How the liver shares and controls heme between cells
Mechanisms of Intercellular Heme Homeostasis in Liver
['FUNDING_R01'] · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · NIH-11323614
Researchers are looking at how liver cells move and supply heme between cells to help people with blood or liver conditions tied to heme problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11323614 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This work uses lab-grown cells and a specialized mouse model that lacks a key heme-making enzyme in liver cells to trace how heme moves between different cell types. The team will identify the proteins and pathways that transport heme from macrophages to hepatocytes and test how that intercellular supply keeps liver cells healthy. Most experiments are molecular and in animals or cells, but the goal is to turn those findings into ideas for tests or treatments for people with heme-related diseases. Results could point to new targets for therapy or biomarkers to better diagnose disorders of heme handling.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with known or suspected disorders of heme or iron metabolism, hereditary porphyrias, unexplained anemia linked to heme synthesis, or certain liver diseases would be the most relevant candidates for future human studies.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to heme biology or liver function (for example, most orthopedic injuries or unrelated neurological diseases) are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new ways to diagnose or treat disorders caused by abnormal heme handling, such as some porphyrias, certain anemias, or liver-related iron/heme problems.
How similar studies have performed: There have been recent discoveries of eukaryotic heme transporters and preliminary mouse findings, but the proposed intercellular heme-supply pathway is novel and not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: YASUDA, MAKIKO — ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- Study coordinator: YASUDA, MAKIKO
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.
Conditions: Candidate Disease Gene