Gut bacteria and immune responses in alcohol-related liver damage
Microbiome and Intestinal Innate Immune Response in Alcoholic Liver Disease
This work looks at how certain gut bacteria and their toxin may worsen liver damage in people who drink heavily.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123423 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies how changes in gut bacteria and a bacterial toxin called cytolysin contribute to alcohol-related liver injury. Researchers combine lab models (mice) with analysis of stool and clinical data from people with alcohol use disorder or alcoholic hepatitis to link the bacteria and toxin to disease severity. The team is examining how alcohol alters gut cell sugars (via FUT2) to allow bacterial overgrowth and how immune clearance (CRIg) handles bacteria that move to the liver. The approach seeks molecular targets in the microbiome and host immune response that could be turned into treatments or diagnostics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with alcohol use disorder or patients diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis would be the most relevant candidates to participate or benefit.
Not a fit: People whose liver disease is caused by non-alcohol-related conditions (for example viral, autoimmune, or genetic liver diseases) may not see direct benefits from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to ways to reduce harmful gut bacteria or block their toxin, lowering liver injury and deaths from alcoholic hepatitis.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal experiments and observational studies in patients have linked cytolysin-positive Enterococcus to worse liver outcomes, so this builds on promising preclinical and clinical correlations.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schnabl, Bernd G. — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Schnabl, Bernd G.
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.