CO10: Molecular Immunology and Gene and Cellular Immunotherapy

The group is dedicated to research in Immunology, with special emphasis on the development of chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) for cellular immunotherapy and on the study of early signaling mechanisms and the mechanisms involved in the induction of immunological tolerance.

• Francisco García-Cózar:
  • E-mail: curro.garcia@uca.es.
  • ORCID: 0000-0003-3720-259x.
  • Research ID: A-6212-2013.

• Molecular mechanisms of immune tolerance induction. Genomic and Proteomic Analysis of the mechanisms responsible for basic Immunological Tolerance and those responsible for the development of chronic infections.
• Gene and Cellular Immunotherapy. Fundamentally based on the development of Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR), with application in oncological and inflammatory diseases (cardiovascular, digestive, neurological, etc.) and in rejection of transplanted organs.
• Nanomedicine. In collaboration with the associated group led by Prof. Litrán, development of contrasts based on nanoparticles for the specific identification of molecules in vivo, for applications in Diagnostic Imaging.
• Early intracellular signaling in T and B lymphocytes: implications in immunologically based pathologies.
• Transmembrane adapter proteins and their role as regulators of activation in lymphocytes.

T lymphocytes Immune Tolerance Intracellular signaling Membrane adapter proteins Cardiovascular disease Gene immunotherapy Cellular immunotherapy Nanoparticles

• Principal Investigators:
  • Francisco García Cózar (CU) (PI).
• Investigators:
  • Cecilia Matilde Fernández Ponce (PAD).
  • Federico Rodríguez Rubio Cortadelas (PTU).
  • José Mª López-Cepero López-Cepero (PTU).
  • Juan José Ramos Rodríguez (Hired Professor at the University of Granada).
  • Ana Diez Núñez (FEA).
  • Auxiliadora Mazuecas Blanca (FEA).
  • Carmen María Pérez Alberca (FEA).
  • Carmen Mínguez Mañanes (FEA).
  • Carlos Bohórquez Sierra.
  • Cristina Montes Durán (FEA).
  • Encarnación García Domínguez (FEA).
  • Jesús García Serrano (FEA).
  • Juan Carlos Pérez Herrera (FEA).
  • Jesús Navarro Navarro (FEA).
  • Javier Álvarez Medialdea (FEA).
  • María Isabel Moreno García (FEA).
  • Teresa Mª García Álvarez (FEA).
  • Victoria de Lara Bendalián (FEA).
• Postdoctoral Researchers:
  • German Domínguez Vías.
  • Ricardo Fernández Cisnal.
• Predoctoral Researchers:
  • Lucía Olvera Collantes.
• Support Staff:
  • Juan Pedro Muñoz Miranda (Technician).

• InConvocatoria 2020 Proyectos de I+D+i - RTI PID2020-117544RB-I00 PI: Daniel Ortega Ponce / Francisco Jose Garcia Cozar. Nanobomba termoforetica dirigida y celulas CAR Monitorizadas por nanoparticulas como terapia inmunológica Combinada.
• Instituto de Salud Carlos III Proyectos de Investigación en Salud (2016) PI16/00784 PI: Francisco García Cózar. Validación de Biomarcadores y Terapia celular alternativa en Aterosclerosis basada en la modulación de células endoteliales progenitoras y células T reguladoras.

• Iniciativa Territorial Integrada (ITI) 2014-2020 para la provincia de Cádiz, por la Consejería de Salud y por el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional PI-0055-2017 PI: Enrique Aguado Vidal. Caracterización Molecular de Adaptadores de Membrana d Linfocitos y Su Papel Como Mecanismo Regulador de la Activación de Linfocitos: Implicaciones en Artritis Reumatoide.
• Iniciativa Territorial Integrada (ITI) 2014-2020 para la provincia de Cádiz, por la Consejería de Salud y por el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional PI-0030-2017 PI: Francisco García Cózar. Inmunoterapia génica y celular monitorizada mediante nanopartículas para la modulación clínica de la tolerancia inmunológica.
• Consejería de Salud Junta de Andalucía Año de convocatoria: 2013 PI-0365-2013 PI: Enrique Aguado Vidal. Análisis Funcional de la Ruptura Proteolítica de Moléculas Implicadas en Los Mecanismos de Señalización Asociados A Receptores Inmunes: Posible Papel Regulador de Su Actividad e Implicaciones en Patologías de Base Alérgica.

