How the StarD5 cholesterol transporter affects fatty liver disease
An ER Stress Inducible START Domain Cholesterol Transport Protein, StarD5; and Unique Role in Fatty Liver Disease
This project looks at whether a protein called StarD5 that moves cholesterol inside liver cells helps cause or prevent fatty liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Veterans Administration Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11213944 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are studying a liver protein named StarD5 that becomes active when liver cells are stressed and helps move cholesterol around inside the cell. They use lab experiments with cells and animal models and examine liver tissue to see whether changes in StarD5 alter cholesterol levels, fat buildup, insulin resistance, or signals that lead to scarring. The team focuses on how poor cholesterol handling in the cell’s endoplasmic reticulum might push simple fat accumulation toward inflammation and fibrosis. Results could point to molecular steps that new treatments might target to keep fatty liver from getting worse.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially those with early fat buildup or signs of insulin resistance, would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People with alcohol-related liver disease, liver conditions unrelated to cholesterol handling, or those with advanced cirrhosis are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that target cholesterol transport in liver cells to prevent fatty liver from progressing to inflammation and scarring.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have linked cholesterol metabolism and ER stress to worsening fatty liver, but directly targeting StarD5 is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- VA Veterans Administration Hospital — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pandak, William M — VA Veterans Administration Hospital
- Study coordinator: Pandak, William M
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.