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The main results obtained by our group during 2013 are related to (i) Barrett
Highlights
esophagous, (ii) inflammation, and (iii) Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases.

Barrett esophagous (BE) is a premalignant condition associated with the develop-

ment of esophagous adenocarcinoma (EAC), the prevalence of which has increased
dramatically over the past three decades in the western world. Therefore, great

interest surrounds the identification of molecular biomarkers which contribute to

the pathogenesis of BE and its progression to EAC. We have performed a high-
throughput screening and qRT-PCR validation studies of miRNAs expression in NE,

BE, HGD and EAC and we have validated the selected miRNAs in BE samples from
patients that have developed EAC vs those that have not developed EAC after a

long-term follow-up of disease evolution. Our data suggest that measurement of

the expression of a modest number of miRNA in metaplasia biopsies could identify
the BE patients at high risk for developing EAC. Therefore, it would constitute a

robust diagnostic test to predict the progression of BE to EAC.

By using mice models, we have shown that genetic inactivation of Parp-2, but not

of Parp-1, resulted in bone marrow failure in response to sublethal ?-irradiation
dose, providing the first evidence for an important and non-redundant role of

Parp-2 protein to properly maintain haematopoietic system homeostasis.

P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) are present on the plasma membrane of APCs to sense
the extracellular danger signal adenosine-5’-triphosphate (ATP). P2X7R activates

the inflammasome and the release of IL-1ß in macrophages and other immune

cells to initiate the inflammatory response.

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