Angelo Fontana - "Rewiring innate immunity with small molecules: sulfur chemistry and Alzheimer’s disease

Angelo Fontana
Department of Biology
University of Naples “Federico II”
National Research CouncilInstitute of Biomolecular Chemistry
Pozzuoli, Italy

Short CV

Abstract
Small molecules are increasingly recognized as key regulators of innate immunity in both physiological and pathological contexts. Our previous work on sulfur-containing lipids has shown that small molecules can selectively engage non-canonical innate immune pathways and act as potent immunomodulators. Extending this framework to neurodegeneration, this seminar will focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), where microglial dysfunction plays a central role in disease progression. Using the synthetic sulfolipid Sulfavant A as a case study, I will discuss how small-molecule–driven immune rewiring enhances microglial surveillance, promotes amyloid-β clearance, supports neuroprotection, and improves cognitive performance. More broadly, dissecting these intricate mechanisms provides novel windows into neuroimmunology, enabled by advanced chemical and biological technologies that allow precise tracking, manipulation, and functional interpretation