Improving Liver Transplants by Understanding Immune Responses

Innate-Adaptive Immunoregulation in Liver Transplant Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

['FUNDING_P01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · NIH-11176116

This research aims to improve the success of liver transplants by understanding how the body's immune system reacts to the new organ, especially when the donated liver is more delicate.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_P01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (nih funded)
Locations1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11176116 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Liver transplantation is a life-saving treatment, but there aren't enough organs, so doctors sometimes use donor livers that are more susceptible to damage when blood flow returns after surgery. This damage, called ischemia-reperfusion injury, happens because of an imbalance in the immune system's response from both the donor liver and the patient's body. Our team is working to find new ways to make donor livers healthier, protect them from immediate stress during transplant, and prevent long-term inflammation. We are specifically looking at how a molecule called CEACAM1 influences these immune responses to improve the chances of a successful transplant.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients who are candidates for liver transplantation, particularly those who might receive a donor organ considered more susceptible to injury, are the focus of this research.

Not a fit: Patients not undergoing or considering liver transplantation would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that improve the health of donor livers, reduce complications after transplant, and ultimately increase the number of successful liver transplants for patients in need.

How similar studies have performed: This is a renewal of an existing program, indicating prior success in related areas, while also exploring newly discovered immune mechanisms.

Where this research is happening

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.