Research
Our research group was established in 1989 and initially focused on the origin of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and the expression of its receptors in the immune system. We discovered that lymphocytes synthesise VIP, a finding that represented a major advance in neuroimmunology. We then investigated its role as an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agent and demonstrated its protective effect in preclinical models of various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, in particular rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In 2002, we started a collaboration with Dr. Pablos from the Rheumatology Department of the Hospital 12 de Octubre, confirming the effect of VIP in samples from patients with osteoarthritis and RA. In 2005 we joined the Red de Inflamación y Enfermedades Reumáticas (RIER, of the RETICS programme) and since 2009 we have been collaborating with Dr. González-Álvaro's group at the Hospital de La Princesa. This has allowed us to develop a line of research focused on the VIP/receptor axis as a biomarker of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, with the aim of its clinical application. We have been working closely with various clinical groups in rheumatology for over 20 years, as reflected in our publications and projects. In addition, we have active collaborations with several health research institutes to validate the potential of the VIP axis as a prognostic marker or therapeutic agent. During our development we have also established links with several international research groups.
The 'Molecular and Cellular Bases of Inflammatory/Autoimmune Diseases' group has been recognised as excellent by the UCM. It has published more than 152 papers, a significant proportion of which are related to the study of biomarkers, including the analysis of genetic, transcriptomic and protein biomarkers to develop predictive models. In addition, the group has deepened the physiopathological mechanisms of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases with a strong methodological and translational approach. The group also stands out for its competences in education and training.