Simonetta Ausoni has a long-standing interest in gene regulation, differentiation and hormone regulation of cardiac cells during development and in the adulthood.
Research in cardiovascular pathophysiology started in the late 1980s with the characterization of contractile proteins and corresponding genes specifically expressed in the heart, such as the cardiac troponin I, now widely used as an early marker of myocardial infarction.
In recent years, in collaboration with Stefano Schiaffino and Emanuele Cozzi, Dr. Ausoni has provided scientific contribution to investigate homing and regenerative potential of extracardiac stem cells in a rat model of heterotopic heart transplantation. This line of research has also provided evidence that cardiac fibroblasts have peculiar properties distinct from fibroblasts of other organs but common to cardiac cells, which make them a favorable genetic tool for cardiac reprogramming.
Research is performed using various methodologies and approaches, ranging from morphology, molecular and cellular biology, cultured fetal and adult cardiac cells and transgenic mice.
Since 2010, Simonetta Ausoni has also started a research project in medical education. The major goal is to develop, test and validate digital tools to integrate biomedical research and teaching activities in the medical courses.

Zaglia T, Dedja A, Candiotto C, Cozzi E, Schiaffino S, S. Ausoni*. (2009). Cardiac interstitial cells express GATA4 and control dedifferentiation and cell cycle re-entry of adult cardiomyocytes. J Mol Cell Cardiol 46: 653-662. *corresponding author

Ausoni S* and Sartore S. (2009) From fish to amphibians to mammals: in search of novel strategies to optimize cardiac regeneration. J Cell Biol, 184: 357-364. *corresponding author

Dedja A, Zaglia T, Dall’Olmo L, Chioato T, Fabris L, Thiene G, Ancona E, Schiaffino S, Ausoni S*, and Cozzi E (2006). Hybrid cardiomyocytes derived by cell fusion in heterotopic heart xenotransplants. Faseb J, 20:2534-2536. * co-corresponding author

Ausoni S*, Zaglia T, Dedja A, Di Lisi R, Seveso M, Ancona E, Thiene G, Cozzi E, Schiaffino S (2005). Host-derived circulating cells do not significantly contribute to cardiac regeneration in heterotopic rat heart transplants. Cardiovasc. Res. 68, 394-404. * corresponding author

Di Lisi R, Millino C, Calabria E, Altruda F, Schiaffino S, Ausoni S*. (1998). Combinatorial cis-acting elements regulate tissue-specific expression of the cardiac troponin I gene in vitro and in vivo. J Biol Chem, 273: 253-271. * corresponding author

Artioli G, Borgato L, Ausoni S, Azzarello G (2014)
Ovarian Cancer: BRCA genetics reveals targets for new therapies. J Genet Syndrome Gene Therapy- dx.doi.org/10.4172/2157-7412.1000209

Ausoni S, Porzionato A, Macchi V, Picardi E, Arslan P, De Caro R. (2013)
Integrated approach to anatomical education in the University of Padua. Case–study. www.mededworld.org/SIGs.aspx

Zaglia T, Dedja A, Candiotto C, Cozzi E, Schiaffino S, S. Ausoni*. (2009)
Cardiac interstitial cells express GATA4 and control dedifferentiation and cell cycle re-entry of adult cardiomyocytes. J Mol Cell Cardiol 46: 653-662. *corresponding author

Ausoni S*. and Sartore S. (2009). The cardiovascular unit as a dynamic player in disease and regeneration. Trends Mol Med. 15:543-552. * corresponding author

Ausoni S* and Sartore S. (2009) From fish to amphibians to mammals: in search of novel strategies to optimize cardiac regeneration. J Cell Biol, 184: 357-364. *corresponding author

Vitiello L, Bassi N, Campagnolo P, Zaccariotto E, Occhi G, Malerba A, Pigozzo S, Reggiani C, Ausoni S, Zaglia T, Gamba P, Baroni MD, Ditadi AP. (2008) In vivo delivery of naked antisense oligos in aged mdx mice: analysis of dystrophin restoration in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Neuromuscul Disord.18:597-605.

