The Joint Research Unit on Experimental Hepatology was established in 2008 through a research agreement between the Universitat de València and the La Fe Hospital Research Foundation, integrating teaching and research staff from both the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the UVEG and the Health Research Institute of La Fe Hospital. Its main objective is translational research in hepatology. Based on the study of the cellular and molecular biology of hepatocytes, the group conducts in-depth research into problems of clinical relevance in hepatology, using complex cellular models capable of mimicking the behaviour of the human liver. In addition, with the support of advanced analytical technologies, we develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
More specifically, the group carries out relevant and pioneering research activity in:
- The development of human liver cell models with a differentiated phenotype, which are able to reproduce the pathophysiology of hepatocytes.
- The study of drug-induced hepatotoxicity, trying to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and genes involved, and searching for new biomarkers for clinical translation.
- Research into non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. With a particular emphasis on
- The development of new strategies for diagnosis, monitoring and clinical prognosis in drug-induced hepatotoxicity, and their validation in clinical trials.
- Improving cell transplantation as a therapy for certain liver diseases
- Develop human liver cell models with a differentiated adult phenotype and a pathophysiological response similar to that observed in vivo.
- Investigate the molecular mechanisms of drug-induced hepatotoxicity, looking for new biomarkers predictive of steatosis and iatrogenic cholestasis.
- Elucidate new transcriptional mechanisms involved in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, looking at the distinct pathways of metabolic and drug-induced steatosis.
- Develop new diagnostic, monitoring and clinical prognostic procedures for drug-induced liver injury and validate them in clinical trials.
- Advance research into cell transplantation as an alternative to orthotopic liver transplantation and as a therapy for certain liver diseases.
- Advanced human liver cell models
In this line, the main objective is to develop and improve human liver cell models in vitro so that they maintain a differentiated adult phenotype and show a pathophysiological response similar to that observed in vivo.
- Translational research in hepatotoxicity and cell therapy
The results of the basic research carried out by the group are always analysed from multiple angles with the aim of seeking their clinical application. Within this more translational facet of our research, our main objectives are to develop new diagnostic, monitoring and clinical prognostic procedures for drug-induced liver injury. This research involves setting up several clinical trials to validate the proposed procedures. Another priority objective is to obtain induced stem cells from patients with various liver diseases for their correction and subsequent use in cell therapy. In this same context, the group has also pioneered human hepatocyte transplants as an alternative to orthotopic organ transplantation.
- Hepatotoxicity
The main objective of this line is to investigate the molecular mechanisms of drug hepatotoxicity. These studies are a very valuable aid in the preclinical stages of the development of new drugs, as well as to elucidate hepatic adverse reactions to drugs already on the market. They are also essential for finding new biomarkers (microRNAs, metabolites) to, for example, predict steatosis or cholestasis, which are two of the most frequent manifestations of drug-induced liver injury.
- New molecular mechanisms in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
The main objective of this line is to better understand, from a molecular point of view, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This disease has pandemic overtones as it affects a high percentage of our population. The difficulty lies in the fact that it is a multifactorial disease, with diverse and incompletely understood aetiological mechanisms. The group is mainly investigating transcriptional causal mechanisms. We are also interested in the specific pathways leading to metabolic steatosis and steatosis caused by xenobiotics, such as drugs. From basic knowledge we hope to find predictive and diagnostic biomarkers that allow better management of this disease.
- JOVER ATIENZA, RAMIRO
- PDI-Catedratic/a d'Universitat
- CASTELL RIPOLL, JOSE VICENTE
- PDI-Emerit/a Universitat
- DONATO MARTIN, MARIA TERESA
- PDI-Prof. Permanent Laboral Ppl
- MORENO TORRES, MARTA
- PI-Invest Cont Ramon y Cajal
Contributors
- María José Gómez-Lechón Moliner - Health Research Institute La Fe (Valencia).
Blasco Ibáñez Campus
Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular. Facultad de Medicina y Odontología. Universitat de València. Avda. Blasco Ibáñez, 15
46010 València (Valencia)
- JOVER ATIENZA, RAMIRO
- PDI-Catedratic/a d'Universitat