• Financiado por la Corporación Tecnológica de Andalucía -CTA. PI: Francisco Garcia Cozar.Desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías diagnósticas para determinación de riesgos asociados al COVID-19.

1. Gomez-Gonzalez, E., Barriga-Rivera, A., Fernandez-Muñoz, B., Navas-Garcia, J.M., Fernandez-Lizaranzu, I., Munoz-Gonzalez, F.J., Parrilla-Giraldez, R., Requena-Lancharro, D., Gil-Gamboa, P., Rosell-Valle, C., Gomez-Gonzalez, C., Mayorga-Buiza, M.J., Martin-Lopez, M., Muñoz, O., Gomez-Martin, J.C., Relimpio-Lopez, M.I., Aceituno-Castro, J., Perales-Esteve, M.A., Puppo-Moreno, A., Garcia-Cozar, F.J., Olvera-Collantes, L., Gomez-Diaz, R., Santos-Trigo, S. de L., Huguet-Carrasco, M., Rey, M., Gomez, E., Sanchez-Pernaute, R., Padillo-Ruiz, J. and Marquez-Rivas, J. (2022) “Optical imaging spectroscopy for rapid, primary screening of SARS-CoV-2: a proof of concept.,” Scientific reports, 12(1), p. 2356. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-06393-3. 4.38 MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES in SCIE edition 17/72 Q1.

