Adipsin and fatty liver disease (NASH)
Adipsin in NASH
This project tests whether the protein adipsin in the liver drives inflammation and scarring in NASH and whether targeting it could reduce liver damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11370140 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team found higher adipsin in livers from multiple mouse NASH models and in human NASH biopsies, suggesting the liver—not just fat tissue—may produce adipsin in disease. They combine mouse diet models, cell experiments, and analysis of human liver tissue to study how adipsin activates complement proteins and influences communication between hepatocytes and stellate cells. Investigators manipulate adipsin levels in animals and cells to see whether lowering adipsin reduces inflammation and fibrosis. Findings could identify whether blocking adipsin or related complement steps is a feasible way to slow or reverse NASH.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), especially those with biopsy-confirmed inflammation or fibrosis, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without NASH (for example, simple fatty liver without inflammation) or those whose liver disease is due to other causes such as viral hepatitis or alcohol are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce liver inflammation and scarring in people with NASH.
How similar studies have performed: Complement pathway components have been linked to liver disease before, but specifically targeting adipsin for NASH is a newer idea and has not yet been proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pajvani, Utpal — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Pajvani, Utpal
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.