Presentazione:

BIOLOGIST
UOC Neurologia 4 - Neuroimmunologia e Malattie Neuromuscolari
(italian version)

 

During my research career at FINCB, I gained a long-standing experience in the field of neuroimmunology and muscular dystrophies, working on idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and other forms of inherited muscle disorders for 18 years.

 

Research activity

Particularly, my research activity is focused on: i) understanding the role of innate immune response and inflammation in the pathogenic mechanisms responsible for muscle atrophy and degeneration; ii) identification of potential biomarkers to stratify IIM subgroups, support clinical follow-ups and contribute to new therapeutic approaches. I am actively involved in several projects on IIMs, by carrying out and coordinating the experimental activities and contributing to data elaboration and grant writing. I obtained promising results on the contribution of endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and type I interferon related-pathways to muscle injury, favoring a chronic inflammatory response. Among my research projects are mentioned: the links between autophagy and degeneration/regeneration in IIM muscle; the role of microRNAs, particularly of let-7 family members, in the dysregulation of genes associated to myogenic process in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy; the potential role of circulating cytokines as reliable and measurable biomarkers for muscular dystrophies. During these years at FINCB, I significantly increased my networking capability and developed a number of collaborations, with scientists operating in the field of muscular disorders, autoimmunity, neuroimmunology, and molecular biology. 

 

Topics of interest

• Myopathies
• Innate immune system
• Biomarkers

 

 

Contacts

+39 02.2394.4503-4511

email: cristina.cappelletti@istituto-besta.it