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Research InterestsDr Nick Di Girolamo | | (Position Details) | | Phone 02 9385 2538 | | Email | | Qualifications PhD |
| | | School/Unit |
| School of Medical Sciences | |
| | Broad Research Areas | |
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Stem Cells
Ophthalmology
Transplantation
Pathology
Inflammation
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| | | | Specific Research Keywords | |
| Ultraviolet Radiation
Pterygia
Colorectal cancer
Stem Cell Biology
Stem Cell Therapy
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| | | | Research Interests | |
| Our current research program focuses on understanding how excessive solar ultraviolet radiation triggers diseases of the eye including pterygia, tumours of the limbus and conjunctiva, and how specific enzymes called the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to the development of such lesions in man. These studies utilize cell culture models and fresh human tissue specimens. The second arm of our research program focuses on identifying, isolating and cultivating human fetal and adult corneal stem cells to help us understand how the ocular surface is replenished under normal physiological conditions and following trauma and to devise alternative transplantation strategies to treat patients with corneal stem cell deficiencies. The third arm of our research program focuses on associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms in MMP genes with common epithelial tumours such as colorectal, prostate, and breast. We have recently identified one such polymorphism in the collahenase-1 (MMP-1) gene promoter as a potential prognostic indicator in patients with colorectal carcinoma.
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| | | | Project Topics for current Honours Students |
| 1.Renin-angiotensin system in human ocular surface disease
2.Role of metalloproteinases in UV-induced ocular cancers
3.Mechanism of corneal stem cell transfer and incorporation into the cornea after transplantation in humans
4.Role of matrix metalloproteinases and matrix proteins in corneal stem cell migration and in the corneal stem cell niche
5.Effects of human amniotic fluid on human fetal corneal epithelial phenotype, proliferation and differentiation. | |
| | | | Society Memberships & Professional Activities | |
| 1. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARV0)
2. International Ocular Inflammation Society (IOIS)
3. Sydney Tissue Engineering and Matrix group (STEAM)
4. Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR)
5. Australian Protease Network
6. Mutagenesis and Experimental Pathology Society of Australasia (MEPSA) | |
| | | | Funding Sources | |
| National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia (ORIA) | |
| | | | Other Postgraduate Research | |
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| | | | Key works/Publications | |
| 1. Di Girolamo N, Underwood A, McCluskey PJ, Wakefield D. Functional activity of plasma fibronectin from patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes. 1993;42:1606-1613. (IF: 8.26; CI: 13, 12)
2. *Di Girolamo N, McCluskey PJ, Lloyd A, Wakefield D. Localisation of stromelysin (Matrix Metalloproteinase-3) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) mRNA in scleritis. Ocular Immunol Inflamm. 1995;3:181-194. (IF: 1.05; CI: 8, 4)
3. Kumar RK, O’Grady R, Di Girolamo N. Epidermal growth factor-like molecular species in normal bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Lung. 1996;174:171-179. (IF: 1.0; CI: 9, 9)
4. Tedla N, Palladinetti P, Kelly M, Kumar RK, Di Girolamo N, Chattophadhay U, Cooke B, Truskett P, Dwyer J, Wakefield D, Lloyd A. Chemokines and T lymphocyte recruitment to lymph nodes in HIV infection. Am J Pathol. 1996;148:1367-1373. (IF: 5.49; CI: 50, 46)
