L'attività scientifica di L.A. ha affrontato problemi di biologia dello sviluppo e cellulare.
In particolare, le tematiche affrontate riguardano: a) l'immunologia comparata e dello sviluppo in Teleostei e Uccelli, b) l'anatomia, fisio-farmacologia e sviluppo dei neuroni sensitivi primari nei mammiferi, c) l'endocrinologia comparata in pesci e mammiferi.
Le ricerche condotte sul sistema immunitario dei pesci Teleostei, iniziate nei primi anni '90, sono oggi focalizzate nelle seguenti sottotematiche: sviluppo, meccanismi di trasferimento di anticorpi materni alle uova e agli embrioni, caratterizzazione funzionale e molecolare delle popolazioni linfocitarie, immunità mucosale, analisi morfo-funzionale e molecolare delle modulazioni neuro-immunitarie nell’intestino, immunità specifica in specie di allevamento intensivo: effetti di stress e integrazione dietetica con immunostimolanti o batteri probiotici, studio morfo-funzionale e molecolare degli adattamenti del sistema immunitario in condizioni ambientali estreme (teleostei antartici e teleostei mesopelagici).
Tali ricerche si avvalgono di consolidate collaborazioni con laboratori EU (Olanda, UK, Spagna), americani (Canada, USA) e nazionali (Università, CNR, ENEA, ICRAM, industria).
L.A. è co-autore di 85 articoli in extenso pubblicati da riviste scientifiche internazionali(IF totale >150; JCR-SCI), citati piu' di 1500 volte (fonte ISI), è membro di numerose società scientifiche e da 1997 membro fondatore della Società Italiana di Immunologia Comparata e dello Sviluppo. E' peer-reviewer delle riviste scientifiche internazionali Developmental and Comparative Immunology (USA), Fish & Shellfish Immunology (UK), Polar Biology (Germania), Biological Procedures Online (Canada), Aquatic Living Resources (Francia).
Posizioni permanenti: 1982. Ricercatore, Dipartimento di Farmacologia, Menarini Ricerche Sud, Pomezia (Roma). 1988. Quadro, Supervisore dell'Unità di Patologia Respiratoria. 1990. Ricercatore, Facoltà di Scienze, Università della Tuscia, Viterbo. 2000. Professore ordinario di Anatomia Comparata e Citologia, Facoltà di Scienze, Università di Ferrara. Dal 2003 è PRESIDENTE del CONSIGLIO di CORSO di STUDIO unificato C.L. Scienze naturali (27) e C.L.S. Conservazione e gestione del patrimonio naturale, ambientale e culturale (68S).
Visiting positions: 1993-94. Department of Histochemistry, Hammersmith Hospital, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, University of London, UK (Prof. J.M. Polak lab).
Ha svolto attività di consulenza per il MIUR come: valutatore esperto di PRIN, di prodotti della ricerca per VTR 2001-2003, del Programma "GALILEO" di cooperazione scientifica Italia-Francia.

ARTICOLI in extenso
Evangelista et al. The effect of urethane and thiopental sodium on platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivo. J Pharmac Meth 1984;12:107-12
Maggi et al. The motor effect of the capsaicin-sensitive inhibitory innervation of the rat ureter. Eur J Pharmac 1986;126:333-6
Maggi et al. Multiple neurokinin receptors in the rat lower urinary tract. In: Substance P and Neurokinins, Springer Verlag NY, 1986;111-3
Maggi et al. Regional differences in the effects of capsaicin and tachykinins on motor activity and vascular permeability in the rat lower urinary tract. N-S Arch Pharmac 1987;335:636-45
Maggi et al. Further studies on the mechanisms responsible for the neurokinin-induced activation of micturition reflex in rats: evidence for the involvement of the capsaicin-sensitive bladder mechanoreceptors. Eur J Pharmac 1987;136:189-205
Maggi et al. Capsaicin-sensitive mechanisms and experimentally induced duodenal ulcers in rats. J Pharm Pharmac 1987;39:559-61
Maggi et al. Visceromotor responses to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the rat lower urinary tract: evidence for a transmitter role in the capsaicin-sensitive nerves of the ureter. Eur J Pharmac 1987;143:73-82.
