Today we highlight the work of one of our RBP-ReguNet Doctoral Candidates, Sofia Perdikari!

Sofia is working at Universidad de Santiago de Compostela – CiMUS (Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases), under Prof. Marta Varela’s supervision, on liver fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis is a common consequence of chronic liver injury and a major driver of progression toward cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although early-stage fibrosis can be reversible, persistent injury promotes excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, leading to progressive tissue scarring and loss of liver function. Despite the clinical burden of advanced liver disease, effective targeted antifibrotic therapies remain limited.
A central event in fibrogenesis is the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In the healthy liver, HSCs maintain a quiescent state, but chronic injury triggers their transition into activated, myofibroblast-like cells. These cells produce and remodel ECM, particularly fibrillar collagens, and are major drivers of scar formation.
The project investigates the role of an RNA-binding protein (RBP) as a potential regulator of HSC activation. RBPs control gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by influencing RNA stability, localization, processing, and translation, and emerging evidence indicates that these mechanisms contribute to liver fibrogenesis. By knocking down the RBP to reduce its activity, they aim to determine whether it influences HSC activation, ECM production, and fibrotic responses.
This study will contribute to current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms driving liver fibrosis and assess whether this RBP represents a potential therapeutic target for limiting disease progression.

#EU #MSCA #RESEARCH #LIVER #FIBROSIS #RBPS #DISEASE #TREATMENT