Dr. Giuseppe Pintucci
Contact:
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery,
NYU School of Medicine - - ------NB-15W16, 28th Street & First Avenue New York, NY 10016 USA
Tel. (212) 263-2981
E-mail: pintug01@med.nyu.edu
Education
Jan 87- Dec 89: Ph.D. in Biology and Medical Biochemistry,
School of Medicine,
University of Bari, Italy
Oct 76- Jul 83: Master in Biological Sciences,
University of Bari, Italy
Oct 71- Jul 76 : High School Diploma
Liceo Scientifico “A. Scacchi”,
Bari, Italy
Awards and Fellowships
- Research Fellowship, The Ernst Schering Foundation (1994-1995)
- Research Fellowship, The Comission for European Community (1990-1992)
- Research Fellowship, The Italian Agency for Southern Italy Development (1986)
- Research Fellowship, Menarini Pharmaceuticals (1985)
Ad hoc Reviewer for the Following Journals:
- BBA - Molecular Cell Research
- Experimental Cell Research
- Molecular Endocrinology
- Thrombosis and Haemostasis
- Thrombosis Research
- Tissue Engineering
Ad hoc Grant Reviewer for the Following Agency:
-Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation
Research Experience
Sep 04- present Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
NYU School of Medicine,
New York, NY, USA
Assistant Professor
Apr 98- Aug 04 Department of Surgery
NYU School of Medicine,
New York, NY, USA
Assistant Professor
Sep 96- Mar 98 Department of Dermatology
NYU Medical Center,
New York, NY, USA
Post-doctoral Fellow
Feb 92- Aug 96 Department of Cell Biology,
-NYU Medical Center,
New York, NY, USA
Post-doctoral Fellow
Oct 90- Jan 92 Laboratory for Thrombosis Pharmacology,
Consorzio Negri Sud,
Santa Maria Imbaro, Chieti, Italy
Post-doctoral Fellow
Sep 87- Sep 90 Laboratory of General Biology,
School of Medicine,
University of Bari, Italy
PhD Graduate Student
Feb 85- Jul 87 Laboratory of Haemostasis and Thrombosis,
Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research,
Milan, Italy
Graduate Intern
Sep 83- Jan 85 Laboratory of General Biology,
School of Medicine,
University of Bari, Italy
Graduate Intern
Present Research Interests
Endogenous expression and biological function(s) of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) isoforms in normal and pathological conditions
Growth factors, stress factors, and intracellular signaling in the regulation of angiogenesis, vascular remodeling, and cell transformation
Molecular therapy of intimal hyperplasia after balloon angioplasty and vein grafting into arterial circulation
Teaching Responsibilities
Research Paper Discussion, Exam Preparation, and Grading, Foundations- Signaling Module, NYU Sackler Graduate Program
Research Training and Supervision of Cardiothoracic Surgery Program Fellows
Research Training and Supervision of both pre-Medical and Medical Students (including NYU School of Medicine Honor’s Program Awardees)
Main Expertise
Tissue Culture (primary cultures: endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, liver cells, epidermal keratinocytes, fibroblasts; normal and transformed cell lines)
Tissue and Cell Fractionation for Biochemical Analysis
Biological Assays of Cell Proliferation, Migration, Transformation
Protein Purification
Protein Expression Analysis:
- SDS- or non-denaturing Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
- Western Blot Analysis
- Immunoprecipitation
- Immunofluorescence
- ELISA
- Enzymatic Activity (by spectrophotometry, chromogenic assays, zymography, in vitro kinase assays)
In Vitro Thrombolysis Assay
Basic Recombinant DNA Technology (nucleic acid preparation, Northern blot analysis, reporter gene assays, gene cloning, transient/stable cell transfection)
Gene Delivery In Vitro and In Vivo
Peer-Reviewed Publications
34) Ferrari G, G Pintucci, G Seghezzi, K Hyman, AC Galloway, and P Mignatti. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a pro-survival factor, transduces the apoptotic activity of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-b1) on endothelial cells. Submitted
33) Pirelli L, P-J Yu, I Gulkarov, AC Galloway, P Mignatti, and G Pintucci. Inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as a strategy to prevent intimal hyperplasia following cardiovascular interventions. Vasc Dis Prevent, 2006, 3: 173-18