Maggi et al. Functional evidence for the involvement of multiple transmitters in the efferent functions mediated by the capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons at visceral level. In: Trends in cluster headache, Elsevier Amsterdam, 1987;69-75
Maggi et al. Cutaneous lesions in capsaicin-pretreated rats: a trophic role of capsaicin-sensitive afferents? N-S Arch Pharmac 1987;336:538-45
Maggi et al. Species-related variations in the sensory-efferent functions mediated by the capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons at urinary bladder level: relation to bladder content of substance P-like immunoreactivity. N-S Arch Pharmac 1987;336:546-55
Pestellini et al. Synthesis and hypolipidemic activity of new substituted (benzofuran-2-yl)-phenyl-carbinols. Eur J Med Chem 1988;23:203-6
Maggi et al. The contribution of sensory nerves to xylene-induced cystitis in rats. Neuroscience 1988;26:709-23
Maggi et al. Neurokinin receptors in the rat lower urinary tract. J Pharmac Exp Ther 1988;246:308-15
Abelli et al. The contribution of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves to xylene-induced visceral pain in conscious, freely moving rats. N-S Arch Pharmac 1988;337:545-51
Abelli et al. A method for studying pain arising from the urinary bladder in conscious, freely-moving rats. J Urol 1989;141:148-51
Abelli et al. Effects of tachykinins and selective tachykinin receptor agonists on vascular permeability in the rat lower urinary tract: evidence for the involvement of NK-1 receptors. J Auton Pharmac 1989;9:253-63
Maggi et al. Topical versus systemic capsaicin desensitization: specific and unspecific effects as indicated by modification of reflex micturition in rats. Neuroscience 1989;31:745-56
Manzini et al. Regional differences in the motor and inflammatory responses to capsaicin in guinea pig airways. Correlation with content and release of substance P-like immunoreactivity. Am Rev Respir Dis 1989;140:936-41
Maggi et al. Motor and inflammatory effect of hyperosmolar solutions on the rat urinary bladder in relation to capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves. Gen Pharmac 1990;21:97-103
Maggi et al. In vivo pharmacology of [Ala8]neurokinin A-(4-10), a selective NK-2 tachykinin receptor agonist. Eur J Pharmac 1990;177:81-6
Abelli et al. Involvement of capsaicin-sensitive nerves of the rat urinary bladder in acrylamide neuropathy. J Auton Nerv Syst 1990;30:S3-4
Ferri et al. Neuronal intermediate filaments in rat dorsal root ganglia: differential distribution of peripherin- and neurofilament proteins-immunoreactivity and effect of capsaicin. Brain Res 1990;515:331-5
Maggi et al. Facilitation of reflex micturition by intravesical administration of [Ala8]-neurokinin A (4-10), a selective NK-2 tachykinin receptor agonist. J Urol 1991;145:184-7
Abelli et al. Acrylamide-induced visceral neuropathy: evidence for the involvement of capsaicin-sensitive nerves of the rat urinary bladder. Neuroscience 1991;41:311-21
Abelli et al. NK-1 receptors and vascular permeability in rat airways. Ann New York Acad Sci 1991;632:358-9
Abelli et al. Effect of synthetic tachykinin analogues on airway microvascular leakage in rats and guinea-pigs: evidence for the involvement of NK-1 receptors. J Auton Pharmac 1991;11:267-75
Abelli et al. Mechanical irritation induces neurogenic inflammation in the rat urethra. J Urol 1991;146:1624-6
Ferri et al. Heterogeneous visceral nerve changes in acrylamide intoxication. Exp Brain Res 1991;87:363-70
Abelli et al. Role of sensory nerves in the development of the micturition reflex in rats. Acta Embryol Morphol Exp 1991;12:65-6
Maggi et al. Capsaicin-sensitive afferents and pain arising from the urinary bladder. Adv Pain Res Ther 1992;20:71-80
Abelli et al. Microvascular leakage induced by substance P in rat urinary bladder: involvement of cyclo-oxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid. J Auton Pharmac 1992;12:269-76
Abelli et al. Effect of mequitamium iodide (LG 30435) on airway microvascular leakage in the guinea-pig. Pulm Pharmac 1992;5:137-41
Maggi et al. The role of capsaicin-sensitive afferents in the genesis of vesical pain and inflammation. Pain Res Clin Manag 1993;7:161-75
Neuhuber et al. Rectospinal neurons: cell bodies, pathways, immunocytochemistry and ultrastructure. Neuroscience 1993;56:367-78
Abelli et al. Relative contribution of sympathetic and sensory nerves to thermal nociception and tissue trophism in rats. Neuroscience 1993;57:739-45
Manzini et al. Isbufylline, a new xanthine derivative, inhibits airways hyperresponsiveness and airways inflammation in guinea pigs. Eur J Pharmac 1993;249:251-7
