Investigating Protein Oxidation in Hepatocyte Responses to Drugs and Xenobiotics
The goal of our research is to uncover the role of protein oxidation in hepatocyte responses to drugs, xenobiotics, and genotoxic compounds. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for advancing knowledge of liver physiology and pathology, as well as for improving drug safety assessments.
We have developed a 3D cell culture model based on a hepatocarcinoma cell line, using multicellular spheroids propagated in rotary bioreactors. This system closely mimics the liver’s microenvironment, providing a more physiologically relevant platform for studying liver function and responses to external stimuli.
We integrate proteomics to evaluate changes in protein expression and post-translational modifications, alongside lipidomic analysis to investigate lipid metabolism and accumulation. Additionally, we have developed advanced redox-proteomics approaches that enable the detection of specific oxidative modifications, such as S-nitrosylation, S-sulfenylation, and protein carbonylation. These tools allow us to study oxidative damage at unprecedented levels of precision, providing insights into the molecular pathways impacted by oxidative stress in hepatocytes.