Glutamine and T cells in fatty liver disease
Official title: Immunopathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11388863 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2013 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $821,120 |
| NIH project number | 2R01DK099222-11A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11388863 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with MASLD whose liver tissue or blood samples could be studied or who may participate in related future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients may not directly benefit if the focus remains on mechanistic understanding or if therapies are not yet developed.
What this research studies
If you have fatty liver disease related to obesity, this project looks at how immune cells in the liver behave differently when glutamine is low or high. Researchers use human liver tissue, organoids, and mouse models to understand if boosting glutamine can calm harmful T cell responses without dampening other immune cells. The work connects metabolism and immune signals to identify new targets for treatment. Results could point to therapies that specifically reduce liver inflammation in MASLD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to treatments that lower liver inflammation in MASLD by adjusting glutamine-related pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows metabolic changes can influence T cell behavior in liver disease, but this study tests a novel link with glutamine and PTMs in MASLD.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Divanovic, Senad — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Divanovic, Senad
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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.