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Dr Cristiano Scotta
Lecturer in Biosciences

Research area(s)

Design novel adoptive cell therapies, Drug Discovery and Development, Characterisation of immune cell subsets , Disease Immuno-monitoring, Multiparametric Flow Cytometry and Deep-immunophenotyping, Regulatory T Cell Manipulation, Design and production of CAR-T cells

Research Interests

Cristiano Scottà's current research within the Centre for Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine (CIRTM) focuses on understanding the regulatory processes behind pathological inflammatory conditions and manipulating human regulatory T cells (Tregs) to develop novel cellular therapies for controlling immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

His work is structured around five main objectives:

  1. Understanding Treg Heterogeneity: Investigating the diverse subpopulations of Tregs to identify therapeutic targets, particularly in conditions like atherosclerosis, pregnancy, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
  2. Enhancing Treg Clinical Efficacy: Exploring molecular mechanisms, such as FOXP3 acetylation/ubiquitination, to improve Treg stability and function in inflammatory settings.
  3. Investigating Treg Cells Function in Pregnancy Complications: Exploring the role of Tregs during pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
  4. Studying Treg Cell Crosstalk with Other Immune Cells in Cardiovascular Disease: Exploring the role of Tregs in mitigating endothelial cell dysfunction and progression of atherosclerosis.
  5. Producing Novel Therapeutic Treg Products: Developing new therapeutic approaches, including CAR-Tregs, to treat inflammatory disorders. Current research focuses on treating skin inflammation and regulating B cell responses by controlling autoantibody production.

Together, these objectives aim to translate innovative immunological insights into targeted, effective treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases.

Research grants and projects

Grants

Exploring Regulatory T Cells' Impact on Endothelial Dysfunction in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Using a Vasculature-on-a-Chip Model
Funder: Diabetes UK
Duration: February 2026 - February 2027

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) disrupts endothelial cell function, leading to complications in placental development and posing long-term risks of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases post-pregnancy. Traditional animal models fall short due to ethical and physiological limitations, prompting the development of more human-relevant in vitro systems. This project aims to create a vasculature-on-a-chip model that mimics endothelial dysfunction in GDM. By utilizing placental and decidua explants from GDM-affected and healthy pregnancies, the model will simulate the interactions between endothelial cells and immune system components, including regulatory T cells (Tregs) and macrophages. These interactions will be studied under conditions of oxidative stress and inflammation typical of GDM. The innovative platform will provide insights into the mechanisms driving endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, particularly the role of Tregs in maintaining vascular health. Ultimately, this research could guide the development of targeted therapies to mitigate the adverse effects of GDM, improving outcomes for both mother and child.

Anti-TREM2 CAR Regulatory T Cells: Engineering Targeted Immunotherapy to Modulate Microglial Polarization in Alzheimer's Disease
Funder: Brunel Research Initiative and Enterprise Fund (BRIEF) 2025 – 2026
Duration: December 2025 - July 2026

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves not only protein aggregation but also profound dysregulation of innate immunity, particularly microglial function. This project aims to develop a first‑in‑class immunotherapy that targets this axis by harnessing regulatory T cells (Tregs). We hypothesize that adoptive transfer of Tregs engineered with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for TREM2 will restore a protective microglial phenotype, enhance amyloid‑β (Aβ) clearance, and reduce neuroinflammation. To address whether human Tregs can reprogramme microglia in an AD‑relevant context, we will use co‑culture systems combining GMP‑expanded human Tregs with iPSC‑derived microglia exposed to Aβ. Functional readouts will assess microglial activation, cytokine production, oxidative stress, and Aβ uptake. Transcriptomic and metabolic profiling will define the mechanisms by which Tregs influence microglial phenotype and function. Building on this, Tregs will be engineered to express anti‑TREM2 CARs to enhance antigen‑specific targeting and activity within the disease environment. Using established lentiviral platforms, we will optimise CAR design and evaluate Treg stability, activation, and suppressive function. Overall, this work will provide proof‑of‑concept for a novel strategy linking systemic immune regulation to CNS innate immunity, laying the foundation for targeted immunotherapies in AD.

Regulatory T Cells in Pregnancy Adverse Outcomes (Preeclampsia).
Funder: Foetal Medicine Foundation
Duration: October 2021 - September 2028
Investigation of T cell subset evolution in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Funder: BD Biosciences Research Program
Duration: May 2018 -
Thymus derived Tregs expanded in vitro as a treatment for paediatric heart transplant patients to prevent cardiac allograft vasculopathy.
Funder: British Heart Foundation
Duration: October 2017 - September 2019

Research Translation Award

Regulatory T cells in IBD. Optimising their therapeutic potential
Funder: Crohn’s and Colitis UK
Duration: October 2015 - September 2018
In vitro manipulation of defective Tregs as therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus
Funder: King’s Health Partners
Duration: October 2014 - September 2015

Research and Development Challenge Fund

Research links

Similar research interests