1. Fernández-Ponce, Cecilia, Geribaldi-Doldán, N., Sánchez-Gomar, I., Quiroz, R.N., Ibarra, L.A., Escorcia, L.G., Fernández-Cisnal, R., Martinez, G.A., García-Cózar, F. and Quiroz, E.N. (2021) “The Role of Glycosyltransferases in Colorectal Cancer.,” International journal of molecular sciences, 22(11), p. 5822. doi:10.3390/ijms22115822. 5.924 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY in SCIE edition 67/295 Q1.
2. Fernández-Ponce, C., Mánuel, J.M., Fernández-Cisnal, R., Félix, E., Beato-López, J., Muñoz-Miranda, J.P., Beltrán, A.M., Santos, A.J., Morales, F.M., Yeste, M.P., Bomati-Miguel, O., Litrán, R. and García-Cózar, F. (2021) “Superficial Characteristics and Functionalization Effectiveness of Non-Toxic Glutathione-Capped Magnetic, Fluorescent, Metallic and Hybrid Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications,” Metals, 11(3), p. 383. doi:10.3390/met11030383. 2.351 METALLURGY & METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING in SCIE edition 24/80 Q2 (Q1 en 2019).
3. Fernández-Ponce, Cecilia, Quiroz, R.N., Perez, A.D., Martinez, G.A., Bonfanti, A.C., Hoyos, A.A., Escorcia, L.G., Agudelo, S.H., Sánchez, C.O., Camacho, J.V., Ibarra, L.A., Machado, J.C., Garavito, A.E., García-Cózar, F. and Quiroz, E.N. (2021) “MicroRNAs overexpressed in Crohn’s disease and their interactions with mechanisms of epigenetic regulation explain novel aspects of Crohn’s disease pathogenesis.,” Clinical epigenetics, 13(1), p. 39. doi:10.1186/s13148-021-01022-8. 6.551 GENETICS & HEREDITY in SCIE edition 21/176 Q1.
4. Domínguez-Vías, G., Segarra, A.B., Ramírez-Sánchez, M. and Prieto, I. (2021a) “Effects of Virgin Olive Oil on Blood Pressure and Renal Aminopeptidase Activities in Male Wistar Rats.,” International journal of molecular sciences, 22(10), p. 5388. doi:10.3390/ijms22105388. 5.924 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY in SCIE edition 67/295 Q1.
5. Domínguez-Vías, G., Segarra, A.B., Ramírez-Sánchez, M. and Prieto, I. (2021b) “High-Fat Diets Modify the Proteolytic Activities of Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV and the Regulatory Enzymes of the Renin–Angiotensin System in Cardiovascular Tissues of Adult Wistar Rats,” Biomedicines, 9(9), p. 1149. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9091149. 6.081 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY in SCIE edition 65/295 Q1.
6. Domínguez-Vías, G., Segarra, A.B., Ramírez-Sánchez, M. and Prieto, I. (2021c) “The Type of Fat in the Diet Influences Regulatory Aminopeptidases of the Renin-Angiotensin System and Stress in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in Adult Wistar Rats.,” Nutrients, 13(11), p. 3939. doi:10.3390/nu13113939. 5.719 NUTRITION & DIETETICS in SCIE edition 17/88 Q1.
7. García-Morales, V., González-Acedo, A., Melguizo-Rodríguez, L., Pardo-Moreno, T., Costela-Ruiz, V.J., Montiel-Troya, M. and Ramos-Rodríguez, J.J. (2021) “Current Understanding of the Physiopathology, Diagnosis and Therapeutic Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease,” Biomedicines, 9(12), p. 1910. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9121910. 6.081 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY in SCIE edition 65/295 Q1.
8. Trombini, C., Kazakova, J., Montilla-López, A., Fernández-Cisnal, R., Hampel, M., Fernández-Torres, R., Bello-López, M.Á., Abril, N. and Blasco, J. (2021) “Assessment of pharmaceutical mixture (ibuprofen, ciprofloxacin and flumequine) effects to the crayfish Procambarus clarkii: A multilevel analysis (biochemical, transcriptional and proteomic approaches).,” Environmental research, 200, p. 111396. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.111396. 6.498 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES in SCIE edition 36/274 Q1.
9. Gomez-Gonzalez, E., Fernandez-Muñoz, B., Barriga-Rivera, A., Navas-Garcia, J.M., Fernandez-Lizaranzu, I., Munoz-Gonzalez, F.J., Parrilla-Giraldez, R., Requena-Lancharro, D., Guerrero-Claro, M., Gil-Gamboa, P., Rosell-Valle, C., Gomez-Gonzalez, C., Mayorga-Buiza, M.J., Martin-Lopez, M., Muñoz, O., Martin, J.C.G., Lopez, M.I.R., Aceituno-Castro, J., Perales-Esteve, M.A., Puppo-Moreno, A., Cozar, F.J.G., Olvera-Collantes, L., Santos-Trigo, S. de los, Gomez, E., Pernaute, R.S., Padillo-Ruiz, J. and Marquez-Rivas, J. (2021) “Hyperspectral image processing for the identification and quantification of lentiviral particles in fluid samples,” Scientific Reports, 11(1), p. 16201. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-95756-3. 4.38 MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES in SCIE edition 17/72 Q1.
10. Ramírez-Sánchez, M., Prieto, I., Segarra, A.B., Banegas, I., Martínez-Cañamero, M., Domínguez-Vías, G. and Gasparo, M. de (2021) “Brain Asymmetry: Towards an Asymmetrical Neurovisceral Integration,” Symmetry, 13(12), p. 2409. doi:10.3390/sym13122409. 2.713 MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES in SCIE edition 33/72 Q2.
11. Segarra, Ana Belén, Domínguez-Vías, G., Redondo, J., Martínez-Cañamero, M., Ramírez-Sánchez, M. and Prieto, I. (2021) “Hypothalamic Renin-Angiotensin System and Lipid Metabolism: Effects of Virgin Olive Oil versus Butter in the Diet.,” Nutrients, 13(2), p. 480. doi:10.3390/nu13020480. 5.719 NUTRITION & DIETETICS in SCIE edition 17/88 Q1.
12. Segarra, Ana B, Prieto, I., Banegas, I., Martínez-Cañamero, M., Villarejo, A.B., Domínguez-Vías, G., Gasparo, M. de and Ramírez-Sánchez, M. (2021) “Interaction between Angiotensinase Activities in Pituitary and Adrenal Glands of Wistar-Kyoto and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats under Hypotensive or Hypertensive Treatments.,” International journal of molecular sciences, 22(15), p. 7823. doi:10.3390/ijms22157823. 5.924 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY in SCIE edition 67/295 Q1.

