Genetic causes of fatty liver disease in Hispanic adults
Official title: Research Project 1 - Hepatocellular Genetic Epidemiology of Fatty Liver Disease in Hispanics
Funded at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · NIH-11109547 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looking at how genetic differences affect liver cells and fatty liver risk in Hispanic adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edinburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $648,026 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HG013247-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11109547 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Hispanic adults (about age 21 and older) with or without fatty liver disease who can provide blood or tissue samples and clinical information.
✕Less likely to help
People under 21, non-Hispanic individuals, or anyone unable or unwilling to provide biological samples likely would not be eligible or directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project studies why fatty liver disease is common in Hispanic adults by combining genetic data with lab-grown liver cells made from participants' samples. Researchers will convert participant cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), grow them into hepatocyte-like cells, and measure how those cells respond to stresses tied to fatty liver. They will link those cellular responses to genetic variants found in Hispanic populations to identify biomarkers and risk genes. The work aims to improve individual risk prediction and point to new prevention or treatment approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve prediction of fatty liver risk among Hispanic patients and identify targets for new treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous genetic studies have identified fatty liver risk genes (for example PNPLA3), but applying deep cellular phenotyping of patient-derived liver cells is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Curran, Joanne E. — University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Study coordinator: Curran, Joanne E.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Role of fat droplets in liver fat and inflammatory signals in NAFLD
A study at Johns Hopkins will explore how fat droplets in the liver influence molecules that drive inflammation and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults.
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-
How the TET1 gene affects non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the TET1 gene and DNA 'tagging' (methylation) play a role in adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
-
Hepatocellular Genetic Clues for Fatty Liver in Hispanic Adults
A large NIH grant helps researchers study why fatty liver develops in Hispanic adults and how genetics interact with lifestyle to affect risk.
-
Toxic fats, vitamin B12 loss, and AHR may drive fatty liver disease
This grant looks at how certain environmental chemicals may trigger liver damage linked to fatty liver disease and how a vitamin found in the blood could be affected.
-
Glutamine and T cells in fatty liver disease
A study explores how liver glutamine levels affect inflammatory CD4+ T cells in fatty liver disease to find potential new ways to reduce liver inflammation.
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.