Creating a Human Liver Model for Hepatitis B and C
Developing a renewable and dissectible human liver for the study of HBV/HCV infection
This project aims to build a new, long-lasting human liver model in the lab to better understand how Hepatitis B and C infections affect the liver.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11135537 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) infections are major causes of severe liver disease worldwide, leading to conditions like fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Even after successful treatment for HCV, patients can still face a high risk of advanced liver problems. Currently, it's hard to fully understand how these viruses cause liver damage, especially when both infections are present, because we lack good human models that truly mimic the disease. This project seeks to overcome this challenge by developing a renewable and dissectible human liver model in the lab. This new model will allow scientists to study the complex ways HBV and HCV interact and cause disease, helping us learn more about how to prevent and treat these serious conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients living with Hepatitis B or C, especially those with advanced liver disease or co-infections, could ultimately benefit from the discoveries made using this new model.
Not a fit: Patients without Hepatitis B or C infection would not directly benefit from this specific research, as it focuses on understanding these particular viral diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this model could significantly improve our understanding of Hepatitis B and C, leading to better treatments and ways to prevent advanced liver disease.
How similar studies have performed: This project addresses a recognized gap in current research by aiming to create a novel human liver model that better reflects the complexities of HBV and HCV infections.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Xianfang — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Wu, Xianfang
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.