Professor Dr Chiara Romagnani

Research Priorities: innate immunity, chronic inflammation, chronic infection, innate lymphoid cells, natural killer cells
Chiara Romagnani is an Italian immunologist specialising in innate immunity. Her particular interest is in innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and their dual role in wound healing and inflammation processes. Her working group succeeded in identifying signals that control the pro- and anti-inflammatory functions in ILCs. Another focus of her research is on natural killer cells (NK cells), lymphocytes, that contribute to the innate immune response.
The immune system consists of two closely intertwined components: innate (unspecific) and acquired (specific) defence. While the innate immune system reacts quickly and non-specifically, acquired defence works more slowly but in a targeted manner. Innate lymphoid cells, abbreviated as ILCs, are one of the cellular elements of the innate immune system. These cells undergo a multi-stage development process which begins in the blood-forming stem cells of the bone marrow. Under the influence of neighbouring cells the ILCs acquire specific effector functions – a process known as imprinting. These functions can be activated later and play a crucial role when it comes to infections or tissue damage.
The immune response of the ILCs can be influenced in at least three phases: during the differentiation, in the imprinting phase, and in the activation of the effector function in the tissue. For a long time, targeted intervention in these processes was impossible as the appropriate starting points were not known.
Chiara Romagnani and her team were able to identify signals that influence both the differentiation of the ILCs as well as the imprinting and activation of the effector functions. These investigations were carried out on the ILCs of healthy people as well as patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. In this way, Romagnani’s research was able to differentiate between signal pathways that initiate either the production of pro-inflammatory messenger substances, such as the tumour necrosis factor, or anti-inflammatory messenger substances, such as interleukin-22. By selectively blocking or activating the relevant receptors it could become possible to reduce the harmful effects of these cells. Chiara Romagnani and her team now plan to test whether chronic inflammation can be alleviated or even cured by targeted influencing of the identified receptors.
With her research on natural killer cells, the immunologist was able to prove that these cells have similar characteristics to classic memory cells, the B and T lymphocytes. Once activated they multiply into clones and survive for years. This knowledge could open up new possibilities of using these cells to fight specific viruses or tumour cells.
Chiara Romagnani’s research is a significant contribution to the improved understanding and treatment of infectious diseases, tumours, and inflammatory illnesses. At the same time she bridges the gap between basic and clinical research. She is particularly focused on implementing the obtained insights in a way that benefits patients.