Katia Aquilano     Bandiera-Tricolore-Italiana

aquilanoCurriculum vitae

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

2003: PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology at University of Rome Tor Vergata

1999: Degree in Biological Sciences at University of Rome Tor Vergata

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2001: Research fellow, CNR-IABBAM (Naples, Italy)

2003-2007: Post-doc fellow, Dept. Biology/University of Rome Tor Vergata (Rome, Italy)

2007: Post-doc fellow, IRCCS San Raffaele La Pisana (Rome, Italy)

2007-2008: Researcher, Biochemistry Institute “Giorgio Fornaini”/University of Urbino “Carlo Bò”

2009-2019: Researcher, Dept. Biology/University of Rome Tor Vergata (Rome, Italy)

2014-2017: Head of Biochemistry of Ageing Laboratory/IRCCS San Raffaele La Pisana (Rome, Italy)

2018 to date: Associate Professor, Dept. Biology/University of Rome Tor Vergata (Rome, Italy)

 

SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY

Scientific activity is aimed at understanding the role of adipose tissue as well as lipid and mitochondrial metabolism mainly in the context of human pathologies associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and aging including neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and cancer. The research activity is also dedicated to the study of the effects of different dietary patterns, nutrients and molecules of plant origin on energy homeostasis with particular regard to the modulation of tissue metabolism in order to identify new nutritional approaches for the prevention and / or treatment of age-related and inherited metabolic diseases.

 

PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPACT

Author of n. 71 publications in peer-reviewed international journals, of n. 3 book chapters, of 50 publications on conference proceedings. She has an h index of 35 and about 6400 citations (Scopus).

 

EDITORIAL AND REVIEWER ACTIVITIES

- Associate Editor for Frontiers in Nutrition; Frontiers in Genetics; Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 

- Academic Editor for International Journal of Cell Biology

- Section Editor for Reviews in Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

- Review Editor for Frontiers in Physiology

- Review Editor for Frontiers in Neuroscience

- Guest Editor for Frontiers in Physiology

- Reviewer of projects and VQR for the Ministry of Education of the University and Research;

- Reviewer for international scientific journals such as Scientific Reports; Free Radical Research; Food Chemistry; Journal of Neuroinflammation; Neural Plasticity; Neurochemistry International; Oxidative Medicine and Longevity; Recent Advances in DNA and Gene Sequences; Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience; BBA-General Subject; Biochemistry & Biophysics Reports; Cell Death & Disease; Neuroscience; American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism; Cell Death & Disease; Biotechnology Advances;

 

SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

- Member of the Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SIBB)

- Member of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition (SINU)

- Member of the Italian Cell Culture Association (AICC)

- Member of the Task Force (Validation Team) of the Halifax Project “Getting to Know Cancer” (2013-2015)

GRANT SUPPORTS

2014-2017: Young Researcher Project 2012 (GR-2011-02348047) – Ministry of Health (Italy) – Principal Investigator. “Dissecting the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1a) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) in Parkinson’s disease” (Amount: 326.909 Euro)

 

2014-2017: PRIN 2012 (20125S38FA) – Ministry of Education, University and Research (Italy) – Principal Investigator. “Alteration of cell differentiation and mitochondrial biogenesis in age-related disease. Dysregulation of NOX-Nrf2-Sirt1/PGC-1alpha pathway” (Amount: 157.143 Euro).

 

2015-2016: Uncovering Excellence – University of Rome Tor Vergata- Principal Investigator. “Low-protein, high-carbohydrate (LPHC) diet as strategy to prevent metabolic diseases” (Amount: 24.500 Euro).

 

2016-2017: Seed Money Grant – National Ataxia Foundation (U.S.A.) – Principal Investigator. “Study of the role of lipid dysmetabolism in the pathogenesis of Friedreich’s ataxia” (Amount: 15.000 USD).

 

2017-2019: General Research Grant 2016 – Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (U.S.A.) – Principal Investigator. “Studying the role of brown fat in Friedreich’s ataxia” (Amount: 197.000 USD).

 

2020-2024: Investigator Grant 2019 (IG23562) – Italian Association for Cancer Researchr (AIRC) – Principal Investigator. “Brown adipose tissue extracellular vesicles in tumour-adipose tissue communication and cancer cachexia” (Amount: 448.000 Euro).

