PRIN-PNRR Project: “Role of dietary fatty acids and microbiota-derived metabolites in the CB2-mediated microglia surveillance of synaptic homeostasis: a biomolecular and cellular study of new molecular players linking high-fat induced obesity with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in the mouse brain” (NeuroFood).

This research project is funded by the EU and is aimed to investigate the effect of diets rich in saturated fatty acids on the onset of neuroinflammation and synaptic dysfunction, also by affecting the gut microbiota production of specific metabolites with immunomodulatory properties at CB2 receptor, the main receptor of cannabinoids expressed on microglia. The project starts from preclinical studies in mouse models of obesity and exploits databases for omics approaches and biomolecular analyses of CB2-mediated signaling, in in vitro and in vivo esperiments.

Financial support by the European Union – NextGeneration EU – PNRR -M4/C2 Investment 1.1.- National Research Program Fund – PRIN 2022_PNRR. Project partners: National Research Council (CNR) – Dr. Vincenzo Di Marzo (PI), Dr. Luigia Cristino (Scientific Manager of the Operational Unit); Federico II University of Naples – Prof. Maria Pina Mollica (Co-PI).