Mitochondrial pathophysiology

Research in our group focuses on the role of mitochondria in the development of pathological conditions, especially those in which oxidative stress is involved. We are particularly interested in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, which occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked and subsequently restored. Our main goal is to study the survival pathways that provide protection against IR damage, mainly the RISK (referfusion injury salvage kinase) and SAFE (survivor activating factor enhancement) pathways. We analyze the expression and activity of signaling proteins after the application of cardioprotective strategies such as ischemic preconditioning, which consists of short periods of non-lethal ischemia that protect against a prolonged ischemia. We also study the role of the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2 in the protection against IR damage. For this, we have mice that lack this factor, from which we obtain primary cardiomyocytes that are subjected to hypoxia/