6. Lipid Regulation of Immunometabolism.

The central mission of the Lipid Regulation of Immunometabolism Lab is to understand how lipids influence microglial metabolism and function, with a particular focus on their relevance in ageing and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. A key aspect of our research involves investigating the role of membrane contact sites (MCSs) as platforms for lipid exchange and regulatory hubs for metabolism. Our studies investigate how lipid perturbations, particularly involving cholesterol, regulate microglial metabolism and behaviors via MCSs.

Members:

Predoctoral Students

• Cristina Anton Barros (FPU)

Students

• Lorena Rodriguez Bravo (TFM)

Alumni:

• 2024- Irene Aguado, Trabajo Final de Grado, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Grado en Bioquímica. Title: Cholesterol regulation in microglia as a pathological mechanism in Alzheimer’s Disease.
• 2024- Ariadna Rodríguez, Trabajo Final de Grado, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Grado en Biología. Title: Analysis of mitochondria-associated to the ER as immunometabolic platforms in neuroinflammation.
• 2023- Álvaro Hidalgo, Trabajo Final de Grado, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Grado en Bioquímica. Title: Study of the lipid regulation of microglia and its relationship with Alzheimer’s disease.

Selected Publications:

• Mitochondria-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membranes in Microglia: One Contact Site to Rule Them all. Navarro E, Montesinos J. Contact (Thousand Oaks). 2025 Jan 29;8:25152564241312807. doi: 10.1177/25152564241312807. eCollection 2025 Jan-Dec.

Funding:

• Talento César Nombela Comunidad de Madrid 2024. SAL-GL-31373. Immunometabolic impact of Mitochondria-Associated ER membranes dysregulation in Alzheimer's disease. 01/02/2025- 31/12/2029
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions 2022. HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01 101106857. Role of Mitochondria-Associated ER membranes on microglia activation: implications for Alzheimer's disease. 01/01/2023- 31/1/2024

Microglia engulfing myelin (red) and immunostained for the lysosome (in magenta) and the ER (in green).