How liver support cells help the liver regrow
Hepatic stellate cells in liver homeostasis and regeneration
Looks at whether a growth protein made by liver support cells can help the liver regrow after injury or surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11233267 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying hepatic stellate cells, the liver's support cells, and a growth factor they make called neurotrophin‑3 (NTF3). In mice they remove or add these support cells using genetically engineered immune cells and gene‑editing tools and give NTF3 to see how hepatocyte proliferation and liver mass change. The team examines how these cells maintain liver zonation and promote staggered regeneration after partial liver removal or injury. Results may point to new ways to help patients recover from small‑for‑size syndrome or improve outcomes after living‑donor or split liver transplantation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with severe liver injury, those who have had or will have partial liver removal, or candidates for living‑donor or split liver transplantation could be most relevant to this line of research.
Not a fit: Because the work is preclinical in animals and lab models, it is unlikely to provide direct, immediate treatment benefits to patients right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that boost liver regrowth and reduce the need for some liver transplants.
How similar studies have performed: Some animal studies have shown growth factors can enhance liver regeneration, but targeting NTF3 and hepatic stellate cells in this way is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Youngmin Anna — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Lee, Youngmin Anna
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.