Immunology

Final goal of our research is to identify strategies to increase the functional capacity of the adult thymus, which is requiered for reconstitution of T lymphoid immunity in several pathologies. This aim can only be achieved after characterization at the molecular level of thymus development and senescence.
We are interested to thymus organogenesis and identification of molecoles influencing thymocyte development. Using cellular and molecular approches, we identified and defined an epithelial Ig-like adhesion molecule (Epithelial V-Like Antigen – EVA), involved in hematopoietic-epithelial cells interactions. EVA expression is co-modulated in hematopoietic progenitors and thymic epithelial cells during thymus development. EVA homophylic interactions are required during ontogeny for thymic stroma architecture.

Unit members

Selected publications

DeMonte, L., Porcellini, S., Tafi, E., Sheridan, J., Gordon, J., Depreter, M., Blair, N., Panigada, M., Sanvito, F., Merati, B., Albientz, A., Barthlott, T., Ozmen, L., Blackburn, C., Guttinger, M. EVA regulates thymic stromal organization and early thymocyte development. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. May 4;356(2):334-40. (2007).

Guttinger, M., Tafi, E., Battaglia, M., Coletta, M., Cossu, G.. Allogeneic mesoangioblasts give rise to alpha-sarcoglycan expressing fibers when transplanted into dystrophic mice. Exp Cell Res. Nov 15;312(19):3872-9. (2006).

Sampaolesi, M., Blot, S., D’Antona, G., Tonlorenzi, R., Innocenzi, A., Granger, N., Mognol, P., Galvez, B., Perani, P., Mantero, S., Guttinger, M., Pansarasa, O., Rinaldi, C., Cusella De Angelis, M.G., Torrente, Y., Bordignon, C., Bottinelli, R., Cossu, G. Mesoangioblast stem cells ameliorate muscle function in dystrophic dogs. Nature. Nov 30;444(7119):574-9. (2006).

Guttinger, M., Guidi, F., Chinol, M., Reali, E., Veglia, F., Viale, G., Paganelli, G., Corti, A., Siccardi, A.. Adoptive immunotherapy by avidin-driven cytotoxic T lympmphocyte-tumor bridging. Cancer Res., 60: 4211-4215 (2000).

Panigada, M., Porcellini, S., Sutti, F., Doneda, L., Pozzoli, O., Consalez, G., Guttinger, M. and Grassi, F.: GKLF in thymus epithelium as a developmentally regulated element of thymocyte-stroma cross-talk. Mech. Develop., 81/1-2:115-125 (1999).