How the MLKL protein affects alcohol-related liver damage
Role of MLKL in Alcohol-associated Liver Disease
This work looks at how the protein MLKL influences liver injury from alcohol, with the goal of helping people with alcohol-related liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161540 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston are studying MLKL to understand how alcohol upsets the balance between survival and death of immune cells in the liver. They will use cell cultures and animal models to follow inflammatory signals, cell-death pathways, and resulting liver injury after alcohol exposure. The project combines mentored training and independent lab research to develop experiments that clarify MLKL's role. From a patient's perspective, the team is aiming to find biological steps that could be targeted to reduce liver inflammation and improve recovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with alcohol-associated liver disease or alcoholic hepatitis who are willing to donate blood or tissue samples or who want to follow progress toward future treatments would be most directly connected to this research.
Not a fit: Patients without alcohol-related liver disease or those needing immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this lab-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to reduce liver inflammation and slow or prevent worsening of alcohol-related liver disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have linked MLKL and necroptosis to liver injury in animal models, but turning those findings into proven human treatments has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Xiaoqin — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Wu, Xiaoqin
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.