacol)

29.       Cosentino M., Zaffaroni M., Ferrari M., Marino F., Bombelli R., Rasini E., Frigo G., Ghezzi A., Comi G., Lecchini S. Interferon-b and interferon-g affect endogenous catecholamines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: implications for multiple sclerosis. J Neuroimmunol. 2005 May;162(1-2):112-21

30.       Marino F, Guasti L, Cosentino M, De Piazza D, Simoni C, Piantanida E, Cimpanelli M, Klersy C, Bartalena L, Venco A, Lecchini S. Thyroid hormone regulation of cell migration and oxidative metabolism in polymorphonuclear leukocytes: Clinical evidence in thyroidectomized subjects on thyroxine replacement therapy. Life Sci. 2005 Sep 8; [Epub ahead of print].

 

                                  

 
   
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