• Role of chemokines in HIV-1 neuropathogenesis (in vitro models).

• ART and biomarkers of cognitive disfunction in HIV-1 infected patients

• Neural progenitor cells and repair in the injured brain: role of chemokine receptors.

• Role of stress hormons in neurodegeneration and neural plasticity: role of chemokine blockers (AMD3100 and maraviroc) in neuron-microglia communication.

• Cell Adhesion Molecules and chemokines: biomarkers of neuronal death in the epileptic brain: effect of chemokine blockers on cell cycle proteins and survival markers in the hippocampus.

• Role of chemokines in Human epilepsy (colaboration with UCLA)

• Progranuline (PGRN) haploinsuficency regulates cytokine release:role of PGRN haploinsuficency on E2F-1/Rb, caspases in FTD in cortical neurons ¨in vitro¨.

• Neuroprotection by Rosmarinus officinalis and/or curcumin against stress hormons: effect on Nrf-2/HO-1 and 3 PI-Kinase/akt pathways in depression

• Regulation of SDF1 Alpha/CX3CL1 chemokines by Growth hormone (GH) and Erythropoietin (EPO) in Neuroblastome/Glioblastome cell lines.

• Sulphoraphane prevents inflammation and ROS production in the injured hippocampus: effects on caspase-3 and microglia overactivation by  chemokines.

Awards

3.  Finalista a premio de 5000 euros en el área de Neurociencia

 ¨Regulation of CX3CR1/Fractalkine, CXCR4/SDF1 Alpha, CCR5/RANTES by hormons in the brain of chronically stressed¨

1.  Certificado de Evaluación positiva Programa Ramon y Cajal Excelente.

     Certificado I3 positivo

Colaborators
 

1. UCLA (Los Ángeles). USA
2. Harvard Medical School (USA).
3. School of Medecine. UCM (Madrid)
4. Neuroscience Lab. Oviedo University  (Asturias, Spain)
5. IdiPaz. HULP. UAM (Madrid). Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (HIV-1 Research Unit)
 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Dept. Complutense University of Madrid (UCM, Spain)

7. Centro de Biología Molecular ¨Severo Ochoa. CBMSO. CSIC. Madrid (Spain).

8. CIROM Center (Centro de Rehabilitación Oral Multidisciplinaria, Murcia (Spain). ¨Toxicology of heavy metals¨

Patents



1. de Miguel E, Reglero G, Largo C, Fornari, T, Rodríguez M, Jaime de Pablo, L.; Santoyo S, Señoraadas S. J.; García Grande, A.; Merino Martín, J.J.; Caz V. ¨Composition based on rosemary extract and vitamin E and protetive effects in the CNS and gastrointestinal system¨(201031225). 2010-2011.

2.de Miguel, E Posadas SJ, Carlota Largo,  García  Antonio,,   Merino Martin JJ,   Víctor Caz,  Mónica Rodríguez,  Tiziana Fornari,  Javier Señoráns, Guillermo Reglero.Composición para la protección de tejidos del aparato digestivo de pacientes con radioterapia¨. UAM/Hospital Universitario ¨La Paz¨ (Madrid, Spain)

Academy (Teaching and Research).



• Neuropharmacology
• Developmental Psychobiology (Neuroscience)
• Molecular and Cellular Neurocience

Awards



Certificado I3 positivo. Programa ¨Ramón y Cajal¨.  Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología.

Premio Asociación Española Farmaceúticos Formulistas. ¨Ansyolitic effect of curcumine in depression: protective and antiinflammatory roles in Neural Progrenitor cells (NPC)¨

Thesis Director: 

1.Role of chemokines in neurodegeneration and neural plasticity. Suma Cum laude

2. Regulation of SOD-1 activity and Glutathione levels by heavy metals in patients with long-term dental amalgam fillings. Medical College (Facultad de Murcia, Spain). Suma cum laude

Research Networks





CIBERNED. Neurodegenerative Disease Network.

RENEVAS. Neurovascular Research Network. ISC-III

Papers

1. Toledano A, Merino JJ, Rodríguez JJ. Editorial: Neuroglia in Alzheimer's Disease: From Cohort to Contestant in the Disease Progression and its Therapy. CAR. Curr Alzheimer Res. 2016;13(4):318-20. Impact factor: 3.7

2. Merino JJ, Muñetón-Gómez V, Alvárez MI, Toledano-Díaz A. Effects of CX3CR1 and Fractalkine Chemokines in Amyloid Beta Clearance and p-Tau Accumulation in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Rodent Models: Is Fractalkine a Systemic Biomarker for AD?. CAR.  Curr Alzheimer Res. 2016;13(4):403-12.Impact factor: 3.73 Citations: 2

3. Toledano A, Álvarez MI, Toledano-Díaz A, Merino JJ, Rodríguez JJ.Brain local and regional neuroglial alterations in Alzheimer's Disease: cell types, responses and implications. CAR. Curr Alzheimer Res. 2016;13(4):321-42. Impact factor: 3.73

