Investigating how specific signaling pathways affect liver fibrosis
Official title: Role of SMAD1/5/8 signaling in liver fibrosis
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11144567 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain signals in the liver can affect the health of liver cells and contribute to conditions like hemochromatosis and NASH, with the goal of finding new ways to help treat liver fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $89,964 |
| NIH project number | 5K99DK138293-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144567 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from liver fibrosis or related conditions, particularly those with alcohol-related liver disease or NASH.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver fibrosis due to non-alcoholic causes unrelated to the mechanisms being studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of SMAD1/5/8 signaling pathways in liver fibrosis, particularly how they affect the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The study will utilize both laboratory and animal models to explore how these pathways influence liver health, especially in conditions like hemochromatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). By examining the mechanisms of these signaling pathways, the research aims to uncover potential therapeutic targets for treating liver fibrosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent or reverse liver fibrosis, improving outcomes for patients with liver diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting similar signaling pathways for liver diseases, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xiao, Xia — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Xiao, Xia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Role of SMAD1/5/8 signaling in liver fibrosis
This grant explores how specific liver cell signals influence scarring (fibrosis) in the liver, with a focus on people who have alcohol-related liver disease or related conditions.
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A study to test a new peptide that blocks a key fibrosis signal and a gene-silencing approach to help reverse liver fibrosis caused by alcohol use.
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A researcher team is studying how certain RNA binding proteins, especially LARP6, regulate the liver’s scar-building process in alcoholic liver disease to identify potential ways to reduce fibrosis.
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Affects people with MASLD/MASH may benefit from a better understanding of how certain immune cells contribute to liver fibrosis and how to stop it.
-
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A patient-focused liver fibrosis test platform is being developed to help speed the creation of medicines that treat liver scarring by using human-derived liver cells and tissue signals.
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Role of HK2 in liver scarring, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer
A study in adults looks at how the enzyme HK2 helps drive liver scarring in NASH and may influence the development of liver cancer, with potential to point to new treatments.
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.