Matías Nicolás Distel is a Biochemistry graduate from the National University of San Luis (Argentina) and a doctoral fellow of CONICET (The National Scientific and Technical Research Council). He currently works at the Laboratory of Immunopathology and Flow Cytometry under the supervision of Dr Silvia Di Genaro. Matias’s journey in immunology began with a strong interest in understanding how the mucosal immune system interacts with commensal and pathogenic microorganisms. Over time, his work has focused on studying the gut-joint axis, particularly how a specific bacterium of the intestinal microbiota, known as Candidatus Arthromitus, commonly referred to as segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), modulates immune responses and contributes to post-infectious inflammatory processes.
Matias provided a very insightful interview with award-winning Dr Mehrnoosh Arrar as our Immunologist of the Month in February 2026.
We would love to hear more about your ongoing research. What projects are you currently working on and how do they contribute to our understanding of the gut–joint axis?
Currently, my research focuses on understanding how specific microorganisms of the intestinal microbiota, particularly segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), modulate systemic immune activation through the TNF/TNFR1 axis. We work with C57BL/6 wild-type and TNFR1 knockout murine models to analyze how the absence of signaling through the TNFR1 receptor impacts SFB colonization and the induction of Th17 responses in the small intestine. Given that SFB are potent inducers of IL-17–producing cells in the lamina propria, we are interested in determining how this microbiota–mucosal immune system interaction may be amplified or altered under conditions where TNF-mediated inflammatory signaling is modified. Through SFB-specific qPCR, intestinal IgA analysis, flow cytometry to characterize Th17 populations, and histological studies of the ileum, we aim to understand how immune signals originating in the intestinal mucosa may contribute to inflammatory processes in distant tissues, such as joints.
Your work explores the role of the intestinal microbiota in shaping immune responses. How do you see these findings influencing future approaches to managing inflammatory and infectious diseases?
Our findings support the idea that inflammation should not be treated merely as an isolated phenomenon of the affected organ but rather understood within the microbial context that shapes systemic immune activation. In this sense, strategies such as targeted microbiota modulation, rational use of antibiotics, or even interventions based on defined microbial consortia could become more precise therapeutic tools.
Moreover, understanding how microorganisms such as SFB shape Th17 cell polarization may help us design interventions that restore immunological balance without compromising host defense against pathogens.
What inspired you to choose immunology as your focus within science? How has your perspective evolved over time?
What initially attracted me to immunology was its breadth, its involvement in virtually all tissues of the body, and how a small change in this axis can be crucial both for maintaining health and for the development of autoimmune diseases, many of which remain poorly understood. Over time, my perspective evolved toward an even broader vision. During my undergraduate training, while taking courses such as microbiology, immunology, and clinical analysis, there was little integration between the microbiota and the immune system as we understand it today. For this reason, I can no longer conceive of the immune system without its environmental context. Immunology is no longer just the study of cells and cytokines, but rather a dynamic system influenced by microbiota, the environment, and even social factors. This transition toward an integrated view of immunology has been central to my scientific development.
Conducting advanced immunology research in Latin America often comes with unique challenges. What obstacles have you faced, and how have you adapted to continue pushing your work forward?
In Latin America, we face structural challenges such as budget limitations, delays in the importation of reagents, and restricted access to certain high-cost technologies. Additionally, in many countries across the region, the scientific system itself is currently being questioned, which further complicates the landscape. However, these challenges also push us to be more creative and rigorous in our experimental design. In my case, I have optimized protocols, developed specific primers using open-access bioinformatics tools, and strengthened collaborations with colleagues. I believe that doing science in our region requires persistence, collaboration, and a strong commitment to giving back to society what it has given us.
What specifically stood out about Immunopaedia that made you want to become an ambassador, and how has your experience as an ambassador shaped your journey?
I have always been passionate about education, and I believe that science communication is crucial for the growth of a region, especially in developing countries like mine. For this reason, I deeply value the work carried out by Immunopaedia, which strives to make knowledge more accessible to everyone and to give strong visibility to science from countries outside the so-called first world.
Being an ambassador represents, to me, an opportunity to actively contribute to the dissemination of scientific knowledge, particularly among young students and professionals in training. Moreover, being part of this community has reinforced my commitment to scientific communication and education in immunology.
Can you share a moment of unexpected joy or surprise in your scientific career that has stayed with you?
One of the most joyful moments in my career was being admitted as a doctoral fellow at CONICET. It is the most important scientific institution in Argentina, with strong international recognition, and its admission process is highly competitive. Receiving that news was a deeply meaningful experience. It not only represented the opportunity to formally begin my doctoral training, but also the validation of years of education, dedication, and commitment to science. It was a mixture of excitement, pride, and gratitude. In that moment, I understood that all the previous effort, the long hours in the laboratory, the constant studying, and the challenges overcome, had been worthwhile, and that I was taking a decisive step in my path as a researcher.
Interview by Bonamy (Bon) Holtak