4.Garcimartín A, Merino JJ, González MP, Sánchez-Reus MI, Sánchez-Muniz FJ, Bastida S, Benedí J.Organic silicon protects human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells against hydrogen peroxide effect.  BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014 Oct 8;14(1):384. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-384. Impact factor: 3.4. Citations: 5

5. Garcimartín A, Merino JJ, González MP, Sánchez-Reus MI, Sánchez-Muniz FJ, Bastida S, Benedí J. Organic silicon protects human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells against hydrogen peroxide effects. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014 Oct 8;14:384. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-384. Impact factor: 2.92. Citations: 5

6. Merino JJ, Bellver-Landete V, Oset-Gasque MJ, Cubelos B.  CXCR4/CXCR7    molecular  involvement in neuronal and neural progenitor migration: focus in CNS repair.   J  Cell  Physiol. 2014 Jun 10. doi: 10.1002/jcp.24695    (Impact factor 4.218). Citations: 18

7. Cabaña-Muñoz ME, Parmigiani-Izquierdo JM, Bravo-González LA, Kyung HM, Merino JJ. Increased Zn/Glutathione Levels and Higher Superoxide Dismutase-1 Activity as Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Women with Long-Term Dental Amalgam Fillings: Correlation between Mercury/Aluminium Levels (in Hair) and Antioxidant Systems in Plasma. PLoS One. 2015 Jun 15;10(6):e0126339. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126339. eCollection 2015. Impact factor: 3.73

8.  Cabaña-Muñoz ME, Pérez Laso C, Parmigiani-Izquierdo JM, Merino JJ. Origanum majorana Essential Oil Reduces VAS score and Modulates Cerebral Activity during 10 NeurOptimal®  Sessions in Patients.(IJSR). Int J. Science and Research (IJSR): 2 2319-7064 (2016). Impact factor: 6.3

9. María Eugenia Cabaña-Muñoz, José Maria Parmigiani-Izquierdo, José María Parmigiani- Cabaña, José Joaquín Merino. Safe Removal of Amalgam Fillings in Dental Clinic: Use of Synergic Nasal Filters (Active Carbon) and Phytonaturals. (IJSR) International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064. Impact factor: 6.3

10.Merino JJ, Arce C^, Naddaf A,Bellver-Landete V,Oset-Gasque MJ,González MP The Nitric Oxide Donor SNAP-Induced Amino Acid Neurotransmitter Release in Cortical Neurons. Effects of Blockers of Voltage Dependent Sodium and Calcium Channels- PLoS One. 2014 Mar 5;9(3):e90703. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090703. eCollection 2014 (Impact factor: 3.73). Citations: 1

11.Merino JJ, Roncero C, Oset-Gasque MJ, Naddaf A, González MP. International J. of Molecular Science. Antioxidant and protective mechanisms against hypoxia and hypoglycaemia in cortical neurons ¨in vitro¨ Science (Int J Mol Sci). 2014 Feb 12;15(2):2475-93. doi 10.3390/ijms15022475.

(Impact factor 2.46; citations: 8)

12. Merino JJ, Oset-Gasque MJ. The CXCR7 activation by SDF1 induces Neural progenitor migration (NPC):  a dual effect on CXCR4/CXCR7 axis within the vascular niche of ischemic rats. Int J Stroke. 2013 Dec;8(8):E56. doi: 10.1111/ijs.12174. (Impact factor 2.78 (2013). Citations:4

13. Sánchez-Mendoza E, Bellver-Landete V, Merino JJ, González MP, et al. (2013). Could neurotransmitters influence neurogenesis and neurorepair after stroke? Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol. 2013 Dec;39(7):722-35. doi: 10.1111/nan.12082. (Impact factor 4.8 (2012). International citations 2

14. Sánchez-Mendoza E, Bellver-Landete V, González MP, Merino JJ, Martínez-Murillo R, Oset-Gasque MJ. Brain repair after ischemic stroke: role of neurotransmitters in post-ischemic neurogenesis. Rev Neurol. 2012 Nov 1;55(9):533-42. Citations 2

15. Merino JJ, Aller MA, Rubio S, Arias N, Nava MP, Loscertales M, Arias J, Arias JL. Gut-brain chemokine changes in portal hypertensive rats.Dig Dis Sci. 2011 Aug;56(8):2309-17. Epub 2011 Feb 24 (IF: 2.1). International citations: 8

16. Merino JJ, Largo C, Caz V, Ibarra L, Posadas S, de Miguel E. Growth hormone (GH) increases neural cell adhesion (NCAM) polysialylation state in the dentate gyrus of gamma irradiated rats. Synapse. 2011 Apr 27. doi 10.1002/syn.20945. IF: 2.92. Citations: 1

17. Fiala M, Avagyan H, Merino JJ, Bernas M, Valdivia , Espinosa-Jeffrey A, Witte M, Weinand M.Chemotactic and mitogenic stimuli of neuronal apoptosis in patientswith medically intractable temporal lobe epilepsy. Pathophysiology. 2012 Mar 21 (Citations: 10)

18. Merino et al. Chronic stress regulates CXCR4/SDF1, CX3CR1/Fractalkine and CCR5/RANTES chemokines in the CNS: effects of chemokine blockers in memory formation. in press, IF: 4.1

