Investigating how cell interactions and environment affect liver disease

Synergistic effects of ECM and heterotypic crosstalk on cellular responses in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · NIH-10872177

This study is looking at how liver cells talk to each other and react to their surroundings in people with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with the hope of finding new treatments that could help improve liver health.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10872177 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious liver condition that can lead to severe complications. It aims to understand how different types of liver cells communicate and how their environment influences their behavior, particularly in the context of fibrosis. By using engineered culture systems that mimic the liver's microenvironment, the study seeks to uncover the mechanisms that drive liver cell changes and identify potential new treatments. Patients may benefit from insights gained through this research that could lead to more effective therapies for liver disease.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or those at risk of developing liver fibrosis.

Not a fit: Patients with liver diseases caused by alcohol consumption or other non-NASH related conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of novel therapies for patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding liver disease mechanisms through similar approaches, but this specific methodology is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, 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.