Scopus Publications
- From Biological Waste to Therapeutic Resources: A Comprehensive Review of Stem Cell Sources, Characterization, and Biomedical Potentials
Beatrice Camia, Manuela Monti
Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, 2026
The concept of utilizing biological waste as a resource dates back centuries, with early practices in traditional medicine repurposing discarded tissues for healing purposes. In recent decades, advances in stem cell biology have revitalized this concept by identifying multipotent stem cells within various waste materials, including urine, adipose tissue, follicular fluid, umbilical cord blood, fetal annexes, menstrual blood, and dental pulp byproducts. These sources offer a minimally invasive, ethically sound, and cost-effective alternative to conventional stem cell harvesting methods. Stem cells derived from waste materials exhibit robust proliferative abilities and multilineage differentiation potential, positioning them as valuable tools for regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and personalized therapeutic applications. Clinical studies highlight their promise. For example, mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue and umbilical cord blood have shown safety and some effectiveness in early trials. These studies report improvements of up to 30–40% in recovery scores for osteoarthritis and ischemic heart disease, as well as a 20–35% decrease in inflammatory markers for autoimmune disorders. Cord blood stem cell transplants have shown 70–90% survival rates in children with blood cancers. This underscores the clinical potential of waste-derived stem cells. However, regulatory issues limit broader use. Agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency classify many processing methods, especially enzymatic digestion, as “more-than-minimal manipulation.” This triggers strict requirements for Good Manufacturing Practice, clinical validation, and safety checks. These rules protect donors, ensure consistency, and check long-term safety. However, they also slow down clinical adoption. This review describes the history and recent advances in recycling biological waste to obtain stem cells, operating within the theoretical framework that positions waste-derived materials as viable sources for regenerative medicine. It highlights how these developments are transforming biomedical research and clinical care. - Hyaluronic Acid-Decorated Liposomes for the Intrapulmonary Delivery of Imatinib: A Targeted Treatment for Postinflammatory Pulmonary Fibrosis
Sara Bozzini, Valeria Bincoletto, Laura Pandolfi, Roberta Fusco, Rosanna Di Paola, et al.
Small Science, 2025
Nanotechnology allows drugs to be delivered locally and specific cells to be targeted, leading to a promising new therapeutic approach for interstitial lung fibrosis. Hyaluronic acid (HA)‐decorated imatinib‐loaded liposomes (LIP‐HA44700‐Im) are developed to target CD44 positive cells for the inhalation treatment of fibrogenic lung disorders. LIP‐HA44700‐Im are assessed for their uptake and biological activity on respiratory effectors that are related to CD44 expression and compared to undecorated liposomes (LIP). LIP‐HA44700‐Im uptake is significantly higher than that of LIP, and most of the internalized LIP‐HA44700‐Im are colocalized with cellular endosomes. LIP‐HA44700‐Im also reduce lung fibroblasts viability. After 24 h, LIP‐HA44700‐Im are able to impair collagen 1a1 release and c‐Abl phosphorylation. Based on in vitro data, it has been assessed whether the intratracheal administration of LIP‐HA44700‐Im is able to prevent lung fibrosis in a mouse bleomycin model. The local administration of LIP‐HA44700‐Im is associated with a significant decrease in alveolar inflammation, lung fibrosis, collagen deposition, and TGF‐β expression. LIP‐HA44700‐Im target and deliver imatinib to lung pathogenic cells in vitro and represent a promising therapeutic option for the local treatment of fibrogenic lung disorders, although further development is required. These in vivo results confirm the validity of targeted nano‐based treatment for inflammatory‐driven lung fibrogenesis. - Forever particles: histochemistry in the plasticene age
Beatrice Camia, Andrea Casasco, Manuela Monti
European Journal of Histochemistry, 2025
The statement "Plastics define the way we live today" summarizes the findings of the Plastic Europe 2020 final document (https://plasticseurope.org/knowledge-hub/plastics-the-facts-2020/). Sadly, this also means that the plastic waste generated over the next decade is likely to become unmanageable. By 2050, plastic usage is expected to triple, resulting in a similar increase in plastic waste, with approximately half of it ending up in landfills. Emerging research indicates that micro and nanoplastics have been found in various human organs, including the gonads, placenta, blood, arteries, lungs, liver, kidney, and even the brain. This raises significant questions about their pervasive presence within our bodies and their potential threat to health. In addition to their harmful effects, these "forever particles" (micro/nanoplastics) can serve as Trojan horses, transporting additional pollutants such as bacteria and heavy metals into our bodies. In this review, we explore key aspects of the plastics crisis and urge the scientific community -especially those in the fields of cytochemistry and histochemistry, which adeptly connect morphology with function- to investigate the harmful effects of micro and nanoplastics that we encounter daily through ingestion or inhalation. This research should focus on various physiological levels, including DNA, cells, and tissues. - The localization and function of the moonlighting protein Clathrin during oocyte maturation
B. Camia, M. Longo, A. Bergonzi, I. Dezza, M. Biggiogera, et al.
Developmental Biology, 2025 - Artificial intelligence selection of viable oocytes from phase contrast images for in vitro maturation and fertilization
Manoel Veiga, Beatrice Camia, Stefan Diepenbrock, CarloAlberto Redi, Andrea Casasco, et al.
