Genetic factors in virus-related biliary atresia in children
Official title: Genetic basis of virus induced Biliary Atresia
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11471608 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how viral infections may trigger biliary atresia in very young children and how genetics influence this process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2011 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $633,850 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DK091566-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11471608 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children affected by biliary atresia or infants at risk due to perinatal viral exposure, whose condition could be studied through animal and cellular models and, in the future, potential clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
This project is primarily preclinical; direct patient benefit may come from later translation and therapies.
What this research studies
This project uses specially modified rotavirus strains to model how infection can cause bile duct blockage and liver scarring in newborns. Researchers will examine how infected bile duct cells change the immune response and attract monocytes and macrophages, which contribute to fibrosis. By comparing the new viral models to traditional models, the team aims to pinpoint steps in the disease pathway that could be targeted for future treatments. The work is designed to shed light on why some children develop severe liver disease after a perinatal viral infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how biliary atresia develops could lead to earlier interventions and new treatments to prevent liver damage in affected children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal models have helped validate viral involvement; this project introduces novel virus strains that may better reflect human disease.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tiao, Gregory M — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Tiao, Gregory M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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MMP7-Positive Liver Cells Driving Fibrosis in Biliary Atresia
This study explores a specific liver cell type marked by MMP7 to understand why scarring progresses in biliary atresia and how it might be slowed.
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How genes may cause biliary atresia
This project looks at how changes in a gene called PKD1L1 might lead to biliary atresia in babies and to later bile-duct inflammation.
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Bifidobacterium breve to support bile flow in infants with cholestasis and biliary atresia
A tiny study in babies with biliary atresia or related cholestasis tests a safe probiotic supplement (B. breve) to help bile flow after a surgical procedure.
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Mechanisms of neutrophil NETs and their role in biliary fibrosis in biliary atresia
A study to understand how certain white blood cells and their networks contribute to scarring in the bile ducts of infants with biliary atresia.
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Understanding how immune cells contribute to liver scarring in infants with biliary atresia
This research explores how certain immune cells called neutrophils cause liver scarring in babies born with biliary atresia.
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Investigating the role of the microbiome in biliary atresia
This study is looking at how the bacteria in the gut might affect the health of babies with biliary atresia, a liver condition, by collecting stool samples to see if there are differences between those who do and don’t have successful bile flow after surgery, with the hope of finding ways to improve their care.
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.