Drugs that target cell stress pathways for obesity-related liver disease
Pharmacologic targeting of the UPR in obesity-linked liver dysfunction
Testing medicines that boost protective cell stress responses to help people with obesity-linked fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237971 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are trying to turn on protective parts of the cell's unfolded protein response (UPR) in the liver to reduce fat, inflammation, and metabolic problems caused by obesity. They will study key UPR players such as ATF6 and IRE1/XBP1 in laboratory models and with candidate drug compounds to see whether restoring these pathways improves liver health. The work will include biochemical and biological tests in cells and animal models and may use human tissues or samples to link findings to people. Promising compounds would be advanced toward safety testing and possible future human trials for NAFLD/NASH and obesity-related diabetes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with obesity and fatty liver disease (NAFLD or NASH), often those who also have type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance, would be the main group who could benefit.
Not a fit: People without obesity-related liver disease—such as those with viral hepatitis, genetic liver disorders, or advanced cirrhosis—are unlikely to benefit from these specific approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medicines that reduce liver fat and inflammation and improve blood sugar control for people with obesity-linked NAFLD/NASH and type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory and animal studies have shown that activating IRE1/XBP1 and ATF6 can protect organs in obesity models, but turning those findings into safe, effective drugs for people remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Scripps Research Institute, the — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saez, Enrique — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Saez, Enrique
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.