Fabio Gasparini

University of Padua

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Lucia Manni

University of Padua

Paolo Burighel

University of Padua

Loriano Ballarin

University of Padua

Federico Caicci

University of Padua

Giovanna Zaniolo

University of Padua

Nicola Franchi

University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Carmela Gissi

Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies

Francesca Rigon

University of Padua

Francesco Mastrototaro

University of Bari Aldo Moro

Riccardo Brunetti

Ospedale Civile di Venezia

Cooperative Institutions

University of Padua

Stanford University

University of Milan

Pacific University

Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (United States)

Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine

University of Bologna

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico

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New permanent stem cell niche for development and regeneration in a chordate

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (2023)

Virginia Vanni Federico Caicci Anna Peronato Graziano Martello Davide Asnicar

Abstract Stem cell niches are defined as the microenvironments where stem cells home, receiving stimuli defining their fate. In vertebrates, stem cell niches are stable and physically confined compartments. Botryllus schlosseri is an invertebrate colonial chordate where temporary stem cell niches have been identified in adult individuals that are cyclically resorbed and replaced by a new generation of clonal zooids. B. schlosseri also displays remarkable regenerative abilities, being capable of whole-body regeneration, but the cellular source of these processes is still unknown. Here we identified by means of a high-resolution morphological characterization a new putative stem cell niche in the ampullae of the circulatory system acting as a stem cell source during asexual reproduction. Stem cells of the ampullae travel via the circulatory system and contribute to the development of several organs and could explain where stem cells contributing to whole-body regeneration are stored. The ampullae niches are stable during the life cycle and regeneration of B. schlosseri , while additional niches of the zooid are dynamically established and colonised by circulating stem cells. Our results reveal an unprecedented dynamicity of stem cell niches in highly regenerative invertebrates.

Zooid

Chordate

Stem cell niche

Regenerative Medicine

Asexual reproduction

10.1101/2023.05.15.540819

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Citations (1)

A novel rhamnose-binding lectin from the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri

Nicola Franchi Fabio Gasparini Barbara Spolaore Loriano Ballarin

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Differentiation and Induced Sensorial Alteration of the Coronal Organ in the Asexual Life of a Tunicate

Integrative and Comparative Biology (2018)

Lucia Manni Chiara Anselmi Paolo Burighel Margherita Martini Fabio Gasparini

Tunicates, the sister group of vertebrates, possess a mechanoreceptor organ, the coronal organ, which is considered the best candidate to address the controversial issue of vertebrate hair cell evolution. The organ, located at the base of the oral siphon, controls the flow of seawater into the organism and can drive the "squirting" reaction, i.e., the rapid body muscle contraction used to eject dangerous particles during filtration. Coronal sensory cells are secondary mechanoreceptors and share morphological, developmental, and molecular traits with vertebrate hair cells. In the colonial tunicate Botryllus schlosseri, we described coronal organ differentiation during asexual development. Moreover, we showed that the ototoxic aminoglycoside gentamicin caused morphological and mechanosensorial impairment in coronal cells. Finally, fenofibrate had a strong protective effect on coronal sensory cells due to gentamicin-induced toxicity, as occurs in vertebrate hair cells. Our results reinforce the hypothesis of homology between vertebrate hair cells and tunicate coronal sensory cells.

Tunicate

10.1093/icb/icy044

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Citations (15)

Sexual and asexual reproduction in the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri

genesis (2014)

Fabio Gasparini Lucia Manni Francesca Cima Giovanna Zaniolo Paolo Burighel

The colonial tunicate Botryllus schlosseri is a widespread filter-feeding ascidian that lives in shallow waters and is easily reared in aquaria. Its peculiar blastogenetic cycle, characterized by the presence of three blastogenetic generations (filtering adults, buds, and budlets) and by recurrent generation changes, has resulted in over 60 years of studies aimed at understanding how sexual and asexual reproduction are coordinated and regulated in the colony. The possibility of using different methodological approaches, from classical genetics to cell transplantation, contributed to the development of this species as a valuable model organism for the study of a variety of biological processes. Here, we review the main studies detailing rearing, staging methods, reproduction and colony growth of this species, emphasizing the asymmetry in sexual and asexual reproduction potential, sexual reproduction in the field and the laboratory, and self- and cross-fertilization. These data, opportunely matched with recent tanscriptomic and genomic outcomes, can give a valuable help to the elucidation of some important steps in chordate evolution.

