3D lab-grown liver models to understand how local signals shape liver regions
Engineered culture platforms to uncover synergies between microenvironmental cues in modulating liver zonation
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · NIH-11290315
This project makes 3D lab-grown liver tissues to learn how oxygen, hormones, and neighboring cells create different liver zones that matter for conditions like fatty liver, drug-related injury, and liver cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11290315 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team builds tiny 3D liver microtissues using droplet microfluidics to encapsulate primary liver cells in reproducible extracellular matrix "microgels." They add supporting liver cells (endothelial cells, stellate cells, and immune-like Kupffer cells) and use microfluidic devices to create precise oxygen, hormone, and nutrient gradients. By running many microtissues in parallel, researchers map how combinations of local signals produce different functional zones and test which zones are vulnerable to disease processes. Results will aim to link specific microenvironment conditions to zonated gene activity and functional outcomes relevant to human liver disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, drug-induced liver injury, hepatocellular carcinoma, or healthy liver tissue donors could be candidates to contribute tissue samples or take part in related future studies.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to liver biology or zonation (for example purely extrahepatic biliary disorders) are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could improve understanding of which liver regions are most vulnerable, help predict drug-related liver injury, and guide better treatments for fatty liver disease and liver cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Previous liver organoid and microfluidic models have replicated some liver functions, but this high-throughput 3D microgel approach to capture zonation is relatively novel and aims to provide more complete zonation mapping.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO — Chicago, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KHETANI, SALMAN R — UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- Study coordinator: KHETANI, SALMAN R
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.