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Research Interests: In the realm of biomedical research, our laboratory of extracellular vesicles (EVs) stands at the forefront, unravelling the intricacies of cell-to-cell communication. Specializing in the study of nanoscale membrane-bound structures released by every cell type, known as extracellular vesicles, this cutting-edge facility employs advanced techniques to decipher their role specially in liver disease. The EV are being isolated not only from host cells but also from bacteria, virus and plant kingdom to be utilised in developing novel diagnostics and therapies.
Our lab focuses on the following domains:
- Identification of circulating extracellular vesicles as diagnostic and prognostic markers in liver disease. These vesicles, released by various cells including immune cells and hepatocytes, carry a payload of biomolecules reflective of disease prognosis. By analysing the composition and quantity of EVs in the bloodstream, urine, stool, bile, ascitic fluid, we aim to establish diagnostic biomarkers capable of predicting progression of disease, response to treatment or its role in pathogenesis.
- Functional characterization of bacterial vesicles from human plasma and stool to understand the pathophysiology of autoimmune hepatitis. We aim to uncover novel insights into the interplay between gut microbiota and autoimmune liver diseases, paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies targeting this complex interaction.
- Extracellular vesicles harbour viruses. Interestingly, viruses can hijack the cellular machinery to incorporate themselves into EVs, using them as vehicles to spread within the body. This method allows viruses to evade the immune system and potentially infect distant cells or even spread to other individuals. We are interested in understanding the role of EVs in viral transmission and pathogenesis of viral infections.
- Development of Edible exosomes as novel therapeutic system. The Edi-exo therapy aims to utilize edible exosomes, which are plant derived vesicles containing therapeutic cargo, to deliver specific molecules to target hepatocytes in liver. This novel approach is safe, viable, effective and holds promising future therapies in hepatology.
- Investigating the role of exersomes (exercised EV) in liver-muscle crosstalk in cirrhosis associated sarcopenia. The dynamic changes in EV cargoes in terms of myokines and hepatokines after exercise and diet modifications will decipher the molecular changes and liver damage, and finally to develop therapy based on exercised EV (exersomes) in muscle mass increase and regression of liver fibrosis.
- Hepatopulmonary Syndrome and role of circulating EV carrying sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is associated with severe pulmonary vascular shunting. We found Fingolimod, a functional agonist of S1P as well as S1P containing EVs is being proposed as a potential novel therapy for management of patients with HPS.
- Host-bacterial interactions: Fecal microbial Transplant and role of immune cells. Our laboratory is also elucidating the Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells which are a specialized subset of T cells that play a crucial role in immune defence at mucosal surfaces, particularly in the gut. The relationship between FMT and MAIT cells lies in the potential impact of FMT on the composition and function of the gut microbiota. Since MAIT cells are closely associated with gut homeostasis and microbial interactions, alterations in the gut microbiota following FMT could influence MAIT cell activity and function.
