Alessandro Prigione
LightNews LightNews
banner
aleprigio.bsky.social
Alessandro Prigione
@aleprigio.bsky.social
2.2K followers 1.5K following 66 posts
Stem Cell Metabolism lab. We use iPSCs and brain organoids to search for cures for rare mitochondrial neurological diseases. Professor at the Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf. Editor-in-Chief of Stem Cell Research journal. He/him.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
aleprigio.bsky.social
Alessandro Prigione @aleprigio.bsky.social · May 19
Exciting news! Our most important work is out as preprint!

We suggest sildenafil as a treatment for mitochondrial disease Leigh syndrome, from stem and organoid model to mice and off-label use.

Next step is the clinical trial starting early next year!

www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Pluripotent stem cell-based drug discovery uncovers sildenafil as a treatment for mitochondrial disease
Mitochondrial disease encompasses inherited disorders affecting mitochondrial function. A severe and untreatable form of mitochondrial disease is Leigh syndrome (LS) causing psychomotor regression and...
www.medrxiv.org
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
labspagnoli.bsky.social
🚨 Check out our new paper is now online in its final version!!!
🎉 👏 Congratulations @alejotorrescano.bsky.social who led the study
+ past & current team @labspagnoli.bsky.social
+ collaborators #VigilanteLab @kingslsm.bsky.social

➡️ doi.org/10.1126/scia...

short 🧵 below & more acknowledgments ⤵️
Spatially organized cellular communities shape functional tissue architecture in the pancreas
Spatial maps reveal dynamic epithelial-mesenchymal niches shaping pancreatic development and function.
doi.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
dmmjournal.bsky.social
A new #DMMPerspective from Wenqing Xu & @aleprigio.bsky.social explores increasing evidence of #neurodevelopmental aspects in #HuntingtonsDisease & early interventions that might lead to prevention or delay of the disease pathology

journals.biologists.com/dmm/article/...
Diagram illustrating altered neurodevelopment in Huntington’s disease (HD) and proposed early interventions. The top row shows a healthy brain trajectory: wild-type huntingtin (wtHTT) supports normal development from a healthy developing brain to a healthy adult brain. The bottom row shows HD trajectory: presence of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) leads to an aberrant developing brain and later regional brain atrophy. Below, two intervention strategies to preserve developmental compensation are shown: Cell-autonomous approaches target stress response mechanisms (CHCHD2, DRP1, ATM, HSF1, other factors) to preserve mitochondrial health; Non-cell-autonomous approaches support intercellular communication, with compensation by cerebellum, healthy cells, and glial cells.
November 21, 2025 at 7:03 PM
aleprigio.bsky.social
Thanks for the highlight @dmmjournal.bsky.social
dmmjournal.bsky.social DMM Journal @dmmjournal.bsky.social · 5d
A new #DMMPerspective from Wenqing Xu & @aleprigio.bsky.social explores increasing evidence of #neurodevelopmental aspects in #HuntingtonsDisease & early interventions that might lead to prevention or delay of the disease pathology

journals.biologists.com/dmm/article/...
Diagram illustrating altered neurodevelopment in Huntington’s disease (HD) and proposed early interventions. The top row shows a healthy brain trajectory: wild-type huntingtin (wtHTT) supports normal development from a healthy developing brain to a healthy adult brain. The bottom row shows HD trajectory: presence of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) leads to an aberrant developing brain and later regional brain atrophy. Below, two intervention strategies to preserve developmental compensation are shown: Cell-autonomous approaches target stress response mechanisms (CHCHD2, DRP1, ATM, HSF1, other factors) to preserve mitochondrial health; Non-cell-autonomous approaches support intercellular communication, with compensation by cerebellum, healthy cells, and glial cells.
November 21, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
jeannakhle.bsky.social
Out now in @natmetabolism.nature.com 🚨

This Review highlights how metabolic interactions between microglia and neurons shape brain health, and how their disruption in ageing as well as in metabolic, neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases contributes to cognitive decline.
The metabolic engine of cognition: microglia–neuron interactions in health, ageing and disease - Nature Metabolism
This Review highlights how metabolic interactions between microglia and neurons shape brain health, and how their disruption in ageing and disease contributes to cognitive decline.
www.nature.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
ryanlab.bsky.social
An atlas of mitochondrial ATP synthase activity across the lifespan #mitochondria
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
An atlas of mitochondrial ATP synthase activity across the lifespan
Mitochondrial dysfunction and declining energy production are hallmarks of aging, yet we lack a comprehensive systems-level view of ATP synthase (Comp…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:13 AM
aleprigio.bsky.social
Our latest perspective is out in Dis Model Mech (@biologist.bsky.social)!
We discuss how brain organoids highlight the impact of Huntington's disease on brain development. We suggest takling mitochondrial fitness early on a as a potential treatment strategy.

doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
Brain organoid models of Huntington's disease shift the focus towards neurodevelopment
Summary: Increasing evidence indicates neurodevelopmental aspects in Huntington's disease. Early interventions promoting healthy brain development and mitochondrial fitness might lead to prevention or...
doi.org
October 29, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
juanquintana.bsky.social
Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, UN commission of inquiry says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, UN commission of inquiry says
The panel finds that four of the five genocidal acts defined under international law have been carried out against Palestinians during the war.
www.bbc.com
September 16, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
nature.com
Researchers are studying why mitochondria are moving between cells and whether the process can be harnessed to treat cancer and other diseases

go.nature.com/4fYoEwG
Cells are swapping their mitochondria. What does this mean for our health?
Researchers are studying why the energy factories are moving between cells and whether the process can be harnessed to treat cancer and other diseases.
go.nature.com
September 1, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
tobiasmar.bsky.social
Two papers in today's issue of @nature.com ‬: 1) we assemble 65 genomes to near completion, including centromeres and the MHC. tinyurl.com/3huhax6w. 2) we sequence 1,019 genomes from the 1kGP with long reads, revealing SVs down to low allele frequencies tinyurl.com/wbx3we9x.
Complex genetic variation in nearly complete human genomes - Nature
Using sequencing and haplotype-resolved assembly of 65 diverse human genomes, complex regions including the major histocompatibility complex and centromeres are analysed.
tinyurl.com
July 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
aleprigio.bsky.social
Our latest review is out in STEM CELLS!
We discuss the role of mitochondria in neuronal branching and how iPSC models in 2D and 3D can be used dissect the impact of neuronal branching defects in mitochondrial disorders.

academic.oup.com/stmcls/advan...
Neuronal branching in stem cell models of mitochondrial and neurological diseases
Abstract. Neuronal branching, the extension and arborization of neurites, is critical for establishing and maintaining functional neural circuits. Emerging
academic.oup.com
July 23, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
euromit-2026.bsky.social
🎙️ Focus Speakers – Alessandro Prigione

👀 Curious to know who will be speaking at #euromit2026 ?
✨ Today, we’re introducing A. Prigione @aleprigio.bsky.social who will be taking the stage at the congress.
#euromit2026 #MitochondrialDisease #mtDNA #mitochondria #angers
@ua-recherche.bsky.social
Picture of Alessandro Prigione featuring his photo and a short biography. Alessandro Prigione will be speaking at Euromit congress in 2026 in Angers, France on Wednesday, June 3rd during the session entitled Innovative technologies. Alessandro Prigione is a professor at the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, Germany. His group uses patient-derived iPSCs to generate cerebral cells and organoids to study how mitochondrial dysfunction leads to neurological disorders such as Leigh syndrome. He uses advanced stem cell technologies, genome editing, and high-throughput drug screenings to understand disease mechanisms and identify potential therapies.
June 10, 2025 at 7:55 AM
aleprigio.bsky.social
Looking forward to Euromit 2026!!
euromit-2026.bsky.social Euromit-2026 @euromit-2026.bsky.social · Jun 10
🎙️ Focus Speakers – Alessandro Prigione

👀 Curious to know who will be speaking at #euromit2026 ?
✨ Today, we’re introducing A. Prigione @aleprigio.bsky.social who will be taking the stage at the congress.
#euromit2026 #MitochondrialDisease #mtDNA #mitochondria #angers
@ua-recherche.bsky.social
Picture of Alessandro Prigione featuring his photo and a short biography. Alessandro Prigione will be speaking at Euromit congress in 2026 in Angers, France on Wednesday, June 3rd during the session entitled Innovative technologies. Alessandro Prigione is a professor at the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, Germany. His group uses patient-derived iPSCs to generate cerebral cells and organoids to study how mitochondrial dysfunction leads to neurological disorders such as Leigh syndrome. He uses advanced stem cell technologies, genome editing, and high-throughput drug screenings to understand disease mechanisms and identify potential therapies.
June 10, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
katsufunai.bsky.social
mtDNA editing!
A mitochondrial disease model is generated and corrected using engineered base editors in rat zygotes - Nature Biotechnology
A mitochondrial disease is modeled using engineered base editors in rats.
www.nature.com
June 4, 2025 at 8:11 PM
aleprigio.bsky.social
Exciting news! Our most important work is out as preprint!

We suggest sildenafil as a treatment for mitochondrial disease Leigh syndrome, from stem and organoid model to mice and off-label use.

