How the tissue around your bile ducts affects primary sclerosing cholangitis
The role of extracellular matrix in primary sclerosing cholangitis
This project looks at whether lowering a material called hyaluronan and softening stiff tissue around bile ducts could help people with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11204586 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would learn how the gel-like scaffold (the extracellular matrix) and a sugar molecule called hyaluronan around your bile ducts change early in PSC. Researchers use patient tissue samples and mouse models, plus a lab-made 3D adjustable-stiffness hydrogel and atomic force microscopy, to see how stiffness and hyaluronan affect bile duct cells and immune cells. They test blocking hyaluronan production with a drug called 4-methylumbelliferone gluconate (4-MUG) in mice and study cell signaling pathways such as CD44/Integrin-β1 and YAP that may drive scarring. If you participate you would likely provide tissue or clinical samples to help link the lab findings to the human disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), especially those cared for at or near VA Palo Alto and willing to provide tissue or clinical samples, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without PSC or those with very advanced liver failure already needing transplant are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce bile duct inflammation and scarring in PSC.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse studies using hyaluronan inhibitors like 4-MUG showed reduced stiffness and inflammation, but benefits in humans have not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
Palo Alto, United States
- Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys — Palo Alto, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Torok, Natalie J. — Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
- Study coordinator: Torok, Natalie J.
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.