Anna Altieri

Dr. Anna Altieri


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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Journal Article
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STSimone Tomasini
Simone Tomasini
EMEmanuele Monteleone
Emanuele Monteleone
AAAnna Altieri
Anna Altieri
FMFrancesco Margiotta
Francesco Margiotta
FDFereshteh Dardmeh
Fereshteh Dardmeh
Riccardo PanellaRiccardo Panella
Riccardo Panella
MicroRNA-22 (miR-22) is a negative regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, as well as lipid and glucose metabolism, in metabolically active tissues. Silencing miR-22 holds promise as a potential treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome, as it restores metabolic capacity—enhancing oxidative metabolism—and reduces ectopic fat accumulation in chronic obesity, a driver of impaired metabolic flexibility and muscle mass loss. Intramuscular adipose accumulation and defective mitochondrial function are features associated with obese-mediated muscle atrophy and hallmarks of neuromuscular disorders such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Therefore, miR-22 could represent a compelling molecular target to improve muscle health across various muscle-wasting conditions. This study describes a pharmacological strategy for the inhibition of miR-22 in skeletal muscle by employing a mixmer antisense oligonucleotide (ASO, anti-miR-22). Administration of the ASO in a mouse model of obesity positively modulated myogenesis while protecting dystrophic mice from muscle function decline, enhancing fatigue resistance, and limiting pathological fibrotic remodeling. Mechanistically, we show that anti-miR-22 treatment promotes derepression of genes involved in mitochondrial homeostasis, favoring oxidative fiber content regardless of the disease model, thus promoting a more resilient phenotype. Furthermore, we suggest that miR-22 inhibition increases autophagy by transcriptional activation of multiple negative regulators of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling to decrease immune infiltration and fibrosis. These findings position miR-22 as a promising therapeutic target for muscle atrophy and support its potential to restore muscle health.