How a cell's immune-related protein-recycling system affects metabolism, aging, and liver inflammation
The 11S-associated immunoproteasome in mitochondrial function and metabolic disorders
Researchers are looking at how a special form of the cell's protein-recycling machinery changes metabolism and drives inflammation in aging and liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325738 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would hear that scientists are studying the immunoproteasome, a version of the cell's protein-recycling system that rises during inflammation and aging. They will examine human liver samples from people with chronic inflammation and compare them with animal models such as mice fed a high-fat diet to see how the 11S regulator changes mitochondrial function and cellular metabolism. The team will measure which anti-inflammatory and homeostatic proteins are broken down and test how that breakdown shifts cells between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. The aim is to learn whether these changes cause chronic inflammation and tissue damage so future treatments can target the process.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic liver inflammation, hepatitis, cirrhosis, obesity-related fatty liver disease, or age-related metabolic problems would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without inflammation-related metabolic or liver conditions, or those with unrelated genetic disorders, may not gain direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat inflammation-driven metabolic and liver diseases by protecting key proteins or targeting the immunoproteasome.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown the immunoproteasome is elevated in inflamed and aged tissues and in diseased human livers, but translating that into therapies to correct metabolic shifts is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Do-Hyung — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Kim, Do-Hyung
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.