1. Autores: Geribaldi-Doldán N, Carrasco M, Murillo-Carretero M, DomínguezGarcía S, García-Cózar FJ, Muñoz-Miranda JP, Del Río-García V, Verástegui C, Castro C. Título: Specific inhibition of ADAM17/TACE promotes neurogenesis in the injured motor córtex. Journal: Cell Death Dis. Year, volume, first and last pages: 2018 Aug 28;9(9):862. Impact factor: 5,638. Quartile/Decile in the year of publication: Q1 (41/190).
2. Autores: Arbulo-Echevarria MM, Narbona-Sánchez I, Fernandez-Ponce CM, Vico-Barranco I, Rueda-Ygueravide MD, Dustin ML, Miazek A, Duran-Ruiz MC, García-Cózar F, Aguado E. Título: Stretch of Negatively Charged Amino Acids of Linker for Activation of T-Cell Adaptor Has a Dual Role in T-Cell Antigen Receptor Intracellular Signaling. Journal: Front Immunol. Year, volume, first and last pages: 2018 Feb 2;9:115. Impact factor: 5. 511. Quartile/Decile in the year of publication: Q1 (30/155 Immunology).
3. Autores: Fernández-Ponce C, Durán-Ruiz MC, Narbona-Sánchez I, MuñozMiranda JP, Arbulo-Echevarria MM, Serna-Sanz A, Baumann C, Litrán R, Aguado E, Bloch W, García-Cozar F. Título: Ultrastructural Localization and Molecular Associations of HCV Capsid Protein in Jurkat T Cells. Journal: Front Microbiol. Year, volume, first and last pages: 2018 Jan 4;8:2595. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02595. eCollection 2017. Impact factor: 4.019. Quartile/Decile in the year of publication: Q1 [18 de 80 (Microbiology)].

1. Autores: Vega FM, Gautier V, Fernandez-Ponce CM, Extremera MJ, Altelaar AFM, Millan J, Tellez JC, Hernandez-Campos JA, Conejero R, Bolivar J, Pardal R, García-Cózar FJ, Aguado E, Heck AJR, Duran-Ruiz MC. Título: The atheroma plaque secretome stimulates the mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells ex vivo. Journal: Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. Year, volume, first and last pages: 2017; 105:12-23. Impact factor: 5,680. Quartile/Decile in the year of publication: Q1.
2. Autores: Fernández-Ponce C, Dominguez-Villar M, Muñoz-Miranda JP, Arbulo-Echevarria MM, Litrán R, Aguado E, García-Cozar F. Título: Immune modulation by the hepatitis C virus core protein. Journal: J Viral Hepat. Year, volume, first and last pages: 2017 May;24(5):350-356. Impact index (IP): 4,122. Quartile/Decile in the year of publication: Q1 (17/84 Infectious Diseases).

