A liver enzyme that may protect fatty livers from blood-flow injury
Nuclear ATP citrate lyase and ischemia/reperfusion injury in steatotic liver
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11195576
This work looks at whether moving a key enzyme into the cell nucleus can help protect livers with fatty buildup from damage caused when blood flow is lost and then restored.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11195576 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, researchers will study how a metabolic enzyme called ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) moves into the cell nucleus and whether that helps liver cells survive stress in fatty liver disease. They will use liver cells and genetically modified animals to change ACLY location and to test the role of the energy-sensing AMPK pathway and R-spondin signals. The team will also examine epigenetic changes (how genes are turned on or off) linked to ACLY’s nuclear activity. Findings are meant to point to biological targets that could someday be translated into treatments to protect fatty livers during surgery or other stressors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or hepatic steatosis, particularly those facing liver surgery or transplant, would be the most relevant patient group.
Not a fit: Patients without fatty liver disease or whose liver injury is due to unrelated causes (for example, alcoholic liver disease or viral hepatitis) may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new ways to protect patients with fatty liver disease from damage during surgery, transplant, or other episodes of reduced and restored blood flow.
How similar studies have performed: AMPK and ACLY are established players in metabolism, but using ACLY’s movement into the nucleus to protect fatty livers is a relatively new and largely untested approach in humans.
Where this research is happening
ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR — ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SEELEY, RANDY J — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- Study coordinator: SEELEY, RANDY J
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.