Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious diseases
Lymphocyte activation
The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms at the basis of adaptive immune responses, with emphasis on the role of T lymphocytes in the establishment of immunological memory and/or peripheral tolerance to tumors. On one side this unit is interested in characterising intracellular events controlling T cell activation and differentiation, on the other researchers wish to characterise T cell behaviour in vivo in mouse models of human diseases. This group have developed tools allowing for the tracing and genetic engineering of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell in physiological and pathological conditions, and defined critical molecular events controlling lymphocyte activation, proliferation and differentiation.
Research activity
Recently the group has been focusing on the role of mTOR, STAT3 and Sin3A in T helper cell differentiation and in STAT3-driven transformation and on the definition of novel adoptive T cell therapy strategies based on engineered T cells and tumor-stroma targeting for the cure of prostate cancer. Results of this research activity are expected to contribute new knowledge in the events dictating protective immunity and to lead to the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies suitable of clinical translation.
Gambi G, Di Simone E, Basso V, Ricci L, Wang R, Verma A, Elemento O, Ponzoni M, Inghirami G, Icardi L*, Mondino A*. The transcriptional regulator Sin3A contributes to the oncogenic potential of STAT3. Cancer Res. 2019 Jan 28. pii: canres.0359.2018. *co-last
Terrazzini N, Mantegani P, Kern F, Fortis C, Mondino A*, Caserta S*. Interleukin-7 Unveils Pathogen-Specific T Cells by Enhancing Antigen-Recall Responses. J Infect Dis. 2018 May 25;217(12):1997-2007. *co-last
Elia AR, Grioni M, Basso V, Curnis F, Freschi M, Corti A*, Mondino A*, Bellone M*. Targeting Tumor Vasculature with TNF Leads Effector T Cells to the Tumor and Enhances Therapeutic Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Blockers in Combination with Adoptive Cell Therapy. Clin Cancer Res. 2018 May 1;24(9):2171-2181 *co-last
Mondino A, Vella G, Icardi L. Targeting the tumor and its associated stroma: one and one can make three in adoptive T cell therapy of solid tumors. Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2017 Aug;36:57-65.
Manzo T, Sturmheit T, Basso V, Petrozziello E, Hess Michelini R, Riba M, Freschi M, Elia AR, Grioni M, Curnis F, Protti MP, Schumacher TN, Debets R, Swartz MA, Corti A, Bellone M, Mondino A. T cells redirected to a minor histocompatibility antigen instruct intratumoral TNF-α expression and empower adoptive cell therapy for solid tumors. Cancer Res. 2017 Feb 1;77(3):658-671.
Bonini C, Mondino A. Adoptive T-cell therapy for cancer: the era of engineered T cells. European J. Immunol. 2015 Sep;45(9):2457-69.
Petrozziello E, Sturmheit T, Mondino A. Exploiting cytokines in adoptive T cell therapy of cancer. Immunotherapy 2015 Jun;7(5):573-84.
Pilipow K, Basso V, Migone N, Mondino A. Monoallelic germline TSC1 mutations are permissive for T lymphocyte development and homeostasis in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex individuals. PLoS One. 2014 Mar 14;9(3):e91952.
Hess Michelini R, Manzo T, Sturmheit T, Basso V, Rocchi M, Freschi M, Listopad J, Blankenstein T, Bellone M, Mondino A. Vaccine-instructed intratumoral IFN-γ enables regression of autochthonous mouse prostate cancer in allogeneic T cell transplantation. Cancer Res. 2013 Aug 1;73(15):4641-52.
Tomasoni R, Basso V, Pilipow K, Sitia G, Saccani S, Agresti A, Mietton F, Natoli G, Colombetti S*, Mondino A*. Rapamycin-sensitive signals control TCR/CD28-driven Ifng, Il4 and Foxp3 transcription and promoter region methylation. Eur J Immunol. 2011 Jul;41(7):2086-96. (*co-last)
Schiering C, Guarnerio J, Basso V, Muzio L, Mondino A. Antigen-experienced CD4(+) T cells limit naïve T-cell priming in response to therapeutic vaccination in vivo. Cancer Res. 2010 Aug 1;70(15):6161-70.
Hess Michelini R, Freschi M, Manzo T, Jachetti E, Degl’Innocenti E, Grioni M, Basso M, Bonini C, Simpson E, Mondino A*, Bellone M*. Concomitant tumor and minor histocompatibility antigen-specific immunity initiate rejection and maintain remission from established spontaneous solid tumors. Cancer Res. 2010 May 1;70(9):3505-14. (*co-last)
Dardalhon V, Hess Michelini R, Loisel-Meyer S,Taylor N. Redirecting the immune response: Role of adoptive T cell therapy. Hum Gene Ther. 2010 May;21(5):533-41.
