Mirella Profita
+39-091-6809121 | +39-3395891985
mirella.profita@cnr.it

Institute
Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)
National Research Council (CNR)
Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
http://www.ift.cnr.it/

Velia Malizia (Researcher level III) velia.malizia@cnr.it
Rosalia Gagliardo (Researcher level II) rosaliapaola.gagliardo@cnr.it
Angela Marina Montalbano (Researcher level III) angelamarina.montalbano@cnr.it
Giusy Daniela Albano (Researcher level II) giusydaniela.albano@cnr.it

Respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Our research activities focus on translational medicine, investigating innate and adaptive immune responses in chronic inflammation and lung cancer, with particular emphasis on the interactions among immune, structural, and tumor cells within the pulmonary microenvironment, as well as on the impact of environmental contamination on lung health.

Our innovative research approach integrates human-based experimental models with advanced in silico platforms, including computational statistics, bioinformatics, and predictive modeling, to analyze complex biological datasets and investigate disease mechanisms. These approaches enable the identification of molecular signatures, biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets associated with immune dysregulation, chronic inflammation, cancer progression, and environmental exposures. By combining experimental approaches with data-driven statistical and computational methodologies, our group aims to advance the understanding of the complex interplay between environmental factors, immune responses, and lung diseases, supporting the development of innovative translational strategies for scientific and pharmaceutical applications.

• Stanisci I, Perri A, Baldacci S, Maio S, Sarno G, Tagliaferro S, Malizia V, Profita M, Alfano P, Sapienza F, Viegi G, La Grutta S. Air pollution and cause-specific mortality in EU: a review integrating meta-analysis and meta-regression. Sci Rep. 2026 Jun 18. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-57501-6. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42315660.
• Malizia V, Montalbano AM, Bonomolo A, Alfano P, Sapienza F, Stanisci I, Grutta S, Profita M. Obesity, Air Pollution, and Epigenetic Modifications as Risk Factors for Asthma Phenotypes. Int J Mol Sci. 2026 May 13;27(10):4350. doi: 10.3390/ijms27104350. PMID: 42196329; PMCID: PMC13207092.
• Montalbano AM, Di Sano C, Albano GD, Gjomarkaj M, Ricciardolo FLM, Profita M. IL-17A Drives Oxidative Stress and Cell Growth in A549 Lung Epithelial Cells: Potential Protective Action of Oleuropein. Nutrients. 2024 Jul 3;16(13):2123. doi: 10.3390/nu16132123. PMID: 38999871; PMCID: PMC11243068.
• Albano GD, Longo V, Montalbano AM, Aloi N, Barone R, Cibella F, Profita M, Colombo P. Extracellular vesicles from PBDE-47 treated M(LPS) THP-1 macrophages modulate the expression of markers of epithelial integrity, EMT, inflammation and muco-secretion in ALI culture of airway epithelium. Life Sci. 2023 Jun 1;322:121616. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121616. Epub 2023 Mar 22. PMID: 36958434.
• Gagliardo R, Bucchieri F, Montalbano AM, Albano GD, Gras D, Fucarino A, Marchese R, Anzalone G, Nigro CL, Chanez P, Profita M. Airway epithelial dysfunction and mesenchymal transition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Role of Oct-4. Life Sci. 2022 Jan 1;288:120177. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120177. Epub 2021 Nov 26. PMID: 34838847.

3D cell culture (transformed cell lines, primary cells) of structural cells and immune cells. Techniques of cellular and molecular biology and (cell culture chamber, spectrophotometers, RNA/DNA extractor, RT-PCR/qPCR, etc.). Institutional facility (FACS, microscopy, Imaging etc.).

Macroareas of interest: Immunity, Inflammation and Cancer, Environment and health.Translational Medicine, Innovation, BioTechnologies and engineering