The Cell Therapy Group is engaged in the study and development of innovative approaches for the treatment of liver diseases, with a particular focus on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Its research activities focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying disease progression and identifying new therapeutic targets for the development of RNA-based strategies, particularly those involving microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). To this end, the group develops three-dimensional (3D) cellular models of liver disease to characterize pathological processes and functionally validate therapeutic targets and RNA-based approaches. A new research line focuses on investigating the role of the hepatic extracellular matrix (ECM) in disease progression through the use of decellularized matrices derived from healthy and cirrhotic liver tissue. In the field of regenerative medicine, the group also develops platforms based on polymeric scaffolds for the incorporation and delivery of secretome and extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), with applications in the treatment of chronic skin wounds and the modulation of fibrotic tissue remodeling.

AIMS

• To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of liver diseases and identify new therapeutic targets.
• To develop and characterize three-dimensional (3D) cellular models that reproduce the main features of chronic liver diseases and enable the evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies.
• To investigate the role of the hepatic extracellular matrix, using decellularized matrices derived from healthy and cirrhotic liver tissue, in regulating cell behavior and disease progression.
• To evaluate the therapeutic potential of MSC-derived secretome and EVs, and develop biomaterial-based systems for their controlled delivery, with a particular focus on the treatment of chronic skin wounds and the modulation of fibrotic processes.

Focus

• Liver diseases: steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis.
• RNA-based therapies: use of miRNAs and siRNAs.
• Liver ECM: investigation of matrix-cell interactions in pathological processes.
• Biomaterials for regenerative medicine applications.

Team