Investigating how EGFR and MET affect liver injury from acetaminophen overdose
Official title: Diverging roles of EGFR and MET in acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10997403 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how two specific proteins in the body might help the liver heal after an acetaminophen overdose, especially for people who get help later than usual, and it hopes to find new treatment options for those who don’t improve with the usual medicine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $373,734 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135566-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997403 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced an acetaminophen overdose and are presenting with acute liver injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not taken acetaminophen or those with chronic liver disease unrelated to acetaminophen may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the roles of two growth factor receptors, EGFR and MET, in the context of liver injury caused by acetaminophen overdose. The study aims to explore how these receptors influence liver regeneration and injury progression, particularly in patients who seek medical help late after an overdose. By using a model that mimics acute liver failure, researchers will investigate potential new treatments that could help mitigate liver damage and promote recovery. The goal is to identify alternative pharmacological approaches that could be beneficial for patients who do not respond to the standard treatment with N-acetylcysteine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options for patients suffering from acetaminophen-induced liver injury, improving recovery outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that targeting growth factor receptors can influence liver regeneration, but the specific roles of EGFR and MET in acetaminophen-induced liver injury are still being explored, making this research novel.
Where this research is happening
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University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bhushan, Bharat — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Bhushan, Bharat
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.