2015-2017 Accordo di cooperazione scientifica CNR/RFBR (Russian Foundation for Basic Research) : "Cell-cell fusion in vertebrate and invertebrate short-term cultures: ultrastructural, cellular and molecular analyses and role of ECM molecules, growth factors and miRNAs"

The main objective of this project is to outline a scenario, as complete as possible, of the cell fusion process. At the same time, the use of in vitro cultures of mouse RAW 264.7 and sea urchin PMCs will allow the identification of common features between stabilized and primary cell lines, as well as the uncovering of conserved mechanisms governing this process in vertebrates and invertebrates. Two strategies will be adopted to unravel different steps of the cell fusion and to get information on factors regulating this process. One consists of experiments in which samples from different steps of cell fusion will be analysed for ultrastructural modifications of cytoskeleton and organelles organization (Russian group) and for the expression of molecules known to regulate cell fusion (Italian group), in normal conditions and in the presence of different ECM and/or GF molecules. The second strategy concerns the execution of loss or gain of function experiments (employing neutralizing antibodies, protease inhibitors, pre-miRNAs, anti-miRNAs, siRNAs) to determine the effects of manipulating specific factors on cell fusion, at ultrastructural, cellular and molecular levels. A valuable outcome of this project will be a wider knowledge on the subject of interest using the resources and the expertise available in two countries and the dissemination of the results will be a crucial step for the success of the project and for the sustainability of outputs in the long term.