Physiopathology and molecular mechanisms of obesity and related comorbidities.

Insulin resistance is an early event in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and is closely linked to obesity and immunometabolism. In obese individuals, gut microbiota alterations trigger chronic low-grade inflammation that disrupts glucose homeostasis. The liver, exposed to inflammatory mediators from the gut and adipose tissue, develops an inflammatory response that drives the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), from steatosis to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Our lab studies interactions among liver cell types using cellular and preclinical MASLD models, focusing on MASH and fibrosis. We investigate hypoxia (HIF1/HIF2), extracellular vesicles, and their systemic effects, as well as new therapies and non-invasive biomarkers. We also study metabolic effects of antipsychotics on insulin regulation and co-lead the DIBAN project, exploring insect-derived foods to improve incretin activity and insulin sensitivity.