Francesca Chiarini


Istituto di Genetica Molecolare “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza” – Sede di Bologna
c/o Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli -via di Barbiano 1/10
40136 Bologna 
Phone: +39 051 2091582

E-mail: francesca.chiarini@cnr.it

Curriculum Vitae – Download

Complete List of Publications – Download


Research Activity

My research activity is focused on the identification of the genetic and biochemical alterations that are responsible for the pathogenesis and progression of the musculoskeletal tumors, such as osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.

My studies are focused on  the role of nuclear protein lamin A/C and its interplay with cell structure, function and localization in bone sarcomas.

Lamins are key components of the nuclear lamina that provide integrity and rigidity to the nucleus, interacting with chromatin and chromatin-binding partners, including regulators of cellular proliferation and differentiation and have a plethora of cellular functions.

Changes in lamin A expression can correlate with malignant transformation in several cancers, and the different roles of lamins in cellular processes make these proteins a very interesting topic for their role in cancer progression.

My current research interests are also focused on Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), a heterogeneous group of clonal hematological diseases, that can evolve into particularly aggressive forms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). MDS patients can be divided in two main groups, from a lower to a higher risk of AML evolution.

Currently, MDS patients are treated mainly with epigenetic therapy, but some patients can be refractory, and for these subjects a tailored approach is more attractive. We have observed that inositide-specific kinases, such as PKC or PI3K/Akt/mTOR, are deregulated in MDS and play essential roles in MDS/AML progression.

Inositide signaling is also modulated by epigenetic drugs, and MDS patients can acquire specific point mutations in genes related to inositide signaling, associated with a worse prognosis. My research interests aim at disclosing the molecular mechanisms of MDS pathogenesis and leukemic progression that involve nuclear inositides.


Research Projects

Research Group

Collaborations

  • University of Bologna
  • University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
  • S.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Seràgnoli Institute, Bologna
  • University of Rome TOR VRERGATA
  • Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute  (IOR), Bologna
  • University of Oxford, UK
  • Diatheva srl


Recent Publications

2022

Chiarini F; Paganelli F; Balestra T; Capanni C; Fazio A; Manara MC; Landuzzi L; Petrini S; Evangelisti C; Lollini PL; Martelli AM; Lattanzi G; Scotlandi K

Lamin A and the LINC complex act as potential tumor suppressors in Ewing Sarcoma Journal Article

In: Cell death & disease, vol. 13, iss. 4, pp. 346, 2022.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2021

Carano F; Teti G; Ruggeri A; Chiarini F; Giorgetti A; Mazzotti MC; Fais P; Falconi M

Assessment of the structural and functional characteristics of human mesenchymal stem cells associated with a prolonged exposure of morphine Journal Article

In: Scientific Reports, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 19248, 2021.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Carano F; Teti G; Ruggeri A; Chiarini F; Giorgetti A; Mazzotti MC; Fais P; Falconi M

Assessment of the structural and functional characteristics of human mesenchymal stem cells associated with a prolonged exposure of morphine Journal Article

In: Scientific Reports, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 19248, 2021.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Teti G; Chiarini F; Mazzotti E; Ruggeri A; Carano F; Falconi M

Cellular senescence in vascular wall mesenchymal stromal cells, a possible contribution to the development of aortic aneurysm Journal Article

In: Mechanisms of ageing and development, vol. 197, no. 111515, 2021.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Martelli AM; Evangelisti C; Paganelli F; Chiarini F; McCubrey JA

GSK-3: a multifaceted player in acute leukemias Journal Article

In: Leukemia, vol. 35, iss. 7, no. 1829, pp. 1842, 2021.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Paganelli F; Chiarini F; Palmieri A; Martinelli M; Sena P; Bertacchini J; Roncucci L; Cappellini A; Martelli AM; Bonucci M; Fiorentini C; Hammarberg Ferri I

The Combination of AHCC and ETAS Decreases Migration of Colorectal Cancer Cells, and Reduces the Expression of LGR5 and Notch1 Genes in Cancer Stem Cells: A Novel Potential Approach for Integrative Medicine Journal Article

In: Pharmaceuticals, vol. 14, no. 12, pp. 1325, 2021.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2020

Ratti S; Lonetti A; Follo MY; Paganelli F; Martelli AM; Chiarini F; Evangelisti C

B-ALL Complexity: Is Targeted Therapy Still A Valuable Approach for Pediatric Patients? Journal Article

In: Cancers, vol. 12, no. 12, pp. E3498, 2020.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Evangelisti C; Chiarini F; Paganelli F; Marmiroli S; Martelli AM

Crosstalks of GSK3 signaling with the mTOR network and effects on targeted therapy of cancer. Journal Article

In: Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular cell research, vol. 1867, no. 4, pp. 118635, 2020.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Lonetti A; Indio V; Laginestra MA; Tarantino G; Chiarini F; Astolfi A; Bertuccio SN; Martelli AM; Locatelli F; Pession A; Masetti R

Inhibition of Methyltransferase DOT1L Sensitizes to Sorafenib Treatment AML Cells Irrespective of MLL-Rearrangements: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Pediatric AML Journal Article

In: Cancers, vol. 12, no. 7, pp. E1972, 2020.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Evangelisti C; Paganelli F; Giuntini G; Mattioli E; Cappellini A; Ramazzotti G; Faenza I; Maltarello MC; Martelli AM; Scotlandi K; Chiarini F; Lattanzi G

Lamin A and Prelamin A Counteract Migration of Osteosarcoma Cells Journal Article

In: Cells, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 774, 2020.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Evangelisti C; Chiarini F; Cappellini A; Paganelli F; Fini M; Santi S; Martelli AM; Neri LM; Evangelisti C

Targeting Wnt/beta-catenin and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Journal Article

In: Journal of cellular physiology, vol. 235, no. 6, pp. 5413-5428, 2020.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Chiarini F; Paganelli F; Martelli AM; Evangelisti C

The Role Played by Wnt/beta-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Journal Article

In: International journal of molecular sciences, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. e1098, 2020.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Martelli AM; Paganelli F; Chiarini F; Evangelisti C; McCubrey JA

The Unfolded Protein Response: A Novel Therapeutic Target in Acute Leukemias. Journal Article

In: Cancers, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. e333, 2020.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2019

Chiarini F; Evangelisti C; Lattanzi G; McCubrey JA; Martelli AM

Advances in understanding the mechanisms of evasive and innate resistance to mTOR inhibition in cancer cells. Journal Article

In: Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular cell research, vol. 1866, no. 8, pp. 1322-1337, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Mazzotti E; Teti G; Falconi M; Chiarini F; Barboni B; Mazzotti A; Muttini A

Age-Related Alterations Affecting the Chondrogenic Differentiation of Synovial Fluid Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in an Equine Model. Journal Article

In: Cells, vol. 8, no. 10, pp. pii: E1116, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Evangelisti C; Chiarini F; Paganelli F; Marmiroli S; Martelli AM

Crosstalks of GSK3 signaling with the mTOR network and effects on targeted therapy of cancer. Journal Article

In: Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular cell research, vol. 1867, no. 4, pp. 118635, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Paganelli F; Lonetti A; Anselmi L; Martelli AM; Evangelisti C; Chiarini F

New advances in targeting aberrant signaling pathways in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Journal Article

In: Advances in biological regulation, vol. 74, pp. 100649, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Ramazzotti G; Fiume R; Chiarini F; Campana G; Ratti S; Billi AM; Manzoli L; Follo MY; Suh PG; McCubrey J; Cocco L; Faenza I

Phospholipase C-beta1 interacts with cyclin E in adipose- derived stem cells osteogenic differentiation. Journal Article

In: Advances in biological regulation, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 9, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Chiarini F; Evangelisti C; Cenni V; Fazio A; Paganelli F; Martelli AM; Lattanzi G

The Cutting Edge: The Role of mTOR Signaling in Laminopathies. Journal Article

In: International journal of molecular sciences, vol. 20, no. 4, pp. E847, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2018

Bertacchini J; Frasson C; Chiarini F; D'Avella D; Accordi B; Anselmi L; Barozzi P; Foghieri F; Luppi M; Martelli AM; Basso G; Najmaldin S; Khosravi A; Rahim F; Marmiroli S

Dual inhibition of PI3K/mTOR signaling in chemoresistant AML primary cells. Journal Article

In: Advances in biological regulation, vol. 68, no. 2, pp. 9, 2018.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Evangelisti C; Cappellini A; Oliveira M; Fragoso R; Barata JT; Bertaina A; Locatelli F; Simioni C; Neri LM; Chiarini F; Lonetti A; Buontempo F; Orsini E; Pession A; Manzoli L; Martelli AM; Evangelisti C

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibition potentiates glucocorticoid response in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Journal Article

In: Journal of cellular physiology, vol. 233, no. 3, pp. 1796-1811, 2018.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Buontempo F; McCubrey JA; Orsini E; Ruzzene M; Cappellini A; Lonetti A; Evangelisti C; Chiarini F; Evangelisti C; Barata JT; Martelli AM

Therapeutic targeting of CK2 in acute and chronic leukemias. Journal Article

In: Leukemia, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 1-10, 2018.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Evangelisti C; Chiarini F; McCubrey JA; Martelli AM

Therapeutic Targeting of mTOR in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: An Update. Journal Article

In: International journal of molecular sciences, vol. 19, no. 7, pp. pii: E1878, 2018.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2017

Masetti R; Bertuccio SN; Astolfi A; Chiarini F; Lonetti A; Indio V; De Luca M; Bandini J; Serravalle S; Franzoni M; Pigazzi M; Martelli AM; Basso G; Locatelli F; Pession A

Hh/Gli antagonist in acute myeloid leukemia with CBFA2T3-GLIS2 fusion gene. Journal Article

In: Journal of hematology & oncology , vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 26, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2016

Chiarini F; Lonetti A; Evangelisti C; Buontempo F; Orsini E; Evangelisti C; Cappellini A; Neri LM; McCubrey JA; Martelli AM

Advances in understanding the acute lymphoblastic leukemia bone marrow microenvironment: From biology to therapeutic targeting. Journal Article

In: Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research, vol. 1863, no. 3, pp. 449-463, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Lonetti A; Cappellini A; Bertaina A; Locatelli F; Pession A; Buontempo F; Evangelisti C; Evangelisti C; Orsini E; Zambonin L; Neri LM; Martelli AM; Chiarini F

Improving nelarabine efficacy in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia by targeting aberrant PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Journal Article

In: Journal Of Hematology & Oncology , vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 114, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Buontempo F; Orsini E; Lonetti A; Cappellini A; Chiarini F; Evangelisti C; Evangelisti C; Melchionda F; Pession A; Bertaina A; Locatelli F; Bertacchini J; Neri LM; McCubrey JA; Martelli AM

Synergistic cytotoxic effects of bortezomib and CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: turning off the prosurvival ER chaperone BIP/Grp78 and turning on the pro-apoptotic NF-κB. Journal Article

In: Oncotarget, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 1323-1340, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Evangelisti C; Evangelisti C; Buontempo F; Lonetti A; Orsini E; Chiarini F; Barata JT; Pyne S; Pyne NJ; Martelli AM

Therapeutic potential of targeting sphingosine kinases and sphingosine 1-phosphate in hematological malignancies. Journal Article

In: Leukemia, vol. 30, no. 11, pp. 2142-2151, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2015

Evangelisti C; Evangelisti C; Chiarini F; Lonetti A; Buontempo F; Neri LM; McCubrey JA; Martelli AM

Autophagy in acute leukemias: A double-edged sword with important therapeutic implications Journal Article

In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research, vol. 1853, no. 1, pp. 14-26, 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Chiarini F; Evangelisti C; McCubrey JA; Martelli AM

Current treatment strategies for inhibiting mTOR in cancer Journal Article

In: Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, vol. 36, no. 2, 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Lonetti A; Cappellini A; Spartà AM; Chiarini F; Buontempo F; Evangelisti C; Evangelisti C; Orsini E; McCubrey JA; Martelli AM

PI3K pan-inhibition impairs more efficiently proliferation and survival of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines when compared to isoform-selective PI3K inhibitors. Journal Article

In: Oncotarget, vol. 6, no. 12, pp. 10399-10414, 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Bavelloni A; Dmitrienko GI; Goodfellow VJ; Ghavami A; Piazzi M; Blalock WL; Chiarini F; Cocco L; Faenza I

PLCβ1a and PLCβ1b selective regulation and cyclin D3 modulation reduced by kinamycin F during k562 cell differentiation. Journal Article

In: Journal of Cellular Physiology, vol. 230, no. 3, 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX