Study of the mechanisms of hepatic fibrogenesis and of the pathophysiology of the biliary tract aimed at understanding the cellular and molecular basis of liver and biliary tract pathologies

Project objectives

The main interest is aimed at the study of the mechanisms capable of determining fibrogenesis and microvascular remodelling, necrosis, apoptosis, cell regeneration and proliferation during viral and metabolic liver diseases and neoplastic degeneration of the liver. The project, in its various components, makes use of the application of immunohistochemical techniques, molecular biology and genetic analysis on liver, adipose and blood tissues to identify the main pathogenetic mechanisms implicated in the progression of liver and systemic damage and any possible risk factors. prognostic interest. The experimental groups involve the use of samples from clinical series, preclinical animal models and cell cultures.
In particular, the study focuses on:

• stellate cells and hepatic porto/septal fibroblasts in their quiescent and activated, myofibroblast-like phenotypes in relation to the progression of liver damage and mechanisms of fibrogenesis
• cholangiocytes and cells of the ductular reaction in different clinical-pathological liver conditions and their association with liver fibrosis
• resident macrophages, mast cells, granulocytes and lymphocytes in the liver and the wall of the extrahepatic bile ducts as cells mediating inflammatory damage and the development of fibrosis
• type I and type II inflammation and main associated mediators (TGFbeta, IL-13) in the regulation of hepatic fibrogenesis mechanisms and in the phenomena that induce its onset and/or favor its resolution

Start and end date

2018 - Ongoing

Project Manager

Coordinating institution of the project

Other institutions involved

• Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital Foundation
• Prof. Matias Avila, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Gene Therapy & Hepatology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, ​​Spain
• Drs. John Crispino, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
• Higher Institute of Health, Rome Italy

Funding source(s).