How a cell-cleanup pathway in liver support cells affects immune activity against liver cancer
Interferon regulation by NBR1-driven chaperone-mediated autophagy in stellate cells in liver cancer
This project tests whether changing a cellular cleanup system in liver support cells can help immune cells better attack hepatocellular carcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11229787 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team studies hepatic stellate cells, which are liver support cells that can drive fibrosis and promote liver cancer. They will examine patient-derived samples and use mouse models where the proteins NBR1 and p62 are altered to see how those changes affect a cell-cleanup process (chaperone-mediated autophagy) and interferon signaling. The researchers will measure how those molecular changes influence CD8+ T cell activity and tumor growth in the liver. The combined human-sample and animal work aims to reveal molecular steps that could be targeted to strengthen anti-tumor immunity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with hepatocellular carcinoma or those with advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis who can donate tumor or liver tissue samples for research.
Not a fit: People without liver disease or those expecting an immediate new therapy are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic and translational research right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways to boost immune attacks on liver cancer and point to novel treatment targets for hepatocellular carcinoma.
How similar studies have performed: Other research boosting CD8+ T cell responses has shown promise in cancer, but targeting NBR1-driven chaperone-mediated autophagy in stellate cells is a novel approach with encouraging preliminary data.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moscat, Jorge — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Moscat, Jorge
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.