Claudio Procaccini

The main interest of Dr. Procaccini’s research is the understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the mTOR pathway (mammalian target of rapamycin)-sensor of the nutritional/energetic status- may affect the functionality of different  lymphocyte subsets, such as CD4+ T cells and regulatory T cells (Treg), that control immunological tolerance, both  in vitro and in vivo in animal models of autoimmune diseases. More recently the interests of Dr. Procaccini have been directed to the understanding of the role of the central nervous system (especially of specific hypothalamic neurons such as AgRP) and other molecules (ie. Prep1 and Pyk2) working at the interface between metabolism and immunity, in the modulation of immune responses in physiological conditions and during inflammatory diseases.