32) Sharony R, G Pintucci, PC Saunders, EA Grossi, FG Baumann, AC Galloway, and P Mignatti. Matrix metalloproteinase expression in vein grafts: The role of inflammatory mediators and extracellular signal-regulated kinases -1 and –2. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2005 Nov 11; [Epub ahead of print]
31) Pintucci G, PC Saunders, I Gulkarov, R Sharony, DL Kadian-Dodov, K Bohmann, FG Baumann, AC Galloway, and P Mignatti. Anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of topical MAPK inhibition in arterialized vein grafts. FASEB J 2006; 20: 398-400
30) Gulkarov I, G Pintucci, K Bohmann, PC Saunders, RF Sullivan, G Ferrari, P Mignatti, and AC Galloway. Mechanisms of C-reactive protein upregulation in arterialized vein grafts. Surgery 2006; 139: 254-262
29) Pintucci G, P-J Yu, F Saponara, DL Kadian-Dodov, AC Galloway, and P Mignatti. PDGF-BB induces vascular smooth muscle cell expression of high molecular weight FGF-2, which accumulates in the nucleus. J Cell Biochem 2005; 95: 1292-130028) Saunders PC, G Pintucci, CS Bizekis, R Sharony, KM Hyman, F Saponara, FG Baumann, EA Grossi, SB Colvin, P Mignatti, and AC Galloway. Vein graft arterialization causes differential activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2004;127: 1276-1284
27) Pintucci G, P-J Yu, R Sharony, FG Baumann, F Saponara, A Frasca, AC Galloway, D Moscatelli, and P Mignatti. Induction of stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) by fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in FGF-2 -/- microvascular endothelial cells requires prolonged activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1 and -2 (ERK-1/2). J Cell Biochem 2003;90: 1015-1025
26) Adachi M, A Gazel, G Pintucci, A Shuck, S Shifteh, D Ginsburg, LS Rao, T Kaneko, IM Freedberg, K Tamaki, and M Blumenberg. Specificity in stress response: Epidermal keratinocytes exhibit specialized UV-responsive signal transduction pathways.DNA Cell Biol 2003;22: 665-677
25) Bizekis C, G Pintucci, CC Derivaux, F Saponara, J-H Kim, KM Hyman, R Sharony, EA Grossi, FG Baumann, P Mignatti, and AC Galloway. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases during preparation of vein grafts and modulation by a synthetic inhibitor. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003;126: 659-665
24) McAllister SS, M Becker-Hapak, G Pintucci, M Pagano, and SF Dowdy. Novel p27kip C-terminal scatter domain mediates Rac-dependent cell migration independent of cell cycle arrest functions. Mol Cell Biol 2003; 23: 216-228
23) Pintucci G, S Froum, J Pinnell, P Mignatti, S Rafii, and D Green. Trophic effects of platelets on cultured endothelial cells are mediated by platelet-associated fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Thromb Haemost 2002;88: 834-842
22) Hyman KM, G Seghezzi, G Pintucci, G Stellari, JH Kim, EA Grossi, AC Galloway, and P Mignatti. Transforming growth factor beta-1 induces apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells via activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. Surgery 2002; 132: 173-179
21) Pintucci G, D Moscatelli, F Saponara, PR Biernacki, FG Baumann, C Bizekis, AC Galloway, C Basilico, and P Mignatti. Lack of ERK activation and cell migration in FGF-2-deficient endothelial cells. FASEB J 2002; 16: U173-U187
20) Das D, G Pintucci, and A Stern. MAPK-dependent expression of p21WAF and p27kip1 in PMA-induced differentiation of HL60 cells. FEBS Lett 2000; 472: 50-52
19) Klein SB, JA Carroll, Y Chen, MF Henry, PA Henry, IE Ortonowski, G Pintucci, RC Beavis, WH Burgess, and DB Rifkin. Biochemical analysis of the arginine methylation of high molecular weight fibroblast growth factor-2. J Biol Chem 2000; 275: 3150-3157
18) Pintucci G, BM Steinberg, G Seghezzi, J Yun, A Apazidis, FG Baumann, EA Grossi, SB Colvin, P Mignatti, and AC Galloway. Mechanical endothelial damage results in basic fibroblast growth factor-mediated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases. Surgery 1999; 126: 422-427
17) Seghezzi G, S Patel, CJ Ren, A Gualandris, G Pintucci, ES Robbins, RL Shapiro, AC Galloway, DB Rifkin, and P Mignatti. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the endothelial cells of forming capillaries: An autocrine mechanism of angiogenesis. J Cell Biol 1998; 141: 1659-1673