Di Lisi R, Picard A, Ausoni S, Schiaffino S (2007). GATA elements control repression of cardiac troponin I promoter activity in skeletal muscle cells. BMC Mol Biol. 2007 Sep 17; 8:78.

Gallo P, Grimaldi S, Latronico MV, Bonci D, Pagliuca A, Gallo P, Ausoni S, Peschle C, Condorelli G (2008). A lentiviral vector with a short troponin-I promoter for tracking cardiomyocyte differentiation of human embryonic stem cells. Gene Ther.15:161-170.

Vida VL, Angelini A, Ausoni S, Bilardi A, Ori C, Vlassich F, Zoso V, Milanesi O, Sartore S, Della Barbera M, Zaglia T,Thiene G, Stellin G (2007). Age is a risk factor for maladaptive changes in rats exposed to increased pressure loading of the right ventricular myocardium. Cardiol Young 17:202-211.

Dedja A, Zaglia T, Dall’Olmo L, Chioato T, Fabris L, Thiene G, Ancona E, Schiaffino S, Ausoni S*, and Cozzi E (2006). Hybrid cardiomyocytes derived by cell fusion in heterotopic heart xenotransplants. Faseb J, 20:2534-2536. * co-corresponding author

Franch R, Chiavegato A, Maraschin M, Candeo S, Ausoni S, Villa A, Gerosa G, Gasparotto L, Parnigotto p, Sartore S (2006). Differential availability/processing of decorin precursor in arterial and venous smooth muscle cells. J Anat 209: 271-287.

Balducci E, Azzarello G, Valori L, Toffolatti L, Bolgan L, Valenti Mt, Bari M, Pappagallo Gl, Ausoni S, Vinante O. (2005).
A new nested primer pair improves specificity of the CK-19 mRNA detection by T-PCR in occult breast cancer cells. Int J Biolog Markers, 20:28-33

Ausoni S*, Zaglia T, Dedja A, Di Lisi R, Seveso M, Ancona E, Thiene G, Cozzi E, Schiaffino S (2005). Host-derived circulating cells do not significantly contribute to cardiac regeneration in heterotopic rat heart transplants. Cardiovasc. Res. 68, 394-404. * corresponding author

Balducci E, Azzarello G, Valenti M, Capuzzo G, Pappagallo G, Pilotti I, Ausoni S, Bari M, Rosetti F, Sartori D, Ciappa A and Porcellini A (2003). The impact of progenitor enrichment, serum and cytochines on the ex-vivo expansion of mobilized peripheral blood stem cells. A controlled trial. Stem Cells, 21, 33-40

Sartore S, Chiavegato A, Faggin E, Franch R, Puato M, Ausoni S, Pauletto P. (2002) The contribution of adventitial fibroblasts to neotintima formation and vascular remodeling: from an innocent bystander to an active participant. Circ. Res. 89:1111-1121.

Franch R, Chiavegato A, Maraschin M, Candeo S, Ausoni S, Villa A, Gerosa G, Gasparotto L, Parnigotto P, Sartore S. (2006) Differential availability/processing of decorin precursor in arterial and venous smooth muscle cells. J Anat. 209(3):271-87.

Ausoni S*, Sartore S. (2001). Cell lineages and tissue boundaries in the cardiac arterial and venous pole. developmental patterns, animal models and implications for congenital vascular disease". Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. vol. 21, pp. 312-320 * corresponding author

Sartore S, Chiavegato A, Faggin E, Franch R, Puato M, Ausoni S, Pauletto P. (2001). The contribution of adventitial fibroblasts to neointima formation and vascular remodeling: from an innocent bystander to an active partecipant. circulation research. Circ. Res. 89: 1111-1121

Ausoni S*, Sartore S. (2000). Contribution of cardiac and smooth muscle cells to the formation of the pulmonary veins. Journal of Submicroscopical Citology and Pathology. vol. 32, pp. 408 * corresponding author

