Research
Microglia and neuroinflammation play a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Our primary focus is to examine the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), with special focus on inflammatory networks and particularly the contribution of microglia. We use mouse models, iPSC and cutting-edge humanised mouse systems to determine the immune component of these disorders and determine how genetics alter microglial function and contribute to the initiation and perpetuation of brain disease.
Human microglia xenotransplanted in the mouse brain. The microscopic images show the widespread distribution of human microglia (stained both in red and green) across multiple brain regions, twenty-four weeks after transplantation into the mouse brain. The image on the left shows a sagittal section of the mouse brain, and the images on the right show higher magnifications of two different brain areas: the cortex and hippocampus.
Human microglia can interact with other cells in the mouse brain. A) Human microglia (red) in contact with a neuronal cell body (green) and extending a process alongside it apical dendrite. B) Human microglia (green) engulf synapses (purple) in the brain of Alzheimer's disease mice.
Check out this video made by the French Fondation Recherche Alzheimer, where Renzo Mancuso explains how and why we tackle the research questions in our lab.