Nunzio Vicario
Keywords
RESEARCH LINES
- Intercellular Communication and Nervous System Homeostasis
- Neuroinflammation, Neurodegeneration, and Neuropathic Pain
- Cellular Stress, Hypoxia, and Adaptive Responses
PERSPECTIVE AND MISSION
The central nervous system is a dynamic network in which cellular communication continuously shapes physiological balance, adaptation, and disease progression. Understanding these interactions is essential to reveal how pathological processes emerge, how endogenous protective mechanisms may be enhanced, and how to support the development of innovative strategies for future therapeutic intervention.
By investigating the mechanisms that regulate intercellular communication, membrane signalling, and neuroinflammatory responses, our research group seeks to clarify how the nervous system maintains homeostasis and how these processes are altered in pathological conditions. A central objective of our research team is to connect fundamental physiology with neuropathophysiology, generating knowledge that may contribute to the identification of new therapeutic perspectives for neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. Combining cellular physiology, experimental models, neuropathophysiology, and advanced imaging technologies, we aim to unveil the mechanisms underlying nervous system dysfunction.
Nunzio Vicario has carried out his research and teaching activities at the Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences of the University of Catania since 2019. He teaches several Physiology courses, he mentors numerous students during interships and for thesis or experimental thesis, and he supervises PhD students and Master's students in elaborating of their research projects.
In 2023, he received the National Scientific Qualification for the role of Full Professor, S.C. 05/D1 – S.S.D. BIO/09 “Physiology”.
In 2022 and 2024, he was elected member of the Board of the Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences at the University of Catania. Since 2024, he has been Deputy Coordinator of the Master’s Degree Programme in Sciences and Techniques of Preventive and Adapted Physical Activities (LM-67). In 2025, he was elected member of the Coordination Board of the School of Medicine of the University of Catania.
He is the author of numerous scientific publications in international journals, collaborating with Italian and foreign research groups.
His studies, presented at national and international congresses, focus on the role of intercellular communication in the homeostasis of the central nervous system and in neuroinflammatory, compensatory, and degenerative processes.
Since the beginning of his career, he has been involved in the Physiology laboratories at the University of Catania, studying intercellular communication, biological membranes, and the role of gap junctions in cellular stress under conditions of hypoxia, neuropathic pain, and in cellular processes of proliferation and migration.
He completed his International Ph.D. in Neuroscience in 2017 at the Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania and at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge (UK, 2016-2017).
He has been a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) in 2020 and 2021.
His interests in neuropathophysiology have evolved through research projects involving in vitro and in vivo responses to changes in ion channels and the role of small molecules (metabolites and signalling molecules) interacting with membrane receptors in the study of cellular functions. Significant contributions to his career include studies on murine models of neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and neuropathic pain, and the involvement of glial and immune cells in endogenous compensatory processes and modulation of resident cellular populations of the nervous system. Recently, his research on neuroinflammation has extended to the microenvironment of gliomas, such as glioblastoma, and its effects on resident cells of the central nervous system.
FEATURED RESEARCH ARTICLES
1. Denaro S, et al. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2026.
Connexin Regulation and Modulation of Neural Stem Cell Differentiation Induced by Cell-Permeable Itaconate.
2. Gervasi A, et al. Cell communication and signaling, 2025.
Mitochondrial connexin 43 modulates metabolic stress adaptation in glioma cell lines.
3. D'Aprile S, et al. Cell death & disease, 2025.
Purine metabolism rewiring improves glioblastoma susceptibility to temozolomide treatment.
4. Denaro S, et al. Inflammation research, 2024.
Sigma-1 receptor targeting inhibits connexin 43 based intercellular communication in chronic neuropathic pain.
5. Alberghina C, et al. Cell proliferation, 2024.
Microglia and glioblastoma heterocellular interplay sustains tumour growth and proliferation as an off-target effect of radiotherapy.
6. D'Aprile S, et al. Scientific reports, 2024.
Glioblastoma mesenchymal subtype enhances antioxidant defence to reduce susceptibility to ferroptosis.
7. Denaro S, et al. Molecular neurobiology, 2024.
Sigma-1 Receptor Inhibition Reduces Mechanical Allodynia and Modulate Neuroinflammation in Chronic Neuropathic Pain.
8. Cammarata FP, et al. Communications biology, 2023.
Proton boron capture therapy (PBCT) induces cell death and mitophagy in a heterotopic glioblastoma model.
9. Vicario N, et al. Cell death & disease, 2021.
Clobetasol promotes neuromuscular plasticity in mice after motoneuronal loss via sonic hedgehog signaling, immunomodulation and metabolic rebalancing.
10. Vicario N, et al. Molecular neurobiology, 2019.
Simultaneous Activation of Mu and Delta Opioid Receptors Reduces Allodynia and Astrocytic Connexin 43 in an Animal Model of Neuropathic Pain.
CURRICULUM OF SCIENTIFIC AND TEACHING ACTIVITIES
Last updated: June 4, 2026
Nunzio Vicario, PhD | PERSONAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth: ++++++++++
Address: ++++++++++
Languages: Italian and English
Email: nunzio.vicario@unict.it | nunziovicario@unict.it | vicarionunzio@gmail.com
Research Gate Profile
Google Scholar Profile
ORCID: 0000-0001-5934-3962
Scopus Author ID: 57191970813
Web of Science Researcher ID: AAY-3489-2021
ACADEMIC POSITION
2025 – Present
Elected Member of the Coordination Committee of the School of Medicine at the University of Catania, Catania (Italy).
2024 – Present
Deputy coordinator of the Master’s Degree Program in Sciences and Techniques of Preventive and Adapted Physical Activities (LM-67) – University of Catania (Italy) – Dept. of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences.
2024 – Present
Member of the Academic Board for the Ph.D. Program in Biotechnology – University of Catania (Italy).
2023
Habilitation for Full Professorship in Physiology (05/D1 - FISIOLOGIA - SSD BIO/09).
2023 – Present
Assistant Professor in Physiology (Art.24 C.3-B L.240/10) with teaching activities and to support students.
University of Catania (Italy) – Dept. of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences.
Section of Physiology. https://www.unict.it/en/.
2022 – Present
Elected Member of the Board of the Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences – University of Catania, Catania (Italy).
2021
Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana (Slovenia).
2020
Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana (Slovenia).
2020
Habilitation for Associate Professorship in Physiology (05/D1 - FISIOLOGIA - SSD BIO/09).
2020 – 2021
Deputy Director – University Master in Molecular and Translational Imaging: from preclinical to clinical research.
University of Catania (Italy) – Dept. of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences.
2019 – 2023
Assistant Professor in Physiology (Art.24 C.3-A L.240/10) with teaching activities and to support students.
University of Catania (Italy) – Dept. of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences.
Section of Physiology. https://www.unict.it/en/.
2018 – 2019
Post-doctoral Fellow.
University of Catania (Italy) – Dept. of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences.
Section of Physiology. https://www.unict.it/en/.
2014
Research assistant
University of Catania (Italy) – Dept. of Chemical Sciences.
INBB – Biostructures and Biosystems National Institute – http://www.inbb.it/en/
EDUCATION
2014 – 2017
International PhD program in Neuroscience.
University of Catania (Italy) – https://www.unict.it/en/
Dept. of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences.
2016 – 2017
International PhD program in Neuroscience – Visiting PhD.
University of Cambridge (UK) – Dept. of Clinical Neuroscience.
http://www-neurosciences.medschl.cam.ac.uk/
Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute
2014
License to practice Pharmacy.
University of Catania (Italy) – https://www.unict.it/en/
2008 – 2014
MSc in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology (CTF, Five Years Academic Degree).
University of Catania (Italy) – https://www.unict.it/en/
Dept. of Drug Sciences.
MENTORING
2015 – Present
Supervisor/Co-supervisor of more than 50 Thesis of Bachelor's Degree or Master’s Degree students.
2019 – Present
- Academic Supervisor of the Internship (175 hours) of 2 students of the Master’s Degree in Medical Biotechnologies.
- Academic Supervisor of the Internship (300 hours) of 2 students of the Master’s Degree in Medical, Cellular and Molecular Biology.
- Academic Supervisor of the Internship (60 hours) of more than 100 students of the Master’s Degree in Motor Sciences.
2020 – Present
- Supervisor/Co-supervisor of 3 Thesis of the II level University Master in Molecular and Translational Imaging
- Supervisor/Co-supervisor of 2 PhD Students in Neurosciences
- Supervisor/Co-supervisor of 2 PhD Students in Biotechnologies
CONFERENCES AND PRESENTATIONS
- Member of the organizing committee of the "19thAnnual Meeting of Young Researchers in Physiology" – Catania (Italy). May 27-29, 2026.
- Vicario N. Invited Speaker "Connexin 43-based Intercellular Communication and Its Role in Neuropathic Pain". Regional Physiology Meeting 2025 jointly with the Croatian, Hungarian, and Italian Physiological Societies – Ljubljana (SLO). September 24-25, 2025.
- Member of the organizing committee of the "18th Annual Meeting of Young Researchers in Physiology" – Catania (Italy). May 21-23, 2025.
- Vicario N. Oral presentation "Unveiling the potential of PARP1 and Connexin 43 modulation in neuropathic pain models". Congress "C4Neuro" – Palermo (Italy). October 24, 2024.
- Member of the organizing committee of the "17th Annual Meeting of Young Researchers in Physiology" – Catania (Italy). May 22-24, 2024.
- Scientific Secretariat e oral presentation at the workshop “Photoacousting imaging and biophysical images in mice”. Congress “Novel translational approaches in hematological malignancies: from bench to bedside” – Catania (Italy). November 5-6, 2021.
- Vicario N. Selected talk “Lactate modulates microglia M2 polarization via IGFBP6 expression and remodels tumor microenvironment in glioblastoma” at the EMBO - Lactate: unconventional roles of a nutrient along tumor landscape. Online. June 22, 2021.
- Vicario N. Invited talk at the Physiological Society and at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana – Ljubljana, Slovenia. August 25, 2020.
- Vicario N et al. “Neuroglial axis and immune cells role in a mouse model of motoneuronal ablation”. Biennial Congress of the Italian Association of Cell Biology and Differentiation - Bologna (Italy), September 19-21, 2019.
- Vicario N et al. “MOR/DOR targeting mediates neuropathic pain amelioration in chronic constriction injured rats.” 69th Congress of the Italian Physiological Society (SIF 2018). Firenze (Italy), September 19-21, 2018.
- Vicario N. Invited talk at the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. University of Maryland - School of Medicine - Baltimore, MD (USA). June 7, 2018.
- Vicario N et al. “Transplantation of directly induced Neural Stem Cell (iNSCs) promotes remyelination in a mouse model of experimental focal demyelination”. 68th Congress of the Italian Physiological Society (SIF 2017). Pavia, September 6-8, 2017.
- Vicario N et al. “Transplantation of directly induced Neural Stem Cell (iNSCs) in a mouse model of experimental focal demyelination”. XIII European Meeting on Glial Cells in Health and Disease. Edinburgh, United Kingdom, July 8-11, 2017.
- Vicario N et al. “Repeated activation of delta opioid receptors (DOR) counteracts nerve injury-induced TNF-α up-regulation in the sciatic nerve of rats with neuropathic pain: a possible correlation with DOR-mediated anti-allodinic effect”. 67th Congress of the Italian Physiological Society (SIF 2016). Catania, Italy, September 21-23, 2016.
- Vicario N et al. “Connexin involvement in the protective effect of Olfactory Ensheathing Cells conditioned medium in SH-SY5Y Cell Line during hypoxia/re-oxygenation stress”. 66th Congress of the Italian Physiological Society (SIF 2015). Genoa, Italy, September 16-18, 2015.
- COST Thematic Workshop: Integrated approaches for Biomolecular detection: nanostructures, biosensors and lab-on-chip devices. Workshop secretariat. Catania April 28-30, 2014.