Biology of Reproduction, 2023
Graphical Abstract Legend: We established an artificial intelligence model to classify immature germinal vesicle oocytes as surrounded nucleolus or not surrounded nucleolus by looking only at a phase contrast image, with an accuracy close to 90%. This methodology lays the foundations for translational research in the field of human-assisted reproduction. - Liposome Formulation and In Vitro Testing in Non-Physiological Conditions Addressed to Ex Vivo Kidney Perfusion
Silvia Pisani, Enrica Chiesa, Ida Genta, Rossella Dorati, Marilena Gregorini, et al.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022
This work focuses on formulating liposomes to be used in isolated kidney dynamic machine perfusion in hypothermic conditions as drug delivery systems to improve preservation of transplantable organs. The need mainly arises from use of kidneys from marginal donors for transplantation that are more exposed to ischemic/reperfusion injury compared to those from standard donors. Two liposome preparation techniques, thin film hydration and microfluidic techniques, are explored for formulating liposomes loaded with two model proteins, myoglobin and bovine serum albumin. The protein-loaded liposomes are characterized for their size by DLS and morphology by TEM. Protein releases from the liposomes are tested in PERF-GEN perfusion fluid, 4 °C, and compared to the in vitro protein release in PBS, 37 °C. Fluorescent liposome uptake is analyzed by fluorescent microscope in vitro on epithelial tubular renal cell cultures and ex vivo on isolated pig kidney in hypothermic perfusion conditions. The results show that microfluidics are a superior technique for obtaining reproducible spherical liposomes with suitable size below 200 nm. Protein encapsulation efficiency is affected by its molecular weight and isoelectric point. Lowering incubation temperature slows down the proteins release; the perfusion fluid significantly affects the release of proteins sensitive to ionic media (such as BSA). Liposomes are taken up by epithelial tubular renal cells in two hours’ incubation time. - Hypes and Hopes of Stem Cell Therapies in Dentistry: a Review
Alessandra Rodriguez y Baena, Andrea Casasco, Manuela Monti
Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, 2022
One of the most exciting advances in life science research is the development of 3D cell culture systems to obtain complex structures called organoids and spheroids. These 3D cultures closely mimic in vivo conditions, where cells can grow and interact with their surroundings. This allows us to better study the spatio-temporal dynamics of organogenesis and organ function. Furthermore, physiologically relevant organoids cultures can be used for basic research, medical research, and drug discovery. Although most of the research thus far focuses on the development of heart, liver, kidney, and brain organoids, to name a few, most recently, these structures were obtained using dental stem cells to study in vitro tooth regeneration. This review aims to present the most up-to-date research showing how dental stem cells can be grown on specific biomaterials to induce their differentiation in 3D. The possibility of combining engineering and biology principles to replicate and/or increase tissue function has been an emerging and exciting field in medicine. The use of this methodology in dentistry has already yielded many interesting results paving the way for the improvement of dental care and successful therapies. Graphical abstract - Genome size evaluations in cockroaches: New entries
Manuela Monti, CarloAlberto Redi, Ernesto Capanna
European Journal of Histochemistry, 2022
In this paper, we report genome size (GS) values for nine cockroaches (order Blattodea, families Blattidae, Blaberidae and Ectobiidae, ex Blattelidae,), three of which are original additions to the ten already present in the GS database: the death’s head roach (Blaberus craniifer), the Surinam cockroach (Pycnoscelus surinamensis) and the Madeira cockroach (Leucophaea maderae). Regarding the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), the GS database contains two contrasting values (2.72 vs 3.41 pg); likely, the 2.72 pg value is the correct one as it is strikingly similar to our sperm DNA content evaluation (2.80 ± 0.11 pg). Also, we suggest halving the published GS of the Argentine cockroach Blaptica dubia and the spotted cockroach (the gray cockroach) Nauphoeta cinerea discussing (i) the occurrence of a correlation between increasing 2N chromosome number and GS within the order Blattodea; and (ii) the possible occurrence of a polyploidization phenomenon doubling a basic GS of 0.58 pg of some termite families (superfamily Blattoidea, epifamily Termitoidae). - Perinatal stem cells - biology, manufacturing and translational medicine
Manuela Monti
European Journal of Histochemistry, 2021
This book focuses on a new category of stem cells derived from perinatal tissue, including amniotic fluid, fetal membranes, umbilical cord, and placental tissue.... - Essential Current Concepts in Stem Cell Biology
Manuela Monti
European Journal of Histochemistry Ejh, 2020
Stem cell (SC) biology is a pervasive transdisciplinary research field encompassing any level of life organization (from molecular to morphological), combining different types of techniques (spanning from cellular to molecular)..... - Stem Cells and Therapy: Emerging Approaches
Manuela Monti
European Journal of Histochemistry Ejh, 2020 - Clathrin mediated endocytosis - Methods and Protocols
Manuela Monti
European Journal of Histochemistry Ejh, 2019 - Hyaluronic acid-decorated liposomes as innovative targeted delivery system for lung fibrotic cells
Laura Pandolfi, Vanessa Frangipane, Claudia Bocca, Alessandro Marengo, Erika Tarro Genta, et al.