Next step is the clinical trial starting early next year!

www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Pluripotent stem cell-based drug discovery uncovers sildenafil as a treatment for mitochondrial disease
Mitochondrial disease encompasses inherited disorders affecting mitochondrial function. A severe and untreatable form of mitochondrial disease is Leigh syndrome (LS) causing psychomotor regression and...
www.medrxiv.org
May 19, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
nature.com
Nature research paper: Spatial transcriptomics reveals human cortical layer and area specification

https://go.nature.com/3GUX8Tm
Spatial transcriptomics reveals human cortical layer and area specification - Nature
Multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization (MERFISH) together with deep-learning-based nucleus segmentation enabled the construction of a highly detailed and informative spatially resolved single-cell atlas of human fetal cortical development.
go.nature.com
May 15, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
frezzalab.bsky.social
Molecular machineries shaping the mitochondrial inner membrane

www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Molecular machineries shaping the mitochondrial inner membrane - Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology
The inner mitochondrial membrane forms cristae, which are crucial for mitochondrial function. This Review explores the protein complexes that regulate cristae dynamics, including remodelling and fusio...
www.nature.com
May 15, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
debbysilver.bsky.social
Thrilled to share our latest study out in @natureportfolio.nature.com led by the fantastically talented Jing Liu. Our study provides insight into a long standing question in biology: What molecular features make us uniquely human and how do these function? www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A human-specific enhancer fine-tunes radial glia potency and corticogenesis - Nature
HARE5, a human accelerated region enhancer, modulates cortical development by influencing neural progenitor cell behaviour, leading to an enlarged neocortex with increased functional independence betw...
www.nature.com
May 14, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
motorilab.bsky.social
I'm thrilled to be co-organizing the very first EMBO Workshop bridging mitochondria and brain research - a powerhouse of science, ideas, and amazing speakers! 🧠🔬

📅 registration closes MAY 30th, so don’t wait to snag your spot!

Stay tuned - more updates about the topics and speakers coming soon! 🎙️
crc1218.bsky.social CRC1218 @crc1218.bsky.social · Apr 15
📢Registration open!📢
So proud to see our very own Elisa Motori co-hosting this exciting EMBO Workshop: “Mitochondria in the Nervous System”
Co-sponsored by the CRC1218! Two invited speakers of the CRC1218! Don’t miss out!

🗓 29.09.-02.10.2025
📍Engelberg, CH

👉 meetings.embo.org/event/25-mit...
May 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
leonsmyth.bsky.social
Our perspective in @natrevimmunol.nature.com on new concepts in neuroimmune interactions that have challenged the old dogma that immune privilege is a result of the isolation of the nervous and immune systems.

@jonykipnis.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Redefining CNS immune privilege - Nature Reviews Immunology
In this Perspective, Smyth and Kipnis reappraise the concept of immune privilege in the central nervous system. Although immune privilege was originally thought to involve isolation of the central ner...
www.nature.com
May 2, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
cp-cellstemcell.bsky.social
Vascular network-inspired diffusible scaffolds for engineering functional midbrain organoids
Vascular network-inspired diffusible scaffolds for engineering functional midbrain organoids
Guo and colleagues developed vascular network-inspired diffusible (VID) scaffolds for engineering midbrain organoids, providing a versatile technology for organoid development and therapeutic innovation.
dlvr.it
May 1, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
erictopol.bsky.social
After decades of research on stem cells and their reprogramming, we're now seeing extensive clinical trial assessment, some with very encouraging results. This is a new @science.org outstanding review of the biology and ongoing research efforts
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Stem cells as role models for reprogramming and repair
Stem cells are a promising source for cellular therapies across many diseases and tissues. Their inherent ability to differentiate into other cell types has been the focus of investigation over decade...
www.science.org
May 1, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
cedricboeckx.bsky.social
Great study by @nataliabaumann.bsky.social @djabaudon.bsky.social & collaborators, showing how regional differences in progenitor metabolism shape brain growth during development
@cp-cell.bsky.social

www.cell.com/cell/abstrac...
Regional differences in progenitor metabolism shape brain growth during development
Brain-wide birthdate mapping reveals that while hindbrain neurogenesis is transient, forebrain neurogenesis is temporally sustained through spatiotemporal regulation of progenitor mitochondrial functi...
www.cell.com
May 1, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
silvianeuro.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Cellular interplay in brain organoids: Connecting cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms in neurodevelopmental disease
The field of brain organoids has experienced a period of rapid and transformative growth, enabling researchers to investigate complex human biological…
www.sciencedirect.com
April 11, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
dplamartin.bsky.social
Excited to share our latest paper in Science Advances! We finally dissected a new pathway for mitochondrial quality control upon mtDNA replication stress! Let’s start a short thread! 🧵

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Retromer promotes the lysosomal turnover of mtDNA
Lysosomal uptake of mtDNA controls mitochondrial quality.
www.science.org
April 4, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Reposted by Alessandro Prigione
tatjanakleele.bsky.social
Thrilled to announce that the registration for the EMBO workshop „Mitochondria in the Nervous System“ is now open.
Join us from Sep 29th to Oct 2nd in beautiful Engelberg, Switzerland!
meetings.embo.org/event/25-mit...
Mitochondria in the Nervous System
The brain is a high energy-demanding tissue with an heterogenous cellular composition. Most of the energy consumed is used for maintenance of neuronal synaptic transmission, and neurons almost exclus…
meetings.embo.org
April 4, 2025 at 1:44 PM