The aim of the group is to study the immune response and its role in the pathogenesis of different diseases, paying special attention to changes in metabolic pathways and in the levels of metabolic intermediates that are produced by contact with microorganisms and during development. of autoimmunity. The scientific and socio-health interest of this research lies in its relevance to understanding the pathogenesis of infectious and autoimmune diseases, and the role of cells of the immune system in other organs and tissues. The identification of new therapeutic targets would be the most applied aspect of this basic research.

The most recent research has unveiled the role of metabolic reprogramming during invasion by pathogens and has identified a new scenario where molecules considered to date as simple metabolic intermediates have been described as mediators of the immune response due to their action on membrane receptors or with intracellular sensors. These facts raise fundamental questions related to human disease, including the response to pathogens and how they might enhance or inhibit the response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns. The fact that numerous cells / tissues outside the immune system express receptors for innate immunity expands the potential impact of these stimuli on the pathogenesis of diseases with an inflammatory component.

To address these studies the group uses human cell models and tools of molecular biology, and metabolic analysis that include mass spectrometry. The team is highly trained in the study of biochemical signaling in the cells of the immune system and in the role of metabolic intermediaries in the innate immune response and in the polarization of the adaptive response.

The group's goals mesh extraordinarily well with the Horizon 2020 goals in terms of “Health, demographic change and well-being”. The general objective of the research is the characterization of cell receptors and signaling pathways that may constitute relevant pharmacological targets for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as glomerulonephritis and vasculitis, and inflammatory-based pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. The specific objectives are: