
Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious diseases
Immunopathology

Research programs of Immunopathology Unit aim to dissect the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for immunopathological responses of the liver, with emphasis on the responses that occur during infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is a noncytopathic virus that cause acute and chronic hepatitis of variable duration and severity. Over 250 million people worldwide are chronically infected by HBV and almost a million of them die each year from complications (e.g. cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC) of this infection.
Research activity
Guidotti LG, Inverso D, Sironi L, Di Lucia P, Fioravanti J, Ganzer L, Fiocchi A, Vacca M, Aiolfi R, Sammicheli S, Mainetti M, Cataudella T, Raimondi A, Gonzalez- Aseguinolaza G, Protzer U, Chisari FV, Ruggeri ZM, Isogawa M, Sitia G, Iannacone M. Immunosurveillance of the liver by intravascular effector CD8+ T cells. Cell 2015 Apr 23;161(3):486-500. IF: 33.116.
Sitia G, Aiolfi R, Di Lucia P, Mainetti M, Fiocchi A, Mingozzi F, Esposito A, Ruggeri ZM, Chisari FV, Iannacone M and Guidotti LG. Anti-platelet therapy prevents hepatocellular carcinoma and improves survival in a mouse model of chronic hepatitis B. PNAS Plus, USA. 2012 Aug 7;109(32):E2165-72. IF: 9.809.
Sitia G, Iannacone M, Aiolfi R, Isogawa M, van Rooijen N, Scozzesi C, Bianchi ME, von Andrian UH, Chisari FV, Guidotti LG. Kupffer cells hasten resolution of liver immunopathology in mouse models of viral hepatitis. Plos Pathogens. 2011; 7(6):e1002061.
Iannacone M, Moseman EA, Tonti E, Bosurgi L, Junt T, Henrickson SE, Whelan SP, Guidotti LG, von Andrian UH. Subcapsular sinus macrophages prevent CNS invasion on peripheral infection with a neurotropic virus. Nature. 2010 Jun; 465(7301):1079-83.
Iannacone M, Sitia G, Isogawa M, Whitmire JK, Marchese P, Chisari FV, Ruggeri ZM, Guidotti LG. Platelets prevent IFN-a/b-induced lethal hemorrhage promoting CTL- dependent clearance of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci USA. 2008; 105 (2) 629-634.
Guidotti LG, Chisari FV. Immunobiology and pathogenesis of viral hepatitis. Review. Annu Rev. Pathology. 2006; 1:23-61.
Iannacone M, Sitia G, Isogawa M, Marchese P, Castro MG, Lowenstein PR, Chisari FV, Ruggeri ZM, Guidotti LG. Platelets mediate cytotoxic T lymphocyte-induced liver damage. Nat Med. 2005 Nov;11(11):1167-9.
Sitia G, Isogawa M, Iannacone M, Campbell IL, Chisari FV, Guidotti LG. MMPs are required for recruitment of antigen non-specific mononuclear cells into the liver by CTLs. J Clinical Investigation. 2004 Apr 15; 113(8): 1158–1167.
Sitia G, Isogawa M, Kakimi K, Wieland SF, Chisari FV, Guidotti LG. Depletion of neutrophils blocks the recruitment of antigen non-specific cells into the liver without affecting the antiviral activity of hepatitis B virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Proc Nat Acad Sci USA. 2002 Oct 15;99(21):13717-22.
Kakimi K, Lane TE, Wieland SF, Asensio VC, Campbell IL, Chisari FV, Guidotti LG. Blocking chemokine responsive to {gamma}–2/interferon (IFN)-{gamma} inducible protein and monokine induced by IFN-{gamma} activity in vivo reduces the pathogenetic but not the antiviral potential of hepatitis B virus–specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. J Exp Med. 2001 Dec 17;194(12):1755-66.
Guidotti LG, Chisari FV. Noncytolytic control of viral infections by the innate and adaptive immune response. Review. Annu Rev Immunol. 2001.19:65-91.
Elisa Bono
Technician, Dynamics of immune responses Unit
Pietro Di Lucia
Lab Manager
Leonardo Giustini
Technician
Michele Raso
Technician
Marta Mainetti
Technician
Francesco Andreata
Postdoc fellow, Dynamics of immune responses Unit
Caroline Claire Kruger
Postdoc fellow, Dynamics of immune responses Unit
Gioia Ambrosi
Staff scientist, Dynamics of immune responses Unit
Cristian Beccaria
Postdoc fellow, Dynamics of immune responses Unit
Paola Zordan
Postdoc fellow, Dynamics of immune responses Unit
Federica Moalli
Postdoc fellow, Dynamics of immune responses Unit
Valeria Fumagalli
PhD student, Dynamics of immune responses Unit
Federico De Ponti
Staff scientist
Eleonora Sala
PhD student, Dynamics of immune responses Unit
Davide Marotta
Staff Scientist
Micol RavĂ
Postdoc fellow, Dynamics of Immune Response Unit
Xenia Ficht
Postdoc fellow, Dynamics of Immune Response Unit
Chiara Laura
Bioinformatic, Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit
Giorgia De Simone
PhD student, Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit
Valentina Venzin
PhD student, Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit
Bianca Partini
PhD student, Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit