MOLECULAR AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ROLE OF alpha5beta1 INTEGRIN RECEPTOR IN HEPATIC DYSFUNCTION DURING AMINO ACID RESTRICTION

• Grant number: 24/15123-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Everardo Magalhães Carneiro
• Grantee: Jakeline de Oliveira Carvalho
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/26080-4 - Characterization of molecular and functional mechanisms involved in endocrine-metabolic, cardiovascular and neural dysfunctions induced by the restriction of amino acids in vitro and in vivo: possible therapeutic role of bile acid TUDCA, AP.TEM

Abstract

Malnutrition currently affects approximately 151 million children worldwide and is responsible for the greater susceptibility of these individuals to various diseases and even death. Malnutrition can be defined as the lack of the necessary energy intake or the lack of essential nutrients for the proper functioning of the body. Related to this, one of the diseases that affects malnourished individuals is fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction (MAFLD), characterized by the excessive accumulation of fat in the liver in individuals without a history of excessive alcohol consumption. The liver is an organ responsible for participating in various pathways of production, degradation and storage of nutrients vital for the body. Thus, knowing the importance of this organ and the harmful effects of MAFLD, it is concluded that studies are necessary to clarify the molecular and functional mechanisms that lead to the development of excessive accumulation of lipids in the liver, in order to find effective forms of treatment. One of the possible regulators is the transmembrane receptor alpha5beta1 integrin, whose effects on lipid metabolism in the liver have already been evaluated, but not fully clarified. Thus, this study seeks to evaluate the mechanisms related to the action of this receptor in the HepG2 hepatocyte lineage in experimental models with or without amino acid restriction. Thus, determine the importance of this receptor for hepatic metabolism and in the development of MAFLD during malnutrition.