We study the reasons of diseases related to altered iron homeostasis using molecular biology methods. Most of our studies are performed using immortalized cell lines and primary cells. The most important of these are the SHSY-5Y human neurobastoma line, the WRL68 hepatocyte cell line, the HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma and the HeLa cervix carcinoma cell lines. Primary cells are prepared in our lab using lab mice: microglia, astrocyte, hepatocyte.
We also isolate monocyte/macrophage cells from human blood. During our studies we research the changes in iron metabolism of these cells on the level pf mRNA and proteins, using molecular biology techniques (real time PCR, Western blot, siRNA, cloning etc.) as a consequence of various treatments (iron, iron chelators, cuprizone, LPS, LTA). Another part of our research is the study of murine and rat tissues. In the first case we work on a Multiple Sclerosis model, while in the second case study the effect of aging related to iron homeostasis.
We also established a cooperation in which we determine prohepcidin and hepcidin levels of clinical samples, using ELISA technique, and search for any relation to other laboratory parameters.