Franch R, Candeo A, Chiavegato A, Ausoni S., Sartore S. (2000). Differential gene expression in arteries and veins. J Submicroscopical Citol and Pathol. 32: 430

Millino C, Sarinella F, Tiveron C, Sartore S, Ausoni S*. (2000). Cardiac and smooth-muscle cell contribution to the formation of the murine pulmonary veins. Developmental Dynamics. 218: 414-425 * corresponding author

Schiaffino S, Ausoni S., Di Lisi R, Sandri C, Franco D, Moorman A. (2000). "An atrioventricular domain defined by cardiac troponin i transgene expression in the embryonic myocardium". Anatomy and embryology, 202:95-101

Di Lisi R, Millino C, Calabria E, Altruda F, Schiaffino S, Ausoni S. (1998). Combinatorial cis-acting elements regulate tissue-specific expression of the cardiac troponin I gene in vitro and in vivo. J Biol Chem, 273: 253-271.

Mercadier Jj, Schwartz K, Schiaffino S, Wisnewsky C, Ausoni S., Heimburger M, Marrash R, Pariente R, Aubier M. (1998). Myosin heavy chain expression changes in the diaphragm of patients with chronic lung hyperinflation. Am J Physiol, 74: 18-23.

Ausoni S, Campione, M, Picard, A, Moretti, P, Vitadello, M, De Nardi, C, Schiaffino, S. (1994).
Structure and regulation of the mouse cardiac troponin I gene. J Biol Chem 269: 339-346

Campione M, Ausoni S, Guezennec CY, Schiaffino S. (1993)
Myosin and troponin changes in rat soleus muscle after hindlimb suspension. J Appl. Physiol. 74: 1156-1160

Schiaffino S; L. Gorza; Ausoni S (1993)
Troponin Isoform Switching In The Developing Heart And Its Functional Consequences. Trends Cardiovasc. Med. 3:12-17

Volpe P, Gorza L, Brini M, Sacchetto R, Ausoni S, Clegg DO (1993)
Expression of the calsequestrin gene in chicken cerebellum Purkinje neurons. Biochem J. 294 (Pt2):487-490

De Nardi, C, Ausoni S., Moretti, P, Gorza, L, Velleca, M. (1993). Type 2x myosin heavy chain is coded by a muscle fiber type-specific and developmentally regulated gene. J Cell Biol, 123: 823-835

Gorza L, Ausoni S., Merciai N, Hastings K, Schiaffino S. (1993). Regional differences in troponin I gene expression during cardiac development. Developmental Biol, 156: 253-264

Ausoni S., De Nardi, C, Moretti, P, Gorza, L, Schiaffino, S. (1991). Developmental expression of rat cardiac troponin I mRNA. Development 112:1041-1051

Saggin, L, Gorza, L, Ausoni S., Schiaffino, S. (1990). Cardiac troponin T in developing, regenerating and denervated rat skeletal muscle. Development, 110: 547-554

Ausoni S, Gorza L, Schiaffino S, Gundersen K, Lomo T. (1990)
Expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms in stimulated fast and slow rat muscles. J Neurosci 10: 153-160

Klitgaard H, Mantoni M, Schiaffino S, Ausoni S, L. Gorza, Laurent-Winyter C, Schnor P, Saltin B. (1990)
Function, morphology and protein expression of ageing skeletal muscle: a cross-sectional study of elderly men with different training backgrounds. Acta Physiol. Scand. 140: 41-54

Saggin L, Gorza, L, Ausoni S., Schiaffino, S. (1989). Troponin I switching in the developing heart. J Biol Chem. 27:16299-16302

Klitgaard H, Ausoni S, Damiani E. (1989) Sarcoplasmic reticulum of human skeletal muscle: age-related changes and effect of training. Acta Physiol. Scand. 137: 23-31

Schiaffino S, L. Gorza, Sartore S, Saggin L, Ausoni S, Vianello M, Gundersen K, Lomo T. (1989)
Three myosin heavy chain isoforms in type 2 skeletal muscle fibers. J Muscle Res. Cell Motil. 10: 197-205

