A5030654574- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
- Malaria Research and Control
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Immune Response and Inflammation
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
- Cytokine Signaling Pathways and Interactions
- Dengue and Mosquito Control Research
- Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- interferon and immune responses
- Fungal Infections and Studies
- T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Chemokine receptors and signaling
- NF-κB Signaling Pathways
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
- Parvovirus B19 Infection Studies
Istituto Superiore di Sanità
2010-2019
University of Siena
2016
University of Florence
2016
Molina Center for Energy and the Environment
2010
Sapienza University of Rome
2008
Abstract In humans, the type I interferon (IFN) family consists of 13 IFN‐α subtypes, IFN‐β and IFN‐o newly discovered IFN‐like IFN‐λ1, ‐λ2 ‐λ3. We have investigated expression λ IFN genes following virus infections or Toll‐like receptor (TLR) triggering in monocyte‐derived DC (MDDC) plasmacytoid (pDC). found thatall IFN‐α, ‐β, ‐o ‐λ subtypes are expressed influenza‐virus‐infected MDDC pDC. Conversely, differential gene transcription was induced pDC stimulated by specific TLR agonists. TLR‐9...
Emerging evidence points to an important role of autophagy in the immune response mediated by dendritic cells (DC) against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Since current vaccination based on Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is unable stop epidemic, a deeper comprehension alterations induced Mtb DC essential for setting new vaccine strategies. Here, we compared capacity virulent (H37Rv) and avirulent (H37Ra) strains as well BCG modulate human primary DC. We found that H37Rv impairs at step...
An autochthonous chikungunya outbreak is ongoing near Anzio, a coastal town in the province of Rome. The virus isolated from one patient and mosquitoes lacks A226V mutation belongs to an East Central South African strain. As 20 September, 86 cases are laboratory-confirmed. proximity capital, its late summer occurrence, diagnostic delays, favouring transmission. Vector control, enhanced surveillance restricted blood donations being implemented affected areas.
We report a case of Zika virus infection imported in Florence, Italy ex-Thailand, leading to secondary autochthonous case, probably through sexual transmission. The two cases occurred May 2014 but were retrospectively diagnosed 2016 on the basis serological tests (plaque reduction neutralisation) performed stored serum samples. Our provides further evidence that transmission is possible.
We report a case of laboratory-confirmed Zika virus infection imported into Europe from the Americas. The patient developed fever, rash, and oedema hands feet after returning to Italy Brazil in late March 2015. highlights that, together with chikungunya dengue virus, three major arboviruses are now co-circulating Brazil. These represent burden for healthcare systems other countries where competent mosquito vectors present.
We report a study on vector competence of an Italian population Aedes albopictus for Zika virus (ZIKV). Ae. was susceptible to ZIKV infection (infection rate: 10%), and the could disseminate secreted in mosquito's saliva (dissemination 29%; transmission 29%) after extrinsic incubation period 11 days. The observed lower than that aegypti colony tested parallel.
As a result of their close association with the blood-brain barrier, astrocytes play an important role in regulating homing different leukocyte subsets to inflamed central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we investigated whether human produce chemokines that promote migration myeloid dendritic cells (DCs). By reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, show cultured stimulated interleukin-1β tumor necrosis factor CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL20,...
Abstract We recently reported that dendritic cells (DC) infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) produce Th1/IFN-γ-inducing cytokines, IFN-αβ and IL-12. In the present article, we show maturing Mtb-infected DC express high levels of CCR7 they become responsive to its ligand CCL21. Conversely, CCR5 expression was rapidly lost from cell surface following Mtb infection. High CCL3 CCL4 were produced within 8 h after infection, which is likely account for observed down-modulation on DC....
Abstract Type I IFN regulates different aspects of the immune response, inducing a cell-mediated immunity. We have recently shown that infection dendritic cells (DC) with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) induces IFN-α. In this work we monitored rapid induction IFN-β followed by delayed production IFN-α1 and/or -α13 subtypes. The Mtb rapidly activates NF-κB complex and stimulates phosphorylation regulatory factor (IRF)-3, events known to induce expression in viral infection. turn, autocrine...
The roles of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and their response to interferon (IFN)-β therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are poorly understood. We identified pDC accumulation white matter lesions leptomeninges MS brains abundant expression the Type I IFN-induced protein MxA, mainly perivascular CD3+ lymphocytes lesions, indicating IFN production by activated pDCs. chemoattractant chemerin was detected intralesional cerebrovascular endothelial cells, receptor expressed on...
