Eleonora Sala

🦠Immunologist- adaptive immunity to viral infections. PostDoc in @Iannaconelab. “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

[Iannacone Lab @iannaconelab]

💡Exciting news! Our latest study, in collaboration with Prof. Mirela Kuka’s lab, is out now—uncovering how T cell–derived IFN-γ can suppress T follicular helper (TFH) cells and limit antibody responses. 🚀🧵(1/10) https://t.co/OA0TCnmF7R

🔬Approach: We used a subcutaneous LCMV infection model, tracking virus-specific CD4⁺ T cells. Surprisingly, we found two T-bet⁺ subsets—one producing granzyme B (GzmB) and another expressing Tcf-1, the latter being a TFHprecursor. (2/10)

🌟Key Finding: IFN-γ from T cells drives the TH1 fate and blocks TFHmaturation. When we blocked IFN-γ early, Tcf-1⁺ “precursor” cells fully developed into TFH, boosting germinal center B cells and antibody responses. (3/10)

📊Mechanism: Rather than acting solely via an “autocrine loop,” IFN-γ shapes the microenvironment by acting on other immune cells—likely dendritic cells—thereby steering CD4⁺ T cells toward a TH1-dominant response at the expense of TFH. (4/10)

📌Infections & Vaccines: We also tested other settings—like systemic infections or even MPLA-based immunizations—and consistently observed that reducing IFN-γ can enhance TFH and humoral immunity. Timing is critical for optimal effect. (5/10)

🧬Broader Impact: Our data help explain why some infections trigger robust TH1activity but limited antibody responses, and highlight how precisely timed IFN-γ modulation could improve immunization strategies. (6/10)

🔑Clinical Relevance: In severe or chronic viral infections, TH1-skewed responses can sometimes block high-affinity antibody production. Targeted IFN-γ blockade might tip the balance toward TFH, aiding pathogen clearance or vaccine success. (7/10)

💡Mechanistic Insights: By tuning IFN-γ signals, we can reprogram local lymph nodes and “unlock” TFH potential. This points toward new avenues to combine T cell and B cell–focused therapies for more effective vaccines. (8/10)

👏Huge congratulations to Mirela Kuka, Eleonora Sala, Maria Nelli and all contributors who co-led the study! (9/10)

📖Dive deeper into our research and its implications for antiviral defense and vaccines. We look forward to your thoughts and questions!
Full paper here: https://t.co/OA0TCnmF7R
@SanRaffaeleMI @MyUniSR @ERC_Research @AIRC_it @EMBO @ArmeniseHarvard
(10/10) 💬📚

[Iannacone Lab @iannaconelab]

2/ 🌟Shining light on IL-2 – Our paper's cover illustrates the innovative approach: deliver IL-2 specifically to CD8 T cells, activating them to eliminate HBV-infected hepatocytes. A significant stride in IL-2 therapy for chronic viral infections. 🎯🦠

[Valeria Fumagalli @ValeFuma91]

Happy to share this intriguing paper from Kuka's Team! @MirelaKuka
They showed a new fluorescent reporter model to study and characterize the interesting population of TDC in different tissues and contexts!

Take a look!!

https://t.co/uSEpGRV779

[Cristian Beccaria @CristianBecc]

Wonderful days at the 2023 @iannaconelab Retreat! Still amazed by how healthy is to be with your own group outside from the usual routine, taking the time to discuss, share difficulties, emotions, think about the future, and renew motivation, inspiration,and creativity🌈

[Eleonora Sala @EleonoraSala12]

@LintermanLab @DrAlySCayetano @NatImmunol Congratulations! Amazing work 😊

[Davide Marotta @DavideMarotta18]

Happy to share our lab data at @SiicaI 2023! Nice discussion and environment in the beautiful Verona 🤩

And also congrats to my colleagues @VenzinValentina @EleonoraSala12 @CristianBecc @nellimaria97 @Marta_Grillo_ for their great Oral and Poster presentations!

[Valeria Fumagalli @ValeFuma91]

Great talks in Verona from @iannaconelab and KukaTeam @MirelaKuka
Valentina explained the role of HBV-specific CD4 T cells in sustaining CD8 T cell priming in the liver.
Eleonora @EleonoraSala12 revealed a new function for IFNg in the context of LCMV infection.

#siica
#Verona

[SIICA Immunologia @SiicaI]

#siica2023
Wonderful #EFIS lecture by @FGinhoux on #myeloidcell heterogeneity in health and disease.
#macrophages #tumormacrophages

[Eleonora Sala @EleonoraSala12]

@ValeCazzetta @ImmunologyAAI Grande Valeeeee!

[De Giovanni Lab @MarcoDegiov89]

Thrilled to be the recipient of the Giovanni Tosi best publication award 2022 for our study on antiviral CD4 T cell priming in the @iannaconelab in collaboration with @MirelaKuka @CutilloValeria @EleonoraSala12 link: https://t.co/KWzL7Djrug

[Immunity @ImmunityCP]

Response to contamination of isolated mouse Kupffer cells with liver sinusoidal endothelial cells https://t.co/qubFQxcrmc

[Cristian Beccaria @CristianBecc]

One of the best moments of the year is when we come to our @iannaconelab Retreat, at the magnificent Franciacorta, surrounded by vineyards, lakes and hills. Being all tog discussing science is priceless! Doing what u like is priceless. Working w friends is priceless! 💜💙💚💛🧡❤️

[Davide Marotta @DavideMarotta18]

Nice #iannaconelabretreat at #RelaisFranciacorta. Beatiful environment, high-level scientific presentation! @EleonoraSala12

[nature @Nature]

Nature research paper: Immune tolerance of food is mediated by layers of CD4+ T cell dysfunction https://t.co/NzbfEQYLfE

[Global Immunotalks @globalimmuno]

Looking forward to our next #globalimmuno talk this Wednesday June 15 at 9am PST noon EST 4pm GMT by Dr. Michelle Linterman.

Title: Ageing and the response to vaccination
LINK: https://t.co/2Tdtm2QoUL

[SIICA Immunologia @SiicaI]

The Opening Ceremony officially starts the #SIICA2022 National #Congress in #Naples
@SiicaI @EFIS_Immunology
#immunology #science

[Eleonora Sala @EleonoraSala12]

Back to Italy! Full of happiness for my first time in the U.S.! #AAI2022 was an amazing experience, I had the chance to present my poster to many people and I learned a lot of new things from the best scientists!Thanks to my mentor @MirelaKuka for giving me this possibility 😊

[Eleonora Sala @EleonoraSala12]

@ValerioRasi @MirelaKuka @iannaconelab @MyUniSR Thank you Valerio! It was a pleasure to meet you! :)

[Eleonora Sala @EleonoraSala12]

@LintermanLab @MirelaKuka @iannaconelab @MyUniSR Thank you so much Michelle!

[Eleonora Sala @EleonoraSala12]

@FedericaMarasca @MirelaKuka Thanks Fede!❤️

[Eleonora Sala @EleonoraSala12]

What a wonderful day, I feel so lucky to have you as a mentor, thanks for all @MirelaKuka! During this PhD journey I’ve really discovered how much I love viral immunology!❤️