Genoa’s contribution to research on Treg cells: the discovery that changes the perspective on autoimmune diseases.

In 2025, the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology was jointly awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for their discoveries on regulatory T cells (Treg). These cells are essential for immune balance, as they prevent the body from attacking itself and thus help avoid serious conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

In this context, Genoa confirms itself as an international center of excellence. The University of Genoa and Policlinico San Martino are key players in developing new knowledge about the functioning of Treg cells. The group led by Professor Raffaele De Palma collaborated with Harvard Medical School and research institutes from other countries, contributing to a discovery that opens up unprecedented scenarios.

The Genoese researchers identified a subtype of Treg cells that develops in the intestine thanks to the microbiota. Unlike traditional Tregs, which normally suppress inflammation, these cells, under certain conditions, fuel it, promoting pathological processes. This behavior has been observed in severe forms of Covid-19 and in multiple sclerosis, two diseases with a significant impact on global health.

The added value provided by the Genoese team lies not only in the discovery but also in its ability to integrate clinical and research expertise. The synergy between Policlinico San Martino and the University of Genoa makes it possible to leverage the strengths of both institutions to formulate new scientific hypotheses and potential targeted therapies. San Martino boasts extensive experience in managing complex patients and can provide essential clinical data and biological samples for studies. The University offers advanced immunology and molecular biology laboratories to develop sophisticated analyses and experimental models.

Participation in global networks such as PROVE Network and collaboration with centers of excellence like Harvard confirm Genoa’s role as a strategic hub for immunological research at the international level. This paves the way for new opportunities to develop innovative cures based on Treg cell modulation.

By Alessia Marciano and Donatella Zunino