Molecules, 2019 - Cell Migration - Methods and Protocols
Manuela Monti
European Journal of Histochemistry Ejh, 2019 - Citizens, science and democratic society
Notizie Di Politeia, 2019 - Pemetrexed-loaded nanoparticles targeted to malignant pleural mesothelioma cells: An in vitro study
Emanuela Cova, Laura Pandolfi, Miriam Colombo, Vanessa Frangipane, Simona Inghilleri, et al.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2019 - Mouse oocyte development - Methods and Protocols
Manuela Monti
European Journal of Histochemistry Ejh, 2018 - Cytoplasmic lattices are not linked to mouse 2-cell embryos developmental arrest
Marianna Longo, Michele Boiani, CarloAlberto Redi, Manuela Monti
European Journal of Histochemistry Ejh, 2018 - Mammalian blastocyst mimicry
Niccolò Bianchi, Marianna Longo, CarloAlberto Redi, Manuela Monti
Molecular Reproduction and Development, 2018 - Oocytes - Maternal Information and Functions
Manuela Monti
European Journal of Histochemistry Ejh, 2017 - A Novel Method for Isolation of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Human Umbilical Cord Blood
Manuela Monti, Barbara Imberti, Niccolò Bianchi, Anna Pezzotta, Marina Morigi, et al.
Stem Cells and Development, 2017 - In Vitro and In Vivo Differentiation of Progenitor Stem Cells Obtained After Mechanical Digestion of Human Dental Pulp
Manuela Monti, Antonio Graziano, Silvana Rizzo, Cesare Perotti, Claudia Del Fante, et al.
Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2017 - Functional topography of the fully grown human oocyte
Manuela Monti, Alberto Calligaro, Barry Behr, Renee Rejo Pera, Carlo Alberto Redi, et al.
European Journal of Histochemistry, 2017 - Zscan4 is expressed specifically during late meiotic prophase in both spermatogenesis and oogenesis
Kei-ichiro Ishiguro, Manuela Monti, Tomohiko Akiyama, Hiromi Kimura, Nana Chikazawa-Nohtomi, et al.
In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology Animal, 2017 - Gamete and embryo-fetal origins of adult diseases
Manuela Monti
European Journal of Histochemistry Ejh, 2016 - Isolation and characterization of mouse antral oocytes based on nucleolar chromatin organization
Manuela Monti, Carlo Alberto Redi
Journal of Visualized Experiments, 2016 - A New Medical Device Rigeneracons Allows to Obtain Viable Micro-Grafts From Mechanical Disaggregation of Human Tissues
Letizia Trovato, Manuela Monti, Claudia del Fante, Marila Cervio, Milla Lampinen, et al.
Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2015 - Ex vivo immunosuppressive effects of mesenchymal stem cells on Crohn's disease mucosal T cells are largely dependent on indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity and cell-cell contact
Rachele Ciccocioppo, Giuseppina C. Cangemi, Peter Kruzliak, Alessandra Gallia, Elena Betti, et al.
Stem Cell Research and Therapy, 2015 - Stem cells and translational medicine: From research to clinical procedures
Claudia Fante, Manuela Monti, Carlo Redi, Marila Cervio, Luigia Scudeller, et al.
Current Tissue Engineering, 2015 - Pluripotent stem cells and tolerance induction in organ transplantation
Barbara Imberti, Manuela Monti, Federica Casiraghi
Current Opinion in Organ Transplantation, 2015 - γ-Irradiated cord blood MNCs: Different paracrine effects on mature and progenitor endothelial cells
Marila Cervio, Luigia Scudeller, Gianluca Viarengo, Manuela Monti, Claudia Del Fante, et al.
