Hexokinase 2's role in liver scarring and NASH-related liver cancer
The role of hexokinase 2 in liver fibrosis and NASH-induced HCC
Researchers are looking at whether a sugar-processing enzyme called HK2 causes liver scarring in people with NASH and helps liver cancer grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140505 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at how HK2 increases sugar breakdown in liver support cells (hepatic stellate cells), producing lactate that changes gene activity and drives scarring. Scientists will study HK2's effects in liver cells and animal models and test whether removing or blocking HK2 reduces fibrosis and NASH-driven liver cancer. The team has found that lactate causes histone lactylation, a chemical change that turns on fibrosis genes, and that loss of HK2 weakens that response. The goal is to identify whether targeting HK2 could stop or reverse scarring and lower future liver cancer risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver fibrosis, or those at high risk for NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma, would be the most relevant patients.
Not a fit: People without NASH or liver fibrosis, or whose liver disease is caused by other conditions, are unlikely to benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to treatments that reduce liver scarring in NASH and lower the chance of developing liver cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies show HK2 supports glycolysis and cancer growth and that histone lactylation can alter gene expression, but applying these findings to NASH and preventing liver cancer is a newer, translational step.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hay, Nissim — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Hay, Nissim
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.