Characterizing how acetaldehyde-modified proteins relate to alcohol-related liver disease
Official title: Characterization of acetaldehyde-protein adducts in alcohol-associated liver disease
Funded at East Tennessee State University · NIH-11420550 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how acetaldehyde, a byproduct of alcohol, changes proteins in the liver to better understand why alcohol-related liver disease develops.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | East Tennessee State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Johnson City, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AA031315-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420550 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with alcohol-induced liver disease, especially those with severe alcoholic hepatitis or high risk of progression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without ALD or with advanced unrelated liver conditions may not benefit.
What this research studies
The project focuses on finding how acetaldehyde binds to liver proteins, especially albumin, and how these changes contribute to severe alcoholic hepatitis. Researchers plan to map the full set of acetaldehyde-induced protein changes and study their effects on liver injury. The study will use patient-related samples and laboratory models to explore mechanisms that could be targeted by new treatments. The aim is to uncover steps in disease progression that could lead to new therapies for people with alcohol-related liver disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new targets for therapies to slow or prevent liver damage in heavy drinkers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that protein modifications from acetaldehyde are involved in liver injury, but a comprehensive mapping in ALD is still needed.
Where this research is happening
-
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mackowiak, Bryan R. — East Tennessee State University
- Study coordinator: Mackowiak, Bryan R.
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.