16) Bikfalvi A, S Klein, G Pintucci, and DB Rifkin. Biological roles of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). Endocrine Rev 1997; 18: 26-45
15) Pintucci G, A Bikfalvi, S Klein, and DB Rifkin. Angiogenesis and the fibrinolytic system. Semin Thromb Hemost 1996; 22: 517-524
14) Pintucci G, N Quarto, and DB Rifkin. Methylation of high molecular weight FGF-2 determines post-translational increases in molecular weight and affects its intracellular distribution. Mol Biol Cell 1996; 7: 1249-1258
13) Bikfalvi A, S Klein, G Pintucci, N Quarto, P Mignatti, and DB Rifkin. Differential modulation of cell phenotype by different molecular weight forms of basic fibroblast growth factor: Possible intracellular signaling by the high molecular weight forms. J Cell Biol 1995; 129: 233-243
12) Iacoviello L, V Kolpakov, L Salvatore, C Amore, G Pintucci, G de Gaetano, and MB Donati. Human endothelial cell damage by neutrophil-derived cathepsin G. Role of cytoskeleton rearrangement and matrix-bound plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Arterioscl Thromb Vascul Biol 1995; 15: 2037-2046
11) Pintucci G, L Iacoviello, MP Castelli, C Amore, V Evangelista, C Cerletti, and MB Donati. Cathepsin G-induced release of PAI-1 in the culture medium of endothelial cells: A new thrombogenic role for polymorphonuclear leukocytes?. J Lab Clin Med 1993; 122: 69-79
10) Pintucci G, L Iacoviello, C Amore, V Evangelista, C Cerletti, and MB Donati. Cathepsin G, a polymorphonuclear cell protease, affects the fibrinolytic system by releasing PAI-1 from endothelial cells and platelets. Ann NY Acad Sci 1992; 667: 286-288
9) Cicero R, A Gallone, I Maida, and G Pintucci. Effects of copper on the tyrosinase of liver pigment cells from Rana esculenta L. Comp Biochem Physiol (B) 1990; 96: 393-397
8) Pintucci G, MM Manzionna, I Maida, M Boffi, D Boffoli, A Gallone, and R Cicero. Morpho-functional characterization of cultured pigment cells from Rana esculenta L. liver. In Vitro Cell Develop Biol 1990; 26: 659-664
7) Mussoni L, G Pintucci, G Romano, F De Benedetti, M Massa, and A Martini. Decreased fibrinolytic activity in juvenile chronic arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 1990; 49: 973-975
6) Bertele’ V, L Mussoni, G Pintucci, G Del Rosso, G Romano, G de Gaetano, and A Libretti. The inhibitory effect of aspirin on fibrinolysis is reversed by iloprost, a prostacyclin analogue. Thromb Haemost 1989; 61: 286-288
5) Cicero R, A Mallardi, I Maida, A Gallone, and G Pintucci. Melanogenesis in the pigment cells of Rana esculenta L. liver. Evidence for a tyrosinase-like activity in the melanosome protein fraction. Pigment Cell Res 1989; 2: 100-108
4) Cicero R, I Maida, A Mallardi, G Pintucci, and A Gallone. Demonstration of a tyrosinase-like activity in Kupffer cells of Rana esculenta L. (Italian). Boll Soc It Biol Sper 1988; 64: 203-210
3) Bertele’ V, L Mussoni, G Del Rosso, G Pintucci, MR Carriero, MG Merati, A Libretti, and G de Gaetano. Defective fibrinolytic response in atherosclerotic patients. Effect of iloprost and its possible mechanism of action. Thromb Haemost 1988; 60: 141-144
2) Dejana E, F Breviario, A Erroi, F Bussolino, L Mussoni, M Gramse, G Pintucci, B Casali, CA Dinarello, J. Van Damme, and A. Mantovani. Modulation of endothelial cell functions by different molecular species of interleukin-1. Blood 1987; 69: 695-699
1) Gramse M, F Breviario, G Pintucci, I Millet, E Dejana, J Van Damme, MB Donati, and L Mussoni. Enhancement by interleukin-1 (IL-1) of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PA-I) activity in cultured human endothelial cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1986; 139: 720-727
Book Chapters
“The role of proteases in angiogenesis”
Bikfalvi A, S Klein, G Pintucci, and DB Rifkin
In “Tumour Angiogenesis”, C.E. Lewis, R. Bicknell, and N. Ferrara, eds, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, 1996
Work in Progress
“Proteolysis of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) by thrombin and its implications in cardiovascular disease”
P-J Yu, G Ferrari, DL Kadian-Dodov, L. Pirelli, F Saponara, , AC Galloway, P Mignatti, and G Pintucci
Abstracts and Presentations
17) “Intracellular signaling and control of apoptosis in human metastatic and primary colorectal cancer cells”McGill D, G Pintucci, P Mignatti, RS Berman