19. Merino JJ, Montes ML, Blanco A, Bustos MJ, Oreja-Guevara C, Bayon C, Cuadrado A, Lubrini G, Cambron I, Munoz A, Cebolla S, Gutierrez-Fernandez M, Bernardino JI, Arribas JR, Fiala M. HIV-1 neuropathogenesis. Rev Neurol. 2011 Jan 16;52(2):101-11. IF: 1.23. International citations: 8 (IF 1.23). Citations: 15

20. Merino JJ, CXCR4/SDF-1α-chemokine regulates neurogenesis and/or angiogenesis within the vascular niche of ischemic rats; does SDF-1α play a role in repair? International Journal of Stroke (IJS). 2011 Oct;6(5):466-7. IF: 3.12. Citations: 15

21. Alquezar C, Esteras N, Bartolomé F, Merino JJ, Alzualde A, Munain AL, Martín-Requero A. Alteration in cell cycle-related proteins in lymphoblasts from carriers of the c.709-1G>A PGRN mutation associated with FTLD-TDP dementia. . Neurobiol Aging. 2011 Jan 11. [Epub ahead of print]. IF: 6.6. International citations: 14

22. Gutiérrez-Fernández M, Rodríguez-Frutos B, Alvarez-Grech J, Vallejo-Cremades MT, Expósito-Alcaide M, Merino JJ, Roda JM, Díez-Tejedor E. Functional recovery after hematic administration of allogenic mesenchymal stem cells in acute ischemic stroke in rats. . Neuroscience. 2011 Feb 23;175:394-405. Epub 2010 Dec 7. IF: 3.3. International citations: 43

23. Gutiérrez M, Merino JJ, de Leciñana MA, Díez-Tejedor E. Cerebral protection, brain repair, plasticity and cell therapy in ischemic stroke. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2009;27 Suppl 1:177-86. Epub 2009 Apr 3.IF: 3.5. International citations: 40

24. Sistiaga A, Urreta I, Jodar M, Cobo AM, Emparanza J, Otaegui D, Poza JJ, Merino JJ, Imaz H, Martí-Massó JF, López de Munain A. Cognitive/personality pattern and triplet expansion size in adult myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1): CTG repeats, cognition and personality in DM1. Psychol Medicine. 2010 Mar;40(3):487-95. Epub 2009 Jul 23. IF: 5.1. International citations: 35

25. Gutiérrez M, Merino JJ, de Leciñana MA,Díez-Tejedor E. Cerebral protection, brain repair, plasticity and cell therapy in ischemic stroke.Cerebrovascular Diseases. 2009;27 Suppl 1:177-86. Epub 2009 Apr 3. International citations: 40

26. Sandi C, Cordero MI, Merino JJ, Kruyt ND, Regan CM, Murphy KJ. Neurobiological and endocrine correlates of individual differences in spatial learning ability.Neurobiology f Learning and Memory. 2004 May-Jun;11(3):244-52. International citations: 28

27. Sandi C, Merino JJ, Cordero MI, Touyarot K, Venero C. Effects of chronic stress on contextual fear conditioning and the hippocampal expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule, its polysialylation, and L1. Neuroscience. 2001;102(2):329-39. International citations: 164

28. Sandi C, Merino JJ, Cordero MI, Kruyt ND, Murphy KJ, Regan CM. Modulation of hippocampal NCAM polysialylation and spatial memory consolidation by fear conditioning. Biologycal Psychiatry. 2003 Sep 15;54(6):599-607. International citations: 63

29. Cordero MI, Kruyt ND, Merino JJ, Sandi C Glucocorticoid involvement in memory formation in a rat model for traumatic memory.Stress. 2002 Feb;5(1):73-9. International citations: 63

30. Sandi C, Merino JJ, Cordero MI, Touyarot K,Venero C. Effects of chronic stress on contextual fear conditioning and the hippocampal expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule, its polysialylation, and L1.Neuroscience. 2001;102(2):329-39. International citations: 174

31. Merino JJ, Cordero MI, Sandi C. Regulation of hippocampal cell adhesion molecules NCAM and L1 by contextual fear conditioning is dependent upon time and stressor intensity. European J ournal of Neuroscience. 2000 Sep;12(9):3283-90. International citations: 83

32. Merino JJ,Cordero-Campaña MI Cell cycle protein and apoptosis.Invest Clin. 1998 Dec;39(4):323-58. Review. International citations: 13

33. Cordero MI, Merino JJ, Sandi C. Correlational relationshipbetween shock intensity and corticosterone secretion on the establishment and subsequent expression of contextual fear conditioning. Behav Neurosci. 1998 Aug;112(4):885-91. International citations: 106

34. Posadas SJ, Largo C, Merino JJ, Elvira M, Gonzalez G, Caz V, Caballero I, De Miguel E. Growth hormone upregulates intestinal trefoil factor expression in the ileum of rats after γ-radiation. Experimental Biology and Medicine (Maywood). 2011 Feb;236(2):205-11. Citations: 2