Tramontana et al. Capsaicin-like effect of resiniferatoxin in the rat stomach. Neuropeptides 1994;26:29-32
Viti et al. New antagonists of platelet-activating factor containing 2-oxazolidinone or 2-morpholinone. Eur J Med Chem 1994;29:401-6
Abelli et al. Histology of developing thymus in sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). In: Contributions to Animal Biology, Halocynthia Ass Palermo, 1994;9-15
Ward et al. Distribution of human i-NANC bronchodilator and nitric oxide-immunoreactive nerves. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 1995;13:175-84
Scapigliati et al. Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody against the thymocytes of the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) (Teleostea, Percicthydae). Fish Shellfish Immunol 1995;5:393-405
Romano et al. Ultrastructural study on the plical epithelium of the bursa of Fabricius in chick embryos: influence of partial decerebration and hypophyseal allografts. J Anat 1996;188:29-41
Abelli et al. Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural evidence of adrenal chromaffin cell subtypes in sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). Gen Comp Endocrinol 1996;101:113-22
Romano et al. Influence of partial decerebration and hypophyseal allograft on differentiation of thymic epithelial cells in chick embryos: an ultrastructural study. Anat Embryol 1996;193:593-600
Scapigliati et al. Monoclonal antibodies against sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) immunoglobulins: immunolocalization of immunoglobulin-bearing cells and applicability in immunoassays. Fish Shellfish Immunol 1996;6:383-401
Abelli et al. Immunocytochemical detection of thymocyte antigenic determinants in developing lymphoid organs of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). Fish Shellfish Immunol 1996;6:493-505
Abelli et al. Ontogeny of thymocytes in sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax: studies with monoclonal antibodies. It J Zool 1996;63:329-31
Romano et al. Organ distribution of carp (Cyprinus carpio) leucocytes during ontogeny. It J Zool 1996;63:333-5
Abelli et al. Immunohistochemistry of gut-associated lymphoid tissue of the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). Fish Shellfish Immunol 1997;7:235-45
Romano et al. Immunocytochemical detection and cytomorphology of lymphocyte subpopulations in a teleost fish Dicentrarchus labrax. Cell Tiss Res 1997;289:163-71
Gallo et al. Fine cytology of interrenal cells in sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.): influence of different salinity concentrations. In: Frontiers in Environmental and Metabolic Endocrinology, The Univ of Burdwan Publ India, 1997;67-75
Romano et al. Histological observations on lymphomyeloid organs of the Antarctic fish Trematomus bernacchii (Teleostei: Nototheniidae). Polar Biol 1997;18:358-62
Scapigliati et al. A study on the immune system of some Antarctic teleost species. In: Proceedings of the Third Meeting on Antarctic Biology, Univ Press Camerino, 1997; 381-8
Picchietti et al. Expression of lymphocyte antigenic determinants in developing gut-associated lymphoid tissue of the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). Anat Embryol 1997;196:457-63
Abelli et al. Apoptosis of thymocytes in developing sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). Fish Shellfish Immunol 1998;8:13-24
Romano et al. Distribution of macrophages during fish development: an immunohistochemical study in carp (Cyprinus carpio, L.). Anat Embryol 1998;198:31-41
Scapigliati et al. Studies on the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) immune system for its control in aquaculture. In: New Developments in Marine Biotechnology, Plenum Press NY, 1998;93-5
Mazzini et al. A study on the effect of hyperoxygenation on the immune system of euryaline fish in aquaculture. Biol Mar Medit 1998;5:1633-41
Scapigliati et al. Monoclonal antibodies in fish immunology: identification, ontogeny and activity of T- and B-lymphocytes. Aquaculture 1999;172:3-28
Romano et al. Ontogeny of the thymus in a teleost fish, Cyprinus carpio, L.: developing thymocytes in the epithelial microenvironment. Dev Comp Immunol 1999;23:123-37
Abelli et al. Immunodetection of lymphocyte subpopulations involved in allograft rejection in a teleost, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). Cell Immunol 1999;191:152-60
Abelli et al. Age- and season-related variations of serum Ig and number of T- and B-cells in Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), and preliminary data on effect of hyperoxygenation. In: New species for mediterranean aquaculture, Elsevier Paris, 1999;141-4
