Title: Systemic amyloidosis: molecular mechanisms and pathology

Abstract: Amyloidoses are protein misfolding diseases caused by deposition of protein aggregates as amyloid fibrils in target organs. This seminar will introduce the concept of systemic amyloidosis and will provide an overview of clinical features, as well as of modern approaches for diagnosis and characterization. Recent evidence on the molecular pathogenesis of major forms of extra-cerebral forms will be presented, focusing especially on the mechanisms of amyloid formation and organ damage. The current knowledge will be discussed in a historical perspective, and future trends will be presented. A dedicated deepening will be reserved to AL amyloidosis, a prevalent acquired form caused by deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains.