How tiny antennae on bile duct cells and the cell's cleanup system interact
Primary cilia loss in bile duct cells- the interplay with the autophagy machinery
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · NIH-11261641
This project is seeing whether restoring tiny antennae (primary cilia) on bile duct cells and controlling the cell's waste-removal system could help people with biliary tract diseases like polycystic liver disease and bile duct cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11261641 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have a bile duct condition, this work looks at why the tiny antennae (primary cilia) on bile duct cells disappear in diseases such as polycystic liver disease (PLD) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Researchers will study how losing these cilia changes EGFR signaling in cholangiocytes and whether the cell’s autophagy machinery actively removes cilia (a process called ciliophagy). The team will use lab-grown bile duct cells, molecular experiments, and tissue samples to follow how EGFR is moved and degraded when cilia are present or absent. Their approach aims to identify steps that could be targeted to restore cilia or reduce harmful signaling.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with polycystic liver disease (PLD) or cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), especially those willing to provide tissue samples or clinical data, would be the most relevant candidates for participation or future trials.
Not a fit: People without biliary tract disease or with unrelated liver conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new 'ciliotherapies' that restore cilia or block excessive EGFR signaling to slow or treat biliary tract diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have linked cilia loss to biliary diseases, but therapies that restore cilia or target ciliophagy remain experimental and have not yet been proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA — MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GRADILONE, SERGIO A — UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- Study coordinator: GRADILONE, SERGIO A
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: Biliary Tract Diseases