Autoimmune diseases arise when the immune system attacks self-antigens, triggered by environmental factors in genetically predisposed individuals.

Despite extensive research, understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind autoimmune diseases, like multiple sclerosis (MS), remains a challenge.

MS is marked by demyelination, neuronal loss, and immune cell infiltration in the CNS. While T cell immunity against CNS proteins is well-established—and myelin proteins are recognized as primary targets of autoreactive T cells in MS—it is important to note that myelin is composed predominantly of lipids (approximately 70–80%).

This raises the possibility that self-lipid–reactive T cells may also contribute to MS pathogenesis. However, this aspect has been largely overlooked due to the limited availability of tools to study lipid-reactive T cells in humans. This project aims to establish new experimental approaches and investigate the potential existence and immunological role of T cells recognizing self-lipids in MS.

This project will be primarily hosted in Milan with Daniela, and secondments are planned with Victor in Oslo and Klaus in Aarhus. 

You can find out more about Daniela’s research here: micro.biol.ethz.ch/research/sallusto/latorre.html