A model to understand and treat liver fibrosis
Official title: A Model for Human Liver Fibrosis
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10685178 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to treat liver fibrosis, a serious condition affecting the liver, by using tiny lab-grown liver models to test how well different drugs can help reduce the damage and improve health for people with liver diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $772,327 |
| NIH project number | 1R56DK129309-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10685178 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults suffering from liver fibrosis or related liver diseases, particularly those with conditions like viral-induced cirrhosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute liver injuries or those without chronic liver conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on liver fibrosis, a serious condition caused by the buildup of extracellular matrix in the liver due to chronic injury. The team has developed human liver organoid models that mimic the disease, allowing for detailed study of how fibrosis develops and how it can be treated. By using these organoids, researchers can test new drug candidates and observe their effects on collagen production and fibrosis progression. This innovative approach aims to provide insights into effective therapies for patients suffering from liver diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for liver fibrosis, improving outcomes for patients with liver diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using organoid models for studying various diseases, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights into liver fibrosis.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peltz, Gary a — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Peltz, Gary a
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A researcher team is studying how certain RNA binding proteins, especially LARP6, regulate the liver’s scar-building process in alcoholic liver disease to identify potential ways to reduce fibrosis.
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Affects people with MASLD/MASH may benefit from a better understanding of how certain immune cells contribute to liver fibrosis and how to stop it.
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A patient-focused liver fibrosis test platform is being developed to help speed the creation of medicines that treat liver scarring by using human-derived liver cells and tissue signals.
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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.