Copper balance and liver health
Copper Homeostasis and Liver Function
This project looks at how problems with copper balance cause liver damage in people with Wilson disease and whether that reveals new treatment targets.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11256775 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses new mouse models and detailed lab methods to map how copper buildup changes different liver cell types, using single-cell sequencing, immunostaining, and qPCR. They will study metallothioneins and sex-linked metabolic differences and compare Wilson disease livers to other liver conditions. A separate mouse strain lacking the ATP7B protein in myeloid (immune) cells will be used to see how copper affects neutrophil development and immune responses after inflammatory challenge. The researchers will also label and compare proteins secreted by the liver to explore how the liver and gut communicate in Wilson disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Wilson disease or those known to carry ATP7B mutations would be the most relevant candidates for related future clinical studies or sample donations.
Not a fit: People without Wilson disease or other copper-related liver disorders are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new biological targets and markers that lead to better diagnostics or treatments for people with Wilson disease.
How similar studies have performed: Past genetic and mouse studies have mapped ATP7B mutations and guided care, but the specific focus on myeloid cell roles and liver secretome interactions is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lutsenko, Svetlana — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Lutsenko, Svetlana
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.