UNIT HEAD
Ana Baamonde Arbaiza

LOCATION
Área de Farmacología. Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, 5ª planta.
C/. Julián Clavería, 6; 33006 Oviedo

RESEARCH LINES

1. Regulation of ion channels by sex steroids in models of tumor cell lines and role of polyamines in peripheral cells as markers of inflammatory and neoplastic processes.

2. Evaluation of new strategies for treatment of neoplastic pain in experimental models of bone cancer.

1. Regulation of ion channels by sex steroids in models of tumor cell lines and role of polyamines in peripheral cells as markers of inflammatory and neoplastic processes.

We study the mechanisms involved in non-genomic regulation of ion channels function in hormone-dependent cancer cell lines, regarding hormone secretion and cell proliferation. Our present goal is to evaluate the influence of the maxi-channel regulatory subunits in the effect of sex steroids and to establish a tissue response selectivity.

On the other hand, alterations in polyamine metabolism are related to proliferative processes, such as tumors. This has led to investigate the use of polyamine homeostasis inhibitors as antineoplastic drugs. These compounds might alter physiological processes in normal cells, causing adverse reactions such as cardiotoxicity, as previously described for other anticancer agents.  In this line, we study the influence of polyamines in the heart function, searching for peripheral biological markers of cardiac toxicity of antineoplastic agents.

2. Evaluation of new strategies for treatment of neoplastic pain in experimental models of bone cancer.

Another line of research of our group works in the pharmacology of pain and constitute the “Farmadex” research group of the University of Oviedo. Since the beginning of IUOPA, the main line of research is the study of analgesic mechanisms in animal models of oncologic pain. To complement this approach, part of our activity is oriented to investigate basic pharmacology of molecules related to cancer pain and, during the last years, focused in chemokines, a group of mediators of the immune response that modulate nociceptive signaling. On the other hand, we have developed an effective interaction with the Unidad del Dolor of HUCA to translate into clinical practice some analgesic strategies. Although most of the work is done at the área de Farmacología of the University of Oviedo, we have collaborated with recognized labs in the study and development of analgesic drugs (Dr. B.P. Roques, París; Dr. C. Stein, Berlín; Dr. A. Ferrer-Montiel, Elche).

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

  • Suarez, L., Bilal, U., Bordallo, J., Cantabrana, B., Sanchez, M., 2015. Androgens block outward potassium currents and decrease spontaneous action potentials in GH3 cells. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s archives of pharmacology 388, 67-78.
  • Meana, C., Rubin, J.M., Bordallo, C., Suarez, L., Bordallo, J., Sanchez, M., 2016. Correlation between endogenous polyamines in human cardiac tissues and clinical parameters in patients with heart failure. Journal of cellular and molecular medicine 20, 302-312.
  • González-Rodríguez S, Álvarez MG, García-Domínguez M, Lastra A, Cernuda-Cernuda R, Folgueras AR, Fernández-García MT, Hidalgo A, Baamonde A,Menéndez L. Hyperalgesic and hypoalgesic mechanisms evoked by the acute administration of CCL5 in mice. Brain Behav Immun. 2017 Jan 23.
  • Curto-Reyes V, Llames S, Hidalgo A, Menéndez L, Baamonde A. Spinal and peripheral analgesic effects of the CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonist AM1241 in two models of bone cancer-induced pain. Br J Pharmacol. 2010 Jun;160(3):561-73.
  • Folgueras AR, Valdés-Sánchez T, Llano E, Menéndez L, Baamonde A, Denlinger BL, Belmonte C, Juárez L, Lastra A, García-Suárez O, Astudillo A, Kirstein M, Pendás AM, Fariñas I, López-Otín C. Metalloproteinase MT5-MMP is an essential modulator of neuro-immune interactions in thermal pain stimulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2009 Sep 22;106(38):16451-6.

Personnel

Name Position E-mail Phone
Agustín Hidalgo Balsera Group Leader hidalgo@uniovi.es 985103548
Ana Baamonde Arbaiza Staff scientist arbaiza@uniovi.es 985102755
Javier Bordallo Landa Staff scientist bordallojavier@uniovi.es 985103549
Begoña Cantabrana Plaza Staff scientist bego@uniovi.es 985103554
Sara González Rodríguez Staff scientist gonzalezsara@uniovi.es 985105244
Ana Lastra Queipo Technician lastraana@uniovi.es 985105244
Luis Menéndez Antolín Staff scientist luismen@uniovi.es 985102755
Esther Salgueiro Vázquez Staff scientist salgueiroesther@uniovi.es 985102708
Manuel Sánchez Fernández Staff scientist Sanchezf@uniovi.es 985102753
Lorena Suarez García Technician suarezlorena@uniovi.es 985105242
María González Amor Contratada doctora IUOPA mgamor@uniovi.es