Chikungunya virus is an emerging mosquito-borne pathogen with a wide global distribution. With the severe morbidity that it causes, chikungunya major public health problem in affected areas and poses considerable risk for unaffected hosting competent vector populations. In summer of 2017, Italy experienced outbreak spread Lazio region caused secondary Calabrian village Guardavalle, final case number 436. The causative strain was recognized as Indian Ocean lineage (IOL) virus.To understand...
Type I IFN are cytokines which play a central role in host resistance to viral or microbial infections and important components linking innate adaptive immunity. We others have previously demonstrated that the production of IFN-beta by DC following bacterial TLR triggering influences, an autocrine manner, their maturation. In this study, we investigated whether release modulates phenotype immature response subsequent stimulation. The induction CD86, HLA-DR, CD38 B7H1 absence CCR7 CD83...
We investigated the susceptibility of an Italian population Culex pipiens mosquitoes to Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, tested in parallel with Aedes aegypti, as a positive control. analysed at 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 20 and 24 days after infectious blood meal. Viral RNA was detected body Cx. up three post-infection, but not later time points. Our results indicate that is susceptible ZIKV infection.
Aspergillus fumigatus is the most prevalent airborne fungal pathogen and causes fatal invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. Given essential role of dendritic cells (DC) initiating regulating immune responses, we investigated impact A. conidial infection on human DC. conidia were rapidly internalized induced release tumor necrosis factor alpha within first 8 h. After infection, majority DC underwent full maturation, although CCR7 expression was observed only that had conidia....
West Nile virus (WNV) is a vector-borne disease responsible for causing epidemics in many areas of the world. The maintained nature by an enzootic bird-mosquito-bird cycle and occasionally transmitted to other hosts, such as equines humans. Culex species, particular ubiquitous species pipiens thought play major vector role both epizootic maintenance transmission WNV. Introduced Europe recent years, since 2008 WNV has been stably circulating mainly Northeastern regions Italy, although...
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a zoonotic disease, transmitted mainly by the bite of ticks. The TBE virus (TBEV) belongs to family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus and able cause meningoencephalitis. For serological TBEV detection, neutralization test (NT) most specific assay available. Different NT protocols are used in laboratories, until now performance these NTs has never been tested an external quality assessment (EQA). In this EQA, we compared results eight European laboratories...
Abstract In human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC), infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and viruses or stimulation Toll-like receptor type 3 4 agonists causes the release of I interferon (IFN). Here, we describe that IFN-β released upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) is responsible for a rapid sustained signal transducer activator transcription 1 2 activation expression IFN-stimulated genes, such as factor IFN regulatory 7 chemokine CXC ligand...
Thirty pools from 900 (540 females and 360 males) Phlebotomus perfiliewi sandflies collected during the summer of 2012 in Fermo area (Marche Region, central Italy) were tested for presence Phleboviruses. A nested polymerase chain reaction was performed using degenerated primers amplifying a fragment gene (large segment) nucleoprotein (small genus Phlebovirus. One pool positive Toscana virus, as expected results studies area, six putative novel Virus isolation Vero cells performed. Minimum...
Toscana virus is an emerging sandfly-borne bunyavirus in Mediterranean Europe responsible for neurological diseases humans. It accounts about 80% of paediatric meningitis cases during the summer. Despite important impact infection-associated disease on human health, currently approved vaccines or effective antiviral treatments are not available. In this research, we have analyzed effect bovine lactoferrin, a bi-globular iron-binding glycoprotein with potent antimicrobial and immunomodulatory...
Abstract TLRs interact with a growing list of pathogen-derived products and these interactions drive the activation innate adaptive immune responses. Dendritic cells (DC) play key role in events expressing heterogeneous repertoire TLRs. We have previously demonstrated production type I IFNs DC following bacterial infections TLR triggering. In this study, we sought to characterize transcriptome specifically induced human by IFN-β stimulated upon LPS treatment. To aim, using cDNA microarrays,...
Abstract Given the variable protective efficacy provided by Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), there is an urgent need to develop new vaccines against tuberculosis. As dendritic cells (DC) play a critical role in initiating and regulating T cell response pathogens, comprehension of mycobacterium-induced modulation DC functions pinpoint new, immunological strategies. To this end, comparative analysis effect induced BCG tuberculosis (Mtb) infection on immunophenotype indicated...
Abstract West Nile virus ( WNV ) is a zoonotic arboviral pathogen transmitted by mosquitoes in cycle that involves wild birds as reservoir hosts. The responsible for outbreaks of viral encephalitis humans and horses. In Europe, Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) considered to be the main vector , but other species such Stegomyia albopicta (= Aedes albopictus may also act competent vectors this virus. Since 2008 human cases disease have been reported northeast Italy. 2011, new areas southern...