neuromuscular disease

RNA Lab – Decoding Non-Coding RNAs in Development and Disease

RNA Lab – Decoding Non-Coding RNAs in Development and Disease

<p>We are&nbsp;molecular biologists investigating RNA biology and gene regulation in physiological and pathological contexts. The group is led by&nbsp;Prof. Monica Ballarino&nbsp;and includes&nbsp;Dr. Giulia Buonaiuto, postdoctoral researcher;&nbsp;Sara Capurso, Master’s student in Genetics and Molecular Biology; and Dr.&nbsp;Marco Simula&nbsp;and Dr.&nbsp;Daniele Durante, PhD students in Genetics and Molecular Biology.

Neuromuscular Research Group

Neuromuscular Research Group

We study muscle homeostasis and regeneration under normal and pathologic conditions. The main goal of our project is to define the tissue signals and to characterize the molecular mechanisms of muscle wasting. Although considerable information has accumulated regarding the physiopathology of muscle diseases, the associated molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood.

Splenic Ly6Chi monocytes are critical players in dystrophic muscle injury and repair

Dystrophic muscle is characterised by chronic injury, and a steady recruitment of inflammatory Ly6Chi monocytes. Recent studies have identified the spleen as the dominant reservoir of these cells during chronic inflammation. Here we investigated the hitherto unexplored contribution of splenic Ly6Chi monocytes to dystrophic muscle pathology. Using the mdx mouse model of muscular dystrophy, we show that Ly6Chi monocytes accumulate in great numbers in the spleen over the course of the disease.

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