How PFAS chemicals damage the liver using 3D human liver models
Research Project 1: Mechanisms of PFAS hepatotoxicity: A Multi-Omics Study Using Human Liver Spheroids
This project looks at how PFAS chemicals in drinking water change human liver cells and may lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324190 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will expose 3D human liver spheroids (mini liver models grown from human cells) to PFAS chemicals to mimic real-world exposure. They will measure changes using single-cell RNA sequencing, epigenetic profiling, proteomics, metabolomics, and tissue imaging to capture multiple molecular layers. By combining these 'multi-omics' data, the team aims to find molecular pathways and potential biomarkers that connect PFAS exposure to NAFLD. The work is part of a larger center effort to translate lab findings into tools that could help identify people at higher risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live near or use PFAS-contaminated water sources or those with early-stage nonalcoholic fatty liver disease would be most relevant for follow-up studies or future clinical translation.
Not a fit: People without PFAS exposure or whose liver disease is clearly caused by other factors (for example, viral hepatitis or heavy alcohol use) are less likely to benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biological signs that help identify people at higher risk of PFAS-related fatty liver and guide monitoring or future treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Epidemiological studies link PFAS exposure to fatty liver, but applying multi-omics to 3D human liver spheroids to map mechanisms is relatively new and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Golden, Lucy Mary — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Golden, Lucy Mary
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.