Neuroimmunopharmacology
Team Leader
LOMBARDI Grazia
Activity and fields of competence
The research activity of this group in the field of Neuroimmunopharmacology began at the beginning of this century, when the consolidated experience acquired in the field of Neuropharmacology extended to immunopharmacology issues. In this context, the studies were particularly relevant, as the NIP group was the first to identify the expression of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors on T cells, significantly contributing to the identification of the peripheral role of this amino acid in regulation. of the immune system. Over the years, the group has always tried to characterise new cellular / molecular mechanisms that underlie the functionality of the immune system. In particular, a fundamental mechanism has been identified on human monocytes by which known or newly synthesised glycolipids can specifically activate iNKT cells, and the possibility of using these cells to increase the response to traditional anti-tumour drugs has been highlighted. Furthermore, the group characterised in vitro immunological activity of some saccharide analogues of newly synthesised structured / unstructured bacterial antigens on nanoparticles, significantly contributing to the discovery of new vaccines. To date, ongoing studies are focused on determining the mechanisms of NK and iNKT cells in the regulation of malignant cell survival, with the aim of identifying new therapeutic approaches for tumours.
Technological Resources
The NIP group is equipped with modern basic equipment for cell / molecular research (laminar flow hoods, incubators, inverted and fluorescent microscopes, microcentrifuges) and with basic chemical-analytical equipment (analytical balances, stirrers, spectrophotometers, HPLC).
Among the more specific equipment:
Fluorimetric and luminometric plate reader (Wallac Victor V Multilabel Counter, Perkin Elmer); Confocal microscope TCS SP5 (Leica) equipped with three lasers at 488 nm, 543 nm, and 633 nm; Real-time PCR 3000 XP (Stratagene); FACSVantage SE, integrated with FACSDiva digitization and equipped with two lasers at 488 nm and 633 nm; Biorad S3 flow cytometer with cell sorter; RC 5B plus supercentrifuge (Sorvall) and Optimax-E ultracentrifuge (Beckman Coulter); Chemidoc (Biorad).
ERC Sector
LS3, LS5, LS7
Team Members
Last modified 19 July 2022