Asexual reproduction

Tunicate

Sexual reproduction

10.1002/dvg.22802

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Citations (57)

[Embryology of the salivary glands].

PubMed (1968)

Fabio Gasparini

Embryology

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An elongated COI fragment to discriminate botryllid species and as an improved ascidian DNA barcode

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (2021)

Marika Salonna Fabio Gasparini Dorothée Huchon Federica Montesanto Michal Haddas‐Sasson

ABSTRACT Botryllids are colonial ascidians widely studied for their potential invasiveness and as model organisms, however the morphological description and discrimination of these species is very problematic, leading to frequent specimen misidentifications. To facilitate species discrimination and detection of cryptic/new species, we developed new barcoding primers for the amplification of a COI fragment of about 860 bp (860-COI), which is an extension of the common Folmer’s barcode region. Our 860-COI was successfully amplified in 177 worldwide-sampled botryllid colonies. Combined with morphological analyses, 860-COI allowed not only discriminating known species, but also identifying undescribed and cryptic species, resurrecting old species currently in synonymy, and proposing the assignment of clade D of the model organism Botryllus schlosseri to Botryllus renierii . Importantly, within clade A of B. schlosseri , 860-COI recognized at least two candidate species against only one recognized by the Folmer’s fragment, underlining the need of further genetic investigations on this clade. This result also suggests that the 860-COI could have a greater ability to diagnose cryptic/new species than the Folmer’s fragment at very short evolutionary distances, such as those observed within clade A. Finally, our new primers simplify the amplification of 860-COI even in non-botryllid ascidians, suggesting their wider usefulness in ascidians.

DNA Barcoding

Species complex

Barcode

Fragment (logic)

10.1101/2021.01.20.427448

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Citations (2)

Life history and ecological genetics of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri

Zoologischer Anzeiger (2015)

Francesca Cima Loriano Ballarin Federico Caicci Nicola Franchi Fabio Gasparini

Asexual reproduction

Sexual reproduction

Ecological genetics

10.1016/j.jcz.2015.04.004

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Citations (16)

[Vascular neoplasm of the masseter with particular histological aspects. A glomus tumor?].

PubMed (1971)

Fabio Gasparini

Glomus tumor

Neoplasm

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Analysis of a botryllid enriched-full-length cDNA library: insight into the evolution of spliced leader trans-splicing in tunicates

Development Genes and Evolution (2011)

Fabio Gasparini Sebastian M. Shimeld

Developmental Biology

10.1007/s00427-011-0351-y

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Citations (11)

Testing an unusual in vivo vessel network model: a method to study angiogenesis in the colonial tunicate Botryllus schlosseri

Scientific Reports (2014)

Fabio Gasparini Federico Caicci Francesca Rigon Giovanna Zaniolo Lucia Manni

Abstract Tunicates are the closest relatives to vertebrates and include the only chordate species able to reproduce both sexually and asexually. The colonial tunicate Botryllus schlosseri is embedded in a transparent extracellular matrix (the tunic) containing the colonial circulatory system (CCS). The latter is a network of vessels external to zooids, limited by a simple, flat epithelium that originated from the epidermis. The CCS propagates and regenerates by remodelling and extending the vessel network through the mechanism of sprouting, which typically characterises vertebrate angiogenesis. In exploiting the characteristics of B. schlosseri as a laboratory model, we present a new experimental and analysis method based on the ability to obtain genetically identical subclones representing paired samples for the appropriate quantitative outcome statistical analysis. The method, tested using human VEGF and EGF to induce angiogenesis, shows that the CCS provides a useful in vivo vessel network model for testing the effects of specific injected solutes on vessel dynamics. These results show the potentiality of B. schlosseri CCS as an effective complementary model for in vivo studies on angiogenesis and anticancer therapy. We discuss this potentiality, taking into consideration the origin, nature and roles of the cellular and molecular agents involved in CCS growth.

Tunicate

Zooid

Chordate

Model system

Vascular network

Asexual reproduction

10.1038/srep06460

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Citations (24)