1. Autores/as: Smith LE, Olszewski MA, Georgoudaki AM, Wagner AK, Hägglöf T, Karlsson MC, Dominguez-Villar M, García-Cózar F, Mueller S, Ravens I, Bernhardt G, Chambers BJ.Titulo: Sensitivity of dendritic cells to NK-mediated lysis depends on the inflammatory environment and is modulated by CD54/CD226-driven interactions. Journal: J Leukoc Biol. Year, volume, first and last pages: 2016 Mar 31. pii: jlb.3A0615-271RR. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 27034402. Impact index (IP): 4,165 (year 2016). Quartile/Decile in the year of publication: Q1 17/70 Haematology.
2. Autores: Mikel M Arbulo-Echevarria; Juan P Muñoz-Miranda; Andrés Caballero-García; José L Poveda-Díaz; Cecilia Fernández-Ponce; Mª Carmen Durán-Ruiz; Arkadiusz Miazek; Francisco García-Cózar; Enrique Aguado. Título: Non-T cell activation linker (NTAL) proteolytic cleavage as a terminator of activatory intracellular signals. Journal: Journal of Leukocyte Biology. Year, volume, first and last pages: 2016; 100: 351-360. Impact index (IP): 4,165 (year 2016). Quartile/Decile in the year of publication: Q1 17/70 Haematology.

1. Autores/as: Moreno Benítez F, Espinazo Romeu M, Letrán Camacho A, Mas S, García-Cózar FJ, Tabar AI Titulo: Variation in allergen content in sublingual allergen immunotherapy with house dust mites. Journal: Allergy. Year, volume, first and last pages: 2015 Nov;70(11):1413-20. doi: 10.1111/all.12694. Epub 2015 Sep 11. PMID: 26185961. Impact index (IP): 6,335 (year 2014). Quartile/Decile in the year of publication: D1 2/25 de ALLERGY.
2. Autores/as: Sanchez-De Melo I, Grassi P, Ochoa F, Bolivar J, García-Cózar FJ, Durán-Ruiz MC. Titulo: N-glycosylation profile analysis of Trastuzumab biosimilar candidates by Normal Phase Liquid Chromatography and MALDI-TOF MS approaches Journal: J Proteomics. Year, volume, first and last pages: 2015 Apr 21. pii: S1874-3919(15)00193-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.04.012. PMID: 25907685. Impact index (IP): 3,888 (year 2014). Quartile/Decile in the year of publication: Q1 16/79 BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS.

1. Autores/as: Toro R, Mangas A, Quezada M, Rodriguez-Rosety M, Fournielles G, Rodriguez-Rosety I, Rodriguez Rosety MA, Alonso JA, García-Cózar FJ, Duran MC. Titulo: Diet and exercise influence on the proteomic profile of an athlete population. Journal: Nutr Hosp. Year, volume, first and last pages: 2014 Nov 1;30(5):1110-7. doi: 10.3305/nh.2014.30.5.7697. PMID: 25365015. Impact index (IP): 1,04 (year 2014). 64/77 NUTRITION & DIETETICS.
2. Autores/as: Fernandez-Ponce C, Dominguez-Villar M, Enrique Aguado, Francisco J. García-Cózar. Titulo: CD4+ primary T cells expressing HCV-core protein upregulate FOXP3 and IL-10, suppressing CD4 and CD8 T cells. Journal: PlosOne. Year, volume, first and last pages: 2014 Jan 20;9(1):e85191. Impact index (IP): 3.234 (year 2014). Quartile/Decile in the year of publication: Q1 9/57 de Multidisciplinary Sciences.
3. Autores/as: Benítez FM, Camacho AL, del Cuvillo Bernal A, de Medina PL, García Cózar FJ, Romeu ME. Titulo: Determination of allergenic load and pollen count of Cupressus arizonica pollen by flow cytometry using Cup a1 polyclonal antibody. Journal: Cytometry B Clin Cytom. Year, volume, first and last pages: 2014 Jan;86(1):63-9. Quartile/Decile in the year of publication: Q1 10/32 de Medical Laboratory Technology.

• Red Andaluza de diseño y traslación de Terapias Avanzadas (RAdytTA).