 

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS (last 10 years)

 

 

  1. Aquilano K, Baldelli S, Rotilio G, Ciriolo MR (2009) Trans-resveratrol inhibits H2O2-induced adenocarcinoma gastric cells proliferation via inactivation of MEK1/2-ERK1/2-c-Jun signalling axis. Biochem. Pharmacol. 77: 337-347. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2008.10.034;
  2. Aquilano K, Vigilanza P, Filomeni G, Rotilio G, Ciriolo MR (2010) Tau dephosphorylation and microfilaments disruption are upstream events of the anti-proliferative effects of DADS in SH-SY5Y cells. J. Cell. Mol. Med. 14: 564-577. doi: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00588.x;
  3. Aquilano K, Vigilanza P, Baldelli S, Pagliei B, Rotilio G, Ciriolo MR (2010) Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) reside in mitochondria: possible direct function in mitochondrial biogenesis. J. Biol. Chem. 285: 21590-21599. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.070169; Aquilano K, Baldelli S, Rotilio G, Ciriolo MR (2010) Neuronal nitric oxide synthase interacts with Sp1 through the PDZ domain inhibiting Sp1-mediated copper-zinc superoxide dismutase expression. Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. 43:163-169. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2010.10.016; WOS: 000286684100024
  4. Aquilano K, Baldelli S, Cardaci S, Rotilio G, Ciriolo MR (2011) Nitric oxide is the primary mediator of cytotoxicity induced by GSH depletion in neuronal cells. J. Cell Sci. 124: 1043-1054. doi: 10.1242/jcs.077149;
  5. Vigilanza P, Aquilano K, Rotilio G, Ciriolo MR (2011) Modulation of intracellular glutathione affects adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 2016-2420. doi: 10.1002/jcp.22542;
  6. Aquilano K, Baldelli S, Ciriolo MR. (2011) Glutathione is a crucial guardian of protein integrity in the brain upon nitric oxide imbalance. Comm. Integr. Biol. 4: 477-479. doi: 10.4161/cib.4.4.15654;
  7. Lettieri Barbato D, Baldelli S, Pagliei B, Aquilano K*, Ciriolo MR. (2012) Caloric restriction and nutrient-sensing PGC-1 in mitochondrial homeostasis: new perspective in neurodegeneration. Int. J. Cell Biol. 2012:759583. doi: 10.1155/2012/759583; *Corresponding author.
  8. Aquilano K, Baldelli S, Pagliei B, Cannata SM, Rotilio G, Ciriolo MR. (2012) p53 Orchestrates the PGC-1α-Mediated Antioxidant Response Upon Mild Redox and Metabolic Imbalance. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 18: 386-399. doi: 10.1089/ars.2012.4615; 
  9. Pagliei B, Aquilano K*, Baldelli S, Rotilio G, Ciriolo MR. (2013) Garlic-derived diallyl disulfide modulates peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 alpha in neuroblastoma cells. Biochem. Pharmacol. 85: 335-344. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2012.11.007;*Co-first author.
  10. Aquilano K, Baldelli S, Pagliei B, Ciriolo MR (2013) Extranuclear localization of SIRT1 and PGC-1α: an insight into possible roles in diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Curr. Mol. Med. 13:140-154. doi: 10.2174/156652413804486241;
  1. Baldelli S, Aquilano K*, Ciriolo MR. (2013) Punctum on two different transcription factors regulated by PGC-1α: Nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 and nuclear respiratory factor 2. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1830: 4137-4146. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.04.006; *Corresponding author.
  2. Lettieri Barbato D, Tatulli G, Aquilano K*, Ciriolo MR (2013) FoxO1 controls lysosomal acid lipase in adipocytes: implication of lipophagy during nutrient restriction and metformin treatment. Cell Death Dis. 4:e861. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2013.404; *Corresponding Author
  3. Aquilano K, Baldelli S, Ciriolo MR (2014) Nuclear recruitment of neuronal nitric-oxide synthase by α-syntrophin is crucial for the induction of mitochondrial biogenesis. J. Biol. Chem. 289: 365-78. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.506733;
  4. Lettieri Barbato D, Aquilano K*, Cannata SM, Bernardini S, Rotilio G, Ciriolo MR (2014) Proline oxidase-adipose triglyceride lipase pathway restrains adipose cell death and tissue inflammation. Cell Death Diff. 21:113. doi: 10.1038/cdd.2013.137; *Co-first author
  5. Lettieri Barbato D, Tatulli G, Aquilano K*, Ciriolo MR. (2014) Inhibition of age-related cytokines production by ATGL: a mechanism linked to the anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol. Mediators Inflamm. 2014:917698. doi: 10.1155/2014/917698; *Corresponding Author
  6. Aquilano K, Baldelli S, Ciriolo MR. (2014) Glutathione: new roles in redox signaling for an old antioxidant. Front. Pharmacol. 5: 196.  doi: 10.3389/fphar.2014.00196;
  7. Baldelli S, Lettieri Barbato D, Tatulli G, Aquilano K*§, Ciriolo MR. (2014) The role of nNOS and PGC-1α in skeletal muscle cells. J. Cell Sci. 127: 4813-20. doi: 10.1242/jcs.154229; *Corresponding Author, §Co-last author
