PhD in Scienze della Vita 38° cycle, Sapienza University of Rome
Title of the project:
Dissecting the Nrf2 pathway and its impact on the redox changes and the inflammatory response upon coronavirus and influenza virus infections
Respiratory viruses use different strategies to manipulate host cell machinery to their advantage including the modulation of redox state. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key player in maintaining the intracellular redox state homeostasis. In presence of oxidative stress, it transcribes for genes involved in the antioxidant pathways, but also in regulating cell metabolism and inflammatory response. We have already demonstrated that influenza virus induces oxidative stress by decreasing the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response and the intracellular glutathione (GSH) level as well as by increasing the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production.
Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 infection has been reported to affect the Nrf2 pathway, but the mechanisms and the viral proteins involved in regulating the redox state during the infections are not defined. Nrf2 pathways also inhibit the activation of inflammatory response, which is well known to be dysregulated during respiratory virus infections. The present proiect aims to clarify the mechanisms underlying the regulation of the redox state and its link with inflammatory response during influenza virus or coronavirus infection.
Students interested in the position may contact Prof Lucia Nencioni for an interview.
E-mail lucia.nencioni@uniroma1.it
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases
Microbiology Section
Sapienza University of Rome
Piazzale Aldo Moro 5
00185 Rome