How a liver quality-control system controls bile acid production
Novel role of hepatic SEL1L-HRD1 ERAD in bile acid metabolism
Researchers are looking at how a liver protein system called SEL1L-HRD1 ERAD controls bile acid levels and how that may affect type 2 diabetes and liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258510 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies proteins in liver cells that help manage damaged or misfolded proteins and how that process influences bile acid production. The team uses liver cell–specific knockout mice and molecular experiments to trace a new regulatory path linking SEL1L-HRD1 ERAD to the enzyme HSD3B7 and to hormone signals like FGF21. Their goal is to understand how disruptions in this pathway can lead to bile acid imbalance, which is linked to cholestatic liver disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Results could point to new biomarkers or drug targets for metabolic and liver conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with type 2 diabetes, obesity-related liver conditions, or cholestatic liver disease would be the most directly relevant patient groups for this line of research.
Not a fit: People without liver or metabolic conditions are unlikely to see direct benefit from this basic science work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets or biomarkers to help prevent or treat bile acid disorders and related metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have linked SEL1L-HRD1 ERAD to metabolic signals such as FGF21, but the specific bile acid regulatory mechanism involving HSD3B7 is a newly reported finding.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qi, Ling — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Qi, Ling
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.