Teaching code

4S01165

Teacher

Claudio Sorio

Coordinator

Claudio Sorio

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Period

FARMACIA 2° semestre dal Jan 2, 2025 al May 30, 2025.

Courses Single

Not Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

This course has the aim to describe molecular mechanisms underlying pathological processes concerning essential cell and tissue functions and the consequent injury-induced tissue repair. The course addresses classical examples of molecular alterations affecting subcellular organelles and tissue interstitium. Additionally, complex alterations occurring at the organism level (aging, diabetes, steatosis) are described. In the context of cell damage, particular attention is given to alterations of signal transduction and cell transformation. This last pathology is addressed in the more general context of causes of tumor transformation, cancer cell biology and consequences of tumor growth at the organism level. Mechanisms of host defenses against pathogens and reaction to tissue injury are described in great details both in terms of cell involved and molecular mechanisms. Acute and chronic inflammation are addressed in the context of their causes, their cellular and molecular mechanisms and their interaction with the immune response.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Students must have passed all preparatory exams.

Program

Basic concepts in pathology and general pathophysiology (concept of health and disease; of etiology and pathogenesis; limits in the study of environmental and genetic determinants of disease;). Homeostasis, functional reserve and decompensation. General classification of the causes of diseases and general properties of disease causative factors. Chromosome structure anomalies and their pathogenetic mechanisms. Consequences of gene mutations on the synthesis and structure of proteins. Non-hereditary congenital diseases. Molecular bases of genetic diseases. Alterations of the vacuolar system. Alterations of membrane transport: channelopathies with particular reference to those determined by alterations of genes coding for ABC-type transporters. Alterations of inter-cellular communication: I. defect in the expression of receptors with in-depth analysis: a) on the regulation of the expression of lipoprotein receptors and their significance in the etio-pathogenesis of atherosclerosis; b) on defects in the expression of adhesive receptors (pathology of leukocyte and platelet adhesion. Platelet haemostasis and mechanisms of coagulation activation. Etiopathogenesis of thromboembolisms). Alterations in inter-cellular communication: II. Mechanisms of signal transduction and alterations of signal translation by growth factor receptors, coupled to trimeric G proteins, associated with cytoplasmic kinases. Insulin signal transduction and molecular basis of insulin resistance in type II diabetes. Alterations of the cytoskeleton and contractile apparatus. Pathology of mitochondria. Mechanisms of glucotoxicity. Mechanisms of damage from chemical and physical causes: Smoking and alcohol-related pathologies. Diseases caused by acids, bases, heavy metals and solvents (note of their mechanism of action). Biotransformation of xenobiotics. Mechanisms of free radical formation and relationship between oxidative stress and pathology, including neuro-degenerative disease. Radiation damage. Amyloidosis and other pathologies caused by protein accumulations (Alzheimer's and prion diseases)  Cellular aging. Notes on theories of aging. Cellular aging and organismal aging: causes (genetic, environmental, molecular). Fever and hyperthermia. Cellular damage and cell death (necrosis and apoptosis) in different tissues and during pathologies. Recognition of histo and cytological characteristics of degenerations. Neoplasms Cellular proliferation and differentiation. Recognition of histo and cytological characteristics of the tumor and neoplastic growth: benign growth and malignant growth. Distant diffusion: metastases and their consequences. Models of carcinogenesis. Chemical and physical factors in the etiology of tumors and their pathogenetic mechanisms. DNA damage and repair. Hormones and tumors; viruses in the etiopathogenesis of tumors; oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Genes that regulate apoptotic processes and genetic stability. Inflammation. The acute and chronic inflammatory response. The vascular phenomena of acute inflammation and the chemical mediators of the different phases of acute and chronic inflammation. Adhesion, chemotaxis and phagocytosis. The different forms and general phenomena associated with acute inflammation. Immunity: Innate and specific immunity. Recognition of histo and cytological characteristics of acute and chronic inflammation. Repair, tissue regeneration and fibrosis. The immune response in tumors. White blood cell pathophysiology: quantitative and qualitative anomalies

Bibliography

Didactic methods

- Face-to-face lessons with compulsory attendance

Learning assessment procedures

Contents of the test: the test covers all the topics of the program Assessment method: written test to be passed to access the oral test

Evaluation criteria

The objectives of the test are to evaluate knowledge of the mechanisms underlying pathological processes. Evaluation method: marks expressed out of thirty based on the outcome of the oral test.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

grade expressed in thirtieths based on the outcome of the oral exam

Exam language

italiano

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