[1] Michalopoulos is most known for his research in the molecular processes associated with liver regeneration, with a specific focus on the significance of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor (MET), as well as the role of the extracellular matrix.
[2] Michalopoulos has researched Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and its receptor HGFR, also known as MET, and their significance for liver regeneration.
These studies documented the fundamental role of plasma hepatocyte growth factor and norepinephrine in fostering liver regeneration.
He and his colleagues researched the liver's original liver-to-body weight ratio following the regeneration process, coining the term "hepatostat".
[21] Additionally, he found that GPC3 exerts its influence by binding to and inhibiting CD81, the entry point for Hepatitis C virus, and interacts with Sonic Hedgehog, a signaling protein that triggers non-parenchymal cell growth.
In a joint study, he investigated genetic changes and associated pathways in liver cancer, analyzing gene copy number variations in 98 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
[29] Michalopoulos and colleagues looked into the functional significance of leukocyte-specific protein-1 (LSP1) in liver cancer, showing that loss of LSP1 expression enhances proliferation and migration in hepatoma cells.
[23] Michalopoulos investigated the role of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in regulation of Metabolism Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD).
In a collaborative study with Bhushan, he demonstrated that chemical inhibitors of EGFR already used in human pharmacology eliminate the lipid accumulation in hepatocytes.