96th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research
Anaheim, CA, April 16-20, 2005
16) “Mechanism of C-reactive protein upregulation in arterialized vein
grafts”
Gulkarov I, K Bohmann, G Pintucci, PC Saunders, P Mignatti, G Ferrari, AC Galloway
66th Annual Meeting of the Society of University Surgeons
Nashville, TN, February 9-12, 2005
15) “Matrix metalloproteinase expression in vein grafts is regulated by the ERK-1/2 pathway but not by p38MAPK pathway” Sharony R, G Pintucci, PC Saunders, C Bizekis, KM Hyman, FG Baumann, EA Grossi, SB Colvin, AC Galloway, and P Mignatti J Am Coll Surgeons, 197: S28-S28, 2003
14) “Trophic effects of platelets on cultured endothelial cells are mediated by platelet-associated fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)”
Green D, S Rafii, S Froum, J Pinnell, P Mignatti, and G Pintucci
Blood, 100: 2682 (Part 1), 2002
13) “Trophic effect of platelets on cultured endothelial cells is mediated by FGF-2 and VEGF”
Pintucci G, S Froum, S Rafii, P Mignatti, and D Green
Blood, 98: 3838 (Part 2), 2001
11) “Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-b1) induces a growth factor cascade that results in extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in endothelial cells”
Seghezzi G, G Pintucci, J Yun, BM Steinberg, B Ferdinand, EA Grossi, FG Baumann, SB Colvin, AC Galloway, and P Mignatti
J Am Coll Cardiol, 35: 296A-296A, 2000
10) “Mechanical endothelial damage results in FGF-2-mediated activation of ERK-1 and –2”
Pintucci G, G Seghezzi, BM Steinberg, A Apazidis, J Yun, FG Baumann, EA Grossi, SB Colvin, AC Galloway, and P Mignatti Gordon Research Conference on “Molecular and Genetic Basis of Cell Proliferation”
New London, NH, July 4-9, 1999
9) “In vivo activation of the UV-responsive signal transduction cascade in human epidermal keratinocytes”
Kaneko T, M Komine, K Tamaki, A Gazel, G Pintucci, IM Freedberg, and M Blumenberg
J Invest Dermatol, 112: 243, 1999
8) “Mechanical endothelial damage results in basic fibroblast growth factor-mediated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases”
Pintucci G, BM Steinberg, G Seghezzi, J Yun, A Apazidis, FG Baumann, EA Grossi, SB Colvin, P Mignatti, and AC Galloway
60th Annual Meeting of the Society of University Surgeons
New Orleans, LA, February 11-13, 1999
7) “Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the endothelial cells of forming capillaries: An autocrine mechanism of angiogenesis”
Seghezzi G, S Patel, CJ Ren, G Pintucci, A Gualandris, E Robbins, RL Shapiro, AC Galloway, DB Rifkin, and P Mignatti
Mol Biol Cell, 8: 1335-1335, 1997
6) “Autocrine regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression by fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2)”
Seghezzi G, S Patel, G Pintucci, A Galloway, D Rifkin, and P Mignatti
Mol Biol Cell, 7: 2045-2045, 1996
5) “Cathepsin-G affects the adhesive and the mitigenic capacity of subendothelial matrix”
Iacoviello L, A Dorazio, C Amore, G Pintucci, A Pandolfi, A Poggi, and MB Donati
Thromb Haemostas, 69: 1085-1085, 1993
4) “Effects of cathepsin-G on the mitogenic capacity of subendothelial matrix”
Pandolfi A, G Pintucci, A Dorazio, C Amore, A Poggi, L Iacoviello, and MB Donati
Thromb Res, 70: S145-S145, 1993
3) “Cathepsin-G induces reversible changes in morphology and cytoskeleton arrangement of endothelial cells”
Kolpakov V, L Iacoviello, C Amore, G Pintucci, and MB Donati
Thromb Res, 70: S61-S61, 1993
2) “Cathepsin G, a polymorphonuclear cell protease, affects the fibrinolytic system by releasing PAI-1 from endothelial cells and platelets” Pintucci G, L Iacoviello, C Amore, V Evangelista, C Cerletti, and MB Donati
New York Academy of Sciences Conference on “Plasminogen Activation in Fibrinolysis, in Tissue Remodeling, and in Development”
Leiden, The Netherlands, October 22-25, 1991
1) “Isolation and culture of pigment cells from liver of Rana esculenta L.”
Pintucci G, and R Cicero
2nd European Society for Pigment Cell Research Meeting
Uppsala, Sweden, June 18-21, 1989
Industrial Liaisons
“Inhibition of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases in Cardiovascular Disease”
Co-Inventor with Drs. Paolo Mignatti and Aubrey C. Galloway (NYU School of Medicine) (submitted to the US Patent Office)