Our Lab is the Proteomic unit of theMucosal Immunity Lab

We also collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Group of Microscopy (Milan)

Maurizio F. Brivio PhD

Maristella Mastore PhD

Research Activities

A) Innate immunity modulation in animal model systems

Recent advances in understanding how some animal models eliminate pathogens and parasites have led to the understanding that innate immunity plays a crucial role in protecting from infections. Our work examines some features of humoral and cellular defenses involved in innate immune responses. Animal models are studied to understand how they act to control parasites and if the engagement of their immune system can counteract some parasitic infections. Particularly we investigate the interaction between the humoral and cellular defences system of insect host models and pathogenic parasitic nematods. At present we are studying parasites body surface molecular compounds responsible of immunoevasion and/or immunodepression mechanisms.

B) Immunomodulation induced by glucose transporter (SGLT1) stimulation

With the iMIL Group (University of Milan) we are carrying out researches on some features of SGLT1 (a sodium-dependent glucose transporter) in the modulation of cellular responses to endotoxin and proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF alpha, by means of the hindering of NF-kB nuclear translocation . Using an endotoxin-shocked murine model the protective role of SGLT-1 activation in induced lethal condition has been ascertained.