5. *Di Girolamo N, Verma MJ, McCluskey PJ, Lloyd A, Wakefield, D. Increased matrix metalloproteinases in the aqueous humor of patients and experimental animals with uveitis. Curr Eye Res. 1996;15:1060-1066. (IF: 1.44; CI: 49, 58)
6. *Di Girolamo N, Lloyd A, McCluskey PJ, Filipic M, Wakefield D. Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases in vivo in scleritis tissue and in vitro in cultured human scleral fibroblasts. Am J Pathol. 1997;150:653-666. (IF: 5.49; CI: 48, 50)
7. *Di Girolamo N, Visvanathan K, Lloyd A, Wakefield D. Expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by human plasma cells in chronic inflammation. J Leuk Biol. 1997;61:667-678. (IF: 4.13; CI: 24, 27)
8. Di Girolamo N, McCluskey P, Lloyd A, Wakefield D. Matrix metalloproteinases and mast cell tryptase in scleritis. Proc Int Symp Uveitis. 1998 pp103-105. CONFERENCE PAPER
9. Cuello C, Palladinetti P, Tedla N, Di Girolamo N, Lloyd A, McCluskey P, Wakefield D. Chemokine expression and leucocyte infiltration in Sjogren’s Syndrome. Br J Rheumatol. 1998;37:779-783. (IF: 1.8; CI: 41, 42)
10. *Di Girolamo N, Tedla N, Lloyd A, Wakefield D. Expression of matrix metalloproteinases by human plasma cells and B lymphocytes. Eur J Immunol. 1998;28:1773-1784. (IF: 4.66; CI: 50, 53)
11. Tedla N, Wang H-W, McNeil HP, Di Girolamo N, Hampartzoumian T, Wakefield, D, Lloyd A. Regulation of T lymphocyte trafficking into lymph nodes during an immune response by the chemokines, MIP-1 and MIP-1. J Immunol. 1998;161:5663-5672. (IF: 6.07; CI: 84, 88)
12. Wakefield D, Cuello C, Di Girolamo N, Lloyd, A. The role of cytokines and chemokines in uveitis. BenEzra, D. (ed): Basel, Karger,. Developmental Ophthalmology. 1999;31:52-66.(CI: 11, 8) BOOK CHAPTER
13. Di Girolamo N, Tedla N, Kumar RK, McCluskey P, Lloyd A, Coroneo MT, Wakefield D. Culture and characterisation of epithelial cells from human pterygia. Br J Ophthalmol. 1999;83:1077-1082. (IF: 2.7; CI: 19, 19)
14. Coroneo MT, Di Girolamo N, Wakefield D. The pathogenesis of pterygia. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 1999;10:282-288. (CI:77, 115)
15. Di Girolamo N, McCluskey PJ, Lloyd A, Coroneo M, Wakefield D. Expression of MMPs and TIMPs in human pterygia and cultured pterygium epithelial cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2000;41:671-679. (IF: 3.53; CI: 46, 66)
16. *Di Girolamo N, Wakefield D. In vitro and in vivo expression of interstitial collagenase/MMP-1 by human mast cells. Dev Immunol. 2000;7(2-4):131-142. (CI: 20, 22)
17. Di Girolamo N, Wakefield D, Coroneo MT. Differential expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors at the advancing pterygium head. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2000;41:4142-4149. (IF: 3.53; CI: 29, 45)
18. Di Girolamo N. Scleritis: Anatomy and physiology of the sclera in health and disease. Ed McCluskey P (Chapter 1) 2001. BOOK CHAPTER
19. Di Girolamo N, Coroneo MT, Wakefield D. Active matrilysin/MMP-7 in human pterygia: potential role in angiogenesis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2001;42:1963-1968. (IF: 3.53; CI: 25, 44)
20. Yang Z, Tao T, Raftery MJ, Youssef P, Di Girolamo N, Geczy CL. Proinflammatory properties of the human S100 protein, S100A12. J Leuk Biol. 2001;69:986-994. (IF: 4.13; CI: 61, 74)
21. Cuello C, Wakefield D, Di Girolamo N. Neutrophil accumulation correlates with type IV collagenase/gelatinase activity in endotoxin-induced uveitis. Br J Ophthalmol. 2002;86:290-295. (IF: 2.7; CI: 15, 22)
22. Sachdev N, Di Girolamo N, Jennings A, McCluskey PJ, Wakefield D, Coroneo MT. Pathogenesis of lens dislocation in Marfan’s syndrome: role of MMPs in fibrillin degradation. Arch Ophthalmol. 2002:120;833-834. (IF: 2.98; CI: 10, 8)
23. Di Girolamo N, Coroneo MT, Wakefield D. UVB-mediated induction of Interleukin-6 and -8 in pterygia and cultured human pterygium epithelial cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2002:43;3430-3437. (IF: 3.53; CI: 41, 41)