Saggin, L, Ausoni S, Gorza, L, Sartore, S, Schiaffino, S. (1988). Troponin T switching in the developing rat heart. J Biol Chem. 263:18488-18492

Schiaffino S, L. Gorza, Pitton G, Saggin L, Ausoni S, Sartore S, Lomo T. (1988)
Embryonic and neonatal myosin heavy chain in denervated and paralyzed rat skeletal muscle. DEV Biol. 127: 1-11

L. Gorza, Saggin L, Sartore S, Ausoni S. (1988)
An embryonic-like myosin heavy chain is transiently expressed in nodal conduction tissue of the rat heart. J Mol. Cell Cardiol. 20: 931-941

Schiaffino S; Ausoni S; L. Gorza; Saggin L; Gundersen K; Lomo T. (1988)
Myosin heavy chain isoforms and velocity of shortening of type 2 skeletal muscle fibres.
Acta Physiol Scand. 134: 575-576

Sartore S; Mascarello F; Rowlerson A; L. Gorza; Ausoni S; Vianello M; Schiaffino S. (1987)
Fibre types in extraocular muscles: a new myosin isoform in the fast fibres. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 8: 161-172

Other publications

Zaglia T, Chioato T, Dedja A, Dall'Olmo L, Bracco S, Ancona E, Thiene G, Cozzi E, Schiaffino S, Ausoni S (2006)
Host-derived circulating cells generate hybrid cardiomyocytes by cell fusion in heterotopic heart xenotransplantations. Contributo in atti di convegno. Circ Res. 99(issue5): E36-E36

Dedja A, Ausoni S, Dall'Olmo L, Zaglia T, Cattaruzza L; Seveso M, Okabe M, Cadrobbi R, Schiaffino S, Cozzi E, Ancona E. (2005). Stem cell engraftment in a heterotopic cardiac hamster-to-rat xenotransplantation model. Contributo in atti di convegno. Xenotransplantation 12 (Issue 5): 376-376

Schiaffino S, Ausoni S, Millino C, Calabria E, Sandri C, Di Lisi R. (1999). A cardiac specific-troponin I promoter. Distinctive patterns of regulation in cultured fetal cardiomyocytes, adult heart and transgenic mice. (Contributo in volume) Cardiovascular specific gene expression- Kluwer Academic Publishers

Farrance IKG, Ausoni S, Ordahl CP (1994). Multiple MCBF/TEF-1 messenger-RNAs and protein isoforms are present in cardiac and skeletal-muscle - Contributo in atti di convegno – J Cell Biochem Supplement: 18D: 516-516

Ausoni, S; DeNardi, C; Schiaffino, S (1991). Characterization and Developmental Expression of Cardiac Troponin-I Messenger-RNA- Contributo in atti di convegno- J Muscle Res. Cell Motil 12 Issue: 1:71-71

Gorza L, Ausoni S, S Schiaffino (1991). Re-expression of cardiac troponin T in regenerating muscle fibers of human dystrophic muscle. Contributo in volume - Muscular dystrophy research: from molecular diagnosis towards therapy Excerpta medica-Editors: Angelini, Danieli, Fontanari

Schiaffino S, Gorza L, Ausoni S, Bottinelli R, Reggiani C, Larson L, Edstrom L, Gundersen K, Lomo T. (1990)
Muscle fiber types expressing different myosin heavy chain isoforms. Their functional properties and adaptive capacity. Contributo in volume - Walter de Gruyter-Berlin-New York

Campione M, De Salvo G, Ausoni S, Guezenec CY and Schiaffino S (1990). Contractile protein changes induced by hindlimb suspension in rat skeletal muscle. Proceedings of the Fourth European Symposium on Life Sciences Research in Space (28May-1 June 1990)

Schiaffino S, Saggin L, Viel A, Ausoni S, Sartore S, Gorza L. (1986). Muscle fiber types identified by monoclonal antibodies to myosin heavy chains. Contributo in volume – Biochemical aspects of physical exercise Elsevier Science Publishers