Research project

PRIN 2017 - 2017K55HLC_006 - LS3 - Dott.ssa Di Rosa-Titolo:"Integrating metabolism and immunity: cellular and molecular pathways leading to metabolic dysregulation and autoimmunity" (DSB.AD006.257)

Thematic area

Biomedical sciences

Project area

Biologia Molecolare/Cellulare (DSB.AD006)

Structure responsible for the research project

Institute of molecular biology and pathology (IBPM)

Project manager

FRANCESCA DIROSA
Phone number: 0649255124
Email: francesca.dirosa@uniroma1.it

Abstract

We believe that there is a strong relationship between metabolic state and self immunological tolerance. In our research proposal, we hypothesize that the "metabolicoverload" sets the basis for anexaggerated immuno-inflammatory response to self, leading to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity in subjects with autoimmunity risk factors (ie. genetic predisposition, HLA, environment, sex, infectious agents). Capitalizing our joint effort and trans-disciplinary expertise in metabolism, inflammation and autoimmune diseases (ie. multiple sclerosis-MS), we will use several cellular and molecular approaches in animal models and in humans to identify the precise relationship between metabolic state and immune cells in the context of susceptibility to MS and metabolic dysregulation. Our investigations will have significant implications for understanding how immunometabolism governs self-immunological tolerance

Goals

Our objective is to characterize the T cells found in human and mouse marrow adipose tissue (MAT), their interaction with MAT adipocytes and their possible modifications in metabolic dysregulation.
A better knowledge of MAT T cell/MAT adipocyte cross-talk will be helpful for potential therapeutic applications in patients with obesity and metabolic diseases.

Start date of activity

17/09/2019

Keywords

Immunometabolism, inflammation, cell biology

Last update: 06/08/2025