Institute of Neuropathology

Stromal cells as architects of tissue immunity

Tissue immunity is not solely regulated by hematopoietic cells. Non-immune, stromal cells—particularly fibroblasts—have emerged as key organizers of immune responses across different tissues. Their roles now sit at the center of research in tumor immunology, infection, autoimmunity, and fibrosis.
Beyond providing structural support, fibroblasts possess molecular programs that allow them to sense, interpret, and direct immune cell activity. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms by which stromal cells regulate immunity has rapidly moved from basic discovery to clinical relevance.

Our group investigates how fibroblasts regulate tissue immunity across diverse immunological contexts, with a particular focus on neuroinflammation. We combine innovative genetic mouse models with advanced transcriptomic and immune-profiling approaches to define how immune–stromal interactions shape disease pathogenesis, with the major aim of identifying new targets for therapeutic intervention.