Taddei et al. Ultrastructure of spermatozoa of marine teleosts Umbrina cirrosa L. and Diplodus puntazzo (Cetti) and preliminary observations on effects of cryopreservation. In: New species for mediterranean aquaculture, Elsevier Paris, 1999;407-13
Scapigliati et al. Immunopurification of T-cells from sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). Fish Shellfish Immunol 2000;10:329-41
Romano et al. Lymphomyeloid organs of the Antarctic fish Trematomus nicolai and Chionodraco hamatus (Teleostei: Notothenioidea): a comparative histological study. Polar Biol 2000;23:321-8
Taddei et al. Is cryopreservation a homogeneous process? Ultrastructure and motility of untreated, prefreezing and postthawed spermatozoa of Diplodus puntazzo (Cetti). Cryobiology 2001;42:244-55
Picchietti et al. Sex-related variations of serum immunoglobulins during reproduction in gilthead sea bream and evidence for a transfer from the female to the eggs. J Fish Biol 2001;59:1503-11
Scapigliati et al. The immune system of sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, reared in aquaculture. Dev Comp Immunol 2002;26:151-60
Fausto et al. Effects of cryopreservation on the fish spermatozoa ultrastructure. In: Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Spermatology, Monduzzi Ed Bologna, 2002;35-9
Fiorini et al. 17 β-estradiol stimulates arachidonate release from human amnion-like WISH cells through a rapid mechanism, involving a membrane receptor. Endocrinology 2003;144:3359-67
Picchietti et al. Immunoglobulin protein and gene transcripts in ovarian follicles throughout oogenesis in the teleost Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). Cell Tissue Res 2004;315:259-70
Fausto et al. Formation of the egg envelope of a teleost, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.): immunochemical and cytochemical detection of multiple components. Anat Embryol 2004;208:43-53
Romano et al. Adaptation of fish lymphomyeloid organs to polar water. Chemistry and Ecology 2004;20:65-77
Bagni et al. Short- and long-term effects of a dietary yeast ß-glucan (Macrogard) and alginic acid (Ergosan) preparation on immune response in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Fish Shellfish Immunol 2005;18:311-25
Abelli et al. Evidence for hepato-biliary transport of immunoglobulin in the antarctic teleost fish Trematomus bernacchii. Dev Comp Immunol 2005;29:431-42
Romano et al. In vivo allograft rejection in a bony fish Dicentrarchus labrax (L.): characterisation of effector lymphocytes. Cell Tissue Res 2005;321:353-63
Picchietti et al. Immunoglobulin protein and gene transcripts in sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) oocytes. Fish Shellfish Immunol 2006;20:398-404
Picchietti et al. Effects of administration of probiotic strains on GALT of larval gilthead seabream: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies. Fish Shellfish Immunol 2007;22:57-67
Romano et al. Majority of TCRβ+ T-lymphocytes located in thymus and midgut of the bony fish, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). Cell Tissue Res 2007;329:479-89
Picchietti et al. Compartmentalisation of T cells expressing CD8α and TCRβ in developing thymus of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). Dev Comp Immunol 2008;32:92-9
Salinas et al. Monospecies and multispecies probiotic formulations produce different systemic and local immunostimulatory effects in the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.). Fish Shellfish Immunol 2008;25:114-23
Biondi et al. Somatostatin as a regulator of first trimester human trophoblast functions. Placenta 2008;29:660-70
Barbato et al. Notes on Diplodus puntazzo sperm cryopreservation. In: Methods in Reproductive Aquaculture: marine and freshwater species, Taylor & Francis Group LLC Boca Raton USA, 2008;443-6
Abelli et al. Stimulation of gut immune system by early administration of probiotic strains in Dicentrarchus labrax and Sparus aurata. Ann New York Acad Sci 2009;1163:340-2
Picchietti et al. Early treatment with Lactobacillus delbrueckii strain induces rise in intestinal T cells and granulocytes and modulates immune related genes of larval Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). Fish Shellfish Immunol 2009;26:368-76
Picchietti et al. Lymphocyte differentiation in sea bass thymus: CD4 and CD8-α gene expression studies. Fish Shellfish Immunol 2009;27:50-6
Biondi et al. cAMP efflux from human trophoblast cell lines: a role for multidrug resistance protein (MRP)1 transporter. Mol Hum Reprod doi:10.1093/molehr/gaq023