24. Nolan TM, Di Girolamo N, Sachdev NH, Hampartzoumian T, Coroneo MT, Wakefield D. The role of ultraviolet irradiation and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor in the pathogenesis of pterygium. Am J Pathol. 2003:162;567-574. (IF: 5.49; CI: 33, 41)
25. Lan J, Di Girolamo N, Kumar R, Coroneo MT, Wakefield D. Expression and distribution of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in the human iris and ciliary body. Br J Ophthalmol. 2003:87:208-211. (IF: 2.7; CI: 7, 8)
26. Xue ML, Wakefield D, Willcox MDP, Lloyd AR, Di Girolamo N, Cole N, Thakur A. Regulation of MMPs and TIMPs by IL-1 during corneal ulceration and infection. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003:44:2020-2025. (IF: 3.53; CI: 29, 31)
27. Wei XM, Heywood GJ, Di Girolamo N, Thomas PS. Nicorandil inhibits the release of TNF from a lymphocyte cell line and peripheral blood lymphocytes. Int Immunopharmacol. 2003:3;1581-1588. (IF: 2.07; CI: 8, 9)
28. Di Girolamo N, Coroneo MT, Wakefield D. UVB-elicited-induction of MMP-1 expression in human ocular surface epithelial cells is mediated through the ERK1/2 MAPK-dependent pathway. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003;44:4705-4714. (IF: 3.53; CI: 24, 29) (COVER FEATURE)
29. Nolan TM, Di Girolamo N, Coroneo MT, Wakefield D. Proliferative effects of heparin-binding epidermal growth-like growth factor on pterygium epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004;45:110-113. (IF: 3.53; CI: 9, 13)
30. Zhang G, Dass CR, Sumithran E, Di Girolamo N, Sun L-Q, Khachigian LM. Effect of deoxyribozymes targeting c-Jun on solid tumor growth and angiogenesis in rodents. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004;96:683-696. (Editorial by Professor Judah Folkman pp 644) (IF: 15.68; CI: 49, 47)
31. Sachdev N, Di Girolamo N, McCluskey P, Wakefield D, Coroneo M. Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases in the human lens: implications for cortical cataract formation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004;45:4075-4082. (IF: 3.53; CI: 12, 20)
32. Di Girolamo N, Chui J, Coroneo, MT, Wakefield D. Pathogenesis of pterygia: role of cytokines, growth factors, metalloproteinases, and ultraviolet light. Progress Ret Eye Res. 2004;23:195-228. (IF: 7.73; CI: 40, 43) INVITED REVIEW
33. Bhindi R, Brieger D, Ishii H, Di Girolamo N, Kumar RK, Khachigian LM, Lowe HC. Fibroblast growth factor 2 and the transcription factor Egr-1 co-localise to endothelial cell microvascular channels in human coronary artery occlusion. Thrombosis Haemostasis. 2005;93:172-174. (IF: 3.5; CI: 4, 5)
34. Di Girolamo N, Coroneo MT, Wakefield D. Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling is partially responsible for the increased matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in ocular epithelial cells after UVB radiation. Am J Pathol. 2005;167:489-503. (IF: 5.49; CI: 14, 17)
35. Di Girolamo N, Wakefield D, Coroneo MT. UVB-mediated induction of cytokines and growth factors in pterygium epithelial cells involves cell surface receptors and intracellular signaling. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006;47:2430-2437. (IF: 3.53; CI: 10, 19)
36. Di Girolamo N, Endoh I, Jackson N, Wakefield D, McNeil P, Yan W-X, Geczy C, Arm JP, Tedla N. Human mast cell-derived gelatinase B (MMP-9) is regulated by inflammatory cytokines: role in cell migration. J Immunol. 2006;177:2638-2650. (IF: 6.07; CI: 18, 20)
37. Zhang G, Fahmy RG, Di Girolamo N, Khachigian LM. JUN siRNA regulates matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression, microvascular endothelial growth and retinal neovascularization. J Cell Sci. 2006;119:3219-3226. (IF: 6.38; CI: 3, 3)
38. Di Girolamo N, Chui J, Wakefield D, Coroneo MT. Cultured human ocular surface epithelium on therapeutic contact lenses. Br J Ophthalmol. 2007;91:459-464. (IF: 2.7; CI: 1, 3)