EDITORIAL ROLE
- Associate Editor for Frontiers in Neuroscience
- Associate Editor for Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
- Guest Editor For Frontiers In Bioscience-Landmark
- Guest Editor For IJMS
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Antioxidants
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Behavioral Sciences
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Biology
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Biomedicines
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Biomolecules
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of British Journal of Pharmacology
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Cancers
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Cells
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Computers in Biology and Medicine
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Experimental Cell Reseach
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of European Journal of Pharmacology
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Frontiers in Immunology
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Frontiers in Neurology
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Heliyon
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Immunity, Inflammation and Disease
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Inflammation
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of IJMS
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of IJBM
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of JBMT
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Life
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Life Sciences
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Mitochondrion
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Molecular Neurobiology
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Molecules
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Oncoimmunology
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Redox Biology
MEMBERSHIPS
2020 – Present
Member of the research center for molecular, preclinical and translational imaging (Centro di Ricerca per l’Imaging Molecolare, Preclinico e Traslazionale).
2019 – Present
Member of the Association of Cell Biology and Differentiation.
2018 – Present
Member of the Italian Physiological Society (SIF, Italy).
RESEARCH LINES
- Intercellular Communication and Nervous System Homeostasis
A major focus of our research team is the study of intercellular communication in the central nervous system, with particular attention to the role of gap junctions, membrane receptors, ion channels, and signalling molecules. These mechanisms are essential for coordinating cellular responses and preserving tissue homeostasis under physiological and pathological conditions.
- Neuroinflammation, Neurodegeneration, and Neuropathic Pain
We investigate the cellular and molecular processes involved in neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and neuropathic pain. Using in vitro and in vivo experimental models, our work explores how glial cells, immune cells, and resident neural population contribute to disease progression, endogenous compensatory mechanisms, and the modulation of nervous system function.
- Cellular Stress, Hypoxia, and Adaptive Responses
A key research area concerns cellular stress responses under challenging conditions such as hypoxia, inflammation, and altered membrane signalling. This line of investigation focuses on how cells adapt to injury or environmental changes, and how these adaptive mechanisms may influence survival, proliferation, migration, and functional recovery.
FEATURED RESEARCH ARTICLES
1. Denaro S, et al. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2026.
Connexin Regulation and Modulation of Neural Stem Cell Differentiation Induced by Cell-Permeable Itaconate.
2. Gervasi A, et al. Cell communication and signaling, 2025.
Mitochondrial connexin 43 modulates metabolic stress adaptation in glioma cell lines.
3. D'Aprile S, et al. Cell death & disease, 2025.
Purine metabolism rewiring improves glioblastoma susceptibility to temozolomide treatment.
4. Denaro S, et al. Inflammation research, 2024.
Sigma-1 receptor targeting inhibits connexin 43 based intercellular communication in chronic neuropathic pain.
5. Alberghina C, et al. Cell proliferation, 2024.
Microglia and glioblastoma heterocellular interplay sustains tumour growth and proliferation as an off-target effect of radiotherapy.
6. D'Aprile S, et al. Scientific reports, 2024.
Glioblastoma mesenchymal subtype enhances antioxidant defence to reduce susceptibility to ferroptosis.
7. Denaro S, et al. Molecular neurobiology, 2024.
Sigma-1 Receptor Inhibition Reduces Mechanical Allodynia and Modulate Neuroinflammation in Chronic Neuropathic Pain.
8. Cammarata FP, et al. Communications biology, 2023.
Proton boron capture therapy (PBCT) induces cell death and mitophagy in a heterotopic glioblastoma model.
9. Vicario N, et al. Cell death & disease, 2021.
Clobetasol promotes neuromuscular plasticity in mice after motoneuronal loss via sonic hedgehog signaling, immunomodulation and metabolic rebalancing.
10. Vicario N, et al. Molecular neurobiology, 2019.
Simultaneous Activation of Mu and Delta Opioid Receptors Reduces Allodynia and Astrocytic Connexin 43 in an Animal Model of Neuropathic Pain.
Molecular neurobiology. 2019. Doi:10.1007/s12035-019-1607-1.
FEATURED REVIEW ARTICLES
1. Gervasi A, et al. Journal of Cellular Physiology. 2025.
Connexin 43 Role in Mitochondrial Transfer and Homeostasis in the Central Nervous System.
2. Denaro S, et al. Front in Cellular Neuroscience. 2025.
Mechanistic insights into connexin-mediated neuroglia crosstalk in neurodegenerative diseases.
3. D'Aprile S, et al. Front in Cell and Developmental Biology. 2025.
Targeting metabolic reprogramming in glioblastoma as a new strategy to overcome therapy resistance.