How PD-L1 signaling affects liver health and disease
PD-L1 reverse signaling in liver homeostasis and disease
This project looks at whether a specific PD-L1 signal in the liver changes immune responses and scarring in people with fatty liver disease and during infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322645 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use mouse models that mimic fatty liver disease (MASH) and bacterial or viral infections to study a specific PD-L1 signal inside liver cells. They change three amino acids in the PD-L1 protein to limit this internal signaling and then watch how immune cells, like dendritic cells and T cells, move and act. The team compares outcomes such as inflammation and fibrosis between acute infections and chronic liver disease models. Findings aim to identify which PD-L1–expressing liver cells drive scarring or protection so future human work can target those pathways.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)/fatty liver disease or those with relevant infections who can provide clinical samples or be evaluated at the University of Colorado Denver research site.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate treatment benefit may not gain from this project because it is focused on mouse-based biological mechanisms rather than testing a therapy in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or reduce liver scarring and better tailor immune treatments for liver infections and chronic liver disease.
How similar studies have performed: Related PD-1/PD-L1 work in cancer and some preclinical mouse studies support PD-L1's immune role, but studying PD-L1 reverse (intracellular) signaling in liver fibrosis and infections is a relatively new and less-tested area.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tamburini, Beth Ann — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Tamburini, Beth Ann
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.