How alcohol changes chemical tags on liver RNA.
RNA Modification Changes in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease
This project looks at whether alcohol changes chemical modifications on liver RNA that could play a role in alcohol-related liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11170005 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use alcohol-fed mice and human liver cells to map chemical modifications on different types of RNA from liver tissue. They will digest RNAs into nucleosides and oligonucleotides and identify site-specific changes using comprehensive 2D liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (2DLC-MS). The team will compare RNA modification patterns between alcohol-exposed and normally fed mice and measure the enzymes that control those modifications. They will also compare these molecular findings with serum and urine samples from patients at different stages of alcohol-associated liver disease to relate the results to human illness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with heavy alcohol use or with diagnosed alcohol-associated liver disease at different stages would be the most relevant candidates for related sample donation or future clinical studies.
Not a fit: People with liver disease not related to alcohol or those without alcohol exposure are less likely to directly benefit from these specific findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal RNA-based markers or pathways that help diagnose, monitor, or eventually target alcohol-associated liver disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has found altered nucleosides in animal models and patient samples, but detailed, site-specific mapping of RNA modifications in alcohol-associated liver disease is relatively new and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
Louisville, United States
- University of Louisville — Louisville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: He, Liqing — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: He, Liqing
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.