Elisabetta Vulpis

elisabetta.vulpis@cnr.it

Institute
Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology
Viale Regina Elena, 291 – 00161 Roma
http://www.ibpm.cnr.it

My research activity focuses on investigating the mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of Natural Killer (NK) cells against multiple myeloma. In particular, we have evaluated the communication between NK cells and tumour cells mediated by extracellular vesicles. At the same time, my scientific interest is directed toward analysing the role of mitochondrial dynamics in modulating the functionality of NK cells and T lymphocytes. Through the genetic or pharmacological manipulation of proteins involved in mitochondrial fusion and fission, we are working to identify an effective strategy to overcome the induction of T- and NK-cell exhaustion that occurs within the tumour microenvironment

• Vulpis E, et al. “Cross-Dressing of Multiple Myeloma Cells Mediated by Extracellular Vesicles Conveying MIC and ULBP Ligands Promotes NK Cell Killing”. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 May 30;24(11):9467. doi: 10.3390/ijms24119467.
• Vulpis E, et al. “Doxorubicin-Mediated miR-433 Expression on Exosomes Promotes Bystander Senescence in Multiple Myeloma Cells in a DDRIndependent Manner”. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Apr 6;24(7):6862. doi: 10.3390/ijms24076862.
• Vulpis E, et al. “Impact on NK cell functions of acute versus chronic exposure to extracellular vesicle-associated MICA: Dual role in cancer immunosurveillance”. J Extracell Vesicles. 2022 Jan;11(1):e12176. doi: 10.1002/jev2.12176.
• Vulpis E, et al. “Key Role of the CD56lowCD16low Natural Killer Cell Subset in the Recognition and Killing of Multiple Myeloma Cells”. Cancers 2018, 10, 473; doi:10.3390/cancers10120473.
• Vulpis E, et al. “Genotoxic stress modulates the release of exosomes from multiple myeloma cells capable of activating NK cell cytokine production: Role of HSP70/TLR2/NF-kB axis”. Oncoimmunology 2017 Jan 13;6(3):e1279372. doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2017.1279372.

Cytofluorimetric analysis, Real-Time PCR, cell biology, biochemistry.