Microvascular Research, 2014 - The egg. The inside story of a cell
Manuela Monti, Carloalberto Redi
Molecular Reproduction and Development, 2013 - Zscan4 restores the developmental potency of embryonic stem cells
Tomokazu Amano, Tetsuya Hirata, Geppino Falco, Manuela Monti, Lioudmila V. Sharova, et al.
Nature Communications, 2013 - Developmental arrest and mouse antral not-surrounded nucleolus oocytes
Manuela Monti, Mario Zanoni, Alberto Calligaro, Minoru S.H. Ko, Pierluigi Mauri, et al.
Biology of Reproduction, 2013 - Stem cells: Sources and therapies
Manuela Monti, Cesare Perotti, Claudia Del Fante, Marila Cervio, Carlo Alberto Redi
Biological Research, 2012 - Synthetic biology: From description of, to the synthesis of, livings
Carlo A. Redi, Manuela Monti
Area Pediatrica, 2012 - The biopolitics of frozen embryos
Manuela Monti, Carlo A. Redi
International Journal of Developmental Biology, 2011 - FTIR spectral signatures of mouse antral oocytes: Molecular markers of oocyte maturation and developmental competence
Diletta Ami, Paolo Mereghetti, Antonino Natalello, Silvia Maria Doglia, Mario Zanoni, et al.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta Molecular Cell Research, 2011 - FT-IR spectroscopy supported by PCA-LDA analysis for the study of embryonic stem cell differentiation
Spectroscopy, 2010 - Trim43a, Trim43b, and Trim43c: Novel mouse genes expressed specifically in mouse preimplantation embryos
Ilaria Stanghellini, Geppino Falco, Sung-Lim Lee, Manuela Monti, Minoru S.H. Ko
Gene Expression Patterns, 2009 - Uncovering Early Response of Gene Regulatory Networks in ESCs by Systematic Induction of Transcription Factors
Akira Nishiyama, Li Xin, Alexei A. Sharov, Marshall Thomas, Gregory Mowrer, et al.
Cell Stem Cell, 2009 - Oogenesis specific genes (Nobox, Oct4, Bmp15, Gdf9, Oogenesin1 and Oogenesin2) are differentially expressed during natural and gonadotropin-induced mouse follicular development
Manuela Monti, CarloAlberto Redi
Molecular Reproduction and Development, 2009 - Stem cells: From animal research to clinical applications
Carlo Alberto Redi, Manuela Monti, Valeria Merico, Tui Neri, Mario Zanoni, et al.
Endocrine Development, 2007 - Mouse fibroblasts are reprogrammed to Oct-4 and Rex-1 gene expression and alkaline phosphatase activity by embryonic stem cell extracts
Tui Neri, Manuela Monti, Paola Rebuzzini, Valeria Merico, Silvia Garagna, et al.
Cloning and Stem Cells, 2007 - Gonadotropins affect Oct-4 gene expression during mouse oocyte growth
Manuela Monti, Silvia Garagna, CarloAlberto Redi, Maurizio Zuccotti
Molecular Reproduction and Development, 2006 - Chromatin organisation and nuclear architecture in growing mouse oocytes
Maurizio Zuccotti, Silvia Garagna, Valeria Merico, Manuela Monti, Carlo Alberto Redi
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 2005 - Single-cell quantitative RT-PCR analysis of Cpt1b and Cpt2 gene expression in mouse antral oocytes and in preimplantation embryos
L. Gentile, M. Monti, V. Sebastiano, V. Merico, R. Nicolai, et al.
Cytogenetic and Genome Research, 2004 - Three-dimensional localization and dynamics of centromeres in mouse oocytes during folliculogenesis
Silvia Garagna, Valeria Merico, Vittorio Sebastiano, Manuela Monti, Guido Orlandini, et al.
Journal of Molecular Histology, 2004 - A single cell sensitive RT-PCR for the study of gene expression in mouse preimplantation development
Vittorio Sebastiano, Luca Gentile, Valeria Merico, Manuela Monti, Maurizio Zuccotti, et al.
ATTI Della Accademia Nazionale Dei Lincei Rendiconti Lincei Scienze Fisiche E Naturali, 2003 - Centromere localization changes in oocyte nuclei during mouse folliculogenesis
Valeria Merico, Manuela Monti, Vittorio Sebastiano, Luca Gentile, Maurizio Zuccotti, et al.
ATTI Della Accademia Nazionale Dei Lincei Rendiconti Lincei Scienze Fisiche E Naturali, 2003 - Expression of carnitine palmitoyl-transferase 1 and 2 during mouse preimplantation development
Silvia Garagna, Luca Gentile, Valeria Merico, Manuela Monti, Carlo Alberto Redi, et al.
ATTI Della Accademia Nazionale Dei Lincei Rendiconti Lincei Scienze Fisiche E Naturali, 2003
