PRIN 2017 - 201742SBXA - Camilla Evangelisti (DSB.AD007.196)

Thematic area

Biomedical sciences

Project area

Structure responsible for the research project

Institute of molecular genetics (IGM)

Project manager

CAMILLA EVANGELISTI
Phone number: 0512091581
Email: camilla.evangelisti@cnr.it

Abstract

Tendon represents an under-investigated tissue, although the impact of contractures and tendinopathy on the quality of life
of muscular dystrophy (MD) and elderly patients is considerable. Our preliminary data, together with our and others'
previous work, highlight a major role for extracellular matrix (ECM) and nuclear lamina defects in the pathogenesis of tendon
dysfunctions.
In this project, we aim at shedding light on the mechanisms involved in MDs and in aging-related tendinopathies, by bringing
two important innovations to the study of tendon tissue and its cellular components: i) rather than studying tendon by itself,
we will consider tendon and muscle as a single functional unit, the muscle-tendon unit (MTU), in which cells readily sense
ECM changes and communicate by mean of secreted factors; ii) 3D models of healthy and pathological MTUs, including the
junctional structure between the two tissues named myotendineous junction (MTJ), will be generated and exploited to
dissect which ECM changes occur in aged and MD-affected MTUs, and how they impact on the secretome and on the
mechanosignaling.

Goals

This project represents a key starting point for the development of innovative and more effective
therapeutic strategies for diseases afflicting simultaneously muscle and tendon.
11. Total cost of the research project, per single item
Associated
Investigator

Start date of activity

16/12/2019

Keywords

muscle, physiology, tissue

Last update: 20/05/2025