Blocking liver cell aging to treat chronic liver diseases
Official title: Blocking hepatocyte senescence as a novel therapeutic strategy for chronic liver diseases
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10901943 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stopping liver cells from aging might help people with chronic liver diseases, and they're testing this idea in animals to find new treatments that could make a difference for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $595,568 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK130949-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10901943 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with chronic liver diseases, such as cirrhosis or alcoholic liver disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute liver injuries or those without chronic liver diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how blocking the aging process of liver cells, known as hepatocytes, can help treat chronic liver diseases. The team is focusing on a specific pathway involving activin A and p15INK4b that appears to drive liver cell aging and contribute to disease progression. By using animal models, they aim to understand the mechanisms behind this process and test potential therapies that could prevent liver cell senescence. If successful, this approach could lead to new treatments for patients suffering from chronic liver conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new therapeutic options for patients with chronic liver diseases, potentially slowing disease progression and improving liver function.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in targeting cellular senescence for various diseases, suggesting that this approach may hold potential for chronic liver diseases as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oertel, Michael — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Oertel, Michael
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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.