39. Yang Z, Yan WX, Cai H, Tedla, N, Armishaw, Di Girolamo N, Wang H-W, Hampartzoumian T, Simpson JL, Gibson PG, Hunt J, Hart P, Hughes JM, Perry MA, Alewood PF, Geczy CL. S100A12 provokes mast cell activation: a potential amplification pathway in asthma and innate immunity. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;119:106-114. (IF: 8.12; CI: 6, 9)
40. Figueira EC, Di Girolamo N, Coroneo MT, Wakefield D. The phenotype of limbal epithelial stem cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48:144-156. (IF: 3.53; CI: 7, 4)
41. Lai K, Di Girolamo N, Jager M, Conway RM, Madigan MC. The effect of ultraviolet radiation on choroidal melanocytes and melanoma cell lines: cell survival and matrix metalloproteinase production. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2007;245:715-724. (IF: 1.59; CI: 3, 3)
42. Hettiaratchi A, Hawkins NJ, Ward RL, Hunt JE, Wakefield D, Di Girolamo N. The collagenase (MMP-1) gene promoter polymorphism –1607/2G is associated with favorable prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. Br J Cancer. 2007;96:783-792. (IF: 4.64; CI: 11, 11) SOMS PAPER-OF-THE-MONTH (MAR 2007)
43. Endoh I, Di Girolamo N, Cameron B, Hampartzoumian T, Yan W-X, Geczy C, Tedla N. Ultraviolet B irradiation selectively increases the production of IL-8 and IL-1 in human cord blood derived mast cells. Clin Exp Immunol. 2007;148:161-167. (IF: 2.6; CI: 4, 5) SOMS PAPER-OF-THE-MONTH (FEB 2007)
44. Wu BJ, Di Girolamo N, Beck K, Hanratty CG, Choy K, Hou JY, Ward MR, Stocker R. Probucol retards compensatory arterial remodeling in apolipoprotein E deficient mice by decreasing macrophage and matrix metalloproteinase-9 and -2. J Pharmacol Exp Therap. 2007;321:477-484. (IF: 4.0; CI: 1, 0)
45. Chui J, Di Girolamo N, Coroneo MT, Wakefield D. The role of substance P in the pathogenesis of pterygia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48:4482-4489. (IF: 3.53; CI: 4, 5) SOMS PAPER-OF-THE-MONTH (DEC 2007)
46. Chui J, Di Girolamo N, Wakefield D, Coroneo MT. The pathogenesis of pterygium: current concepts and their therapeutic implications. Ocul Surf. 2008;6:24-43. (IF: 1.25; CI: 7, 6) INVITED REVIEW (COVER FEATURE)
47. Di Girolamo N, Sarris M, Chiu J, Cheema H, Coroneo MT, Wakefield D. Localization of the low affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75 in human limbal epithelial cells. J Cell Mol Med. 2008;12:2799-2811. (IF: 6.81; CI:)
48. Ng J, Coroneo MT, Wakefield D, Di Girolamo N. Ultraviolet radiation and the role of matrix metalloproteinases in the pathogenesis of ocular surface squamous neoplasia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008;49:5259-5306. (IF: 3.53; CI: )
49. McCluskey PJ, Wakefield D, Molteno A, Di Girolamo N. Otago glaucoma surgery outcome study: The pattern of expression of MMPs and TIMPs in bleb capsules surrounding Molteno implants. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008; accepted 11-12-2008. (IF: 3.53; CI: )
50. Di Girolamo N, Bosch M, Zamora K, Coroneo MT, Wakefield D, Watson S. A contact lens-based technique for expansion and transplantation of autologous epithelial progenitors for ocular surface reconstruction. Transplantation. Accepted 28-01-2009 (IF: 3.64; CI: none yet)
51. Gray P, Chang J, Di Girolamo N, McCluskey PJ, Wakefield D. The role of PAMPs and DAMPs in the pathogenesis of acute and recurrent anterior uveitis. Br J Ophthalmol. Accepted 23-02-2009 (IF 2.7; CI: )
52. Kilian KA, Lai LMH, Magenau A, Cartland S, Bocking T, Di Girolamo N, Gal M, Gaus K, Gooding JJ. Smart tissue culture: in situ monitoring of cellular secretion with nanostructured photonic crystals. Nano Lett. Accepted 2009
IF: Impact Factor for 2007 as quoted from ISI Journal Citation Report
CI: Citation Index as quoted from Scopus and Google Scholar (April 2009)
My work has been cited ~1200 times as of March 2009
H-Factor is 18 as of April 2009 | |
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