  8. Baldelli S, Aquilano K*, Ciriolo MR. (2014) PGC-1α buffers ROS-mediated mitochondrial removal during myogenesis. Cell Death Dis. e1515. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2014.458; *Co-last author
  9. Lettieri Barbato D, Tatulli G, Cannata SM, Bernardini S, Aquilano K*, Ciriolo MR. (2015) Glutathione decrement drives thermogenic program in adipose cells. Sci. Rep. 5: 13091. doi: 10.1038/srep13091; *Co-last author
  10. Lettieri Barbato D, Tatulli G, Vegliante R, Cannata SM, Bernardini S, Ciriolo MR, Aquilano K. (2015) Dietary Fat Overload Reprograms Brown Fat Mitochondria. Front. Physiol. 5: 272. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2015.00272;
  11. Lettieri Barbato D, Tatulli G, Aquilano K*. Ciriolo MR (2015) Mitochondrial Hormesis Links Nutrient Restriction To Improved Metabolism In Fat Cells. Aging-US. 7: 869. doi: 10.18632/aging.101003; *Co-last author  
  12. Aquilano K, Baldelli S, La Barbera L, Lettieri Barbato D, Tatulli G, Ciriolo MR. (2016) Adipose triglyceride lipase decrement affects skeletal muscle homeostasis during aging through FAs-PPARα-PGC-1α antioxidant response. Oncotarget. 7: 23019-23032. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.8552;
  13. Lettieri Barbato D, Aquilano K. (2016) Feast and famine: adipose tissue adaptations for healthy aging. Aging Res. Rev. 28:85-93. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2016.05.007;
  14. Lettieri Barbato D, Giovannetti E, Aquilano K. (2016) Effects of dietary restriction on adipose mass and biomarkers of healthy aging in human. Aging (Albany NY). 8:3341-3355. doi: 10.18632/aging.101122.
  15. Lettieri-Barbato D, D’Angelo F, Sciarretta F, Tatulli G, Tortolici F, Ciriolo MR, Aquilano K (2017) Maternal high calorie diet induces mitochondrial dysfunction and senescence phenotype in subcutaneous fat of newborn mice. Oncotarget. 8: 83407-83418. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.19948.
  16. Tatulli G, Mitro N, Cannata SM, Audano M, Caruso D, D’Arcangelo G, Lettieri Barbato D, Aquilano K (2018). Intermittent fasting applied in combination with rotenone treatment exacerbates dopamine neurons degeneration in mice. Front Cell Neurosci. 12: 4. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00004
  17. Lettieri-Barbato D, Cannata SM, Casagrande V, Ciriolo MR, Aquilano K. (2018) Time-controlled fasting prevents aging-like mitochondrial changes induced by persistent dietary fat overload in skeletal muscle PloS One. 13: e0195912. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0195912.
  18. Lettieri-Barbato D, Aquilano K (2018) Pushing the limits of cancer therapy: the nutrient game. Front. Oncol. 8: 148.  doi: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00148
  19. Di Leo L, Vegliante R, Ciccarone F, Salvatori I, Scimeca M, Bonanno E, Sagnotta A, Grazi GL, Aquilano K, Ciriolo MR (2018) Forcing ATGL expression in hepatocarcinoma cells imposes glycolytic rewiring through PPAR-α/p300-mediated acetylation of p53. Oncogene. 38: 1860-1875. doi: 10.1038/s41388-018-0545-0
  20. Lettieri-Barbato D, Ioannilli L, Aquilano K, Ciccarone F, Rosina M, Ciriolo MR (2019). FoxO1 localizes to mitochondria of adipose tissue and is affected by nutrient stress. Metabolism. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2019.04.006.
  21. La Rosa P, Russo M, D’Amico J., Petrillo S, Aquilano K, Lettieri-Barbato D, Turchi R, Bertini ES, Piemonte F. (2019) Nrf2 induction re-establishes a proper neuronal differentiation program in Friedreich’s Ataxia Neural Stem Cells.  Front Cell Neurosci. 13:356. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00356.
  22. Aquilano K, Ceci V, Gismondi A, De Stefano S, Iacovelli F, Faraonio R, Di Marco G, Poerio N, Minutolo A, Minopoli G, Marcone A, Fraziano M, Tortolici F, Sennato S, Casciardi S, Potestà M, Bernardini R, Mattei M, Falconi M, Montesano C, Rufini S, Canini A, Lettieri-Barbato D. (2019) Adipocyte metabolism is improved by TNF receptor-targeting small RNAs identified from dried nuts.  Commun Biol.2:317. doi: 10.1038/s42003-019-0563-7.
  23. Turchi R, Tortolici F, Guidobaldi G, Iacovelli F, Falconi M, Rufini S, Faraonio R, Casagrande V, De Angelis L, Federici M, Carotti S, Francesconi M, Zingariello M, Morini S, Bernardini R, Mattei M, La Rosa P, Piemonte F, Lettieri-Barbato D, Aquilano K (2020) Frataxin deficiency induces lipid accumulation and affects thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. Cell Death Dis. 51:11. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-2253-2.

LINKS

Department of Biology
University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
Via della Ricerca Scientifica, snc
00133 – Rome, Italy
phone: +39 06 7259 4312/4360
fax: +39 06 7259 4311
e-mail: katia.aquilano@uniroma2.it