A protein called IRF3 that helps calm inflammation
Anti-inflammatory functions for non-transcriptional IRF3
This project looks at whether the protein IRF3 can reduce harmful inflammation that occurs during viral infections and in alcoholic or non-alcoholic liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11253291 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, scientists will use laboratory-grown cells and genetically modified mice to see how IRF3 controls inflammatory signals. They will compare normal animals to mice that lack IRF3 or carry modified IRF3 to measure inflammatory gene levels and tissue damage. The team will study how IRF3 interacts with the NF-κB protein that drives inflammation and will examine IRF3's structure to learn how it blocks that pathway. Their experiments include models of viral infection and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver injury to connect the findings to diseases people get.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with alcoholic or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or those who suffer severe inflammation from viral infections would be the most relevant candidates for future related trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to inflammation or driven by entirely different biological mechanisms are unlikely to benefit from this line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to reduce damaging inflammation and protect organs in viral illnesses and liver disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and mouse studies support IRF3's role in antiviral defense and cell death, but the anti-inflammatory 'RIKA' function is a recently described mechanism that is still being explored.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chattopadhyay, Saurabh — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Chattopadhyay, Saurabh
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.