Inflammation Pharmacology – GINFAR
Our research focuses on the mechanisms underlying inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases, with particular emphasis on joint and skin disorders. We investigate the mediators, signalling pathways and protective mechanisms involved in disease progression to improve the understanding of pathogenesis and identify novel therapeutic targets. Our studies integrate in vivo, in vitro and translational approaches, using validated models of acute and chronic inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. We combine animal models with studies in cartilage explants, chondrocytes, synoviocytes, osteoblasts, fibroblasts, keratinocytes and microvascular endothelial cells to analyse gene and protein expression, extracellular matrix remodelling, inflammatory mediators and intracellular signalling pathways. Our research also addresses cellular senescence and ageing-related mechanisms in chronic inflammatory diseases. A major focus is the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells and their extracellular vesicles as immunomodulatory, regenerative and cell communication agents, as well as their application as biomarkers for disease progression. In addition, we investigate adenosine-mediated pathways involved in skin inflammation and wound healing, particularly in vulnerable populations such as diabetic, obese and elderly patients. Our current activities also include international collaborative projects aimed at strengthening healthcare capacity, promoting the early diagnosis of chronic inflammatory diseases and reducing health inequalities through evidence-based strategies in resource-limited settings.
CV Prof. Mª Carmen Montesinos Mezquita
Mª Carmen Montesinos obtained her Pharmacy degree in 1990 and her PhD in 1994. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at New York University Medical Center, she served as Assistant Research Scientist and Assistant Professor (1995–2004), investigating adenosine receptor signalling, inflammation and wound healing. Since 2005, she has been a Tenured Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Valencia. Her research focuses on inflammatory skin and joint diseases, with particular interest in adenosine signalling, extracellular vesicles and therapeutic strategies. She has authored 46 indexed publications (36 in Q1 journals), accumulating 3,178 citations and an H-index of 30. She is a member of several national and international research networks, including COST Action BenBedPhar. She combines research with undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, coordinating Pharmacology in the Pharmacy Degree and contributing to the Official Master’s in Research and Rational Use of Medicines. She has supervised 37 Bachelor’s, 17 Master’s and 4 completed PhD theses.
Research Lines
Inflammation and experimental models.
Pathogenesis of articular damage.
Cellular stress response.
Cutaneous inflammation and regeneration.
Global Health and Health Equity in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases.
Rational use of medicines and Pharmaceutical care.
Highlighted Funding
Promoción del diagnóstico precoz de articulopatías inflamatorias y esclerodermia en atención primaria rural mediante formación especializada y ecografía portátil. Universitat de València. 2026-2027. Mª Carmen Montesinos Mezquita.
Estrategias de diagnóstico y tratamiento en enfermedades inflamatorias crónicas articulares y de la piel. PID2021-124890OB-I00. Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI). 2022-2026. Mª Carmen Montesinos Mezquita.
Nuevos Enfoques Diagnósticos y Terapéuticos en Artritis psoriásica. CIGE/2024/101. Conselleria d’Educació, Cultura i Universitats. 2025-2027. Mª Carmen Carceller Zazo.
Piel y Derechos Humanos: Sensibilización sobre Psoriasis, Artritis Psoriásica y Salud Global. Ayudas Cátedra UNESCO para acciones de Educación para el Desarrollo, Ciudadanía Global y Sensibilización. Universitat de València. 2025–2026. Mª Carmen Carceller Zazo.
Highlighted Publications
Gutiérrez-Igual S.; Lucas-Domínguez R.; Sendra-Lillo J. et al. Comparative analysis of Pharmaceutical Care practice in rural and urban community pharmacies in Valencia, Spain: a quasi-experimental study. BMC Health Services Research. 2026. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-026-14739-0
Gutiérrez-Igual S.; Lucas-Domínguez R.; Sendra-Lillo J.; et al. Impact of pharmacist-led interventions in identifying and resolving drug related problems and potentially inappropriate prescriptions among rural patients: A pilot study. Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy. 2024. 16, 100536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100536
Gutiérrez-Igual S.; Lucas-Domínguez R.; Romero Crespo I. et al. Análisis y categorización de las consultas farmacoterapéuticas recibidas en un Centro de Información de Medicamentos de Valencia. Analysis and categorization of pharmacotherapeutic queries received at a Valencia Drug Information Center. Farmacéuticos Comunitarios. 2024. 16, 4,5-11. https://doi.org/10.33620/FC.2173-9218.(2024).24
Catalán L.; Carceller M.C.; Terencio M.C.; et al. Osteostatin Mitigates Gouty Arthritis through the Inhibition of Caspase-1 Activation and Upregulation of Nrf2 Expression. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024. 25, 5,2752. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052752
Marín-Castejón A.; Marco-Bonilla M.; Terencio M.C.; et al. Adenosine A2B receptor agonist improves epidermal barrier integrity in a murine model of epidermal hyperplasia. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2024. 173, 116401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116401
López-Riera M.; Ortega R.; Hueso L.; et al. Activation of the Constitutive Androstane Receptor Inhibits Leukocyte Adhesiveness to Dysfunctional Endothelium. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021. 22, 17, 9267. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22179267
Valls M.D.; Soldado M., Arasa J. et al. Annexin A2-Mediated Plasminogen Activation in Endothelial Cells Contributes to the Proangiogenic Effect of Adenosine A2A Receptors. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2021. 12, 654104. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.654104
Carceller M.C.; Guillén M.I.; Gil M.L. et al. Extracellular Vesicles Do Not Mediate the Anti-Inflammatory Actions of Mouse-Derived Adipose Tissue Mesenchymal Stem Cells Secretome. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021. 22, 3, 1375. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22031375
Sanz-Gil R.; Pellicer A.; Montesinos M.C.; et al. Improved effectiveness from individualized dosing of self-administered biologics for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis: a 5-year retrospective chart review from a Spanish University Hospital. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2020. 31, 4, 370-377. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2019.1602246
Arasa J.; Terencio M.C.; Andrés R.M. et al. Defective Induction of COX-2 Expression by Psoriatic Fibroblasts Promotes Pro-inflammatory Activation of Macrophages. Frontiers in Immunology. 2019. 10,536. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2019.00536
Prof. Mª Luisa Ferrándiz Manglano
Prof. Mª Antonia Noguera Romero
Prof. Isabel García Arnandis
Prof. Mª Carmen Carceller Zazo
Anastasia Riske
Mohammad Sudqi Hamad Mohammad