H19 RNA's role in alcohol-related liver damage
Long Noncoding RNA H19 Mediating Alternative Splicing in ALD Pathogenesis
This project looks at how a molecule called H19 in the liver changes with heavy alcohol use and may help cause liver damage in people with alcoholic liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143093 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would hear how scientists compare liver samples from people with alcoholic liver disease and from mice fed alcohol to see where H19 is higher. Lab experiments will look at DNA methylation and liver proteins that control H19 levels, and special genetically modified mice that lack H19 in the liver will show what happens when H19 is missing. Researchers will also identify proteins that bind to H19 and change how other RNAs are spliced, using molecular assays. The overall goal is to map the chain of events from alcohol exposure to H19 changes to liver injury to find points that could be targeted by treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with alcohol-associated liver disease or a history of heavy alcohol use, especially those undergoing liver biopsy or receiving care at participating clinical centers, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People whose liver disease is primarily from non-alcohol causes (for example viral hepatitis or genetic metabolic disorders) may not benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new molecular targets that might prevent or lessen alcohol-related liver injury.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has shown H19 is elevated in alcoholic livers and RNA-binding proteins can alter splicing, but linking H19, PTBP1, and alcohol-driven splicing is largely a new mechanistic approach.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Zhihong — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Yang, Zhihong
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.