How the FKBP5 protein affects alcohol-related liver disease
FKBP5 in the pathogenesis of alcohol-associated liver disease
This research looks at whether changes in the FKBP5 protein caused by alcohol help drive liver damage in people with alcohol-associated liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124864 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare FKBP5 levels and DNA methylation in liver samples from people with alcoholic cirrhosis and healthy controls and in mice fed alcohol. They will test whether alcohol lowers methylation at FKBP5’s 5′ regulatory region to raise FKBP5 expression. In cells and animal models they will remove or alter FKBP5 to see if that prevents inflammation, fat accumulation, or scarring caused by alcohol. The team will map the downstream signaling pathways by which FKBP5 might promote alcohol-induced liver injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with alcohol-associated liver disease, especially those with alcoholic cirrhosis, who can provide medical information or liver tissue samples for research.
Not a fit: People without alcohol-related liver disease or whose liver problems are due to other causes (like viral hepatitis or metabolic fatty liver) may not receive direct benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to FKBP5 as a target for treatments that prevent or reduce alcohol-related liver injury.
How similar studies have performed: Early data and animal studies show FKBP5 is increased in alcoholic cirrhosis and that loss of FKBP5 protected mice from alcohol-induced liver injury, but translation to human treatments is still preliminary.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liangpunsakul, Suthat — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Liangpunsakul, Suthat
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.