DNAJC22: a new target to treat fatty liver disease
Official title: Role of DNAJC22 in Steatotic Liver Disease
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11435764 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A physician-scientist-led project will explore how the gene DNAJC22 affects fat buildup in liver cells and test whether turning this gene off could be a new way to treat MASLD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $164,484 |
| NIH project number | 1K08DK149008-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11435764 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with MASLD who have fatty liver disease and related metabolic risk factors.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without MASLD or without the specific liver-fat pathways studied may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a liver disease called MASLD, where excess fat droplets form in liver cells. It uses human liver cells and tissue slices to see how DNAJC22 controls fat storage and fat breakdown. The work includes turning DNAJC22 on and off to observe changes in lipid handling and processing, aiming to identify therapeutic opportunities. Findings could point toward new strategies to reduce liver fat and improve liver health in people with MASLD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new therapies that reduce liver fat and slow MASLD progression.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data suggest DNAJC22 influences lipid droplets, supporting further exploration in MASLD.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hakim, Aaron — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hakim, Aaron
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.