How the tissue around your bile ducts affects primary sclerosing cholangitis

Who could benefit from this research

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.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• 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.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  This study is looking for adults with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) to see if taking an oral medication called vancomycin can help reduce liver inflammation and improve liver function, which could lead to better treatment options for this serious condition.

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  Recruiting at 41 sites Phase 3 Ipsen · Chandler, Arizona and 230 other locations · NCT07387549

• TAK-781 treatment in healthy adults and people with non-cirrhotic primary sclerosing cholangitis

  This study will test whether TAK-781 is safe and tolerable in healthy adults and in people with non-cirrhotic primary sclerosing cholangitis while measuring how the body handles and responds to the drug.

  Recruiting Phase 1 Takeda · Salt Lake City, Utah · NCT07229911

• Preventing recurrence of primary sclerosing cholangitis after liver transplantation

  This study is testing if a daily medication called fenofibrate can help prevent primary sclerosing cholangitis from coming back in people who have had a liver transplant.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Mayo Clinic · Scottsdale, Arizona · NCT06905054

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  Recruiting at 4 sites Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · Ghent, Belgium and 7 other locations · NCT06723275

• Collecting data to improve liver transplantation predictions

  This study is trying to use AI to better predict which liver transplant candidates are at risk of dropping out of the waitlist, so that more people can get fair access to transplants across Europe.

  Recruiting at 53 sites Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · Vienna and 52 other locations · NCT06675604

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.