How the liver enzyme CYP1B1 contributes to liver scarring
Official title: Cellular and Metabolic Basis of the Role of CYP1B1 in Liver Fibrosis
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11293462 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research tests whether blocking the liver enzyme CYP1B1 can stop the scar-forming cells that drive liver fibrosis in people with chronic liver injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $416,777 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135538-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11293462 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with chronic liver disease or liver fibrosis who can provide clinical information and possibly blood or liver tissue samples for research.
✕Less likely to help
People without liver disease or those with very advanced, decompensated cirrhosis may not directly benefit from this early laboratory-focused research.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying liver tissue and cells from humans and mice to see how CYP1B1 affects activation of hepatic stellate cells, the cells that lay down scar tissue. They measure CYP1B1 levels, track cell metabolism and autophagy, and use genetic removal or drugs to turn CYP1B1 off. The team links those molecular changes to signs of fibrosis in lab models and in samples from people with fibrotic livers. Findings could point to new drug targets to slow or stop worsening liver scarring.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify a new target (CYP1B1) for drugs that reduce liver scarring and slow progression of liver fibrosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous preclinical work shows that blocking autophagy can limit activation of scar-forming liver cells, but the role of CYP1B1 in fibrosis is a new finding being actively explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xie, Wen — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Xie, Wen
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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.